Topic: The TV Show Thread

I just finished watching Thirteen Reasons Why, it's very powerful, very emotional and deals with some heavy issues. It's also pretty intriguing and is very much a 'just one more episode' show. Loved it, would highly recommend but with the warning of the serious issues within

@Tasuki, I'll definitely look into it next season, but since Netflix is only a couple of weeks away from getting the last seasons, I'll watch those there.

@KratosMD Is it true that the British version of Flash Forward lasted several seasons? That show was brilliant and I was so ticked off when the American version of the show was cancelled after a single season...

@KratosMD I agree Riverdale is probably my favorite show this season. I don't know what I am going to do this summer without Riverdale.

@Reanfan7 Flash Forward was only one season in the UK too. As someone from the UK, I really find the TV networks of America very frustrating. Often we get shows a few months after they have broadcast in the US and a fair few of been cancelled before the season has really got going or started in some cases. You would think that US networks would be a bit more patient, wait to see how popular something is on a more global scale and can make up some of the costs by selling broadcast rights to other countries. It could be just 'timing', putting something on at the wrong time to compete against the wrong shows. I often hear that shows on a 'Friday' (I believe) at a certain time is a death sentence regardless of how good a show is.

@BAMozzy I feel the same - shows get killed too quickly.

If the show has a very strong narrative thread (rather than crime/monster of the week episodes) I often wait at least 1 if not 2 seasons before jumping in to guage whether it has a future. Nothing is certain but you can at least tell if there is a stable weekly viewership..

@Rudy_Manchego It doesn't seem to matter in some cases as to whether a show has a strong narrative thread or not, whether it has potential to be big or repeat the same 'joke' or theme every (or at least every other) episode. There really doesn't appear to be rhyme nor reason. Obviously viewing figures matter - much more than anything else but it seems the timing - ie when it goes out in the US and what it could be up against matters the most. I am sure I read that more shows have been cancelled that go out on a Friday night, than any other time. I don't know if they are trying to compete with a very popular and regular thing (NFL?) or just that most Americans that are the 'target audience' (the 18-35's) are opting to go out when these shows air. Its also difficult for networks to get an accurate viewership reading. Maybe some watch the first episode or two and then wait for the box-set to arrive on-demand. Not sure our DVR works and whether that has an impact on viewing figures. I series plan all my shows and watch as and when. I never watch live - especially not shows/channels with adverts unless I am at the point of just watching almost anything just to switch off for the night. The only thing I actively watch 'live' is sports.

Just look at some of the shows that are cancelled or risk being cancelled if they haven't been renewed and some of the ones that have been. A lot of the 'crime' shows tend to have a similar story most weeks and often the same out-come too. Certain genres often don't succeed - like fantasy (although Game of Thrones has), Sci-fi etc and yet at the moment, super-hero shows are all the rage. Not complaining but Agent Carter was strong on characters and narrative yet still got cancelled.

@BAMozzy Sorry, misunderstanding. I am more happy to take a risk on a show which is largely monster of the week because the overall narrative isn't a problem and you can still enjoy each episode for what it is. If you have a show like flashforward, which has an overall story arc, if cancelled early then you are more often than not left without a resolution to the overall narrative which, to me, is very frustrating.

@Rudy_Manchego A lot of shows nowadays have that 'monster of the week' kind of approach but then also have a much longer story arc in the background - sometimes these can be a whole season. The Marvel TV shows are often like this where a 'main' villain can be a season long regular but individual episodes may come up against a specific enemy. Arrow, for example, usually has the 'flashbacks' relating to a specific point in time as well as a single main enemy for the season, a main theme for the characters story arcs but can also have individual 'enemy' of the week. The latest season of Agents of Shield is split into 3 sections with the first section featuring Ghost Rider. Most of these though are resolved by the final episode and may or may not end with the 'main' character in a 'good' place but the overall story arc can be resolved.

I quite like a mix of both. I enjoy Elementary for example (a modern day Sherlock) where each episode is a new case but often there has been a recurring story arc over multiple episodes. I prefer this type of format. I do like episodes to reach a natural conclusion but I also like to see a longer story arc over a season. I admit I am not fond of seasons being left on a cliff-hanger unless its guaranteed to be coming back AND be broadcast on UK TV. I am still waiting for Season 3 of Gotham!!!

@BAMozzy The problem is with that dempgraph, regular over the air broadcast tv just isn't as popular as say when I was an 18 year old, because of so many alternatives now. Most of my co-workers around that age have the following tv shows viewing habits

1. Wait for the whole season to come to Netflix, DVD etc and binge watch
2. Other alternatives such as Youtube, Crackle Netflix Originals etc.
3. Other dubious methods which can't be mentioned here.

For those reasons alone networks tend to get lower ratings which doesn't necessary reflect how popular a series is nowadays. Take Family Guy for example during its initial run on Fox it didn't do to well and was cancelled, however due to DVD sales, it was popular enough for Fox to bring it back. The same example can be said for Futurama.

Also with other forms of entertainment such as video/PC gaming more of a mainstream thing now tv has some major competition now then it did say 20 years ago.

It's just times are changing and tv is starting to go the way of land line phones yet so much money goes into the TV industry that they are still clinging on. I wouldn't be surprised if in say 30 years tv networks become more like Netflix. Heck we cam see that now with their so called apps.

@BAMozzy Yeah - I think the X-Files was one of the first shows to really do both, which was to have an overall story arc but you could happily enjoy the series if you weren't into the mythology episodes (even though they became a little unwieldy by the end of the series).

With young kids, series like Elementary (which me and my wife both like) are really good because you can watch one and not feel like you have to watch the next when you are exhausted and both want to go to bed!

On a general note, one thing I like a lot about Netflix (and Amazon to a certain extent) is that they will tend to support shows or finance them to a conclusion rather than just drop. I think this was the case for Hemlock Grove as it has been rumoured it wasn't as popular as their other shows at the time but they still concluded the series.

I think this is because it is in their business model to support shows that have a fanbase because those fans will pay for the content and thus maintain subscriptions whereas networks have to think of advertisements and go as wide as possible with their target audience.

Since they were added this week, I've started watching the newest seasons of Supergirl, the Flash, & Arrow on Netflix.

Supergirl - Not much to say so far, but I like that they officially introduced Superman, and it feels like they've somewhat improved the arial combat effects since last season.

The Flash - Too early to say much, but I'm enjoying it.

Arrow - Again, too early for any meaningful thoughts. Not sure how I feel about the two new villains, and it's too early to see if the new sidekicks grow on me.

@KratosMD I'm with you there. The new team never really grew on me. They just don't mesh well like the original team.

@KratosMD @SilentJ The only one I liked was Wild Dog and Ragman (or whatever his name was) Though Ragman I feel that they got rid of him too soon before they delved into his personality more.

I will say that this season of Arrow to me anyway was just meh. Last few seasons I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't wait for the next episode, this season I am finding it hard to keep going.

@KratosMD Yeah that was probably the last good season. I personally liked season 2 where Slade was the villain. The last two seasons though just seemed meh especially the villains. I am enjoying Flash and Legends alot more than Arrow these past few seasons.

Well finished this season of Arrow and man what a finale! I won't mention what happen here in case some of you guys still want to see it. But I will say it now has me wanting to see next season.

Now I am looking to finish up Flash, Legends, and my least favorite of the DC shows, Supergirl.

Well finished The Flash last night and wow what a ending. To be fair I enjoyed this season of The Flash more then Arrow and the ending didn't disappoint. Only thing though, as most season finals do it left me with alot of questions that more then likely will be answered next season but I don't want to wait that long. Can't wait now to watch Legends.

@Tasuki I thought Flash was a great series and that ending certainly left some interesting questions for the next series.

Supergirl season 2 (Netflix) - I thought the season started out strong (Introducing Superman, bringing the Luthor family in, and J'onn & Megan's storlyine was interesting), but floundered as it went on. The Luthors got sidelined for a less interesting end season villain, J'onn & Megan's storyline was cut too short, and they spent way too much time on the sister's relationship (when the only thing it contributed to the overall story is that they now have an insider in the police force). Also, James Olsen's story had (has) promise, but it largely felt like busy work this season to make him feel relevant. I did like the season finale though. It was also a big disappointment to find out the president wasn't a bad guy. that would have been pretty cool.

the Flash season 3 (Netflix) - Fantastic season. Some genuine mystery, great action, the best character relationships out of all these shows (once again, I actually got emotional in a few spots, which is something I generally don't do), and heck, I even liked the musical episode, lol.

Arrow season 5 (Netflix) - Everything came full circle this year, with a villain who's motives called back to season one, and the flashbacks finally finishing up his last year away, and while it could (and should) have been awesome, it was just kinda alright. Like others have said, the new team never did anything for me (maybe because they picked most of them off the street, with no previous relevance to the story), though like @Tasuki said, the season finale was pretty dope.

I also want to say that this year's big crossover event was insanely fun, and the best one yet.

Finished up Ghost in the Shell: Arise (Netflix) today.

Not as good as the original film, but still worth a look for anyone into the series, anime, or sci-fi in general. Only thing is, Netflix (US) only has the first 3 parts (not a huge deal, since each is it's own story, though they take place in chronological order, so I figured I should mention it). That, and while parts 1&2 are both Dub/Sub, part 3 is Sub only for some reason.