Topic: The TV Show Thread

So I have now watched all 8 episodes of The Mandalorian.

You may have seen my initial impressions after the first two episodes and I posted my advice here for others to temper expectations a smidgen because it wasn’t as mind blowing to me as I expected. ...Well, I’m thrilled to say that after watching all remaining episodes 3-8, I have come away very happy with the series. I still think people need to know what they are getting into — that the show is more simple and straightforward in its plot and execution, and it is a little different experience from the big budget cinema offerings. However, the series improves in regards to the overarching narrative and does become more intriguing and builds sufficient tension and complexity to whet the appetite for more after each ensuing episode.

My other minor complaint early on was the lack of character development. Although that does persist a small amount, it gets better and I really felt a strong connection to the main characters. The acting is solid and the trickle of backstory fits the episodic nature of the series. The protagonist is resonating with me now and fast becoming a favorite Star Wars character.

After seeing Rise of Skywalker (more on that later in the movie thread 😒) I see the value in how The Mandalorian is very much a separate narrative thread entirely, with no direct links to other Star Wars story arcs. Nevertheless, I see how there could easily be a mixing in of “baby yoda” who is obviously a Force user and how that could link into Luke Skywalker, or Rey, or Kylo, or something Jedi or Sith related. I fear that future seasons could mingle with the movies too much and eventually they get too much into the backstory of the rise of The First Order and the return of the Sith, etc. I sort of like the complete disregard for what’s going on in the Skywalker arc that we have here. I guess time will tell if they can keep the series going without delving too far into that stuff and further confusing the already discombobulated new trilogy’s storyline. I guess the origin and fate of “baby yoda” holds the keys to that.

I do wonder, does anyone know if Disney will
drip-feed the episodes week by week in Europe/UK when it releases in March or will they just drop the whole series all at once, á la Netflix style?

@KALofKRYPTON i think someone writing this has a bit of a fetish "Kneel and call my name"

@FullbringIchigo
There are loads of books and audio stuff on him! Some actually pretty good. Though none of that is technically canon - now is the perfect time though as he was meant to have been generated from between 12 and 13. 12's initial refusal to regenerate could be used as the catalyst.

@KALofKRYPTON your forgetting something 12 wasn't really 12, 10 was really 12 and 11 was 13

remember it goes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, War, 9, 10, 10 again, 11, 12 and 13 so 13 is technically 15 and 12 was the start of a new cycle

the Valeyard would have been made between Tennant and Smiths

@FullbringIchigo That's a fair point. One of the books dealt the idea that the meta crisis Doctor was the Valeyard, but it was a ruse... though there is talk of Tenant's return...

@KALofKRYPTON that would be dumb it he was BUT i do like the idea of the Meta Doctor coming back, he could even be a companion for a series

it would be like having 2 Doctors the whole time

@FullbringIchigo Chib's will need way better writers to pull something like that off for a single episode, never mind an entire series!

@KALofKRYPTON nah Chibnall can eff off as far as i'm concerned, they should save it until he leaves and they get a good showrunner and writer

@RogerRoger Yeah, Mando is a more visually and emotionally inspiring character than Rey, Finn, and pretty much anyone in the ROS other than Babu Frik. Zori Bliss is a decent one too though, if only she had been given a little more substance.
I will probably post my ROS thoughts at some point, but I’m not sure what I have to add to yours, actually. I think you hit the nail on the head there. I need to chew on it a little and let the whole thing settle into my psyche. I’m trying to be as objective as possible.

@KratosMD I quite enjoyed it again. Surprised that they managed such a strong second season really. I wasn't sure where they were going to take it.

Last night's Doctor Who was OK I suppose; an extremely middling episode seemingly written to serve one sentence uttered by The Doctor at the end of the episode. They really are wasting a good cast here.

We also finished watching that last season of The Deuce over the weekend. Easily one of the best drama's out there and ends well. I won't say 'satisfying', the content and arcs for the majority of characters are largely grim - there are resolutions here and there and the show was, start to finish, brilliantly written, directed and performed.

I'm glad they ended on 3 seasons. Not sure whether that was always the intention, but they certainly made it feel that way.

so E4 picked up Batwoman

https://www.tvwise.co.uk/2020/01/e4-acquires-uk-rights-to-bat...

not that it matters the "Arrowverse" has been on the decline for a while now and apparently this doesn't do much to fix that BUT what is important is this is ANOTHER show E4 has got that would normally never show on normal TV (the other being Star Trek Discovery)

what does channel 4 have that the likes of Sky or Netflix don't?

@FullbringIchigo Hahahahahahahahahahaha

Brilliant!

I want to insist that everyone watch it.

Channel has no sense it would seem. Batwoman genuinely is awful, and awfully made.

@KALofKRYPTON but if we all watch it, even to laugh at it they will think it's successful because it would get good viewing figures

@FullbringIchigo It's already been renewed for season 2 based on the abysmal figures in the states 😂

It's a woke vanity project, it won't be cancelled until they absolutely have to.

SO how about that cameo in the last Crisis on Infinite Earths, no spoilers but i was NOT expecting that

@FullbringIchigo I honestly don't think anyone was! Could make Flashpoint more interesting!

@KALofKRYPTON yep it could also i'm pretty sure i saw Green Lantern in that mash up sequence

@FullbringIchigo I expect them to try and make good on the Diggle/GL connection. Going to need extreme care though.
Diggle (and the actor's performance) is as dull as dishwater, and Arrow has explored him plenty - so the standard 'origin' formula will be a bit difficult. Hopefully they don't go that way and maybe do a GL ensemble, or even better - just a Guy Gardner series!

@KALofKRYPTON i never was a big fan of the Digg;e character, i would have been happy if he was written out if i'm honest