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we recently just got a TiVo through our cable provider and I assume it will be the same with that.

30 second skip is enabled through an Easter egg (select-play-select-3-0-select). http://bigmarv.net/how/tivo/tivo-30-second-skip.html


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I am not a very big fan of TV to many commercial breaks.
I mostly wait until I can view the series on DvD.

That's the primary reason why I don't have traditional TV service via OTA, cable or satellite. It's Netflix and iTunes for me. I despise commercials so much that I don't want to pay for them.
 
Recently cancelled my Netflix because I have quite literally exhausted all of the television shows I intended on watching.

I plan on subscribing again when House of Cards returns for season two.
 
I'm always up for new SciFi. An update is requested. :D

Update Part Deux with mild spoilers:

I finished the first season just now and found the series to be good enough to hold my interest. As I mentioned previously, I was disappointed that my initial expectation for the show wasn't met, however, what the show is, is good in it's own right.

Each episode is a story within a story where they solve and attempt to prevent crimes of terror, all the while where Kiera Cameron, the star of the show played by Rachel Nichols, attempts to get back to her home time.

The season finale was probably the best episode too and left off with a slight cliff hanger leading you to wonder what the reason for her being sent back in time was for.

Additionally, Nicholas Lea, who played Alex Krycek in the X-Files, starred in the show as Agent Gardiner. I thought he did a great job in the X-Files and he did not disappoint in Continuum, though with a slightly different role than previously.
 
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Update Part Deux with mild spoilers:

I finished the first season just now and found the series to be good enough to hold my interest. As I mentioned previously, I was disappointed that my initial expectation for the show wasn't met, however, what the show is, is good in it's own right.

Each episode is a story within a story where they solve and attempt to prevent crimes of terror, all the while where Kiera Cameron, the star of the show played by Rachel Nichols, attempts to get back to her home time.

The season finale was probably the best episode too and left off with a slight cliff hanger leading you to wonder what the reason for her being sent back in time was for.

Additionally, Nicholas Lea, who played Alex Krycek in the X-Files, starred in the show as Agent Gardiner. I thought he did a great job in the X-Files and he did not disappoint in Continuum, though with a slightly different role than previously.

Yes, I'll give it a shot. Of note I started Alias (2001-2006). It started with a bang with twists and turns and a high level of action. All I'll say is that it has to do with a female CIA agent. I'm definitely going to watch some more.
 
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Yes, I'll give it a shot. Of note I started Alias (2001-2006). It started with a bang with twists and turns and a high level of action. All I'll say is that it has to do with a female CIA agent. I'm definitely going to watch some more.

I just added it to my Netflix queue after seeing that J.J. Abrams created it. He did great with Star Trek, so I trust his ability to make a show that I would watch. :D
 
Yes, I'll give it a shot. Of note I started Alias (2001-2006). It started with a bang with twists and turns and a high level of action. All I'll say is that it has to do with a female CIA agent. I'm definitely going to watch some more.

Alias lost me around season 3. The JJA show I like most now is Person Of Interest. Can't go wrong with Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse).

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Alias lost me around season 3. The JJA show I like most now is Person Of Interest. Can't go wrong with Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse).

B


Growing tired of POI. Too much of the same every week but I must admit, the end of season story line was quite good. I'll watch again next season but could see myself dropping it if it reverts to the same old.
 
Growing tired of POI. Too much of the same every week but I must admit, the end of season story line was quite good. I'll watch again next season but could see myself dropping it if it reverts to the same old.

Yeah, it was dragging a bit through the middle part of the season, but it picked up on multiple fronts for the end season. It already lost my wife during season 1, but I've semi-stuck with it.

Actually TiVo comes in handy here too as I've been following POI in 4 episode blitzes which has helped keep my interest up with individual dud episodes.

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I just added it to my Netflix queue after seeing that J.J. Abrams created it. He did great with Star Trek, so I trust his ability to make a show that I would watch. :D

It had a good start. Based on balamw's comment, lets see how long it lasts. :)

Alias lost me around season 3. The JJA show I like most now is Person Of Interest. Can't go wrong with Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse).

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PoI, neither did Fringe, or Revolution grab me, so I've found shows he is associated with to be hit and miss, but always worth a peak. :) I thought Lost and Cloverfied were both excellent, even with Cloverfield's jerky home movie effect, which as a rule I hate. Super Eight was ok, but it felt a little too much Spielbergish, in the way the kid characters were handled.
 
PoI, neither did Fringe, or Revolution grab me, so I've found shows he is associated with to be hit and miss, but always worth a peak.

Revolution is one of those shows that could have been awesome, but they just didn't let it brew slowly enough. They lost me once it was revealed that power could be had with the dumb amulets.

Fringe was awesome though quirky and inconsistent.

I think PoI will be a better show to watch on NetFlix in a bundle instead of every week.

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Revolution is one of those shows that could have been awesome, but they just didn't let it brew slowly enough. They lost me once it was revealed that power could be had with the dumb amulets.

Fringe was awesome though quirky and inconsistent.

I think PoI will be a better show to watch on NetFlix in a bundle instead of every week.

B

After watching a few episodes of Alias, don't know if I'll stick with it. The missions seem a little over the top in an unrealistic way. The star kicks so many asses, you know she is going to succeed/survive and it reduces the excitement and tension supposed to be felt. I may have been spoiled by watching more realism based shows like Homeland and The Americans.
 
Watching a couple of episodes of Boss. I really like this show and its too bad they canceled it after 2 seasons.

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A local chain of shops offered this, complete West Wing.



I always loved this show when it was shown here, and for that price well it's a steal.
 
I've only seen the first season, but it was really good. Do they wrap up the ending of things in season 2 or did the cancellation leave a never ending cliffhanger?

I'm not sure as I am still getting through season 2. I don't think I've watched any episodes since that last post.
 
Update Part Deux with mild spoilers:

I finished the first season just now and found the series to be good enough to hold my interest. As I mentioned previously, I was disappointed that my initial expectation for the show wasn't met, however, what the show is, is good in it's own right.

Each episode is a story within a story where they solve and attempt to prevent crimes of terror, all the while where Kiera Cameron, the star of the show played by Rachel Nichols, attempts to get back to her home time.

The season finale was probably the best episode too and left off with a slight cliff hanger leading you to wonder what the reason for her being sent back in time was for.

Additionally, Nicholas Lea, who played Alex Krycek in the X-Files, starred in the show as Agent Gardiner. I thought he did a great job in the X-Files and he did not disappoint in Continuum, though with a slightly different role than previously.

Watched the first episode of Continuum and it did not really grab me. :( I've also put Hemlock Grove the Netflix exclusive to rest.
 
Watched the first episode of Continuum and it did not really grab me. :( I've also put Hemlock Grove the Netflix exclusive to rest.

I haven't watched much of it since that last post of mine and when I do watch it, it's more like background noise while I'm doing other stuff. I don't exactly sit on the edge of my seat watching it if you know what I mean.
 
Since I've recently learned what film noir means from the kind folks of Shrink and Scepticlescribe in our other favorite thread, What Movie Are You Watching?, I'm starting to notice this style of cinematography in other places now. This review regarding film noir or possibly better, neo-noir, is from the viewpoint of the set lighting rather than the seedy underlining typically associated with this style.

For example, I watched an episode of Star Trek, the original series, the other day. It was the episode Balance of Terror from season one in 1966.
After Romulan war birds destroy Federation outposts, the Enterprise pursues them. Similarities between them and Vulcans spark bigotry against Spock.

This episode was particularly well written and executed not only for it's noir but for the plot of the episode which had several thought provoking themes to it. The mood was set deep and dark, much different from the majority of the series' episodes. They used the noir more extensively in this episode for some reason, and it worked well.

ariane179254_StarTrek_1x14_BalanceOfTerror_1098.jpg


I particularly enjoyed the cat & mouse game between Captain Kirk and the Romulan Commander played by Mark Lenard - whom I will get to in a bit. The tactics of both ships, trying to destroy each other, was quite gripping. What I liked was how Captain Kirk really took charge of his officers, especially Mr. Stiles who had a family history of war with the Romulans and held a grudge against them, and subsequently Spock, since Vulcans and Romulans are related.

The combination of film noir and Kirk's leadership and deep thought of his next move was intriguing. It's this combination that really was what I meant by gripping. Kirk first mirrored the Romulans moves based on a sensor blip reading and heading towards Romulan space, since they crossed the neutral zone, though they were cloaked, with the hope that they would not notice this. The battle of wits between them was great and the acting, especially that of Mark Lenard, was superb. Both commanders plotted against one another with the use of the tail of a comet and Kirk misjudged his decision as the Romulans took evasive action. Kirk vowed not to make that mistake again and came around firing proximity phasers. The Roumlans countered, while the phasers were down on the Enterprise, by coming at them firing their main weapon which would have destroyed the Enterprise had they not outran it, diminishing it's effectiveness before impact, showing they had limited range. Interestingly enough, Yeoman Rand clung close to Kirk during that scene, showing almost a romantic signal between them based on some scenes in previous episodes. But that's a different story, on screen and off screen. I also liked how the battle of wits played out in space, as if both ships were submarines, under water, playing like a hole in space, waiting for the other to make a move. Then Kirk's inner, yet rhetorical thoughts on the battle being aired to Dr. McCoy in his quarters, just after Yeoman Rand enters offering to get him a meal, was fascinating as well.

The inevitable, in films, action of Spock mistakingly pressing a button which made noise, giving away their position to the Romulans, further cast judgement on him from Mr. Stiles, which you could read on his countenance, also ended the quiet stalemate and lead the the final battle which ended the Romulan's fight when they destroyed themselves rather than surrender and beam aboard to the Enterprise.

A sub-plot, yet connected to the main plot, was that of the bigotry of Mr. Stiles against Spock, which Kirk put a quick stop to on the bridge. Stiles was bitter against the Romulans for his family's death in wars since past, and since no human has seen a Romulan and vice versa, until now, Stiles, quickly surmised that Spock was a Romulan spy judging based solely on their simliar looks. I don't want to get into PRSI here, but I think this was certainly written into the episode given the political and racial tensions of the 1960's. By the end of the episode, Spock had shown Stiles, by saving his life in the phaser room when the phaser coolant was leaking, that he was after all a good guy, and not to be prejudged based on his looks or distant relation to the Romulans.

Mark Lenard, for those who aren't big fans of Star Trek and any Trekkie would know this, was the Romulan commander in this episode, and its the first time in Star Trek where the Romulans are introduced and seen for the first time. He later went on to play as Spock's Vulcan father, Sarek throughout the series and movies. He also played a Klingon commander in Star Trek The Motion Picture. Mark Lenard, having played all three major aliens in the series has had a great impact on the show and it's legacy.
 
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Since I've recently learned what film noir means from the kind folks of Shrink and Scepticlescribe in our other favorite thread, What Movie Are You Watching?, I'm starting to notice this style of cinematography in other places now.

Interesting read. It's been a long time since I've watched the original Star Trek! If Sin City and The Crow can be called Film Noir, as a rule, I don't care for FN modern interpretations. I really don't like being reminded the stylized backgrounds are mostly fake. :)
 
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