Spoilers What's on TV?

[Huntn]

Enjoy it.

My siblings knew that I had a strict, and utterly non-negotiable 'no telephone' rule during Downton Abbey. That is, they knew better than to even think of phoning me, as I had long made it clear that, 1) the phone would not be answered under any circumstances, and, 2) that I would return the favour, by calling them at a most inconvenient time, such as during a football match, or the subsequent post match postmortem.

Downton Abbey is off with a bang as...

Spoiler

The Bates finally step out from under a cloud; Mary gets blackmailed; with nuptials on the horizon, Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes discuss senior bodies and getting naked through an intermediary, being too shy (Mrs Hughes) to discuss it in person; and the Dowager and Isobel Crawley mud wrestle over who controls the hospital!!

Written for humor.

 

[mscriv]

Anyone remember this TV show?

Yeppers, I sure do and "Danger Will Robinson!" is still a phrase I use today when the situation calls for it. Sadly, I often get blank stares from younger folks who obviously have no idea what that means.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Downton Abbey is off with a bang as...

Spoiler

The Bates finally step out from under a cloud; Mary gets blackmailed; with nuptials on the horizon, Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes discuss senior bodies and getting naked through an intermediary, being too shy (Mrs Hughes) to discuss it in person; and the Dowager and Isobel Crawley mud wrestle over who controls the hospital!!

Written for humor.

Ah, brilliant; delighted to see that you are enjoying it.

Yes, that particular storyline was very funny and very well done.

Yeppers, I sure do and "Danger Will Robinson!" is still a phrase I use today when the situation calls for it. Sadly, I often get blank stares from younger folks who obviously have no idea what that means.

Well, I'd be equally lost in that - because, while I vaguely remember that the show existed, and must have watched it once or twice, it never grabbed me as a kid the way that Star Trek did, so I don't actually remember much of it, let alone a catch-phrase.

 

[Huntn]

Modern Family another amazing season.

 

[mscriv]

I've been enjoying a fun little show called "Going Deep with David Rees". It's on the Esquire network and is now in its second season. Apparently the first season was broadcast on the National Geographic Channel.

 

[S.B.G]

Some more Star Trek: TNG. This time on Hulu, which has the same quality as Netflix - better than BBC.

Descent: Part 1
After an encounter with the Borg, Data feels his first emotion when he gets angry with the Borg. Data then tries to find ways to recreate the situation in order to feel emotions again, whilst the Enterprise investigates the Borg activity, and are bewildered as to why they feel emotions too.

Descent: Part 2
Picard, Geordi and Troi try to find a way to escape their cell after being imprisoned by Lore, whilst attempting to convince Data to do what is right as opposed to what his negative emotions (which Lore is feeding him) are compelling him to do. Meanwhile, Riker and Worf attempt to lead a rebellion against the self-aware Borg with help from an old friend...

 

[S.B.G]

I've never seen a single episode of Star Trek: Enterprise before. I'm giving it a try right now.

Broken Bow: Part 1
Enterprise, Earths first vessel capable of exploring the universe, is to embark on a dangerous first mission: bringing back a chased Klingon to his home world.

I'm only a few minutes into the first episode and I'm not that impressed. The opening theme song doesn't seem to fit anything that I've come to expect from Star Trek or any space-based TV show or movie. It seems more like it should go with a family-oriented sitcom.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I've never seen a single episode of Star Trek: Enterprise before. I'm giving it a try right now.



I'm only a few minutes into the first episode and I'm not that impressed. The opening theme song doesn't seem to fit anything that I've come to expect from Star Trek or any space-based TV show or movie. It seems more like it should go with a family-oriented sitcom.

To be honest, I didn't care much for that show at all.

Instead of ensemble playing, (which you had brilliantly in STNG, - each character got a story, or a leading role in an episode at least once per season - and DS9, and - to a lesser - and regrettable - extent - in Voyager) you had two or three main (and relatively uninteresting) characters around whom everything else revolved.

And the plots weren't compelling. And the actors, frankly, weren't experts at their craft. Scripts were poor, too, because who were these people, - of such undistinguished character - and why on earth (or, in space) should you care for them.

Actually, I don't have a quarrel with a 'family based show' if it is well done. It is just that I felt this show - Enterprise - didn't do anything well. Not space show, (and I do love those, if they are well done), not plot, not political stories (all that Klingon succession stuff in STNG was a superb example of how to intelligently treat stories on political themes for a TV audience), not character, not narrative, nothing…..

 

[S.B.G]

I gave DS9 a shot when it first came on the air years ago and then I tried again in the last year or so and I just couldn't stay interested. It was because of DS9 that I never really tried any of the other series, i.e. Voyager and Enterprise.

These all seem like a generic show wrapped in quasi-Star Trek wardrobe trying to find success on the coat tails of TOS and TNG.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I gave DS9 a shot when it first came on the air years ago and then I tried again in the last year or so and I just couldn't stay interested. It was because of DS9 that I never really tried any of the other series, i.e. Voyager and Enterprise.

These all seem like a generic show wrapped in quasi-Star Trek wardrobe trying to find success on the coat tails of TOS and TNG.

I saw - watched - even persuaded my brother to record it for me (the first year or so of DS9 overlapped with the last year of STNG), the first season of DS9, and was very underwhelmed. I thought the premise good - station where all the movement comes, rather than movement through space. After that, I watched it if I was around, (which was increasingly infrequent) but made no effort to make time to sit down and watch it.

Relatives - at a wedding of a cousin of mine a few years later - the teenage sons of the brother of the marrying cousin, got very excited when they realised that I was a STNG fan, and tried to persuade me that DS9 had became really good, and 'dark' and challenging in its final years. They urged me to watch it, in the way that only teenagers can, but I never managed to do so.

 

[C DM]

I gave DS9 a shot when it first came on the air years ago and then I tried again in the last year or so and I just couldn't stay interested. It was because of DS9 that I never really tried any of the other series, i.e. Voyager and Enterprise.

These all seem like a generic show wrapped in quasi-Star Trek wardrobe trying to find success on the coat tails of TOS and TNG.

You should give DS9 a chance again, it's really up there with TNG for many.

 

[S.B.G]

Nah, not giving DS9 a third chance. The acting, script and execution was extremely poor in my opinion.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

You should give DS9 a chance again, it's really up there with TNG for many.

Only in the latter years, I am told, and yes, I do accept that - my young cousins argued that it improved massively in its final years with a touching - passionate, and well-informed zeal.

However, the first two years (most of which I watched) were very underwhelming.

But, as @SandboxGeneral has already said, what you guys have to realise is that time is valuable; I am not about to trawl through seven (I assume it is seven) years of episodes to try to find what is good. Guidance and hints - and context - which I lack as I am not prepared to watch years of context - all help.

Here is an interesting comparison: I can remember every single episode of STNG I watched; if anyone mentions an episode, and the title eludes me when they have referred to it, all I have to do is ask 'which one was that?' (or cheat, and check google), and when they will reply, 'oh, it is the one when Picard - or Data - or whoever - did this' whereupon I will recall it - almost in its entirety - although it is over twenty years since I have seen most of those episodes. Some of the better original ST episodes also have the same effect.

But none - and I watched almost two seasons of this before I realised that I had better things to do with my time - of the episodes of DS9 had that effect on me. They were - and are - at least the early years which are the ones I saw - utterly forgettable.

Nah, not giving DS9 a third chance. The acting, script and execution was extremely poor in my opinion.

For now, I'm entirely in agreement with you.

It took them far too long to improve that series. And by the time they did so, it was too late for me.

 

[S.B.G]

The first episode of Enterprise is coming to a close shortly. There was a a scene a few minutes ago where the ship was coming under fire and as soon as the comm officer realized it, she shouted "Grab onto something!" It may be a small, insignificant, thing to many casual viewers of any ST show, but to me that is an example of poor writing of the script. Starfleet is supposed to be a highly trained and professional organization, and in TOS and TNG, I'd likely hear the comm officer shout something like "Brace for impact!" which sounds more like I'd expect from a professional naval crew.

Otherwise, the first episode wasn't too bad - though its no TOS or TNG. I'll keep watching for now and see how it goes. It only 4 seasons long, so it won't be too long to watch all of it, should I choose to continue through.

 

[C DM]

Only in the latter years, I am told, and yes, I do accept that - my young cousins argued that it improved massively in its final years with a touching - passionate, and well-informed zeal.

However, the first two years (most of which I watched) were very underwhelming.

But, as @SandboxGeneral has already said, what you guys have to realise is that time is valuable; I am not about to trawl through seven (I assume it is seven) years of episodes to try to find what is good. Guidance and hints - and context - which I lack as I am not prepared to watch years of context - all help.

Here is an interesting comparison: I can remember every single episode of STNG I watched; if anyone mentions an episode, and the title eludes me when they have referred to it, all I have to do is ask 'which one was that?' (or cheat, and check google), and when they will reply, 'oh, it is the one when Picard - or Data - or whoever - did this' whereupon I will recall it - almost in its entirety - although it is over twenty years since I have seen most of those episodes. Some of the better original ST episodes also have the same effect.

But none - and I watched almost two seasons of this before I realised that I had better things to do with my time - of the episodes of DS9 had that effect on me. They were - and are - at least the early years which are the ones I saw - utterly forgettable.




For now, I'm entirely in agreement with you.

It took them far too long to improve that series. And by the time they did so, it was too late for me.

I can probably agree about the earlier season or two where it was finding its footing in a sense. Once the multi-year storyline of the Dominion War and everything related to it got more or less started and going it certainly became that much more engrossing.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I can probably agree about the earlier season or two where it was finding its footing in a sense. Once the multi-year storyline of the Dominion War and everything related to it got more or less started and going it certainly became that much more engrossing.

Sure. I accept that; in fact, that is exactly what my young, enthusiastic cousins said, back in (oh, 1997….)

But when did the Dominion War stuff start? What series did this multi-year story arc start in, and how long did it run for?

The problem is, if a series is bloody awful for its first two series, if it takes too long 'to find its footing' some of us lose patience, and, those (viewers) whom it loses, it won't regain. Ever.

Even in its first two series, STNG always had a few excellent episodes, the sort that made you realise that this - at its best - can be outstanding. None of the other series managed to do that.

Actually, I even rescheduled classes I was teaching - and nearly refused to accept an invitation to adjudicate a very important inter-varsity debate - because of STNG. Believe me, I would never have contemplated doing that with any of the latter series...

 

[C DM]

Sure. I accept that; in fact, that is exactly what my young, enthusiastic cousins said, back in (oh, 1997….)

But when did the Dominion War stuff start? What series did this multi-year story arc start in, and how long did it run for?

The problem is, if a series is bloody awful for its first two series, if it takes too long 'to find its footing' some of us lose patience, and, those (viewers) whom it loses, it won't regain. Ever.

Even in its first two series, STNG always had a few excellent episodes, the sort that made you realise that this - at its best - can be outstanding. None of the other series managed to do that.

Actually, I even rescheduled classes I was teaching - and nearly refused to accept an invitation to adjudicate a very important inter-varsity debate - because of STNG. Believe me, I would never have contemplated doing that with any of the latter series...

Well, I wouldn't say it was awful--certainly better than a lot of Enterprise and Voyager--even in the first year or two, just wasn't really to the level of TNG, which I think skewed to some degree things in a sense. It seems like there's a good amount of agreement that things pick up quite a bit toward the end of the second season and basically as of season 3. The Dominion War has some good coverage in quite a few episodes in the last few seasons, but it's there before that as well in the earlier stages more of as a backdrop.

Doing an online search on DS9 seems like quite a few discussions of this type have happened over the years, like the one (or one of the ones) at Reddit at https://www.reddit.com/r/startrek/comments/2ovl9e/ds9does_it_get_better/.

 

[Huntn]

Childhood's End Pt1- On SyFy. A 3 part mini-series, based on a Ray Bradbury (my favorite SciFi author) story.. They are here to help us. So far so good. SyFy Network appears to have turned a corner for the better.

 

[C DM]

Childhood's End Pt1- On SyFy. A 3 part mini-series, based on a Ray Bradbury (my favorite SciFi author) story.. They are here to help us. So far so good. SyFy Network appears to have turned a corner for the better.

It stated out well but then kind of fizzled (at least for me).

I am enjoying The Expanse (back to the SciFi aspect of SyFy).

 

[S.B.G]

Childhood's End Pt1- On SyFy. A 3 part mini-series, based on a Ray Bradbury (my favorite SciFi author) story.. They are here to help us. So far so good. SyFy Network appears to have turned a corner for the better.

I watched it when it aired last month. The first two parts were pretty good and then the third was a bit of a let down for me. Overall, the series left me with more questions and significant holes in the plot.

I decided to get the e-book, which was the basis for the show. I have yet to read it though. SyFy should have made the series a bit longer to fill in more details.

 

[Huntn]

It stated out well but then kind of fizzled (at least for me).

I am enjoying The Expanse (back to the SciFi aspect of SyFy).

I watched it when it aired last month. The first two parts were pretty good and then the third was a bit of a let down for me. Overall, the series left me with more questions and significant holes in the plot.

I decided to get the e-book, which was the basis for the show. I have yet to read it though. SyFy should have made the series a bit longer to fill in more details.

Thanks for the info, I'm bracing myself to be dissapointed.

 

[Bradley Easton]

I've just started watching Hannibal. My god only on the 2nd episode and I am gripped. Kind of confused though, in the TV series is Hannibal the killer and other people are trying to recreate his murders?

 

[Huntn]

Childhood's End Pt1- On SyFy. A 3 part mini-series, based on a Ray Bradbury (my favorite SciFi author) story.. They are here to help us. So far so good. SyFy Network appears to have turned a corner for the better.

I watched it when it aired last month. The first two parts were pretty good and then the third was a bit of a let down for me. Overall, the series left me with more questions and significant holes in the plot.

I decided to get the e-book, which was the basis for the show. I have yet to read it though. SyFy should have made the series a bit longer to fill in more details.

Watched Part 2 last night. I'm getting the picture. As a viewer you have to suspect something sinister is happening.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Anybody else watching "Deutschland 83"? It is superb.

 

[Huntn]

Downton Abbey- Elated with the return of a certain character who had run off to Boston to figure things out. It's surprising in the framework of a story primarily based on character relationships how such an event can cause such substantial feelings.