Random TV Show Thoughts

[The Cat]

Well, She-Hulk is over now. Here's my Letterbox review:

Well, let's not do that again.

Titania Maslany is GREAT and deserved a far better show.

But the writing and pacing is pretty terrible; aside from the acceptable pilot episode (thanks to chemistry between Maslany/Ruffalo), the brief wedding sequence, a decent chunk of the Daredevil episode (thanks to chemistry between Maslany/Cox), and a few brief moments of the finale [see where this is going -- experienced actors doing heavy lifting?], this show has just been a disappointment.

It thinks it's funny when it's being flat.

It thinks it's being cute when it's being banal.

It thinks it's being original when it's ripping off better stories.

It thinks it's being free-ranging when it's being disorganized and lacking impetus.

She-Hulk had the potential to try some crazy things (fourth wall breaking) but barely makes an effort until maybe the finale -- but the pacing and plotting there was terrible enough that it didn't really accomplish much.

I feel like this show was put together by a committee comprised of people who fit certain checkboxes, with the life then either squeezed out of it or was never there in the first place.

I hope Marvel gets some A-list writers and showrunners soon, because much of Phase 4 feels like a college-entry "Storytelling 101 for Non-Storytellers" class. Phases 1-3 felt like seasoned professionals, but once they all left the franchise, the MCU had no one really trained to take over the reins. It all just feels like throwing stories and resumes at the wall and seeing if anything sticks.

Dipping into the incel wars also really did not do the show any favors, it should have avoided playing that game and done its own thing. So much of this show feels like a repudiation against social criticism. Don't even waste your time with them, Jennifer Walters! You're better than that!

Just really disappointed. This show could have been something. Instead, it's been like almost every other Phase 4 offering and isn't really rewatchable. At least DC must be relieved at the opportunity they've gotten to get back into the game.

Pretty spot on review of a few shows rn imo. You and CeeCee have become my go to reviewers.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

the Dahmer show was good. At first, I was thinking, "it is just like every Dahmer movie before." There was that really low budget straight to video 90s film The Secret Life of Jeffrey Dahmer featuring laughably bad acting, then there was that Jeremy Renner movie which was basically a slightly higher budget, better acted version of the same exact film. I seem to remember a third film, but maybe I am mistaken. They all took a similar approach, focusing on the macabre nature of the crimes, and typically relegating the victims to the status of props. I'd seen some documentaries and was aware of the police incompetence and the complaints from his neighbors, but none of the adaptation movies ever gave a ton of attention to the suffering of the victims, their families, and Dahmer's neighbors.

 

[Totenkindly]

the Dahmer show was good. At first, I was thinking, "it is just like every Dahmer movie before." There was that really low budget straight to video 90s film The Secret Life of Jeffrey Dahmer featuring laughably bad acting, then there was that Jeremy Renner movie which was basically a slightly higher budget, better acted version of the same exact film. I seem to remember a third film, but maybe I am mistaken. They all took a similar approach, focusing on the macabre nature of the crimes, and typically relegating the victims to the status of props. I'd seen some documentaries and was aware of the police incompetence and the complaints from his neighbors, but none of the adaptation movies ever gave a ton of attention to the suffering of the victims, their families, and Dahmer's neighbors.

One of my kids blitzed through it. I still only have watched that first episode, and it's all been diluted with all the articles about victim's families complaining... but I was thinking the acting and the angle of the first episode would present something more interested in the victims beyond being such. So it is sounding like they actually DID try to do more justice to that. I also feel that's why a lot of people were also more disturbed by the show than other Dahmer things -- because they are actually driving home the reality of the victims.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

One of my kids blitzed through it. I still only have watched that first episode, and it's all been diluted with all the articles about victim's families complaining... but I was thinking the acting and the angle of the first episode would present something more interested in the victims beyond being such. So it is sounding like they actually DID try to do more justice to that. I also feel that's why a lot of people were also more disturbed by the show than other Dahmer things -- because they are actually driving home the reality of the victims.

The victim Tony (the deaf guy) probably got the bulk of the focus. I don't want to spoil too much, but the show goes to lengths to show the perspective of the victims, so you might see a scene of a victim and their friends and Jeffrey appears out of the background, as more of a side character or mysterious stranger than as the main character of the story.

In the other portrayals, I don't even think Tony's name is ever mentioned and he didn't take more than 5 minutes. Here he gets a whole episode, and there's also a focus on his mother and sister after his death.

I also like that the show was gruesome without having to show everything--if someone wants the gore, there's at least 2 existing films that did that aspect well enough. I like that most of the killing is off screen (for instance, you get his next door neighbor's reaction to hearing screams and power tools through the vents and thin walls. I found that more disturbing and effective than anything I'd seen in the previous Dahmer adaptations. One of the films showed him stuffing a still conscious man into a barrel of acid, whereas this series just shows us an ominous blue barrel sitting in the corner.

I just love anything serial killer related and was happy to get a different take on this story. I learned a lot I hadn't learned, even with all of the media focus back in the 90s, because even the media really glossed over the victims and highlighted the details of the killings more than anything else.

 

[Lexicon]

The victim Tony (the deaf guy) probably got the bulk of the focus. I don't want to spoil too much, but the show goes to lengths to show the perspective of the victims, so you might see a scene of a victim and their friends and Jeffrey appears out of the background, as more of a side character or mysterious stranger than as the main character of the story.

In the other portrayals, I don't even think Tony's name is ever mentioned and he didn't take more than 5 minutes. Here he gets a whole episode, and there's also a focus on his mother and sister after his death.

I also like that the show was gruesome without having to show everything--if someone wants the gore, there's at least 2 existing films that did that aspect well enough. I like that most of the killing is off screen (for instance, you get his next door neighbor's reaction to hearing screams and power tools through the vents and thin walls. I found that more disturbing and effective than anything I'd seen in the previous Dahmer adaptations. One of the films showed him stuffing a still conscious man into a barrel of acid, whereas this series just shows us an ominous blue barrel sitting in the corner.

I just love anything serial killer related and was happy to get a different take on this story. I learned a lot I hadn't learned, even with all of the media focus back in the 90s, because even the media really glossed over the victims and highlighted the details of the killings more than anything else.

I had some gripes about some historic inaccuracies—

like, Glenda Cleveland lived in the apt building adjacent to Dahmer’s, & they had her living in the unit directly beside his in the show. I don’t think the victim Dean Vaughn near the end (who also lived in the building) was ever a confirmed victim of Jeffrey Dahmer. Considering he admitted the rest, I’m skeptical he’d leave that guy out, but, who knows.

And, I get what they were trying to do with Glenda’s character, despite my complaint. She was a concentrated amalgam of the people around him at the time, who experienced confusion, fear, suspicion, and the repeated dismissal by law enforcement & the building management. It’s easier to tell a story onscreen with things happening to one person to represent the many, I suppose. Makes it more personal.

I think overall they tried to be respectful of the victims, and really did an excellent job depicting the gross negligence on the part of the police, stemming from ignorance & prejudice.

Some of the victims’ families have spoken out against the show. Iirc they weren’t consulted at all before or during production. If that’s the case, Murphy dropped the ball on that one.

I hope they do eventually make that vacant lot into a memorial. Perhaps the show will inspire viewers to donate.


I’m big on serial killer stuff too.. as soon as there was even a hint of reference to Ed Gein, I called it out (I’m not sure if this is something to be proud of, actually....)
Same with seeing Gacy invite a victim into his house— I knew who it was within the 1st few seconds of the scene, before they even stepped inside.

I do wonder if Murphy plans to do a Gacy series next, since he’s already got the guy pretty well-cast.

 

[Totenkindly]

YAAASSSSS

Maybe the only ray of Marvel light in 2022? (unless Wakanda is good)

 

[The Cat]

@Totenkindly saw this and thought of you

 

[Totenkindly]

Totenkindly saw this and thought of you

twerk a derk a derk

I'll watch it later; weirdly the twerk wasn't a big deal, it fit the context of the episode/moment, and if the show had been good, it would have just been laughed off. Instead a post-credit joke became an obsession for show haters while forgetting to criticize the actual bad stuff.

---

Christina Applegate can't walk without a cane and gained 40 pounds after MS diagnosis: 'I want people to know that I am very aware of all of that'

With the final season of "Dead to Me" dropping on Netflix on Nov. 17, Applegate said, "This is the first time anyone’s going to see me the way I am. I put on 40 pounds; I can’t walk without a cane. I want people to know that I am very aware of all of that."

www.yahoo.com

Good for her for finishing the show on her own terms. I remember when she received so much notoriety for "Married with Children" but managed to springboard a viable acting career from that role, and she has worked her ass off over the years and just pushes forward.

 

[The Cat]

This really is one of the best jokes on Community, nice homage to a few different other things here too...Very Professional easter eggs.​

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Kevin Conroy died. Bummer. To me, he WAS Batman. Captured the essence better than any other actor and entirely with that great voice

 

[The Cat]

Kevin Conroy died. Bummer. To me, he WAS Batman. Captured the essence better than any other actor and entirely with that great voice

RIP​

 

[The Cat]

 

[ceecee]

So I watched Season 1 of White Lotus. Entertaining and I wanted to punch several people in the face as hard as possible. All that said, the most irritating thing by far was the music that played through all the episodes. On to Season 2.

 

[Saturnal Snowqueen]

They finally put Punky Brewster on Roku, always wondered why there was never reruns of it when Punky's fairly famous. Punky was one of my idols as a kid, but growing up and looking back the writing was actually kinda awful(even by 80s standards). I still have a soft spot for it, but it's not something you can really deny.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

They finally put Punky Brewster on Roku, always wondered why there was never reruns of it when Punky's fairly famous. Punky was one of my idols as a kid, but growing up tand looking back the writing was actually kinda awful(even by 80s standards). I still have a soft spot for it, but it's not something you can really deny.

What about Small Wonder?

 

[Saturnal Snowqueen]

What about Small Wonder?

I've only seen a little of it, it seems like a good watch but I don't think it's winning anything in the writing department. Of course-I didn't grow up in the 80s, I know Punky so well because my mom got me DVDs of her. I think she tried to turn me into Punky a bit, but I have some of her in me no matter how you look at it. I haven't found it on Roku, if that's what you meant-

Couldn't help but think Vicki was Soleil Moon Frye at first glace.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I've only seen a little of it, it seems like a good watch but I don't think it's winning anything in the writing department. Of course-I didn't grow up in the 80s, I know Punky so well because my mom got me DVDs of her. I think she tried to turn me into Punky a bit, but I have some of her in me no matter how you look at it. I haven't found it on Roku, if that's what you meant-

Couldn't help but think Vicki was Soleil Moon Frye at first glace.

I'm sure Small Wonder isn't winning any awards. By all accounts it is supposed to be a terrible show. Nevertheless my sister and I loved it.

 

[Totenkindly]

Blew through Season 1 of Alice in Borderland so I could push into Season 2. Started that late last night and I'm already 3 episodes in, it's pretty engrossing although I found the opener a little disturbing. (Too much graphic gun violence, not as much nuance.)

Episodes 2&3 were back on track, and Episode 3 is really the emotional kicker so far this season, as Episode 3 in Season 1 also was.

I'm not quite sure why, but I keep being reminded of Lost in some ways. Puzzle box mysteries (on figuring out the games), regular leaps into flashbackstories although not spending nearly as much time as Lost did on them, but there's an emotional core/catharsis based on backstories for characters buttresses by music that reminds me of Giacchino's approach -- beautiful swelling music (lots of strings) to emphasize emotional depth leading to almost overwhelming emotion at certain climaxes of plot... because these most powerful plot points are not necessarily plot resolutions but character growth resolutions. It's also reminding me a lot of Mac Quayle's music for Mr. Robot -- at times riveting, other times excruciatingly poignant and bittersweet, so your heart almost bursts when hearing it. One can never downplay the contribution of music to a show or film, it can complete change the context of a scene especially when it plays against what might be the expected reading.

As someone who watches foreign shows and films, I would say to never watch English dubs, which are hit and miss -- it's original dialogue + subtitles all the way. In this case, the dubs might also not be trustworthy. Back in S1E3 for example, there's an example of where they dubbed a line differently in order to avoid offense to the English audience, but it totally changes the context of the scene; if you read the subtitles, you actually better understand the character talking. It in fact screws up the morality of the other characters a bit too. Totally horrible line dub.

The show is also interesting if you can draw counterparts between the cast and Alice in Wonderland characters. I think the most obvious are these ones, although there could be others... and of course, I know the Queen of Hearts / Red Queen plays a big role at the end of Season 2:

• Arisu - He is Alice, kind of daydreamy and floating along, and the show seems bent on teaching him how to engage reality and actually being a leader of some kind, not just a smart guy.
• Usagi - This literally means rabbit or hare in Japanese, she is clearly the White Rabbit -- small and fast and a runner/escaper type (and very smart on how to evade people) in her role. She's also the closest to Arisu as the plot develops.
• Chishiya - The Cheshire Cat, obviously. He's smart, a laconic observer who sits back to get a sense of what is unfolding, and uses his brain (along with occasional deliberate actions) to survive. he usually seems above everything, keeps his own counsel, and you can tell he's piecing it altogether. He's morally neutral, vs Arisu who would be a "good" character, and remains pretty detached -- and often will throw something chaotic into the mix just to trigger people revealing their intentions so he better understands a situation.
• Kuina - To break her smoking habit, she's been chewing on lollipops a lot of the time, similar to the hookah pipe used by the Caterpillar. But more importantly, she is a character with a major transformation in her past, with the symbol of the butterfly/caterpillar attached to such things. So I think that latter bit even more cements her in that role.
• Mad Hatter - One of the antagonists in Season 1, who is in charge of the Beach but has slowly been growing paranoid/mad.

 

[Totenkindly]

Finished Alice in Borderland today. They gave a decent chunk of the finale to actually digging into the aftermath. I so much appreciate that. The story was more than just plot, it also deals with character arc resolution. The Queen of Hearts game was riveting. One thing I really enjoy about this second season is their attempt to expand the "villains" (aka face cards) to more than just enemies. We often find out just enough to give them a bit of backstory or offering additional understanding of their character, and giving them some humanity in the process. Some, no; others yes. (Thinking primarily of King of Clubs, King of Diamonds, and then the King of Spades and the Queen of Hearts.) I like how they are so different. It's also about more than overcoming obstacles but the people the characters are becoming by the solutions they embrace.

 

[Saturnal Snowqueen]

I compare myself to a lot of characters, but Punky Brewster is basically the same person as me but with a 2 fix, and when I'm actually in a better state of mental health