The TV Shows Topic, where... we talk about our TV shows

[phreak_91]

Alright, might as well post my list. Most of the shows I am following are in break right now, but...

Watching:
Warehouse 13

Catching up on:
NCIS
Dr.Who (Currently in the 9th season or something)

Waiting for new seasons of:
NCIS: LA
Arrow

[Stopwatch]

Alright, might as well post my list. Most of the shows I am following are in break right now, but...

Watching:
Warehouse 13

Catching up on:
NCIS
Dr.Who (Currently in the 9th season or something)

Waiting for new seasons of:
NCIS: LA
Arrow

The next episode of DW is the 50th anniversary special in November. That'll be the start of season 9 I think, but if you catch up before then you'll have to wait with the rest of us so if you can, time it that you finish watching series 8 near to the time when the special is.

[Ringo]

Has lost track of:
- Elementary (Season 1, Episode 6)
- Once Upon a Time (Season 1, Episode 1 [Bad start])
- Dexter (Season 1, Episode 3)

Currently watching/ Keeping up with:
- Game of Thrones (Season 2, Episode 7)
- Sherlock (Season 2, Episode 3)
- White Collar (Season 1, Episode 3)

Will be watching:
- Dr. Who
- Jekyll

[Kor]

So...Game of Thrones. Marathoned the first 2 seasons and now I'm starting the third.

While the show is fun, I can't help but feel like the show is constantly trying to drive me out of the story. Almost all of the characters have made the wrong (or dumb) choices, but I often don't understand their motivation behind that choice. It feels like the things that could go wrong, do go wrong for the sake of creating more conflict and drama. Thing is, when you try to create so much drama, you could go over the top, and that's when I stop to take the drama seriously (that didn't happen yet in this show).
The most jarring thing about the show, though, is often the interaction between the characters. Almost every episode there are at least two scenes of characters speaking with each other, telling stories, and the scene just goes on and on, and this form of interaction happens too often. A lot of those scenes could get to the point much more quickly, without having the characters telling each other stories from their past. I understand the point of the characters' anecdotes is for the audience to see where they are coming from, or bond characters, or get to a point that would raise the conflict, but it's also something the show can go without. "Let me tell you a story about me and then you'll see where I'm coming from and/or why you should agree with me and/or why I'm going to betray you soon, etc." this form of interaction might work in a book, but it can't be used constantly in a TV show.

[Callid]

So...Game of Thrones. Marathoned the first 2 seasons and now I'm starting the third.

While the show is fun, I can't help but feel like the show is constantly trying to drive me out of the story. Almost all of the characters have made the wrong (or dumb) choices, but I often don't understand their motivation behind that choice. It feels like the things that could go wrong, do go wrong for the sake of creating more conflict and drama. Thing is, when you try to create so much drama, you could go over the top, and that's when I stop to take the drama seriously (that didn't happen yet in this show).
The most jarring thing about the show, though, is often the interaction between the characters. Almost every episode there are at least two scenes of characters speaking with each other, telling stories, and the scene just goes on and on, and this form of interaction happens too often. A lot of those scenes could get to the point much more quickly, without having the characters telling each other stories from their past. I understand the point of the characters' anecdotes is for the audience to see where they are coming from, or bond characters, or get to a point that would raise the conflict, but it's also something the show can go without. "Let me tell you a story about me and then you'll see where I'm coming from and/or why you should agree with me and/or why I'm going to betray you soon, etc." this form of interaction might work in a book, but it can't be used constantly in a TV show.

Actually, most of these scenes aren't in the books, at least not this way. It seems the TV series added them to make up for the number of cut scenes that detail a character's past, or for the fact that we cannot see the thoughts of a POV character (in the books, the story is told, alternating, from the POV of about two dozen characters).
I have to admit, though, it's a bit weird that you complain that there's too much character motivation exposition, right after you complain about a lack of explanation of character motivation :x

[Kor]

Actually, most of these scenes aren't in the books, at least not this way. It seems the TV series added them to make up for the number of cut scenes that detail a character's past, or for the fact that we cannot see the thoughts of a POV character (in the books, the story is told, alternating, from the POV of about two dozen characters).

Yeah, my brother said the same. Even so, that sort of interaction is a crappy way to present it on screen. At times it feels like the characters are monologuing, which is almost as bad as a voice over. We don't need to know every detail about a character's past (we do need to know when it's relevant, but not in a heavy way). Again, that sort of thing can go decently in a book, but not so much on screen. Just because characters don't talk about their past doesn't mean they don't have one. The characters can make actions or say things that reflect on their past, without telling it to us.
I, personally, don't even feel like I'm receiving a whole lot of insight from these expositions.

I have to admit, though, it's a bit weird that you complain that there's too much character motivation exposition, right after you complain about a lack of explanation of character motivation :x

First of all - a crappy exposition is still a crappy exposition.
Second, I often don't see how those "motivation exposition" give insight for why the characters make their bad choices. The "dumb choices" I'm referring to are the ones that feel like are there to make more drama for the sake of more drama. I complain about lack of motivation because even with all of the backstories the characters tell us, I still don't understand why they made that choice.

[Jd-]

Concerning Game of Thrones, any real gripes I have aren't with the characters' choices exactly, but rather some questionable plotting. There are times when a significant character dies very anticlimactically, or at least before they have exhausted their usefulness or really had the chance to capitalize on their character arcs. On more than one occasion, their death has been almost entirely meaningless--and if it did have any bearing on any subsequent event, it rarely made it to the next episode.

Overall, though, I like it plenty and will keep up with it from here on.

And: Peter Dinklage.

[Ringo]

On Game of Thrones: Reading Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, I have partly understood how these people caught in wars for the Iron Throne are thinking. Their level of intellect, lack of skepticism, as they are set in a very young civilization, explains the "dumb decisions","crappy expositions", and most especially, "motivation". They have a different world-ing, I always tell myself. Despite these, and the "anticlimactic" deaths, I have developed a distinct liking on the series (because of the good cinematography, visual effects, gore and por... ahem!), because of its interesting characters (thumbs up to Tyrion and Daenerys!), and general plot.

[Jd-]

In reference to my last post and the latest episode of Game of Thrones: That was prophetic of me, to say the least.

[Conan5]

Currently trying out 'Orphan Black'. Finished episode 2 and I am liking it so far. My only issue so far being the fast pace.

[Kor]

Le sigh...

In reference to my last post and the latest episode of Game of Thrones: That was prophetic of me, to say the least.

Originally I was gonna say I didn't really see what you described as a recurring thing, but after the last episode, yeah, I agree with your point.

[Callid]

Concerning Game of Thrones, any real gripes I have aren't with the characters' choices exactly, but rather some questionable plotting. There are times when a significant character dies very anticlimactically, or at least before they have exhausted their usefulness or really had the chance to capitalize on their character arcs. On more than one occasion, their death has been almost entirely meaningless--and if it did have any bearing on any subsequent event, it rarely made it to the next episode.

While I do agree that characters die before their particular plotline is finished, that is deliberate - anyone can die, at any time, anywhere. Noone ever wears Plot Armor, no matter how important or crucial they seem to the current development. This is actually modelled from Real Life, which features numerous anticlimatic deaths, as you call it (for example, Richard Lionheart).
However, these deaths do have quite major bearings on subsequent events, and I don't really think there has been a pointless one (at least on screen, there are some in the books). Mind giving an example?

Spoiler: GoT 3x09 / ASoIaF SoS Catelyn VII (book 3 chapter 52)

In reference to my last post and the latest episode of Game of Thrones: That was prophetic of me, to say the least.

I actually (having read the books, and being quite aware of what would happen in The Rains Of Castamere) wondered if I should comment on that, but decided to not spoil stuff. And I do think it should still be spoilered :x

[Kor]

While I do agree that characters die before their particular plotline is finished, that is deliberate - anyone can die, at any time, anywhere. Noone ever wears Plot Armor, no matter how important or crucial they seem to the current development.

This statement is confusing me. Characters come and go as the plot demands. If a prominent character dies, then the death probably serves the plot in some way. Until said character is supposed to die, then she is indeed protected from death.

[Ringo]

I watched the most recent episode of GoT yesterday, and... I cannot not like it. Perhaps I just like unexpected expected deaths that much.

[mangaluva]

Been watching a lot of Star Trek TOS lately and wondering how I never watched it before. It's very charming, and distinctly ahead of its time in the handling of certain social issues. Definitely going to keep watching.

(Also I did not ship Pine!Kirk and Quinto!Spock but dear god Shatner!Kirk and Nimoy!Spock look more in love with each other than Wesley and Buttercup most of the time)