Which tv series are you watching?

[Jennywocky]

I finished Bojack Horseman. Overall, really good series and a satisfying finale. It's one of those rare shows that knows to finish when it's good and not ruin its legacy. Season 1 is the weakest season where I felt the show was finding its identity so I wouldn't give up based on this. I found season 5 dipped a bit in comparison to the others as well.

The stand-out episodes were definitely the penultimate ones of each series. Episode 11 of each series (episode 15 for the final series) all have wild, experimental styles, like emulating a drug trip or a near death experience. A lot of other episodes contain varied experimentation in form which is generally pulled off well, like Bojack just giving a monologue with no scene changes for a whole episode.

By far my favourite episode was where they chose to finally tell Bojack's Mum's life-story through the perspective of her dementia. That was so well written I was honestly floored and in tears most of it. Among the best television, drama-wise, that I've seen. There's a lot of filler throughout the series but this episode was perfect.

The show just seemed to pull off a combination of a lot of technical experimentation with form, strong character writing and emotionally impactful story-telling. It's sense of humour didn't tickle me as much, no laughs out loud for me. But it's very rare for media to pull this combination off convincingly so I think the show is deserving of its praise.

it took me a few episodes when the show first came out for me to get a feel for what was happening, the comedy and pacing and timing was not what I was used to. It ended up being one of my favorite TV shows I've ever seen, and I really appreciate the way they generally avoided cliche in the broad arcs. Even the ending of the series avoided a lot of typical show pitfalls. It really tried to grapple with what it means to be a character like Bojack, where there are no easy answers to his problems and a lot of the problem is just him. It would be so easy to fall off that tightrope and either punish him maliciously for his flaws or be too forgiving, in terms of the writing. I like how things between him and Diane end.

Time's Arrow or whatever it was called (about Bojack's mom), was just great. It's been years since I viewed it, so I can't comment on it, i just remember being blown away by it.

In general, yeah, Todd was kind of a joke based on Aaron Paul's goofball ADHD persona... although he got better as the series progressed, and it was interesting seeing the whole ACE subplot unfold. I've had ACE friends who were really happy with it.

This was definitely a show that tried to avoid the conventional and expected, and was willing to take some chances with the episode format and also not settling for simple answers much of the time. It's funny how some shows feel very contrived and others feel very real -- and how an animated cartoon can be one of the best of the latter.

Reading through your comments on Undone -- I kinda stumbled across that one and only made it a few episode but planned to pick it back up at some point. Found it interesting and a little different but my thoughts on it have not solidified yet.

Bojack is the best show I never plan on watching again. Genuinely depressing stuff.

I guess that makes it right up my alley.

I don't know if I have enough ooomph to make it through all six seasons again, but when I want to have tons of feels across the map, I rewatch the episode where Sara Lynn and Bojack go on their rampaging bender across the USA at the end of Season 3. I usually never laugh so hard or want to cry so bad as I do at the end of that. That last moment has lingered with me ever since I first saw -- and it's even worse after a revelation at the beginning of Season 6 (?). I guess since I don't feel as much in my day to day existence, I look for those experiences that make me feel something. That one still hurts. But it's a hurt made of fondness for the character. what's the phrase -- "grief is love enduring"?

 

[scorpiomover]

Resident Alien. It's OK if you like Alan Tudyk's style of humour, Native American stuff, and shows that are like Northern Exposure.

 

[birdsnestfern]

Trying Apple TV, watching Palm Royale:

Watch Palm Royale - Show - Apple TV+

Watch Palm Royale, a star-studded comedy featuring Kristen Wiig, Ricky Martin, and Laura Dern. A true underdog story in 1969. Streaming on Apple TV+.

tv.apple.com

Palm Royale is fun. Carol Burnett is in it and lays bedridden and unable to speak while the high society women around Palm Beach in the 60s
hold deep secrets against each other as a sort of bargaining tool against each other. They get into her safe deposit box and rolodex to uncover some of it. Its fun and light and visually entertaining. Plus the scenes where Bruce Dern and Laura Dern are together are a treat. They work together nicely.


Sugar:

Watch Sugar - Apple TV+

An enigmatic private detective struggles with personal demons as he investigates the disappearance of a Hollywood producer’s beloved granddaughter.

tv.apple.com

I like both. Both are total eye candy in high definition. Beautiful and entertaining. These are semi new series.

Sugar is confusing in that you suspect he might actually be a drug addict that likes hollywood movies that is
imagining all this stuff. I'm thinking sugar is another word for heroin, but not sure. Its not clear because so far in first four episodes you get one glimpse in a shower where he shoots himself with something. It turns out he is a highly trained spy and the school he learned in has all of their spies injecting themselves with 'something'.

 

[birdsnestfern]

still watching the two above. Turns out Sugar is not human, he’s an alien, and he injects himself with something but it’s not drugs.
Now also watching Acapulco on Apple TV (its fun and entertaining))
and Gilmore girls on Netflix (good).