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.

 

[Bluehalite]

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'.

 

[Bluehalite]

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).

 

[Puffy]

I didn’t watch much TV at all from around 2009–2023, so this summer I’ve been catching up on a lot of series I missed. Thought I’d give a few shout-outs:

The Good Place — a comedy based on an interpretation of the afterlife. It’s clearly influenced by Western philosophy and has a lot of existentialist themes. I think members here might enjoy how thought-provoking it is. It’s more philosophical than religious, and manages to mix humour and depth really well.

Tuca & Bertie — another refreshing animation from some of the creators of Bojack Horseman. This one is much more light-hearted and wholesome, with a strong female-led cast, but still explores mental health topics, relationship and women's issues in a lighter tone than Bojack. It fills a much-needed void in adult animation and balances surreal humour with sincerity.

Moral Orel — an older Adult Swim claymation comedy that satirises Christian fundamentalism. It starts out with a lot of dark, concerning humour, framed in that Adult Swim style where shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force will casually joke about taboo subjects.

However, Moral Orel goes through a big tone shift towards the end of the second season, where it starts deconstructing itself and its characters. It transforms into a much darker psychological drama with vivid, realistic depictions of the traumatic impact of abuse in particular. Ironically, Adult Swim took it off the air for this, despite being fine with casually joking about sexual abuse in other shows at the time.

I was glad to have watched it for its standout episodes, but it’s definitely only worth it for the final third of the series. The first half has too much filler for my taste, though, unfortunately, it does set up the necessary context to fully appreciate the later parts.

----

Anything good you've all seen recently?

 

[Hadoblado]

I liked the good place. Casting was a little bit off maybe but fun and well plotted.

I haven't watched Tuca and Bertie - tbh Bojack was so heavy (perfect television but depressing af) my appetite is exhausted.

Moral Orel is clever in a way, but felt repetitive. Surprised it took a dark twist, it already felt quite dark - but I haven't seen it in maybe a decade(?) so maybe I'm misremembering. If it changes it up that's probably a good thing.

I've been catching up on alone. I find survivalism interesting. I'm a townie but I was raised in the bush. It's fun to try and figure out who'll win and to daydream about what I'd do in their situation.

 

[Puffy]

I liked the good place. Casting was a little bit off maybe but fun and well plotted.

I haven't watched Tuca and Bertie - tbh Bojack was so heavy (perfect television but depressing af) my appetite is exhausted.

Moral Orel is clever in a way, but felt repetitive. Surprised it took a dark twist, it already felt quite dark - but I haven't seen it in maybe a decade(?) so maybe I'm misremembering. If it changes it up that's probably a good thing.

I've been catching up on alone. I find survivalism interesting. I'm a townie but I was raised in the bush. It's fun to try and figure out who'll win and to daydream about what I'd do in their situation.

If you’ve already seen Moral Orel you could probably just watch it from where it shifts onwards. It’s from the episode nature at the end of the second series.

If you found Bojack too depressing I’d maybe not recommend though as I have a feeling Moral Orel set the stage for shows like Bojack.

Tuca & Bertie has the same art style as Bojack but it’s a much brighter tone. It’s not a dark or depressing series so don’t let Bojack put you off.

 

[Hadoblado]

Nah moral Orel's dark but in an abstract way? It's fine. Reminds me of the Simpsons but a bit more focused.

Bojack is pure distilled self-hatred that weighs on you directly. He fucks up over and over and copes and regresses and somehow it feels like you're the one fucking up just by watching. It has my highest recommendation but I ain't watching that again. I might have a look at Tuca and Bertie when I'm looking for something though. I'm not sure how the style will translate to something not... miserable... But I guess I'm curious.

 

[Puffy]

Nah moral Orel's dark but in an abstract way? It's fine. Reminds me of the Simpsons but a bit more focused.

Bojack is pure distilled self-hatred that weighs on you directly. He fucks up over and over and copes and regresses and somehow it feels like you're the one fucking up just by watching. It has my highest recommendation but I ain't watching that again. I might have a look at Tuca and Bertie when I'm looking for something though. I'm not sure how the style will translate to something not... miserable... But I guess I'm curious.

I get what you mean, but some of it in the last season gets pretty bleak. The episode “Alone” from season 3 stands out. It focuses on three minor characters who were sexually assaulted and explores the different ways they cope with it and how it impacted them.

When I looked into that episode afterward, I saw a lot of survivors online who deeply appreciated it. Many said it felt honest to their experience and showed what living with that kind of trauma is actually like.

I’d say I appreciated Bojack Horseman for a similar reason. I’ve lost three significant people to suicide, so I know what it’s like to be close to someone who seems to be without hope. That topic is usually handled in such a tropey or shallow way in media, so to see a show be so honest and tell it as it is felt refreshing and, in a way, cathartic. Maybe because of my own lived experience, the show didn’t weigh me down. I actually found the ending optimistic. It showed that recovery and change are possible and worthwhile just very hard.

Sadly, I don’t think the creator’s other shows quite live up to Bojack, but they’re still good and worthwhile in their own right.

 

[dr froyd]

for a lack of better alternatives, i've been re-watching old Dexter episodes

god damn, there's so much crap being made nowadays. Every time i restart my netflix subscription i regret it within a few hours.

i tried to watch some of the documentaries on there, but i've noticed that all of them fall into a certain pattern; no matter what the subject is, they have to turn it into a human-interest story. They have to include long pointless interviews with people who were involved in the story somehow, no matter how pointless their perspective is. So we get old people rambling and mumbling - usually weeping too of course - and i sit there thinking: wtf am i even watching. I want to see a well-crafted, factual, objective exposition of the subject. I'm not interested in what the janitor in the building felt about the event

my suspicion is that their data-analytics team put all their viewership data into some dumb-ass classification algo and found that in order to maximize viewership from men and women combined, they need a significant element of human-interest in the documentaries. And of course it would be politically incorrect to say that perhaps, men and women prefer 2 different types of stories, so they should make 2 different styles of documentaries. So then we end up with this compromise

perhaps an interesting example - the nature documentary "nightmares of nature". I don't intend to criticize this documentary because it's actually very good, with very impressive cinematography and a creative take on nature documentary. But it's interesting how it falls into the same pattern; the premise of the documentary is that nature, despite its beauty, contains a lot of brutality, and this brutality is essential for its existence. Animals hunt and kill each other, resources are scarce etc. But the documentary itself is a story in the form of personal perspectives of a single-mom mouse, a frog, and a raccoon. On one hand it's very interesting; we rarely think about the fact that each animal has its own unique life and deals with challenges not unlike our own. On the other hand, it's no longer a documentary; it's instead a blending of reality and narrative. And we subtract from the objectivity in favor of personal experience. It's an interesting cultural trend.

 

[Drvladivostok]

The Knick (2014 - 2015).

Absolutely amazing Historical Show, The fact that this show got cancelled after S2 proves beyond all reasonable doubt that we live in an imperfect world.

 

[Hadoblado]

god damn, there's so much crap being made nowadays. Every time i restart my netflix subscription i regret it within a few hours.

IMO there's a lot of good TV released in the last few years. I don't use subscriptions because they're enshittened beyond belief, but if you're willing to pirate I can recommend the following:
+ Andor S1 (2 is okay but not as good)
+ Shogun
+ The last of us
+ Severance

I also highly recommend Pantheon as the most under-rated show I've ever seen. A must-watch if you can stomach (decent) animation.

Right now we are the most privileged people in history regarding available shows, so long as we can separate the gold from the garbage.

 

[dr froyd]

The Knick (2014 - 2015).

Absolutely amazing Historical Show, The fact that this show got cancelled after S2 proves beyond all reasonable doubt that we live in an imperfect world.

The Knick is quite possibly the best tv series i've seen

 

[dr froyd]

god damn, there's so much crap being made nowadays. Every time i restart my netflix subscription i regret it within a few hours.

IMO there's a lot of good TV released in the last few years. I don't use subscriptions because they're enshittened beyond belief, but if you're willing to pirate I can recommend the following:
+ Andor S1 (2 is okay but not as good)
+ Shogun
+ The last of us
+ Severance

I also highly recommend Pantheon as the most under-rated show I've ever seen. A must-watch if you can stomach (decent) animation.

Right now we are the most privileged people in history regarding available shows, so long as we can separate the gold from the garbage.

none of them exist on netflix

how do people pirate things nowadays? torrents, like we did in my youth?

 

[Kuu]

I second Pantheon and Shogun. S tier.

I dropped Severance midway season 2. It just felt like Lost 2.0, but with corporate office dread... Honestly I basically don't watch anything new anymore, its really hard to find anything worth watching. If once a month I feel like watching something, I'll watch 80s / 90s / 00s shit that I hadn't watched previously.

how do people pirate things nowadays? torrents, like we did in my youth?

There's a ton of streaming websites if you're lazy, but yeah torrents are still the way if you want quality.

 

[Puffy]

I second Pantheon and Shogun. S tier.

I dropped Severance midway season 2. It just felt like Lost 2.0, but with corporate office dread... Honestly I basically don't watch anything new anymore, its really hard to find anything worth watching. If once a month I feel like watching something, I'll watch 80s / 90s / 00s shit that I hadn't watched previously.

how do people pirate things nowadays? torrents, like we did in my youth?

There's a ton of streaming websites if you're lazy, but yeah torrents are still the way if you want quality.

What are your top animation picks, Kuu? I remember you as an anime aficionado.

 

[Hadoblado]

I just use the reddit pirating megathread to stream what I'm looking for. I don't have the hardware to download. It's not perfect, but it's less hassle than paid services while also being free and ad free if you have an ad blocker.

Streaming services are so enshittified these days. It's just cable all over again. For a moment in time they were good enough to warrant not pirating. I don't mind paying for something good. But it's not and I won't.

 

[dr froyd]

last time i pirated something was the tv series Mr Robot. Spent an entire day trying to figure out where i could stream it legally. Eventually gave up and torrented it.

i think the entire business model of streaming services necessitates enshittification, because they have to either create their own stuff conveyor-belt style like netflix, or temporarily buy rights to other's productions which means they just put up whatever seems the most popular at any given time

fuck maybe i should go back to DVDs

 

[Drvladivostok]

The Knick (2014 - 2015).

Absolutely amazing Historical Show, The fact that this show got cancelled after S2 proves beyond all reasonable doubt that we live in an imperfect world.

The Knick is quite possibly the best tv series i've seen

Shame that it never reach the popularity it deserves.

I think the main problem is the branding of the show, it's not an action show, it has drama but isn't a chick flick / sitcom , it has mystery but not a mystery show, it's a period piece, it's a thriller but has no one badass Protagonist, it has dark comedy.

The show doesn't fall to any easily marketable niche that most shows does, Cinefix also has limited reach unlike HBO, if more people tuned in for one or two episode I'm sure it can be one of the best shows of all time.

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

I liked the good place. Casting was a little bit off maybe but fun and well plotted.

probably the best mix of philosophy and humor i've ever seen

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

I dropped Severance midway season 2. It just felt like Lost 2.0

wait a second

so are you telling me

you're an INTP

and you didn't like LOST ?

 

[Puffy]

I dropped Severance midway season 2. It just felt like Lost 2.0

wait a second

so are you telling me

you're an INTP

and you didn't like LOST ?

I liked Lost and its ending (controversial.) But could imagine some members here not liking how it leans into the mystical a lot.

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

I liked Lost and its ending (controversial.) But could imagine some members here not liking how it leans into the mystical a lot.

INTJ - hates lost because of all the loose plot threads - GET TO THE POINT
ISTP - hates lost because of unrealistic and unlikely events
ENTP - hates watching lost alone unless they can debate someone about it
INFJ - spends all their time trying to figure out exactly why their friend recommended - and looking for hidden messages
INFP - falls in love with one of the characters and forgets the concept of "plot"
INTP - manically speculates about what might be happening off screen

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

INTJ - hates lost because of all the loose plot threads - GET TO THE POINT
ISTJ - hates Lost because the survivors don't follow proper protocols or establish a clear chain of command
INFJ - spends all their time trying to figure out exactly why their friend recommended - and looking for hidden messages
ISTP - hates lost because of unrealistic and unlikely events
ISFJ - hates Lost because it reminds them too much of unresolved family dramas from their own life
INFP - falls in love with one of the characters and forgets the concept of "plot"
ISFP - gets emotionally attached to the island's vibes and aesthetics, ignoring the chaos
INTP - manically speculates about what might be happening off screen
ENTJ - hates Lost because the characters waste time on mysteries instead of conquering the island efficiently
ENFJ - organizes group therapy sessions for the survivors in their head while watching
ENTP - hates watching lost alone unless they can debate someone about it
ENFP - starts watching for the adventure but ends up inventing fanfic crossovers mid-episode
ESTJ - hates Lost because there's no clear agenda or timeline for resolving the plot
ESFJ - hates Lost when characters fight, and spends the whole time wishing everyone would just get along
ESTP - loves the action scenes but fast-forwards through the emotional flashbacks
ESFP - turns every episode into a party game, guessing twists while ignoring the deeper lore

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

I dropped Severance midway season 2.

INTJ - hates Severance because the innies and outies could be optimized into a single efficient system without all the drama
INTP - spends episodes theorizing about the psychological implications of the severance procedure and ignoring the actual plot
ENTJ - frustrated that Lumon isn't conquering the world yet and starts planning how they'd run the company better
ENTP - loves debating the ethics of severance with friends but skips episodes to jump to wild fan theories online
INFJ - deeply empathizes with the innies' existential crisis and searches for hidden metaphors about corporate soul-crushing
INFP - falls in love with the quirky office dynamics and daydreams about their own severed self living a more authentic life
ENFJ - organizes imaginary team-building exercises for the MDR team to help them bond and overthrow the system
ENFP - gets excited by the mystery but constantly pauses to imagine crossover adventures with other dystopian shows
ISTJ - annoyed by the lack of clear protocols in the severed workplace and how no one follows the rules properly
ISFJ - feels protective of the characters' emotional well-being and worries about their work-life balance nonstop
ESTJ - criticizes the inefficient management at Lumon and yells at the screen for better organizational structure
ESFJ - heartbroken by the fractured relationships and wishes everyone would just communicate to fix things
ISTP - intrigued by the tech behind severance but hates the slow pace, fast-forwarding to the action and twists
ISFP - captivated by the eerie aesthetics and vibes of the office, but gets overwhelmed by the emotional isolation
ESTP - thrives on the thriller elements and escape plans, but gets bored during the introspective monologues
ESFP - turns watching into a social event, guessing plot twists out loud and loving the weird dance parties

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

RAISED BY WOLVES

INTJ
Likes: The intricate world-building and philosophical debates on AI sentience, which allow for deep strategic analysis.
Hates: The unresolved mysteries and plot threads that feel inefficient and poorly planned.

INTP
Likes: Theorizing about the alien tech and evolutionary twists, diving into endless "what if" scenarios.
Hates: The emotional melodrama that distracts from the pure sci-fi logic puzzles.

ENTJ
Likes: The power struggles between factions, inspiring ideas on how they'd lead a colony to dominance.
Hates: The androids' inefficiencies and the lack of a clear hierarchy or conquest roadmap.

ENTP
Likes: The wild, unpredictable plot twists that spark debates and fan theories with friends.
Hates: Watching alone without someone to argue about the show's bonkers revelations.

INFJ
Likes: The profound themes of faith vs. reason and human nature, seeking hidden symbolic meanings.
Hates: The moral ambiguities that leave them questioning the characters' deeper motivations endlessly.

INFP
Likes: Empathizing with the children's innocence and the poetic exploration of family in a harsh world.
Hates: The violent conflicts that shatter the idealistic vibes and hurt their favorite characters.

ENFJ
Likes: The group dynamics and potential for harmony among survivors, mentally facilitating reconciliations.
Hates: The divisive religious wars that prevent everyone from uniting for the greater good.

ENFP
Likes: The adventurous exploration of Kepler-22b and imagining crossover stories with other sci-fi universes.
Hates: The dark, oppressive tone that curbs their enthusiasm for fun, whimsical interpretations.

ISTJ
Likes: The structured android protocols and survival routines that emphasize duty and reliability.
Hates: The chaotic rule-breaking and lack of consistent logic in the ecosystem's rules.

ISFJ
Likes: The nurturing aspects of Mother and Father's parenting, relating to the protective family bonds.
Hates: The traumatic losses and betrayals that disrupt the sense of security and tradition.

ESTJ
Likes: The organizational challenges of rebuilding society, critiquing leadership decisions on screen.
Hates: The inefficiency of the Mithraic bureaucracy and absence of enforceable laws.

ESFJ
Likes: The communal efforts to raise the children, wishing for more heartwarming group interactions.
Hates: The interpersonal conflicts and isolations that make harmony impossible.

ISTP
Likes: The practical problem-solving with tech and tools in a hostile environment.
Hates: The over-the-top supernatural elements that feel unrealistic and ungrounded.

ISFP
Likes: The stunning visuals of the alien landscapes and emotional depth in quiet character moments.
Hates: The overwhelming horror and destruction that clash with their appreciation for beauty.

ESTP
Likes: The action-packed fights and serpent chases that keep the adrenaline pumping.
Hates: The slow-burn philosophical monologues that kill the momentum.

ESFP
Likes: The bizarre, entertaining android behaviors and turning episodes into social guessing games.
Hates: The grim, isolating atmosphere that dampens the party-like fun of watching with others.