The best new and returning TV series thread

[Tichtheid]

Brilliant.

Apparently the Mayne family got in touch with Paul Anderson to say how much they appreciated him writing the tune for Paddy

[Biffer]

Paddy Mayne's story is pretty mad.

[Gumboot]

This series is excellent imho...

[GogLais]

I've watched Slow Horses from S1 E1 up to where we are now almost on consecutive nights. It's right up my street, and Gary Oldman chews up the scenery every time he's on camera, in a good way.

I thought Lowden reminded me of someone, I think you got that right, there.

edit, also, Kristin Scott Thomas is good as she always is

I’ve read all the SloHo books, disappointed it’s not on proper telly. Does KST play Lamb’s sidekick Catherine?

She plays Diana Taverner, head of MI5's main office.

Ta, didn’t picture her as DT but what do I know about casting?

[weegie01]

Also enjoying Slow Horses season 2. Started SAS:Rogue Heroes last night and loved the first two episodes.

S2 has been confirmed with the plan to do 4. I've seen a few people complain about some of the portrayals of the men and the language used. I loved it.

Another fan of Slow Horses. I like the weekly drop too, saves us binging it .

We watched the first episode of the SAS thing, but my wife thought it was far too Boy's Own, so I'll have to go ahead on my own with it.

Didn't one of the founders or early recruits play rugby for Ireland and the Lions?

Paddy Mayne, who was a genuine psychopath. Amongst a group of men not shy about killing, Mayne was known to enjoy it rather too much. He was a dangerous man to be anywhere near as he had no regard for his own or any one else's safety and would pick a fight with a lamp post.

We have a family connection with the Stirlings, whilst David was the face of the SAS and a self publicist, it was actually his brother Bill and Jock Lewes who dealt with the nuts and bolts of setting them up and making making them an effective fighting force, and Mayne that led much of the actual successful fighting. Bill Stirling had previously set up and ran the training at the Commando Training Centre at Spean Bridge so had the knowledge needed.

After helping set up the SAS Bill was called back to the UK where he lead a Commando force raiding France, before going back to the Middle East where his Commando unit became part of the SAS. His brother was captured by now, and Bill was brought in to 'regularise' the SAS as a part of the army. He was given this task as it was believed his commando background and early involvement in the SAS meant he could mould the SAS into a unit that was more conventional and disciplined in some ways, whilst retaining the unconventional operational approach.

Bill was the hard nosed, practical man, David was the dreamer. I remember my late uncle who knew Bill well being very annoyed when the memorial went up on the basis that it was the wrong Stirling who was immortalised.

[FalseBayFC]

S2 has been confirmed with the plan to do 4. I've seen a few people complain about some of the portrayals of the men and the language used. I loved it.


Another fan of Slow Horses. I like the weekly drop too, saves us binging it .

We watched the first episode of the SAS thing, but my wife thought it was far too Boy's Own, so I'll have to go ahead on my own with it.

Didn't one of the founders or early recruits play rugby for Ireland and the Lions?

Aye, Paddy Mayne. Tbf the early days was quite boys own stuff

I grew up reading the Commando comics, this show feels a lot like those. Those A5 size ones. My Grandfathers and great uncles were all in North Africa during the war. Some of them told stories and others didn't. This series pays homage to those classic gung ho/tally ho movies like Great Escape, River Kwai and Dambusters. Great stuff!

[Jock42]

Paddy Mayne, who was a genuine psychopath. Amongst a group of men not shy about killing, Mayne was known to enjoy it rather too much. He was a dangerous man to be anywhere near as he had no regard for his own or any one else's safety and would pick a fight with a lamp post.

Has this not been debunked somewhat? I've read/heard in different places that he was actually quite a soft, gentle guy when sober much loved by his troops. Its when he got drunk and the black dog took over he became the psychopath.

[Brazil]

Doing more reading following Weegie's post turns this up:

https://evelynwaughsociety.org/2022/wau ... d-the-sas/

Which is interesting. The thing that doesn't sit well with the lionisation of Stirling (D) is just how he behaved in the 70s, unilaterally deciding to infiltrate the Trades Unions and trying to set up a shadow army to take over the government in case things got a bit too lefty.

Mayne was by all accounts a very conflicted soul who couldn't reconcile the conflicting "effeminate" and intellectual, and violent elements of his ego. Very effective commander though, with little time for "bull" or authoritarianism (just finished reading On the Psychology of Military Incompetence, if it's not already evident...)

[weegie01]

Paddy Mayne, who was a genuine psychopath. Amongst a group of men not shy about killing, Mayne was known to enjoy it rather too much. He was a dangerous man to be anywhere near as he had no regard for his own or any one else's safety and would pick a fight with a lamp post.

Has this not been debunked somewhat? I've read/heard in different places that he was actually quite a soft, gentle guy when sober much loved by his troops. Its when he got drunk and the black dog took over he became the psychopath.

Don't know, but I also think we tend to see people in too few dimensions. Mayne was clearly an extraordinary soldier, and was prone to violence. There may have been other character traits that are less known that were evident at different times.

[weegie01]

Doing more reading following Weegie's post turns this up:

https://evelynwaughsociety.org/2022/wau ... d-the-sas/

Which is interesting. The thing that doesn't sit well with the lionisation of Stirling (D) is just how he behaved in the 70s, unilaterally deciding to infiltrate the Trades Unions and trying to set up a shadow army to take over the government in case things got a bit too lefty.

Mayne was by all accounts a very conflicted soul who couldn't reconcile the conflicting "effeminate" and intellectual, and violent elements of his ego. Very effective commander though, with little time for "bull" or authoritarianism (just finished reading On the Psychology of Military Incompetence, if it's not already evident...)

Interesting, I did not know about the book. Anyone know if Gavin Mortimer is a credible historian? He seems to have written a lot in related topics.

[weegie01]

Just finished binging the latest series of Strike. Excellent as ever.

[Guy Smiley]

Got Apple TV to add to all the other stuff I don't watch but it's has a certain panache. Foundation looks amazing and thus far, ep2, is class

I got a 3 month trial of AppleTV as I'd read they had Foundation, but that was months before the due date so I let it lapse... if that's on now then I'm in. The books were a Trip.

[Gumboot]

Tried a few times, but I just can't get into Severance at all. Great premise, but... maybe if it was a 90-minute movie?

[Sandstorm]

Just finished binging the latest series of Strike. Excellent as ever.

+1

[Sandstorm]

Loving Tulsa King. Sly Stallone can act.

[Uncle fester]

1899 made by the same team who made Dark (Netflix).
About half way through. Good watch so far.

[sockwithaticket]

1899 made by the same team who made Dark (Netflix).
About half way through. Good watch so far.

I felt it really went off the rails. Didn't finish the finale. First half/two thirds is definitely good.

[tabascoboy]

I hear the real nerdy bird 'this happened on page 79' gave out but I think it's great. Tried to start a few things recently and they have all been a meh. Enjoyed The Peripheral though Foundation is a class apart. It is jaw dropping in scale which if you read the books would be expected. It also looks authentic which so many recent sci-fi and fantasy yokes have struggled with

Started watching The Peripheral, not sure what to make of it after first episode - get the feeling it will either be very good or very crap. At least there is Chloë Grace Moretz to look at

[Margin__Walker]

I hear the real nerdy bird 'this happened on page 79' gave out but I think it's great. Tried to start a few things recently and they have all been a meh. Enjoyed The Peripheral though Foundation is a class apart. It is jaw dropping in scale which if you read the books would be expected. It also looks authentic which so many recent sci-fi and fantasy yokes have struggled with

Started watching The Peripheral, not sure what to make of it after first episode - get the feeling it will either be very good or very crap. At least there is Chloë Grace Moretz to look at

I liked it. Definitely above average for these streaming sci fi productions.

And yeah, Chloe makes it easy on the eye.

[Calculon]

Watching the Netflix Jimmy Saville documentary. It's fucking horrific what he did. A monster who absolutely destroyed people's lives. Plus him being protected by the police, BBC and other parts of the British establishment.

[Biffer]

Tried a few times, but I just can't get into Severance at all. Great premise, but... maybe if it was a 90-minute movie?

Thought Severance was brilliant, real slow burn that ratchets it up in the last few episodes. Can't wait for season 2.

Also thought Foundation and The Peripheral were excellent.

I may have mentioned this up thread but Archive 81 on Netflix is tremendous. Slow burn again with a substantial number of what the fucking fuck just happened moments.

[Simian]

I may have mentioned this up thread but Archive 81 on Netflix is tremendous. Slow burn again with a substantial number of what the fucking fuck just happened moments.

I've tried a few times with this because it looks like exactly the sort of show I usually like. But for some reason I just couldn't get into it. I should probably give it one more shot.

[Guy Smiley]

I binged Foundation over the last few days.

Did. Not. Disappoint.

[Biffer]

I may have mentioned this up thread but Archive 81 on Netflix is tremendous. Slow burn again with a substantial number of what the fucking fuck just happened moments.

I've tried a few times with this because it looks like exactly the sort of show I usually like. But for some reason I just couldn't get into it. I should probably give it one more shot.

It’s a binge show. Don’t do it in an episode every couple of days

[Blackmac]

Paddy Mayne, who was a genuine psychopath. Amongst a group of men not shy about killing, Mayne was known to enjoy it rather too much. He was a dangerous man to be anywhere near as he had no regard for his own or any one else's safety and would pick a fight with a lamp post.

Has this not been debunked somewhat? I've read/heard in different places that he was actually quite a soft, gentle guy when sober much loved by his troops. Its when he got drunk and the black dog took over he became the psychopath.

That's pretty much my understanding and there aren't many books on the subject I haven't read.
I was prepared to hate the series but thought it was very good and I thought the action scenes matched well with the the impressions I had from my research.
Other than being about 8 inches too small for the role I thought the lad playing Mayne was superb.

[Bullet]

Gave up on 1899 after 20 minutes before but wife wanted to watch so started again and really enjoying it now.
Still 2 episodes to go, don't know if trying too hard but it's starting to loose a bit.

[Uncle fester]

Gave up on 1899 after 20 minutes before but wife wanted to watch so started again and really enjoying it now.
Still 2 episodes to go, don't know if trying too hard but it's starting to loose a bit.

Was good up to about episode 6. Once they moved off the ship, it flags. Shame because I loved Dark but the creators need to move on a bit.

Emily Beecham is a total fox.

[Biffer]

Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing Christmas Special. Best thing on tv the last few years.

[Grandpa]

Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing Christmas Special. Best thing on tv the last few years.

Reminded me of the west coast of Scotland. Bob kept on falling down bless him. Just love the banter though.

[sockwithaticket]

Been on a bit of spy kick. Along with Slow Horses I've just watched Treason on Netflix which was pretty decent and belatedly catching up with Jack Ryan. Just started S2 of the latter and delighted to see Noomi Rapace involved.

[sockwithaticket]

Gave up on 1899 after 20 minutes before but wife wanted to watch so started again and really enjoying it now.
Still 2 episodes to go, don't know if trying too hard but it's starting to loose a bit.

Was good up to about episode 6. Once they moved off the ship, it flags. Shame because I loved Dark but the creators need to move on a bit.

Emily Beecham is a total fox.

Agreed on both counts.

[BnM]

Watching Masterchef professionals, don't like the challenge where Marcus or Anna challenge them to some random dish in 20mins. Looked to see if recipe was of interest and if not have skipped through those bits.

[sefton]

Slow Horses is brilliant, on the back of it got the missus to watch the film version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. TV version next. You

[Ymx]

Quite enjoying Tulsa King atm (paramount+)

Not quite as cheesy as I first thought (after ep1), worth persevering with.

[Ymx]

The American saying if I knew the risks, and what I know now there would be zero percent chance I’d have gone. There is quite a bit of stupid there to unpack.

The hindsight component aside, as a tourist it’s indeed a tiny risk, and that’s part of the thing. To say you had no idea there was a risk is utterly ridiculous.

However, surely as a tour guide it’s not a job you’d want to do for long. Especially over 3 years or 1,111 trips. Given it blows every 3 years. Those odds start to become pretty high.

The emergency services bit was shameful. It reminded me of the cave explosion where potential survivors were just left. And which happened around the time of another cave collapse and successful rescue, in another part of the world. Although, I’ve read that it being allowed to get to the point of explode and the governance was the more shocking aspect.

Having said that, I’d like an expert take on the cave thing. Guy Smiley I think used to do mining.

[Guy Smiley]

Are you talking about the Pike River Mine disaster?

The one where the initial blast lasted over 20 seconds at the portal?

link

No-one was going to survive that. The fact that the govt of the day gave hope to families is disgusting.

[Ymx]

Are you talking about the Pike River Mine disaster?

The one where the initial blast lasted over 20 seconds at the portal?

link

No-one was going to survive that. The fact that the govt of the day gave hope to families is disgusting.

Yep, that was it. Was it pretty much over immediately then?

2 did manage to escape from it though right?

It was a pretty awful hope to be given then.

[Guy Smiley]

Are you talking about the Pike River Mine disaster?

The one where the initial blast lasted over 20 seconds at the portal?

link

No-one was going to survive that. The fact that the govt of the day gave hope to families is disgusting.

Yep, that was it. Was it pretty much over immediately then?

2 did manage to escape from it though right?

It was a pretty awful hope to be given then.

2 were entering the mine, able to survive the shockwave and scramble out... if I'm remembering it correctly.

It would have been over very quickly. Coal mines are notorious for methane build ups... there had been talk prior to the incident of a need for better ventilation in the workings. You can see in the clip I linked that the initial explosion maintained blast expulsion through the portal for at least 20 seconds... it's hard to imagine anyone within the workings of the mine surviving a blast of that magnitude. TV helicopter footage soon after showed fires raging in the vent rises... it was a hell hole.

[GogLais]

Not a series per se but watched the Netflix Volcano Kiwi thing. Hear its huge and everyone is watching it but to be honest I thought it was just OK. I've read articles on it that have been extraordinarily exciting and stark and this didn't manage to get that on celluloid. I think it had a few problems.
The Anericans are sort of dicks and they want someone to be to blame for it all. I don't know about you lot but I've been to volcanic places in NZ and climbed up a glacier volcano in Chile, stared into the sulphuric cone and then skied back down. At no point did I think someone else is to blame for this risk.

Trivial in comparison but I’ve walked on tourist paths in volcanic areas of Iceland and the Azores. Mud bubbling away a few feet away and we’re told it’s ok. Might have been so yesterday but is it today?

[Blackmac]

The American saying if I knew the risks, and what I know now there would be zero percent chance I’d have gone. There is quite a bit of stupid there to unpack.

The hindsight component aside, as a tourist it’s indeed a tiny risk, and that’s part of the thing. To say you had no idea there was a risk is utterly ridiculous.

However, surely as a tour guide it’s not a job you’d want to do for long. Especially over 3 years or 1,111 trips. Given it blows every 3 years. Those odds start to become pretty high.

The emergency services bit was shameful. It reminded me of the cave explosion where potential survivors were just left. And which happened around the time of another cave collapse and successful rescue, in another part of the world. Although, I’ve read that it being allowed to get to the point of explode and the governance was the more shocking aspect.

Having said that, I’d like an expert take on the cave thing. Guy Smiley I think used to do mining.

Emergency services everywhere have been paralysed by the rule of not adding any more casualties to the situation. I doubt there would have been much of a different response anywhere.

I did laugh at some of the talk about not been aware of the risk. All well scripted by the lawyers.