The best new and returning TV series thread

[mat the expat]

Admission time.

One of my secret pleasures is Call The Midwife.

I think its great.

I love Vera

[tabascoboy]

Watched first episode of The Last of Us

So, it adds some new scenes and changes a few things up before the prelude and the first part of the game proper. Can see why as it adds a little background and character moments. Expect to see quite a few new scenes and flashbacks which I can understand as the game had different needs to a live action drama.

There is a lot of respect to the game and much dialogue has been brought in word for word ( I know so much of by heart LOL). We have plenty of the original game music OST too. The direction and cinematography has a totally different "you are there too" feel to The Walking Dead and works well. Casting also seems to have come up trumps ( new Tess sounds very similar to game Tess, and Bella Ramsey seems a good fit for Ellie). A lot will depend too on how effectively the infected are portrayed.

So a very promising first episode and I hope for more of the same

[Sandstorm]

Watched first episode of The Last of Us

So, it adds some new scenes and changes a few things up before the prelude and the first part of the game proper. Can see why as it adds a little background and character moments. Expect to see quite a few new scenes and flashbacks which I can understand as the game had different needs to a live action drama.

There is a lot of respect to the game and much dialogue has been brought in word for word ( I know so much of by heart LOL). We have plenty of the original game music OST too. The direction and cinematography has a totally different "you are there too" feel to The Walking Dead and works well. Casting also seems to have come up trumps ( new Tess sounds very similar to game Tess, and Bella Ramsey seems a good fit for Ellie). A lot will depend too on how effectively the infected are portrayed.

So a very promising first episode and I hope for more of the same

Never played the game, so have no idea what is happening unless it's actually on the screen at the time.

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

[tabascoboy]

Watched first episode of The Last of Us

So, it adds some new scenes and changes a few things up before the prelude and the first part of the game proper. Can see why as it adds a little background and character moments. Expect to see quite a few new scenes and flashbacks which I can understand as the game had different needs to a live action drama.

There is a lot of respect to the game and much dialogue has been brought in word for word ( I know so much of by heart LOL). We have plenty of the original game music OST too. The direction and cinematography has a totally different "you are there too" feel to The Walking Dead and works well. Casting also seems to have come up trumps ( new Tess sounds very similar to game Tess, and Bella Ramsey seems a good fit for Ellie). A lot will depend too on how effectively the infected are portrayed.

So a very promising first episode and I hope for more of the same

Never played the game, so have no idea what is happening unless it's actually on the screen at the time.

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

Much of the first episode did cover the least interesting part of the game post-prelude. Quite a bit of time world-building. Most of the positive response is from Gamers, so maybe it doesn't work well for others.

Should develop the central relationships more I hope in the next episodes which was the strength of the game.

[Blackmac]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

[sturginho]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

How does that differ from other broadcasters?

[tabascoboy]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

At least they tend to complete a season before ditching them. Unlike 'Firefly' RIP after 3/4 of the first season

[sockwithaticket]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

[vball]

Not sure this can be classed as binge watching. More like taking a year out !!

RESURRECTION: ERTUGRUL

Turkish historical series. 160 episodes. Currently on 115 and manage 2 per night.

Really like the history and the Muslim/Islamic parables.

Lots of twist and turns like a twisting, turning thing .... but no boobs.

[Uncle fester]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Netflix need to up their game. Other streamers are getting really good catalogues and it's a very competitive field.

[mat the expat]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

[Sandstorm]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

I don't have instant-gratification issues; I'll watch a bloke building a gearbox for hours!

So far TLOS (I'm sure that's what the fanboois are calling it already) looks like a cross between Walking Dead & A Quiet Place, with the young girl in it certain to be as annoying as Little Orphan Annie.
5/10

[tabascoboy]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

I don't have instant-gratification issues; I'll watch a bloke building a gearbox for hours!

So far TLOS (I'm sure that's what the fanboois are calling it already) looks like a cross between Walking Dead & A Quiet Place, with the young girl in it certain to be as annoying as Little Orphan Annie.
5/10

Pretty sure most of us gamers found her a bit of an annoying brat...at first. Maybe this series just isn't for you

[Jock42]

Never played the games but loved the first episode. I assume the escape from the town/plane crash is a cut away scene?

[Blackmac]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

[tabascoboy]

Never played the games but loved the first episode. I assume the escape from the town/plane crash is a cut away scene?

It's about 10 mins play which is partly interactive as intro to basic controls. So you feel a part of it ( I managed to get killed first time not realising where I should be going LOL ).

[sockwithaticket]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

[tabascoboy]

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

[sockwithaticket]

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

They already do that in the vast majority of cases afaik. At this point their problem is people are reluctant to start something because there've been so many shows that get abruptly cancelled after one or two seasons with their story only just begun.

[tabascoboy]

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

They already do that in the vast majority of cases afaik. At this point their problem is people are reluctant to start something because there've been so many shows that get abruptly cancelled after one or two seasons with their story only just begun.

OK, I didn't have Netflix for very long and only watched the two series of The Witcher which had all been up for a while, and something else so good I've completely forgotten what it was already...

[Blackmac]

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

I think Startup was 4 seasons in when I started watching it. It was reaching a superb conclusion and could easily have been wound up in another short season but no, just cut. Very bloody frustrating.

[tabascoboy]

US Network TV has long been over-eager to cancel series for reasons that viewers can't fathom, before the days of streaming it was cable, but googling shows Netflix seem to be one of the worst offenders.

[Biffer]

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

They already do that in the vast majority of cases afaik. At this point their problem is people are reluctant to start something because there've been so many shows that get abruptly cancelled after one or two seasons with their story only just begun.

I'm really fucking pissed off that they didn't go for another series of Archive 81. Absolutely fantastic. Released in January, no 2 in the Neilson streaming rankings, 128 million viewing hours in the first three weeks. Critically very well received. Cancelled in March. Not really sure what the hell they want.

[Grandpa]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

I don't have instant-gratification issues; I'll watch a bloke building a gearbox for hours!

So far TLOS (I'm sure that's what the fanboois are calling it already) looks like a cross between Walking Dead & A Quiet Place, with the young girl in it certain to be as annoying as Little Orphan Annie.
5/10

Same with me... not a gamer... and was meh for me...

Happy Valley on the other hand... still half decent

[mat the expat]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

I don't have instant-gratification issues; I'll watch a bloke building a gearbox for hours!

So far TLOS (I'm sure that's what the fanboois are calling it already) looks like a cross between Walking Dead & A Quiet Place, with the young girl in it certain to be as annoying as Little Orphan Annie.
5/10

You say that....

[tabascoboy]

Finished season 1 of 'The Peripheral', the post credits scene is sneaky as it's such a long credits it's easy to miss it. Hoping for a season 2...

[Ymx]

Jack Ryan S3 is fairly topical stuff.

Russia/Europe/…

[Sandstorm]

Jack Ryan S3 is fairly topical stuff.

Russia/Europe/…

Starts dull, but by episode 4 it really starts to motor!

[tabascoboy]

TLOU episode 2 gets a thumbs up from me, they did say they'd change some things to keep it fresh for us who played the game ( moved the hotel to early on instead of

Spoiler

Show

Pittsburgh,

but it's keeping pretty true to the essential narrative. Portrayal of the infected very good so far, thought it might look silly in live action but doing good so far

[Blake]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Netflix need to up their game. Other streamers are getting really good catalogues and it's a very competitive field.

Netflix needs to abandon the binge model and stop dropping entire seasons in one go. Yes, it's how they built their brand and some fans adore it, but as HBO and Disney have proven, there is still room for serialised, weekly content. You need hype to build over the course of 10-12 weeks. For word of mouth to spread and to stoke interest in the new show. Steaming then allows late comers to catch up, and then share in the anticipation for the next episode.

It's also very useful to lock in subscribers. With HBO and Disney they just have to produce 52 weekly episodes to lock non-pirates in for a year. At 10 or so episodes per season of a hit show, that's 5 prime-time shows per year.
In contrast, Netflix drops a whole season of a show like Stranger Things at once, so non-pirates will just subscribe for the minimum period to binge it and can then cancel the subscription; meanuing they have to churn out at least 12 Hit series every month. It's not sustainable. I'm already considering cancelling my Netflix subscription and just getting a the 1 or 2 shows and 1 or 2 movies a year that are good "from a friend".

[sockwithaticket]

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Netflix need to up their game. Other streamers are getting really good catalogues and it's a very competitive field.

Netflix needs to abandon the binge model and stop dropping entire seasons in one go. Yes, it's how they built their brand and some fans adore it, but as HBO and Disney have proven, there is still room for serialised, weekly content. You need hype to build over the course of 10-12 weeks. For word of mouth to spread and to stoke interest in the new show. Steaming then allows late comers to catch up, and then share in the anticipation for the next episode.

It's also very useful to lock in subscribers. With HBO and Disney they just have to produce 52 weekly episodes to lock non-pirates in for a year. At 10 or so episodes per season of a hit show, that's 5 prime-time shows per year.
In contrast, Netflix drops a whole season of a show like Stranger Things at once, so non-pirates will just subscribe for the minimum period to binge it and can then cancel the subscription; meanuing they have to churn out at least 12 Hit series every month. It's not sustainable. I'm already considering cancelling my Netflix subscription and just getting a the 1 or 2 shows and 1 or 2 movies a year that are good "from a friend".

The issue is more so their catalogue quality than the rate of episode delivery imo.They have very little that forces its way into the cultural conversation and drives subscriptions. Stand up specials remain one of their best offerings, but that's much less content than even a mini series. Once they sort out their content, they can worry about whether it's being delivered in the right way.

[Blake]

The issue is more so their catalogue quality than the rate of episode delivery imo.They have very little that forces its way into the cultural conversation and drives subscriptions. Stand up specials remain one of their best offerings, but that's much less content than even a mini series. Once they sort out their content, they can worry about whether it's being delivered in the right way.

Content is definitely also an issue I agree. But that isn't going to improve if they persist with their "quantity over quality" approach in order to generate a massive catalogue of half-completed and abandoned shows.
They'd be better off, drip feeding high quality content like their competitors are doing IMO and slowly building up a good catalogue.

I completely agree with the content death spiral statement you made. Dropping a whole season and barley giving it a month to breathe before pulling it because not enough people were watching to your liking is a stupid model. By all accounts 1899 was a decent show' I had plans to watch it, but just had other things on and couldn't commit to a new series right now. But then they cancelled it, and now I have no incentive to even bother.

But I'm still watching The Last of Us every week. Somehow, committing to an episode a week is a much more palatable proposition than having to binge watch a season just so that the overlords don't cancel the show that you may or may not like.

It's a pity, because I like Netflix and I want to support them. Disney and the rest really fucked them and all us consumers when they pulled their content and fragmented the streaming landscape into the shitshow we have now, but Netflix also isn't helping their own case either. They need to reduce the output and up the quality...and fast. Because they are quickly developing a reputation of killing series too quickly before they had a chance to develop a fanbase, shitting over good IP and alienating established fanbases (The Witcher), and also churning out "straight to VHS" quality movies. It's not a space you want to be in.

Meanwhile HBO is killing it on the quality front. Hit after hit after hit. Fuck, they even managed to breathe live back into the Game of Thrones universe after the shitshow of the last 2-3 seasons.
That is quite a feat.

[sockwithaticket]

Yeah, agree with all that.

I'd also add buying loads of random foreign language shite to pad out the raw number of things on offer to their catalogue woes. Even if it was all top quality (it's not), most of it is going to sit there because even people like me who do watch quite a bit of subtitled stuff aren't always in the mood to read our visual entertainment.

Away from the actual product, shooting themselves in the foot by tying video quality to subscription price, trying to shut down password sharing (which they once advertised as a feature) and threatening to bring in ads for the lower tier subscriptions seems more like a company deliberately trying

I've gone back to the high seas for a lot of content because I can't be arsed jumping around the ever growing number of subscription services, trying to maximise a month or two of paying for them.

[tabascoboy]

Apparently The Last of Us is already renewed for a second season

[Ymx]

It’s hard to believe that quality of breaking bad and narcos was Netflix. There is virtually nothing of that calibre any more, now that better call Saul limped over the finish line.

I mean squid game was supposed to be good, but was actually over hyped and downright dreadful.

[Ymx]

Apparently The Last of Us is already renewed for a second season

[robmatic]

Yeah, agree with all that.

I'd also add buying loads of random foreign language shite to pad out the raw number of things on offer to their catalogue woes. Even if it was all top quality (it's not), most of it is going to sit there because even people like me who do watch quite a bit of subtitled stuff aren't always in the mood to read our visual entertainment.

Away from the actual product, shooting themselves in the foot by tying video quality to subscription price, trying to shut down password sharing (which they once advertised as a feature) and threatening to bring in ads for the lower tier subscriptions seems more like a company deliberately trying

I've gone back to the high seas for a lot of content because I can't be arsed jumping around the ever growing number of subscription services, trying to maximise a month or two of paying for them.

That's primarily in their catalogue for the customers in those markets who similarly don't always want to watch US/British stuff with subtitles. I watch a fair bit of Turkish language stuff on Netflix and some of it really is excellent. There is one limited series called Ethos (Bir Baskadir) which was massively critically acclaimed in Turkey - people say it is probably the best TV show ever made in the country.

[Gumboot]

Apparently The Last of Us is already renewed for a second season

I mostly enjoyed the first two episodes, but not sure if I'll keep watching tbh. There were a couple of times during the second episode when I thought it just got a bit silly and illogical. Nothing like a major plot hole, but enough to distract me from all the serious imminent danger stuff going on.

[Uncle fester]

It’s hard to believe that quality of breaking bad and narcos was Netflix. There is virtually nothing of that calibre any more, now that better call Saul limped over the finish line.

I mean squid game was supposed to be good, but was actually over hyped and downright dreadful.

Umbrella academy is decent.

[Uncle fester]

Yeah, agree with all that.

I'd also add buying loads of random foreign language shite to pad out the raw number of things on offer to their catalogue woes. Even if it was all top quality (it's not), most of it is going to sit there because even people like me who do watch quite a bit of subtitled stuff aren't always in the mood to read our visual entertainment.

Away from the actual product, shooting themselves in the foot by tying video quality to subscription price, trying to shut down password sharing (which they once advertised as a feature) and threatening to bring in ads for the lower tier subscriptions seems more like a company deliberately trying

I've gone back to the high seas for a lot of content because I can't be arsed jumping around the ever growing number of subscription services, trying to maximise a month or two of paying for them.

That's primarily in their catalogue for the customers in those markets who similarly don't always want to watch US/British stuff with subtitles. I watch a fair bit of Turkish language stuff on Netflix and some of it really is excellent. There is one limited series called Ethos (Bir Baskadir) which was massively critically acclaimed in Turkey - people say it is probably the best TV show ever made in the country.

Agreed. Some cracking foreign language shows. Dark, The killing and The Bridge are excellent. Later two gone from Netflix now but if you restrict yourself to English language only, you're really missing out.