The best new and returning TV series thread

[Uncle fester]

The only thing I dislike about it is the long prevalent intro credits sequence with all the "blink and you've missed it" clues and red herrings that come with this kind of show. Was it originally an American thing that's been adopted by UK police procedurals? The Wire > True Detective > Sharp Objects > Mare of Easttown... Whatever the case, it's becoming quite cliched imho.

I agree though I liked Unforgotten because it didn't seem to go overboard in this area. One show that annoys me to the point I can't watch it is Line of Duty!

Line of duty started off great but jesus, it got silly.

[Gumboot]

Line of duty started off great but jesus, it got silly.

Did it what. By the last series I couldn't give two fecks who "H" was.

[Grandpa]

Caught up with Last uf Us. It's not bad but it's not great. She definitely gets better but the story is still flirting with an overall feeling of cheapness. Not a total write off though.

That road they were driving on in the last episode was remarkably well maintained... better than a lot of roads I see now...

Last of Us is one of those nearly TV shows. It's like it's almost going to be good... but never quite gets out of second gear...

[Grandpa]

Have they replaced Nicola? Does Sanjeev have a new partner in crime?

Yep, Cassie's been replaced by Jessie...who has already managed to piss off pretty much everyone else.

Caught up with Season 5... Jessie's a funny one isn't she... though I'm sure she'll be adorable by season end...

[Insane_Homer]

Line of duty started off great but jesus, it got silly.

Did it what. By the last series I couldn't give two fecks who "H" was.

He's the fucking head of the OCG!!!

[CM11]

Caught up with Last uf Us. It's not bad but it's not great. She definitely gets better but the story is still flirting with an overall feeling of cheapness. Not a total write off though.

That road they were driving on in the last episode was remarkably well maintained... better than a lot of roads I see now...

Last of Us is one of those nearly TV shows. It's like it's almost going to be good... but never quite gets out of second gear...

I wasn't the only one to have the same thought about the road!

Bit of a damp squib final episode but it's always all been about Joel and Ellie and not much else so I guess it fits with the rest of the series.

[Grandpa]

Caught up with Last uf Us. It's not bad but it's not great. She definitely gets better but the story is still flirting with an overall feeling of cheapness. Not a total write off though.

That road they were driving on in the last episode was remarkably well maintained... better than a lot of roads I see now...

Last of Us is one of those nearly TV shows. It's like it's almost going to be good... but never quite gets out of second gear...

I wasn't the only one to have the same thought about the road!

Bit of a damp squib final episode but it's always all been about Joel and Ellie and not much else so I guess it fits with the rest of the series.

I was half expecting them to pull into a fully functioning motorway services...

At some point I think they'll need to consider their clothes... after 20 years most clothes will be falling apart... not nicely pressed and ironed...

I'm glad that zombie people are less prevalent...

[Raggs]

Know I'm a bit late, but really disappointed with the ending of the consultant.

[LenCohen]

Know I'm a bit late, but really disappointed with the ending of the consultant.

Yes absolute shit show of a final episode. Had been enjoying it as mindless silliness up till then

[Raggs]

Know I'm a bit late, but really disappointed with the ending of the consultant.

Yes absolute shit show of a final episode. Had been enjoying it as mindless silliness up till then

Yep, silly conspiracy fun with a hope of a delightfully explosive finale that didn't really happen, and no real explanation.

[Blackmac]

That road they were driving on in the last episode was remarkably well maintained... better than a lot of roads I see now...

Last of Us is one of those nearly TV shows. It's like it's almost going to be good... but never quite gets out of second gear...

I wasn't the only one to have the same thought about the road!

Bit of a damp squib final episode but it's always all been about Joel and Ellie and not much else so I guess it fits with the rest of the series.

I was half expecting them to pull into a fully functioning motorway services...

At some point I think they'll need to consider their clothes... after 20 years most clothes will be falling apart... not nicely pressed and ironed...

I'm glad that zombie people are less prevalent...

The ridiculousness of the gun battle in the hospital where a man who was on deaths door a few days ago was able to overcome dozens of Fireflies was off the scale.

[tabascoboy]

I wasn't the only one to have the same thought about the road!

Bit of a damp squib final episode but it's always all been about Joel and Ellie and not much else so I guess it fits with the rest of the series.

I was half expecting them to pull into a fully functioning motorway services...

At some point I think they'll need to consider their clothes... after 20 years most clothes will be falling apart... not nicely pressed and ironed...

I'm glad that zombie people are less prevalent...

The ridiculousness of the gun battle in the hospital where a man who was on deaths door a few days ago was able to overcome dozens of Fireflies was off the scale.

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

[CM11]

Was reading earlier that the creators knew it wasn't that realistic but they were making a TV show out of a game after all and decided to go God mode route for that sequence to signify Joel's determination to save Ellie no matter the human cost.

[Enzedder]

This isn't a series or returning, but while chatting with Ginger Jedi, the nuclear war programme Thread was discussed and I found it here.

Far more realistic and terrifying than The Day After

https://hdtoday.tv/watch-movie/watch-th ... 36.5312476

[Gumboot]

This isn't a series or returning, but while chatting with Ginger Jedi, the nuclear war programme Thread was discussed and I found it here.

Far more realistic and terrifying than The Day After

https://hdtoday.tv/watch-movie/watch-th ... 36.5312476

Hey Enz, hope it's nothing, but that link triggered a NOD32 antivirus security alert for me.

[Blackmac]

I was half expecting them to pull into a fully functioning motorway services...

At some point I think they'll need to consider their clothes... after 20 years most clothes will be falling apart... not nicely pressed and ironed...

I'm glad that zombie people are less prevalent...

The ridiculousness of the gun battle in the hospital where a man who was on deaths door a few days ago was able to overcome dozens of Fireflies was off the scale.

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

[Raggs]

The ridiculousness of the gun battle in the hospital where a man who was on deaths door a few days ago was able to overcome dozens of Fireflies was off the scale.

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

[Grandpa]

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Think I played space invaders as a kid. Are gamers that common? None of my friends or family are gamers... I did work with a gamer once... but they must be a pretty niche part of the general population? You'd think they'd be after more viewers than that?

[CM11]

Well, the global gaming industry is valued higher than the global TV industry and they estimate there's 3bn gamers in the world.

[CM11]

As for the sequences, it's no less realistic than any other action movie out there. And Marlene had already set up that her lads were useless.

[Jock42]

I enjoyed the series as a whole and particularly the scene he slots all the fireflies, thought it was well filmed. Haven't played it so don't know how true to the game the ending is but didn't see the twist and Joel's story after but I liked that too. Assume its true to the game.

[tabascoboy]

On Reddit, there are two distinct discussion zones for those who played the game and those who watch the show only. Few people on the latter seem to be so concerned about pulling apart the mechanics of the story and seeing if it holds up under scrutiny - of course there are debates about many aspects of it but only on this forum is it overwhelmingly apathy or criticism. Guess folks here are harder to please, and by and large the series seems to have mainly positive feedback from reviewers ( not all of course) and the audience it was aimed at - which was the task of trying to please both gamers and non-gamers...

The debate, as per for those who finished the game is largely about the choice made and whether it was justified or not.

Reaction to the second series will be...interesting.

[Blackmac]

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

[Raggs]

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

Like arguing on an online rugby forum?

[Blackmac]

On Reddit, there are two distinct discussion zones for those who played the game and those who watch the show only. Few people on the latter seem to be so concerned about pulling apart the mechanics of the story and seeing if it holds up under scrutiny - of course there are debates about many aspects of it but only on this forum is it overwhelmingly apathy or criticism. Guess folks here are harder to please, and by and large the series seems to have mainly positive feedback from reviewers ( not all of course) and the audience it was aimed at - which was the task of trying to please both gamers and non-gamers...

The debate, as per for those who finished the game is largely about the choice made and whether it was justified or not.

Reaction to the second series will be...interesting.

I've actually really enjoyed it as a story and wouldn't have been any the wiser about the game connection had it not been for this thread.

[Ymx]

I liked it. I’m not a gamer. Likewise didn’t know about the game until some here mentioned it.

I’m pleased it wasn’t just Zombie de-braining throughout the whole series.

I’m slightly wondering however where to go now for season 2. I’m assuming the brother has something to do with them needing to be on the run, leaking info about Ellie.

[Blackmac]

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

Like arguing on an online rugby forum?

I'm retired, built a household and have brought up my family. I would imagine I average about 10 minutes a day on here. As a twenty something I had a million and one things to occupy me, so much so that I had to give up things like golf for 15 years just to cope.

I think the difference is we did everything ourselves. Learnt to do up our own houses, fix our own cars etc, whereas this generation are hocked to the eyeballs in new build houses and new cars so they don't have to do any if that stuff. It's amazing how many of my gardening clients are young families who would rather pay someone to do a basic task than do it themselves. Anyway, back to the TV series....

[tabascoboy]

I enjoyed the series as a whole and particularly the scene he slots all the fireflies, thought it was well filmed. Haven't played it so don't know how true to the game the ending is but didn't see the twist and Joel's story after but I liked that too. Assume its true to the game.

Well for the last episode, from the game there are two moments that were left out that were pretty important to me for shaping how the player feels about the ending. Not spoilering it because if you've seen the show it spoils nothing.

For one thing Joel earlier in the game rejected taking the photo of Sarah (obvs brought back too many bad memories) but towards the end Ellie gives it him and he is clearly now reconciled "no matter how hard your try, you can't escape your past". Then soon after there is an incident where it looks like Ellie has drowned ( one of my theories in the game was that Ellie would die just before reaching the Fireflies!) - and for the player given that Ellie said "it can't all be for nothing" it's a bit of a heart in mouth moment. Apart from those omissions it was close enough to be true to the game.

I'm not 100% sold on the last episode but as a gamer when you are invested in having role-played as Joel for so long, it's bound to be a slightly different experience as only a viewer watching an adaptation.

[tabascoboy]

I liked it. I’m not a gamer. Likewise didn’t know about the game until some here mentioned it.

I’m pleased it wasn’t just Zombie de-braining throughout the whole series.

I’m slightly wondering however where to go now for season 2. I’m assuming the brother has something to do with them needing to be on the run, leaking info about Ellie.

Not going to spoil it all at, but reaction to Part 2 from players of the first game was rather polarised for different reasons - mainly IMO being miffed about their predictions being way off the mark than any shortcomings. It will be controversial though, and the second game was way longer so have to wonder how much they will have to cut out.

[sockwithaticket]

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

Why do people trainspot, angle, birdwatch, stamp collect, do role play games etc? People just have different interests.

We're on the TV thread, why do people watch fictional TV (or film)? Escapism and the chance to experience something they might not otherwise be able to, games provide that and typically for many more hourse, while putting the player in charge of the action. There's research out there about the cognitive benefits of playing certain types of games, certainly it's a more active pursuit for your brain than vegging out in front of the telly like so many people do.

They're also an all weather activity, which certainly has its own commendation in a country like the UK.

The RoI on games is pretty high compared to other entertainment you pay for, with it being possible to get scores if not hundreds of hours out of a single one.

If playing online games, people often build friendships with those they play with. Growing up I would always hear my brother on mic with his gamer buddies from all over the place. He didn't have many irl friends and he found belonging in his gaming community, which actually gave him the apparent confidence to make more irl friends.

I'm not and have never been a gamer but I know people who are and they are mostly successful individuals with plenty going on, sometimes they just like to sit down and play games for a few hours. You frankly come off at best as 'old man yelling at clouds', at worst condescending and close minded. There are obviously people who basically make gaming their entire life and that's not healthy, but that can be said of many other pursuits too.

[sockwithaticket]

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

Like arguing on an online rugby forum?

I'm retired, built a household and have brought up my family. I would imagine I average about 10 minutes a day on here. As a twenty something I had a million and one things to occupy me, so much so that I had to give up things like golf for 15 years just to cope.

I think the difference is we did everything ourselves. Learnt to do up our own houses, fix our own cars etc, whereas this generation are hocked to the eyeballs in new build houses and new cars so they don't have to do any if that stuff. It's amazing how many of my gardening clients are young families who would rather pay someone to do a basic task than do it themselves. Anyway, back to the TV series....

If they're lucky. A lot of people don't learn how to do anything for their houses because they're stuck in rented accommodation where they're prohibited from doing any of it, if you never acquire the habit it's understandable that it persists when you do have a place of their own. Modern cars with all their electronics are incredibly difficult to fix on your lonesome.

On the gardening thing, I get it. I had very little interest in a garden unti I hit my late 20s. Yeah they could look nice, but the amount of work to achieve that didn't feel worth it. Not sure exactly when or why, but that started to change.

[Blackmac]

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

Why do people trainspot, angle, birdwatch, stamp collect, do role play games etc? People just have different interests.

We're on the TV thread, why do people watch fictional TV (or film)? Escapism and the chance to experience something they might not otherwise be able to, games provide that and typically for many more hourse, while putting the player in charge of the action. There's research out there about the cognitive benefits of playing certain types of games, certainly it's a more active pursuit for your brain than vegging out in front of the telly like so many people do.

They're also an all weather activity, which certainly has its own commendation in a country like the UK.

The RoI on games is pretty high compared to other entertainment you pay for, with it being possible to get scores if not hundreds of hours out of a single one.

If playing online games, people often build friendships with those they play with. Growing up I would always hear my brother on mic with his gamer buddies from all over the place. He didn't have many irl friends and he found belonging in his gaming community, which actually gave him the apparent confidence to make more irl friends.

I'm not and have never been a gamer but I know people who are and they are mostly successful individuals with plenty going on, sometimes they just like to sit down and play games for a few hours. You frankly come off at best as 'old man yelling at clouds', at worst condescending and close minded. There are obviously people who basically make gaming their entire life and that's not healthy, but that can be said of many other pursuits too.

I could watch TV with my family and kids, play sports with them, experience healthy activities with them. Some of the activities you have compared also provide exactly that and are reasonable healthy, sociable activities. Gaming is essentially a pretty solitary and unhealthy experience which whilst you might be able to share with random gamers you will likely never meet, you probably aren't sharing much of an experience with your wife and young family. I appreciate some games might provide some sort of positive stimulation but there is no way spending hours playing violent shoot em up shit can be good for anyone. I know at least two of my daughters friends whose marriages or on a sticky wicket because they spend so much time doing it to the expense of spending time and experiences with their wife and kids.

Basically I think some of the positives you are try to claim are tentative to say the least.

[Brazil]

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

Why do people trainspot, angle, birdwatch, stamp collect, do role play games etc? People just have different interests.

We're on the TV thread, why do people watch fictional TV (or film)? Escapism and the chance to experience something they might not otherwise be able to, games provide that and typically for many more hourse, while putting the player in charge of the action. There's research out there about the cognitive benefits of playing certain types of games, certainly it's a more active pursuit for your brain than vegging out in front of the telly like so many people do.

They're also an all weather activity, which certainly has its own commendation in a country like the UK.

The RoI on games is pretty high compared to other entertainment you pay for, with it being possible to get scores if not hundreds of hours out of a single one.

If playing online games, people often build friendships with those they play with. Growing up I would always hear my brother on mic with his gamer buddies from all over the place. He didn't have many irl friends and he found belonging in his gaming community, which actually gave him the apparent confidence to make more irl friends.

I'm not and have never been a gamer but I know people who are and they are mostly successful individuals with plenty going on, sometimes they just like to sit down and play games for a few hours. You frankly come off at best as 'old man yelling at clouds', at worst condescending and close minded. There are obviously people who basically make gaming their entire life and that's not healthy, but that can be said of many other pursuits too.

I could watch TV with my family and kids, play sports with them, experience healthy activities with them. Some of the activities you have compared also provide exactly that and are reasonable healthy, sociable activities. Gaming is essentially a pretty solitary and unhealthy experience which whilst you might be able to share with random gamers you will likely never meet, you probably aren't sharing much of an experience with your wife and young family. I appreciate some games might provide some sort of positive stimulation but there is no way spending hours playing violent shoot em up shit can be good for anyone. I know at least two of my daughters friends whose marriages or on a sticky wicket because they spend so much time doing it to the expense of spending time and experiences with their wife and kids.

Basically I think some of the positives you are try to claim are tentative to say the least.

I was about to go off on one about this, but then realised a) you're talking about people with kids specifically and, b) my Atilla Total War Campaign, which was close to completing the restoration of the Pagan West over the entire empire and beyond, went to shit as soon as we had kids. So I agree - gamers are weirdos. The bastards.

[Blackmac]

Why do people trainspot, angle, birdwatch, stamp collect, do role play games etc? People just have different interests.

We're on the TV thread, why do people watch fictional TV (or film)? Escapism and the chance to experience something they might not otherwise be able to, games provide that and typically for many more hourse, while putting the player in charge of the action. There's research out there about the cognitive benefits of playing certain types of games, certainly it's a more active pursuit for your brain than vegging out in front of the telly like so many people do.

They're also an all weather activity, which certainly has its own commendation in a country like the UK.

The RoI on games is pretty high compared to other entertainment you pay for, with it being possible to get scores if not hundreds of hours out of a single one.

If playing online games, people often build friendships with those they play with. Growing up I would always hear my brother on mic with his gamer buddies from all over the place. He didn't have many irl friends and he found belonging in his gaming community, which actually gave him the apparent confidence to make more irl friends.

I'm not and have never been a gamer but I know people who are and they are mostly successful individuals with plenty going on, sometimes they just like to sit down and play games for a few hours. You frankly come off at best as 'old man yelling at clouds', at worst condescending and close minded. There are obviously people who basically make gaming their entire life and that's not healthy, but that can be said of many other pursuits too.

I could watch TV with my family and kids, play sports with them, experience healthy activities with them. Some of the activities you have compared also provide exactly that and are reasonable healthy, sociable activities. Gaming is essentially a pretty solitary and unhealthy experience which whilst you might be able to share with random gamers you will likely never meet, you probably aren't sharing much of an experience with your wife and young family. I appreciate some games might provide some sort of positive stimulation but there is no way spending hours playing violent shoot em up shit can be good for anyone. I know at least two of my daughters friends whose marriages or on a sticky wicket because they spend so much time doing it to the expense of spending time and experiences with their wife and kids.

Basically I think some of the positives you are try to claim are tentative to say the least.

I was about to go off on one about this, but then realised a) you're talking about people with kids specifically and, b) my Atilla Total War Campaign, which was close to completing the restoration of the Pagan West over the entire empire and beyond, went to shit as soon as we had kids. So I agree - gamers are weirdos. The bastards.

I don't think they are weirdos and never came anywhere near to saying that,, and yes I'm talking about a specific demographic where I just think there a better and healthier ways for grown adults with families and responsibilities to spend their time,

[Ymx]

Gamers are weirdos.

[Gumboot]

I binged the first season of Abbott Elementary, and while it was a reasonably amusing mockumentary I can't really get enthused about starting a second season of 18 (!) episodes. So, as enjoyable as it was, I'm one and done.

[Ymx]

Anyone watched the white lotus?

It’s strangely addictive. Finished both seasons now.

[sockwithaticket]

Anyone watched the white lotus?

It’s strangely addictive. Finished both seasons now.

I'll give it that, I did watch all of both seasons despite disliking it.

A friend whose taste I usually trust recommended it to me and this series has done a great deal to undermine that trust. First season was marginally better than the second, but I found it very difficult to give any semblance of a fuck about the self-inflicted problems of the hyper-privileged. There's almost no one to get on side with or care about the fate of. As far as season 1 goes I was getting there with the Aussie hotel manager, but then he

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leveraged his position to get sex out of an employee, which is work place abuse

. The teenage son who had an awakening in nature and wanted to stay in Hawaii was somewhat sympathetic I guess. In season 2 maybe the piano singer girl? She's kind of nice to most people she comes across but does screw over the piano player she replaces. Tom Hollande is quite fun as a Dinosyian, flaming queen, but also an absolute reprobate

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who gets his just deserts

Why Jennifer Coolidge has been fawned over for her performance is an absolute mystery. The only screen presence I can remember being more irritating in recent times is Diane West in Mayor of Kingstown who combines her naturally whiny voice with a parodically lib-left character.

[Ymx]

That’s a fair summary.

With regards to Stiflers mum

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I was actually so pleased in the end, as I thought she might live, and she was so annoying and horrible.

The two couples had me intrigued and how it played out. I really enjoyed that.

I’d agree about the piano player girl. But she deserved it, and the piano playing guy was a pretty awful guy.

The Italian Americans were just plain annoying, and a complete waste of air time.

[Ymx]

Succession Season 4 starting next week.

I love that show. I know it’s marmite.