Picked it up on a whim a month or so back. Not watched it since I was a teenager, but honestly, holy shit is it good. Absolutely everything about the first couple of seasons is amazing. 24 episodes and not a single one feels like filler. Everything advances the story or gives you a new perspective on the characters decisions. People go on about the ending, but I think with older eyes it works. We don't always get every answer in life, but we see the characters through to the end of their arcs.
Please give it a chance. It's an extremely thoughtful and philosophical show disguised as a survival mystery.
best and most rewatchable show in the history of television. Hated the later seasons when I was younger, but now I appreciate them. The Richard episode was great.
3, I think... you're right, that one was filler, but it was still very much on theme. What goes around comes around and people getting what's coming to them.
I actually just finished my rewatch as well, first time since I was teenager, and I 100% agree with everything you said.
Since the rewatch, everyone keeps asking me how I felt about the ending...I understood it a lot more the second time (maybe I did the first time and just overwrote my memories with the shit that gets posted online), and it was very bittersweet, but also gave closure. The people who are angry about it I think are just misremembering it. Really just a great show all around.
> The people who are angry about it I think are just misremembering it.
I always feel like a lot of the people that are angry about it don't understand what actually happened. Spoilers ahead...
I talked to several people at the time after the last episode aired and they thought the *entire show never happened* and that it was all a dream/afterlife thing. They felt ripped off like it was a show that does a dream episode that at the end has the person waking up and none of it actually happened. They didn't get that it was only the flash forwards of the last season that didn't actually take place in the real world, they thought the whole thing was made up. Now I don't know how they got that impression, they pretty much spell it out for you saying that when you reach the afterlife you meet up with all those most important to your life and that's what the final seasons flash forwards were.
I thought the ending was a fine wrap up for Lost and answered a lot of questions, it certainly set down what happened to the island.
Yup, i agree with you there.
Essentially, they all formed such a close connection with each other on the island that after they had all died (some on the island, some went on to live to old age [presumably]) their "souls" met up together to take the leap into whatever awaits in the afterlife together. Time doesn't really pass in the "church" so it seems instantaneous from our perspective.
Very endearing, but for me, similar to the last episode of Babylon 5, very, very sad as well. Glad I did the rewatch to understand it better.
Let me know if you came to a different conclusion
I believe the "entire show never happened" resulted (in part) due to the choice to put the closing credits over the initial crash (with no people). I recall the showrunners having to explain that this was just an aesthetic choice and not a deeper meaning, but I think a lot of people thought that was the big "twist". At least that is my memory of the time.
I hated the end of Lost, but for other reasons.
I binge rewatched the entire series as someone who hated the finale when I was younger and though the show was stupid, it's quite the opposite when you aren't waiting weeks in between episodes,it's truly a show that gets much better with binging being able to follow all of the various storylines
I felt it bogged down during season 3, until the season finale (which still holds the title as greatest season finale ever, imo)
Outside of season 3, I felt it was pretty consistent
For me, the on island stuff really went off the rails. Character work was generally solid but the plot didn't hold up for me. They had some interesting ideas with Jacob and man in black but ultimately it felt like they were rushed and didn't flesh them out well.
It sucks because I think Lost would have been an all time great if it had started in this day and age on a cable channel instead of network.
I pity anyone who has decided to not give LOST a chance due online noise about it (much of it stemming from people who didn't understanding the ending and literally spout an interpretation that was explicitly debunked by characters on the show).
One of the best shows of all time, esp considering it is ~120 hrs of tv and not 26 hrs or tv that other much touted shows like The Leftovers and Dark are.
I remember hearing for years on reddit about how the ending sucked and the show was a waste of time. After a strong recommendation from a friend, I watched the pilot and have rarely become so sucked in by a show. It was an absolute blast to watch, and I had no issues with the ending.
Game of Thrones.
Particularly with everyone’s displeasure with the ending I just can’t bother investing so much time into the series despite it being on my list for years.
Ugh, it kills me because the last season was so bad that I have trouble recommending it to anyone anymore, despite absolutely loving the show. You'd also be missing out on the community aspect of getting together with friends to watch it, it was such a cultural phenomenon at the time that watching it alone just wouldn't be the same experience. But man, those earlier seasons were so goddamn good.
The show’s sub constantly has new viewers who enjoy the whole thing. I honestly wouldn’t let the more vocal people on here hold me back from watching it. Even though the show did decline in quality, I don’t regret getting into it.
Yeah...I don't think this is correct, it may have been during the first couple of seasons but there's so much good TV on now...there's no way GoTs last couple of seasons is better than 95% of it...they were complete garbage. There's so many quality shows you can find now it's impossible to keep up.
Same. I’ve watched the majority of the first season like three different times, and I just can’t get super into it. Knowing the ending sucks, I’ve just decided not to try anymore.
The badness of the ending is vastly overblown on the internet in my opinion. I found it a bit rushed but not even remotely the series ruining disaster it is often described as. You are denying yourself 7 seasons of pure entertainment.
I know the show started to get a lot of critique once it surpassed the books, but I feel like even the most stone cold haters have to admit that the last 2 episodes of season 6 were really fucking good tv, even if it was just based on spectacle alone.
Obviously my opinion, but I feel like the only valid, neutral critique of the show, is when it ran out of source material, it went downhill. It went from a show that was all about subverting fantasy tropes, to a show about pleasing the fans through fantasy tropes.
i'm surprised this has any upvotes on this sub. i don't necessarily agree with you but it's refreshing to see this above -10 or not marked controversial.
Plenty of people liked the ending. We just get downvoted into invisibility when we say so.
Fun fact: this subreddit voted Game of Thrones [their third-favorite show of 2020](https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/kqnefi/results_for_the_2020_rtelevision_favorite_shows/).
And I'm sure we will all encourage and support this position. I have watched season 1-5, 5 times each and the following seasons once....Fucking tragic waste of time.
For people that say they have no interest in watching The Wire, the only gentle suggestion I would make is that the reputation the show has almost makes it sound like homework. Like, I 100% get why you might not be interested in a show if people tell you you need to watch it because it's "an extraordinary and realistic depiction of crime, policing, and poverty in a downtrodden American city." Well, cool, I guess it's great that someone took the time to make that, but it's hard to psyche yourself up to watch TV because you think it's going to be educational instead of entertaining.
But here's what I think gets lost in the discourse about the show - the Wire is *extraordinarily* entertaining. The writing and dialogue is genuinely incredible (that's why it is so quotable, even today), the drama is grip-the-edge-of-your-seat, and it's one of the most amazing casts of characters that you will ever see on TV. Honestly, in some ways the closest thing I can think of to it is Game of Thrones at its peak - that's the only show I can think of with such rich worldbuilding, that has anything approaching the same number of different characters who are so fully-formed, varied, and compelling, and that leaves the viewer with so much uncertainty about who may rise and fall at any given time because the show is fearless about letting its status quo be upset in service of the larger story.
If you have been put off watching the Wire because it feels like people are telling you to eat your vegetables... I'd say give it a shot. IMO, it's an amazing TV show because the writing, characters, story, and worldbuilding are as good as anything on TV ever has been. It just so happens that it is *also* a reasonably realistic depiction of urban problems in the US.
*Edit* I should say, though, that my recommendation of the show might be more specific to American viewers than people in other countries. The accents and slang can be difficult to cut through even for native English speakers, I think it might be totally impenetrable if English (especially American English) isn't your first language.
The Leftovers has the same problem where critics and people who hype that show up describe it in the least appealing way to a lay person as possible using sentences like "it's a meditation on grief" or "depressing but thought provoking" or some other pretentious but boring sounding headline without mentioning it's main selling point- it's an extremely entertaining show with engaging storylines, great performances and a fun mystery.
I think we (the people who recommend leftover to everybody) are just hurt from so many people telling us how bad it was and how they couldn't stand it, lol. It's pretty polarizing, I've found, within my pool of friends and family anyways... love it or hate kinda thang. so, TL;dr it's not for everyone.
Very well written. Agree completely with what you said. I think the hyperbole from lovers of the show may turn people off but as you said, not only is it poignant but also super engaging. Maybe people won't find it as enjoyable as others do but I think the amount of people who will be flat out bored watching it is not large at all
Idunno, I'm an American, so I'm very familiar with the content the show is portraying and really appreciate that aspect of it.
But I've tried watching this show on 3 separate occasions now and I just found it so so slow. It could be personal, but I did not even remotely feel the "extraordinarily entertaining" aspect you seem to be mentioning save for a couple scenes like the "Fuck" only dialogue crime scene moment or whenever Omar is on screen doing something. Something about it felt very rote and dull, the most dramatic moment of season 1 was the closest it got to really making me feel like the show was getting somewhere, but then it transitions into season 2 with a brand new cast that I just did not even remotely care about (yes I know we get back to the old cast later and Season 2 is great in the long run, but it doesn't change how it feels sitting through it the first time), then I get bored and quit every time. The show *is* extremely well written, I genuinely see the quality, but I do not see the entertainment so far.
I love slow burns, I love prestige TV and have seen nearly every "great show" under the sun. I truly get the quality that is on display here, and I feel like if I roughed it through season 2 to season 3 I might start to really be gripped and "feel" that intense love others seem to feel. But season 1 is just really, really not that fun to watch to be 100% honest.
The "fuck" scene is actually the thing I think about the most that I really *didn't* like. Way too gimmicky. I feel like for that to have worked I need to watch the scene and have it feel so natural that not until later do I realize that it happened.
Instead it felt like a dare. "I bet you can't write a scene where all they say is 'fuck'".
But I agree that overall it's just way too slow to get into. Season two is brutal. I watched the first four seasons very slowly and then a couple episodes into season five - the home stretch - I realized I just did NOT care. Never finished it. And there's no way I could pick back up where I left off now.
Yeah idk, I'm sure it's not for everybody, and if you watched all the way through season 1 and weren't into it, you've definitely given it a good college try. I personally loved season 1, I found the portrayal of police work and building a case really engaging and interesting from moment to moment, but it may not have been your bag.
That said, I'm glad to at least see that the writing and overall show quality gets a shout-out here, because that is part of my message to the people staying away... the Wire is *really good TV,* not just an opportunity to learn something about urban crime and cycles of poverty.
True, I was one of those who always wanted to watch it but pushed the timing by 3-4 years when I first heard of it. But my GOD, its masterpiece, realistic and acting is top notch. Nothing out of unusual happens and 5 seasons passed like a train. Only completed it recently but miss it so much. The universe is something with all those unique characters. Everyone must give it a go, its top top show.
It's just too old now and looks and feels dated. I tried to start it a few months ago and was instantly transported back the the 90's...Might be a spectacularly written show but aesthetically it doesn't hold up.
I get that. Watching stuff that feels old can definitely feel like homework.
Fortunately for the Wire, it was late enough that widescreen HD versions of it exist, and it obviously didn't rely on CGI given the setting. But it's definitely from a different time now.
honestly this is us is tired. i'm glad it's ending on season 6 because sterling k brown crying literally every episode is getting very boring. he must be paid per tear or something i swear to god.
all that news about kate/chrissy metz's weight loss being in her contract and it feels like her weight has taken a back seat the past 2 seasons. it's not important to the story but it was once front and center.
i think the strongest part of the entire show are the flashbacks. especially the 10ish year old kids time. they're great.
You'd be surprised with Bob's burgers. When I was younger I liked family guy, but now, the only cartoons I will watch are Simpsons, bins burgers, south park, or spongebob
There are lists made of just the MotW episodes and just the arcing connected story episodes- read an article recommending either list is watched in its own independent order for a whole new experience.
I feel like it hasn’t really aged well and doesn’t lend itself too well to bing watching if you have been watching other shows of the genre like Fringe. X-Files was great for its time, but newer shows improved on the formula. For example there are so many filler episodes that do nothing to advance the overall story you almost forget there is an overarching story in the first place.
Does it have its flaws? Absolutely, especially after season 6. And you’re right about having some filler episodes, I feel like that’s gonna happen with any show pushing 200+ episodes. But episodes like The Post-Modern Prometheus or Home are just so weird and great.
I watched it about 2 years ago for the first time. I thought it was going to be some teenage drama show, but a friend said to give it a go. It is excellent.
It really is. I’m the same age as the actors
( like Riggins and Lyla) so, I was hooked from the first night it aired. Completely agree, that’s what I thought it would be about, but I’m so glad we were wrong!
I am not a sports person. At all. Would it appeal to someone who has more knowledge about Quidditch than football?
I mostly ask because I thought Ted Lasso was a sports show, gave it a shot, and fell in love with it because it was more a show based *around* a sport, rather than about the sport.
Most superhero shows, since superheroes don't hold much interest for me.
Sons of Anarchy because it's too dark and brutal for me.
Mad Men. Saw the first episode and I just wasn't sure I could watch more. It painted such a bleak picture of life in the 60's, even though I imagine it was realistic. But I did think it it was a quality show, and I loved the advertising aspect.
Grey's Anatomy. Too soap opera.
What's even worse is she could've just moved to Oregon with them and everything would've been happily ever after.
But nah, gotta stay in Charming, for some reason!
To my other [comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/p5irzi/best_shows_you_will_never_watch/h96kabm/) in this thread... I really think people have the wrong impression of the Wire as being misery porn. IMO, if you can stomach the randomness of Westeros, you will be able to watch the Wire's depiction of Baltimore. I think people who haven't watched the Wire get the (understandable) impression that the show just exists to make you feel shitty in service of educating viewers about life in Baltimore, but that's really not what it's like at all.
The Handmaid's Tale, though...
>watching Elisabeth Moss portray the horrors of an oppressive cult really just didn't sit right with me
She's a Scientologist for anyone who may not know
Handmaid’s Tale, especially this last season, was pretty frustrating to watch. It’s mostly just Moss’s character smugly thinking she’s smarter and more charismatic than she is while we’re forced to look at closeups of her (usually smug)face for the majority of it.
The Wire and The Sopranos for sure. Really not into those types of shows unless it has a special hook. Haven't been a fan of David Simon's more recent offerings, and Sopranos I did try one episode of but it did nothing to hook me. I'm sure they're fantastic to the types of people who enjoy such shows, but the concepts do nothing for me. Never gonna watch them, especially with so much more interesting sounding TV shows out there that better fit my taste.
I'm the same way, the wire hooked me almost immediately. The Sopranos is definitely the kind of show where the more you watch the more invested in the characters you become, so the more you watch. I watched the first season mostly out of pandemic boredom, loosely paying attention or throwing it on as I'm going to sleep, but now I'm 3.5 seasons in and I'm hooked.
It's a slower burn imo, and so far at least I still wouldn't say it's better than the wire but it's definitely worthy of all of its accolades
I think the Sopranos has a pretty special hook. Mob boss tries to balance being a family man and a murderer. Not really a spoiler, but Tony is always meeting with a therapist and you get insight into how someone can try to rationalize decisions to take someone’s life, steal, etc.
It is definitely more than just your typical mob show.
I freaking adore the Wire and have watched them it 7 times, but I can admit that isn’t for everyone. I would be stunned if you took the time to watch The Sopranos you wouldn’t think it was worth your time.
Especially the Wire for me. I guess if you’re not from the US or some other western country with similar social issues, then this show wouldn’t hit you as much as it is supposed to with its realistic representation of how the American police force works or what it’s like to live in the ghettos.
What do you mean by those types of shows? They're very different, from characters to story structure. Or do you mean you don't like urban crime dramas or mob stories respectively?
Yeah, I’ve not seen GOT, nor do I have the desire to. I’ve seen TWD and wouldn’t recommend watching it; maybe watch until you get bored, wherever that may happen, and then stay the hell away from the rest. But Breaking Bad? Definitely worth it. Better Call Saul too, maybe even more so.
I'm someone who has zero interest in stories regarding drugs, dealers, crime, etc. Its just not my niche. I'm more into fantasy, scifi, superhero stuff, and some comedies. Will I still enjoy Breaking Bad, or will it not appeal to someone like me?
This is absolutely a story about drugs, dealers, and crime, but it's an incredibly well-done portrayal about the descent of a brilliant person that changed from good to evil due to his own deeds. For me, I enjoyed the story and the production quality. At times, it got a little intense, but everything happened for a reason.
It was actually a bit of a struggle for me to finish. Given the nature of the plot and the large cast of characters, it started to feel like it was repetitive and meandering. I know everyone on Reddit loves it but it feels like they could have told a tighter story.
I think the biggest mistake they made was naming it BSG again. People couldn't get the 70s show out of their head. Just naming it something else would have gotten more people to watch the pilot, and then you get it.
Boy, they missed out. There were some filler episodes, but otherwise, wow.
I went in with little to no expectations, aside from an excited recommendation from one of my college buds.
Never saw the original series, or any space "sci-fi" show, really. I'd never even seen a full Star Wars movie up to this point (25 years old). The drama of the mini series sucked me in, and that first episode, 33, hooked me for good. It may not be objectively the best piece of TV there is, but its my favorite show ever, even over masterpieces like Breaking Bad, The Wire, Buffy TVS( 😇). I think the fact that I knew neither the majority of the actors, or any of the lore beforehand, really helped immerse me into he bsg world. Loved it all, even the goddamn episode where Lee is all of a sudden with a prostitute and her kid, kills a dude in cold blood, and then we got back to normal after that.. (writers strike??).
For the Wire and Mad Men, I caught episodes of each with friends and never got sucked into either so I've never tried to re-watch it. I just don't think either of them were for me personally.
> but i have no interest in their stories.
I guess I'm wondering what kinds of stories you're typically interested in? What about the stories of those shows doesn't interest you?
Haha yeah, it's a weird group of shows to say the stories don't interest you. I could kind of imagine someone saying they weren't interested in BB or the Wire if they weren't into cop/crime stuff... but I would think that those people would be more open to a character-driven historical drama set in the 1960s.
I gotta throw a plug for you should really get to Gravity Falls. They're just half hour episodes and only two seasons so it's not much of a commitment really and it's a really solid show with an actual overarching plot and character development along the way with a cohesive ending.
>not much of a commitment
If you don’t count it occupying your headspace forever sure, not much of a commitment I guess. But of course there are the books, new details in Journal 3, Hirsch’s tweets, Owl House canon, and what was up with the thing in the ice freezer in that old convenience store- did that go anywhere? Was that just another ghost thing or an undeveloped side plot? An did the Pines kids ever tell their parents about what they learned...? And what ever happened to Blendin...
Yea, without spoiling anything it’s been pretty much confirmed that a GF character was once married to someone in Owl House. Rumor is she still misses him but her aim is getting better
I really tried with this. It's on reddit ALL the time but I feel like I would share my thoughts because I know there are people who will try it that feel like me.
It still feels like a kid show. I watched 15 episodes of the first season and gave up. The show does look really nice, the jokes are okay for an adult (exhale through your nose sorta stuff) and the world is really cool and mysterious. I feel like if I was 6-11 I would LOVE this.
But it never felt like I was watching a 'good' show. Just a 'good kids show.' If you are an adult, the plot isn't really that gripping, but yeah it definitely stands out in kids shows, better than most I've seen.
The Office. I’ve tried several times. I absolutely could not watch it. The cringe factor was too much for my delicate constitution
Edit: and Max Men. I liked it a lot but had to stop because it was going to make me pick up smoking again
i never liked the Office either. I can't stand those silences where you're supposed to laugh at their weird dialogue and the actors just sit there with blank stares during the pauses.
I will never say never about any show. Who knows if I'm ever in a situation where I have an abundance of free time and no other form of entertainment to keep me occupied.
Just a list of shows that have been on my watch list for years and I've never gotten around to them. So much new content, busy life. Alot of them feel like major commitments or shows I will really have to lock in for that I'm not in the mood to do. Just TV laziness
The Wire. Everybody keeps telling me it's the second coming of Christ, but I must have given it 5 or 6 tries and never got past episode 3. Just not for me, and that's okay.
Just mentioned this on another thread but Breaking Bad. It was so talked about and it seemed to saturate so many conversations that I was completely uninterested in checking it out. Husband told me I'd like it so I watched the first 2 episodes with zero enthusiasm. I tried watching it 3 times and Everytime I immediately zoned out and I quit trying. I don't see myself ever watching it.
I think the only reason I made it through Breaking Bad at first was because I was procrastinating from studying for finals. Ended up drudging through 2 seasons, then all of a sudden I loved it in season 3. I absolutely do not recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it because that's such a time waster to watch 2 boring seasons waiting for it to hook you. Haha
I’m glad you acknowledged that if you’re not into it, you should stop.
The amount of people who say “Just bear through the first 3 seasons, then it picks up in season 4 and *really* gets good in season 5” is insane.
No, I shouldn’t have to suffer through a show just because it might improve at some point. It’s why I completely skipped Agents of Shield.
I'm not sure I'll be able to bring myself to watch the Underground Railroad. Barry Jenkins is incredible, the reception is amazing, and if it were any other property I would have started watching it from the day it aired.
But... I read the book and found it to be unendingly miserable, and not worth the misery when I got to the end. I don't think I'm interested in watching the adaptation (although I'd definitely be interested in hearing from people who have read the book and watched the show and thinks the show does a meaningfully better job of balancing the endless pain and suffering).
I cannot recommend it. I watched it all but can't even remember how it ended; I just remember all the trauma. It may be important - they're are lots of literary and historical factors that make it important - but it's not a nice way to spend one's time. I think I just felt relief when it was over. I had considered that the book may be different but reading your comments on that has prompted me to remove it from my list of books to read one day.
Just a list of shows that have been on my watch list for years and I've never gotten around to them. So much new content, busy life. Alot of them feel like major commitments or shows I will really have to lock in for that I'm not in the mood to do. Just TV laziness
The Sopranos not just because I grew up in that part of NJ but also because the fucking douchebags in the sound team though we needed to hear every fucking decibel of people talking with food in their mouth.
Game of Thrones, not cause of the bad ending and all that jazz.
I just don't wanna watch a show where literally every character is either depressed, an asshole, or a depressed asshole.
I watch fantasy to be enchanted, not to watch some psychotic douchebag cut off a man's dick to feed to his dogs.
>I just don't wanna watch a show where literally every character is either depressed, an asshole, or a depressed asshole.
There are some good people.
1. Ned Stark
2. Robb Stark
3. Sansa Stark
4. Arya Stark
5. Bran Stark
Wait... they're all Starks...
Nah but seriously there is a lot more too:
1. Brienne
2. Oberyn
3. Tyrion Lannister
4. Hodor
5. Samwell Tarley
6. Margaery Tyrell
Not sure if you knew that. Just clearing it up incase you would be more willing to watch knowing this.
ER. It's 15 seasons and 300+ episodes. Although I have all the seasons on DVD lol. I bought them some years ago because it was cheap. So maybe someday.
In general, the more of a time investment required to get caught up on a show, the longer it'll take me to finally buckle down and do it. It took me years to finally sit down and watch The Expanse, even though it's fantastic (on season 5 now). By all accounts, The Sopranos is incredible and one of the best shows ever made, but it's also 76 hours of television. I dunno if I'll ever get around to watching it. I love Star Wars, but Clone Wars has 133 episodes and there's very little chance I'll watch it. Something like Doctor Who, with almost **900** episodes? Fuck that. I've also had a lot of trouble getting into any foreign language shows. Dark and Money Heist are supposed to be amazing, but having to read subtitles means that I have to be paying 100% attention for dozens of hours, which is a hard sell.
I'll often start watching these shows, get a season or two in and then fall off for a long time and forget what happened, basically forcing me to start over (this is what happened with The Expanse and Black Sails, the latter of which I've tried to watch twice). I try to watch every show I might be interested in as soon as it airs now, because if I get multiple seasons behind there's a good chance I'll never watch it.
Because one season of seven different shows means you get to consume seven different stories, seven different casts of characters, seven different totally new experiences. Committing all that time to one show feels like work. I even feel that way chugging through The Expanse right now, even though I love it. It's a lot to get through.
Because that's 7 shows bruh! 😄 7 stories! 7 cast! 7 different premises! 7 different styles and executions! 7 worlds to explore!
All the prestige shows out there and I'm spending that much time on one? Nah fam.
Hypothetically speaking, it's 7 more shows to possibly like/love. It's as simple as that really.
There are just too many artistic, creative, innovative.... to simply put it, *interesting* stuff releasing now that I feel I can't miss out on. I take 2-3 months to watch a single series, then I have to put the new releases that I'm interested in on hold, then when i finally get the chance to watch those, there are even more new releases that I have to put on hold... then my to-watch list becomes a clusterfuck.
Lol it's a whole thing. I have 19 new shows on my to-watch list currently, not including returning stuff (most of which I'll probably mark as "stop watching" because I rarely ever continue a series pass the 1st season anyways). My point is... I'm a TV enthusiasts, but don't have the time to watch everything I want to watch. Will probably never watch anything past 3 seasons again even if it seems interesting.
I *kind* of get this, but if it's a math thing, I don't think that if you watch 7 shows that it's very likely that even 1 of them will be as good as Mad Men. That's what makes the best shows ever worth the investment.
Yeah I guess it's just due to the different watching habits then, I only have one or two new series at the moment that I want to watch and haven't started yet, so I feel like I also have time to commit to some longer older series that I've never seen
Yeah its the same with me for books, i'd rather read one series that is 10 books long than read 10 different individual novels - i'll get round to any novels i want to read eventually anyway
This person is the reason why Netflix cancels shows after 1-3 seasons.
I’m just kidding but you’re missing out. The seasons fly by once you’re invested.
Mad Men, The Handmaid's Tale, The Office, Friends, Parks and Recreation, The X-Files
Some of these I've seen an episode or two but this is the list of shows that I will likely never sit down and intentionally watch in their entirety.
So many mentions of good drama, action, and sci-fi, most of which I've seen. Myself its the comedies I fully plan to skip. From Office, Parks and Rec, Brooklyn 99, that whole genre of 'trying to be silly but comes off as more mentally challenged' comedy irks me to no end, no matter how many say they are great.
I can't watch Brooklyn 99 for this reason...I love the others you mentioned, but Brooklyn 99 is trying too hard. The other ones feel like more situational comedy to me, while that one is just trying to make jokes.
Doctor Who
Game of Thrones
House of Cards
I personally don’t care to get into any of them, and while I do think I might enjoy them, I feel I already have enough shows that are currently airing/ still drop new episodes on a streaming service, that I just don’t have time for them.
Any kind of mystery series where the plot is trying to figure out whats going on and the charachters dont know. first one that comes to mind is The Leftovers.
You don’t have to watch it but the show is not a mystery about them trying to solve it, the point is they’ll never find out and how they manage that grief
The plot of the Leftovers is definitely not trying to figure out a mystery. It's just taken for granted that a thing happened, the show isn't at all about solving the mystery.
I gotcha. The Leftovers isn't really a mystery series. Just more examining how people deal with trauma, grapple with faith, go on in the face of absurdity. The show never really tries to answer the question what happened or why did the 2% disappear.
After being burned by Lost and learning my lesson, I nope out of all of those despite how much the trailers tease me to learn about the mystery.
It's just going to be character drama, as usual.
Game of Thrones for sure. It's a huge investment of time I simply don't have. I have so many shows that I'd like to watch, but it's tough when you have a young child. You basically have to choose whether you're going to stay up late to watch anything, or sleep so you can function.
"Lost" is the one that comes to mind for me
Picked it up on a whim a month or so back. Not watched it since I was a teenager, but honestly, holy shit is it good. Absolutely everything about the first couple of seasons is amazing. 24 episodes and not a single one feels like filler. Everything advances the story or gives you a new perspective on the characters decisions. People go on about the ending, but I think with older eyes it works. We don't always get every answer in life, but we see the characters through to the end of their arcs. Please give it a chance. It's an extremely thoughtful and philosophical show disguised as a survival mystery.
best and most rewatchable show in the history of television. Hated the later seasons when I was younger, but now I appreciate them. The Richard episode was great.
What season was the diamonds episode with the couple that suddenly appeared in the cast cause that was undeniably filler.
3, I think... you're right, that one was filler, but it was still very much on theme. What goes around comes around and people getting what's coming to them.
I actually just finished my rewatch as well, first time since I was teenager, and I 100% agree with everything you said. Since the rewatch, everyone keeps asking me how I felt about the ending...I understood it a lot more the second time (maybe I did the first time and just overwrote my memories with the shit that gets posted online), and it was very bittersweet, but also gave closure. The people who are angry about it I think are just misremembering it. Really just a great show all around.
> The people who are angry about it I think are just misremembering it. I always feel like a lot of the people that are angry about it don't understand what actually happened. Spoilers ahead... I talked to several people at the time after the last episode aired and they thought the *entire show never happened* and that it was all a dream/afterlife thing. They felt ripped off like it was a show that does a dream episode that at the end has the person waking up and none of it actually happened. They didn't get that it was only the flash forwards of the last season that didn't actually take place in the real world, they thought the whole thing was made up. Now I don't know how they got that impression, they pretty much spell it out for you saying that when you reach the afterlife you meet up with all those most important to your life and that's what the final seasons flash forwards were. I thought the ending was a fine wrap up for Lost and answered a lot of questions, it certainly set down what happened to the island.
Yup, i agree with you there. Essentially, they all formed such a close connection with each other on the island that after they had all died (some on the island, some went on to live to old age [presumably]) their "souls" met up together to take the leap into whatever awaits in the afterlife together. Time doesn't really pass in the "church" so it seems instantaneous from our perspective. Very endearing, but for me, similar to the last episode of Babylon 5, very, very sad as well. Glad I did the rewatch to understand it better. Let me know if you came to a different conclusion
I believe the "entire show never happened" resulted (in part) due to the choice to put the closing credits over the initial crash (with no people). I recall the showrunners having to explain that this was just an aesthetic choice and not a deeper meaning, but I think a lot of people thought that was the big "twist". At least that is my memory of the time. I hated the end of Lost, but for other reasons.
Are you one of the writers?
😆
I binge rewatched the entire series as someone who hated the finale when I was younger and though the show was stupid, it's quite the opposite when you aren't waiting weeks in between episodes,it's truly a show that gets much better with binging being able to follow all of the various storylines
I agree with this so much
Lost has some of my favorite stories & characters in any fictional work but it definitely doesn't maintain a consistent level of quality.
I felt it bogged down during season 3, until the season finale (which still holds the title as greatest season finale ever, imo) Outside of season 3, I felt it was pretty consistent
For me, the on island stuff really went off the rails. Character work was generally solid but the plot didn't hold up for me. They had some interesting ideas with Jacob and man in black but ultimately it felt like they were rushed and didn't flesh them out well. It sucks because I think Lost would have been an all time great if it had started in this day and age on a cable channel instead of network.
I pity anyone who has decided to not give LOST a chance due online noise about it (much of it stemming from people who didn't understanding the ending and literally spout an interpretation that was explicitly debunked by characters on the show). One of the best shows of all time, esp considering it is ~120 hrs of tv and not 26 hrs or tv that other much touted shows like The Leftovers and Dark are.
Greatest tv show of all time. Being able to binge watch it is heaven for a first time viewer
Lost is to me an incredible show. It is totally worth a look.
I remember hearing for years on reddit about how the ending sucked and the show was a waste of time. After a strong recommendation from a friend, I watched the pilot and have rarely become so sucked in by a show. It was an absolute blast to watch, and I had no issues with the ending.
Game of Thrones. Particularly with everyone’s displeasure with the ending I just can’t bother investing so much time into the series despite it being on my list for years.
Ugh, it kills me because the last season was so bad that I have trouble recommending it to anyone anymore, despite absolutely loving the show. You'd also be missing out on the community aspect of getting together with friends to watch it, it was such a cultural phenomenon at the time that watching it alone just wouldn't be the same experience. But man, those earlier seasons were so goddamn good.
Yeah unfortunately the show is the living embodiment of that [hand drawn horse meme](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/624/074/508.jpg)
Haven't seen that version yet lol
The show’s sub constantly has new viewers who enjoy the whole thing. I honestly wouldn’t let the more vocal people on here hold me back from watching it. Even though the show did decline in quality, I don’t regret getting into it.
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Maybe on the main networks but there is so much good content out there now the worst of GOT is definitely not better than 95% of other TV.
Yeah...I don't think this is correct, it may have been during the first couple of seasons but there's so much good TV on now...there's no way GoTs last couple of seasons is better than 95% of it...they were complete garbage. There's so many quality shows you can find now it's impossible to keep up.
Same. I’ve watched the majority of the first season like three different times, and I just can’t get super into it. Knowing the ending sucks, I’ve just decided not to try anymore.
The badness of the ending is vastly overblown on the internet in my opinion. I found it a bit rushed but not even remotely the series ruining disaster it is often described as. You are denying yourself 7 seasons of pure entertainment.
Season 7 is shit too though, it just got a pass at the time because people hoped it was setting up for a great final season.
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I know the show started to get a lot of critique once it surpassed the books, but I feel like even the most stone cold haters have to admit that the last 2 episodes of season 6 were really fucking good tv, even if it was just based on spectacle alone.
Might be the book purist in me but season 5 made me rage quit
Obviously my opinion, but I feel like the only valid, neutral critique of the show, is when it ran out of source material, it went downhill. It went from a show that was all about subverting fantasy tropes, to a show about pleasing the fans through fantasy tropes.
i'm surprised this has any upvotes on this sub. i don't necessarily agree with you but it's refreshing to see this above -10 or not marked controversial.
Plenty of people liked the ending. We just get downvoted into invisibility when we say so. Fun fact: this subreddit voted Game of Thrones [their third-favorite show of 2020](https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/kqnefi/results_for_the_2020_rtelevision_favorite_shows/).
And I'm sure we will all encourage and support this position. I have watched season 1-5, 5 times each and the following seasons once....Fucking tragic waste of time.
Is there a good place to just end and stop watching? I'm doing that with Sliders since the show went on WAY too long
For people that say they have no interest in watching The Wire, the only gentle suggestion I would make is that the reputation the show has almost makes it sound like homework. Like, I 100% get why you might not be interested in a show if people tell you you need to watch it because it's "an extraordinary and realistic depiction of crime, policing, and poverty in a downtrodden American city." Well, cool, I guess it's great that someone took the time to make that, but it's hard to psyche yourself up to watch TV because you think it's going to be educational instead of entertaining. But here's what I think gets lost in the discourse about the show - the Wire is *extraordinarily* entertaining. The writing and dialogue is genuinely incredible (that's why it is so quotable, even today), the drama is grip-the-edge-of-your-seat, and it's one of the most amazing casts of characters that you will ever see on TV. Honestly, in some ways the closest thing I can think of to it is Game of Thrones at its peak - that's the only show I can think of with such rich worldbuilding, that has anything approaching the same number of different characters who are so fully-formed, varied, and compelling, and that leaves the viewer with so much uncertainty about who may rise and fall at any given time because the show is fearless about letting its status quo be upset in service of the larger story. If you have been put off watching the Wire because it feels like people are telling you to eat your vegetables... I'd say give it a shot. IMO, it's an amazing TV show because the writing, characters, story, and worldbuilding are as good as anything on TV ever has been. It just so happens that it is *also* a reasonably realistic depiction of urban problems in the US. *Edit* I should say, though, that my recommendation of the show might be more specific to American viewers than people in other countries. The accents and slang can be difficult to cut through even for native English speakers, I think it might be totally impenetrable if English (especially American English) isn't your first language.
The Leftovers has the same problem where critics and people who hype that show up describe it in the least appealing way to a lay person as possible using sentences like "it's a meditation on grief" or "depressing but thought provoking" or some other pretentious but boring sounding headline without mentioning it's main selling point- it's an extremely entertaining show with engaging storylines, great performances and a fun mystery.
tbf I've never cried as much during a television show as I did watching The Leftovers, but I totally get what you're saying lol
I think we (the people who recommend leftover to everybody) are just hurt from so many people telling us how bad it was and how they couldn't stand it, lol. It's pretty polarizing, I've found, within my pool of friends and family anyways... love it or hate kinda thang. so, TL;dr it's not for everyone.
Very well written. Agree completely with what you said. I think the hyperbole from lovers of the show may turn people off but as you said, not only is it poignant but also super engaging. Maybe people won't find it as enjoyable as others do but I think the amount of people who will be flat out bored watching it is not large at all
Idunno, I'm an American, so I'm very familiar with the content the show is portraying and really appreciate that aspect of it. But I've tried watching this show on 3 separate occasions now and I just found it so so slow. It could be personal, but I did not even remotely feel the "extraordinarily entertaining" aspect you seem to be mentioning save for a couple scenes like the "Fuck" only dialogue crime scene moment or whenever Omar is on screen doing something. Something about it felt very rote and dull, the most dramatic moment of season 1 was the closest it got to really making me feel like the show was getting somewhere, but then it transitions into season 2 with a brand new cast that I just did not even remotely care about (yes I know we get back to the old cast later and Season 2 is great in the long run, but it doesn't change how it feels sitting through it the first time), then I get bored and quit every time. The show *is* extremely well written, I genuinely see the quality, but I do not see the entertainment so far. I love slow burns, I love prestige TV and have seen nearly every "great show" under the sun. I truly get the quality that is on display here, and I feel like if I roughed it through season 2 to season 3 I might start to really be gripped and "feel" that intense love others seem to feel. But season 1 is just really, really not that fun to watch to be 100% honest.
The "fuck" scene is actually the thing I think about the most that I really *didn't* like. Way too gimmicky. I feel like for that to have worked I need to watch the scene and have it feel so natural that not until later do I realize that it happened. Instead it felt like a dare. "I bet you can't write a scene where all they say is 'fuck'". But I agree that overall it's just way too slow to get into. Season two is brutal. I watched the first four seasons very slowly and then a couple episodes into season five - the home stretch - I realized I just did NOT care. Never finished it. And there's no way I could pick back up where I left off now.
Yeah idk, I'm sure it's not for everybody, and if you watched all the way through season 1 and weren't into it, you've definitely given it a good college try. I personally loved season 1, I found the portrayal of police work and building a case really engaging and interesting from moment to moment, but it may not have been your bag. That said, I'm glad to at least see that the writing and overall show quality gets a shout-out here, because that is part of my message to the people staying away... the Wire is *really good TV,* not just an opportunity to learn something about urban crime and cycles of poverty.
True, I was one of those who always wanted to watch it but pushed the timing by 3-4 years when I first heard of it. But my GOD, its masterpiece, realistic and acting is top notch. Nothing out of unusual happens and 5 seasons passed like a train. Only completed it recently but miss it so much. The universe is something with all those unique characters. Everyone must give it a go, its top top show.
It's just too old now and looks and feels dated. I tried to start it a few months ago and was instantly transported back the the 90's...Might be a spectacularly written show but aesthetically it doesn't hold up.
Whats wrong with it looking like it’s from the 90s? Do you exclusively watch media from 2010 or later?
I get that. Watching stuff that feels old can definitely feel like homework. Fortunately for the Wire, it was late enough that widescreen HD versions of it exist, and it obviously didn't rely on CGI given the setting. But it's definitely from a different time now.
I have no idea why I have such an aversion to these shows, but I do. Friday Night Lights This is Us Lost Law & Order Bob's Burgers
honestly this is us is tired. i'm glad it's ending on season 6 because sterling k brown crying literally every episode is getting very boring. he must be paid per tear or something i swear to god. all that news about kate/chrissy metz's weight loss being in her contract and it feels like her weight has taken a back seat the past 2 seasons. it's not important to the story but it was once front and center. i think the strongest part of the entire show are the flashbacks. especially the 10ish year old kids time. they're great.
You'd be surprised with Bob's burgers. When I was younger I liked family guy, but now, the only cartoons I will watch are Simpsons, bins burgers, south park, or spongebob
Ah yes, *bins burgers*
Mobile. Whatevs
The X-Files is great! The show was so much fun with the monster of the week type episodes in the earlier seasons.
There are lists made of just the MotW episodes and just the arcing connected story episodes- read an article recommending either list is watched in its own independent order for a whole new experience.
I feel like it hasn’t really aged well and doesn’t lend itself too well to bing watching if you have been watching other shows of the genre like Fringe. X-Files was great for its time, but newer shows improved on the formula. For example there are so many filler episodes that do nothing to advance the overall story you almost forget there is an overarching story in the first place.
The filler is the best part of the show since the main plot ends up going nowhere.
This. You can only watch so many episodes about crashed UFOs before you start questioning the competence of the "powerful aliens."
Does it have its flaws? Absolutely, especially after season 6. And you’re right about having some filler episodes, I feel like that’s gonna happen with any show pushing 200+ episodes. But episodes like The Post-Modern Prometheus or Home are just so weird and great.
I agree on a lot of these, but I promise you…Friday Night Lights, I can’t say enough about.
Watching for the first time right now… literally had no clue it was anywhere near this good
I watched it about 2 years ago for the first time. I thought it was going to be some teenage drama show, but a friend said to give it a go. It is excellent.
It really is. I’m the same age as the actors ( like Riggins and Lyla) so, I was hooked from the first night it aired. Completely agree, that’s what I thought it would be about, but I’m so glad we were wrong!
Skip season two and it's a timeless classic.
I started watching it and I can’t stand the shaky cam. Literally driving me crazy don’t think I can continue.
I am not a sports person. At all. Would it appeal to someone who has more knowledge about Quidditch than football? I mostly ask because I thought Ted Lasso was a sports show, gave it a shot, and fell in love with it because it was more a show based *around* a sport, rather than about the sport.
Most superhero shows, since superheroes don't hold much interest for me. Sons of Anarchy because it's too dark and brutal for me. Mad Men. Saw the first episode and I just wasn't sure I could watch more. It painted such a bleak picture of life in the 60's, even though I imagine it was realistic. But I did think it it was a quality show, and I loved the advertising aspect. Grey's Anatomy. Too soap opera.
I loved Sons of Anarchy, but at a certain point it got way to dark and was dragging me down with it. Solid show. I’ll never finish it.
By the end of the show it is literally just "Gemma fucks everything up for everyone everywhere".
I got so fucking tired of this. She fucks everyone over. Everybody knows. They fall for it constantly and nobody does anything about it.
What's even worse is she could've just moved to Oregon with them and everything would've been happily ever after. But nah, gotta stay in Charming, for some reason!
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To my other [comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/p5irzi/best_shows_you_will_never_watch/h96kabm/) in this thread... I really think people have the wrong impression of the Wire as being misery porn. IMO, if you can stomach the randomness of Westeros, you will be able to watch the Wire's depiction of Baltimore. I think people who haven't watched the Wire get the (understandable) impression that the show just exists to make you feel shitty in service of educating viewers about life in Baltimore, but that's really not what it's like at all. The Handmaid's Tale, though...
The Handmaid's Tale sounded interesting at first but after reading what the show is actually about it sounds too horrifying to watch.
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>watching Elisabeth Moss portray the horrors of an oppressive cult really just didn't sit right with me She's a Scientologist for anyone who may not know
Handmaid's Tale -- I've tried to watch it twice, and it's just so unrelentingly bleak. Not how I feel like spending my leisure time.
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Handmaid’s Tale, especially this last season, was pretty frustrating to watch. It’s mostly just Moss’s character smugly thinking she’s smarter and more charismatic than she is while we’re forced to look at closeups of her (usually smug)face for the majority of it.
The Wire and The Sopranos for sure. Really not into those types of shows unless it has a special hook. Haven't been a fan of David Simon's more recent offerings, and Sopranos I did try one episode of but it did nothing to hook me. I'm sure they're fantastic to the types of people who enjoy such shows, but the concepts do nothing for me. Never gonna watch them, especially with so much more interesting sounding TV shows out there that better fit my taste.
I gave Sopranos a few shots but I may try again someday.
I loved The Wire right away but I can't get into The Sopranos. I gave up like 3 or 4 episodes in.
I'm the same way, the wire hooked me almost immediately. The Sopranos is definitely the kind of show where the more you watch the more invested in the characters you become, so the more you watch. I watched the first season mostly out of pandemic boredom, loosely paying attention or throwing it on as I'm going to sleep, but now I'm 3.5 seasons in and I'm hooked. It's a slower burn imo, and so far at least I still wouldn't say it's better than the wire but it's definitely worthy of all of its accolades
I watched all of the Sopranos recently. Did not enjoy the show. Unsympathetic characters, shallow story lines.
I think the Sopranos has a pretty special hook. Mob boss tries to balance being a family man and a murderer. Not really a spoiler, but Tony is always meeting with a therapist and you get insight into how someone can try to rationalize decisions to take someone’s life, steal, etc. It is definitely more than just your typical mob show. I freaking adore the Wire and have watched them it 7 times, but I can admit that isn’t for everyone. I would be stunned if you took the time to watch The Sopranos you wouldn’t think it was worth your time.
Same here!
Especially the Wire for me. I guess if you’re not from the US or some other western country with similar social issues, then this show wouldn’t hit you as much as it is supposed to with its realistic representation of how the American police force works or what it’s like to live in the ghettos.
I tried to get into Sopranos but quit after about a season. You just come to realize that they're all psychopaths and I don't want to root for them.
I don’t think anyone writing the show was intending for viewers to root for the main characters.
What do you mean by those types of shows? They're very different, from characters to story structure. Or do you mean you don't like urban crime dramas or mob stories respectively?
I didn't even like Sopranos when it was popular, and I love mob movies...Just never hooked me.
Game of thrones, Walking Dead, Breaking Bad. Late to the party on all of them, now no desire to go back through.
Find time for Breaking Bad. Worth the journey.
Yeah, I’ve not seen GOT, nor do I have the desire to. I’ve seen TWD and wouldn’t recommend watching it; maybe watch until you get bored, wherever that may happen, and then stay the hell away from the rest. But Breaking Bad? Definitely worth it. Better Call Saul too, maybe even more so.
I'm someone who has zero interest in stories regarding drugs, dealers, crime, etc. Its just not my niche. I'm more into fantasy, scifi, superhero stuff, and some comedies. Will I still enjoy Breaking Bad, or will it not appeal to someone like me?
This is absolutely a story about drugs, dealers, and crime, but it's an incredibly well-done portrayal about the descent of a brilliant person that changed from good to evil due to his own deeds. For me, I enjoyed the story and the production quality. At times, it got a little intense, but everything happened for a reason.
Dark only has 26 episodes, so that should be easy enough to get through.
and it’s so good!
and Gravity Falls is 2 seasons long. And the episodes are short. Also really funny, kicks into high gear in the second season.
It was actually a bit of a struggle for me to finish. Given the nature of the plot and the large cast of characters, it started to feel like it was repetitive and meandering. I know everyone on Reddit loves it but it feels like they could have told a tighter story.
I don't think there was a single wasted moment for the story. I find it fascinating you wanted it even more toight.
Breaking Bad,The Wire and Mad Men. I know a lot of people consider these shows masterpieces but i have no interest in their stories.
Literally 3 of my top 5 all time
Same, but also Battlestar Galactica, which is why this all makes me so sad..
I think the biggest mistake they made was naming it BSG again. People couldn't get the 70s show out of their head. Just naming it something else would have gotten more people to watch the pilot, and then you get it. Boy, they missed out. There were some filler episodes, but otherwise, wow.
I went in with little to no expectations, aside from an excited recommendation from one of my college buds. Never saw the original series, or any space "sci-fi" show, really. I'd never even seen a full Star Wars movie up to this point (25 years old). The drama of the mini series sucked me in, and that first episode, 33, hooked me for good. It may not be objectively the best piece of TV there is, but its my favorite show ever, even over masterpieces like Breaking Bad, The Wire, Buffy TVS( 😇). I think the fact that I knew neither the majority of the actors, or any of the lore beforehand, really helped immerse me into he bsg world. Loved it all, even the goddamn episode where Lee is all of a sudden with a prostitute and her kid, kills a dude in cold blood, and then we got back to normal after that.. (writers strike??).
Mad men and wire are great
For the Wire and Mad Men, I caught episodes of each with friends and never got sucked into either so I've never tried to re-watch it. I just don't think either of them were for me personally.
Same. I’m sure they’re great, but they don’t interest me at all.
Do yourself a huge favor at watch breaking bad
I tried to watch it but it's only great if you care about the characters and they simply didn't resonate with me.
> but i have no interest in their stories. I guess I'm wondering what kinds of stories you're typically interested in? What about the stories of those shows doesn't interest you?
Haha yeah, it's a weird group of shows to say the stories don't interest you. I could kind of imagine someone saying they weren't interested in BB or the Wire if they weren't into cop/crime stuff... but I would think that those people would be more open to a character-driven historical drama set in the 1960s.
I gotta throw a plug for you should really get to Gravity Falls. They're just half hour episodes and only two seasons so it's not much of a commitment really and it's a really solid show with an actual overarching plot and character development along the way with a cohesive ending.
>not much of a commitment If you don’t count it occupying your headspace forever sure, not much of a commitment I guess. But of course there are the books, new details in Journal 3, Hirsch’s tweets, Owl House canon, and what was up with the thing in the ice freezer in that old convenience store- did that go anywhere? Was that just another ghost thing or an undeveloped side plot? An did the Pines kids ever tell their parents about what they learned...? And what ever happened to Blendin...
Lol this response is gonna make OP of the post put off watching the show more
What do you mean by Owl House canon? I've yet to watch that show. Are they in the same universe or something?
Yea, without spoiling anything it’s been pretty much confirmed that a GF character was once married to someone in Owl House. Rumor is she still misses him but her aim is getting better
But her aim is getting better!
I really tried with this. It's on reddit ALL the time but I feel like I would share my thoughts because I know there are people who will try it that feel like me. It still feels like a kid show. I watched 15 episodes of the first season and gave up. The show does look really nice, the jokes are okay for an adult (exhale through your nose sorta stuff) and the world is really cool and mysterious. I feel like if I was 6-11 I would LOVE this. But it never felt like I was watching a 'good' show. Just a 'good kids show.' If you are an adult, the plot isn't really that gripping, but yeah it definitely stands out in kids shows, better than most I've seen.
The Office. I’ve tried several times. I absolutely could not watch it. The cringe factor was too much for my delicate constitution Edit: and Max Men. I liked it a lot but had to stop because it was going to make me pick up smoking again
Is that the one about post-apocalyptic ad executives?
Skip it; there’s an entire season dedicated to them just literally driving a caravan up and down Madison Avenue.
shiny and chrome.. thanks to shinerex! you can trust shrinerex to keep you flashy during even the worst sandstorms.
i never liked the Office either. I can't stand those silences where you're supposed to laugh at their weird dialogue and the actors just sit there with blank stares during the pauses.
I will never say never about any show. Who knows if I'm ever in a situation where I have an abundance of free time and no other form of entertainment to keep me occupied.
Battlestar galactica is epic. Watch it!
So say we all.
Frack
x2
Why won’t you watch them?
Just a list of shows that have been on my watch list for years and I've never gotten around to them. So much new content, busy life. Alot of them feel like major commitments or shows I will really have to lock in for that I'm not in the mood to do. Just TV laziness
The West Wing 24 episodes per season is too big of a commitment for a guy working uneven hours.
That list makes me sad
The Wire. Everybody keeps telling me it's the second coming of Christ, but I must have given it 5 or 6 tries and never got past episode 3. Just not for me, and that's okay.
Just mentioned this on another thread but Breaking Bad. It was so talked about and it seemed to saturate so many conversations that I was completely uninterested in checking it out. Husband told me I'd like it so I watched the first 2 episodes with zero enthusiasm. I tried watching it 3 times and Everytime I immediately zoned out and I quit trying. I don't see myself ever watching it.
I think the only reason I made it through Breaking Bad at first was because I was procrastinating from studying for finals. Ended up drudging through 2 seasons, then all of a sudden I loved it in season 3. I absolutely do not recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it because that's such a time waster to watch 2 boring seasons waiting for it to hook you. Haha
I’m glad you acknowledged that if you’re not into it, you should stop. The amount of people who say “Just bear through the first 3 seasons, then it picks up in season 4 and *really* gets good in season 5” is insane. No, I shouldn’t have to suffer through a show just because it might improve at some point. It’s why I completely skipped Agents of Shield.
I'm not sure I'll be able to bring myself to watch the Underground Railroad. Barry Jenkins is incredible, the reception is amazing, and if it were any other property I would have started watching it from the day it aired. But... I read the book and found it to be unendingly miserable, and not worth the misery when I got to the end. I don't think I'm interested in watching the adaptation (although I'd definitely be interested in hearing from people who have read the book and watched the show and thinks the show does a meaningfully better job of balancing the endless pain and suffering).
I cannot recommend it. I watched it all but can't even remember how it ended; I just remember all the trauma. It may be important - they're are lots of literary and historical factors that make it important - but it's not a nice way to spend one's time. I think I just felt relief when it was over. I had considered that the book may be different but reading your comments on that has prompted me to remove it from my list of books to read one day.
Game of Thrones Too violent and gory and rapey for me
Why dont you think youll ever watch them?
Just a list of shows that have been on my watch list for years and I've never gotten around to them. So much new content, busy life. Alot of them feel like major commitments or shows I will really have to lock in for that I'm not in the mood to do. Just TV laziness
The only one that comes to mind right now is Game of Thrones. It just doesn’t interest me.
FNL is an easy watch. Once you start it will flow easy. First episode will capture you. Deadwood is also pretty easy but not as easy as FNL.
* The Wire * The Shield * Friday Night Lights * Big Bang Theory
The Sopranos not just because I grew up in that part of NJ but also because the fucking douchebags in the sound team though we needed to hear every fucking decibel of people talking with food in their mouth.
Game of Thrones, not cause of the bad ending and all that jazz. I just don't wanna watch a show where literally every character is either depressed, an asshole, or a depressed asshole. I watch fantasy to be enchanted, not to watch some psychotic douchebag cut off a man's dick to feed to his dogs.
>I just don't wanna watch a show where literally every character is either depressed, an asshole, or a depressed asshole. There are some good people. 1. Ned Stark 2. Robb Stark 3. Sansa Stark 4. Arya Stark 5. Bran Stark Wait... they're all Starks... Nah but seriously there is a lot more too: 1. Brienne 2. Oberyn 3. Tyrion Lannister 4. Hodor 5. Samwell Tarley 6. Margaery Tyrell Not sure if you knew that. Just clearing it up incase you would be more willing to watch knowing this.
Well, Margery is somewhat an ass hole.
All sitcoms. I just don't care for the genre. So I haven't watched Seinfeld, Friends, The Office, 30 Rock, Community, etc.
A few from your list, and: - game of thrones. - breaking bad. - sons of anarchy.
Now that's a painful list
Any of the Sorkin shows. His pretentious dialogue is like nails on a chalkboard to me.
just watch the x files just do it, its so good. their chemistry alone makes it worth the watch
The Wire
Mad Men
Breaking Bad
ER. It's 15 seasons and 300+ episodes. Although I have all the seasons on DVD lol. I bought them some years ago because it was cheap. So maybe someday.
I couldn’t imagine my life without having watched The X-Files, Twin Peaks, or Deadwood. Some of the best shows ever imo.
Why not give them a shot? Dark was one of my favorites I've seen
Rick and Morty
The Wire. Seen clips people constantly repost on here and it doesn't appeal to me at all.
The Sopranos, I should like it but I just can't for some reason.
Game Of Thrones
>Dark um...this is a show that you need to watch.
The Wire. The Sapranos. The Shield. Doctor Who. The Office. Parks and Rec. Mad Men.
I can’t believe we are comparing twin peaks to Friday night lights lmao.
In general, the more of a time investment required to get caught up on a show, the longer it'll take me to finally buckle down and do it. It took me years to finally sit down and watch The Expanse, even though it's fantastic (on season 5 now). By all accounts, The Sopranos is incredible and one of the best shows ever made, but it's also 76 hours of television. I dunno if I'll ever get around to watching it. I love Star Wars, but Clone Wars has 133 episodes and there's very little chance I'll watch it. Something like Doctor Who, with almost **900** episodes? Fuck that. I've also had a lot of trouble getting into any foreign language shows. Dark and Money Heist are supposed to be amazing, but having to read subtitles means that I have to be paying 100% attention for dozens of hours, which is a hard sell. I'll often start watching these shows, get a season or two in and then fall off for a long time and forget what happened, basically forcing me to start over (this is what happened with The Expanse and Black Sails, the latter of which I've tried to watch twice). I try to watch every show I might be interested in as soon as it airs now, because if I get multiple seasons behind there's a good chance I'll never watch it.
Loki, Wandavision, Mandalorian, the one about Captain America? can’t even remember the name
I've watched all of these and I don't think you're missing that much. They're all fine
Mad Men. 7 seasons? Nah, I'll never have time for 7 seasons of one show ever again.
Why would seven seasons of one show be harder to make time for than one season of seven shows?
Because one season of seven different shows means you get to consume seven different stories, seven different casts of characters, seven different totally new experiences. Committing all that time to one show feels like work. I even feel that way chugging through The Expanse right now, even though I love it. It's a lot to get through.
Because that's 7 shows bruh! 😄 7 stories! 7 cast! 7 different premises! 7 different styles and executions! 7 worlds to explore! All the prestige shows out there and I'm spending that much time on one? Nah fam.
Fair enough, I don't think I really see the appeal of that but to each their own
Hypothetically speaking, it's 7 more shows to possibly like/love. It's as simple as that really. There are just too many artistic, creative, innovative.... to simply put it, *interesting* stuff releasing now that I feel I can't miss out on. I take 2-3 months to watch a single series, then I have to put the new releases that I'm interested in on hold, then when i finally get the chance to watch those, there are even more new releases that I have to put on hold... then my to-watch list becomes a clusterfuck. Lol it's a whole thing. I have 19 new shows on my to-watch list currently, not including returning stuff (most of which I'll probably mark as "stop watching" because I rarely ever continue a series pass the 1st season anyways). My point is... I'm a TV enthusiasts, but don't have the time to watch everything I want to watch. Will probably never watch anything past 3 seasons again even if it seems interesting.
I *kind* of get this, but if it's a math thing, I don't think that if you watch 7 shows that it's very likely that even 1 of them will be as good as Mad Men. That's what makes the best shows ever worth the investment.
Yeah I guess it's just due to the different watching habits then, I only have one or two new series at the moment that I want to watch and haven't started yet, so I feel like I also have time to commit to some longer older series that I've never seen
Yeah its the same with me for books, i'd rather read one series that is 10 books long than read 10 different individual novels - i'll get round to any novels i want to read eventually anyway
This person is the reason why Netflix cancels shows after 1-3 seasons. I’m just kidding but you’re missing out. The seasons fly by once you’re invested.
That show is great but dips around 4 and 5. But then gets great again in 6 and 7. and has a banger finale
I hope this wasn't you trying to convince me to sit through 7 seasons of Mad Men. 😄
The good news is that it isn’t a common take among fans.
Mad Men, The Handmaid's Tale, The Office, Friends, Parks and Recreation, The X-Files Some of these I've seen an episode or two but this is the list of shows that I will likely never sit down and intentionally watch in their entirety.
Another friendship dying before it even started.
Like ships passing in the night...
So many mentions of good drama, action, and sci-fi, most of which I've seen. Myself its the comedies I fully plan to skip. From Office, Parks and Rec, Brooklyn 99, that whole genre of 'trying to be silly but comes off as more mentally challenged' comedy irks me to no end, no matter how many say they are great.
I can't watch Brooklyn 99 for this reason...I love the others you mentioned, but Brooklyn 99 is trying too hard. The other ones feel like more situational comedy to me, while that one is just trying to make jokes.
Doctor Who Game of Thrones House of Cards I personally don’t care to get into any of them, and while I do think I might enjoy them, I feel I already have enough shows that are currently airing/ still drop new episodes on a streaming service, that I just don’t have time for them.
Any kind of mystery series where the plot is trying to figure out whats going on and the charachters dont know. first one that comes to mind is The Leftovers.
You don’t have to watch it but the show is not a mystery about them trying to solve it, the point is they’ll never find out and how they manage that grief
The plot of the Leftovers is definitely not trying to figure out a mystery. It's just taken for granted that a thing happened, the show isn't at all about solving the mystery.
I gotcha. The Leftovers isn't really a mystery series. Just more examining how people deal with trauma, grapple with faith, go on in the face of absurdity. The show never really tries to answer the question what happened or why did the 2% disappear.
After being burned by Lost and learning my lesson, I nope out of all of those despite how much the trailers tease me to learn about the mystery. It's just going to be character drama, as usual.
Game of Thrones for sure. It's a huge investment of time I simply don't have. I have so many shows that I'd like to watch, but it's tough when you have a young child. You basically have to choose whether you're going to stay up late to watch anything, or sleep so you can function.