The TV thread

I tried with Altered Carbon. Stopped when I heard Kinnaman wasn't going to be part of a second season. Working through Babylon Berlin.

 

That was my dad, a WWII vet, when it came to Hogan's Heroes. "Son, the damn Germans weren't stupid. I can't believe you watch that crap."

 

"I have a message. Lieutenant Colonel ... Henry Blake's plane ... was shot down ... over the Sea of Japan. It spun in ... there were no survivors."

Such a gut punch and so well delivered from the detail of Radar forgetting to put on a mask before coming in the room, but still managing to share the message to the other characters showing their reactions solely with their eyes. I had forgotten that it was also the final episode for Trapper. Wayne Rodgers left between seasons, so they didn't have any farewells. Just Hawkeye trying and failing to catch him before he was gone.

I loved it as a kid and I've been watching re-runs again lately.

 

I'm starting to find with this voluminous library of original content that Netflix is compiling that they're creating a bunch of watchable shows, but they cannot make something great. The algorithm's presence is showing. Everything is just a little too neat, a little too derivative.

 

Enjoyed last night's X-Files. One of their wacky stand-alone episodes, staring Mulder, Scully and a bunch of devices.

I won't say more and spoil it, but if you're a Luddite like me, you'll enjoy it.

 

C'mon:

Netflix Eyeing Total of About 700 Original Series in 2018

 

I know they have the cash, but much of the output has been underwhelming. They've gone from outbidding highly-touted projects to just throwing money at names. Considering their format (streaming) and the other creative options (no set time windows to tell a story), they shouldn't have to outpay competitors. They kind of seem caught up in finding projects and content that can reach a wide audience (globally), but might not be particularly good.
The Marvel stuff has been great - but some of the "name" people who have produced content for the site have been underwhelming. You get the sense they are using ideas that were rejected earlier in their careers.

 

There is a show on the CW called Supernatural in it's 13th season that has never cracked four million viewers or been ranked among the top 100 shows. Perhaps the show should investigate it's own curious longevity.

 

It cannot be cancelled lest they face the wrath of ijag.

 

I am watching psych right now! Love the silliness and the team of Sean and Harry McButt, haha. (or whatever name of the day he is given) I also record it every day for background noise. Hallmark Movie channel runs it every day at 5 and runs 4 episodes.

 

Love me some early season Psych, when the episodes are mostly light and 'mystery of the week' stuff. Hard pass on the later seasons when there is too much Sean-Juliet angst. Haven't checked out the movie yet, it's on my list of content to catch up on by the time I'm 95.