TV Shows

30 Rock

• Lots of recurring guests. It’s impressive that the show can continuously bring people back. For example, Dennis, Dr. Spaceman, and Floyd all come back at times that are fitting through the show. It makes the characters and world feel more realistic.
• A lot of the humor is referential, and related to world events happening at the time the show released. If you don’t know what they’re talking about, you won’t get the jokes. I personally like the show’s humor style.
• The show mostly avoids Flander-izing any of the characters. Pete is the worst in this regard.
• The show itself repeats ideas frequently. Liz is trying to adopt a kid like 4 times.
• Jack and Liz’s “will they won’t they” starts to get old.
• Forward thinking for the time it released during. Gay relationships, politics, and drag.

America's National Parks

The narrator is fine overall, but has some weak moments. The shots they captured are pretty good as well. Otherwise not much to say other than it's a decent documentary on some National Parks. Not Planet Earth by any means, but keeps your attention.

Arrested Development

• Smart people (viewers) get to laugh at dumb people (characters).
• Second half of season 5 is repetitive.
• Season 3's last episode is a better ending to the show then the actual finale.
• Buster not conveniently getting a new hand is good continuity (and dedication by the actor).

Atlanta

• Cinematography: 👍👍
• Story: Season 1, 2, & 4 👍👍, Season 3 😐
  • The bottle/standalone episodes in season 3 destroy what little flow is already there
  • The racial lessons mean a lot more when the regular characters are involved (which says something in of itself)

Ballers

• Something this show does really well is explain things that happen off screen. For example, Ricky wins the Super Bowl between two of the seasons. It’s never shown, but the characters acknowledge it happened multiple times. Making it feel like it really did happen.
• My biggest gripe is how repetitive the plot gets after the first few seasons. Spenser and Joe have or cause a problem. They then spend the season dealing with that problem. Finally they kinda solve the problem. Spencer suing the NCAA also never has a resolution.
• This is the best thing I’ve ever seen Dwayne Johnson in. He does a great job. Makes me excited to finally see him as Black Adam. David Washington is also great. Worth the watch.

Band of Brothers

• A authentic feeling look at some soldiers journey during WWII.
• Anyone who romanticizes war should watch the 3rd episode entire series.
• Interesting to see how bureaucracy within the US Army could lead to some pretty crappy things.
• Episode 7 doesn't serve much purpose.
• The looting that occurs is (usually) disrespectful, but was probably worse in reality.

Better Call Saul

Uuuh, you better watch this show - Dunkey

• Story: 👌
• Characters: 👌
• Cinematography: 👌

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

• One of those shows that is east to digest. You sit down one morning and next thing you know it’s dinner time.
• Characters have a lot of chemistry, which leads to better comedy.

Jane The Virgin

I haven't watched all of this, but I've seen enough that I want to comment. How the show is structured is quite fun. Having the narrator and on screen text feels fresh and different than most TV. The plot gets repetitive. Seems like each character is constantly dealing with the same issues, but from a different angle. Overall a fun show, but weak in its plot.

McMillion$

A short HBO documentary about a McDonald's game piece scam in the 90's. It's shot well, and the structure of the interviews, clips, etc help tell the story. The reason so few people know about this, is 9-11 happened right as the FBI took this case to trial. Most of the people interviewed have interesting stories that are enjoyable to hear. Putting it all together in the end brings the whole scam/story to a nice conclusion.

Mr. Robot

It’s a crime this show wasn’t more popular. It does so much right. The story is well constructed. Little to no loose threads. Characters are interesting and act in realistic ways. Elliot’s condition is super interesting, and there’s nothing else in media like it. The hacking, commands, and technology they use is actually real (I’d know!). S4E7 is the best episode.

Peacemaker

• DC outputs the best superhero content when they're on top of their game.
• Disney firing James Gunn is one of the best things to happen to the DCEU.
• All the characters are interesting and have good development.

Sherlock

• Cinematography: 👍
• Story: 👍👍
  • At its best (85%) when it’s not trying to be an action movie (15%)
• Mystery: 👍👍
  • All of the cases are interesting and clever

Shoresy

Season 1

• Comedy: 👍👍
  • Humor is similar to Letterkenny, but with more hockey
• Story: 👍👍

Squid Games

• Definitely watch the subbed version. English wouldn't line up well with the mouth movements.
• Provokes a lot of thought on how humans would react in situations like the ones in the show.
• It's a really good show that's worth watching. Tough to say if the potential second season would be able to keep up the magic. That said, covering the other years of the games might be interesting. A 10 episode spin-off here and there could do just that.

Ted Lasso

• Comedy: 👍👍
  • Lots of funny moments that don't take away from the more serious times.
• Story: 👌
  • The character Ted Lasso is someone to strive to be like. He handles difficult situations with grace, and creates a positive atmosphere.
  • Deftly walks the line between heartfelt and serious without becoming corny.
  • 2nd season leaves some tiny plot points unresolved, and the 3rd season feels a bit rushed for side plots.

The Last of Us

• Cinematography: 👍👍
• Story: 👍👍
  • It’s interesting to see the extra explanation required in a TV show compared to a game
• Faithful Adaption?: 👍👍
  • A few changes, but all the major story beats are intact

The Mindy Project

• Comedy: 👍👍
  • No shortage of funny moments
• Story: 👍
  • Occasionally steps on it's own toes

The Shrink Next Door

• Is the Dr a bad guy? Maybe a little unethical? He’s a bad guy.
• Nice to see Paul Rudd and Will Ferrel in non-comedy rolls.
• At some point Marty (Ferrel) is almost as much to blame for the terrible state of his life as Ike (Rudd) is.
• Could've been fewer episodes. It drags pretty hard around the middle of the series.

Witcher (Netflix)

Season 1

(3rd Viewing)

• It’s a shame so many people don’t like the multiple timelines. Not many shows have done timelines in such a subtle way. It might make them afraid to continue experimenting.
• Castings is rock solid. Henry Cavill is perfect as Geralt.
• Actions of characters have consequences on the world and other characters around them. It’s refreshing to see storytelling where plot points aren’t forgotten or brushed aside as inconsequential.
• Geralt fighting the Striga is fantastic.

Season 2

• Geralt fights more monsters than season 1. Big plus.
• Yennefer goes from someone you want to root for, to someone you hate, and kinda back.
• Pacing suffers a little in the final episode.
• Overall worse than Season 1.

Want To Watch

• Stargate SG1
• Trigun: Supposed to rival Bebop in how good it is.
• Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller: Documentary about the inner workings of the criminal underworld (Netflix).
• Person of Interest
• The Food That Built America
• Kaguya-sama Love is War
• PBS Inside Sleeping Giants (doc/show)
• Formula 1: Drive to Survive
• Freaks and Geeks
• Sunderland 'Til I Die
• Tacoma FD (maybe)
• Mythic Quest