Kadayi
Banned
As we don't seem to have any dedicated TV threads I figured I start one and list out a few shows I've been watching of late. General thoughts and specifics in spoilers: -
Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime)
Wasn't necessarily expecting much and didn't have any real knowledge regarding this before going in, so I was pleasantly surprised for the most part. A competently made Thriller, though it felt pretty contrived in places and albeit I can appreciate that the writers wanted to give some sense of understanding and background to the antagonist it was a bit too broad brush for my tastes. I hope in future seasons (Amazon have already confirmed a second) that the writers move away from trading in stereotypes and introduces a bit of actual personality to the characters beyond the superficial. Spoilers below: -
Ozark Season 2 (Netflix)
Overall I enjoyed season 2. Beforehand I did say to myself that I'd spread watching it out over a week, but that soon went by the wayside and I binged it like a fiend on Saturday. Some of the beats were fairly obvious, but the writers also did pull off a couple of good rug-pulls. I think they've left themselves in a good position for a third season, however, I can't envisage at this juncture how they'd go beyond that given how tight the noose is getting around the bird families necks. General thoughts and specifics in spoilers: -
Better Call Saul Season 4
I was pretty down on the first season of BCS because it didn't seem to be going anywhere, however, it's much improved since and season four continues this trend as it parallels the gradual transformation of Jimmy McGill into Saul Goodman with Mike Ehramntraut's slow transition from retired cop to right-hand man and fixer for Gustavo Fring, and the rounding out of events prior to Breaking Bad. General thoughts and specifics in spoilers: -
Anyway, what you been watching GAF?
Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime)
Wasn't necessarily expecting much and didn't have any real knowledge regarding this before going in, so I was pleasantly surprised for the most part. A competently made Thriller, though it felt pretty contrived in places and albeit I can appreciate that the writers wanted to give some sense of understanding and background to the antagonist it was a bit too broad brush for my tastes. I hope in future seasons (Amazon have already confirmed a second) that the writers move away from trading in stereotypes and introduces a bit of actual personality to the characters beyond the superficial. Spoilers below: -
The writers really did try and hang a lot the blame for the antagonists' backstory on the idea that he was marginalized by the French during his youth and played up this idea of French racism as a justification for his actions, which I felt was a bit unwarranted. They even go so far in the X-ray notes to castigate the French for having the temerity to not recognise peoples backgrounds citing the recent Trevor Noah incident as a case of France 'dis-infranchising' people.
The story about the Drone Pilot was just bizarre, firstly with the whole cuck incident, secondly with him getting a Turkish Taxi Driver to take him into Syria to the exact location he bombed. I suspect that season 2 will pick up that particular narrative, but even so ...what was with the cuck bit? Was it just to get some boobs on screen?
I think they pushed the serendipity envelope a little too far with Ryan's new girlfriend being the one to flag up the Ebola thing.
The case of the disappearing special forces operative. When Ryan and Bunk head to Paris they have Matice with them, but weirdly he's completely absent when they're attempting to intercept Suliman's Brother in the Alps. I figured maybe he was killed in the Paris Apartment raid, but apparently not given he turns up later. There's no explanation given as to his absence and given he's the special forces dude, you'd have thought they'd want him around given his skillset.
The writers did a poor job of obscuring why Suliman wanted the hostages. As soon as the Ebola corpse came up it was an obvious play.
Serendipity again with the broken container of radioactive material. Without that coming to light they'd have been SOOL.
Also fairly sure their final plan was ripped straight out of one of the later season of 24...
I did like the use of game chat to keep in communication under the radar.
The story about the Drone Pilot was just bizarre, firstly with the whole cuck incident, secondly with him getting a Turkish Taxi Driver to take him into Syria to the exact location he bombed. I suspect that season 2 will pick up that particular narrative, but even so ...what was with the cuck bit? Was it just to get some boobs on screen?
I think they pushed the serendipity envelope a little too far with Ryan's new girlfriend being the one to flag up the Ebola thing.
The case of the disappearing special forces operative. When Ryan and Bunk head to Paris they have Matice with them, but weirdly he's completely absent when they're attempting to intercept Suliman's Brother in the Alps. I figured maybe he was killed in the Paris Apartment raid, but apparently not given he turns up later. There's no explanation given as to his absence and given he's the special forces dude, you'd have thought they'd want him around given his skillset.
The writers did a poor job of obscuring why Suliman wanted the hostages. As soon as the Ebola corpse came up it was an obvious play.
Serendipity again with the broken container of radioactive material. Without that coming to light they'd have been SOOL.
Also fairly sure their final plan was ripped straight out of one of the later season of 24...
I did like the use of game chat to keep in communication under the radar.
Ozark Season 2 (Netflix)
Overall I enjoyed season 2. Beforehand I did say to myself that I'd spread watching it out over a week, but that soon went by the wayside and I binged it like a fiend on Saturday. Some of the beats were fairly obvious, but the writers also did pull off a couple of good rug-pulls. I think they've left themselves in a good position for a third season, however, I can't envisage at this juncture how they'd go beyond that given how tight the noose is getting around the bird families necks. General thoughts and specifics in spoilers: -
I liked the twist that Darlene Snell came out on top and that Jacob was the one to die because she has always been the worst timeline given her nature. Jacob could be reasoned with, her much less so.
With that said there didn't seem to be any real reason why she spiked the Heroin. That felt like some really unnecessary boat rocking, coupled with part of said spike happening to end up in Rachel's hands (what are the odds..).
The Baby thing was pure runaround and it was clear as day that Darlene would end up with the preacher's child. Could have been resolved much quicker with way less drama.
Killing Cate (Ruth's dad) made a tonne of sense, leaving his clearly executed body in the middle of the road however much less so
With that said there didn't seem to be any real reason why she spiked the Heroin. That felt like some really unnecessary boat rocking, coupled with part of said spike happening to end up in Rachel's hands (what are the odds..).
The Baby thing was pure runaround and it was clear as day that Darlene would end up with the preacher's child. Could have been resolved much quicker with way less drama.
Killing Cate (Ruth's dad) made a tonne of sense, leaving his clearly executed body in the middle of the road however much less so
Better Call Saul Season 4
I was pretty down on the first season of BCS because it didn't seem to be going anywhere, however, it's much improved since and season four continues this trend as it parallels the gradual transformation of Jimmy McGill into Saul Goodman with Mike Ehramntraut's slow transition from retired cop to right-hand man and fixer for Gustavo Fring, and the rounding out of events prior to Breaking Bad. General thoughts and specifics in spoilers: -
I think the writers have done a great job with slowly building out the character of Nacho. Early on in the show he just seemed like your typical thug, but as times gone on it's become more and more clear that he's less and less enamoured of the criminal life he's fallen into and it was kind of heartbreaking when he realises that having thought he was getting himself out poisoning Don Hector, he's even more trapped now Gustavo has him. Also, that scene in episode 3 with the bag was pure nightmare fuel. Albeit we never see Nacho is Breaking Bad (although Saul does mention him when he mistakes Walt and Jesse for Cartel Hitman) I have to wonder whether he's actually dead by the time the events of Breaking Bad start or whether he might turn up in the flashforwards towards the shows eventual conclusion next season.
Anyway, what you been watching GAF?
Last edited:
