In which Kim and Shawn riff again on some recent TV thingies…
Kim: Back in March, we talked a bit about what we’d been watching on TV that season and I thought it would be interesting to have a look back at what we wrote and see how things have changed. As an aside, I hate change. I realize it’s a part of life and I do put on my big-girl panties and deal with it, but I don’t like it. I also don’t like the word “panties.” Or wearing them. But those are different subjects. Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane and compare then to now.
American Crime (ABC)
Kim: Then – “I’m kind of on the fence about starting it.”
Now – I watched the entire season, and I’m mortified to say that I can’t get that time in my life back. I hated everyone on this show.
Shawn: Then: “One episode in and I’m interested. I think it’s going to run a fine line for me.”
Now – I ran out of steam quickly and actually came to detest Felicity Huffman and Timothy Hutton. It ended so suddenly I figured that ABC felt the same way. But a few Emmy noms later, and there’s a Season Two debuting in January set in the Midwest and centered around Sexual Identity and Bullying, I gather. ABC trying so hard to have their own True Detective.
Constantine (NBC)
Kim: Then – “Like Firefly before it, Constantine instantly sucked me in with likable characters and out of the ordinary stories, but was constantly hounded by a really shitty time slot.”
Now – I loved this short-lived series. I was really disappointed when it ended and word came that there would be no more. But Constantine made an appearance on Arrow this season, so I still got to see him, if only for a brief time.
Shawn: Then – “…the stories just rambled for me to start the season. But they really found their legs by “The Saint of Last Resorts,” and by the time the season ended, I think they had their best two episodes.”
Now – By the time the season ended, I was very excited about where this show had gone. I am sad that SyFy couldn’t come through with more seasons.
The Walking Dead (AMC)
Kim: Then – “Quite simply, the best show on TV.”
Now – Same same same (See recent write-ups of current season). Glenn’s not dead.
Shawn: Then – “There’s so much going on here that I could go on for pages…”
Now – We write about this weekly because this show gives me more material to talk about weekly than any other.
Arrow (The CW)
Kim: Then – “Can we please have more Stephen Amell shirtless? I mean, come on.”
Now: Can we have more Amell shirtless, less of this lovey-dovey crap, and…what? Neal McDonough? OMG – his eyes – they are so beautiful. Can we see him shirtless? Also, David Ramsey? Shirtless?
Shawn: Then – “I’ve said this since the start but I don’t know if there’s a more exciting show on TV. And I don’t know if there’s one with any hokier dialog.”
Now – And just like that The Flash sped past it in my eyes. See what I did there? Flash. Speed. I don’t even watch it as it comes out now.
Stalker (CBS)
Kim: Then – “McDermott, I love the shit out of you and I will watch just about anything you are in. Hell, I put up with Hostages just to see your face.”
Now – Zzzzzzzzz. I finished. I miss McDermott’s face. But this was a complete shit show.
Shawn: Then – “On paper it all sounded so perfect. The trailers looked spooky. Well, I’m about six episodes behind and I’m not sure I can finish it.”
Now – I watched every episode and I can’t even tell you what happened that last half dozen or so.
What else have we watched since then?
Kim: Daredevil (Netflix): This was spectacular. With Jon Bernthal set to play The Punisher, I’ll be all set.
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC): We all know how that turned out for me. (See recent write-ups.) I can’t even give it more than that at this point.
The Bastard Executioner (FX): I. Love. This. Show. That’s odd, because I really don’t understand what’s going on half of the time. However, Lee Jones can tie me up and do things to me any old time he’d like to, as long as I don’t die. Early on Shawn dubbed it, The Bastard Sexecutioner, and I think we will give this show its own treatment just as soon as the short season is over.
The Flash (CW): With all of the shows I watched either over for good (I miss you, Sons of Anarchy!) or done for the summer, I decided I’d give Flash a shot. While there wasn’t anyone doing salmon bar pull-ups while half-naked, I did manage to be won over by what I originally felt was over-the-top goofiness. Thinking back to watching Justice League cartoons with my kid, The Flash is goofy. I dig it.
iZombie (CW): This show is really is wonderful. It’s quick-moving, funny, and always a pleasure. I’m pretty much in lust with Rahul Kholi, who plays Ravi. His character is so charming and endearing. Plus, he’s got that really hot accent that seems to turn the temperature up in my house that I have to start disrobing when he’s talking. There always seems to be references to ’80s and ’90s pop culture sprinkled throughout. It’s the perfect show for me to sit back and watch just to smile and be interested in something other than superheroes and serious carnage.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC): I just can’t get back into it. I’ve only watched the season premiere. It irritated the piss out of me and I haven’t gone back. Maybe after TBX, I’ll find some spare time. Until then, I’ve shelved it.
Shawn: Castle (ABC) A few years ago I spent a summer watching like five seasons of this show to catch up. I found it charming and exciting and loved the cast. It was a breath of fresh air that really didn’t stray far from the current style of the mystery genre. I even thought last season kept up the same energy. Then this season hit like a ton of bricks. Few times have I felt like a series dropped off so quickly. Each episode so far has felt like deja vu. Recycled scripts and jokes aren’t going to recapture the same old feeling. Might be time to dump the girlfriend that is trying so hard to remind me of the old times and just ends up reminding me that those were old times.
Supergirl (CBS) Just a couple episodes to judge this one by and it’s not pretty. Well, Supergirl is pretty. But there’s little else to hold onto. Leave it to CBS to take the successful genre and try to make it safe for everyone and not get why we love The Flash and Arrow and even S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Bastard Executioner (FX) Not really “Game of Anarchy” or even “Sons of Thrones” but not far from it. Don’t get me wrong. I love this show. There’s a great balance of humor and people getting torn to pieces. But there’s Gemma being Witch Gemma and a sexy lead actor who has a few women to deal with and there’s even a table like the one in Sons. I hope people stick with this for the long run however long it’s planned to be.
The Leftovers (HBO) I felt like I was the only one that stuck with this through last season. It was really a mess about halfway through. But it all kinda came together at the end and it felt like we settled most of the loose strands. So I was reluctant about a Season Two. I’m not sure that the writers expected a second season either. So this time it feels like they are just having fun telling stories and not really worried about answering the major questions. I’m pretty okay with that so far. Quality acting, overall creepiness, and total disregard for logical storytelling has me intrigued.
Flash / iZombie (CW) I’m shocked to say that The CW has put together my favorite two consecutive hours of television this Fall. I love the way that The Flash asks and then answers questions. We are done with flashbacks (looking at you, Arrow) and even the weird Earth-2 twists are being handled well. Then I don’t know if a show better mixes humor and gore and mystery better than iZombie. The cast is hilarious and I look forward to my Tuesdays like no one should really look forward to a Tuesday.
Shows in the DVR that will require attention before commenting: Fargo, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Arrow, and Gotham.
