Thank goodness for Netflix. We've been watching The Fall, just finished the second season. And of course, have enjoyed Daredevil a lot, and are waiting as patiently as possible for its second season. And just recently we started watching Hinterland, set in atmospheric Wales.
Something all three series have in common is a slower pace. I've become accultured to fast-action, big explosions, quick pans and cuts, a lot of exposition got across by camera work instead of acting. On network shows there's a growing tendency to jump time, leaving gaps of uninteresting to jump to the next "event" in the exposition. My attention span works that way naturally anyway, but I've heard complaints about such shows being "hard to follow," and I can see why.
The three series I mentioned all seem deliberate and more real for taking time to breathe between explosions or crises. It gives a viewer time to breathe, to assimilate a change in facts, in circumstances for the characters. It may be less exciting for the constant edge of crisis the viewer is asked to surf, but it benefits from increased tension, slower build, and ultimately, more emotional bang when the heavy blow is delivered.
At least IMO. Other thoughts? Opinions?
Adding quickly--I caught the first two episodes of Friday Night Lights recently, and was struck anew with the filming style. The slow shots of driving--the booster signs for the players in the scraggly yards, the slow-moving trains on tracks across empty fields, that wide open sky above the school football field, and the weeds in the sidewalk around the rundown businesses. Such evocative images. They say a tremendous amount about the setting and the people who inhabit it before any of the characters ever say a word.
Hulu Plus is now just called Hulu: [link]
I just wolfed down episode 10 of Kimmy Schmidt, and oh it is so ridiculously enjoyable! I'd been watching an episode here and there whenever I had a Matilda-free waking moment, more because there was always more to like than not about it but not out of LOVE, but this episode tripped just about all my LOVE switches. I just want to watch it over and over and wrap it in a fuzzy blanket and snoodle it.
Not quite two episodes in, and I'm really enjoying Sense8. I'd like the arc to kick in a little bit more and sooner, but everything is really engaging and has kept me interested.
I'm in episode 4, Sun is my favorite person ever, and I want to beat up people who are mean to her.
I really like Will, too. Well, I like all of them, but I like his character.
Just finished watching the whole season of Bosch on Amazon. I really liked it--modern L.A.noir, which really captures the feel of the city. There is a to of tension and strong antagonists and the series follows various stories over the entire 10 episodes. Really good, interesting cast, and it's beautiful to look at.
I was so pleased when you mentioned Bosch because I thought there was a new season. I checked and there isn't but I think I will re-watch the first season for all of the reasons you mentioned. There is a strain of melancholy throughout the series which I think is handled really well and isn't overwhelming plus I've always seen Titus Welliver in such stereotypical "bad guy" roles that the nuances he brings to this character are a joy to watch.
Through episode 7 of Sense8. Korean women's prison looks awesome!
I mainlined The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt over the weekend. The first couple of episodes are kinda creaky, but then it hit the stride and made me laugh like the drain consistently. By the time the Peeno Noir song (youtube link) rolled around, I was a convert.
Oh man, that episode about Spirit Cycle! The surprise guest star in the finishing season arc! Everything that came out of Carol Kane's mouth! TITUS!
