I think most people like season 2 of White Lotus better because it was just more fun to watch. Season 1 was definitely more refined but the characters just weren't as interesting.
I also think the location had a lot to do with it as well - Hawaii is beautiful but there was something magical about Taormina and the Italian scenery. The cinematography of this season was fantastic.
Thanks for bringing these musings back in addition to Rolling Stone. (If one could only get Poznanski on Substance - Dayen and now Alan Sepinwall too - Dayernu - as someone used to say.) In addition to the headlines perhaps you'll bring back your photo array teasers. Those were fun. Also thanks for an occasional account of what I have heard referred to as "folding your socks" shows like the Recruit. (Being myself older I'm sorry to admit that I more often watch the older done in an episode with a sprinkling of serial arc shows. Old enough indeed to come back to Elementary episodes and find them fresh.) Have you kept up with Doctor Who at all. Interested in your thoughts one way or the other.
I watched most of Jodie’s first season and gave up. I thought she was great and the show around her was boring. And with way too many companions. I may try again with the new guy, since I like him on Sex Education and it’ll be a new showrunner.
Re: your review of Kindred: so you wanted a more “nuanced” or more vaguely “sympathetic” slave owner? I think his meanness was pretty much the point (slavery, after all) - loved the show and it’s depictions of the fake “gentility” of the south masking the ever-present violence and abuse underneath. My take is it makes people uncomfortable to watch hence the lower ratings. But one of my favorite shows of the year that I truly hope will be renewed.
Thanks for mentioning the important of physical media, Alan. I know in the past you wrote about the excitement when buying the DVD boxes of China Beach and The Wonder Years. Are there any other DVD box-sets for tv shows you have bought in the recent years specifically (due to lack of streaming) or had similar excitement?
Yes the moves by the Discovery guy are infuriating. I really enjoyed Season 1 of Minx. It definitely betrays the idea that if a streamer has made a show it will stay there indefinitely. And HBO was largely that for years.
I regret not watching some of those shows that are being disappeared. In the platinum TV age there was this notion you would eventually get to the TV you were recommended. Maybe time wise that was never going to happen. But now it seems it’s guaranteed.
Very glad to see you liked The Recruit in that USA Blue Sky era way! I saw the trailer and was excited for a new Noah Centineo vehicle but wasn't sure about the tone of the show. But from your description it seems like it balances the tone better in the show than it did in the trailer
I appreciated your comment that HBO Max appeared to be the best streamer. Now, it's largely the home of Chip & Joanna and HBO reruns (other than "College Girls"). It was the home of the UK "Ghosts" but the latest season hasn't shown up.
I think most people like season 2 of White Lotus better because it was just more fun to watch. Season 1 was definitely more refined but the characters just weren't as interesting.
I also think the location had a lot to do with it as well - Hawaii is beautiful but there was something magical about Taormina and the Italian scenery. The cinematography of this season was fantastic.
Thanks for bringing these musings back in addition to Rolling Stone. (If one could only get Poznanski on Substance - Dayen and now Alan Sepinwall too - Dayernu - as someone used to say.) In addition to the headlines perhaps you'll bring back your photo array teasers. Those were fun. Also thanks for an occasional account of what I have heard referred to as "folding your socks" shows like the Recruit. (Being myself older I'm sorry to admit that I more often watch the older done in an episode with a sprinkling of serial arc shows. Old enough indeed to come back to Elementary episodes and find them fresh.) Have you kept up with Doctor Who at all. Interested in your thoughts one way or the other.
I watched most of Jodie’s first season and gave up. I thought she was great and the show around her was boring. And with way too many companions. I may try again with the new guy, since I like him on Sex Education and it’ll be a new showrunner.
Similar thoughts. Would have liked to have seen her with Davies or Moffat. Really enjoyed Capaldi's take.
Re: your review of Kindred: so you wanted a more “nuanced” or more vaguely “sympathetic” slave owner? I think his meanness was pretty much the point (slavery, after all) - loved the show and it’s depictions of the fake “gentility” of the south masking the ever-present violence and abuse underneath. My take is it makes people uncomfortable to watch hence the lower ratings. But one of my favorite shows of the year that I truly hope will be renewed.
Thanks for mentioning the important of physical media, Alan. I know in the past you wrote about the excitement when buying the DVD boxes of China Beach and The Wonder Years. Are there any other DVD box-sets for tv shows you have bought in the recent years specifically (due to lack of streaming) or had similar excitement?
Yes the moves by the Discovery guy are infuriating. I really enjoyed Season 1 of Minx. It definitely betrays the idea that if a streamer has made a show it will stay there indefinitely. And HBO was largely that for years.
I regret not watching some of those shows that are being disappeared. In the platinum TV age there was this notion you would eventually get to the TV you were recommended. Maybe time wise that was never going to happen. But now it seems it’s guaranteed.
Very glad to see you liked The Recruit in that USA Blue Sky era way! I saw the trailer and was excited for a new Noah Centineo vehicle but wasn't sure about the tone of the show. But from your description it seems like it balances the tone better in the show than it did in the trailer
I appreciated your comment that HBO Max appeared to be the best streamer. Now, it's largely the home of Chip & Joanna and HBO reruns (other than "College Girls"). It was the home of the UK "Ghosts" but the latest season hasn't shown up.
I will say it usually takes them about a year to get the new seasons of UK Ghosts on there and the newest season just aired this summer/fall