Fall 2005 TV So Far
Oct. 10th, 2005 08:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sdelmonteThoughts below on Lost, Veronica Mars, Supernatural, Smallville and Doctor Who.
Lost: Three weeks in, and the breakout show of last season is not the same. The extensive ensemble cast has been shoved aside in favor of Jack, Locke, and Kate getting most of the screen time. The flashbacks are forced and add little to our understanding of the characters. And things are moving at a glacial pace, with one scene being repeated three times. Oh, there is still much to keep me interested, as what's in the hatch might provide a lot of plot fodder, and what happened to Sawyer, Michael and Jin looks to be gripping. But the concern I had after last season's finale that the only thing we would get is more questions seems to have been accurate. It's early yet, so things might resolve themselves. I wonder, though, if the departures of David Fury and Paul Dini, and what seems to be the lesser role of JJ Abrams, are hurting the show.
Veronica Mars: Ms. Mars' show, OTOH, is off to a brilliant start with a season premiere was gripping from start to finish and a second episode that seems to be setting much of the season's arc in play. The stakes are high, and it looks like Rob Thomas and friends will be addressing issues of class, race and politics up-close, even while not losing focus on Veronica's own little world. My only concern is that the drama is so intense that it could turn into melodrama with ease. I don't think this will happen - it didn't at any point last season - but I've been burnt just often enough to keep my eyes open.
Supernatural - This is a very basic show - two brothers who fight demons and the like, and who are looking for their missing father, the man who taught them everything they know. No chance this is the next Angel or Buffy, but then it doesn't want to be. It does what it sets out to. It tells fairly gripping and intelligent stories with elements of horror and suspense, and lets the brothers - one a tough guy and the other a college boy - play off each other very effectively. It's fun, sometimes witty, and a bit cynical. As long as you don't go into it expecting an Jossian script or innovative acting and directing styles.
Smallville - I watched the second episode of the season. Compared to the train wreck that was season four, it was enjoyable, mainly because Chloe and Clark were a team again, partly because of the direction the Clark-Lex friendship has gone. But the story was nothing amazing, and I am so tired of Lana Lang by now. So I don't think I will be watching this too often. Still, James Marsters has joined the cast as a semi-regular, playing a new villain, and Aquaman is slated to show up, so I will still peek in. It's not what it was, though, or what it could have been.
Doctor Who - Have now watched eight episodes, through "Father's Day." It gets better with each story. Amazing acting, great scripts, and gripping - if somewhat implausible - stories in the grand Doctor Who tradition.
Lost: Three weeks in, and the breakout show of last season is not the same. The extensive ensemble cast has been shoved aside in favor of Jack, Locke, and Kate getting most of the screen time. The flashbacks are forced and add little to our understanding of the characters. And things are moving at a glacial pace, with one scene being repeated three times. Oh, there is still much to keep me interested, as what's in the hatch might provide a lot of plot fodder, and what happened to Sawyer, Michael and Jin looks to be gripping. But the concern I had after last season's finale that the only thing we would get is more questions seems to have been accurate. It's early yet, so things might resolve themselves. I wonder, though, if the departures of David Fury and Paul Dini, and what seems to be the lesser role of JJ Abrams, are hurting the show.
Veronica Mars: Ms. Mars' show, OTOH, is off to a brilliant start with a season premiere was gripping from start to finish and a second episode that seems to be setting much of the season's arc in play. The stakes are high, and it looks like Rob Thomas and friends will be addressing issues of class, race and politics up-close, even while not losing focus on Veronica's own little world. My only concern is that the drama is so intense that it could turn into melodrama with ease. I don't think this will happen - it didn't at any point last season - but I've been burnt just often enough to keep my eyes open.
Supernatural - This is a very basic show - two brothers who fight demons and the like, and who are looking for their missing father, the man who taught them everything they know. No chance this is the next Angel or Buffy, but then it doesn't want to be. It does what it sets out to. It tells fairly gripping and intelligent stories with elements of horror and suspense, and lets the brothers - one a tough guy and the other a college boy - play off each other very effectively. It's fun, sometimes witty, and a bit cynical. As long as you don't go into it expecting an Jossian script or innovative acting and directing styles.
Smallville - I watched the second episode of the season. Compared to the train wreck that was season four, it was enjoyable, mainly because Chloe and Clark were a team again, partly because of the direction the Clark-Lex friendship has gone. But the story was nothing amazing, and I am so tired of Lana Lang by now. So I don't think I will be watching this too often. Still, James Marsters has joined the cast as a semi-regular, playing a new villain, and Aquaman is slated to show up, so I will still peek in. It's not what it was, though, or what it could have been.
Doctor Who - Have now watched eight episodes, through "Father's Day." It gets better with each story. Amazing acting, great scripts, and gripping - if somewhat implausible - stories in the grand Doctor Who tradition.
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(no subject)
Date: Oct. 10th, 2005 03:17 pm (UTC)Isn't anyone in their right mind? I watch the show just out of habit, and just cause Clark and Chloe are adorable. And the Luthors rock. But yeah, it's typically a show I do homework during.
I've actually enjoyed Lost this season. Still never watched Vernoica Mars though. Meant to check it out last year and never got around to it.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 12th, 2005 12:47 am (UTC)Season 1 Veronica Mars should be arriving from netflix any day now.