What TV series are you currently watching?

[Fëanor]

I've just finished the two seasons of 'Andor', -- surprisingly "not bad" for a Star Wars genre opus.  After my last brief venture into the Star Wars universe, the very puerile 'Madalorian', my expectations weren't very high but I was surprised by a much higher level of maturity and nuance of characters.

Broadly, 'Andor" is about the rise & spread of organized rebellion in response to the Empire's cruelty and genocide.  On the top level the plot revolves around the evolution of rebel organization in response to the Empire's security service, the ISB, and latter's efforts to disrupt it.  On the microlevel must plot twists involve infiltrations and rescues. Not too much spoiler, but the plot mostly unfolds before the revelation of the Death Star planet-destroying mega-device.

Characters are surprisingly, perhaps, the most interesting aspect of the show. Characters are pretty varied and nuanced.  Main characters include:

• The determined, brave but pragmatic rebellion organizer, 'Luthen Rael', (Stellan Skarsgård)
• The upper-class would-be rebellion financier, 'Mon Mothma', (Genevieve O'Reilly)
• The fearless, cunning, but self-questioning rebel operative, 'Cassian Andor', (Diego Luna),  namesake of the series
• The sangfroid, ruthless, emotionally suppressed ISB officer, Dedra Meero, (Denise Gough)

These characters and others evoke varying viewer reactions of condemnation and empathy, even at the end for the ISB's cold-blooded Dedra Meero.

Well worth a watching.

[Todd]

Alien: Earth.  I was told by a person IRL that this show was worth watching.  I watched it.  I didn't need to.  It takes place in a dystopian future where five mammoth transnational corporations rule the earth – and yes, Weyland-Yutani is one of those five.  Said decatrillion dollar companies are in something of a tech race, with the tech being cyborgs, synths, and the new kid on the block, hybrids, which allow a person's consciousness/soul/life-force/etc to be transferred to a synthetic body, ensuring, you got it, immortality!  (Hybrids: For when blood boys just don't cut the mustard no more.)  Trillionaires rejoice.

Anyhoo, one of Weyland-Yutani's research spaceships, carrying super-scary space aliens, experiences some troubles and crashes on earth, into the portion controlled by the Prodigy corporation.  Various corporate shenanigans ensue, and the hybrids are put into action.  And these are special hybrids.  Part of the conceit here is that for various thinky reasons, the Prodigy corporation transferred the consciousness/soul/life-force/etc of terminally ill kids into the bodies of young adults.  The pack is called the Lost Boys, and each is given a name from Peter Pan.  (Disney owns FX, so that makes sense.)  Stuff happens, the aliens do alien stuff, people get splattered and torn asunder, and such.  And those kiddie brains kinda start to develop with time and experience.  IOW things go pear shaped, but the season ends in a manner all but ensuring season two. 

The show looks too slick by half, with no real dread or menace or horror.  The return of the infamous Xenomorph bores, as it just looks like a sleek CGI creation now.  That sense pervades the show.  That written, one of the three new space critters introduced is a bit more fun – it's a malicious, mind-controlling, parasitic eyeball kinda thing.  The show dabbles in sociological commentary.  There is the ethical dilemma of whether it is right and proper to exploit children for profit (spoiler alert: it is unethical), and perhaps a deeper exploration of the costs of having children deeply immersed in what should be the adult world.  The show offers the fresh hot take that unfettered corporate power is bad, as well.  It's just kinda meh as far as the story goes. 

Timothy Olyphant is the only famous actor in the show, and he's fine as a synth.  There's a little bit of nepo baby action, as well, with the show lead and one of the other synth kids.  They generally do acceptably with what they're given, and lead Sydney Chandler, daughter of Kyle, does have more charisma and perhaps a bit more talent than the others.  The dude who plays the Prodigy boss seems to merge Richard Hendricks, Mark Zuckerberg, and Alex Karp into an appealingly unappealing alpha nerd boss. 

I think I can pass on any future seasons.

[AnotherSpin]

[SimonNZ]

[George]

[Kalevala]

I've been wanting to watch that series; I think that it's on Netflix here in the US?  What did you think of it?

I've watched Blue Bloods over the years.  Great show!  Hope that you are enjoying it.

Just the other day, I watched a spin-off from it called Boston Blue (the first episode) and enjoyed it.

Now watching one of the multi-series/spin-offs of NCIS:  Sydney.  Do they air it in Australia?

K

[drogulus]

     Now is yet another Tudor series, this one being Becoming Elizabeth from 2022. Henry is dead and the various families scramble to control the children. The series producers had the good sense to get Jessica Raine to play Catherine Parr, as it's a good bet that many of those watching saw her in Wolf Hall. The young actor who plays Edward is fun to watch. Thomas Seymour is played just like a man who seriously needs his head chopped off, so kudos for that.

[AnotherSpin]

I've just finished watching the fifth season. What a splendid impression it's left on me! Everything has become even better - thoroughly gripping stuff.

[SimonNZ]

I've been wanting to watch that series; I think that it's on Netflix here in the US?  What did you think of it?

It's very well written and very well acted. I can only watch one episode at a time though, because all of thecharacters have their stress levels cranked right up most of the time, and the constant fighting and antagonism, well done as it is, is exhausting.

[Kalevala]

It's very well written and very well acted. I can only watch one episode at a time though, because all of thecharacters have their stress levels cranked right up most of the time, and the constant fighting and antagonism, well done as it is, is exhausting.

Thank you for your comments.  From the bits that I've heard about it, I suspected that it was probably a high-stress show.

K

[SimonNZ]

Thank you for your comments.  From the bits that I've heard about it, I suspected that it was probably a high-stress show.

K

Yes, though its part of the brilliance of the writing and acting that you're shown how life has battered and bruised them and put them permanently on edge.

[Nostromo]

I watched episode one last night. It was pretty good, but I hope we don't have to endure Claire's "crying face" for the duration!

[Karl Henning]

Well, another party I'm late to.

[hopefullytrusting]

Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 3

[Kalevala]

I've watched a few episodes of a show called Elsebeth (about a quirky but also very smart female investigator.  Sort of like a contemporary Columbo.) and was surprised to see Stephen Colbert starring in the opening scene.    Good job, Stephen!

K

[George]

Curb Your Enthusiasm
Blue Bloods
Kill Tony