What new series are you watching? *No Spoilers, Please*

[vince]

PBS Masterpiece.....Vienna Blood. Just watch first episode. Looks good. I love a good mystery ( with a minimum amount of blood )

 

[jimbee]

"Hacking Your Mind" is a four episode series showing Wednesdays in September on PBS. You can also stream it on pbs.org. I've watched the first two episodes, and enjoy it. It includes interviews with people like Richard Thaler and Daniel Kahneman. Here is the show description from pbs.org.

"... We imagine our conscious minds make most decisions, but in reality we go through much of our lives on “autopilot”. And marketers and social media companies rely on it. Hacking Your Mind offers you an autopilot owner’s manual."

 

[cbo111]

Just started Ratchet on Netflix. Pretty wild.

+1 watching Ratched. We are 3 episodes in and it keeps getting creepier. Lots of demented characters, and cool outdoor scenes on the beautiful Calif central coast.

 

[MichaelB]

Watched episode 1 of CSI last night on Hulu. That show was made for plasma TV and it really shines.

 

[kcowan]

I wanted to love Away (sci-fi, netflix) but every episode is stuffed with contrived interpersonal drama and unrealistic technical stuff for me. I gave it a shot, 3 episodes...

It gets better.

 

[kcowan]

Started into Succession on HBO and pretty good after 3 episodes.

 

[RonBoyd]

I haven't watched a major network series in years, but NBC's Transplant (imported from Canada) is quite good. A Syrian refugee doctor trying to get his Canadian medical license. It's on episode 5 I think, not sure if you can get the first few on-demand somewhere.

Earlier episode are available in a couple places. (I am trying to figure out how I missed this show.)

https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/transplant

 

[Qs Laptop]

"Upload" on Amazon Prime. By Greg Daniels, the same guy that gave us "King of the Hill", "Parks and Recreation" and "The Office" (USA version.) It's a science fiction comedy, I guess, set in the year 2033.

Story is about the ability to upload dying people's consciousnesses into a virtual "Heaven" where they can exist while (presumably) waiting for the technology to download their minds back into bodies. While in this heaven the people there can communicate with the real world and people from the real world can visit Heaven by wearing virtual reality goggles.

The concept is great, the execution, not so much.

The main character, Robbie, was involved in a self-driving car accident (which is never supposed to happen) and as he is dying he hastily agrees to have his wealthy girlfriend pay to have him uploaded.

The fun is realizing Greg Daniel's concept of the future (Oprah/Kamela Harris presidential ticket, anyone?) and how technology can be great and also exasperating. For example, there are maple bacon doughnuts, massaging showers (with water pressure!) but also advertisements, in-app purchases, etc., in Heaven. There are some laughs to be had with the corporate mergers imagined in the future. For example, Intel Oscar Mayer is a company that makes the clones that will host your downloaded brain. Nokia Taco Bell sells data plans and mexican food. The virtual heaven is run by Horizen and they employ "angels" that will answer your beck and call. People buy data plans--the wealthier you are the more extensively lavish is your virtual reality. Poor people are known as the 2 giggers and live in the basement.

The problem is that Robbie is absolutely devoid of any hint of a personality. As a viewer you really don't care what happens to him, you just want to see what a virtual Heaven might be like. The writers try to work in a love story and a murder mystery but both those story arcs are essentially as lifeless as Robbie's personality.

I've made it through five episodes so far. It is amusing at times, but it's like a starving person eating popcorn without butter and salt--you're glad it's there, you just wish it was a lot better.

 

[Retch The Grate]

"Upload" on Amazon Prime. By Greg Daniels, the same guy that gave us "King of the Hill", "Parks and Recreation" and "The Office" (USA version.) It's a science fiction comedy, I guess, set in the year 2033.

Story is about the ability to upload dying people's consciousnesses into a virtual "Heaven" where they can exist while (presumably) waiting for the technology to download their minds back into bodies. While in this heaven the people there can communicate with the real world and people from the real world can visit Heaven by wearing virtual reality goggles.

The concept is great, the execution, not so much.

The main character, Robbie, was involved in a self-driving car accident (which is never supposed to happen) and as he is dying he hastily agrees to have his wealthy girlfriend pay to have him uploaded.

The fun is realizing Greg Daniel's concept of the future (Oprah/Kamela Harris presidential ticket, anyone?) and how technology can be great and also exasperating. For example, there are maple bacon doughnuts, massaging showers (with water pressure!) but also advertisements, in-app purchases, etc., in Heaven. There are some laughs to be had with the corporate mergers imagined in the future. For example, Intel Oscar Mayer is a company that makes the clones that will host your downloaded brain. Nokia Taco Bell sells data plans and mexican food. The virtual heaven is run by Horizen and they employ "angels" that will answer your beck and call. People buy data plans--the wealthier you are the more extensively lavish is your virtual reality. Poor people are known as the 2 giggers and live in the basement.

The problem is that Robbie is absolutely devoid of any hint of a personality. As a viewer you really don't care what happens to him, you just want to see what a virtual Heaven might be like. The writers try to work in a love story and a murder mystery but both those story arcs are essentially as lifeless as Robbie's personality.

I've made it through five episodes so far. It is amusing at times, but it's like a starving person eating popcorn without butter and salt--you're glad it's there, you just wish it was a lot better.

This is a more entertaining review than the show was. It wasn't bad, it was just meh and I agree that the main character's lack of any interesting personal story/traits/anything is a big part of it. It's also a bit more absurd and light which weakens the underlying story parts that could be good.

I did watch the whole season and am open to watching the next, but I won't be sad if I don't. My DW is more meh about it.

 

[Retch The Grate]

It gets better.

That's good, I'm 3 episodes in as well and it is a slog so far, all the elements I'd like, but slow clunky storytelling that isn't focusing on the parts that I find interesting. I do like the slowly growing feeling of the team gelling, but realistically that should have happened in their two years of training together...

 

[Math]

For anyone that likes comedy and sports, try “Ted Lasso” on Apple +. The final episode is this Friday. My husband and I watched nine episodes in a row!

 

[EA-Sports]

For anyone that likes comedy and sports, try “Ted Lasso” on Apple +. The final episode is this Friday. My husband and I watched nine episodes in a row!

Ted Lasso is unexpectedly good, funny and very uplifting at the same time..love it!!!

 

[Mr. Tightwad]

Finished Season 3 of Baby on Netflix. This probably is not a show for the retiree crowd, but I thought the story, the acting, the music was great. If anybody else has seen it I'd like to see if you disagree with me. I put it my top 5 shows from Netflix. And despite its premise, bad language and the other issues are nearly nil.

 

[Rianne]

PBS Masterpiece.....Vienna Blood. Just watch first episode. Looks good. I love a good mystery ( with a minimum amount of blood )

Just finished episode 6. I enjoyed the series but prefer flawed characters especially in murder mysteries. Bloodline with Sissy Spacek. The Killing. Dublin Murders. Jinx (true documentary). Killing Eve. Mind Hunter. Sharp Objects. The Sinner. To name a few.

 

[Qs Laptop]

This is a more entertaining review than the show was. It wasn't bad, it was just meh and I agree that the main character's lack of any interesting personal story/traits/anything is a big part of it. It's also a bit more absurd and light which weakens the underlying story parts that could be good.

I did watch the whole season and am open to watching the next, but I won't be sad if I don't. My DW is more meh about it.

Finished the season last night. At least there was a little bit of a plot in the last two episodes, but you're right, it's just mostly mediocre. Take it or leave it. The best parts of it for me is the visualization of what the near future might look like. I will probably watch S2, but I'm not exactly waiting for it to drop.

 

[kcowan]

Had a look at The Comey Rule on Showtime. Very well-done but we tired of it because we knew the outcome and the details were just that.

 

[Ian S]

Finally watched the season 1 finale of Showtime's British series "We Hunt Together." It wasn't quite the ending I expected which is good. Nice twist hopefully ensures another set of episodes. The characters are interesting and all have their own issues. Stars Eve Myles.

 

[explanade]

Finally watched the season 1 finale of Showtime's British series "We Hunt Together." It wasn't quite the ending I expected which is good. Nice twist hopefully ensures another set of episodes. The characters are interesting and all have their own issues. Stars Eve Myles.

Very underrated.

It didn't get good reviews so I was wary but I think Mendy and Frankie are well-drawn characters.

But the "hunt" and predator themes -- the opening cuts shots of nocturnal predators like tigers with seedy nightlife -- are kind of strange, not very effective I think.

 

[Ian S]

Very underrated.

It didn't get good reviews so I was wary but I think Mendy and Frankie are well-drawn characters.

But the "hunt" and predator themes -- the opening cuts shots of nocturnal predators like tigers with seedy nightlife -- are kind of strange, not very effective I think.

The Baba Lenga character got me to thinking much more about the horror of child soldiers and the extensive psychological damage that must be inflicted on them by their experiences.

 

[harllee]

I haven't watched a major network series in years, but NBC's Transplant (imported from Canada) is quite good. A Syrian refugee doctor trying to get his Canadian medical license. It's on episode 5 I think, not sure if you can get the first few on-demand somewhere.

Based on your recommendation I have started watching Transplant on NBC ( Youtube TV let me start at the beginning), I am enjoying it--just the kind of show I like. A good medical show about a smart doctor who has had a hard life and persevered. Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[Chuckanut]

What new series are you watching?

I watched the first episode of Away.

I may continue watching before bedtime. It’s so slow I can get ready for bed and not miss much.

 

[bmcgonig]

I watched one episode of Away... Didn't like how I thought it was heading..looked very predictable.

If you like sci-fi, Expanse is very good so far. I'm on ep 4. It's on Amazon.

 

[JoeWras]

For Away, after watching episode 1, just skip to episode 10 and get it over with. You won't be surprised by all the stereotypical story lines that were set up in 1, and played out in the following episodes, just as you would expect. Ep 10 isn't a surprise either, but at least you don't have to suffer through soap drama in the previous episodes. Just be prepared to ignore the science (hint: tears don't flow down the face in zero g.)

And PS to "Dad." You can also break your neck riding horses, not just dirt bikes. Just one of the many maddening inconsistencies.

 

[Qs Laptop]

"The Unicorn" on CBS All Access.

A recently widowed 40 something guy with two teenaged daughters decides to get on with a social life after about of year of grieving and hunkering down.

His two best friends (both married) convince him to put his profile on a dating app. Since he's a widower and not divorced, he is uncirculated (a unicorn), and a hot commodity with the ladies. He gets many offers for dates. The show is about his trials and tribulations with reentering the dating scene and also raising his two daughters by himself.

The lead is very talented and there are some laughs to be had as he adjusts to dating again. His friends and his friend's spouses are relentlessly annoying in pushing him to meet women and after four episodes I'd come to loathe them. No adult hangs out with other adults as often as these people get together. Dinners, kids soccer games (one guy coaches, one guy referees), BBQ's, parties, babysitting each other's kids, etc. They are literally around each other EVERY DAY. Who does that?

The best part of the show for me was his attempts at dating since I haven't pursued that activity in three decades and am curious how it's done nowadays, and also his clumsy parenting interaction with his kids, which is endearing. The worst part is any scene with his friends in it.

Anyway, I've seen four episodes and will probably occasionally tune in for more, although I gotta say again that his friends are uber annoying.

 

[harley]

Two episodes into Utopia, and DW and I are enjoying the hell out of it. Weird, violent, funny at times, and did I mention weird? It's got a couple of stars in it, John Cusack and Rainn Wilson, but so far they aren't a big part of it. I've felt like we've run out of things to watch recently, but this is my best find since Dispatches From Elsewhere. I hope it keeps up the good work.