So what have you guys been watching lately?

[BoringSupreez]

Blasted through season 1 of True Detective the least two evenings. That was one of the best series I've ever seen, certainly the best crime drama at least. It doesn't fall prey to the usual cop tropes, stays suspenseful, has fascinating characters and villains, and puts effort into the sets. Too bad I'm hearing that season 2 is nowhere near as good...

[Exhuminator]

certainly the best crime drama at least. It doesn't fall prey to the usual cop tropes, stays suspenseful, has fascinating characters and villains, and puts effort into the sets

If you've never seen it, I recommend this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire

I believe The Wire is the best crime drama TV ever saw. And yes, I have also seen True Detective. True Detective is a great show, but The Wire is even better. Edge of Darkness (the BBC original) is also extraordinarily good: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edge_of_Darkness

[Forlorn Drifter]

Blasted through season 1 of True Detective the least two evenings. That was one of the best series I've ever seen, certainly the best crime drama at least. It doesn't fall prey to the usual cop tropes, stays suspenseful, has fascinating characters and villains, and puts effort into the sets. Too bad I'm hearing that season 2 is nowhere near as good...

Season 2 hasn't hit its stride yet, the same as the first season didn't hit stride until episode 4. Whether or not it catches up next episode is yet to be seen though.

I think a large part of the difference is the amount of characters. We had 2 main character the first season, this season we have 4. There is a lot more to keep up with, and you have to be quicker about reading into the characters. Also, while season 1 isn't directly on top of my head since it has been a while since I've seen it, I think the esoteric elements are much more low key and slow burning. They are there, but where they are going is the question for me. These are less occult or lovecraftian or anything along those lines. These are psychological, as we can see with Vaughn's character and the little snippets we've picked up through Kasper and that other cop character who's name I can't remember.

[mjmjr25]

Just finished "Catastrophe" on Amazon Prime. Had a few funny moments; but not a must see. Boardwalk Empire Season 2 was really good - this show seems to get panned a lot and i'm not quite sure why. The acting is very good all around - the set detail is excellent and there is enough story going on that you have plenty of people that you both love and hate.

We are now onto Season 6 of White Collar (a formula con-man joins FBI show) which is just easy to watch - it's clever enough and funny enough that you get past its flaws.

After this we'll be hitting Season 4 of Hell on Wheels which is one of our favs - this, Copper, and Justified have probably been our 3 standout shows of the past 2 years or so.

[TSTR]

Finished Season 3 of Orange is the New Black yesterday. Season 2 was better. It seemed like less was at stake for everyone this season, save Alex.

[Luke]

Finished Season 3 of Orange is the New Black yesterday. Season 2 was better. It seemed like less was at stake for everyone this season, save Alex.

It's a mixed bag. I do have to say that...

the season three finale was great. It's full on FULL House silly, but it is so off the cuff that it fits perfectly. All the backstabbing, all the mistrust, all the violence, and the season ends which is basically a pool party that would never happen.

Love the fact that at times someone would mention "It's fantasy...let's lighten it up a bit". All for drama, but when a show realizes it's just television and there is a need to be silly, I absolutely love it.

[Exhuminator]

I think a large part of the difference is the amount of characters.

I think a large part is that Cary Fukunaga is no longer directing the show.

[BoringSupreez]

certainly the best crime drama at least. It doesn't fall prey to the usual cop tropes, stays suspenseful, has fascinating characters and villains, and puts effort into the sets

If you've never seen it, I recommend this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire

I believe The Wire is the best crime drama TV ever saw. And yes, I have also seen True Detective. True Detective is a great show, but The Wire is even better. Edge of Darkness (the BBC original) is also extraordinarily good: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edge_of_Darkness

I've seen the first season of The Wire, and liked it a lot too. I just liked the characters of True Detective better. The Wire features mostly flawed unlikeable characters, on both sides. Maybe because it's the northeast? I can better identify more with the slow, rural setting of True Detective.

[TSTR]

Finished Season 3 of Orange is the New Black yesterday. Season 2 was better. It seemed like less was at stake for everyone this season, save Alex.

It's a mixed bag. I do have to say that...

the season three finale was great. It's full on FULL House silly, but it is so off the cuff that it fits perfectly. All the backstabbing, all the mistrust, all the violence, and the season ends which is basically a pool party that would never happen.

Love the fact that at times someone would mention "It's fantasy...let's lighten it up a bit". All for drama, but when a show realizes it's just television and there is a need to be silly, I absolutely love it.

Agreed.

[Exhuminator]

The Wire features mostly flawed unlikeable characters

Just like real life!