OT - Which HBO/Max Series Next?

[August_West]

I think I'm in the minority here but for me the Sopranos really didn't pick up until around midway through season 2.

So many people I know like the 1st 2 seasons of Sopranos so much more than laters. I loved them all. Season 6b might have been the weakest. Soprano's is really interesting in that they were better at different things in different seasons. Season 1 was so much about the Tony/Melfi dynamic. It was great. Not as pure mob oriented. Season 5 was way mob oriented and equally good for way different reasons.
I thought from season 4 on, it was more geared toward some amazing pure acting performances (see Edie Falco in Season 4 closer "whitecaps"). I thought Long term parking in season 5 where Ade gets whacked was a powerful episode.

 

[johnhuskies95]

The Sopranos is still the GOAT for me. I loved the Wire as well, I thought the Sopranos was just a little better.

 

[superjohn]

The scriptwriter(s) responsible for the creation of the character Alice Morgan truly need serious psychotherapy - just reading her name in your post sent a chill up my spine. A spinoff would make the movie Psycho look like Mary Poppins.

Yeah but I still found myself wanting to screw her, guess I'm a little twisted.

 

[aceboon]

Yeah but I still found myself wanting to screw her, guess I'm a little twisted.

nah, you're definitely not alone on that one, something about those duck lips...

 

[Cheddie]

The Wire, True Detective, Curb Your Enthusiasm, first season of Homeland, first season of Boss on Starz.

 

[intlzncster]

Sons of Anarchy, The Shield, Luther, and Suits are all good shows that have not been mentioned. New shows Ray Donovan and Graceland have shown promise. Homeland was amazing the first season, solid the second season, and then fell off a cliff the third season.

I like SOA, but man, not a single person can shoot worth damn in that show. It's comical. Also, Jax shouldn't even bother planning anything ahead whatsoever, because whatever he does gets automatically duckcked up in the worst way possible.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

(see Edie Falco in Season 4 closer "whitecaps").

"You've had quite a time on my watch!" She is incredible in that episode. They both are.

 

[traitor71]

Read this book, it will give you some insight on some of the shows mentioned here.

 

[intlzncster]

The scriptwriter(s) responsible for the creation of the character Alice Morgan truly need serious psychotherapy - just reading her name in your post sent a chill up my spine. A spinoff would make the movie Psycho look like Mary Poppins.

Many of them do. That often makes for a good writer.

 

[jleves]

Entourage is dumb as hell, but I had a LOT of fun watching it.

Sounds like True Blood - really stupid with tons of holes - but fun none the less.

 

[superjohn]

Don't want to read through the whole thread, has anyone seen Orphan Black on BBC America? Looking to get into a new show.

 

[intlzncster]

Sounds like True Blood - really stupid with tons of holes - but fun none the less.

Once the 'fairies' storyline came into the picture, I lost 97.3% of my interest. Yes, I'll finish, but that's just because that is what I do.

 

[jleves]

Once the 'fairies' storyline came into the picture, I lost 97.3% of my interest. Yes, I'll finish, but that's just because that is what I do.

I didn't mind the fairies storyline nearly as much as the shaking woman that made people have orgies - that was just some horrific writing, filming and acting.

 

[intlzncster]

I didn't mind the fairies storyline nearly as much as the shaking woman that made people have orgies - that was just some horrific writing, filming and acting.

Not a fan of the orgies, jleves? I gotta say, that particular part didn't bother me too much!

Although, the things you mentioned were brutal. I particularly despised that Eggs character. Got under my skin in a big way for some reason.

 

[Davidm]

I'm caught up on Game of Thrones (best thing ever on the small screen) and True Blood. I've watched all the Sopranos. Which of the cable network series should I start on next? I've watched zero of anything else out there (Dexter/Veep, etc.) I do get all the paid networks so I should be able to get anything On Demand.

Not sure if anyone posted this, but if you enjoy true blood then Spartacus is right up your alley (I.E the sex and blood content is very similar in both shows)

Other than that I'm going to agree with a couple other people said here.

**Not in Order or Scored in any way***

1. Vikings (I watched every episode so far)
2. House of Cards (heard great things)
3. Walking Dead (again heard great things)
4. Dexter (last couple of seasons quality dropped a little but fist couple of seasons were amazing)
5. Veep (is more episodic (for the most part in my opinion anyways) and a comedy I actually watched the first couple of seasons it was entertaining but not really going to give you the same feeling as a game of thrones)
6. Breaking Bad (watched some episodes was good some people swear by it)
7. True Detective (Some people love it, others not so much. Seen like 7-8 episodes I thought it was pretty good. Stars Woody Harrelson and Matthew Mcconaughey)

Well that is my list anyways, should be a decent start.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Don't want to read through the whole thread, has anyone seen Orphan Black on BBC America? Looking to get into a new show.

It's not usually the kind of show I'm into, but after the first couple episodes I was hooked. It's very plot driven and at times can be a bit ridiculous, but it's a really engrossing story and the chick that's the lead is really talented. I don't think anyone's going to put it up there with the Sopranos or The Wire in terms of its ambition, but it's a fun show.

 

[methodology]

Go back and watch Deadwood, it is the best HBO has done, not sure why they stopped it.

Absolutely criminal how they cut it short right at the climax. Best written show HBO has ever produced maybe one of the best written shows ever on any network.

 

[intlzncster]

Absolutely criminal how they cut it short right at the climax. Best written show HBO has ever produced maybe one of the best written shows ever on any network.

Pretty much didn't want to pay the actors is my understanding. They didn't pick up anyone's options. Then hemmed and hawed about a movie or two to finish it up. Now it's dead in the water.

 

[OviedoFLHusky]

Don't want to read through the whole thread, has anyone seen Orphan Black on BBC America? Looking to get into a new show.

I'm an Orphan Black fan. Though it's on the BBC America channel, it's actually produced in Canada; and the story takes place in and around Toronto. It's best to watch this from the beginning episode, though, given the twisty-turny conspiracy plots, so either watch it on demand or go to the Orphan Black section of the BBC America web site.

In (really really) brief, it's about clones (all different, and all played by the same actress, who does a phenomenal job), who are trying to cope with (1) just finding out that they are clones together; (2) the "evil" Big Corporation that created them; (3) the wacked-out fringe religious group that sees them as "abominations" and is trying to kill them; and (4) the mysterious disease that is also killing the clones. Given all that -- it's very well-written, lots of humor, lots of suspense, and a lot of "wait -- what just happened?!?"

Hope that helps!

 

[Walker11]

Justified is great, I thought the last season was the weakest but it wasn't close to jumping the shark. Olyphant has charisma for days.

Big fan of Breaking Bad, The Wire, the first two seasons of Homeland and the first season of House of Cards. For the latter, it's just sometimes hard for me to love a show when I detest the lead character. I'm getting really tired of Game of Thrones because they keep killing all the characters I like and I think it will continue. Martin seems like he enjoys crushing his readers.

Anyone see The Americans or Hannibal and have thoughts on them?

 

[intlzncster]

Big fan of Breaking Bad, The Wire, the first two seasons of Homeland and the first season of House of Cards. For the latter, it's just sometimes hard for me to love a show when I detest the lead character. I'm getting really tired of Game of Thrones because they keep killing all the characters I like and I think it will continue. Martin seems like he enjoys crushing his readers.

You just like the wrong characters! And hopefully, you took some pleasure from Joffrey biting it.

I will admit, I was pissed in both the books and the show when the guy....(edit: sorry don't want to spoil)

 

[Walker11]

You just like the wrong characters! And hopefully, you took some pleasure from Joffrey biting it.

I will admit, I was pissed in both the books and the show when.

I would put a spoiler alert but yea, I agree with you.

 

[superjohn]

It's not usually the kind of show I'm into, but after the first couple episodes I was hooked. It's very plot driven and at times can be a bit ridiculous, but it's a really engrossing story and the chick that's the lead is really talented. I don't think anyone's going to put it up there with the Sopranos or The Wire in terms of its ambition, but it's a fun show.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

 

[intlzncster]

I would put a spoiler alert but yea, I agree with you.

. You're right. I just edited it out -> no idea how to do spoilers on here.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Completely disagree

Actually came across someone saying that he hated Treme Season 1 and then came to like it better than The Wire thereafter.

 

[James]

Dislike how many HBO series have a way of going awry by the last season; jumping the shark so to say. I will say that first season of True Detective enthralling. also recently ran through the first season of 'silicon valley', not too bad although its filled with a bunch of tech jargon .

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I haven't seen Shameless mentioned. Absolutely awesome television on Showtime. It is unlike any family sitcom I have ever seen. William Macy is excellent, and his mother in the show is even better.

 

[CallMeBruce]

I think I'm in the minority here but for me the Sopranos really didn't pick up until around midway through season 2.

Well, I'm midway through season one, and I've really enjoyed what I've seen so far. I'm excited to see where things go.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Well, I'm midway through season one, and I've really enjoyed what I've seen so far. I'm excited to see where things go.

Sopranos had 1 bad season. I thought the final season was its strongest.

 

[huskiesouth]

nah, you're definitely not alone on that one, something about those duck lips...

There's a chance that John Luther will be leading an intervention for all who express a desire to get involved with her in any fashion - should I hear more details I will pass along to you and superjohn - and then see you both there as I also need this help.