What are you binge watching?

[ZooCougar]

Finally got a chance to try out Murderbot. I had a bad feeling based on the trailers. They just don't get the vibe of the books to me. I watched 3 eps, started 4, then quit. Other than Skarsgard no name cast, and I don't think even he was a very good casting choice for the part. With the rest, I don't know if it's more bad acting or poorly written characters, but they are all annoying and I don't care about any of them.

I agree.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I agree.

Finally got a chance to try out Murderbot. I had a bad feeling based on the trailers. They just don't get the vibe of the books to me. I watched 3 eps, started 4, then quit. Other than Skarsgard no name cast, and I don't think even he was a very good casting choice for the part. With the rest, I don't know if it's more bad acting or poorly written characters, but they are all annoying and I don't care about any of them.

I watched it. I think the show made the characters much more weird and insufferable than they were in the books. Skarsgard is ok, Murderbot's humor is pretty dry, but the show is definitely missing something.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

The end of season 3 of Foundation was pretty good, if a little depressing through the last 3-4 episodes. The themes of decline and unravelling, and the characters' reaction to the decay, get more interesting through seasons 2 and 3. The characters going through the decline know something is happening, but they don't appreciate the significance. Hari Seldon is the narrator that explains that the universe's society is headed towards collapse, but the individual characters mostly just try to keep living their lives.

George Lucas borrowed heavily from Foundation in creating Star Wars, although Foundation is much more complex and layered than any part of Star Wars canon. Andor is the only part of Star Wars canon that even attempts complexity.

Spoiler

The big Mule twist at the end was clever, although I feel like there was a plot hole somewhere in the middle of the season that undermined this possibility. The plot is so hard to follow that I can't figure out what it is.

 

[Fishy]

The end of season 3 of Foundation was pretty good, if a little depressing through the last 3-4 episodes. The themes of decline and unravelling, and the characters' reaction to the decay, get more interesting through seasons 2 and 3. The characters going through the decline know something is happening, but they don't appreciate the significance. Hari Seldon is the narrator that explains that the universe's society is headed towards collapse, but the individual characters mostly just try to keep living their lives.

George Lucas borrowed heavily from Foundation in creating Star Wars, although Foundation is much more complex and layered than any part of Star Wars canon. Andor is the only part of Star Wars canon that even attempts complexity.

Spoiler

The big Mule twist at the end was clever, although I feel like there was a plot hole somewhere in the middle of the season that undermined this possibility. The plot is so hard to follow that I can't figure out what it is.

Is it worth starting?

 

[Chuck]

The end of season 3 of Foundation was pretty good, if a little depressing through the last 3-4 episodes. The themes of decline and unravelling, and the characters' reaction to the decay, get more interesting through seasons 2 and 3. The characters going through the decline know something is happening, but they don't appreciate the significance. Hari Seldon is the narrator that explains that the universe's society is headed towards collapse, but the individual characters mostly just try to keep living their lives.

George Lucas borrowed heavily from Foundation in creating Star Wars, although Foundation is much more complex and layered than any part of Star Wars canon. Andor is the only part of Star Wars canon that even attempts complexity.

Spoiler

The big Mule twist at the end was clever, although I feel like there was a plot hole somewhere in the middle of the season that undermined this possibility. The plot is so hard to follow that I can't figure out what it is.

This is a series I watch on my own. Too hardcore sci-fi for my family.

It bothered me a little that the Seldon AI was shocked by an unexpected variable. His science should always allow for unforeseen variables, and the more time that passes, the more chances for that variable. I thought the end battle with the Mule was a little anti-climactic. It just seemed too easy for such a formidable foe.

I read the books as a kid and got a lot more out of them when reading them again in college, but I think I'd get even more out of them now. The show has strong moments, but it's hard to really know certain characters when each season is taking place hundreds of years after the prior season. I think this season's trio of "Empires" were all interesting. I think the robot stuff (which is really from his other books, I think... unless it was an additional Foundation book I didn't read) could be very interesting.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Is it worth starting?

The acting, especially from Lee Pace and Jared Harris, is very good. The production quality is very high, as usual with Apple+. The pacing and overall complexity of the story does make it a slog. It really drags at times.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Is it worth starting?

Cons: first season is a slog, and you have to watch it for the later seasons to make sense. I actually watched the first season twice, although you can also read the online recaps after the episode to understand everything that happened. The show can also feel like homework. This is not a show to have on in the background. You have to pay attention with this one.

On the plus side, Lee Pace and Jared Harris are excellent, as is most of the cast. It is one of the more intelligent sci-fi series/movies you will ever watch. I think about the show a lot after I watch it. It is also entertaining, because it is about the characters more than the complex sci-fi concepts.

This show is pretty good in Season 2 and Season 3, but is not for everyone.

 

[ZooCougar]

Is it worth starting?

Skip the first season. I give it a B-.

 

[ZooCougar]

The end of season 3 of Foundation was pretty good, if a little depressing through the last 3-4 episodes. The themes of decline and unravelling, and the characters' reaction to the decay, get more interesting through seasons 2 and 3. The characters going through the decline know something is happening, but they don't appreciate the significance. Hari Seldon is the narrator that explains that the universe's society is headed towards collapse, but the individual characters mostly just try to keep living their lives.

George Lucas borrowed heavily from Foundation in creating Star Wars, although Foundation is much more complex and layered than any part of Star Wars canon. Andor is the only part of Star Wars canon that even attempts complexity.

Spoiler

The big Mule twist at the end was clever, although I feel like there was a plot hole somewhere in the middle of the season that undermined this possibility. The plot is so hard to follow that I can't figure out what it is.

They also changed the Twist from the book.

The book was better.

 

[Fishy]

Cons: first season is a slog, and you have to watch it for the later seasons to make sense. I actually watched the first season twice, although you can also read the online recaps after the episode to understand everything that happened. The show can also feel like homework. This is not a show to have on in the background. You have to pay attention with this one.

On the plus side, Lee Pace and Jared Harris are excellent, as is most of the cast. It is one of the more intelligent sci-fi series/movies you will ever watch. I think about the show a lot after I watch it. It is also entertaining, because it is about the characters more than the complex sci-fi concepts.

This show is pretty good in Season 2 and Season 3, but is not for everyone.

I’ll give it a shot

 

[ZooCougar]

Oh and since we're talking about Apple Sci Fi shows, is anyone still bothering with Invasion?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Terminal List: Dark Wolf. Prime. This is a prequel to the Terminal List series, which I have not seen. Taylor Kitsch is Chief Ben Edwards and Tom Hopper is Lt. Raife Hastings. Chris Pratt appears early on in the same role he has in Terminal List. These guys are Navy Seals, but there is a shift towards black ops type work for the CIA. It's good. Plenty of action, the story lines are much closer to reality than any Jason Bourne type stuff.

 

[CL82]

Finally got a chance to try out Murderbot. I had a bad feeling based on the trailers. They just don't get the vibe of the books to me. I watched 3 eps, started 4, then quit. Other than Skarsgard no name cast, and I don't think even he was a very good casting choice for the part. With the rest, I don't know if it's more bad acting or poorly written characters, but they are all annoying and I don't care about any of them.

I liked it, at least enough to finish it. Having never read the books I have nothing to compare it to.

I've started watching Peacemaker. It's OK, but I really find myself being in the same position you mentioned above. It's tough to care about any of the characters.

 

[CL82]

I watched it. I think the show made the characters much more weird and insufferable than they were in the books. Skarsgard is ok, Murderbot's humor is pretty dry, but the show is definitely missing something.

I may read the book series, eventually. I just started reading the Slow Horses novels and that will take a while to work through. Plus, we've got a new Reacher coming out this month and in January a new Dresden Files.

 

[Chuck]

I liked it, at least enough to finish it. Having never read the books I have nothing to compare it to.

I've started watching Peacemaker. It's OK, but I really find myself being in the same position you mentioned above. It's tough to care about any of the characters.

We like Peacemaker. I think Season 2 started off a bit slow, but it's gotten better. I do care about the characters. The primary back stories gave all been pretty sympathetic.

 

[CL82]

We like Peacemaker. I think Season 2 started off a bit slow, but it's gotten better. I do care about the characters. The primary back stories gave all been pretty sympathetic.

I'm not sure if I would be more engaged if I saw the suicide squad movie. They do explain the backstory though.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I may read the book series, eventually. I just started reading the Slow Horses novels and that will take a while to work through. Plus, we've got a new Reacher coming out this month and in January a new Dresden Files.

The books are a bit hit and miss. It started w/ 4 novellas, that really could be 1 book, the author just decided to split it up. I breezed through those and really enjoyed them. I think there have been 3 subsequent books since then? Some I've enjoyed more than others.

 

[storrsroars]

I've been watching a ton of YT vids on military stuff lately, both historical and current, mostly Ukraine for the latter There's a great one released a few days ago on a new missile Ukraine has buil strike well inside Russia. Haven't seen any mainstream reporting on it, but it seems very effective. Also in same video was how Denmark is dealing with Russian "shadow" ships carrying oil. Interesting stuff I wish would actually get some news coverage.

 

[ZooCougar]

I've been watching a ton of YT vids on military stuff lately, both historical and current, mostly Ukraine for the latter There's a great one released a few days ago on a new missile Ukraine has buil strike well inside Russia. Haven't seen any mainstream reporting on it, but it seems very effective. Also in same video was how Denmark is dealing with Russian "shadow" ships carrying oil. Interesting stuff I wish would actually get some news coverage.

Are you watching Ward Carroll?

 

[storrsroars]

Are you watching Ward Carroll?

Not intentionally. Might have seen some of his stuff, but the interesting Ukraine stuff is on something called simply 'military channel' I believe. I don't really seek any of these out, but I guess I'm a now a military buff according to YT's algorithm, so they're always on my list of thumbnails along with Beard Meets Food and Profressor or Rock, lol.

 

[ZooCougar]

Not intentionally. Might have seen some of his stuff, but the interesting Ukraine stuff is on something called simply 'military channel' I believe. I don't really seek any of these out, but I guess I'm a now a military buff according to YT's algorithm, so they're always on my list of thumbnails along with Beard Meets Food and Profressor or Rock, lol.

I don't watch everything, maybe less than 10%, but he does deep dives on things you seem to be interested in.

 

[AreBee1969]

Slow Horses is back on Apple. Good start so far. Task on HBO with Mark Ruffalo has been really good.

 

[Deepster]

Slow Horses is back on Apple. Good start so far. Task on HBO with Mark Ruffalo has been really good.

Any further comments on Task? It's in my orbit and I haven't pulled the trigger.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I tried White Lotus. Didn’t like each of the six episodes I watched. Officially bailed last night. Just not for me, but I see the appeal. In general, I tend to avoid shows where the viewing experience is designed to be uncomfortable.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I tried White Lotus. Didn’t like each of the six episodes I watched. Officially bailed last night. Just not for me, but I see the appeal. In general, I tend to avoid shows where the viewing experience is designed to be uncomfortable.

I bailed on Season 1 almost immediately. Skipped ahead to Season 2, thought that was fairly decent. Gave Season 3 a real try, but I just couldn't do it.