tv talk (part 1)
Now that we’re knee-deep in yet another fresh television season—& even mid-season finales, in some cases—what do y’all think of some of the new shows that are on?
I have to admit, I haven’t given too many new ones a shot. I don’t have the time, energy, or space on my DVR. But I have checked out a few. :smiley73
Stalker (CBS) — Oh, I’m liking this one so far. I was very much on the fence about it & almost didn’t even give it a shot. But at the last minute, I added it to the DVR line-up, & I’m very glad I did. Dylan McDermott is sexy, as always, & Maggie Q—admittedly, not one of my faves—isn’t nearly as annoying as I expected. I almost even like her character. :smiley64 The other thing I like about this show is its intensity. I am all about intensity & unique storylines when it comes to new crime dramas, & so far this one is holding my attention. It’s also got a couple of subplots going on that I find equally intriguing.
Forever (ABC) — Another one I DVRed at the very last minute. Literally. I think I set the timer about ten minutes before the pilot was set to air. But, man, am I glad I did! This is a good one. :smiley33 It puts me a bit in mind of CBS’s Elementary because of the way the main character solves crimes by “seeing” things no one else sees. And, okay, probably also because of his strong British accent. :smiley62 But then it goes a step further with the addition of the protagonist’s unexplained immortality & a lot of history in his background.
NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) — We got a hint of this one at the end of NCIS last season, & I think the general consensus was that it had potential…but Scott Bakula’s Southern/N’awlins accent was atrocious. Well, good news: either they told him to take it down a notch or they got him a voice coach, because the accent isn’t nearly as annoying as it was in that first spin-off episode. Okay, maybe a little at the beginning of the pilot episode, but then it tapered off & hasn’t been as noticeable since. Accent aside, NCIS: NOLA is another decent NCIS spin-off…& am I allowed to say that Lucas Black is as adorable as ever? His accent could melt butter in Antarctica. Hubba-hubba. :smiley72
Gracepoint (Fox) — You know, I wanted to like this one—& I still might. It isn’t awful, just…slow. I expected it to be so much better & more intense, but instead it seems to be following in the slow-as-molasses footsteps of AMC’s The Killing. We’re supposed to think anybody could be the killer, so everybody‘s set up as a suspect, but not for strong enough reasons to suit me. And can I ask why everybody’s so head-over-heels for David Tennant? I can’t remember seeing him in anything before, so I was expecting to be blown away by his acting or even his good looks. But he did nothing for me, I’m sorry to say. And worse, I sort of didn’t like him very much. :smiley63 I still want to know who killed the kid, so I’ll probably stick with it just to find out…but I’ll be watching with half an eye, so to speak; in the background & just enough to eventually learn whodunnit.
Transporter: The Series (TNT) — Even without Jason Statham in the lead (& I really wanted him to be), I had high hopes for this one. I wanted to love it. Sadly, I did not. I only made it through the first four episodes before (with a long-suffering sigh) giving up. And I only watched those four because they were two weeks’ worth of back-to-back episodes that had already been recorded on my DVR. Yeah, the driver is attractive, & this show tries to capture the action of the Transporter movies, but otherwise it falls extremely flat. None of the suave mystery & sexy attitude that surrounds Frank Martin in the films is in this series. In fact, this Frank Martin is practically an open book & way too happy-go-lucky for my tastes. So sorry, TNT, but I’ll stick with being transported by my Darling Jason. :smiley69
Have you been watching any of these? And if so, what do—or did?—you think?
I love talking about TV almost as much as I love talking about books & animals, so feel free to share your thoughts & opinions of these shows, or any others you’ve been watching this season! :smiley81
Comments
13 Comments • Comments Feed
Anne says:
I’d recommend seeing if your library system has the original British version of Gracepoint which is titled Broadchurch. Still stars David Tennant. I don’t understand why American channels just can’t show the original, but feel they have to remake everything.
I don’t get CBS or have cable, so the only other one I watch is Forever which I’m enjoying even though I’m not a Judd Hirsch fan, but thankfully he has a small role. I saw this week’s “surprise” coming though. I tend to enjoy immortal shows though they’re usually killed quickly like New Amsterdam and Moonlight so I try not to get too wrapped up in them.
On December 11, 2014 at 8:02 am
Heidi says:
I’ve been hearing that a lot…& one of these days I do think I’ll get around to watching Broadchurch. *Everyone* says it’s wonderful, which is why I don’t understand how Gracepoint could be so disappointing. :smiley79
I don’t mind Judd Hirsch (liked him better in Numbers, tho), & am liking Forever. Some of it you definitely see coming—like you, I had the “cliffhanger” whodunnit figured out right away—but I sort of like the crime solving stuff better than the underlying story arc anyway. :smiley50
On December 11, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Kathleen O says:
Anne I agree with you on Broadchurch… This was a marvelous show and sometime the remake just does not live up to the original…
I have been watching NCIS New Olean’s and I quite like it. But it needs a little bit more humph for me.
My fav of the new season is Madame Secretary. I really like this show so far.
And I new comedy I am watching is The McCarthey’s.. It is really good..
And two of my fav shows have started back, Mike and Molly and Hart of Dixie…
On December 11, 2014 at 10:23 am
Heidi says:
I know what you mean about NCIS: NOLA. I like it, but I don’t *love* it the way I *loved* NCIS in the first few seasons. (I still do, just not quite as much, y’know? :smiley58 )
I’m not watching Madame Secretary, The McCarthy’s or Hart of Dixie…hmm, maybe I should give them a try. :smiley73
Mike & Molly was always a fave for me, but the last couple seasons it’s really gone off the rails. Just not believable to me anymore…& trust me, I know what being a writer is all about. It’s definitely jumped the shark, imo. I’m still watching, just not enjoying nearly as much. :smiley64
On December 11, 2014 at 12:13 pm
LeeAnn Pratt says:
I love Forever and NCIS:NO. myself. haven’t gotten into any more..too many already. The hubby on the other hand is into, although I am not sure how new they are but new to him…Gotham and Flash or The Flash? *whispers..I am not sure of title of this show* He is addicted..seriously..would I lie to you? :smiley50
On December 11, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Heidi says:
LOL Hey, we don’t all have to love the same shows. Personally, I’m addicted to Supernatural, The Walking Dead, & Leverage—even though Leverage isn’t on anymore except in repeats. :smiley63
Do you watch Elementary? That & Forever feel kind of similar to me—crime solving-wise. And I like both very much. :smiley62
On December 11, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Dee says:
Well, 3 of my new favorites are on the list (whoohoo!) I LOVE Forever, Stalker and NCIS: NO. (When I put it in that order, it looks like I’m forever stalking Lucas Black…ooops).
I followed Dylan McDermott from Hostages (another very good CBS limited run series) to Stalker and I have to admit the only episode I missed was the clown one. The show is so intense as is, I could not handle clowns in the mix.
Forever is just so wonderful to me because I like that Jo and Henry are allowed to be friends without pushing a connection. I do think they have chemistry, but by not rushing it…it doesn’t feel forced. I don’t mind Judd Hirsch and think the cast is wonderful. While the cliffhanger wasn’t a total shock to me (I think I told my friend Gail “I wonder if they’ll double red herring us” – she laughed at my wording), I love how the show develops and is a good pace.
NCIS:NO is another winner in the franchise. While I don’t hate Scott Bakula’s accent, I do see what you mean. Lucas Black could read the phone book to me anytime. I also love the female leads – they are wonderful actresses and characters.
I do like Gracepoint as well, and do see your feelings of David Tennant. He is quirky but almost as socially abrasive as Dr Brennan on Bones (although she doesn’t always realize it, but I think he does it on purpose.)
My old standbys: Castle, Criminal Minds and NCIS. My new to me but can be favorites: Bones and Mysteries of Laura.
(sorry this was so long)
:smiley80
On December 11, 2014 at 6:02 pm
Heidi says:
Long is good, Dee! And I’d be happy to join you in Forever Stalking Lucas Black! :smiley62
I agree with you on all. Scott Bakula’s accent no longer bothers me, either…but did you see the first cross-over episode within NCIS? It was pretty strong & bad in that; since then, it’s gotten much better, tho!
I haven’t been watching Mysteries of Laura, but caught a bit of it the other night & actually liked it, so I’m thinking maybe I should start. :smiley50
On December 12, 2014 at 12:24 am
Dee says:
Yes I do remember the pilot during NCIS. I like Debra Messing as Laura and Josh Lucas is an added bonus.
On December 12, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Mary Kirkland says:
I’ve started watching Stalker. I tried to like NCIS New Orleans but I just couldn’t do it. The acting is so bad.
On December 11, 2014 at 8:22 pm
Heidi says:
I really like the story lines in Stalker. I’m glad they backed off a bit from…how to say this without spoilers???…Dylan McDermott’s semi-creepy backstory.
I don’t think the acting is too bad in NCIS: NOLA, but I can see why not everyone would love it. Like I said, I don’t *love* it—doubt I’ll even watch it in repeats—but I like seeing the first runs. :smiley53
On December 12, 2014 at 12:29 am
Brooke C says:
I have to admit that I haven’t seen anything on this list, and I’m not even watching any new shows this year. Basically, I just watch the Big Bang Theory and New Girl, and am desperately waiting for Parks and Rec to return :smiley
I also admit that I hadn’t even heard of most of these shows before today, but I’m not big on suspenseful, dramatic tv shows. Too scary for me :smiley63
On December 11, 2014 at 9:35 pm
Heidi says:
You’re probably the smart one, Brooke. I watch way too much…& sometimes even stick with shows longer than I’m actually enjoying them. :smiley70
I still love The Big Bang Theory, too!
On December 12, 2014 at 12:26 am