Falling Skies and Walking Dead

[pabigfoot]

  I like both of the series; Falling Skies ends the season with a 2 hour season finale this sunday. The new Walking Dead season begins in october. I am not a fan of zombie/vampire flicks but have always enjoyed post-apocalyptic stories first enjoying the movie "The World, the Flesh, and the Devil" featuring Harry Belafonte and any number of others along that line. BTW,"2012" was not up to more than one viewing by me; I guess I'm old school and CG, when overdone, becomes cartoonish. "Inception" was a waste of film, but that's me. Your Thoughts ?

[b_dubb]

Inception was visually cool and kind of interesting but the dream within a dream within a dream thing ... just silly

[MV/Liberace!]

is anyone else still following the walking dead? 


did you catch the midseason premiere sunday night?  i did, and i have to say, i now believe this series is spent. it's toast.  adios.


the inept choreography of the gunfight scene in the previous episode was enough to get my attention... but the plot holes, poor dialog, and inexplicable character behavior in sunday's episode left me feeling as though a friend had died.  my wife is now entirely uninterested in following twt due the the poor delivery of the last 2 episodes... and i'm not far behind her.


probably the most cringe inducing moment from the last episode:
andrea's speech to the devastated, enraged, homicidal townsfolk who suddenly and inexplicably change gears in unison to gleefully pat one another on the back in solidarity because she told them history would write about them and their shit bag little town.


what.  the.  fuck.


i'll watch the next episode, but if they've not pulled their shit together by then, it'll probably mark the end of my weekly time investment in this now disappointing show.

[Rachael Nexusei]

I like the psychological aspect of TWD, but how long they can continue to keep it interesting and fresh, while not getting into repetitive plots remains to be seen.
I was disappointed in the midseason premiere.

Have you watched American Horror Story?  I kinda like the concept of using the same actors with completely different and unrelated stories each season.  I think it has been renewed.

[PhantasticSanShiSan]

I still like it, but I see where you are coming from.  It's walking that fine line between the greatness it started out as and a SyFy B-Series starring Casper Van Dien, Antonio Sabato jr, & one of those Hemingway broads - especially that moment with Andrea.

[PhantasticSanShiSan]

I like the psychological aspect of TWD, but how long they can continue to keep it interesting and fresh, while not getting into repetitive plots remains to be seen.
I was disappointed in the midseason premiere.

If they truly decide to focus on the impact the environment and situation plays on the group, it could stay taught and tense forever.  If they decide to jump the shark by thinking they are creative geniuses and head down the oh-so-never-travelled  : road of the soap opera a la human drama as the centerpiece with the events that created the situation they are in reserved as an afterthought or a plot driving tool, then it's doomed.

Without the zombie apocalypse, TWD is just another played out prime-time soap clone which nobody would watch.

[ShayP]

is anyone else still following the walking dead? 


did you catch the midseason premiere sunday night?  i did, and i have to say, i now believe this series is spent. it's toast.  adios.


the inept choreography of the gunfight scene in the previous episode was enough to get my attention... but the plot holes, poor dialog, and inexplicable character behavior in sunday's episode left me feeling as though a friend had died.  my wife is now entirely uninterested in following twt due the the poor delivery of the last 2 episodes... and i'm not far behind her.


probably the most cringe inducing moment from the last episode:
andrea's speech to the devastated, enraged, homicidal townsfolk who suddenly and inexplicably change gears in unison to gleefully pat one another on the back in solidarity because she told them history would write about them and their shit bag little town.


what.  the.  fuck.


i'll watch the next episode, but if they've not pulled their shit together by then, it'll probably mark the end of my weekly time investment in this now disappointing show.

I'm with you.  It seems to me it's all about ratings.  This premier apparently had the highest ever.  60 minute show with 27 minutes of commercials. 
I like the show......it just has become trite and lazy.  It could've been a trend setter...BUT...to me it's becoming more pop-culture garbage.
Like you...I'm about done with it. 

[Rachael Nexusei]

I have not read all the WD comics (I think it has passed 100 now) and thought, accordingly, the show would be able to run for a very long time, even though the show veers away from the comic in MANY respects, but I can understand why as the sponsors and such may feel some parts might be too graphic for tv.  (Although I cannot believe some of what they have gotten away with in American Horror Story!)
But a friend, who has already read far past me (and who is constantly trying to tell me what is going on...I hold my ears and repeat 'I am not listening' over and over until they stop) said it (the comic) is getting rather repetitious as it continues.

[Usagi]

probably the most cringe inducing moment from the last episode:
andrea's speech to the devastated, enraged, homicidal townsfolk who suddenly and inexplicably change gears in unison to gleefully pat one another on the back in solidarity because she told them history would write about them and their shit bag little town.


what.  the.  fuck.

Yeah, this part in particular was dreck, in what was an altogether unsatisfying episode.  It felt like that awkward moment in a video game when you solve a major conflict and as soon as the cut-scene is over everyone in the crowd is immediately disengaged and starts walking off in different directions.  I was cringing during the "speech" itself, and wishing someone would come and whack her on the back of the head like Theon Greyjoy.


This show could do so much and hints at greatness, whether or whether or not it delivers.  I hope it isn't spent.  At least it can never reach it's lowest low...  the "Vatos" episode in season 1.  I very nearly never gave it another chance after that.

[analog kid]

Watched the pilot for both, and that's all the attention span I could muster.

[MV/Liberace!]

At least it can never reach it's lowest low...  the "Vatos" episode in season 1.  I very nearly never gave it another chance after that.

i had to go back and find out what episode that was.  while i wasn't especially annoyed by that one when i saw it, in retrospect, it's a bit of a stretch and i can easily see why one would facepalm while watching that episode.

[Sardondi]

...probably the most cringe inducing moment from the last episode:
andrea's speech to the devastated, enraged, homicidal townsfolk who suddenly and inexplicably change gears in unison to gleefully pat one another on the back in solidarity because she told them history would write about them and their shit bag little town.
what.  the.  fuck.

But, "I am woman, hear me roar", right? I mean, it's The Approved Mandated Narrative, right? Hello?

[Usagi]

i had to go back and find out what episode that was.  while i wasn't especially annoyed by that one when i saw it, in retrospect, it's a bit of a stretch and i can easily see why one would facepalm while watching that episode.

The gangstas with hearts of gold and the half-dead old folks that miraculously survived the near-total Apocalypse?  Too much.  I'm glad that subsequent "very special episodes of The Walking Dead" have at least been a bit more grim and not so... well... fucking dumb.


--


I haven't been catching Falling Skies, but perhaps I should some time.  Hopefully they'll eventually carry it on Netflix.

[HorrorRetro]

is anyone else still following the walking dead? 


did you catch the midseason premiere sunday night?  i did, and i have to say, i now believe this series is spent. it's toast.  adios.

I totally agree.  I'll give it one more episode as well, but I don't hold out much hope.   

[Rachael Nexusei]

Has anyone read the comic? There are more characters and a lot more grit and grime(s) <sorry, couldn't help that
But it really does run differently than the tv series.
There are more children in it, for one, and really plays on the psychological effects and baser instincts(?) of survival vs ethics when there are no rules or laws, than the televised version.

[MV/Liberace!]

I totally agree.  I'll give it one more episode as well, but I don't hold out much hope.

right now, i'm close to feeling about the walking dead the way i felt about the return of V after, oh, maybe 7 episodes or so.  i just completely walked away from that show and have no idea what became of it.  i don't know if it was cancelled, if it's still on, or what... and i don't care.

[MV/Liberace!]

Has anyone read the comic?

i haven't.  i'm afraid it would make me hate the tv show even more than i currently do.

[Surmo]

Wow!  Harsh comments!  While I actually agree with some of the points, i.e that the last episode was disappointing, that Andrea's speech was predictable PC crap, and that the show is not as good as it was, I am not even nearly ready to jump ship.  This show has given so many good episodes that I'm not ready to move on.

I think the problem is the show is going through producers every season for the past two, and that is taking its toll.  Those producers apparently did not want to be too geared to the sponsors, and would rather be able to do their own thing (which had largely worked up to now).  They get axed, and the show sinks a bit lower.

You know what, I think maybe The Walking Dead IS in serious trouble.  My own points indicate this trend is all going in the wrong direction, with little chance of reversing given the nature of the issues.  While I won't give it only one more show before abandoning ship, I will put it on my "Death Watch" list and see where it goes.

Thanks guys and gals, your ruined my night.  Back to Survivorman.

[Rachael Nexusei]

Thanks guys and gals, your ruined my night.  Back to Survivorman.

Did not mean to ruin it for you, Surmo.
I will continue to watch it.  As you have pointed out, the changes in production probably has not helped.  Maybe it is just a lull.
We live in hope.
Honestly, I think if they stayed closer to the comic it would be better, even if more disturbing.

[MV/Liberace!]

Back to Survivorman.

i was going to come back and try to also ruin survivorman for you by pointing out the fact that the host has, on occasion, stayed in hotels rather than sleeping in the wild as the show suggests... but then i realized it's man vs. wild where that goes down.  well, shit.

[Rachael Nexusei]

Falling Skies...haha, I just thought about the connection.
I know, that was uncalled for and I should be ashamed.
People were injured.
I'm awful.

[Surmo]

MV, you blaspheme by comparing Les Stroud (Survivorman) to Bear Gryls (Man vs. Wild).  That is like comparing Art Bell to George Noory.

I will be looking forward to The Walking Dead again tomorrow, hoping the slide will stop while the show is still pretty good.  Where there's life, there's hope.

[Surmo]

Besides, Stroud recently opined on the Rogan podcast how great it was to listen to Art at night while out in the wild (or wherever).  Just before he shared his "encounter with Bigfoot" story.

[MV/Liberace!]

MV, you blaspheme by comparing Les Stroud (Survivorman) to Bear Gryls (Man vs. Wild).  That is like comparing Art Bell to George Noory.

I will be looking forward to The Walking Dead again tomorrow, hoping the slide will stop while the show is still pretty good.  Where there's life, there's hope.

same here.  same here.

[MV/Liberace!]

downloading tonight's episode now.  we'll see what's up...

[Usagi]

Tonight's episode had me worried that it would only be redeemed by Darryl appearances.  Far too much Andrea and her Miss-Piggy complected puffy face for my taste.  However, my patience was rewarded by the Governor's storming in the last five minutes.  (I also did not anticipate the death of poor Oscar, although I should have considering he had over two lines.  I'd have foreseen it if he'd been black.)


I'll definitely watch next week.

[Surmo]

Yes, I was a bit heartened by the episode.  It still concerns me that Andrea is no longer a dynamic character, but I think her day will come again soon.  The Governor's ten minutes of hell and brimstone at the end of the show made up for the deficiencies.  And I do like the Daryl/Meryl dynamic that is shaping up - however long it lasts.


I was never in danger of writing the show off, yet, but I look forward to the next episode.  If Rick could now just pull his head out of his butt.....or Lori's, more actually.......

[MV/Liberace!]

i have to agree: last night's episode inspires me to keep watching. 


i'm getting really sick of rick's bullshit, though.  the only upside i can find is in the possibility that his psychological vacation might get his son killed.  that way we don't have to continue watching his atrocious acting.  he's got to be one of the WORST child actors i've ever seen.  he comes from the school of, "just stutter your words every other line because that's how real people speak."  bleh.  he's shit.  i can't believe, of all the children available during casting, he's what they settled on to play carl.

[Treading Water]

i was going to come back and try to also ruin survivorman for you by pointing out the fact that the host has, on occasion, stayed in hotels rather than sleeping in the wild as the show suggests... but then i realized it's man vs. wild where that goes down.  well, shit.

Nooooooo.  Now I'll have to apologize to a co-worker.  He loves Survivorman and goes over EVERY episode several times during the week.  I was so excited to get to work the morning after I heard about the hotel thing and "rub it in".  Damn.  And it's been so nice and quiet lately, too.
But I do feel like a big piece of shit, because I think I ruined the show for him.  I'll be paying for this one for a while.   

[HorrorRetro]

i have to agree: last night's episode inspires me to keep watching. 


i'm getting really sick of rick's bullshit, though.  the only upside i can find is in the possibility that his psychological vacation might get his son killed.  that way we don't have to continue watching his atrocious acting.  he's got to be one of the WORST child actors i've ever seen.  he comes from the school of, "just stutter your words every other line because that's how real people speak."  bleh.  he's shit.  i can't believe, of all the children available during casting, he's what they settled on to play carl.

I can beat the kid who plays Carl when it comes to worst child actor.  Have you seen The Langoliers? The girl who played the blind psychic was simply atrocious.  It's cringe inducing.  I do agree, though, that the kid who plays Carl is pretty bad. 

I wasn't impressed with the first 50 minutes of this episode of WD, but the last 10 minutes were pretty good.