Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I’m in a middle of a rewatch right now when I came across this thread, needless to say, I’m stoked to see this episode!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ar40
Such an unfunny show. No laughs at all. Nothing clever or witty about it. I’m very surprised there’s so much love for it. But on the flip side I’m happy about that as I want Apple TV to do well. But what a terrible unfunny show.

Serious question. How much did you actually watch? By episode 3 the show really takes off. In fact, it’s probably one of the best comedies with new episodes. Say what you will about critics, but they agree it’s a winner.

I felt the same way as you after the first episode, but stuck with it. It’s worth continuing. The pilot is the worst of season 1.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: ipedro and Ar40
I guess I will give this show a go....the teaser looked awful, like the show was trying really hard but not succeeding.
I have liked the few dramas on ATV+ I've watched and Amazing Stories had potential but wasn't up to par (then again maybe the original was similar and I was too young to grasp the campiness of it).
 
How the heck is an iPhone considered to be a TV or Cinema tool when it cannot do long zoom or shallow depth of field with bokeh like professional grade cameras do? Total cringe.
Because believe it or not, it wasn't that long ago that professional video cameras had sensors not much bigger than iPhones and long zooms aren't used for most cinema shots. The 'telephoto' lens could/should be a little longer on the iPhone but it isn't a bad focal length for that sensor. The image quality is far better, especially with the ability to tweak data rates and compression, than what existed in $50k video cameras 20 years ago. If you can still enjoy tv shows (or indie movies, many of which were shot on 8/16mm film for video cameras) from the 90's and 80's the iPhone isn't the limitation.

It is notable that the actors had three iPhones and did their own makeup/hair and shooting and yet they still had so many crew members. Technique and vision make something look good. They also worked conceptually within the limits of the tech they had available.
 
I started watching this last night and got through 5 episodes. I thought it was great and am looking forward to finishing tonight. (I especially loved #5, A Dark Quiet Death.) Looking forward to this also.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Ar40
Here's a link to a DP who writes about what it takes to shoot his wife (a tv anchor) at home with an iPhone (necessary for the software used by her TV station). The output looks amazing because he knows how to light her and set the scene. I have no doubt they crew here did something similar but probably spent time with each actor finding the right places with the right existing light (and supplementing that) in their homes before shooting took place.

 
To be more creative, the solution is to over-complicate the filming process and still have a lowered standard of quality?

Alright.

Huh? Not what I wrote... I wrote less is sometimes more. Meaning that a lower budget or difficult situations often forces people to come up with creative answers. Just look at most movie directors. Their best work is nearly always near the beginning of their careers when they had smaller budgets and needed to find creative answers.
 
Really good show, and I look forward to both this extra episode and season 2 whenever they can actually film it.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Ar40
I just saw this beautiful episode. I am crying emotionally and triumphantly as I type this, just having finished the episode. Such an amazing half hour! Definite Emmy contender.
[automerge]1590180133[/automerge]
Episode 5 is the one that should be submitted for Emmy consideration. It was so good 🤗
Watch this episode first and then decide. Episode 5 was incredible also, but it would be better in the drama category, not comedy category.
[automerge]1590180255[/automerge]
My wife and I actually really liked this show and are looking forward to the next season. So what season will this be a part of? Very strange times right now.
This picks off right after the finale of Season 1 and is listed in Season 1 as a special episode. I wonder if Season 2 will continue any of these plot threads.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TrowaNY and Herrpod
Just watched the episode. If you like the show you will like this. If you don't then this probably isn't going to change your mind. I really like the show. :)
 
Is this quarantine episode out yet? Im in Australia and its not showing on the shows TV+ page
 
Just finished it. I was actually able to go into my office for the first time in a month yesterday for a bit to do some critical work that required my presence and between that and this episode, my stir-craziness from Sheltering at Home is better.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Ar40
I full stop did not expect to like this show at all (I’m not a gamer). Then I ended up watching the entire season in one sitting 🤷‍♂️

Fantastic episode that hits you right in the feels in between laughs and a genuinely impressive feat of filming, remote or otherwise.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Ar40
The framing of that emotional scene towards the end with Poppy and the doorway (being intentionally vague) and how the other camera later moves as if it's in the hallway with her is incredible. (Hint: In an interview, the showrunners said that the person in the hall was not the person it appeared to be - due to coronavirus regulations and safety concerns. But they pulled it off with the mask covering the face and dark clothes, which matched the scene anyway).
 
  • Like
Reactions: mw360 and I7guy
This was so good!

I’ll be honest, I totally prejudged this before even watching it. I felt like it was another attempt by Apple at making coding cool after their failed Planet of the Apps. So I had no plans to watch it. After weeks of ignoring it, I had some free time and tapped the show as a time waster. First episode was funny, so I watched another... then another. Episode 5 had me finally admitting that this is a great show, unexpectedly funny. Then I watched the Quarantine Episode and I realized how great the writing is. I’m a fan. This is one of my favourite shows now. Can’t wait for Season 2.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ar40
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.