The Leftovers (HBO) Spoilers

[Huntn]

That's what I need -- some answers, or even a clue. I stopped watching after the 6th episode I think? I think it's well produced overall, but without any clues, it's just frustrating (to me); that's why I quit watching. The cult is silly in my opinion. The dogs are such a random thing that it felt like they were introducing another random event just to add to the mystery, as if everything was all tied together somehow.

I would assume the dogs are related, not that it was going to be revealed.

As for Lost, I really enjoyed that first season. Somehow it was interesting even the next few seasons. Then the whole time travel thing kind of caught me by surprise. I didn't watch the last season. But I still think that first one was really good.

Again, just my feelings on these shows. Think I will finally start Boardwalk Empire.

For Lost I bought most of it, although I admit that when they got off the island and then were told they needed to go back, that irritated me a bit. Instead of time travel, I'd describe it as alternate reality. I could accept it, but it moved the story out of a realm where many viewers could follow. I begrudgingly accepted it because I was enamored with the characters and their interpersonal relationships. And Lost had many rays of sunshine as compared to the eternal darkness of The Leftovers.

Regarding Boardwalk Empire, I never really liked it. My wife fizzled out on it about Season 2. Give it a shot.

 

[D.T.]

As far as dramatic TV goes, The Guest (EP6), Solace for Tired Feet (EP7) and Cairo (EP8) were excellent episodes, had very high scores from various sources (like AV Club and IGN), and had some amazing standout scenes and performances, Carrie Coon (esp. in her “solo EP”), Scott Glenn and of course the lead Justin Theroux.

I was a bit up and down for the first half of the series, but these last few episodes have been very good. This show - like LOST (also Lindelof) - isn’t about the mystery, that’s just a setup device so the show can explore the ideas of loss, grief, family, the uncertainty of existence.

That being said, I agree that it probably won’t sustain me over the long haul if there’s not some revelation about the departed.

Otherwise, you wind up with a bunch of vignettes about pain and loss that don’t deliver as TV show. I’ve “heard” that the plan is to explore the backstory way beyond what was done in the book, which would be very cool.

For those that don’t know, it was renewed for a second season.

Think I will finally start Boardwalk Empire.

Now this show, I can’t say enough good things about. We just finished Season 4 a couple of days ago, and we’re still reeling from the S4 finale.

I’d say if you like the mob/gangster genre (especially period stuff from the 20/30s), Scorsese, Godfather/Goodfellas/Sopranos with as good of acting/writing/directing as you can get on TV, you’ll love it.

The last season (5), starts Sept 7th, so if you watch a few a day (or do full season weekend binge watches) you should be ready for the premier

 

[Suture]

I’d say if you like the mob/gangster genre (especially period stuff from the 20/30s), Scorsese, Godfather/Goodfellas/Sopranos with as good of acting/writing/directing as you can get on TV, you’ll love it.

Glad to hear this. I do enjoy that type of stuff, so hopefully this will be right up my alley.

 

[D.T.]

Glad to hear this. I do enjoy that type of stuff, so hopefully this will be right up my alley.

Yeah, and just so I don’t paint it as _perfect_, there are some stray side stories, that are generally fun, and help to develop characters, and provide a better perspective on life in the 20s ... but are what I guess you’d call “dead ends” on terms of the moving the main plot forward. There’s rarely (if ever?) a filler episode that completely abandons the main action, but it does get backburnered on occasion.

 

[D.T.]

Season 1, Episode 9

JFC.

Brilliant episode. I +love+ that they waited till this far into the season to jump back to the events just prior to The Departure (8 episodes of where they are now, juxtaposed against this EPs where they came from was powerful).

Also lover the slight surreal, dreamlike feel, so for the first 5-10 minutes, it wasn’t even clear this was a flashback, and not a Kevin psychotic episode.

 

[AustinIllini]

Season 1, Episode 9

JFC.

Brilliant episode. I +love+ that they waited till this far into the season to jump back to the events just prior to The Departure (8 episodes of where they are now, juxtaposed against this EPs where they came from was powerful).

Also lover the slight surreal, dreamlike feel, so for the first 5-10 minutes, it wasn’t even clear this was a flashback, and not a Kevin psychotic episode.

I honestly loved this episode. Everything makes a lot more sense and has more meaning.