TV: What Are You Watching?

[McHotcakes]

Originally Posted by Dad_Scaper

I can't believe I'm the first to say I've been watching American Gods.

It expands on the excellent book here and there, but always faithfully. It's also a bit porn-y, so avoid it if that component of GoT is not for you, but it is faithful to the source material in all the most important ways, in my opinion. The casting is *amazing*. Ricky Whittle is a perfect Shadow; Ian McShane is a perfect Wednesday. The way Pablo Schereiber brings Mad Sweeney to life is a gift to everyone who enjoyed his character in the book.

If you liked Neil Gaiman's novel and you can get Starz, you should check it out.

So as someone who has read the book and watched the show, what's your opinon on Laura? Because both my girlfriend and I find her extremly unlikable in the show. Granted we are only on episode 4, but she seems very obnoxious to us. I'm just curious if it's just us or if other people feel that way too.

[Dad_Scaper]

I didn't find her especially likeable in the book, either. "Extremely" unlikeable? I wouldn't go that far. I wonder if your response is because of her relationship with another character, who I won't name here because it's a break from the book. If she's looking like a bully, I can see why, but I'm not having the strong reaction you are.

I hadn't thought about it, until your post. Shadow is likeable; other than him, the only characters who are sympathetic, at least for the part of the story addressed in (what appears to be) the Season 1 arc, are minor ones. My 2c.

Also, in different ways the remaining episodes may soften your opinion somewhat. Maybe.

[McHotcakes]

Originally Posted by Dad_Scaper

I didn't find her especially likeable in the book, either. "Extremely" unlikeable? I wouldn't go that far. I wonder if your response is because of her relationship with another character, who I won't name here because it's a break from the book. If she's looking like a bully, I can see why, but I'm not having the strong reaction you are.

I hadn't thought about it, until your post. Shadow is likeable; other than him, the only characters who are sympathetic, at least for the part of the story addressed in (what appears to be) the Season 1 arc, are minor ones. My 2c.

Also, in different ways the remaining episodes may soften your opinion somewhat. Maybe.

It might just be that she is much more prominent in the show. In the book her role is in the background and only pops up occasionally. Admittedly her character was pretty flat in the book, so you could sort of project onto her somewhat, so it might just be that I saw her as being nicer than she was intended to be.

Bookwise she was a little more detached, which I think works considering her circumstances, but I did get the feeling that she was legitimately trying to redeem herself.

In the show she is very hostile to both Sweeny and Anubis, one of the only sincerely nice gods in the whole world, and that, in addition to her preexisting backstory makes me not really care for her too much. Maybe future episodes will change that though.

[Dad_Scaper]

Let's not spoil things more than necessary, considering many of our friends here have not read the book, and none other than us have apparently seen the show. But as I said, I understand your response. I didn't sense so much "hostility," as I did "goal-oriented behavior."

[Agent Minivann]

Originally Posted by Dad_Scaper

People should read the book first. It's one of the great novels of our time, IMHO, and it's a sort of contemporary low fantasy that should be right in the wheelhouse of people who read this board.

I will second that idea. I really enjoyed it. I haven't seen the show, but I am kind of surprised that it is given the porn-y treatment. Granted it has been a while since I read the book (and I go through a few books every year).

[Dad_Scaper]

Well, the book isn't completely innocent in that regard. You may have forgotten some bits.

It is more demanding on a reader than a fantasy book for children, and to the extent that the show sets out its maturity with adult content, I don't have a problem with it.

[Hahma]

Originally Posted by keglo

I just discovered and started watching Sense8 on Netflix. I am a few episodes in and I am liking it a lot. It's just too bad that there are so many adult scenes in it. You really have to make sure that the kids' aren't around.

I started watching this last week, and am on the 5th episode now. A little slow at first and then it picks up nicely. I like how the people visit each other and use each others abilities. Definitely adult.

[keglo]

Originally Posted by Hahma

I started watching this last week, and am on the 5th episode now. A little slow at first and then it picks up nicely. I like how the people visit each other and use each others abilities. Definitely adult.

Yep, I love the show but was very disappointed recently when I read an article stating that Sense8 would not be returning for a 3rd season. They said that it cost too much to film for the relatively small ammount of viewers. That stinks!

[Hahma]

Originally Posted by keglo

Yep, I love the show but was very disappointed recently when I read an article stating that Sense8 would not be returning for a 3rd season. They said that it cost too much to film for the relatively small ammount of viewers. That stinks!

I figured that it had to be pretty expensive to film, considering how many locations they shot at. Only watched 5 episodes so far, so I don't know if there are other things that drive the cost up as the series goes on, with special affects etc.

Either way, I'll enjoy what I can of it and hopefully we'll see some of those actors in other shows in the future.

[keglo]

Originally Posted by Hahma

I figured that it had to be pretty expensive to film, considering how many locations they shot at. Only watched 5 episodes so far, so I don't know if there are other things that drive the cost up as the series goes on, with special affects etc.

Either way, I'll enjoy what I can of it and hopefully we'll see some of those actors in other shows in the future.

Yeah, I was surprised to read that the cost per episode was higher than Game of Thrones. And GoT has many more viewers.

And yeah, I really like most of the actors and would like to see them in other shows, as the article I read didn't leave any hope of Sense8 ever returning.

[Agent Minivann]

Some time ago (without my knowledge) my son bought the Avatar, The Last Airbender complete series DVD set. We've been going through the episodes again. Such an amazing show.

[chas]

Agree. I also enjoy the Legend of Korra complete set, which just came out this year!