#I miss when television had like 20+ eps per season….

[spicysucculentz]

I hate hate HATE the trend of these fucking streaming shows being like 8 episodes long… where’s the time for character development?? where’s the time for worldbuilding??? Everything is rushed and shallow! Give me more fucking episodes you cowards

[nealcassatiel]

‘THE ANGEL FALL SPELL WAS ALL OVER THIS SEASON… 12X10 IT WAS THE MAJOR PLOT THING, THE UNSPOKEN COMMENT ABOUT CUPIDS HOVERING ON MARY’S ARC, AND IN 12X12 SOMEONE NOTICED RAMIEL HAD A BUNCH OF CUPID ARROWS IN HIS BASEMENT :P I DON’T THINK THEY FORGOT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE AT LEAST A FEW TIMES CAS CLARIFIED THAT IT WAS THE ARCHANGEL AND LUCIFER THING THAT MADE IT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS TO EXPLAIN HIS MOTIVATION, I THINK IN 12X08 WHEN HE WAS FIRST TELLING THEM ABOUT IT AND IN 12X10 WHEN HE WAS STRESSING ABOUT FINDING KELLY, IF NOT OTHER TIMES LIKE TO KELLY IN 12X19. REMEMBERING THEY REMEMBER THAT THE DISTINCTION SEEMED QUITE CLEAR TO ME.’

@elizabethrobertajones Awesome! Yes, I could kind of remember them making sure that the distinction with Jack being Lucifer’s child made him more important than other Nephilim that may have been created, you’re completely right! I’ve just finished season 8, and am just watching all the way through till the last ep of S12, so how it all links up is becoming more clear. Because I’ve been watching it since early 2006, I would always watch episodes as they aired, and then watch the entire season when it came out on DVD a few times, and occasionally watch a season separately here and there. But this is the first time i’ve gone back to S1 and marathoning them all one after another, so I’m being reminded of various things that all you wonderful people have much fresher and clearer thoughts about for sure! It’s also really really strange to experience the show as one long uninterrupted plot, rather than watching it spaced out over 12 years. It’s such a hugely different viewing experience and the overarching plots and character development is so much clearer than how I’ve always watched it (i.e. watching each season a couple of times per year). 

The difference in how I’ve been watching it in this marathon has brought up so many interesting thoughts about how various other viewers watch the show. For instance, those who started watching it 12 years ago and watched it so spaced out without marathoning the seasons in between must view the show very differently to those who have been marathoning it, or those who recently started watching it and therefore could just watch so many seasons in one go. I can understand how it might be difficult for anyone who doesn't watch all seasons one after another in a short space of time to miss so much about the links between each season. Because of how I watched it, how I view the first few seasons was always informed by why i liked the show in my early teens. Whereas now when I watch it in my 20s it’s only now taking on the meaning and perspective someone older could bring to the viewing experience.  

I can remember I used to watch seasons 1-5 all in one go, but I had never ever watched from 1 up to the very latest episode. I kind of wish I’d done this before, but at least now I have this cognitive dissonance where I know what it’s like to view the show as one whole, yet also know what it’s like to view the show as separate seasons spaced over 12 years. It’s strange because of course it’s exactly the same show, but by watching it in those very very different ways it seems very different and I picked up on different things. 

When I watched it as seasons spaced out, I very much focused on the plot for just that season. The plots felt contained to that season with a few references to the plots from before. I also remember that I’d never really think about where character development would be going for the next season. Overarching plots over seasons, and most importantly character progression and where the characters were going seemed very very very subtle when I watched it so spaced out over so many years. Now seeing it all as one the overarching plot, the character development, and where the show in general is going seems way more overt. Because these things seemed more subtle when I saw it so spaced out, it was the plot of the season and specific episodes which seemed to be the most important thing so for instance, performing!Dean, Sam’s acceptance, destiel, all seemed way way more subtle (only in s12 did the subtlety appear way more blatant, and also having studied television was I viewing the show differently as well). Now I’ve seen the seasons in such a short space of time, these no longer seem at all subtle which is very very interesting. Because these types of viewing have been so different for me, I can’t help but wonder how the GA who hasn’t marathoned the show and have been watching it over many years view the character development and the things that appear more subtle when spaced out?

(sorry this was so so long, it’s just something that has really surprised me and has been playing on my mind since I’ve watched all seasons in 1 go for the first time)

[boystownbirdie]

LMRTV4U: Round 2

Welcome to the second edition of Let Me Recommend TV 4 U? This post was created especially for those lost souls who don’t know what to watch next. Also, this post contains NO SPOILERS. So proceed willy-nilly!

Best show you can easily catch up on: The Path

It has recently come to my attention that this show is NOT being watched by everyone. Here’s the deal: Aaron Paul (of Breaking Bad fame, duh) stars as a happily married man who finds out the religion he was a part of is actually kind of a cult a la scientology. Michelle Monaghan is his wife whose family has deep roots in “the movement” and Hugh Dancy is an up-and-coming leader in the faith. It sounds hokey on paper but give it a chance. Maybe it’s my obsession with the Jean Valjean vs. Javert thing all over again but I love when a story doesn’t have a clear villain and when the sincere motives of opposing sides is so clear. Aaron Paul is totally justified in questioning his faith but his wife is also right to believe the “movement” is doing actual good. I love a grey area and this show is full of ‘em

Where can I binge? Hulu- It’s a Hulu original and the first season (only 10 eps long) is available now! Season 2 is coming out as we speak with 1 ep being released per week.

Where to start? Start with season 1, episode 1 or you’ll miss

Skip it if: You’re cult-ed out after Going Clear and the Master and the recent revelation that Tom Cruise is probably responsible for a Trump presidency. http://theslot.jezebel.com/the-scientologists-voted-for-trump-1791558434

#1 reason to watch: The acting is amazing and Aaron and Michelle’s teen son “Hawk” is a Heath-Ledger-look-a-like with all the angst and sexual tension of Heath himself back in the 10-things-I-hate-about-you days

Best comedy that will also have you bawlin’:One Mississippi

Tig Notaro stars in this semi-autobiographical series based on the time period in which the real Tig Notaro suddenly lost her mother, went through a breakup, was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy, and then had a terrible, ongoing case of c.diff. Sounds hilarious, right? The real gem here is the slowly evolving relationship between Tig and her stepfather which is at times painfully awkward and painfully sweet. And it’s impossible not to imagine the cautiously flirtatious scenes between Tig and her now-wife Stephanie Allynne as re-enactments of their early courtship. (ps: the gif below is NOT from O.M. but still shows Tig and Stephanie together) 

Where can I binge? If you have Amazon Prime it’s on Prime instant video

Where to start? It’s a short series- only 6 eps at 20-something minutes apiece- start with ep 1

Skip it if: You’re not a Tig Notaro fan/ you just don’t like that whole deadpan-thing

#1 reason to watch: If you are a Tig fan, it’s amazing to get a deeper glimpse into this time period that seems to be the worst possible combination of circumstances. It’s a sweet reminder to know that life can get really, really, really shitty and while nothing can replace your loss, you can still find true love, have adorable twins, and do some of your best work as a performer.

Best British import: Fleabag

Similar to One Mississippi, it’s on Amazon Prime, it’s a short 6-episode series, it’s a “comedy” which will leave you in tears (maybe now is the time to tell you that it doesn’t take much to make me cry so take all of this with a grain of salty tears), and it’s about a woman dealing with several recent losses and breakup. Fleabag is a BBC import based off of an award-winning play by star Phoebe Waller-Bridge whose titular character is irreverent, crass, over-indulgent and unexpectedly poignant all at once. It’s kind of like Shameless (but in this case Fleabag is more of a Frank than a Fiona) meets Girls. There’s also a bit of mystery wrapped up in there, too.

Where can I binge?  Amazon Prime instant video

Where to start? Again, only 6 short eps so start with ep 1

Skip it if: You’re easily grossed out by a woman talking frankly about her bodily functions and sexual exploits. Also if you are in the mood for a comedy that WON’T make you cry.

#1 reason to watch: It’s way different than anything else out there and it’s an easy show to power-through in a few hours.

Best new sitcom (no, really!): The Mick

I had my reservations, but I was pleasantly surprised! The Mick stars Kaitlin Olson (who you probably know as Dee from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) in her first major solo-endeavor. Dee has never been my favorite Sunny character, but this role is perfect for her brand of humor and gives her room to grow away from male-centric Sunny. The plot is a classic fish-out-of-water premise where Olson plays Mickey, an estranged aunt who suddenly finds herself as the guardian of her wealthy, East-coast-elite nephews and niece. Mickey is a hard-drinking, fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants grifter while the Pemberton kids are coddled, country-clubbers. It sounds like sitcom 101 but trust me, it’s with a twist.

Where can I binge? Hulu- new eps are coming out since it’s currently airing on Fox

Where to start? Since only a few eps are out, start with the pilot. But you can jump in anywhere

Skip it if: You’re over the traditional sitcom format or you’re easily offended by a bloody nose

#1 reason to watch: The 3 child (well one is an older teen) actors are all pretty stellar which really makes the show. Plus Olson is perfect in the role and is able to play a more layered character than Sunny has ever allowed.

Best show I really shouldn’t have to be justifying because just watch it: RuPaul’s Drag Race

So if you’ve read my other LMWTV4U posts or you’ve ever met me, this will be the least surprising thing ever. BUT SERIOUSLY this show is so good and if this kind of thing is important to you, it’s a recent Emmy winner for best reality-TV-show host (RuPaul). But to call it a reality TV show is kind of a stretch because the actual best thing about RPDR is how manufactured and self-aware it is. There is, of course, heaps of drama, but everything is served with a wink. RuPaul comes sweeping in to provide a critical eye and guidance in each episode and always leaves the queens with her classic advice “good luck and don’t fuck it up.” Every episode ends with a “Lipsync FOR YOUR LIFE” which results in one queen “sashay-ing away” while the other gets to “shante you stay.” Somehow, among all of the ridiculousness, the show makes room for genuine emotion. The “villains” are eventually encouraged to explore their own insecurities and under-performing artists are given second chances and a helping hand from their competitors. It’s really not like anything else on television and the best part is, season 9 is coming this spring so you still have time to get caught up on past seasons before the new one arrives!

Where can I binge? The show airs on Logotv, which you almost certainly do not have in your cable bundle, but seasons 5-7 are on Amazon Prime and last I checked seasons 6-8 were on Hulu (along with All Stars 2). Also most of the seasons are usually available to stream on logotv’s website.

Where to start? It might be hard to find but I’d really recommend starting with season 3 or 4. You can start anywhere but if you start in later seasons you’ll find out who won previous seasons which can be a bummer. Also, by season 6 and 7 there are already way too many inside jokes and catchphrases from previous seasons to keep up with. Don’t start with season 1 (it’s a completely different show) or All Stars (for obvious reasons).

Skip it if: You hate camp and kitsch and all things drag.

#1 reason to watch: Every single episode ends with RuPaul saying “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an amen?” followed by an onstage dance party

Best season 2 that you might have given up on but deserves a second chance: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Maybe you didn’t like Kimmy Schmidt season 1. Maybe you loved it but thought season 2 was too weird and gave up. Or maybe you loved both seasons and, in that case, why are you reading this still? But let me make my case for season 2. Yes it’s way more out-there than season 1, but it contains one of the best instances of my favorite guilty-pleasure of the TV trope world: the musical episode. It’s pretty subtle, but in episode 5, “Kimmy Gives Up,” Titus scores the entire episode with songs from various “forgotten” musicals (aka parodies of Broadway classics from husband-of-Tina-Fey and music producer Jeff Richmond.) My personal favorite is “Just Go On” from “Gangly Orphan Jeff, the ill-fated musical that premiered a week after Annie.” It hilariously mocks “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow” while also allowing for Titus to face his fears, Kimmy to begin to mourn her lost love, and for both Lillian and Jacqueline to revel in their parenting abilities (for their kids both literal and of the tenant-sort). Season 2 is less about a woman who missed the last 15 years clumsily learning to live in the modern world of a cartoonish NYC and more about a woman who’s been through trauma coming to terms with her past and trying to find her purpose. Season 2 is more lived-in and where season 1 allowed Titus to point out all of the “things people don’t say anymore,” season 2 finds both Kimmy and Titus bumbling through modernity together, like when Titus eagerly explains the internet as a “series of tubes.” Like my fave show of all time and fellow Tina-Fey-creation, 30 Rock, Kimmy Schmidt strikes a delicate balance between a satire of our society, foolish and off-the-wall characters, and characters facing real-world emotions with tenderness.

Where can I binge? Netflix!

Where to start? I mean it’s a short series so start with season 1, ep 1. But if you need a good intro, start with “Kimmy Gives Up!”

Skip it if: You can’t handle all of the ridiculousness.

#1 reason to watch: Titus, especially in his audition that is NOT for gum, “Your teeth are bones that live outside. They hang from your lips like bats. Oh, outside bones, outside bones. Never forget that teeth are outside bones. They're bones that you wash and when you're a kid they fall from your head. And to make things less weird we say they got stolen by a demon that your parents know. Trident!”