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Thread: Recommend Me A New Series?
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2013-11-11, 05:58 PM (ISO 8601)
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Recommend Me A New Series?
So, I'm looking for a new show to get into, preferably something with a couple of seasons already out on DVD. Intelligent, quirky, oddball, compelling.
I know tastes will vary broadly, if not cosmically, so herein a brief rundown of the shows that I enjoy:
Spoiler--First, I loved Firefly. Unfortunately I didn't like Dollhouse and can't stand Buffy, so the Whedonverse may be less helpful than one might think.
I'm also a huge fan of the new Battlestar Galactica, so much so that I've watched the entire series four times through. (Hence this thread: frack me, it's time for a break. ;)
I've seen the first two seasons of Game of Thrones, and while there are many things I don't like about how HBO handles it, the show still works for my grim-fantasy fix. Right now, however, I'm looking for something a little more, umm, family-friendly.
On the SF front, I watched ST:TNG and Deep Space Nine back in the day, and more recently I really enjoyed Sarah Connor Chronicles. (In a grim, depressive, don't-get-attached-to-anyone kind of way.) Here lately I've been hooked on Falling Skies, owing to an impulse buy of Season 1. (Yes, hokey and goofy at times, but I have an odd fondness for it anyway.)
Further afield, and probably more obscure to the Playground, I absolutely loved Kings, which like Firefly was tragically cut short, and which was probably too thoughtful and intelligent for mainstream television. (I also appreciated Kings for other aspects which can't be discussed here.)
Much further from the Playground norm, and evidently not discussed around here, is Downton Abbey. Yes, it's true: I had a blast with this show, at least the first two seasons. I'm a sucker for sharp, meticulous period dramas.
And, for anyone who remembers it, I loved Cadfael with Derek Jacobi. Rarely have I seen a TV adaptation so true to the spirit of the original books.
So, all that by way of triangulating what I enjoy. Any suggestions along these lines--or outside them, if quirky and intelligent enough--would be very much appreciated.
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2013-11-11, 06:01 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Jun 2008
Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Have you given a thought to Doctor Who? It's a mixed bag at times, but generally a fun watch that takes on gravitas during some episodes.
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2013-11-11, 06:13 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Thanks for the suggestion...but alas, Dr. Who was not something I could really connect with. The interdimensional police box (yes, I know, Time And Relative Dimensions In Space) never quite worked for me.
I tried watching a couple episodes a year or two ago, possibly on SyFy, and just...couldn't. Not my cup of Earl Grey.
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2013-11-11, 06:27 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
I might actually suggest Star Trek the Original Series, even though it's old, if you haven't watched it. Lots of really good classic sci-fi moments and a closer feel to Firefly and well newer Trek than Doctor Who (old or new) has. The words I have usually seen to describe it are intelligent, quirky (although more then than now), and compelling.
Maybe Stargate SGI only seen a few episodes myself but it's been ok so far.
Sorry not too good on new sci-fi, haven't had cable in years.Peanut Half-Dragon Necromancer by Kurien.
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2013-11-11, 06:29 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Have you given Stargate SG-1 or Babylon 5 a look?
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2013-11-11, 06:44 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Originally Posted by Zaydos
I might actually suggest Star Trek the Original Series, even though it's old, if you haven't watched it.
(Yes, my memory reaches back even to the Elder Days....)
Originally Posted by erikun
Have you given Stargate SG-1 or Babylon 5 a look?
As for Stargate...I tried watching an episode with a now-ex girlfriend (the same one who introduced me to Firefly) and it just didn't grab me. Partly because this was probably several seasons in, and I had no idea what was going on, except--wait, was that Richard Dean Anderson?! Why isn't he, you know, all smart and stuff?
So, yeah. I wouldn't rule it out, just didn't feel a strong urge to pursue it at the time.
--Also, just to clarify, I'm not just looking for SF series, although suggestions along those lines are very welcome. I'm open to other things as well, but quality and a strong cool factor are key.
For instance, I loved Highlander back in the day, despite the fact that you could predict an episode's quality by its geographic location. More recently, I enjoyed Terranova, because, well, dinosaurs. And it was actually improving fast just before it was cancelled.
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2013-11-11, 11:08 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2012
Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Couple of series I enjoy, your mileage may vary though:
Lost Girl - Fey live among us, this focuses on their stories, particularly those of the main character... a succubus. Canadian show IIRC, Season 4 just started.
Caprica - Haven't watched it, but it's set on Caprica 50 years prior to BSG. Keep meaning to watch it.
The Almighty Johnsons - A New Zealand show. Focuses on a family that are the incarnations of the Norse Gods living on earth. Suprisingly good given it's country of origin. Season 3 just finished.
Arrow - Live action based on DC's Green Arrow, currenty in Season 2.Last edited by Slylizard; 2013-11-11 at 11:09 PM.
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2013-11-12, 01:20 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2012
Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
I'd recommend Supernatural if you haven't seen it. It has issues, but I always find it entertaining.
I'd also recommend Life, although it was only on NBC for two season. About a cop imprisoned for murders he didn't commit, and released a decade later with a whole new perspective on the world. It's well written and well acted, I was sorry to see it go.
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2013-11-12, 04:13 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2011
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
I can mostly recommend Sons of Anarchy. Doings of a motorcycle gang full of anti-heros (or downright villains) who are nonetheless less evil than everyone else they come up against. Currently in its 6th season. Very good characterisation, and who doesn't like watching a bunch of leatherclad bikers.
Plus, y'know, Ron Perlman.
(Life was great too.)Awesome fremetar by wxdruid.
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2013-11-12, 06:00 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
I quite enjoyed Robin of Sherwood when it was aired here (a few years after it was finished).
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2013-11-12, 06:04 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
I don't know if it's really in line with what you like but one of my favorite shows is Dead Like Me which is a Canadian comedy about grim reapers. Only ran for two seasons but there's some decent comedy and drama in those.
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2013-11-12, 11:29 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Thanks for all the suggestions, folks--keep 'em coming, they're very welcome.
Originally Posted by Kitten Champion
I'd recommend Supernatural if you haven't seen it. It has issues, but I always find it entertaining.
I'd also recommend Life, although it was only on NBC for two season. About a cop imprisoned for murders he didn't commit, and released a decade later with a whole new perspective on the world. It's well written and well acted, I was sorry to see it go.
As for Life, I assume this is the one with Damian Lewis? (Amazon has a whole slew of things called Life, including a show from David Attenborough.) If that's the one, it does look interesting.
Sons of Anarchy...not really my thing. "Macho high-school dropouts randomly whaling on everyone" is what I gleaned from the previews for the current season. That's...kinda not me. "Quirky and intelligent" is more the direction I'm looking.
--Quirky, madcap, often mind-boggling and always finely-crafted, with occasional bouts of riotous laughter...that would be my ideal. Really, if there's a TV show like Girl Genius, I'd be happy.
That said, again, I certainly appreciate the suggestions, and very glad to hear some more.
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2013-11-12, 11:29 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
If there were a Girl Genius TV Show Kickstarter, I think I would have no money left.
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2013-11-12, 11:31 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
I have yet to support a Kickstarter, but that would definitely do it.
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2013-11-12, 11:32 AM (ISO 8601)
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2013-11-12, 11:49 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
A very good reality show (WITHOUT the petty jealousy and backstabbing, they actually help one another) is Face Off. You get to see how some of those movie monsters are created. Season six just wrapped this week. Also family friendly.
Last edited by MikelaC1; 2013-11-12 at 11:49 AM.
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2013-11-12, 12:16 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
How is it that Agents of Shield hasn't been mentioned yet?
I'd also recommend Grimm, just beware that the quality takes a sharp nosedive during the first half of season 2 and it only really recovers from it near the end of the season. Season 3 is airing now and so far it is looking very hopeful.
Another good one that I'm watching right now is Haven.
As for the already mentioned suggestions:
Thirding.
Ugh, lost girl. I really wish this show was better. Awesome concept, intriguing world, but bland execution and way to much focus on the lovelife of the main character killed it for me.
I'm not a big fan of horror myself, but I found that it didn't bother me as much for this show. The key part about horror that I dislike is that the good guys are always fighting this unknown all powerful evil somethingorother, but this was nicely averted in Supernatural because the two main characters hunt these things for a living so they know what they are doing (most of the time).
I eventually gave up on it, but if your only issue with it is a dislike for horror then I would definitely recommend giving it another shot.Last edited by Silver Swift; 2013-11-12 at 12:20 PM.
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2013-11-12, 12:21 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Sherlock Holmes might be to your liking. There's also other big series like The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, though I assume you've thought of them.
I'd suggest Red Dwarf, but it's likely a bit too wacky.Homebrewer's Signature | Avatar by Strawberries
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2013-11-12, 12:52 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
It's a bit older, but Farscape might be to your liking. The first two seasons are very good, and then it gets... um... wonky... You might like it, you might not. The later seasons are not in the same tastes as the earlier ones. Either way, it's done and over with, so what's out there is all there is (4 seasons and 1 movie, I believe?).
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2013-11-12, 02:21 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
I've found myself quite enjoying Scrubs recently. Its a medical Dramedy that is surprisingly and refreshingly accurate on the medical side of things. Plenty of character hijinks ensue, but if you want to see a comedic look of what working in a hospital is actually like its worth a look (coming from someone who has worked in a hospital for over 6 years now.)
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2013-11-12, 02:48 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
This one is probably just me, but the British sci-fi show Primeval might be worth a look. For me it had that charm that the quirkier episodes of shows like Star Trek had, though it's set in present day.
...and that's really all I can think of right now. Just goes to show how little TV I watch these days.
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2013-11-12, 03:29 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
I second this, I actually got into BSG after finishing this because I just loved the show. I was disappointed it got cancelled and didn't get a second season but even with only one it is really good.
Also if you have an interest in anime, I would recommend Sword Art Online, think of it as Code Lyoko+an MMO (which as a gamer really interested me). The first arc was really good because it emphasized the MMO aspect, but the 2nd arc was only so-so, and I was really only in it to see the conclusion of the series. Luckily though there are rumors a second season is on its way, with the 3rd arc from the manga/light novel(s) being much better.
Btw side note, I'm assuming the BSG you're referring to is the re-imagined series so I wanted another opinion, was I the only one disappointed by the ending? It kinda seemed like an asspull to me.Lu'ciel, First Age Sorcerer-King of the Unconquered Sun avatar by linkele. many thanks to the person
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2013-11-12, 03:31 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Heh. Anime is a whole 'nother (wonderful) rabbit-hole. But not one that everyone wants to get into.
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2013-11-12, 03:34 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2008
Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Do you mean Sinclair (Michael O'Hare's character)? Or did you actually make it into the second season, when Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) took over?
This one is probably just me, but the British sci-fi show Primeval might be worth a look. For me it had that charm that the quirkier episodes of shows like Star Trek had, though it's set in present day.
Fringe would be another suggestion, "Intelligent, quirky, oddball, compelling" are all words that fit it for me.Thanks to Elrond for the Vash avatar.
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2013-11-12, 03:36 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
OH. OH YES. WHY DID I FORGET THIS.
Scrubs is amazing. On the surface it looks much like a sitcom, except the primary setting is a hospital, and partially as a natural result of that it deals with some heavy stuff at times. However, overall it's pretty light in tone and very uplifting.
I'm a fan of sitcoms for their humour. I'm a huge fan of Scrubs because it touched me in ways I'd never expected it to do.Homebrewer's Signature | Avatar by Strawberries
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2013-11-12, 04:31 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Best rendition of Robin Hood sage ever. I could probably babble peans of praise for quite a long time, but I'll contain myself. Great music, magnificant bastard of a Sheriff and unforgetable climat.
If anime is a go, then you will probably like Cowboy Bebop - it fits all the adjectives you have given and tops it with a great jazz soundtrack. It is a short (the only problem with the show), mostly episodic series about a small band of misfit bounty hunters in the future.In a war it doesn't matter who's right, only who's left.
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2013-11-12, 06:54 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Ahh, new suggestions, thank you all! Let's see here:
Originally Posted by MikelaC1
A very good reality show (WITHOUT the petty jealousy and backstabbing, they actually help one another) is Face Off. You get to see how some of those movie monsters are created.
Originally Posted by Peregrine Crow
How is it that Agents of Shield hasn't been mentioned yet?
Originally Posted by Morph Bark
Sherlock Holmes might be to your liking. There's also other big series like The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, though I assume you've thought of them.
The others you mention really aren't my thing, although I might watch Red Dwarf with the right girlfriend. If there was a couch involved.
Originally Posted by Cristo Meyers
This one is probably just me, but the British sci-fi show Primeval might be worth a look. For me it had that charm that the quirkier episodes of shows like Star Trek had, though it's set in present day.
*search search*
I assume Primeval comes before Primeval: New World? Tell me more. Without spoilers, if that's possible.
Originally Posted by Reverent-One
Do you mean Sinclair (Michael O'Hare's character)? Or did you actually make it into the second season, when Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner) took over?
Originally Posted by ChaosArchon
I second [Caprica], I actually got into BSG after finishing this because I just loved the show.
Originally Posted by CarpeGuitarrem
Anime is a whole 'nother (wonderful) rabbit-hole. But not one that everyone wants to get into.
Also, finally:
Originally Posted by At Least Three People, If Not More
Try Arrow already!!
...But, Primeval. From reading the first sentence of the Amazon listing, it sounds like Terranova in reverse. That...could be fun. Really, it's hard to miss with dinosaurs.
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2013-11-13, 01:17 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Not sure if this is the one he's referring to, but the BBC version (yes, with Benedict Cumberbatch, who you're likely to recognize by his weird face, and also Martin Freeman, who seems to be in just about everything these days) is certainly worth a look, though there are only six episodes.
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2013-11-13, 02:36 AM (ISO 8601)
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2013-11-13, 02:48 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Recommend Me A New Series?
Last edited by Feytalist; 2013-11-13 at 02:49 AM.
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From the discomfort of truth there is only one refuge and that is ignorance. I do not need to be comfortable, and I will not take refuge. I demand to *know*.
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