The Shrine

Please tell me someone else has been watching this fucking amazing show.

Watching Season 2 now... Season 1 was beyond awesome... a serial killer who kills serial killers... and the way that they bring you into the back story, the plot... they really get you to feel for and sympathize and root for the guy.

I know I'm not doing the show justice-- just watch it and you'll understand.

I stopped at episode 2 or 3 in season 2. I need to get back into it.

Still, I'm pissed at how both HBO and Showtime write for these series:

1. Write in crazy unsolvable plot device (ie: paint yourself into a corner)
2. Find an equally crazy way to solve this plot device an episode or two later (ie: jump 30 feet across the room so that you don't step in paint)
3. Completely forget about this plot device after you solve it
4. Repeat this trick many times
5. Profit

I thought Dexter was different because it was based on a book (Darkly Dreaming Dexter), and Season 1 seemed to actually have a well-written direction and story throughout because of it. I thought Season 2 was going to be a continuation of that based on the 2nd book (Dearly Devoted Dexter).

But the thing with him implying a drug addiction to his girlfriend really jaded me. I don't know. I really hope that it doesn't turn out the way that most of HBO/Showtime's series end up.

SineSwiper wrote:I stopped at episode 2 or 3 in season 2. I need to get back into it.

Still, I'm pissed at how both HBO and Showtime write for these series:

1. Write in crazy unsolvable plot device (ie: paint yourself into a corner)
2. Find an equally crazy way to solve this plot device an episode or two later (ie: jump 30 feet across the room so that you don't step in paint)
3. Completely forget about this plot device after you solve it
4. Repeat this trick many times
5. Profit

I thought Dexter was different because it was based on a book (Darkly Dreaming Dexter), and Season 1 seemed to actually have a well-written direction and story throughout because of it. I thought Season 2 was going to be a continuation of that based on the 2nd book (Dearly Devoted Dexter).

But the thing with him implying a drug addiction to his girlfriend really jaded me. I don't know. I really hope that it doesn't turn out the way that most of HBO/Showtime's series end up.

I just watched that-- you're talking about episode 2. I didn't like that either... but he didn't really lie. He told her "I have an addiction" he didn't say anything about it being to drugs I'm interested to see how they paint him out of this one. I'm just glad he's got his groove back.

Speaking of which... were you saying that Dexter did the steps above, or that so far it's avoided it? If the former, PM me what you're talking about.

I d'load it every week. It's a pretty good show, enough to keep me watching. Second season is definitely weaker than the first but still good. I'm not sure how much longer they can keep it up after this season, though.

It's Heroes that I'm starting to wane on a bit. Man, that show really, really needed to be an HBO show. Just good enough to keep me going but it could be so, so much better (see: Lost)

Nono, don't make it a HBO show. Then it would follow that same formula that I describe above.

Nah, Tessian, I'm not talking about Dexter for the most part. It's most of the other HBO/Showtime shows, though. Take Weeds, for example. That whole huge cliffhanger from last season and the first couple of episodes from this season was step #1. Steps #2-3 came a few episodes later. Yay, problem solved. Let's do it again! Actually, they did the same thing with the first season cliffhanger.

SineSwiper wrote:Nono, don't make it a HBO show. Then it would follow that same formula that I describe above.

It's better than what the networks do to it. Lost is a perfect example, in better hands it would have been great. Instead, it's just horrid.

Heroes would be MUCH better off on cable. On NBC, it's just going along.

Zeus wrote:

SineSwiper wrote:Nono, don't make it a HBO show. Then it would follow that same formula that I describe above.

It's better than what the networks do to it. Lost is a perfect example, in better hands it would have been great. Instead, it's just horrid.

Heroes would be MUCH better off on cable. On NBC, it's just going along.

Just out of curiosity... what do you think moving to HBO/Showtime would do for a show?

Tessian wrote:

Zeus wrote:

SineSwiper wrote:Nono, don't make it a HBO show. Then it would follow that same formula that I describe above.

It's better than what the networks do to it. Lost is a perfect example, in better hands it would have been great. Instead, it's just horrid.

Heroes would be MUCH better off on cable. On NBC, it's just going along.

Just out of curiosity... what do you think moving to HBO/Showtime would do for a show?

A lot of pure formula crap would be gone and they would move through plot points a lot faster among other things. I've been through 5 HBO/Showtime shows (Oz, Sopranos, Six Feet, Dexter, and Dead Like Me) and seen a bunch of specials and bits of other shows. What they generally do better than regular TV shows is:

- keep the pace up much better. This is huge to me. I don't want to spend 22 episodes watching what I could see in 8 (hello, Lost). Whether you like what's going on or not, it very, very rarely moves at a snail's pace. The last two seasons of Sopranos did that which is what brought it down a notch (and something a few of us here complained about, especially me)

- don't have continuously predictible "twists". In Heroes, nearly every "twist" or surprise or revelation was easily deduced ahead of time. In particular the ending of the first season, which was a big disappointment. Not to mention the two "twists" at the end of the episode on Monday, which were so predictible it was pathetic. Sure, you have a certain very basic formula that HBO shows follow, but it's better than the crap that we see on network TV. Even 24 has fallen into this trap and it was completely opposite to it in the first 4 seasons

- a lot of unnecessary "dramatic" parts. Basically, every show is guilty of this after it reaches a certain amount of success almost regardless of network, but it's much more contained on HBO or Showtime vs network TV. Tony's family never really got too much in the way in terms of drama in his life on Sopranos ('til the inferior last two seasons, but even then it wasn't too bad) but Claire's whole thing with West (love stories are a BIG part of that) and her father is starting to drive me nuts. In fact, she really should become a secondary character in Season 2, she's just not that important right now. Yeah they can bring her back in to be important later, but the first half, she's just filler. Sure they took care of a lot of it in Monday's episodes, but that was 9 episodes too much of crap. Exactly the same with Hiro and most of his involvement in Season 2. they were very integral to the first season but the second? Not so much yet they're still the "main" characters.

Those are the main things. Not many, but they're very important to a show's depth and pacing. I'm all for any type of storyline that actually enhances a show but when it starts to get in the way of the plot/storyline (like, say, Lost's insane number and length of flashbacks) they become useless and bring a show down. In the case of Lost, they completely destroyed the show.

For a network show, Heroes has done a good job of containing the formulaic crap, but it's still very prevelant, even more so in Season 2 (thanks to its success). I look at how the great HBO/Showtime shows operate and imagine what an idea like Heroes would be like without network restrictions. Soooo much better.

You know, I like (semi-)realistic but predictable plot twists, than unrealistic and unpredictable ones. It's like HBO telling you "Oh, you didn't know!" and doing that stare into the camera after David Blane does a magic trick. Sure, you didn't see it coming, but there was no way to even pretend that you were going to see it coming, anyway.

SineSwiper wrote:You know, I like (semi-)realistic but predictable plot twists, than unrealistic and unpredictable ones. It's like HBO telling you "Oh, you didn't know!" and doing that stare into the camera after David Blane does a magic trick. Sure, you didn't see it coming, but there was no way to even pretend that you were going to see it coming, anyway.

Heroes throws a lot of realism out the windows and creats its own rules. It's OK there, but what it does is use the same crap over and over again (24 started falling into this trap). Makes it too predictible which takes away the whole reasons for you to keep watching since the mystery is what's interesting. Otherwise it's just a character drama and really, the characters are very one-dimensional.

I'd rather not know what's coming than easily figure out what's coming if we're going to extremes. Makes it more interesting. But the good shows give you hints and if you pay close enough attention (like the Sopranos finale) you can figure it out. But you don't need to, that's why you keep watching.

If it's a mystery-based show, why keep watching if you always know what's coming?

I just started watching it this season and I have to say it is one of the most creative shows on Television (next to Californication). Simply amazing. I'm waiting for the Tudors and Battlestar Galactica to start back up in March.

Barret wrote:I just started watching it this season and I have to say it is one of the most creative shows on Television (next to Californication). Simply amazing. I'm waiting for the Tudors and Battlestar Galactica to start back up in March.

If by this you mean you're watching Season 2 and haven't seen Season 1 yet then go watch it-- now.

I thought this was season 3?

Barret wrote:I thought this was season 3?

Nope, Season 2 is currently airing.

Barret wrote:I thought this was season 3?

S02e10 airs tonight

OK, I don't know what the fuck happened, but both episodes 11 and 12 were released tonight. You should see them on Torrentspy or other search engines by tomorrow.

Considering ep 10 just aired on Sunday and these next two aren't scheduled to air 'til the next two Sunday, this is a MAJOR leak.

Realized I hadn't seen eps 9 and 10 'til last night. Wow, these two eps really helped boost a relatively slow season of Dexter. They're quite good. I love what they did with Doaks and the further progression of Dexter's personality. I hope the last two eps are this good

Zeus wrote:Realized I hadn't seen eps 9 and 10 'til last night. Wow, these two eps really helped boost a relatively slow season of Dexter. They're quite good. I love what they did with Doaks and the further progression of Dexter's personality. I hope the last two eps are this good

NO SPOILERS I'm at episode 8!

Tessian wrote:

Zeus wrote:Realized I hadn't seen eps 9 and 10 'til last night. Wow, these two eps really helped boost a relatively slow season of Dexter. They're quite good. I love what they did with Doaks and the further progression of Dexter's personality. I hope the last two eps are this good

NO SPOILERS I'm at episode 8!

Hence the lack of details.

Now go out and get 9 to 12. I'm finishing the last two tonight

Zeus wrote:

Tessian wrote:

Zeus wrote:Realized I hadn't seen eps 9 and 10 'til last night. Wow, these two eps really helped boost a relatively slow season of Dexter. They're quite good. I love what they did with Doaks and the further progression of Dexter's personality. I hope the last two eps are this good

NO SPOILERS I'm at episode 8!

Hence the lack of details.

Now go out and get 9 to 12. I'm finishing the last two tonight

I need to watch 9 and 10... don't see 11-12 out yet though

Tessian wrote:

Zeus wrote:

Tessian wrote: NO SPOILERS I'm at episode 8!

Hence the lack of details.

Now go out and get 9 to 12. I'm finishing the last two tonight

I need to watch 9 and 10... don't see 11-12 out yet though

They're on Torrentspy now

http://www.torrentspy.com/search?query= ... submit.y=0

I really liked what happened (don't worry, no spoilers). I'm dying to see what they do for Season 3

So I've watched Season 1, and now half way through Season 2.

Brilliant show

Eric wrote:So I've watched Season 1, and now half way through Season 2.

Brilliant show

I thought Season 2 was slow through the first 8 eps but the last 4 were great

Not a fan of the first half of the finale, kinda saddened me in fact.

However the last 5 minutes had me cheering.

Though the last minute kinda sucked

Eric wrote:Not a fan of the first half of the finale, kinda saddened me in fact.

However the last 5 minutes had me cheering.

Though the last minute kinda sucked

I didn't think so. I liked the wrap-up. Although I'm drying to see what happens next season. The guy wrote a third book so let's see if they take that and run with it.

Didn't like the first half either? I loved the last 4 eps wholly. I thought it saved a relatively lackluster season. I'm actually looking forward to Season 3 now whereas up to Season 8, it was more like "OK, they're gonna get this season over with, I'll watch a bit of next season to see if I should keep watching". I had honestly though the show would follow Dead Like Me where there wasn't really more than a season and a bit of depth to it but they did very well in the last third of Season 2.

oh damn wait, 12 WAS the last episode? NOOOO what have I done?? I thought there was 13 that aired tonight!

I did find it odd that 12 seemed very final in the season... overall I very much enjoyed this season. I watched the last 3 episodes this weekend and couldn't stop. Soo good!

When's season 3?? January??

I just finished watching season one. Good stuff, though it could have done without some of the lame subplots.

Season 3 is going to be stretching it...

I've read 2 of the actual dexter books and they get worse after the 1st book. Though second season took none of the storyline from the 2nd book.

Andrew, Killer Bee wrote:I just finished watching season one. Good stuff, though it could have done without some of the lame subplots.

What subplots? I liked it all...

And Anarky-- have you seen season 2? Because it sets up for quite an interesting season 3... and there definitely will be a season 3.

Anarky wrote:Season 3 is going to be stretching it...

I've read 2 of the actual dexter books and they get worse after the 1st book. Though second season took none of the storyline from the 2nd book.

Oh, there's gonna be a season 3, you can bet on it. It's too popular and really, what else does Showtime have?

When? Well, that's another matter altogether. I think we'll be lucky to see it by next October, likely gonna come back in January, assuming the strike ends in the summer. We were lucky they had all the eps in the can before the strike.

Andrew, Killer Bee wrote:I just finished watching season one. Good stuff, though it could have done without some of the lame subplots.

Lame subplots? Were we even watching the same show?

I *heart* cable dramas. Network ones can suck my penis.

It seriously is like the difference between a PG or PG-13 movie vs. the R equivalnent. Why would you not want it more real? Cant stomach R? Then you arent living real life.

Fea wrote:

Andrew, Killer Bee wrote:I just finished watching season one. Good stuff, though it could have done without some of the lame subplots.

Lame subplots? Were we even watching the same show?

Umm, hello?

Hi there. I wasn't sure where I should introduce myself so I figured I'd just start posting. I'm Andrew's girlfriend, Fea. Nice to meet you.

Fea wrote:Hi there. I wasn't sure where I should introduce myself so I figured I'd just start posting. I'm Andrew's girlfriend, Fea. Nice to meet you.

G'day, ma'am!

You have just doubled the female quotient of this quaint little forum :-)

Fea wrote:Hi there. I wasn't sure where I should introduce myself so I figured I'd just start posting. I'm Andrew's girlfriend, Fea. Nice to meet you.

We traded Mental for a another girl. I agree with this policy.

Still haven't seen any proof that Andrew's not just faking a girl's voice on a different Live account. Isn't cross-dressing a national past-time down under? Nice try, Taumoefolau!

Fea wrote:Hi there. I wasn't sure where I should introduce myself so I figured I'd just start posting. I'm Andrew's girlfriend, Fea. Nice to meet you.

Why hello there!

Black Lotus wrote:Still haven't seen any proof that Andrew's not just faking a girl's voice on a different Live account. Isn't cross-dressing a national past-time down under? Nice try, Taumoefolau!

Cynic!

Zeus wrote:

Fea wrote:Hi there. I wasn't sure where I should introduce myself so I figured I'd just start posting. I'm Andrew's girlfriend, Fea. Nice to meet you.

G'day, ma'am!

You have just doubled the female quotient of this quaint little forum :-)

That's pretty impressive of me! I'm not surprised though. None of my friends are into games like me so I have to mooch off Andrew for people to talk to.

Gah stop ruining the Dexter thread!! Go play in Daily Stuph where this belongs

And welcome, btw

I have to catch up on this season of Dexter. It's hard to steal the TV away from sine and his shiny 360

I love the show. I was first drawn in by Michael C Hall because I was a big fan of Six Feet Under. Showtime has had a few good shows lately that I really got into: Weeds, Dexter, and Californication. Also rocks that I work for the cable company and I get lots of swag from networks, some of my favorites are a Weeds over sized clothespin (roachclip?) Dexter syringe pen, and grooming kit? I also had a very cool Rome snowglobe that had the Parthenon in it and the "snow" was rosepetals.

BTW, hi Fea! Glad to see a new member, especially a girl!

Yes I've seen both season of Dexter, and almost bought the 3rd book but I read a lot of mixed reviews so I may wait for a paperback copy

Ok, that was...by far...one of the best finale's I've ever seen.

Michael C. Hall vs. Johnathan Rhys Meyer for a Golden Globe? Who is your pick?

Barret wrote:Ok, that was...by far...one of the best finale's I've ever seen.

Michael C. Hall vs. Johnathan Rhys Meyer for a Golden Globe? Who is your pick?

Season finale was awesome... but who the hell are those 2 guys? I don't know actor's names

Dexter versus Guy who bangs Scarlett Johansson senseless in Match Point.

Hard decision, they're both f'in hot.

I vote for Scarlett, because she's f'ing hot!

Dang, the show reccomendation on this place are always right on the money. I watched the first 9 eps yeaterday and love it. Woke up from New Years around 12, started to watch around 2 and couldnt stop, lol.

Flip wrote:Dang, the show reccomendation on this place are always right on the money. I watched the first 9 eps yeaterday and love it. Woke up from New Years around 12, started to watch around 2 and couldnt stop, lol.

30 Rock and Arrested Development should be next on your list. And Six Feet if you haven't seen it