tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post1598633412830055410..comments2024-03-18T13:50:45.615-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: FlashForward: How long is too long?Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58913523769592850952010-03-26T13:50:46.384-04:002010-03-26T13:50:46.384-04:00Ok, after watching the 3rd ep back? Bored now. And...Ok, after watching the 3rd ep back? Bored now. And can they telegraph things any worse? I mean, who wants to take bets that Sulu will be the father of what'shername's baby (see, I've forgotten the names of the characters just from the time I started writing this post)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-2810263942943196802010-03-24T10:20:38.064-04:002010-03-24T10:20:38.064-04:00I was prepared to give up on flashforward because ...I was prepared to give up on flashforward because of the gap and I thought it was losing steam before the hiatus anyway, but my wife wanted to keep watching. The first episode back the best episode imo. I remember being bored and wanting the show to be over in the hour long episodes before the break. But after two hours, for the first time, I was actually looking forward to the next episode.Jarednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50927952253340491492010-03-21T21:16:50.840-04:002010-03-21T21:16:50.840-04:00He's not, clearly. As the "morally grey a...He's not, clearly. As the "morally grey and mysterious" he's the only real tension the show has. He will be the almost-villain of the show for its entire existence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-44621256462360286872010-03-21T18:35:51.256-04:002010-03-21T18:35:51.256-04:00I gave FF another try last night at hulu as I had ...I gave FF another try last night at hulu as I had read it had been retooled. It has definitely been written stronger but making it the Dominic Monaghan show is not my idea of entertainment. I'm not sure if I'll watch any new episodes unless someone can promise Dominic's character is going bye-bye real soon.abie normalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-61713852033022690952010-03-20T06:52:40.823-04:002010-03-20T06:52:40.823-04:00I hadn't given up on FF, but after watching th...I hadn't given up on FF, but after watching the new eps, that's it for me. It's really stupid, based on embarrassing pulp-science that should have remained buried in old Trek series. What's on the checklist?<br /><br />CERN particle experiment causing a cataclysm - check. Tachyonic Dark Matter (coz normal dark matter isn't exotic enough) technobabble - check. Immunity from effects of said technobabble - magic ring, check again. Religious nut-job spruiking salvation because he's seen the light- check. Seriously? Thanks, but no thanks!Damiennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22000704464835052862010-03-20T00:39:59.510-04:002010-03-20T00:39:59.510-04:00I thought the reason for Fringe's little vacat...I thought the reason for Fringe's little vacation was having to do with the Olympics, and them shooting in Vancouver. <br /><br />I hope V finds it footing, but I've given up on FlashForward. The pilot was very good, but they didn't know what to do with the premise. I got sick of the characters viewing the possibilities very rigidly and without imagination. <br /><br />I like Caprica. If it would help, could Syfy maybe move it to Sunday night?Eriolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18202802872007912133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22818417077150268612010-03-19T12:55:54.087-04:002010-03-19T12:55:54.087-04:00I watched FlashForward tonight, the whole 2 hours,...I watched FlashForward tonight, the whole 2 hours, and thought it came back strong.<br /><br />More twists and turns, they went deeper into the what the flashforwards can mean, and best of all, some of the characters seriously became more badass.<br /><br />I watched it before the hiatus and plan to watch it the rest of the season.Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04141116552921424189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-47323019273309025622010-03-19T11:21:28.428-04:002010-03-19T11:21:28.428-04:00>I just noticed that with "Gossip Girl&quo...>I just noticed that with "Gossip Girl". Today I watched last and this week's episode and I had a hard time getting into the story again after this four month break.<br /><br />The show with which I had a really hard time doing htis was Veronica Mars. The "Previously On" confused me so much, I went to look for ep guides and found that even those were not good enough. I really needed marsinvestigations.net - thankfully someone had created it. great site.<br />Watched some season 1 Gilmore Girls from ABC Family last night. So dark and not shiny after the DVDs.Pamela Jayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135379188588301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59785524270042137572010-03-19T11:13:56.232-04:002010-03-19T11:13:56.232-04:00So, I watched it tonight, despite the fact that I ...So, I watched it tonight, despite the fact that I thought FF was horrible in the fall. It wasn't as horrible last night, but it was still really bad. Bits and pieces were better, especially the decision to focus on and more clearly define the Dominic Monaghan character, but it was still pretty bad. I won't be back next week.<br /><br />The problem with FF, and with all these Next Lost shows, is that they are trying to start of by doing Lost, Season Three, Four, or Five. None of them are laying any of the ground work Lost did.<br /><br />Actually, that's not the only thing. They are also just plain old stupid. Last night on FF, the FBI let the guy who potentially caused the blackout, and who is the only person in the world who can help them figure it all out, run around with one FBI handler. He ditched that handler three times. She always caught up with him, although once it was only after he had already left the country, but it was still beyond stupid.<br /><br />That guy would be locked in a bunker with an entire marine unit guarding it. Obviously you can't do that in a television show, but you can't just let the guy run around the world all by his lonesome either, especially because his face has been all over the tube, and he'd likely be mobbed and torn to pieces as soon the public spotted him.<br /><br />Ok, that's just one thing. Take that one ridiculous thing and multiply it by twenty, and you get FF. They are not even trying. They are just saying, "Hey, shiny-shiny-SF-mythology over here. Come, drones, and worship."<br /><br />I gave it one more chance to see what change the new guys would make (and because I had nothing better to do last night), and they did make it better, but they only ended up raising it from a zero to a 2 on a 1-10 scale. Probably nothing more they could do with what they inherited, but I'm out now.Schmokerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03985960616299425129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23784192134960544102010-03-19T10:02:06.544-04:002010-03-19T10:02:06.544-04:00I'm giving FlashForward a few more chances, bu...I'm giving FlashForward a few more chances, but it is on very thin ice with me. None of the characters really stand out and the nature of the conspiracy just a little too vague to hold my attention. It's no Lost for sure.Col Bat Guanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11701639208292077115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-12877341152923929712010-03-19T09:08:27.432-04:002010-03-19T09:08:27.432-04:00CBS is proof positive that viewers will watch reru...CBS is proof positive that viewers will watch reruns. Many of their comedies and crime procedurals often perform better than original runs of most series on other networks. <br /><br />ABC and NBC have this unfortunate tendency to go for the high concept, serialized comedy and drama that does not repeat well AT ALL. <br /><br />They could very well stretch a 22-episode season order to 39 weeks of a TV season by balancing their mix of programming between traditional self-contained comedies and dramas as well as the more high-concept, more serialized programs. <br /><br />Perhaps "Modern Family" and "The Middle" are the beginnings of such a shift. <br /><br />NBC is just a mess. <br /><br />FOX has their formula all but figured out.Terrence Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09365112876091271689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72362882749440098812010-03-19T08:54:53.058-04:002010-03-19T08:54:53.058-04:00I completely agree with your suggestion - I like t...I completely agree with your suggestion - I like the idea behind Flash Forward, and I think you could do something interesting with it, either by purely playing it as a conspiracy thriller, or as a drama about people trying to find their feet after a global catastrophe. <br /><br />Unfortunately, this show tries to be both and ends up being neither: they play like a mix between a lame 24 clone and a really phoney melodrama about allegedly "normal" people who are so artificial you'd expect the stuffing to come out at any moment.WendyWatsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04190046021374370541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22881393779612570252010-03-19T07:13:05.566-04:002010-03-19T07:13:05.566-04:00I am opposite of Allison, because I am looking for...I am opposite of Allison, because I am looking forward to seeing V again - well, at least more than I did FF. I think the problems in V are perhaps something that could be fixed in the hiatus (here's hoping!) whereas there are so many different problems on FF that need fixing. And no, I don't think last night's episode (which I condensed to about an hour with "fastforward"ing) did anything too much to help. I suppose it's improved on itself, but at best it's all right. <br /><br />But having watched it, I'm now convinced I've thoroughly lost my interest in the show and what the ff mystery is anymore - and I care even less about the characters (though DM was pretty interesting in the episode - but too little, too late), which is a shame because other than JF (granted he has to work with a character that's not written well, I could imagine other actors who might've made this character work. JF simply sucks all joy out of a scene for me), I like a lot of the actors in the show.belindanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88793346652279191702010-03-19T02:38:16.315-04:002010-03-19T02:38:16.315-04:00I don'think FF is great television - and Fienn...I don'think FF is great television - and Fiennes is terrible, but I'm quite enjoying it, and I've been looking forward to it coming back. Certainly more than V. But I find the idea of how people would react to possible predestined future fascinating, and I've liked some (not all) of the exploration of that. When that is resolved, I might not want to stick with it. And I find V predictable and the characters pure cliches. except Morena Baccarin's character - she lights the screen.Ada-Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10515811554518736780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21146271429950020702010-03-19T00:45:49.375-04:002010-03-19T00:45:49.375-04:00I still remember the opening line:
"She'...I still remember the opening line:<br /><br />"She's dead. Wrapped in plastic..."<br /><br />Twin Peaks was probably the best serialized drama I've seen and one reason is the story hooked me right away. Just like for film you have to hook people as soon as possible with a great story. Then comes the acting and that is more of a crap shoot. I remember the stiff acting on the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and was worried it wouldn't make it until the acting started to gel.<br /><br />The problem with high concept serialized dramas is they can't last long or you either bore the audience or mess up the story telling.<br /><br />The 2nd season of Twin Peaks petered out and it seems all the other serialized dramas lose out after 1 or 2 seasons.<br /><br />They should start using the USA Network model and do a 13 episode fall and 13 episode spring and rotate it with another drama that will give the writers time to write great scripts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34487572050669548302010-03-18T23:21:39.019-04:002010-03-18T23:21:39.019-04:00viewers liked the ideas behind the shows better th...<i>viewers liked the ideas behind the shows better than what the shows were doing with those ideas</i><br /><br /><i>made me wonder if *anyone* could make an interesting show out of that premise and those ideas. It's a very complicated idea</i><br /><br /><br />Those two comments pretty much summed up my frustrations with FF.<br /><br />If anything, Caprica proves you can do a very complicated show well (seriously, try the old hollywood maxim of writing that idea on the back of a business card and see how far you get), and neither confuse nor bore your viewers. <br /><br />While I thought tonight's first hour was a wreck, with all the problems that made so many of the early episodes lame, the second hour really came thru -- mostly because it showed smart characters actually BEING SMART (it also focused on Christine Woods' Janice, the only character I find remotely interesting.)<br /><br />So now I guess I have to see the show through to the end. If that sounds bitter or resigned, I will say this show is STILL miles better than the novel, which utterly squandered its premise.Jape77http://japenet.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30439863159592549602010-03-18T22:54:07.011-04:002010-03-18T22:54:07.011-04:00viewers liked the ideas behind the shows better th...<i>viewers liked the ideas behind the shows better than what the shows were doing with those ideas</i><br /><br /><i>made me wonder if *anyone* could make an interesting show out of that premise and those ideas. It's a very complicated idea</i><br /><br /><br />Those two comments pretty much summed up my frustrations with FF.<br /><br />If anything, Caprica proves you can do a very complicated show well (seriously, try the old hollywood maxim of writing that idea on the back of a business card and see how far you get), and neither confuse or bore your viewers. <br /><br />While I thought tonight's first hour was a wreck, with all the problems that made so many of the early episodes lame, the second hour really came thru -- mostly because it showed smart characters actually BEING SMART (it also focused on Christine Woods' Janice, the only character I find remotely interesting.)<br /><br />So now I guess I have to see the show through to the end. If that sounds bitter or resigned, I will say this show is STILL miles better than the novel, which utterly squandered its premise.Jape77noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-92046294174762012692010-03-18T22:09:20.570-04:002010-03-18T22:09:20.570-04:00I'm recording, and will probably check it out....I'm recording, and will probably check it out. Seeing more Ricky Jay is enough of a reason to try it againHMM2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34010238436696481192010-03-18T21:51:38.768-04:002010-03-18T21:51:38.768-04:00Personally, I don't have any problems with lon...Personally, I don't have any problems with long in-season breaks - in of themselves they are never the reason I'd drop a show (ok maybe an underwhelming show with a Battlestar Galactica-style year long break). I would think most people would be the same. Then again, the entire idea of lead-ins and retention doesn't make sense to me...but clearly both phenomena are real, so there you go.<br /><br />As Alan has noted, given the economics of the production and scheduling sides of the TV business, the set-up of 22 episodes airing September to May in two or three bunches is a pretty good compromise. <br /><br />Ideal for viewers would probably be a set of shows airing 13 episodes straight in the fall, then a different set of shows airing 13 episodes straight in the spring. Interestingly, more reality shows are airing this way. Comedies seem to be hurt least by the traditional non-bunched schedule.<br /><br />As for this year's specific shows, I'll keep watching until the end of the season, but Flash Forward has been bad and will be easiest to let go if it doesn't improve. I agree that V has a better shot - fewer episodes in, promising showrunner, on balance a better cast.Number Fivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7022316331084920052010-03-18T21:07:15.228-04:002010-03-18T21:07:15.228-04:00I really wanted to like FF --I even read the book ...I really wanted to like FF --I even read the book prior to watching the series. The book was excellent, but the series is completely different story-wise. I think the series might have worked better if it had followed the characters from the book more closely. My biggest problem is I don't feel connected to any of the characters, and I actually dislike the main characters which makes it hard to connect to this kind of show. I'll probably keep an eye on the reviews, but won't watch more episodes until the acting/direction improves.<br />I will keep watching V, SGU, and Caprica, because while all 3 have their faults, they have their strengths as well. V airing 4 very good episodes and then deciding to go on hiatus was a very stupid idea. However, the story has potential and I really like the characters so far. SGU has very good actors and an interesting story, however there are definitely some issues with the flow of the story that I can see irritating some people. Caprica has an incredible story, but the acting has been a little iffy. I do like the characters and storyline enough to keep watching, because the more episodes I watch, the more it grows on me.Karmic Pathwayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00230829869550231391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60577850205806666202010-03-18T20:36:10.976-04:002010-03-18T20:36:10.976-04:00Not sure yet. DVRing it and I will watch it when ...Not sure yet. DVRing it and I will watch it when I get a chance. I liked the premise a lot, very creepy but intriguing. But the cast is 9ver the top and how the premise is playing out is not living up to the original ideas for me.<br /><br />I'd like this better if they had an end date, I think ;-))Charlotte Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65657225331570065702010-03-18T19:43:50.273-04:002010-03-18T19:43:50.273-04:00I just noticed that with "Gossip Girl". ...I just noticed that with "Gossip Girl". Today I watched last and this week's episode and I had a hard time getting into the story again after this four month break.<br /><br />And this was a show I actually wanted to see again.<br /><br />With "FlashForward" or "Stargate Universe" I am even less inclined to be too patient.DJ Doenahttp://doena-journal.net/en/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73152416713964978272010-03-18T19:41:31.906-04:002010-03-18T19:41:31.906-04:00I just noticed that with "Gossip Girl". ...I just noticed that with "Gossip Girl". Today I watched last and this week's episode and I had a hard time getting into the story again after this four month break.<br /><br />And this was a show I actually wanted to see again.<br /><br />With "FlashForward" or "Stargate Universe" I am even less inclined to be too patient.DJ Doenahttp://doena-journal.net/en/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85018408673048395422010-03-18T19:29:50.399-04:002010-03-18T19:29:50.399-04:00Eh...I'll watch it on Hulu over the weekend. I...Eh...I'll watch it on Hulu over the weekend. I am sticking with shows until I completely zone out halfway through or they royally piss me off, and while I'm not massively interested in FF or V yet, they haven't done either to me so far. So what the hell.<br /><br />I'm not terribly impressed by either, but I do like a few actors on each, so...jenmoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02647726303564119010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-86428267493087372182010-03-18T18:53:11.219-04:002010-03-18T18:53:11.219-04:00I'm undecided about giving FlashForward a seco...I'm undecided about giving FlashForward a second chance. I gave up on the show a couple of episodes before it went on hiatus because I felt it just wasn't going anywhere. A friend of mine filmed an episode where she'll be a guest star (the episode is to air next week) and I'll watch that, but whether or not I'll watch beyond that? Not likely. There's already too much on my plate (I gave up on White Collar for much the same reason) and with Justified now added to the crowded rotation (I have 14 series on my DVR manager), FlashForward can't do much for me.<br /><br />V is one show I'm willing to come back to because they aired just four episodes before shutting down, but like FlashForward, things MUST get going or I'll likely drop it.<br /><br />I'm already awaiting the return of both Fringe and Glee. Those are two shows I won't give up on for now.Henrynoreply@blogger.com