Day 29: Difficult Shows to Start

Have you ever wanted to what a show that you've heard about, only to find it difficult to get into? You can't start at current/later seasons, and starting from the beginning sometimes means watching episodes over a decade old. Not all of these shows age well and many of its fans love them due to loyalty or nostalgia goggles.

I've run into this issue with multiple shows, so I'm going to do my best to explain when certain shows should hook you. At the very least, I'll explain when they hooked me.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Somewhere in here, you'll get it.

This is a show I tried several times to get into, but the general campy-ness of the first several seasons really hindered that. Eventually I pushed through them because A) I've heard a lot of interesting things about the later seasons, B) the comics look very interesting and C) Nathan Fillion is in the later seasons.

So I toughed it out and am it is now one of my very favorite shows.

It wasn't until about the middle of Season 3 that I actually began to really, really enjoy the show. I don't have a specific episode, but, eventually, the character growth started to show and the relationships grew on me. The world had an interesting and sometimes unique background, and the future was relatively unpredictable. Also, there were enough supporting cast members that were interesting, and the show was pulling on its history at this time in a way I very much appreciate. It's continued to do that since then.

So. Get through Season 3 and you'll be hooked.

Angel

This show was another reason I wanted to get through Buffy. They are related series and I knew I couldn't start this until I knew the background. Even so, it took an entire season of Angel for me to get interested, and another full season for the show to shift up its gears. Now it is very unpredictable and the character relationships are very unique/unusual in their paths.

Get to Season 3. Not sure why it takes Whedon so long, but it's worth it in the end (well, still haven't gotten to the last season, but I'm working on it).

Firefly

This one is only on here because I've heard a lot of people are a bit apprehensive about starting this series.

It should only take the first episode to get interested, and the second episode to get hooked. These characters are amazing and constantly get better.

Even if you're afraid of the short series, don't be. It may be bittersweet, but it is worth it!

Lost

This complete set looks AWESOME!

This was a hugely popular show while it was running. Now that it's all said and done, a lot of folks see how long it is and have heard a lot of negativity about the finale and are put off.

It is a long show, but the twists and turns really are worth it. After the 3rd episode, you should be pretty hooked on the strange, strange dynamic between characters, of which the Island is a major player. Even when some of the seasons get really out there, the suspense is kept at a soap-opera level. And this soap-opera isn't just for your
grandmother (disclaimer: as far as I know, my grandmother doesn't watch soap operas, but I'm not quite sure who else would).

Warning: the ending of the series is lousy. Know that going in, but it really isn't a factor until the very last episode. I'm happy having taken the journey, even if I am a bit bitter about how it "wrapped up."

Big Bang Theory

This show is generally pretty easy to get into, but I see a lot of backlash from the Nerd-community due to its portrayal of Nerds as socially incapable. My suggestion is to actually watch the show from the beginning -- invariably, no one who I've spoken with that dislikes the show has ever actually attempted to watch it. This seems both humorous and sad to me, but it has happened on several occasions. It only took me the first episode, but I could see needing a follow up with the second to get some more exposure.

Yes, the characters are given very negative attributes along with their Nerd-like qualities. This is no different from any show that uses character archetypes and gives them negative qualities for comedic effect. Nerds just have some stigmas that still sting, apparently, and are on the defensive about the character portrayal on the show. Get over it -- you're probably not a genius AND a nerd anyways, so they're not reflecting you. And, if you've seen it since the beginning, the characters make many strong points for the Nerd community.

Also, Wil Wheaton guest stars as Wil Wheaton several times in the series.

Disclaimer: I'm not enjoying recent seasons quite as much, but at least the first few seasons are gold, and should only take a single episode to get into.

Trigun

This is an anime. If you do not like anime, you will not like Trigun.

If you like anime, it will only take you about three episodes to get into this show. At first, the main character, Vash the Stampede, is just too idiotic to follow. This is quickly explained and you see glimpses of the real character underneath, albeit briefly. From there on, you're happy to put up with his advanced idiocy to get the next glimpse of the man they call the Human Typhoon.

Also, you'll eventually meet Wolfwood, which should be enough inspiration to keep on keeping on.

Wolfwood's waiting.

Supernatural

This is another show that should take you about three episodes to get hooked. Seeing anything farther in will probably damage your opinion early -- this is a show that definitely needs the supporting character backgrounds/stories to make any kind of impact or sense. It starts off as a pair of brothers hunting monsters while trying to find their father. The monsters are interesting and the family connections are downright bizarre. Later seasons evolve into plenty of crazy scenarios, but the family relationship always remains a focal point.

Later seasons have tapered off a bit, but they do, eventually, add at least one episode a season with Felicia Day, so it's all good.

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That's all for now. There were a few more I wanted to touch upon, but they've slipped my mind. I'll do a follow up post when I remember!

Breaking News! "Superior Spider-Man"

I'm interrupting my normal Wednesday routine with this nerd-emergency.

Amazing Spider-Man will be ending after issue 700 and will be replaced with Superior Spider-Man under the Marvel NOW initiative.

This Spider-Man is stated to no longer be our "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man." Instead he will be a much darker character.

My reaction is something close to Sheldon's in this clip from Big Bang Theory:

Just replace the "Morlocks" with "Superior Spider-Man."

Slott explained he'll be going into his reinforced bunker once issue 700 hits. I'm pretty sure this is the same phrase used when Brand New Day hit.

Oh no!

(Exception: If it turns out they are SOMEHOW bringing Ben Reilly back and he's finally taking the title, I'll accept it. Otherwise, see the video. And I still hate the title.).

Update: Just saw this second image and read some even worse news:

First, it's not Peter Parker anymore. They already did this with Ultimate and, while that's working for them, they need to cut that crap out (again, only ok if Ben, though the second cover seems to argue against that).

Second, that cover looks like a sexual assault to me. We already had a villain Spidey during the Dark Avengers. You can't replace one of the most famous super heroes with a villain/douche. Just don't do it.

Third, Brand New Day (their last big change) broke up MJ and Pete. This big change shows an interaction between MJ and New Guy -- are they trying to bury themselves?

Fourth, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? A black and red costume? COME ON! We just did this with Scarlet Spider and Miles Morales, try something new. Hate this so much.

I saw a theory that Doc Ock somehow managed to switch places with Peter, since he apparently knows Peter is Spidey. That'd be fine for an issue or two, but the onset of a new series doesn't seem like it's going to be a minor thing. I hope that theory is bunk.

Unless they REALLY pull something amazing (yes, I'm using that as a pun) with this transition, I fully expect to see a mass exodus away from Spidey again (which happened around the time of BND). I'll probably be joining them if it's as bad as I'm expecting. It will go to show that they don't learn from their mistakes and don't care about fans at all.

It's a bit sad. For a fan boy, anyway.

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In other news, I haven't played much of Dishonored. I'm halfway through my second, harder playthrough of XCOM and have a hard time pulling away. I did play the the opening and first assassination mission, and I have to say, I'm impressed:

I enjoy the Steampunk setting, and I'm also getting a touch of an unspoken Lovecraft feeling. It's not horror, per se, but it is dark and there are mysterious things beneath the water, apparently.

In the first mission, I saw three major ways to complete my mission -- brute force (barge in, kill everyone and my target), indirect (use poison), and non-lethal (the most difficult sounding, though probably the most rewarding). I went for indirect, because it allows me to be sneaky, but not to the exclusion of a couple good fight scenes during my escape (because I'm terrible at being sneaky).

The levels remind me of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, in that, while the missions are linear, there are other quests/objectives on your way to the target. I helped a creepy, crazy old lady poison a distillery belonging to a bunch of thugs, as an example.

I also saw plenty of paths to use for getting from A to B. I chose to take the high road, teleporting across rooftops and the like.

You have access to all of your powers from the beginning, it's up to you to choose how you level them up by spending runes you find during missions.

I'm not far at all, but at the very least my first impression is positive. I'll do a further review when I finish the game.

Friday at the Movies: Upcoming Dates

Hi All,

Just some upcoming dates you should keep in mind in regards to TV/movies:


September 11th: Big Bang Theory Season 5 came on on DVD/Blu Ray.

September 14th: Resident Evil: Retribution comes out in theaters, if you're into this terrible bastardization of a much loved video game.

September 17th: Supernatural Season 7 comes out on DVD.

September 21st: Dredd comes out in theaters. Kind of looking forward to the reviews, if nothing else.

September 25th: The Avengers comes out on DVD/Blu Ray.

September 27th: Big Bang Theory Season 6 airs.

September 28th: Looper comes out in theaters. Will try to convince the wife to see this.

October 10th: Supernatural Season 8 airs.

October 14th: Comic Book Men season 2 airs.

I took a look at the October movie releases, and there isn't a SINGLE movie I want to watch. What a bummer.



I don't expect I'll see anything new next week, so I'm planning on doing a Top Five list of some sort. Not sure what genre I'll be looking at, I guess you'll have to swing by next Friday to find out!

Friday at the Movies - Pushed Back!

Hi all! I'm going through rigorous job training this week and next and so haven't had time to work on a Friday at the Movies post. I have, however, been working diligently on the Spider-Man costume post and I expect to be posting that tonight or tomorrow.

If you'll take that as an equal trade, awesome. If not, sorry! I'll take suggestions for next week if you'd like!

In slightly related news, the Wife and I are starting our annual Big Bang Theory marathon in anticipation of the next season's release in September.

If you don't watch The Big Bang Theory, you really, really should. It is one of my all time favorite TV shows, and I'm not normally a fan of sitcoms of any kind.

Ok, see you soon with some Spidey!