THE LEFTOVERS: HBO's nondenominational post-rapture series

join a cult, chainsmoke

Pilot is ok, disconcerting American Beauty vibe will hopefully wear off.

Went to bed halfway through, it seemed all kinds of turgid.

This shit is no better than Under The Dome, it has been a watershed moment for me in that I have happily/apathetically watched tons of garbage series' over the last couple of years. But this one has lead me to an epiphany event hereafter I can't even switch off any more and accept shit like this as background ambience when I am on the exercise bike.

Every reviewer has pointed to episode 3 being far better than the first two, so I'll check that one out. And I liked the first few episodes, though the American Beauty vibe is pretty annoying.

That seems to be a thing for prestige U.S. cable: the first two or three episodes are often kinda eh. Which would be more tolerable if they weren't 10 or 13 ep seasons. Not a lot of room for slack.

Better than network, though, where the first one or two seasons often suck before a show hits its stride.

xpost No way is this as bad as "Undet the Dome"

so bad i can't even spell it

Yeah, tv-series are tough to get up and running, almost no series arrive fully formed. Don't think that is so weird, really, everybody - from the actors to the writing room - has to figure out what kind of show they are making. But I don't think these two episodes have been as boring and unfocused as for example Deadwood, it's just that the third episode is supposed to be really good.

wtf man first season of deadwood is magnificent

Had to try three times to get through... But once it clicked I loved it.

Sorry, completely off-topic.

Hey Frederik, sorry if this is an impertinent question. Are you a film student? Not trying to be an arse here, just asking a question out of genuine curiosity.

"Deadwood," one of my favorite shows of all time, I recall starts out strong enough, but I felt most confident recommending people stick it out at least to the shocking death (ep 4) and then certainly to the Kristen Bell episodes (7 and 8). I told folks, basically, even if you don't like it, or don't like it that much, just wait.

Hell, I need to rewatch "Deadwood."

I re-watched series 3 recently and enjoyed it more than the first time, it is a brilliant series and I still wish there was something as good as it now.

I don't think these two episodes have been as boring and unfocused as for example Deadwood, it's just that the third episode is supposed to be really good.

― Frederik B, Wednesday, July 9, 2014

no matter how many times I read this I can't get it to make sense. is it just that deadwood shits on this vague muddle from such a great height that the turds haven't even landed yet?

i mean don't get me wrong imma keep watching and i'll be happy if it gets more focused and/or interesting because hey "THE ICE STORM meets LOST but with mystery bagels instead of polar bears" sounds pretty good to me...

lol mystery bagels

i am going to put $10 on that being "lindelof flair"

Hey Frederik, sorry if this is an impertinent question. Are you a film student? Not trying to be an arse here, just asking a question out of genuine curiosity.

― festival of labour (xelab), 10. juli 2014 03:05 (8 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Nope, way off. Cultural studies. ;) And I'm done.

If there is an ending set for this, which should be a requisite for a Lindelof series, plus the fact that it's based on a book, how many seasons are we taking? Don't the writers have to have that planned out like, before the show starts? I mean that's one of the reasons true detective was so satisfying. A set end.

Well, in this case, I think a set ending would work against the feel of the series. Kinda like with Walking Dead. It's supposed to be a never-ending nightmare.

L O S T had a set end, and where did that get us?

So did people see last nights episode? It was... something.

"Lead actress is Whoah nelly hotness" who is this then? Liv Tyler?

last night was great.

andie mcdowell's daughter

andie mcdowell isn't on the show but I guess you're talking about the teenager

oh she actually is andie mcdowell's daughter, I see

ep was indeed something. no mystery bagels, just mysterious ways. nice and tight. felt like an old twilight zone or something.

That is the second time Eccleston has played a character who finds a large stash of money and takes it into a casino to put it all on red. Referring to the episode of Jimmy McGovern's Accused from a few years back.

Is this worth watching? It's difficult to tell from this thread.

it's difficult to tell from the first 3 episodes of a show! i would say 'yes,' though, i'm sticking with it to see what happens.

seems like so far the worst thing anyone has to say about the show is that Lindeloff is involved

I liked the pilot a lot; haven't checked the next two episodes yet.

Well, some of the dialogue is too Lindeloffian in the sense of being clichéed and overwritten. But I'm okay with that. I've come to the conclusion that the third episode was brilliant.

It was the only episode I have liked so far, Ecclestone is always at his best playing broken, desperate characters.

ecclestone-centric episode is amazing, the others have been good. preview of entire series makes it look like some fucking crazy shit eventually happens.

Watched the first three of these today and although the third was much better than the first two, that didn't imply by any means they were bad. I'll keep watching, for sure. The release of information has been just about right to build intrigue without giving it all away, and there definitely aren't too many plot threads.

When the two teenage girls were following Ecclescake's sister I got a massive Twin Peaks vibe off it.

It's not the show I hoped for. It's definitely a let down, but on the other hand there is something about this show. Something about its atmosphere, the way it feels and the mood it conjures that I really like. The soundtrack is amazing.

Show is good but not enough to justify an hbo subscription. Also something off in Theroux's performance. It's almost comic somehow and seems out of tune with the other characters.

theroux's character is facepalmingly bad at almost everything in life.

the whole 'arg my shirts are missing' -- dude, go buy some fucking shirts jfc

"The soundtrack is amazing."

That Max Richter score is incredibly beautiful.

Maybe it's because it ticks all my buttons for TV, but I am loving this show. If anyone can tolerate a decent recap that says about everything I would have said about the last ep here it is.

The last episode is by far the best one yet. I love the Nora characther, and I also have hope now(for the show that is).

Going for the old "make every third episode worthwhile" approach, I guess?

Carrie Coon is awesome. (Also, apparently she is married to Tracy Letts. Neat!)

yeah Nora is great

About 20 minutes in I thought "I don't want the other characters, let's just make this show about Nora please."

otm

Forgot to obtain this week, thanks for reminding me. Although I don't know why I forgot because I love the show so far.

getting so good! last night's was pretty creepy feeling and awesome.

I said to Mr Veg last night, if they succeed at nothing else, they seem to have pretty much nailed the sad banality of a cult

Yes I am one of those people who looked for the contents of May 72 NatGeo