Another weird fact vs. fiction which is a small S2 spoiler: Ellen Wilson seemed likely to be based on Sally Ride (particularly keeping her sexuality private), but then Sally Ride also becomes a character on the show!
― Vinnie, Saturday, 10 July 2021 04:24 (two years ago) link
This is so good, says I 1/3 of the way through S1.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 11 July 2021 18:56 (two years ago) link
:D
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 11 July 2021 19:25 (two years ago) link
WVB stuff is incredibly well done imho
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 11 July 2021 20:19 (two years ago) link
Probably didn't need to hide that, but who knows.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 11 July 2021 20:24 (two years ago) link
James: agreed -- I thought it a very important thing to show people who are urbane and charming were capable of being complicit in atrocities, and also the human cost of scientific progress.
S2: early on when Tracy eyes Danny all grown up, it was REALLY uncomfortable because of the smaller age difference between the actors.
― Gemini Cricket (Leee), Sunday, 11 July 2021 22:39 (two years ago) link
Yes, at first I thought they were going to shy away from von Braun's past, but they really DID NOT
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Monday, 12 July 2021 08:13 (two years ago) link
If I may go there, while there are some obligatory retro quotation marks, all the personal emotional relationship stuff is deeply, um, relatable, those quotation marks are not at all of the moronic ironic scary variety, as someone like our old friend Momus may have described them.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 15:57 (two years ago) link
Feel like maybe that is TMI. We don’t talk about those things.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 20:01 (two years ago) link
Houston, how long until that TMI?
can you re-state it in a less oblique way? sorry to be dim but idgi
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 20:53 (two years ago) link
Sorry I was obfuscating. Just feel like the characters aren't just stranded in their fate in the alternate timeline past. There is some bit of self-awareness in them under the uptightness. Which seems to have been done pretty carefully, so they seem both of their time but more up to date as well. I imagine this becomes more apparent later, I am only in the episode after "Hi, Bob." Don't know if I have explained any better this time around, sorry.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 21:17 (two years ago) link
Maybe I just don’t watch enough tv these days and every show already does a good job of avoid this trap 🪤 I imagined while I was suffering from space isolation
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 21:31 (two years ago) link
Or, to paraphrase what I think JM said on this thread or maybe it was the other, I came for the tech fetish but stayed for the characters.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 21:34 (two years ago) link
Okay, maybe I didn't want to go there, but I am especially relating to some of the stuff about being married and being a parent, the way it is handled.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 22:01 (two years ago) link
the parenting / marriage stuff is so good, and it just gets more impressive/affecting/devastating as it goes i know Moore only had a hand in writing a few episodes but careerwise his strength as a show runner & writer has always been his ability find the humanity in characters over beating you over the head w tech/conceptthe writers are never so locked into the era/concept that they ever deny a character’s ability to respond like a human personit’s a really underrated quality
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 22:27 (two years ago) link
i bawled my damn eyes out over s2e3, let alone s1 — will need tear duct surgery soon if they keep it up
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 23:03 (two years ago) link
Roger, VG, you are go on that TMI.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 23:33 (two years ago) link
Showing the consequences on the characters' personal lives is a strong theme, and I think it's handled very well. Sci-fi as a genre doesn't have the best track record with it either
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 13 July 2021 23:51 (two years ago) link
Watching this episode now:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clvrPmTx4n4
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 13 July 2021 23:54 (two years ago) link
Also wanted to say it was driving me crazy wondering who that actor was until I saw in the credits it was James Urbaniak.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 00:17 (two years ago) link
So my ickiness at Tracy ogling Danny gets doubled down on in s2e7 when Danny kisses Karen.
― Gemini Cricket (Leee), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 00:46 (two years ago) link
Just you wait
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 01:32 (two years ago) link
Just finished S1. Now to see what this S2 is all about.
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 03:05 (two years ago) link
I get the impression that the creators of this show definitely watched Halt and Catch Fire. And it’s not just the parallel Gordons.
― mh, Wednesday, 14 July 2021 14:29 (two years ago) link
Hah ikr. Also, s2e8: THAT ENDING. OMFG talk about nightmare fuel.
― Gemini Cricket (Leee), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 16:59 (two years ago) link
S2E1 was kind of big adjustment for me but now getting into it
― Planck Generation (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 23:16 (two years ago) link
yeah its weird getting used to seeing Ed wuth a few extra pounds & riding a desk
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 23:32 (two years ago) link
I get the impression that the creators of this show definitely watched Halt and Catch Fire.
Another show I completely adored
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 14 July 2021 23:51 (two years ago) link
wow yeah the gordos are definitely of a piece
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 July 2021 23:59 (two years ago) link
Love this show, I feel one of the connections with Halt & Catch Fire is (for me) unfortunate and that's being a bit bashed over the head with seemingly unconnected period music, HEY it's the SIXTIES! Sitars!!! Jumping Jack Flash!!
Although that one Petula Clark song they chose was rad.
― Maresn3st, Thursday, 15 July 2021 00:36 (two years ago) link
yeah some of the music cues have been kinda dumbcan’t remember which ep it was but early in season 1 i got in an argument w mr veg about a better song choice for one of the cues & he was basically like “why are u like this” lol
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 15 July 2021 00:59 (two years ago) link
I would speculate that it could be because they're mixed way up and positioned in this slightly obnoxious, Good Morning Vietnam sorta fashion.
Fully expected Gimme Shelter to appear at some stage (well, S1 EP9), it's like the Helvetica of period film music.
― Maresn3st, Thursday, 15 July 2021 01:36 (two years ago) link
love to hear what John Lennon would have thought about a moonbase
― mh, Thursday, 15 July 2021 12:40 (two years ago) link
iirc that's what the song "Jealous Guy" is about
― Vinnie, Thursday, 15 July 2021 22:19 (two years ago) link
I didn’t get the burn right And made you missThe TLI
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 15 July 2021 23:41 (two years ago) link
I didn’t want to burn fuelUntil the LOI
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 16 July 2021 00:31 (two years ago) link
Finished S2. Generally, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as S1, for the more bureaucratic orientation of the action, which was nearly all backloaded into the final 2-3 episodes, while all the melodramatic swerves were a little overwrought (the whole Karen/Danny thing was -_-). Even in episode 9, the maneuvering to set up the climactic finale felt heavy-handed, with some very unsubtle foreshadowing that made all the military characters seem like trigger-happy idiots, where every problem has a gun/missile solution. BUT -- jeeeeezis that finale turns things around. I'm not sure I buy Ed's sudden turnaround to fire on Sea Dragon, but the Stevenses? Right in the feels. However, the reveal that Sergei is being forced to try to turn Margo felt heavy-handed too, but I think that's my intense desire for a happy (or more accurately speaking bittersweet) ending.
― Gemini Cricket (Leee), Friday, 16 July 2021 04:07 (two years ago) link
Okay, settling into S2. Agree about some of the musical (mis)cues I guess, but it doesn't really bother me that much for the most part.
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 16 July 2021 14:33 (two years ago) link
Lking some of the incidental original music though. Just heard some nice Philip Glass-style strings that seem to occur quite often, during an important discussion at the Baldwin house.
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 16 July 2021 22:43 (two years ago) link
S2 Gordo reminds me of C or D: Emitt Rhodes?
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 16 July 2021 22:50 (two years ago) link
The period music thing feels a little more toned down in S2.
― Maresn3st, Friday, 16 July 2021 23:27 (two years ago) link
yeah def
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 16 July 2021 23:32 (two years ago) link
I feel like the cliche is that 70s period music lends gravitas, whereas 80s music does the opposite. I'm sure there are many counter examples to that (The Americans had a few), but that's my general impression as someone that watches way too much TV
― Vinnie, Saturday, 17 July 2021 04:25 (two years ago) link
I mean that across all TV/movies, not this one specifically, but might explain why they would use less period music in S2
― Vinnie, Saturday, 17 July 2021 04:26 (two years ago) link
It’s just the LOI, watch outIt’s just the LOI, look out, babeIt’s just the LOI
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 17 July 2021 11:50 (two years ago) link
S2E6Loving this discussion about Laika over what seems to be a Ramones song I can’t hear loud enough to identify
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 18 July 2021 01:17 (two years ago) link
Also liked Tracy talking to Deke’s memorial/burial site
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 18 July 2021 01:46 (two years ago) link
.
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 18 July 2021 21:40 (two years ago) link
Made it to the end of S2.
― Two Severins Clash (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 18 July 2021 22:34 (two years ago) link
The attempt to send the asteroid to earth failed. Soviet chain of command just sends you to the gulag if your task fails and Margo was under her direct supervision and took the blame for the asteroid's diversion.
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 16 January 2024 14:51 (two months ago) link
She would have been in deep shit even without the Margo angle, but with it, double deep shit
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 16 January 2024 14:52 (two months ago) link
I didn’t get why Margo’s boss revoked her diplomatic immunity to let the Americans lock her up (and why this treated as a cruel act). Federal Superman beats the hell out of the KGB prison she was headed to if she goes back to the Soviet Union!
― papal hotwife (milo z), Tuesday, 16 January 2024 20:00 (two months ago) link
I think she liked her? But yeah, Margo macguyvering a gulag escape plan with her cellmate Boris Yeltsin next season would have been a better thing to look forward to than sad Elon Musk conquers Mars.
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 16 January 2024 20:10 (two months ago) link
They very clumsily set up Margo as the new Werner. If we see her in the next season, it’s not going to be at NASA. Might make it out of federal prison and be stuck around a shabby apartment in the USI don’t think it was set up as cruel, just that both she and Aleida realized she got a raw deal all around after Sergei clued her in that it was Irina who played him to begin with, and now that he’s been killed and Margo took one for the team she’s out of cards to play. Sergei got the worst of it. Poor guy.
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 16 January 2024 20:33 (two months ago) link
That entire conversation where Margo tried to draw a parallel between her choice and Werner was clumsy as fuck, though. The human misery she was willing to accept was… earth not getting a giant supply of iridium sooner rather than later? The fact she was getting busted?
― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Tuesday, 16 January 2024 20:37 (two months ago) link
So not watching this that I don’t even mind reading the thread for spoilers.
― Pictish in the Woods (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 17 January 2024 00:09 (two months ago) link
Hope I am not overstaying my welcome with these irrelevant comments, like I did when VG told me to take my COUNTERPART commentary elsewhere and I ended up starting a new thread.
― Pictish in the Woods (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 17 January 2024 00:12 (two months ago) link
irrelevant comments ~about this show~ are welcome lol
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 17 January 2024 00:19 (two months ago) link
great job on making probably the least sympathetic group of rebels I've ever seen in a movie! who exactly were we supposed to be rooting for in that ending?
― (•̪●) (carne asada), Tuesday, 23 January 2024 20:41 (two months ago) link
space
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 23 January 2024 20:51 (two months ago) link
Yeah agree, Ed and gormless Miles were not heroes. That one dark haired woman was, but geez I cant even recall her name now so they didn't flesh her character out well. Dev was a cockhead Musk-lite. Dani was completely useless as a leader, frankly. I thought she'd come in and kick some arses but under her (despite her? who knows) everything went to hell.
― Stoop Crone (Trayce), Tuesday, 23 January 2024 21:04 (two months ago) link
I preferred this season over S3, except maybe the parts of S3 where they're racing to Mars. countless plotholes and dropped threads as you all have mentioned, and I can't blame anyone for giving up on this show, but I'm still enjoying the ride. finale as usual had me gripped. this show is basically turning into an Expanse prequel
― Vinnie, Thursday, 25 January 2024 21:54 (two months ago) link
Can't believe they spent the first two thirds of the season setting up the upstairs/downstairs union plot only to abandon it in 10 minutes in order to hatch a plot to make a zillionaire God of Mars.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Thursday, 25 January 2024 22:29 (two months ago) link
If it was so easy to get that Mars glass back to Earth, why did it need to be a power struggle between the Russian guy and the dopey American? Also you want me to believe a bunch of Americans had been on Mars for 10 years without anyone thinking to try and send back Mars stuff to sell?!
― papal hotwife (milo z), Thursday, 25 January 2024 22:30 (two months ago) link
Also lol at being able to smuggle a load of actual people to Mars. Surely weight is strictly regulated plus how would they even survive/eat etc during the six months (or whatever) it took to get there?
― groovypanda, Friday, 26 January 2024 10:21 (two months ago) link
maybe oblique reference tohttps://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91gKbMrXH+L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 26 January 2024 19:24 (two months ago) link
I'm 4 episodes into season 4 and am wondering what happened to this show, was it always this stupid, and if the rest of the season worth carrying on?
― Selune Gomez (Leee), Thursday, 8 February 2024 02:46 (one month ago) link
it wasn't and it isn't
― Clay, Thursday, 8 February 2024 02:59 (one month ago) link
Bail out now and read a recap or two. Your time is more valuable
― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 8 February 2024 04:03 (one month ago) link
After they strapped a preganant woman to the outside of a spaceship I kind of mentally checked out of this show but I watched it anyway haha.
― Stoop Crone (Trayce), Thursday, 8 February 2024 04:35 (one month ago) link
Lol, pretty much yeah
― Al Green Explores Your Mind Gardens (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 8 February 2024 04:39 (one month ago) link
Can someone explain why Sergei was killed? Obviously it must have been the Russians that did it, but the Roscosmos lady didn't know Sergei was talking to Margo and Aleida, so why would she have ordered the hit?
― lord of the rongs (anagram), Sunday, 11 February 2024 17:57 (one month ago) link
Think was because he defected and they didn’t know where he was until he shows up in Houston.
― that's not my post, Sunday, 11 February 2024 18:34 (one month ago) link
But no-one saw him in Houston except Margo and Aleida?
― lord of the rongs (anagram), Sunday, 11 February 2024 18:44 (one month ago) link
I thought she did know, including their plans to escape and operate a space burger program in bolivia, and Margo sussed that she had Sergei killed, which factored into Margo's "revenge"
― Philip Nunez, Sunday, 11 February 2024 18:49 (one month ago) link
I must have missed that, but I have no idea how she found out.
― lord of the rongs (anagram), Sunday, 11 February 2024 18:57 (one month ago) link
the show never actually comfirms margo ever successfully evaded her minders so maybe they knew everything from the beginning?
― Philip Nunez, Sunday, 11 February 2024 19:25 (one month ago) link
Never explained how they knew about Sergei but very likely they had Aleida's house bugged/monitored since Margo was regularly talking to her and going there. In fact, my wife and I thought it was a bit silly that Margo met him there, but there's a bunch of stuff in the season that doesn't make sense
― Vinnie, Sunday, 11 February 2024 19:57 (one month ago) link
Real marshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy_RPd0rblI
It looks way too terrestrial though! It's weird how the show fits my bad SF-addled concept of Mars more than real Mars.
― Philip Nunez, Sunday, 11 February 2024 20:16 (one month ago) link
Also the scene when Margo met Sergei outside a diner stretches credulity because she would never have been allowed there without her minders.
― lord of the rongs (anagram), Sunday, 11 February 2024 20:29 (one month ago) link