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stormkeeper_lovedorisI'm gonna do it! A post that will be of interest to no one other than myself. I'm going to write about TV shows I like. I'll categorize them three ways.
1. Shows I'm currently fannish about
2. Shows I’m not fannish about any more but used to be
3. Shows I really like but never got fannish about (this will be the largest category)
(FYI, I’m not including shows I watched a long time ago like Firefly or Buffy or X-men: The Animated Series though maybe I should do a separate post someday)
Oh, and I’m not going to sum up what each show’s about. I figure anyone can get that from Wikipedia.
Shows I’m currently fannish about
1. Spartacus
Why I liked it: An epic struggle for freedom. (No seriously. It is epic and awesome watching these gladiators and slaves fight for their right to exist). Sexy gay gladiators. (Sorry but it’s true). One gay couple were among the very few characters who survive through the end. Speaking of which, the ending was heartbreaking but it was brilliantly done.
What I didn’t like: The show often feels like it was made by a team of 14 year old boys. So much blood and violence, including like 10 shots per episode of blood flying out of someone’s mouth. Nudity literally everywhere, though at least it’s equal opportunity (and I liked it, sorry). Also, they reuse a few words to the point where it’s laughable. And by the 3rd season, I was sick of all the cameratime spent on the damn Romans and I just wanted more time for the ex-slaves.
What else?: It has a good, active fandom despite that the final season aired in 2013.
2. The 100
Why I liked it: It was the perfect storm for me: I cared about nearly all the characters, I was hooked on the plot, and the ships were absolutely on point (both queer and straight ones). I really liked the world-building and believe there’s endless fanfic and headcanons you can make with the characters and settings the show served up.
What I didn’t like: Well, there’s a lot but I’ll try to be brief: the show probably should’ve ended with S5 instead of S7; it does contain a legendarily horrific example of Bury Your Gays; and some of the other character deaths were really painful; the M/M couple I love got hardly any screentime, and S1 had an epidemic of cringe moments
What else?: I think both people reading this have tried to watch the show based on my rec and didn’t get into it. SORRY!!! I do seriously feel bad for wasting your time.
Shows I’m not fannish about any more but used to be
1. Agents of SHIELD
Why I liked it: This one was a sleeper agent for me. Didn’t love it at first but by the time I hit S3, I realized I was pretty hooked on the plot, and by S4 I was hooked on the characters. Also, the main ship is phenomenal (and straight! I can like straight couples!)
What I didn’t like: It is uneven at times. S1 was really slow and I nearly quit watching during it. I have mixed feelings about Coulson’s storyline but they kinda wrote themselves into a corner there. Also, any queer characters are few and far between.
What else?: Overall its ending met the criteria of satisfying and reasonable.
2. Star Trek: Discovery
Why I liked it: Right wing sexist shits hate the show so you know it's good. It has badass women of color everywhere. And a gay couple front and center.
What I didn’t like: Since S2, the plots have been…good enough but they haven’t hooked me as much as S1’s.
What else?: Extra points for having other queer characters, including NB ones, in addition to the M/M couple.
Shows I really like but never got fannish about
There will be a lot, so I’ll this in alpha order
1. Brooklyn 99
Why I liked it: So many reasons. It’s funny. It’s serious when it needs to be. Great ships. The finale was perfect, with the final season taking on policy brutality head-on
What I didn’t like: Not much? Sometimes they talk so fast I can’t get it all. Each episode is like 24 minutes long and you can tell they’re rushing it
What else?: I wish I’d gone full-on fangirl for it because it’s kinda perfect
2. Dark Matter
Why I liked it: It was great sci-fi to me, with characters I loved on a starship. Simple as that. Put interesting people on a starship and send them off, boom! S1’s ending had me on the edge of my seat
What I didn’t like: It was pretty low-budget, but I don’t care about that. There was a ship I wanted to happen and they tiptoed around it, but it never officially happened.
What else?: It was cancelled after 3 seasons so it ends on a cliffhanger with no resolution. Boo.
3. The Expanse
Why I liked it: This is sci-fi at its best. The setting. The detail. The characters. The plots. The writing. Primo.
What I didn’t like: Not much. The first ep was a bit slow. One of the actors is a dick and was kicked off the show at the end of S5 so that was kinda a mess, but I am glad they got rid of him.
What else?: Doris and I have watched every ep more than once. And I am glad to see that this show is pretty universally acclaimed.
4. Legends of Tomorrow
Why I liked it: This show is like an amusement park. There are great rollercoasters, a ton of junk food, some bland rides for the kiddies, but then more great rollercoasters. It’s weird, it doesn’t make much sense, but somehow it’s great! The characters especially just work well.
What I didn’t like: Well, there are lots of character shifts and changes, usually each season. We’re in S6 right now, and only 2 characters from S1 are still there, so it’s hard if you get attached to anyone. Also, S1 and the first half of S2 were duds.
What else?: OMG the F/F couple is chef’s kiss!! Spoiler alert, they get married at the end of S6 and I nearly cried, it is effing perfect. I wish could go full-on with shipping them, but like with Jake and Amy on B99, the bug never fully bit me for them though I do love them.
5. Manifest
Why I liked it: Idk it’s just good. I normally prefer stuff taking place in space or in the future or in the past, but for something that takes place here and now, it’s good.
What I didn’t like: I just hope it will all come together and make sense during its 4th and final season? Sometimes I have a twinge of worry that it will not.
What else?: There is a nice “surprise she’s gay” moment in S2 with one of the characters introduced in S1, and it made me very happy. But now they need to actually do something more with that other than just reference her ex a few times.
6. Never Have I Ever
Why I liked it: It’s funny! It’s topical! There are Indians everywhere and a hilarious teacher and a cousin dealing with sexism at work. I died laughing when it made fun of Riverdale.
What I didn’t like: Nothing? Make more already!
What else?: Bonus points for one of the main actors having been on Legends of Tomorrow. Should I make a list of actors who have appeared on more than 1 show here? Hmmmm…
7. The Outpost
Why I liked it: It just comes down to the fact that somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the characters. I really did. It just wrapped up its 4th and final season and the ending was effing perfect. A wedding. More than 1 happy couple. Effing effing perfect.
What I didn’t like: Character deaths, two of which were painful. (And one of whom came back – only to die again, wtf). Also it’s boring at times, it clearly had like no budget, it has no canon queer characters, and most reviewers don’t like it. Tagline: “The poor woman’s Game of Thrones”
What else?: So that’s a long list of stuff I didn’t like about the show. But fuck it, I still loved this show and am still happy about how well they wrapped it up. One of the actors is on Cameo and I just ordered a Cameo from him.
8. Q Force
Why I liked it: I mean it’s about a team of queer special agents. That is nirvana. Also: actual gay sex scenes. (What are we Spartacus???) And it’s hilarious.
What I didn’t like: I would’ve loved to see an NB character or a trans character. They don’t even have a bi character though I thought Stat could be bi or pan? But they never say it or show it. I don’t get it
What else?: Looks like the reviews were worse than those of The Outpost, so that’s pretty bad. It might not live to see a second season
9. She-Ra
Why I liked it: Girl power, queer characters, an epic battle of good and evil, and a bangin’ theme song. What more could I want?
What I didn’t like: I can’t think of anything?
What else?: That ending. My jaw dropped. Wow.
10. Star Trek: Lower Decks
Why I liked it: It’s really funny. Plots are good enough too. Bonus points for one of the lead characters (Beckett) making a passing reference to having dated both men and women – now we just need to see more on that subject.
What I didn’t like: This was no problem for me, but a lot of the jokes are Star Trek-in jokes that you won’t guess if you’re not a fan. Also I like 2 of the main characters (Beckett and Boimler) way more than the other 2 who are kinda boring.
What else?: Another Star Trek animated series is coming out soon. This franchise won’t quit and I’m livin’ for it!
11. Twelve Monkeys
Why I liked it: This show made the list largely on the strength of its ending. Because it was The. Best. Ending. Of. Any. TV. Show. Anywhere.
What I didn’t like: It ran for 4 seasons, and the middle 2 seasons sagged a bit. Also, the female lead is very conventionally-attractive while the male lead is not. You never do see the reverse, do you?
What else?: Really and truly the ending is so good that all flaws are forgiven. Oh, and Stevie from Schitt’s Creek is in it.
Speaking of which, several shows didn’t quite make the list like Schitt’s Creek and The Orville. I should go back and add them in, they were good, I mean come on the gay couple in Schitt’s Creek is perfect….
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Date: 2021-10-16 07:09 am (UTC)I'm not mad about watching some of the 100! I've watched plenty of shows I just never got that into. A couple of times I started watching a show that sounded appealing only to realize partway through the first episode that I ALREADY TRIED WATCHING IT. I've also watched SO many shows that I enjoyed but never finished. I love that there are so many great shows out there that we have tons and tons of options. And sometimes I love shows for different reasons. I keep hearing about The Squid Game on Netflix but I watched like the first 10 or 15 minutes and I just couldn't get into it at all.
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Date: 2021-10-16 09:53 am (UTC)I'm glad you're not mad about watching it. :) Squid Game is on my to watch list but I'm not in a hurry to get to it - and as you said, just cuz something is pretty hyped doesn't mean it's actually good.
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Date: 2021-10-16 04:44 pm (UTC)My friend at work who I often agree with about tv shows recommended squid game, but our photographer told us that they and their wife are both loving it but that it's gory and gruesome, which is very confusing because my friend at work is watching it with his tween daughter! There was some violence in the first 10 minutes or so that I watched but not enough that I would call it gory or gruesome.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-17 12:30 am (UTC)