# Orphan Black. Blindspot. 12 Monkeys. Blacklist. No SDMB love?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [April 19, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645 "2016-04-19T14:19:53Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/1 "2016-04-19T14:19:53Z")
I find it interesting that these shows, off the top of my head, don’t have enough of a dedicated following to warrant even a season-long thread.
It seems like these are they types of shows that in the old days would have a weekly thread with lots of participation. Mystery and intrigue abound.
And the activity for shows that used to get a lot of posts in weekly episode threads have dwindled to a barely active season-long thread (e.g. – The Amazing Race).
Then there are shows that have threads that appear and disappear in a flash burst. These seem to be the shows that are released all at once and don’t lend themselves to ongoing episode by episode discussion. For example, Daredevil and Jessica Jones.
I kind of miss the SDMB days of Lost (I did not see Breaking Bad but I suspect that had similar activity). Though the Game of Thrones threads have quite a dedicated and active following.
Is general participation in the SDMB down?\*\* Or is it just this forum? Or am I way off base?
\*\* That question is probably a topic for ATMB, but I wonder if apps like Quora have had a negative impact on the participation here.
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### Author:  [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2016, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/2 "2016-04-19T14:24:20Z")
There is a “Blindspot” thread, but I think in general it wasn’t much loved. Not sure about the others that you’ve mentioned. Some shows do have weekly threads, like Agents of Shield or Walking Dead. Some have seasonal threads, like Grimm.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/3 "2016-04-19T14:32:11Z")
> [@Algernon](#):
>
> I kind of miss the SDMB days of Lost (I did not see Breaking Bad but I suspect that had similar activity). Though the Game of Thrones threads have quite a dedicated and active following.
Lost, and the threads here about it, was fun. It was great watching the show and then coming here immediately after it ended and finding a _long_ thread already in progress.
Honestly, part of the problem is that there are too damned many shows. The head of FX last year noted in a speech that there were over 400 shows, counting broadcast television, basic cable, premium cable, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and the rest. So you’re forced to make choices, especially if you work or have any sort of social or family life. So I’ve never even seen some of the notable shows. In past decades, they would have been the best thing on television. Now, they’re just the ones I missed.
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### Author:  [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/4 "2016-04-19T15:25:28Z")
> [@ddsun](#):
>
> Some shows do have weekly threads, like Agents of Shield or Walking Dead. Some have seasonal threads, like Grimm.
True, the shows you mention still do have active participation.
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> Honestly, part of the problem is that there are too damned many shows. The head of FX last year noted in a speech that there were over 400 shows, counting broadcast television, basic cable, premium cable, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and the rest. … So I’ve never even seen some of the notable shows. In past decades, they would have been the best thing on television. Now, they’re just the ones I missed.
Good point. I didn’t consider that as a possible underlying cause of my perceived disinterest by our discussion community.
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### Author:  [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/5 "2016-04-19T16:11:38Z")
There’s an _Orphan Black_ thread started right after the season premiere.
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### Author:  [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2016, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/6 "2016-04-19T16:12:25Z")
**Orphan Black** at least has had threads every season, including this one. But participation just hasn’t been high and seems anecdotally to be declining, year to year. I know some folks expressed some frustration with last season, including myself early on ( it picked up again later IMHO ). But you would think it would be more popular with this crowd.
Then again as I type this I have to admit I’ve never watched even a single episode of the other programs you mentioned, so obviously I am part of the problem ;).
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### Author:  [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/7 "2016-04-19T18:30:35Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#):
>
> There’s an _Orphan Black_ thread started right after the season premiere.
How did I miss that? I love Orphan Black and went searching for it specifically.
> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> **Orphan Black** at least has had threads every season, including this one. But participation just hasn’t been high and seems anecdotally to be declining, year to year. I know some folks expressed some frustration with last season, including myself early on ( it picked up again later IMHO ). But you would think it would be more popular with this crowd.
>
> Then again as I type this I have to admit I’ve never watched even a single episode of the other programs you mentioned, so obviously I am part of the problem ;).
🙂
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### Author:  [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/8 "2016-04-20T15:58:26Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> Honestly, part of the problem is that there are too damned many shows.
Yes, perhaps Dopers can turn me on to another show I’d love. It was here that I first heard of several great shows!
Breaking Bad, The Wire, Sopranos are my all-time favorites. Justified was also very good. Right now my favorites are House of Cards, Americans, and Madam Secretary. Better Call Saul is a must-watch, but without the Breaking Bad connection I’d probably find it mystifying and pointless. Billions is OK, but I’d like something better. Orange is the New Black was excellent — is there a Season 4 yet? I’ll be happy to watch Fargo Season 3, True Detective Season 3 and Homeland Season 6 when they’re available.
I liked Orphan Black for a while, but one season was enough. And I’m kicking myself for wasting so many hours on Good Wife. :mad: (Is this a common psychological ailment? I increasingly hated the show, but continued throwing good hours after bad because I’d invested time meeting the characters. :smack: )
What good shows past or present, am I missing?
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### Author:  [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/9 "2016-04-20T17:07:52Z")
The only program on that list that I’ve seen is **Blacklist**.
If there was a weekly thread on it I would be there each week to as why James Spader is turning in a 5 star performance and Megan Boone (female lead) continues to play a wooden character intent on making bad decisions and remaining clueless.
I don’t completely blame her. Sometimes I think that she’s simply a victim of bad writing. It’s like the good writers create Spader dialogue while the Boone gets stuff written by 8th graders.
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### Author:  [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2016, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/10 "2016-04-20T17:11:15Z")
Who has time to watch these shows or discuss them on the Internet?
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### Author:  [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/11 "2016-04-20T18:22:02Z")
> [@ddsun](#):
>
> There is a “Blindspot” thread, but I think in general it wasn’t much loved. Not sure about the others that you’ve mentioned. Some shows do have weekly threads, like Agents of Shield or Walking Dead. Some have seasonal threads, like Grimm.
I haven’t seen the “Blindspot” thread in a long time. I’m not sure if anyone has posted to it since about ep.3. I was thinking recently of searching for it and bumping to ask if anyone else besides me was still watching it.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/12 "2016-04-20T18:23:27Z")
I’m liking 12 Monkeys, Helix, and The Last Ship.
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### Author:  [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/13 "2016-04-20T18:28:13Z")
> [@Shoeless](#):
>
> I haven’t seen the “Blindspot” thread in a long time. I’m not sure if anyone has posted to it since about ep.3. I was thinking recently of searching for it and bumping to ask if anyone else besides me was still watching it.
Well, I’m still watching too.
And there must be others besides you and me because it just got renewed for a second season.
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### Author:  [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/14 "2016-04-20T18:31:08Z")
> [@septimus](#):
>
> And I’m kicking myself for wasting so many hours on Good Wife. :mad: (Is this a common psychological ailment? I increasingly hated the show, but continued throwing good hours after bad because I’d invested time meeting the characters. :smack: )
I think you are right that it is a common psychological ailment. I continue to watch both Grimm and The Walking Dead, even though I hate myself afterwards.
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### Author:  [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)
#### Post date: [April 23, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orphan-black-blindspot-12-monkeys-blacklist-no-sdmb-love/752645/15 "2016-04-23T00:29:10Z")
> [@Algernon](#):
>
> I think you are right that it is a common psychological ailment. I continue to watch both Grimm and The Walking Dead, even though I hate myself afterwards.
I don’t hate myself after those quality shows, but I kinda do after each and every Grey’s Anatomy that I can’t seem to not watch. It’s not even the oddly watchable trainwreck sort of dreck like every season of American Horror Story is, it’s just dreck, period.