# Series you've recently watched, are now watching or have given up on **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [July 9, 2021, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108 "2021-07-09T17:50:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 453
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9048 "2026-05-23T01:14:02Z")
Season 1 is a bit uneven but it’s worth getting through it for the rest of the ride. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9049 "2026-05-23T03:16:33Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I’m enjoying the animated version of **Devil May Cry** on Netflix (8 episodes). It’s by Adi Shankar, who worked on the animated **Castlevania** and who created the truly bonkers **Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix**. I’d compare it favourably to **Invincible** so far (and it has been renewed for a second season, apparently). Season 2 of Devil May Cry came out and it was just as good. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9050 "2026-05-23T12:41:01Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > The few episodes I’ve gotten through have just been so…dreary. The first season does have a lot of dreary. The rest of the series isn’t exactly _uplifting_, but maybe a melancholic optimism? I don’t like to tell people to suffer through hours of something they don’t enjoy to get to the stuff they might like. Coons’ performance alone is worth it to me, and Justin Theroux is excellent. Maybe read some recaps and see if it might have some light on your horizon? > [@hogarth](#): > > Sometimes the world looks perfect; nothing to rearrange. Sometimes you just get a feeling like you need some kind of change. Don’t think this went unnoticed. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![bmasters1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9051 "2026-05-23T12:56:58Z")
Nice _Perfect Strangers_ theme reference/shoutout, there! ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9052 "2026-05-23T19:23:48Z")
**Widow’s Bay**. Just caught the first episode (came out a few weeks ago) and it’s pretty good. Will keep watching. A mystery with a sense of humor. Particularly liked the scene at the historical society and the description of the witch trial… _as a source of pride_. **The Studio**. Also pretty good. I know it came out. While ago, but I only just started. I’m about halfway through. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9053 "2026-05-24T12:17:50Z")
The original **House of Cards,** with Ian Richardson relentlessly breaking the fourth wall in hilarious fashion. Sometimes you forget that he’s a ruthless conservative politician, willing to destroy anyone in his pursuit of power. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9054 "2026-05-24T14:31:39Z")
That (the original House of Cards) was great, as were the two subsequent series. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9055 "2026-05-24T15:08:10Z")
Just finished watching _Wonderfools_ on Netflix. Korean superhero/drama/comedy. It was completely carried, in my opinion, by the character Trainwreck/Eun Chae-ni. She’s simply adorable. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9056 "2026-05-24T15:59:04Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > Just finished watching _Wonderfools_ on Netflix. Korean superhero/drama/comedy. I’ve watched the first 3 (out of 8) episodes so far, but then I got distracted by other shows. It has too much plot for me to watch it mindlessly (like I do with some Korean shows) but the plot hasn’t really hooked me in yet. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9057 "2026-05-24T22:27:22Z")
**The Boroughs** on Netflix _Stranger Things_ with old people. We’re just a few episodes in and (barring some extraordinary misdirection) I’m pretty sure we’ve already figured out the mystery. They are being way too generous with clues about the true nature of the antagonists. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9058 "2026-05-24T22:45:23Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > _ **Stranger Things** with old people._ That’s exactly how I described it to my wife! Being old(ish) people, neither of us are too enthused about movies or shows populated by people complaining about old people things, and there was a lot of that in the first episode, but I thought the premise was interesting enough to give it a little more time. We’re a couple of episodes in and it’s holding my attention. My wife is rather ambivalent about it though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9059 "2026-05-25T20:15:08Z")
Based on recommendations here, I’ve started **The Leftovers**. If not for the comments here I would likely have given up on it. As it is, I’m on S1E5 and wondering if it’s going to go anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9060 "2026-05-25T20:32:13Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > **The Boroughs** on Netflix > > _Stranger Things_ with old people. You ain’t kidding, given the pedigree. The Duffer brothers are advertised as being attached to this series as well, along with the weird and creepy ‘Something Very Bad is going to Happen” that they were producers on. They seem to be cornering the market on Netflix supernatural series. After one episode, my theory is that the creepy giant spider-like creature is not actually killing the residents of the boroughs, but is Death showing up to take their souls when they die of old age. But it sounds from your description after several episodes I may not quite be on the right track. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Based on recommendations here, I’ve started **The Leftovers**. If not for the comments here I would likely have given up on it. As it is, I’m on S1E5 and wondering if it’s going to go anywhere. I could not get into the show either when I tried to watch it on my own, after my wife had watched it herself and said she loved it. I’ll be interested to get your continuing take on it. Some shows do take a little bit to get traction. I watched the first season of Breaking Bad on a DVD library rental after it had started getting buzz, and I was not getting into it. I almost gave up on it, but by season 2 I was hooked, and midway season 3 I remember saying to myself “this show is genius!” ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9061 "2026-05-25T20:49:25Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Based on recommendations here, I’ve started **The Leftovers**. If not for the comments here I would likely have given up on it. As it is, I’m on S1E5 and wondering if it’s going to go anywhere. Not to say it’s not “going to go anywhere” (whatever that means), but the show is as much about the journey itself as anything. It’s one of those shows that hooked me in the first 5 minutes. Like **The Pitt** or, for the same show runner, **Watchmen**. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9062 "2026-05-25T21:20:32Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > Not to say it’s not “going to go anywhere” (whatever that means), but the show is as much about the journey itself as anything. Yeah, I didn’t phrase that very well. I’m guessing that the mystery of the people who went “poof” isn’t anything that is ever explained and that the series is really just about how people cope differently under duress. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9063 "2026-05-25T23:03:46Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I’m guessing that the mystery of the people who went “poof” isn’t anything that is ever explained Well, if it is or isn’t, I can’t exactly tell you, now can I? FWIW, I have my opinion (on whether it is or isn’t). ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9064 "2026-05-26T08:33:30Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Yeah, I didn’t phrase that very well. I’m guessing that the mystery of the people who went “poof” isn’t anything that is ever explained and that the series is really just about how people cope differently under duress. You’re simply repeating the same criticism which is applicable here, but stay the course, I’d less say “get somewhere”, more “is absolutely worth it”. The first season is based on a book so is going to go a certain way, but after those reins are off, it becomes a different show set in the same universe. I’ve had people stop for exactly the same reason: too slow, all the characters are unlikeable, why should I watch it? Well, one mystery is solved, but in order me to say what, I’d have to state the mystery which is most of the reason for the first season, and is sort of staring you in the face. You’ve got past the fourth episode, which is a thing for Lindelof series, and is recurring throughout the series, at least for the second season: the priest episode (Lost had its big reveal in 4th episode of Season one) . This episode is a good intense episode and helps hook people. Nora helps a lot as being one of the few likeable characters. But if you want a summary of the overall arc of the first season and the series itself, it is what would the world be like if there is proof of god or an alternative dimension. And the world is not better. Apparently Lindelofs pitch for his cancelled Star Wars movie was “what if the Star Wars universe had the protestant reformation”, so he likes to mess with religion (and another show he had Mrs Davis was also very much about religion). ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9065 "2026-05-26T13:40:48Z")
We finished **The Boroughs** (Netflix). The mystery is pretty much wrapped up by the middle of the season and the second half is mostly capers, escapes, chases, and fights. But that’s okay. The character development and performances are all top shelf and the story is mostly just a vehicle for that. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9066 "2026-05-26T13:58:43Z")
We just finished The Boroughs last night. I’m not a sci-fi girl, but I enjoyed it and so did my husband. I guessed a few things correctly, but I was also way off on a few of my other guesses. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9067 "2026-05-26T15:25:34Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > We’ve got one more (two-part) episode left of **DCI Banks** which we will probably get through sometime this weekend. It looks like Annie is a goner although they left it as a cliffhanger for the final episode. Unfortunately the summary text for the final episode pretty much spoils it. Thanks Amazon/Britbox! Finished DCI Banks over the weekend. Turns out no big deal about the spoiler as it pretty much happens right off the bat. Not sure I was ever crazy about the relationship between Banks and Annie, sure seemed like a ticking HR timebomb. I think we will try to get a few other series wrapped up that we are in the middle of before starting a new Britbox murder mystery. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108.md?page=452) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108.md?page=454)