# 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:** 470
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9388 "2026-07-21T19:10:31Z")
From a prisoner transport vehicle that was abandoned on a railroad track in front of an oncoming train, with the other prisoners all escaped and the guards all dead or incapacitated. Even at that, Kimble delayed and risked his life to get the one remaining living guard out of the vehicle before it was blasted to hellangone by the oncoming express. I think that’s probably about as extenuating as the circumstances of an escape from custody can get! ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9389 "2026-07-21T19:13:52Z")
Really trippy is a good summary of The Prisoner. Saying anything more would be a spoiler. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9390 "2026-07-21T20:10:23Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > I think that’s probably about as extenuating as the circumstances of an escape from custody can get! I don’t disagree. But I would guess that had he been caught, he would have been given this additional charge. But a rather moot point, and one probably not worth further discussion. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9391 "2026-07-21T21:11:56Z")
Kimble stole stuff from a hospital, and didn’t he break into the one-armed man’s apartment? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9392 "2026-07-22T04:09:04Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > Also, regarding **Beef** , there were way too many instances of me being asked to read text messages. UGH! I hate that. > [@JohnT](#): > > Yeah, when your solution to proving you didn’t commit a crime is to COMMIT MORE CRIMES, I ain’t interested. or when they drag you back for “one more heist”- but you know that whatever they got over you will still be there, so it wont be “one more.” > [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > I just watched the first episode and it’s intriguing. That show is weird, but well done. > [@N9IWP](#): > > Really trippy is a good summary of The Prisoner. Okay, I can buy that also. But watch only the OG- the “remake” is terrible. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9393 "2026-07-22T14:19:58Z")
I don’t usually start a series that I know was canceled before it’s time. This time I made an exception with _World on Fire._ I wouldn’t have started if it was a long series. I just finished season one. What a cozy little war it was. Everyone knows everybody and every person was tied to all the others regardless of their background. It rang false on many occasions but it still held my attention. Lesley Manville was excellent. Sean Bean overacted beyond his abilities. Everyone else was adequate. I can see why it was canceled. The production values looked very high for a BBC production. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9394 "2026-07-22T14:57:27Z")
FYI, there was a second season of _World on Fire_. I liked it well enough but I get the impression that PBS has been looking for another long-running series to replace Downton Abbey in the hearts of its viewers and this was one of many attempts. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9395 "2026-07-22T15:02:47Z")
Yes I’m starting on season 2 but it was canceled after that. The excuse I read from BBC was about the production costs. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9396 "2026-07-22T18:00:53Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > He stole a guy’s hat at the St. Patrick’s parade. Nope, found it abandoned partially dented in a trash can. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9397 "2026-07-22T18:05:27Z")
Huh. I have a distinct memory of him yoinking the hat off some guy’s head, and the guy momentarily turning to glare at him before he disappears into the crowd. I’m either thinking of a different movie or TV scene, or I’m having a Mandela moment. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9398 "2026-07-22T18:10:11Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I’m either thinking of a different movie or TV scene, or I’m having a Mandela moment. Probably a conflation with a different film, I do it all the time myself 🙂. Here’s the scene, [with the hat retrieval at about 3:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zefwi16cOEE). ---
**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:** [July 23, 2026, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9399 "2026-07-23T14:14:51Z")
> [@solost](#): > > **The White Lotus:** Got it on the list to watch the latest season; haven’t got to it yet. > [@Loach](#): > > I can’t stand watching shows where I loath every character. I felt the same way about _White Lotus._ Loathsome in a not fun way. So we’re several episodes into the latest season, and I forgot what an uncomfortable watch the show can be, and yeah, how loathsome most of the characters are. Yes, rich tourists are often assholes, I _get_ it. And the soundtrack music, Christ… I know it’s meant to put us in a constant state of anticipatory anxiety about what may happen next, and mission accomplished. But it’s so loud and ‘in your face’ it’s very annoying. It’s called background music for a reason: try keeping it in the background. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9400 "2026-07-23T14:42:07Z")
_ **Human Vapor** _ (Netflix) Absurd science, hammy acting, histrionic melodrama. This was great! The Toho goofiness really hit my nostalgic sweet spot. It repurposes a lot of the characters and a few plot turns from the 1960 Ishirō Honda film but the story in this TV series is really a new take. A heads-up: the two best (most fun) characters don’t show up until the second or third episode and the scene-chomping boss villain not until even later. The special effects are quite good for a Toho product, designed by the same team that made _Godzilla Minus One_. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9401 "2026-07-23T16:23:08Z")
**The Last Ship** on NFLX. A cast of unknowns in a ridiculous plot. A guy in a helicopter with a machine gun can’t hit a stationary target, but a guy on the ground with a .45 nails his ass. But I’ll probably watch it out of boredom. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9402 "2026-07-23T16:47:50Z")
Still slowly working my way through _Daredevil: Born Again_. It’s fine, although I find myself frequently saying “If you’re worried that Fisk is going to turn the city upside down for you, LEAVE THE CITY.” On the anime front I will just note that new series _Tomb Raider King_ is basically a Temu version of _Solo Levelling_ - all the same notes, but lower quality writing and animation. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9403 "2026-07-23T17:53:31Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > A guy in a helicopter with a machine gun can’t hit a stationary target, but a guy on the ground with a .45 nails his ass. I mentioned a similar thing many moons ago- In the OG Hawaii 5-0, McGarrett is sitting near the pool. Far away, maybe on another island 😛 there is a guy with a sniper rifle - with a huge scope. The sniper fires- and misses- well it _is_ a really long shot. McGarrett rolls and dodges- so the 2nd shot misses. McGarrett then whips out a snub- nosed .38 and with one shot nails the sniper. 🙀 ---
**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:** [July 24, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9404 "2026-07-24T12:10:41Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > > [@Chefguy](#): > > > > Started watching **Margo’s Got Money Troubles** last night and like it so far. > > I meant to mention that I didn’t recognize Michelle Pfeiffer. I’m assuming it’s the garish makeup. I finished watching it a few days ago. Great cast: moderately interesting story. The CBC podcast Commotion had an interesting episode with erotic content creators discussing what the show got right and got wrong about the industry. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hPLanRMGUTg/maxresdefault.jpg "What TV is getting right — and wrong — about sex work") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPLanRMGUTg) ---
**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:** [July 24, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9405 "2026-07-24T12:21:02Z")
Finished S1 of Little House on the Prairie. It was pretty good, if kind of sappy, but not nearly as sappy as the original with Michael Landon. I see that they’ve greenlit S2. ---
**Author:** ![moes\_lotion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9406 "2026-07-25T04:40:30Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Absurd science, hammy acting, histrionic melodrama. This was great! Seconded, I really enjoyed this show. You may like the Korean show “The WONDERfools” also on Netflix. It has a very broadly similar theme of artificially created mutant superheroes/villans and stars Park Eun-bin who has become one of my favourite actresses lately. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108/9407 "2026-07-25T05:03:49Z")
There’s a whole thread on _Widow’s Bay_, but I thought I’d weigh in here, too, and say that I’m quite enjoying it. Which is a great compliment to the creators and writers, since it’s hard coming up with interesting new concepts for a series, and especially hard to come up with something that is both new and also appealing to this Old Dog who is steeped in tradition. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108.md?page=469) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/series-youve-recently-watched-are-now-watching-or-have-given-up-on/946108.md?page=471)