I have also been watching Foyle’s War and coincidentally, just finished season 5. I share your opinion wholeheartedly. I was glad that the son survived the war, despite being in one of the most dangerous occupations (Spitfire pilot). I’m getting it on DVD from my local library.
Looking forward to seeing what happens after the war.
We’re watching Untamed, also and both really like it. It’s listed as a limited series, but there is talk of a season 2. Fingers crossed!
Saw epis 2 and 3 last night. Wanted to watch more, but my eyes refused to stay open.
I like Foyle’s War partly because of the mannered way in which he goes about his job. He doesn’t throw his weight around, introducing himself as, “My name is Foyle. I’m a policeman.” And he rarely if ever gets excited or angry. He seems easy to underestimate.
We’re two episodes into Untamed. If the “law of the superfluous character” holds true, I already know who done it.
When he raises an eyebrow, watch out.
I’m currently catching up with SurrealEstate. In the latest season the characters still make it fun but I’m not really getting into the big season story arc. Previous seasons were better that way.
I’m 2 eps in too. Are you thinking it’s Ranger Milch?
My reasoning:
He pushed for the death being a suicide early on. And when it became clear it was murder, Milch gave the co-investigative spot to Vasquez, which surprised Turner. But if Milch is the guilty one it makes sense he wouldn’t want to actively be on the investigation. Also, he’s even more of a jerk than Turner.
We started Black Bird last night (Apple), based on a true story about a man who is in prison and is offered a deal by the feds if he can get a confession from another prisoner.
My money is on the chief park ranger. It’ a twofer. Superfluous character played by big name actor
I did think of that as well, but “trusted mentor who turns out to be a bad guy” is such a cliche, I sincerely hope not.
Finished Deadwood (HBO Max). I enjoyed it more than Inna, but I wonder if the show has kept its shine since it was last aired (2006)? Definitely meanders and the language is perhaps too florid (Inna had to ask me what people meant a fair number of times).
However, I like that it didn’t end with the good guys “winning” - life goes on, we take our lumps, decisions had to have been made. I also enjoyed that there were unreconciled plot lines, and that people would come in for an episode or three then disappear (especially those two teens in season one, the scammers looking for their ‘father’. Didn’t expect what happened to them, I was puzzled by their resolution, but then again… it was natural. They fucked up.)
Got REALLY tired of Farnum. Of all the main characters, he was the one that should have been killed off in season 2 or somewhen. My God, man, just shut the fuck up. Please. Calamity Jane also got irritating, but nowhere as much as Farnum.
I liked how the show was constrained by actual history, but then they didn’t have to have the historical George Hearst appear as a character. I can see them getting away with creating a fictional life’s story for Seth Bullock (also a real person) because very few people would have known of his real-world existence back in 2005, but once they brought in Hearst and made him the main antagonist… well, he had to win, didn’t he? Because in the real world he did win.
Ian McShane was the driver of this one for us. We found Timothy Olyphant to be rather bland - he had two acting moves, arched eyebrow and stone-faced fury, and they couldn’t place him only in situations where his strengths were always in play.
However, I wonder… is Justified any good? Let me know!
Reading some back history on the making of this show, I have never heard of John from Cincinnati… was it any good? Also, learning that they may have killed William Bullock because his mother was a complete monster as a stage mother is such a good story that I don’t want it disproven, lol.
There was also a follow-up “Deadwood” movie about ten years later, did you watch that?
And yes, “Justified” is well worth watching. Olyphant is much better in that than “Deadwood”.
Not to mention his entertaining cameo in The Good Place.
We actually started it last night, after the series finale. Got about 30 minutes into it before sleep caught up to us. Not too thrilled that the plot hinges on an obviously stupid decision by Trixie, but it’s interesting seeing how the makeup team aged everyone to 1889 standards.
Other than The Good Place, I think the only show I really know him from is Santa Clarita Diet, which I highly recommend.
I agree. I’m rewatching Justified now and am enjoying it. I also agree that Olyphant didn’t impress me at all in Deadwood but did in Justified. He’s also great in Santa Clarita Diet. ETA: Nina’ed on SCD.
Deadwood started my love of Ian McShane. Loved him in American Gods.
It might be time to rewatch Deadwood. I want to see how many more actors I recognize. I also think the ending annoyed me but as was said, it’s frustrating because of who “wins.”
I watched Rome at the same time as Deadwood, so might watch that. I have tried to get into Spartacus several times but I don’t find it as compelling.
Thanks for the discussion!
This show was so great and so intense, and the character’s hometown is this tiny little town in Illinois called Kankakee, I have friends there. That “other prisoner” guy does such a fabulous job being super-creepy.
William Sanderson has made a career out of being grating and annoying, even in a comedic role like “Larry” on the Newhart show.
Art Detectives on Acorn is pretty good. Terrible title though.