# Which of these TV series is worth watching? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 19, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259 "2012-10-19T18:52:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/21 "2012-10-20T02:59:17Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Planet of the Apes? Buck Rogers? Farscape? Smallville? > [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > _Red Dwarf_ _Farscape_, ding ding ding! > [@GuanoLad](#): > > _Primeval_. They’re making a US spinoff version, the trailer of which is [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K0-LK5jLyo). _Primeval_, got it. I am writing down all your suggestions, folks. What about _Heroes_? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/22 "2012-10-20T03:13:49Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > What about _Heroes_? The first season is great. After that, forget you ever heard of it. Unlike Lost (which was an incredibly worthy show the first three seasons but there’s no obvious stopping point before it begins assaulting you with the stupid) Season 1 of Heroes is self contained and can be enjoyed as a complete story on its own. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/23 "2012-10-20T03:13:59Z")
**Attack** , you mean _Grimm_, right? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/24 "2012-10-20T03:26:40Z")
Above all others – _The Wire_ Second to all others – _Game of Thrones_ Sci-fi(ish) \*Firefly Archer The Prisoner Space: 1999 \* Other great series: _Rome Deadwood 6 Feet Under Breaking Bad_ ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/25 "2012-10-20T03:49:06Z")
Which was the ancient Rome show with the young actor who died this year? Was it _Spartacus_, the one with Lucy Lawless, or was there another one? **Boyo Jim** , thanks for reminding me about _Rome_. That reminded me of _Kings_, also, but otherwise I’m not interested in cops or Westerns or crime or prisons (basically, lots of violence and rough language). I mean, _Torchwood_ is violent and dark – Welsh cannibals?? – but there’s a degree of remove because of the fantasy/SF element. What’s with these British shows with only six episodes per “series”? That’s hardly enough time to get going! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/26 "2012-10-20T04:02:13Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > Which was the ancient Rome show with the young actor who died this year? Was it _Spartacus_, the one with Lucy Lawless, or was there another one? > > **Boyo Jim** , thanks for reminding me about _Rome_. That reminded me of _Kings_, also, but otherwise I’m not interested in cops or Westerns or crime or prisons (basically, lots of violence and rough language). I mean, _Torchwood_ is violent and dark – Welsh cannibals?? – but there’s a degree of remove because of the fantasy/SF element. > > What’s with these British shows with only six episodes per “series”? That’s hardly enough time to get going! The guy who died was the lead in _Spartacus_. If you don’t like a lot of violence, you won’t like _Spartacus_. Or _Rome_, for that matter. _The Wire_ has less violence than either, at least on a per episode basis. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/27 "2012-10-20T04:18:05Z")
The US/Canadian version of _Being Human_ is good. It’s about a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost that are roommates. It airs on Syfy in the US. Season 3 will start in January. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/28 "2012-10-20T04:24:37Z")
Well but _The Wire_ is a modern day crime drama. _Spartacus_ is ancient Rome – far removed from the present day. Somehow arrows and spears and crucifixions are less bothersome than guns. Yes, I know I’m weird. 😃 ---
**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:** [October 20, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/29 "2012-10-20T04:38:54Z")
I picked all of them except True Blood. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/30 "2012-10-20T04:52:46Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > Well but _The Wire_ is a modern day crime drama. _Spartacus_ is ancient Rome – far removed from the present day. Somehow arrows and spears and crucifixions are less bothersome than guns. > > Yes, I know I’m weird. 😃 Ok, I understand. Seeing blood seeping out of a bullet hole is more distasteful and a graphic on-screen throat slitting or beheading. Makes sense! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/31 "2012-10-20T05:14:40Z")
I LOVED _300_, by the way. Of course we know that life in ancient Rome or Sparta or Arthur’s England was “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” But I don’t have to worry about that. I’m safe and warm and not hungry, and men won’t hurt me, and I can get help if they tried to. I watch TV for escapism. I’m not interested in those CSI shows or prison shows or hospital shows. There’s enough _real_ crime and violence and fear and pain without watching made-up, _pretend_ crime and violence and fear and pain. Show me something magical or supernatural or historical. Show me something I haven’t seen before, and tell me a story. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/32 "2012-10-20T05:28:12Z")
Ok, then why don’t you want suggestions of Westerns? You need have no fears of Indian war parties either. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/33 "2012-10-20T07:40:34Z")
And Primeval and Haven. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/34 "2012-10-20T13:03:48Z")
I don’t know much about it yet, but a LOT of people at my work are loving “American Horror Story.” Yesterday I had to promise something like three people that I’d check it out. Might be worth a look. Of course, I also happen to work with a man who told me that Supernatural was “the best show on TV. Ever.” And he was dead serious. So the people I work with might be a poor barometer for good television. Game of Thrones is another one I’ve heard good things about. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/35 "2012-10-20T14:50:52Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Ok, then why don’t you want suggestions of Westerns? You need have no fears of Indian war parties either. 😃 That’s very true! However, Westerns are either about grubby men who swear and smoke and spit a lot trying to outdraw the other; life is a constant series of macho standoffs, and Death follows you everywhere… OR these nice, brave, good people are just trying to settle in a new land and make a new life for themselves, many of whom have already lost everything in the Civil War, and these armed thugs come along and take everything away from them. They’re also about the horribly unfair things we did to the Native Americans, and when many of these older Western movies were made, nobody either making or watching these movies had much of a clue about that. They’re savages! ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/36 "2012-10-23T20:34:31Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Game of Thrones My god !I’d never have seen you as a Judge Judy fan ! Or have I read your post wrong ? ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/37 "2012-10-23T22:02:04Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > I’ve been watching the _Doctor Who_ reboot and _Torchwood_ and I like 'em both, more or less. > > Which other series should I be looking into? Other recommendations appreciated! Let’s stick to the fantasy/sf sort of genre, although I am positively NOT INTERESTED in anything to do with zombies. Time travel, vampires, dystopia or “civilization breaking down” stories, but no zombies! > > And I’ve heard _Lost_ and _Revolution_ are garbage, so let’s give those a pass, also. > > Poll to follow… If you caught them on netflix, which I sorta doubt as you mentioned dr who, but bear in mind, Canada netflix is only a shadow of its American counter part. Anyhooo. Sherlock as mentioned, I think the author would have approved of the new series Torchwood, as mentioned, I would give it a 6 out of 10, but I am only heading into season 3, so it might drag a bit less now. The Borgia’s, you like game of thrones, this is what a good portion of it was based on in my opinion, also its not a show for the feint of heart. Not especially explicit, but it leaves very little to the imagination. Camelot, just started watching this, and its on my weekly list. I am trying to only watch one episode of something per nigth, instead of six or seven eps in a night. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/38 "2012-10-23T22:04:53Z")
_Metalocalypse_ ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/39 "2012-10-23T22:23:02Z")
_Vampire Diaries_ is surprisingly good, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259/40 "2012-10-23T22:24:09Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > 😃 That’s very true! However, Westerns are either about grubby men who swear and smoke and spit a lot trying to outdraw the other; life is a constant series of macho standoffs, and Death follows you everywhere… > > OR these nice, brave, good people are just trying to settle in a new land and make a new life for themselves, many of whom have already lost everything in the Civil War, and these armed thugs come along and take everything away from them. > > They’re also about the horribly unfair things we did to the Native Americans, and when many of these older Western movies were made, nobody either making or watching these movies had much of a clue about that. They’re savages! The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-tv-series-is-worth-watching/638259.md?page=3)