Maybe in later episodes he comes to grip with the fact that it's a superpower? Early on people ask him about it and he explains that it's just solid crime-solving intuition. Basically he just "gets inside their heads" and imagines the worst shit possible then that turns out to be the case. I mean, the flashes the show actually gives us seem like some sort of psychic power, but I don't get the impression the plotting is subtle enough that it's establishing that he *is* psychic while having him live in denial about the nature of his gift/curse.

I don't know. I'm still going to keep up with it but so many elements of it don't do it for me. I'm at the point in season 1 now where I almost feel like the writers are trying to kill three birds with one stone: his wife was sort of a passive non-character, the show was growing too repetitive, and the show was too focused on Frank and is very...minimalist personality. So, they're introducing some plot lines with his wife. Plus the whole dread, doom and gloom are always just these little dialogues Frank and his wife have at the end of every episode. Something like, "Frank, why is the world so fucking fucked up?" "Because everyone's evil and the world is shit. Hopefully we can raise our daughter without the constant looming shadow of the brink of apocalypse so that she's not constantly on the verge of suicide like we are all the time." Like, holy shit, someone make a poop or dick joke already. Every episode is like a Shape of Despair music video.

re: Homeland:

That's correct. He's a kooky/comic relief character with some dramatic turns every few episodes. He has a witty comment or joke in every episode so he's clearly the comic relief of the show (apart from the odd appearance of The Lone Gunmen). As he's basically in every episode by nature X-Files is in part a comedy. Whereas Millennium there is none of that and to think otherwise is completely missing the point, it's played straight and deals with serious issues in a serious way, to expect some random jokester to pop up and make your funny bones tingle is beyond retarded. It's dark and doesn't sugar-coat any of the dark/awful things that are happening, it's basically a ride through hell. You either enjoy the fascinating black and white portrait it paints of the deranged/otherworldy/end times or you get off and watch something that suits your unflinching desperate comic-relief sensibilities.

Jesus dude, could you have any more hostility for my appraisal of the show? I was going to bring up why this most recent episode of the show I watched was significantly better than any before it, but I'm not sure I really want to talk about the show with someone who gets so upset over stuff like this.

Even the most serious TV drama I've seen, such as The Wire and Breaking Bad, have some form of humour (usually black humour) in them. There's nothing wrong with wanting a bit of that in drama TV. Volute is just being an arrogant douchebag.

Yeah not really. Forgive me if I react negatively to your shallow schoolyard bully judgement of the show. Firstly you completely ignored my answer of what Frank Black is yet answered MacMoney's assessment regarding his abilities, which is really rude in and of itself but also was a considerable chunk of why you disliked the show, secondly you brought up the point of searching for humour yet again as if the topic wasn't already discussed, you reiterated a point that is mostly baseless in determining if Millennium is good or not, especially with the first season, it's frankly moot. Added to that you've offered little else in the way of your judgement, it's all superficial without focusing on the actually story at hand. I don't care if you have a sudden change of heart, you firmly hammered away at the show with absolutely no constructive criticism in three separate posts without even finishing a season. The comedy being the prime reason you dislike it yet you've not even reached the episodes that feature it heavily. There's nothing wrong with that of course but there is something wrong with using that as your sole argument against whatever you're watching. I don't expect gripping thought-provoking drama out of Family Guy, then give it harsh treatment if it doesn't meet that criteria and almost write it off entirely, and neither should anyone else.

...

iamntbatman, you hear that? You stop being a bully, you... meanie!

hurr durr you funny

Here's some schoolyard bully for you: I responded to Mac because he's a cool guy, but I didn't respond to you because you're a stupid asshole who took my casual complaints about the episodes of the show I'd seen so far to be some critically damning reasons why it's absolute garbage. Did David Duchovny run over your dog, or something?

Well, now I'm tremendously proud of myself for reacting the way I did. I had a feeling you were are pathetic cunt but this has made it more than apparent. You don't deserve any courteous behaviour and you kindly can kiss my middle finger.

Oh watch out, everyone, it's some random person who never posts in this thread trying desperately to be funny and likeable. You're so relevant and rampant with intelligence.

Someone needs to learn how to not suck at this interactive Internet thingie.

Yes, because "hurr durr" is the peak excellence of humor.

Also, it's "likability".

I had long stopped watching TV. These days, I just open TLC sometimes, and then some Al-Jazeera or something.

What the hell just happened here?



Speaking of the Wire, I know it's a favorite around these parts and so I recently picked it up. But for the life of me, I couldn't go beyond S01E02 I watched it perhaps thrice and each time, my interest waned and then I had other shit to do. Eventually, I gave up. Does it start off slow? Maybe I'll get back to it someday.

The Wire is great. It does have a slow start yes. By the end of the first season you get what the show is all about. It took me until like halfway through season one to really get hooked but suffice to say I've seen the show twice now in its entirety, really great stuff. Currently working on my second viewing of Breaking Bad as well.

The Wire is probably the most detailed TV show of all time. You can watch it so many times after your first run and still learn why characters made a certain decision, notice parallels/similarities between characters, etc.. Incredibly satisfying all around.

Just gonna get this out of the way if you start watching it again. Season 2 seems a bit weird to new viewers because there's less focus on the street level characters they grown attached to in season 1. I've even heard people recommend skipping it, but I highly suggest watching it. Season 2 is essentially the thesis to the entire show and it gives the show's message much more impact.

Ah, good to know it starts off slow. I'll get around to watching it sometime.

Yeah, I watched the first episode of The Wire 2-3 times before caring enough to keep going. Now it's one of my favorite shows.

Yeah, definitely a slow start. Season 2 definitely fit well into the show's overall framework but it was a jarring transition from Season 1, and despite the story being pretty important I just didn't really like the longshoremen as characters anywhere near as much as I like the drug dealers.

Boardwalk Empire's season finale pissed me off. This whole seasons has been the pits compared to the other three, especially the end of the last episode.

The X-Files theme song always creeped me the hell out. I mean, when you're twelve and you hear that shit, it's pure terror! Also, since we're so intensely on the X-Files train, I recall somebody telling me about an episode with some hillbillies that roll their disabled mother out from under the bed and have sex with her. Can anybody provide a reference for this blasphemy? I was always curious what the hell that was about.

I wasn't thrilled with the Boardwalk Empire finale either.

In other Sunday night news, The Walking Dead is starting to get on my nerves like it tends to do for at least one multi-episode stretch per season. I'm not sure if I care about

Homeland:

The episode is called 'Home'. Really messed up stuff but I love it. One of my favourite episodes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_(The_X-Files)

Yeah that episode is among the best, or at least one of the most infamous. Scaried the hell out of me when I was a kid.

Homeland:

The only "funny" X Files episode I liked was the one about the circus freaks. That one actually scared the shit out of me as a kid.

What the shit!

I don't think there's any need to spoiler-tag that, but I for one welcome our Bearded Marine Overlords. <3

I've started watching Firefly for the third time since it originally aired. It's a bittersweet experience, the show is great but ends so soon. Oh well. But man, I noticed that all those bending, twangy acoustic guitar strums in the soundtrack feel really weird after Breaking Bad. They have different chord progressions and timing but Breaking Bad burnt such an impression in my mind over the last couple years it does evoke a feeling of the show, which is rather incongruous with the vibe of Firefly.

It's a bit odd but I figure I'll get used to it after a dozen episodes or so and it will be smooth sailing from there on. Oh, wait...

That would be one hell of a custom title! Now if only I sprouted anything more than a goatee...

I need to watch Firefly.

Has "Supernatural" been mentioned in this thread, yet? The first few seasons had some poorly-done CGI/visual effects that were painful to endure, but the main characters and the overall atmosphere of the show is great.

Treme is beginning its final mini-season this Sunday, for anyone here that cares . And there should be more of you.

Treme is great, although it had an even ropier start than The Wire.

So the third series of Fresh Meat (currently airing on Channel 4) might be the best damn comedy/drama on television right now. Episodes 4 and 5 have been absolutely transcendent TV; episode 4 felt like a Joss Whedon script with all the fat cut out and episode 5 had a final act that rivaled an Arthur Miller play. Y'all should be watching it.

Les Revenants was the best new show I saw this year, and probably since Breaking Bad and The Office BBC. It's a damn good show.

So it does get good? The first episode was super boring and I didn't find the motivation to look further into it.

Yes it does get good! The first episode is representative only of Steve Zahn's weight gain.

I definitely have enjoyed Treme more than The Wire. It might not have scary drug dealers and political corruption, etc, but I've found the characters far more engaging and...simply more human, I suppose. Treme feels a lot more like a living experience to me. Somehow I never really gave a shit what happened to anyone on The Wire, despite the fact that it was technically a really great show. Treme has really relatable characters that have a ton of personality and honesty to them. It also does a fantastic job of actually making you feel like you're a part of the social milieu the show portrays. It paints the overall sense of place and culture really thoroughly and well.

I will say, however, that Treme has one of the most nerve-grating openings I've ever witnessed. Can't skip it fast enough.