The Best Series You Never Watched

I've heard It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is really very raunchy. Is that actually true. I've heard it's pretty funny too. I really don't know why these shows feel like they have to be so over the top. That was the case with Boardwalk Empire for me. I love the subject matter but tried to watch the first episode and felt like I was watching a porno and I just couldn't watch it again.

 

I never thought Boardwalk Empire was that gratuitous either. Which reminds me that I've still not seen the final season.

 

So was it really just the first episode, the one that Scorcese directed, that had all the full frontal nudity and gratuitous sex scenes? Like after that it sorta calmed down and just became more based on mob violence instead of all the other stuff?

 

Maybe I've been de-sensitized by all the other debauchery that I've witnessed in other HBO/cable series.

To be sure, there was violence and nudity throughout - I just didn't think it was as gratuitous as, say, GoT can be. As far as the first episode, I can't really recall much of what went on in the way of nudity/sex, but it's probably be a safe bet that if you didn't care for the material there, you wouldn't like what came after either. I don't want to go guiding you down a path to the dark side.

 

LOL! I appreciate that.

 

Man, I've tried on several occasions to watch Sunny and can't do it. That show is just awful to me

 

Luther is one and Ripper Street

Being Human is one I missed but caught that binge style

Most series I watch binge style now because I find it is better than having to wait for the next week ,plus I'm at my liberty

 

Yeah, I've often referred to that as the Box Set Effect. I used to argue that watching shows via box set or, now, via streaming services, ruined me for watching them 'live'. Even using a DVR and waiting 10 min to start watching doesn't seem to dispel it - I still get annoyed having to FF through the commercials. I'm either getting old, spoiled, or both.

 

I have to tell you::
NEVER watch Twin Peaks!
I wish someone would've warned me before I wasted my time watching it.
My sister had me watch it with her & my mom. An FBI agent and these goofy local police officers try to solve a murder. I know, it doesn't sound that bad, & at the beginning, it isn't.
But then they take a SHARP & confusing left turn & the ending was really REALLY bad. I don't get why people like this show.

 

For my wife and I, it was Breaking Bad. Had never even heard of it until her son gave us the first 3 seasons on DVD. Outstanding show and, now, we're really enjoying "Better call Saul"
One show that was on forever that I never saw a single episode was, "Everybody Loves Raymond"

 

Better Call Saul is awesome. Bob Odenkirk is the man.

 

He really is. So oily but likeable.

 

If you like him a lot you should DEFINITELY check out the first season of Fargo. You really should check out BOTH seasons of Fargo because they are both masterpieces honestly. But Odenkirk is great in season one.

 

I loved the movie, dontcha know. I didn't realize he was in the show. I'll have to check it out.

 

Yeah he is in season one. The series is like an anthology series where each season is a stand alone story. The second season is a prequel to the first. They are each like 10 eps a piece and season 2 just ended but it was renewed by FX for a 3rd season. The Coens actually produce it.

 

Alright, so I'm officially taking suggestions on the next series to catch up on, having just completed SoA. Through word of mouth, friends, and suggestions here, some I'm considering are Mad Men, The Americans, Vikings, and Black Sails. House of Cards is another I need to check out. Hard to believe how far TV shows have evolved over the last 10-15 years.

 

Mad Men can justifiably be called the greatest show of all time. It's absolutely masterful. I personally believe it's the greatest show to ever be on tv. It's quality from start to finish. I mean there are shows that I like "better" but they are not actually "better" in terms of quality. The first 5 seasons of Andy Griffith are my absolute favorite and I also like the first 7 seasons of Dallas second best but Mad Men is actually "better" than both of them. I also would put Hannibal at probably number 3 but again Mad Men is all around "better".

 

Yeah, I was actually hoping to score at least the first few seasons for free on Amazon Prime, given the recent conclusion to the series. No dice, but Season 1 in HD is only $13. Not bad (unless you're living in 1960 )

 

Mad Men is on netflix if you have that. If you don't you could get one of those free trials and binge it and be done before the month is over.

 

It really is basically a show about villains but so is Breaking Bad ultimately. Honestly, there are probably more redeemable qualities among the scumbags on Mad Men than there are among the people on Breaking Bad. Hank, Holly, and Walt Jr are pretty much the only non scumbags on Breaking Bad. My buddy is a guy that always cheers the villains but when he was done with Breaking Bad he called me and told me "Dude Walt is so evil that I literally don't even like him in any way". LOL!

 

Well since the Fargo thread has resurrected itself over here might as well jump in. I thought Martin Freeman was masterful in season one - never would have thought that a Hobbitt (and Dr Watson on BBC's Sherlock) would transition so well as a North Dakotan and do it almost better than his protege Jerry Lundergard from the movie. As far as the season 2 finale I was a bit disappointed how everything pretty much concluded at the 25 minute mark and then they just seemed to coast to the end tidying up loose ends. I would have liked it better if they were fighting it out till the end and left a few things in the air for us to ponder knowing they'd never be revisited again. But then, the Coen bro's pretty much have "live happily ever after" endings as the perps are heading to jail or being picked out of wood chippers.

 

I really loved the way season 2 ended because it set up all the characters for season 1. I can't really say anything without spoiling anything for some that might not have seen it but the way they even worked in The Man Who Wasn't There references was awesome to me. I was very pleased with it all and especially the Mike Milligan angle. That one is just really messed up.