With the advent of DVD sets, buying and watching full seasons of TV shows has become easy and common, especially with services like Netflix and the iTunes Store providing even easier access (and commercial-free to boot). What are some of your favorite complete seasons of TV, and why?
I'll start:
1) Firefly. The obvious choice, but a justified one. Nearly perfect from start to finish- wonderful writing that, in usual Joss Whedon style, expertly balanced humor and character drama, beautiful effects (and no sound in space!), a complex and interesting universe, and a cast with more interpersonal chemistry than any five other casts combined.
2) The Office (US), Season 2. Careens from hilarious to poignant to occasionally surreal with wild abandon, somehow without ever missing a beat. Probably the single most consistently good season of TV I've ever seen- even Firefly had "Heart of Gold," but the second season of "The Office" has no episodes that even approach mediocrity. Also features one of the best ensemble casts around, who manage to make even the most minor of background characters feel like real, three-dimensional human beings. Special bonus points for Jim being the first "heartthrob" character in ages who I actually *want* to see get the girl.
3) Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 3. This is when "Buffy" really brought it all together: the angst and personal drama introduced in the second season for the first time mixes perfectly with the series' trademark ironic wit. Also one of the most consistently good seasons out there- whereas the other seasons of BtVS had occasional episodes that are downright painful to watch, season 3 is gold all the way through. And the Mayor is the single greatest "Big Bad" in any of the Buffyverse shows.
4) Battlestar Galactica, Season 1. BSG's inaugural season was also its best- dark, chaotic, character-driven, unafraid to confront the most serious issues of our time, and leavened with occasional (but highly effective) gallows humor. Whereas episodes in later seasons sometimes fell into cliche, or came off a bit too heavy-handed in their morality, season 1 dealt with complex issues with subtlety and intelligence.
5) Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 6. Despite the presence of the execrable "Profit and Lace," this season of Star Trek's smartest and darkest series was both its smartest and darkest. From the tough moral dilemmas of "In the Pale Moonlight" and "Rocks and Shoals" to confronting race relations in "Far Beyond the Stars," this season epitomized what made DS9 great, and cemented Ron Moore as one of our generation's greatest television writers.
Edit: Whoops, wrote "Season 5" for DS9 instead of "Season 6." Fixed.
[ May 29, 2007, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: Tarrsk ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Veronica Mars, season one.
Agreed about Buffy, by the way.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
Ah crap, I can't believe I forgot VMars. I definitely agree- season 1 of Veronica Mars should actually be number three in my list, tied with Buffy. Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
I liked the first season of Heroes a lot, even if it did start to get a bit weaker towards the end.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
Season 4 of Highlander. From the beautiful Scottish scenery in Homeland to a mentally disabled immortal, it was a great season.
Posted by BandoCommando (Member # 7746) on :
I'm going to second your vote for DS9:5. Great stuff, and the thread that they continued from "Far Beyond the Stars" is great!
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
My nominations:
Rome: Season 1 Deadwood: Season 1 or 2
I think the best television shows have all been made on HBO, personally. I was going to go ahead and list Carnivale, Sapranos, and Six Feet Under, but I think you all get the idea .
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
Another one I forgot to list:
The West Wing, Season 2. Aaron Sorkin at the top of his game, featuring some of the greatest episodes of dramatic television ever produced ("In the Shadow of Two Gunmen," "Noel," "Two Cathedrals"). The serial story arc that consists of the last six episodes of the season is absolutely brilliant.
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
Before anyone gets some other obvious ones:
**Freaks and Geeks
**Blackadder the Third
**Twin Peaks, season 1
**Fawlty Towers (yes, there were two seasons, but any show that only ever made 12 episodes gets to count as one in my opinion.)
**South Park, season 5 (Season 6 is a close second. But TV satire just doesn't come any better than this. Osama Bin Laden taken down Looney Tunes style. Muhammad, Moses and Joseph Smith teaming up to take down David Blaine. The introduction of Towlie the stoned towel. Here Comes the Neighborhood had one of the best lines in the show's history. And just when I thought TV had lost the power to surprise me, Scott Tenorman Must Die had a twist ending that was not only horrifying and hilarious, but so unexpected it would make M. Night Shyamalan and David Fincher jealous. A true apex of a season.)
[ May 29, 2007, 02:20 PM: Message edited by: Speed ]
Posted by TheGrimace (Member # 9178) on :
Farscape Season 3 (and 4)
West Wing (I need to get a copy of the series so I can pin down best seasons, but probablt 2-3)
Babylon 5 Season 3-4
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Babylon 5 Season 2-3
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Homicide: Life on the Street, Season 5.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Originally posted by Telperion the Silver: Babylon 5 Season 2-3
Why did you pick 2-3 instead of 3-4, Telp?
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Because of the Narn/Centauri War and the final nuking of Narn itself. It was that season when we realized we weren't in Star Trek land anymore. And dude, the battle between the Narn Main Fleet and the four Shadow ships was AWESOME.
Posted by Angiomorphism (Member # 8184) on :
Not that I'm in love with Ricky Gervais or anything, but
The Office (BBC) - all twelve episodes and the x-mas special. Hillarious, and ever so awkward (and the inspiration for the terrific US Office)
Extras - all twelve episodes. Less awkward than the office, and twice as funny with all its guest stars (my favorites: Patrick Stewart ("I've seen it all") and Ian.. err Gandolf (his explanation of acting))
And why not throw in a few other british shows.. man american tv sucks!
The Ali-G Show (12 episodes)
Life on Mars - amazing show (Bowie inspired title) about a modern police officer who goes into a coma and awakes in the 1970's.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote: Life on Mars - amazing show (Bowie inspired title) about a modern police officer who goes into a coma and awakes in the 1970's. [/QB]
I am watching them now, very fun show. I am half way through the first season. Supposedly ABC has ordered a pilot for an American version.
Posted by Angiomorphism (Member # 8184) on :
I almost forgot!
Scrubs - Season 1 (my personal fav.)
Arrested Development - Season 1 (classic)
Okay american tv isn't that bad...
Posted by Angiomorphism (Member # 8184) on :
quote:Originally posted by Stephan:
quote: Life on Mars - amazing show (Bowie inspired title) about a modern police officer who goes into a coma and awakes in the 1970's.
I am watching them now, very fun show. I am half way through the first season. Supposedly ABC has ordered a pilot for an American version. [/QB]
Really? Well they are already making a spinoff in the UK called Ashes to Ashes (another bowie song) where a female character goes comatose and wakes up in the 80's with the same cast 10 years later.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by Angiomorphism:
quote:Originally posted by Stephan:
quote: Life on Mars - amazing show (Bowie inspired title) about a modern police officer who goes into a coma and awakes in the 1970's.
I am watching them now, very fun show. I am half way through the first season. Supposedly ABC has ordered a pilot for an American version.
Really? Well they are already making a spinoff in the UK called Ashes to Ashes (another bowie song) where a female character goes comatose and wakes up in the 80's with the same cast 10 years later. [/QB]
That is awesome! The same cops? That sounds fun.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
"Scott Tenorman Must Die had a twist ending that was not only horrifying and hilarious, but so unexpected it would make M. Night Shyamalan and David Fincher jealous. A true apex of a season.)"
South Park really has mastered unexpected endings. The ending to the episode that parodied the Terry Schiavo case made my mouth drop and then tears came out of my eyes because I was laughing so hard.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
I'm kind of stunned that no one has mentioned Wonderfalls.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
quote:Originally posted by Angiomorphism: And why not throw in a few other british shows.. man american tv sucks!
British TV is great, but American TV is extremely good right now as well (so long as you can sort through the mishmash of reality shows and teen soap opera dreck). I would actually say that the past ten years have been a veritable golden age of television on both sides of the pond. Furthmore, with the democratization of media due to online distribution and DVD technology, I don't think that golden age is going to end anytime soon.
Speaking of British TV, series 1 of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" remains one of the all-time greats. The Monty Python boys are often called the "Beatles of comedy," and rightfully so.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lisa: I'm kind of stunned that no one has mentioned Wonderfalls.
Truly a great show. Forgot about it. Dead Like Me to.
Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
Alias Season Two for Irina Derevko alone.
And 24 Season Three. It wraped up the loose ends from the first three seasons in a spectacular fashion and still managed to leave the door open for more. Though Ill never forgive the writers for turning the best show on tv in to one of the worst in seasons 4-5-6.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
I love Wonderfalls. But like Firefly and Freaks and Geeks it didn't make it a full broadcast season. So, yeah, praise the network execs for DVDs [or don't -- I've heard their worshippers tend to either go insane or suddenly disappear].
But I'd be more interested in what people think the best season of a series that went 2 or more is and why.
We've already done threads mourning the cancelled.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I'd say Blackadder the Third and Blackadder goes Forth are tied for the most awesome season of British comedy EVER.
I love ST:TNG season 5. It's one of the most fun seasons of stellar episodes, and I remember watching them all for the first time, some of them back to back. That's the season I've gone back to the most when I rewatch the show.
House, Season 1. This was before the writers of this show decided that everyone should be angsty, all. the. time. There was funny, clues into their past lives, and great medical mysteries. Oh yeah, and Hugh Laurie at his very best.
24, Season 1 and 5. I love these seasons because of the character focus. Yeah, in all of them, there are moments of definite disbelief suspension, but these two seasons were just so fun to watch because of the classic suspense and huge dilemmas that faced our favorite characters.
The last two seasons of DS9 (don't know the numbers) The addition of Michael Dorn to the cast greatly increased the funny, which is important to me. The story arc of the Dominion War is also some of the best Scifi TV ever done, IMO. I haven't gotten into Dead Like Me, or Arrested Development, but they're on my Netflix queue, as is Wonderfalls.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
It's hard to describe how great Homicide: Life on the Street is without leaving spoilers all over the place, but in short:
1. The big bad is one of the best in TV history -- Luther Mahoney.
2. One of the main characters is coming back to work from some medical issues which leads to some fascinating relationship dynamics with his boss, partner and the other detectives.
3. One of the detectives becomes increasingly unhinged.
It all comes together in an explosive three final episodes of the season in which there are both satisfying conclusions and the types of cliffhangers that you expect at the end of a season.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:I'd say Blackadder the Third and Blackadder goes Forth are tied for the most awesome season of British comedy EVER.
Huh. Season 4 just doesn't do much for me.
quote:The story arc of the Dominion War is also some of the best Scifi TV ever done, IMO.
In that case, you might want to check out Babylon 5. In fact, you ought to borrow it from me, if we ever manage to see each other out here.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Why am I so prejudiced against Babylon 5? I never watched it (on purpose) and I can't understand why I have negative feelings about it whenever anyone mentions it. Am I that loyal to Star Trek that an imposter offends my senses? Is that guy's hair just too big for me to take the show seriously? I really have no idea.
I'll have to check it out, though. Too many people have told me that it's good. Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
Yeah Ive been wondering about Babylon 5 myself. My local vidoe store has them all to buy but I just dont know. I think it is the ott make up that Ive seen on the covers that is making me wince. Should I invest? And does it have a satisfying conclusion?
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
I stayed away from B5 for a few years out of Star Trek loyalty - big mistake. I love both DS9 and B5 pretty much in equal measure. You pay your dues with the first season but after that it really gets going.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I'm amazed that the show lasted past the first season.
[insert obligatory Firefly mourning]
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
I'll toss in my mad props to a Canadian show. Slings and Arrows, season 1 is brilliant. Season 2 slumps a little, and I've yet to see season 3. Each season is only 6 episodes long, so it's not a huge time commitment. Some of (if not the) best acting on television.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I don't think I've ever seen a single episode of a Canadian show. Weird.
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
It might go too far to call it "good", but Family Guy season 3 was some of the funniest stuff I've ever seen on TV.
Posted by TheGrimace (Member # 9178) on :
quote:Originally posted by Narnia: Am I that loyal to Star Trek that an imposter offends my senses?
I think thoughts like this are part of why I don't like Star Trek that much. I mean, TNG and DS9 are definately at least somewhat enjoyable, and I have plenty of other reasons for not being a huge fan. But when people consider any sci-fi that is not star trek "imposters" it's just frustrating.
note: this isn't meant to be a personal attack Narnia, as I've heard similar comments from many other Trek fans, and even thought them myself when Bab5 first came out.
once you get past the initial leap that much of scifi and most/all really good scifi does not revolve around the universe of the Federation, you will be much happier. Similar to when you manage to admit that not all fantasy has to be a spawn of LOtR.
Haitus Season 1 -- Great character developement, plot superb, graphics unforgettable.
Six Feet Under season 1 (the Series finale was, hands down, the best finale to a Series ever-- I even cried).
Battlestar Galactica Season 3
Carnival Season 2 (shame it was canceled)
House Season 3 (no annoying dude with a bunch of money holding the place hostage, no overly repetitious scenes with an ex-wife, lots of good one liners).
Posted by Angiomorphism (Member # 8184) on :
Someone mentioned Dexter, which was fantastic! And that got me thinking of another show I forgot entirely...
Weeds! season 2 was pretty good, and what a cliffhanger!
Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :
Coupling (BBC) Seasons 1, 2, and 3
The Office (USA) Seasons 1, 2, and 3
Six Feet Under Seasons 1 and 2 (I'm with T_Smith. Best Series finale EVER.)
The Simpsons Season 5
Futurama All Seasons
Absolutely Fabulous (BBC) All Seasons
My So-Called Life, only had one season I'm still upset about that.
Edit: And of course all the seasons of Samurai Jack are totally great.
Posted by Destineer (Member # 821) on :
Season 1 of 24 for being the only one that fully lived up to the show's immense potential.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bob the Lawyer: I'll toss in my mad props to a Canadian show. Slings and Arrows, season 1 is brilliant. Season 2 slumps a little, and I've yet to see season 3. Each season is only 6 episodes long, so it's not a huge time commitment. Some of (if not the) best acting on television.
I thought for sure I'd be the only one to mention that. BtL is right. Everyone should watch this show. Season One has some of the best Shakespeare I've seen, and I'm sad that we only get bits and pieces and not the whole thing. I'd pay to have that cast do the whole of Hamlet.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
Heh, try not to list *every* season of a given show, guys. If you love a show in its entirety (as I do for all the shows I mentioned, aside from The West Wing), pick one season that stood out in particular and tell us why you think that was the best. Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'm going to nominate season 8 of South Park. along with the more recent season 9. Both were incredible. Plus, I love "Something Wall-Mart This Way Comes."
Posted by Snail (Member # 9958) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head:
quote:Originally posted by Telperion the Silver: Babylon 5 Season 2-3
Why did you pick 2-3 instead of 3-4, Telp?
I would pick the end of Season 2 and Seasons 3 and 4, but the beginning of Season 2 still contained way too many totally crappy Season 1-style episodes.
quote:Originally posted by Luet13: Absolutely Fabulous (BBC) All Seasons
All seasons? Seasons 1-3 are great and season 4 did have some good bits, but season 5 is horribly bad.
Anyway, my picks:
Twin Peaks Season 1 and the beginning of Season 2. (Or in other words the pilot and the first 16 episodes.) Up until the murder of Laura Palmer was resolved Twin Peaks was the best television ever made.
Green Wing Season 1. Am I truly the only person on this board to have seen Green Wing? Seriously, it's the best British comedy ever. The second season never managed to grasp the greatness of the first one, though it was still good. The first season, however, is the funniest nine hours of television ever made.
Six Feet Under Season 1. Only seen the first three seasons of this show, and seasons 2 and 3 only reached the heights of the first one momentarily. So much so that I'm not sure if I want to finish the series.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I second Coupling BBC version. They had the funny timing down!
Samurai Jack
I second Black Adder.
Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
I dont know if anyones likes anime but Deathnote is pure genius.
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
Snail, if you stop Six Feet Under you will regret missing the best ending to a series ever created.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
I just can't get through the first season of B5. I've heard it really picks up with season 2, but from what I have seen of season 1 just isn't doing it for me.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
My So Called Life really only had one season? For some reason I thought it had more than that.
My favorite seasons: Firefly
West Wing Season 2
Veronica Mars Season 1
Grey's Anatomy Season 1 - This season is what made me love the show. The first half of the second season lives up to the first season, but it kind of fell from there.
Desperate Housewives Season 1 - The best one because it didn't seem like they were trying to make stuff happen the way the past two seasons have been.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
quote:Originally posted by Damien.m: I dont know if anyones likes anime but Deathnote is pure genius.
Heck yeah! AWESOME show.
I'll do you one better: Ergo Proxy
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
The Deathnote manga's better than the anime . . .
Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :
quote:Originally posted by kojabu: My So Called Life really only had one season? For some reason I thought it had more than that.
Nope. It only had nineteen episodes. It was the most realistic teen drama ever. I'm still mad that I never got to find out how any of the plot lines resolved. Stupid network TV, I shake my fist at you!
Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
quote:Originally posted by Telperion the Silver:
I'll do you one better: Ergo Proxy
I might check that out tonight if its so good!
quote:Originally posted by fugu13: The Deathnote manga's better than the anime . . .
Yeah Ive heard that! I cant get them in any bookstores around here so Im just gonna wait till the anime is over before I order them. Just five episodes left but please dont tell me anything!!! Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
*chuckle*
I doubt the anime includes the entire storyline, either. Your local Borders might carry them, if you have one, they have an excellent manga selection locally.
Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
I live in Ireland. All we have is Easons which oddly only has the Battle Royale manga.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
That is . . . weird. I'm sure it won't be too long before the anime legions move in Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
The weirdest thing is that the anime legion IS here! Myfriends and I have to get everything from amazon because theres no where else! I think the bookstores dont think they will get too much business out of us but they will ha...
Oh and Tel, I watched the first episode just now and I think it has geat potential! Havent got a clue whats going on yet but Im sure I will!
Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
I second Dead Like Me. Great show, great actors, great writing.
Also, Weeds, both seasons. Good show, not at all what I thought it would be.
Also Arrested Development 1-3(?) and The Simpsons 1-5.
Posted by Destineer (Member # 821) on :
quote:Originally posted by Snail: Twin Peaks Season 1 and the beginning of Season 2. (Or in other words the pilot and the first 16 episodes.) Up until the murder of Laura Palmer was resolved Twin Peaks was the best television ever made.
I couldn't agree more. There are scenes from Twin Peaks (eg when the teen love triangle is singing that creepy song) that will be with me all my life.
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
I'd agree with Buffy season 3 being the best as far as consistency and writing goes. But when I think about the show I find myself thinking about season 6 more. Season 6 was much more inconsistent... but what the characters went through and suffered through is more compelling for me.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Personally, I think the show as a whole would have been better if it had ended with Buffy's death at the end of season 5.
Posted by papastebu (Member # 10496) on :
I like Kung Fu , Smallville , and, do I have to wait until August to include Heroes? Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Stargate SG1: Season 4
Star Trek DS9: Season 6
Friends: Season 7
Firefly: Season .5
West Wing: Tough, maybe Season 2
Frasier: Season 10
MASH: Season 9
24: Season 1 (the novelty wore off after the first season)
Battlestar Galactica 1, 2, 3 (all were good, no sense in picking)
Band of Brothers: Season One (Season two comes out in the next year or two I believe)
Babylon 5, not sure which season, just not Season 1
The Office: Season 2
Honorable Mentions:
Fresh Prince of Bel Aire Season 4ish, Heroes Season 1, Highlander (not sure which season), How I Met Your Mother: Season 2.
I know I'm missing a ton of older shows that wer really good, and a bit of anime too, but that's all I can parse together off the top of my head.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
eek! Bel-Air, not Bel Aire. (They're hoity-toity enough, don't give 'em an extra e! Anyway, Bellaire is a street in North Hollywood/Valley Village.)
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: I'm going to nominate season 8 of South Park. along with the more recent season 9. Both were incredible. Plus, I love "Something Wall-Mart This Way Comes."
I have to second this one. Before season 8, I had pretty much written the show off, but this season really made me a fan again. Looking back on some of the earlier episodes, though, I had probably written it off a bit prematurely.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: Battlestar Galactica 1, 2, 3 (all were good, no sense in picking)
IMO, season 1 was noticeably superior to either of the latter seasons. The writing was generally sharper, and the characters were simultaneously more likeable (and here I'm lookin' straight at you, Lee and Kara) and less predictable. Furthermore, there were no outright-craptastic episodes like "Black Market" or "The Woman King" in season 1... really, the only episode I found less than enthralling was "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down," and that still had some hilariously entertaining moments.
This isn't to say that I disliked the later seasons... far from it. Interestingly, the total *number* of episodes I enjoyed actually remained roughly constant from season to season, but in seasons 2 and 3, that left about ten episodes a season that I couldn't get into at all. And those episodes I did enjoy, I still found that I had to force myself to overlook irritating moments of sloppy writing, something I never had to do in the first season.
Posted by 0Megabyte (Member # 8624) on :
I loved Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down. I kept thinking, though, it'd be darker than what it turned out to be. It was weird. But still, I enjoyed what ended up happening.
For seasons 2 and 3, there were a few bad episodes. Mostly, those were the stand alones, which SciFi had asked them to do (not that they asked them to do those stories specifically, just that they were asked to do more stand-alones.)
Black Market was bad. But the Woman King was simply horrible, unpleasant, and unenjoyable. It was the very first time I did not enjoy an episode of Battlestar Galactica.
Now, the Quadrangle of Doom got annoying, I'll mention that in the third season as kinda weak. And like in the first season, they didn't focus enough on the fleet itself, which I'd love to see (they did so more in Season 3, with Dirty Hands being a very good episode.)
However, Season 3, for example, had the very tight and very intense New Caprica story arc, and a number of excellent episodes scattered throughout the rest of the season. Unfortunately, the finale wasn't as good as the finale for seasons 2 or 1, but the Romo Lampkin character completely made up for it with pure panache.
What I noticed, and what someone else mentioned at some point, is that the feeling changed. Time passed, and, like in real life, things changed.
The first season was all about the aftermath, the running, the intense struggles and desperate actions for survival. Season 2, after the Kobol arc ended and things finally settled down, ended up being a season about stability. With Pegasus and everything, they could stand up to the Cylons, at least a little bit. They could survive. They were able to catch a breath and the endless adrenaline finally calmed down somewhat. The internal struggles grew, but things seemed, finally, at least for a little while, stable.
Then Season 3 came, and all that was blown away, wiped away in a flash. And after the New Caprica arc, Season 3 seemed to be all about decline, collapse, how the entire fleet was slowly but surely disintegrating, even with the Cylons taking a break from attacking. Cally mentioned in one episode that the Cylons didn't even need to come back, they'd just destroy themselves. She was right. Roslin and Adama began growing more and more fascist in their actions, the people in the fleet grew even more belligerant than they were in the past. Shortages began creeping up across the board, society was crumbling, things were simply falling apart. The fleet could not and cannot sustain itself at its current level. Things are breaking down, and they will not get better. That's the dark, oppressive feeling that grew throughout the season, even in the crappy Woman King, and it's definitely a very different feeling than season one. It's the darkest season of the darkest show on television.
In fact, the reason I think the show must end soon and that they must reach Earth soon is because of how things are going. Things simply cannot keep going the way they are going. Everything is breaking down, and I fear that if it keeps on going they may not even make it, unless they get to Earth SOON. I have a feeling they can feel it too, the characters, the atmosphere, everything points to the end arriving. At the end of Season 3 things are reaching a level where, without a savior, they won't even survive the twenty minutes they need to escape the Cylons and the Ionian Nebula.
Luckily, in the very end, a savior appeared, risen from the dead, to lead them, finally, to Earth.
And just in time. Because things could continue the way they were, or humanity would end.
Yeah, it's not perfect, but rewatching the first season I don't find it any more perfect, actually. It's very good, very intense, but it definitely has a different feel. And I find myself loving the feel of the third season most of all.
Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
Its officially the begining of the end.
Posted by Angiomorphism (Member # 8184) on :
I really don't see it as such a bad thing. In the UK (mainly with BBC shows) they have a tradition of only running 2 seasons (12-14 episodes total) of any show (see: Extras, The Office, Ali-G, Life on Mars, etc.). What this does is to ensure that the story is ended before the show gets repetitive or just plain bad. Too many american shows stay on when they could have been ended a few seasons earlier (Alias, Lost, Friends, etc.) without compromising the integrity of the show.
I personally like that they have settled for a set ending to BSG, it means they can craft a well thought out and complex ending, without having to rush 3 seasons from now when they unexpectedly get cancelled.
I prefer quality to quantity.
Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
My thoughts exactly. Im sad that its going to end but its better than getting cancelled and given one or two episodes to finish it. This way the writers can end it on their own terms. And "Go out with a bang..." as they have said.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Stirkes me as a little ridiculous seeing as how they released a statement that's the exact opposite of that a few weeks ago in response to EJO's comment at that awards show.
I was gunning for five seasons.
Posted by 0Megabyte (Member # 8624) on :
As the article says, "The decision was made by exec. producers David Eick and Ronald D. Moore."
Moore had said before the return of Starbuck meant the coming of the third and final act. This story had always been designed as a coherant story, unlike most TV shows (Bab5 an exception.)
I'm glad. I bet they'll get to Earth at the end of episode 12, (counting the 2 ep movie) and then episodes 13-22 deal with Earth.
Moore said he had two story arcs left, and those are the ones I figure he has.
This is a good thing because it means that, firstly, the decision was made by the creators, who had designed the show to have an ending, a final end point, and, second, as I said earlier, with the end of Season 3 basically stating "EARTH! SOON!" they'd better get there soon!
Posted by 0Megabyte (Member # 8624) on :
Anyway, as another, unrelated post on a season of television, the one season Japanese anime Neon Genesis Evangelion is probably one of the best. In my opinion.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Lyrhawn, I adored both seasons of How I Met Your Mother<. Why did you like season 2 better? (just curious) I honestly can't pick between them, there are just so many laughs in both seasons.
"I got kicked out of Sea World for Humping a Dolphin."
"We're going to take Liberty by the crack and lick the crap out of it!"
I'm laughing like crazy just thinking of it.
Posted by Dog Walker (Member # 8301) on :
quote:Originally posted by Angiomorphism: I almost forgot!
Scrubs - Season 1 (my personal fav.)
Arrested Development - Season 1 (classic)
Okay american tv isn't that bad...
Scrubs all the way. Its the best show on tv currently. They know how to be fun and crazy as well as have serious issues sometimes. You start to love the characters after time. I have the first two seasons and am about to get the third soon.
The old show "The Pretender" is a good one to look into.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Narnia: Lyrhawn, I adored both seasons of How I Met Your Mother<. Why did you like season 2 better? (just curious) I honestly can't pick between them, there are just so many laughs in both seasons.
"I got kicked out of Sea World for Humping a Dolphin."
"We're going to take Liberty by the crack and lick the crap out of it!"
I'm laughing like crazy just thinking of it.
A few more individually enjoyable moments. Slap bets, Swarley, the death of the Fiero, "Let's Go To The Mall," and more. I loved the first season, don't get me wrong. I'm sad that Barney doesn't say "Suit up!" anymore really. I haven't even seen all of S2, I missed a couple episodes. S1 is fantastic though, I didn't mean to put it down.
Posted by Eduardo St. Elmo (Member # 9566) on :
It's very hard for me to pick specific seasons of the show that I like, so for most of them I'll just state that I'd like to see them entirely. (Even though that would take up an incredible amount of time )
* Blackadder Goes Forth
* Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 6
* Believe Nothing
* Monty Python's Flying Circus
* Newsradio (gotta love Jimmy James...)
Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :
Most of my favorites have already been mentioned, the notable exception being Northern Exposure. It's my favorite show ever, and I love every season (even the last). But I'd say season 3 of Northern Exposure is the best season of television.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
quote:A few more individually enjoyable moments. Slap bets, Swarley, the death of the Fiero, "Let's Go To The Mall," and more. I loved the first season, don't get me wrong. I'm sad that Barney doesn't say "Suit up!" anymore really. I haven't even seen all of S2, I missed a couple episodes. S1 is fantastic though, I didn't mean to put it down.
Hey, I know!! Don't worry about it. I was just wondering what you loved about the 2nd season and you reminded me of a bunch of things I'd forgotten. "Let's go to the mall!" I'm missing an episode of season 2 here and there as well. I miss Swarley saying "Legendary." That was one of my favorite things about season 1.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
"This is going to be Legen...and I hope you're not allergic to milk because here it comes: dary!"
I miss that too.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
Battlestar Galactica, season 4.
--j_k thinks its important to plan ahead.
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
Series 1 and 2 of the new Doctor Who. It's great scifi/adventure that's staying very true to its family-friendly roots. It's hard to decide which one to pick -- I much prefer David Tennant's portrayal of the Doctor in series 2 to Christopher Eccleston's of series 1, but S1 provides a fair amount of continuity that might make S2 hard to follow. It also has Rose, who I quite like as a companion.
Series 3 is also fabulous, but there are still four more of those to come! The latest episode's writing brought me to tears -- good enough for a Hugo, I'd say.
I would recommend any of the Tom Baker seasons, but I haven't actually watched them all yet. I've seen a fair bit of the first season (Season 12 of the old series) and skipped around besides that. It's some great stuff, and I'm endlessly upset that my ignorant American way of life kept me from experiencing it until only a few months ago.
Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
I'm watching Babylon 5. I'm in the middle of the third season, and the show just got terrifically interesting.
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I'm still upset about that.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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