So, DCUM, what are we watching while Rome burns?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently watched the Leftovers and it's quite dark but I personally found it encouraging. It's essentially about how people process enormous grief, not just for people but for societal and community level losses. It explores belief, science, disillusionment, psychology, and relationships. It's very well acted. Carrie Coon is phenomenal, but also standout performances by Regina King, Amy Brenneman, Margaret Qualley, and Justin Theroux. Theroux especially grew on me -- I had thought of him as just kind of a pretty boy and he is sort of just that in the first season, but by the end of the series I felt like he basically carries the show alongside Coon.

And while I don't want to give the ending away, I do feel it leaves you with a sense of grounding and hope. Not that "everything will be okay" in a trite sense. But that people and families will persevere in their own ways.

+100
The Leftovers is one of the most original, thought provoking, dark - and often very funny - shows I've ever seen. I watched it years ago and think about it to this day. So beautifully done.

I really want to watch The Leftovers but heard it was canceled prematurely. Does it have a satisfying end/does the story close? I don’t want to get invested in a multi-season show if it just fizzles out…

It had a perfect ending, actually. It is such, such a good show. Intense - just be ready for that.

Thank you! This is just what I needed to hear. Will start it soon.

[Anonymous]

LOTR is a great suggestion because its underlying theme is hope even in the darkest times. I'm not in that headspace right now so I'm watching The Boys.

And +1 to The Leftovers, which in some ways is not uplifting, but absolutely is in others. The word perseverance comes to mind when I think of its central theme.

[Anonymous]

OP finally checking back again... I am so heartened by all the good suggestions and this community of rueful commiseration & TV watching!

Leftovers, Crash Landing & Schitt's Creek have been recommended to me so many times in different contexts that I will put them top of list. I had a hard time getting into Schitts Creek in the past, but I only did like 2-3 episodes and was looking for lols back then where now anything humanity-affirming seems good.

I was googling "inspiring TV" (yes, I'm sort of desperate), and Psych kept coming up - I was like what heck is that show, but it's funny that so many of you recommended it as well.

I like the idea of For All Mankind, but I wonder as one of the PPs said, if it isn't a little depressing to see a better past and future for the planet?

Would any of the new Disney+ Marvel series be good? I'm sure the Star Wars fans have already seen Mandalorian & Boba Fett but those would definitely do the job on Disney+...

And like some PPs suggested, I will probably end up watching LOTR at some point soon regardless! Hard to beat the "good triumphs over evil in the most humble and kind way" vibe of those movies...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP finally checking back again... I am so heartened by all the good suggestions and this community of rueful commiseration & TV watching!

Leftovers, Crash Landing & Schitt's Creek have been recommended to me so many times in different contexts that I will put them top of list. I had a hard time getting into Schitts Creek in the past, but I only did like 2-3 episodes and was looking for lols back then where now anything humanity-affirming seems good.

I was googling "inspiring TV" (yes, I'm sort of desperate), and Psych kept coming up - I was like what heck is that show, but it's funny that so many of you recommended it as well.

I like the idea of For All Mankind, but I wonder as one of the PPs said, if it isn't a little depressing to see a better past and future for the planet?

Would any of the new Disney+ Marvel series be good? I'm sure the Star Wars fans have already seen Mandalorian & Boba Fett but those would definitely do the job on Disney+...

And like some PPs suggested, I will probably end up watching LOTR at some point soon regardless! Hard to beat the "good triumphs over evil in the most humble and kind way" vibe of those movies...

Yes, Psych is so fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP finally checking back again... I am so heartened by all the good suggestions and this community of rueful commiseration & TV watching!

Leftovers, Crash Landing & Schitt's Creek have been recommended to me so many times in different contexts that I will put them top of list. I had a hard time getting into Schitts Creek in the past, but I only did like 2-3 episodes and was looking for lols back then where now anything humanity-affirming seems good.

I was googling "inspiring TV" (yes, I'm sort of desperate), and Psych kept coming up - I was like what heck is that show, but it's funny that so many of you recommended it as well.

I like the idea of For All Mankind, but I wonder as one of the PPs said, if it isn't a little depressing to see a better past and future for the planet?

Would any of the new Disney+ Marvel series be good? I'm sure the Star Wars fans have already seen Mandalorian & Boba Fett but those would definitely do the job on Disney+...

And like some PPs suggested, I will probably end up watching LOTR at some point soon regardless! Hard to beat the "good triumphs over evil in the most humble and kind way" vibe of those movies...

We really have enjoyed the Marvel TV series so far (but we are MCU fans so know the movies pretty well). You might appreciate Hawkeye because it's the one series that is not about saving the world or the universe, it's more about stopping a criminal gang, which was kind of refreshing in its smaller-stakes scale. And it's got humor and a good cast too. WandaVision is great too, and a unique series with an incredible look and feel. Nothing else quite like it. It only works if you're familiar with Wanda, the Vision and their story together, though.

I also had a hard time getting into Schitt's Creek at first, OP! And I know others who did, as well. It takes some time to figure out the Roses a bit as a viewer but it's worth it, I think.

I was one of the ones who mentioned Psych earlier.

Pro tip from a fan: Skip Psych's pilot episode. The show made several changes in cast and tone between the pilot and the second episode, so I'd just start with episode 2, titled "Spellingg Bee." You will only have missed the idea that slacker Shawn is hyper-observant and is passing that off as "psychic abilities" so he can solve crimes as a consultant (while having fun). And now you know that! Also, Psych starts off, and largely stays, purely nutty, but gets richer with each season, as the characters develop over time. It's about fast jokes, catchphrases, parody and '80s references etc. throughout, but over time, there's more emotional heft in relationships. That's why I watch. I'm intrigued that it comes up as "inspiring" in your searches -- it's not grandly, sweepingly inspiring like LOTR or For All Mankind, but it's a good-natured comedy-mystery that's a happy place.

Have fun, whatever you watch!

[Anonymous]

Better Caul Saul

I posted one of the “give me TV suggestions!” threads, and you guys suggested BCS. I’m obsessed! I’m on season 2, right now.

[Anonymous]

Apollo 11 documentary:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NgUYurzK-tM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Better Caul Saul

I posted one of the “give me TV suggestions!” threads, and you guys suggested BCS. I’m obsessed! I’m on season 2, right now.

Not OP, but would like to know -- is BCS watchable if one didn't see Breaking Bad? Also, what's the level/graphic-ness of any violence? Less of an issue for me than for DH, who really is put off by graphic violence and rape scenes. BCS's cast sounds great but we didn't watch BB. Thanks in advance....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better Caul Saul

I posted one of the “give me TV suggestions!” threads, and you guys suggested BCS. I’m obsessed! I’m on season 2, right now.

Not OP, but would like to know -- is BCS watchable if one didn't see Breaking Bad? Also, what's the level/graphic-ness of any violence? Less of an issue for me than for DH, who really is put off by graphic violence and rape scenes. BCS's cast sounds great but we didn't watch BB. Thanks in advance....

Not as graphic and no rape scenes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better Caul Saul

I posted one of the “give me TV suggestions!” threads, and you guys suggested BCS. I’m obsessed! I’m on season 2, right now.

Not OP, but would like to know -- is BCS watchable if one didn't see Breaking Bad? Also, what's the level/graphic-ness of any violence? Less of an issue for me than for DH, who really is put off by graphic violence and rape scenes. BCS's cast sounds great but we didn't watch BB. Thanks in advance....

I watched BB, so I can’t say. Plus, as I said, I’m only on season 2. My best guess is you’d be fine watching it. It’s really very good. The character development is exceptional.

[PP]

[Anonymous]

Our family is watching:

Ms Marvel on Disney+ — mixed feelings on the storyline but love the cultural setting; agree with PP that Hawkeye might be an even better fit for OP; FWIW I’m not into Marvel at all but found both to be watchable for an outsider

Reservation Dogs on Hulu — kind of a “hangout” show vs any specific plot line; this plus the low-key humor, teen characters, and again the specific cultural setting give it a pleasant feel

The Wilds — I think on Amazon Prime? Takes a while to get going, but you end up getting to know the characters well. Season 2 is clunkier than season 1 but still an easy watch when you just want to veg with a show

Mr Sunshine on Netflix — historical K-drama; I’m not far enough into it to say whether the whole thing is good. Second everyone’s recommendations that Crash Landing in You is fantastic. Kingdom and All of Us Are Dead are both really good zombie shows, which may sound like an odd choice but is 100% about a small gang of people banding together to survive difficult times.

In the “gang working together” genre, we also loved Slow Horses on Apple TV. Funny and action-packed and totally bingeable.

I agree that Station Eleven was more uplifting than you’d think. Gorgeous to look at, too. I personally enjoyed Schitt’s Creek and Ted Lasso and think they’re great emotional comfort food, but neither is everyone’s cup of tea and you should know where you fall by about the 3rd episode. And The Good Place is 100% perfect for what you’re looking for, if you haven’t seen it!

[Anonymous]

Never Have I Ever

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Gilmore Girls too romcom for you? That’s my go-to for a pick me up

I was coming to say this. My daughter and I just started watching...again for comfort)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently watched the Leftovers and it's quite dark but I personally found it encouraging. It's essentially about how people process enormous grief, not just for people but for societal and community level losses. It explores belief, science, disillusionment, psychology, and relationships. It's very well acted. Carrie Coon is phenomenal, but also standout performances by Regina King, Amy Brenneman, Margaret Qualley, and Justin Theroux. Theroux especially grew on me -- I had thought of him as just kind of a pretty boy and he is sort of just that in the first season, but by the end of the series I felt like he basically carries the show alongside Coon.

And while I don't want to give the ending away, I do feel it leaves you with a sense of grounding and hope. Not that "everything will be okay" in a trite sense. But that people and families will persevere in their own ways.

+100
The Leftovers is one of the most original, thought provoking, dark - and often very funny - shows I've ever seen. I watched it years ago and think about it to this day. So beautifully done.

I really want to watch The Leftovers but heard it was canceled prematurely. Does it have a satisfying end/does the story close? I don’t want to get invested in a multi-season show if it just fizzles out…

It had a perfect ending, actually. It is such, such a good show. Intense - just be ready for that.

+1
I found myself slack jawed during many of those episodes - they were just so original and thought-provoking. Never seen another show like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Better Caul Saul

I posted one of the “give me TV suggestions!” threads, and you guys suggested BCS. I’m obsessed! I’m on season 2, right now.

Have you watched Breaking Bad? I found Better Call Saul so much more enjoyable because I had seen BB first. Lots of Easter Eggs in BCS!