New television

[aphrodite_mine]

Been checking out some new television, and as is the fashion, I'll share my thoughts with you so that you can have a more educated decision when deciding what to watch.

* Haven, on SyFy. Probably won't be continuing to watch this one. Had the downfall of watching while handling a lot of drama, so I actually skimmed most of the episode but I didn't get the urge to go back and re-watch to catch what I missed either. Despite having a pretty cool main female lead, the rest of the show is made up of males (even the extras are white men). The supernatural aspect of the show is a turn off for me rather than a draw, so, I'm gladly leaving Haven there.

* Rizolli & Isles, on TNT. This is a hit for me. I like friendly-to-lesbians subtext and the heteroromance plot isn't threatening because the female leads are clearly the shows focus and clearly more badass. Yes, the show does deal in traditional crime fare such as the women-as-victims trope, but is already using that against itself. There isn't anything too deep or intellectual going on here, but for a fun cop show that isn't overrun by leading men and manpain, I'm in.

* Louis, on FX. Quite good. Not sure how regularly I'll watch since it's not character-based and not *hilarious*, but I'm enjoying it. Comedy based on single life in New York that discusses women, money, race, etc, all without being offensive--in fact, Louis C.K. is incredibly progressive for comedians in that he makes his audience think about issues and pushes buttons but still produces a watchable show. Sneaking in under the radar.

* Covert Affairs, on USA. Jury is still out. This is trying very hard to fill the niche market gap that Alias left, including many aspects such as the powerful female lead, the semi-corrupt government agency, the awesome guy friend, and a dramatic history with a romance, and even a resemblance to Jennifer Garner. However, CA has way too much focus on the broken past romance--so much so that Annie, the lead, has almost no other characterization. I don't understand her reasons for getting involved in the CIA (at least Sydney Bristow had family!reasons and not just whirlwind romance!reasons). I enjoyed the actual show, but the logic behind it is wanky.

Next entry: Smack the Pony, or The Millennium Series review (whichever I finish first).

Comments

[ivanolix.livejournal.com]

Ah, I'd seen a couple people mention Rizolli and Isles, but had no idea what it was. Sounds rather good! Or at least, my kind of show.

[aphrodite-mine.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think you'd like it. There are a few warning issues, especially stalking and close!violence, but I'm not sure how much of that was just to grab viewers with a dramatic first episode and how much will be for repeat themes.

[glitterberrys.livejournal.com]

R&I is pretty much exactly what I expected from the ads. It's not that good, but...it's a summer show on TNT, as far as those go, it's fine.

[aphrodite-mine.livejournal.com]

Yeah, essentially.

[st-aurafina.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Haven was clunky as all heck, and suspiciously lacking in female characters other than the lead and the culprit. I'm going to keep watching it - I need something to watch while I'm working out, anyway (which is why I'll give Covert Affairs a go, too.) Maybe it will pick up in an episode or two.

I really liked the small town dynamic, and how they've all been stamped with identities from the age of five. It's kind of like that where I live - you are the crazy one, the pretty one, the fat one, no matter how long it's been or how much you've changed in that time.

Rizzoli and Isles sounds good - I really like Angie Harmon, but I couldn't click with Women's Murder Club for some reason.

[thegraduate09.livejournal.com]

I agree completely on Rizolli & Isles. Loved it.

[thepastperfect]

I am hoping Rizzoli & Isles continues to be pretty good. The books sometimes fall prey to the whole women-as-victims problem, but women tend to be the victim of murder pretty often in fiction anyway (at least, a lot more often than in real life), so as long as they're victims for a reason and not just because they're helpless, that's more interesting.

[theroyal-e.livejournal.com]

rizzolli & isles is way entertaining without being heavy or self important. i like it for all the reasons you list, but i don't see the women-as-victims thing. well the dead bodies are women so far, but i highly doubt that they will only handle dead women cases. is that what you meant? R&I are clearly in charge and they've even corrected their male counterparts mistakes on a number of occasions. i like the quirky comedy that comes out every now and then for no other reason that to illustrate how gay they truly are for each other. LOL

i thought about watching covert affairs because i like piper, but like you it seemed like the focus was on piper's relationships and miscellaneous nonsense rather than being a spy. cut-throat bitch appearing in the preview also almost got me watching because i love her, but...eh.

[aphrodite-mine.livejournal.com]

Cut-throat bitch plays the lamest homemaker ever. Not worth it.

[theroyal-e.livejournal.com]

that's sad. she should get her own leading role in a show. as hot as 13 is, she should have won that slot on house. how much more entertaining would that show be today if it had been cut-throat bitch rather than 13?!?!?! oh well. :(