While millions have thrown themselves deep into the worlds of Game Of Thrones and Stranger Things, I've always seemed to be one for the relatively smaller works of the small screen. This is probably due to me tending to believe the less people tuning in gives the very few that do a stronger voice as their thoughts and feelings become easier to hear. That along with the general purpose of entertaining oneself in their spare time, are two of the many things I stand for. Not that I'd never give Game Of Thrones or Stranger Things a chance, because there are times which I have thought about it. I still do every now and then and most likely will continue to do so going forward. I think now it's just a matter of what mood I am in and when I can find the time myself to binge on the new experiences.
What I have decided to do is give you a little information about myself through the world of television. Here I briefly analyse most of my favourite TV shows, both past and present. I provide a little story as to how I got into them. You will get a good idea of how I rate them, as I look at what they have done right and where they have gone wrong. I may point out what could happen to make the show better and I even chuck in the odd description/synopsis for a couple of them. With this information, you might see certain things a little differently. You might encourage yourself to think harder and pay closer attention to the details of your favourite programs while still enjoying them. And you might find answers to questions that have bothered you for so long. Feel free to share your stories when it comes to these shows. Share your opinions too, as they may help with reshaping and improving others, including mine.
Let's begin shall we?
THE VERY FIRST SERIES I DIVED INTO:
It's fast approaching seven years since the day I properly stepped foot into the television universe, yet it still seems like yesterday. I can still remember the promos of a young Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) watching himself turn in the bathtub. I can remember feeling the hunger to find out what would happen next. It was the beginning of a new phase for me. Like a light so pale but still somewhat visible, which had me catch a glimpse of what I would grow to profoundly enjoy. Teen Wolf saw me live up to adolescence and sparked my newfound appreciation for television drama. Because of this show, I've had something to talk about with friends. I would go on to build a stronger connection with them and we would chase new things to talk about along the way. There's no telling the person I would be now if I chose to ignore the series.
It's fast approaching seven years since the day I properly stepped foot into the television universe, yet it still seems like yesterday. I can still remember the promos of a young Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) watching himself turn in the bathtub. I can remember feeling the hunger to find out what would happen next. It was the beginning of a new phase for me. Like a light so pale but still somewhat visible, which had me catch a glimpse of what I would grow to profoundly enjoy. Teen Wolf saw me live up to adolescence and sparked my newfound appreciation for television drama. Because of this show, I've had something to talk about with friends. I would go on to build a stronger connection with them and we would chase new things to talk about along the way. There's no telling the person I would be now if I chose to ignore the series.
During the midst of my high school years, the opening season of Teen Wolf would broadcast on free-to-air TV very late at night. The first few episodes were shown at 10:00pm every Tuesday until a decision by the network was made to push the show back an hour for reasons unknown to viewers. Without any devices at the time to record the program, I was forced to sit up and watch the remaining episodes in a rather somnolent state. This would be on top of a stressful period for me, dealing with the pressures of balancing my education with home life. My parents were somewhat frustrated as well with the difficult conditions I had to tackle around the time. But as I've already stated, that was almost seven years ago. Not only now have I managed my troubles, but have also found myself a direction in life I plan on taking. That's another story. The question now needing to be answered is whether or not I made the right choice. Was Teen Wolf worth the effort back then? Were those first twelve episodes good enough for me to have stayed awake for? The TJ of 2011 would most likely nod his head. As for the TJ of 2018, well... maybe not.
School for me wasn't only studying the set curriculum. It was me also learning more about myself. What was it I truly liked doing? Where did my strengths and weaknesses lie? What was I aiming for? As I edged closer to the finish line of secondary, I grew a deeper understanding of everything around me. Certain views of mine changed and others became rock solid, all supported by good reason. How does this relate to Teen Wolf you may ask? Well I liked season one heaps more back then compared to now. I was a huge sucker for romance and tuned into for the sole purpose of wanting Scott and Allison (Crystal Reed) to find peace and happiness with each other. I was an extremely shallow fan in my teenage years. Now looking back at that first season, I notice how elementary and unoriginal the entire thing was. Teen Wolf didn't just base itself off the 1985 film of the same name, it started off as just another take on a Shakespearean love-story combined with hackneyed werewolf folklore. Understandably the show back then was about introducing itself and easing viewers in. But when placed up against the rest of the series, season one is the ultimate lightweight. Nevertheless, it was a solid start and I still have it listed under the 'good' category.
To be honest, that is not a bad thing. Jeff Davis and his teammates having lifted above their weight year after year for the first half of the show's running, is a feat worth admiring. Teen Wolf built its own identity. It became its own original concept, expanding from basic werewolf material to reimagine other supernatural mythology. The show occasionally educated us on history through dialogue and provided its view on such issue like discrimination with a hands-on approach. From season two onward, the action and suspense escalated and the mysteries were more challenging to decipher. Not to forget there are plenty more moments of hilarity between our favourite characters. The show got better and better. It got to the point where the second half of season three would undeniably become the peak of the entire series. It turned out so great, that it was almost impossible to back it up. In the end, this became true. The writers struggled. Cast members left for other projects, ratings were dropping and the quality of the storylines were quick to decay. Teen Wolf was dying a slow and painful death.
Come the final season, I just lost passion for the show. After fans suspected the mistreatment of a couple of cast members, I felt like I couldn't trust the crew to deliver a good story for their final season. In the end, my newfound perspective was worthwhile. But I couldn't give up the series knowing how far I have taken myself and how close I was to the end, so I battled through both 6A and 6B. Not one of the final twenty episodes I was able to relish. When a new episode came on every week, I felt in no hurry to watch it and the untouched pile would only accumulate. The entirety of season six appeared as if the writing team had given up and decided to take the easy way out, leaving behind countless plotholes and pandering to whatever audience that remained. The quality storytelling was absent as the ratings took a nosedive. A lot began to see the ill-thought direction for what it was as time went by. What was once my favourite program, experienced ultimate ruination and the nail was already in the coffin before it could finish. As much as I loved this show, it ran its course and had to end. Teen Wolf crashed so badly, that my excitement for any spin-off or continuation of the series is just about non-existent.
THE SERIES I ANTICIPATED MOST:
I was absolutely astonished when Arrow opened itself up to the extraordinary during the introduction of Barry Allen (Grant Gustin). I initially thought they would never go there, especially given how grounded and raw the show was around that time. But after seeing it for myself, I wanted more. Not long after I would find out the good news for myself. Barry Allen was getting his own space on The CW. After 23 years, DC's fastest superhero was returning with its own television show. I was never really someone who grew up with superheroes, but for some strange reason this excited me. And when it came to the excitement, I wasn't ever alone. The show's pilot was the second most-watched of any premiere on the network. Seems to me that millions of other people at the time were eager to dive right into it as well.
What makes The Flash so special, is that it has constructed its own signatures. There is a clear distinctiveness attached to everything it offers. Star Labs had grown to become the core setting of the entire Arrowverse. The characters have been strongly developed to the point where they are now their own entities with unique personalities. The energetic orchestral score composed by Blake Neely had fast (pardon the pun) become one of the most renowned pieces of music produced for modern-day television. Gustin is currently considered to be one of the biggest and most recognizable faces of the small screen. And for a show on a tight budget, the visual effects have turned out to be a thing of beauty. All of this, along with the gradual progression of its material and the ability to connect science with imagination has seen The Flash achieve what many other shows can only dream about. Its fame is well deserved.
But even with the healthy ratings and the growing popularity, The Flash still reveals many of its weaknesses. For a while, it had been glued to its formula and struggled to really break its way into new territory. The show's structure found itself firmly fixed to become familiar to its audience, thus demonstrating predictability along with omitting the element of surprise. The Flash yields a simple approach (similar to that of a kids' cartoon) for the delivery of its content as a means to keep its links with the younger demographic. But like all choices, it comes with a cost. Older viewers have sensed its lack of experimentation. They've often felt starved of new and complex material and believed to have been ignored when they have called for it. The Flash as of now, is still in search of that 'middle ground'. It's looking for the perfect balance to satisfy all sectors of its fan-base whilst continuing to adhere to its comic book history.
In recent times, I have personally found the quality of the show to have fluctuated from both a short-term and long-term perspective. There have been periods when I've been left eagerly desperate to find out what happens next for Team Flash and there have been periods when I was simply willing to wait. I see this series as somewhat inconsistent in the way it presents itself. Times when I was left extremely irritated with what had taken place in the series would later see me entertaining myself with jokes about its failures. When bad things happen, we're then blaming Barry for ****ing the timeline. When promos are released, we're guessing the 'villain of the week'. Even Iris' line 'We are the Flash!' being mocked for its supposed level of cringe. This is proof that even the biggest of shows are not immune to disappointing its audience. In spite of its problems, I see The Flash having plenty more to give and I still believe that it can reach new heights.
What makes The Flash so special, is that it has constructed its own signatures. There is a clear distinctiveness attached to everything it offers. Star Labs had grown to become the core setting of the entire Arrowverse. The characters have been strongly developed to the point where they are now their own entities with unique personalities. The energetic orchestral score composed by Blake Neely had fast (pardon the pun) become one of the most renowned pieces of music produced for modern-day television. Gustin is currently considered to be one of the biggest and most recognizable faces of the small screen. And for a show on a tight budget, the visual effects have turned out to be a thing of beauty. All of this, along with the gradual progression of its material and the ability to connect science with imagination has seen The Flash achieve what many other shows can only dream about. Its fame is well deserved.
But even with the healthy ratings and the growing popularity, The Flash still reveals many of its weaknesses. For a while, it had been glued to its formula and struggled to really break its way into new territory. The show's structure found itself firmly fixed to become familiar to its audience, thus demonstrating predictability along with omitting the element of surprise. The Flash yields a simple approach (similar to that of a kids' cartoon) for the delivery of its content as a means to keep its links with the younger demographic. But like all choices, it comes with a cost. Older viewers have sensed its lack of experimentation. They've often felt starved of new and complex material and believed to have been ignored when they have called for it. The Flash as of now, is still in search of that 'middle ground'. It's looking for the perfect balance to satisfy all sectors of its fan-base whilst continuing to adhere to its comic book history.
In recent times, I have personally found the quality of the show to have fluctuated from both a short-term and long-term perspective. There have been periods when I've been left eagerly desperate to find out what happens next for Team Flash and there have been periods when I was simply willing to wait. I see this series as somewhat inconsistent in the way it presents itself. Times when I was left extremely irritated with what had taken place in the series would later see me entertaining myself with jokes about its failures. When bad things happen, we're then blaming Barry for ****ing the timeline. When promos are released, we're guessing the 'villain of the week'. Even Iris' line 'We are the Flash!' being mocked for its supposed level of cringe. This is proof that even the biggest of shows are not immune to disappointing its audience. In spite of its problems, I see The Flash having plenty more to give and I still believe that it can reach new heights.
THE SERIES I OCCASIONALLY STRUGGLE TO COMPREHEND:
Want to know an interesting fact? Legion was at first a mistake. Not the show of course, but me getting into it. At the time before it began airing I knew very little about it (and I have practically zero knowledge of the X-Men comics), therefore confusing it with another completely separate project called Beyond. Despite my misconception I continued to persist viewing the series as a whole after the first chapter and I must say it was a mistake worth making. Usually I don't find myself attracted to Marvel's television material, but for some reason this sticks out as an exception. It successfully separates itself from most other works of fiction with its rather strange layout and unusual methods for character development. Never before in my life have I seen a show so distinctly different and difficult to decipher while still managing to hold onto its vastly intriguing qualities.
As I just mentioned, Legion is certainly no walk in the park when it comes to keeping track of what's going on. It's something that requires a great level of attention and consistency. Once you choose to jump on the ride, it's highly recommended that you don't get off. Watching only one or two hours of the show would leave anyone puzzled to the point where it is not only hard to explain what takes place but hard to describe as well. To add to the confusion, the episodes are slightly longer in duration and most of what is shown contains very little energy. Notwithstanding the emptiness that may be reasonable to observe, Legion makes up for it by not letting go of any tension it carries. What keeps the audience glued to the screen is that element of surprise. The idea of not knowing what comes next and the hunger to find out. It's purely unpredictable, solely depending on its unusual or extreme series of events to evoke the strongest of emotional responses.
Long story short, Legion is basically one big brain-teaser. Funnily enough, that is also what it intends to be. In addition to the introduction of misdiagnosed mutant David Haller (Dan Stevens), we viewers are immediately affixed to the main protagonist for a similar perspective. We are encouraged to share his experiences, feel his fear, ask his questions and seek his answers. Our confusion is used as a tool to help us obtain a better understanding of some of the characters, in particular David. Another strength of the series are the special effects. Knowing that it most likely wouldn't survive with just a complicated plot, Legion aims to keep people watching by making itself look visually appealing. Whether it would be dance numbers, silent movies or just simply magical light and sound display, this show takes huge risks by mixing heaps of different ingredients to create something out of the ordinary. And I couldn't finish this without honouring the talented cast in front of me, especially Aubrey Plaza for her Oscar-worthy performance. For those who are curious, I'd suggest you have a go for yourself. If you find it hard to follow along, don't fret. I did so too. But neither you and I can change the fact Mr. Noah Hawley is a winner with this work of art.
As I just mentioned, Legion is certainly no walk in the park when it comes to keeping track of what's going on. It's something that requires a great level of attention and consistency. Once you choose to jump on the ride, it's highly recommended that you don't get off. Watching only one or two hours of the show would leave anyone puzzled to the point where it is not only hard to explain what takes place but hard to describe as well. To add to the confusion, the episodes are slightly longer in duration and most of what is shown contains very little energy. Notwithstanding the emptiness that may be reasonable to observe, Legion makes up for it by not letting go of any tension it carries. What keeps the audience glued to the screen is that element of surprise. The idea of not knowing what comes next and the hunger to find out. It's purely unpredictable, solely depending on its unusual or extreme series of events to evoke the strongest of emotional responses.
Long story short, Legion is basically one big brain-teaser. Funnily enough, that is also what it intends to be. In addition to the introduction of misdiagnosed mutant David Haller (Dan Stevens), we viewers are immediately affixed to the main protagonist for a similar perspective. We are encouraged to share his experiences, feel his fear, ask his questions and seek his answers. Our confusion is used as a tool to help us obtain a better understanding of some of the characters, in particular David. Another strength of the series are the special effects. Knowing that it most likely wouldn't survive with just a complicated plot, Legion aims to keep people watching by making itself look visually appealing. Whether it would be dance numbers, silent movies or just simply magical light and sound display, this show takes huge risks by mixing heaps of different ingredients to create something out of the ordinary. And I couldn't finish this without honouring the talented cast in front of me, especially Aubrey Plaza for her Oscar-worthy performance. For those who are curious, I'd suggest you have a go for yourself. If you find it hard to follow along, don't fret. I did so too. But neither you and I can change the fact Mr. Noah Hawley is a winner with this work of art.
THE SERIES ON THE RISE:
Truth be told, I never heard of this DC character before the show was announced. And I like to think that a fair share of other TV enthusiasts were in a similar position to that of my own. On the odd occasion prior to its premiere I had my doubts with the idea and whether it would work out, especially given its time of release. But considering the fact I was investing some of my hours into the other four CW superhero shows, I thought it would only seem fair that I gave it a shot. All I can say is, I am glad I did. After just one episode, Black Lightning made its statement loud and clear. It would take itself very seriously and pull no punches. I find it unbelievable how something can step right in and impress so quickly. Usually it's way too early to judge on something around this time, yet The CW's newest series had me begging for more quicker than any other show I glued my eyes to.
It's as fierce as Arrow, as imaginative as The Flash, as meaningful as Supergirl and as adventurous as DC's Legends Of Tomorrow. But while displaying such comparable facets, Black Lightning proves itself as being something completely fresh and new to the network. It does everything it needs to do, and so much more. It establishes a connection with reality, addressing contemporary issues in society. It provides its own smooth and unique introduction to the story. The action is intense. The mystery is deep. The plot is appropriately complex and the primary antagonist is super menacing. Not to mention that antagonist is played by the incredibly awesome Marvin "Krondon" Jones III. The writing team in a way, have communicated a message through their show regarding their approach. A message of both strength and courage. A message stating how unafraid they are to place their foot a little over the boundaries. This can immediately be sensed ten minutes into the first episode. On top of all of this, the cast look as if they have already been working with each other for years. They gel so well and the drama from them feels so real. So far it's hard to find anything wrong with Black Lightning.
The show begins not from the birth, but instead the revival of a hero. Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) is pushed to come out of retirement and be the hero his town of Freeland so desperately needs. It then leaves him in the toughest of positions, having to weigh up what seems most important. He's left questioning which job of his helps the community more (the electrifying vigilante or the knowledgeable principal of Garfield High School). With support from his family, fellow detective Billy Henderson (Damon Gupton) and mentor/father figure Peter Gambi (James Remar), Jefferson looks to find a way in fighting off the growing crime rate engulfing Freeland. His aim is to follow his father's footsteps and find the peace everyone is searching for.
While it is true that the first season of any show is the strong foundation that sets a good example for the rest of the series, I have faith that this show can go that one step greater. I believe it has so much more to give. I think I could learn a thing or two from this show. In fact, I already have:
'Where's the future? Right here! Whose life is this? Mine! And what are you gonna do with it? Live it by any means necessary!'
This is going to stick with me for quite some time.
It's as fierce as Arrow, as imaginative as The Flash, as meaningful as Supergirl and as adventurous as DC's Legends Of Tomorrow. But while displaying such comparable facets, Black Lightning proves itself as being something completely fresh and new to the network. It does everything it needs to do, and so much more. It establishes a connection with reality, addressing contemporary issues in society. It provides its own smooth and unique introduction to the story. The action is intense. The mystery is deep. The plot is appropriately complex and the primary antagonist is super menacing. Not to mention that antagonist is played by the incredibly awesome Marvin "Krondon" Jones III. The writing team in a way, have communicated a message through their show regarding their approach. A message of both strength and courage. A message stating how unafraid they are to place their foot a little over the boundaries. This can immediately be sensed ten minutes into the first episode. On top of all of this, the cast look as if they have already been working with each other for years. They gel so well and the drama from them feels so real. So far it's hard to find anything wrong with Black Lightning.
The show begins not from the birth, but instead the revival of a hero. Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) is pushed to come out of retirement and be the hero his town of Freeland so desperately needs. It then leaves him in the toughest of positions, having to weigh up what seems most important. He's left questioning which job of his helps the community more (the electrifying vigilante or the knowledgeable principal of Garfield High School). With support from his family, fellow detective Billy Henderson (Damon Gupton) and mentor/father figure Peter Gambi (James Remar), Jefferson looks to find a way in fighting off the growing crime rate engulfing Freeland. His aim is to follow his father's footsteps and find the peace everyone is searching for.
While it is true that the first season of any show is the strong foundation that sets a good example for the rest of the series, I have faith that this show can go that one step greater. I believe it has so much more to give. I think I could learn a thing or two from this show. In fact, I already have:
'Where's the future? Right here! Whose life is this? Mine! And what are you gonna do with it? Live it by any means necessary!'
This is going to stick with me for quite some time.
THE SERIES ON THE DECLINE:
The truth is these shows that I watch are not always fantastic when it comes to the storytelling. There were times when they had successfully delivered and there were times when they had failed to impress. These particular ones I discuss have disappointed quite a lot over the years, some more so than others. But even when they are not at the peak of their power, I never turned my back on them. That's probably one of the best things about me in regards to television programs. While I do consider myself very selective of my interests, I regularly tend to develop a long-lasting connection with those I select. Many viewers come across as quite the opposite, willing to give anything a shot in their spare time and show no hesitation to give up when much doesn't go their way. And these people aren't that hard to find online, as they can make their way around social media to passionately voice their thoughts and feelings.
I am a rather solid and persistent audience member of my favourite programs and the only ever time I'd lose track of one is when the schedule is either disorganised or unfavourable. Overall there hasn't been a single show so far I've given up by choice. But did I ever get close to doing so? The answer is yes. Arrow was once close to becoming the first series to be thrown out the window. No point in asking why because I think you very well know the answer to that question. That's right, the infamous season four. Just about two years have passed and I am still haunted by such a disaster. For someone like me to almost call it quits, says a lot about how terrible the show became around that time. I still to this day consider that season to not only be the worst of Arrow, but of any season from any show that I have ever watched. It made most fan-fiction look a hundred times better.
Don't let the horror of season four fool you into thinking that I never cared for the show in general. I still hold onto the small amount of hope that Arrow can return to its former glory, since I have truly enjoyed this dark, action-packed program for what it brought to the table. But even getting into it took a little time, as I did begin from a position where superheroes were of very little interest. To my knowledge, this is the only series of the lot I favour in which I did not start from the pilot. When I first experienced a taste of what it offered, my initial thoughts weren't quite as supportive for the overall product. Yet perseverance saw me hang around to give it a few more chances in impressing me. After watching bits and pieces of the entire first season, I was eventually convinced by its rapid improvement, thus willing to give it a proper go come the following season. And it didn't take long for me to discover that I made the right call. Though I don't think there ever was a moment I looked most forward to Arrow over other programs, I can't deny the fact that the show was really strong in its early years. As it happens, I still deem the second season to be the masterpiece of the entire Arrowverse.
It's not that the latest season is bad or anything because I don't think it's bad at all. However I don't believe it's great either. I'm just not as excited for Arrow at the moment, especially when I compare it with the other four DC shows on The CW. If I could think of one word to perfectly describe season six so far, it would be 'dry'. In the past couple of years, I have looked towards this show often fearing about a possible shortage of good quality story ideas. In terms of progression right now, the characters have gone around in circles and are slowly beginning to lose the vigour that distinguished them from one another. The atmosphere feels dull, the drama is excessive and the focus is all over the place. Not to mention the major villain is not reaching great heights at the moment, despite being played by the superb Michael Emerson. With the exception of the two Deathstroke-centric episodes and the second part of the Crisis On Earth-X crossover event, I've been left unimpressed by the first half of the sixth season. Then again, the fifth season started off in quite similar fashion, only to triumph over its neighbours with a back half that nearly recaptured the greatness that Arrow lost for so long. 'Divided' was a good start. If they can continue such form over the remainder of the season, my excitement for the series as a whole may not just rise, but last for many more years to come.
THE SERIES I TOOK SOME TIME GETTING USED TO:
All it took was one look at the promotional pictures of the cast and a peek at one of the trailers. A spin-off series starring Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), Ray Palmer (Brandon Routh), Martin Stein (Victor Garber) and Leonard Snart (Wentworth Miller)? I'm down for that. It was a group of characters I got to know so well elsewhere, coming together with the hope of achieving a common goal. Protecting history. I didn't just see this idea as a treat. I saw it as a requisite. I thought to myself 'If I'm watching Arrow and I'm watching The Flash, then I should watch this. It's a package deal'. Knowing both who and what was going to be involved in this project, there was no doubt that numerous crossovers were bound to come my way. I'm the type of person who has always desired a full taste of the pie. I chase for complete knowledge and the ultimate experience. For me, it's basically all or nothing. No show, especially one such as DC's Legends Of Tomorrow was exempt from this. Thankfully, my way of thinking didn't create any trouble for myself. Much to my convenience, this series happened to be something I was genuinely excited for.
The first season however, couldn't seem to live up to the hype. Shows centred around time travel usually do take a lot of effort to grasp and this one was no different. It was one of the most complicated and puzzling plots I've come across. To add to the frustrating challenge, I was dished up weak and insipid drama. Certain characters like Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl (Ciara Renée) weren't able to convince me of their value and others like her partner Carter Hall/Hawman (Falk Hentschel) were completely underutilised. The villain, Vandal Savage (Casper Crump) was (and still is) considered to be one of the worst antagonists written for the Arrowverse so far. He failed to meet comic standards so badly, that it left fans making fun of him. Even the actor that played him was joking about it (at least that is what I remember reading somewhere). Season one reached the point of practically being forgettable. As a matter of fact, I already have forgotten it. If you asked me what season one of DC's Legends Of Tomorrow was about, I in no way would be able to give you a proper answer. It wasn't dreadful. It just couldn't hold itself up to be good enough.
The next season and a half however, would appear much different. While continuing to stick with its usual format, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow began finding its own path. A path which saw it as something lighter and a little more family-friendly. The stories became easier to follow and the chemistry between the main cast grew stronger. This series would not just work with an array of familiar faces from the two parent shows, but would also find a way to get the best out of them. Most notable examples of this were Mick Rory/Heatwave (Dominic Purcell) who I didn't care much for at first and Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough) who I utterly despised on Arrow. Both later would turn into arguably two of the most entertaining characters brought to screens. Even having taken a few hits with people leaving, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow still battles through the pain and takes on whatever gets in its way. By doing so, it has in a way shown mummy and daddy how it's done. This is now one of the very few shows that can do something crazy or ridiculous and get away with it.
I am a rather solid and persistent audience member of my favourite programs and the only ever time I'd lose track of one is when the schedule is either disorganised or unfavourable. Overall there hasn't been a single show so far I've given up by choice. But did I ever get close to doing so? The answer is yes. Arrow was once close to becoming the first series to be thrown out the window. No point in asking why because I think you very well know the answer to that question. That's right, the infamous season four. Just about two years have passed and I am still haunted by such a disaster. For someone like me to almost call it quits, says a lot about how terrible the show became around that time. I still to this day consider that season to not only be the worst of Arrow, but of any season from any show that I have ever watched. It made most fan-fiction look a hundred times better.
Don't let the horror of season four fool you into thinking that I never cared for the show in general. I still hold onto the small amount of hope that Arrow can return to its former glory, since I have truly enjoyed this dark, action-packed program for what it brought to the table. But even getting into it took a little time, as I did begin from a position where superheroes were of very little interest. To my knowledge, this is the only series of the lot I favour in which I did not start from the pilot. When I first experienced a taste of what it offered, my initial thoughts weren't quite as supportive for the overall product. Yet perseverance saw me hang around to give it a few more chances in impressing me. After watching bits and pieces of the entire first season, I was eventually convinced by its rapid improvement, thus willing to give it a proper go come the following season. And it didn't take long for me to discover that I made the right call. Though I don't think there ever was a moment I looked most forward to Arrow over other programs, I can't deny the fact that the show was really strong in its early years. As it happens, I still deem the second season to be the masterpiece of the entire Arrowverse.
It's not that the latest season is bad or anything because I don't think it's bad at all. However I don't believe it's great either. I'm just not as excited for Arrow at the moment, especially when I compare it with the other four DC shows on The CW. If I could think of one word to perfectly describe season six so far, it would be 'dry'. In the past couple of years, I have looked towards this show often fearing about a possible shortage of good quality story ideas. In terms of progression right now, the characters have gone around in circles and are slowly beginning to lose the vigour that distinguished them from one another. The atmosphere feels dull, the drama is excessive and the focus is all over the place. Not to mention the major villain is not reaching great heights at the moment, despite being played by the superb Michael Emerson. With the exception of the two Deathstroke-centric episodes and the second part of the Crisis On Earth-X crossover event, I've been left unimpressed by the first half of the sixth season. Then again, the fifth season started off in quite similar fashion, only to triumph over its neighbours with a back half that nearly recaptured the greatness that Arrow lost for so long. 'Divided' was a good start. If they can continue such form over the remainder of the season, my excitement for the series as a whole may not just rise, but last for many more years to come.
THE SERIES I TOOK SOME TIME GETTING USED TO:
The first season however, couldn't seem to live up to the hype. Shows centred around time travel usually do take a lot of effort to grasp and this one was no different. It was one of the most complicated and puzzling plots I've come across. To add to the frustrating challenge, I was dished up weak and insipid drama. Certain characters like Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl (Ciara Renée) weren't able to convince me of their value and others like her partner Carter Hall/Hawman (Falk Hentschel) were completely underutilised. The villain, Vandal Savage (Casper Crump) was (and still is) considered to be one of the worst antagonists written for the Arrowverse so far. He failed to meet comic standards so badly, that it left fans making fun of him. Even the actor that played him was joking about it (at least that is what I remember reading somewhere). Season one reached the point of practically being forgettable. As a matter of fact, I already have forgotten it. If you asked me what season one of DC's Legends Of Tomorrow was about, I in no way would be able to give you a proper answer. It wasn't dreadful. It just couldn't hold itself up to be good enough.
The next season and a half however, would appear much different. While continuing to stick with its usual format, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow began finding its own path. A path which saw it as something lighter and a little more family-friendly. The stories became easier to follow and the chemistry between the main cast grew stronger. This series would not just work with an array of familiar faces from the two parent shows, but would also find a way to get the best out of them. Most notable examples of this were Mick Rory/Heatwave (Dominic Purcell) who I didn't care much for at first and Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough) who I utterly despised on Arrow. Both later would turn into arguably two of the most entertaining characters brought to screens. Even having taken a few hits with people leaving, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow still battles through the pain and takes on whatever gets in its way. By doing so, it has in a way shown mummy and daddy how it's done. This is now one of the very few shows that can do something crazy or ridiculous and get away with it.
MY FAVOURITE ANIMATED SERIES:
I guess the primary reason for my disinterest of modern-day cartoons is that I believe they can't compare to those of my generation. During the 90's and early 2000's, kids' shows had less boundaries and were more straightforward in their approach of storytelling. From the striking theme music and distinguishable characters to the simple plots and family-friendly comedy, the classic hand-drawn television works of my early life knew how to hit home and develop a warm and comforting connection with home viewers. Nowadays similarities are few and far between. With the exception of such successes like Gravity Falls, Steven Universe and even Rick And Morty, most animated shows regardless of whether they are CGI or hand-drawn have become little about themselves and more about everything else around them. Some cartoons have sold their identity to make amusement out of contemporary pop culture and political ideas. Others such as Pokémon (another show I loved watching as a kid) has grown to become so complicated, its primary focus has shifted to selling merchandise. Long-lasting cartoons like Spongebob Squarepants, The Simpsons and Family Guy have become victims of their own success and seem to now be hanging around for the sole purpose of collecting whatever commercial profits they can.
Sonic Boom is one of the more underrated cartoons going around today. I was first introduced to it two years ago by free-to-air television, as reruns of the first season were both shown during late afternoon or in the early hours of the morning. But much like Arrow, I took quite some time to view it with rapture and instead began full focus from the second season. And much like Arrow again, the second season shined brighter. What I love most about this series, is that it is completely light-hearted. It loves to ridicule anything from itself to its audience. Whether it is regularly breaking the fourth wall or just cracking the simplest of jokes, the amorphous structure and random stories explore different varieties of humour to recognise and appease any individual. And while it’s still one of many shows that succumb to the idea of twisting politics and pop culture references to its liking, this show never takes sides and never communicates serious messages. Sonic Boom is often a guilty pleasure of mine, and is a good getaway from the pressures in life.
THE SERIES I'M STRONGLY CONSIDERING TO WATCH:
Of course I can't say much about this one since I am providing my perspective on something I haven't touched. But after hearing of its moderate success and growing popularity, I have strongly contemplated whether or not to seek indulgence from this particular series. Riverdale has fast become a strong topic of discussion amongst everyday viewers and YouTube reactors from around the world. Based on the many characters of Archie Comics, this show seems to be one for not only building an emotional attachment but for connecting the dots and exercising the mind as well. As of right now I am still undecided but given my fairly decent level of fascination with mystery-focused dramas, the scales are tipping in favour of me giving it a try.
There are
two very important things you should know before I go into further explanation
about Sonic Boom being my favourite animated
series. The first is that I don't usually tune into a lot of today's cartoons.
I wouldn't blame you for thinking it's because I'm too old for most of them,
but you'd be far from correct here. Despite the fact I'm now a young adult, I
rarely see age as a barrier for many things. I still enjoy
bringing out my inner child when it comes to such stuff as cartoons, old
video games and children's movies. Whether it is for nostalgia purposes or just
simply becoming intrigued by the material, I'm not afraid to admit that I can
be a sucker for childhood's pleasures.
I guess the primary reason for my disinterest of modern-day cartoons is that I believe they can't compare to those of my generation. During the 90's and early 2000's, kids' shows had less boundaries and were more straightforward in their approach of storytelling. From the striking theme music and distinguishable characters to the simple plots and family-friendly comedy, the classic hand-drawn television works of my early life knew how to hit home and develop a warm and comforting connection with home viewers. Nowadays similarities are few and far between. With the exception of such successes like Gravity Falls, Steven Universe and even Rick And Morty, most animated shows regardless of whether they are CGI or hand-drawn have become little about themselves and more about everything else around them. Some cartoons have sold their identity to make amusement out of contemporary pop culture and political ideas. Others such as Pokémon (another show I loved watching as a kid) has grown to become so complicated, its primary focus has shifted to selling merchandise. Long-lasting cartoons like Spongebob Squarepants, The Simpsons and Family Guy have become victims of their own success and seem to now be hanging around for the sole purpose of collecting whatever commercial profits they can.
The second
important thing to remember is that I never was much into 'Sonic The
Hedgehog' when I was young. If anything I was more of a Mario and Nintendo
fan, growing up with regular access to the classic Super Mario Bros. Deluxe on
my old Game Boy Color while also getting the rare opportunity to enjoy the much
loved Mario Kart 64 for the Nintendo 64. Despite having too owned an
unspecified version of the original Sonic format on a PC compilation disc and
possibly a different version for my family’s old Sega console which we no
longer possess, I never found the appeal in them. ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ was just
one of those franchises I acknowledged every now and then, but never really
bothered diving into. That is until 2017 came around.
My respect
for Sega’s biggest accomplishment is not of the typical kind. I don’t care for
playing the video games and I don’t see a need to own any sort of merchandise
whatsoever. So what is it about Sonic I revere most you ask? The answer is its
history. I opened myself to further knowledge and ended up temporarily
engrossed in everything from the birth of the speedy hedgehog to where the
franchise stands as of now. I strived to gain greater cognizance of its
characters, spin-offs and even its critical reception over the years. I’ve gone
as far as to binge-watch the entire Sonic X anime series and study its strong
association with the comics and original games. But in spite of the time and
effort spent researching such information, I wouldn’t say that I’m a Sonic
enthusiast. There are still many questions I wouldn’t be able to answer
correctly. This was just one of many strange fixations I’ve had of late, and it
all started from a comical animated spin-off called Sonic Boom.
Sonic Boom is one of the more underrated cartoons going around today. I was first introduced to it two years ago by free-to-air television, as reruns of the first season were both shown during late afternoon or in the early hours of the morning. But much like Arrow, I took quite some time to view it with rapture and instead began full focus from the second season. And much like Arrow again, the second season shined brighter. What I love most about this series, is that it is completely light-hearted. It loves to ridicule anything from itself to its audience. Whether it is regularly breaking the fourth wall or just cracking the simplest of jokes, the amorphous structure and random stories explore different varieties of humour to recognise and appease any individual. And while it’s still one of many shows that succumb to the idea of twisting politics and pop culture references to its liking, this show never takes sides and never communicates serious messages. Sonic Boom is often a guilty pleasure of mine, and is a good getaway from the pressures in life.
THE SERIES I'M STRONGLY CONSIDERING TO WATCH:
MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE SERIES:
The same Australian network which introduced me to Teen Wolf, came out the following year with another show that didn't take long gaining my attention. It would be a show focusing around fairy-tales and their connection to the real world. I thought to myself 'this would be interesting'. After all I like so many others, grew up with fairy-tales as well as some of Disney's animated theatrical releases. I mean who hasn't? Resisting the temptation to explore the twists and turns this series was going to provide was nearly impossible. After one whole season, I fell in love with the show. That love would only grow as years passed and more adventures with the characters were shared. I would love the highs. I would love the lows. I would greatly respect the 'controversial' seventh season. Heck I even savoured its short-lasting spin-off, Once Upon A Time In Wonderland. The second ever live-action drama series I threw myself towards, would go on to become my favourite of all time.
Just about everything Once Upon A Time has brought into the light has become a part of me. From the beautiful and peaceful setting to the breathtaking music, this show has rarely disappointed me. The characters are almost impossible to dislike, as they are portrayed by a phenomenal cast which is stockpiled of highly-experienced and super talented actors including Jennifer Morrison (House), Lana Parrilla (Boomtown), Colin O'Donoghue (The Rite), Rebecca Mader (Lost, The Devil Wears Prada) and Robert Carlyle (Stargate Universe, Trainspotting, The Full Monty). The show itself amplifies imagination and provides us viewers with a new image to classic fairy-tale material. It influences us to see certain things in ways we never have. Not only that, Once Upon A Time has even proven to me that it is fairly educational. It has now and then reminded me that there is more than meets the eye and has taught me to look beyond the surface. It has taught me that while love can be weakness, it is something worth fighting for. It has taught me that it is never too late to make up for our own mistakes. I've learnt so much from this series along the way. It even made me enjoy learning from it. Turns out school wasn't the only source of my growing knowledge.
What I love most about this show is that while it acknowledges a black and white perspective, it can at times strongly stand against it. Once Upon A Time has looked towards building great depth for each of its components. This is most noticeable with its characters. Us as viewers are often encouraged to measure our thoughts and feelings rather than simply choose them. We're in a way, advised to look at every aspect of a particular character and ask ourselves questions based on what we gather from them. How evil is this particular villain? How much have they accomplished? How far are they from any redemption? Such questions can too be applied to heroes surrounding their level of virtue. Is their heroism powerful enough? What and how much can push them over the edge? Once Upon A Time like me, tries hard to avoid the either/or attitude. It prefers to not pigeonhole its own properties and it wants us thinking long and hard about where things sit as they are built using many shades of grey.
As much as I would wish for my strong, unwavering devotion to this series prove otherwise, there is no denying the noticeable faults when I see them. Neither I nor anyone else can challenge the truth that is clear as crystal. Once Upon A Time is far from perfect. As the seasons progress, the show loses itself within its storylines and fails to address several of the mistakes and plot inconsistencies it leaves behind. Timelines become tangled to the point of being completely discarded and the family tree of characters expands, only to end up evermore confusing. Character development is almost stretched out of shape for few like Snow (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Charming (Josh Dallas), while guests are rushed in and out the door too quickly. Long-time viewers of the show have become more vocal than ever in recent years, expressing disappointment with the production and certain decisions made to continue the overall narrative.
And I suppose people would want to know my thoughts on the 'soft reboot'. Well I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about how the seventh season would turn out, especially with the absence of many fan-favourites including Emma Swan, young Henry Mills (Jared S. Gilmore) and the Charmings. I had my doubts, but still chose to persist with the idea. There were moments during the first few episodes when I felt the low energy draining me. There were moments when the stories looked as if they were dragging on for longer than they usually did. Long story short, I got a little bored. But having learnt so much from the show about faith and hope, I knew not to give up on it. Slowly reaching the mid-season finale, the intensity of the overall plot increased. The new characters earned their respect through short but smooth development. And in spite of its relatively darker presentation, season seven somehow still finds a way to awaken nostalgia and bring about old feelings of warmth and beauty from the first season. I don't blame the executive producers for taking the vastly different direction. I did see the change being appropriate and something that needed to happen. And now I see myself as one of the very few who's still enjoying the ride.
Nonetheless, my number one program has managed to present itself as one of the more steady and well-established shows on television. As opposed to the likes of Teen Wolf and Arrow, which have produced both superlative and atrocious seasons throughout their time, Once Upon A Time balances itself nicely by providing an extremely consistent level of storytelling. The show is quite balanced and each of the seasons are not that different from one another in terms of quality and intricacy. The best stories aren't overly fantastic and the worst are far from terrible. But to me, this matters very little. What does matter is that Once Upon A Time as a whole was and still is, a success. In fact, it was always going to be as huge as it now is from the minute I saw the first promo. I don't know how the creators saw differently to begin with. I personally don't believe there will ever be another show I will love and cherish as much as this one.
Just about everything Once Upon A Time has brought into the light has become a part of me. From the beautiful and peaceful setting to the breathtaking music, this show has rarely disappointed me. The characters are almost impossible to dislike, as they are portrayed by a phenomenal cast which is stockpiled of highly-experienced and super talented actors including Jennifer Morrison (House), Lana Parrilla (Boomtown), Colin O'Donoghue (The Rite), Rebecca Mader (Lost, The Devil Wears Prada) and Robert Carlyle (Stargate Universe, Trainspotting, The Full Monty). The show itself amplifies imagination and provides us viewers with a new image to classic fairy-tale material. It influences us to see certain things in ways we never have. Not only that, Once Upon A Time has even proven to me that it is fairly educational. It has now and then reminded me that there is more than meets the eye and has taught me to look beyond the surface. It has taught me that while love can be weakness, it is something worth fighting for. It has taught me that it is never too late to make up for our own mistakes. I've learnt so much from this series along the way. It even made me enjoy learning from it. Turns out school wasn't the only source of my growing knowledge.
What I love most about this show is that while it acknowledges a black and white perspective, it can at times strongly stand against it. Once Upon A Time has looked towards building great depth for each of its components. This is most noticeable with its characters. Us as viewers are often encouraged to measure our thoughts and feelings rather than simply choose them. We're in a way, advised to look at every aspect of a particular character and ask ourselves questions based on what we gather from them. How evil is this particular villain? How much have they accomplished? How far are they from any redemption? Such questions can too be applied to heroes surrounding their level of virtue. Is their heroism powerful enough? What and how much can push them over the edge? Once Upon A Time like me, tries hard to avoid the either/or attitude. It prefers to not pigeonhole its own properties and it wants us thinking long and hard about where things sit as they are built using many shades of grey.
As much as I would wish for my strong, unwavering devotion to this series prove otherwise, there is no denying the noticeable faults when I see them. Neither I nor anyone else can challenge the truth that is clear as crystal. Once Upon A Time is far from perfect. As the seasons progress, the show loses itself within its storylines and fails to address several of the mistakes and plot inconsistencies it leaves behind. Timelines become tangled to the point of being completely discarded and the family tree of characters expands, only to end up evermore confusing. Character development is almost stretched out of shape for few like Snow (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Charming (Josh Dallas), while guests are rushed in and out the door too quickly. Long-time viewers of the show have become more vocal than ever in recent years, expressing disappointment with the production and certain decisions made to continue the overall narrative.
And I suppose people would want to know my thoughts on the 'soft reboot'. Well I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about how the seventh season would turn out, especially with the absence of many fan-favourites including Emma Swan, young Henry Mills (Jared S. Gilmore) and the Charmings. I had my doubts, but still chose to persist with the idea. There were moments during the first few episodes when I felt the low energy draining me. There were moments when the stories looked as if they were dragging on for longer than they usually did. Long story short, I got a little bored. But having learnt so much from the show about faith and hope, I knew not to give up on it. Slowly reaching the mid-season finale, the intensity of the overall plot increased. The new characters earned their respect through short but smooth development. And in spite of its relatively darker presentation, season seven somehow still finds a way to awaken nostalgia and bring about old feelings of warmth and beauty from the first season. I don't blame the executive producers for taking the vastly different direction. I did see the change being appropriate and something that needed to happen. And now I see myself as one of the very few who's still enjoying the ride.
Nonetheless, my number one program has managed to present itself as one of the more steady and well-established shows on television. As opposed to the likes of Teen Wolf and Arrow, which have produced both superlative and atrocious seasons throughout their time, Once Upon A Time balances itself nicely by providing an extremely consistent level of storytelling. The show is quite balanced and each of the seasons are not that different from one another in terms of quality and intricacy. The best stories aren't overly fantastic and the worst are far from terrible. But to me, this matters very little. What does matter is that Once Upon A Time as a whole was and still is, a success. In fact, it was always going to be as huge as it now is from the minute I saw the first promo. I don't know how the creators saw differently to begin with. I personally don't believe there will ever be another show I will love and cherish as much as this one.
THE SERIES I AM CURRENTLY CRAVING THE MOST:
The first two seasons I do consider to have been extremely flawed. Season one more-so. However they are not as bad as they are often made out to be. Season one of Supergirl achieved what just about every television show does in its first season. It became the definition. It had set its ultimate objective. It planted the seeds and nurtured them perfectly enough for us viewers to have taken pleasure in the beautiful green shoots that peeped shortly afterward. These 'green shoots' being characters with distinctive personalities. Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist) would be bubbly girl we all immediately fall in love with, determined to embrace her identity and make a difference in any way she possibly could. Her adoptive sister Alex (Chyler Leigh) who we too fall in love with, would be seen as a badass agent with a caring heart. Kara's friend Winn (Jeremy Jordan), a computer wiz with a knack for referencing pop culture. Not to mention Kara's boss Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart), a savvy, egotistical business woman who sees the world for what it is and inspires many to do the same.
While falling in love with these characters, everything else was bringing the show down. The CGI was poor. The costumes looked cheap. The dialogue at times was cringeworthy. The antagonists were forgettable. Most importantly, the show-runners couldn't seem to clearly figure out their main demographic. The earlier episodes looked as if they were specifically targeting young, impressionable females. It saw me feeling uncomfortable and had me believing I wasn't invited to watch them. It would change a little during the second half of the season, but it still didn't stop me from sensing that confusion surrounding it. Season two would step in to completely solve that issue, but at the expense of its storytelling. Notwithstanding the change of networks which would lead to a new filming location and a loss of actors and other personnel, many problems encountered for this season were based off poor decisions made by the screenwriters. Storylines were tangled and the show at the time tried so hard to connect with our reality through political agendas, it often came at the cost of losing the connection with its own reality. On top of that, the second season seemed very distant from the first, like it was a completely new beginning.
As for the show's current status, it is slowly but surely improving. Not as much of a surprise given the very low bar they have set themselves to begin with. Season three has so far been able to balance what each of the past two seasons couldn't. More often than not, it has recognised its roots while sharing its content with a larger demographic. Though still needing to learn how to handle some of the material it's responsible for with care, the most recent episodes have fed many hungry fans the stuff they so greatly desired. They have also experimented with new ideas in search of new strengths. Along with the darker atmosphere, Supergirl has lately been able to uncover a raw side to many of our favourite characters including Kara, Alex, J'onn (David Harewood) and even newbie Sam (Odette Annable). It has had us find ways to sympathise with them and feel their pain. Altogether, season three has allowed the action to keep its weight while the drama and emotion reach the next level. As a result, I have recently found the most enjoyment from this show. Despite the good progress, the series still has plenty of faults. But I trust the new head honchos to stamp out as many of them as possible moving forward.
Travis "TJ" James
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