This post was originally titled “Recent TV Roundup”, but several years is probably pushing the definition of recent.
Given how long ago some of this was, my comments are also likely sketchy.
Andor Season 1
Many people liked this show. I did not. I found it slow and kept wondering when the payoff would be.
It was also really gritty in a way that seems like the current direction of Star Wars but really isn’t for me.
Good Omens
I read the book, but I’m somewhat glad that I didn’t really remember the details. As things happened, the plot points felt familiar, but I certainly remained curious to see how it would pan out.
I’m glad I finished the season but wasn’t specifically looking for more.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1
Somewhere within this show is a really interesting concept with twists and new direction. However, it doesn’t quite work, and I’m not sure what went wrong. Perhaps some plot points felt forced, and character acted as the plot needed them to instead of how they would actually behave.
By the end, I just wasn’t that interested in what would happen next. I haven’t watched season 2, and I’m not sure I will.
It mostly looked really good, though.
Star Trek: Picard Season 3
The last season of Picard took a strange turn in becoming more explicit fan service. After two seasons of doing something different, the show returns to what the fans wanted, and I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or not.
Reflecting broadly on Picard, I’m not sure that this show needed to happen. Commercially, it made a ton of sense to capitalize on Picard’s (i.e. Patrick Stewart’s) popularity. It just doesn’t do much within canon.
The Mandalorian Season 3
I remember mixed details about how this season went, and I’m mixed on the result. On the one hand, the show is pretty easy to watch and has solid action. On the other hand, I’m not really that interested in seeing what will happen.
The Great British Bake Off Season 13
I really, really wish they hadn’t done Mexican week.
Secret Invasion
I do enjoy a good spy thriller, and this was not it.
I wrote a bit about this before, where I certainly felt like I needed to keep watching, but it hurt along the way.
There were some good moments and highlights along the way, but I just wish it made more sense.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2
I really enjoyed watching Strange New Worlds season 2. Particularly, I enjoyed the Lower Decks crossover and the musical episode.
However, after I finished the season, I wondered who didn’t like it, and I stumbled across this YouTube video:
To summarize Chato’s point, there is no subtext in the writing: rather than the characters non-vocally expressing their thoughts and feelings, they often just say their feelings aloud.
At first, I thought this critique was irrelevant to the quality of the show: if the story is good, why does it matter how the thoughts were delivered to me? Presumably the lack of subtext is just a way to make sure the audience is keeping up, and I didn’t mind being patronized.
However, the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. I started picking up on the lack of subtext in other media as well, and it really did seem wrong.
I can’t quite explain why it feels bad, but it has affected my appreciation for the show after all.
Ahsoka Season 1
(Slight spoilers in this section)
First, I wish I had known that this was an “episode 4” situation. I thought that this was a standalone mini-series like Obi-Wan Kenobi, but it turns out that not only is this a continuation of Star Wars Rebels, the story is very unresolved by the end of the season.
Second, I was generally disappointed by the quality of the lightsaber fights and stuntwork overall. I will reserve speculation on why.
Third, I was also very confused about Morgan Elsbeth’s role and wondered if they had miscast her role. Then, she busted out by far the best fight near the end of the season. Turns out that Diana Lee Inosanto, the actress, is actually a martial artist and stunt performer. Great work there.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4
I just recently watched season 5, so I’m hazy on the details. However, it suffices to say that I really enjoyed and looked forward to each episode.
Loki Season 2
I enjoyed this season but not as much as most other people I spoke to. I have become less interested in most media about multiverses and time travel, and I guess it just didn’t quite work for me.
I did have a few laugh out loud moments in the last episode, though, so that was fun.
Delicious in Dungeon Season 1
I’m tipping my hand here, but I will write more about Delicious in Dungeon in my 2024 recommendations post. In short, I stumbled across this show by accident, but it was serendipity because it checks a lot of boxes for me.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5
This show had a lot of ups and downs, but I appreciate that Discovery revived Star Trek on TV, and they were certainly ambitious in trying things out.
The “but” coming is that this season largely didn’t work for me. My favorite episode was perhaps the one least connected to the season-long story arc.
The Great British Bake Off Season 14
I watched most of this while doing chores around the house and found it generally pleasant (like the show always is). It did motivate me to do more ambitious baking, which will be another blog post.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5
What a shame that this is the last season (at least, as currently planned). I guess animated comedy doesn’t land well enough with the Star Trek fanbase and audience, but it really worked for me.
Final Thoughts
When I look at this list, I’m not surprised that most of the TV we watch is within some bigger media franchise or series. I don’t really look for or explore much original TV.
That may be changing. I have fallen off of the MCU and Star Wars content, and Star Trek overall is winding down.
Or maybe I will just watch less TV. I haven’t been sitting down to watch much recently and instead have been primarily watching things while doing chores.
Since I have picked up playing TTRPGs more recently, I have been getting into more actual play content there. Critical Role Abridged has been fantastic, but I will soon catch up.