Is this the only show worth watching twice?
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jmtrc — 9 years ago(June 19, 2016 08:04 AM)
You really need to watch the first five or six episodes of Game of Thrones to be able to figure out if it'll grab you or not, since it takes that long to establish itself. If it hasn't got you by the throat by then, then you can safely forget the rest, because it's clearly not your kind of thing. But if it gets you hooked, then you have an incredible, massive epic to look forward to, since the show manages to hold up in quality throughout its run (so far at least).
It's also definitely a show that can be rewatched, since it frequently drops breadcrumbs that lead to events that take place sometimes
several years
in the future (a recent one took over 5 years to pay off, and blew everyone's minds). A second viewing can be even better than the first, as you notice all the foreshadowing that meant little the first time around. Since it's based on a series of books that were mostly written well in advance of the show, there's a grand plan to the story that's generally absent in other shows, which don't tend to plan more than a season at a time.
Another show I highly recommend is Peaky Blinders:
http://www.imdb.com/board/12442560/
It's about a working-class family of criminals in post-WW1 Birmigham, England. Aside from GoT, it's my favourite show being produced currently. Awesome cast (Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Tom Hardy, among many other lesser-known but also excellent actors), terrific writing, directing, cinematography, production and soundtrack. The seasons are shorter (6 for each one), but there are 3 so far, making for a great 18-episode binge.
Downton Abbey is a decent bit of fluff for the first couple of years, but then goes downhill. Maggie Smith's character and performance as the pompous Dowager Countess is absolutely hilarious, but the rest of the show is a bit lightweight and soapy. It also shouldn't be taken as an accurate representation of the British aristocracy, but rather a rose-tinted bit of myth-making. The social relationships between the nobility and the servants is laughably close and caring, when in actual case most of the staff would have barely been spoken to by the people upstairs. Still, it's worth watching for Maggie Smith alone.
And the Sopranos is a great show - definitely watch that one. -
Whatlarks — 9 years ago(June 19, 2016 08:29 AM)
Peaky Blinders
is highly stylized and of no more substance than the contrasting rosy myth-making of
Downton
. It offers bleakness as an aesthetic.
That's not to disparage either one; but it is tempting for whatever reason to assume that dark drama treated darkly is inherently more substantial. I think a good case could be made that the balance of dark and light in
Downton
is more faithful to life than
Peaky
's vision.
"You must not judge what I know by what I find words for."- Marilynne Robinson
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jmtrc — 9 years ago(October 11, 2016 05:59 PM)
Yeah, of course Peaky Blinders is stylised myth, but I don't think it pretends to be otherwise, and basically no-one is portrayed as particularly admirable. It's not about people you'd actually want to have any dealings with.
Downton Abbey on the other hand is pretty much a propaganda piece in my opinion. It's written by an member of the British upper class (and is now a baron), and it portrays the aristocracy as far more friendly and considerate than they actually were (or are). -
Shadowkisss — 9 years ago(June 20, 2016 04:16 PM)
I don't know how it will be for you Linda, but I didn't like the first episode of GoT that much either (I didn't hate it, but didn't get hooked right away), but decided to continue watching and I'm glad I did, now I can't get enough of it, even though as I said it can be upsetting at times because of the deaths and other things.
And about Downton Abbey, I don't know maybe its just not your kind of show, it is definitely not the same type as GoT nor BB, but it is also very well done. I didn't get hooked at the first episode for this one either though. -
MonoEnojado — 9 years ago(June 21, 2016 08:45 PM)
I kind of see the point of that reply. I mean, of course there are other shows that are worth watching twice, but that depends on what you like. If you're looking for other shows similar to Breaking Bad, maybe you should change the question ("
Is this the only show worth watching twice?
").
I really don't watch many dramas. I usually just watch sitcoms (mostly because episodes are shorter). I have watched Community like 7 times already. I have also seen episodes of the Simpsons so many times that I know them by heart by now.
I'm currently watching Game of Thrones and I belive that in terms of quality, is as good of Breaking Bad. I would say, the Breaking Bad of fantasy. I would probably watch it again once is over.
You know which show is very good? Death Note. I don't know if you've seen it, but I've seen it three times already. The first two times were before I had seen Breaking Bad, and the third time I saw it I found a lot of similarities between the two of them. Highly recommended if you haven't seen it, even if you don't like anime (I don't, and I freaking loved Death Note). -
heisenberg12 — 9 years ago(June 19, 2016 12:30 AM)
I've watched it over 20 times, partially because it's the only thing on Netflix that is a go-to, high-quality production that I know I'll get entertained with and partially because the show is a masterstroke of creative genius that never fails to mesmerize with its supreme acting and direction, meticulous progressive evolution of character and story, and classic original vibe that leaves you immersed in the fictional world it sets forthwhich all combined equate to high quality and top tier entertainment.
Of course, if you're looking for a step down, there's always the Sopranos. -
jcisneros405 — 9 years ago(June 20, 2016 06:17 AM)
Agree with The Shield. Another show that you love watching their journey over the course of a long show run just to see how it all explodes in the end. Only other show I can think of that's near the same calibur of Breaking Bad in terms of acting, writing, characterization, and intense action.
Only other shows I can think of that are likely to hold your interest the way The Shield or Breaking Bad did would be Oz. -
tdavid564 — 9 years ago(June 21, 2016 12:07 PM)
You should do well with
The Shield
.
IMO,it's worth it just to watch Michael Chiklis and Walton Goggins work,but that's far from the only reason.
It has a slump or two in spots,but I'll let you be the judge of that.
Great show overall.
Why so serious? -
djjazzyerf-672-364820 — 9 years ago(June 23, 2016 11:24 AM)
This is honestly one of the greatest shows I have ever watched. If you are simply looking for a quality show, and not concerned so much about the genre, definitely The Sopranos, Mad Men, and Penny Dreadful. I am only going by acting, story, and writing. These are my top favorite shows. I've never seen GoT, but plan to in the near future.
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lindalindgren — 9 years ago(June 24, 2016 03:09 AM)
Of the one you mentioned, I've watched Penny Dreadful, and I like it! But it's not a breaking bad good series
I really love Fringe, it was my favorite before watching this. And I love X-files. But they are nothing compared to BB. I feel like I'm never going to watch something like this ever again!
A tip for you all. It's a movie, and not a serie. "Trade". It's a movie that has that breaking bad-feeling. It's about a Mexican boy whose sister gets kidnapped by the cartel, and he goes looking for her, trying to get her back. Really good movie, not the best, that feels somehow like happening in the breaking bad-universe. It's with Kevin Kline, and I just kept thinking: He should really have been in some role in breaking bad! The story would of fit perfectly in any of the seasons!
