Since I last posted an update on my TV viewing, I've watched the 11th (and most recent) series of Taskmaster which, despite only knowing two of the contestants (Lee Mack and Charlotte Richie) was funny and engaging. Some of the rapport between Greg Davies and Mike Wozniak was hilarious, especially when he was tasked with farting.
I then watched the third series of Doctor Who, the one with David Tennant and Freema Agyeman. I enjoyed the chemistry between the Doctor and Martha, and generally liked their adventures, though the two-part Daleks in Manhattan & Evolution of the Daleks tested my patience because I can't stand the way they speak – it's a nails on a blackboard-type noise!
Highlights included The Lazarus Experiment, Blink, and the Human Nature and The Family of Blood double episode. Finishing with the three-part story (Utopia, The Sound of Drums, and Last of the Time Lords) made me acutely aware of how much I didn't know of the Doctor's back story and the significance of John Simm's Master.
Taking a break from Doctor Who, I then watched Loki, a show which seemed unlike the trailer. I expected a 'buddy comedy' with the titular God of mischief teamed with Owen Wilson's Mobius M. Mobius, a Time Variance Authority Agent. It began a little like that then – for the better – branched off into something completely different to become something which was surprisingly, funny, and interesting. Along with WandaVision, this is an excellent TV show and one I'm going to rewatch this year.
Next up was the fourth series of Doctor Who, with Catherine Tate as the Time Lord's new travelling companion. I thought it was clever how, with Rose making brief appearances throughout, this called back to previous seasons. I liked the Fires of Pompeii episode and the two-part Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead story was very strong. Unfortunately, it ended with a double helping of Daleks (The Stolen Earth and Journey's End) and, despite the well-written story and good performances, I was frequently annoyed by the metal antagonists and their horrible voices.
I then watched the five specials which followed that series: The Next Doctor (guest starring David Morrisey), Planet of the Dead (which I really enjoyed, despite Lee Evans' dodgy Welsh accent), The Waters of Mars (a very good episode elevated with Lindsay Duncan's fine performance), and the two-part The End of Time, with Matt Smith appearing at the end as the 10th Doctor regenerated into its latest form.
Because I've had them for years and watched very few of the extra features, I've decided to listen to all the commentaries on the Game of Thrones box sets I have, and watched the first episode with the two creators/writers, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss talking about various aspects of the episode. It was interesting to find out they wanted Sean Bean and Peter Dinklage for Ned Stark and Tyrion Lannister, respectively, and were extremely happy when they able to secure their services. They were happy to point out a few errors in continuity or how the VFX department were needed when they realised watching it on a big screen in high definition revealed camera crew in North Face jackets were very prominent in the background!
I've also been watching The Simpsons intermittently, and am about a third of the way through the 28th season. As I said last time, although it isn't as consistently funny as it was in the first 10 to 15 seasons, there are moments which make me laugh out loud and others which are either thought-provoking or emotionally engaging.
|