Streaming or currently airing TV shows (AKA Netflix thread) (7 Viewers)

[beer 30]

Finished third season of Shoresy right after the 12 season binge of Letterkenny. I am now officially an expert on Canadians.

It's stupid humor but I can't wait for season 4. Let's set the tone boys!

 

[Bozeman Bruiser]

What happened to The Bear?

It has taken me 2 weeks to get through the first 4 episodes of season 3.

I don't think I've seen a show crash and burn this hard since Dexter.

Is it even worth finishing?

No. I commented on this previously & think I was spot on.

We just watched the one with John Cena and it was easily the worst of the entire show. So bad. 5 minutes to go and they bring him in to help mopping? And then they decide to smoke too? And then they hang around acting stupid during an important photo session?
We'll probably make it to the end but it's a slog.

Episodes 6 and 8 were the standouts -- and they are also the episodes with the least connection to the main storylines.

Finished the season over the weekend and you were spot on. I probably would have jumped ship if not for this post, episodes 1-4 were that bad. So thanks.

Ep 6 & 8 were very similar to some of the season 2 episodes and were The Bear at its finest.

The finale reminded me of season 1 a bit, getting back to the food/restaurant/family/life vibe. I thought they nailed it and left several cliff hangers that have me much more excited about season 4 than season 3.

This season was a bit of a microsocsm of the restaurant experience. Lots of total **** and insanity but at the end of the shift a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.

 

[FarFromHome]

Peacock, Those About to Die. I wanted to like. I really did. Was hoping for something similar to HBO Rome. One episode in and I'm already almost out. I'll keep trying

 

[Riffraff]

Peacock, Those About to Die. I wanted to like. I really did. Was hoping for something similar to HBO Rome. One episode in and I'm already almost out. I'll keep trying

It's not too bad once you get into it. Some suspense of disbelief that commoners can get away with so much and get around so freely.

Seemed better when one compares some Wiki info on the historical figures (look up the Emperors to start) and the show's effort to fill in the back story on some of them (show makes the emperor's winy brother gay, though historically he was married 2-3 times by the time the show is being played out) .

Much like the Spartacus series - the historical truth is pretty impressive as they fill in that storyline... once you get past the action packed first season.

But I get it if one is only in it for the gladiators or racing... not much going on there as one might expect from the title of the show.

 

[El Floppo]

I avoided your spoiler but the bold was the biggest difference I noticed between the show and the movie. Ford was much more empathetic and contrite for his actions in the movie, which made him a much more sympathetic and almost likeable character overall. Perhaps that's just natural Ford but I recall viewing him as a true protagonist and borderline tragic figure in the movie where JG portrayed the character in an unlikeable way (at least through the 7 episodes I've viewed).

Great description of the difference. Ford was much more likeable and it was perfect for the way the movie played out. I just didn't like the way JG portrayed Rusty but much of that could be because I liked the movie so much. Without the movie I am not sure how I would have received JG's portrayal.

the parts were written very differently.

And it was important for the show to keep you wondering if Rusty did or didn't do it, if he was or wasn't capable of doing such a thing. Otherwise it's 8 episodes of looking at everybody else and knowing he's either innocent or not. And I thought the show did a great job keeping me guessing until the end.

The description of Fords movie portrayal sounds like all of his portrayals, tbh.

The change from the movie certainly makes the view of the character different, it may have been a choice given the ending.

I'm interested to see if David E Kelley can come up with something interesting for season two. Perhaps unburdened from the plot of the book and having to avoid what many people know already, a truly original story could make the framework interesting.

What happened to The Bear?

It has taken me 2 weeks to get through the first 4 episodes of season 3.

I don't think I've seen a show crash and burn this hard since Dexter.

Is it even worth finishing?

No. I commented on this previously & think I was spot on.

We just watched the one with John Cena and it was easily the worst of the entire show. So bad. 5 minutes to go and they bring him in to help mopping? And then they decide to smoke too? And then they hang around acting stupid during an important photo session?
We'll probably make it to the end but it's a slog.

Episodes 6 and 8 were the standouts -- and they are also the episodes with the least connection to the main storylines.

Finished the season over the weekend and you were spot on. I probably would have jumped ship if not for this post, episodes 1-4 were that bad. So thanks.

Ep 6 & 8 were very similar to some of the season 2 episodes and were The Bear at its finest.

The finale reminded me of season 1 a bit, getting back to the food/restaurant/family/life vibe. I thought they nailed it and left several cliff hangers that have me much more excited about season 4 than season 3.

This season was a bit of a microsocsm of the restaurant experience. Lots of total **** and insanity but at the end of the shift a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.

I just watched ep 6, which was really nice.

I loved ep1.. my favorite of the season so far I think because of how they told the story through visual non/narrative montage.

It's taken me a couple months to get back in after that abomination with Cena. (Even though it starts decently with Marcus closing up his mom's house)

 

[jamny]

Yeah, we watched Ep6 yesterday and it was very good.

 

[FarFromHome]

Peacock, Those About to Die. I wanted to like. I really did. Was hoping for something similar to HBO Rome. One episode in and I'm already almost out. I'll keep trying

It's not too bad once you get into it. Some suspense of disbelief that commoners can get away with so much and get around so freely.

Seemed better when one compares some Wiki info on the historical figures (look up the Emperors to start) and the show's effort to fill in the back story on some of them (show makes the emperor's winy brother gay, though historically he was married 2-3 times by the time the show is being played out) .

Much like the Spartacus series - the historical truth is pretty impressive as they fill in that storyline... once you get past the action packed first season.

But I get it if one is only in it for the gladiators or racing... not much going on there as one might expect from the title of the show.

Ya. I'm one of those big history nerds that soaks every possible doc on that era. Been to actual Rome. Loved it. I made the mistake of watching the movie 300 with more of kinda real history lense. Hated it. Then rewatched it like Lord of the Rings and Loved it. So I try not to watch most of these shows like that. Episode 2 was better. I'm gonna grind it out.

On a side note. Never compare to Spartacus. That show was magnificent from episode 1. Ha ha

 

[Pip's Invitation]

New Competitive Reality Show Alert: The US version of "The Traitors" comes to Peacock on 1/12.

If you're a fan of social deduction games, like Among Us, this is basically The Mole crossed with good ol' Werewolf. 20 players work together to build a prize fund by completing challenges. At the end of the season, the players win the accumulated money. However, among the group are three "Traitors", who eliminate one player (among "The Faithful", aka 'the village') each night. The remaining players all meet to also vote out one player from their group each day, hoping to eliminate a traitor in doing so. If they can, and no traitors remain at the end of the season, the remaining Faithful players split the prize. However, if any Traitors survive to the end, they win all the money for themselves.

I've been watching the British version, which came out last month and became one of the higher-rated shows on the BBC last year. I believe there are also Australian and Dutch versions floating around out there.

What I've seen of the British version is OK, completely over the top with theming, and the music is totally out of pocket. The show doesn't really make clear the role of the Traitors in the normal daylight competitive-task portion of the show, as this isn't like the Mole where sabotage is a goal. Instead, what's not really said is that the players are using the tasks as team-building trust exercises which can give them a better read on their fellow competitors.

Haven't seen the US version, but the trailer just dropped today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3rqVPKOKfQ. It appears the US version uses the same locations, sets, tasks and challenges as the UK version. Just a different host. In the UK version, you learn who the Traitors are at the start, it's not kept secret from the audience. Assuming the same in the US version.

Among the cast are a variety of names familiar to US reality TV viewers:

• Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Bachelor/Bachelorette)
• Brandi Glanville (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
• Cirie Fields (Survivor)
• Cody Calafiore (Big Brother)
• Kate Chastain (Below Deck)
• Kyle Cooke (Summer House)
• Rachel Reilly (Big Brother)
• Reza Farahan (Shahs of Sunset)
• Ryan Lochte (Olympian)
• Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (Survivor)

I binged both seasons of the US version and loved them. The description above is pretty accurate. The endgames of both seasons were fascinating. It's clear that there are really two different games going on during the process, and some contestants have figured this out while others haven't (or don't want to).

I've been watching Traitors seasons from other countries and have gotten hooked. The US has a much different vibe from the others because the others have no parallels to Housewives types. Most UK, Australia and New Zealand seasons are all "regular people," and the ones that have "celebrities" don't have anyone like the Housewives/Bravoverse characters.

The currently airing second season of Traitors New Zealand may be my favorite yet. Its final two episodes air next week, hope they stick the landing.

@Runkle They stuck the landing! NZ2 is my new favorite Traitors season. You are in for a treat!

 

[El Floppo]

Watching Survival Race... Or something. Combine survivor and an outdoors amazing race with a little bit of Alone, but with other people and camera crews.

I like it. 2nd season in NZ.

 

[offdee]

Re: Suits


I could watch Donna walk forever. Just put her on a loop and call it quits.

I’m more of a Scotty guy.

 

[jamny]

Watching Survival Race... Or something. Combine survivor and an outdoors amazing race with a little bit of Alone, but with other people and camera crews.

I like it. 2nd season in NZ.

We finished S2 first and really liked it. We're watching the first season now, in Alaska, and it's not as good so far. The competition isn't as strong.
Fun show though!

eta: Race to Survive

 

[wlwiles]

Finished S2 of The Mole on Netflix yesterday. Once again I was dead wrong on who I thought it would be...

 

[CGRdrJoe]

watched zero zero zero on amazon prime, kind of all over the place with 3 stories that tie in together but a well done series none the less about the Narco trade.

 

[jamny]

We finished the newest season of Welcome to Wrexham. Good show but I doubt I'll watch another if they do it. I think they've done all the could with it, imo.

 

[Payne]

Finished S2 of The Mole on Netflix yesterday. Once again I was dead wrong on who I thought it would be...

Watched this with my daughter. Fun easy watch. I was wrong too.

 

[BlackCrowes]

watched zero zero zero on amazon prime, kind of all over the place with 3 stories that tie in together but a well done series none the less about the Narco trade.

i love that one. always recommend it to people because its relatively unknown.

 

[3 hour lunch]

We finished the newest season of Welcome to Wrexham. Good show but I doubt I'll watch another if they do it. I think they've done all the could with it, imo.

We just finished this too. I am still entertained by it and would probably watch another season but it does sort of feel like it has run its course. All of the original players are gone so it feels like it lost its heart a little. They aren’t really scrappy underdogs anymore. They still tie in the locals stories nicely and that is probably the best part although some of that this season (the photographer) felt sort of forced.

 

[jamny]

The Bear, Ep7

Why is Sydney in a dumpster breaking up boxes?
A: Get a box cutter and do it before throwing them in
B: have one of the fat brothers do it
Dumb

 

[belljr]

The Bear, Ep7

Why is Sydney in a dumpster breaking up boxes?
A: Get a box cutter and do it before throwing them in
B: have one of the fat brothers do it
Dumb

One of the non negotiable Carmy laid out was all boxes are to be broken down no exceptions. But it appears that no one is doing all the non negotiable but Carmy and Sydney is trying. I think this was just a glimpse of how not everyone is buying in

 

[krista4]

Watching Survival Race... Or something. Combine survivor and an outdoors amazing race with a little bit of Alone, but with other people and camera crews.

I like it. 2nd season in NZ.

We finished S2 first and really liked it. We're watching the first season now, in Alaska, and it's not as good so far. The competition isn't as strong.
Fun show though!

eta: Race to Survive

I really liked both seasons of this but agree the NZ one was better.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The Bear, Ep7

Why is Sydney in a dumpster breaking up boxes?
A: Get a box cutter and do it before throwing them in
B: have one of the fat brothers do it
Dumb

One of the non negotiable Carmy laid out was all boxes are to be broken down no exceptions. But it appears that no one is doing all the non negotiable but Carmy and Sydney is trying. I think this was just a glimpse of how not everyone is buying in

Yep. A and B were both mentioned at various points in the first 5 episodes (#6 wasn't in the present day), and this scene shows that no one except Sydney paid attention/cared.

 

[jamny]

Watching Survival Race... Or something. Combine survivor and an outdoors amazing race with a little bit of Alone, but with other people and camera crews.

I like it. 2nd season in NZ.

We finished S2 first and really liked it. We're watching the first season now, in Alaska, and it's not as good so far. The competition isn't as strong.
Fun show though!

eta: Race to Survive

I really liked both seasons of this but agree the NZ one was better.

We're only a few episodes in S1 but the attempted alliances so far are thankfully something that doesn't really happen in S2.
I'm rooting for the Alaskan brothers
The heat stroke in S1 E1 was crazy though.

 

[Runkle]

@Runkle They stuck the landing! NZ2 is my new favorite Traitors season. You are in for a treat!

Just started this season, thrilled there's another psychic! What a crazy trope

 

[krista4]

Watching Survival Race... Or something. Combine survivor and an outdoors amazing race with a little bit of Alone, but with other people and camera crews.

I like it. 2nd season in NZ.

We finished S2 first and really liked it. We're watching the first season now, in Alaska, and it's not as good so far. The competition isn't as strong.
Fun show though!

eta: Race to Survive

I really liked both seasons of this but agree the NZ one was better.

We're only a few episodes in S1 but the attempted alliances so far are thankfully something that doesn't really happen in S2.
I'm rooting for the Alaskan brothers
The heat stroke in S1 E1 was crazy though.

The heat stroke was extremely scary! I loved the Alaskan brothers, too.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

@Runkle They stuck the landing! NZ2 is my new favorite Traitors season. You are in for a treat!

Just started this season, thrilled there's another psychic! What a crazy trope

I just started Canada and there’s one there!

 

[FarFromHome]

Peacock, Those About to Die. I wanted to like. I really did. Was hoping for something similar to HBO Rome. One episode in and I'm already almost out. I'll keep trying

It's not too bad once you get into it. Some suspense of disbelief that commoners can get away with so much and get around so freely.

Seemed better when one compares some Wiki info on the historical figures (look up the Emperors to start) and the show's effort to fill in the back story on some of them (show makes the emperor's winy brother gay, though historically he was married 2-3 times by the time the show is being played out) .

Much like the Spartacus series - the historical truth is pretty impressive as they fill in that storyline... once you get past the action packed first season.

But I get it if one is only in it for the gladiators or racing... not much going on there as one might expect from the title of the show.

Ya. I'm one of those big history nerds that soaks every possible doc on that era. Been to actual Rome. Loved it. I made the mistake of watching the movie 300 with more of kinda real history lense. Hated it. Then rewatched it like Lord of the Rings and Loved it. So I try not to watch most of these shows like that. Episode 2 was better. I'm gonna grind it out.

On a side note. Never compare to Spartacus. That show was magnificent from episode 1. Ha ha

Wanted to follow up after nearly finishing season 1. I made my first comment after 1 episode. I got a quick trigger finger. If I'm not buying the story, the cast or the production of a show I have no problem bailing on it. Just too much to watch and not gonna waste time. Now. Muuuuuuuuch better as I got into the season. Definitely picked up for me.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Surprised by how much I like Young Sheldon. Well written and very clever. Meemaw alone is worth the watch.

 

[FarFromHome]

Surprised by how much I like Young Sheldon. Well written and very clever. Meemaw alone is worth the watch.

My teenage daughter starting watching it a few years ago.. I half paid attention in the beginning, then after awhile i really started to enjoy it. I'm not a big comedy TV series guy. I'm pretty serious and love my violence and drama shows. Solid watch.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Squid Game is, quite frankly, tedious. I wish I hadn't gone past the point of no return and had shut it off after episode 2. I didn't calculate sunk cost too well here.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

seal team is back!

 

[guru_007]

People really like Your Honor? They're ok with the plot? Come on. Completely ridiculous.

There is something about "Your Honor".
Yes, the plot is completely ridiculous. Everything about it is hard me to to swallow in a plausible manner. But I can't stop watching ffs.
Everytime I see Fia all I can think about is Sophia Coppola in Godfather 3.
Carlo reminds me of James Remar from the Warriors.
Little Mo trying to act intimindating as a 5'7" 125 lb gangster (sorry I don't have a similar character lined up)
Rosie Perez got dug up from the where are you now files.
Yet, I've watched 15 episodes in a week and a half and just want to see where this thing goes.

 

[offdee]

People really like Your Honor? They're ok with the plot? Come on. Completely ridiculous.

There is something about "Your Honor".
Yes, the plot is completely ridiculous. Everything about it is hard me to to swallow in a plausible manner. But I can't stop watching ffs.
Everytime I see Fia all I can think about is Sophia Coppola in Godfather 3.
Carlo reminds me of James Remar from the Warriors.
Little Mo trying to act intimindating as a 5'7" 125 lb gangster (sorry I don't have a similar character lined up)
Rosie Perez got dug up from the where are you now files.
Yet, I've watched 15 episodes in a week and a half and just want to see where this thing goes.

I think it’s the Bryan Cranston factor. If he wasn’t the lead I’d probably have given up earlier than I did. Gotta respect Heisenberg.

I enjoyed season 1 but I got through about 1.5 episodes is season 2 and just gave up. No interest in continuing.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Squid Game is, quite frankly, tedious. I wish I hadn't gone past the point of no return and had shut it off after episode 2. I didn't calculate sunk cost too well here.

I liked this one. Maybe it was because it was a "pandemic watch," but I thought it was nice, mindless entertainment. I get that it's extremely contrived, but I didn't see it as tedious personally.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Squid Game is, quite frankly, tedious. I wish I hadn't gone past the point of no return and had shut it off after episode 2. I didn't calculate sunk cost too well here.

I liked this one. Maybe it was because it was a "pandemic watch," but I thought it was nice, mindless entertainment. I get that it's extremely contrived, but I didn't see it as tedious personally.

I thought it was derivative of Battle Royale and too long by at least three episodes. The subplot with the cop was too protracted - although it did allow for a tour of the facility, which was interesting.

 

[FarFromHome]

People really like Your Honor? They're ok with the plot? Come on. Completely ridiculous.

There is something about "Your Honor".
Yes, the plot is completely ridiculous. Everything about it is hard me to to swallow in a plausible manner. But I can't stop watching ffs.
Everytime I see Fia all I can think about is Sophia Coppola in Godfather 3.
Carlo reminds me of James Remar from the Warriors.
Little Mo trying to act intimindating as a 5'7" 125 lb gangster (sorry I don't have a similar character lined up)
Rosie Perez got dug up from the where are you now files.
Yet, I've watched 15 episodes in a week and a half and just want to see where this thing goes.

I think it’s the Bryan Cranston factor. If he wasn’t the lead I’d probably have given up earlier than I did. Gotta respect Heisenberg.

I enjoyed season 1 but I got through about 1.5 episodes is season 2 and just gave up. No interest in continuing.

100%. He was the only reason I gave it a shot.

 

[brun]

Rewatching Lost on Netflix.
I seem to remember that, at one point, it felt like chore. But right now, toward the end of S1, I'm hooked again.

 

[Yambag]

Rewatching Lost on Netflix.
I seem to remember that, at one point, it felt like chore. But right now, toward the end of S1, I'm hooked again.

Mrs. Yambag and I did a rewatch last year and loved it just as much as the first time. Maybe even more as binging helped us keep the story straight.

 

[El Floppo]

Rewatching Lost on Netflix.
I seem to remember that, at one point, it felt like chore. But right now, toward the end of S1, I'm hooked again.

Mrs. Yambag and I did a rewatch last year and loved it just as much as the first time. Maybe even more as binging helped us keep the story straight.

We watched during COVID... First time for our kids who were as hooked as we were the first time. Floppinha, 13, is rewatching now... And I've enjoyed catching an episode of 3 over her shoulder.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Rewatching Lost on Netflix.
I seem to remember that, at one point, it felt like chore. But right now, toward the end of S1, I'm hooked again.

I forget when it starts to go off the rails. s4 or 5 maybe?

The Paolo and Nikki episode is pretty bad too

 

[Rustoleum]

Started the last season of The Umbrella Academy. Really liking the Lila character.

 

[Buckna]

Rewatching Lost on Netflix.
I seem to remember that, at one point, it felt like chore. But right now, toward the end of S1, I'm hooked again.

I forget when it starts to go off the rails. s4 or 5 maybe?

The Paolo and Nikki episode is pretty bad too

Season 3 overall is still solid (especially the latter third or so) but has some of the worst individual episodes. Nikki & Paolo, Jack’s Tattoos, Eko getting killed off out of nowhere, Locke takes peyote and rescues Eko from a polar bear, Sun is revealed to be a liar/adulterer, the first six episodes in particular were rough and there was a huge break of 3 months before the show came back which ticked a lot of people off. But season 5 was the island time jumping season which really lost a lot of the fans and probably the jump the shark you are thinking of.

 

[thecatch]

Rewatching Lost on Netflix.
I seem to remember that, at one point, it felt like chore. But right now, toward the end of S1, I'm hooked again.

S1 is one of the great TV seasons ever. I really wish I had stopped there.

 

[thecatch]

Loved Fallout season 1.

 

[Tick]

Rewatching Lost on Netflix.
I seem to remember that, at one point, it felt like chore. But right now, toward the end of S1, I'm hooked again.

I forget when it starts to go off the rails. s4 or 5 maybe?

The Paolo and Nikki episode is pretty bad too

When they got off the island.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Started the last season of The Umbrella Academy. Really liking the Lila character.

thought it was decent, it was very different and weird. still digesting the season.

watching the brothers sun on netflix, solid show but saw it wasn’t renewed for a second season and hoping it doesn’t end with a cliffhanger

 

[krista4]

New Competitive Reality Show Alert: The US version of "The Traitors" comes to Peacock on 1/12.

If you're a fan of social deduction games, like Among Us, this is basically The Mole crossed with good ol' Werewolf. 20 players work together to build a prize fund by completing challenges. At the end of the season, the players win the accumulated money. However, among the group are three "Traitors", who eliminate one player (among "The Faithful", aka 'the village') each night. The remaining players all meet to also vote out one player from their group each day, hoping to eliminate a traitor in doing so. If they can, and no traitors remain at the end of the season, the remaining Faithful players split the prize. However, if any Traitors survive to the end, they win all the money for themselves.

I've been watching the British version, which came out last month and became one of the higher-rated shows on the BBC last year. I believe there are also Australian and Dutch versions floating around out there.

What I've seen of the British version is OK, completely over the top with theming, and the music is totally out of pocket. The show doesn't really make clear the role of the Traitors in the normal daylight competitive-task portion of the show, as this isn't like the Mole where sabotage is a goal. Instead, what's not really said is that the players are using the tasks as team-building trust exercises which can give them a better read on their fellow competitors.

Haven't seen the US version, but the trailer just dropped today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3rqVPKOKfQ. It appears the US version uses the same locations, sets, tasks and challenges as the UK version. Just a different host. In the UK version, you learn who the Traitors are at the start, it's not kept secret from the audience. Assuming the same in the US version.

Among the cast are a variety of names familiar to US reality TV viewers:

• Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Bachelor/Bachelorette)
• Brandi Glanville (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
• Cirie Fields (Survivor)
• Cody Calafiore (Big Brother)
• Kate Chastain (Below Deck)
• Kyle Cooke (Summer House)
• Rachel Reilly (Big Brother)
• Reza Farahan (Shahs of Sunset)
• Ryan Lochte (Olympian)
• Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (Survivor)

I binged both seasons of the US version and loved them. The description above is pretty accurate. The endgames of both seasons were fascinating. It's clear that there are really two different games going on during the process, and some contestants have figured this out while others haven't (or don't want to).

I've been watching Traitors seasons from other countries and have gotten hooked. The US has a much different vibe from the others because the others have no parallels to Housewives types. Most UK, Australia and New Zealand seasons are all "regular people," and the ones that have "celebrities" don't have anyone like the Housewives/Bravoverse characters.

The currently airing second season of Traitors New Zealand may be my favorite yet. Its final two episodes air next week, hope they stick the landing.

@Runkle They stuck the landing! NZ2 is my new favorite Traitors season. You are in for a treat!

I've been on a squillion flights in the last few weeks, and since Delta hates Chicago I've often been on old planes with IFE systems literally the size of my phone. So I fired up Peacock streaming instead and watching NZ Traitors Season 1. I'd previously watched the first US season and both (I think?) UK ones. I do prefer the non-US versions since they are regular people and much more interesting. Enjoyed NZ Season 1 a lot but Season 2 does not appear to be on Peacock yet, so I'm starting US 2 instead. The people on NZ were really interesting and almost all were very likable as well. The only thing I don't enjoy is that all the various versions can sometimes reward what I consider not terribly deserving players. I suppose, though, that if they win, then they're arguably deserving since they did whatever it took to do so. Just feel like some have had people win who aren't exactly good at the game.

I'll be making my way through all the seasons from all the versions anyway. Shout-out to @Pip's Invitation for initially alerting me to this show!

 

[Pip's Invitation]

New Competitive Reality Show Alert: The US version of "The Traitors" comes to Peacock on 1/12.

If you're a fan of social deduction games, like Among Us, this is basically The Mole crossed with good ol' Werewolf. 20 players work together to build a prize fund by completing challenges. At the end of the season, the players win the accumulated money. However, among the group are three "Traitors", who eliminate one player (among "The Faithful", aka 'the village') each night. The remaining players all meet to also vote out one player from their group each day, hoping to eliminate a traitor in doing so. If they can, and no traitors remain at the end of the season, the remaining Faithful players split the prize. However, if any Traitors survive to the end, they win all the money for themselves.

I've been watching the British version, which came out last month and became one of the higher-rated shows on the BBC last year. I believe there are also Australian and Dutch versions floating around out there.

What I've seen of the British version is OK, completely over the top with theming, and the music is totally out of pocket. The show doesn't really make clear the role of the Traitors in the normal daylight competitive-task portion of the show, as this isn't like the Mole where sabotage is a goal. Instead, what's not really said is that the players are using the tasks as team-building trust exercises which can give them a better read on their fellow competitors.

Haven't seen the US version, but the trailer just dropped today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3rqVPKOKfQ. It appears the US version uses the same locations, sets, tasks and challenges as the UK version. Just a different host. In the UK version, you learn who the Traitors are at the start, it's not kept secret from the audience. Assuming the same in the US version.

Among the cast are a variety of names familiar to US reality TV viewers:

• Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Bachelor/Bachelorette)
• Brandi Glanville (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
• Cirie Fields (Survivor)
• Cody Calafiore (Big Brother)
• Kate Chastain (Below Deck)
• Kyle Cooke (Summer House)
• Rachel Reilly (Big Brother)
• Reza Farahan (Shahs of Sunset)
• Ryan Lochte (Olympian)
• Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (Survivor)

I binged both seasons of the US version and loved them. The description above is pretty accurate. The endgames of both seasons were fascinating. It's clear that there are really two different games going on during the process, and some contestants have figured this out while others haven't (or don't want to).

I've been watching Traitors seasons from other countries and have gotten hooked. The US has a much different vibe from the others because the others have no parallels to Housewives types. Most UK, Australia and New Zealand seasons are all "regular people," and the ones that have "celebrities" don't have anyone like the Housewives/Bravoverse characters.

The currently airing second season of Traitors New Zealand may be my favorite yet. Its final two episodes air next week, hope they stick the landing.

@Runkle They stuck the landing! NZ2 is my new favorite Traitors season. You are in for a treat!

I've been on a squillion flights in the last few weeks, and since Delta hates Chicago I've often been on old planes with IFE systems literally the size of my phone. So I fired up Peacock streaming instead and watching NZ Traitors Season 1. I'd previously watched the first US season and both (I think?) UK ones. I do prefer the non-US versions since they are regular people and much more interesting. Enjoyed NZ Season 1 a lot but Season 2 does not appear to be on Peacock yet, so I'm starting US 2 instead. The people on NZ were really interesting and almost all were very likable as well. The only thing I don't enjoy is that all the various versions can sometimes reward what I consider not terribly deserving players. I suppose, though, that if they win, then they're arguably deserving since they did whatever it took to do so. Just feel like some have had people win who aren't exactly good at the game.

I'll be making my way through all the seasons from all the versions anyway. Shout-out to @Pip's Invitation for initially alerting me to this show!

Yes, NZ2 is not on Peacock yet. If you want to know where I watched it (did not require a VPN or anything complicated), PM me.

Otherwise, it will probably appear on Peacock after US season 3 airs (I think that will start in January). Many of the foreign seasons currently on Peacock first appeared there after US season 2 aired.

NZ1 was mostly quasi-celebrities and was good but came off like a friends playing a party game. (Some of them were in fact friends IRL). NZ2 is all regular people and the gameplay is very cutthroat and the drama is very raw at times. (Not quite as raw as in the UK seasons, but definitely more raw than the US versions). It has several “OMG did that really just happen?” moments.

In other good news, Peacock just announced it renewed The Traitors US for seasons 4 and 5.

 

[zoonation]

Don't get the tepid reviews for season 3 of the Bear in here. It was amazing.

 

[Hawks64]

Really really really liked the new Batman series on prime. If you were a fan of the animated series growing up this is made by one of the same guys. Set in the 40s, noir vibe, really my kind of Batman story.

It is excellent! Love their fresh take on things as well.

 

[wlwiles]

Started watching Prison Break for the first time since I saw it was on Netflix. So far I'm pretty entertained but I didn't realize there's 20 episodes per season, I assumed it was 10-13 like usual so I've bitten off more than I thought. And so far I've had about 724 instances where plot is moving forward, plans were made and things are progressing, and then oops something happens to foil that plan, so we gotta switch it up. Next episode, something happens to foil the new plan, gotta switch it up again. Next episode same thing. I'm 12 episodes deep now and it feels like this is going to just keep happening forever...