Discuss and Rate the Last Thing You Watched (non-movies)
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Invincible Season 4
In comparison to the source graphic novel, it covers chapter 66 - 79. Which is pretty dense, all things considered; I got the compendium series, and it takes up about 1/3 of the compendium 2.
In terms of narrative, it of course doesn't follow the sequence exactly 1:1. In fact, there are some story bits from the source that isn't shown here; In fact, there are some moments that are completely original to the show, which is fine by me because they are done so well. Nolan's origin story, Debbie not forgiving him as quick, and Tech jacket being a female (no issue there, since Shrinking Ray also was gender-swapped by was fine), and more extensive visions of Mark's PTSD attacks post-Thragg fight. The finale ends with the last bit of chapter 79, but doesn't really cover the whole chapter.
Almost every episode was done so well! Thragg's VA, Lee Pace, was a great choice for the most part, although I was hoping for someone who had deeper and more authoritative voice tone. Cecil Stedman's VA really stood out for me this season.
In comparison to the source graphic novel, it covers chapter 66 - 79. Which is pretty dense, all things considered; I got the compendium series, and it takes up about 1/3 of the compendium 2.
In terms of narrative, it of course doesn't follow the sequence exactly 1:1. In fact, there are some story bits from the source that isn't shown here; In fact, there are some moments that are completely original to the show, which is fine by me because they are done so well. Nolan's origin story, Debbie not forgiving him as quick, and Tech jacket being a female (no issue there, since Shrinking Ray also was gender-swapped by was fine), and more extensive visions of Mark's PTSD attacks post-Thragg fight. The finale ends with the last bit of chapter 79, but doesn't really cover the whole chapter.
Almost every episode was done so well! Thragg's VA, Lee Pace, was a great choice for the most part, although I was hoping for someone who had deeper and more authoritative voice tone. Cecil Stedman's VA really stood out for me this season.
The Boys Season 5 episode 4
Huh, I didn't know Homelander had super scent; Now I'm wondering if Superman is also capable of super scent as well? It makes sense since both seem to have suped-up senses of almost all of them, but the smelling never seemed to be mentioned.
I think Starlight/Annie is the most realistic portrayal of a hero trying to do the right things in a fucked--up world. She is so broken between committing to her cause and cotemplating on if she's actually making things for the better, hurts to see. Her visiting her father's new family was really awkward and tense at first, but did get wholesome in the end. Also, her father is played by Tim Daly, the VA for the Superman The Animated Series.
I swear, Homelander declaring himself as a God is a direct satire of the real world, particularly regarding the orange man in the white house.
I am liking Soldier Boy more and more. I mean the dude is as crazy as Homelander, but at least he seemed to have some people that he cared for, and doesn't act on impulse but seems to have some sort of ethics that he sticks with, albeit fucked up set of ethics (he seems genuinely sorry for accidentally killing one of his friends). It's also kinda funny to see how similar they are.
Huh, I didn't know Homelander had super scent; Now I'm wondering if Superman is also capable of super scent as well? It makes sense since both seem to have suped-up senses of almost all of them, but the smelling never seemed to be mentioned.
I think Starlight/Annie is the most realistic portrayal of a hero trying to do the right things in a fucked--up world. She is so broken between committing to her cause and cotemplating on if she's actually making things for the better, hurts to see. Her visiting her father's new family was really awkward and tense at first, but did get wholesome in the end. Also, her father is played by Tim Daly, the VA for the Superman The Animated Series.
I swear, Homelander declaring himself as a God is a direct satire of the real world, particularly regarding the orange man in the white house.
I am liking Soldier Boy more and more. I mean the dude is as crazy as Homelander, but at least he seemed to have some people that he cared for, and doesn't act on impulse but seems to have some sort of ethics that he sticks with, albeit fucked up set of ethics (he seems genuinely sorry for accidentally killing one of his friends). It's also kinda funny to see how similar they are.
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Homelander's enhanced sense of smell has been addressed on several occasions. Not necessarily as accutely/damning as what episode 4 showed, mostly in casual barbs thrown around to insult others or at the very least acknowledge that you can't hide anything from his nose either.
And agreed on Soldier Boy. I won't say I like him, but at least his level of disdain hasn't shown him to be whimsically and violently cruel as we've seen with Homelander be in basically every episode. Soldier Boy doesn't seem much to care to be bothered with lording is abilities over those weaker than him or even being treated with the kind of reverence modern supes often seem to want; like, it's all beneath him. Now, I know that's not entirely true as he recently proclaimed his interest to run The Seven again, but I think that's more for the hedonistic, unaccountable lifestyle he once enjoyed, not the power play/adoration Homelander is going for.
Casting Tim Daly was either glorious providence or entirely deliberate.
The Boys: 5.4
Really felt more like The Winter Soldier with the whole, abandoned bunker/lab/whatever. The most curious aspect is how much they’re milking/stewing the Homelander/SB thing, which will probably take a backseat for a while with the new characters being introduced next episode. Yes, the SN fans can finally rejoice.
Really felt more like The Winter Soldier with the whole, abandoned bunker/lab/whatever. The most curious aspect is how much they’re milking/stewing the Homelander/SB thing, which will probably take a backseat for a while with the new characters being introduced next episode. Yes, the SN fans can finally rejoice.
Watched the latest episode of The Boys. By my count that's three episodes of nothing much happening.
Characters fight and make up. Frenchie and Kimiko interrogate the longevity of their relationship. Hughie calls Butcher a monster. Butcher agrees. Butcher and Homelander promise they're going to kill each other. Ryan is in, then he isn't. Hughie and Starlight apologize to each other for something or other. And so on. I've been watching these people go through the same song and dance for the past 7 years.
At the end of the day The Boys is about plans that are crazy but they just. Might. Work. Like going to the place to get the thing in order to go the place to get the thing. It's crazy but it just. Might. Work. They had a supe killer virus but then they lost it so they went back for more but there wasn't any so they went to get some V-One but somebody got there first. Next episode they're trying a different place. It's crazy but it just. Might. Work.
And locking up Homelander in a room lined with uranium seemed like something that was halfway into killing him. Can't they just lock him within a couple of those (let's say ten for good measure) and half-ass a killshot? It's crazy but it just. Might. Work.
Characters fight and make up. Frenchie and Kimiko interrogate the longevity of their relationship. Hughie calls Butcher a monster. Butcher agrees. Butcher and Homelander promise they're going to kill each other. Ryan is in, then he isn't. Hughie and Starlight apologize to each other for something or other. And so on. I've been watching these people go through the same song and dance for the past 7 years.
At the end of the day The Boys is about plans that are crazy but they just. Might. Work. Like going to the place to get the thing in order to go the place to get the thing. It's crazy but it just. Might. Work. They had a supe killer virus but then they lost it so they went back for more but there wasn't any so they went to get some V-One but somebody got there first. Next episode they're trying a different place. It's crazy but it just. Might. Work.
And locking up Homelander in a room lined with uranium seemed like something that was halfway into killing him. Can't they just lock him within a couple of those (let's say ten for good measure) and half-ass a killshot? It's crazy but it just. Might. Work.
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Yeah, that's the part that got me. I knew he wasn't going to die this early in the last season, but plot armor much?
Soldeir Boy traps Homelander in a supe-proof room, and once Homelander realizes the trap is sprung and is quite healthy, able, and enraged, he tries his laser eyes and a couple of punches to no avail. Fast forward ostensibly several minutes, covered in radiation sores, visibly sick, clearly far weaker than he's ever been, and he McGuffin's up the strength to just... break out? I don't know if you've ever had, say, a really bad flu: 104-temperature, vomiting, shitting yourself, etc. Now imagine yourself in that condition going for a rigorous workout at the gym, y'know, to lift more than you ever lifted, hell, more than ANYONE has lifted. Yeah, not happening. I mean for that scene, I could have easily forgiven them had they at least gone the tried-and-true "someone accidentally backs into a button or lever that opens the trap" over "Aaaaand then it didn't work because 'Homelander'."
I'm not the biggest fan of the Invincible adaptation, but Episode 8 of Season 4 did a pretty good job with the changes that it made. Spacing out the horror scenarios of viltrumites showing up on Earth puts you nicely in Mark's head and how he knows that within a second they can just be here and murder everyone, and there wouldn't be a damn thing he could do about it. And then leaving the reveal of Thragg actually being on Earth for the end is a good way to cap off the season. In the comic you have Mark picturing the violence the viltrumites could be commiting, but only while he's on the ship on his way home. Once he gets there that stops immediately, because he meets Thragg pretty much immediately. Also Nolan is with him when he does. You also have Nolan kinda taking the sting out of Thragg's "truce" by saying 'The way I changed because of Earth wasn't unique, and the years it'll take for them to rebuilt their race will likely change them too.' And seeing as that's exactly what happens, it's probably a good thing the adaptation left that out.
Not making Eve a semi spectacle for being fatter like in the comic was also appreciated. Mark (in the comic) has no problem with it, and actually likes it, but Eve's first response when seeing Mark after 10 months - all the while thinking he could never even return - is 'oh God, don't look at me, I'm fat!' And the way the comic chooses to draw her with these goofy expressions (that she never had before) felt a little insulting.
And it looks like Debbie has been succesfully changed for the better. In the comic she leaves with Nolan, also to be with Oliver, but mainly as sort of second honeymoon with Nolan. And from that point in the comic she really just goes back to being Nolan's wife with little to no impact on the plot or any of the characters at all. The problem I foresaw with the adaptation is that they couldn't exactly change the plot, but the change in her character would demand an influence on the plot (which in the comic she doesn't have). However by now making her choice to leave Earth be solely for Oliver keeps the plot in line with the comic and stays true to her character change in the show. It also gives her interactions with Nolan somewhere to go (Will she forgive him or not, might they even get back together?).
So it looks like some of the biggest hurdles the adaptation set up for itself have been cleared. Now all that's left is Anissa...
Not making Eve a semi spectacle for being fatter like in the comic was also appreciated. Mark (in the comic) has no problem with it, and actually likes it, but Eve's first response when seeing Mark after 10 months - all the while thinking he could never even return - is 'oh God, don't look at me, I'm fat!' And the way the comic chooses to draw her with these goofy expressions (that she never had before) felt a little insulting.
And it looks like Debbie has been succesfully changed for the better. In the comic she leaves with Nolan, also to be with Oliver, but mainly as sort of second honeymoon with Nolan. And from that point in the comic she really just goes back to being Nolan's wife with little to no impact on the plot or any of the characters at all. The problem I foresaw with the adaptation is that they couldn't exactly change the plot, but the change in her character would demand an influence on the plot (which in the comic she doesn't have). However by now making her choice to leave Earth be solely for Oliver keeps the plot in line with the comic and stays true to her character change in the show. It also gives her interactions with Nolan somewhere to go (Will she forgive him or not, might they even get back together?).
So it looks like some of the biggest hurdles the adaptation set up for itself have been cleared. Now all that's left is Anissa...
I think she's drawn kinda goofy even pre-chonk.
In any case they barely fattened her up. She blows up into an A-class BBW in the comics.
Still I'm impressed they went through the effort to create a whole new folder of PNG images for Eve.
Maybe. There's just something weird about the proportions that on top of her looking heavier makes her look 10 years older too.
I remember the design (in the comics) getting better futher in where she actually starts looking her age again.
Watched the first episode of Half Man, the new depressing thing from the guy that made Baby Reindeer. In this he beats the crap out of his stepbrother (Jamie Bell) on the day of his wedding; the rest of the episode takes place during their adolescence, when he would beat the crap of the other kids who would beat the crap out of him. They come to an unspoken agreement of combining brains and brawn to survive high school and I guess the rest of the show is their highs and lows building up to Billy Elliot's fateful wedding beatdown.
As much as I recognize that they're well written and well acted I'm a little tired of the preponderance of fucked up relationship dramas that make a spectacle of trauma, abuse, toxicity, misery and codependency. I end up feeling alienated by these shows. I had a happy childhood, we all tell each other that we love each other all the time, I just can't connect with the overly bleak stuff.
As much as I recognize that they're well written and well acted I'm a little tired of the preponderance of fucked up relationship dramas that make a spectacle of trauma, abuse, toxicity, misery and codependency. I end up feeling alienated by these shows. I had a happy childhood, we all tell each other that we love each other all the time, I just can't connect with the overly bleak stuff.
I hate to say it but Kripke’s other show was better by quite a good margin, even with its audience being heavily geared towards chics due to the two leads. And it was on CW. And of course had a lower budget. The characters were more interesting because there was a better mix of good
Vs evil, vulnerable vs invincible, better twists with even the latter type of characters struggling, shit actually happened every season with at least a couple character/plot arcs being affected, etc. It wound up being quite the rabbit hole for basic cable.
I only started watching because the gf loved it but can’t say it it left me with quite the “meh” feeling after five seasons like The Boys has. And SN lasted three times as long before they felt it was time to hang it up.
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Caught up on The Boys. I don't know why it took me this long to realize why this season just isn't doing it for me in the way S3 or S1 did: it feels it's basically starting from scratch - again. The Boys and Butcher are still going after Homelander, they're still at each other's throats, Vought is still ruled by corpo execs, Homelander and the Seven are still using underhanded methods to keep themselves on top. The names and faces may change, but the setup remains the same. And it's just gotten old. How many times have they done the "This could kill Homelande--- nope, didn't work" bit? For all its pretense about prison camps, totalitarian rule and Homelander's insanity, the show is still doing the same thing over and over again. The Boys do research and bicker, go to a location to do something, things go wrong, fight(s) ensue, The Boys escape by the skin of their teeth with some new trauma and go back to square one, rinse and repeat. It manages to somehow feel more episodic than Supernatural, despite A) that show having over twice the episode count per season and B) being an actual episodic show. But whatever you want to say about it, its first five seasons managed to have an escalating buildup to an ultimate threat. Before devolving into the same perpetual circling the shower drain with its later 10 seasons.
Then there's the overabundance of characters. We're six episodes away from the finale of the show, and we've got The Boys themselves, Homelander, Soldier Boy, The Deep, Black Noir, Sage, Ryan, Stan Edgar, Firecracker, Ashley and his husband, and I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting some, to deal with and give a satisfying conclusion to. I don't really see how that's going to be pulled off, unless the last five episodes turn into a bloodbath bonanza. There is a chance for it to happen, but I'm not holding out hope. Plot armor has long been a serious issue in a show otherwise so gleeful to kill off minor characters and then introduce new ones in their place. It's kind of a worst of both worlds: you miss out on the potential story significance of new introduced characters while inadvertently highlighting the plot armor of the core cast.
I'm sounding really negative, but I still enjoy watching it and am going to finish it. If nothing else, Jensen Ackles continues to be the best thing in the show. Thinking back on it now, The Boys has kind of had the perfect arc timing wise: it came out at the very peak of superhero mania and was a breath of fresh air. Now that the superhero craze seems to be finally behind us, it's time for The Boys to be put to bed as well. Maybe a season later than it optimally should have, but it had a good run still.
Then there's the overabundance of characters. We're six episodes away from the finale of the show, and we've got The Boys themselves, Homelander, Soldier Boy, The Deep, Black Noir, Sage, Ryan, Stan Edgar, Firecracker, Ashley and his husband, and I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting some, to deal with and give a satisfying conclusion to. I don't really see how that's going to be pulled off, unless the last five episodes turn into a bloodbath bonanza. There is a chance for it to happen, but I'm not holding out hope. Plot armor has long been a serious issue in a show otherwise so gleeful to kill off minor characters and then introduce new ones in their place. It's kind of a worst of both worlds: you miss out on the potential story significance of new introduced characters while inadvertently highlighting the plot armor of the core cast.
I'm sounding really negative, but I still enjoy watching it and am going to finish it. If nothing else, Jensen Ackles continues to be the best thing in the show. Thinking back on it now, The Boys has kind of had the perfect arc timing wise: it came out at the very peak of superhero mania and was a breath of fresh air. Now that the superhero craze seems to be finally behind us, it's time for The Boys to be put to bed as well. Maybe a season later than it optimally should have, but it had a good run still.
Watching The Miniature Wife. An inventor accidentally (or does he) shrinks his wife to 15 cm/6 inches, then installs her in a dollhouse while looking to reverse the process. Stars Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen, playing their usual types: she's loud, feisty and a bit of a rube, he's sleazy and spineless in like a disarming way. He's a self-proclaimed narcissist while she admits to having a problem with accountability, although honestly both things are also true of each other. The predicament brings the power imbalance in their relationship to light and blah blah blah. I'm in it for the sight gags of watching Banks jump across the buttons of a TV remote and riding toy trains, or Macfadyen setting up dinner with tweezers. Frankly it's a welcome swing from watching grim, depressing shit like Half Man. Where did all those movies about wacky inventors go?
S1 on Prime streaming but just S1. They're going to get me hooked. Otherwise on MGM+ around here. Looks very interesting and they may force me to get yet another service : - (
S2E1 of Beef on Netflix. OK, I'm intrigued. Super uncomfortable but intrigued. Like the shifting annual narratives of Fargo or The White Lotus, this 2nd season of the show is an all new story with all new cast. I doubt it can compete with the spectacular S1 but I'll continue to watch. Long story short, you have great leads, including Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan as the head talent at a very upper class golf club vs. 2 at the bottom of the chain at the same club.
From is worth it. I've had MGM+ for years only for this show. I could branch out to see what else it offers, but I've already got so many other potential irons in the fire on other platforms, I can't really be arsed. But From alone is worth every penny.
I just saw this today. If I recall, the first season left me feeling a bit off; two people at similar stages of mental breakdown trying to ruin the other's life further didn't land with me, but I am intrigued where they take the concept next. I'll probably watch it just to see what they think worked in season 1 that merited this season 2.
I love the Boys but other than your pick for "best thing on the show," I can't disagree with any of this. It's certainly time for this show to end but I still enjoy these characters.
The best thing on the show is Homelander, I think he's just the greatest and most timely villain of our time.