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IRL (In Real Life) => Music, TV, Movies => Topic started by: mirth on July 12, 2015, 12:03:17 PM

Title: The Strain
Post by: mirth on July 12, 2015, 12:03:17 PM
I forget if we have a thread going for this show already (pretty sure we do but I couldn't find it with the forum search). Season 2 starts tonight. It's an entertaining summer diversion, if you don't take it too seriously.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: RooksBailey on July 12, 2015, 05:53:30 PM
I am looking forward to it.  I think it is the best vampire show to come along in a long time! 
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Nefaro on July 12, 2015, 06:07:16 PM
I didn't realize the second season was starting tonight until I saw some very brief commercial for it yesterday.

Fortunately the DVR was still set to record it from last year.   O0


The first couple episodes from the first season were pretty raw.  I recall the acting being rather bad in parts of those early episodes.  But then it really picked up.  Many series are like that when they first begin, so I try to give them all at least three episodes, if I like the premise, before judging and this one turned out quite good.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on July 12, 2015, 06:15:04 PM
It's not great television, but it's fun and distracting for the summer. And there are some interesting moments.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Centurion40 on July 13, 2015, 10:21:06 AM
Quote from: mirth on July 12, 2015, 06:15:04 PM
It's not great television, but it's fun and distracting for the summer. And there are some interesting moments.

Bingo.  I thought that season #1 production & continuity were almost amateurish at times (I remember once scene started in winter, and ended in summer), but the overall story was captivating.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on July 14, 2015, 06:29:00 PM
First ep of the new season was quite good. Some very disturbing moments. I like how they aren't afraid to depart from the novels (which were also quite good).
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on August 10, 2015, 11:55:59 AM
The monster is dead!

http://io9.com/the-strain-s-most-loathsome-creature-has-finally-been-d-1723114298
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Centurion40 on August 10, 2015, 11:59:52 AM
Huzzah!
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on August 10, 2015, 12:10:01 PM
It was the most frightening thing on that show.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Nefaro on August 10, 2015, 01:01:01 PM
I would prefer his character's son disappeared for good.  Eph too, for that matter. 

Just don't like those characters.  Which sucks because the rest of the series is good.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on August 10, 2015, 01:14:22 PM
I can deal with Eph, but the kid who's playing the son this year is even more annoying than the kid from last year.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on August 10, 2015, 01:15:12 PM
The whole father/son theme was annoying in the book and it's worse in the show.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Centurion40 on August 10, 2015, 02:12:01 PM
Quote from: mirth on August 10, 2015, 01:15:12 PM
The whole father/son theme was annoying in the book and it's worse in the show.

Amen!

I hope that the mom eats the kid.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on August 24, 2015, 09:23:42 AM
Do not wake up at 4am, watch this show and then go back to sleep. Makes for some very bizarre dreams.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on September 13, 2015, 10:35:39 PM
It's amazing that this show can be stupidly lame and watchable at the same time.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on September 13, 2015, 11:19:33 PM
And yet, in one episode the show has surpassed the novels. Weird.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Nefaro on September 13, 2015, 11:54:10 PM
Quote from: mirth on September 13, 2015, 10:35:39 PM
It's amazing that this show can be stupidly lame and watchable at the same time.


This describes it well.

:2funny:


For awhile, I thought I was just being a masochist.  But there are some aspects that make me keep watching.  Like the whole show is a war between two aspects.  One championing my interest in the general story, the other my annoyance with some of the characters.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on September 14, 2015, 04:57:38 PM
It's an odd combination. I've been ready to give up on it a few times, but it's been just good enough to keep me watching.

Last night was a particularly strong episode. I like how they've departed from the novels. It's kept the show fresh and interesting. Palmer is a far more interesting character on the show than he was in the books, imho.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: TacticalWargames on September 22, 2015, 09:04:37 AM
Couldn't agree with you more. I know the acting is rubbish, the effects are sub standard and the plot plain silly but I still watch it!

Quote from: mirth on September 13, 2015, 10:35:39 PM
It's amazing that this show can be stupidly lame and watchable at the same time.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on September 28, 2015, 10:12:11 AM
This show is increasingly thin ice with me. The last couple episodes have been real duds. If the season finale doesn't deliver in a big way, I'm done with it.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on October 05, 2015, 08:24:19 AM
That wasn't a great season finale. And killing one of the major characters, who actually was one of the few survivors all the way through the novels, was just dumb, imho. I doubt I'll pick this up again next season. Way to uneven in writing, acting.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on October 11, 2015, 11:17:25 AM
This does a good job of capturing my thoughts on The Strain

http://io9.com/on-the-stunning-season-finale-of-the-strain-an-old-dud-1734777945
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Centurion40 on October 14, 2015, 10:26:15 AM
Quote from: mirth on October 11, 2015, 11:17:25 AM
This does a good job of capturing my thoughts on The Strain

http://io9.com/on-the-stunning-season-finale-of-the-strain-an-old-dud-1734777945

Oh that was good.  If FX runs an ad promising that the kid will die in season 3, it MIGHT have a chance.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Nefaro on October 14, 2015, 11:38:57 AM
Quote from: Centurion40 on October 14, 2015, 10:26:15 AM
  If FX runs an ad promising that the kid will die in season 3, it MIGHT have a chance.

This x1000.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on October 14, 2015, 11:39:46 AM
Quote from: Nefaro on October 14, 2015, 11:38:57 AM
Quote from: Centurion40 on October 14, 2015, 10:26:15 AM
  If FX runs an ad promising that the kid will die in season 3, it MIGHT have a chance.

This x1000.

That could get me to watch again.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Centurion40 on October 14, 2015, 12:33:31 PM
You know, I have a good PR idea for FX.

Mom turns the shit heel-kid into a vampire.  Then FX runs a contest where a lucky viewer gets to bash his head in with an aluminium baseball bat in the season 3 finale.

Why aluminium?  That lovely "tink" sound when the aluminium hits bone.

Yep, I'd pay money to enter that contest.  >:D
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on October 14, 2015, 12:34:40 PM
^that's genius!
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Centurion40 on October 14, 2015, 12:35:59 PM
Thank you.  I have my moments.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on October 14, 2015, 12:38:43 PM
And they could call it "Give Zach a Whack"
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Centurion40 on October 14, 2015, 12:46:32 PM
Quote from: mirth on October 14, 2015, 12:38:43 PM
And they could call it "Give Zach a Whack"

And now we have a complete package to pitch!  O0
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on August 25, 2016, 11:51:45 AM
For better or worse, season 3 of The Strain starts Sunday night






http://www.sltrib.com/home/4275404-155/scott-d-pierce-scary-strain-picks
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: Nefaro on August 25, 2016, 03:48:55 PM
I'll set the DVR  but...

was getting a bit 'Meh' near the end of the last season. 


*slight spoilers possible from here*


Is it wrong to dislike a show that made you hope the main protagonist's beloved son got his head crushed under a large machine?  I mean.. before the writers actually wanted you to dislike him? 

Actually.. I think my problem with the show is not liking many of the main characters.  The Old Man and, later, the Fighty Vengeance Dude are okay.  Along with Rat Man, before getting involved with Miss Fancypants' bullshit. 

It's only salvation will hinge on whether the main character goes full-on Terminator mode, like some of the others I just mentioned, or continues on his path of Doting Blah-ness and Wishful Naivety.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on August 25, 2016, 05:41:35 PM
The first two seasons were a mess. A handful of strong performances saved it from being total dreck.

I get a sense that the people behind realize it needs to be a lot better. I'm going to give the first couple of episodes a chance. If it's more of the same, I'll be done with it.

The novels were solid. The TV show has been tiresome so far.
Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on June 22, 2017, 09:53:46 AM
Final season starts in a couple weeks. I'm going to watch it just to see it end. Kinda weird, I don't really like this show, but I've watched it all.


Title: Re: The Strain
Post by: mirth on September 18, 2017, 04:00:45 PM
So this wrapped up last night. About what I expected.  The ending at least tied things up. Glad it's over.