I started the second season of 'Gannibal' but the drop in quality from the first season has been so significant that I'm questioning whether I want to continue. It went from small town thriller to this comically violent shlock thing where the point of every scene and conversation seems to be to create yet another confrontation so yet another fight can be shoehorned in. It's an adaptation of a manga and it really shows in this second season.

[–] vaguerant@fedia.io 2 points 3 days ago

I watched the eight-part miniseries Washington Black (US: Hulu, CA/UK/AU: Disney+). It's a sort of swashbuckling 1800s steampunk fairytale of a Barbadian boy (the titular George Washington Black) who escapes the life of slavery he was born into using his scientific aptitude and a fantastical airship. I have somewhat mixed feelings about the depiction of life within the show's universe, but going any further than that strays into spoiler territory. Overall, it was fun to watch. Sterling K. Brown is a major standout in the cast, but everybody is doing good work.

Below I'll go into a bit more detail about the things I liked less. It's fairly minor spoilers, mostly about things that don't happen in the show, but if you don't want to know anything going in, skip it.

Spoilers

Presumably in service of being "fun to watch," the realities of slavery and racism in the era are glossed over and sanded down significantly compared to the novel it's adapting or actual history. There are a few threats of gratuitous violence but probably the worst thing that happens is a slap, which is bad but on the lower end of awful things that might happen to a slave. Nobody in the show's universe seems to know any racial slurs. There is an over-representation of enlightened, abolitionist white men, although they are for the most part deeply flawed, not idealized white saviors.

I don't mean to give the impression that the racism is entirely whitewashed. There's at least one unrepentant slaver, several malevolent slave-catchers, a light-skinned, mixed-race character is forced to disguise their parentage to continue living in wealthy, white society. But the show's focus is mostly on the fun parts: the adventures, romance and airships, with the less palatable stuff frequently only implied or occurring off-camera.

Overall, I'd say it's what you might expect from a Disney(-ish) fairytale adaptation of darker source material. It just feels a little weird when the elements that were dropped are the harsh realities of 1800s racism and not ... little mermaids dying (Hans Christian Anderson spoilers). Again, I had fun watching it, but I feel conflicted about how healthy it is to make historical fiction fun by softening the harder edges. Who knows, maybe it's OK to have some escapist fiction with PoC protagonists, as a treat?

For people who have seen Nautilus (US/CA: AMC+, UK: Amazon Prime Video, AU: Stan), I'd say that's a better show, as far as swashbuckling steampunk adventures which try to engage with the racial dynamics of the (fictionalized) eras they represent. But both shows are very enjoyable, quite short and easy to watch. Go watch Nautilus.

[–] yessikg@fedia.io 3 points 3 days ago

Started School Spirits, looks interesting. Watched season 1 of Harry Wild, I can see why it was renewed for season 5. Recommended if you like the "amateur solves crimes while annoying the police" theme. Continuing with Nautilus, having a great time watching it.

[–] IWW4@lemmy.zip 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I just finished Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1.

The cast is really the shows strong suit, with Ethan Peck and Jess Bush being the stand outs. Anson Mount is the weak link in the cast but he is fine.

The show looks incredible. The sets, costumes, aesthetics and special effects are top notch. My only complaint there is that the ship has an incredible amount of wasted interior space. That may be a trite criticism, but it really does ruin some of realism and dramatic tension.

The first season is composed of ten episodes and 6 of them are excellent. One is really clumsy and two of them are just so stupid and there is a fourth that is rip off of Alien and predator and they don’t even bother hiding it, but that episode did something that really suprised me.

Overall it is the most fun I have had with a Star Trek TV show since STNG.

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Nice. I'm currently in the middle of season 7 of TNG with my daughter (having finished voyager already). Battlestar is up next but I'm looking forward to Strange New Worlds.

[–] IWW4@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You are in for a treat with Battlestar!

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

Oh this is a rewatch for me but her first time.

I watched Adama's speech on the opening of the Cylon attacks recently and got literal goosebumps. Can't wait!!!

[–] cRazi_man@europe.pub 4 points 4 days ago

Watching Severence. Really liked season 1. Season 2 doesn't seem as good so far, but I'm only part way through.

[–] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 4 days ago

South Park, Stick

[–] DagwoodIII@piefed.social 3 points 4 days ago

"Penny Dreadful" The first two seasons are great, third gets a bit weak.

[–] TribblesBestFriend@startrek.website 2 points 4 days ago

I’ve tried Vice Principal. After two episodes : not my thing. But I have a friend (less difficult) that really like it

[–] NJSpradlin@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

I finally bit the bullet on the new Daredevil, and finished that. Andor season 2 hasn’t really hooked me like season 1’s prison arc.