TV Dramas I’m Watching (Part 1)

Remember when the only downside of upcoming summers meant our television shows would go on hiatus? Though that’s still standard operating procedure for network shows, it doesn’t leave us in a 3-month lurch the way it once did. Cable stations, premiums, streaming, on demand…..there’s always something new or old for us to watch or binge through the summer months.

So in case you’re looking for something new, curious what others are watching, or just bored and feel like reading something, here’s what’s currently in my rotation:

Sidenote: No HBO material here. The HBO shows I’m currently watching are comedies (Silicon Valley and Veep) not dramas.

10. I don’t have 10. I’m watching too many shows as it is to have nine.

9. Prison Break –Fox Network

fox.com

So this show was on for 4 seasons, then finished its run about 5 years ago. This Spring Fox decided to bring it back (all original cast) for a new 5th season. Here’s the thing about Prison Break: When the story revolves around the main character trying to “prison break” (seasons 1 and 3) the show was entertaining. When the main characters were not in prison, (seasons 2 and 4) the show stunk. So now it’s back, and guess what? The main character is back behind bars trying to “prison break!” So based on my formula, I thought I’d give it a try. So far, not so good. Haven’t watched the past 3 episodes yet. May not.

8. Bloodline Netflix Original

imdb.com

Cool setting (Florida Keys) really good acting, and a solid story for season one hooked me on this Netflix Original right away. The main character (the guy from Friday Night Lights) plays an excellent lead, and the actor who plays his little brother looks exactly like former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, so that’s cool too. South Florida, drugs, scandal, conspiracy, dysfunctional family, the first season had it all. Season two’s story was not nearly as strong, but I’ll be tuning in for season 3 later this year based on the strength of its first year, and the hope this show can bounce back a bit.

7. Gotham –Fox Network

dccomics.com

If you don’t know by now, there’s a show on primetime t.v. called Gotham that doesn’t have Batman in it. I was so curious to see how that could work, I decided to check it out. I was very pleasantly surprised. I found this show to be wildly entertaining. The kid from the old primetime soap ‘The O.C.’ is all grown up and plays an excellent not-yet commissioner Jim Gordon. The guy playing the Penguin steals the show in his every scene. But…..how many episodes can you actually have for a show called Gotham without having the caped crusader in it? The answer is probably too many already. If you read the above posted condition and its definition, I think that’s what is going on with me and this show. I know it’s become ridiculous, if not downright bad, but I can’t seem to stop watching.

6. Designated Survivor -ABC Network

todaytvseries.com

A few months ago I mentioned in a previous blog how one of the reasons t.v. has gotten better in recent years is because movie actors started working television. This is so true in the case of Kiefer Sutherland. His enormous hit show, “24”, was one of my all-time favs. Now Kiefer is back, and I’ve got to say so far I really like this show. The acting is good, but the writing has really impressed me. Particularly, the show’s pace. It moves fast. Season 1 is coming to a close either this week or next, and boy oh boy have they covered a lot of ground in one year! This isn’t one of those deals where you’d have to catch up from 5 seasons out. This is a new show. Take in the first season this summer on demand. I think you’ll like it too!

I’ll post shows 5 through 1 in my next installment.

Thanks,

Vic