TV: The Strain (FX) (Del Toro)

[William Bloke]

I read these books last year. They were OK. Haven't watched the show yet, but I will over the weekend.

[Biff Pocoroba]

I'm in too. I can nitpick some things but I definitely want to see where the story goes from here, at least for now.

[bada]

I kept expecting Blade to show up.

[Rangi Guy]

I kept expecting Blade to show up.

Isn't that who the old dude is?

[bada]

I kept expecting Blade to show up.

Isn't that who the old dude is?

Van Helsing.

[LoathedVermin72]

I kept expecting Blade to show up.

I would pee myself with glee if that happened.

[bada]

I kept expecting Blade to show up.

I would pee myself with glee if that happened.

I would be cool. Blade 2 ruled.

[LoathedVermin72]

I kept expecting Blade to show up.

I would pee myself with glee if that happened.

I would be cool. Blade 2 ruled.

Fuck yeah. I love that movie.

[broken iris]

Eh. That one scene was pretty violent for basic cable, but nothing stands out in the first one. I already dislike the lead dude... I mean come on. A too-cool-for-the-rules scientist/rouge/dad who can't tie a tie and whose biblical name isn't reflective of his lifestyle so he goes by a nickname instead and while he is in love with dedicated to his wife and family, he's still good with tapping a little ethnic ass on the side because who wouldn't when you spend so much time tirelessly saving the world? Does he live in a converted loft in Brooklyn surrounded by pictures of his son? Is he struggling to reconcile his religious upbringing with the horrors he sees everyday? Is he going to have to fight a huge multinational business with vaguely European sounding leaders? I've really enjoyed Del Toro's work in the past, so I'll watch, but this felt more like a high budget Sci-Fi channel pilot than a multiseason apocalyptic thriller.

[lowlight79]

The book also kinda opens with him as a arrogant asshole. But that changes, maybe they follow that in the show also.

[bada]

Don't forget the milk thing....they really hammered on that one. He's so quirky.

[bart]

Don't forget the milk thing....they really hammered on that one. He's so quirky.

He lactates?

[bada]

Don't forget the milk thing....they really hammered on that one. He's so quirky.

He lactates?

It comes out as 1% its so unrealistic.

[LoathedVermin72]

Man, episode 2 was a frustrating case study in why TV shows consistently "get it wrong."

Not only was it lacking the cinematic style and atmosphere of del Toro's direction, but it also made me realize how much of a narrative thrust the pilot had, and how important that was to its success. It was very well-paced and was propelled by a tantalizingly mysterious plot above all else.

Now they're making the classic TV mistake of thinking simply spending a lot of time repeating already-established character stuff equates to making that character more developed. It doesn't. I don't know any more about or feel any more invested in Eph than I did watching the first episode. All that stuff accomplished was bringing the momentum of the series to a crashing halt. The whole time I just kept thinking, "There are fucking vampire zombies running around somewhere and I'm watching Eph talk to his annoying kid and go to group? What the fuck is this shit?"

If TV is ever going to rival film, it needs to approach narrative momentum like film does. Just because you have more time doesn't mean you should waste it on peripheral filler.

[red calzolaio]

Man, episode 2 was a frustrating case study in why TV shows consistently "get it wrong."

Not only was it lacking the cinematic style and atmosphere of del Toro's direction, but it also made me realize how much of a narrative thrust the pilot had, and how important that was to its success. It was very well-paced and was propelled by a tantalizingly mysterious plot above all else.

Now they're making the classic TV mistake of thinking simply spending a lot of time repeating already-established character stuff equates to making that character more developed. It doesn't. I don't know any more about or feel any more invested in Eph than I did watching the first episode. All that stuff accomplished was bringing the momentum of the series to a crashing halt. The whole time I just kept thinking, "There are fucking vampire zombies running around somewhere and I'm watching Eph talk to his annoying kid and go to group? What the fuck is this shit?"

If TV is ever going to rival film, it needs to approach narrative momentum like film does. Just because you have more time doesn't mean you should waste it on peripheral filler.

pretty spot on.

when it's revealed he's a recovering alcoholic in AA, i looked at my wife and said "what the heck??" i just don't care...at all.

are we going to find out next that he was abused as a child?

[lowlight79]

The first two episodes have had good moments and bad moments. From what I read, episode 3 is really where they could be getting more consistent.

[red calzolaio]

it...fell off.

[Rangi Guy]

it...fell off.

But he was just using it (sort of) - how did it fall off so cleanly?

[red calzolaio]

it...fell off.

But he was just using it (sort of) - how did it fall off so cleanly?

don't know. he didn't even seem to mind. at first, i thought something came shooting out of the shaft. but then i was even more disturbed.

[Rangi Guy]

it...fell off.

But he was just using it (sort of) - how did it fall off so cleanly?

don't know. he didn't even seem to mind. at first, i thought something came shooting out of the shaft. but then i was even more disturbed.

That was the other thing - I few minutes early he seemed somewhat distressed about the state of it when speaking with his doctor, then it just drops off - he shrugs and flushes it