I think TV and video games operate on an immediate gratification level, they attempt to provide a rush or release narratively in the immediate to get you to tune into the next episode or keep playing the game. I think that can lead to audiences treating it like a puzzle more than a work of art in totality, and I've definitely seen it in shows like True Detective S1 and Game of Thrones and from what I saw of people talking about Westworld and the way those cultural discussions took shape kind of turned me off of dramatic TV as a whole. Video games have potent potential to be fascinating works of art, and there are a few that are, but rarely have I found people who are interested in discussing them that way, even when they're the most ardent and invested participants in the art form. Sort of connected, that's part of why I liked season 2 of Serial more than season 1, it was about so many fascinating things conceptually and was an enriching experience as a whole, while so much of what people liked about season 1 was the "whodunnit" aspect, and the attachment to that level left it unfulfilling to many in the end.
I think the "golden age of television" lasted about two years. Also, I think there are too many television shows. On the one hand, it is good because a lot of previously excluded groups are being featured and on the other hand, we are experiencing a glut of entertainment, each of which has the aesthetic of "golden age" television shows, but none of the substance.
More or less. Breaking Bad succumbed to action pastiche in the later seasons. Mad Men faired better, however, it sort of became lost in later seasons.
Absolutely, but you have to consciously "take a step back", as someone above put it, and my brain puts enjoyment first it seems - the thought to question/critique is not one that will be at the forefront of people's minds when consuming media for entertainment IMO. Believe it or not I did study Media and Film at degree level and was good at it lol, but I was actively choosing to engage at a deeper level in that case. I agree with the overall point you guys are making though, just think it can be difficult for a lot of consumers.
i'm glad i've finished 3/4 of those shows. need to re-start the wire soon. and you're right, there's way too much going on now. i feel overwhelmed.
I never was good at following TV shows when they actually air, I find always setting that time aside to be difficult to both remember and do. I either always watched em at the end of the season or the whole series (usually long) after they finish.
Lol I'm actually the opposite, I need the structure of it airing a certain day and time or else it's overwhelming
I dont know what it is with me, I'm good with timing in every other walk of life but when it comes to like... kick back and BS time I am the worst procrastinator/unorganized etc type lmao. It happens with everything from TV shows to albums I intend to get to to even when I smoke with my girl she'll get on me cus I am in no rush to take a hit ever, even though I know damn well I'm tryna get high lmao. It's like a part of me I'm not aware of is like "We control this lazy shit, do it on your own time. Everything else you gotta be on your P's & Q's" lmao
BB is a really good show imo. i don't know what the consensus is to say its overrated, but its not near Sopranos or The Wire so if people put it there then yeah they're wrong. It's also not as good as Mad Men, which is a tier below those two in itself. But is solidly like tier 2b or 3a imo. Right on that edge.