Being a bit under the weather I took the opportunity to lay in bed and watch a ton of TV that I had never watched before. New shows that I didn’t jump on the bandwagon with at their start, but felt it was time to see what all the fuss was about.
If any of you are like me and fans of dramas on TV rather than comedy and reality brainspew you may do similar in watching several episodes in a row in a day. When I am sick I may watch an entire season of a short season show (12-13 episodes from cable series). I actually watched 3 shows up to date in the last 14 days. Mostly during the time I was sick. I wonder how these eyelash growth products fare against laying in bed for 4 days
.
First show I jumped on was Boardwalk Empire. One of the most critically acclaimed shows, and actually still running in Season 2 as we speak with a few more episodes left. Brilliant show with an amazing cast and characters. I actually can’t think of a character I am not interested in.
For those of you that know nothing of the show it is based in the prohibition days of America in the early 1900s. The lead is Nucky Thompson played by Steve Buscemi. He rules Atlantic City controlling all the flow of illegal booze, and everything else. He plays a role like a mobster, but is not underground. He holds public office and runs the city by networking the hell out of things.
Surprising to me Al Capone as a young idiot, and Lucky Luciano are also portrayed on the show. I wasn’t expecting any of these guys on the show thinking it was purely fictitious going in, but alas these guys play roles. Al Capone’s portrayal is quite interesting from most I have seen. He’s young and childish. He’s not the legend that is usually shown.
The second show I latched onto was The Borgias, a drama from Showtime. This show is very well directed and produced. My interest in the show was sparked by being somewhat familiar of the family from documentaries and of course the Assassin’s Creed video game series.
The Borgias first season starts with their first acquiring the position of Pope in the Catholic church through less than ethical means. The Catholic church politics of those times has always been interesting to me. Completely unethical, and even coming to murder to achieve the ultimate power that the Pope holds. God bless religion eh?
Lastly, and probably most fortunate, I saved my favorite for last. Game of Thrones. OF the 3 shows this might be the one that I was most disappointed when it ended. Not because it ended badly, but because it was so freakin’ awesome.
This is another show that reminds me a bit of a video game series. Dragon Age, and in some ways Elder Scrolls. Some of the stories from those games are similar to the actual show. Especially Dragon Age: Origins in my opinion with the Grey Wardens and the whole dragon thing.
Game of Thrones is epic in scale with dozens of characters to keep tabs on. Families fighting for the crown like all crowns are won. With dirty secrets and backstabbing. This show is too good to spoil at all. All I will say is that honor is not a quality that wins the Game of Thrones. Now I have to wait until APRIL to see it again.
Highly recommend all 3 shows.