tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post8037560233688545707..comments2024-03-27T23:50:21.307-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: Jess's 2014 Year in ReviewBillie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-11593746259061132892015-01-05T05:21:39.644-05:002015-01-05T05:21:39.644-05:00Thanks for posting the link Billie :) I liked all ...Thanks for posting the link Billie :) I liked all of Spartacus, but I thought the final season and Gods of the Arena were particularly good.Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-85940959456363850812015-01-03T21:13:58.887-05:002015-01-03T21:13:58.887-05:00CH, I'm happy to hear that Spartacus continues...CH, I'm happy to hear that <i>Spartacus</i> continues to chug along at an entertaining clip for you! I agree that the later villains/opponents challenged the audience in different ways than some of the enemies that came earlier. Crassus and Caesar were very interesting foes. Although I think the writers managed to bring some shading to the early guys, too. <br /><br />As for the finale, I knew the history going in, too. But I found the last couple hours satisfying in the sense that they brought the story and the characters to conclusions that felt fitting, emotionally and thematically. And it managed to bring a number of things "full circle," as it were. It was tremendously engaging, with some great battle and fight sequences, and there was just a ton of emotional catharsis in the way things transpired. When it was done, I felt incredibly drained, but satisfied. It worked for me.<br /><br />I hope the last season and the finale work as well for you. Make sure you stay for the final credits sequence!Jess Lyndehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14165015932507376656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-61710472057723062222015-01-03T15:08:25.847-05:002015-01-03T15:08:25.847-05:00CH, this isn't thread-hijacking so much, since...CH, this isn't thread-hijacking so much, since Jess did write about <i>Spartacus</i>. Comment away! <br /><br />And fyi, our contributor Juliette, who reviews <i>The West Wing</i> and <i>Star Trek: Voyager</i> for us, has her own site where she talks about "Greek and Roman things in stuff". She has covered <i>Spartacus</i> in depth. <br /><br />http://popclassicsjg.blogspot.co.uk/2000/01/spartacus-blood-and-sand.html<br />Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-50003904184021342042015-01-03T14:49:59.060-05:002015-01-03T14:49:59.060-05:00I rang in the new year with the flu, so I watched ...I rang in the new year with the flu, so I watched Gods of the Arena on Jan 1 in a fever haze and just now finished Vengeance and am onto the first episode of the final season. <br /><br />I loved the ending of the Vengeance (Wrath of the Gods). A little bit horror with Lucretia and very Lord of the Rings with the battle sequences.<br /><br />Then, I just watched Enemies at the Gate, and I was yelling at my TV, "No, I like Crassus!!!" Definitely a multi-faceted villain, more so than Glaber and Batiatus. Interesting how this will play out. Knowing the actual history, I am happy to hear that you found the finale satisfying, Jesse. <br /><br />Sorry to hijack your post, but there is no other place on this site to discuss Spartacus :) :) Happy New Year to all.CHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-24750248648383866042015-01-01T18:22:18.972-05:002015-01-01T18:22:18.972-05:00CH, I was so tickled to read your comment! I'...CH, I was so tickled to read your comment! I'm really delighted to know someone else has connected with this series. I definitely agree that a lot of the sex and violence are deployed not for titillation, but to emphasize how horrifying and inhumane the whole system is. We're meant to flinch away, and be haunted by much of what transpires. I hope the rest of the series continues to engage you!Jess Lyndehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14165015932507376656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-48181253549283901672015-01-01T13:01:14.578-05:002015-01-01T13:01:14.578-05:00Finally watched some of Spartacus, after reading t...Finally watched some of Spartacus, after reading this, Jess. I finished the first season yesterday, and all I can say is that I couldn't stop watching after Whore, and then Party Favors took it up to even another level.<br /><br />Wow. Sex and violence doesn't usually bother me, and in this show it bothers me even less because it seems like a message about the slaves' humanity rather than just gratiutious sex and violence (for the most part).<br /><br />Thanks for the recommendation!!! I'm onto the Prequel series today.CHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-72729575305750859792014-12-28T09:43:28.193-05:002014-12-28T09:43:28.193-05:00Jess:
I love your style of writing so much. Very d...Jess:<br />I love your style of writing so much. Very detailed and with a level of precision that makes me geek out with joy. So thank you for your thoughts on 2014 TV. <br />Rectify. Yes. This show is so rich. I constantly tell people to watch it.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13953652907115935895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-16832729299669022682014-12-24T23:00:57.950-05:002014-12-24T23:00:57.950-05:00I totally agree about Spartacus. I think it's ...I totally agree about Spartacus. I think it's one of the best shows I've ever seen...and I really don't like gory stuff! The actors and their characters are all brilliant. (Who doesn't love Manu Bennett??)<br /><br />Advice to Arrow-producers:<br />You've picked up a couple of Spartacusians. Don't stop. I'd love to see Peter Mensah, Dan Feuerriegel and, why not, Lucy Lawless on Arrow. To just name a few...TJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-73183519216237202412014-12-23T20:04:20.298-05:002014-12-23T20:04:20.298-05:00Thanks again for reading and commenting, all! I h...Thanks again for reading and commenting, all! I hope that you enjoy the shows you decide to check out.<br /><br />And I do completely understand that the content of <i>Spartacus</i> is a tough hurdle for many to clear. It is a lot to take in and process. But, my husband typically can't stand anything gory --- he hates even listening to <i>The Walking Dead</i> and <i>Hannibal</i> from the other room --- and he managed to watch and even love this show anyway, so I figured it was worth a shot trying to sell it! :)Jess Lyndehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14165015932507376656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-62930479844164196212014-12-23T19:49:25.363-05:002014-12-23T19:49:25.363-05:00Thanks Jess for the lovely overview of many shows ...Thanks Jess for the lovely overview of many shows I haven't seen yet. I plan on some binge watching over the holidays and now I know what to watch!drnanamomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667806039402426676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-45199035445804452962014-12-22T21:28:00.176-05:002014-12-22T21:28:00.176-05:00Awesome read, Jess!
So many shows to add to my Ne...Awesome read, Jess!<br /><br />So many shows to add to my Netflixing list!Laure Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00692780015410946019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-78829152469040518972014-12-22T05:34:39.553-05:002014-12-22T05:34:39.553-05:00Great piece and glad you enjoyed Spartacus Jess! I...Great piece and glad you enjoyed Spartacus Jess! It always amazes me that 10 years ago I use to avoid anything overly violent, but have slowly become more and more hardened... though I think I can take more violence on TV than in the cinema. There's no escape in the cinema.Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-11427596212534488622014-12-21T22:02:33.341-05:002014-12-21T22:02:33.341-05:00Agreed on Continuum. It’s a great watch.
About Sp...Agreed on Continuum. It’s a great watch.<br /><br />About Spartacus, I went through season one a few years ago, but, oh my god, it was too violent. Yes, there’s some really good character material (I loved Lucy Lawless’ character), but it was hard watching so much graphic violence. I remember there were two scenes that traumatized me when I watched them (one, because of the gore, the other, because of the brutality). I’m happy Steven S. DeKnight has become a successful showrunner, but his series is just not for me.<br /><br />Now I’m going to give The Americans a try. “…how far they can and should go in service of an ideal, and just where the line is between human and monster” This sounds really, really good. :)Lamounierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00225447169375363236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-91387661843048105822014-12-21T18:30:33.197-05:002014-12-21T18:30:33.197-05:00The world would be a much better place if more peo...The world would be a much better place if more people watch The Middleman. Mark Greighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12984193299389764649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-636454583751358332014-12-21T11:05:09.062-05:002014-12-21T11:05:09.062-05:00Fabulous, Jess!
Rectify has been on my list forev...Fabulous, Jess!<br /><br /><i>Rectify</i> has been on my list forever. Now that I know it has the JL stamp of approval, I will move it further towards the top.ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-20739430870314684902014-12-21T09:04:23.780-05:002014-12-21T09:04:23.780-05:00Thanks, Billie! I think a lot of folks haven'...Thanks, Billie! I think a lot of folks haven't heard of some of these shows --- <i>Rectify</i>, in particular, tends to fly under the radar --- or missed out on them when they were around before. That's why I wanted to give them a little extra love. :) <br /><br />Mazephoenix, you are not alone in your love for <i>Rectify</i>! I think it may be considered too slow for a lot of folks, but I really like a good, introspective piece. For anyone who's interested, you can stream Season 1 on Netflix right now. I imagine S2 will become available closer to the S3 premiere.Jess Lyndehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14165015932507376656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-55890952375958464622014-12-21T08:34:29.790-05:002014-12-21T08:34:29.790-05:00Great read, Jess.
I of course completely agree w...Great read, Jess. <br /><br />I of course completely agree with your opinion of <i>Continuum</i> and encourage anyone who isn't watching it to give it a try. And I'm one of those people who tried <i>Spartacus</i> and just couldn't handle the gore level. Oh, well.<br /><br />It's amazing that we have a television site and yet, the landscape has become so full that I don't even recognize some of the show names you mentioned. Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-77233375111055425192014-12-21T08:29:36.007-05:002014-12-21T08:29:36.007-05:00Oh my god..someone besides me has seen Rectify..It...Oh my god..someone besides me has seen Rectify..It's a great, underrated show.<br />I love it so much. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com