The Fireside

The day I finish watching Hell on Wheels  (season 3) on Netflix, I saw on comingsoon.net that it will be back one last time for a fifth season. Seven new episodes will air next summer, with the final seven episodes of the series following in the summer of 2016. It is unknown if it will be labelled as 'Season Five: Part 1' and 'Season Five: Part 2' or a style seen with other 'split' seasons, or if it will take the Breaking Bad  approach and call the first portion 'season 5' and the final portion 'the final season'. Either way, I am looking forward to watching the rest of the series and am glad that they know going in this is the end.  If you haven't watched the show yet, I strongly encourage you to do so - it is one of the best underrated TV shows. Looks like after this, AMC's 'big drama' will be Turn . Breaking Bad is finished, and Mad Men will end next year. 

Today, Netflix has uploaded season 3 of Hell on Wheels . I'll be watching it, but not right away. After I finish the mini-series The Bible, it's on to season 2 of House of Cards , then I'll return to Hell.

From amc: Relive the addiction from the beginning. The #BreakingBadBinge begins August 10 on AMC and will include never-before-seen bonus content and cast interviews. That's all and well, but seeing as I don't own cable or sat, etc, I will be watching my complete series blu-ray box set. I hadn't watched it since I gotten it, so August 10 (a year after the final set of episodes began airing?) seems like a great opportunity to do so.  Anyone wishing to participate to in the Breaking Bad rewatch, fire up your discs, que up Netflix or itunes, or tune in to amc for hopefully a giant re-watch.  Or if you never watched the series, start then.  

The second season of Hell on Wheels was quite good, and a worthy follow up to the episodes of the first season. This season felt more whole and complete, as the main characters interacted with each other a lot more often, and each episode felt like a part of a greater, in a novelistic sense, rather than, well, episodic.  The acting, writing, and production continues to be in top-form.  There are some dramatic moments, but not quite as dramatic or slow paced as the first season. There are also some moments of suspense and action which are quite good. and entertaining. The star of the show continues to be Anson Mount, while the other actors have improved over the first season. Perhaps it could be the writing or direction, as well. I admit, this isn't the best show on TV, but it is definitely one of the most underrated shows. It continues to grow and improve, and bring something new yet familiar to the western genre. I'm looking forward to more episodes, and hope tha...

Today is finally the day for me - Breaking Bad Complete Series blu-ray is now out to buy! The blu-rays for each season have been out for a while, but I wanted to get all the episodes in one shot. I'm aware that there was that collector's set, but it was over priced, and as much as I enjoy the series, I only wanted the episodes , nothing else. I'm hoping Amazon will ship it soon!

Tonight the final season of Mad Men begins. Much like Breaking Bad, this final season is split into two. The name of the episode to watch for is called 'Time Zones".

Breaking Bad finally gets the 'complete series' treatment on blu-ray on June 3. Read more info, courtesy of tvshowsondvd.com : 

Not long ago, I finished watching the first season of AMC's drama, Hell on Wheels .

Not long ago, I finished watching Breaking Bad All of it. Here are my thoughts.

One of the best, if not the best shows of recent memory, Breaking Bad , now has every single episode uploaded on Netflix Canada. I am working my way through the series, and will post a review shortly after viewing the final episode. I plan to be finished during the first week of March. I won't describe the series here, but if you've been waiting for all episodes, the last episodes, not wanting to wait at all, or curious to try the series out, now's the time. It slowly grows on you, and before you know it you're addicted. Best part is, you don't have to wait. 

A lot of TV shows are either finishing their run, or will begin to end. Breaking Bad finished up. I'm on season four, so shhh.... Mad Men will receive a final season(s) much like Breaking Bad . Boardwalk Empire has been renewed for a 5th and final season (I'm not sure if that counts as 'cancelation'. I'm guessing no, as it has been renewed. To me canceled is if word is being waited on, and the network decides 'no'.) I have yet to see season four, however. Also on HBO, The Newsroom will get a third and final season. I haven't seen an episode yet, but it's a show that interests me.  And let's not forget that Dexter ended...even some of us rather would.  I guess TV shows coming and going is a sign of age, and the passage of time.  Aside from Breaking Bad , I'm currently watching Hell on Wheels and Homeland on Netflix. I also need to see season 2 of Downton Abbey, season 4 of Boardwalk Empire , and season 4 of ...

I haven't seen any episodes yet (it is on my Netflix list) but AMC's series Hell on Wheels was just renewed for a 4th season. Better than that - it went from 10 episodes for the season to 13. With Breaking Bad ending a few months ago, and Mad Men on its way out, this looks to be AMC's new flagship series. Speaking of TV, where am I at? Season 3 of Breaking Bad Season 5 [final] of Damages (once I finish that I'll start up Hell on Wheels ) Watching Big Bang and Shield week by week. Once Boardwalk Empire finishes its 4th season, I'll start watching that season. Likewise in March with Walking Dead .

I almost forgot about the Emmys! Here's the nominations, as well as my take.....

There are a few TV shows I enjoy watching - on DVD, through Netflix, through cable / sat, and through....other means. One series I've been hearing amazing things about, is Breaking Bad , which airs on the same network as Mad Men.    The final episodes (final season, part 2 of season 5, whatever it's official known as) returns August 11 . And the final episode will air on Septermber 29 . So that means September *30 * I will start watching the series with season 1, episode 1. I won't have to wait for anything starting that day. Another series I really want to check out is Homeland .  

Tonight is the season six finale for Mad Men . The episode to look for is called "in Care Of". The show returns next year for it's final season, and the season 6 DVD / blu-ray will most likely be out in October sometime, but I shall keep you non-AMC subcribers (and those who like to buy shows), up to date once it's announced. 

The days of needing one of these may very well be over in five years or under. I am aware that there are....less than legal ways to watch TV shows, but this post is aimed at the legal ways.   One thing I've been meaning to talk about in length, but only hinted at, is my dislike for cable packages. I like mostly premium cable shows (Showtime, AMC, HBO) over standard stuff (ABC, NBC, the CW etc..) it gets expensive for about 3-4 channels. The problem is that you can't get individual 'channels', you have to get the packages if you want HBO.   The thing is, take The Big Bang Theory , or Grey's Anatomy for example. Both are popular shows. But you don't 'need' a TV provider to watch them, as a few days later, the new episode is provided on the TV network's website for steaming for free. Also, that network may allow streaming or access to their shows (example Netflix) through other shows. But not HBO. Oh, no not HBO.   Sa...

Tonight is the season 6 premiere of Mad Men. The episode to look for is entitled "The Doorway". 

Lately, in the past 10-15 years, I have noticed that TV has become a great source of not just entertainment, but art.

I am going out of town for the Easter weekend, so here's an update....

Apparantly, Rogers cable network is threatening to get rid of AMC. That would be incredibly stupid of them, as AMC features programs such as The Walking Dead, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Hell on Wheels  among others. I don't know what the legal side of things are, but getting rid of a network featuring hit shows is just plain silly in a nutshell. If you subscribe to AMC and are with Rogers for your TV needs, call 855-KEEP-AMC (855-533-7262) , contact Rogers, or go to their Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Rogers?fref=ts  . More info :  http://www.keepamccanada.com/