The Fireside

One thing that I find strange in regards to TV shows is the (recent?) trend of having a 'mid' season finale. Why? When you buy the show, and when it gets uploaded to Netflix, etc it's the entire thing in one shot usually, not in 'parts' as it airs on TV. Mid season applicable shows usually take a break in Dec. before Christmas and return in January. But why does this happen? I myself would much rather see fewer episodes in a season, but have more seasons. I first noticed this trend with The Walking Dead , back when I watched it. The show would start airing in Oct usually, 'break' in Dec then return in Feb. I don't understand why they can't have shorter, but more, seasons and call the last episode before a show goes on break the 'season' finale, and start a new season when it airs again in Feb. And why do shows go on break for Christmas? Some series such as Dr Who  and Downton Abbey  air episodes on Christmas Day itself. Those shows, as well a...

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. 

Courtesy of their facebook page (and probably other social media as well) For those of you currently enjoying the fifth season, you can be safe in the knowledge that your favourite butlers, lady's maids, footmen, lords and ladies will be back again. What splendid news that is to all of our ears! In retrospect, I'm far behind - need to watch season two and up! Great news though. I wonder how many more seasons it will get? Hopefully, they will know well enough in advance to bring closure to the story. 

"When are the new episodes of Game of Thrones  coming?" is a question I get asked frequently after the final episode in a year ends. Why, the same as any other TV show - a year later.  One show I've been watching in Thrones'  off-season is Vikings  on History Channel. Do not dismiss it as Game of Thrones  lite, or copying Game of Thrones , or any of that. Both shows are similar, and different, to one another. For one thing, even though Vikings  has the odd time-jump now and then, the plot is a lot more streamlined than Thrones' . The focus of the story is much more simple, yet it is equally brilliant.  The sex and violence is more light, but that does not mean these Northerners (the word 'viking' is never said on the show) are any less soft.  I am not offering Vikings  as a series to replace Game of Thrones  (far from it), merely saying that when Game of Thrones  doesn't have new episodes, you should be checking out Vikings...

So Game of Thrones  will get a season seven. Which is great news, because I want this show to end on a story note, not it being canceled or not renewed or any of that.  It is my hopes that Game of Thrones Season Seven is split into two parts, with each part containing seven episodes each .  If you want the details, head over to The Hollywood Reporter:  http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314

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.

GAME OF THRONES®: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON Nominated for 19 Emmy Awards® Including Outstanding Drama Series Available February 17, 2015 on Blu-rayTM with Digital Copy, DVD & Digital HD Loaded with Exclusive Bonus Content Including Comprehensive Guides & Illustrated Histories “The most epic, ambitious show on television” (Chicago Sun-Times) is back and bigger than ever when Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season hits stores this winter. Season 4 of the hit HBO series, which broke ratings records and topped The Sopranos® to become the most popular show in the network’s history, was nominated for 19 Emmy® awards including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Lena Headey). One of the best-selling TV on BD/DVD titles in each of its years of release, Game of Thrones follows the noble families of Westeros as they battle for control of the Seven K...

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...

Last night was the Emmy Awards. Here is a list of the winners, as well as my reaction....

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 much-anticipated Game of Thrones season 3 finale on HBO The name of the episode is called "Mhysa". The series will return for a fourth (and hopefully not final) season in Spring of 2014, most likely sometime in March or April. as far as I know, it will based on the second half of A Storm of Swords ( Blood and Gold ) and some of A Feast For Crows , perhaps even A Dance With Dragons . But I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, follow Game of Thrones on facebook, or twitter ( #gameofthrones )

....and speaking of Game of Thrones , earlier today I saw this courtesy of HBO.... Writing remaining A Song of Ice and Fire is George's primary (but not only) priority, so hopefully this will cause some creative motivation to finish the last two books at a decent pace. Here's hoping for a timely release, with quality writing. And in regards to Season Four? The last bit of Book Three, A Storm of Swords and we may get to see Dorne. The Red Viper. The Sand Snakes, and more awesome scenes, cinematography, writing and acting.  HBO RENEWS  GAME OF THRONES  FOR FOURTH SEASON ——– Season Three Soars To Highest Viewership Yet ——–             LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2013 – HBO has renewed GAME OF THRONES for a fourth season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin,...

Last night Game of the Thrones  returned on HBO with the premiere of its third season. Here is my (spoiler-free) review....

It appears that my Netflix rotation has increased quite a bit. It had consisted of Community and Damages , as well as the occasional movie from time to time. There's a bunch on there yet to discover, and I hope they keep adding shows ( Deep Space Nine and Voyager , where are you?). Both  Community and Damages  are quite good, and worth checking out. However, I've added another show to the line-up. I really wish NetFlix allowed you to create a list - either to keep track of what you want to watch, or a 'playlist'. I've now watched the first season of Star Trek The Next Generation . I've always enjoyed watching various Star Trek series ( TNG, DS9 & Voyager ), but in the 90s there was no 'TV on DVD' or streaming, or downloading. If you didn't watch it while it aired (either 'new' or 're-run') you had to tape it to catch it. It's hard to imagine watching TV these days without time shift, DVR, or watching the ...