Watchable telly

[Bob The Badger]

Started Caliphate on Netflix last night.

It's a Swedish production about a Muslim woman who has moved back to Syria and is desperate to get back to Sweden. Her husband is part of a group looking to launch a terrorist attack in Sweden, and she is feeding the Swedish security services info so she can get out safely.

Only one episode in, but seems like it's going to be good and gets 8.2 on IMDb.

The dubbed trailer sounds crap (as dubbed stuff does) so I'd highly advise watching in Swedish with subtitles.

 

[Chester40]

15 hours ago, Bob The Badger said:

Started Caliphate on Netflix last night.

It's a Swedish production about a Muslim woman who has moved back to Syria and is desperate to get back to Sweden. Her husband is part of a group looking to launch a terrorist attack in Sweden, and she is feeding the Swedish security services info so she can get out safely.

Only one episode in, but seems like it's going to be good and gets 8.2 on IMDb.

The dubbed trailer sounds crap (as dubbed stuff does) so I'd highly advise watching in Swedish with subtitles.

 

Watched it a year or two back. Stick with it, good series.

[Bob The Badger]

21 hours ago, Chester40 said:

Watched it a year or two back. Stick with it, good series.

4 episodes in now and it's fabulous.
 

A definite must watch for anybody who enjoyed Fauda. In certain respects it's better, but I'm not seeing the character development yet. But by its nature that may be tough and it took a couple of seasons with Fauda. 

[Premier ram]

That Peter Crouch film docu on Amazon Prime, well worth a watch, such a humble guy and Abby Clancys in it

 

[Wolfie]

We've binned The Watcher and last night started with 3 episodes of Schitt's Creek (Netflix).

Late to the party on this one, I know, but we're loving it so far. A strong cast but in particular: Catherine O'Hara was my favourite character in one of my favourite films (Beetlejuice), and she's an absolute joy to watch in this.

Best line so far:

Twyla: Yeah, no, he went to prison, which is terrible, but... But he is learning Spanish, "No mas, le duele!" I think it means, "Stop, it hurts." 🤣

Edited July 10, 2023 by Wolfie

[Stive Pesley]

57 minutes ago, Wolfie said:

We've binned The Watcher and last night started with 3 episodes of Schitt's Creek (Netflix).

Late to the party on this one, I know, but we're loving it so far. A strong cast but in particular: Catherine O'Hara was my favourite character in one of my favourite films (Beetlejuice), and she's an absolute joy to watch in this.

Best line so far:

Twyla: Yeah, no, he went to prison, which is terrible, but... But he is learning Spanish, "No mas, le duele!" I think it means, "Stop, it hurts." 🤣

Schitt's Creek just gets better and better as the characters develop on their journey from privileged & shallow to (almost) normal people

 

On the flipside of that, we've been watching 'You' on Netflix, and it's one of those shows that is so bad it's compelling. First season was the worst, but we're now on Season 3 and it's laugh out loud funny (even though it's not meant to be) because they are really leaning into how ludicrous the story and the characters are. (TLDR it's about a guy who obsesses over women and stalks them, as a way to get them to love him. And anyone who stands in his way, gets a good murdering 😂

[Eddie]

We now have a watchable telly.

Two days ago, we had a lightning strike just across the road. The first thing we noticed was that the TV (two months old) had switched itself on (massive microwave burst, I presume, fooling the set that the controller had been pressed). Well, when I say 'switched itself on', the Virgin Media 'no channels found' message was waltzing across the screen. A quick zap of the 'Netflix' button revealed that the set itself 'seemed' to be ok, so I ran the Virgin Media diagnostics. Sure enough, after cycling through the tests, it diagnosed a connectivity fault and suggested that an engineer callout was appropriate. So I booked one for the first available slot, which was the next day (yesterday).

Virgin Media dude waltzed in with his bag of tricks, and the first thing that he diagnosed was that the Tivo box and the Virgin Media cables weren't fried - which was a surprise because we've had two boxes die in the last couple of years. However, the comms link to the telly wasn't working. A quick change of HDMI cables and swapping through the ports  brought no progress, so he popped out to his van and brought another telly in. 

That worked fine.

Then it became apparent that my TV would no longer switch off - in fact, the handset no longer communicated with it at all. Diagnosis - all HDMI ports were irreparably dead and that there had been some serious damage internally. I thanked the Virgin Media dude for his help and unplugged the TV. 

Next - reporting the problem. Couldn't log on to any meaningful 'chat' facility on the Toshiba website - just getting an AI bot which went through the usual 'have you switched it off and on again?' spiel and eventually spewing out their phone number, which was permanently engaged.

So, I logged on to the Argos (where I bought the set) website. Same AI bot nonsense, but I did find a well-hidden message that suggested that I take the goods back to the shop. So I did (TV, controller, power supply etc), together with guarantee documentation, proof of purchase and everything I could think of that might prove useful, short of the original packaging.

First thing that was said... "Do you have a Toshiba reference number for the problem?" I explained that their website was great for downloading manuals, but bugger-all use for reporting an issue. So the Argos assistant jotted down the Toshiba help-desk phone number. I immediately played the 'Disability' card, for which I'm not proud, but I am almost completely deaf and steer clear of telephones for anything other than text messages.

The Argos staff couldn't have been more helpful. Within 5 minutes, an engineer had my TV plugged in - and immediately unplugged again. The 'bzzzt' sound it was making did not fill him with confidence that there was anything that could be done. I suggested that I purchase the same make and model and that they reimburse me for the original once it had been verified that it was a write-off, or that the original was repaired by Toshiba and subsequently returned to me - but they wouldn't hear of it.

Very long story mercifully shortened - watched Netflix on the laptop last night so the Memsahib could watch 'her stories' (the bloody awful 'Manifest' series); new telly was delivered to me at 8:30 this morning, and I had it up and running half an hour later.

Come on, Derbyshire.

[Bob The Badger]

On 10/07/2023 at 11:35, Wolfie said:

We've binned The Watcher and last night started with 3 episodes of Schitt's Creek (Netflix).

Late to the party on this one, I know, but we're loving it so far. A strong cast but in particular: Catherine O'Hara was my favourite character in one of my favourite films (Beetlejuice), and she's an absolute joy to watch in this.

Best line so far:

Twyla: Yeah, no, he went to prison, which is terrible, but... But he is learning Spanish, "No mas, le duele!" I think it means, "Stop, it hurts." 🤣

I communicate with Mrs Badger on Messenger almost exclusively with Schitt's Creek gifs. So many good ones.

My favourite comedy of the last 10 years and I wasn't that arsed about the first season. So if you like it already you're in for a right treat as the characters develop.

[Bob The Badger]

2 hours ago, Eddie said:

We now have a watchable telly.

Two days ago, we had a lightning strike just across the road. The first thing we noticed was that the TV (two months old) had switched itself on (massive microwave burst, I presume, fooling the set that the controller had been pressed). Well, when I say 'switched itself on', the Virgin Media 'no channels found' message was waltzing across the screen. A quick zap of the 'Netflix' button revealed that the set itself 'seemed' to be ok, so I ran the Virgin Media diagnostics. Sure enough, after cycling through the tests, it diagnosed a connectivity fault and suggested that an engineer callout was appropriate. So I booked one for the first available slot, which was the next day (yesterday).

Virgin Media dude waltzed in with his bag of tricks, and the first thing that he diagnosed was that the Tivo box and the Virgin Media cables weren't fried - which was a surprise because we've had two boxes die in the last couple of years. However, the comms link to the telly wasn't working. A quick change of HDMI cables and swapping through the ports  brought no progress, so he popped out to his van and brought another telly in. 

That worked fine.

Then it became apparent that my TV would no longer switch off - in fact, the handset no longer communicated with it at all. Diagnosis - all HDMI ports were irreparably dead and that there had been some serious damage internally. I thanked the Virgin Media dude for his help and unplugged the TV. 

Next - reporting the problem. Couldn't log on to any meaningful 'chat' facility on the Toshiba website - just getting an AI bot which went through the usual 'have you switched it off and on again?' spiel and eventually spewing out their phone number, which was permanently engaged.

So, I logged on to the Argos (where I bought the set) website. Same AI bot nonsense, but I did find a well-hidden message that suggested that I take the goods back to the shop. So I did (TV, controller, power supply etc), together with guarantee documentation, proof of purchase and everything I could think of that might prove useful, short of the original packaging.

First thing that was said... "Do you have a Toshiba reference number for the problem?" I explained that their website was great for downloading manuals, but bugger-all use for reporting an issue. So the Argos assistant jotted down the Toshiba help-desk phone number. I immediately played the 'Disability' card, for which I'm not proud, but I am almost completely deaf and steer clear of telephones for anything other than text messages.

The Argos staff couldn't have been more helpful. Within 5 minutes, an engineer had my TV plugged in - and immediately unplugged again. The 'bzzzt' sound it was making did not fill him with confidence that there was anything that could be done. I suggested that I purchase the same make and model and that they reimburse me for the original once it had been verified that it was a write-off, or that the original was repaired by Toshiba and subsequently returned to me - but they wouldn't hear of it.

Very long story mercifully shortened - watched Netflix on the laptop last night so the Memsahib could watch 'her stories' (the bloody awful 'Manifest' series); new telly was delivered to me at 8:30 this morning, and I had it up and running half an hour later.

Come on, Derbyshire.

Hey ChatGPT, an old guy posted this in a message board and I cannot be arsed to read it all. Can you read it for me and tell me what the hell he's talking about in a sentence or two so I can offer a response that makes me look like I read it and that I'm a caring person, please?

ChatGPT

"Sounds like quite the ordeal you had with the lightning strike—glad to hear Argos pulled through for you. By the way, here's to hoping technology companies improve their AI customer service to avoid such hassles in future. Cheers to Derbyshire!"

 

[Bob The Badger]

Sorry @Eddie, you can skip the first bit and just read the last paragraph.

[Bob The Badger]

One episode of Caliphate on Netflix left and wooooow!

Better than Fauda.

Just fantastic.

Up there with Gomorrah and Spiral.

9.5/10

[Stive Pesley]

On 07/07/2023 at 10:28, Stive Pesley said:

has anyone watched Deadloch on Amazon Prime?

I've heard good things and the trailer made me laugh out loud a couple of times. It looks like a darkly humourous take on the homicide procedural/investigative scandi noir genre, but set in a bleak Tasmanian town rather than a bleak Danish town

It's next on our list anyway

Watched episode 1 last night and it was brilliant. Some absolute laugh out loud moments, which is weird considering it's not objectively filmed as a comedy. They do an amazing job of weaving the black humour into the story line without it being slapstick or some kind of spoof.

I'm slightly confused as to why it's not been talked about more. Maybe because it's on Amazon - if it were on the iPlayer I'm sure it'd be huge

[AndyinLiverpool]

Just got drawn in to Vikings Valhalla. As a squeamish person I should hate it; as someone who knows a little about the period, I should hate what they've done with the timeline.

But I really like it.

[Bob The Badger]

After the utterly brilliant Caliphate (9.5/10), we moved on to Hit and Run on Netflix. Mainly because the lead guy and one of the writing team in the excellent Fauda (9/10) also wrote and leads in this.

Hmmm.

It's no Fauda that's for sure.

Only 2 episodes in, but it feels so predictable and hackneyed. 

It's what I'd imagine ChatGPT would spew out if you gave it the characters and a vague plot outline.

Anybody else seen it?

[Anag Ram]

Late to the party on this one but thoroughly enjoying The Newsroom.

Jeff Daniels is the TV news anchor who used to go out with Emily Mortimer as his producer. Verbal sparks fly between them but they make a great team.

Sam Waterstone is the supportive boss and Dev Patel probably the best known of the news writers.

Alison Pill also excellent as the keen young journalist paired with the wrong guy, whilst the right guy is in front of her face.

Witty, clever and thoroughly enjoyable.

[ketteringram]

1 hour ago, Anag Ram said:

Late to the party on this one but thoroughly enjoying The Newsroom.

Jeff Daniels is the TV news anchor who used to go out with Emily Mortimer as his producer. Verbal sparks fly between them but they make a great team.

Sam Waterstone is the supportive boss and Dev Patel probably the best known of the news writers.

Alison Pill also excellent as the keen young journalist paired with the wrong guy, whilst the right guy is in front of her face.

Witty, clever and thoroughly enjoyable.

It's brilliant. Shame there's only 25 episodes.

[Bob The Badger]

3 hours ago, Anag Ram said:

Late to the party on this one but thoroughly enjoying The Newsroom.

Jeff Daniels is the TV news anchor who used to go out with Emily Mortimer as his producer. Verbal sparks fly between them but they make a great team.

Sam Waterstone is the supportive boss and Dev Patel probably the best known of the news writers.

Alison Pill also excellent as the keen young journalist paired with the wrong guy, whilst the right guy is in front of her face.

Witty, clever and thoroughly enjoyable.

What side is it on? I can see it on Amazon, but only if I pay.

[Anag Ram]

1 minute ago, Bob The Badger said:

What side is it on? I can see it on Amazon, but only if I pay.

I found it on Sky’s search. Sorry I’m at work so can’t give more details 😊

[Bob The Badger]

1 hour ago, Anag Ram said:

I found it on Sky’s search. Sorry I’m at work so can’t give more details 😊

<sigh> well I suppose I'll have to look for myself.

If you want a job doing, do it yourself <grumble grumble>

[Anag Ram]

28 minutes ago, Bob The Badger said:

<sigh> well I suppose I'll have to look for myself.

If you want a job doing, do it yourself <grumble grumble>

Think it’s Sky Atlantic from memory