So, LIFE! (the new tv show)

Chake99

Mandatory wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_(US_TV_series)

Just caught the first episode and it seemed pretty good (on Global, as I don't have NBC being a crazy Canadian). Premise is a cop after being convicted for a crime he didn't commit spends 11 years in prison before being found to be innocent and let out. He's given a large settlement of money, and his job back as a detective.

Except while in prison he is beaten constantly and becomes slightly fucked up as a result.

The first detective scene was sort of bad, but it went uphill after that. It seems they are trying to make a House like cop show, with an eccentric protagonist. And the show succeeds at that.

The scene with

Spoiler:

Charlie catching the man his ex-wife married for changing lanes was pretty gold

Spoiler:

as was the scene where he tells the man to flush the weed

The part at the end:

Spoiler:

where he was in front of the web of names who contributed to framing him (I think...) with the music playing was awesome

And his partner Dani

Spoiler:

Rehab is mentioned multiple times... and she freaks out when she gets the coke on her, but alcohol is also connected to her. Which one is it?

So did anyone else like it? I'm probably going to add it to the list of TV shows I'll try to watch, along with Heroes and House.

Low Key

It's not out here yet, but it's got Dick Winters in it so me and my dad are probably going to sit down to watch at least the first couple of episodes.

Feral

Does he come out of it with HIV and hepatitis C from being anally raped? Because he's a little too pretty to be a top.

Sorry, I'm having a little bit of trouble wrapping my brain how the concept of "wrongful prisonment turned an ordinary fellow into a likable curmudgeon! Oh, he doesn't know what e-mail is... how cute!" could be anything but depressing.

I guess I'm just anal about this sort of thing (no pun intended).

Low Key

Is he a curmudgeon? I thought he was meant to be fucked up and vengeful and ambivalent to the law.

But loveablely so.

Chake99

Feral wrote: »

Does he come out of it with HIV and hepatitis C from being anally raped? Because he's a little too pretty to be a top.

Sorry, I'm having a little bit of trouble wrapping my brain how the concept of "wrongful prisonment turned an ordinary fellow into a likable curmudgeon! Oh, he doesn't know what e-mail is... how cute!" could be anything but depressing.

The character isn't like House in his worldview, only in the eccentricity of his character. He's sort of zen-obsessed, (constantly twisting himself to see things positively, or non-painfully) and he reacts in ways that you wouldn't originally expect.

He was too busy spending time time being beaten (for being a cop) and recovering while in prison to be raped.

The technology stuff is sometimes played well, most of the time though its fucking dumb.

Feral

Chake99 wrote: »

Feral wrote: »

Does he come out of it with HIV and hepatitis C from being anally raped? Because he's a little too pretty to be a top.

Sorry, I'm having a little bit of trouble wrapping my brain how the concept of "wrongful prisonment turned an ordinary fellow into a likable curmudgeon! Oh, he doesn't know what e-mail is... how cute!" could be anything but depressing.

The character isn't like House in his worldview, only in the eccentricity of his character. He's sort of zen-obsessed, (constantly twisting himself to see things positively, or non-painfully) and he reacts in ways that you wouldn't originally expect.

Okay, that makes a little more sense then. I think I ran a little too far with the House comparison.

Hybrid

Low Key wrote: »

It's not out here yet, but it's got Dick Winters in it so me and my dad are probably going to sit down to watch at least the first couple of episodes.

This is exactly what I said to myself when I first saw the commercials for it.

I believe it starts next wednesday here after House.

Raakam

Well, it's pretty generic. It's not particularly bad, or good I suppose. All these shows kind of blend together and well, it gets kind of boring after a bit. There's already CSIinserteverycityhere, Monk, Psych, Law and Order, etc etc that does this kind of stuff. I tried watching this, but the acting and the dialogue weren't all that great. The music and cinematography were pretty good though. Maybe I'll try watching next week's episode if I remember to.

Hoz

First episode of Life was good. It felt a little forced but the quality was higher than the majority of television so it wasn't annoying me too much. And I can see how they might need to scramble to make sure people are on the same page since it is the first episode. I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops.

Adrenaline

I liked it, Michael Cudlitz as the kid's convict father was a nice touch, as was Adam Arkin. Damian Lewis was outstanding as is the character Crews himself, but his female partner's story wasn't really believable or that interesting. Same goes with her acting.

AngelHedgie

Personal favorite scene:

Spoiler:

"Why does the universe make fools of us all?"

"Maybe it's insecure."

Look Out it's Sabs!

I ended up watching it cause nothing else was on. I liked the main character, might watch it again next week.

emnmnme

Between this and Monk, I like Monk more. There are too many shows where the detectives are geniuses but have lovable quirks.

Preacher

I don't really think he's a genius, I just think he's a guy trying to be a detective all the while trying to figure why he got set up and by who. I liked the first episode, hope to see more.

AngelHedgie

Preacher wrote: »

I don't really think he's a genius, I just think he's a guy trying to be a detective all the while trying to figure why he got set up and by who. I liked the first episode, hope to see more.

Well, the setup of the show reminds me of the basic setup of The Pretender - you have the case of the day, but you also have an overarching plot that runs though all the episodes. And when the two intersect, it's always fun.

Preacher

Hopefully it keeps the level of intelligence the pretender had. As both shows have a very strong lead. I'll have to see more before making any more judgements.

PiRaTe!!!

This is definitely a show that I will continue to watch because the premise is intriguing and Damian Lewis is just awesome.

Adrenaline

PiRaTe!!! wrote: »

This is definitely a show that I will continue to watch because the premise is intriguing and Damian Lewis is just awesome.

Yeah, he pretty much makes the whole show.

Senjutsu

I liked it quite a bit. The zen references were rather well done.

For those reasons I think it's doomed

Adrenaline

Senjutsu wrote: »

I liked it quite a bit. The zen references were rather well done.

For those reasons I think it's doomed

I don't think it was received very well (which kind of surprised me) but maybe it can stick around and get a foothold. There's been 14 episodes shot so we'll know we have that much.

PiRaTe!!!

Adrenaline wrote: »

Senjutsu wrote: »

I liked it quite a bit. The zen references were rather well done.

For those reasons I think it's doomed

I don't think it was received very well (which kind of surprised me) but maybe it can stick around and get a foothold. There's been 14 episodes shot so we'll know we have that much.

I hope it sticks around. I mean take House for example, it started off with low ratings but over time gained it's audience (almost every single person in the world) and now it is huge. So who knows what will happen.

Hoz

Senjutsu wrote: »

The zen references were rather well done.

I think what really made me appreciate them is his partner telling him to shut up. Having a character reflect my feelings about what he was saying was just the right amount of meta.

RoundBoy

This show has great potential. There have been a number of surprises in shows this season, and it makes my tivos cry.

I am really, really interested to see where this show is going.

tallgeeze

I'm attached to his car.

LiveWire

I might watch this show if only for Capt. Winters

Preacher

That's the reason I am watching, I like Damian Lewis, and cop shows so win win.

LiveWire

If they could get Ron Livingston in this fucking program I would shit myself in happiness. Damien Lewis and he have awesome chemistry imo.

devoir

Looks like one to keep an eye on.

Hacksaw

Favorite scene was the one at the end:

"You want to drive the tractor, don't you?"

"I kinda do."

stigweard

Preacher wrote: »

Hopefully it keeps the level of intelligence the pretender had. As both shows have a very strong lead. I'll have to see more before making any more judgements.

You know what's funny? While watching the episode, I kept thinking that Michael Weiss would make a much better lead.

Adrenaline

stigweard wrote: »

Preacher wrote: »

Hopefully it keeps the level of intelligence the pretender had. As both shows have a very strong lead. I'll have to see more before making any more judgements.

You know what's funny? While watching the episode, I kept thinking that Michael Weiss would make a much better lead.

pssh

clownfood

I rather enjoyed the first episode of this show, but I wonder if they are going to continue with this "interview the other characters" bit beyond the first episode. I would wager not....but it seemed to be a major part of the first episode.

devoir

It's a good, different way of giving background without having to dole it out via flashbacks or in-story character conversations.

Enjoyed it, especially the car subplot.

Adrenaline

New episode lulz

Adrenaline

Mmm, cool stuff. I *loved* that they played Gravenhurst a couple times.

AngelHedgie

clownfood wrote: »

I rather enjoyed the first episode of this show, but I wonder if they are going to continue with this "interview the other characters" bit beyond the first episode. I would wager not....but it seemed to be a major part of the first episode.

It looks like they are, and in doing so, they can introduce other players and more detail about the case. It's actually very well done.

Preacher

stigweard wrote: »

Preacher wrote: »

Hopefully it keeps the level of intelligence the pretender had. As both shows have a very strong lead. I'll have to see more before making any more judgements.

You know what's funny? While watching the episode, I kept thinking that Michael Weiss would make a much better lead.

No he wouldn't sadly, he did a cop film once I had the displeasure of watching. Outside of the Pretender he really lacks the ability to act. I don't know how or why, but that is the way things are.

tallgeeze

AngelHedgie wrote: »

clownfood wrote: »

I rather enjoyed the first episode of this show, but I wonder if they are going to continue with this "interview the other characters" bit beyond the first episode. I would wager not....but it seemed to be a major part of the first episode.

It looks like they are, and in doing so, they can introduce other players and more detail about the case. It's actually very well done.

I agree. It seems they are showing some tv special about his case throughout the season. I like it because it gives you a taste of what may happen next.

The only thing I was pissed about last night's show was the scene with his old partner's wife.

I wish it would have went like this:
"No one would ride with my husband for 4 years."
"That sucks. I spent 12 years in jail for a crime I didn't commit. I think I win."

That scene in the garage was tense. I was ready for some shit to go down.

AngelHedgie

tallgeeze wrote: »

The only thing I was pissed about last night's show was the scene with his old partner's wife.

I wish it would have went like this:
"No one would ride with my husband for 4 years."
"That sucks. I spent 12 years in jail for a crime I didn't commit. I think I win."

But her point was that yes, he was falsely imprisoned, but he was also compensated. Her family was put through hell, and they got nothing for it. I'm not saying she's right, but I do understand how she was viewing it.

Preacher

Yeah, but she's seeing the end result of what happened IE he got out and got a lot of money for it. If he didn't get out he'd still be in jail for the rest of his life while his partner would have just had a tough spot for some time.

AngelHedgie

So, let's discuss the Conspiracy Wall.

Spoiler:

So, here's what's been added:

• The lead detective removed the daughter from the police report, saying that she was at a sleepover.
• Whether or not his partner was part of the scheme or played like a patsy has become muddier.

Some more points to be made about the lead detective (who we're going to get to see meet Charlie next week):

• His behavior reminds me of the Swift Boat Vets, who were so adamant even in the face of evidence contradicting them. This leads me to believe that he has to believe in Charlie's guilt for his own sake.
• In that light, it would explain why he had issues with alcohol at the end of the case, and why he took retirement when it was all over - the cognitive dissonance was tearing him apart. And with Charlie exonerated, it's come back to haunt him.

What do you think?