• From: Cliftonville Kent England
  • Registered: 2006-07-30
  • Posts: 2,150

Topic: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

Was wondering if anyone could recommend me some gritty dramas with 5* acting and addictive storylines

So into Boxsets at the moment, far better than waiting one week for a episode which i partially forgot about and is laden with ads,  like to watch 2 - 3 episodes a night and submerge myself in to the story

i was recommended "Breaking Bad" by someone before Christmas, had heard a bit about it, but kept bumping into people rating it, so i got just season one, well within a week i had finished it and instead went out and bought the complete boxset, to say i was blown away is an understatement,
The acting was just unreal and the storyline was superbly written, i mean a drama about a teacher who goes into the drugs buisiness through ill health, and then a web so large unfolds with some of the best acting i've ever seen, cant recommend the series enough, its the best i have ever seen.
will there be a Breaking Bad 2, hear stories of a spin off with Saul, Bryan Cranston is so awesome

so i went out and got "Game Of Thrones"  series 1 - 3 boxset again recommended, hugely epic and very violent and explicit but again acting of the highest degree, oh the wrath of the dragons is unleashed and "The Red Wedding" episode is like so open mouthed and NO WAY, its so good to have entralling tv drama again, so addictive, maybe its the way in which you can get into the story with  DVD Boxsets,

i'm on finally after much deliberation "The Sopranos" complete Boxset    so many people and  reviews saying its the best, the daddy of tv series, its started off slowish but building nicelly with complex characters, am on season 4 and watch 2 to 3 a night,

so have watched

BREAKING BAD
GAME OF THRONES
THE SOPRANOS

-----------------------

Heard these are great too

THE WIRE
THE SHIELD
DEXTER

Any Recommendations
and also your faves

.................. Michael

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  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones are two of my all time favorites.
I see Dexter on you list and would recommend that wholeheartedly...I liked the first 4 seasons more then the later ones, but all good.
True Detective season 1 just ended...totally recommend that when it comes out.

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  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

House of Cards is on Netflix not sure if it is on DVD but just got through with season 2 highly recommend.

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  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

Walking Dead had us enthralled. Kids too. big_smile

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  • From: Maryland
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

Agree with Jim, House of Cards is excellent. Superb acting and wow the lead couple are like evil incarnate. Makes you look at the goings on in Washington, DC in a whole new light. Love Game of Thrones as well. We are watching it little by little so a as not to use it all up at once.

  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

The Killing
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

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7 Reply by dknight16 (edited by dknight16 2014-03-17 22:14:43)

  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

The Wire may be the best TV series ever.  Brutal views of urban life and decay.  Each season from a different perspective.

The Shield is outrageous entertainment.  It's a wild ride and a great ending.

Dexter is very, very good.  Some unevenness. But well worth the view.

I also loved the 7 seasons of Homicide: Life On The Streets.  Probably best network TV series in my opinion.  Same creator as The Wire!

Been enjoying Justifed lately.  Very different take on a cop drama due to the unique setting.

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  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

I was hooked on The Closer from start to finish (7 seasons) and it's follow-on Major Crimes isn't bad either. Agree with Dexter recommend and am currently ploughing through Walking Dead. I'd also say good things for Season 1 The Following and had good word on Hannibal

May be a bit lightweight from the above, but we really love Elementary at home.

One thing that annoys me on buying DVD box sets, especially on a long running series; ever notice how you can but combined sets of say series 1-3 or 1-4, but rarely can you buy sets 4-6 etc. (unless you're a fan of Murder, She Wrote).

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  • LynB
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  • From: Poole - UK
  • Registered: 2006-10-02
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

Well I'd certainly go for The Mentalist as I could watch Simon Baker forever ....  aisde from that, all the episodes up to the denouement of Red John were gripping and pretty addictive.  Not sure it completely fits your bill though.

  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

Didn't see 'Boardwalk Empire' on there which is hugely enjoyable and horrific in equal measure. Great casting and acting and one to recommend.

If you like gritty, then the Scandanavian Police drama 'The Bridge 1 & 2' are out as a set I believe. Forget about the sub-titles, I guarantee you'll ignore them after a while. 2 very contrasting lead characters. It has that typically depressing Scandanavian feel they seem to bring to their programmes, which only adds to the weight of the material.

Going back in time, if you see the complete series of 'The West Wing' (7 series x 22 episodes per series) at a good price snap it up! For my money one of the best TV drama series ever made. Laughter, tears, drama and uncanningly close to real life - before the event - in its storylines.

....and going back even further in time....all 3 series of 'When the boat comes in'. James Bolam Tour de Force performance as ex soldier, shipyard worker, union leader and idle rich. They don't make 'em like that any more.......although they do thank goodness!

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  • From: Kansas City, MO USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

dknight16 wrote:

Been enjoying Justifed lately.  Very different take on a cop drama due to the unique setting.

This is my current favorite show. It is based on characters created by the late, great Elmore Leonard, and Leonard himself had a hand in the show before his death. Highly recommended...

I can't say the same about House of Cards. It gets a lot of positive mentions in the press because it conforms to the Hollywood mindset regarding how politics works in America. If you enjoy politically-themed programs, you can't do better than The West Wing, one of the best-written and best-acted dramas (regardless of theme) of the last 20 years...

Terrance Shuman
Kansas City, MO
  • Registered: 2014-01-28
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

The Killing and the Wire. I agree with the person about Dexter....first 4 seasons were great then it went downhill from there.

And True Detective is a must.

I haven't heard of the Bridge.......is it dreary like the Killing? I kind of like dark.

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Berthold Auerbach
  • From: Norddeutschland
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

rubyjt wrote:

The Killing and the Wire. I agree with the person about Dexter....first 4 seasons were great then it went downhill from there.

And True Detective is a must.

I haven't heard of the Bridge.......is it dreary like the Killing? I kind of like dark.

The Bridge - Definately dark. The Bridge in question is that between Malmo and the Danish mainland. So the main characters are a male Danish cop and a female Swedish investigator. She is.......'socially challenged' shall we say, which makes her extremely quirky in that abrupt Scandanavian way, he is a sympathetic family man. A harrowing part 1 leaves him 'damaged'. Part 2 finds him trying to get back on the horse. The irony for him as that working with her actually makes him feel better about himself! I liked it.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

hansamike wrote:
rubyjt wrote:

The Killing and the Wire. I agree with the person about Dexter....first 4 seasons were great then it went downhill from there.

And True Detective is a must.

I haven't heard of the Bridge.......is it dreary like the Killing? I kind of like dark.

The Bridge - Definately dark. The Bridge in question is that between Malmo and the Danish mainland. So the main characters are a male Danish cop and a female Swedish investigator. She is.......'socially challenged' shall we say, which makes her extremely quirky in that abrupt Scandanavian way, he is a sympathetic family man. A harrowing part 1 leaves him 'damaged'. Part 2 finds him trying to get back on the horse. The irony for him as that working with her actually makes him feel better about himself! I liked it.

Just curious......subtitles? Didn't they make an American version of that? Is the woman character autisitic?

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
Berthold Auerbach
  • From: Kansas City, MO USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

rubyjt wrote:

Just curious......subtitles? Didn't they make an American version of that?

There is an American version, produced by the FX Network: http://www.fxnetworks.com/thebridge

Terrance Shuman
Kansas City, MO
  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

rubyjt wrote:
hansamike wrote:
rubyjt wrote:

The Killing and the Wire. I agree with the person about Dexter....first 4 seasons were great then it went downhill from there.

And True Detective is a must.

I haven't heard of the Bridge.......is it dreary like the Killing? I kind of like dark.

The Bridge - Definately dark. The Bridge in question is that between Malmo and the Danish mainland. So the main characters are a male Danish cop and a female Swedish investigator. She is.......'socially challenged' shall we say, which makes her extremely quirky in that abrupt Scandanavian way, he is a sympathetic family man. A harrowing part 1 leaves him 'damaged'. Part 2 finds him trying to get back on the horse. The irony for him as that working with her actually makes him feel better about himself! I liked it.

Just curious......subtitles? Didn't they make an American version of that? Is the woman character autisitic?

Probably, but the Swedish version is probably better. Autistic?..........borderline something at any rate........

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • Registered: 2014-01-28
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

I think I'll stick with the original version.

Anyone here into Person of Interest. Great show I think

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
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18 Reply by Brack (edited by Brack 2014-03-21 13:52:33)

  • Brack
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Re: TV SERIES / BOXSETS

I'm a fan of the French thriller/Drama - Spiral - Now in it's 4th season - May not appeal to the American market, as it comes with subtitles.
>> http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0072wk9

Like Michael,  also a big fan of Breaking Bad. Only came to hear about it through word of mouth couple of months ago. Found it through our Netflix - after the first few episodes, we were hooked! We worked through all the seasons within a couple of months.

However good BB was/is,  For me, The Sopranos still remains the DADDY !!

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