Discuss The Walking Dead
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new appreciation for knowing when to quit
posted by DRDMovieMusingsSTAFFMOD on April 16, 2018 at 7:32 PM
Seinfeld.
The Sopranos.
Mad Men.
These are three modern-era TV shows that had a clear sense of story and knew when to quit. They planned the final episode while their respective shows were enjoying fine ratings and reviews. The called it quits while their shows were still popular. They stemmed the supply while the demand remained high. And we can ever enjoy what they did through syndication.
If only TWD had emulated this.
If only.
Reply by Philippe LeMarchand
on April 22, 2018 at 5:35 AM
Ripper Street is on BBC America, I believe. I'm guessing the cringing because the ending worked so well that any continuation might spoil it; but it's not a show I watch. I'd feel the same about a continuation of the afore-mentioned Galavant. The ending worked so well that it would be a shame to undo it. Mind you, Once Upon A Time's latest season has been much better that some of the more recent ones that led up to a "proper" ending. (Though OUAT "original" had been going on far too long and I can't imagine that they'll manage such a satisfying "series finale" again).
Actually, I've just thought of a better example: Babylon 5, Season 5. After a last-minute reprieve and having already filmed the series conclusion for the end of S4, it was given another season that was mainly just filler with the conclusion shoved on to the end.
Not watched "This Is Us", I'm afraid.
Maybe they should force all showrunners to have a series conclusion written for the end of each season, as I can think of 3 cancelled shows that may have dragged on otherwise, but managed to reach reasonably satisfying conclusions despite their early cancellation:
Reply by Nubyan
on April 22, 2018 at 6:48 AM
@M. LeMarchand:
Thanks for the clarification to my "cringed" question. That makes perfect sense to me. I appreciated the links too.
I often wonder why some really good shows don't make it beyond the pilot or a few episodes thereafter. I get the whole lack of viewership thing. But I wonder why more people...enough people didn't tune in initially.
There was one family drama that aired back in the mid to late 80s starring James Earl Jones that was so good. Interesting story line, well acted. Everything required to be successful. I was CRUSHED when it ended even before the season was over. The name escapes me at the time. If it comes to mind...I'll update my post. It would have been the first one hour family drama with a predominantly black cast.
Perhaps America wasn't ready for that at the time. It's pretty sad that some people have to crave seeing reflections of themselves portrayed on television in a positive way. Especially when American culture alone is made up of different people from various cultures and all walks of life. You would think that the powers that be would recognize the financial gain in that if nothing else. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Thankfully, that's changing and we're seeing more of that in television media...including commercials with dad's doing the laundry and caring for the kids. As well as different types of families...not just mom and dad, but dad and dad or mom and mom or white dad with a black mom and vice versa, etc. Which is how it should be if that is what's reflected in the actual world we all live in.
Reply by Michelle_Dessler
on April 22, 2018 at 7:21 AM
OMG I started binging on ‘This Is Us’, just these past few weeks on Amazon Prime. What amazing writing, acting and great story. It’s absolutely beautiful and I have cried so much already. I’m trying not to rush through it now, so that I don’t run out of episodes. Really love it.
Reply by Nubyan
on April 22, 2018 at 7:35 AM
Michelle:
There's an active board here for the show too. But don't go there until you become current...would not want you to read any spoilers.
When you finish...you and I can talk for days.
You're going to enjoy every tantalizing minute of every episode. I must warn you. You may need therapy afterwards. So be prepared. Find one and keep them on speed dial. 😂☎️😉
Reply by Michelle_Dessler
on April 22, 2018 at 9:53 AM
Ha lol 😂 Yes I think I will. There haven’t been any deaths since I have started watching, so you have an idea where I’m at. Prime doesn’t have season 2 though, so once I have watched S2 further down the line, I’ll check out the forum board. Can’t believe I didn’t watched ‘This Is Us’, when it first aired in the UK. I’ll keep a look out for when S3 airs so that I can tape and keep them until I have watched S2. 😀
Reply by Philippe LeMarchand
on April 22, 2018 at 10:34 AM
It's reported to be due on Channel 4 "late Spring"; so should be soon.
Reply by NorthernLad
on April 22, 2018 at 10:56 AM
Neither True Blood or Dexter knew when to quit. They both became terrible after their 4th seasons.
I'd say Six Feet Under knew when to end.
Agree about Seinfeld too.
Reply by Philippe LeMarchand
on April 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM
"How I Met Your Mother" knew when to quit. Alas, not how to quit.
Reply by Nubyan
on April 22, 2018 at 11:23 AM
I can count how many episodes of that show I watched on one hand. I could never figure out what was so special about it. I found the humor to be so incredibly dry, coupled with equally dry storylines. I kid you not. After I finished watching those few episodes. I said to myself..."Wow, that's several hours of my life that I'll never get back". I just couldn't get into it.
I must admit though, that the few times that I did laugh, it was due to Neil Patrick Harris. He was great and his character was well played. That's the one positive for me.
Until I read it here, just now... I never even knew the show ended. Nevertheless, I can empathize with the fans who are sad about it. It's a bummer to lose a show that you love.
Reply by Nubyan
on April 22, 2018 at 11:51 AM
Michelle:
May I also recommend another show for you to watch if you have time to fit it in. If not, I highly recommend you record the episodes to watch later. The Good Doctor
It's about a brilliant young surgical doctor who is autistic. It gives me similar vibes as This Is Us.
Meaningful storylines that broaden your thinking and compassion towards others. It's well acted, especially by the lead character Dr. Shaun Murphy played by Freddie Highmore and has a well diverse cast. I would also rank it as extremely original in terms of the show's concept. There's great chemistry between the characters in terms of meaningful relationships. Simply put...it makes me feel incredibly good after watching (experiencing) an episode.
Okay, that's it for me now. I DON'T want to overstay my welcome and begin to bore anyone. So in the spirit of the title of this thread...Nubyan out. Fade to black. 🎬🎥 😉😎
I enjoyed myself. Thank you all.
Reply by Philippe LeMarchand
on April 22, 2018 at 11:58 AM
The fans aren't so sad that it ended, as it had a good run and went out went out before it started to get unfunny (at least to fans/most fans). What is sad is that the creators had a pre-destined end in sight (and apparently partially filmed way back when) and, despite the fact that a lot of fans wanted a different ending to the planned one (which did admittedly make sense - mostly), they stuck to it.
Without major spoilers, a couple of relationships were built up and then in the last few minutes turned out to be not important to the ending. A few minutes of different footage (a day or two of reshoots?), or even just a little judicious editing would have made most people happier.
Reply by Philippe LeMarchand
on April 22, 2018 at 2:15 PM
Another that was cancelled, but made a good exit: https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/32694-outsourced . Although it would have been perfectly possible to make more seasons had enough people been watching, there was a good enough sense of closure to not leave viewers cheated.
Reply by Oldnewbie
on April 22, 2018 at 2:32 PM
"But then they brought it back... and I cringed because they ended it so perfectly (imo)." I cringed because they brought it back and thus ruined a perfect series finale. To their credit they ended it all again with a satisfying finale.
And yes it was a BBC show.
Reply by Michelle_Dessler
on April 22, 2018 at 2:41 PM
Thank you 😊
Reply by Michelle_Dessler
on April 22, 2018 at 2:45 PM
Thank you so much. It’s been on UK tele but I haven’t watched it. I’ll give it a go. 🎥 🍿❤️😀