by lcombs
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Anyone else watching "The Strain"?

If so, what do you recognize about the overall story?
  • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
    Banned
    I'm watching it. Not sure what you are trying to get at but it's seems to come across a bit like a meld of Helix and The Walking Dead. I think the FX series is doing Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan proud, and I must say the series has been highly entertaining so far....

    Cheers

    -don
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  • Profile picture of the author LuckyIMer
    I am watching it and have seen the first 4 episodes and I enjoyed watching them, what I like about it is not a typical vampire movie.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      I love the concept of the show.

      The Strain and Under The Dome are the only two series I watch right now. And the Strain is a tad better. I like how they explain all the changes that the victims go through to become the disgusting vampire-ish creatures.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomM
    Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

    Anyone else watching "The Strain"?

    If so, what do you recognize about the overall story?
    Cool another show I didn't know about to check out.
    By the way, Continuum(sp) was great.
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    • Profile picture of the author lcombs
      Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

      Cool another show I didn't know about to check out.
      By the way, Continuum(sp) was great.
      Yeah, I liked Continuum as well.

      I didn't expect too many responses to my query.

      I've been a "horror" fan since my early chidhood.
      I read "Dracula" in Jr. High.

      In the book Dracula arrives in England on a ship.
      The ship crashes into the shore with the entire crew dead.

      Setrakian mirrors Van Helsing.
      Eph mirrors Dr. Seward who became Van Helsings' reluctant partner.
      Other characters are variations and/or composits of
      various characters from the book.
      Renfield, who was Draculas' insane servant.
      Johnathan Harker, who unwittingly arranged for Draculas'
      emmigration to England.

      The creators of the show have done an excellent job of
      using the story and characters from the book and twisting them
      perfectly to generate a knew version without *******izing the original.

      Every episode I catch a couple new well veiled references to the book.

      Great show!
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

        Yeah, I liked Continuum as well.

        I didn't expect too many responses to my query.

        I've been a "horror" fan since my early chidhood.
        I read "Dracula" in Jr. High.

        In the book Dracula arrives in England on a ship.
        The ship crashes into the shore with the entire crew dead.

        Setrakian mirrors Van Helsing.
        Eph mirrors Dr. Seward who became Van Helsings' reluctant partner.
        Other characters are variations and/or composits of
        various characters from the book.
        Renfield, who was Draculas' insane servant.
        Johnathan Harker, who unwittingly arranged for Draculas'
        emmigration to England.

        The creators of the show have done an excellent job of
        using the story and characters from the book and twisting them
        perfectly to generate a knew version without *******izing the original.

        Every episode I catch a couple new well veiled references to the book.

        Great show!
        I noticed the parallels too. But I love the idea that vampirism is transferred by these worms. I can't think of a more disgusting idea. And the vampires are horrific. Nothing "sexy gothic" about these vampires.
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        • Profile picture of the author lcombs
          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          I noticed the parallels too. But I love the idea that vampirism is transferred by these worms. I can't think of a more disgusting idea. And the vampires are horrific. Nothing "sexy gothic" about these vampires.
          I agree.
          Guess I'm what could be called a "purist" when it comes to
          horror flicks.

          Dracula prayed to the devil to become a vampire.
          He is pure evil.
          Sun light doesn't just bother him, it kills him.
          He can't stand the sight of a crusifix.
          A wooden stake through his heart will kill him.
          etc., etc.

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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    Yep, I'm watching The Strain. Pretty good so far. I hope we get more of the flash backs (I don't want to say too much...)

    Claude, you have no idea what you're missing by not watching Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. IMHO, those are the two best television shows on TV and GoT might just end up the most lauded show of all time. Big words, but I stand behind them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

      Yep, I'm watching The Strain. Pretty good so far. I hope we get more of the flash backs (I don't want to say too much...)

      Claude, you have no idea what you're missing by not watching Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. IMHO, those are the two best television shows on TV and GoT might just end up the most lauded show of all time. Big words, but I stand behind them.
      My wife watches The Walking Dead, and I catch it sometimes. Game of Thrones? Man, I know if I watch it, I'll get hooked. I started watching Lost the last season, and drove my wife crazy, by asking questions. Maybe I'll watch an episode...but then I'll get addicted again....

      I read the summary of The Strain books on Wikipedia. The whole idea seemed interesting.
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

      Yep, I'm watching The Strain. Pretty good so far. I hope we get more of the flash backs (I don't want to say too much...)

      Claude, you have no idea what you're missing by not watching Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. IMHO, those are the two best television shows on TV and GoT might just end up the most lauded show of all time. Big words, but I stand behind them.
      Both Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead are good shows. I'm a big Falling Skies fan also.
      In fact I've been liking 100 also.
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      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
      You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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      • Profile picture of the author lcombs
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        Both Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead are good shows. I'm a big Falling Skies fan also.
        In fact I've been liking 100 also.
        Falling Skies is on my list as well.
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        Both Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead are good shows. I'm a big Falling Skies fan also.
        In fact I've been liking 100 also.

        Man...my wife watches 100, Falling Skies, The Last Ship, Walking Dead, and several other shows. It's about 3 hours a night.

        I'm really trying to keep my TV down to about 3 shows a week, and a few science specials.
        And...The Daily Show & Colbert Report (Although I know Colbert is taking over The David Letterman Show.)
        I have stacks of great books to get to....and back issues of Teen Beat Magazine. (Justin is the Bomb! Sparkles!)
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        • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
          Originally Posted by Cali16 View Post

          Btw, have you seen the latest trailer for TWD season 5? Usually the trailers are too generic, but this one actually reveals quite a bit: The Walking Dead - Comic-Con Trailer: The Walking Dead: Season 5 - AMC
          I refuse to watch it. I'm trying to go into the season blind. Unlike GoT, I haven't read the source material, so I'm chomping at the bit.

          I'm trying to cut down my time in front of the boob tube, but new shows keep popping up. There's a new Sean Bean series debuting tonight at 9:00...Ugh.

          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          And...The Daily Show & Colbert Report (Although I know Colbert is taking over The David Letterman Show.)
          Well, there you go. You can cut out a completely wasted hour a night.
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          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

            I refuse to watch it. I'm trying to go into the season blind. Unlike GoT, I haven't read the source material, so I'm chomping at the bit.

            I'm trying to cut down my time in front of the boob tube, but new shows keep popping up. There's a new Sean Bean series debuting tonight at 9:00...Ugh.

            Well, there you go. You can cut out a completely wasted hour a night.
            Yup, my wife wants to watch Legends tonight too.

            Oh, come on...If you watched Colbert for 30 minutes, you'd be on the floor laughing. Stewart and Colbert have the best comedy writers on TV.
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            • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
              Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

              Yup, my wife wants to watch Legends tonight too.

              Oh, come on...If you watched Colbert for 30 minutes, you'd be on the floor laughing. Stewart and Colbert have the best comedy writers on TV.
              I can stomach Colbert marginally longer than Stewart, but neither of them for 30 minutes.
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              • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
                Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

                I can stomach Colbert marginally longer than Stewart, but neither of them for 30 minutes.
                I understand why, but I'm not looking at them for political insights...just laughs.

                It's why I like the adult cartoons; Family Guy, Futurama, South Park, American Dad, and I used to love King Of The Hill (Hank Hill was the clone of my Dad)....

                They don't have to make sense. The humor is brilliant, all on it's own. I can't watch a TV show without noticing the lapses in continuity, or the ignoring of the laws of physics.....they're just hard to watch. But cartoons? None of that matters. I watch Colbert the same way.

                I know that some people actually think they are getting astute political insights, but I just think it's hilarious. If I thought they were trying to sell it as real, I wouldn't watch either.

                But I also occasionally watch Rachel Maddow. I disagree with much of what she says, but it's still brilliant commentary.

                I don't have to agree with someone to think that they are funny and insightful. You're a perfect example of that.

                Daniel Evans handed my ass to me earlier today. I thought it was brilliantly done. Do I agree with him? Not for a second. But smart people are just a joy to watch. It doesn't matter to me what they think, as long as it's intelligently stated....or hilariously stated.

                Of course, it could just be the Alzheimers talking.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cali16
      Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

      Claude, you have no idea what you're missing by not watching Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. IMHO, those are the two best television shows on TV and GoT might just end up the most lauded show of all time. Big words, but I stand behind them.
      I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead as well, which is kind of funny because I've never like zombie movies. But then, it's not really about the zombies (which are superbly done in TWD); it's the psychological aspect that fascinates me - how any of us would handle life in such a horrific world - and I think the writers have addressed that exceptionally well, especially this past season. I can't wait for season 5! I just wish they'd do 24 episodes per season instead of 16.

      I haven't watched Game of Thrones. From the reviews I've read I think it would be far too bloody and violent for me (granted, some of TWD's scenes have been pretty difficult to watch, but I suspect they pale in comparison).

      As for the Strain; I watched the pilot, which was pretty good, but after the second episode it just didn't keep my attention.

      I am really enjoying The Last Ship, though; anyone else watching that? What can I say - Eric Dane's even sexier as a Navy CO than as "Dr. McSteamy"! (I like the plot, too!)
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
        Originally Posted by Cali16 View Post

        I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead as well, which is kind of funny because I've never like zombie movies. But then, it's not really about the zombies (which are superbly done in TWD); it's the psychological aspect that fascinates me - how any of us would handle life in such a horrific world - and I think the writers have addressed that exceptionally well, especially this past season. I can't wait for season 5! I just wish they'd do 24 episodes per season instead of 16.
        I couldn't have said it better.

        Originally Posted by Cali16 View Post

        I haven't watched Game of Thrones. From the reviews I've read I think it would be far too bloody and violent for me (granted, some of TWD's scenes have been pretty difficult to watch, but I suspect they pale in comparison).
        I think you can handle GoT if you can handle TWD.


        Originally Posted by Cali16 View Post

        I am really enjoying The Last Ship, though; anyone else watching that? What can I say - Eric Dane's even sexier as a Navy CO than as "Dr. McSteamy"! (I like the plot, too!)
        I like this show, too. Not for Eric Dane, though. Although, the chick doctor has a Kate Beckinsale quality that I don't mind one bit.

        I've gotta stop watching so much TV...
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        • Profile picture of the author Cali16
          Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

          I've gotta stop watching so much TV...
          That's why I didn't continue with The Strain; I don't need to get caught up in another show, so I try to limit my time to only those shows that I really, really like! (Downton Abbey is another favorite.)

          Btw, have you seen the latest trailer for TWD season 5? Usually the trailers are too generic, but this one actually reveals quite a bit: The Walking Dead - Comic-Con Trailer: The Walking Dead: Season 5 – AMC
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    The Last Ship is another I'm hooked on.

    As for having too many shows to watch.....
    That's why God gave us DVR.
    Skip through the commercials and an hour long show magically shortens to 40 minutes.
    A 1/2 hr. show is about 17 minutes.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
      Originally Posted by lcombs View Post

      The Last Ship is another I'm hooked on.

      As for having too many shows to watch.....
      That's why God gave us DVR.
      Skip through the commercials and an hour long show magically shortens to 40 minutes.
      A 1/2 hr. show is about 17 minutes.
      My DVR is exactly why I watch too much TV.
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