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Author Topic: TV: Raising the bar  (Read 891 times)
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Lurrr

Professor
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« on: 09-17-2003 19:34 »
« Last Edit on: 09-17-2003 19:34 »

Some people have argued that nowadays TV is beating the cinema for quality entertainment. While crap like Big Brother 12 and Cops 23 will be nothing to go by, there are shows that have broken boundaries and changed TV dramatically. However, I'd like to forget about series' and focus on episodes that raised the bar. List the episodes (and which show their from) that you think are the best TV has to offer, and why of course. I'll start with a couple:

Farscape- Revenging Angel: While Crichton is in a coma he battles D'Argo in the form of a Road Runner cartoon. Only Farscape could have pulled this off, and the whole episode is hilarious while it also has its more touching moments. Combining live-action with slapstick animation was genius IMO, and a slap in the face to all the dull, unoriginal sci-fi on TV.

Babylon 5- Z'Ha'Dum: The captain heads off to the Shadow's homeworld into what is almost certainly a trap, IMO the most dramatic episode of B5 ever. It explains much of the story of the show, adds new twists and developments and ends on the biggest cliffhanger in the whole series. It was also odd for the season finale as normally it would be a big special effects extravaganza. B5 didn't need it.

I know they're both sci-fi, but that's what came to mind first. What about everyone else?
evan

Urban Legend
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« Reply #1 on: 09-17-2003 20:05 »

Most HBO shows are pretty high-class. Although I don't have that station here, I remember fondly the shows (and acquire them.)

The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and Curb Your Enthusiasm are all solid shows. Much better than the crap on network TV.
aslate

Space Pope
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« Reply #2 on: 09-17-2003 20:12 »

24 and Spooks are two great series' that i love.
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #3 on: 09-17-2003 20:38 »

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - "Q Who"

The first encounter with the Borg, in the epsiode that kick-started TNG.  Q was still a menacing presence rather than comic relief, and the final scene, where Picard realises that the Borg will come after the Enterprise, is subtle yet chilling.  Throw in some of the best FX the 80s had to offer, and you have a classic episode.
newhook_1

Urban Legend
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« Reply #4 on: 09-17-2003 22:19 »

I haven't been likeing most shows om T.V. lately, all I ever watch any more are cartoons and David Letterman. Hopefully that new Norm Mcdonald show will be good though...... even though it's on FOX.
Kryten

Space Pope
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« Reply #5 on: 09-17-2003 23:12 »

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Becoming part I and II. Funny, scary, emotional... and one HELL of an ending, literally.
Nixorbo

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #6 on: 09-18-2003 02:06 »

The Simpsons - Bart Gets an A

The first episode to prove that edgy humor and family values could exist side-by-side in a TV show.
Tdog

Bending Unit
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« Reply #7 on: 09-18-2003 02:13 »

I agree with Kryten on the Buffy episodes. Also Consequences I think was the name of the Buffy episode where Buffy and Faith deal with the fact that Faith killed a human. Buffy deals with it and has her friends to help her, Faith represses and goes psycho.
Also the episode of STAR TREK: TNG where Picard is taken by the borg, it was a season finale episode. Riker on the bridge, in command. Picard borgified on the borg ship. Riker's last word before the credits roll..."Fire!"
As a Star Trek fan that sent chills through me.
Nixorbo

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #8 on: 09-18-2003 02:30 »

Just to beat Teral to it:

The episode of DS9 where Sisko has to decide whether or not to bring the Romulans into the war by assassinating a senator or somethine.  I forget what it was called, I'm sure someone else could tell you.
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #9 on: 09-18-2003 04:10 »

"In the Pale Moonlight"
Lt. Kroker

Bending Unit
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« Reply #10 on: 09-18-2003 12:47 »

Buffy: Earshot. Damn hilarious, edgy and with a great message at the end. "Who hasn't idly thought about taking out out the whole place with a semi-automatic? ...I said idly!"

Also, the finale of the first season of 24. It was so brilliantly paced, and it felt like the climax of the best action movie ever, and you'd had 24 hours to get to know the characters.
Juliet

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #11 on: 09-18-2003 16:59 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Kryten:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Becoming part I and II. Funny, scary, emotional... and one HELL of an ending, literally.

Yeah, I thought "The Gift" was really good. emotional and has a great ending which makes you think "Will Buffy come back?"

SHLEY

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #12 on: 09-19-2003 00:07 »

never saw a bad epp of Law & Order.
Spice Weasel

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #13 on: 09-19-2003 00:33 »

TV: Raising the bar.  That oxymoron is almost as good as "death benefits"

I liked it on the Family Guy where the fat retarded kid looked at the twinkie and said "I'm gonna turn you into poo"  :rolleyes:
~FazeShift~

Moderator
DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #14 on: 09-19-2003 16:47 »

Here's an oxymoron for ya Spicey: Military Intelligence.

Buffy certainly didn't raise the bar in the fight scenes department anyway.
Something about a girl grunting on a soundtrack to a stunt double...  :nono:

Alias' fights convinced me it can be done properly (especially if the hot sexy lead does the majority of her stunts) and that you can have a real cliffhanger at the end of every episode.
Tdog

Bending Unit
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« Reply #15 on: 09-19-2003 23:56 »

SMG did some of the fighting scenes, but not all. In order to stay in shape she took martial arts lessons. She herself admitted she wasn't good enough for the big huge stunts, but she did some of it. Much to the detriment of stuntmen in the scenes with her. I heard she bloodied one of their noses.
Lt. Kroker

Bending Unit
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« Reply #16 on: 09-20-2003 08:57 »
« Last Edit on: 09-20-2003 08:57 »

I always thought the fight scenes on Buffy were just adequate, but it never really affected my enjoyment of the show. There were a couple of great ones (Buffy/Faith and Buffy/Willow spring to mind).

On Alias, the fights pretty vital to the quality of the show, and they're fantastic. The Syd/Francinator one in s2 finale has to be the best I've ever seen. It had like 2 minutes of action with no cuts, and you really have to look hard to see the stunt doubles.

[Edited for spelling]
~FazeShift~

Moderator
DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #17 on: 09-20-2003 10:00 »

 :laff:
Francinator!
Yeah, that was awesome.

I still don't believe SMG could punch her way out of a drunk nunnery.
wu_konguk

Urban Legend
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« Reply #18 on: 09-20-2003 10:27 »

Well I agree with Lurrr. Revenging Angel was a great episode of Farscape. In genral I think Farscape is how Sci-fi should be done, pity the Sci-fi channel did not fell that way.

I also say Cowboy Bebop raises the bar as well. I know alot of people who hate anime but love Bebop so it must of been doing something right  :)
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