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Thursday night at work was spent mostly rewatching Spartacus: Blood and Sand via Netflix streaming.
Look. I'm not going to lie to you - I watch a lot of TV. We're in a golden age of television, a perfect nexus of inexpensive CGI effects and high competition. Between network, basic cable, and premium cable outlets, there are at least a dozen television shows a year that match the scope of mainstream movies and, given their longer format, far exceed the emotional content.
There is conventional programming - shows that are quite good but don't quite break out of their genre conventions and into the sublime, shows like The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy, House, The Closer, Saving Grace, Nikita, and that old behemoth, Law and Order: SVU. All shows that are perfectly serviceable and satisfying, with an occasionally terrific stand-out episode of real art. Most of these are better than the average movie, and would perhaps be considered great if they were not in the shadow of their brethren...
Because there were also some sublime shows, shows where any two episodes were better than any movie released this year. In vaguely particular order, I love Southland, Glee, Dexter, Fringe, Caprica, True Blood, and Mad Men. These shows pushed the boundaries of what television could be, combining great writing, acting, cinematography, and when necessary, terrific special effects, in order to do truly great storytelling.
And then, standing alone in a special place in my heart, there is Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which was by far my favorite show of 2010.
...
I realize, of course, that I sound crazy. But you should understand that the only goofy thing about Spartacus: Blood and Sand is its title. In every other respect, it's completely brilliant.
( And follows my 1500-word love letter to my favorite show )
Look. I'm not going to lie to you - I watch a lot of TV. We're in a golden age of television, a perfect nexus of inexpensive CGI effects and high competition. Between network, basic cable, and premium cable outlets, there are at least a dozen television shows a year that match the scope of mainstream movies and, given their longer format, far exceed the emotional content.
There is conventional programming - shows that are quite good but don't quite break out of their genre conventions and into the sublime, shows like The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy, House, The Closer, Saving Grace, Nikita, and that old behemoth, Law and Order: SVU. All shows that are perfectly serviceable and satisfying, with an occasionally terrific stand-out episode of real art. Most of these are better than the average movie, and would perhaps be considered great if they were not in the shadow of their brethren...
Because there were also some sublime shows, shows where any two episodes were better than any movie released this year. In vaguely particular order, I love Southland, Glee, Dexter, Fringe, Caprica, True Blood, and Mad Men. These shows pushed the boundaries of what television could be, combining great writing, acting, cinematography, and when necessary, terrific special effects, in order to do truly great storytelling.
And then, standing alone in a special place in my heart, there is Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which was by far my favorite show of 2010.
...
I realize, of course, that I sound crazy. But you should understand that the only goofy thing about Spartacus: Blood and Sand is its title. In every other respect, it's completely brilliant.
( And follows my 1500-word love letter to my favorite show )
