TV: Current and Recent

[Darkweasel]

Final episode of Game of Thrones was very good. Maybe not quite as exciting as last week but a lot went down (it goes on for just over an hour this time) and leaves things open and ready for next season.

[Luke_X]

Starz have announced that the next season of Spartacus, subtitled Vengeance, will be its last. there was no reason given except it was a tough decision by its producers.

[Darkweasel]

Starz have announced that the next season of Spartacus, subtitled Vengeance, will be its last. there was no reason given except it was a tough decision by its producers.

The full release:

STARZ announced today the upcoming season of the international hit series "Spartacus" will be the conclusion of the saga. With a visual style completely unique to television, the franchise has amassed both critical and popular acclaim to become the most successful on the network and one of the highest rated programs in all of cable television. More than six million weekly viewers watched last season, "Spartacus: Vengeance," which has amassed more than 2.5 million Facebook fans. Globally, the series airs in 150 countries in more than 15 languages.

"The fans have been tremendously supportive of our show," says creator and executive producer, Steven S. DeKnight. "We did not come to this decision lightly. It was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for my partners and I. Yet, in the end, the story was best served by rolling all of the remaining action and drama of Spartacus' journey into one stunningly epic season that will be extremely satisfying for everyone who's been along for the ride."

"Steven DeKnight, Rob Tapert, Josh Donen and Sam Raimi have made one of the most groundbreaking shows we have ever seen," says Starz CEO Chris Albrecht. "'Spartacus' is a landmark series for the network which has enthralled millions of viewers and fans around the world. We are in agreement with our partners in the decision to conclude the story after 'War of the Damned,' as we believe it is the best way to maintain the integrity of the series and secure its legacy. While everyone may know the fate of Spartacus, we believe this will be a spectacular season that will startle, amaze and honor the legions of fans."

"Spartacus: War of the Damned," currently in production in New Zealand, takes place following the defeat of Roman commander Gaius Claudius Glaber. Spartacus and his men have amassed major victories against the Romans after the Battle of Vesuvius. These victories have not only forged the legend of Spartacus, but have greatly increased the ranks of the rebellion slaves to more than 30,000. Rome is indeed beginning to tremble at the threat Spartacus now represents.

The Emmy(R) nominated series, already known for its groundbreaking production and visual style, has set the bar even higher to bring the story to its epic conclusion. This year, new sets will include the construction of a full city, a Roman Villa, and the scene of the epic battle along the Appian Way.

"Spartacus: War of the Damned" sees the return on Liam McIntyre (Spartacus), Manu Bennett (Crixus), Dustin Clare (Gannicus), Dan Feuerriegel (Agron), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Naevia) and Ellen Hollman (Saxa). This year, Todd Lasance joins the cast as Gaius Julius Caesar, along with Simon Merrells, who will be playing Marcus Crassus and Anna Hutchison as Laeta.

Also, news on The Walking Dead (which should only affect US viewers)

Dish Network subscribers who love AMC's "Breaking Bad" may be out of luck if a feud between the satellite broadcaster and the cable channel's parent AMC Networks isn't resolved soon.

Besides AMC, home to "The Walking Dead," "Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men," other channels that could be dropped include WE, which caters to females, and IFC and Sundance, which focus primarily on independent cinema. Dish's contract with AMC Networks Inc. is up at the end of June. Dish has just over 14 million subscribers around the country.

Dish Network Corp. said it is dropping the channels because the ratings for the networks do not justify a rate increase that it says AMC Networks is seeking. Dish also said it was not happy that shows such as "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad" are made available on other platforms such as Netflix and iTunes soon after the shows have aired on AMC.

But AMC is not the only network whose content appears on other platforms soon after a cable run. Some shows may appear on Netflix or iTunes within days of a cable run. In other cases though, shows are held off of other platforms until after the season ends.

In a statement, AMC said Dish's plans to drop the channels has nothing to do with the performance of its networks or their cost, but instead with another legal battle the two companies are in.

In 2008, Voom HD, a now-defunct group of cable channels owned by AMC, sued Dish for $2.5 billion for breach of contract. The case is wending its way through the courts and last week Dish lost an appeal, which AMC said is the cause for the bad blood.

"It is unfortunate that, because of setbacks in an unrelated litigation, Dish even suggests that they might deny their customers access to some of their favorite networks and shows that are offered by every other major satellite and cable TV provider," AMC said.

Dish responded that the Voom litigation is a "separate matter" and that AMC's statement "distorts the facts of the current situation and incorrectly attempts to tie together two separate issues."
Fans of "Mad Men" who are Dish subscribers don't have to worry. The show will have ended its season before June 30.

So it's about money as usual then but will probably get resolved quickly enough.

[Littlemissmetal]

Really enjoyed the last Game of Thrones. Wasn't a massive fan of the Qarth storyline given the complete alteration from the book, although oddly I enjoyed the altered House of the Undying scene quite a lot. Good ending, but I think the Blackwater episode has been the best of either of the two series so far. So much about it was just awesome.

Also, can't stop listening to The Rains of Castamere now

[Darkweasel]

the Blackwater episode has been the best of either of the two series so far. So much about it was just awesome.

Absolutely.

[Luke_X]

the Blackwater episode has been the best of either of the two series so far. So much about it was just awesome.

Absolutely.

Thirded

I enjoyed the final episode a lot and I enjoyed the season as a whole a lot more than the first. I'm not normally a dragon person but I hope they cause some chaos and burn shit up (never read the books though) . I can't wait for the 3rd season to see where it all goes now, my main curiosity being towards the next events of Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. They should be a great watch.

[Fjar]

I enjoyed the altered House of the Undying scene quite a lot.

Me too, especially the shot of the throne room covered in snow. But Drogo and Rhaego nearly set me off into a blubbering mess.

[Littlemissmetal]

I enjoyed the altered House of the Undying scene quite a lot.

Me too, especially the shot of the throne room covered in snow. But Drogo and Rhaego nearly set me off into a blubbering mess.

I wasn't too bad with that - Luwin was my blubbering mess territory. Very close!

Also, can't stop listening to The Rains of Castamere now

Thank God it's not just me. My housemates think I'm odd for having it on repeat

It's in my Youtube playlist! I was unreasonably happy to discover last night that I know all the words now

[Kami]

Someone is making Community's Journey to the center of Harkthorne game



http://www.reddit.com/r/hawkthorne/comm ... rne_v0010/

[Luke_X]

the first picture of David Morrisey as The Governor for the next season of The Walking Dead. i seriously cannot wait to see if they include his 'altercation' with Michonne, might be too graphic for tv.

http://www.comingsoon.net/nextraimages/ ... vernor.jpg

[andeh]

Just bought Breaking Bad seasons 1 and 2. I am waving goodbye to the next week or so.

[andeh]

Breaking Bad seasons 1 and 2 didn't even last me the weekend, I NEED MORE

[Darkweasel]

True Blood Series 5 has started rather brilliantly.
Although that's sort of expected now tbf.




Also, Louis Theroux's follow up porn documentary was very good.
Didn't realise John Dough had snuffed it.

[Darkweasel]

Penultimate episode of The Borgias was fantastic.

After a few episodes of being distinctly meh, Cougar Town is picking up again. Just the final two parter to go now.

[Applecore]

Six Feet Under Season 2 arrived today