And now for the REALLY bad news "Deadwood" fans...

Spamlet on 4/6/2006 at 05:29

Yes, It's true that season 3 is just about to begin. However, this is apparently the last season.

Oh, and it gets worse because HBO's pulling another "Carnivale" move: Deadwood was intended to be at least four seasons long to tell its complete story arc and HBO committed to giving them that until ROME tanked, so this seasons scripts were filmed according to that original plan and we're only going to get the 3/4's of the story! Unless perhaps enough people protest it:

(www.savedeadwood.net)

and

(www.HBONoMo.com)

Feel free to use this thread to vent your frustrations on the network's decision.

Vigil on 4/6/2006 at 11:41

Better that than trying to cram 2 seasons' worth of story arc into a single season if you ask me - at least this gives the series a chance to get picked up by another network for completion of the last season properly rather than completely munging the pacing.

thefonz on 4/6/2006 at 21:26

I lost interest after the Seth Bullock v. Lovejoy bitch fight at the [SPOILER]start of season 2[/SPOILER].

I own both season 1 and 2 but unfortunately I cant seem to drag myself from those other tv shows out there to watch season 2.

Saying that I enjoyed season 1 immensely, albeit sporadically.

Scots Taffer on 4/6/2006 at 23:04

Rome tanked? Then why the hell did they greenlight season 2?

It was fucking immense. Almost as good, if not better than Deadwood.

Fafhrd on 4/6/2006 at 23:21

and saying that a show "tanked" on a premium cable network is kind of silly, as well. Bad ratings for Rome doesn't lead to loss of precious advertising dollars, because there's no advertising.

The cancellation of Carnivale was (I believe) the result of both the expense of producing the show, and less than stellar sales of the season 1 DVD, which is pretty rare for an HBO series, but at the same time shouldn't have been unexpected when you charge $80 for 12 episodes of a show as eccentric and complex as Carnivale.

So until the Rome season 1 DVD set comes out and only sells 200 copies in its first week of release, saying that it "tanked" is premature.

Scots Taffer on 4/6/2006 at 23:41

Rome had enormous production expenses, due to the fact that most of it was filmed on location in the foothills of Italy but this added immeasurably to the authenticity and vibe of the show. I'd definitely purchases the DVDs, but as you say, as long as they are at a reasonable price. The Six Feet Under and Sopranos DVDs were both ridiculously overpriced on release, I waited a few months before I picked up the first 2 seasons of SFU. I still haven't picked up the Sopranos yet, quite pricey and there's a lot of seasons.

I really wanted to get around to Carnivale, but is there any point? I heard about the Deep South, mythic, religious, supernatural mix and thought it sounded like a winner but one season of a canned show kind of makes me sad. It's like Charlie Jade, which I'm nearly finished watching, they had a really good run of it with the first season and the second is still languishing in production hell.

I've got my hands on the second season of Deadwood (again), so finally I'll get around to watching it this time. I loved the first season, even if it was predictable (but that's nothing to do with what makes it compelling viewing though).

Rug Burn Junky on 5/6/2006 at 00:09

The closing episodes of season one of Deadwood is one of my favorite television arcs of the past decade (only the most recent season of The Shield compares). Season 2 was still pretty good, but it quickly became "just another show," though, of course, still eminently enjoyable. I was sad to hear that it was not going to finish its run, but not entirely surprised.

As for Carnivale, Scots, don't be deterred by the fact that it's "unfinished" (and there were two seasons, not just one). The story was set for 6 seasons, but in 3 discrete 2 season chunks. While the ending isn't entirely satisfying, it is still, nonetheless, an ending, and there are few enough loose ends that it works overall. It's still a strong show, and the mystery/suspense aspect of it was done exceedingly well.

I think I've compared it to Lost before, but it does the exact same sort of thing. Meting out new information and backstory throughout the life of the series, letting you try to puzzle together what's going to happen through clues in the show - except, you know, it does it well. Definitely give it a shot.

Stitch on 5/6/2006 at 01:29

Quote Posted by Rug Burn Junky

I think I've compared it to Lost before, but it does the exact same sort of thing. Meting out new information and backstory throughout the life of the series, letting you try to puzzle together what's going to happen through clues in the show - except, you know, it does it well..

Which brings up a question I'd ask in the Lost thread were I not terrified of navigating around spoiler landmines. To everyone who has followed the show to some degree: knowing what you know now, two seasons in, is Lost worth watching?

I saw fifteen episodes or so of the first season and kind of fell out of the habit. My girlfriend and I were trying to watch them together and we just found it difficult to coordinate. It's now been six months since we've managed to watch an episode (still in the first season, remember) and we finally crumbled and decided to each catch it individually, if at all.

So should I even bother? I found the show to be a mixed bag, generally speaking. I liked the characters, but hated the hamfisted and lazy manner in which their histories were presented. I liked the general air of mystery the show had, but I was growing somewhat impatient with the glacial pace at which the plot unfolded. I love a long, rich story, but I need to feel that some progress is being made towards the finish line.

So how about it: is Lost still worthwhile? Has it managed to hold your interest? Have any of you given up in disgust? Do you still watch it despite the fact that it's like dating a hot woman who promises sex but then thinks a flash of cleavage is enough to tide you over? Or has it finally made good with a hummer at least?

Fill me in, people.

Scots Taffer on 5/6/2006 at 02:01

<strike>(http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1405127#post1405127) I posed a similar question to RBJ in the mammoth thread that sort of discusses the same thing sans big spoilers.</strike>

URGH no, there are spoilers there, beware :(

His answer to "Is it worth watching" was:

Quote Posted by RBJ

ummmmm, not sure. I still watch, but with markedly decreasing enthusiasm each week. It's gone from mildly cool x-files-meets-robinson-crusoe supernatural mystery show to cheap soap opera which takes place on a tropical island, catering to the middle age housefrau Days of Our Lives set ("OMG! When are they going to hook up?"). This is more "Felicity" JJ Abrams than "first season of Alias" JJ.

Stitch on 5/6/2006 at 02:03

SEASON ONE HELLO

jesus god there are spoilers in your initial post