TALK NERDY TV - JULY 16th 2016

Wayward Pines

Quite possibly that was my favourite ever episode of this show, not only has it made me look silly with all my “a second series won’t work” bullshit, I'm also now wondering whether this series is actually better than the first. I think the first had the advantage of the complete unknown, we literally didn't know what was happening and that mystery made it exciting. Now we are in the depths of the story, we know what's happening but there is still enough intrigue leaving us guessing every little plot line and the excitement levels are hitting maximum because of what we do know. The end of this particular episode was epic and I sense an even bigger episode to come with how it was left. I salute the writers completely, you made a sceptic like me, look very foolish indeed.

Outcast

Outcast returned after a week hiatus and this series is doing a good job of keeping its cards close to its chest, I am still enjoying it but I fear it may have lost a few people over the last couple of episodes. This series began with an explosion that it now seems to be struggling to emulate action wise. A good story it certainly can be, however it is not perhaps the horror extravaganza it appeared from those early scenes that shocked us from the start. Certainly groundwork is being laid, as a layer of the story seems to be peeled off with each week, I just hope we get a bit more action to go with our helpings of fiction writing in the coming weeks as the really thrilling stuff has been few and far between the last couple of episodes.

Stranger Things

My pick of the week is a new series just fully revealed on Netflix, I have only gorged on one episode so far but what I saw was absolutely fantastic. It is shot like an old 80’s cult classic; think the Goonies, think Gremlins, think even ET. It has that authentic feel to it which is making it a pleasure to watch. The composition and soundtrack adding to that vibe perfectly too, flowing from Tron style scores to Africa by Toto. The story follows a gang of kids, one of their friends has gone missing through a very mysterious encounter with something unknown and the first episode shows us the immediate aftermath as they try and find him, also a young girl who coincidentally has appeared from nowhere arrives in the quiet small town of Hawkins. It might be early, but this series could be truly special. You can enjoy every single episode now on Netflix, goodbye social life.

Billions

An episode of deep soul searching for some, whilst on the other side of the battle (after a massive loss to their schemes) a new plan and a new way of thinking is in order. Tensions between the two feuding camps are on a knife edge as both are now prepared to play the dirty side of this game. Only two episodes now remain and we can only guess as to who will end up as the victor in the end. Although it seems like Axe has got one over on Rhodes this week, a twist in this tale is never far away and I’m sure the scales will balance next week as Chuck finds a new way to get at his opponent.

​Scream

OK OK so I know this is hardly current. This is currently in the middle of season 2 but my curiosity finally got the better of me. In regards to the TV adaptation of everyone’s “favourite scary movie”, I have to say, I was sceptical. I was sceptical about this and this is why I had ignored it for so long but somehow...it kind of works. It even refers to its own position as a TV adaptation with some tongue in cheek jokes that “Slasher movies can't work as a TV series” and perhaps it's this acknowledgement which made me warm to it. It has a nostalgic nod to the original films for sure, but it's definitely different enough at the same time to stop it being just a boring remake. The acting in it can seem a little cheesy at times on the other hand, the same could probably be said of any good horror movie really. All in all I was drawn in enough to want to keep watching and find out how this new spin on one of my favourite horrors pans out. So anyone too scared to watch for fear of it being rubbish rather than the actual horror within, fear not and let Ghostface in.