Drained

[tamaranth]

I don't know whether it's the change in the weather or what, but I've felt really drained and lethargic over the last couple of days. Carrying Sam to and from vet yesterday (there's a very steep hill on the way back) tired me out so much I was physically shaking and took to my bed. Too tired to read, if you know what I mean.

So I have been watching television*.

For those who don't know me well, this is extremely out of character. I haven't owned a TV since the mid-Nineties, and I usually find watching TV or DVDs too passive: it takes me several goes to finish watching all but the most engaging DVDs, and if I'm watching something on the laptop chances are I have a game or LJ open as well.

Over the last 36 hours I have watched:
- Torchwood S02E05, 'Adam', which I liked very much, especially for role-reversals. Probably one of the best episodes I've seen.
- Torchwood S02E06, 'Reset', which brought back memories of werk and also NOOOOOOO.
- Torchwood S01E05, 'Small Worlds', which ladymoonray was right to say I'd enjoy.
- Torchwood S01E06, 'Countrycide', which made me want to slap everyone in Torchwood (too stupid to live) and also Jack for not confining them to base.
- Torchwood S01E07, 'Greeks Bearing Gifts', which annoyed me for insufficient Philoctetes-context.
- Torchwood S01E08, 'They Keep Killing Suzie', which wasn't bad.
- Torchwood S01E09, 'Random Shoes', which was better, though they do keep hammering home this 'life is a marvellous thing' theme.

- Life on Mars S01E01, which I enjoyed: unfortunately when I look at John Simms I see the Master damn, what a giveaway: it's true, I did watch the last few episodes of the last series of Doctor Who ...

- Lost S04E02, which was far better (and more unsettling) than the previous episode

Now I confidently expect my brain to ooze out and evaporate. (This is what happens when one watches too much TV, yes?) Next up: Lost S04E03 -- which has just finished downloading -- and then probably the rest of Torchwood S01.

What else would I like? Is it worth catching up on the rest of the last series of Doctor Who? Is Primeval any good?

one day I shall read a book again. Or even finish the one(s) I have on the go.

*downloads, some Official.

Comments

[ladymoonray.livejournal.com]

Definitely catch up with Dr Who, and you might like Primeval. I gave up on it last series, but I caught one a week or so back and it had improved muchly. It would probably do better if it weren't for the Torchwood comparisons though (believe it or not, they are even less competent).

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

(believe it or not, they are even less competent

er, I'll opt for 'not'! Or do they have a very high character turnover?

[ladymoonray.livejournal.com]

I believe they do have character turnover, so that's something. It's really not that bad. For some reason the people seem more... human. I forgive them for being crap, in a way that I find it hard to forgive Torchwood.

Double standards r me!

[zoo-music-girl.livejournal.com]

You're the second person to say that, but I much preferred the first series of Primeval as the reactions to the monsters seemed more realistic. There's far too much wandering around without guns and just not being impressed enough by actual living dinosaurs in our midst for my taste.

T - I have the Primeval series one DVD if you want to borrow it.

[the-gardener.livejournal.com]

The second series took time to get going and does differ in various ways from the first, but then again these were changes that probably had to be made otherwise it would have turned into a "monster of the week" series which would have lost audiences very rapidly. That said, the narrative arc that's been inserted (and which it appears will carry through to a third series) is a fairly bog-standard conspiracy one; how much more intellectually satisfying it might have been had the producers run two separate plot-lines, Sliding Doors style, one in a present in which Claudia still existed and one in an alternative in which the past had been changed but Cutter was apparently trapped. Oh well....

[ivory-goddess.livejournal.com]

There's far too much wandering around without guns and just not being impressed enough by actual living dinosaurs

Not only that, but in addition to funding and a wonderful new lab, they've got
soldiers on tap, so how come its only ever the 4 main ones who go & deal with the creatures? Why not soldiers with tranq guns?

Still, it is fun. Proper Saturday-night telly.

[avirr.livejournal.com]

If you like Torchwood (we agree about Countrycide), I expect you'll like series two and especially three of the new Doctor Who. I have a bit of a tendre for the series three companion, Martha Jones, who is strong and beautiful and only falls for the Doctor a little bit.

[dalmeny]

If it's series 3 of Dr Who you're considering, feel free to skip "48" and the two Dalek episodes. Don't skip the "Humain Nature"/"Family of Blood" two-parter and "Blink".

[pennski.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! Unless you're feeling serious about this more telly lark, in which case, feel free to watch the whole series.

Primeval is fun "proper Saturday evening telly" is a beautiful summary. If you go in expecting to be entertained (and watch pretty people running away from dinosaurs) then you will be. If you expect sf or serious plot then you'll be disappointed. Fluffy - that's the word I'm looking for.

"Lost" - I think it's improved as the pace has increased.
"Torchwood" series one - expect to want to punch them fairly frequently.

[dalmeny]

I now feel compelled to apologise for my typos. That would be "42" and "Human Nature".

"Torchwood" series one - expect to want to punch them fairly frequently.

Oh yes.