tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post2365618360460700024..comments2024-03-26T19:08:32.544-04:00Comments on That's alls I know: Rough Edges: notes on Back to Life and The Other TwoTommy Kraskerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12564935526936828636noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-50774793254292069682021-10-12T20:19:55.510-04:002021-10-12T20:19:55.510-04:00Whenever you get around to them, enjoy — and let m...Whenever you get around to them, enjoy — and let me know what you think. I’m just so glad ‘Back to Life’ managed a deal with Showtime; it would have been horrible if it had taken years to cross the Atlantic, like ‘Unforgotten’ did. Or if, God forbid, it had *never* been picked up by a U.S. network or streaming service, like my favorite series of 2019, ‘Summer of Rockets.’ Still can’t get over that one...Tommy Kraskerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12564935526936828636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-87709367624334720232021-10-12T20:17:40.480-04:002021-10-12T20:17:40.480-04:00I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t even notice Walk...I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t even notice Walker’s growth spurt between seasons. (Man, sometimes, I miss the most obvious things.) But I guess that’s what happens when a pandemic forces a nearly 2-1/2 year hiatus between Seasons 1 and 2. :)Tommy Kraskerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12564935526936828636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-88917959364314851442021-10-12T20:17:01.286-04:002021-10-12T20:17:01.286-04:00I agree that Shannon was an absolute gift to the s...I agree that Shannon was an absolute gift to the series. As I noted, I had my concerns when it was announced that she’d become a series regular for Season 2; I worried that she’d start to take over the show. But I thought the way she was incorporated was perfect. (Meanwhile, because I never shy away from controversy, I’ll admit that I was the only person on the planet who didn’t like her performance in ‘White Lotus.’ I found it tonally off: a little too self-aware, like she’d dropped in from a sketchcom. But what do I know: everyone else adored her.)Tommy Kraskerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12564935526936828636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-7286975589461556402021-10-12T16:59:28.807-04:002021-10-12T16:59:28.807-04:00Another two series to add to my queue! Thanks for...Another two series to add to my queue! Thanks for the recommendations. Also hope you are more cautious in dealing with the pest-control industry...Bob Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064350802590956177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-6765314055579476172021-10-11T22:38:55.900-04:002021-10-11T22:38:55.900-04:00I also want to add, how shocked I was at how Chase...I also want to add, how shocked I was at how Chase Dreams (and actor Case Waler) aged between season 1 and 2. So much so, that it acutally felt like a recast -- and a huge IQ bump for the character .DerekBishophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097448651973894076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-70581940377422483762021-10-11T22:36:04.792-04:002021-10-11T22:36:04.792-04:00Everthing you said about these two shows is spot o...Everthing you said about these two shows is spot on! they are amazing. AlsoMolly Shannon deserves an Emmy for sleeping while awake — and the moment the entire Dubeck family have their (now seasonal) denouement.<br />DerekBishophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097448651973894076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-86489708126034440122021-10-10T19:54:51.282-04:002021-10-10T19:54:51.282-04:00I hope you enjoy, Steven. As I mentioned here, the...I hope you enjoy, Steven. As I mentioned here, they both made a difficult summer *so* much better. Two very different shows, but both marvelous. If you do watch, and get a moment, drop by here and let me know what you think. :)Tommy Kraskerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12564935526936828636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-7514107708480904462021-10-10T19:54:14.713-04:002021-10-10T19:54:14.713-04:00You know, I actually had a paragraph in an early d...You know, I actually had a paragraph in an early draft about how refreshing it was that neither show had the proverbial “sophomore slump.“ I think I even went through the litany of shows I’ve written about over the last decade that were so good when they debuted, and couldn’t sustain that excellence for more than one season. As you said, I don’t understand why it’s so hard, but I agree: I think ‘Back to Life’ might’ve gotten even better in Series 2. Haggard seemed able to hone in on exactly what made the story — and the storytelling — unique.<br /><br />It’s funny: I’m undecided whether I want it to return. I mean, if Haggard wants to do more, I’m all for it, and I’ll be there. But part of me sees it as this exquisite miniature: a short-form story that came to an incredibly satisfying conclusion. I’m not sure I’m not just happy knowing those 12 episodes exist in the world — and that I can return to them whenever I want.Tommy Kraskerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12564935526936828636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-85390689293728844842021-10-10T18:11:47.442-04:002021-10-10T18:11:47.442-04:00I have not seen them Tommy - but based on your rec...I have not seen them Tommy - but based on your recommendation I definitely will seek them out! Thanks ---<br /><br />Steven Cates on Twitter (@sc_mo )Unemployment Blueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01044249240047660705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768495027896028196.post-16972242196704403032021-10-10T15:33:06.849-04:002021-10-10T15:33:06.849-04:00Yeah, I enjoyed 'Back to Life' immensely, ...Yeah, I enjoyed 'Back to Life' immensely, too. It was such a weird mix of serious drama, normal people, dark humour, and slapstick that I initially thought it couldn't work, only to be pleasantly surprised when it did. And if anything, season 2 got better: a feat in itself for an industry frequently incapable of assessing what makes its shows great. No news on a third season yet, but it'd be a crying shame if we didn't see these characters again.Paul Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02927027468227544676noreply@blogger.com