.. Not trying to be mean about this show. I've desperately tried to like it, because Matthew likes working on this show so much. But I just don't like this show. And I don't know what it is
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I'm finding it difficult to enjoy this season. I think that the switch over from it being about a couple of spies living out their lives under the umbrella of an 'all-American family' to it being about a family where the parents have unusual jobs has pretty much killed it for me. I didn't want a family drama, I wanted espionage, the thrill of the chase, the living life on the edge and I feel as though it's been taken away
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Interesting, I was excited for it last season, though I did find it a bit more challenging to sit through. It somehow became more palatable for me this season. I guess no one likes this show? Well,I take that back. Apparently there's a bunch of odd balls posting on the gossip columns that seem to like it well enough, but clearly those folks aren't posting here.... :)
It's not so much that I don't like it, I'm just not as keen as I was last season, it doesn't meet the expectations I had for it...whether that's because they've taken a side-step and changed the theme instead of improving on what they'd already given us IDK.
I hadn't considered it much, but you're right it is different. I rather like the role reversal with Philip being the more domineering agent and even showing that strength with a stronger hand when it comes to parenting. With Liz wearing the pants in the family last season, he came off as the weaker of the two somehow. Well, that's no longer the case, by a mile. I suppose I like that shift in dynamics... I wish it was more popular, but that probably stems from looking for that commonality among MRO members we all had way back when, more than actual surprise about how this particular show has been received, if that makes any sense...
I do like that the dynamics seem more equal and that Philip is more often 'taking charge', rather than trudging after Elizabeth, but 'emotional Elizabeth' is just as annoying as 'iceberg Elizabeth'.
I had high hopes for this show, I liked the pilot despite some 'things'.
I'm sure that I'm just in a minority, because plenty of people DO seem to like the show and it's frustrating, because I want to be able to like it too.
You're not in the minority, your reaction is completely normal. You can tell just by the comments you've received. That doesn't mean that I don't have my fingers crossed that you'll find a way to like it one day (or parts of it) If you stick with it, just focus on how hot Matthew is looking and maybe you'll enjoy it a little better :)
I am compared to the board on IMDB and reactions that I read in other places, such as recaps, interviews and such.
I love Matthew's acting, but with my head and not heart. I see how well played the character is and the many layers that are to Philip and I see how well Matthew manages all those different emotions, I almost study it, :) but unlike his parts in for instance B&S, Drood, Death comes to Pemberly or House of America I don't get drawn in, I don't FEEL it. Maybe it's indeed, as Laira says, that I can't bring up much empathy for the characters aside from Martha and the kids. This doesn't mean that the acting isn't good, because it is.
Oh, don't feel lonely. I don't mind if you love the show. I'm perhaps more envious of that feeling than you can imagine. :)
I agree that Keri/Elizabeth is the weaker part in this, I guess that is where I have the most issues as well. I feel, as a woman, I SHOULD feel some sympathy for her, especially knowing about her past and the fact that she got raped (always traumatic) and all the emotions that she can't deal with and all that stuff with Gregory, I think it SHOULD have driven me to tears, create emotion, but it just doesn't.
But, please, continue to love the show, sometimes reading what someone else is saying can change your own perspective on something.
Don't feel lonely. I'll watch it with you. I suspect I don't like it quite as much as you. It's a little bit tailored to intelligent minds and I'd like to think I'm reasonably so, but it has complex story lines, an awful lot of reading of captions and requires more thought/analysis/ remembering of details to follow it than I usually care to invest in a show. So my 'beef' with it is entirely different than the other commentators. That said, it seems I like it much more than the average poster, and I absolutely intend to continue watching...
Don't feel lonely. The show is critically acclaimed. All the critics love it. So, we are the weird ones :) It's so great to love a show, so enjoy it and don't let our comments to spoil your fun :)
I'm not a quitter. :) And I just ran into my words on MRO that "I've sat through season 5 of B&S, how bad can the Americans be?" And, no, the show is NOT as bad as season 5 of B&S, with all it's inconsistencies, bad story-lines and too much Suc. But the Americans is becoming too predictable. It is time for another near-hit on Philip/Elizabeth by Beeman & Co, or at least 'something' like that.
lol! Season 5 of B&S, that was a really crazy time :D
I think the difference with the Americans is that even if season 5 of B&S was really bad, we still loved the characters. They were different from the previous seasons but I loved the Walkers and they were people with real feelings very easy to identify with them.
I think that self-identification and empathy with the characters is one of the reasons that keep people watching a TV show every week. In the case of "The Americans" it's almost impossible to feel something for these characters, they are mostly a group of assassins, so except for the children and maybe Martha there is nobody that people can feel anything for them. IMO this is the reason of the bad ratings, even if the show is very well written and with great acting.
and empathy with the characters is one of the reasons that keep people watching a TV show every week. In the case of "The Americans" it's almost impossible to feel something for these characters,
Interesting comment, I hardly never watch shows where I feel empathy for characters. I avoid chick flicks like the plague. I am drawn to action, fantasy, sci-fi and generally speaking genre's that are not based on any form of reality. I get a kick out of The Following with James Purefoy and he's a psychopath that makes The Americans look like they're playing patty cake. My point being this, if you are looking to empathize, then I can see why this show is frustrating. In my case, since I don't typically watch shows with empathetic characters, that aspect doesn't phase me, which explains a little more why some are responding to it, while others don't.
I see what you mean. I prefer to watch shows with people that I find 'interesting', the character has to 'grab my attention and hold it' and I don't care if it's a psychopath or a house-wife
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I had high hopes for this show, I liked the pilot despite some 'things'.
I'm sure that I'm just in a minority, because plenty of people DO seem to like the show and it's frustrating, because I want to be able to like it too.
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I love Matthew's acting, but with my head and not heart. I see how well played the character is and the many layers that are to Philip and I see how well Matthew manages all those different emotions, I almost study it, :) but unlike his parts in for instance B&S, Drood, Death comes to Pemberly or House of America I don't get drawn in, I don't FEEL it.
Maybe it's indeed, as Laira says, that I can't bring up much empathy for the characters aside from Martha and the kids. This doesn't mean that the acting isn't good, because it is.
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I agree that Keri/Elizabeth is the weaker part in this, I guess that is where I have the most issues as well. I feel, as a woman, I SHOULD feel some sympathy for her, especially knowing about her past and the fact that she got raped (always traumatic) and all the emotions that she can't deal with and all that stuff with Gregory, I think it SHOULD have driven me to tears, create emotion, but it just doesn't.
But, please, continue to love the show, sometimes reading what someone else is saying can change your own perspective on something.
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I think the difference with the Americans is that even if season 5 of B&S was really bad, we still loved the characters. They were different from the previous seasons but I loved the Walkers and they were people with real feelings very easy to identify with them.
I think that self-identification and empathy with the characters is one of the reasons that keep people watching a TV show every week. In the case of "The Americans" it's almost impossible to feel something for these characters, they are mostly a group of assassins, so except for the children and maybe Martha there is nobody that people can feel anything for them. IMO this is the reason of the bad ratings, even if the show is very well written and with great acting.
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I completely agree with this. :)
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