ah, former TV loves: a rec, in case you missed it back then

[rose_griffes]

It's been ages since I talked about the show Life here, but someone pointed out recently that Netflix has both seasons available for livestreaming. Then I checked and they're accessible again on hulu.com (for free!) as well

Comments

[brickhousewench]

Ah. I remember Life fondly. I did enjoy it when it was first on. Wonder if I have time to squeeze it into my viewing schedule?

Probably not yet. I still haven't managed to get back to Ultraviolet after watching the first episode. I'm starting to think I need a TV weekend...

[rose_griffes]

Ooooh, you watched it as well. I wonder how many PoI fans watched it? It would have a similar appeal, I think.

Such an enjoyable show. Too bad the improvement in the cases of the week in season two was accompanied by a sacrifice in characterization, in particular for Dani Reese.

[brickhousewench]

Charlie Crews was a really quirky character, and Damien Lewis has a really interesting face. I remember being really upset when they cancelled the show, because there were still so many unanswered questions.

Basically I like any TV that that makes me think or has some sort of story arc. Babylon 5, Alias, and Battlestar Galactica spring to mind.

[rose_griffes]

Did you ever watch Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles? Because that was seriously one of the best shows I've ever seen, and it had a fantastic arc. It's on Netflix too.

[callmeonetrack]

Ooh thank you for posting this. I've been wanting to get my hands on Life. Think I'll start watching/rewatching (I only saw the first two episodes previously, though I liked them) via Hulu tonight!

One question: I know it got canceled, but did it get to have a conclusion of sorts at least?

[rose_griffes]

You know what I would do in your place? Watch season one and stop there, unless you find that you're a Charlie Crews only fan. The season one finale does wrap up a lot of story lines in a satisfactory way, and season two changes the characterization of Dani Reese enough that I found it a struggle at times. Charlie was my favorite, but Dani was a close second, so it frustrated me that some of what I loved most about her was ignored or altered.

eta: if you do decide to watch season two, yes, there is a resolution there as well.

I love parts of season two. I think they found a better balance in the cases of the week--they were more interesting than in season one. But since I viewed it as a character-driven show, I wanted it to keep that aspect, and it only did a moderate job in that regard.

[callmeonetrack]

Interesting! I'll see how S1 goes... I'm a little afraid I will lose interest anyway because procedurals have a hard time holding my attention, but I really like D. Lewis and S. Shahi. I'm hoping there's a lot of the bigger mystery arcs to keep me watching!

[rose_griffes]

Good luck, then! I do well with procedurals, but they're not the only kind of shows I like. I think there's enough of a bigger story in S1 to keep you hooked, but I guess you'll decide that for yourself! :)

[angstbunny]

Forever pressed though that all official versions of Life do not have the same music as broadcast version.

[rose_griffes]

Yes... *sigh* I haven't bought the DVDs and that's part of the reason why. I ended up watching season one through Amazon, so I have those episodes (with the original music) downloaded to my computer. And since I have less love for season two, there's really not enough motivation to buy the disks.

Stupid LJ, why won't you let me use my userpics today?!

eta: *snickers* and apparently complaining about it is the key!

[pearly_eyes]

Wow, seriously?! I can't believe that we share so many tv interests! I really enjoyed Life as I was completely taken by the whole zen philosophy angle that the show explored. It was very insightful but perhaps too smart for television which imo contributed to its early demise. Damien Lewis is an amazing actor.

And well, you know how I feel POI.

As an aside - I'm currently also watching Missing.

[rose_griffes]

Damian Lewis blew my mind in Life.

Missing! It's not great TV, but I'm really enjoying it. Too bad Becca Winstone quit the CIA ten years ago, otherwise I'd be writing crossover fic with her and Reese. Hee.

[pearly_eyes]

Have you seen Damian Lewis in Homeland?

[rose_griffes]

I watched the pilot episode and it exceed my personal acceptance level for grimness. I knew I wouldn't be able to face that kind of darkness and tension on a weekly basis, even though the cast did a stellar job with the material.

Did you see the Shakespeare Retold with Lewis? A modern-day Much Ado about Nothing and he played Benedick. I'll admit--I find him more attractive as scary Reese with an American accent than sort-of-a-jerk Benedick with a goatee and English accent.

[emmiere]

Oh, I just watched some of my favorites from season 1 recently, so much fun. And non-procedural fan me did find enough arc and character goodness to love it too. :)

What is this business about the broadcast music being entirely different? o_O

[rose_griffes]

The broadcast music thing is so annoying. I guess it's one thing to have the rights to play certain songs during the episode, but not the same to have the right to put that music onto the DVD. *sigh* This makes me sad--Person of Interest has also picked some fantastically quirky songs (Unkle and Nina Simone in the last episode, for example) and I'm guessing the DVDs will be missing them... :(