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Post by ayanami on Jun 21, 2019 19:05:27 GMT
Swamp Thing is another one of DC Universe's recent ventures geared towards a mature audience and with a (highly deserved) MA rating. Two things you should probably know in regard to this show: One, it's amazing. And two, it's already cancelled. Now, there are a couple of rumours flying around as to the reason for that cancellation, ranging from budget issues, miscalculated state funding (that one seems to have been entirely false, though), creative differences to the show simply being too niche to warrant future seasons in light of an expected merger of DC Universe into a bigger WB streaming service. Probably a bit of all of the above. Fact is, Swamp Thing was certainly not cheap to make and you can see that in every shot. I mean, the acting is strong, the script is solid, the characters are likable and smart (not necessarily a given in a horror setting!), but the production elements are simply off the charts! Set design, FX make-up and special effects are just spectacular and really bring the story to life. Case in point, I was watching the first few episodes lying in bed and there were several scenes that had me sit up, with one in the pilot leaving my mouth literally hanging open. I don't remember that happening. Like, ever. Now, my best case scenario would be, that in light of the overwhelmingly positive reactions the show has been receiving from both fans and critics, WB revokes its decision and gives Swamp Thing a second season. Otherwise I hope that this season ends with a more or less satisfying conclusion. But, even it they end it on a cliffhanger, I just know that I won't regret having watched Swamp Thing. P.S.: My one gripe about the first episode: Who the hell performs an autopsy with their long hair hanging open? No doctor's cap, not even a fricking ponytail?! Stupid Hollywood, way to conterminate any findings! P.P.S.: I was gonna add a trailer, but honestly, those trailers are just spoiler galore! I watched without any info upfront and it was much more fun that way. Here's the intro, though, to get at least a feeling for the show:
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Post by ayanami on Jul 25, 2019 20:53:51 GMT
Follow-up post now that the first 8 of 10 episodes have aired. (Will do another after the finale, probably, once I’m done crying my eyes out.) First off, I just want to reiterate how much I love this show! Case in point: I don’t usually rewatch shows any time soon after I’ve first seen them. I always keep the shows I like, both for reference and for potential later rewatches, like when a new season airs, but I’ve never had the urge to watch episodes again I’ve only just seen days/weeks ago. I mean, I’ve just seen it, I paid attention, so why should I watch it again right away? That said, I’ve seen the pilot for Swamp Thing three times by now (more like ten times for a couple of scenes) and all the other eps at least twice… For me, the show’s strong storytelling, as well as the incredible (and horrific!) special effects really shine, but I guess most of all I adore the characters, cliché as they may be at times. Especially Alec makes the show for me, though I have to say that I’ve never seen a TV show bend over backwards that much in its pilot episode to make a character likable. But, hey, it works! Seriously, if you’ve seen the first episode of Swamp Thing, but you don’t like Alec, then get out of my face! As I went into this show without knowing literally anything about it except the title and the horror premise, and was therefore surprised by plot developments anyone who knows the basics of the Swamp Thing character wouldn’t have been, I really don’t want to say anything about the show’s plot here, except maybe a brief summary of the first few minutes: People get attacked by something in the swamp, a mysterious illness breaks out in the town of Marais and CDC doctor Abby Arcane returns to her home town after many years to figure out what’s going on. I also want to warn against watching the show’s trailer on youtube, because I’ve seen that one, and it seriously contains hugely plot relevant scenes that still(!) haven’t happened on the show after eight episodes! A few random observations about the show: - Yay, Doctor Tuvok! - After careful observation and doing the math, I can conclude with almost complete certainty, that the town in the show has a maximum of about three hours of sunlight every day. Not even kidding! Much. - Never ever would I have thought to see Kevin Durand playing a scientist! Whaaaat!
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Post by ayanami on Aug 9, 2019 19:40:04 GMT
Now let me start this post with a heartfelt “Screw You!” towards Warner Brothers for being part of one of the largest companies in the world, and yet first screwing then cancelling this amazing show for being over budget. Never mind that every dollar they invested here went into a cinematographic masterpiece with effects (both practical and CGI) that brought the horrors of Marais’ swamp to terrifying life. Plus an amazing cast and crew that made every single one of the ten episodes we got into an unforgettable experience. Special shout-out here to the writers, who had to cut down the show’s content from thirteen to ten episodes after shooting had already begun. Now I’m not gonna lie, this is an issue that becomes very apparent in the final episode, aptly named “Loose ends”, where they’re trying very hard to avoid any of those from dangling too much. Many of the show’s side plots are either cut short and/or never reach their full potential. Also, lots of interesting foreshadowing we got in earlier episodes is never even mentioned again. And yet, the seasons main arc is brought to a satisfying conclusion and the side characters’ fates, while partially rather abrupt, are at least dealt with as well, so the viewers aren’t left without closure. As to the main arc, I want to give another shout-out, first to the writers of episode 9 and especially to Mr. Alan Moore, on whose run of the comics this whole thing was originally based on. Thanks a lot, guys, I’m pretty sure I will never fully recover from the trauma this episode has given me. This was worse than finding out Ward was Hydra, ffs! Funny thing is, now that Swamp Thing has been cancelled, I’ve read a rumour that there might be a chance for a new feature film with the character. That said, my response to that is: “Well, how about you shove that where the sun don’t shine, and instead give me my goddamn show back?!?” But, well, maybe that’s just me... In that regard, even with the cancellation, and the rushed ending, I still wholeheartedly recommend giving this wonderful show a chance. I know I’m gonna watch it a bunch more times! (Spoilerish teaser trailer)
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Post by haxemon on Sept 16, 2019 14:06:31 GMT
Started this on the weekend (only watched episode 1 so far).
Enjoying it very much so far. Though heck even the picture above is a minor spoiler (sort of a "duh of course" spoiler I guess, but I still with TV shows and films would hold more back).
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Post by ayanami on Sept 16, 2019 16:00:02 GMT
Started this on the weekend (only watched episode 1 so far). Enjoying it very much so far. Though heck even the picture above is a minor spoiler (sort of a "duh of course" spoiler I guess, but I still with TV shows and films would hold more back). Yeah, I actually just thought that, too, and put it in spoiler tags. It's kinda both sad and funny how DC/WB really plastered the show's main storyline all over their advertisement. There is even something muuuuch more dramatic that they kind of revealed upfront, though I'm glad I never made the connection until I saw it happening on the show. I'd say, let's talk again in that regard once you're through... As to the spoiler for the pilot episode: I actually had NO idea that was gonna happen at the end there! I had no clue what or who the "Swamp Thing" actually was when I started the show and then when Alec got... Ugh, I was shouting at my TV, "No, swamp, do something!!! You gotta save him!!" So happy that it did, though!
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Post by haxemon on Sept 16, 2019 16:57:08 GMT
Started this on the weekend (only watched episode 1 so far). Enjoying it very much so far. Though heck even the picture above is a minor spoiler (sort of a "duh of course" spoiler I guess, but I still with TV shows and films would hold more back). Yeah, I actually just thought that, too, and put it in spoiler tags. It's kinda both sad and funny how DC/WB really plastered the show's main storyline all over their advertisement. There is even something muuuuch more dramatic that they kind of revealed upfront, though I'm glad I never made the connection until I saw it happening on the show. I'd say, let's talk again in that regard once you're through... As to the spoiler for the pilot episode: I actually had NO idea that was gonna happen at the end there! I had no clue what or who the "Swamp Thing" actually was when I started the show and then when Alec got... Ugh, I was shouting at my TV, "No, swamp, do something!!! You gotta save him!!" So happy that it did, though! I had read some Swamp Thing comics back in the day and also seen the character in several animated DC films, but tried to keep my memory from sneaking in during the first episode. Watched with a friend who's an avid fan so he caught all the names though. Mind you, you can never be sure that they'll adapt the characters the same way. Another good use for my temporary memory wiping machine I'm working on.
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Post by haxemon on Sept 20, 2019 14:23:14 GMT
Watched episode 2 last night. I did keep chuckling ever scene change remembering you saying how that town only gets 2 hours of daylight. So true!
Really loving how they're doing this story and balancing the "true to the comics" with "make it work in live action". It's legitimately creepy too without really relying on jump scares or too much "The Ring" visuals (though it uses both to some extent).
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