TV Shows Viewed in 2023

Viewed: Season 1

The first TV show led by the iconic Sylvester Stallone, and with the creative talent of Taylor Sheridan and Terrence Winter behind it, Tulsa King actually exceeded my modest expectations. Rather than something dour or too self-serious, this is actually quite a fun show with great characters and a bit of humour amid the gangster escapades. Halfway through the season, I was already wholly attached to the characters and I was invested in what happens next. Sly is a perfect anchor for the show, and it's fun watching him as a gangster fresh out of prison who sticks to what he knows from decades prior, including wanting to be part of a weed operation despite weed already being legal. The supporting cast is hugely colourful, and the show is slick and well-made, as to be expected from a 2022 show. I'm looking forward to the next season and I can't wait to watch the series again.

Viewed: Season 1

Based on the excellent video game of the same name, The Last of Us is a pretty good series which had the potential to be great. Firstly, the production values are just as impressive as you'd expect from a new HBO show, with impressive sets that lovingly recreate the game's designs. The sense of authenticity is striking, particularly with the infected being brought to life with makeup and prosthetics as opposed to out-and-out CGI. When the show hits its mark, it really hits hard - the first two episodes, in particular, are astonishing and chilling. Unfortunately, there are two episodes which seriously halt the pace and take away from the main focus of the series. Both episodes involve gay romances, and it leaves you thinking that the creators were only really interested in gay romance than the post-apocalyptic infected story - I mean, one of the creative team admitted to wanting to trick people into watching a gay romance story. The pacing is also hit-and-miss, and the threat of the infected is mostly forgotten about except for when an episode needs a quick scare or for a character to conveniently be killed. However, the final episode thoroughly sticks the landing, beautifully adapting the astonishing ending of the game and leaving you wanting more...except I know what happens in the second game, which immediately makes me want to skip any further seasons. I still liked this show overall, but I really wish it was better.