ancientsgate wrote:

I always wonder if people will change their minds about something they've disliked in the past, and if they do, why.

Happens to me nearly every time. When I really think of it, I must admit that all series I like now I haven't liked at first. Well, except Sherlock. 


 

Swanpride wrote:

The bees never turned up again? But they were the one thing I liked! Because they managed to connect something typical New York (and something I always thought faszinating, I mean, the idea of keeping bees in such a big city) with something typical Sherlock.
I rather rewatch an old show I enjoyed enough to buy the DVD than watching a new show which doesn't convince me at all.

That's exactly why I keep rewatching Sherlock again and again instead of give another try to Elementary. Well, that and BC.
 

Swanpride wrote:

Eh...if cable-show White Collar manages finance this stuff (even if they do it by putting obnoxious ford-advertising into the show), then CBS should be able to find a way too...plus, there are also the details. A gorgeous backdrop for the set would work wonders. In White Collar for example, you can see New York through the windows.... a lot of "on location" shots....If they do Sherlock Holmes in New York, they should sit back and think about how the character and the city would mesh....If you plug a character out of his "natural" enviroment, you better put some thought into it, especially if said enviroment is an important part of the original story.

I agree with you, but I doubt very much if anyone in charge of Elementary cares. They all live and work in LA, and as far as New York goes, who cares? Budget considerations aside (and seeing the city through the windows of a set, all that requires is a green screen, after all), someone first and foremost has to give a rip.

I can't speak about White Collar, since I've never seen the show, but I do know the kind of local flavor you're talking about, just from watching all the various incarnations of Law&Order over the years. And now the newer show Blue Bloods also has tons of NY scenes and flavor, both interior and exterior. Heck, even Celebrity Apprentice features NY in all its glory, from street level all the way up to breath-taking helicopter footage.

But anyway, it makes sense to me that each show undoubtedly has its own budget constraints as well as its own set of sensibilities about how to prioritize not only the spending but the creative decisions that are made daily. I've never been involved in anything like that, so can't speak from personal experience, but I am sure that each exec prod and his team pretty much get to spend any available dollars on their show in the way(s) that seem fit to them, and that has got to differ from show to show.

harleyq wrote:

.....Suits, shot its pilot in New York and the show is sussposed to take place there. But, they moved filming to the great white north of Canada, because it's cheaper. There are a lot of stock shots of the city, but when they're walking around town, you can tell its not New York. Don't get me wrong, Toronto is a beautiful city, but it's just not the same. .... But, budget often rules and shows are often cheap with things like that, so they usually film wherever it's cheaper.

Exactly. The almighty dollar rules the day, in that business as in any other.

I have fannish friends who easily do something they call "handwave" stuff. They're able to shrug one shoulder and say "eh!" when things are less than they should be, or when continuity problems, character development issues, or things like too many stock exterior or interior shots start rearing their ugly heads. I, unfortunately, have a real hard time hand-waving. I wish I could do it more. If I could, it'd boost my enjoyment of a lot of the episodic TV that's currently available.
 

ancientsgate wrote:

What network is Suits on? I'm going to subscribe to HBO soon, so I can see Parades End. And I don't have Showtime or any of the other premium networks. Is Suits out on DVD? Maybe I can get the earlier seasons on NetFlix? If it's already been on for 6 seasons, it'd be good to start in the beginning anyway, right?

As Swanpride said Suits is on the USA network. And, I'm totally addcited to it! It's true that the city isn't as crcuial to the overall show, but it's just a little thing that nags at me. The 3rd season starts tonight, but you can check out all the previous episodes at their website. http://www.usanetwork.com/videos/Suits/Full%20Episodes

And, I hear you about White Collar Swanpride. I'm picking up the first season from the library tonight.    I've kept meaning to go back and check it out, but one show just led to another and it kept getting pushed back.

Swanpride wrote:

Eh...if cable-show White Collar manages finance this stuff (even if they do it by putting obnoxious ford-advertising into the show), then CBS should be able to find a way too...plus, there are also the details. A gorgeous backdrop for the set would work wonders. In White Collar for example, you can see New York through the windows of the FBI office, and Neal's apartment has a gorgeous view on the Crysler, and you normally get to see both as soon as they film on those sets, even if it is just a glimpse. And naturally they do a lot of "on location" shots....to an extend that people started to make "White Collar tours" when they visit New York.
BBC manages with London just fine too - the starting sequence allready screams "London".
But the main point is: If they do Sherlock Holmes in New York, they should sit back and think about how the character and the city would mesh...the bees were a good idea, but what is with everything else? Would he take caps, like bbc-sherlock does in London? Or would he knew the U-bahn system by heart, including the times when the lines arrive? Would he like the central park? Perhaps he would like the broadway, as some sort of modernized version of Sherlock Holmes love for classic music.
If you plug a character out of his "natural" enviroment, you better put some thought into it, especially if said enviroment is an important part of the original story.

Not only does White Collar do this masterfully, Breaking Bad does it incredibly; I speak from first-hand knowledge here. The city where it takes place is somewhat run down and unattractive; Breaking Bad not only showcases the city but makes it appear far better than it is in reality. The camera angles, the post-production, etc. The characters are also very familiar with the city, like you've mentioned.

So perhaps they should take notes from not only White Collar, but also Breaking Bad in that regard.

 

Mary Me wrote:

Okay, I gave Elementary a second try. 
Ehhmm... I haven't changed my opinion that much. 

Well, I did. I found it worse. Sometimes almost annoying. Tried to watch it without any connection - which was almost impossible. If they'd just stop calling their names all the time!

Mattlocked wrote:

Mary Me wrote:

Okay, I gave Elementary a second try. 
Ehhmm... I haven't changed my opinion that much. 

Well, I did. I found it worse. Sometimes almost annoying. Tried to watch it without any connection - which was almost impossible. If they'd just stop calling their names all the time!

 
Yes! Exactly what I thought! While watching I almost forgot that it is actually an adaptation and was fine until that woman shouted "Mr Sherlock Holmes!"

Hey!   So.....  many of you still watching Elementary? 
I know varied thoughts and activity on it went up and down, and wasn't always the most thrilling, but I was just curious because - honestly - I kept up with it just for fun and some of it really did build together a bit more as time went on.  The one before last, from a while back, for example, when Watson is still growing with learning the trade, the banter between them and Holmes' sponsor (great character)/sobriety, not to mention making it more intriguing having them solve a crime in a blizzard....  kinda fun.  Or the last one - I'm sure many of you would have had the same reaction as I did as we were led up through the start of a case involving a blackmailer (and just like Holmes of course to say he finds them worse than murderers).  Because who else would be a bad enough blackmailer to get Holmes involved, but - - - - -  Charles Augustus Milverton.   
And Holmes even (while hidden) witnesses his death (later found to be by the hand of one of the victims!)  Points for canon (besides other major familiar characters from his past.  although... ahem... I'm still not quite sure what to make of their Hudson!)  o.o  But at least Watson is growing with the role.  And not perfect, but better.  Of course, afterwards, found myself thinking again of the hilarious pseudo-titles Smoggy originally came up with.  I suppose you might call the last two something like 'The One With All The Snow' and 'The Milverton One'? 



(oops!  and just noticed josabby reviewed elsewhere, as well (with good points... definitely agree with)... hadn't refreshed since I brought this window up a bit ago and went afk before finishing it.  hrm... and, frankly, it seems the lines are blurring a bit with the different between the 'review' thread and the 'comparison' thread? might belong in here?)

See other people rave about it...I must give it a try.