Plotlines

Once again there have been some new additions to my collection, and it no longer feels too strange to call it a collection, as a lot of things are coming together. Sure, even a little makes a collection, but I still think there has to be an undefined size to call something a collection.

And now that I’m writing this, perhaps I need to think about a better sorting or categorization. Let’s see, just a wild thought, I don’t really have the space for that sort of thing.

Enough of this, let’s take a look at what’s gone into my collection.

FlashForward

FlashForward is one of those series where you read the synopsis, decide to buy it blindly because it sounds pretty good, and maybe there’s even a sale going on. That’s exactly what happened in the iTunes Store a little over 10 years ago.

Good actors, a solid dose of mystery, and the backing of a strong novel (Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer) are what define this series. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough back then, and despite ending on a cliffhanger, the series wasn’t renewed after the first season. Yes, things like that happened even before Netflix started doing it, although back then, it felt a bit different in my opinion.

But why now the disc? After all, I already have it on iTunes. Well, on one hand, it was also on sale at an unbeatable price; on the other hand, I just like having the series on my shelf because it’s very good, and I enjoy it. Additionally, I’m a bit skeptical about the things I’ve purchased through various services. I’ve already seen cases, not directly affecting me, where services were merged and purchases weren’t carried over.

Golden Girls

Do I really need to say anything about Golden Girls? I don’t think so! It’s simply a series with cult status, and is as much a part of the cultural heritage of American television as no other.

Back when I used to go to the cinema almost every day, around 2003 until 2008, there was even a special event featuring Golden Girls with four episodes that had received particularly high ratings. Of course, I went to see it, it was an amazing night!

Another reason why I enjoy the series so much is that it’s not just about four women having fun in life; it also tackles serious topics, and that’s what makes a good series. Especially when it’s done in such a way that you can choose whether you want to simply enjoy the fun or also reflect on the more serious issues.

While writing these lines, another thought occurred to me: perhaps Golden Girls is the Sex and the City of its time. Interestingly, there are only six years between the end of Golden Girls and the first episode of Sex and the City. Yet, it feels like an entire era separates the two shows.

24

24 was a series that brought a fresh breeze into the crime and action genre. Sure, a series centered around an agent working for a fictional counter-terrorism unit doesn’t sound particularly groundbreaking, but the concept of having each episode cover one hour of a 24-hour cycle was entirely new.

This created a completely different dynamic in terms of tension and pacing. It was also due to the visual style of the series, which was designed in such a way that every episode put you under stress as a viewer. Additionally, it premiered before the era of streaming services and couldn’t be binged, which was certainly an advantage for this concept.

I also can’t leave Kiefer Sutherland unmentioned, as he played a major role in the series, running for eight seasons (excluding spin-offs and TV movies).

However, I must admit that as good as this series is, it does become somewhat exhausting over time due to its concept, which undergoes only minimal changes. While they try to address this with drastic shifts in the story and Jack Bauer’s (Kiefer Sutherland) status, it doesn’t always work.

Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to revisiting the series and plan to start smoothly with the first season to see how it goes. And no, this won’t turn into another The Blacklist situation, because I know that 24 didn’t frustrate me nearly as much back then.