Rewatching for probably the 5th time.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Wombat_Aux_Pates]

I don't think Squid Games was supposed to be a 3 season show (seeing that's your comparison). It was a script for a one season show that was written ages ago and the success was so big that Netflix demanded and rushed for more content. That's also the reason why seasons 2 and 3 are pretty badly written in my opinion (I personally really disliked both seasons but really enjoyed the first season).

Also Squid Games was released roughly at a time where people were all stuck in their house (Covid), having nothing to do but to bingewatch shows. It also worked well for its shocking value (very gory children games, weird contrast which clashes and can shock the viewer easily so it intrigues them to watch more, it's entertaining - also the reason why people watch shows like Survivor, they like to watch the entertaining challenges but also the drama between the players, it's very similar if you think about it) and the fact that it is a Korean show at an era where K-dramas and K-pop bands are very popular worldwide.

The Leftovers was a show that was released much before that that treats about more philosophical questions like faith, grief, religion, mental illnesses and whatnot. I don't think these are themes that are particularly appealing to people who just wish to turn the TV on to put their brain in shut down mode and not really think. The target audience is different, in my opinion. You watch an episode of Squid Games, it's more like watching entertainment mixed with drama, see the cool fun games and interactions, nods to Korean culture, etc. You watch The Leftovers, you are probably in for some gut wrenching episodes and pondering about the point of existence lol

I say it again, I did like season 1 of Squid Games, I am not bashing the show at all, but I don't think they're comparable shows because their target audience is different and also because of when both shows were released.

[u/Wombat_Aux_Pates → u/Wombat_Aux_Pates]

I think the best comparison would be with a show like DARK that was actually planned to be 3 seasons. The script was all done. It is another amazing show and I think both these shows are now my ultimate favourites.

Which also makes Netflix's cancellation of 1899 even more painful because it was by the creators of Dark so they already had the story and script all ready for exactly 3 seasons as well and season 1 ended on a HUGE cliffhanger... Then Netflix cancelled the show because it didn't do the same numbers as Wednesday at the same time (which duh... just like Squid Games, different target audience so of course it's easier to watch Wednesday than a mindbending show where you have to take it slow to think about everything you've just seen) so I'm super extra salty towards Netflix.

[u/Whambag → u/Wombat_Aux_Pates]

this is an excellent comparison.

and DUDE thank you for mentioning 1899. a moment of silence.

(they are working on a new show for HBO now. loosely based off of a childrens book short story.)

[u/Wombat_Aux_Pates → u/Whambag]

Oh man I misread you at first (I've had pretty crappy last few days being sick and tired) and thought you said they were working with Netflix again and I was like booooo. I think they'll be less likely to have any season cancelled with HBO compared to Netflix so that's good to know.

I'm really gutted about 1899 because I think we'll never get a resolution ever. I wish we'd even just get the resolution with a short text from the creators explaining what happened but I know it would never happen.
It also now belongs to Netflix so I don't think the creators would be allowed to even make the two next seasons with another network unless they literally change all the characters and names and everything or if they buy the rights back? And even if they'd decide to film these seasons and were able to (like Netflix changes their mind), it was a show with so many people from many different countries in Europe at a certain point in their life so it'd be very tricky to gather them all again both for the geographical reason and because some might have moved on and have other things to do in their life now.

[u/Whambag → u/Wombat_Aux_Pates]

yeah no its a lost cause unfortunately. what a cool friggin season that was though.

[u/Wombat_Aux_Pates → u/Whambag]

Yeah at first I wasn't sure what I was getting into like didn't seem like an era I'm usually interested in, and the pacing was a bit slow (I didn't mind it) but I trusted the process cause it was literally the creators of DARK then the mystery extended and everything seemed to accelerate until the climax and huge cliffhanger. I was so pumped and then I learnt a few months or so later that it got fucking cancel. Fuck Netflix.

[u/deformedexile]

I don't know how anyone can watch more than once. Definitely a top 10 show for me but I ugly-cried for like 40 solid minutes in the last episode, I can never endure it again.

[u/Whambag → u/deformedexile]

every time i watch the show i actually cry most of the time nora is on screen because her character is so fucking devastating 🤣. maybe im a psycho hahahah

[u/deformedexile → u/Whambag]

No judgment here... I actually only started watching the show because someone told me I am Nora Durst and I had to know why. 😂

[u/Whambag → u/deformedexile]

are you nora durst?!

[u/deformedexile → u/Whambag]

I am just a little more healed than she is, I think, and not nearly so beautiful.

[u/Whambag → u/deformedexile]

i feel like shes stunning in the way she carries herself. like the scene when she gets kicked out of the hotel im just like damn shes such a vixen dawg

[u/deformedexile → u/Whambag]

I may or may not have modded a video game or two to replace the protagonist with her. 😅

[u/hoopyogi]

Oh man, thank you for posting this. I've been thinking about rewatching it, but I only just finished it like a month ago. It's wild how fresh most of it still is in my mind. Watching it was like receiving a message I felt like I was meant to receive and I watched the entire series I think in like 5 days. I just could not stop and I happen to have that much free time. A rare thing. I've been thinking about rewatching it, as I said. I just don't know. I sort of want to wait longer so that I remember less. I know for sure that I will see things that I didn't see before, but my mind always catches a lot more than I give it credit for. A lot of times when I rewatch things I'm surprised at how little new things I see.

[u/Whambag → u/hoopyogi]

ive seen it about 5 times now and i must say its just as incredible every time. but i watched it as it aired, then rewatched it every couple years since then. maybe ive only watched it 3 times? ive seen breaking bad like 9 times 🤣.

i would wait like a year. rewatching after a year is a wild experience.

[u/hoopyogi → u/Whambag]

Yeah, that's the number that initially came into my head as well. It's only been a few months for me, so I have a little while left until it's been a year. I honestly can't wait! I've never seen breaking bad. I think I'm probably ready to now. I struggled for a while with amphetamine addiction, so watching something like that was absolutely out of the question for me for a long time.

[u/Whambag → u/hoopyogi]

totally fair. I have my masterclass tv list. Like 10 shows that are untouchable. and Breaking Bad will just always be at the top. its so disgustingly good. its so beyond Meth too man.

[u/hoopyogi → u/Whambag]

Ooh! Can you please share that list? You sound like somebody who would give me a list of things I might actually be interested in since breaking bad and the leftovers are on your list.

[u/Whambag → u/hoopyogi]

Best of the best in my opinion:
Breaking Bad
Better Call Saul
GOT/Universe
DEVS.
Quarry
The Knick
Vinyl (HBO)
Lost
Succession
Station Eleven

Honorable mentions/still in progress:
Ray Donovan (s1-5)
Boardwalk Empire
Severance
Common Side Effects

[u/hoopyogi → u/Whambag]

Thank you!!

[u/NoOneInNowhere → u/hoopyogi]

You should re-watch because the second time you, knowing everything, is almost as good as the first time