Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1 is a fantastic series that ran from 1997 - 2007 giving us 10 seasons of adventure, This show is based off the movie Stargate released in 1994. The general plot of both the movie and the show is that during an archaeological dig in Egypt a device is found that allows people to travel to distant planets through a wormhole. With this discovery the US Air force is put in charge of the secret facility known as Star Gate Command (SGC).

The main focus of the show centers around the flagship team known as SG-1 traveling and exploring different planets. During their exploration they discover a race of aliens called the Goa'uld, a parasitic creature that takes over human bodies and pose as the ancient gods of Earth. Fighting, and looking for a way to defeat the Goa'uld is a large focus of the series, but does not cause the series to become stale.

Stargate SG-1 has also led to 2 additional series Stargate: Atlantis, and SGU Stargate Universe neither of witch had as many seasons as SG-1. Unfortunately I have not seen either of these two yet so i can't pass judgement on them yet. All three of these Stargate series are available on Netflix UK, so I do plan on watching them at sometime and I hope to post a review at that time.

My final suggestion on SG-1 is that any fan of Sci-Fi  should watch this show if you haven't already. watching the Stargate movie first would be helpful for the first episode or two, but is not required to enjoy.

My rating out of 5:

The A-Team (TV Series)

The A-Team is an amazing TV series that ran from 1983 - 1987 providing 5 seasons of action packed mayhem. This show both aired and ended before my time, however i have watched the entire series at least two times and currently working on the third. At this time all 5 seasons are available on Netflix (American only).

The series follows a group of highly trained soldiers who were charged and convicted of robbing a bank in Vietnam days after the war had ended. Claiming they were Innocent the group escaped from a maximum security prison, and became mercenaries helping anyone who could find them.

During the series while helping people in different situations they are also actively hunted by the US Army causing some already difficult problems become nearly impossible to complete without getting caught.

One great thing about The A-Team is that in every episode they are shooting automatic rifles at people and not once do I remember them hitting anyone, and if they do they definitely don't kill anyone. Some younger viewers may not like The A-Team, but anyone who is a fan of the classics should watch this show if they haven't already.

Supernatural

With a new season on the horizon I thought I would step up and get a review done for Supernatural. The original series was only meant to last for 5 seasons, but the popularity of the show ended up with several additional seasons. Season 6 and 7 in my opinion were kind of a let down compared to the first 5 seasons. I would think that was to be expected. Where do you go after the apocalypse? I thought the show was done at that point, but then with season 8 it rekindled the spark that was there in the first 5 seasons.

Overall the series is about two brothers who travel across the United States to hunt down evil supernatural creatures and spirits. the first few seasons follow the basic path, until angels make an appearance and start a twist on the series.

Like many of these long running series I have fallen behind because when I get caught up and the series ends for the summer break before I watch the next season I get the urge to re-watch all of the previous seasons causing me fall behind easily. At the time of this review I am back up to Season 8 Episode 9 (8 seasons currently on Netflix) and Season 9 is currently downloaded. I am hoping to be all caught up by the time Season 10 is released so I can watch it weekly.

My rating out of 5:

Dexter

Here is a review for another little older show. Dexter is a series that ran from 2006 - 2013 giving 8 seasons of an amazing serial killer action. The show is based on the main character Dexter; played by Michael C. Hall, a forensic blood spatter specialist for the Miami Metro Homicide dept. who kills people on the side.

After a traumatic childhood event Dexter was adopted by a police officer and his family. While being brought up his adoptive father saw a darkness in him that he didn't think Dexter could change, so rather then trying to help him get over the darkness he took it in another direction. During the series you see flashes of his childhood with his father Harry Morgan (James Remar) teaching him a code to prevent him from getting caught, and to make sure the people he ends up killing are not innocent people.

The series also has many other supporting characters like Dexter's sister Officer Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) who turns to Dexter for help on her cases, because he seems to have an insight into the mind of murders that no one else seems to have. Although the idea of a show about a serial killer sounds like it may get stale fast I have found that through the series they have been able to keep it fresh to the point that I keep coming back to watch the series at least once every few years.

One thing that I do have to admit is that I have not seen all 8 seasons yet. each time I would catch up I would wait for the next season and end up starting from the beginning to I could remember the story line, so I am about half way through season 7 on Netflix, but Season 8 is not yet available.

My rating out of 5:

The Strain

The Strain is an amazing new show on FX which gives a new spin on the classic vampire genre. At the time of this review I had seen the first 6 episodes of the series, and I can not stress enough how much I am loving it.

The series starts with an airplane that has landed with absolutely no contact to the airport, and has not moved since landing. With no contact with the people in the plane the authorities are called. Everyone you would think of seems to show up and fight over the jurisdiction of the plane. The CDC wins out and gets to be the first to investigate finding nearly everyone on the plane dead.

One of the biggest changes with this is that they are avoiding the term vampire for the most part, and its being treated more as an outbreak of a disease.

This show is giving us a much needed change to the vampire crap out there now. The vampires in this show are more like rabid creatures, and the change from human to vampire is displayed more like a sickness that gradually changes them.

According to Entertainment Weekly The series has been picked up for season 2 by The FX Network, and if it is half as good as the current season is so far then we will have a Vampire show that guys can watch without having to hide the fact that they are watching it, or using the ruse that they only watch it because their girlfriend or wife watch it.

My rating out of 5:

Deadbeat

Deadbeat is a Hulu original series staring Tyler Labine as Kevin Pacalioglu, a medium who has very little going for him.  At this point there is only one season of 10 episodes with about 20 minutes per episode.

The series starts with Kevin trying to exercise a ghost of a soldier who died a virgin, and is in need of someone to help him with his unfinished business before he can move on. The series also focus on the relationship between Kevin and a fraudulent medium Camomile (Cat Deeley) who thinks Kevin is trying to expose her while in reality he is just trying to get into her pants.

During the series Kevin goes from being a "Loser" whose only friend is his drug dealer Roofie (Brandon T. Jackson) to a "Loser" whose only friends are his drug dealer and a floating ghost blob thing.

For an original series this is an amazing show that I can't wait for a 2nd season to be released. The only problem I have with it is that the seasons are so short.

My rating out of 5:

The Flash

The Flash is a new series coming to the CW this fall about, you guessed it The Flash. Like many shows it is hard to say how it is going to be based on a pilot episode, but as long as they don't screw it up then it has the potential to be the next Smallville. (a good thing in my opinion)

The first episode is the origin episode showing how Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) first develops his powers and makes the choice to become a hero. Once the series starts and gets between halfway through the first season I will update this post with more details.

 My rating out of 5:

Rating will be available after a few episodes have aired.

@midnight

Contrary to my previous post I am doing a review on an older show not a summer release. @midnight is a great game show on Comedy Central (not intended for children) hosted by Chris Hardwick. The show has 3 contestants which are comedians/actors who compete to "Win the internet". The best description of the show I have heard is one they make on the show Jeopardy with dick jokes.

@midnight is only a 30 minute show but it packs a lot of funny rounds in the short period of time.
You can follow the show on Twitter @midnight
or
The host Chris Hardwick @nerdist

My rating out of 5:

Charmed

This one is outside of my regular reviews because my reviews so far have been mostly newer shows. This one however is one that had aired from 1998 - 2006 giving 8 seasons of approx. 22 episodes each. All 8 seasons are currently available on Netflix Canada, and probably Netflix USA.

Charmed is a long running series about 3 sisters who find out after their grandmother passes away that they are witches. Throughout the series the sisters are charged with protecting the innocent from evil including demons, warlocks, and other magical beings.

Personally i'm not into any of the shows out now with witches, vampires or magic that they have airing on just about every channel, but with this show it seems to have a good balance between drama, and magic. I for one have seen the series multiple times from end to end.

I would recommend this show to everyone weather you like these kinds of shows or not, however you may want to give it a few episodes.

My rating out of 5:

Castle

Castle is a crime drama first aired in March of 2009 about a writer Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion) and a group of NYPD homicide detectives. The series starts with a murder that NYPD detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) realizes is a copy of a murder that occurred in one of Castle's hit novels. Due to Castle's connections with the Mayor he gets to follow around the group of homicide detectives to try and get some inspirations for his next novel.

The series is currently on season 6 with approximately 24 episodes per season. As most of my reviews so far I recommend this show to anyone who likes the standard crime dramas with murders, and consultants. I would also throw comedy into the mix with this. For the most part Castle has very few moments when he acts like a serious adult witch makes this show stand out from the dozens of other police shows.

My rating out of 5:

Sons of Anarchy

Sons of Anarchy is an amazing show that was first aired September of 2008, and is currently on season 6. The show follows a motorcycle club called the Sons of anarchy AKA SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original).

Although the show is focused on the club the main character is the Vice President of the club, Jackson 'Jax' Teller (Charlie Hunnam). During the series Jax, a new father; finds a manuscript written by his deceased father, who explains what his intent was for the club. After discovering the manuscript Jax finds himself conflicted with the direction SAMCRO is taking with selling illegal guns, and attempts to turn the club around towards some legit business. The attempts to change the club are met with resistance from the President and Jaxs' step father Clarence 'Clay' Morrow (Ron Perlman) who is not only content with continuing with running the illegal guns, but also expanding into more additional illegal activities.

Overall my recommendation is if you haven't seen this show yet I would strongly recommend that you watch this.

My rating out of 5: