ElessarAndurilS

I had some doubts about Ozark prior to release for various reasons, but I was wrong. I have to give Jason Bateman credit, I never knew he had it in him. The show is very well cast, acted, written, and directed. Out of the gate in the first episode you are hit with an intensity to the situation that few shows ever produce, much less begin with. The underlying threat sets Marty Byrde and family in ongoing danger that the show does an excellent job building on each episode with situations that seem to have no resolution. Each resolution has consequences however, building to a finale that while somewhat satisfying, definitely leaves you hungry for the next season by creating the mother of difficult circumstances. Few shows leave me saying WOW, especially after the first season, this one did. Netflix has done a good job on several shows, they just moved the bar higher. Not something for kids.

I watched the Last Kingdom on Netflix because I like the genre. My expectations for the production quality where high, in that respect I was disappointed. I can't help but draw comparisons to Vikings given it has set a standard for historical drama's setting the bar very high. The rather fast pace of the story has its positives. Each episode tells its own story and doesn't leave the viewer hanging, a definite positive. However the affect on the time line is vast differences that you have to adjust to. One episode can cover half a year, another a couple of days. I like and will continue to watch the show, but the acting is definitely well below the level established in Vikings. Having a central figure that is always the "good guy" is probably what makes The Last Kingdom different from other comparable shows. Few historical drama's have a "hero" as the central figure. Characters you love, yes, but their actions are not necessarily consistently heroic. But these things make the show unique and is why I will continue watching and think those that like the genre will mostly enjoy it.

The Newsroom has its flaws, but it is one of the best shows I've seen showing truth about modern society. The personal stories are a nice, feel good thread to the story lines. The key is the foundation upon which it is built; restoring integrity to the news! With the internet and smartphones the integrity of our news in this country has fallen to an all time low. This show hits hard at the core values that should be the basis of what we consider news and a source of truth. Unfortunately we no longer have a source of truth in the news, just opinion and a popularity contest.