Is Anyone Else Getting a Little Tired of The Berlanti DC Shows?

[Slade W]

Netflix Marvel shows are overrated IMO, Daredevil Season One was good but Jessica Jones and anything that wasn't Punisher related in Daredevil Season Two was dull as dishwater IMO. I wouldn't take a single Netflix show over any of the DC CW shows.

Objectively, I would say the Netflix shows are better and appeal to more people, but I, personally, prefer Arrow and Flash at their best. They have done a better job getting me invested in their characters and universe. I care about and enjoy the characters in the Arrowverse more than I do the Netflix shows.

 

[BH/HHH]

Objectively, I would say the Netflix shows are better and appeal to more people, but I, personally, prefer Arrow and Flash at their best. They have done a better job getting me invested in their characters and universe. I care about and enjoy the characters in the Arrowverse more than I do the Netflix shows.

I would say they look and feel more big budget than the DC CW shows but as far as everything else it's DC CW all the way for me. I actually know more people who watch the CW stuff than the Netflix stuff.

 

[Fincher]

Seeing Oliver defeated, humbled, broken and possibly dead was the high point of the season. It was the promise of genuine conflict and stakes that matter. Without that moment, all of season 3 falls apart and becomes meaningless, just more spinning tires and rehashing. Roy repeating his season 2 plotline isn't worth watching. Roy going out of the series on top, as someone who has been a competent lead was the strongest and most interesting storyline they could have done with him, to actually have him complete his evolution to comics-level status.

That's a great example of the procedural vs serial conflict that the Berlanti shows create. They want to do same old same old, but they create the expectation of advancement and operate in a culture that likes stories to advance, deepen, complicate and grow. For many fans of these shows, seeing these characters re-do previous seasons does not tire them out one bit. They want that comfort the same way someone who watches NCIS religiously never tires of seeing Jethro Gibbs solve the case in the last ten minutes by some random stroke of genius *again*.

I wasn't against the Oliver being defeated moment, but I simply had no interest in a brainwashed Oliver arc, and I was displeased watching it until I came to strongly suspect that it was an act on his part. I don't feel that procedural or serial has to be an either/or, but even in a show like Game of Thrones where change is pretty much a constant, there are times when I don't agree with how the story changes.

This can be chalked up to an example of how, even though Season 3 and 4's approaches might not be the most popular they could have done, there's no way they can hope to please everyone.

 

[The Batman]

Why would anyone watch and enjoy a "Better made product" if one is not a fan of the character and has Zero interest in it ?

Maybe I'm missing something...because nowhere in my post was I demanding anyone watch or enjoy the netflix shows. Don't know why you're acting like I did. I simply find the netflix shows better than most of the Berlanti shows. That's it.

 

[Batmannerism]

Just caught the promo for Superman's appearance on Supergirl. Loved it.
Felt good about Superman (live-action) for the first time in ages.
They got him completely right.

Check it out !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI6Gw0Jr6R4


Sure, Supergirl can be complete dross at times, but when it's fun it's great fun (loved the Flash /Supergirl cross-over, so much fun that I could ignore the ridiculousness of two super-powerful characters being saved by a fire-hose).

Anyway, looking forward to seeing Superman fly again on the small-screen. Thanks Greg !

 

[DrCosmic]

I wasn't against the Oliver being defeated moment, but I simply had no interest in a brainwashed Oliver arc, and I was displeased watching it until I came to strongly suspect that it was an act on his part. I don't feel that procedural or serial has to be an either/or, but even in a show like Game of Thrones where change is pretty much a constant, there are times when I don't agree with how the story changes.

This can be chalked up to an example of how, even though Season 3 and 4's approaches might not be the most popular they could have done, there's no way they can hope to please everyone.

The Procedural doesn't have to be either or, but they have to be blended intentionally and skillfully or else they will hurt each other. The changes I suggest are to give weight to the storylines of the show, not to do things I like. I would love it if this show could actually do something that I disliked where I couldn't say "Oh, they'll just switch it back in a minute." I think the death of Laurel was extremely distasteful. But at least they did *something* with meaning- wait, no, they're just bringing her back as a mirror universe clone. That's using the procedural mantra of a reset button to make the serial storylines moot. It's not a change I don't like, it's making it pointless to like or dislike anything.

It all comes down to building. Even the most procedural of procedurals (Here's lookin at you NCIS) take time to build. By building on what's come before, even if it's just a minute an episode, it gives the show and the unvierse weight, it rewards the viewer for being a longtime viewer. But what reward do I get for being there to see Barry let go of his mother's death during Time travel? To see it again in the Speed Force? Then see it again in Flashpoint? Arrow's even worse, in that virtually all of what's come before gets washed away or ignored. The show doesn't seem to care about its own storylines, and that, not the particular implementation of the storylines, makes the show tiring, and extremely un-rewarding to watch. For all it's love of DC comics continuity, it doesn't seem too invested in its own continuity, and that's kind of a gimmicky way of doing telelvision, cashing in on our love for the Flash and Kid Flash stories by showing those images and costumes, but not actually giving us a good Flash and Kid Flash story on the show. Eventually people get tired of being asked to emotionally invest in a show that doesn't seem to emotionally invest in it's audience.

 

[Big Baws]

It's funny, I used to love the flash so much, season 1 was like heaven to me.

However season 2 was an absolute slog for me, I think I got a little over halfway through before dropping it. The story just seemed to run around in circles and never progress, likewise with the characters, and the whole show just lost steam to me.

I liked Arrow season 1 and 2, but season 3 was a huge nosedive. I actually thought the first couple episodes of season 4 were good, but it soon went downhill fast.

So yes, I guess I am tired of the Berlanti universe.

 

[Joe Von Zombie]

I'm personally bored with Arrow. I have tried to watch the season premiere three times now and have fallen asleep every time.

 

[kguillou]

It's funny, I used to love the flash so much, season 1 was like heaven to me.

However season 2 was an absolute slog for me, I think I got a little over halfway through before dropping it. The story just seemed to run around in circles and never progress, likewise with the characters, and the whole show just lost steam to me.

I liked Arrow season 1 and 2, but season 3 was a huge nosedive. I actually thought the first couple episodes of season 4 were good, but it soon went downhill fast.

So yes, I guess I am tired of the Berlanti universe.

You echo my exact feelings. LOOVED Flash season one, season two bored me. It seemed so "been there done that." And I ended up stopping it 3/4ths into the season. Same with Arrow.

I've come to realize though, I think it really just boils down to the type of tv that your into. I think as I get older, I just prefer that Netflix/ HBO, Showtime level of storytelling, shorter seasons and a continuous moving plotline with no procedural elements.

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this but before Arrow and Flash etc. I used to watch The Vampire Diaries on the CW. I used to really enjoy that show, it seemed like a fresh, semi satirical take on vampires and the lore. By season 4 however, I was getting really bored with the show because they kept continually reviving characters or finding contrived ways to bring them back into the show, dragging out plotlines for 22 episodes and regressing characters. In general, they were just spinning their wheels and nothing felt like it had any stakes anymore and for 22 episodes a season it just seemed like too much of a time investment so I ended up giving up on that show, too. I bring this up because this seems to be the network model of tv storytelling and I think I am just growing tired of it in general.

 

[I Am The Knight]

The Netflix shows put the CW shows to shame. I haven't even bothered with the season premiere of Flash, and I used to love that show during season one. But season two was hit and miss, and the finale was one of the worst episodes of the show.

 

[BH/HHH]

I think the Netflix shows are well overrated, individual episodes don't stand out and I think shows like that are only worth a watch once, for me the first two seasons of Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl are better than anything Netflix has put out.

 

[Joe Von Zombie]

I think the Netflix shows are well overrated, individual episodes don't stand out.

There is a reason for that. They're shot like 13 hour movies. Whether or not that is a good thing is a question of taste.

 

[BH/HHH]

There is a reason for that. They're shot like 13 hour movies. Whether or not that is a good thing is a question of taste.

Never said it wasn't

 

[Rick the Ruler]

I don't like network TV series and villain-of-the-week format. It's pretty much repetitive and dull to me. Therefore, I can't stand CW stuff that show us unrealistic characters who all look like fashion models and their soap-opera plots. I think Netflix series are hundred times better because characters in their shows feel like real people, stories are more connected and mature. But that's just my opinion, though. I'm completely fine with someone being a fan of CW shows.

 

[Zarex]

My only experience with the Berlanti shows is watching season of Supergirl, which was decent but didn't hold my interest enough for me to watch season 2. Benoist is terrific, but the quality of the writing, acting, action and cinematography was nowhere near that shown in Marvel's Netflix output.

 

[I Am The Knight]

There is a reason for that. They're shot like 13 hour movies. Whether or not that is a good thing is a question of taste.

Exactly. They are meant to be binged. Individual episodes might not stand out to some because there is no freak of the week per episode, but you do get some great drama and character exploration. The Netflix shows are much more low key in that regard.

 

[BH/HHH]

See I do like shows that can be binged like Breaking Bad etc but I find shows like that watchable once. Shows like the Flash and Supergirl I can watch over and over, as they feel much more like the comics I used to read. Sure there'd be an overlaying story arc that would be the big story but there'd be individual stories where the hero would fight one off villains etc. It's just a preference of mine personally.

 

[Kyle]

Hell no. The more, the better. While I like the Netflix shows, there's little rewatchibility to them. Binge it once, feel no need to return because it takes too much time and effort. Episodal format works much better since you can watch any episode at any time, whereas serials are way too interconnected to watch and pinpoint a single epidode out. For example, close to Christmas I'll watch the Flash Christmas special again. I can just watch one episode and enjoy it without needing to watch the whole series again.

 

[BH/HHH]

Hell no. The more, the better. While I like the Netflix shows, there's little rewatchibility to them. Binge it once, feel no need to return because it takes too much time and effort. Episodal format works much better since you can watch any episode at any time, whereas serials are way too interconnected to watch and pinpoint a single epidode out. For example, close to Christmas I'll watch the Flash Christmas special again. I can just watch one episode and enjoy it without needing to watch the whole series again.

Agreed

 

[Kyle]

All my favorite shows, drama and comedy, are episodal. The best show of all time being the X Files because you don't need to watch every episode in order to enjoy it. When it's done best is when it feels like a single movie a week because therefore, you can pick one up at any given time. Some serials do this slightly, right now a new show that comes to mind is 'Designated Survivor' because although serial by nature thus far it feels like each episode is contained somewhat (each episode thus far has had a very singular story (a very clear conflict and by the end "resolution") behind it which I hope continues). The best Daredevil episode being 'New York's Finest' because it is contained, the episode that takes place on the roof. The serial form that I don't really like second time through is when episodes bleed into each other too much to the point that it basically requires you to watch them all to take something away from it. I absolutely loved Prison Break, for example, but it's a hard show to rewatch because it's one very long movie - I can say one of my favorite shows is 'Prison Break' but I'd be lost at giving you an episode summary of any episode without looking. X Files on the other hand, as well as other great episodal television, you can watch any episode you want and enjoy it like you would a movie. It raises the rewatchibility factor of it and makes it that much more enticing of a buy since you can return to it easily at any time that you want.

 

[The Batman]

The Netflix shows put the CW shows to shame.

I want to know how I more or less said the same thing, but somehow I got ******** responses and you didn't.

Exactly. They are meant to be binged. Individual episodes might not stand out to some because there is no freak of the week per episode, but you do get some great drama and character exploration. The Netflix shows are much more low key in that regard.

I love binging the netflix shows. Binging CW shows, and many network shows, feel like a bit of a chore at times due to all the filler episodes. The individual shows from netflix aren't even slouches, either

IMO, No CW DC show has an episode as good as "New York's Finest" from DD S2.

 

[I Am The Knight]

I want to know how I more or less said the same thing, but somehow I got ******** responses and you didn't.

You paved the way for my entrance

 

[flickchick85]

I guess I'm weird. I don't think there's a "correct" way to do superhero shows. I love the Marvel Netflix shows, more than the CW/DC shows, but I very much enjoy the more whimsical, cartoonish approach of the CW/DC shows as well (even if two of them don't work for me for various reasons) and I'm glad to have the variety.

 

[The Batman]

I don't think one way is more correct than the other. I do think that at the moment, Marvel is better at executing their approach than DC/CW is at executing theirs.

Flash is DC/CW at its best.

 

[Big Al]

Nothing can be as bad as Arrow season 4....I liked the season premiere of Arrow season 5 because it was a lot more like season 1 but they better not screw it up mid way through.