WATCH & DISCUSS [REBOOT] 1x01: Pilot

[Katie Warren]

Apr 14, 2019 13:22:58 GMT -5 Lexi said:

I thought I'd start sharing my thoughts on the episodes. I've been watching the reboot since the first episode aired. I certainly haven't hated it as much as many others have, but it's not my favorite show on air right now. Sunday nights are a pain for me with the whole family in the house (and it was Outlander night and now will be Game of Thrones night), so I usually end up recording and watching during the week.

Me either, I was hesitant to watch it, but decided to give it a go. Although I still have my issues with it. 

Anyway, the pilot episode.

Yes, it was rushed. That's the case with every single pilot episode of any show right now, especially CW shows. I found it with Roswell, New Mexico, with Life Sentence, with CBS' God Friended Me, with NBC's Manifest, with so much! I think it's the way TV is going and networks are going. And the network view is either you put up with it or don't. None of them seem to be learning. But then the TV landscape is changing so much.

The pilot was so rushed, I remember many said it was poorly put together, and things happened so quickly. But I see that it appears that is just the normal for television these days. 

Charmed would have worked better as a Netflix show I think, written for a binge-watch instead of these weekly installments. But that's a whole other topic!

That would have been so much better, especially because they'd have a longer run time than network television. 

I'll admit that I went into this without Classic Charmed in mind because I wanted to give it a fair chance. I also did the press for this at NYCC for a TV and movie site I write for, so had spoken to the three main actresses before even seeing the pilot, and got to hear things from them before even going into the series. I also look at shows with a different viewpoint to most, looking for the good and the bad, looking at overall story potential and I like getting clues rather than needing storylines wrapped up quickly.

WOW, you did press for NYCC. That is amazing. So you have a much different viewpoint than us. How was it talking to the three actresses. 

Pilot episode thoughts:

-- I can't stand Mel.
-- Macy is my instant favorite but I do like Maggie.
-- I went into this immediately loving Harry for the actor (I'm a huge The Man in the High Castle fan and he plays Frank in that) and enjoyed his Giles-like character.
-- The "orbing" was a little off for me but it was certainly more inconspicuous than the original series! It did remind me of Harry Potter though
-- I would love to know more of the backstory of the family line
-- I'm intrigued why Macy was separated and her sisters never knew anything about her.
-- Love that we got to meet Marisol and saw her relationship with two of her daughters before her death.

I couldn't stand Mel either, but Maggie was the sister I loved right away.

I really loved Harry, and the fact he is truly the guide and not a love interest, is what made me appreciate him. I'll admit, he has a little more personality than Leo, I liked Leo in S1, but something about Harry makes me enjoy him way more than Leo. Maybe because I'm thinking too much about how he got treated by the sisters later in the series. 

I actually liked meeting their mother, and her dying at the start. It was much different than the original, where Grams was already dead. 

Overall, the story did enough to make me want to see the second episode. But then I always watch the second episode of any show (unless I just physically can't get through the pilot episode, like Riverdale where I've tried four times and turned it off part way through).

Hard to judge by just one episode, I normally think it takes at least 6 or 7 episodes for a show to find itself. 

[Note why I give shows more time always: Pilot episodes are written for the networks to get the shows the greenlight. It means bad pacing because the storyline needs to be contained but offer something for the future to make network bosses interested. To save money, the shows won't then reshoot the pilot like they used to unless there's a change of cast, so they have to work with what they had. I don't like it but that's the way it is.

That makes sense why, I was wondering why these days I don't enjoy pilots as much as I used too back in the day. I also remember that some pilots back in the day, used to be a longer running time than just having the pilot the standard 42 mins like regular episodes these days like Supernatural was 46 mins and The X-Files was 48 mins. I can see why they don't do that any more to save money. 

The second episode is always the one written for the viewers. So, it usually fixes some of the issues. However, The CW will only offer a 13-episode first season and then extend it if the show performs well. That also causes problems for pacing. But this is information I know from years of research and working within the business. It's not something the average viewer would know and The CW (and shows) seem to forget that].

[/quote]I found this very interesting to read. Thanks for sharing. Now, I can see why the pacing is so off. I know the reboot the pacing was good around episode 13-15. 

Too bad, but it is what it is. 

[Lexi]

Apr 22, 2019 22:44:51 GMT -5 Katie Warren said:

Apr 14, 2019 13:22:58 GMT -5 Lexi said:

I thought I'd start sharing my thoughts on the episodes. I've been watching the reboot since the first episode aired. I certainly haven't hated it as much as many others have, but it's not my favorite show on air right now. Sunday nights are a pain for me with the whole family in the house (and it was Outlander night and now will be Game of Thrones night), so I usually end up recording and watching during the week.

Me either, I was hesitant to watch it, but decided to give it a go. Although I still have my issues with it. 

I have issues with any show I watch. Nothing can be perfect and I don't expect it to be.

Anyway, the pilot episode.

Yes, it was rushed. That's the case with every single pilot episode of any show right now, especially CW shows. I found it with Roswell, New Mexico, with Life Sentence, with CBS' God Friended Me, with NBC's Manifest, with so much! I think it's the way TV is going and networks are going. And the network view is either you put up with it or don't. None of them seem to be learning. But then the TV landscape is changing so much.

The pilot was so rushed, I remember many said it was poorly put together, and things happened so quickly. But I see that it appears that is just the normal for television these days. 

Sadly, it is.

Charmed would have worked better as a Netflix show I think, written for a binge-watch instead of these weekly installments. But that's a whole other topic!

That would have been so much better, especially because they'd have a longer run time than network television. 

Yes! Plus, Netflix seasons are more contained. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has worked with one season being released in two halves. I didn't enjoy the first half of the season but I loved the second half and now can't wait for the second season (again, it will be released in two halves).

I so much prefer the shorter seasons. Always have and probably always will. They allow for a more focused plot instead of having to hope that there's enough to fill up 22 episodes.

I'll admit that I went into this without Classic Charmed in mind because I wanted to give it a fair chance. I also did the press for this at NYCC for a TV and movie site I write for, so had spoken to the three main actresses before even seeing the pilot, and got to hear things from them before even going into the series. I also look at shows with a different viewpoint to most, looking for the good and the bad, looking at overall story potential and I like getting clues rather than needing storylines wrapped up quickly.

WOW, you did press for NYCC. That is amazing. So you have a much different viewpoint than us. How was it talking to the three actresses. 

I do have a different viewpoint, so it does affect how I watch a show. Although, I guess I've always watched from a writer's POV instead of just someone who watches a show purely to enjoy it.

The three actresses are lovely. I'm British, so I had a lot to speak to Madaline Mantock about and we chatted off-camera for a bit about "back home" (I now live in Canada). It was the last press of the weekend though and they definitely looked tired. We all were!

Pilot episode thoughts:

-- I can't stand Mel.
-- Macy is my instant favorite but I do like Maggie.
-- I went into this immediately loving Harry for the actor (I'm a huge The Man in the High Castle fan and he plays Frank in that) and enjoyed his Giles-like character.
-- The "orbing" was a little off for me but it was certainly more inconspicuous than the original series! It did remind me of Harry Potter though
-- I would love to know more of the backstory of the family line
-- I'm intrigued why Macy was separated and her sisters never knew anything about her.
-- Love that we got to meet Marisol and saw her relationship with two of her daughters before her death.

I couldn't stand Mel either, but Maggie was the sister I loved right away.

I really loved Harry, and the fact he is truly the guide and not a love interest, is what made me appreciate him. I'll admit, he has a little more personality than Leo, I liked Leo in S1, but something about Harry makes me enjoy him way more than Leo. Maybe because I'm thinking too much about how he got treated by the sisters later in the series. 

I actually liked meeting their mother, and her dying at the start. It was much different than the original, where Grams was already dead. 

Yes, I really loved that Harry was a guide and not a love interest. With the way The CW works, I worried about that (and I still do) but it works so well with it being a platonic relationship. He's like a brother to them.

By seeing Marisol first and seeing her interact with Mel and Maggie, I felt like I could connect a bit more with the sisters. I could empathize with how they felt a bit more than I could when Classic Charmed started and we were thrown into the three sisters joining together.

Overall, the story did enough to make me want to see the second episode. But then I always watch the second episode of any show (unless I just physically can't get through the pilot episode, like Riverdale where I've tried four times and turned it off part way through).

Hard to judge by just one episode, I normally think it takes at least 6 or 7 episodes for a show to find itself. 

It really is hard to judge based on a pilot episode. I usually give a show three or four episodes with so much being on now. If I see potential but something just isn't quite clicking, I tend to leave it until there's a break and then binge-watch to catch up. I did that with Manifest and God Friended Me this season and thoroughly enjoyed them both.

With where I work, we mostly focus on shows that we will enjoy and I've found signs from trailers and pilots that tell me if I'm going to enjoy something or not. If I can't sit through the pilot without looking at my phone though (unless I'm live tweeting) then it means I probably won't enjoy the show that much.

[Note why I give shows more time always: Pilot episodes are written for the networks to get the shows the greenlight. It means bad pacing because the storyline needs to be contained but offer something for the future to make network bosses interested. To save money, the shows won't then reshoot the pilot like they used to unless there's a change of cast, so they have to work with what they had. I don't like it but that's the way it is.

That makes sense why, I was wondering why these days I don't enjoy pilots as much as I used too back in the day. I also remember that some pilots back in the day, used to be a longer running time than just having the pilot the standard 42 mins like regular episodes these days like Supernatural was 46 mins and The X-Files was 48 mins. I can see why they don't do that any more to save money. 

There are so many ads bloating out network TV nowadays. I also did press for Roswell's reboot and was chatting to the showrunner about this. She shared that she cut out opening credits and just had a title card because instead of 46 minutes to play with (like the original) she only had 42. She wasn't going to waste 30 seconds on opening credits when she could use 5-10 seconds and have 20-25 seconds of more original content.

It's another thing that I prefer about Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, STARZ etc. No ads!

The second episode is always the one written for the viewers. So, it usually fixes some of the issues. However, The CW will only offer a 13-episode first season and then extend it if the show performs well. That also causes problems for pacing. But this is information I know from years of research and working within the business. It's not something the average viewer would know and The CW (and shows) seem to forget that].

I found this very interesting to read. Thanks for sharing. Now, I can see why the pacing is so off. I know the reboot the pacing was good around episode 13-15. 

Too bad, but it is what it is. 

Yes! It really has found its pacing later on. I've actually enjoyed the episodes since January more than the initial episodes. Unfortunately, viewers aren't willing to give a show that long. I do wonder if things will change when the show is on Netflix at the end of May (eight days after the finale in the U.S.)

All American has just been renewed because of how great Netflix ratings are doing. CW shows are going to suffer when Warner Bros. eventually pulls all its shows from the service for its own. But that's a completely different topic and one that I've been chatting a lot about with other writers and editors I work with.

[Katie Warren]

Apr 24, 2019 17:58:52 GMT -5 Lexi said:

Apr 22, 2019 22:44:51 GMT -5 Katie Warren said:

Me either, I was hesitant to watch it, but decided to give it a go. Although I still have my issues with it. 

I have issues with any show I watch. Nothing can be perfect and I don't expect it to be.

That's true, nothing can be perfect, as are many shows I watch myself.

That would have been so much better, especially because they'd have a longer run time than network television. 

Yes! Plus, Netflix seasons are more contained. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has worked with one season being released in two halves. I didn't enjoy the first half of the season but I loved the second half and now can't wait for the second season (again, it will be released in two halves).

I liked the two halves of a season. I wasn't sure Netflix did that, but it is interesting. 

I love that they are playing around with releasing seasons in two halves, that is something I didn't think they did. I do know they did that with Fuller House was it?

I so much prefer the shorter seasons. Always have and probably always will. They allow for a more focused plot instead of having to hope that there's enough to fill up 22 episodes.

I can see how that can be appealing and your right with trying to fill up 22 episodes. I don't mind 22 episodes, I guess it depends on the show. Some do not work like that and some do.

WOW, you did press for NYCC. That is amazing. So you have a much different viewpoint than us. How was it talking to the three actresses. 

I do have a different viewpoint, so it does affect how I watch a show. Although, I guess I've always watched from a writer's POV instead of just someone who watches a show purely to enjoy it.

I can totally see how that can be, you are watching it and really get why a writer would do something this way or that way, and how things all fit together and how a writer likes to shock their audience and why they do this plot twist.

That makes your reviews that much more interesting to me, because it is from a different viewpoint, I find fascinating. 

The three actresses are lovely. I'm British, so I had a lot to speak to Madaline Mantock about and we chatted off-camera for a bit about "back home" (I now live in Canada). It was the last press of the weekend though and they definitely looked tired. We all were!

That sounds so wonderful. I get how all that press makes people tired, especially hearing the same question over and over. WOW, your from Canada   I am too. 

I couldn't stand Mel either, but Maggie was the sister I loved right away.

I really loved Harry, and the fact he is truly the guide and not a love interest, is what made me appreciate him. I'll admit, he has a little more personality than Leo, I liked Leo in S1, but something about Harry makes me enjoy him way more than Leo. Maybe because I'm thinking too much about how he got treated by the sisters later in the series. 

I actually liked meeting their mother, and her dying at the start. It was much different than the original, where Grams was already dead. 

Yes, I really loved that Harry was a guide and not a love interest. With the way The CW works, I worried about that (and I still do) but it works so well with it being a platonic relationship. He's like a brother to them.

Me too, that is what made me able to like his character so much more, and I really love the brotherly relationship he has with them, and yes he reminded me of Giles from Buffy, and was hoping they'd keep him in the mentor role.

But I was worried they'd pair him with Macy, and I know some online want them together. I truly hope, they never do that but from what I know from other CW shows that cater to fans on Social Media, I'll be very upset if they do this eventually. If Harry stays the brother/mentor figure, I'll happily accept him being around for a while.

By seeing Marisol first and seeing her interact with Mel and Maggie, I felt like I could connect a bit more with the sisters. I could empathize with how they felt a bit more than I could when Classic Charmed started and we were thrown into the three sisters joining together.

Yeah, I really get that. It really did help, and was one thing, I think they got right in the reboot as a start-up. Also what made me love Summer's Charmed:RI series with how she used Melinda in opening and Grams at the beginning, and how she told them on her death-bed. 

It really is hard to judge based on a pilot episode. I usually give a show three or four episodes with so much being on now. If I see potential but something just isn't quite clicking, I tend to leave it until there's a break and then binge-watch to catch up. I did that with Manifest and God Friended Me this season and thoroughly enjoyed them both.

Binge-watching really does help sometimes. I've done that with many shows, even some I gave up when they ended, and came back and binge-watched the rest of the series and loved it. Sometimes, it does help because you can get past some of the bad filler episodes. 

I can see how a show like Manifest would work well that way. 

With where I work, we mostly focus on shows that we will enjoy and I've found signs from trailers and pilots that tell me if I'm going to enjoy something or not. If I can't sit through the pilot without looking at my phone though (unless I'm live tweeting) then it means I probably won't enjoy the show that much.

Most definitely. 

There are so many ads bloating out network TV nowadays. I also did press for Roswell's reboot and was chatting to the showrunner about this. She shared that she cut out opening credits and just had a title card because instead of 46 minutes to play with (like the original) she only had 42. She wasn't going to waste 30 seconds on opening credits when she could use 5-10 seconds and have 20-25 seconds of more original content.

It is so annoying these days, I know sometimes half-hour shows can have a runtime as low as 17-18 minutes these days, and that is crazy.

I wondered why they don't do opening credits these days, and that really makes sense, as that would cut so much time from the episode.

Think of Classic Charmed, with the opening credits and post-credit intro with opening song and showing shots of the city, that would be about 2 minutes of footage to cut if it were running today.

I love hearing this insight, now I really do agree that not having opening credits for network shows makes so much sense.

It's another thing that I prefer about Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, STARZ etc. No ads!

So true! 

I found this very interesting to read. Thanks for sharing. Now, I can see why the pacing is so off. I know the reboot the pacing was good around episode 13-15. 

Too bad, but it is what it is. 

Yes! It really has found its pacing later on. I've actually enjoyed the episodes since January more than the initial episodes. Unfortunately, viewers aren't willing to give a show that long. I do wonder if things will change when the show is on Netflix at the end of May (eight days after the finale in the U.S.)

Me too, I have enjoyed it. I was surprised resolved their mothers killer before the finale, was half expecting that plot to run until the end of the season.

It is too bad, but your right about Netflix. Isn't that where Riverdale gained so many more fans going into S2, I know the ratings were low in S1, but rose in S2 thanks to Netflix watchers. 

All American has just been renewed because of how great Netflix ratings are doing. CW shows are going to suffer when Warner Bros. eventually pulls all its shows from the service for its own. But that's a completely different topic and one that I've been chatting a lot about with other writers and editors I work with.

I heard that it got renewed and they didn't cancel anything this year The CW, is that a first for network television? Of course they are losing two of their longest hits Arrow and Supernatural. 

I'm just curious how many they'll order for next pilot season? Maybe they are programming more stuff in summer, or will they consider giving shorter orders to shows and less 22 episode seasons now?

I find that interesting, I'd love to know what will happen to CW when WB does that.

[Lexi]

Yes! Plus, Netflix seasons are more contained. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has worked with one season being released in two halves. I didn't enjoy the first half of the season but I loved the second half and now can't wait for the second season (again, it will be released in two halves).

I liked the two halves of a season. I wasn't sure Netflix did that, but it is interesting.

I love that they are playing around with releasing seasons in two halves, that is something I didn't think they did. I do know they did that with Fuller House was it?

I never watched Fuller House – never watched Full House either. I know Netflix has done it with a couple of other shows. The Ranch comes to mind. Another one I haven’t watched but I know lots of people who do.

I so much prefer the shorter seasons. Always have and probably always will. They allow for a more focused plot instead of having to hope that there's enough to fill up 22 episodes.

I can see how that can be appealing and your right with trying to fill up 22 episodes. I don't mind 22 episodes, I guess it depends on the show. Some do not work like that and some do.

It does depend on the show. With a case of the week or monster of the week format, I don’t tend to notice it as much. I could watch NCIS all year round without feeling like I’ve missed too much if I skip an episode here and there. Those with a long story arc need short seasons IMO.

I do have a different viewpoint, so it does affect how I watch a show. Although, I guess I've always watched from a writer's POV instead of just someone who watches a show purely to enjoy it.

I can totally see how that can be, you are watching it and really get why a writer would do something this way or that way, and how things all fit together and how a writer likes to shock their audience and why they do this plot twist.

That makes your reviews that much more interesting to me, because it is from a different viewpoint, I find fascinating.

Thanks! Really glad you enjoy them.

The three actresses are lovely. I'm British, so I had a lot to speak to Madaline Mantock about and we chatted off-camera for a bit about "back home" (I now live in Canada). It was the last press of the weekend though and they definitely looked tired. We all were!
That sounds so wonderful. I get how all that press makes people tired, especially hearing the same question over and over.

WOW, your from Canada I am too.

That’s awesome! Where abouts? I’m not too far from Toronto.

Yes, I really loved that Harry was a guide and not a love interest. With the way The CW works, I worried about that (and I still do) but it works so well with it being a platonic relationship. He's like a brother to them.

Me too, that is what made me able to like his character so much more, and I really love the brotherly relationship he has with them, and yes he reminded me of Giles from Buffy, and was hoping they'd keep him in the mentor role.

But I was worried they'd pair him with Macy, and I know some online want them together. I truly hope, they never do that but from what I know from other CW shows that cater to fans on Social Media, I'll be very upset if they do this eventually. If Harry stays the brother/mentor figure, I'll happily accept him being around for a while.

Agreed. I’ve never really seen the Macy/Harry thing. I see them as friends/siblings but can’t see the ship. But then, I’m not one for constantly looking for how a relationship can form. Sometimes it’s called for (I really liked Mel and Niko and don’t mind Mel and Jada too much) but not always.

I definitely saw him as Giles from Buffy from the first promo ever released. There’s a lot of inspiration taken from other shows and movies.

By seeing Marisol first and seeing her interact with Mel and Maggie, I felt like I could connect a bit more with the sisters. I could empathize with how they felt a bit more than I could when Classic Charmed started and we were thrown into the three sisters joining together.

Yeah, I really get that. It really did help, and was one thing, I think they got right in the reboot as a start-up. Also what made me love Summer's Charmed:RI series with how she used Melinda in opening and Grams at the beginning, and how she told them on her death-bed.

Yes, it’s something I’ve loved about Summer’s Charmed:RI. I need to be able to feel like I’ve got to know what these characters have meant to the leads before they die.

There are so many ads bloating out network TV nowadays. I also did press for Roswell's reboot and was chatting to the showrunner about this. She shared that she cut out opening credits and just had a title card because instead of 46 minutes to play with (like the original) she only had 42. She wasn't going to waste 30 seconds on opening credits when she could use 5-10 seconds and have 20-25 seconds of more original content.
It is so annoying these days, I know sometimes half-hour shows can have a runtime as low as 17-18 minutes these days, and that is crazy.

I wondered why they don't do opening credits these days, and that really makes sense, as that would cut so much time from the episode.

Think of Classic Charmed, with the opening credits and post-credit intro with opening song and showing shots of the city, that would be about 2 minutes of footage to cut if it were running today.

I love hearing this insight, now I really do agree that not having opening credits for network shows makes so much sense.

It’s funny how we have access to more information but a lot of information still escapes. I happened to only find out mostly because of scrolling on Twitter one day! I just happened to pass the Roswell showrunner’s Twitter and there was her reason for no opening credits. Most people haven’t heard it and then complain that the showrunners are changing too much – they are but for a very good reason. It’s the networks we should be getting angry with.

I do wish some shows would do what iZombie did, though. iZombie has two versions of credits – the full length for the shorter episodes and the shortened title card for when more time is needed for scripted content.

Yes! It really has found its pacing later on. I've actually enjoyed the episodes since January more than the initial episodes. Unfortunately, viewers aren't willing to give a show that long. I do wonder if things will change when the show is on Netflix at the end of May (eight days after the finale in the U.S.)

Me too, I have enjoyed it. I was surprised resolved their mothers killer before the finale, was half expecting that plot to run until the end of the season.

It is too bad, but your right about Netflix. Isn't that where Riverdale gained so many more fans going into S2, I know the ratings were low in S1, but rose in S2 thanks to Netflix watchers.

I was surprised too but at the same time, I’m glad it’s not been dragged on too much. Some shows really can drag on their storylines! Pretty Little Liars was one of the worst for it, but that was a network problem not a writing problem.

Yes, Riverdale got more viewers from the show being on Netflix and it helped push the show to the fall. Dynasty also got that and I have a feeling Black Lightning and The 100 get more viewers due to Netflix rather than on the actual network itself.

All American has just been renewed because of how great Netflix ratings are doing. CW shows are going to suffer when Warner Bros. eventually pulls all its shows from the service for its own. But that's a completely different topic and one that I've been chatting a lot about with other writers and editors I work with.

I heard that it got renewed and they didn't cancel anything this year The CW, is that a first for network television? Of course they are losing two of their longest hits Arrow and Supernatural.

I'm just curious how many they'll order for next pilot season? Maybe they are programming more stuff in summer, or will they consider giving shorter orders to shows and less 22 episode seasons now?

I find that interesting, I'd love to know what will happen to CW when WB does that.

Yep, no cancellations from the scripted lineup! I love it because the lineup was good in terms of variety but just didn’t get the live viewers.

From what I’ve heard, the network will order three or four pilots to series. This fills up the gaps that Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, iZombie, and Jane the Virgin will leave and then the midseason when Arrow finishes at the end of the year.

I have a feeling Batwoman is one of the pilots and will likely take up the midseason slot that Arrow leaves. I also think the Riverdale and Jane the Virgin spin-offs will be picked up. While I don’t watch Riverdale, I hope the spin-off is picked up because I love Lucy Hale and I want to see her get a good show.

There’s also a good amount coming up in the summer too. I think CW is doing what NBC is doing, bringing in more programming to spread out throughout the year so there are fewer reruns. I like it from a show view but not for work haha!
[/quote][/quote]

[Katie Warren]

May 4, 2019 13:46:49 GMT -5 Lexi said:

I liked the two halves of a season. I wasn't sure Netflix did that, but it is interesting.

I love that they are playing around with releasing seasons in two halves, that is something I didn't think they did. I do know they did that with Fuller House was it?

I never watched Fuller House – never watched Full House either. I know Netflix has done it with a couple of other shows. The Ranch comes to mind. Another one I haven’t watched but I know lots of people who do.

I've seen the original series, not much of the new one.

I heard of the Ranch, haven't seen it either.

But I think this is great to do split seasons, and at least it lessons the wait for more episodes, so you can release a season in one season in two parts.

I can see how that can be appealing and your right with trying to fill up 22 episodes. I don't mind 22 episodes, I guess it depends on the show. Some do not work like that and some do.

It does depend on the show. With a case of the week or monster of the week format, I don’t tend to notice it as much. I could watch NCIS all year round without feeling like I’ve missed too much if I skip an episode here and there. Those with a long story arc need short seasons IMO.

That's true. It easy with those shows to miss an episode and still keep up, it is hard for long story arcs, and yeah those do make sense to be short seasons. 

It is crazy to think shows back in the 60s or 70s had some seasons for shows being between 26-32 episodes. That must be hard on the actors working so long hours. 

I can totally see how that can be, you are watching it and really get why a writer would do something this way or that way, and how things all fit together and how a writer likes to shock their audience and why they do this plot twist.

That makes your reviews that much more interesting to me, because it is from a different viewpoint, I find fascinating.

Thanks! Really glad you enjoy them.

That’s awesome! Where abouts? I’m not too far from Toronto.

How cool Toronto. Coquitlam I'm from.   

Me too, that is what made me able to like his character so much more, and I really love the brotherly relationship he has with them, and yes he reminded me of Giles from Buffy, and was hoping they'd keep him in the mentor role.

But I was worried they'd pair him with Macy, and I know some online want them together. I truly hope, they never do that but from what I know from other CW shows that cater to fans on Social Media, I'll be very upset if they do this eventually. If Harry stays the brother/mentor figure, I'll happily accept him being around for a while.

Agreed. I’ve never really seen the Macy/Harry thing. I see them as friends/siblings but can’t see the ship. But then, I’m not one for constantly looking for how a relationship can form. Sometimes it’s called for (I really liked Mel and Niko and don’t mind Mel and Jada too much) but not always.

Me either, I don't go looking for these things in shows, but I know some always need a ship or shipping to make a show for them, and to some that is all they are interested in. 

I don't' mind Mel/Niko or Mel/Jada. I hope Niko doesn't turn into Andy and get killed. We'll see. 

I definitely saw him as Giles from Buffy from the first promo ever released. There’s a lot of inspiration taken from other shows and movies.

Me too. That is what I thought of too right away. I do think they have taken some inspiration from shows and movies, people say the teleportation effect is from Harry Potter for Harry. 

Yeah, I really get that. It really did help, and was one thing, I think they got right in the reboot as a start-up. Also what made me love Summer's Charmed:RI series with how she used Melinda in opening and Grams at the beginning, and how she told them on her death-bed.

Yes, it’s something I’ve loved about Summer’s Charmed:RI. I need to be able to feel like I’ve got to know what these characters have meant to the leads before they die.

Me too. I feel exactly the same way. I always love shows where they at least let us know how much someone means to them before they die. 

I wondered why they don't do opening credits these days, and that really makes sense, as that would cut so much time from the episode.

Think of Classic Charmed, with the opening credits and post-credit intro with opening song and showing shots of the city, that would be about 2 minutes of footage to cut if it were running today.

I love hearing this insight, now I really do agree that not having opening credits for network shows makes so much sense.

It’s funny how we have access to more information but a lot of information still escapes. I happened to only find out mostly because of scrolling on Twitter one day! I just happened to pass the Roswell showrunner’s Twitter and there was her reason for no opening credits. Most people haven’t heard it and then complain that the showrunners are changing too much – they are but for a very good reason. It’s the networks we should be getting angry with.

I'm so glad we get to hear more from the writers this way, even if, I hate when writers get too caught up in fan demands with shipping for some shows. I agree, we really should be angry at the networks not the writers. 

Of course, the ad time increases for network television so often, It's crazy when a one hour drama can have a runtime of just 39 or 40  minutes sometimes. I can so see why non-network television gives more freedom for shows to have not a set length for an episode. I can see why so much good content has to be cut down. I'm just glad we get to see these in the deleted scenes. 

I'll be very curious what got cut from the Charmed reboot when they release a DVD with deleted scenes (assuming they do like many CW shows have). 

I do wish some shows would do what iZombie did, though. iZombie has two versions of credits – the full length for the shorter episodes and the shortened title card for when more time is needed for scripted content.

That would be wonderful if they did that. 

Me too, I have enjoyed it. I was surprised resolved their mothers killer before the finale, was half expecting that plot to run until the end of the season.

It is too bad, but your right about Netflix. Isn't that where Riverdale gained so many more fans going into S2, I know the ratings were low in S1, but rose in S2 thanks to Netflix watchers.

I was surprised too but at the same time, I’m glad it’s not been dragged on too much. Some shows really can drag on their storylines! Pretty Little Liars was one of the worst for it, but that was a network problem not a writing problem.

Pretty Little Liars was the worst. That really went too far. The first arc with Mona was two seasons, and was fine, and worked. The dragged that second arc from Season 3 to Season 6's first half, and you can tell they were stretching arcs, when I heard the timeline was so inconsistent, it made zero sense that two seasons could take place over the course of two months.

Yes, Riverdale got more viewers from the show being on Netflix and it helped push the show to the fall. Dynasty also got that and I have a feeling Black Lightning and The 100 get more viewers due to Netflix rather than on the actual network itself.

I can see how that is the norm now. With network television not being where a majority watch these shows. Most will wait for Netflix. 

Makes me curious where Network television will even be in 20 years?

I heard that it got renewed and they didn't cancel anything this year The CW, is that a first for network television? Of course they are losing two of their longest hits Arrow and Supernatural.

I'm just curious how many they'll order for next pilot season? Maybe they are programming more stuff in summer, or will they consider giving shorter orders to shows and less 22 episode seasons now?

I find that interesting, I'd love to know what will happen to CW when WB does that.

Yep, no cancellations from the scripted lineup! I love it because the lineup was good in terms of variety but just didn’t get the live viewers.

It really gives a great variety, and gives them the choice for year round programming. 

From what I’ve heard, the network will order three or four pilots to series. This fills up the gaps that Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, iZombie, and Jane the Virgin will leave and then the midseason when Arrow finishes at the end of the year.

I have a feeling Batwoman is one of the pilots and will likely take up the midseason slot that Arrow leaves. I also think the Riverdale and Jane the Virgin spin-offs will be picked up. While I don’t watch Riverdale, I hope the spin-off is picked up because I love Lucy Hale and I want to see her get a good show.

And Batwoman, Nancy Drew and the Riverdale spin-off is picked up. Jane the Virgin starring Marcia Cross was passed over, but The CW seems to always pass on one show everyone thought was a certain for a pick-up each year, like Wayward Sisters last year. 

Just now they recast Freedie Prince Jr. on the Nancy Drew Spin-off. I'm a little surprised. I was interested to see how he'd be like today, having seen him in stuff in the 90s, the same way, I saw Luke Perry on 90210, and watched Riverdale because of him. 

It's a surprise they are going all out for female lead shows, yet didn't do Wayward Sisters. I wonder if the spin-off if it was planned one year later would have had a better shot on the brink of Supernatural ending? Maybe they'll re-do a spin-off for a third time, to carry on the legacy of SPN when it ends next year. 

There’s also a good amount coming up in the summer too. I think CW is doing what NBC is doing, bringing in more programming to spread out throughout the year so there are fewer reruns. I like it from a show view but not for work haha!

[/quote][/quote][/quote]A smart move on their part.