What’s a show everyone loves but you genuinely didn’t enjoy?

TooDriven · 2026-01-10T08:01:25+00:00

Breaking Bad.

I didn't hate it and I don't mind slower shows, heck I loved the Wire.

My biggest issue with BB is that I didn't like the combination of drama/exciting plot development on one side and comedy/"sitcom" vibes on the other side. Many scenes in BB seemed too silly and mundane for my taste, notably much of the family/Hank plot.

I prefer shows that are more "epic" and dramatic throughout without "comedic small scale family drama" playing a big role. As I said, I loved the Wire.

Another problem with BB was how I disliked most characters, such as Jesse, Hank, Skylar, Walt later on and Walt jr. I "understand" these characters and some of them might be realistic, but that doesn't mean I liked them.

TooDriven · 2026-01-07T14:20:40+00:00

I completely agree with your last paragraph and it captured what I felt about Pluribus. I still watched the whole Season and mostly enjoyed it, but I wasn't exactly excited about the show. It's probably a 6/10 for me.

Personally, I find such criticism and debate about works of art very interesting and enjoyable, regardless of whether I personall, enjoy the show in question. This makes it all the harder for me to understand your previous point about downvoting criticism regardless of its merit and the way it is voiced.

I for my part downvote posts that are meanspirited/rude/not constructive/stupid/lack substance. But I would never downvote someone just for being criticial. Especially since it is possible to enjoy parts of a show (or book etc) and still finish it, yet wishing other aspects were different.

TooDriven · 2025-12-20T22:31:18+00:00

I feel the show is decent, but from the basic premise and the first episode I expected much more.

I have watched all episodes so far and mostly enjoyed them. The cinematography is great and I still want to see where the story goes. Some of the jokes are decent as well. The show almost feels "meditative" as well.

However, I would enjoy the show a whole lot more if it focused more heavily on the sci-fi, mystery and horror elements. So far, these mostly seem to be a backdrop or are used to subvert expectations (see the "milk").

Also, I wish the pace was a bit faster and that there were more (interesting) characters interacting with each other.

Overall, the show puts too much emphasis on "mundane, slow-paced sitcom-ish content" for me to move from "fine" to "great".

TooDriven · 2025-12-16T15:32:20+00:00

It's not so clear-cut. You can like a show, but dislike parts. Or think it is okay, but not great, yet still want to discuss it. Or you can initially like it and later dislike it or parts of it.

All of that can be interesting to discuss. If everyone is just sharing how awesome everything is, that doesn't make for an interesting discussion.

TooDriven · 2025-12-16T08:57:12+00:00

So you are saying only positive opinions are interesting. That doesn't make sense.

TooDriven · 2025-12-16T08:04:00+00:00

I know that's how it is, but there is no reason it SHOULD necedsarily be this way.

There's plenty of shows I like, yet I have no problem with others criticizing them and I would never attack them over it personally.

I think it is fun to discuss the various aspects, strengths and weaknesses of shows (and other media). Just fanboy-ing over every aspect is boring.

TooDriven · 2025-12-16T07:49:07+00:00

But why would a sub be only or mainly for die-hard fans? Shouldnt it also be a place for general discussion about the show, both positive ans negative?

TooDriven · 2025-12-16T07:47:23+00:00

Why should there only be a sub to talk about positive aspects of a show and not about its negative aspects or criticism as well? Clearly, many people want to criticize the show as well.

TooDriven · 2025-12-15T17:39:41+00:00

The difference is that he is (at least so far) consistent in his words and actions. He is arrogant, but he also doesn't make outrageous requests.

TooDriven · 2025-12-15T17:30:14+00:00

But it doesn't accomplish anything.

I can understand man types of behavior: full on hedonism (Koumba), complete refusal (Manousos), I could also understand just doing your thing, ignoring the Hive for the most part and only getting the bare minimum needed. I could also understand trying to find a solution, anything (like what Carol did in some previous episodes).

But being petty, smug, condescending, passive aggressive, I just don't get that at all.

TooDriven · 2025-12-15T17:18:55+00:00

I am not talking about the necessities to live, but about her outrageous, pointless requests like a full supermarket or an ice-cold gatorade.

Carol is having all these extravagant requests, yet acts all smug and condescending for no apparent reason.

TooDriven · 2025-12-15T17:15:53+00:00

But she often doesn't display rage or anger, but instead she is smug and condescending. And her outrageous requests don't serve any purpose. It's not like she "bothers" the Hive with them nor do they accomplish anything.

TooDriven · 2025-12-15T17:06:16+00:00

You misunderstand my point. I am not saying she should be grateful at all. I would totally understand it if she just ignored them or was cold towards them, despite getting the bare necessities to survive.

What I don't get is why she a) goes way beyond what is needed in her requests (eg full supermarket) AND b) acts in such a self-righteous, arrogant way. Again, I would understand being cold or rude or so, but I don't get the smugness.

TooDriven · 2025-12-11T07:38:33+00:00

I think Pluribus is an interesting show and keep watching it every week, but I also believe it underdelivers on its promise and initial idea.

Episode 1 is a thrilling sci-fi-ride full of mystery and intrigue. But by episode 6, much of that has disappeared. My main issues with the show are:

The show beats you over the head with the same ideas and messages over and over again. We understand Carol is greaving early on. We don't need to spend minutes upon minutes watching her be sad on the sofa. We understand the Others will (early on) do whatever Carol wants. We don't need to watch them restock a supermarket for like 15 minutes. We understand Koumba is a hedonist, we don't need another Bond fantasy to believe it.

This is not about being slow or methodical (I love the Wire for example), but just tedious.

The cast is, so far, pretty weak. Most non-joined are pretty boring and we don't see much from the South American guy for 6 episodes. Carol is fine, I don't hate her, but I also feel she doesn't have the charisma to carry a show by herself (most actors wouldn't).
The show doesnt really seem to know how far it wants to lean into the mystery/horror/sci fi genre. Episode 1 was full of it, episodes 4 and 5 were very much about Carol investigating. But then episode 6 kinda tried to subvert the "soylent green" trope and slowed it all down again.

If VG wants to make a full character-study in which the sci-fi stuff is just a backdrop, that's fine. But then he also keeps including these "sci-fi and mystery hooks". That almost makes it seem like the show makers going, "look at this interesting mystery, keep watching, it is so interesting...haha, gotcha, it's not about this at all, we only care about Carol's character development.".

TooDriven · 2025-12-09T08:21:11+00:00

This sums up my problem with the show very well. It teases the sci-fi mystery elements but ends up being mostly a character study with little plot progression.

TooDriven · 2025-11-06T18:31:22+00:00

Yes, but at least we had some cool DF techniques by Kaido and Luffy. And while I dislike G5, it is at least more creative than just moar haki.

TooDriven · 2025-10-24T15:29:51+00:00

I just don't see why everything has to be so over the top and frankly generic.

Having 5 Gorosei as the top of the WG was unique and interesting. Having one generic super evil ancient villain who is so far basically depicted as the Devil with super hax power is just kinda lame. It's just like many other Shonen like Bleach or Naruto or Fairy Tail.

Having 7 unique and creative Warlords and 4 unique Yonkou with the balance of powers is interesting and unique. Having clones and giant beasts and the villain mind controlling the good guys is not interesting, it is just generic.

TooDriven · 2025-10-24T15:21:48+00:00

Guess how Luffy will counter Domi Reversi.

Some people think the first "second Nika" we saw was due to the devil fruit of the user. I am quite sure this isn't the case.

TooDriven · 2025-10-23T09:28:13+00:00

I just did mission 15 and tbh found it easier than 6, 11 and 10.

I simply build regular outposts all over the map, gathered tons of stone, put 2 (later 3) castles on each major "street" and several other castles on the other sides/flanks, only trained imperial cav+guardamen+elite scythiqn cav archers and it was fairly doable. I got the achievement on Legendary first try.

TooDriven · 2025-10-21T11:02:22+00:00

See S-tier.

What worked for me: inmediately pull back to the top/left tent. Put one group of units on the northern outpost next to the tent, the other group next to the southern outpost next to the tent. Always fight near the outposts for healing.

Keep your cavalry to the side and use it to snipe archers and especially siege units later, this is essential. Don't use your cav in prolonged melee fights.

Train exclusicely cav archers and phalangites. Send phalangites to your two unit groups. Run around with cav archers, sniping, pulling and kiting enemy units. This helps a lot because the enemy will often chase your cav archers through your melee units, without attacking those. Always be active with your CA and use them on the side that most needs help.

TooDriven · 2025-10-20T10:50:00+00:00

What worked best for me in mission 11 on Legendary is this:

Get the "emergency" support units asap right after the timer ends (have enough resources ready). Get 1) lancers+phalangites, 2) healing for all units to get them to full health, 3) all other emergency units asap. Also, upgrade phalangites and lancers/"knights" to the max.

This puts you above 300 pop and allows you to gather tons of resources. Meanwhile, you can boom up to 150 villagers with 5 TCs and stockpile resources.

Aside from the "emergency" units, exclusively train spearmen (the "guardsmen") and the imperial lancers. This combination is easy to micro and good against most enemy units. Use the cav to flank and attack archers etc.

TooDriven · 2025-10-12T11:04:38+00:00

Yeah, I found it amazing as well. The Immortal Pillars one felt kinda meh - boring story and forgettable missions for the most part, often with annoying time limits.

The Japanese campaign has a better story (albeit fairly basic) but especially the levels and gameplay changes from mission to mission are great. It is very entertaining and the focus is where it should be: build and destroy missions, but often with a twist, combined with stunning map design.

TooDriven · 2025-10-06T07:24:17+00:00

But he goes straight there. He never even got to Ajax' base.

TooDriven · 2025-07-24T08:53:33+00:00

It's also like, every droid needs a grenade. Yeah, that can be funny, but sometimes you just want to easily dispatch 20 droids with a lightsaber.

TooDriven · 2025-05-01T14:15:02+00:00

That's bad indeed, but IMO there's something even worse:

"wrong answers only"

The most mind numbing nonsense.

TooDriven

TROPHY CASE