Can't do polls yet, but...Your favorite made-for-cable DRAMA? Sopranos? Deadwood? Boardwalk Empire?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

I was a big Sopranos addict...never missed a Sunday night, and have them all on DVD. Same for The Shield.

Discovered Deadwood via a number of posts on DU but never saw it when it originally aired. I have one episode in iTunes which I purchased, "E.B. Was Left Out," from Season 2. So if you're a Deadwood fan and want to suggest any "must have, creme de la creme" episodes, please do.

SO...your favorite made-for-cable dramas?

[siligut]

1. It was True Blood

Before I discovered Deadwood on HBO Go. Even with that debacle of Season 2, Maryann Forrester, I never failed to re-watch an episode of True Blood.

[siligut]

2. Who is your cable company?

We have Comcast so I have to use an old laptop plugged into our TV to watch HBO Go. But some cable companies offer it directly to your big screen. My favorite Deadwood episode might be #34, S3 E10. Of course I adore Trixie and Saul together and Calamity Jane with Joanie, overall I just think it is the best episode. You can buy episodes for $1.99 at Amazon if for some reason HBO Go doesn't work for you. Our video store has a special, rent five DVDs of a TV series and get them for a $1 each.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

7. Comcast, but basic cable only (I used to have DirecTV and all of the premium channels)

Turns out the episode of Deadwood I have is from Amazon, not iTunes as I said in my OP. Thanks for the recommendation.

[PassingFair]

3. The Wire, Carnivale, Six Feet Under Game of Thrones are my top four.

I also enjoy "Nurse Jackie",
Downton Abbey
Misfits and
Boardwalk Empire

[Amerigo Vespucci]

8. I had a hard time getting into The Wire

I watched it for quite a bit, and that was because of the unrelenting press about what a great show it was. This might be one to snag at the local Library (if they have it).

[bikebloke]

4. Deadwood

Life on Mars (UK)
Jericho

Deadwood is a serial, with each episode building off another. If you can, start from the beginning. I'd loan you my DVD's, but I'm at work.

[AzDar]

5. Sopranos. I got into it quite late...the first episode I saw was "Pine Barrens".

I even dug the series finale. I have the entire series on boxed-set dvd, but " Pine Barrens" is still my all-time fave episode.

[graywarrior]

6. Boardwalk

[NewJeffCT]

9. I liked Sopranos season 1

but, didn't like it so much after that.

So far, Game of Thrones has been good.

Haven't watched a ton of made for cable drama, though.

[pacalo]

29. Both seasons 1 & 2 for me. The mother was so wicked, she really added to the bizarre

factor of that show. And the casting of all the goombahs was almost as good as "The Godfather's".

[LanternWaste]

10. Band of Brothers.

Band of Brothers.

I can't think of any other television drama which had, up to that point, allowed the viewer to so closely empathize with the horrors of war and the goodness of man.

It so perfectly refuted the John Wayne style guts & glory films of the 40's and 50's, and allowed us to better see what could happen to ordinary men placed into extraordinary circumstances.

[rppper]

35. it took a few viewings...but i've grown to like "the pacific"......

...as much as B.O.B.

my fiance bought me both dvd sets the past two christmases.....

[LeftyMom]

11. Game of Thrones, Rome, Oz

I really like some seasons of Dexter, True Blood and Weeds, but they're not as consistently impressive as the three I mentioned above.

[LanternWaste]

12. I'm a sucker for Rome also.

I had no idea what to expect going in, but their take on Marc Anthony (and now that I mention it, Cleopatra, too) was damned compelling.

[LeftyMom]

13. Oh, that reminds me, I also rather enjoyed The Tudors.

I dig lavish costume dramas and weapons-grade overacting, what can I say?

[geardaddy]

14. Mad Men, Weeds, Californication

Haven't seen Boardwalk Empire yet, but I've heard great things.

[cliffordu]

15. The Wire.

Maybe the best description of the drug issue ever created.

[RZM]

16. Love all of those

Here's a rough ranking of my favorites:

1-3) Tie between the Wire, Deadwood, and the Sopranos
4) Boardwalk Empire
5) Curb Your Enthusiasm
6) Game of Thrones
7) Rome
8) Dexter (not as good as the first seven, but still good)

[applegrove]

17. Weeds, The Wire, Justified.

[Son of Gob]

18. Breaking Bad

Surprised nobody has mentioned it yet.

[limpyhobbler]

19. West Wing

even though I usually watch more comedies.

[pa28]

20. Breaking Bad hands down.

The way the writers manage to screw down the tension and then tighten it down to the point of making the viewer squirm is pretty impressive. I can't seem to watch a whole episode at one time.

I feel sorry for Gus though and I think he's the best "villain" I've ever seen depicted on screen. I hope some cosmetic surgery can help him with his misfortune from the nursing home.

[JonLP24]

31. Gus is incredible

"The Chicken Brothers" is one of my favorite episodes in the series. I'm hoping they do flashbacks to explain more of his character in future episodes.

[rppper]

36. Gus WAS incredible.....

i'm thinking he won't be returning next season.....the visual of him adjusting his shirt and tie with half his face blown off still sends chills up my spine..

[pa28]

40. Hopefully they will.

The show never explained Fring's background in Chile or the German company that owns Pollos. I'd like to see more of Gus next season.

[Initech]

37. I love that show. Heisenberg FTW!!

Last season was one of the most intense shows I've ever seen, and the ending...

[jorno67]

21. OZ on HBO a long time ago

It was a very intense prison drama...

[Brickbat]

22. BSG.

Does that count?

[OriginalGeek]

23. So far most everything mentioned already

is on my list of favorites but one I don;t see yet is "Dead Like Me"

Ended way too soon.


My top faves are probably that and Deadwood and Sopranos. Of the current crop I get HBO just to watch Game of Thrones and True Blood - I cancel it when they are done and then renew again when they come back.

I've somehow missed Boardwalk Empire but I love Steve Buscemi so I will see about getting that on netflix or Blu-ray or whatever I need to...

[Burma Jones]

24. The Wire, Deadwood, Treme, The Sopranos, Mad Men, Rescue Me

In pretty much that order.............

[Contrary1]

25. "Saving Grace" was one of my favorites...

But, the final episode sucked big time.

[motely36]

26. I should lock this!

The SOP for this forum clearly says No Drama!!!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

34. OOOPS! I am in VIOLATION!

Our social forum. Relax with your friends and talk about off-topic stuff. The Lounge is supposed to be a friendly, welcoming place for everyone. No cliquish behavior. No drama. No political arguments.

[femmocrat]

27. Boardwalk Empire

I just got some of the early episodes from Netflix. Great viewing for a snowy weekend.

[Populist_Prole]

28. Sopranos, Rome, Deadwood, Big Love, Band of Brothers. Eagerly awaited the next episodes.

A few points to note:

Sopranos was surprising to me in that I ignored it at first since it was one of those "popular shows everyone's talking about". I figure it sucked for that reason alone. Saw it early in the second season and was hooked.

Deadwood was the first "western" theme show I liked. Not just liked, REALLY liked. Prior to that, I din't care at all for any western movies or TV shows.

Band of Brothers impressed me in that it was 'Saving Private Ryan' quality cinematography without the stupid hollywood rah-rah bullshit. Followed the book reasonably well, and they got the small details in props and such right. Impressive.

[TheCruces]

30. True Blood and Dexter

[HappyMe]

32. Sopranos!

[Paladin]

33. Breaking Bad (n/t)

[ge626dfil]

38. sopranos

[denbot]

39. Breaking Bad.

One of the best TV dramas I've ever seen.

[RebelOne]

41. None of the above. n/t

[kentauros]

42. Stargate

Odyssey 5 was another good one. I believe both were started on Showtime.

[Ilsa]

43. Game of Thrones,

Leverage, True Blood, Enlightened.