Breaking Bad

When the seventh season of Game of Thrones ended, I began to hunt for a new TV series. GoT had raised the bar so high that anything I tried started to seem dull and tedious. A search on Quora revealed one name to be common in all the lists of must-watch TV series: Breaking Bad.

So, one weekend, I got its two seasons, and after watching them immediately regretted my decision.... I should have brought ALL the seasons! I couldn't wait to know what happened next!
Breaking Bad revolves around Walter White; a Chemistry teacher, his family, his partner-in-crime (literally!), his 'colleagues' and his foes. It depicts the rise of a mild-mannered, family-focussed man into a terrifying drug kingpin, his efforts to get out of the mess and his inevitable fall.
The plot may seem simple and predictable enough, but what really takes the series to great heights is... Phenomenal performances all around: Not just the lead actors, but pick any character, however minor, and you would be hard-pressed to find any fault in them. A tight script and well-executed screenplay: The series is full of goosebump moments and diaogues that have become part of the TV folklore. A
fast-paced narrative: After building the major characters in the first season, the series picks up pace and leaves you breathless from sheer excitement of it all. It reaches a crescendo in the fifth and final season, and as you finish the very last episode, I guarantee you... You will feel emptiness that the series ended, but at the same time, a satisfaction that it ended at its logical culmination, a fine balance that many other series have not been able to achieve.
If you love quality acting, well-developed characters, and subtle play of moves and countermoves, pick this up.

Chanakya

The primary entertainment channel during the early 1990s was Doordarshan. Some of the TV serials on it have retained their impact even after so many years. One of those was "Chanakya".

Directed by Dr Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, who also played the pivotal role of Chanakya (referred to as Vishnugupt), the series was aired on DD1 channel every Sunday morning. As a kid, I could barely fathom the plot or understand the dialogues, but the one thing that I starkly remember was the cold, unblinking stare of Chanakya.

It is only now, when I am re-watching the series on DVD with my parents, do I understand what a solid gem of a serial it was. Dr Dwivedi spent 9 years researching about the period. He took utmost care that the series depicted the true culture and lifestyle of people living in the Maurya empire. This was the first independent project for the art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai, and he delivered an authentic experience, in the process winning multiple awards for art direction.

The key highlights of the series are its rich dialogues and the stellar role played by Dr Dwivedi. It is amazing how many of the dialogues are still -- and in fact, particularly -- relevant to today's times. Dr Dwivedi’s performance really brought the character to life, and now it's impossible for me to think of Chanakya as anyone other than as portrayed by him.

Story of Chanakya is a testament to how a single person, through sheer determination, hard work and strength of his character can topple a mighty but arrogant emperor and change the course of history. It also makes you wonder how many Chandra Gupts are out there awaiting to be mentored by another Chanakya.

[TV Series] The Big Bang Theory

I was feeling withdrawal symptoms after the Game of Thrones Season 7 ended. So, last weekend, I went back and watched some episodes from another series.... and enjoyed them as much as I did the first time almost 9 years ago!

“The Big Bang Theory” was/is a popular series on CBS from 2007 onward, revolving around a group of scientists and their antics. Most of the nerds could identify themselves with the razor-sharp repartees of Sheldon, the good-natured humour of Leonard, the lovable personality of Raj and the sleazy but witty Howard. 
Interestingly, although Leonard was perhaps the lead character, Jim Parsons as Sheldon did such an amazing job that he practically swept up the show, earning a couple of Grammy awards in the process.

And then, there was Penny… Oh, she deserves a special write-up, but... ahem, perhaps for a select audience  😉

The show was unique in the sense that quite a few of REAL scientists, including Stephen Hawking and NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, appeared on it in cameo roles. 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching first 5 seasons. Seasons 6 and 7 were also quite good; but there was a feeling that the show was having less and less of nerdiness and more leaning towards a generic sitcom like ‘Friends’. I stopped watching it after a few episodes of 8th season, and haven’t watched seasons 9 and 10.

It seems that season 11 will be aired this year (Sept 25, 2017) and season 12 the next year. Perhaps it’s a good time to catch up on these old friends.

[Series] Game of Thrones

Everyone who is following the Game of Thrones (series on HBO) has a favourite character of their own. Some liked Ned Stark, some adore Arya. Some marvel at the manipulations of Lord Baelish and Lord Varys, some like the daredevilry of John Snow. 

But there's one character which, in my opinion, outshines them all: Tyrion Lannister. 

This short-heighted fellow who has neither a gift of arms nor the support of any of the feudal families, spins such a complex web out of sheer ingenuity that it's like a spider stalking its prey. He has some of the best lines in the series and he delivers them with passion and conviction. 

A hat tip to Peter Dinklage for his power-packed performance. We hope to see more of him as the murderous game for the Iron Throne nears its conclusion in Season 7 (2017) and season 8 (2018).

Sherlock! Sherlock!!

What an amazing series. High production quality, top notch acting by Benedict Cummerbatch (never heard of him before this series). 

And poor Watson.. He is the recipient of some of the most acerbic lines from Holmes. Here are my two favourites so far:

You are so vacant. It must be so relaxing not being me.

Stop talking. You're lowering the IQ of the whole street.

Stand-up Comedians

Just finished watching latest comedy from Louis CK: "Oh My God" ( Live at the Beacon Theater). Loved it, of course. Recommended stuff. 

Louis CK is one of my two favourite stand-up comedians -- the other being Russel Peters. Also like Chris Rock quite a bit. 

Wish we had some good stand-up comedians in India; this genre kind of started and ended with Shekhar Suman. 

.. or is there someone am not aware of?