Quote:
Originally Posted by
gort 
Battlestar Galactica?
I'm doing that thing now where it starts off as a slow chuckle and builds to a large cackle.
Can't say for sure since I've never watched BSG, but I'd be very surprised to find that it is better than either Sopranos or Breaking Bad. It isn't better than The Wire. I know this because it isn't The Wire.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sazerac 
A little off-topic, or maybe too meta for a thread about one TV show, but your comment reminded me of a theory I've had lately. Namely that television series such as Mad Men, The Killing, and Breaking Bad (as well as the Sopranos, etc.) are to the 21st century what epic novels were to the 19th century. I'm thinking in terms of great character driven novels with several distinct plot lines and one overarching plot line such as Les Miserables or War and Peace. In short, they're our greatest narrative art form and superior to theatrically released films because they allow for longer, richer, better character development.
I think Sopranos was possibly the first time this was done so artfully, or at least artfully enough to say that the TV series had reached the level of great literature.
Actually soap operas are probably the first to do it, but I get your point

. Sopranos is probably the first well done long-form drama and The Killing is certainly working to follow Its footsteps.