I am a geek. I’ve always been a geek, and to be honest I hope I always will be a geek. I’m not a nerd mind you, or for that matter a dweeb or a dork. But I am a geek.
Here, this may clear it up for you:
Recently however I’ve found my level geekiness has been slowly building to almost fever pitch. There is no single reason for this, but I can lay the blame at a number of different doors:
- The extremely high quality of recent geeky TV shows and Movies (Dr Who, Battlestar Galactica, Iron Man, Batman, et al)
- The availability of those shows and movies in cheap box sets, plus the online DVD rental services.
- My ability to rip those shows to my iPhone and watch them in bed.
- My discovery of the Marvel Ultimate line of comics, and the opportunity to use it as a jumping in point to the Marvel universe.
- Stumbling across a number of excellent geek culture podcasts such as Sci Fi Surplus, Casta la Vista, and the Geek Tragedy Podcast.
- The influence of my antipodean pop culture guru Lee Sargent
- And of course the huge amounts of fun we have producing Lee and Dan’s Midnight Movie Club Podcast.
However there is one thing that is currently preventing me from blooming into full geek:
- I have no bloody time damnit!!
What with organising the walk, training for the walk, spending time with the kids, blogging, reading blogs, twitter, and worst of all – having to go to work, I have hardly any time to indulge in geekage at all.
This is no ones fault but my own. I have a rather foolish tendancy to heap commitments on myself until my knees start to buckle. However I have managed to squeeze some geeky stuff in around the edges. Most notably I’ve just completed my quest to watch all the seasons of Babylon 5, a classic sci-fi show from the 90s.
If you haven’t come across Babylon 5 before then I highly recommend it – seasons 2, 3, and 4 in particular are absolutely spectacular. The final season is a bit of an anticlimax and to be honest I wish I hadn’t bothered, but the overall experience is magnificent. I’m vaguely planning on doing a more in depth post on the show later in the week if I’ve got time (look out for that one, it will be the one with 0 comments).
So now that I’ve done with Babylon 5 I’m moving onto another classic that has up until now passed me by – Farscape. This is mainly due to the insistence of Lee, who makes bold claims to it being the best TV show ever made.
I’m four episodes in now and I must admit I’ve been pretty impressed so far. The pilot was pretty cheesy, but then again pilots usually are due to having to ram all the character introductions into a very short period of time. But the subsequent episodes have been excellent, and with a very hard sci-fi edge which is quite novel to me.
The show lacks any form of story arc at present, but it’s early days and I’m sure something will develop.
After I’ve done with the four seasons of Farscape (which is going to take me at least three or four months I’m guessing) I’ll be on the lookout for another show to get all obsessed with.
So, does anyone have any suggestions? It doesn’t have to be sci-fi but it does have to be good. What TV boxed set should be next on my list?
I haven’t owned a TV in ten years (but now that you can watch shows on the interweb, I have started catching up–and being amazed that you can say “ass” on TV), but the best show ever made before 2000 a.d. is Strangers with Candy staring Amy Sedaris (David’s funnier sister). Not even remotely sci-fi, but I have a feeling you would like it. It only ran for 3 seasons, so you’ll get through the episodes way to quickly.
.-= beta dad´s last blog ..Butching It Up for the Daddy Playdate =-.
@beta dad I looked that up on wikipeadia and it does look rather interesting. I especially like the idea of anti-moral moral endings.
I’m going to see if I can locate it.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Getting my Geek on =-.
As a non-geek, I can’t suggest a show for you. The only thing I can suggest is this: clearly, work is going to have to go. Priorities, Dan!
Nice graphic, by the way.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Wow, just wow. =-.
@Kristin, The graphic isn’t mine, I stole it from the internet.
And yes, I am going to have to work on my priorities. Maybe I should stop sleeping, that’ll get me a few hours.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Getting my Geek on =-.
Hey, congrats on completing B5! Awesome show. If you do that post, I guarantee it’ll get at least one comment.
Did you watch the B5 movies or just the series itself? If you didn’t, I highly recommend “In the Beginning” at a minimum, and “A Call to Arms” if you want to go further. The others are more for the completists (though it does raise your geekiness hit points).
If you can stand watching a show that was cancelled before it ran, and was finally put to death through network interference, check out Crusade, the B5 spinoff (for which “A Call to Arms” is the set up). That and Firefly are just about tied, for me, in shows that suffered unfairly from network idiocy, and would have been utterly fantastic.
You’ll have to let us know how Farscape goes. I’ve seen it in bits and drabs, but never followed it. It always impressed me, though – enough that I watched the final movie and enjoyed it, even without understanding all the references. I keep meaning to watch the series properly.
Oh, and if you’ve never seen it (though I’m guessing you have), go watch the Justice League/JL Unlimited series. Excellent stuff.
.-= Jeff´s last blog ..New York destroyed by Pixels! =-.
@Jeff, I avoided the movies because I heard bad things about them. to be honest Series 5 has left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth.
I heard Crusade was particularly bad, so it’s interesting you rate it. Maybe I should give it a go.
Firefly is a hot contender for my own “best TV show ever”, and probably would have romped home with it if only more episodes were made.
Are you talking about the animated Justice League? Because I think I swa most of those. I keep catching the odd Brave and The Bold cartoon, which is excellent too (although has a rather 60′s batman)
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Getting my Geek on =-.
@Dan, All the movies except “In the Beginning” can be skipped with no issues. In the Beginning, though… I count that as part of the series, personally.
Crusade… as aired, yeah, it’s kinda disappointing. I was following all the buildup, the behind the scenes drama, and the unreleased material, so I know where the plot was going. Unfortunately the last episode aired is the one just before the overarching plot takes over. Where it was going, though… man, it would’ve rocked your socks off. You pretty much have to be on board already to actually enjoy Crusade as intended, though. All the seeds are there, but with so few episodes the growing pains and network interference begin to overpower the quality (though there are a couple of excellent episodes). I’m still mad at TNT.
Yes, I meant the animated JL. Agreed with B&B, though I like that one more for the fun than the awesomeness. ‘Cause it’s fun, but not awesome.
.-= Jeff´s last blog ..New York destroyed by Pixels! =-.
I’m rather at a loss for words. I do love the diagram though.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Read This – It’s Chock Full Of Awesomeness. =-.
@Heather, there has to be more to life than mummyblogging you know – especialy when your a dad :)
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Getting my Geek on =-.
Have you already watched Firefly?
Other TV shows that I’ve enjoyed watching on DVD:
Lost
Hustle
Deadwood
Get Smart
Dexter
Dead Like Me
Northern Exposure
Carnivale
Band of Brothers
Big Love
Breaking Bad
Mad Men
Pushing Daisies
Arrested Development
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Not much sci-fi there, but all high quality and addictive.
.-= Idaho Dad´s last blog ..Educated Kid =-.
@Idaho Dad, yup, firefly is one of my favorites.
Lost – I think the plot would irritate me.
Hustle – used to love it, but episodes are quite formulaic now
Deadwood – I watched the first few and liked it. I shall think about revisiting.
Get smart – The 60′s show?
Dexter – I found distasteful. I like my heroes to wear white hats
Dead like me – It was ok, but didn’t set me on fire.
Northern Exposure – Yes, I shoudl watch that again. as should I Due South.
Carnivale – Good one, might give it a go
Band of Brothers – I can’t remember why I only watched this half way through, should
Big Love – I never had you down as a polygamist Phil
Breaking Bad – I’ve heard good things, I may well give it a whirl.
Mad Men – Much like the wire, I’ve heard too many people banging on about how good this is fopr me to try it. I refuse to be badgered by hype (I know, I’m prickly).
Pushing Daisies – I got annoyed by the cuteness.
Arrested Development – I’m going to give that a go too.
Curb Your Enthusiasm – I can’t cope with embarrassing comedy.
Wow. I’m a hard man to please.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Getting my Geek on =-.
@Dan, Just have to second that Arrested Development suggestion. Great stuff.
.-= Jeff´s last blog ..New York destroyed by Pixels! =-.
@Dan, It sounds like you’ve watched most of the good stuff.
I think it’s time to become obsessed with not watching TV. :)
It’s amazing just how much bad, or indifferent, television there is out there.
One I left off the list… Spooks. And also Jekyll.
I think you Brits are better at good TV than we are.
.-= Idaho Dad´s last blog ..Educated Kid =-.
@Idaho Dad, Oh no – you just get to see the best stuff, that’s all.
there wasa time when Britain put out great quality TV, but that time is long gone. The only British TV I watch is kids shows, Dr Who, and the occasional panel game.
I haven’t watched spooks though, I need to add that to the list.
@Dan, as a fellow geek, let me just say that I think Lost is probably one of the best TV programmes in the history of TV. And if you stick with it, you won’t be disappointed. Well, either that or you will. But that’s what you get from listening to me mate.
.-= Kevin Spencer´s last blog ..Happy St George’s Day =-.
I still X-Files is the best ever, but that’s a serious commitment.
By far my favourite of late is Dexter, to the point where I wish I hadn’t watched it so I could watch it for the first time again.
.-= Martin´s last blog ..Coronary ? =-.
@Martin, X-files the first 3 seasons maybe, but after that it seriously lost it’s way.
@Dan, Heathen.
.-= Martin´s last blog ..Coronary ? =-.
@Martin, If it’s any consolation I’ve acquired The Lone Gunman season and intend watching it.
Okay, just thought of a few more: Wonderfalls, Friday Night Lights, Community, Jericho
.-= Idaho Dad´s last blog ..Educated Kid =-.
I think I’m naturally a nerd, but on good days can cross over the line into geek. On good days.
.-= A Free Man´s last blog ..“You’ll never take me alive”, said he. =-.
@A Free Man, i kind of only just make the “inteligent” circle myself.
I’m looking at my shelves… for some great characters and great writing: The West Wing! I love it, and I don’t even understand US politics!
@SG-3, Yes the west wing was fantastic. for some reason I only ever watched the first two seasons though. i need to add that to my revisit list too.
You also seem to have allowed geek TV to push aside your uke playing. A tragedy!
.-= Steve´s last blog ..Happy 40th Birthday Hayley =-.
@Steve, that’s very true – although I pick it up now and again still.
I struggle with rhythm, and so find strumming patterns hard to get a grip on.
Charlie & Lola
.-= Rachael´s last blog ..Fantastic Opportunity for a day out in Edinburgh… =-.
@Rachael, tisk
Nerds sit in the middle and rule the world. I wish I was a nerd.
.-= DC Urban Dad´s last blog ..Since when did snuggling become a contact sport? =-.
@DC Urban Dad, I think you can get lessons.
I like the graphic, and I think it describes perfectly the differences between every fan of technology.
I do agree with the fact that being a geek is time consuming. I find myself very ‘geeky’ stuff when I should be working.
Like right now.
.-= Paulina´s last blog ..Bio & CV – Freelance Translator & Lawyer =-.
I get this ‘no-time’ stuff…I’ve been lagging with my tv-serie addiction..and that means I réally don’t have any time because I already skip sleep and other lame time consuming things for this.
.-= Arjan´s last blog ..Youtube ‘saturday’: Department of eagles – no one does it like you =-.
We’ve been watching Alias on DVD. Also, it took me a while to get used to the truly pervasive language, but I enjoyed the first season of Deadwood.
.-= Erin @ Fierce Beagle´s last blog ..This is the reason I’ve been an absentee blogger =-.
Farscape, amazing stuff, cant believe other people watched it!
i recommend 24. it made me nervous for the first two or three episodes of the first series, but since then i must have hardened to the “oh my god” -ness of the whole thing.
i cant believe you dont like dexter, but i guess you have to be a bit of an oddity to like a murderer, even though he too is a geek like us.
love your blog,
Jane
I loved Babylon 5 and Dr Who is fabulous, but I’m more of a goth geek myself I think. I still love Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, and Millenium was good too. The Mentalist has been a bit fabulous lately and I do like Waking the Dead and Silent Witness.
I also think Dexter is ok but can’t imagine watching a whole season of it in one go, I think it would scare me. Have you watched any of The Adventures of Sarah Jane/Jayne? That’s actually quite good, and I don’t have to share my bed with E and M after they’ve watched it.
There was a sci fi thing on about 3 years ago where weird watery beings invaded people’s bodies and they became a slightly improved version of themselves. That one was cool too. There was a woman in it called Mariel. I always wondered if she was actually called ‘Muriel’ but they just couldn’t say it.
.-= Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..That Special Place – The Gallery =-.
@Jo Beaufoix, It’s Kerry and I can’t change Dan’s avatar. The programme you’re thinking of is invasion, I always thought it was a shame it got cancelled :)
Have you tried Firefly or Torchwood? Both great sci-fi series, although a bit short.
.-= Mely Wilcox´s last blog ..Starbucks VIA Tastes Okay, but It’s Still A Rip-Off =-.