Jrag

This board used to have a whole forum for The Wire and we haven't even started a thread for The Deuce yet? Shame. The first two episodes have been GREAT! I could never really get into Treme or Show Me A Hero so for me this feels like a return to form for David Simon. Excellent cast of characters. Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Franco have both surpassed my expectations so far. Bartender James Franco is a cool character, but I'm curious to see more of scummy twin James Franco. My favorite character so far is Darlene. So many Wire vets in this show. Shouts to Slim Charles as the diner owner who the pimps don't want to cross. Also, the show has already been renewed for Season 2! http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/deuce-renewed-season-2-at-hbo-1041126

I'll just leave this here:

Qyburn being way too interested in the zombie hand was a highlight of the episode for me. He just walked over and picked it up in the middle of their super serious demo.

In the books, yes. There is a key bit to the prophecy which sort of drives her hatred of Tyrion. In show, I can't remember how they handled it word for word. I won't bring up the specifics of the book stuff because it feels like they left a certain part of the prophecy out on purpose. She also essentially already has a zombie of her own, so I imagine she would be more prone to believe.

Actually, Cersie believing in the dead is in line with her character in both the books and the show. She's really the only Lannister who has believed in prophecies throughout the story. Not only does she believe in prophecies, but the prophecies have proved to be true. I don't think she would dismiss anything as superstitious nonsense at this point.

"And the key wording was mostly from the writing team" is supposed to prove something? That's some vague nonsense. Again, i'm sure they had an idea of where they were going with that promo. "Mostly" is the key word there. If it was really scripted down to the very last word Cena looks even better. Dude really needs to get out of this business and try something else.

See, it wouldn't have been such a burial if Roman could work the mic. I'm sure they had an idea of what they wanted to do with that promo, but there is absolutely no way that was all scripted. Roman could have turned that around, but he truly is not capable. If it was scripted down to the word and Roman ok'd it, that's on him too. Either way, my main point is that they had nowhere to go the minute they started this feud. Roman getting exposed on the mic was bound to happen unless Cena held back.

See I was under the impression that was discussed off screen. Tyrion surely told Jamie they were bringing some demonstration. I don't know why they cut that Jamie scene so short. Man, the Lannisters really got the short end of the stick this year.

Cersie did know what they were bringing. Wasn't that the whole point of Tyrion's rushed meeting with Jamie? They just cut away from that scene early for some reason. They did that a few times with Tyrion scenes this year.

Welp. If they go that route then they go that route. Roman is a top guy in the ring, but man there is no next-level charisma there and there never will be. He is basically Cesaro to me. I would rather watch Cena gun for him than have Cena hold back to make him look good. The gap in promo talent between Roman and Cena would have been obvious no matter how they handled this feud. Roman can't keep up with Joe on the mic. He had no chance of looking good against Cena.

If it was scripted it makes Cena's delivery even more impressive. Seemed like they were going for it on the fly though.

Complain about the business exposing aspects all you want, but that's a goofy thing to care about when they have documentaries and shoot interviews right next to the PPVs on the network. I still get the gripe. Now, griping about burying the top guy? I haven't been around here in a while, but do you guys still really give a shit about Roman as the top guy? I mean, hell. He's the fourth most over monster tweener on this damn show. It's time to move on, guys. He is great in the ring, but he isn't an ace. Is he really still being booked as the top guy, even? It sort of feels like WM was the last effort. He lost to Braun leading up to SS and then they added two more over guys to his title match on the big card. Braun is clearly lighting fires. I don't watch week to week, but in the broad strokes it feels like they are moving on from the idea of Roman as the man. Am I wrong about that?

It seems obvious to me that Cena is about to retire. For a while, at least. No other reason to burn through this and the Nak match on a small scale. He looks banged up and his neck is probably still hurting from that bump in the Nak match. In that context, "I'm still here because you can't do your job" is an all-timer line and also a bit sad. Amazing promo. One of the best of Cena's career.

A Celtics/Cavs ECF is interesting. Last year it wasn't. I'm hyped for it.

Also, I'm seeing a lot of "IT to Kyrie is a lateral move" talking points out there. That's just an absurd thing to say for so many reasons. Cleveland vs GS will be interesting this year. Crowder could be huge for them in that series from a match up perspective.