Not really. That's probably why i found the Jinx so boring and haven't watched MaM - True Crime isn't interesting enough to watch, but it's just fine for a commute or while at the gym. There are very few podcasts that I would watch as a TV show. Even the old TAL TV series wasn't that great.
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Serial Season 2 - Focused on Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl - CPM Podcast
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Not really. That's probably why i found the Jinx so boring and haven't watched MaM - True Crime isn't interesting enough to watch, but it's just fine for a commute or while at the gym. There are very few podcasts that I would watch as a TV show. Even the old TAL TV series wasn't that great.
CopperPuppy
Member
Thanks for the correction. My focus on broadcast or release date obviously doesn't paint an accurate picture. Perhaps it would be better to rephrase it as the popularity of the latter two being influenced by Serial.
EDIT: Never mind. I found the answer to my question regarding the fifth episode.
While I can understand while this season has less mass-appeal, I'm enjoying this season of Serial. It almost feels like the first season of Games of Thrones--how one seemingly impulsive maneuver puts into action all of these gigantic machines. The only thing tangible missing is Sarah not having a direct line to Bowe--Sarah was almost a character in Season 1 and was very hands on with the reporting, where in this she seems more on the fringe of the events. Perhaps she eventually will.
I would be curious the numbers with regards to this compared to Season 1 though. I feel like the mind-share of Serial have diminished significantly, and I feel like I am the only person listening to this season as to last where all of my friends listening. I wouldn't be surprised if Season 3 pivoted back to true crime, if only to reengage wide interest in the series.
I would be curious the numbers with regards to this compared to Season 1 though. I feel like the mind-share of Serial have diminished significantly, and I feel like I am the only person listening to this season as to last where all of my friends listening. I wouldn't be surprised if Season 3 pivoted back to true crime, if only to reengage wide interest in the series.
lastflowers
Banned
it feels VERY reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy's plotlines and thematic tension. Cormac often deals in the aftermath of these decisions. See 'No Country for Old Men' and Llewelyn's midnight decision to head back to the shoot-out; See Culla's infanticide and Rinthy's journey in 'Outer Dark', the kid famously doesn't shoot The Judge in 'Blood Meridian' and pays for it, etc etc.
As an outsider to nearly all of the military, this season has been a really interesting delve into its structures, and particularly how a really dumb fucking decision by a soldier plays out over the course of years. I can easily see why people don't like it though.
PassiveObserver
Member
Pretty bummed it wasn't a full episode when I went to my podcasts.
| Praxis |
Banned
Same. And I wish the episodes were longer.
This week's episode was very interesting. I've never read anything about the efforts to get him back and all the back and forth involved. I was worried that there wouldn't be enough information regarding this case to sustain my interest but I was obviously way off. It looks like there's a ton to dig in to.
The One Who Knocks
Member
I definitely agree that the latest episode was quite interesting and played a really important role in expanding the scope of the story. At the same time, however, while the content is quite interesting, the additional week between the episodes really killed some of the momentum of the series for me. While it is good we'll seemingly be getting more content as a result of it, it makes me more strongly consider just waiting for all of the remaining episodes to be released and listening to it then when there isn't such a sizeable gap between the episodes.
Wowfunhappy
Member
Agreed. I really like getting weekly installments of a story, but bi-weekly is just a bit too long.
I wish that they'd just followed their original airing plan, and then released a "special" episode later on.
Really? I thought episode 5 was the best yet.
I agree there was a lot of "and then thing-I-can't-reveal happened," but I feel like that's just the nature of covering a story like this. And it never felt as if there were huge chunks of the story missing, just little things here and there.
Been only so so on the new season so far, but the last episode was really fascinating. I expect certain attitudes from internet comments sections when it comes to people captured over there, but I was more surprised to hear how prevalent it is in the infrastructure that would be involved in finding these people.
I may have to re-listen to it, but by the third or fourth "we can't tell you the details" mention I pretty much checked out.
CopperPuppy
Member
I'm a firm believer in delayed gratification, but I have to agree that every other week is hurting this season's momentum.
SuperPac
Member
Yeah. It doesn't work well for Serial. I'll probably still listen but it's too easy to forget everything from the previous episode when there's 14 days between.
Joel Was Right
Gold Member
The One Who Knocks
Member
Just in case people haven't heard, Serial Season 2 will now also contain an update to Season 1 daily (the source of this is in the first update), in relation to Adnan Syed's hearing.The first update, available today/now, is about fifteen minutes long. The next episode of season 2 is also out.
Nice! I'm still interested in Adnan Syed's case.
anonymous_abc
Member
I still feel like S2 was a big letdown compared to S1. Not feeling it at all really.
For me in Germany this whole Army theme is not as approachable as the murder mystery from S1 was but it's still interesting.
backflip10019
Member
So I guess Serial saw a massive drop off in listeners and put the second season on hold while they cover Adnan's case again:
http://observer.com/2016/02/serial-...2-on-hold-to-dive-back-into-adnan-syeds-case/
http://observer.com/2016/02/serial-...2-on-hold-to-dive-back-into-adnan-syeds-case/
Where does it say that Serial saw a massive drop off in listeners or is that something you just made up? I mean, I wouldn't be surprised...season 2 is just.. wow, so freakin bad.
Haha, great, I haven't listened since the first ep back from the holidays.
It's just not a super interesting story.
Podcasts need to be like Rashomon, where every side tells a conflicting story and the truth is unknowable. Bergdahl wandered off base and was captured, and now his life is shitty because of the political climate. Is anyone disputing why he wandered off base? Not really. Is anyone saying that he was "turned" or was suggesting he was "a spy"? Nope. Is his current situation partly political, but ultimately within the scope of desertion? Sure.
I would listen to a 60-120 minute "This American Life" about Bergdahl, but it's really unsuited towards trying to be a weekly thing with twists and turns. There's no carrot to keep me coming back, because it's just not a mystery.
backflip10019
Member
That's my insinuation based on personal experience -- I have a lot of friends/family who haven't listened to season 2 because it's not as interesting to them.
Yeah, I don't really get what this season is trying to achieve. S1 had a clear goal -- did Adnan kill his girlfriend. S2 can't be boiled down so simply. I like it because it's interesting to hear his story, but it certainly doesn't have the hook that S1 had.
RunningRiot
Member
They are covering Adnan's case again because there are ongoing post-conviction relief hearings regarding the competence of his lawyer during the trial and omitted alibi testimony from a girl he went to high school with.
I agree, season 2 would make a really good one episode (two at most) This American Life episode.. but, it just doesn't work as a full season on serial. I think this thread is evidence of that, really not many posters at all compared to the first season.
It's not super interesting to you because you've already got all the answers apparently. The podcast has posed the same questions, and clearly came to a different conclusion. There is a lot more going on than what can be summed up with nope and sure. You're like the hardline military characters who may ultimately decide the fate of the rest of his life who refuse to consider the situation other than what is on the surface, even though it's very obvious that those conclusions don't come close to telling the whole story.
backflip10019
Member
Yeah, I get that, but it seems premature. How much more is there to report at this moment aside from what you've just said?
outunderthestars
Banned
I just find the story rather boring to be honest. I stopped listening after the first couple of episodes.
Sounds like she is going to be giving day by day updates from the proceedings. So how much there is to report depends on the future, which nobody really knows.
SuperPac
Member
What I liked most about Serial S1 were the interviews and stories of people who were involved with the case. Yes reported by Sarah as the observer but there was a distance between her and the story.
Sarah calling into Dana about what happened in the courtroom is different. It's about her at the hearing. And it doesn't have the same appeal.
Have yet to listen to the newest episode, but that updated from season 1 was thrilling even if it was just some basic info. Glad they are doing a follow-up based on the new events happening surrounding the current proceedings.
Yup, that's what I got from it too. Not sure how long this will last, but today should be the prosecution's crack at Asia to try and discredit her (or at least her memory) of that day. These short daily updates have me excited.
Yup, that's what I got from it too. Not sure how long this will last, but today should be the prosecution's crack at Asia to try and discredit her (or at least her memory) of that day. These short daily updates have me excited.
Neuromancer
Member
I think S2 has been interesting in its own right. It doesn't have to be a big whodunnit.
dead souls
Member
Well, having nothing to report didn't stop them from making a bunch of pointless episodes in season one so...
It's fascinating to hear how disorganized, incompetent, and downright reckless the US Army was in Afghanistan. Serial was never supposed to be a murder-mystery podcast. Rather, it looks at a complicated issue from multiple sides. It's incredible to me to hear from soldiers what was actual going on in Afghanistan.
Septimus Prime
Member
I'm still listening to S2, but I really don't find it all that interesting. That said, though, I think S2 is probably closer to being what the show was originally intended to be (long-form This American Life stories), and I wouldn't be surprised if all future seasons are more like it than S1. I highly doubt they anticipated S1 to be as popular as it was.
Season 1 would be a lot more boring if Adnan admitted guilt and the podcast was niggling over the terms of his incarceration.
Nappuccino
Member
This should have been the first or second episode
I pretty much agree, this was the only episode that never really made me bored.
soxinthebox
Member
This season sucks. It feels like there's no overall point or mystery and the biweekly format kills any momentum they get.
Demoskinos
Member
Yeah, that's the thing. I think Season One was such a big hit because it had that mystery whodunnit aspect to it that drove a lot of watercooler conversation. I think a lot of people expected that again. Because most of the information about Berghdhal has already been exposed by the mainstream media already since the events of his case are playing out in real time.
What I find interesting about Season 2 is trying to just get a handle on what makes Bergdhal tick. I've had back and forths constantly this season thinking man this guy is a scum bag then... oh wait well.. maybe he has a point here. Its less about what happened itself and more about what makes Bergdhal tick as a person. Which may resonate less with some people.
Quote
Member
These mini episodes don't invalidate S1 nor change S2. Just don't listen to them.
I think a lot of people view Season 1 with rose-colored nostalgia glasses anyway. There were a lot of episodes that were pointless and went nowhere. A lot of what got you hooked was because Koening simply didn't address crucial information in early episodes and withheld stuff until mid or late season. It seemed like a bigger mystery because it was intentionally made a mystery.
If she had gone straight to Jay's testimony instead of doing bullshit like investigating the pervert that found the body or trying to see how long the drive from the school to Best Buy takes, then you would have actually gotten bored pretty quick.
If she had gone straight to Jay's testimony instead of doing bullshit like investigating the pervert that found the body or trying to see how long the drive from the school to Best Buy takes, then you would have actually gotten bored pretty quick.
Disagree. A lot of good storytelling withholds information until later on in the story, it isn't something specific to Serial season 1. There were some more aimless episodes, but it all worked to flesh out the world and supporting characters.
The largest issues with S2 are 1) Sarah doesn't talk to Bo, so you don't get the kind of connection like Sarah/Adnan 2) Bo's story is well known, while Adnan's wasn't.
S2 feels like they wanted to cover the Afghan war and needed a good entry point. The most interesting stuff so far has been the structural examination of the military, not the particulars of Bo's story.
A lot of the S2 criticism has been, "Oh well if I did the research I could have learned all of this on my own anyway". That kind of ignores the fact that if you had done independent research, then you could have learned most of S1 as well. I certainly won't deny that S1 was a lot more exciting and engaging because of the uncertainty of the case, but a lot of its appeal was still found in pointless experiments and withholding already-discovered information.
Fantastical
Death Prophet
S1 is much, much better than S2. But I'm still enjoying S2.
lastflowers
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