Vice Principals (Season 1)

[Dukefrukem]

OMG Yes.

[Henry Gale]

Fucking finallyyyy!

Trying to temper my expectations -- I mean, if Eastbound & Down isn't in my hypothetical Top 5 narrative comedies of all time at this point, then I don't know what is -- but Goggins and McBride are a pairing I already can't do without.

[Ezee E]

Absolutely will watch.

[Henry Gale]

Held off but finally cracked and watched the first five episodes back-to-back last night.

I really like it, but the premiere is almost the least confident or outright funny episode of the bunch and it quickly feels more confident right after that. The leads are great, some of the supporting performances are quietly phenomenal, and though it's short on the bigger laughs or pathos of Eastbound at this point, I admire how much it's going for such a different thing altogether. I also get that it's extremely dark and beyond cringeworthy and that's not going to be for everyone (and I'm not sure it's even as polished or thoughtfully done as it could be), but some stuff is just stunning in its unwatchable depths in the very best way.

Crazy that they already have the whole series wrapped and we're just getting it doled out over two years. But if it keeps up and naturally escalates from where it already is, then we're in for something crazy.

This also has the best TV score of the year this side of Stranger Things. And very similar sounding to boot.

[transmogrifier]

I really didn't like the pilot and never got round to the others... so it does get better?

[Ezee E]

I liked the first two episodes and just forgot about it. I'll have to catch up.

[amberlita]

I really didn't like the pilot and never got round to the others... so it does get better?

Not especially. I think you have to find unjustifiable stupidity and cruelty funny and I don't. All the characters, save perhaps the guy who works in the cafeteria, are deeply unlikable. I've yet to figure out the purpose of this show.

[transmogrifier]

Basically every moment in the pilot featuring McBride's character outside the school (i.e., with his ex and kid) was a complete drag and dissuaded me from watching any more. And impressive feat given Goggins is a co-star.

[Henry Gale]

Yeah, I'd say the fourth and fifth episodes were both my favourites of the bunch from a comedy and character perspective and gave a better sense of what its general direction is going to be too (until it likely goes nuts and completely subverts those expectations).