Skins Series 4- While not as good as the first 2 series, I came to like the 2nd generation cast. I think JJ is my favorite followed by Cook who had some very good exposition about him. He change through the course of the show and came out as a genuine nice guy opposed to the raging shit he was at the start. The writing for the parents on the show was much better as well (especially Kate and Emily’s family which got the most time out of any family in the show), which I really appreciated. In series 1 and 2 all of the parents are played as worthless jokes with dialog to match. But, the ending was incredibly frustrating. The first generation of kids all had cliff hanger endings, but you knew where they were and had a good idea of what they could be doing. The 2nd generation has the crazy twist at the 2nd to last episode and then the last scene of the series is one of the biggest cop-outs I can remember in a long time. The fate of that character is going to forever be unknown which I hate (and it could go either way…plus that storyline had incredible ramifications to the story). Series 5 recently ended on the BBC so I have to wait for that to hit on DVD, but I’ve read that the new cast stinks.

I watched the original UK Shameless to compare it to Showtimes version (which I love). The original came out in 2004 and only made it through 1 series at 7 episodes. Showtime made 12 episodes and used every plotline from the original, but expanded and altered some of it to really flesh it out and changing things for the better, I think. I was actually surprised how closely it sticks to the original keeping everyone’s names the same (and look too). The casting is really great on both sides and I think the Showtime edition really honors the original while making it’s own path towards the end. Some of the UK edition feels truncated which the SHO writers changed. I like how they did Sheila’s agoraphobia “breakthrough” more and Frank’s adultery disaster is set up much better, which will be the first bridge to cross in season 2. I’d probably recommend the SHO edition over the original because of the changes and not having to decipher some hardcore English accents and slang. Makes it easier for a US viewer to get into.

Keeping with media from across the pond, I just found out the Arctic Monkeys have a new album out (Suck It and See) which I must check out.