Thriller Chat with Chris Allen discussion

I'd like to know what you're enjoying on the small screen with a thriller bent.

For me, Hawaii-50 has recently been put on the backburner in Australia which is a shame, as I really enjoyed watching Alex O'Loughlin playing Steve McGarrett. He did a good job and he could even play Alex Morgan one day soon!

What are you watching?

Best, Chris

I grew up on, and frequently revisit, The Saint and The Rockford Files, and I also appreciate the classic Mission Impossible series. And of course there was The X-Files and Wiseguy. This is not an exhaustive list, just what I could think of off the top of my head.

Hi Jim.

There was a real phase at Chez Allen where (before kids) we spent one winter watching The X Files, season after season. It was great! That seems to be the thing, we get hooked on a series. Another crime / spooky one for a while was The Mentalist, but then they got obsessed with the Red John character and it didn't seem to appeal, so we dropped it. The latest on the TBW pile is Game of Thrones.

Would you consider Game of Thrones to have a thriller bent? I do, it thrills me. I am absolutely loving it. I'm ready to get into the books.

I've seen only one episode of Game of Thrones--I don't have cable service--so I'm not sure of its thriller bona fides. It struck me more as a combination of heroic fantasy and political drama. Of course, genres can be fluid things.

Jim wrote: "I've seen only one episode of Game of Thrones--I don't have cable service--so I'm not sure of its thriller bona fides. It struck me more as a combination of heroic fantasy and political drama. Of c..."

This is true. I think of it in the way you've described it but it's one of my favourites at the moment but the other one I've started watching is.. Broadwalk Empire. Again, great but not thriller. Dammit!

Chris wrote: "I'd like to know what you're enjoying on the small screen with a thriller bent.

For me, Hawaii-50 has recently been put on the backburner in Australia which is a shame, as I really enjoyed watchi..."

Let's hope he will! That would be great.

I've recently become hooked on "Leverage" - not sure if it's exactly a thriller, but has some thrilling moments :) I don't think it's been on free to air TV here in Australia, but it's on DVD.

Melissa wrote: "I've recently become hooked on "Leverage" - not sure if it's exactly a thriller, but has some thrilling moments :) I don't think it's been on free to air TV here in Australia, but it's on DVD."

I don't have cable, so I haven't watched too much of it, but I did catch an episode at someone else's home once. Fun show.

Melissa wrote: "I've recently become hooked on "Leverage" - not sure if it's exactly a thriller, but has some thrilling moments :) I don't think it's been on free to air TV here in Australia, but it's on DVD."

I will be sure to look that one up Melissa!

Jim wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I've recently become hooked on "Leverage" - not sure if it's exactly a thriller, but has some thrilling moments :) I don't think it's been on free to air TV here in Australia, but i..."

Melissa wrote: "I've recently become hooked on "Leverage" - not sure if it's exactly a thriller, but has some thrilling moments :) I don't think it's been on free to air TV here in Australia, but it's on DVD."

Never heard of it (except maybe sub-consciously). Sounds interesting for sure. What do you like most about it? Does the series give you any ideas ;)

I'll look up Leverage too Melissa... and Game of Thrones has been required watching since the beginning of time, it now feels like. Could be a good breather I can take between writing chapters?

I'm in London at the moment and (said with Cockney accent) I got no tee vee connection in the flat. So I'm not enjoyin nuffin. Howzat for a frilla, Guv?

No seriously, the other one I'd have to nominate is Elementary. I love the US take on the UK classic, the quirky weirdness of the main characters, and the contemporary feel brought to the thriller / crime stories.

Has anyone seen Grimm or American Horror Story? Both shows are quite good!

If we're talking thrillers on TV, then can you beat the IPL (just finished) or the Champions Trophy (about to start)? :D To the uninitiated, that's Cricket! LOL (Oh, and what a disaster for Australia against India, today!)

I like Hawaii 50 but its gone for now :( I also like NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles (and my wife goes weak at the knees -severe understatement - over Mark Harmon!). Yeah, I guess Alex O'Loughlin would be okay as Alex Morgan, though he doesn't fit my vision of him - that would probably be somebody like Hugh Jackman (definitely not Russel Crowe!).

I can't bring myself to watch the new British Sherlock - not when he mugs at the camera, winks at it, and his housekeeper says things like 'never mind, perhaps there'll be a nice murder'!! I find Elementary far superior, even with a female Watson (meaning Watson's wife becomes Holmes' old flame). I have a problem with many modern thrillers and crime series/movies being unwatchably dark.

Melissa, I'm with you :) Leverage is brilliant! One of the best 'hustle' series I've ever seen! Come to think of it (I wish I could remember names!), the 'muscle' of the team wouldn't be a bad fit with your writings, Chris :)

Julie wrote: "Jim wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I've recently become hooked on "Leverage" - not sure if it's exactly a thriller, but has some thrilling moments :) I don't think it's been on free to air TV here in Aust..."

There's a lot of suspense in working out how they will solve the problem. It's also well written and acted. It doesn't take itself too seriously either, there are a lot of funny moments.

Steve wrote: "If we're talking thrillers on TV, then can you beat the IPL (just finished) or the Champions Trophy (about to start)? :D To the uninitiated, that's Cricket! LOL (Oh, and what a disaster for Austr..."

Christian Kane is the actor who played Eliot Spencer, the Hitter. Is that the actor you mean? He would be a good Alex Morgan.

That's the guy :) Thanks, Melissa! And he's a great singer, too ;) First saw him in Angel. He's one of the better of the new generation of actors, in my opinion. I think he could carry off Alex Morgan because he's able to shift moods so quickly, as well as being a decent 'action man' ;)

Steve wrote: "If we're talking thrillers on TV, then can you beat the IPL (just finished) or the Champions Trophy (about to start)? :D To the uninitiated, that's Cricket! LOL (Oh, and what a disaster for Austr..."

Cricket!! Steve, we are an Aussie Rules Football family mostly - although I think our boys Morgan & Rhett will decide what they want to play in due course :)

Elementary is starting to grow on me, but it's taken a while as I was actually quite attached to all the British-isms in the Sherlock show.

I agree with you, Alex O'L may not be quite right for the screen as Alex Morgan, I'd like Sam Worthington!

Madeline wrote: "Has anyone seen Grimm or American Horror Story? Both shows are quite good!"

I just googled American Horror Story - one to watch late at night! Have written it down and will be sure to look it up, as well as Melissa's Leverage. Thanks for all the great tips!

Sarah wrote: "Steve wrote: "If we're talking thrillers on TV, then can you beat the IPL (just finished) or the Champions Trophy (about to start)? :D To the uninitiated, that's Cricket! LOL (Oh, and what a disa..."

LOL! I'm afraid Aussie Rules doesn't appeal to me ;) I might be biased - I used to play cricket - well, I bowled but that was about the best part of my game :D

For British Holmes, I like the Jeremy Brett version :) To me, he was the very epitome of Holmes ;) But as for Elementary - I can see that Holmes today, especially in his younger years, would face all the social attitudes towards him that he gets in Elementary.

Sorry Sarah, Sam Worthington looks far too 'clean cut' and soft, to me ;)

Steve wrote: "That's the guy :) Thanks, Melissa! And he's a great singer, too ;) First saw him in Angel. He's one of the better of the new generation of actors, in my opinion. I think he could carry off Ale..."

He sings in one of the Leverage episodes. If he can master the Aussie accent, he'd be great.

Melissa wrote: "Steve wrote: "That's the guy :) Thanks, Melissa! And he's a great singer, too ;) First saw him in Angel. He's one of the better of the new generation of actors, in my opinion. I think he could..."

I have no evidence to support it, but I have a feeling he could pull it off ;)

American Horror Story is an anthology series. Every season is a different story, so you could watch the third season even if you haven't seen the first two. Even so, I would recommend starting at the beginning.

The first season tells the story of a family who moves into a house that is plagued by tortured spirits, but it is really about so much more than that. The second season is about a mental institution, but once again the story goes much deeper. The third season is going to be about a coven in Salem, Massachusetts, but, once again, it too will have additional story lines and underlying meanings.

Madeline wrote: "American Horror Story is an anthology series. Every season is a different story, so you could watch the third season even if you haven't seen the first two. Even so, I would recommend starting at t..."

I took one look at a trailer. That was more than enough for me LOL! Way too strong and dark for me. I don't do very dark, not any more.

Steve wrote: "Madeline wrote: "American Horror Story is an anthology series. Every season is a different story, so you could watch the third season even if you haven't seen the first two. Even so, I would recomm..."

Haha! Yes, it is pretty gruesome. I like most genres of horror, as long as it is a well-written, gripping story. Any psychological thrillers that you would recommend?

Madeline wrote: "..."

:D I'm definitely not into gory or similar ;) To be honest I'm very new to thrillers, but most psychological ones would be just below the bottom of my list, I'm afraid. Being prone to depression, I tend to avoid really heavy stuff.

Steve wrote: "Madeline wrote: "..."

:D I'm definitely not into gory or similar ;) To be honest I'm very new to thrillers, but most psychological ones would be just below the bottom of my list, I'm afraid. Be..."

What shows (thrilling or otherwise) do you enjoy watching?

I love Leverage and Burn Notice. I have also followed NCIS from the beginning - and that has periodic episodes that would definitely qualify as Thrillers, I believe. I used to watch the CSI franchises, but they all seemed to stray from the very thing that attracted me :( In fact, I enjoy many crime series, as long as they don't get dark and heavy. I enjoy Elementary but have lost touch as it's a busy time for sports (especially cricket). Generally, I like shows that have plenty of good humour. Apart from anything else, I think that the powerful episodes are more powerful when unexpected! Leverage has achieved that a few times now ;)

Steve wrote: "I love Leverage and Burn Notice. I have also followed NCIS from the beginning - and that has periodic episodes that would definitely qualify as Thrillers, I believe. I used to watch the CSI franc..."

Steve, I love what you said here: "Powerful episodes are more powerful when unexpected!" I definitely agree. I will look into watching Leverage and Burn Notice. I haven't seen either. I was unable to get into either NCIS or CSI, but I also enjoy watching Elementary sometimes.

I am a dedicated Law and Order SVU fan. Also, 666 Park Avenue is airing its final episodes this summer. 666 Park Ave is AMAZING!

Madeline wrote: "Steve wrote: "I love Leverage and Burn Notice. I have also followed NCIS from the beginning - and that has periodic episodes that would definitely qualify as Thrillers, I believe. I used to watch..."

Thanks :) I always have thought that comedy is the natural complement to grief, so it holds that the less humour there is in a story, the harder it is to feel the full of impact of sadness and shock. They're both excellent and fun :) I'd be lynched by my wife if I vetoed NCIS anyway - with Mark Harmon in it, it's one of her 'must see' shows :)

I used to watch SVU but was never comfortable and then the stories got even darker and uglier so I abandoned it. I'm afraid I've not heard of 666 Park Avenue :O The title makes it sound very demonic ;)

Madeline wrote: "Steve wrote: "I love Leverage and Burn Notice. I have also followed NCIS from the beginning - and that has periodic episodes that would definitely qualify as Thrillers, I believe. I used to watch..."

666 Park Avenue - is that the one with Rose Byrne. If so that was the CREEPIEST show!! I had to stop watching after a while.... I got freaked out by (spoiler alert) the goings on in the basement....

Sarah wrote: "Madeline wrote: "Steve wrote: "I love Leverage and Burn Notice. I have also followed NCIS from the beginning - and that has periodic episodes that would definitely qualify as Thrillers, I believe...."

In that case, I'm definitely dodging 666 if it comes my way! Thanks for the warning, Sarah :)