The sight of fireworks on television, minus chest-pounding booms and the smell of gunpowder, holds limited appeal. And so for the long July Fourth weekend, you may want to skip the sparklers to concentrate instead on favorite indoor sports.
Consider this the perfect time to marathon through past seasons of some superior TV series you may have missed, in advance of several important July premieres.
Here are two dramas, a comedy and a sci-fi adventure available via DVD or streaming video — and worth the marathon.
“Torchwood,” an award-winning British science-fiction film series created by Russel T. Davies. It was originally a spinoff of “Doctor Who.” The much-loved John Barrowman returns as the lead in a story that imagines what would happen if nobody died — how human overpopulation would lead to tragic consequences for the planet.
Capt. Jack Harkness (Barrowman), an immortal from the distant future who has lived on Earth since the 19th century, is usually seen chasing aliens and saving the planet. In this edition, “Miracle Day,” immortality is the key, and Jack is, for a change, the only one who isn’t immortal.
“Torchwood Miracle Day” debuts July 8 on Starz. The complete series is due on DVD July 19; meanwhile, series 1-3 are available individually.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” a slightly fictionalized reflection on the daily aggravations of Larry David, co-creator of “Seinfeld,” played by himself. As the neurotic, self-absorbed Larry goes through life revolted by much of what he sees in humanity around him, he routinely gets himself in socially awkward situations. The first season doesn’t follow a theme, as succeeding seasons do; each season stands alone. Unlike the other series on this list, “Curb” doesn’t require viewers to follow a story line.
Launching Season 8 on July 10 on HBO, the “Curb” action moves to New York. Seasons 1-7 are available on DVD.
“Rescue Me,” a provocative and at times screamingly funny dissertation on living with grief. Catch up on the travails of FDNY fireman Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary), in the one television production that most consistently and fully explores the feelings of New Yorkers affected by the terrorist attacks of 2001. The dark comedy is most articulate on the subjects of blue-collar Irish angst and male narcissism, but the universals of love and loss are explored, as well.
Since the beginning, Tommy has been visited by ghosts of colleagues who died trying to save people in Manhattan’s Twin Towers on 9/11. All of Tommy’s ghosts, plus the living, breathing people in his life, implore him to stop drinking, get past his survivor guilt and get on with life.
According to FX, the final season brings “a 9/11 retrospective that ends up costing Tommy his job.”
“Rescue Me” debuts its seventh and final season on FX July 13. Five seasons are currently available on DVD, season 6 is due Sept. 13.
“Breaking Bad,” a dark and bloody meditation on how an ordinary man lets go of all social constraints once he learns he is terminally ill. When we first met Walter White, played by multiple Emmy winner Bryan Cranston, he was a mild-mannered New Mexico high school chemistry teacher with a terminal-cancer diagnosis. He decided, for his family’s future security, to use his chemical knowledge to cook meth.
He has since descended into a violent world of drug lords and cartels, guns and drug money — and has unwittingly ascended in the criminal ranks. Who knew he’d be so good at living a lie and beating the thugs at their own business? The coming season is darker still.
“Breaking Bad” returns for a fourth season on July 17 on AMC. Seasons 1-3 are available on DVD.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
