What I Watch on TV: The (non-premium) Cable Channels: FX and AMC

Last time I wrote about what I watch on the non-premium cable channel, USA. This time I write about what I watch on two of the other three non-premium channels that I watch, FX and AMC. The third channel of those three is SyFy, but the only show that I currently watch on that channel is The Expanse, which I wrote about in an earlier post, so I'm not going to repeat that here.

I watch(ed) two shows on FX, Legion and Tyrant. However, I recently learned that Tyrant has been cancelled, so I'll only write about Legion.

Legion is the story of David Haller, a young man who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age and has been a patient in various psychiatric hospitals ever since. Haller has a very strange encounter with another psychiatric patient, after which he is confronted with the possibility that there may be more to him than a mental illness. In fact, he might not really be mentally ill at all. At least, he might not have been before he was institutionalized.

This show is so...different, so...unusual, that I don't really know what to write about it. In Marvel comics, this story is connected to the X-Men universe. In fact, my understanding is that the character of David Haller is the son of Professor X. I don't know if that connection has followed the show to the screen, i.e., if this show is connected to the X-Men movie universe. Anyway, this is a very difficult show to describe.

On AMC I watch Humans. Humans takes place in our present-day, but in a slightly different world where artificial intelligence and robotics are far more advanced. Artificial people called 'Synths,' which are highly-advanced robotic servants,are routinely purchased for use as servants, workers, babysitters, or whatever. There are even optional "adult" add-on programs available. As I'm sure you can guess, the main story revolves around the synths becoming self-aware.

I usually don't care for British programs. I have nothing against them. They just usually don't appeal to me. I mean, I'm a lifelong science fiction fan, yet have never cared for Doctor Who. For whatever reason, British shows just don't do it for me.

This show, however, is different, and I'm not sure why. It tends to be a bit slow, yet it holds my interest. I was glad to read tonight that it has been picked up for a third season.