This is Previously

Yes, another website. This is Previously, something I’ve considered starting at least half a dozen times in the past decade. A simple spot to write down thoughts on TV and film that I’m enjoying. Might also throw in bits on comics or other things as well, if/when the desire arises.

Why this site, why now? For the final couple of seasons of Lost (which is still an all-time favourite, and the ending was great regardless of what you think) I ran “Previously on Lost” where I posted episode reviews, theories, plus other bits and pieces each week. It was a nice outlet, something less serious that I could have a little fun with while also obsessing over my favourite TV show.

At the time I thought this could be something I did for other TV shows I enjoyed – so I started a site for Fringe, even bought a fresh domain name, but I think I only ever posted twice and it disappeared into the internet abyss. I then started a site called “The Smash Cut”, where rather than longer form content I focused more on collecting snippets of TV/film news, sharing new trailers and similar “less time-consuming” content like that. That lasted a year or so from memory. A couple of years later I spun up another site “JJverse”, it was similar to “The Smash Cut” but I narrowed my concentration just to projects connected to J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot production company. But again, it didn’t last.

You see, the issue with committing to long-form reviews for every episode of a show (as I had done for Lost, and wanted to do for Fringe), or attempting to run a news site is that you really need to the time to dedicate to it for it work (especially the news side of things it you want to keep up – and there are a thousand other site already doing it better than you). I didn’t have that time – I wanted to, but I didn’t.

So, with several failed attempts – and the learnings from them – behind me, I’m trying again. Because I’m a sucker, but mostly because I’m again seeking a simpler creative outlet that’s separate from other things I’m working on. There will be no committed frequency of content, maybe I’ll post several times a week, maybe I’ll go weeks without any new content, I’m not placing any pressure on myself to generate content.

What this isn’t. It’s not a review website, but most of what I post will very likely be after I’ve watched or read something. It’s not a news website, but I might occasionally write things related to something that’s upcoming.

What this is. Most of the content is likely to be relatively short-form, there won’t really be a standard “format” as such. Maybe it’ll be initial thoughts on a film, or a reaction to a twist in a TV show. Perhaps I’ll write about things I’ve picked up in a re-watch of something – I’ve watched the Back to the Future trilogy several dozen times at this point, and I still pick up new little things all the time.

I’m going to start with some thoughts and observations from Tenet, and a look at some of the TV shows I’m watching at the moment – Lovecraft Country has started great, The Boys has just started, and I’m keen to check out Raised by Wolves.

And, yes, there will be spoilers in much of what I write, so you’ve been warned.

Unlike other projects, I’m not going to set up specific social profiles, but you can just catch me at my regular @deanjrobinson account if you wish.