I know what Gundam is, but I've never delved deep into the franchise so I'm not quite sure where to start or what to watch. The ones I've been recommended, and seen, are:
08 MS Team
War in the Pocket
Thunderbolt
And I already know to avoid Gundam Wing and that one where it's set in the future and Gundams are used in a fighting tournament or something.
Yesss more of that. I know Gundam was originally made with the intent to show how terrible war is and how the even the 'good guys' must do some pretty nasty things to win. Trying to steer away from more of the cool mech blow shit up type of stuff.