Keeping with our WFH theme. This week we will recommend 5 shows for you to start binge-watching right now. So keep reading.
Watchmen (2019)
Created By: Damon Lindelof
With: Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Jeremy Irons, with Jean Smart
What is it about: Set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws, Watchmen embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name, while attempting to break new ground of its own.
Heads Up: Arguably one of the biggest TV events of recent memory. Watchmen is an impressive show, one that remains very consistent right till the end. Reading the highly acclaimed graphic novel on which it’s based is, strictly speaking, not a pre-requisite for viewing (we’ll pretend the Zack Snyder debacle doesn’t exist), but viewers who possess knowledge of the books varied themes will attest to having a more enriched viewing experience of the series (complete with easter eggs galore). Watch out for the penultimate episode, easily one of the most impressive hours of TV ever made, which works almost like a lost Black Mirror episode with the themes of time, fate, space and love all rolled into one and a near-perfect episode from a near-perfect series.
How to Watch it: OSN / WAVO
Fleabag (2016-2019)
Created By: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
With: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Bill Paterson, Andrew Scott, and Olivia Colman
What is it about: A comedy series adapted from the award-winning play about a young woman trying to cope with life in London whilst coming to terms with a recent tragedy.
Heads Up: When series (season) 1 of Fleabag came out on 2016, everyone lauded it as a perfect season of TV, and as much as viewers loved it, the majority thought it should end right there, as no one thought it could be topped. Three years later series 2 came out and eclipsed the first series in every conceivable way, winning accolades right and left, including most of the TV awards in comedy, and topping many end-of-year best TV shows list. Yet again, everyone thinks this can’t possibly be topped, that fans wants Phoebe Waller-Bridge to quit while she is ahead. Who knows, maybe in 3 years she will come up with an even better series 3. One can only hope.
How to Watch it: Amazon Prime Video.
Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Created By: Joe Penhall
With: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv
What is it about: Set in the late 1970s, two FBI agents are tasked with interviewing serial killers to solve open cases.
Heads Up: This series has the backing of David Fincher who is not only an executive producer, he also directed several episodes including the pilot and season 1 finale. This helped set the tone and a level of meticulousness that he is known for. This series works as a great companion to his film Zodiac which is for my money an unsung masterpiece. The show might feel slow in its first few episodes, but stick with it and you shall be rewarded.
How to Watch it: Netflix
Russian Doll (2019- )
Created By: Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, Amy Poehler
With: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, and Elizabeth Ashley
What is it about: A cynical young woman in New York City keeps dying and returning to the party that’s being thrown in her honor on that same evening. She tries to find a way out of this strange time loop.
Heads Up: If you are a fan of films like Groundhog’s Day, Edge of Tomorrow, and Happy Death Day where a protagonist is stuck in a time-loop desperately trying to break out of it, then Russian Doll is the show for you. Not only this show is smart, funny and engaging, it also has a trick or two up its sleeve that transcends the original premise. Give it a try, and I am sure you will not regret it.
How to Watch it: Netflix
The Outsider (2020)
Created By: Richard Price
With: Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, Bill Camp, Mare Winningham, Paddy Considine, Julianne Nicholson, Yul Vazquez, Jeremy Bobb, and Jason Bateman
What is it about: The Outsider begins with a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. But when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.
Heads Up: Based on a Stephen King book, this mini-series is both a crime investigation about a murdered child, and a supernatural mystery. The 10 episodes series is the perfect serving size for someone who wants to enjoy a show from the mind of the master of horror mystery.
How to Watch it: OSN / WAVO.
