There's lazy summers and then there's the summer DJ and I just had - supremely lazy. I planned it because we'd both had a lot of stress leading up to the adoption, so sleepy Chapala was a good fit to just chill, go for walks, and watch a SHIT TON of TV. Lucky for you, gentle reader, that means lots of reviews and suggestions! And to help you see how far off the mark my own opinion is, I've helpfully included the show's IMDb rating in parens. So let's get started with my summer (and near all time) favorite:
Money Heist (8.2) - not to oversell this, but not only was this the best show I watched this summer, this is now one of my all time faves. I ALMOST wish I had stopped watching after the second season, as more than one of my favorite characters were offed during the next/final three seasons. But this was definitely intense, gripping, addictive, etc.
Elite (7.1) - for folks who love sexy soapy shows of beautiful rich people behaving badly. It was wild to see three of the folks from Money Heist also in this one. I have a much higher opinion of Spanish TV after this summer!
Beyond Paradise (7.4) - one of your standard charming/fun British detective shows set in bucolic English country towns.
Atypical (8.2) - shout out to David Phipps for recommending this. DJ and I both loved it - and it's one of DJ's all time faves now. Sam is one of my favorite characters from TV.
Bojack Horseman (8.8) - this was on my list to see for awhile and was surprised when one of my writing seminar students in Montenegro listed it as a favorite. It's definitely a weird universe to adjust to, and I feel like the series sagged a bit in the middle, but I loved the first season and stuck with it through all of them.
Brooklyn 99 (8.4) - This was a re-watch for me, but I thought DJ would like it, and boy does he! lol One of the best ensembles I've seen for a sitcom and one of the most accessible cop shows I've seen - again, partly due to the mix of fun characters.
Love, Death, & Robots (8.4) - VERY eclectic mix of animated shorts with some truly amazing ones scattered amongst other good ones, great ones, and some not-so -great. But a great thing to have in your queue for when that edible is winding down and you just wanna watch something fun/different/wild for a little bit w/o committing to a full 30 minutes or hour for a regular show.
Adolesence (8.2) - yeah, yeah, yeah, the single shot gimmick makes it more "compelling," and it was well produced and acted, but I guess my expectations were too high after all the raves. Cyber bullied teen acts out? Maybe it was just me, but yeah, I know this kind of stuff happens so wasn't quite so shocked as others. Also too short IMHO to really be able to get into it.
Disjointed (6. 8) - I really wanted to like this and it's possible I would have stuck with it if it had not been filmed in front of a live audience and I had to hear all the laughing. I DESPISE shows with laugh tracks/live audiences. It always seems fake/forced.
Baby Reindeer (7.7) - Wow. Almost as fucked up as Squid Game (see below) but more on a psychological level. All the more compelling considering it's based on a true story and the lead actor was the dude this actually happened to. Brave of him to admit to and put out there his own neuroses like he did coz I was like, "Dude, WTF? Why are you not stopping this more forceuflly.....and sooner??"
Smiley (8.0) - fun, romcom limited series - another from Spain.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (7.4) - short film by Wes Anderson that is very Wes Anderson, so if you like him (like I do), this will be right up your alley!
Call the Midwife (8.6) - I was bummed that Kanopy didn't have all the seasons! Started watching this in Oklahoma and then watched seasons 4 and 5 here. If you don't have Kanopy, get it. Very eclectic mix of TV shows and movies that are free if you have a library card.
Squid Game (8.0) - This show was so amazing and SO. VERY. fucked up that I did a whole blog post on it! Click HERE to check it out.
Disenchantment (7.2) - Kind of surprised this isn't rated a little higher, but I will admit it can be a little uneven. I just finished the first two seasons and find it fun/quirky, with a lot of witty wordplay you may have to watch twice just to catch all of it.
The Queen's Gambit (8.5) - Great "limited series" that I REALLY wanted to be a true story! lol But still lots to recommend from the original storyline to the great job of time and place to the across the board great performances.
Lupin (7.5) - Just finished season 2 of this and having a bit of "Money Heist" angst thinking that I should stop now! lol But I'll continue as it's good stuff. Does some cool "Memento" type shit going back in time to lead up to the previous scene to show how it came about.
The Law According to Lydia Poet (7.8) - I REALLY wanted to like this show more - particularly as it's loosely based on a real person. Not sure why I have not made more of an effort, and I do still have it in my queue and will keep watching every now and again when the mood strikes. The mood just doesn't seem to strike often!
Resident Alien (8.0) - I just started watching this, about halfway through season one, and digging it. Hope it maintains!
How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) (7.8) A German show based on a true story, nerdy H.S. boy gets dumped and takes to selling drugs to win his lady back. Yeah. Another one I've recently started watching and am enjoying so far/hope it maintains.
With all that, I STILL have a shit ton of series on my "to be watched" list. Without giving any spoilers, do folks have recommendations on any of the following?
Queen Charlotte, Altered Carbon, Ripley, 1879, Rita, 1670, The Witcher, Kath & Kim, Dirty Lines, The Eternaut, Innocent, Shadow & Bone, Wednesday, Alice In Borderland, The End of the F***ing World, Dept. Q, Kaos, Bridgerton, Derry Girls, The House of Flowers, Maid, Dark, Bodies, Sex Education, The Empress, Merli, Dead Boy Detectives, and Sense 8
Or anything else, lemme know!
