It’s been a great week for catching up with friends and three Australian tv series I didn’t pay attention to when they first aired. Among those was Offspring (whose 86 episodes over 7 seasons I managed to watch), Rake (whose 40 episodes I am midway through), The Hunting (easy peesy to watch with only 4 episodes). The virtue of watching several episodes in a row is that you don’t lose track of plot or characters. With so many shows premiering in the past couple of weeks, I’m finding that when I come back to watch new episodes, especially in shows with a large cast of characters (e.g. Devils), I have really lost track in the space of a week or more. Sometimes watching without a shred of self-discipline can pay big dividends! New programs are indicated below with an asterisk. Anyhow, here are some more recommendations for you:
Keeping up with the new season of Programming
New content is appearing almost every day at this time of year so here are two articles to help you focus on the new programs:
Here Are 20 Shows to Watch This Fall
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/arts/television/what-to-watch-tv-shows.html?referringSource=articleShare
And from the Globe and Mail:
Amazon Prime
*Utopia (8 episodes) This revisioning of the 2013 British series is helmed by Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects). I found the original series to be one of the first totally bat shit comic book based series I have watched. An intriguing premise about a pandemic. Totally right for our times.
The Boys (Season 2, 8 episodes) This wild ride of a show takes place in a world where a corrupt organization promotes a group of superheroes who are created by a lab drug. The most subversive look at superheroes you will ever see. Darkly funny and violent. Probably not for everyone.
Apple TV Plus
Ted Lasso (12 episodes) Follows US American football coach Ted Lasso as he heads to the UK to manage a struggling London soccer team in the top flight of English football. Stars Jason Sudeikis as the unfailingly optimistic and very endearing lead character in this charming fish out of water story.
*Tehran (8 episodes) A Mossad agent embarks on her first mission as a computer hacker in her home town of Tehran. For those of you who are missing Homeland, this may be just what the doctor ordered as its non-stop suspense in the Middle East is riveting. I did watch the first 3 episodes non-stop and was intrigued by this Israeli espionage series.
CBC Gem
The Hunting (from Australia, 4 episodes) When two high school teachers discover students are sharing explicit photos of their underage friends and peers online, the revelation has devastating consequences for the students and their families. Full confession: I watched this little miniseries for the presence of two of its stars (Asher Keddie from Offspring, Richard Roxburgh from Rake) as I am now obsessed by all things Australian, just as Nordic Noir from Scandinavia fascinated me last year. Oh what will I do when I have exhausted Australian TV series!
Fox
*Filthy Rich (10 episodes) The heirs of a wealthy Southern businessman hatch a plan to get a piece of his fortune. Stars Canadian actress Kim Cattrall. OK, I was willing to give this soapy series a chance as it stars Cattrall, however, I found it to be incredibly broad and heavy handed in its comedic take on the televangelism business. Not for me, I’m afraid, but enjoy if you like campy over the top social satires that aspire to a Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives, Why Women Kill) tone. Interestingly, it is based on a New Zealand series of the same name (almost Australian).
HBO/Crave
We Are Who We Are (8 episodes) Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, I am Love). Two American teenagers come of age while living on an American military base in Italy. If you loved the HBO series My Brilliant Friend which so captured being an adolescent in Italy, you may love this understated series about two outsiders cast adrift in a rigid environment who must come to terms with their real selves. This series takes place at a slow burn pace and is anything but stereotypical in its depiction of all its characters. Full of surprises and mesmerizing. Stars Chloe Sevigny and Alice Braga.
The Third Day (6 episodes) This series which stars Jude Law, Emily Watson, Paddy Considine, Katherine Waterston, Naomie Harris, is unbelievably dark and haunting. Unbearably suspenseful miniseries that will remind you of Midsommar and The Wicker Man with echoes of Don’t Look Now. If you love dramas about creepy cults, you may love this nightmarish series. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
*The Comey Rule (2 episodes) Starring Jeff Daniels, Holly Hunter, Michael Kelly, Jennifer Ehle, Scoot McNairy, Jonathan Banks, Brendan Gleeson. Jeff Daniels and Brendan Gleeson star as former FBI Director James Comey and President Donald J. Trump in this limited series of the story of two powerful men, whose strikingly different ethics and loyalties put them on a collision course. Debuts tonight!!
*Agents of Chaos (documentary, 2 episodes) Was there Russian interference in the 2016 election? This two-part documentary directed by Alex Gibney is a product of years of reporting on that disturbing question. With never-before-seen footage inside Russian troll farms and videos unearthed from the Russian deep web, the film digs into the sophisticated plans to undermine democracy.
Lovecraft Country (10 episodes) A young African-American travels across the US in the 1950’s in search of his missing father. Stars Courtney B. Vance and Michael Kenneth Williams. Amazing special effects and totally batshit crazy!
Raised by Wolves (10 episodes) Androids are tasked with raising human children on a mysterious planet. Loving this mysterious world!
W
*Devils (originally made for Sky TV in the UK, 10 episodes) Starring Patrick Dempsey, Ben Miles. A worldwide financial conspiracy is discovered by a group of traders of a large investment bank. Based on an Italian novel by Guido Maria Brera. I’m trying to give this one a chance, but after 2 episodes, I admit I’m feeling a little Da Vinci Code conspiracy vibe from this and I hate Dan Brown’s novels. I’ve watched the first two episodes and am not in love with this one so far. Every few seconds we’re in a scene in a different country and then we have short choppy scenes of unconvincing dialogue between scenes on private planes and yachts.
Why Women Kill (11 episodes) an anthology series the follows three women in different decades all living in the same house, as they deal with infidelity and betrayals in their marriages. Stars Lucy Liu, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jack Davenport, Reid Scott, Alicia Coppola. Very cute series in the mode of Dangerous Housewives from the creative team led by Marc Cherry.
FX
*Fargo (41 episodes over 4 seasons, Season 4, 11 episodes) The head of an African American crime syndicate goes to war with the Italian mafia in Kansas City, Missouri during the 1950’s. Starring jessie Buckley, Timothy Olyphant, Jack Huston, Ben Whishaw, Chris Rock, Jason Schwartzman, Glynn Turman. Looks like we’re not in North Dakota anymore! Debuts tonight!
Netflix
*Ratched (18 episodes) In 1947, Mildred Ratched begins working as a nurse at a leading psychiatric hospital. But beneath her stylish exterior lurks a growing darkness. Stars Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon, Judy Davis, Sharon Stone, Amanda Plummer, Vincent D’Onofrio, Corey Stoll, Sophie Okonedo, Rosanna Arquette. From what I’ve read so far (I am saving this one for a spot of binge watching), you will either love or hate this one. Prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest from the production team of Ryan Murphy.
Offspring (from Australia, 86 episodes) The story of the impossible loves of 30-something obstetrician Nina Proudman and her fabulously messy family. Warning: I resisted watching this very charming show until last week and ended up watching the first 15 episodes almost without a break. It is extremely addictive and will end up taking over your life (unless you have a shred of self-discipline). I love this show and I am going to miss the misadventures of Nina!
*Enola Holmes (2 h 3 m) When Enola Holmes (Sherlock’s teen sister) discovers her mother missing, she sets off to find her, becoming a super-sleuth in her own right as she outwits her famous brother and unravels a dangerous conspiracy around a mysterious young Lord. Stars Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter. This romp through 19th century London takes over two hours to tell, so I did find it a bit long between exciting fight scenes. Brown is also an executive producer on this and it looks like there will be many sequels to come based on the Young Adult novel series that is the source material for this show. Very cute family friendly viewing.
Rake (40 episodes) Criminal lawyer Cleaver Greene defends the indefensible – from bigamists to cannibals and everything in between. He is champion of the lost cause, both in the court room and in the bedroom. Stars Richard Roxburgh and features guest performers who range from Rachel Griffiths, Toni Collette, Martin Henderson and many other Aussie superstars. I am going to miss this charming Rake when I have worked my way through all 40 episodes.
YouTube
Planet of the Humans (Documentary, 1 h 40 m). This film takes a harsh look at how the environmental movement has lost the battle through well-meaning but disastrous choices. If you thought there was a positive path to the future of this planet by dependence on alternative energy sources, think again. I found this film to be riveting and terribly sad. I started watching it at about 1:30 am, thinking it would lull me to sleep, and it had the exact opposite effect as it upended all my preconceived notions about the tactics we are using to try and counter climate change. This film is from the production team of Michael Moore and is a refreshingly contrarian eco -documentary which has been uploaded for free online viewing by Moore. For a very detailed review of this powerful film, I recommend the Guardian’s article:
HGTV
Okay, I’m just going to confess that sometimes, when I just have a 1/2 hour or so to fill, I tune into one of the following shows on HGTV. I find them fascinating and relaxing! I often fast forward through the woes of home renovations for the real estate segments and the final reveal. Can’t wait for the season returns of Home Town and Love it or List it (used to be Toronto, but is now in the Carolinas). Some other favourites include:
Love it or List It Vancouver
House Hunters International
Comedians on Couches watching House Hunters
Flip or Flop
Good Bones
CBS
CBS Sunday Morning This gentle newsmagazine has been airing every Sunday morning for over 40 years. Informative and inspiring, it is my weekly Zen moment.
Comic Relief
Many of the late night comics (Colbert, Noah, Kimmel, Samantha Bee, John Oliver) are back from holidays. I have been keeping up with Seth Meyers on YouTube. Bill Maher has returned to Friday nights and has just had his first three episodes with a socially distanced studio audience. Next week more of the hosts will be back in their studios.
Closing Words
We are still trying to sort out our winter plans for Florida, so when we’re not mulling that over we will be heading out for walks and golf. The weather up in Thornbury has been very changeable with a return to summer last week and the forecast for this week has been a little sad and rainy. The colours here are glorious so enjoy this beautiful early Autumn weather wherever you are.
Here are a couple of Sunday appropriate email forwards for you:
A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon.
Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:
The first worm in alcohol, dead.
The second worm in cigarette smoke, dead.
Third worm in chocolate syrup, dead.
Fourth worm in good clean soil, alive.
The Minister asked the congregation,
“So, my friends? What did you learn from this demonstration?”
Maxine, sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, “As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won’t have worms!”
That pretty much ended the service!
And on a positive, life affirming note (get out your hankies), although you may want to stop the video after the singing as there is a very strong Christian message at the very end:
OK, last hymn for Sunday. A version of Nearer My God To Thee that is so beautiful and moving, I couldn’t resist:
What's Lorraine watching? 