2. Say Nothing - I think this is a great little history lesson for Americans, like myself, who may not know much about the IRA and/or the Troubles. I feel like HULU did a great job advertising this - I literally saw an ad for it every day for like a month, which is weird because I don't think many Americans will have an interest in watching this (at least nobody that I know in person). I've never seen anyone talk about it (a few people on Twitter gave it a passing mention), but HULU definitely expected it to be big, I think. So, all of this conflict in Norther Ireland was still going on when I was in high school, and I remember learning specifically about the IRA (not very thoroughly, though), but it's hard to reflect on things still happening in real time (plus, I think, as Americans we were fed a lot of propaganda). They focus this story on two true events - the disappearance of a single mother of 10 children who was never found, and two sisters who joined the IRA. The series is at its strongest when it's focused on these sisters in their younger years. Portrayed by Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe, they both nail the balance of these complicated figures. They are very compelling, head-strong, incredibly fascinating women who truly believe they are fighting the good fight. But they also killed innocent people and have to live with that. Unfortunately, I do think that the series meanders a little too much on other characters and is very repetitive - after the pilot episode, I think episodes 2,3 & most of 4 are very boring. But then it gets interesting again, with the Price sisters going to jail and starting a hunger strike. I didn't know their story, so I was shocked that they got caught so quickly and that there was still 4 more episodes left. I was glued to my television for the next 2 episodes. But then it gets boring again when it jumps in time to them as adults. I also HATE the interview style of the story (it only worked in Titanic - let it go, people), but Maxine Peake as the older Dolours is also incredible. I also like Rory Kinear in this. Overall, I would recommend this - I found myself googling a lot of stuff that happens in it and reading further info, which I always appreciate.
3. Black Doves - I LOVED THIS! It's so exciting because it's really hard to find good shows nowadays. I feel like so many shows are praised and I end up being bored by them (like The Agency and The Day of the Jackal - I mean, people are talking about Emmys for the latter, and it is BAFFLING to me). But Kiera Knightley and Ben Whishaw are incredible in this, and I adore their friendship and their banter. I feel like I haven't seen Knightley in much lately, and she's definitely been missed. I usually prefer her in period pieces (she's just so good at it!), and find her miscast in modern roles, but she's fantastic in this! There are a lot of spy/assassin type shows, and I usually love them all, but not a lot of them attempt to do something different, but I feel like this one does? It really focuses on how being in this spy "undercover" world effects their lives, and the lives around them. It's very relationship focused - and not just romantically, but friendships, coworkers, etc.. It's also very funny for a show that's about hired assassins - like the seemingly cold-hearted Williams character - she's HILARIOUS and I love her. I would even watch a spin-off of her character, or maybe even more focus on her in season 2 (and I'm ecstatic that it's already been given a season 2!). This show also moves very quickly, has lots of good twists & turns, and is only 6 episodes! There's no filler! And the finale wraps it all up so that season 2 can start fresh. It's all very satisfying and I highly recommend it. I feel like it might finally be a replacement for one of my favorite shows ever, Alias - and that is the biggest compliment I can give it. On a side-note, I really wish that I was recruited into some super spy organization (when I was younger, obvi, I'm an old lady now), because I would have been SO GOOD at it.
4. The Madness - For the most part, I liked this show. It seems like it takes a long time to get to the point of it all, but I was fully invested for the whole thing. And I love Colman Domingo - so happy that he's finally seeing the success he deserves (I have not seen Sing Sing yet, but I'm rooting for him or Fiennes because the other options are...ugh). There's a very strong pilot episode with an incredible plot about a well-know black man being framed for a murder of a white guy who is part of a Nazi organization. Although, it seems a little far-fetched (and some of it is plain stupid - like how the cops just leave him to fend for himself after supposedly witnessing a murder? They would wait for tow truck to come, obvi). I think the series gets a little overly complicated, and loses focus - like there are large chunks that I didn't pay attention to and it didn't effect my understanding of the story. I like that it addresses a lot of racial tension happening in our country right now - and I really like the O.J. theory that they discuss, which is that "the system" (i.e the cops, lawyers, lawmakers, etc.) are so pissed off that a clearly guilty O.J. got off because of their own incompetence, that they've gone super hard on black people ever since as a way to "fix" their own mistakes and also not make the same mistake again. It's interesting to consider, although racism among cops has always been a thing - I mean Rodney King happened a few years before. But, still, an interesting theory. It also addresses the age of information - and big news stories that happen in real time on social media, and how that can be easily influenced by people in power. I feel like I, myself, have been influenced by a story, only to have new information reveal a completely different scenario. And I've learned from that, hopefully. I try my best to ask questions about what I'm reading, and not come to any concrete conclusions at initial information. But, I don't think others have learned the same lesson - and continuously make the same mistakes (even SMART people! It makes me so worried about the future).
5. Dexter: Original Sin - UGH...they really need to end Dexter for good. I think the creators were so disappointed with the feedback for the final episode (and final season, in general) that they keep trying to fix their mistake instead of giving it up. Dexter is one of my favorite shows, ever, so of course I'm going to watch this, but I'm definitely hate-watching it. It's crazy how important casting is for something like this, but it's also crazy how good some of the casting is and how extremely awful some of the casting is. How do they get it so right and so wrong AT THE SAME TIME?? I don't mind the casting of Dexter - he looks like Michael C. Hall, has some similar mannerisms, and seems to be pulling it off well. Christina Milian as LaGuerta is INCREDIBLE casting. James Martinez is the spitting image of original Batista (played by David Zayas). But Christian Slater as Harry Morgan??? HUH? And I don't know who the girl is who is playing Debra Morgan (one of the greatest characters on television EVER), but she's not only awful as Debra, she's a terrible actress. It's actually physically hard for me to watch any of her scenes. Debra was never grating or annoying - she was blunt and hard-headed (and funny!). Other than that, it's kind of fun/stupid show to watch. I love Sarah Michelle Gellar, so that's a plus. The story is good. I like seeing Dexter in the beginning - figuring out his "calling" and how he can get away with it. I think I have a few more episodes left - and while I'm enjoying it, to an extent, I kind of think it's pointless. And if it keeps going it's just going to be incredibly repetitive. We get it, he kills people, he almost gets caught, but obviously doesn't. There's only so much you can do with that concept.
No comments:
Post a Comment