Tv and I have a weird relationship. Typical of current human behaviour, Im an all-in, binger when-I can type of girl. I never watch TV during the day, so when I do, it has to be good. Im also pretty much a snob when it comes to TV. I never watch anything below an IMBD score of 7. Never. I equate it to eating a pack of Tim Tams compared to an exquisitely made French Brulee. The question is whether I eat my calorie count on the factory-produced, have their place sweet treat, Tim Tams. Or eat my calorie count in the freshly made and full cream fat experience of the Brulee. Weird analogy but how I spend my time like my calories (and ability to burn them) is important to me. I can’t stand waste, especially time- so the TV it’s got to be good.
I like good characters, ones where you get invested in them. And find yourself googling the actor just to extend your time with them long after the season ends. But probably just as important- cinematography and the extra details like beautiful costumes and sets. Since the pandemic, the latter is even more so. So as winter settles in and the nights are ripe for Tv here are a few of my favourites right now.
Slow Horses. Apple plus. IMBD score: 7.8
Spy. Drama.
It took a whole episode before I like this one. The main character played by Gary Oldman made me uncomfortable with his griminess but he actually won me out in the end and I loved him. Slow Horses after the book of the same name, gathers a motley band of misfitted ousted spies, throws them together and allows them to explore the dark underbelly of London in a single case of terrorism that spans the entire show’s run-time. Some reviewers call it utterly predictable but the dark humour of the series and Gary Oldman kept me on the couch way past my bedtime. Trailer here.
Physical. Apple TV. IMBD rating 7.3
Dark comedy.
Australia’s own Rose Brynes heads this one and even though it’s labelled a comedy its so much darker than that. Rose is brilliant. Yet as I much as I loved it, the relationship she has with herself and the narrations are for me are dark; because they are very relatable. As a woman, even though the series is set in 1980s California this show is still on topic. Rose is a woman struggling in her life as a quietly tortured housewife. She then finds an unconventional path to power through an unlikely source: the world of aerobics. I actually couldn’t watch this all in one sitting. The first season was uncomfortable. It was too familiar with how I talk to myself. However, it was my husband who insisted I watch it and it’s a goody. Trailer here.
Servant. Apple TV. IMBD 7.5
Drama. Thriller.Horror.
I promise I have no affiliate with Apple, it’s just they are putting out some good stuff at the minute. I debated mentioning this one because I really struggled with the ‘unspeakable tragedy, and was worried about triggering someone. So prior warning this Tv series involves the death of an infant and postnatal depression.
Servant is actually from 2019, but I have just discovered it. Being labelled a horror, which is not the usual genre, I have scrolled on by many times. However, started watching it as a day filler when taken ill one day with B1. It’s not super scarey but it has a lot of what the scenes. To me, it’s more of a thriller with supernatural themes.
It stars Rupert Grint from Harry Potter with a shocking attempt at an American accent. This however kind of melds into his mess of a character anyway. It’s from M. Night Shyamalan who I will be honest means nothing to me. The storyline centres around a Philadelphia couple who is in mourning after an ‘unspeakable tragedy; heartbreakingly its played out in one of the episodes. Creating a rift in their marriage and it then opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home. That tragic scene was something I couldn’t watch. I had to get up and walk away from it. It didn’t sit easily with me. Having said that I am getting ready to watch the third season because I ultimately like the series. Trailer here.
Anything I should add to my list? Have you watched would love to know what you think?
