I've got a full six months to update you on so hold tight for a bumper roundup of the best Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Now TV (starting to think I have too many subscriptions...) I've been enjoying while we all spend a bit more time indoors!
This is Us (Season 4) - Amazon Prime
Not gonna lie, this is one of my favourite TV shows ever. Admittingly nothing much happens as we follow the Pearson family's then and now, we just follow the highs and lows of life, but I don't think I've ever been so emotionally invested in a set of fictional people (except perhaps Grey's Anatomy, but This is Us is far more realistic and believable). If you haven't watched it then start now.
The Blacklist (Season 1) - Now TV
I'm late to the party with this one but the easy to watch episodes are perfect when I just need half my attention. When wanted fugitive, Raymond Reddington (James Spader), gives himself up to the FBI his one condition to cooperate and turn on his list of criminals (The Blacklist) is that he will only work with profiler Elizabeth Keen, a new recruit. But who is he to Keen and why is he fixated with her? I don't know the answer yet but I have 7 series to find out...
Unforgotten (Season 1-3) - Netflix
I thought I'd seen all the cold case dramas out there but somehow I'd missed Unforgiven. And what a corker it is. DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and DS Sunny Khan (Sanjeet Bhaskar) are the perfect mystery solving duo. It really is fantastic and the 4th season is hitting ITV in 2021!
The Boys (Season 2) - Amazon Originals
So while Season 1 was fantastic, I struggled a bit to get into Season 2 of this high octane superheroes/antiheroes comically grotesque series. I think the absence of Butcher (Karl Urban) at the beginning was weak but by the time Homelander and Stormfront were at it in comic style I was back on board. The final episode left me wanting more, they definitely need to film longer seasons.
Chernobyl - NOW TV
Wow. Wow. Wow. Just watch it.
Ozark (Season 3) - Netflix
YES! A new season of the cleverest TV show ever. I have even gotten over my dislike for Jason Bateman because he plays compromised and pissed off Financial Advisor Marty so damn well. I feel his frustration like it is my own. Make sure you pay attention to this one, it needs your full attention.
Reckoning - (Netflix)
This is a great excuse to watch Sam Trammell on screen (you may remember him as Sam Merlote from True Blood) and it's a pretty stand alone decent serial killer series too, if rather predictable.
Criminal (Season 2) - Netflix
I love the concept of this show. Each episode takes place in the interview room. All the information we have about the case comes during the suspect interviews, and often things take an unexpected turn...
The Rain (Season 3) - Netflix
Finally we find out what happens to Simone and her end of the world viras infected brother Rasmus. In this final series we learn how the virus can be beaten by a deadly plant that pops up out of nowhere. Yes, a plant no one knew existed. The writers really got bored didn't they...
The Night Of - Now TV
This is a seriously clever and compelling crime mystery following the trial of a young man (Emmy award winning Riz Ahmed) accused of murder and the ramifications for him and his family. Such a brilliant show with amazing cinematography.
Beyond (Season 1) - Netflix
I got to episode 3 and gave up - don't bother!
Lucifer (Season5) - Netflix
This one is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine, I think Tom Ellis plays the devil absolutely perfectly. Of course the storyline is complete nonsense but it is pure escapism. The fifth season was only 8 episodes long which was a shame but the Netflix app tells me more episodes are coming which is great news seeing as Dad (God) appeared for the first time in the final episode.
The Walking Dead (Season 10) - Fox
I waited months for the finale episode of season 10 due to the pandemic only to find out it is now not the season finale and they are adding some more episodes to season 10. Which is fine as the Whisperer War (which was getting tiresome) is finally over and in a surprise twist Maggie reappeared. I can't wait to see how she responds when she finds out Negan (who killed her husband and father of her unborn child with a baseball bat) has been forgiven and is now part of the group. They have also announced that Season 11 will be the final season of TWD. Not sure how I feel about this as I need lots of loose ends tied up and also Judith's future firmly and safely laid out.
Fear the Walking Dead (Season 5) - Amazon Prime
This spin off show has been surprisingly entertaining, firstly for showing a little of how the outbreak began in the early days (which we did not see in TWD as Rick Grimes was in his coma during this time) then as it developed we became emotionally attached to a new group, who are now led by TWD cross over Morgan. The end of the season left us on a knife edge, and I'm even considering purchasing the latest series so I can find out Morgan's fate (I have a feeling he somehow survives).
The Lost Room - Amazon Prime
Well, this is an odd one. The Lost Room revolves around a Joe Miller, a cop who find a mysterious Motel Key which turns any door into a portal to enter this strange motel room. From the room you can travel to any location you wish (as long as it has a door. There are also a series of supernatural objects scattered around the world which originated in the room. These objects each have powers and are indestructible. When which holds supernatural objects. When Joe's daughter goes missing inside the room he has to go on a mission to find the right objects to release her. As I said, odd, but only 6 episodes so worth a watch.
Normal People - BBC IPlayer
And from odd to intense. Normal people follows the lives of two teenagers in the Irish town of Sligo. He's popular, she's a geek. They fall in love but he's too embarrassed by her to introduce her to his friends, so much so that he takes someone else to prom. Fast forward and the two bump into each other at university. This time round she is the popular one and he's the outsider. Hold onto your seats for an emotional ride! Some of the best acting I have seen for a long time.
Defending Jacob - Apple TV
When the Assistant District Attorney(Chris Evans)'s son is accused of a grisly murder in their small town he is torn between his duty to find the truth and his love for his son. This was an interesting watch and quite ambiguous, you feel throughout that you are really close to the truth but it keeps slipping just out of reach. Good performances from the main and supporting casts.
I think that is everything! Have you watched any of these series? What did you think?
