Slow Horses is a spy thriller that you can stream on Apple TV that is based on the book of the same name. While I cannot speak on how good of an adaptation it is, I had a lot of fun with this show. Slow Horses has everything you want from a spy thriller. It is a show full of deception, double-crosses, gun fights, and a race against the clock. If you like the genre, this is a solid entry
Slow Horses focuses on the disgraced agents of MI5 who are sent to Slow House. Most have come to terms with their punishment and wait out their sentence till they can retire. Some still hold on to the hope that they earn their redemption. Opportunity strikes when a young Asian British man is kidnapped by an extremist and racist group that plans to execute him publicly. The members of the slow house jump to the task as the race is on to find the young man alive. Will they save the day and earn their redemption, or will they remain a disgrace to the organization?
This was a fun and enjoyable spy thriller. The acting is great, the story is interesting, and the pacing is perfect. While it does have some of the familiar spy thriller tropes, it is a unique enough story to keep things interesting. This is a team of imperfect misfits who are trying to prove themselves. They will make mistakes, but they will learn from them. As the series progresses, they slowly regain the spark they lost when they were sent to Slow House. This makes for an excellent redemption story, but also one with sufficient tension.
Sometimes with spy thrillers, you get characters who cannot fail because they are too perfect. This makes the story boring because any adversity they face is easily overcome. It is nice to see a group of people fail and then scramble to overcome their failure as they race against the clock. It is what makes a good thriller, and I can only hope that future entries to the genre continue with this trend.
Anyways, Slow Horses is a different but same kind of spy story, and you should watch it on Apple TV if you have a subscription.
TV Series Review: Star Trek: Picard
Picard is my introduction to Star Trek. I’ve seen the movies, but I wasn’t a fan of the movies. As someone who is unfamiliar with the show, this was a great place to start. While it is a little preachy at points, it did make me start watching some of the older shows. If you are a long-time fan, you might be disappointed by the series, but at least it is better than the movies.
I will say that the first season is the only one that is worth watching. The acting is fantastic, the action is fun, and the story is engaging enough. It isn’t perfect, it makes a lot of weird choices, and the ending is disappointing, but it got me interested in the series.
One issue that might arise is with the references made to the original show. I felt a bit alienated when they would introduce an old crew member or reference certain events, but it wasn’t bad enough that I couldn’t understand the story. They exist as nods to the fans of the show and add little to the plot. My biggest issue is how much it addresses social justice issues. While appreciated, these moments get tedious and overbearing. I love Patrick Stewart, but he doesn’t need a speech every time he is on screen. There are moments in this show where Picard is more white guilt personified than the great captain the show wants him to be. The first season isn’t perfect, but it is good enough for casuals.
However, do not waste your time on the second season. I have personally created my own ending to the first season to cope with the disappointment that comes with watching the second season. The second season discards everything that makes Star Trek unique and fun and turns into a generic social justice action thriller no one asked for. While I do appreciate the sentiment, the messaging should be a lot more subtle. I didn’t like how the crew kept getting thrown from social issue to social issue as if they were collecting hashtags in their desperate attempt to stay woke and relevant. It isn’t fun, it isn’t interesting, please skip it.
You can watch this show on Paramount+. Watch it if you are interested in sci-fi but don’t know where to start. This is science fiction for casuals. If you are in the mood for sci-fi that requires little investment, Picard is a good place to start. The only problem is, you might not want to stop.
TV Series Review: The White Lotus (2021)
You should watch White Lotus because it is a great show. The pacing is a bit slow and some of the arguments get repetitive, but the narrative is well put together. White Lotus has fantastic actors giving wonderful performances in a beautiful setting, what more can you ask for? A fair bit of warning, however, this show gets sad. The ending triggered me. I found myself depressed for a few days after I finished the show. Experiences may vary, but I felt an obligation to issue the warning.
White Lotus follows four groups of people who are either on vacation or working at the resort in Hawaii. It is a modern-day tragedy of the working class as told by the experiences of disconnected rich white people. The main goal of the narrative is to show the disparities between classes against the backdrop of a vacation. Both groups are stuck in a cycle, but the rich get to leave and move on. It is very well done, and I fear I am not doing it justice.
I love the complexity of this show and how it weaves together all these different stories. I love that by the end, everyone is stuck, although some are worse off than others. I love that it comes in the form of a mystery that they keep well through the whole series. Although the mystery isn’t the most important aspect of the narrative, it is very much appreciated. This is a great show and you need to watch it. Check it out on HBO.
TV Series Review: I Know What You Did Last Summer (2021)
I have mixed feelings about this series. I am really impressed with what this show does well, but it is slow. It builds proper suspense and mystery, the death scenes are well done, there are some cool set designs, and the twist is surprising. The biggest problem with this show is that it is too long. You have to sit through a lot of pointless relationships and teen drama to get to the good parts. There are a lot of plot points and development that lead nowhere. I tuned out a lot of this show because of this. But some well-done moments kept me interested till the end. It is hard to recommend this show because of how slow it gets.
The show follows the same formula as the original movies. A group of friends is out partying and they hit someone with a car. They decide to hide their crime and live with the guilt. Someone knows what they did and now is terrorizing them, hunting them down one by one. For the most part, this show presents a solid mystery. That is if you can sit through all the filler. Most of you have better things to do. I think if you are the target audience, you might fair a little better with all the teen drama than I did.
I wish this series were a movie instead. If they cut out all the filler, you have a solid mystery and some impressive creativity. There are some fun death scenes and some suspenseful moments, but the pacing takes away from this. I want more creative deaths and mystery because the show does the few it has well.
I also thought the use of shifting perspectives was a neat idea. Every episode would follow a different victim and you would get a different perspective of a shared experience. It provided context and deeper insight into each character. The problem is that it got repetitive, and often it would be a rehashing of the same story you’ve already seen too many times. I think if each retelling added useful information about the mystery instead of drama it would have been more effective. Maybe even have some details misremembered because everyone was so high. But I appreciate the attempt nonetheless.
I am not surprised it got cancelled after one season. I think it ends fine enough, any story after would have been too off the rails to be tolerable. Overall, the pacing really hurts the show. Watch this if you want something that doesn’t require much attention because you will zone a lot of this out. I wouldn’t rush out to watch this, but it is something to check out if you have nothing else to do. You can check it out on Amazon if you have a Prime membership.
TV Series Review: Creamerie (2021)
I watched Y: The Last Man when it came out. I was drawn instantly into this show. But, that intrigue would soon be replaced with disappointment. I didn’t finish watching the first season because I lost interest, and I am not surprised that the show got canceled. The comic is better. I stumbled onto the Creamerie shortly after, and I was pleasantly surprised by this fun and quirky dark comedy with a similar storyline.
Cremerie is about a future where all the men in the world have died out due to a mysterious disease. The show focuses on a cult-like commune that emerges out of the disaster. The show does a great job at creating a dystopian vibe where everything seems perfect while at the same time still raising enough suspicion. The show introduces a group of three friends who seem to represent the different levels of indoctrination into the new world order. These characters are quirky, unique, and played by fantastic actors. It is a delight to have them as protagonists. The writers do a great job weaving backstory with the overarching plot, creating a fun ride full of mystery and laughter.
If you are like me and were deeply disappointed by Y The Last Man, this is the best alternative. It has the perfect balance between comedy and important social comedy. It is also a lot more fun to sit through. For the rest of you who don’t know what I am talking about, you need to watch this show. It is a fun and quirky take on the end of the world with some serious elements. This show deserves a second season, and you will soon understand why. You can watch this show on Hulu.
TV Series Review: Patriot (2015)
Patriot is the most depressing and anxiety-inducing spy thriller you will ever see. Word of caution, I deal with anxiety and depression and this show triggered a lot of that for me. I had to take multiple breaks when watching this show, but the anxiety is well worth it. Patriot does a fantastic job at showing the reality of dealing with anxiety and depression while telling a tightly knit story.
Patriot is about a spy who doesn’t want to be a spy. You follow John as he tries to complete a mission where everything keeps going wrong. The whole series is about John reacting to each and every setback while dealing with his fleeting mental health. John constantly struggles with the morality of his actions. There is a lot of pressure placed on John, and it slowly takes its toll.
Patriot isn’t your typical spy thriller. It isn’t chock full of sex, cool calculated action, or world-ending drama. John is cool and calculated when necessary, but the main focus of this narrative is on John’s struggle with his mental health. This show has a great cast with amazing supporting characters, a fantastic soundtrack, and a well-crafted narrative. This sow does really a lot on fate. Everyone in this show seems to be destined to meet John. I can excuse this because it is a comedy, just be forewarned that there is a lot of silliness in this plot.
If you are interested in this show, be warned, it gets depressing. That said, it is worth the time and the few moments of sadness because it tells a great story. You can watch this show on Amazon Prime if you have a membership.
TV Shows Review: Upload
It is hard to recommend Upload because it isn’t for everyone. I would describe this show as a cheesy, sci-fi romance novel about death. It does a good job of going over different philosophies about death. I really like the concept of saving a person’s consciousness so that it lives forever. What I don’t like is that it can be preachy at times. We get it, capitalism is bad, and true love is awesome. That aside, it’s a pretty cool show. The acting is decent, although some actors are better than others. The plot is fun, some of the technology is inconsistent but I think that is the point. The characters are all unique and for the most part, interesting.
This show is about a future where they have the technology to save a person’s consciousness in a simulated world. The “Uploads” live their lives in words run by big corporations. The show focuses on the blossoming romantic relationship of Nathan, an upload, and Andy, Nathan’s customer service representative. She is alive, he isn’t, and the whole series is a will they, won’t they, should they ordeal. There is murder, mystery, suspense, death, and of course, a lot of romance.
For those of you who do not like cheesy romantic movies, this is not for you. Although it isn’t over the top, you get to sit through some rough monologues. But, the pacing is good and the show makes a lot of interesting arguments about death, reality, technology, and economic disparity. If you find yourself looking for something to watch, this isn’t a bad way to spend a couple of hours. You can watch it if you have an Amazon Prime Membership.
TV Series Review: Righteous Gemstones
The Righteous Gemstones is a show on HBO about a family who runs a megachurch in Georgia. The show follows them as they spread the word of God while they face their demons. The show does a great job separating the Gemstones’ public personas who go on stage and preach about God from the dysfunctional assholes you will learn to love. Each character faces challenges. They are either desperately seeking the patriarch’s approval or are hiding some dark secrets. The secrets in this show get dark. This show does a great job of creating sympathy for characters who act immorally out of desperation.
The plot of this show is a bit outrageous, but it is fitting for what this show is trying to do. Above all, this show is entertaining. The cast is great, the writing is solid, and the acting is something you need to enjoy. You couldn’t ask for a better cast. They work so well together. Most of the fun comes from how they interact with each other. The rest comes from learning new information that changes the overall narrative. This show will keep you guessing and that is a great thing.
The first season establishes the tone of the show. It does a great job at introducing memorable characters as well as creating the world you will get to experience. The second season does slow down a lot from the first season, but the second season is where the show starts to get into each character and their problems. I believe that the second season is taking its time to set up something huge, but you will have to watch to find out what.
If you run out of things to watch and have an HBO subscription, you should check out this show. It is an experience unlike anything else on TV, but it has a certain charm that will keep you wanting more.
TV Series Reviews – Vice Principals (2016)
Vice Principals is a dark comedy that should at the very least be on your radar. There is betrayal, deception, vandalism, and even attempted murder, all in a tightly knit and well-written two seasons. This show does a great job mixing its tones. One moment you will laugh at some witty exchange or insult; the next moment you will drown in sympathy because the bit of back story that is revealed is a bit too real. This show does a great job of creating sympathy for its assholes.
The story is nothing to scoff at. Every twist and turn is carefully formulated to build towards a satisfying ending. Sure the mystery might be easy to solve, but this show is about different narratives fitting together to create a whole story. Each character has a unique story, and even the smallest part contributes to the overarching narrative. The plot may be a bit on the absurd side, but that is what makes this show entertaining.
The best part of this show is the relationship between Danny McBride and Walton Goggins. The whole cast works well together, but their relationship specifically is what truly shines. Watching what their relationship turns into is where the magic is. This is not your typical buddy comedy, but it is a buddy comedy worth watching.
I will warn you that this show is not for everyone. The pacing is a bit slow as it builds to what it wants to be. Be patient. All the bits and pieces will eventually come together. This show is crude, gross, and a little offensive, but that is the point. If you like dark comedies, you should at the very least try the first couple of episodes. You can watch it with your HBO subscription.
TV Series Review – The Tick
I want to try to sell you on a show that isn’t going to be for everyone. The Tick is a superhero show that is available with your Amazon Prime subscription that isn’t your typical MCU cash-in. The Tick is a parody of the genre and a good one at that. The show follows the crime-fighting duo, The Tick and Arthur. The Tick is a neigh-invulnerable super with a strong and unwavering sense of justice, but he isn’t very bright. Arthur is a nerdy accountant with a super-suit. Together they fight crime and make friends along the way.
The show is cheesy and over the top. It is a tone that won’t resonate with all audiences, but it is one that I found delightful. I cannot see this story told effectively in any other way. There are random dance parties, meaningless monologues, cheesy catchphrases, and lots of silly moments that grant this show its charm. Think of it as a live-action cartoon that leans heavily into its cartoonishness.
If you are a fan of the original comic or cartoon, this is a completely new narrative. I haven’t read the comic and I only have vague memories of the cartoon so this review is based on the show. I do not know how they compare, but I did enjoy this retelling.
The Tick has a great cast with tremendous chemistry making for memorable characters and interactions. it tells a unique story that hasn’t been told before and one that is told effectively. Finally, it is a lighthearted and wholesome comedy that is accessible for the whole family. What more can you ask for in a superhero parody?
As a comic book fan who doesn’t care much for the MCU/DCU, I found this show refreshing. When comic culture started to become mainstream, I was excited and then quickly disappointed by how generic all the stories ended up being. I am delighted to have stumbled on a story that is both different and entertaining. It might not have epic battles or world-ending events, but it has a charm that should not be overlooked.
