Be sure to go back and read part 1 of this post.
We continue with…
Land of Women - This is such a delightful show. The base storyline of this show isn’t new in any way and there are no new ideas here, but it’s done pretty well. The setting of Spain and the wine country make the Land of Women feel rich and beautiful. There is quite a cast of characters that adds to the comedic-dramatic moments of this show. The episodes are performed mostly in Spanish, so be prepared for that. It’s an enchanting show I think most will enjoy.
Dark Matter - Based on the book Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. Professor Jason Dessen is abducted into an alternate version of his life. In a labyrinth of realities, he embarks on a harrowing journey to get back to his true family and save them from a terrifying foe imaginable -- himself. I am a sucker for any type of portal fantasy or sci-fi book/show, so I was suckered in from episode 1. I don’t know how the show compares to the book, but I think Dark Matter is worth watching.
Palm Royale - In 1969, an ambitious woman aspires to cross the line between the haves and have-nots to secure her seat at America's most exclusive, fashionable and treacherous table: Palm Beach High Society. Oh my goodness. What fun this show was to watch. We’ve got Kristen Wig, Laura Dern, Julia Duffy, Allison Janey, and the legendary Carol Burnett! These incredible funny women. All the shenanigans that go on in this show were hilarious and I lapped it up! If you want a really good time, you’ve got to watch Palm Royale.
Severance - Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives; when a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs. This show is weird, funny, and interesting and I’m here for it. I binged season 1 on a Saturday afternoon. Season 2 premieres in 2025. So catch up on season 1 now.
Physical - Sheila Rubin is a quietly tormented housewife in 1980s San Diego; behind closed doors, she battles extreme personal demons and a vicious inner voice, but things change when she discovers aerobics, sparking a journey toward empowerment and success. This show is unhinged and off the rails, and I loved every minute of it. I was glued to each episode. Also, the 1980s setting and wardrobe were perfection!
The Big Door Prize - Based on the book The Big Door Prize by M.O. Walsh. A small town is forever changed when a mysterious machine appears, promising to reveal everyone's true potential; soon, residents start changing jobs, rethinking relationships and questioning long-held beliefs. I didn’t see any promo for this show, but I decided to press play and was pleasantly surprised by this comedy. It is full of heart and funny. Two of my favorite comedic actors, Gabrielle Dennis and Chris O’Dowd, are in this show and I love them together.
Bad Sisters - The Garvey sisters are bound together by the premature deaths of their parents and the promises they made to always protect one another. I had never heard of this show. While perusing the Apple TV menu I decided to check it out. Well, I binged the two seasons in two days. So, yeah. That happened. I can never get enough of watching dark comedy. It gets me every single time!
The Crowded Room - In Manhattan in the summer of 1979, a young man is arrested for a shocking crime, and an unlikely investigator must solve the mystery behind it before the true criminal strikes again. Mental health is at the center of this show and each episode is extremely thought-provoking. The subject matter tackled in this show is not easy, but important. Tom Holland, Amanda Seyfried, and Emmy Rossum were incredible in this series. It’s a definite must-watch.
Criminal Record - In the heart of London, an anonymous phone call draws two brilliant detectives -- a young woman in the early stages of her career and a well-connected man determined to protect his legacy -- into a fight to correct an old miscarriage of justice. I’ll continue screaming it from the rooftops. No one does crime shows better than the Brits. It’s one of the reasons why I subscribed to BritBox (more to come on that in a later post). This show is dark, moody, and raw. It’s so good.
Still Up - Bonded by insomnia, best friends Lisa and Danny stay connected to each other late into the night and find their way through a world of wonderfully weird surprises as their relationship deepens. If you want a cute funny romance to watch, this is it. It’s lowkey, kind of quiet, and very enjoyable to watch.
The Changeling - Based on Victor LaValle’s novel The Changeling, which I read in 2022 and thought was pretty good. Apollo and Emma's love story is a fairy tale, until Emma mysteriously vanishes; bereft, Apollo finds himself on a death-defying odyssey through a New York City he didn't know existed. The adaptation was incredible. Everything from the casting, direction, flow of each episode, setting, and costumes was top tier. I am so amped and ready for season 2.
Ok. That’s it. Have you watched any of these shows? Let me know what you thought of them.
I'm notoriously bad at finishing series, but I loooved Severance and vowed to actually watch the second season when it comes out!