As we head into the peak of summer vacation, the TV season wraps up looking back, before viewers pack their bags for other states and dreamy beaches, we’ve picked the best of the shows we watched during the season that can keep anyone company stay in the closed city or seek some juicy entertainment in the places he has traveled.
7. One day
The series “One Day” follows the intertwined lives of the two protagonists, Dexter (Leo Woodall) and Emma (Abika Maud), starting on the day of their graduation on July 15, 1988 from the University of Edinburgh. Dexter is handsome, popular and comes from a wealthy family. Emma is low-key, not particularly bright, cerebral and for the show’s requirements half-Indian. Despite their different backgrounds, they form a deep relationship that evolves from friendship to something more complex and intense over the years. The cinematography plays an important role in establishing the visual tone and atmosphere of the series as it effectively captures the passage of time and the emotional development of the characters through the use of lighting, framing and camera movement.
“One Day” is a moving mini-series that beautifully and tenderly captures the essence of David Nicholls’ bestseller. With good performances and simple cinematography, it is a must-watch for lovers of simple narrative romance, love and friendship.
6. The Gentlemen
Netflix’s number-one series ‘The Gentlemen’ begins with the unexpected death of Lord Halsted, patriarch of the Halsted family and owner of a 500-year-old dukedom. Eddie Halstead (Theo James), a disciplined young officer who had devoted his life to military service, finds himself stepping into a new role as the rightful heir to the dukedom after his father’s death, for the will contains a surprise twist – contrary to tradition, Lord Halstead has chosen Eddie over his eldest son, Freddy (Daniel Iggs), to inherit the title and responsibilities of the dukedom. This decision sparks tension and resentment in the family as Freddy struggles to come to terms with being overlooked in favor of his younger brother.
The series interweaves complex themes of power, loyalty and survival as Edward tries to protect his ancestral home while navigating the treacherous underworld that has taken root within its borders. Against a backdrop of lush landscapes and lavish sets, viewers are treated to a rollercoaster of suspense and humor as Edward uses cunning and ingenuity to take on his adversaries. But, as Ritchie said, this tension between the aristocrats and the crooks is “where all the fun is.” After all, he explained, “that’s really what the show is about – the evolution from the zoo to the jungle and how to hunt in the jungle.”
5. The North Water
The narrative of the series titled “The North Water”, shown on Cinobo, unfolds aboard the aging whaling ship Volunteer, on a whaling mission in the Arctic Ocean. The ship embarks on a not-so-clear whaling mission in the unforgiving waters of the Arctic. Its crew is a motley crew of characters, including Patrick Sumner, the ship’s surgeon, who hides a dark past as a dishonored soldier, and Henry Drax, who is sharp with a harpoon in hand, but whose menacing demeanor reveals more and more strongly his violent and vicious nature, as we find early on that he is a cold-blooded murderous thug and rapist.
The series captures with Andrew Hay’s robust and inspired direction the essence of Ian McGuire’s novel and brings to life the shocking story of survival, betrayal and the unforgiving nature of the arctic wilderness. “The North Water” runs through its depiction of violence and corruption which serves a greater purpose as it highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. The exploration of the depths of human corruption and the indomitable will to survive are captured in the 8 episodes of the series.
4. The Three-Body Problem
The Netflix series adaptation of “The Three-Body Problem” brings Sixin Liu’s sci-fi novel to life with a mix of drama, mystery and speculative science. Set against the backdrop of China’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution and set four decades into the future, the series immerses us in a world where scientific discovery is intertwined with political turmoil and existential threats.
Visually interesting and challenging, the series seamlessly blends CGI effects with real-life settings, transporting viewers from the streets of 1960s Beijing to the stunning images of a distant planetary system. The juxtaposition of historical events with futuristic technologies creates a rich mosaic of themes that explore the intersection of science, politics and human nature. One of the series’ strengths lies in its exploration of existential questions about the nature of reality and humanity’s place in the universe. As the heroes grapple with the implications of the three-body problem and confront the possibility of an alien threat, the narrative ventures into philosophical territory, urging us to reflect on the limits of human knowledge and the fragility of civilization.
3. Boy Swallows Universe
Netflix’s ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ is based on Trent Dalton’s gripping coming-of-age novel and takes readers into the bleak yet charming world of suburban Brisbane in the 1980s. The story revolves around the tumultuous life of of young Eli Bell, a boy who faces a myriad of challenges that test the limits of his resilience and understanding of morality.
The series directed by Bharat Naluri, Jocelyn Morehouse and Kim Mordaud, “Boy Swallows Universe” with the terrible kid Felix Cameron who plays Eli Bell, is full of unexpected twists, which do not let us “calm down” even for a moment. Sometimes the dreamy realism and other times the raw reality come to disturb the waters that we just thought had calmed down. The unexpected violence that emerges from the despoiled reality of Queensland is interwoven with the magical lyricism and wild imagination of the heroes and the barbed humor that has its roots in the neighborhoods of Dara, Brisbane and its branches in the nightmarish reality of Elijah, the little our hero wraps the series from its opening shots to the end credits.
2. The Little Reindeer
Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer”, in Greek “Mikros Tarandaki”, appeared as a monologue at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019, leaving an indelible mark as one of the most important performances of the year.
Richard Gadd, known mostly for comedic roles, captured the attention of the public with his autobiographical narrative, winning many awards and gaining widespread acclaim. The production, which later moved to London stages, told the turbulent story of a young comedian named Donnie, whose life is engulfed by the unrelenting clinging, unbearable psychosis of Martha (Jessica Canning), a middle-aged, petulantly hilarious big girl. This obsessive relationship develops into self-destructive patterns, plunging Donnie into a painful journey of emotional upheaval.
Thematically, “Little Reindeer” crosses a wide range of existential grounds, touching on themes ranging from shame and cruelty to mental illness and addiction. It reveals the fragile nature of human relationships, exposing the vulnerabilities that lie beneath the surface of even the most seemingly stable individuals. The series is not just a story of obsession, but a deep exploration of the human condition. He confronts uncomfortable truths about loneliness, mental illness and the destructive power of desire. Donnie’s struggles resonate deeply with the audience as they come face to face with their own vulnerabilities and fears.
1. Ripley
“Ripley” on Netflix brings Patricia Highsmith’s iconic character to life in a compelling and stylish series that takes us on a thrilling journey through 1960s New York. The narrative centers around Tom Ripley, a charming yet cunning con artist who finds himself entangled in a complex web of deception, manipulation and murder.
Steven Zailian’s deft pen, in harmony with his visionary direction of the series creates a symphony of subtle nuances in the progression of the story and intelligent performance of the characters. The careful rhythm, like a slow waltz, allows the moments to remain as memories, etched in our memory. A slow pace is desirable. We don’t need things to happen, we don’t want climaxes and twists. We desperately want this elegy of black and white and desire, elegance and restlessness to last as long as possible. We want to lengthen the play of light and shadow, which is reminiscent of classic film noir and adds depth to the characters’ moral dilemmas, blurring the lines between protagonist and antagonist in a ballet of psychological intrigue and spiritual exhilaration.
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