Our homes have become offices, kitchens have become cafeterias, and we are all adjusting to COVID-19 related changes. Routines have been adjusted, but there’s no denying we have been consuming more content than ever. With the extra time at home, we compiled the team’s recommendations on shows we’ve been binging. So take a look at our list, stay home, and enjoy some new shows!
CRAIG RECOMMENDS:
Ripper Street on Netflix
Police procedurals were never my cup of tea. That is, until I was introduced to Ripper Street.
Ripper Street is a late-Victorian era copper show playing out on the streets of Whitechapel--streets over which hangs the specter of the gruesome handiwork of Jack the Ripper. Despite the title and the setting, Jack figures only peripherally into the tale: the murders for which he was responsible serving as point of communal PTSD for the city. The core of the story is about the personal and professional struggles of three exceptionally dogged characters; my personal favorite being Inspector Reid, an erudite and indignant police inspector whose obsession with justice always comes with a cost. Supporting Reid is Sergeant Drake, a violent bulldog of a man who harbors the heart of an angel. And finally, there's Jackson, the American expatriate who served previously both as a doctor in the civil war, as well as a member of the Pinkerton detective agency. Jackson's character is of particular interest in that he engages in cutting-edge scientific procedures that serve as the basis of contemporary forensics. It is these characters, and so many more, that make this show something special. Don't be mistaken, for all of the blood-slicked midnight streets, all of the smoke-fogged playhouses and shimmering brothels, it is truly the characters themselves that captivate. This, I believe, is why I have fallen in love with Ripper Street. Learning about the participants of this story, seeing deep into the pasts that have shaped them, and watching them change significantly over time--it is this that truly separates Ripper Street from the pack.
The good news--in terms of quarantine--is that the show is 5 seasons long, all of them available on Netflix. So brew a cup of tea, spike it with gin (if you are so inclined), ensconce yourself in the living room and prepare to walk with the men and women of Whitechapel as they root out inequity from every dingy, shadow-clad corner.
STEVE RECOMMENDS:
Star Trek: Picard on CBS All Access
As with many people who have been forced home due to the ongoing pandemic, I was free to binge a new show. A few friends of mine are huge Star Trek fans and have been trying for years to get me to watch any of the many series that exist for the property. I've seen a few of the movies, but never had an inclination to get into any of the shows. My hesitation in the past has always stemmed from the sheer volume of both series and episodes available.
Then came Covid-19. With the pandemic forcing many of us to work from home, I have found that the lack of a commute in both the mornings and evenings has freed up some spare time. My friends pounced on the chance and sent me a link from CBS, who was, not coincidentally, offering a free subscription to their streaming service which just happened to have every episode of their new series Star Trek: Picard.
Now, I'm familiar enough with Star Trek to have a general working knowledge of the mythos, so it was not as inaccessible as I had initially thought. For those who may be unfamiliar, Star Trek takes place in the 23rd century, where humanity has not only mastered space travel, but coexistence with alien life has become the norm. The newest series, Star Trek: Picard, follows the titular character, Jean-Luc Picard, (played by Patrick Stewart) a retired admiral of Starfleet, who is still deeply affected by the events 20 years prior to the start of the show (seen in the film Star Trek: Nemesis - 2002).
I was familiar with Patrick Stewart, not from Star Trek, but from another iconic role he played, Charles Xavier, in the X-Men franchise. Patrick Stewart is exceptional in Star Trek: Picard as a man at the end of his life, grappling with the choices he made in the past, and his path towards redemption.
The show is more focused on character over action, and while I felt the series was a bit drawn out, I really did enjoy it, particularly the character of Picard, and what has become of him since the last time audiences (though, not me) had seen him.
I finished Star Trek: Picard in about two and a half weeks, but still wanted more of the character. To this end, I have begun to watch the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). I must say, these first few episodes are rough. The groundwork for the character is there and it’s nice to see his early interactions with the crew. Additionally, each episode offers a philosophical dilemma the crew must wrestle with, which I enjoy. However, the effects are very dated, some of the acting is sub-par, but perhaps, most troubling, is that some of the first few episodes deal with some kind of outbreak or infection on the ship. Not ideal fiction to be consuming during a global pandemic.
I've reached out to my "Trekie" friends to compile a short "best of" list that may be more accessible for a casual viewer.
If you’re looking for binge-worthy television during a pandemic, I would stick with Star Trek: Picard on CBS and leave Star Trek: The Next Generation, to the next generation.
LYDIA RECOMMENDS:
The Paradise on Amazon Prime
One of the shows I've been really into during this quarantine period has been The Paradise. It's a classic "small town girl experiences a more modern world", but set in an English city in the late 1800s.
Denise is from a small town and moves to Newcastle where her uncle is a dressmaker. His small business isn't doing so well because of The Paradise, a larger department store across the street from him. Since he can't afford to take her on as an employee or supply her with lodgings, she applies for a job at the bigger store. From there, the show follows her life as a shop girl in the higher end department store where she works, lives, and meets more people. Her skills in sales and her ability to conjure up clever marketing ideas shines a spotlight on her; which naturally would cause jealousy among her co-workers. Aside from following Denise's storyline, the show gives a peek into the personal lives of others in the story: Moray, the owner of The Paradise, a charming man whose personal life has its own complex story; Edmund, Denise's uncle who owns the small shop across the street; Miss Audrey, Denise's manager who feels a bit threatened at how well the young newcomer is doing; and all the other shop workers. The entire ensemble brings something to the mix and it's a fun story to watch unfold.
As of this writing, I've gone through most of season 1; The Paradise only has 2 seasons at 8 episodes each, so it should be fairly easy to get through. The show is available on Amazon Prime, however it isn't included in Prime memberships. You can purchase season 1 for $4.99 and season 2 for $8.99.
DAVID RECOMMENDS:
The Most Dangerous Animal Of All on Hulu
True-crime stories seem to be a dime a dozen these days across many mediums, including books, audiobooks, podcasts, and television, and while the genre risks over saturation, occasionally you come across a presentation that triumphs over the others. With a perfect storm of a well-polished and paced production, and an emotionally gripping true story, The Most Dangerous Animal Of All is a 4-part docu-series about the true story of Gary Stewart, a man struggling with abandonment since he was given up for adoption shortly after birth, and his thorough, and increasingly obsessive search for his biological parents. While that synopsis is purposefully vague when classifying it as true crime, the connections and evidence gathered in what was an innocent search for belonging and forgiveness slowly evolves into a labyrinth of questions and circumstantial claims, ultimately pointing towards an answer that might have been better left undiscovered. Is Gary's father the infamous Zodiac killer who plagued the West coast in the late 60's? The evidence accrued is compelling, but so is the human condition's desire for relevance, and while the story focuses less on the notorious California slayings, and more on the obsessive nature of detective work, you start to understand why true crimes are indeed, a dime a dozen.
The FX produced docu-series is now streaming on Hulu.
MICHELLE RECOMMENDS:
The Witcher on Netflix
It was actually by recommendation from a team member (thank you, Craig!) that I started The Witcher recently. And while the first season came out in December, it took some extra time at home and trust in his endorsement that I finally started it. In all honestly, I have not finished the 8-episode season yet, but 6 episodes in, I feel very confident in recommending the show. The fantasy drama series is not my usual go-to genre, but I have been exploring (and enjoying!) it more.
The Witcher’s fictional, medieval-inspired world comes complete with an eclectic ensemble of characters, rival kingdoms, magic, monsters, sword fights, and the works! The titular character, played by the dashing Henry Cavill, is Geralt of Rivia, a magically-enhanced monster hunter, known as a “witcher”. We follow his story, alongside two other main characters’, Princess Cirilla of Cintra and Yennefer of Vengerberg, a sorceress. The stories initially take place at different points of time, which makes for an interesting and intriguing narrative. We see each character on their own path, so to understand their backstories, until, eventually, the narratives merge into a single timeline; something the audience is anxiously anticipating, as hints of this are dropped early on. The show explores many themes, but the most prevalent is destiny, which means something different to each of the main characters.
It’s a perfect show to draw you in and lose yourself in a fantastical world for a bit. And with only 8 episodes in season 1 (and plans for another season next year!), it’s worth the try now. Also, did I mention Henry Cavill?
JEFF RECOMMENDS:
Sunderland 'til I Die on Netflix
Sunderland 'til I Die: Season 2 available on Netflix is my recommendation for isolation viewing. It picks up shortly after the first season leaves off and the club is in dire straits but have a brand new owner. The overall goal of the new season for the team is to get promotion to the next tier of English football and all the excitement and drama that comes with it. As with the first season, you don't have to be a fan of soccer to appreciate the show. It's an in-depth look at the inner workings of the club, not just with the players but also management and staff. The show really paints the picture of just how important this sports team is to the city of Sunderland and the citizen fans who have not much else besides the club; Sunderland 'til they die.
Fun Fact: Jeff recommended this show (season 1) in a blog post back in November. Check out that article for even more recommendations from the team!
Whether you’re diving into stories of this world or another, that’s our list, and we hope you enjoy. Just remember to stay home, and watch shows!