June 2020 – TV Quick Hits & Misses

Collateral (NETFLIX) – This four-episode London-set police story concerns the murder of a Syrian pizza delivery man and involves a significant number of local agencies and seemingly unrelated individuals. It’s an above average contemporary British thriller that’s worth watching for a number of reasons: (1) the British limited-series genre of four-episodes is practically perfect for a really good story to be told, (2) as an introduction to the incredible pool of foreign acting talent, or (3) to see this specific story’s web of conspiracy cast into the world and then painstakingly unwound.

“Collateral” may not be the best of the British short-series lot, but it’s remarkably well directed and acted. So much so that I found myself, on occasion, so blindly invested that I completely forgot I was watching a television show.

College Romance (NETFLIX) – This 2018 Indian comedy sees a group of college students, Karan & Deepika, Trippy & Raveena and Naira & Bagga, attempting to navigate the world of collegiate romance and first-time sexuality.

The show is ridiculously familiar while also feeling particularly modern and refreshing. It’s chock-full of contemporary production techniques (slo-mos, sound effects, and fast edits) and boasts some inspiring original music by Saar. It sports a few surprising moments of unexpectedly crass, although genuine, laughter, while still being notable for its memorable characters, familiar themes, abundant use of coarse language, and its brazenly open discussions, these are friends remember, of budding sexuality.

Note: This is an Indian series. As such, it uses a sparsely-flowing mix of Hindi (80%) and English (20%) dialogue so make sure to turn the subtitles on and keep the remote handy. The words go by fairly fast, and I had to rewind and/or pause a number of times to catch everything that was being said.

Quotes of Note:

1. “Okay, okay, okay, okay. Cool, cool, cool, cool.”
2.  “Ignorance is bliss, but delusion is a piece of shit”
3. “Her blood type if F-Negative…No Fucks.”
4. “Why should I feel ashamed. Only those who have respect feel shame.”

Grant (The History Channel) – This militaristically absorbing three-part docuseries, concerning the life and work of Ulysses S. Grant, is as interestingly detailed and as visually compelling as other History Channel works of its ilk; i.e. “The Men Who Built America” (2012), “The World Wars” (2014) and to a differing degree, “Mars” (2016). Bookended by hour long looks at both his youth and later years, the series spends a full-four of its six-hour runtime on the historic battles Grant fought during the Civil War, and on the context of his life and the country, during their most trying times.

The series utilizes the History Channel’s tried and true method of talking-head interviews, historic media content, and filmed recreations to tell the story of a directionless youth turned Civil War General and then, American President. The series is actually quite thrilling, with graphically depicted wartime battles and in-depth discussions of the decision-making and mentality of the famed General.

Locke & Key (NETFLIX) – Based on the graphic novel series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, this ten-episode first season sees the Seattle-based Locke family returning to their ancestral home in Massachusetts after tragedy strikes. It’s in this family home that the Locke’s will discover a heritage of magic, danger, and even more tragedy.

The series is fine, with a uniquely interesting concept that gets a little lost in the structure and delivery of the series. Feeling significantly less than linear, and ultimately lite on details, the series manages to deliver bursts of initial wonder and excitement but doesn’t do much to sustain them. This is one that I wanted to like a whole lot more than I actually did.

Note: There is a season two on the way, and with more story from the source material still left to uncover, I’m hoping the series feels better to me as a completed package.

What We Do In the Shadows: Season 2 (FX) – Season two of the spinoff TV series continues its awkward brand of fun, and sports some nice guest starring surprises. If you haven’t yet seen the original mocumentary film from Taika Waititi, then I highly recommend doing so, and then immediately jumping on board this vampiric reality-tv sendup; I actually like the series more than the film.

Killing Eve: Season 3 (AMC / BBC) – Attempting to set themselves right in the world again, Eve and Villanelle find other sources of distraction, but soon realize that they’re not happy unless they’re pursuing each other. I actually think this is my favorite season of the series. It has the highest body count, some interesting twists, and solidly manages to be the most fun while not relying so much on clever/witty dialogue to be so.

-m-