Mindhunter

The Good Place

The Expanse

As someone who is a huge fan of all things science-fiction, I was super excited to start watching The Expanse. It was certainly worth it. The events of this series occurs hundreds of years in the future, wherein the entire Solar System has been colonised by humans. As a result, the three primary divisions are Earth, Mars and the Belt. The show is an adaption of the novels by authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. 

Let me begin by pointing out that it is one of the most visually appealing shows I have watched. From depictions of the planets and spaceships to the stars, it is easy to sense the impact. It plays with one's imagination as to how the world could turn out in the future, along with having themes that are quite reminiscent to the present. There is immediate evidence that the production value is high in terms of design and effect and I can say it has paid off. 

My weakness in any show is a well-written character, and luckily for me, The Expanse has a wide array of good characterisation. They possess a sense of realism that is not easy to find in every fictional character we may come across, and that is also what makes them more relatable. Characters from each of the divisions are adequately used to represent issues that even plague our reality, such as discrimination, corruption, politics and fear of things that the mind does not understand. 

It is quite disconcerting to imagine that even after centuries of evolving, some core problems may never get solved. 

I will admit that much like many other shows, it is difficult to follow in the beginning (maybe the first couple of episodes) due to the slow pace. Additionally, the colloquialism of the Belt division's native language makes certain scenes a little confusing. 

Happy binge-watching! 

13 Reasons Why

To say that I enjoy binge-watching painful shows would be an understatement. Just when I was in the mood for something new, Netflix did not fail to deliver with 13 Reasons Why. This emotional rollercoaster of a show focuses on high school student Hannah Baker who committed suicide and has left behind a series of tapes, talking about the individuals responsible for her choice. 

Sounds a little odd? But that is precisely why you might find it worth a watch. Not only does the show highlight the dangers and consequences of suicide, but it tackles other issues like  bullying, rape, slut-shaming and emotional angst that often plague the teenage mind. This adaptation of the novel additionally stresses on an often overlooked lesson: it is important to be kind to one and another and treat each other with respect. 

However, as much as I liked it, my primary concern is that it glorifies suicide to an extent. For people fighting the same battles as Hannah did, it may give them the impression that the only way to be heard is through a drastic measure such as suicide. There is also the possibility of her action being a trigger for those who are undergoing depression or other mental illnesses. 

Teenagers may be the intended target audience of 13 Reasons Why but it is an eye-opener for any individual who chooses to play the role of a viewer. The graphic scenes of rape and Hannah's suicide is something that might make you uncomfortable and want to flinch (I most certainly did) but as was pointed out by the show runners, that was their intention. They talked about how they wanted make viewers uneasy, as a way for people to see that suicide should never be a resort for any problem. 

With the ever-continuing rise of social media and the need to be accepted through 'likes' and 'comments', this show is most definitely relevant, even though the novel was written a decade ago. It portrays the need for loyal friends and decent human behaviour and how even the smallest of actions can have a long-lasting impact on someone's life. 

The entire 13 episode season is streaming on Netflix and as of yet, there is no news on a second season. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Powerless

In a television world dominated by all kinds of superhero shows, the DC comics series Powerless is a welcoming change with an alternate setting. Rather than throwing light on individuals with powers and their adventures, this show focuses on the question: how do the regular humans deal with the shenanigans and how can they protect themselves? 

While I found the first two episodes to be disappointing, the third and fourth were comparatively much better. With jokes that were trying too hard to be funny and Vanessa Hudgens' exaggerated acting, the series premiere was a little lack-lustre. It did take her a little while to blend in with the other characters and the chemistry seems to be still building up. 

I decided to stick around for the star-studded cast and so far, I would say that the fourth episode was worth the watch. Much like a lot of sitcoms, this is one of those shows that needs some time to find the centre of its humour and laughs. There aren't enough episodes released yet for me to say whether it's an amazing show or not but for now, the cast (Alan Tudyk, Danny Pudi, Ron Funches and Christina Kirk) is what keeps me going. 

Additionally, I'm also enjoying the quirky references to superheroes like Batman, Superman and Flash (to name a few) put forward in an amusing and ridiculed context. For all those DC fans out there, and those who want to see the superhero universe through the eyes of the normal citizens, I would suggest this show. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Riverdale

Just like many others, I was one that grew up reading the beloved Archie comics. The characterization, the humour and the sketches all stood out for me. Not to mention, it never failed to make me feel better on a bad day. So, you can imagine my sheer excitement on hearing that the comics were going to made as a TV series on CW network. But alas, the elation only lasted till I watched the trailer. 

To be honest, I had mixed feelings about it and even after watching the episodes till date, I still do. I am thoroughly disappointed that the series isn't an exact replication of the comics themselves, seeing as it was one of my all time favourites. Rather, it has been given a CW treatment of drama, scandal, and intrigue and I have yet to be a 100% on board with it. 

The changes in the characters are not subtle from the original. Not only is Archie a hunky football jock, but he and Jughead (who is rather intellectual on here, rather than being his comedic self) don't appear to be best friends and Veronica is new in town and to the Riverdale gang. As a hardcore fan of the comics, I couldn't find myself loving these alterations. 

At the same time, another part of me is quite interested with the shapings of these characters. Similar to how the Once Upon A Time series display traditional and happy fairytale characters in a darker light, the Riverdale gang are now part of a world taken over by a murder mystery and secrets. It is a usual CW formula and for now, my genuine curiousity makes me want to give it a shot. 

I would like to conclude by saying that, for those of you who are open to seeing your Riverdale friends in a different light, I would definitely recommend this. I only hope that it does not turn out to be another Pretty Little Liars flop, with the drama and plot twists getting too outrageous.   

Happy binge-watching! 

Class

If you are a hardcore Whovian, you have most likely either heard of Class or watched the episodes. But for those of you who are not familiar with the series, the basic rundown is it's a Doctor Who spinoff with primary attention on six high school students and their encounters with new alien threats. 

If I had to say how I feel about it in a sentence, I'd say that it is most certainly interesting. While it is related to Doctor Who in terms of the concept, the entire feel of it is completely different and refreshing. Admittedly, it took me a while to get used to the setting of alien attacks without the Doctor's presence. However, by the time the second episode rolled out, I was hooked. 

The series seems to portray not just intriguing character dynamics, but weird and other-worldly features as well, similar to that of its parent show. It is evident that the unique point of Class is the adolescent driven energy, which has a spin of its own in the fact that one of the students in the group is an alien prince. 

While I do watch the show with immense enjoyment, it appears to me that it still needs to find a footing with the audience. The plot for certain episodes was as though it was taken right from a fanfic and just seemed to be all over the place. There is also quite a bit of room for individual character development, which I expect will be smoothened and polished as the show progresses. Class can't be an exact replica of Doctor Who, nor can it stray too much from the source material and therein lies the challenge. 

I may not be completely enamoured by it in the same way that I am taken by the Doctor and his companions' antics, but it is certainly worth giving a shot. As of now, 7 episodes have aired and are available for online viewing. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

First off, I must admit that majority of the shows I watch are not of the comedy genre. Granted, there were the classic ones like Friends, Scrubs, That 70's Show but it has been to find any in the recent time that indeed makes me laugh like a crazy person. That would probably explain my start up scepticism on hearing about the show, but I decided to give the first episode a try anyway and I was really glad I did. The pilot was one of the best ones I have seen and whilst there are quite a few shows that I take some time to get used to, this was certainly not one of them. 

Not only is it blatant humour in it's raw form, it is a perfect mix of parody and actuality in accordance to the happenings in a police precinct. The script is just spot on and the acting of the cast fits in quite well with the satirical mood of the show. Granted, seeing Andy Samberg is just great but I mustn't forget to mention the awesomeness that is Terry Crews. The episodes have a sense of realism as compared to the regular, dramatised 'cop shows', for it portrays the lighter and comical escapades that police detectives often undergo in their daily routine. 

Of course, just like any other show, it has one or two off days wherein the scenes aren't up to the usual standard, but that is no reason not to watch this. Apart from showcasing the reality bits, it mocks the typical cops related cliches with humour that isn't cynical. Especially for those who are fans of either Community, Modern Family or Parks and Recreation, this will be just an absolute delight. Though the show is only at it's third season, (which is better than the first and just as good as the second), I definitely have high hopes that the comedic acts will continue on to further seasons. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Person of Interest

This is one of those shows that had me hooked right from the start. Unlike regular crime fiction shows, this one takes a whole different approach, mainly with the existence of The Machine, a mass surveillance computer system that can predict ordinary crimes and terrorist attacks, much before they actually happen. The two protagonists are, the creator of the system (Harold Finch) and an ex-CIA operative (John Reese), hired by Finch in order to intervene and help stop the predicted crimes from happening. The sense of realism that is attached to the show is one of the things that makes it such a good watch. 

Whilst the cases in the episodes and the incidents may be fiction, the whole concept is anything but unreal. With references and mentions of actual events happening in the world, it displays the level to which citizens' privacy is a major concern and how it's manipulation affects lives, either in a positive or a negative way. The whole storytelling format is one of the appealing features as well, the creators having taken an out-of-the-box approach with the plot and sub-plots too. The action scenes are timely and nothing as 'too much' or 'too less'. The intellectual factor is evident in the episodes and isn't really about only showing murders and other crimes, but rather focussing on something much bigger. 

Additionally, the show also delves into the topic of artificial intelligence and just how scary the possibility of machines, taking over mankind can be. Bit of history and modern-day conspiracy theories have also been inserted, and all this gives the show that thriller feel. Then of course, there is the emotional investment that goes into the show from the audience, including me, and honestly, this is one of those few shows that has been exciting and thrilling from the beginning to the present moment with it's varying plot twists. I highly recommend this show for it is something that you probably do not see everyday in most television serials. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Master of None

This particular show is of the comedic genre, centred around 30-year-old Dev Shah, an actor trying to make his way through the hustle and bustle of New York City. Since the hosting network was Netflix, the entire first season was released all at once, consisting of 10 episodes. 

While it began on a fine note, the first episode was not as great as I had hoped. Yes, it played a part in easing me into the whole setting but lacked the much needed punch. However, that was quickly compensated for from the second episode. That was when the comedy kicked in and I couldn't have asked for anything better than Aziz Ansari's performance to hit that note. The plot of the show is not original but it is Ansari that brought in the uniqueness that made this series stand out for me. 

Oh, and here's a fun-fact: Dev's parents are played by Ansari's real life parents, which was highly amusing to witness. Sadly, they were not featured in a lot of the episodes and I really wish they had, especially his father, who was awesome. Another reason I found it appealing was due to the relatability factor. Specifically in the second episode, with flashback moments in India of his parents, the typical immigrant scenario was portrayed; struggling and working hard to ensure a better life abroad. 

The series tackled relationship and life issues in a humourous light, and the same time, succeeded in delivering the message. The contrast between his parents having not had too many options in their life to the current generation having a wide variety of paths to choose from (which tends to be nerve-wrecking) was beautifully played out by the show. It also supported Dev's character growth, which is evident in the finale. 

For all those of you who have seen Parks and Recreation would already be familiar with Ansari's comedic stand, and honestly, that was one of the main reasons I decided to give this series a shot. In a nutshell, I found it to be funny, charming and light. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Sense8

Focusing on eight strangers from different countries in the world who one day become emotionally and mentally linked, Sense8 is a science-fiction drama series that was launched on Netflix on June 5th, 2015. I was excited to check it out simply because of the Wachowskis (The Matrix Trilogy), who have created and executive-produced the show. The entire first season of twelve episodes is available on Netflix. 

Allow me to start off with the positive elements of the show, one of the major ones being that is a real visual treat. Apart from the States (San Francisco and Chicago), scenes were also shot on location in seven cities: Seoul, London, Mumbai, Reykjavik, Nairobi, Mexico City and Berlin. Due to this, the episodes are simply beautiful to watch, the creators having also incorporated cultural events happening in the cities and I got a little taste of each place in all the episodes. 

Additionally, I also found the series to be impressive for it's broad representation of topics like sexuality, identity, culture and politics. Each character is unique and brings forth their own strengths/weaknesses and it was interesting to see how they channel each other's skills and languages depending on the situation. This is particularly evident in the action scenes, which had a very good choreography. 

Now, moving on to the negative aspects of the show, I want to begin by saying that the story was initially just too slow. Sure, there are episodes that let viewers get used to the atmosphere of the whole thing, but this prolonged for a little too long. Nothing spectacular happens within the first three hours into the show, and it is only after that the main plot comes into light. Even then, at times it felt as though the characters' individual conflicts were coming in between the main story and that was a little off-putting. 

Another thing that bothered me was that the characters weren't all that amazed or astounded by what was happening to them. They were a little surprised in the beginning but other than that, they weren't really freaked out and treated it like a usual occurrence. I felt like that angle was very much unrealistic as they adapted to their new found 'connections' too easily. 

All in all, it is a very interesting concept with a scope for something greater and despite the flaws, it was an entertaining watch. Sense8 has been renewed for a second season but the premiere date has yet to be announced. 

Happy binge-watching! 

The Shannara Chronicles

Based on the fantasy series by Terry Brooks, 'The Shannara Chronicles' is a drama television series that premiered on MTV on January 5th, 2016. As of now, there are just five episodes released, with the first season set to have ten episodes in total. It is set around 300 years after the War of the Races; a war that caused all demons to be locked in the Forbidding by an ancient tree, the Ellcrys. But now the Ellcrys is dying, which poses a threat for the Four Lands since the demons could escape and it is up to rest of the creatures (elves, druids, humans) to save the tree. 

Yes, sounds like your basic fantasy formula. But even if the story may not sound all that enticing to you, the show is worth checking out for it's visual effects, sets and costumes. It is evident that MTV has spent more than a considerable budget on the series and overall, it is most certainly a visual treat. Since the plot is just starting to get on track, I do not want to criticise it all that much and the episodes do seem to be getting better. However the situation, it is a storyline that has a lot of potential to become something engaging and exciting. 

Apart from that, if there is one problem that I want to bring to the forefront, it is the performance of the cast. Most particularly, it is Poppy Drayton's (Amberle Elessedil, the Elven Princess) acting that is the main turn-off. It is as though she is not even trying to put on a convincing act for the audience or even if she is, it has so far become a fail. The worse part is that she is the lead for the show, which makes me wonder how could she have been cast for that position. Even the performance of Ivana Baquero (Eretria, a human) is not up to the mark and needs a lot of improving. 

That aside, the notable actors for the show who are doing a good job are Manu Bennett (Allanon, a human and druid), Austin Butler (Wil Ohmsford, half-human/half-elf) and John Rhys-Davies (Eventine Elessedil, Elven King). Hopefully the rest of the cast will get better as the series progresses. 

Whilst it is not one of my absolute favourites, it has most certainly raised my curiosity and made me want to stay till the end of the season. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Daredevil

This show is based on the Marvel Comics character, Daredevil (Matt Murdock), and is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This particular superhero is a lawyer by day and crime fighter by night, with the uniqueness that his disability (blindness) does not stop him from being an amazing fighter. It is one of the first series that lead up to a Defender miniseries by Netflix, the other series having been Jessica Jones.  This show possess elements of darkness as well, with notable action sequences. 

For those who thought that Marvel is not capable of producing dark origin stories, this is the show that would prove them wrong. Not only is it so much more grittier than other Marvel superhero movies and shows, but has a rawness to it that keeps the viewer wanting more. I think Daredevil is a character that people might have given up on after the 2003 movie being a flop, but this series definitely makes up for it. Furthermore, the performances of the actors are strong and convincing, each one more than suitable for the representation of the comic book characters. 

It was also interesting to witness the complexities of Murdock, who was trying to balance his behaviour as a superhero (who tends to get violent at times), with his religious side. I can only imagine the kind of impact that would have had on his conscience, and the actor (Charlie Cox) was very much successful in making that struggle evident through his character portrayal. Apart from that, the series is worth checking out simply for the choreography of the fight scenes and the camera takes, especially that seen in the second episode, 'Cut Man'.  

My only criticism for the series is that while it had a really good buildup, the ending was comparatively lack-lustre. Perhaps they are just reserving it for the second season, but I had been expecting a slightly more different ending to the last couple of episodes. Some of the best episodes of the season are the earlier ones, but overall, it was quite an engaging watch. 

The whole of season one consisting of 13 episodes premiered on Netflix on April 10th 2015, and is renewed for a second season to be premiered on March 18th, 2016. 

Happy binge-watching!  

Jessica Jones

The show is based on the Marvel Comics character, Jessica Jones, and is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Having opened up her own detective agency, she is former superhero who has switched careers for the occupation of a private investigator. It falls mainly under the category of action and psychological thriller and is most certainly one of the most darkest on-screen adaptations created by the comic book publisher. 

Unlike the most common theme of lightheartedness that Marvel is associated to, in comparison to it's counterpart DC, this particular series is nothing like that. Not only does it portray a realistic view of the world, but cleverly covers the topic of harassment, sexism, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and even rape. Rather than being dodgy about these subjects, the series has incorporated them in a way that's representative of the characters, one of which is Jessica herself (played by Krysten Ritter), who is shown to be coping with the effects of PTSD. 

Another commendable performance is that of David Tennant's, who takes on the role of one of MCU's best villains; Kilgrave. One of the interesting things worth noting is the complexity of his character. Yes, he may be viewed as 'evil' or 'bad' in an overall sense, but somewhere along the way, his morality and thoughts were brought into question and suddenly he was not all black & white. There was even a point he committed a heroic act of sorts and saved lives, as per Jessica's instructions. Although, some might even feel that the show fixated too much on Kilgrave as everything ties back to him at the end, especially since he kept sending clients to Jessica right from the start. 

The cinematography was highly enjoyable too, as was the noir setting of the show. A few certain episodes stood out but I think one of the brilliant ones was 'Sin Bin'. The introduction and incorporation of Luke Cage and his association with the female superhero was also pretty neat. Not to mention, the action scenes too. 

The entire season consisting of 13 episodes was premiered on Netflix on 20th November 2015. 

Happy binge-watching! 

How To Get Away With Murder

One of the most twisted things that makes you question your deduction skills, is sometimes a good murder mystery and that is precisely what this show provides in it's episodes. It's just another normal day at a Philadelphia law university, but all that changes when the Criminology professor and four of her students become intertwined with a murder plot, that sets off a chain of events. Just like that, four strangers who just want to make it to the top, suddenly find themselves trusting each other for the sake of not losing everything and going to jail. 

The series may be on going with just the second season so far, but it is one of the most gripping and captivating crime shows, thanks to the casts and the twists. Granted, the whole murder conception isn't anything out of the box and similar murders have been shown before but the one thing that really stands out is the way the whole after-process is played out. Rather than just putting primary focus on only the victim, the creators have executed in a different way as to how the lives of each of those students and the Professor has been affected, giving the show that in depth element that isn't usually seen in many shows. 

Not only is the suspense evident in each episode, but the endings of each end with a cliffhanger that leaves you with wanting to see the next episode right away. However, being under the scrutiny of the police has not stopped Professor Keating from taking on other cases side by side, with the help of her students. I find that to be a nice touch for it points out that they haven't let the murder take over their daily routines completely and focus their mind onto something else. My only concern is how long with the plot be able to go on before it gets dragging but so far, it has been thrilling and I highly suggest it. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Supergirl

For all you comic book and superhero fans, especially those fond of Superman, this is the show for you. Based on the DC Comics character 'Supergirl', the show debuted on October 26th 2015, with two episodes released so far. The series focuses on Kara Zor-El, who is one of the last surviving Kryptonians and not to mention, biological cousin to the one and only Superman. 

Let me begin with the pilot. Whilst the episode itself may not have been all that mind-blowing, it was Melissa Benoist's interesting take to the character that made it a fun watch. The pilot also did a good job of delving into the character and showcasing that even when Kara puts on her costume, she still lives in the shadow of her cousin and has to earn her place as a respected hero. This not only serves as a challenge, but also a chance for Benoist to make the character grow. 

The second episode was an improvement to the first, having given viewers a further look into the other characters and the role they play in Kara's life. The visual effects were brilliant as well, which can always be expected from a show of this particular genre. There was a good blend of comedic and emotional moments and provided a kind of balance. 

One of the letdowns of both episodes were the villains. Unlike the evil guys that may be seen on shows like Arrow or Flash, these do not seem to be playing a relevant presence and the focus isn't on them much either. I found that a little strange, considering the fact that it's the villains as well that tend to make an episode all the more enthralling to watch. Another letdown would be that there have been no surprising twists and the episodes have been following the typical procedural format.  

But at the end of the day, the fact that the second episode was better than the pilot, is an indicator that the show has a lot of potential to reach higher. 

Happy binge-watching! 

The Newsroom

If there was a way to promote this show, I would start by saying that it is certainly something that every media aspired person, especially journalists should see. Showcasing a behind-the-scenes set of a fictional news channel, the anchor and his newsroom staff, attempt to expose hardcore news happenings, putting the flow of proper information first rather than meeting corporate demands. 

As someone who wants to work in the field of journalism, this show gripped me with attention right from the first episode. Though the news station was just a fictional one, the creator had in fact been to real-world cable channels and used that knowledge in the show. It was quite amazing to get an insight as to how news is sorted and revealed to the audience and also to see the workings of a newsroom. The characters were as different as could be and each one had their own moral code and levels of integrity, as to what kind of news should be covered. While it was entertaining to see a lot of media professionals work together under one roof, I could also see just how challenging and argumentative it can get when trying to convince one an another of the importance of a story. 

The first season wasn't all as great as the second and third, but the overall concept of the show was both dramatic and informative at the same time. There was a coverage of various news items, including few from the past like the 9/11 memorial, killing of Osama Bin Laden and so on, perhaps in order to get the audience familiarised with the context of the whole show. The shooting format of the serial was pretty good too, not exactly a documentary but at the same time, stayed very true to the aspect of reality regarding what happens in a real newsroom. Having consisted of three seasons, the show concluded on December 14, 2014. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Rick and Morty

For those people who might have it in their heads that animated series are just for kids and the youngsters, this show is one of the many that will prove you wrong. 'Rick and Morty' may just be on the second season so far, but it has already grown to be one of my favourites. Revolving around the daily adventures of an alcoholic mad scientist Rick and his grandson Morty, the humour element of this series is off the charts. 

The whole concept is not only entertaining, but quite interesting as well since it can be looked at from different angles. On the one hand, what you have here is an ordinary family with regular issues much like the next person on the block, but on the other side, you also get to witness a form of escapism from this so called 'regular' life. I suppose I can't speak for everyone when I say that I dream of a method wherein I can get away from my normal existence and go for a spin in another dimension. Really, their dilemmas are just as messed up as ours, if only to be made quite amusing. 

Whilst the episodes may seem completely crazy at first glance, at a deeper level, you begin to realize just how twisted some things are and that is definitely a uniqueness about the show. The ideas are not only creative but the execution is brilliant too, and the principle of some of those ideas could be effective in real life, if you actually analyse the hidden psychology of the episodes. In a nutshell, the whole series is weird as hell and I think that is exactly why the success rate is going high. 

My only negative point would be that some of the episodes aren't all that humourous as the rest, with only a few scenes being funny. Nonetheless, 'Rick and Morty' has potential to become of the best animated series and I have a feeling it's already getting there. If you want a bit of wackiness on your viewing list, this is the show for you. 

The second season began on July 26, 2015 and on August 2015, it was renewed for a third season. 

Happy binge-watching! 

The Office

Adapted from the British series of the same name, The Office was an American comedy show that portrayed the everyday lives of employees of a fictional paper company, Dunder Mifflin. To be honest, this was a show that I had heard so much about but hadn't gotten around to watching it until recently. My main motivation to finally give it a shot was the amazing cast and the style of filming, which was like a documentary. 

Though the first season consisted of just six episodes, the humour was brilliant from the start. And the characters, even better. Their different personalities helped bring in varying styles of humour and each was set apart from the other. But hands down, two of the most funniest characters were Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute, portrayed by Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson respectively. Scott was the kind of boss that a worker might both want and hate at the same time, whilst Dwight was basically the whack job, yet highly intuitive and smart in terms of his professional work. 

While the show kept getting better with each season, the major drawback was the absence of Steve Carell in the last two seasons. Sure, the episodes were fine for the most part, but it felt like a huge chunk of the humour was gone. I agree with many critics in their views that the the series should have ended after Carell's departure, because the quality just wasn't the same. Having said that, there were several episodes in the later seasons that were creative and funny. 

For those who are in dire need of an awesome sitcom, look no further; The Office is it. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Orphan Black

I will not deny the fact that sci-fi shows have always been of interest to me, which is one of the main reasons why I had decided to give this show a try. And of course, the brilliant trailer helped too. This particular series' main focus is on human cloning and the experimentation that led to the success of this often called 'immoral and unethical' act. The intriguing part that caught my attention was the fact that the actress, Tatiana Maslany, portrays multiple identical people (clones) at the same time. 

The show begins with Sarah Manning, having witnessed the suicide of one the women who appears to have been her doppelgänger and so, Manning takes on her identity. It is this sole act that leads to a chain of events and she finds out that she is a clone and there are several others out there, who are being assassinated one by one. The concept of this show is simply fascinating and it certainly is quite an angle on the personal identity issues that tend to be faced by people. 

But hands down, my favourite thing about the series is the way Maslany plays the roles of all the clones, with such talent. Each clone is characteristically so unique and different from each other and it is quite a delight to watch one actress pull that off with such brilliance. Even if you are a not a fan of sci-fi thrillers, I would recommend this series nonetheless, just to be exposed to this kind of talent. 

I suppose a turn-off about Orphan Black would be the complications that keep arising, some of which are clearly just for the sake of having the plot running. There is good buildup however, and the suspense is thrown in there in generous amounts. 

The series consists of three seasons, ten episodes each and has been renewed for a fourth season to be aired in 2016. 

Happy binge-watching!