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!