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FALLING INTO YOUR SMILE.S1.E22.”EPISODE 22”

Falling Into Your Smile is a Chinese drama about Tong Yao (Cheng Xiao) making her way as a female professional gamer. She is aiming to get over her ex boyfriend while also showing that even though she’s a girl, she is just as good a gamer as anyone. She also finds new romance with her teammate Lu Sicheng (Xu Kai) and struggles with balancing their relationship, their game, and hiding their love from their fans and the public. In this episode, Tong Yao’s team, ZGDX is at the playoffs for the world championship in the game featured in this show, Onmyoji Arena. At the beginning of the episode, Tong Yao is with her friend, Jinyang, watching her boyfriend, Ai Jia, and his team compete in the playoffs. Jinyang seems unbothered by the match, even after Ai Jia’s team, YWCB, loses a round. This bothers two female fans sitting behind the two, and one of the girls is not afraid to say something about it. While scolding Jinyang for not caring about her boyfriend’s team and taintint female fans’ reputation, Ai Jia takes notice, and leaves the stage to defend his girlfriend. He carries her away from the drama and the crowd, and they share a touching moment discussing how they mean more to each other than the rude fans or the game.

Later, Tong Yao, Cheng, and the rest of ZGDX prepare for their match in the playoffs. Tong Yao suggests using a controversial tactic that lost YWCB the round previous. Though it’s risky, the team agrees, and they head into a stiff battle against the opposing team, Orcs of Death. This scene focuses much more on the actual game with their tactics and battles. In my favorite part of the episode, it seems to zoom in on the game, and the audience gets to experience the battle as if they are in the game themselves. It is in the final moments with lots of action and suspense. Though they weren’t expected to win, especially using the tactic they chose, ZGDX comes out victorious. 

Would I watch this show again? Yes! I thought this show did a great job of balancing the romance aspects of the show, which were very well done, with the exciting, actiony parts of the show. I thought both couples shown in this episode had great chemistry and I could really believe that they loved each other. They matched well with each other and seemed to be very supportive of each other in both pairings. I also really enjoyed the gaming scenes. Though I honestly didn’t quite understand what was going on with the tactics and the actual playing of the game, the energy of the actors combined with the cinematography, the music, and the game’s commentators helped me get the general vibe. It was exciting! However, this series is just one season alone and it has 31 episodes… it may take me awhile to finish it, but I think it would be worth it to watch the relationships grow.

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THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.S2.E14.”CRYING WOLF”

First airing on tv in 2009, The Vampire Diaries starring Nina Dobrev is a fan favorite from the early 2010s era of vampire fanatics. The show is very Twilight-esque with it’s warring groups of vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings, and plenty of the CW’s signature dramatics. In this episode, the vampires and werewolves are both seeking to break the “sun and moon curse” which weakens both groups, however they each seek to break it for their own gain. But to break this curse, Elena Gilbert, the main protagonist, must be sacrificed, and those closest to her are not willing to let that happen without a fight. Stefan Salvatore, Elena’s caring vampire boyfriend, takes her for a romantic weekend away from the drama and danger in Mystic Falls at her family’s lakehouse. Caroline and Bonnie, Elena’s vampire and witch best friends respectively, seek out more information on how they can help keep their friend safe. Elijah, one of the original vampires, has come to Mystic Falls to break the curse, but Damon Salvatore isn’t too keen on letting that happen. Tyler, one of Elena’s childhood friends, attempts to help a pack of werewolves find Elena to break the curse, not knowing the full consequences of what he is helping to do. 

The show has lots of dramatic twists, turns, and reveals. You never know who in the ever growing cast of characters you can trust. It can be a bit confusing, deciphering which characters are which breed of supernatural creatures at which time and who has their intentions set where. There is also plenty of supernatural violence to keep things interesting, vampires able to rip out hearts and wooden bullets created to keep vampires at bay, and of course whatever kinds of magic the show’s witches can conjure up. The dramatics can be a little cheesy at times, but that’s to be expected of an early 2010s tv drama about a vampire love triangle, right? 

Would I watch this show again? I would say yes. I think it would be a good show to watch every so often for some drama and entertainment. I’ve also heard great things about the show’s bingeability. With multiple spin-off shows, there is a neverending flow of Vampire Diaries content that you can keep up with forever, if it really suits you. Plus, with the dark lighting, soundtrack, and small New England town vibes, the show seems like a perfect show for fall when the weather starts to get a bit too crisp. A great show to stay in, pop some popcorn, and find your fuzziest blanket to turn on.

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NEW GIRL.S6.E11.”RAISIN’S BACK”

A comedy which started its run in 2011, New Girl is full to the brim with quirky humor brought on by Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and her roommates in an LA loft. The apartment is flooded with friendship, romance, and plenty of odd circumstances that always seem to work themselves out. In this episode, Nick’s girlfriend, Reagan, played by Megan Fox in a featured role, is moving into the apartment all the way from Seattle. Jess is put in an uncomfortable situation due to her past relationship with Nick and her current feelings for him, as well as her friendship with Reagan. Nick attempts to “play it cool�� by lying to Reagan about work out of fear that he’ll come off too strong, and Reagan has her own secret that comes to light after a girl’s night with Jess and lots of drinks. Schmidt struggles with his taste in everything, when Cece and Winston insult his love for EDM and bet him that they could make a song themselves and he wouldn’t be able to tell that it was fake.

The short episodes and eccentric plotlines and situations the characters are put in make it a perfect show for quick entertainment. The chemistry between the characters and the themes in their lives give the show a relatable aspect while also showcasing their quirks. The comedic timing is excellent and the jokes land beautifully, a show that can live up to anyone’s sense of humor. 

Would I watch this show again? Yes! It’s perfect for a long binge session or just jumping through episodes. It’s great for a good laugh and a good way to relax after a long day. I enjoy the humor in the show a lot, and it’s not at all a big time commitment with the 20 minute episodes. I’d love to see more from Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston and all the other shining characters on the show and all their quirky mishaps and lovely bonds.

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PISTOL.S1.E2.”TRACK 2: ROTTEN”

A brand new Hulu original miniseries based on the real origin story of the Sex Pistols, Pistol is the perfect grimy, raunchy essence of the Pistols themselves. This episode focuses on the beginnings of lead singer Johnny Rotten. His audition in the middle of the band’s manager’s home base/sex shop/clothing store, the disaster of his first rehearsal, and how he got the stage name in the first place. It features drugs, parties, and rock and roll, all in the grungey scene of London’s Denmark Street in the laste 70s. It shows the struggles the band has with getting along, but their common hatred for “the Establishment” and love for noise and destruction brings them together.

The cinematography of the show was my favorite part. It seems as if it was shot on a film camera, the grainy texture and filter along with the lighting, especially in montages throughout the episode, give it a very authentic feel for the era. The colors of the show are not bright and colorful, they reflect the grunge and the sentiment of the British rock scene at the time. Even the camera angles and shots are beautifully done and add to the environment. The final scene of the episode, a fight breaks out after the band’s very first gig, and the camera jerks around periodically, encapsulating the chaos of the scene as the band takes it in from their stage. It’s what their music is all about anyway, chaos and destruction.

Would I watch this show again? It’s not for everyone, some of the subject matter not a little heavy or raunchy. Parts were a little difficult to watch, but I feel like the discomfort is all a part of it. I think I would watch more of this show, especially since its a short series with only 6 episodes, it would be a quick show to watch. I also thought it was an interesting look into the scene at the time and their views, especially on their own country and America as well. I think it would be an entertaining as well as an interesting watch.

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DEMON SLAYER.S1.E17.”YOU MUST MASTER A SINGLE THING”

Based on the original manga by Koyoharu Gotouge, Demon Slayer is about a boy, Tanjiro, and his sister-turned-demon, Nezuko, who are on a quest across Japan to kill demons and return Nezuko to her human form. Though a relatively new series, it is very popular, with lots of fans all over the globe. It is a shōnen style anime, that revolves around the main hero and friends and allies he makes along the way with many adventurous side plots, often referred to as arcs.

This episode is apart of the Natagumo Mountain Arc, where Tanjiro and two fellow demon slayers, Zenitsu and Inosuke, must investigate reports of demons on the mountain an in turn must face members of the spider demon family. This episode focuses on Zenitsu after he was separated from the group and encounters a demon named Rui, which takes the form of a giant spider with a human head. Zenitsu has been bitten by one of Rui’s spider minions and poisoned, set to transform into a spider himself. In the face of the demon and his own fate, Zenitsu climbs a tree in attempts to escape, cowarding and crying. He has flashbacks of his grandfather attempting to train him to be a swordsman and demon slayer despite his cowardice. Though a rough old man, his grandfather taught him the importance of never giving up. Zenitsu was only able to master one form of the thunderous power he has, but his grandfather tells him that even if you can only master one thing, it is better to perfect that one thing than giving up all together. He eventually rouses all his courage and power and defeats the demon.

Though this episode did not contain much plot or heavily feature the main characters, it was still entertaining. The audience gets to learn the backstory for one of the lovable characters and see him overcome his fears and cowardice. The animation style of the show is well done. It has a fun, cartoony aspect to the bright colors and simple shapes of certain scenes, but in this episode, the creepy factor is also showcased with the spider demons. I really liked the flashback sequences and the story and morals they held as well as the action sequences which were honestly just very cool to look at.

Would I watch the rest of the show? I think so. Just from this episode alone I haven’t gotten a great idea of the plot or the characteristics of the main characters, but this show is so popular I’m sure it’s great. I think I would start from the beginning and see if I like it even more. I’m interested in seeing all the different demons and even the different demon slayers they encounter, because the three featured just in this episode seem very interesting each in their own way.

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PEAKY BLINDERS.S4.E3.”BLACKBIRD”

A BBC show starring Cillian Murphy as World War veteran and gang leader, Tommy Shelby, Peaky Blinders is a very popular show on and off Netflix. With violence, drama, and 1920s mobsters in the UK, what more could you ask for? In this episode, Tommy’s gang, the titular Peaky Blinders, must deal with factory workers on the brink of mutiny, an enemy Italian gang out for blood, and the reintroduction of the shifty Polly Gray. Arthur, Tommy’s brother and lieutenant, has to face a complicated relationship with his wife as she worries about the danger his life is in at the hands of Italian mobster Luca Changretta. Tommy must find the source of the break in that nearly cost Arthur his life when two hit men found him in one of their factories while also dealing with romance both past and present. Polly shows the audience her true nature as she places herself in the midst of much of the episode’s drama.

The show is definitely a good source of entertainment with plenty of action, romance, drama, and loads of Irish accents. The dark atmosphere of the cinematography, settings, and costuming really plays on the effect of the dramatics and sets the tone for the entire show. While watching, you may find yourself transported to a Birmingham nearly a century in the past. I can see why the show has so much popularity, especially amongst British audeinces on BBC, the mix of history and dramatic fiction a great blend on the screen and in the plot.

Would I watch this show again? Yes! I would be interested in starting from the beginning to witness the building of the Shelbys’ empire and the relationships I saw in this episode. I wonder why Polly left the gang in the first place, why Michael is injured, and why the Italian mafia is after them in the first place. With many questions, I assume many interesting answers can be found. With many seasons and many episodes in each, this would definitely be a binge-worthy show.

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CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS.S1.E5.”EPISODE 5”

Based on the book by Sally Rooney, Conversations with Friends on Hulu is a mature look into the lives of young adults and their complicated relationships with eachother. These complicated relationships are on display in this episode as a group of friends and lovers are on vacation together in Croatia. Sharing meals and drinks and trips to the market is interspersed with terribly awkward conversations about eachothers relationships with another where not much is really said at all. The main character, Frances, played by Alison Oliver, is unfortunately quiet, awkward, and entangled in the middle of a couple’s marriage. Nick, married to Melissa, is interested in Frances in a way many may think he shouldn’t be. They have some sort of adulterous relationship, despite Nick telling Frances that he is still very much in love with his wife. When Nick’s wife, Melissa’s publishing agent comes to the house they are staying at for a meal and celebration, her and Frances get into an argument at dinner over a comment made about Nick’s mental health. This instance leads to yet another awkard conversation, this time between Frances and Melissa where Melissa reminds Frances of the love she has for her husband while not so inconspicuously asking if they are having a relationship on the side. Frances denies this, but later ends the episode spending the night with Nick anyway.

Honestly, this episode was hard to watch. There was not a whole lot of meaningful dialogue in the entire thirty minutes of the episode, and what dialogue was consistently gave me second hand embarrassment. The characters don’t have any chemistry together and despite the title, every conversation between friends was incredibly hard to sit through. There wasn’t a lot going on besides Frances staring forlornly through windows as she tried to think through the complications of her relationship with Nick, and her friend Bobbi enforcing the fact that she is the rough around the edges, outspoken character. That was very important to note as the episode and every one of her lines made it very clear. I didn’t really find any of the characters to be particularly likeable in any way, and the plot didn’t have much excitement, in my opinion. The up side to this episode, however, was the beautiful Croatian scenery that the audience got to witness in the setting of every scene.

Would I watch the rest of the show? Frankly, no. I would not recommend it to anyone either unless there is someone who finds entertainment in the most boring drama someone can muster into a tv show. This may sound a little harsh, and maybe other episodes could be different, but I’m not sure I could sit through even thirty more minutes full of awkwardness and embarrassment. This show is really not for me.

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NEVER HAVE I EVER.S1.E4.”FELT SUPER INDIAN”

Mindy Kaling’s Netflix Original series about high schooler Devi Vishwakumar is a coming of age comedy, loosely based on Kaling’s own childhood. Growing up as a first generation Indian-American girl has its ups and downs, and this episode especially showcases her struggle with her ethnic identity. She is grappling with an embarrassing experience of being friend zoned by the guy she likes, Paxton, and her ambition to attend Princeton. However, all this must be set aside when she must attend a local celebration of the Hindu holiday Ganesh Puja, a holiday all about spending time with family and prayer. Seemingly all of the Hindu community in the San Fernando Valley gathers at Devi’s high school to celebrate by mingling, eating, and praying together. 

Devi, her mother Nalini, and her cousin Kamala, each have their own struggles at the event. Nalini must endure countless conversations about her late husband, Kamala attempts to ward of the suffocating pressure to get married when she doesn’t have any desire to, and Devi grapples with her entire identity as a whole. She feels some see her as too Indian while others believe she is not Indian enough, while she wishes she could leave her entire culture behind.

The show overall seems to be a generally accurate depiction of teenage life, embarrassing moments, difficult parental relationships, crushes, identity crises, and all. I liked that aspect and a few of the comedic moments, however the cliches and cringey moments can be a bit glaring, though you could argue that adds to the accuracy of the depiction of the teenage experience. A bit that I did not quite enjoy and was confused about was the fact that John McEnroe narrates the whole thing. I’m sure this is explained in other episodes, but his voice and presence honestly threw me off. Maybe I just didn’t like how his voice sounded in the environment of this teen girl comedy.

Would I watch the rest of this show? I have seen mixed reviews about this show online and from people I know. Personally, this type of show is not my favorite. I don’t hate becasue there are some masterful teen girl coming of age rom commy types out there, but this one just doesn’t feel like it reaches that bar. Many of the jokes fell flat and some of the somewhat bawdy elements of it I was not a big fan of. However, the episodes are relatively short, at around 20 minutes, which I can appreciate! All in all, would not watch again, but can understand why others enjoy for short and sweet entertainment.

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YOU.S2.E2.”JUST THE TIP”

You is a Netflix original starring Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg, a short-tempered, murderous, stalking, obsessive book seller who has a knack for falling in love at first sight. Season 2 begins as Joe must find himself a new life in Los Angeles after, presumably, all of last season’s criminal antics. For Joe, LA is a hellscape filled of people with heads inflated with the carnal need to be the center of attention, vegan gluten-free keto organic green juice, and loads of marijuana. 

Joe’s judgement of the Valley, the people, and their seemingly moronic lifestyles is marred by one thing, the girl he has fallen for. And by fallen for, I mean started following, watching, and obsessing over. However this time, his approach seems to be a bit more successful. The girl named Love, played by Victoria Pendretti, has not only caught Joe’s eye, but has already gone out on a date or two with him, kissed him, and invited him to meet her friends. Assuming this relationship has not gone on long based on the fact that it is only episode 2, Joe is startled by the quickness she has taken with everything. It doesn’t quite help that he is being haunted by the ghost of a past lover (victim?) everytime he’s with Love, either. 

While grappling with his complicated relationship with Love and his past, he is simultaneously caught up in some trouble after stealing the identity of the wrong man. Living in LA, Joe now goes by Will Bettelheim, the name of the man who promised to help Joe start a new life out of the country. Joe turns on him and kidnaps him in his criminal manner, but has to start jumping through hoops to keep his stolen identity when it turns out that Will owes thousands of dollars to a dangerous man who may or may not have connections with the mafia.

Throughout the episode, we hear Joe’s internal monolgogue. His thoughts on love (the emotion), Love (the girl), Los Angeles, and all the people he interacts with. I find it interesting how this show gives us the aspect of the unreliable narrator, something that you don’t often see in film. It is not hard to understand that Joe is an unstable and ultimately hateful person with many, many problems. However, the audience can’t help but feel for him at times when all we can see is his point of view. 

As for cinematography, I feel like this show is on a whole, relatively average. We do get plenty of glimpses from Joe’s point of view, especially of Love and her surroundings, as he takes his place as the unreliable narrator. Otherwise, there were not a lot of cinematic elements in this episode that stood out to me, with the exception of a montage scene near the end of the episode. We see the parallel between Love’s normal life and Joe’s criminal one as the scene cuts back and forth between Love cooking dinner and Joe dismembering a dead body. It was gruesome in gory while also showing a very interesting contrast between what Joe wants and what he has. A theme throughout the episode is that Joe wants a normal relationship with Love, but he is afraid he will hurt her. This scene really highlights that theme with the stark contrast between elements while using the parallel of knives, meat, and cutting boards.

Would I watch the rest of the show? This show definitely seems binge worthy, and something interesting to watch with friends. I don’t think I would find myself watching this out of interest by myself, but I can definitely see myself watching with a group of friends and snacks, sharing judgements on Joe’s questionable personality and methods in the pursuit of love. I can understand why the show became such a hit with viewers, especially those seeking entertainment during the era of quarantine.