#knitflixing for canadians

[classicalsongbirdknits]

February's knitflixing suggestion - Star Trek: The Next Generation

The whole of the Star Trek world has been on my list for quite a few years. As a fan of science fiction and fantasy, it seemed like something I needed to watch. I'm assuming that most people know at least a little bit about Star Trek, with "beam me up, Scotty", red shirts, and other references being pervasive in fandom spaces whether people have watched the original Star Trek or not. I finally got around to the Star Trek world last month, and I'm glad I did. I asked a friend who loves Star Trek where I should start, and she recommended The Next Generation.

The Next Generation focuses on the crew of the starship Enterprise as they travel through space, exploring new worlds. It reminds me a little bit of Doctor Who - a little bit campy, lots of aliens, good characters, and interesting moral questions weaved into the comedy and sci-fi moments. I think the target audience is a bit older (less family-oriented) and there's less time travel, but the overall vibe is very similar. But what really drew me into it was the world building and the characters.

The world building is very secure and well knit. At a first watch, nothing seemed incongruent or badly planned to me. And the characters (and actors) were brilliant. It's easy to fall in love with the crew members of the Enterprise, and while I definitely have my favourite (Data, in case you were wondering), it would be hard to pick a second favourite. Each character is well-rounded, has their own journey, and their character develops well over the course of the show. An added bonus is that the aliens are done with makeup, and not CGI (which is a lifesaver, since this show came out in the 90's), 99.9% there's no distracting computer effects.

Personally, I found the show got better and better as it went on. Considering there are seven seasons, there's plenty of knitflixing time here. The show isn't overly complicated, so you won't miss a ton if you look away, but there's also lots of little details that can be found if you're paying attention. And what made the show perfect for me is that each episode (or two-episode arc) ended well, which is good for when my anxiety is up and I can't handle too much suspense. So go and explore with the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation the next time you need a knitflixing show!

You might like this show if: you like episodes that have good endings; you enjoy a bit of humour and a bit of camp with your sci-fi; you like well developed characters; you like world building that you can fall into and be completely immersed in. 

You might not like this show if: you dislike campy science fiction; you don't like shows with large casts; you can't handle a somewhat shaky first season before getting to the good stuff.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

Round-Up of 2022 Suggestions

ICYMI, I started making knitflixing suggestions for Canadian's last year. The goal was to offer a show or movie suggestion to watch on Canadian Netflix while knitting, because there's nothing worse than finding a list of recommendations only to discover that none of them are available in Canada. I plan to continue the trend in 2023, but I figured a round up would be useful if anyone wants to see them all in one place!

(Note that all the links are to my Ko-fi page, but all my knitflixing posts are publicly available, so no membership is needed to read them).

February - Sweet Magnolias

March - Avatar: The Last Airbender

April - Bridgerton

June - Hilda

July - Merlin

August - The Great Canadian Baking Show

September - Into the Spiderverse

October - Locke and Key

November - Tiny Pretty Things

December - Sense8

[classicalsongbirdknits]

This one is a bit behind schedule, because November to December chaotic time for university, but here we are! The knitflixing suggestion for this month is: Sense8

This is definitely on the more mature side of the "shows I have suggested" continuum, since there's lots of sex and nudity in this show, so be prepared for that. But I promise, the story is not just fan service, it's also got great writing and an interesting premise. The general idea is that eight people across the globe who share almost nothing in common except a birthday are suddenly psychically connected to each other. There's a shadowy group who is intent on hunting them and taking them out, and plot shenanigans ensue as the story follows the world-wide happenings of each other characters.

I found the first couple episodes to be a bit slow, but it was so worth it to make it through. It's dramatic, it's comicbook-esque, it's an intimate character study of relationships and human connection. And overall, it's just really fun. I've found the moments of simple connection between characters to almost be the best part. Getting to see how completely different people relate to each other and find similarities in their life and struggles is incredible, and the writing and acting is so well done.

In terms of the "knit" part of knitflixing, Sense8 does require a certain amount of your attention, so I recommend watching this show while working on a relatively uncomplicated project. I was knitting long ribbed socks while I watched, which worked perfectly. Also, the show only has two seasons, but I promise that it is still worth it.

You might like this show if: you like found-family dynamics; you want a show with realistic queer characters; you enjoyed shows like Firefly, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, or Marvel's Runaways.

You might not like this show if: you don't want to watch something that has lots of sex, nudity, violence, and other adult themes;  you don't like superhero/comic book style shows.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

October's Knitflixing Suggestion: Locke and Key

If you're looking for something a little scarier for October (but can't handle super scary stuff, like me), Locke and Key is a great place to start. There are some scarier moments, at least by my standards, but it's also not gonna leave you with nightmares. 

Locke and Key tells the story of a family moving to big house in a small town after a tragedy, and things in said big house start to get weird (as things in big houses in small towns often do). There's lots of strange and unexplained phenomenas, mysterious histories, and magical happenings.

The show was adapted from a comic book series, and so has that comic-book-storytelling feel to it, but it's not beholden to it's source. There are some major differences, which some people may not like, but it means that the world of magic and mystery blossoms naturally and the plot is engaging. The characters are interesting and relatable to anyone who's been part of a family.

The third season came out at the end of August, so there's three seasons worth of knitting in this show. In my opinion, the first two seasons were the best, but  if a fourth season happens, we'll see if it's better.

You might like this show if: you read the Spiderwick Chronicles growing up; you like shows that are a little bit scary but aren't too gory or terrifying; and you enjoy creative magic and world building.

You might not like this show if: you're not a fan of fantasy or comic books, or you're looking for something that's more horror-movie-esque.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

This month's knitflixing suggestion for Canadians: Merlin

From a young age, I've been obsessed with Arthurian legend. I grew up listening to a version of the King Arthur stories on tape, and as I got older, I proceeded to engage other versions and spin-offs, including acting in a play version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and reading Mists of Avalon (which I enjoyed, despite the, um, questionable views of the author). And then, one day, I discovered Merlin on Netflix. Merlin is a reimagined telling of the King Arthur legend which places Merlin and Arthur as young men in Camelot and tells the story in that vein through to the Battle of Badon. I was initially turned off by the somewhat dramatic changes to the version of the stories I grew up with, but I eventually settled into it and enjoyed the show immensely. As I continued watching, I realized that the show meant to draw on the source material as more of an inspiration, and the plot wasn't meant to be an exact retelling.

A quick tangent here- I took a class on Arthur of the Celts, which explored the rise of the Arthur in stories and legends, from his roots as a Celtic warlord or Roman dux bellorum, all the way up to Geoffery of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain, which cemented Arthur's reputation into a King, a reputation which continues to this day. As I took the class (and rewatched the show simultaneously to "study"), I realized that the show is actually ladened with references to source material in ways that I didn't even know about in my first few watches. The nerd in me was extremely happy and very impressed, so if you're familiar with the Celtic origins of Arthur and some of the most prominent early texts, you'll enjoy the clever way the sources have been weaved into the show. Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Merlin was originally written to fill the space left by Doctor Who in its off season, so its intended audience was a family who would be looking for something to watch during what would normally be Doctor Who time. The "family" aspect is very obvious in some episodes, and distinctly less obvious in others. As with all shows, there are great episodes and some less great episodes, but overall the show is simultaneously funny, clever, emotional, sad, gripping, and light-hearted. The seriousness of the show also progresses as the seasons go by and the characters age, so the feel of the episodes is very different by the last season. 

One word of warning- the CGI is very early-2000's, which can be distracting at times, but do your best to ignore it, because the rest of the show is well worth watching.

You might like this show if: you enjoy Arthurian literature and are a huge nerd about it (like me); you like the enemies to friends (or maybe... lovers?) trope; you like historical dramas with pretty costumes and big castles.

You might not like this show if: you're not willing to endure the somewhat cheesy first season; you can't stand early-2000's CGI and special effects; you don't like any re-interpretations of the King Arthur material.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

I somehow missed the fact that yesterday was January 5th. Don't know how I managed to do that, but time always feels a bit funky at this time of year. Anyway, I'm only one day late, so I'm gonna count that as a win!

Knitflixing suggestion for January: Star Trek: Downton Abbey

This had been on my list for knitflixing last year, and then it was forecasted to be taken off Netflix. I binged through it one last time, said my solemn goodbyes, and removed it from my list of possible Canadian knitflixing suggestions. And then, last week, I discovered it was still there. Maybe the sudden influx of people rewatching it made Netflix decide to keep it, or maybe it was simply a sneaky marketing technique. We will never know.

Either way, I'm recommending it now. Downton Abbey is one of those British dramas that just captures and envelops the audience into the upright, English sensibilities of the early 1900's. The story focuses on the family and staff living at Downton Abbey, a large manor home and estate. The show takes its time developing the characters and the world they live in, and every detail has been accounted for. The costumes are beautiful, and develop as time passes, and the sets are impressive and realistic. Each character gets their own arch and develops throughout the show, a feat of writing that is difficult to achieve without feeling pedantic. The actors are fantastic, and every time I rewatch the show, I notice more subtle looks and careful facial expressions.

The only major thing I've really heard against the show is that its a bit slow-moving and boring (or that it's "too British", but I'm not really sure what those people were expecting from a British show set in 20th century Britain and produced by a British film company). I personally never found that to be an issue, especially since its kind of the perfect show to watch while knitting. While the details are stunning, they aren't crucial to understanding the plot or enjoying the show, so you can stick this on in the background of whatever project you're working on and not miss too much. Plus, there are six seasons and two movies, so plenty of knitting time available.

You might like this show if: you like period dramas; you enjoy the British style of storytelling; you enjoyed movies like Pride and Prejudice or shows like Call the Midwife.

You might not like this show if; you're looking for something upbeat and fast-paced; you don't like British television; you don't like historical fiction.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

November's knitflixing suggestion is: Tiny Pretty Things

I can't lie, I actually really like this show. And while certain issues in the real ballet world are used in this show, I'm fully aware that the rest is fictional and extra dramatic for extra drama's sake.

And I love it.

So fine, maybe past favourite shows of mine have included Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl. I'm well aware that none of these are masterworks or highbrow, but goddammit they're fun. And I'm a huge fan of having fun. So if, like me, you like slightly crazy girls and the ridiculous drama of poorly handled situations while wearing awesome outfits, I recommend checking this show out.

There's murder and drama and some truly epic ballet dancing. The actors are real dancers for once, so the dance scenes are amazing and beautiful and inspire me to try to get at least some of intermediate-student-ish ballet skills back after I had to stop for a couple years. I love a good murder, or attempted murder (or is it a murder at all?), and there's nothing better than when all the people involved are lying to save themselves and I have to try to piece together what really happened. Throw in the boarding school life, the high pressure environment, and the eerie dream scenes, and I'm hooked.

I will warn you now that the season ends with what was supposed to be the start of the plot for the next season, but the show was unfortunately cancelled. Personally I still think watching this show is worth it, but I'm telling you now so you know what you're getting into. Again, this show is just a lot of fun, and if you don't take it too seriously, there's 10 long episodes of drama-filled knitflixing time in here.

You might like this show if: you enjoy shows like Pretty Little Liars or Gossip Girl; you like murder mysteries and shows with dark vibes; you often dreamed of being a ballet dancer and enjoy watching ballet.

You might not like this show if: you hate the whole young adults doing murder and other bad life choices thing; you were an actual ballet dancer and the liberties taken with the ballet world in the show will irritate you.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

Knitflixing Suggestion for September: Into the Spiderverse

This month's recommendation is a movie! Spider-Man has always been my favourite superhero. My dad converted me early with those little comic books you buy at grocery store checkouts, and I found Peter Parker to be extremely relatable. Every since, Spider-Man has been my favourite hero in all forms. I wasn't super familiar with Miles Morales before watching Into the Spiderverse. I had seen him in cameos in other comic books before, but I'd never read a storyline where he was the main character.

After watching Into the Spiderverse, I'm actively looking for more Miles Morales as Spider-Man. As with most Spider-heroes, he was incredibly funny, clever, and relatable. The story focuses around the multiverses colliding into each other and Miles' journey to discover his powers and his confidence.

But even with the characters aside, the production of the movie itself was incredible. I know almost nothing about animation (other than that it looks extremely complicated), but the various styles of art used added a whole other level to this movie. All the little details made my nerdy little comic book loving self extremely happy. (I won't spoil any, because I want you to see them for yourself). On top of that, the music and sound design was incredible, too. In general the music was just good music, but the nods to other styles and eras were well done and very funny.

In short, everything is incredible. If you like comics, and if you like Spider-Man, don't skip out on this one. It's very different compared to the MCU, but don't let that scare you away. This is an overall great movie and a great watch. Now go watch it!

You might like this movie if: you're a huge comic nerd; you love Spider-Man; you enjoy innovated animation and production styles; you're looking for something light and funny that's also gonna pull your heartstrings just enough.

You might not like this movie if: you don't like when movies deviate from their source material, you don't like comics in general, and you don't like animation.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

Knitflixing for Canadians suggestion for August: The Great Canadian Baking Show!

I have decided it is time. It is time for me to attempt to convince you to check out this absolute gem of a show.

Baking shows always seemed up my alley, but I'm far too sensitive. I don't like when the judges are mean, and I don't like when the contestants are mean. It makes me sad! And even though I know that a lot of it is just for TV drama (like Gordon Ramsey), I can't help but feel bad for people. But people in the Great Canadian Baking Show are so nice! The contestants help each other out, the judges are firm but kind and give good advice, and the hosts are funny and give lots of verbal support. Even though only one person can win, it seems like everyone legitimately enjoys their time in the tent. In other words, it's exactly my kind of show.

And, of course, we can't forget the amazing creations. Participants draw on local dishes, family dishes, and different types of cuisines to bake foods that are new, creative, and absolutely stunning! Each episode has something new and different from at least one of the contestants, and, if you'd like to try the recipes, some are available on the CBC (although I recommend looking after you've finished watching, because some articles reference who won that season).

If the above doesn't convince you, how about this? Please, pretty pretty please with sugar on top, watch this show! I love it so much, I've watched each season multiple times. Knowing who won doesn't detract at all from the experience, and I wait eagerly for each new season to come to Netflix (although if you can't wait, it also airs on CBC Gem, which you can access for free with some ads, or there's a paid subscription).

Now go watch!

You might like this show if: you like The Great British Bake Off, you like cooking and baking shows, you'd like to see which contestants are from your area, or my incessant begging has worn you down.

You might not like it if: you prefer Gordon Ramsey-esque baking and cooking shows, with lots of competitive banter and super tough judges, you don't like baking/cooking shows at all, and you don't like food-related puns.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

Knitflixing suggestion for June: Hilda

Hilda was one of those shows that was recommended to me, and I actually ended up watching it almost right away. I tend to file most recommendations away for a few years before getting around to them, if I ever do (which is ironic considering I recommend shows every month). But I'm glad I watched Hilda.

This was another pandemic watch for me, which was perfect. I spent my childhood running around outdoors, looking for faeries and for magic, and Hilda was an extremely satisfying way to feel nostalgic and happy at the same time. The plot lines are enjoyable and fun, but it's the characters that truly make this show brilliant. Every character has a distinct personality, including all the magical creatures, and they can be unexpected in the funniest way. It was also easy for me to see myself in quite a few of them, with the person I hope I am in regards to adventure (Hilda) and the person I actually am (David).

The fantasy-yet-modern world building is immersive without being painfully and slowly explained to you, and the concept feels familiar yet unique. The animation is simplistic and beautiful, the music is cute and uplifting, and the colours are bright and vivid. Hilda's world of elves, wood men, tide mice, trolls, nisse, and woffs is immediately captivating, and it's very easy to binge through the two seasons. The show also isn't overly complex (being a cartoon for older children), making it perfect for knitting while watching.

You might like this show if: you liked Gravity Falls or Adventure Time, you want to reminisce about your childhood days looking for magic, and you take pleasure in careful world building and complex characters (with a girl as a lead no less).

You might not like this show if: you're not a fan of cartoons or faerie tale creatures, and you have a strong aversion to tide mice.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

Knitflixing suggestion for May: Shadow and Bone

I read the Shadow and Bone series (a long time ago), and by what I remember the show is fairly faithful to the books, with the notably addition of the characters from Six of Crows. Still, I found the blending of the two stories to be enjoyable, and they fit well together. If you're looking for an exact adaptation, melding the two stories together will probably irritate you, but I liked watching it nevertheless, and I still recommend it for knitflixing. I haven't actually read Six of Crows yet, but I'm considering it now (as soon as I make through the other books in my to-be-read pile. I think the latest Outlander book I started but haven't finished yet is feeling a bit abandoned recently).

I have to say, I appreciate this new trend of turning books into shows instead of into movies. I find the adaptations can be truer to the story, and the character development and events don't feel as rushed. I'm hoping the practice will continue so I no longer have to watch the movie of a book I liked only to discover my favourite scene has been cut due to time constraints. But that's beyond the point here.

The point is, I really enjoyed watching Shadow and Bone for knitflixing. I watched the whole season in pretty much one go. The storyline is enjoyable, as any reader of the books can attest, and the characters feel three dimensional. The world building is exceptional, and the clothing and scenery are even more amazing than what I pictured while reading the books. The plot moves at a pretty good clip. I rarely, if ever, felt bored. My only warning is you may need to stop knitting a couple times because what's happening on the screen is so absorbing, but I don't think that's really a bad thing (plus, it'll give your hands a break).

It looks like the plan is to do one book per season. I'm not sure what will happen with the added plots, but there are three books so if everything goes well, there should be three seasons. So far only one season is out, but season two is currently being filmed, so rest assured that there will be more. (And this way, you can rewatch before season 2 comes out, and then rewatch it again when season 2 actually comes out, and then repeat the process for season three. Everyone does that, right? No? Just me?)

You might like this show if: you like fantasy, magic, and well thought out world building; you enjoyed books like City of Brass or A Darker Shade of Magic; you prefer stories that hook you fast and move at a fast pace.

You might not like this show if: you're not a fan of most YA books and some of their tropes, including the "young and slightly shy woman has power beyond belief as well as the attention of two different but very hot men" trope (but if you do like that, then you're in the right place); you don't like fantasy, magic, or goats.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

Seeing as the second season came out on March 25th, how could I recommend for April anything other than: Bridgerton.

Bridgerton's success came fast and furious when season one came out last year. Something about the Regency era is just so fascinating. The London season, a different dress for every ball, and thinly veiled yet exceptionally clever British insults that make today's Twitter wars look like cavemen grunts. Oh, to be able to insult someone to their face and have polite society demand they simply smile and take it. But I'm getting off track.

The show reminds me of a mix of Jane Austen and Gossip Girl, with Lady Whistledown's papers instead of Gossip Girl blasts (and I'm certainly not the only one to think so). There's something so wonderful about petty gossip in stories, and Bridgerton definitely scratches that itch. Likewise, the show is full of steamy moments, scandal, balls, beautiful clothing, and high class society. So if you love Jane Austen and you love Gossip Girl, you will definitely love Bridgerton.

While the show is based on Regency times, the show doesn't shy away from taking liberties in its reimagination of London society. The fashion is Regency with a modern twist in hairstyles and clothing. If you're a historian, you may hate it, but if you're merely a Regency enthusiast, you'll enjoy the subtle adjustments. The music is likewise updated (although as a music major, I have my bones to pick around what you can and can't do to make something sound "classical", but I digress), with recognizable pop songs arranged for string chambers or orchestras. As long as nothing is taken too seriously, this is an incredibly enjoyable show. And I doubt that Bridgerton was meant to be taken seriously at all, considering it's light atmosphere, witty gossip, and trips to the

(More on the music front, I find that most shows set any time in the past automatically use music from the Baroque period, and then Mozart, despite being neither in the Classical nor Baroque period... but I find most classical music in most historical movies to be absolutely incorrect. I've accepted it, and I've learned to ignore it and not fault an otherwise good story for it. For the most part.)

You may like this show if: you enjoyed shows like Downton Abbey, The Crown, and Gossip Girl; you don't mind an occasional steamy scene; beautiful dresses and amazing fashion is something you appreciate in a show.

You may not like this show if: you dislike historical romance; you don't enjoy a somewhat shallow, conniving cast.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

There’s nothing more frustrating than finding a list of Netflix shows to watch while knitting only to discover the list is for American Netflix and none of the shows you're interested in are available in Canada. As someone who watches a lot of Netflix (and also does a lot of knitting) I’ve taken it upon myself to provide my own monthly recommendations for what to watch on Netflix. It’s knitflixing suggestions, but for Canadians.

I’ve watched a ridiculous amount of things on Netflix, and tried to watch a ridiculous number more. I’ve watched everything from Merlin to HunterXHunter to Emily in Paris to Peaky Blinders. My tastes are quite varied, so if you don’t like what I recommend this month, just wait for the next month. You’ll get my opinion on why you might like it and why you might not, and each opinion is entirely my own, based on what I’ve learned having watched the show at least twice.

Suggestion for February: Sweet Magnolias

Initially, Sweet Magnolias looked like something that belonged on my grandmother’s bookshelf. And while I would still say it does, there’s something very comforting about that. Without giving too much away, this show is about three women in a small southern town navigating the ups and downs of family and community. I started watching because I was looking for something that wasn’t going to spark my anxiety. Come for the laid back drama, stay for the supportive relationships (and the unsupportive people getting their comeuppance). It’s also really nice to watch a show set somewhere warm, green, and sunny, especially when you’re currently in the depths of winter and the sun still sets at 4:30 in the afternoon.

The characters are instantly loveable and relatable. I think there’s someone in here for everyone to relate to, no matter where you are in life. As someone who grew up in a small town, it’s very easy for me to see myself among the characters of the town Serenity. If you’re missing the community vibe of a non-pandemic world, Serenity is here to provide you with all your small town needs.

Plus, the second season just came out, so now there’s double the amount of knitflixing time available.

You might like this show if: you need a break from fast paced thrillers and action-adventure shows because you’re anxiety is too high with all the real-life pandemic drama in the world; you enjoy watching shows that centre around women; you want a show that has small town charm and feel good vibes, like Virgin River or Gilmore Girls; you like watching romances with men who actually apologize.

You might not like this show if: you’re looking for something fast-paced and action packed, and you don’t like hallmark-style shows.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

Knitflixing for Canadians suggestion for March: Avatar, The Last Airbender

Fair warning- this is a kid's show, so be prepared for that. I don't want you walking into this expecting anything else. That being said, I still think you should watch it, and you can read below for why. (Also, I think cartoons are perfect for watching while knitting, because if you look away for a few moments, you won't miss anything super important.)

I didn't watch Avatar until I was in university (since I grew up without cable), but had heard great things about it from friends, had recently enjoyed watching Gravity Falls, and was looking for something to watch instead of studying for my music history exam. I wasn't convinced after the first episode, but was interesting in procrastinating enough that I continued, and I'm glad I did. While the show is certainly for younger audience, the characters are complex enough to be interesting, and there are some excellent life lessons mixed in (pretty much anything Iroh says is just as applicable to my life as an adult as it would've been when I was a kid). The humour is fun, the world building is cool, and it has one of my favourite villain redemption arcs in any medium.

And we're still in the midst of a world-wide pandemic and Ukraine is being invaded and who even knows what else, so I don't feel at all guilty for enjoying the simple pleasures of this show.

You might like this show if: you feel nostalgic for your childhood in the early 2000's; you're looking for something simple and unchallenging but still interesting to watch; you already enjoy cartoons such as Gravity Falls or Hilda; you watched this show as a kid and forgot that it was on Netflix.

You might not like this show if: you don't enjoy cartoons or anime; you're looking for something intellectual, highbrow, or sophisticated.