In keeping with an annual (since 2018) tradition, and since many people spend their evenings in front of a television, I outline several of Glen’s and my favourite shows of the past year. In our viewing we like to get attached to one or more of the characters, to get immersed in their world, so that we regret saying goodbye when the series ends.
NETFLIX
The Crime (“Zbrodnia”, Polish) is an older series (2014) of two seasons, each with three superbly plotted, acted, and paced episodes about a murder case in a small Polish town. The story develops the interpersonal relationships of the usual pairing of detectives — Tomek and Monika — plus Agnieszka, who discovers a corpse when at a beach with her young children. We meet several suspects and learn of various schemes as the investigation unfolds, slowly.
The Crown (British) chronicles Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne, beginning with her marriage to Prince Philip in 1947, through to 2005 — 17 years before her death at the age of 96 in 2022. According to writer Peter Morgan, “I didn’t want to come right up to the present… I always wanted to remain a careful distance from where we are now.” In the final, poignant season, Amelda Staunton and Dominic West wholly inhabit their roles of Her Majesty and Prince Charles, depicting plausible degrees of sensitivity, thoughtfulness and honour. They deserve, though didn’t win, their Golden Globe nominations for Best Female Actor and Best Male Actor in a TV series — drama.
We rewatched three seasons of Fauda (meaning chaos), about the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict told through the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The third season (2020) was especially relevant, prescient even, with the lead character Doron infiltrating Hamas in Gaza to track down a terrorist operative. Of season four (2023) Forward culture reporter PJ Grisar writes, “The series, maligned by some for airbrushing the realities of the occupation while boasting a balanced view of the conflict, is still evasive in its ways, but director Omri Givon and writer Noah Stollman have added something new to the mix. This season considers the cost of combat on the aging unit and, in perhaps its most daring move, questions the wisdom of the IDF’s tactics.”
A Nearly Normal Family (Swedish) is a truly suspenseful murder mystery/family drama. A carefree 15-year old girl goes off to a handball training camp with her best friend. Attracted to a new coach, Stella makes out with him one evening. But he goes too far. Against her wishes. At home and badly shaken, Stella describes the sexual assault to her parents. Her mother, a lawyer, argues that to press charges will result in an invasive investigation that will further traumatize Stella. And so in solving a murder case, the series explores the repercussions of unreported rape on the victim and her family.
Rough Diamonds (Dutch) is a compelling, crime drama of eight episodes. It compares to The Godfather in that Noah (like Michael Corleone) escapes his family and their diamond business in Antwerp only to get drawn back in after his brother commits suicide, leaving Wolfson Diamonds in dire straits. We get a detailed look into an Orthodox Haredi Hasidic Jewish family while observing how shaky relationships have become in the 21st century. In a departure from the American gangster genre, this show features strong women: e.g. a tenacious prosecutor and Noah’s tough sister.
Waco: American Apocalypse documents the 51-day standoff in 1993 between the FBI and the Branch Davidian religious sect at the Mount Carmel compound just outside Waco, Texas. It seems a study in how not to coordinate and conduct an operation, with fault for the concluding massacre apportioned among self-proclaimed messiah David Koresh, the FBI and local authorities.
World War II: From the Frontlines (British) is a documentary of six episodes that gives an immersive overview of the war using enhanced archival footage of events and audio recordings of speeches from the key leaders of Allied and Axis countries, and of survivors, including former U.S., German, and Japanese soldiers, as well as concentration camp and atomic bomb survivors. Recommended to us by our Millennial son, this historical series should be required viewing for all generations. Lest we forget.
PRIME
María José Rodríguez, of Amazon Prime, said: “Los Farad is one of [our] most ambitious productions in Spain, which introduces us to a family immersed in arms trafficking, the luxury of Marbella in the ’80s, the ambition of power, and international relations during the Cold War.” We watch a naive young man from the country get embroiled in and corrupted by the powerful Farad family as he seeks a feeling of family, of belonging.
PBS MASTERPIECE + WALTER PRESENTS (through Prime subscription)
Below the Surface (Danish) A hostage-taking incident in Copenhagen brings the anti-terrorist squad into action with a leader who may well suffer from PTSD having himself been a hostage in Afghanistan.
Love, Inevitably (Spanish, Italian) The chemistry between the two leads, Candela and Masssimo, seeming opposites in every way, holds our attention in this charming comedy. The ten-episode show features good writing, deft cutting between visions and reality, quirky secondary characters, and scenic tours of Prague, Seville and Rome.
La Otra Miranda (Spanish) In 1920s Seville, a woman with a mysterious past flees to a young girls’ academy with a secret goal related to the academy itself. In a wonderful cast of characters, brave women try to find their own voice at a time when women had no rights or respect. The show touches on the key issues of then and now: women’s liberation, racism, homophobia, rape, friendship, love, loyalty.
Paradise (Italian) Set in the 1950s, the series centres on a feisty, feminist (before her time), who left her home in Sicily to escape marrying a cad she doesn’t love. Set in a department store named Paradise for Women, the show offers escapist, romantic fare with beautiful women and men falling in and out of adventures, misadventures and love. It also gives a healthy dose of life lessons, for example, the value of honesty, loyalty, courage and confidence.
Despite an increase in streaming services and programming, Glen and I don’t easily find engrossing series. Please give us your suggestions in the comments below. •
Catherine Mccallum says
Thanks for your suggestions Pam. I am always looking for new series to watch. There have been a few series I really enjoyed, mostly Australian and more comedic, as I seem to get their brand of humour. I loved Deadloch (prime). Serious and goofy as well. Fisk (Netflix) was another favorite about a lawyer with zero people skills. Almost Australian (Netflix) which documents Miriam Margolis (Harry Potter fame) travels through Western Australia to explore her new country after becoming a citizen. Her encounters with the people of the outback, indigenous culture and present problems and self depreciating humor were very enjoyable.
I am presently enjoying Loudermilk. An American series on Netflix about a sobriety leader and his band of misfits.
I just started a new series on Netflix, Detective Forst, a Polish crime series which promises to be interesting .
Pam McPhail says
You’ll notice an absence of comedic fare in our list, Cathy. It’s hard to find shows with humour that appeals to both of us. We’ll check out your other suggestions though. Thanks!
Catherine Mccallum says
I just watched The Bear, disney+. Very well done and enjoyable.
Chris Krueger says
THANK YOU!!!!
Alan Robert Lien says
Pam,
Most notably the crown has been a favorite. After traveling to Scotland and London during the queen’s funeral events, I came to the conclusion that the queen and the royal family offer a great tradition one which brings history to life. I don’t have the time to watch much of the shows you have mentioned but I can endorse the show Outlander – I found its history wrapped into fantasy, truly a case of escapism.
See, I do read your stuff:-)
Al
Pam McPhail says
You added a comment Al! I am surprised — and pleased. We have not seen Outlander so appreciate your recommendation.
Ken McLean says
Comedies
1) “Sort Of” (CBC)
This very entertaining comedy set in TO follows a gender-fluid Indian Canadian millennial,exposing various cultural stereotypes for what they are.
2) “Jury Duty” (Prime) We follow the proceedings of a US jury from the pov of the one juror who doesn’t know that everything in the trial is fake, the crime, the accused, the judge, the prosecutor, the other jurors.
3)”Guilt” (Acorn)
This “comedy/crime/drama” deals with two brothers who accidentally run over and kill someone and attempt to cover their tracks but this plan goes “agley” (it’s set in Scotland).
More to follow
Ken McLean says
Crime Dramas
1) “Endeavour” season 9, the final season (PBS)
Endeavour is a prequel to “Morse” and presents his early years as a police officer in Oxford. It is very well-acted and very intense.
2) “Unforgotten” seasons 4 and 5 (PBS)
London cold cases. Starring Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar.
3) “Annika” (PBS)
Also Nicola Walker, who here heads a Scottish Marine homicide unit.
4) “City on a Hill” (Crave) 3 seasons
In early 90’s Boston, an ADA and a dubious FBI agent (Kevin Bacon) take on the city’s justice system.
Dramas
1) “George & Tammy” (Crave)
The ups and downs of the relationship between George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Jessica Chastain does a commendable job singing Tammy’s iconic songs. Micheal Shannon does ok doing George, but of course he doesn’t have George’s incredible voice.
2) “Deutschland 86” and “Deutschland 89” (Crave)
(For some reason we couldn’t access “Deutschland 83”). “Action/ Drama /Thriller”s about East Germany in those years just prior to the fall of the Wall. Well acted, and full of the promised action and drama.
3) “Billions” and “Succession” final seasons (Crave)
Generally well-acted and involving presentation of the lives of the 1 per cent. Two episodes of this season of “Succession” were among the finest tv episodes I’ve ever seen. Overall, I’d judge “Succession” the better of the two shows.
3) “The Gilded Age” (Crave)
The 1% again, but this time in the 1890’s. Lavish sets and costumes. From the producer of “Downton Abbey”, Julian Fellowes. Christine Baranski’s performance stands out, and shows her versatility.
4) “The First Lady” (Crave)
Alternating representations of the lives of three first ladies, Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford and Michelle Obama. Gillian Anderson shines as Eleanor.
Documentary
“Hemingway” by Ken Burns.
Pam McPhail says
Thanks for your list, Ken, which we always look forward to reading. While Glen and I have watched a few of your recommendations, you’ve given us several others for our return to Vancouver (where we get Crave).
Ken McLean says
Those on Crave are taken mainly from HBO.
LInda Richardson says
Sorry for my late response Pam. Rick and I have enjoyed a number of the TV series that you and others have recommended.
I wanted to recommend a series streaming on CBC Gem that I recently started watching. It has 17 seasons and makes for very interesting, casual viewing, rather than binge-watching. ‘Murdoch Mysteries’, starring Yannick Bisson and Helene Joy is based on characters from the Detective Murdoch novels by Maureen Jennings. If you like historical crime mysteries, you might like this. Set in Toronto in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Detective Murdoch, with the help of Pathologist Dr. Julia Ogden, solves crimes using forensic and investigative techniques that were unusual for the times such as fingerprinting, blood testing, trace evidence, etc. Real history is also part of the episodes with actors playing real people – H.G. Wells, Nicola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Buffalo Bill Cody, Helen Keller, etc. The episodes are also interspersed with social and cultural themes such as prejudice against Catholics (Murdoch is one), Women’s suffrage, racism, reproductive rights, and so on.
Pam McPhail says
Murdoch Mysteries seems intriguing, Linda, especially if Toronto plays itself (as Vancouver does in Intelligence, which you and Rick turned us onto years ago). As yet we do not watch shows on CBC Gem. Maybe on our return to Vancouver…
Roderick MacArthur says
Slow Horses (Apple TV) is a great series. Gary Oldman is fantastic
Pam McPhail says
We just signed up for a stint on Apple TV so will look at Slow Horses, Rod. Agree Gary Oldman is a terrific actor (think Churchill in Darkest Hour, for example) in most movies or shows.