tinytots2 Reviews

Cosmos (1980)

A riveting journey through space and time

[9/10 · 9 December 2022]

Even decades after it originally aired, Carl Sagan's Cosmos remains a landmark achievement whose brilliance still dazzles. Apart from being instructive and entertaining, it excites the audience's curiosity and instils the viewers with a sense of wonder about the natural world.

In 13 episodes, Sagan embarks on an adventure spanning enormous distances and immense timescales as he traverses the solar system, neighbouring stars and the galaxies beyond. He explores the origins and development of astronomy as a science and highlights the salient contributions of many pioneers over the last three millennia. Even more impressively, the narrative is not restricted solely to astronomy for he often draws on learnings from the natural sciences, history, philosophy, and sociology. Both real satellite images and CGI reconstructions (that hold up well to this day) are used to illustrate the rich detail of the universe. And the attempt to update some of the presented content with "10 Years Later" segments is an aspect that deserves appreciation.

My only complaints lie with the flow and pacing - the transitions between scenes and the connectivity between episodes could have been better. Additionally, some segments like the evolution timeline are repeated many times with little added information being given. Other minor gripes of mine include the music overpowering the narration on occasion and the nuclear non-proliferation advocacy becoming a touch repetitive.

But these slight critiques do not in any way, shape, or form, impair my love for this documentary series. It will forever be one of my go-to recommendations for those who are entranced by the heavens, dream of life in the vast unknown, and love the spirit of scientific inquiry.

Wednesday (2022– )

A different spin on the beloved psychopathic goth, Wednesday Addams

[6/10 · 9 December 2022]

A reimagination and extension of the Addams Family cartoons, Wednesday brings the titular protagonist (an adolescent in this portrayal) to Nevermore, a school for outcasts. In addition to dealing with her lack of emotions and social graces that renders her isolated in this setting, she also gets embroiled in a dangerous murder mystery, the key to whose solution may lie in her unique psychic abilities and ancestral legacy.

Bearing somewhat of a Harry Potter and Sabrina vibe, the deadpan macabre humour and striking goth depictions are impressive. The production quality is excellent, be it in terms of the costumes, the sets and environments, the music, or the effects. Side characters like Enid and Eugene are memorable and Jenna Ortega's acting chops in her lead role are abundantly evident.

The show however suffers from some serious flaws, especially in the writing department. The whodunit is derivative and uninspired with much more enjoyment to be gained from watching Wednesday's struggles to fit in at Nevermore over guessing the identity of the monster. The full potential of characters like Principal Weems is never harnessed and the entire Joseph Crackstone saga is extremely underwhelming. The dialogue often feels out of place as if it was intended for teenagers but written by adults who do not understand them. And for all the romantic subplots, the essential chemistry is missing, be that between Wednesday and Xavier or Morticia and Gomez.

These criticisms notwithstanding, Wednesday should still prove diverting to lovers of young adult fantasy and supernatural shows. The first season sets a good platform to relate future stories in the same universe and it will be interesting to see how Wednesday will evolve as a character going forward.

The Legend of Vox Machina (2022– )

A riotous roleplay campaign reimagined, with much to like and a lot to improve

[6/10 · 8 December 2022]

An animated adaptation of Critical Role's Dungeons & Dragons tabletop campaign, The Legend of Vox Machina features the heroic adventures and world-saving exploits of a ragtag band of misfits.

Based on what I hear from passionate Critters, the show is to be commended for its faithfulness to the source material. The plot, while not groundbreaking, is well-crafted and includes a diverse set of characters. The animation is excellent and provides the numerous action scenes with the desired vibrancy. Finally, the voice acting is phenomenal and imbues each scene with added pizzazz.

However, adapting DnD gameplay does not come without its share of challenges. The reliance on dice limits the logical consistency in storytelling - Vax's lockpicking skill varies wildly, Keyleth's magical abilities are capricious, and Grog goes from taking on everyone at once to being knocked out by a single adversary. An ability to heal even the most potent of injuries and stave off death lowers the stakes severely. The absence of players also needs to be accommodated for by strange constructs ... as in the case of Pike's astral projection. And tropes such as the horny bard and the slow-witted brute abound, typically to the detriment of the narrative.

The writing in general is rather underwhelming. Barring Percy, no character gets significant character growth with little time spent on their individual backstories and motivations. The romantic subplot between Vax and Keyleth appears out of the blue and the resolution to Pike's introspection of her faith feels lacking. Another of my gripes is with the dialogue which contains an excess of edgy one-liners and sexual humour, especially in the early episodes.

In my opinion, The Legend of Vox Machina is perfect for an audience that is familiar with Critical Role and enjoys DnD. But even someone who generally adores animated fantasy will find the show entertaining. Despite my criticisms, I too shall look forward to watching future seasons ... especially since I am told in no uncertain terms that the best is yet to come!

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023)

A delightful artistic concept that degenerates to a tedious tangled mess

[6/10 · 7 December 2022]

A comedy-drama that doubles as a period piece, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel tells the tale of Midge Maisel whose life is upended when her husband Joel walks out on her. Discovering her talent for stand-up comedy in the aftermath of this separation, she embarks on a tumultuous career in show business aided by her street-smart manager Susie.

This makes for an intriguing and enjoyable premise and the initial seasons adroitly combine light-hearted humour, ready wit and emotional gravitas. But the show's greatest quality is its ability to bring to life the time period of the 1950s and 60s in vivid and vibrant fashion. The costumes, the sets, the male-dominated society, the conservative Jewish outlook, the stereotypes and taboos ... all of these are portrayed faithfully with magnificent production values. The acting too is excellent on the whole, with Alex Borstein being a standout as Susie. The integration of melodious musical numbers and diverse comedy acts into the storytelling is a further unique and praiseworthy element.

Unfortunately, the freshness wears off quickly. Characters that augmented the narrative by associating with the primary protagonists come to the foreground with their independent storylines. This is sadly at the cost of progression for the leads - be it Rose the matchmaker, Abe the political firebrand or Alfie the magician, these secondary plot threads impair the development of Midge and Joel and force their characters to stagnate. Some personalities like Sofie Lennon overstay their welcome, re-appearing needlessly after concluding their arcs. Others like Lenny Bruce go from making one-off impactful entrances to more mainstay roles, a change that is more negative than positive in my opinion.

The writing also fails to provide meaningful payoffs despite significant build-up, such as the lack of response of Midge's family when they become aware of her line of work, and leaves loose ends dangling for far too long, as in the case with Benjamin. Additionally, aspects like Midge's financial woes, Susie's gambling addiction and Abe's poor remuneration are brought up and then never resolved. Lastly, the artistic segments become overly protracted (an entire season devoted to burlesque shows?!) and the stand-up pieces feel less funny with each successive scene.

While I have soured on the show due to these reasons, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel can still excite and entertain at moments; it can also always be counted upon to provide an arresting visual spectacle. It remains to be seen how the journeys of the many beloved characters will be brought to a satisfactory conclusion within the single remaining season, but I hope that the show will end on a high note akin to how it began.

Archer (2009–2023)

An eclectic irreverent delight

[8/10 · 10 November 2022]

Unapologetically and unabashedly adult in its content and dialogue, Archer follows the manifold adventures of maverick spy Sterling Archer and his associates.

There are innumerable aspects to praise about this animated show. The lively wit and humour is always kept at the forefront with the script also containing an abundance of recurring gags, funny catchphrases and diverse pop culture references. Thanks to their individual quirks and idiosyncrasies, the characters are distinct and memorable but form an excellent team that the audience can root for. A testament to the writers' creativity and imagination, these personalities are also featured in varied settings as they take on ever-changing roles in the form of independent spies, private investigators, underground cocaine dealers, noir western daredevils, remote island resort inhabitants, and an intergalactic space crew. Different writing structures are also leveraged: one can find self-contained episodic plots, seasonal arcs, as well as continuously evolving relationships. Lastly, I am also a huge fan of the bold cartoon style and the magnificent voice acting; the animation quality also steadily improves over the show's course.

However, it cannot be denied that the writing has its share of dips and not all seasons maintain the same sparkle or sharpness. Of course, one's regard and appreciation for specific storylines will depend on one's subjective preferences. I personally consider the early ISIS days (Seasons 1-4) to be the high point of the series with the Vice Season being an engaging aftermath. The CIA and Cyril Figgis Agency timelines (Seasons 6-7) felt less inspired and while I enjoyed the aesthetics of the independent settings explored during Archer's coma (Seasons 8-10), those too were underwhelming from a narrative standpoint. Returning to single-episode escapades in Seasons 11-13 was welcomed but the more peripheral role given to some of the cast and characters and the absence of certain beloved longstanding personalities was perceptible. Perhaps I am getting a little tired of the shtick but I wonder if Archer is overstaying its welcome a little too long.

This note of pessimism notwithstanding, I am thankful to Archer for having provided so much zestful laughter and lively hilarity over the years. I would unhesitatingly recommend the show to lovers of adult animation; despite its ups and downs, it is certain to provide many hours of levity and entertainment.

The Sandman (2022– )

A journey amongst dreams that flounders after an intriguing start

[6/10 · 10 November 2022]

An adaptation of Neil Gaiman's comic series by the same name, The Sandman features the enigmatic Lord of Dreams as he governs his kingdom ("the Dreaming") in the face of selfish mortal machinations and diabolical familial schemes. Presented largely in the form of episodic adventures, the first season consists of two distinct plotlines. The first pertains to Dream's search for his tools after his release from a century of human captivity while the second revolves around Rose Walker, the dream Vortex whose existence and powers are a source of peril to both the real world and the Dreaming.

It must be said that the premise of The Sandman is a thrilling one. Thanks largely to its wonderful source material, the story presents its mythological and fantastical elements in a gripping manner while also retaining human emotions to render it meaningful and relatable. The rich visuals in the form of the varied vivid settings (like the unsettling "cereal" convention) and colourful character designs (of which the Corinthian is a stand-out) are impressive, immersing one into an entrancing new world to explore and discover. And the short anecdotes are an especial delight, be it the timeless tale of Hob Gandling, Dream's illuminating conversation with his sister Death, or the binding and release of the muse Calliope.

Unfortunately, the second half of the show does not live up to the promise of the first. The whole Vortex subplot feels a muddled mess with too much exposition and little reason given for the audience to care about the introduced characters. There are other general grievances, most notable of which is the naivete and powerlessness with which Dream is portrayed, aspects that do not fit one of The Endless. To state further personal criticisms: the score is lacklustre, the acting quality is variable, the casting choices feel at times forced, and the dialogue tends in places to have an overly British tone.

Nevertheless, as a fantasy buff, I have hope and anticipation for the next season. Not having read the comic books myself, I have no specific expectations or preconceptions but look forward to another dream-filled escapade, even if it's a nightmare-dominated one. Care to join along on the wild ride?

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

A poignant and powerful depiction of an autist's world

[7/10 · 31 October 2022]

A touching K-drama, Extraordinary Attorney Woo relates the life and experiences of autistic genius Woo Young-woo in her rookie year at the prestigious Hanbada Law Firm.

Through its vivid imagery, metaphor-laden script and vibrant sound effects, the show beautifully brings to life the unique perspective with which autistic individuals view the world around them. It also does not shy away from presenting the challenges they face in cultivating relationships and being accepted by society. The procedural aspects are interesting as well with several thought-provoking legal cases that pose ethical questions, incite moral dilemmas and drive character development. Finally, the excellent acting performances by both the main and supporting cast and their chemistry with each other are a large contributor to the story's emotional impact on its audience.

However, the second half of the show is significantly weaker in comparison to the gripping nature of the first. Too many plot lines are introduced and resolved in a rushed manner. The mentor's stomach cancer comes out of the blue, the break-up subplot seems unnecessary and forced, the hacker brother is introduced suddenly and poorly, and the redemption arc of the devious colleague feels entirely unearned. The cases too are less intriguing in the latter half, requiring minimal introspection and enabling little by way of personal growth in their resolution. It would also not be too harsh to say that the romantic elements in general are far from stellar: the protagonist's love interest receives almost no individual characterization and the hurriedly-formed secondary couple is forgettable.

Despite these lacunae, Extraordinary Attorney Woo is worth watching for its realistic portrayal of the autistic lead and the excellent production values. With many scenes in courtrooms and a plethora of law-centric conversations, it should also be enjoyed by those who like legal dramas. Lastly, in a more light-hearted vein, I would also recommend the show to a nature enthusiast considering the multitude of whale and dolphin facts that one gets to hear.

Primal (2019– )

An audiovisual feast that is in equal parts horrifying and heartfelt

[8/10 · 20 September 2022]

A brutal and emotional tale of survival in a prehistoric world, Primal follows the unlikely partnership of a man and a dinosaur brought together after tragic events.

Created by Genndy Tartakovsky of Samurai Jack fame, the show is unique in the absence of meaningful verbal dialogue for the most part. Instead, the storytelling is accomplished by the gorgeous art and animation, the impressive range of sound effects and musical themes in the score, and the powerful voice acting (without words). Be they in the form of monstrous creatures, mystical entities or harsh tyrants, the horrors of the world are presented in impressive detail and visceral fashion. The poignant camaraderie between Spear and Fang and their loyalty to each other is shown to develop gradually. Even if the story appears simple on the surface, it is surprisingly evocative and thought-provoking at moments.

Personally, I found the supernatural elements a little less compelling and would have preferred the show to retain more realism in its encounters. This extends to the superhero-like invincibility of the deadly duo when confronted by immense hordes of enemies. I also wish there was greater interconnectedness between the episodes, and that Spear and Fang would better utilize their talents and abilities as a single team. Additionally, the second season made a few questionable choices such as including an episode in the middle unrelated to the primary narrative. And lastly, the finale felt rushed and could have benefitted from more time to breathe: the final encounter was exceedingly short and the emotional repercussions of Spear's demise (particularly on Fang) was barely shown.

While Spear and Fang's tale might have come to an end, it has been hinted that Primal may continue as an anthology series. That would be very welcome as the show is clearly created by a team with immense artistic flair and creativity. Lovers of adult animated adventure stories are perhaps its best audience but it is worth a watch if just for its captivating aesthetics and remarkable storytelling methods.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019–2024)

A regaling vampire comedy

[7/10 · 20 September 2022]

A mockumentary-style sitcom, What We Do in the Shadows revolves around the lives of four vampires Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja and Colin Robinson who reside together. Each has their individual quirks and idiosyncrasies but they all struggle to fit in with ordinary humans and the modern lifestyle, often requiring the aid of Nandor's thankless human familiar Guillermo.

A lot of the show's humour resides in the misadventures that ensue due to these powerful immortal beings trying to come to terms with the banalities of human pursuits. The characters are charismatic and light-hearted thanks to both the well-crafted script and the excellent cast performances. There is a ready wit in the dialogue with the interspersed interview snippets à la The Office being a wonderful addition. Finally, the fantasy world is realized vividly, praise for which should be directed towards the set and costume designers as well as visual and sound effects artists.

Unfortunately, there has been a noticeable drop off in quality as the show has progressed. The jokes have become cruder (lots of sex and farts), there are more underwhelming storylines (like the Vampiric Council leadership saga), pop culture references are increasingly blatant (such as callouts to The Big Bang Theory) and the visuals have regressed. Most importantly, character personalities have changed too rapidly to be realistic - Guillermo transitions from a diffident helper to a manipulative vampire-slayer, Nandor's principal trait is that of gullibility and Laszlo's newfound chumminess with Colin Robinson is at odds with his earlier distaste. Some of the plot choices are also questionable - for example, the culmination of Season 3 which sees the separation of the vampires is rendered moot when the start of Season 4 sees them all instantly reunited. I hope that with the return of Colin Robinson, Season 5 contains more hilarious escapades, clever gags and lighthearted interactions instead of an overabundance of green screen scenes.

Despite these personal misgivings, What We Do in the Shadows still makes for an engaging and entertaining watch. To catch some of the more subtle jokes, I would recommend watching the 2014 movie by the same name before commencing the show.

X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997)

A colourful compilation of the exploits of our favourite mutants

[7/10 · 19 September 2022]

An animated series adapted from Marvel's comic book stories, X-Men brings to life a diverse team of mutant superheroes as they strive to maintain peace in a world rife with dangerous threats and divisive sentiments.

The compelling character designs and numerous intriguing settings are perhaps the show's greatest assets. Themes such as ostracism, loyalty, community and teamwork are powerfully portrayed. There is a good balance between single-episode plots and multi-episode arcs, with the former serving to narrate anecdotes and develop backgrounds while the latter present longer adventures with higher stakes. Even if individual stories are largely independent, characters do grow and develop over the course of the series and there are a multitude of references and callbacks to prior happenings written into the script. Other laudable aspects include the plethora of cool action scenes, the fantastic opening theme and the superlative voice acting.

However, X-Men does have some notable deficiencies. It can become a little repetitive, especially since too many of its storylines set humans against mutants with little added justification. Time travel as a tool to alter the future is also overused. Some nemeses like Apocalypse and Mastermold are rather one-dimensional, rendered all the more underwhelming by the apparent invincibility of the heroes. The romantic segments are by and large terrible, feeling contrived and out of place. Lastly, the animation is also beginning to show its age with the limited catalogue of visual effects being particularly apparent.

Despite these lacunae, watching X-Men still makes for a fun rompy ride, bringing along with it a heavy dose of nostalgia. Lovers of episodic superhero escapades are sure to be entertained by this delightful 90s creation.

Pushing Daisies (2007–2009)

The facts are these: Pushing Daisies is a show about death that celebrates life

[7/10 · 23 August 2022]

A fantasy comedy drama, Pushing Daisies is centred around the pie-maker Ned and his unique talent: his touch can breathe renewed life into the dead. However, if the being thus reanimated is not touched again by Ned before one minute has elapsed, a different living individual in the nearby vicinity is consigned to death instead. Additionally, any physical contact between Ned and his resuscitated companion after this minute's conclusion leads to the latter's immediate and irrevocable demise. After permanently reviving his childhood neighbour and romantic interest Charlotte "Chuck" Charles, Ned is caught by private investigator Emerson Cod who compels him to use his singular power to help solve various detective cases. The trio are aided by waitress Olive Snook who is unrequitedly in love with Ned even if she is unaware of his special ability. In addition to a different enigmatic mystery that the group must get to the bottom of, each episode sheds new light on these characters' personalities and progresses their interpersonal relationships.

It is very quickly apparent that Pushing Daisies is not an ordinary production. The quirky premise, the vivid and colourful aesthetics of the sets and scenes, the soulful musical pieces, the soothing narration ... all these aspects make the show seem akin to a fairy tale. Yet beneath the humorous dialogue and the light-hearted vibe, there are many meaningful moral lessons to be gleaned. Death is never treated gruesomely and the concept of familial belonging is explored in an emotionally poignant manner. And all the characters, be they main or side, are brought to life beautifully by the cast.

Unfortunately, the premature cancellation of Pushing Daisies means that the finale is exceedingly rushed and a lot of opened plotlines (such as those involving Ned's and Chuck's fathers or the stopwatches) never receive a fitting resolution. There are also many moments that are excessively twee, especially in Season 2. Furthermore, once the novelty wears off, the cases can feel rather repetitive and the culprits behind them are mostly forgettable. Lastly, some of the characters - like the two agoraphobic aunts - can get on one's nerves while others like Chuck do not receive adequate dedicated development.

Nonetheless, Pushing Daisies is a wholesome and uplifting show well worth a watch for its vibrant style and upbeat tone. It doesn't match my subjective personal tastes but the creativity and flair behind its making is apparent. Those who enjoy unconventional fantastical stories with a healthy dose of humour and witty wordplay are likely to have an entertaining experience watching it.

Patriot (2015–2018)

The "cool" journey from point A to point B

[7/10 · 18 August 2022]

A dark comedy drama, Patriot follows a troubled intelligence operative John Tavner (alias John Lakeman) who is tasked by his father with transporting a large sum of money to rig a foreign election. Things go awry when the cash ends up in the wrong hands and the authorities get involved after a man is killed. Conflicted between the morality of his actions and loyalty to his father and country, the agent's position is further endangered when his cover as an industrial piping engineer comes under scrutiny. As the net begins to close around John Lakeman, he is aided by numerous companions in a last-ditch effort to complete his assignment.

Patriot is a unique show with a lot of praiseworthy qualities. The mournful melancholy of the protagonist who is afflicted by depression and PTSD is powerfully presented. The intriguing and nuanced portrayal of an abusive father-son relationship is also laudable. The side characters constitute a diverse group and most of the humour is written into their quirky interpersonal interactions and bizarre conversations. The music is phenomenal, be it the two seasons' opening themes or the songs and melodies that are woven into the story. And the cinematography is excellent at leveraging the beautiful settings of Paris and Luxembourg.

While there is a lot to appreciate, Patriot is not without its share of subjective deficiencies. Firstly, while this is less a weakness and more a deliberate choice, it should be stressed that Patriot is not a typical spy show - it doesn't adhere to realism strictly and the portrayed events are often scarcely believable or overly exaggerated. Secondly, the nonlinear timeline feels overdone, with the constant back-and-forth causing the plot to feel muddled. This issue is perhaps exacerbated by the premature cancellation which prevented a third season to wrap up the story and conclude all character arcs. Lastly, while I can appreciate the creativity, I am also not a fan of the aesthetics of the blurry camerawork employed for certain point-of-view shots.

In conclusion, Patriot is an unusual show that can induce laughter as well as evoke deep emotional responses in its audience. It succinctly and effectively depicts and tackles the various effects of one's actions - on one's own physical well-being, emotional stability and moral compass - as well as their impact on others around one and on society. While the show is unlikely to appeal to everyone due to its singular style and peculiar brand of humour, it is well worth a watch to see if it strikes one's fancy.

The Last Dance (2020)

What time is it? Game time!

[8/10 · 17 August 2022]

Michael Jordan is one of the most accomplished and celebrated sportsmen of all time. Chronicling the superstar basketballer's career and rise to fame, The Last Dance tells the tale of Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 90s that won six NBA Championships in eight years.

The show is compelling and entertaining both for casual sports fans and avid basketball lovers. Jordon's emergence on the scene, his growth and improvement culminating in the Bulls' first three-peat, the 1992 Olympics experience with the Dream Team, the baseball interlude after his father's murder and his successful return to the NBA to lead the Bulls to their second three-peat are all presented in engaging fashion. His innate talent, fiery competitiveness and determination to win are in abundant evidence throughout. Others that played key roles in the Bulls' success such as coach Phil Jackson and teammates Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman also receive their due. The recorded game footage and locker room content shines a light on the diverse personalities and their interpersonal relationships while also depicting the intense pressure due to the media's constant scrutiny. Similarly, the interviews give different perspectives on the events that occurred along with recounting humorous anecdotes and interesting incidents. All of this is blended together impressively, with the varied soundtrack deserving a special shout-out.

Of course, no documentary can include every relevant aspect and be completely free of bias. Prominent rival players like Karl Malone and Shawn Kemp are featured but not interviewed while others part of the Bulls dynasty like Luc Longley and Ron Harper are absent. Jerry Krause, perhaps a little undeservingly, is made out to be the scapegoat of nearly every decision. Jordon's marital problems, especially during the controversial "gambling problem" times, are not alluded to. The non-linear timeline is helpful when hearkening back to childhood or early career years; however, its use becomes questionable towards the end as there is little narrative connection between the individual scenes and segments. Additionally, the claim of there being a lot of unreleased candid footage for the 1998 season is never borne out and the pacing makes it hard to tell if the focus is on that specific year or on much of the past decade.

For all its flaws, The Last Dance makes for an immersive and enjoyable viewing experience as it relives the years of Jordan-mania in all its glory. The show relates an informative and insightful story about a sporting icon beloved worldwide and the legendary team he led to many triumphs.

Blue Planet II (2017)

A stunning portrayal of the diversity of aquatic life

[8/10 · 15 August 2022]

Developed by the BBC Natural History Unit, Blue Planet II is the long-awaited sequel of the 2001 nature documentary The Blue Planet. Taking its viewers to marine environments around the globe, the beauty and ingenuity of nature is presented in mesmerizing fashion. At the same time, the show also illustrates the fragility of aquatic ecosystems in today's rapidly-changing world and emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts.

With its incredible production values, Blue Planet II is a phenomenal technical accomplishment. Advancements in camera and filming technology have enabled new insights to be gleaned about the denizens of our watery planet. Whether the locale be the vast oceans, the diverse seas, the turbulent coasts, or the teeming reefs, lifeforms develop innovative strategies to survive and succeed. Apart from making for a cinematic spectacle, the trials that individuals and communities face and overcome to find food, evade predators, mate and raise their young imbues emotion into the depiction. Aided by an impressive score and the soothing narration of David Attenborough, the show masterfully leverages this emotional investment of its audience to turn individual vignettes into gripping stories. The behind-the-scenes content at the end of each episode is also valuable to demonstrate the challenge that acquiring real-time high-resolution footage in the wild entails.

To state a few quibbles, the continuity and connectivity between individual segments could have been better. Beyond each episode loosely pertaining to a different habitat, the encounters may have benefitted from additional ordering on the basis of geographical or stage of life considerations. Also, despite its significance, the finale did not contain as much new material as compared to the previous episodes and was hence less engaging than the rest of the series.

In conclusion, I consider Blue Planet II a fantastic nature documentary well worth a watch. Quenching as well as inciting one's curiosity and thirst for knowledge, it provides a gorgeous audiovisual experience and bears an important social message.

Dota: Dragon's Blood (2021–2022)

A poorly-paced tale that is confusing for non-DOTA players

[5/10 · 14 August 2022]

Drawing upon the lore and characters of the popular videogame DOTA, Dragon's Blood is an animated action adventure story set in a turbulent fantasy realm.

The fascinating worldbuilding and character design are the show's best aspects, aided by a lot of gorgeous artwork; there is also a plethora of vivid and visceral fight sequences. The dialogue can be surprisingly well written in parts with Terrorblade and the Invoker perhaps being the biggest beneficiaries of this. Praise is also due to the writers for raising the stakes by not giving the game's heroes total plot armour.

Unfortunately, apart from the second half of Season 3, the show is severely impaired by its poor pacing. 8 episodes of 25 minutes each per season is simply inadequate to include the necessary lore-based exposition and to give events their required emotional weight. For someone like myself unfamiliar with DOTA, it feels like viewing a cliff notes summary with little time given to allow one to process or understand matters. It does not help that some storylines are significantly less compelling - the Filomena arc and Invoker-Terrorblade shenanigans are far more engaging than anything to do with the elves on the warpath, Dragon Hold or Helio Imperium politics. Another lacuna is the lack of rules or systems in place to dictate power levels, resulting in confusing conflicts and unexpected victors. Lastly, while they improve over the course of the show, the animation is frequently lacklustre and the voice acting mediocre.

I imagine that DOTA players would be thrilled at seeing their gaming world and heroes come to life but for the general audience, Dragon's Blood largely disappoints. Nonetheless, it can still be entertaining for an animation lover as long as one does not go into it with high expectations.

Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019– )

A perfect introduction into the world of Formula One

[7/10 · 13 August 2022]

Drive to Survive is a reality show that aims to showcase the exciting sport of Formula One racing and thereby grow its audience. Each season follows the fastest drivers in the world and their storied teams as they participate in races around the globe, competing for the annual World Championship. Individual episodes usually focus on well-defined storylines or notable events, developing the narrative by including race footage, interview segments and other behind-the-scenes content.

There is a lot to like about this show. The average sports lover might have heard the name of Lewis Hamilton but would be hard pressed to name other F1 personalities. This might also be true for the casual fan who tunes in to watch a few laps of a race here and there. Drive to Survive is fantastic for such viewers, introducing them to nearly all the drivers and prominent team personnel. The concerted team effort required to achieve success, the complicated backroom politics, the constant media scrutiny and pressures, the contrasting team philosophies, the rivalries and the friendships ... all this and more is demonstrated in an engaging and entertaining fashion. And as a bonus, the gorgeous landscapes and cinematic shots create an arresting visual spectacle.

Unfortunately, the dedicated Formula One lover is less likely to find Drive to Survive similarly compelling or endearing. It is not hard to discern that a lot of the presented drama is fabricated or exaggerated, aided by misleading sound bites and staged shots. This is especially infuriating when it misrepresents actual happenings or paints characters in an unfair light. The show is also rather poor at summarizing the season, frequently omitting certain teams or drivers entirely and undue coverage being given to specific races. An overdose of Will Buxton's journalistic drivel and Christian Horner's opinionated takes does not help either; reducing those segments and other vacuous obvious commentary in favour of race strategy explanations, racetrack schematics and car mechanisms would be a welcome improvement. The uneven quality of sound mixing and the haphazard ordering of the episodes are other smaller personal aggravations.

In conclusion, Drive to Survive is neither a faithful documentary nor a concise season rundown. But its combination of personable characters and interesting stories render it an exhilarating and enjoyable watch, especially captivating to those less familiar with Formula One racing.

Gullak (2019– )

A charming and wholesome slice of life show

[6/10 · 2 August 2022]

An accurate depiction of a typical small town middle class Indian family, Gullak is a show better viewed as a series of short snippets than a continuous story. The principal protagonists are the members of the Mishra family - lowly but amiable clerk Santosh, his hard-working housewife Shanti, their street-smart quick-tempered elder son Annu and his more studious gentle-hearted younger brother Aman.

There is a lot to like about Gullak. It presents relatable scenarios and anecdotes that by and large faithfully capture the family dynamics and the societal mindset. While the characters have different traits and aspirations, like most Indian families, they share a bond of love beneath the day-to-day squabbles, differences and challenges. Humorous touches are blended neatly into the writing but there is no shortage of emotional moments either. The setting is very well-realized, the acting too is praiseworthy and the music deserves a special mention.

Unfortunately, I personally didn't warm to Gullak nearly as much as others appear to have. In my opinion, many of the subplots are underwhelming and Annu's arc in particular is rather dull. On the other hand, Aman's progression lacks realism considering that his initial portrayal is significantly different and at odds with his later successes. The constant barbs and diatribes become tiresome and some of the comedic relief segments ("Bittu ki Mummy") are overused. The lack of connectedness between episodes and the confusing timeskips between seasons are also drawbacks in my view.

Despite these subjective criticisms, I would still gladly recommend Gullak to those searching for good slice of life Indian shows.

Tokyo Vice (2022– )

An intriguing premise and vivid setting let down by underwhelming execution

[5/10 · 9 June 2022]

A neo-noir thriller, Tokyo Vice is an adaptation of Jake Adelstein's published memoir recounting his experiences as the first non-Japanese reporter working for one of Japan's largest newspapers.

If there is one aspect that the show excels at, it is in its portrayal of the local setting and cultural mindset. The dense populous city streets, the bars and clubs, the workplace hierarchy, the widespread corruption, the distaste for foreigners ... all this and more is featured authentically and accurately. The tenuous peace between the factions of the yakuza and the complexity of qualities like loyalty and honour is brought out beautifully. The characters of Sato and Katagiri are the highlights due to their central roles as well as the cast members' acting chops. Finally, the soundtrack deserves a lot of praise, the chosen songs setting the mood and contributing to the storytelling.

Unfortunately, Tokyo Vice also leaves a lot to be desired. The depicted events are frequently unrealistic, perhaps a result of the claim that Adelstein's written work is significantly embellished and should not be treated as truthful fact. There are far too many forgettable subplots and side plots such as Samantha's uninspired Mormon backstory, her far-fetched new club venture, the sordid Polina-Akira affair and Jake's off-and-on family troubles. None of these is as gripping or entertaining as the yakuza-police-press entanglement and the acting too leaves a lot to be desired. Furthermore, the switching of languages from Japanese to English at strange junctures reduces the immersion. Lastly, the season finale is a big let-down, barely resolving anything and offering little by way of progression towards the first scene of the series.

In conclusion, Tokyo Vice offers edge-of-your-seat tension in places but unless it improves markedly in future seasons, is overall painfully mediocre. It is however insightful as a snapshot of 90s Tokyo and Japan and can be enjoyable to fans of crime thrillers who are less fussed about the story quality.

Violet Evergarden (2018)

A heartfelt human story that is aesthetically arresting

[7/10 · 7 June 2022]

A poignant character drama, Violet Evergarden follows the titular protagonist in the aftermath of a costly war during which she is mostly mistreated and manipulated as a lifeless military tool. Seeking to understand her fond missing superior officer's last words to her, "I love you", she takes up the challenge of scribing others' letters to recognize and appreciate the meaning and value of feelings and emotions.

That brief description should already serve to indicate the deep and powerful themes that drive the story. Psychological trauma and scarring due to war, the reach and importance of love (be it of a romantic, familial or platonic nature) and human connection, the ability of letters to bring solace and renew hope ... all this and more is treated with a deft touch and appropriate gravitas. Individual episodes are typically presented from different points of view and have independent subplots but they each provide unique takeaways and lessons that directly contribute to Violet's progression. The show's phenomenal aesthetics additionally elevate the storytelling - the art, animation and soundtrack are all fantastic and deserve immense praise.

Insofar as my few criticisms for the show go, it starts a little slowly and takes a few episodes to get into its stride; this is not unusual for slow burn dramas but is definitely noticeable in a 13-episode anime series. Furthermore, it tends in a few places to inject an overdose of tragedy, perhaps in a bid to evoke excessively sentimental responses from the audience. Lastly, while I can understand the rationale behind the writing decisions, I wonder if some of the secondary characters would not have benefited from additional development and if Violet's physical impairments could not have played a slightly bigger role.

In conclusion, Violet Evergarden is a beautiful touching tale of a young girl's emotional journey that is almost certain to have you reaching for your hankies. For those who enjoy the anime and the OVA, the two sequel movies (released in 2019 and 2020) are also well worth a watch.

Clarkson's Farm (2021– )

Farming 101: a jovial and meaningful enterprise

[8/10 · 4 June 2022]

A wholesome docuseries, Clarkson's Farm follows Jeremy Clarkson (of Top Gear and The Grand Tour fame) as he takes up the challenge of running an enormous farm in the Cotswolds.

The show deserves a lot of praise for its accurate demonstration of various practical aspects of modern-day farming. For instance, the growing reliance on specialized machines is emphasized though creative and ingenious approaches are still often required to solve day-to-day problems. Bureaucratic procedures and constraints can throw a wrench into proceedings and inclement weather remains the bane of agriculture (throw in a pandemic for good measure as well). Moreover, ecological and environmental considerations are an additional aspect to keep in mind when going about business.

While the content of Clarkson's Farm is highly educational and engaging, a lot of its charm originates from its likeable characters. The spontaneous interactions that Jeremy has with the supporting cast (like Kaleb, Charlie and Gerald) contribute humour and levity to the show. The camerawork is also beautiful with many scenic shots of the farm itself as well as the British countryside.

For all its merits, the show does have moments where the incidents feel akin to scripted theatrics. This is especially the case with the creation of the bog that kept proving a challenge due to leaks springing up in the makeshift constructed dam. In general, considering the size of the undertaking and his lack of prior experience, Jeremy's stubbornness and unwillingness to take advice from those more knowledgeable feels out of place. The financials could also have been presented better; they are alluded to periodically but the accounting is ultimately summarized as a single comedic figure (144 pounds profit) instead of presenting a more realistic picture that included fixed capital purchases and factored in the exceptional circumstances of that year. Lastly, there are far too few of the gorgeous animated illustrations that could have helped to illustrate farming techniques or depict the layout of the land.

Despite these quibbles, Clarkson's Farm is an instructive show about farming with a wonderfully comforting and jolly vibe. I hope there is at least one more season forthcoming for it would be interesting to see how Jeremy fares with his newfound skills and technical know-how.

Hawkeye (2021)

A short and sweet superhero escapade

[6/10 · 3 June 2022]

Another instalment of the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hawkeye sees Clint Barton and Kate Bishop joining forces to fend off the Kingpin-led Tracksuit Mafia. The story also has connections to the Black Widow storyline and introduces Maya Lopez, aka Echo.

Unlike other MCU creations that feature world-ending threats or momentous events, Hawkeye takes itself much less seriously. A lot of its charm resides in the chemistry between the deadly archer duo and the humorous nature of their interactions. Yelena Belova is also a great addition with her and Kate trading repartees and making flippant conversation being a highlight of the show. The festive Christmas spirit, the LARPing and the musical pieces enhance the upbeat vibe with a few trademark flashy action scenes included in the mix.

Unfortunately, the plot itself is mostly nonsensical with much of the progression happening by forced contrivances. The entire Echo segment is underwhelming and Kingpin's direct involvement feels unmerited, brief and forgettable. Yelena's convictions to kill Clint are questionable considering she has no knowledge of actual events while Maya's U-turn to forgive her father's killer is strange and sudden. And like in almost every superhero story, the police are entirely absent in doing their duty except for showing up in the midst of the mayhem to arrest Eleanor for the most predictable scheme ever.

It is easier to enjoy and appreciate Hawkeye if one were to treat it as a simple light-hearted adventure tale with spirited characters. Ultimately, it is a story about how a family man trying to get home for Christmas and an aspiring youthful heroine save the day together.

Prehistoric Planet (2022–2023)

A gorgeous and illuminating trip back to the late Cretaceous period

[6/10 · 3 June 2022]

A significant technical accomplishment, Prehistoric Planet is a vivid reimagination and recreation of the world that existed 66 million years ago. Presented in a manner similar to other nature documentaries like Planet Earth, dinosaurs and their contemporaries are realistically brought to life. With story snippets across habitats and seasons, the perennial struggle for survival is ever the focus, be that in the quest for food, the search for a mate, the rearing of one's young, or the threat posed by predators. Apart from the mesmerizing nature of the content, praise is also due to the phenomenal camerawork, captivating visual effects, immersive sound creation and mixing, and erudite narration. All of these aspects combine together seamlessly to provide a unique audiovisual feast through its depiction of a popular bygone era.

While the show made for an absorbing watch, I would have wished for a lot more emphasis to be given to the scientific evidence and theories that supported and gave credence to the presented material. The 5-minute videos were far too short to provide adequate reasoning and justification, especially as they also attempted to relate prehistoric observations to modern-day animal behaviours of which there was a notable lack within the episodes. The series' organization on the basis of habitats also felt suboptimal since the same lifeforms were often revisited; it might have been more beneficial to either focus episodes on important genera/classes (like Tyrannosaurus and Pterosaurs) or use seasonal/behavioural/temporal classifications. Lastly, very little clarity was given to the geographical and environmental differences between the modern and prehistoric worlds and there wasn't even a passing reference to the event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and the consequent far-reaching impacts on Earth's ecology.

While I personally view Prehistoric Planet more critically, it is still an astounding achievement that also has significant educational value. Lovers of natural history as well as dinosaur aficionados are certain to be fascinated and entranced by this show.

Heartstopper (2022– )

A cute and uplifting romance with great representation

[7/10 · 3 June 2022]

Heartstopper is a charming teen romance that does a phenomenal job at capturing the awkwardness of early relationships and the process of discovery of one's sexual orientation. It also deserves a lot of praise for its inclusivity, not just in terms of having characters that span the spectrum of sexual tendencies but also for flipping stereotypes on their head and giving individuals confidence in their beliefs and natures even in the face of stigma and bullying. The pitfalls commonly seen in gay film and television are largely avoided - for example, Charlie never contemplates getting together with Ben again despite that being an avenue for the writers to inject additional cheap drama. Considering that actual teenagers play many of the roles, the acting is also impressive. Lastly, the soundtrack and visual effects are fantastic, imbuing the work with creative artistry and elevating the storytelling.

For all its sweetness and wholesomeness, Heartstopper's plot is however very predictable. Additionally, conflicts often lack the desired emotional weight due to either coming up too suddenly or by being resolved too speedily - an example of the former would be Charlie considering breaking up with Nick while the Nick-Imogen date situation is a case where the latter applies. Regarding characters, Isaac is woefully underused while Tao's constant prickliness feels excessive; meanwhile, Ben and Harry are extremely two-dimensional with only a single defining character trait. The dialogue is stilted in places and an increased infusion of comedy into the script would have been welcomed. Finally, the students' families surprisingly play very limited roles and it might have been helpful to provide some backstories or flashbacks to build additional context around various relationships. Of course, some of these criticisms are perhaps rendered moot by familiarity with the comics that Heartstopper adapts or will be taken care of by future seasons of the show.

In conclusion, for those seeking a feel-good young adult love story with an emphasis on representation, the first season of Heartstopper is perfect.

Love, Death & Robots (2019– )

A variegated landscape of animation

[8/10 · 1 June 2022]

An anthology of short adult animated films, Love, Death & Robots proves adept at communicating the ability of animation to visualize and portray all kinds of stories. Each episode is an adaptation of a short story or novella broadly falling under one or more of the three themes that are spelled out by the series' title. Realized by a consortium of animation studios, an impressive array of art and animation styles are used to bring to life the episodes' content.

There is a vast variety to the stories selected in this anthology. Some of the vignettes like "The Witness", "Zima Blue", "Pop Squad", "The Drowned Giant", "Bad Travelling" and "Swarm" are profound and thought-provoking with metaphorical interpretations or philosophical underpinnings. Others such as "Three Robots", "Alternate Histories" and "Night of the Mini Dead" are light-hearted or humorous. Episodes like "Sonnie's Edge", "The Secret War", "Snow in the Desert" and "In Vaulted Halls Entombed" are examples of visually-captivating worldbuilding. Reimagined folk tales and local legends get their share of the spotlight through "Sucker of Souls", "Good Hunting", "All Through the House" and "Jibaro". Space settings are notably present in "Beyond the Aquila Rift", "Helping Hand", "Life Hutch" and "The Very Pulse of the Machine" with "Suits", "Automated Customer Service" and "Mason's Rats" showcasing mechs and robotics, for good or bad. There are more episodes, but this should suffice to convey the range and diverse nature of the content on offer.

I do feel that as of yet, even if there is a lot of adult imagery and mature narratives, the theme of Love hasn't been explored very deeply. There are also dips and troughs in the quality, particularly with Season 2 as a whole being less compelling than Season 1, perhaps due to a reduced number of episodes. Season 3 is better than its predecessor but the stories still feel a little lacking.

But nonetheless, Love, Death & Robots is a must-watch for any lover of animation. Each episode is a unique experience with its own blend of artistry and storytelling that will more often than not enamour and entertain its audience.

Midnight Mass (2021)

A poorly executed excursion to Crockett Island

[4/10 · 9 May 2022]

Set in a devout isolated island community with typical small town characters, Midnight Mass is a mystery drama with elements of horror that leads one to question matters of faith and belief. It features the strange and seemingly miraculous happenings that occur after a new priest takes up office with these events altering and dividing the townsfolk before ultimately threatening their very survival.

While I found the premise intriguing and the narrative devices creative, this show rapidly became unbearable to watch. I am not a religious person, so the multitude of theological discussions as well as constant Biblical scripture quotations and hymns fast became tiresome. The dialogue seemed to contain far too many self-indulgent monologues that were excruciatingly long-winded and preachy even when viewed at 2x speed. The plot was predictable and filled with logical inconsistencies; it was also excessively drawn out and would have benefited from a pared down runtime of 4 or 5 episodes. Lastly, the cast's performance was mixed and the production quality could have been better as well.

All in all, despite finding some of its themes and ideas interesting, Midnight Mass was simply not for me. It will perhaps appeal to those who enjoy supernatural melodramas and philosophical suspense thrillers.