**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**
“I’m dead…ish!”
Boo, Bitch released on July 8th 2022 on Netflix with eight episodes available to stream now. The comedy series stars Lana Condor, Zoe Margaret Colletti, Mason Versaw, and Tenzing Norgay Trainor. Each episode runs for approximately 24-26 minutes.
Two best friends attempt to make their senior year a memorable one, but things don’t go according to plan when one of them winds up being a ghost.
Here is the trailer:
Boo, Bitch is very much Booksmart meets Mean Girls with a supernatural edge, but does it do enough to find its own identity separate from these films?Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Spooky fun concept.
I really loved the premise of this show. Supernatural comedies are popping up left and right and they are all bringing something unique to the table. Even though this series is about ghosts, it was also about growing up and finding your place in life and I think the series made a valiant attempt to explore all of these themes.
Images courtesy of Netflix
Highlights a genuine friendship.
The best part of the series was this friendship and I appreciated that it felt real. It elevated the show in a lot of ways. I thought both of these characters were fun on their own, but the friendship between them was what made them more interesting and it kept me emotionally invested.
The Cons
Images courtesy of Netflix
Not that original…
This series really borrowed a lot from Mean Girls and Booksmart, but I’m not sure that it ever really found its identity separate from these films, although it did try with its twist reveal.
A lot of the humor didn’t land and the dialogue was really painful at times. I’m not sure that teens actually talk this way and it felt forced and awkward.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m in about 75 percent…
I loved the premise of this show and the friendship between Erika and Gia was worth sticking around for, but I’ve seen this type of show before and I’m not sure that it ever found its real identity.
That being said, it’s still a quick binge-watch if you’re looking for a new supernatural comedy to watch.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Boo, Bitch in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“To friendship…”
Two Summers (Twee Zomers) premiered on Netflix on June 3rd 2022. The Belgian drama thriller series features six episodes available to stream now. It stars An Miller, Koen De Bouw, Ruth Becquart, Kevin Janssens, and Inge Paulussen. Each episode runs for approximately 44-48 minutes minutes.
A group of friends reunite on a private island after thirty years, as past secrets are revealed that could destroy them forever.
Here is the trailer:
Two Summers channels Who Killed Sara? by weaving the past and present together in an addicting mystery thriller. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
An addicting whodunit plot.
Much like Who Killed Sara, this series had an addicting mystery that connected from the past to the present. I was trying to piece everything together as the episodes continued, which made it an engaging and compelling watch. There was a core mystery centered around a horrific crime, but there were also other secrets revealed throughout the series that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Images courtesy of Netflix
Gorgeous setting.
I don’t know what it is, but I just love thriller series that take place on an island. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. I also thought the choice of setting really showed how things can appear to be beautiful and peaceful on a superficial level, but the darkest parts of someone can be kept hidden.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Dark and heavy content…
The crime in question was very difficult to watch and viewers should pay attention to the warning messages at the beginning of certain episodes. Some of the content in this particular series was emotionally draining at times, so be prepared for that.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m in!
Two Summers is a decent mystery thriller that will keep you guessing.
This was an addicting watch from start to finish, but be prepared for some dark and heavy content.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Two Summersin the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“We can’t just stay who we were…”
And Just Like That… premiered on HBO Max on December 9th 2021 with its first two episodes available to stream now. The series is a continuation of the Sex and the City show. It stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. There will be ten episodes in total that will air weekly. Each episode is approximately 42-44 minutes in length.
The new series follows the women of Sex and the City and their friendship, as they deal with a whole new set of issues in their 50’s.
Here is the trailer:
And Just Like That…gives fans a chance to catch up with some of their favorite characters even though Samantha is absent, but is the show still relevant enough to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of HBO Max
The fashion and the setting.
I used to love tuning in to watch the original series because of this very reason and the show still delivers and then some. Carrie’s closet is still a dream come true and I feel very much at home watching them walk through New York City, which gives me a true sense of nostalgia for the original series.
Sprinkles of fun humor.
The series has some funny moments already and I always loved the conversations between the girls at brunch/lunch. I’m missing Samantha’s presence already but I think that the ladies are still holding up strong and providing us with plenty of entertaining moments.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of HBO Max
Feels a bit forced…
I understand that the show is trying to find its path toward relevancy, but a lot of it feels like it is trying a little bit too hard. I don’t mind the story-lines or the new adventures for Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte, but I just want everything to feel a little bit more natural and seamless.
Jarring first episode that switches genres.
There will be no spoilers in this review, but I am still in shock over the first episode and it really changed the overall tone of the series. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because it is a different show and it is tackling new issues, but I still don’t know how I feel about it yet. It may be what the show needed, but it is definitely a huge change…
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of HBO Max
I’m in about 75 percent…
The show has its moments and is very watchable in my opinion. I thought the time flew by when I was watching it, but there were a lot of moments that just seemed really forced and fake and I want something a little bit more organic.
The nostalgia is there and so is the fashion, but I just hope these characters find their own way without trying too hard to be relevant.
They deserve better than that.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on And Just Like That… in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
This competition is killer…
When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.
Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…
My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!
*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“You can never really know anyone…least of all yourself.”
I Know What You Did Last Summer premiered on Prime Video on October 15th 2021. The teen horror drama series (based on the Lois Duncan novel and the iconic film series) stars Madison Iseman, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, Ashley Moore and Bill Heck. There are four episodes in season one available to stream now. The remaining four episodes will air weekly. Each episode runs for approximately 45-48 minutes.
After a fatal accident, a group of friends are stalked by a killer one year later, causing secrets to emerge and friendships to be tested.
Here is the trailer:
I Know What You Did Last Summer is the series I have been waiting for. It gives us some welcomed nostalgia for the original film series while finding a voice of its own, but is it worthy of YOUR next binge-watch? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Prime Video
A solid twist on the original.
I’ve seen plenty of reboots and adaptations of films and I didn’t really know what I was going to get with this series, but I was pleasantly surprised by the twist thrown our way. There will be no spoilers in this review, but I thought that this show channeled the original vibe of one of my favorite films while finding a unique voice of its own.
You don’t mess with the original and this series understands that. Rather, it takes a new approach and a new setting to keep us entertained and it was the right call.
I also love that the series sprinkles in some Cruel Intentions and Cruel Summer vibes as well to give this series an edge.
Images courtesy of Prime Video
Plenty of gore to satisfy the slasher fans.
The teen series takes a page out of Slasher’s book and presents us with plenty of gore and nudity galore. I’m not sure it needed all of that, but the gory kills are pretty solid and it helps balance out a lot of the teen melodrama you can expect in this type of show.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Prime Video
The killer needs to toy with them more…
I appreciate that this series is finding its own way with a different story, but if we are going to put up a message on a mirror, then I would also like to see the killer really mess with the group more. So far we have seen some horrific kills and some text messages pop up, but I want more.
Part of what made the original film so terrifying for me was the way that the killer lurked around and made the characters question everything and everyone around them. Someone already chopped off their hair without the killer’s help and while the pilot episode makes an attempt at this, I think that it could really add to the vibe of the show without copying the original film too much.
I also think that the characters seem to cope really easily with the death of those around them. I want to connect to all of them and it sometimes makes them come off as completely heartless, but I think that some of them are going to end up showing true remorse so I’ll see how this plays out in the next four episodes.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Prime Video
I’m in!
I was genuinely impressed at how well this show executed everything. The twist worked and it really helped me connect to this show. It balanced the perfect amount of nostalgia from the original film while presenting us with something new and really addicting!
There are some rough edges to work through, but overall this is a really entertaining series and it is delivering with plenty of gore, twists, and reveals.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on I Know What You Did Last Summerin the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
A Halloween they’ll never forget…
When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.
Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…
My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!
Happy Saturday TV Fans! As we approach the series finale of Younger, there is quite a lot I want to see, but will we have time to address it all in the jam-packed finale?
**Please note spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up with this series.**
Younger is such a fun show and I have honestly fallen in love with it over the years. There is this seamless balance between rom-com perfection and drama to keep you coming back for more. While the love triangle has been done over and over again, it somehow seemed fresh and new on this show. There are also these incredible moments of self-reflection and growth presented and the show really captures the essence of true friendship without becoming too cheesy in the process.
It seems like the right time to end the series, but the final season has had its ups and downs. Will it end things on a high note? I’m remaining positive and I hope we can get back some of the magic from the earlier seasons in the final episode.
So, what can we expect from the series finale?
Images courtesy of Hulu
I really want to see Liza and Kelsey venture out on their own. We know that Charles is finally impressed with what they are creating with Inkubator, but maybe it’s time for them to step away from the company and branch out on their own.
Of course there is now some drama tangled up in this. After Kelsey agrees to let Rob show someone the pitch, it gets forwarded all over the place and eventually winds up with Quinn. We know she is going to make some waves here.
I think that Charles took too long to really believe in his employees and the beginning of the series started off with Liza having to lie about her age to land a job. Well, she has certainly proven herself and embraced her age and identity, so I think it’s about time for her to make it on her own with Kelsey.
I’m rooting for you ladies!
What about our favorite supporting characters?
Images courtesy of Hulu
So, I appreciate the amount of time we have been spending on Maggie and Lauren this season. But, what about Diana? We know that Diana and Zane will not be featured that much in the final season, but we have to see Diana in the final episode…right?
We brought back Max into Lauren’s life and Maggie has really found her identity again through her work, but what about Josh?
Now that we have been shoved back into the Charliza direction again, it seems like Josh has been mostly filler this season. There was a part of me that wanted Liza to end up with him, but now what’s next for him?
He’s a great father and he has his work, but I really feel like we mostly used Josh as a prop for other characters and he deserves a lot more than that.
Is Rob right for Kelsey?
Images courtesy of Hulu
I think Kelsey deserves a lot better and she is making some poor decisions when it comes to Rob. I don’t really agree with what she did to Clare. She should have been honest and upfront with her from the start. After that argument, it seems like she is moving too quickly with Rob.
I spent a lot of time falling in love with her and Zane and I will be extremely disappointed if this is truly the end of their relationship. I am hoping that Zane will also somehow get a hold of the pitch to save the day, but I really don’t know at this point.
I actually really liked the competitive drive between these two and I feel like Kelsey has lost a bit of herself in the final season. Fingers crossed that it will all work out!
Is Charliza end game?
Images courtesy of Hulu
Honestly, I don’t know if I’m sold on this one. Sure, we have built up this epic love between them over the years, but I am really annoyed at Charles for rebounding with Quinn so quickly after Liza. Charles is a smart man and even though his ego was hurt by Liza’s answer, this seems like an annoying plot device thrown into the mix.
Nobody likes Quinn and she has been shady from the start, so why would Charles go to her with open arms? We brought Pauline back to stir things up and I honestly didn’t care. Liza has been so strong on her own and I was sort of hoping that she would end the series without a man, but maybe have it implied that things weren’t off the table for her and Josh in the future.
Now, that has been thrown out the window and we are left with a cheesy Charliza happy ending. It’s not that I don’t like these two together. I just don’t like how they were split apart and I think that we should really question Charles’s character after his relationship with Quinn.
That being said, I’m going into the series finale with an open mind. This show has always been really entertaining and I will miss watching it. I hope we get a few surprises during the finale and some much needed guest stars, but we’ll have to wait and see!
If you haven’t watched Younger yet, you can catch up now on Paramount Plus and Hulu!
Feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Younger in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“We’re meant to be as we are…”
The Nevers premiered on HBO and HBO Max on April 11th 2021. The series is set to air six weekly episodes for part one and then the remaining six episodes of part two will air at a later date. The series stars Laura Donnelly, Ann Skelly, Olivia Williams, and James Norton. Each episode runs for approximately 50-55 minutes.
The latest series created by Joss Whedon is set in Victorian times, following a group of women who are “touched” with special abilities. Our main characters run an orphanage and try and protect other women with these unique abilities from unknown threats in this fantasy steampunk-esque new world.
Here is the trailer:
The Nevers may seem extremely similar to Whedon’s other shows at first glance, but it does have a new unique setting to explore with a mysterious plot tangled in a tale of female empowerment. Does it do enough to stand out from its predecessors? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of HBO Max
Leading ladies worth our time.
The dynamic duo of Amalia True and Penance Adair is a dream come true and these two won me over immediately. They have great chemistry together and will immediately give you some Buffy and Willow nostalgia.
Amalia is very much like Buffy in a lot of ways with her quick wit and fighting skills while Penance’s quirky humor and strengths involving technology scream Willow. While many critics see this as as a con, this formula works.
I did see the similarities which helped me connect with them as a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I am confident we will be able to peel back more layers of each character as the episodes air and hopefully we will get to see what truly makes both of these ladies tick and how their abilities work.
Either way, we’re off to a good start because if I don’t care about the characters, it’s hard to keep me invested.
Images courtesy of HBO Max
Fun fight scenes with flair.
I’m all for a well thought out fight scene and some clever puns and maybe that’s the Buffy fan in me, but it makes for some pretty entertaining television.
The fight scenes were really fun and I loved the costumes and setting. This show could have easily fallen into the trap of too much talking and fluff in Victorian times like The Irregulars, but there is already more action and humor embedded in to balance things in a better way.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of HBO Max
Villain rip-off.
I didn’t mind a lot of the similarities I saw during the show. I’m all for a show about female empowerment and the quirky friendship already felt authentic to me just from the pilot episode.
That being said, I thought the new villain, Maladie was a bad rip-off of Drusilla, who is one of the most iconic villains in television history for me. It just felt overdone and stale and I expected a lot more here.
Messy start and a bad rep.
There’s a lot going on in the opening episode which left me confused about a lot. We are introduced to a lot of characters and this show can easily lose focus if it isn’t careful. I think that as long as it focuses on the main characters and the mystery behind the “touched,” it will do enough each episode to keep us coming back for more.
I want to judge this show on pure entertainment value, but there are already a lot of unfavorable reviews and a lot of discussion involving Joss Whedon, who created the series. Even though he left the project and we will have a new showrunner for part 2, the show feels very much like a Whedon show.
Olivia Williams appeared in Dollhouse, Jane Espenson was a writer on Buffy, and the themes and characters follow a Whedon formula so it will be hard to separate him from it completely.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of HBO Max
I’m in!
There will certainly be a lot of talk about this show for a while, but I’m going to give it a chance because I think there is enough substance there. The characters are really likable and I kind of really dig the steampunk Victorian vibe.
The show started off a little bit messy and all over the place, but I think once it finds its groove and settles into its main plot, it can be pure magic. The ending of the pilot episode had me on the edge of my seat and I immediately wanted to watch the next episode.
I think that as long as you go into this show with an open mind, you will be entertained.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Neversin the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
**Major spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read on!**
“Life is a pretty spectacular thing.”
The final season of 13 Reasons Whypremiered on Netflix on June 5th 2020 with 10 new episodes (Approximately 58 minutes in length) in season 4. It stars Dylan Minnette, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, and Miles Heizer.
The show is based on the novel written by Jay Asher. It follows a young high school student who suffers from depression after dealing with bullying and betrayal. The series allowed us to see things from Hannah Baker’s perspective in the first season, but the other seasons focused more on the lives of her friends and family members as they coped with grief and other significant changes.
If you are a fan of this show, then you know that it is like nothing else you have ever seen. It tackles a lot of important and sensitive issues without holding anything back. When the show first premiered, there was a lot of controversy surrounding it and there are several warnings that come up before each episode that should not be ignored.
Coming to the end of a brilliant series is not easily done, but does 13 Reasons Whygive our beloved characters the proper farewell they deserve?Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Netflix
Moving performances by Dylan Minnette, Alisha Boe, and Brandon Flynn.
The entire cast is great, but this trio really gives us some heart-wrenching moments that will have you in tears. They are real, believable, and thought-provoking. You can truly empathize with them. You can easily imagine them as your own best friend or brother or sister. In a way, we have really watched them grow up on screen.
When I first started the series, I had mixed thoughts on all of the characters and while Clay Jensen stole our hearts and compassion from the very start, Justin and Jessica really went through important character transformations throughout the series.
Images courtesy of Netflix
Proper goodbyes.
A lot of series don’t really get the chance to give each and every one of their characters a proper send off. Some series are canceled too early and others drag things out too much. However, I thought that 13 Reasons Why did a really great job of allowing us to truly say farewell to each character.
High School can often feel like the end and unfortunately, it is the absolute end for some of our beloved characters. But for others, it is just the beginning of their journey and we can all relate to that.
While some characters discovered new relationships and passions, others went down dark roads of despair. But each one got enough screen time so that we could appreciate and understand their growth. Not just in high school, but in life.
Images courtesy of Netflix
Episode 6
Each episode gave us some tropes about the end of high school. We got to witness a senior camping trip, college interviews, the prom, and graduation. However, I thought that episode 6 almost could have been a standalone for the series.
It was so intense and it really brought me back to that same feel I had while watching season 1, which I appreciated. Again, the warnings should not be ignored on this series and I strongly recommend watching it with someone else, but I thought the writing and direction for this particular episode was brilliant.
The Cons:
Unsure of its plot.
A lot of season 4 focuses on Clay’s anxiety, especially after coping with what happened to Bryce and Monty. It is not easy to personify mental illness, but I could have done without the cheesy horror effects sprinkled in. They were kind of distracting and it took away from Clay’s actual issues. I thought it would have been better to stick with Clay’s revealing conversations with his therapist, which were extremely well done.
I’m still also not sure what the main plot was. Season 4 was kind of all over the place in certain aspects. In season 1, we focused on Hannah. In season 2, we looked at things from other eyes. In season 3, we watched things from a newcomer and also focused on a murder. However, season 4 didn’t really have much of a plot.
There were moments of pure brilliance and some really heartbreaking ones that still have me in tears, but I guess I was hoping for something to really captivate my attention like with the other seasons.
Images courtesy of Netflix
Jessica Davis deserved more.
Jessica’s character transformation across the seasons has really been something spectacular. In season 3, she really embraced her strength and identity as a woman and became a leader. However, in season 4, she still talks a lot about these issues, but we spend too much time tangling her up in a love triangle that was unnecessary.
Jessica has been in toxic relationships, but she has also discovered her individuality. I just didn’t want that completely tainted and I thought that we could have moved away from the love triangle plot all together.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Netflix
I’m in because I have a lot of respect for this show. There are a lot of teen dramas around that skim over important issues and I really thought that this particular one dove right in without censors. There are some moments throughout the show that are extremely difficult to watch, but sometimes we need to watch them in order to process all of these important issues in our lives.
The world can be scary and overwhelming and 13 Reasons Why reminded us that through all of the grief and difficult moments, there are also really beautiful ones as well and that life is worth living. While I had some personal preferences and issues with the final season, I will forever be a fan of this show.
It’s one of a kind and something that will stand the test of time for me.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on 13 Reasons Why in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…
A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!
**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.Thanks for your support!
Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!
Jason Segel, Eve Lindley, Sally Field, and André Benjamin.
I’ve witnessed many shows with brilliant casts, but there was just something truly special and unique about this particular one. We fell in love with their characters in such a short amount of time. They made us laugh.They made us cry. They broke our hearts into a million pieces and then put them back together.
Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.
There have been characters over the years that I have really connected with, but Dispatches From Elsewhere took things one step further. We were asked to imagine each of these characters as “you” or “us,” but when it comes down to it, there’s really only one “you.”
These characters couldn’t be more different and yet they were all brought together by a mysterious game. However, once the game played out, we were left with connections, memories, and moments that reminded us what life is really all about. It’s about the people we choose to share them with, proving that every moment counts…even the small ones.
Images courtesy of AMC
When the show began, the narrator asked us to think of each character as us. We were presented with a snapshot of each character’s life and routine. Some stories hit pretty close to home while others were inspiring on another level. While you may have been initially skeptical about how you could relate to each character, those walls and barriers quickly broke down as you found yourself along for the ride.
The show is really more of a journey than anything else, but it’s a journey that we went on as well as the audience. It had moments of pure brilliance and magic, translating past the page and screen. While the show may seem weird and complex, it’s so much more than that. Sometimes we need to look at the simplest version of things in order to get the most out of them.
As the show goes on, Peter, Simone, Janice, and Fredwynn find themselves questioning more than just the game. However, through it all, they also discover this important connection in their group. Their friendships and relationships are beautiful and touching. In a world filled with pain and loneliness, they are able to take a leap of faith in order to find one another, which is no easy task.
Images courtesy of AMC
What’s next for our group? Well, the show is over for now, but the season finale was probably one of the most thought-provoking episodes I have ever witnessed on television. It was bold, different, and slightly all over the map, but by the time it was done, I had tears in my eyes and a new respect for the entire cast and crew of this show.
The show is meant to be a limited anthology series. If it is picked up for any additional episodes, we will most likely follow a new group of characters and plot, but I think that the journey and performances we witnessed will forever stay with us.
Images courtesy of AMC
I highly recommend this show to anyone who is looking for something slightly outside of the box. I can confirm that this show is like nothing else I have ever watched. I am truly grateful that I took a chance on it and these actors took my breath away with their incredible portrayals and performances.
Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!
Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…
A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!
**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.Thanks for your support!
Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!
**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**
“Pay attention. Clues are all around you…”
Dispatches From Elsewherepremiered on AMC on March 1st 2020. The anthology series features 10 episodes that air weekly (approximately 56 minutes in length). It stars Jason Segel, Eve Lindley, André Benjamin, and Sally Field.
Based on the 2013 documentary film, The Institute, the series centers around four main characters who have lost a sense of meaning in their lives. They each stumble upon a game with many challenges and mysteries, as they unlock the secrets behind it and form unexpected connections with one another.
The show is definitely something different and unique, luring you in from the first opening minutes, which feature the narrator staring at you without saying anything. The show throws you right into the mysterious game, as you find yourself playing along, but it’s really more about the characters and their journey toward self-discovery.
While the show may hit you over the head with some of its underlying themes, it does provide us with a lot of reflective moments as well, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of AMC
A mystery that grabs your full attention.
I may not know what’s going on for a lot of these tests and challenges, but they keep me coming back for more. The opening episode is from Peter’s (Segel) perspective, as he finds himself invited to some kind of elaborate test or game, but there are warnings as well about the mysterious Jejune Institute.
Are they friends or foes? I’m not sure, but the clues are fun and interesting, leading to more pieces of the main puzzle.
Images courtesy of AMC
Electric character dynamics.
The cast is absolutely fantastic. Standout performance goes to Eve Lindley as Simone, who really elevates the rest of the characters that much more, while throwing in some humor as well.
The characters couldn’t be more different and yet the narrator asks us to think of them as us, connecting us to their stories. While each character deals with different obstacles, they somehow find true friendship and understanding in their group, suggesting that the strangers we pass by in the world every day have the potential to become so much more.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of AMC
A lot going on…
While the show captures our attention, it does go off the rails several times. The show is supposed to be about more than the mysterious game, which we understand immediately, but the plot of the show branches out all over the place.
When you reach the later episodes, things that seemed important fade away and there is some unnecessary fluff that I could have done without. I think that the opening episodes really set the tone for the show and it started to lose steam once some of the reveals were presented.
That being said, it’s also part of the show’s charm, suggesting that our own journeys zigzag rather than travel down a straight path toward understanding.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of AMC
I’m in! At first glance, I put this show on the back burner. However, once I gave the show a true chance, I quickly lost myself within it. It’s honestly the perfect show to binge-watch during your stay at home quarantine, as it really helps you reflect about what’s important in life and it also allows you to transport yourself somewhere else.
While you may see the reveals coming from a mile away, the show has a deeper meaning and as long as you embrace and understand that and expect to be confused a lot of the time, you’ll enjoy yourself.
This show was an unexpected surprise for me and I’m truly glad that I gave it the chance it deserves. While it may not be perfect, it is extremely unique and touching, blending mystery, sci-fi, and heartwarming moments with some glimpses of pure brilliance along the way.
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Dispatches From Elsewhere in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
Stay tuned!
PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…
A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek comes out April 28th!
Paola Nuñez as Esme Carmona on USA Network’s The Purge season two.
The Purge season one was such a welcomed surprise last year and I wasn’t sure that a new group of characters would be able to live up to it, but Esme Carmona gave me someone to truly root for. Paola Nuñez’s performance was inspiring, heartfelt, and powerful.
**Please note major spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.
As soon as season two began, Esme immediately became my favorite character. I thought it was so interesting that she worked for the NFFA, but had a moral compass. The more secrets Esme uncovered, the more she was in danger, but her quest for the truth was truly inspiring.
We have seen members of the Resistance in the previous movies and season, but Esme’s transformation and discoveries as a part of the NFFA were truly unique, showing us just how corrupt the system was. Esme could have easily stayed quiet, knowing full well what the NFFA was capable of, but she continued to take huge risks to get justice for those who were wronged by the system, including Professor Adams, who was very near and dear to her heart.
Once we glimpsed into Esme’s past, I was even more intrigued by her character. Esme did not always follow the rules, but she fought for what she believed in and family and friendship were so important to her. Esme’s dynamic with her sister was heartbreaking, which made the scene with her father that much more compelling and understandable.
During the season, I was really hoping that Esme would team up with Ryan and she did, which helped develop her character even more. As Ryan and her grew closer, we got to see a softer side of Esme, making her even more likable. Not too many characters tend to survive on Purge Night so I didn’t want to get my hopes up about these two, but I thought this gave Esme’s character even more layers and it made the season finale that much more shocking.
What’s next for Esme? Well, not much if you watched the season finale, but that doesn’t mean that her actions were done in vain, as they actually inspired a Resistance movement. Esme’s face was the symbol of this movement, as her friends refused to let society forget about who she was and what she stood for.
Nuñez was able to channel so much strength into Esme’s character. I was captivated by her every single time she was on screen and I truly believed in her cause. The quest toward truth and redemption is never an easy one, but Esme Carmona’s courage reminded us that our lives depend on it and we should keep fighting for answers one day at a time.
Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!
**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?Do you enjoydark fantasy,fairy-tale retellings,paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!
