My Top Three This Week
Greetings to all my semi-constant readers. We are in the middle of September and I am ready for the holidays and yes maybe even you Hallmark Channel. So many new seasons of favorite shows like Truth Be Told and Home Before Dark and lots of previews of new series to come.
1) Nine Perfect Strangers a Hulu Original from the folks that brought us Big Little Lies (even down to the same writer Liane Moriarty). is a different type of series than what we have seen. Nine strangers have randomly been invited to be a part of Tranquillum- a controversial treatment center catering to a very elite group. Run by Masha ( Nicole Kidman) and two of her top staff members, this focuses on mental and spiritual as well as individualized therapy. The nine include a family dealing with a suicide, a drug addict and a best selling author who may have written her worst book as well as a rounded out few others whose secrets I won't spoil. Things quickly escalate when new "protocols" are introduced by the mysterious Masha and breakthroughs and breakdowns start happening with patients and staff. Oh, and someone is threatening Masha's life as well. Great cast including a very toned down performance from Melissa McCarthy and great performances from Michael Shannon and Bobby Cannavale.
2) Clickbait , an original streaming limited series on Netflix in instantly addictive for anyone who wants a hook from the very start. This starts with a video of a man who is bruised and beaten holding cards that say " I abuse women" and "I killed a woman" . The headline states that if this receives 5 million views this man will be murdered. The views and comments quickly escalate and the video goes viral. A young woman Pia Brewer (Zoe Kazan) instantly recognizes the man is her brother Nick ( Adrian Grenier) and reaches out to his wife and work for confirmation. Each episode centers around a character and their involvement with the kidnapping and video. A story line emerges of a cheating husband who was on multiple dating sites and living a secret life. But is it all true? Pia and police officer Amiri work together to piece together a mystery that deepens at every turn. This was an enjoyable binge.
3) Ted Lasso is back on Apple TV+ and the boys and girls of AFC Richmond are at it again and although two the star players Jamie Tart and Roy Kent exited the team last season, they may be not be gone for good. A new character Dr. Sharon, a sport psychologist is brought on to assist the team with mental health and spirit and Sarah Niles is a fantastic addition to the cast . Each episode is as good as the previous one with the Christmas episode Carol of the Bells which will be a tradition to watch every year. Season 2 is a home run or whatever the call it in England!
