TV Shows I’ve Loved Watching Recently
This was a fun post to put together because tv & movies happen to be one of my favourite pastime activities. It’s such an easy way to destress and relax. After a bad day at work and hitting the couch at eight p.m, nothing made me happier than ordering in my favourite pasta, dimming the lights, snuggling in with my favourite throw blanket and hitting resume playing on my array of weekly tv shows. I am more of a series kinda girl than a movie kinda girl these days and usually save movies for date nights (post-dinner) or the weekends. Otherwise, I am a serial binge-watcher and have more than one tv show going on at a given time, from something girly and cosy (usually set in a small town, my favourite kinds!) and a funny sitcom.
Here’s a compilation of eight tv shows – all available on Netflix, that I’ve really enjoyed watching in the last couple of months:
- One Day
Unlike a lot of people who’ve watched the 2011 movie starring Anne Hathaway, I could never have seen the ending from miles away, and when I tell you how heartbroken I was – I had ugly cry tears streaming down my face for an entire episode.
I loved seeing Ambika Mod embody the role of Emma and pull off boundless British wit and humour so effortlessly. At first, I thought it was a generic story of college bad boy meets good girl, though in some extent it was but I really enjoyed seeing their lives evolve after college from finding yourself and your career, and eventually finding each other.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt coming of age story filled with love, loss, joy and sadness with a soul felt connection, this is a must watch. I’m still thinking about it weeks later. I recommend binge-watching this on a rainy Saturday, from the couch, with a nice cup of hot cocoa in hand at all times.
Plus points if you’re into indie music as their soundtrack is a soul-stirring/ heart-wrenching one. Spotify Playlist linked here.
2. The Gentlemen
The plot focuses on Eddie (Theo James), an Army captain who discovers he has inherited the title and proprietorship of his family’s estate after his father’s death. Eddie also gains his father’s partnership with the Glass family and their drug empire, prompting a hard-launch into the gangsterscape of England.
The series is directed by Guy Ritchie, whose work – including The Man From Uncle and the Sherlock Holmes series, might ring a bell. He has a way with making British aristocracy meets gangster movies which is exactly what The Gentlemen is about. In fact, E & I watched a rather similar 2020 movie version of The Gentlemen starring Matthew McConaughey – also directed by Guy Ritchie. I suggest watching that first. Trailer here.
E loves his action movies and sometimes I dread the two & a half hours after date night when it’s his pick for movie night, but this I instantly had a crush on from episode one. For two reasons – the movie is set in an incredibly breathtaking British manor, and secondly, Susie Glass’s (played by Kaya Scodelario) very London style, was so fun to watch – a mix of luxury jackets and gorgeous vintage pieces.
3. Sex and The City
When I tell you that I binged-watched the entire six seasons in under three weeks. Like what?!
Gossip Girl was all the hype in my era, ironically also set in New York. However being the youngest of four sisters, I knew of Sex and The City and was aware of the four main characters – Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, Miranda and Carrie’s two love interests, Aiden & Mr. Big. I noticed that the show was set in a time when there was less global awareness than we have now, and so we had fewer distractions, allowing our attention to be focused exclusively on our own wants and needs – Carrie was a heavy smoker and yet that was very much acceptable, it was an all white cast (just like Friends), and the ladies could always get away with snarky, witty remarks that would otherwise be oh, so controversial today. Ahh, the good old days when TV shows weren’t pushing agendas.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the show is such a rite of passage for all women. The six seasons embody acceptance in the sense that we as women can want different things and wanting different things doesn’t make us any less women. Instead, the four characters were so different yet complemented each other in the best way possible, teaching us the true meaning of friendship. Ultimately, for me, the series showed me it is OK to put yourself first. I learned from Carrie that it’s okay to splurge on expensive shoes (especially Manolo Blahnik’s), Samantha showed me its okay to be confident with your sensuality as a woman, Miranda showed how its perfectly okay to want to still be a workaholic despite having a child, and Charlotte showed me…well, how to practice grace, and not to scream in arguments because WASP’s don’t do that! I basically lived my Park Avenue dream through Charlotte.
4. Gilmore Girls
This is a third-time rewatch that I will never shy away from saying out loud as so many others share the same sentiment. There’s something so special about tv shows and movies set in small towns that give me a sense of fuzziness and ultimate coziness like Sweet Magnolia’s, Virgin River and every single Hallmark movie. But nothing beats the charm of Stars Hollow.
I’ve never felt such a connection towards the characters in a show than I feel with Lorelai, Rory, Emily, Richard, Luke, Lane, Paris, Sookie, Jackson, Michel, Babette, Miss Patty, Jess & Dean – to experience a down-to-earth community, where there is support system, humility, scrutiny, appreciation, devotion, and camaraderie is such a rarity these days.
Emily and Richard brought such a finesse into the show and I loved taking a peek into the lives of the rich, starting from obligatory Friday night dinner’s at their Hartford mansion in Connecticut , to Chilton Academy, and finally – Yale. Watching the show for the first time was my very first insight into the Ivy League world. I know the Gilmore Girls fanbase have a thing for Dean (Rory’s high school sweetheart), but Logan is literally every college girl’s dream. As if taking a peek into the world of Ivy League students wasn’t enough, they even brought us into the world of secret societies in season five, particularly The Life And Death Brigade, and I’ll never forget the umbrella scene (iykyk). And the best part, it’s somewhat true. Read more here.
This is such a wonderful tv show that will forever have a special place in my heart.
5. Designated Survivor
“When a mysterious attack kills the president and wipes out everybody in the line of succession, Thomas Kirkman, a lowly cabinet minister, is forced to rise to the occasion as the designated survivor.”
E loves his political and white collar crime thrillers. What started out as House Of Cards and Suits grew into Billions, Dynasty, The Diplomat, Night Agent, Bodyguard, and now Designated Survivor.
On weeks where E isn’t too busy with work and night calls (his version of being a corporate night agent, lol), we cosy up after dinner and binge on these tv shows and though it’s mostly fiction, they tackle such real-life heavy topics such as enhanced interrogations, gun control bill, immigration, islamophobia, big pharma, big terrorism etc. which is very interesting to watch. The series appears to me like a compendium of the many crises the POTUS could possibly face during his term; portraying him as the ultimate crisis manager. Inexperienced as he is, somehow he succeeds in restoring order and normalcy gradually even as he grapples with emerging critical issues that a lesser mortal wouldn’t be able to pull off.
It’s a good show, but if I’m being fairly honest, I stopped following after season one as the plot just got way too twisty and draggy which isn’t my cup of tea. I do enjoy political thrillers, but to an extent. I’d rather use that time to read a good book in true feminine fashion, and leave it to E to complete the series. It is his forte, after all.
6. Superstore
I’m such a sitcom person and loved Schitt’s Creek and Modern Family. But Superstore is such a gem! Also a rewatch as watching it especially after a long, crazy day feels like the equivalent of a nice, warm, big, hug. Also, it’s one of those shows where not a single active brain cell is needed, quite the contrary to Designated Survivor, making it the perfect lunch and dinner companion, or when you want to have something playing in the background while working.
The show follows the day-to-day antics of the employees at Cloud 9, a fictional big box store. From bumbling floor employees to eccentric managers, each character brings their own unique personality to the table, and the resulting dynamic is nothing short of hilarious.
But what truly sets Superstore apart is its ability to tackle serious issues – whether it is racism, immigration, capitalism, minimum wage, abortion etc. all with such laughter and wit. I’d say it brilliance very well camouflaged with humour. I also really enjoyed seeing the behind-the-scenes of what goes on in a supermarket, and remembered telling E the other day before we boarded a flight how I wish another show like Superstore existed, but for airports or hotels. Something about taking a peek into the behind-the-scenes and lives of employees gets me very excited.
7. Heeramandi
After a long hiatus from Bollywood movies as they seemed to have lost the age-old charm, Heeramandi reinvigorated my love. Being an ethnic-pakistani, I am familiar with the rich heritage and culture. This eight-series tv show is set in pre-independence British India (currently Lahore) and is ultimately a story of revolution against the British colonisation though a large portion of the story portrays the lives of tawaif’s (courtesans) – artists who sing and dance, and well…provide ‘companionship’ to the rich nawabs (emperors).
I absolutely loved the series. The timeline does go back and forth quite a bit, but once I got the hang of that, I was hooked. If Bollywood theatrics isn’t your thing, at least watch it for the incredible costumes and set. Watch Architectural Digest India tour the set here .
I saw someone refer to Heeramandi on Instagram, as a lush tapestry of love & rebellion, and I couldn’t agree more. I’m currently obsessing over the soundtrack and Sakal Ban is continuously on repeat. Listen here on Spotify.
8. Bridgerton
I’ve always loved period movies because it’s impossible for me to get through the books courtesy of the ancient English. Although, it is in my bucket list this year to read works from The Bronte Sisters and Jane Austen.
I remember being so confused when a rendition of Ariana Grande’s Thank You, Next was playing in an orchestra during a ball in season one. I now get the whole merge of classic, soapy + modern and love the take. The fact that the opening credits sets the record straight, saying, “It is not a history lesson. It is fiction inspired by fact” made it so much easier to just sit back and enjoy the show.
For fear of not having the right words in describing the casting of Bridgerton characters, I’ll let this article decipher the elephant in the room – and how it works! I loved seeing the subtle nudge against racism in how interracial marriages are such a normalcy in the Bridgerton world, and how plenty of British royal families, including Queen Charlotte are of Indian and African descent. I remember going…..’Wait, what’s happening?’ in the first few episodes only because it’s such a stark difference from reality.
I really enjoyed seeing Daphne as the diamond in season one and her love story with Simon. Followed by the very passionate love story between Anthony and Kate in season two. Volume one of Season three however, for me was a let down. I couldn’t see Colin as the romantic hero no matter how hard I tried. In fact he came across as a fuck boy, one that was trying too hard and appeared cringy as opposed to Anthony. Though I adore Penelope and enjoyed her Parisian makeover, I wish we saw more of Eloise and her revolution. Nevertheless, I’ve learned to trust the process and I’m sure Shonda Rhimes will have a very nice spin on this. Until then, I’ll patiently wait for volume two.
Of course, if Bridgerton isn't your cup of tea (pun intended) it is worth the watch for their period costumes and sets. Watch the Architectural Digest tour of the set here & InStyle speak to the costume designers here.
I’ll be the first to say that there are a lot of rewatches this month, and it’s not necessarily my best curation of tv shows. I can’t wait to compile a list of some of my favourite tv shows (available on Netflix, of course) of all time, and I’m currently putting together a post on some of the recent movies E and I have watched – so keep your eyes peeled for that!
I’ve just started on Geek Girl and Thank You, Next – both on Netflix. I’ll let you know how that turns out.
Until next time,
Love, alyia