Giri/Haji, the Japanese title of this multi-continent drama, means Duty/Shame in English. Those two words – duty and shame – encapsulate the themes and drivers of the action in this drama about family, love, responsibility and survival. It’s streaming on Netflix. There are minor spoilers ahead.
Continue reading “Review: Giri/Haji”Tag: foreign tv series
Review: Good Morning, Verônica (Bom Dia, Verônica)
Good Morning, Verônica (Bom Dia, Verônica) is a Brazilian thriller about a woman police clerk who takes on a case without authorization. Although the star of the series is a woman, it uses many tropes regarding the victimization of women – rapes, serial murders, and domestic abuse all rolled into one series.
Continue reading “Review: Good Morning, Verônica (Bom Dia, Verônica)”Review: Wentworth, season 8
Wentworth (in some locales Wentworth Prison), season 8, is available on Netflix US now. In this season, a rash of new characters entered the prison to create trouble and chaos. Seasons 8 and 9, already set, are supposed to be the final seasons for this long running Australian women’s prison series.
The situation in Wentworth Prison at the start of the season is unsettled. There was ‘the siege’ at the end of season 7. The writing technique that pits women against women, thrives on rumors and false information, and keeps everyone stirred up remains the same, no matter the season. There’s always someone believing bad advice from someone with an ulterior motive.
Continue reading “Review: Wentworth, season 8”Review: The Last Word (Das Letzte Wort)
The Last Word (Das Letzte Wort) is a German language dramedy series on Netflix. It’s about love and grief, about living and dying.
Continue reading “Review: The Last Word (Das Letzte Wort)”Review: The Duchess
The Duchess is a comedy series created by Katherine Ryan. It’s streaming on Netflix, which is where I’d seen a comedy special from Katherine Ryan and enjoyed it. That prompted me to give The Duchess a look.
Continue reading “Review: The Duchess”Review: Criminal UK, season 2
Criminal UK, the fascinating cat-and-mouse police interrogation series, returned with a 4 episode second season. This is a continuation of Criminal – 4 related series set in UK, Germany, Spain, and France from 2019. However, it looks like only the UK got a second series.
Continue reading “Review: Criminal UK, season 2”Review: First Day
First Day is an Australian series about a transgender girl as she enters school as her authentic self for the first time. It’s aimed at young people. It both helps clarify what it is to be transgender and provides inspiration for those who might be in a similar situation.
Continue reading “Review: First Day”Review: The Gift (Atiye), season 2
The Gift (Atiye), season 2, is a mishmash of terrible writing, compelling actors, and incomprehensible storylines. I couldn’t look away, despite its flaws. I don’t understand how watching something so bad could be so engaging, but it is. This Turkish language series is streaming on Netflix.
Continue reading “Review: The Gift (Atiye), season 2”Review: The Sounds
The Sounds is a mystery thriller set in the Marlborough Sounds area of New Zealand. It’s an 8 part series streaming on Acorn TV. Two episodes were released September 3rd, with the others coming one a week on Mondays.
Continue reading “Review: The Sounds”Recommended: Borgen – Updated
Borgen is an award winning Danish political drama. It has 3 seasons. You can see this 2010 series in the US on Netflix. This is one of the best TV series I’ve ever seen.
Continue reading “Recommended: Borgen – Updated”