Going Viral
My body has kindly decided to host the first of my 2024 winter viruses, so I’ve been off work the last two days. It’s the kind of virus that is happy watching TV (but anything else clears out all energy stores). So here’s what I’ve watched…
1. Episode 1 of Hacks (Amazon Prime) – lots of Emmy winning chat made me go and watch the pilot and it is well enough constructed and not entirely relatable. I can see that it may have interesting places to go, but the setup is predictable and obvious. But if I’ve learned anything in my writing course, this is often what is required of episode 1!
Chance of continuing 7/10
2. Doctor Who The Collection S2 (Blu-ray) – I only had the final story (The Time Meddler) to go on my watch through but stalled for life reasons. I love the Collection sets, it’s sort of a history course on how to make TV at the BBC, and the context of what is possible with very little resource and passionate people is inspiring.
Chance of continuing 10/10 (I mean, I literally have two sets waiting, and S25 on pre-order)
3. The Terror Episode 1, the first 5 mins (ITVX) – It keeps cropping up in conversations and online (Google, are you listening??) so I thought I’d give it a go. Then my wife came downstairs from doing bedtime for our daughter and we watched number 4 instead.
Chance of continuing 8/10 (I’m intrigued, but I might forget)
4. Dark S3 E6 Light and Shadow (Netflix) – Yes, we’re four years late. Yes, no-one cares any more. But also, yes, it might be the best constructed and cast show in the history of TV. My wife is losing her way with it a bit (the reflections and repetition are, well, repetitive).