[procrj]

While the volume of new series continues to increase, there are some that I keep going back to, irrespective of the number of times I have watched them before. Not going to list the usual suspects (Friends, Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Breaking bad, Game of Thrones etc.), but here are my all time favourites:

The Newsroom - Written by Aaron Sorkin, the series revolves around the staff and anchor of a primetime news show. Every character is well thought out, humour is subtle, some very good acting and really good storytelling. I keep going back to this series as I really enjoy the way the news stories are woven into the lives of the staff. It’s intelligent television that needs you to focus on the characters to really enjoy the dynamics and interplay. Season 1 is really about getting to know the characters but IMO, Season 2 is top notch content.

Where to watch - JioHotstar
This is how its starts

https://youtu.be/wTjMqda19wk?si=CIBSCsizwCg4Gzc5

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Band of Brothers - based on the book by Stephen Ambrose, this 10 part series focuses on the lives of soldiers from the Easy company of 101st Airborne. Everything on this series is a 5/5 for me - story, screenplay, acting, direction, production. Damien Lewis delivers a masterful performance, with Ron Livinston delivering dry humour and the entire cast of Non Coms keeps you hooked to the screen. I generally tend to rewatch this series once a year and even after all these years, I can't stop binge watching all 10 episodes over 3-4 days.

Where to watch - JioHotstar

https://youtu.be/KKRBAFlN5ww?si=9Wq06xCib3ULSA79

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The Night Manager - While Americans own the Action movie genre but British/French do a fabulous job with the Spy genre.I watch this for the top notch performance delivered by Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie. Liz Debickie and Tom Hollander are two other standouts here and I do tend to binge watch this 6 part series over a slow weekend. Don't need to talk about the story, as its based on a book by John Le Carre

Where to watch - Need to VPN

https://youtu.be/g-ZcaKdvML8?si=7G8xl_vst7jBMs40

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The Mandalorian - I call this the second coming of Iron Man. The man who managed to breathe life into Marvel, Jon Favreau, managed to do it again for Star Wars. Season 1 of Mandalorian is a favourite for me and my son, and we just tend to go back to it when there is not much to watch. Great screenplay and storytelling make this a great watch for me, but the real reason for going back to it over and over is the evolving relationship between Mando and baby yoda.

Where to watch - JioHotstar

https://youtu.be/aOC8E8z_ifw?si=2qA2v_OfQvxrjLAX

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Watchmen - If you are comic book fan, then this is a no brainer. If you aren't, then I would definitely recommend this gritty, audacious, dark well crafted 9 part series where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws. This again is one that I tend to binge watch as it just pulls you into a different world. Top marks for screenplay, acting and direction.

Where to watch - JioHotstar

https://youtu.be/zymgtV99Rko?si=PzO74u56lw9NTPNN

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Other Honorable mentions

Ted Lasso - A different kind of magic IMO. Watching it for the first time, I did not connect to it at first, but over the course of the first season, it began to feel right. While some episodes are skippable, I do love to go back and watch.
Where to watch - Apple TV+

Schitt’s Creek - Again a very different kind of comedy IMO. Each character is a standout and the characters, their back stories and hopes/dreams make it a wonderful watch. I have a list of favourite episodes that I usually rewatch.
Where to watch - Netflix

Line of Duty - 4 seasons of absolutely great storytelling backed by some tight screenplay and acting.
Where to watch - Netflix

Shogun - I have watched it twice, but I am pretty sure that this one will be another one that I keep going back to over time.
Where to watch - JioHotstar

Trying - Story of a british couple who are trying to adopt a kid. Again a great watch for its humour and the emotional journey of the couple. The first two seasons are the best IMO.
Where to watch - Apple TV+

Last of Us - Didnt play the game, hence went in without any expectations and I would rate this 5/5 for acting, story and locations. Eagerly awaiting Season 2.
Where to watch - JioHotstar

[Eddy]

Dabba Cartel = 1 star

This is about how a bunch of ladies running a tiffin service and how they get into distributing drugs. The story is very predictable and the screenplay was as if it was written by a teenager, it is so kiddish.

Shabana Azmi has acted fine, but well below her potential. The lady cop does the best, acting-wise.

The main antagonist, who is introduced towards the end is a very popular hindi actor. He has nailed almost every role and character on screen, except this one. For some reason, he was made to speak in English in an otherwise 100% Hindi TV series. He was clearly out of depth.

In short, please avoid wasting time on this. It ends on a cliffhanger but I don't see S2 coming any time soon, if at all.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Reacher- Season 3
OTT : Amazon Prime
5/5

I got back into the country a couple of days ago and was pleasantly surprised to see S3 was streaming. I immediately jumped on to it and completed 3 episodes.

No amount of praise for Alan Ritchson is enough for living Jack's character to the T. When reading his books, I always envisaged a gigantic muscular man as the wandering MP. And, he fits the role to the core (especially when you see him stripped to his undies..lol)

Cheers to Reacher Season 3 and I can't wait to complete all episodes.

I was reading this a couple of weeks ago which is what S1 was based on.

Attachment 2733850

Things are really picking up now - can't wait for the next one!

[Eddy]

And I am waiting for it to finish so that I can binge at one go!

[deathwalkr]

Reacher sure is a good watch. Can't wait for the inevitable showdown between the Giant and The Gianter

Tried watching Yellowjackets. Could not get past 1 episode. Did not really like the to and fro scene shifts to past and present.

[SoumenD]

The Last of Us

Lost it midway when HBO pulled out of Hotstar. Finished it now that its back on hotstar(now married to Jio) and its as great as expected(after first 7 episodes).

Rating: 4/5

Paatal Lok 2: Another great season to the wonderful series. Pretty engaging and I finished it in a day

Rating: 4/5

[Sudarshan42]

Severance

This is a show that my wife and I wait with bated breath every Friday morning. Just watch it if you haven't already, this is worth getting an Apple TV subscription for. A guaranteed classic, with twists that even a braid-maker would find hard to handle. Please try and enjoy all episodes equally. Praise Kier.

Rating- 6/5

The White Lotus S3

A guilty pleasure, with characters you love to hate or hate to love. Rich white (mostly) people holed up in a luxury resort all facing demons from their past or dealing with some hilarious minor inconvenience in the present, all culminating in a range of funny to disastrous consequences by the end of the season.

Rating- 4.5/5

Reacher S3

I'm sure many of you are watching this already. If they mention Theresa one more goddamn time...

Rating- 4/5 for sheer dumb fun

[PreludeSH]

Watched Adolescence on Netflix. Shows the impact of social media especially on boys. Makes reference to Andrew Tate and misogyny ! Shows how parents have lost control over adolescents in the world of social media and they wonder 'did we make them' ?

The performance of the boy is just wow. All characters have done a stellar job and its hard to forget every episode and the impact it has on you.

[14000rpm]

Originally Posted by Sudarshan42

Reacher S3

I'm sure many of you are watching this already. If they mention Theresa one more goddamn time...

Rating- 4/5 for sheer dumb fun

totally Man !
There was another cliched line ''In an investigation....'' which has reduced in occurrence but the sheer dumbness of the DEA Agent is thoroughly irritating.

I mean, there is so much going on, there is a Gun smuggler she is spying and all she can think of saying is 'Theresa'. My God !
How more dumb can it be?

These irritations aside, it's a great season.

[vijaykr]

Originally Posted by Sudarshan42

Reacher S3
Rating- 4/5 for sheer dumb fun

Originally Posted by 14000rpm

I mean, there is so much going on, there is a Gun smuggler she is spying and all she can think of saying is 'Theresa'. My God !
How more dumb can it be?

I really liked the prior seasons better than this one. Probably the lesser expectations earlier or the higher expectations now, but I fully agree on the "dumb fun" bit.

Other than being a plot device to get DEA and Reacher involved into the mix, don't see what value Theresa brings other than chracters mentioning her name periodically.

I liked rooting for Reacher's team in the earlier season, but this one wants me to not bring my brains anywhere near the TV. But overall I like the physicality of the show and no-nonsense way he deals with the baddies

[Sudarshan42]

Originally Posted by vijaykr

I really liked the prior seasons better than this one. Probably the lesser expectations earlier or the higher expectations now, but I fully agree on the "dumb fun" bit.

Other than being a plot device to get DEA and Reacher involved into the mix, don't see what value Theresa brings other than chracters mentioning her name periodically.

I liked rooting for Reacher's team in the earlier season, but this one wants me to not bring my brains anywhere near the TV. But overall I like the physicality of the show and no-nonsense way he deals with the baddies

Hard to top S1 I think, given that the introduction of the character and his new take on Reacher was refreshing. Now it feels like they're going through the same formulaic motions a bit. Shows with singular central characters need a strong supporting cast to make things interesting- this season just doesn't have it. The villains aren't compelling enough (apart from that Dutch giant guy), and the DEA agents are all so incompetent.

[VNair]

Adolescence - Netflix - Solid 5/5

Oh man, this 4-episode marvel is nothing short of breathtaking! Each episode is a seamless single shot—an absolute technical and storytelling feat. The execution is flawless, leaving you wondering how they pulled it off so masterfully.

The performances? Outstanding. Every actor shines, but the kid—undoubtedly award-worthy.

A must-watch!

[CrusingSoul]

Recently I watched 'The Watcher" on Netflix. I started it after watching the trailer. I almost binge watched and finished it 3 days. Great story and good acting, each episode was getting intense and increasing the curiosity.

But the last episode was a damp squib. Only in last 10 mins you will realize there is no conclusion to all the suspense that was built in last 8 hours / episodes

Now I am feeling stupid for not checking the review rating before started watching.

[PB10]

Anyone here tried Shrinking on Apple TV? A great series, not pure comedy but a feel good instead and the only recent show that everyone in my family loves watching together (even got a new TV after 15 years because the laptop screen wasn’t doing it justice). People who liked Schitt’s Creek are bound to love this as well. Solid 5*

[Veeru]

Ted Lasso
Rating 4/5
A tailor-made series for football fans, especially if you love playing manger mode in FIFA. Jason has really given his best.