I know Netflix has been a nexus for streaming programs for a while now, but lately, it has become a bit over-saturated and underwhelming. I love Netflix and can appreciate how it changed the game for how we access entertainment but there are many other platforms with better original programs. Because I'm subscribed to many streaming platforms I decided not to watch any Netflix shows for a few months to see what else was out there. For a while I only went to Hulu to find new shows outside of Netflix but I only watched Bob's Burgers and Will & Grace.
I started my journey on Amazon Prime Video where I watched one of the best series that I have seen in my life, Steve McQueen's anthology series Small Axe. The series focuses on Black Caribbean British life in the '70s. Each episode details events that are culturally specific to West Indians in the UK, historic events that many people know nothing about. The series was a powerful love letter to West Indians from fellow West Indians. The first two episodes are my personal favorites. One is about a landmark case involving the Mangrove, a Caribbean restaurant in Notting Hill. The other takes place at a house party where young love blossoms, violence ensues, and a musical catharsis emerges. All of the episodes aired and every single person involved deserves an award. If I could sum it up in a few words it would be BLACK BRITISH EXCELLENCE.
I later teetered over to HBO to watch Lovecraft Country and Watchmen. In the "Age of Aquarius" where strange, weird, and futuristic are now the norm, Lovecraft Country and Watchmen fit directly in that mold. They are very Aquarian! Both shows explore time travel, monster, racial injustice, white violence, quests for identity, and inspired by books. The main protagonists are Black characters who are trying to make sense of their world. The monsters in these shows are not limited to literal monsters like giant squids, the mythological Korean Kumiho, and Lovecraftian shoggoths but the very real white supremacist. It is only in writing this that I realize how similar the shows are.
Before watching Lovecraft Country and Watchmen, I wasn't sure what either show was meant to be about. From what I remember about the promos, a lot was happening but nothing was revealed. What drew me to Lovecraft Country was knowing that JJ Abrams and Jordan Peele would be executive producers while the show's creator was a black woman named Misha Green. A team that I was more than excited to witness. In the case of Watchmen, HBO is a safe bet for a good show with great visuals because rarely do they ever disappoint. I am also a secret nerd and love comic book-based production. With the little that I knew, I was very excited for both shows.
What I can say was neither show disappointed. Of the two, Lovecraft Country was my favorite. I think part of the reason was that I would watch it weekly as the show premiered. The excitement and anticipation of waiting was a feeling I was not used to as I am very much a tv binger. I won't give anything away as it is a lot to explain but if you like weird fantasy with a twist of black history this show is for you. When it comes to Watchmen, it is another show I cannot explain because I not 100% sure I know what was going on. I think I would have to watch it a few more times. It also is under the umbrella of weird fantasy with a twist on black history. I think if you have watched one and then you are undoubtedly going to like the other.
Finally, I watched Why Women Kill on Paramount+. A show not concerned with race. Instead it focuses on what entices women to kill another. It tells the story of three different over three different decades who have lived in the same house in California. One a '50 housewife who finds out her husband is cheating on her, the second an '80s socialite who discovers her husband is gay, and the third a millennial bisexual lawyer with an open marriage.
This was right on time since I just watched a bunch of super intense shows, this was more comical and campy. Lucy Liu was rich, beautiful, and most likely a Leo. Ginnifer Goodwin plays the naïve delicate flower housewife. Kirby Howell-Baptise is the smart, sexy alpha woman dominating her husband. The show is funny, clever, and one that I would categorize as a pallet cleanser. I had only heard of this show the day before I watched it but the title was pretty self-explanatory so no guesses on what is going to be about.
Overall, I have had so much fun exploring new tv shows. Most of them have been home runs and programs that I highly recommend. I am not someone who likes to go outside of my comfort zone too much but this was an entertaining exercise that helped stretch my flexibility. With all the time we spend at home now in conjunction with Jupiter in Pisces there is no better time to explore the plethora of movies and shows out there to be enjoyed!
