WandaVision is the debut Marvel Studios superhero TV miniseries drama streaming on the Disney+ platform. Of course, we have had Marvel TV series like Daredevil, Jessica Jones etc on Netflix, Agents of SHIELD on ABC and so on. However, this time around, WandaVision is effectively spinning off the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) characters of Wanda Maximoff and Vision into a TV miniseries. Thus far, Disney+ has released the first two episodes of the miniseries and its fair to say that WandaVision is quite different from what MCU fans may be used to in the hit movies.
The Serpent Episode 4 is the 4th instalment in this eight-part crime drama miniseries based on the real life murders committed by Charles Sobhraj (played by Tahar Rahim) in the 1970s. Sobhraj was a French thief, fraudster and serial killer of Vietnamese and Indian origin and his victims were young European backpackers visiting South-East Asia on the so-called ‘hippie trail’.
The Expanse S05E07 continues the latest season of the critically acclaimed scifi streaming TV space opera drama. Entitled “Oyedeng”, The Expanse S05E07 is arguably the best episode of this stellar 5th season so far. This is probably because finally, the episode digs deep into the story behind Naomi Nagata’s history with Belter freedom fighter (or terrorist, take your pick) Marcos Inaros and their son Felip.
The Serpent Episode 3 is the third instalment in this eight-part crime drama miniseries based on the real life murders committed by Charles Sobhraj (played by Tahar Rahim) in the 1970s. Sobhraj was a French thief, fraudster and serial killer of Vietnamese and Indian origin and his victims were young European backpackers visiting South-East Asia on the so-called ‘hippie trail’.
Star Trek : Discovery S03E13 is the season 3 finale for this scifi space opera streaming TV drama series. Entitled “That Hope is You (Part 2)” S03E13 effectively completes the character arc for commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) in this third season of Star Trek : Discovery.
History of Swear Words is a 5-part streaming TV documentary series hosted by actor Nicolas Cage. The series was released on Netflix on 5th January 2020. The concept behind History of Swear Words is straight-forward enough – interview comedians and experts to discuss the origins, usage and cultural impact of swear words down the ages.
The Expanse S05E06 continues the latest season of the critically acclaimed scifi streaming TV space opera drama. If you have been following season 5 of The Expanse with us, then you would have found the narrative quite grim as the solar system slips into the chaos of war with the aggression of Marcos Inaros on behalf of Belter liberation.
Star Trek : Discovery S03E12 is the penultimate instalment of the third season of this scifi space opera streaming TV drama series. Entitled “There is a Tide …” Star Trek : Discovery S03E12 is the middle part of a 3-episode story to wrap up the season. Sadly, the episode also highlights the primary flaw with Season 3.
The Expanse S05E05 signals the halfway mark in the latest season of this scifi space opera streaming TV drama. Entitled “Down and Out”, The Expanse S05E05 continues to explore the ramifications of Marcos Inaros’ asteroid attack on Earth on our key characters. Suffice to say, things are not going well at all.
As mentioned in our Best Movies of 2020 piece, it is clear that there is much better quality material in the Best TV Series of 2020 in contrast. Perhaps long form story telling is the way forward especially in this streaming era. Anyways, there was an abundance of TV series to choose from in 2020, so our preference for genre fiction held sway in this Best TV Series of 2020 list. (In alphabetical order)
Washington is a three-part documentary cum drama miniseries on the life of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. Now, I have personally avoided these kinds of historical ‘docudramas’ believing that a dramatised documentary would be neither good documentary or drama. However, the excellence of Washington may have got me rethinking this approach.
Bridgerton is a British historical streaming TV drama produced by Shonda Rhimes and created by Chris Van Dusen. The series is based on the multi-book novels written by Julia Quinn. The series is set in early 19th century Regency England during the reign of King George III, well known as the era of romance writers Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters.
2020 has been a good year for actress Anya Taylor-Joy. Her performance in The Queen’s Gambit, a Netflix breakout hit sensation has enhanced the profile of Anya Taylor-Joy worldwide. She was starred in the period drama Emma. and appeared as Magik in the chronically delayed The New Mutants.
Small Axe S01E05 is part of the Small Axe anthology film series directed by the award-winning director Steve McQueen. The anthology consists of five films which tell distinct stories about the lives of Black immigrants in London. Entitled “Education”, Small Axe S01E05 focuses on young Kingsley Smith (Kenyah Sandy) as he struggles with school in the 1970s.
Star Trek : Discovery S03E11 marks the beginning of the end of Season 3, as Discovery and its crew set about resolving a couple of key problems. First, discovering (sorry) the root cause of the Burn and saving the Federation of Planets from the Emerald Chain.
The Expanse S05E04 brings us squarely into the business segment of the season as Marcos Inaros executes his plan to bring the inner planets (i.e. Earth and Mars) to their knees. The asteroid bombardment of Earth and the theft of the protomolecule from Tychos is justified as revenge for the generations of oppression of the Belters by the Inners.
The Mandalorian is the well-received, critically acclaimed Star Wars Disney+ streaming TV series that has taken the world by storm! Even as last year’s first season whetted the appetite of Star Wars fans – young and old – for a return to the world that George Lucas created over forty years ago, nobody expected The Mandalorian Season 2 to well and truly up the ante like it did!
His Dark Materials S02E07 is the season finale of this scifi fantasy adaptation of The Subtle Knife, the second book in Philip Pullman’s series. Entitled “Æsahættr”, His Dark Materials S02E07 finally reveals to us, the true nature of Lyra’s identity, as preposterous as that revelation is.
The Mandalorian S02E08 is the season 2 finale of this well-received Star Wars streaming TV drama series. It is no exaggeration to proclaim that success of The Mandalorian has ‘saved’ Star Wars fans and has redeemed the franchise in the eyes of many hardcore fans disillusioned with the way the sequel trilogy turned out.
The Stand Episode 1 is the premiere of the post-apocalyptic dark fantasy drama miniseries based on the beloved 1978 Stephen King novel of the same name. The Stand Episode 1 entitled “The End”, introduces us to the setting and starting premise of the miniseries.
The Expanse S05E03 continues the new season narrative for the highly acclaimed scifi space opera streaming TV drama series. Entitled “Mother”, The Expanse S05E03 focuses on key character plot events as they impact on the underlying new season narrative – Marco (Keon Alexander) Inaros’ devious plan to attack Earth with stealth asteroids.
The Expanse S05E02 continues the new season of this scifi space opera drama streaming TV series. The opening episode revealed that the Rocinante was undergoing repairs and thus its crew was undertaking a valuable furlough to take care of unfinished business. The Expanse S05E02 picks up on some of these plot treads but not all of them.
Star Trek : Discovery S03E10 is the penultimate episode of Season 3. Entitled “Terra Firma Part. II”, Star Trek : Discovery S03E10 continues Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) journey back into the past in the Mirror Universe where she has to deal with a rebellion led by her daughter Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green).
The Expanse S05E01 is the first instalment in the ongoing science fiction space opera streaming TV drama series developed by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, based on the series of novels of the same name by James S. A. Corey. James S.A. Corey the joint pen name of authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. Thus far, there have been nine books in The Expanse novel series since 2011 and is due to be concluded with Leviathan Falls in 2021.
His Dark Materials S02E06 is the penultimate episode in Season 2 and thus, story events needed to progress beyond the static. His Dark Materials S02E06, entitled “Malice”, certainly shook up the status quo as far as this series is concerned. One main flaw of the series so far is the slow moving plot and sloppy pacing issues. While less than perfect, at least this episode seemed to move the plot forward.
