Growing up the youngest in a big family, I was always the first one kicked off the TV, and my saving grace was my parents’ reject “Rabbit Ear” TV that nobody wanted to use (save me!) In fact, my dream of being an adult was to have my own PVR with “the good channels” where nobody could barge in and disrupt what I was watching. So, yeah, that means I am one of approximately two people in my friend group who pays for cable.
On that note, here are some under-the-radar shows I’ve been watching that you might also enjoy.
Trapped
It’s Icelandic. It’s awesome. The show has two seasons on Netflix, and follows a dishevelled detective and his two smalltown, sidekick cops as they solve a murder investigation in remote Iceland. The show is interspersed with English, but I really enjoyed getting to hear more of the Icelandic language, in addition to seeing more of Iceland’s rugged, sweeping views. The plot’s initial premise is that the “big city” cops from Reykjavik aren’t able to crack down on the murder case due to a snowstorm – leaving this unlikely trio to take on the reigns of the investigation. This causes the first season of the show to be a bit more contained, but the second season opens up and exposes you to much more of the landscape and culture. I found this show very gripping and it pulled me in quite quickly – I highly recommend it!
Star Trek: Picard
I have to admit, the trailer for Picard gave me zero expectations that it was going to be anything good. So, no one was more surprised than me that I freaking LOVED the first two episodes. It’s a new take on Trek that still keeps it somewhat cerebral, while also more action packed than the originals. Apparently, the Borg (“sounds Swedish!”) play a large part of the plot this season, so SIGN ME UP, SCOTTY!
Everything’s Gonna Be Okay
Full disclosure: I’ve only watched the first episode, but I’m digging it so far. Josh Thomas has a knack for serving up realness and addressing difficult subject matter, while simultaneously providing hilarity and much-needed levity. His last project – Please Like Me – was one of my favourite shows in recent years, and while this show gives me a bit more American, ABC Family vibe (because that’s what it’s on!), his hilarious comedy is still there. The show follows an Australian 30-year old (played by Thomas) who takes on the guardianship of his two half-sisters when their father dies unexpectedly. Sound like a barrel of laughs? The first episode really was in a lot of places.
The Bold Type
Very few shows nail what it’s like to be in your 20s. Saved by the Bell flopped when they went to college, and Felicity only lasted a few years. The Bold Type gets right what everyone else got wrong. It follows a group of three best friends working at a magazine, as they navigate advancing their careers, burgeoning relationships, complex family dynamics, and all the nuances that come into play in between. This show is definitely aimed more for my demographic, but I don’t think it gets enough attention for what a quality show it is for mainstream TV. Also, their music editor rocks, and I’ve picked up some awesome tunes over the past three seasons.
Good Trouble
Set in LA, this show features two mid-to-late 20-year old sisters trying to hustle hard and establish careers as a software engineer and a Supreme Court Judge’s intern, respectively. The characters and situations are fully-rounded and immersed in real-world issues, including racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, and more. The ensemble cast is diverse AF, which gives a lot of room for interesting, engaging storylines that are fresh and seldom seen on TV. The first few episodes are filmed in a bit of a disjointed fashion with a lot of quick cuts and flashbacks, but it’s worth pushing through to find its pace mid-season. Again, more for my demographic.
Anyways, that’s some new(ish) hotness you might not have heard of before. Give them a watch and let me know what you think!
