2019 is the year when I started to warm up to streaming video. Yeah, I am slow that way. It took me ages to get used to the idea of watching multiple episodes of a single show back to back. I started watching streaming video primarily because everyone at work was watching and discussing them, and I felt left out.
What a reason to become a couch potato, right? 😀 . Anyway, here's a list of shows that I really enjoyed this year. And a list of shows that I watched but didn't necessarily care enough about to complete.
Disclaimer: These are shows I watched this year, not necessarily shows that came out this year.
What I Loved
Narcos
Narcos was hands down the single best show of the year for me. I started watching season 1 and could not stop till I finished Narcos: Mexico. Entertaining, funny, informative, and sad, I loved how well this show was done. Technically, it's brilliant. I especially fell in love with the background score and music.
Made in Heaven
This is an Indian show (on Amazon Prime) based on a pair of wedding planners, which I absolutely loved. There's only one season out so far. Season 2 is in the works and I just can't wait for it.
Big Little Lies
I became a big fan of Liane Moriarty this year reading multiple books of hers (reviews here and here). I didn't read Big Little Lies, but I binge-watched and loved both the seasons of this series (streaming on Hotstar Premium). Should I read the book as well?
I think Liane Moriarty books in general would work well as series and I'm pretty excited to watch the TV adaptation of Three Wishes (which seems to be in the works).
Mars
This is a very interesting documentary with some fiction mixed in. I loved this format, which interplays scientific interviews with science fiction. It's on Hotstar Premium, and I urge everyone to watch it. It's an underrated gem. Sadly the third season has been canceled. I was really looking forward to more about life on Mars.
Game of Thrones
It's odd that I put Game of Thrones way down at the bottom of this list. It's been one of my favorite shows for years. However, this season while exciting didn't quite have the payoff that I was expecting in the end. Still, I loved it for the amazing battle scenes, and character reunions. Disliked how rushed the ending felt.
Wolf Hall
I liked Wolf Hall (on Hotstar Premium). I saw it at the beginning of the year, and since then my memory of it is overshadowed by more exciting series. Still, it is an excellently plotted and acted series (so loved Cromwell and Boleyn's interactions). And I recommend it highly for lovers of the books ( Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies).
The Night Manager
This is a short mini-series I saw earlier this year (on Hotstar Premium). It's based off John LeCarre's book, which I have yet to read. I loved this show for the incredibly good looking leads, glamorous locations, and the Bondian vibes matched with a conscience.
What I Disliked
Downton Abbey
Now, I normally love historicals, but I couldn't get through Downton Abbey. I loved the costumes and the scenery and the accents, but the story just seemed slow and boring and predictable. I slogged through two seasons, and then just stopped.
Beecham House
My mom recommended this very highly, and I went in with great expectations. It's directed by Gurindher Chaddha and I hoped to get a nuanced portrayal of the British Raj in India around the time of the Indian mutiny of 1857. Sadly, this was not the case. I watched season one, but will not be tuning in if and when the show continues. It's on Netflix.
Outlander
I really should have liked the Outlander series (on Hotstar Premium) more, but I couldn't make it past episode 7. The reason I am dragging my feet on this is because of the massive rape and torture scene that I know is coming up. It was hard reading it in the book. I don't think I want to see it on screen.
I guess historicals just didn't work very well for me this year.
What shows did you love or loathe this year?
Nish
Voracious reader, vegetarian foodie, mostly armchair traveler, and frequent online shopper. I love to talk about all these passions (and other things happening in my life) in this blog.
