DEBORAH CROMBIE: Reds and readers, it's time for a little "What We're Watching" chat, because I have to tell you that I am gripped, GRIPPED, by my latest addictive series. Is it zombies, you ask? Or the latest spy thriller? No, it's Jeremy Clarkson's FARM 2! You may think I'm joking, but how can anyone resist these harrowing plot developments. Will the cows test positive for TB? What is to be done about the badgers? (The badgers carry TB that can infect cattle, but are protected from being killed or trapped.) And now the chickens are at risk from avian flu! And the biggest question–will the farm get its restaurant permit, thereby saving not only Diddly Squat but struggling neighboring farms in the glorious Cotswolds?
And now on to those zombies. If you are watching THE LAST OF US, you'll know that it's not really very much about the apocalyptic monsters, it's about the relationship between Joel, who lost his daughter twenty years previously, and thirteen-year-old Ellie, who may carry the cure for the virus, and their journey. We have the quest, we have love, loyalty, and sacrifice, all the things that make epic storytelling. Ellie has the ability to save the world–she is Frodo to Joel's Sam. The performances by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are wonderful, and some of the episodes have been box-of-tissues moving (fellow viewers will know which ones I mean), some incredibly tense, and I have no idea how it will all turn out.
So thumbs up for those two, and now a thumbs down for the first episode of the new season of THE MANDALORIAN. This is Pedro Pascal's year, with starring roles in two big series, but The Mandalorian has taken one of the best faces in film and covered it up again! I thought the whole point of the end of season 2 was that Mando removes his Mandalorian helmet, but apparently there were plot developments in THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT (which we didn't watch) and now the helmet is back on. I say even Baby Yoda doesn't make up for that.
One more thumbs up. I've only watched the first episode of VERA, season 12, but it was a master class in twisty plotting. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series, when I can pull myself away from the Farm.
And I know we are not all on the TED LASSO bandwagon, but for those of us who are (Football is life!), season 3 premieres next week!! We have been rewatching from the beginning and appreciating it even more the second time around. Such terrific writing and character development–how will these storylines play out???
RHYS BOWEN: count me as another Clarkson’s Farm addict. I’m just up to the badgers. Oh no! And the spin off from DEATH IN PARADISE that takes place in Cornwall. It’s pleasant and harmless and anything with Cornwall is good for me. And you know I’m a tennis fan and Indian Wells starts this week. So I’ll be glued.
HALLIE EPHRON: I don’t have any of the British streaming channels, so clearly I’m missing a lot. I’m enjoying POKER FACE on Peacock. And I powered through THREE PINES. And love Love LOVED the Korean series, EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WU.I surprised myself by enjoying the Jesse Stone series, based on the Robert B. Parker novels and starring Tom Selleck. And please, don’t tell anyone, but I watch Jeopardy just about every night. Even though I am hopeless with any clue that involves popular culture.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Oh, I am so happy you found ATTORNEY WU! I have been talking that up everywhere. SO brilliant, and so touching, and so funny. And I love POKER FACE, too, she's great ,and it’s very throwback. Also I was fascinated by Dennis Lehane’S BLACKBIRD, dark and chilling and terrific acting and writing. And Debs, you got me completely hooked on LINE OF DUTY–I watched every single episode! (and there were maybe 6 seasons.) Is it coming back? But TV offerings feel a little scarce to me right now–I keep wondering what I’m missing. So this is the perfect topic.
JENN McKINLAY: We are all on the same page! I loved The EXTRAORDINARY ATTORNEY WOO so much I watched it twice. Hub and I have been watching POKER FACE and enjoy it - it has a weird reimagined Columbo vibe. I haven’t started CLARKSON’S FARM 2 but I adored season 1. Hub and I are really looking forward to TED LASSO, and I have to give a big shout out to one of my fave shows this spring SHRINKING with Jason Segel and Harrison Ford – it’s soooo good. There’s one character named Brian whose catchphrase is “everything goes my way” even when it quite clearly doesn’t and it’s just such a shot of positivity amid life’s hardships. Harrison Ford is truly fantastic. Love, love, love it. Also, I’m very much looking forward to the next season of PERRY MASON as season 1 was excellent.
DEBS: Yay, thanks for all the good recommendations! I've watched a few episodes of POKER FACE and ATTORNEY WU, both of which I loved but Rick didn't like as much, so I need to find some me time to watch more. Interestingly, my seven-year-old granddaughter is fascinated by Attorney Wu!
And I've been wondering about SHRINKING and PERRY MASON, so will move those two up the list.
READERS, what else should we not miss?
