Shivoncarla

THE MAGICIANS - SEASON ONE

'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', sorry - I am mean 'The Magicians' is great, in terms of establishing a world and getting the plot going, the show's first episodes are actually pretty promising. The Magicians' impressive special effects and creative storytelling help compensate for an occasional sluggish pace.

THE MISADVENTURES OF AWKWARD BLACK GIRL - SEASON TWO

The show follows J, an everyday, average, awkward black girl, as she journeys through the awkward life and romantic situations in her life.

When we view black women on TV they are usually these sexy, long-haired, beautiful perfect-looking women who may be experts on men, who seem to have everything they want in life - money, rich husbands, fancy cars - but then comes the web series The Mis-adventures of Awkward Black Girl.

The creator, Issa Rae, who also plays the lead character J, wanted to make a show that awkward guys/girls can relate to, and she succeeds just that. This show is so realistic, organic and fresh.

As someone awkward myself, it is refreshing to be able to watch a show like this because it's so easy to relate to. The situations that J finds herself in like what to do with a guy you like, or how you deal with an evil co-worker are everyday situations people in general find themselves in; even sociable, easy-going people have their awkward moments in life, and so everyone can relate to J & her life in some way.

Aside from being easily relatable, the cast brings so much to the table. Issa Rae says that she is awkward in real life and that makes her character, J, very convincing. You get a glimpse into her way of thinking and you're able to relate to her thoughts and actions. The supporting cast - her awkward best friend, co-workers, love interests are talented people who have good on-screen chemistry and some are pretty funny characters.

One aspect that definitely supports and makes the show is the dialogue. Not only is ABG relatable, but it's also really funny. The scenes and jokes that are supposed to be funny are and, at times, hilarious, and the characters who are made to be funny definitely deliver thanks to the actors portraying them.

ABG has been created because of how, most of the time, black women are portrayed as these gorgeous, perfect women. Its purpose is to give viewers something to relate and connect to themselves and their own life situations. Something on the show may happen that'll cause you to think, "Oh my gosh, I go through the same thing!" It is a refreshing and relatable show, and I'm so glad to see something like Awkward Black Girl created and presented to us and I hope the show and its team have many more successes to come.

The Mis-adventures of Awkward Black Girl's first and current second season can be seen on Youtube. Give it a chance like I did, it really does have something to offer.

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN - SEASON ONE

Somewhere Between isn't breaking any ground. It's just another ABC mystery drama. But, it's one of the better ones with appealing leads and twists at every corner.

GRAND DESIGNS - SEASON FOUR

I happened upon Grand Designs on Channel 4 when it started. I had been half-heartedly watching house makeover, house selling, house buying and house investing shows, and getting progressivly more bored of them. Imports like "Home Makeover: Extreme edition" were the tipping point of ridiculousness, but before they were imported to the UK, Grand Designs appeared.
Instead of the silly time limits and often miniscule budgets. Instead of the amateur or loony design advice, Grand Designs offered usually well thought out plans, reasonable timescales and lofty ambitions in both lifestyle and architecture. It demonstrated that it is still possible to film open ended projects and broadcast whatever results they produce. It isn't necessary to do everything inside of a week, or on a pointless budget. The houses built in Grand Designs are built to last, built to the highest standards.
Apart from that refreshing change, the show is usually beautifully filmed, well researched and although it's stars are often infuriating or baffling, Kevin McCloud guides us through with enthusiasm and honesty. The key point about the projects featured is there sense of adventure, some unique aspect to their planning or goals that set them apart from the dull residences that spring up from foundations every day. The show's willingness to broadcast a worth project even if it is left unfinished is admirable and only adds to the reality of housebuilding that the program tries to convey.

CONTAINMENT - SEASON ONE

This is a disaster movie writ large for TV and the simple fact is, it works despite some none-too-subtle turns. You can’t help being enthralled by a story you wouldn’t want to be a part of.

Stranger Things - SEASON ONE

This promising drama often has ambiguous and even sad things on its mind, and the familiar contours of its plot are most effective when they serve as a cover for somewhat deeper explorations.

MERLIN - SEASON THREE

Cheesy? Sure. But there's enough sword-clanging Action--not to mention homoerotic tension--to keep viewers happily entertained for a spell.

HEROES REBORN - SEASON ONE

Heroes is finally back.. well kinda. Despite that all-too-familiar set-up, Heroes Reborn gets off to a promising start, with some fresh, sympathetic characters and a gentle introduction baited with a little mythology from the original to keep those fans on the hook.

FREAKS & GEEKS - SEASON ONE

I am pretty sure that I cried when it was cancelled. This was the first TV show that I remember was able to comfort me in my youth, it embodies all of its contradictions, craziness, hopes, and fears of a teen. I think it is also the only hour-long sitcom I've ever seen that sustains funniness for its full 60 minutes..