[0:00]Welcome, fellow TV and film fanatics, to the binge list. I'm Greg, and the first quarter of 2024 has come and gone with a bunch of awesome TV series to check out. So let's talk about 15 of the best shows and mini-series that you can check out right away. And I'm not ranking today's titles because I thoroughly enjoyed each one of these for one reason or another. I did put comedies, action, adventure, sci-fi, and all kinds of genres on this list. So it is a very diverse list with some of my personal favorites. So, stop mindlessly scrolling. Stop wasting your time. And let's jump in and check it out.
[0:32]First time in the sawmill, boys. Let's rack them up and knock them down.
[0:42]I'm really excited to share my first pick, and that is the Apple TV Plus historical drama mini-series, Masters of the Air. This one is set during World War II, and it follows the American bomber crew stationed in Eastern England. The series delves into the harrowing experiences of these men as they fly perilous missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. This show brings you the adrenaline-fueled battles in the skies, to just the camaraderie and the anxieties that these men face back at their bases. Masters of the Air explores the human cost of waging war from the air at this time. I did follow this series up by watching the Apple TV Plus documentary on this same topic. And it looks like the show is very historically accurate, drawing from real events and personal accounts during this time. The series has high production value with these stunning visuals and realistic combat scenes that does depict the brutal realities of the war and aerial combat. Which the combat isn't exciting part of this show, but it is a small part of it. The series really focuses in on the character's development, taking a look at the personal lives and motivations of the bomber crews, creating a deeper emotional connection with the characters themselves. You really feel for them during this show. And the series brings together a cast of talented actors to bring it all to life, including Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle. This is an amazing historical drama created by the same production team that did Band of Brothers and The Pacific. So it's a great pair with those, and again, it's an awesome option with visually stunning and realistic aerial combat sequences, and well-developed characters. Well worth a watch. Now, let's talk about another Apple TV Plus series, and this is the completely made-up Adventures of Dick Turpin. This is a British historical comedy series with a wildly absurd premise. It throws out all historical accuracy in favor of side-splitting and slapstick humor. The series reimagines the life of the legendary Highwayman Dick Turpin as this charmingly incompetent, yet surprisingly successful robber who leads a band of lovable rogues on outrageous adventures, and clashes with the self-important and equally inept bounty hunter Jonathan Wilde. The series has a ton of hilarious performances, but honestly, the comedic performances of Noel Fielding and Hugh Bonneville really stand out.
[2:45]They have great chemistry on screen together, and that honestly brings a lot of the show's humor to life. If you appreciate absurd retellings of history like Monty Python S humor, you will certainly enjoy this show. It has ridiculous takes on historical figures and events, while also interjecting modern references and pop culture gags into history, adding to the overall absurdity of the show. And the series constantly is throwing new comedic situations and absurd characters at you, with some light-hearted action sequences throughout, but the series' sole purpose is to make you laugh with its comedic situations and witty dialogue. And despite the silliness, this series does have some genuine moments of camaraderie between this main group of characters, adding a little heart to the show. If you're in the mood for laughs, this is a fun, laugh-out-loud series that never takes itself too serious, with strong comedic performances, definitely worth checking out for yourself. One day, I'll be the most famous highwayman in all of England. You are literally about to be hanged, you idiot. On to another historical drama with the mini-series Shogun on Hulu. And I have recommended this one recently, but it's getting better and better with each episode, so it definitely deserves to be on this list. This series is set in feudal Japan during the 17th century, and the story follows John Blackthorne, who is shipwrecked on the Japanese coast. He gets thrown into a world of strict social hierarchies and a warrior culture that is vastly different from his own. And Blackthorne faces suspicion and hostility initially. However, through his intelligence and resourcefulness, he slowly earns the respect of a powerful lord. Blackthorne navigates this complex political landscape of Japan, caught between warring factions. Every time I read or see something about this series, it seems to be getting praise for its meticulous recreation of feudal Japan, offering a glimpse into the customs, traditions, and social structures of this era. But what really stands out to me is the dynamic between Richard Chamberlin's performance as Blackthorne and Hirayoka Sonada's Lord Torunaga. They are both amazing in these roles with this amazing chemistry working off of each other when they're on screen. And the series gives a cool look at the cultural clashes and the misunderstandings between Blackthorne and majority of the Japanese characters in the show. And maybe not at the same level, but it does give me similar feels to the grand scale and immersive worlds that you see in titles like Game of Thrones, The Rings of Power, and even Vikings. This is another great option. This is based on the best-selling novel, and this adaptation is a visually stunning reimagination of feudal Japan, that offers a captivating journey alongside these compelling performances. Do not be fooled by our politeness. Our bows are mere rituals. Death is in our air. This is my first Netflix selection on this list, and this is the action-packed Dramedy The Brothers Sun. The series follows the lives of two estranged brothers, Charles and Bruce. Charles is a ruthless gangster of the Jade Dragons, while the younger brother Bruce lives a peaceful life in Los Angeles. Their worlds collide when Charles comes to Los Angeles after an assassination attempt on their father, and now he's here to protect his mother. This does offer a fresh take on the gangster genre, showcasing the clash between the upbringing of these two brothers and incorporating the whole family dynamic in this. And this crazy dynamic really draws you into this unique relationship between them. You find yourself rooting for them, obviously, to get through the difficult situations they're facing, but also to come together as a family. Along with tons of solid supporting roles from the always amazing Michelle Yeoh, June Lee, Heidi Koon, and John Zuzang. The series has tons of thrilling action sequences with well-choreographed hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, chase sequences. But what took me off guard was how many laugh-out-loud moments there were. It was really, really funny throughout this series, playing off the naivety of the younger brother Bruce. This is a great crime dramedy with a strong cast and a unique premise that does blend action, humor, and this family drama all into one cool show. Definitely a great option to check out on Netflix. Who told you anything about Charles? All these years, you've been hiding someone else. No, no, no, no. All right. Let's jump from Netflix to Amazon Prime Video for our next series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. This is a spy comedy series inspired by the 2005 action film created by Donald Glover. This takes a fresh look at this story, offering a blend of action, humor, and marital tension. The series follows John and Jane, who are recruited by a mysterious spy agency. The catch, they are assigned an undercover identity as a married couple. As they embark on high-stakes missions and face off against deadly adversaries, John and Jane must navigate the newfound partnership, their growing attraction, and the complexities of their pretend marriage. The series itself looks and sounds really cool. It has stylish visuals, there's a really awesome modern soundtrack, and a sleek production design. And I love the two leads in this. Donald Glover is so amazingly talented in almost anything he does, from his days on Atlanta and Community, all the way to when he was Childish Gambino. And then Maya Erskine, who leads one of my new favorite animated shows, Blue-Eyed Samurai. They have plenty of onscreen chemistry that makes their relationship and the banter between the two believable and entertaining. There's also plenty of exciting action sequences here, showcasing the lead's skills and the high stakes on their missions. But it blends the action sequences with the witty dialogue and humor situations, creating a unique blend of these two genres. Along with taking time to develop John and Jane's characters, exploring their motivations, their vulnerabilities, and the challenges they're faced in this partnership. This is a refreshing and entertaining take on this classic spy couple trope with a fun blend of action, comedy, and relationship drama with strong performances from these two lead actors. As old as that can be. I should be clear. I'm not in this for the romance. About the love he brings to me. Let's jump back over to Netflix and let's talk about The Gentlemen. And The Gentlemen is an action-comedy crime series created by Guy Ritchie that serves as a spin-off of his 2019 film. The series follows Edward, who is a young aristocrat who unexpectedly inherits his late father's vast estate, only to discover the lucrative criminal empire working in his backyard. With the help of the cunning operator Suzy, he must navigate the treacherous landscape of the British drug trade, while trying to protect his newfound inheritance, his family, and stay alive. I always enjoy Guy Ritchie's titles and his style, and this series holds true to that style with his blend of well-choreographed action, and infusing it with tons of humor. This series has an energetic pace, it has witty dialogue, and unexpected turns that keep you engaged and entertained. Theo James is in the leading role in this one, as the inexperienced, yet determined Edward. He does a great job depicting the evolution of his character throughout this series, from the naive newcomer to this world, to this hardened criminal boss, showcasing his intelligence and his ingenuity, along with his range as an actor. With plenty of compelling supporting characters, including stand-out performances from Kaya Scodelario, Vinnie Jones, Giancarlo Esposito, and Daniel Ings. The Gentlemen is a fast-paced and stylish crime series filled with dark humor, witty dialogue, and brilliant action sequences that expand upon the world established in the 2019 film. We are going to become criminals. We're not criminals, Freddy. Let's stick with Netflix here and talk about the Rom-Com drama, One Day. And this one is a limited series based on the best-selling novel that follows this complex and evolving relationship between Emma and Dexter over the course of 20 years. The series revisits these two characters on July 15th of each year, showcasing how their lives intersect, diverge, and intertwine over time. We see them navigate first love, career struggles, personal growth, and missed opportunities, all against the backdrop of their ever-changing lives. This is very much a This Is Us style of emotional storytelling where you get to explore the past, the present, the future, kind of all at once and how these experiences and choices shape the individuals and their relationships. And this show has plenty of light-hearted moments, but it can also be quite heavy at times. Both of the lead actors in this one have strong performances. Mod and Woodall are believable and give nuanced performances, changing their characters ever so slightly over the years. Unlike This Is Us, though, using the format with a specific date each year is certainly an interesting way to unfold the character's lives. Sometimes only giving you glimpses of what's going on until you get caught up in later years. Overall, One Day is a well-done character-driven narrative that offers a unique and emotional exploration of love, loss, and how the choices that we make ripple through time. It's one of the great cosmic mysteries. How is that someone can go from being a total stranger to being the most important person in your life? This is the first ever show that I'm recommending from AMC Plus, and this is the Our next title also comes via Netflix, and this is probably the show that I was most excited and nervous about when they announced it, and this is the live-action adaptation of Avatar The Last Airbender. I still love the original animated Nickelodeon show. And as much love as I have for the show, is as much disappointment I had for the movie adaptation. So again, I was beyond excited but equally skeptical going into this one. This is a story that follows Ang. He is a 12-year-old boy who awakens after 100 years frozen in ice. Ang is the legendary Avatar, who must learn to control all the elements and defeat the Fire Nation, who's been waging war for a century. He's joined by his companions Katara and Saka, and they embark on a quest to restore balance to the world and end the Fire Nation's reign. Through all my skepticism, they did an amazing job with this adaptation. I was extremely impressed with it. It was faithful to the original series, capturing the fun-loving nature of the story, iconic elemental bending, martial arts styles, and just the overall themes of the original series. On top of all that, the cast brings these characters to life in a loyal, yet believable live-action rendition with their charismatic performances. The series boasts impressive visuals, bringing the world to life, beautiful sets, costumes, and iconic creatures. The narrative is fun and exciting, offering reimagined storylines that are unique and familiar to the long-time fans, balancing exciting action sequences with lighthearted humor, replicating the tone of that original cartoon. This iteration of Avatar The Last Airbender is a well-made live-action adaptation that captures the heart of the original animated series, with stunning visuals and strong performances from the core characters. The world needs the Avatar. It needs you, Ang.
[13:06]Next up is Paramount Plus's original series Halo. The action-packed season two of this series, based on the popular video game franchise, was released earlier this year. And this series is set in the 26th century, where humanity is locked in a brutal war with the alliance of alien species known as the Covenant. This series follows Master Chief, a genetically enhanced super soldier known as a Spartan, and his squadron of elite warriors. Master Chief and his team uncover a mysterious artifact with the potential to change the course of the war. But Master Chief and his team must navigate a complex conflict, filled with political intrigue, religious fanaticism, and the lingering threat of devastating alien technology. I am not the biggest Halo fan in the world, but I did play a lot in my youth. And from what I remember, they did an awesome job recreating these iconic locations, the weaponry, and the tech from the games, exactly how I remember it. This is another series with high production value, boasting a very high budget that led to impressive special effects, aiming to bring this futuristic world to life in a visually spectacular way. I did really enjoy Pablo Schreiber's portrayal of Master Chief in this one. He does capture the essence of the character, this iconic physicality and stoic presence. If you never played the games growing up, just know there is a complex lore of this universe, and it does take a moment to get up to speed with what's exactly going on. But the show delivers exciting and well-choreographed action sequences that keep you engaged until you get yourself up to speed. So with Halo, you get a visually stunning and action-packed live-action adaptation. Definitely worth checking out for anybody who loves sci-fi. We have something the enemy does not. We have heroes.
[14:47]Let's move on to something with a bit more humor in the Peacock mini-series Ted. This series serves as a prequel to the Ted films and goes back to 1993, where a young, foul-mouthed teddy bear lives with his best friend, 16-year-old John, and John's family. Now Ted is not always a positive influence on John, but he is fiercely loyal and always up for any adventure. Together they navigate the complexities of teenage life, from their first crushes to schoolyard bullies and family dynamics. If you're a fan of the Ted franchise or other Seth MacFarlane productions, you will definitely find humor in this. It's exactly what you'd expect from him. MacFarlane maintains his iconic voice performances as Ted, and he's always a highlight in these types of shows, delivering his witty humor and sharp observations that make for just hilarious situations. The remainder of the cast, including Max Burkholder as John, and the actress portraying his family, do a great job adding to the overall humor. And despite this being another show that's just there to make you laugh, this series does offer surprisingly heartwarming moments, exploring the bond between Ted and John, and seeing just how they got to where they were in the movies. As someone who grew up in the 90s, this series is a fun, nostalgic look back, capturing this era's fashion, their music, the pop culture references, made it very fun. And while the humor might not be for everyone, for those of you that do enjoy this style of humor, Ted offers a hilarious and nostalgic look back at the early days of the Ted franchise, and it's just a fun-loving escape, well worth checking out. Hey Johnny. How bad is school going to suck? You're not going to like it. How bad? It's like getting your nuts smashed together so hard they become just one nut. Staying with Peacock for our next show, let's talk about Apples Never Fall. This is a mystery drama series based on a New York Times best-selling novel, where this seemingly perfect family is thrown into chaos when their mother mysteriously disappears. As the siblings reunited at their childhood home, long-buried family secrets and unresolved tensions begin to resurface. Each sibling grapples with their own relationship with their parents, while also questioning the truth about their seemingly perfect family life. With the help of a tenacious detective, they must piece together the events leading up to the disappearance and confront the possibility that their parents aren't exactly who they thought they were. This series is a bit of a slower, character-driven narrative, but the unique mystery surrounding the mother's disappearance keeps you engaged with each episode, revealing new clues and raising additional questions. And the situation becomes more and more complex with each episode as they delve into the family's relationships with each other, showcasing the dynamics between siblings, between parents, and the honesty and deceit that really went on. And it all comes together with strong performances from the compelling core family. You've got Annette Bening, Sam Neill, Jake Lacy, Essie Randles, Alison Brie, Connor Turner, and the odd house guest played by Georgia Flood. All delivering particularly captivating performances as the core family group. Apples Never Fall is a mini-series with a clear-cut ending, so it's a great option to binge straight through. And it offers you a compelling mystery with strong performances and tons of family drama to keep you entertained. You can spend a lifetime with someone as a wife or as a mother, but you can never really know who they are. My next pick is a series that chronicles the real life of Griselda on Netflix. And Griselda is a ruthless and ambitious Colombian businesswoman who built one of the most profitable drug cartels in history. Despite being a devoted mother to her children, Griselda's lethal blend of charm and brutality allows her to navigate the treacherous world of drug trafficking. The series follows Griselda's rise from this small-time hustler to a powerful cartel leader, showcasing her cunning strategies, violent encounters, and the personal toll her choices take on her life. I was honestly extremely impressed with Sofia Vergara's transformation in this series. This is the same Sofia Vergara who judged on AGT and played silly characters like Gloria in Modern Family. And she goes through this dramatic transformation into this cunning and brutal Griselda Blanco, showcasing a different side of her acting. And the character of Griselda is this complex woman who defied expectations and becomes a powerful, yet ruthless figure in this drug trade. She has a host of strong supporting cast members, including actors portraying Griselda's family and rivals, who play nicely alongside her in this. This series definitely offers a unique and compelling story as you watch Griselda's journey from poverty to power, fueled by ambition and desire for a better life. And the story does not shy away from how she got this better life. It does offer a realistic and unflinching portrayal of the violence and ruthlessness associated with this world. This show's probably not for the faint of heart. It does have some disturbing looks at the life of Griselda Blanco, but I was extremely captivated with it. Well worth checking out for yourself. Miss Blanco's operation has been efficient, deadly, and incredibly successful. My next pick is a series that I've recommended multiple times and is one of my favorites, along with an actor that I really love, and this is Reacher, whose second season just finished up at the beginning of 2024. This is an action-thriller series based on the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child, and the series follows the character Reacher. This series follows the character of Reacher, a former military policeman who now wanders the United States as a drifter. And Reacher seems to get mixed up in things wherever he wanders, and his keen investigative instincts and his unwavering sense of justice compel him to get involved. At every turn, he seems to uncover some web of corruption and ends up getting mixed up with powerful figures as he looks for the truth. With the help of his team and his friends that he aligns with along the way, he does whatever he can to bring those responsible to justice. I've mentioned this a few times, but I love Alan Ritchson. I think he's an underrated actor, but his physical presence and stoic performance in this one definitely draws you into the character of Jack Reacher. And it's certainly more in line with the character in the novels than the other depictions of him in the movies. This series delivers well-choreographed action sequences and some absolutely brutal fight scenes, where you really get to see Reacher's formidable skills on the screen. And there is a lot of action in this one, but the series does attempt to offer a deeper exploration of the character and his motivations throughout. And both seasons have a fairly mysterious plot surrounding the different illegal activities that Reacher stumbles upon, and it keeps you engaged with unexpected twists and turns.
[21:10]In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Reacher. It is a satisfying action-thriller series that delivers an excellent performance from Ritchson and the cast, a ton of well-crafted action sequences, and a central mystery that always keeps you engaged.
[21:33]My last pick on this list is the most recent show that I've binged, and this is The Three-Body Problem on Netflix. This is a science fiction drama series that unfolds across multiple timelines, depicting humanity's first contact with an alien civilization. The alien civilization faces their own imminent destruction. And when they intercept a signal from Earth, they devise a plan to invade the planet. Meanwhile, factions emerged amongst humanity, some eager to embrace the superior beings and facilitate their takeover of what they perceive as a corrupt world. While others rally to resist the invasion, the main narrative follows this group of brilliant scientists that grapple with the threat of invasion and their own personal dilemmas. This is a series like Game of Thrones that is brought to the screen by Benoff and Wise, and you can definitely feel their influence on this series. First, the series looks amazing. The impressive visuals show off this unique virtual world spanning across different timelines, expansive locations, along with the advanced technology and weaponry that's depicted in the series. And this first season feels like the opening season of Game of Thrones in the sense that they are planting seeds of what's to come, setting up characters, plot points, and what you think may be super important right now, is only this small piece of this larger component. And just like their previous shows, never get too attached to any of the characters, because you never know what's going to happen. The narrative does build tons of suspense by weaving together these multiple timelines, real and virtual, while constantly having the threat of an alien invasion looming behind every decision. And this is an excellent cast that provides strong performances, even though eight episodes is not enough time to do all the character development required, you do get to spend time with each one of these main characters. But the cast includes Benedict Wong, Jess Hong, Liam Cunningham, Alex Sharp, Eiza González, with plenty of others who do an outstanding job portraying the struggles and the anxieties these characters face. I highly recommend The Three-Body Problem. It's visually impressive, it's suspenseful, has a stellar cast that brings this adaptation of this sci-fi masterpiece to life. They are coming. Who are they? That's the question. All right, so that's going to do it for a list today everybody. I hope there was a show on here that peaked your interest, something you can jump in and binge. You can check out our other recommendations right here. And I know everybody says this, but take a second to like and subscribe to the channel. It does help us get our recommendations out to others looking for great shows and movies that they can watch from home. Thanks again. Have a great day.
