Series you've recently watched, are now watching or have given up on

Dublin Murders

Based on Tana French’s bestselling Dublin Murder Squad books.

On Prime and Netflix

I read some news about the series. Netflix viewers are watching and enjoying the series.

I started watching on Prime.

Two detectives try to solve a murder of a young dancer. Coincidentally it occured in exactly the same place as the disappearance of three children 20 years earlier. The male detective is connected to that disappearance.

First episode is free. They got me hooked and I bought season 1.

Watched the first 4 Dublin Murders episodes. 4 to go.

It’s based on two Tana French books. There’s at least three or more different mysteries that the detectives are working on.

The complex plot kept my eyes riveted to the screen.

The characters are equally intriguing. Both detectives have secrets in their past that’s slowly revealed in the episodes.

I highly recommend that people watch this series.

I’m thinking about reading the Murder Squad books too.

The Murder Squad books are excellent, I especially loved Faithful Place, which featured Frank, the undercover detective boss. I think Covid killed the series continuation but I hope one day they revive it.

America’s Culinary Cup (CBS) Padma Lakshmi, who spent a decade or so as the host of Food Network’s Top Chef culinary competition show, is back. With another culinary competition show. Kinda been-there-done-that, and it’s less interesting than the original (for instance, they took away all the local flavor that influenced the competition in Top Chef. It takes place in an anonymous sterile location.)

The only interesting thing is that I would betcha that the show had a last minute title change. Every episode features what they call one of the “Ten Culinary Commandments” - for instance, episode 3: “the third commandment is …. sauces!” I bet they really wanted to call the show The Ten Commandments but somebody at the network got cold feet.

I just finished Jury Duty, and as everybody has said, they really lucked out with the “patsy” they got. It wasn’t hilariously funny, but it was good and even a bit heartwarming.

As a victim, er, participant in many juries across L.A. County, I wouldn’t have worked out for them. It was obviously not a real courtroom, and neither was their jury assembly room. There was no courtroom reporter! In episode 7 (the penultimate) the judge says “strike that from the record” but there’s nobody recording it! Also, every bailff in every courtroom I’ve been in has worn a gun. But minor quibbles. It was a fun show. The final episode was a real hoot. Nice to see the actors as themselves. And cool that they gave a Ronald a big pile of money.

They are very careful. Watch season 1 of Joe Schmo Show. The guy was so charming and likeable, the cast felt terrible to be fooling him.

Not a series, but I watched Jurassic World Rebirth on Netflix. The sequels are mediocre at best, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one — though that may partially due to low expectations. Not great but I don’t regret watching it.

Brian

I got slighty irritated that the judge kept telling the patsy that he was responsible for the conduct of the jury members. The older lady kept falling asleep.

I’m pretty sure the jury Foreman doesn’t have that responsibility?

Link How to Meet Jury Foreman Responsibilities | Legal Beagle

I’ve been rewatching the Jack Ryan series. It’s almost like Trump watched this series and decided to base his foreign policy on it. First season was about Venezuela and its resources and overthrowing the government. The second one is about Moscow encroaching on Ukraine.

I don’t think they were going for a realistic portrayal of jury duty.

They were putting pressure on the patsy for humorous effect.

I felt sorry for the guy instead of laughing.

I liked James Marsden playing the self-absorbed celebrity. His improv talking with
Ron Glaðden was impressive.

A lot of courtrooms have switched over to digital recording.

Was there a large wave of layoffs in that industry?

Idk, but recording quality has improved, and evidently there had been a shortage of court reporters. I know that the pay had been going down as courts realized they didn’t have to rely on them.

I’m assuming he plays a version of himself? Because I’d recognise him if I was the one being tricked and it would all fall apart.

Correct.

We watched the first episode of a new Netflix horror miniseries called Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. Executive produced by the Duffer brothers (makers of Stranger Things).

An engaged couple is driving to his parents’ house so she can meet them. On the way, they stop at a rest stop and very weird stuff happens. Then they get to the parents’ house and things stay weird. It’s a very creepy, surreal show. Not much more I can say without spoiling things, but I get the distinct impression that, well, something very bad is going to happen. I think we will keep watching.

Ah. Makes sense. It’s been a while. I’m probably getting too old for them now. But my sister who’s only 17 months younger was just called again for Federal Court jury duty. That’s where she went last time, and she actually enjoyed it. So, she wasn’t too upset to be called again.

We are 3 episodes into that. The first one was very slow but worth ploughing through. It’s still slow but it’s working up to something and I like the atmosphere it’s generating. Although (mild spoiler for eps 2 and 3)

Rachel’s characterisation shift is a little strange. She is a complete nervous wreck (quite understandably, in fairness) but then her professionalism from being a part-qualified psycho-therapist, or whatever her title is, kicks in rather quickly. Didn’t entirely buy that to be honest).

Oh and (something from ep 1)

What the heck is going on with her in the box at the end of the bed?! Very weird, and clearly going to come up again in some fashion later on.

Some things I picked up on/questions in my head - you may not want to click on this blurred box

The mum says she wants to be buried with all her family. Sounds like some not very subtle foreshadowing.

Portia says something to Rachel like ‘I’m going to burn you alive’ (seemed like a massive overreaction/something very weird to say)

Is there some plotting going on against Rachel (and the English wife?). If so I bet the ‘nice’ fiancé is involved.

Watched the final episode of Paradise season 2 last night. Woah! Without spoiling much, it’s an action-packed, ‘edge of your seat’ season finale, similar to the penultimate episode of season one. It also introduces a new sci-fi element to the show, and sets up a possible season 3 story arc.

I hope it does get picked up for a third season.