Got nothing on your watch list for the weekend? Here are 3 shows worth your time and if you haven’t watched them yet you’re definitely missing out!
Bored, exhausted after a tiring and long week? Believe us you are not the only one! If you are wanting to unwind by tuning in to a good TV or Netflix series you have come to the right place! We bring you three series you can binge-watch over the weekend!
Shadow and Bone- A must watch fantasy epic
Shadow and Bone has been the talk of the town for a long time now. It has trended globally and has licensed people to once again embark on a journey to a fantasy world with its own good and evils, right and wrongs. The eight-episode series is an adaptation of the books, Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. The mystery drama has the backdrop set in a fantasy world of Ketterdam Ravka, Shu Han, and Fjerda. The series is developed by Eric Heisserer.
The plot focuses on Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a cartographer in the First Army of Ravka. Half-Shu, an orphan, and a friend to defend (Mal), Alina always has enough on her plate to deal with until one day she discovers some hidden secrets of her own identity. While she struggles to accept her new true self, she has to survive in a foreign world where her friends and enemies are indistinguishable and before she knows she is the only hope to reunite the world and destroy the Shadow Fold- an area with unnavigable darkness, ruled by monsters and for centuries has separated East and West Ravka.
Meanwhile, in the land of Ketterdam, 3 thieves set on their own adventure for a million Kruge to kidnap the sun-summoner, Alina Starkov. Each of them has a different story and mission of their own. Together, they make the dream team. But will they be able to successfully complete their job or will unexpected twists and initiation of emotions destroy their plan?
The story is well-knitted and will keep the audience hooked till the very end. All six main protagonists have room to grow and their unique character traits make us fall for them.
Leigh Bardugo amiably took her audience on a journey along with her where they were able to join her on a quest of unresolved mysteries and unanswered questions. And while each character tried to navigate through their own set of problems we got to see them evolve into personalities we despised and simultaneously adored for we saw in them a human, imperfect like all of us.
Fun Fact: One of the story’s six protagonists, master thief and gang boss Kaz Brekker’s character trait of using a cane is inspired by the writer’s own life, who suffers from osteonecrosis and at times, needs to use a cane.
Sherlock – A quest with a ‘consulting detective’
Produced by the British network BBC, Sherlock is a British crime television series based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes detective stories. It is a 4 part series consisting of a total of 13 episodes. Each episode is a separate sub-plot of the whole series in which Sherlock with his partner, Dr Watson (Martin Freeman) solves crimes. Great execution, well-knit storyline, and brilliant acting make the show a must-watch. Each episode keeps you hooked till the last second as you wait for the story to unwrap. As you progress from season to season you find yourself solving the crimes and establishing your own conclusions to the dissonant and uncomprehending mysteries.
Known for its marvellous execution the show has been nominated for numerous prestigious awards including the Emmys, BAFTAs and a Golden Globe, winning several awards across a variety of categories. The third series of Sherlock became the UK’s most-watched drama series since 2001. In addition to this, the actors won their fair share of awards with Cumberbatch winning the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, Freeman winning the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie and Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special for Moffat. Thus, it won’t be wrong to say that the actors became a pillar holding the show together.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes was exceptional! No matter how challenging it might seem, Benedict effortlessly delivered his role while maintaining all the complexities of his character.
Perhaps the reason why Sherlock was loved was due to the complex nature of the character of Sherlock himself and how Benedict, through his body language and expressions made us understand him better. We saw Sherlock turning from a sociopath to a son, a best friend, a godfather a brother and perhaps a human (well at times). Moreover, his relationship with Dr Watson and how they became invaluable to each other as they solved crimes together made them one of our favourite duos on-screen.
Fiction, drama and mystery- a combined package in one show which makes Sherlock a must watch!
Medici – Time travel to witness the history of the bankers
Medici is a historical drama available on Netflix. It narrates the story of the Medici family who were the bankers of the Pope, during Renaissance Florence. The show consists of three seasons and each follows the events of a particular moment of the family history exploring the political and artistic landscape of Renaissance Italy.
The first season sheds light on the event of the lives of Cosimo de’ Medici who succeeds his father, Giovanni de’ Medici as the head of the family bank which is the richest bank in Europe at that time. The young Cosimo is forced to take on the role which he was destined for and as he struggles to sustain the power of his family bank and establish a strong position in Florence’s Signoria. Cosimo has to overcome many obstacles including betrayal, conspiracies but above all battle against his own heart. Set in the backdrop of Florence, highlighting the political scenario of the 1400s, Medici is a great watch especially if you are a fan of historical fiction. The political thriller reflects on the internal politics going inside the family and shows Cosimo’s life inside the walls of his home. A spellbinding element of the season was Cosimo’s equation with his wife, Contessina de Bardi- a wife and a woman dedicated to her family. The actress, Annabel Scholey played the role of Contessina beautifully and showed how she was an important force in a world ruled by men and how she aided her husband in navigating through the numerous challenges he faced.
The rest of the two seasons follow the life of Cosimo’s son Lorenzo-A young determined man who takes the responsibility as the head of the family with grace. The two season’s continue to show Lorenzo’s political and personal challenges and how the politics of Florence change during that time.
Despite the show being centered around the biggest bankers of Italy, the story managed to portray the significant role played by the women in the family who were a shield which made the men impenetrable to any harm. The show successfully showed how these women had a major role to play even behind doors. Women like Contessina and Clarice are still an inspiration of how they carried themselves in a man’s world.
Medici will keep you hooked, providing the much needed entertainment after a day’s work!
Well, here we come to the end of the list. Did you find the show that you would like to tune in for this weekend? Will it be the fantasy world of Shadow and Bone, or the political saga, Medici or will it be the unsolved crimes and mysteries with Sherlock? Do let us know!
