12 | Apple TV Bops 🍎

In this issue: The Morning Show, The Essex Serpent, The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray, Bad Sisters, Shrinking, and Ted Lasso.

Hello, Hello~

Apple prides itself on being the best in everything it does. So when it comes to its shows as well, let’s just say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

I am convinced that Apple TV is where actors go to level up because most of the shows I’m going to discuss below have some incredible performances lined up. Let’s dive in! 🍎¹

The Morning Show (S1-2)

Genre: Drama

Language: English

Gist: To cover up the scandal of The Morning Show’s host getting Me Too’d, the ambitious, explosive Bradley Jackson is brought in to fix the mess. Except, she doesn’t play according to anyone’s rules.

Review: S1 started out strong. They throw so many bombs at you that you have fun untangling the wires, seeing if you can stop it from detonating before it’s too late. You see characters that can bring the best and worst out of each other, and boy is it fun to peel off those layers. The main example here is our protagonists, Jennifer Aniston’s Alex and Reese Witherspoon’s Bradley, who have a compelling camaraderie — especially in how their idiosyncratic (and most times, opposing) ambitious female energies bounce off each other as they both make decisions that advances their career, but threaten their friendship. These are some of the best roles I’ve seen both actors play!
S2, however, felt a little directionless - all of which happens because the show tries to be gray and depict how complicated and multifaceted people are. But when you aren’t taking a stance, you risk not making an impact at all.

SYWT? Give S1 a go. Skip S2.

The Essex Serpent

Genre: Gothic Period Drama

Language: English

Gist: Cora Seaborne moves to Essex to investigate a mythical serpent that allegedly punishes all kinds of sinners.

Review: Inspired by Victorian monster sightings, The Essex Serpent examines what it’s like to live in a time that is straddling between modernity and superstition. This was a period where religion still held its stronghold but was constantly challenged by scientific discoveries and inventions. Cora catapults herself into this very whirlpool when she tries to find a logical explanation behind the disappearance of a young girl, whom the townsfolk believe has been taken away by a sea serpent as a punishment for her wayward behavior.
Being a recent widow, and worse yet, a woman, Cora has her work cut out for her as she tries to reason with the superstitious, godfearing townsfolk who charge at her with literal pitchforks.
A simmering gothic, an industrious woman, an ardent romance, there’s so much I loved about this series.

SYWT? I can’t recommend it enough!

The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray

Genre: Surreal Drama

Language: English

Gist: Dementia-afflicted Ptolemy chooses to try experimental medical drugs that will restore his memory so that he can solve his nephew’s death. The catch? After the effect of the drug wears off, he will lose his memories forever.

Review: This haunting, fantasy-laden, dark drama is not something you expect from Samuel L Jackson — especially when you watch him go from the badass-pirate-dude from the Avengers to a geriatric, pitiable grandpa who gets robbed in broad daylight.
Other than the mystery surrounding the nephew’s death, the show also revolves around Ptolemy’s unactualized desires, like finding the family treasure he’d heard about during his childhood or moving past the death of his wife. Ptolemy’s parallel of giving into experimental medicine to find all the answers he seeks, makes us ponder upon whether we’re willing to risk it all as well for that one moment of clarity.
This journey is profound and at times, pricks you, because many of life’s truths are hard to digest … but it’s definitely a story you haven’t seen before.

SYWT? Give it a go!

Bad Sisters

Genre: Crime/ Dark Comedy

Language: English

Gist: The Garvey sisters are really happy that their brother-in-law, John Paul, is dead. It’s probably because one of them killed him!

Review: With the five sisters having their own individual plotlines, there are enough suspects to speculate about as you try to deduce which one of them could’ve killed John Paul and when/how/why. Piecing together this mystery is perhaps the only entertaining bit… because after the initial thrill of solving the murder, you start getting tired of how cumbersome the story is getting. Sure, there’s some humor in how every sister unabashedly comes up with a plan to kill their BIL, but that shtick too dies faster than their actual attempts.
Overall verdict? You’ll enjoy the women empowerment vibes but will wish for it to have been only 6-7 episodes long.

SYWT? Skip if you have better things to watch.

Shrinking

Genre: Comedy Drama

Language: English

Gist: A recently windowed therapist² lets his intrusive thoughts get the better of him, which makes for some very unorthodox therapy sessions.

Review: With all of therapy’s (usually dreary) portrayal in media, one doesn’t expect that a comical take would go this well. I certainly didn’t expect it! So many things that can go wrong!
And yet, I truly enjoyed this show like no other! Fair warning: It will take you 1-2 episodes to get into the groove, but it has some nice, messy (cringy?) adult humor, a lot of character development, and enough lessons to take to bed that reassures you you’re not alone in this three-steps-forward-two-steps-back healing process.
(My favourite character is the mom-neighbour and I need her in my life!! Watch the show and you’ll know why).

SYWT? I’m putting this on your prescription.

Ted Lasso (S1-3)

Genre: Comedy Drama

Language: English

Gist: Unbeknownst to Ted, Rebecca hires him as a football coach to sabotage the club that her ex-husband loves and used to owe. But what started as revenge soon turns into a journey of healing, all thanks to the Lasso way.

Review: If a show and a character were a hug, it would be Ted Lasso.
One of my favourite parts has always been how the show takes a very healthy, non-problematic approach to the storylines — no unnecessary drama or conflict for the sake of keeping it entertaining or driving the plot forward.
My second takeaway from the show is about how your life can be enriched by the people you meet, however briefly, and what you can do for them in return. These two points (amongst many others) is what resonated with the viewers: it isn’t a nice show about football; it is a kind show that allows you to hit pause and really process life, be it trying to achieve something as simple as scoring a goal or being the bigger person in front of your narcissistic serial-cheating ex-husband. (What a range, I know!)
The dialogues can sometimes miss its mark with the references being too obtusely American, but all the characters are wholesome, lovable and comical enough that you have a good laugh every other scene. You’re also gonna end up wanting to adopt half of them, they’re that charming.
Lastly… Fútbol is life!

SYWT? Without a doubt.

Been a little sad that Ted Lasso came to an end this week 😔 But Apple TV keeps coming out with new hits every other month, so do expect a Part 2, 3 and what have you. I know I’ll be waiting for my next fix!

If you enjoyed watching any of the shows, do fangirl with me in the comments :)

Before I go:

1. How much does our opinion on Taylor Swift’s dating life matter? (Yes, all that recent Matt Healy stuff). A take.

2. If you’d like to read the previous issues, here’s a link to SYWT’s archive.

3. Looking for any title in particular? Cue the database — This has the list of movies/TV shows covered so far with ratings and links to the newsletters they were reviewed in.

4. What’s stuck in my head:

Sayonara,

sal.

1. I know the term “bop” is only used for songs. Just let me go rogue.

2. Let’s just also remember that this is fiction, and any real therapist doing this would get suspended.