Thought I’d preview some of the shows in my TBW pile and sneak preview those whose release I’m looking forward to soon. Hopefully, you see something you like here as well. I’d also love to hear your recommendations.

Scott and Bailey s#4

Waiting On: Scott and Bailey season #4. The girls are both after the same promotion!

Justified s#6

Waiting On: Ralen-Cool and Silver-Tongue Crowder: I just watched Justified series #5, which was brilliant, and now I’m hanging out for series #6, which I believe will be the last. I’ll be reviewing #5 soon, but suffice to say it was riveting, and kind of sad as Ralen inevitably becomes as hardened and dysfunctional as his father.

Braquo s#3

Watching: I’m watching this right now and it’s good to see Eddie Caplan, Roxanne, and Walter again. Theo lies critically ill in hospital and his friends are out for revenge. Braquo puts the grit in gritty.

Engrenages s#5

Waiting On: I haven’t been able to find out anything about the new series other than it was filmed in 2013. It should be due to hit the shelves soon. I’m a huge Gregory Fitoussi fan, but I think I really watch this show for Caroline Proust’s character Laure Berthaud.

Line of Duty s#2

TBW: Keeley Hawes is in s2, and I’m keen to see how she plays out against Vicky McClure, the passionate and intense Internal Affairs cop.

Prisoners of War s#1

TBW: The Israeli series that Homeland is based on. I’ve really been looking forward to watching this one.

OMG goodness, what delightful anticipation… as you know, my love affair with good TV is ongoing. So much so that I’m excited to share with you my all time favourite theme songs. There are a couple of oldies included, but a lot of the really good stuff is relatively new. See if you agree with me…

12. This Life by Curtis Stigers and The Forest Rangers for Sons of Anarchy theme

Kind of anarchic and bluesy at the same time.

11. Gangstagrass Ft. Tone Z. for Justified

This grew on me slowly. Love the idea of gangsta Ralen.

10. Hawaii Five O theme

Still rush to the TV whenever I hear the opening sequence.

(more)

A long time ago, we used to be friends, but I haven’t heard from you lately at all – come on now, sugah, bring it on, bring it on. Just remember me when … ~The Dandy Warhols

My friends have been raving about this series for years, and I finally paid attention to them. I won’t give the whole story summary here; most of you who will read this, will already know what the series is about. Instead, I’ll talk about why I fell so instantly in love. Girl detective–well that part is a no brainer! But, as well, Veronica is just so damn super smart. How wonderful to find a TV series celebrating that a young girl is the smartest person in the room! Veronica is everything I love in female hero.

Watching Veronica think her way through her problems is an immensely empowering experience, and not one that normally ever happens in TV fiction. Kristen Bell was absolutely born for the role of Veronica and she’s been quoted as saying as much. Her supporting cast were perfect, none more so than Enrico Colantoni who plays her father, Keith Mars. (It’s been almost impossible to watch him any role since.) Jason Dohring is equally perfect as the smouldering and dysfunctional Logan Echolls, who never fails to drag Veronica into his dramas. And then there’re Weevil and Wallace and Mac–all wonderful characters who could’ve so easily been stereotypes, but weren’t. (Cream on the cake was having Charisma Carpenter in the cast–one of my favourite Hollywood people.)

I wish I’d come to this series earlier so I could have contributed to the Kick-starter campaign that raised around 6 million dollars to produce a movie (sadly it looks like they’ve only made a percentage of that back). And what a great movie it was…a delightfully satisfying full circle for Veronica, who comes to terms with who she really is, and what that means. Also, I found that the discussion about addiction was a very powerful way to end the story.

Oh, and as theme music goes… this is my all time number 1! (Which makes me think of another topic for a blog post.)

The Dandy Warhols – We Used to be Friends

The Series

The Pilot for Series 4

The Movie