RECENT TV WATCHES

                                                 

3 FAVOURITE RECENT TV SERIES

1. 'THE PACT' - BBC
'An unexplained death - and five friends bound together by a fragile pact of silence. What really happened that night in the woods?' 
If you like a drama, this series is for you. Crime thriller, six one hour episodes. The cast alone makes it worth watching, starring the likes of Julie Hesmondhalgh, Eddie Marsan, Laura Fraser and Gabrielle Creevy. As the story unfolds you're left on the edge of your seat, holding your breath or gasping in shock. Faced with hair raising twists and turns, the journey follows four female employees at a Brewery in Wales, exploring the overwhelmingly suspicious circumstances surrounding the murder of their boss Jack Evans. 

At the start of the series, boss Jack organises a party, but after crossing the line with one of the workers and getting very drunk, the four women take revenge and it all goes terribly wrong. As you observe their actions, you become close to them as a viewer, holding on as you hold onto their secrets with them. It's incredibly enticing to watch, despite the discomfort at times, when you think you've established the full picture, another twist comes along. The acting is incredible, and it's written very well by Pete McTighe. 

Some dramas can end with a predictable close, but the ending to this wasn't expected. It's full of all the uncomfortable, intense human emotions, guilt, fear, and betrayal, but that's what makes it such an exciting watch. But despite the lies told and the heart racing moments, it's also very moving, testing love, connections and trust. I was fully engrossed from start to finish.

2. 'FEEL GOOD' CHANNEL 4 & NETFLIX
This series is everything and more. Each series has six episodes, running at twenty to thirty minutes. It follows stand-up comedian Mae Martin as she navigates her passionate, messy relationship with her girlfriend George, while dealing with the challenges of her mental health and addictions. A semi-autobiographical comedy series from comedian Mae Martin, `Feel Good' is a deeply personal and poignant story about the unique pressures of navigating the modern-day fluid landscape of gender and sexuality. 

Written by Mae Martin herself, she takes on the role of Mae beside Charlotte Ritchie who plays George. Series 2 has recently been released, but series 1 is still available to catch up on first if you're yet to watch that. It's a beautiful watch. Equally heart-warming and hilarious as it is heart-breaking and emotional. You quickly become engaged in their relationship as well as empathetic to their personal battles, following their relationship through its highs and lows and Mae's journey through recovery, rehab and discovering herself. It's extremely human and tackles both the euphoria and challenges that come with relationships. It's very brave, the topics of addiction, anxiety and caring for ones mental health are both raw and honest. An exploration of trauma that provides a lesson or two in both awareness and empathy for the viewer. 

It's fierce and full of perfectly thought out complexity and layers, just as life is. Despite the heavy topics covered, this series feels gentle, it's warming and life affirming. It's a tender and delicate love story with an undercurrent of pain. It reminds me of the power love can have and the impact others can have on us. A reminder to be who you are and love who you wish to love. It makes you 'feel good' as the title of the series suggests. It's written and executed beautifully. Bittersweet.

3. 'STARSTRUCK' BBC 
'A drunken New Year's Eve hook-up becomes far more complicated for Jessie when she discovers her one night stand is actually a film star.' Six episodes, each one twenty minutes. If you're a fan of light-hearted comedy, this is for you. Fleabag kind of style. Rose Matafeo plays the lead beside Nikesh Patel, both equally brilliant. It's real, following Jessie, a millennial trying to navigate her life in East London, as she meets Tom on a night out. There's a relatable awkwardness when they first meet as there is when two people meet for the first time. It's honest and a reflection of a relatable reality. 

Blissfully natural, which makes it even more entertaining and comedic throughout. You watch their relationship progress as it initially starts as just a one night stand, two worlds collide as they come from very different lifestyles and backgrounds. It's funny, heart-warming and hopeful romantic comedy. Charming, the comedic timing is on point and great writing. A positive reminder that you never know who you're going to meet and what impact they could have on your life, that the unknown in life can be exciting.