Over the summer, there were a few TV shows that kept me sane throughout the chaos of COVID and online classes. The artistry in these shows and the powerful messages they promote have taken my breath away, and reminded me of the power that art has to genuinely impact its audience long after a show is over. Below are four of my favourites, each masterful in their own niche.
- Big Little Lies
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Simply put, this show is phenomenal. The cast is absolutely stacked, starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, and Laura Dern among other trailblazing women. It’s jumps from flashbacks to the present after a murder in an idyllic town, and the twists and turns were genuinely shocking. The show delves into the lives of each character, and definitely speaks to the power and versatility of womanhood, and how female energy manifests in different circumstances. The relationships – both romantic and familial – have depth and nuance, and seem to reveal our deepest fears about ourselves through each character’s internal struggle. Meryl Streep even signed on for the second season of the show, so you know it has to be well-done.
- New Girl
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New Girl is back on Netflix. As someone who never watched the show to begin with, I couldn’t help but be taken by Jess’ extremely quirky, witty, and adorable personality. Though I’m only two seasons in, Zooey Deschanel manages to portray an eccentric lead character that never annoys me, and is consistently bringing fresh humour to the show. The juxtaposition between Jess and her three male roommates is hilarious while expected; it’s a sort of show that will always lift your spirits, and fill your screen with endless positivity and joy. Whereas some of the other shows on this list are dark and complex, New Girl is simple and predictable for all of the right reasons.
- Euphoria
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Everyone has been raving about Euphoria lately, and it deserves the hype. Not only is the plot compelling, but everything in the show is heightened: the emotions, the makeup, the outfits, the relationships, and the stakes. Watching it sometimes feels like a high intensity challenge, sometimes to the point where you have to take a break between episodes. Everyone on the show is attractive for different reasons, and the representation in the cast is noticeable but effortless – they stray away from labels and stereotypes, using makeup and fashion as a way to represent the surface-level personalities of each character without directly stating anything. Starring Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie, and Hunter Schafer, Euphoria transports me from my Calgary bedroom into a completely different universe. It’s the perfect escape from reality.
- Little Fires Everywhere
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This show is an incredibly acted, directed, and written portrayal of subtle racial tensions and microaggressions. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, the two powerhouses portray completely different characters who serve as the perfect opposition to one another. Witherspoon plays Elena – the ideal 90’s working mother, whose ignorance permeates her attempts at “charity” and understanding. Washington, who plays Mia, is an elusive Black artist who challenges the fundamental structure of Elena’s life because of her nomadic, creative lifestyle. The race and class tensions make it impossible to stop watching, and the show weaves in poignant moments of privilege that made me feel seen and validated in a way no show ever has before.