Your Friday Five: 03.15.25
If you are like me, every once in a while you need to take a break to recharge. Sometimes that means physical activity, sometimes it means sleeping in, sometimes it means being out in nature, and sometimes it means plopping down on the couch with a plate full of cheese and watch episode after episode of vapid, funny, drippy, or thrilling show until you either fall asleep face first into said fromage or get shamed by that, "Are you STILL watching TV you lazy SOB" message from your streaming service.
When I am fully in my couch-tater mode, I say, eff that, because yes, I am still watching, and I will not be shamed into having my empathy, rage, and productivity brain-heart-soul-machine move at 100mph 24/7. Not gonna do it. After all, we all need to take time to dial it down, suspend reality for an evening (or a day), step into another space, and recharge. So for this week's Friday + Five, here are five recently-ish binged shows that have provided me with some escape.
Please note that I stay away from shows that require deep thought or emotional investment, so no The Bear, The Wire, or most other one-word shows that may be very good, but exhaust me emotionally 😄 Also note that there are more than five that I could have listed, because the world has been terrible, requiring much rejuevenating couch and cheese time.
COST NOTE: We currently have the Hulu+Disney+Max Package ($29.99), Netflix ($17.99), Prime Video ($8.99), Apple TV (Free w/phone plan), and Paramount+ ($9.99, but just cancelled).
Here we go . . .
ONE || North of North on Netflix
Official Description: A young Inuk woman wants to build a new future for herself after a spontaneous and extremely public exit from her marriage. It won't be easy in a small Arctic town where everybody knows your business.
This was such a great blend of culture, humor, and humanity. Some of the characters were appropriately over the top, but you really did fall in love with pretty much everyone and found yourself rooting for the entire community.
Fun Netflix Honorable Mentions: Running Point, The Four Seasons, and The Residence.
TWO || Paradise on Hulu
Official Description: The series follows Secret Service agent Xavier Collins as he investigates the murder of the President, Cal Bradford, while also uncovering the unsettling truth about "Paradise" and its purpose.
An exception to my one-word show avoidance, OMG, this is a good one. I can't say much about it without spoiling it, but OMG, the first episode is a doozy. Sterling K. Brown is amazing and is one of those actors who, in my eyes, can do no wrong, and James Marsden was excellent as the tortured President. You hate the villains and each episode leaves you craving one more. Block out lots of time for this one.
SciFi Honorable Mentions: Alien: Earth on FX/Hulu, which, just two episodes in, and I am hooked. How many ways can so many different aliens take out so many humans? I guess we'll find out. I would also say take a gander at Apple TV's Silo and Murderbot, both good watches.
THREE || The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix
Based on The Lincoln Lawyer book series by Michael Connelly, who doesn't like beautiful people and courtroom dramas? Seriously, everyone is gorgeous. There have been three seasons, so at this point, we have gotten to know the main characters pretty well and are now invested in their lives and choices. It's a show with some good family drama, fun platonic banter, and engaging romantic chemistry. This is another one where the ending of each episode has you looking at your couchmate with that, "Just one more?" look of inquiry.
FOUR || Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+
Once our Paramount+ subscription runs out, I'll miss this Star Trek installment. This one follows Captain Pike and a young Kirk, and the cast and storyline have been a lot of fun. This may be my favorite version of Spock ever, and the musical episode was one of my favorites.
Paramount+ Honorable Mention: SkyMed, a medical drama based in Canada about pilots and nurses who serve communities in far-reaching places. Some good stuff around culture, community, and so much drama.
FIVE || Sullivan's Crossing on CW/Netflix
No TV/Movie list from me would be complete without some drippy romance because I love me a good romance or romcom. Sullivan's Crossing is everything you want in one of these: city girls return home, mystery man, family secrets revealed, people's making poor choices, meet cute, miscommunications, more bad choices, outrageous trauma bonding, communal victories, separation, reunion, laughter, tears, it really is better than Cats 😄 Not sure why this one kept me for all three seasons when others have not, but it did. Maybe there is a Canada thing going on (North of North and SkyMed) as this is another on set in the nature of our neighbor to the north.
K-Drama Romance Honorable Mentions: Crash Landing on You, Something In the Rain, and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha all on Netflix.
Peace,
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From the Camera Roll: Robin and I recently went to the Santa Clara Country Fair. It was all that a county fair should be: many sweaty humans, suspect carnival rides, local food contests, lots of random stage entertainment, and oh so much friend foods. Growing up in Sacramento, where we had the California State Fair, I always enjoyed going and seeing the large animals and livestock exhibits. My school and a Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, so it was lovely to see all of the young folks sharing information about the animals that they had been raising for milk and meat.
Now it is not often that you learn about or see animals that you have never heard of or seen before, but there are earless goats. Some signs clearly said, "We did not do this to them" as I am sure the farmers were accused of mutilating them. They are officially American LaMancha goats and are bred for milking.
TBH, not so cute without ears.
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