I haven’t been watching much television recently as it’s been too hot to concentrate, alongside all the other extra-curricular activities - Glastonbury, Wimbledon, Goodwood FoS, etc. However, it’s been a while since I did a roundup of what I had previously watched, so there are still quite a few to catch up on. This is part one of a two part catchup for some of my recent viewing.

Stacey and Joe

This was such a frustrating watch. I’m not big on these reality shows that follow a famous couple around just because they’re famous, but I do love Stacey from Sort Your Life Out, so gave it a go. She was brilliant, hard working and sensible, occasionally scatty, but generally a good egg. Joe, whilst trying his best at all times, was frequently a liability, and generally just made Stacey’s life that little bit harder. Plus, wow that’s a lot of kids to deal with (including Joe!)

Toxic Town

This isn’t really a new story - ordinary people having to rally together to prove some kind of wrongdoing against government or industry - but it’s done really well. Jodie Whittaker is absolutely outstanding and it’s always good to tell these stories and raise awareness.

The Studio

I struggled with this - it was completely genius, and followed the recent trend of one-shots - but it was intense and claustrophobic, and I often found the camerawork a bit nauseating. However, the scripts were genius, the inside information brutal, and the guest stars excellent.

Your Friends & Neighbours

I loved it when Apple did a marketing campaign featuring Jon Hamm, desperately wanting to be in a successful Apple TV+ show and watching everyone else being on the network instead. Well, that wrong has been righted, and this show was amazing. You could never quite tell where it was going, the twists and turns surprising and stressful and brilliant. Worth every minute of it.

North of North

This was a surprising little comedy, hidden away on Netflix, that features an indigenous community in the Arctic circle. It’s funny without pointing fingers, and fascinating to see how people survive in such extreme conditions. Plus on top of that, family drama, career ambitions, and relationships ebbing and flowing throughout.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Another biopic style series that focuses on a controversial character - this time Kaitlyn Dever is excellent as Belle Gibson, a wellness guru who suggested she beat cancer using only alternative medicine. This was really well done but quite hard to watch, people going through extraordinarily difficult times and just wanting something to believe in.

The Four Seasons

An outrageously good relationship drama on Netflix, with just eight short episodes following a group of married friends as they holiday together through the seasons. I initially watched this for the return of Tina Fey and Steve Carrell, but I actually stayed for Will Forte and Colman Domingo who were excellent. It’s relatively tame, no huge swings in the plot, but just people navigating relationships that have a lot of history.

Part two of the catchup coming soon!