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Patrick Melrose, 1983, The Haunting of Hill House – 5 must watch shows on the web!
Abhishek Srivastava picks his favourites from those web series which have not got the attention they deserve.
When it comes to TV series, the general discourse through the year has only revolved around the big tickets. Stranger Things, Narcos, Sacred Games, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel hogged both, the limelight and dinner table conversations. But hidden amidst them were plenty of gems which failed to initiate conversation, and in the absence of any promotion, remained confined to the heaps of content on various platforms. Here are five gems which remain largely unexplored but make for a riveting watch.
The Haunting of Hill House
(The Haunting of Hill House is streaming currently on Netflix)
Most of the series on Netflix often carry some sort of noise and hoopla around them. It’s strange that when The Haunting of Hill House landed on Netflix, most did not have a clue. The appeal of Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s classic novel from 1959 lies in its old world charm which has virtually disappeared from the horizon, and has now been replaced by slasher and gory horror. The series deals with a family which is torn apart by a supernatural presence in their house, which takes a toll on each individual member. The novel on which this series is based is considered by many as a benchmark in the haunted house genre. According to Stephen King, the only two novels worthy of being dubbed ‘great’ in the supernatural realm in the past 100 years are The Turn of the Screw and The Haunting of Hill House. It’s recommended that this non-linear series should not be watched alone at night!
1983
(1983 is streaming currently on Netflix)
Though Joshua Long is the showrunner of 1983, two episodes of the series have been directed by Agnieszka Holland, a revered figure in Polish film circles who was also nominated for an Oscar in the category of best writing and screenplay for her Europa Europa. Though Agnieszka has directed only two episodes out of the eight, the finesse and her stamp is evident in the entire series. The series is dystopian and imagines a Poland in which communism never fell. The very theme and the premise is eerie to say the least. The series is set in 2003 and begins with a terrorist attack that took place 20 years back. The Cold War never ended in the series. 1983 is a riveting watch and the Polish language should not be a deterrence. If you are fond of past international events, it’s a disturbing show to say the least.
Patrick Melrose
(Patrick Melrose is streaming currently on Hotstar Premium)
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers his career’s best performance in Patrick Melrose. Based on the Patrick Melrose novels by Edward Aubyn, the mini-series is a terrific watch. The first episode deals with two days in the life of Patrick in 1982, with flashes of his wretched childhood. Cumberbatch is so immersed in the character that by the time you are done with episode one, you can imagine no one except him playing the character. David Nicholls who has penned films like One Day, Starters for 10 and Far from the Madding Crowd in the past, has turned Aubyn’s creation into a disturbing and poignant character. The corruption in the British upper class too has been captured perfectly. If nothing that’s mentioned here appeals to you, watch it for the sheer brilliance of Benedict Cumberbatch.
Better Call Saul
(Better Call Saul is streaming currently on Netflix)
Some might find it strange to see Better Call Saul as part of this list, as the prequel to Breaking Bad has just got over with its fourth season. Though the series has been gathering all the love since the time it started airing, Indian audiences have somehow maintained a distance from it. Better Call Saul might not appeal to those in the audience who are looking for pace. The appeal of Jimmy McGill’s antics is a slow burner and therein lies the series’ appeal. The ease with which the series navigates between the past and the present is never inconsistent and every character is well crafted. It’s a pity that Bob Odenkirk was nominated for three consecutive years at the Golden Globes in the category of Best Performance By An Actor In A TV Series, but remained unlucky everytime. (Spoiler ahead) The series deals with the transformation of Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman – and this happening only at the end of season four, says a lot about the pace of the series! Better Call Saul is closest to what defines a perfect series.
Escape at Dannemora
(Escape at Dannemora is streaming currently on Hotstar Premium)
One single reason to watch the show could solely be its star cast. Benicio Del Toro, Paul Dano and Patricia Arquette headline the series. The mini-series is based on a true prison break story that hogged the limelight in American newspapers in 2015. Arquette plays Tilly Mitchell, a married prison worker who falls in love with two inmates and helps them escape the confines of the prison. The pace of Escape at Dannemora might put off many but the patience is bound to yield fruits. Del Toro as Richard Matt for whom painting is a passion, is riveting, and so is Arquette. It’s a thrilling ride that’s guaranteed to slowly suck you in.
