You have no idea!
At tvplus, we watch an absurd amount of television. And while we might not like all of it, we do our best to give every show a fair viewing. But it’s not all work. We do get passionately attached to shows.
Streaming allows us to follow series and binge to our hearts’ delight, and also fit our favourite shows in around all the live TV viewing that we do professionally. It allows us to sit back with a sweet, funny pickme-up after reviewing intense dramas and thrillers on dark topics. And sometimes it just lets us switch off and enjoy for a moment when we’re neckdeep in season 4 of a twisty, detail-driven show with 40 different essential characters.
This issue, here’s what tvplus is watching for fun… and why.
Name: Genevieve Terblanche. Position: Senior writer. I would have been exploring strange new worlds right now, but COVID-19 happened.
I am watching: Season 1 (of 2 so far) of the animated series Star Trek Lower Decks on Amazon Prime Video.
My take on this show: This animated comedy is set in the world of the Star Trek series, which has been on air in a variety of forms since the 1960s. We’re aboard the Federation Star Ship The Cerritos, but we’re not watching anyone boldly do anything from the bridge. Instead, we’re much, much lower down in the ship, running the day-to-day maintenance and grunt work with four wet-behind-the-ears crew members. Aboard the Cerritos, there’s no such thing as an “ordinary” day, and all the excitement and adventure spill over in gross and glorious detail.
My favourite moment so far: Hands down, episode 9 when Ensign Mariner (see below) uses the ship’s holodeck to create her own Star Trek movie, starring herself as the villain. The ridiculously long introduction shot just gets more and more absurd as you watch.
Why I am watching it now: I saw it while working on the previous issue’s copy and as a lifelong Trekkie, I thought, “mine”. Familiar faces: Everyone is animated so not so much, but Tawny Newsome (Angela in series Space Force) voices Ensign Beckett Mariner.
Name: Lucia Poolman. Position: Editor who wants to get lost in a fairytale.
I am watching: The Hobbit movie trilogy on Showmax.
My take on this show: Okay, so I’m cheating – it’s not a series. But it feels like one since we watch it in 20-minute instalments. I read the book by JRR Tolkien (1937) in university and ever since I have had a fondness for the Hobbit who helped the dwarves to reclaim their land – and find The One Ring that’s featured in The Lord Of The Ring movies. Visually it’s a feast and I get lost in the scenery. It’s gruesome with ugly Orcs and vicious fighting scenes, but the story will whisk you away from reality.
My favourite moment so far: When Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, played by Martin Freeman
(read more below), fits the ring on his finger for the first time. And I do like the creature Smeagol/Gollum…
Why I am watching it now:
I hated the first Lord Of The Ring movie in 2001. It was way before I appreciated good fantasy/sci-fi onscreen. I feel I owe it to pop culture to watch it all again.
Familiar faces: Martin is known for many roles, like Dr John Watson in the series Sherlock. Sir Ian McKellen shines as the Wizard Gandalf (known for his role as Magneto in all the X-Men movies). Sean Bean (Mark Cobden in miniseries Time – see p53) plays unlucky warrior Boromir – he dies.
Name: Andrea Lewis.
Position: Scheduler who’s remembering to laugh and lean into joy as the year tails off.
I am watching: Documentary Robin’s Wish on Showmax.
My take on this show: It gives answers to what led to the untimely and tragic suicide of beloved genius actor and comedian Robin Williams in 2014. Medical professionals teach us about neurodegenerative disorder Lewy Body Dementia, which was a contributing factor to his death. And Robin’s wife, friends and colleagues talk about the agonising mental and physical struggles he was dealing with. It’s heart-breaking as we get a glimpse of the man and not the actor he was.
My favourite moment so far:
The interviews with Robin and hearing from his neighbours from the ordinary (and not gated celebrity) neighbourhood he lived in in San Francisco.
Why I am watching it now: He’s still one of my favourite actors. The films Hook, Aladdin and Mrs Doubtfire were literally on repeat during my childhood. And then I appreciated his more dramatic work like films Dead Poet’s Society and Good Will Hunting as an adult. Side note: My brother’s name is Robin and they always make me think of each other.
Familiar faces: TV writer and producer (and actress Michelle Pfeiffer’s husband) David E Kelley, who created Robin’s TV series The Crazy Ones.
Name: Ipeleng Rakgantsho. Position: A writer who enjoys watching videos of celebrities reading Thirst Tweets.
I am watching: Season 1 of reality show Temptation Island SA (TISA) on Showmax.
My take on this show: Hosted by controversial local TV and radio personality Phat Joe, TISA follows four couples who’ve agreed to put their romance to the ultimate test by dating a group of hot singles. The couples are separated into two villas, in which they live and go on dates with 10 attractive singles of the opposite sex. At the end of their journey, the couples decide if they want to leave Paradise together, with a hot single, or alone. Throughout the experience, the couples attend bonfire sessions where they are shown clips of their partners connecting with a hot single. There are tears, heartbreak and many twists.
My favourite moment so far: In episode 1, the hot singles introduce themselves to the couples with pick-up lines. Some are corny, while others are jarring. Why I am watching it now: I enjoy watching dating shows and our local version of this show doesn’t disappoint – and the hot singles aren’t holding back on seducing the couples either. I’m here for the drama.
Familiar faces: MJ Maponya from Moja Love’s (*157) hit reality show The Way Ngingakhona and his girlfriend Nthabiseng “Nthabi” Maphago are one of the couples in the show.
Name: Craig Falck. Position: Deputy editor who ate his weight in cake recently. And loved every bite.
I am watching: Season 1 of dark comedy slasher horror series Chucky on Showmax.
My take on this show: It’s set after the seventh movie in the ’80s Child’s Play franchise and follows a murderous child’s doll named Chucky, who houses the voodoo-reincarnated spirit of a serial killer. The series sees school loser Jake (Zachary Arthur, Zack Novak in drama series Transparent) buy Chucky at a yardsale, unaware of what he’s getting himself into: Armed with a carving knife, Chucky is going to teach Jake’s bullies a lesson about cruelty. It’s exactly like the Archie comics reboot series Riverdale in cinematography and has a killer soundtrack featuring music’s it-girl Billie Eilish in almost every episode. My favourite moment so far: Episode 1 when Chucky, posing as a ventriloquist doll, tears into Jake’s bully Lexy (Alyvia Alyn Lind) in front of the school.
Why I am watching it now: It’s sheer bloody genius and came just as Halloween ended. Familiar faces: Besides Zachary, there’s an unrecognisable
Devon Sawa (Alex Browning in the Final Destination horror movies) as Jake’s uncle Logan, Jennifer Tilly from the Child’s Play films reprises her role as Chucky’s lover Tiffany Valentine (possibly in flashbacks, possibly as a reincarnated killer doll too), and Brad Dourif returns as the original voice of Chucky.
Name: Kashief Achmat.
Position: Scheduler who wants a PS5 for Christmas.
I am watching: Narcos: Mexico season 3 (of 3) on Netflix
My take on this show: Following from season 2, with drug kingpin Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna) out of the picture, pilot and “Lord Of The Skies” Amado Carrillo Fuentes (José María Yazpik) has now become the biggest drug trafficker in not only Mexico, but the entire world. And with that power comes all kinds of struggles and in-fighting, which leads to tense meetings at shady locations.
My favourite moment so far: There’s a side story that involves cop Victor Tapia (Luis Gerardo Méndez) trying to solve the murders of women at a factory, which has nothing to do with the main story but almost overshadows it entirely with its plot, atmosphere and characters involved. It’s like watching an episode of the first season of True Detective every time the storyline comes into play.
Why I am watching it now:
The show is brilliant and it’s near impossible to not binge watch over a day or two. If you haven’t watched the previous seasons, I recommend it. Familiar faces: In a flashback in episode 1, Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura from the mother series Narcos) makes a brief cameo just to jog fans’ memory of what happened to him and if you watch the credits, you’ll see that he directs two episodes this season as well.
Name: Tumi Kunene.
Position: An art director who’s done way too much baby-sitting. I’ve now paid my aunty dues for life.
I am watching: Seasons 1 and 2 (of 4) of historical drama The Crown on Netflix.
My take on this show: I feel like I’m a fly in the royal house. With every scene I’m like, “Yes! Dish it out. Tell us more. Leave no secret untold.” I think Prince Phillip (Matt Smith) is manipulative and The Queen (Claire Foy) doubts her ability to lead because she never went to school and lives in fear of her husband. And Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) is really unlucky in love, but she’s quite mischievous and fun.
My favourite moment so far: When Queen Elizabeth II tells Prince Phillip to bend the knee at her coronation ceremony and he looks like he’s being force-fed a red-hot coal. And when the Prince and Princess come face to face with a charging elephant and Prince Phillip gets the elephant’s attention so that the future queen can get to safety.
Why I am watching it now: With Queen Elizabeth taking ill recently, I thought why not. I love historical dramas and I’m feeling rather nostalgic. Familiar faces: Chief Pelipel (Treasure Tshabalala, Leo in 2016 miniseries Cape Town) was made fun of by Prince Phillip for his hat/crown in season 1. And Matt (Prince Phillip) is best known from sci-fi series
Dr Who.