#seriesreview — Public Fediverse posts

Of Hijack Season 2 Review

Hijack Season 2 review

Hijack is a thriller tv series created by George Kay and Jim Field Smith. Season 1 came out on 28 June 2023 and it was renewed for a second season which premiered on Apple TV+ on 14 January 2026.

Idris Elba returns as Sam Nelson and is once again at the centre of a hijacking crisis but the stakes have been raised.

The Good

 Two words… Idris Elba, if he read the news, I would probably start watching but if I saw him in public I wouldn’t travel with him because hijackings seem to happen around him…

In Season 1, an aeroplane gets hijacked, and in Season 2, a train gets hijacked… and if you are thinking it’s more of the same, except on a train, you would be so wrong. By the time the credits roll out on the first episode, you will be looking at your tv in shock.

Idris Elba is his usual charismatic self, but this time he has a dark edge and a tiny bit unravelled; obsessed with finding answers, justice and maybe a little bit of vengeance…

The show’s creators have mastered the art of cranking up the tension as each episode progresses and then drop a bombshell of plot reveal for a cliff-hanger finish and what can you do but watch the next episode.

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/2024151998321295422

Hijack Season 2 has a great soundtrack that sets the atomosphere right from theme Kiss the Sky by Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra and its haunting lyrics… Too late to save the world from dying.

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/2012808355702559102

The Bad

Don’t be like me and jump straight into watching this without getting a recap of how Season 1 ended because it just plunges into things, as if you have been following what happened in the aftermath of the Kingdom Flight Hijacking…

Even after catching up, certain narrative gaps remain. Some questions never quite receive satisfying answers, leaving loose threads that feel less like deliberate mystery and more like unfinished stitching, perhaps held back for a potential third season.

The series is at its best in the claustrophobic atmosphere of the train, but it spends a lot of time chasing subplots which do not raise the emotional stakes or develop characters beyond simply being plot devices in a train that gets hijacked.

The Ugly

The larger the canvas becomes, the more the story demands that viewers suspend logic. And Season 2 occasionally asks for quite a lot.

Final Thoughts

So, first it was a plane, now a train… what next? A bus gets hijacked…maybe a boat???

Hijack Season 2 ambitiously expands its world but, in doing so, sacrifices some of the simplicity and razor-sharp focus that made Season 1 so gripping. It remains a tense and often entertaining watch, powered largely by Idris Elba’s commanding presence. However, it does not eclipse the brilliance of its debut season.

Have you watched Hijack… does it sound like something you would watch?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_i4-MoGALo&t

Of Vanished TV Series Review

Vanished (2026)

Vanished is a mystery-drama television miniseries created by David Hilton and Preston Thompson. The four-episode series premiered on MGM+ on 1 February 2026.

It stars Kaley Cuoco as Alice Monroe, whose romantic French holiday spirals into a dangerous mystery when her boyfriend, Tom Parker (Sam Claflin), disappears from a train bound for Arles.

The Good

I have a soft spot for Kaley Cuoco from watching her as Penny in The Big Bang Theory and I was hooked from the moment I recognised her.

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/2018304672977608937

Cuoco single-handedly carries this production with a committed performance as Alice, anchoring the story with intensity and emotional investment that help steady the plot, even when it slips into familiar territory.

Visually it has a cinematic aesthetic with beautifully shot landscapes and backdrops of Paris framing well-choreographed chase sequences.

With only four episodes, it’s a fast-paced watch that keeps things moving. It manages to pack in a couple of twists you may not immediately see coming, maintaining intrigue and tension right up to the end.

The Bad

Despite its twists, the overall arc feels like a less ambitious attempt at rehashing a path followed by similar productions, blending into the crowded genre landscape; wrong place, wrong time, oh what a dangerous mess…

The limited number of episodes gives it a rushed feel with characters coming across as undeveloped and stereotypical which reduces one’s investment in them.

Kaley Couco and Sam Claflin’s characters Alice and Tom don’t seem to have good chemistry beyond unravelling the mystery of Tom being Vanished.

The Ugly

The way TV shows will have us believe that in picturesque Europe, its not surprising to see people chasing each other down winding streets and narrow alleyways, through cafes and taverns, up and down staircases, sometimes in cars, sometimes on motorcycles, often on foot… and no one else does anything about this… even when news alerts are asking for people to notify authorities if they see said people…

Anyway, suspend disbelief… don’t think too much about it except maybe how Kaley Cuoco manages to squeeze so much from a bare bones script.

Final Thoughts

It’s a watchable show if you’re looking for a short thriller that can distract you from the bombs, world war and other things on the news cycle.

Have you watched Vanished? Does it sound like something you would watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gySJIb3umg

Of Vanished TV Series Review

Vanished (2026)

Vanished is a mystery-drama television miniseries created by David Hilton and Preston Thompson. The four-episode series premiered on MGM+ on 1 February 2026.

It stars Kaley Cuoco as Alice Monroe, whose romantic French holiday spirals into a dangerous mystery when her boyfriend, Tom Parker (Sam Claflin), disappears from a train bound for Arles.

The Good

I have a soft spot for Kaley Cuoco from watching her as Penny in The Big Bang Theory and I was hooked from the moment I recognised her.

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/2018304672977608937

Cuoco single-handedly carries this production with a committed performance as Alice, anchoring the story with intensity and emotional investment that help steady the plot, even when it slips into familiar territory.

Visually it has a cinematic aesthetic with beautifully shot landscapes and backdrops of Paris framing well-choreographed chase sequences.

With only four episodes, it’s a fast-paced watch that keeps things moving. It manages to pack in a couple of twists you may not immediately see coming, maintaining intrigue and tension right up to the end.

The Bad

Despite its twists, the overall arc feels like a less ambitious attempt at rehashing a path followed by similar productions, blending into the crowded genre landscape; wrong place, wrong time, oh what a dangerous mess…

The limited number of episodes gives it a rushed feel with characters coming across as undeveloped and stereotypical which reduces one’s investment in them.

Kaley Couco and Sam Claflin’s characters Alice and Tom don’t seem to have good chemistry beyond unravelling the mystery of Tom being Vanished.

The Ugly

The way TV shows will have us believe that in picturesque Europe, its not surprising to see people chasing each other down winding streets and narrow alleyways, through cafes and taverns, up and down staircases, sometimes in cars, sometimes on motorcycles, often on foot… and no one else does anything about this… even when news alerts are asking for people to notify authorities if they see said people…

Anyway, suspend disbelief… don’t think too much about it except maybe how Kaley Cuoco manages to squeeze so much from a bare bones script.

Final Thoughts

It’s a watchable show if you’re looking for a short thriller that can distract you from the bombs, world war and other things on the news cycle.

Have you watched Vanished? Does it sound like something you would watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gySJIb3umg

Of Vanished TV Series Review

Vanished (2026)

Vanished is a mystery-drama television miniseries created by David Hilton and Preston Thompson. The four-episode series premiered on MGM+ on 1 February 2026.

It stars Kaley Cuoco as Alice Monroe, whose romantic French holiday spirals into a dangerous mystery when her boyfriend, Tom Parker (Sam Claflin), disappears from a train bound for Arles.

The Good

I have a soft spot for Kaley Cuoco from watching her as Penny in The Big Bang Theory and I was hooked from the moment I recognised her.

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/2018304672977608937

Cuoco single-handedly carries this production with a committed performance as Alice, anchoring the story with intensity and emotional investment that help steady the plot, even when it slips into familiar territory.

Visually it has a cinematic aesthetic with beautifully shot landscapes and backdrops of Paris framing well-choreographed chase sequences.

With only four episodes, it’s a fast-paced watch that keeps things moving. It manages to pack in a couple of twists you may not immediately see coming, maintaining intrigue and tension right up to the end.

The Bad

Despite its twists, the overall arc feels like a less ambitious attempt at rehashing a path followed by similar productions, blending into the crowded genre landscape; wrong place, wrong time, oh what a dangerous mess…

The limited number of episodes gives it a rushed feel with characters coming across as undeveloped and stereotypical which reduces one’s investment in them.

Kaley Couco and Sam Claflin’s characters Alice and Tom don’t seem to have good chemistry beyond unravelling the mystery of Tom being Vanished.

The Ugly

The way TV shows will have us believe that in picturesque Europe, its not surprising to see people chasing each other down winding streets and narrow alleyways, through cafes and taverns, up and down staircases, sometimes in cars, sometimes on motorcycles, often on foot… and no one else does anything about this… even when news alerts are asking for people to notify authorities if they see said people…

Anyway, suspend disbelief… don’t think too much about it except maybe how Kaley Cuoco manages to squeeze so much from a bare bones script.

Final Thoughts

It’s a watchable show if you’re looking for a short thriller that can distract you from the bombs, world war and other things on the news cycle.

Have you watched Vanished? Does it sound like something you would watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gySJIb3umg

Of Vanished TV Series Review

Vanished (2026)

Vanished is a mystery-drama television miniseries created by David Hilton and Preston Thompson. The four-episode series premiered on MGM+ on 1 February 2026.

It stars Kaley Cuoco as Alice Monroe, whose romantic French holiday spirals into a dangerous mystery when her boyfriend, Tom Parker (Sam Claflin), disappears from a train bound for Arles.

The Good

I have a soft spot for Kaley Cuoco from watching her as Penny in The Big Bang Theory and I was hooked from the moment I recognised her.

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/2018304672977608937

Cuoco single-handedly carries this production with a committed performance as Alice, anchoring the story with intensity and emotional investment that help steady the plot, even when it slips into familiar territory.

Visually it has a cinematic aesthetic with beautifully shot landscapes and backdrops of Paris framing well-choreographed chase sequences.

With only four episodes, it’s a fast-paced watch that keeps things moving. It manages to pack in a couple of twists you may not immediately see coming, maintaining intrigue and tension right up to the end.

The Bad

Despite its twists, the overall arc feels like a less ambitious attempt at rehashing a path followed by similar productions, blending into the crowded genre landscape; wrong place, wrong time, oh what a dangerous mess…

The limited number of episodes gives it a rushed feel with characters coming across as undeveloped and stereotypical which reduces one’s investment in them.

Kaley Couco and Sam Claflin’s characters Alice and Tom don’t seem to have good chemistry beyond unravelling the mystery of Tom being Vanished.

The Ugly

The way TV shows will have us believe that in picturesque Europe, its not surprising to see people chasing each other down winding streets and narrow alleyways, through cafes and taverns, up and down staircases, sometimes in cars, sometimes on motorcycles, often on foot… and no one else does anything about this… even when news alerts are asking for people to notify authorities if they see said people…

Anyway, suspend disbelief… don’t think too much about it except maybe how Kaley Cuoco manages to squeeze so much from a bare bones script.

Final Thoughts

It’s a watchable show if you’re looking for a short thriller that can distract you from the bombs, world war and other things on the news cycle.

Have you watched Vanished? Does it sound like something you would watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gySJIb3umg

Of Vanished TV Series Review

Vanished (2026)

Vanished is a mystery-drama television miniseries created by David Hilton and Preston Thompson. The four-episode series premiered on MGM+ on 1 February 2026.

It stars Kaley Cuoco as Alice Monroe, whose romantic French holiday spirals into a dangerous mystery when her boyfriend, Tom Parker (Sam Claflin), disappears from a train bound for Arles.

The Good

I have a soft spot for Kaley Cuoco from watching her as Penny in The Big Bang Theory and I was hooked from the moment I recognised her.

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/2018304672977608937

Cuoco single-handedly carries this production with a committed performance as Alice, anchoring the story with intensity and emotional investment that help steady the plot, even when it slips into familiar territory.

Visually it has a cinematic aesthetic with beautifully shot landscapes and backdrops of Paris framing well-choreographed chase sequences.

With only four episodes, it’s a fast-paced watch that keeps things moving. It manages to pack in a couple of twists you may not immediately see coming, maintaining intrigue and tension right up to the end.

The Bad

Despite its twists, the overall arc feels like a less ambitious attempt at rehashing a path followed by similar productions, blending into the crowded genre landscape; wrong place, wrong time, oh what a dangerous mess…

The limited number of episodes gives it a rushed feel with characters coming across as undeveloped and stereotypical which reduces one’s investment in them.

Kaley Couco and Sam Claflin’s characters Alice and Tom don’t seem to have good chemistry beyond unravelling the mystery of Tom being Vanished.

The Ugly

The way TV shows will have us believe that in picturesque Europe, its not surprising to see people chasing each other down winding streets and narrow alleyways, through cafes and taverns, up and down staircases, sometimes in cars, sometimes on motorcycles, often on foot… and no one else does anything about this… even when news alerts are asking for people to notify authorities if they see said people…

Anyway, suspend disbelief… don’t think too much about it except maybe how Kaley Cuoco manages to squeeze so much from a bare bones script.

Final Thoughts

It’s a watchable show if you’re looking for a short thriller that can distract you from the bombs, world war and other things on the news cycle.

Have you watched Vanished? Does it sound like something you would watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gySJIb3umg

ICYMI:The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead 
#BookReview   #5Hearts #SeriesReview #Vampires
https://booksofmyheart.net/2022/10/21/the-vampire-academy-series-by-richelle-mead/?fsp_sid=8128

ICYMI:Sheriff Bet Rivers Mystery series by Elena Taylor 
#BlogTour #BookReview #Giveaway   #K9 #police #SeriesReview #Washington
https://booksofmyheart.net/2025/05/03/sheriff-bet-rivers-mystery-series-by-elena-taylor/?fsp_sid=4948

Of FUBAR Season 2

FUBAR Season 2 Review

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/becomingthemuse/episodes/FUBAR-Season-2-Review-e34927p

FUBAR is an American action spy-comedy series created for Netflix by Nick Santora. Season one of FUBAR premiered on 25 May 2023 and after a 2 year wait season 2 which premiered on 12 June 2025… is back

The series stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as an about to retire CIA agent with season 2 following up on events from previous the season, which ended with his cover blown. Now his family and team have to stay in a safe house waiting for things to cool down, meanwhile, a new threat threatens to return America to the dark ages, and an old flame who comes with compromising intrigue…

The Good

He’s back,.. again… How can one not love Arnie, he’s one of the most iconic action hero stars and they don’t make them like that anymore, the series is a whimsical journey back to the golden era of action movies and is packed with nostalgic throwback lines from movies of yeasteryear.

One would think that Arnold Schwarzenegger is too old to still be on the screen, yet the big guy is infectiously fun to watch, he had fun filming this and it shows. He has great rapport with the other actors who are equally up-to the task of carrying the series that it isn’t a one man show but a team effort each bring their unique character elements.

Old faces return, some get killed off and new faces make an appearance. Guy Burnet as Theodore Chips has scene stealing villainy that will have you warming up to him, as he worms his way into an entanglement with Emma (Monica Barbaro) alongside Carter(Jay Baruchel and Aldon(Travis Van Winkle)

An interesting addition to the cast is Carrie-Anne Moss whom you might remember as Trinity from the Matrix… (took me a bit to remember why she looked so familiar…) Carrie-Anne plays Greta Nelso who is Luke Brunner’s femme fatale former love interest whose presence now introduces a new dynamic to Arnie’s character as he tries to patch things with his ex-wife.

During a vulnerable moment the two characters commiserate over their old age pains, they are self-aware they are past their prime, forgetful and no longer as nimble. The self-awareness mellows one out from being too harsh about flaws in the perfomances..

The family dynamic angle with all the characters holed up in a paper-thin safe-house where they get on each other’s nerves and hair, but have to work together to stay alive and also do world-saving stuff, is great character development which amplifies some roles which had mostly been comic relief turning them into actual subplots and side-quests that are entertaining.

Its an action series… and FUBAR has quite the sleek, well-choreographed, action scenes, that draw you back in when the more domestic sitcom scenes have you attention waning.

The Bad

I started watching without getting a recap and was kinda confused on what the heck was going on, as it jumps into things with no preamble. Who were all these people and what were they doing? 😂 Had to find a recap reel before I could proceed.

It doesn’t take itself serious as an action movie and sticks the landing as a comedy but somehow finds a shaky  equilibrium as an action-comedy, that feels a few decades past the time it should have dropped… But then its target audience is those who were into 80s and 90s movies.

The plot has a lot going on, love triangles and romantic tensions, family drama and therapy, bombs and unending darkness and side quests with PCP…

The Ugly

It tries a little too hard… you cant dad joke your way through serious moments… watching this series with “youngsters” had me feeling like a dinosaur for pointing out references from iconic movies of days past. One can see how a younger audience might not be appreciative of this series.

Final Thoughts

FUBAR Season 2 is like a CIA mission gone wrong, messy, occasionally brilliant, and oddly endearing. It’s an entertaining ride if you are in it for nostalgia, banter and bizzare family bonding. The series has an ending that hints that it will be back…

Have you watched FUBAR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJlfAp7ZCAY

#actionComedy #ArnoldSchwarzenegger #espionage #FUBAR #FUBARSeason2 #matrix #seriesReview #Trinity #TVSeries

ICYMI:Audio series review: Prospero's War by Jaye Wells 
#BookReview   #4Hearts #AudioBookReview #SeriesReview
https://booksofmyheart.net/2016/06/25/audio-series-review-prosperos-war-by-jaye-wells/?fsp_sid=3529

Why is this mini-series by Netflix so acclaimed and a must-watch for everyone? What are the questions it raises? Take a look at our Adolescence Review!
https://youknowwhatblog.com/articles/adolescence-review/
.
#adolescencenetflix #netflixseries #tvreview #comingofage #teendrama #netflixoriginal #streamingnow #bingeworthy #mustwatch #youngadulttv #tvdiscussion #mediacritique #newonnetflix #what2watch #tvtime #diversestories #tvchat #seriesreview #storytellingmatters #netflixtalk

Of The Day Of The Jackal

The Day Of The Jackal

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/becomingthemuse/episodes/The-Day-Of-The-Jackal-Review-e30hqk7

The Day Of The Jackal is a British spy thriller television series, based on a Frederick Forsyth novel of the same name. The series premiered on the 7th of November 2024 and got renewed for a second season in its first month of running.

The series is a modern reimagination of the story about a deadly and ruthless assassin, known only as “the Jackal” and the intelligent officer obsessed with bringing him to justice.

The Good

Years ago when I first read The Day Of The Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, I thought it was one of the coolest assassin books I had ever read, and The Jackal’s character was forever etched into my memory. Then I watched The Jackal a late 90s loose adaptation of the story starring Bruce Willis which didn’t do a particularly good job… This series manages to do the things that brought this character back to life and re-imagines the story in a present day setting.

Eddie Redmayne‘s portrayal of the Jackal is compelling, lending the character a cold ruthlessness tempered with an uncharacteristic empathy that belies a surprising depth of humanity. Yes, he is the bad guy, but you find yourself hoping that he gets away with it.

Lashana Lynch as Bianca Pullman plays her character so well that even though she’s the good guy she becomes the person you love to hate, for her ruthless pursuit of The Jackal that is obsessive and leaves collateral damage. You don’t want her to catch the The Jackal, so how will it play out…

It’s a thriller show which will keep you on the edge of your seat from its high octane opening sequence to the cat-and-mouse chase that unfolds between The Jackal and the agent out to get him.

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/1864691291298152664

The Bad

While Lashana Lynch’s performance is great her character is abrasive and her story arc is under-developed, lacking the depth and intensity that The Jackal’s character has; given that we are suppose to relate to the two characters as being two sides of the same coin.

The pacing can get a bit erratic with some convoluted subplots  that dilute the tension and takeaway from the main plot without meaningful addition to the story or characters.

The Ugly

The villain is more likeable than the good guy, the show romanticises villainy making the assassin more humane than the agent trying to stop the assassin.

I feel the show missed a moment to showcase what I think is one the most iconic twists in the novel, which was how Jackal is Chacal in French which was a combination of the assassin’s name Charles Calthrop… in the series he goes by the unassuming name of Alex Duggan.

Final Thoughts

The Day Of The Jackal offers a fresh take on a classic, with strong performances and moments of brilliance from the cast especially Eddie Redmayne who plays The Jackal.

Have you watched The Day Of The Jackal is it something you would watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shsIx-ZVL0E

https://twitter.com/Beatonm5/status/1864708115381223704

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1j5fPZ40ksa65tBPNVLPIH?si=WN0r9_ehTz2smFkVwaR7rw

#assassin #BruceWillis #EddieRedmayne #FrederickForsyth #seriesReview #TheDayOfTheJackal #TheJackal #TVSeries

The Gentlemen (2024 TV Series) – A Stylish Crime Caper That’s More Than Just a Spin-Off

The Gentlemen stands as a commendable effort to translate the magic of a hit film into a longer, serialized format—a challenging feat that, for the most part, succeeds with style and verve.

#TheGentlemen #TheGentlemenSeries #GuyRitchie #TVSeries #WhattoWatch #MovieReviews #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies

https://maniainc.com/movies/the-gentlemen-2024-tv-series-a-stylish-crime-caper-thats-more-than-just-a-spin-off/

The Gentlemen (2024 TV Series) – A Stylish Crime Caper That’s More Than Just a Spin-Off

The Gentlemen stands as a commendable effort to translate the magic of a hit film into a longer, serialized format—a challenging feat that, for the most part, succeeds with style and verve.

#TheGentlemen #TheGentlemenSeries #GuyRitchie #TVSeries #WhattoWatch #MovieReviews #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies

https://maniainc.com/movies/the-gentlemen-2024-tv-series-a-stylish-crime-caper-thats-more-than-just-a-spin-off/

The Gentlemen (2024 TV Series) – A Stylish Crime Caper That’s More Than Just a Spin-Off

The Gentlemen stands as a commendable effort to translate the magic of a hit film into a longer, serialized format—a challenging feat that, for the most part, succeeds with style and verve.

#TheGentlemen #TheGentlemenSeries #GuyRitchie #TVSeries #WhattoWatch #MovieReviews #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies

https://maniainc.com/movies/the-gentlemen-2024-tv-series-a-stylish-crime-caper-thats-more-than-just-a-spin-off/

The Gentlemen (2024 TV Series) – A Stylish Crime Caper That’s More Than Just a Spin-Off

The Gentlemen stands as a commendable effort to translate the magic of a hit film into a longer, serialized format—a challenging feat that, for the most part, succeeds with style and verve.

#TheGentlemen #TheGentlemenSeries #GuyRitchie #TVSeries #WhattoWatch #MovieReviews #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies

https://maniainc.com/movies/the-gentlemen-2024-tv-series-a-stylish-crime-caper-thats-more-than-just-a-spin-off/

ICYMI:Series review of The Lost Stars by Jack Campbell 
#BookReview   #4Hearts #4.5Hearts #SeriesReview
https://booksofmyheart.net/2016/05/26/series-review-of-the-lost-stars-by-jack-campbell/?fsp_sid=2692

Of Virdee

Virdee

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/becomingthemuse/episodes/Virdee-Series-Review-e2uqkm2

Virdee is a British crime thriller television series adapted by A A Dhand from his Bradford-set crime novel series. The six part series premiered on BBC One on 10 February 2025.

The series, set in Bradford follows detective Harry Virdee as he tries to keep the peace in his neighbourhood and balance his domestic life, having married someone his family does not approve.

The Good

It starts off dizzy, but it soon finds its rhythm, setting up an intricate web of betrayal, trust, family drama, crime, racism and religious prejudice culminating into a twisted plot where morality is shades of grey….

Staz Nair is well cast DCI Harry Virdee, a cop just trying to do what is right by his family and city and the weight he has to carry… There’s great chemistry with Aysha Kala who plays Saima Virdee his ride or die wife who is the love of his love, with the unforgivable flaw of being a different religion to his famiy…

As if that’s not complicated enough, Harry Virdee’s brother-in-law is an outlaw with ambitions to become a kingpin in the Bradford Drug Empire.

While the crime thriller has a slow burn approach, each episodes ends on a cliffhanger with mounting tensions that will leave you heavily invested in watching episode after episode till there arent any left… its like silence of the lambs meets Luther in a Saw-esque fashion.

The Bad

The opening camera work which is supposed to give a thrilling POV street chase perspective doesn’t quite come together and instead gives the production a headache-inducing video game quality that some not be able to get past.

Some of the plot points don’t make sense lending some characters  with some cartoonish motivations and one dimensional story-arcs for all its pretence at conjuring up emotional depth.

The pacing can get erratic when family drama and other factors are introduced into the crime thriller which give it a rather jarring experience as it tries to balance out all its genres.

The ending is somewhat drawn out leaning towards anti-climatic like they weren’t sure if they wanted to conclude it as a limited series or set up a for a sequel.

The Ugly

Before watching Virdee I had never heard of Bradford where the series was set and filmed. I have since looked it up to learn it’s the 2025 UK City of Culture… although the impression of Bradford one gets from the series isn’t a very flattering…

It has some graphic violence that can be unsettling.

Final Thoughts

Virdee is a six part thriller series showcasing the vibrant city of culture Bradford in a heady mixture that’s thrilling, dramatic and at times horrifying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcXrQjik1Qc

#AADhand #bookToTvSeriesAdaptation #Bradford #crimeDrama #crimeThriller #seriesReview #StazNair #TVSeries #Virdee

Epic Showdown: Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die – Which Reigns Supreme?

A Double Review and Comparison of Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die

#WhattoWatch #Movies #TVSeries #FilmReviews #SeriesReview #Gladiator2 #ThoseAbouttoDie #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/epic-showdown-gladiator-2-vs-those-about-to-die-which-reigns-supreme/

Epic Showdown: Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die – Which Reigns Supreme?

A Double Review and Comparison of Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die

#WhattoWatch #Movies #TVSeries #FilmReviews #SeriesReview #Gladiator2 #ThoseAbouttoDie #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/epic-showdown-gladiator-2-vs-those-about-to-die-which-reigns-supreme/

Epic Showdown: Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die – Which Reigns Supreme?

A Double Review and Comparison of Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die

#WhattoWatch #Movies #TVSeries #FilmReviews #SeriesReview #Gladiator2 #ThoseAbouttoDie #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/epic-showdown-gladiator-2-vs-those-about-to-die-which-reigns-supreme/

Epic Showdown: Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die – Which Reigns Supreme?

A Double Review and Comparison of Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die

#WhattoWatch #Movies #TVSeries #FilmReviews #SeriesReview #Gladiator2 #ThoseAbouttoDie #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/epic-showdown-gladiator-2-vs-those-about-to-die-which-reigns-supreme/

Epic Showdown: Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die – Which Reigns Supreme?

A Double Review and Comparison of Gladiator 2 vs. Those About to Die

#WhattoWatch #Movies #TVSeries #FilmReviews #SeriesReview #Gladiator2 #ThoseAbouttoDie #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/epic-showdown-gladiator-2-vs-those-about-to-die-which-reigns-supreme/

The final Charley Davidson book was a great wrap up for their story. I highly recommend the series to people who love a great urban fantasy with a bit of a romantic subplot and a handful of smexy times.

#Books #EndOfSeries #BookReview #SeriesReview #CharleyDavidson #DaryndaJones

The Crown Season 6 Review: The Final Chapter of a Majestic Journey

A Comprehensive Review of The Crown Season 6, The Final Bow of the highly-acclaimed TV Series

#TheCrown #TheCrownNetflix #TheCrownSeason6 #TVSeries #Series #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies #ManiaAfrica

https://mania.africa/movies/the-crown-season-6-review-the-final-chapter-of-a-majestic-journey/

The Crown Season 6 Review: The Final Chapter of a Majestic Journey

A Comprehensive Review of The Crown Season 6, The Final Bow of the highly-acclaimed TV Series

#TheCrown #TheCrownNetflix #TheCrownSeason6 #TVSeries #Series #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies #ManiaAfrica

https://mania.africa/movies/the-crown-season-6-review-the-final-chapter-of-a-majestic-journey/

The Crown Season 6 Review: The Final Chapter of a Majestic Journey

A Comprehensive Review of The Crown Season 6, The Final Bow of the highly-acclaimed TV Series

#TheCrown #TheCrownNetflix #TheCrownSeason6 #TVSeries #Series #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies #ManiaAfrica

https://mania.africa/movies/the-crown-season-6-review-the-final-chapter-of-a-majestic-journey/

The Crown Season 6 Review: The Final Chapter of a Majestic Journey

A Comprehensive Review of The Crown Season 6, The Final Bow of the highly-acclaimed TV Series

#TheCrown #TheCrownNetflix #TheCrownSeason6 #TVSeries #Series #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies #ManiaAfrica

https://mania.africa/movies/the-crown-season-6-review-the-final-chapter-of-a-majestic-journey/

The Crown Season 6 Review: The Final Chapter of a Majestic Journey

A Comprehensive Review of The Crown Season 6, The Final Bow of the highly-acclaimed TV Series

#TheCrown #TheCrownNetflix #TheCrownSeason6 #TVSeries #Series #SeriesReview #ManiaMovies #ManiaAfrica

https://mania.africa/movies/the-crown-season-6-review-the-final-chapter-of-a-majestic-journey/

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 — An Epic Saga That Continues to Dazzle

A review of Season 2 of LOTR: The Rings of Power

#LOTR #RingsofPower2 #RingsofPowerSeason2 #TV #TVShow #TVSeries #SeriesReview #PrimeVideo #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-season-2-an-epic-saga-that-continues-to-dazzle/

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 — An Epic Saga That Continues to Dazzle

A review of Season 2 of LOTR: The Rings of Power

#LOTR #RingsofPower2 #RingsofPowerSeason2 #TV #TVShow #TVSeries #SeriesReview #PrimeVideo #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-season-2-an-epic-saga-that-continues-to-dazzle/

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 — An Epic Saga That Continues to Dazzle

A review of Season 2 of LOTR: The Rings of Power

#LOTR #RingsofPower2 #RingsofPowerSeason2 #TV #TVShow #TVSeries #SeriesReview #PrimeVideo #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-season-2-an-epic-saga-that-continues-to-dazzle/

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 — An Epic Saga That Continues to Dazzle

A review of Season 2 of LOTR: The Rings of Power

#LOTR #RingsofPower2 #RingsofPowerSeason2 #TV #TVShow #TVSeries #SeriesReview #PrimeVideo #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-season-2-an-epic-saga-that-continues-to-dazzle/

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 — An Epic Saga That Continues to Dazzle

A review of Season 2 of LOTR: The Rings of Power

#LOTR #RingsofPower2 #RingsofPowerSeason2 #TV #TVShow #TVSeries #SeriesReview #PrimeVideo #ManiaMovies

https://mania.africa/movies/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-season-2-an-epic-saga-that-continues-to-dazzle/

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (Series Review)

Fairy Tales x Science Fiction = Yes! I loved re-reading this YA series, it was just as fun as I remembered it being! 🦾🌕🏰💞

https://thewallflowerdigest.co.uk/books/book-reviews/the-lunar-chronicles-by-marissa-meyer-series-review/

#BookReviews #BookBlog #FairyTales #SeriesReview #TheLunarChronicles #Bookstodon

Of Hijack

Hijack is a seven part thriller miniseries that premiered on Apple TV+ on 28 June 2023.

The series stars Idris Elba as Sam Nelson, a corporate business negotiator on a 7 hour flight from Dubai to London that gets hijacked…

The Good

Hello Idris Elba… The man has an on-screen charisma that is like a spot of tranquil calmness in a sky full of turbulence…

Sam Nelson’s character is a fine balancing act of duality: looking out for number one but also looking out for others, a reluctant hero who is just trying to get home, reminiscent of a John McClane trying to make it home for Christmas…

Its an intense edge of your seat watch that has each episode ending on cliff-hanger note that will have you like… let me watch just one more episode to see where this leads; from the claustrophobic aisles of Kingdom Airlines flight KA29 to the frantic rush outside the plane as they figure out how to avert the crisis, and all the plot twists and red herrings that you wont see coming.

You can tell from the jump that while the hijackers are executing a well-oiled plan, they are a ragtag bunch of hijackers who seem to have somehow been pooled in the sweepstakes of how to hijack a plane and so you never know what to they will do or not do next.

Each episode gives an on the hour account of the 7 hour flight from Dubai to London that gives a nod to the real-time action of Jack Bauer thriller 24.

The Bad

It starts off strong then asks you to suspend your disbelief as it gets more and more improbable and outlandish; if you have amateur interest in aviation it has some glaring potholes ✈

The series is at its best when Sam Nelson and the hijackers are going head-to-head and his no-nonsense negotiator skills which can convince a snobbish kid to turn down the volume of his video games and a hijacker not to shoot him in the head… but away from confines of the aircraft the series loses its pacing, the events outside the plane feel misplaced and not thought through.

The Ugly

There mini-series plays to the stereotypical trope on terrorism, although they tried to plot twist their way out of it, subverting expectations and of course having a couple of characters point out the dangers of stereotyping..

The ending feels a bit rushed as if the script writers just thought: ok lets end this now, there’s some unresolved threads in the plot.

Final Thoughts

If you are willing to suspend your disbelief and just watch… its an immersively edge of you seat thrilling ride with lots of turbulence…

https://youtu.be/WxwKzsklvJo