My Current Top 5 TV Shows

I love books, but I also love movies and shows that bring characters to life. I had been mauling this post over in mind for a while now and I think I will give a brief synopsis of the show and what I liked/disliked. Alright, so onward we go!!

#1 Psych

Synopsis –

So, basically two best friends help consult the Santa Barbara police department solve cases by pretending to be psychic detectives. Most of the time they stumble across clues due to Shawn’s observations. Shawn’s dad used to be a policeman on the force, and they have a rocky relationship. Gus is his best friend and works as a pharmaceutical salesman when not working on cases.

My thoughts –

First, I should admit that I did not discover this show until last fall, long after it finished airing, but this is a show that will get you hooked from start to finish. It has a good mix of comedy and drama. They are almost always cracking jokes even when working the cases, and can seem a little immature, but as you go along there are moments where we get to see the real Shawn and Gus. I love all the characters and their gradual development over the eight seasons.

Plus, if you have not seen the show, now is a good time to start as a new tv movie will be airing this holiday season.

Dislikes – Language. The first several season keep the language down, but around season 6 or 7 they say a bit more. A couple kissing scenes that overdo it.

Rating – PG – Some mild innuendo throughout the show, and a bit of language. Great for teens on up.

#2 Leverage

Leverage:first season in 2019 | TV series | Leverage tv show ...

Synopsis –

Nate Ford’s son dies due to his insurance company refused to pay for his treatment. So to get even Nate joins a group of thieves to take from the powerful and give to those in need. It is like a modern Robin Hood with a touch of White Collar.

My Thoughts

This has been quite an entertaining show to watch. This ragtag band of misfits come together and find a sort of family. Despite the fact that they are committing crime, they are trying to right wrongs and I like that. All the characters have their own niche that they are good at, but put them together and they can do great things. My favorite characters are Eliot and Parker. They are quirky and both of their pasts are a little darker/sadder then some of the other characters.

Dislikes – Language, there is some infrequent mild language throughout the series. Two brief scenes where one character takes a shirt off, but you only see her from behind. A hint that two characters slept together. Maybe two times where you see women in bikinis. The violence is not to bad. Only a little blood is shown.

Overall – We have been able to watch this as a family and enjoy the characters develop. I love the more complex heists which throw a couple curve-balls at you.

Rating TV14 – for violence and language

#3 BBC Robin Hood

Robin Hood (TV Series 2006–2009) - IMDb

Synopsis –

Robin of Locksley returns after the crusades to find that his village has been overtaken by the sheriff and his men. Becoming an outlaw, he gathers together a group of outcasts and tries to protect his people and those he loves.

My Thoughts –

This is another recent find and I have enjoyed this series immensely. Yes, it is a little cheesy, and yes, the fight scenes are corny, but it is the acting and characters that makes this good. The BBC knows how to put together a good drama. I love Robin and Marian together. They are the cutest couple, and they have to go through so many obstacles. The sheriff is truly evil and I root for Robin and his gang. They also give Robin flaws which is nice.

If you have seen The Hobbit, Guy of Gisborne is Thorin Oakenshield.

Dislikes –

Honestly, so far it has been a pretty clean show. The violence is super cheesy and light. They do show a hanging or two, but Robin mostly saves the people from getting hurt. Language is almost nonexistent, maybe a choice word here or there. So far (I am currently in the middle of season 2) only like three scenes with innuendo. Some of Marian’s dresses are a little low.

Overall – So far I have really enjoyed it and look forward to finishing it. Update – I finished it!! Interesting ending. I actually kinda liked it.

Rating – PG

#4 BBC Sherlock

I can't not recommend this... While I love RDJs action-packed ...

Synopsis –

This is a modern remake of the story of Sherlock. Sherlock is a consulting detective for Scotland yard. He meets a injured army doctor returning from war and they end up working together to solve crime. But how far will Sherlock go to keep his friends safe?

My Thoughts –

The first time I watched it, I thought hmm, this is kinda good. Then as we ended season one I thought, how cruel!!! You can not end it like that! They got me hook, line and sinker. 🙂 Anyway, the acting is supurb, and the mysteries are intense! Most of the episodes come from a story in the original books. I am the type of person who will overlook plot holes, if the show/book has really good characters. Sherlock’s character development over the four seasons is absolutely amazing! I love how he grows as a character from being quit the jerk to saving his friend’s life. My favorite episode is probably The Sign of Four. So many good moments in there.

Dislikes –

There are a couple content issues as sometimes it can be a little dark. The language is not too bad, mostly mild language with some British cuss words thrown in occasionally. The violence includes someone falling off a building, a couple time where someone is shot, a scary dog hallucination, and bombs. For the innuendo, there is one episode we skipped which is the first episode in season 2 and there is some stuff in the last episode of season 3 where Sherlock gets a girlfriend, but just for a case. There are some sad scenes with Watson in season 4, but they way it is resolved is quit good. Very tearful.

Rating – TV14

Overall –

Due to what I mentioned earlier, I would say teen on up with this show. I do love it! There is some amazing acting, sets are great, as are costumes!

#5 Doc Martin

Doc Martin (TV Series) (2004) - FilmAffinity

Synopsis –

A brain surgeon suddenly develops a blood phobia and moves from London to the town of Port Wenn where he becomes there local GP. He is a crusty curmudgeon who has no bedside manner. Yet, he meets a local school teacher who finds a place in his heart.

My Thoughts –

This another British drama that is excellent. I like that this drama show regular people as they are with their issues and quirks. Normal people with problems. Marin has a really good character arc as he discovers things about himself. Louisa is another character who is great! There is a will they won’t they that goes on for quit a while. A little annoying as they go back and forth for a long time. Lastly, the scenery is absolutely beautiful!! It is set in Port Issac which they rename Port Wenn for the show.

Dislikes –

The doc sometimes likes to use colorful language now and then. He has a statue of Buddha, and definitely not a believer. The violence is minimal as the most you see if a little blood. In a later season someone get cut from glass which they do show. We only skipped maybe two episodes in season 2 or 3 . A couple references to character not being faithful. Two characters slept together outside of marriage once.

Overall –

The show feels light and despite the doc’s surliness, you do see that he cares about the people in the town. Then one is probably teen on up. Younger kids might get bored.

Rating – TV14

So have you seen any of these shows? Did you like/dislike them? Any shows that you would suggest?

Anna

Review for The Forsaken Continent

The Forsaken Continent by Wayne Thomas Batson

Genre –  Fantasy, Christian fiction

Age – Young adult – adult

Rating – PG-13 – handful of choice words and action violence

Synopsis –

This is the third book in the Myridian Constellation series.  Currently there are only three books in the series, but there will be more.  Anyway, the story takes place a couple months after the Errant King. 

King Lochlan is fleeing for his life after Morlan has overtaken the throne and is willing to kill anyone who will get in his way.  Meanwhile Abbagael is looking for her presumed dead husband, Alastair, who she believes is alive. 

My Thoughts –

Whew! After ten years, I finally got to find out what happened. This book took me on quiet the ride and I enjoyed every minute of it. There were so many good themes throughout this book. Self-sacrifice, being faithful, patience, and perseverance. What I loved was that the word building. The author does a great job of creating a world and yet not being overly descriptive.

There was definitely more of an allegorical tone in this book. More so then the previous two, which I loved. Telwyn was sort of like a Jesus character. He was the son of the First One and he had a wisdom that comes from the First One. We see him perform miracles and a handful of people following him know who is. One of my favorite lines was when Telwyn told a character, “Flander Craggit, you need not fear Woefire ever again, for my Father has written your name on the Scrooll of Life. No one can expunge the blessed ink of His pen.” (Batson, p. 278).

I loved Abbagael and the journey that she embarked on as of all the characters Alastair Coldhollow was my favorite. In the previous books, we saw his steadfastness to the First One and his endeavor to right the wrongs that he had committed. I am trying not to give spoilers so you will just have to go read it for yourself. 🙂

Now content wise only a few concerns. With Morlan’s return, he brought back countless evil creatures with him. For the most part, the author did not go into detail about these vile creatures , but they are evil and perform evil deeds. Also, it should be noted that Morlan served Sabryne who was basically Satan in the books. So there are a couple times where it was a little dark. That is why I would say this is more aimed at adults then teens. Do not worry there is a clear distinction between who is good versus who is evil.

Violence –

Violence was a given as Morlan is trying to conquer all of Myriad but was not gratuitous. Throughout the book there are skirmishes between the good characters and the bad. The good characters get cuts, scrapes, a couple characters get minor injures from daggers. There are several wolf like creature who attack a main character. In one of the skirmishes a character is presumed to be dead, but Telwyn reveals that he was just sleeping.

There are several mentions of blood. A couple character bled. A character goes into labor. (not much detail and rather quick). Later on in the book there is a mantis like creature who resides in a lake of blood. She attempts to kill a character.

Innuendo –

Two of the main characters kiss twice and contemplate marriage.

Language – Ba- —d is uttered seven times.

Conclusion –

After such a long wait, this book answered some much needed questions. Compared to the first two books, I feel like this one had more depth. It iover 500 pages long! We know these characters and we get to see their personal development for good and bad as some characters make some poor choices. This could be read as a stand alone, but I would highly recommend reading this series in order.

Cannot wait to hear what you have to say! Have you read this series? Did you enjoy how this book played out?

Anna