Mixology

Mixology is the story of how one night in a Manhattan bar called “Mix” changed the lives of 5 men and 5 women forever; some friends and some complete strangers. Each episode is filmed in almost real time as there are only 13 in the season (22 minutes each) and it takes place over the course of just one night. Each episode is titled with the names of two characters and documents their relationship be it platonic or potentially sexual. The main goal of each of the characters is to go home with someone; so it goes through that experience from both sides of the spectrum, which is what makes this series interesting. I would introduce to you some of the characters and their personalities but in my opinion the entire point of the series is to learn about them so I would almost feel like it would be ruining it for some of you. I can say that each character does have a distinct personality, which represents many different archetypal single people who would be found in a typical bar setting. Some are interested in a relationship while others are just looking to fool around but almost everyone finds out that what they had wanted originally might be different from what they want at the end of the night. 

I can tell that some of you are probably reading this thinking it just sounds like some horribly scripted MTV reality show but I assure you that isn’t the case. The situations that the characters find themselves in are very humourous and the dialogue is well written so it keeps you laughing throughout each episode. Much of the plot is based around the “proper” form, intricacies and pickup techniques of the modern dating world so certain scenes are somewhat informative as well as entertaining. ABC cancelled the series after just one season so don’t expect another one after finishing.  I always thought it would be interesting if they ended up doing another season with another 10 strangers in either the same or a different bar, but I guess that’s not going to happen. Either way I would definitely recommend this series to pretty much everyone, its funny and interesting with a good plot that keeps you guessing until closing time.

-Jackson

Crossing Lines

Crossing lines is an interesting international approach to your typical crime-based drama, while following some familiar themes from similar series’. For example your main character; Detective Carl Hickman is an ex-cop from the NYPD with a physical impairment on his right hand. His injury brought upon the situation, which caused him to leave the force and move to Amsterdam; where he works as a custodian at a theme park (which is explained more throughout the series). His observational skills are unlike anyone else’s and he's able to put pieces together that other people won’t even see. Because of this he is recruited into an international cross-border task force who answers to the International Criminal Court out of De Hague. Their aim is to catch criminals who’s crimes are committed in or affect multiple countries whose police forces don’t have the jurisdiction nor the abundance of information needed to connect the crimes or investigate them. Each member has a specific skill, which they are at the top of their field in. The team comes from many different police forces around Europe. Every member also has a compelling back story which comes into play at some point during the series, giving them more character depth in 2 seasons than many shows will achieve in 5.   

A couple of the more interesting team members include Tommy McConnel and Sebastian Berger. Tommy grew up in a traveling camp of gypsies where he was a champion bare-knuckle boxer. Having turned cop his father put a hit on his head for £10,000, which comes into play later on in the series. His experiences and criminal past make him the perfect tactical and weapons specialist. His ability to understand the criminal element also comes in handy in many situations. Sebastian is a computer wizard who has created a device, which is able to take holographic 3-Dimensional images of entire areas. The team is able to analyze these images down to the smallest detail and find clues that would otherwise go unnoticed. This machine brings a very interesting new element to a genre that’s tried everything in terms of making technology a compelling and integral part of their series’. Sebastian is also able to access or hack almost any database or computer to retrieve information essential to their cases. Due to the fact they don’t necessarily have anyone supplying them these cases they more often than not have to look for patterns of crimes occurring in multiple countries, which they must have approved by the ICC to investigate. Each case provides different obstacles depending on the crimes and countries in which they are located, making the series new and interesting from episode to episode. All in all this is a great series and id recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime dramas or people looking for something new with an interesting formula and story vehicle.

So far there are 2 seasons available on Netflix and on Feb 20 2015 it was renewed for a 12-episode third season.

Lilyhammer

Lilyhammer is a Norwegian series revolving around Franky “The Fixer” Tagliano, a former underboss who had worked for the Delucci crime family in New York city. The series begins at the funeral of his former boss; who had been killed in a hit ordered by his brother who subsequently assumed his position. A hit is then put out on Franky’s life, which he survives and because of this decides to testify against the new boss and go into the witness protection program. The identity he assumes is Giovanni “Johnny” Henriksen, a Norwegian-American who has moved to the town of Lillehammer in Norway for a fresh start.  For that reason let’s call him Johnny, as to not get confused. Once he arrives he finds that his accommodations aren’t quite as nice as what he is used to from a life of organized crime. As a part of the program he is sent to the unemployment office in search of work. This is when he decides that he needs to make it on his own and establish himself in the Lillehammer community. He does this the only way he knows how; blackmail and extortion.  As you might have figured from his “Fixer” moniker Johnny is the kind of guy that gets things done but you come to realise he is actually a good person and will always do the right thing in a bad situation. As he starts to gain “favours” from the people of Lillehammer he builds his own nightclub, which he uses as a base of operations and an outlet for money laundering. Before long he becomes the crime boss of his new town and has to deal with competition and obstacles from various sources, which help develop the plot. Johnny’s main business is illegal gambling and even though I’ve chalked him up to be a community leader he always collects in one way or another. Rival biker gangs and local criminals who all at one point try to oppose Johnny usually end up working for him or leaving town with their tails between their legs. 

Many people around town realise that he is a criminal yet view him as a necessary evil because of his generosity and the fact that he actually lowers the crime rate and cleans the streets of drugs, prostitution and other destructive behaviour. While in Lillehammer Johnny becomes a father to twins, as much as he loves them he begins to find it difficult balancing his legitimate and illegitimate business with being a husband and father. Another recurring theme throughout the series is his mafia background in New York. With the families back home wanting him dead for turning state’s evidence he has to maintain a low profile, which doesn’t turn out to be easy. As the seasons progress the stakes get higher and higher (like most series shot from the criminals’ point of view) and makes the series more and more interesting as it progresses. I highly recommend this show to any fans of HBO’s “The Sopranos”; there are many references to it (especially in season three) and recurring actors such as Steven Van Zandt who plays the main character Johnny in this production and Tony’s right hand Sylvio in the HBO series. There are also many references to other classic mafia movies/series such as the Godfather and Goodfellas. I find this series especially intriguing because Johnny essentially starts his own criminal organization from nothing in a country where he knows no one and barely speaks their native language. All in all the series can get confusing if you don’t like subtitles because even without putting them on there is still a lot of Norwegian dialect where they naturally appear. I would recommend turning on closed captioning regardless to better understand what’s going on and what people are saying. There are 3 seasons available on Netflix but a 4th season has yet to be announced. Anyways I hope this post has possibly opened you to the idea of deciding to watch this show.

-Jackson

Wentworth

Before you go any further: If you are squeamish in any way or don't enjoy shows with explicit themes, drug use or gore this is not the series for you.

Wentworth is an Australian television series, which takes place in a women’s correctional institute. Don’t be fooled this is not like “Orange is the new black” in any way, shape or form; if I could compare it to anything it would be HBO’s “OZ”. Your main protagonist is Bea Smith, who is being sent to Wentworth correctional for the attempted murder of her husband. She is a mother and victim of domestic abuse, which at first makes being inside hard on her but later on maternal instincts and a questionable conscience end up becoming some of her strongest traits later on in the series. Upon arriving she is put in a cellblock with “Franky” Doyle who is the undisputed “top-dog” of the prison and is the main source for drugs and contraband in or out of the prison. The other prisoners soon warn Bea that she should do anything and everything that Franky asks of her. She isn’t there long before being “asked” to do something, putting her in a compromising position. Until Bea follows through she is not allowed to eat or use the phones to call her daughter, which proves to be problematic and forces her to do things she wouldn’t normally. The main substance going around the prison at this time is Crystal Meth, which is supplied by Franky. Since no one will rat on her the Warden decides to let the old “top-dog” out of solitary; Jacquelyn Holt to create a power struggle and take them both down. This causes Bea to choose sides and make decisions which impact her life on the inside as well as people she cares about both in and outside of Wentworth.

 She may look like your average old lady but she happens to be married to one of the top crime bosses in all of Australia and is as cold-hearted and ruthless as they come. “Jacs” (as she is most commonly referred to) has a lot of pull and people willing to follow her command, her return also brings heroin back to Wentworth. Some guards even joke about how the heroin days were better because everyone would be strung out and less likely to cause trouble. The way that the show is filmed is very well thought out and the camera angles compliment what emotion each scene is trying to convey to the viewer. One interesting aspect of Wentworth was how each character’s backstory was revealed, sometimes presenting twists, which wouldn’t effect the current state of the prison but would make you rethink how certain people act or have acted throughout the series. As you can probably tell this series gets pretty intense and will at some points have you yelling and cheering to have one character stab the other in the jugular with pen or cut their throat with a razorblade. So like I said not something everyone might be interested in but I for one really enjoyed the series and am avidly anticipating season 3 to premiere on April 7th(2015). Wentworth was also recently confirmed for a 4^th season, likely to premiere in 2016.
 

-Jackson

Raising Hope

 

This week’s featured series is Raising Hope, which is the story of Jimmy the single parent who had a one night stand with a serial killer and ended up getting her pregnant. The mother originally named the baby Princess Beyonce but it was quickly changed to Hope. Shortly after giving birth Hope’s mother is executed and Jimmy is left to take care of his daughter. Jimmy grew up poor but his parents always found a way to compensate with questionable parenting, Jimmy wants things to be different for Hope even though he still lives with his parents and hilariously senile great grandmother who is usually only lucid for short periods of time. As dark as the description may sound so far I would have to say that this is one of the funniest sitcoms I have ever watched. Despite it’s PG rating much of the humour revolves around mature content with very clever writing that will make you laugh multiple times per episode.

 Jimmy starts to work at the local supermarket where he meets Sabrina who he falls in love with; unfortunately she has a boyfriend. He becomes friends with her but keeps his feelings hidden until later in the series. At first his parent’s weren’t too fond of having to help raise another child but quickly become very excited and involved in Hope’s life. Hope is very smart and will do things that are way beyond her age as well as make you laugh. This series shows as much about the family as it does about Jimmy or Hope and every character is hilarious in their own way. Jimmy has to sacrifice a lot for his daughter but admits she was the best thing that ever happened to him. Yes, this series is about raising a baby but it’s not what you’d expect so if you’re looking for something hysterical and new to watch you have a whole 5 seasons to get through.

-Jackson