“3 Body Problem”

Inexplicable natural phenomena, things that defy the laws of physics, the science of the world is suddenly broken. A scientist kills herself by jumping off into a particle detector. Far from an isolated incident, top scientists are dying across the globe. 

Adapted from the highly influential and Hugo Award winning novel of the same name by Liu Cixin. The show follows a group of friend who are all in some way connected to scientific research and education, as they unravel the mystery of their friend’s sudden death. The group finds that the truth is harrowingly daunting.

“3 Body Problem” received six nominations this year, including Outstanding Drama Series and a nomination for the main title design. The episode “Judgment Day” was nominated for Outstanding Cinematography, Outstanding Picture Editing, Outstanding Sound Editing and Outstanding Sound Mixing.

TW: Suicide, graphic violence, nudity

– IV

“The Bear”

Christopher Storer’s comedy-drama follows chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) on his return to Chicago to take over his brother’s sandwich shop, The Beef, following his death. Upon arriving, Carmy realizes the shop is nothing like the restaurants he’s worked in. Throughout, Carmy is forced to navigate his stubborn kitchen staff, dysfunctional familial relationships and his brother’s suicide all while trying to keep the failing restaurant afloat.

While “The Bear” is labeled as comedy, it leans more into the intense drama than anything else. We see plenty of captivating, tumultuous scenes working with fast-paced camera work and heated arguments between characters. The show follows up with quiet and tense moments of reflection and forgiveness, giving more insight into a character’s actions and motives. 

Additionally, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the characters grow from the first episode to the last. While each character remains strong-willed, they’ve one by one come into their own and learned how to find an understanding with one another. I went into “The Bear” believing it was going to be a silly pointless show, but witnessing how each character comes together to carry Carmy’s brother’s legacy made for a beautiful and heartfelt show that is more than worth the watch.

TW: Suicide, substance abuse, violence, family dysfunction

– SI

“Shogun”

“Shogun” is a brutal 2024 drama series based on the novel by James Clavell, set in the era of the Sengoku period in feudal Japan. The show follows two men from different places in undesirable positions, who collide and set the motion for the story going forth.

If you love realistic, intricate shows that don’t hold back any punches, then you should put this show on your watch list. There are many things to compliment about how amazing this show is, however, the series winning 18 Emmys and breaking the all-time record for a single TV season speaks for itself.

The accuracy the show is willing to go for in terms of historical realism and details is nothing short of extraordinary, and English isn’t the main language used.

Overall, I can confidently say “Shogun” has been one of the best things I’ve binged recently, and two more seasons have just been confirmed, which is super exciting.

TW: Brutality, sexual content

–NG

“Fallout”

“Fallout” is a long running game series beloved by many, and one many fans believe works perfectly in live action. The unique, but also realistic, setting of a post-apocalyptic America is an appealing enough concept for mainstream eyes. The storytelling is also quite rare, as we follow not one, not two, but three different protagonists throughout this eight-episode season.

One is a vaulter who is new to this hazardous world, the other is a rogue member of a group of heavy armored knights and the final one is an undead bounty hunter. All of these character’s positions are roles you can have in the game, which is a solid touch.

Despite all having their own stories, each character’s journey naturally connects to the other, which leads to a final event at the end that is filled with brutal action and satisfying payoffs.

Even though there are countless deaths and horrifying mutated monsters all over the series, it also finds a way to blend in some good dark comedy when needed. This series has only touched the surface of what this franchise has in store. I believe they can achieve the rest.

– JS

“Blue Eye Samurai“

This is a spaghetti western set in Japan during the Edo-period, when the country’s isolationist policy was in full effect. Living in a stanchly monolithic culture, Mizu is mixed-race and was born with blue eyes. There were only four white men in the country at the time of her conception. The show follows Mizu on her quest for revenge, hunting down each one of the four foreigners to kill them as payback for her hardships and their crimes against the nation.

Ridiculously skilled in the art of swordsmanship, she attracts the unwanted attention of an excitable fan named Ringo. On a quest to achieve greatness, Ringo imposes his companionship onto the jaded swordmaster, accompanies Mizu as her squire. 

Akemi is the daughter of a fuel lord and is engaged to her paramor Taigen. As a woman of nobility during this era, she is highly educated and incredibly skilled in the art of conversation. 

Taigen was not born into a position of nobility, he is the son of a fisherman. However, with enviable skill as a swordsman, through his status as the unchallenged prodigy of the Shindo dojo’s specific technique. 

Winning three different Emmys in Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation. “Blue Eye Samurai” was the winner of the 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program. 

TW: Graphic violence, implied sexual abuse, nudity, ableism

– IV

“Scavenger’s reign“

Stranded on the planet Vesta are five former crewmates: Ursula and Sam. Azi and Levi. And Kamen. 

Former pilot of the cargo ship, Sam, along with the help of Ursula, bring the ship down from the planet’s outer atmosphere and it crashes onto the planet. 

They all must traverse the hostile and unfamiliar environment in order to escape.

The show follows three pairs as they fight and struggle to survive in the foreign ecosystem. Ursula and Sam, who struggle ideologically with the best course of action, differing in their openness to embrace the unknown. The other pair, Azi and Levi, a solitary and self-reliant human engineer and a tender, nurturing robot companion created to assist humans. Kamen, who lives within his past regrets, is haunted and trapped within a parasitic relationship with a creature from the planet.

Above all, it is not just survival through adaptation, but survival through vulnerability and a radical trust in others. 

With phenomenal art direction, “ Scavenger’s Reign” was nominated for the Outstanding Animated Program Emmy. Background artist, Noémie Leroux, won the Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation, for their work on the episode “The Dream.”

TW: Substance abuse allegory, graphic violence, body horror

– IV