TOP 10 TV SHOWS I WATCHED IN 2020

Emily in Paris is tres terrible

If for some reason you decided to check out the new Netflix show Emily In Paris, DON’T. Go watch The Devil Wears Prada instead. It’s practically the same thing, only in the latter you actually get good performances and character depth.

Coming into this show I was expecting a cute heart-warming story. 10 minutes in I thought how great it would be to watch a show about a woman figuring out herself and her work life in a new country. And then all my hopes went down the steaming bidet once Gabriel opened his door.

Emily in Paris truly tested my gag reflex, and here’s why.

First of all, the premise of somebody going to Paris – “a perfect romantic city” – is so overused and unrealistic. Paris sure is pretty but it’s also dirty, polluted, and has more than 29 thousand people sleeping in the streets. But of course Emily lives in some parallel universe where Paris is apparently Paradise. Idolization of anything, even a city is harmful. So this “perfect” Paris is not apreciated.

The Instagram followers ridiculousness. There’re actual people whose job is to promote Instagram accounts, you don’t become an influencer overnight by posting a pic of you eating un pain au chocolat (which is just bread with chocolate, stop creaming your pants, Emily).

On top of that, the abundance of French stereotypes is exhausting. Too hard to write complex characters and present actual reasoning for their actions? Don’t bother, just put every French cliche you’ve ever heard of.

And that chambre de bonne is just ridiculous. Who knew that maids used to have such big apartments? (By the way, you can see a more realistic room that you could get in Paris in the movie Monte Carlo. Ah, such a good movie.) The creators were going for an aesthetic, thus missed an opportunity to show Emily struggling to adjust to her new life. It’s quite impossible to believe that Emily’s going through a rough time when her life is seemingly perfect, and any inconvenience doesn’t affect her at all.

The ex. It’s very typical to introduce a romantic partner of the protagonist at the start of your story and not give them enough depth, so that the audience doesn’t get attached to them and the inevitable break up brings relief. Now they can root for the protagonist to get together with the planned love interest. Yay. 

However, this structure might work for a movie, but when you have 10 episodes to flash out your story and therefore the protagonist, wouldn’t it be better to use this opportunity to develop the secondary characters? Not for their own sake but to develop the main character through them. 

Every character you spend some time on should play some important role, right? Otherwise why should we  bother watching their scenes. Shouldn’t the current boyfriend of the main lead tell us something about the protagonist? Like, why did the main character choose to be in this relationship, what do they see in their partner and therefore what qualities do they value in people? How do they act in personal relationships? What role does their partner play in their life?

The main character is dull and unrelatable with zero character development. A conventionally attractive privileged white woman whose biggest struggle to overcome is her coworkers not being nice to her straight away. We’re constantly told that it’s hard for Emily to adjust but it’s never shown. In fact everything solves itself rather smoothly, carrying no repercussions for her.

With such an unlikable selfish protagonist you find yourself more interested in secondary characters. It actually feels like we get to know Mindy and Camille more. Compared to them, we know nothing about Emily’s family relationships or literally any backstory on her. Who is Emily? Why are we following her? Why should we care? What is her inner conflict? Oh right, she has none. Because by the end of the show she stays the same exact character that we met in the beginning. If Emily’s experience does not influence her at all, why should it matter to the audience? And what is the point of telling this story?

Feminism: the lost potential [episode 3]. “Non, Antoine. Sexism isn’t sexy. Shut the f*ck up.” That’d be enough for me from such a bland show. But no, we’re left with an ambiguous conclusion, when Emily doesn’t disagree with Antoine’s perception that women enjoy men’s unsolicited attention. And then this topic is not discussed again. Thanks for that, Emily in Paris. How about next time (which will hopefully never happen) you either have the bravery to actually speak on the issue and educate people or at least do not cause more damage.

Finally, the most annoying plotline that decidedly ruined the show. Did you ever watch a movie, and there’s a couple that you love, but you feel like something’s missing? So, you just think “I wish some cheating was involved”. If you actually do think that sometimes, media content has tricked you into thinking that cheating is sexy and exciting, when it’s actually destructive and disgusting. THE CHEATING. Stop normalizing it!!! Enough. It always takes away from a relationship. And we’re tired of seeing it. Give us some healthy couples. And if you think they’re boring, you just don’t know how to write them. If you get rid of the cheating plotline, the show becomes slightly bearable. It’s still boring and irritating, but at least it’s not as problematic.

Anyway. Similarly, to how “Enola Holmes” should’ve been a series, this show should’ve been a movie. There was no point of dragging out this – I want to say – story. Because nothing happened. Was there a big revelation in the finale, that we were led up to? No. Did Emily learn anything thanks to her “journey”? Nope. Was it just 5 hours of her hooking up with unremarkable men who all look the same, while being a terribly arrogant person? You decide.

i did trin lovell’s list, and thought i’d post it. 

tbh i was debating to put tvd in the death row bc i hate sm about it, but it was one of the first shows i ever watched and seasons 2&3 are genuinely good.

 regarding the 100, i actually think the show itself is pretty great (seasons 1-4) but i just have too much pent up hatred towards it bc of bellarke (they literally made me wait 7 years for nothing) and b*liza (clarke and bellamy were my favorite characters and i can’t look at their faces anymore).

some of these rankings are probably gonna be surprising but i stand by them.

thoughts on sex education season 3

two episodes in

im so here for otis & ruby, the relationship makes both characters more interesting and less unbearable, plus they are so much better than maeve & otis, i can actually ship them.

i love cal. i want to see more of them. it was heartbreaking to see the bathrooms aka their safe space being demolished.

since season one adam has been my favorite character (after maeve), and i’m so happy to see his development. he makes me go 🥺 every time he’s on screen.

eric and adam are so cute. i really hope they work out.

i’m glad isaac told maeve the truth, and while i like isaac i don’t think maeve will be with him. i don’t think maeve needs a love interest this season tbh.

i hope we get an aimee centered episode.

episode 3

sorry viv and jackson, i used to really ship you last season but now i’m cal and jackson all the way

viv is kinda annoying this season so far. it’s in character but like she used to be one of my favorites

i want to fight hope

why do i love ruby now

episode 4

okay i do like otis and ruby but why did this turn into their show? i want to see other characters more!!!

i can’t wait to see hope’s downfall. istg if she’s not gone by the end of the season i will riot.

i’m really liking maeve with isaac. their scene was so sensual and beautiful.

i just really hope otis and maeve both move on separately like they’re doing rn, and never get together. i don’t think they’re right for each other, and they’re just boring together.

ready for paris adventures yessss

episode 5

jean is a queen

jackson on a trip is hilarious

flying feces whyyy

i love adam sm

oh no the girls are fighting

not ola and lilly having a fight over aliens

oh no don’t tell me maeve and otis are gonna find some motel and there will only be one bed

i’m living for adam and rahim becoming buddies

jackson and cal 💔

maeve’s not here? kevin’s not here. KEVIN!

you tell him, maeve. otis sucked last season.

nononono. NOOO. disgusting. don’t kiss. stupid paris.

poor ruby 😭

episode 6

lilly backstory yesssss

vagina cupcakes I WANT

why is aimee the sweetest human being

i wonder if the season will end with maeve going away to the us

i’m so glad we’re seeing more of eric’s family

hope can die in a ditch. she would be a terrible parent considering how she treats her students. *me imagining violently smashing hope’s car to cope* who made this bitch an educator? is this allowed? IS THAT ALLOWED?! poor kids, they’re legit traumatized now

i’m sorry but with this crisis going on, i can’t care about some silly maeve and otis drama

otis DOES make everything worse. fuck otis. i don’t want to see him anymore either.

hell yeah viv. fuck that millennial bitch up.

no, eric, don’t just go away with some stranger. i’m scared.

why is everyone fucking cheating?! is it so hard to keep your tongue in your mouth?

episode 7

ahhh i love everyone working together

omg this bitch is absolutely unhinged

“sex free campus? people fuck in the bushes” is my favorite quote, thank you eric

ruby matthews is officially THAT bitch, she did what i wanted to do the whole season

sucking on my titties is the best anthem. i love this show.

cal and jackson are definitely my favorite ship this season, i really hope they work everything out

the way connor swindells portrays adam is incredible

i need jean to be okay

they’re each other’s mums stop i’m crying

i wish mr groff cared more about his son than about getting back with his wife, like he hasn’t even talked to adam this whole time or made any sort of effort

lmao not A RAIN KISS i can’t believe a ship i don’t care about actually get a rain kiss

the finale episode 8 let’s gooooo

lmao what is this mean girls moment

adam and rahim being besties is hilarious

i’m sad cal and jackson didn’t work out but i get it, i’m glad they’ll still be friends

the maureen and aimee goat adventures

my baby adam i’m- i can’t, why is he getting hurt

why did adam and eric have to break up

not otis building up this absolute bitch that should be in jail

SHUT UP he’s not the father?!

seeing adam happy is everything

proud of maureen for ditching michael

eric third wheeling in the tree house lmao

i feel like this season left everything disheveled, and i’m left feeling empty. it felt more like a mid season finale than a season finale. i enjoyed season 3 but i think i prefer season 2.

tv shows i watched this march

TOP 5 FAVORITE MOMENTS FROM 2022’S QUEER AS FOLK

1. Mingus’ performance to “sacrilege” by yeah yeah yeahs

my first association when i read the title of this episode was this song, so i was immediately captured when it actually started playing. mingus’ look during the performance was ethereal and mesmerizing. you could really feel the spiritual rebirth they and the audience were going through.

2. Brodie blowing up Daddius’ parents’ car to kimberly nichole’s cover of “house of the rising sun”

nothing more cathartic than getting revenge on your best friend’s homophobic parents. brodie might be impulsive but it’s admirable how much he cares and fights for his friends.

3. Brodie saving Mingus’ life in Babylon

the most memorable shot during the babylon attack, which the show flashed back to a couple of times, was brodie body-slamming mingus after he sees the terrifying look on their face and realizes what’s happening.

4. Brodie and Ruthie’s kiss in the rain

okay, so i’m not saying i ship it. but their relationship plays as the main love story of the show.

sure, at first we don’t get anything but a “platonic besties” vibe from them. yet, even in the beginning it feels like in ruthie’s relationship with shar there’s always another person aka brodie. later when we find out brodie and ruthie were each other’s first love it all starts to make sense. brodie had to stuff his feelings for ruthie after she came out to him as trans, but he never really got over them.

i wonder what direction their relationship would go, were we to get a season 2. all obvious reasons tell me they wouldn’t last long, but who knows? sexuality is fluid.

5. Brenda’s coming out

this coming out is pure camp and i live for it. it was as unexpected as my love for her, and yet completely in character. julian and brodie’s reaction to “you get it from your mama” was priceless.

i don’t think ppl talk about these shows enough! (or at all)

my favorite genre of cast photos

MY TOP MOST LISTENED ARTISTS IN 2024 🖤

TOP 10 TV SHOWS I WATCHED IN 2023

1. GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES

this prequel to grease tells the story of how the “pink ladies” gang was created. it follows new original characters, although the younger versions of some movie characters are also shown/mentioned. it is a beautiful musical about feminism, love, friendship, racial relationships and queerness in the 50s. the songs stuck in my head & my heart. and it quickly became one of my favorite shows ever. incredibly devastating that it only got one season, because it was very unique and important.

2. FREERIDGE

on my block’s spin-off. it’s just as unhinged, dripped in magic and ridiculousness. less violent than its predecessor, it follows a group of four friends who come into possession of a “cursed” box, and as they try to get rid of it, shenanigans ensue. you’ll see a few familiar faces from omb and fall in love with the new ones. experience this block’s craziness again or for the first time. be gnomes ahead.

3. EVERYTHING NOW

tells the story of mia as she returns from rehab for ed, and tries to catch up on her teenage experiences. secret hookups, betrayals, love triangles, lying and pretty people. similar in tone to heartbreak high & genera+ion.

4. VAMPIRE ACADEMY

it’s about a royal vampire and her half-vampire protector, as they navigate their duties after a tragic event changes their lives.

rose and demitri’s love story certainly carries the show. the cast is great and it’s a fun watch. definitely a step up from the movie.

5. SHRINKING

jason segel plays a therapist who starts telling his patients what he really thinks, while trying to maintain a relationship with his daughter (lukita maxwell) and estranged friends.

it just felt very fun and warm to watch.

6. CITY ON FIRE

a girl is shot in the central park. and it intertwines lives of a boy who’s in love with her, a rock band and a rich powerful family. in trying to figure out what happened to sam, charlie realizes the girl of his dreams had more secrets than he suspected.

the cast is perfect and billy is the best character, that’s all i have to say. this show’s exciting, dramatic, in parts reminded me of gossip girl, succession, 13rw and grand army.

7. HIGH SCHOOL

twin sisters in the 90s grow closer as they learn how to write music. they experience first love, make new friends and deal with family issues.

the true story of how tegan&sara became the musical duo that they are.

8. HARLAN COBEN’S SHELTER

after a traumatic accident mickey moves to his dad’s childhood home, where he uncovers mysteries connected to his parents’ work.

reminded me of teen wolf, because the storyline is dark but the friendship and humor of the main characters shine through.

9. YEAR OF

a group of classmates try to overcome the loss of their friend. heartbreak high made me interested in aussie shows. and this had similar energy.

10. QUEEN CHARLOTTE

a fictional story of a young queen’s marriage to the king of england. bridgerton’s spin off which imo was better made than the original show.

ranking hsmtmts characters bc i’ve got nothing more important to do

14. lily

she’s just plain annoying and i want her to get off my screen every time she’s on it.

hope she’s not in season three and if she is she’s not redeemed (make her even more evil, then maybe she’ll be interesting).

[this is just about the character of course, nothing against the actress]

13. miss jen

i was finally starting to like her in the beginning of season 2 but the last few episodes reminded me how infuriating she is. i don’t like how she treats her students and the fact that she doesn’t have teaching credentials doesn’t help.

12. ricky

it’s not that i hate him i actually like him sometimes, but he’s so oblivious and gullible. give this boy some therapy then maybe we’ll talk.

11. nini

she’s alright. but we see so much of her and yet so little of the important stuff that would actually make her interesting. i support and respect her and all, i just don’t really care about her.

10. natalie

hello where’s her screen time? episodes 10&11 proved she deserves it.

9. big red

he’s just kinda there. i like the actor but i’m not that invested in the character’s storyline.

8. carlos

respect him a lot. but the show doesn’t give him enough plot line for me to care.

7. seb

love him bc he’s a sweetheart but him and carlos are in the same boat (or should i say ship) when it comes to screen time. the show remembers they exist once every 5 episodes, so they’re just kinda there in the background.

6. howie

he’s so high up bc he intrigues me. i’m certain that he’s a good guy but i guess the finale will settle it for me.

5. kourtney

i’m glad that this season she’s not just a supportive black friend and gets her own storyline. although i wish we’d seen more of her at work & pursuing her dreams instead of only witnessing the howie drama (and even that mostly in the background).

4. ashlyn

ash was consistently great from the beginning. love her bond with gina and need more of it.

in some ways she reminds me of phoebe from friends because she’s a multitasking queen and apparently likes to stir up drama (bc wth was that deal with the chocolates).

3. mr mazzara

even though he was sort of an antagonist in season one (for like 4 episodes) and he said a few nasty things, since his first scene, i liked his presence and comedic timing. in season two he completely won me over. he’s just someone who can do no wrong at this point. and his relationship with ej is amazing. so yes he’s in the top 3.

2. ej

ej could’ve be an unlikable character but matt cornett is portraying him so well it’s impossible not to like him. he was definitely one of the most surprising character development wise. although he was my second favorite since day one, regardless. his story arc was one of the best. he is the best male character. now, i’m kinda scared to lose him next season. and also, portwell for life <3

1. gina

do i even have to say it? she’s a queen and everyone should bow down to her. should’ve been the main character idc.

sofia wylie was the reason i started the show and gina became my number one the second i saw her in the background. finally this season has been giving her all the screen time she deserves and i couldn’t be happier. gina is one of my all time favorite comfort characters.