“The Americans.” “Community.”

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“The Americans.” Hulu. 6 Seasons. Set during the Cold War, it follows the story of a couple, Soviet KGB intelligence officers posing as American partners living in a Washington D.C. suburb, with their two children. The show also explores the conflict between Washington's FBI office and the KGB Rezidentura by following the perspectives of agents on both sides.



       This is an intelligent show, told in a very objective manner, beyond what other political series that tend/s to caricaturize foreign dignitaries especially from those governments with contrary policy to/with Washington. The series begins in the aftermath of the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan in January 1981 and concludes in December 1987, shortly before the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Very educational as well. Recommended viewing. 

       “The Americans” should, as well, prod those who seek to know more to dig deeper and wider pertinent backgrounders of the current Ukraine conflict, NATO/Warsaw Pact, post-Cold War geopolitics etcetera. 📹📺📹


“Community.” Netflix. 6 Seasons. An ensemble cast, set at a community college in the fictional Colorado town of Greendale. Creator Dan Harmon based the program on his own experiences attending a community college. Each episode was written in accordance with Harmon's "story circle" template, a method designed to create effective and structured storytelling. It makes heavy use of meta-humor and pop culture references, often paying homage to film and television clichés and tropes. 



       And then the cliches and tropes turned a bit juvenile midway in Season 4 or 5. The “structured storytelling” also got hackneyed or just bored.

       Meanwhile, it should be remembered that “Community” is Donald Glover’s breakout show before he did “Atlanta.” Could have been Danny Pudi’s breakthrough as well but I don’t know where the dude is, these days. Despite struggling in the ratings during its run, “Community” developed a cult following of young adults who refuse to grow up. LOL! (“It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is funnier though a lot more irreverent and silly.) 📹📺📹


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