Pasckie Pascua's Nerdy Squirrel Reviews: TV Series.

“The Diplomat” (Netflix) political thriller . Season 3. Set in an alternate reality, it stars Keri Russell as a veteran U.S. diplomat who is unexpectedly appointed as the ambassador to the United Kingdom amid an emerging international crisis.        As “diplomat” Kate Wyler, Ms Russell was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards , two Screen Actors Guild Awards , and two Golden Globe Awards for her performance here. I don't disagree with the brisk pacing and ensemble performance (esp. Allison Janney, Ali Ahn and Rory Kinnear) but I find the entire situation implausible.        Katie's supposedly deteriorating (confusing!) marriage. Lover 1 to lover 2. Ambassador to “Second Lady” with a powerful access to the POTUS and UK Prime Minister. The weird twists of the geopolitical crisis from Season 2 to Season 3. Etc etcetera.        But then, never mind, right? There's thrill and suspens...

“Dept. Q” (Netflix) British crime thriller . A former top-rated detective tackles a cold case while turning an Edinburgh (Scotland) basement office space into a well-oiled machine full of misfit officers dedicated to cracking whatever seemingly impossible cases come across their desks. This series is based on the book series “ Department Q .” by Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen .         The plot: Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck is tasked with leading a new cold-case unit after being injured in a shooting. Alongside a team of unlikely colleagues, Carl investigates the mysterious disappearance of Prosecutor Merritt Lingard, uncovering a traumatic past involving the kidnapping and confinement of Ms Merritt in a hyperbaric chamber by Lyle and Ailsa Jennings , who blamed Merritt for the death of Lyle's brother, Harry.          What's interesting about this series is--it poses a different criminal case f...

“Dope Girls” (Hulu) British historical drama , based on the 1993 nonfiction book “Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground” by Marek Kohn, about early 20th-century S oho's brothel mamas and drug syndicates in those years. Some of the main characters are based on real-life Kate Meyrick, Billie Carleton, and Edgar Manning.        On the feminism or female-centric quotient, this series-anchored on Julianne Nicholson (don't mind the fake accent) and Eliza Scanlen's earnest performance--is a sure winner. Even Geraldine James’ villainous take as crime queen Isabella Salucci, during those years of manly dominance, is a victory. All the men here are weakling blokes salivating in their perceived power.         Production design is exemplary as well. But the scripting is predictably, unapologetically implausible although I go with the project's advocacy objective. 🎥💻📽 “Serangoon Road” (Amazon Prime) Austral...

“Death By Lightning” (Netflix) historical drama miniseries, based on the 2011 book “ Destiny of the Republic ” by Candice Millard . Stars Michael Shannon as United States President James A. Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin Charles J. Guiteau .         The series depicts the election and presidency of Mr Garfield , the 20th U.S. President , including his anti-corruption and pro-civil rights stances, as well as how his path crossed with Mr Guiteau , a deluded admirer, who ended up shooting him , leading to the president's death. Garfield served for only over 6 months or 199 days to be exact.         In only 4 concise episodes, this significant chapter in American history is revisited in a tight, no-frills, no irritating Republican versus Democrat grandstanding. Yet we get the “traditional politico” frivolities and selfishness + shenanigans as an entertainment sidebar. Overall, the major atte...

“Tracker” (Hulu) Season 1 and 2. Action drama, based on the 2019 novel “The Never Game” by Jeffery Deaver . Colter Shaw is a skilled survivalist and tracker who earns his living by assisting law enforcement and private citizens in exchange for reward money. Professionally, he is called “rewardist.”        The standalone plotlines are formulaic but still manage to emit family-friendly entertainment that can be addictive. Credit that to Justin Hartley's matinee idol looks and unique action star swagger, as Colter Shaw.          And as ever, a good show is never without its interesting support staff: Fiona René as lawyer Reenie Greene and computer nerd/hacker Bobby, played by Eric Graise. 🎥💻📽 “Wayward” (Netflix) Canadian mystery thriller . Premise: Nothing is what it seems in Tall Pines. After an escape attempt from an academy for “troubled teens," two students Leila and Abbie join forces with a newly loca...

“Fisk” (Netflix) Australian comedy series. Co-created and co-written by comedian Kitty Flanagan , who is also the lead star, takes its name from its central character Helen Tudor-Fisk, who joins a small legal firm after returning to her hometown, Melbourne .          This is an old-school but very effective sitcom. The sort of TV comedy that never failed to drive us to laughter before television humor evolved into “political humor.” This little show doesn’t meddle with “culture war” tropes although it nudges some. The ensemble team of Ms Flanagan , Marty Sheargold , Julia Zemiro , and Aaron Chen don’t do physical antics or wild, boisterous jokes. They just are the characters, hilarious as they are. Helen’s oversized coat and pair of pants and Ms Zemiro’s Roz’s hairprayed lump of hair are already funny. Then there go the guests, who are as laughable as individuals. 🎥👍📽 “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (Hulu) Season 17, sitcom that foll...