Stories I Loved- April 2020

Hello, all! I hope you guys are staying safe and healthy during this quarantine!

Since we've been home (finishing up week 9 of social distancing!), my husband and I have been spending all of our evenings watching TV. There's been quite a few things we've watched together, and some things I've watched on my own, but I don't think we've watched this many shows in years. I've compiled a list of the seasons I've watched alone, and the things we've watched together. 

Season 5

Criminal Minds is one of those shows that I rewatch constantly. I'm on my (probably) 4th or 5th rewatch of the series that's on Netflix, and it seriously doesn't get old. For those who haven't watched, Criminal Minds follows the Behavioral Analysis Unit, a group of Criminal Profilers from the FBI who travel the country to help local law enforcement catch serial killers, rapists, kidnappers, and otherwise bad people. The BAU family has gotten me through so much, and I love that they all love and cherish each other (especially showcased this season by Garcia buying JJ's son, Henry, armfuls of stuff because she just adores her Godson).This season is also one of my favorites because of the introduction of Tim Curry's serial killer character, who is so creepy, he makes my skin crawl. If there's anyone on this earth that hasn't blessed themselves with CM, please do. 

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

 

I think most of us are familiar with the murder of Laci Peterson; pregnant woman goes missing, and is later found murdered, and her husband is convicted because he's not a good guy and was having an affair before and after his wife went missing. I was moderately familiar with the case and was firmly believed that Scott, Laci's husband, did it. But then, I listened to a Crime Junkie episode that gave me more information, and made me more interested. This docu-series did a great job of explaining some things that weren't allowed into the trial, and showcasing how important the media was in this case, because the public convicted Scott before he even went to trial. Do I still think he did it? I think it's incredibly likely. However, enough reasonable doubt was introduced to make me think that the whole case needed another look.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Four Weddings and a Funeral is a fun Rom Com that follows a group of college friends; Maya, Ainsley, Craig, and Duffy. Maya is the only one of the group that still lives in the US, and when she decides to take a trip to London to see them, she meets Kash in the airport. The two hit it off, and are clearly attracted to each other, until Maya realizes that Kash is Ainsely's boyfriend. Fast forward a year, Maya has broken up with her boss-turned-boyfriend who refuses to divorce his wife, Ainsley and Kash are getting married, Craig discovers a secret daughter (and keeps her a secret from everyone he knows), and Duffy is trying to confess his love to Maya. But everything gets turned on it's head at Kash and Ainsley's wedding, when Kash calls it off in front of the entire church. 

This is a 10 episode series, and I was really enjoying the first 5 or 6 episodes. But it took me SO LONG to get through those last few episodes, because I just hit this point where I didn't like any of the characters very much. However, the last episode really redeemed it for me. I would highly recommend it, and think that getting through those Meh episodes was worth it. 

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

I love True Crime, and especially short True Crime docu-series. For those of you who aren't familiar with the murder case of Hae Min Lee, the 18 year old high school student went missing on an icy day in 1999, and her body was discovered 6 weeks later in a local park. After police receive an anonymous call suggesting that they look into her ex-boyfriend, 17 year old Adnan Syed, a friend of Adnan's named Jay comes forward stating that he help Adnan dispose of Hae's body, which ultimately gets Adnan arrested and convicted of the murder. The issue, that the series points out regularly, is that not only does Jay's story change regularly, but it often doesn't make sense with the physical evidence in the case.

This case has been covered by the podcast Serial, and really started the arguments for Adnan's innocence. Then a family friend of Adnan's, Rabia Chaudry, started her own podcast called Undisclosed to firmly prove that Adnan is innocent. I devoured Serial when I listened to it last year, and I was one of those people that wasn't sure if he was guilty or not. But Undisclosed and the docu-series have me FIRMLY believing that Adnan was innocent. I think this serves as a good summary of both podcasts, if you're looking for something a little quicker, but if I had to choose between the two, I would suggest putting in the time to listen to the podcasts and get the whole story of Hae's death.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

 

Seasons 1-3

This is the first series my husband and I watched together, and while it was my first time watching it, he's seen it before. Sam and Dean Winchester are Hunters: they hunt and kill all aspects of the supernatural, from wendigos to demons to ghosts. Each season navigates them coming to terms with their own mortality, valuing blood and chosen family, and trying to survive whatever supernatural force Hell throws at them. The series definitely gets better as it goes on, especially when they introduce some plot, and it isn't just Sam and Dean bouncing from place to place to defeat another evil. 

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Husband's Rating: 4/5 Stars

Season 1

Dave is an aspiring rapper who goes by Lil Dicky who is just trying to make it happen, while also not letting his anxiety get the best of him. This is basically a really vulgar, ridiculous sitcom, and it's hilarious. Dave/Lil Dicky is a real person and a hella talented rapper, but I'm not sure if the character of Dave is a caricature or not. I really enjoyed this for what it was, and it was a fun watch, but it isn't one that I'm going to be thinking about forever. My husband also really enjoyed it, but I think he liked it a little more than I did because Dave and I are a lot alike. Hey, it's not my fault I have anxiety. 

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Husband's Rating: 4/5 Stars 

Season 1

Buffy is Supernatural before Supernatural, but better because she knows how to dress and has cute boyfriends. Again, for those who are unfamiliar with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it's about Buffy Summers, who is one in a long line of women who are chosen to defeat vampires and other forces of darkness. Buffy was just kicked out of her old school in LA, and she and her mom have moved to Sunnydale. Determined to stay out of trouble, Buffy decides to stop slaying, until she learns that her new home sits atop the Hell Mouth, which increases the liklihood that vampires, demons, and other kinds of evil will attack someone she loves. 

I seriously love Buffy. Is it cheesy? Yes. Are there some things that haven't aged well? Yes. Are the special effects shitty? Yes. But it's such a good show. Also, a plot was established pretty quickly, even if it happened in the background for most of season 1, which was better than season 1 strictly being about the different supernatural beings that exist in this universe. This was my 3rd rewatch of season 1, and I still really enjoyed it. I can look past the cheesiness, but my husband had a harder time getting over it. And I can't totally say I blame him. Supernatural and Buffy are incredibly similar, so I think you're just destined to like the one you saw first, more. 

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Husband's Rating: 3/5 Stars

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That's all of the shows we completed a season of in April! What did you guys watch this month? Do you enjoy any of these shows too? I really appreciate you guys reading, and I'll see you soon!