What I’m Watching

For as long as I can remember, I haven’t been much of a TV person.

I’ve always gravitated toward films, which I find offer a deeper sense of immersion— a complete story contained within its own world. Television, by contrast, often feels constrained by serialization: fixed episode lengths, formulaic story arcs, predictable character development, and the ever-present pull of ratings. Movies, on the other hand, provide a more flexible and self-contained storytelling format, with clearly defined beginnings and endings.

That said, I do occasionally return to great TV series for their exceptional writing (anything by Aaron Sorkin), captivating stories (nearly anything from HBO), or, at times, simply to switch my brain off (ugh, Sons of Anarchy).

Lately, though, I’ve found myself watching more television than I ever have. Despite keeping quite busy, I seem to have pockets of downtime where I just want to unplug.¹ One way I’ve been doing that is by watching more shows. In the evenings, my spouse and I often wind down by finding something we can both agree on—no small feat given our differing tastes: they lean toward murder mysteries and “reality” TV, while I prefer thrillers, sharp dialogue, and the occasional rewatch of a classic.

All of this is to say: here are three shows I’m watching (or recently watched) that I probably wouldn’t have touched in the past.

Workin’ Moms (2017-2023)

Workin’ Moms (2017–2023) was an interesting watch. Over its seven seasons, the show evolved from a raunchy comedy to a more critical look at life’s messier, most challenging moments— before eventually settling into an uneven hybrid of the two. The storylines became inconsistent, and the character development often felt weak and uneven. Still, we found ourselves laughing out loud several times per episode and were pleasantly surprised that a piece of CanCon from CBC managed to entertain us both. It’s worth watching as a light escape from the everyday and for something refreshingly different.

The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022-2025)

My spouse was surprised when I suggested we watch The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022–2025), given its origins as a series of teen romance novels. My interest came from a Globe and Mail review, now lost to the archives, that suggested the show was worth watching. If I recall correctly, the article compared it to Friday Night Lights (2006–2011), arguing that beneath its surface, it offered unexpected emotional depth. I was skeptical of that claim but decided to give it a try.

We’re only partway through the first season, and I have to admit— I’m enjoying it. In some ways, it reminds me of Normal People (2020), though without the same caliber of writing, acting, or cinematography that made the Irish book-to-series adaptation so remarkable.

Bloodline (2015-2017)

When Bloodline (2015-2017) premiered in 2015, I watched it immediately and was hooked. A psychological thriller set in Florida— what could be better? I probably binged the entire first season over a weekend. But when the later seasons were released, I didn’t bother. I’ve always felt that most shows (or movie series) should quit while they’re ahead rather than chasing ratings or profits; too many stay on TV past their prime.

Recently, with some extra time on my hands, I decided to revisit Bloodline and watch the remaining two seasons. The first season still holds the most impact, while the third becomes increasingly unhinged— both in story and character; but overall, it’s been an interesting and entertaining return to this dark family drama.