Currently, I’m in the middle of the second season of You, and it’s so stressful I’ve had to take a break to write this post and destress. When the time comes, a lot will be said about You. However, until then, this post will treat you to a discussion on three completely different programmes, each with a compelling storyline and interesting character dynamics.

Lost in Space (Season 2)

Looking for your next sci-fi fix? Look no further than Netflix’s Lost in Space. A surprising gem in Netflix’s catalogue, Lost in Space spotlights the Robinson family’s quest to navigate their way through space to a well-established colony on Alpha Centauri. Along the way, they have to confront the unresolved tension between family members, overcome some extreme physical challenges, and carve out their place in the family and within this space colony. Narratively speaking, the second season of Lost In Space had two primary objectives. Reach Alpha Centauri and find the robot. Some may say that this season does nothing to push the narrative along, but the core of the show has always been the relationship between the Robinsons and it did a phenomenal job at exploring the various dynamics between the family. With that, we saw the emergence of Penny. The middle child whose skills lie in her words often struggles to fit into the family of scientific geniuses, and this season provided an opportunity to get an insight into that struggle. Out of all the characters, Penny is one that we can relate to most, and it’s clear that by the end of the season she carries the emotional heart of the family. The tweet below sums up everything you need to know about season two. It is a character-driven season, but one that set up some interesting dynamics that has the potential to shake the very foundations of the Robinson family.

Giri/Haji

Whatever you do, do not sleep on this Japanese/English crime drama. Giri/Haji (Duty/Shame) is a captivating story of family and loyalty, with a multitude of plot threads culminating in an incredible finale that demonstrates the very limits of a brother’s love. Tokyo detective, Kenzo Mori, is tasked with the responsibility of bringing his brother to justice after his actions threaten to kick-start a gang war among the Yakuza bosses. However, the longer Kenzo finds himself in London, the deeper his investigation takes him into London’s own criminal underground, threatening to tear apart his family and bring further danger to those he loves. While the premise of the show sounds grim, the eccentric and compelling cast give life to these characters, offering an insight into the relationships that shape and trap their lives. These dynamics keep our characters grounded but also serve as a reminder of all that could be lost and gained as this cat and mouse chase between the brothers unravels the world they once knew.

Wisting (Season 1)

Another one to file into the extensive Scandi-noir catalogue, Wisting takes every component that makes these dramas so recognisable and results in a slightly disjointed, yet tense 10 episodes. The show is literally a tale of two halves, with Wisting tasked with tracking a notorious serial killer, so high profile it leads to two FBI agents to assist in the investigation. The latter half follows an introspective tone as accusations of tampered evidence from a previous case comes to light, forcing Wisting to question the motives of himself and his colleagues. These two narratives were disjointed at best, especially when lingering plot threads were left open-ended, but what was smart was how choices from the first half of the season led to the consequences of the latter half. The show also heavily features Wistings family, with his journalist daughter often in the line of fire, yet effectively using her skills in uncovering some lingering mysteries, heightening the stakes both professionally and personally. If you’ve enjoyed previous iterations of the Scandi-noir dramas, then you will surely love Wistings. It’s introspective, thrilling, and crafty in its execution.

Have you seen any of these shows?
What have you been watching?