I’ve never been a big fan of series and many “cult” titles I haven’t watched yet. I definitely prefer watching movies, but I’m becoming more and more convinced by the plot in episodes. I also have to admit that Netflix is not my favorite streaming service, but as part of the series started by Marta, I have prepared five series that have stuck in my head the most in recent years.
It wasn’t until creating this list that I realized that most of these productions can be classified as “for young people”, which on the one hand should not be surprising given my age, but on the other hand it’s really not my favorite type of plot. Anyway, I think that not only people in their twenties will have fun with these titles. For the older ones, it will also be a good opportunity to learn about the problems faced by Generation Z (and not only) in the modern world.
Top 5 of my series on Netflix – in random order:
1. “Insatiable”
This is a series in which the victim becomes the executioner, and the plot is completely disconnected from reality. I was convinced to the production by a brilliant and powerful trailer, which announced the transformation of the main character Patty from an ugly duckling into a magnificent swan, who will take revenge for all the years of humiliation. And of course Debby Ryan, whom I knew from the Disney Channel series “There’s Nothing Like a Ship” I watched as a child.
Patty’s main goal is to win the Miss Beauty crown, but due to the fact that the series is full of absurdities, new and unpredictable threads appear every moment that distract the main character from this intention. The production is full of unexpected plot twists that would probably not exist in the real world. After a few episodes, I even had the impression that this American youth production turned into a Brazilian telenovela, which was only intensified by the performance of some actors and the music that was heard in the background.
The series had many opponents who accused it of making fun of obese people and just a stupid script, but watching it I was as “insatiable” as the main character. “Insatiable” is a satire on practically everything – on contests and the cult of beauty, on law enforcement agencies, on deals, on youth from the so-called “good homes” or infidelity in marriage.
In addition, the production is full of black, even rude humor, which – I will shamelessly admit – I am a fan. I did not treat anything in this series literally or personally, and I also have unpleasant memories from school, although different than the main character. Therefore, I understand the indignation of some people, especially in an era of excessive political correctness. This is a production that can be safely included in the “guilty plesaure” category, where the viewer is supposed to have fun, and not take an example from the characters of the series.
2. “The End of The F***ing World”
This is a British proposition about two teenagers “hunting in the grain”, who start a journey full of impressions through England in a stolen car. I love “road movies”, and in this case “road series”, because watching them I can really feel what freedom is. And that was the case with the story of James and Alyssa – two outsiders with different personalities who, tired of their family situation at home, decided to set off into the unknown.
He considers himself a psychopath and is very quiet. On the contrary, she is delightful in her insolence. This contrast, however, does not make one character dominate over the other. The two complement each other and make the perfect duo for this escape that will make their lives never the same again.
The series perfectly shows the bitterness of reality, which can also overwhelm young people. The viewer also has the opportunity to see that the childhood of these heroes, called “carefree time”, was not so pleasant at all, which has a huge impact on what decisions James and Alissa make in the present. During the journey, they encounter many dangerous situations and dangerous people, which for both of them ends up crossing their own borders many times and escaping from the police. But there is a punchline in all of this that applies to all of us.
“The End of The F***ing World” also has well-chosen and atmospheric music that reflects the atmosphere of specific scenes. We also get beautiful frames that we can enjoy the eye. What’s more, from the screen you can feel the closeness that develops between the two characters, as well as all the other emotions that accompany them. And it must be admitted that the most extreme ones appear.
3. “Heart Stopper”
This is another series of British production, but in a completely different convention – above all, much more realistic. Initially, I was skeptical about this title, because I don’t like teenage drama series that are too sweet, and that’s what “Heartstopper” may seem like. Especially when you know that the production was based on comic books.
However, this is not the case at all. Yes, it’s a little sweet, but not overly so. Everything is presented here in good tone. The main character is sensitive Charlie, who is not liked at school, and some groups of people teased him because he is homosexual. As the new school year approaches, the captain of the school’s rugby team, Nick, sits in the same desk with him. The boys immediately make a good connection, which over time begins to transform into a feeling that both of them can’t be sure of at first.
Charlie doesn’t believe that a sporty and popular boy like Nick can also date guys, which his friends often try to convince him. And Nick is only just realizing that he hasn’t fully explored his sexuality. In addition, he lives in a sporty and masculinized environment that is toxic and does not allow anyone to truly be themselves. There are also threads in the series involving other characters who are just getting to know each other and react to it in very different ways. A good example is the cryptogay Ben, who hurts both himself and the other person with his behavior, but until some time he completely does not realize it.
“Heartstopper” also deserves praise for the fact that there is nothing about sex in it, which is unusual in this day and age. It is a warm and touching story about platonic feelings, which in fact are the most beautiful in the world. When I watched the last episode, I melted inside and at the same time I was sorry that when I went to high school (and it was really recently) such series were not filmed. Because I experienced quite a similar story as the main characters, but the ending was from the “your worst nightmare” series.
4. “Great Water”
I haven’t seen many Polish Netflix productions, but I dare say that this is the best local production of the streaming giant. After all, it is not without reason that the directors of “Wielka Woda” Bartłomiej Ignaciuk and Jan Holoubek received this year’s Eagle for the best feature film series.
It is a suspenseful story in which the temperamental hydrologist Jaśmina Tremer tries to save Wrocław from a huge flood wave. Unfortunately, incompetent local scientists stand in her way, who downplay the problem until the last moment. Anachronistic “smarts” base their knowledge on outdated scientific studies or old maps, which also makes it difficult to fight the element. This motif perfectly shows the backwardness of the patriarchal world, in which the voice of a young expert (trained abroad!) is not respected.
In fact, however, the approaching flood is only a background to move other, no less poignant threads. There are motifs such as local politics and its filth, or a family secret, which is an important element of the characters’ motivation. Some say it’s unnecessary, but in my opinion these elements will perfectly fit into the presented world and make the production watch in suspense all the time. The story of a resident of Kęty near Wrocław, who is renovating his father’s house, is also interesting. The authorities want to sacrifice his town to save Wrocław, and the inhabitants oppose it.
And although the series is loosely based on facts, attention to every detail allows us to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of the 90s and feel the tragedy that really hit Wrocław. The make-up of Anna Dymna in particular deserves praise. Many viewers initially completely did not recognize her as the obese mother of the main character. In addition (for encouragement), I must admit that during the screening I shed a few tears, and it’s not easy to bring me to such a state.
5. “Sex Education”
This is probably the most popular title from all the productions that I recommend, so I won’t write so much about it. First of all, in my opinion, this is more of a family series than strictly youth. I watched it for the first time at the beginning of the “national quarantine” with my parents and everyone found something for themselves in it.
Seemingly, this is the story of teenagers from Moordale High who are at the stage of discovering themselves and their sexuality, and two of them – Maeve and Otis, who is the son of a recognized sexologist, start giving sexual advice to other students. However, in all this it is also important to show the realities of life of different families, where the approach to upbringing is different, and in some homes it is basically absent and young people are on their own.
The plot of the main character’s mother – Jean (played by Gillian Anderson, well-known for her role in the cult “X-Files”) and the teachers’ side stories are also captivating. They show that it is not uncommon for adults to face similar problems as teenagers.
The biggest advantage of “Sex Education” is the lightness with which it serves important and sometimes difficult topics. Often in such scenes comedic elements are included, which, however, do not take away from the seriousness of the situation, and allow you to assimilate the problem in an easier way. I also dare say that the series did a better job in Poland in terms of sex education than our schools, which stopped a long time ago and still treat it as a taboo subject.
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Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
