A summer watch list since Freedom Day (end of exams)

The recent Olympics not only convinced us that we could be world-class athletes, but they also kept us completely glued to our screens. In the wake of the Games, I want to share my non-sporting summer watches and what I have long dive to the next so you too can continue your journey to square eyes!

Seen:

I kissed a girl: Whether it's drooling over Fiorenza – who I don't like, but many, many others won't believe that -, laughing with Amy, or gasping at Priya's absolutely scandalous post-show behavior (I was speechless), this show has something for everyone. It was also very empowering to watch it with my girlfriend, to see lesbian relationships represented on screen (but also to reaffirm that ours is better).

Derry Girl: Many of you know Nicola Coughlan from her Bridgerton and viral camp club remixes, but before this came Derry Girl. I've watched the film in its entirety twice now and it does a really good job of combining humour with compelling storylines. The actors are brilliant too and the film is easy to get into; as someone who grew up mostly in the UK, it made me realise how little I knew about recent Irish history and politics. Derry Girl brought this to me and entertained me very well.

“As someone who grew up mostly in the UK, (Derry Girl) showed me how little I knew about recent Irish history”

We are Lady Parts: Season 2 – although not quite as consistently good as the first – was still a reminder of the strength of We are Lady Parts as a show. It focuses on five young Muslim women in London and their punk band “Lady Parts”, and this season shows how they encounter new dilemmas on their way to new heights of success. We are Lady Parts highlights this in his classically witty way and weaves it into the individual storylines of the characters.

To watch:

Bojack Horseman: Bojack Horseman seems so different from what I normally watch, but in an enticing way. I like the understated and dry humor that Bojack seems to have, but I'm curious to see how that translates into an animated series. The horse that miraculously walks upright like a human (unless I've horribly misunderstood it) has been on my mind for a while.

Bohemian Rhapsody: Amidst the pretty mediocre biopics that are coming out, (Back to BlackI'm looking at you) I would like to be reminded that not the entire genre is doomed. Bohemian Rhapsodyplease do that for me. Remi Malek seems brilliant too.

“With so many mediocre biopics coming out right now, I'd like to be reminded that not the entire genre is doomed.”

The friend: This queer Japanese dating show has a rather mysterious trailer. The premise of the show seems to be that 9 very good looking queer guys spend a few weeks in the same house, Big Brother style and trying to find love. It's not entirely clear how they get there, but what is clear is that the show seems healthier than some of my recent reality watches (like Too hot to touch) focusing on their emotional journeys, including some of them coming out to their families. The show also seems to feature beautiful views of Japan (as if Instagram Reels hadn't given me enough reasons to want to go there).

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Unconvinced by the accusations against a murdered girl's boyfriend, Pippa Fitz-Amobi is the next aspiring teen detective in her town of Fairview in this new show on BBC iPlayer based on the book by Holly Jackson. I officially watched 15 minutes of the first episode and never got around to watching it again. I wasn't immediately hooked, but I liked the book so I really want to give it a try.

euphoria: After an unexpected announcement that filming will resume in January 2025 (we all thought Zendaya and Co. had challenger) I'm looking forward to season 3. Due to the Hollywood actors' strikes last year and Sam Levinson's tendency to constantly rewrite his scripts, there have been many obstacles, but now it seems that it's finally happening. Personally, I'm curious to see what Lexi is up to now (and whether she'll become a more prominent character?) and I'm looking forward to the Euphoria as always, stunning cinematography and score. Many current teen shows (think of the Australian show Heartache high) have tried very hard to capture the aesthetics and complexity of euphoria but no one did it as well.