#streaming shows

*Knights of Guinevere: Really strong start. Definitely a creator who has had enough of the big corp she worked for that this episode genuinely feels cathartic as it is uncomfortable. Looking forward to more.

Linked to the pilot because it's free to watch and you really, really should watch it.

*Severance: Really good introspective and puzzle box mystery that uses work/life balance in the most binary, literal sense. Really questions issues of consent, capitalistic exploitation, and tomatoes in mirrors as the cast question who they truly are and if they're capable of change, or worse, acceptance of their other selves. What exactly the Lumen is doing is another huge question mark I'm dying to know. Also goats.

*Tuca and Bertie: Finally finished the entire show. Really damn good diving into issues women often faces in ways so many other shows do not explore. Season One is probably also the only show I've seen where women walk around topless and it never feels exploitative or fanservicey, but instead emphasizes the normality of exposed tits existing. If I can convince you of anything though, Tuca and Bertie especially gets a recommendation for me purely for Bertie's dilemma and acceptance of a specific sexual kink (domination, non-con, etc.) bred out of a couple of very bad experiences in her life that nonetheless the show never judges her for having these desires, one where she can consent and use as a form of catharsis on her own.

*Hazbin Hotel: Season 2: More entertaining the first. Basically got a "alright, Hazbin, you got me interested enough to wait for season 3." Even if I've not really got much out of it other than entertainment, that's plenty good for me. Also in it for failman, Lucifer. I adore that idiot.

*Abbott Elementary: Nice, comforting show, but also really nails the struggles teachers face, especially in an inner-city school. Nothing much to really say other than I had a fine time watching it.

*Smiling Friends: Season 3: I don't know what it is about this show that has me glued to it. I guess a combination of the main characters having casual conversations in the same breath as whatever out-of-nowhere chaos they're forced to endure, only to just go back to normal, feels natural coming from this show.

*Fionne and Cake: Season 2: Not as solidly structured as the first and kind of meanders for a bit. It's a more internal and introspective look at Fionne though, which I felt was needed since season 1 was really more Simon's journey than anything else. Was surprised they focused on heavily on Huntress Wizard's background and personality, but it works and I found her a bit more compelling than Fionne.

It's fine. We'll probably get a season 3 based on the stinger, so sure, I guess.

*Ranma 1/2: I missed the boat on reading the manga and seeing (most of) the first anime in my youth, so I've made it up by checking the new one out and wow, this shit is funny. Like balls-off-the-walls funny. The amount of contrivances and zany shenanigans these characters get into in order to achieve their romantic goals or get splashed by water is hilarious and entertaining. Got me to read the manga, too. Love it.