Binge Watch Check-In

What I'm Watching:

I've been a little bit obsessed with my Amazon prime video account lately. I've recently stumbled across 3 new to me binge worthy shows. Read on to see what I think of Sneaky Pete, Absentia and Britannia.

Sneaky Pete (Seasons 1 & 2 available on Prime Video)

I've always been a fan of Giovanni Ribisi. There is just something about his wild manic way that he attacks and chew scenery. Think back to him being Phoebe's younger brother Frank on Friends, he was fantastic. 

Image Credit: Amazon Studios

This wonderful show tells the tale of man named Marius Josipovic. A con man whose cell mate in prison tells him tale after tale of his family, The Bowman's. Upon his release, Marius can't go home, so he assumes the life of his cell mate Pete Bowman. Apparently, the family has no idea what Pete looks like as an adult so they immediately buy Marius' tale. This is a really interesting show and I highly advise all of you to watch it right now. 

There are two seasons available on Amazon Prime Video and I hope season 3 will be out soon, but I know its going to be a while. This show has that rare thing that a lot of shows lack these days. Instant chemistry among the cast. You really fall for every member of this family and you see why Marius does the things he does.  Also - Bryan Cranston is a delicious villain.

Rating: 5/5
Everything about this is fantastic. Don't miss this one.

Absentia (Season 1 available on Prime Video)

What drew me to this one? Stana Katic for sure. I loved her on Castle and was really disappointed when they decided to end that show. I kept seeing her face pop up on the FireTV and when traveling recently, I saw I could download a few eps to my device to watch on the plane.  

Image Credit: Amazon Studios

Six years ago, FBI agent Emily Byrne was murdered by a serial killer. Why now, does she show up in a cabin, in a tank of water, with no memory of the last six years. Her husband has remarried. Her son doesn't remember her. What do you do when your whole life has changed around you. This is an interesting show. The pain of not knowing what happened to you. The pain of watching the man you love and your son love another woman, even call her mom.

The show would have been phenomenal if it stopped at just that plot line, but it takes it even further as we try to figure out the mystery of who took Emily.  Who kept her for six years, and why let her go now? There are more twists and turns in this than a Shyamalan movie, but I enjoyed each one. 

There is only one season and I'm not sure if there will be more. 

Rating: 4/5 
It would get a 5 but it does get a little convoluted here and there.

Britannia (Season 1 available on Prime Video)

Two years until the next season of Game of Thrones arrives. I need a distraction. Hello Britannia. How are you? What do you have to offer us today. Oh be-headings and druids. I'm in. 

With only 9 episodes, this show set in the time of Roman Legions and Druids quickly digs in its heals and grabs you from the start. I was drawn in by David Morrissey, aka The Governor from The Walking Dead.
He does not disappoint here either. Aulus, the Roman General is almost as terrifying as the Governor.

Image Credit: Amazon Studios

The biggest shock in this series, Mackenzie Cook as Veran the leader of the Druids. If you don't recognize the name, you might recognize the description. Cook is from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He portrayed the wooden-eyed pirate Ragetti. I saw his picture in the cast listing on IMDB and couldn't figure out who he was portraying. Who is Veran. Then I heard someone say the name on the screen and I look up and realize that Cook is utterly unrecognizable as Veran the Druid. He is bald and hunches a lot and has metal rings in his finger nails. His soothing drawing voice is both terrifying and intoxicating all at the same time. His performance is incredible. 

Doctor Who and Star Wars fans will see lots of familiar faces on this show. Morrissey is a Who alum, playing The Doctor himself, sort of, in a Christmas episode. Zoe Wanamaker is one of my favorite characters, Queen Antedia. Whovians know her better as Cassandra, the skin flap in need of moisturizing.  Here, she goes full balls to the walls as a Queen that doesn't take shit from anyone. Not even a roman legion. For the Star Wars fans, your Emperor, Ian McDiarmid plays rival King Pellenor, the main enemy of Antedia. I didn't recognize him at first and then I heard the Emperor slip out of him. "Do it" ha ha. 

So now that I've gone on and on about the cast. What is it about? Its 43 AD and the Romans have returned to Britannia. There are demons, an underworld, druids and Celtics.  All converge because Rome wants the land and the natives don't want to give it to them. There are clan wars and rituals. Sacrifices and death. Its quite a ride in a short amount of time. 

As I said, if you are missing GoT, give this 9 episode series a shot. I got through it very quickly. I am sad there are only 9 episodes. It has gore, it has sex, it has violence. It has it all. 

Rating: 5/5 
I can't gush about it more. Just go watch it. I honestly think you will love it.