Streaming in October

Given the Blue Jay playoff run, October is shaping up (hopefully) to be a month with far less streaming time opportunities than most.  For what its worth, here’s some insights on what’s going on when it comes to October streaming.

Season 5 of Slow Horses has begun.  When writing this, two episodes have already dropped, and this season is shaping up to be as solid as the past 4.  Slow Horses is a British dark comedy spy thriller based on the Slough Horses series of books.  It tells the story of a group of disgraced MI5 agents who have been placed in their own unit in a dilapidated building under the supervision of Jackson Lamb (brilliantly played by Gary Oldman). Lamb is the opposite of the suave James Bond MI5 agent image. Instead, Lamb is totally disheveled, dirty/greasy looking, constantly smoking, often drinking and frequently farting. He is usually rude, with an acerbic wit.  Nonetheless Lamb is brilliantly perceptive, tactical and loyal, especially to his team.  The show is well crafted and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is also accompanied by in my opinion, the best opening song of any television show, Strange Game, performed by Mick Jagger. It perfectly captures the grittiness of the characters and storyline portrayed in the show. If you have never seen Slow Horses, I would recommend starting with Season 1 and working your way through.

Slow Horses Season 5

Season 5 has started off with being a little more “shoot-em-up” than past seasons (a style that is more synonymous with American spy dramas). However, the show quickly captivates us as it weaves two story lines that will likely become intertwined. One is about a political battle between the more traditional incumbent running for Mayor in London versus a disruptor candidate. The campaign has been marred by a mass shooting that is somehow related to the election. The second is a mysterious targeting and threat to Slough Houses tech guy Rodney Ho.  Ho is an entertaining man-boy character that is very eccentric, a tech savvy gaming nerd who is obsessed with women who are out of his league.  In past seasons he’s played a minor role, mainly in comic relief.  This season he steps up to be a central figure in the storyline.  It has already delivered some fun moments, including a tirade delivered by Lamb ridiculing Ho’s clueless demeanor, including the clearest evidence that he was being set up and targeted because “an actual woman had shown interest in him”. This coming from Lamb, whose "slobbish" persona is probably the furthest thing from a woman magnet, especially compared to a much younger and very fit Ho.  Slow Horses streams on Apple +.

Update on shows that began dropping in September:

The cast of The Paper

The Paper continues to entertain and impress.  One of my favorite episodes so far is episode 4 when journalism students from the local high school take a field trip to the Truth Teller.  It becomes quickly apparent to everyone that all the students (even the freshmen) have far more journalism knowledge, experience and savvy than anyone at the Truth Teller.  Things become super entertaining when editor in chief Ned Sampson, feeling intimidated by the highly successful and influential high school blogger, SoWesley, decides to diss him in his comment section for using the word “inflammable”. This sets off a SoWesley retaliation that is comedic gold. Scrambling to save face, the Truth Teller seeks to hit back hard at the high schooler. The only disappointing thing is that the SoWesley story only lasts for the single episode.  I felt it had enough legs to be a recurring thing.  I’m hoping that SoWesley makes a return in later episodes.  New episodes drop every Thursday and is streaming on the Global App.

This season of Only Murders in the Building has had many memorable moments.  The self-deprecating seniors’ lines are particularly well done.  One of my favourite scenes has Charles (Steve Martin) after rediscovering his mojo, downloading and experimenting with “Last Gasp”, a seniors’ dating app.  The scene and all its hilarity (which I will not spoil) was very reminiscent of the classic scenes from Grace and Frankie when they announce to their families, that they are going into business selling vibrators specifically designed for older women experiencing arthritic wrist issues. In Murders, it’s not family having to deal with their off the wall craziness, it is left up to Mabel (Selena Gomez) to keep Martin and Short’s characters from, well you’ll have to tune in to see what.  Streaming on Disney + with new episodes dropping weekly.

Here’s a very selective list of shows that will be dropping in October that have caught my attention. 

October 7^th in the US, no release date in Canada as yet: Crave (Probably) New Docuseries - One Day in October:

As emotional and difficult to watch, it’s something that is very necessary to view, nonetheless.  A year on from the October 7^th terror attacks, an account of the attack on the Kibbutz Be’eri, told through interviews with survivors, including former hostage, nine-year old Emily Hand and her father Tom, piecing together the events of that day.

October 10^th Prime Video: Movie-documentary John Candy: I Like Me:

I’ve been really looking forward to this since first seeing the promos for it during TIFF.  Filmmaker Colin Hanks examines the life and legacy of actor and comedian John Candy through interviews with family and fellow actors and comedians. 

October 16^th Netflix: Season 3 Premier - The Diplomat: 

I think I’ve watched the full two previous seasons.  It seemed pretty good.  So, it might be worth checking out season 3. It’s about a career diplomat as she juggles her new high-profile job as ambassador to the United Kingdom and her turbulent marriage to a political star.

October 17^th Apple +: New Docuseries - Mr. Scorsese:

I've always enjoyed Martin Scorsese movies (both the dramatic and concert films).  And I loved him in the premier episode of Seth Rogan’s The Studio.  So, I’m really looking forward to this docuseries that examines how Scorsese’s life experiences influence his artistic vision.

October 23^rd Netflix: Season 2 Premier – Nobody Wants This:

We watched season one of this and thought it was alright.  Much of it in my opinion was a bit over the top, but I’m kind of curious where they will go with it in season 2.  It’s a comedy about the romantic relationship between a non-Jewish agnostic woman and an unconventional rabbi. 

October 24^th Apple +: Movie – Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost:

Given how much this family of comedians have intersected our lives over so many years, the following online description really captured my interest. “Ben Stiller tells the story of his parents, comedy icons Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.  It explores the impact on popular culture and at home, where the line between creativity, family, life and art often blurred.”

One last thing…

Here are two shows that are currently out there that I have been told I need to watch but, as yet have not gotten around to.  Platonic on Apple + starring Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen, now streaming in season two.  It follows childhood best friends that lost touch after a falling out.  They reconnected as adults.  Their renewed relationship leads to “humorous and chaotic situations” that disrupts their lives and relationships.  The Pitt on Crave.  It follows the staff of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s emergency department as they navigate the complexities of a single 15-hour work shift.  In the process it addresses issues such as staffing shortages, underfunding and the emotional toll of patient care.

Please feel free to join the conversation about what’s streaming in October by commenting below. What shows are resonating with you?  What in your opinion should have been added above.  Feel free to even disagree with some of my choices and points of view.