From Killing It Season 2 to The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2, Should You Add These To Your Watchlist?
From summer romance to the wild side of the American Dream, Pop Culture Planet’s Jordan Bohan shares what you need to add to your watchlist.
Killing It Season 2
Killing It is a rags-to-riches sitcom about class and capitalism. Craig Foster (Craig Robinson) is a security guard guard for a bank in Miami and is struggling to make ends meet. He and his ex-wife, Camille (Stephanie Nogueras), do their best to co-parent their only child, Vanessa (Jet Miller). Craig wants to become an entrepreneur, but has no means bringing his ideas to fruition. He runs into a truck driver, Jillian (Claudia O’Doherty), and she introduces him to the wild world of python hunting. Craig goes all in on the new gig in order to make his American dream come true.
With the use of wild animals, the series has some laugh out loud moments. The running theme of predator and prey is not only in relation to the pythons, but also to the American dream that Craig has. The new season expands on the hustle culture criticized in season one, but adds a refreshing humor to life’s mundane tasks. The series pokes fun at the culture and perception of the state of Florida, but equally shows the motivation and dreams of its residents. The series is a lighthearted sitcom that may make you question some of your own dreams and motivations.
Killing It is streaming on Peacock.
Painkiller
Painkiller is a fictionalized retelling of events based on the origin and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America. The limited series highlights the stories of perpetrators, victims, and truth seekers as the invention of OxyContin alters the lives of many. The series is based on the book Pain Killer by Barry Meier and the New Yorker Magazine article “The Family That Built an Empire of Pain” by Patrick Radden Keefe.
In a documentary style, the fictionalized series takes the viewer from the very beginning of the opioid crisis and explores just how the invention of one drug created this epidemic. The series does a great job of explaining scientific terminology and the process behind organizations like the Food and Drug Administration. The series shares stories from all points of the crisis including the inventors, sales people, doctors, addicts, lawyers, and those attempting to expose the truth. Without diving too deeply into specific personal stories of addiction, this series examines how certain processes failed the American people and let a problem get out of hand. Some scenes tend to drag out for a bit longer than necessary. The series could have been condensed into five episodes, but the limited series format was perfect for this story. It’s a great watch for documentary lovers or someone wanting to learn more about the opioid crisis.
Painkiller is streaming on Netflix.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2
The Summer I Turned Pretty took over the internet last summer with the release of the first season adaptation of Jenny Han’s hit book series. The second season premiered in July, doubling its season one viewership after only three episodes. The new season follows the families through and after the passing of the Fisher boys’ mother, Susannah. The kids find out shortly after that the beach house in Cousins was left to Susannah’s sister who is adamant on selling it as quickly as possible, all while the families are grieving the loss of their friend and mother.
The show continues its love triangle storyline with Belly battling between Conrad and Jeremiah, but also introduces other romantic interests. The new season expands upon the lives of Steven, Taylor, and Cam Cameron, while also introducing a new character, Skye. Season two feels like more of an ensemble cast, with characters having developed and aged along with their audience, while still feeling true to the teenage experience. They depict grief in a way that is both messy and real. It’s the perfect teen show with just enough idealism based in reality to keep you hooked on the romantic drama. A can’t miss bingeable summer watch!
The Summer I Turned Pretty is streaming on Prime Video.
- Jordan Bohan
