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‘Harry and Meghan’ Netflix Docuseries – Some Thoughts

written by Parita Leave a Comment

Have you watched the ‘Harry and Meghan’ docuseries on Netflix yet?

In true Parita and Vishnu fashion, we watched the first three (of six) episodes this past weekend. Unsurprising for me, since the Royal Family is so intriguing to me. Surprisingly, my husband was more into it than I expected. AND it made for some interesting conversations.

Ok, first and foremost, the first three episodes don’t really reveal anything major that hasn’t been shared already. The surprising things are actually in the details of the stories that Meghan and Harry share, and that’s we’ve taken away so far.

For example, William and Harry were essentially born into a contractual relationship with the British media. Essentially, the media and the British people feel like they are owed details of their lives, and if they don’t get them, the media starts to dig and fabricate (to sell their stories and make money of course). How crazy!

Something that made me emotional was hearing Harry talk about his mother’s death and then seeing a video clip of the family members doing a walkabout after Princess Diana’s death. In it, William and Harry are smiling while shaking people’s hands. WTF?! That’s what was expected of them, and no one questioned it.

And of course, the obvious hated and racism toward Meghan and her family was just crazy. They share some more personal details around all that, and it just blows your mind that people can be so cruel. Famous or not, no one deserves to be talked about that way.

Now for some things that made me roll my eyes a little…

For one, when Meghan talks about meeting the Royal Family, she acts if they would be like any other family. Ummm…no. I get some things surprising her, like the outward formality and distance carrying through to the inside. But not knowing that meeting the Queen would be a very formal experience….??? Maybe the way she talks about it is exaggerated, but come on!

Also, like a lot of people have said, Harry and Meghan supposedly wanted out of the public eye because they wanted privacy and protection, for themselves and their kids. Makes total sense, especially given their experience with the media and supposedly the family itself. But then to go and create a documentary talking about not getting that privacy feels…a little contradictory.

When I brought this up to Vishnu, he said something that made me change my lens a little. The media has made so much money telling their story however they please. Now it’s Meghan and Harry’s turn to make some money from THEIR story and tell it from THEIR perspective.

Some will argue that it’s all a part of being in the spotlight. The price you pay. But at some point, everyone has to draw the line.

Ok, that’s all I’ll say for now. Maybe I’ll share some more final thoughts once the rest of the episodes (3 more I believe) are released!

Happy watching (if you choose)!

Written on December 14, 2022 Related:Entertainment, T.V.

This Is Us – The Greatest TV Show There Ever Was

written by Parita Leave a Comment

I started watching ‘This is Us’ when it first aired. I still remember sitting down to watch the very first episode and thinking, “This is going to be MY show.” And lo and behold, for six years, it was my show. I watched almost every episode live, and in our house, this was essentially an event. Everything had to be done, everyone had to be put to bed, and sometimes I even indulged in dessert while watching.

I think this show had such a hold on me (and so many others) because it was emotional and human and real. The characters were so perfectly flawed yet lovable, the story lines came together in the most poetic way, the flashbacks and the flash forwards were pieced together with such care. I could go on and on.

One of my favorite parts of the show was the relationship between Jack and Rebecca. What an epic love story! It grasped you from the very beginning, and the way it was all tied up in the end was just perfect. It was truly the ending this beautiful couple deserved. As silly as it sounds, watching their love story, their struggles, their challenges, their heartbreak unfold on television made me appreciate my love story with Vishnu that much more. It helped me see that the only way to love is to appreciate what’s in front of you in this very moment. Tomorrow isn’t promised.

I also loved all of the parenting lessons from the show. Mandy Moore played her role as the matriarch of the Pearson family with such grace, even in those moments where she messed up or disappointed herself/someone else. There was just so much to take away from every single episode from all of the characters. My biggest lesson was to soak it all in as often as you can because the days go faster than you can imagine. And I find that to be so true with my own kids. Of course, the days often feel very hard and very long, but when I look back, I’m always amazed by how fast time flies by.

This is the kind of show where you can’t help but cheer for everyone. It’s the kind of show that will bring you to tears (and more often than not ugly tears) more often than not. It’s the kind of show that forces you to reflect and really think about how you’re living life.

It was an absolutely beautiful six years, and I can honestly say that ‘This is Us’ is the greatest TV show there ever was!

Written on June 7, 2022 Related:T.V.

Parenthood

6 Reasons to Jump on the Parenthood Bandwagon

written by Parita 12 Comments

This was a big weekend for me and Vishnu.  It took us approximately 6-8 weeks, but we finished [binge] watching Parenthood…the whole dang show!

Parenthood

You guys, I’m not kidding when I say this may be the most emotional show ever to air on television.  Every single episode pulls at your heart strings, and if you’re really into it, brings tears to your eyes.  I loved this show [so much] for the genuine emotion, but in all honesty, the relatable and real storytelling was what captured and kept my attention for all six seasons.

Important note – Vishnu, the ultimate TV critic in my perspective, loved the show almost as much as I did.  That’s saying A LOT!

If you’re not convinced yet, here are six [more] reasons to jump on the Parenthood bandwagon.

  1. Like I said, the show acknowledges real and relevant issues in ways that depict the true depth of the situations – Aspberger’s, single parenting, PTSD, affairs, cancer, general marital issues, adoption, teenage pregnancy, etc.  You name it, this show likely addresses it.
  2. Looking for free therapy?  Parenthood is it.  Along with the characters, you’ll be forced to face and question everything in your own life.  And don’t forget the tears…both happy and sad!
  3. As the name implies, the show, at its core, is all about family – the important/crazy/beautiful aspects of familial relationships!
  4. It’s not about the good guy vs. the bad guy.  All of the characters are imperfect and flawed in their own ways.  They disagree and hurt each other, but at the end of the day, the have nothing but love for one another.
  5. The show is brilliantly cast.  And the chemistry this group of actors shared is as real as it gets.  Such a talented bunch!
  6. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen next, there’s a twist.  I love how the show kept me guessing until the very last episode.

As the final episode came to a close, I was left wanting a little bit more.  Don’t get me wrong, the finale was absolutely perfect.  I just didn’t want the show to end (should’ve watched a little slower!).   Here’s to hoping there’s a Braverman reunion in our future!

Your turn – are you a Parenthood fan?  If your answer is no, this needs to change!

Written on December 13, 2016 Related:review, T.V., Uncategorized

Cookie and Kate Green Curry

The Weekend of ‘Making a Murderer’

written by Parita 14 Comments

95% of our weekend was consumed by ‘Making a Murderer.’  Yes, you read that right…95%!  If we weren’t watching an episode, we were talking about it.  I even dreamed about it on Saturday night.

In case you haven’t heard about it yet, ‘Making a Murderer’ is a newish Netflix docuseries.  I don’t want to give anything away, but VERY broadly it’s about corruption, law enforcement, and the justice system.

Vishnu and I had no intention of watching all 10 hour long episodes this weekend.  And considering that he only got home at 7 pm on Friday, was home all day Saturday, and had to work on Sunday, it’s quite impressive that we did indeed finish!

Here’s how the weekend of ‘Making a Murderer’ went down…

Like I said, Vishnu got home around 7 pm on Friday night.  I had just started making this green curry, so we ended up chatting and cooking together (my fav!).

Cookie and Kate Green Curry

This is a delicious curry by the way!  The only change I made was adding yellow squash and mushroom and omitting the carrots.

As soon as we sat down to eat, Vishnu asked if I wanted to watch an episode of ‘Making a Murderer.’  I immediately said yes.  And the craziness started!  We watched the first two episodes that night.

Saturday started off a little later than usual since Vishnu had the day off.  We woke up, made breakfast, and started back up with the show again. I honestly can’t remember how many episodes we watched during each stretch, but it was definitely more than one and maybe even two!

You guys, by the end of the night, we were done.  Eight plus hours of ‘Making a Murderer’ were consumed on Saturday!  All I can say is it’s just that captivating and interesting and infuriating.

I did manage to squeeze in a long run on Saturday afternoon.  I needed some fresh air!

Downtown St. Peterburg by the beach on a beautiful winter day

Love my water views!

Sunday was a bit more productive!  I woke up early with Vishnu so that I could drop him off at the hospital.  A few hours later, I went to TJs to grab some groceries for the week (I only went above our $75 budget by a dollar or two!).  I also cleaned the apartment from top to bottom, went for an hour long walk, made a Costco run, did some planning for my sister’s bachelorette party (we’re going to Austin!), and went through some work emails to prevent feeling overwhelmed this morning.

And that’s it.  That was our weekend!

Bottom line – if you haven’t watched ‘Making a Murderer’ yet, do it soon.  And don’t forget to set aside your entire weekend when you do!

Written on January 11, 2016 Related:T.V., Weekend

Television remote with open TV guide

My 2015 Fall TV Line Up

written by Parita 18 Comments

Every September I look forward to one thing and one thing only…

…new seasons of all my favorite TV shows!

In a day and age where everything can be DVR’ed or watched online, I absolutely love sitting down to watch in real time.  Reminds me of my childhood!

television-remote-control-525705_1280

And it just so happens that in 2015, I have a show lined up Monday through Thursday.  It really can’t get any better than that!

Monday – The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory is one of my favorite shows ever!  I love all the nerdy humor, and even though Sheldon can be annoying, he’s grown on me.  The storyline has really evolved over the years as well, and I like that.  The characters had to grow up at some point!  I have a feeling this season is going to be one of the best yet.  Keep it coming Big Bang!

Tuesday – The Mindy Project

Even though I love The Mindy Project, I totally get that it’s not for everyone (Vishnu’s not a fan!).  The humor can definitely be a little over the top.  Now that it’s on Hulu, the writing and humor are definitely more risque, so that’s an interesting change!  I’m excited to see Mindy take on a new role (don’t want to give away any spoilers!) this season.  Never a dull moment with Dr. Lahiri!

Wednesday – Modern Family

Modern Family is another favorite of mine.  At this point, I’ve probably seen every episode three times!  I love how even though the characters have gotten older, the true essence of the show has stayed the same.  And this season is definitely off to a strong start – can’t wait to watch Alex experience college, see how/if Hailey and Andy’s relationship evolves, etc.  

Thursday – How to Get Away with Murder

How to Get Away with Murder is a CRAZY show.  SO many twists and turns.  Just when you think, can this get any more ridiculous, it does!  But I guess that’s what keeps people (us!) coming back for more.  Also, bits and pieces of future scenes are woven into each episode, so you’re always left asking, “WTF?”  We’re only two episodes in and I’m already confused, curious and excited about each and every character!

Delayed start – New Girl

New Girl is scheduled to start in January 2016 because Zooey Deschanel (the main female character) is currently pregnant in real life.  Can’t really work that into the storyline I guess!  I hear Megan Fox will be taking her place while she’s on maternity leave.  Regardless, last season ended on the perfect note, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

What does your fall TV lineup look like?

Written on October 7, 2015 Related:T.V.

Why You Should Watch The Mindy Project and What May Happen If You Do

written by Parita 10 Comments

I’ve mentioned a couple of times now that The Mindy Project is my “new” show.  I’m a little late to the party (as usual) but glad my sister forced me to join.  And because I’m such a huge fan now, I decided to dedicate an entire post to the show.  Hopefully, if I’m persuasive enough, you all will join me and also become obsessed so that we can talk about it on the regular!

Why you should watch The Mindy Project…

  1. It’s funny.  Starting with Season 1 Episode 1 I found myself cracking up and shaking my head multiple times.  And not only at the outright “this was meant to be funny” moments but at the subtle one liners as well.  Once you get to the know the characters, even their body language will make you laugh.  The writers of this show are exceptional at what they do.  They’ve created characters (and situations) that are funny, very nutty, and brutally honest all in one.
  2. The storyline.  Without giving too much away, the show follows Dr. Mindy Lahiri (played by Mindy Kaling) as she sets off to find the love of her life.  On this journey, we find out that Dr. Lahiri loves rom-coms and believes her life will play out like one.  But of course we all know that nothing ever happens the way it does in the movies, and Mindy’s disastrous love life depicts that as well.  But this is what makes me want to watch the show.  You fall in to the “I have to know what happens” trap.  Trust me.  The questions “Does Mindy find the one?” and “Is it going to be who I want it to be?” will haunt you for the first two seasons!
  3. The characters.  I want to be friends with each and every one of them.  The only other time I’ve felt this way was with the cast of Friends.  The thing I love most is that they’re all flawed and crazy, which makes them even more appealing.  They’ll remind you of people from your own life.  And like with real life friends, you have to give some of them a chance (or a few episodes!) before fully investing in the relationship.  But it will happen…trust me!  And if nothing else, Chris Messina (Dr. Danny Castellano) will keep you coming back for more – such a cutie!

Mindy Project gif

Mindy Project gif2

Mindy Project gif3
One of my favorite scenes from my favorite episode!

What may happen if you start to watch The Mindy Project:

  1. If your significant other is not watching with you, he/she will not understand why you can’t just stop at one episode.  He/she may also vie for your attention as you sit and watch  episode after episode.  He/she may also roll his/her eyes a lot.  And then when you try to have a conversation about the show with him/her, you will be told to not give anything away because he/she may want to watch “one day.”  [And I’m totally not speaking from experience here!]
  2. You may end up watching all of Season 2 in less time than it took you to get through Season 1.  I’m not going to admit publicly how much time that is…let’s just say it’s more than 24 hours and less than 48.  I know what you’re thinking.  Don’t judge me!
  3. You may watch a few episodes more than once even though you literally just saw them.  The Season 2 finale was epic!  And again, no judging.  This is what happens when your husband is studying all weekend and everyone else and their moms is out of town.
  4. You may end up being “that person” who can’t and won’t shut up about her new favorite show.  I’ve already texted three of my friends about it.  And just so you know, they are all fans as well!
  5. You may also turn into “that person” who has an official countdown to when their show is back with a new season.  Just so you know, I am not there yet.  But there’s no telling!
  6. You may reread Mindy Kaling’s book (Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?).  I haven’t done this yet but do foresee it happening in the near future.

Soooo…did I convince you!?

What’s your favorite TV show right now?  If it’s The Mindy Project, I will be sending a virtual hug and high five your way!

Written on July 7, 2014 Related:review, T.V.

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