Self isolation survival TV guide
In case you had been living in a cave, the UK population is now under strict instruction from the Prime Minister to 'stay at home'. Whilst, for the time being, many of our usual liberties are under lock and key, for the little TV gremlins within us it is their time to shine. With commute times down to an all-time low (bed to kitchen being a somewhat slicker manoeuvre than your usual change at Kings Cross) and social diaries on annual leave, FLO London is here to advise you of the content with which you should fill your time during isolation. For week one, we thought we'd start with our recommendations for the best uplifting watches available now.
Self Made
Image: Netflix
#FLODown: The new four-part drama tells the story of Sarah Breedlove (known in fame as Madam C.J. Walker) – a black female entrepreneur who beats the odds stacked up against her by early 20th century America. Fighting to make a success story of her hair products, Sarah is defiant in succeeding in business despite the opposition she faces due to both her race and her gender. A colourful spectacle, Self-Made is a vibrant production with Octavia Spencer playing the lead with charismatic ease. The script is jovial at times whilst uncomfortable dialogue, particularly between Sarah and her competitor Addie, pays head to the difficult issues of intersectionality addressed by Walker's story.
Where to Watch?
Netflix
Feel Good
Image: Channel 4
#FLODown: Feel Good is a rom-com mini-series written by Mae Martin, who also stars as the semi-autobiographical main character. Mae is an aspiring stand-up comedian recovering from addiction and simultaneously falling in love. The lustful beginning of an authentic relationship between Mae and George (played by Charlotte Richie) is at the core of the story and, whilst awkward and jaunty in parts, we can't help but route for it throughout. The programme deals with difficult issues of sexuality, addiction and family whilst wrapping us up in the warmth of Mae's hope and humour.
Where to watch?
All4
The Aeronauts
Image: Amazon
#FLODown: Following their previous success portraying Stephen and Jane Hawking in BAFTA award winning The Theory of Everything, Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne are reunited, this time playing historical duo Amelia Wren and James Glashier. The film follows the pair into the skies on their hot air balloon (we told you this was our 'uplifting' list…), as they endeavour to reach record breaking heights and make discoveries which will change the future of weather forecasting. Beautiful shots of the balloon drifting through the atmosphere will give you that fresh air feeling and make up for the airplane window shots stolen from your summer plans.
Where to watch?
Amazon Prime
Transparent
Image: Amazon
#FLODown: Transparent is a gorgeously real portrayal of a family learning and coping after their father reveals that he is transgender. At first you will be almost repulsed by the selfish, immature and bratty behaviour of all the adult ‘children’, but after a few episodes of discovery you will learn to love all the characters equally. There are five seasons to get your teeth stuck into – but episodes are only a short 30 minutes. The show deals with issues surrounding transgenderism, feminism, equality, sexuality, addiction and loneliness in a beautifully stark and modern way. It will make you cry in places, but it will also have you laughing at the weird and raw representation of family life in the 21st century.
Where to watch?
Amazon Prime
This is Us
Image: NBC
#FLODown: If you have not yet watched any of This Is Us you are in for a very blubbery treat. The bitter-sweet drama is currently running its fourth series in the US, with seasons 1-3 currently available in the UK. Cross-cutting between different periods in the life of the Pearson family, the brilliance of the show is in its character development. The story itself, whilst heartfelt, is fairly commonplace, but it is intricate personal touches such as Randall's limitless desire to please his family, the never-fading connection between Kate and her father and Rebecca's yearning to connect with closed-off Kevin that lead to the emotional investment by viewers who just can't get enough. We can almost guarantee that you will cry at least once an episode but in the most cathartic and corona-curing way possible.
Where to watch?
Amazon Prime.
Check back in next week, when we will be covering the bingeable boxsets to get you through the second week of quarantine.
Words by Lucy Firestone & Mollie Kate Cohen
