Q1 summary

& awesome TV series recommendations 📺✨🎶 | MC #24

Hi folks,

This first quarter of the year has passed in a flash ⚡️. And spring has finally sprung after the long winter time here in Poland. But this year’s spring is like no previous one. It’s impossible to experience it in a normal, carefree way, with the Russian invasion on Ukraine just behind the border. I cannot believe it’s been more than a month with Ukrainian cities being bombarded, thousands of innocent people killed or forced to run away. The brave people of Ukraine are still fighting for their freedom. If you want to know what’s happening there now, and how to help Ukraine go visit this site: https://war.ukraine.ua/

I think, alongside the physical help, it’s very important to keep talking about the ongoing war, still sharing useful information from legit sources, and don’t let this subject pass into oblivion. It’s also good to know something about Ukrainian history and culture. When the invasion started, I realized that I didn't know much about their music. That’s why I decided to make a playlist full of different kinds of music made by Ukrainian artists - Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦 It was one of my ways to get to know Ukrainian culture better. I also searched for famous Ukrainian art, literature, and cuisine. Btw, if you like soups, go check out this Time Travel Kitchen’s issue for the classic Ukrainian Borsch recipe.

For many weeks now I’ve been trying to find a way to handle myself better. Most of my healthy habits totally collapsed at the turn of February and March. I needed to get back on track. But first I had to tame the anxiety and chaos in my mind, silence all intrusive thoughts. Lots of creative work, long walks with my husband Tom, and our dog Gonzo, meetings with friends and family kept me sane. To chill out and get some ease, we also read some books and watched TV series. Some of them were absolutely awesome and had such brilliant soundtracks, that I just have to share them with you!

Today’s playlist is made of songs from these TV series:

Open on Spotify | Open on YouTube

I hope you’ll enjoy this music cocktail! 🍸🎶 🎧
And if you want to stay, read a few words about these series, and watch some trailers, here we go…

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🎙 ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ (S4)

Wholeheartedly, I can recommend this Amazon Original Series to anyone who likes witty dialogues, extensive plot, and solid portions of laughter. I think I may call it my all-time favorite TV series. It meets all of my personal requirements for the great series.

I cannot believe it's already in its 4th season! Usually, I’m bored by then, but not this time. It’s like literally everything about it works. The cast is awesomely put together, with hypnotic Rachel Brosnahan in the lead, who plays Midge, the title character of Mrs. Maisel. She’s a New York comedian, with a crazy, neurotic father Abe, a matchmaker mother Rose, and absolutely unusual manager Susie, played by Alex Borstein.

Everything happens at the turn of 1950 and 1960, so there’s plenty of old-fashioned jargon, social and ethical dilemmas, and music of that time - pop, jazz, early rock, and more.

My 3 fave songs of this season:

• “Why Can’t We Be Friends” by War

• “You’ve Got What Gets Me” by Ella Fitzgerald

• a mandarin version of “Que Sera, Sera” by Paulina Yeung

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🌟 ‘Hacks’

This HBO Max Original creation made my jaw drop. This seemingly cliche story of an old, grouchy boss who becomes friends with a new employee was realized in a surprisingly fresh, and energetic way. Against all odds, a true friendship forms between the legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, and 25-year-old outcast writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder). Together they go through many extreme ups and downs, testing each other’s limits, showing their worst and best sides. You may hate both at first, but for sure you will end up rooting for them.

The costumes, the acting, the music, and all are top-shelf. And I think Jean Smart fits the role perfectly! For the first minutes, I totally bought her loud, impulsive, and intense diva energy. She absolutely deserved SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Award win for Outstanding Female in a Comedy 2022! 👏

My 3 fave songs of this series:

• “Fire” by Etta James

• “Babe, We’re Gonna Love Tonight” by Lime

• “Kill The King” by Lena Deluxe

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🍆 ‘Minx’

From the first episode, I’ve been sold. They got me at nude men… 🙊 How rare is it, right?! In this HBO Max creation, we see Joice (played by Ophelia Lovibond), initially an uptight feminist on her way to publishing the first-ever erotic magazine for women in 1970s Los Angeles. She surprisingly bonds with an adult entertainment publisher Doug Renetti (played by Jake Johnson), who wants to help her materialize her vision but not exactly the way she expects it. Jake Johnson’s role is absolutely fantastic, with his profane, comedic being.

He somehow manages to convince Joice that nothing is more feminist than giving women a chance to “see a dong” 🍆. I love how Joice's beliefs are evolving from episode to episode, and how she explores her own sexuality. The show has great dynamics. It’s juicy, fresh, and hilarious. The shots, acting, costumes, music - all these things are flawless here.

My 3 fave songs of this series:

• “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy

• “Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight

• “Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’” by The Rhinos

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Ok, so that’s all for today. Feel free to leave a comment. Tell me what you’re currently watching, or if you have seen any of the titles from this issue. And let me know if some particular song from the playlist resonated with you. It would be awesome for me to get to know that.

Enjoy your Wednesday, and hear the Midweek Crisis #24 playlist:

Open on Spotify | Open on YouTube

Yours,

Stygi

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