Episode Evergarden: My Hand-Picked Petals of Shows

The Haunting of Bly Manor

First Episode Date: October 9, 2020 (USA)

Written by: Mike Flanagan

Starring: Victoria Pedretti, Amelia Eve, and Kate Siegel

My Rating: ★★★★★

The Haunting of Bly Manor is less a haunted house tale, and more a haunting of grief itself. The manor, with its labyrinthine halls and shadowed corners, becomes a physical manifestation of the characters' internal struggles. It's a chilling reminder that some ghosts aren't made of ectoplasm, but of the heavy, unshakeable weight of what we've lost.

The Bear

First Episode Date: June 23, 2022 (USA)

Written by: Christopher Storer

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Abby Eliott, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach

My Rating: ★★★★★

Imagine a kitchen, not a place of warmth and comfort, but a battleground. The Bear isn't just about sandwiches; it's a tale of a family, broken and battered, trying to rebuild themselves from ruins. It's a story of how loss can consume everything, and how, sometimes, the only way to survive is to keep cooking, keep fighting, hoping that maybe, just maybe, something beautiful can rise from the ashes.

Hannibal

First Episode Date: April 4, 2013 (USA)

Written by: Bryan Fuller

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy, and Caroline Dhavernas

My Rating: ★★★★★

This one delves into the dark corners of human experience: the nature of obsession, the fragility of sanity, and the seductive allure of darkness. Hannibal's manipulation is not just physical; it's a profound psychological invasion, a slow, meticulous dismantling of Will's sense of self. It. forces us to confront the unsettling truth that the line between brilliance and madness, between empathy and psychopathy, is terrifyingly thin.

The Sandman

First Episode Date: June 11, 2022 (USA)

Written by: Neil Gaiman

Starring: Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie, and Vivienne Acheampong

My Rating: ★★★⯪☆

Enter the realm of dreams, where the impossible becomes reality, and the unimaginable becomes truth. The Sandman is a tale of power, of responsibility, and of the eternal struggle between light and darkness. It's a reminder that even the most powerful beings can be undone by their own hubris, and that sometimes, the only way to save the world is to dream a new one into existence.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

First Episode Date: September 17, 2013 (USA)

Written by: Michael Schur and Dan Goor

Starring: Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, Andre Braugher, Stephanie Beatriz, and Terry Crews

My Rating: ★★★★★

This show is a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of found family, ridiculous hijinks, and the surprisingly tender heart that beats beneath the surface of the badge. It's a tale of how a motley crew of individuals can become a family, bound not by blood, but by shared lunches, elaborate Halloween heists, and a profound respect for each other's weirdness.

The Amazing World of Gumball

First Episode Date: May 3, 2011 (USA)

Written by: Ben Bocquelet

Starring: Jacob Hopkins, Terrell Ransom Jr., Dan Russell, and Teresa Gallagher

My Rating: ★★★★☆

Imagine a town called Elmore, a place where the laws of reality are less guidelines and more… suggestions. The Amazing World of Gumball isn't your average cartoon; it's a surreal, kaleidoscopic fever dream, a wild ride through the absurdities of childhood and the utter strangeness of existence itself.

Strong Woman: Do Bong Soon

First Episode Date: February 24, 2017 (South Korea)

Written by: Baek Mi-kyung

Starring: Park Bo-young, Park Hyung-sik, and Ji Soo

My Rating: ★★★⯪☆

It's the story of a woman discovering her own physical and mental power, how love can blossom in the middle of chaos, and how even the most fragile-looking person may have an indestructible spirit. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon tells us that true strength is more than sheer might; it is also about the fortitude to protect those we care about and the perseverance to face the darkness that threatens to engulf the light.

Vincenzo

First Episode Date: February 20, 2021 (South Korea)

Written by: Park Jae-bum

Starring: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been, and Ok Taec-yeon

My Rating: ★★★★☆

Picture a man, cloaked in Italian tailoring and a chilling aura of calculated vengeance. It's a story of how even the most morally ambiguous character can become a beacon of hope in a world consumed by greed. Vincenzo is a reminder that justice, like a perfectly crafted revenge plot, is best served with a touch of theatrical flair and a healthy dose of cold, hard calculation.