Stream: What to Watch this Weekend

Hi, friends. Happy Friday! I am typing this post while on vacation in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Thanks to the incredible amount of rain we've had this week, I got in a lot of streaming. 

Before sharing this week's picks, here are few things coming up: 

  • Friday, July 23 - Netflix is releasing a new season of The Movies That Made Us, which is the best edited show I've ever seen. It's so smart and clever, while also giving you incredible access to the minds behind some of the most famous films in history. This new season features episodes on Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and Forrest Gump
  • Friday, July 30 - In two weeks, Outer Banks (OBX for short) will be back on Netflix with a second season. This show stars the insanely gorgeous Chase Stokes. The first season ended on a cliff hanger, so I can't wait to see where they're taking things. 
  • Monday, August 16 - This one is for Bachelor Nation. Our beloved summer spin off, Bachelor in Paradise, is returning to ABC next month. Personally, I can't wait for this fresh group of cast offs turned castaways. 

Ok, now onto my top recommendations. 

1. Virgin River (Netflix) - Last Friday, Netflix released season three of Virgin River. If you haven't watched before, the show is about a woman named Mel, an OBGYN nurse who moves from Los Angeles to a small town in northern California to start over. She falls in love with Jack, a local bar owner, and their relationships always seems to be challenged by outside forces. 

Virgin River

At the end of season two, Jack had been seriously hurt and we weren't sure if he was going to make it. 

This season, Jack and Mel face a slew of new obstacles, including Jack's ex-girlfriend trying to take away his parental rights to their twins. 

Jack's sister, Bree, also moves to town and falls for Brady, who served with Jack in the Marines. I must admit, their chemistry is off the charts! I never noticed Brady much in the previous two seasons (his story line bored me) but I am very aware of him now. 

The whole town is impacted by a tough health diagnosis for Lily. Everyone rallies together to support her and her two daughters. I sobbed through episodes eight and nine. When you watch, you'll see why.

As with every season, this one ends on a serious cliffhanger. I'm particularly curious to see what happens with Preacher and Christopher. I don't want to say more and spoil anything. 

This season has 10 episodes, each about 45 minutes long. Because every hour ends with a gasp-worthy moment, you'll find yourself flying through them. 

2. Never Have I Ever (Netflix) - I fell in love with this show when it debuted last year. Never Have I Ever is produced by Mindy Kaling and stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, a high school student navigating grief (after the loss of her father), family drama, academic pressures, friendships and romantic relationships for the very first time. 

In this new season, Devi is juggling two love interests - Ben and Paxton. She connects on a nerd level with Ben, but can't deny her physical attraction to Paxton. Rather than choose, she tries to keep both guys on the hook. 

Never Have I Ever

Her world is turned upside when a new student transfers into school, Aneesa. Aneesa is also Indian and Devi immediately feels competitive with her. Devi does a ton of cringe-worthy things to try and topple Aneesa's growing popularity. 

This season, Devi's mom, Nalini, gets a great story arc. I was thrilled to see her develop a flirtation with a doctor who owns a competing dermatology practice. Dr. Chris Jackson is played by Common, whose sultry voice always turns me into a puddle. In the first season, Nalini was always so uptight (and yelling). She feels much more three dimensional now. 

At the same time, one of Devi's best friends, Fabiola, continues to come into her own. She introduces her girlfriend Eve to her mom, and she and Eve decide to run for queens of the Winter Dance. 

This show is one of the best, most accurate depictions of the high school experience I've ever seen. It's insanely relatable, which is what makes it both touching and hilarious.

I continue to marvel at the fact that the show is narrated by tennis legend John McEnroe. His voice overs make me cackle every single time. 

There are 10 episodes in this new season, each about 25-30 minutes long. I love being back in Devi's world and I know you will too. 

There you have it. This week's top two. Happy streaming! 

*Images courtesy of Unsplash, Tom's Guide and Vanity Fair

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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