#that hat guy in haunting of hill house is the scariest thing I’ve ever seen I’ll tell you that

[tedthetalk]

Mental illness lost today 😤 (<- successfully went downstairs and got a snack after watching a horror thing instead of sitting and starving because I’m afraid the hat man will be in my kitchen)

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in October

I really wish I had written this ahead of time and not after a week where I’ve had a half dozen rage cries, but here we are. The unending parade of television premieres marches mercilessly onward. 

October boasts yet more network premieres that I am blissfully ignoring, as well as television’s annual attempt to stir up some spooky content. I have a question for you all, is there a television series (not the news) that is truly scary? Like a keep you up at night, turn on all the lights, hide behind the couch from the tv, terrifying? I absolutely hate horror movies, I hate jump scares, and I hate feeling freaked out, I get enough of all that simply by virtue of being a woman who goes out in public. That being said, I can’t think of a show that is so scary I couldn’t watch it. The first season of American Horror Story came close, and there are 30 seconds of Twin Peaks that are so scary they made me cry, but I can’t think of a consistently scary series. BUT YOU TELL ME READERSHIP, what’s the scariest television show?

Speaking of, I am proud to announce I have watched the first two episodes of AHS: Apocalypse and found them to be mildly enjoyable! Surprise, bitch! I also got to Forever which, despite mixed reviews, I found delightfully strange and entertaining. Maniac is sort of exactly how I expected to be, which is totally a good thing, and The Good Place might be the only good thing left in this miserable world. 

Friday, October 5th-  Into The Dark (Hulu)

All that introductory rambling wasn’t for nothing, look it’s paid off immediately. Even if this wasn’t a horror series I would still be telling you about it, because Hulu is throwing down the gauntlet on anthology series. Into the Dark is an anthology that is going to air a new standalone episode once a MONTH for a YEAR. Twelve episodes, over a YEAR. Each episode will be a scary story about a holiday that month, scary Christmas, scary St. Patrick’s Day, scary 4th of July. It’s ambitious, and also extremely optimistic there will be enough people still alive on this space rock to make it to the scary Labor Day episode next September. So hats off to you Hulu, you are going for it. 

Sunday, October 7th - Doctor Who (1:45pm on BBC America)

I have had an up and down relationship with the New Who series, but I am back into it in a big way because we are getting THE FIRST FEMALE DOCTOR! Not only is the effervescent Jodie Whitaker helming the series, but also (finally) a new show runner in Chris Chibnall! He is a former Torchwood and Who writer, and also the creator of Broadchurch (starring David Tennant, Olivia Coleman, and Jodie Whitaker). Broadchurch is quite simply one of the finest dramas ever, and if you have not seen it, it is on Netflix. Anyway, if you too have been taking a Who Hiatus, the time to come back is NOW!  Ooo-WEEE-ooo!

Wednesday, October 10th - Riverdale (8pm on the CW)

I have NOT finished season 2 yet, but I AM an avid follow of KJ Apa’s Instagram. Does this count? 

Friday, October 12th - 

The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)

Apparently this is “loosely” based on the classic Shirley Jackson novel, whatever that means. But it’s Halloween, it’s Michiel Huisman, it’s a big old why not from me. A review described this as “This is Us for goths”, and I’m here for that.

The Romanoffs (Amazon Prime)

Yes, it’s the new anthology series from that guy who did Mad Men!  It has all the stars in the sky,  shot in 8 countries, and I, as well as some amazing ladies, sunk a year of my life into crafting it. I’ve not seen any of it, and no spoilers, but I am most excited for episode 3 which stars Isabelle Huppert for goodness sake. Also look at broody JJ Feild up there. Hi JJ!

 Friday, October 19th- Making A Murderer Season 2 (Netflix)

Back in 2015, season 1 of this doc series took the 2015 holiday season by storm. What at first seemed like an investigation into what makes a person a murderer, instead became a searing look into our countries criminal justice system. Whether Steven Avery is actually guilty becomes almost immaterial in the larger landscape of planted evidence, pressured confessions, and the jurisdictional mayhem that occurred during this investigation. 

Sunday, October 21st - The Woman in White (10pm on PBS) 

That’s right y’all! It’s a BBC miniseries based on a classic novel! Intrigue, betrayal, mystery, 19th century, asylums, British actors, Wilkie Collins, all the proper ingredients for a delicious television stew.

Friday, October 26th - The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix)

Based on the comic book series of the same name, and written by Riverdale’s Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, this show is a darker take on the beloved teen witch. Honestly the plot could be about literally anything, it’s a GOTHY WITCH SHOW AND I WANT IT.  GIVE IT TO ME, GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT INTO MY EYES. 

Yes, I know there is a lot of other stuff premiering this month that’s “popular” and I should “really watch”, but you know that’s not how I roll. It’s a hard world out there, so practice self-care, be honest about the television you are going to watch, cast some spells, do you.

Happy Halloween!

XO 

MD