(may contain spoilers)
Born for the Spotlight
Douban rating: 8.0
Director: Yen Yi-wen
Starring: Hsieh Ying-xuan, Cheryl Yang, Annie Chen, Vicky Tseng, Hsueh Shih-ling
Douban Comments: “Taiwanese are so skilled at making this type of show now – it’s like second nature to them. Especially with the perfect casting, talented actors who deliver great performances, and such amazing directors, they just can’t go wrong. Even though it’s the same group of actresses, I never get tired of watching them. Cheryl Yang and Hsieh Ying-xuan have such strong “big sister vibes” and are perfect for roles like ’guiding lights and safe harbors in life.‘”
“I initially thought this was a show catering to the male director‘s fantasies, so I was really surprised to find out that the director is a woman. This was a drama I had been looking forward to for a long time, and the acting is excellent – especially Cheryl Yang, who is absolutely captivating.
But the storyline feels so male-centric. All these incredible actresses, including award winners, are made to pour everything into loving a mediocre-looking man. Sure, things like this happen a lot in real life, but do we really need to relive it in a drama? The show clearly knew what the audience wanted to see and even used it as a selling point early on, but it still ended up prioritizing male fantasy and wrapped things up half-heartedly.”
“Loving her doesn’t mean loving every part of her – it means loving the parts of her that attract you and then trying to accept the parts that aren’t so perfect. When it comes to creating female characters, Taiwanese dramas are truly on another level. They boldly showcase women’s beauty and flaws, their bright sides and their dark sides. They don’t shy away from topics like being overly focused on romance, marriage, or competition between women. Yet, compared to those so-called ‘female-centered’ stories, these portrayals feel more vibrant, sharper, and deeply moving. Every issue and perspective is seamlessly conveyed through the storytelling.”
Griselda
Douban rating: 6.7
Director: Andrés Baiz
Starring: Sofía Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Juliana Aidén Martinez, Martín Rodríguez
Douban Comments: “Netflix has recently started leaning toward a somewhat problematic production trend: giving serious subject matter only six episodes, prioritizing binge-worthy appeal at the expense of depth. This approach often results in content that feels superficial, overly streamlined, and a bit too ‘entertaining’. Despite having the Narcos team on board, the show chose not to adopt a calm, nuanced narrative style or explore the complexities of its subject matter. Instead, it veers toward a lighter tone, focusing solely on a ‘strong female lead‘ conquering all in her path.
Griselda’s rise to power, as well as her more ruthless deeds throughout this ’war‘, are largely sacrificed in favor of a shallow ’independent woman‘ storyline. That said, Sofía Vergara, who hasn’t done serious acting in quite some time, put tremendous effort into portraying this character. Her performance shows her emotional range and a deep understanding of the real-life figure she’s playing.
As Michelle Yeoh once said, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re past your prime.” Sofía hasn’t hit hers yet – she’s still searching and evolving.”
“If the story only focused on how she succeeded, it would be an inspirational tale about a woman who was underestimated but proved herself with courage, strategy, vision, an understanding of the power of unity, the necessity of persuasion, and her undeniable charisma – all qualities worth learning from. If it only covered the latter half of her life, it would just be about the hollow existence of wealth, power, and drug addiction.
But this show tells the whole story. It’s complete. Even though the narrative picks up when she’s already in her 30s, it still shows how she lived her earlier years – how she turned passivity into action, escaped her personal hell, and built her empire from scratch. You can see just how formidable she is, and so can every man who crossed paths with her in the story.
The foil to her character is the female police officer who starts off frustrated and overlooked, yet intelligent, talented, and passionate. She rises from being undervalued to becoming a leader, ultimately retiring peacefully. The ending was never the point – after all, we all share the same ultimate ending. What matters is how we live.
I deeply admire both women in the story and find them incredibly inspiring.”
“Daring to create a biographical series about Griselda Blanco, a Colombian drug queenpin who was insanely ambitious, monstrously cruel, and overwhelmingly powerful – I have to say, Netflix has some serious guts! With the original Narcos team behind it, the quality of this gangster biopic is absolutely guaranteed.“
Reacher
Douban rating: 8.0
Creator: Nick Santora
Starring: Alan Ritchson, Malcolm Goodwin, Maria Sten, Willa Fitzgerald
Douban Comments: “I once bought eight of Jack’s novels on Amazon in one go and couldn’t put the series down. The TV adaptation is much closer to the original books than the movies. Jack isn’t a Batman-style detective; when it’s time to kill, he doesn’t hesitate. With a cold exterior but a warm heart, the sharp mind of a former military investigator, and a strong sense of justice, he’s the perfect hardboiled detective hero. The actor in the series really looks the part – tall, strong, and with smooth, stylish fight scenes.”
“This hardboiled detective series follows Jack Reacher, a 1.95-meter-tall ex-soldier with exceptional intelligence and combat skills – a classic ‘man of few words’. The story revolves around a series of murders in a small town, and Reacher teams up with Chief Finlay and Officer Roscoe to investigate.
Beyond the gripping plot, the show excels in its portrayal of Reacher’s character. Through flashbacks and parallel storytelling, it reveals that this ‘ruthless’ hero is, deep down, a kind-hearted person. His ‘eye for an eye’ approach stems from a deep hatred of evil.”
“This show exceeded expectations – I binged it in one go. It’s a classic tough-guy series with some refreshing twists. The protagonist, drawn to the small town of Margrave by his love for blues music, finds himself entangled in a conspiracy. As the plot unfolds, the tip of a nationwide counterfeit money scheme is revealed.
The screenplay flows smoothly, with each episode aligning with its title and meticulously laying out the clues. Dialogue-driven recaps and planning keep the narrative tight and focused. Every character is decisive and action-oriented – when it’s time to act, they do so without unnecessary chatter. Officer Roscoe stands out as more than just a token ‘female sidekick’ common in hardboiled stories; she has a vibe reminiscent of Judy from Zootopia. Chief Finlay and Reacher share a love-hate dynamic that’s lighter and more humorous than the brooding partnerships in True Detective.
Reacher’s relationship with Neagley – somewhere between comradeship and an ‘old married couple’ vibe – is enviable. Even the supporting characters are given distinctive traits. Reacher’s encyclopedic knowledge, eye for detail, and no-nonsense attitude add to his appeal.
The one downside might be that the main villain feels underwhelming, and the step-by-step investigation lacks some deductive intrigue.”
