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Reviews
One Piece (2023)
Decent fantasy action-comedy stands on its own
I'm not a fan of the source material (although I could become one) and I'd never heard of One Piece past a few weeks ago, but I can understand why Netflix made the live action version -- it works pretty well on its own.
The world is novel, the characters are colourful and reasonably well-acted (from an action-comedy perspective), and the story keeps moving along. Of course the fantasy elements are a bit cartoonish (the source material being a cartoon) but much of the humour is found here and it all creates a fairly well-rounded package.
So, even if you've never heard of One Piece you should give it a try if you're a fan of fantasy action-comedies like Twisted Metal or Pirates of the Caribbean. Monkey will grow on you!
Mrs. Davis (2023)
Like Preacher (2016): different cast, same shtick, but that's okay!
After the first 10 minutes of the first episode it becomes plainly obvious the pitch for this show was 'like Preacher except a nun battles a god-like AI". But that's okay! I loved Preacher -- it was quirky, comically brutal, explored deep philosophical questions and it never turned down an opportunity to play something for a laugh.
Mrs. Davis is very similar in that regard. We establish early-on that she is badass, possibly immortal, has a side-hustle busting scam artists but is generally content in her convent. But this stupid AI won't leave her alone! Push comes to shove fairly early and the adventure is on.
To conclude, if you liked Preacher you'll like this, if you didn't like Preacher you won't like this, and if you've never seen Preacher, watch Preacher!
Better (2023)
Not a cop drama, but the trials of a mother who's a corrupt cop
So yes, if you're looking for a gritty cop drama, this probably isn't the show for you. You can skip it and go watch something else (maybe The Gold?)
Sure, Better does have cop-drama stuff in it, but it's largely superficial -- the substance here is all about the power of family bonds to reform bad behaviour, which might be considered by some to be a bit dry and boring -- this is definitely not the show for them.
The protagonist could have been a Saul-style lawyer, a drug dealer -- honestly that part of the story doesn't matter that much. There's a 'devil' in the form of the antagonist with whom she's made a 'bargain' she must get out of. That's the plot in a nutshell.
But, Better has dressed that plot up in a reasonably attractive fashion, and so if you'd like to join our protagonist on her journey of redemption then you're more than welcome to come along!
Rated 9/10 for what it is. Which is not a cop drama.