This weekend I have… 10 minutes, and I’m tender.
‘Old enough’
When to watch: Now on Netflix.
Viral clips of this Japanese series (in Japanese, with subtitles) are doing the rounds regularly, but 20 episodes have now made their way to Netflix. With each episode, adorable kids, usually between 2 and 4 years old, do their very first errands, all alone – going to the market, taking shirts to the cleaners, bringing dad an apron. They often walk several blocks, cross busy streets and meet dozens of people during their stay, but there is no sense of threat, just independence and pride. If you care about pedestrian safety, or if you love toddler milestones, check this out. And prepare to cry.
… an hour, and I miss ‘GLOW’.
‘dirty lines’
When to watch: Now on Netflix.
God bless those riotous crew members in period garb who approach some sort of erotic or de-classé venture with wholesome camaraderie; may we be them, may we know them, may we continue to put on sparkly, charming shows about them. This six-part Dutch dramedy (in Dutch, with subtitles or dubbed) starts in 1989 and follows the early days of telephone sex lines in the Netherlands. It has the coming-of-age energy of “Deutschland 83” and some of the technical enthusiasm of “Halt and Catch Fire”, but the real draw is upbeat, ambient, supportive horniness that reminds me of “Lovesick” and especially “Sex Training.”
… an hour, and I like talky family shows.
‘Cecilia’
When to watch: Now, on Paramount+.
Mariana Treviño stars in this Mexican import (in Spanish, with subtitles) as Cecilia, a single mother with demanding teenage children, a company on the brink of a major transition, needy exes and ailing parents. It’s so much stress that she has a stroke, which means she can no longer be the tortured Giving Tree; instead, everyone has to adapt to a new dynamic. This is much more antique than “Better Things,” more soap-like, but if you like that show, “there are 900 people in my house, and they’re all yelling at me…but that’s basically how I thrive!” atmosphere, check this out.