Hello world! Welcome back to another blog, and my first TV reviews of 2025! This week the three shows I will be talking about will include a Kdrama that helped me through my Covid diagnosis, an Irish crime drama which I think was better than series 1, and a new mystery drama where it proves that you shouldn't be afraid of hiring Neurodivergent people. So without further ado, here are the reviews of the tv shows I saw this year!
Squid Game:
The first show I'm going to talk about is the second season of Squid Game, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk (who's story on getting the show commissioned is just inspiring) and starring Lee Jung-Jae.
Following a brilliant nail-biting first season, the second season sees Seong Gi-hun seek revenge on the master of the games in order to end them once and for all, but ends up fighting for his life once again!
I came across this series during October 2021 after contracting Coronavirus, and sometimes it's moments like this where an opportunity to watch some great TV, and if I didn't have Covid, then I wouldn't be here to talk about it to this day! Lee Jung-Jae once again took on the role of Gi-hun brilliantly. From a Gambler in season 1 to a man on a mission in season 2, you can clearly see the change in his mindset following the first series. And along with former police officer Hwang Jun-ho (played by Wi Ha-Joon who I'm glad made it back into this series), they were both determined to put an end to the games once and for all and for Jun-ho to find his brother, which is also the Frontman (played by Lee Byung-hun). We also got to find out more about his character when he disguised himself as player 001 in the games, making me wonder if the reason he became in charge of the games was because of his past. Who knows? And even though he only appeared in one episode, the recruiter (played by Gong Yoo) was also someone you'd never forget, and I really forgot how mentally deranged his character really was. But that's when you know you're playing a good role, when you can't keep their eyes off of them! But we also got to see another appearance from Gi-hun's friend Park Jung-bae (played by Lee Seo-hwan) who after entering the games, their friendship is threatened due to the nature of the horrific games.
During this second season, we got to meet some new faces. From a complaining middle aged man known as Im Jeong-dae (played by Song Young-chang) a self proclaimed Shaman known as Seon-nyeo (played by Chae Kook-hee), to former Marine Kang Dae-ho who Jung-bae befriended (played by Kang Ha-neul). But here are a few of my stand outs. These include rapper Thanos (played by T.O.P.), who sees the games as a walk in the park and the new enemy, and along with his right hand man Nam-gyu (played by Roh Jae-won), they were a pair not to be messed with. We also got to meet Transgender and former army officer Cho Hyun-ju (played by Park Sung-hoon), who forms a special bond with timid and shy Kim Young-mi (played by Kim Si-eun). Another bond that was brilliant to see was shy Park Min-su (played by Lee David who fell victim for Thanos) and Se-mi (played by Won Ji-an). But some relationships were tested, which include mother and son Jang Geum-ja (played by Kang Ae-shim) and Park Yong-sik (played by Yang Dong-geun), and I shall say no more on that. But we also got to see what goes on in the lives of the soldiers, one of which was North Korean defector Kang No-eul (played by Park Gyu-young), who was abit of a rebel when it came to her job. There was also drama from the man who saved Jun-ho in the form of Captain Park (played by Oh Dal-su), who after offering him help to infiltrate the games, may have a dark secret which may put Jun-ho in danger.
I don't think I have any downsides to the show, as it literally got me hooked from the beginning. But what I've noticed after watching most Korean Dramas, is that the cliffhangers are always the best, as that's when you know that you want more. But at the same time it can be annoying (but in a good way), as just when it gets to the juicy stuff, it ends there. But for some reason, I like it like that!
Overall, I would give the show a full house! Following the rejection of the show 10 years before the first season and the creator having to sell his laptop, I'm glad the show was back, as it had twists, turns, and we got to know more characters and wanting them to succeed. And with the third and final series on its way (which I'm sad about as similar to shows like Peaky Blinders, I want it to continue), I really hope Gi-hun makes it out alive and stops The Frontman once and for all!
Kin:
The next show I’m going to review is Kin, starring Charlie Cox, Claire Dunne and casted by Louise Kiely.
Following a nail-biting first series, the second series sees the Kinsella's face a new challenge. These include a Turkish Cartel who make it clear that the Kinsella's owe them, and a returning character from Prison who causes friction among this notorious Irish gang.
Michael (played by Charlie Cox), once again showed the Kinsella's he is not to be messed with. And with the return of his father Bren and trying to get to pay back a large sum of money, he is definitely in for a ride. Amanda (played by Clare Dunne), also us had a massive glow up. From running a dealership to being in charge of business, she is definitely the true meaning of girl power. And her relationship with Jimmy (played by Emmett J. Scanlan), also deteriorated following a personal setback and the return of Bren, leading to a charged moment between her and Michael. Eric (played by Sam Keeley), also never changed after series 1, and is a sucker for the rules. But over the series, his influence over Bren (who I’ll mention later on) reached a turning point when a comment about his girlfriend Nikki (played by Yasmin Seky who also got caught in the firing line), made the spell break. Following his overdose in series 1, Frank (played by Aiden Gillen), has done everything he can to put everything that’s happened behind him, but it only made things worse to the point where he hit rock bottom. Both him and birdy (played by Anna Doyle-Kennedy), had to face their past traumas, and would do everything they could to stop Bren from coming to other family members. Finally, Anthony (played by Mark Mckenna Jr) had a bigger part to play in the series, with Bren also having an influence over him.
We also got to see some new arrivals, three of which stood out for me. One of which is the form of Michael and Jimmy's dad Bren (played by Frances Magee). You know when you play a baddie well, when you immediately don’t like them, and Bren did that job perfectly, as some of the comments, particularly towards the women, were things which even I took offence to. I also loved Nuray, the daughter of the Batuks (played by Oyku Karayel), as after making a threat for the Kinsella's, she slowly realised that she and Amanda have more in common than they thought. And finally, I loved the appearance of pharmacist Molly (played by Danielle Galligan), but it’s a shame that it didn’t last.
I think my only downside was that at the end of the series, I wanted more! But I think that’s when you know you’ve enjoyed the series when you want more. And I also wanted to see what would happen following Anthony’s confession and the aftermath of Uncle franks actions.
Overall I would give the show a full house! Yes I wanted to know more after the ending, but it was definitely a drama which took me away from all my troubles for an hour. Fingers crossed for a series 3.
Patience:
The final show I will talk about is Patience, starring Ella Maisy Purvis and Laura Fraser.
This follows the story of autistic criminal records worker Patience Evans, who uses her unique skills to help solves cases.
Ella Maisy Purvais and Laura Fraser really took on their roles as Patience Evans and DI Bea Metcalf. Patience is one of those people where you grow to love her, and after detecting her findings with her heightened senses (as seen in episode 5), she was the key member of the team everyone didn't know they need. And her Yorkshire Accent was so on point! Her personality helped her colleague and friend Bea, who was intrigued by her skills, and willing to find out more about her life. As we go through the series, meeting Patience has made her learn about her personal life. that and they make an incredible team, with Patience's unique findings to Bea's own work making them an unstoppable force of nature. We also got to see some flashbacks of how Patience came to be the woman she is, how her special interest of puzzles came to be and how she got into working for criminal records. All of this symbolised perfectly on how autism is often and still is misinterpreted as something else. And I hope anyone watching this will be able to see this show and implement it into their one lives when it comes to diagnosing autism.
The other characters in the show also impacted Patience’s life. These included DS Jake hunter (played by Nathan welsh) who at first was abit unsure but slowly warmed towards patience, and Calvin Baxter (played by Mark Benton), who is someone you don’t want to mess with. Patience was also able to be the unexpected source of help for head forensic examiner Loretta Parsons (played by Liza Sadovy), who I’ll be honest, I find it quite entertaining of how Patience guessed what the cause of death was before her. I guess that’s the power of a special interest for you though and how you use it to your advantage. I also loved the relationship between patience her godfather Douglas Gilmour (played by Adrian Rawlins), as he was able to guide her on many challenges and also was a good support for her since the sad dismiss of her father. I was also interested in her connection with forensic worker Elliott Scott (played by Tom Lewis), who was keen to get to know patience and had a lovely moment at the end of the series. If a series 2 were to happen, then I would love to see their relationship progress and how they navigate their way through it. I also think we need a friend like Billy (played by Connor Curren) who gives everyone a safe space to be themselves and also expands on some of the traits people with autism have. And if there were a series 2, it would be great to see the origin of how the group was set up in the first place.
I think my only downside was that I just hope there is a series 2. As for me personally I didn’t get the ending, but maybe it’s a sign to say that Patience’s next big mystery starts here.
Overall I would give the show a 4.95. It was intriguing, it had moments of tension and it’s also brought in the reality of autistic people living in a world where it’s not suitable for us. And if there is a series 2, I’m hoping it’ll get the answers needed.
And that was my review on the first three tv shows I saw this year. But keep an eye out because as we speak, I’m currently watching more shows to keep me entertained and my passion for the arts alive!
See you soon for another blog. Until next time…
This is The Autistic Actress signing off :)
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