On June 2, 2025, my partner and I were trying to decide what to watch. We have finished Paradise, The Handmaid’s Tale, Daredevil: Born Again, and The Day of the Jackal. Usually, my social media feeds are full of people talking about the latest must-watch show, but lately, my newsfeed has been dry. Out of curiosity, I Googled “best television shows right now” to see what would come up. The results from Rotten Tomatoes:

We selected

Murderbot  

Platform: Apple TV  Number of Episodes: 6 available (unknown length) Episode time: 30 minutes

The show debuted on May 16th, with new episodes releasing on Fridays.

Apple TV’s Summary: In a high-tech future, a rogue security robot (Alexander Skarsgård) secretly gains free will. To stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet. Even though it just wants to binge-watch soap operas.

Review: I’m three episodes in and I love this show—a sci-fi comedy that feels like an alternate take on i-Robot. Alexander Skarsgård’s unemotional fish-out-of-water, SecUnit, is refreshing.  I have no idea where the story is going, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

This process gave me the idea for this post: Would I enjoy any of these other shows suggested by Google/Rotten Tomatoes? I decided to watch two or three episodes of the show to determine if I like it or not. Additionally, I’m exploring different platforms and checking out recently released shows.

Your Friends and Neighbors

Platform: Apple TV Number of Episodes: 10   Episode time: 50 minutes

All episodes are currently available.

Apple TV Summary: After being fired in disgrace, a hedge fund manager resorts to stealing from his neighbors’ homes in the affluent Westmont Village, only to discover that the secrets hidden behind the wealthy facades might be more dangerous.

Review: I enjoyed Jon Hamm in Mad Men, so I was intrigued by this show. The first episode opens with a murder, but most of it focuses on world-building—introducing Andrew Cooper, his family and friends, and how he ultimately decides to start robbing his neighbors’ homes. I found this part a bit tedious. But once the action starts picking up, the show becomes more watchable. Hamm is giving Don Draper 2.0, but it’s a good show. 

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Will I keep watching: Yes

The Stolen Girl

Platform: Hulu             Number of Episodes: 5            Episode time: 40 minutes

All episodes are currently available.

Hulu Summary: A seemingly ordinary decision turns the world of Elisa, mom to two young kids, upside down. When her daughter Lucia asks to go to a sleepover at her new best friend Josie’s house, Elisa agrees. After meeting Josie’s mother, Rebecca, she’s put at ease by her charming nature and their impressive house. But when she says goodnight to her daughter, she has no idea that she is about to be thrust into every parent’s worst nightmare.

Review: This show was produced in the United Kingdom and feels like ripped from the headlines, but it’s not. It’s based on the book Playdate by Alex Dahl.  In the episodes watched, we learn who, where, when, and how. I need to know WHY? The acting is strong and the story is compelling.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Will I keep watching: Yes

MobLand 

Platform: Paramount Plus Number of Episodes: 10      Episode time: 60 minutes

All episodes are currently available.

Paramount Plus Summary: Two mob families clash in a war that threatens to topple empires and lives.

Review: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy in one project directed by Guy Richie  – how did I miss this being available? Another series from the United Kingdom. I was surprised. It’s fun hearing these actors speak in their natural accents and to see Brosnan play a villain. The show is dense, with several storylines unfolding simultaneously. I’m still trying to figure out if there is a ‘hero’ in this show.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Will I keep watching: Yes

Sirens

Platform: Netflix  Number of Episodes: 5        Episode time: 60 minutes

All episodes are currently available.

Netflix Summary: Worried about her sister’s too-close relationship with her billionaire boss, a scrappy everywoman seeks answers at a lavish seaside estate.

Review: I enjoy watching Julianne Moore as an exaggerated, rich woman cult leader and Kevin Bacon as a husband who is over her. I’m not finding this show to be enjoyable. It’s supposed to be a comedy, but I  haven’t laughed much at all. The show is well-acted, but I cannot get into it.

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Will I keep watching: Probably not.

So out of five shows, four of them have my full endorsement and should be on your to-watch list. Now that I’ve completed my experiment, let me go back to finding out why this little girl was kidnapped.