Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here! Today, our writers share what they’ve been watching over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been watching over the past month, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get this post started with what I’ve been watching over the past month.
Kyra’s Shows
I started watching Atypical on Netflix. I was reluctant to watch the show because of its lack of actors with autism. From what I’ve heard, Atypical correct that shortcoming by hiring actors with autism in future seasons. Yes! Looks like we may have another addition to the Autism Representation series of posts. I won’t go into too much detail here; I’ll have to save something for that future post (which will probably post some time early next year, 2027). Like many shows that feature neurodivergent characters, Atypical doesn’t get every detail right. I just started watching, but hiring actors on the spectrum in future seasons is a step in the right direction.
Despite seeing some of the tropes presented in Atypical on more than one show featuring an autistic character, the show manages to hold my interest. And some elements of Atypical ring true. Honestly, the first season (I’m early on in the show) does a good job portraying Sam’s family and friends. For now, Atypical does a good job showing how family struggles to accommodate someone on the spectrum, even when that person has lower support needs. I do like how Atypical makes the distinction of people with autism having different needs. Atypical is listed as a comedy drama. I’d argue it’s more of a drama than comedy (at least for the first season), but it has some moments that made me giggle.
This won’t be the last time I mention Atypical on the site. Beware! I see an Autism Representation post in the future.
I write my section of these posts a month ahead (usually), and Animal Control season four dropped on Netflix. At this moment, I’ve been rewatching the previous season in preparation of Animal Control season five releasing at the end of September. By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be watching the new season. It took me a while to warm up to Animal Control’s characters. I’ve discussed the danger of short episode seasons for sitcoms in the past. I won’t belabor the point here. In short, short episode seasons don’t work for sitcoms. Shows struggle to retain an audience. The characters don’t have time to develop. Animal Control had the will they, won’t they romcom couple get together at the end of season three, which seems like a lifetime, but it’s the same number of episodes as Ross and Rachel on Friends getting together. Short episode season kill a sitcom’s momentum.
Short rant over. I like where Animal Control left its characters at the end of season four and can’t wait to see what shenanigans the gang gets into in season five. I started watching Animal Control because of Joel McHale. I’m staying for the adorkable characters.
By this point, you know I’m a true crime fan. I’ve watched every episode of Signs of a Psychopath. The latest season released over the past month, and I’ve caught up in the series. I’ve watched enough of Signs of a Psychopath that I know what psychological jargon the subject matter experts will say before they say it. I could make a drinking game out of it. Flat affect. Drink! Okay. Maybe I shouldn’t make a drinking game out of this show.
Lanterns‘ first season wrapped up this past month. I won’t say much about this show. If you want my thoughts on Lanterns, Geekly has reviews of each episode. In short, I’m hoping for a second season. I may have some issues with Lanterns, but the show is entertaining and worthy of a second season. If it does return, I want more alien planets. And aliens! We need more pink-skinned beings.
Kyra’s Movie
I’ve always liked Daniel Johnston’s music; expect to see a Daniel Johnston entry in next week’s Geekly Tunes post. Daniel Johnston is the most popular outsider artists. Outsider art is art made by self-taught individuals who are untrained and untutored in the traditional arts with typically little or no contact with the conventions of the art worlds. While Daniel Johnston fits this definition, he’s so much more than that. Daniel Johnston’s music strips away the production you’ll find on studio albums. His art has an earnestness you won’t find in mainstream music. Songs like “Story of an Artist,” “Somethings Last a Long Time,” and “Life in Vain” aren’t afraid to get to the song’s emotional center. Daniel Johnston’s voice adds vulnerability.
Daniel Johnston was more than a musician. He drew cover art for his albums. The picture above is one of Daniel Johnston’s original works. He had a thing for drawing a guy missing the top part of his skull. And The Devil features in a lot of Daniel Johnston’s work. He grew up in an ultra-religious household. Johnston often thought about The Devil. So, The Devil and Daniel Johnston works as the title of a documentary movie about Daniel Johnston. The movie itself interviews a lot of Johnston’s friends and family, and on occasion, Johnston himself. He fought numerous personal demons. He created a unique world. The Devil and Daniel Johnston did a good job of presenting that world.
I’ll briefly talk about two highlights from this movie. The Devil and Daniel Johnston interviewed Gibby Haynes (of the Butthole Surfers) while he was at the dentist. Excellent! At the very end, Daniel Johnston’s parents talked about how they tried to find a place for him, but nothing worked besides their home. Johnston’s father worried about his son. He wanted to know that his son would be okay after he passed. This moment hits a lot different now than it would have in 2006 (when the film was first released). Daniel Johnston would pass of a massive heart attack. His parents would pass away shortly afterwards. Right as the tears fall, cue “Somethings Last a Long Time” and the credits.
The Devil and Daniel Johnston won’t be for everyone, but if you like Daniel Johnston’s music and art, it’s available for free with ads on YouTube.
That’s all I’ve watched this past month, and it looks like I’m on my own for this month. What’ve you been watching, Geekly Gang? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.
