PBS9. American Revolutionary War
Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and as we approach the monument, Ken Burns promises a fresh and courageous look at America’s fight for independence and founding. This history takes on a broader perspective, as it goes beyond the conventional wisdom and familiar images of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other Founding Fathers to also consider the role of Black people, indigenous peoples, women, and allies who resisted separation from Great Britain. Burns resists simplistic and romanticized myths, said He and co-directors Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt created the series in hopes of fostering “more dynamic conversations, something a little less nostalgic and a little more complex.” However, the style is typically Burns’, meaning there is plenty of commentary from historians and narration reading out letters and documents from the period. Those voices include Paul Giamatti, who reads the words of John Adams (who had a memorable role on the HBO series). The series, which claims the American Revolution changed the world in that it influenced other democracies, will run for 12 hours. You can’t expect anything less from Burns.
The American Revolution will premiere on PBS in the US on November 16th
Netflix10. Stranger Things
It’s been over three years since the final episode of the popular Stranger Things, but the story has moved forward just one year to 1987, when the fifth and final season begins. Almost the entire regular cast appears, including Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder. (Joseph Quinn as Eddie Manson, dead and buried, is also among the missing.) And much of the usual mayhem ensues, including Eleven’s screams, objects exploding, and troops descending on Hawkins, Indiana. The story moves to its conclusion with familiar characters determined to find the villain Vecna and stop him from destroying the world. Netflix is taking its time splitting up these final episodes. Four episodes will arrive in November, three more on Christmas Day, and the absolute final episode will arrive on New Year’s Eve. Don’t worry. The stage show’s prequel, Stranger Things: First Shadow, continues with endless memes and merchandise.
Stranger Things Season 5 premieres on Netflix on November 26th
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Source: BBC Culture – www.bbc.com
