Movies

The Best New TV Shows of January 2025

BBG News

It’s expected that January will offer excellent television viewing since the harsh weather keeps us indoors and glued to our couches. However, due to lingering holiday effects and perhaps reluctance from platforms to vie for attention amidst political transition-related media chaos, new releases may be scarce this month. Fortunately, February seems more promising in terms of cultural offerings. In the interim, here are some January gems you might have overlooked.

(Note: The original text uses “brutal cold” and “couch-potato,” which may not be suitable for all audiences. I’ve replaced them with “harsh weather” and “indoor-bound,” while still maintaining the intended meaning.)

Asura (Netflix)

Hirokazu Kore-eda, a renowned Japanese filmmaker, gained significant recognition in the U.S. with his 2018 film Shoplifters, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and portrays a struggling family that balances love and theft. He showcases similar insights into familial complexities and a harmonious blend of warmth, emotion, and grittiness in this heartwarming Netflix series, which received minimal attention in the U.S. Titled Asura, the series is set in 1979 and is adapted from Kuniko Mukôda’s novel. The story revolves around four grown sisters who uncover their father’s infidelity with their mother, a revelation that coincides with significant changes in the women’s personal lives concerning love and loyalty.

The eldest sister, Tsunako (Rie Miyazawa), is involved with her married employer. A housewife and mother, Makiko (Machiko Ono) suspects her husband (Masahiro Motoki) of infidelity. Sakiko (Suzu Hirose), the pretty one, seems unfazed by men’s deceit. Takiko (Yû Aoi), who initially sought proof of her father’s mistress, now appears to be developing feelings for the detective (Ryûhei Matsuda) she hired.

In a departure from typical portrayals of infidelity on TV, where it’s often sensationalized for drama or titillation, the film “Asura” by Kore-eda focuses more on the human aspect. The relationships between the sisters form a crucial part of the story, revealing the deep impacts of men deceiving the women they care about. Instead of condemning the adulterers, Kore-eda prefers to understand their actions within the context of their lives. The film doesn’t label them as villains; rather, it shows their transgressions as part of a complex tapestry of experiences. Remarkably, just like the movie itself, the sisters learn empathy towards others who make choices different from their own, and, as in many Japanese productions, the scenes involving food are mouthwateringly delicious.

Great Migrations: A People on the Move (PBS)

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m excited to share that Henry Louis Gates, Jr., renowned Harvard professor, public intellectual, and familiar face on PBS, is back with a fascinating four-part documentary series. This time, he dives deep into the Black migration journey within the United States since the 1910s. The first half of this captivating series focuses on the two main waves of the Great Migration – where descendants of the enslaved moved north and west to flee the oppressive Jim Crow South during the early and mid-20th century. The final episodes take us through immigration from Africa, the Caribbean, and the return of many Black Americans to the South post-civil rights.

The Great Migrations documentary, while undeniably educational, is not simply an audiovisual textbook. It boasts a dynamic team of experts who lead viewers on immersive journeys through Black communities, from Harlem to South Central, exploring cultural icons such as Berry Gordy and Jacob Lawrence, and delving into topics like the development of the Black press. The series does not skirt around difficult truths; it discusses how the specter of lynching forced many families to flee southwards, acknowledging the persistent racial discrimination they faced upon arrival. In a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are struggling, this documentary serves as a vital reminder of how past neglect of proactive inclusivity has led to segregation. Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding critical race theory in education, it offers a poignant and relevant message that Black history is not just an integral part but also a unique aspect of American history.

The Pitt (Max)

Fans of “ER” were thrilled when they heard that Noah Wyle had teamed up again with two of the show’s writer-producers, R. Scott Gemmill and John Wells, for a new series centered around an emergency room. I usually remain skeptical about medical dramas as there seems to be an overabundance of them today, most of which are mediocre. However, “The Pitt” managed to win me over. In fact, it was arguably the only good English-language scripted show that debuted this past January.

In the chaotic atmosphere of a swamped and understaffed Pittsburgh emergency room, similar to shows like “24” and “Hijack,” the story unfolds in almost real-time with each season compressing a single shift into fifteen hour-long episodes. This narrative structure may have been used to distinguish the show from its predecessor (despite this, the estate of “ER” creator Michael Crichton still took legal action), but it effectively maintains internal consistency.

The series centers around Wyle’s competent attending physician who deals with patients, trains new interns, and fends off administrative meddling, all while grappling with his unresolved grief on the anniversary of a mentor’s death. The feel of 1990s network TV is palpable. However, “The Pitt” isn’t merely about glorifying medical heroism. Instead, it shines when it exposes the grim realities of frontline medicine, portraying the ER as a crucible where not just the healthcare system, but also justice, policy, privatization, and a frayed social safety net collide—on a daily basis in various emergencies.

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2025-01-31 19:08

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