Pet
Pet is not an easy series to watch, largely because it inspires conflicting feelings. Our head condemns the behavior of Chanelle, the 37-year-old teacher who loses control and gets bogged down in a forbidden relationship with Sandrick, her 17-year-old student. But our hearts are not so severed. The sensitive writing of Simon Boulerice has something to do with it, as does the nuanced interpretation of the main actors, including Évelyne Brochu, Lévi Doré and Steve Laplante, the quiet force as a cuckold spouse. It smacks of the Gemini prize raid.
On Crave and Noovo.ca
Cheer
We would never have thought that a documentary series on the world of competitions cheerleading in Texas could give us such strong emotions. Masterfully directed by Greg Whiteley, the second season launched in January shows how the huge success of the first episodes has affected – both positively and negatively – the team at Navarro Community College. Small and big victories, wounds, friendships, rivalries, betrayals, family… The themes covered are rich. The protagonists (Monica, La’Darius, Gabi, Jerry…) are endearing, but imperfect. A third season has not yet been confirmed, but we remain hopeful. “Bring it on”, as Kirsten Dunst would say.
On Netflix
Severance (French version : Dissociation)
Just for its last 30 seconds, which reaches a level of intensity unmatched in fiction in 2022, the first season of the sci-fi psychological thriller directed by Ben Stiller deserves our attention. Created by Dan Erickson, this series takes us elsewhere, more precisely to the heart of a group of employees of a large company who choose to undergo a surgery that splits their memory in two. As soon as they arrive at work, a chip blocks their personal memories, and as soon as they leave the premises of the company, it blocks those relating to work. A fascinating David Lynch-esque cross between The Office and Lost.
On Apple TV+
STAT
PHOTO ERIC MYRE, PROVIDED BY RADIO-CANADA
Normand D’Amour and Suzanne Clément in Status
Our 2022 surprise. Not because we underestimated its creative team, which includes Marie-Andrée Labbé (Without an appointment) and Fabienne Larouche, but because after District 31, it was hard to see how we were going to invest so much ardor in a daily news. Come on stage (or rather on the air) STAT. With its endearing characters, its contemporary writing tinged with humor, its devilishly effective mini-plots and, above all, its seasoned cast (we never have the impression that Suzanne Clément and company are giving each other a line, their acting is so natural) , the series convinces us to return, evening after evening and without effort, in front of our television.
On HERE Tou.tv
The Girl From Plainville
On the list of best fiction inspired by true stories launched this year, this dramatic miniseries is ahead of The Staircase (Craves) and The Dropout (Disney+). And yet, we knew the original case, twisted as possible, involving a teenager accused of having pushed her boyfriend to suicide through macabre text messages. Divided into eight one-hour episodes, The Girl From Plainville ventures beyond the headlines by painting an intimate, three-dimensional portrait of the accused. Elle Fanning delivers a captivating performance in the title role. And although the plot unfolds slowly, the series holds our attention at every turn.
On Prime Video (only available in English with a subscription to StackTV)