1. Dirty John (Season 1)

The story of Dirty John is based on the true crimes of a man who gets sucked into a web of deceit and lies. Although some of the plot is melodramatic and some scenes are overdramatized, Dirty John is still enjoyable. You don't have to worry about it running out of steam after eight episodes. Eric Bana and Connie Britton make Dirty John a binge-worthy show despite its flaws.

There's a groove to the story, but it's all about Debra, the seemingly exemplary mother. They're married eight weeks after falling in love, much to the dismay of their daughters, Veronica and Tara. A psychological thriller about a man's manipulative hold over a woman whose life comes crashing down as his lies are exposed.

It's a bit rough around the edges in the first couple of episodes. Dirty John struggles to get started because of its overly dramatic portrayal of events and its questionable portrayal of the two daughters. Towards the end of the third and fourth episodes, flashbacks take over and more thriller elements enter the fray, making the series much more engaging and interesting.

You'll find yourself questioning Debra's naivety and John's interest in her early on, almost to the point of wanting to turn off the show. It takes a while for the middle episodes to dive into both characters' pasts and explain their motives and personas before climaxing. I like it, but I think we should give these first few episodes the benefit of the doubt.

The composition in some episodes is quite striking, especially when John lurks on the edges of the frame or watches Debra silently. However, otherwise, most of the content is pretty standard. I like the color tints for flashbacks too, although I think they should have been edited out across the series rather than just thrown in at the beginning.

Even so, Dirty John is a show that will turn away as many people as it attracts. Although Dirty John's overly melodramatic tones and annoying daughters are a bit distracting, it does get more interesting after the first few episodes. This is because you can look past these flaws. Even if you don't make it that far, the acting from the two lead characters is good enough to keep you entertained.

2. GASLIT - The power of perception.

In the Watergate political scandal, dishonest men controlled the United States and worked hard to deceive and lie to the public. There hasn't been any change. 

You can't help but watch GASLIT because of this. Only a few people told the truth. Others got fired, ruined, and sent home. It's a shame, but kudos to the writers for shining a light on flailing integrity. Julia Roberts' Martha Mitchell (Julia Roberts) isn't an American hero. John Dean (Dan Stevens) isn't either. The right thing was done at the right time. It is actors like them who portray the fear and insecurity that real-life people must have experienced. 

There were also two others in my heart: Mo Dean (Betty Gilpin), and Frank Wills (Patrick R. Walker). Frank tried to stay true to his Georgia roots, while Mo showed her love for her husband over and over again. The story was moved forward by these two supporting roles. I was blown away by how subtle and brilliant the performance was. 

GASLIT is a fascinating historical show. We all know the outcome, but it's the brave journey that keeps me watching. STARZ has it streaming. 

3. Unbelievable - Series is an Insightful Masterpiece

It's based on a true story about how America fails survivors of sexual assault and injustice. It's a common argument, and some of us have even made it: we can't just believe women. Most of them, but not all. What about all those falsely accused guys? Everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who was accused of something he didn't do, right? We didn't even know if someone we knew had been raped or sexually assaulted until a few years ago.

The Netflix drama Unbelievable tells the stomach-churning story of one of those women who lied about being raped. It's also about the people who found undeniable proof of her rape years later. It's not uncommon for women like Marie to be falsely accused of rape or sexual assault for a few years. The eight-episode limited series may not be the true crime we're used to, but it might just be what we need right now, with its social justice and easy mass media consumption. In a groundbreaking 2015 long-form article from The Marshall Project, Marie (played by Kaitlyn Dever of Booksmart), a young girl whose story inspired us. Unbelievably, it has been adapted here. The film chronicles the life of a woman who gets raped at home, is coerced into rescinding her statement, and is then charged with lying to the cops. Meanwhile, two detectives (Toni Colette and Merritt Weaver) follow their instincts to piece together scant evidence as they pursue what they start to suspect might be a serial rapist.

Unbelievable's women are alive, hurting, and capable of healing, unlike so much of our media. Throughout the episodes, they experience (unnamed) primary and secondary trauma symptoms, showing the assaults themselves only in stilted flashbacks, focusing instead on the too-often-overlooked aftermath. There's no doubt that PTSD symptoms translate well to screen, like the high-pitched noise that signals a flashback or potential panic attack. There's a lot of it because of Kaitlyn Dever, Danielle MacDonald, Analeigh Ashford, and Jayne Taini's incredible performances. These performances cover everything from numbed-out feelings that confound others to coping with drugs, alcohol, or sex or making their lives small to stay safe.