What We're Watching, Vol. 13 – May 2020

At The Attic on Eighth, we are clearly a multimedia bunch, with our regular reading discussions and film lists. In fact, some of our very first interactions as friends were excitedly messaging scene for scene reactions to shared shows across oceans and time zones. In this monthly series we gather to chat our most recent views. Nothing keeps us close like binge-watching together, even if we’re not in the same room.

With quarantine, lockdown, and social distancing still very much being the modus operandi here in May, our screens remain sources of comfort and windows into the outer world. Thankfully our to-watch lists are long with lots of old films, favorite dramas, reality shows, and long-meant-to-watch-this shows to choose from.

Here’s what The Attic on Eighth writers are watching this month…  

Zoë G. Burnett

When I have the capacity to focus on anything for more than half an hour, I’ve been working my way through the Early Douglas Sirk collection that recently went up on the Criterion Channel. So far I’ve watched two out of the four; Lured (1947) is a must-see for Lucille Ball fans and true crime junkies alike, and Slightly French (1949) is frankly the screwball comedy we all need right now. If you’re looking for something of Sirk’s that’s a bit more extra and in Technicolor, Magnificent Obsession (1954) and Written on the Wind (1956) are marvelous distractions. Otherwise, What We Do in the Shadows (2019 - ) is on its second season, with new episodes out every Wednesday. Get ready to get dead sexy.

Kara Thompson

I have been long awaiting the Outlander season 5 finale this month and, let’s be honest, this month will probably also consist of me rewatching from season 1. How am I supposed to last a year (or more) without my Outlander in my life? While my go-to shows typically consist of period dramas, I have also recently gotten hooked on several reality shows. I have been watching old seasons of Masterchef as well as a few HGTV home renovation shows, especially Rehab Addict per my love of old houses. If watching someone pull up dirty carpet and discovering beautiful hardwood floors brings you joy, I highly recommend Rehab Addict. 

Olivia Gündüz-Willemin

Like Kara, weekly new episodes of Outlander have been keeping me going. It’s an incredibly dramatic show, and I love it so much. I highly suspect that once its season ends this weekend, I’m going to finally, actually start reading the books that it’s based on. That being said, Outlander hasn’t been the only enthralling entertainment I’ve consumed over the past month. My husband and I started watching Succession in April and quickly binged both of its seasons. I’d seen all the hype around it, and my god, does it live up to it. The story of a highly dysfunctional media family in New York who are faced with the future as their elderly and tyrannical father has a stroke and puts the future of their company at risk, it’s full of truly terrible characters who are somehow a delight to watch. The series starts off a little slow and then suddenly, two episodes before the end of its first season, skyrockets from solidly good to truly amazing television. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark comedy, dysfunctional family drama, and a good dose of Whartonesque social commentary. Next up for me: finally watching Halt and Catch Fire, a show of Attic-lore thanks to Raquel Reyes and our former Lifestyle Editor Lee Clark, who both lost it when I started the show last night and realized that oh, Lee Pace is in it. Lee Pace is indeed front and center in Halt and Catch Fire, and it promises to be a highly-engaging series about the 1980s tech boom. Disappointment is not expected. 

Lauren Olmeda

I too have been obsessed with Outlander, and I am going to be so sad after I watch the finale, especially since no one knows when tv shows will start filming again. But other than that, my husband and I have been revisiting old favourites rather than starting new shows. We’re working our way through Breaking Bad for the third time, and it’s just as tense and terrifying as the very first time. Last but not least, I am banking all episodes of Killing Eve – that’s a show I absolutely need to binge because it’s that good, and if I only watch one episode at a time it’s just not enough! I’m looking so forward to that “oh my god, it’s 3 AM and my brain hurts, but I just have to watch one more episode.” If quarantine isn’t the time for that, when is?

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Zoë G. Burnett is a Contributing Editor and Film Columnist for The Attic on Eighth. She is currently editing her first novel, and trying not to go broke while expanding her vintage clothing collection.

Kara Thompson is a student in Portland, Oregon working on her MAT at Lewis & Clark College in hopes of teaching high school English in the near future. When she’s not in class or spending time with her 2-year-old son, she can be found reading in a cafe or watching period dramas with a cup of tea. 

Olivia Gündüz-Willemin is Editor-in-Chief of The Attic on Eighth. She is dedicated to reading her way through the world and trying to stay as calm as possible.

Lauren Olmeda holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international relations. She works in public affairs in Dublin, Ireland and is Editor-at-Large of the Attic on Eighth.