I went off on Netflix’s movie business, and here is where I go off on their TV business. Creatively, I think they’re better at producing good TV, because they aren’t fundamentally degrading the industry on that side of the fence. On the movie side, they’re actively working against the only model that keeps everyone in business, but on the TV side they’re just slowly reinventing cable. Granted, their shorter seasons and vastly reduced residuals have harmed the people who MAKE the TV, and their “second screen slop” model might be making everyone dumber, but they can produce good TV without decimating the business, it’s just a matter of whether or not they WANT to.
At the Tudum event they showed off their blockbuster TV shows like Squid Game, One Piece, Wednesday¸ and the final season of Stranger Things. It does feel increasingly like TV shows have to succeed in spite of company meddling, but when Netflix gets it right, they can still deliver thrilling TV (see also: Department Q). Wednesday was a breakout hit in 2022—genuinely doesn’t feel like it was that long ago—and the second season is coming later this year. Jenna Ortega was on hand with Lady Gaga to reveal both that Lady Gaga is joining the cast, and the first six minutes of the second season.
I love little Wednesday Addams doing a school report on her favorite serial killer. I am less in love with the concept of Wednesday¸ which is that Wednesday is a student at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters Nevermore Academy, but the thing with the dolls is creepy enough that I know I am going to fall for this and end up watching Wednesday again. Sometimes you just want those spooky vibes.
Also, Lady Gaga gave a performance that included the “Wednesday dance” and “Abracadabra”. I am enjoying the hell out of this new era of Gaga but watch this and then explain to me why Netflix can’t pay the creatives who actually make their shows. They obviously have money to burn.
Another big breakout show is One Piece, the live-action adaptation of the immensely popular anime/manga series. The series’ stars were on hand to tease the second season, which won’t be out till 2026, and introduce Tony Tony Chopper, who is voiced by Mikaela Hoover and will appear in the second season.
And then there is the trailer for Squid Game 3, marking the final season of one of Netflix’s biggest shows of all time. Literally, the first season is, according to Netflix, their most-watched series ever, and the second season ranks #4 on that list (behind Stranger Things season 4 and Wednesday). The final season debuts on June 27, less than a month away. Between this, the final season of Stranger Things, and Wednesday season 2, this is going to be a HUGE year for Netflix TV. Anyway, Squid Game 3 looks GREAT.
I’m legit scared everyone is going to die. I will be pleasantly survived if anyone survives Squid Game 3. It feels like a real “I burn my life for a sunrise I know I’ll never see” scenario.
Finally, there is Stranger Things season five, which is coming in three parts. Instead of a proper trailer, Netflix dropped a “date announcement” video which looks back on the previous seasons and includes a small glimpse of season five.
Season 5, volume 1 is coming on November 26 (Thanksgiving in the US), volume 2 comes out on Christmas, and the finale on New Year’s Eve. Truly, Netflix is saving us from having to talk to our families this holiday season.
Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, and Caleb McLaughlin were on hand for the announcement. Stranger Things premiered in 2016, nearly a decade ago. The first season was produced in 2015, which IS a decade ago. These kids are now grown ass adults.
Literally they are all in their 20s, never mind fully married Millie Bobby Brown. Stranger Things has been on long enough to go from a show that brilliantly cast a bunch of kids to a show that has 20-somethings playing a bunch of kids. You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.
For the record, season five is set in 1987, just four years after season one, which was set in 1983. The kids were 12-year-olds in season one. They’re supposed to be 16 now. Stranger Things should have done a time jump into the 90s, because no matter how good the final season is, it is impossible to believe these are kids. They look like they’re twice divorced and about to complain about their mortgage rates. I am never going to be able to unsee Caleb McLaughlin’s beard—Lucas can grow a full beard. The real Mind Flayer is time.
