What I’m up to in February: TV, movies, reads!
Bringing back the deep dive, I suppose.
It’s been a while since I’ve hit you with a big fat list of recommendations, but I’m starting this newsletter on a BC Ferries boat, satiated by a White Spot burger, chicken strips, and a diet coke, and such a rambling felt right. It feels holy, almost!
For most, January and February have felt like a marathon hamster wheel of hell. Marked by a shit sandwich of gruesome political events, climate disasters, aviation nightmares and sheer terror. For me, it was a sharp digestion of all of those things and major personal and career milestones, a birthday that felt extra sweet and celebratory, hours spent sweating out my demons in saunas, and a whole lotta screentime.
My energetic shift took a 180 from January 2024 to January 2025. It feels impossible to hold onto that kind of hope given everything, but I’m doing so in stride — held gently by movies, couch time with friends, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Traitors, dirty martinis, Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra, and an egregious vitamin routine.
Here’s a rapid-fire list of my 2025 coping mechanisms so far.
📺 TV 📺
Slow Horses, Apple TV.
I know, I know—where have I been? We started Season 1 over the holiday break, and I haven’t been able to think about anything else since. MI5 spies, razor-sharp dialogue, just the right amount of heart-pounding action. Office politics. Cunty, conniving women in charge. And Gary Oldman’s unsightly yet brilliant Jackson Lamb has me fully Slow Horses-pilled. We’ve hit Season 4, and I have no idea how I’ll survive without Lamb’s insults until Season 5 drops. Put me in front of a Slow Horses episode after a long day, and I’m like a pig at the trough. More, more, more!
Sex Lives of College Girls, season 3 (HBO/Crave)
One of my favorite comfort watches! I was worried about a Sex Lives world without Renée Rapp, but I have to say—Gracie Lawrence’s Kacey won me over after a couple of awkward, world-shifting introductory episodes.
This season settled into a really natural rhythm—every character’s growth felt in step with where they should be socially, sexually, and developmentally. My only gripe? I felt like we got less Kimberly (I love you, Pauline Chalamet!), which was a bummer. And give me more of Timmy’s sister—comedic queen!
This is the perfect show for a solo Friday night when you want some company and a giggle without having to engage in conversation or think too hard—in the best way. I love how it fully leans into exploring female friendship, sexuality, relationships, and coming out… I wish it had existed during my university years!
I’m still so curious about what really went down between Renée Rapp and Sex Lives creator Mindy Kaling. She wasn’t just the lead—she introduced key, coming-of-age topics—so what made her leave? On Call Her Daddy last year, Renée seemed icy about her Sex Lives experience, saying she “hated” filming Season 1. A couple of years ago, Page Six reported that she brought in heavyweight Broadway lawyer Bryan Freedman to break her Season 3 contract after booking an album tour that directly conflicted with filming. A Renée Rapp ego and a Mindy Kaling ego clashing? Sheesh.
For extra Sex Lives homework, I love love, loved this podcast interview with Amrit Kaur (Bela Malhotra) and CBC’s Tom Power.
Severance, season 2 (Apple)
We are so fucking back!
Admittedly, it was a rocky start for me and Lumon Industries! Too much time had passed between the first and second seasons, and the loss of brain cells was apparent. Thankfully, we’re back in the groove and, back in the clinical and gaunt halls of Lumon, totally enamoured by Irving B.’s hiss, Helly R.’s betrayal, and the incredibly intricate b-plot between Milchik and the-board-says, Natalie. I’m locked in, I’m living and my heart rate is high!
White Lotus, season 3 (Crave)
Yes, I’m devastated that the theme song lacks canto-style singing. Yes, I’m skeptical of Parker Posey’s accent (I trust this is a safe space to say that). And yes, I’m all in from the jump, baby! I’m already soulfully and spiritually connected to Carrie Coon’s character (left-out girl) and drawn to Aimee Lou Wood (something about her is giving Season 2’s Lucia). And I’m deeply spooked by the monkeys—likely due to the trauma of one breaking into my hotel room during a press trip in Costa Rica, but that’s a story for another time!
On my content plate is a lot of trash mandatory viewing reality TV.
On the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills front, I am already mourning the season’s end. Something about Season 14 has satiated me so deeply. Perhaps it is the introduction of new cast member Boz who is fitting in seamlessly — offering just the right balance of chic, elegance, and orchestrated drama and side picking! Dorit’s unhinged potty mouth, Erika’s horse-girl-meets-demon personality, and Sutton’s emotionally stunted mom…I mean come on! RHOBH is a tall drink of water in a draught!
Real Housewives of New York was an absolute snooze this season (I mean how long was that Puerto Rico trip?!), until that bombshell finale. Brynn really did a number on herself — IYKYK it’s too complex to spell out here. What do we think girls? What is Bravo going to do with this tanking franchise?
I am new to Traitors but with a cast like that, I could not resist. I’m not a big fan of the challenges (that’s my phone scrolling time, I can’t seem to follow…) but the interpersonal cattiness, roundtable voting, and Alan Cummings’ costumes have me tuning in with glee! For me, it’s excellent laundry folding, cookie baking, and work admin background TV. Unless Gabby is speaking, or Tom Sandoval is quaking, side-eyeing, scoundrel-ing…. and then, I’m dialled all the way in.
I have every intention of firing up Yellowjackets but I’m nervous. Season 2 was so brutal — will we forever be chasing the high of the first season?
My hot recommendation for you is North of North (CBC Gem, but soon to come to Netflix!), a brilliant comedy about a young, freshly single Inuk woman who is finding herself again in the cacophony of her small Arctic town. It’s expertly written, devilishly funny, a little bit esoteric…a must-watch!
And finally, a show I started just this weekend that has totally changed my life: The Pitt (HBO Max/Crave). If you think you don’t need another medical drama in your life, perhaps think again? As a lifelong devout Grey’s Girlie, a closet fan of New Amsterdam, and an adolescent watcher of ER…The Pitt is giving what I need it to give. High-stakes hospital drama, excellent acting, heartbreaking cases, a unique cadence, VERY GOOD MEDICINE, and a gruff cowboy-esque doctor who’s seen some shit. Noah Wyle’s nose is….a thing of beauty. 🥵 Join me in The Pitt, will you? It’s already been renewed for a second season.
🎥 Movies
As I am every year, I am full steam ahead on Oscar’s prep.
Next week, once I’ve gotten as far into my watchlist as I can, I’ll give my predictions! That was fun last year — and I was almost 100 percent right… 👀 I’ve yet to see Sing Sing, The Apprentice, I’m Still Here and documentaries No Other Land and Porcelain War. and I'm really hoping I can squeeze in these watches before Sunday, March 2!
Most notable and favourite watches in Q1:
Conclave - If Gossip Girl hit the Vatican. Loved!
Universal Language - Gentle, charming, and strange. A love letter to the kindness of Persian people and neverending Canadian winters.
The Brutalist - Gargantuan. An inconceivable film with an unsettling, unfathomable performance by Adrien Brody. (I’m unbothered by the AI controversy, but I'd be open to a dialogue that proves me wrong!).
Nickel Boys - Haunting and ambitious. The POV is disorienting at first, but once you adjust, it is a devastatingly immersive experience.
Love Lies Bleeding - Lesbians do it better!!!!!
🕯️ Between now and March 2, I’ll be using the power of prayer in hopes that the Worst Movie in the World, Emilia Pérez, doesn’t take home a single Oscar. It’s not looking good though, girls….🕯️
Reads 🗞️
I have been slow to pick up a book this year, but I am enjoying and savouring Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When The Luck Happens. It’s a little…elementary (?) as far as memoirs go but it’s also the most wholesome thing I’ve ever read — and it’s soothing my inner hopeless romantic, and childfree bon vivant dreams.
Next on my nightstand is No Fault, a memoir of romance and divorce from journalist, Haley Mlotek, and The Anthropologists by Aysegül Savas, a voyeuristic tale of relationships, nesting, and love.
My friend Marta, who joined me here on Substack last year for a conversation about The Substance, has launched her new Substack, Rewind & Revive: a haven for movie heads and people way cooler than me. Show her some love!
While I was out for a solo martini this weekend, a friend sent me this Substack that has really wormed its way into my brain. For the writers who agonize over success and aging, may I suggest another piece of writing to affirm your fears?
That’s all from me this week! Voice note your friends. Eat your greens. Drink lots of water. Don’t stay up until 1 AM watching The Pitt—or do. Pop on your eye masks. Put your phone down. Write the thing. Remind yourself you’re doing amazing, sweetie.
xoxo Brit
Oh how I’ve been waiting for a new round-up. Yes Slow Horses, yes Mr. Milchilk’s closet, yes yes yes. but can we talk about I’m Still Here for a minute?!? If you need a sad movie to let some sad demons out, this is the one, my friend. Bring Kleenex.
I loved reading this round-up — it seems we’re all just trying to *survive* this neverending hamster wheel. Using your White Lotus blurb as an excuse to get started on it myself finally (am I the last person I know that has yet to check out the new season? Yes, sigh). Fully agree with your movie picks, too — although I still have yet to see Nickel Boys! That’s a task I’m eager to cross off the ole list before the Awards this upcoming weekend.
P.S. Thank you so much for the shout-out! Substack has become my new go-to online obsession, and it feels so great to be here :)