House Of Cards Season 6 – Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht/Netflix
November on Netflix offers a few first-time releases, a spin-off, and a couple returning favorites.
House of Cards: Season 6 – Nov 2
House of Cards is entering its final season as Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) settles into her reign as President of the United States and new star of the show.
As most know, Kevin Spacey was fired from the show following sexual misconduct allegations, forcing the series to either end or continue on without him. At the end of House of Cards season 5, the plot conveniently lined up in everyone’s favor when Frank Underwood resigned as President, leaving Claire in charge and himself being forced into exile.
How they will end the series and explain Frank’s continued absence is all part of the clever drama of the show.
Even those who have grown weary of the Netflix original series itself might be tempted to watch just to see how they handle the plot under the circumstances.
Medal of Honor / Photo by Dave Novak., Netflix
Medal of Honor: Season 1 – Nov. 9
Medal of Honor is a docu-series that examines the lives of eight individual recipients of the highest award for valor.
Considering 3,600 Americans have been awarded the Medal of Honor since its creation in 1861, it will be fascinating to see how the documentarians chose the eight subjects.
All eight recipients appear to have been awarded within the last century up to 9/11, three of whom are still alive and participate in the documentary.
Considering the series is eight episodes, it is likely that each episode will focus on a single individual. It sounds heroic, emotional and highly educational.
She-Ra / Image by Netflix
She-Ra and the Princess of Power: Season 1 – Nov 16
This is a reboot of the classic 80s cartoon of the same name.
In the same way that the original She-Ra was an attempt to expand the Masters of the Universe line by making a series that would attract young girls, this reboot attempts to introduce the character to a new generation of young girls and reintroduce it to those who loved it in the 80s.
The series follows a young orphan named Adora who leaves behind her former life when she discovers a sword that transforms her into the warrior princess She-Ra.
The animation style has been updated and She-Ra will now look more like a teenage girl than the grown woman she did in the ’80s, which upset some of her creepier male fans.
NARCOS MEXICO / Netflix Media Center
Narcos: Mexico: Season 1 – Nov 16
Netflix’s popular Narcos series gets a Mexico reset as it trades Columbian cocaine and Pablo Escobar for the Guadalajara Cartel.
Felix Gallardo (Diego Luna) is the father of the modern Mexican drug trade, building a trafficking empire the scope of which no one had ever seen.
Michael Peña plays DEA agent Kiki Camarena who moves his family to Mexico City in order to bring the cartel down, and Alejandro Edda will play the much anticipated El Chapo.
All this takes place in the late 70s to early 80s, so Narcos: Mexico is more like a prequel to the classic Narcos and I expect it will be just as popular.
Kominsky Method / Netflix Media Center
The Kominsky Method: Season 1 – Nov 16
This is a new sitcom from the producer of Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory, so you can probably expect decent middle-of-the-road humor with a board appeal.
The goal of any sitcom produced by Chuck Lorre is to bring in as many viewers as possible, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as the quality holds up.
The show stars Michael Douglas as the almost washed up actor Sandy Kominsky and his agent Norman (Alan Arkin) as they navigate old age in the city of youth.
If the cast isn’t enough to draw you in, this is also Lorre’s second ever foray into single-camera sitcoms, so don’t expect the cheesy laugh track.
MST3K / Image by Netflix
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return: Season 2 – Nov. 22
And now for my favorite release of the month! I luckily didn’t know this was even in production, so to see it just pop up for release is almost like instant gratification.
I am a big fan of the original series and despite divided opinion among viewers, I think that both hosts Joel and Mike each have their own unique humor to offer the show.
This Netflix reboot is the brainchild of original creator Joel Hodgson, and as such is in a unique position to create a pitch-perfect revival.
The first season was brilliantly written and cast, so I expect nothing less for season two.
2018 also marks the 30th anniversary of MST3K, which Jonah, Joel, and the Bots are celebrating with a live tour that will run up to the release of the second season (which I have tickets to, of course).