The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

Blog Rating: 9.00 out of 10

Starting in 1959, a new series aired, which ran for 159 episodes, almost cult status among fans of the fantastic. Each episode was hosted by the "father of the series" Rod Serling in a nutshell, and then in about 25 minutes, a much better story was told, like a two-hour movie from today. For many guest actors, who later became world famous stars, it was also a stepping stone to the top.

The series was a collection of various short stories ranging from the tragic to the comic. They can be scary or just cause reflection. Most of the episodes have unexpected endings and a moral lesson. But, no matter what, they are "a journey to a wonderful land, whose limits are those of the imagination."

Rod Serling, creator and host of the series, won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing (1960 and 1961) and the 1962 Golden Globe for Best Television Director / Producer.

The typical introductory phrase of the program was:

"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call...the Twilight Zone.

Bloodline - They are not bad people, but they did something bad (2015-2017)

Blog Rating: 9.05 out of 10

The group's black sheep returns home to his family, who aren't exactly happy to see him.

Bloodline is a critically acclaimed Netflix series that has received rave reviews. In the lead roles are actors Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, Norbert Leo Butz and Sissy Spacek.

Kyle Chandler as John Rayburn

The story is centered on a family that is doing well, they run their own business in an idyllic setting and several of them have good jobs. But one day the eldest son appears, who has not seen them for a long time.

Danny, who is the black sheep in the family, has a plan, which reflects his past hatred against his perfect family; a very well accomplished character.

Ben Mendelsohn as Danny Rayburn

By gradually revealing the existence of a drama that has marked the Rayburn clan, the series gains intensity and quickly becomes riveting. Aided by the very accurate portrayals of the main cast members, the plot grows throughout the episodes.

Bloodline gets addictive in just a few episodes and once the marathon is on, it will be hard to give up. The threads of Rayburn's story are seamlessly woven, offering each character an interesting role, judiciously incorporating jealousy, resentment, and competition induced by blood ties.

Danny's return causes the family facade to begin to crumble and all the dark secrets threaten to be revealed...

Billions - Power is the ultimate goal (2016-)

Blog Rating: 9.15 out of 10

"Billions" is a story of attack and defense between the powerful United States Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and the billionaire Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). Chuck is pursuing a federal case against Axelrod and his fund, Ax Capital, driven by any direct evidence of wrongdoing rather than his unacknowledged envy: Chuck's wife, Wendy (Maggie Siff), is an employee of Ax Capital and one of the Axelrod's closest confidants.

Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades

On the Ax side, bottomless pockets are used to reward friends, clear up problems, and resolve old grudges.

While the common man is preoccupied with paying his mortgage, billionaire Bobby Axelrod throws USD 63 million on the table for his new dream home.

Damian Lewis as Bobby Axelrod

Prosecutor Chuck Rhoades will have to take down a big shot, because the media increasingly suggests that justice does not dare to confront the big financial companies. So there will be a fight between the two men. A battle in which many people will be dragged.

It's very rare to find a show with such a diverse cast that they come together so well. Each character is perfectly cast. You don't know which side you are on; all you know is that they are all "right" in their convictions in some way.

Maggie Siff as Wendy

Is the judicial system at the height of this type of heavy weights? Can the legal system misuse its power to fight these kinds of giants? These are questions that can be applied not only in the US but also in any other country where these relationships exist.

A good drama to know details of the intimacy of these little worlds ...