Number of series hours per week: "That varies, there have been times when I seriously watched four hours or more (read much more) in a day. At the moment, it's about two hours a day. It also depends on what I'm doing and whether my husband and I happen to be following the same series."
First series ever watched: “That was a long time ago, I really have to dig deep. I think it was De Zevensprong and before that the Berenboot. I can still sing along with the tune. Ahoy, ahoy, there is the Berenboot. The big and small bears... But what I remember about De Zevensprong is that I found it very exciting. Later came the Snorks and many more cartoons like that. After that, I mainly watched Dutch series like Medisch Centrum West and Zwarte Sneeuw. And my parents often watched Derrick. So I caught some of that too. Only when I moved to the village and started watching series on commercial channels (this was in the time when people living outside the village didn't have cable) did I watch a lot more series like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Bones."
Best series ever: "What I really found to be a very good series was Desperate Housewives and Breaking Bad. Two totally different series. I found Desperate Housewives incredibly funny and at certain points quite relatable. Not so much living in big villas and having a lot of money, but the things they encounter. And then Breaking Bad. What I found so incredibly special was Walter White's development. In the first season, you still have some kind of compassion for him because he's sick and wants to take care of his family. But gradually you see him change into a nasty criminal. I think it's really impressive when an actor can portray this so well."
Series on the to-watch list: "That was The White Lotus for me. I heard so much about it that I thought: if I get the chance. And now I have. I must say it doesn't disappoint me at all. There are especially a lot of details to pay attention to. But I watch it with great pleasure."
Teresa, her username is Treesa, has been a member of MySeries.nl for six months: “Teresa, in her fifties and an avid series viewer. I also really enjoy movies, but a good series where I can completely lose myself, just like a good book, I find delightful. I haven't been a visitor of MySeries.nl for very long, but I really enjoy browsing to see what's available in series land. But I've been watching series for a very long time. I started with 'one episode a week'. Sometimes I do miss that. Especially the suspense about what will happen next. But fortunately, streaming services accommodate this as well. But being able to binge-watch an entire series in a number of hours or days is something I certainly don't mind. It's delightful even."
If you had to compile a personal top 5 of the best series you've ever seen, what would this top 5 look like and why is this your top 5?: “My top 5: 1. Desperate Housewives, 2. Breaking Bad, 3. Big Little Lies, 4. Fargo, 5. Sex and the City.”
What is the worst series you've ever seen? Why?: “The worst series I've ever seen? Well, there are unfortunately too many. But sometimes they are just easy to watch. But at the moment, I find The Cleaning Lady (US) really terrible. It's very unbelievable and also very predictable. If I really have to name a series that's actually pretty bad, it would be Lost. And that's mainly because the ending was such an anticlimax.”
Which series are you currently watching?: “The White Lotus, because I've heard a lot of good stories about it. Soon also Only Murders in the Building.”
In the series world, there are many genres. If you could choose one genre, what would be your favorite genre and why?: “I love ominous stories. Series that tell a story about bizarre things. Where I really wonder who could come up with something like that. What kind of mind must you have to write these kinds of stories?” Do you have a preference for a country from which the series should come? For example, do you prefer watching American, Scandinavian (Swedish, Danish, etc.), Asian (Japanese, Chinese, etc.), European (French, British, Dutch, German) series, etc.?: No, that doesn't matter to me. If it's good, I like to watch it. It also immediately gives the opportunity to take a look at other countries.”
Series are created by producers with a whole team behind them. The actors then convey the story. Do you have a favorite actor and/or actress or director/producer? Why?: “I really like Meryl Streep. But also Nicole Kidman. She can really play bizarre roles. And Jesse Plemons. He is such an ominous figure in series. He seems very nice, but you feel that something is not quite right. I find that truly masterful. But there are so many I really enjoy watching. The moment I see one of these actors, I will definitely watch. And if I have to name a producer, it would be David E. Kelley. He has written several series that I enjoyed watching. Like Big Little Lies and Ally McBeal.”
Have you ever been addicted to a series, or have you ever binge-watched a long-running series all at once? How did that happen and how did you handle it?: “Yes, Sex and the City and now the sequel to it: And Just Like That... It's probably more of a nostalgia thing. But I find it delightful to watch. Is it an addiction? Yes, I think so. But I don't see it as a problem. My family doesn't suffer from it, I think.”
What do series mean to you? Is it a kind of relaxation or something else?: “For me, it's mainly relaxation, but sometimes also recognition. What I really love are actually stories that I would never experience myself, where people sometimes have bizarre traits. I find that delightful to watch.”
Would you describe how you watch series for us? Where are you and how do you sit (and with whom)?: “When I watch my series, I prefer to do it alone. In the corner of our green corner sofa. With a cup of tea, or a nice espresso. And when everything around me is tidied up. So imagine: I come downstairs or come home then I first tidy everything up, grab a drink and turn on the television and then sit down. If I have more to do that day, I set an alarm and do the things that still need to be done in between. And take a break with my series.”
Do you wait for the episodes of your series to be broadcast on Dutch television or do you stream? Or both? And do you have an account on Netflix/Videoland/Amazon or another paid channel or streaming service?: “We have a subscription to Netflix, Prime, and HBO. So I never really have to wait. But if I did have to, I wouldn't mind."
(Treesa) is no longer The Unknown Series Viewer. We now know what she likes to watch and where. Soon, another series fan will be featured.
For now, with thanks to Teresa, until next time.
Best regards,
Mandy
