Essential Viewing: 17 Episodes Not to Miss in August
In the world of streaming entertainment, August is shaping up to be an exciting month for viewers. Two highly anticipated series are set to premiere on Apple TV+ and Netflix, offering a blend of history, drama, comedy, and science fiction.
First, let's delve into the historical drama Chief of War, which premiered on Apple TV+ on August 1st. This series is based on true events set in late 18th-century Hawaii, a time when the four major kingdoms—Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi—were embroiled in continuous warfare.
The story revolves around Kaʻiana, a warrior chief (aliʻi) of Kauaʻi, who was initially an outcast and manipulated into helping a tribal chief assert dominance over other tribes. After defecting and being marked for death, Kaʻiana returns from time abroad with colonizers, armed with new weapons, and embarks on a bloody campaign aimed at unifying the warring Hawaiian islands to protect them from the looming threat of colonization.
Key plot elements include Kaʻiana’s journey from outcast warrior to powerful war chief, the political and tribal conflicts among the four kingdoms, the influence and encroachment of foreign colonizers, and Kaʻiana’s eventual rebellion against the unification under King Kamehameha I. The narrative unfolds with an indigenous perspective, focusing on cultural authenticity, including the use of Native Hawaiian language and historically accurate depictions.
Jason Momoa stars as Kaʻiana and also serves as a creator and executive producer. Chief of War highlights themes of war, leadership, cultural survival, and resistance amid the geopolitical upheaval affecting Hawaii as it faced internal strife and external threats.
Moving on to Netflix, fans of the supernatural series "Wednesday" can look forward to the return of the second season on August 6th. Wednesday faces her second year at Nevermore Academy and is once again confronted with dangerous secrets and murderous entanglements.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the second season of the US sitcom "Platonic" premieres on Apple TV+. This series continues the story of a man (Seth Rogen) and a woman (Rose Byrne) who were once best friends, exploring plenty of friction and chaotic consequences in their relationship.
For those seeking a comedic escape, "Chabos", a German series with the tagline "Eight episodes, two time periods, and plenty of cringe," premieres on ZDF Mediathek on August 22nd. Set in the time of flip phones, German flags, and burned CDs, the series revolves around a man in his mid-30s who spirals into a crisis when he realizes he wasn't invited to his former classmates' reunion.
Lastly, "Alien: Earth", a TV series where an alien life form reaches Earth via a crashed spaceship, also premieres on August 6th. Sydney Chandler's character in this series was the first to undergo hybrid technology, introducing so-called "hybrids" as a potential solution to an existential threat to humanity.
These upcoming series promise to offer a diverse range of stories and genres, catering to a wide array of viewer preferences. Whether you're a fan of historical dramas, supernatural mysteries, comedies, or science fiction, there's something for everyone in August's streaming lineup.
Fans of historical dramas can tune into Apple TV+ on August 1st to watch the new series, "Chief of War," a blend of history, drama, and cultural authenticity, based on true events set in 18th-century Hawaii.
Meanwhile, Netflix subscribers can enjoy the return of the supernatural series "Wednesday" on August 6th, with the second season bringing more dangerous secrets and murderous entanglements for Wednesday to face at Nevermore Academy.
