Our best January series: editor's selection

The beginning of the year was rich in novelty for VOD platforms; between Netflix, MyCanal and Salto, the offer is now very varied, for our greatest pleasure. Overview of the series that have marked us the most in this month of January 2021, to discover without further delay.  

Dylan's January series: Lupin, in the shadow of Arsène on Netflix

Despite a first episode a little sluggish, or even bordering on parody at times, the episodes that follow are really interesting. Omar Sy is really an excellent actor, he proves it, and besides we really get caught up in the script! What could be more infuriating than suffering injustice? Here, Assane (played by Omar Sy) makes us feel what he suffered with the arrest of his father followed by his death. He lived through difficult years that we discover by flashback. At first skeptical about the theme of this series, then deeply disappointed by the first episode, I dared to take the step towards the second, and fortunately! Revenge is the main theme of this series, but not just any revenge, that of a gentleman! Because yes, Assane does not just settle his scores, he does things in an elegant and thoughtful way. Special mention for the beautiful Cascadeur song "Meaning", a very good choice of music at a very high moment in history. Now, I think you and I are looking forward to the rest of this series in order to know the next twists and turns and to know if our gentleman burglar will reach the end of his quest. So see you this summer for the continuation of the adventures of Assane Diop! Find now the complete review of Lupin.

Aubin's January series: UFO(s) on MyCanal

Created by Clémence Dargent and Martin Douaire, OVNI(s) is a French series available in full on MyCanal. 12 exciting episodes of an adventure like no other, which approaches science fiction from a new angle. UFO(s) is a bit like the meeting between Quentin Dupieux and Stranger Things. A unique, lunar, precise show, which offers reversals of impactful situations and especially an extremely precise writing. It's funny, touching, phantasmagorical, contemplative, and above all very intriguing. Aided by an absolutely stunning soundtrack, the series takes its viewer into unknown territory, somewhere between an interesting historical belonging, and an attractive fictional approach. UFO(s) looks like nothing, and that's what makes it so charming. The pace is precise, and the 30-minute format is refreshing. The episodes are devoured like delicious little sweets. Science fiction fans will absolutely be thrilled by this sometimes deliberately minimalist series, which takes its time to present all the workings of its scenario. Definitely a season 2!

Roxane's January series: History of Swear Words on Netflix

" ®What the fuck are you lookin' at? These are the words Nicolas Cage uses to welcome us into the History of Swear Words series. This mini-series is a comedy documentary broadcast on Netflix in original version since January 5. With a lot of humour, Nicolas Cage returns, alongside historians and specialists in etymology, on the construction of swear words and their evolution in the English language. An exploration that is divided into six episodes returning to the most popular English swear words: "Fuck", "Shit", "Bitch", "Dick", "Pussy", and "Damn". Sitting in a leather armchair in the heart of a refined library, a delirious Nicolas Cage guides us in this rich and dynamic documentary. The explanations are playful and often surprising: we learn that the word "bitch" would come from "bicce", an old English word for a bitch. Or that "dick" is originally the popular nickname of people named Richard. But the documentary is not limited to telling the genesis of insults, it makes it a point of honor to follow the evolution of its use and popularity. We learn that the rap group NWA, which sings Fuck Tha Police, allows one of the most vulgar insults to anchor itself in the English language. We also learn that rap singers like Foxy Brown or Lil Kim have used the insult "pussy" – frequently used to pejoratively refer to a fearful man – to talk about their sex as a powerful tool that could make any man fall at their feet. History of Swear Words is much more than a simple series to make people laugh or disturb but indeed an educational tool on etymology, always with this touch of humor and popularization that would almost make us regret that there are not more episodes. Averitable gold mine of information and anecdotes, told with a lot of humour and a touch of popularization.

Morgane's January series: Alice in Borderland on Netflix

In Alice in Borderland, the new Netflix production adapted from the manga of the same name, we follow the protagonists Arisu, Karube and Chôta, who, in the heart of downtown Tokyo, fall into a totally deserted parallel world. Then begins a series of macabre games in which all the characters will have to participate and which will be the only way to survive in this infernal digital arena. If the name of the series is taken from Alice in Wonderland and it contains some references, it is still not the same atmosphere, the adaptation combining suspense, action and horror. I found the set extremely well put together and the games as interactive for the players as for the spectators who take part in them. Totally immersed throughout the episodes, we never cease to question ourselves around this mysterious world. I also really enjoyed the fact that I could discover Japanese culture through the stories of the characters, more or less rooted in the traditions of the country. Addicted to this first season, I hope that the sequel will give us more answers to the many questions that remain unanswered. Find now the full review of Alice in Borderland.

Margaux's favourite: Dix pour Cent Season 4 on Netflix and Salto

Since January 21, 2021 on Salto, the series has drawn its curtains after 4 seasons. In Dix pour Cent we follow the daily life of seven agents: between diva crisis, competition and problems, the series reveals behind the scenes of cinema and its many celebrities. If the name of the series evokes for some nothing more than a percentage, it actually represents the stamp that the agents take after each negotiation. This announces the colors in advance: the plot will revolve around agents, celebrities and everything that happens in between. I personally loved this series because we too often forget the consequent work of agents, the daily difficulties to be solved and the hectic life of some. In a subtle and nice way, I was able to learn more about this job. In addition, the series is original since each episode is dedicated to a celebrity: Dany Boon, Jean Reno, Sigourney Weaver, Joey Starr, Jean Dujardin, Isabelle Huppert … Each one plays his role as an artist perfectly, going so far as to transform his portrait into a funny caricature. In summary, it is a series full of humor and self-mockery. Find now the complete review of Dix pour Cent.

Lucille's January Series: The Empire of Bling on Netflix

Looking for entertainment, wealth not knowing what to do with it, botox, drama, social parties, love stories and a group of friends united as possible in the same series? Then The Empire of Bling was created for you! This brand new Netflix series, consisting of 8 episodes and produced by Jeff Jenkins was released on January 15. We follow the luxurious and unattainable life of Christine, Anna, Kim Lee, Kelly, Jaime, Kane Lim and Jessey , a mini Asian diaspora or of Asian origin located in the United States, in Los Angeles, the city in stars par excellence (coincidence?). Only Kevin, the latest arrival in the group, has a much lower standard of living than his friends, and thus serves as a point of reference. Between afternoon massages, private yoga classes or sumptuous evenings with unlimited budgets, they clearly do not have time to get bored. The only watchwords: opulence, abundance, excess and fun! Between Crazy Rich Asian and Selling Sunset, The Empire of Bling is certainly very dramatic and a little too much, but above all funny and very touching. So go see this nugget, you will not be disappointed! Find now the complete review of The Empire of bling.

Émilie's January series: A Million Little Things on Salto

Often compared to This Is Us, A Million Little Things is just as worth seeing! In a few words, it is the story of a group of friends, whose dynamics are upset by the suicide of one of them. Brilliant businessman, good father and husband, none of them understands his gesture. The two get closer, secrets come out… All with a gallery of characters as touching as each other, endowed with qualities as flaws that make them deeply human. Until then unknown in France, A Million Little Things embroiders its story around a drama that sometimes separates, sometimes brings together. Bereavement, illness, depression, infidelity… So many serious subjects yet approached with finesse by the scriptwriters, and brilliantly interpreted by the actors. It is a simple series, which does not rely on far-fetched plots, focusing more on the human being and his nuances. A Million Little Things does not keep us any less in suspense, since we follow with attention the evolution of this group of friends in their quest for truth… But above all to live, to enjoy all the little pleasures of life because it is short. It can undoubtedly be defined as a sincere and humanistic fiction, with also some welcome doses of humor. All this to say that this series is a wonderful hymn to friendship, to the bonds that we weave for a little nothing. Even more, it's a positive series, making us want to have as good a bunch of friends as theirs. The first two seasons are available since January 8 on Salto. Two seasons of sweetness to binge-watch with a plaid and a hot chocolate! 

David's January Series: Cobra Kai Season 3 on Netflix

In an era of reboots and unlikely sequels, who would have bet a euro on a show centered around the two enemies of the first Karate Kid released in 1984? The strength of the 80s franchise lay in the bond between Miyagi and his young student. With the death of Pat Morita in 2005, the creators of the series had to lead the series on a different path than the films. When Youtube launched the first season in 2018, it was a success. The first episodes focus on Johnny Lawrence and the adult he has become since his total defeat at the tournament. We follow a man broken by the ghosts of the past. One of the interesting ideas of the series is to upset the established order in the movies by allowing the former student to recover after meeting a young neighbor. The first two seasons are fully savored and allow us to feel some hints of nostalgia when the films are evoked. Netflix then recovers the rights and launches a third season where the reversals of situations are linked at a frantic pace. I'll be completely honest with you, season 3 of Cobra Kai is not a great success. This is partly due to overly stereotypical fight scenes. Martial arts enthusiasts will pass their way but fans of the original series will appreciate that the story can move to other prestigious locations of the film franchise. Confronting Daniel with the Japanese actors of the second valet was a genius idea and although Miyagi's absence weighs heavily on the series, we can only fully appreciate these sequences. For these special moments and the beautiful relationship between Johnny and his young student, season 3 of Cobrai Kai is my favorite of this month of January 2021. Lots of beautiful things for this first month of the year, with hopefully an equally rich month of February: do not hesitate to discover next month's Netflix program. And you, what was your favorite series of January?