Every month, we’ll tell you about new television shows to hit terrestrial and cable channels, as well as streaming sites in Singapore! We’ll also highlight shows that you’ve got to be home (or on your phone) to catch every month.
Overview of August’s shows
Despite fewer new shows, Netflix is on a roll in August with the “Death Note” movie and “The Defenders”. We’re finally getting a live-action television team-up of four different characters who’ve all had their own shows! National Day also brings a new season of “Lion Mums”, while Viu has a slate of unique Korean dramas for the month.
Highlights
Save Me
Viu (6 Aug, Sundays)
Save Me is a thriller about a woman (Seo Ye Ji) who finds herself surrounded by suspicious people in a dark neighbourhood alleyway and in an attempt to call for help, quietly whispers, “Save me!” A group of unemployed youths hear her and run to her rescue. They discover that she is involved with a religious cult group and try to help her. What ensues is a sequence of horrifying tension-filled events that makes one wonder about the human psyche.
You can’t deny that the whole synopsis sounds like this might be a potentially gritty and disturbing series. Still, a thriller about a religious cult is a refreshing change from the usual crime dramas that we see, and the fact that the protagonists don’t seem to be in law enforcement also makes for a more interesting tale. It’d be fascinating to see who ultimately needs saving at the end of the series.
Lion Mums (Season 2)
Channel 5 (9 Aug, Mondays to Thursdays 10pm)
If you had thought P1 Registration in Lion Moms Season One was rough, Lion Moms Season 2 makes Lion Moms Season 1 seems like ‘Kitten Moms’. In this fresh new season, our lion cubs enter primary school and the real claws come out. Having gotten into the dream ‘best’ school of their choice after putting in the hard work and hours, the race to be the best of the best begins.
The second season adds a new Lion Mum to the roster, played by Lina Ng. Thanks to the recent focus on our education system in the news, this series brings a very relatable topic to the big screen the the added benefit of four lovely ladies (Vanessa Vanderstraaten, Lina Ng, Nurul Aini, and Bernice Liu) bringing the eponymous Lion Mums to life.
The Defenders
Netflix (18 Aug)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h3m7B4v6Zc
Marvel’s The Defenders follows Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Iron Fist (Finn Jones). A quartet of singular heroes with one common goal – to save New York City. This is the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who realize they just might be stronger when teamed together.
Finally! The Defenders! If you’ve been following the Netflix Marvel series, you’ll finally see the culmination of the four series we’ve been watching. “Iron Fist” might have been a little different from the rest, but the character looks more fun and balanced in the trailers. And of course, there’s the character that Sigourney Weaver plays, Alexandra. How powerful would she have to be to pull all four heroes together?
Death Note
Netflix (25 Aug)
Intoxicated by the power of a supernatural notebook, a young man begins killing those he deems unworthy of life. Based on the famous Japanese manga.
“Death Note” has seen some controversy in its production, since virtually every character has been reimagined from their Japanese roots, with the exception of our favourite Death God, Ryuk. The treatment so far has looked promising, so for the benefit of anime fans everywhere, let’s hope that this adaptation goes well and steers clear of the mistakes that “Ghost in the Shell” did.
Terrestrial
Channel 5
Lion Mums (Season 2) (9 Aug, Mondays to Thursdays 10pm)
We Are Singaporeans (14 Aug, Mondays 7.30pm)
Cable
HBO Signature (StarHub TV Ch 603)
Becoming Warren Buffett (13 Aug, Sunday 10pm)
Lifetime (StarHub TV Ch 514)
Marilyn Monroe (movie) (5 Aug, Saturday 9pm and 11pm)
H2 (StarHub TV Ch 402)
UFO Hunters (6 Aug, Sundays 7.05pm)
Streaming
Save Me (6 Aug, Sundays and Mondays)
Manhole (10 Aug, Thursdays and Fridays)
Live Up to Your Name, Dr. Heo (13 Aug, Sundays and Mondays)
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (4 Aug)
White Gold (11 Aug)
Atypical (11 Aug)
Naked (11 Aug)
The Defenders (18 Aug)
Disjointed (25 Aug)
Death Note (movie) (25 Aug)
This article was written for and first published on Yahoo Singapore.
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I’m a Singapore television scriptwriter who’s written for Crimewatch, Police & Thief, Incredible Tales, and Point of Entry. I’m also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. You can find me on social media as Optimarcus and on my site.
Send me an email if you want to get in touch!
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