The season’s most out-there fantasy the small screen has to offer, and the side sip to match.
The Upside Down is back to wreak havoc on the doomed little town of Hawkins once again and it will no doubt be up to a loveable group of pubescent teens to save the world. The gang is separated this time as Eleven moved with the Byers to California at the end of season 3, but for how long, episode after episode will tell. Or should we say long episode after longer episode. Several feature movie-length runtimes. Ep 7 is 1 hour and 40 mins! Bonkers. It does mean there’s ample time for a glass of wine, and boy do we have a wine for you. Jumping Juice Bonkers Juicy Pink Wine is a soif wine (French for unpretentious) and a fruit bomb of flavour. Made to commemorate good times with imbued notes of nostalgia. That trip to the south of France, that festival where you met your best friend, that time you and your S.O. stanned Dustin and Steve’s bromance and considered joining a D&G club. Ah, memories.
Watch it on: Netflix
The first episode of Westworld holds the record for the highest views of a HBO original show. It was massive, but the show about AI entertainment has gone way beyond its Wild West theme park beginnings. Even the producers admit the show is not for casual viewing. You’ve got to be paying attention when you’re watching Dolores get her revenge. So an alcohol-free beer is what the hour calls for. More than that, this show is about robots that are just like humans. Maybe better. Nort Refreshing Ale is just like regular beer. Maybe better. Golden-coloured, fruity, refreshing and completely alcohol-free. Pour before you hit play because you can’t miss a second if you want to catch every plot twist this dystopian storyline throws at you.
Watch it on: Foxtel
Marvel is mixing out miles of content from all parts of the multiverse, but this one stopped me in my tracks. The name? Utterly ridiculous. The concept (The Hulk’s relation, a young lawyer, suddenly gets the same green monster condition)? Ditto. How can a lab accident be hereditary? But after one look at the trailer, do I want to watch it? Absolutely. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. And with that in mind, go all in on this series by pairing it with Hitejinro Green Grape Soju. Yes, because it’s green. Soju is a Korean spirit that’s hugely popular around the world. It’s light, versatile, a hit with spicy and salty foods, and comes in every fruit flavour there is. Hitejinro Green Grape is flavoured specifically with Jinro Green Grape so it’s fresh, slightly sweet and very drinkable. She Hulk drops on August 17, so mark your iCal and place your Dan’s order. Until then, consider, is Mark Ruffolo still being paid for his voice and likeness?
Watch it on: Disney+
Big ups to Ewan McGregor for getting his solo act. He’s been with this franchise since 1999, and, you know, those three episodes weren’t “amazing”, however! For Star Wars fans there are no film flops, just canon. Obi-Wan Kenobi follows Episode III — the one where he and his apprentice Anakin have the massive dual at the end and Obi-Wan “has the high ground”, the soon-to-be Darth Vader counters “you underestimate my power” and then has his legs chopped off by his mentor. In this series, Obi-Wan’s focus is on watching over the very young Luke, and laying low as the Empire are catching and killing Jedis at every opportunity. Obi-Wan believes Anakin to be dead, but the trailer from this series shows we’re going to see how he was rebuilt (literally) into Vader. It also promises some sassy young Princess Leia moments, which already gives Carrie Fisher nostalgia. Here for it! For this moment of multi-generational nerd viewing, Starward Nova Single Malt Australian Whisky was custom made. Okay, not really, but it could have been. A super balanced whisky with flavour notes of raisins, bananas, balsamic, clove, toffee and nougat. This taste sensation for the galaxy.
Watch it on: Disney+
If the Hargreeves siblings are your kind of superheroes, then you are in luck because they are back, back, back again! Season 2’s finale landed them in an alternate timeline (standard at this point), however in this timeline their father is still alive, but he’s adopted seven different superpowered children living currently in the “Sparrow Academy”. Babes have been replaced. Personally, I’m very keen to check out the new kids. Is there anyone more loveable than Klaus? With so much family fun, there’s only one bottle to crack while you watch, and that’s Montara Grampians Cabernet Sauvignon. The Montara cellar door is run by the six Stapleton siblings (see what I’ve done here?) who all play their part in making Montara wines exciting and exquisite. This bottle in particular proves Western Victoria can cabernet. So cut the chat and put your phone in aeroplane mode, you’ve got a date with the Hargreeves and the Stapletons.
Watch it on: Netflix
