Fix: Spy Dramady, Who Runs the World?, Secrets Are Revealed, Beautiful Badasses, Men? Who Needs ‘Em, Black Widows
Platform: Prime
Prime Summary:
Best friends Debbie and Judith are forced on the run when Debbie discovers Judith isn’t a forensic accountant, she’s an international assassin! With a mysterious figure chasing them, and Debbie’s husband involved in something deeply corrupt, it’s a race against time and a road trip across Europe to untangle the truth and stay alive.
FYA Summary:
Debbie and Judith have been best friends since the day they met, more than 20 years ago. Debbie thinks it was a random happenstance, a gift from the universe. But the reason they met is complicated; Judith is actually an assassin who used Debbie as a way to hide from the authorities. But then Judith and Debbie fell in real platonic love, and the rest is history.
Or so Judith would have liked. But when an op goes awry, and Judith finds the body of Debbie’s husband, a member of the British Parliament, lying dead on the floor in the room of her missed target. Together, the two women must figure out what’s happened, regardless of how their relationship might suffer.
Familiar Faces:
Hannah Waddingham as Judith
Waddingham is one of the most statuesque, beautiful, and poised people I have ever seen. She’s amazing as the brilliant Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso, a role that shows her ability to be both bitchy (complimentary) and tender. And as Judith, Welton proves that she’s got the chops to be an action star, albeit one who can both kick butt and also hang at Book Club. I saw a social media post that said “Hannah Waddingham for James Bond,” and I can’t quite agree—she has the ability to be a far more nuanced character. She’s got him beat at being debonair, too. Take down a bad guy while wearing a body con dress and stilettos? Bond could never.
Octavia Spencer as Debbie Claybourne
I adore Spencer. She makes an impression in every role she plays, from the (rightfully) vengeful Minnie in The Help to the frightening Sue Ann in Ma. In the role of Debbie, she shows a range most people might not give her credit for; although she doesn’t quite match brawn for brawn with Judith, Debbie’s got the brains in spades. She can also hold her own in a fight, and she looks stunning in a white pantsuit. And although she’s rightfully angry with Judith when she finds out the truth about their relationship, she’s not stubborn enough to completely shut herself off from the most important relationship in her life. (Aside from her kids. Her husband’s a pathetic piece of crap.)
Ed Skrein as Billy Donovan
I knew I’d seen Skrein in things before, but I couldn’t recall what until I went trolling his IMDB page. He was the villain Ajax in Deadpool, Daario Naharis in three episodes of Game of Thrones, and a budget Jason Statham in The Transporter Refueled. (That’s not meant to be a slight; I’m 100% certain that he was cheaper to hire for a reprisal of the character.) He’s the kind of guy who you can’t quite decide if he’s handsome or not, but then you hear that he’s a model, and you’re like, “yeah, that makes sense.” He’s perfect for the role of Billy, a quasi-gangster of the British persuasion whose rough exterior hides a heart of gold.
Couch-Sharing Capability: Bring Your Besties
The relationship that Debbie and Judith have is absolute goals, even when the ride’s a bit rocky. They’re a case of opposites attract on the outside, but they’re surprisingly alike when the facades are stripped away. This would be a great show to binge with your best friends during an old-school sleepover complete with pajama sets, face masks, and plans to hit the gun range for some sniper practice after the show.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Mimosas
Ride or Die might not be your typical BFF adventure series, but Waddingham and Spencer have an amazing amount of chemistry that’ll have everyone in your circle wanting to join them for brunch. Or Book Club. The one they go to is kind of terrible, though; I bet they’d have a MUCH better time at an FYA meeting.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Prime or Die
I don’t love supporting Amazon with any more money than I already (somewhat shamefully) do, but Prime Video does have a few standout shows. And Ride or Die is right up there at the top. I am hoping the powers that be realize what they have and keep it going for many more seasons. Or maybe Apple TV could cast Spencer in a role on Ted Lasso. Either way, she and Waddingham are killer (heh) in these roles, and it’s a show that’s well worth a watch.
