Co-Ed Season 1 Review: A Warm, Surprising Gem That Won My Heart

It is by chance that I stumbled on the Co-Ed series on Amazon MX Player. The algorithm showed the trailer to me and I thought I would give it a try. I wasn’t expecting much but I was in for a surprise.

Co-Ed looks like a simple school drama at first, but it quickly turns into a lively mix of humour, friendship, and small twists that keep you curious. The writing feels fresh, and the young cast brings an energy that makes every episode, lasting around 20-30 minutes, easy to watch. I found myself hitting the next episode button without even thinking.

What’s It About?

Two twins step into a new chapter when their all-boys and all-girls schools merge to form a co-ed campus. The boy is nervous about sharing space with girls for the first time, while his sister walks in with full confidence. As they try to adjust to this sudden shift, their parents are also dealing with their own set of challenges at home. The mix of teenage chaos and family moments gives the series a relatable, everyday charm that keeps you curious about what happens next.

Thoughts

Co-Ed Season 1 took me by surprise. I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much.

Every actor in the series delivers a heartfelt performance. Honestly, they outshone many big names I watched this year. That says a lot. You slip into the world of the characters so easily that their joys and troubles feel like your own. You laugh with them and you end up tearing up with them too.

The parents in the story add another layer of emotion. Their struggles feel raw and real. I could sense the mother’s pain as she tries to hold everything together while staying proud of her small business. The question is, does her family see the same value in it? On the outside, the parents look like the perfect couple who split chores and support each other. But life is rarely that simple. It is often the quiet moments, the unsaid thoughts and the tiny frustrations that shape a home. Co-Ed captures all of this with surprising depth.

Rajeshwari Sachdev, Varun Badola, Adrija Sinha, Vedant Sinha, and Stuti Sahijwani are impressive in their respective roles. They complemented each other perfectly.

Shows like Co-Ed deserve a lot more attention. Viewers who enjoy warm, slice-of-life stories often find these gems by luck, not because they are promoted by popular reviewers.

For me, this one is a must-watch. You can stream it for free with ads on Amazon MX Player.

Netflix Thriller Review: Dept. Q

I came across a review of Dept. Q on Instagram Reels, which is how it ended up on my watchlist. Honestly, before watching, I was doubtful whether I would finish it. Lately, many “thriller” series have failed to truly thrill me. But I’m glad I gave this one a chance and stuck with it.

What’s It About?

An arrogant detective, Carl Morck, returns to work after being injured in a shooting and is assigned to a new department in a dingy basement to investigate unsolved cases. He is soon joined by Akram, a former Syrian policeman now working as a civilian employee, and Rose, a young and spirited constable. Akram ends up selecting a case for Carl to pursue, one involving the sudden disappearance of a lawyer after she is assaulted by her non-verbal brother on a ferry.

Thoughts

Even though the series drags at times, I found myself wanting to know what happens next. This curiosity kept me watching. My rule of thumb for thrillers is simple: Am I interested in finding out the truth? If yes, I continue. If no, I skip. This series made me stay. I genuinely wanted to know what happened. The final episode was the standout of the season, stirring a range of emotions in me: anger, fear, thrill, affection, and warmth.

The performances were strong across the board, but my favourite character was Akram, played by Alexej Manvelov, a mature presence, always in control, in contrast to the more unruly Carl Morck.

I would recommend Dept. Q. It’s streaming on Netflix, with a total of 9 episodes, each roughly an hour long.

Thriller Series Review: Kerala Crime Files

If you haven’t yet watched Kerala Crime Files on JioHotstar, I would recommend doing it now. It’s a Malayalam-language Indian crime series set in Kerala, and it delivers on every front: gripping treatment that matches international standards, solid performances, and fresh storylines. I binged both seasons back-to-back over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed them.

What’s It About?

Season 1 of Kerala Crime Files revolves around the murder of a sex worker found in a dingy lodge. The police, initially indifferent due to the victim’s profession, treat it as just another case. In one telling scene, a woman asks her police officer husband, “So there’s discrimination in cases too?” What begins as apathy turns into an ego-driven pursuit. The officers are frustrated by their inability to crack the case quickly. Though the victim is a sex worker and the case is treated casually at first, their bruised egos and the complicated nature of the case push them to dig deeper.

The heart and soul of Kerala Crime Files Season 2 are the dogs. They are present from the very first frame to the last. Set in a quiet town in Kerala, the story begins with a police officer going missing. As the investigation unfolds, the plot thickens with unexpected twists. What sets this season apart is its demand for viewer engagement. You need to connect the dots yourself. There’s no spoon feeding. I’ll admit, I had to rely on Reddit to fully piece things together, since I usually go into passive mode while watching fiction. The performances are exceptional, especially Indrans and Harisree Ashokan. Known for comedy, they prove their mettle in intense, dramatic roles too.

Kerala Crime Files is streaming on JioHotstar. Both seasons have just 6 short episodes, each around 20–30 minutes. You can easily finish them in one sitting. In a time when attention spans are shrinking and many shows drag episodes beyond an hour, this crisp format is a welcome change. I hope to see more dramas adopting this format.