15 Best Netflix Originals Of 2020 So Far - Ranked
8. Gentefied
This series came about in a peculiar way. It was premiered at Sundance, though in a different form. It started life a mini webseries, though that series was never shown to the public. It was given back and changed to a half-hour format, with a season long arc.
The arc in question deals with the issue of how to remain true to one's culture while the world continues to rush and change around them. The main characters all come at this in different direstions, with Mama Fina's taqueria being the focal point of their struggles.
While dealing with race and identity, the show also handles prejudice and oppression, though it still manages to keep much of the content light. The focus is not so much on the oppression itself but on the strive to do something about it, and the struggles that follow therein.
While all of the characters get their time to shine, the stand out star is Pops, played by Joaquín Cosío. He is the long widowed owner of the shop, trying to keep the spirit of his late wife alive while also struggling to give a financial security to his family.
There are many familiar beats in the series. There is snobbery from older folk and rich folk, along with those in the community who advocate for modernisation while some resist. It is a funny and clever depiction of the advancement of modernity, a treat to watch.