Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Ripple’ chronicles the trials and tribulations in the lives of four New Yorkers, whose lives seem to be cosmically interconnected. Created by Michele Giannusa, the drama series centers on Kris (Julia Chan), a music industry executive, along with Aria (Sydney Agudong), a budding singer. The other pieces of the puzzle are Nate (Ian Harding), a man challenged by cancer, and a widower named Walter (Frankie Faison). With all of them dealing with deeply personal tragedies, their random actions seemingly create a ripple effect, converging their destinies on the streets of New York.
As they unknowingly play important roles in each other’s lives, they discover new perspectives on the meaning of life and the value of friendships in the hustle and bustle of the modern world. The intricacies of destiny vividly play out in the series, which also explores the ideas of human connection, loyalty, purpose, and survival. In this list, we bring you shows like ‘Ripple’ that examine the dynamics of relationships, fate, and life.
10. Transparent (2014-2019)
Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Transparent’ is the story of an LA-based college professor named Maura Pfefferman (Jeffrey Tambor), who decides to transition. She experiences the trials and tribulations of this change in her life as her kids face their own problems. She hopes to improve her relationship with her former wife, Shelly (Judith Light), and the children, namely Josh (Jay Duplass), Sarah (Amy Landecker), and Ali (Gaby Hoffmann). As the family handles the situation, Maura may face revelations from her friends and family members that could give her a fresh perspective on life. The comedy-drama series, created by Joey Soloway, bears a resemblance to ‘Ripple’ due to its exploration of familial ties, the consequences of actions, and the cost of secrets between loved ones.
9. Love Life (2020-2021)
Created by Sam Boyd, ‘Love Life’ chronicles the journeys of different individuals, going from their very first experience of love to the last. HBO Max’s romantic comedy anthology series narrates different stories in successive seasons. The first season focuses on the ups and downs in the romantic life of a woman named Darby (Anna Kendrick). The following season sheds light on the intricacies in the life of Marcus Watkins (William Jackson Harper), who navigates possibilities after a divorce. The narrative depicts the various stages in the lives of the characters that ultimately shape their reality. The story, due to its portrayal of the cascading effect of decisions and the nuances of marital problems, is connected to ‘Ripple’ and its characters.
8. Togetherness (2015-2016)
In HBO’s ‘Togetherness,’ the emotional dynamics shift when a couple, Alex Pappas (Steve Zissis) and Tina Morris (Amanda Peet), decide to make a major change in their living situation. They move in with an LA-based married couple, Michelle Pierson (Melanie Lynskey) and Brett Pierson (Mark Duplass), who have their own issues. The comedy-drama series revolves around the struggles of the two couples as they attempt to sustain their familial relationships while also pursuing their personal aspirations and navigating financial challenges. Created by Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, and Steve Zissis, it shares similarities with ‘Ripple’ as it deals with the element of convergence in the lives of different individuals. The interconnected lives of the characters and the visual styles of the shows complement each other.
7. After Life (2019-2022)
‘After Life’ is the haunting tale of a widower named Tony Johnson (Ricky Gervais), who experiences depression and a significant collapse in mental health after the death of his wife Lisa (Kerry Godliman) due to medical issues. As he struggles to find the will to continue living, he must somehow find the strength to connect to other people and learn to appreciate the beauty of life. With the tragedy always troubling him, he develops a stoic attitude towards others, which makes his life more difficult than he ever assumed.
In this process, he also navigates a close bond with his dog, who seems to be his only true friend. Netflix’s British comedy-drama series is a Ricky Gervais creation that poignantly explores the beauty and tragedy of life. Akin to ‘Ripple,’ it depicts the significance of friendship and connection in a person’s life. The themes of marital problems, unexpected experiences, and the interconnectedness of actions in the shows establish a spiritual connection between the two.
6. Easy (2016-2019)
Created by Joe Swanberg, Netflix’s ‘Easy’ examines the stories of various characters as they move through the hustle and bustle of modern life in Chicago. The comedy-drama anthology series follows different individuals in multiple episodes, which are thematically connected to urban realities of love and sex. The lives of Andi (Elizabeth Reaser), Annabelle Jones (Jane Adams), Kyle (Michael Chernus), and others are marked by unforeseen challenges, even as they strive to find meaning in a world dominated by technology. On the lines of ‘Ripple,’ it is a series that is essentially urban in nature, where people live in close proximity and experience intertwining complexities. Both stories deal with the value of human connection in the modern world.
5. This Is Us (2016-2022)
NBC’s ‘This is Us’ is the story of the Pearson family, which includes siblings Kevin (Justin Hartley), Kate (Chrissy Metz), and Randall (Sterling K. Brown). Their adult lives are shaped by experiences with their parents, Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore), who have their own insecurities and issues. With the siblings facing personal and professional challenges, they must navigate their realities while also striving to keep the family united. As secrets from the past are revealed, the present rests on delicate bonds that must be strengthened by overcoming ego, secrecy, and misunderstandings. Created by Dan Fogelman, the drama series is a nuanced exploration of interrelated trauma, loss, love, and the essence of family, which makes it complementary to ‘Ripple’ and its characters.
4. The Leftovers (2014-2017)
‘The Leftovers,’ created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, explores a world dealing with the results of an apocalyptic event that led to the sudden deaths of millions across the globe. Based on Tom Perrotta’s eponymous novel, HBO’s supernatural drama series follows the ups and downs in the lives of Kevin Garvey Jr. (Justin Theroux), his spouse Laurie (Amy Brenneman), and others. As they attempt to build new lives in New York, they must come to terms with the rise of new religious systems and cults. With traditional structures and beliefs under attack, new groups attempt to shape the way the world operates. Despite being a post-apocalyptic story, it reflects the ideas of intertwining destinies, harsh urban truths, and the cascading effect of individual decisions seen in ‘Ripple.’
3. Modern Love (2019-2021)
Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Modern Love’ is a romantic anthology series that centers on diverse stories of love in the modern world. Each episode narrates a different tale, where characters explore the intricacies of love, amidst the chaos of life. Based on The New York Times’ eponymous weekly column, the show, created by John Carney, depicts the romantic trials and tribulations in the lives of Lexi (Anne Hathaway), Karla (Olivia Cooke), Michael (Kit Harington), and others. The numerous characters of the show navigate personal insecurities and challenges that may make or break their quest for connection. Similar to ‘Ripple,’ it involves the examination of destiny, loss, and the meaning of life in a difficult modern world.
2. Crash (2008-2009)
Based on Paul Haggis’ film of the same name, ‘Crash’ explores the layers of life in LA, which faces racial tensions. It narrates the experiences of record producer Ben Cendars (Dennis Hopper), a cop named Kenny Battaglia (Ross McCall), Anthony Adams (Jocko Sims), a clever driver, and others, who must face the harsh realities of survival in the city. As they also navigate the issues in their personal lives, the city becomes a character in itself, as it makes and breaks the fates of the characters. While the individuals chase the elusive “American Dream,” their lives are dangerously intertwined. The urban aesthetics, the interconnected actions of the characters, and the cost of decisions seen in ‘Ripple’ are reflected in the show.
1. High Maintenance (2016-2020)
In ‘High Maintenance,’ The Guy (Ben Sinclair) is an enigmatic individual who plays a special role in the lives of his clients. As a weed dealer, he has the opportunity to navigate the chaos of the city, serving the needs of the people. What starts as a simple story of a man looking for survival soon turns into an elaborate painting of the lives of different characters the dealer comes across. In the city that faces mental health issues and tensions, he becomes a common element in the lives of many stressed individuals.
Created by Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld, the anthology comedy-drama series tells various stories in each episode. The heart of the story lies in the experiences gained by The Guy as he meets people from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique issues. Like ‘Ripple,’ it is a story set in New York City, with diverse characters, whose lives are interconnected in mysterious ways. The visual elements and the urban cultural depictions connect the stories on a spiritual level.
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