Television shows coming to Singapore in December
Every month, we’ll tell you about new television shows to hit terrestrial and cable channels, as well as streaming sites in Singapore. We’ll also highlight shows that you’ve got to be home (or on your phone) to catch every month.
Overview of December’s shows
It seems like the quests for the Holy Grail are strangely in vogue this December, with anime “Fate/Apocrypha” and live-action series “Knightfall” making their debut this month. Otherwise it’s a relatively slower month with a mix of genres, which means that you get to catch up on all the shows that you’re currently behind on.
Fate/Apocrypha (2 Dec)
Netflix
An unprecedented Great Holy Grail War begins… Fourteen Heroic Spirits gather for an apocryphal Holy Grail War. In a city called Fuyuki, seven magi and their Heroic Spirits once clashed in a Holy Grail War. But amid the chaos of the Second World War, a magus made off with the Grail. Decades later, the Yggdmillennia clan holds the Grail high and secedes from the Mage’s Association, declaring their independence. Angered by the move, the Association sends assassins after them, only to have them wiped out by a Yggdmillennia Servant. The choice is made to fight Servants with Servants, and the Holy Grail War system is expanded to two factions of seven Servants each. A Holy Grail War of unprecedented scale — a Great Holy Grail War — begins in Trifas, Romania.
“Fate/Apocryphya” debuted in Japan earlier this year, and now it’s coming to the rest of the world via Netflix. It takes place in an alternate universe version of “Fate/stay night”, with the same premise of the Holy Grail War being fought amongst mages for the titular prize. However, it features a new set of characters and a new twist on the original premise, promising top-notch animation and a journey of self-discovery for the protagonists.
Knightfall (7 Dec, Thursdays 9.55pm)
HISTORY (StarHub TV Ch 401)
“Knightfall” begins after the fall of the city of Acre, the Templar’s last stronghold in the Holy Land, where the Holy Grail is lost. Years later, a clue emerges suggesting the whereabouts of the Grail and sends the Templars, led by the noble, courageous and headstrong Templar Knight Landry (Tom Cullen, “Downton Abbey,” “Gunpowder”), on a life or death mission to find the lost Cup of Christ. From their battles in the Holy Land, to their clash with the King of France, to the dark events leading to the demise of the Templar Order on Friday the 13th, 1307 —a date which became synonymous with bad luck—the story of the Knights Templar has never been fully told until now. Focusing on themes such as belief, sacrifice, politics, love, power and revenge – “Knightfall” goes deep into the clandestine world of this legendary brotherhood of warrior monks to find out who these knights were, how they lived, and what they died for believing.
“Knightfall” is another series based on the legendary quest for the Holy Grail that premieres in December, and this live-action series looks like it’s going to be full of intrigue and grand clashes. The series looks like it’ll mix the epic scale of the search for the Grail along with the painful, personal stories of the characters, which is what the stuff of good drama is made of, isn’t it? Besides, knights and stories set in the medieval era are always interesting to watch.
Dreamhouse Nightmare (6 Dec, Wednesday 9pm)
Lifetime (StarHub TV Ch 514 / Singtel TV Ch 302)
A young couple finally buys their dream house in an upwardly mobile suburb of New Orleans. Unfortunately, they have outbid Madison, the mother of a special-needs daughter, who believes the home to be the answer to her family’s troubles. Now, Madison obsessively torments the couple, trying to force them out. As the frightening ordeals only get worse, the couple must find a way to protect themselves and their new home.
The premise feels incredibly uncomfortable, because you can’t help but sympathise with the antagonist’s situation. Whatever the outcome of the movie, it looks like the most innocent of victims is going to suffer — the special needs daughter of the obsessive Madison. Add a mix of horror into the film, and you have a thriller that almost guarantees some sort of heart-wrenching finale.
I Am Not a Robot (7 Dec)
Viu
A man has never had a girlfriend due to his allergy of other people. He falls in love with a woman who pretends to be a robot.
There are so many questions with this rather straightforward premise. Why on earth is a woman pretending to be a robot, and how is she pulling off this act without triggering the man’s allergies? Also, what sort of allergies would prevent a person from coming into contact with other human beings? “I Am Not a Robot” might turn out to be the usual melodramatic, over the top Korean fare, but at least it has a fairly interesting beginning for the series.
Jean-Claude Van Johnson (15 Dec)
Amazon Prime Video
If you need to eliminate a political rival, debilitate a multinational corporation, or overthrow an entire government—and you need it done with the utmost secrecy—there’s only one person to turn to: one of the most internationally recognisable movie stars in the history of film. “Jean-Claude Van Johnson” stars Jean-Claude Van Damme playing “Jean-Claude Van Damme,” a global martial arts and film sensation… and operating under the simple alias of “Johnson,” the most dangerous undercover private contractor in the world. Lucky for the world’s bad guys, he’s been retired for years… unlucky for them, a chance encounter with a lost love is about to bring him back to the game… and this time, he’ll be deadlier than ever. Probably.
If you were confused about the synopsis, you’re not the only one. Just to be clear, this is a fictional version of Jean-Claude Van Damme, played by the real-life Jean-Claude Van Damme. It’s a confusing idea but an intriguing one, although it looks like it’s clearly a star vehicle for Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Terrestrial
Suria
Cik Serba Tahu (4 Dec, Mondays 7pm)
Cable
HISTORY (StarHub TV Ch 401)
Knightfall (7 Dec, Thursdays 9.55pm)
Lifetime (StarHub TV Ch 514 / Singtel TV Ch 302)
Dreamhouse Nightmare (movie) (6 Dec, Wednesday 9pm)
The Wrong Student (movie) (13 Dec, Wednesday 9pm)
Jodi Picoult’s Salem Falls (movie) (20 Dec, Wednesday 9pm)
The Wrong Neighbour (movie) (27 Dec, Wednesday 9pm)
Streaming
Jugglers (5 Dec)
Black Knight – The Man Who Guards Me (7 Dec)
I Am Not a Robot (7 Dec)
My Happy Family (movie) (1 Dec)
Easy (Season 2) (1 Dec)
The Crown (Season 2) (8 Dec)
Fate/Apocrypha (2 Dec)
Dynasty (7 Dec)
Blade of the Immortal (movie) (8 Dec)
Erased (15 Dec)
Christmas Inheritance (movie) (15 Dec)
Jean-Claude Van Johnson (15 Dec)
Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter, having written for “Lion Mums”, “Crimewatch”, “Incredible Tales”, and “Police & Thief”. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. You can find him on social media as Optimarcus and on his site. The views expressed are his own.
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