TV guide for Singapore in October: Swamp Thing, Ben 10 vs. The Universe: The Movie, Tale Of The Nine Tailed, Social Distance
Every month, we’ll tell you about new shows to hit terrestrial and cable channels, as well as streaming sites in Singapore. We’ll also highlight the television shows that you’ve got to be home (or on your phone) to catch every month.
Overview of September’s shows
October sees Viu offering up Hong Kong and Japanese shows in addition to their Korean fare, which is a welcome change for Asian television fans who'd like more variety from streaming channels — but Korean drama addicts, the show of the month is Tale of the Nine Tailed, which melds romance and fantasy on Viu and tvN. For kids (and animation fans), Ben 10 vs. The Universe: The Movie hits multiple channels (Cartoon Network, Boomerang, HBO, Warner TV) in an epic premiere.
The ill-fated Swamp Thing also debuts this month on Warner TV, but remember that this is the one and only season of the series. And if you've still got the stomach for more COVID-19 related content, Netflix's anthology series Social Distance holds up a mirror to 2020 as it explores this brave new world we live in.
Tale Of The Nine Tailed (8 Oct)
Viu, tvN (Singtel: 518, Singtel: 619, StarHub: 824)
Mythical nine-tailed foxes, called gumiho, live among us in disguise as humans — and Lee Yeon (Lee Dong Wook) is one of them. But when he gets too close to television producer Nam Ji Ah (Jo Bo Ah), she starts doubting just how human he is when she sees his heartlessness. Unfortunately, there's an even more dangerous gumiho in their midst — Lee Rang (Kim Bun), who harbours a deep-seated contempt for all human beings.
The biggest question I have for this drama is — how often will we see Lee Yeon in his full nine-tailed fox glory? This, of course, is also highly dependent the special effects budget for the show. There will be the inevitable romance (and probably a love triangle), and there'll be a fifty percent chance that Lee Yeon will turn into a complete human. Other than the predictable plot beats, this looks like it'll be genuinely interesting to watch!
Swamp Thing (7 Oct, Wednesdays 9.50pm)
Warner TV (StarHub: 515, Singtel: 306)
Something unnatural is happening in the swamps outside Marais, Louisiana. When a mysterious illness strikes the town, CDC investigator and former Marais native, Abby Arcane is sent to investigate. At the hospital, she encounters biologist Alec Holland (Andy Bean) who believes the bizarre illness might be connected to his scientific work in the swamp for powerful businessman Avery Sunderland (Will Patton).
When Alec goes missing after investigating the unnatural experiments deep in the swamp, something else rises in his place: Swamp Thing (Derek Mears), a mysterious creature born of the depths of the swamp’s mystical and terrifying secrets. With nature wildly out of balance and coming for the people of Marais, in the end, it may take some Thing from the swamp to save it.
This ambitious series was unfortunately cancelled before it could complete a full run, but it's finally here! Although it's a DC series, it doesn't seem to be part of the Arrowverse (tonally, it may not fit that well either). As a superhero horror show, it's quite innovative to see it on screen, even though it met its end prematurely. Nevertheless, we'll always remember that Swamp Thing made it to TV, in live action form.
Ben 10 Vs. The Universe: The Movie (movie) (10 Oct, Saturday 10am, 2.30pm, 7pm)
Cartoon Network (StarHub: 316, Singtel: 226), Boomerang (StarHub: 317, Singtel: 228), HBO (StarHub: 601, Singtel: 420), Warner TV (StarHub: 515, Singtel: 306)
From the new rebooted Ben 10 series comes a new movie, one where Ben 10 will face the biggest fight of his life...Vilgax in space! But when things go wrong, it's up to the rest of Team Tennyson to venture into the depths of space to rescue Ben — who must learn about the origins of the Omnitrix if he is to survive. And there might just be a new transformation in store for him if he manages to pull this off...
Vilgax returns in this animated film, which sees our hero going up against the Cthulhu-seque villain in a battle in the stars. However, he also gains a new ally (sort of) in this film, one whom we haven't seen yet in the new reboot. It looks it'll be an action-packed adventure for all of Ben 10's characters, and the best part is that this will most likely lead in to the next season of Ben 10.
Social Distance (15 Oct)
Netflix
Set in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, this series is an eight-part anthology series that showcases the power of the human spirit in the face of uncertainty and isolation. Each standalone episode is told through a virtual lens and captures the unique emotional experience of being forced apart by circumstance and having no choice but to communicate remotely and rely on technology to maintain any sense of connection.
Through these varied and deeply human stories, the series aims to provide some much-needed catharsis during a tumultuous time while also capturing a snapshot of this singular moment in history.
If you're in need of some empathy because of the COVID-19 situation and restrictions, this may just be the panacea for that. A series that empathises with people from all walks of life, it shows you how much we've collectively suffered — but it also gives us hope in showing us how far we've come together. While it must have been difficult to shoot, the fact that such a production was possible at all is an impressive feat in and of itself. If you're struggling to find hope, this is where you'll find it.
Terrestrial
Channel 5
President's Star Charity 2020 (4 Oct, Sunday 7.30pm)
Channel 8
Best Friend's Forever (14 Oct, Mondays to Fridays 7.30pm)
Suria
Juri (Season 2) (8 Oct, Thursdays 8.30pm)
L.N.S. Cafe (9 Oct, Fridays 9pm)
Cable
HBO (StarHub: 601, Singtel: 420)
Ben 10 Vs. The Universe: The Movie (movie) (10 Oct, Saturday 10am, 2.30pm, 7pm)
The Undoing (26 Oct, Mondays 9am and 10pm)
Cinemax (StarHub: 611, Singtel: 424)
Warrior (Season 2) (3 Oct, Saturdays 10am)
BBC First (StarHub: 502)
Grantchester (Season 5) (9 Oct)
BBC Earth (StarHub: 407)
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (Season 5) (2 Oct, Fridays 9pm)
Baby Chimp Rescue (12 Oct, Mondays 8.05pm)
The Supervet (Season 6) (23 Oct, Fridays 8.05pm)
BBC Lifestyle (StarHub: 432)
World's Most Luxurious (8 Oct. Thursdays 9.20pm)
Junior Bake Off (Season 5) (28 Oct, Wednesdays 7.30pm)
CBeebies (StarHub: 303)
Andy's Top 5 (5 Oct, Mondays 8pm)
Andy's Dino Toybox (12 Oct, Mondays 8pm)
Swashbuckle (Season 4) (13 Oct, Tuesdays 8.05am)
Dog Loves Books (19 Oct, Mondays 7.45pm)
Warner TV (StarHub: 515, Singtel: 306)
Ben 10 Vs. The Universe: The Movie (movie) (10 Oct, Saturday 10am, 2.30pm, 7pm)
Swamp Thing (7 Oct, Wednesdays 9.50pm)
Boomerang (StarHub: 317, Singtel: 228)
My Little Pony: Pony Life (3 Oct, Saturdays and Sundays 10.30am)
Ben 10 Vs. The Universe: The Movie (movie) (10 Oct, Saturday 10am, 2.30pm, 7pm)
Barbie Princess Adventure (25 Oct, Saturdays 11am)
Cartoon Network (StarHub: 316, Singtel: 226)
Ben 10 Vs. The Universe: The Movie (movie) (10 Oct, Saturday 10am, 2.30pm, 7pm)
Oh! K (StarHub: 816, Singtel: 525)
2020 Idol Star Athletics Championships (2 Oct, Fridays 5.05pm)
Bad Love (16 Oct, Tuesdays to Fridays 9pm)
Kairos (27 Oct, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 7.40pm)
FOX (Singtel: 330, StarHub: 505)
NeXt (7 Oct, Wednesdays 9pm)
Grey's Anatomy (Season 16) (4 Oct, Sundays 9pm)
FX (Singtel: 310, StarHub: 507)
The Good Lord Bird (5 Oct, Mondays 10pm)
National Geographic (Singtel: 201, StarHub: 411)
Walking The Yangtze With Ash Dykes (20 Oct, Tuesdays 9pm)
tvN (Singtel: 518, Singtel: 619, StarHub: 824)
Tale of the Nine Tailed (8 Oct, Thursdays and Fridays 9.45pm)
SuperM's As We Wish (3 Oct, Saturdays 6pm)
Kcon:Tact 2020 Summer (17 Oct, Saturdays 6pm)
New Journey To The West (Season 8) (14 Oct, Wednesdays 11pm)
Kim Nam Gil PJT (23 Oct, Fridays 11pm)
Streaming
Viu
Search Out (movie) (2 Oct)
Metamorphosis (movie) (2 Oct)
Deranged (movie) (2 Oct)
The Himalayas (movie) (2 Oct)
Tale of the Nine Tailed (8 Oct)
New Journey To The West (Season 8) (10 Oct)
Daughter of Lupin (16 Oct)
Hello World (movie) (17 Oct)
Lost And Found In Tokyo (movie) (17 Oct)
18 Again (20 Oct)
More Than Friends (25 Oct)
Single Papa (26 Oct)
Kairos (27 Oct)
The Penthouse (27 Oct)
Netflix
All Because of You (movie) (1 Oct)
Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood (1 Oct)
The Worst Witch (Season 4) (1 Oct)
A GO! Go! Cory Carson Halloween (2 Oct)
Emily in Paris (2 Oct)
Serious Men (movie) (2 Oct)
Song Exploder (2 Oct)
The Binding (movie) (2 Oct)
Vampires Vs. The Bronx (2 Oct)
David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet (4 Oct)
Starbeam: Halloween Hero (6 Oct)
To The Lake (7 Oct)
Hubie Halloween (movie) (7 Oct)
Private Lives (7 Oct)
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (7 Oct)
The Haunting of Bly Manor (9 Oct)
Deaf U (9 Oct)
Fast & Furious Spy Racers (Season 2) (9 Oct)
Super Monsters: Dia De Los Monsters (9 Oct)
The Cabi with Bert Kreischer (13 Oct)
Blackpink: Light Up The Sky (14 Oct)
A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (15 Oct)
Rooting for Roona (15 Oct)
Social Distance (15 Oct)
The Trial Of The Chicago 7 (16 Oct)
Dream Home Makeover (16 Oct)
Grand Army (16 Oct)
Star Trek: Discovery (Season 3) (16 Oct)
The Last Kids On Earth (Season 3) (16 Oct)
Unsolved Mysteries (Season 2) (19 Oct)
The Magic School Bus Rides Again The Frizz Connection (20 Oct)
Rebecca (movie) (21 Oct)
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letteman (Season 3) (21 Oct)
Cadaver (movie) (22 Oct)
The Alienist: Angel of Darkness (22 Oct)
You Me Her (Season 5) (22 Oct)
Move (23 Oct)
Perdida (23 Oct)
The Queen's Gambit (23 Oct)
Over The Moon (movie) (23 Oct)
Blood of Zeus (27 Oct)
Chico Bon Bon: Monkey With A Tool Belt (Season 4) (27 Oct)
Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine (27 Oct)
Holidate (movie) (28 Oct)
Nobody Sleeps In The Woods Tonight (movie) (28 Oct)
Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story (movie) (29 Oct)
You Animal! (movie) (29 Oct)
Bronz (movie) (30 Oct)
His House (movie) (30 Oct)
Somebody Feed Phil (Season 4) (30 Oct)
Suburra (Season 3) (30 Oct)
The Day Of The Lord (movie) (30 Oct)
HBO Go
Miss S (5 Oct)
Marcus Goh is a television scriptwriter who writes for “Crimewatch”, as well as popular shows like “Lion Mums”, “Code of Law”, “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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