Weeds

"Weeds" is an American television series that aired from 2005 to 2012 on Showtime in the United States, and beginning in 2006 on Canal+ in France.

We follow them over the course of 8 seasons Nancy Botwin, a charming single mother of two played by Mary-Louise Parker, who was facing financial difficulties following her husband's death. In order to make ends meet and raise her two children in the upscale neighborhood of Agrestic (an anagram of cigarettes (in English), she sets out to sell cannabis to her neighbors. Inevitably, her small side business—meant to make ends meet—will grow into a thriving enterprise, as she tries to avoid getting caught by her neighbors—and, incidentally, the police—while raising her two sons, Shane the little one and Silas the older one, as best she can. She may or may not get help from her brother-in-law Andy and his neighbor, who is an accountant Doug Wilson, a heavy smoker of marijuana, Nancy's first—and largest?—client.

Why Do We Love *Weeds*?

More than just another series set in the American suburbs, like *Dallas* or *Desperate Housewives*, Weeds depicts very current issues: a single mother raising a family, life in the suburbs, and the decriminalization of marijuana.

Without giving too much away (though maybe just a little), the plot moves along quickly. The Season 1 follows Nancy as she learns how to deal. The Season 2 is expanding her business and introducing a disruptive element: her new husband, who is part of the DEA (the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration). The Season 3 role in a three-way relationship with a gang and the DEA. The Season 4 takes him to California, near the Mexican border, after his house and his marijuana plantations, etc...

Nancy is constantly caught between her obligations as a single woman who’d love to find someone, a mother who has to take care of her two teenagers, and a drug dealer who has to fulfill her contracts and supply her customers. The last four seasons are a bit more convoluted, but we’ll let you decide for yourselves 😉

Jenji Kohan, an experienced director, had previously worked on Sex and the City, Crazy About You and Gilmore Girls. A must also Will and Grace to his brother David Kohan. The 26-minute format, shot with a handheld camera, is masterfully executed. The haunting opening credits, Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds, stays with you long after you've watched an episode. Throughout Seasons 2 and 3, the theme song is performed by different artists—a creative way to promote the series and add a weekly twist.

In terms of awards, Mary-Louise Parker was elected Best Actress from a television series to the The 2006 Golden Globes and the 2005 Satellite Awards.

Endearing characters, an engaging setting, relevant issues, and a well-paced storyline: all the ingredients for a great series. And now that it’s over, you can binge-watch it all at once!

Here's the trailer for Season 1: