Sandra Oh plays Professor Ji-Yoon Kim, the newly appointed chair of the English department at Pembroke University. Like many colleges and universities, Pembroke is facing declining enrollments and budget problems. As the first woman ever chosen as Chairperson of the English department, Sandra Oh’s character faces a tenure battle with her elderly staff over a young black colleague. She also has strained relationship with her well-known professor, Bill Dobson (the former Chairman of the English department). In addition to all her work problems, Ji-Yoon Kim has to deal with her difficult adopted daughter.
This Netflix 6-episode series has a talented cast and realistic situations present on most campuses right now. Anyone who has worked in a college or university will recognize the various types of faculty members and administrators. Very realistic! I’m hoping The Chair attracts enough of an audience for a Second Season. And thanks to Michael Padgett for recommending The Chair. GRADE: B+
I’ll watch Sandra Oh in anything –what a talent!
Dan, I loved her performance in SIDEWAYS!
Dan, I agree. Though even Oh couldn’t sufficiently elevate the likes of GRAY’S ANATOMY (that big pile of soap) nor KILLING EVE (so aggressively stupid in its first season that I didn’t bother with possibly improved subsequent episodes). But, certainly in films ranging from DOUBLE HAPPINESS through LAST NIGHT to SIDEWAYS, she’s great.
Todd, I admire Sandra Oh’s range. She doesn’t seem intimidated by unusual roles.
I like it but don’t love it. (We have one more episode to go.) I thought the whole David Duchovny thing was ludicrous. I like the little girl and her burgeoning relationship with Bill (Jay Duplass). I guess it gives David Morse a different role to play than all his recent killers and psychopaths. Oh pretty much holds it together.
Jeff, I’m with you on the David Duchovny subplot. Jay Duplass plays a typical “loose cannon” charismatic faculty member who gets into trouble. David Morse is excellent as a seemingly benevolent Dean whose real mandate is to “downsize” the English department.
Much as I like Oh I’ve seen very little of her tv work, never having watched “Grey’s Anatomy”. I know she left that series years ago, but the series seems to go on forever. “Killing Eve” seemed to be something I’d love but I didn’t, and only made it through 2-3 episodes. I’m hoping “The Chair” will be popular enough to increase her fan base so we can see more of her. The streaming services seem to be catching on to comedy with series like this, “Hacks” (HBO/MAX), and “Only Murders in the Building” on Hulu. This is certainly a welcome trend.
Michael, thanks again for recommending THE CHAIR! I’m hoping Netflix decides to go with a Second Season.
Another ditto on the Duchovny thing although not so much about a department hiring a “name” to attract majors. Just on the way they played it out. He seems more than willing to play a jerk though.
Patti, THE CHAIR displays the whole attempt to attract students, donors, and media exposure which captures the present state of Higher Education. The actual teaching is an afterthought.
I don’t get Netflix so I can’t see it! Not that I’d watch it anyway!
Bob, we find enough to watch on Netflix to make it worth the money.