The Deep Sea Tyrant's Forsaken Mermaid Bride

Few short dramas commit to the drama quite like this one does. On the surface this is a Revenge serial, but underneath it is a story about payback served cold — and "The Deep Sea Tyrant's Forsaken Mermaid Bride" plays both layers for all they are worth.

Doris is the mermaid kingdom's most scorned princess — no magic, no spirit beast — and catching her sister with her boyfriend earns her a father's assassins. Her escape into the Eternal Abyss introduces the legendary tyrant Merrick, who is also the face from her most inconvenient dreams. Abyssal gothic with a possessive king; the show understands its assignment and exceeds it slightly.

Tropes on the menu: revenge, mermaid. Episodes are bite-sized, the cliffhangers are ruthless, and the payoff lands faster than most full-length shows manage in a season.