Was the fourth with you always yesterday? Well, for me it was. I checked out the new animated Star Wars entry Tales Of The empire (Disney Plus), and after realizing how short it was, I did the whole thing. So that’s behind me now. It’s basically a sequel to Tales Of The Jedi, but with a new focus, and one on the darker side, focusing on elements of the empire, and some series staples like General Grievous. The show has excellent audio description by Descriptive Video Works, which immerses us with narration from Justin Thackeray. While I’m not sure the style of animation, it did a solid job of tracking the action as if this was a live action entry in the franchise. All the characters that pop up who are known to Star Wars fans have their grand entrances made grander by this lovely British narrator. I didn’t love the project, as it felt essentially inconsequential, but I thought it was well described.
I also watched another episode of Sugar (Apple Plus), though I’m a bit behind. I’ve heard a big twist is coming, but I’m only 4 episodes in, and I think it hits on the 6th episode. I already predicted one twist, with someone maybe being a figment of imagination, and not really there, but it will be interesting to see if I’m right. The audio description here, once again, was good, though Sugar is starting to lag a bit as a series, so I’m waiting for that twist.
American Rust (Amazon) pushed the main story further, while also bringing the supporting cast out a bit more. Now that the lighter is placed, you would think things are a lot easier, but it feels like we are just getting started. The audio description here is great. Of course, the first season didn’t have audio description on Showtime, so the comparison really isn’t fair, but I think Jeff Heck’s description is solid. There are a lot of characters to keep up with here, and the series isn’t really that invested in anyone not named Jeff Daniel’s or Maura Tierney.
I started the new season of The Big Door prize (apple plus), a show I really enjoyed more than everyone else did. The first episode catches you up, as everyone is trying to figure out what the next level could be. Then finally, at the end of the episode, they piece it together, and I guess I’ll figure out if the next level is a nuclear explosion or something else in the next episode. Since we are now tracking these weird glowing marks on people who have used the machine, I’d say the audio description here did a good job of navigating that.
Also, another episode of Life and Beth (Hulu) in the can. Sometimes, this show is really solid, other times, it misses. Having one of the side characters running around town because he thinks he gave someone the wrong prescription just felt like a gag that went on too long. Meanwhile, Beth and John are getting closer to having a baby, and their whole house is a construction zone, and that feels like the main plot. There were a few moments, where I felt like I needed something to be described, and then it came later, like the thing happened, and then later on it was explained. I got it, it just felt maybe a little late?
A Gentleman In Moscow (Paramount Plus), which has one of my favorite audio description tracks right now, came in with a terrific episode for Ewan McGregor, and the supporting cast. When his “daughter” injures herself, Alexander risks everything to save her, and all the friends he’s gathered along the way risk everything to save him. It shows how much he’s grown in six episodes, and really is a showcase for McGregor’s acting. Often he’s understated, but he’s fantastic in this series, and I think this might be his best work. At least his best in years.
