I definitely watched too much TV on a rainy Saturday.
1) Gaslit (Starz)
English Audio Description Available?: No
I hate to put. Shows that don’t have audio description on top, but there was no denying the penultimate hour of Gaslit, which should serve as a For Your Consideration reel for the series two leads, Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, whose marriage finally comes to a screeching halt as secrets are revealed, and things are said that can’t be unsaid. Robert’s performance in this series is brilliance, but Penn brings a new raging fire to Mitchell, attacking for dominance. He’s scary good, and this scene is a reminder of why he has two Oscars under his belt. Top that off with whatever the hell Liddy was doing, and this was a brilliant episode.
Episode Grade: A
2) The Outlaws (Amazon)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
A lot to unpack here. Lady Gaby found out that her dad really doesn’t care. Frank found out that his grandson is onto him. And in a final twist, the entire gang was left with the surprise that they don’t know one of their own as well as they thought.
Episode Grade: A
3) First Ladies (Showtime)
English Audio Description Available?: No
In the second to last hour, Eleanor had to deal with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and her own personal life. Michelle didn’t want to campaign for Hillary, but couldn’t deny that Trump was a bigger threat. And Betty finally might do something that gets her that clinic we famously know is named after her. In a series stacked with talent, I do hope there’s a place at the table this year at the Emmy awards for Michelle Pfieffer.
Episode Grade: A
4) A Very British Scandal (Amazon)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
This show got a bit more interesting, in so much that we finally got a hint as to what the scandal might be. But Paul Bettany’s character is so entirely unlikable on every level that I hated how the episode ended feeling like he was somehow the victim. You will not gaslight me.
Episode Grade: B+
5) Gentleman Jack (HBo/HBO MAX)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
In the 6th? Episode of Season 1, the episode ended in a way that I felt was a bit much for the time period. I know people always fear things that they do not understand, but this is still a stuffy period drama, and something about that just felt like it didn’t fit in.
Episode Grade: B
6) Under The Banner Of Heaven (Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: No
I waited, and audio description never came. But I like Andrew Garfield enough to figure out if this is a series I can follow without audio description. The short answer is not really, but I might try. The flashing through time isn’t helping, nor is the large cast. While I thought there were some really interesting things happening here centered around the Mormon faith, and what that all means to this case, I got bogged down by trying to follow all these damn characters, and leaps back in time. Luckily, I’m used to Andrew Garfield’s American accent so he’s easy to track, but aside from who I think might be Gil Birmingham, this series was hard to follow any other voice. Sam Worthington is around here somewhere. Where? I’m not sure. I’m sure this series was fun for those who can see, but for those of us who can’t, it’s a bit of a struggle.
Episode Grade: B-
7) The Baby (HBO/ HBO MAX)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
I think I was just put off by how this series started in a dead sprint (literally, and figuratively). Instead of allowing us to slowly figure what the hell was going on in this show, we kind of jsut drop into the midddle of some nonsense. Some of it was interesting, but when we’re talking about genre defying horror/comedy, I enjoyed Shining Veil more, and that didn’t have audio description. And because of how it told the story, was actually easier to follow.
Episode Grade: C+
8) Bullshit (Netflix)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
Someone wins a lot of money. Meh.
Episode Grade: C+
9) Roar (Apple Plus)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
The Girl on The Shelf? Welcome to a very black mirror episode. I just wasn’t a fan. I know it’s a metaphor, but compared to the first two episodes, I just didn’t think this metaphor was as well executed.
Episode Grade: C
9) Close Enough (HBO MAX)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
It did not make me laugh this week. Sorry, not sorry. The third season has been kind of a let down so far.
Episode Grade: C-
