A note: i clicked play on Netflix for Black Mirror expecting either to start at S1E1 or S7E1. For some reason, despite never having seen the show, I started with S5E1. I found out… after watching.
TV Shows Watched: the Handmaid’s Tale: S6E6 (Hulu) with audio description, Black Mirror: S5E1 (Netflix) with audio description, Dying For Sex: S1E6 (Hulu) with audio description, American Idol: S23E14 (Hulu) no audio description, Krapapolis: S2E14 (Hulu) no audio description, St Dennis Medical: S1E18 (Peacock) with audio description, the Daily Show: Monday (Paramount Plus) no audio description, the Rookie: S7E15 (Hulu) with audio description
Best Episode: the Handmaid’s Tale: Joseph drove June and Moira somewhere. janeane and Aunt Lydia faced off again. Joseph is worried and optimistic about his future. Nick is losing his mind. June reconnects with Nick, serena, and Rita. And someone commits betrayal!
Runner up: Black Mirror- Common People had a couple trying to get pregnant, who get sidelined when the wife has a brain tumor she may never recover from, without radical new surgery that causes her existence to be under an ever evolving subscription service that is ruining their lives.
Best Audio Description: The Handmaid’s Tale- From Janeane’s angry reaction, to June spiraling in a closet, there were several great moments brought out by this track.
Runner Up: Dying Fox Sex- Still a bold track that perfectly fits the very forward nature of the series.
Best performance: Max Minghella (the Handmaid’s tale)- Nick is not doing well. We see that in the moments leading up to him reuniting with June, but it plays such a huge factor into his choices. Max rarely gets to do much except be stoic, so chipping away at Nick’s hard exterior was the right move this close to the end of the series.
Runner Up: Chris O’Dowd (Black Mirror)- Having to deal with the potential loss of his wife, then having to work himself to death, only to be left with the only option remaining in the end is heartbreaking for an actor typically known for comedy, but equally gifted in dramatic performance.
Best Moment Of Audio Description: June In The Closet (the Handmaid’s tale)- the description seemed to perfectly capture June spiraling when she realizes what just happened, and she has to do so quietly, and with the worst possible person present for that moment.
Runner Up: Janeane Redecorates (The Handmaid’s Tale)- Also another great moment capturing an actresses reaction. Janeane has a tough conversation with Aunt Lydia, and takes her frustration out on anything nearby.
Worst Of… Three of the eight shows didn’t have audio description. I want to say the loser is Netflix for not making it clear that I was headed into S5E1 of black mirror. I also really didn’t like this last episode of The rookie where they were filming a documentary. I really enjoyed the past couple episodes, but this was dumb. So, the winner of the worst of anything? I’m going with the lack of audio description, though I strongly put The Rookie on notice.
