Slow news day, but I finished one of my favorite shows of the year, so it’s a bittersweet ranking.
1) Shining Girls (Apple Plus)
English Audio Description?: Yes
My gift to the world would be this show. What an amazing finale that perfectly wrapped up the insanity of everything set up so far in the series, and also never needing to explain the magic behind the event. This came down to Kirby versus Harper, and the final hour really felt like a stand up and cheer type of hour, as the revelations kept coming, and I fell in love with the series all over again. I’m sad that this show is a limited series, and I don’t get to spend more time in the presence of Elizabeth moss, who delivered yet another outstanding performance to add to her resume. This is one of my favorite shows of the year, or any year. It’s definitely one of my top limited series of all time.
Final Episode and Series Grade: A+
2) Solar Opposites (Hulu)
English Audio Description?: Yes
Despite all the witty trappings Solar Opposites had to offer in their third episode of this season, by continuing the story of waiting in line in true Solar Opposites fashion, it couldn’t beat out Shining Girls. Nothing could have. But, with all the meta references, the clever way to maintain where they left off from the previous episode but still show the opening credits sequence, and keeping up the Opposites way of being funny, this was a delightful half hour to watch.
Episode Grade: A
3) All Rise (OWN)
English Audio Description?: No
I’m giving this show a temporary pass for their mid season finale on their lack of audio description, for essentially creating an oddly riveting hour of television for this show. Basically, January 6th happened in the courthouse, as the social media asshat on trial turned his followers into an actual army. Hundreds stormed the courthouse and rioted, smashing things, and overpowering the few guards there. They were out for blood, looking for the star witness, but also Lola, who had just dealt with a threat in open court. The hour saw quite a few series regulars near death, and then ended by possibly killing Lola’s marriage. Now that’s how you do a finale, making your audience salivate at having to wait an indeterminate amount of time for the next episode.
Episode Grade: A
4) Heartstopper (Netflix)
English Audio Description?: Yes
As Nick continues to figure out his sexuality, I’m realizing that by episode six, I’m far more invested in these characters than I was after the pilot. This is why I frequently try to get at least a second episode in, because Heartstopper is now up a full letter grade from where it started.
Episode Grade: A-
5) The Lake (Amazon)
English Audio Description?: Yes
My forest review mentioned the lack of audio description for some reason, then without me needing to go in and turn it on, episode 2 just started running with audio description. Weird. Anyway, the show is starting to show it’s darker humor, and Julia Stiles taking a more prominent role in the second episode just helped to round out the project.
Episode Grade: B+
