Not really a banner day for television watching, though I got at least one season finale out of my way.
1) Minx (HBO MAX)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
In episode 6, they are still trying desperately to save the magazine, and are doing so against some pushback, shown in the form of a somewhat cartoonish feminist group, that one of our characters is dragged to on the chance that afterward they’d meet about having her write for Minx. Instead, she gets bombarded with phrases like “all marriage is rape”, which feels like the kind of statement put in there to make fun of a point of view, when a character who is largely viewed as feminist and progressive already, finds herself being yelled at by people with an unrealistic view on the world. They say she’s beholden to Madison Ave, without having any knowledge of the fact that the magazine they essentially want, she pitched all over town and no one wanted it, so minx became the compromise to push feminist agenda through, essentially a gimmick. Not my favorite episode of the series, but it was a slow news day.
Episode Grade: A-
2)The Chase (ABC/Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
I just finally decided to check whether or not The Chase had audio description, and while I could watch this series without it, because I’m really just here for the questions and to see if I can answer them myself, I was impressed that they’ve gone to the trouble of narrating this, and rather well. There was one point where the female contestant, who was sandwiched in between the two men, had to come forward for her cash builder, and we got the detail that she needed to walk around one of the other guys, plus the podiums to come center stage. It’s that level of meticulous detail that you get when the show you are describing is rather repetitive and simple. Very nice.
Episode Grade: A-
3) Black Gold (Paramount Plus)
English Audio Description: Yes
Started the first episode of this Darren Aronofsky docuseries about climate change. It wasn’t on my radar at all until i found out that Darren was behind it. For his style of filmmaking, it feels very reigned in, but it was also very informative. This thing is only three episodes, so I should have it knocked out pretty quickly.
Episode Grade: A-
4) Atlanta (FX)
English Audio Description Available?: No
I could have used audio description this episode. I felt like i was missing things. I mostly followed, but it seemed like people ended up places and I didn’t understand what was going on, how they got there, what happened, and I was more confused in this episode than I should have been. What I did understand, I did like. But it was a challenge. And it shouldn’t be.
Episode Grade: B+
Jeopardy (Syndication)
English Audio Description available?: No
Got my highest score in quite some time, all the way up to 30. That’s half the questions. Although, the final Jeopardy question was a movie related one, and while I got the Breakfast At Tiffany’s reference, I couldn’t pull the title of the song.I’m very disappointed in myself. But this guy is on a streak now. Can he get to Tournament of Champions?
Episode Grade: B
6) The Golden Girls (ABC/Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: no
Dorothy’s son is marrying a middle aged black woman. Hilarity ensues. It got a few chuckles, and I kind of wonder if there are long term results from this episode. Like, will we ever see those other characters ever again? Will Dorothy ever mention this boy again?
Episode Grade: B
7) DMZ (HBOMAX)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
Shit is getting real. For a show that I’m not 100% invested in, I have to admit it’s grabbing my attention more and more with each episode. So that’s something. Her kid still sounds older than I expected him to be. Rosario Dawson isn’t that old, but I suppose she could have a teenager. It just makes me feel so old.
Episode Grade: B
The Resident (FOX/Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: No
An uneventful season finale hinged on this Emily Van Camp cameo, that was extremely underwhelming. And Andrew McCarthy is still underwhelming as a cast addition. I’d like to just be whelmed at this point. most interesting moment was the impending wedding of two of our docs. But we didn’t even get that resolution like we did in The Good Doctor. This show is on life support.
Episode Grade: C+, Season Grade: B-
