So, as usual, picking random shows and throwing them against each other creates for a very interesting lineup.once again, lack of audio description lost the battle.
5) The Great North (FOX/Hulu)
English Audio Description?: No
This time, interweaving plots that involved trying to keep a cactus alive, and another that was simply trying to get Judy to “bee-friend” the new super cool exchange student from Illinois who is oddly obsessed with bees just didn’t work for me. There were some good jokes, like the popular girl not even understanding her own sick burn or where it came from, but for the most part, I won’t remember this episode.
Episode Grade: B-
4) East Mew York )CBs/ Paramount Plus)
English Audio Description?: No
Normally, I like nothing more than to run in here and tell you guys how great this episode was. But, until the final 30 seconds, nothing really surprised me. Then, we got a cliffhanger, totally appropriate for a winter finale. But, at no point from that characters introduction was I given an even remotely interesting possible other option in that “whodunit”. I just spent the whole episode waiting to hear the motive, or the reasoning.
Episode Grade: B
3) Vampire Academy (Peacock)
English Audio Description?: Yes
There are times when this show gives me hope, like if Peacock sticks with it, it could really evolve into something truly great. I just think, as early as I am in the episode, it should be less obvious who the villains are. I mean, I haven’t even read the series, and barely remember the first book, but I’m like 99% sure Jesse is going to turn Strogoi at some point. He seems hellbent on doing so. And Tatiana is so shady, when she enters a forest, the trees all take a lunch break. The best villains sometimes are the ones that you’ve committed to liking only to be betrayed. Those that prance around like fucking Loki or something are typically far less interesting when placed in an environment where everyone prides themselves on their ability to sense and predict evil, when it’s sitting right next to them.
Episode Grade: A-
2) The Imperfects (Netflix)
English Audio Description?: Yes
In the sixth episode of the series, Hannah’s power set finally is revealed, and just in the nick of time. It’s nice to have that unpredictable wildcard when a shady government agency shows up on your doorstep.
Episode Grade: A (Remind me, why was this cancelled?)
1) Atlanta (FX/Hulu)
English Audio Description?: Yes
All the way up to Episode five, and so far, only episode three of the final season didn’t have audio description. I’ve never loved this series more, and it’s going out on one hell of a high note. While Donald glover went out of his way to change the character of mr Chocolate to be “Not Tyler Perry”, it’s pretty obvious who he is skewering in this episode. And I mean, it’s pretty clear that Glover loathes Perry, as the manifestation of him within Atlanta, is some weirdn guy who produces far too many shows, and in this episode takes a young girl there to support her mother as a day player, and puts her all over the place in several different shows, while her mother is running around trying to find her. No one but Donald Glover could have made this, and it’s absolutely brilliant.
Episode Grade: A+
