A few new additions to the rotation. And a surprise return.
1) The Good Fight (Paramount Plus)
English Audio Description?: Yes
The best time i had yesterday was watching Carmen try and get longtime guest star Wallace Shawn off a murder charge, knowing that doing so jeopardized her own life. Plus, we got a glimpse at a trial aimed at the NFL, using a fake team of course, and the hint that more Eli Gold is coming. I’m not sure why john Slattery is a series regular, but I hope it doesn’t mean less Gary Cole. I know he’s got NCIS now, but he only popped in anyway.
Episode Grade: A
2) The sandman (Netflix)
English Audio Description?: Yes
When i get description about the skin being removed from someone’s head, there are times where I think… I didn’t need to see that anyway. While I disagreed with Dream in his conversation with his Nightmare, because we saw that she was just trying to help, and her people can change argument is all about that, I did still see the totality of that conversation and both sides, and I love that this show challenges me to think on that level.
Episode Grade: A
3) The Outlaws (Amazon)
English Audio Description?: Yes
A nice set up for a second season start, with all the characters moving forward with their lives. But what really topped this episode off were the final few moments, where for the first time our characters were in imminent danger. Can’t wait to see where the season goes from here.
Episode Grade: A
4) For All Mankind (Apple Plus)
English Audio Description?: Yes
I have conflicted feelings about whether or not she should have come out instead of her husband. I’m not sure that it actually saves him, but just paints a larger target on her back. I’d love for this series to continue in an optimistic direction, but damn. And by the way… how did North Korea get to Mars without ANYONE noticing? if you’re wondering why such a brilliant episode ended up 4th, it was that last reveal. Because right now, America is working with Russia, so that’s two world powers that totally missed that North Korea is on Mars, as well as the Helios team. I’m not buying. Sorry. A beautiful episode ruined by jumping the shark.
Episode Grade: A-
5) Abbott Elementary (ABC/Hulu)
English Audio Description?: Yes
The season premiere reminded us we are back for another year, and all their teachers are ready for more. The series is still funny and heartwarming, but going from the memorable pilot to the season 2 premiere, the pilot was stronger. Maybe I just missed the presence of kids in this episode.
Episode Grade: A-
6) Never Have i Ever (Netflix)
English Audio Description?: Yes
The season 3 premiere was all about how our new couple will they/won’t they have sex. A main character was rather unceremoniously and rapidly sent to another country… so that was sudden. Not sure why. it was so awkward I couldn’t give this episode an A. It’s hard to write off characters sometimes, but she’s still on zoom or whatever, and I don’t know what just happened. Be more decisive.
Episode Grade: A-
7) Trying (Apple Plus)E
Mulish Audio Description?: Yes
Well, ever since Jason shit the bed this show hasn’t recovered. i want it too, but it can’t figure out how to be a positive show while also making sure Jason gets his reckoning, and also keeping this show from imploding. He really made choices last episode that took this series back a few steps.
Episode Grade: B+
8) The Old Man (FX/Hulu)
English Audio description?: Yes
Not having seen this show in months, since Hulu stopped providing audio description after the second episode, really made my jumping back into episode 3 a challenge. I was trying to remember where we left off, and I felt a little off my game this episode. I’m sure next episode, now that the whole series has audio description, will be better. But for now, I’m just getting my bearings.
Episode Grade: B+
