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New & Returning TV Shows...
1. Valor
Well, I didn't make it past the first fifteen minutes. The set-up? Young female pilot and her teammate screw up. They get rescued and lie about it. Two of their teammates are caught. And I had troubles following after that...interest just wandered. It's very clean. Polished. And pretty. And sort of romanticizes the military. Reminds me a bit Quantico...and what was wrong with Quantico, with none of the things that worked.
I didn't find it to be very believable and it felt a bit cliche in places. The earnest female pilot with the perfect groomed eyebrows (seriously when does she find time to get her eyebrows done?), and her never-do-well partner who convinces her to lie. Then the team investigating them.
The acting felt...forced, and it just didn't hold my attention.
2. Dynasty
Will have to watch a few more episodes first. It's okay. The acting, much like Valor, feels a bit forced -- which may be a direction issue. And the writing...also feels forced, it doesn't seem to flow. Almost as if they are trying too hard? Or taking themselves too seriously? It's a soap, lighten up a bit. Makes me miss Revenge or the old 1980s version of Dynasty, with some scenery chewing via Joan Collins and her hubby. Rock Hudson was even in the original Dynasty. And I really miss the old Fallon, who was just snarky and less power hungry.
But...it has potential. The preview for next week's episode looks good. And it surprised me by killing off Crystal's ex-lover Matthew in the first episode, and making it unclear whether Crystal or Blake had him killed off. Also this Crystal is bit less nice and innocent a la Linda Evans, and more calculating and ruthless, a la Joan Collins.
It's a more diverse cast. And the actor playing Jeff Colby, has high cheekbones and attitude that reminds me weirdly of James Marsters Spike meets Mr. Trick.
3. The Inhumans
I've seen three episodes of this to date. The first two were apparently back to back, and the third one the next week -- which I caught on "On Demand" because I forgot to record it.
I appear to like it better than everyone else does. But I've learned over the past fifty years not to care that much what other people think - at least in regards to television shows. ;-)
It's different than the other superhero shows on, and it's rather funny in places.
Medusa to ATM: I am Queen of Attilan, Give me money.
ATM:....
Medusa: I am Queen...give me some money...please?
ATM:....
So Medusa goes and robs the royal estates in Hawaii of a jacket, trousers, shirt, and purse -- then goes off to hunt down Black Bolt.
Morpheus - This is taking forever, can't we find a path.
Team member with pretty hair -- oh there are so many plants and they are so beautiful
Morpheus: That's nice, can't you make a path between them?
Team member: Oh, I can do that. Sure thing.
Morpheus: Oh, I can do that? And you wait until now...
It sort of pokes fun at itself. Too many of these superhero series take themselves far too seriously.
It's hard to write reviews of television series. I mean what do you say exactly? I liked the acting? People, or so I've discovered, have very different perceptions/views on what is good acting based on their own knowledge and experiences.
Anyhow, the show is about a royal family of beings with powers. It's not a series about superheroes. It actually has more in common with The Gifted and Heroes, than MAOS, Supergirl, Arrow, etc. The Inhumans as previously posted live on the moon, and are in the midst of a major power squabble. Maximus, who for some reason or other, instead of developing powers became "human" resulting in his inability to ever be recognized as King wants to usurp his brother, Black Bolt's throne. Black Bolt was gifted with the curse of an insanely powerful voice. He can basically destroy the world just by talking or making any sounds whatsoever. An oompf turned over a cop car. The guy playing Maximus is portraying him more or less the same way he portrayed Ramsey Bolton/Snow on Game of Thrones. (Yes, he's irritating here too.)
But, it has its moments. Quantro is rather interesting character and well-played. He goes from being certain of everything, to being uncertain of everything. And unable to get lost, to being completely lost. Interesting conundrum. And the actor -- I find compelling. He's fallen in with a bunch of environmental activist squatters with a violent streak. I'm not sure what they are about. But when they discover him they spend about half the episode debating whether or not they should kill him.
Medusa is rather kick-ass. Once they shave her head -- along with her power, she becomes self-sufficient. To date she's the only one who has figured out how to get around without pissing off the humans. Half the series is a fish out of water story -- or what it would be like to suddenly find yourself in modern US, after being isolated on the moon for centuries. Such as what the heck are ATM's. And what is money? They've no clue. So there's a lot of fun, if rather cliche, cultural misunderstandings. (Television has done the money thing to death by now.) Heightened by the fact that these guys are entitled royals and not used to paying for anything or taking shit from anyone. They get smacked around a lot as a result. Except for Medusa who kicks ass, and without her powers. Hmmm. Black Bolt can also kick ass when he feels like it. He's interesting -- and Anson Mount plays him with a wicked sense of humor. And, there's Henry Ian Cusick...taking time out from The 100, flying the copter and helping Black Bolt, with what appears to be the guy who used to play the heavy-set dude on Lost. (Lots of Lost cameos.)
At any rate...this one is sort of fun.
That said, if you don't like shows about people with powers in which they aren't doing heroic deeds, saving the world, or working to do so...(ie. not Superheroes but just people with powers and in this case entitled people from another territory with powers), this won't work for you. It's about a bunch of half alien/half human powered beings who think they are better and more evolved than humans, and the racial prejudice on both ends of the spectrum -- with well, the fact that one side can kill the other just by opening their mouth. I can see how that might turn off a few people. It's also serial in structure, with no case of the week, or job to do. So you sort of have to watch it from the beginning or you'll get a bit lost -- similar to Heroes, Legion, and The Gifted. Except no where near as well written. It's fun, but depends on your sense of humor -- mine's rather dry and absurdist, so I found it hilarious in spots, but I tend to find things funny others don't and vice versa.
4. Situational Comedies:
*9JKL - this is a comedy about a television actor whose lost everything a divorce, moving into an apt between his brother/sis-inlaw, and parents. Think "Everybody Loves Raymond" but more upper East Side, and not as likable. (Considering I never liked or appreciated the humor in Everybody Loves Raymond, it's not surprising this didn't work for me. Most situation comedies don't. I like the work place comedies or off-the-beaten track.) I didn't make it past fifteen minutes.
* The Mayor -- eh, has potential, just didn't hold my interest. My jump again if it survives. It may be too political, which was my difficulty with it. Also didn't make it very far. But at least it's different.
Think twenty-something black rapper suddenly becomes Mayor of a small city, with an all-white city council. That's the set-up.
* Blackish -- This is an old show, and I rarely watch because family sitcoms don't work for me, but if you haven't seen The Juneteenth Episode Premiere - try to. I watched it on "On Demand".
It's brilliant. They do a great satire of the old School House Rock ditty I Am a Bill...except instead of I Am Bill -- it's I Am Slave -- detailing the history of slavery from the black perspective in ten minutes. Also does a great job of slaughtering Columbus Day. The whole episode points out the power imbalance between the races and the difficulty of privilege, which by extension has had serious and detrimental consequences -- but in a funny and insightful way.
* Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - another old show, which is often a bit too over the top for me, but this episode is worth watching for the satiric song and dance number "Watch Us Generalize About Men" -- if you can find a clip of it on Youtube, watch it. It's hilarious and an excellent satire on gender politics. Actually the entire series is a satire on gender politics and how our society views sex and romantic love. Each song satirizes one or the other and quite well. Subtle it's not -- so keep that in mind.
*. The Good Place -- worth watching for the riff on existentialism. The writers either are frustrated philosophy majors or have the same general irritation regarding it that I do. It's hilarious, they make fun of the meaning of life, death, and existentialist theory in this episode. Also, make some good points about narcissism. It's a bit smarter with its humor and a tad more subtle than the other shows.
Well, I didn't make it past the first fifteen minutes. The set-up? Young female pilot and her teammate screw up. They get rescued and lie about it. Two of their teammates are caught. And I had troubles following after that...interest just wandered. It's very clean. Polished. And pretty. And sort of romanticizes the military. Reminds me a bit Quantico...and what was wrong with Quantico, with none of the things that worked.
I didn't find it to be very believable and it felt a bit cliche in places. The earnest female pilot with the perfect groomed eyebrows (seriously when does she find time to get her eyebrows done?), and her never-do-well partner who convinces her to lie. Then the team investigating them.
The acting felt...forced, and it just didn't hold my attention.
2. Dynasty
Will have to watch a few more episodes first. It's okay. The acting, much like Valor, feels a bit forced -- which may be a direction issue. And the writing...also feels forced, it doesn't seem to flow. Almost as if they are trying too hard? Or taking themselves too seriously? It's a soap, lighten up a bit. Makes me miss Revenge or the old 1980s version of Dynasty, with some scenery chewing via Joan Collins and her hubby. Rock Hudson was even in the original Dynasty. And I really miss the old Fallon, who was just snarky and less power hungry.
But...it has potential. The preview for next week's episode looks good. And it surprised me by killing off Crystal's ex-lover Matthew in the first episode, and making it unclear whether Crystal or Blake had him killed off. Also this Crystal is bit less nice and innocent a la Linda Evans, and more calculating and ruthless, a la Joan Collins.
It's a more diverse cast. And the actor playing Jeff Colby, has high cheekbones and attitude that reminds me weirdly of James Marsters Spike meets Mr. Trick.
3. The Inhumans
I've seen three episodes of this to date. The first two were apparently back to back, and the third one the next week -- which I caught on "On Demand" because I forgot to record it.
I appear to like it better than everyone else does. But I've learned over the past fifty years not to care that much what other people think - at least in regards to television shows. ;-)
It's different than the other superhero shows on, and it's rather funny in places.
Medusa to ATM: I am Queen of Attilan, Give me money.
ATM:....
Medusa: I am Queen...give me some money...please?
ATM:....
So Medusa goes and robs the royal estates in Hawaii of a jacket, trousers, shirt, and purse -- then goes off to hunt down Black Bolt.
Morpheus - This is taking forever, can't we find a path.
Team member with pretty hair -- oh there are so many plants and they are so beautiful
Morpheus: That's nice, can't you make a path between them?
Team member: Oh, I can do that. Sure thing.
Morpheus: Oh, I can do that? And you wait until now...
It sort of pokes fun at itself. Too many of these superhero series take themselves far too seriously.
It's hard to write reviews of television series. I mean what do you say exactly? I liked the acting? People, or so I've discovered, have very different perceptions/views on what is good acting based on their own knowledge and experiences.
Anyhow, the show is about a royal family of beings with powers. It's not a series about superheroes. It actually has more in common with The Gifted and Heroes, than MAOS, Supergirl, Arrow, etc. The Inhumans as previously posted live on the moon, and are in the midst of a major power squabble. Maximus, who for some reason or other, instead of developing powers became "human" resulting in his inability to ever be recognized as King wants to usurp his brother, Black Bolt's throne. Black Bolt was gifted with the curse of an insanely powerful voice. He can basically destroy the world just by talking or making any sounds whatsoever. An oompf turned over a cop car. The guy playing Maximus is portraying him more or less the same way he portrayed Ramsey Bolton/Snow on Game of Thrones. (Yes, he's irritating here too.)
But, it has its moments. Quantro is rather interesting character and well-played. He goes from being certain of everything, to being uncertain of everything. And unable to get lost, to being completely lost. Interesting conundrum. And the actor -- I find compelling. He's fallen in with a bunch of environmental activist squatters with a violent streak. I'm not sure what they are about. But when they discover him they spend about half the episode debating whether or not they should kill him.
Medusa is rather kick-ass. Once they shave her head -- along with her power, she becomes self-sufficient. To date she's the only one who has figured out how to get around without pissing off the humans. Half the series is a fish out of water story -- or what it would be like to suddenly find yourself in modern US, after being isolated on the moon for centuries. Such as what the heck are ATM's. And what is money? They've no clue. So there's a lot of fun, if rather cliche, cultural misunderstandings. (Television has done the money thing to death by now.) Heightened by the fact that these guys are entitled royals and not used to paying for anything or taking shit from anyone. They get smacked around a lot as a result. Except for Medusa who kicks ass, and without her powers. Hmmm. Black Bolt can also kick ass when he feels like it. He's interesting -- and Anson Mount plays him with a wicked sense of humor. And, there's Henry Ian Cusick...taking time out from The 100, flying the copter and helping Black Bolt, with what appears to be the guy who used to play the heavy-set dude on Lost. (Lots of Lost cameos.)
At any rate...this one is sort of fun.
That said, if you don't like shows about people with powers in which they aren't doing heroic deeds, saving the world, or working to do so...(ie. not Superheroes but just people with powers and in this case entitled people from another territory with powers), this won't work for you. It's about a bunch of half alien/half human powered beings who think they are better and more evolved than humans, and the racial prejudice on both ends of the spectrum -- with well, the fact that one side can kill the other just by opening their mouth. I can see how that might turn off a few people. It's also serial in structure, with no case of the week, or job to do. So you sort of have to watch it from the beginning or you'll get a bit lost -- similar to Heroes, Legion, and The Gifted. Except no where near as well written. It's fun, but depends on your sense of humor -- mine's rather dry and absurdist, so I found it hilarious in spots, but I tend to find things funny others don't and vice versa.
4. Situational Comedies:
*9JKL - this is a comedy about a television actor whose lost everything a divorce, moving into an apt between his brother/sis-inlaw, and parents. Think "Everybody Loves Raymond" but more upper East Side, and not as likable. (Considering I never liked or appreciated the humor in Everybody Loves Raymond, it's not surprising this didn't work for me. Most situation comedies don't. I like the work place comedies or off-the-beaten track.) I didn't make it past fifteen minutes.
* The Mayor -- eh, has potential, just didn't hold my interest. My jump again if it survives. It may be too political, which was my difficulty with it. Also didn't make it very far. But at least it's different.
Think twenty-something black rapper suddenly becomes Mayor of a small city, with an all-white city council. That's the set-up.
* Blackish -- This is an old show, and I rarely watch because family sitcoms don't work for me, but if you haven't seen The Juneteenth Episode Premiere - try to. I watched it on "On Demand".
It's brilliant. They do a great satire of the old School House Rock ditty I Am a Bill...except instead of I Am Bill -- it's I Am Slave -- detailing the history of slavery from the black perspective in ten minutes. Also does a great job of slaughtering Columbus Day. The whole episode points out the power imbalance between the races and the difficulty of privilege, which by extension has had serious and detrimental consequences -- but in a funny and insightful way.
* Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - another old show, which is often a bit too over the top for me, but this episode is worth watching for the satiric song and dance number "Watch Us Generalize About Men" -- if you can find a clip of it on Youtube, watch it. It's hilarious and an excellent satire on gender politics. Actually the entire series is a satire on gender politics and how our society views sex and romantic love. Each song satirizes one or the other and quite well. Subtle it's not -- so keep that in mind.
*. The Good Place -- worth watching for the riff on existentialism. The writers either are frustrated philosophy majors or have the same general irritation regarding it that I do. It's hilarious, they make fun of the meaning of life, death, and existentialist theory in this episode. Also, make some good points about narcissism. It's a bit smarter with its humor and a tad more subtle than the other shows.