The weather is warming up, and so are the quality TV options. Yes, there's still a ton of crap to sift through, but if you look carefully, there are some gems worth your time.
Here are a few to get you started if you haven't already seen them:
The Pitt (MAX)
My favorite series of the year to date. No, it's not ER. It's set in an ER, and a lot of those involved worked on ER, but it's not ER. It's better than ER. Great storytelling, acting, and directing. Bonus points for it taking place in Pittsburgh and yinz references. Points off for no one having a 'Burgh accent. Go in cold and just binge the heck out of it. You'll be glad.
Adolescence (NETFLIX)
The first episode is excellent. The next three are very good. A powerful story from across the pond with plenty of drama and oners. The one consistent camera shot technique works very well as the scenery keeps changing. The oner in the police station - not so much. Oners can feel gimmicky if not deployed correctly, but Adolescence mostly succeeds at using the camera well. Compelling stuff with Stephen Graham leading the way.
Your Friends and Neighbors (APPLE TV+)
How about that Jon Hamm? Coming off an excellent turn in Landman (another must-see), he nails it as a Westchester master of the universe who loses everything and resorts to robbing his neighbors for cash. The story is so much more than that thanks to creator Jonathan Tropper (Banshee, Warrior) who is a master at mixing in the sex, violence and humor. Hamm leads a fine acting crew. This was shot in my brother's neighborhood and held my attention in spite of my constant driveway spotting. Looking forward to season two.
Reacher (PRIME VIDEO)
Speaking of Banshee, Reacher is a show that knows exactly what it is and how to deliver a compelling story. Is it winning Emmys? Not a chance. But Alan Ritchson is the best version of the Lee Child antihero that ever hit the screen. Nice to see Anthony Michael Hall as the bad guy who realizes how he has neglected his son. There's plenty of flight scenes, dark humor and bad Boston accents to go around. But as the bodies fall, the humor continues as the story moves forward. You know where everything is going to end up, and that's okay.
Paradise (HULU)
This Sterling K. Brown led adventure feels like Reacher with a bigger budget. James Marsden has become the must-have TV supporting actor. Julianne Nicholson delivers as the go-to baddie she has been since Boardwalk Empire. The plot twists are plentiful in this Truman-like world and the entertaining storyline delivers in its first season.
The Last Of Us (HBO)
The second episode is catching a lot of flak for, well, I don't want to spoil it. Let's just say someone gets the ol' Ned Stark. I loved it. Bold choices bode well for epic storytelling. This comes right outta the video game which I know nothing about (the last video game I played was NHL '94). We are only a few episodes in and I'm all for having two vengeful young ladies leading the way with that mushroom fungus lurking.
Severance (APPLE TV+)
I'm late on this review, but the second season absolutely delivered. We are in LOST territory in keeping the main mystery alive while solving lesser mysteries without creating mysteries for the sake of having mystery. Got that? Adam Scott and Britt Lower should win Emmys. Patricia Arquette is fantastically creepy. Although the locations change in season two, the mood never changes. Bonus points for the return of Brienne of Tarth (my second GoT reference) and a goat explanation. Let's not wait as long for season 3.
The Studio (APPLE TV+)
The more inside Hollywood you are, the more you appreciate what Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg created. This 10 episode series is two episodes too long, but anyone I know in the industry confirms there's a lot of non-fiction in this comedic romp. No surprise, the laughs are there. Ike Barinholtz and Kathryn Hahn stand out in this wonderful acting ensemble. The cameos are ridiculous, with Ron Howard leading the way as an obnoxious director. The Oner is a meta look at a one-take shot (see Adolescence), but in other eps the camera moves get in the way of the storytelling. The Golden Globes episode is the best of the bunch - don't mess with Zoe Kravitz. Her breakdown of an awards show acceptance speech is as real as it gets.
Hacks (MAX)
At the end of each season, I'm skeptical as to how this show could possibly continue without getting formulaic and boring. Then I remember Jean Smart is the star. Give Jean another Emmy as she kills as Deborah Vance who finally gets her shot as a late-night TV talk show host. The Deborah/Eva relationship goes down its predictable path, and Jimmy and Kayla do their thing navigating the agency world. Julianne Nicholson delivers one of her best performances (what a dance) and Jimmy Kimmel shines in his cameo in the parking lot. Hacks delivers the laughs and tears as it reinvents itself one more time.
The White Lotus (HBO)
Mike White is a genius. I love the television (and movies) he has created during his illustrious career. I envy the world he has imagined at Four Seasons hotels all over the planet. I respect the pace he sets in his storytelling knowing the big payoff will eventually come. And I really wanted to like the third season of this dark comedy. But I didn't. Carrie Coon and Walton Goggins stood out above all the other actors. Nice to see Sam Rockwell. The was nothing inherently "wrong" with the show, but nothing great about it either. Beautiful locations for sure, but did you really care what happened to any of these characters while waiting for something to kick in? I waited, and ultimately, I didn't.
Black Mirror (NETFLIX)
What happened to one of my favorite UK imports? The early seasons of Charlie Brooker's creation are top notch TV. Now, I'm honestly not sure what this series has become. We all know the threat technology imposes as it gets further integrated into our lives. The episodes this time around, well, just aren't that compelling. It opens with a great back-from-the-dead premise and fine performances from Rashida Jones and Chris O'Dowd - but you see exactly where the story is headed. Paul Giamatti is excellent, as always, mourning a former flame in Eulogy, the best ep of the bunch. I'll watch Cristin Milioti in anything, but the return to the USS Callister feels like a bad, bloated Star Trek episode. Don't even bother with the other eps. If only this series could go back in time...
Now I'm off to Andor. Let me know about any good stuff that I've missed.
