TV Tuesday: Dark Matter

I absolutely love when a book I enjoyed is adapted into a TV show or movie, so I was incredibly excited to hear that Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (my review at the link) was going to air on Apple TV. This is one of my all-time favorite books, a twisty sci fi thriller, and so far, the TV adaptation, Dark Matter, is living up to its source material.

Jason Desson, played by Joel Edgerton, is happily married to Daniela, played by Jennifer Connelly, and they both adore their teen son, Charlie, played by Oakes Fegley. They live in Chicago, and Jason works as a physics professor at a small, local college. Daniela had dreams of being a professional artist, but she now works to help support their family. In the first episode, Daniela encourages Jason to go to a party at a local bar, honoring his best friend, Ryan (played by Jimmi Simpson), who just won a prestigious science award. From their conversation at the party, it's clear that Jason is just as talented but chose the path he did to support his family more reliably. Ryan asks Jason to join him in a new venture, but it would require moving to California, and Jason turns him down. Walking home, Jason is brooding over the path not taken when he is suddenly grabbed on the street and kidnapped. He's taken to a deserted warehouse by his masked captor and injected with something. The next thing he knows, he's waking up in a place he doesn't recognize, surrounded by people he doesn't know but that know him. They say he's been gone for over a year, and they're glad to see him. Jason finds out that this place has the technology to travel to parallel universes, a concept he understands because he himself did the initial research years ago, before he got married. He realizes that he is somehow in one of those parallel worlds, and he is desperate to get back to his wife and son ... but how?

As with the book, this TV show is based on a mind-blowing concept, that there are infinite worlds and that with every choice made or change in events, another variation splinters off. This isn't fantasy but science fiction, based on quantum mechanics (don't worry--it's all beyond my understanding, too!). Crouch put this fascinating concept to good use in this twisty, gripping, and thought-provoking thriller. My husband and I both loved this fabulous novel, and the TV show hews very closely to the book (much to our delight), probably due to the author being the one who created the show and did much of its writing to adapt it. Blake Crouch is adept at that, having written other TV shows, including Wayward Pines and Good Behavior (also based on his own novels). So, the writing is sharp and engaging. The actors all do a great job here, each portraying the same character in many different worlds, each one the same person but slightly different. And that plot! It's unique, suspenseful, and full of surprises. The cinematography is also outstanding for the small screen, as Jason visits Chicago in world after world (some of them apocalyptic). It's just an all-around outstanding TV show. Apple TV really seems to excel at science fiction shows (like their adaptation of Silo by Hugh Howey, coming back soon for season 2, and For All Mankind, an alternative history of the space program). We are loving this one and look forward to a new episode every week!

Dark Matter is currently airing on Apple TV. We've seen six of the nine episodes and will be watching #7 tonight. I can't wait!

I practically squealed in delight watching this trailer again:

TV Tuesday: The Tourist

While we're mostly watching TV shows on cable right now, we do have a few streaming shows in the mix, and one of our favorites is The Tourist, a twisty, action-packed thriller about a man with amnesia.

As the first episode opens, a man, played by Jamie Dornan, is driving through a desolate stretch of Australian desert, listening to the radio, when a tractor-trailer truck comes out of nowhere and hits him violently. He wakes up in the hospital with no memory of ... well, anything. A police officer named Helen Chambers, played by Danielle McDonald, comes to his hospital room to question him about the accident, but he doesn't remember his name, what happened hours ago, or anything at all about his life before he woke up in the hospital. His only clue is a paper he finds in his pocket, as he's leaving, with a date and time and the name of a diner written on it. He goes to the diner for the meeting, but nothing jogs his memory, and he doesn't recognize the woman who is there, though he learns that his name is Elliot. And then ... bad things happen! It's clear that someone--or maybe more than one person--is trying to kill him, but he doesn't know why. Elliot must try to protect himself while striving to learn who he is, though maybe he doesn't really want to know about his life before this. Helen is kind and is intrigued by this mystery man and wants to help him. And she has her own problems, with a controlling husband-to-be.

I know that's a pretty non-specific description, but I don't want to spoil anything. In this show, the unexpected twists and surprises come fast and furious right from the first episode, making it both suspenseful and engrossing. The viewer doesn't know any more than Elliot does. It's non-stop action--and quite a bit of violence--but the show is also funny, warm, and sometimes sweet. Helen is not an experienced police officer nor a detective, but she wants to help. You'll be rooting for Elliot and Helen, as they try to stay safe from killers and learn more about who he is. We are now watching season 2, which takes place in Ireland, and the secrets and surprises keep coming!

The Tourist has two seasons, with six episodes each, and is currently airing on Netflix.

TV Tuesday: Tracker

Several of our favorite shows have returned for new seasons (including Will Trent, The Rookie, and So Help Me, Todd! - my reviews & trailers at the links). But there is one new show that began in February that we're really enjoying: Tracker.

Colter Shaw, played by Justin Hartley (who played Kevin on This Is Us), is a loner who travels all over the U.S. in his pick-up truck and classic Airstream trailer (a set-up my husband drools over in every episode!). Colter calls himself a "rewardist"--he earns a living by finding missing people when a reward is offered. Teddi, played by Robin Weigart, and Velma, played by Abby McEnany, coordinate his schedule and business and help him from afar. His buddy, Bobby (played by Eric Graise), is a disabled vet in Chicago who helps out with some mad hacking skills. And he gets an occasional assist from Reenie, played by Fiona Rene, a talented lawyer with whom he definitely has a history. Mostly, though, it's just Colter out on his own, tracking missing persons in locations all over the country, and avoiding getting too close to even his closest friends, like Bobby and Reenie. In the first episode, we learn that he had a difficult upbringing, with a survivalist father who had the family living in a remote area in the woods. That's where he learned his excellent tracking skills, though his childhood also left him with some emotional scars.

Each episode takes place in (and is named for) a different place and focuses on a new case, and in each one, as Colter is searching for the missing person, we learn a little bit more about him. For those who enjoy travel and the outdoors (that's us!), there is plenty of beautiful nature footage in widely varied places. Hartley is excellent in the lead role, and we're enjoying all of his co-stars, too. And talk about writing credentials! The show is based on a novel, The Never Game, by thriller all-star Jeffrey Deaver and was created and adapted for television by Ben H. Winters, another of our favorite authors (see my review of his The Last Policeman mystery-apocalyptic trilogy). The mysteries and suspense here are great, and it also has character depth and emotional complexity. We're loving it so far and can't wait to see where Colter goes next!

Tracker is currently airing on CBS on Sunday evenings, with seven episodes so far, so it is available On Demand and on Paramount+ (CBS' streaming service). It's also available on Pluto TV, Hulu, and for a fee on major Pay-On-Demand sites including Amazon Prime (starting at $1.99 per episode or $19.99 for the first season).

TV Tuesday: The Irrational

While most cable shows had a delayed "fall" season that is only just starting now (due to the strikes), a few new shows did start on time in the fall. Our favorite is The Irrational, a crime show with a behavioral scientist at its center.

Jesse L. Martin plays Alec Mercer, a behavioral scientist at a university in D.C. Alec teaches and has two grad students working with him: Pheobe, played by Molly Kunz, and Rizwan, played by Arash DeMaxi. His ex-wife, Marisa (played by Maahra Hill), works for the FBI, and Alec's sister, Kylie (played by Travina Springer), is a brilliant computer expert who lives with him. Marisa often asks Alec to consult on a case--and sometimes Kylie and/or the grad students get involved, too--so there is usually a new case to solve in each episode. But there is also an ongoing story thread about the terrible burn scars on Alec's face. He got those scars (and spent months in the hospital, with serious burns over much of his body) many years ago, when a bomb was set off in a church. One man was convicted of the crime, but Alec and Marisa suspect there was someone else behind it who was never caught. The bombing left Alec with emotional scars as well as physical, and Marisa and her FBI partner are still looking into the cold case.

Like any crime show, each episode involves a new case, so there is always something new and different  going on. Alec's unique talents in behavioral science provide fascinating insights into victims, witnesses, and criminals that are helpful to the FBI. In each show, though, the viewer also learns more about Alec and the bombing that so traumatized him. The secondary characters are also further explored and fleshed out. Martin is outstanding in the lead role, and his co-stars are all excellent. The writing is fresh, with a sense of humor, and the cases are interesting. There is suspense and a mystery in each new episode, plus the ongoing mystery of the bombing. My husband and I have really been enjoying this show. We'll watch the final episode of its first season tonight, and we were excited to hear that it's been renewed for a second season.

The Irrational is an NBC show, so it's available On Demand if you have cable or on NBC.com (all episodes still available free for all right now) or on Peacock. It's also available on Amazon.

Celebrate Mardi Gras at Home!

It's Mardi Gras Day! We used to live in New Orleans, so this is a major holiday at our house, as you may have heard in my video, Celebrate Everything, Big and Small. We usually celebrate on Saturday and again on Tuesday. Before the pandemic, we had an annual party with all the food, music, etc. on Saturday. With my immune issues, it's now a small celebration with our oldest friends, who lived in New Orleans when we did. We enjoyed takeout from a favorite local New Orleans restaurant (a husband and wife team who were both chefs in New Orleans, under two of the top chefs there!), plus lots of shrimp. Today, Mardi Gras day, we will finish off the season with our annual tradition of Popeye's at that same friends' house (yes, Popeye's is authentic Louisiana food). And, of course, we've decorated for the occasion, and I'm wearing purple, green, and gold with my beads on!

 

Want to join the fun? Here is a collection of ways to celebrate Mardi Gras, New Orleans, and Louisiana today...including food, recipes, travel tips, movies & TV shows, and, of course, some great books! You can also check out my column in Shelf Awareness from last year that features books about and set in New Orleans, Armchair Travel: Destination New Orleans. And if you prefer a video, check out my Recommendations for Mardi Gras Reathathon: Books, Movies, and TV Shows.

 

Great Adult Books Set In/About Louisiana (additional titles in my article linked above):

• The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells, author of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - I listened to Calla Lily's story on audio and laughed out loud & bawled my eyes out! It takes place in southern Louisiana, with plenty of local color.
• Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at the New Orleans Table by Sara Roahen - I loved this memoir about the food, history, people, and unique culture of New Orleans.
• Trail of Crumbs: Food, Love, and the Search for Home by Kim Sunée - although this food-focused memoir covers everyplace from Sweden to France to Korea, the author grew up in New Orleans, where the food culture impacted the rest of her life.
• Burn by Nevada Barr - part of her Anna Pigeon series, about a National Park ranger, this one is set in the French Quarter (where there's a National Historic Park). I haven't read it yet, but I plan to this year!
• Mardi Gras Mourning by Julie Smith - I first read this back in the 90's and am rereading it now for the Mardi Gras Readathon on Booktube. It's a classic detective novel, set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, so the setting and atmosphere are great!
• The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate - outstanding historical fiction set in Loiuisiana, with a dual timeline in 1863 and 1987. It made my list of Top Ten Audios in 2023! 
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is another excellent dual timeline historical novel, about twin sisters born in Louisiana. One moves to New Orleans and the other twin decides to "pass" as white and lives a very different life.
• Horse by Geraldine Brooks - in this historical novel from one of my favorite authors, some of the story takes place in 1800's Louisiana.
  

Middle-Grade and Teen/YA Books Set In/About Louisiana:

• Ruined by Paula Morris - a teen/YA mystery/ghost story set in New Orleans (the perfect setting for a ghost story!)
• The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman - a compelling middle-grade historical fiction adventure (with a touch of time travel), where a girl from 1960 travels back to 1860 Louisiana
• Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick - a middle-grade novel about Hurricane Katrina - powerful and gripping
• Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys - most people are familiar with her two YA novels set during WWII (Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea), but this historical novel is set in New Orleans in 1950

Movies & TV Shows

• Chef  - a wonderful, uplifting movie about a family food truck that travels from Miami to LA, with a stop in New Orleans, of course! My favorite movie of the year in 2015.
• NCIS: New Orleans - though it's a crime show, it includes many scenes of New Orleans, mention of local restaurants and landmarks, and other local tidbits, plus some great local music. They usually do a Mardi Gras episode once a season, for extra fun. It's streaming on Paramount Plus (which used to be CBS All Access).
• Treme - we LOVED this HBO show, which we were somehow able to watch on cable at one point. You can see it now streaming on HBO Max or Hulu.
  
• You can also check out some classic movies and modern classics with New Orleans settings, like A Streetcar Named Desire and The Big Easy.
• Or tune in to watch parades and other scenes in New Orleans streaming live (or if you missed the parades, some great videos) at www.mardigras.com.

One of the locals in Louisiana

Travel
All this talk of Louisiana making you want to visit? I have written articles about visiting New Orleans  and Exploring Cajun Country - check them out and start planning your trip (plenty of food recommendations in both!). I'm certainly ready to go back!

Crawfish!

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!
Notice that many of the books and movies about Louisiana are focused on FOOD? Yes, Louisiana - and especially New Orleans - is known for its amazing, unique food. This blog post on how to celebrate Mardi Gras includes my own recipes for some classic Louisiana dishes, plus food you can grab locally today and webcams where you can vicariously experience Mardi Gras - there are plenty of suggestions in this post that you can still manage to do between now and Tuesday. Or save it for later if you like - we eat this food all year round. 

NOTE that Zapp's potato chips - which you absolutely MUST try) have been bought out by PA-chip maker Utz, so you don't have to get them by mail-order anymore. We can now find them in local stores like Wawa here in Delaware or ordered on Amazon (Cajun Crawtator and Cajun Dill are the best flavors.)

 Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Me & my sons, about 10 years ago

Favorite TV Shows Watched in 2023

It's time for my annual wrap-up of my favorite TV shows reviewed in the past year! These are not necessarily new shows, but they are shows that we enjoyed last year, enough that I took the time to write a review. They run the gamut, covering all kinds of genres, so there's something for everyone.

Listed down at the bottom of this post are all of the shows that I reviewed here on my blog in 2023. I have also added all of these to my TV Reviews tab on the blog, so you can come back anytime to see ALL of the shows I have ever reviewed (note that where to find shows may have changed over the years). And check out my 2022 TV Favorites, too - they're all still available.

I only review shows I like, so anything listed here or on the TV Reviews tab is worth trying. 

 

Best of TV   

First a few superlatives--my favorite shows reviewed last year in each genre, plus some categories I made up! Links are to my reviews, including trailers and details on where to find each show (subject to change).

 

Best Drama

And Just Like That ... (HBO Max)

I never watched Sex and the City but enjoyed this reboot about women in their 50's (a rarity on TV!) 

 

Best Dramedy (both comedy and drama)

Somebody Somewhere (HBO Max)

My husband and I loved this warm, funny, wonderfully written show.

Best Crime/Mystery/Thriller

Will Trent (ABC)

 Our new favorite crime show, with great characters and a sense of humor. Returning February 20!

Best Sci Fi 

Silo (Apple)

An excellent adaptation of the Silo book trilogy that starts with Wool, a favorite of both of us.

 

Best TV Show That Crosses Genres

 

 The Diplomat (Netflix)

One of our top shows of the entire year, this absolutely hilarious drama starring Keri Russell, about a no-nonsense woman appointed as new US ambassador to the UK when a crisis happens is also suspenseful, with political intrigue, plus the drama of a marriage breaking up.

 

Best Character on a New Show

Poker Face (Peacock)

Natasha Lyonne is fabulous as Charlie, a woman on the run, crossing America, who can tell when people are lying and solves mysteries along the way. Drama, mystery, and lots of laughs. We can't wait for season 2! 

Best Drama Musical

 

Daisy Jones and the Six (Amazon Prime)

I felt this wonderful adaptation of the best-selling novel deserved a mention for its unique combination of drama plus a fabulous fictional rock band you will believe is real.

 

 

Funniest Show With a Potentially Depressing Premise

or

Best TV Role by a Movie Actor

Shrinking (Apple)

 This deserves a mention because it's about grief but is laugh-out-loud funny, starring TV star Jason Segel and the great Harrison Ford (who is surprisingly funny). Another one we are waiting for season 2!

All TV Shows Reviewed in 2023

These were all great! Good enough that I took the time to write a review. Click the links to read my short review (never any spoilers), watch the trailer, and see where they were available when I reviewed them (subject to change). I indicate below where the show originated, though most shows are now available from many services.

Drama

And Just Like That ... (HBO Max)

Daisy Jones and the Six (Amazon Prime)

 

Dramedy (both comedy and drama) 

The Diplomat (Netflix)

Shrinking (Apple)

Somebody Somewhere (HBO Max)

Togetherness (HBO Max)

Crime/Mystery/Thriller

The Company You Keep (ABC)

The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix)

Poker Face (Peacock)

Who Is Erin Carter? (Netflix)

Will Trent (ABC)

 

Sci Fi 

Silo (Apple) 

 

What were YOUR favorite TV shows watched last year? 

Please leave a comment below.

You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

TV Tuesday: The Lincoln Lawyer

One of the shows my husband and I have been enjoying this fall is The Lincoln Lawyer, the latest adaptation of mega-best-seller Michael Connelly's books. We love the TV adaptation Bosch, featuring one of our favorite fictional detectives. The Lincoln Lawyer aka Mickey Haller was featured in a book I read this summer, The Night Fire, which included all three of Connelly's most famous characters: Harry Bosch, Rene Ballard, and Mickey Haller. Mickey was previously featured in a movie adaptation of The Lincoln Lawyer, played by Matthew McConaughey. In this new (2022) TV adaptation, there is a different twist, as the famous Lincoln Lawyer is given a Hispanic background.

As in the books, Mickey Haller aka the Lincoln Lawyer, played here by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, is so-named because he runs his law practice out of his Lincoln Town Car, and he is a fervent idealist, fully believing in every person's right to a strong defense. He's also very, very good at his job. Two of the contacts in his phone are labelled Wife #1 and Wife #2. He's still in love with wife #1, Maggie, played by Neve Campbell, and they both adore their teen daughter, Hayley (played by Krista Warner). Wife #2, Lorna, played by Becki Newton, works as his office manager and legal assistant. She is dating Mickey's long-time investigator, Cisco, played by Angus Sampson. At the start of the first episode, Mickey finds out that a big-time lawyer who recently died left his entire practice and all his clients to Mickey, so the team moves into the fancy law office left to him, though Mickey still does his best thinking in the car. Also in that first episode, he successfully defends a young woman named Izzy, played by Jazz Raycole, and hires her to be his driver. The biggest and most infamous client he has inherited from the other lawyer is a tech billionaire named Trevor Elliot, played by Christopher Gorham, who's been accused of killing his wife and her lover. That big case is the focus of much of season 1, while Mickey and Lorna sort through the practice and clients left to him. As season 2 begins, Mickey is focused on clearing the name of a man who was unjustly accused of murder, serving time in prison after Mickey lost his case. That loss and imprisonment of an innocent man weighs heavily on Mickey. He also ends up defending a woman accused of murder, whom he recently slept with.

My husband and I are halfway through season 2 and are both really enjoying this show. The casting works perfectly, and Garcia-Rulfo is excellent as Mickey. The mysteries/cases he's working on are twisty and surprising, with lots of suspense. Alongside the tension, there is plenty of humor, which we always appreciate in a TV show or movie, and even a bit of romance as Mickey tries to move on while still caring so much for Maggie, and Lorna and Cisco grow closer. We usually juggle a dozen or so shows at a time, and when I recently asked my husband which one he's enjoying the most, without hesitation he answered, The Lincoln Lawyer. It's a great adaptation of the novels of one of our all-time favorite mystery/suspense authors. Now, I'm waiting for an adaptation of the Rene Ballard books!

The Lincoln Lawyer is currently available with subscription on Netflix and Apple TV, as well as for a fee on various other services, including Amazon Prime ($1.99 an episode; first episode free).

TV Tuesday: Who Is Erin Carter?

My husband and I recently watched the Netflix limited series Who Is Erin Carter? This fast-paced, suspenseful thriller has a unique premise and kept us rapt for its seven intense episodes.

Erin Carter, played by Evan Ahmad, is a British teacher working in Spain and living with her daughter, Harper (played by Indica Watson), and her husband, Jordi (played by Sean Teale). They seem to be an ordinary, happy family until one day, armed robbers attack a supermarket while Erin and Harper are shopping. Erin displays some unusual skills for a wife/mom/teacher to help thwart the robbers, but one of them recognizes her. Her heroism at the grocery store--and the attention it brings--sets off a chain reaction of events that put Erin and her family in great danger. She gets dragged into helping their next-door neighbor, Emilio (played by Pep Ambros), who is a police officer and her husband's friend, with some nasty criminals. In each episode, things get more dangerous, and Erin shows more unusual aptitudes. It is clear she is a survivor and will stop at nothing to protect her family, but where did she learn all of these things? Who is Erin Carter?

The action begins in that first episode and continues at a breakneck pace here, with Erin getting involved deeper and deeper in the local criminal world, against her will, while trying to protect her family. There is ample suspense, as the mysteries surrounding Erin grow, plus figuring out what Emilio is involved in. We are not usually bingers, typically watching two episodes of TV each evening, of two different shows (old-school), but there were times when we finished an episode of this show and immediately watched another because the tension and stakes were so high. The truth of who Erin is and where she comes from was revealed about halfway through, but there was still plenty of suspense as Erin's past intrudes on her present-day life. We were both thoroughly entertained by this original, nail-biting thriller.

Who Is Erin Carter? is a Netflix original so is only available on Netflix.

TV Tuesday: And Just Like That ...

Back in July, my husband went away for a week to play golf with his two best friends from high school in their hometown. Major Oklahoma road trip for him, and major alone time for me! I was searching for the perfect TV show for me to watch on my own, and after several false starts, I finally settled on And Just Like That ..., the sequel/reboot of Sex and the City. This show didn't even occur to me at first because--admission time--I never watched Sex and the City! I missed that whole 6-year-long pop cultural phenomenon (I was busy with my kids), though of course, I heard about it and recognized the four actresses who starred in it. But I gave And Just Like That ... a try because it was about women my age (ish). While it's not a perfect show, I enjoyed watching it during that week alone and during lunch on golf days since.

Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, was at the center of Sex and the City, and she is back here, along with two of her best friends from that previous show: Miranda, played by Cynthia Nixon, and Charlotte, played by Kristin Davis (Samantha has moved away). At the start of the first season, all three of them are married (presumably to the men they ended up with at the end of Sex and the City) but not all are happy. I'll avoid spoilers here, though I already knew what happened in the first episode from seeing it on the Today Show! They each make some new friends, too. Dr. Nya Wallace (played by Karen Pittman) is the Black law professor in Miranda's new program at Columbia. Che Diaz (played by the wonderful Sara Ramirez of Grey's Anatomy fame) is a non-binary, bisexual, half-Mexican podcaster, who asks Carrie to be on her podcast discussing sexuality (the show's new version of Carrie's old newspaper column). Miranda is quite taken by Che when she meets them. Lisa Todd Wexley, a very accomplished, wealthy Black woman played by Nicole Ari Parker, is Charlotte's new mom friend from the private school their kids attend. And Carrie ends up befriending her real estate agent, Seema Patel, played by Samita Choudhury. As the show moves forward, all of the women deal with their own highs and lows: divorce, death of someone close, sexual wondering/awakening, dealing with teen kids, work-life balance, and more. They are also dealing with the more minor aspects of aging, like hair turning white. 

I watched the two seasons that are currently available and enjoyed getting to know these characters. I made a point in my description above of pointing out the race or ethnicity or sexuality of some of the new characters because it felt so obvious to me that the show was making a concerted effort to update itself and become more diverse. I'm guessing the original show was pretty focused on the four white privileged women at its center? Don't get me wrong--I was happy to see a diverse, interesting cast, but it sometimes feels a bit forced here. And, almost all of them are still quite wealthy and privileged! But I enjoyed most of the characters, old and new. It was refreshing to see some of the issues and situations of 50-ish women get some attention on TV; that's a rare thing. The characters all get their own storylines, background, history, and dreams (even the newer ones), but somehow it didn't feel like too much. I'm assuming, from the title, that the original show was quite outspoken about sex, and this one is, too. This is not a show for the faint of heart or the easily offended! From gay sex to teen sex and much, much more, this is a very open, honest, sexual show. Overall, it's not a perfect show, but it was enjoyable entertainment for me and a refreshing change of pace.

There are currently two seasons of And Just Like That ... available on Max (formerly HBO Max). A third season is coming in 2024, according to IMDb.

 

TV Tuesday: Daisy Jones and the Six

Last December, I read Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (my first novel by the popular author), and it surprised me in a good way. So, when the TV adaptation was released this spring, my husband (who had not read the novel) and I watched it together. We both enjoyed the show very much, and it was fun for me to see the characters and music come to life on the screen.

It's the story of a 70's rock band, from it's humble beginnings in Pittsburgh to its skyrocket to fame in California to its sudden, unexplained demise. But it's also the story of its two lead singers who were both passionate, charismatic, damaged people: Billy Dunne and Daisy Jones. As with the novel, the story is told in hindsight, as an oral history of the famed (fictional) band, based on interviews with its members and other people who were involved. So, from the very beginning, you see the band members as they are today, talking about their propulsive rise to rock icons. The whole thing began with Billy Dunne, played by Sam Caflin, and his brother, Graham (played by Will Harrison) pulling together a band in their hometown of Pittsburgh with their friends. Their band was called the Dunne Brothers, and after playing some local and regional venues and slowly growing over the course of six years, they were noticed and invited to record their first album. The band's members had changed a bit over the years, finally comprising Billy as lead singer, Graham on lead guitar, Warren (played by Sebastian Chacon) as the easy-going drummer, Eddie (played by Josh Whitehouse) as the ever-resentful bassist who wanted to be lead guitar, and keyboardist Karen (played by Suki Waterhouse). After moving to L.A. and being renamed The Six, they recorded an album and went out on tour, living the wild rockstar life. Billy, in particular, got out of hand, with excessive drinking, drugs, and women, in spite of his beloved (and pregnant) wife, Camila (played by Camila Morrone), back home. Meanwhile, a young girl who had named herself Daisy Jones (played by Riley Keogh) grew up in that world of rock and roll, first as a groupie, but with dreams of being a star herself. Eventually, their mutual manager, Teddy Price, played by Tom Wright, brought Daisy's raw songwriting and singing talents to The Six, and there was instant chemistry between Billy and Daisy. Billy, though, was reformed by then and fully committed to Camila and their daughter. That passion and tension are at the heart of this band, as Daisy's inclusion takes them from moderately successful to global superstars.

It was really fun to see this novel as a TV series because while I was reading it, I kept wishing I could hear the music, which is at the heart of the story. The casting here is excellent for all of the characters, but Sam Caflin and Riley Keogh as Billy and Daisy really make their larger-than-life roles feel real (Riley is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, so charisma and musical talent run in her family). The show is filled with catchy, original music; the band's full album, Aurora, is brought to life in recording sessions and scenes on stage. The story encompasses both the personal lives of the band members as well as the band's meteoric rise to fame, with spotlights on Billy and Daisy. My husband and I were both fully immersed in this fictional rock band's story and enjoyed going along for the ride.

Daisy Jones and the Six is available on Amazon Prime.

TV Tuesday: Togetherness

Last month, when my husband was away for 10 days, I was searching for a "me" show to watch without him. He and I watch most of our TV together, and we both enjoy mysteries, thrillers, sci fi, and medical or legal dramas. So, I was looking for something I'd love that he wouldn't be interested in, maybe a relationship drama (but I with a sense of humor, an important element for me). I found just the thing in Togetherness, an HBO (now Max) show from 2015-16.

Melanie Lynskey and Mark Duplass star as Michelle and Brett Pierson, a married couple with two young children living in L.A. Brett works as a sound engineer in movies, and Michelle is a stay-at-home mother, but both are feeling stuck in a rut after ten years of marriage. Michelle's sister, Tina (played by Amanda Peet), moves in with them. Tina is at loose ends, wanting to be in love and maybe have a family, but with no prospects in sight and starting to worry she's getting too old. Then Alex, played by Steve Zissis, also moves into their now crowded little house. Alex and Brett have been best friends for decades, and Alex is an out-of-work actor who is out of shape and worried that his career is a flop. The four adults--each spinning out in their own way--are all struggling with each other and with their own lives. It's clear that Alex is beginning to fall for Tina, but feels way out of her league and firmly in the "friend zone." Both Alex and Brett are looking for more exciting (and secure) jobs in the movie industry, so Tina offers to help Alex get in shape with her own homemade boot camp. And Brett and Michelle are fighting a lot and having more and more trouble connecting with each other, sexually and emotionally. 

If all of that sounds depressing ... it's not, because of the wonderful sense of humor woven throughout the script. All four of the main actors and the supporting cast (even the kids) are excellent and fully inhabit their roles here, making you feel like you know them. There is great chemistry between the cast members. And many of their problems are very relatable; these are regular people struggling with regular lives. The humor in the show is not in-your-face sitcom humor but a gentler, clever wit that often made me smile or laugh. That comes from the top-notch writing. The show was written and directed by Duplass Brothers Production (actor Mark Duplass and his brother, Jay) and created by them and Steve Zissis, and it is clear that they've put their hearts and souls into the show (I see their production company is also responsible for Somebody Somewhere, another favorite of ours). I just finished the second and final season yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed every moment, including the satisfying ending.

Togetherness is an HBO original which is available on Max or through Amazon or Hulu.

TV Tuesday: The Diplomat

Our favorite TV show so far this summer has been The Diplomat starring Keri Russell. We normally watch TV the old-fashioned way, juggling multiple shows and watching one episode at a time, but with this one, we often finished an episode and immediately jumped right into the next! Our only complaint with this original, suspenseful, funny show was that there were only eight perfect episodes in the first season.

Keri Russell plays Kate Wyler, a career diplomat. She is expecting to be assigned as the first-ever US ambassador to Afghanistan, a position for which she is very well-prepared from her many years in the region. Instead, at the last minute, she is re-assigned to the UK, a diplomatic position that is usually mostly ceremonial, focused on pomp and circumstance. We soon see that Kate is not prepared for or happy with that kind of role; when a member of her staff asks what dress she will wear to an official event the first night, Kate explains that she packed two black suits and a burka. To complicate matters further, Kate's husband, Hal (played by Rufus Sewell), is accompanying her. Hal is also a diplomat, who has had multiple ambassadorships and is used to being in charge. He's about as happy with playing second fiddle as Kate is with being assigned to the UK. He's giving it a try to save their marriage, but Kate would prefer he were assigned to his own country, far from hers! Shortly after Kate and Hal arrive in the UK, though, things abruptly change when a UK ship is attacked, 25 people are killed, and it appears that Iran may be responsible. All of a sudden, Kate's experience in the Mideast is very valuable, and she is immersed in working with her UK colleague, Foreign Secretary Auston Dennison (played by David Gyasi), the Prime Minister (an obnoxious guy played by Rory Kinnear), and CIA agent Eidra Park (played by Ali Ahn). Events seem to be moving quickly toward all-out war, and Kate and her colleagues scramble to get accurate intelligence and make the right decisions.

The tension and suspense ramp up fast, right from the first episode, in this very high-stakes situation. That's part of why we kept wanting to watch another episode, to see what would happen next. But, surprisingly, this show is also hilariously funny and often had us laughing so hard we had to rewind a bit to see what we missed. Keri Russell, who was so good in her role on The Americans, is absolutely fabulous here: intense and focused, with a sharp wit and perfect delivery of her character's dry sense of humor. The rest of the cast is excellent, too, and the writing is just outstanding. This show kept us glued to the screen, laughing out loud, and wanting more.

The Diplomat is a Netflix original, so it is only available on Netflix.

TV Tuesday: Silo

The trend of making excellent television adaptations from best-selling books continues, with Silo from Apple TV, based on the outstanding Silo trilogy by author Hugh Howey, including Wool, Shift, and Dust, a favorite series of mine and my husband.

In the first episode, we see that the world depicted in Silo all takes place underground, in a giant silo 200 stories deep. In the lowest floors, Mechanical keeps everything running, with enormous generators and other machines to make the space livable. In this society, every person has a purpose, and birth rates are carefully regulated so that the silo can continue to meet the needs of all of its citizens. Some floors contain huge farms that grow the food for everyone living there; others have schools or clothing looms or medical facilities. Sheriff Holsten's (played by David Oyelowo) office is way up on the top floor. The outside air is toxic, so giant screens in each regional cafeteria provide a depressing look at the outside world, with its gray skies and dead trees. As the first episode opens, Sheriff Holsten is being "sent out to clean," the silo's horrifying way of dealing with rebellion. Both Deputy Marnes, played by Will Patton, and Mayor Jahns, played by Geraldine James, are grieving this unexpected turn of events. Sheriff Holsten is a good man, but he has said he wants to go outside, and the punishment for that is banishment. As with everyone sent out before him including his wife, he first cleans the camera lenses for the people still inside and then collapses in a heap after just a few steps away from the silo. Much to everyone's shock, Holsten has named Juliette Nichols, played by Rebecca Ferguson, an unknown but talented mechanic from the down deep, to be his replacement. Underlying all of this are small glimpses, by both Holston and Juliette, that perhaps everything they've been told about the silo is not strictly true.

And those are the mysteries at the heart of this show (and its originating trilogy): how did the silo come to be, what happened to the outside world, and why are things inside the silo (by necessity, run under strict rules) the way they are? In flashbacks, we see first Holsten and then later in the present, Juliette, begin to dig into these questions that are dangerous to even think about. The sheriff's department is also kept busy investigating an ever-increasing spate of violence and unusual deaths that the Justice department (some scary guys on a middle floor) would like to sweep under the rug. Through all of that, we see the fascinating inner workings of this unique world: children playing, festivals and celebrations, births and funerals, and all the minutiae of daily life, lived within this limited space. As with the novels, this story is filled with suspense and lots of unexpected twists, but it also focuses in on humanity, characters, and relationships. So far (we are five episodes in), they've done a remarkable job of visually recreating this very unusual setting, and the acting and writing are excellent. This unique, gripping science fiction drama has already been approved for a second season, and we are thoroughly enjoying season one.

Silo is an Apple TV original show.

And if you have not yet read the trilogy, it's maybe the best series I have ever read! Start with Wool.

TV Tuesday: The Company You Keep

One of the new shows that my husband and I enjoyed this winter/spring was The Company You Keep. With its combination of unique crime show and forbidden love story, it is welcomingly original.

Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us) stars as Charlie Nicoletti, the son and heir apparent of a unique family business. His mother, father, sister, and he all work together as criminals and con-men, with their working-class Baltimore bar as cover. His father, played by William Fichtner, and his mother, played by Polly Draper (of thirtysomething fame), own the bar, and Charlie and his sister Birdie, played by Sarah Wayne Callies, work there, while the whole family plans their next job in their off-hours in the basement. Birdie also has a deaf daughter named Ollie, played by Shaylee Mansfield, who is not in on the family secrets. They're a close-knit family, and they are very, very good at what they do. After a huge, $10 million score, they consider retiring from the life of crime, but the big-time drug-dealing, arms-buying crime family they scammed isn't ready to let them; they want to use the Nicolettis' unique talents to earn back the money they stole from them. One night, a beautiful woman named Emma Hill, played by Catherine Haena Kim, comes into the bar, and she and Charlie hit it off. There is instant chemistry between them and plenty of witty banter, though it is clear to both of them that the other has secrets. It turns out that Emma is a CIA agent, so Charlie must keep his criminal life even more secret than usual, as the two get closer and their physical attraction turns into a deeper love. Emma is not only in law enforcement but comes from a well-known D.C. power family, and her brother is running for the Senate (to take his father's role). What kind of future is there for a federal agent and a career criminal who come from such different worlds?

The beginning of this show is a playful secrets-and-lies love affair between Charlie and Emma, but their respective secrets are revealed to each other fairly soon in the first season. Things get even more complicated when Emma is investigating the very crime family that is blackmailing Charlie's family. The acting in this show is top-notch, with great writing featuring lots of witty banter between Charlie and Emma. Its fast-paced, fun heist plots rival any crime show but with the added fun of Charlie and Emma's opposite positions. We really enjoyed this show with its perfect mix of suspense, action, family drama, and romance.

Unfortunately, I just read that ABC decided not to renew The Company You Keep for a second season, though the final episode of season one certainly sets up plenty of threads for a continuation. I decided to still review it because this first season is a lot of fun and worth watching on its own ... and we can always hope that one of the streaming channels picks it up to continue it (as Netflix did with Manifest which comes back for a final season starting June 2).

The Company You Keep is an ABC show, so it can be viewed on cable On Demand, on Hulu, or a variety of other streaming services. It is also available free on ABC's website.

TV Tuesday: Somebody Somewhere

As I've mentioned here before, my husband is not generally a fan of comedies, so when we find one we both like, it's usually something pretty special. Our recent find is Somebody Somewhere, a hilarious show with a lot of heart.

Samantha, aka Sam, (played by Bridget Everett) returned to her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas, to care for her sister who had cancer. Now that Holly is gone, Sam feels stuck. She's part of a seriously dysfunctional family, and she feels like she personally has failed at her life. She doesn't know how to move forward. Sam gets a job at the local test center, grading student essays. Her sister, Tricia, is bugging Sam to find some purpose in her life; she runs a successful boutique shop downtown and is married with a daughter. One day at the test center, when Sam breaks into tears, another grader named Joel, played by Jeff Hiller, approaches her and tells her he's sorry about Holly. It's clear from what he says that he and Sam went to high school together, though Sam doesn't remember him. They were both in show choir together, and Sam was a swimming star as well. She never even noticed Joel back then. But now, the two misfits gradually become friends. Knowing what an amazing singer she is, Joel invites Sam to "choir practice" at his church, though it turns out to be, as he whispers to her after she arrives, "not officially sanctioned." Choir practice is a place for everyone to be themselves and to express joy, and with Joel's urging, Sam begins to sing again, rediscovering an old passion. Challenges continue to pop up--with Sam's parents, with Tricia, in Joel's life--but the two of them become very close friends and support each other, as they each grow and learn more about themselves.

This show has an intriguing, twisty plot, with all kinds of surprises along the way for Sam and Joel, but that is only a small piece of what makes it so special. It is hilariously, laugh-out-loud funny but with a deep emotional heart. If you are offended by language, sexual references, toilet humor, or--well, just about anything--this is probably not the show for you. Nothing is off-limits here! But this very funny show is not afraid to wade deep into difficult topics, from alcoholism to grief to infidelity. Through it all, Sam and Joel's friendship grows stronger, and they help each other to become their true selves and rediscover joy.

Somebody Somewhere is an HBO original, so it airs on HBO Max. We were delighted to find that we discovered it just before the premier of season two, so we were able to start the second season right after finishing the first one. We look forward to every episode, though we have to be careful if we watch during lunch--those sudden belly laughs can be hazardous while eating!

 

TV Tuesday: Shrinking

My husband does not usually like comedy shows. Our sons and I accepted this sad fact years ago, so the three of us laugh together over That '70's Show or Bob's Burgers. Every once in a while, though, a TV comedy comes along that is so wonderful, so warm and funny, that he enjoys it. Older shows that slipped through the cracks into his funny bone include Modern Family and Life in Pieces (both excellent and highly recommended). After seeing previews and hearing its stars on television interviews, I talked him into trying Shrinking, and it was such a hit with both of us that we watched the first season much too quickly!

Jimmy, played by Jason Segel (of How I Met Your Mother fame), is a therapist who is still deeply mired in his own grief, a year after his wife's death. His boss is Paul, a grumpy older therapist played by the great Harrison Ford. Rounding out the team in their office is Gaby, played by Jessica Williams, who was best friends with Jimmy's wife. Jimmy has a teen daughter named Alice (played by Lukita Maxwell) who really needs her dad right now, but the two seemed each locked in their own grief, living separate lives in the same house. After session upon session of hearing his patients whine and complain, Jimmy finally loses his cool in one session, breaks all the rules of therapy, and urges the woman in front of him to leave her abusive boyfriend. And she says, "OK." Being honest like that is freeing for Jimmy, and it seems to help his patients, so he moves forward and gets way too involved in his patients' lives, crossing the boundaries of the professional relationship, and urging them to take positive action. Despite Paul's admonitions, this outlaw approach seems to work, especially with Sean, played by Luke Tennie, a veteran suffering from PTSD and prone to fits of violence. Adding to this all-star cast is Christa Miller (known for Cougartown) who plays Jimmy and Alice's next-door neighbor, Liz, who crosses boundaries herself and gets more and more involved with their lives.

If that summary, about a therapist whose wife died, sounds depressing, the show is not. It is hilariously, laugh-out-loud funny. It's also heartwarming and uplifting, as Jimmy and Alice gradually heal and begin to move forward again. The show was created by Segel and Brett Goldstein, who plays Roy Kent in the equally funny and warm Ted Lasso, and Bill Lawrence, a producer from Scrubs and Ted Lasso. Then there's that cast! Every one of them is outstanding and fully inhabits their flawed character. Did you know Harrison Ford is really funny? His dry delivery often had us laughing so hard, we had to back up because we missed a line. The writing in this show is phenomenal, and with such top actors to deliver those perfect lines, it's a match made in heaven. Just like when we watch Ted Lasso, every episode left us smiling. We flew through the first season much too quickly and are missing it now, but it's been approved for season two. We can't wait!

Shrinking is an Apple original program, so it's only available on Apple TV.

TV Tuesday: Will Trent

My husband and I are loving the new ABC show, Will Trent, with its unique spin on a crime drama, with original characters, excellent acting, and a sense of humor. 

Special Agent Will Trent, played by Ramon Rodriguez, has the highest clearance rate for the GBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Many of his colleagues, though, just think he's strange. He has an on-again-off-again romantic relationship but lifetime friendship with Angie Polaski (played by Erika Christensen, who I remember fondly from Parenthood). Angie is an Atlanta Police (APD) Detective, so they often work together on difficult cases. Both Will and Angie grew up in foster care, which gives them a unique point of view. Will is determined that no one ever feels abandoned like he did, from the stray dog he finds to the victims of the crimes he investigates. His boss, Amanda Wagner, played by Sonja Sohn, is tough but fair and clearly recognizes Will's talents when it comes to solving cases. Angie's partner, Michael (played by Jake McLaughlin, who we enjoyed in Quantico and Believe), isn't so sure about Will and is put off by his three-piece suits and stiff demeanor. The GBI and APD often work together to solve cases, so there is sometimes some friction there. Behind the scenes, both Will and Angie are still trying to deal with the scars of their horrific childhoods.

Will Trent has quickly become one of our favorite shows! Since it's on cable and only airs once a week, my husband is constantly asking me, "Is there a new Will Trent up yet?" We enjoy many crime shows, though we like best those that come with a sense of humor (like Poker Face and The Rookie), and this one meets that criteria. It's also well-written and features twisty new mysteries and fast-paced action in each episode. What makes this show unique, though, are the original characters and the wonderful actors who play them. Despite Will often annoying his colleagues, viewers will quickly come to like him. Details from Will's and Angie's background slowly come to light that help to explain where they are now. It's an all-around outstanding show, and we look forward to each new episode!

Will Trent is an ABC show and is available on cable On Demand, on the ABC website, and on Hulu.

TV Tuesday: Poker Face

My husband and I have a new favorite TV show that we are absolutely loving. Poker Face stars one of our favorite actresses and is suspenseful, funny, and just plain fun.

The fabulous Natasha Lyonne (from Orange is the New Black and Russian Doll, two other outstanding shows) stars as Charlie Cale, a woman with an unusual talent: she can tell when someone is lying. For awhile, Charlie made money playing poker, but she became renowned (or rather, infamous) rather quickly and was soon banned from high-roller poker games after winning too much money. As the show opens, Charlie is living a quiet life working in a small, family-run casino. No more poker for her; she's just earning her living as a waitress in the casino and living in a trailer. When a friend of hers turns up dead, and Charlie can tell someone involved is lying about it, she gets involved in finding out what really happened. Meanwhile, the casino's manager, played by Adrian Brody, wants Charlie to use her poker/truth-telling talents for his own gain, to watch a high-roller game being held at the casino and help his plant win. Let's just say that things go very wrong along the way. By the end of the first episode, Charlie is on the run, with the casino's muscle, Cliff (played by Benjamin Bratt), chasing her. From then on, each episode finds Charlie in some small out-of-the-way place, with a new job, just trying to live a quiet, peaceful life. In each place, though, she stumbles on another murder and feels compelled to make sure the bad guys pay and the good guys are redeemed.

This is something of a classic murder mystery show, with a twist. Charlie usually ends up solving each crime the old-fashioned way, by talking to people and finding clues, but there is often some sort of innocuous comment someone makes that Charlie knows is a lie and makes her realize there was a murder (versus an accident or natural death) in the first place. The mysteries are twisty and unusual. The best part of this show, though, is its star. If you've seen Natasha Lyonne in either of her previous big shows, you know she steals the scene every time. She's an absolute delight to watch on screen, and here, she is at her laid-back, snarky best. It's easy to root for her. Plus, each episode has some big name guest stars in fabulous roles, like Judith Light as an aging hippy in a retirement home and Ellen Barkin as a washed up actress who wants one last hit on-stage in a regional theater. Every episode is loaded with clever humor, great writing and acting, and a fun mystery to get to the bottom of. We very quickly caught up on the first six episodes and are anxiously awaiting the next one!

Poker Face is a Peacock original series and is available on Peacock exclusively, airing on Thursdays.

Favorite TV Shows Watched in 2022

It's time for my annual wrap-up of my favorite TV shows reviewed in the past year! These are not necessarily new shows--some are older--but they are shows that we watched and enjoyed last year, enough that I took the time to write a review. They run the gamut, covering all kinds of genres, so there's something for everyone here!

Listed down at the bottom of this post are all of the shows that I reviewed here on my blog in 2022. I have also added all of these to my TV Reviews tab on the blog, so you can come back anytime to see ALL of the shows I have ever reviewed here (note that where to find shows may have changed over the years). And check out my Summer Shows 2021 and my 2022 Fall TV Preview posts for lots of other shows we enjoyed this year, some carried over from past years (everything listed under Fall New Shows we tried and enjoyed!).

I only review shows I like, so anything listed here or on the TV Reviews tab is worth trying. I didn't write a lot of TV reviews last year, so try them all!

Best of TV   

First a few superlatives--my favorite shows reviewed last year in each category/genre--always tough choices to make because TV shows are just getting better and better. Remember that we enjoyed all of the shows reviewed - see the full list at the bottom of the post. Links are to my reviews, including trailers and details on where to find each show (subject to change).

 Best Drama

The Handmaid's Tale (H)

Glad I only just reviewed it this year so I could call it out - some of the best TV ever.

 

Best Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Legal/Action

4-way tie? No? OK, then ...

Shining Girls (Ap) (also fits under Sci Fi)

 

 Best Sci Fi 

Kindred (H)

(my current favorite) 

Note this is time travel with no scientific explanation, so historical fiction is a more apt category.

 

Best New Show

The Bear (C, H) 

(I added this category just to mention this show!)  

 

All TV Shows Reviewed in 2022

So much good TV last year!

KEY: Available on:

A = Amazon Prime

C = Cable and/or Cable On Demand

Ap = Apple TV

CBS or P+ = CBS All Access (now Paramount+)

H = Hulu 

HBO

IMdB

N = Netflix

P = Peacock
S = Showtime

(Offerings from subscription services change all the time, so double-check. Also, some shows are available for an additional fee on Amazon Prime whether you subscribe or not. Most networks offer some episodes of every show for free at their own websites. Click the links below for my review and details on where it is available.)

Drama

The Bear (C, H)

The Handmaid's Tale (H)

Transplant (C, P)

 

Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Legal/Action

The Flight Attendant (HBO) with humor

The Old Man (C, H)

Shining Girls (Ap) (also fits under Sci Fi)

So Help Me Todd (C,  P+, H). with humor

Sci Fi 

Kindred (H)