Fall TV Roundup, Week 6

We're coasting through October, and all the new network shows have now debuted. But we're starting to get a rise in new cable and streaming options, so the flow hasn't yet begun to dry up. In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Wednesday Nights:
Almost Family, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on FOX (Premiered October 2)
About: This latest drama is one that, as I mentioned when reviewing the pilot last week, is more than a little cringe-worthy. Timothy Hutton plays a renowned fertility doctor who is caught in the pilot having used his own "material" to help women conceive. It causes a scandal and leads to charges. His daughter (Brittany Snow) struggles with the realization, and soon finds she has new sisters (Megalyn Echikunwoke, Emily Osment) as a result of her dad's actions. I thought the pilot was rough and, at times, quite gross. There is even an implied case of incest. The second episode largely steered away from that and focused on this new kind of family, and there was something sort of interesting in that. The performances aren't bad and there is a chemistry in the set up I didn't feel in the premier. I still think the idea is creepy, and the fact the third episode looks to be returning to the idea of that incest hook up isn't exactly comforting. This is a tough sell, but those that are fans of the actresses might buy into it.
Pilot Grade: D-
Second Episode: C-

Nancy Drew, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on The CW (Premiered October 9)
About: This latest CW drama is a new take on the teen detective Nancy Drew. And it's meant to present it in a more edgy fashion, like what "Riverdale" did for the Archie comics. And to that extent it works. I wasn't wild about the pilot, the characters or the story. For fans of the genre, it will likely be more appealing, and I think it's well paired with "Riverdale" on Wednesday night. But so far, I'm not buying.
Pilot Grade: C-

Sunday Nights:
Batwoman, Sundays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered October 6)
About: The latest addition to the Arrowverse is Batwoman, which finds Kate Kane (Ruby Rose) dawning the mantle after her cousin Bruce Wayne disappears. And her first nemesis hits pretty close to home. She's also battling with her father (Dougray Scott), who is the leader of the law enforcement and protection in Gotham. This one fits with the world and seems like it will develop into a fun addition to the CW lineup. And with Batwoman and Supergirl anchoring Sunday nights, it's a fun new chapter for the CW DC Comics shows.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Streaming Series:
The Birch, Now Streaming on Facebook Watch (Premiered October 9)
About: Facebook is getting going with original programming, and this is turning out to be a big month. The streamer has its returning hit "Sorry For Your Loss" back to start October, and the Jessica Biel series "Limetown" premiers tomorrow. But in between, they launched "The Birch," a horror anthology of sorts based on a short film that won awards online. The first three episodes are available, with new episodes set to debut on Wednesdays. I watched the first two, and wasn't hooked. The world is still unfurling, with the first episode just over 16 minutes and the second about 13 minutes. Shorter series have been cropping up of late, and that's not a problem. But I didn't get enough from these two to understand what was going on or buy into any of the characters. Horror fans will likely be pumped, and it's nice to have free alternatives, but this one didn't hit for me.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-