Summer TV Roundup, Week 10

We're approaching the Fourth of July, we're hitting our summer stride. In terms of original programming, though, it's slow. It's always somewhat slow this time of year, but with the pandemic it figures to be slower as filming was disrupted and some summer things have been held to the Fall. But if you're looking at new content, and you're not sure, you've come to the right place. In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted (and select unscripted) series this Summer. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Sunday Nights:
Perry Mason, Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered June 21)
About: This limited series takes the famous character of Mason (Matthew Rhys) out of the courtroom and into the back allies of Los Angeles in the 1930s. Shell shocked from the war, and disgraced by the way he was released from military, Mason is plying his trade as a private investigator. His friend, the decorated lawyer E.B. Jonathan (John Lithgow) and his assistant Della (Juliet Rylance) are the closest thing he has to friends and colleagues, as he's pulled into a strange case involving a kidnapping and murder of a child. The parents, and the backer of this defense, are all connected to a church led by Sister Alice (Tatiana Maslany). The first two episodes haven't explored Sister Alice or the church much, but you can tell something is there. The pilot established the case, characters and the world, and the second episode gave us a good bit of back story on Mason and some of his war experiences. I love the look and feel of the series, but the content is a touch grim. Still, the cast is strong and I have a feeling this is going somewhere fascinating. Rhys is a great lead, and I'm excited to see him here in this new role. I think this is going to be one of the better shows of the summer and this year.
Pilot Grade: B
Second Episode: B

I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Sundays at 10 p.m. on HBO (Premiered June 28)
About: This series, paired with "Perry Mason" on Sunday nights, was released on Sunday. It's a docuseries that focuses on author Michelle McNamara, and her work on her crime blog that led to her hunt for the Golden State Killer. The series shares the name of her book, and through archival footage and interviews, in addition to narrated bits from Amy Ryan, McNamara, who passed away in 2016, was dogged in her pursuit of the truth, helping to unearth this killer and crime spree. She was married to Patton Oswalt, who helped finish her book after her death and takes part in this docuseries. It's as much a celebration of the author and her work as an exploration of the case, and it's a fascinating presentation of this story. I enjoyed the first episode and look forward to seeing where it goes from here.
Pilot Grade: B

Streaming Series:
Home Game, now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered June 26)
About: This docuseries is about explorations of different sports around the world. Each episode, around a half an hour, introduces you to a new game and the athletes who are competing. It shares stories of their culture and their passion for these unique games. I watched all eight episodes of the first season this weekend, and I thought it was fascinating, compelling and eye-opening. This is the perfect kind of summer series that doesn't require a ton of deep thinking but helps you feel a connection to competition, especially in a time when we don't have any live sports to rely on.
Pilot Grade: B
Second Episode: B