Fall TV Roundup, Week 10

 

We’re closing in on Thanksgiving and the flow of new shows is slowing. I’ve also been on the road, so this is what I’ve seen, but it isn’t the most exhaustive list. But it’s not completely dried up. If you’re trying to decide what new programs to invest in, let this weekly post be your guide as 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.

Streaming Series:
Zootopia+, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered November 9)
About: This new series for Disney+ is a set of shorts set in the world of the classic Zootopia. The first episode directly ties to characters from the film while the second one was more of a spoof of pop culture. There’s six in all, none longer than about 10 minutes. It’s a short commitment for those that want to take part.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

The Calling, Now Streaming on Peacock (Premiered November 10)
About: David E. Kelley is back with a detective drama, this one based on the Dror Mishani, focuses on a New York detective, Avraham (Jeff Wilbusch) who uses his faith to help guide his work. He’s soon embroiled in the case of a missing teen that seems to have few answers. There are other ancillary pieces introduced in the pilot and second episode, but it’s not clear how it’s all going to fit together—yet. My biggest issue with the series so far is a lack of understanding of what makes Avraham special. We get an introductory sequence that’s meant to show is special gift but it didn’t totally land. In fact, none of the first two episodes landed particularly well. The first season features eight episodes, each about 45 minutes. It’s clear that the narrative is building toward something but it’s hard to say what that something is through the early going. Without a hook in the case or the characters, the show doesn’t land as well as it should.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Mammals, Now Streaming on Amazon Prime (Premiered November 11)
About: Jamie (James Corden) and Amandine (Melia Kreiling) appear to be a happy couple. They’re about to become parents. They’re on a holiday at a luxurious resort. Suddenly, it all goes wrong. Amandine starts bleeding, and after being rushed to the hospital, she loses the baby. Devastated, Jamie begins making calls to family. As he does, he stumbles on a text thread on his wife’s phone indicating she’s been having an affair. In the midst of his grief and loss, he picks at the thread from the text messages. He soon finds it opens a hole that runs much deeper than first expected. That’s the set up for this new series. It runs six episodes, each about a half an hour. But make no mistake, the run time and presence of Corden doesn’t mean this is a comedy. It’s more of a drama and something of a tough story at that. In order to buy in, you have to invest in these characters. That didn’t really happen for me with Mammals. The odd title and the odd story and structure were something of a turn off. Mostly, through the first two episodes, I couldn’t understand why Jamie was doing what he was doing—fighting so hard seemingly for a relationship that isn’t working. Others might find something poignant here, but I didn’t.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-