Summer TV Roundup, Week 8

 

We’re into June and now well into a writer’s strike. Predictably, we’re seeing a bit less original content. Still, this week sees a couple highly anticipated new series. So, which ones are worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Wednesdays:
Secret Invasion, Wednesdays on Disney+ (Premiers June 21)
About: This one actually premiers on Wednesday, but I got an advanced sneak peek. The latest Marvel live-action series focuses on Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the Skrulls, led by Talos (Ben Mendelsohn). It’s a six-episode series, which will tie into future films. It also adds new characters played by Emilia Clarke and Kingsley Ben-Adir, along with returning characters played by Don Cheadle, Martin Freeman and Colbie Smulders, among others. It’s an interesting story but the first two episodes play out somewhat slowly. This is more of a mystery series, moving mostly away from the super-powered characters in the early stages. It’s nice to see something built around Jackson’s Fury. The first episode releases Wednesday, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly. The first two set the stage well, but I won’t spoil any plot details. Still, for those invested in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this will be appointment viewing.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Sundays:
The Lazarus Project, Sundays at 9 p.m. on TNT (Premiered June 4)
About: Catching up on this one, which is now a couple weeks on the air. It’s about a group who fight to stop the end of the world by, at times, turning time back. I like the premise for this series, which comes from the U.K. TNT has largely moved away from scripted series, so there isn’t a secure future beyond the first season but if you’re looking for something in the science fiction realm, it offers a decent story and a decent cast of characters. I liked the premise and thought the first two episodes were solid.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C

Streaming Series:
The Full Monty, Now Streaming on Hulu (Premiered June 14)
About: This is a sequel series to the 1997 film of the same name. It picks up 25 years after the events of the film and provides another check in with these characters, all still living in Sheffield and trying to make their way in the world. We get the original stars, like Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, seeing where they’ve ended up all these years later. I remember the original film, which was mostly notable for the titular act that occurs during their stage show. That’s not a part of this, at least through two episodes. Instead, this series is mostly a drama dipping into the lives of these people and this world all these years later. Those that enjoyed the original film might be drawn to an extended look at these characters and this world. For me, this didn’t feel compelling or unique. The episodes, each about an hour, moved slowly. The performances are fine, but I didn’t feel a great connection to the world and in a sea of content, I didn’t feel compelled to continue the journey. The full eight-episode series is available to stream now on Hulu.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C