Summer TV Roundup, Week 18

 


August has nearly left, and it’s almost time for Fall. The Fall will look different in the wake of the labor strikes. Still, before we get to September, we’re still seeing new shows dropping. But which of those shows are worth your time? 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.

Tuesdays:
Ahsoka, Streaming Tuesdays on Disney+ (Premiered August 22)
About: It used to be Wednesdays, but now the Star Wars series is dropping weekly on Tuesdays. This series, from Dave Filoni and based on characters from Clone Wars, dropped its two-episode premier last week. We’ve previously seen Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, and she’s great. This series adds Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). The action and the story were solid in the first two episodes as we build to the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, not yet seen in live action. The series is set to run eight episodes, each between 45 minutes and an hour. Dawson is great, but I really enjoyed Bordizzo, too. I liked the action and the pacing and I’m excited to see where this one goes. It’s fair to say this is a more insider series for those familiar with the non-film world of Star Wars. But it’s still accessible enough that anyone should have fun with it.
Pilot Grade: B
Second Episode: B

Sundays:
The Winter King, Sundays at 10 p.m. on MGM+ (Premiered August 20)
About: This latest series for MGM is the telling of the Arthurian legend once again. The pilot was a bit of a slow-played and dower introduction to the characters and world. The second episode wasn’t much better but included 100 percent more murder of infants and other unfortunate incidents. It makes sense that this is the kind of violent tragedy needed to cajole Arthur (Ian De Caestecker) back to fight for his kingdom. Still, it makes for an unsettling hour of television. That would be OK if it felt like it was pulling you into these characters, but through two episodes I don’t feel a connection to the protagonists, either. It’s likely owing to the fact Arthur has hardly been a part of the series through two episodes. Perhaps that changes. For now, this felt like a slog. I will admit, the closing of episode two was pretty strong. Episodes air Sundays on MGM+.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C-

Streaming Series:
Who Is Erin Carter?, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered August 24)
About: In the latest from Netflix, there is plenty of mystery surrounding the lead character, Erin Carter (Evin Ahmad). When we first meet her, she’s waking in the middle of the night and taking her daughter away by boat. Flash forward five years, and Erin is married (Sean Teale), working as a schoolteacher and trying to be a normal mom. But there’s more under the surface. When those who stumble across her recognize her from her old life, that façade she’s created starts to crack. The seven-episode series dropped Thursday. Episodes are around 45 minutes and move at a steady pace. Ahmad is a solid lead, and the show slow plays the answers to questions, which keeps you engaged. I enjoyed the blend of story and action in the first two episodes. There’s enough here to invest in a quick binge.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

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