Summer TV Roundup, Week 4

Network Upfronts are behind us, most of the finales have taken place and summer shows are just starting to roll out. In these weekly posts I take a look at the pilot and second episodes of new scripted series this summer. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Saturday Nights:
Patrick Melrose, Saturdays at 9 p.m. on Showtime (Premiered May 12)
About: This new limited series is an expansion of Showtime programming. Last week I touched on the pilot and the idea that I thought the plot was a little rough at times. That was balanced out, to a certain degree, by the fine work of Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. He is a gifted physical actor, and the work he does in conveying drug addiction is very strong in the pilot. But, as I noted, the story wasn't that engaging for me. Ironically the second episode dips back in time to show the traumatic events in Patrick's childhood that helped fuel his issues — and his rage at his father (Hugo Weaving). There are some fine actors in this piece, and they do a decent job. But the best part of the pilot was the performance of Cumberbatch who is almost entirely missing from the second hour. That second hour is much harder to sit through and takes the plot to an even darker place. For me, the gain isn't worth the time investment in this series (which runs just five episodes). The production is strong, but the story is a turn off to me despite some fine performances.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C-