Fall TV Roundup, Week 2


We're in the early Fall, and the flood of on-air series has yet to materialize. But the streaming sites are more than making up for it so far. This week four new series dropped on streaming, and by next Tuesday, the network barrage will be under way. In these weekly posts 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:
Unbelievable, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered September 13)
About: This new limited series is based on a true story about a young woman, Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever) who is raped and reports it to police. Except they don't believe her and she is soon pressured to recant, which she does. That incident sends her life into a spiral. Meanwhile, three years later in Colorado, a pair of female detective (Merritt Wever and Toni Collette) begin investigating a serial rapist that leads them all the way back to Marie in Washington. This is a tough show to watch at times, particularly the first episode that is nearly entirely focused on Marie and her sad tale. But it features three wonderful performances, and it it tells an important story. Deven is incredible, so took are Wever and Collette. This is a powerful and emotional watch, and is one of the best of the year so far. It's not easy to watch, but it's well worth the journey to check out. I have seen all eight episodes, and I was incredibly moved.
Pilot Grade: A
Second Episode: A-

Undone, Now Streaming on Amazon Prime (Premiered September 13)
About: This latest series from Amazon Prime is a half-hour show, and while it has some light-hearted moments it's very dramatic. And did I mention it's got an animated overlay over the top of real actors. It's about a woman (Rosa Salazar) who is in an accident that causes her to see visions of her dead father (Bob Odenkirk). Except they aren't really visions, and the truth takes her on a fascinating journey of self discovery. The series features some solid performances from Angelique Cabral, Constance Marie and Siddharth Dhananjay as well. It comes from creators Kate Purdy and Raphael Bob-Waksberg, who were responsible for "Bojack Horseman." But this feels like a different kind of show, and yet a fascinating one. The animated layer adds interesting depth, too. This is a different kind of show, but I was taken with it and its 23-25 minute run time per episode makes it a quick and easy watch.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: B-

I-Land, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered September 12)
About: This latest series wants to be a kind of "LOST" series, where a bunch of strangers wake up on a deserted island with no memory of who they are or how they got there. And through the first couple episodes, you don't really know what is going on either. The true premise, or rather the truth of the premise, isn't delivered until the third episode of this seven-episode limited series. It has a solid cast, led by Natalie Martinez and Kate Bosworth, but this isn't the greatest show. And, sadly, the further you dive into the series the less satisfying it gets to be. For some reason, I watched all the episodes but I wasn't taken with how it ended. Let's just say the journey isn't totally worthwhile. This wants to be "LOST," but it isn't as good.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C-

Mr. Mom, Now Streaming on Vudu (Premiered September 12)
About: Based on the film of the same name, this new comedy series brings some original content to Vudu, a site that you probably know best as the place where you house your digital copies of movies. And the show plays with limited ads, starring Hayes MacArthur and Andrea Anders as a married couple adjusting to a new normal when she gets an amazing job opportunity. Or, at least, that's where it's going I assume. The first two episodes were made available, but since they're only 11 minutes each, you only get a bite-sized sample. MacArthur and Anders are good opposite each other, but it was tough to have an episode structure so short. It seemed like the two together were more like one full episode, both of which were some set up. But there is some potential here.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

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