Winter TV Roundup, Week 12

We've reached mid-March, and now we're seeing some hiccups in the entertainment industry as a result of the pandemic that is challenging the world right now. Some shows will be cut short, and some have begun to be delayed. But for now, there is still a group of shows coming out the next few months hoping to make the Emmy eligibility window. Let these weekly posts be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this winter. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Monday Nights:
The Plot Against America, Mondays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered March 16)
About: This one, based on the novel from Phillip Roth, comes from David Simon and Ed Burns, the creative force behind "The Wire." This is a story of an alternate history where a racist Charles Lindberg ran for and was elected President in 1940, changing the course of the United States, World War II and the world. This is a somewhat scary prospect, not made any better by the parallels that the series finds with what is happening in contemporary America. That is intentional, as is the release timed for the Primary Season. But this is still a unique story set in a unique time, and as a piece of entertainment it works, too. Burns and Simon have developed a number of successful and memorable series for HBO, and this feels like the kind of limited offering that will join those ranks. The pilot was mostly about introducing the players and the world, setting up the dark times yet to come. It's a strong cast, blessed by strong performances from John Tuturro, Winona Ryder, Zoe Kazan and Moran Spector, among others. The pilot was moody and moved at a good pace. Mostly it set the stage for the kind of difficult cultural times that will allow a monster to arise, and the ways that even good folk can be oblivious to the fact he is a monster. It wasn't perfect, but I'm intrigued and I expect this will be one of the more fascinating projects this year.
Pilot Grade: B

Streaming Series:
Amazing Stories, Now Streaming on Apple TV+ (Premiered March 6)
About: This is one of the biggest pieces of IP to land with Apple, and one many were excited for. I was curious to see what the streamer would do with this classic from Steven Spielberg and the 1980s. I think there are a couple things not working here. First, the series is dropping single episodes weekly. With this kind of anthology, your interest in it can vary from episode-to-episode. Second, the first episode was OK and somewhat interesting, but the second installment felt like a big step backward. If I had five to sample now and additional ones coming later, I might find one to fall in love with that keeps me coming back. As it is, the first one made me curious, the second one snuffed that out. I think it's a cool idea, but I worry about what kind of stories we're going to get based on the two made available. To me, even the early episodes of the new take on "The Twilight Zone" showed more promise, and that was ultimately a re-make most didn't stick with. Much like the rest of the Apple TV slate so far, this feels uneven.
Pilot Grade: B
Second Episode: C-