Fall TV Roundup, Week 10

We’re into November. As we get closer to Thanksgiving, we’re coming closer to the end of the new Fall season premier schedule. Due to the election, there weren’t as many new offerings this week. But of those new shows out there, which is worth your time? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Thursdays:
Mistletoe Murders, Streaming Thursdays on Hallmark+ (Premiered October 31)
About: Is the show Christmas themed? I guess it kind of is. It appears to be in the run up to Christmas, but our protagonist also runs a Christmas store, meaning it’s Christmas 365 days a year. That’s just how Hallmark fans like it. They should also be pleased with Sarah Drew in this lead role. The second episode was a wrap up of the murder(s) from the pilot. It brings Drew’s feisty investigator Emily closer to detective Sam Wilner (Peter Mooney). We’re slow playing Emily’s background and their inevitable pairing—likely in crime solving and life. But the two episodes moved at a good pace, and this is an engaging enough premise. It feels like the perfect holiday-themed original programming for the new streamer.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: B-

Sundays:
Like Water For Chocolate, Streaming Sundays on Max (Premiered November 3)
About: This is the latest for Max Latino, a Spanish-language series that is also available in an English-language dub. Earlier this year the streaming channel added a sequel series to the film City of God. Here, it taps another popular existing piece of IP in Laura Esquivel’s novel, which was previously adapted into a film in 1992. It’s set in the early 1900s in Mexico and follows a star-crossed love story set among some wealthy families. In it, Tita is in love with Pedro, but their path to marriage is blocked. She pours her emotions in her cooking, which ends up having a huge impact on those who eat her food. The film was successful, and the series offers an expansion of the novel, which was divided into 12 chapters, and each included a recipe. Each of the two episodes have also been titled after a recipe, following the theme of the book. The performances are solid and those that enjoy the story will likely be drawn in. Despite that, it didn’t feel incredibly compelling so it is fair to wonder how many will make an effort to seek it out given the crowded content landscape. But for those who loved the story, this will be a welcome addition to their Sunday.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Streaming Series:
Citadel: Honey Bunny, now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered November 7)
About: Citadel seems to be the gift that keeps on producing series for Prime Video. The original was one of the most expensive series that probably got more hype that viewers. We’ll see what happens when it continues. We saw an Italian spin-off a couple weeks ago, now we get the Indian spin-off in Honey Bunny. This one has a more tangible connection to the original, telling the story of Nadia (Prianka Chopra Jonas) parents in their attempt to keep her safe as a young girl while being in the spy life. That’s an interesting hook. This series is also told in a similar fashion to the original setting some action in a contemporary timeline while also flashing back to show how Honey and Bunny met, connected, then became separated. The episodes are around an hour, with the series running six episodes. All are now available, making for a quick binge for those interested. Like the previous spin-off, this version also offers an English-language dub for those that aren’t interested in subtitles. The cast is solid, and the action is fine. For those who are wedded to the franchise—or spy fare in general—this will work well. Otherwise, it wasn’t as compelling as I’d hoped. This feels like a better spin-off than Diana, but it still wasn’t really for me.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C