Winter TV Roundup, Week 2

 

We’re into January with most of the country experiencing some winter weather and cold temperatures. That might leave you wanting to spend some extra time on the couch with a new show. But what of the new options are worth checking out? Let this weekly post 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.

Tuesdays:
Doc, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 7)
About: This one finds Molly Parker as a woman who wakes up with a significant memory gap following an accident. When she wakes up, eight years are missing. She doesn’t remember her divorce, the death of her child, or her advancements in her career. She’s left trying to re-build, while those around her try to adjust to a woman who doesn’t seem quite familiar. It’s an interesting premise and Parker does a nice job in the lead role. I liked the pilot for the way it laid out this story—giving a snapshot of who she is pre-accident as well. There’s plenty of potential in this premise as this could be one of the more interesting new shows of the winter.
Pilot Grade: B-

Wednesdays:
Shifting Gears, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC (Premiered January 8)
About: The latest sitcom stars Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, finding them as an estranged father and daughter pushed together when the latter goes through a divorce. After years of icy estrangement held together by the mother that’s no longer with them, can they find a way to push through and re-build now that they’re living together with her two young children? It’s a familiar kind of set up that boasts a decent cast, including Seann William Scott and Daryl Mitchell, among others. I liked the pilot and the fun back-and-forth with Allen and Dennings, who do a nice job carrying the lead roles. Sitcoms sometimes take a while to find the ongoing rhythm, but the pilot here shows promise. This is also nicely paired with Abbott Elementary, giving it a good start.
Pilot Grade: C+

Thursdays:
Going Dutch, Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 2)
About: Denis Leary leads this sitcom about a decorated Army Colonel re-assigned to a superfluous base in the Netherlands as a career-ending punishment. There, he re-unites with his estranged daughter (Taylor Misiak), a senior officer at the post. The series has a solid cast, also including Danny Pudi. I thought the pilot had a fun premise and fun vibe. The second episode followed up with more of the same. It makes for a nice pairing with Animal Control on FOX Thursdays and a solid addition if someone is looking for a nice sitcom.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

The Pitt, Streaming Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Max (Premiered January 9)
About: This new medical drama comes from producer John Wells, who was a driving force behind ER. That’s not the only link to the classic medical drama. We also have the series led by Noah Wyle, who played Dr. John Carter on ER for most of its run. Here, he plays Dr. Michael Robinavich, or Dr. Robby, who runs the Pitt, an ER in a bustling hospital in Pittsburgh. Each episode runs the course of an hour in a 15-hour shift at the hospital, which happens to be a heavy day for Dr. Robby as it’s the anniversary of the death of his mentor. The series kicks off at 7 a.m. and the first two episodes were made available Thursday, with the rest of the 15-episode first season dropping weekly at 9 p.m. Eastern on Thursdays. This has a good pace and a strong cast, including veteran actors like Katherine LaNasa and some fresh faces. It works because of the setup and Wyle, who is an incredible and incredibly under-rated talent. I loved the pilot and the second episode packs an emotional wallop that is the best of the new year so far. This is well worth your time to check out.
Pilot Grade: B
Second Episode: B

Streaming Series:
American Primeval, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered January 9)
About: This series takes the action back to the 1800s in the Utah territory where the Army, the Mormons led by Joseph Smith, and Native Americans were locked in a battle for control of a brutal and dim territory. We follow a woman (Betty Gilpin) and her son (Preston Mota) trying to make their way in that area to find her husband. They link with a guide (Taylor Kitsch), but their story isn’t what it seems. And danger swirls around them. This series was created by Mark L. Smith, who wrote all six episodes. All the episodes of the series are directed by Peter Berg, who also appears. It’s a strong cast, including Dane DeHaan, Shea Whigham, and Jai Courtney, among others. It’s a very dark and severe set up that is quite violent at times. It’s only a six-episode series, with each around an hour. It’s not long for a binge, but it will likely not appeal to everyone. I like the cast and the talent involved but the first two episodes are grim. Gilpin and Kitsch do a nice job leading it, but the payoff might not be worth the effort.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

On Call, now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered January 9)
About: This new series comes from producer Dick Wolf and follows officers on patrol with the Long Beach Police Department. The episodes mix in body cam footage as the officers respond to incidents, which gives it a unique look and feel. The series is led by Troian Bellisario, who plays senior office Traci Harmon, and Brandon Larracuente, who plays her training officer Alex Diaz. The rest of the cast includes some veterans like Eriq La Salle, who plays Sgt. Lassman and also directs four of the eight first season episodes, and Lori Laughlin, who plays the unit’s lieutenant. The series was created by Elliot Wolf, Dick Wolf’s son, and has a grounded and gritty feel. The episodes also run about 30 minutes, making for a tight watch and a quick binge for the eight-episode season. I liked the pilot, and I thought the whole first season made for a nice, quick binge watch.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: B-

Goosebumps: The Vanishing, Now Streaming on Hulu (Premiered January 10)
About: The Goosebumps anthology series, based on the books from R.L. Stine, returns with its second season, subtitled The Vanishing. The whole eight-episode second season is now available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+, with episodes running about 45 minutes and making for a quick binge. It kicks off in 1994 with a group of teens gathering for a fun night when a few disappear. Then we jump to the present, where Cece (Jayden Bartels) and Devin (Sam McCarthy) are sent to Brooklyn to spend the summer with their father, Anthony (David Schwimmer), whose brother was one of those that went missing in 1994. Anthony is a scientist, working on a secret project. But he discovers something on the clothes his brother was wearing the night of his disappearance that brings something nefarious to life. At the same time, Devin discovers a link to the past that might be the key to unlocking what really happened. The episodes move at a decent pace and Schwimmer gives a nice lead performance. This series appeals to fans of the book, or those looking for a spooky binge to kickstart the year.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C