Spring TV Roundup, Week 2

As we make our way through April, we’re drawing closer to the Emmy consideration deadline. That means the action on the small screen is heating up. But what of these new series is worth your time? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Sundays:
MobLand, Streaming Sundays on Paramount+ (Premiered March 30)
About: This series is a London-set crime saga. Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren lead a crime family, the Harrigans, while Tom Hardy plays their fixer. In the pilot, we meet the characters and learn about the world. We also saw that the Harrigans are on the cusp of a war, leaving plenty for Hardy’s character to do to keep the peace or win the day. The second episode, which is the second of the episode directed by Guy Ritchie, continues things down that story arc. This is a solidly built series that has plenty of potential. Paramount+ has succeeded with these kind of stories of warfare among ruling families, whether in the American West, in the prison system, or now in the streets of London. If you’re a fan of this kind of story, the series will work well for you. It’s got a strong cast and a solid premise. I enjoyed the performances and I like Hardy here in the lead role. There is plenty to appreciate about this series, especially for fans of the genre. It’s not perfect, but it feels like a strong addition to the streaming landscape.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Streaming Series:
Devil May Cry, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered April 3)
About: This new animated series draws inspiration from the video game of the same name. If you’re a fan of the game, this will likely make more sense to you. It’s an eight-episode series that is done in the style of anime. It centers on a demon-hunter named Dante and the demon army he’s chasing, led by a giant rabbit. Yes, you read that correctly. The series is well put together and moves at a decent pace, with episodes running around a half an hour. It’s a short commitment and a quick binge if you’re interested. But it feels like the kind of series that will be more meaningful for those with an interest in the world. As an outsider who’d never played the game, it was tough to follow at the outset and not all that engaging. Again, this is more of a niche series for the already established fans of the game or the genre.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Pulse, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered April 3)
About: This is a new streaming medical series from Netflix. It’s set at a Miami trauma center that, early in the season, is facing down a Hurricane. The cast includes Willa Fitzgerald, Jessie T. Usher, Nestor Carbonell, and Justina Machado, among others. It’s a solid set up and cast, coming from creator Robyn Zoe and producer Carlton Cuse. Medical shows are hot right now and it makes sense for Netflix to jump into the fray. But despite the money to make the series, this is one of the weaker new medical series this year. It pales in comparison to The Pitt on Max and wasn’t even as sharp as Doc, which debuted on FOX. It’s fine but leans toward the soapy side. The characters aren’t particularly likeable and the way it bends around the timeline is frustrating at times, at least in the early going. There’s enough here for it to develop into something, but it’s not a hit out-of-the-box. It’s 10 episodes, most around 45 minutes. It makes for a quick binge, which might help more people stay the course. Overall, it’s watchable but felt a bit underwhelming.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Dying for Sex, Now Streaming on Hulu (Premiered April 4)
About: This new series is a half-hour offering from FX on Hulu. All eight episodes of the season are now available to stream, making it a quick binge for those taken with the story. And there’s plenty to like here. We’re introduced to Molly (Michelle Williams) a woman who is used to giving up on what she really wants and settling. That’s been particularly true the past few years as she’s battled cancer. But when that battle takes the final turn, she’s tired of giving up on what she really wants. And what she wants most is passion and sex. So, she leaves her husband (Jay Duplass) and leans on her best friend (Jenny Slate) as she goes on a journey of exploration. Williams is a talented actress, and she delivers an engaging and quirky lead, here. The first two episodes have some wild moments and some tender moments. They build a story around Molly, who is a character that captivates on the screen. This is a different kind of story and a different kind of comedy, but one that feels like a journey that will richly reward those who want to see it through to the end.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: B-