Spring TV Roundup, Week 5

 

We’re almost through April, getting close to the deadline for the Emmy window at the end of May. That means some interesting returning shows alongside from interesting new contenders. But what of these new shows is worth your time to check out? 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.

Wednesdays:
The Stolen Girl, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Freeform (Premiered April 16)
About: This limited series is based on the novel from Alex Dahl and focuses on a couple (Denise Gough and Jim Sturgess) who are reeling after their daughter is taken overnight by the mother (Holliday Grainger) of a school friend. There is more to it, but those secrets are being teased out quite slowly. The first two episodes run less than 40 minutes without commercials, but they feel much longer. The idea is interesting, and the cast is solid, but the actual experience of watching the show hasn’t been that incredible. The series is just five episodes, so it’s not a long commitment. But it feels like it might have been better served as a 90-minute movie. If you were a fan of the novel or hooked by the first two, you might hang in there. This could have possibly worked better as a one-time binge drop. But as a weekly series, it moves too slowly without a strong enough hook.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Sherlock & Daughter, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on The CW (Premiered April 16)
About: This new series takes place in 1896 in London where Sherlock Holmes (David Thewlis) is going through a bit of a crisis. But nobody knows what is going on. When Amelia Rojas (Blu Hunt) arrives from America, she says she’s Sherlock’s daughter and wants his help to solve her mother’s murder. Sherlock doesn’t think she’s his daughter, but he’s intrigued by her skills and offers to mentor her if she helps him on cases he can’t publicly be seen working on. It’s an interesting concept, and the second episode did plenty to advance the concept. I like the back-and-forth between Thewlis and Hunt. I like the concept. And this is one of the rare shows where the ongoing mystery over the season grabbed my attention. This is one of the better CW shows I’ve seen of late and is worth checking out.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: B-

Streaming Series:
Etoile, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered April 24)
About: This is the latest series from Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, who previously gave Prime Video The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. This one is set in the world of dancing. We meet Jack (Luke Kirby) who runs the ballet in New York City and Genevieve (Charlotte Gainsbourg), who runs the ballet in Paris. Each is in need of something to breathe life into their ballet and the answer comes as they agree to an exchange season, each sending stars and creators overseas to the other. The first season is eight episodes, all now streaming. It’s already been renewed for a second season, so there will be more to come. Episodes run mostly at least an hour, with some running more than an hour. The same snappy dialogue is there, and the pop culture references are present. This feels familiar, while tackling a new set up and ideas at the same time. We see some familiar faces, like Kirby—who appeared in Mrs. Maisel—and Yanic Truesdale—who appeared in Gilmore Girls. That’s mixed with newcomers, like Gainsbourg and Lou de Laage, who stars as a Parisian ballerina sent to New York as the star attraction. She gives a performance that, in the early going at least, is the star attraction for the series. I liked the first two episodes, and I think this series could be a fun addition to the Prime Video lineup. That’s especially the case for fans of the Palladino’s previous work.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+