Spring TV Roundup, Week 9

We’re coming to the end of the Spring season and the end of May. This is the final roundup of Spring because next week we begin the summer TV season. So, what of these new shows—almost all of them dropped as a binge—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.

Mondays:
Librarians: The Next Chapter, Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT (Premiered May 25)
About: The Librarians franchise is a relic of a different time. I mean that both in terms of the way TV is created, scheduled, and programmed, and in the style of the series. The original series jumped off in 2014, and now we’re getting a new spin-off that launched just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. This one comes from Dean Devlin, a producer on the original series and the movies in between. The pilot dropped Sunday, with a second episode dropping in its regular timeslot Monday. The series follows Vikram Chamberlain (Callum McGowan), a Librarian from the 1800s brought to the modern era through a quirk in time. He is tasked with beginning his work again, with a new team, in order to right what has gone wrong thanks to his move through time. The pilot features Christian Kane, a star of the original series, and the series is produced by Noah Wyle, who starred in the original series and subsequent films. For fans of the franchise, this will be a fun addition to the world.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C 

Thursdays:
Duster, Streaming Thursdays on Max (Premiered May 15)
About: This series was a long time in development after getting the green light in 2020. It comes from J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, a 1970s-set crime drama. We follow Jim (Josh Holloway), a Vietnam veteran who is a getaway driver for the biggest crime boss in Phoenix (Keith David). We also follow a rookie FBI Agent (Rachel Hilson) who is partnering with Jim to try and get justice. The pilot was a cool introduction that brought them together and set up the world and the story. The second episode was more of a caper of the week, heavy on Jim and light on anything relevant with our FBI agent. Still, the series has a strong period look and some good performances. I enjoyed the overall production here and I think this eight-episode series, each about an hour, could be a fun summer hang.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+

Streaming Series:
Motorheads, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered May 20)
About: This new, 10-episode series is set in a small town whose economy and industry are failing. That leaves many of the residents poor and angry. A couple new teens (Michael Cimino and Melissa Collazo) move back with their mother (Nathalie Kelley) to live with their uncle (Ryan Phillippe). Their father is infamous, but they’ve returned home to make a fresh start. They make a few friends (Nicholas Cantu and Uriah Skelton), but they also make an enemy (Josh Macqueen). So, they team together to put together a racing team good enough to put them on the map. This is an odd mixture of a teen drama and Fast & Furious. But it works in the best ways. I liked the cars, the characters, and some of the action. The episodes are about an hour, and all of them are now streaming. I enjoyed this more than some of the Prime Video releases so far this year and this feels worth checking out.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+

She the People, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered May 22)
About: This new comedy comes from Tyler Perry and Niya Palmer. It follows a Terri J. Vaughn stars as Antoinette Dunkerson, a mom who is running for Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi to make a positive change in her community. Despite, or perhaps because of, a viral video created when she confronts her daughter’s boyfriend at a party on the day of the election, she wins the race. But getting to the State House, she soon realizes that things aren’t going to be easy. The episodes are about 25 minutes, with a nice blend of story and humor. The idea is ridiculous, but in the best kind of way. I had more fun with the pilot and second episode than I expected, and this feels like the kind of series that makes for a nice, easy binge watch. The first half of the season, eight episodes, is now streaming. The second eight episodes drop on August 14. It’s a fun binge for those who are fans of comedy, especially a bit of off-beat comedy.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Sirens, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered May 22)
About: This new limited series comes from Molly Smith Metzler, based on her stage play. It’s about two estranged sisters brought together in the wake of their father’s (Bill Camp) illness. Devon (Megan Fahy) is in a rough place and wants her sister’s help. Simone (Milly Alcock) is something of a lost soul, working for a strange and controlling woman (Julianne Moore) who seems to be the leader of a cult. While the reunion isn’t what Devon hoped, she decides to stay to get her sister out of this life. The series is five episodes, each an hour or more. Still, with its length it makes for a somewhat quick binge. It’s also a strong cast, including Kevin Bacon, Glenn Howerton, and Josh Segarra, among others, in addition to those mentioned. It’s a solid set up and potential in the story. But I found the first two episodes too weird, and not in a compelling way. If strange is your thing, this might hit different. Otherwise, this felt like a swing and a miss.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Pee-wee as Himself, Now Streaming on Max (Premiered May 23)
About: This is a two-part documentary featuring interviews and footage with Paul Reubens, the late actor behind the character Pee-wee Herman. The series is about his life and career, focusing a great deal on the creation and work as the iconic Pee-wee. It includes interviews with Reubens and those who collaborated and knew him best. Each half of the documentary is about an hour and 45 minutes, giving a lengthy exploration into his life and career. If you’re a fan, or just someone who wants to know more, it’s worth diving into this documentary from Matt Wolf that previously showed at the Sundance Film Festival. I found it engaging and captivating, one of the best documentaries of the year so far.
Pilot Grade: A-
Second Episode: A-