How are critics supposed to talk about The Madison?
Alos; Cinema enthusiast Nicole Kidman has another new show
It’s a nice, big and buzzy week of TV. The most-watched show will end up being Virgin River on Netflix, which returns for season 7 this week. One Piece, also on the house of N, will also drive significant viewership.
But in regards to new programming, I have some thoughts for you:
Scarpetta stars cinema enthusiast Nicole Kidman in what will be one of four TV shows she will appear in this year (vs her two feature films). She is supported here by fellow Aussie Simon Baker playing her husband and honorary Australian Bobby Carnavale as a closely connected former co-worker who she begins working with again. Also in the series is Jamie Lee Curtis who is so pitched differently to everyone else in the show that she serves as a frustrating distraction. It would be unfair to suggest that she is supporting the show or Kidman.
This is a forensic murder mystery show that follows the same characters split across two timelines investigating the same case. It does that frustrating thing where the younger cast are forced to modify their performances so that you buy them as the established star actors in the future. But, they’re actually all so good and compelling that I found myself wishing we were just sticking with the characters in the past. Rosy McEwan as young Kay Scarpetta is delivering a star-making turn here. Jake Carnavale playing the young version of his real-life dad is no slouch either.
Once you ignore Jamie Lee Curtis in the show, you’re left with a competent, very watchable crime thriller. The split-time narrative makes the show a bit more interesting than it actually is. It’ll have you watching it all, but it’s never quite as good as you will want it to be.
HBO has this infamous development process where it’ll send shows back to the kitchen if they seem underdone. How is it then that new Steve Carell comedy Rooster made it to the screen?
The show works when Danielle Deadwyler is on-screen. She has a great chemistry with Carell that elevates the show a considerable amount. When she’s not on screen, the sitcommy excess of Bill Lawrence is at full flight. He co-wrote the episode with regular collaborator Matt Tarses, with the two of them penning contrivance after contrivance.
Why can’t characters in a Bill Lawrence show actually act like human beings? Shrinking kinda gets away with it thanks to its talented monster cast.
If you’re watching this and didn’t see the very similar Vladimir on Netflix last weekend, go and watch that instead. Yes, the show takes a leap into the ridiculous once they reach the cabin, but it is so winning by that point that you’ll be willing to dismiss it.Usually in the newsletter I try and only highlight shows you can watch right away once you get the newsletter, but with The Madison debuting tomorrow, I thought it was worth giving the heads-up on it.
The new show from Taylor Sheridan was originally supposed to be connected to the Yellowstone universe of shows, but now isn’t. It stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, which is an incredible on-screen coupling. It’s just a shame the two barely spend any time on screen together. Shared scenes usually have them on the phone to one another.
It’s a show almost impossible to discuss because Paramount+ has asked reviewers not to talk about _____________. And the problem with that request is that the entire premise is based on that thing they don’t want us discussing. So, reviewers given screener access can’t explain why Michelle Pfeiffer’s character has brought her family to Montana from New York City, nor can they really discuss anything they’re doing there in the first few episodes. Hilariously at one moment they look like they’re going on a bear hunt, but that’s not what is up.
The thing that we’re not allowed to discuss is actually a fairly interesting dramatic idea for a show like this.
As a show, it’s alright. Broadly the show is a meditation on _____ and that may be a tough watch for quite a number of viewers. But the show is gorgeously filmed and makes the most of its outdoor shooting locations. It provides some fantastic production value that, unfortunately, is cheapened by some very soap opera-like editing throughout.
It’s worth a watch. Just don’t talk about the __________.
Returning TV
One Piece (s02), Ellis (s02), Virgin River (s07), Fatal Seduction (s03)
New TV
Scarpetta — Prime Video
Who’s in it: Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker
What’s it about? With skilled hands and an unnerving eye, Dr. Kay Scarpetta tries to unmask a serial killer and prove that her career-making case from 28 years earlier isn’t also her undoing.
Rooster — Netflix
Who’s in it: Steve Carell, Phil Dunster, Danielle Deadwyler
What’s it about? Set on a college campus centering on an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter.
The Madison — Paramount+
Who’s in it: Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick J. Adams, Kurt Russell, and Matthew Fox
What’s it about? A heartfelt study of grief and human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River Valley of Central Montana.
That Night — Netflix
Who’s in it: Clara Galle, Claudia Salas
What’s it about? When a young, naïve single mother gets embroiled in a murder during an island getaway, her sisters rush to help. But they only make things worse.
Gone — ITV
Who’s in it: Eve Myles and David Morrissey
What’s it about? A headmaster becomes the prime suspect after the disappearance of his wife.
New Movies
Made in Korea — Netflix
Who’s in it: Priyanka Mohan
What’s it about? A woman from a small town in Tamil Nadu moves to South Korea — a place she always dreamed of — but struggles to find her footing in a foreign land.
That’s the newsletter for this week.
Consider becoming a paid supporter of Always Be Watching.
Connect with Dan on Bluesky. Connect with Dan on Letterboxd. Connect with Dan on Linkedin. Email Dan @ alwaysbewatching.com or just reply to this email.
