Imperfect Women is packed with huge stars. But who you want to see is *this* guy....
Earlier today Substack sent out an automated email advising I was doing another live stream about the Oscars. I had connected by Substack to Riverside earlier in the week – it didn’t work for me then, but worked for me today without me knowing. I was using Riverside to record the weekly Screen Watching podcast.
Apologies for clogging up your inboxes.
It was a good thing I was using Riverside for my TV podcast and not my OnlyFans side hustle…
Episode 11 of season 2 The Pitt drops today. If you have been holding off on starting the season so you can have more of a binge experience, around now is probably the time to get started unless you’re waiting for them all to be available.
When I saw a screener for this back in January, I really thought this was going to be THE episode to get everyone talking (this seasons ‘Pittfest’). It concerns ICE and back when I saw it, the ICE shootings in Minneapolis were at the top of mind. Of course, thanks to Trump and the ill-defined war in Iran, our attention has now shifted on to other concerns. I can’t imagine the episode streaming this week will be as impactful.
It’s still a very good hour of TV and does what The Pitt does well, which is gives a dramatic context to real world concerns facing frontline medical workers. The delay with the episode, even if it was just two months, is a great argument for binge releases of TV shows.
Earlier this week Apple TV debuted Imperfect Women. It is another example of Apple TV throwing major star power at a show with Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss the two main leads in this. In supporting roles are Kate Mara, Corey Stoll, and Joel Kinnamen.
It is glossy, soapy nonsense that really only holds your attention because of the stars involved. The drama is tired and we’ve seen it all before from other “prestige” streaming shows where a friend or family member is found dead and it turns out that everyone in their life has a secret they don’t want exposed.
And the dialogue… boy is it whiffy.
But I will watch it all. And not because the central mystery has me hooked or I want to watch these stars. What has me curious after seeing just the first two episodes (streaming now) is the introduction of young actor Jackson Kelly in it. He was a great student antagonist in Lucky Hank, but he’s better known as the potential teen shooter from season one of The Pitt.
In the first few episodes of Imperfect Women he’s just loosely in the background being given reasons to be present, but not too present in the way that murder mystery shows work…
I’m watching to see if my hunch on this guy pans out. Also, this kid is good and we’re going to see a lot from him over the next few years at least.
Returning TV
Invincible (s04), Furies (s02), Deadloch (s02), Beauty In Black (s02-B), Unicorn Academy (s05), Wonder Pets in The City (s02), Pokémon Horizons – Rising Hope (s03)
New TV
Imperfect Women — Apple TV
Who’s in it: Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, Kate Mara, Corey Stoll, Joel Kinnaman
What’s it about? After a murder shatters the lives of three friends, their decades-long bond is tested when an investigation reveals shocking truths.
Jury Duty: Country Retreat — Prime Video
Who’s in it: Alex Bonifer, Blair Beeken, Emily Pendergast, Erica Hernandez, Jerry Hauck, Jim A. Woods, LaNisa Renee Frederick, Marc-Sully Saint-Fleur, Rachel Kaly, Rob Lathan, Ryan Perez, Stephanie Hodge, Warren Burke, and Wendy Braun
What’s it about? The award-winning Jury Duty returns with a new twist: a fake corporate retreat where only one person doesn’t know everyone else is acting.
Radioactive Emergency — Netflix
Who’s in it: Tuca Andrada, Antonio Saboia
What’s it about? In 1987 Brazil, scavengers discover a mysterious glowing substance in an abandoned hospital. As the material changes hands, scientists and doctors desperately work to prevent a radioactive disaster from claiming countless lives.
The Other Bennett Sister — BBC [UK] | Binge [AUS]
Who’s in it: Ella Bruccoleri, Ruth Jones, Richard E Grant, Indira Varma, Richard Coyle
What’s it about? After disappointment at the ball, Mary sets aside hopes of finding a match and devotes herself to more serious pursuits. But Mary’s resolve is tested when Mr Bennet’s distant cousin Mr Collins visits Longbourn with a surprising proposal.
New Movies
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man — Apple TV
Who’s in it: Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, Tim ROth, Stephen Graham,
What’s it about? Amid the chaos of World War II, Tommy Shelby returns from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet. With the future of his family and country at stake, Shelby must face his demons and choose whether to confront his legacy or burn it to the ground.
Agent Zeta — Prime Video
Who’s in it: Mario Casas, Luis Zahera
What’s it about? When five former Spanish spies involved in Operation Swamp are killed, the CNI tasks Zeta with tracking the sixth surviving agent involved. Joining forces with a Colombian spy, Zeta goes on to deal with the mysterious sixth member of the operation.
That’s the newsletter for this week.
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