TV Reviews

Season 3, Episode 19 – Grandma Jenny’s newfound freedom is threatened this week on Fresh Off the Boat. With Louis getting in the way of Jenny’s happiness it’s a role reversal for the ages as Louis becomes an overbearing son. Plus, the Huangs find themselves making very different uses of their spring break vacation.

Season 1, Episode 15 – The Mick goes one step further on the gross-out humor but the mix-ups and zaniness make for a funny 30 minutes.

Season 4, Episode 17 – Agents of SHIELD continues to rewrite itself in “Identity and Change” by taking the best ideas from the whole series, reworking them, and forcing the characters to confront their demons. The episode knows exactly which spots to poke and which wounds to rip open for maximum effect, both painful and delightful.

Season 2, Episode 11 – An episode for the ladies. Haylie confronts coal company manager Matt about the poisoning of the Farrells’ fields. Sally-Ann takes over management of prize fighting Hasil. G’winn leads her people down the mountain to plead their case to the people of Blackburn.

Season 1, Episodes 9-10 – Both episodes bring the laughs once again, when Josh and the team first must deal with a surprise witness, then a hostile jury.

Season 4, Episode 13 – Brooklyn Nine-Nine is back in full force in “The Audit.” With a great premise that lets every character shine their chaotically comedic best, the episode promises a funny finish to the show’s fourth season.

Season 1, Episode 10 – It’s another muddled, misguided attempt to address gentrification on Superior Donuts, resulting in an episode with many issues the show’s writers seem ill-equipped to handle.

Season 1, Episode 11 – Eric, John and CTU come together to save Rebecca this week on 24: Legacy. However, the way to do that is by uncovering just exactly how Donald Simms is involved with Naseri and the answers prove to challenging than anyone imagined. And how is Rebecca involved in this as well?

Season 1, Episode 10 – APB wisely puts some sideline players in the spotlight (one being Ernie Hudson’s Captain Conrad) and the episode benefits from it.

Season 1, Episode 7 – It’s hard to care about any of the stakes when you couldn’t possibly care less about the characters. Another lackluster episode of NBC’s Taken.

Season 5, Episode 8 – So, Chicky is dead, killed by ex-Sheriff Alex Romero in Monday night’s episode of Bates Motel. But for what? He got on his nerves. With Norman in jail, it seems the town of White Pine Bay is in a tizzy. Why haven’t people suspected him before?

Season 2, Episode 17 – Quantico gets political, with the team tasked with striking down an impending Muslim Registry vote in congress. A different take for this show, but it works!

Season 3, Episode 1 – Better Call Saul returns to take its place as one of the best dramas on television, with Vince Gilligan directing the season premiere. What is Chuck going to do with the secretly tapped confession of Jimmy’s sabotage? Who intervened to stop Mike from killing Hector, and what do they want?

Season 1, Episodes 10-11 – Seems like The Get Down gave up on itself. I expected to review 3 more episodes. Apparently, there are only 2 more. They are better than the first 3, but inconsistency kills this story’s chances of being liked. I guess the writers were like, “F*** it”. I share that sentiment.

Season 1, Episode 8 – In the season one finale, accompanied by his trusted advisor Artie Lang, Pete goes to an old friend’s baptism and finds he might have another chance at the life that was taken away from him.

Season 2, Episode 8 – Bryan and Sacker come together to work a lead which may help take down Axe on Billions , only the timing isn’t right for Chuck. It isn’t until something Chuck Sr. does puts a dent in Axe’s calm demeanor, that Chuck sees an opening to take Axe down once and for all.

Season 1, Episode 6 – Feud continues to bumble its way through 1960s Hollywood, hitting sporadically upon events and issues without ever pausing to examine them. “Hagsploitation” is another example of the series’ aimlessness, presenting the characters as victims of circumstance without achieving a narrative goal or even providing cheap thrills.

Season 3, Episode 5 – It’s a tough hour to watch, but this is good television. American Crime‘s characters are all faced with the illusion of choice, but really are stuck between bad and worse.

Season 1, Episodes 1-2 – In Texas in 1915, family patriarch Eli McCullough realizes change needs to happen in his business to keep up with the times. Believing that his lands contain oil, Eli throws his family into new territory and new relationships to build the legacy he wants.

Season 1, Episode 7 – Training Day returns with an enjoyable if less action packed episode than usual. If you want to savor ever second of Bill Paxton’s final work, you should catch his performance here.

Season 1, Episode 9 – Maia is questioned by the FBI, Jane Lynch guest stars, and Colin Sweeney returns in this week’s penultimate episode of The-Good-Fight.

Season 1, Episodes 7-9 – The Get Down returns, and it continues in its tradition of bringing us an “aggressively mediocre” (borrowed from Damon Young of VSB notoriety) story. There are only two things that save it from being a double dose of disaster – the comic book perspective and The Get Down Brothers’ performances. Otherwise, it’s wack.

Season 1, Episode 20 – MacGyver steps into a villain’s shoes in “Hole Puncher.” With the team working separate cases from different places, the episode gives Mac a chance to shine a little more brightly, and breaking the routine of the show makes for an interesting change.

Season 2, Episode 19 – In another great episode, Glenn brings his foster children to the store, but grows worried when his oldest (guest star Brenda Song) begins flirting with Jonah. Superstore is one of the most consistently funny shows on air right now.

Season 1, Episode 7 – Becky welcomes someone new to Sun Records as Elvis Presley’s popularity grows. Col. Parker meets Elvis for the first time and begins his quest for management. Johnny Cash returns from Germany, marries Vivian and settles in to domestic life. Jerry Lee gets expelled from the bible institute and his marriage, but finds his bliss selling brushes door-to-door.

Season 1, Episodes 9-13 – The last 5 episodes of 13 Reasons Why provides an unexpected conclusion that was undoubtedly worth the wait. The quiet analysis and commentary on high school life brings chills to your soul that will leave you broken open and questioning how you treated others while in high school.

Season 1, Episode 9 – Riverdale continues to get darker and more intensely dramatic in “La Grande Illusion.” With maple syrup, lots of ginger people, and Archie continually being naive about everything, the episode whips up an entertaining concoction like only Riverdale could.

Season 1, Episode 7 – A marked improvement for Powerless this week, as a Van Wayne (Alan Tudyk) storyline steals the show, providing consistent laughs not present in recent episodes.

Season 4, Episode 20 – The Goldbergs puts the focus on the family in “The Dynamic Duo.” With lots of Batman references and a classic over-confident fumble, the episode provided plenty of entertainment, but was light on the laughs.

Season 1, Episode 3 – This week’s episode of Shots Fired put “black-on black crime” on full display with politics at the center of all the turmoil, as we see learn how the investigations into the deaths of Jesse Carr and Joey Campbell affect the community.