Hawkeye
Due to my general exhaustion about Marvel-world, I was planning to skip this series. But the clips revealed a lively comical sensibility, so I've been sucked back in. And this is an enjoyable romp, with sparky turns from Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld as arrow-shooting heroes who bicker because the script insists that they must. The story is enjoyably convoluted and a bit out of control, packed with characters who are rather too sure of themselves based on flawed information. As Kate, Steinfeld's refusal to be the usual brooding hero is hugely refreshing. And the best surprise is the sizzling action-banter between Steinfeld and Florence Pugh's Yelena. Please give them their own movie. (Disney)
Jamie Dornan is terrific as a guy who wakes up in an Australian Outback hospital with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He makes a connection with Danielle Macdonald's rookie cop, while she intrepidly investigates his identity against all advice. Details about who he is and the trouble he's deeply into dribble out slowly over six episodes, maintaining a ripping sense of mystery while throwing in some heart-stopping action here and there. It's more violent than was strictly necessary, with one villain to many. But the variety of the baddies (from Olafur Darri Olafsson's man-beast to Alex Dimitriades' swaggering billionaire to Damon Herriman's wheezy cop) keeps things very lively. (BBC)
Kristen Bell somehow maintains a straight face all the way through this thriller pastiche, which deploys every imaginable cliche of the mystery thriller genre with gusto. Although because those movies are essentially spoofs themselves (they never resemble anything like real life), this show really needed to go much further than this. Even the requisite steamy sex montage is oddly undercooked, as it were. Still, it's hilarious to watch Bell guzzle litre-sized glasses of wine as she gazes out her window, so emotionally wounded that no one believes she's witnessed a murder. As the whodunit takes some silly turns, more arch, over-the-top satire might have set this apart from the shows it's poking fun at. (Netflix)
Claire Foy and Paul Bettany are terrific as the real-life Duke and Duchess of Argyll in this three-part drama about a 1963 court case that caused a seismic shift in Britain's tabloid coverage. There's a problem woven into the fact-based narrative, because it's impossible to end this story on a satisfying note. But the writers bravely refuse to embellish anything, so all of the events are deliberately left as hazy or undefined as history has recorded them, which is also slightly frustrating. Still, the entire cast is excellent, and the period is recreated with understated flair. It's also an eye-opening exploration of gender roles, centring on a woman who simply refused to be bound by the rules. (BBC)
Lavishly produced on a remarkable scale, this grand adventure stars David Tennant and Ibrahim Koma as Phileas Fogg and Passepartout, with Leonie Benesch as a gender-swapped Fix, who's now a feisty journalist rather than a tenacious detective. Switching characters around isn't a problem, but the writers have essentially abandoned Jules Verne's novel completely, with big set pieces that feel contrived to add thrills at specific intervals. And the plot contrivances that have been inserted are surprisingly lazy and underdeveloped. Thankfully the actors are terrific, creating a nice sense of camaraderie between the bickering-but-loyal trio. And the landscapes are spectacular, augmented by above-average effects work. (BBC)
Clearly straining to be the new Game of Thrones, this over-serious epic about ancient lands and terrible wigs is bursting with convoluted mythology about the nature of fate (see the title) and how various people tap into power for good or evil, represented as white or black swirls, of course. The costumes designs are just as cliched, but at least the production is splashed with some bright colours to liven up the usual drab beige-greyness. Rosamund Pike produced the show, so it's surprising that she's wasted in an underdeveloped role (including two episodes in which she's unconscious). The rest of the cast has a fresh-faced intrigue that bodes well for a second series. Just give Pike more to do, please. (Amazon)
T H E Y ’ R E B A C K !
This reunion show catches up with three of the central characters: Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis (Kim Cattrall's Samantha has moved to London). It works best when it's exploring how the characters have maintained their spark into their mid-50s, although packing so many momentous life events into these 10 episodes feels rather artificial. It also feels awkward as it tries to tick a series of trendy and politically correct boxes, while the darkly emotive sequences are rather soggy, as if concocted by writers to add depth on cue. That said, revisiting these characters is fun, and the lively and engaging new cast members add a fresh perspective. (HBO)
All these years later, we catch up with our favourite blood-spatter expert Dexter (Michael C Hall), who's now calling himself Jim and working in a weaponry shop somewhere very snowy. He's also being haunted the ghost of his snarky sister Debra (the great Jennifer Carpenter). Of course he's managed to fall in love the local police chief (Julia Jones). Then his now-teen son (Jack Alcott) turns up, triggering a series of momentous events that churn into a powerful finale. This has never been the most tightly scripted show, with its gaps in logic and continuity, but its characters have been so indelible that we hate to miss a single episode. And this limited series has clearly been created for the fans. (Showtime)
A N O T H E R S E A S O N
Even more raucous than the first season, this historical romp continues to play loose with the facts while unpicking deeper truths about humanity. Everyone in the story is somewhat cartoonish, and the plots are bonkers, but that's the point, as present-day attitudes and dialog are overlaid on the 18th century Russian court. Now that Catherine (Elle Fanning) has seized control of the Russian Empire, her lovelorn husband Peter (Nicholas Hoult) languishes in house arrest. Although he can't be contained at all. The surrounding characters come into their own this season, orbiting hilariously around these bickering rulers. And then there's Gillian Anderson's riotous appearance as Catherine's mother. (Hulu)
While this show still has some self-effacing wit, this season is far more serious than the lively, scruffy first set of episodes. This time it's much more about politics and power, as the characters jostle for position and engage in a lot of soapy melodrama that just seems silly because everyone maintains such a straight face. Which is even more astonishing since everyone is wearing an appalling wig. Thankfully, Henry Cavill knows how to rock a terrible weave, and his costars have plenty of tetchy energy as they circle each other. What makes this show so engaging is the fact that everyone is trying to find their place in this crazy world. But the writers need to have a lot more fun with it next time round. (Netflix)
The American Civil War is now raging, and the Dickinson family continues to battle among themselves, comically butting heads on all sides as poetry-minded Emily (Hailee Stanfield) tries to make sense of things in her askance, observant way. The narrative unfolds in a flurry of modern-day expressions mixed in with period detail in a way that's sometimes oddly jarring. But there's an important point being made here about the power of poetry to heal both a family and a society that are torn in half. And while the bigger issues may be rather overly pointed, and given rather a lot of artistic licence, the show does draw some well-deserved attention to the iconic poet and the challenges she faced. (Apple)
M O R E T O C O M E
Things get very dense very quickly this season, with yet another undefined "anomaly" causing catastrophe and confusion across the galaxy. The crew's various attempts to investigate this are rather tiresome, distracting from the much more intriguing interaction between them, which leaves their personal journeys to develop more slowly than usual. Sonequa Martin-Green is still a tremendous presence at the centre, complex and fascinating, and her connection with David Ajala's Book is at the show's heart. Also terrific are characters played by Anthony Rapp, Wilson Cruz and the excellent Blu del Barrio. But the departure of Mary Wiseman's Tilly feels like a mistake, as her fresh vibe is badly missed. (Peacock)
It hardly seems possible, but this saga turns even darker this season, as the Byrdes find themselves increasingly squeezed between the FBI, the Mexican drug cartel and local suppliers. As if the show needed another psychopath, the kingpin's nephew Javi (Alfonso Herrera) is perhaps even more wildly unpredictable than terrifying opium farmer Darlene (Lisa Emery). Meanwhile, Marty (Jason Bateman) keeps a level head, and Wendy (Laura Linney) is properly losing a grip on reality, especially where their daughter Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) and 14-year-old son Jonah (a series-stealing Skylar Gaertner) are concerned. And it leaves things set up for even more carnage in the final run of episodes. (Netflix)
C A T C H I N G U P
I defiantly refused to watch this Korean show when everyone else did, then finally gave in when I was in covid isolation over Christmas. It's an entertaining thriller packed with terrific characters and some gasp-worthy violence as society's losers are given a chance to make a fortune, or die trying. Colourful visual flourishes also make it stand out from bleak American thrillers. Although some more sharply pointed satire might make it more memorable. (Netflix)
I find Renee Zellweger mesmerising, even with her oddly pinched physicality. She's the driving force in this series, but remains mainly in the background as the central plot follows a young couple (Jane Levy and Blake Jenner) drawn into the gravitational pull of Renee's billionaire. The show is slick and prudishly sexy and, aside from the melodramatic reveals, it makes some nice observations about the power of greed and the strength of real relationships. (Netflix)
NOW WATCHING: The Book of Boba Fett, Peacemaker, The Afterparty, Pam & Tommy, Murderville, Euphoria (2), Snowpiercer (3), The Connors (4), This is Us (6).
COMING SOON: Severance, Star Trek: Picard (2), Star Trek: Discovery (3b), Killing Eve (4), The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (4).
