What I’m Watching: The Flash

The Flash: Season 8, Episode 9 “Phantoms” (B)

Iris has seemed very distant lately and that sentiment is only likely to increase given Deon’s grim prognosis following his research, but it was good to see her get out of town and have her mind occupied by something else. I was personally thrilled to see Sue, since I always thought she was a great character and worried that she might no longer be involved due to the issues involving the actor who portrayed Ralph. It was fun to see her in this different context, going around to check on her various tenants and offering five-star luxury stays to whoever was lucky enough to get to accompany her. Allegra wanted to come, but Iris definitely needed it, and I suspect that Tinya will soon become the newest member of Team Flash after she realizes that Iris really does only want to help her. Back at Star Labs, this was a more horror-like episode with Chester being haunted by what he thought was a literal ghost of his father and turned out to more predictably be a meta who fed off the grief that Chester was emitting. I know that it was only a flash-forward to a different future, but I’m still wondering when Chester and Allegra are going to officially get together, or whether they’re destined just to be best friends in this timeline. I’m also curious if what Iris is going through is somehow related to the meta serial killer an whether that’s going to come into play down the road.

Pilot Review: Moon Knight

Check out my one-minute take on every new pilot, which is embedded below and you can also watch by subscribing to movieswithabe on YouTube.

What I’m Watching: This Is Us

This Is Us: Season 6, Episode 10 “Every Version of You” (B+)

It’s very sweet to see the close relationship that Rebecca and Randall have had over the years, and to hear Rebecca say that it started even while Jack was still alive. Her insistence that she come with him when he left to drive to Boston even after he lashed out with a comment about how she wanted Kate to make all the decisions for her showed her dedication to him, and she was able to calmly offer him plenty of advice on their road trip, which included a pleasant stop at a diner and a bar that allowed them to form some endearing memories. It also gave Déjà the distance she needed in order to work through things with Malik and then not be unhappy with Randall when he arrived. Malik thanking Randall for being his mentor was very mature, and I liked what Randall said back to him about how it might end up coming around again in the future if it’s meant to be. Randall talking the cop out of pressing charges was impressive, but I liked his instantaneously successful effort to get his siblings in the pool with him years earlier even more. I don’t know how much of his career we’ll get to see, but dreaming of and achieving big things would hardly be a surprise. Now that this trio of episodes is done, we got a tease of Kate telling Toby she can’t come to San Francisco, and I’m glad that we get eight weeks of new episodes to wrap this show up.

What I’m Watching: Mr. Mayor

Mr. Mayor: Season 2, Episode 3 “Trampage” (B+)

This episode featured one of my favorite things to see on TV, which is characters who don’t normally interact spending a lot of time together. Arpi getting caught obsessively buying lottery tickets by Tommy led to him unintentionally ruining the thrill she got from her vice, even though she managed to win $1000 in just one night. His hidden habit was admittedly much weirder, but on a show like this that constantly pushes the bounds of reality by tapping into the things that might be true even if they’re really not, it made so much sense. I’ve definitely purchased my fair share of Rae Dunn mugs as gifts for other people and see their appeal. Since I do love my Jayden moments, I have to make mention of his belief that “Brath” must be some god he was supposed to be praying to rather than just a weird way of saying “breath.” Neil coming to Mikaela with questions about online dating was not a great move, even if she did point out to him that he was being swarmed by bots trying to get his passwords. I loved the casting of Fran Drescher as Angelica Masters, the actress with a very particular niche who was quite interested to meet with Neil when he reached out. That his failure to respond led to her calling an actor with a similar career focus played by Peter Gallagher was very funny. Ending the episode with an ad where she listed all the things she would never ask anyone for was fantastic.

What I’m Watching: Superman and Lois

Superman and Lois: Season 2, Episode 9 “30 Days and 30 Nights” (B+)

Lucy’s betrayal made it very easy for Ally to cross over, and even though he was told that he wasn’t going to be able to get through, Clark did manage to get a running start and then apparently make the journey. Him not coming back for an entire month changed the mood of things around Smallville, and most of the burden for saving people fell to John. Jordan was also trying to do his part, even though he didn’t want Lois to find out, and both John and Jordan saw the consequences of putting heroism first in their personal relationships. John was able to remedy things with Natalie by proving that he hasn’t forgotten her mom, but Jordan found his situation irreparable when Sarah, already feeling put off by her parents’ increasingly permanent separation, took her father’s advice to make sure Jordan was showing her the respect she deserved. If she knew what was really going on, she would surely feel differently, but he’s not likely to let her in on his secret anytime soon. Jonathan was able to reveal Candice’s complicity but still keep her protected, and now he’s the one who’s developing powers and going to have to hide them from his girlfriend. Lana’s victory shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise since that will now give her something to focus on and present its own new obstacles. The bigger shock was the arrival of a leather jacket-wearing Jonathan from the other world, who may bring ominous news but whose presence suggests we might get to see other versions of other characters.

Take Three: The Girl from Plainville

The Girl from Plainville: Season 1, Episode 3 “Never Have I Ever” (B+)

This show does a lot of time-jumping, getting to know its characters in the past as we see the aftermath of Conrad’s suicide unfolding in the present. It’s somewhat disorienting but does help to give the full picture and add more to them. Seeing how Michelle and Conrad interacted with their friends is very informative, and also unsettling given how little they share at different points. Michelle in particular seemed to be very close to her friend in a way that likely didn’t end well, and she pulled away from Natalie after confiding in her, something that’s only going to make her look much more suspicious. Conrad, on the other hand, felt like he was being cut out of his life with other friends taking his place, and the text exchange had with Michelle was imagined as a conversation by her basketball hoop which felt appropriately distant. The case against Michelle is intensifying with Scott bringing it to the district attorney, and I’m thrilled to see Aya Cash, a great talent from “You’re the Worst” and “The Boys” who is also appearing in another new show, “Welcome to Flatch,” as Kate, who seems set on trying this case to get an important precedent set. Michelle didn’t react all that poorly to Scott showing up at school to interrogate her, and her harshest response was when her sister called her out on verbatim reciting “Glee” lines when she was trying to make a point. It’s only going to get more awkward and uncomfortable once her potential guilt becomes public knowledge.

Round Two: The Girl from Plainville

The Girl from Plainville: Season 1, Episode 2 “Turtle” (B+)

Although I’m from Massachusetts, I had no idea where either Mattapoisett or Plainville were, and I didn’t realize that they’re actually over two hours apart, with the former on the coast near Cape Cod and the latter in Western Massachusetts right near Amherst. That’s significant because it really does indicate how crazy it was that Michelle had Conrad’s closet friends and family drive all the way to a softball game she had planned without them being consulted. We also saw two important moments in which Michelle fabricated something that was entirely untrue, modifying her lackluster departure from Florida where he didn’t actually show up to say goodbye by telling Lynn that he had brought her flowers and making Rob feel guilty because she had already put down the deposit before hanging up with him and then placing the deposit. No one seems to buy the authenticity of their relationship, and Lynn was more enticed by the notion that Conrad might have said nice things about her than about the connection he had with someone else. Conrad and Michelle did seem to have a very nice time together in Florida, but he likely associated that with resentment towards his sister and his father, whose behavior in the wake of his death is considerably calmer and more sympathetic than when his son was alive. I was pleased to see Peter Gerety from “Sneaky Pete” and “Working Man” as Conrad Sr., who didn’t have anything nice to say to his former daughter-in-law. Gail telling Lynn that not everyone can be a home owner was a particularly awkward and uncomfortable moment.

Pilot Review: The Girl from Plainville

Check out my one-minute take on every new pilot, which is embedded below and you can also watch by subscribing to movieswithabe on YouTube.

What I’m Watching: Better Things

Better Things: Season 5, Episode 6 “San Francisco” (B+)

It’s interesting to see Sam in a different light, doing her best to direct a very obnoxious and untalented child who is method enough to demand that he only be referred to on-set by his character name and who isn’t able to take the slightest note while still sticking to his hard out times that affect the rest of the production. A particularly interesting moment was when Ron, who is playing a version of the warm person he is in real life, snapped at her, unhappy to be given advice on playing a character that he knew much more about than Sam did, and he was more gracious and polite when he acknowledged it later when she asked if they were okay. Lena Waithe also had an amusing part, one that mostly found her making faces but also refusing to help Sam feel okay about being a white woman who still got the gig. Sam was not at all pleased that Phil was at the bar and sending her a drink, but it did turn out to be something appealing, and even if she needed some time away for herself, it doesn’t look like she’s going to get it. It was hilarious to see Max morph into mom mode when she came home to find Duke not taking care of the house and then forced her and Pepper to come out and enjoy the last of Pepper’s time there. Max did admit that being a mom was serious business, a minor victory that Sam would surely relish more if she wasn’t almost immediately distracted by the nagging presence of her own mother.

What I’m Watching: Snowpiercer (Season Finale)

Snowpiercer: Season 3, Episode 10 “The Original Sinners” (B+)

Well, this episode really changed things, and then we got a hint of new threats to come at the very end with a slight time jump. Melanie quickly established herself as the villain and was ready to head to war with Layton, and she was even willing to meet with Wilford to figure out whether he was best positioned as an ally. He didn’t waste much time in trying to prove how his ruthlessness has endured, and his new Iceman was a terrifying giant who nearly felled Ruth as she ran away from him in heels before getting a crucial assist from above. Fortunately, Melanie and Layton did manage to reach a compromise, though it’s always dangerous to keep a man like Wilford alive since, even if he’s not conscious and doesn’t have any resources, he can always return to rally his supporters by promising a return to the good old days, regardless of whether he was actually responsible for them (and if they were indeed all that good). As the train was ready to divide – a cool concept that really did feel like the best solution – there were plenty of couple reunions, with Ben and Melanie back together, and Layton and Josie, and even Till and Audrey, though they cut it very close before Till decided she needed to be with her above the mission that mattered so much. LJ choking to death on her father’s eyeball was a bizarre but humorous subplot, essentially telling us that nefarious elements may no longer remain on either train. Arriving to a warm place where they could all go inside and breathe the air for the first time in years was a poignant moment, and all did seem like it might be great. Though the fireworks at the end appeared to be celebratory flares, there were definitely missiles inside, so there’s obviously unrest that might be coming from an entirely new place. I’ll admit that I’m intrigued, and while this season had some slow points, the show is improving substantially and I’ll be happy to board season four.

Season grade: B
Season MVP: Alison Wright as Ruth

What I’m Watching: Super Pumped

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber: Season 1, Episode 5 “The Charm Offensive” (B+)

I’m a big fan of Hank Azaria’s and really enjoyed his recent appearance on an episode of “Life and Beth” as a funeral director very much affected by his poor choice to engage in intermittent fasting during the workday. I like that he brought something different to Tim Cook, willing to hear Travis out but also to truly go through all the points before telling him he was done in China and would be finished everywhere else if he ever stepped out of line again. The idea that Uber is no longer the disruptor but the establishment now is an interesting perspective, but Travis has never been one to engage with reality as it is. His first response to the news that a driver killed a child was incredibly selfish, and him being upset about something going wrong when he was still the offending party showed that he still believes nothing and no one can stop him. Emil echoed that sentiment by talking to a Buzzfeed reporter as if he wasn’t legitimate and couldn’t possibly write an article that would be damaging, and the most effective show of the toxic culture at Uber was Susan explaining it as the number of women at the company kept ticking downward. Ultimately, the biggest threat to Travis isn’t coming from the public but from an even more powerful peer, Google, one with the power to ruin them, especially if they’re coming after Travis personally for aggressively poaching an asset they refused to share.

What I’m Watching: Winning Time

Winning Time: Season 1, Episode 4 “Who the F**k Is Jack McKinney?” (B+)

It’s pretty wild that Jeanie ended up where she is given the experiences she had growing up with her father, namely that moment in the restaurant when the kids ended up there with their mother while he was there and otherwise engaged with a date. That did prove helpful to her, of course, in pitching the big idea that Jerry finally got excited about, the combination of a number of different things that were not particularly family-friendly, and to finally be accepted as one of the team by Linda. Putting the team in Joann’s name was a bold move and one she was furious to discover, and it’s so interesting to see how that relationship plays out when she knows she holds some of the power. We got to meet a few new characters in this episode played by terrific actors, Tracy Letts’ Coach McKinney and his wife Cranny, played by Julianne Nicholson, and the assistant coach, Paul Westhead, played by Jason Segel, who I would have expected to have a bigger role based on his fame. McKinney’s approach is certainly novel, and West was able to compel him to scale back a little while trusting him to get it right. I’ve never been a fan of seeing new players hazed to any degree, and Magic being forced to do Kareem’s bidding and get attached to the orange juice wasn’t all that pleasant to watch even if it was considerably better than what many have to endure, I’m sure, and his ego could use a bit of trimming even if the rest of the team isn’t being too kind.

What I’m Watching: Billions

Billions: Season 6, Episode 10 “Johnny Favorite” (B+)

It was strange to see Dave host a goodbye party for Chuck that suggested that he was positively sent off rather than brutally dismissed from his position and forced to collect his affairs in a small box. Chuck was intent on finding revenge but Ira, Adam, and Chuck Sr. were intent on taking him away for the weekend to distract him. However much they may not have intended to, they did give him a platform to earn applause from the rest of the room by taking down the obnoxious Ron Chestnut, played by Matthew Lillard. He’s also ready to entice Prince into his next bloodsport, which is probably good timing given that Prince is in celebration mode, giving all of his employees $100,000 in flight credits and parading around ice sculptures and other lavish excesses. I’ll admit that I was surprised by Rian telling Taylor that she couldn’t fall in love with someone at work only to then go ahead and sleep with Prince, but that says more about Prince’s potential vulnerability than it does about Rian, who continues to get close to the top brass after her newfound friendship of convenience with Wags. It’s strange to see Kate meet with Hall given how many times they were on the opposite sides of things without Kate knowing it, and the information he had to share about what Kate didn’t know about her own past was unfortunately damaging and may severely hinder her career prospects. She’s certainly not going to have a warm and open working relationship with Dave.

What I’m Watching: Killing Eve

Killing Eve: Season 4, Episode 6 “Oh Goodie, I'm The Winner” (B+)

Villanelle might still be alive, but the same can’t be said for a few other characters, suggesting that we really are getting close to the end here. While Villanelle was typically less serious than you might expect for someone who had nearly been killed and was successfully nursed back to health by a resourceful Pam, she was not at all happy with Eve, marking a drastic shift in their dynamic where Eve was the one pining for her affection and attention. She did manage to shock Eve like old times when she hid under Hélène’s bed and almost waited too long to make her move, only to then kill her rather violently with Eve watching. Eve also made sure to exact her own revenge, frustrating Carolyn to no end when she refused to listen to her and went ahead and killed Lars anyway. Carolyn’s point about the Twelve simply replacing him and Eve’s action having gotten them no closer to dismantling the organization was ignored, though she seems to be ready to act on whatever information may be in his book. She’s also still searching for her own answers about her son’s death, yet another complicating motivator for one of our intrepid characters. Konstantin continues to be a source of entertainment, demanding an apology from Eve for shooting him and expressing his displeasure at Villanelle getting his antibiotics since his ear infection was still serious and painful. Pam’s first assignment wasn’t one she wanted to carry out but she did it even after she tried not to, and I wonder what part she’ll play in the final two episodes of this show and whatever conclusion it’s going to reach.

What I’m Watching: Bridgerton (Season Finale)

Bridgerton: Season 2, Episode 8 “The Viscount Who Loved Me” (B+)

It’s nice to see that Kate and Anthony were able to have a happy ending after all, even if it didn’t look that way given Anthony’s resistance to visiting and her initial dismissal of his proposal by saying she was heading back to India as soon as possible. Edwina was considerably more understanding than I might have imagined when she understood that Kate tried to suppress and rid herself of the feelings she had for Anthony, and Mary was warmly supportive of Kate when she said she didn’t deserve any happiness of her own. Queen Charlotte was quite understanding of the change in plans, and she was even ready to recommend another match for Edwina, eager to take credit for any romantic success and get the ton under control. Colin did manage to defend the honor of the Featherington family and get Jack to move up his planned departure, but he unfortunately said something he likely didn’t mean which Penelope overheard, and which won’t be easy to take back if he does ever finally see how much she cares for him. Eloise’s reaction to realizing that Penelope was Lady Whistledown was about as bad as it could have been, and it only got worse when Penelope called her out on never actually doing anything about the things she hated in the world. That falling out also seems to have sparked Penelope to only continue on with Lady Whistledown, potentially with a more pointed approach that could get her in trouble. The most biting betrayal that came in this finale was from Portia, who had led Jack on the whole time to think she was falling for him when in fact she was just concocting an exit strategy to force him out of her life and repair her family’s reputation in the process. This has been a great and engaging season, and I feel fortunate to have finished it right around the same time as everyone else rather than only getting into it much later like last year.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Simone Ashley as Kate