TV

Lethal Weapon (2016-?)

lethal-weapon

Lethal Weapon (2016-?)

Network:

Fox

Starring:

Clayne Crawford

Damon Wayans

Jordana Brewster

Plot:

Based on the hit movie franchise, Lethal Weapon tells the story of classic cop duo Riggs and Murtaugh, as they work a crime-ridden beat in modern-day Los Angeles. Riggs’ penchant for diving into the line of fire clashes with Murtaugh’s by-the-book technique. It’s clear from the moment they meet, that this partnership is doomed. But it might just work. If Riggs doesn’t get them killed first…

Review:

I like the Lethal Weapon movies, but they aren’t sacred in my mind so I think that helped me enjoy this show. The basic story seemed to follow the movies, the characters seemed spot on, and the action was what you would expect on a TV version. I liked it. It wasn’t amazing, it wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was comforting and fun to watch. I could easily see myself watching this every week and I’m excited to see how the show develops.

4/5

Designated Survivor (2016-?)

designated-survivor-1

Designated Survivor (2016-?)

Network:

ABC

Starring:

Kiefer Sutherland

Natascha McElhone

Adan Canto

Plot:

A low-level Cabinet member becomes President of the United States after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.

Review:

How can you not want to watch something with that tagline? Especially with the current political climate in our country.

I’ve never watched an episode of 24 so I went into this show with very little exposure to Sutherland and in all honesty was thinking more about Jack Ryan in the book Executive Orders. If they can keep up the good guy image of Sutherland’s character I think I could really enjoy this show. Seeing him battle and win in Washington would be amazing, if unrealistic, after all I do love Mr. Smith goes to Washington.

I’m going to give the show a few more episodes before I fully commit, there’s a lot of side stuff going on and there was a lot to allude to in the pilot, so I’m still not too sure about the show. If it can keep up the idea of someone who is good and wants what’s best for the country and not make him become a corruptible asshole I think I could really enjoy the show. As long as he gets enough wins. I like the idea of hope in politics.

4/5

Foyle’s War (2002-2015)

Foyle's War

Foyle’s War (2002-2015)

Network:

ITV/PBS

Creator:

Anthony Horowitz

Starring:

Michael Kitchen

Honeysuckle Weeks

Anthony Howell

Plot:

As WW2 rages around the world, DCS Foyle fights his own war on the home-front as he investigates crimes on the south coast of England. Later series sees the retired detective working as an MI5 agent operating in the aftermath of the war.

Review:

Wow was not expecting this, it was crazy good. Foyle’s War was recommended to me by Netflix after my parents visited and used my Netflix account. One day I thought, why not, next thing I knew I was spending a month and a half watching this show. It was hard to get anything else done because all I wanted to do was watch.

I loved the fact that Foyle, Michael Kitchen, didn’t let people use the war as their excuse for being bad. So many people would tell him there’s a war going on, what I did was for the greater good, and he would just look at them and give that dad look that says, ‘I’m so disappointed with you and that the ends doesn’t justify the means.’ Loved it.

Foyle had a moral compass that could not be corrupted.

The side characters were just as interesting. Sam, Honeysuckle Weeks, made it through the entire season and I liked to see the development. Milner, Anthony Howell, didn’t make it in the final few seasons and the last season he was in was kind of rough, but he was still a good character.

Honestly, that’s my only complaint with the show. The first five seasons are amazing, but the last few aren’t as good. Foyle is no longer a police detective or not really and Milner eventually gets a promotion but he changes when that happens. He seemed to really learn from Foyle, but then all of a sudden he’s just as bad as everyone else.

It didn’t make the show horrible or even bad, but it wasn’t as awesome as those first few seasons.

Highly recommend Foyle’s War.

5/5

Fuller House (2016-?)

Fuller House

Fuller House (2016-?)

Network:

Netflix

Starring:

Candace Cameron Bure

Jodie Sweetin

Andrea Barber

Plot:

D.J. Tanner-Fuller is a widow and mother of three. Things become too much to handle, so she asks for help from her sister Stephanie and her best friend Kimmy.

Review:

I don’t remember exactly what I thought when I first heard that Netflix was making this, but I believe it was along the lines of, “Why?”

After having binge watched the entire first season on release day, I can safely say, “More please.”

Fuller House of course had loads of nostalgia attached to it since I’d watched the original show growing up, however I found that the parts and episodes I liked the most were the ones that weren’t filled with cameos from the original older cast members. In fact easily the worst episode was the first one, the increase in quality after that one was immense. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the first pilot, but there were plenty of cringe worthy moments and I think a series written with everyone in it would have not worked.

This was also a family show, with comedy for the entire family, not just kids like the remake of Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World. I’ve read some people think the humor was too adult for a family comedy, but I disagree. It had nothing more risqué than what you find in an episode of Modern Family.

D.J., Candace Cameron Bure, Stephanie, Jodie Sweetin, and Kimmy, Andrea Barber, take up their roles like no time has passed. The kids, who could easily drag down the show, are as entertaining as the original Full House kids. It’s like I’m watching a 90’s sitcom through the lens of the 10’s. It’s awesome.

Honestly, as soon as I finished the season I wished there were more episodes. I’ve already re-watched the first episode and I can see myself re-watching the entire season easily. Now I wait to hear if Netflix decides to pick it up.

4.5/5

Side note: I don’t understand why the original series isn’t on Netflix US, it’s available in other countries, I’d really love an opportunity to re-watch the original series.

Supergirl (2015-?)

Supergirl

Supergirl (2015-?)

Network:

CBS

Starring:

Melissa Benoist

Mehcad Brooks

Chyler Leigh

Jeremy Jordan

David Harewood

Calista Flockhart

Plot:

The adventures of Superman’s cousin in her own superhero career.

Review:

I’m slipping yet again on my TV pilot reviews. This show has been on for a while now and I just realized I hadn’t written a review. That was partly because I wanted to wait a few episodes before I made my judgement.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for this show. I really like Supergirl, but I think I like her potential more than what’s ever been done with her. Out of all comic book heroes I’ve read more of her comics than anyone else, and while I love her, she rarely has any good story lines.

The show is, to me, just like that. It has potential but Supergirl just kind of screws stuff up or stumbles on the answer or has someone else bail her out. Whether it’s her sister or her aunt or someone else, she’s more of a beat the enemy into submission hero than Superman is. I realize she’s just starting out and she’s going to make mistakes, but I guess I demand more.

I’m also not overly fond of the feel of the show, it’s so bright and girly. Which is weird because I honestly dislike how gritty and dull other superhero shows/movies can be. I’m not sure why it rubs me the wrong way, but it does.

The show has gotten better as its gone on. I like the supporting cast and think the Calista Flockhart is my favorite character. I’ll probably continue to watch it if it gets picked up, but it is definitely not my favorite superhero TV show. That award goes to Agent Carter.

3/5