Friday, August 16, 2024

TV Corner's 2024 Summer TV Binge List, Part 1

 


With the new school year approaching and the cozy fall season approaching, I’m excited to share my list of TV shows I enjoyed this summer! It’s become a fun tradition for me over the past few years. 

I've certainly indulged in various shows this summer—some were a bit overstuffed, while others were thrilling, romantic, and action-packed. I even had a few second thoughts about some of my choices! So, here's part one of my 2024 summer TV binge list, and I can’t wait to share more with you! 

Upload, Season 1-3

Imagine living forever, but only if you can afford it. 

In Upload, Amazon Prime's high-concept dramedy set in 2033, death is no longer the end. Instead, humans can "upload" their consciousness to a virtual paradise, with continuing access to loved ones in the real world, if their bank account allows it.

But beneath the slick tech and satirical sheen lies a heartfelt love story between Nathan (Robbie Amell (Arrow)), a recently uploaded tech developer, and Nora (Andy Allo (Chicago Fire), the empathetic customer service rep who helps guide him in the afterlife. 

Over the three seasons, their relationship grows from a cautious connection to something more meaningful. While the show often leans into its absurdist, futuristic setting, their chemistry and emotional arc ground the series in something deeply human.

What's especially effective is how Upload weaves timely critiques about economic disparity, corporate control, and the commercialization of death into its narrative. It asks: Who deserves a second chance and gets priced out of eternity? 

Overall, I give the first three seasons of Upload 9/10. The series is witty, tender, and often thought-provoking. It is one of the most compelling offerings in Prime Video's lineup. With the final season coming soon, now's the perfect time to log in.

Have you seen Upload? What did you think of the series, and are you ready for the final season? Leave a comment. 

You can catch Upload available on Prime Video.


The Bear, Season 3

For two seasons, The Bear has been one of the best shows on television, equal parts high-anxiety drama and poignant character study. It's the series I rave about to anyone who'll listen, whether I'm at work or in line at the store.

Season 3, on the other hand, hits a slight speed bump.

The season starts with a quieter, more introspective tone, allowing the show's strong ensemble to shine. Episodes like "Next," "Napkins," and "Ice Chips" stand out as beautifully written and emotionally layered, with supporting characters stepping into the spotlight in fresh, compelling ways. 

But the season struggles under the weight of its ambition. Where Season 2's "Fishes" worked as a chaotic, guest-star-studded masterclass, Season 3 often feels overcrowded and overstuffed, especially in its finale, which leans too heavily on cameos rather than the kitchen-sink storytelling that made the show so compelling in the first place.


Overall, I give Season Three an 8/10.

You can catch The Bear, which is available on Hulu.

Fallout, Season 1

To my surprise, Amazon Prime's Fallout adaptation turned out to be one of the most engaging video game-based series in recent memory. It took a couple of episodes to pull me in entirely, but I was all in once it clicked.

Set in a radioactive wasteland with a retro-futuristic flair, Fallout balances high-stakes action, biting humor, and deeper themes of family, loyalty, and political manipulation. Ella Purnell delivers a standout performance, joined by Aaron Moten and performance-stealing Walton Goggins as The Ghoul. The finale twist, connecting her father(Kyle MacLachlan) to the unfolding chaos, sets up an even more explosive second season. 

With Jonathan Nolan at the helm, the show carries shades of Westworld's ambition but feels more grounded and emotionally accessible. I'm all in if this is where Prime Video is headed for genre TV.

Overall, I give Fallout, Season 1 a 9/10.

You can catch Fallout on Amazon Prime Video.



The Veil (Mini-Series)


Hulu's The Viel centers on an intense psychological cat-and-mouse game between Imogen Salter (Elisabeth Moss), an MI6 operative, and Adilah El Idrissi (Yumna Marwan), a suspected ISIS informant. As the two women journey from Istanbul to London, the true nature of their mission- and each other- comes into sharp focus, with stakes that could ripple across continents.

What begins as a standard espionage setup transforms into a gripping character study, elevated by Moss and Marwan's commendable screen presence. Their interplay carried the series, especially in quieter scenes where ambiguity and tensions simmer beneath the surface. 

While the series occasionally falters, particularly in the undercooked subplot involving a CIA agent (played by Josh Charles), its core story remains compelling. Action sequences are crisp and grounded, giving Moss a strong platform to showcase grit and vulnerability. The ending hints at continuation, and frankly, it deserves one.

Overall, I give The Veil an 8.5/10. It's a brilliant, slow-burning thriller anchored by two-layered performances. 


The Acolyte, Season 1

After watching The Acolyte, I was a bit underwhelmed by the latest Star Wars series. Despite watching all eight episodes, I frequently wondered, "What just happened?" The storyline often felt convoluted, leaving me confused rather than engaged.  

Set during the final days of the High Republic era, The Acolyte explores a Jedi investigation into a mysterious string of murders, ultimately unveiling dark secrets and a deeper rift within the Force. Amandla Stenberg plays dual roles as twins caught between destiny and manipulation. At the same time, Lee Jung-Jaw's Jedi Maser Sol and Manny Jacinto's enigmatic Stranger orbit the heart of the show's central conflict. 

While the first episode promises a bold departure, it flirts with noir-thriller tones and a murder mystery twist. But the early intrigue gives way to a story that too often rehashes tired Jedi tropes—past mistakes, rigid doctrine, and an ever-familiar reckoning. The narrative feels fragmented, and despite its eight-episode run, it rarely finds the cohesion and emotional impact needed to stand apart. 

Still, there are bright spots. Lee Jung-Jae delivers gravitas and empathy as Sol, while Manny Jacinto surprises with range and complexity as The Stranger. Stenberg handles a challenging dual role earnestly, anchoring the series even when the writing falters.

Overall, I give the series a 6/10. While well-acted, The Acolyte has ambition, but its overreliance on old themes and uneven storytelling keep it from becoming the bold new chapter that Star Wars needs. 


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