TV Corner Notes: New Beginnings in Montana and Farewells in Derry

 

This week’s TV Corner Notes takes us from the quiet grief of Montana’s wide-open spaces to the chaotic laughter echoing off the walls of 1990s Derry. One show explores loss, reinvention, and the emotional weight of starting over, while the other reminds us that sometimes the best way to face history is with a group of teenagers causing absolute mayhem.

Welcome back to TV Corner Notes, where we take a look at the week’s standout shows, streaming highlights, and a few personal viewing discoveries along the way.

This week, I’m sharing first impressions of The Madison, the newest drama from Taylor Sheridan, starring Michelle Pfeiffer as a grieving New York socialite trying to rebuild her life on a Montana ranch. It’s a quieter, more reflective entry in Sheridan’s expanding television universe — and Pfeiffer is absolutely mesmerizing in the role.

On the other end of the emotional spectrum, I finally finished Derry Girls, and the final two seasons reminded me why the Northern Irish comedy has become one of the most beloved sitcoms of the past decade. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and surprisingly powerful in the way it blends teenage chaos with the real-life backdrop of the Troubles.

And as always, we’ll wrap things up with a quick look at what’s arriving on TV this week, from streaming premieres to season finales.

First Impressions: The Madison

This weekend, I dove into the first three episodes of Taylor Sheridan’s newest venture, The Madison. While the trailers hinted at a tonal shift from the typical Yellowstone grit, the series is actually a deeply grounded study of grief and loss. The show follows New York socialite Marjorie Lane (Michelle Pfeiffer) as she relocates with her children to her late husband's rustic family ranch in rural Montana after his sudden death. Struggling with small-town culture shock and family secrets, Marjorie faces community skepticism and her own children's rebellion, all while grappling with the mystery behind her husband's past. Still, The Madison retains those classic Sheridan hallmarks, especially the supporting child characters who are so frustrating you’ll want to reach through the screen, particularly when they’re arguing that grits and polenta are different things.

The absolute highlight of this series is Michelle Pfeiffer. Her performance in these opening episodes is nothing short of stunning as she navigates the devastating loss of her husband (played in flashbacks by Kurt Russell) and the jarring transition from elite New York City living to the rugged Montana outdoors.

Even this early in the season, Pfeiffer feels like a lock for an Emmy frontrunner. She brings a vulnerability and a sharp edge to the role that anchors the entire show. Compared to Sheridan’s previous hits like Yellowstone and 1883, The Madison features a noticeably slower, more contemplative pace and leans into quiet, emotional moments over explosive confrontations. Where Yellowstone thrives on brutal power plays and sprawling family drama, The Madison is more intimate, focusing on a single family's navigation of grief and reinvention in a new setting. Sheridan’s signature understanding of rural America is still there, but here it is filtered through a character whose worldview is far removed from cattle barons and ranch hands. If you’re a fan of Sheridan’s character-driven dramas, this one is a must-watch. I can't wait to see the final three episodes.

Overall, I give the first three episodes 8.8/10.

Have you seen The Madison? Pfeiffer and Russell are a powerhouse pairing, but do you think the "city slickers in Montana" trope still has legs, or is Pfeiffer’s performance the only thing keeping this family afloat in the Madison River valley? Leave a comment. 

Farewell to the Walls: Derry Girls Seasons 2 & 3

A few weeks ago, I wrote a short review of what I admitted was late to the party for Netflix's Derry Girls. After Season 1, I fell in love and watched the final two seasons. For new viewers, I strongly recommend starting from the very beginning rather than jumping straight into the later seasons. The show builds its character dynamics and emotional impact from episode one, so you'll get much more out of the story if you follow the gang's journey in order.

The final two seasons of the beloved Northern Irish comedy follow our favorite "gang"—Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, and the "wee English fella" James—as they navigate the hormonal highs and historic lows of 1990s Derry. While the show remains a riotous comedy about teenage idiocy, these seasons masterfully interweave the mundane struggles of adolescence with the monumental weight of the peace process.

Season 2 finds the group in the mid-90s, caught in the tension of a precarious peace process that they mostly treat as an inconvenience to their social lives. The season kicks off with the legendary "Across the Barricade" episode, where a cross-community peace initiative with Protestant boys goes south as Erin fails to "build bridges" and Michelle simply tries to "build" a dating life. The chaos continues as the girls are inspired by a charismatic new teacher to become "free spirits," a rebellion that unfortunately results in the accidental decapitation of Sister Michael’s favorite religious statue.

The season reaches a fever pitch when the gang sneaks off to a Take That concert in Belfast, completely unfazed by a local news report of an escaped polar bear. Their journey involves hitchhiking with a drunk driver and nearly causing a national security alert when a suitcase full of vodka is mistaken for a bomb. However, the season’s heart shines through at the '50s-themed prom; after Erin is stood up, James abandons his Star Trek convention to escort her, cementing his place in the group. This culminates in the historic 1995 visit of President Bill Clinton. When James's estranged mother arrives to take him back to London, he realizes he has finally found a home in Derry, famously shouting "I am a Derry Girl!" from the city walls as his friends look on in triumph.

The final season moves toward the group's 18th birthdays and the definitive end of the Troubles. It begins with a hilarious "heist" as the girls accidentally help rob their own school while trying to peek at their exam results, leading to a surprise interrogation by a police inspector played by the legendary Liam Neeson. A standout flashback episode to 1977 gives us a glimpse into the teenage lives of Ma Mary and Aunt Sarah, proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the chaotic tree.

However, the season takes a devastating turn during the Halloween festivities. After an exuberant Fatboy Slim concert, the joy is shattered when Clare’s father dies suddenly of an aneurysm. It is a sobering reminder that while the political war was ending, personal tragedies remained. This leads into the hour-long series finale, "The Agreement," set during the 1998 referendum on the Good Friday Agreement. The episode handles a difficult rift between Erin and Michelle over the release of paramilitary prisoners—specifically Michelle’s brother—with incredible grace. The series concludes on a hopeful, tear-jerking note as the characters vote "Yes" for peace, followed by a present-day coda in which Chelsea Clinton finally receives the letter the girls sent her decades earlier.

Derry Girls is truly one of the most beautifully crafted sitcoms of the 21st century. Creator Lisa McGee’s talent shines through in how she can make us burst into laughter with a simple story about a suitcase full of booze, and then reach our hearts with the tender complexity of a peace treaty. It’s a show that beautifully balances humor and emotion, reminding us of the richness of human experience.

The performances across the board are iconic, particularly Nicola Coughlan’s high-anxiety Clare and Saoirse-Monica Jackson’s rubber-faced Erin. But the true MVP of the final seasons is the writing, which refuses to sugarcoat Northern Ireland's reality. By grounding the "Troubles" in the eyes of teenagers who just want to go to a concert or get a date, the show makes history feel deeply personal. The final montage of the referendum is a stunning piece of television, serving as a love letter to a generation that chose a better future.

Overall, I give both seasons a 10/10.

Have you seen Derry Girls? With the Good Friday Agreement officially signed and the gang heading off into adulthood, do you think James finally got a proper bedroom in the Quinn house, or is he destined to be the "wee English fella" on the sofa forever? Leave a comment. 

What To Watch This Week

Before we wrap up, here’s a quick look at what’s arriving on screens this week. From intriguing new dramas to finales and documentaries, there’s plenty to add to your watchlist.

Monday, March 16

9/8c Norn to Bowl (HBO): The five-part docuseries follows five pro bowlers, Kyle Troup, Anthony Simonsen, EJ Tackett, Cameron Crowe, and Jason Belmonte, as they chase glory, respect, and much-needed prize money. 

The Plastic Detox (Netflix documentary): When six couples embark on a plastic detox within their homes, it changes their families forever.

Tuesday, March 17

10/9c Secrets Declassified with David Duchovny, Season 2 (History)

Wednesday, March 18

Cross Season 2 finale (Prime Video)

Imperfect Women (Apple TV, two-episode premiere): Based on Araminta Hall's novel, the limited series stars Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, and Kate Mara as longtime friends whose lives are upended by a shocking crime. 

Invincible Season 4 (Prime Video, three-episode premiere)

The Lady (BritBox): The four-part drama captures the rise and fall of former royal aide Jane Andrews, played by Mia McKenna-Bruce, and co-stars Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and Ed Speleers as Thomas Cressman.

Ten Pound Poms Season 2 finale (BritBox)

8/7c Southern Charm Season 11 Reunion, Part 1 of 2 (Bravo)

9:30/8:30c Pawn Stars Season 24 finale (History)

Thursday, March 19

 Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black Season 2, Pat 2 (Netflix, eight-episode binge)

Meal Ticket (Prime Video documentary): The film spotlights the McDonald's All-American Games, the annual high-school showcase that launched the careers of stars like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Candace Parker, Shaq, and LeBron James. 

Friday, March 20

Dealoch Season 2 (Prime Video, two-episode premiere)

Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (Prime Video, three-episode premiere): The next installment of documentary-style comedy captures a corporate offsite event at a family-owned hot sauce company from the perspective of a recently hired temporary worker. 

9/8c Neighbors Season 1 finale (HBO)

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (Netflix Movie): Amidst the chaos of WWII, Tommy Shelby is driven back from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet. 

The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel (Netflix documentary): Explore the formative years of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the profound influence of original bandmate Hillel Slovak.

Wicked: For Good (Peacock)

Saturday, March 21

Hope Valley: 1874 (Hallmark+): Bethany Joy Lenz stars in this "When Calls the Heart" prequel that explores the earliest days of the frontier settlement that would later become Hope Valley. (Subsequent episodes will stream on Thursdays, starting March 26)

The Madisons Season 1 finale (Paramount+, three episodes)

That’s it for this week’s TV Corner Notes.

Whether you’re diving into the emotional landscape of The Madison, revisiting the hilarious chaos of Derry Girls, or adding something new from this week’s watchlist, there’s plenty of television worth exploring right now.

I’ll be back next week with more recaps, reviews, and first impressions from the ever-growing world of TV.

Until then, happy watching — and if you’ve seen any of these shows, I’d love to hear what you think.

Adam