This was one of those weeks where catching up paid off. A one show that I missed the first time around turned out to be exactly what I needed: smart, character-driven, and just messy enough to keep me hooked.
This week’s TV Corner Notes is all about second chances, both on-screen and on my watchlist. From finally diving into Running Point after missing the initial buzz to circling back to After the Flood ahead of its new season, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best shows aren’t the ones you watch right away, they’re the ones you discover a little late and end up loving anyway.
Running Point Season 1
I admit I missed the buzz about Season 1. With Season 2 out, I binge-watched Season 1 of Running Point and loved it. The witty humor and strong lead remind us why we enjoy a good comeback. Here's my delayed review of Season 1.
The debut season introduces us to Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a reformed party girl whose life gets flipped upside down when her older brother, Cam (Justin Theroux), is sent to rehab following a very public, very messy scandal. In a move that blindsides her other brothers, CFO Sandy (Drew Tarver) and GM Ness (Scott MacArthur), Cam appoints Isla as the new President of the Los Angeles Waves. It’s a classic 'outsider' setup, but the show adds a fantastic twist early on: Jackie Moreno (Fabrizio Guido), a lowly popcorn vendor, is actually the illegitimate half-brother of the Gordon clan. Isla eventually brings him into the inner circle as her assistant, turning the office into a true, dysfunctional family affair.
Throughout the season, Isla proves she has more than just a famous last name. She navigates the hyper-masculine world of pro-hoops by making the tough calls, like refusing to trade aging veteran Marcus Winfield and forcing star point guard Travis Bugg (Chet Hanks) into rehab for his own good. But while the team is winning, her personal life is fouling out. Her six-year engagement to Lev (Max Greenfield) crumbles under the pressure of work, culminating in a finale in which he officially calls it quits. Just as one door closes, another opens with the Waves’ head coach, Jay Brown (Jay Ellis). Their slow-burning tension finally explodes into a first kiss in an empty arena after a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to Portland. But the real "gut punch" comes in the final seconds: Isla walks into her office to find a freshly "rehabbed" Cam sitting in her chair, revealing he’s back early and ready to take his crown back.
Running Point is a delightful blend of sports drama and workplace sitcom, truly capturing a fun, fast-paced vibe with a cast that knows how to bring their A-game. Now that I’ve caught up, I’m excited to jump into Season 2 without feeling like I’m on the sidelines. If you haven't started watching yet, trust me—don't let another year slip by!
The chemistry between Hudson, Tarver, and MacArthur is absolutely delightful, capturing that charming sibling rivalry where you might tease someone about their life choices one moment and then rally to support them through a PR crisis the next. Fabrizio Guido truly shines with his journey from popcorn vendor to the "secret" Gordon brother, bringing some of the most heartfelt and genuine moments of the season. Even though it’s a comedy, the show beautifully explores the loneliness that can come with leadership. The breakup with Max Greenfield’s character felt genuinely earned and added a tender, bittersweet note to the season.
Overall, I give season one of Running Point an 8.5/10.
Have you seen Running Point on Netflix? With Cam back in the office and Coach Jay eyeing a move to Boston, do you think Isla will fight to keep the President’s chair, or will the 'Game Seven' heartbreak push her to team up with her brothers to keep Cam from sinking the franchise all over again? Leave a comment.
After the Flood Season 1
Since I missed out on Running Point, I wanted to share my thoughts on a series that just released its second season in the US this past week, After the Flood. It's an exciting mix of environmental disaster and classic 'whodunnit,' showing that BritBox remains the top choice for weekend binge-watching. Here's why I think you should catch up now before the second season slips away.
The series drops us directly into the heart of a terrifying flash flood in a small Northern town. But as the waters recede, they leave behind something far more chilling than debris: an unidentified man’s body found in a submerged elevator within an underground parking garage. While the initial assumption is an accidental drowning, the autopsy reveals the man was dead long before the rain started.
Enter PC Joanna Marshall (Sophie Rundle), a fiercely determined officer who is seven months pregnant and about to go on maternity leave. Refusing to let the case go, Jo launches a rogue investigation that unearths a web of deep-seated corruption involving a high-stakes insurance scam, a mysterious "hero" who saved a baby from the currents, and a local property development that smells as bad as the floodwater. The investigation eventually hits home, exposing a bombshell about Jo’s late father and forcing her to face the "bent coppers" hiding in her own precinct. The season culminates in a frantic, flooded finale involving a car wreck, an early labor, and a standoff that changes the town and Jo’s career forever.
After the Flood stands out as a rare gem, a crime drama that genuinely strives to rise above typical genre clichés. While the final episodes might feel a bit tangled and could split viewers who prefer a straightforward ending, the overall experience is very engaging. It’s a high-quality genre piece that smoothly blends a bustling personal life with intricate conspiracy twists. If you’re on the hunt for your next BritBox favorite, this show deserves a spot on your list. Just remember to keep your raincoat handy! Sophie Rundle gives a truly commanding performance here. If you’ve seen her in Peaky Blinders or Gentleman Jack, you already know she can truly command the screen, but as Jo Marshall, she brings a radiant and warm curiosity to a genre that can sometimes seem quite cold. She becomes the heart of a series that makes the climate crisis feel deeply personal, rather than just a message to preach. Overall, I give season one an 8/10.
Have you seen After the Flood? Will you see the series or maybe skip it? Leave a comment.
What To Watch This Week
If you’re looking to stay ahead instead of playing catch-up like I was, this week’s lineup has a little bit of everything: finales, premieres, and a few intriguing wildcards that could end up being your next binge.
Monday, April 27
Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language (Disney+): In celebration of National Deaf History Month, Disney+ will debut three animated musical sequences from recent Walt Disney Animination Studios features, newly reimagined and animated in American Sign Language (ASL); featured songs are "The Next Right Things (from Frozen 2), "We Don't Talk About Bruno" (from Encanto) and "Beyond" (from Moana 2).
Tuesday, April 28
The Cult of Nature Boy (Hulu, four-episode binge): In 2016, a rising social media star used his platforms to recruit followers into a group he called Carbon Nation, encouraging them to abandon their families and join his vision of a self-proclaimed Black utopia, but what began as an alternative lifestyle community quickly evolved into something far more sinister.
My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders (Paramount+, three-episode binge): Small-town rumors of a local serial killer become national news when a woman alleges her father killed dozens of women, including three of his wives, and forced her and her siblings to help bury bodies in an old well when they were children.
9/8c R.J. Decker Season 1 finale (ABC)
Wednesday, April 29
Imperfect Women Season 1 finale (Apple TV)
Million Dollar Secret Season 2 finale (Netflix, two episodes)
Widow's Bay (Apple TV, two-episode premiere): Matthew Rhys stars as the mayor of a remote New England town whose push to revive his community is complicated by superstitious locals and unsettling events that suggest the town may be cursed.
Thursday, April 30
Man on Fire (Netflix, seven-episode binge): Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays John Creasy, once a high-functioning and skilled special forces mercenary who is now plagued with intense PTSD.
Vanderpump Villa Season 3 reunion special (Hulu)
8/7c The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 15 reunion, Part 2 of 3 (Bravo)
9/8c Elsbeth time slot premiere (CBS)
9/8c Ladies of London Season 4 finale (Bravo)
Friday, May 1
American Gladiators Season 1 finale (Prime Video, four episodes)
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 finale (Apple TV)
8/7c The 152nd Kentucky Oaks (NBC)
9:30/8:30c Zillow Bone Wild Season 3 (HGTV)
Saturday, May 2
2:30/1:30c The 152nd Kentucky Derby (NBC)
8/7c iHeartCountry Festival (Hulu live event)
That’s it for this week’s TV Corner Notes. Whether you’re catching up, keeping up, or just trying to decide what’s worth your time, this felt like a week that proves good TV will find you, no matter how late you are to the party.
As always, let me know what you watched this week and what’s next on your list.
Until next time,
Adam
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