TV Corner Notes: From Russian Spies to British Police Corruption

 

Conspiracies, bomb squads, British police drama, and one very disappointing X-Files comeback—this week’s TV Corner Notes has a little bit of everything.

It’s another busy week in television, and there’s plenty to talk about. This week, I’m diving into the latest chapter of Lioness, revisiting two British thrillers with Line of Duty and Trigger Point, and taking a chance on a new director’s cut of The X-Files: I Want to Believe. Some delivered exactly the kind of thrills I was hoping for, while another left me wishing I had those 100 minutes back. Plus, as always, I’ve rounded up the biggest premieres, finales, and new releases worth adding to your watchlist.

What I Watch This Week 

From Joe’s increasingly dangerous situation in Lioness to AC-12 taking on its latest formidable opponent, this week’s reviews cover plenty of suspense, conspiracy, and high-stakes drama. I’m also revisiting Trigger Point and sharing my very honest thoughts on The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn. Here’s what I watched this week.

Lioness Season 3, Episode 3 Review: The Russians Are Closer Than Joe Thinks

Three episodes in, Lioness is proving that Season 3 isn't just bigger—it's more personal, paranoid, and dangerous than ever.

Lioness continues to raise the stakes in Season 3, and Episode 3, “The Bear Is Infected,” takes the conspiracy surrounding Joe to an entirely new level. The episode is packed with tension, strong character moments, and an unsettling sense that the threat Joe is facing may be much closer to home than anyone realizes. The writing is especially effective as Joe and her team begin piecing together information that transforms what initially seemed like an isolated attack into something much bigger. Suddenly, Joe isn't just trying to figure out who is coming after her—she's facing a threat with potentially massive implications.

The episode also excels at showing the personal cost of Joe's work. Her family is now caught in the crossfire, making even ordinary moments feel dangerous. Zoe Saldaña once again gives Joe tremendous emotional weight, while the chemistry between her, Kaitlyn, Byron, and the rest of the team keeps the investigation compelling. And then there's that ending, which takes the present-day storyline into genuinely disturbing territory. Without spoiling what happens, Joe's captivity is becoming increasingly difficult to watch, leaving one major question hanging over the season: how long can she survive before her captors finally break her?

You can catch my full review.

Line of Duty Season 4 Review: AC-12 Meets Its Match

Continuing my British TV watching, Line of Duty had a lot to live up to after the powerhouse third season, but Season 4 proves the series still had plenty of tricks up its sleeve. Thandiwe Newton is terrific as DCI Roz Huntley, bringing a fascinating mix of confidence, intelligence, desperation, and fear to a character who constantly keeps AC-12 guessing. Watching Ted, Steve, and Kate try to unravel Huntley’s increasingly complicated web of lies gives the season a fresh energy while expanding the show's larger conspiracy.

What makes Season 4 especially effective is how much it puts AC-12 under pressure. Kate’s undercover work, Steve’s brutal attack, and the revelation of corruption within the force make the investigation feel more dangerous than ever. The introduction of the Balaclava Men and the continued mystery surrounding “H” also expands the conspiracy without losing the character-driven tension that makes Line of Duty so compelling. Newton anchors the season with a standout performance, making Roz both frustrating and strangely sympathetic as her carefully constructed life begins to collapse. It may be difficult to top Season 3, but Season 4 proves Line of Duty remains one of television’s most gripping police thrillers. Overall, I give season 4 a 9/10.

You can stream Line of Duty on BritBox and Peacock.

Trigger Point Season 1 Review: A Tense, Character-Driven Bomb Disposal Thriller

Trigger Point wastes little time putting viewers on edge. The first season combines the intensity of a police procedural with the high-stakes world of bomb disposal, while giving its characters enough emotional depth to make every explosion hit harder. At the center is Lana Washington (Vicky McClure), an experienced EXPO officer whose professional determination is constantly challenged by the personal trauma surrounding her. Produced by Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio, the six-episode thriller feels like exactly the kind of adrenaline-fueled ride you'd expect—and McClure proves once again why she's so effective in these roles.

What makes the season work is how it gradually turns Lana's investigation into something deeply personal. After losing her longtime friend Joel, Lana is pushed even further when her brother Billy becomes another victim of the bombing campaign. Her determination to uncover the truth increasingly isolates her, making the eventual reveal that Karl Maguire was behind the attacks all the more devastating. Karl's motives are rooted in military betrayal and a government cover-up, giving the story more complexity than a straightforward terrorist plot. McClure delivers a terrific performance, particularly in the emotional aftermath of the season's tragedies. My one complaint is the distracting title card appearing on and off during scenes before commercial breaks. Still, Trigger Point delivers a tense, character-driven thriller that keeps the pressure building right through its finale. Overall, I give this season a 9/10.

You can stream Trigger Point on Peacock and BritBox.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn: More Gore Doesn't Fix the Story

The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn landed on Hulu and Disney+ Friday, and, well, I figured I’d give it a shot—even though the original theatrical version wasn't exactly great. After all, maybe this new director’s cut could change my mind. Spoiler alert: it didn't. Here's my TV movie review.

Sometimes a director’s cut can breathe new life into a movie. Unfortunately, The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn isn't one of those movies. Chris Carter's reworked version adds more gore, blood, and disturbing medical imagery, but none of it addresses the original film's biggest problem: the story simply isn't that compelling. If anything, the heavier focus on scares and body horror makes the movie feel even more like a drawn-out monster-of-the-week episode that never quite finds its footing.

What disappointed me most was how much the new cut pulls back from the Mulder-and-Scully dynamic. Their relationship has always been one of the franchise's greatest strengths, but here, their chemistry and emotional connection are pushed aside in favor of the horror elements. There are still some intriguing ideas involving faith, morality, and the disturbing medical experiments at the center of the investigation, but the execution remains frustratingly dull. The original theatrical version had some worthwhile moments, but it was ultimately saddled with a weak story, and unfortunately, trimming the movie and adding gore doesn't change that.

After sitting through Vrach Frankenshteyn, I couldn't help thinking that I want those 100 minutes back. Overall, I give this film a 4/10.

What to Watch This Week 

The new week brings a packed lineup of finales, returning favorites, documentaries, and plenty of new shows to discover. Lucky reaches its conclusion, Outer Banks returns for its final season, and there are new offerings from Lion, Average Joe, Love Is Blind: UK, and more. Here’s what should be on your radar this week.

Monday, August 17

8/7c The 1% Club Season 3 finale (Fox)

9/8c It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18 (FX/FXX)

9/8c The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys Season 3 finale (Bravo)

9/8c The Quiz With Balls Season 3 finale (Fox)

Tuesday, August 18

Return to Paradise Season 2 finale (BritBox)

10/9c Cocktail Wars (E!, two-episode premiere): Each episode puts three mixologists against each other to craft the perfect cocktail. NSYNC's Lance Bass and Joey Fatone host.

Kelesy Cook: Happy Hour (Netflix comedy special)

Wednesday, August 19

Average Joe Season 2 (Paramount+, two-episode premiere)

Love is Blind: UK Season 3 (Netflix)

Lucky limited series finale (Apple TV)

8.7c The Valley Season 3 Reunion, Week 3 of 3 (Bravo)

9/8c Lion (National Geographic): From The Lion King director Jon Favreau comes the true story of a lion cub named Kio on his epic journey to become a king.

10/9c Resolve to Solve With Miles O'Brien (PBS): The five-part docuseries follows O'Brien as he traverses the globe, meeting the scientists, innovators, and determined problem-solvers working to address some of the world's most urgent challenges. 

Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing (Netflix documentary): Following the highly publicized death of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, filmmaker Rory Kennedy and her producing partner Mark Bailey continue their urgent investigation into the once-iconic aviation giant.

Thursday, August 20

Outer Banks final season (Netflix, 10-episode binge)

9/8c Secrets Declassified with David Duchovny Season 2 finale (History)

Disney Worldbuilders (Disney+ documentary): Some of Disney's most influential storytellers reflect on the memories, moments, and creative breakthroughs that shaped their work, tracing how those stories came to life at Disney's theme parks around the globe; talking heads including Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Dilnoi, Jared Bush and Josh D'Amaro. 

Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter (Prime Video documentary): The film chronicles the life of the legendary athlete, who began playing on the hand-scrabble courts of Serbia and rose to become the most accomplished champion in the history of men's tennis. 

Passenger (Paramount+)

Friday, August 21

The Dynasty: UConn Huskies (Apple TV, three-episode binge): The docuseries chronicles the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's historic run under Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma. 

LEGO Disney Princess: Magical Mayhem (Disney+ special): During a heavy rainstorm, the Princess characters and their sidekick friends take in animals in need while enjoying a cozy day in their castle, but when the animals run amok, chaos erupts. 

8/7c 9/11 Reunited (National Geographic): The docuseries chronicles stories of survivors who formed deep connections with others amid the horror of September 11, 2001, and who now want to meet again.

9/8c Conan O'Brien Must Go Season 3 (HBO Max)

Mother Mary (HBO Max)

8/7c Unlawful Attraction (Lifetime Movie Network movie): A prosecuting attorney is forced to lay low at her recently deceased grandmother's home to avoid retaliation after a high-profile conviction...and winds up in the arms of a criminal; Eve Mauro, Colin Egglesfield, Andy McDermott, and Riley Weston star.

Saturday, August 22

8/7c The Run for a Million (CBS special): Taylor Sheridan calls the action while 16 riders guide their horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops in this fast-paced equestrian competition, all in pursuit of reining's highest honor and a $1 million prize. 

8/7c The Babysitter's Double Life (Lifetime movie): A cash-strapped college student begins an affair with a wealthy dad whose "help" inspires her to create a babysitting-adjacent service for lonely, divorced fathers; Courtney Fulk, Cole Gerdes, Josie Davis, and Sophie Teasell star. 

8/7c Love Finds You (Hallmark Channel Movie): A mislabeled package convinces jewelry designer Alex (Aimee Teegarden) that she's found her ideal man, sending her and delivery driver Jack (Chris McNally) on a citywide search that helps them discover what they truly want. 

And that’s a wrap on this week’s TV Corner Notes! From the growing conspiracy surrounding Joe in Lioness to the corruption and chaos of Line of Duty and Trigger Point, there was certainly no shortage of thrills. Even my disappointing X-Files revisit gave me something to talk about. 

What are you watching this week, and which new or returning show are you most excited about? As always, thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next week in the TV Corner!