A Poltical Thriller that Kicks Butt: The Night Agent Season 1

 

It was one of the posted talked about shows in 2023. Have you seen Netflix's The Night Agent? Here's my quick review.

Beef Season 1

 

One of the biggest talked about shows this year was Netflix's Beef. Here's my thoughts on season one.

Life Lessions: Not Dead Yet Season 1

 

Gina Rodriguez returned to television last season with a new comedy, Not Dead Yet, and it's pretty good. Here are my thoughts.

A Political Thriller to Watch: The Dipolmat Season 1

 

Netflix's The Diplomat, starring Keri Russell, is a series everyone must watch. It's a true political thriller that works, but only with Russell. 

The Water Cooler Show of 2022: Reacher Season One

 

In 2022, this show became a "water cooler" show. I'm talking about Prime's Reacher. I don't think I've had many people close to me to check this show out. Well, here are my thoughts on season one just in time before season two begins this week!

Reacher is about a former US military policeman who gets mistakenly arrested for murder. But after he gets released, he teams up with the police detective and an officer to investigate, which turns into a vast conspiracy.

 At the same time, the story has some bite to it, with it being a small-town conspiracy thriller. It's the action scenes and comeback lines that steal the series. Not to mention Alan Ritchson shines as this new version of the title character, Jack Reacher, but Willa Fitzgerald and Malcolm Goodwin are good and have this trio of perfect chemistry that I can't get enough.

Even though season two is in a different place with different characters, I can't wait to see what they have in season two. 

I give it a 9/10

What did you think of season one? Are you excited for season two? Leave a comment below!

You can catch Reacher on Amazon Prime.

Never Doubt a Man like Joe: Joe Pickett

 

Okay, so one of the most exciting shows to watch this summer was Paramount+'s Joe Pickett. I started off watching the first season while the second season was still airing on the streaming service, but I got through all two seasons of the series, and I hope there will be more. 

The series follows Joe Pickett, the new Wyoming-based game warden, and his family, who live in a small town near Yellowstone National Park. It's a mix of police drama with Western that's in line with other shows like Dark Water and Yellowstone. 

It's the characters in this series that stand out, like Pickett and his wife, Marybeth (played by Michael Dorman and Julianna Guill), who deal with the mystery of crimes, conspiracy, and even family drama. 

What makes me love this show the most is its family drama dynamics that both carry on from the first season into the second season. And yes, at times, it had pulled my heartstrings. Not to mention the mysteries and supernatural-like stories that come into the series, I give it a 9.5/10, and I highly recommend checking out this series on Paramount+.

Update: as of October, Paramout+ announced that the series had been canceled. 

Have you watched Joe Pickett? What did you think of the series? Is it sad that the series isn't continuing? Leave a comment below!

You can watch all two seasons on Paramount+.

Rescue in the Sky: SkyMed Season 1

 

Are you looking for a medical drama to get you through until Chicago Med or Grey's Anatomy returns? Sky Med on Paramount+ might be the show for you. 

Sky Med, a Canadian series, centers on the nurses and pilots of an air ambulance team that go on call to make the recuses and transports on life and death decisions. 

I've enjoyed this series. It's not St. Elsewhere or ER, but it's got likable and representative characters and exciting stories that kept me tuning in to each of the first season's nine episodes. 

It's fun, action, and drama all in one. I give it an 8/10.

What do you think of SkyMed? Have you seen the series? Leave a comment below!

Sky Med is available on Paramount+.

Special Ops: Lioness Season 1

 

Is Paramount+'s summer hit series, Special Opd: Lioness, worth watching? Here are my thoughts.

During the summer to early fall, there has been a heavy promotion for the latest Taylor Shedian series, Special Ops: Lioness, and while it's exciting to see and hear of a new series from Sheridan, it might not live up to all the hype. 

Lioness is about a CIA team led by Joe, played by Zoe Saldana, who recruits a rookie marine, played by Laysla De Oliveria, to help befriend the daughter of a terrorist they want to eliminate. 

The one thing I enjoyed about this series was the performance from the star-power ensemble cast from Saldana and De Oliveria, including Jill Wagner, Dave Annable, and Nicole Kidman. And there are some incredible action scenes, too.

But the issue is the story, mainly the secondary story with Joe balancing her job and her family drama. It seems generic, but Saldana and Annable do their best to make it work.  

Lioness is a fine series to watch. It's not great with what the ads have been saying, but there are more good things than bad. It's not Yellowstone, not Seal Team, or The Brave, but if I can watch all eight episodes, maybe you can also watch it.

Overall, I give it an 8/10. 

Have you seen Special Ops: Lioness? Leave a comment.

You can catch all eight episodes of Special Ops: Lioness available on Paramount+.

The Irrational "Pilot"

 

The new fall TV season started this past week, and one of the new shows to hit the fall season is NBC's The Irrational. And It's a series to check out. Here are my thoughts.

We meet Alec Mercer (played by Jessie L. Martin (Law & Order and The Flash), as a world-renowned professor of behavioral psychology with a unique insight into human nature. While getting pulled into a case that involves the murder of a viral celebrity, everything from the evidence points to the suspect, the ex-boyfriend, who also believes that he did it. But Mercer believes that the ex-boyfriend isn't the murderer and proves his point that ends him in the hospital. 

While investigating the case, we learn about our lead character's backstory of the scar burns that he suffered years ago from a bombing, not to mention that the suspect was up for parole but before he could ever clear his innocence, a mysterious person who's at the door gets a look at the suspect who happens to change his mind of not asking for early parole.

It's not a bad first episode, but it's okay. I think the police procedural style of the story is a bit stale. However, I do believe it still has the potential. But I hope writers can balance out the crime-solving with behavioral psychology science.  What comes to my mind as an example is the series Profiler, which added crime procedural with thrillers and science. Martin is perfect for what he's given, and I hope they can develop the character more. If you love Martin solving crime, you'll enjoy this series. 

Overall, I give this episode a 7.5/10.

Have you seen The Irrational? What did you think of the pilot? Leave a comment below!

You can catch The Irrational Mondays at 10/9c on NBC and Peacock.

Mr Mayor "Pilot"/"Mayor's Day Out" Series Premiere Episode Preview

Here's a preview of the new comedy series, Mr. Mayor that'll have a one-hour premiere on Thursday, January 7th on NBC. Here's a preview! 

"Pilot"

In the series premiere, Neil Bremer (Ted Danson) starts his first day as mayor of Los Angeles, where he faces new challenges on the job and at home.

"Mayor's Day Out"

After visiting a marijuana dispensary in support of his legalization plan, things go awry for Mayor Neil Bremer. Neil puts Mikaela in charge of the mayor's office for the day.

Photos:

Promo/First look:

Excited about the new series? Will you be tuning in? Leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts. 

You can catch the series premiere of Mr. Mayor Thursday, Jan. 7th at 8/7c on NBC.

FBI Most Wanted Season 1

 

This summer, I got to catch up on last season's best new series, FBI Most Wanted. Here are my thoughts!

FBI Most Wanted feels like the lovechild of the FBI and Chicago PD with a traveling van. That may sound bad but let me tell you, it's not, as it's pretty much my new favorite Dick Wolf series to date so far and could be better than its predecessor, CBS's FBI. 

The concept is that this FBI task force solves crimes and hunts down criminals now placed on their most wanted list in the same style as any crime procedure drama. The characters are grounded, mostly Jess LaCroix, played by Jullian McMahon. We see a balance of work and family life and that he's trying to help the suspects without getting into a bad situation. 

And this ensemble cast is fun and exciting to watch from Kenny Crosby, who reminds me a bit of the lovechild of Jay Halstead and Adam Ruzek for some reason. Keisha Castle-Hughes as Hana Gibson is my favorite character other than LaCroix on this show as the group's high-tech. 

The stories in season one were solid and intriguing and had me on the edge of my seat, like episodes "Defender," "Invisible," "Ghost," and "Getaway," to name a few. But let's face it, if you are a fan of the show like me, the best episode was the crossover with FBI, which has the slight edge as the best two-show crossover last season (edging out with Chicago Fire and PD). That episode had so many cringe moments, but it was so good.

I highly recommend watching FBI Most Wanted. If you like crime-procurement shows that follow the clues, strong storytelling, and a tremendously solid ensemble cast, this show is for you. I give Season 1 a 9/10.

Season Two of FBI Most Wanted premieres tonight at 10/9c on CBS.

Chicago Fire Pilot: Nine Year Anniversary

 

It's hard to believe that nine years ago, this series debuted, and ever since, it has become a big community. I have a lot 

If you are wondering, today (October 10) marks the ninth anniversary of the series Chicago Fire debuting on NBC. During the premiere week, Law & Order SVU had its two-hour season 14 premiere (which was very understandable). 

In the pilot, the men and women of Firehouse 51 went on a call, but one of the firefighters got killed while trying to rescue someone trapped in a housefire. A month has passed, and the death is still taking a toll, even putting friction between Truck 81, led by Matt Casey, and Squad 3, led by Kelly Severide, about how each blames the other for losing one of their lives. 

Soon, the new candidate, Peter Mills, comes to 51. He's pretty much like us, meeting everyone and getting the lay of the land. While his first call went pretty well, seeing the recuse later in the episode got him excited to be a part of the team and knowing that his father was also a firefighter. 

Then there's Gabby Dawson and Leslie Shay, two paramedics on Ambulance 61. Dawson makes bold and daring efforts to save her patients, even saving a child from cardiac arrest. And not to mention saving Herrmann's life as well. Shay helps Severide, who's been dealing with severe pain in his right shoulder after that bad call earlier in the pilot, by giving him a bottle of morphine.   

On the night that Chief Boden fights a cop sleeping with his wife, the 51 team gets a call of an apartment fire that had Casey and Herrmann's lives in jeopardy. But Severide and the rest rescue them, and just as everyone is out of the building and watering down the fire, the mayor of Chicago finally gets a chance to meet with Firehouse 51. 

The episode ends with everyone from 51 waiting for news about Herrmann. Casey helps Dawson with the information about the little girl she saved earlier in the attack. Casey makes a phone call to his girlfriend, who returned the engagement ring earlier, hoping that she could come over. 

The pilot was good, and as nine years go by, it ages pretty slowly, mainly because four of the cast members in that pilot have gone. I still love to watch the pilot once in a while. I'll admit that while it does have some soapy moments, it blossomed into a real character-driven series that focuses on the heroism of these characters and what they do above and beyond their work shifts.

I can't go against that. This pilot started the Dawsey fanbase with Casey checking up on Dawson after that incident, saving that little girl. And not to mention her asking if he would want to do something later that night. Who can argue that they should be together after that? I'm not!

The rest of the season was a solid first season. The one episode that defined the series was "A Coffin That Small." In the episode, that family, who had lost someone, was driven for a funeral, and as they went by the firehouse, the entire firehouse team suited up and saluted to them as they drove by. It had me in tears and still gives me chills rethinking that scene. 

And not to mention that the first season gave us the introduction of Antiono Dawson and Hank Voight. Voight vs. Casey. Who knew that down the road, these two would be working together after what went down with Voight's son being arrested and catching Voight for being a dirty cop? 

We've also got Chicago Med, which has been the one show that I've been waiting to get made since Dylan Baker's performance in the first two seasons of Chicago Fire. And not to mention the crossovers! Oh, the crossovers have been the second-best thing with these shows. 

Nine years, three shows, and this show has grown into one big fan community. It's just amazing how those nine years have gone by. We've been through a lot with these characters, and I can't wait to see what comes next. Here's to nine more years with all three shows! 

Can you believe that it's been nine years since the pilot aired? Have you gone back to rewatch it? How has the series changed for you? Leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts! 

On NBC, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD will return with a new season on Wednesday, November 11.

Heart and Soul: Station 19 Season 1 Review

This summer, I had the chance to catch several shows I'd missed out on. One of them happens to be ABC's Station 19, the spinoff to Grey's Anatomy. Here are my thoughts on the first season.

The Capture Season 1

If there's one original series to watch on the Peacock Streaming Service, it would be The Capture.

The Capture is a brilliant and on-the-edge-of-your-seat crime drama thriller that leaves you asking yourself repeatedly whether the person you are pursuing is guilty or not. Season one opens up with a former U.K. Special Forces solider, Lance Corporal Shaun Emery, acquitted of a war crime in Afghanistan; he finds himself in hot water when accused of kidnapping and murdering his lawyer CCTV. 

Detective Inspector Rachel Carey, who fast-tracked to the homicide and serious crime unit, begins to uncover a complex conspiracy surrounding Emery that puts the footage into question on whether it's him or someone else. The season ends with a concussion that's more right than wrong.

One of my anticipated series to watch since I saw the trailer last year and was even thrilled that NBC Universal acquired to stream it on their streaming service. I binge-watched all six episodes in one day and loved it. 

It's a solid character-driven series with Holliday Grainger playing DI Rachel Carey, who I thought was brilliant. But it was Callum Turner, who played Lance Corporal Shaun Emery, who stole the series. His portrayal of the character had me going back and forth on whether he was the killer. Even the performances from Ron Pearlman and Famke Janssen were excellent as well. While I think that season one ends Emery's storyline, I can't wait to see what happens next in season two and what DI Carey will get into this time.

Overall, I give this series a 9.5/10.

You can catch The Capture streaming now on Peacock Stream Service.

The Umbrella Academy Season 1

After learning the date for Season Two of The Umbrella Academy, I have finally watched the first season of the comic book series. Here are my thoughts.

It's been over a year since the first season of Netflix's comic book series The Umbrella Academy debuted, and while it's been on my must-see list to watch, I have finally just finished watching it this week and loved every episode. Yes, I was a fool not to watch this when it first debuted, as it's the one issue for me with binge-watching.

I love the first season of The Umbrella Academy as it was so well written, with such in-depth characters that have a little resemblance to X-Men, but better. The season deals with the team assembling after learning about the death of their adopted father. While reunited, the team deals with issues of their own, but when a team member returns from the future to learn of the apocalypse to happen in a few days.

There are many twists and turns as we watch a lot of backstories that don't mess up anything with the story and characters. But the one thing about this series with a strong theme is family. Superhero may be one thing, but this series is about family.

This ensemble cast gives such a strong performance for each of their characters. Aidan Gallagher, playing Number Five, was one of the most fun and exciting characters in this series. Robert Sheehan gave one of the best performances of the character, as he showed a lot of character growth. Also, Sheehan's Klaus was one of my favorite characters. But it was Ellen Page as Vayna/Number Seven stole season one with her performance, still leaving me thinking about her character and what comes next.

That also implies how the season ended, as the apocalypse was still coming to the team after saving Vayna, joined hands with Number Five to time travel. What happens next, I'm dying to see. I will not make the same mistake I did a year ago by waiting over a year to watch the first season. When July 31st comes, I'll be tuning in to Netflix to watch it.

Overall, I give this season of The Umbrella Academy a 9/10. You can now catch The Umbrella Academy's first season on Netflix, with Season 2 coming on July 31st.

Batwoman Season 1 Review

Exciting, character-driven, and full of action!  Here are my thoughts on the first season of Batwoman.

While the first season had some issues; I still quite enjoyed it very much. The series keeps the Batman anthology theme of dark, gritty, and very, very action-packed. But the one that I do enjoy the most out of this series was the strong character development. While Rudy Rose shows a lot of growth in the first season, she plays very well in the dramatic fashion; but also in the humor category too when Kate tries to learn the ropes of being Batwoman.

Along with Rose, Rachel Skarsten steals the show with her performance as Alice/Beth Kane. Skarsten's character was so interested that she had me more invested in the show than just watching Batwoman fight crime.  While both Kate and Alice have this Batman-Joker dynamic going; their relationship of sisters adds more depth. But it's the character's strong background story and development that wins the season over the other characters.

One of the things that I had an issue was the character development of Sohpie Moore. Moore, at the first half of the season, felt like a soap opera character; with one of the storylines being that her going to tell Kate's dad that she's Batwoman. But by the second half of the season, the character develops well enough.

While Crisis Part 2 was my favorite episode of the crossover event; other episodes like "Tell Me the Truth" with both Kate and Luke teaming with Julie Pennyworth, who I wish to stay on from time to time as they play well with one another. "Take Your Choice," "A Narrow Escape," "Off with Her Head" and "Through the Looking Glass" were a few of the episodes that stood out this first season with such entertaining, action, and amazing character development. And while the season finale ended with HUSH becoming the doppelganger of Bruce Wayne; I don't believe the show will ruin Bruce Wayne's character. Overall, I give this season one an 8.5/10.

I can't wait for Season two, but sad that Rudy Rose left the show. while I respect her for her decision to leave. I just hope that the show will find a way to address the change; whether it's a new actress taking on Kate Kane or a new character.

You can catch Season One of Batwoman available now on The CW app and On Demand. The new season begins in January 2021.

Connecting with Each Other: All Rise "Dancing at Los Angeles" Season Finale

The season finale of All Rise finds a way to pull of an episode during the COVID-19 crisis and pulls it off very well. Here's a recap.

At the start off the episode, we see everyone zooming each other; while they're doing their exercises and trying to keep their mental status in check during this COVID-19 pandemic. Almost everyone is worried about the backlog of cases as the list gets longer and longer by the day; Judge Carmichael comes up with an idea of doing a test trial using Zoom and lives streaming it or the public.

The first live stream trial is about a man who's in jail for stealing a car and being aggressive with his brother. Lopez and Callan have a difference of opinion of a pled deal. After both brothers were arguing during the trial; Carmichael looks back and talks to her mother about a message that she tried to understand; that pretty much was suitable for the case. Soon the two brothers come to terms; with the brother that was in jail got to be released that day to be with his pregnant wife.

Along with seeing Judge Carmichael bonding with her mother; we see how both her and Callan could never be in the same room for a trial. Callan and Amy talk about seriously moving in with each; Lopez and Watkins not only was dealing with the pandemic; but celebrated the night with dinner. But ended with a group dancing that got everyone from the cast, crew, and fans of the show that ended the episode on a high and happy note.

"Dancing at Los Angeles" couldn't have been better as it was such a good hour episode. I thought the overall episode was very good and the cast gives a good performance as they filmed this episode in their homes. The case of the week story was very good and had a good emotional impact. I think while the case of the week was good enough; being distracted and keeping busy was also another theme in this episode; along with thanking the men and women that put their lives on the line for us. That live stream DJ was pretty good and fitting throughout the episode. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

I hope that CBS would consider renewing All Rise for a second season. I very much want to see what comes next for this cast of characters that I very much got invested in.

You can catch episodes of All Rise available on CBS and CBS All Access.

All Rise Season 1 Episodes 12-20

As All Rise has been one of CBS's biggest new shows this season; the second half of the first season proves it's powerful stories and characters.

I have been amazed at what All Rise has shown this season. With such strong and well-developed characters; plus their interesting and sometimes predictable storylines. While this ensemble cast has shown strong chemistry with one another; some like Simone Missick as Judge Lola Carmichael and Jessica Camacho as Public Defender Emily Lopez have given such strong and powerful performances; as the development of their characters grow.

In the second half of season one, Carmichael deals with helping Judge Lisa Benner with her campaign; as she finds anything dirt that could ruin her chances for the State Attorney General. Also dealing with personal issues like whether or not to continue to be separated from her husband due to their professions.

Meanwhile, Emily Lopez's relationship with former deputy sheriff now turned law in the DA's office, Luke Watkins grows; but takes a couple of steps back at times not only due to their work but personal struggles as well. Lopez still deals with PTSD of her former abusive relationship and it shows in episode 19 "In The Fight" where she defends an abuser in court that affects her.

There have been some humorist moments too like Sherri Kansky, Judge Carmichael's assistant dealing with a fun relationship with an LAPD detective that brings the fun out of the character since the series started. Even her and Carmichael having a breakfast outing too.

Also while I'm loving DDA Mark Callan and Carmichael's relationship as best friends; Callan and Amy Quinn have been a fun relationship to watch.  Even Judge Carmichael's court reporter, Sara Castillo been dating Judge Brenner's son and seeing Brenner finding out by her son picking up Sara's phone by mistake.

I've enjoyed watching All Rise this season; I hope that CBS will give this series a second chance and renew it. I want to see where these characters go; besides the COVID-19 has pretty much ruin the season as it shortens the number of episodes this season. This second half of the season I give an 8/10.

Monday's new episode will have the actors portraying them at their own homes via Zoom/FaceTime due do check-in and spread the awareness of communicating family and friends for support. I'm looking forward to it.

You can catch All Rise Monday at 9/8c on CBS.

The Healing Powers of Dude, Season 1

Last week, a new Netflix series premiered, and while it has some wacky moments, it's got enough heart and inspiration to win over.

The first season of The Healing Powers of Dude is about an 11-year-old boy named Noah (played by Jace Chapman) suffering from a social anxiety disorder and the one thing that could help him is a dog named Dude, who's trained to be a support therapy dog. After getting the dog, Noah makes new friends with Amara and Simon (played by Sophie Kim and Mauricio Lara). He even has a crush on a girl named Valerie (played by Gabrielle Quinn).

But he also deals with fun and supportive parents (played by Larisa Oleynik and Tom Evertt Scott) and a young but wise little sister in Embry. While anxiety is Noah's enemy, Dude has his own in the school's principal, who dislikes dogs and pulls off a sad, cruel, and yet exciting way for season two.



I very much enjoyed this first season, and while it has some goofy yet funny moments, the show has heart and inspiration and tackles mental health head-on in the rightful way of social anxiety. This ensemble cast is fantastic, and while Chapman steals the show, Kim and Lara give such an excellent performance as Noah's best friends, while Oleynik and Scott are amazing and hilarious. The writing was as good as it has some strong character growth.

While this show has heart and inspiration, it hits close to home for me as I, too, have a social anxiety disorder. Whether at school, family gatherings, or public places, I was the kind of person who shut down like a hermit crab, and while therapy support dogs weren't a thing, I had the one thing that had helped me, and that was television. Watching one episode of a comedy or a drama helped me calm down my nerves before going anywhere.  I think this show is for parents to watch with their kids and not only watch but also teach.  The show serves a great message, and I hope that the show gets another season.

You can catch the first season of The Healing Powers of Dude available on Netflix now.

The Healing Powers of Dude: A New Netflix Series

On Monday, Jan. 13th, Netflix will release a new series that might be just up your alley for you and your family to enjoy.

The Healing Powers of Dude is about an 11-year-old boy (played by Jace Chapman) who has social anxiety disorder but gets help from an emotional support dog named Dude (voiced by Steve Zahn of War For the Planet of the Apes and You've Got Mail).

Along for the journey are his parents played by Tom Evertt Scott (ER, Southland, 13 Reasons Way) and Larisa Oleynik (The Secret World of Alex Mack, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Animals Among Us).

After watching the trailer that came out a couple of days ago, it really looks so fun, cute and inspiring. The cast looks solidly good. I believe that this is a series that the whole family should be watching come Monday evening.

Here's the trailer:

You can catch The Healing Powers of Dude tomorrow on Netflix.