Pokerface – season 2 (2025) good — but the novelty is starting to wear off for me. Season 3 probably won’t be happening.
Stylized as a “case-of-the-week” murder mystery series, it stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a woman with the innate ability to detect when people are lying, who finds herself solving murders as she travels across the United States.
It’s often compared with Columbo. The crime is revealed early in each episode ➙ Charlie stumbles in and rights the wrong.
Absolutely worth watching, however, if only for the humour.
Mostly positive reviews from critics, earning a 91%–93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, though casual viewer opinions are more divided.
Worth watching. But I’m one of those disappointed.
The show is penned by Lisa McGee, creator of Derry Girls, one of the best comedy TV shows of all time.
This one is not nearly as good.
Rapid-fire Northern Irish wit is similar. Chemistry of its leading cast good — but not nearly as good as Derry Girls.
It’s neither a great comedy, nor a great murder mystery. Pick a lane Lisa. Stick to comedy, Lisa.
When three close friends from Belfast receive the news that the estranged fourth member of their teenage friend group has unexpectedly died, they travel to County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland to pay their respects.
Strange events at the wake and a long-kept secret threatening to come out propel the trio into investigating their friend’s mysterious death, but the amateur sleuths quickly find themselves in over their heads,
Just as hilarious as season 1. One of the best comedies of the year.
Great cast.
Brenda Song (Ali Lee) is one of my favourites.
I love the name dropping & pop culture references. Had to Google … “the ick“, for example.
One down side ➙ the basketball scenes are embarrassing. They should have brought in more tall actors and more who can actually play high level ball.
Picking up after the events of the first season, Isla (played by Kate Hudson) is now a recognized leader under high scrutiny.
The main conflict centers on the return of her brother, Cam Gordon (Justin Theroux), who recently left rehab and begins working behind the scenes to undermine Isla and reclaim his old position as president.
Key storylines in the second season include:
The Search for a New Coach: Following a late-season loss, the head coach position for the LA Waves is open.
Sibling Dynamics: Isla faces continuous pressure from her brothers—Cam, Ness, Sandy, and Jackie—who often challenge her authority with their own ideas.
On-Court Chaos: The team deals with locker room drama, including a conflict between players Marcus Winfield and Travis Bugg over a romantic interest.
Team Rivalries: The LA Waves face off against a Boston team led by Isla’s former colleague, Jay Brown, and briefly lose a key player to a Canadian rival
I’m surprised this novel won the Pulitzer. You can argue it’s a short story collection.
Also, Olive Kitteridge is not a particularly likeable protagonist. Retired math teacher, she’s often blunt, unkind, and insensitive.
She is certainly memorable. And authentic. Perhaps slightly on the autistic spectrum.
Some people appreciate her honesty. A few.
The writing is OK, not brilliant. But I did appreciate tiny insights into daily life, not often acknowledged out loud.
Olive Kitteridge is a 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Elizabeth Strout and a critically acclaimed 2014 HBO miniseries.
Both tell the story of a misanthropic yet complex retired schoolteacher living in the fictional coastal town of Crosby, Maine.
The narrative explores themes of depression, family dysfunction, and the quiet tragedies of ordinary life over a 25-year span.
Written by Elizabeth Strout, the book is a “short story cycle” consisting of 13 interrelated but discontinuous stories.
While Olive is the central figure, she sometimes only appears as a minor character or cameo in certain chapters, allowing the book to paint a broader picture of the community.
Frances McDormand produced the series, specifically seeking out the role to highlight complex stories for older actors.
Jon “Jo” Nesbø is a Norwegian novelist and musician. His books had sold over 50 million copies worldwide by 2021, making him the most successful Norwegian author to date.
I’d actually given up on the books because self-destructive Oslo police detective Harry Hole was too much of an asshole. And the books too violent.
He’s slightly more likeable in the TV show.
But there’s gore. Graphic violence. Alcoholism. It’s hard to watch, at times.
The cast is great.
The look of the show is striking. “… dark, gritty color grade characteristic of Scandi noir, … heavily utilizing orange tones in the lighting. This intense, moody aesthetic, characterized as “gloriously grim,”
The 3rd and final season of Hanna finds Hanna secretly working from within the sinister Utrax organization to destroy it and secure her freedom.
She forms an alliance with her former nemesis, ex-CIA agent Marissa Wiegler, to bring down the program. Their mission involves:
Personal Stakes: Hanna’s attempts to lead a normal life are complicated by a romantic subplot with an activist named Abbas, whose safety becomes a primary concern as the operation reaches its climax.
Internal Sabotage: Coercing high-ranking agent John Carmichael to aid their cause.
New Threats: Facing Gordon Evans (played by Ray Liotta), a powerful former military man who oversees the Utrax “Pioneer” agenda.
80% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes sounds about right to me. Worth watching if you like (silly) thrillers.
How do 2 old comedians keep it fresh? Steve is 80. Martin 76.
Why does (billionaire) Selena Gomez keep hanging out with them?
Surprisingly, season 5 is one of the best.
The season focuses on the “accidental” death of the Arconia’s long-time doorman, Lester (Teddy Coluca). Charles, Oliver, and Mabel investigate a complex web involving:
Billionaire Suspects: A group of secret billionaires—Bash Steed, Camila White, and Jay Pflug—who plan to replace the Arconia with a casino.
Organized Crime: The trio’s investigation leads them to encounter old-school mobsters, specifically the Caccimelio family.
Robotic Replacements: A new automated doorman, “Robot LESTR,” is introduced to the building, which Howard Morris is tasked with training.
Mireille Enos as Marissa Wiegler, the CIA operative put in charge of the UTRAX program, who turns from a foe to an ally and mother figure to Hanna should win awards for this performance.
Hanna season 2 received significantly stronger reviews than its first season, with many critics praising its ability to move beyond the source material of the original 2011 film. It holds a critical approval rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to 67% for Season 1.
Rick McCharles 