Category: TV

Homeland – season 8

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

The most important TV series of all time is ended.

And — though I got sick of Carrie Mathison fairly quickly — season 8 is excellent.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 85% …

YES it started as a “critical darling, then a punching bag, then somehow an underrated show …”

It’s a fictional alternative ending to the USA FINALLY leaving Afghanistan after wasting $2.261 trillion on that endless war.

Saul Berenson, the National Security Advisor for newly inaugurated President Ralph Warner, is assigned to negotiate peace with the Taliban in Afghanistan …

Then it all went wrong.

It’s very difficult to end anything successfully. But Homeland season 8 did that very, very well.

#respect

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The Expanse – season 6

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

Well. It’s over. For now.

The final battle with Marco Inaros and his Free Navy.

Season 6 was good overall. And I’m actually not unhappy with the ending.

James Holden reminds me of John Snow in Game of Thrones.

Other terrific characters I won’t forget: Bobbie Draper, Camina Drummer, Chrisjen Avasarala, and especially Amos Burton.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Station Eleven – TV miniseries

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

I really LIKED Station Eleven, the 2014 novel by Emily St. John Mandel.

But I’m not sure I can recommend Station Eleven (miniseries), the HBO adaptation.

Twenty years after a flu pandemic resulted in the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors who make their living as traveling performers ….

Mackenzie Davis is excellent as Kirsten, the main character. The entire cast is excellent.

BEST is David Wilmot.

It’s original. Brave.

But for me the story is too confused. Jumping back and forward in time worked in the book, but was too confusing on screen for me.

On the other hand, it’s 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. You can’t help but admire the attempt.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Dalgliesh – season 1

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

Excellent. Like many of the best British TV shows, the cast is very believable. Plots fascinating. And the actors look like real people, crooked teeth and all.

Dalgliesh is a crime drama TV series based on Adam Dalgliesh novels by PD James. 

Bertie Carvel stars as the titular character, an enigmatic detective–poet. …

It’s set in mid-1970s England. Thatcher times.

Dalgliesh in the books is dour, cerebral and private. A poet.

In this TV adaptation, to keep the pace lively he’s partnered with LIVELY colleagues.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The Witcher – season 2

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

FIRE THE WRITERS.

So much potential. An excellent cast. Tons of money for special effects.

But what is the STORY?

61% on Rotten Tomatoes is far too generous.

It’s a mess. I’ll try not to watch season 3.

Savage Run by C.J. Box

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

This is the second book in the Joe Pickett series. He’s a Wyoming game warden.

The plot is intriguing.

Someone hired hit men to kill a number of environmental protection activists across the States.

The lawyer who protected Grizzly Bears was made to look as if he was killed and eaten by those bears. They don’t want martyrs.

I recommend it.

A good insight into the pros and cons of environmentalism in Wyoming.

Amazon

A Joe Pickett TV series just launched. USA only, so far.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Doc Martin – seasons 2/3

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

I was charmed by the first season.

Finally got back to the British comedy.

Doc Martin is grouchy, direct, and lacks social skills. No doubt on the autistic spectrum. Perhaps Aspergic.

Even better is his love interest, Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz), school headmistress at Portwenn Primary.

The 10th and final season should be released in 2022.

Other versions of the show have been launched in France, Germany, Spain and other nations.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Dexter – season 9 – New Blood

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

Dexter: New Blood launched 2021. A surprise sequel 8 years after the conclusion of the original TV series.

It was always a guilty pleasure for me. A show I probably shouldn’t have watched.

Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter reprising their roles as Dexter and Debra Morgan, respectively …

The plot is convincing. Jack Alcott plays Harrison Morgan, Dexter’s son. Creepy.

The rest of the cast is good too.

It’s 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and I’d say that’s about right.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

BEST George Michael’s “Freedom!” cover

On By Rick McIn music, TVLeave a comment

I’ve been watching this multiple times a day. It makes me happy.

The Bellas (Anna Kendrick, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson and more) and contestants from The Voice Season 13 Top 12 …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Dickinson – season 3

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

Loved the first two seasons.

I thought the novelty might wear off — yet season 3 is just as good. Perhaps better.

I’m sorry it’s ending.

I’ll miss the music, for one thing.

The Civil War is a big theme. And the plot diverges more from her actual life. More to magic realism.

Thomas Wentworth Higginson (Gabriel Ebert) is an excellent addition. An author, abolitionist, and soldier who was one of the first to recognize the poet’s genius.

A LITTLE madness in the Spring
Is wholesome even for the King,
But God be with the Clown
Who ponders this tremendous scene –
This whole experiment of green,
As if it were his own!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.