Once again, my totally random assortment of television shows thrown against each other for a rather random rankings list.

1) Outer Range (Amazon)

English Audio Description?: Yes

There’s a reason this show managed some mentions in my best of the past year in TV on my YouTube, and it has a lot to do with the complete level of unpredictability Outer Range possesses. And it does so with an exceptional cast. in one episode, we had a son trying to kill his father, we had a very unlikely pairing of two characters that led to the kidnapping and almost death of a major character, a bear attack, the shocking reveal of a character’s backstory, and one of the characters decided it was their time to travel into the black hole… which then CLOSED THE HOLE. (WHAT?) So, yeah, Outer Range easily won July 11th. I said last week that Amazon must commit to this show, but an audience must follow it. And I cannot recommend this show with any more of my heart that I already do. Best new show you’re probably not watching.

Episode Grade: A

2) The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)

English Audio Description Available?: Yes

Not that Umbrella Academy didn’t give Outer Range a run for it’s money. Five and Lyla finally made it back to the place that exists outside the timeline, only to find that their former workplace had been hit hard by the Grandfather thing destroying the timeline. Five also made a rather major personal life discovery. Meanwhile, it’s possible Stan just killed a member of the Umbrella Academy, Victor it trying to come to terms with what this reappearance from her past means, Luther is still deeply in love with his little Sparrow, Allison is losing her damn mind, and with the sparrows being down two members, Ben is proving to be quite an evil douchebag.

Episode Grade: A

3) Killing It (Peacock)

English Audio Description Available?: Yes

Listen, don’t hate on Craig. What would you do if you found out your wife was still planning on relocating to California? You’d go stand out in the hurricane and do whatever it takes to win that cash. Even if it means catching the snake that could lead to your brother getting caught. Because the world is just full of snakes, at least that’s what he said. So, time to be a snake too? Nice way to end the season. Peacock has already committed to a second season.

Episode Grade: A, Season 1 Grade: A

4) The Old Man (FX)

English Audio Description Available?: Yes (though I’m told, this is the last episode with AD)

Well, in episode two, we were bound to get things to slow down a bit. But, all things considered, we still continue to learn a lot about the dynamic betweeen the characters played wonderfully by Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow. It’s just that the pilot was so great, I expected that same level every time, which was just a totally unfair thing to do.

Episode Grade: A-

5) Atlanta (FX)

English Audio Description Available?: No

I’ve decided Atlanta is a show that suffers when i watch it without audio description. I always feel like I’m missing things, then on top of that, I ahve to deal with what i could pick up and grade it from there. I enjoyed the episode (the final of the season) for what it was, a ladies night type episode (which gave me a great idea for Girls Trip 2 which needs to happen, and need to be in Europe), but story telling wise, I do question Donald Glover’s choice of doing this one for you, one for me style this season that also ends on an episode primarily focused on supporting cast. Not for nothing, but he is the star of the show, and this show does revolve around Paperboy, so why didn’t the season finish with our core group? This has been a very interesting experimental season. I love where Donald Glover keeps wanting to take the show, even if it doesn’t always work, because it shows he’s willing to make bold choices. It’s the same kind of bold choices that has quickly turned Jordan Peele into such a prolific auteur, but I don’t think it’s subversive enough to end on supporting cast, instead of the main cast.

Episode Grade: B+, Season 3 Grade: A-

6) Tokyo Vice (HBO mAX)

English Audio Description available?: Yes

Finally finished this season as well. This was a brutal ending. Lots of violence seemed saved up for the last episode of the season. i even learned that if you’re going to cut off someone’s finger, it’s best to not try to do it at the knuckle bone. Things I learn from watching TV, am i right? Anyway, this show has been a little disappointing and wandering. I can’t promise I’ll watch the second season. I do love Michael Mann, but man this is not Heat.

Episode Grade: B-, Season 1 Grade: B-

7) The Baby (HBO)

English Audio Description Available?: Yes

I don’t know what this show is anymore. I think… I made it to episode 5. I can’t keep following the constant changes in tone, the batshit crazy plot lines, and random acts of violence. I commmend the show for being unique, but if it’s trying to blend horror and comedy, that’s been done better before. This just makes me stop watching.

Episode Grade: C-, Nail In The Coffin?: Yes.