A long list of shows today. And, still in the new countdown format. One of these shows, I’m really not sure I’ll be staying with.

8) History 101 (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I’m just putting this last because I’m really not sure I needed 23 minutes on hallucinogenic drugs. I’m not totally sure they’ve covered enough topics yet to be at a point where this is the right time, though I support their medicinal use. Maybe, i just didn’t care that this episode existed?

Episode Grade: B-

7) Moe (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

So, here’s the problem that i have, and perhaps they will go into it later, but I do believe some things are still a bit taboo to throw into comedy, and a mass shooting would be one of those things. Which is a shame, because a Palestinian living in Texas seemed like a solid fresh idea, but all of a sudden, he’s in a mass shooting, and it is played far more for laughs. There’s a joke about how many people need to be shot for it to be considered a mass shooting, and whether the killer counts. Moe doesn’t remember the shooting, but refuses treatment because of high medical costs. He’s sewn up by a tattoo artist who is more interested in giving him shit for being grazed, than wondering about being in a shooting. Then his family when he gets home is more concerned about a now visible tattoo (because of him being shot in the arm) than the actual shooting. I know people die all the time in the Israeli Palestinian conflict, and maybe that’s where his humor was coming from, but sweeping a mass shooting that this character was in… in the first episode… under the rug is in extremely poor taste. Sad thing is, the rest of the episode was clever. Not amazing, but it had promise. But watching this a day after a white guy with a gun shot some joggers in a park, and the Parkland shooter dodged the death penalty, mass shootings are not for comedy. At least, not in this ho-hum way of presenting it as a non-occurrence.

Episode Grade: Cancelled.

6) The Resort (Peacock)

English Audio Description?: Yes

While I appreciate how much this show has evolved from the pilot, and now Nick Offerman has more to do, it’s something that was starting to work, and now has evolved into a bit of a garbled mess. They should have maybe cut this off an episode earlier and wrapped things up. My guess is this is stretching a bit too far, and even with one episode left, I’m on a downhill trend.

Episode Grade: B

5) Pretty Little Liars Original Sin (HBo MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

They finally told their parents, and now the series has ramped up the insanity. Though, the acting still keeps this otherwise cheesy fun slasher from true greatness.

Episode Grade: B+

4) Ghosts (CBS/Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

The gang has to figure out how to remove a cult. Luckily, the ghosts can be a big help on that one.

Episode Grade: A-

3) Alaska Daily (ABC/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I really am excited for this new show. Hilary Swank plays a journalist who used to be at the top until she went after someone pretty powerful, and then she got cancelled. She’s brash, and now we’re cancelling people just because they are mean. not because they sexually harass or assault people, but we don’t like their demeanor. God help us. Anyway, she goes to work with Cyrus from Scandal who is an old friend and now runs an Alaskan paper and needs her to break a story about how native women keep getting murdered with no police follow ups.

Episode Grade: A

2) Five Days At Memorial (Apple Plus)E

English Audio Description?: Yes

So, this episode was super heavy, and featured the idea of shooting people who were coming to the hospital seeking help, putting colored wristbands on patients based on priority, and how GW flew over in Air Force One, causing a chopper that could have taken another patient to reroute. Damn, these five days were a lot. This feels more and more like a really important show, and I almost put it above The Rings of power.

Episode Grade: A

1) The Rings Of Power (Amazon)

English Audio Description?: Yes

But i didn’t put it above. The Rings Of Power’s 7th episode balanced all three storylines well, with things really not working out for everyone. Also, some exceptional acting from Durin in the scenes with his father. I’m excited for the finale, and with that Mordor drop, I feel like I know exactly who that stranger is. I feel like Ken now from The Masked Singer.

Episode Grade: A