2022 is almost at a close. And I’m still catching up on stray shows from the past year. Go figure. And a bunch of shows that were on holiday break return next week. Oy vey!

7) Let The Right one In (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: No

Despite Paramount Plus’s resilience in keeping Showtime programming as inaccessible as possible, I did give in to let The Right One in for a second episode. After all, I did give American Gigolo and interview With A Vampire both two episodes. The thing is, all three of these shows I would *love* to watch with audio description, and I’m actually starting to get into Let The Right One in as i see the little changes they are making to make the series its own thing. It has a lot of other story elements added in to flesh out its universe, and it’s quite clever. But, it still has scenes with no dialogue, vampire attacks, and a magic trick I didn’t even understand. Is a third episode in my future? Possibly.

Episode Grade: B-

6) The Crown (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

In what is quite possibly the slowest and least interesting season so far, this episode seemed to be Love and marriage, as several of Elizabeth’s children complained about their marriages, and made bold statements about their futures. Meanwhile, Margaret is falling apart when she finds out the man she’s not allowed to love has asked someone else to marry him. Easily,Leslie Manville stole this episode, but it just lost me with these whiny and privileged Princes and princesses crying about their lives. Oh please, Charles, don’t act like you haven’t been screwing Camilla this whole time. For real. Your marriage was always a sham, and has never stopped you from doing what you want. And Andrew? Well, we know how that turns out. I guess he turns to a close friend to help him find love….

Episode Grade: B

5) The Sex Lives Of College Girls (HBo MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Starting out the second season here, and I love how they unceremoniously wrote off a character. Just like a quick mention at the top of the season why someone isn’t around anymore. Season 1 was occasionally fun, and ever since having to sit through Tell Me Lies, i think I have a new appreciation for this, but the season premiere just was OK.

Episode Grade: B

4) The White Lotus (HBo MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I think I’d call this the questionable decisions episode, where it felt like almost every character was making a choice that didn’t gel with who they were. I know her boss isn’t the brightest bulb, but Porsche should have at least stopped to wonder what people want out of them. When your boss is stupid rich, it’s a question you always have to ask, but yet they both just take these new guys at their word. And did Mia agree to have sex because she was bored, because her friend was with Alvie? It kinda felt like that, since she went from being repulsed, to on board in a way that just felt against her character. It was a lot of that for me. It’s still a strong season, but this episode just didn’t work as well for me as some others.

Episode Grade: B+

3) Yellowstone ( Paramount)

English Audio Description?: No

It’s kinda sad that one of the best shows on TV always seems to be capped because I know I’m missing stuff due to the lack of audio description. Still, there were some fun exchanges, like between Summer and Casey’s wife, or John and the two women he once slept with. Plus, a cowboy took their final ride. And the President is coming? What? Why? What a weird twist.

Episode Grade: A-

2) Cobra Kai (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

After last weeks episode that featured some obvious fighting, this one had manipulation, and secrets being told. After Sam reacts poorly to Tori, she comes back around, realizing most of her friends were in one point memebers of Cobra Kai, and maybe Tori needs a break as well. Plus, the kids got a story out of Paul Walterhouser’s Stingray. This show really does underutilize him as an actor. Watch Blackbird, and you’ll realize he’s by far the best actor in the ensemble, but he never has anything to do.Oh yeah, and I don’t think anyone thinks the series leads were just killed in a car accident. I mean, mad props if those three died in a blaze of glory, but really only Chosen’s life is in the balance.

Episode Grade: A-

1) From Scratch (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

This series is getting real. Just when it looks like these two lovebirds might actually make it after all, with their ability to pursue their dreams, turns out the show isn’t afraid of a mid season curveball that could have some real repercussions moving forward. I’m actually on pins and needles for the next episode.

Final Grade: A