I bet you were wondering what would happen to the roundup in the new year, based on how I was labeling it. Don’t worry, I had that answered in my mind. Six shows on New Years Day. Who managed a top spot? Who hit the bottom? That’s why you read this, right?

6) The Witcher: Blood Origins (Netflix)

English Audio description?: Yes

I only put a week in between the episodes, and I feel like I was totally lost headed into the second episode. It seemed to focus more on new characters, the other ones joining the group. I didn’t quite get that until the end, which was the most interesting part. I was kind of wondering why we were doing so much world building on a four episode limited series spinoff. Like, how many characters were needed for this thing to work? Isn’t Michelle Yeoh enough?

Episode Grade: B-

5) Echo 3 (Apple Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Sometimes, I watch a pilot, and I see some interesting concepts happening, but I also realize I think I need to marinate a bit more on the world they’ve built. I’m hoping Echo 3 rises for me, but the pilot didn’t feel like it fully immersed me in their world. Part of it felt very war centric, while the other half focused on the potential of what science could bring. I’m assuming as I see the merger of those two a bit more, Echo 3 will stand out.

Episode Grade: B-

4) The Crown (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

My mom is convinced Dominic West played James Bond at some point, and I just have to keep correcting her. Not that he’d be bad at it. This episode is the Charles and Camilla phone sex episode, where someone overheard and recorded their conversation. That man, who really wanted to move in and out of Camilla, is now the king of England. There are many things The Crown can dramatize, but that transcript is on record. I’m not sure what is up with this season.

Episode Grade: B

3) Willow (Disney Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

So, this pilot episode was longer than I expected, but set up the world of Willow well enough I’m not sure you need to see the film. It really takes place much later, and does its own thing. Casual film references exist, but this is a young generation in a Disney plus series. As you question whether or not these should be the people on this adventure, remember this is Disney, not HBo.

Episode Grade: B+

2) 1923 (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

So after the first episode, my complaint was that no one would care about the rest of the ensemble that isn’t Ford or Mirren. So for the second episode, Taylor Sheridan basically hid those two from sight, and explored this world and the supporting cast a bit more. Some of it was harrowing, especially that poor indigenous girl. Sheridan should just do an entire series about how shitty we’ve been to the Native American population over the years. I mean, Wind River was a nice start, but that girl’s story is the most interesting thing going on in 1923, other than waiting for Harrison Ford to kick that Scottish sheep farmer off that mountain Air Force One style. “Get off My Mountain!”

Episode Grade: A-

1) Gossip Girl (HBo MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

This won, simply by being on brand, picking up where it left off, and managing to recapture the magic of the first season. This isn’t a bad reboot. It’s definitely doing its own thing, and the acting here is fine. i loved the original, and there’s a place for the reboot in my life as well, when I didn’t think there would be.

Episode Grade: A