I’m not sure I have a profound revelation about television today other than that I did finally check out one of those very few licensed films Apple Plus hosts for a short term, only to find out it did not have audio description.

For shame.

6) 1923 (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

This show is a bit all over the place sometimes, proving that perhaps Taylor Sheridan has too many fires in the oven. The focus was back on the Duttons, and the strongest part of this episode was Jake (Harrison Ford) actually having something to do other than recuperate, which took up a chunk of the beginning of the season. Here, he gets to smugly watch his rival get arrested for his attempted murder. But then, everything having to do with the prostitutes didn’t feel organic. It just felt like “we’re on streaming, look what we can do.” There’s a shot of these characters, who I’m not even sure have names, kissing each other. Except the context they do it makes no sense, since they aren’t the main focus, and the guy who hired them has been arrested and is being escorted away. It’s a tawdry low class shot that tells me that the showrunners forgot they landed Ford and Mirren, and this could have real Emmy chances if they weren’t incompetent.

Episode Grade: B-

5) Lockwood and Company (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Somehow, even though the mystery is building, I’m less interested in the show. I know they’re going for a series long arc, as well as a season arc, but nothing has been quite as interesting as the beginning of the series, and the mini storyline about figuring out who put that body in the chimney. That being said, props for rallying around a solid cliffhanger, with the request to “follow him”. To where? That, apparently, is the cliffhanger mystery.

Episode Grade: B

4) The Good Doctor (ABC/Hulu)

English Audio Description?: Yes

For the first time in Good Doctor history, I’m knocking this down. This might be the lowest I’ve graded the episode. There are reasons for this. First, I really wasn’t a huge fan of The Good Lawyer, and the two main characters from that show don’t have nearly as interesting of a rapport as Sean and Glassman do. And if I’ve learned anything from The Rookie Feds, sometimes it’s best to go a new way than to try and do something adjacent. But, if I’m being honest, the audio description let me down for the first time. We are establishing this character in a back door pilot, and she clearly has these very specific reactions based on her OCD, which include moments where she zones out. I was kind of hoping at least one of those moments would be explained, so we can understand what it is that she sees, or what the show wanted us to see. I kind of remember Sean having similar moments in The Good Doctor back when I was able to see the beginning of the series, and he had these moments too, where things looked very different to him. It would have been nice to focus on that, just to help get a better understanding, but ultimately I would pass on this spinoff.

Episode Grade: B

3) East New York (CBS/Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

I have a feeling, looking at their lineup, that even though this show has done OK ratings wise, and established a world for itself, it won’t survive this season. CBS has already decided on all but three shows (and the brand new True lies), and two of those are just due to contract negotiations. East New York, which this week expanded more on Jimmy Smit’s character, and his budding relationship, as well as the relationships of other officers, is trying to invest you. I’m invested. I just think they need to make space for Matlock, for sure.

Episode Grade: B+

2) Quantum Leap (NBC/Peacock)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Ben leaps into a female public defender, while Ziggy tasks him with convincing a client of hers, accused of murder, to let him prove his innocence. What changed the dynamic here, was that because of the experience needed, Jen ended up being the hologram this episode. So, that was a nice change of pace. The original was always sam and Al. So a fresh face shaking things up is a bold choice, even if for only one episode.

Episode Grade: A-

1) The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

English Audio description?: Yes

What a weird ending to a strong series. Lance is still a tool, and I have not forgiven him for being a tool. Harper definitely goes too far, but then again… Ghana? Like, parents fight enough when you want to move to a different state and the custody situation becomes crazy. So, with all respect to her and her freedoms, did it really need to be another continent? Like, I wanted to root for her in the end, but Ghana…and then you want custody, and you’re surprised he’s upset? One thing is certain, and that’s the fact that the acting here is so strong, even when the writing might create odd situations. This was the best Best man thing I’ve seen, and a fitting conclusion for this gang. but honestly, I’m totally thinking they reunite in another way when they’re all older and wiser. The Best Man: The Senior Years?

Episode Grade: A-, Series Grade: A-