Not TV news, but Dune pt 2 has vacated 2023 due to the strike and the inability to successfully launch a promotional campaign. That leaves some gaps in the Oscar race. I had a feeling this would happen.

9) Justified (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Revival Now Airing

There was a car that blew up, and I had to figure out who was in the car, or if someone was even in the car. Turned out it was a narrow miss. But Justified so badly needs audio description, that as I continue to move through the series, it’s becoming harder and harder to justify (hah) giving this a grade every time. This week, I’m using this grade.

Episode Grade: unwatchable

8) Desperate Housewives (Hulu)

English Audio Description?: No

Status: Ended

Another classic without audio description. This was basically the aftermath of Carlos’s mother being hit by a car being driven by bri’s son, and the lengths she will go to to keep her son out of jail. Unlike Justified, I could mostly follow it, but it still wasn’t 100%%. Or really, even close to 100%

Episode Grade: B-

7) The Golden Girls (hulu)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Ended

Dorothy takes her mom to a Senior living facility where she can be monitored during the day, but tells her mom she’s the new activities director. But, that becomes a problem. Obviously.

Episode Grade: B

6) Special Ops: Lioness (Paramount Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Not Yet Renewed

jo has to rent out half her team for a side mission, which I honestly kinda hated, because it felt like it was too early in the show. I barely know who these people are, and why they are important to the team dynamic. This episode didn’t do much for me, but that scene where Zoe Saldana walked in on a boy doing lots of heavy petting with her daughter was calculated. It was ruined by that brat of a daughter doing the whole “I never asked to be born” thing. No one ever does. That’s not how that works. It’s a stupid argument.

Episode Grade: B

5) Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Final Season

I’m now 1 episode away from the finale, and I really feel like the penultimate episode took a step back. Davie had to reimagine her life and resubmit for Princeton, but then her and Ben start googly eyeing each other again. Paxton’s story seems to be wrapping up as he seems to now know why he wants to go to college.

Episode Grade: B+

4) 4) Swagger (Apple Plus)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Not Yet Renewed

The weird thing is even as this show continues to have strong moments, like jace’s refusal to apologize, this season has been marred by all these people who care about this pedophile being jumped by 14 year olds. Like, I’m sorry, but Sound of Freedom hasn’t made almost 200M at the box office simply because people are sympathetic to those people. The real world would have had Crystal’s ex coach try to get the video to trend, or get his story out there, and no one would have touched it… because he was trying to touch underage girls. There just hasn’t been enough from the adults pointing out the absurdity of entertaining this made up battle by any of the adults.

Episode Grade: A-

3) The lake (Amazon)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Not Yet Renewed

looks like people are finally realizing the burning down of the boat house was arson after all. Meanwhile, despite a mustache, and a new ear piercing, there’s hope on the horizon for our estranged couple at the center.

Episode Grade: A-

2) Twisted Metal (Peacock)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: not Yet Renewed

The DMV episode. Hilarious. Also, we learned about Agent Stone’s backstory. Thomas Haden Church is doing a great job in this show.

Episode Grade: A

1) The Righteous Gemstones (MAX)

English Audio Description?: Yes

Status: Renewed

Some people are about to realize that the Gemstones make horrible hostages. Annoying as hell. but, I did love this episode, and how it used everyone’s quirks so well. if the strike continues to effect next year’s Emmys, might I suggest we consider this show for Best Comedy?

Episode Grade: A