TV Shows Watched: Wednesday: S2E1 (Netflix) with audio description, Platonic: S2E1 (Apple plus) with audio description, Tires: S2E10 (Netflix) with audio description, Smoke: S1E7 (Apple plus) with audio description, Ballard: S1E5 (Amazon) with audio description

Wednesday- I’ve seen this getting a few not great reviews, and while the season premiere didn’t scare me away, it also is setting itself up to mess with the formula a bit. First, we seem to have completely written off Xavier, which is random, but they do give a reason. In his place, Pugsley is now being given WAY more screentime, and I really wish they could make him somewhat normal… for this show. He’s such a dolt. He feels out of place in his own family. Maybe it’s casting, but I think just the way he’s written is so congruent to the direction of the series. Also, they might be trying to fit in more of the Addams clan in general, as the first episode ends with the family still hanging around Nevermore. Other than that, Ortega is back in fine form, and the writing on her is solid, and Enid seems to be back and ready for anything. Steve Buscemi has joined the cast, which in theory is a solid cast addition.I know Gaga is coming, just not in the first episode. Lovely audio description. It matches the whimsical nature of the show. So my initial reaction is… is it possible for Pugsley to take the show down if they can’t figure out what to actually do with him?

Platonic- The Seth Rogen/Rose Byrne comedy is back, and starts at a wedding. It’s fun stuff for anyone who enjoyed the first film, and the chemistry between the Neighbors co-stars. If you liked Season 1, they seem to have changed nothing. The audio description did what it needed to do. This is much more dialogue centric, and less of a visual production designed feast like Wednesday is.

Tires- the tire sale does not go well, and I’m hoping that Bill (Thomas Haden church) has a fix that isn’t leaving the series. He’s so perfect for this show. Tires is actually funny when he’s able to feed off everyone, and he gives Shane more than any of his co-stars.

Smoke- There’s a suicide in this episode, which they let you know ahead of time. It’s funny how we’ve come to accept trigger warnings, despite that they give spoilers. The best scene is between the caught arsonist, Freddie, and Taron Egerton’s detective (and likely arsonist), when Freddie reads him like a book, and he is quite shook by it. I’m also enjoying the increased screentime for John Leguizamo. Solid audio description, especially during the aforementioned suicide sequence, which takes a “life flashing before your eyes” approach.

Ballard- I feel like Renee Ballard really wants to punch some things. I’m surprised they’re still trying to thread the needle of pretending a character isn’t a villain. And if not, kudos. Kudos to a show for casting against type if they really did do that. The audio description is fine. No complaints.