What was on 2/12/23
Elaborate murder, useless superpowers, and that show everyone's watching
Welcome to 2023, belatedly! Here’s what I’ve been watching since the last time this newsletter went out.
Poker Face (Peacock)
What fun! The guest stars! The locations! The references! I hope Natasha Lyonne and Rian Johnson keep making these every few years for the rest of their lives. And in a genius programming move Peacock also has all of Columbo, so if you need a relaxing show with a sly sense of humor where overconfident murderers are brought to justice, you have an almost unlimited supply.
Extraordinary (Hulu)
I’ve been pushing Extraordinary hard among my real-life friends and acquaintances, and somehow no one has bit. Do you people not like fun???
I’m going to need some more people to get on board because I can’t be the only person out here with a crush on a man who used to be cat. The premise is, in the simplest terms, Broad City meets Heroes, but British. Everyone gets a super power when they turn 18, except for Jen who’s 25 and never got hers. It’s funny and odd and Sister Michael is in it and as mentioned there’s a very sweet man who used to be a cat. Give it a chance!
The Last of Us (HBO)
I love Pedro Pascal, I love Bella Ramsey. (Everyone should watch Catherine Called Birdy on Amazon.) And I have no opinion about the video game. But hot take incoming: This is a show that has benefited immensely from timing. It dropped right when we all wanted a water cooler show, and we are all-too-eager to jump on board. I’m not saying it’s bad — I liked episode 3, the whole thing crafted well enough that it doesn’t feel insulting — it just isn’t as deserving of all this attention as it could be. It’s post-apocalyptic zombies. No one but Joel and Ellie ever live past their episode(s) — they never leave anyone behind. It has a rigid view of cops/masculinity. I want a water cooler show, too, but I wish we’d gotten something more original, with more of a nuanced take on humanity. (Yes, I wish we’d all coalesced around Station Eleven.)
Letterkenny (Hulu)
Many years late, I am a Letterkenny convert. Do I have any idea what some of these characters are saying? Often, absolutely not! But the rhythms are so great, and every episode there are moments that make me cry laughing. We just started season 2 (I know, we’re living in the distant past) and maybe I’m a softy but I found myself moved that the meth heads managed to kick meth but are still extremely unhinged.
Fleishman is in Trouble (Hulu)
I watched this while it was airing but didn’t manage to send out a newsletter in time to make the zeitgeist.
Crash Landing into You (Netflix)
Thank you to newsletter reader Kristan for recommending this K-drama. I haven’t gotten very far but so far it has introduced a LOT of plots and like six different tones. I’m charmed.
Bumper in Berlin (Peacock)
There was a period in December where absolutely nothing was on, and we tried out Bumper in Berlin, the Pitch Perfect spin off starring Adam Devine. I didn’t feel the need to continue to watch it, but I appreciated what it was trying to do with Devine’s nearly-middle-aged character, and I think setting it in Berlin was a good choice.
Somebody Somewhere (HBO)
This is one that has been recommended all over the place, and it’s really great. It’s sweet and sad (which is why I had perhaps avoided it) but it’s also got really hilarious moments — all character-based jokes.
Lockwood & Co (Netflix)
This is based on a book by Jonathan Stroud, one of the best writers for kids currently publishing. It is not my favorite of his books (that would be the Bartimaeus series or Heroes of the Valley) but it’s a great premise for a TV show. The adaptation seems perfect for tweens who loved Wednesday and want something a teensy bit scarier. Occasionally the adaptation captures the wit and unexpectedness of Stroud’s writing, but it’s invested in the mythology in a way that feels forced, at least to me.
And finally, I love Lisa from Temecula more than I can possibly say.
Happy viewing, all!