Marvelous Geeks

There is no denying that Amazon Prime’s Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is off to a promising, immersive start. If we take the network’s short but sweet discography, quality content is an undercurrent that’s thrusting it forward in the trenches of streaming services. Shows like The Expanse (later seasons), The Wheel of Time, and even Paper Girls have a top-tier quality to them that can (and should) be viewed on the big screen. That’s especially the case for the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings’ long anticipated prequel series.

While we cannot disclose anything plot-related, we can confirm that the series is thoughtful and considerate of the stories it wants to tell. There are a myriad of stories within this show’s expansive world, and the first two episodes are well aware of this notion. There will be a lot to discuss when the time comes and theories take a float, which says enough about the quality of storytelling.

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Bridgerton Season 2 follows Julia Quinn’s highly anticipated second novel, The Viscount Who Loved Me, in Anthony Bridgerton‘s search for a wife. Only, it’s not the kind of word-for-word or close adaptation as some would’ve hoped for. Though that’s never something to be expected, while some changes are understandable, others are questionable at best.

The popular series returns with fan-favorite characters and newcomers who fit as seamlessly as a tailor-made gown, and it’s as though they’ve been here all along. Charithra Chandran does a lovely job with Edwina, and Shelley Conn embodies Mary remarkably. Plus, in an unsurprising turn of events, Rupert Evans’ Edmund Bridgerton will floor you.

And as far as our new leading lady is considered, there’s much praise to be given for Simone Ashley’s Kate Sharma, who’s inspired by the novel’s Kate Sheffield. Ashley is a sight to behold and a masterful performer who will undoubtedly steal hearts from the first moment she steps onto the screen. It’s impossible to avert gazes from her captivating embodiment of the character.

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Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla is worth watching for a myriad of reasons, but primarily for its riveting character arcs. It’s a quiet excavation of faith and allegiances, but an exciting time no less in the world-building it’s slowly getting to. The Vikings era isn’t my cup of tea, and I’ll be frank in admitting that I was initially drawn to watch because of the cast, but still, despite my initial hesitations, for the most part, the series manages to pull you in.

The same can’t be said for people who are (were) fans of the original series the show is a spin-off/sequel of (we’ll let them tell you), but if you’re new to the world and wondering if it’ll be gripping, the answer is a likely yes. This cast deserves your attention, and from the first episode, it’s likely that they’ll have it.

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Given the reputation of its predecessor, How I Met Your Mother, it’s hard to trust that How I Met Your Father won’t leave fans as upset with its ending. Still, the series is full of potential so far, and considering we care enough to want to know more about the characters, we’re choosing to hope for a little while longer. (My rule for comedies is generally six episodes or an entire season if it’s short enough.)

Starring Hilary Duff, Francia Raisa, Chris Lowell, Suraj Sharma, Tom Ainsley, Tien Tran, and Kim Cattrall, the charming cast, at the very least, promises a good time in the day and age of modern technology and online dating. The thing is, everything about How I Met Your Father is tailor-made to be something I’d personally detest, but as a long-time fan of Duff’s, it’s impossible not to at least give it a try. And frankly, the whole online dating doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it would.

The appeal of the new series ultimately lies in the friendships, which is the same thing that worked beautifully for How I Met Your Mother before those friendships resorted to the mess the ending creates. And with a more inclusive cast, it’s easier to want an even stronger friendship to develop for How I Met Your Father.

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Cobra Kai Season 4 is less than a week away, and in an unsurprising turn of events, the series goes to extreme lengths in the name of karate. How the Emmys deem this show a comedy is utterly beyond me, considering its darker themes throughout its run. And while you won’t get any spoilers from us, I will note that Season 4 is also not a comedy—though I suppose if we consider Johnny’s continuous inability to adjust to modern technology and proper lingo funny, then yes, there are still plenty comedic elements.

It is, however, the season that potentially hints at an end being near. It’s the question I ended up asking myself while watching: how far is the show willing to go, and what’s in store for these characters after this? How long will their lives be at risk? I used to think a show like One Tree Hill went to extremes, but then the school brawl in Season 2 proved us all wrong.

There is something to be said about how Cobra Kai Season 4 manages to surprise us still even when certain storylines and endings can be sniffed out from miles away. I don’t think anyone thought that we’d see Johnny and Daniel wearing matching best friends forever bracelets and putting everything behind them for good, but the series instead finds an intrinsic balance with their characters even while they continue to adjust to what’s in front of them. There are ways to go on this front, and the best is yet to come if this season showcases anything.

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New Amsterdam “Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution” is an excellent way to start the New Year as it’s the kind of episode with the type of content that’ll be replayed over and over and over again.

NBC Press Release summarizes the episode as: “Max and Helen settle happily into their new life in London. Dr. Fuentes takes over as medical director with disastrous effects. Bloom helps a patient who thinks he’s cursed. Iggy develops a plan to get his psych patients gainfully employed.”

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If you thought Netflix’s highly anticipated fantasy series was astounding in its first season, you’re in for an even bigger ride as The Witcher Season 2 improves exponentially in its sophomore season, making it well worth the now two-year wait.

The series advances in more than one area, but it especially finds its footing in the emotional beats it grounds itself in. The pacing is much easier to follow than during the first season. The characters are much more fleshed out, and the performances are particularly impressive.

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Having just watched solely the first episode of The Expanse Season 6, it’s undeniably clear that the series is off to a strong start. There’s a lot more happening than anyone could have predicted, but that’s a feature this show has often excelled at, its means of balancing character-driven stories with moments of intimacy and high stakes drama.

It’s the kind of start that makes you want to press play on the next episode immediately, except if you’re anything like me and utterly dreading the end of this show, you’re going to want to pace yourself. Thus, the now weekly release that Amazon Prime has adapted is a benefit we’ll understand more in the long term. This way, The Expanse stays with us a little bit longer. We get to spend ample time with these characters before the end that’s approaching too soon.

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New Amsterdam 4×10, “Death is the Rule. Life is the Exception” is indeed an that’s episode an exception. The kind of an episode that even a hypochondriac like me can and should watch from beginning to end. I’m here for Sharpwin—their scenes are the ones I watch and skim every episode for, but the context within this episode makes for a meticulously remarkable kind of mid-season finale that really gets to the heart of the show. As the trailer shows, last days call for goodbyes, but this is a drama, and sometimes (most of the time), it means the writing will ensure that the universe could have other plans.

Why are these people fighting for what they’re fighting for? Who are they fighting for? What makes New Amsterdam so special as a hospital? “Death is the Rule. Life is the Exception” delivers the answers through a special kind of hour.

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Hello yes, your friendly neighborhood hypochondriac has decided to start watching a medical drama solely because of a ship. It’s me, I’m your friendly neighborhood hypochondriac. So, I did it, I tried. I watched the Pilot and naturally, I couldn’t stomach it. So, no I don’t actually watch New Amsterdam. (I want to, so badly though.)

But you know what I’ve also never, ever done in all my years as a TV aficionado/critic? I’ve never googled, YouTubed, or read anything related to a romantic relationship when I don’t watch the show they’re in. But good Lord, then came Sharpwin—Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) and Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman). I couldn’t resist the two of them, digging further into their relationship, learning the ins and out, watching every single scene they’re in together just to get some semblance of what they’re like, crumbs here and there at best. But they’re not just crumbs, they’re something else, and that’s especially the case with the New Amsterdam season 4 premiere where Sharpwin is presumably just beginning to set sail (hopefully, forever).

Picking up right where the season 3 finale left off, they’re a sight to behold. In all my years, I’ve also never, ever watched something so achingly intimate, warm, and deeply moving as a specific scene from “More Joy.”

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Spoiler Free: Advance Review

Lucifer‘s final season is a spiffing curtain call that is bound to leave a lasting mark. It’s a culmination of six years full of intricate, thought-provoking storytelling and exquisite character development that’s ending on the kind of note that’s deserving of acclaim.

As for all dramas, there are naturally surprises in store, and everything that is done is to advance the story, and to inspire the very best versions of these beloved characters to rise to the top.

What will Lucifer and Chloe’s new positions look like ? What will happen to Dan down in hell? What are Maze and Eve up to? Amenadiel, Linda…And the burning question, will Ella learn the truth about her friends? Lucifer’s final season comes with answers and they’re just the kind that’ll be intriguing, perhaps called for, and still able surprise in the aftermath.

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