Tuning In

Lately I’ve been thinking about the beauty of a well-written TV series, because there are so many of them from which to choose.  Back when network TV and a few “premium” channels like HBO were the only options, well-written shows like Hill Street Blues, ER, LA Law stood out in a sea of mediocrity. But with the advent of streaming, it’s hard to keep up! Here some of this winter’s favorites at our house:

BAD SISTERS features five Irish sisters, four of whom conspire—for good reason—to kill the malevolent husband of the fifth sister. At the outset we learn John Paul is dead, but not who killed him or how. As the episodes unfold it becomes clear just what a nasty piece of work he was, but he’s somehow clever and lucky enough to evade multiple attempts to take him out. In the background is a hilarious subplot involving a pair of insurance agent brothers, one of whom is determined not to pay out on the policy insuring the bad brother-in-law’s life. Great characters, terrific plot.

We were late to the TED LASSO party, and I’m so glad we finally made it. The unlikely story of an American college football coach being hired to lead a British premier league soccer team when he knows nothing about the sport (which, of course, most of the world calls football) boasts marvelous humor, brilliant pop culture references and plenty of emotionally touching scenes as well.  I didn’t understand all the fuss when it was hailed as the show that helped people survive the pandemic. Now I get it.  I look forward to each new episode and hope the rumors that season three will be the last are dead wrong.

We’re waiting with considerable impatience for the next season of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING. I thought season one could not be topped, but it was. A third season will be coming at some point, but Hulu is being coy about exactly when. You know a Steve Martin and Martin Short collaboration is going to be creative and well-written (not to mention well-acted) but Selena Gomez adds so much to the mix, as do the various guest starts (Sting was hilarious, and word is Meryl Streep is going to show up during season three.) When the world seems to be on fire and the Red Sox are not at their best, OMITB is a good bet.

DEAR EDWARD sounded like a downer. A plane crash kills every passenger and crew member save one, an adolescent boy named Edward. Their surviving loved ones meet in a grief group paid for by the insurance company and help each other grieve and move forward with their lives. I feared it would be either maudlin or depressing. But the great Connie Britton stars, and the writers are veterans of Friday Night Lights, which is one of the best written shows ever, IMHO. So we checked it out and were mesmerized by the powerful writing and acting. If you have been reluctant to try this, trust me.  I will move you on many levels.

Finally, ALASKA DAILY, feeds my love and devotion to the world of local journalism and I recommend it highly.  It’s a network show, but if you miss the episodes on ABC you can catch it streaming on Hulu. Hilary Swank is convincing as a hard-charging New York reporter who winds up in Anchorage on what she prays is a short-term gig.  She has a profound impact on a newsroom full of young reporters and they—especially Grace Dove, who plays native Alaskan reporter named Roz—and the otherworldliness of Alaska have a profound impact on her. AD’s sub-theme is the uphill challenges newspapers all over the country are facing, and why it is essential that they survive, especially smaller papers like the fictional Daily Alaskan. Tight writing, great ensemble cast. Watch it!

All that said, I’d love to hear in the comments what you have been watching lately.  Let’s hear your recommendations!

Brenda Buchanan brings years of experience as a journalist and a lawyer to her crime fiction. She has published three books featuring Joe Gale, a newspaper reporter who covers the crime and courts beat. She is now hard at work on new projects. FMI, go to http://brendabuchananwrites.com