January 2020 – TV Quick Hits & Misses

Another Life (NETFLIX) – A sci-fi action/drama concerning what appears to be a very large alien artifact that crash lands on Earth and sets in motion a race to make first contact. That race is of course interrupted by a host of troubles that appear to have little correlation with the end goal but keeps the violent space madness ensuing.

Katee Sackhoff and Justin Chatwin (“Shameless”) topline the series as married ship’s Captain,Nico Breckinridge and Earth-based scientist, Eric Wallace respectively. Elizabeth Faith Ludlow (“The Walking Dead”) costars as hot shot pilot Cas, while Tyler Hoechlin (“Teen Wolf”) appears as the hot-headed Ian Yerxa, second in command of the Salvare; the series space ship.

The series splits itself in half early on with a one part taking place on Earth, the other in space. The Earth-based portion of the series is a bit more narratively driven and mildly interesting; questions are at least asked and answered. In outer space though, it’s a complete shit-show. One that relies heavily on episodic side quests and diversionary tactics that do little to push the main narrative of the series forward.

These semi-pointless side quests are largely set upon the audience by a horribly conceived set of crewmembers. Better described as, a gaggle of disrespecting twenty-somethings who don’t follow orders, constantly bicker, and physically fight with superior officers, all while ignoring first contact, safety, and national security protocols. Additionally, there are a number of episodes that see at least one member of the crew, or all of them, completely under the influence of space drugs. Truth be told, I’d throw 75+ percent or more of them overboard myself, at one time or another. And I think I can legitimately do that because the series uses sound effects on the Salvare that replicate the sound of a sailing ship…What?

To the series’ advantage, it delivers an unprecedented amount of heated arguments that pay homage to the increasing option of mutiny. Props go to the swear words (F-bombs, like sugar on cereal) and the ridiculously violent and argumentative situations that elevate this run-of-the-mill network series to a much more gluttonous train-wreck watching level.

Note: Katee Sackhoff spends a noticeable amount of time onscreen in her underwear. I’m not outright complaining or anything but, is this really necessary?

Living with Yourself (NETFLIX) – Paul Rudd stars in this entertaining new series that sees an emotionally, spiritually, vocationally, and romantically exhausted man offered an opportunity to pep up his life. Unbeknownst to him, that pep up involves a clone of himself that he must now contend with in order to keep living the life he so recently tried to quick-fix change.

The series surprised me with a poignant personal connection that I clearly hadn’t expected. Yeah, I’m not talking only about the writer in another line of work bit, but also in the competition between your best and worst selves to maintain your singular, even if currently directionless, life.

The series costars Aisling Bea (“The Fall”, “This Way Up”) as Rudd’s wife, Kate, who has challenges, questions, convictions, and choices of her own.

Note: The series boasts a great cameo joke from New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady.

ReMastered (2019 NETFLIX) - “ReMastered” is an eight-part documentary series that looks at a number of musically-related tragedies and the conspiracies behind them. The series of eight episodes, which run from 48-74 mins a piece, aren’t set up like a normal NETFLIX show. The documentaries are not grouped together, like a typical season, and must be sought out individually.

Who Shot the Sheriff –The episode deals very little with Bob Marley’s music and instead focuses on the political and conspiratorial unrest of 1970s Jamaica. Unrest that Marley, and life at 56 Hope Rd, were universally tied to.

Tricky Dick and the Man in Black – Washington D.C. 1970, President Richard Nixon asks Johnny Cash to perform a concert at the White House, with the hope of attaching Johnny’s fans to a series of Republican re-election campaigns. And Johnny…well, he’d do things his own way.

Note: “Tricky Dick and the Man in Black” includes a brief and personally surprising interview with Grammy Award winning Mohican singer/songwriter Bill Miller. I was introduced to him when he toured through Sacramento, opening for Tori Amos, in 1994; and I’ve been a fan ever since. Have you ever heard him play? Maybe… Miller plays the Native American Flute on the Oscar winning song “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s “Pocahontas”. According to Miller himself, if he’s been to your local record store, you won’t find his albums in the World Music section where they’d most likely been placed by store staff. Instead you’ll find them in the Pop/Rock section; right in front of the Steve Miller records to be precise.

Who Killed Jam Master Jay? – Exploring the convoluted and still unsolved murder of world-famous Run-DMC DJ, Jam Master Jay. This is the story of a tragedy that turned in to a clusterfuck of unknowns that includes a complete breakdown of trust between his urban community and the local police force.

Massacre at the Stadium – When Chile experienced a democratic power shift, things within the country got violent, culminating in a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet, on September 11, 1973. The ensuing political violence would lead to the despicable murder of Chilean singer/songwriter, Victor Jara. Jara was a folk singer who spoke for the common man and today, is universally recognized and championed by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and U2.

Note: This is the most disturbing and gut-wrenching episode of the pseudo series.

The Two Killings of Sam Cooke – The death of not only the racially conscious singer/songwriter but also of his legacy. This is the most racially charged episode of the group and includes interviews with Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Lloyd Price, Jim Brown, Quincy Jones, Lou Adler, and Zelda Sands.

The Miami Showband Massacre – An exploration into the horrific assault and murder of members of Northern Ireland’s most popular showband in July 1975. What follows is an examination of the conspiratorial efforts of the British Government to murder and frame the band as a nationalist terrorist organization.

Note: This is probably the best, it’s certainly my favorite, episode of the pseudo-series.

Devil at the Crossroads – Blues legend, Robert Johnson was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi in 1911. During his twenty-seven short years Robert recorded only 29 songs, but they became a body of work that has influenced the greatest musicians of the last century, spawned the historic myth of the musician who sold his soul for Rock & Roll at the infamous Crossroads, and created the basis for the 27 Club; the damnable group of rock and roll stars that are regarded as geniuses but all died at the age of twenty-seven. That group includes such members as: Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and Brian Jones.

The Lion’s Share – Author/journalist Rian Malan discusses the sordid history behind singer Solomon Linda, the Mbube music genre, and the song you know as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. Ultimately examining the most famous melody to ever come out of Africa, and also probably the most lucrative.

Unbelievable (NETFLIX) – Developed by Susannah Grant (writer of “Erin Brockovich”) and Michael Chabon (author of “Wonder Boys”), the series sees a troubled teen, transitioning out of foster care, who becomes the victim of a confusing rape episode that challenges the credibility of her story. The series looks at psychological issues faced by foster families, rape victims, and the police force as it begins to shift time frames in order to tell a larger and far more complicated story.

This is a very well-crafted and intriguing story, with detailed scenarios, police work, and characters. If it fails at all, it’s in an attempt to veil its personal “Message” points adequately. Yet, even if they feel a bit preachy at times, they’re points too serious to discount and draw some much-needed attention to the realities of topics like: the seriousness of the crime itself, situational awareness, dedication to the cause, concern for the victim’s after-crime treatment, as well as victim care at the hands of the investigators.

Note: The series boasts one heck of a cast w/ Kaitlyn Dever (“Booksmart”), Toni Collette, Merritt Wever (“Godless”), Elizabeth Marvel (“Homeland”), Danielle Macdonald (“Dumplin’”), Eric Lange, Bill Fagerbakke (“The Stand”), Austin Hebert, Scott Lawrence (“Mr. Mercedes”), Dale Dickey (“Hell or High Water”), Brook Smith (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Annaleigh Ashford (“Masters of Sex”), Jayne Taini (“Ray Donovan”), Bridget Everett, and Brent Sexton (“The Killing”).

Quote of Note:

1. “You know what happens when you decide you’re not just gonna take what you get anymore?”

“What?”
“You get more.”

-m-