The Gilded Age (Max) returns this Sunday, a hilarious new show on Prime I binged, and a few I’m still riding with. We got five shows in the mix this week. Let’s get into it.

Overcompensating (Prime Video)

I breezed through Season 1 and it was a fun, easy watch with heart and humor. Benito Skinner who’s also the creator delivers in the lead role. It’s a story that’s been told before so it didn’t reinvent anything, but it didn’t need to. I’m a fan of this one and hoping we get a second season.

The Gilded Age – New Season (Max)

My Sunday night HBO void is set to be filled. The Gilded Age is back with its third season and I’m thrilled. I’ve been looking forward to this one. This show is underrated, it has beautiful costumes, and is full of old money drama. I’m big on period pieces, especially when they’re this good. Mad Men is the greatest show of all time in my eyes , so anything in that historical drama lane has my attention.

Stick (Apple TV+)

Episode 4 slowed things down a bit, but the latest episode 5 is where the show starts to find its rhythm. The mentor/mentee dynamic between Pryce and Santi gets more focus, and the new character Zero shifts things in an interesting way. The emotional moments are landing better now and I think we’re seeing what this show is capable of being. I’ve made it this far, so I’m sticking with Stick.

Checking Back In

Murderbot (Apple TV+)

Early on I wrote this show was unlike anything else I was watching and that’s still accurate. After 7 episodes, it’s got me fully on board. Skarsgård and Dumezweni are both strong actors, and the dry deadpan tone works for me. This show has proved it can do big action and big emotions. I think it’s found its balance.

Duster (Max)

The latest episode definitely brings the action. There’s a big shootout that feels straight out of a 70s crime movie. Nina holds her own again and her scenes are some of the strongest. I’m feeling the chemistry between her and Jim and interested to see where the show takes it.

That’s the lineup for now. Back next week with more picks!

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Tires (Netflix) is back with Season 2. Adults (FX) had me cracking up. The wife’s been locked in on Motorheads and I’ve been hearing good things about another new Netflix show.

Tires (Netflix)

I was in on Season 1, and it looks like the critics are finally catching up for Season 2. It’s always been funny, but it feels like it’s found its groove in the newest installment. Add this to your watchlist.

Motorheads (Prime Video)

The wife is into this one heavy. She has some excellently written reviews up for Episodes 1-4. It’s teenage drama with cars and racing culture as the backdrop. Might not be for everybody, but it has potential.

Adults (FX)

I breezed through the season, and I found it absolutely hilarious. All eight episodes had me laughing out loud at this brilliant ensemble. The show is a hit in my opinion. Hopefully FX doesn’t fumble it and brings it back for Season 2.

Department Q (Netflix)

I haven’t started it yet, but reviews have been solid. Critics are calling it dark, grounded, and well-written. Sounds like a slow burn and those are my kind of shows. I’ll let you know my thoughts on this one next week.

Back next week with more. Be sure to follow us on X (@tv_dad)

The first four minutes of this episode take us on a quick journey into how Christian learned how to drive and race. His brother Logan taught him everything he knows and even took him to Buzz’s junkyard where they found the Dodge Charger to rebuild it. Now, Logan is able to help the teens rebuild the Charger since the work at his shop has slowed down.

So far I am not liking this episode. I feel like too much time has been spent focusing on Sam’s character and her memories. I would have preferred to have learned more about Christian than Sam because he is the one that nobody has heard from in over a decade. I wouldn’t be surprised if other viewers agree that this made the show a little less interesting.

During a quick stop at the local skating rink she bumps into Darren Bowers. Eventually they end up at a bar and continue to discuss the past which in turn leads Sam to ask what bet he lost racing against Christian. Darren reveals that the bet was that if he could win the race that Christian would let Sam go so that she could find somebody better than them to be with. Sam is surprised by this and reveals that she actually did like Darren at one point.

Next we see Noah show Harris a video that a street racer uploaded of Harris shredding (killing it) at the Showcase. Harris is excited to see the video but is instantly offended when this racer calls him a poser and says that he probably uses his daddy’s money to buy his way into the culture. This angers Harris because he knows that the video was only uploaded so that he could be ridiculed. Either way, Noah believes that all press is good press. Harris begs to differ.

During shop class, Curt tries to get Cate to agree to hang out after school. Every time he brings up an idea of what they can do she turns it into an opportunity to do something for the rebuild. It is obvious though that Curt is trying to spend some quality time with Cate but she is not picking up on that. It isn’t until he says that they could hang out at his spot up on the hill that Cate asks exactly what they could be doing there. He quickly changes his mind about that idea and says they can just meet up at the garage to change the breaks on the Charger. Now Cate is left in her thoughts because the last time they spoke, they agreed to be friends. So far I like this potential romantic relationship but I feel like I would need to know a little more about who Curt really is to agree with it.

Harris confronts Zac at his locker when he notices Zac staring at Alicia. Harris wants to make sure that Zac knows that he does not view him as a threat because he’s worthless. People only know who Zac is because of who his father is. His words really affect Zac so he’s looking for a way to ditch school. After bumping into Curt, they both agree to ditch and ride out on Curt’s bike. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, Curt ends up calling his brother Ray for help. They end up at a drag race where Zac meets Ray (aka the Mayor) for the first time. Zac learns that Ray put the event together and believes that he could help him become a great driver. Keep in mind that Logan has already mentioned that Ray is bad news. Later, Curt tells Zac to be cautious around Ray because there are two sides to him. He suggests that he reach out to Logan instead if he really wants to become a street racer. Will this information prevent Zac from associating with Ray?

At a burger joint, Harris spots the racer that ridiculed him online. He gets in his Porsche and pulls up next to him at a stop sign. Harris gives him a serious look to let him know that he’s ready to race. The rider ends up losing after nearly driving off of a bridge. The same bridge that Christian drove off of years earlier. Harris knows that he was being reckless when he raced the Midknight Rider, but death doesn’t seem to faze him. It seems as though the loss of his mother has left him feeling emotionally detached from the world.

Zac is excited to talk to Logan, per Curt’s advice, because he wants to know if he will teach him how to race. Logan refuses to help him. He does not want Zac to put himself at risk behind the wheel. Zac believes that he could have his dad’s gift and the only way to find out is if he learns the ins and outs of street racing.

At the garage, Curt and Cate are at work on the Charger when Curt admits that he likes her a lot. Cate admits to feeling the same but finds it to be a complicated time for a relationship. Curt disagrees and insists that if they both like each other that things should be simple. She asks for some time to figure out what she wants to do. Curt appreciates her honesty. She proceeds to tell him how Noah insulted her at the burger joint and the scene then jumps to Curt grabbing Noah by his jacket and slamming him against a wall. He threatens to end Noah’s life if he ever disrespects her again. Curt definitely has strong feelings for Cate. He made sure to defend her here and promises to protect her against Noah. I appreciated seeing more of Curt and Cate in this episode. Nonetheless, I still feel as though more information could’ve been provided about Christian even if it got squeezed in towards the end of the episode. I have so many unanswered questions. Fingers crossed that we’ll learn more about Christian in the next episode. Stay with me.

-Lily N

When the song “Paper Planes” by M.I.A. comes on it only feels right to start bobbing your head. The episode opens up with a flashback from 17 years earlier as Kelly rides her bike to meet up with Samantha. A helicopter is then seen flying by and this is when we learn that the helicopter is trying to locate the bank robbers. When young Samantha touches her belly, it is evident that she is pregnant with the twins and was hoping to tell Christian this news until she saw him being chased by police cars on tv. Skip ahead to present day and Logan gives Marcel the news about his blown engine after Zac races the Sunfire on that festival evening. Logan offers to strip it down and sell it for parts to which Marcel mournfully agrees. Marcel loved that car.

     Subsequently, Harris is seen browsing on his phone when he encounters a racing video from the night before in Ironwood led by a Pittsburgh crew. He is upset because neither him nor Noah got an invite to race. Noah is tasked with locating the people who put the racing list together because Harris wants to be part of the next race to represent his town.

     Sam takes her kids on a weekend trip to places she used to go to when she was little, including a visit to a custard shop she once loved. Unfortunately, when she drives them to the house she grew up in, she learns that the neighborhood no longer exists and now consists of brand new housing developments. This spoils her day and she decides to drive back home. She finds herself questioning whether she made the right decision to return to Ironwood. Logan convinces her that her return has made Ironwood feel like its old self and thanks her for it.

     Cate and Curt are together once again since they are the ones mainly working on rebuilding the Charger. Curt explains to her that he cannot stay to help her sand the car because he is expected back home for his family’s weekend barbecue. Cate hints that she wants to attend, but Curt doesn’t think it is a good idea given that his parents don’t get along, his brother doesn’t even go, and it’s just an all around sad reminder for him to think about the united family he once had. Cate does not care and is happy to attend either way. Curt is surprised by her answer and allows her to join him. He is later embarrassed by the events that transpire at the barbecue but she still ends up liking his family. When Curt finally has some alone time with Cate, he tries to express how he feels. Just as he says, “I think that we um,” Cate finishes his sentence and says they “are better as friends.” However, it doesn’t seem like that’s what he really wanted to say. It seems as though he only agreed to that because she’s the one that said it first. Will they really continue  to view each other as friends or will they be honest with themselves in the next episode?

     In this episode, Zac spends his time trying to restore the friendship that he had with Marcel because he feels bad that he ruined his Sunfire. Zac doesn’t know how to show him that he is truly sorry for what he did so he takes him to a kart racing track which doesn’t feel safe to them especially since minors aren’t allowed. Still, he hopes that this bonding time will help them forget about what happened with the Sunfire. Surprisingly, it works and Zac promises to make amends. However, Marcel does get hurt behind the wheel so he ends up needing stitches. No longer able to work, Zac offers to cover for him at the diner that evening for movie night. Zac

bumps into Logan there and asks him to restore Marcel’s car at whatever cost because he’s willing to pay for it. Marcel’s friendship means that much to him.

     So far, I really like Marcel in the show. He’s very genuine, but sadly allows people to take advantage of him. He is willing to help others even if it means that he won’t gain anything from it. His father Wade is an alcoholic who humiliates Marcel and doesn’t treat him like a son. Wade can’t get over the loss of his diner where Marcel currently works. Despite being a nerd and constantly grammatically correcting others, I find him to be kind, funny, and a great friend. People just don’t take the time to get to know him to see that he has a warm spirit. It really made me sad to learn that he thinks that he’s just not worth anything for people especially because he knows that his mom, who isn’t a part of his life, feels that way about him. He truly believes that others see him as a temporary friend. I hope I see better things happening for him in the upcoming episodes.

     When Noah arrives at the diner to see Harris, we learn that Noah was able to secure a spot on the race list later that evening with Sideshow. However, they won’t learn of the location for the race until 10:20 pm. A ding to Harris’s cellphone lets us know that he has been given the location of the race which happens to be at a lot in their town. A bunch of people start rushing to the nearby lot to watch the racers make donuts and take over the streets. Even though there is a police station nearby, this doesn’t stop Harris from rushing to the race. In this scene, you can definitely see the love that the community has for racing. Not only is it seen as exhilarating, dangerous, and challenging, it provides the adolescents with a space for socializing. Though not the best way to socialize, this show is called Motorheads after all. Harris is able to showcase his skills at the lot while Noah records from the passenger side. They want their online followers to see what they can do in the streets.

     The episode ends with a flashback of Sam calling Logan during the speed chase. We then find out that during the speed chase, Christian drove the vehicle off of a bridge and fell into the water to avoid getting captured by the police. Ever since then, Christian vanished. Was Christian not able to escape from the vehicle and drowned on scene or did he survive but decided to disappear from the town? Hopefully we are able to uncover the answers to these questions in episode 4. Until next time.

-Lily N.

“There are two types of people in this world. Those who hit the brakes and those who hit the gas.”

A great quote heard at the end of the first episode that really encapsulates what the show is about. It’s repeated once more within the first ten minutes of this episode and inspires the teens to either hit the brakes or the gas in the decisions they make in life.

Harris is now known as the best racer in town. This prompts Zac and Cate to team up with Curt and Marcel to rebuild the yellow Dodge Charger, hoping to beat Harris in a race. They’re still bothered by the humiliation they endured at the party—and the fact that Harris dumped Curt’s bike in a pool of water. They’re looking forward to beating Harris and proving he’s not the best.

The second episode opens with the police chasing Christian after he and his crew rob a bank. There are three other passengers in the car with him. Fast forward to the present day, and Zac is practicing how to race at high speeds in a junkyard. Meanwhile, Curt and Cate are on the hunt for car parts to rebuild the Charger in that same junkyard. The owner, Buzz, is enjoying himself watching Zac crash and swerve Dottie (the car) into other vehicles. Apparently, everyone in town learned how to drive—or race—while sitting behind Dottie’s wheel, including Christian Maddox.

The teens quickly realize that hunting for parts will set them back several months, so Curt offers to get parts through his brother, Ray. Cate agrees, as long as they don’t run into any problems with this plan.

With local businesses closing and others switching to online, money’s tight in Ironwood. The town looks forward to the annual Firefly Festival, which draws in tourists. Logan hopes to sell two vintage trucks there—he’s struggling financially and had to let go of two employees in the previous episode. Marcel is also excited for the festival because he can’t wait to show off his lit-up Sunfire. Since the party, Marcel’s been giving Cate, Zac, and Curt rides to school, and their friendship has grown. They’re not embarrassed to be seen in the Sunfire anymore.

During shop class, Cate tells Curt she can’t believe there are so many assholes in a small town. Curt, ever the optimist, believes there are still good people in the world. Cate then says she wants to jump off the Summer Crossing Bridge—just like her mom did when she was younger. They plan to do it together after the Firefly Festival. It’s still unclear if they feel anything after their kiss in the first episode. It seems like Curt has stronger feelings for Cate than she does for him. Will this meetup lead them to talk about it?

Next, we see Curt’s brother Ray show up at Logan’s place to ask if he wants in on a job they’ve planned for when the town lights go out during the festival. Logan politely declines. Ray reminds him not to tell anyone about the conversation—he’ll know if Logan talks.

As Cate works on the Charger, Logan asks if she and Curt are a thing. She says she’s not sure—even though they have things in common, she barely knows him. Still, she’s curious about Curt’s brother Ray, since he’ll be the one supplying parts. Logan warns her: Ray is bad news. He also reveals that Curt’s father is actually the sheriff, which may explain why some kids at school don’t like Curt.

Later, Curt drops off a parts list with Ray, who finds out the parts are for rebuilding Christian’s legendary car. Since Logan declined the job, Ray decides he’ll get Curt to help instead—trading parts for his assistance. It’s a bad plan, but Curt doesn’t want to let down his new friends. He agrees, which means he’ll miss meeting Cate at the festival. Will she feel stood up?

Before the lights go out and the fireflies fill the sky, Harris and Darren Bowers walk on stage to shut down the town lights. The way Darren looks at Samantha makes you wonder if they had a romantic history. Keep in mind—Darren lost to Christian in a race back in the day.

Zac, meanwhile, is anxious to ride the Ferris wheel with Alicia, who promised him a ride earlier. Will she follow through? Marcel’s nervous as he pulls up to the festival. He’s wrapped his Sunfire in glow lights and added his own signature logo to the hood. Some teens approach and admire it, asking who did the design. Marcel proudly says it was him. They’re impressed. Curt even asks if Marcel can design a logo for his bike once it’s fixed. Marcel starts to believe that his dream of becoming a car designer might really happen.

Toward the end of the episode, Cate doesn’t see Curt anywhere, so she ends up hanging with Kiara. During their conversation, Kiara says she admires how Cate is true to herself and not afraid to do her own thing. For a moment, it feels like Kiara may have romantic feelings for Cate—especially since she ditched her boyfriend (Noah) earlier at the festival. They definitely don’t act like a couple. Does Kiara like Cate?

We also see Alicia stand up to Harris, calling out the way he’s been treating Zac. She tells him to chill out—he’s been acting like a bully. Then she hops on the Ferris wheel with Zac, letting Harris know Zac is her friend and “it’s just a six-second ride.” Still, Harris is pissed when he learns Zac paid the attendant twelve dollars to extend the ride.

Afterwards, Harris confronts Zac, saying he’s a nobody and doesn’t matter to anyone. Zac stands his ground, telling him he will matter—once he beats Harris in a race. Harris doesn’t back down and says the race is happening now. Without his own Porsche, Noah lets Harris borrow his car. Zac pleads with Marcel to let him use the Sunfire. The race upsets Alicia, who tells Harris if he goes through with it, they’re done for good.

Will Harris race Zac?

Watch episode two to find out.

After watching Flight Risk, I started to browse my TV to see what I would be watching next, and I just so happened to bump into a show called Motorheads starring Ryan Phillippe as Logan Maddox. As I watched the trailer, I immediately thought of him and the movies he has previously starred in like Cruel Intentions and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Those movies are classics, and his acting has never disappointed, so I decided to give this show a chance.

Now, if you’ve never felt like the odd man out before, Motorheads is a new YA Prime Video drama that will give you an inside look into what that is like, all while centering around the love for automobiles and racing. Additionally, the show touches on the choices that one makes and how it affects the paths that one takes. Starring Melissa Collazo as Caitlyn and Michael Cimino as Zac Torres, this pair of twins end up switching high schools halfway through the school year and leave Brooklyn with their mother Samantha (Nathalie Kelley) to move to a community in the small town of Ironwood in Pennsylvania. Having never met their father Christian Maddox, the twins are anxious to reunite with his brother, their uncle Logan, who is a mechanic (Ryan Phillippe).

The opening scene of the first episode makes me feel like I’m watching the Fast and Furious movies. The crowd consists of a mixture of pumped-up teens and adults who are anxiously waiting for the racers to show up. A red Corvette is on the scene and driven by Darren Bowers (Matt Lanter), a young teen who believes that he can beat his opponent in a race. With license plate “UNB10,” which stands for “unbeaten,” a yellow Dodge Charger appears on the scene, and I am automatically reminded that this is the same car that Dominic Toretto drove in the Fast and Furious film—though his was black. As the race begins and the drivers surpass speeds of 80 mph, the Corvette loses speed and the engine fails. At this point, we are unaware of what the bet was. Bowers, though, is highly upset with the loss and refuses to tell his friend what he lost to the legend. Cue the song “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone, and I’m obligated to watch more.

Fast forward to present day, and Samantha is reminded of her past when she arrives in Ironwood. Her children cannot believe that she used to jump off of tall bridges in her younger days, especially since she is now an ER nurse. We then learn that Logan is not only a mechanic but an auto body painter as well, who prefers to be called an artist. After settling in at his place, Zac is quick to play video games on his PlayStation in his new room, whereas Cate is ready to learn how to fix cars like her uncle. Here, we are able to see their different personalities. Zac is not ready to give a new school—let alone a new town—a chance for a new beginning. On the other hand, Cate seems to be more open-minded about the move and tries to encourage Zac to do the same. She hopes that this move will allow her to get to know more about their father. Still, Zac asks that she not tell anybody who their father is. According to him, nobody at school should be able to figure out that they are related to Christian, especially since they do not share the same last name.

The following morning, Cate can be seen learning about mechanic work with her uncle while Zac refuses to wake up and start his day at five in the morning. The viewers then learn that Logan’s only house rule is that nobody is allowed to touch the vehicle with a car cover over it because it is off-limits. At this point, it is time for them to go to school, and the viewers can see that these high schoolers are different. They drive nice cars with custom paint jobs, so we can assume that cars will still be a central theme to this show. While Cate tries to locate her first class, she bumps into Kiara, who offers to show her around. This is very kind of her, given that kids these days do not volunteer to do things anymore. On the other hand, Marcel (neighbor) spots Zac and tells him that he can hang with him throughout the day so that he is not seen all by himself on campus. Another kind gesture from another student; however, it is evident that Zac does not want Marcel’s help but doesn’t know how to reject his offer.

When Zac meets Alicia Whitaker for the first time, the spark between them is undeniable. His locker is right next to hers, so they are going to continue to see more of each other daily. Zac wants to know more about Alicia and realizes that the best way to do that is to continue to talk to Marcel. It just so happens that Marcel works at the diner where Alicia does her homework. Though he knew he did not want to hang out with Marcel at lunch, this changes things.

Kiara introduces Cate to her friends and then invites her to Alicia’s party later that evening. A quarter-mile, ten-second race is mentioned that will take place before the party. Yet Cate is more focused on the kid (Curt) that arrives on what appears to be a homemade bike. Her eyes tell the viewer that she is intrigued by this kid, who easily ignores the unnecessary name-calling by others. When she partners up with him during shop class, they discover their mutual love for auto mechanics. Will this lead them to become something more?

It is easy to see that Logan is like a mentor to these kids—but especially to Marcel. Logan sells his Sunfire to Marcel for $350 cash, which brings such a huge smile to his face. It is clear that Marcel is a nerdy kid who lacks a proper father figure in his life and looks up to Logan. Cate, on the other hand, is very curious about the car beneath the covers and why Logan insists it is off-limits. So much so that she removes the covers and unveils an old and rusted yellow Dodge Charger. She’s instantly in awe of this car and tells her uncle that she can help repair it after she discovers that it belonged to her dad.

In the next scene change, we can see Zac on the street where the racing takes place, and he is reminded of his father, who used to race there. Without thinking, Zac reveals who his father is to Marcel, who at first does not believe him. How can the new kid be the son of a legend? Marcel then shares this news with Harris, even though Zac did not want anybody to know who his father is. After winning the race, Harris then notices that Zac likes his girlfriend Alicia. Zac cannot keep his eyes off of her. This does not sit well with Harris. He then asks Zac if he will be attending the party, to which Zac responds yes. Harris is up to something here for sure. At the party, he gathers everyone in front of a huge television screen only to play the speed chase video that was broadcast on the news when Zac’s dad robbed a bank back in the day. Humiliated to say the least, Zac and Cate decide to leave the party only to encounter a fight outside.

Did I mention that Ryan Phillippe’s son (Deacon Phillippe) stars in the show as a young Christian (driver of the yellow Charger)? As previously mentioned, I loved Ryan in his classic movies, and I actually love him in this show as well. But to be able to see him acting in the same show as his son is truly amazing. Of course, this makes me feel old, but at the same time it brings a sense of magic to the screen. The show definitely keeps you wanting more. Curt ends up giving Cate a ride, and they end up kissing on a bridge prior to the party. Does this kiss make her feel like she really likes Curt after all?

Viewers end up discovering that Christian was a part of a bank robbery gone wrong when he was younger, which is why the twins never met their father. Also, it turns out that Christian was a legend in the community due to his racing abilities. So even though the twins never met their father, everyone in town knew of him.

Overall, this truly feels like a coming-of-age show, especially because of the storyline and the great chemistry amongst the characters. The younger cast seems to be holding the show together. Scores are settled by street racing, and songs like those by Olivia Rodrigo really bring the show to life. I won’t ruin the end of the episode, but trust me when I say you need to grab your remote right now and open up your Prime app to watch this show. You won’t be able to turn it off. Until next time, stay with me.

-Lily N.

When I first saw the trailer for the American action thriller Flight Risk back in January, I thought wait a minute, this movie is going to solely take place in a small plane? I instantly knew I would not be watching this in theaters because I felt that this was a movie that I could wait to watch at home. Of course, my instincts were right. Directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg as Daryl, the movie is about a female U.S. Marshal that is tasked with transporting a government witness to trial on a small plane from Alaska all the way to New York. The action starts to pick up once the passengers board the plane and they meet their pilot because at this point the viewers are able to see that one of them is not who they seem to be.

I knew I would watch this film despite the 5.3/10 rating from IMDb. I mean, did you guys not see Mark Wahlberg in the 1996 American psychological thriller movie, Fear? If Mark is going to be cast in a movie, it is a given that I will be watching it. This girl is a fan. However, this movie was not my cup of tea. As of right now you can watch this film on STARZ or you can pay to rent/buy it on Prime. Viewer beware!

First and foremost, I could not get past the acting. Topher Grace in my opinion did a better job as David Duke in BlacKkKlansman. His role as Winston in this movie, or Winnie, as Wahlberg liked to call him was very dull for me. Winston did not look like a kidnapped government witness who almost lost his life throughout this film. I mean they even said that his mother could be in harms way and that didn’t spark a real worried reaction from him either. I would rewatch BlacKkKlansman right now if it meant that I could erase what I saw in Flight Risk.

Furthermore, Madolyn (Michelle Dockery) should have never been cast as a U.S. Marshal. She was not professional in her role as a marshal and when she realized that her mission was compromised, she completely forgot that she was carrying a satellite phone with her. I was at a loss for words here. To make matters worse, when she was able to reach her office for help, she was practically flirting with the pilot they connected her with to help her fly the plane. You’re flying 3,000 feet above land and although you were almost murdered and could still potentially get murdered again, you are giggling on the phone with the pilot who is supposed to help you land the plane? What’s more, throughout the film she is not looking forward through the windshield to see where the plane is traveling and if they’re going to hit a mountain or something. Definitely not believable.

Before we learned that Wahlberg was tasked with eliminating Winston, I was not able to take him seriously with the weird accent he carried and all of the terrible gum chewing that he was doing.  Also, his verbiage was atrocious. Wahlberg said things like chuckles, ruff ruff, and hot damn. Even his jokes throughout the film were a joke. The dialogue seemed forced. It almost seemed as though Wahlberg really believed that he was an animal more so than a human with the constant snarling that he was doing and the fact that he didn’t care if the plane hit a mountain.

Let’s not forget the part where his cap got yanked off during a struggle and the viewers learned that he’s practically bald. I have to admit, I shut down. I have never seen Wahlberg as a bald actor. I almost turned off the movie, but I continued to watch it because I wanted to know if the plane was going to find a ground to land on or if it would crash. Having said that, I will not spoil the ending. It’s up to you if you want to see this for yourself.

Let’s just say that If people still bought DVDs, I think that this movie would have only released that way. Even Mel Gibson was surprised when this became his shortest-directed film. If I am being honest, I think this should have been a hint not to release it in theaters.

-Lily N.

[as posted to TV Dad Takes]

Short list this week after finishing seasons of The Studio, Hacks and Your Friends and Neighbors. Here are four shows I’m either already into or planning to start. No wife’s pick this week, just my rotation.

Stick (Apple TV+)

Strong first impression. I’ve watched the first three episodes and I’m all the way in on this one. It’s funny, grounded, and has some heart. Owen Wilson and Marc Maron are great. I wrote up a review of episode one on my Substack. Check it out:

tvdadtakes.substack.com/p/tv-dad-review-stick-episode-1-whats

Murderbot (Apple TV+)

I’m four episodes deep now and this one has really grown on me. It’s dry, different, has some humor, and for some reason has me invested. Skarsgård is always good so plays his role well but so does the supporting cast. It just doesn’t feel like anything else I’m watching right now.

Adults (FX)

Haven’t started yet, but it’s on my list. I was a big fan of Girls, so this one has my attention. Hoping it fills that void of young adults trying to figure out life. My brother recommended it and told me it picks up after a few episodes, so it’s on the watchlist this week.

Duster (Max)

First four episodes have been a hell of a ride. Duster feels like something that would’ve aired on Cinemax back in the day. Dusty roads, sketchy characters, and a pulpy vibe that works. I’m digging it big time. And with it being set in Arizona, my home state—that just makes it all the better.

Appreciate you supporting the TV Dad crew! Catch you next week with a fresh rotation.

The first time we meet Pryce (Owen Wilson), he’s in his element at the pro shop. Smooth, confident, working a customer with a solid sales pitch to move some overpriced clubs. But right after he closes the deal, reality sets in. He’s begging for an advance on his commission. That tells the viewer a lot about him. He’s down bad, middle-aged, and probably still living in the past.

Back home, it’s rough. The house looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years. He’s been divorced for two. His ex-wife, played by Judy Greer, seems to have moved on just fine. Pryce hasn’t. She offers him $75K to sell the house and start fresh. He refuses. This isn’t about money. It’s about holding on to what’s left of a life that used to mean something.

At the driving range, he spots a teenager dinging 320-yard drives. The kid’s name is Santi. You can tell Pryce sees something there, even if he doesn’t say much yet.

Later we meet Mitts, played by Marc Maron. He recognizes Pryce at the bar and immediately starts giving him a hard time. Brings up the past and mocks his falloff. Back in the day, Pryce was a legit pro player in major tournaments and earned the nickname “Stick.” Now he’s pushing gear behind a counter. What happened? He crashed out in 2009 and hasn’t played professionally since.

Mitts challenges our guy to a putting bet right there on the bar floor. Pryce lines it up and misses the putt. Mitts pockets the cash like it’s nothing, but then we see it for what it is. They’re in on it together. It’s a hustle they’ve run many times before. Pryce is broke, and Mitts is helping his buddy out. Back home, Mitts sparks something inside Pryce by asking him what’s next. It’s a great scene that lets us know how close these two really are.

Pryce tracks Santi down at his job and gives him the same kind of pitch he gave that customer at the pro shop. Drop the grocery store gig and take golf seriously. The kid has real potential and could make some serious money. But Santi shuts it down. Says he doesn’t even like golf anymore.

With Santi uninterested, Pryce shifts gears and tries his mom, Elena. He gives her the pitch instead. She seems genuinely moved that someone else sees what she sees in her son. She reminds Santi how much he used to love the game, especially playing with his dad, who isn’t around anymore. Eventually, she agrees to the plan, but there’s a catch. Pryce has to cover everything—travel, expenses, the whole thing for both of them. And she wants a hundred grand up front. Money Pryce definitely doesn’t have.

But he figures it out the only way he knows how. He goes back to his ex, uses that old charm, and convinces her to invest after she watches Santi swing. She’s just as impressed as Pryce was the first time he saw the kid launching drives at the range. She agrees. Now they’ve got a plan, a kid with real talent, and a long road ahead.

Pretty good start. I’ll be reviewing episodes 2&3 when I get the time. Stay tuned!

-TV Dad

The Better Sister, starring Jessica Biel as Chloe Taylor, is one of Prime Video’s new thriller series based on the best-selling novel by Alafair Burke. The title informs that the show will be centered on the lives of two sisters, with Chloe as the female protagonist who tries to help her struggling alcoholic older sister Nicky Macintosh (Elizabeth Banks). Sisterhood is already complex—but with Chloe and Nicky, blood ties come with betrayal, secrets, and shared guilt.

  Chloe, is an author and editor-in-chief at a popular magazine while her husband Adam (Corey Stoll) is a high-powered attorney. Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan) is their teenage son; however, the twist in the show is that Nicky is the biological mother of Ethan. This further prompts the viewer to continue to want to watch the show because the picture-perfect marriage of nearly ten years that Chloe and Adam portray is not so perfect after all.

  In the first episode, the show definitely grabs your attention within the first two minutes of starting because it is set during the evening as Chloe returns home from a party, the Summer Soiree, at her mentor’s estate. The eerie and mysterious background music that is utilized during this time definitely keeps the viewer engaged. As Chloe walks around in her home barefoot, she feels something wet underneath her feet only to uncover that it is blood. At this point, she finds her husband lying on the floor in a pool of blood and quickly checks for any signs of life by placing her head on his chest. I found this to be an interesting choice on her part because typically in other shows you can see people checking for a pulse on the neck or wrist. By placing her head on his chest, she winds up being completely covered in blood thus staining her white dress and her skin. This makes you wonder if her actions were intentional.

  Ultimately, the viewer learns through a flashback that Chloe is involved in the #Womenareessential movement. As Chloe scrolls through social media earlier that day, she discovers that her home address in the city has been leaked online by protesters of this movement. Now the viewer is forced to wonder whether a protester is responsible for the murder of her husband or if there is more at play here. The question is, “Did they also discover the address to their second home in the suburbs where the murder took place?” On top of that, it doesn’t help Chloe’s case when we learn during another time jump that she has a second cell phone and pulls over while driving to send a suspicious text message to an unlisted number asking, “Are you there?” Keep in mind, this happens shortly before she arrives at her home in the suburbs that evening.

  During the investigation, Detective Guidry notices that Ethan has a fresh cut on his right forearm which leads her to investigate his whereabouts on the night of the murder. Eventually it is discovered that Ethan’s DNA is found under Adam’s fingernails. Does this mean that Ethan killed his own dad and politics did not play a role here?

  All things considered, Adam’s murder causes Chloe to unwillingly reconnect with her estranged sister Nicky since she is Ethan’s legal guardian. All of these twists take the viewer on a roller coaster ride and into the lives of these sisters who we learn have both married Adam. It is important to note, that the overall lack of emotions from Adam’s family upon learning of his death are deemed highly suspicious. Will we learn who the real killer is in the second episode or will this be revealed in the final episode of the series? Did Nicky finally get revenge on her ex-husband for marrying her sister? Did she brainwash Ethan into murdering him? Or did Chloe murder her own husband because of some other family secret? Until next week, stay with me.

Written by:

Liliana Navarro (The Wife of TV Dad)

(aka the one who actually pays attention to the details)

1. The Chi – Season 7(Paramount+ / Showtime)

This show’s been through some changes. You can feel it but it still feels like The Chi and that’s what matters. I’m excited to get back into this world because there’s still heart in it. Still something to check in on every week. If you’ve been watching from the jump, you understand the investment.

2. Sirens – Series Premiere (Netflix)

Haven’t dived in yet, but Sirens is on my radar. With Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, and Milly Alcock leading, it’s got a cast that has me interested. The premise hints at intricate dynamics and underlying tensions. The wife and I will be tuning in to see how it unfolds.

Murderbot – Season 1 (Apple TV+)

A security android with a penchant for soap operas and a disdain for human interaction? I’m in. This is high on my watchlist with Alexander Skarsgård leading the cast. I’ll let you if I’m feeling this one next week.

Hacks – Season 4, Episode 9 (Max)

Once Deborah and Ava stopped beefing and finally got back on the same wavelength, the show found its rhythm again. Their dynamic is the core of Hacks and when that relationship’s in sync, the writing and the jokes land better. If the final stretch of episodes keeps that same energy, it’s going to be more awards on the horizon.

The Studio – Season 1 Finale (Apple TV+)

The studio stuck the landing in its season 1 finale. The last installment pulled everything together better than I expected. Bryan Cranston had me weak with how committed he was. That physical comedy? Wild. Overall, this was a strong first season, count me in for more.

Wife’s Pick: The Resident – Full Series (Netflix)

The early seasons had it. With Dr. Conrad holding it down, the hospital drama moving fast, character arcs that made sense. Real solid. Then somewhere along the way, it started slipping. But none of that matters to the wifey—she’s locked in. This is one of those “I’ve come too far to quit” watches for her.

Stay safe this weekend and enjoy whatever you’re watching. TV Dad will be back next Friday.

1. Your Friends & Neighbors

Apple TV+ – Season 1, Episode 7

Last week’s episode had a wild ending and left me wondering if we’re about to lose one of my favorite characters. Jon Hamm and Amanda Peet continue to have great chemistry.

2. The Studio

Apple TV+ – Season 1, Episode 9

Episodes 7 and 8 was some of the most laughing-out-loud I’ve done at TV in a while and I needed that. Episode 9 kept the energy going with an old school Hollywood party.

3. Hacks

HBO – Season 4, Episode 7

This season started off a bit rocky, but it’s found its groove. The writing’s sharp again, and Jean Smart is still on top of her game.

4. Godfather of Harlem

MGM+ – Season 4

Forrest Whitaker is locked in. This season’s pacing is tight, and it’s keeping that gritty tone without doing too much.

5. Welcome to Wrexham

Hulu – Season 4

Back for another season, and I’m still hooked. Didn’t expect to be this invested when I first started, but here we are!

New list coming next Friday. If you’re watching something I should be on, hit me up.

—TV Dad

#TVDadTakes

I’m not a critic, not a reporter or a journalist. I’m just a Dad and sports fan who watches a lot of TV and has some thoughts. I watch everything from prestige dramas to sports docs to random shows that my wife somehow pulls me into. If it’s good, I’m probably on it—or about to be.

This is where I will share what’s on my tv screen and what’s on my mind—between work, family, and whatever quiet moment I can get with the remote.

This space is simple:

• What I’m watching each week

• A few takes that come to mind

• Nothing too deep, just honest reactions

If you’re into it, show support!

—TV Dad

#TVDadTakes