For Your Winter Binge Consideration: The Good Fight

The Good Fight arrived in our screens - well, it arrived on CBS’ All-Access streaming service - not even a year after its parent series, The Good Wife, finished amidst critical criticism.

As such, it was obvious that The Kings (the Executive Producers and creators of the parent series, joined on the new drama by Phil Alden Robinson) would reevaluate. And the result came in ditching the parent's show protagonist, portrayed by Julianne Marguiles, and centering it around one of the most beloved and prestige characters on the show: Diane Lockhart, portrayed masterfully by Christine Baranski. 

She’s, no doubt, the protagonist of this new series and all threads connect to her. But the show is far from built solely on her more-than-capable shoulders - Baranski is joined by an equally talented cast, both supporting and main, of actors and actresses, spearheaded by Cush Jumbo (a character coming over from The Good Wife’s final seventh season. As a side note: Cush Jumbo’s character, Lucca, is more developed here within a single episode than the entirety of her character’s run in the seventh season) and Rose Leslie, a Game of Thrones alum. Together, these three female leads cement all of the intriguing storylines spinning and weaved in the show and they carry the show with amazing ability and charisma.

They’re not alone, though: the cast is joined by an array of guest stars, some of them present in the original show as well. For instance, Carrie Preston - playing the notoriously eccentric Elsbeth Tascioni - has a storyline spawning three episodes; Matthew Perry (portraying the sleazy Mike Kresteva) is back to its old antics; and our favorite judge, Judge Abernathy (Denis O’Hare), makes an appearance with all of his liberal mightiness. 

Additionally, this brings an important ramification throughout this entire series: The Good Wife lived the entirety of its run under a Democratic President. By the time The Good Fight premiered, the United States was under the leadership of a Republican President, arguably one of the most controversial ones. And this brought immediate change - the show begins with a snapshot of Diane Lockhart, shocked and horrified, witnessing the inauguration (the episode is also called ‘Inauguration’ - just to punch it again); it permeates beyond this first episode too: the aforementioned Mike Kresteva - who might as well have coined the term ‘fake news’ - continues to spin the stories to better suit him, distorting the facts, making him the perfect character to bring into this fake news world we currently live on. Another episode (‘Social Media and Its Discontents’) deals with the hate speech - and anonymity - that the internet brings and the rapid pace at which it propagates across all forms of media on an online forum and the conflicts it may potentially bring with the First Amendment.

Not to forget: the best episode of the show so far, one might argue, is constructed exactly after an episode centered on this new Republican president failed to air on one of the competing networks (NBC).

It’s time to bring up the plot of the show: it opens amidst scandal, as Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie) discovers that her parents were involved in the biggest Ponzi scheme ever since Madoff, causing all of the people who invested with them to lose their money. That, obviously, involves Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski), who was a very close friend of the couples. And it came just around the time when she was planning to retire away in Provence, France. This forces her to continue to work - and the only firm willing to offer her work (remember, at this time she was one of the hottest commodities in the legal circles in Chicago) is the one she finds herself at odds in the first episode.

And this offers an interesting point of view: Diane is a middle aged woman who finds herself against the wall, having lost everything she has worked for in the entirety of her life. She even mentions this during an exchange with her ex-husband in one of the most emotional scenes, and Baranski brings it home. It’s certainly an exceptional way to construct a show, basing it around Diane, when most shows tend to go for an younger protagonist. It’s very unusual, even more so for a CBS-produced and owned show.

The amazing music and score that surrounds this show can’t be undermined, either. David Buckley (The responsible for said score) is a brilliant composer and his music sets the tone perfectly to whatever scene it is applied to. It lays the perfect groundwork for the actors to do their magnetic work. It will put you in the mood of the scene by itself and then, you only have to concentrate on what’s transpiring on the screen.

Perhaps, the best example of this is present in the beginning of every episode - the intro. Noticeably longer than the parent show had, this intro features a bunch of objects suddenly blowing up. It’s a metaphor to the way The Good Fight suddenly blows the narrative of the show preceding and it’s an equally apt metaphor for the way the world outside the show itself. It’s a very insecure world out there, full of menace and threats. And the show aptly reflects that.

All in all, The Good Fight is one superb drama with all of the prestige and acclaim of the its previous series but more than strong enough on its own. It’s certainly an improvement on the latest seasons of the parent show. But make no mistake: You don’t need previous knowledge of this world and its characters to watch and enjoy it to its maximum potential.  Just dive in and enjoy the utter thrill this show will provide you.

It’s well worth it.

It has been renewed for a second season that should premiere in early 2018. It’s also just 10 episodes (13 for the second season) so you’ll have ample time to watch it.

Go and watch it. Do yourself a favor, trust me.

Best Episodes: ‘Stoppable: A Requiem for An Airdate’, ‘Not So Grand Jury’ and ‘Chaos’;

Worst Episode: ‘Social Media and It’s Social Discontents’ 

(Disclaimer: Although the show is largely procedural in nature, like any CBS show, it has serialized elements throughout all of the episodes so its advisable to binge the show in the way it was aired)

Review conducted with the consultation of Tom and Jason.

For Your Binge Consideration: Better Things

This is the tenth article in a series of articles that a few of us will be writing. This is the For Your Binge Consideration series. Each article will talk about a show that will be returning for its second season in the 2017-18 season, and why you might want to watch the first season before the second season premieres. We continue with Better Things.

When Better Things premiered, it wasn't even on my radar. I'd never even heard of it. But a few weeks into the first season, I started to hear about the show. Everything I had heard about the show was positive. So I decided to give it a try. I searched for it on my TV provider's On Demeand, and I started it. I'm not going to lie and say the pilot was the greatest thing ever, but I thought it was pretty good. It did hook me, and I knew pretty much right off that this would be a fun ride. And boy, was I right.

The show really improved over the course of its first season. While it started strong, the episodes in the second half of the season were really great. I found myself loving each episode, and looking forward to the next one one after the episode had finished. I was really in love with the show. It was really funny, but also really touching. It ended up being one of the smartest shows on TV, and with someone like Louis CK as a part of it, it's not hard to see why it's so good.

The closing scene of the first season was truly brilliant and I loved it. The Fox ladies all singing along to Alice Cooper's Only Women Bleed was a great way to finish the season. It was so true to the series and it was really beautiful to see them all, despite sometimes not getting along and driving each other crazy, bonding and singing and having fun. It was a very smart choice to finish out that wonderful finale.


I'd never seen King of the Hill or Louie, so I wasn't very familiar with star Pamela Adlon or here comedy. However, that quickly changed and I'm very glad it did. Adlon wrote most episodes of the show and even directed a few episodes, in addition to creating and starring in it. She was so great in the first season, and she really earned the Emmy nomination that she received. She brought her role to life, making what could have been just another character in just another TV show into an incredibly memorable and layered character in one of TV's best new shows. But as great as Adlon is in the show, and she really is great, she wasn't the only person who helped make the show great. The entire cast delivered great performances, with each having memorable moments of their own. The show's youngest cast member, Olivia Edward (Duke), was so impressive for an actor of her young age, and she was so funny in this first season. I'm really excited to see more of Duke in season two.

I named this show one of my Top 15 TV Moments of 2016, and anyone that doesn't understand why I did probably hasn't watched this show, because it's freaking amazing. I couldn't suggest it more, it's so, so good. It's a great show for anyone who likes a quality show that provides the laughs and the feels. Fans of fellow FX/FXX shows like You're the Worst and will probably enjoy this one, and anybody that loves a little drama mixed with their comedy should really check this one out, as well. It's worth it!

There have only been ten episodes of Better Things so far, so I highly suggest that you watch all ten of those episodes before the series returns on Thursday. However, if you only have time for a few, I would suggest the finale episode "Only Women Bleed" and episode six, "Alarms."

Still not convinced? Check out the trailer for the series below:


Will you be tuning into Better Things? Or have you already watched season one? Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to tune into Better Things, Thursdays at 10pm on FX, beginning THIS Thursday, and join me after each episode to discuss the show and read my thoughts on it.

For Your Summer Binge Consideration: The Good Place

Labor Day weekend signals that fall TV will be here shortly, but there are still a few weeks before the bulk of shows start their seasons. In that time, you can do a last minute binge or two, and this article explains why The Good Place should be one of those last summer binges.


Last year around this time, most of us ratings followers weren't very optimistic about The Good Place's chances. High-concept comedies rarely work, and NBC has been struggling in general in the comedy department. Despite this, The Good Place was easily NBC's most successful new comedy of the season, and I honestly believe that a lot of why it worked is because of how good of a show it is. From Parks and Recreation creator Michael Schur, this fast-paced and heavily serialized comedy follows a woman who ends up in a heaven-like afterlife but isn't supposed to be there. The 13 episodes of the first season take this concept in surprising directions, and left fans in a desperate wait for the second season, which premieres on Wednesday, September 20th at 10:00 with two new episodes, and then airs Thursdays at 8:30 beginning on September 28th.

The series begins with Eleanor Shellstrop (played by Kristen Bell) waking up in the Good Place, and being informed by the neighborhood's architect Michael (played by Ted Danson) that she ended up here because of how good of a person she was. Eleanor quickly realizes that a mistake has been made, as many of the details about her life are incorrect, and she really wasn't a good person. The series follows Eleanor trying to fit into the Good Place, often by trying to actually be a good person. While the second episode makes it seem like the series will follow Eleanor learning a little bit each week how to be a good person, the show quickly proves that this is not the case, as the story moves along quicker than at least I expected it to.

The style of comedy in the show is comparable to Schur's Parks and Recreation, as well as other NBC comedies, such as Superstore. The storytelling is similar to Lost, with flashbacks focusing on the pasts of the different characters in the show, and surprising twists (the season finale has a particularly surprising twist). So, I would describe the series as Parks and Recreation meets Lost, and as weird as that may sound, it turns out wonderful, thanks to the excellent work of those behind the scenes and on screen.

There are six main characters in The Good Place. The protagonist is Eleanor, who we see was a pretty terrible person on Earth, then there is Michael, the neighborhood's architect, who is excited and nervous about this, his first project. Eleanor's supposed soulmate is Chidi, an ethics professor who struggles to make decisions. Living next door to Eleanor and Chidi are Tahani and Jianyu. Tahani was wealthy and is cheerful, but Eleanor finds her to be condescending, and Jianyu, a Buddhist monk who has taken a vow of silence, which he chooses to continue to observe in the afterlife. Finally, there's Janet, who is essentially the Good Place's Google, providing the residents with information.

With just 13 half-hour episodes, The Good Place shouldn't take very long to watch. There's no skipping around in this show, as skipping an episode would mean missing important story elements, but it won't take long and shouldn't bore anyone. If you like NBC comedy humor and heavily serialized storytelling, The Good Place is definitely for you.


If you've seen The Good Place already, do you have anything to add? If you haven't, do you plan on giving it a shot? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

For Your Binge Consideration: American Housewife

This is the eighth article in a series of articles that a few of us will be writing. This is the For Your Binge Consideration series. Each article will talk about a show that will be returning for its second season in the 2017-18 season, and why you might want to watch the first season before the second season premieres. We continue with American Housewife. To read my take on some individual episodes of the show, you can click on the show's name in teal above.

When American Housewife was first announced, it wasn't something I was really that excited for. It sounded like something I'd like to try out, but it wasn't one of my most anticipated pilots. Then, Katy Mixon, who I'd previously known from Mike & Molly, joined the cast. That really put it on my radar. I still wasn't sure if it was something I'd end up loving, and the trailer didn't help that. However, from the start of the pilot, I just had a good feeling about the show.

The series stars Mixon as, well, an American Housewife, living in an upscale Connecticut town. Mixon's character Katie isn't a big fan of some of the town's traditions, and she totally owns the role of a sassy mom. Katie doesn't always go about things the right way, which traditionally causes some cringey (but always funny) moments. Mixon gives her best performance to date as Katie, and she does a great job leading this show. She stands out, even among a cast of eccentric characters such as these. Mixon's Katie was truly one of the funniest women on all of broadcast during the 2016-17 season, and I'm sure that will continue in 2017-18.


The cast portraying Katie's family is also very strong, with Diedrich

Bader having a great performance as Katie's lovable and well-meaning husband Greg. While Bader rarely has a leading performance in the show, he shines when he does. Time for Love, which focuses on Greg doing something special for Katie on Valentine's Day, is one of the series best episodes. Julia Butters delivers a breakout performance in the series as Katie and Greg's youngest daughter Anna-Kat. Butters always lights up the screen when she's on it, frequently delivering some of the best line while also being straight-up adorable. Katie's other children, Oliver (Daniel DiMaggio) and Taylor (Meg Donnelly) are also great, though they often play more serious roles than the others, meaning they don't get to show their goofy side quite as often. Either way, they're great and this family is one of TV's funniest.

Even outside of the family, the show has a great cast. Kate Flannery has a great recurring role as Crossing Guard Sandy, and a Sandy episode is always guaranteed to be good. Flannery brings something special to the role, and this role is reminiscent of her character for the Office, Meredith. Ali Wong is also great as Katie's sassy (and crazy) friend Doris, while Carly Hughes is also very good in the role of the more reasonable Angela.

This really is a great show for anyone who likes family comedies, particularly those found on ABC. Fans of The Goldbergs, The Middle, or Modern Family should certainly try it out, as it's a good fit tonally with those. However, this isn't just a show for family comedy lovers like myself. It's a great watch for anyone who likes a good laugh.


While I love all of the episodes and think you should watch them all if you can, you absolutely must watch the Pilot, Time for Love (episode 11), The Nap (episode 2), and The Club (episode 21). They're all great watches, and in the case of the Pilot, they're important for setting up the show and getting some background on the characters. The show is great, and I think anyone reading this should try it out. You've got nothing to lose, just to gain.

Still not convinced? Check out the trailer for the series below:


Will you be tuning into American Housewife? Or have you already watched its first season? Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to tune into American Housewife, Wednesdays at 9:30 starting on September 27th.

For Your Summer Binge Consideration: The Mick

The fall season is a few weeks away now, which should be enough time for a last-minute binge or two. In this For Your Summer Binge Consideration article, I will explain why you might want to catch up on the first season of The Mick before it returns for its second season this fall.


FOX has been struggling recently to find a new comedy that works for them, and The Mick is the first one that they have renewed since The Last Man on Earth. It follows a highly dysfunctional family, lead by the aunt who got convinced by her rich sister to take care of her three kids, despite being completely unprepared, as she and her husband flee the country due to fraud and tax evasion. The first season consists of 17 half-hour episodes, and the second season premieres on Tuesday, September 26th at 9:00.

In the pilot episode, Aunt Mickey is roped into taking care of her niece and nephews, which she thinks will be a short-term responsibility. However, at the end of the episode she finds out that it isn't short-term. She tries to ditch the responsibility in episode two, "The Grandparents", but she comes back, and the fifteen episodes that follow consist of Mickey trying to take care of the kids, which she doesn't totally fail at, though a lot of bad things happen along the way.

Mickey's parenting style, if you could even call it that, is unorthodox, and she often finds herself annoyed with the kids, but she really does care. For example, in "The Buffer", she tries to get Sabrina to use birth control, and in "The Balloon" she tries to throw Ben a great birthday party. But the whole family really aren't that great of people, and they don't act responsibly at all. One episode that highlights this well is "The Country Club", in which they are advised to keep from spending very much money, and do the complete opposite. The humor in the show takes things to surprising lengths, and there are often times where I was surprised that they were able to do what they were doing on broadcast television. The Mick centers on a family, but it is no family show.

There are six main characters in the show. The anti-hero protagonist is Mickey, played by It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Kaitlin Olson. She is irresponsible, unfiltered, and lazy. The three kids are Sabrina, who is very popular and disagrees with Mickey very often, Chip, who wants to be cool and misses their parents the most, and Ben, who can be sweet but can also be very strange, and is Mickey's favorite. When Mickey shows up, she bonds with Alba, the housekeeper, who was never valued by the family, aside from Ben. Finally, there's Jimmy, Mickey's ex-boyfriend who is always around and definitely still into her. They are sometimes still somewhat of a couple.

So, who would like The Mick? Do you enjoy watching dysfunctional families? Do you like crass humor? That's what The Mick is, toeing the line between what FOX will allow and what they won't, and showing a family of really not great people.

If you don't have as much time, make sure you at least watch the season premiere ("Pilot") and finale ("The Intruder"), and I would recommend episodes 3 ("The Buffer"), 10 ("The Baggage"), 11 ("The New Girl"), 14 ("The Heater"), and 15 ("The Sleepover"). But, if you have the time, watch them all! The only one that I found just okay was episode 9, "The Mess", and I didn't think any episodes were bad.


If you've seen The Mick already, do you have anything to add? If you haven't, do you plan on giving it a shot? Leave your thoughts in the comments!