The traditional network television season is over.
So while we get ready for summer days at the pool and air conditioned nights watching Mr. Robot, Unreal, Orange is the New Black and hopefully some great new shows, here are a few lesser known gems worthy of an honorable mention from the first half of the year.
Having lived through all the coverage of the Simpson trial in the 80s, I didn’t see the need to rehash it all in a cheesy TV show. Boy was I wrong. This engaging drama provides some of the most riveting and purely entertaining television of the year. With exceptional performances and superior writing, the show veers away from tabloid melodrama and delivers a thoughtful examination of the collision of societal inequalities and oversized personalities that created this circus of a trial. Sarah Paulson (Marcia Clark) creates an intimate, fascinating portrait of a woman driven by a passion to make a difference while undermined by her own insecurities and hubris. The casting is impressive with spot on performances by Sterling K. Brown (Christopher Darden) and Courtney B. Vance (Johnnie Cochran), and slightly offbeat but completely committed performances by Cuba Gooding, Jr. (O.J. Simpson) and John Travolta (Robert Shapiro)-- who appears to be having a great time chewing the scenery.
American Crime (ABC)-
A show not afraid to tackle controversial and thought-provoking issues, the second season of American Crime is even better than the first. Set in a wealthy private school, the story follows a male scholarship student who accuses some members of the popular basketball team of sexual assault and harassment. Parents, teachers and students are suddenly confronted with issues of classism, racism and homophobia that threaten to destroy their community. Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Regina King and Lili Taylor lead the stellar cast. Through absorbing storytelling, the viewer is immersed into the struggles of an African American principal accused of prejudice against Hispanic students, a female school administrator unable to comprehend how a boy could be sexually assaulted and, lastly, a conflicted gay teenager lashing out with violence towards his self and others. As the plot builds towards its inevitable conclusion, viewers may find themselves in the uncomfortable position of experiencing a school shooting from a chilling perspective. This is disturbing and unforgettable television.
The Magicians (SYFY)-
Based on the novel by Lev Grossman, The Magicians is an adult (i.e. sex, drugs and violence) version of Harry Potter, where Quentin Coldwater is introduced to magic and ends up in a fight to save the world. Only a few talented magicians are allowed into Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy. It is quite enjoyable watching Quentin and his friends stumble their way through classes in astral projection, magical metamorphosis, telekinesis and summoning spirits. Quentin soon learns the fictional world of his favorite childhood fantasy series (think C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia) is real and houses a spine-chilling villain. This show is sexy, scary fun, and creates an inventive fantastic world. This is one of the best shows the SYFY channel has offered up in a long time.
Penny Dreadful(Showtime)-
This gothic horror series portrays 19th Century Britain where the lives of fictional characters-- Dorian Gray, Dr. Frankenstein and his monster, Dr. Jekyll and Dracula- intertwine in fascinating ways. The show has all the thrills and chills expected in a story featuring vampires, werewolves and demons. Where the show stands apart is the exquisite writing and engrossing character development. The first three seasons examined themes of the power of faith, free will, man’s attempt (through science) to supplant God, the subjugation of women and man’s internal battle between good and evil. Eva Green deserves an Emmy three times over for her gut wrenchingly naked and soulful portrait of a woman tortured by both inner and literal demons. Timothy Dalton, Billie Piper, Josh Hartnett and Patti LuPone fill out the compelling cast.
