In this true-life horror tale of a government refusing to acknowledge scientific fact and its ruthless demand for obedience, “Chernobyl” feels especially timely.

As with every good soap, there’s a bit of cathartic pleasure in seeing rich, gorgeous people suffer like the rest of us mere mortals. Whatever word you choose to describe “Big Little Lies,” the new season looks to be just as addictive as the first.

If there's a nighttime soap any better, I haven't seen it.

Dead is always at its most unsettling--and poignant--when its characters have a moment to breathe and to address their dark, nightmarish world.

[The Night Manager] makes the most of some gorgeous spots. Viewers, however, may find themselves anticipating the plot. Hiddleston is the draw and the catch. With a less capable lead, this story would only be mildly interesting. ... He proves here he’s ready to serve her majesty’s secret service and then some.

Feud edges at times to camp but always veers back into meatier fare.

A star arose during NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert last night. No, not singer John Legend, though he did grow into his part as the son of God in this adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera, and not pop star Sara Bareilles, who was technically sound as Mary Magdalene but never seemed to find her heart. Broadway veteran Brandon Victor Dixon stole the show as Judas.

The real Grace was released from prison after 30 years of incarceration, reportedly moved to New York and was lost to the tides of history. “Alias Grace,” however, will leave you pondering the mysteries of this woman for a long time to come.

Born spends a lot of time following the group as they socialize but is at its most compelling when it tracks the compli­cated bonds tethering these young people to their parents.

Netflix’s The Crown is a sumptuous treat, a lavish costume drama with subtle performances and an astonishing attention to detail.

Her voice seems to roam all over the vocal register, but she is compelling.... West will make you forget he’s acting.

In its personal vignettes, Weight illuminates, but too often the segments are a numbing array of statistics from well-meaning talking heads.

Last season, Elliot was trying to save the world; now he’s trying to save himself. That battle promises to have lots of casualties.

Even at approximately 80 minutes, director/producer Nancy Buirski's work could be tighter, but it's hard to imagine a more appropriate documentary for Valentine's Day.

Rest assured: The Borgias are still bad to the bone.

Their characters--Welfare Queen, Fortune Cookie and the Old Biddies, to name a few--are wildly over the top, borderline offensive and true to the era. The crowd has no choice and falls in love. It’s no tilt-a-whirl crossbody, but GLOW gets close.

You just have to wade through a landfill of lame camp and gratuitous weirdness to get to the pop center of Gaga's HBO show.

This is the best ensemble of any show anywhere, and watching these gifted actors bounce off each other is a joy. Damages proves capable hands can craft a thriller for TV.

The TV mom has changed - from out-of-touch authority figure to giggling girlfriend. This WB series attempts to depict a thoroughly modern single parent-child relationship. Yet, there's a sense this type of chumminess could only happen on TV. [5 Oct 2000, p.48]

For those impatient for the return of "Mad Men," The Hour fills that void and then some.

Sparkling writing and smart performances - Elfman is a breakout star - make Dharma & Greg one of this season's brightest new half-hours. [24 Sept 1997, p.50]

Imagine "Seinfeld" distilled to its cynical essence. [12 Oct 2000]

There are too many instances of people conveniently running into each other. In short, common sense is missing from Justified.

Unlike most movie-inspired TV series - in which the TV version is usually a soggier incarnation of its movie original - this Buffy, created by Joss Whedon, an Oscar nominee for his "Toy Story" script, fulfills some of the promise sorely lacking in the 1992 big-screen version. [10 Mar 1997, p.32]

Southland's cast remains one of its best selling points.

The results are nothing short of breathtaking. Without relying on the fancy special effects of a film like "Apollo 13," the 12 episodes tell their fascinating real-life sagas patiently, clearly and with reverence for the courage of the astronauts and their support teams. [3 Apr 1998, p.52]

A dramedy about an unplanned pregnancy? CW has nerve--and the creativity to carry it off.

The three-week, six-hour miniseries introduces a colorful, international cast of characters who live and breathe to create one moment of perfection under the limelight.