While we were annoyed at the first episode of The Sons Of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness, we’re looking forward to digging into what Terry found and how the investigation affected him.

There is some goofiness to the show, especially Wrecker’s desire to “blow stuff up,” but The Bad Batch feels like a worthy spinoff to the very popular Clone Wars series.

Hacks is the rare comedy that not only nails its punchlines, but brutally deconstructs the pain, effort, and genius it takes to make jokes land. ... A spectacular showcase for its leading ladies, and above all, a love letter to life in the comedy trenches.

A fine lead performance from Justin Theroux, in addition to a story that’s been rejiggered just enough to make it more modern than its source material gives this new version of The Mosquito Coast a real chance to be the next talked-about series.

The first episode does an excellent job of hooking you in, but it’s the gorgeous animation, fantastic dubbing, and excellent music that’ll keep you coming back for more. If you’ve been looking for a reason to return to the feudal era of Japan, consider this your sign.

Some episodes pick up days after their previous installment. Some take place months, or even years down the line. At times it can be a bit jarring. Suddenly, the House of Evangelista jumps from being ballroom mainstays to largely absent legends. Characters who barely dabble with drugs have full-blown addictions. But this season has so much heart, these little logical leaps can be forgiven. If anything, they add to the ethereal feeling of the series’ conclusion.

Not only does Greta Thunbrerg: A Year To Change The World reinforce the young activist’s forceful language about climate change, it shows some glimpses into her motivation and drive, as well.

Rutherford Falls is a smart comedy that takes a view of indigenous people that most TV shows, even recent ones, have just not made the effort to take. It helps that Helms and Schmieding are appealing leads and have good chemistry as lifelong friends Nathan and Reagan.

If you’re a fan of watching documentaries about the “anatomy of a scam”, then Generation Hustle has ten different well-told stories to choose from.

Life In Color With David Attenborough is informative and visually stunning, of course, but the technology behind some of its more interesting scenes is what makes us want to keep watching.

So far so good for Secrets of the Whales. Nature-doc lovers will eat this stuff up like, I dunno, a generous-of-spirit orca to a half-eaten stingray.

Shadow and Bone delivers pure escapism with timely social commentary and good old fashioned soapy storytelling. It is the next big fantasy sensation. ... This show is extremely dense. ... For Grishaverse virgins, Shadow and Bone could prove to be overwhelming.

Mysteries abound and the audience is left to guess and try to keep things straight. The execution here, though, isn’t as cohesive as we would want and it frustrated us at every turn.

Sasquatch may not prove to you one way or another that sasquatches actually exist, but it’s an entertaining true crime story with some interesting twists and turns.

The Secrets She Keeps certainly has a bit of a Lifetime movie feel to it, but the leads bring more than enough credibility to their roles to make the series worth watching.

We were left frustrated that Little became more like a character in Lauren’s story, not knowing much more about the killer at the end of the hour than we knew in the beginning.

There are funny moments in Frank Of Ireland, but Frank is so cartoonishly awful that we wonder how he ever got friends or a girlfriend to begin with. Either way, we’re not intrerested in finding out.

There’s real quality writing in this series, and we get glimpses into the lives of Marvyn, Holly and the girls on the team from the start. The pilot gives viewers more than enough to immediately sign on and follow how Marvyn and the Sirens (that’s the school mascot) get better together.

We’re intrigued by the time period depicted in Spy City, simply because it’s a part of that period in East-West relations that has been under-documented, at least for people who aren’t huge Cold War history buffs. It helps that the acting and production design are both excellent.

It gives no personal insight into Mark Wahlberg’s life, and it’s not like he’s the most dynamic camera presence when he’s just being himself. That said, there is a part of us that’s itching to see how someone who was riding high — and already stretched super thin — deals with the massive ramifications of a worldwide pandemic, one that affected every business he invested his time and money in.

There is a germ of a good overall show there, especially because Kyla-Drew is already a mature comedic performer at the tender age of 17. The relationship between Sasha and Brian will be the key to whether Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! becomes anything but a showcase for Foxx to do his shtick.

The Wedding Coach is a light and fluffy show that will get people who have been through the wedding planning gauntlet nodding in recognition. Jamie Lee and her comedian guests treat the occasion with the right sense of humor, even if that sense of humor approaches raunchy levels at times.

Whedon is adept at utilizing the large casts of his shows and movies and making sure the stories he writes services all of them. In The Nevers, he succeeds in some respects but other parts of this show need some work. ... It feels like Whedon has set up a very complex story for himself, one that we’re not sure he’ll have the time to explore the way it should be explored.

Phoebe Robinson has such a warm and winning presence as host of Doing The Most With Phoebe Robinson that it makes the series a very easy watch.

The cast of Rebel is the biggest reason to tune in (and we do mean tune in, because it’s on ABC). With Vernoff at the helm, the show should even out its rapid-fire pace and become an entertainingly rollicking and sprawling network drama.

While this new version of Kung Fu has been CW-ified to its detriment, there’s more than enough to like about it to recommend it, hoping that the stupids that infiltrated the pilot get smoothed over in subsequent episodes.

Despite the first episode’s draggy pace, the aftermath of the Gardner Museum robbery is what will keep us watching.

Despite starting off a bit all over the place, Raoul Peck’s Exterminate All The Brutes has a lot to say about a part of Western civilization’s history that absolutely needs to see the light of day.

There seems to be a disparity between the warm relationship between these siblings and the funny lines that are supposed to come out of this relationship. But the relationship is so well-established so early, we’re rooting for it to get funnier.

We’re recommending Snabba Cash because we’re interested in Leya’s story and Evin Ahmad’s strong performance. But the rest of the characters are less compelling, at least in the first episode.

Chad works mainly because Pedrad doesn’t treat her role as a gimmick, and has built a world around Chad that will be fodder for stories this season and (hopefully) however many other seasons the show gets.

As the show progresses, it only gifts viewers more brilliant character moments, shocking reveals, and haunting performances. Clear your Sundays this spring for Mare of Easttown because it’s that damn addicting. ... Mare of Easttown‘s magic is that it evokes these classic crime dramas [Twin Peaks, Broadchurch and The Silence of the Lambs] while bringing something new: a raw authenticity that makes you realize that at the center of every murder mystery are human beings getting hurt.

Them is truly great bit of horror wrapped around a biting commentary about American racism. ... This narrative and acting excellence is consistently complimented by Them‘s beautiful camerawork and inspired soundtrack.

If you were a fan of Harvey Birdman, Birdgirl should be a satisfying return to the nutty world of Sebben & Sebben. But with Brewster carrying the comedic load, there should be a good story arc to follow, as well.

Atlantic Crossing has its dry moments, but it’s lavish scenery and fine performances more than make up for that. We’re especially excited to see more of MacLachlan and Harris as Franklin and Elanor Roosevelt.

Hysterical isn’t the be-all, end-all for documentaries about women in comedy. But it’s a step in the right direction. ... f you’re not already a comedy nerd and need an awakening, this is a good start. But for a deeper dive, I’d recommend the singular documentaries of legends such as Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, or Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley.

Despite the fact that it feels like it’s set to go in a bunch of wayward directions, Moment Of Truth is still a docuseries worth watching, mainly because it’s a reminder of how a high-profile case can be influenced by so many different factors.

The Serpent is certainly a slow burn, and it’s jumpy timeline will take some getting used to. But the lead performance by Rahim, and fine supporting performances by Coleman, Howle and Bamber help us stay engaged with the story.

Law & Order: Organized Crime isn’t “classic” L&O, but it’s got an intriguing continuing storyline and two fantastic leads.

Worn Stories is definitely one of the more unusual docuseries you’ll stream this year. But it’s also warm, personal and heartfelt.

Despite some convoluted challenges, watching these fan favorites push themselves is pretty entertaining.

Because a) there’s the seeds of a good character-driven sitcom there, and b) Lorre and his writers have a track record of improving their shows. They’ll get every chance in the world to make it a decent show, but it’s not one right now.

Milioti and Romano put in really great work in the series, and have good chemistry with each other. It’s the other elements of the show that we’re not sure about yet.

The photography is not only beautiful, really giving viewers the beauty and scope of the locations where these teams are competing. ... It’s kind of too bad, though, that the contestants seem to be a generic mix of weekend warriors, most of whom have shockingly the same skin color. ... It doesn’t help that the rules are cumbersome as hell.

Pooch Perfect is great “folding laundry TV” because it’s light and fun, but the dogs and the groomers’ personalities will make you start rooting for some teams over others.

From its slick animation to its excellent voice cast, it's a winner from top to bottom. And just when you think you know exactly which direction it's going to explore, it pulls the rug out from under you in a truly exciting way. The long-running comic series couldn't have been made into a better serialized format, and if the rest of the show is just as interesting as this one, Amazon has quite the hit on its hands.

Though DOTA: Dragon’s Blood features some interesting elements here and there, overall it attempts to weave too many plot elements into one episode, which will undoubtedly become an issue as the series wears on. It’s also somehow less interesting than playing the game.

An appealing cast saves The Irregulars from being a messier show. Not all the elements come together, but watching this group gel is enjoyable enough to keep viewers engaged.

The interview with Gacy is what makes John Wayne Gacy: Devil In Disguise so fascinating; it certainly paints a different picture of him than what viewers are likely used to, well beyond the Killer Clown archetype that has been how he’s been characterized over the past four decades.

Sharp writing, charming performances, and the undeniable appeal of an entertaining underdog story combine to make Disney+’s newest series one of the most enjoyable shows of 2021.

Genius: Aretha seems content to tell Franklin’s story through signal events in her life. Those broad strokes leave significant narrative gaps, but magnetic singing and acting from Cynthia Erivo goes a long way to keeping it on point.

Despite not having confidence that the show can services all the stories it’s set up, The Gloaming definitely has a sense of place, and we’re so curious about the relationship between the two main characters, we’ll keep watching.

Q: Into The Storm may make you shake your head for six hours, but it’ll also give you a better understanding of the QAnon phenomenon and just how so many people could buy into theories that seem to not make a lot of sense.

Sure, Country Comfort is a family sitcom, so we’re not expecting high art. But it’s so full of sitcom clichés that we were longing to watch better, more contemporary family sitcoms.

Calls is wholly immersive and totally chilling, a unique storytelling experience able to send shivers down your spine without the help of on-camera actors.

After dozens of adventurous movies and the visionary WandaVision, I feel confident that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is going to take flight and soar—but right now we’re still on the runway.

Dancing with the Devil is raw and heartbreaking and challenging to watch — which makes it all the more imperative that people do hear Lovato’s harrowing story. ... This is not a fun, poppy documentary, and it’s also not four episodes of hot goss. There’s a calming quality to the fact that the backgrounds of these interviews feature water or fountains or palm trees, while the clothes seem to pop with light, bright colors, as the concern in everyone’s voices will keep you watching.

Doctor Who: Fury From The Deep is a fun way to relive a serial from the show’s 1960’s run that was thought to be lost. The animation is old-school but contemporary, and it enhances what was a good old-fashioned sci-fi serial.

If you’ve watched America’s Most Wanted over the past 33 years, you’ll know what to expect from its reboot. It’s odd to call a show about murderous fugitives comfort food, but it certainly is, both then and now.

Waffles + Mochi strengths are legion. First of all, the title characters are absolutely insane and absolutely adorable. ... It’s built to get kids excited about cooking, but it’s entertaining enough for adults to enjoy. Warm, witty, and unabashedly brilliant, Waffles + Mochi is truly spectacular.

While Isabel doesn’t exactly dive too deep into Isabel Allende’s life, it doesn’t completely sugarcoat it, either, which is all we ask of a biographical docuseries.

Bloodlands is a solid drama that moves through its story efficiently without a lot of fuss. And that’s a pretty welcome thing these days.

It’s a bit of a sprawling mess, made worse by a first episode that bounces around its timeline and doesn’t take the time to really figure out why Rebecca turns from normal research scientist to Elon Musk.

While Marriage Or Mortgage may be a cobbled-together version of other, better reality shows, it also has enough charm to it to make it a fun watch.

The first episode was so dull that we couldn’t link together its seemingly disjoined narrative.

Delilah is a flawed but enjoyable law series that has a strong cast. We just wish the mystery that will carry the season was a bit more fleshed out.

We are Wayne Brady fans, so we wished Game Of Talents was better. But it’s trying to be both a game show and a talent show, and it’s not good at being either.

The endearing, energetic Mosley makes Last Chance U: Basketball a compelling watch.

Pacific Rim: The Black certainly has a few missteps here and there, with some wonky animation, but it’s a great, world-expanding look at concepts and monsters that audiences who loved the original film can easily fall in love with. Opting for anime storytelling is the cherry on top, as it offers a medium that feels just right for the franchise’s lore.

Stream it if you loved SpongeBob; Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years might have more generic animation, but it retains a lot of what made the original show a hit. But if SpongeBob makes you want to run screaming, definitely SKIP IT.

Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy is a bit more detached than some of CNNs other documentary series, but it’s still an interesting look at a country that is much more than its tourist hot spots.

The first episode has more than enough twists and turns, paired with the full-of-personality members of the Heaven family, to really engage the viewer. Whether the story itself holds up over the remaining episodes is yet to be seen.

While The Real World Homecoming: New York may be a nostalgia trip for people who started their adult years in the grunge era [raises hand], the perspectives of the now middle-aged first cast are so much more welcomed than what we’ve seen from younger, very hyper-aware casts of late.

Murder Among The Mormons is a fascinating look at some of the inner workings of the Mormon Church, even if the filmmakers were more interested in the story around the document trade than the church itself.

We like Tucker and Steele’s chemistry and there’s potential for the stories of the week to strongly support the greater mystery as the season goes forward. But it could also collapse under its own weight. At this point, we’re just not sure which way it’ll go.

Sure, the new Punky Brewster is still a sitcom aimed at younger viewers. But it’s got a warmth and sweetness to it that feel genuine. And it’s smart enough to deal with Punky as she is now, not trying to make her into some grown-up version of her 8-year-old self.

There were some very funny moments, but they mostly involved the supporting characters (more on that in a moment). The connection between Ginny and Georgia (and, we guess Austin, but he’s just stuck in cute-kid-land for the entire first episode) needs to be warmer and stronger for us to completely buy in.

Assembly Required is a fun competition show, though it lacks some of the detail that the truly mechanically-inclined might want to see. But it’s made more fun by the presence of Allen and Karn.

It doesn’t look like it’s going to follow the traditional path that other Superman series have, and that’s just fine with us. Just as we like seeing Clark and Lois as harried parents, we’re also happy to see Superman battle some different enemies for a change.

Even though Beartown takes its first episode to set things up, it does a lot of showing instead of giving a lot of exposition. That’s a good sign that the series will make for a well-paced drama.

Allen v. Farrow is a fascinating deep dive into a case that has been all over the news media for almost 30 years now, even if it’s admittedly a one-sided account.

Devil May Care is a funny commentary on social media, religion and people’s views of Hell.

Tell Me Your Secrets is a bleak show that withholds information in order to ramp up the mystery, but to the detriment of a coherent story.

It’s A Sin is an emotionally resonant look at how the young gay community in London lived their lives with the constant threat of AIDS over their heads. The cast has great chemistry with each other, which will help strengthen their stories.

Despite its flaws, Amend: The Fight For America is a very informative docuseries about a piece of our Constitution that is the most misunderstood and overlooked, especially given its importance to how we live our lives in the U.S.

The way that Lightfoot has led the viewers down this path is intriguing.

The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song is a well-paced, well-researched look into how impactful religion in the Black community has been, stretching back to the earliest days of our country’s history.

Kenan Thompson makes for a strong center to what looks like will be a warm family sitcom. It has some pacing issues, but by the end of the first episode, we were confident that they would be smoothed out.

Young Rock starts off well and it feels like it’ll settle in to a nice family vibe once it gets into a groove with its format. And as much as we like Johnson, it will get even better when we see less of The Rock.

In trying to make this sprawling narrative TV-friendly, a narrative momentum has been lost, with too many characters and too many timelines and situations going on at the same time. The three leads, Patel, Hewson and Green, all do good jobs with their roles, but the show just feels like it’s going to wander in the wilderness like the delirious Anna before it figures out where to go.

While we saw some flashes of that potential in the first episode, we’re not sure how hard the show will strive to take advantage of those flashes.

We liked Men In Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham because Heughan and McTavish aren’t trying to be brotastic or outshine each other. They’re two buddies on a roadtrip — albeit a bit of an overscripted one — and that comes across well on the show.

Hip Hop Uncovered has found a great angle to make the history of hip hop fresh again. It doesn’t hurt that the filmmakers get perspectives from so many big names about the history of the genre and the power brokers who made it work behind the scenes.

Nadiya Bakes is a soothing, scrumptious balm (especially these days), and reminds us why we fell in love with Nadiya during her Bake Off days years ago.

Clarice, the character, has been turned into a quivering mess, and Clarice, the show, makes the fatal mistake of thinking that Clarice’s trauma is the most interesting thing about her. ... The real problem with CBS’s version of Clarice stems from the writing. ... While Episodes 2 and 3 show promising signs of Clarice using her investigative skills, that’s all undermined by scenes where supporting characters can get her to unravel with a few mundane questions.

The scripted visuals here fill things in quite well because Berlinger keeps them weird and odd, like the hotel itself. ... Considering the complexities of the Lam case, plus the Cecil Hotel’s history, no one can claim that Crime Scene: The Vanishing At The Cecil Hotel is padded out. We’re actually wondering how they’ll cover everything in 4 episodes.

Latifah’s empathetic performance makes The Equalizer extremely watchable, as does the rest of the cast. We just hope that the cases Robyn McCall gets get better as the season goes on.

Your enjoyment of the series will depend on if you want to go on that ride with Johan and his crew, as well as watch the flashbacks that Maggie reports to Johan. We thought the first episode moved along well; despite the fact that we didn’t really get to know the group of Winterers very well, aside from Arthur, Maggie and Annika.