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MY NAME Starring: Han So-hee, Park Hee-soon, Ahn Bo-hyun, Kim Sang-ho, Lee Hak-joo, Chang Ryul, and Yoon Kyung-ho QUENTIN I’m not going to tell you My Name is a must watch. In fact, it’s not even Netflix’s best show from South Korea, which is Squid Game or Kingdom . However, I will tell you that if you’re in the mood for a violent, The Departed -influenced show, My Name isn’t a bad way to spend eight hours. It’s not perfect, mind you. Despite a few interesting wrinkles, it’s predictable and there are some “crime drama” cliches. Yet, it’s interesting enough to keep you engaged throughout and it wraps up nicely, making it a good one-and-done binge series if you need one.

THE IDOL Starring: Lily-Rose Depp, The Weeknd, Suzanna Son, Troye Sivan, Moses Sumney, Jane Adams, Jennie Ruby Jane, Eli Roth, Rachel Sennott, Hari Nef, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Ramsey, and Hank Azaria Creators: Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim ADRIANO I say this with no hyperbole, exaggeration, or doubt in my mind: The Idol is the worst show I’ve ever seen. After its mediocre-at-best pilot, the show turns into a disturbing and sleazy fantasy from co-creator Sam Levinson. Levinson thinks he’s making a smart satire on the industry, but in reality, he’s embodying everything he thinks he's commenting on. Not to mention, the direction is pretentious, and the writing is an embarrassment. Lily-Rose Depp is a rare bright light, but Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye’s performance is distractingly horrendous. Believe everything you’ve heard and avoid this show at all costs. PAIGE Where do I begin with this show? Yes, it’s a dumpster fire, but one you can’t look away from. The Idol is a pretentious art project, painting a picture of manipulation and finding inspiration in the darkest places, but it fails miserably in its execution. I’m probably one of the few that actually admired the show for what it was trying to pull off, but in its final moments, it ultimately left a sour taste in my mouth. In the end, my biggest takeaway from the series was that Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye should never act again. QUENTIN While I admit The Idol isn’t particularly good, I don’t think it is, as one reviewer from The Guardian described it, “one of the worst programs ever made” either. Maybe that comes down to expectation management because I expected an absolute trainwreck; however, what I got was a stylish, sometimes sexy, bore of a show that features both above average performances (Lily-Rose Depp, Jane Adams) and a few less than stellar ones (notably, Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, lacking the charisma his cult-leader character sorely needs to be believable). Do with this comparison what you will, but The Idol plays like Showgirls for the Euphoria crowd.

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL: SEASON ONE Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, Úrsula Corberó, Chukwudi Iwuji, Khalid Abdalla, Lia Williams, Eleanor Matsuura, Sule Rimi, Ben Hall, Jonjo O’Neill, Nick Blood, and Charles Dance Creator: Ronan Bennett QUENTIN The latest in the recent trend of globe-trotting action shows, The Day of the Jackal is the best of the bunch. I admit personal bias in liking anything about assassins (my second favorite subgenre behind heists), but this adaptation and remake has it all. The performances, especially from Eddie Redmayne, drive the inherently suspenseful manhunt and gripping assassination-planning aspects while also providing depth to the private lives of both the hitman (Redmayne) and MI6 agent hunting him (Lashana Lynch). It’s an exciting throwback thriller that might be the best original series on Peacock, and I’m looking forward to the already greenlit second season.

DEPT. Q: SEASON ONE Starring: Matthew Goode, Chloe Pirrie, Jamie Sives, Mark Bonnar, Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne, Kate Dickie, Shirley Henderson, Kelly Macdonald, and Alison Peebles Creators: Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani QUENTIN In the world of moody crime dramas from across the pond, Dept. Q is a decent enough watch even if it’s not reinventing the wheel. With its ragtag group of cold case investigators, there is a certain air of Slow Horses , but there are a few too many subplots — not all of them super well developed — to keep the momentum going. It also doesn’t help that, in typical Scottish fashion, it’s a pretty slow burn. Still, if you are a fan of dry murder mysteries like The Fall and Broadchurch , you could probably find enough entertainment value with Dept. Q to justify a binge session.

MARY & GEORGE Starring: Julianne Moore, Nicholas Galitzine, Tony Curran, Laurie Davidson, Nicola Walker, Niamh Algar, Trine Dyrholm, Sean Gilder, Adrian Rawlins, Mark O’Halloran, and Joseph Mawle Creator: D.C. Moore QUENTIN For fans of period-piece castle intrigue mixed with salaciously horny bawdiness, Mary & George will certainly scratch that specific itch…and scratch it well. The production design is fantastic, and Julianne Moore gives a typically excellent performance. It’s just that… after The Favourite and The Great (among others), this sort of contemporary-tinged history lesson already feels a bit played out. Or maybe I’m just tired of the genre, especially as this one comes across as a tad tabloid-y. I can fully admit that it’s a very competently made show that maybe just isn’t for me.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Aisha Dee, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, and Ashley Zukerman. Creator: Samantha Strauss PAIGE What Apple Cider Vinegar excels at in this true-ish story of deception is not merely recounting Belle Gibson's (Kaitlyn Dever) scam, but serving as a window into a society that is all too ready to trust influencers. This limited series is one of those dramas that’s hard to watch but impossible to look away from. It is told in a disjointed, time-skipping manner, which unfortunately loses the momentum for each character's development, but at least has a number of other ingredients that add flavor to its story, primarily its strong ensemble led by Dever, who I must say nailed her Australian accent. KATIE Apple Cider Vinegar is a thoroughly entertaining, if slightly disjointed, series that focuses on the life and fraudulent career of Belle Gibson (Kaitlyn Dever), an Australian wellness blogger who deceived countless people. It presents a compelling look at how easily early social media influencers could amass followers and lie to their naïve audiences, while empathetically exploring what drives people to seek attention and validation online. The overlapping timelines hurt the pacing and were slightly confusing, but the gripping story and witty framing device kept me engaged. Plus, Dever’s performance is incredible, her accent is spot-on, and she is exceptional at portraying Gibson’s deluded determination.

MIKE Starring: Trevante Rhodes, Russell Hornsby, Harvey Keitel, Laura Harrier, Olunike Adeliyi, and Li Eubanks Creator: Steven Rogers QUENTIN Given that Mike Tyson has spoken out against Hulu’s miniseries Mike and that it has some significant issues, it’s not all that surprising that the streaming network unceremoniously released these eight 30-minute episodes over four weeks. Trevante Rhodes gives an immensely watchable performance as “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” but the series simultaneously covers too much ground and not enough. Each episode covers one bullet point from Tyson’s life (one about his marriage to Robin Givens, one about his rape conviction, etc), but it all stays fairly surface level. Oddly though, that lack of depth makes for an easy, if not particularly enlightening, watch.

MS. MARVEL Starring: Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Laurel Marsden, Rish Shah, Nimra Bucha, Samina Ahmad, Farhan Akhtar, Aramis Knight, Arian Moayed, and Alysia Reiner Creator: Bisha K. Ali JACOB Though it does make some questionable choices as far as the pacing of certain episodes and a few underdeveloped supporting characters, Ms. Marvel is the first MCU project in a while that truly matches the essence of its protagonist. Pakistani culture mixes with Gen Z American energy to create a uniquely youthful fusion of what a kid superhero post-Endgame might actually look like, and Iman Vellani is more than up to the task. Admittedly, the more it attempts to expand into the wider MCU, the less it works, but even then, the more intimate storytelling is enough to hold it together. AMARÚ Ms. Marvel is joyful, heartfelt, and charming. It demonstrates how Phase 4’s diverse storytelling, when done right, is full of depth. The intricate care it takes in introducing Kamala Khan (the effervescent Iman Vellani), her infectious family, and the rich history of Pakistani culture is top notch. While the action can be slightly underwhelming and Disney+’s rushed 6-episode structure highlights the lackluster antagonists’ inconsistent development, each episode focuses on establishing Kamala (not Ms. Marvel) as a three-dimensional character with a resonant story. The emphasis on story over superhero makes Ms. Marvel my favorite MCU show to date. Plus… The soundtrack. IS. FIYAH!!!!! QUENTIN I’ve had several debates about whether Ms. Marvel is “not good” or “not for 41-year-old Q.” I’ll let you decide that for yourselves, but I’ll tell you this: I did not enjoy it one bit. It’s full of teenage cringe, subpar CGI, Bollywood-style camp, and characters (and story) that I couldn’t care less about. Plus, the tone is more aligned with Lizzie McGuire and Hannah Montana than the MCU. It’s the first time I’ve ever been held hostage by the MCU’s shared universe because I basically felt forced to hate-watch the series since Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) is a main character in 2023’s The Marvels . ADRIANO The MCU shows range from “pretty great” to “I forgot about Hawkeye ,” but thankfully, Ms. Marvel stands out as maybe the best one yet. This show sucked me in instantly with its style and vibe. Iman Vellani gives the most lovable performance, which makes it so easy to root for her, and I specifically love how much the show focuses on her . It doesn’t feel like it’s just one big Phase 4 set up. This is her story, about how what’s happening affects her and her loved ones. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

FOUNDATION: SEASON ONE Starring: Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Terrence Mann, and Cassian Milton Creators: Josh Friedman and David S. Goyer QUENTIN Given the sprawling nature of Foundation and the time period over which it takes place (literally 1000 years), it’s easy to see why this show struggles to stay interesting. It’s a space opera that must do a lot of world building (with constant time jumps) for the planned eight season run. However, in doing so, this season feels like the first act of an 80-hour movie. It might be the best-looking sci-fi show I’ve ever seen, but it feels like a show that one must slog through several seasons before it gets good. I don’t have the time or patience. JAMES As an Isaac Asimov fan, I have to wonder what David S. Goyer was thinking when he adapted Foundation . His writers’ room seems to have read Asimov’s books and not liked them because the writing comes across as confrontational towards the central concept of the books: namely, the foundation itself. Only Lee Pace’s Cleon makes the show worthwhile, with the palace intrigues and imperial powerplays milked for all they’re worth. The showrunners were clearly more interested in sci-fi palace drama, so why did they adapt Foundation instead of Asimov’s Galactic Empire ? This is a baffling mess of a television series.

ERIC Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaby Hoffman, Dan Fogler, McKinley Belcher III, Ivan Howe, Bamar Kane, Clarke Peters, and David Denman Creator: Abi Morgan NICK Eric touches on many themes: racism, sexuality, addiction, corruption, fatherhood, the homeless crisis, and more as its story builds. But it's too much. Had it reeled things in, it would have made for a more succinct story instead of the unnecessarily sprawling one we're given. Benedict Cumberbatch is fantastic, though. He gives an increasingly unhinged performance that is at its best whenever he’s interacting with the monster Eric. It’s a dynamic I wish we’d gotten more of, yet so much time is spent elsewhere that their moments together feel fleeting. There are things to like, but a more focused character study would have bumped my rating. QUENTIN Eric starts out in a way that roped me in immediately, from the 70s New York griminess to Benedict Cumberbatch’s terrific performance. However, a reveal in the fourth episode kinda kills the momentum. It essentially ends the driving mystery of the A-plot while the B-plot (not to mention random C- and D-plots), which is somewhat dependent on the aforementioned mystery, tries to keep going. It’s neutering, leading the final two episodes to fizzle out as it wraps up all the other less interesting storylines. Again, though….Cumberbatch is great, and at only six episodes, there is just enough to power through to the finish. PAIGE Eric has strong performances and it strikingly captures the streets of 1980s New York in true form, but it bites off more than it can chew. The series' main mystery frequently gets lost in the sea of ideas presented, leading the plot to be unsure of what it wants to be. The team behind Eric struggles to balance all the side stories they included in the mix, which eventually leads to the point where the narrative starts to wane, causing me to lose interest after the first few episodes. Character development and intrigue are lacking in this mystery drama series.

FIGHT NIGHT: THE MILLION DOLLAR HEIST Starring: Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, Terrence Howard, Sinqua Wall, Myles Bullock, Michael James Shaw, Dexter Darden, Jalyn Hall, Chloe Bailey, and David Banner Creator: Shaye Ogbonna AMARÚ Fight Night is a fantastic piece of entertainment with a perfectly cast ensemble: Kevin Hart fast-talking his way through shit, Samuel L. Jackson yelling as only he can, Terrence Howard playing the smooth-ass right hand man, and Taraji P. Henson and Don Cheadle acting circles around everyone else. Damn near every well-known black actor, young and old, character or star, black-famous or otherwise, is in this (props to Dexter Darden for putting his stamp on the often-portrayed Muhammad Ali), and they add serious comedic, dramatic, and kinetic gravitas to make this heist series a well-oiled, thoroughly riveting, all-star packed thrill ride. QUENTIN Fight Night is the most entertaining series of the year. Although the heist and cast — hot damn, what a cast! — are the main draw, there is much more going on underneath the pitch-perfect 70s aesthetic as it effectively explores both black-on-black and white-on-black racial tensions of the era. Plus, it’s riveting as a cat-and-mouse police procedural, it's compelling as a mob drama, and it features a razor-sharp script with often hilarious banter and a groovy soundtrack. Add in several awards-worthy performances, none more deserving than Taraji P. Henson (even Kevin Hart refuses to phone it in), dare I say… it’s a knockout. That’s no jive, either.

THE RECRUIT: SEASON ONE Starring: Noah Centineo, Laura Haddock, Aarti Mann, Fivel Stewart, Daniel Quincy Annoh, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Colton Dunn, Kristian Bruun, and Kaylah Zander Creator: Alexi Hawley QUENTIN Netflix’s The Recruit , which, sadly, is not based on the 2003 movie starring Colin Farrell and Al Pacino, is nothing special, but it has enough goofy charm to keep you clicking the “next episode” button. Noah Centineo’s easy-going affability makes him easy to root for even as he fails upward in increasingly absurd situations (people who work in DC will find it laughably ridiculous). Overall, it’s like a light-hearted Jack Ryan for twentysomethings, and is a show that I will probably return to next season (it ends on an intriguing cliffhanger). That said, I wouldn’t miss it if it ends up getting canceled either.