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- THE BROTHERS SUN: SEASON ONE | Bitesize Breakdown
THE BROTHERS SUN: SEASON ONE Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, Sam Song Li, Joon Lee, and Highdee Kuan Creators: Byron Wu and Brad Falchuk QUENTIN If you can picture a Jackie Chan movie done in the style and tone of Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet , then you’ve got a pretty good idea of what The Brothers Sun is. It’s action-packed, with bone-cracking and bloody martial arts scenes, while also featuring a fun, comedic silliness, including a running joke about a legendary assassin from a Taipei Triad becoming obsessed with churros. Truth be told, it is just a lot of fun and super-bingeable. On top of that, you’ve got recent Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh giving a standout performance, which, if we’re being honest, just means she’s doing typical Michelle Yeoh things. AMARÚ I like a show that knows exactly how serious to take itself. While The Brothers Sun is fairly cheesy, it leans into it with a wholly realistic sincerity that makes the show an extremely fun watch. There are a few too many times where I figured out something that the characters stupidly did not, but the amazing action, honest moments of family tenderness, and nice balance of humor and mystery make the flaws easily roll off your shoulder. The Brothers Sun bangs as hard as its very eclectic soundtrack, and binging this show is an entertaining breeze. Plus, Michelle Yeoh. Need I say more?
- YELLOWSTONE: SEASON FOUR | Bitesize Breakdown
YELLOWSTONE: SEASON FOUR Starring: Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Jefferson White, Gil Birmingham, Forrie J. Smith, Ryan Bingham, Breckin Merrill, Finn Little, Ian Bohen, and Denim Richards Creators: Taylor Sheridan and John Linson QUENTIN Although still watchable, this season of Yellowstone is the blah-est one yet. It’s more concerned with doing a soft reset, evolving from The (Cowboy) Sopranos to This is Us: Cowboy Edition , than building off previous seasons. The problem is that there is no true villain, and it’s more interested in setting up two spinoffs (6666 and 1883 ) than telling its own story. And enough with the cowboying montages (seriously, it’s like 5-10 minutes per episode). It all makes the season feel like filler. Everything else that made Yellowstone excellent is still there, but the writing is sorely lacking this time.
- IT'S FLORIDA, MAN | Bitesize Breakdown
IT'S FLORIDA, MAN Starring: Sam Richardson, Simon Rex, Anna Faris, Juliette Lewis, Randall Park, Ego Nwodim, Betsy Sodaro, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Jon Gries, Matty Cardarople, Cameron Britton, Steven Ogg, Echo Kellum, Steve Little, and Stephen Root Creators: Mark Herwick and Jeff Tomsic QUENTIN People who love Drunk History and the exploits of “the world’s worst superhero,” Florida Man, are sure to have a blast with It’s Florida, Man . For someone who doesn’t care about either of those things, though, this comedic docuseries, which features famous people reenacting outlandish stories as told by real Floridians, becomes tiresome pretty quickly. The real people featured are certainly quirky, but this almost feels exploitative of low hanging fruit — more laughing at them than with them. Meanwhile, the reenactments don’t really add much. I’m sure there is an audience for this, but I ain't it. At least it’s a really quick watch (six 20-minute episodes).
- WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS: SEASON FIVE | Bitesize Breakdown
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS: SEASON FIVE Starring: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kristen Schaal Creator: Jemaine Clement QUENTIN It’s wild that, after five seasons, I think that a mockumentary is one of the funniest, and overall best, shows on television. Believe it or not, I usually hate this format (The Office is terrible, fight me), but the characters, performances, writing, and level of genuine emotion that grounds the mystical absurdity of What We Do in the Shadows is flat out tremendous. In this season specifically, the interpersonal dynamics between my sweet, secretive boy Guillermo (Harvey Guillén) and the vampires is both touching and hilarious. Plus, no cast on television can deliver a one-liner like this one can. Season Five is maybe the best yet. KATIE The latest season of What We Do in the Shadows delivers exactly what I would expect from one of the best comedy series on TV. It’s consistently funny, hilariously macabre, and displays the show’s overall enduring charm. The amazing cast has an electric chemistry and comfortable familiarity, and before every episode, I was excited to see their latest shenanigans. Although I love the gore, absurdity, and Laszlo’s (Matt Berry) many unique pronunciations, the character’s emotional bonds are the beating (or not) heart of this show. ADRIANO It’s rare that a comedy series can continue its trajectory for five whole seasons, but that’s exactly what What We Do in the Shadows has accomplished. It continues to be as funny and clever as it has always been, but with new wacky situations to put our cast of characters through. Even with a major turning point in the plot, the show never once slows its momentum, all while evolving the characters in the process. If the show keeps going at the pace it’s currently at, then I don’t ever want this show to die.
- ZERO DAY | Bitesize Breakdown
ZERO DAY Starring: Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen, Connie Britton, Dan Stevens, Matthew Modine, Bill Camp, and McKinley Belcher III Creators: Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt AMARÚ Zero Day starts off as a straightforward political mystery, but as the story barrels forward and the twists keep piling up, Eric Newman & Noah Oppenheim’s tense writing allows the stacked ensemble to flex their more-than-capable acting chops. There’s present-day political commentary mixed with science fiction elements that shouldn’t work together, but the show’s grounded nature pulls the hodgepodge off. It’s a tad bit overwrought and can feel a little messy at times, but watching Robert De Niro spar with Angela Bassett, Lizzy Caplan spar with Jesse Plemons, and Joan Allen absolutely demand the screen makes Zero Day a worthy watch. ROBERT Post-Lost , I was a major proponent of FlashForward , a show where everyone on Earth loses consciousness for 137 seconds to see their future. Zero Day reminded me of a less fantastical version of that crossed with House of Cards , where everyone is impacted by a global event that takes lives and mounts political intrigue. The difference between these programs is that I felt FlashForward’ s mystery was more compelling since the plot dynamics of Zero Day play out stupidly for six episodes. A few good performances can't save what is an overall benign thriller that's less effective than a pop-up ad. QUENTIN Zero Day is a great example of how a star-studded cast can elevate terrible writing without saving it because, despite the ensemble’s collective 15 Oscar and 32 Emmy nominations, this political conspiracy thriller is a mess that only barely reaches “somewhat watchable” status. The entire cast does the best they can with the material, with most getting at least one awards-worthy scene, but on the whole, cringy dialogue, silly twists, and plot points that are somehow rushed in the face of laggy pacing undermine a series that takes itself way too seriously as it tries to lightly comment on current events without picking a side. BRYAN When one is told a Netflix series stars the likes of Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, and Jesse Plemons, it’s an easy addition to the watchlist. Despite all the promise on paper, the results are otherwise middling, to say the least. The stacked cast is doing their damndest to carry Zero Day on its back, but it mirrors the plethora of airport thrillers that lack any ounce of thrills or intrigue to keep the plot moving forward. It's utterly forgettable by the end, and not even very entertaining, which may be the show’s biggest sin.
- 3 BODY PROBLEM: SEASON ONE | Bitesize Breakdown
3 BODY PROBLEM: SEASON ONE Starring: Jess Hong, Benedict Wong, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Alex Sharp, Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, Zine Tseng, Rosalind Chao, Jonathan Pryce, Sea Shimooka, and Marlo Kelly Creators: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo QUENTIN Though certainly not without its flaws, 3 Body Problem is one of the better sci-fi series I’ve seen in some time. Let’s be honest, when you’re making ambitious and heady sci-fi that still needs to be accessible for regular (read: non-nerd) viewers, flaws are to be expected, but the ones found here are minor quibbles. Sure, some of the characters seem unnecessary (for now), and some melodramatic subplots just aren’t that interesting, but the core story of scientific problem solving to avert [spoiler redacted]…while also adeptly addressing themes of faith, science, religion, and humanity…kept me thoroughly engaged. I’m eager to see where Season Two goes. PAIGE Although 3 Body Problem sets itself apart from other sci-fi stories by emphasizing complex problem solving, this spectacle falls short in the most crucial area of the narrative — its characters. It struggles to strike a balance between its larger-than-life concepts and the characters with whom we are stuck going through this journey, with a few of the character-driven plots seemingly unrelated to the main themes of the show. Despite my enjoyment of the first half of the season, the latter half is more like set-up for what is to come next rather than an overall satisfying first season.
- HOLLYWOOD CON QUEEN | Bitesize Breakdown
HOLLYWOOD CON QUEEN Starring: Scott Johnson Creator: Chris Smith QUENTIN Hollywood Con Queen , a three-part documentary, is about two parts too long. After a compelling first episode that takes viewers down the rabbit hole of a wild scam where a con artist impersonated some of the most powerful people in Hollywood for both financial gain and, apparently, shits and giggles, the final two episodes fizzle out entirely. Instead of staying focused on the scam itself, it boringly focuses on the perpetrator’s personality and his uninteresting conversations with a journalist. Once the mystery, suspense, and “whodunnit” aspect went out the window at the end of the first episode, there wasn’t much left to hold my interest.
- HALO: SEASON TWO | Bitesize Breakdown
HALO: SEASON TWO Starring: Pablo Schreiber, Bokeem Woodbine, Shabana Azmi, Natascha McElhone, Yerin Ha, Kate Kennedy, and Natasha Culzac Creators: Steve Kane and Kyle Killen AMARÚ Just when I thought I was going to regret being one of the few who liked Halo ’s first season, Season Two’s third episode brought me back from the depths with great action and just enough intrigue. From there, it’s still plenty generic, but moving away from the flood of unremarkable information in the first two episodes to focus on great character work and (yes, it’s worth repeating) well-shot action made this an improvement from last season. If you’re not a fan of the let’s-not-be-the-game-but-use-things-from-it approach, I really don’t blame you, but Pablo Schreiber and an improved supporting cast keeps Halo treading enough water.
- THE CURSE: SEASON ONE | Bitesize Breakdown
THE CURSE: SEASON ONE Starring: Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder, and Benny Safdie Creators: Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie ADRIANO After Nathan For You and The Rehearsal , Nathan Fielder is easily one of my favourite modern comedic auteurs, so I was excited about his collaboration with Benny Safdie, The Curse . While it doesn't reach the highs of his other shows, it's still fascinating. The pacing is wonky, but the show is successfully hilarious, awkward, and frustrating all at once, helping to create a thrillingly unsettling atmosphere that is elevated by excellent performances from Emma Stone and Fielder. The last episode is, in fact, peak TV. The Curse isn't an easy ride, but a ride I had a blast squirming at. QUENTIN This might be triggering, but… Look, I get that we all have different tastes and senses of humor, but – and I mean this with zero hyperbole – if you think The Curse is brilliant, hilarious, or sharp, I flat out DO NOT believe you. Frankly, I think those who say they enjoy it really just enjoy being able to tell people who don't enjoy it, “oh, you just don't get it. It's an acquired taste.” There is nothing resembling humor in this boringly uncomfortable, self-involved series that will have you pining for the sweet release of death. Get off your pretentious pedestals because “acquired taste,” my ass. KATIE I relished each and every excruciating moment of The Curse . Nathan Fielder’s deeply awkward, cringe-worthy meta-comedy meets Benny Safdie's talent for creating stress-inducing situations, resulting in a viscerally uncomfortable viewing experience that persistently tested my patience in the best way possible. It’s deliciously mean-spirited, forcing the viewer to marinate in almost unbearable awkwardness, with a sense of suffocating dread that permeates every scene and taints every character interaction. All of this is carried by formidable central performances, particularly Emma Stone’s mesmerizing turn as Whitney, which is possibly one of the strongest of her career.
- RUNNING POINT: SEASON ONE | Bitesize Breakdown
RUNNING POINT: SEASON ONE Starring: Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Brenda Song, Chet Hanks, Toby Sandeman, Jay Ellis, Max Greenfield, and Justin Theroux Creators: Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen QUENTIN Although not as good as Ted Lasso , Running Point delivers enough of the same funny heartfelt vibes to make for a worthy replacement to that modern classic. It can, admittedly, get a little too “Girlbossy” at times, but Kate Hudson is just so damn delightful that it’s never a cringy distraction, especially as she bounces off the excellent supporting cast. Some of the subplots are a little undercooked, but that’s to be expected with a workplace ensemble comedy. Fans of Lasso , basketball, and movies like Draft Day should definitely check it out. I only wish they had the rights to use real NBA teams. NICK With the sports connection, there's bound to be comparisons between Running Point and Ted Lasso , but there shouldn't be. The Kate Hudson-led basketball comedy is crasser, less wholesome, and disinterested in tackling serious issues in a meaningful manner. But that's just not the type of series this is. This is more of a classic sitcom, featuring the positive (laughs, boisterous characters) and the negative (predictability, framework episodes) aspects you'd expect. That said, it’s a breezy watch, and Hudson is great. In the world of prestige television, it’s nice to watch an easy sitcom, and Running Point certainly satisfies that itch.
- SIDE QUEST: SEASON ONE | Bitesize Breakdown
SIDE QUEST: SEASON ONE Starring: Derek Waters, Anna Konkle, Shalita Grant, Rome Flynn, William Stanford Davis, Bria Henderson, Ramon Reed, Leonard Robinson, Gary Kraus, Annamarie Kasper, Esai Morales, Asjha Cooper, Van Crosby, Melanie Brook, Alice Wen, David Andrew Calvillo, Justin Jarzombek, and Dash McCloud Creators: Ashly Burch, John Harris, and Katie McElhenney QUENTIN For fans of Mythic Quest , especially the terrific bottle episodes “A Dark Quiet Death” and “Backstory!,” the perfectly titled Side Quest is a delightful miniseries that expands on the humor and themes of the mothership series without being overly reliant on it. With a four-episode anthology approach, some episodes are better than others, which is to be expected, but none are so much better or worse that a clear winner or loser emerge. Frankly, it's a testament to Mythic 's world-building and writing that Side is so endearingly effective on the whole. Fans of the original series won't be disappointed, except maybe by the super short season.
- GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY | Bitesize Breakdown
GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY Starring: Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass, and Imogen Faith Reid Creator: Katie Robbins QUENTIN Despite making me interested in the true story on which it’s based, Good American Family leaves a lot to be desired. For one, the performances range from cheesy to overwrought to wooden, especially Ellen Pompeo in a role that feels like it was written for Nicole Kidman. For two, the “he said, she said” story structure prohibits the viewer from investing in a side, which is most of the fun in the true crime genre. Lastly, the series is presented through flashbacks, flashforwards, and narration that make for a disjointed watch. Honestly, you’d be better off Googling Natalia Grace (Imogen Faith Reid) and leaving it at that.









