Kyndall Cunningham

Despite Washington and Lindo’s undeniable chemistry, the dynamic between Paige and Edwin is unfortunately where the show fails to keep you engaged. UnPrisoned was clearly designed as a light-hearted sitcom and manages to deliver on most of its laughs—primarily, thanks to Lindo and Brenda Strong, who plays his girlfriend, Nadine. However, it struggles to find a balance between its gags and the weighty issues bubbling at the surface.

There’s a warmth and familiar tone to each episode that almost makes it feel like you’re consuming a rerun of your favorite show. Even if it’s not exactly The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, it still works.

Sharply entertaining. It may not be as splashy or attention-grabbing as Hulu’s other offerings, but it certainly has a level of clarity and confidence regarding its thesis that’s missing from more experimental streaming programs as of late.

With the exception of a few episodes, it’s the type of shallow, feminist television that demands credit for presenting progressive, purportedly radical ideas without illustrating any of those concepts in ways that are fresh and incisive. In that way, Roar as a project seems a little self-congratulatory.

The joy of this competition is that no one quite understands that there’s truly no obvious strategy to the game or immediate telltale signs of someone’s “traitor” status—at least in the first few episodes. ... The thoughtfully selected cast is obviously a huge part of the show’s winning formula.

There’s a wealth of thematic territory and character growth this reboot could venture into. And yet, there’s a frustrating lack of imagination, resulting in a pretty nonchalant conclusion.

In sum, watching The Recruit is like watching a blank avatar run around in a video game for eight hours. Or a poorly written version of Barry. The show is too focused on the complicated (but boring) puzzle it's created for its protagonist that fails to create fascinating inner lives or dynamics between the people involved.

Despite its occasional flaws, George & Tammy manages to reinvigorate a worn-out type of love story and the musical biopic. It’s a surprising and delightful feat in our current landfill of miniseries about real-life events, anchored by two electric performances.

Season 5 of Inside Amy Schumer is another amusing showcase of the comedian’s deftness when she sticks to what she knows rather than trying to comment on a larger spectrum of issues, like too many progressive comics aim to do. ... Overall, the series’ post-Trump comedy feels more relaxed and less concerned with having something important to say. At times, that lack of urgency or desire to feel timely is refreshing; some solid counterprogramming to Ziwe or Saturday Night Live. Other times, the show comes off as unenthusiastic about its own existence.

Even portions where characters break into verse add little flavor. And none of the actors are particularly skilled enough to be leading a high-stakes drama. What seemed like an innovative series is in dire need of some more workshopping.

In Season 4’s first three episodes at least, Atlanta has found its footing again.

A a surprisingly fun and engaging game of Clue. ... Surface has the deliciously engaging, nail-biting episodic structure of a suspenseful primetime soap you would’ve watched on ABC in the mid-2000s. The series is also bolstered by an ensemble of captivating performances.

Without the straightforward narrative of Industry's first season, there’s more opportunity for episodes to drag and meander, particularly when we peer into characters’ troubled pasts and lives outside of work. ... But the series always manages to reel you back in with its characters’ sly maneuvering and ruthless power plays—not to mention a handful of what will hopefully be Emmy-nominated performances next year.

The reboot is a good antidote to a show like Euphoria that demands viewers piece together a lot of scattered images, dialogue and ideas to find a cohesive story. But Cooper and the show’s team of writers and directors are competent enough that we can simply enjoy ourselves.

While the portrait painted of Janet thus far feels deeply familiar and previously established, it’s nevertheless a rare treat for her most dedicated fans. Whether they discover anything new about the secretive superstar is another story.