Sunday, April 3, 2016

New on TV: April 2016





House of Cards: Season 4 (2016) ✭✭✭✭
Netflix

The Underwoods are back for another season of shocks, surprises and slimy deals. This season Frank (Kevin Spacey) must stand for reelection - or election in this case - and somehow his opponent (Joel Kinnaman) is even more loathsome! This show no longer pretends to be a relevant commentary on American politics, and that's freed the writers up to pull out the stops. Very entertaining season, although it seems a bit tame compared to the insanity of our real election.






Occupied (2015) ✭✭✭✭½
Netflix

Set in the near future, Occupied deals with a Russian/EU occupation of Norway after a dispute about energy production. I suppose the premise is a bit far-fetched, but once you accept its reality the show becomes quite addictive. We've been immersed in it the last few nights, and will be sad to see the season end. Every aspect of this series is absolutely top-notch. Run, don't walk, to your screens and hit play with confidence.





Togetherness: Season 2 (2016) ✭✭✭½
HBO

This show about some aimless souls in Los Angeles has a fun and comforting air. It's not really good, and not really all that funny, but it casts a spell that's hard to resist. It's kind of like a Rohmer film for aging Gen Xers.





Schitt's Creek: Season 2 (2016) ✭✭✭✭½
Pop-TV

The woebegone Rose family is back up the creek for a second season. With all the characters and backstory now fully established, the show has gotten even funnier this year. Daniel Levy is clearly the world's most hilarious metrosexual. Pop-TV has even created a spin-off morning show: Wake Up with the Schitts!






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