Collateral (SO-SO)
Seasons: 1 season, 4 episodes. Starring: Carey Mulligan, John Simm, Billie Piper, Nicola Walker, Nathaniel Martello-White, Jeany Spark, and Hayley Squires Description: When a pizza delivery man is fatally shot there are a number of repercussions that follow. The series breaks up into four days, where each episode is one day. The story is told from the perspective of Detective Inspector Kip Glaspie, who believes there may be some darker forces at work here and not just an act of gratuitous violence. As Kip digs deeper into the case, she sees that the murder was much more planned out and premeditated than she thought, but to what lengths is she willing to go to in order to uncover the truth?
Why it’s a keeper: The show has a lot of potential for high drama, and there is good character development. However, the plot is somewhat unsteady and doesn’t always approach the storyline in a straightforward way. Instead, the collateral forces come together to create a mountain of issues as Kip goes to work trying to discover the truth behind the murder.
F Is for Family (SO-SO)
Seasons: 3 seasons, 26 episodes. Starring: Bill Burr, Laura Dern, Justin Long, Haley Reinhart, Debi Derryberry, and Sam Rockwell. Description: F is for Family is an animated sitcom set in Massachusetts in the 1970s. Created by Bill Burr and Michael Price, it is said to be based on Bill Burr’s childhood. The sitcom follows the Murphy Family and their day-to-day lives. It makes use of the fact that political correctness was much less of an issue in the 1970s and there was more emphasis on making sure the fridge was always stocked with beers.
Why it’s lukewarm: The series, although smart in its concept, is also quite vulgar at times. It doesn’t mince words and is probably more suited to viewers who don’t mind a rude joke or five. Upon release, the show generally received positive reviews, even though it’s obvious it won’t be to everyone’s taste.
Bloodline (SO-SO)
Seasons: 3 season, 33 episodes. Starring: Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, and Norbert Leo Butz. Description: Life is pretty smooth sailing for the Rayburn Family, a typical American family living in the suburbs of sunny Florida. But things start to go wrong when one of the siblings, Danny, who is the black sheep of the family, returns for his parents 45th wedding anniversary. Danny is planning to stay for good, but it’s left up to his three siblings to decide his fate. However, they’re filled with mistrust and paranoia, worried he might expose some dark truths from their past.
Why it’s a keeper: Bloodline has the potential to be a big hit but loses its pace as it progresses. It’s very intense and a little stressful to watch sometimes, trying to be a psychological thriller and an entertaining American drama at the same time.. It’s definitely binge-worthy, but as the series progresses, it loses some of its suspense and ends a little flat.
Lovesick (SO-SO)
Seasons: 3 seasons, 22 episodes Starring: Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas, Daniel Ings, Joshua McGuire, and Hannah Britland Description: Lovesick is about a guy named Dylan who just wants to be in love. On his quest to find the perfect woman, he meets a lot of imperfect ones. Dylan finds out he is a carrier of chlamydia, but in order to discover who he has given it to and inform them, he must contact all of his ex-lovers. Each episode features a flashback to a different woman, and tells the story of how they met and ultimately ended up in bed together. Despite his numerous partners, Dylan is not particularly suave or cool about dating and romance, and so there are plenty of cringe-worthy moments along the way which the viewer will be amused and horrified by.
Why it’s a keeper: Rom-coms can be a tricky genre to get right on the small screen, and Lovesick does an excellent job of balancing the romantic elements and awkward comedy that comes from Dylan reliving all of his past relationships, which ultimately leave him with a broken heart and chlamydia. This kind of show will appeal to a millennial audience as well as those who have had multiple failed romances.
Atypical (SO-SO)
Seasons: 3 seasons, 28 episodes Starring: Keir Gilchrist, Michael Rapaport, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Brigette Lundy-Paine. Description: Atypical follows the life of a boy named Sam, who is on the autism spectrum. As you might imagine, Sam gets himself into all kinds of awkward situations, especially when he decides he wants to become more independent and find himself a girlfriend. Atypical joins Sam on this journey of self-discovery, with all the twists and turns along the way.
Why it’s lukewarm: Although the premise is not particularly original, there is something about it that we find heartwarming and lovable. Sam, for all his awkwardness, is an endearing character who the viewer quickly feels invested in.