Alexander Skarsgård Murderwhich starts Friday on Apple TV +.
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Every week, the NPR television critic, Eric Deggans, writes on what he is watching. Read the column last week here.
Think about a period about six years ago, before the explosion of streaming services which included Apple TV +, and it is difficult to imagine a television program like Murder get done.
Not only because his star, the actor of Dreamboat, Alexander Skarsgård, could be more focused on major films. But because the special effects and high quality production involved in the development of a project of the series of ambitious science fiction novel by Martha Wells Murder newspapers This could be a section even for a major film – not to mention a television series on a platform that has trouble building big success.
Actually, Murder is the latest example of a trend that I noticed on TV streaming – science fiction and fantasy programs produced in an extremely produced way which may not be seen outside a basic but passing fans.
Apple TV + MurderT, beginner Friday, has a lot of high quality television characteristics. Not only is Skarsgård magnificent by playing a cyborg which has secretly become an independent and free artificial being – he is in a series created and executed by Chris and Paul Weitz, brothers who worked on acclaimed films like About a boy And American pie.
Murder draws his title from the name that the character of skarsgård robot has secretly gave himself – it is in fact a “security unit” rented by a giant company as high performance bodyguard. The show travels a fine line between the darkest comedy and the direct action of science fiction, while Murderbot ends up keeping a group of “hippie scientists” exploring a mysterious planet.
While discovering an increasing series of deadly challenges wrapped in a bizarre plot, Murderbot must decide if he is in his interest to really help these unfortunate customers that he can barely tolerate.
Viewers get to know Murderbot when he heard his internal thoughts in a monologue, where he admits to hate prolonged visual contact with humans and wonders why the group he manages is so ignorant. But instead of preparing plans for world domination or killing its human charges, the security unit wants above all to look at the reruns of its favorite space opera, The rise and the fall of Sanctuary – which is represented in extracts by a brilliant group of invited actors, in particular 30 rock Alum jack mcbrayer, Avengers Alum Clark Gregg, She must have it Dewanda Sage alum and Star Trek Alum John Cho.
It is an innovative and creative story told in 10 short episodes, satirising everything, of ruthless corporatism to the cheerfully naive social justice. And it will be catnip for science fiction fans who love all the actors who appear there. But it is also unlikely that visualization is wide, because Apple TV + has become used to spending a lot of money for beautifully turned science fiction stories that find it difficult to have a wide impact.
Remember Monarch: Inheritance of monsters, constellation Or Invasion? Probably not, but all were well produced, science fiction shows that seemed to have trouble reaching viewers. On July 11, Apple TV + will be released a third season of FoundationHis adaptation of the series of classic science fiction novels by Isaac Asimov – an epic program featuring Jared Harris and Lee Pace who did not get closer to the visibility of more known programs on the streamer like Ted Lasso Or Breakup.
And Apple TV + is not alone in this area. MGM + has two series with nice effects and interesting stories that are not widely known: the drama of deep space Tag 23 and a science fiction / horror series called Fromwith Lost Alum Harold Perrineau. Syfy and Peacock have a series called The ark. Even slightly larger Apple TV + sci-fi hits like Silo And For all humanity I do not have the mass attraction that their budgets and their stars power could suggest.
But here is the thing: as a fan of science fiction, it is a trend that I warmly approve. It was a wonderful thing to dive into these ambitious and well -told stories, even when there is a feeling that they might not produce a Star Wars– Level audience. And Black mirror Should not be the only house for a vast narrative centered on science fiction which is not attached to a large television franchise.
Yet I hope Murder Bucks The Trend and makes waves with its original mixture of impassive humor, lateral social comments and a special effects loaded with effects.
Because science fiction nerds should not be the only people to enjoy a more entertaining television series than most franchise films obstructing major film screens.
What else is on television this week?
Joan Rivers: a tribute to Dead Funny Stars
Start Tuesday on NBC
How did NBC manage to create a tribute to legendary comics Joan Rivers, which is a lot of things that it was not: Maudlin by intermittent, predictable and attractive with the funny? This may be due to the fact that the show comes out of a worried line between paying tribute to Rivers – a classic actress with a career of five decades died in 2014 at the age of 81 – and with modern personalities like Nikki Glaser, Chelsea Handler and Sarah Silverman. Some omissions were a surprise, in particular the comic strip Kathy Griffin, who spoke publicly for many years of his friendship with Rivers.
However, rivers fans will find a lot to love here, including kind words of Hacks Star Jean Smart and Rachel Brosnahan of The wonderful Mme Maisel – Who both play characters inspired in part by the imposing comic strip. But it looks like an event that has not been a little below its promise – more like a hangout of celebrities which turned in mind than a revealing tribute.
Impassive face
The new episodes fall on Thursdays on Peacock
It is a unique challenge as a critic when you don’t like something that so many other tastes manufacturers really like. One day I will really focus on The white lotus as part A, but for the moment, let’s talk about Impassive face – A series winning an Emmy and absurd in a creative way which leaves me a little cold most of the time I look at him. Centered on the adventures of the character of Natasha Lyonne Charlie Cale – a derirator who can say immediately and infallibly when someone is lying to him – the show takes place like a new school Columbo, With Charlie who attacks a new murder with each episode.
Too of these stories have felt apologies so that the guest stars of the big names extend – in the new episodes, for example, Wicked Alum Cynthia Erivo plays five Different sisters rush for a fortune. Only the third new episode, “Whack-a-Mole” managed to capture the intentionally bizarre atmosphere best but in case of Kinda.
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