NEW SHOWS
The Mindy Project – “While I Was Sleeping” (B) / season premiere
This tribute to Sliding Doors/It’s a Wonderful Life is clever, but like Mindy, occasionally tries too hard. All the actors are at their very best though, and I hope we get to see more of Mindy’s parents, who are just tremendous. And I would love to Joseph Gordon-Levitt come back, even if just for another dream sequence. But some jokes fall flat, and it feels like they’re showing off for Hulu, being able to stretch the boundaries a little more. Still, it’s great to know we’re at least getting another 25 episodes.
OLD SHOWS
The Simpsons – “Miracle on Evergreen Terrace” (C)
While this has always been one of my least favorite episodes, there’s nothing fundamentally bad about it. I don’t like that this yet another Christmas episode that features Bart doing something awful and lying about it for a long time. But my dislike is completely subjective. There are some good moments, like the one at the car dealership and the destruction of the tree, but this whole thing just rubbed me the wrong way.