NEW SHOWS
Twin Peaks – “The Return, Part 6” (B+)
Poor innocent Dougie may end up being the year’s best character. We spend almost the entire episode here, and Naomi Watts gets an acting showcase, while Laura Dern gets an entrance for the ages.
Veep – “Judge” (A-)
Nearly a classic, with a bevy of jokes about southerners that never stops being funny. Still, I wish a little more had come of Gary’s rift with Selina, because that is a toxic relationship that could use some shaking up.
Silicon Valley – “The Keenan Vortex” (B+)
Haley Joel Osment is fantastic as the Silicon Valley hotshot who screws over everyone in the house during a days-long game of oneupmanship and counter-offers. Too bad the show is never quite on the level this disruptor can handle.
The Handmaid’s Tale – “Night” (A) / season finale
A harrowing episode, and certainly the strongest of the back half of the season. This show was occasionally frustrating, especially the subplot in the last couple of episodes, but it all came together powerfully, with no telling of where it will go in Season 2.
BINGEING
The West Wing – Season 7 (B+)
A slight improvement over Season 6, but continued to delve into the minutiae of campaigns and voters’ occasionally insane demands of candidates. Leo’s (and John Spencer’s death) cast a pall over the whole season, but it ended beautifully, even if those last few episodes seemed to just mark time.