Worth Watching: ‘Watership Down,’ ‘Madam Secretary’s 100th Episode, A Final Weekend of Christmas Movies

Matt Roush
26 Comments
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Mark Schafer/CBS

A critical checklist of notable weekend TV:

Watership Down (Sunday, streaming on Netflix): Richard Adams’ beloved fable of a warren of rabbits seeking a new home in a hostile environment has never felt more vivid than in this four-part Netflix/BBC adaptation, with brilliantly realistic computer-generated animation. We marvel and shudder at the wonders and dangers of nature and man as trusty Hazel (James McAvoy) leads members of his tribe, guided by the often troubling visions of his brother, Fiver (Nicholas Hoult). Other voices include Olivia Colman (Strawberry), Mackenzie Crook (Hawkbit), Peter Capaldi (the Scottish gull Kehaar) and Ben Kingsley as the authoritarian General Woundwort.

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Madam Secretary (Sunday, 8:30/9:30c, 8 pm/PT, CBS): The compelling political drama marks a milestone 100th episode with the first of an uncommonly topical and confrontational two-parter, in which Elizabeth (Téa Leoni) takes on an Arizona governor (Lee Tergesen) over his state’s controversial immigration policy that separates children from their parents who’ve illegally crossed the border, placing the terrified youths in detention centers. Legal battles and debates over the nation’s moral compass ensue as the conflict heats up between states’ rights and executive/federal power. It’s hardly a surprise when Madam Secretary gives up her dancing lessons, in preparation for renewing her marriage vows with Henry (Tim Daly), to travel to Arizona to investigate the so-called “summer camp for kids,” leading to a public showdown. The story continues on Jan. 6.

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Dirty John (Sunday, 10/9c, Bravo): This wildly addictive cautionary docudrama gives more insight into lying John’s (Eric Bana) upbringing, introducing in flashbacks his scam-artist dad (Homecoming’s scenery-chewing Shea Whigham) who warps his son’s sense of right and wrong, poisoning his relationship with his loyal sister (played as an adult by Justified’s Joelle Carter). In the present, Debra (Connie Britton) defies her family, and common sense, by standing by her man as he goes cold-turkey — or does he? — to get off the drugs he claims are responsible for his awful behavior and sordid past. Deb’s daughters (Juno Temple and Julia Garner, both terrific) aren’t buying it, and Debra frets that she’s losing her family over her devotion to shady John. She’s not wrong.

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Christmas Movie Marquee: Hallmark continues its countdown to Christmas with more heartwarming holiday movies. Jingle Around the Clock (Saturday, 8/7c, Hallmark) stars Brooke Nevins and Michael Cassidy as executive business rivals vying for the same promotion. Christmas Bells Are Ringing (Saturday, 9/8c, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) reunites childhood friends for a romantic connection in Cape Cod, when a freelance photographer (Emilie Ullerup) returns for her widowed father’s Christmas Eve wedding. Hallmark’s Christmas Made to Order (Sunday, 8/7c) stars Alexa PenaVega as a holiday party planner who falls for her architect client (Jonathan Bennett).

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Inside Weekend TV: ABC’s The Alec Baldwin Show (Saturday, 10/9c) features in-depth conversations with two very different personalities: RuPaul and Norway’s Prime Minister, Erna Solberg… MeTV remembers the late Penny Marshall by airing six of her favorite episodes of Laverne & Shirley (which she singled out in a 2015 interview with the nostalgia channel), plus two holiday-themed episodes, in a four-hour tribute, starting Sunday at 2 pm/1c… As part of the animated hit’s 30th anniversary celebration, Fox’s The Simpsons (Sunday, 8/7c) replays its very first full-length episode, the 1989 classic “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.” … Smithsonian Channel’s Marilyn Monroe for Sale (Sunday, 9/8c) celebrates the iconic screen goddess through her costumes and other possessions, as they’re auctioned off in Los Angeles for a staggering $11 million.

Dirty JohnMadam Secretary



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  1. R

    RedCupcake

    I'm a little shocked that Madam Secretary will be new this weekend. Happy, of course, but still. Shocked.

    1

    1. G

      GoldSubmarine

      My mom loves it too. Just classic holiday movies for me this weekend. I may even re-watch some old favorites.

    2. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Good decision by CBS, it hit a season high in the ratings last night.

    3. G

      GoldSubmarine

      This site is maddening! This page still showing as the newest one when I already posted on newer Worth Watching posts! And the home page articles don't work when I click them.
      This issue has been occurring for a week. It used to be an ongoing issue last year and the year prior.

  2. R

    RedCupcake

    Madam Secretary was interesting last night (MINOR SPOILER ahead).

    I think Elizabeth should have invited the senator to go with her to the "place"; I think that could have changed his mind. (I think of the guy as the virtual John McCain.) However, having the senator there probably would have precluded the governor from carrying out his shocking response.

    1. G

      GoldSubmarine

      I watched two versions of A Christmas Carol . the glossy one from the late 30's and the darker one from the early 50's. While the later version is more detailed and longer, I prefer the earlier lighter version. I looked for late 90's one with Patrick Stewart but it wasn't free at this time. I 'll keep checking for it.

    2. R

      RedCupcake

      The Patrick Stewart version was on a couple times this past week. NOt sure, which cable channel it was on, but it was a basic channel, like TNT or AMC or something.

    3. G

      GoldSubmarine

      I'll keep looking for it.

    4. G

      GoldSubmarine

      I checked again, only available to buy not Free On Demand like pretty much every other holiday movie this month!

    5. G

      GoldSubmarine

      I also checked if it can be recorded, but not airing anytime soon again. I might find it on You Tube.

  3. R

    RedQuill

    Watched the movie Spotlight last night...

    WOW!!!

  4. R

    RedQuill

    WOW!!! Happy!...Syfy...TONIGHT (Sat.)...will air ALL 8 episodes of Season 1...

    (Bad) Santa Claus...Decorated Christmas Presents...Christmas Carols...what else could one desire 3 days before Christmas???

    [I rarely REwatch TV shows...(figuring I can't even keep up with all the NEW shows I want to watch)…but Happy! was so GREAT that it definitely deserves a 2nd viewing (for me)]...

    1. C

      CyanCoathanger

      I like the show...but not quite as much as you do. Did you watch Santa's Slay too?

      1

    2. R

      RedQuill

      Actually Don...I've never even heard of Santa's Slay...

      But I searched for it...found it on Syfy at 1PM (Sun.)...so WILL DVR it to check out...Thanx...

    3. C

      CyanCoathanger

      Just to be clear...I wasn't recommending it (I've never seen it). I was just asking because it was on SyFy immediately preceding the Happy! marathon and because you'd mentioned "Bad Santa" which is what it's about. Although...I'd watch it if I had time.

      1

  5. B

    Blue8Ball

    Huh. You say "brilliantly realistic computer-generated animation," while the NYT says:

    "The details — bristles of fur, ripples of water — are remarkable. Until something moves. Then the limitations, whether of craft or budget, become apparent. The stiff, floaty, uncanny motion looks like something from a ’90s CD-ROM video game.

    This is a problem, because “Watership Down” is about rabbits, and rabbits move quite a lot."

  6. C

    CyanCoathanger

    Have you seen this? Type "Do a barrel roll" (without the quotes) in Google and hit the Search button. Hehehe

    1. C

      CyanCandy

      Thanks, I'm always up for a free ride. ;^D

  7. C

    CyanCoathanger

    Not much for me in new episodes this weekend, but I noticed a lot of interesting sounding movies on that aren't Christmas movies.

    1. C

      CyanCandy

      Sorry to see another one of yours favs, bites the dust, "Midnight, Texas", just saw that "Z Nation" was also, cancelled! (but it had 5 seasons, did it end satisfactorily)?

      Mine was "Daredevil". Even though we have plenty to watch, it is always sad to see good shows die prematurely.

    2. C

      CyanCoathanger

      I'm not the least bit surprised or saddened about either one. Midnight has had extremely low ratings for a broadcast network show...even on a Friday. I was more surprised when I learned it was given a 2nd season.

      I didn't really expect Z Nation to last 5 seasons, and I don't think they really expected it to either. Each season seemed to end with what could have been a satisfactory end for the whole series, and I'm expecting next week's season finale to serve as a suitable series ending.

    3. This comment was removed by its author.

    4. C

      CyanCoathanger

      My On Demand stopped working over the weekend, and the customer service guy said I need a new box. I'm hoping to get it traded for a newer one today.

    5. G

      GoldSubmarine

      When my box stopped working last year, they sent me a tiny X1 box free of charge. It basically converted my standard TV into a voice activated Smart TV . I can watch You Tube, Netflix and other services directly. But I find the best programing is Comcast On Demand.

    6. C

      CyanCoathanger

      Maybe I'll get that lucky.

    7. G

      GoldSubmarine

      My box stopped working last night! Lucky I have another in a different room!

    8. C

      CyanCoathanger

      I didn't get mine switched yesterday because they closed real early. I'm ok without On Demand for a few days.