Worth Watching: Good Times on ‘Unicorn’ and ‘Good Place,’ Period of Adjustment on ‘Grey’s’
A selective critical checklist of notable Thursday TV:
The Unicorn (8:30/7:30c): Betsy Brandt, late of CBS’s Life in Pieces, returns to the network in a terrific second episode of the fall’s most promising new comedy. When Wade (Walton Goggins) is urged by his pushy friends to attend a widows’ support group (hosted by Brandt) as a means of addressing anger issues for which they may be partly responsible, he is shocked to realize he’s the only man. “It’s just math,” the group tells him. “Women outlive their husbands — and the men that outlive their wives get snatched up really quick.” When the conversation turns to frank sex talk, the appalled look on Wade’s face is priceless. Back home, his daughters (Ruby Jay as Grace, Makenzie Moss as Natalie) also have issues that only an engaged dad can deal with.
The Good Place (9/8c, NBC): As the inspired final season of the critically adored fantasy-comedy kicks into high gear, Eleanor (the sublime Kristen Bell) has a crisis of conscience about her new role as “architect,” charged with reforming four imperfect humans — including a memory-wiped Chidi (William Jackson Harper) — as the fate of humankind hangs in the balance. “I’m not the savior of the universe!” she cries, as others question her risky strategies. And yet, even with jerks like self-absorbed Brent (Ben Koldyke) under her tutelage, we’re not losing faith.
Grey’s Anatomy (8/7c, ABC): The rocky period of transition at Grey Sloan and beyond creates hurdles for Owen (Kevin McKidd), who’s none too pleased to be working under cocky Tom (Greg Germann, channeling an Ally McBeal-like outrageousness), as well as exiled Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), who starts treating her work-crew assignment like a free clinic. Many of her “patients” end up being referred to the struggling Pac-Gen North hospital, where Alex (Justin Chambers) and Richard (James Pickens Jr.) are hoping to improve conditions. In more personal news, as promos have teased, Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) opens up to Linc (Chris Carmack) about her surprise pregnancy, and the soul-searching begins.
Why Women Kill (streaming on CBS All Access): Marc Cherry’s campy triptych of domestic intrigue across three distinct decades has taken a decidedly darker turn as the season nears its end in two weeks. One character (Ginnifer Goodwin in the 1960s) is faking an illness, another character (Jack Davenport in the 1980s) is hiding a diagnosis that could be a death sentence, and a third (Reid Scott in present-day) has succumbed to addiction, which has split apart his relationship with his concerned wife (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) and greedily enabling bedmate (Alexandra Daddario). By the end of this episode, directed by series star Lucy Liu, everyone’s situation becomes even more twisted, which is just what you’d expect from a juicy soap.
Evil (10/9c, CBS): The night’s most intriguing drama shifts gears from quasi-horror to religious debate when a 17-year-old athlete suddenly revives after being declared dead for nearly three hours. Is it a miracle — and for skeptical Kristen (Katja Herbers), what would that even mean?‑or merely malpractice? And what do those apparent angel wings on the ER video signify? Beyond the investigation, Kristen and priest-in-training partner David (Mike Colter) each grapple with personal demons: hers involves another disturbing visit from “night terror” ghoul George (Marti Matulis), while David’s visions have a more familiar but equally troubling source. And their nemesis, Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson), has found a new way to mock and torment them, when he assumes Kristen’s former position as a forensic psychologist.
Inside Thursday TV: The Emmy-winning RuPaul’s Drag Race has moved across the pond, and episodes of the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will stream Thursdays, the same day as the BBC premieres, on World of Wonder’s WOW Presents Plus streaming platform… A week ago, I wondered how NBC’s enjoyable new comedy Perfect Harmony (8:30/7:30s) would find excuses for the choir to keep singing between competitions. Enter Fork Fest 2019, a local fair whose proprietor (Casey Sander) might just ban the choir from performing because of Arthur’s (Bradley Whitford) rude defiance of local customs — like honking his horn… Having just survived cancer on ABC’s A Million Little Things (9/8c), Maggie (Allison Miller) is rattled when her mother (The Office‘s Melora Hardin) moves to Boston, but that’s nothing compared to Eddie (David Giuntoli) trying to keep son Theo (Tristan Byon) from realizing why Katherine (Grace Park) has moved out. Such messy lives… Travel Channel’s The Holzer Files (10/9c) reopens the case files of Dr. Hanz Holzer (1920-2009), considered America’s first ghost hunter and “father of the paranormal.” A new team of investigators looks into some of his most famous cases, starting with the Peck House in Rye, N.Y., which Holzer visited three times, the last time in 1985. Is it still haunted?
Conversation17 Comments
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R
Tonight DVR: Perfect Harmony, The Unicorn, A Million Little Things, Mr Inbetween, Evil...
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R
Just Evil for me.
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G
Same for me
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C
I thought you were going on vacation.
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G
I am, hence less posting lately.
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R
Some time (when you're not on vacation) you can post your opinion of The Outpost season finale.
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G
Loved the epic Outpost finale ! Seemed like most of the production budget was saved for the season finale .
Sad about the death (trying to avoid spoiling for others)
of a great character though.
Hopefully if renewed they will figure out a way of reviving (supernaturally)this unique character that owned every scene appearance.
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G
Meanwhile that FBI episode this week was inconceivable, convoluted and totally not believable!
What are the chances that the Harper house was going to be robbed, the 6 year old kidnapping AND being watched by a chemically castrated molester- ALL SIMULTANEOUSLY!?
Three different crimes at the same house?!
I usually comment on Jubal's annoying yelling orders , which of course occurred many times throughout the episode. Shockingly , the boss lady didn't have her glasses this week.
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R
Compared to the first 2-3 episodes of the 1st season, this whole season has looked a WHOLE LOT better than the first season. Yes, that death was a bit shocking. I guess we'll have to look elsewhere for a bit of comic relief if there's a 3rd season. But having the tables turned by the Blackblood "allies" was also shocking. I didn't see that coming. And Gwynn was just starting to think Talon had done the right thing... even though it was behind Gwynn's back at the time.
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R
Yeah, it was all a little convoluted. And how could the slimeball pedophile afford to live right down the street from the wealthy couple? Also, I was hoping that Maggie would have ended up saying something to OA, along the lines of "I don't admire that woman anymore. Nothing about her was real. Reality TV stinks." :-p
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G
Well I figured the low life kid lover probably lived with his rich mom or inherited the house. Didn't look like he was a self made millionaire lol! One of the weaker episodes of the series so far, too early in the season for such an unrealistic episode and its only season 2!
But I repeat , last week's episode was among the strongest. Hope this isn't an inconsistent season.
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G
The entire finale was unpredictable and very intense. Lets hope this above par summer show continues.
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G
I liked this week's FBI much better than last.
Look how Maggie told OA she is no longer a supporter of the front runner (in so many words). That's what you wanted her to say last week about the Harper lady.
Boss lady had more lines (I keep forgetting her name) and the new FBI agent is very good. Read he will be a regular on the show now, not surprised his acting is above par and he's a good character.
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R
Agreed that htis week's ep was way better than last week's. And I think Maggie could even have said something like "I lost respect for this politician, just like I did for the lifestyle-TV star."
The new agent, you mean the one working with the girl who was the analyst last year? Has she already been through the FBI Academy? I thought the new spinoff show was going to include her (and others) in a different department of the FBI.
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G
Yes in the first episode this season they kind of quickly mentioned she went to Quantico and she has been working with the new agent in the office and on the field. I also recall reading the new male agent and her were being transferred to the new spin off Most Wanted. I'm sure there will be some crossover episodes so the new show can gain some traction. The backdoor pilot that aired last season was probably forgotten by my most FBI fans.
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The reason I wondered about her going to the academy is that there's no way she could have gone and been back at the FBI in three short months. (I.e., the length of the summer break.) I know, that's such a nit-picky thing, but when you know training takes six months or so, it's kind of jarring to see someone has supposedly gone through it after only three.
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C
A lot to watch tonight! All the NBC comedies, Young Sheldon, A Million Little Things, Evil, Mr. Inbetween, and Million Dollar Listing! Enough to keep me busy for at least 2 days!