The second Star Trek series to debut on the CBS All Access streaming platform, Star Trek: Picard warmly welcomes Jean-Luc Picard back into the fold of Starfleet politics. Despite a slower start and some lopsided pacing, its episodes are elevated by Patrick Stewart’s gravitas and charisma, making a comeback almost 20 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis. Picard pushes farther into the final frontier in interesting ways, even if it takes awhile to get there.

Introducing The Strange Harbors Podcast, a weekly discussion of film and television. With the future of HBO’s Watchmen in a state of uncertainty, we’ve decided to pivot to a more general discussion of cinema and pop culture. Join me, Derek Wong, and new host Amir Touray every week as we dive deep into big blockbusters, indie favorites, and under-seen hidden gems. Hopefully, the same insight and analysis we brought to Watchmen will translate over to your favorite films and television shows.

HBO’s new series, The Outsider, continues Stephen King’s onscreen renaissance with a harrowing adaptation of the celebrated author’s novel. Given a prestige drama sheen, the show operates as an unflinching detective story full of twists and turns, bolstered by an all-star cast. Ben Mendelsohn and Jason Bateman both shine in their respective roles as Ralph Anderson and Terry Maitland, navigating a whirlwind of grief, horror, and a touch of the supernatural. Four episodes watched for review. Minor spoilers ahead…

The Mandalorian, director Jon Favreau’s new series on Disney Plus, probably isn’t what you’d expect from a live-action Star Wars television show. A handedly capable tentpole for the biggest streaming service launch since Netflix, The Mandalorian forgoes its advertised dark action drama and instead opts for a lighter tone. Four episodes watched for review. Minor spoilers ahead…

Breaking Bad series creator Vince Gilligan returns to helm a one-shot epilogue centered around Jesse Pinkman in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. Taking place right after the events of the acclaimed AMC drama, El Camino is neither essential nor groundbreaking, but it is an absolute pleasure to behold. Like slipping on a pair of worn and comfortable shoes, Gilligan and Aaron Paul make a thrilling and confident return to the world they left behind six years ago. Minor spoilers ahead…

ABC’s new private eye crime show is precisely the remedy that television needs right now. Based on the graphic novel by writer Greg Rucka and artist Matthew Southworth, Stumptown is breezy, network television fun. Neither groundbreaking nor profound, what Stumptown lacks in depth is more than made up for in a likable cast and a captivating pace. Minor spoilers ahead…

Introducing the “Who Watches the Watchmen?” podcast, a weekly discussion of the new HBO original series, Watchmen. Adapted from the seminal graphic novel by writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons, the new HBO show will be run by Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers). Hosted by myself and Derek Wong of “The Film Trailers Podcast,” join us on our weekly journey as we cover the influential source material, the 2009 Zack Snyder adaptation, and the new show on an episode by episode basis.

While HBO and Netflix are currently hogging the premium cable and streaming spotlights, Cinemax (itself an HBO spin-off) has been operating in the background, churning out respectable entertainment right under everyone’s noses. In addition to its thrilling Bruce Lee passion project, Warrior, Cinemax has crafted yet another winner with its twisty neo-noir crime drama, Jett. Minor spoilers ahead...

DC Universe’s third live-action original series, Swamp Thing, debuted less than two weeks ago, but has already been mysteriously and unceremoniously canceled. But like many one-season wonders can tell you, just because something has been canceled doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your time. An enthralling blend of body horror, Southern Gothic, and comic book weirdness, Swamp Thing is the best version of itself. Minor spoilers ahead...

Welcome to the Strange Harbors review of the final season of Game of Thrones. Typically, I tend to avoid posting recaps/reviews of single, individual episodes, but Game of Thrones is a cultural behemoth that deserves a more in-depth look at each installment, especially in its last six episodes. Each recap/review of the final season will be written from my perspective as A Song of Ice and Fire book-reader and a fan of the show. Today, we will be covering the series finale, titled “The Iron Throne.” Spoilers ahead…

Welcome to the Strange Harbors review of the final season of Game of Thrones. Typically, I tend to avoid posting recaps/reviews of single, individual episodes, but Game of Thrones is a cultural behemoth that deserves a more in-depth look at each installment, especially in its last six episodes. Each recap/review of the final season will be written from my perspective as A Song of Ice and Fire book-reader and a fan of the show. Today, we will be covering the fifth episode of Season 8, titled “The Bells.” Spoilers ahead…

Cinemax brings a healthy dose of Asian representation to premium cable with its new martial arts western, Warrior. Originally pitched for television in the 1970s by Bruce Lee, the series’ original incarnation was mothballed for over four decades until it was picked up by producers Jonathan Tropper (Banshee) and Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow, The Fast and the Furious). While Warrior continues the Cinemax tradition of graphic sex and violence, along with a reach that is sometimes beyond its grasp, it is also a compelling look at the bloody Tong Wars of 1870s San Francisco. Buoyed by frenetic martial arts action and strong female performances, Warrior admirably fills the void left by the end of Cinemax’s Banshee and Strike Back. Minor spoilers ahead…

Welcome to the Strange Harbors review of the final season of Game of Thrones. Typically, I tend to avoid posting recaps/reviews of single, individual episodes, but Game of Thrones is a cultural behemoth that deserves a more in-depth look at each installment, especially in its last six episodes. Each recap/review of the final season will be written from my perspective as A Song of Ice and Fire book-reader and a fan of the show. Today, we will be covering the fourth episode of Season 8, titled “The Last of the Starks.” Spoilers ahead…

Welcome to the Strange Harbors review of the final season of Game of Thrones. Typically, I tend to avoid posting recaps/reviews of single, individual episodes, but Game of Thrones is a cultural behemoth that deserves a more in-depth look at each installment, especially in its last six episodes. Each recap/review of the final season will be written from my perspective as A Song of Ice and Fire book-reader and a fan of the show. Today, we will be covering the third episode of Season 8, titled “The Long Night.” Spoilers ahead…

Welcome to the Strange Harbors review of the final season of Game of Thrones. Typically, I tend to avoid posting recaps/reviews of single, individual episodes, but Game of Thrones is a cultural behemoth that deserves a more in-depth look at each installment, especially in its last six episodes. Each recap/review of the final season will be written from my perspective as A Song of Ice and Fire book-reader and a fan of the show. Today, we will be covering the second episode of Season 8, titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” Spoilers ahead…

Welcome to the Strange Harbors review of the final season of Game of Thrones. Typically, I tend to avoid posting recaps/reviews of single, individual episodes, but Game of Thrones is a cultural behemoth that deserves a more in-depth look at each installment, especially in its last six episodes. Each recap/review of the final season will be written from my perspective as A Song of Ice and Fire book-reader and a fan of the show. Today, we will be covering the Season 8 premiere, titled “Winterfell.” Spoilers ahead…

Not vintage enough to be a throwback and not bold enough to be cutting-edge peak TV, CBS’s The Twilight Zone wades in sleepy ambivalence. Producer and narrator Jordan Peele, fresh off his horror hit Us, takes Rod Serling’s place and leads a star-studded cast in the reboot, but the show’s languid narratives and glib messaging get in its own way. This review encompasses the first two episodes of the new anthology, which are now streaming on CBS All Access. Minor spoilers ahead…

Based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta, The Leftovers is a television series that ran on HBO from 2014 to 2017 for three seasons. Even though critically acclaimed with a devoted fanbase, The Leftovers often took a backseat to HBO's other prestige dramas. Today, we're taking a closer look at this remarkable show almost two years after its stunning series finale. Sprawling, often baffling, and supremely confident, The Leftovers is one of the weirdest shows you'll ever see - and also one of the best. Major spoilers for The Leftovers below...