pop culture weekend
Pop culture weekend (Sept. 8): Foundation and the rise of the "episodic" streaming show
Serialized shows can seem more episodic using this one weird trick.
criticism
You are not smarter than the art you critique
Here's my best advice for young critics: Don't presume you know better.
recap
Our Flag Means Death: "Act of Grace" and "Wherever You Go, There You Are"
In which we consider queer history. Avast, ye mateys!
our flag means death
Our Flag Means Death: "This Is Happening" and "We Gull Way Back"
In which we write some real-person fiction
our flag means death
Our Flag Means Death: "Pilot" and "A Damned Man"
In which we queer history
freelance
The unexpected brilliance of Livia Soprano's final onscreen appearance
A much-mocked visual effects sequence uses the odd and uncanny to incredible effect.
christmas
That time Robert Downey, Jr., and Kermit the Frog made a Christmas special together
And then it was never spoken of again
freelance
The food TV perfection of Big Zuu's Big Eats
The British series captures sides of the U.K. that most other foodie shows cannot.
TV
The many joys of the Soviet Sherlock Holmes
It's one of the best TV shows there is.
comedy
The 1970s sitcom divide that still secretly rules American TV comedy
Though less and less of it with every year
TV
The ferocious battle for Howdy Doody
What do you do when the title character of your TV show disappears because he's a puppet and somebody took him?
fleabag
Fleabag: "Season 2, Episode 5" and "Season 2, Episode 6"
In which this is a love story