Recommendations: Week of 3/31/25
April Shows (no foolin)
New shows just keep coming out. That statement is, if nothing else, true. I keep watching them and keep being infected with a slight bit of malaise for the good old days. It’s not that these new shows are worse than the ones that came before them, but there’s something about letting a show finish what it means to say before you watch it. There’s something about not experiencing the frenzy of reaction that comes with watching a popular show while it’s airing.
Personally, I can’t stop watching the show Banshee, which ended its four-year run on May 20, 2016. What a sweet summer child I was on May 20, 2016. I was living in Boston, working in publishing, flitting about from bookclub to bookclub like the world was mine to conquer. I was completely unaware of Banshee at the time, a Cinemax show that focuses on an ex-con jewel thief and his quest for meaning in a small hellmouth-esque Pennsylvania town. I would have loved it at the time, but it provides an added layer of comfort and interest now because it is so decidedly different from the kinds of shows being made now. It’s more sexual, more violent. It feels completely disconnected from online discourse or studio expectations, sometimes taking its time to develop a single point, sometimes dispatching of a promising character with little fanfare.
That’s all to say, you should watch Banshee (although please do so with a full knowledge of your viewing limits- it’s very much a “you must be this tall to ride” type of show). But also, if you don’t immediately watch the many shows I’ve been recommending (and will do more of below; look at me negating the concept of this post in the intro), many of them will keep and sweeten with time. Or, just gorge yourself this April.
The Bondsman (Prime Video, April 1): Murdered bounty hunter Hub Halloran (Kevin Bacon) is resurrected by the Devil to trap and send back demons that have escaped from the prison of Hell. By chasing down those demons with the help and hinderance of his estranged family, Hub learns how his own sins got his soul condemned -- which pushes him to seek a second chance at life, love, and country music.
I like Kevin Bacon enough to give this a shot, and I really like that it is 8 half-hour episodes. More shows should do this (if they do it well). This premise sounds bonkers, but when has that ever stopped us (“and country music”)??
Secrets Declassified With David Duchovny (History, April 4): From black ops and bizarre experiments to deadly cover-ups and nefarious gadgets, David Duchovny pulls the curtain back on all the government secrets in modern history we always suspected, but were never given the answers to. Through the strange and shocking things countries the world over and those who work for them have done in the name of national interest, we’ll investigate the explosive evidence from newly declassified files that will finally shine a new light on what’s really going on deep in the shadows.
David Duchovny talking about weird conspiracy shit. You have my attention, my loyalty, my ad dollars, and my heart.
Your Friends and Neighbors (Apple TV+, April 11): After being fired in disgrace, a hedge fund manager still grappling with his recent divorce, resorts to stealing from his neighbors’ homes in the exceedingly affluent Westmont Village, only to discover that the secrets and affairs hidden behind those wealthy facades might be more dangerous than he ever imagined.
If Jon Hamm wants to return to the serious actor part of his career (as opposed to the random comedic hunky guest star part of his career), then I will be watching. He’s one of our great dramatic actors, and as much as I’ve appreciated his whimsical cameos, it is long past time to see some Acting from him.
The Last of Us season two (HBO, April 13): Picking up five years after fungal-apocalypse survivor Joel (Pedro Pascal) made the difficult decision to potentially sacrifice all humanity in favor of saving his surrogate daughter Ellie (Bella Ramsey), the show’s second season kicks off the narrative first introduced in the 2020 PlayStation 4 follow-up, The Last of Us Part II.
I liked the first season of this show a lot. But it is something to be sipped, not gulped, and I encourage everyone to take their time with it. Post-apocalyptic content is on the rise (I wonder why??), and this is one of the most elegiac and somber of the lot. I am interested to see where season two takes us and if there’s any shift in tone from the darkness of the first season (probs not!).
Government Cheese (Apple TV+, April 16): In 1969, Hampton Chambers, a convicted burglar, is released from prison and returns to his home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, where he reunites with his family and tries to start over with a second chance by inventing the "Bit Magician", a self-sharpening power drill.
David Oyelowo is very good at acting. I trust many a premise to be carried on his shoulders. This seems like a really good time, although many an Apple show stuffed with great actors, beautiful visuals, and a great-sounding plot has passed under our feet unto nothingness, so I’m going to just be cautiously optimistic about this one.
The Stolen Girl (Freeform/Disney +, April 16): What started out as her daughter's first sleepover has turned into an abduction. As an urgent manhunt unfolds across Europe, Elisa and her husband Fred find themselves the object of police and public scrutiny. Elisa's perfect family begins to unravel under the pressure, and long-buried secrets come to light.
Holliday Grainger stars in this British production, and she is really excellent, but info is a bit sparse on the show itself. I guess we’ll just have to be surprised.
Ransom Canyon (Netflix, April 17): Welcome to Ransom Canyon, where love, loss, and loyalty collide beneath the crimson mesas of Texas Hill Country. With three ranching family dynasties locked in a contest for control of the land, their lives and legacies are threatened by outside forces intent on destroying their way of life. At the center of it all is stoic rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel), who is healing from heartbreaking loss and on a quest for vengeance. Staten’s only glimmer of hope rests in the eyes and heart of Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly), longtime family friend and owner of the local dancehall. But as the battle to save Ransom wages on, a mysterious cowboy drifts into town, dredging up secrets from the past. Vise tightening, Staten fights to protect the land he calls home, and the only love that can pull him back from the demons that haunt him.
I continue to be baffled by what romance novels get optioned and then actually get produced. It is so frequently things I, an absolutely rabid romance obsessive, have never heard of. This is from an established romance novelist rather than someone more new to the scene, which may explain it, but I keep wondering why studios are not opting for series with more of a young fanbase. There are so many people like me out there absolutely gasping for an Ali Hazlewood or ACOTAR or Emily Henry adaptation (apparently maybe all coming someday), but instead we get adaptations of books that are just not really part of the current romance zeitgeist, starring actors that are barely part of my millennial consciousness, let alone anyone younger than I. HOWEVER, honestly, how dare I judge what I haven’t read or seen?? This plot is tailor-made for me and I will be watching it but I am also watching you, studio execs.
Andor season two (Disney+, April 22): Rife with political intrigue, danger, tension, and high stakes, “Andor” is a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story", which portrayed a heroic band of rebels who steal the plans to the Empire’s weapon of mass destruction: The Death Star, setting the stage for the events of the original 1977 film. “Andor” sets the clock back five years from the events of “Rogue One” to tell the story of the film’s hero, Cassian Andor, and his transformation from disinterested, cynical nobody into a rebel hero on his way to an epic destiny.
“Andor” Season 2 will see the characters and their relationships intensify as the horizon of war draws near and Cassian becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance. Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices, and conflicting agendas will become profound.
This show is very good. You can watch it even if you don’t care about Star Wars, which is a true feat considering how untrue that is for any other Disney Star Wars properties. I loved the first season and will be watching this for sure.
Étoile (Prime Video, all episodes, April 24): This new ballet comedy series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino follows the dancers and artistic staff of two world-renowned ballet companies as they embark on a gambit to save their institutions by swapping their most talented stars, set in both New York and Paris.
Bun Heads hive rise up! Finally, the woman behind Gilmore Girls, who has been absolutely gasping to tell a ballet-focused story her entire career gets another shot. Bun Heads was her first attempt, a sweet comedy on ABC Family starring Sutton Foster that was cancelled after one season because people have NO TASTE. I don’t know if this one will stick, but I hope it does. Sherman-Palladino has a particular style of TV show that works in particular eras. I can only hope our hearts are open for it now.
Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain (CNN, April 27): The eight-episode series follows the award-winning actress, producer, director, and activist on a gastronomic pilgrimage across the land of her ancestors as she indulges in the rich tapestry of Spanish cuisine.
I loved Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. It is the show I watch on planes during turbulence. It is the most elegant, delicious, respectful hug you will ever receive. Here’s hoping they can repeat the experience (the Tucci bar is a high one).
Yes, Chef! (NBC, April 28): This is a cooking competition series hosted by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, where 12 nominated chefs compete in culinary challenges, aiming to improve their cooking skills and overcome personal issues for a $250,000 prize.
All hail the Martha Stewart renaissance.