Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Sunday, July 19. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The Alienist: Angel Of Darkness (TNT, 9 p.m., season premiere, back-to-back episodes): Way back in March of 2018, the first season of Gilded Age serial killer series The Alienist came to a frustrating end. And it was a seemingly permanent end—it was nominated in the Limited Series category for the 2018 Emmys. But now it’s back and this isn’t a whole new Alienist Horror Story that just also happens to star Sarah Paulson, you know? This is Dakota Fanning, Luke Evans, and Daniel Brühl playing the same roles in the same impeccable costumes. Well, new impeccable costumes, but from the same era. Whatever, just watch the trailer:
Bring on the moody lighting, the creepy score, and Dakota Fanning’s take-no-shit face. Ani Bundel will recap.
Regular coverage
Perry Mason (HBO, 9 p.m.)
Wild card
Time for a wild card lightning round:
Black Monday (Showtime, 8 p.m., second-season finale): Bid farewell to some of the best costumes, wigs, and cell phones on television, at least for now—but as there’s no word yet on a third season, you’d better revel in Regina Hall’s eyeshadow while you can.
I’ll Be Gone In The Dark (HBO, 10 p.m.): The strain of Michelle’s investigation begins to exact a toll on her home life as this gripping docuseries continues.
Babies Of The Zoo (Nat Geo Wild, 10 p.m.): Babies! Of! The! Zoo!
Okay, not those exact babies of the zoo, but still!
United Shades Of America (CNN, 10 p.m., fifth-season premiere): W. Kamau Bell’s sharp series returns, and right on goddamned time.
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO, 11 p.m.): John Oliver is also back (after a hiatus of a few weeks) and that’s also right on goddamned time.
8 Comments
I haven’t watched any of it yet, but I’m confused how they did a second season of Black Monday. I thought the first season was really good, with the start of Black Monday capping it off, and the identity of the guy on the car being revealed. It seemed like a perfect limited series type thing. I kind of want to watch it cause I’ve enjoyed both Showtime Don Cheadle shows. I just don’t want it to go on like the last one. Imo, House of Lies should’ve ended sooner. I thought the season 3 finale was a great end to the show. I regret even watching the fourth season, as this made me not even bother watching the fifth. Maybe the last two seasons were good and I had just lost interest in the show, who knows. I watched the end of season 3 again afterwards just so that that was the finale for me.And I demand someone watch and review NOS4A2 so that they, too, can suffer through the show with me. The show has become such a slog, and I’m gonna tough it out till the end. Masochist powers activate!
That is my exact feeling on a second feeling of Black Monday. And I continued watching House of Lies all the way through the end. It continued to drag and absolutely should have ended earlier.
I’ve watched all of Black Monday season 2, and I didn’t care for it. It absolutely should have been a one and done.
i really loved “the alienist” books but gave up after the first couple of episodes of season one, i thought it was horrible.
Started watching the first season, and…I, uh, thought it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had been left to believe. Daniel Brühl’s a solid dang lead. He’s got a heck of a presence, his character is interesting in his compassion, and overall I’m enjoying the world building. Whether it pays off for me story-wise? Not sure yet, but I’m sticking with it. I’m in a “private detective-types solves weird murders in the past” mood. It’s more interesting so far than the usual TNT procedurals, at any rate.
I’d wanted to watch The Alienist when it first came out (and have been meaning to read the novel for awhile) and then sort of forget about it existing with so many other things on TV. I noticed this new season has Michael McElhatton in it, and well, I’m always up for any appearance from the Lord of the Dreadfort, so now I pretty much have to watch the show.
Please do episode reviews for The Alienist: Angel of Darkness. Is begging enough?
Is anyone watching The Chi? It’s SO good this season!