TV REVIEWS: Catching up with ‘Childhood’s End,’ ‘Indian Summers,’ ‘Westworld’
There has been some impressive television the past 12 months. In fact, there’s too much television to watch (or binge watch). Hollywood Soapbox tries to stay up to date with the best of the best on streaming programs, network television and cable, but, alas, like so many lovers of sitcoms and serialized dramas, falling behind becomes inevitable.
Here are three highlights that come to mind:
CHILDHOOD’S END, Syfy
The three-part miniseries, Childhood’s End, which aired on Syfy last December, started off with an interesting and engaging premise, one that kept the audience’s attention. Based on the classic story by Arthur C. Clarke, the series follows the events of a “peaceful” alien invasion in the near future. The aliens who have come to say “hello” are known as Overlords, and it doesn’t take Nostradamus to realize that they have nefarious plans.
There are some dry parts of the six-hour mini-series, but Charles Dance’s anchoring performance as Karellen helps keep the narrative buzzing along. The same can’t be said for Mike Vogel’s Ricky Stormgren, a paint-by-numbers hero that feels too similar to Vogel’s other TV roles (re: Under the Dome). Julian McMahon fares better as Dr. Rupert Boyce.
Childhood’s End is good enough to check out the first two-hour episode, and then it’s up to individual viewers whether a trip into “Overlord”-land is worth the further commitment.
INDIAN SUMMERS, PBS
Indian Summers is one of the best shows on television. Period. The Masterpiece drama is a vibrant and addicting show that follows the divisions in British India, circa 1932.
During the summer, the British rulers in the country head for the cooler temperatures in the northern part of India, and they like to put on a party. Decadent soirees, where local Indians are not allowed to participate, are hosted thanks to Cynthia (the dynamite Julie Walters), an elite socialite who runs a resort in Simla, India. Joining her for the summer escapades are Ralph Whelan (Henry Lloyd-Hughes), who is being groomed for a top post in India, and his mysterious sister, Alice Whelan (Jemima West). Nikesh Patel also offers strong supporting work as Aafrin Dalal, a local man who feels the push and pull between his Indian roots and the opportunities afforded by the British empire.
Season two is currently on PBS, and this is one to watch. It weaves a compelling narrative around the interconnected history of England and India.
WESTWORLD, HBO
Yes, Westworld deserves the acclaim. Yes, Westworld deserves to be a hit. No, I’m not convinced that Westworld is the new Game of Thrones. It’s close, but it’s going to take the full slate of season-one episodes to figure out the possible longevity of this daring series from HBO.
The premise is based on an old Michael Crichton movie, and it explores some fascinating themes of humanity’s penchant for violence, virtual reality and the power (and destruction) of technological advances. However, it’s important to note that the series doesn’t feel 100 percent original because of many movies that came before. In some ways, Westworld is a combination of The Truman Show, Terminator and Groundhog Day. I suppose that makes it original, but specific scenes will feel familiar. Much like the artificial humans at the center of the narrative, some viewers will begin to question: “Have I seen this before?”
Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood and James Marsden all star, and they offer believable, touching portraits of either real humans or oh-so-real robots.
The story is classic sci-fi: In the future, developers have built an amusement park where visitors can escape their reality and enjoy a day of violence, drinking and sex. Like most sci-fi films involving robots, the creations become too smart for their own good, and they start to rebel. The setting is the old American West (think Monument Valley), and, to be honest, that’s the most perplexing part of the TV series. I’m not sure that in the future the American West would win out over so many other historical time periods.
Westworld has mostly made the right moves so far, but let’s see if the energy can continue.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
