We’re in the heart of summer, and aside from some reality series, the flood of new shows has slowed to barely a trickle. This might be the first blush of what to expect in the wake of the writers’s strike, which is now in its third month. Still, if you’re looking for new shows, you might be wondering how to spend your time. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Wednesdays:
Secret Invasion, Streaming Wednesdays on Disney+ (Premiered June 21)
About: I reviewed the first two episodes of this new Marvel Cinematic Universe series prior to their premier, but as it’s slow I thought I’d revisit it now that both episodes have aired. The series is set to run six episodes, focusing on Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. It will lead to bigger things, including an Avengers collaboration down the line. For now, the first two episodes focus on the fight for control among the Skrull, as Fury teams with Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) to stop it all. The pilot featured a big twist and character death, while the second furthered the narrative. It got off to a somewhat slow start but those that invested in the series will likely want to stay the course.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Hijack, Streaming Wednesdays on Apple TV+ (Premiered June 28)
About: The latest from Apple is the streamer’s answer to 24, meaning it’s crafted to take place in real time. Idris Elba stars as a corporate negotiator who is on a flight from Dubai to London that’s hijacked. He has to put his skills to use to try and figure out what the hijackers want and find a way to survive. The series takes place over seven episodes, with the flight time set at six hours and 54 minutes. While Elba’s Sam Nelson focuses on surviving in the air, his message of trouble reaches London, where a handful of people, including an investigator played by Archie Panjabi, have to find a solution. The first two episodes of the seven-episode series dropped Wednesday with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. I like Elba as a performer, and this seems like an engaging challenge. The Pilot lays out the players and the problem, while the second episode dives deeper into the world. I thought the pilot moved at a crisp pace and I like the premise and the decision to shoot in real time. It plays well in episode too, as well. This seems like an engaging series to play out over the course of the season. The way the tension builds by the end of the second episode, this one just keeps getting better.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: B-

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.