We’re into August and into the heart of the 2024 Summer Olympics. That means that the flow of new shows is slowing greatly. Your time to watch new series might also be dwindling. So, what of these new shows is worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series, and select unscripted series, this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Wednesdays:
Women in Blue, Streaming Wednesdays on Apple TV+ (Premiered July 31)
About: Apple TV+ has crafted a number of different series but this international co-production is something different. The series is set in Mexico City in 1971 as a serial killer is on the prowl. The police seem unable to catch him and it’s causing the government a black eye, while women protest the lack of justice. In order to deflect the negative press, the new police chief hatches a plan—he’ll recruit the first ever group of women to join the police. This series follows those 16 women, their captain, and the case that captured the country and gripped it with terror. The series is entirely in Spanish with subtitles and based on a true story. It’s not a story American audiences are likely familiar with but from the jump it’s one that pulls you in and hooks you. It follows both these women and their stories as they leave their lives, often facing criticism from their families, to pursue their passion for justice. The larger case also undergirds the whole story and both pieces are fascinating, as are the time period and setting. I like the cast and enjoyed the first two of 10 episodes. The first two are now available to stream with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. This is worth seeking out.
Pilot Grade: B
Second Episode: B

Streaming:
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered August 1)
About: The latest from Netflix is a murder mystery based on the novel from Holly Jackson. The series is six episodes, with half directed by Dolly Wells, who created the series Doll & Em. The series focuses on a teen girl named Pippa (Emma Myers) who isn’t satisfied with the investigation into a missing girl. She decides to investigate it herself, questioning the missing girl’s friends and family as she opens up doors and sheds light on all that was going on. The first two episodes move at a decent pace, each about 45 minutes. All six episodes are now available to stream, making it a quick binge. It feels in some ways a bit like Veronica Mars and should appeal to audiences that enjoy that type of series. I had fun with this one.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: B-

Batman: Caped Crusader, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered August 1)
About: We’ve gotten plenty of stories of Batman and yet we keep being drawn to the characters and world. That will likely be true of this new animated series, which comes from Bruce Timm and produced by J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves. It features Hamish Linklater as the voice of Batman and includes a number of his most famous adversaries, some with a twist. One twist is a female version of The Penguin, voiced by Minnie Driver, who appears in the pilot. The episodes are about 25 minutes with all 10 now available to stream on Prime Video. When I was younger, I loved the first Batman: The Animated Series. This feels similar in tone and animated style, and it will likely appeal greatly to those who are fans of the Caped Crusader.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: B-

Cowboy Cartel, Now Streaming on Apple TV+ (Premiered August 2)
About: This new docuseries focuses on at FBI battle with the Los Zetas Cartel in Mexico. The four-part docuseries includes news footage and interviews with subjects, journalists, and law enforcement officers who worked on the case. This chronicles a series of crimes that took place in Mexico and just over the border in Texas over years, including violence, drugs, and money-laundering that involved horse racing. It’s a fascinating look into a criminal investigation and a story that many likely won’t be familiar with. These crime docuseries capture your fascination based on your interest in the case. This has some unique elements but it’s a little dry. Still, with just four episodes it’s a quick binge.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

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.