We’re into October, which means we’re on the cusp of an onslaught of Network premiers. Until then, we still have some interesting streaming options available. But what of these new shows is worth the investment? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Tuesdays:
Chad Powers, Streaming Tuesdays on Hulu (Premiered September 30)
About: This new comedy series is based on a skit that Eli Manning performed on his own ESPN streaming show. Now, the concept has been snatched by star Glen Powell and Michael Waldron into series length. The series runs six episodes, with the first two dropping Tuesday and the rest dropping weekly. It centers on a star quarterback Russ Holliday (Powell) who was on the cusp of a college title when he made the blunder of a lifetime. Eight years later, that blunder has followed him as his life goes off track. He sees a chance at redemption when a low-level college needs a quarterback and transformers himself into Chad Powers to get it done. It’s a wild premise but there is plenty of room for comedy. Unfortunately, you don’t feel that in this series. The pilot was 40 minutes, which is longer than the rest of the episodes. You feel that length. This feels a bit like a Saturday Night Live sketch that is stretched to feature length and doesn’t quite work. The first two episodes were fine, but not as funny or compelling as I’d hoped. It’s OK but doesn’t maximize the premise.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Wednesdays:
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered September 25)
About: This new series for The CW isn’t new—it aired previously in Canada—and it doesn’t feel original. Law & Order has been a staple on the NBC lineup for decades, and this feels very much of a piece with that. The first two episodes follow the kind of stories you’d expect to see on a traditional show’s episode. The cast is solid, and the premise works well enough. It makes sense that The CW would use this to fill its schedule. If you’re a fan of Law & Order, this will be worth checking out. If you’re on the fence, the original series is probably a bit better watch.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Sundays:
Brian and Maggie, Sundays at 8 p.m. on PBS (Premiered October 5)
About: This new series is a two-part limited series from Stephen Frears. It features Steve Coogan as Brian Walden, an MP turned television personality, and Harriet Walter as Margaret Thatcher. It chronicles their relationship over more than a decade, culminating in 1989 with a searing interview that effectively ended Thatcher’s career. The performances are solid as this 90-minute production is split in half. The first half aired Sunday; the balance drops next week as part of a solid Sunday lineup for PBS. For fans of history and this incident, this is worth checking out.
Pilot Grade: C+

Maigret, Sundays at 10 p.m. on PBS (Premiered October 5)
About: This is the latest installment of the Masterpiece Mysteries series. It’s a new detective show from England that’s an interesting twist. It’s based on the novels from Georges Simenon about the French detective. It’s been adapted before, but this one not only makes it a series, but it also uses all English actors and doesn’t even attempt a French accent. It’s a bold choice. Benjamin Wainwright is fine as Maigret, and the pilot is the first half of a heist case. The second half will presumably air next week. The pilot was OK, but it felt a bit slow and plodding, it’s also a strange production choice. For fans of mystery, this will be a welcome addition. But it falls short of being compelling.
Pilot Grade: C

Streaming Series:
Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered October 3)
About: This is now the third iteration of the anthology series Monster, which focuses on the lives, motivations, and crimes of killers. This release is ideally timed with the spooky season and focuses on a killer that has fascinated people for years. That includes fascinating Hollywood—as this series makes clear. Charlie Hunnam takes the lead as Gein. In the pilot, we learn a bit about his past, including his unhealthy relationship with his mother (Laurie Metcalf). By the time we hit the second episode, we’re seeing Gein’s life and influence played out in contrast to the future, where Hollywood becomes obsessed with telling his story. This focuses, primarily in the second episode, on Alfred Hitchcock, Anthony Perkins, and the making of Psycho. It’s a unique approach that may or may not work for viewers. Hunnam is a good actor, but this is a weird part and a weird construction. Honestly, I’ve been out on the previous installments—which looked at Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menedez Brothers. This was no better. The first two episodes felt long and strange, with the mixture of Hollywood productions and Gein’s story distracting in the second episode. This was a miss for me.
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.