We’re through March and making our way into Spring. Still, the tide of new shows continues at a steady pace. You might have a lot of things vying for your time, which leaves you wondering which of these new shows is worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Winter/Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Sundays:
The Count of Monte Cristo, Sundays at 9 p.m. on PBS (Premiered March 22)
About: This is another take on the classic novel. This time Sam Claflin stars as Edmund Dantes, the falsely accused man who is imprisoned and, upon release, seeks to right the wrongs. I liked the pilot well enough, which was mostly set up and culminated with Dantes in prison. The second episode, which featured Jeremy Irons, was focused on his time in prison, how he learns to rebuild himself, and his key to the secret treasure that will fund things. He’s in prison for years, as his family, friends, and loves are told he’s died. I like the production here, and the story is intriguing. This feels like a solid version of this story, told over eight episodes. If this is your kind of story, this will work well for you.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

The Forsytes, Sundays at 10 p.m. on PBS (Premiered March 22)
About: If you’re looking for a stoic British period drama, you’ve come to the right place. This focuses on a family in the early 20th Century that are vying to keep their position and find love. It’s in the vein of Downton Abbey, though the pilot wasn’t as strong for me. But it has a certain style and appeal for those who enjoy a good period drama. The second episode continued those stories of family and romance. This certainly feels like a soapier version of the format, though not as edgy as something like Bridgerton. That leaves it feeling a bit tame and, for me, a bit dull. Those who like stories of this kind might feel the same. It’s very stiff and British, but it was lacking some of the pop in the drama. If you’re a die-hard for this kind of story, then you’re in luck. If not, this might not hold your attention.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

The Comeback, Sundays at 10:30 p.m. on HBO (Premiered March 22)
About: This is the third and final season of the comedy following actress Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow). The series follows her at different points trying to live her life and jumpstart her career for a documentary. As in previous seasons, this jumps forward about a decade. It is very much in the style of Curb Your Enthusiasm, with Valerie getting into some dicey situations owing to her personality and cluelessness. The second episode continued the journey, focusing on Valerie’s new sitcom that is mostly generated by AI and all that entails. I liked Kudrow, but this character has always felt a little cloying to me. That’s still the case. For completists, it will be a welcome return. But this didn’t really connect with me.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C-

Streaming Series:
Bait, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered March 25)
About: This new series comes from Riz Ahmed and stars him as actor Shah Latif. It’s a six-episode meta comedy, with each episode running about 25 minutes. All episodes are now streaming, making for a quick binge. In it, Latif is an actor struggling to get his career on the right foot and balancing the demands of family, culture, and some gnawing self-doubt. He’s up for the part of James Bond, which puts him in the news, and leaves him and his family to deal with the fallout. Ahmed is a great performer, but this feels like a different kind of role. It seems personal, which makes sense with him being the creative force behind the series. It works well enough and is mildly amusing at times, but your interest in binging through the series will likely depend on how you feel about the thrust of the narrative. I thought it was just OK.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered March 26)
About: As the title of this new limited series indicates, trouble is brewing. This new series is produced by the Duffer Brothers but is created by Haley Z. Boston (Brand New Cherry Flavor, Hunters). It centers on a couple, Rachel (Camila Morrone) and Nicky (Adam DiMarco), who are engaged and about to be married. They’re heading to a secluded retreat where his family is waiting for a small, intimate ceremony. But there are some creepy vibes on the road trip that continue when they arrive at their destination. The family isn’t what Rachel expects, and they seem to be harboring their own secrets. This, in turn, leads her to a deeper truth about her own family and the stakes of her upcoming marriage. And, as the title indicates, it isn’t great. This is an interesting approach. It’s an eight-episode series, with episodes ranging between 41 and 59 minutes. Only a couple episodes—the pilot and finale—are more than 50 minutes, so it’s a quick enough binge. But it’s a little disjointed. The first two episodes point in a direction that actually quickly becomes something else. I liked the back half of the season a bit more than the start (I binged the whole thing), and the finale is wild enough that it makes the whole thing work. There is a solid supporting cast, including Jennifer Jason Leigh and Ted Levine, that seem to be having fun with this wild premise. There are twists and turns, and it ends up in an unexpected place. But if you like off-beat horror, this is worth your time to check out. Just be willing to stick with it through a somewhat slow start.
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.