We’re into May and the Network season is rapidly coming to a close. But before it goes, we’re still getting some new series and specials. What of these new shows is worth your time investment? Let this weekly post be your guide as I look at the pilot and second episode of new series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Fridays:
Amadeus, Streaming Fridays on Starz (Premiered May 8)
About: Once upon a time Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri were contemporaries at the top of the composing scene. Their life, work, and feud was the subject of an Academy-Award-Winning film in the 1980s. Now, it’s the subject of a new, five-part limited series on Starz. In it, Salieri (Paul Bettany) is the master composer whose position is threatened by the young Amadeus (Will Sharpe). Amadeus is everything Salieri isn’t, and they approach music and life in a radically different way. That quickly leads to a dispute and, as the pilot makes clear, Salieri eventually killing Amadeus. The actors here are solid, as is the production. The pilot, out now, was a crisp 50 minutes, with the subsequent episodes dropping weekly. For fans of history this will likely have an appeal. Perhaps it will have an even bigger appeal for those who were fans of the feature film of the same name. I thought this was OK, and I’m not sure I need another journey into this infamous rivalry. Either way, the pilot was OK but hardly had me clamoring for more. It’s a high-profile swing for Starz, but it doesn’t feel like a series with mass appeal.
Pilot Grade: C

Streaming Series:
Legends, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered May 7)
About: This new series is a BBC co-production that takes the action back to the United Kingdom in the 1990s. There is a big drug problem making headlines, and embattled Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has launched a war on drugs to strengthen her political position. That leaves a specialized unit under the command of Don (Steve Coogan) to do the work. These specialized officers are focused on the undercover missions—both legends they take on and those they recruit—to battle the drug war. The series is six episodes, each about an hour, all now available to stream. That makes it a quick binge. The cast includes Tom Burke, Hayley Squires, and Alex Jennings, among others. There’s some strong production values here and an interesting story that most in this country won’t be familiar with from that time period. This will likely appeal to fans of crime dramas and those who like a good period drama.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

M.I.A., Now Streaming on Peacock (Premiered May 7)
About: This new crime drama for Peacock comes from creator Bill Dubuque, who was behind Ozark and the Netflix limited series His & Hers, which aired earlier this year. It focuses on Etta Jonze (Shannon Gisela), whose family is involved in crime using their boat business in Florida. At the outset, Etta is brought into the business but finds it isn’t for her. When she scuttles one of their loads, it’s her family who pays the price. After that incident, Etta sets out to rebuild her life and avenge the family that was lost. It’s a simple enough story to show how one teenage girl becomes a powerful queenpin as a result of this incident. For fans of this kind of crime drama, this will work well enough. It has a glossy location and a compelling enough story. The first season is nine episodes, all now streaming. Episodes run between 40 and 55 minutes, making for a decent enough binge. I struggled to connect to the character of Etta and her journey. The series is also somewhat slow, at least through the first two episodes, in getting the story going. I enjoyed the premise well enough, but the series lacked bite and a hook, which keeps it from being compelling, appointment viewing. That continues to be a struggle for me with Peacock originals. Even if the premise is sound, the execution feels like it’s off-the-mark. I wanted more here.
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.