School is back in session, the weather is starting to cool (even if only by a few degrees) and football is back on the field. For us, fall also means it’s time for some new television shows.
Even though the days of linear television are behind us and streaming is now dominant, here are popular new shows you may have heard about. Brought to you by Washington Times Higher Ground Partner, Plugged In, these reviews offer in-depth episode-by-episode reviews and provide insight into what to watch and what to skip.
Subscribe to have the Higher Ground newsletter delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
The Wheel of Time – Streaming on Amazon Prime
Season two picks up where season one ended: After battling the Dark One at the conclusion of the previous season, Rand and his friends are separated. Perrin hunts for the Horn of Valere, a legendary object that’s said to be key to victory in the Last Battle (and which has been stolen by a traitor). Nynaeve and Egwene are training to become Aes Sedai. Mat is imprisoned. And Moiraine searches for clues to stopping the Dark One.
This popular new show is based on a fantasy book series and fans of the books might have an issue with the series’ changes and interpretations of the source material.
Robert Jordan wrote the first novel in “The Wheel of Time” series back in 1990. Unfortunately, the author was diagnosed with a terminal disease before he could finish the final three books. So, he wrote a bunch of notes for the person who would succeed him to ensure it ended how he wished. And his widow chose fantasy author Brandon Sanderson to take up the reins and finish the series, which concluded in 2013.
The books had quite a bit of content that made them more of a strictly adult fantasy series than say “Harry Potter,” and we see that content reflected in Amazon’s lavish, live-action take.
Read more of the review here. Watch the trailer for season two of “The Wheel of Time.” Listen to Plugged In’s review of season one of “The Wheel of Time:”
Ahsoka – Streaming on Disney+
For all its intricacies, this “Star Wars” story feels both familiar and of a piece with much of what we’ve seen before.
The sides here are fairly clear-cut: Ahsoka is doing her best to protect the galaxy from a great evil. Baylan, Elsbeth and others are doing their best to once again elevate the Dark Side.
And, at least as the series opens, the show’s content issues are minimal.
Yes, “Ahsoka” can be plenty violent. Lightsabers cut and stab and sometimes skewer. Blasters fire with regularity and sometimes hit home. But because Star Wars weapons tend to cauterize as they cut—and because so many adversaries are droids—blood and gore are minimal.
Yes, we see some slightly revealing and tight-fitting clothing. But certainly nothing to rival Princess Leia’s slave outfit from “Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi.” Bad language is rare, if heard at all. This is no gritty, grimy, sometimes wince-worthy saga along the lines of “Andor.” This is pure escapist “Star Wars,” filled with aliens and spacecraft, good and evil and, of course, the Force.
And that’s where perhaps the show’s biggest issues lie for some families.
While “Star Wars” canon contends that the Force is a natural thing (thanks to microscopic midi-chlorians), it looks and feels like magic, and its users often come across as wizards or monks. Indeed, Elsbeth and her fellow Dark Force practitioners are labeled as witches. Other practitioners are garbed not just in robes, but in a sort of pseudo-spiritual vibe. And even though Ahsoka reminds us that the Jedi Order no longer exists, we still hear about the old Jedi temple and see other quasi-religious ruins.
For those familiar with all pockets of the Star Wars universe, Ahsoka will be like a trip to a beloved star system. Still, as Ahsoka herself would tell you, even friendly planets just might hold their share of danger.
Read more of the review here. Watch the trailer for “Ahsoka.”
Virgin River – Streaming on Netflix
Netflix’s romantic drama Virgin River is based off an award-winning book series of the same name. Each episode clocks in at more than 45 minutes and is packed with enough drama and tension to keep viewers wanting more. If you don’t believe us, just look at the popularity of this show or the sheer number of books sold. It’s wild.
There’s soapy romance, a bit of action, emotional connection and character development. Mix those elements with trauma and war stories, and you’d think Netflix was trying to get wives and their husbands hooked. And while there’s plenty to like here when it comes to moral messages, defending the vulnerable and supporting the needy, there’s also enough to warrant caution.
First, Mel’s past experiences and trauma come in flashbacks (especially in earlier seasons) that could easily trigger anyone who has lost a loved one or a child. The same goes for Jack. He struggles with severe PTSD; it seems that no matter how much he drinks, his night terrors are never far away.
There’s also illegal drug trading (as well as drug growing) that goes on right outside of Virgin River (which is not praised, by the way), resulting in people getting shot. Then there’s underage drinking, light language, tons of gossip and couples that get in between the sheets every now and then.
So, before you venture up into Virgin River’s fictional forests, just know that not everything that takes place here is fit for the whole family.
Read more of the review here. Watch the trailer for season five of “Virgin River.”
–
Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate, and impact the culture in which they live. Through our reviews, articles and discussions, we hope to spark intellectual thought, spiritual growth and a desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Reviews written by: Paul Asay, Emily Tsiao and Kristin Smith.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.