The 5 Best New TV Shows of October 2024

As someone who has also found themselves stuck in a small town with a high school bully still thriving, I can relate to Rhiannon Lewis’s predicament in Sweetpea. It’s like that old saying, “High school bullies are just practicing for their future roles as bosses.” The difference is, in this case, the bully is also the real estate agent. Talk about a double whammy!

October is for scaring yourself silly, and the month’s best new TV shows have supplied plenty of opportunities to do just that. Among the best horror-adjacent offerings are Peacock’s satanic panic flashback Hysteria! and an unconventional serial-killer story, Sweetpea, from Starz. Apple TV+ highlight Where’s Wanda? wrings dark comedy out of any parent’s worst fear. Even Hulu’s Rivals could frighten you with the depths of its amorous characters’ depravity. And if all that anxiety-inducing TV makes you a bit too nervous, the week before an anxiety-inducing election? Switch to the PBS docuseries Citizen Nation to witness a less stressful exercise in democracy.

Citizen Nation (PBS)

A documentary series titled “Citizen Nation,” airing on PBS, focuses on contemporary American politics in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling nauseous. This is despite the controversial comments made by a comedian at a Presidential candidate’s rally just before an election, where Puerto Rico was referred to as an “island of garbage.” It may sound unbelievable, but this series does indeed exist. The show follows high school students and their faculty coaches from across the United States as they participate in a national civics competition called We the People. From rival teams in Wyoming, one privileged and one underdog, to working-class students in rural West Virginia, and champions in Richmond, Virginia, the creators, Singeli Agnew and Bret Sigler, portray teenagers and teachers from diverse demographics and political beliefs engaging in thoughtful, civil discussions about the most contentious issues of our era.

This series, titled “Citizen Nation“, skillfully chooses topics that grab your attention. It introduces us to a diverse array of characters: a daughter of Nigerian immigrants in Las Vegas whose father, a history professor, served two years for a murder he didn’t commit; a determined teacher in Wyoming who ignites passion for civic responsibility in her students; and a Virginia teen competing against his politically active dad’s team for the state championship. The series resonates with contemporary issues like the rise of mass shootings, the contentious debate over education, and the economic pressures faced by college-bound students. However, what struck me most was the sense of optimism that arises from witnessing young people enthusiastically engaging in the policies and ideologies that will mold their futures.

Hysteria! (Peacock)

During the 1980s, with Reagan in power and the momentum of liberation movements from the past slowing down, mainstream society seemed to lose its composure. There were widespread rumors about satanic cults spreading throughout the nation, fueled by TV personalities like Geraldo Rivera and given credence by the FBI. Childcare providers found themselves entangled in sensational, highly publicized court cases accusing them of ritualistic child abuse. Activities as seemingly harmless as being a fan of heavy metal or playing Dungeons & Dragons could label a young person as a cultist – even a murderer. This prolonged period of mass hysteria became known as the satanic panic. The witch hunt was based on no real occult violence. However, as Hugh Downs stated in a 1985 segment of “20/20” titled “The Devil Worshippers”: “It is undeniable that something strange is happening out there.”

The main focus of the intriguing, amusing, and at times frightening television series titled “Hysteria!” is figuring out what that mysterious occurrence turned out to be. This gripping coming-of-age horror story unfolds in the small town of Happy Hollow during the late ’80s, where as one character notes, “you’re either one or the other.” In this peaceful residential area, an unexpected intruder interrupts a romantic moment between two teens, forcing them to defend themselves like the characters from “Halloween.” That night, both individuals disappear, but only Ryan, the star quarterback, receives extensive media coverage. Whispers circulate that satanists are responsible for these events. [Read the complete review here.]

Rivals (Hulu)

Instead of being overwhelmed by numerous grim comedies and heavy dramas, it would be refreshing to have more lighthearted, enjoyable series to counterbalance the mood. Fortunately, “Rivals” is one such uncommon show that fits this description perfectly, especially appealing to fans of British television who enjoy shows like “Doctor Who” and “Broadchurch”. However, be warned that it’s not as tame as something you’d see on “Masterpiece”. The series takes place in the realm of 1980s British television and adapts Jilly Cooper’s popular satirical romance novel. David Tennant portrays Lord Tony Baddingham, a newcomer at the helm of an independent commercial station who poaches a fiery Irish reporter, Declan O’Hara (played by Aidan Turner), from the BBC and airs his confrontational interviews live. This is facilitated by a relentless American producer, Cameron Cook (Nafessa Williams’ character), with whom Baddingham is also romantically involved. The story centers around Baddingham’s fierce rivalry with Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell), a politically powerful, sexually voracious aristocrat who lives next door to the O’Haras.

In a delightful yet unpretentious manner, reminiscent of witty British banter, this show offers an escape that’s spot-on for the ’80s extravagance. From over-the-top cocktail fashion to the intriguing in-flight rendezvous in the Concorde restroom, it sets the stage. The series is filled with chaotic dinner soirees, passionate love entanglements, a tennis match played in the buff, and power struggles between old and new wealth, journalistic integrity vs. television sensationalism, hypocrisy among the elite versus carnal indulgence – all are central themes. However, what truly makes this show a refuge is its ability to transport us away from the humdrum of everyday life.

Sweetpea (Starz)

Consider the individual who is often labeled as a bully. This person finds pleasure in humiliating and intimidating others, causing both physical and emotional harm. In many instances, they manage to manipulate situations so skillfully that they escape even minor punishments like detentions. Adults typically console young victims by suggesting that bullies are living their peak years in the school corridors and have nothing but misery ahead. However, it can be perplexing when this person continues to prosper, remains in the same closed-in town where they were an outcast as a teenager, takes on a disheartening job, witnesses their family fall apart, all while their bully seems to flourish and worsen the situation. What options are available for someone who finds themselves stuck in such a predicament?

In the story of ‘Sweetpea’, Rhiannon Lewis, portrayed with tension by Ella Purnell, known for her roles in ‘Yellowjackets’ and ‘Fallout’, finds herself in a challenging predicament. She works as an unnoticed receptionist at a local newspaper, where the editor, Jeremy Swift from ‘Ted Lasso’, casually throws his coat on her head upon entering. Her application for the junior reporter position is met with skepticism. Her personal life is equally bleak; friendless and without romantic prospects. Tragically, she watches as her ailing father passes away in the hospital. To add insult to injury, her sister Seren (Alexandra Dowling) arrives from abroad for the funeral, intending to sell the family home behind Rhiannon’s back. The real estate agent she chooses is none other than the person who shaped Rhiannon into a timid and oppressed individual – her high school tormentor, Julia (Nicôle Lecky from ‘Mood’). [Read the full review here.]

Where’s Wanda? (Apple TV+)

Apple’s initial German series, titled “Where’s Wanda?”, offers a boisterous spin on black comedy, revolving around a 17-year-old girl who vanishes, causing her parents to descend into despair. At first glance, this situation might not seem like something to find amusing. However, the allure of “Where’s Wanda?” lies in the ingenious handling of crime drama tropes by creator Oliver Lansley (known for his work on “Flack”). This series, which is well-versed in Missing White Woman Syndrome, demonstrates an impressive ability to blend disparate tones effectively.

In this series titled “Where’s Wanda?”, we find ourselves alongside Dedo and Carlotta Klatt, portrayed by Axel Stein and Heike Makatsch. This story unfolds several months after Wanda, played by Lea Drinda, disappears. As the police investigation falters, the Klatts become increasingly certain that they must take matters into their own hands to find her. A hint suggests she hasn’t strayed far, prompting the Klatts to devise a plan to monitor their neighbors. As they clumsily carry out this plan, a series of hilarious mishaps and unexpected revelations unrelated to Wanda’s whereabouts unfold. The narrative is punctuated by poignant, authentic scenes of premature grief. This series, much like Apple’s recent foreign-language productions, is a captivating gem (for instance, consider “La Maison”). Let’s hope for more compelling stories in the same vein. Another noteworthy subtitled production is Hulu’s “La Máquina”, which brings together Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna from “Y tu mamá también” in a crime-infused boxing drama.

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2024-10-30 23:06