๐ i want something else to get me through this โ s3e5
this is...
/หfoอofษหrรด/
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a great deal of fuss or attention given to a minor matter
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The Media Guide - a weekly report out of all the new tv, albums, comics, and movies worth checking out
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Weekend Edition - a weekly zine featuring contributions of criticism, essays, webcomics, fiction, art, and more
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Review of Links - a twice weekly analysis and commentary of the news across tv, albums, comics, and moviesย for paid [+] subscribers
Published by The Independent Variable
Hello there friends.
Experimenting a bit with in issue with some design stuff and two new mini-sections. A key (to me at least) of this newsletter is keeping it quick and skimmable. But I think there's more value that I can provide throughout, given I have the time. If you have a preference in terms of more thoughts vs less, let me know. Hopefully we can eventually find a good middle-ground.
Introducing some mini-reviews of shows that are ~3 episodes in this week. I leave a lot of stuff on the schedule that doesn't always deserve a spot, so I want a regular check-in to go over how I'm feeling about some of those shows and whether they are truly worth checking out if you've been holding off.
Mini-reviews
True Detective: Night Country
This is a masterpiece. One of the few shows airing right now that is actually worth talking about. I skipped season 2 after one episode and begrudingly watched season 3, but this is on another level. A true equal to the first season.
Masters of the Air
3 episodes in and this is more of a mess than anything. Austin Butler is set-up to be the main character, but there is no meat on the bones. He's just boring. I find some of the airborne war stuff interesting, but there is just so much lacking in this show. I'll probably stick with it, but I can't recommend it at this point.
Feud: Capote vs the Swans
Another show that's mostly a mess. The first epiosde was a disaster as it failed to introduce and establish most of the characters in any meaningful way. The second improved slightly with the exception of a scene between Capote and his dead mother that felt like it dragged on for an eternity.
New Shows
Nothing to call attention to here. If you are a [๐บ] Abbott Elementary S3 or [๐บ] Halo S2 watcher, those return this week on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
The Schedule
Days based on streaming availability for the majority of people
Tuesday
Criminal Record (Apple) 1:6
Death and Other Details (Hulu) 1:5
Thursday
Feud (Hulu/FX) 2:3
Friday
Hazbin Hotel (Amazon) 1:9-10
The Woman in the Wall (Showtime) 1:4
Masters of the Air (Apple) 1:4
Genius (National Geographic/Hulu) 4:3-4
Sunday
Monsieur Spade (AMC) 1:4
True Detective (HBO) 4:4
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) 12:2
Release of the Week
[๐ฝ] Prelude to Ecstasy โ The Last Dinner Party
Another pick that felt a little unexpected for me. I had heard Nothing Matters, somewhere, somehow, before, but it was Caesar on a TV Screen that really caught my ear. It's pop, yes, but it also feels like something out of the 80's that helps set it apart from a lot of the more boring stuff nowadays.
Other Releases
Runner-Ups
[๐ฝ] The Three Times by Flight Mode
Some midwest emo that would've truly grabbed me if I were back in high school.
[๐ฝ] Peacemaker by Vera Sola
Some soulful, jazzy, r&b singing. This will never be on repeat for me, but I enjoyed the listen through.
[๐ฝ] Patchwork by Shannen James
[๐ฝ] The Interrogator by The Paranoid Style
[๐ฝ] Art for Our Sake by Reconciler
[๐ฝ] Mere Survival by Joe Wong
Bits and Bobs
[๐ถ] Sick Llike a Kid (EP) by underlay
New Image book from Ram V and Thundercats from Declan Shelvey. Pretty exciting stuff. Tough to follow up the mega IP launch of Energon with Thundercats, but hopefully they can deliver.
No. 1s
The One Hand (Image) #1
Thundercats (Dynamite) #1
If you are not reading the first three comics below, you are truly missing out.
the best
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (IDW) #3
Pine and Merrimac (Boom) #2
Kaya (Image) #15
The Cull (Image) #5
Once Upon a Time at the End of the World (Image) #12
Gone (DSTLRY) #2
the rest
Batman (DC) #142
X-Men (Marvel) #31
Fantastic Four (Marvel) #17
Poison Ivy (DC) #19
[๐ฅ] Lisa Frankenstein
The directorial debut from Zelda Williams (daughter of Robin Williams) with a script from Diablo Cody (Jennifer's Body, Juno, and more). This feels like it could be a fun blend of Warm Bodies (which was super underrated) and Jennifer's Body.
I keep tinkering with the idea of having a news section in this newsletter. Something akin to Feed Me or The Trend Report, but obviously around media and entertainment. I didn't put much time into saving links during the week so this is a preview of what that could look like... it feels too long. Maybe it'd be better as a mid-week issue rather than jamming in here...
๐ 2024 Grammy Winners โ NY Times
Taylor Swift won the album of the year with one of her worst albums, Killer Mike won three and got arrested. Quite the eventful night.
๐ญ Alana Haim, Teyana Taylor, and Junglepussy to Star in New Paul Thomas Anderson Film โ Pitchfork
This in addition to Leo DiCaprio.
๐ค Schoolboy Q Announces New Album Blue Lips โ Pitchfork
I've got a love/hate relationship with Q.
๐งธ Dead & Company Announce Las Vegas Sphere Residency โ Pitchfork
Seems like a perfect pairing and way to wind down the band.
๐ป NTS announces new baile funk compilation funk.BR - Sรฃo Paulo The Fader
NTS is one of those things so many people like, but I've never been able to get into...
๐ช Lana Del Rey says her country album Lasso is due later this year โ The Fader
Curious how her sound will translate to a more country vibe.
That's a wrap!
Stay sane,
โhumdrum