Welcome to Streaming Rewind, a weekly breakdown of the new and noteworthy as we work to help readers wade through the absolute deluge of television series and movies in the streaming space. Check out our last entry.
It’s been a wonderful week in streaming as shows like Agatha All Along, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and The Penguin pull out all the stops in their ongoing seasons. There are battles, witchery and skullduggery abound! Alongside all of that has been a whole host of trailers, including an emotional look at HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 and a laugh-filled glimpse at the second season of Apple TV+’s Shrinking — which just happens to be one of my favorite shows on television.
The Last of Us Returns (Eventually)
We’re not getting The Last of Us Season 2 until sometime in 2025 but, given that it’s already Fall, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie’s (Bella Ramsey) return is closer than you think. The trailer is somber and emotional — fitting, given the tone of the second game that will inspire the majority of Season 2 — and gives us plenty of glimpses at new characters. Don’t take my word for it though, check it out here.
I Still Refuse To Believe That’s Wiccan
I have written a whole lot of words about why I still just don’t believe that Agatha All Along’s Teen is a grown-up Billy Maximoff. Wiccan — his comic book alter ego — and the Teen share a ton in common, sure, but I’m too far down the MCU theory rabbit hole at this point. This week’s episode showed us Agatha almost subconsciously protecting the Teen from drinking the wine. Why would she do that to a boy whose dog she killed in WandaVision?
I’m not buying it, y’all. That young man is either Nicholas Scratch — Agatha’s own son who spells all sorts of trouble for the Fantastic Four — or someone else entirely.
Why You Should Be Watching The Penguin
The Penguin is back for Episode 2 this week (take a note – it’s moving to Sunday nights now), and it’s well worth watching. The series is a breath of fresh air in a year that’s been relatively starved for new DC content. Colin Farrell is excellent as ambitious mob underboss Oswald Cobblepot Oz Cobb, but even he’s outshone by Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. This is quickly starting to feel like Sofia’s show more than Oz’s, which becomes a lot more apparent in the sophomore episode. Expect to learn much more about Sofia’s tragic past and what fuels her in the aftermath of her father and brother’s deaths. But whoever the real protagonist is here, The Penguin is quickly developing into a worthy spinoff of The Batman and a welcome continuation of Matt Reeves’ gritty DC Universe. — Jesse Schedeen
The Siege of Eregion Is In Full Swing
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is nearing its Season 2 finale, and the Battle of Eregion has kicked into full gear. Best friends have been betrayed, we’ve seen fingers lopped off, and it seems that the wall of the city of the great smiths has been breached. We have hit the hopeless stage that comes before all of the wonderful earnestness that The Lord of the Rings franchise has become known for, and all signs point to next week’s final episode of Season 2 being a real banger.
What to Watch This Weekend
Inside Out 2 – Disney+ (Sept. 25)
The Old Man Season 2 – Hulu (dropping weekly, Episode 4 is this week)
Wolfs – Apple TV+ (Sept. 27)
Will & Harper – Netflix (Sept. 27)
FROM Season 3 – MGM+ (Sept. 29)
Debuts from last week:
Challengers – Hit Prime Video last week after being on MGM+
I Saw the TV Glow – Max
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story – Netflix
Twilight of the Gods – Netflix
