Ballers Season 2
Ballers Season 2 is set to premiere on July 17th on HBO and HBO Canada. Directly continuing where we left off last season, we join the cast as they are set to grow their sports empire gunning for the number one spot!
After watching the first 5 episodes, I can safely say that its just as fun as the first season. This show is the perfect replacement to Entourage.
This season, Spencer Strasmore (Johnson) finds himself going head to head against his former financial advisor and business manager played by Andy Garcia, while at the same time trying to keep up with the growing needs of clientele. He has a constant pressure to grow business and as a continuation of last season we follow is journey into the depths of addiction to pain killers.
Unlike more of my other reviews and recommendations, this is one of those TV Series which is the equivalent of bubble gum. Its a fun half an hour. Sometimes you just needs some fun TV which may not be as epic as a Game of Thrones, or even The Night Of, but nevertheless still enjoyable.
Ballers Season 2 will premiere right after Episode 2 of The Night of at 10PM on HBO this Sunday.
HBO's The Leftovers Season 2
Premiering this Sunday October 4th on HBO at 9PM EST is the return of Damon Lindeloff and Tom Perrotta's The Leftovers, Season 2 and I have seen the first three episodes. The question is can it and will it deliver now that the Garvey crew has left their hometown and is supported by a whole new cast. The answer is YES!
What I do have to tell you is that the first three episodes fill in almost all the blanks from 3 different perspectives of the storyline, while all at the same time keeping the same tone we all love from Season 1. It still deals with how the world can move on without closure.
The premise (without spoilers) is The Garvey Family (Kevin and daughter Jill along with new girlfriend Carrie and baby X) want a fresh start so they move to a town called Jarden Texas (AKA Miracle, Texas) where there was actually no departures. So you would think this would give everyone a sense of peace and security. The town has a new church minister, Matt (from season 1) and a town that seems to be led by the fire department who's leader and family is the focal point of episode 1. They are all very protective and certainly not very welcoming of newbies.
This season is beautiful, engaging and still delvers everything that season 1 does!
To make it easy for you here is the map of the first three episodes which i believe makes for a great start:
Episode 1: Axis Mundi - Air Date: October 4th at 9pm
You are introduced to the town of Jarden Texas. A place where there were zero "incidence". Story centres around the Murphy Family and what a town looks like in the aftermath of a world with mystery disappearances and its role as a miracle town. Also, no mention of Season 1 and very limited appearances by any known characters. But, this is not a bad thing!
Episode 2: A Matter of Geography - Air Date: October 11th at 9pm
Story starts off where Season 1 ended. You get some answers. And it segues perfectly into the first episode, closing the loop. It might have been in the interest of HBO to air these episodes back to back. But a true fan can just wait. After all its only a week!
Episode 3: Off Ramp - Air Date: October 18th at 9pm
It all centres around Laurie Garvey and Tommy Garvey and closes the loop on their timeline from the moment they are seen driving off together in the season 1 finale. Hold tight because there is a big reveal here which only leaves me wanting more.
Now that you have seen all three, you are up to speed on all your favourite characters. Even Liv Tyler makes a surprising return along of Patti as seen by Kevin and only Kevin.
Steven Soderbergh's The Knick - REVIEW
The Knick
Airing next week on Cinemax and HBO Canada on Friday August 8th is Steven Soderbergh's The Knick. Already ordered for a second season, this series shows a lot of promise. I was fortunate enough to have already screened the first two episodes.
The series centres around Dr. John W. Thackery (played by Clive Owen), a genius surgeon at the turn of the century (1900) and the staff of New York's Knickerbocker Hospital. To put this into some context, the hospital just got electricity and almost everyone on the operating table dies.
This series is raw and gritty. The surgeries are very graphic, but everyone character has a very deep backstory and a personal struggle in a world that is corrupt and dark.
I don't want to give too much away, but Soderbergh's stylistic direction just works and this is definitely worth the watch!