Elphie: A Wicked Childhood is a novel by Gregory Maguire that explores the themes of Elphaba Thropp's upbringing. However, the novel lacks a clear focus and also lacks clear exploration of Elphaba’s lived experiences and how this influence her later on in life. The novel's short chapters and repetitive sentences make it difficult to engage with Elphaba's childhood story, and it could have been better spent focusing on her relationships within and outside her small family. 

 Running Point does everything right, a great cast, writing team and a plot that combines for an enjoyable watch. The sibling relationships and banter is a great part of the series with each of them having their own chaos and unique comedy stylings. It is fun and an easy watch but highly entertaining.

Small Town, Big Story is daft and quirky and when it goes into the harsher humour from the people of Drumbán, it works great. Christina Hendricks and Paddy Considine carry the many elements of the show and the different genres perfectly while having an immense chemistry in their few shared scenes. It’s a fun watch with some crazy turns like alien abduction but has many normal dramas like affairs that ground it in some reality which helps the humour grow. It can get lost in the two plots and they never run cohesively together, making the show weighed down by its own excessiveness but entertaining enough to watch.

At times, A Thousand Blows can have a lot going on, but the quick pace of the series makes it an enjoyable watch. The characters and performances are the strongest point of the series, especially when the pacing starts to drop off. The show's captivating storyline is a testament to Knight's ability to weave together characters' stories. However, Knight's focus on each character's plot may have been unsure, with the first episode's affluent side falling short and the rushed romantic plot between Esme and Alec.

 Thailand has a beautiful background for the third season of The White Lotus gives a look at the spirituality or lack of it for the new guests with a familiar formula that curates a great balance of character driven story while slowly building to the season's mystery. The vast new cast give enough to keep you hooked and manage to fill the Jennifer Coolidge shaped hole, but it is Amy Lou Wood and Parker Posey who keep the season afloat and interesting.

Clean Slate is an easy watch with its light-hearted and accepting undertone mixed with the over-dramatic antics of the residents of Mobile, Alabama. Laverne Cox perfectly carries the glamours and over the top Desiree with extravagant moments of exaggerated comedy that fit her and the plot well, but the best moments come from Laverne Cox and George Wallace who, by contrast, is much more grounded and grumpier. It’s a classic combination that works well for comedy duos but updated with themes of self-discovery and change that make Clean Slate an easy comforting watch. The only thing letting the series down is the short eight episode count and twenty-minute runtime, more episodes would allow for the comedy to thrive more and make the series more memorable.

Paradise tries to capture the cost of one’s choices, as well as the age-old question of what it good for humanity, but as it tries to juggle a lot of plots and some flashbacks that feel unnecessary, it struggles to find its identity. There are times when the show shines for its emotional performances, but these characters are lost in the bigger picture of Xavier Collins and his own goals.

Prime Target is an interesting, action-packed thriller with a focus on maths. Normally that would be a hard sell but with high-stakes and the threat of global catastrophe, it is packed with adventure and twists that will grip the audience as each revelation brings more paranoia. There are many bold choices made and carried by a stellar cast, notably Leo Woodall and Quintessa Swindell. Together they push through obstacles to uncover the truth and stop forces from using their discoveries for harm. There’s a deeper meaning explored with how foreign entities work together to keep control with an exploration on the morality of dangerous discoveries.

As a police drama, On Call utilises technical aspects to ensure that it stands apart from other titles in the genre and uses creative camera work to make you feel the weight of every action and decision made by the characters. The short episode runtime makes for a well-paced and action driven series led by Troian Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente. They work great together and there’s a balance to their characters that offers new perspectives every episode as Diaz learns what it's like to be a cop, to navigate gangs and to keep to your morals led and tutored by Harmon who has her own burdens.

American Primeval is visually appealing but has too many storylines simultaneously. The convoluted storylines could have offered rich, complex stories with a visually beautiful backdrop, with excellent performance across the board, but American Primeval’s focus lacks the depth in comparison to the rest of the ensemble.