Streaming on Hulu and Disney+

The fifth and final season of The Bear started streaming this week, and it picks up right where Season 4 ended. Literally, the morning after Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Sugar (Abby Elliott) discover that Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) has quit and left them the restaurant. With no money and the threat of a sale, the new partners must come together with the rest of the beloved team to deliver one last amazing service in hopes of finally earning a coveted Michelin star. 

I still believe Seasons 1 and 2 of The Bear were the show at its peak, and somewhere along the way, it lost that spark that made it so amazing. This season has great moments, but it feels like a bit of a crawl to the finish. However, one thing remains certain with this final season: I love these characters and their chaotic lives.

Streaming on Hulu and Disney+

Not Suitable for Work has been my favorite new comedy! Created by Mindy Kaling, the series follows five work-obsessed twentysomethings as they all strive to meet their goals and achieve their dreams in various careers. However, while building your career can be hard, everyone soon finds out that personal happiness is equally as challenging, especially when you’re trying to "have it all" in NYC. This show has filled the New Girl, Friends, and Living Single-shaped hole in my heart. 

I love the dynamics of these characters so much, and they hinge on the great group of actors: Ella Hunt, Avantika, Jack Martin, Will Angus, and Nicholas Duvernay. They are so great together on screen (and their off-screen dynamic is just as fun). I love them all together so much, I wish there were even more scenes of all five of them together. Every episode is now streaming, so please go binge-watch it so I can get a Season 2. Okay, great, thanks!

Streaming on HBO Max; new episodes every Sunday

When House of the Dragon returns, we are put right in the middle of a war as doom and ruin surround everyone and everything as the Battle of the Gullet approaches. With Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) on a path to restore her rightful place on the throne, Ormund Hightower (James Norton), the cousin of Alicent (Olivia Cooke), arrives in Westeros ready to fight Rhaenyra and her followers, and "restore the rightful king." While last season was largely set up, this season finally puts viewers in the middle of a battle that will prove costly and deadly for both sides.

The Season 3 premiere is a banger. It’s honestly a shame it wasn’t the Season 2 finale. Everyone gives standout performances. In particular, if I need to erect an Emmy statue for D’Arcy myself, I will. They are so incredible as Rhaenyra. It’s actually unbelievable. It’s an honor to watch them in this show. I’m excited to see everything this season accomplishes before the final season.

In theaters Friday

Supergirl follows Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), who is totally different from her cousin Superman (David Corenswet). As she celebrates her 23rd birthday, Supergirl soon finds herself traveling across the galaxy with Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley), who recruits Supergirl for a quest for revenge. Soon, Supergirl finds herself also trying to save the most important thing in the universe to her: her dog, Krypto. 

Alcock is the star of this movie, no surprise. She is so good as Kara, so it’s a shame that she didn’t get the rock-solid script that she clearly deserved. I mean, she was so great in less than five minutes of screen time in Superman. I loved parts of this one, but there were other things I wish were better. Overall, I really, REALLY hope we see more of Alcock as Kara/Supergirl. She’s one of the best cast decisions in this new era of DC movies, and I’m saying that as someone who worships Melissa Benoist’s Supergirl.

Streaming on Netflix

The second season of this live-action adaptation continues Aang's (Gordon Cormier) journey to master all four elements in hopes of restoring balance to the world after the Fire Nation's invasion. This season picks up after a bittersweet victory, saving the Northern Water Tribe from the Fire Nation. Now, Aang, Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian Ousley) regroup and set off on a new mission, which leads them to the elusive Earth King. Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 sees the introduction of Toph (Miyako) from the animated series, too. 

Listen, I have a lot of thoughts on live-action remakes of beloved animated shows and movies (animation is a beautiful medium that deserves more recognition), but I will say that Season 2 of this live-action series was better than Season 1, IMO. I would still rather watch the OG show, but this cast is a lot of fun and clearly loves the story and the characters.

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We’re in an age where everything is seemingly getting a live-action reboot (and I could give a TED Talk on my feelings about it), but how about we start turning live-action movies and shows into ANIMATED SHOWS AND MOVIES?! I think that would be so great. Like, instead of more live-action shows and movies set in The Lord of the Rings world, I think an animated series would be so cool and go hand in hand with the 1978 animated film. There’s so much you can do with animation that would add even more magic to these fantasy epics. An adult animated series adaptation of Mad Max: Fury Road or any story from that world would also be so cool! I think about how stunningly beautiful shows like Arcane, She-Ra, and The Legend of Vox Machina are, and I think we need to make even more animated shows and movies.