Television

THE MANDALORIAN SEASON 3

• By KENNE HOFFMAN
• Photo By Disney+

The bounty hunter known as The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) returns with Season Three. But more important (to many), this season brings the return of The Child, Grogu.

Last season’s finale left us with Djarin/Mando (Pascal) rescuing Grogu from the clutches of Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad), only to say goodbye as Luke Skywalker (CGI de-aged for timeline consistency, Mark Hamill) arrives to take and train the tiny “Force” to be reckoned with. In an emotional moment, Din Djarin removes his helmet (an act forbidden in Mandalorian custom) to say goodbye. Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni decided to reunite Mando and Grogu during a mini arc in Book of Boba Fett. Realizing Grogu was having a tough time training under Master Luke, Mando departs without seeing Grogu but leaves a gift of Beskar (Mandalorian) armor. Luke presented Grogu with a choice between the armor and Master Yoda’s old lightsaber. Choosing the armor would mean a return to his father and a life as a Mandalorian. If choosing the light saber, he would be trained as a Jedi, but would never see his father again. Fans and Disney’s marketing team rejoiced as Grogu chose the armor and returned to Mando’s arms.

We know there will be power struggles between Mandalorian groups and a battle for the laser sword. Now that Grogu’s memories have been unlocked, many fans are hoping for more details about how he escaped Order 66 at the Jedi Temple and what other mysteries are trapped in that tiny green head.

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Daisy Jones and The Six

• By Debbie Emery
• Photo Courtesy of Amazon Studios

The rock band at the core of the Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel, Daisy Jones and The Six, was so convincing that many readers thought it was a true story. While Reid says it was partly inspired by watching Fleetwood Mac performances while growing up, the book is purely fictional. 

The bestseller is now premiering on Amazon Prime as a star-studded miniseries, featuring Riley Keogh as the titular Daisy Jones and Sam Claflin as Billy Dunne – her bandmate, nemesis, and ultimately, her downfall. The story begins in the hedonistic late ‘60s as teenage Daisy roams the Sunset Strip clubs in the height of the “sex, drugs and rock n’ roll” era. Her singing talent gets her noticed by industry executives, but her stunning good looks and wild behavior also act as a distraction. Meanwhile, rock band The Six (led by front man Dunne) is also making waves on the L.A. music scene. A forward-thinking producer decides that combining the two talents will create meteoric success, which also comes with severe consequences as the new super group becomes one of the biggest bands of the ‘70s.

Daisy Jones and The Six co-stars Camilla Marrone (as Billy’s long-suffering wife), Suki Waterhouse, Tom Wright, Josh Whitehouse, Will Harrison and Timothy Olyphant. It premieres on March 3. 

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DEAR EDWARD

• By RICH ANDREW
• Photo Courtesy of APPLE TV+

Creator Jason Katims (As We See It) has adapted the best-selling novel by Ann Napolitano into a beautifully poignant series about loss. The story follows 12-year-old Edward Adler, the lone survivor of a devastating plane crash in which he loses his whole family. His incredible story soon goes viral with countless letters of support arriving at his doorstep, and Edward is thrust into the uncomfortable position of having all eyes on him when all he wants is to just disappear. He is left in the care of his aunt Lacey, who struggles to help Edward navigate their shared grief. So she joins a support group where she meets other people who are suffering through similarly unimaginable tragedies. The bonds that Lacey forms with each of them teach her not just how to survive but how to inspire Edward to truly live life. The titular role is played by a captivating young actor Colin O’Brien (Mr. Harrington’s Phone), who masterfully portrays the untethered emptiness that unexpectedly comes from losing a loved one.

With heart-wrenching performances by fellow cast mates Taylor Schilling (Pam & Tommy), Robin Tunney (The Fix), Carter Hudson (Snowfall), Amy Forsyth (The Gilded Age), Maxwell Jenkins (Lost In Space), Eva Ariel Binder (Stillwater), Khloe Bruno (Bunny and the Wood), and Connie Britton (Luckiest Girl Alive), Dear Edward promises a good cry.

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TRUTH BE TOLD

• By NINA SVENTITSKY
• Photo Courtesy of APPLE TV+

Do you love true crime, and did you get addicted to some of the crime podcasts during the pandemic? Truth Be Told might be for you; it combines good crime writing with a “how it gets done” framework that provides a different perspective from the typical cop procedural formula. Notable as well is the cast – mainly people of color and realistic for the location and storylines. 

This NAACP Image Award–winning drama stars Octavia Spencer (The Help), as a podcaster who risks everything—including her life—to pursue truth and justice.

Poppy peels away the layers of current and past crimes, unraveling the carefully crafted facades of her suspects. The series tackles interesting subjects with each season, from human traficking to guru worship. Woven into each season are well-written episodes and excellent character guest roles. Set in Oakland and with a cast of regulars (Merle Dandrige of Greenleaf, Ron Cephas Jones) and guest stars like Kate Hudson and Gabrielle Union, Truth Be Told pays homage to the city of Oakland and the magnificent panorama that is San Francisco. 

You don’t have to have seen Seasons 1 and 2, but why not? Season 3 opens with Poppy uncovering a rash of missing Black teens, whom she believes are being trafficked. Expect brilliant writing and acting from Spencer and the entire cast, while enjoying this love letter to the Bay Area. 

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