Prime Time Players

Somehow I’ve fallen behind the times when it comes to watching television.

If you throw shows from Disney Jr., Nick Jr. and PBS at me, I think I’d pass the test with flying colors. I’ve also done a decent job of keeping up with shows on broadcast networks, thanks in major part to the advancement of the DVR being able to record multiple shows at the same time.

It’s rare I watch anything live these days--the NFL on Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights are notable exceptions. By the time we finish getting the kids down for their bedtimes, I’m ready to hit the sack myself. That’s the time I fire up my phone, put in the earbuds and watch my shows.

Where I haven’t done well is keeping up with shows on services like Netflix or on major pay channels like HBO. I admit I’m cheap, why pay for those when there is too much to watch on basic cable. I may be coming around, however.

While purchasing something for Melanie from Amazon early this year, I realized she had a Prime membership and with that came access to its programming.

Before I delve into my discoveries, let me state up front that I have no issues with all the warning banners that come before shows. Graphic language, graphic violence, sexual content and nudity aren’t deal breakers for me. I would prefer the nudity not be an Andy Sipowicz-type situation, however.

I’ve taken advantage to watch some movies, but for these purposes I’ll be dealing with Amazon Originals. The ones that follow are ones I’ve enjoyed immensely.

Being a huge Tom Clancy fan, I started with “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.” I raced through the first two seasons quickly. Season 3 was supposed to be out in August, so hopefully that will happen soon. John Krasinski puts away his comedic chops and brings the analyst-turned action hero to life playing opposite superb Wendell Pierce as James Greer, his gruff no-nonsense boss. They’ve battled terrorists across the globe, and I would expect the writing and action to be as stellar for Season 3.

Up next was the comedy “Alpha House,” which follows the escapades of four Republican senators. The ensemble piece stars John Goodman, Clark Johnson, Matt Malloy and Mark Consuelos, all living in Sen. Louis Laffer, Jr.’s (Malloy) house. The faux behind-the scenes look is funny from top to bottom, filled with an exceptional cast and talented guest stars, too many to number for even just two seasons. It first aired 2013-2014 and I found myself wishing for more.

Here where I buried the lede. Searching for more, I happened upon “Bosch,” which was a no-brainer as I was again a fan of author Michael Connelly and his detective. I watch police shows across the board and this may be the best one yet. It is absolutely is in the top three with “Hill Street Blues” and “NYPD Blue” (1993-2005).

What makes this show is that Connelly is involved with the production. He blends elements from his Bosch novels into episodes and seasons, giving the only-shot-in-L.A. show its realistic feel.

The ensemble cast is spectacular, perhaps one of the finest ever assembled. I can’t read a Bosch book now without seeing the face of Titus Welliver, who brings the eponymous character to the screen. Like Wendell Pierce in Jack Ryan, the show dipped into the talent pool of “The Wire” with Jamie Hector as Bosch’s smooth partner Jerry Edgar and Lance Reddick as the big boss Irvin Irving.  

The who’s-who in the squad room, among others, includes Amy Aquino (Lt. Grace Billets), DaJuan Johnson (Rondell Pierce), Gregory Scott Cummins (Crate), Troy Evans (Barrel) and Scott Klace (Sgt. John Mankiewicz). Madison Lintz shines as daughter Maddie Bosch, adding that needed family life for Bosch.  

Recurring characters and guest stars also impress, led by the portrayal of attorney Honey Chandler by Mimi Rogers, Jeri Ryan’s Veronica Allen stuns in multiple seasons, in addition to Sarah Clarke as Bosch’s ex-wife, Paul Calderon (Detective Santiago Robertson) and again too many more to list.

Murder, drugs and payback are just some of what’s on the docket and there are some common threads throughout the first six seasons, waiting to be all tied up heading into its seventh and final season. Season 6 dropped this year, so there's a wait for No. 7.

I was going to just write about Season 1 of “The Boys,” but I got carried away and watched the first four episodes of Season 2 as well. Now I have to wait for Fridays to see new installments.

It’s about good and evil at its core, but the character development is so exceptional, you want to cheer and hate all of them, sometimes simultaneously. The show is set in a world where superheroes are a commonplace fixture, the focus being on “The Seven,” working for Vought Corporation.

Again, the cast is outstanding from top to bottom, led by a star turn from Antony Starr as Homelander, head superhero. His is a powerful presence that can’t be turned away from.

We meet Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) in the show’s first few minutes and the events that transpire set the stage for the show. Along the way, Hughie joins forces with Karl Urban’s aptly named Billy Butcher, Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonzo) and Frenchy (Tomer Capon). The multi-layered caped crusaders include Starlight (Erin Moriarity), A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott), The Deep (Chace Crawford) and the mysterious Black Noir (Nathan Mitchell).

Being of a certain age it was great to see Elizabeth Shue, who’s always been a favorite, playing Vought Corporation’s Madelyn Stillwell.

I’m pretty good about figuring shows out, but the continued twists and turns have kept me delightfully off balance.