I keep saying that there’s so much TV I want to watch that I can’t keep up, but never has that been more true than this winter. Here’s a rundown of 15 new and returning shows that just kicked off in the last month or so. I have to be brief in my reviews of each, since I was only able to watch one or two episodes of most of them (No time, remember?).

Star Trek: Picard

Let’s start with the crown jewel, the show that I have been anticipating more than any other show since Game of Thrones. I am a huge fan of Star Trek, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard is one of my favourite characters. It was a no-brainer that a new series featuring Picard himself (and of course, starring the incredible Patrick Stewart in the role — no Young Picard prequels or anything silly like that) was going to be at the top of my list. Being a post-Discovery show, the production values are very high (there’s been some pretty thrilling action sequences), and the story is a more modern, multi-episode arc (with a lot of mystery thrown in). It’s still (after a couple of episodes) uncertain what the crux of the show will be about, but there is clearly a focus on artificial intelligence and synthetic humans (there was a little tease in the latest Star Trek Shorts episode). It’s great to see Picard as an even older and wiser man (no longer in Starfleet, but still getting involved in some pretty big issues that have carried over from his time as an admiral — and relating to the incidents that caused him to part ways with Starfleet). I can’t wait to see some cameos from the Next Generation cast, but it’s a relief that there is a substantial narrative going, and that the show’s not just an excuse for old actors to relive their former glory. This is definitely a different format from the past Star Trek shows, but it’s very exciting and I can’t wait to see what happens once Picard gets himself a ship!

The Expanse

Another space show returning to the streams is The Expanse. Season 3 ended with a game changer, turning the war between Earth, Mars, and the Belt, into a race to explore and seize new galaxies beyond the rings (also, the series was saved from cancellation by Amazon, so it’s now on Prime). I’ve only watched the first episode, but it’s exciting to see our friends, the Rocinante crew, sent to visit one of the new colonies on a brand new planet (ironically, there’s something a little Star Trek about that). Of course it wouldn’t be true to itself if the show didn’t also mix in some interplanetary politics to add a more realistic (or pessimistic) view of what would happen if humans started to spread out into new galaxies. I’m sure that some conflict is bound to occur, and the always-impressive Shohreh Aghdashloo is still at the centre of it as Earth leader Chrisjen Avasarala. Looking forward to new adventures, new aliens, and new conflicts for the rest of the season.

Lost In Space

The Robinson family are still lost, having been separated from the rest of the refugees/colonists at the end of the second season. After spending months surviving on a new planet, they discover some mysteries about their new home, but they barely have time to dig deeper before they are reunited with the fleet (that’s as far as I’ve gotten so far). Though it’s full of thrilling space-survival and new frontier challenges, the heart of this show is its family of characters. The cunning Dr. Smith is still with them, so there’s always a danger of her manipulations and schemes causing trouble. Plus, youngest son Will is still on a quest to reunite with his beloved robot (so we know that’s always going to get in the way). I enjoy this show, and it’s really well-made, but I can only take so much of it in one run (since I get bothered by people in heightened situations, like travelling and surviving in space, continually getting caught up in their own petty problems. Would you really run off into an unknown, alien forest just because your parents might seem to prefer your siblings over you? Crazy!)

Doctor Who

Twelfth doctor is back. I am not the biggest fan of Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor as I find her a bit ditzy and silly, but it’s still a fun show. I am also not a huge fan of the historical trips of last season, which seemed aimed at teaching viewers some politically-correct lessons about the past. I prefer my sci-fi to be more alien, or at least a bit more metaphorical. This latest series opened with a bang as a two-parter brought a bit of 007-style spy-fi (with a big twist in the middle as well). I enjoyed the series-opener, even though I kind of wish the show would stop bringing back old enemies. I’m also a little tired of how the Doctor’s companions all seem like ordinary, average folk until they suddenly become fully confident and capable of doing extraordinary things (in this case, spy things). Nevertheless, this show has some of the freshest sci-fi on TV and so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a good series with lots of fun surprises.

Avenue 5

The final space show on my list is a new sci-fi comedy from HBO set on an interplanetary cruise ship. Hugh Laurie is the captain of the ship which goes off course because of some technical difficulties, resulting in a much longer return trip than planned. The many passengers and crew end up sort of stranded together and quickly get in each others’ faces as tensions skyrocket. Though it’s filled with a number of decent actors, they play very petty characters that are quickly (after two episodes) getting on my nerves. Josh Gad (who was so adorable as the snowman Olaf in Frozen) plays a petulant rich guy who owns the cruise ship and bossess people around — so annoying. This is one of those ensemble sitcoms full of horribly flawed characters and I don’t like them, despite the sci-fi premise.

October Faction

I’m not quite sure what to make of this new Netflix show. It seems to be about a married couple who are returning with their teenage son and daughter to the mansion of the husband’s family for the occasion of his father’s funeral. The couple are also some kind of agents working for a clandestine organization (which appears to be a family legacy) that tracks and hunts monstrous vampire-like creatures who hide among the human population. While the X-Files-esque premise is interesting (if a bit cliche), the first episode seems more about the characters and their family issues. The monster-hunting secret-identity thing is treated very casually and very little about that side of the story is explained. As a character drama, this is not the kind of show that interests me, so I really hope that they quickly get into all the supernatural creepy stuff. This show is based on a graphic novel, so I hope that means that there is more potential for creativity and fun as the story goes on.

Treadstone

Another show with potential that has not been quite realized in the first episode is the new Amazon show Treadstone. Remember in the Bourne trilogy (and its misguided sequels), how Jason Bourne and his fellow sleeper assassins were created by an organization/cabal called Treadstone? Remember how the agents were all being activated? Well, this series takes a wider lens to the Bourne story and shows us what is happening to those other sleeper agents around the world as they wake. As much as I loved the Bourne trilogy, the movies didn’t explore much of the world beyond the central story. Now that this show is going there, it needs to work hard at making me care about these other would-be assassins in the same way that we got to know Bourne. In the first episode, we follow a few of these agents (including an Asian woman, an American man, and a European man) as they are triggered by the old children’s tune “Frere Jacques” and are immediately capable of crazy physical feats, including the kinetic, bone-crunching fighting style that was Bourne’s trademark. There’s definitely some good action scenes so far, and there is an overarching mystery around who is using these sleepers. As I suggested, I still not developed much affinity for the characters, so we’ll need to get a bit closer to them before I can care about what happens.

The Outsider

Originally I had no intention of watching this new HBO show because it seemed to be like so many prior shows about a horrible crime (child murder) that happens in a small town and how the investigation turns the town upside-down. Jason Bateman (of Arrested Development fame) plays the little league coach and suspected killer. Bateman is well-cast because he’s got that nice guy look, but can easily pull off some darkness below the surface. Ben Mendelsohn plays the detective investigating the gruesome murder. He thinks he has an easy case because he’s got witnesses and video surveillance that put Bateman’s character, Terry Maitland, all over the crime. However, things mysteriously start to unravel as Maitland’s alibi checks out irrefutably, and a more sinister cloud starts to form over the case. I have only watched the first episode, but I was surprisingly gripped by it (and there are a few creepy AF scenes that will just grab you) and now I need to keep watching to find out what is really been happening. (Y’know, this would have made a much better return-to-glory series for director M. Night Shyamalan than the tediously ungripping Servant on Apple TV+. Too bad he’s not involved.)

Dracula

If you’re like me, you’re probably rolling your eyes at another retelling of the Dracula story. This one’s from the creators of BBC’s amazing Sherlock, which not only launched stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman into the stratosphere a decade ago, it probably also faced the same kind of cynical eye-rolls by being another reboot of a Victorian literary icon. I was floored by Sherlock and loved it, and I confess that after only watching one episode, I am stunned by how impressed I am by Dracula. Like Sherlock, the excellent writing is the secret sauce (though the filming and direction are also quite excellent). The show seems to ring true to Bram Stoker’s original novel (as far as I know), though it takes liberties with the plot. The story begins with protagonist Jonathan Harker, who was hired as a lawyer for the Transylvanian count, after he has escaped from Dracula and seeks refuge in a convent. He is being interviewed by the brutally inquisitive Sister Agatha about his experiences with Dracula, and he recounts the horror story. There are only three episodes to this mini-series (and I don’t know if there will be more) but I am very eager to watch the rest of the episodes since the first one had me on the edge of my seat.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Returning for its third “part,” this fun, hellspawn show ended last season with a huge blowout where Lucifer was revealed and imprisoned, Sabrina the teenage witch came into her mega-powers and her boyfriend was taken to Hell. This season, she and her teenage posse head literally into Hell to try to bring him back. Rather than being a set in a decrepit New England town and high school, we’ve upped the ante on fantasical hellscapes and supernatural/demonic beings (including Caliban the prince of Hell, who challenges Sabrina for the throne). We’ve traded Archie Comics for Paradise Lost. But all that happens in the first episode. Apparently in the second episode Sabrina wants to try out for cheerleading (no kidding!) so it’s anyone’s guess where this wacky show is going to take us next. I have enjoyed the first two seasons of this delightfully creepy series, and I hope that the third season will bring more ghoulish, Halloweeny fun.

The Ranch

Down to the more earth-bound comedies, Netflix’s longest-running comedy returns for its final season (and amazingly I have already binge-watched the whole thing!). Ashton Kutcher stars as Colt Bennett, a former football player who returned to his family’s Colorado ranch to find himself again in the cattle ranching business. The series focuses on the Bennett family and the ups and downs of their tough lives, all dealt with a healthy dose of cynical humour. The previous season ended quite darkly with the murder of a villainous side-character, Nick, who also happened to be the drug pusher and ex-husband to one of the other characters on the show. Nick had caused the death of Colt’s brother (played by Danny Masterson before he was fired from the show). The season covers a lot of ground with the murder investigation and illness in Colt’s herd hanging over the events of the season. During an accident while trying to mend a fence in a winter storm, Colt even has an epiphany about his life and choices. One of the things about this show is that while it has some light redneck humour, it also goes to some pretty heavy emotional places. I enjoyed the whole series, and thought that they ended it pretty well.

Grace and Frankie

I don’t know what it is with Netflix and unexpectedly enjoyable sitcoms, but Grace and Frankie is another one that I never thought I’d be into, but I have already binge-watched the latest 13-episode season. The show stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as the titular odd couple of old gals who became best friends after their husbands left them to marry each other. Both of the superstar actresses completely inhabit their characters and the dynamic is excellent. To a lesser degree, I am also interested in the lives of the rest of their families, including husbands, sons, and daughters. This season, Grace has gotten married to a billionaire (played by Peter Gallagher), so that strains and tests her relationship with Frankie. Also, they decide to pursue a new business venture (a self-rising toilet to help people get up if they are physically-challenged). For a couple of broads in their 80s, Grace and Frankie have a lot of energy and wit, plus the back-and-forth dialogue is a hoot (especially Frankie’s wackiness). This show is pretty easy to watch and to enjoy. You’ll binge through 13 episodes in no time.

Schitt’s Creek

The Rose family is back, and everyone is moving forward in their lives. In particular, Patrick and David’s wedding is something that I’m sure will play a big role in the show’s final season. Stevie is looking for a life outside of the motel, Johnny Rose is planning to expand the business by acquiring more motels, and Moira’s Crows movie is finally going to see the light of day. Alexis is planning to visit her boyfriend Ted in the Galapagos (but plot seems totally contrived) but conveniently books the wrong flight so she will remain in town for a while (and can now attend David’s wedding. Hurray!) Plots are a little silly but at least the characters are charming in their way (except Moira, who I still can’t stand).

Kim’s Convenience

The Kims are also back, as their lives go on as well. Parents continue to run the convenience store, eldest son Jung continues to work at the car rental agency, and daughter Janet continues to pursue her art school education and career (plus she deals with a love triangle situation for a bit). They have the occasional family interactions and mishaps, which are always warm and humourous. This show does a great job at making normal life feel cute and charming, and I’m always happy to see Asian representation on TV.

Little America

Last but not least, Apple TV+ has introduced a heart-warming new anthology show that dramatizes the stories of immigrants/minorities in the US. The first episode features an Indian boy whose parents run a motel, but abandon him when they are sent back to India due to their loss of status in the US. The story is a little heartbreaking as the son works very hard to keep the motel running and compete in a spelling bee to eventually meet first lady Barbara Bush to seek her aid in bringing his parents back. The second episode features a young daughter of a Hispanic maid who joins an urban squash league that helps her to excel and find her passion. I enjoyed both episodes and look forward to watching the rest. It’s great to see these kinds of stories on the screen, since we normally don’t see them very much. It’s not just about being “woke” but about expanding our perspectives in a easy, gentle way. As the son of immigrants myself, I am all for diversity in representation and storytelling as much as possible.

Phew! That’s my list for January. I’m glad you made it all the way through. There is much fresh and excellent TV to enjoy, and so much more to come in February that I’m going to keep complaining about not finding the time to view it all. First-world problems, eh?