Two new series on Amazon Prime Video revolve around mostly-female casts and take place (at least partially) in the past. A League of Their Own is the obvious follow-up to the movie, while Paper Girls brings the comic books to life.

A League of Their Own Abbi Jacobson co-created and stars in this series that expands on Penny Marshall’s movie. There’s a new group who travels to Illinois to join one of the first women’s teams. This includes a Black woman who lives there and must overcome racial discrimation to even get a chance. Meanwhile, the others run up against stereotypes of femininity that the owner’s require, There are several lesbian subplots (according to research this was common in the league). While there’s a variety of interesting character types, their personalities seldom have much to make them memorable. The story spends a lot of time on their frustrations and setbacks, but the dialogue and direction keep it peppy. (From the final episode, it’s clear that there will be a 2nd season.) (4 / 5)
Amazon Prime Video link

Paper Girls This feels like a combo of Stranger Things and Yellowjackets. It starts in the 80s and features pubescent girls on bikes with walkies (Stranger Things) and also travels between alternating time periods to show them at both ages (Yellowjackets). The girls start delivering papers and get swept up into a capsule that drops them into 2019. From there, time travel from several eras creates the show’s conflicts. While there are some cool visuals and the concept is promising, there’s LOTS of pre-teen angst and personal dialogue. This might appeal to an audience of their peers, but the characters and their individual stories aren’t interesting enough to merit waiting for the sci-fi angle. (Review based on all eight 30-45 minute eps.) (2 / 5)
Amazon Prime Video link