Yesterday, I published first impressions on the first episodes from 3 new shows. Here’s a look at 2 more recent premieres, plus a followup to the Fear Street trilogy.

Wellington Paranormal This mockumentary comes from the creative duo Taika Waititi & Jermaine Clement, who also produced the movie and TV series What We Do in the Shadows (my reviews of the TV show and the movie). This follows a team of essentially clueless cops as they investigate supernatural phenomenon like demonic possession, werewolves and UFOs. The humor comes for their deadpan delivery and clueless reactions to the absurd situations. The underplayed style is sometimes amusing, while at other times just silly. (BTW, What We Do returns for it’s 3^rd season on FX on 9/2) (3 / 5)
The CW link
HBO Max link

Fear Street Part Two: 1978 and Fear Street Part Three: 1666 The first installment in the trilogy was mildly promising with a murderous maniac and some classic kills (my review). There were also reference to the town’s curse, which plays an even bigger part in the remaining 2 movies in the trilogy. 1978 takes place at a summer camp (another genre tradition) where an axe-welding murdered takes a bloody toll. However, it’s necessary to sit thru too much personal drama and witchcraft discussion before the brutal payoff. 1666 harkens back to the origin story in a small, superstitious Colonial village. The central character’s accusations of witchery get most of the focus. There are virtually no juicy thrills and just a bunch of unsuspenseful running around. There’s also a flash forward to the earlier movies for some conclusion. With each installment, this trilogy generates less suspense or interest. (1.5 / 5)
Netflix link for 1978
Netflix link for 1666

The Beast Must Die When a woman’s child is killed by a hit-and-run, she moves to the small town to find the guilty driver. Like many British series, this one takes its time developing and Episode 1 wasn’t much more than an introduction of the characters and situations. Of course, the performances are effective, but it remains to be seen whether there’s enough revelation in the plot and tension in the search to produce a powerful experience. (2.5 / 5)
Link to AMC