Television

Channel Surfing: Awesome TV picks for the week of 01/11/2021

Matt Groening’s animated fantasy series and a pair of superhero shows.

January 11, 2021

It’s a great week in television with a hilarious animated comedy and a pair of superhero shows as our Channel Surfing TV picks. Bean, Elfo, and Luci get into more fantasy foolishness in Disenchantment part three. We gain a peek at superhero married life with one of Marvel’s power couples in WandaVision. Then we see if Ryan Wilder can fill those big shoes of her predecessor in Batwoman.

Born to be Wild

Matt Groening has tackled the classic American family sitcom with The Simpsons and then tried his hand in science fiction with Futurama. His most recent project, Disenchantment, is the creator’s foray into fantasy, and unlike the other two shows, takes a more episodic approach to storytelling. The series returns this Friday, January 15, on Netflix for part three.

In the new episodes, Bean continues to familiarize herself with her powers and to follow her destiny. However, there are people within Dreamland that are plotting against her so she and her friends, Elfo and Luci, head out to find new worlds such as a steampunk society that relies on science. Expect more adventures and comedy in the second season.

Sitcoms Through the Ages

The Marvel Studios television era begins with the highly anticipated WandaVision. Unlike its predecessors, the series will have a more direct link to the MCU as a whole. Fans can expect a mash-up of classic sitcoms with the large-scale Marvel action the media franchise is known for.

Superheroes, Wanda Maximoff and Vision, find themselves living a picturesque suburban life but soon suspect that their current perfect existence may not be as it seems. The show takes place shortly after Avengers: Endgame where the two leads are now married just trying to be normal and keeping their powers a secret from their new friends and neighbors.

WandaVision debuts on Disney+ this Friday, January 15.

A New Hero Takes on the Mantle

Last May, the star of Batwoman, Ruby Rose, announced she would be leaving the show after its first season. Rather than recast Kate Kane, executive producer, Caroline Dries, decided to introduce a new character that assumes the role of the titular heroine: Ryan Wilder (Javicia Leslie).

In the upcoming season, Batwoman goes missing and Gotham copes with the absence of their beloved protector. Meanwhile, Wilder somehow discovers the costume and realizes the importance of its symbolism to the city. She puts on the suit and sets off on a personal journey to not be a mere substitute but become her own version of the hero.

Season two of Batwoman begins Sunday, January 17, on the CW.