This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the work being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Our Channel Surfing TV picks of the week include a baby tree, a giant flying turtle, and a dark adult fairy tale. The Guardians of the Galaxy’s troublemaking twig sets out on more adventures in the new season of I Am Groot. Japan has another reptilian kaiju protecter in Gamera -Rebirth-. Finally, a man goes out on a fantastical quest to find his wife in The Changeling.
Adorable Space Adventures
Though he’s all grown up now and back to being the muscle of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Groot in his baby form still has a soft spot in our hearts. Luckily for us, we can revisit the younger version in his very own animated series.
In season two of I Am Groot, the little guy gets into all sorts of mischief while on the Guardians’ spaceship and elsewhere. He will encounter new environments like a winter wonderland and meet exciting creatures and characters. From the looks of the trailer, he might even cross paths with the Watcher.
Five new shorts of I Am Groot will drop Wednesday, September 6, on Disney+.
Coming of Age During a Monster Attack
Though Godzilla is the top draw when it comes to kaiju, there is also a lot of love for Gamera. The giant, flying, fire-breathing turtle is following a similar path by being the focus of its own modern media franchise. That begins with the upcoming anime, Gamera -Rebirth-.
The story is told from the perspective of four young kids in Tokyo during the summer of 1989. Their city is threatened by five different man-eating monsters and their only hope is Gamera. The kaiju must overcome stacked odds if it wants to save the day.
Stream the entire first season of Gamera -Rebirth- beginning Thursday, September 7, on Netflix.
An NYC Fantasy
The Changeling is an adaptation of the fantasy horror novel of the same name from writer Victor LaValle. It is about a man named Apollo Kagwa who recently becomes a father. He wants to be committed and loving towards his son, something his dad never was. When his wife Emma unexplainably disappears into thin air, Apollo embarks on a journey across a magical world to find his missing love and mother to his child.
The series stars LaKeith Stanfield in the lead role alongside Clark Backo, Adina Porter, and Samuel T. Herring. It is created by Kelly Marcel, who also serves as the showrunner. Marcel and Stanfield are executive producers with Melina Matsoukas, David Knoller, Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, Patrick Chu, Ali Krug, and David Wolkis.
The three-episode series premiere of The Changeling is Friday, September 8, on Apple TV+.
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