Screen Queen TV Reviews: The Rookie, The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Institute, Bookish and Lively Vs Baldoni

The Rookie

Screening on 7Plus, Disney Plus and Netflix

As someone who gets paid to watch television, I like to think I’m something of an expert — not a lot passes me by. But I’m ashamed to say this long-running series, about a mature-age rookie policeman (played by perennial favourite Nathan Fillion) and his colleagues, sailed straight past me. Which is odd, because it’s been on air since 2018 and streams in Australia on no less than three services. I know! What? And HOW?

It wasn’t until I recently hit the streets of suburban Perth that I even realised The Rookie was a thing. Ever on the search for a good yarn, I took to the streets to vox pop the good people of my home city to find out what they were watching, and it was there that I discovered every second person was inhaling this show. What was stranger, it appeared love for it crossed race, age, gender and socio-economic demographics.

Intrigued, I figured I should take a look — and actually, I kinda liked it. It felt a little bit like that other beloved long-running series, Law & Order. It’s a crime procedural with a tune-in-and-tune-out flavour to it: you can dip in and out each episode to enjoy the stand-alone stories, but like that other show, it has some really well-drawn characters whose story arcs are enough to keep you interested through the seasons.

Turns out, there are plenty ahead for me to dive into — season six is dropping this week on Disney Plus, and 7Plus is up to date with all seasons and has all episodes, with the most recent seventh season imminent (they will have this exclusively for a year).

So it looks like I have roughly 125 episodes to get across. Better get my skates on!

The Summer I Turned Pretty S3

Wednesday, streaming on Prime Video

This third and final season sees Belly finishing up her junior year at college and setting off to reunite with everyone’s favourite brothers. Who truly has her heart? Conrad or Jeremiah? Or perhaps neither? Over three seasons I’ve adored spending summers in this idyllic world, and I’m bursting with anticipation to see how producers wrap up Jenny Han’s trilogy of novels for the small screen. Word on the street is that it differs from the books — colour me intrigued! Sorry, not sorry: I adore this teen drama. Fifteen-year-old me can’t get enough.

The Institute

Sunday, streaming on Stan

Honestly, I’ve never met a Stephen King novel I didn’t love. So I’ll be tuning in to see how this tale, about a boy who’s mysteriously kidnapped and sent to live at a strange facility, translates to the small screen. Bonus points: Mary-Louise Parker stars.

Bookish

Wednesday, streaming on Max

Big Sherlock-shaped hole in your life since Cumberbatch went on to bigger and better things? Fill it with this period crime drama, set in 1946 London. It’s from the same creator, so chances are it will have some of the flavour. This is getting lots of buzz.

Lively Vs Baldoni: The Hollywood Feud

Thursday, streaming on Max

Love yourself a bit of Hollywood tea? You’ll no doubt have the best china laid out and ready for this deep dive into one of Tinseltown’s most explosive feuds. Features new interviews from friends and former colleagues on both sides. Pour me out a big cup.