What To Watch This Weekend: 'Fellow Travelers,' 'Neon' And 'The Gilded Age' Season 2

One thing that gets sorely missed in our television habits is the reminder that we could have such a variety of interests. Whether it be tied to books you're fixated on, music you like moving to in the club or grabbing popcorn to watch a good ‘ol feud, television is a dynamic medium where artists can meet you where you’re at.

On LAist 89.3’s AirTalk, we're joined by television critics each week to give you a rundown of shows that are fresh out of the oven. This week, we've got some shows that take a lot from reality, so let’s give you a rundown of them so you can find out which are best to start conversations with your friends over.

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This week, AirTalk’s Larry Mantle talked about the latest on television and streaming with Kristen Baldwin, television critic for Entertainment Weekly, and Angie Han, television critic for The Hollywood Reporter.

This week’s shows include:

• Fellow Travelers (Showtime & Paramount+)
• The Gilded Age [Season 2] (Max)
• Neon (Netflix)
• All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix)

Fellow Travelers

Streaming on Paramount+ & Airing Showtime

First impression: Spanning generations, we find Hawkins Fuller and Tim Laughlin making the most of their passionate relationship in the midst of societal fears over issues like homosexuality and communism.

Lasting impression: The mini-series is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2007 by Thomas Mallon, a task that is quite tall given that it starts with the Vietnam era and ends with the AIDS crisis.

Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey’s performances help with maintaining its stakes, since they perfectly bring together intense romance in a bedroom, while maintaining the sense of existential angst that their worlds can come crumbling down.

Who's behind it: The show’s creator is Ron Nyswaner, who served as an executive producer for the long-running Showtime program Homeland for seasons 5-7. Not only that but he also wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award-winning gay rights drama Philadelphia.

When and where: Episode 1 premiered today on Paramount+ and will make its broadcast debut on Showtime on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 9 p.m.

Read Kristen’s review of “Fellow Travelers” for Entertainment Weekly.

Neon

Streaming on Netflix

First impression: Follows Santi, an up-and-coming reggaeton musician who moves to Miami with his two friends, who scrap their way to their dreams of making it big.

Lasting impression: I thought it was a great story with the right kind of production behind it. The show’s trio of Santi, Ness, and Felix make for an entertaining dynamic since they have friendships that can complicate their professional goals. For me, the drama is presented in a solid way but there is more subtext that could be layered into these complications they work through.

That said, I think it’s great that everyone behind the show’s production did their homework, getting some authentic reggaeton music and artists who are making lots of noise in the scene today. Going into this show, viewers should understand they aren’t getting some comedy-drama — the feel is very much a sitcom, and if that’s known at the get-go, I think you’ll really enjoy this show.

Who's behind it: The show's creators are Shea Serrano and Max Searle. Serrano notably had another show he created debut this year, that being the Amazon Freevee sitcom Primo, which saw Serrano use his childhood as a premise for some well-written bits. Searle

When and where: All 8 episodes are now streaming on Netflix.

Read Angie’s review of ‘Neon’ for The Hollywood Reporter.

The Gilded Age [Season 2]

Streaming on Max

First impression: Centered in New York during the tail-end of the 19th century, the show follows two wealthy families fighting one another. One family looks to justify their old-guard status and the other looks to reach acclaim being a part of a generation of “new money” families.

Lasting impression: I like the path that this historical drama takes since it’s such a clear time period that had the United States in a clear transition with its overall race and class politics. You see antagonism where one family looks to maintain dynamics of old, asserting a clear social hierarchy against other wealthy families they don't want to invite into their metaphorical "club." And with these two families, it’s very interesting to see their pettiness in their privilege — they have to manufacture their own little conflicts.

That's not to say there aren’t stakes in the show, but what they have is much more centered on the kind of family drama that feels so close to characters that it becomes more pressing than what’s happening in the outside world.

Who's behind it: The show’s creator is Julian Fellowes, who is the main mind behind Downton Abbey, which won 15 Emmys and extended its brand with two feature films.

When and where: Episode 1 premieres Sunday, October 29 on Max.