For TV, this is the post-strike time when dramas gradually return.
A few arrive soon; NBC has “La Brea” on Jan. 9 and the Chicago shows on Jan. 17. Others will be much later — “Grey’s Anatomy,” March 14;“9-1-1: Lone Star” next fall.
But for viewers in a real hurry, there’s PBS. In one burst Sunday (Jan. 7), it has two season-openers (“Miss Scarlet and the Duke” and “All Creatures Great and Small”) and a series debut (“Funny Woman,” shown here).
As it happens, all three improve as their six-Sunday season advances. “Miss Scarlet” starts quite poorly, then rights itself. “Funny Woman” goes from OK to quite good. “All Creatures” starts at very good … then gets even better. Let’s look:
“Miss Scarlet and the Duke,” 8 p.m.
The notion was solid: In Victorian England, Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) took over her late father’s detective agency. Sleek, smart and refined, she could be underestimated one moment, then solve a crime the next.
She also had the help of William Wellington (Stuart Martin), nicknamed “the Duke.” They were one of TV’s prettiest duos; they flirted, bickered and caught crooks.
But this season, William is scarce, with no explanation from producers. Worse, there’s a detour: Eliza was put in charge of a big detective agency and almost destroyed it.
It makes no sense to spend three seasons creating a savvy character, then turn her into a fool for plot’s convenience. Worse, some of this season’s mysteries are slim and bland.
There are also some good episodes, however, including the third, which flashes back to when a teen Eliza met a wayward William. Flaws and all, “Scarlet” is worth watching.
“All Creatures Great and Small,” 9 p.m.
Here’s one show that needn’t fret about flaws. In its sweet, slow way, it’s a gem.
It started with James, a young Scotsman, taking his first job as a veterinarian. In the sprawling British countryside, he worked for the stern Siegfried, whose carefree brother Tristan was struggling with veterinary school.
Much has happened since them. Siegfried mellowed, revealing a well-concealed warmth. Tristan matured; he’s now left for World War II.
James may soon follow, but for now he’s busy. He married Helen; they’re thinking about having a baby, but she’s also helping her widowed father at the family farm.
In the opener, James keeps coming across two strays – a boy and his dog. It’s a small story, but “All Creatures” does small beautifully. And bigger ones are on the way.
“Funny Woman,” 10 p.m.
Nick Hornby’s novels keep being turned into clever films. There was “High Fidelity” and “About a Boy” and “Fever Pitch.” And now there’s this series.
It’s 1964, London is alive with colors and creativity, and Barbara has arrived from the boondocks, with vague hopes of being on TV. She has no training, but does combine gorgeous looks and an instinct for comedy.
That might suggest “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” but “Funny Woman” isn’t nearly as witty. The TV scenes themselves seem loud and dim-witted, but that may be accurate: With a few exceptions, British TV back then was known for drama, not comedy.
Gemma Arterton stars. Like Barbara, she was a smallish-town kid from a working-class family; unlike her, she’s a stage-trained actress who has been a Bond girl (“Quantum of
Solace”) and a spy (“The King’s Man”), but has also done Shakespeare.
Now she turns Barbara into a complex and interesting person. We’re happy to follow her through the excesses of long-ago British TV comedy.