“School Spirits” (2023– )
Season 1 of “School Spirits” ended how every great first season does: with a massive plot twist. Almost two years ago, we discovered that protagonist Maddie Nears (Peyton List) wasn’t truly dead as established in the pilot episode. Instead, she’s been ‘body jacked,’ with her spirit forced to reside in Split River High School while the spirit of 1950s student Janet (Jess Gabor) takes over her body.
The second season of “School Spirits” now works to uncover the why and the how. What is Janet’s main objective? How was she able to take Maddie’s body? And can Maddie finally return to the world of the living? Thankfully, the season is off to a good start, delving right into the characters’ possible motivations and evolving relationships. While Maddie’s ghost friends help to unravel the mystery, they are also forced to confront their own experiences as school spirits. Meanwhile, Maddie’s living friends must expand their own understandings of the world, reflecting on how things are more complex than they may appear.
Despite being a show about high school relationships and complications, “School Spirits” is infused with themes of grief, personal identity and growth in challenging times.
Season 2 of “School Spirits” is streaming on Paramount+.
“Cobra Kai” (2018–2025)
After six seasons of karate fights, backstabbing, returning friends and foes, and relationship drama, “Cobra Kai” will finally come to an end. The final five episodes will pick up after the Sekai Taikai, returning our bickering dojos to the All Valley Karate tournament. Plenty of questions have been left unanswered over the past few months: What’s going to happen to Tory and her brother? Who will win the All Valley? And why is Kreese still here?
Cobra Kai has always known how to raise the stakes, but its final five episodes will return the show to its roots. The success of Cobra Kai may partially be attributed to its stylistic karate fights, but what keeps viewers invested is the characters. At the end of the series run, hopefully we will come to understand our characters more fully. Hopefully, Tory (Peyton List) will find love and acceptance from good people, Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) will feel adequate about himself, Robby (Tanner Buchanan) will learn to stand on his own and Sam (Mary Mouser) will become more understanding. Hopefully Johnny (William Zabka) will find peace in his new life and Daniel (Ralph Macchio) will leave Mr. Miyagi’s legacy alone.
Season 6 is shaping up to be a true send-off for the series, but as we all know, “‘Cobra Kai never dies.’” Season 6 Part 3 streams on Netflix on Feb. 13.
“Common Side Effects” (2024– )
What if there was a medicine that could cure almost everything? This is the basic plot and inspiration behind Adult Swim’s new animated series “Common Side Effects.” Coupled with excellent animation and an intriguing premise, “Common Side Effects” accomplishes much in its first two episodes. Similar to the Netflix animated series “Inside Job” (2021–22), “Common Side Effects” follows a conspiracy theory of Big Pharma purposefully hiding the cure from the public in order to continue lining their pockets. Enter Marshall (Dave King), who quite literally stumbles upon the “caviar of mushrooms” — a mushroom that can cure almost anything, preventing the most horrendous of deaths.
After reuniting with Frances (Emily Pendergast), an old high school friend, the two must work together to unravel the secrets of Big Pharma. The catch? Frances works directly for the CEO of Reutical Pharmaceuticals. Can the two — and their pet tortoise — help to uncover the medical secrets suppressed by Big Pharma and the government? Hopefully we will find out soon.
“Common Side Effects” is now streaming on Max.
“XO, Kitty” (2023– )
If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned television fun, “XO, Kitty” may be the series for you. Following the events of the “To All the Boys” trilogy, “XO, Kitty” focuses on the youngest of the Song Covey sisters, Kitty (Anna Cathcart). In the second season, Kitty returns to the Korean Independent School of Seoul after an eventful first semester that ended in her expulsion from the school. How did she get back in? Still very much unclear after the second season. In fact, unclear reasoning, coupled with “telling, not showing,” is the backbone of this season. While Kitty continues to get into mischief and mayhem, searching for her estranged family and exploring her newfound bisexuality, the show relies on telling us important information instead of showing it on screen. However, if you’re a fan of the Americanized K-drama or scrolling on TikTok while watching TV, maybe try “XO, Kitty” on for size.
“XO, Kitty” season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
“Paradise” (2025– )
What happens when the head of the Secret Service discovers the president has been murdered in his own bedroom? “Paradise” follows Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown), the head of security for U.S. President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). Xavier must uncover who’s behind the murder while a much larger mystery lingers in the background. There isn’t much to say now without spoiling most of what makes this show an excellent return to television, so go watch it now.
“Paradise” is now streaming on Hulu.
