Melanie McFarland (page 56)

Melanie McFarland is Salon's award-winning senior culture critic. Follow her on Bluesky: @McTelevision

Underground Railroad

"The Underground Railroad" is a relentlessly tough, yet gorgeously rendered television masterpiece Melanie McFarland

Halston

Ewan McGregor dazzles in "Halston," which neglects to understand the legend behind the fashions Melanie McFarland

Hacks

In HBO Max's new comedy "Hacks," Jean Smart plays a role befitting of the showbiz legend that she is Melanie McFarland

Ziwe

With Showtime's sunshiny and sharp "Ziwe," we have an iconic talk show host in the making Melanie McFarland

Elon Musk

In hosting "Saturday Night Live" Elon Musk pulls the supervillain ploy of taking an audience hostage Melanie McFarland

Jupiter's Legacy

Netflix's self-serious "Jupiter's Legacy" is the superhero TV version of a Designer Imposter stinker Melanie McFarland

Girls5Eva

"Girls5eva" is a feel-good story about what happens when one-hit wonders get a second chance Melanie McFarland

Ming-Na Wen; The Mandalorian

A tribute to "Star Wars" badass Fennec Shand, a Force-free hero more aspirational than any princess Melanie McFarland

Pose season 3

"Pose" kicks off its final fabulous walk by ratcheting up the nonsense as well as its optimism Melanie McFarland

Yasuke

Netflix's stunning "Yasuke" spins a fantastical Black samurai story, but needs more space to swing Melanie McFarland

The Handmaid's Tale

Hulu's tiresome "Handmaid's Tale" should learn from the sins of "Planet of the Apes" Melanie McFarland

Rutherford Falls

Yes, Native American culture exists, and "Rutherford Falls" digs into our collective "blind spots" Melanie McFarland

"Nomadland" wins big at the 2021 Oscars, which made history — and some unfortunate choices Melanie McFarland

In Netflix's defiant "Shadow and Bone," The Chosen One gets bent in the best way Melanie McFarland

If only "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" had the guts and time to "get weird" enough for TV Melanie McFarland

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