When the topic of Apple TV's best new series of the year comes up, it's legitimately acceptable to name at least four and still be considered correct. Not too long ago, the streamer debuted the comedy-drama show Margo's Got Money Troubles, starring Elle Fanning as a young mother who turns to OnlyFans to support her family. The series received widespread acclaim and is now sitting at a "Certified Fresh" 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. More recently, Apple unveiled its mysterious follow-up to For All Mankind, an alt-history sci-fi thriller titled Star City, which appears to have settled at a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes a few weeks into its run. Just this week, the streamer debuted the biggest show on its summer lineup, a limited series remake of Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear, which holds a 75% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, one title ranks head and shoulders above the rest.
Widow's Baypremiered on Apple TV back in April and has already quickly become one of the streamer's most talked-about shows. The incredibly unique series is a blend of both horror and comedy, so you'll find yourself covering your eyes in between hysterically laughing. Created by Katie Dippold, the show follows the story of a New England town called Widow's Bay that just so happens to be cursed. Each episode dives further into an aspect of the curse, offering new terrifying horror elements. Matthew Rhysplays Tom Loftis, the mayor of Widow's Bay, who is desperately trying to make the island a tourist destination — that is, before he starts becoming a target of the curse himself. Critics and viewers alike have been lauding Widow's Bay as a must-watch, but now one horror legend has deemed the show worthy of a shout-out.
The latest sci-fi release usually leads Apple TV's global streaming chart. But with the conclusion of the hit MonsterVerse series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the next sci-fi show, For All Mankind, has failed to reach the needed viewership to claim the top position. The recently concluded series barely cracked the top five throughout its run. This has led to the domination of non-sci-fi shows like Your Friends & Neighbors, Margo's Got Money Troubles, and Widow's Bay. However, Apple TV always has the next big hit lined up, and the latest one is on its way to becoming a sensation.
For All Mankind has wrapped up its penultimate season by dealing yet another devastating blow. With the Marsies trying to take back control of Happy Valley from the M-6 soldiers and Aleida (Coral Peña) desperately trying to reach her team on Titan, everything comes to a stunning conclusion when communication finally breaks through. Kelly (Cynthy Wu), Walt (Christopher Denham), and Elena (Kristina Klebe) have found life on Titan, but a critical mechanical issue forces the group to make a sacrifice. There's only enough oxygen for two people to walk back to their ship, and as the commander, Kelly decides to stay behind. On Happy Valley, the M-6 commanders have ordered a ceasefire, stopping the bloody attack on the Mars base. The season ends with a gut-wrenching final letter sent from Kelly to Alex (Sean Kaufman) on Titan before the story flashes forward, now set firmly in the 2020s. The final shot sees a mysterious, abandoned space shuttle come back to life with a cryptic message written on the screen in Cyrillic.
Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
Following the massive success of shows such as Severence, Foundation, and Silo, to name just a few, Apple TV's streak of producing excellent sci-fi shows continued this week with a new title. The streamer's latest offering premiered with two episodes and a perfect 100% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The premiere date coincided with the Season 5 finale of Apple's first-ever sci-fi show, For All Mankind. This is no coincidence, of course, given that the show happens to be a spin-off of For All Mankind. Like the original, it unfolds in an alternate history where the Space Race never ended. This time, audiences will get to experience the political power games from the Soviet perspective.
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