There are more streaming networks than ever before. So if you have questions about the future of streaming, then you've come to the right place. All week long, IGN's State of Streaming 2.0 initiative will feature reviews and in-depth analysis about new streaming providers like NBCUniversal's Peacock, as well as a look at the coolest hidden features that streaming services are implementing, what the future of Netflix's interactive space will look like, and the impact password sharing has on streaming providers and if it could affect your ability to share in the future. Today, we're reviewing Peacock's original series to see which ones you should watch, and which are probably better left unseen. And if you're looking for recommendations for what to watch on the streaming platforms, check out our new interactive widget. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Peacock has officially launched, entering into the Great Streaming War with the likes of Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Peacock joins the fray with over 20,000 hours of movies and shows from prominent networks and studios like Syfy, Paramount, Blumhouse, Lionsgate, and many more. The new streaming provider offers a free ad-supported tier, which includes a scaled-down version of its library while still offering an impressive 13,000 hours of content, including full seasons of Parks and Rec and Downton Abbey, and iconic films such as Jurassic Park and The Matrix trilogy. Like many of its competitors, Peacock is also home to a small collection of originals, like the ambitious sci-fi series Brave New World starring Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story), and a brand new entry in the Pysch universe, titled Psych 2: Lassie Come Home. Peacock will also feature new shows in the kid's programming space, such as Where's Waldo and Cleopatra in Space. Below, we've reviewed the first batch of Peacock originals, with more to come as new shows are released over the next few months, including Season 3 of A.P. Bio on September 3, and Departure, a thriller starring Kendra Malley (The Good Wife) on September 17. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-peacock-original-available-at-launch&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"]
The Best and Worst Peacock Originals
Brave New World Review
Official Plot Synopsis: Based on Aldous Huxley’s groundbreaking novel, Brave New World imagines a utopian society that has achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself. As citizens of New London, Bernard Marx and Lenina Crowne embark on a vacation to the Savage Lands, where they become embroiled in a harrowing and violent rebellion. Bernard and Lenina are rescued by John the Savage — played by Solo’s Alden Ehrenreich — who escapes with them back to New London. John’s arrival in the New World soon threatens to disrupt its utopian harmony, leaving Bernard and Lenina to grapple with the repercussions. Verdict: Aldous Huxley’s prescient (if outdated) novel is given a glossy, sexy update in Peacock’s flagship show, oozing with orgies and existential angst. The high-concept sci-fi series offers a break from pop culture’s endless parade of dour dystopias by thrusting us into the bright, dazzling seeming utopia of New London, which still turns out to be every bit as chilling as a zombie-infested apocalypse. (The only difference here is that the zombies are impeccably dressed and pop candy-colored pills to numb themselves, instead of trying to eat each other.) While the show suffers from Huxley being a little too good at predicting our technical advancements (a disaffected society with an overreliance on pills and disposable entertainment doesn’t feel all that futuristic at this point) and retreading some of the same paranoid, surveillance-state ground as the likes of Mr. Robot and Westworld, it’s energized by the layered performances of Harry Lloyd, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Alden Ehrenreich, who imbue every scene they share with tension and unexpected humor. This sci-fi parable admittedly doesn’t offer much that’s brave or new in a crowded streaming landscape, but Peacock has succeeded in creating a gripping, bingeable trip that hides surprising depth beneath its shiny surface. - Laura Prudom Score: 9
Lost Speedways Review
Official Plot Synopsis: Created and hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr., this series is an exploratory look at great racing cathedrals of the past. Dale Jr. and co-host Matthew Dillner tell the stories of speedways that have been forgotten, abandoned, and overtaken by nature. Racing legends join as guests throughout the series. Verdict: Lost Speedways has that rare ability to pull you into its stories in a way that’s easy to understand even if you’re not a racing aficionado. Much of the success of the series can be attributed to co-host Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s enthusiasm for exploring these ancient monuments to racing. There’s also a heartwarming aspect to the series, especially in the first episode, due to Dale Jr.’s close relation to a forgotten speedway called Metrolina. Here, the championship NASCAR driver discovers fascinating details about the track’s history and its importance to racing as a sport, while learning new things about his late father and grandfather, who raced at the Metrolina when Dale Jr. was a kid. It’s enjoyable to watch someone so passionate about the sport getting to learn more about its history, which is an effective way to bring the viewer along for the ride. - David Griffin Score: 8
In Deep With Ryan Lochte Review
Official Plot Synopsis: At the 2016 Rio Olympics Ryan Lochte was at the center of a scandal that has since overshadowed a decorated swimming career that includes 12 Olympic medals. Now a 35-year-old husband and father of two young children, Lochte is hoping for one more chance to make Team USA and prove he's not the same man he was four years ago. Verdict: Narrated with charm and a bit of humor by Patton Oswalt, In Deep With Ryan Lochte is a compelling underdog story about an Olympic gold medalist who’s more known for a 2016 scandal at a Rio de Janeiro gas station then he is for his accomplishments. This sports documentary rivals what ESPN’s 30 for 30 banner has done for so many years, by giving Lochte’s life a full examination from the early years before the fame and glory to the present, where he’s now a devoted husband and father looking for one last shot at gold in the upcoming Tokyo games in 2021. Another cool aspect about the doc has to do with the way some of Lochte’s interviews are filmed. While many of the segments take place in familiar locales, the most memorable scenes are when the filmmakers place him in a chaise lounge like he’s spilling his guts to a psychiatrist. This decision makes Lochte’s confessions feel more vulnerable and authentic. Here’s hoping that Peacock continues to make more sports docs like this one. - David Griffin Score: 9
Intelligence Review
Official Plot Synopsis: Intelligence is a workplace comedy set in the UK's Government Communications Headquarters - a kind of weedier, geekier, more bureaucratic version of MI5 and MI6, where they tackle international and domestic Cyber Crime from a desktop. When pompous maverick NSA agent Jerry Bernstein comes over from the U.S. to join the team, he enlists tactless computer analyst Joseph in a power grab that threatens to disrupt the team's ability to combat cyber terrorism. Verdict: Despite a willing cast and a promising premise, Intelligence is a disappointingly derivative workplace comedy that tries to combine the neuroses of The Office, the snark of Veep, and the unbearable smugness of Ross Geller into one show, without being half as funny or incisive as any of its predecessors. David Schwimmer does his best as an insufferable NSA agent who immediately throws a wrench (or as Brits would say, a spanner) into the tightly-wound routines in the UK Government’s cybersecurity division, but the show’s reliance on overused cliches about the cultural differences between uptight Brits and overconfident Yanks leaves Intelligence sorely lacking any. - Laura Prudom Score: 5
Psych 2: Lassie Come Home Review
Official Plot Synopsis: Santa Barbara Police Chief Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) is ambushed on the job and left for dead. In a vintage Psych-style Hitchcockian nod, he begins to see impossible happenings around his recovery clinic. Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dulé Hill) return to Lassie’s side in Santa Barbara and are forced to navigate the personal, the professional, and possibly the supernatural. Separated from their new lives in San Francisco, our heroes find themselves unwelcome in their old stomping grounds as they secretly untangle a twisted case without the benefit of the police, their loved ones, or the quality sourdough bakeries of the Bay Area. What they uncover will change the course of their relationships forever. Psych 2: Lassie Come Home is a full-length film. Verdict: Lassie Come Home is a perfect summer romp for any Psych fan. From the welcome returning cast to the surprising guest stars, Psych 2 is funny, charming, and hits right in the feels. Shawn and Gus are back to their old shenanigans and return to Santa Barbara to help a recovering Chief Lassiter unravel the mystery of his unknown shooter. Juliet, Henry, Karen, and even Woody all have important roles to play in solving the crime, and it’s wonderful to see them back in action. In Psych 2, Shawn and Gus haven’t changed a bit. Their nicknaming, movie-quoting, “come on son”-ing is a refreshing diversion from the current state of the world. Both Shawn and Gus face life-altering decisions in the film, which adds an extra layer of emotion to this comedic mystery. This film is also emotional because of Timothy Omundson's return. His presence was greatly missed in Psych the Movie and his return as Carlton Lassiter is heart-warming. Psych 2: Lassie Come Home proves that this cast is ready to pick these characters up at any moment with the same gusto, humor, and spirit as they did when the show first aired. Hopefully, a third movie is on the horizon and that they don’t make us “wait for it...” - Lauren Gallaway Score: 8
The Capture Review
Official Plot Synopsis: The Capture is a conspiracy thriller that looks at a troubling world of fake news and the extraordinary capabilities of the intelligence services. When soldier Shaun Emery’s (Callum Turner) conviction for a murder in Afghanistan is overturned due to flawed video evidence, he returns to the life of a free man with his young daughter. But when damning CCTV footage from a night out in London comes to light, Shaun’s life takes a shocking turn and he must soon fight for his freedom once again. Detective Inspector Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) is drafted to investigate Shaun’s case, but she quickly learns that the truth can sometimes be a matter of perspective. The Capture also stars Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Famke Janssen (X-Men), Ben Miles (The Crown), Laura Haddock (Guardians of the Galaxy), Lia Williams (The Crown), Sophia Brown (Marcella) and Paul Ritter (Chernobyl). Verdict: The Capture is an engrossing conspiracy thriller, which centers around British soldier Shaun Emery’s (Callum Turner) controversial conviction for a murder he supposedly committed in Afghanistan while on patrol. What really makes this narrative interesting is that soon after Emery is acquitted of his charges, he finds himself once again caught up in a second legal matter after CCTV footage points to his involvement in another crime. Turner gives a memorable performance as the weary soldier who just can’t catch a break and his chemistry with Holliday Grainger’s Rachel Carey is irresistible. While some of the storylines are a bit by-the-numbers for this particular genre, The Capture throws enough suspenseful twists and turns to keep things interesting throughout. - David Griffin Score: 7 [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/30/hbo-max-streaming-service-review"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] What are you going to be checking out on Peacock? Let's discuss in the comments!
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The Best and Worst Peacock Originals
Brave New World Review
Official Plot Synopsis: Based on Aldous Huxley’s groundbreaking novel, Brave New World imagines a utopian society that has achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself. As citizens of New London, Bernard Marx and Lenina Crowne embark on a vacation to the Savage Lands, where they become embroiled in a harrowing and violent rebellion. Bernard and Lenina are rescued by John the Savage — played by Solo’s Alden Ehrenreich — who escapes with them back to New London. John’s arrival in the New World soon threatens to disrupt its utopian harmony, leaving Bernard and Lenina to grapple with the repercussions. Verdict: Aldous Huxley’s prescient (if outdated) novel is given a glossy, sexy update in Peacock’s flagship show, oozing with orgies and existential angst. The high-concept sci-fi series offers a break from pop culture’s endless parade of dour dystopias by thrusting us into the bright, dazzling seeming utopia of New London, which still turns out to be every bit as chilling as a zombie-infested apocalypse. (The only difference here is that the zombies are impeccably dressed and pop candy-colored pills to numb themselves, instead of trying to eat each other.) While the show suffers from Huxley being a little too good at predicting our technical advancements (a disaffected society with an overreliance on pills and disposable entertainment doesn’t feel all that futuristic at this point) and retreading some of the same paranoid, surveillance-state ground as the likes of Mr. Robot and Westworld, it’s energized by the layered performances of Harry Lloyd, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Alden Ehrenreich, who imbue every scene they share with tension and unexpected humor. This sci-fi parable admittedly doesn’t offer much that’s brave or new in a crowded streaming landscape, but Peacock has succeeded in creating a gripping, bingeable trip that hides surprising depth beneath its shiny surface. - Laura Prudom Score: 9Lost Speedways Review
Official Plot Synopsis: Created and hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr., this series is an exploratory look at great racing cathedrals of the past. Dale Jr. and co-host Matthew Dillner tell the stories of speedways that have been forgotten, abandoned, and overtaken by nature. Racing legends join as guests throughout the series. Verdict: Lost Speedways has that rare ability to pull you into its stories in a way that’s easy to understand even if you’re not a racing aficionado. Much of the success of the series can be attributed to co-host Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s enthusiasm for exploring these ancient monuments to racing. There’s also a heartwarming aspect to the series, especially in the first episode, due to Dale Jr.’s close relation to a forgotten speedway called Metrolina. Here, the championship NASCAR driver discovers fascinating details about the track’s history and its importance to racing as a sport, while learning new things about his late father and grandfather, who raced at the Metrolina when Dale Jr. was a kid. It’s enjoyable to watch someone so passionate about the sport getting to learn more about its history, which is an effective way to bring the viewer along for the ride. - David Griffin Score: 8In Deep With Ryan Lochte Review
Official Plot Synopsis: At the 2016 Rio Olympics Ryan Lochte was at the center of a scandal that has since overshadowed a decorated swimming career that includes 12 Olympic medals. Now a 35-year-old husband and father of two young children, Lochte is hoping for one more chance to make Team USA and prove he's not the same man he was four years ago. Verdict: Narrated with charm and a bit of humor by Patton Oswalt, In Deep With Ryan Lochte is a compelling underdog story about an Olympic gold medalist who’s more known for a 2016 scandal at a Rio de Janeiro gas station then he is for his accomplishments. This sports documentary rivals what ESPN’s 30 for 30 banner has done for so many years, by giving Lochte’s life a full examination from the early years before the fame and glory to the present, where he’s now a devoted husband and father looking for one last shot at gold in the upcoming Tokyo games in 2021. Another cool aspect about the doc has to do with the way some of Lochte’s interviews are filmed. While many of the segments take place in familiar locales, the most memorable scenes are when the filmmakers place him in a chaise lounge like he’s spilling his guts to a psychiatrist. This decision makes Lochte’s confessions feel more vulnerable and authentic. Here’s hoping that Peacock continues to make more sports docs like this one. - David Griffin Score: 9Intelligence Review
Official Plot Synopsis: Intelligence is a workplace comedy set in the UK's Government Communications Headquarters - a kind of weedier, geekier, more bureaucratic version of MI5 and MI6, where they tackle international and domestic Cyber Crime from a desktop. When pompous maverick NSA agent Jerry Bernstein comes over from the U.S. to join the team, he enlists tactless computer analyst Joseph in a power grab that threatens to disrupt the team's ability to combat cyber terrorism. Verdict: Despite a willing cast and a promising premise, Intelligence is a disappointingly derivative workplace comedy that tries to combine the neuroses of The Office, the snark of Veep, and the unbearable smugness of Ross Geller into one show, without being half as funny or incisive as any of its predecessors. David Schwimmer does his best as an insufferable NSA agent who immediately throws a wrench (or as Brits would say, a spanner) into the tightly-wound routines in the UK Government’s cybersecurity division, but the show’s reliance on overused cliches about the cultural differences between uptight Brits and overconfident Yanks leaves Intelligence sorely lacking any. - Laura Prudom Score: 5Psych 2: Lassie Come Home Review
Official Plot Synopsis: Santa Barbara Police Chief Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) is ambushed on the job and left for dead. In a vintage Psych-style Hitchcockian nod, he begins to see impossible happenings around his recovery clinic. Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dulé Hill) return to Lassie’s side in Santa Barbara and are forced to navigate the personal, the professional, and possibly the supernatural. Separated from their new lives in San Francisco, our heroes find themselves unwelcome in their old stomping grounds as they secretly untangle a twisted case without the benefit of the police, their loved ones, or the quality sourdough bakeries of the Bay Area. What they uncover will change the course of their relationships forever. Psych 2: Lassie Come Home is a full-length film. Verdict: Lassie Come Home is a perfect summer romp for any Psych fan. From the welcome returning cast to the surprising guest stars, Psych 2 is funny, charming, and hits right in the feels. Shawn and Gus are back to their old shenanigans and return to Santa Barbara to help a recovering Chief Lassiter unravel the mystery of his unknown shooter. Juliet, Henry, Karen, and even Woody all have important roles to play in solving the crime, and it’s wonderful to see them back in action. In Psych 2, Shawn and Gus haven’t changed a bit. Their nicknaming, movie-quoting, “come on son”-ing is a refreshing diversion from the current state of the world. Both Shawn and Gus face life-altering decisions in the film, which adds an extra layer of emotion to this comedic mystery. This film is also emotional because of Timothy Omundson's return. His presence was greatly missed in Psych the Movie and his return as Carlton Lassiter is heart-warming. Psych 2: Lassie Come Home proves that this cast is ready to pick these characters up at any moment with the same gusto, humor, and spirit as they did when the show first aired. Hopefully, a third movie is on the horizon and that they don’t make us “wait for it...” - Lauren Gallaway Score: 8The Capture Review
Official Plot Synopsis: The Capture is a conspiracy thriller that looks at a troubling world of fake news and the extraordinary capabilities of the intelligence services. When soldier Shaun Emery’s (Callum Turner) conviction for a murder in Afghanistan is overturned due to flawed video evidence, he returns to the life of a free man with his young daughter. But when damning CCTV footage from a night out in London comes to light, Shaun’s life takes a shocking turn and he must soon fight for his freedom once again. Detective Inspector Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger) is drafted to investigate Shaun’s case, but she quickly learns that the truth can sometimes be a matter of perspective. The Capture also stars Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Famke Janssen (X-Men), Ben Miles (The Crown), Laura Haddock (Guardians of the Galaxy), Lia Williams (The Crown), Sophia Brown (Marcella) and Paul Ritter (Chernobyl). Verdict: The Capture is an engrossing conspiracy thriller, which centers around British soldier Shaun Emery’s (Callum Turner) controversial conviction for a murder he supposedly committed in Afghanistan while on patrol. What really makes this narrative interesting is that soon after Emery is acquitted of his charges, he finds himself once again caught up in a second legal matter after CCTV footage points to his involvement in another crime. Turner gives a memorable performance as the weary soldier who just can’t catch a break and his chemistry with Holliday Grainger’s Rachel Carey is irresistible. While some of the storylines are a bit by-the-numbers for this particular genre, The Capture throws enough suspenseful twists and turns to keep things interesting throughout. - David Griffin Score: 7 [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/30/hbo-max-streaming-service-review"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] What are you going to be checking out on Peacock? Let's discuss in the comments!Continue reading...