Apple TV Plus Shows: The Morning Show, See, Dickinson, And More

As of November 1, the streaming wars have officially begun with the launch of Apple TV+. The highly anticipated, relatively mysterious new service from the tech giant is taking a different path than other services, focusing on a few originals instead of a hefty back catalog. But with the review embargo officially lifted, it’s safe to say that Apple’s gamble may be a safe one. I know, big shocker from the company who convinced us all that sticking AirPods in our ears like a bunch of doofuses was a good idea.

The shows themselves have been a relatively mysterious seeming mixed bag, as well. There’s the high profile The Morning Show, a hour-long drama diving head first into the #MeToo movement starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell. See, starring Jason Momoa, is an audacious post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world where everyone is blind, except for two babies who may lead to the salvation of the human race. Dickinson, a comedic drama starring Hailee Steinfeld as the poet Emily Dickinson that’s like a mash-up between Euphoria, A Knight’s Tale, and 30 Rock, with all the weirdness that implies. And For All Mankind, an alternate universe story from Battlestar Galactica mastermind Ronald D. Moore about what happens when America loses the space race. Oh, and there’s one movie, too, a documentary titled The Elephant Queen, narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Apple TV+ is also launching the animated series Snoopy in Space, kids reboot Ghostwriter, and are partnering with a lady you may have heard of named Oprah Winfrey for a 2019 take on her classic book club. Plus more down the road, including a horror series titled Servant from M. Night Shyamalan and a riff on murder podcasts, Truth Be Told, starring Octavia Spencer and Aaron Paul.

Point being, there’s a lot coming out from Apple TV+ in the next few months, with the big question being: should I subscribe to the service? Is there a show (or movie) that will make it worth plunking $4.99/month? Or figuring out how to work your Apple TV app, if you recently bought an Apple device and are getting this new service for free?

Read on for our takes on some of the launch day shows (and one movie):

'The Morning Show'

The Pitch: The Morning Show is the most popular soft news program on network television… But just barely. And when a #MeToo scandal causes one of “America’s Parents,” played by Steve Carrell, to get fired overnight, the entire production is sent scrambling to deal with the fall-out, including his on-air co-host played by Jennifer Aniston. Enter a fiery younger reporter with a chip on her shoulder played by Reese Witherspoon, and things get real complicated in this drama, real quickly.

Length: 60 Minutes

The Verdict: Let’s be up front about this, and I mean this in the absolute best sense possible: The Morning Show is the highest of high end trash. It is flawlessly acted, directed, and production designed, with stunningly good performances from Aniston and Witherspoon, who are at the top of their game as seeming adversaries who have a lot more going on below the surface. But there are also enormous, mind-boggling missteps — do we really need to hear the man’s side of the #MeToo discussion? Really? — and speeches about the importance of news that would make Aaron Sorkin wince in reaction to their cheeseball earnestness.

But the cast is excellent (in particular, Billy Crudup as a reptilian network exec who is so deliciously weird, he might as well be a space alien), the direction by Mimi Leder impeccable, and once you’re past the set-up you’ll reach moments that are so over-the-top in their soap-opera-with-a-blockbuster-budget intensity that you won’t be able to breathe. Everyone is viciously, purposefully unlikeable on The Morning Show, so by the end of episode one you’ll be smashing that “play next” button, ready to experience the subsequent hour of the car crash happening behind the scenes in the show within the show. And once you reach Aniston’s boardroom speech towards the end of episode three, you’ll be screaming at your TV for more.

Should I Get Apple TV+ For This? Yes. There’s been a ton of behind the scenes drama on this show, and reworking of the plot as the #MeToo movement has morphed and changed. But the ultimate product is so ridiculously watchable, the only downside is that Apple is dropping three episodes on launch day, instead of all of them. — Alex Zalben

Watch The Morning Show on Apple TV+

'See'

The Pitch: Set hundreds of years after a virus decimated Earth’s population and blinded the survivors, a sightless human civilization has emerged. That status quo is threatened by the birth of children who can see.

Length: 60 Minutes

The Verdict: See is a wild show, a Freeform premise given the budget and scope of Game of Thrones. The world begs a hundred questions and the show manages to answer a couple dozen, and stars Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard give it their all (their all includes singing, surprisingly?).

Should I Get Apple TV+ For This? See is visually ambitious, but the broad strokes are vintage sci-fi. Still, if you’re into world-building and need something to fill the GoT void, then See might make it worth your while. — Brett White

Watch See on Apple TV+

'Dickinson'

The Pitch: This coming-of-age dramedy stars Hailee Steinfeld as renowned poet Emily Dickinson, who lives with her family in mid-19th century Amherst, Massachusetts. Emily wants nothing more than to live and work freely, but she’s hindered by the constraints and expectations of polite society. Dickinson blends the realities of 1850s culture with our modern-day perspective, resulting in corset-bound Lizzo dance sequences, opium-fueled house parties, and an entire episode about female orgasms.

Length: 30 Minutes

The Verdict: Dickinson is about 800 things at once: it’s a Euphoria-style teenage drama, a loose historical account of Emily Dickinson’s early years, and a 19th century comedy all rolled into one. As a result, the Apple dramedy shifts wildly in tone; but the Steinfeld-led cast manages to make it work. By leaning fully into its bizarre character arcs and absurd music cues, the Dickinson team has created one of the most delightfully deranged shows on streaming.

Should I Get Apple TV+ For This? This is the only show that’s dropping all 10 episodes of Season 1 on launch day (the rest are dropping 3, with new episodes posted on subsequent Fridays). If you’re already interested in checking it out based on the above, that’s probably worth your $4.99 right there. — Claire Spellberg

Watch Dickinson on Apple TV+

'For All Mankind'

The Pitch: What would happen if the United States of America didn’t win the Space Race? That is, what if the Soviet Union made it to the moon, first? How would that affect not only the Space Race and American history, but also the individual lives of NASA’s most dedicated heroes? For All Mankind is Battlestar Galactica showrunner Ronald D. Moore’s return to science fiction, and an epic look at what would happen if the Space Race didn’t stop in 1969.

Length: 60 Minutes

The Verdict: For All Mankind is an intensely nerdy show. I mean, this is science fiction for the weirdos like me who watched SYFY when it was still called “Sci-Fi.” The show never pauses to explain the ins and outs of space travel, but just yanks you into the lives of the astronauts, engineers, scientists, and family members at the heart of the Space Race. It’s also a show that borrows from Moore’s Battlestar Galactica insomuch that it roots all the spectacular moments through the eyes of the humans living through them.

It’s also — and this might be appealing to some people in 2019 — a look at what it’s like to live in an alternate version of American history where our would be leaders putz it up and the Russians are in control.

Overall, For All Mankind is a super luxe, incredibly mature, deliciously well acted show with a bit of Battlestar Galactica’s moodiness.

Should I Get Apple TV+ For This? For All Mankind is a must watch for hardcore sci-fi fans, so if that’s you, YES. However, if you just a casual fan of the genre, this may be too serious and ponderous. That said, it is visually stunning, and its most dramatic moments grab you by the throat. You may not need to get Apple TV+ just for this show; but if you do end up subscribing to the service, consider bingeing it when and if you get a chance.

Watch For All Mankind on Apple TV+

'The Elephant Queen'

The Pitch: The Elephant Queen is a documentary that follows one herd of female elephants—led by their matriarch, Athena—for the span of four years. The film is narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, directed by Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble, and promises lots of adorable baby elephant moments.

Length: 90 Minutes

The Verdict: The Elephant Queen is a gorgeous film about a gorgeous species of animal, aimed at a younger audience. It’s not quite as monumental as say, March of the Penguins, but there are a lot of similar themes, including a few heartbreaking moments about the circle of life.

Should I Get Apple TV+ For This? Nah. The Elephant Queen is a very good nature documentary, but there are dozens of very good nature documentaries that are already streaming on Netflix. Maybe this opinion will change once/if Apple TV+ gets a more robust documentary slate, but until then, why not just watch one of those? — Anna Menta

Watch The Elephant Queen on Apple TV+