Prior media recently gave birth to two series I’ve been watching—Amazon Prime’s “A League of Their Own” based on the 1992 movie of the same title, and “House of the Dragon,” a prequel to HBO’s most popular series, “Game of Thrones.” One succeeds by departing from the blueprint of the original, the other is in desperate need of borrowing some aspects of what made its predecessor so great.
Both the film and the series versions of “A League of Their Own” focus on the Rockford Peaches, a team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II. As with the film, we gradually become acquainted with the players and their quirks. Although there are quotes from and allusions to the film (I could have done entirely without that cringeworthy setting of “There’s no crying in baseball”), the series is at its best when it digs into a couple of hard truths the film only alluded to–that a good number of the players were gay, and that equally-talented Black women ballplayers were excluded from the all-white League. We experience all this through the Peaches’ catcher (and later, coach), Carson Shaw (Abbi Jacobson, who co-created the series) and Max Chapman (Chanté Adams), pitcher extraordinaire, who seemingly can’t find her niche as a player.
To be honest, “A League of Their Own” gets off to a somewhat slow start, and it isn’t until the fourth episode that the storytelling snaps into place with some sex and baseball, not necessarily in that order. Carson, whose husband is serving in the Army, becomes involved with first baseman Greta Gill (D’Arcy Carden, who’s got charm and charisma for days), and Max vacillates not only between her baseball aspirations and working in her strict Mama’s hair salon, but also between women and men. From this point on, “A League of Their Own” comes into its own, culminating in a stunning sequence in the sixth episode which cuts between the gay bar frequented by the Peaches and the very gay house party hosted by Max’s Aunt Bertie. It ends tragically, but not for whom you’d think.
There’s a great deal of talent at work here, both behind and in front of the camera. The casting is uniformly excellent—I particularly enjoyed watching Gbemisola Ikumelo, who plays Clance, Max’s best friend and super cartoonist, and Roberta Colindrez as Lupe, the pitcher who gives Carson fits. Whether “A League of Their Own” will get a second season is still up in the air as of now, but I’m hoping it does, mainly because there are so many directions the story can take. I’m looking forward to more Carson/Greta, as well as that barnstorming team Max has joined. May there be good times ahead for “A League of Their Own.”
Another show with echoes throughout is HBO’s prequel. “House of the Dragon.” I intended to post a few words about the new series last week, but then thought it would be a bit unfair to comment after just one episode. Well, I’ve seen the second and my views haven’t changed.
True Confession #1: Unlike the vast majority of “Game of Thrones” fans, I didn’t go to war over how that series ended. I thought it had been established early on that the Targaryens were as nutty as fruitcakes, and Daenerys sure proved that point. As a result, True Confession #2: I was never much of a Targaryen fan. I was Team Stark from the get-go with a generous helping of Tyrion Lannister on the side, first last and always.
But what a grim affair “House of the Dragon” is—and I’m not talking exclusively about that Caesarian section sans anesthetic (flower of the poppy, my eye). Unlike its predecessor/successor series, there’s hardly anyone to root for, with the possible exception of young Princess Rhaenyra, who will soon be replaced as heir to the Iron Throne. Nor is there a quipster of which the show is in dire need, truth be told. I’m not advocating for a Tyrion clone, but gee whiz, Eve Best is in the cast, and she could definitely bring it. So far her talent has been virtually wasted—she’s only had one scene of merit in two episodes. Here’s hoping that’s rectified soon. And finally, the show needs to get out of that gloomy castle and open up more. Based on the promo for next week’s episode, it looks like we’re going to get a major battle which would help immensely.
It’s inevitable that “House of the Dragon” will be compared to “Game of Thrones” during the course of its existence, probably not favorably. I’m wondering if in the long run it’s really worth the effort (P.S.: I just started on HBO’s “Watchmen” which is so much more interesting).
Betty's Brownies 