New to View: May 3 – 9

A weekly guide to what’s new of note on air and online

SUNDAY

Flesh and Blood | TVNZ 1, 8.30

Part one of two. “Anyone who made it through BBC’s Gold Digger might find this familiar: older woman, new lover, three troubled adult children sent into paroxysms of suspicion by their mother’s self-determination … But the writer Sarah Williams swerves windswept Gold Digger gothic for a more American Beauty-style dark comedy of manners.” — The Times.

Prime Rocks: The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps | Prime, 8.30

“This is a story of a musical genius, honest and insightful and beautifully told, and rounded off with stunning images of the local landscape. If you’re a fan of The Chills you’ll enjoy this jaunt down memory lane, for others, it’s both cautionary tale and great story.” — NZ Herald.

Real Time With Bill Maher | Neon/SoHo2, 9.30

Guest include NY Times columnist Bret Stephens and former attorney general Eric Holder. “Maher [slams] a microbe-obsessed nation, Joe Biden and even Quibi on his show … A bit Maher called ’24 things you don’t know about Joe Biden’ included: ‘He was asked to social distance before the virus.’” — Deadline.

MONDAY

Billions (S5) | Neon (SoHo, 8.30 Thursday)

Given the overkill of re-runs on SoHo this month, presumably because of COVID-19 delaying new content, it’s surprising Sky is making fans wait so long to catch up with one of the channel’s true gems for May (it debuts on-air three days after its HBO/Neon premiere). “Chuck (Paul Giamatti) and Wendy (Maggie Siff) are splitting up; Taylor (Asia Kate Dillon) and crew have rejoined Axe Capital; Bobby (Damian Lewis) has a new rival and he’s even richer — Michael Prince (Corey Stoll) — while Chuck has a new friend, Catherine Brant (Julianna Margulies, who joins in the 4th episode.) Meanwhile, Bobby’s interest in art grows, or one artist in particular: Nico Tanner (Frank Grillo — Captain America’s Brock Rumlow.) ‘Wags’ (David Costabile) is exploring his inner-dad. The only thing any Billions fan wants from this review is a coherent response to the following: Is the 5th better than the 4th? … I’m going with yes — the 5th’s better, or at least better when set in sharp relief opposite New York under COVID-19 lockdown.” — Newsday.

TUESDAY

Ray Winstone’s Sicily | Prime, 8.35

“This is not Simon Schama and never was it intended to be. Ray is very entertaining, but at the same time there’s a lot of take-out – it covers everything from Greek temples to World War II landings, medieval torture chambers and ancient markets.” — Broadcast.

WEDNESDAY