Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - The Testaments - Season One

OMG the evolution of The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments is a dramatic, incredible coming-of-age story set in Gilead. 

For the haters who said, more The Handmaid’s Tale, no thanks! Give this a go on Disney+ ASAP! This was five star TV!

The series follows young teens Agnes, dutiful and pious, and Daisy, a new arrival and convert from beyond Gilead’s borders. As they navigate the gilded halls of Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, a place where obedience is instilled brutally and always with divine justification, their bond becomes the catalyst that will upend their past, their present, and their future.

Based on the 2019 novel The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, it serves as a narrative continuation to The Handmaid's Tale, which concluded last year.

Praise be, the series was renewed for a second season, earlier this month! It was getting to close to the finale. I needed more!

The Handmaid's Tale lead Elisabeth Moss would executive produce the project alongside Miller, Littlefield, Barker, Steve Stark, Shana Stein, Maya Goldsmith, John Weber, Sheila Hockin, Daniel Wilson, and Fran Sears. Priscilla Poriand would serve as co-executive producer.

Chase Infiniti was cast as the lead character Agnes, joining The Handmaid's Tale's Ann Dowd, who was reprises her role as Lydia.

Lucy Halliday is co-lead Daisy, alongside Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti as Shunammite and Becka, respectively.

Aussie Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Eva Foote, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Birva Pandya, and Kira Guloien joined the cast as Aunt Vidala, Paula, Garth, Aunt Gabbana, Aunt Estee, Hulda, Jehosheba, Miriam, and Rosa, respectively.

Gosh this cast was good. If you are not up to date on this Disney+ series, caution ahead!

In the aftermath of Becka's arrest, Agnes and Daisy attempt to save her. After a sharp reality check from Agnes, Vidala offers Lydia her help rather than standing against her. 

Agnes gets Weston to release Becka to her home, but he breaks off their engagement upon learning that she was assaulted. 

A drunk Paula tells Agnes that Gilead had wanted to use her to retaliate for the Handmaid attack, but Commander MacKenzie protected Agnes. 

June arrives in Gilead to extract a reluctant Daisy, but relents upon learning that Daisy knows her daughter. 

Lydia and Vidala convince Becka's mother to take the fall while Daisy reveals to Agnes her true identity as Hannah. 

Mrs. Grove is executed while Garth is promoted to Commander and marries Becka to protect her at Agnes' behest. June receives a message from Daisy vowing to finish what June started by rallying the girls of Gilead to fight back.

God this was good. Finishing with alt-J's, Hunger of the Pine. DAMN! That Miley hook, I'm a female rebel!

SO GOOD! This could be the show of the Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' series! SO GOOD! I'll say it again!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Y: Marshals - Season One

Marshals (originally Y: Marshals) is yet another spin-off/sequel to Yellowstone (2018–2024), making it  the fourth television series in the Yellowstone franchise. 

Luke Grimes returns as Special Deputy U.S. Marshal Kayce Dutton, with Brecken Merrill, Mo Brings Plenty, and Gil Birmingham reprising their roles from Yellowstone. New to the hit Paramount+/CBS series, Logan Marshall-Green, Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, & Tatanka Means.

Marshals was a big hitting midseason series on CBS starting in March, the same month, the series was renewed for a second season.

This was the final network series to end for the 2025-2026 TV season. My Fire Country post is still to come. CBS had a big finale week last week. So what is Marshals all about? How's it work in the Yellowstone universe? It follows former U.S. Navy SEAL and rancher Kayce Dutton (Grimes) as he joins a specialised group of U.S. Marshals tasked with protecting Montana. We find out early on, he also is suffering a great loss.

So it kinda gives The Madison vibes too. Also Taylor Sheridan's handy work.

For a network show, the budget for this series was a load higher, than now axed DMV. Sheridan known for producing high-budget series, concerns were raised about the series budget and how the show would look and feel on a broadcast network rather than cable.

Creatives responded saying that "we don't do cheap" and that creatively, the show would be similar to Yellowstone, assuring that a proper budget had been allocated.

Early on when the series commended, CBS executives were reportedly confident enough in the success of the series to commission a writers' room for a potential second season in February before the program premiered or was officially renewed, with script work on season two to begin "soon".

Recently CBS announced this series would likely return in October on Sunday nights. I only hope they don't drag out season two for 20 or so episodes.

Honestly this show started well, felt more like a Paramount+ title, than a CBS network procedural.

I feel like the 13 episodes, felt a little bloated. I really do hope they keep season two tight. It started with promised and heart, but by the end did feel just like another cop series. Just with really rogue cops.

I will be interested to see how season two goes.

Fire Country post incoming like a rogue Vivid drone show on a wet Sydney night.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - R.J. Decker - Season One

Slightly dirty, looking (almost too old to be a rat boy) TV hunk, Scott Speedman stars as R.J. Decker. A disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who starts over as a private investigator in the colourful world of South Florida. 

Across nine episodes, viewers follow RJ tackling cases that range from slightly odd to outright bizarre with the help of his journalist ex, her police detective wife and a shadowy new benefactor — a woman from his past who could be his greatest ally … or his one-way ticket back to prison.

R.J. Decker is inspired by the novel Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen.

Earlier this month, the Disney+ show was renewed for a second season.

Alongside Speedman, Weruche Opia (later to be replaced by Station 19's Jaina Lee Ortiz), Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens, & Bevin Bru joined the main cast.

Dexter, Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Resurrection's David Zayas also plays Jaina Lee Ortiz's father.

While Stephen Bishop also stars, in this fairly lean, new TV world smaller cast network TV series.

This was an easy, breezy nine episode, Florida watch. With no Dexter in Florida anymore, there are few shows set in the sunny state now.

ABC really gave this series a second shot with a second run to stream/air later in 2026. One of their only scripted series to air later this year, I am predicting early, this will be a two and done series.

The fact it was their last show to get renewed, the fact they are giving The Rookie a second chance with a second spin-off. The first Niecy Nash's The Rookie: Feds was cancelled after one season. They are also apparently investing in another Grey's Anatomy untitled Texas spinoff. So it's spin-off central at ABC.

9-1-1 has one, Grey's Anatomy's getting another (following the above mentioned Station 19's recent conclusion) and The Rookie gets a second bite at the spin-off cherry.

With no cancellations last season, two new entires this season and some strong comedy content. One drama is ripe for the cancellation. My money is on R.J. Decker.

If you want to catch up with it though, all episodes stream now on Disney+.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Sheriff Country - Season One

Sheriff Country is the first spin-off of the Fire Country franchise. Apparently CBS has others in the works. In Australia this streams on Paramount+.

Starring Morena Baccarin, Christopher Gorham, Michele Weaver, Matt Lauria, plus W. Earl Brown. 

Last December, the series was renewed for a second season.

Sheriff Mickey Fox (Baccarin) investigates criminal activity in Edgewater County, CA, while contending with her ex-con father, Wes, and her wayward daughter, Skye. An early plot line focuses on the murder of Skye's ex-boyfriend, Brandon, a recovering addict.

Baccarin was introduced as the police spin-off series to Fire Country. The back-door pilot episode landed in season two of the parent series.

The episode, Alert the Sheriff introduced Baccarin's character, Edgewater County Sheriff's Sergeant Mickey Fox.

Since then, episode 13 and 14 this season was also a crossover.

With Max Thieriot as Bode Donovan, Diane Farr as Sharon Leone, True Blood's Kevin Alejandro as Manuel "Manny" Perez, along with Jules Latimer as Eve Edwards.

The finale left on a bit of a cliffhanger after a fairly action packed episode 20. Apparently the mothership show will get an episode cut next season, however Sheriff Country appears to be untouched for their episode count.

Apparently there is also a second spin-off in the works. Featuring Jared Padalecki who played Camden Casey in season three.

This was a more enjoyable series than the OG show. There were some sexy characters and Morena Baccarin is very good. I'll be happy to see some more of Ian Quinlan as Deputy Hank Iglesias, along with Matt Lauria as Nathan Boone.

Likely to return in October. This is one of three CBS finales over the next few days. I need to get through Y: Marshalls and the mothership, Fire Country's finales. Also landed on Paramount+, the latest season Canadian series, SkyMed, along with another Yellowstone spin-off, Dutton's Raunch.

So a lot of Paramount+ reviews/news incoming.

See you next time! 

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - The Boys - Seasons Five/Series Finale

The fifth & final season of  The Boys, has finally streamed on Amazon. Based on the comic book series of the same name, which commenced back in 2019. The series has now officially concluded. It's spin-off Gen V was also cancelled. Where some of the character actually crossed over in this season.

Returning cast, Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Nathan Mitchell, Colby Minifie, Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, and Cameron Crovetti, with Snowpiercer Daveed Diggs, joining as a religious nut job.

This season, the Boys and Billy Butcher, who possesses a virus capable of killing all Supes in the world, join forces one last time to try to end Homelander's reign, who now threatens to become immortal with the discovery of the first version of Compound V, the V1.

The season received critical acclaim with praise towards its action sequences, character development, social commentary, humour, storyline, performances (particularly Urban, Starr, Fukuhara, & Ackles), and having a satisfying conclusion, though some criticised its pacing and claimed the season suffered from a lack of focus.

Vought Rising , is the next spin-off series, which will star Ackles and Cash reprising their roles as Soldier Boy and Stormfront, respectively. 

Vought Rising will be set in the 1950s, apparently set to stream in 2027.

In the series finale, The Boys bury Frenchie as Homelander prepares a national address proclaiming his godhood from the Oval Office. 

After provoking Kimiko into testing her new power on her, Sage is rendered powerless and departs the Boys to live an ordinary life. 

Once the Boys successfully infiltrate the White House with Ashley's help, Annie fights the Deep while Hughie and M.M. lure Oh Father away so Butcher and Kimiko can face Homelander. 

Oh Father and the Deep are killed while Ryan aids Butcher in restraining Homelander, enabling Kimiko to blast them all and neutralise the Compound V in their blood. 

A now powerless Homelander begs for his life but Butcher kills him. Subsequently, Ashley is removed from office and Edgar once again becomes Vought's CEO. Overcome with despair after being rejected by Ryan and learning of his dog's death, Butcher goes to Vought Tower to release the virus but is killed by Hughie before he can do so. 

After the Boys disband, M.M. renews his marriage vows and takes in Ryan; Kimiko goes to France; and Hughie and Annie prepare to become parents.

It was a slightly random, neat finale. But it worked. Homelander had to die, I wish Frenchie didn't in the previous episode.

Whilst I think Gen V could have had a better ending, a possible third and final season, I am looking forward to Vought Rising in 2027.

Another bi series finale next week, Hacks. If episode nine is anything to go by, it's gonna go out with a BANG!

See you soon!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Margo's Got Money Troubles - Season One

Margo's Got Money Troubles is the latest series from David E. Kelley. Based on the 2024 novel by Rufi Thorpe, starring, Elle Fanning, Nick Offerman, Greg Kinnear, Thaddea Graham, Michael Angarano, Michelle Pfeiffer, plus some Nicole Kidman. 

The eight episode first season (I originally thought it was a miniseries) landed on Apple TV mid-April. Margo received positive reviews from critics, with the series then gaining a renewal for a second season.

Margo's Got Money Troubles centres on Margo Millet (Fanning), the daughter of a Hooters waitress, Shyanne (Pfeiffer), and a former professional wrestler, Jinx (Offerman). After becoming pregnant by her English professor (Angarano), Margo turns to OnlyFans to support herself. 

Reconnecting with her estranged father, who shares wisdom gleaned from his wrestling days, Margo achieves remarkable success on OnlyFans.

In the finale, Lock and Load, all Margo's issues come to a head. The episodes ends like it could have been a miniseries, however Apple TV & A24 had different ideas.

Where will season two see Margo (Fanning) and her son  Bodhi end up. Time will tell. If having Kidman and Pfeiffer on the show, we may have a wait!

Both Apple TV & A24, have excelled recently. Apple TV is also getting lot's of love for Widow's Bay and the new Wednesday series, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.

Honestly the $25 dollars I pay a month for my Apple Music and TV is so worth it. Not an ad. But damn. I used to pay $30 a full album back in my youth at HMV, Erina Fair! Now I get unlimited music and premium TV content. Damn. Some things are cheaper in 2026!

Have an ace weekend. The Boys finale incoming. Not to mention on the weekend, Fire Country and Sheriff Country also both conclude on Paramount+. With SkyMed also returning. Paramount+ is also a content champion right now.

Till then. Bye!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Alert: Missing Persons Unit - Seasons One - Three/Series Finale

Alert: Missing Persons Unit is a procedural drama about the Philadelphia Police Department’s Missing Persons’ Unit (MPU). 

Across the 30 episode run, each episode features a heart-pounding, life-or-death search for a missing person that runs alongside police officers Jason Grant (Scott Caan, Hawaii 5-0) and his ex-wife Nikki Batista’s (Dania Ramirez, Devious Maids) season one long quest to find out the truth about their long-lost son.

Which is all neatly resolved by the end of season one. No spoilers here if you are late to the party. Like me.

The series is created by John Eisendrath and Jamie Foxx. Which originally landed on FOX back in January, 2023. Back in June 2025, the series was canceled after three seasons. With the very last episode airing last May.

A procedural show, during these uncertain times, can be very calming. Every episode has a strict formula to follow. Every episode a new missing person (s). However the lose of a main character at the start of the season three, leaves the show a little lost.

Adeola Role, Ryan Broussard, & Graham Verchere join Ramirez and Caan as the main series regulars. Don't worry about Caan being out of a job. Following an episode on NCIS: Los Angeles, next TV season he joins NCIS: New York. Which in turn has bumped NCIS: Sydney to a midseason, ten episode run next season.

Stan has all thirty episodes streaming right now, after acquiring the series well after it concluded.

2024–25 TV season was cruel at FOX. Alongside Alert: Missing Persons Unit, we also farewelled, 9-1-1: Lone Star, the spin-off with way more heart than the OG. The Cleaning Lady which had a promising start, but grew increasingly tedious,  The Great North & Baywatch wannabe series, Rescue: HI-Surf. Funny that got cancelled, next TV season Baywatch is legit being rebooted.

With a mild cliffhanger, Alert: Missing Persons Unit sails off into the TV graveyard. Could a fourth season have worked? I think it ended just well enough. Unfortunately in the US, some network shows (9-1-1) have outstayed their welcome. Jumped the shark. Or just become so average. I'm looking at you Grey's Anatomy.

Until next time. Night, night.