2024 Q4 Television and Media Favs

Reasonable Doubt, Special Ops: Lioness, Madness, Emilia Perez, Luther: Never Too Much, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was, Six Triple Eight

The fourth quarter of 2024 provided plenty of entertainment for media lovers with exciting selections in both television and films. Fans enjoyed the return of Season 2 of the popular series like Reasonable Doubt and Special Ops: Lioness, alongside the thrilling debut of Madness, featuring Colman Domingo on Netflix. Zoe Saldana wowed audiences in the Netflix Mexican opera, Emilia Perez, while the highly anticipated Luther biopic, Luther: Never Too Much, hit the big screen. I also found Jamie Foxx's heartfelt comedy special to be incredibly touching.

I can't forget to mention two films I adored that weren't highlighted here: Wicked and Fire Inside, both now in theaters. Also, Wicked is set for On Demand release today, December 31st, and like many other fans, I’ll be purchasing and replaying it all weekend to unashamedly learn the songs by heart lol.

Television

Reasonable Doubt, Season 2

Reasonable Doubt is a Hulu drama that explores the life of Jax Stewart, portrayed by Emayatzy Corinealdi. Jax is a prosecuting attorney based in Los Angeles, California. Alongside creator and writer Raamla Mohamed, Kerry Washington also serves as an executive producer. The series intricately weaves the complex relationships of Jax's career, family, and friendships, highlighting how they connect.

In Season 2, the main storylines revolve around Jax helping her colleague, Corey Cash (Morris Chestnut), defend her best friend, Shanelle, who is on trial for murder. At the same time, Jax is working to salvage her marriage while actively addressing her mental health with professional support and medication, all while striving to be an attentive mother. Notably, while Jax focuses on rekindling trust with her husband, Lewis (Mckinley Freeman), he is preparing to welcome a child with another woman, from whom he had a relationship during a break in their marriage. This setup ensures there is no shortage of conflict and drama throughout Season 2.

A standout moment of Season 2 is witnessing Jax and Lewis confront their challenges together. They learn from their marriage therapist about rebuilding trust and reigniting the spark in their relationship, which they then try to apply in their everyday lives. Beyond that, seeing Lewis support Jax by being her accountability partner for her medication routines is touching and vital. The reality of maintaining a marriage is often much more complex than what romance novels or social media depict. Thus, seeing Jax and Lewis refine their existing strategies and develop new ones, while also being open to seeking help through marriage counseling, paints an authentic and encouraging picture of their journey.

Madness

Madness is a gripping thriller series on Netflix, that premiered on November 28 and consists of eight episodes. The narrative focuses on Muncie Daniels (played by Colman Domingo), a political media correspondent based in Philadelphia, who is fighting against a murder charge that he did not commit. As he seeks to unveil the realities of white supremacy, he also aims to mend his fractured relationship with his estranged wife and his two children.

Interestingly, the show's writer, Stephen Belber, has mentioned that the January 6th, 2021, Capitol attack inspired him to create this fictional series. He was motivated by the conspiracies surrounding white supremacy and disinformation, as well as the absence of authority, which led him to pitch the idea to Netflix.

Throughout the series, Muncie endures a significant downfall in his career, which tarnishes his reputation. Ironically, during this tumultuous journey, he finds a way to reconnect with his ex-wife and his children. Over the eight episodes, viewers witness Muncie detach from the shallow aspects of his life that he once valued and reconnect with the meaningful parts he had previously overlooked. The highlight of the season is Muncie's rediscovery of himself amidst challenging circumstances, leaning on those he loves and striving to become a better partner and parent.

Special Ops: Lioness, Season 2

Lioness, also known as Special Ops: Lioness, had its second season premiere on Paramount+ on October 27 and wrapped up on December 8. This drama series blends thrilling elements as it follows the journey of Jo, portrayed by Zoe Saldana, the Chief Intelligence Officer and leader of the Lioness Task Force. In this season, Jo strives to dismantle a terrorist network while juggling her responsibilities at home.

Season 2 encompasses eight episodes and dives deeper into the Lioness task force's mission to train an undercover operative to penetrate the terrorist organization. The narrative this season highlights not only the new agent's training but also the many challenges Jo faces in balancing her demanding role with her life as a wife and mother. The theme of work-life balance takes center stage, showcasing the struggles Jo encounters due to her commitments.

The season opens with a dramatic turn when Jo's daughter becomes pregnant, suffers a leg injury in a tragic accident that claims her friend's life, and ultimately loses her baby—a poignant moment that underscores the consequences of parental absence. As the season unfolds, instead of seeing Jo shift her focus to family, she prioritizes her work.

Lioness has already gained recognition, earning seven award nominations and winning five. Notably, Nicole Kidman received a nomination for a Critics' Choice Award in 2025 for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, and Zoe Saldana won a NAACP Image Award in 2024 for the same category.

Film

Emilia Perez

In addition to Lioness Season 2, Zoe Saldana also takes on a huge role in the film Emilia Perez. This film, which premiered for streaming on Netflix on November 1, 2024, is a musical drama with opera elements. It tells the story of a well-known Mexican cartel leader who embarks on a journey to transition biologically from male to female, involving hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. After this transition, the cartel leader adopts the name Emilia Perez.

Zoe Saldana portrays Rita Castro, a Mexican lawyer who at first hesitated but ultimately agreed to assist Emilia in her transition, motivated by a large payment. Succeeding the transition, Emilia uproots her life in Europe, where she relocates her family, including her wife and two sons, to Switzerland. Rita then has the painful task of informing her family that their father was killed.

Years later, Emilia and Rita reunite in Europe, leading Emilia to decide to return to Mexico, because she deeply misses her children. This emotional journey inspires Emilia to set up a humanitarian organization dedicated to helping families affected by cartel violence, focusing on locating the remains of their loved ones.

Despite facing criticism, the film explores various themes, particularly the sacrifices required to pursue one’s true identity in a context where that identity may face cultural rejection. Critics often argue about the outdated representation of trans women in the film, yet it is essential to consider its geographical and cultural setting, especially as it occurs in Mexico during the conclusion of its long drug war in the early 2000s.

The musical elements are one of the film's standout features, performed beautifully by Zoe Saldana, who delivers her songs and choreography with grace and skill. Selena Gomez, playing Jessi Monte, also meets high expectations with her vocal performances and acting.

If you seek an engaging film with striking music and an unexpected narrative arc, Emilia Perez is a must-watch! The film has already garnered ten Golden Globe nominations, making it the second most nominated film in Golden Globe history. It has also earned 6 nods on the Oscar shortlist.

Luther: Never Too Much

Luther: Never Too Much documentary premiered in select theaters on November 1, 2024. The film is named after the leading track from his debut album, which introduced him to the solo fame he is celebrated for today. Growing up with the sounds of Luther, Aretha, and Anita, I was excited to witness a cinematic tribute to his exceptional music journey, and the legacy he created.

The film chronicles the journey of the iconic singer Luther Vandross, highlighting his ascent to fame and many milestones throughout his career. It reveals lesser-known aspects of his beginnings on Sesame Street and his success as a jingle singer. The film also discusses his experiences as an opening act for legends like David Bowie and Bette Midler, all before launching his solo music career.

One striking revelation was how Luther's solo career took off after Roberta Flack let him go from being her background singer. This event was not due to a lack of talent, but rather her push for him to embrace his artistic path. It serves as a reminder to me that rejection can often lead to a redirection filled with purpose.

I valued how the film candidly explored Luther's mental health challenges and his quest for love, showing how these influenced his weight and deteriorating mental and physical health. The personal anecdotes from his close friends, celebrities like Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, and Valerie Simpson, and non-celebrities, brought a deeper emotional aspect to the documentary. They shared many untold stories and conversations, making the documentary feel even more intimate.

Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…

Jamie Foxx's latest comedy special, What Had Happened Was… was released on Netflix on December 10th. This marks the Grammy and Oscar-winning comedian's first special since his hospitalization in 2023, which took place in Atlanta, GA, where he was treated. It’s also the first time he has publicly shared details about that terrifying experience, as well as the lessons he learned during his recovery.

In addition to the touching moments, highlights include Jamie's humorous impersonations of celebrities like Denzel Washington, Mike Tyson, Jay-Z, and Donald Trump. He also performed his hit singles “Gold Digger” and “Overnight Celebrity,” leaving the audience cheering for more.

The special blended laughter, tears, and heartfelt reflections of gratitude. It stands out as one of Jamie's funniest yet emotionally charged performances, showcasing his sincerity and growth since the incident. His youngest daughter performed a song alongside him, while his oldest daughter introduced him at the start.

Six Triple Eight

Six Triple Eight was released on Netflix on December 20, 2024. The film, crafted by Tyler Perry, who served as a writer, director, and co-producer, stars Kerry Washington, who is also one of the executive producers. It highlights the important yet often forgotten story of the first Black Women's Army Corps during World War II, known as the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Their task involved sorting and delivering three years' worth of delayed mail to American soldiers. This mission was vital but was marred by much disrespect, discrimination, and a lack of support. Despite these barriers, the battalion achieved what was considered impossible in just three months, bringing gratitude as soldiers received their letters, which significantly uplifted the spirits of American troops abroad.

The film was crucial because, before its airing, many people in the U.S. had little knowledge of this important history. It was moving to see Lena King, an original member of the battalion, at 100 years old, alongside her remaining comrades during the film's conclusion.

Reflecting on the overall theme can be exhausting, as it reminds us how often Black women's abilities have been questioned. However, the strength and resolve of these women were genuinely inspiring. I hope this film motivates everyone to face and overcome the challenges that the new year may bring.

Closing

The content I viewed in Q4 2024 stirred emotions, sparked meaningful discussions, and filled me with hope, with a few tears along the way. As I get ready for Q1 of 2024, I'm most excited for Harlem Season 3, returning on Prime on January 23rd, and One of Them Days, hitting theaters on January 17th.

Happy New Year, in advance!

Easy Listening (And Viewing), The Urban Music Enthusiast.