'Islands' is a spare and satisfying slow-burn thriller
'Hijack' and 'The Night Manager' continue to thrill in their second seasons
John Powers on 01/15/2026

'Hijack' and 'The Night Manager' continue to thrill in their second seasons

When I first began reviewing television after years of doing film, I was struck by one huge difference between the way they tell stories. Movies work hard to end memorably: When I first began reviewing television after years of doing film, I was struck by one huge difference between the way they tell stories. Movies work hard to end memorably: They want to stick the landing so we'll leave the theater satisfied. TV series have no landing to stick. They want to leave us un-satisfied so we'll tune into the next season.

J John Powers