Cold Case

"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" - different gladiator, same sex and violence. Starz' deliciously decadent"”salacious, violent, often flat-out brutal"”"Spartacus: Blood and Sand" recently went on extended hiatus, leaving its legions of loyal fans "jonesing" for their weekly doses of decapitation and bare breasts. The Spartacus team satisfied fans' craving with "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," a six-episode prequel to the continuing saga of Batiatus and Associates. Starting with a flashback montage of "Blood and Sand's" greatest hits, more precisely Batiatus's life flashing before his eyes in the moment before his death, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" shows Batiatus's rise to prominence and power with the assistance and support of his all-pro gladiator Gannicus. Because these stories represent "a more ruthless time"¦where honor was just finding its way into the arena," the writers and producers feel free to elaborate and experiment with their already-established characters, and they feel similar artistic license with super-slow-motion gore and fun-fantasy sex. They clearly are perfecting their craft. One particularly insightful viewer concluded his review of "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" with a sage observation: "I think that's one of the smart decisions putting it on a Friday night since it's an ideal end of the work week thing to watch."

"The Alienist" is a television series that premiered on TNT in 2018. It is based on the novel of the same name by Caleb Carr and is set in 1896 in New York City. The show follows a team of experts, including a psychologist or "alienist," a newspaper illustrator, and a police secretary, as they investigate a series of gruesome murders of young male prostitutes.

Chase TV Show is another hit from executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer, but this is not your typical police drama. It is based in Houston, Texas and chronicles a U.S. Marshal team specializing in fugitive apprehension; who are on the chase for the country's most wanted criminals. Deputy Annie Frost (Kelli Giddish) leads the all star team including intelligence and weapons/tactical specialists as well as a true Texan cowboy. Follow this notorious team of five as they capture the really bad guys and overcome their own personal issues at the same time. You can be assured, Chase TV Show is a fast moving action packed one hour drama that you won't want to miss, so stay tuned!

Television currently suffers a serious adolescent crush on New Jersey, happily showcasing its housewives, manicurists, unemployed party animals, and now its history of slick, sophisticated organized crime. "Boardwalk Empire," adapted from the bestseller with the same name, shows Atlantic City's colorful jazz age history, paying fierce attention to realistic details and historical accuracy. "Boardwalk Empire" takes the Sunday night timeslot usually reserved for "True Blood" while the vampires go on hiatus, and with skilled assistance from Martin Scorsese, it so completely rivets its audience that they cannot remember what they used to watch after "60 Minutes." Like a complicated, sophisticated Victorian novel, "Boardwalk Empire" takes two episodes to set the stage and establish its historical context; but once the bootleggers, gangsters, and corrupt politicians get their machinery greased-up and going, eager audiences stay tuned. The New York Times effectively summarizes, "'Boardwalk Empire' is a well conceived, beautifully made series that has every reason to be great. Who doesn't want to watch rum runners and gangsters on HBO?" Mtv and E! will break-up with Jersey, and they will not "still be just friends" when new seasons roll around; but viewers can look forward to HBO's going steady with "Boardwalk Empire" until the vampires come home.

As with the movie that aired on the Lifetime network in 2010, The Client List is about a single mom who struggles between her parenthood role and the career she has chosen in the massage therapy business. The industry has long existed under a dark cloud and many thought there was prostitution involved. Professional Massage Therapists keep trying to convince the public that theirs is a strictly legal line of work and that they operate with high moral standards and are regulated by state medical rules in most states. Jennifer Love Hewitt does reprise her role from the 2010 made for TV film, The Client List, as Riley Parks the single parent who tries to provide for her children while managing to be a strong business woman. As she balances her two lives Parks struggles to keep food on her family's table and help her business gain legitimacy. Jennifer Love Hewitt (Hot In Cleveland, Party of Five) is joined by Cybill Shepherd (Moonlighting, The Last Picture Show) who plays her mother, Lynette. Rebecca Field (October Road, Monk) is Lacey, longtime girlfriend of Riley. The TV series fits in well with Lifetime Television's style of portraying roles based on strong independent women.

Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke wage a chilling psychological war as a mother and her son's new girlfriend in this twisty Prime Video thriller. Streaming now.