Julia (TV Series) Fried Chicken (2023) User Reviews

A banquet of delight.

[tartes4 · 9/10 · 25 November 2023]

Classy, clever, subtle and never fails to please! Another great episode, loved seeing Isabella Rossellini again in her amusing role as Julia's jealous and competitive friend sharing her beautiful home in the French countryside. There is tension between the 2 friends as they prepare a menu, and sit down to a banquet with guests including Stockard Channing, her character an interesting addition to the group. A handsome young arrival causes a stir amongst the group, and adds interest to an already impressive gathering.

Meanwhile back in America, the TV studio, with its own multiple dramas, prepares for the return of Julia with her new recipes for the next series production. Avis has a rather zealous admirer and tries to deal with his attention.

Never a dull moment as every scene, alternating between the French countryside and the drama back in the TV studio, makes for great entertainment. Highly recommended.

Episode 2: Fried Chicken

[doctordoctory · 8/10 · 19 November 2023]

The show in general has the challenge of taking an icon of homemaking and delivering their narrative wrapped in a social justice-minded packaging. The result is entertaining and enlightening, and what it may lack in subtlety in terms of its social justice argument it makes up for in well-written and interesting characters.

The character of James is as grotesque as his fried chicken contribution. However, the episode would not be as good without him. The character of Frances says things that you feel a person would say in the 60s - their dinner toast, for example, is spot-on what I would expect an aristrocrat lush to say at a dinner party in France in this given time period. The storyline between the young man and Paul is of course both funny and a wink at any one of numerous Frasier episodes. The character of Avis has, for me, the most interesting side narrative in the season so far - among the various side characters, she fairs the best outside of the main Julia storyline.

In terms of negatives, the character of Judith has some cartoonish scenes, complete with on-cue jokey music. I don't remember her being like this is season 1, but I suppose it reflects her mercurial relationship with her myopic boss. The other characters, on their own in Boston without Julia, are not terribly interesting. I don't know to what extent we care about Russ Morash and his own TV program, when he treats Alice so poorly. Overall, though, this was a good episode showcasing the writing strengths of the series in general.

Fried chicken and more

[blakemonkey · 5/10 · 5 April 2024]

Well I'm not really sure what this episode was about but will try and do a review. Julia is still overseas in Paris with her husband and staying with close friend Simca and hubby. They're suppose to be working together and cooking meals meant for her new cookbook but neither of the women can agree on any meal or menu.

I'm finding this episode was a bit too messy and actually felt like a fill-in episode. Nothing really happens. Some bickering here and bitching there and lots of f-bombs at a very long dinner!

Back in the States there's not much happening there either except a bunch of short stories between the characters. Pretty boring.