Netflix deep dive
El Ministerio del Tiempo
There’s a cave? in Madrid? It’s full of doors.
These doors? Lead to pretty specific time epochs in Spanish History.
The Ministry of Time? They monitor history to make sure it stays on the same course.
Forces? People? A cabal, something is trying to rewrite Spanish history, and the ministers of the Time, they have to use the doors to fix the Timelines.
I’d recommend it for Spanish AP Prep. It addresses one event, or person, that is important to Spanish History, and uses our rookie agents, a paramedic from today, the first female college graduate from the late 19th century, and a soldier from the Eighty Years war to investigate and right the time lines.
We meet Cervantes, of course, but also the potential author of “Lazarillo de Tormes,” kings like Phillip II, and multiple Queen Isabelas. Of course we meet Garcia Lorca, and Picasso, and the Spanish American War is involved. Velazquez is an agent who uses his access to meet and assess other artists throughout time.
It’s mostly fun, even if you don’t want to brush up on your Spanish History or Castilian Spanish.
–Catherine McDonald
MONDAY
The Iconic: TLC: Four artists perform TLC’s songs and then TLC will choose one to perform with them in this one-hour special. 7 p.m., The CW
The Beauty and the Baker: In the two-hour finale, Daniel and Noa struggle to find a way to make their relationship work. Also, there’s a quinceañera. Season finale. 8 p.m., ABC
Royalists: Darren Criss and Kether Donohue star in this satire of the music industry. Series premiere. Quibi
Below Deck Mediterranean: Captain Sandy and crew are back. Season premiere. 8 p.m., Bravo
TUESDAY
Dirty John: The second season of the true-crime-based drama follows the wild story of Betty Broderick, and stars Amanda Peet and Christian Slater. Look, I’m not saying this series is prestige drama, but it is satisfying in that trashy good kinda way. Season premiere. 8 p.m., USA
Fuller House: Final episodes. Netflix
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Legends find themselves in a 1984-esque world. YES, THAT IS SO HARD TO IMAGINE. Season finale. 7 p.m., The CW
WEDNESDAY
CMT Celebrates Our Heroes: A two-hour tribute to our frontline workers during this crisis. 7 p.m., CMT, Paramount, Pop and TV Land
Spelling the Dream: This documentary looks at the success of Indian-Americans in the country’s top spelling contest. Netflix
Free Solo: To celebrate the third anniversary of Alex Honnold’s record-breaking three-hour and 56-minute ascent of the daunting face of El Capitan Peak without rope or safety gear. 2 p.m., Nat Geo
THURSDAY
The Thomas John Experience: A psychic goes around freaking people out when they get into his Uber. (Also, I can’t stop writing this as “The Thomas Jane Experience” which is a very different show.) Series premiere. CBS All Access
We’re Here: This fucking virus even interrupted our favorite drag queens cross-country trip bringing joy and understanding to our small towns. God dammit. Season finale. 8 p.m., HBO
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?: Season finale. 7 p.m., ABC
FRIDAY
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: More Drag Race, yes, please. It’s about the only thing getting me through these dark days, I’m not even kidding. Season premiere. 7 p.m., VH1
13 Reasons Why: The fourth and final season of the controversial teen drama. Netflix
Dear …: In which famous people read letters from people whose lives they changed because what famous people need are ego boosts. Series premiere. Apple TV+
We Are Freestyle Love Supreme: A documentary about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop group from the early 2000s. Hulu
Queer Eye: If you want something to cry about other than the news, these guys have you covered. Season premiere. Netflix
Trackers: A political crime thriller set in the shadowy underworld of South Africa. Series premiere. 9 p.m., Cinemax
Betty: All-girl skate! Season premiere. 10 p.m., HBO
SATURDAY
Ad Astra: Brad Pitt goes to space. 7 p.m., HBO
Dear Class 2020: Man, what a time to be graduating. YouTube
Yvonne Orji: Momma, I Made It!: The co-star of Insecure has her first stand-up special. 9 p.m., HBO
SUNDAY
30 for 30: Be Water: An intimate look at the life of the incomparable Bruce Lee. 8 p.m., ESPN
Hollywood Game Night: Season premiere. 6 p.m., NBC
I May Destroy You: Michaela Coel wrote, produced, directed and stars in this new series that explores the murky morass that is sexual consent, liberation, and exploration. Series premiere. 9:30 p.m., HBO
Nice to learn about the Bruce Lee bio.