A new episode of Apple TV+ original series Amazing Stories landed Friday. This installment, titled “The Heat,” is the second of five in this first season of Steven Spielberg’s rebooted sci-fi anthology series.
Apple’s description reads as follows: “Tuka and Sterling are best friends whose bond transcends the physical world as they follow their dreams after tragedy strikes.”
It stars E’myri Crutchfield (who most recently appeared in the Fargo TV series) and Hailey Kilgore (best known for her Tony Award-nominated role in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island). The episode is helmed by Slender Man director Sylvain White, and written by relative newcomer poet and playwright Chinaka Hodge.
Amazing Stories is executive produced by Spielberg, alongside Once Upon a Time co-creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. The latter joined the project after Apple removed original showrunner Bryan Fuller.
Amazing Stories: Mixed reviews
So far, Amazing Stories has received mixed reviews. Most reviews, including our own review of episode one, have called it unremarkable. Unlike the original Amazing Stories show from the 1980s, this reboot has not attracted the same big name directors.
The results, while watchable, certainly haven’t attracted the same attention as a darker — and more inventive — anthology series like Black Mirror.
Currently, Rotten Tomatoes is showing a very similar split to previous Apple TV+ shows. That is to say that viewers seem to like it a lot more than critical reviews suggest. Currently it stands at 42% based on 26 critical reviews. Meanwhile, the audience score is a far healthier 81% based on 21 reviews.
Have you gotten a chance to check out Amazing Stories yet? If so, let us know what you think of it in the comments below. As with all Apple TV+ shows, you can tune in by subscribing for $4.99 per month. Apple throws in a free subscription for one year for anyone who buys a new iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV.