Mid is not a strict genre with a universal definition. But it’s what you get when you raise TV’s production values and lower its ambitions. It reminds you a little of something you once liked a lot. It substitutes great casting for great ideas. (You really liked the star in that other thing! You can’t believe they got Meryl Streep!)
Mid is based on a well-known book or movie or murder. Mid looks great on a big screen. (Though for some reason everything looks blue.) Mid was shot on location in multiple countries. Mid probably could have been a couple episodes shorter. Mid is fine, though. It’s good enough.
Above all, Mid is easy. It’s not dumb easy — it shows evidence that its writers have read books. But the story beats are familiar. Plot points and themes are repeated. You don’t have to immerse yourself single-mindedly the way you might have with, say, “The Wire.” It is prestige TV that you can fold laundry to.
James Poniewozik – The New York Times
This wonderful article out of The New York Times tackles an idea I’ve had knocking about at the back of my mind: This kind of TV, the kind where it’s good enough to have on in the background while doom-scrolling on your phone, has become ubiquitous.
It’s TV that’s just polished enough that you don’t feel you’re watching complete shit, but just shit enough that you’re not giving it more than 60% of your attention.
