Overview of The Watch — “Patrick J. Adams on the Making of ‘The Madison.’ Plus, ‘The Pitt’ S2E12 and a TV News Roundup”
This episode of The Watch (The Ringer) covers a compact TV-news roundup, a focused recap/analysis of The Pit S2E12 and Top Chef S23 E3, and a longer interview with Patrick J. Adams about working on Taylor Sheridan’s The Madison. Hosts Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald mix industry news (trailers, casting, creative teams) with scene-level takes on current shows and an on-set conversation that explains how The Madison is made.
Key topics covered
- Harry Potter HBO series trailer reaction and the show’s Christmas release (Andy Greenwald: consulting producer perspective).
- Casting and industry news: Mahershala Ali joining Task S2; Stephen Colbert co-writing a Lord of the Rings project (Tom Bombadil material) with Philippa Boyens; X‑Files reboot casting (Danielle Deadwyler + Himesh Patel).
- Deep recap and analysis of The Pit Season 2, Episode 12.
- Recap and takeaways from Top Chef Season 23, Episode 3 (“True Colors” — natural dyes challenge).
- Interview with Patrick J. Adams on The Madison: production scale, creative process with Taylor Sheridan, working with Michelle Pfeiffer, filming logistics, and character insights.
News roundup / headlines
- Harry Potter (HBO) trailer released; series slated for Christmas. Hosts note the trailer communicates Francesca (the showrunner’s) vision and Hans Zimmer is scoring.
- Mahershala Ali cast in Task Season 2 as Eddie Barnes, a seasoned DEA agent in Philadelphia (expected to create a new adversarial dynamic).
- Lord of the Rings update: Peter Jackson teased news; Stephen Colbert is co-writing a LOTR movie (focusing on chapters not covered in the films, e.g., Tom Bombadil-type material) with longtime LOTR screenwriter Philippa Boyens.
- X‑Files reboot: Danielle Deadwyler announced as the star; Himesh Patel added as co-star.
- General observation: prestige TV continues to attract major film and cultural figures (Oscar winners, late‑night hosts, etc.), with Sheridan projects especially operating like their own ecosystem.
Harry Potter trailer — short notes
- Andy (consulting producer) saw the trailer for the first time with the hosts; he was pleased it reflected the show’s thematic goals and felt it balanced fandom recognition and accessibility for new viewers.
- Hans Zimmer score expected; trailer gave “Christmassy” vibe and some familiar faces (John Lithgow noted).
The Pit S2E12 — recap & analysis
What happened (high level)
- Episode centered on Robbie’s continuing unraveling/crisis rather than the mass-casualty payoff many viewers expected.
- Key scenes: Robbie–Dana confrontation outside the ED; Santos tension and small acts (pocketing a scalpel); a one-shot save and a tidy cinematic moment when Perla is directed out.
- Episode directed by Amanda Marsalis; hosts praise the unobtrusive but skillful cinematography and staging.
Themes & takeaways
- The season’s central engine has become Robbie’s internal combustion rather than episodic disasters; it’s a tonal/structural shift that demonstrates the show’s ability to iterate across seasons.
- The show emphasizes workplace continuity: institutions run with or without particular heroes (Dana’s speech underscoring the ED’s resilience).
- Character work stands out: Santos’ arc, Dana as Robbie’s foil, Dr. Shen stepping into a calm, teaching role, and the supporting night-shift cast providing future spin possibilities.
- Production strengths: choreography, camera movement, and occasional cinematic flexes (one-take coverage), while the show resists melodrama and pronounces realism.
- Critique: hosts ask for fewer elder‑care-specific storylines going forward (noting an occasional moment that pulled them out of verisimilitude).
Practical notes
- This was Episode 12 of season 2 (three episodes to go).
- The episode leans into character choices rather than the explosive “one big night” structure viewers were conditioned to expect.
Top Chef S23 E3 (“True Colors”) — recap & takeaways
- Elimination challenge: contestants had to incorporate natural dyes into their dishes; many struggled.
- Quickfire: Emeril joins and challenges chefs to elevate livermush (regional specialty).
- Notable elimination: Nana — failed to finish/plate properly (undercooked galantine / couldn’t complete multiple plates). Hosts say her leaving was deserved; Last Chance Kitchen awaits.
- Judges used the challenge to roast multiple contestants; overall season energy is high.
- Hosts praise the renewed pep of the season and the show’s willingness to teach (the dye segment felt educational and demonstrated difficulty).
Interview — Patrick J. Adams on The Madison (highlights)
Production scale and process
- The Madison is a Sheridan production with large-scale, location-driven production values: multi-camera (often five cameras), remote base camps, and purpose-built roads/cabins on location (Bozeman area).
- Taylor Sheridan’s process: scripts are fluid. Adams says he was cast with limited script material and had to take a “leap of faith” that the role would expand.
- Creative model: Sheridan is a single-vision writer/showrunner who trusts his director (Christina Poros) and camera/DP teams. The show blends TV storytelling and cinematic filmmaking.
On acting and on-set culture
- Adams emphasizes gratitude and the energizing effect of shooting on location (wind, dirt, real environment help performance).
- Michelle Pfeiffer: described as effortless, deeply prepared, and surprisingly vulnerable in rehearsal; Adams was awe-struck and still feels nervous around her.
- Adams is a camera nerd—he admires five-camera orchestration and often hangs with camera departments. He also shoots film photography and has directed (later Suits episodes).
Character Russell (Adams’ role)
- Russell is an outsider (city/finance guy, son-by-marriage), anxious and cautious; Adams sees season‑one material as the beginning of an arc toward self-discovery.
- The final-season scenes (a conversation with Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, drinking Irish car bombs) are intended to expose his fear and possibility for growth — season two promises more of that internal trajectory.
Career/industry perspective
- Adams frames his career as scrappy: guest work, then steady series (Suits), now streaming-era big-scale projects that require mobility and family juggling.
- He enjoys “being uncomfortable” in roles, which he finds more interesting than occupying a “suave leading-man” archetype.
Anecdotes
- Adams recorded audition tape in a family cabin while tending to real-life family matters (personal backstory about his stepfather and remote property).
- He recounts on-set stories about Dustin Hoffman and other actors’ joy for cameras and craft.
Notable quotes
- On Sheridan’s approach: “He’s not driven by plot” — Sheridan writes from ideas/themes and trusts collaborators to shape execution.
- On Michelle Pfeiffer: “She’s so effortless in the doing of it — it’s a thing to behold.”
- On The Pit’s ethos: “This place is going to be here without you, without me” (Dana reminding Robbie that institutions outlast individuals).
Recommendations / what to watch next
- The Madison — strong visual production; watch for Michelle Pfeiffer and Patrick J. Adams’ character arc.
- The Pit — continue watching for Robbie’s arc; S2 is leaning into character psychology over episodic spectacle.
- Top Chef S23 — season has momentum; episode 3 is worth watching for the “natural dyes” challenge and the energy of the cast.
- Keep an eye on: Task S2 (Mahershala Ali), HBO’s Harry Potter (Christmas release), and the Colbert/Boyens LOTR project.
Quick takeaways for readers/listeners
- Sheridan projects remain auteur-driven, cinematic TV experiences; The Madison is big, visual, and shot with a five‑camera, location-first ethos.
- The Pit is evolving into a character-first show centered on Robbie’s breakdown; the series demonstrates narrative flexibility and strong craft.
- Top Chef S23 is enjoying a revitalized season that mixes regional quickfires with more demanding creative briefs.
- The TV world continues to attract high-profile talent (Mahershala Ali, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stephen Colbert), signaling continued prestige-series investment.