Two recent drops on our favorite streaming services have Europe as their setting, and they’re as different as night and day. The White Lotus Season 2 is set in sunny Sicily, and it’s overstuffed with fun testosterone. Medieval is a history lesson from Czechoslovakia, but never quite ignites to spark interest.

The White Lotus, Season 2 (HBO Max) - After a Season 1 that was set in the tropical paradise that is Hawaii, Season 2 takes us to the White Lotus in Sicily, Italy. Think of the Aman chain of hotels and the kind of luxury and ambiance they promise to get a feel of what the White Lotus hotels are all about. And as with the first session, the concept is put together a bunch of entitled guests, make them interact with the hotel staff, and create a series ripe with humor, depth, and social commentary. Thr concept worked like a charm in the first incarnation, earning several Emmy nominations and wins; and making scene stealer Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya McQuiod, an audience favorite. So it’s not surprising to find her back; after all, hotel chains of these type to develop ‘regulars’.

Given the composition of the cast for this Season 2, one overriding theme being explored is that of carnal desire, and the whims of men in pursuing women, regardless of their age. Classic here is the male bonding on holiday that acts as the reason behind three generations of the Di Grasso family staying at the Lotus. There’s patriarch Bert (F. Murray Abraham), his son Dominic (Michael Imperioli), and grandson Albie (Adam diMarco). Bert is an incorrigible flirt, eyeing all the young women, while Dominic constantly gripes about his father, yet is more than ready to be sneaky and bring women of the night up to his suite, while Albie is out to discover what holiday romance may be all about. And the Di Grasso’s are just one strand of this multi-strand narrative. It’s a great second season!

Medieval (Netflix Czechoslovakia) Reputed to be the most expensive movie production ever made in Czechoslovakia, this historical film attempts to weave Game of Thrones elements with a Dark Ages biopic. It chronicles the life of Czech hero Jan Żiżka, a warrior/mercenary whose exploits form part of Czech folklore. There’s the obvious attempt to make this have a chance at an international market, as stars such as Ben Foster and Michael Caine have been ‘imported’ to give the film a global flavor. But while the likes of Foster and Caine are proven thespians, they’re also saddled with a script that’s badly in search of creating sparks and true narrative direction. The romance angle feels leaden, with no real chemistry; and the less said on this, the better.

In fact, if there’s anything to commend in the film, they would be the oversaturated cinematography which has a style all it’s own, and the sound design that tries to put you right in the middle of the battles and the carnage that’s being depicted. Blades entering and slicing body parts, the crunch of footfalls, and the galloping horses; they’re all made to be right in the center of your head, and feel immersive. So it is a shame that the story development never matches these efforts. As for the main character, while it’s evident that he does carry a lot of weight in the Czech history of the era, there’s not enough for the audience to latch on, to make him a resonant character, or one we’ll seek out more to know about the real figure.