The state of television is so daunting that it makes some yearn for the day when there were only three channels. Streaming has welcomed such an overwhelming amount of content, making it an undertaking just to decide what to watch. Even Marvel has struggled to support one of their best television shows, Wonder Man, which barely had any marketing surrounding it. Streamers have put all their effort into ambitious series across the board with varying success. Hulu, an extension of Disney+, has seen critical success with shows such as Shogūn and sparked fan discussion with Season 3 of Tell Me Lies, but there is one series that is outpacing all the rest.
Fans have flocked to the new Fox show, Memory of a Killer, streaming on Hulu. The series marks Patrick Dempsey’s return to network television years after his departure as the beloved McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy. This series is a change of pace as Dempsey plays hitman Angelo Doyle, who starts exhibiting signs of Alzheimer’s. Inspired by the book and subsequent film, De Zaak Alzheimer, Memory of a Killer is a spin on the classic mob hitman story. Any contract killer would have to be worried about keeping his lies straight, but Angelo faces an even greater strain because of his declining mental health. While these concepts are simple, they have allowed the series to outpace more high-concept series on Hulu.
‘Memory of a Killer’ Is a Throwback to Classic Network Television
Sometimes, fans just need to sit down and get lost in an hour of television. Established IPs and franchises have taken the fun away from the simple act of watching an engaging story. Marvel often asks viewers to follow so much lore that watching these movies and shows has felt like more of a chore. Memory of a Killer is a reaction against that, whether that was the intent or not.
Though the Fox series is inspired by source material, it doesn’t require fans to delve into it if they don’t want to. Memory of a Killer feels fresh because there is no extra work expected of the viewer. Like in the days of classic network television, the series has an attention-grabbing concept with no further explanation necessary. A story about a killer whose lies start to unravel because of early-onset Alzheimer’s is fascinating and can be taken at face value.
Viewers don’t need to know Angelo’s backstory to get invested. Everything is right there on the screen and leaves little room for confusion. Fans aren’t looking for hidden cameos or easter eggs; they can just hit play and enjoy. When all other television requires so much effort on the part of the viewer, it is a relief to watch a series that puts everything on the table.
‘Memory of a Killer’ Rewards Viewers For Their Attention
There is something to be said for prestige television and the slow-burn stories they present. HBO Max has always delivered on character-driven crime shows like True Detective and Mare of Easttown. Memory of a Killer was a show made for network television that, while not as carefully crafted as these worlds, gets the audience’s attention.
The series is an escapist romp that doesn’t allow fans’ attention to be divided. It tells its story at a breakneck pace, vaulting from one plot point to another. The stakes are already high in Angelo’s world, as he fears his home life and professional life are about to collide. After his daughter starts questioning what he does for a living, he realizes he has to keep a tighter lid on his dealings. His friend and employer, Dutch (Michael Imperioli), also gets suspicious because he believes Angelo was never a family man. These lies would already be fascinating television, but the knowledge that Angelo is on the precipice of Alzheimer’s makes it even more exciting.
Just when fans are following one conflict, another rears its ugly head. These quick plot turns are hallmarks of a network television era gone by, and they work for the story. Memory of a Killer benefits from the weekly drops, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. They can invest in cliffhangers, which invite viewers to come back week to week. This was a tried-and-true structure that networks used to live by. Memory of a Killer stands out from most shows on television because of this fact. It feels fresh because it is one of the few shows doing it, even though it was a strategy that made similar weekly shows like Prison Break so popular. It may not be the most realistic television show, but that is half the fun.
- Release Date
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January 25, 2026
- Network
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FOX
- Directors
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Daniel Minahan
