Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘The Consultant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
Thus far, our journey through the Prime Video series, The Consultant, has yielded little answers regarding the mystery that is Regus Patoff. For to date, the show has only informed us of the fact that he is intense and expects his staff to go above and beyond for the business… with minimal reward. But above all, he’s dangerous and worrisome, and that really is as far as the series is willing to go from an exploration standpoint regarding this mystery man. A move that seems grounded in purpose, as though the show is waiting for the final episodes to reveal all, and that allowed for all of us… to comfortably settle in for more mysterious mayhem when we all hit play on the next episode… only to be outright surprised. For ‘Sang’ turned out to be a story that actually offered up some answers to our burning questions. Specifically, how Regus was able to convince Sang-woo to just… hand over CompWare without giving it much thought and who exactly Regus Patoff might be and well… those answers made this episode something of a ‘be careful what you wish for’ moment. Because it turned out that Patoff… basically just marched into CompWare after looking at its books and opportunities and demanded a meeting with Sang-woo. One where he promptly outlined the troubles awaiting the company in months to come and where he of course, offered his services… and something quite sinister. The kind of thing that speaks to a being that isn’t quite human… intimate knowledge of a man he’s never met. The kind that revealed a great deal about Sang-woo and his thought process, that no one else would have known but him. Making it seem as though, Patoff had a window into Sang-woo’s soul, one that would allow for him to know his fears and his thoughts, and he used those to motivate Sang-woo to ‘purchase’ his services and seal his horrific fate. But what mattered more here, is that in many ways, Regus Patoff presented himself as something otherworldly in this tale. Because no everyday person could speak to what Regus did here, and the power he exerted over Sang-woo was quite frightening and made Patoff even more unsettling from a story perspective. Since it speaks to the reality that whatever skills he harbors can be used to get anyone to do his bidding when he so wishes. All of which makes him a genuinely terrifying character now, one that compels us to finish the journey to see what he might do to Craig and Elaine once he settles in at CompWare. Which is a terrifying prospect, one that might be mitigated by the actions of that duo in this tale. Since Craig was spooked deeply by that Friday night fiasco and decided that he needed to get hold of Frank and use his skill set to bring this guy down. Which pushed him to do something bold, and basically race to finish a mock-up of the game, so he could get it installed on Patoff’s phone. Giving him access to contacts and notes and that did bring about Frank’s number. Giving him and Elaine a shot at perhaps counter punching a man that is only getting bolder and weirder by the minute, and really might not be human. As evidenced by his decision to add a statue of Sang to the lobby, and his incredible strength in doing so, and of course… there are those weird powers he has over people and really in the end, this was just an amazing episode when all is said and done. Because it truly catches the viewer by surprise and accelerates the story and raises the stakes. After all, just like that… lives are clearly in danger at CompWare and Patoff may let loose and bring about pain on a moment’s notice and that’s a terrifying prospect, one that truly motivates us to hit play on the next episode post haste. To see what the forthcoming confrontation between Craig, Elaine and Patoff is going to look like, and whether or not our heroes can counter the incredible power Patoff harbors before he uses it against them. Until next time.
0 Comments
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale of ‘The Watchful Eye’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
It is definitely safe to say that fans of the Freeform series, The Watchful Eye, have been eagerly and patiently awaiting one thing from the story… answers. Answers to what motivated Abby to harm herself, who exactly has been stalking and harassing Elena and her friends and of course… whether or not Elena would be able to escape the clutches of the strange families of the Greybourne with her life and potentially with Matthew at her side, and well… it just so happens that the answers and resolution we have been waiting for… mostly came forth during this week’s season one finale. For ‘Hale Fellow Well Met’ is a story that basically saw all the façades in the Greybourne collapse with Matthew’s arrest and understandably so. For these families thrive on secrecy and well, when pressed, secrets are revealed. An experience that Elena was quite familiar with and well, with Matthew behind bars, a move orchestrated by Scott no less… since he used Darcy and her concerns to his advantage to create false evidence to place Matthew under arrest… the family was scrambling. Because a member behind bars meant trouble was to come for the family and well… the easy way to handle this was to pay off Matthew and make demands of him to ensure the family’s safety. Demands he wasn’t willing to meet, which put his future in a precarious place and well… while Matthew pondered upon tomorrow, the chaos surrounding this arrest set all kinds of new trouble in motion. For while the families were laser focused on how to handle Matthew and protect their secrets, James got desperate. After all, Alex knew things and that meant he needed to act quickly to keep his own cover now that it was revealed he was working for the families, so he decided to make his move post haste and that brought forth some incredible truth and accountability when everyone rallied behind Elena and Alex. Specifically, how James was doing a ton of wet work for Otis and that he was indeed the man stalking and scaring to try and shake Elena off of the trail, and he also admitted he was the man responsible for the blackout. All so he could get Dick Ayers back into his apartment. But what he didn’t cop to, was killing anyone in the upper echelon of the family. His job was to handle any external threats and well… the reality that Dick survived and that internal matters were handled by the top brass in the family… brought Elena to quite the conclusion. In that… Abby was likely harmed by her own flesh and blood. Since someone would have noticed she was digging into internal family documents that could have threatened fortunes untold. And really, the only person that could have conducted such an act and not arouse suspicion, was Dick. Because who would think of the doctor as a person of interest? So, she came up with a plan. One that would net her a payout large enough to get her mother off of her back and give her the freedom she so desired and that involved telling Tory the truth about Dick and the situation at hand. And wouldn’t you know it? After Elena spoke her truth, Tory found a way to confirm that horrifying reality, and in the process… put an end to her husband. Complicating this whole mess further, especially when one considers what else happened to Elena in this tale. Since Scott used his power and his desire to have that fortune, to wrest Ruby/Charlotte’s birth certificate from Elena. Leaving the plan in limbo, while motivating others to forge new alliances, since Scott was quick to align with Elena’s mother when given the chance and of course… Tory’s actions have made Elena an accomplice, since she asked Elena to help her hide the body. Setting the stage for a messy fight for those epic riches, and new allegiances and new troubles for us to experience, provided of course the show is granted a second season. Which we certainly hope it receives, because this is quite the fascinating and refreshing, and original series, and it deserves the chance to expand upon this engaging plot. But while we wait for that good news, we can bask in one epic finale. One that finally put the truth on display and truly exposed how deep the darkness goes at the Greybourne, courtesy of two families that only care about money and the power it brings. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 507 of ‘Magnum P.I.’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
When we are young, we firmly believe that life with our family is going to be a sunny, and bright, and supremely fulfilling experience, every day for the rest of our lives. Simply because there comes a point where we realize, subconsciously or consciously… that family is something special and that we belong to something special and cherishing what we have and being there for our family as they are there for us… will provide us with so much. But alas, as the years roll along, we come to realize that such a worldview regarding family is damn near impossible. Largely because… family is complex, and filled to the brim with people that harbor unique personalities and sometimes want different things out of life as they grow. Which leads to tough times with family, the kind that take our family experience down a strange path. One that can be painful, or stressful and one that we deeply ponder upon regarding its impact upon us. If anything, that particular truth about family is top of mind today, simply because… it was explored in stunning detail in the next episode of Magnum P.I. on NBC. A feat that ‘Birthright’ accomplished by having T.C. and Juliet go on some very unique journeys regarding family. T.C. for instance… was faced with the difficult reality that someone from his past had arrived on the island, someone he wasn’t sure he wanted to speak with… his mother. For she struggled with her mental illness when he was a boy and decided to leave her family behind rather than let them deal with the fallout of the bad days. But now she wanted to reconcile and that was a difficult prospect for T.C. since he spent so many years working to remove her from his memories to find balance and peace. But of course… T.C. is a good man and reconciled and well, this whole journey was a powerful reminder… that family life doesn’t always go as planned. For sometimes members in our family spin off and for painful paths that hurt us and well… we have to figure out a way forward and understand that, regardless of the pain it inflicts. As to whether or not we reconcile a la T.C., well that too is dealer’s choice, but it was powerful to see this presented in such a raw manner. As for Juliet, well a messy case involving family, that she and Thomas took part in, offered up some different lessons regarding family. A feat this plot thread accomplished by way of the ugly case in question. For a robbery involving a humble and ailing older gentlemen revealed chaos involving his family. Which was inadvertently generated by his lonesome daughter, who dedicated her days to caring for her sick father, But she accidentally set heartache in motion via her brief romantic contact with an ex-felon, which introduced that felon to her greedy brother. Who was in dire financial straits and influenced that felon to steal a family heirloom. Which he could hock and make a grand payday off of, while the insurance company took care of the family and brother's cash concerns. But alas, the heirloom was a fake, because that very daughter sold it to help her father pay for his growing medical bills and kept a fake around to keep dad happy. Which brought forth an expectation for compensation, and raw vengeance from that felon. One that burned deep since dear old dad dropped the felon’s partner when the crime went down. But thanks to Magnum and Higgins’ quick thinking he went down for his crimes and left Juliet in quite the heartbroken place. Since she revealed that she felt a soft spot for this case, mainly because the daughter made some incredible sacrifices for her family. The kind that genuinely allowed for healing to take place and for unity to grow, and she felt she was missing that in her memories. Since when she was presented with the chance to do something similar when her mother was ill, she chose to put her mother into assisted care and well… that left her wondering what could have been if she had been like the family she and Thomas helped. Which in turn dug deep into how… there are choices that family members have to make, that will have a profound and lasting impact upon all members involved and they will be tough choices indeed. The kind that will hurt someone and require sacrifice and we will never know if they are right. For life is messy and life is chaos and all we can do is make the hard call and hope for the best. All of which made, for a powerful episode. One that truly let Stephen Hill (T.C.) and Perdita Weeks (Higgins) shine as actors. Since they leaned into the personal side of things in an earnest and powerful manner. But what truly made this episode so incredible, was that it presented all of this stuff, in the raw. Without commentary nor were there any solutions or advice. It was just a slice of life, the painful parts no less, and that made for some incredible storytelling and some fine observations about the journey we travel and the choices we make, and this episode deserves a hard round of applause for going that route and for not offering a single solution or answer as to how we handle our family woes and the ups and downs that family brings. Because that’s just rare to see in television, much less in a private investigator series that is flat-out, set-in paradise, and now that T.C. and Higgins have endured a moment of reflection regarding their families… it is onto the next case and whatever fascinating observations this series will have up its sleeve. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Lucky Hank’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous and fascinating new AMC series, Lucky Hank, we talked at length about how this show… did a wonderful job of presenting the mid-life crisis in a brand-new light. One devoid of cliché and free from silly and bombastic moments to instead ground us in a world of reflective misery. Wherein poor Hank came to realize that his path had not taken him to the promised land that he thought it would have ages ago. Which in turn prompted him to lash out in frustration and rattle the saber at his school and of course, put him perilously close to losing his position as Chair of the English Department at Railton College. But what mattered more about this opening chapter of a critical story in Hank’s life… was that it set the stage for a detailed examination of what the mid-life crisis looks like beyond the epiphany moment of said crisis. Which the next episode of this story, wasted little time in diving into. For when we caught up with Hank in ‘George Saunders’, he was of course… attempting to get back to his usual routine in life. As though he was trying to acknowledge that perhaps he experienced nothing more than a momentary lapse of sanity. One pre-empted by tough times and a pressure filled situation. So, he worked on budgets with the dean and even entertained the possibility that he was about to become a grandfather. Since Lily spoke to needing to discuss something urgent with her parents. Which turned out to be nothing more than an attempt by her goofy boyfriend to grift mom and dad into helping him build a silly business that would likely fail. Making it seem in a way, we weren’t going to dive into something deeper, but the devil was in the details here. For in essence, Hank was in denial over the thoughts in his mind and was trying to shove them aside and well… when we do that and work even harder to ignore what is eating as us and needs to be resolved, the universe tends to give us quite the uncomfortable but necessary shove. Enter George Saunders. A beloved writer that hit the market at the same time as Hank and obviously, their career paths diverged in a noticeable manner. For Hank went off to Railton and George enjoyed all kinds of critical and financial success and to make matters more complicated for Hank, George was coming to Railton to do a public speaking event about his career and his life and that… put Hank in a tough place mentally. Because he was asked to moderate said event, and that ask, and having George in front of him again, brought the mid-life crisis back to the forefront of his mind.
In fact, this reunion of sorts, since they had met on the circuit ages ago, truly forced Hank to think upon his path and whether or not some of the best moments in his life were lies. After all, he was a junior and there was a real possibility some of his best reviews came from his father’s influence in the industry and that put him in a low spot. Not to mention, George basically embarrassed Hank in his own classes. Since he was eager to teach and teach in a style not quite as abrupt as Hank, which Bartow loved to no end and well… that managed to sink Hank to an even lower point. One that truly made him feel that he made every awful choice a writer could make and truly settled in life instead of seeking the path that could have brought him emotional and mental peace and critical acclaim and financial success.
Which in turn, prompted him to back out of the moderation at the last second. Since he expected these concerns and these feelings to overwhelm him and embarrass him on stage and sink him further. But a quick push from Tony, one that hinted that he could take his frustrations out on George and enjoy a sampling of explosive frustration again, brought Hank on stage and also put him at a fascinating crossroads. Because in a moment vulnerability, George told Hank how much he admired his work and how much talent he believed he had and that… flipped a switch for Hank. One that let him handle the event in a smooth and respectful manner and those kind words, also gave him a newfound direction. One where he pondered upon finally embracing his talents as a writer so he could begin a new chapter in life, one where he finally walked the path he always wanted. An epiphany that may have come at just the right time since Bartow is up to something with his excellence idea. But what mattered more, is that this journey informed us, that like many points in life, we have to go through hell to find clarity. And in the instance of the mid-life crisis, that means not fighting it and embracing the panic it sends our way and allow for it to wash over us. For when the wave of worry recedes, we are cleansed and able to look objectively at our lives and what needs to change and that’s exactly the process that Hank went through here, with those kind words serving as the ice-cold blast of water he needed to clear his head. And this episode deserves another round of applause for offering up a unique exploration of the mid-life crisis that was both subtle and real, and for also exploring the importance of letting go of the parts of the past that don’t help us, as evidenced by Gracie’s fascinating journey. And now that Hank has some clarity in his day, it will be interesting to see what unique lessons regarding the mid-life crisis will be uncovered in the weeks to come, as Hank’s quest to reclaim his writing agency gets underway. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Sixteen of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One particular fear that each of us will deal with, when we enter into a deeply committed relationship, is whether or not our partner will be faithful to us. Which is a fear that comes into play for several reasons. Because sometimes… we worry whether or not we are enough for the person we love, and that worry can have our minds play tricks on us and make us think that they might leave us for someone else. Or we fear that things might become stale in the relationship, and that might force their eye to wander… or… we’ve been cheated on before and despite getting over the hurt that creates, the scars from that kind of violation… stay with you and itch now and again. But thankfully, the vast majority of those fears/concerns fade pretty quickly. In part because we can take a moment to just appreciate the wondrous partner, we have in front of us. Since the joy they send into our hearts reminds us that we will indeed do what must be done from a healthy relationship perspective to make them feel special and wanted, and also because… the past is in the past and no two people are the same. But when those fears do arise, they can make for rough patches in our relationships as we work through the worry and well… how we get to that point of peace and reflection was explored in great detail in the next episode of Lopez vs Lopez on NBC. A feat that ‘Lopez vs Cheating’ accomplished, by way of a crush for Mayan. For a handsome new bird doctor swung by the practice and he definitely caught her eye and of course… a dream where he flirted with her and kissed her, freaked her out. Because she didn’t think she was capable of such thoughts and was worried she might cheat. And George of course, claimed that cheating was in her blood, and that put her into a panic. One that made her believe she would be unfaithful and of course… George worked Quinten up into a frenzy over this as well, which led to a hilarious slapstick sequence at a Bird Convention where Mayan was spending a lot of time with the hunky bird doctor, and that finally brought the lesson in question to fruition in a very simple manner. By pointing out in this instance, it is only human to find other people attractive when we are in a relationship, but truly… we must take a moment and ask ourselves if that attraction is something deeper or not. Because once we know it is just a crush, the flushed feelings can fade, and we can take that aforementioned deeper moment to reflect on the person that matters, and if we’re on the other side of Mayan’s situation… we also need to just take a moment and look at things objectively. So, we can recognize the strength of our love and be reminded of the fact, that our partner wouldn’t go that route and that’s when the peace comes, and that made for one lovely episode, one that also took the time to explore more regarding matters of infidelity. Because this episode truly took the time to explore the fallout of cheating and the pain it does cause, which it accomplished by way of having a former fling of George’s come back into the fold and apologize to Rosie. And that gave George perspective on how foolish it was to violate his relationship with Rosie and how… he let fear and ego and selfishness lead him to cheat. Which brought about a beautiful apology, one that neatly wrapped up this fascinating exploration on cheating and our fears of it and well, in the end, all of that made for a wonderful episode. One that once again, examined a life topic we don’t talk about enough in an objective and mature manner, and now that we’ve reached the end of this life exploration, we can turn our attention to next week’s tale and all the intelligence it will undoubtedly offer. Until then. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Grand Crew’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
Often times, stories that revolve around people that are in need of a reset moment, pack in quite the journey. One filled with incredible discoveries and personal epiphanies and growth. As though getting away from it all when the going gets tough, will magically heal our lives and our souls. Which makes those stories peak entertainment really, because in reality… the reset button rarely does any of that. For when we are genuinely overwhelmed or need to just get away from it all, we simply use that time to breathe. To reset our brains and be free of stress so we can in fact return to our everyday lives and then figure out what comes next, and that is why this week’s episode of Grand Crew on NBC was so incredibly refreshing, because it featured that kind of honesty regarding that particular concept. For when we caught up with the crew in ‘Wine & Ojai’, everyone was… beat. After all, matters of love had gone south as of late and everyone was just, in need of a hard mental reset. So, the crew packed up in a couple of cars and decided to just head to Ojai and get away from it all at a wonderful resort that Noah knew about and for a time… it appeared as though this story was going to follow that more traditional edict. After all, Anthony tried to reconcile with Fay and smooth things over regarding his actual feelings for her and of course… this place was host to a psychic, named Journey, that was going to tell everyone their fortunes and their needs and wants. Which of course, would lead to powerful epiphanies and new directions. Until it didn’t. For all it really did, was get Noah high as a kite. Since Journey supplied him with crystals and a special tea that he drank when he thought a creepy kid at a nearby pool was a signal that his reading had come to life. And it led to deep discussions between Kristen and Wyatt regarding having a family and it all led to frustration for Nicky. Because she wanted to just relax by a pool and clear her head, and there was no pool she could easily use and even when she thought she was able to, by heading back to the one where Noah was spooked, on her own, that creepy kid was around. Which killed the vibe. And as for Sherm… well he wanted nothing more than to hook up with Journey. Which motivated him to spend time with her and take part in unique spiritual acts to seal the deal and well, all that led to in the end, was a need to outrun potential trespassing charges. Because Journey worked to take everyone on an amazing spiritual journey during their last night at this resort, since a meteor shower was going to be present, making it the perfect time to connect with the universe. But she took them to a massive and sprawling house that wasn’t hers and that made for one wild escape at the end of the night and brought an end to one wild trip. One that really did remind us that when we work to get away from it all, epiphanies rarely happen. We just live and thrive and step away from our worries and there’s nothing wrong with that. Because sometimes… you need to be free of what ails you, and you need to let stress go, now and again, and that is precisely what the vast majority of the crew did here. Which made for a wonderfully realistic tale, one that only dabbled in traditional getaway tropes at the beginning and the end. Simply because, recent events really did open up Anthony and Fay’s eyes to the fact that they cared for each other deeply and that they wanted to indulge in that, and they did, giving rise to an epiphany of love and a new beginning for them. But that’s the kind of ‘trope’ that is absolutely forgivable since they’ve been toying with their feelings for some time now, and it is realistic for people to discover their feelings for each other when they’re away from their everyday lives. In the end however, this was just… another great episode from this magnificent series. Because it once again offered up a slice of life in a compelling and funny manner, and that’s really where this show thrives, and it was wonderful to get away with the crew and meet the member that is always absent in Marquan. And now that everyone had a chance to clear their heads and relax, or fill their hearts with love, it will be interesting to see what other familiar moments from everyday life, will be on display, when this wonderful series returns next week. Until then. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Party Down’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
When we are in the midst of working a job that is in fact, beneath us and a struggle to deal with, we lament it and rightfully so. After all, that job sucks, in every way imaginable, and includes tasks and duties that are just annoying and yes, beneath us. But we put up with them in the moment to cash the check they send our way and to bide our time until something better comes along and when that does… then we look upon those ugly jobs fondly. For they are the ones that taught us our worth, and they also help us appreciate the discipline we learned while sweating away doing those annoying tasks and well, that all-important lesson is top of mind today, simply because the next episode of Party Down on STARZ explored it in a unique manner. For when we caught up with the team in “Once Upon a Time ‘Proms Away’ Prom-Otional Event”, they were preparing to help Lydia provide her daughter, Escapade, with the prom she missed out on as a child. Something Lydia mentioned back at Jack Botty’s party and well… being in the heart of a prom/promo event for a new movie, put everyone in a reflective place. Where they’d been, where they were going or not going, and what needed to happen to get them going. Which really did create an interesting vibe for the party, one that featured some lighthearted moments of course, such as the epic dance off between Sackson and Kyle. Because holy hell, that was utterly amazing and hilarious, and it also brought forth some tender moments since Lydia came to learn that her worries were unfounded about her daughter. Since she was in a good place and more worried about her mom’s happiness at this point over anything else. But while that reflective place brought out youthful feelings in some, and hope for others, it put Ron in a very unique mindset. One where he genuinely realized that this job had done a lot for him and that he truly cared about it and its success. To the point where he came to understand, that if he could get his business card in the hands of the powerful PR agent present at this gig… he could elevate what he worked so hard to bring to life. The only problem was… he had some bad shellfish before the party started and that messed him up bad. To the point where he had to cake his face in foundation to not look flushed and where he broke every health code known to man by emptying himself into a massive cooking pot when the rotten shellfish wanted out. Which meant he needed to lean on Constance to help him land the deal, which made her nervous since that kind of work wasn’t her style. But she too knew what this business meant to her and how it helped sustain her and others and she buckled down and sealed the deal. Hammering home how the journey makes us value the tough days and that was further explored by Henry. Who finally landed the acting gig of a lifetime in this tale, courtesy of Evie’s promotion at work, and well… that too… allowed for Henry to ponder upon this job and what it had done for him. Because despite being back in the thick of it during a rough time… without being here and without being part of this team, the journey would not have brought him to this job and the newfound love he was enjoying and well, all of these moments made for one surprisingly moving episode. Simply because… this really was a celebration of the journey, and everything it entails in a positive and negative manner, and how we come to appreciate the journey, and it was also, a stunningly funny episode as well. Since Roman getting a compliment and a development deal (a move that also called back to the central theme of this tale) led to some hilarious misunderstandings in matters of love, and the other jokes present here were just top notch and also… Ken Marino deserves a loud round of applause for his performance here and his work this season, period. Because he has just been slaying as a director and an actor, and this was a fine reminder of how skilled he is as a comedian, for certain, and well… with everyone on the cusp of new beginnings and new chapters, it will be interesting to see what comes next for this team when the season three finale drops next week. Until then. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 302 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here.
It is genuinely interesting how a fair number of crime dramas out there, rush through the fallout and consequences of the crimes committed within the story. Simply because, one would think that focusing on how death and mayhem impacts people in the long term would make for engaging storytelling, the kind that could teach us a bevy of lessons about the human condition and why such acts are awful. But instead, those stories just breeze through them as though such matters are nothing more than an afterthought. A move that speaks to how uncomfortable hard discussions on crime can be and how sometimes entertainment value trumps everything. But the best crime dramas out there, understand that the ugliness that comes with crimes needs to be put on the center stage, and that it can be done in a tasteful and compelling and intelligent manner so we can ponder upon the lessons inherent and that is one of the many reasons why the Power Universe on STARZ is of note. Because this is a franchise that doesn’t shy away from the real human impact that crime has on others and on the characters that commit them and that’s why this week’s episode of Power Book II: Ghost was so incredibly compelling. Because that, and so much more was on display and that made ‘Need vs. Greed’ quite the powerful episode. Because it showed us, Monet at her lowest. For two months after the death of Zeke she was still listless and withdrawn, as a mother would be after losing her son. Adding some genuine realism to this story, the kind that really did show us the consequences of the broken world she populates and the consequences of Lorzeno’s actions in the season two finale didn’t end there. Since he tried desperately to find someone to pin this on so he could be in the clear for his mistake and while it seemed as though he did, by hiring a guy to go after Dru… a move that eventually led to this man’s death at the hands of Monet, Cane put two and two together, and exerted punishment over his father through leverage. A move that made it clear that Lorzeno will indeed pay dearly for his foolishness and cruelty, and he may not be safe. For if Monet learns the truth… she will clearly kill him.
Yet that wasn’t the only exploration of consequences and fallout present within this story. Since Jenny and her quest to bring down Tariq led to some major surprises in this tale. Such as how Lauren managed to survive that fateful night and we were privy to the delicate dance that Jenny has to take part in to not arouse suspicion with Cooper or anyone involved in the drug trade surrounding Tariq. But what mattered more here, is that a real sense of justice is lacking in Jenny’s heart and soul, and she truly wants to do some good and make someone pay for the crimes that have been committed in this town. And thanks to Detective Whitman’s overzealous nature, which may put him in the crosshairs of Monet, since he pushed her hard in this tale and that… is a bad idea, she might have her understanding of where to take this case by looking closer at Monet. All of which made it clear… that crime really does have a lasting impact and when justice isn’t served… the good ones will keep at it until someone pays.
However, while those two plotlines could have carried this episode from beginning to end, there was still one more observational story regarding consequences in this tale. For Tariq was struggling to gain agency in this story, simply because… he was still considered ‘radioactive’ by just about anyone outside of his inner circle because of the whole trial, to the point where he ended up having to take an internship with Brayden at his family’s firm to get what he needed from an education standpoint. And this… this was incredible to watch. Because this sequence really did hammer home how perceived criminal acts have consequences as well, since despite being acquitted of all charges, everyone saw Tariq as a criminal. Which also allowed for some powerful commentary to come forth regarding how quickly people will switch to that line of thinking based on the color of someone’s skin. After all, Brayden admitted to being a criminal mastermind and went to work in the financial field, while Tariq had to fight hard just to land an internship. All of which added new depth to this season’s storytelling and informed us that this season is clearly going to be bolder for certain. But of course, this is still a crime drama through and through, one that indeed is focused hard upon the drug trade and whether or not Tariq St. Patrick will find peace or follow in his father’s footsteps and those elements were present here as well, courtesy of the grand push to move Noma’s product to stay alive and in doing so… Effie may have found some agency that will anger Tariq, and Mister St. Patrick, may soon be rolling in the dough as well. Since he discovered, through Brayden, that Wall Street is indeed a hot bed for drug use in this universe and now would be the perfect time to strike and well in the end, all of this made for a downright incredible episode. One that was packed to the brim with intelligent and wondrous writing and powerful commentary and that all-important realism. The kind that draws us deeper into a show we already love and leaves us hungry for more, to see where these consequences will take the story, since they aren’t going away. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale of ‘Shrinking’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
When we last settled in to enjoy the incredible Apple TV+ series, Shrinking, we were left with joyous feelings in our hearts. Simply because, at long last, Jimmy and his friends/extended family were starting to see the benefits that came about from putting in the work to heal. Since Sean realized he was worth more than he thought he was and opted to start his own business, and Gaby found strength through confrontation and though a side piece in Jimmy. Plus, Paul finally started to make efforts to put aside his ego and his fears about his condition to spend time with his family and heal years of pain. Leaving all of us so happy to see this group start to move forward and that of course left us wondering, what else was to come for these folks from a healing perspective. Well, the season one finale of this show wasted little time in informing us… that the healing process at this point in recovery, is far smoother than one might expect. Because we build momentum with the positive acts, we are taking part in and just… hit cruise control if you will. Where the good days begin to outnumber the dark days and we start to find a groove again and live again. Which is what everyone experienced in ‘Closure’. Since Sean began to buckle down and build his business, and he even invited Liz to come in and help him put it together, so she too found purpose and direction at a time when she needed it. And Gaby started to work to grow in her career field and Paul did such fine work with dropping the barriers he put up, that he was able to help with that. As for Jimmy, well… he just stuck with the joy in his heart and made an effort to spread it around the house. Which is why he helped Alice cope by letting her have her mother’s old clothes. So that she could heal at her own pace and move forward when ready, and he of course… kept working with his patients and expressing his pride for them and he did a great job officiating Brian and Charlie’s wedding. Making it seem more so… that this journey was complete. That Jimmy and everyone had followed the steps and the work to a tee and that all that lie ahead, were better days and joy and no more hardships. But that is… a lie we tell ourselves during the healing process. Because grief can still sneak back into our hearts when it so chooses and also… life doesn’t stop surprising us or teaching us powerful lessons just because we rose to the occasion during a dark time. A reality hammered home by the shocking closing moments of this tale. Wherein we saw Grace make a devastating decision. For when pressed and abused yet again by her idiot husband, she took Jimmy’s beginning advice, and his most recent advice to crack him like an egg, to heart, by shoving him off of a cliff. Making it clear that life will find a way to surprise and test us at inopportune times, since this will come back to haunt Jimmy. Since he gave her the advice in question, and regardless of whether or not he was joking, she was inspired by it and, interestingly enough, the core of that advice more or less came forth at a time… when Jimmy was cutting corners and not putting in the work. Bringing that lesson around full circle as well, all while setting the stage for a tough second season of the show. One that will absolutely explore the fallout of this particular decision. Wherein Jimmy could lose his license, and perhaps be set back emotionally out of the understanding of what occurred here. But while we wait to see what comes out of that twist, we can still celebrate one uplifting tale. One that really did close the chapter on a dark time for a lot of people. A feat made possible through progress and growth and a desire to enjoy all that life has to offer once again. And that part of the journey cannot be overshadowed by that dark moment. Because that is what so many of us seek when we suffer from grief, that chance to feel the wonder of the world again, and now that the hard healing is done, the next chapter and the work to follow begins. Because there will be more challenges ahead beyond the one that Jimmy is facing, the kind that will test these fine people and hurt them and anger them. For that is life. A series of highs and lows that test us and shape us and mold us, and it will be fascinating to see how everyone handles what lies ahead when season two of this show gets underway. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘Hello Tomorrow!’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
It is definitely safe to say, that the Apple TV+ series, Hello Tomorrow!, has provided all of us with some fascinating insights regarding the nature and the power of hope. For this is a story that has shown us its outright dangers. Since we’ve watched people absentmindedly follow it without giving it a second thought in the hopes of improving their lives. Plus, we’ve seen Jack use it as something of a bandage for the deep wounds in his soul that continue to bleed. Making it clear that hope can be quite the dangerous thing to hold onto in this life, and this story has indeed left us wondering… if by chance there is anything positive when it comes to hope and if perhaps… we’ve been looking at hope through a smudged lens. But this is a story designed to look at all aspects of hope, its negatives and its positives and it just so happens that ‘The Gargon Mothership’ took the time to examine the need for hope and why it is important to experience from time to time… but not before once again surprising us with some big life-changing moments for the characters. Because Shirl learned the truth about Jack’s role in this whole mess and when faced with the reality that he was Mister Jenkins, she walked, and she left scorched earth in her wake. For she told Joey the truth about his relationship to Jack and of course… she packed her bags and took a rightfully upset Eddie with her into the night. Rocking the foundations of the company and setting the stage for another important exploration regarding hope. One that involved Jack. However, before the story dug into that, it took the time to dive deep into why we need hope and its importance in our lives, and it explored that via a bold decision on Herb’s part. Wherein he took the angry masses that were fighting over money to the launchpad that was nearby. Simply because a rocket was landing, and its arrival could serve as a hopeful lie. One that made folks believe that yes indeed, there was a better life in the stars waiting for them. And since Jack appeared with everyone’s favorite Sheriff while people were watching the landing, they found hope again. Hope that perhaps their struggles and their problems wouldn’t last, that they would find magic amongst the stars. All of which reminded us that sometimes… we need hope to go on and to sustain us until we find the peace we are looking for, and Herb helped people enjoy a tiny taste of that once again. One so strong that… Myrtle to backed off regarding her tirade, speaking volumes to the positive power that hope can have over us. Which brings us back to Jack. Since his journey further explored his complicated relationship with hope, and its enduring positive power. Because his story made it clear that not only does he use it to attempt to heal his emotional wounds from his youth and his rough past year, but that he expects it to provide him with everything good he’s ever wanted in life. As though supplying people with hope will somehow serve as a unique version of karma where eventually the house will pay out and give him goodwill and repair his problems. Which is a revelation that offered up a bittersweet perspective on the power of hope. Because on the one hand, it has kept him going and it has kept him thriving at a very dark and difficult time in his life. But at the same time, his desperate need to rely on it to fix his world, may push him toward something dark again since Joey rebuffed his father at the end of this tale, which really could devastate him again… or perhaps push him toward his finest hour. Since such a sting could push him to face his pain and work toward being a better man at last. One that can be a father to his son and can earn an honest day’s work and the investment made here, could lay the groundwork for that. But only time will tell if that will be the case, and while we wait to see how a fragile Jack handles this fresh pain and what will become of the now fractured Brightside, we can revel in the wonder of another fascinating tale. One that did a wonderful job of reminding us that hope has merit, and we shouldn’t discount that. Since sometimes, it is the one thing that will get a person out of bed when they simply don’t have the strength… and… it can save lives when someone with everything to lose, embraces its wonder and lets it fuel them toward a better tomorrow and a shot at feeling whole again. Until next time. |
Archives
May 2024
|