Written by John Edward Betancourt There is a reason why everyone loves a happy ending, and that’s simply due to the fact that they offer up a sense of comfort. That perhaps the universe isn’t always chaos and sometimes things go great in every possible way. But deep down, we all know that not every story can end in a fluffy and beautiful manner and ironically enough, sometimes stories that are by design joyous and lighthearted, craft their own sour endings behind the scenes. Case and point, the police serial CHiPs. Because a series that is designed to offer up happy endings on a weekly basis, put together quite the unfortunate farewell for a valued cast member. For the season five finale of this storied franchise, served as the final episode for actor Larry Wilcox, who played Officer Jon Baker since the show’s inception and there are a great many reasons as to why this was such a sour ending to his time on the series. First and foremost, because of the fact that his screen time in ‘Force Seven’, is limited to a handful of minutes. Because someone behind the scenes thought the finale would serve as the perfect time to try another attempt at a spin off. Which is ridiculous. Because no one wanted that. But someone pushed for it, and what was offered here was ten times worse than the last spin-off attempt and making this unmitigated disaster the focus of the story is disrespectful to everything that Larry accomplished as an actor during his time on the series. For Jon, and in turn Ponch, were always cerebral police officers, ones that used their brains over brawn, and everything that plays out in this particular tale is the polar opposite of that. For we are introduced to a secret police task force in this tale, one that shares the namesake of the episode and well, they’re brutes. They use Kung Fu and nun chucks at every turn to bring down the bad guys and they’re all filled with bravado and ego and honestly, that makes every single character introduced here repulsive since they’re just pain jerks, and to make matters worse, a lot of what plays out here has not aged well at all. Which is ironic since the show has managed to withstand the test of time and stay relevant forty-three years after it originally hit the airwaves. But sadly, this episode has some culturally insensitive moments. The kind that are woefully offensive to folks of Asian descent and it is just so out of place here that it catches you off guard and only repulses you further. Plus, to complicate matters further; the entire plot is just off the wall. Because Force Seven handles cases that police officers would never deal with. Because they go up against a ruthless terrorist who wants to hurt people for money and that’s something better left to the FBI or the CIA or anyone outside of Ninja cops. And really the only positive side to this messy plot, is the fact that veteran character actor John Rhys-Davies plays the heavy here and his incredible acting skills are a delight to watch on screen. However, while this episode is disrespectful and an insult to an audience that tuned in to watch Ponch and Jon wrap up the season in style, what really makes this final episode for Larry Wilcox so sour, is the sheer fact that it serves as a harsh reminder that the powers that be didn’t do more to smooth over his contract for season six. For had that happened, maybe the show would have made it another year or two since Ponch and Jon made every episode they were the focus of, better. But alas, what’s done is done, and Larry has left the building and all we are left with now, is a major cast shakeup, and a season long farewell to a wonderful series and it should be interesting to see what this series looks like without Jon Baker on the highways when we kick off our Retro Recaps of the sixth and final season of CHiPs. Until next time.
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Written by John Edward Betancourt How ‘Exile’ Explores What Our First Steps on the Road to Recovery Look Like ‘I am starting over!’ Over the course of this grand rewatch of Lodge 49, we’ve been privy to some powerful lessons revolving around the power of loss and trauma and the long road to recovery that comes with that. But while this series has offered up an honest look at this difficult and winding process, it has yet to properly identify exactly what progress in regard to this process, looks like. Which may seem like a tall order since grief has its own timeline and there is a lot of work that goes into feeling like our old selves again. But it certainly seems as though quantifiable progress is possible, because there does come a day where we wake up and feel better. Where the daily grind isn’t so miserable and where we find joy in the things that we do once again. Which once again begs the question, what does progress look like? How do we know we are actually taking those all-important first steps in the right direction? Well at it turns out, ‘Exile’ is an episode that was fully prepared to answer those questions, and what made this particular tale so worth our while and so fascinating and beautiful, is that it doesn’t have one specific answer to those questions, and that’s the right way to handle this. After all, since there is no timetable to grief and no exact process back, how we exhibit progress will be unique to the individual and this episode took the time to explore several possibilities that show us we are healing and that we are closer to finding the peace we so desperately seek. For example, sometimes a signal that we are taking the proper steps to healing our soul, is when others depend upon us in a time of need, something that was demonstrated by Dud and Blaise’s time together in this story. Because Blaise was in a bad place and spiraling downward quickly after seeing his carefully assembled life fall to pieces, and well… he turned to Dud in his darkest hour. He used him for a soundboard for ideas, for transportation and even for counsel when necessary and this shows us that Dud is healing, simply because… he was able to handle everything that Blaise threw at him. And he did it with dignity and kindness and those respective behaviors are indicators of progress because if we are able to take on more and not falter, we’re starting to heal and find strength once again. Speaking of strength, a show of it, can also be an indicator that we’re making progress and taking our first steps toward a mentally healthy future and that’s something that was explored by way of Liz. Because she faced some insurmountable odds in this tale with Omni not paying her staff at Higher Steaks. But rather than join in on the frustration and let the sour emotions wash over her; she took action. She found a way to pay her staff and she even went so far as to confront Janet in order to get her people taken care of. And it takes a strong person to do those things, which clearly demonstrates how far she’s come in her recovery and it is making her quite a heroine in the eyes of her friends. But while those two indicators could have carried this episode on their own, there was still one more aspect to dive into that shows us that we’re headed in the right direction, and that’s the moment we are ready to open up about some of our hardest and most painful moments to others. Something handled by way of Ernie’s journey in this tale. For this is the episode where we finally learn about his late daughter Amaya, and this was a huge moment because Ernie has perhaps resisted the healing process the most in season two. But to see him take the time to be honest with Dud and find value in one painful experience, speaks volumes to his healing process and it applies to us as well. For if we too can reflect upon those we’ve lost and find the beauty of their brief time on this planet, then we truly are on our way. If anything, this is an incredibly powerful episode when all is said and done. Because it really is a teaching experience. One that offers so much support to those that are currently working to heal. Because folks that are doing just fine, get a reinforcing pat on the back when they see themselves doing the great things the characters do in this tale. And those who feel as though they’re spinning their wheels, get some solid clues to remind them that they’re on the right track after all. But more importantly, those who feel they have a long way to go, have some goals to look forward to when they’re finally ready to step into the light and that’s just incredible. Because that’s something you just don’t see television shows do. But Lodge 49 was truly something special and this is a unique episode that reinforces that fact in a bittersweet manner. Because while it is wonderful to immerse one’s self in a story that lifts you up, we are sadly, nearing the end of our journey. For only three episodes remain in this saga. But thankfully, they too dive into supremely positive lessons and it will be a true delight to revisit every last one of them, one more time. Written by John Edward Betancourt Something that we’ve talked about a lot in regard to season five of CHiPs, is what exactly the fall of a successful television show looks like. Because this series would only survive another season after enjoying five years as a ratings darling, and we’ve seen warning signs all season long that some kind of trouble is on the horizon, by way of Erik Estrada’s contract holdout and some outright dubious choices storytelling wise. But thus far we haven’t really seen an outright defining moment or episode that signals the transition from beloved prime-time series to a show that’s heading into decline. But as it turns out, the next episode in this storied franchise, changes all of that. For ‘K-9-1’ is the moment where CHiPs officially begins its downward spiral, simply because all of the warning signs and issues that we’ve discussed over the course of this season, manage to come together in this particular tale. For example, we’ve talked a lot about how taking the focus off of the series leads can engender a little disdain and boredom from the audience and that’s something this particular tale excels at. For Ponch and Jon take the backseat in this story. All so we can hang out with two K9 officers who are competing for the last spot in their unit and well, spending a lot of time with a pair of sour and boring two-dimensional characters really pulls you out of the episode and has you eagerly awaiting Ponch and Jon’s return. But while boring characters can be overlooked, if there’s one element above all that we have identified as a key reason for a series to fall to pieces, it would have to be bad writing and that is on display at every turn in this tale. Because the Creeps of the Week are an afterthought in this story. They’re just there to make the final act work. Plus, the K9 units go into ridiculously dangerous situations without an ounce of back up and that leads to another cardinal writing sin, in that; animals get hurt in this episode. Because one of the K9 units deals with a bomb threat, one that is legit and said bomb goes off, hurting one of the dogs by making him blind. Which is just silly and unnecessary since there are other ways to engender dramatic tension outside of hurting animals, especially on a family friendly, lighthearted series such as this one. Yet while we’ve talked about one ugly and flawed episode, we really haven’t pinned down exactly why this story serves as the true genesis for the decline of this series. And really, what it all boils down to, is that the mistakes present here set the foundation for the future. Because the show would commit to doing something it only toyed with over the course of season five and tinker with the cast roster further down the line. Which is a no-no for a series in this vein. For the support characters and the leads were beloved by all. Yet, this would be the final appearance for Officers Clark, Turner and Baricza, who have been on this journey since day one. And to make matters worse, this is the final full episode appearance of Larry Wilcox as Jon Baker, since a contract dispute would see him exit the series in season six, and having to get to know a whole new crew in a short period of time was undoubtedly a turn off for audiences. Plus, the bad writing would only get worse, and well, it’s just a shame to finally stumble upon the first nail in the coffin of a series that had proven itself to be quite the entertaining and intelligent ride. But that’s okay, because these things happen and soon, we will get an up close and personal look at more mistakes when we dive into season six. But before we get ahead of ourselves, it is best to look at something positive in regard to this tale since it wasn’t a total loss. After all, John Vernon has a bit part in this episode that he plays with glee, and it has dogs. Which is nice since they’re so pure, and well, all that’s left to do now, is dive into the season five finale. And if by chance you’re still in disbelief that this is the starting point of a grand decline, well don’t worry. The finale will hammer that fact home and that is where we will pick up, next time. Until then. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISKWhen crisis strikes within a community, there are certain expectations that people within said community have in regard to how they’re going to survive this particular crisis. For starters, everyone believes that unity is a priority. Because they’re all in this mess together and division would be a terrible idea. Second, leadership is key as well. Because a steady hand, one that provides comfort and a clear way forward will allow for the crisis to pass in a smooth fashion. But while that all sounds lovely, one thing we can all agree upon is that things never quite go according to our expectations or the plan. For people kind of tend to do their own thing and a fine of exploration of the immediate chaos that can come about in the midst of a crisis, when people don’t come together, served as the focal point of the next episode of Avenue 5. For ‘And Then He’s Gonna Shoot Off…’ saw the passengers and the crew of this vessel searching desperately for answers after learning that they would spend the next three years in space and well, everyone was going through that checklist mentally and anxiously awaiting someone to step up and that went about as well as one might expect. Because no one assumed a leadership role, instead Judd and Captain Clark spent a fair amount of time just going at one another to no avail. As for the unity in question, well there was little of that to be found as well. Because Judd Industries and NASA could have likely worked the problem and solved it, if there was some semblance of unity and teamwork. But instead, constant bickering about how much it would cost to save everyone on the ship, along with Judd’s ego, derailed any chance of these two teams working together and it was also a free for all aboard the ship. Because dear Karen was pushing constantly to get information, and the unproven data that the ship might be home in three weeks, combined with the leadership vacuum present aboard the ship, motivated her to take charge and that’s probably going to be a disaster. But while all of that sounds dramatic and bleak in nature, make no mistake about it; the dark and downright hilarious humor present in the pilot episode is present here as well. Because every folly from this crew outright leaves you in stitches and this is a story that really does take the time to inform the audience of how far this show is going to go to produce some chuckles. Because the morbidly twisted scenes involving the ‘burial’ of the dead should not be as funny as they are. But good heavens, seeing those coffins orbiting the Avenue 5 brings about some serious laughs and truly who knows where this series is going to for a laugh. In the end, this is just another delightful episode from a series that is quickly establishing itself to be a magnificently brilliant comedy. Because every single joke works in this tale, and you’re hanging on the edge of your seat, as you wonder whether or not the crew and the passengers in this tale, can actually be as incompetent or as selfish as they appear to be and well… they simply don’t disappoint when it comes to that. Either way, this one was a real treat and truly, it should be interesting to see where the story is going to take us next, now that Karen has finally achieved command of the Avenue 5. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt Perhaps one of the best parts of going back and watching television shows from thirty or forty years ago, is seeing how the characters respond to some of the incredible revolutions that took place in regard to technology. Because technology evolved seemingly overnight back in the day, and that made it a struggle for people to use from time to time, since they weren’t ready for it to completely be a part of their lives and it really is fascinating to get an idea of how new technology was perceived during a different era in American history. And it just so happens that the next episode of CHiPs took the time to explore this in fascinating detail in its next episode, ‘Overload’. For this particular tale decided to dive into the world of computers, at a time where microchips and internal parts cost an arm and a leg, and that’s why our Creeps of the Week were so enticed by them and so quick to get their hands on them, illegally. Because the chance to sell top tier parts would make them rich beyond their wildest dreams, and that’s why they worked to keep the CHP computer system at bay, so that there would be no possibility of tracing their actions or hunting them down if a clue came into play. But as is often the case, greed always complicates things and that’s precisely why Ponch and Jon were able to bring these guys down with ease, and it was just wild to see people ready to pay half a million dollars for parts that you can get for dirt cheap at your local Best Buy, simply because it reminds us of how far we’ve come. But what was cool about this episode is that it went above and beyond in this exploration of older technology by having a little fun with society’s lack of understanding of these machines back in 1982. Something that was handled by way of Poncherello. Because Frank thought it would be a good idea to take his black book of the various numbers he’s collected over the years and empty them into the CHP mainframe. Which uh, is a horrible idea to begin with. But hey… Frank didn’t know any better and he also didn’t have any idea as to how such stuff gets retrieved or saved since this technology was so new to him. And while it was neat to see one of the CHP’s finest show disdain and concern for computers, the irony of this segment of the story, is that it still holds up well today; since some folks still struggle with what these machines can do. Yet while the look back at old school technology was fun (because the CHP mainframe interface was as big as a Buick), this episode also found a way to inject a little heart into the plot by way of a sweet, little old lady named Nettie. And she was a retiree that wasn’t good with being in a retirement home, or away from the world for that matter and she consistently made efforts to get out amongst the people and live her life. But what made this segment of the story so sweet, is that Jon Baker went the extra mile for Nettie by getting her a part time job at a local country food stand and it was just wonderful to see Jon go above and beyond in this manner to help a person feel like a person again. Something that harkens back to earlier days in the series. If anything, this was just a by the numbers episode of this series and that’s just fine. Because it is hard to mess up the basics and sticking to that, made for a pretty entertaining tale through and through. For it definitely offered up some fun laughs, thanks to computer related shenanigans, and the Creeps of the Week were just disgusting enough for the audience to be pleased when they go to jail and you can never go wrong with Ponch or Jon’s good deeds coming to the surface of a story. But alas, this is the last time that the series would feel like normal. For the final two episodes in season five make some ugly mistakes and bid farewell to some beloved cast members. Which means we have finally reached the point where we are going to watch this grand series begin its grand downward spiral, and it should be fascinating and painful to see this process begin, in the days to come. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISKOne element that is supremely important in telling a great story, is that the characters have to be constantly challenged. Because without said challenges, these dynamic and fictional beings can never grow and become better, and their stagnant nature, will in turn bore the audience since they’re in essence watching or reading the same old story over and over again. Which is why the new WGN America series, Almost Paradise, is winning over fans in dynamic fashion. Because week in and week out, Alex Walker is put to the test and finds new ways to grow, and this is relevant to today’s discussion; simply because last night’s episode of this magnificent series once again took the time to challenge this dynamic character in a fascinating and epic manner. In fact, it is safe to say that ‘Unbecalming’ offered up Alex’s biggest challenge to date. Because this time around, Alex was able to bring down a man named El Diablo, who specialized in running guns and well, seeing another bad guy behind bars, brought joy to Alex’s heart. That is until Ernesto let him know that El Diablo was going to be extradited to the United States to stand trial, something that would likely end with him walking free on a plea bargain and that revelation is what kicked off the challenges in question. Because a trip to the station to talk some sense into the State Department ended in disaster for Alex and his friends. For El Diablo had a plan set up to escape, one that saw him take over the police station in the middle of a Typhoon and that meant that Alex had to think quick to save his buddies and bring down El Diablo in the middle of a massive storm and well, challenges don’t get much bigger than that. But while it would be easy to offer up a play-by-play breakdown of this particular tale, there are in fact, two key elements to this story that really allowed for it stand out as something special and it’s best we spend most of our time discussing those. Such as how this adventure actually ended being quite cinematic in nature. For the scale of the story was grandiose and the tense moments that unfolded within the walls of the police station, made this feel like a Die Hard spin-off. Especially when one considers that Alex was facing insurmountable odds as he worked to free his friends from the bad guy’s iron grip. And this was simply delightful to see unfold and it was further enhanced by some well-executed action sequences and a finale that would have gone great with popcorn and a cold soda and really, kudos to Dean Devlin and his team for assembling a story of this scale and scope. However, the wonder of this story goes beyond its cinematic qualities. Because this is a tale that put Alex’s full skill set as an agent and a soldier on display. Which may seem silly since he’s accomplished wonders in previous episodes. But here, he was completely unleashed, which makes sense since it was either turn it loose or see his friends die. But who knew that the man could turn duct tape into a nearly lethal weapon? Or that he was an accomplished strategist as well, since he came up with a wonderful plan to rescue the hostages that El Diablo was hanging onto in the lobby. But more importantly, this strange scenario also allowed for Alex to become a leader. Something he has flirted with on this series, and it was just wonderful to see him inspire others to go the extra mile in saving the day and of course, his hard work and efforts paid off since eventually; El Diablo was put back behind bars. If anything, it’s probably best to declare this episode to be the finest that this young series has offered to date. Which is saying something since this show has impressed from day one. But this one, well once the action got underway, it grabbed hold you of tight and never let go. Plus, we would be remiss to not take a moment and recognize Christian Kane and his acting abilities, because he did a phenomenal job of selling all the comedy and the drama and really in the end, this is just another episode that proves this series can do anything. For this particular tale had something for everyone and truly it is wonderful to know that every single week, this series is going to offer us a unique and intriguing story that leaves us smiling and that is going to make the wait for next week’s tale, a difficult one indeed. Until then. Written by John Edward BetancourtTHIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISKOne fascinating fact about creative writing as a whole, is that writers do indeed inject a little part of themselves into the stories they create. Sometimes that is due to the fact that something in everyday life inspired them to write said story in the first place and not including that experience would be detrimental, and other times, the characters need that personal touch in order to properly come to life on the page or the screen. But more often than not, all that goes into the story is just a tiny sliver of the writer’s life, simply because the story should grow beyond a single moment. But sometimes, in order to properly tell the tale, the writer must go all out and place a large part of themselves within the framework of their narrative and that is a dangerous gambit when all is said and done. Because if such an act is handled improperly, the story in question becomes nothing more than self-indulgent nonsense, which can turn an audience off quickly. But if it is done right, and someone’s soul is laid bare upon the page or the silver screen, well the end result can be something quite powerful. And it just so happens that writer Jason Segel felt the need to do just that for the season finale of Dispatches from Elsewhere, and his decision to open up and put some of his personal struggles on display made the ‘The Boy’ a brilliant and meta tale, one that walked us through an important chapter of Jason’s life. For in this particular tale, we catch up with Jason Segel at a tough moment, where’s he working to recover from an addiction to alcohol. The good news is that Jason is indeed clean and doing a fine job of staying that way, but he is facing a unique conundrum. For stepping away from something that has kept a firm grip upon his daily habits and his soul for that matter as well, has left Jason lost and listless, and he simply doesn’t have a clue as to what this next chapter of his life is going to hold for him. Which prompts him to go and find himself, and while this part of the story is filled to the brim with lovely Easter eggs from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and unique moments that show us the genesis of this fascinating series, what matters more here is that Segel takes us on a powerful journey of discovery, one that is downright fascinating and meaningful. For in essence, Jason takes the time to teach some incredible lessons about life and it what it should to mean to all of us. For example, his journey speaks to the fact that regardless of who we are or what we’ve accomplished; we can all get lost. We can all lose sight of what matters and find ourselves in a place where life seemingly has no meaning or direction. But the good news is, we can find our way back. Especially after we take the time to own up to our mistakes and be honest with the fact that the road to recovery is going to be long and difficult. Plus, there are elements that will help us along and push us toward the finish line, such as the wonder and beauty of the world. Since that helps us to appreciate the fact that we are a part of something special and it reminds us that our lives do have meaning. But more importantly, we can never forget that we are never alone on this crazy journey, even though it sure as hell seems like that is the case more often than not. But if we take a moment to appreciate the best friend who stands by us regardless of the circumstances when we reach out lowest points. Or the friend that calls us at two in the morning to check up on us, then we can truly understand the support network that surrounds us and we can start the healing process and we can pay it forward and stand by those who were there for us in our time of need and really, that was the point of Dispatches of Elsewhere. To remind us that we are all in this together and that we need to be there for one another in little and big ways and that’s a wonderful message to express to the world in these troubled and seemingly lonesome times. If anything, this is a series that is going to be poured over and analyzed for ages since it took us on an incredible and emotional ride that ended in the most unique way imaginable. But what matters more is that it’s beautiful messages will resonate with us for ages and really, all that’s left to do now that this story has come to its end is offer our thanks. So, thank you to the cast and crew of this series for assembling one powerful tale and also, thank you Jason Segel for paying it forward in such an honest and vulnerable fashion, and for reminding us that there is real beauty surrounding us. But also thank you for providing us with the most important lesson of all, in that, we are never alone on this journey and that we should cherish every single second we get to spend with the people that mean the world to us. Written by John Edward Betancourt Unfortunately, mistakes are a part of everyday life, and no matter how hard we try to avoid them; we are going to make them. Most of them are going to be small, but once in a while, we make one hell of a misstep. The kind that can prompt people to exit our lives and will change our own in the process and these are the mistakes that we outright fear. Because these are the ones, we firmly believe there is no coming back from, so it is best to try and avoid it. But sometimes a poor decision or a moment of weakness allows for the big ones to happen regardless and when it does, we are forced with quite the challenge. For we can either accept that fate and move on and deal with the consequences as they come or we can see if by chance, there’s a way that we can set things right. And it just so happens that the next episode of CHiPs explored that latter option in fascinating fashion. For ‘Ice Cream Man’ introduced us to a man named Tom Corey who held the occupation that shares the namesake of this tale and well, he’s a man that has made some horrible mistakes in life. For not that long ago, he was a Sergeant with the California Highway Patrol and well, a lucrative opportunity to conduct crime and make a lot of money in the process was too much to pass up. But as is often the case, crooks get caught for various reasons and now that he’s back on the street and starting over in life, it seems as though Tom is trying to turn over a new leaf. Because he really is trying to earn an honest living and he even helps out Bonnie when she runs into some nasty crooks who try to take her head off, minus one odd little caveat. Because the guys who almost hurt Bonnie are Creeps that Tom used to work with and Ponch and Jon found it quite odd that he wasn’t able to offer a fine description of the men in the cab, because hey, once a cop always a cop and that kind of visual skill set wouldn’t fade. Not after being able to recall every important radio code in the regulation book. And as it turns out, there was good reason for him to keep it a secret. Because he wanted to work for this outfit once again, and make some real bread in the process, and that little surprise made it seem as though this was going to be a story about a man who truly lost his way. Which was an intriguing possibility since we’ve not really seen all that many grand tragedies on this series. But as it turns out, Tom had a plan. Because he had a kid that didn’t know he was alive because he was born shortly after Tom went to jail, and he genuinely wanted to bring these guys down to right his wrong and show his family he’s a good man after all. Which means his work to get back in with this crew was all part of a master plan to bring them down from the inside, something that was not an easy task. For these greasy dudes didn’t trust him in the slightest, and the fact that Tom used a police radio in his robberies only made them more nervous, despite the fact that he was deflecting the cops. But what he really wanted, was a chance to bring the big boss down, and eventually he did. And he was finally a hero once again, one that will eventually get to know his son and all of these elements made for one delightful tale. Because who doesn’t love a story that features redemption? But while this one does end happy, what makes it such a genuine delight is that it takes you on a phenomenal ride storytelling wise. Because the whole back and forth in regard to where Tom’s loyalty lies is magnificent to say the least and really, it’s the characters that are king in this tale. Because our Creeps of the Week have depth, and CHP Central has plenty of moments where the finer points of these characters are on display and this one really has it all. For its a gritty crime story, it features complete characters arcs and depth and meaning and that’s just a wonderful thing to find late in the season and as long as the serieskeeps this coming, then season five is going to close out an important chapter in the show’s history in epic fashion, after quite the rough start. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.Often times in storytelling, especially when it comes to stories involving loss and trauma, once the character or characters have reached a point where they feel as though they are over a major hump in regard to their pain; the story either comes to a close or moves onto a next phase. Which is fair to a certain degree, since a respective chapter has indeed been wrapped up. But it is also painfully unrealistic to simply ‘move on’ in a story where someone has suffered emotionally. Because finding a sliver of happiness is part of the first steps, we take on the long road back, and life is going to throw a lot of curveballs our way as we begin to heal and how we deal with those challenges are paramount and should never be glossed over. But thankfully, there are stories out there that don’t shy away from this difficult part of the recovery process and Vida just so happens to be one of them. For the season three premiere of this brilliant series, took the time to put some important challenges in front of Emma and Lyn as they begin to embrace peace and how they handled a majority of them, was quite inspiring for certain. Take Emma for example. For not that long ago, she was someone who would run at the first sign of trouble and immediately close herself off to others. But in this particular tale, she was relaxed and inspired when a giant challenged walked into her bar and made her life difficult. For Zoe showed up to visit with Nico and well, that went poorly for certain. Because Zoe got obliterated and abusive toward Nico and Emma as well, and rather than immediately let any anger take over or punish Nico for someone else’s actions, Emma was as cool as they come. Plus, she was supportive of a stressed-out Nico, and she even closed out the problem by getting Zoe a ride out of there. Which was impressive to watch for certain, and believe it or not, Emma faced further challenges on this night. For Mari came by to let Emma know that Los Vigilantes were going to continue to protest the bar unless ‘Vida’ did something for the community, and she also wanted to know if Emma was going to press charges against Yoli, since that would harm her immigration status. And rather than lose her temper, she handled this whole mess with class all while making it clear that there are lines she didn’t cross, and also that Mari was no longer welcome at the bar and it was just wonderful to see Emma handle everything in a magnificent and mature fashion. As for Lyn, well she faced some vastly different challenges in this particular tale and hers related to the fact that she didn’t quite fit in with Rudy’s family when she dropped by his mother’s estate to celebrate her birthday. For she was consistently seen as either someone who came from the wrong side of town, or someone who wasn’t Mexican enough and that made this evening supremely difficult for her to deal with. But a fine conversation with a caterer, allowed for her to realize that she wasn’t someone who would let people push her around or look down upon her in this manner. And she quickly rebounded by finding a way to blend in and become the life of the party and it was equally as wonderful to see Lyn figure out a way forward in a non-toxic manner and oddly enough, her storyline and Mari’s dug deep into some fascinating commentary that’s been brewing for some time on this series. For in essence, Lyn’s inability to not be the right kind of Mexican, and Mari’s constant struggle to please Los Vigilantes and the everyday world she lives in, speaks to a culture that is deeply mired in unhealthy judgment when it comes to a Mexican American’s authenticity. For if they’re not ‘Mexican enough’, they’re shunned or heavily judged and that’s something powerful that isn’t explored in film and television enough. In fact, the only recent example that comes to mind for this reviewer would have to be Edward James Olmos’ ‘Twice as Perfect’ monologue in Selena. So, to see both Mari and Lyn deal with this in bold fashion really is something powerful and special, and hopefully the series gets the opportunity to explore this in greater detail as its final season rolls along. But while it was wonderful to see Emma and Lyn rise to the occasion, and enjoy some powerful and thoughtful commentary, there is still one unresolved issue that will quickly take the center stage on this series. For Eddy finally revealed the fact that dear old dad is alive and well and preaching the gospel nearby and facing that… will be Emma and Lyn’s greatest challenge to date. For he will become the culmination of their struggles with the memory of their mother and it will be fascinating to see how Emma and Lyn handle this powerful obstacle. But in the here and the now, this was a stellar season finale, one that told another engrossing tale, one that left you satisfied and one that reminds you that the final season of this incredible series will be filled to the brim with powerful and brilliant storytelling. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.There are a great many reasons to love the BBC America series, Killing Eve. For this unique spy drama has accomplished so much in its short time on the air. For it can offer up episodes filled to the brim with dark humor, or it can be a powerful drama. Plus, it tends to take tropes from the genre and turn them upside down, thanks to the fact that it is supremely unpredictable in all the right ways. And at this point, we can now add that it is as bold as they come to that particular list. Because season three of this magnificent series is pushing the envelope by moving the plot into supremely dark and unsettling territory, the kind that is putting on us on the edge of our seat and for proof, look no further than last night’s episode. Because ‘Meetings Have Biscuits’ truly took the time to rattle the audience’s nerves by way of one breathtaking sequence. But as is tradition on this series, it sure didn’t seem like that was going to be the case early on. For this particular tale spent a fair chunk of time on the investigation surrounding Kenny’s untimely demise and that led to some fascinating sequences. Wherein Eve had to haphazardly explain the danger surrounding the Bitter Pill staff now that they were investigating the Twelve, and we were even privy to see just how wonderful a spy Carolyn really is. For she took the time to head out in public and ‘romance’ an old flame in order to learn more about who is in charge of the finances of this mysterious group and while these moments offered up some levity, the instant an ‘old friend’ arrived in London, the story shifted to the darkness in question. For the Twelve is no longer messing around, and they sent their best back to London to handle a little bloody business, and the first real unsettling moment present in this tale, was our exploration of how much Villanelle has changed since the season two finale. For now, she understands her value as an assassin, and the fact that knows she is the best killer in the business, has allowed for a healthy ego to bloom, one that motivated her to break into Eve’s apartment in order to leave her an unsettling gift and it also prompted her to go and see her former love. Which went as well as one might expect. But while she wasn’t there to kill Eve, the fact that she was eager to intimidate her, only speaks to how much Villanelle is enjoying her status as the World’s Finest and the ice in her veins here, is what set the stage for that incredible sequence. Because unbeknownst to Carolyn and Mo, they were about to cross paths with this master assassin, and it truly seemed as though Villanelle had come to London to deal with Carolyn and tie up some loose ends. And when one considers the fact that Kenny is no longer with us, her death was a legitimate possibility and Eve’s desperate, and failed attempts to get ahold of her on again/off again boss helped to build some incredible tension. But Carolyn’s desire to speak with the Twelve’s accountant may have been her only saving grace, since that was Villanelle’s real target, one that she was successful in killing. But she most certainly sent a bold message to Carolyn in doing so, since the bullet that ended the life of the money man, grazed Carolyn, and for the second time in the show’s history; we saw this tough and intelligent agent, rattled to her core. If anything, this was just an outright incredible episode. For this one actually managed to combine every single element we discussed a short while ago. For it was funny when it needed to be, and it was definitely unpredictable and filled with epic moments. For it really seemed as though we were about to say farewell to another incredible series lead since Carolyn came so close to death and really, this just goes to show that this season is really going to be something special and scary. Because there really is no safety to be found in this series anymore. Thanks to the fact that Villanelle has been turned loose and the Twelve are ready to stop anyone that gets in their way and at this point, it’s tough to say if Carolyn and Eve will be successful in bringing this organization down. Because they are facing incredible odds and a flawless killer, and it should be interesting to see where the show goes from here since this once fearless team is now filled to the brim with terror. Until next time. |
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April 2024
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