Written by John Edward Betancourt It really is an incredible time to be a fan of pop-culture. Because anyone out there can tell whatever story is on their mind, via any medium, and that’s allowed for us to share in some outright storytelling wonders. The kind that we share with our friends on a regular basis and the kind that we follow religiously if more installments are on their way, and what’s truly magical about this current era of storytelling freedom, is that it isn’t limited to the everyday folks out there. For stars of the silver and small screen have access to everything you need to make a story as well, and their years of experience in the business are allowing for them to make unique and amazing tales that they can immediately share with the world. And recently, we here at NTG were able to enjoy the opening chapter in a brand-new web series that features a pair of Hollywood legends. For D.B. Sweeney and Sean Astin have teamed up to bring all of us a delightful new comedy called Two Dum Micks and well, this is an absolute gem of a series for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s a unique and original idea. One that features a pair of goofballs, named Mikey and Mick, who become fast friends after spending a little bit of time in jail together and they jell so well that they concoct quite the get rich scheme and well, that’s all we’re going to discuss today when it comes to the plot. Because in all honesty, this is a web series that you flat out need to experience. And once you have, you’ll understand exactly why this web series is so incredibly refreshing, and truly the magic of this story is extended beyond a plot that sucks you in. Because this is also a web series that features some incredibly dynamic performances. Which isn’t something that you often find in regard to five-minute shorts. But here, D.B. and Sean draw upon their years of acting experience to deliver a pair of tour de force performances and the end result of their fine work, is a pair of fully fleshed out characters. Because you quickly know what these two goofy gents are about, and you know that everything they perform in this short is not done out of malice, but out of a sheer lack of understanding and desperation. And their friendship is something that really harkens back to classic short films, and at times the performances here remind you of legendary comedy acts such as Laurel and Hardy or Abbott and Costello. But, the million-dollar question when it comes to this particular short, is whether or not this story is funny and the answer to that is a resounding yes. Because you’re quickly chuckling once the Micks get to talking and scheming, and their wild and wacky plan absolutely leaves you in stitches thanks to some quick takes, some lovely mugging for the camera and some wonderful sight gags. But what’s truly impressive about the comedy here, is the sheer fact that it is so fast, and so furious that you honestly miss a few jokes during your first viewing. Which means the best thing you can do, is watch this one several times, to properly soak in the experience of a unique comedy that needs a second and third and thirtieth chapter. In the end, this is one of those rare occurrences where lightning is captured in a bottle. Because everything works in this web series and it offers so much, and it simply keeps you guessing as to what these two goofs are going to do next. Plus, it really is an absolute treat to watch a pair of Hollywood icons just let loose and have a little fun on screen. And if by chance what we’ve had to say here today has piqued your interest, please make sure to check out the short on Facebook or the Two Dum Micks website and enjoy a laugh. In part, because hey, it will help encourage Mister Sweeney and Mister Astin to make more of these delightful shorts. But also, because, it’s safe to say that we could all use a good laugh right now.
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Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.For the most part, stories that revolve around loss and trauma, tend to gloss over the road to recovery. Because its far easier to just put together a story where the characters recover from their pain quickly, since that is something that audiences can easily ingest and be inspired by. But the fact of the matter is, the road back from trauma and loss can be difficult to navigate at times. For the world just keeps on turning and sending challenges our way, and truly the stories that offer up an authentic understanding of how hard it is to come back from a shattered soul are the ones that are absolutely worth our while. Which is another reason why Vida is a show that needs to be celebrated, since its next episode focused upon the challenges that we sometimes face as we put the pieces of our lives back together. But it would be silly for this series to simply drop some challenges into the Hernandez family’s lap and just let it play out in dramatic fashion. It has to say something to the audience since this is a relatable tale and thankfully, it found a way to do that, after our characters had a little fun for a change. Because this particular tale started out in a fairly lighthearted fashion. By having the family host a yard sale in the alley just off of the bar, and this allowed for hopes to be raised since money was rolling in, and it even allowed for a budding romance to grow since Lyn and Rudy were quickly giving into their natural chemistry and it really did seem as though this was going to be a story where good times were in store for everyone. That is, until Hurricane Nelson came sweeping through the bar. Because that smarmy little punk snuck into the place, and quickly noticed some things of concern before dropping off a water shut off notice, and while the family did its thing in the alley, Nelson did his and made a quick call to the Fire Marshall. Which of course, brought about disaster since he found all kinds of code violations and well… this put a dark cloud over the future of the bar. Because they would need to stay closed until the Fire Marshall could deem the facility safe again and that could take up to thirty days. Which quite frankly, broke Emma like never before. For she had poured so much into the bar already and the possibility that she might see everything evaporate so quickly was terrifying. And that’s precisely when the story had a little more to say on challenges, since it was able to teach the audience one beautiful lesson. Specifically, it took the time to remind us that challenges are never the problem. Because we face them every single day. It’s how we respond to them that matters and well, the Hernandez family and their friends accomplished some wonders when they took a moment to regroup. For Nico was able to calm Emma down and remind her that sometimes the only way to tackle a big problem is to do it step by step. And Lyn even found a way to help out by asking Rudy to get the Fire Marshall back to ‘Vida’ sooner, after a night of awkward romance, and really, it was just wonderful to see the sisters support one another and rise to the occasion and start to make a dent in the challenge presented to them, making this tale quite inspirational when all is said and done. Because it really does do a fine job of lifting our spirits by reminding us that we can accomplish anything with a level and determined mind, and it was just wonderful to see that message present here and to see everyone embrace it in some form or fashion. But this is a dramatic series through and through and there were some elements introduced here that might engender conflict down the line. Specifically, the fact that Emma and Eddy are still oil and water and they are struggling to get on the same page. For Eddy believes in the status quo and Emma is all about making the hard choices and hopefully they can find some common ground as the story continues along. But in the here and the now, this was one uplifting tale from a series that continues to deliver incredible 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.Destiny is a notion that a great many human beings hold tight to, and with good reason. Because believing that there is some kind of pre-determined path for all of us, adds some level of comfort to the bad things that happen to us in life. In fact, it reminds that darker times will soon pass because this is all part of our grand story. And this notion also helps us to pay closer attention to moments that seem unique or special, because they might be what leads us to true happiness. But the fact of the matter is, we simply don’t know if destiny is a legitimate thing or not. But the universe does have a funny way of making us question its existence and it just so happens that Dispatches from Elsewhere took this exploration into some fascinating territory last night. Because ‘The Creator’ really did ponder upon the possibility that everything happens for a reason and it was able to properly explore this concept by having us catch up with Peter and Simone a year after they met and well, what a year they had. For Peter was deeply stunned by the fact that things didn’t work out with Simone and he really was desperate to understand how such a wondrous love affair could have faltered. But a little time in therapy and an understanding of destiny, seemingly put Peter on the right path at last. Because he was now motivated and determined to be a better man for Simone, and he firmly believed that this was his wakeup call from the universe. And the fact that he kept running into Simone only compounded that fact and motivated him to try something new and bold. So, when the opportunity arose to sit down and talk with Simone in an intimate setting, Peter bared his soul and was honest with Simone about his feelings for her and that he would stumble and fall from time to time if she gave him another chance. But he promised to right every wrong and support her every step of the way and this was just… incredible growth from him, and his words resonated with Simone like never before and at last, their love came to fruition. Which lended full credence to notions of destiny. For it truly seemed as though fate brought these two together and since they paid attention to its signals, they could now enjoy a life of happiness and fulfillment and this really was quite the lovely segment of this tale, one that wasn’t designed to last, unfortunately. For while Peter and Simone found joy in their year away from the game, and Janice found peace and direction during that same time frame as well, Fredwynn wasn’t doing quite as well. In fact, he was lost at this point in time. Because his quest to uncover the truth about Clara Torres, outright broke him badly, to the point where he was despondent. And it took a little care from his friends to break his trance and get him to try and be a part of the world again, with a caveat of course. One that led everyone to Clara’s house once again, to meet with Lee in order to finally receive the truth about Clara’s fate and well, what we learned about dear Clara changes everything we thought we knew about this fascinating series. Because it turns out that Clara is actually a figment of Lee’s imagination. One designed to help her generate ideas and help steer her morally. Which is why Clara is ‘dead’. Because Lee sold out in order to fund The I.D.E.A. and the final iteration of that device is a free-thinkers nightmare. For this lovely little gadget features all kinds of sell-out features and what it offers consumers is chilling for certain, since it will show the user their happiest memories, and being surrounded by those has people enjoying this device for days on end, ripping them away from any semblance of normal life. And it is strongly implied at the end of this tale, that Peter, and possibly his friends, may have been using this device all along, and that they are trapped within its framework. Which… is stunning for certain, since this revelation carries with it some serious weight. First and foremost, that something bad has happened to Peter at the least. For if he is using The I.D.E.A., he is desperate to relive happier days. But more importantly, it reminds us that the chaos of the world can in fact break us in ways we never thought possible, especially when we put all of our faith into destiny. Which means the season finale of this fascinating series may focus upon how we find a way forward when we see the world through broken glass, and it should be interesting and heartbreaking to learn what might have brought Peter and possibly his friends, to this point of desperation and all we can do at this point while we wait for next week’s finale, is hope that the end of this segment of the story has some semblance of hope to offer good people that have seen some tough times. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.The last time we settled in to discuss the wonder of the new WGN America series, Almost Paradise, we talked a lot about how this show can basically be anything it wants, whenever it wants, and there’s plenty of evidence to back that up. Because week in and week out, this series continues to impress by offering up something new and exciting and it just so happens that this week’s episode is no exception to that unofficial rule. Because ‘Pistol Whip’ decided that after having Alex face his past, face some twisted criminals and some powerful ones as well, that it was high time for him and his friends to have an outright fun adventure. One that put a smile on our faces, and it accomplished this particular feat, by bringing a television icon named Jerry Westwood to the island of Cebu. Something that quite frankly made Alex’s day. Because he was a huge fan of Jerry’s work on a popular series that shared the namesake of this episode and well, meeting an idol of his at the bar really did bring all kinds of joy to his heart and it just so happens that this chance encounter would lead to the opportunity of a lifetime. Because Alex was nice enough to defend Jerry from some rowdy fans and that prompted Mister Westwood to hire Alex as a stunt double on the project that brought him to Cebu in the first place. Which only added to Alex’s joy in this tale since he was going to hang with his hero on set, and get paid since uh… his checks weren’t going to be arriving anytime soon, and every moment involving these two was just a delight to watch and it was great to see Alex having the time of his life. But while it was wonderful to see Alex fanboy over his hero and enjoy a taste of the Hollywood lifestyle, it would be silly to not have a case for everyone to work and well, some suspicions about Jerry’s film crew, and a missing person’s case, allowed for a unique one to come into play. Because eventually Kai and Alex came to discover that treasure hunters were chasing people away from an important underwater site, one that housed an old Soviet Submarine that was likely full of something valuable, and of course, the guys that hired Alex and Jerry were in on this as well and used their documentary project as a cover. Which started to make it seem as though this episode was about to go into some formulaic territory for a change since hey, we’ve seen plots that resemble this before in television and film. But thankfully, there were more surprises waiting for us. Since we came to learn that it wasn’t treasure that these men were after, but a full-on nuclear device. One that the captain of this submarine was hoping to sell to a dictator for a boatload of money. Which in turn led to one incredible finale, one filled with laughs and incredible tension as everyone worked together to diffuse the bomb since our crooked captain wasn’t all that bright and well, what made this ending, so satisfying is that it found a way to feature some magnificent depth. Because Jerry Westwood gets a complete journey in this tale since he believes he is a washed-up actor that will never find the limelight again. But by helping to diffuse this bomb, he’s able to finally enjoy notoriety once more, and it’s always wonderful to see this series feature a plot thread that involves Alex helping someone in a positive manner. Plus, this episode also took the time to show us something quite important that we don’t see enough of in crime shows; the outright pain that victims of crime go through. Because the fate of Kai’s missing person was an unfortunate one, and that left the deceased’s husband in a broken place, and it was quite lovely to see Kai help him find closure and peace. If anything, both of these elements help to remind us that the one constant in this series, is that Alex and Kai and Ernesto, will always display the best parts of humanity, and it is lovely to know every episode in this saga will have depth as it finds new ways to entertain us. In the end however, this was just another magnificent episode from this utterly brilliant series. Because it allowed for us to laugh and cry and hoot and holler by offering up something for everyone, and that just helps to reinforce the fact that this is hands down the most dynamic crime series on television right now. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season five finale of ‘Better Call Saul’. At some point or another in our lives, we will, or we have, been involved in a relationship that is quite toxic in nature. The kind that we stuck with for far longer than we should have, simply because there was a prevailing belief that perhaps we could save the person we were dating and bring out the good that we knew was buried deep down within them. But the ugly parts of said relationship eventually are too much to bear and that’s why we leave, to be free of the negative emotions that seemingly start to change us and really, it is that last part about toxic relationships that truly concerns us all. Because we often wonder long after the nightmare has come to an end, as to whether or not we were really starting to transform into something far darker when dating that person. Granted, that’s likely our imaginations getting the better of us, but we do dumb things for love and sometimes we inherit the traits and the habits of our significant others, and the thought of succumbing to their particular brand of darkness, is a terrifying prospect indeed for most folks. But it just so happens that the season five finale of Better Call Saul dove full bore into a unique aspect of this concept. Because ‘Something Unforgivable’ is a story that outright examined how some people have no problem with losing themselves within the traits of their lovers. Which seems like a wild concept, but the aftermath of the Lalo incident made it clear that Kim Wexler-McGill gets something out of the incredible life that Jimmy leads and the tough times he puts her through, and for proof, look no further than the fact that she didn’t leave him after being lied to and having a drug kingpin barge his way into her home. But before the story could dive deep as to why she’s okay with all of this, some other loose ends needed to be dealt with first. Specifically, whether or not Jimmy and Kim would be safe after that uncomfortable moment, and after some digging on Jimmy’s part, he came to learn that their problems with Lalo were coming to an end at last. For Fring ordered an assassination attempt on Lalo and that of course, put poor Nacho in the crossfire as always. Because it was up to him to ensure that Fring’s men made into Lalo’s magnificent compound. But while he was successful in making a move against his boss, he and those hired assassins were woefully unprepared for how resourceful Lalo really is. Because every attempt to bring him down failed miserably and sadly it would seem that Lalo is now fully aware of the fact that Nacho was involved in this attempt on his life and this may signal the end of the road for a man who wanted nothing more than to be free of a life of crime. Which brings us back to Kim and Jimmy’s journey in this particular tale. Because as Nacho was dealing with that whole Lalo mess, Kim was starting to quietly understand what made Jimmy so alluring for her and why she felt the need to stay in a relationship that is clearly unhealthy for her. And really, what it all boils down to, is that Jimmy inspires her. Because she sees the confidence he exudes, and how he wastes zero time worrying about the lasting implications of a decision, or whether or not he should be courteous in getting the job done. He just makes magic happen and Kim wants in on that and that does have some merit, since letting loose served her well in dealing with Howard, when he once again tried to exert ‘friendly’ influence upon her. But while what Jimmy does sounds noble in nature, what Kim is missing is the sheer fact that his lifestyle comes at a great cost. Because he hurts people when he really lets loose, and he ignores the morality of what he’s doing. Which means he really is indulging in something dark and dangerous when he goes after someone and the reason that Kim is overlooking this, is because she thinks she’s found a way to balance out the way that Jimmy handles things. Which is why she is so hellbent on taking up a pro bono practice. So that she can indulge in the darkness and pay it back by helping those in need, and all it will take to achieve that perfect balance of light and dark… is something unforgivable. Such as say, setting up Howard Hamlin to take the fall for something he hasn’t done, so that Sandpiper settles and pays out Jimmy and Kim an exuberant sum of money and this was… quite the stunning way to end season five. For in essence, Kim has lost herself in a fantasy understanding of Jimmy’s world, one that she will likely regret when all is said and done. Because it is only a matter of time before Kim’s moral center once again rights her mind, and when she sees the scorched earth she’s left in her wake, regret will come into play and that will likely spell doom for her relationship with Jimmy. If anything, it is just devastating to see Kim transform in this manner, and her decision to stick it to Howard in the cruelest way imaginable is likely what will set the stage for Saul Goodman’s reign in Albuquerque. For the fallout of this event will be ugly for certain, one that will likely put an end to this ridiculously unhealthy relationship, and it will also teach dear Jimmy to believe that he will never face any consequences for his actions. Which will bring him great hardships in the end, especially when Walter White and Jesse Pinkman walk through his door and send his already turbulent life, into an outright tailspin. Until next season. Written by John Edward Betancourt One unfortunate truth about life, is that the good times can never last. Which may sound cynical and defeatist, but life works in cycles, and the good has to come with the bad. Which is why we see a lucky streak come to an end, or a cycle of uneventful days at work be replaced with outright chaos. And oddly enough, this rule applies to television as well. For shows that offer up a hot streak of quality episodes, eventually give way to something subpar for various reasons that aren’t important right now. But the reason this is relevant to our discussion today, is the sheer fact that CHiPs finally saw its run of excellent episodes in season five come to an end, thanks to the odd writing present in its next tale. Which is a shame because ‘Trained for Trouble’ had the potential to be something really special. Had it flipped its ‘B-Plot’ with its ‘A-Plot’. Because the primary storyline was a little goofy for certain. For it featured a man named Lou Poole who did a woman that he admired wrong, by letting her be harmed by a lion during a circus show. And in order to set things right with her, he was using trained animals to rob banks to pay for her surgeries and well, this was weird. Plain and simple. Because it’s just odd to see Ponch and Jon chasing after monkey bank robbers and hawks and everything in between, and while it is obvious this is being played for laughs, it just doesn’t quite work here and it honestly feels as though this plot thread better belongs in a soap opera than this series. Which bring us to the far better ‘B-Plot’. For that involved a broken man named Herzog, who was desperate for attention. To the point where he would hear about or read about a particular crime and immediately claim responsibility for it. Why exactly, is never explained, but eventually he goes the extra mile to commit an actual crime. On the off chance that he might finally get away with it because no one would believe him, and Herzog was… a fascinating character to meet in this tale. For he harkens back to earlier seasons of the series, wherein the Creep of the Week was grossly misunderstood and there were likely some mental health issues motivating their crimes, and had the story made him and his motivations for his actions the focal point, wow what a cerebral and powerful episode this could have been. But instead we’re left with something that is quite inconsistent and really the only saving grace of this tale, is the comedy present here. Because that aspect of this story is vintage CHiPs, and its handled by a case of mistaken identity. For a local Chippendale’s club has a dead ringer for Ponch named Officer Richard. And this dude rides onto the stage on a mock CHP motorcycle, in complete CHP gear and the impression he leaves upon women, has them believing that Ponch is moonlighting as a stripper and this leads to some hilarious moments. Including one where we see Frank come face to face with his doppelganger and holy cow, casting did a phenomenal job of finding an Erik Estrada look alike to play the part and this really was a wonderfully funny sequence when all is said and done. In the end however, this is an episode that tends to make you roll your eyes when you watch it. Because the criminal wildlife present here, make a pure mockery of the California Highway Patrol and that just doesn’t seem possible when you think about some of the incredible criminals they’ve taken down over the years. But it does just go to show that the hot streak can never quite last and well, it’s something that is forgivable since season five really did roll out some wonderful stories over the past few ‘weeks’. But we are nearing the end of the golden era of this series, and it is only natural that the show begins to stumble as it approaches some tough times. So, it’s best we just celebrate the potential and the laughs in this one and move on to the next episode. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.Taking the time to return to the place, where we grew up, can be quite powerful for certain. For walking through our old stomping ground elicits all kinds of incredible memories, both good and bad. For the good memories remind us that home was a special place, one that helped to form the person we are today and without it we would be nothing. Whereas the bad memories will remind us why we escaped home in the first place and reaffirm that we should never come back. But for some, home can serve as quite the powerful reminder that sometimes we lose ourselves when we’re out in the world and being back where it all began can help to refocus us and help us to find our real identity. And it just so happens that the next episode of Vida explores this in beautiful fashion. Because the Hernandez sisters finally had an opportunity to dig into their mother’s memories while they were cleaning out the office and doing so, really made them wonder if they’ve been on the right path all along and who they really are. If anything, it’s safe to say that Lyn pondered upon this notion, first. Simply because her adventures around town and her disdain for Juniper’s new Insta-model honey, and some super harsh words from Marisol, really made her feel as though, she’s accomplished nothing in life, and that she’s nothing more than a vapid airhead. One that drifts and manages to get by because she’s pretty and that’s all that she needs in life, and it was quite fascinating to see her come to this realization and really ponder upon what her path forward is going to look like. But we made mention of the fact that both sisters had to deal with this particular crossroads and while Lyn pondered upon who she is, and who she might become, Emma slowly faced the same conundrum down in the bar. Because she was hell bent on reinventing the bar and giving it a proper facelift to make all kinds of money. But spending the day with Nico, since she swung by to get her free drinks for buying Emma a Lyft home, helped her to realize that part of her problem in life is that she is constantly trying to reinvent herself. No matter where she is or what she’s doing, she wants everything to feel new and fresh, rather than embrace who she is and what’s surrounding her and that motivated her to leave the bar as it is for now, so she can embrace a home she barely knew, and that might in turn help her finally understand herself. Yet while Lyn and Emma’s journeys could have carried this episode no problem, there was still one more character who needed to explore the power of identity and that was Eddy. Because Vidalia was her life, and for proof, look no further than the tattoo on her arm. And without her beloved Vida around anymore, Eddy is lost. She simply doesn’t quite know how to function or what to think at the moment. All she can do is heal and reflect upon her beloved, and losing the last vestiges of her love puts her in a tough place, wherein she needs to figure out who she is without Vida at her side, and it will be fascinating to watch Eddy navigate this path in the weeks to come. Because she tends to keep her feelings to herself until they need to come out and finding herself will require her to be a little more open. In the end, this really was a beautiful and magnificent tale. For it was really the first time we’ve seen this familia in a simpler setting. One free of drama and obstacles. For here they were just free and able to be themselves, whatever that entails, and that really does make this episode one of the most intimate to date. Because there are some powerful emotions on display here, and some big tasks that present themselves to the characters, and considering what they’ve already been through, they will no doubt be up to face them as this story goes along. But what matters most is that this episode really does set up a possible endgame for these characters and the series in that, perhaps the conclusion of this tale is when the members of this family discover who they want to be and where they want to go, and what a special and fulfilling moment, that will be. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.When a death in the family occurs in sudden fashion, we often find that feelings of helplessness accompany the standard grieving process and rightfully so. Because when someone is simply taken from this world, one ponders upon whether or not there was something that could have been done to prevent their death, only to realize that one is helpless to the whims of the universe, and nothing can be done to justify their end and nothing can be done to offer some semblance of closure. But thankfully, fiction is there to try and help us heal and help us explore the seemingly impossible and it just so happens that last night’s episode of Killing Eve took the time to explore what people might do, if they discovered a way to find closure and add meaning to a senseless death. But it sure didn’t seem like that was going to be the case at first. For ‘Management Sucks’ focused heavily early on, on Kenny’s memory. Because the time had come to grieve the end of his life and well, that was about as awkward as one might expect. Because everyone at his wake was struggling with the thought that Kenny had ended his own life when it seemed as though he had so much to live for, and despite this being a time to heal, bad blood between Eve and Carolyn boiled over and made the wake quite uncomfortable. Which made it seem as though Kenny’s real cause of death would remain a mystery and everyone would simply move on without him in their lives. Which oddly enough, brought about quite the big surprise in this particular tale. Because for the first time ever, Carolyn actually managed to show some emotion, since she actually took the time to grieve over her son’s death. Granted, it took being sent home from work, and getting rebuffed by Eve, after an attempt was made to entice her into spy work once again with the news that Villanelle is alive and working, but eventually emotions came through. For Carolyn felt a lot of what we discussed a short while ago. Because she felt helpless and confused over her son’s death and it was quite powerful to see the mighty Carolyn, who often makes the questionable call when it comes to field work and the safety of her agents, finally break down and show her human side over the possibility that Kenny’s death would go unpunished and unanswered. But thankfully for Carolyn, there was hope slowly growing behind the scenes. Because Eve still had Kenny’s phone, and she had questions about Kenny’s death, and despite her best efforts to try and stay away from the mystery of his untimely demise, she kept poking at the code and toying with the phone. Which garnered the attention of Kenny’s former publishing boss. Because he also wasn’t quite sold on Kenny being suicidal in the slightest and he offered an awkward helping hand to Eve. One that didn’t deliver in the slightest, and that prompted Eve to turn to the one person that would know what to do and how to uncover what Kenny was working on story wise, that might have aroused suspicion. Which means that Carolyn and Eve are teaming up at least one more time and they will likely go the extra mile to find closure in regard to Kenny’s passing, and bring those responsible to justice, and it was quite lovely to see people with resources at their fingertips make a silent and resolute decision to go after the truth. Regardless of what it might cost them. Yet while they dealt with their emotions and notions of justice, Villanelle was settling into her new role as a handler, nicely. Well, she tolerated it. Okay, she really didn’t settle into it all. Because despite the nice house and amenities that came with it, she was being handed idiot recruits, who quickly taught her that management does indeed suck. But a visit from Konstantin, livened up her life in surprise fashion. For he revealed quite a bit during this visit. Such as the fact that he never stopped working for the Twelve, and that Eve is alive and well. And that last tidbit definitely left Villanelle stunned and conflicted, and it should be quite interesting to see what she does with this information. For she really did convince herself that she was free of Eve and all of her unresolved emotions toward her. In the end, this really was quite the brilliant episode. Because it is rare to see anyone properly grieve for anybody in a spy drama, since death is part of the job and so many become numb to it. But losing a son cannot be easy to simply bury down or wipe away and losing a damn good friend falls into that category as well. So, seeing Eve and Carolyn properly grieve over Kenny’s death was refreshing and powerful, and it was equally as magnificent to see them double down and prepare to go the extra mile to bring peace to his memory. But unfortunately, it’s quickly becoming clear that digging into his passing will be quite the dangerous venture. For the Twelve truly are everywhere, and Konstantin’s admission that he never left poses all sorts of questions about his season two arc. But that’s another topic for another time. For in the here and the now, the search for the truth begins and it is undoubtedly going to reveal something unfortunate and terrifying. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.Growing up, we are taught that it is quite important to fit in with everyday society. Because that makes life easier in just about every way imaginable. For if we fit in and play by the rules, it will be far easier to make new friends, and we can also find a job in prompt fashion because people won’t have questions or concerns about us. But the fact of the matter is, that particular line of advice only goes so far. For while there are indeed times that we should work to fit in, in order to have certain parts of our lives go a little smoother, there are moments where fitting in is straight up demeaning and oddly enough, the two sides of this proverbial coin were explored in great detail in the next episode of Vida. For this particular tale saw Emma and Lyn deal with a pair of moments where they had to figure out whether or not fitting in was appropriate, and Lyn’s journey is really the best place to start in breaking down how the Hernandez sisters handled these situations. Because she was super eager to bring some fun back to the bar and get the patrons to feel as though they’re home, and her grand idea to make that happen, was to play a more contemporary version of Bingo and well, that did not go over well in the slightest. Not because of Lyn’s efforts, because she really did do her best to make it a joyous night. But this is a fine case of where one should make an effort to fit in. Because no one in the bar got the joke, and had she done a little research and done something that resonated with the crowd, she would have had an easy night. As for Emma, well her journey was a touch more personal in regard to this matter. Because she really is trying to make it work with Cruz and open up to people, and that prompted her to accept an invitation to a wedding, wherein she worked to try and fit in with Cruz’s friends, and that was no easy task. For Cruz firmly believed that Emma was nothing more than arm candy at this event and needed to dedicate her time and attention to Cruz and everyone at the table and Emma really did give it one hell of a go. But when her Cruz’s friends began to question her sexuality and challenge her relationship with Cruz, she was forced to make quite the choice. Either let this abuse continue for the sake of fitting in or do the right thing and stand up for herself and risk alienation. Thankfully, she chose the latter option, making it clear that this is the kind of moment where fitting in is a bad thing, since doing so would have degraded her as a person. And that decision led to one powerful sequence for certain, where she was able to shut down some of the cruel things that were said to her and she even made the bold and right decision to leave Cruz at the party, and what made that decision the proper one for certain, is the sheer fact that Cruz showed her true colors in this tale and made it clear that she’s a bit toxic and abusive to those she dates. But the evening wasn’t a total loss for Emma. For she did make a new friend in Nico, and that’s a good thing since Nico was quick to defend Emma and help her when the evening got out of hand and it should be interesting to see where their friendship goes since, they clearly have chemistry. If anything, this was just another unique episode in a series that is wonderfully unconventional. Because truly, this series can and will explore any concept at any time and do it in such a compelling and smooth manner that you feel as though you are experiencing a slice of everyday life. And it was just fascinating to see Lyn and Emma deal with these powerfully relatable scenarios. Because we really have been in their shoes in some form or fashion and hopefully some good comes out of the lessons they learned. But in the meantime, this is another fine example of how a slightly expanded season benefits a series in this vein. For this show now has the time to dive into intriguing concepts and it should be interesting to see what other intimate notions, this series is going to dig into as season two rolls along. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.For the most part, crime dramas follow a fairly baseline formula. Wherein a bright and/or determined detective chases after a dastardly criminal, one that seemingly has no regard for human life and they play a delicate cat and mouse game until the bad guy, or gal, is finally brought to justice in epic fashion. And well, that formula exists simply because audiences love it and it often provides everyone with a happy ending and there’s nothing wrong with any of that. But truly, the crime dramas that are remembered and fawned over, are the ones that push the envelope and offer up unexpected twists and turns on the voyage toward justice and that’s precisely why Line of Duty is such a delight to watch. Because this series is full of unpredictable moments and for proof, look no further than last night’s episode. For when we last left DCI Tony Gates, it looked like he was about to be framed for murder. Because the thugs that broke into Jackie Laverty’s place really did a number on his head before getting his prints on the knife. But they did swipe it and leave him be and as it turns out, Tony is a damn quick healer. For when DS Arnott arrived on the scene, he found an ace detective working the case, despite the fact that everything in that home seemed amiss. But thanks to Tony’s fine acting skills in the moment; he was able to get Arnott to help in the investigation, all so he could get his hands on the only shred of evidence that could prove he was there before Arnott’s arrival. Which truly made it seem as though Tony was going to be free from any scrutiny, because his claim that he was there to arrest her for manslaughter was more or less accepted, and his track record prompted folks to leave him alone once he re-committed himself to that all-important homicide case. But thankfully, Tony’s attempts to bury this whole mess with Jackie proved to be quite the difficult task, mainly because DS Arnott went on the offensive. Because suddenly he was everywhere, working every lead and every possibility and he hammered Tony in interviews, and he did start to chip away at the Detective’s pristine story. Which made it seem as though Gates was going to crack under pressure, especially after one of his own decided to turn their back on his shady tactics. But once again… surprises were waiting for us. Because as Tony began to close in on solving that drug related triple homicide, something quite disturbing happened. For he was kidnapped by some shady characters who brought him to Jackie’s body in the hopes of sending him a message. In that, the dealers had evidence to bring him down, unless he agreed to help them out. For Jackie was indeed working with the dealers and laundering their money and he needed to keep that process safe or pay the price and learning the truth about Jackie wasn’t the only surprise to come out of this. Because Tony was able to keep this meeting a secret, despite disappearing for an hour, and he really did pull off a phenomenal job of deflection in general, and his battle of wills with Steve, drove DS Arnott to desperation. And the embarrassment that came with said desperation, along with some newfound heat from the case that prompted Steve to join AC-12 in the first place; prompted him to resign and let the king keep his crown. Which is a stunning development to say the least, because it really does seem as though Gates has won. Because at this point, the only man that was seemingly able to challenge him has backed away, and clearly, he’s not letting Kate near him in the slightest. Meaning his perfect little world is safe and now these drug dealers can continue to operate freely, and Tony will continue to enjoy his status as the top cop. If anything, these elements make this episode brilliant when all is said and done because you just don’t see this in cop shows all that often. And truly, Tony should have listened to his conscience and done the right thing instead of doubling down. But power is intoxicating, as is admiration and it should be interesting to see what other twists and turns await us as this story continues to offer up an unconventional crime tale, one that might not end the way we are hoping it will. Until next time. |
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