War is often viewed in a supremely black and white manner. Where the enemy is seen as faceless and unrelenting, and the leader of that army is nothing more than a monster. One that is eager to dominate and is filled with pure evil and rage and of course, it is up to the right-side to stop them from inflicting harm on innocents and that is why the right-side fights. But the fact of the matter is, war is never that simple and its origins are often quite complex or pathetic in nature and it just so happens that the next episode of The Walking Dead, takes the time to explore some of the realistic and unfortunate reasons we go to war.
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A feat that ‘Arrow on the Doorpost’ accomplishes by allowing for the impossible to take place. For this is a story that sees Rick and Hershel and Daryl, swing by an extremely unique and remote location… so that Rick and the Governor can meet face to face. All in the hopes of deescalating the tensions between the Prison Group and Woodbury and for a time, it appeared as though this episode and this shocking and seemingly impossible meeting, was going to speak volumes to how our inability to find common ground, was what led to war. Since Rick and Philip couldn’t make any headway and spent a great deal of time throwing insults at one another and posturing. But once Rick lowered his guard just a bit and let the Governor talk, did it become clear that sometimes… the march to war comes out of ego and bravado. 

For every word that Philip sent Rick's way, spoke to the core of a man that is indeed eager to dominate and flex over others. Because he believes that his way is the right way and that his methods are the only proper ones and as Rick listened to him feed his ego and enjoy the symphony of his own voice, it became clear that men like the Governor, who hold themselves in the highest regard… will happily kill others to prove their point. Since that is the apex of the Alpha in their mind and nothing is braver or bolder than meeting an enemy in combat, even when such a move is wasteful and dangerous and costly for both sides. Not to mention, some men will also push everything to the brink, in the hopes of enacting a measure of revenge, as evidenced by big Phil’s demands revolving around Michonne.

Wherein he promised peace and prosperity for the Prison group, if they just handed her over and let him handle the rest. But while this made for a straightforward exploration on the more unsavory ways that the foundation for war is laid, it took the end of this tale to explain to us how bluster and bravado actually leads to war. As it turns out, that comes from the fact that men like the Governor, really don’t mean what they say when they talk about peace or make deals for it. Because they walk into situations akin to this one with their minds made up and merely want to size up their enemy before teaching them a lesson. And Rick knew this and that’s why he told his group they’d be fighting for lives and the show confirmed this reality as well… courtesy of what Philip had to say when he got back to Woodbury.

In this end, this was just a fascinating episode when all is said and done. Because not only did it have a lot to say about how conflict and war is sometimes handled and started by irresponsible men with egos that need to be fed, but it did also briefly explore the folly of having men like the Governor in charge of weapons and armies. Since the interactions between Rick’s team and the Governor’s made it clear that good people go to war under bad pretenses from their 'leaders' sometimes, and suffer because of it, and it is a shame that we don’t let the everyday folks negotiate peace since they would find common ground and broker a deal that all sides could agree to. But alas, that wasn’t the case here nor is it in real life and now that these two leaders have met, the march to war is on. But before the fight can arrive, there’s one more critical moment to Philip’s downward spiral that need to take place and that’s where we will pick up, next time. Until then.

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the horror genre rarely has bright spots or beauty to offer its fans and it is obvious as to why. After all, this is a genre of storytelling designed to evoke feelings of raw terror and it often accomplishes its goal through its monsters and its themes. In fact, it is so effective at exploring dark and taboo topics, that no one ever expects to find something beautiful or wholesome within the framework of a horror story when they settle in to enjoy one. But believe it or not, it is possible to inject beauty and wonder and uplifting meaning into a horror story and for proof… than look no further than the next episode of The Walking Dead.

A feat that ‘Clear’ accomplishes by outright surprising us with positivity. Because when we catch up with Rick and Michonne and young Carl Grimes in this tale… they appear to be taking part in routine acts in a routine episode. Since they’re heading toward to where Rick used to live and work to snag all the weapons left behind in the locker at the King's County Sheriff's Department. But alas, they find none of them and they even run into trouble with a violent stranger that has taken over and transformed main street to his liking. Making it appear as though this is going to be another dark examination on how we fall and how quickly we change when we are removed from the human experience. 

But the reveal that the stranger in question is Morgan Jones, and that Morgan has fallen to pieces mentally over the loss of his son and the world around him, allows for some beautiful moments to take place. Since his time with Rick in this tale, serves to remind us of the power of friendship and how good people in our lives give us hope and can in fact, heal us when we are down. As evidenced by how Rick was able to reach Morgan, despite his desire to die and inflict pain and that really did lead to some powerful interactions for certain. The kind that still move the viewer after all these years and genuinely supply us with wonder, more so after a second watching of this episode, since now we know that Rick’s efforts here would eventually help Morgan to find his way and emerge from the darkness.

However, while that plot thread alone brings tears to one’s eyes and engages the viewer in such an impactful manner, that this hour of storytelling flies by, there was more beauty to be found in this tale… courtesy of Carl and Michonne. Because Carl’s mission to snag Judith the last surviving photograph of his mother, is a moving one for certain. For it speaks to the wonder of memories and how we honor those we lost and risking everything for Judith to give her some kind of memory of her mother, adds hope to a story that really shouldn’t have any. But it works here, and it doesn’t hurt that this sequence also lightens the subject matter. Courtesy of that multicolored cat statue that Michonne lifts from the bar for her cell back home. 

In the end, this was simply a flawless episode. One that really explored the human condition and how important it is to connect and be kind to one another and support each other. As an added bonus, the incredible moments that take place here, offer up some social commentary. By serving as an allegory for the difficulties of the everyday world and how the people that support us, keep us from losing it when the going gets tough and all the elements we've discussed today, really do make this episode, one of the finest to ever grace the franchise and it was the last time we’d find any beauty in season three. For what comes next, are some dark moments, courtesy of the monster that is, the Governor. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 304 of ‘A Discovery of Witches’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Something that is truly fascinating about storytelling in general, is how well it manages to mirror real life. For much like the characters in a book or in a television show, we too have chapters and episodes that we go through that are sometimes filled with drama and difficult moments. But both sides go through them to grow and move toward something special and that strange parallel is of note today, simply because it has become extremely relevant to the world of A Discovery of Witches. Because last week’s episode, wherein Matthew took the time to face his past and resolve it in a brave and dynamic manner… truly symbolized the journey we go on in life and how we have to close certain chapters in our lives in order to be able to begin new ones and it just so happens… that the new chapter, served as the focal theme of this week’s new episode.
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Because shortly after putting together his Scion and taking a little time to reflect upon his long and winding journey through life… some big things came to happen in this tale. Such as the fact that Matthew came to learn through science, that his affliction is not what he expected it to be. In that, Blood Rage is a direct result of a human genetic quirk, one that created mutations in his rewritten vampire DNA. Which means that Matthew may never find a cure for this and that new ways to cope with it might be the only way for his family line to thrive, and that was a fascinating twist to inject into this tale. Since it subtly speaks to how sometimes a new chapter in one’s life, involves learning to cope with something that is out of our control, and this is special, because you rarely see horror themed shows dig into such matters in any capacity.

But while it was fascinating to see Matthew look ahead instead of behind for a change, there were other moments of growth and new chapters to be found in this tale. Such as the ones involving Diana. For when she was faced with the prospect of losing out on the final page of the book, because of the secrecy its owner wanted to keep surrounding it… she decided to go bold and risk it all to find it. Which motivated her to assemble a coven and weave a spell, and of course… with a little of her trademark kindness injected into the matter as well, she was able to obtain the page in question, giving her everything she needs. But what matters more here, is that Diana operated with a confidence we’ve never seen in her before, and this segment truly signified how far she’s come and how ready she is to be the powerful witch she knows she can be, and that she is indeed entering a new chapter in her life.

However, what was truly incredible about Diana’s journey in this tale, is that embracing her power wasn’t the only change that came into her life. Because in addition to being perhaps the world’s most powerful witch, she also received a new title in this story… that of mother. Because shortly after retrieving the final missing page to the Book of Life, Diana went into labor and the twins were born at last. Mostly uniting the family and this truly signified a unified new chapter for Matthew and Diana, one that will undoubtedly be filled with bittersweet moments. For while they will be loving parents for certain, great challenges lie ahead. The kind that will force them to figure out quickly how to balance being the heroes they are while keeping their children safe. But they are no doubt up to the task and stronger united… and that’s a wonderful thing for certain.

Because the threats that are growing behind the scenes are terrifying to say the least. Since Baldwin’s allegiances are to the old ways and he is simply unpredictable at this point and of course, Peter Knox is losing his mind and is beyond desperate to taste power again, and men with nothing to lose know no bounds. Plus, Satu is clearly gearing up to challenge Diana down the line and well, while we wait to see what comes of these threats we can revel in the majesty of a refreshing tale. One that really did focus on the wonder of rebirth and growth and how important it is to embrace change when it presents itself. Because to do so makes life worth living and allows for us to make new and wonderful memories that push us forward and it will be interesting to see what other wonders await Matthew and Diana as they enter a bold new chapter in their lives. Until next time.

Ask anyone what they would do to ensure the safety and security of their family and/or their closest friends… and you’ll get the same answer. One where the person in question will quickly declare that they will do whatever it takes to keep them as safe as can be, and if someone were to ask us that question… we’d give the same answer as well. Because we understand that the people, we genuinely love… are one of a kind and losing them or seeing them come to harm is more than we can bear and that’s why we firmly believe we will go to any lengths to care for them. But while that is a heartwarming answer and one that reaffirms our love of our inner circle… for some… the answer to that question isn’t so clean cut and dry.  
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Because some people, find themselves in supremely unique situations. Where the people they love are at odds with one another and standing with either side would create stunning conflict and new problems in the lives of everyone involved. Which means that folks that are stuck in that messy situation, really cannot go the extra mile to keep everyone safe and secure, and they’re stuck trying to figure out what common ground looks like, so harm comes to no one. If anything, that particular conundrum is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focal theme/exploration of the next episode of The Walking Dead. A feat that ‘I Ain’t a Judas’ accomplished, by having Andrea be plunged into that exact conundrum and that led to some powerful moments for certain.

Because at first, Andrea truly thought as though she could broker peace between Woodbury and the Prison. So much in fact that she felt the need to go behind the Governor’s back to gather the resources she needed to make it to the prison, and while she was indeed able to do so and was indeed reunited with people, she considers to be family, the truth that came her way… created the conflict in question. For she came to understand that the man she loved, one Philip Blake, wasn’t the clean cut… beacon of hope she believed him to be. Instead, he was in fact, a monster. One that went to great lengths to harm other people and that really did leave Andrea beside herself.

After all, she was expecting to find a broken group of friends that lashed out for reasons she thought she could solve by bringing two worlds together. Only to discover that they were hurting badly for other reasons and had to react because ol’ Philip had dictator tendencies and well… that presented her with a difficult choice. One where she could end the life of the Governor, per Carol’s advice, and usher in a new era of peace between these two colonies. Or do nothing and hope that peace would hold, and she could have the best of both worlds and sadly… Andrea chose the latter option. Giving the Governor a new lease on life and a chance to cause more chaos, and such a choice left her in what was seen at the time, to be a cowardly and weak place, since she had the chance to end this without question.

But in keeping with the theme, such a decision isn’t easy. Because anytime love comes into play, real love… we do stupid things, and we see potential over reality and that’s what she did here. Granted, it is a costly move, but it speaks volumes to the fact that sometimes the objective we have in mind isn’t so simple and is a monumental task. If anything, the decision to stick with a status quo is one of the most human decisions ever made on the series and this episode in retrospect, deserves credit for giving us an honest and complex answer to a question that so many think can be solved easily, and well… now that we’ve reached the end of this fascinating exploration, it is time to turn our attention to another powerhouse look at the human condition. One so raw and so visceral that many still regard it to be one of the finest episodes that The Walking Dead has ever aired. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 302 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the season three premiere, click here.
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One particular trend that has emerged regarding the Apple TV+ series, Servant, is that the show is keen to use its story to lightly (or deeply) explore an overreaching theme. For instance, season one was all about the power of trauma as it stems from loss, since we saw the Turners struggle mightily over the death of Jericho, to the point where Dorothy couldn’t even discuss it. Whereas season two peppered in explorations regarding rebirth, as evidenced by the secrets we learned about Leanne and her group and of course… Julian’s moment of resurrection is of note as well. Which means that season three should be keeping in line with such examinations, since this series hasn’t deviated from this pattern in the slightest, and it just so happens that the next episode in this series, revealed to all of us that a deeper theme will indeed be hanging over year three. 
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A reveal that ‘Hive’ brought forth in a fascinating manner. For when we catch up with Dorothy and Sean here, they’re planning to do something they’ve not done in a hot minute and host a giant play date for other mothers and kids in the neighborhood. A plan that quite frankly, scared the ever living hell out of Leanne. Because she knew that her old friends and surrogate family were out there somewhere, looking for a way in to wreak havoc upon her new family and that put her in a frustrated place. One where she wanted to support Dorothy and Sean and live some semblance of a normal life whilst at the same time… feeling safe from danger. And the family was so eager for her to experience that sense of safety, that they even had security cameras installed in the home to give her peace of mind and for a time… it seemed as though Leanne would be okay with this event.

Because she was able to stay calm when the mommy get-together got underway, and she was even able to sit in that room and tolerate the odd discussions about Jericho’s death and Julian’s overdose without losing it in the slightest. But the genuine fear surging through Leanne regarding the possible return of people she never wanted to see again, drove her to take part in some concerning acts. The kind that saw her pull a knife on the entertainment and scream and yell at anyone from the group that came near her and had it not been for a strange surprise, wherein a beehive erupted in the midst of the party, who knows how far Leanne would have taken her inappropriate behavior and desperate acts to keep the family ‘safe’ in a manner that she saw fit. But while the episode ended on a somewhat peaceful note, the damage was done and the theme… presented itself, through Leanne’s behavior.

Which means that in essence, season three of this bold series… is going to focus heavily on the power of fear and how it can transform us and potentially destroy what we treasure and well, it would appear that such an examination… has the potential to bring about some genuinely scary and unsettling moments. Because Leanne is clearly willing to express her fear in an unrestrained and forceful manner and if her actions here are the bare beginnings of what’s to come regarding her desire to defend herself and the Turners, then she is going to become a terrifying force in this story for certain. One that will undoubtedly erode trust in the people she wants to be around. In fact, that’s already started since both Julian and Dorothy expressed doubt about her in their own special ways.

As to where that will lead, who knows, but the bottom line, is that Leanne is starting to crumble emotionally and mentally and immersing herself in these toxic emotions and behaviors will indeed bring her to a destructive reckoning. One where she might hurt the people she cares about or have to atone for a stupid mistake. But while we wait to see if this is going to bring forth a villain’s origin story or redemption for a broken woman that has been through hell, we can bask in the wonder of a genuinely surprising episode. Because it is just rare for horror to put this level of emotion on display, and it just goes to show that this series is a cut above others in the genre, and it will be quite interesting to see where this grand twist takes us in the weeks to come. Until next time.

It is definitely safe to say that the AMC series, The Walking Dead, is one of the most ambitious horror shows around. Because not only does this series continuously dig deep into powerful topics revolving around the human condition, but it also takes the time to push the envelope with gore on broadcast television and to top it all off… it is big on telling jam packed stories that stay with you long after a bold episode has come to end. A feat it usually accomplishes by offering up a critical and memorable twist or an epic moment at the end of a story that is filled to the brim with storylines galore. Which some might say is a gross miscalculation on the part of the writers’ room, since a bevy of storylines capped off with a shocker of an ending, should overwhelm and frustrate an audience.
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But few seem to mind this aspect of the show. Mainly because it gives both casual and hardcore fans a reason to watch those juicer episodes over and over again and analyze those other moments and their significance. But also, because… it’s hard to chide a show that consistently swings for the fences instead of playing it safe and really, this aspect of the series is top of mind today because it is exactly what one encounters in the next episode of this storied franchise. For ‘Home’ is chock full of powerful plot lines that are indeed overshadowed by a shock ending and when one revisits this gem, one comes to appreciate the deep things it has to say. Such as how Daryl’s storyline in this tale, serves as a grand commentary on how to set boundaries with toxic family members, and how to make them understand that their behavior is detrimental. A feat that the story accomplishes in an epic manner by having Daryl play the hero and show his brother a better way.

Yet that is merely the tip of the iceberg of meaningful storylines in this tale. Since Glenn’s journey here, takes the time to explore how positivity can be a drawback for us when we push too hard to create a stable environment. As evidenced by how he scared others with his ultra-heroic behavior and by how he rushed Maggie into a conversation about tough topics when she wasn’t ready. All because he was desperate to see the group find peace and safety again. Not to mention, it also dug deep into the lasting power of trauma and loss and how hard it is to let go of the memory of someone, when we don’t have proper closure. A concept that was explored via Rick in this episode, since he spent most of his time wandering about looking for his hallucination of Lori, to try and say goodbye at last, and that made for some powerful moments for certain.

The kind that are indeed overshadowed by the Governor’s surprise in this one. Because despite telling Andrea he was good to go mentally and ready to put Woodbury back together again… he was instead plotting revenge behind her back, and quietly having his lieutenants assemble an armada of the living dead, so he could take Rick’s group by surprise, and he most certainly did. Since he and his lackeys were able to scare and wound the group and kill Axel. All before launching a car full of the living dead through the gates and into the yard. Wherein those rounded up zombies were turned loose, forcing the group to think fast and move fast to save Rick and Hershel… and eventually Daryl and Merle when they dropped by to help out and save Rick’s hide, and well… this is so epic an ending that this is indeed what this episode is remembered for and that’s not a bad thing by any means.

Because you want moments that grab onto an audience and don’t let go, and you get that here, along with some other wonderful moments to for certain. The kind that are refreshing when you watch this one a second time around and they oddly add meaning to the ending as well. Since the group’s decision to split for a bit and try to handle their own business, speaks to the power of unity and how a united front can do wonders against evil. A lesson Rick and his friends would indeed learn from this ending. But before we examine their response, we can bask in one buffet of an episode. Since this one has something for everyone, and it really was a treat to revisit this story and everything it had to offer and this one really does reinforce the fact that this series always goes hard and what’s incredible… is that more incredibly ambitious episodes… are waiting for us in the home stretch of season three. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the documentary feature, ‘Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Mask’.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that we have a tendency to view celebrities in a vastly different light than other people in the world. In fact, it is safe to say that we put them on an outright pedestal, and it makes sense as to why. Because a fair number of celebrities, are able to accomplish wonders on the silver screen or through music or art and seeing what they can do with seemingly minimal effort blows us away and leave us in awe of their talent. But while there is a great deal of people who are genuinely moved by what the famous can do and find inspiration from it, there are others who see celebrities in a genuinely negative light. For they believe that worship of a person in any capacity is wrong and that idolizing them detracts attention away from more pressing issues.

But regardless of which side you fall on, the fact of the matter is, celebrities are human beings, and they go through the same stuff as the rest of us and it is their talents and their work ethic that deserves our awe, since we can learn so much from that. Thankfully, more people are starting to recognize that. Which is why documentaries are starting to focus on the person, so we can properly spotlight and understand what makes a celebrity stand above the rest in their field and inspire us in the process. And it just so happens that Shudder is now home to a quality documentary that offers up that kind of objective and powerful examination of a true horror icon in Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Mask.

For this is a documentary that genuinely deconstructs the life of Boris Karloff and his career and it does so in such a manner that you are left walking away from this feature with a better understanding of what kind of person Boris was and what drove him to be the best he could be on the silver and small screen, and the stage for that matter as well, and the work that went into becoming the icon he is today. And it is his humble beginnings that built the foundation for his work ethic, since his youth put him in a place where he wasn’t really seen or close to his mother and father and that gave him a desire and a freedom to see the world and find his niche and of course, it didn’t take long for Boris to discover his love of acting and that’s really when the work ethic in question was formed.

Because Boris put himself through the professional wringer in the hopes of finding success and after toiling away as a bit villain player, he finally had his chance to spring to stardom by becoming the on-screen version of Frankenstein and the rest as they say… is history. But what matters more about this documentary, is that it goes beyond the impact that Frankenstein had upon Boris’ life to focus upon his passion for acting and how much it meant to him to turn in a powerful performance regardless of whether or not the role in question was ‘quality’ or going to be seen by the masses. Which means that Boris Karloff was nothing short of a consummate professional, one that even made sure to give us his all and his very best at his lowest points.

Since there are stories in this documentary about how he would push himself to provide a stunning performance when he required oxygen from his emphysema or was in pain from his ailing back and that level of dedication to every role, speaks volumes to how he much he loved acting and how he truly believed that perfection could be achieved in a scene with the right effort and preparation. Which helps us to truly understand his standing as a horror and acting icon. Since now we know how deep his talent went and how he honed his craft throughout the years and deserved the applause he’d receive on set. Because but a handful could do it as well as Boris could. But what’s truly amazing is that those very moments of inspiration, such as watching him just nail a three-minute monologue in a single take… are also what help to demystify his icon status.

For we also come to learn a great deal about his fears during his career. Such as how he was close to fading into oblivion before Universal discovered his unique talents, and how that scared him. Or how the middle part of his career was stagnant and worrisome, since there was genuine concern that typecasting was going to bore him out of the industry since he was no longer being challenged, and being privy to those moments, really does accomplish that aforementioned mission. Because here, we see… the man, not the icon. A man that had fears and doubts like the rest of us and aspired to be more in his dream field and that’s relatable and powerful and supremely humbling to learn. Since it does remind us that folks like Boris aren’t magicians or bestowed with some kind of magical gift none of us will ever understand.

They’re just people. People that came to realize that if they truly dedicated every ounce of effort to their craft, they could be the best in their field, or masters like Boris if they continued along and that lesson… makes this a stunningly powerful documentary. Since it actually manages to challenge the viewer and ask them if they’ve done enough with what they want out of life. But most important of all, it celebrates a life. One that managed to impact so many people through genuine passion and a desire to achieve perfection and being able to look at Boris’ career in a beautifully objective and honest manner and walk away from this with a newfound understanding of what it really takes to achieve one’s dream… makes this documentary an absolute must-see. Simply because it presents a true icon in the proper light, as a powerhouse professional whose ability to overcome doubt and roadblocks… allowed for him to cement his standing as an outright legend of the industry. One that still inspires us to this day.  

‘Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Mask’ is available to stream right now, on Shudder.

Often times in storytelling, cliffhangers of any sort… will result in a slam bang finale. One that features action and adventure or big moments that simply knock our socks off. Simply because, that’s what we want and expect from the end of a big setup, and anything less is often regarded as a failure of sorts. But the fact of the matter is, having the follow-up story not shock us at every turn, isn’t failure in the slightest. In fact, it can lead to powerful storytelling on its own if whatever low key idea that comes next is handled in the proper manner and for proof… look no further than the next episode of The Walking Dead. For ‘The Suicide King’ is a follow-up story that was quite low-key in nature and took quite the philosophical turn.

A feat that this story accomplished, by quickly wrapping up the cliffhanger the season three, midseason finale set up. For rather than continue to let Merle and Daryl Dixon languish in the Governor’s weird Gladiator Arena, Daryl’s friends came to the rescue and opened fire. Dropping the easy targets to encourage to the Governor to NOT pursue them and once everyone was on the road, the story immediately shifted gears and became a powerful examination on the power of fear and how it can make life difficult in the midst of a crisis. For instance, it taught us that fear can motivate us to drift to what’s familiar. Since Daryl was quick to head off with his brother into parts unknown, over the fear of losing his brother once again and that left the group vulnerable and equally as afraid.

To the point where Rick Grimes made a foolish decision. Because despite being able to save two people that meant the world to him and return home safely, the loss of Daryl and the loss of Lori… convinced him that he would fail again and lose more good people in his stead. Which in turn motivated him to cast Tyreese and his group out into the wild to keep them 'safe' and he wasn’t the only leader in this tale that succumbed to fear and let it motivate dumb decisions. For the Governor’s failure to keep the people of Woodbury safe, basically motivated him to say ‘f*ck it’ and let chaos reign. Because he was deathly afraid of looking weak and of failing in general and if it wasn’t for Andrea, Woodbury likely would have fallen apart.

Which really is quite the unexpected direction to take this story in. Because the cliffhanger made it seem as though a grand fight was coming between Woodbury and the Prison Group. But instead, this episode opted to dig deep into an age-old truth and remind us of the fact that fear will always find a way to divide us and put us at odds with ourselves when we let it wash over us, and when that happens… disaster genuinely does strike. Since Rick’s group is scattered to the wind and lighter now because of his fear of failure and the Governor is losing control of his dream because of his fears, and that not only leads to compelling moments in this tale, but it also serves as deep and intimate commentary on our modern world and the various crises we've endured recently.

But what matters most here, is that adding that commentary and offering up this examination, allows for this midseason premiere to defy the odds. Because it is no disappointment or misstep. It is genuinely good through and through, and you’re captivated and fascinated by everything that takes place in this tale. Plus, ironically, going this slower and more intimate route… allows for the tension that the first half of season three built up, to ease for a bit and help the audience slip back into this world. So they can slowly steel their nerves for the fight ahead. Because more dark moments do await us since the Governor would indeed lose control down the line. But before we get to that point, we can bask in the wonder of a solid story. One that genuinely surprised us in wonderful ways and offered up everything we love about zombie stories. Until next time.  

With great promises that the future has in store for us, we must remember that we need to continue to move forward. Getting to where you want to be in life is next to impossible, if you do not do anything about the future. Even though it may seem difficult with all of the steps that you need to take, the payoff at the end is always worth it. Don’t let the silly things that happen on the daily get you down, because if you do, you may find yourself stuck in the same place with no chance of escaping.
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After putting down many drinks at a party, Kate is happy to brag that she has the invite to a star-studded event and she will finally get the chance to meet George Clooney. Making her way to the subway station and being forced to overpay for a ticket, Kate takes another drink and passes out. Waking up to see that the station is empty, she heads towards the exit to find that they have been locked up for the night. Hearing a train coming down the tracks, she jumps aboard to get out of the station, but little does she know where it will take her.

As the train comes to a halt in the middle of a tube, Kate approaches the conductor’s cab and starts banging on the door to find out what is going on. But she is not alone on the train as Guy from the party has been following her and with plenty of cocaine in his system, he is ready to party. Getting Kate on the ground, Guy is ready to have the time of his life, but there is someone else looking for a good time as well. Getting pulled off of the struggling woman, Guy urges his former victim to run to safety before he gets pulled into the darkness once again. Trying to get the attention of anyone that might be in the station, Kate winds up finding a couple living in the station and offers them money if they can help.

Handing over fifty pounds to get her new friends to act as her guide, Jimmy is happy to show her the way. But while the two are on the tracks to get to the station agent, they hear a scream and when returning to the little hole in the wall, Jimmy finds his girl is missing and there is only a trail of blood to follow to find her. Knowing that there is something messed up happening in the subway, Kate has to keep Jimmy focused on their objective of getting help, but little do the two know what awaits them in the subway as someone or something is hunting on this night and the prizes seem to be vast.

I wanted a movie with a little bit of gore, and I found one here. While the story starts off pretty slow, once you see the thing that roams in the shadows making his kills for the night, everything speeds right up. While I may not fully understand the Creep’s character, you get to see many sides to him and what he wants out of life. Kate is great while trying to keep people focused on what they are supposed to be doing and it is a shame to see what happens at the end, because the story points to it early on. With plenty of blood, a killer in the dark, subway tunnels, sewer tunnels, help from unlikely places and a very disturbed killer that needs a shower, this movie really helps put into perspective how mad someone can go if they have been shunned by the world, no matter the reason. Stay Scared.

For the most part, midseason or season finales tend to be devoid of social commentary or deeper meaning in the television world and understandably so. After all, the midseason finale is designed to wow us and keep us talking until the show returns, and the finale in question is designed to wrap up all the plot points introduced throughout the season and look ahead toward the next one. Which makes them invaluable storytelling tools that help guide the audience more than anything else. But believe it or not, it is possible to squeeze a little deeper meaning into the framework of those two types of episodes and for proof, then look no further than the season three, midseason finale of The Walking Dead.
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For ‘Made to Suffer’ offered up some fascinating post-9/11 commentary on America, the kind that sadly, can still be applied today, and it accomplished that feat, by outright surprising us with it. Because a vast majority of this story… met the criteria for a midseason finale that we discussed just a moment ago. For this episode was also filled to the brim with big moments. Because this is indeed where Rick and his search and rescue team, rocked the Governor’s world, courtesy of the fact that Glenn and Maggie were in real danger. For Merle was ordered to end their lives, but before he could harm a hair on their heads… flashbangs went off, as did smoke grenades and just like that Glenn and Maggie were saved and after a massive gunfight at the gates, the kind that made the Governor panic and shocked this town to its core… Rick and most of his group were reunited. 

But the word ‘most’ comes into play here, simply because… Oscar, who came along for the fight died in the crossfire and Michonne went off on her own to handle a special mission. One that involved killing the Governor and her motivation for revenge made total sense. After all, The Gov made a point to send a murder squad her way, so why not return the favor? Except her attempt on his life, didn’t quite go as planned, since it ended in a bloodbath of a battle… one that sadly emboldened the Governor to commit to madness further. For when the dust and rotten walker water settled, the reanimated corpse of his daughter lie still, and his right eye was gone and well… that led to the other big surprise in this episode and the commentary in question. For shortly after his wounded eye was patched up… he spoke to the town and offered up some incredible revelations and lies.

Because he used the word ‘terrorist’ to describe what happened on this eve and he informed the town; that the ‘evil folks’ that invaded Woodbury under the pretense of stealing what they have… had inside help. Specifically, Merle, and he would be forced to pay for his betrayal in blood… alongside his brother. For Daryl Dixon was captured in the middle of the firefight and well… that is one hell of a cliffhanger for certain. One that genuinely offered up some interesting commentary on fear and how quickly it spreads when the right person stokes it. Because that’s precisely what the Governor did here, lied and used fear to energize his base and seeing him and others turn on Merle in the name of scapegoating, spoke not only to how fear spread and transformed into anti-Muslin sentiment following 9/11, but also how such problems still persist today. Since fearmongering is a standard in elections now by way of the Republican Party and anti-vaxxers have been eager to spread fear and misinformation throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. 

But all that aside, that really was a wonderful and subtle way to sneak that commentary into this story and it definitely stays with you long after this episode comes to an end, as do the other elements in this midseason finale. Because watching the Governor finally get a little taste of comeuppance is satisfying indeed and the action here was top notch and… we would be foolish to not point out that this episode introduces a pair of key characters that would be critical to several storylines in the future. For this is when Sasha and Tyreese are introduced into this universe and it is wild to see them once again, and it will be equally as amazing to go on some powerfully emotional journeys with them once more. But before we get to that point, there is still the matter of the Governor to deal with. Because now that he’s been a dealt a blow to the chin, it is only a matter of time before he enacts his own brand of cruel revenge to make Rick pay for what happened in Woodbury on this fateful night. Until next time.