​There is always a fascination of the unknown, especially when it comes to what creatures roam the places less traveled by man. Yes, I am talking about Bigfoot, and I have been curious about if he/she actually exists and I know that I am not the only one. With plenty of shows and movies being dedicated to this creature, there must be some sort of truth behind the legend. That or someone has created a hoax of epic proportions that has come to be a part of our daily lives and will live on much longer than we will. With every legend, there is an ounce of truth in the story, so I would really like to know what the truth is behind the Bigfoot and what lessons we need to learn from it.
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Sitting in class and listening to Professor Burch talk about local legend and lore, Pahoo and Rives are ready to head out into the swamp land and see if this Bigfoot creature is real or not. Being able to secure some funding and a vehicle for their excursion, they are headed to Oil City, Louisiana. With there being a creditable sighting there of something in the swamp, the two students are ready once and for all to prove that the Bigfoot creature actually exists. With only a few stops along the way, they arrive in Oil City in no time and are ready to start their investigation.

While chatting with a couple of locals on the streets, the two are getting nowhere and fast so they hit up the local diner where Joe Canton is camped out. Listening to a fake story about the Bigfoot creature, Joe loses his mind and goes off on his neighbor. Seeing the creature firsthand and losing his best friend to it, Joe has plenty to tell, but Pahoo is too slow to catch the old trapper after he leaves the diner. Rives on the other hand it not too slow when it comes to meeting with the Sheriff and is told to keep these theories of a Bigfoot to himself or leave town. Not letting the local law enforcement keep them down, the students are approached by a local that knows a little more than the rest of the town about the creature and takes the students to his house, so they can listen to the tale.

Arriving at the Bridges’ house, Pahoo and Rives are given firsthand accounts of seeing the creature, along with tales of it stalking the house. With their imaginations running rampant, Pahoo shouts out about the monster when told to keep it quiet at the table, so the students are forced to leave. As the days continue to pass with no signs of the Bigfoot and the town not willing to talk with them, the two students stumble upon some local ladies who are looking to have a good time. Inviting the women to come to their camping hang out, Rives and Pahoo have no idea what they are about to find out. As the night rolls in, along with a storm, the group is shocked to see that the creature is right outside of the tent. Not being able to get a shot of the creature to prove that it exists, the two students get mouthy with the Sheriff, but that might be the best thing to happen to them after meeting Joe Canton and being thrown into jail for the night…

Not a bad Bigfoot movie at all, but the real story is how Pahoo and Rives are able to overcome their obstacles, mainly each other. Wanting to prove that the creature really exists is really what drives Rives to continue the hunt, but Pahoo does not want to remain on the same hunt. After being scared off by the sheriff, Rives is able to convince his fellow hunter to stay with him for the duration and that is when things between them start to get really sticky, but true friendships can endure anything, especially if you have beans. With a mysterious beast on the loose, a sheriff that wants nothing to do with mischief, some beans, two friends trying to show the world the truth, a camera, a gun, a tent, some bears and a lack of hamburgers, it is just a fun Bigfoot movie to get lost in. I know when it comes to hunting for something that has never been captured before, you might want to have a loaded gun and this movie also proves that you should probably not have a knife. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Dead Ringers’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular belief that we all share in regarding our dream jobs or dream projects, is that when the project is ready and/or the dream achieved, that life will become quite easy and lovely in nature. Because we finally have what we want in life, and everything we will ever need. So, there’s no longer a need to worry about money or anything really. Because we’ve made it. But it doesn’t take long for us to learn when we reach the top, that such thoughts are woefully wrong. For problems that existed before we hit it big don’t magically go away, nor do underlying issues that we need to handle within our psyche, and well… if we don’t resolve the underlying stuff, trouble can and will come, as evidenced by the next episode of Dead Ringers on Prime Video.
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For this particular tale offered up a time jump, wherein the Mantle twins finally had the birthing center they had dreamed of and well, it was everything they hoped for and more. After all, it was indeed state of the art and comfortable and it even made childbirth respectful and less of a product. To the point where some received a catered and personal birthing experience, and of course… it was a hit with the investors. Which meant… the Mantle’s dreams had indeed come true. They had created a perfect birthing center, and as added bonus, the research facility they craved was available to them as well and that should have indeed made for joyous moments and peace, since both Beverly and Elliot were in a mental space, we have not seen them occupy in this story. 

But that was merely designed to reaffirm the lie that we tell ourselves regarding what should happen when we dream big, and grab hold of it. Because sadly, there was a lot that Elliot wasn’t working on from a personal standpoint. Such as her unhealthy attachment to Beverly, and the belief that she had to be always near her twin in any capacity. Or that they should share in everything from a physical standpoint since she once again asked if by chance if she could be intimate with Genevieve and well… that brought forth immediate friction in the Mantle household. Because Beverly, was falling deeply in love with Genevieve, to the point where they were talking about having a family together and they even escaped for a weekend getaway, and she wanted that time away and wanted to follow her own heart.

But while she was gone, the real problems in Elliot’s mind were exposed and they were scary. Since she basically slipped into a deep depression while Beverly was out of the house, exposing some severe co-dependency issues, the kind that led to paranoid delusions. Wherein she dreamed of being the life of the party and an object of desire, and a murderer. Since she truly thought for a moment that she had managed to take a life in anger when nothing of the sort occurred. Which of course, led to her lowest moment and prompted Beverly to rush back home and save her and well… all of this… spoke to the central theme. Since there were deep rooted issues here that were never resolved or addressed, because the dream was the focus and the status quo brought comfort and having that interrupted with success… brought it all out. 

However, what made this journey so impactful and so downright terrifying, is the sheer fact that it would seem that darker days are ahead for this duo. Because Elliot is clearly at a low point and rocked terribly at the prospect of losing her sister and Beverly is at a crossroads as well and that divergence is going to lead to trouble, and suffering. But while we wait to see what kind of trouble arises and how ugly it might be, we can in the meantime… applaud a brave tale. One that opted to get into horrors of the mind and the power of co-dependency… and making it clear that Elliot’s mental health issues run deep and need to be addressed quickly, is a bold way to set up the final three episodes of this season. For that informs us that this series is about to expand into new territory, that of the human mind, and it will be fascinating to see what this show has to say about mental health now that it is becoming the centerpiece of this journey. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Eight Premiere of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. To revisit the Season Seven Finale, click here. This article also contains discussions of suicide, which may be triggering to some individuals. 
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One thing that fans of the AMC series, Fear the Walking Dead, can agree upon… is that the people that thrive in this corner of the TWD Universe… have been through complete and utter hell in the past few years. After all, they have had to contend with a nuclear meltdown, a rogue community of banditos that though they were the heroes of the story. Not to mention, they’ve had to battle a serial killer turned prophetic madman, hellbent on creating a nuclear apocalypse and that led to battling nuclear fallout and each other. And of course, they’ve faced some devastating losses in the past year, all of which are moments and elements that would break everyday people… but not these brave and intrepid and downright hearty heroes.
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For that is… how life goes in The Walking Dead Universe. Because these good people understand that this is a brave new world that will test them in ways, they never thought possible and that’s prompted this franchise to take the characters close to their breaking point, but never push them over it. For they represent the best of us. But it does leave one to wonder… what would it take to finally break them, if you will. Because people do have a breaking point, that red line where they can take no more and will shatter and be compliant or hide away from their pain and the world and after eight long seasons, and more for some… of suffering and struggling and being put through the emotional wringer… we finally came to learn where breaking points lie in the season eight premiere of the show. 

But not before, ‘Remember Everything They Took from You’ explored the inner workings of P.A.D.R.E. For that is where Madison and Morgan ended up after the season seven finale and they of course… found trouble in the opening moments of this tale when Morgan realized that this wasn’t he wanted for baby Mo and that’s when Madison worked to help, he and Mo escape at her own peril, and well, we never saw how that played out. Instead, a massive eight-year time jump allowed for us to finally see what this place looked like and how it functioned and well, it was scary to say the least. Since P.A.D.R.E. was not the sanctuary as advertised to so many. It was nothing more than an orphanage really, where children were taught odd lessons about the world and its ugliness and were tasked with learning how to fight walkers in the most horrifying manner possible. Through full-on combat. Which while safety measures were in place, was horrifying.  

Plus, we also came to learn that P.A.D.R.E. was all about punishment and brutal loyalty tactics. All of which would have a negative impact upon children, since their only lessons in life would be about survival and suffering and fury and anger, making it clear that this was not the right place for children to grow, nor was it the rebirth of civilization as advertised last season and well… with those lessons in hand through a girl named Wren… we came to learn about what happened to some of our heroes and how they have indeed reached their breaking point, courtesy of a reunion with Madison Clark. Who was now locked up in a basement cell and being poked and prodded and generally tortured for her role in the opening moments of this tale, and she was in fact… ready to just expire. To be free of this cell and the desolate nature of her life and she even made an attempt to inflict her own end upon herself.

But the discovery that young Wren was in fact, Baby Mo all grown up, concerned her and motivated her to escape with Mo. Simply because she had to know what transpired to ruin the effort that was put into getting her away from this place, and thankfully they were able to get out into the world and find Morgan and even Grace and that of course… led to some trademark Fear TWD moments. The kind where walkers were hiding about en masse and causing all kinds of trouble, and where Morgan and Madison had to fight tooth and nail to see another day, and it even included a grand entrance from Grace. One that eventually allowed for everyone to escape the clutches of the living dead and seemingly that moment began to barrel us toward the joyous and hopeful storytelling that we’ve seen in the darkest of hours on this show. Only to be shocked… by sorrow.
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For Grace and Morgan were fine with their little one going back to P.A.D.R.E. and they even radioed Shrike, the de facto general of its forces, to take her ‘home’ and leave a trio of heroes to uncertain fates and well… while Mo learned a few things out there and showed strength and a desire to learn more about her past… what mattered more here… is what some of our heroes have become. For the trio here… were shells of their former selves. The kind that could no longer reconcile the suffering and the darkness and the losses they had suffered. Nor could Morgan and Grace reconcile the possibility of any potential harm coming to their child, and all of those emotions… finally broke them. Broke all of them and that alone, made for a powerful and unsettling story. Simply because… we’ve never seen heroes in this universe, think in such dire and hopeless terms and be at their absolute lowest.

Sure, they’ve had downtrodden moments and even mental health breakdowns. But the collective kept them going, faith in tomorrow lifted them up, as did doing the right thing. But here, this trio was clearly shattered, broken by the weight of so much pain and that’s a brilliant move from a storytelling standpoint. Since it speaks to the beginning of an exploration we’ve never seen in this franchise. Specifically… can these heroes heal at their lowest? And come back to do the right thing in this world and save these kids from what appears to be a militaristic fate, and a dark life full of survival instead of beauty? All of which compels us to finish the journey to see what the answers to those questions will be and of course… to uncover what has happened to the rest of the people we know and love in this dynamic and bold story.
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Because… we don’t know what happened to everyone else. It’s just the three we see here, and there are but brief mentions of the others and that… is equally as powerful and compelling. For we’ve never seen the group THIS scattered to the wind, and their fates could be heartbreaking in nature, since this is the final season of a show that has no qualms doing bold and surprising things with its story, and its characters. But while we wait to see if our heroes can be heroes again and if they all made it off the rafts alive and well, we can revel in the majesty of one brave season premiere. One that took some risks and really took the characters here down a powerful path and set the stage for a powerful season of storytelling. One that will hopefully see broken heroes try desperately to find value in themselves and tomorrow, in a world that has robbed them of every ounce of hope. Until next time.

The end of everything. It is a concept that has haunted mankind for as long as we can remember. For we are creatures that understand that nothing lasts forever and that mortality in a physical and metaphysical sense is an inevitability, and thus… there is a part of us that always ponders upon the end and wonders… what could bring it all crashing down. Which is why we explore it often in storytelling, to see if we can sort out this fear/morbid curiosity and perhaps… avoid it. Cheat the death that awaits us and cheat the collapse of what we hold dear and that is why the season one finale of Fear the Walking Dead is such a poignant and powerful piece of television… since it presents us with, the end of everything.
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For ‘The Good Man’ is a story that explores what could potentially bring about the end of modern society, and it is quite clear as to what could cause that. In that, in the days following a cataclysmic or epic crisis, the breakdown of the last vestiges of humanity would involve… a complete abandoning of that which binds us. Such as our desire to come together as community and our desire to lift one another up. As evidenced by the fact that Madison, Travis, and Daniel come to realize… all that mattered past this point, with an impending assault arriving on Los Angeles… was their own and what they had, the rest be damned. And that decision to rescue their loved ones and release others so they too could grab onto what little they had left in this life and save their own skin… spoke to that division becoming complete.

But that would not be the only steps that would bring about the end, it would also take… a desire to destroy and punish anyone or anything that could cause or has caused us harm. As evidenced by the bold decisions made to ensure the freedom and safety of these families. Since Daniel Salazar had no qualms unleashing a massive horde and sea of living death upon the United States soldiers that were supposed to protect people and save them and keep them safe. Who instead caused harm and were also ready to kill to keep their own tomorrow going, and seeing Americans fight Americans instead of the dead… truly made it clear that everything was falling to pieces and that such punishments would indeed accelerate the dark times since this helped the dead win.  

However, above all, the true nail in society’s coffin, would come about via destruction. Destruction of the rules we hold near, the values we put in place and the literal destruction of everything we built in life. Because that would leave no trace of who we were as a people or what we could have been, and that absolutely happened in this tale. In part, because Operation: Cobalt was on the horizon, but also because… that which everyone held dear in this tale had to be tossed aside. Such as a father killing a mother, as Travis did here. An act born out of preservation, since to not end her life would have led to more death and destruction when she would have eventually turned. But in that moment, there was only abandonment of the rules we hold dear, of the lives we value, and, in that moment, the end arrived for all of humanity.

For the dead won the day, and it was their land now, and all that remained for this family… was survival. Which meant, a more brutal way of life, one that would harm them and harden them emotionally and leave them wondering what they would be fighting for and if they could be saved. But in the here and the now, this episode truly was an apocalyptic masterpiece. One that showed us the end of everything and how it could potentially come about if death were to die, and that made for one stunning season finale. One filled to the brim with terror and gore and horrors untold, and that is precisely why this series would endure for eight seasons. Because this episode pushed the envelope and scared us to our core and now that we know how the beginning of the end took place, it will be fascinating to see how this storied franchise comes to its own end when its eighth and final season kicks off later tonight. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Huesera: The Bone Woman’.
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It is definitely safe to say that we cherish motherhood in our modern society, and understandably so. After all, it is mom that carries a child for nine months to term, and endures all the difficulties that accompany that, not to mention… it is mom that goes through endless hours of painful labor to bring a life into this world, and that too… is a huge deal. For they have helped to give life to a new human being, and the promise that comes with that is endless since that child could be the one that changes the world for the better. And the majesty and importance of that act, is precisely why so many women answer the call when the time is right to them, and this can be quite the beautiful act to say the least… one that creates a legacy for all of humankind. But what is fascinating about motherhood in our modern world, is that it comes with a dark side to it. Specifically… how women that aren’t interested in having children are treated.
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Because not everyone feels the desire to bring a life into this world and are oft chastised for it. They’re told it’s a horrible idea to not have children, and that they will forever regret not enjoying motherhood and could in fact, lament such an act in their final days when there are no children to bid them farewell from this plane of existence. Which are words and an overall expectation that is both rude, and cruel. For it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they want to have children, and if not, that is their prerogative, and their reasons are their own and if it relates to the responsibility that comes with having a child, so be it. For it can be a scary and intense process that not everyone is suited for. If anything, the concerns, and terror that one could and would go through if tasked and pressured with having a child when they do not wish to, is top of mind today, simply because it serves as the central focus of a brand-new horror film on Shudder entitled, Huesera: The Bone Woman.

For in this story, we are introduced to a woman named Valeria who seemingly has it all. A loving husband, a large family and she even has a baby on the way. A little girl in fact, and well… that kind of perfect life should bring her nothing but joy. But instead, Valeria is terrified of what is to come. For she isn’t sure if she will be a good mother, if she’s making the right decision and if by chance, her baby will be safe in her arms. Simply because there are some strange occurrences happening around Valeria, the kind that have her convinced that something sinister is near, something that will claim the life of her child, and she may be helpless to do anything about it. Especially when old world cures for the spirts seem to do nothing but encourage them further, and it may take great sacrifice on her part to ensure her little girl and herself for that matter… will see tomorrow.

Which is a plot that first glance, seems less about the terrors of motherhood and more about something spooky surrounding her, and the film does little to detract from that, since we are indeed privy to some dark moments revolving around something sinister. The kind that features faceless people, disturbing visuals and a seeming dark force that follows Valeria everywhere she goes. All of which brings forth the hardcore horror elements in this story, and they are indeed effective at unsettling the viewer. Because nothing about the ‘evil’ in this story feels conventional in the slightest, and the mystery surrounding it and why Valeria has been chosen by this evil… only adds to the uncomfortable nature of it, allowing for a supremely gothic and disturbing horror story to play out. 

But make no mistake about it, the commentary in question… is there. And it is sandwiched beneath the scares, and it truly does seem, as this story continues along, that the evil in question is a manifestation of Valeria’s fears and that all of this relates to stress and fear and an outright desire… to not be a mother. Which is backed up by flashbacks and a grand understanding of where Valeria was before her family basically demanded she settle down and have kids and perform her ‘duty’ as a woman. Which truly offers up powerful observations on the unrealistic and uncomfortable pressures that women face in this life to have a child, and the terror it causes them when they choose to bring a life into this world when they don’t want to. Making this a powerful film about the horrors of societal pressures and quite frankly… the horrors of childbirth.

Not in the sense that it doesn’t have beauty, but this movie does also point out that our creation is a violent and painful act, one that does indeed require endurance and bravery and well… in the end, all of these elements make this a refreshing and brilliant horror feature. One that really does address a topic that is really only now being discussed in our modern world, and this movie deserves a round of applause for speaking a truth that few films have thus far. In that, it is okay to not want children, and that no one should ever be forced or coerced or hammered into doing so. For we are talking about the birth of a human life, one that should be wanted and nurtured and to ask someone who has no interest in that, does that life a great disservice and provides them with a long road ahead that can easily be avoided… by respecting one’s wishes and letting people live the life… they choose.

It is definitely safe to say, that season one of the AMC series, Fear the Walking Dead, is a true zombie-themed masterpiece regarding what the fall of mankind would look like if the dead were to return to life and attack the living. A feat that this season has accomplished by having us watch in excruciating detail how humanity would fall and how our own ignorance and fear and outright arrogance would help living death populate our cities and become the dominant species. But while that alone could have carried this first season, its back half has opted to go deeper regarding such matters. By also exploring how what remains of mankind in the days following the initial onslaught would be doomed for different reasons. In part, because little would change and also because of what we saw play out in the show’s next episode.
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For ‘Cobalt’ is a story that informs us… that dueling agendas and a desire to find direction from both survivors and saviors would bring about great trouble in those delicate days where one would think mankind would regroup and prepare a counteroffensive against a foe that is slow and mindless and weak in many ways. But instead, this episode showed us a military that was beginning to syphon people away from safety to help maintain its struggling infrastructure, which didn’t sit well with the people of the sanctuary, the military created. Because they wanted their families near them since that was one of the few things they had left in this story and that led to distrust and disdain between the two sides, and we also came to learn… that any semblance of safety or illusion of protection, can also quickly fade when the circumstances are right.

Because despite offering bravado and bluster to Travis when he asked to see his ex-wife and Griselda at the military’s headquarters, when faced with a real zombie threat, one that was only growing in nature by the minute since Los Angeles was now home to millions of walking and flesh-eating corpses… the oath taken, and the safety offered by the military… disappeared. For the good of the one always comes into play in a crisis, and that wasn’t the only example of how old-world services and infrastructure would break down in the delicate days following a tipping point of sorts. Since we saw rampant corruption rolling through that very headquarters, the kind that allowed for deals to be made by a man named Victor Strand. The kind that could have put the entire facility at risk had Nick been harboring a bite. Since Strand paid handsomely to save him from being thrown in isolation and studied for withdrawal symptoms. 

But truly… the most powerful point this story made, revolved around what would cause the final collapse. Which would be ideological decisions made in the name of the greater good or in the name of safety. All of which we saw play out via Daniel Salazar’s journey in this tale. Since his decision to torture a soldier in a terrifying old school way, in the City of Angels no less, spoke to how that which we hold dear in the Americas was now abandoned so Daniel could keep his family safe and well… Adams, the soldier in question… revealed the plan for the greater good. Since this was the first canonical mention of Operation: Cobalt in the franchise’s storied history. A move that was clearly designed to abandon the everyday people of the United States of America, in the name of keeping the concept and the core of the country alive and well. 

If anything, this episode simply inches us closer… in a dreary manner… toward those final moments where America died and where the living dead finally won the day and claimed the world from all of humanity, and it did it well. Since that strange sense of consistency and tenuous safety found in the last episode, is gone here. Replaced instead with unease and distrust and a real sense that Yeats influenced this episode heavily since things did indeed fall apart and this center cannot hold. Which means that all that remains in our second journey through season one of this incredible series… is the end of everything. And truly it will be fascinating to experience that one more time, now that we have a better idea of what lies ahead for this family, following the harrowing dawn of the dead we are bearing witness to. Until next time.

Hello my fellow Supernatural (CW; 2005-2020) fans!! Now that the dust has settled on the new spinoff and the big wigs at the CW opted not to renew series for a second season (*BALLS*),  I thought I would take a moment to discuss four reasons why The Winchesters (CW; 2022-) DESERVES more!! As the driver *WINK* of this ride, my playlist consists of four tracks: Character Development, Cameos and Callbacks, Behind the Scenes, and the biggest melody of all… The Fans!! So… jump in, buckle up, shut your… ah-hem *LOL!*, and let’s go!
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Track 1: Character Development
 
In a show about monsters, the heart of Supernatural has always been our boys – Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester. Along the way, we met many who we grew to love and hate. Mostly love though. I mean… I really did like Chuck (Rob Benedict) in the beginning. *LOL* My point is, we got time with our characters. Hell, even if Supernatural actually wrapped up when it was supposed to, we still would’ve gotten five years of character development. Not to mention, at best, it takes 2-3 seasons before a show really finds its footing. So too should it be with our new set of hunters. All of which have done a damn fine job thus far. *ROUND OF APPLAUSE* Especially when coming in cold to an extremely well established world. *HECK YEAH!* To help with this, the writers took care to keep us guessing throughout the season on just how this story intertwines with what we already know. Constant OMC (Oh my Chuck) *BIG GRIN* moments arise against canon throughout. Wait… what?? *LOL* Yet, by the end, all is revealed and we know exactly why this or that may appear off kilter. To top it off, we’re transported into a nostalgic 1970’s setting *AWESOME* where bright paisley colors, shag and bell bottoms reign supreme! *BRAVO*

More on character development you say!! *RAISED EYEBROW* Well… Team Free Will, this song isn’t over yet!!  

First, the budding romance between the show’s namesake – John Winchester (Drake Rodger) and Mary Campbell (Meg Donnelly) – is fantastic! And when I say fantastic… I’m referring to the CUTEST THING EVER from a couple we all know VERY well. Their chemistry is palpable and seeing the tiny universe on the background of their love is awesome. All be it a bit off, as noted. I promise, it’s all on purpose! We also get to see each of them work through their own issues in different ways while eventually coming full circle in a mix of togetherness and individual growth. THIS my friends… is a Supernatural staple… and I LOVE IT!!

As for the rest of the crew? The Scooby Gang vibe is ever present and infectious giving nod to 13.16 ‘Scoobynatural’ *NICE* while establishing new canon for the Supernaturalverse overall. Complete with a van, our new Hunters are full of spunk. None more than the van’s owner, Carlos Cervantez!! Played by the lovely Jojo Fleites, Carlos is a non-binary/bisexual character and a fantastic mix of strong vocal representation blended perfectly with vulnerable PTSD and a colorful 70s style. A military vet, musician and dare I say, fashion icon *YES!!*, is just the beginning of Carlos and I cannot stress enough that we NEED more!!

Next up… the bookworm/hunter-in-the-making Latika “Lata” Dar portrayed by the beautiful Nida Khurshid. A northern India born pacifist; Lata is a smart edition to the cast. And similar to the other three, she experiences her own journey of growth throughout the season. Overall, her mysterious background mixed with impressive wits and loving nature brings a warm and intriguing character that I didn’t even know I needed! *BRAVO LITTLE LADY*

Rounding out the young fab four core, we also have regular appearances by the compelling rare books expert Ada Monroe (Demetria McKinney) and John’s badass mechanic mother Millie Winchester (Bianca Kajlich). Each bringing their own brand of mother-like qualities, these ladies are often the voices of reason for our gang who, when push comes to shove, join the fight without hesitation. Especially Millie! *KAPOW* Adding in Mary’s father Samuel Campbell (Tom Welling), similar to its predecessor, the show creates family tension and creepy monster vibes throughout. As if loving all this wasn’t enough? Let’s skip to the next tune.

Track 2: Cameos and Callbacks
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If you haven’t completed the full season and you really hate spoilers, stop right now!! For the rest of us… the joy of seeing ANY characters from our beloved Supernaturalverse is something we expected with this series. But who?? Well, Jensen and crew most definitely do not disappoint when it comes to showing us some of the best personalities to come out this universe. Quite frankly, seeing Rowena (Ruth Connell) and Loki (Richard Speight Jr.) in season one would’ve been enough. But giving us Dean, Bobby (Jim Beaver), and Jack (Alexander Calvert) too!! *WOW* Plus we get Rob Benedict (as Tango) and music from Louden Swain under their Supernatural Convention stage name with a 70’s persona – Elastic Waste Band. Now that’s a deep cut!!
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Going forward, could we see Castiel (Misha Collins) or Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino)? Or what about some of my favorite ladies noted in my very first article with NTG way back in 2019 – The Women of ‘Supernatural’: The Good, the Bad and the Wayward. With a spin on the verse, seeing Charlie (Felicia Day), Jody (Kim Rhodes) or Donna (Briana Buckmaster) would be AMAZING!! Not to mention those evil characters begging for more backstory!! Like Lilith (multiple actors) and Ruby (multiple actors). *OOOO!* Or what about a guest spot by Danneel herself as Sister Jo? The potential for big AND small character returns in a weird and multiversal way is really endless and truly wonderful!!

As for callbacks and Easter eggs? Season one is full of them! Like Rock, Paper, Scissors in 1.04: ‘Masters of War’, multiple Men of Letters ties, John’s moose belt buckle *TOO CUTE*, and the beginning of John’s journal. *AWWW-SOME!* But there’s always room for more. *DANN STRAIGHT* Personally, I’d also love to see some running props show up like the perfectly 70’s Starburst Clock or the frequently used Deer’s Head. Or even something really powerful like The Colt. There’s also a plethora of monster tales in between new ones to pull from to keep the “Mothership” (Jensen Ackles) feel. As any watcher knows, the established lore is quite vast and my next number knows all about that!

Track 3: Behind the Scenes
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Put together by Dean himself, along with his wife Danneel, The Winchesters isn’t just some corporate attempt to capitalize on the magic. It’s homegrown and steeped in family. As Jensen stated in the Being in the Room interview with Nightsky (The Winchester Family Business) at New York Comic Con: “This one’s really special to us and we take great care.” *AWWW* It shows Jensen… it REALLY shows!!

Further, showrunner Robbie Thompson, a Supernatural veteran with both writing and producing credits most definitely understands the assignment!! Joining the Supernatural crew from 2011 to 2016, Robbie helped bring us some of the best of the show in its later years. Writing such gems as 7.12: ‘Time After Time’ (2012), 8.11: ‘LARP and the Real Girl’ (2013) and the HUGE family favorites, 10.05: ‘Fan Fiction’ (2014) and 11.04: ‘Baby’ (2015), to name a few. After a spectacular first season, if it were to find a new home, I have no doubt that The Winchesters would be in good, if not great hands. *HECK YEAH!!*

Throw in the fact that directing alumni have also come aboard. Like multi-character pupil from 2007-2018 Richard Speight Jr. (Trickster/Loki/Gabriel) who guided several episodes from 2010-2020. Including the funny/creepy 11.08: ‘Just My Imagination’ (2015) and the chilling 15.05: ‘Proverbs 17:3’ (2019). *YAY LOKI* Another noted director is John F. Showalter who frequently took the helm from 2010-2020. In that time, Showalter stamped 26 episodes and gave us favs like the absolutely hilarious 6.09: ‘Clap Your Hands if You Believe’ (2010) and one I was very proud to cover – the ghost filled scare 15.01: ‘Back and to the Future’ (2019). *NICE!* And Jensen himself has expressed wanting to dust off his director’s chair for the series. *YES PLEASE!* Oh, but this song isn’t over yet.

As with all Supernatural stories, the writers do an excellent job of using a monster tale as an anchor while promoting psychological growth and healing for all the characters at one time or another. Historically, each episode often furthers some part of a multipronged story. That trend is continued here and it’s wonderful!! Adding in diversity, representation, empowerment and controversial topics – some of which the parent show failed to fully realize at times – The Winchesters is a refreshing and much needed update to the Supernaturalverse. I mean... it’s no easy feat to bring in modern issues while balancing a link between the source material. All while rocking a sweet 70s vibe. *AWESOME!!* Now more than 15 years on… my final song says it all!!

Track 4: The Fans
 
Over the many seasons of Supernatural, fans have followed the characters through many trials, tribulations, and periods of growth. Heck… we as fans have grown too. A lot can happen in fifteen years!! *RIGHT?* Yet, Supernatural was a constant we came to expect year after year. And though it’s over, the show is by far not gone. PLUS… new fans join the family all the time. Besides, I’m pretty sure that none of us were ready to let go. *NOPE!* Even in the final season with the COVID19 Pandemic in our way – the worst Hellatus in Supernatural history *LOL!!* – we showed up. Not to mention, to date, conventions are still roaring and fans are constantly posting under #Supernaturl, #SPN and #SPNFamily right alongside the newcomer, #TheWinchesters. *HELLS YEAH* Interviews, articles, music and videos are also just as prevalent. And don’t forget the elevation of other career endeavors and charitable campaigns. All thanks to the fans!! *PEW-PEW!!*
 
Way back in 2005, “The Little Show that Could” (Erik Kripke) lasted 15 unbelievable years. And with its share of ups and downs, the one constant – besides Sam and Dean – was the fans!! We made the show what it is. We still make the show what it is and many of us are totally on board to do the same for The Winchesters! Unfortunately, the ratings for the show varied throughout the season. Still, the spin-off has continued to rival many episodes of another CW darling – The Flash (Season 9). *NICE!* Therefore, it’s clear The Winchesters has made a mark. *DAMN STRAIGHT!!*
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Since being cancelled on May 11th, the fanbase has increased posting support with a new hashtag – #SaveTheWinchesters. *YES!!* And with Deadline noting shortly after the heartbreaking news that both its parent company Warner Bros. and Jensen himself hope to find a new home for the show, the hashtag began to trend. Before the day was out, as predicted, Jensen got the ball rolling with his own call to arms in three subsequent tweets: “Looks like we got work do,” and “Let’s go!!!” Along with: “And we’re off…,” which includes a video from the fab four cast as well as Jensen… all calling for fans to spread the hashtag across social media. *KAPOW* I LOVE THIS SO MUCH… and if any fanbase can do this, Team Free Will can!! So, if you have yet to see this fitting love letter to the original series and witty addition to the Supernaturalverse, please join us!! Because seriously, you’re missing out!! Enjoy, share the love and help us find a new home for our fab four and crew!! Because we all know that: “Saving People… hunting things… the family business” most definitely began with John and Mary Winchester. Seeing a spin on this EPIC backstory??? Well… that’s just fan lip service with a side of pie!! *WINK* Until next time.

All Season 1 episodes of The Winchesters are available now (for free!!) on the CW right here or on the app across platforms. 

​Life is an interesting journey, mainly because you never know what is waiting for you around the bend. When you continue to move forward, everything that is in your rear view has changed you into the person you are becoming. While some of us start to become complacent in where the road has taken us, others want to see what else it can offer. The road only comes to an end when we run out of gas and while some motors last longer than others, we do have a choice on what intersections we want to turn off on.
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Running late for a reading at the local library, Isabel is running with her daughter to get in before they miss too much. Leaving her daughter off with the person doing the reading, Isabel needs to use the bathroom, but upon leaving the bathroom she sees that everyone in the library is gone. In a frantic state and yelling for her daughter, she runs outside to see that the street is empty. Running down the street not knowing what could have happened, Isabel will need a life changing event to get her to accept that it was not her fault that her daughter was taken.

Months have passed, and Isabel and her husband Josh are moving into a new state of the art house being given to them by his company. With all of the technology in the world at their fingertips, it will be a difficult transition for the couple, but together, Josh believes that they can move forward. After saying goodbye to their friends Thomas and Jane who helped with the move, Isabel tries to be as nice as possible, but is still destroyed from the past. But there is something strange about this property as Isabel quickly finds out when she starts to hear a whisper coming from the woods out back. Thinking that it may only be something in her head, she keeps this development quiet from Josh who is trying to get her to open up and be the woman he fell in love with years ago.

Getting a call from Thomas that there is something new coming across at work, Josh needs to head into town to check it out and reluctantly, Isabel decides to join him for the ride. Walking a few steps out the front door however, she is stopped by an unseen force and Josh waits for her to wake up from the event. Not knowing what is happening to her, Isabel stays in the house and checks out one of the short-range radios that her husband has been working on. Turning it off and getting some personal time, the radio turns back on, and it plays a series of numbers that puts old memories of herself and her daughter front and center. When checking out the radio further, Isabel spots a crawl space under the house and decides to give it a quick look, but when she gets locked in she sees that she is not alone in the house, but that is just the beginning of her downward spiral, as whatever is in the house with the couple is looking for more than to just be noticed.

I was wondering what the heck the title meant as the movie started, because I think of shortwave radios as those things that truckers use, but this particular shortwave can pick up many more transmissions than just the usual. With Josh trying to pinpoint the point of origin of a signal from space with the use of these radios, he also finds a signal from the planet being sent back. Isabel is not privy to the second part of this but knows that there is something strange in the house with them and when she sees it firsthand, well, let’s just say that her life will never be the same again. This movie features a signal being researched for years, some alone time, memories of a past life, doubt, black figures, powerful beings and a smart house that can be forced to yield to you if you remember the alarm code. While there are some shots in the movie that really left me wondering what the point of those shots were (Fisheye Camera view), it really did not detract from the story, along with the actors who really left it all on the screen. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Five Finale of ‘Slasher’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we reach the end of a slasher story, a certain formula comes into play. Wherein we learn all the secrets about the killer, and their weaknesses, before those left standing from the killer’s bloodlust take a stand and emerge… victorious. For slasher stories tend to feature a happy ending. The kind that reminds us that good triumphs over evil and that the world always makes things right again. But while that is fun and satisfying, let’s be honest… it’s not realistic, and yes, while horror is an escape avenue, one that makes us feel safe while scaring us… contemporary horror is eager to explore the reality of the world and how not everyone gets a happy ending and how sometimes… people come out of dark situations worse than they started.
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Which is why the Shudder series, Slasher: Ripper, is of note. Because this is that horror/slasher story that has been eager from day one… to provide us with a more realistic and thoughtful slasher tale. Which it definitely has accomplished by plunging us into a world that mirrors our own, where the rich are stupid rich and get away with everything because of their standing and their funds… and where everyone else… is along for the ride and well… it is safe to say that fans of this series were wondering, if it would stick the landing. If ‘Divine Secrets’ and ‘Vengeance’ would find a way to stay true to what this story was exploring and provide us with an ending that fit, over one that was happy and conclusive, and the good news is… the show did indeed offer up a trope-busting ending that was worthy of the commentary present in this tale.

But of course… not before giving us more carnage and mayhem. The kind that saw a strange darkness sweep over the town. As though the Widow had begun to inspire everyone to take charge of their life in a dark manner, and that is something that Verdi took part in here. Mainly because she was full of hate for her sisters, and rightfully so, for the way they treated her, and she thought she could use her standing as Basil’s bride to be to finally make them pay for being cruel. So… she helped to set up a mistake in Georges’ act to kill Venetia, so then she could easily set up Vivana to take the fall. And she most certainly did, and by distracting everyone with this act… the Widow was able to finally bring Georges to justice, but not before we learned about his role in Margaret’s death and Basil’s exact role as well.

However, once that was out of the way, the story could then get into the final showdown if you will. For with Basil left standing, the killer simply had to strike him, and this would be over, and that of course put the pressure on Rijkers to make an arrest and this is where the story surprised us through and through. Since Rijkers figured out along the way that Regina was the Widow, for she was Margaret’s daughter and was cast out after her mother died, giving her understandable reason to do all of this and rather than arrest her… he gave into his heart and gave her a chance to run, and that’s when… the rich flexed their muscle. Since Basil was basically done dealing in fear and had his own lackeys arrest the good detective, who figured out how to escape the prison and upon doing so… is when this story took another fascinating turn.
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Because once he was free, Rijkers was able to realize… that he was trapped in an impossible situation. For he was being asked to betray the badge and serve a piece of human garbage. One that had committed countless crimes and would commit countless more, and he’d already manipulated Kenneth and others into doing his bidding because that’s what a rich guy like Basil does. So, when the opportunity arose to stand with Regina and everyone that Basil wronged… he did. Which led to vigilante justice and an ending that fits with the zeitgeist of our time. But more importantly… it shook up the usual finale for the genre. For there was no happy ending here, just corruption of the soul and motivation for more people to take part in revenge all because… these poor everyday folks had enough of the system and the folks that manipulated it, and they reacted accordingly. 

All of which made… for the right ending. One that will undoubtedly create conflict in the viewer and motivate discussions of what they saw. Because we do indeed expect happy endings from slashers, not ones firmly planted in the grey. But that also makes this ending, brilliant. Since it speaks to the mood of the era and how helpless we all feel right now with corporations funding agendas in Washington and with rich idiots making stupid decisions for others because of how out of touch they are and that makes this season of storytelling, incredible when all is said and done. Since it reinvented the slasher for the 21st Century and provided us with so much to chew upon and now that this chapter has come to a close, it will be fascinating to see what season six has in store for us from a plot and commentary standpoint. Until next time.

Thus far, our journey back through season one of Fear the Walking Dead, has yielded some fascinating perspective regarding how the world ended in The Walking Dead Universe. Since we came to learn that fear and chaos and a lack of unity, allowed for the living dead to bring humanity to its knees. Not to mention, that exploration offered up fascinating commentary on our world and how similar actions in our society allowed for Covid to run rampant and of course… we’ve been treated to some scary moments along the way, courtesy of fresh corpses and the sense of danger surrounding the families that we’ve been introduced to in this terrifying and desolate journey. But while it has been fun to play in a sandbox that finally gave us everything, we’ve long wanted from a zombie story… there is more to explore in this universe, as evidenced by the next episode in this tale.
 
For ‘Not Fade Away’ is a story that ponders upon some very real questions on our minds when it comes to our sometimes morbidly curious thoughts regarding the apocalypse in any capacity. Such as what would life look like in the days following the end, or as the end continued? Not to mention, would humanity take this opportunity to band together and work to rebuild what we lost? Well as it turns out, this story informs us that if we apply the realistic musings the first half of season sent our way, the answers to those questions would be unsettling at best. For this is a story that informs us that no… there would be no unity and push to solve the problem in front of everyone. Nor would life suddenly be peachy keen with the majority of the danger having passed. Instead, it would be miserable and scary… and people would be desperate to keep normalcy and routine going.
 
Because they would struggle to cope with the fact that the end of everything was upon them. So why break from routine? Why think about standing tall and fighting the dead and well… that’s what we saw here. Just people, going through the motions, trying to find jobs and duties to keep busy at a time when there was nothing left to hold onto. For at this point, Los Angeles had obviously fallen, but the draw of routine is quite strong and that is why we were plunged into a neighborhood desperate to maintain it while the military kept watch. Which did indeed bring forth a meager and desolate existence. One where no one tried to do much more than hang on, and of course… they poured all their faith into the military’s arrival and left it to those who swore and oath to keep them safe and give them space to heal and oddly enough, that led to another fine example as to why life would be scary post the end of everything.
 
Simply because, sticking to routine and sticking to the hope that things will go back to normal, would create complacency and not address the underlying fear that all are experiencing, including those sworn to protect. For they are also humans, and soldiers or not… they have families and dreams and things to worry about as well, and seeing the end of everything play out firsthand and having deeper knowledge can cause harm. Which we saw on display here. Since there was a push to consolidate power and make strange demands for the greater good. Not to mention, Madison’s discovery outside the fences and what Travis saw courtesy of Chris’ keen eye… only hammered home how power can corrupt in times of crisis, and absolutely if the chain of command and the top brass are filled with terror.
 
If anything, this was just… a solid episode through and through. One that truly took this show’s exploration of the end of everything to the Nth degree. All by exploring the reality that much of what helped the dead win, remained as the crisis wore on, and that caused more harm, and well, that allowed for this episode to go from slightly cozy, to uncomfortable and dangerous. Especially since we can no longer trust the military men set up around this safe zone, and now they truly represent the sense of danger in this story, which also reminds us that man is the more dangerous being in this particular universe. But that aside, this really was an engaging story, one that let us catch our breath for a quick moment before informing us that the back end of season one was going to be quite ugly and would complete our wish of showing us… how society completely handed over the world of the living to the legions of the dead. Until next time.