There was a time in The Walking Dead Universe, where characters that left the series, were never to return. Courtesy of the grim reality that this was the end of the world, where death and exits were final and absolute. But the popularity of this franchise and the connection we share with some of these characters, have motivated Chief Content Officer Scott Gimple… to get creative when it comes to death and for proof… then look no further than last night’s epic announcements for Fear the Walking Dead.
​
For not only did AMC renew the show for its Eighth Season, but it also informed us that a long presumed dead character from season four… is returning to the fold. For come next year, Kim Dickens will reprise her role as the titular Madison Clark on the series as a guest star before returning to the fold as a series regular in season eight. Ending any and all speculation to the fate of her character while resurrecting a fan favorite and well, here are all the details on her return and season eight, alongside a promo for season 7B (courtesy of AMC), for you to enjoy as we all now eagerly await the return of Madison Clark.

‘AMC announced on tonight’s Talking Dead the renewal of Fear the Walking Dead for an eighth season with Kim Dickens, who played fan-favorite character Madison Clark in Seasons 1 through 4, set to return to the series.  Dickens will make her first appearance in the second half of Season 7, returning Sunday, April 17 on AMC, and continue as a series regular in Season 8. All episodes of Fear the Walking Dead continue to be available one week early on AMC+, beginning on April 10.

“If there were a Mt. Deadmore, Kim Dickens’ face would be on it.  Madison Clark is a foundational character to TWDU — heroic, complex, an everyperson who becomes a warrior and then a force of benevolence,” said Scott M. Gimple, Chief Content Officer of The Walking Dead Universe. “Kim Dickens’ raw talent, strength, and brilliance will electrify TWDU once more and we couldn’t be luckier to have her back.”

In the second half of Season 7, months have passed after the nuclear blast and the only one thriving is Victor Strand (Colman Domingo). Having built a fiefdom, he callously selects who will have a chance at life. The other members of the group have suffered immensely, but out of that, has come a fierce determination to live, even if it means taking Strand’s Tower by force and continuing the search for Padre, a mythical place no one is sure really exists. Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey,) now the reluctant leader to Teddy’s former followers, is plagued by a mysterious illness and the repercussions of her past actions. Morgan (Lennie James,) trying to maintain hope that he will be reunited with his family, knows Alicia is key to their survival. With Alicia declaring war, Strand’s paranoia and personal vendettas grow, and with that, new threats emerge from all sides.

Fear the Walking Dead is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and David Alpert and is produced by AMC Studios.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’.
​
Over the course of the past two years, the AMC series, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, has provided us with some fascinating examinations regarding the human condition. For instance, the show leaned heavy into how hard it is for us to discover the realities of the world, when we set out on our own to conquer it. Plus, it has also taken the time to examine the nature of evil and how it grabs hold of everyday people to further its interests and of course… it has also leaned hard into what motivates good people to turn upon oppressive regimes and fight a revolution in the name of freedom. But while that has made for some powerful storytelling, the kind that has seen good people exit this series, there is one particular question the series has yet to answer.
​
One that The Walking Dead universe has been eager to explore and answer for some time now. In that, is humanity a species that is worth saving? Which is a question that has merit and deserves answering since we have taken part in cruel acts upon one another, and fight each other constantly in the name of causes and beliefs and political affiliations and according to this show… we would continue to do so even when faced with the reality that our end was near and well… as it turns out, the series finale of this dynamic and intriguing show finally answers that all important question with a resounding yes. But before we get into how ‘The Last Light’ accomplishes that, let’s talk about how the cliffhanger from last week ended, first.

Because when we last saw the Endlings, they were facing more insurmountable odds. For the Civic Republic Military was hunting for them for escaping the Project Votus research facility and they were also facing quite the hard loss. For they were unable to destroy the Votus bioweapon that was to be deployed upon Portland. But as it turns out, there was still hope to be found in this story. Since Huck came to discover that all of the gas was moved to Dennis’ culling facility and if by chance they acted quickly enough, they could destroy the gas and save countless lives and that prompted the Endlings to make their way to that facility post haste and give Huck and Dennis the C-4 they needed to blow the place sky high and that led to some incredible and heartbreaking moments.

For shortly after some tearful goodbyes took place, the kind where Silas stayed behind in the hopes of helping Huck and Dennis expose the CRM’s criminal acts, a problem arose. One where Huck realized that she needed timers for the detonators, a revelation that sent Silas and Dennis away… so that Huck could play the hero. For she knew Jadis was near, and she knew the CRM would do anything and everything to get that gas back. Which is why she sent them away, to keep them safe while she fought her old pupil… and to delay Jadis and her lackeys from obtaining their twisted prize and sadly… this is an act that cost Huck her life. For Jadis was stronger in that moment and mortally wounded Huck. But not before she revealed she used her dad’s watch to set the timers, giving Jadis mere seconds before the facility exploded in a blaze of glory. Giving the heroes a win and seemingly… a perfectly happy ending.

But alas, a bite on Elton’s arm in the midst of his escape with Hope and Iris, and the fact that Silas had to put down Dennis in order to save his own hide, provided them and the audience with a bittersweet ending at best. One that slowly brought about the answer in question. For Silas eventually found himself in the midst of the CRM’s forces, going along to get along so that he could eventually bring the truth to light… and of course, Jadis found more power as baddie’s often do. Courtesy of the fact that she had Lieutenant Colonel Kublek take the fall for Project Votus. But on the plus side, Elton survived, and the scientists found a mall a la Dawn of the Dead, to conduct their research within in the hopes of finding a cure for the end, and Iris and Elton and other survivors, made it to Portland, and it is their arrival and a grand reveal at the end of this story that gives us the answer we seek.

For a quick cut away to France, wherein a research scientist curious about finding a cure for this mess as well, via old video chats with Dr. Edwin Jenner from The Walking Dead, revealed not only that it was French scientists that were responsible for creating the virus that reanimates the dead… but that they also might have created a horrific variant that features human like stamina and strength shortly after reanimation. Which is a revelation that should in fact, speak to how we are not worth saving. Since tinkering with death, our core biological purpose in life, and unleashing that bastardized version of our end upon the world… would make us nothing more than unworthy to carry on. But alas, the opposite is the case, primarily because of what Elton had to say at the end of this story and because of the heroic acts that the Endlings took part in.

Because their actions and the reality that someone finally stood up to evil in a broken and desolate world, teaches us that we are worth saving… because there are those of us, who dream of better. Who desire unity and harmony and thirst for equality, and are willing to fight to obtain just that and see evil be put away. And our ability to recognize our mistakes and demand better of ourselves, does indeed make us worth saving. Because we can recognize our follies and we can improve upon them and do better and be better and the more we instill that in future generations the closer we will come to the harmony we seek now and that really is a wonderful way to answer that question and it does leave one wondering, exactly how future generations in this universe will correct and cure this mistake, and how The Walking Dead will answer that same question come next year, since it too is pondering up this matter.

But while we wait to see how that will play out, in the here and the now, we can celebrate one complete and fascinating tale. One that really did take us on quite the powerful and emotional journey, and it will be sad to see this show go off the airwaves. For this really was a special corner of The Walking Dead Universe, and its contributions to the franchise will never be forgotten. Since it not only helped us to cope with the reality that shows in this universe will indeed come to a close, but it also presented this rich universe with all kinds of new possibilities storytelling wise, and well, that’s really all there is to say about The Walking Dead: World Beyond. But while it has indeed come to its end, the good news is that we can revisit this saga, whenever we feel the need to be reminded of what we can be and what can accomplish, when we apply ourselves to something just and true.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 708 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.
​
There are a great many experiences in this life, that shatter us emotionally and psychologically. Such as the death of a loved one or an outright disaster. Since the loss of someone that matters the world to us, creates a painful void in our heart… one that sends us into a tailspin emotionally, and of course… the fear that is created by way of a disaster, the fear for our safety and our future can also put us in quite the sour place mentally, to the point where we find ourselves transforming into a person, we never thought we would become. But what’s fascinating about life and the universe, is that it features other experiences out there that can break us.
​
Take failure for instance. Which is something that modern man normally sees as a healthy challenge, since we firmly believe that it should in fact, be a great motivator for success since we can learn from it and grow. But in reality, when we put all of our eggs into a particular basket and firmly believe that one goal is the only way to succeed in life, and fail at achieving it… the end result can be disastrous and can leave us in an equally emotionally broken state and really, the power of failure and how it can transform us into a rattled and broken individual is of note today, simply because it served as the core exploration of the season seven midseason finale of Fear the Walking Dead, and ‘PADRE’ brought about this examination by having us spend a lot of quality time with a character that believed they failed miserably in their goals.

For when we catch up with Alicia here, she’s broken emotionally and mentally for reasons she won’t reveal to Morgan, and she is so desperate to find a win and find the mysterious PADRE, which she came to learn is an actual place designed to rebuild humanity in the event of a major disaster… that she’s going to extreme lengths to find it. In fact, she’s gotten her hands on a walker that was once the senator that Will made mention of in the season premiere, and since he knew of the location of PADRE, this seemed like a logical test to see if by chance… the dead retained their memories after all and could lead everyone to safety. Which was a plan that caught Morgan off guard, but he went along with it regardless, since he trusted Alicia and she rarely offered up poor ideas.

But alas, accomplishing such a plan was no easy task. For Strand and his merry band of rangers were hunting for Morgan to exact a little cowboy revenge and justice upon Mister Jones for his attempt on Strand’s life and well… that brought about a messy and impromptu reunion. One that saw Strand emotionally wounded over the fact that Alicia wanted nothing to do with him and it also led to an apparent bite for Alicia and utter failure in finding PADRE, since the good senator only led them right back to Strand’s Dark Tower and well… that’s really when this exploration into how failure can transform us got underway and in order to provide us with a complete picture of that, we needed to venture to the past. Moments after Alicia found herself locked behind a door by Teddy.

For following her imprisonment, she met Will, and of course Teddy’s followers who in turn became the monsters roaming the countryside today. And her time with Will allowed for us to quickly understand that Alicia was desperate to get back to her friends, to save them from Teddy and to save the rest of America from a nuclear nightmare and she was so desperate to make that happen and so eager to not fail… that she first let those fears put her in a compromised situation. Wherein an attempt to use the dead senator to help her and Will, find an escape via the sewer tunnels, ended in disaster. For the nukes hit while she and Will and the dead were in the tunnel and that allowed for the senator to take a hunk out of her arm. Forcing her to slice off her own flesh in a desperate gambit to avoid infection and when she came to from the pain… she received awful news.
​
In that, Strand failed the group and in turn the group failed to stop Teddy and well… coming to realize that she was unable to play the hero or save any lives, combined with the reality that she might die of a bite long term… since she was still quite sick and fighting something ominous… outright broke her. To the point where she fashioned a weapon out of her own bones to try and retain some semblance of wholeness and where she actually trusted the dead to save the living. But while those surprises should have been enough to hammer home how broken she was in failure; the story took her shattered psyche one step further by having her declare war upon Strand and inform him she was taking his Tower. Not just because she failed, but because Strand failed to uphold his end of the deal of being better, as evidenced by the fact that he killed Will, a truth that Alicia was able to uncover when she found his body at the compound.

Which means that in many ways… this season’s underlying theme has been the power of failure and how it can transform us. After all, Victor Strand and his need to be admired, drove to him to outright fail at heroism. Which in turn broke him and motivated him to lean into his darker tendencies and Morgan is in the same boat as he is. For not stopping the bombs and seeing his friends/extended family suffer in a wasteland without food or proper shelter, broke him as well and also forced him to turn to darker instincts and well… that means that this story can go one of two ways from here. It can either see these characters commit to the darkness within and kill one another in a world where death is eager to claim every last living soul or redemption and unity can return somewhere down the line. 

How exactly the latter happens, is difficult to say. Since everyone is so badly broken right now. But one does have to wonder if last night’s announcement that Kim Dickens is returning to the show later this season… has something to do with that, since Madison Clark did indeed have some wonderful ideas about tomorrow. But while we wait to see how the back half of season seven plays out, we can bask in one fascinating tale. One that offered a heck of a return for Alicia Clark, one filled with high stakes for her future since we don’t know if the bite or some kind of horrific sewer related infection, is to blame for her current condition and this episode also deserves credit for putting our characters at their lowest. Since that’s a brave move in a story that has been about hope more often than not and well, now that this harrowing leg of the journey has reached its end, all we can do now is wait patiently for April 17, 2022… when Fear the Walking Dead returns to show us what comes next for these broken survivors. Until next time.

​It is funny when you ask people of different ages about their past. While I come from a generation that loved to take pictures and insert them into a book called a photo album, most everybody today pulls out their phones and brings up Facebook. While times have surely changed, there still is something to keeping photos that are important to you and your explorations over the years. While most people think that they will never forget that one trip even if they don’t have the photos to prove it, as we get older, we sometimes start to lose our minds and along with that, our memories.
​
Seeing his friends Richard and Eva pulling up, Simon cannot wait to get in the car and away from the house. With a new (to him) camera in hand, he is going to shoot everything along the way. Telling his friends that Laura is not going to be joining them on the adventure, Eva tries to have a little bit of girl talk with her friend to find out what is going on but cannot get anything out of the scorned woman. Knowing that it is something that Simon has done, Eva tries to get his side of the story, but hiding behind the camera, he will not tell his dirty little secret that will change his and his friend’s lives forever.

After spending their first night camping out under the stars, the group decides that they will stay in hotels from here on out. As the sun sets and they are speeding down the deserted highway, the group is startled when they hear a crash outside of the car. Getting out and seeing that they have hit a coyote, there is nothing that any of them can do as they watch it die. Being somewhat distressed, the group is able to make it to the hotel and ask the clerk what they should do with the carcass. After getting the good news that the roadkill will be theirs if they want it, Simon sees something through the camera as the clerk’s face is completely skewed. Wiping off the lens, Simon discounts it as a smudge, but when he is woken up in the middle of the night to a gun shot before finding the clerk dead, he starts to wonder what is going on.

After a very awkward evening of drinking and a fight between Eva and Richard, the group take to the road once again and come across an elk standing in the middle of the road. As Simon gets it on film and the group heads down the road, they hear a crash and turn around to see the elk lying dead, allowing for Simon to start to put the pieces together. Making to their next stop, Simon tries to put Eva’s mind at ease as they talk about his relationship. As Richard and Eva fall asleep, Simon tries to call Laura to see what she is up to, but when he hangs up the phone, the room comes alive and looking through the camera, he sees someone in the room with them. Waking up his friends to find that there is nobody there, Richard and Eva start to believe that Simon is going nuts as the images he says he is seeing are real, but not even the tape is catching it. With a second-hand camera in hand, Simon becomes obsessed with shooting everything in his path, but as he takes notice that everyone that he is filming is winding up dead, he knows that he cannot become one of the next victims.

I enjoyed the premise of this movie quite a bit, and while the ending left me wanting more, it kept my attention most of the way through. With his own problems to worry about, Simon winds up filming Richard and Eva’s couple problems, in the hopes that something will happen in his favor. Then there is the camera that is showing strange images only to Simon, which is a very cool idea, and it was fun when he was the only witness to what was happening to the group. But what I liked most about the story is Simon coming clean about what the camera is doing to him and his descent to a dark place when anyone questions him about it, even though he was not on screen. With a ghostly camera, spirits all around, people dying, animals dying, buildings burning down and only one person to blame for it all, the cause of the camera’s power may still be unanswered, but one thing remains certain; this camera will capture more than a memory, it will also steal your soul. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Advent Calendar’.

​The vast majority of people out there, see the holidays as a wondrous time and rightfully so. After all, this is a season of giving and harmony. Wherein we celebrate the wonder of life with our friends and family, and we also take inventory of our own lives during this season. Since this is the end of a trip around the sun, and the perfect time to sit back and think about all the gifts that life gave us this year and what we can do with said gifts in the New Year to find fulfillment and joy and outright peace in our souls. But while so many of us welcome the holidays with open arms and smiles on our faces, it is important to acknowledge the fact that the season doesn’t please everyone out there.
​
In fact, some people outright despise the holidays, and their justification for hating or having general disdain for it… is as valid as our love for it. For some folks, might have experienced some trauma during the holidays at some point during their lives and this season echoes that. Or they have dealt with some supremely sour moments while the lights on the tree flickered and sometimes, it just serves as a reminder of the tough journey they’ve been upon and how badly they would like to change their fortunes and it is the first and last concepts mentioned there, that are relevant to our discussion today. For Shudder is now host to a brand-new holiday horror film that focuses upon those elements in the most fascinating way imaginable in The Advent Calendar.

Now in this particular film we are introduced to a woman named Eva who isn’t enjoying the holidays in the slightest. For the season really does remind her of the fact that she’s in a dead-end job that she doesn’t enjoy in the slightest, that her father is fading away from her life due to Alzheimer’s while his idiot wife syphons away his money and of course… that she can no longer dance or walk. For a terrible car accident robbed her of the use of her legs and while she has carved out a path despite her injuries, the painful reality of her condition still haunts her. But the arrival of an advent calendar, courtesy of a friend, might be just what she needs to change her fortunes this season. For it promises her a chance to walk once again if she follows its instructions to a tee. But it doesn’t take long for Eva to realize this isn’t a gift in the slightest, but an outright nightmare… for what this calendar wants in exchange for the use of her legs… is horrifying to say the least.

Which at first glance, is a plot that simply appears more grounded in Faustian concepts. Since the calendar requires an awful quid pro quo, leaving one to believe that this is going to be a story about battling to maintain our moral core. But while that is definitely an element present here, the fact of the matter is… it really is about how the past weighs some people down during the holidays and how hard that can be emotionally, and it accomplishes that feat… by having the calendar offer up a supremely unique exchange program. For every task that it wants Eva to complete, revolves around her past and the demons and pain she carries. Which means that in order to walk again, she will in fact… need to face yesterday and all the memories and traumas that weigh upon her and that leads to quite the powerful philosophical lesson in this story.
​
One that outright informs us that we cannot hide from our past and that we must face it at some point and to do otherwise, will indeed be disastrous for our soul and our psyche. Since the darkness will eventually overtake us. Which in a way, makes this an uplifting horror story at the same time since it has that positive message to send our way. But make no mistake about it, getting to that particular point is quite the task. Since Eva is mired in horrible decisions to get there, the kind that are uncomfortable in nature. For the horror elements present in this film are simply top-notch. In fact, some of the dark moments that Eva must take part in, really do force the viewer to look away or cringe because of the depravity and darkness they entail. 

Which means that in the end, this is a genuinely solid horror flick. For it really offers up concepts and moments that will please every horror fan out there. Since there’s gore and commentary and deep-rooted messages about the human condition and to top it all off, it features an original plot as well. For this viewer is hard pressed to think of any other holiday themed horror film out there, that uses an advent calendar as the central villain of the story. So, if you’re looking for a delightfully twisted horror film to enjoy this holiday season, then please… swing by Shudder and bask in the gory and twisted gift that is, The Advent Calendar

The true beauty of the monsters/icons that populate the horror genre, is that they are able to continually reinvent themselves. Which in turn allows for all kinds of incredible horror stories to be told, the kind that satisfy one generation after another and one particular horror icon that reinforces this reality is the witch. Because time and time again, they will appear to audiences in a fascinating manner, before disappearing and returning as something new once again and for proof then look no further than its role in storytelling over the past twenty years or so.
​
For a being that once became comical in nature and lighthearted, disappeared from the storytelling landscape for a bit, only to return as something a touch more human in the Discovery of Witches trilogy. Which leaves one to wonder what the future of the witch holds in this new era for it, and that curiosity is only growing after the most recent announcement from AMC Networks. Because they’re building a witch-themed universe with Discovery going off of the air in early ’22, one that is going to revolve heavily around Anne Rice’s stunning work in the genre. For AMC Networks has greenlit Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, a new series based on the Lives of the Mayfair Witches trilogy and here are all the details on this announcement, courtesy of AMC.

‘AMC Networks announced it has greenlit “Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches,” a new series based on the “Lives of the Mayfair Witches” trilogy, for AMC+ and AMC. The second series in an expanding Anne Rice universe, “Mayfair” will follow “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” with a late 2022 premiere. The first season of eight episodes will be produced by AMC Studios.

Esta Spalding (“Masters of Sex,” “On Becoming a God in Central Florida”) and Michelle Ashford (“Masters of Sex,” “The Pacific,” “John Adams”) are both executive producers and writers of the series. Spalding, who has an overall deal with AMC Studios, will serve as showrunner. The series will focus on an intuitive young neurosurgeon who discovers that she is the unlikely heir to a family of witches. As she grapples with her newfound powers, she must contend with a sinister presence that has haunted her family for generations.

AMC Networks last year acquired the rights to an expansive collection of Rice’s iconic works, encompassing 18 titles including The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches series, which have delighted fans around the world. Acclaimed and award-winning film and television producer Mark Johnson (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” “Rectify”), who also has an overall agreement with AMC Studios, is overseeing development of the full Anne Rice collection into a streaming and television universe, with Anne Rice and son Christopher Rice serving as executive producers on all series and films. Together, “The Vampire Chronicles” and “The Lives of the Mayfair Witches” series have sold more than 150 million copies worldwide.

“2022 will be the biggest year for original programming in the history of our company, and we are literally over the moon that it will now include the first two series in an expanding Anne Rice universe built around stories and characters that have captivated millions of fans around the world,” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “We are also extremely fortunate to have such talented storytellers as Esta and Michelle guiding this adaptation, which will follow the first season of ‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’ late next year.”

Spalding and Ashford said: “The world of witches has fascinated and terrified for centuries, and yet Anne Rice’s particular lens on witches explored something new altogether – women who are powerful, and often brutal, and always committed to subverting our current power structures. We are so excited to join our partners AMC and Gran Via Productions in making this mysterious and provocative world come to life.”

Johnson said: “With the cornucopia of rich characters, worlds, and stories that Anne Rice has given millions upon millions of readers around the world, AMC now has the privilege of creating a multitude of fascinating, entertaining, and very distinct television series. My good fortune as an executive producer of ‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’ has now been more than doubled with what Esta Spalding and Michelle Ashford are imagining with The Mayfair Witches. While both shows couldn't be more different, they nevertheless find themselves bound under the same bewitching and engaging umbrella.”

The Anne Rice catalog AMC acquired last year includes The Vampire Chronicles Series: “Interview with the Vampire,” “The Vampire Lestat,” “The Queen of the Damned,” “The Tale of the Body Thief,” “Memnoch The Devil,” “The Vampire Armand,” “Pandora,” “Vittorio the Vampire,” “Blood and Gold,” “Prince Lestat,” “Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis,” and “Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat;” The Lives Of The Mayfair Witches Series: “The Witching Hour,” “Lasher,” “Taltos;” and The Vampire Chronicles/The Lives Of The Mayfair Witches- Crossover Novels: “Merrick,” “Blackwood Farm” and “Blood Canticle.”

The biggest year for original programming in the history of AMC Networks, 2022 will feature the final seasons of three iconic and fan-favorite series – “The Walking Dead,” “Killing Eve” and “Better Call Saul” – premieres of a slate of new series including “61st Street,” “Dark Winds,” “Moonhaven,” “Tales of the Walking Dead,” “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, “Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches,” and returning series like “Kevin Can F**k Himself,” “Gangs of London,” “A Discovery of Witches” and others. AMC+ will be the streaming destination for all of this programming, commercial-free and ahead of linear television premieres.’

So, as you can see, this adaptation is going to be something quite special. One that will undoubtedly put a new and modern spin on the witch, while providing viewers with the same high-quality storytelling that AMC Networks is known for and we here at Nerds That Geek cannot wait to see what this series will have to offer when it arrives on AMC and AMC+ next year.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Ragdoll’.
​
It is definitely safe to say that the AMC+ series, Ragdoll, is one of the most refreshing crime dramas out there right now. Because not only is it funny and quirky and twisted, but it also digs deep into some moving and powerful topics. Specifically, of course, mental health and how it is viewed and handled in the 21st Century. Which has led to some powerful moments that have definitely given the audience pause, as they ponder upon how they should care for their own minds and how they should treat others that are going through it, mentally and emotionally. But while it has been wonderful to enjoy such cerebral storytelling week in and week out, this is the type of the story that sadly cannot stay focused upon such matters forever.
​
After all, The Ragdoll Killer is out there, and he still has three people on his list. Which means it is only a matter of time before this series opts to focus on more traditional crime drama elements and it just so happens that the next episode of this fantastic series, was the perfect time to bring that to fruition. Because once more, the team is beside themselves when we catch up with them here. For they simply cannot reconcile the effort and guile that went into sneaking a snake into the car before playing both Baxter and Edmunds akin to a fiddle, and they know they need to make something good happen and soon and well, that sense of urgency puts the commentary aside so that Rose can ponder upon a new plan. One that might actually save a life for a change thanks to its complexity and bravado.

For Rose believed the best way to keep Judge Wingate (#4) safe, and to bring their nemesis to justice… was to get ahead of the Ragdoll Killer and attempt to kill the judge themselves. With the help of special effects of course. For then he wouldn’t be able to harm the judge… who would be whisked away to protective custody and in turn, the killer would make stupid mistakes after having his precious list and process be broken to pieces. Which was… a hell of a plan, one that they actually managed to sell to the judge no problem and for a time it seemed as though… this was it. That at long last, Rose and Baxter would bring this monster to justice and be the heroes we know they are. But alas, they really didn’t count on the Ragdoll Killer’s resourcefulness.

For he was watching all along and waiting patiently to see if cracks would appear in the plan and of course… he used the fear and uncertainty he has brewed amongst the team to keep them on their toes and afraid and that kept things quite interesting for the team, and well, that’s all we are going to say about that portion of the story. Because to dive deeper on the killer’s journey, would spoil as to whether or not the judge lives or dies and whether or not the killer is indeed brought to justice. So instead, we will praise the fact that this whole segment was some downright old school crime drama storytelling. The kind that really did feature a perfect cat and mouse game between the police and the killer, which outright kept us on the edge of our seats. Because the tension here was simply top notch.
 
If anything, this episode just goes to show that Ragdoll is also a supremely versatile series. Since it can clearly shift between crime drama and psychological study, and it definitely deserves our awe for that. Because that is no easy task when it comes to crime dramas, since they stick to either the basics or the commentary. But this one does it all and truly, this is another episode that leaves the viewer completely and utter hungry for more. Because that ending really is something else, since it drops your jaw with surprise and sadly, we are going to have to wait yet again for a fresh story and resolution, but that’s okay. Because this series makes the wait worth our while and this writer has no doubt that next week’s entry in this harrowing case is going to be as epic as it gets, and it will be quite interesting to see what other surprises await us when this incredible story continues. Until next time.  

There are many ways on how people are able to cope with a stressful life and one of the things some of us love to do is sit back and have a drink. While you hear conflicting reports on what drinking too much or too little will do to your body, moderation is key overall. But, calming your nerves before you go to bed is really the only way that you can have a good night’s sleep, and a little whiskey can help with that. It does not matter what your pre-bedtime tradition is, as long as you are able to allow your head to shut down, if even for a couple of hours.
​
Arriving on Aran Island to cover another officer’s two week leave, Officer Lisa Nolan is shocked to see that her new partner is extremely hung over. Not offering to do anything for the young lady, Ciaran O’Shea is just taking notice that she is a ‘fine-looking woman’, but he is not ready to move on from the death of his wife just yet. Giving Nolan the tour of the island, the two get called down to the beach and find a gang of pilot whales that have washed up on shore with no real explanation. Taking note of the lacerations on the whales, there are just too many for Nolan or O’Shea to accept that it could be a coincidence. 

Getting back into port with his lobster trap in hand, Paddy Barrett is shocked to see that what he has caught today, is something that he has never seen before. Watching as the creature tries to feed on his friend, Paddy wants to keep this thing alive and takes the necessary precautions to keep himself safe, along with the creature. Knowing that when he shows it to someone, he will be able to make a fortune on his discovery, but little does he know what the creature is capable of. While out drinking with O’Shea, Paddy lets it out that he has a sea monster in his tub, but when he gets home to find that it is ready to eat him, Paddy is able to subdue the monster and bring it to the local scientist. 

At the lab, both Nolan and O’Shea are shocked to see the creature and do not fully understand what it is capable of doing. While the good doctor is working on his guess about the creature’s origin, he knows one thing for sure, that it is alien to him. With the creature being pregnant as well since the group sees the egg that was hidden inside of her, they quickly realize they must find the male before it wreaks havoc on the small island community. Finding the nest is the first thing they are able to do, but when seeing the male monster up close and personal, they know that their methods are going to have to change. Knowing that Paddy survived his attack with the smaller version, and being a drinker, the group turns to alcohol for the answer and what better way to kill a monster than over a pint.

As far as monster movies go, this is a pretty good one that will have you giggling, especially if you decide to drink along with the characters. All was not lost upon me while watching this, as one of the side stories is the love life of O’Shea and Nolan that gets lubed up with the help of the drink. I really enjoyed the character interaction between them all, it was just fun and when the drinks started flowing, well, you know what happens when people drink. The monster was not that bad as well, as you get to see many tentacles and a spike for a tongue that will bleed its prey dry. With a monster, many eggs, people going missing, pints of beer, stronger alcohol and the need to save the small island community. This is just a fun movie overall and what I really took away from it is that drinking may not be as bad for people as they think. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season finale of ‘Behind the Monsters’.
​
One particular concept that strikes complete and utter terror into all of us at some point during our lives… is Hell. Because the thought of a portion of afterlife, solely existing to torture and punish us for our transgressions really is a chilling thought. One that is further enhanced by the demons and monsters and living nightmares that are supposed to populate that landscape and this concept is so impactful with its imagery, that some fear Hell for the entirety of their lives. Which is a scary reality that should make everything about Hell as disgusting as possible, to the point where no element of it should ever be celebrated. But wouldn’t you know it? The creation of a Hellbound horror icon made Hell chic after all and that exact icon served as the focus of the season finale of the Shudder series, Behind the Monsters.

For ‘Pinhead’ spotlighted the one demon that managed to captivate the world in a positive light, and as it turns out, his rise to horror icon was perhaps far simpler than some of the icons this season has featured, largely because of the fact that his stories were about as original as they get. Because every single entry in the Hellraiser franchise takes the time to try something new plot wise and examine aspects of evil that few other horror stories will, and that last element is a huge deal. Since so many filmmakers avoid stories about Hell for fundamental religious and moral reasons. But these movies don’t shy away from that in the slightest and that kind of bravery really does compel a viewer to complete the journey and see what the story has to say and the wonder of these movies doesn’t end there.

Because this is a series of films that quite frankly, dabbles deep into what could be considered to be taboo subject matter. Since sexuality and moral ambiguity is put on full display in these movies, which some might say makes them perverse curiosities. When in fact, it actually allows for the audience to connect with these stories on a level they never knew possible. Since the taboo crosses our minds in private now and again and being face to face with a demon that demands for its characters to explore such matters, brings those thoughts to the forefront of our minds and reminds us that curiosity isn’t a bad thing by any means. It’s only problematic when we indulge the wrong ones and that really does make these movies quite special since there aren’t any other horror stories out there that connect with the audience on such a fundamental level.

However, while it is wonderful to know that this franchise ignites our curiosity, what truly allows for this series to remain beloved after all these years is its long-standing star. For Doug Bradley embraced this role completely and with Clive Barker’s help, was able to create a creature that wasn’t a pure nightmare. No instead, we were presented with a man who took his curiosity too far and had it satiated with apathy and boredom and in doing so, transformed into a powerful being that demanded others to cross the line and feel the same emptiness for not leaving well enough alone, and there is something quite powerful and human about that. And Doug was able to express all of that with a short delivery or a look and that raw and relatable emotion, makes it difficult to not celebrate a monster that isn’t too far removed from the rest of us.

In the end however, this was simply another incredible episode in this fascinating documentary. One that genuinely made it clear how monsters can be supremely relatable at times and how that can in fact, make them an overnight sensation, regardless of their origins and well… the only real complaint that one can lodge about his episode, is that it signals the end of the journey. For this is the end of season one and that is frustrating, simply because this is a wonderful series, one that offers insights you cannot find anywhere else and this writer (and other fans, no doubt) simply wants more. So, let’s hope that Shudder renews this series for a second season. For there are still plenty of iconic monsters out there that we are eager to learn about and what better way to do just that, than by way of a show that pays them the proper respect they are due.  

Caution: This article contains some spoilers for Episode 407 of ‘The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula’.
​
Something that is a genuine constant in the late stages of a fashion themed competition show, is pressure. Because this is it, the best of the best is in front of us and they need to bring it every week and that pressure is created, through intense challenges. The kind that demands the A-game of the remaining competitors and puts their skill set to the test and is of course, supremely fitting of the show's fashion theme. But not all fashion shows are created equal, and The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is a series that wants to separate itself from the pack and make it clear to its current and future competitors, that you’re A-game isn’t enough to win this competition… you need to be a true drag star in every way imaginable and for proof that this is the case, look no further than this week’s episode.

For ‘Exorsisters’ put the monsters through the wringer. Because not only were they expected to bring drag and horror and filth once again to the stage… they also had to bring their very best to bonus competitions. One of which involved a special eyebrow workshop with drag legend Peaches Christ, and once that was completed, they had to prepare for roles in a horror short. One where they each needed to show off their acting skills in a story revolving around possession and exorcism and only after that was done… were they able to prepare their demon-themed costumes for the floor show and well… this was a lot. But it really did speak to what the Boulet Brothers expect of the next Dragula and the competition only became more difficult once the floor show got underway.

Because not only were Drac and Swan expecting costumes that blew them and the guest judges away, but they also expected full energy from their monsters and sadly… the majority of them did just didn’t deliver to the Boulet Brothers standards. Which meant the judges delivered some harsh honesty and every mistake and bad choice was torn to shreds. Because at this point, Drac and Swan expect nothing less than flawless work to hit the stage, and flawless performances as well and that once again put some of the stars of this competition in jeopardy. Since La Zavaleta and Dahli joined Sigourney Weaver in bottom looks this week, and well… you’ll definitely be shocked as to who goes home this week, and so will the monsters come next week. Because not only will a quality competitor be gone, but the stakes will once again be higher.

Because if this is what was expected of the Final Five Monsters, then the Boulet Brothers will expect far more of the Final Four. But while we wait to see how this competition heats up, we can once again revel in the wonder of an incredible episode. Because man, it was exhausting and exhilarating to see the monsters be put to the test in this manner and, this week’s horror lesson was simply amazing. Because it’s been a hot minute since we’ve thought about possession/exorcism themed films and once again, thanks are in order to the Boulet Brothers for making sure we remember the wonder of those stories and how impactful they can be and well, now that this leg of the competition is done, its back to playing the waiting game and it will be amazing to see other what incredible challenges await the monsters, as we barrel toward the crowning of a new Dragula. Until next time.