I think we can all agree upon the fact that sometimes, life just gets you down. Having to deal with traffic, bills and job duties that get monotonous, simply wears upon all of us, to the point where sometimes we just need to get away for a few days and clear our heads before returning to the grind. But for some people, getting away from it all for a little bit just isn’t enough. For they truly cannot stand the rat race and everything it represents, and these are the folks who would love nothing more than to leave it all behind and start anew in the solitude and comfort of nature and well, that notion does elicit some important questions. Specifically, is it possible to live off the grid and the land in modern times? Or does our hectic world prevent such a possibility? And it just so happens that the next episode of CHiPs felt the need to explore those questions.
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For ‘The Poachers’ introduced us to man named Nathan, who lived in the hills with his grandson Davey and it was clear that he left behind a normal life, all in the hopes of reconnecting with nature and his family’s Native American heritage. Which was a fascinating and seemingly impossible idea, since these hills were a hop, skip and a jump away from civilization. But Nathan worked hard to keep a low profile with his grandson, in the hopes of avoiding people and trouble, all so we could get to the most fascinating part of this tale, why he made such a decision. Which was in part due to the fact that he wanted Davey to understand his heritage in proper fashion and what better way to do that, than by living exactly as Native Americans did so long ago. But the real reason behind this, added a bit of sorrow to Nathan’s actions.

Because along the way we came to learn that Nathan really made this decision to escape the world and all the bad that it offers. For the loss of Davey’s mother, and the state of things in general was more than he could bear and now seemed like a perfect time to just… run away with his grandson. Which also meant that this particular decision/excursion wasn’t sanctioned by Davey’s father, and that young Davey was listed as missing. An unfortunate fact that didn’t come up until our dynamic duo lost sight of the little guy. But of course, eventually everyone was reunited, and Nathan backed down on his attempts to teach Davey about nature, allowing for this family to reunite and start the healing process. But before we get into the finite details on what this plot means for the questions that I posed, it is important to discuss how Nathan and his grandson were discovered by the CHP.

Which relates to our Creeps of the Week. Because this time around, a pair of scuzzy dudes named Crain and Al were trying to hunt down deer that live in the area, in order to make a quick buck on the black market by selling fresh venison meat directly to vendors. But their consistent failures, along with Nathan taking the time to scare them, raised enough trouble in the area that Ponch and Jon were forced to investigate and discover what Nathan and our Creeps were up to. And thankfully, Nathan did do his part when it comes to trying to make the world a little bit of a better place, by helping Ponch and Jon flush these idiots out into the open and well, despite their best efforts to escape, the rugged terrain and a touch of panic finally brought these poachers to justice and that’s about as perfect an ending as one can expect when it comes to this series.

If anything, this episode makes it clear that while it is indeed possible to escape the confines of the modern world and be one with nature, certain things have to come into play in order to make that happen in proper fashion. For instance, one cannot just drop everything and try to disappear, since there are people that love us and depend upon us. Plus, one cannot do this in the hopes of escaping one’s problems because those always find us and all moral lessons aside, this really was a solid episode. Because it featured an engrossing plot, fine dedication from Ponch and Jon and the philosophy lesson was kind of cool in its own right, and it was nice to see the show try and offer up something fresh and new plot wise. If anything, it just goes to show that even though this series is in its fourth season, it can still surprise us with its storytelling, and it was nice to enjoy an inventive tale that stayed true to what we love about this series. Until next time.

​When someone in our lives passes away, there’s quite the structured checklist that we have to go through. We have to alert family and friends about their passing, and we need to cry and cry hard, so we can get some of the pain out of our systems before the real work gets underway. For our next steps include preparing the memorial service for our loved ones or booking flights and rental cars if we are the ones who received the bad news and need to make our way across the country to pay our respects post haste. And this hectic and important dash to get everything done comes to a crescendo when we bid our final tearful farewells to the one we lost, and celebrate their life in somber and beautiful fashion.
 
But what we rarely think about past that point, is the work that comes after we have said farewell. For losing a loved one can be a powerfully traumatic experience and everyone deals with that grief in their own unique way. Some of us, are devastated by the loss, and struggle to function because the person in question meant so much to us and influenced us in ways we didn’t realize until their passing. While others, suffer but recover, and some people are able to process their loss in quick and seemingly painless fashion. But while everyone has their own way to deal with this particular pain, there is unfortunately a strange stigma that surrounds the grieving process, in that; it should have a specific expiration date.
 
For so many believe that at some point, we simply must let go of our pain and move on and if we are unable to do so, then someone needs to push us in the right direction so we can stop ‘moping around’ and well, the folks that think this are horribly wrong. Because everyone heals at a different rate both emotionally and physically and pushing others to reach a nonexistent finish line, can in fact be quite the disaster. And really, all of this is on my mind today because every single thing we’ve just discussed is relevant to the next episode of Lodge 49. Because ‘Corpus’ unfortunately saw Liz make a bold decision to hold a memorial service for her father, all in the hopes of getting her brother to let go of their dad and move on in life. 

​Which is, a kind gesture. One that genuinely shows us how much Liz cares for her twin brother and how much she wants to see him begin to emerge from the funk. Yet while her decision is rooted in nobility and good intentions, and one cannot fault her for trying to do something positive; the end result of how Dud handled this is what hammered home the lesson in question. Because Dud basically told a church full of people that he didn’t believe his father was gone from his side in the slightest, instead declaring that through alchemy’s teachings, that other worlds allowed for him to live on. And while this definitely played out in hilarious fashion, because no one was expecting Dud to declare his joy over an erection at a wake, the power of this moment in regard to the message is powerful to say the least.
 
For this teaches us, that it is up to the individual to figure out how to let go, and understand that the person they love isn’t coming back and that the only way to honor them is do them proud and hang onto their memory by sharing the wonder of their life when appropriate. But there is no blueprint as to how a person gets there. Sometimes they have to get lost to find the right path, or they need some form of faith to spark a light within. Or sometimes burying one’s self in fruitless endeavors, the kind that seem to bring us safety and stability, help us to realize we are running from our pain and Dud did all of those things this tale. For he rejected the wake from the get-go, hoping to get lost in other moments instead of having to deal with it. And of course, the Lodge represents the faith aspect since he is using it to find that proverbial spark, and the whole tentative romance with Gloria the HR lady speaks to those hollow pursuits.
 
If anything, this was just… a sobering rewatch of this brilliant show. Because so many of us, myself included, have been in Dud’s shoes, where we want the pain to stop and lose ourselves in our own special way to make that happen. And what I truly appreciated about this tale, is how it never once judged Dud or looked down upon the unique path we walk to heal. It just reminded us that coming back from the darkness is a damn hard process. One where we definitely stumble and fall before stepping into the light. Plus, this episode also reminds us that these mistakes are necessary. Because failure teaches us the greatest lessons out there and perhaps the best surprise in this tale, is that it manages to be so incredibly uplifting. Because the support that Dud gets from his sister and his friends, reminds us that we are never alone on this painful journey, and those that care about us will be there to pick us up when we are down, as evidenced by Ernie’s talk with Dud at the Lodge after the service. And in the end, I really cannot get over the sheer beauty of this show, and how it does such a masterful job of showing us the highs and the lows of life, and it only motivates me further to press on and enjoy a second round of healing from a series that was way ahead of its time. Until next time. 

One particular thing that all of us hope for when we reach a more advanced age, is that we will able to look back upon the many years we enjoyed upon this Earth and find that we have zero regrets in how we lived our lives. Which in turn will allow for us to hold our heads high when we face the end and meet our maker since there is nothing weighing upon our conscience when that big moment arrives. But while this is a wonderful goal to strive for, it’s one that it is difficult if not impossible to accomplish. Because no matter how good we are, or how hard we work to create peace at every turn, the harshness of the universe finds way to humble even the finest of men. But it is how we respond to those curveballs that matter the most and said response just so happened to be the focal point of the next episode of Star Trek: Picard.
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For ‘Maps and Legends’ dug deep into the regret that is now swirling around Admiral Jean-Luc Picard and well, rather than continue to let it fester, Jean-Luc feels compelled to do something about it and that led to quite the fascinating episode. One that saw our intrepid hero face some hard truths about some of the big decisions he’s made over the past fourteen years, all while stumbling upon a grand conspiracy growing within the heart of the Federation. But before we dive too deeply into that particular segment of the story, let’s focus upon Picard’s attempts to repair some of the damage he’s done. Because it is inherently clear now, that the death of Lieutenant Commander Data at the end of Nemesis, weighs heavier on Jean-Luc than we’ve previously known. For the dear Admiral cannot comprehend Data’s sacrifice and well, the only way to do right by that brazen and bold act… is to solve the mystery of his daughters and protect how special they truly are.

Which prompted Picard to make a stunning decision to swing by Starfleet Command and meet with his former boss, Admiral Kirsten Clancy, and explain the situation at hand and ask for the opportunity to return to the stars for one last mission and well, this attempt ended in utter disaster. For Jean-Luc’s honest and raw words on the Federation News Network, in regard to Starfleet and its cowardice, were heard by everyone in the organization, including Admiral Clancy. And she was quick to snap back over what he had to say and outright call Jean-Luc a coward for walking away and not fighting harder over what he believed in. Which was stunning to say the least because there was oddly some merit in what she had to say. After all, Jean-Luc Picard was never one to back away from a fight when it comes to what is just and proper back in the day, and well… her words clearly had quite the impact upon him when all is said and done.

Because Picard left that meeting, fully realizing that the right thing had to be done, and that it would be up to him to keep Dahj’s sister and everything she represents safe, and that prompted him to make the powerful decision to put together a crew to head out into the void to find Dahj’s twin and protect her. But this crew needed to consist of people that were not willing to die for Jean-Luc. For that would be more than he could bear. Instead, it needed to be folks that were similar to him, with nothing to lose, and slowly but surely, he began to assemble that crew. But while Jean-Luc worked to assemble this band of heroes and find a ship for their journey into the void, trouble was brewing behind the scenes and that brings us to the grand conspiracy in question. For early on in this tale, an impromptu investigation into Dahj’s mysterious past, brought about a fascinating conversation with Laris. One that revealed that the Tal Shiar may have always operated under the influence of a far more powerful and secretive organization known as the the Zhat Vash. 

Now this particular group, was created to protect the Romulan Empire and the galaxy for that matter, from the power of technology, specifically artificial intelligence. But this group was believed to be nothing more than legend, one designed to instill fear. Yet in this particular tale we come to learn that sometimes legends are grounded in reality and this one might be operating within the confines of Starfleet. For our introduction to a Commodore Oh, revealed that she is a double agent in Starfleet’s ranks, one running black ops with other Romulan agents within the fleet, and her key focus at this point is to have her underlings keep a close eye on Soji and keep their identity a secret and this is… quite the stunning revelation for certain. For it speaks volumes to Starfleet’s complacency and belief they are free from conflict in this transformed galaxy and it also reminds us of the fact that there is quite the price to pay when we go back on a promise. 

Yet while that alone is a pretty powerful revelation in its own right, this episode still had more surprises to offer us when it comes to the Romulans, since we did get to learn exactly what is happening within the confines of the abandoned Borg Cube we were introduced to in ‘Remembrance’. As it turns out, in order to survive, the Romulans and a few other species are risking their lives to go deep into this massive cube, in order to find technology that can be sold or traded for profit and this is fascinating, simply due to the fact that it goes against what Laris said the Zhat Vash stands for and that may explain a secondary reason for Narek to be there. So that he can he can keep an eye on how these cybernetic devices are heading out into the universe and stop any potential problems before they begin and it also piques one’s interest, simply because it shows us now how desperate the Romulans are now that they’ve lost their home world and their Empire and it should be interesting to see what comes of everything we learned about them in this tale.

However, while it was necessary and shocking to dive into all of these details and revelations, they were indeed overshadowed by an element that is rarely explored in Star Trek; the lasting impact of grief and loss. Something that was handled by of Admiral Picard’s storyline. Yet rather than rehash the points we’ve already discussed, the ones that spoke to how much is haunting this poor man, it is best we truly take a moment and praise the franchise for going into this much depth surrounding such matters. For often times in this saga, when people die, it is quickly glossed over, or sometimes they straight up come back. But a life is a life, and that person’s existence meant something to someone, and it was just incredibly refreshing to see the struggle that comes with losing those we care about, play out on screen with one of the franchise’s biggest characters. Yet what’s even more impressive, is that the story found a way to even add more depth to this, by way of some unsettling news for the Admiral.  

For a visit from an old friend, a Dr. Benayoun, who served with Picard aboard the U.S.S. Stargazer, brought forth the news that a revelation from long ago may be coming to fruition. For that parietal lobe, the one that Dr. Crusher inspected during the events of ‘All Good Things…’ is indeed starting to show signs of trouble, the kind that will lead to an unfortunate end and that powerful news is what brings this episode together in somber fashion. For Jean-Luc is clearly reflecting upon his life now and is finding regret when it comes to paths not taken, or mistakes that have been made. And he will do whatever it takes to clear his conscience and his legacy of those dark spots, so that people will remember him as a great man. Instead of one who made a tough and debatable choice when faced with impossible odds and that will make the grand journey that is being set up early on here, a captivating one for certain. But in the here and the now, this was quite the incredible episode, one filled with haunting and powerful moments and it is a tale that compels us to continue along in Jean-Luc’s journey to see if by chance he will find redemption and peace at last. Until next time.

​Sometimes in life, it just seems like the whole world is against you. This is when you worry and wonder if your friends no longer want you around, or if you’re still wanted at your job and thankfully, nine times out of ten this kind of paranoia is proven to be nothing more than figments of our imagination. But sometimes, this kind of worry is amplified and it only gets worse as it festers, to the point where we think all kinds of wild thoughts about who might be out to get us and that tenth time… someone’s concerns are justified when they discover something terrifying is surrounding them. But for the majority of us, that day never comes, but we definitely explore the possibility of what it might look like in the creative world and it just so happens that the next episode of CHiPs dug into this notion in fascinating fashion.
 
For ‘To Your Health’ introduced the audience to a local farmer named Tom Catlin, who is starting to struggle when it comes to finding success with his business. For strange issues arise when he’s on the road while making a delivery and well, when he takes into account that a big business named Glinco Industries made an offer to buy his farm, one that was rebuffed by the owner of the land… he begins to wonder if they’re working to sabotage his loads. So, he will quit the farming business and potentially open the door to sale of all that prime real estate. It’s a theory that he passes along to Ponch and Jon when he encounters them after one of his tires goes flying off and well, Ponch begins to take him seriously, shortly after another odd problem with Tom’s truck happens a few days later.
 
Because the damage to his steering system during incident number two appears to have been accomplished with a hacksaw, and as it turns out, Tom’s initial concerns are indeed true. There is someone out to get him and force him off the farm, it’s just not quite who he thinks it is. Because Glinco Industries more or less moved on when their offer was rebuffed, but the son of the owner of the land, a fellow named Cal, was displeased with the decision. For this is family land, and a place where he grew up and to have Tom living in his childhood home, along with not being able to have any say in the financial future of the land in question drove him to harm his longtime buddy. Which of course led to one explosive confrontation that should put Cal behind bars for a long time.
 
Yet, while that’s a fairly complex evil plot for our Creep of the Week to come up with, it doesn’t really leave one pondering since it’s grounded in greed and jealousy, so what really made this episode fascinating; was its overall structure and surprise bonus plotline. Because there was a subplot involving a young man who was neglected by his father, which seems like a repeat run of the season premiere. But what made this so intriguing is that unlike the similar plot thread in ‘Go-Cart Terror’, wherein a child’s need for an attentive parent was glossed over; the show really did a phenomenal job of addressing how important that is and it offered a satisfying arc on the matter. Almost as though it was trying to right a particular wrong and it was quite amazing to see the show do that in such short order. In regard to the structure however, one key change in this particular tale character wise may be signaling to a modern audience that we are about to witness the decline of this series.
 
Which is a bit of a dark thing to plop down in this recap, but hey… nothing lasts forever, and it’s a well known fact that the series only made it two more seasons, and that its collapse was related to writing issues and the departure of Larry Wilcox and well… you see all of that start to materialize here. Because while the writing apology is nice, it is out of place here and for the most part, the investigation into the farm is handled by Ponch while Jon is teaching up in Sacramento and well, it’s a little strange to not see the dynamic duo working together and see the show put Ponch in the spotlight once again. But while it is grim to think about the end, it is going to be fascinating to see this series transform before our eyes after it spent three years establishing its groove and well, I’m quite curious to see if this altered dynamic accelerates in season four or if we are going to be treated to a slow and steady decline as the series rolls on. Until next time. 

Admittedly, I was supremely critical of the season four premiere of CHiPs, but I honestly feel as though I had good reason to give it the business. Because this is a series that really was ahead of its time, and it challenged its audience on a regular basis with stories that left you thinking, since they covered some powerful topics. So, to see the series stoop to an after school special style of storytelling, is an insult to an audience that knows they’re going to enjoy thought provoking tales when they settle in to watch, and I really was hoping that the next chapter in this saga was going to offer something far better. Which, thankfully it did. But I have to admit, that I was woefully unprepared for the incredible story that ‘Sick Leave’ provided us with.
 
For this particular tale went to some supremely dark territory, the kind that more or less pondered upon the question, what would we do with our final days if we knew the end was nigh? But what made this story so damn impressive, is that at first, this particular theme didn’t seem to the be focal point of the episode in the slightest. Because it really seemed as though this parable was going to examine mental illness in an up close and personal fashion, and how it impacts family and friends. For an officer named Andy Stokowski was struggling on the job, and was erratic in his behavior, to the point where he was getting close to endangering lives, and rather than turn him in to Getrear and jeopardize his career by calling him crazy, when he might just be under some serious stress, the boys let it be.
 
But Andy’s continually aggravating actions made one wonder what was prompting him to collapse like this. Had he seen something horrible on the job recently? Did it engender a little PTSD? Did he finally snap under the pressure of being a highway patrolman? These are all valid questions that more or less added to the distraction factor that the show wanted to accomplish. Because as it turns out, the real reason that Andy was so reckless and so angry, was because he recently learned that he was dying. He had a terminal tumor in his brain, and the days were just whisking by, and rather than adhere to rules and regulations, he wanted to live life a little as he tried to comprehend the end, and this was just powerful stuff to watch. And this reveal also brought about quite the conundrum for Ponch and Jon in that, they had to figure out how to get Andy off the road before he hurt someone.
 
Because Andy made it clear, he wasn’t leaving the highways until his body gave out on him, for he truly believed he could still save at least one life before being forced into early retirement and well… that ended up being a powerfully prophetic notion. Because our Creep of the Week in this tale, a rotten college kid who didn’t understand boundaries, eventually caused a massive accident in the hopes of getting revenge on those who got him kicked out of school. And during a dangerous and explosive rescue, Andy took a hunk of shrapnel in the center of his back; and died as quite the hero. For no innocent lives were lost beyond his own and this was, one hell of a heavy and powerful way to end this particular tale. For I never thought I would see the day when CHiPs finally went bold in this fashion since lighthearted is what’s up on this show. But they did it, and it was sobering, and Andy’s end stays with you long after this story has come to a close.
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But while that ending is stunning in its own right, there’s a lot more to unpack in this particular tale. Because it really does harken back to a different era in America, where men had to be tough at all times and to be seen as ill or crazy would be an embarrassing show of weakness. Which made Ponch and Jon’s decision to not tell their boss about Andy’s condition sensical and infuriating all at once. For in this day and age, you let a boss know when your coworker is suffering, and you get them the help they need. But back then, you protected a guy, you made sure everyone knew he was tough and it is wild to see an antiquated norm play out on screen in authentic fashion. But in the end, I have to admit I really loved this episode. It was powerful, it was smart, and it was everything I was hoping the season four premiere would be. In fact, it should have gone first in year four. But nothing can change that now and for the moment, my hope that season four will be full of more thoughtful tales like this, is restored. Until next time.  

The more time I spend watching season two of Lost in Space, the more I find myself impressed with it. Because every single episode is doing a phenomenal job of moving the plot along and offering up some surprises along the way. After all, the first two episodes moved at a breakneck pace and made it clear that the Robinson family wasn’t going to remain in one place all that often this season. And the next episode surprised us with a ghost ship, one complete with a dangerous robot that apparently has been onboard the Resolute from the get-go. If anything, this new style of storytelling left me quiet curious as to what surprises and juicy plot points the next episode of this series was going to offer and thankfully, ‘Scarecrow’, made sure to honor this new style of storytelling by offering up some answers to our burning questions, some surprises and some fascinating plot threads.
 
In regard to the answers, well this episode took the time to inform us exactly how the heck that robot got aboard the Resolute in the first place, and Scarecrow as it was so aptly named, turned out to be a visitor on Earth before it became the navigator of humanity’s future. Because this particular ‘bot was inside the meteor that caused all kinds of trouble on Earth and Maureen’s company used the technology from its ship to build their star drives, before imprisoning the robot and violently motivating it to guide us through the stars. But alas, Scarecrow was done helping humanity, since it had been treated so badly. And despite Will’s best efforts to make peace with the robot, it wanted nothing to do with humanity, but it did offer something in kind by helping Will to learn that his robot friend was on the planet below and well, it’s awesome that they will be reunited and quickly.
 
Yet while the storyline involving Scarecrow was fascinating in its own right, let’s take a moment and discuss the surprise, which was handled by Dr. Zoe Smith’s journey in this tale. Because while she tried desperately to evade the authorities on the ship, her need to try and turn Penny eventually brought her in front of the man and well, Commander Radic’s attempts to bring her to justice failed miserably. For her new ID is legit, plus the missing camera footage made it impossible for charges to properly stick. But the centerpiece of her twisted genius came about in the closing moments of her interrogation. For the sticky and angry kelp, they picked up on that mysterious world, injected its poison into Radic, likely allowing for her to escape since there is no concrete way to charge her, with Radic now out of commission and honestly, the shocker here is that for once her plans actually worked and she’s still on the loose and that’s also a little scary for certain.  
 
But what was truly impressive about this tale, is that it managed to sneak in one extra plotline as well, one that definitely set a little something up for the future. Because John and Judy and Don headed down the planet to help out with whatever the colonists needed, and this offered up some interesting results. Because Don and Judy have accomplished wonders in the stars, but here they were nothing more than line level employees, something they definitely needed to adjust to mentally, and that was no easy task since they’ve been out of the loop for ages. Plus, we came to learn that this temporary home for humanity happens to host a nasty little native bacterium, one that loves to eat through metal and that unexpected surprise has trapped John in a well, with no hope of escape at the moment.
 
In the end, this really turned out to be quite the impressive transitional episode. Because only that particular kind of tale would inject this many plot lines into a single hour. But rather than drag on and bore us, everything that happened here was crisp and entertaining and it all did a fine job of setting up the future for this already fascinating season. Which means I cannot wait to see what becomes of Smith since she is at quite the crossroads right now. Because this is her chance at a fresh start, one free of evil, and it should be interesting to see if she chooses the high ground at last. Plus, I’m sure the secrets of this planet will play a big part in future episodes, especially if any of that metal eating bacteria found its way aboard the Resolute. Either way, this season continues to deliver, and I truly cannot wait to see how all of these plot points are going to blend together, down the line. Until next time.

​You know, when it comes critiques of pop culture, a lot of us out there, myself included, focus heavily on the importance and the gravity of the season finale. Because fans as a whole really do expect the ending of the story to blow us away with quality and powerful storytelling. But you know what needs the same kind of scrutiny? Season premieres. Because in all honesty, they set the tone for the year ahead, especially if it is a show that doesn’t feature story arcs and if those start off in rough fashion, well it means the season could feature problems of its own. And this is on my mind today, simply because I have to admit that I really wasn’t a huge fan of the season four premiere of CHiPs.
 
Which is strange because ‘Go-Cart Terror’ has all the makings of a great CHiPs story. After all, it makes an attempt to provide the audience with a noble morality tale. The kind designed to remind us that honesty and integrity matter above all things, and that was handled by way of a rowdy neighborhood kid who doesn’t always use his go-cart skills for good or fun, and he’s joined by a bunch of go-cart buddies that want nothing more than to see their skills be put to good use. Plus, it features some quality and clever Creeps of the Week since these guys figure out a sneaky way to rob various stores in peril. But rather than wow us with a tale that took full advantage of those elements, the story just straight up fell flat and well, let’s take a moment and examine what went wrong in this episode and discuss why this particular premiere makes a little bit nervous for what is ahead.
 
So, first and foremost, my biggest issue with this premiere is the sheer fact that it offers nothing special when it comes to the go-cart kids. I mean sure, they need some guidance into how to use them, and seeing the CHP get involved with them is a wonderful thing to see, as is their ability to win the competition that hangs heavy over a fair chunk of this tale. But a grand opportunity to dive into the importance of honesty and integrity is wasted here, and that’s a shame because the kid in crisis in this tale, Wayne, really needs to learn this. Because he lies often and does his best to save his own hide. But when he causes a major accident because of his ‘whatever’ attitude, rather than learn a valuable lesson, his parents fly home and he just disappears from the story and that’s just lazy. I’m not saying Ponch and Jon need to save this kid but come on… he forces a car to crash in a lake, this shouldn’t get glossed over.
 
As for the problems involving our bad guys, well… they simply don’t get enough screen time. They’re oft forgotten in favor of the go-cart storyline and anything pertinent when it comes to them is also rushed and lazy in its own right. For the reasons as to why these guys are stealing is shoehorned in and the finale chase scene, one that should pay off in epic fashion wraps up in a couple of minutes and well, I feel like this episode was just sanitized when all is said and done. Because the prior three seasons of the show, pushed the envelope and really tried to explore the toughest parts of being a cop in lighthearted but honest fashion. And it almost seems as though, someone behind the scenes really wanted the series to make its content way more wholesome and that would explain the polished and bland feel of this particular tale.
 
Plus, it was also a little weird to see Ponch take the center stage here. Granted, he was always regarded as the star of this series, but the writer’s room always found a way to ensure that he and Jon shared screen time and worked together as a team. So, to see Frank handle a rescue on his own without an ounce of backup from his longtime partner is just a little off putting and well, I suppose that’s nothing more than a harbinger for the infamous season six. But I digress. Because I have yet to answer an important question in that, is this episode worth one’s while? And the answer to that question is yes. Because it is still CHiPs, there’s still a thrilling chase scene and fun to be had. But make no mistake about it, this premiere really did have a different vibe to it, and that’s my worry, that this sanitized version of the show is going to become commonplace and it should be interesting to see if this is an aberration, or the norm for season four going forward. Until next time. 

When someone we care about deeply, fades away from this life, it truly feels as though our world has come to an end. We can’t eat, we can’t sleep, and the tears seemingly don’t stop coming. It’s difficult to get out of bed and we find very little joy in the things that we used to do, simply because we believe that life isn’t quite the same without those we love. But while we like to think that time can slow down for us, so that we can take a minute to get the pain out of our hearts and finally heal in proper fashion, that particular wish is never granted. Because life goes on. We still have bills to pay, commitments to honor and a job to go to and it is up to us to figure out how juggle our pain in a world that never takes a day off.
 
Which quite frankly, is something that is rarely explored in cinema and television and any story that features loss and trauma. Because at some point, someone behind the scenes points out, that audiences likely don’t want to see people struggle in that manner. In fact, the characters that go through this shouldn’t cry, and they shouldn’t feel fear. They should be heroes and they should immediately get to work on healing from this mess and inspire others along the way. But the fact of the matter is, grieving is not an easy process and we go through hell when it hits and that’s why I found a second viewing of the next episode of Lodge 49, so refreshing and wonderful. For ‘Moments of Truth in Service’, takes the time to examine how tough it is to juggle everyday life and the pain in our souls, along with the importance of having something to work toward as we try to make sense of everything that’s happened to us.
 
Yet what I found truly fascinating about this particular tale; is how it conducted this exploration. For the true juggling act was handled by Liz. Because she too is facing some incredible challenges at this particular point in the story. After all, she’s got her father’s debt looming large over her head, and while she knows that her job is there to pay the bills, she simply cannot stand it in the slightest and to top it all off, she’s trying to be the strong one and having mixed results at maintaining that façade. Because the death of her dad is eating at her, and it was heartbreaking to see her listen to his voicemail in the hopes of just hearing his voice once again and well, juggling frustration and pain and everything in between is her life at the moment and there’s really nothing she can do about it.

​If anything, this exploration was brilliant simply because, it’s about as real as it gets. Because really, when the pain is fresh and the world demands so much of you, you simply slip into survival mode and do what you need to in order to get by, and that’s exactly what we see here. It’s just Liz, going through the motions and putting on that smile at work and around her friends and family so that no one has to worry about her problems. After all, they’ve got their own, right? Yet what I truly appreciated about this particular part of the story, is that it also took the time to remind us that staying the course and staying strong isn’t always sustainable. Sometimes the world will push us, and we’ll have a moment where our pain and our frustrations shine right through, as evidenced by Liz’s blowup at the idiot vape maestro who kept blasting his horn at her.
 
But while Liz’s journey is fascinating in its own right, I made mention of the fact that this episode also took the time to explore how a sense of purpose can help us focus in a time of crisis, and Dud is the one who handled that particular examination. For in this tale, the discovery of the Lodge and everything it represents puts him back on track. In fact, he suddenly feels as though perhaps he can start to heal, and eventually leave behind the ache in his heart, if he can spend more time in the Lodge and soak up its proverbial vibe. And it was fascinating to see him absolve Ernie of his sin by having that money poured into the next ten years of membership fees and the thought of having stability in that manner, did indeed allow him to start to shed some of his more negative habits and well the lesson is obvious here. In that, when we find something positive to latch onto when we’re down like this, stick with it as long as you can, provided it is healthy of course, because it will help us heal.
 
However, what I appreciated the most about this episode, is that it offered no answers or direction when it comes to survival mode. It simply let us know that it exists and that sometimes it is an outright necessity and once again, I’m thoroughly impressed with the frank nature in how this series portrays trauma and everything that comes with it. But while this episode featured lots of heavy concepts, it also needs to be praised for finding ways to make us laugh in the middle of the tough stuff. Because there are some genuinely funny moments to be found here, and this story does feature the beginning of the mystical stuff surrounding the Lodge and well, when all is said and done, this kind of wonderful balance really is a rare treat in television and a fine reminder of the brilliance of this series. And once again, I’m eager to continue the journey simply because this show is still finding new ways to move me. Until next time.  

If there’s one experience we’ve all shared, in vastly different fashion, it is having an average day get flipped upside down by unexpected events. Sometimes such a thing comes about by way of wonderful news, such as finding out we’re in line for a promotion at work when we thought we were going nowhere, or we find out something important and uplifting we’ve been waiting for is finally going to become a reality in our lives. Or, on the flip side, a wild day comes about, thanks to tougher news. Such as finding out we’re no longer employed at work because our employer is going out of business, or that our car is going to need a ridiculous amount of repairs that we simply cannot afford right now, or an ugly phone call comes through that features some kind of heartbreaking news that leaves us in a place filled with sorrow. Granted these are fairly generalized examples, but the bottom line is that somehow, some way, we’ve experienced this.
 
But our experiences on this matter are special to our own lives and they only become shared when we choose to open up to others about it. But while we all have an idea of what people go through when an incredible day falls into our laps, is it possible to be surprised in a way we never thought possible? For example, what if that stunning phone call revealed that everything, we ever knew in our lives turned out to be a lie? How would we respond with that kind of information and more importantly, what would it mean for our future and whatever path we’ve tried to carve out for ourselves? Well these are questions that are best explored within the confines of fiction and thankfully, Doctor Who took a crack at them last night in absolutely stunning fashion. But it sure didn’t seem like this episode was going to shock us at first.
 
For ‘Fugitive of the Judoon’ started out like any other episode of the show. After all, we were introduced to a nice lady named Ruth, who enjoyed her self-employed career as a tour guide in Gloucester and when she wasn’t spouting facts about her fair city, she enjoyed the finer points of married life with her husband Lee. But as the theme of this story goes, you never know when any particular day is going to become something out of this world and well, that particular phrase took on new life for Ruth. For the Judoon arrived from the stars, and they were on the hunt for a fugitive hiding within the city. Thankfully, it wasn’t Ruth, since a quick scan of her absolved any particular concerns, but that comfort wasn’t extended to the outright love of her life.
 
Because Lee was quite nervous when it came to this surprise visit from space rhinos, and thankfully the Doctor and the rest of Team TARDIS were there to help everyone sort through this mess. Well actually… it was just the Doctor since the fam disappeared in the middle of this conundrum, and we will get to that in just a minute. Because the bigger problem at hand is that the Doc couldn’t figure out why the heck the Judoon were still in pursuit of Ruth and obsessed with her husband. A mystery that continued to deepen after a woman named Gax, killed Lee. Because the death of her husband, and a mysterious text message, allowed for Ruth to showcase some incredible fighting skills, the kind that drove the Judoon from the planet. Something that prompted the Doctor to dive deeper in regard to Ruth’s past in order to try and understand her true identity, and why someone went to great lengths to hide it.  

​But while the Doc and her new friend headed off on a stroll down memory lane, Graham, Yaz and Ryan were trying to figure out why they were taken from Earth. For someone had transported them to the bridge of a starship in the midst of a firefight, and as it turns out, the person that did this was desperately trying to get ahold of the Doctor. And that’s why Captain Jack Harness used every tool as his fingertips to try and get the Doctor in front of him. Granted, he failed miserably at his goal. But he did at least reveal most of an important message to the fam, one they needed to take back to Thirteen post haste. For he let them know that she should beware the Lone Cyberman, and never give it what it wants because that would undo the fall of that awful species.
 
However, while now seems like a good time to freak out over the fact that Jack Harkness is back, we still have more twists and turns to navigate in this particular tale. For eventually, the Doc and Ruth made it back to the latter’s childhood homestead and well, what they found there was utterly stunning. For buried in the yard was a TARDIS, one that made it seem as though Ruth’s hidden memories would make her an enemy of the Doctor. But as it turns out, she was something that none of us ever expected… she IS the Doctor. Yeah, totally get it, confusing. But that was Ruth’s TARDIS and her identity was indeed confirmed by another Sonic Scan. But the big problem here, is that Ruth didn’t have any memory of Thirteen and vice versa, which meant these two never existed in the same timeline. And to complicate matters further, Gax is another Gallifreyan that popped up in this tale and well, all of these revelations left the Doctor in quite the funk.
 
Because this alternate Doctor was nothing like our own, she was happy to use force and the plot the murder of another living being without giving it a second thought and it was equally as incredible to see her actions make her a wanted criminal amongst her own people. For she was the fugitive in question after all, and this gritter iteration of herself, left our Doctor beside herself as she pondered upon her true nature. But thankfully, Team TARDIS was there to support their Doctor and remind her of the good she’s done in the universe and the trust she engenders in others and for the moment, she seems settled in her soul. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that a mission awaits them all, one that is probably related to everything that happened in this story, which quite frankly, changed the landscape of Series 12 in just about every way imaginable.
 
For it certainly seems as though whatever the Master uncovered about the Timeless Child has brought forth all kinds of complications. And there are strong implications that parallel timeless are now in play, and well, the Doctor is right. It really does seem as though something cosmic and powerful is happening here and our intrepid Time Lord is at the center of it. But in the here and now, it’s best we celebrate what turned out to be one amazing episode. Because this one really did throw all of us for a loop and holy cow, Captain Jack Harkness is back at last! How awesome is that!? But what matters more, is that the grand mystery involving the Doctor’s home world has re-taken the center stage and the incredible surprises present here are going to make the wait for the next chapter in the Doctor’s adventures, all the more painful. Until next time. 

One thing that everyone prides themselves upon, is knowing everything there is to know, about the area in which they live. The best places to eat, the sights to see, that’s all stuff that becomes engrained in our memory when we’re a native or someone that’s settled into a place that was once considered new to us, and often times, our knowledge extends to the indigenous nature that surrounds us as well. After all, sometimes you just need to get out of the house and explore the world around you and that helps us to recommend beautiful spots to others, where they can reconnect with the world when given the chance. But while one’s knowledge of the world surrounding them can be solid for certain, few of us truly understand the vastness of our planet, and the incredible wildlife that goes about its day as we do the same, and that’s why documentaries about our world are quite helpful in their own right.
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For they truly show us parts of our world that we’ve never seen before, since they capture the minutiae that escapes us as we deal with traffic and deadlines and diving deep into a world we think we know is precisely what made the next episode of Seven Worlds, One Planet, so incredibly powerful. For a great many of us who watched this show last night live in the place that served as the focal point of this documentary and that made ‘North America’ worth our while since it showed us all kinds of incredible aspects about this continent that few of us knew about, and it accomplished this wonderful feat by taking us on a grand tour of the continent, one that started far north in Canada. Wherein we saw the struggle that the Lynx up there, goes through in the winter months as it searches for food, and really that fight for survival is what immediately sucks one into the story.

Because we sometimes simply forget how hard it is in nature to survive and the show’s exploration of that plight was extended to the bears that thrive in British Columbia, and how they get creative with their meals by hanging out by the shore when the tide has receded , in order to enjoy the bevy of seafood available to them. But their struggle comes with the fact that a great many bears know this trick and call this area home, so being crafty is the key to getting a good meal. However, while it was fascinating to learn more about how wildlife survives up north, there was plenty of knowledge to be shared in regard to the center of North America, and it was quite unique to learn about the prairie dogs that thrive in the plains and how the roadrunner finds its meals. Plus, it was also a nice touch for this story to remind us that sometimes the chaotic side of nature extends beyond the fight for food, since it spotlighted the sheer majesty of the tornadoes that touch down in the plains.

However, while all this was incredible to watch in its own right, and a humbling reminder of how little we actually see of our world, the centerpiece of this tale was its powerful lesson on how we are impacting the world we exist within. Because the manatee, a gentle giant that moves ever so lazily through the inlets in the south before making its way to Florida for the winter, often find their kind badly injured by the boats that traverse above them. Which serves to remind us that perhaps we need to rethink how we make ourselves comfortable, so that both man and animal can enjoy the serenity of the warm Florida waters and the show wasn’t quite done with incredible lessons about the incredible challenges that the world now faces. For climate change is indeed robbing polar bears up north of their natural hunting grounds and that’s prompted some of them to take drastic measures, such as diving into the water to hunt beluga whale and this was simply stunning to watch. In part because it is amazing to see the polar bear figure out a new way to survive, but also due to the fact that it has come to this.

If anything, that last vignette offered up some sobering images for certain, the kind that definitely give one pause and stay with you long after the story has come to its close. For our world is indeed changing like never before, and the more we can do to help, the better, and truly, how this documentary is handling its message thus far is quite brilliant for certain. Because rather than scold the audience, we are simply being shown those changes and are given time to let those powerful images sink in. Plus, taking us on a tour of our world and the beauty it exhibits, also helps to reinforce the message. For if we cannot rally together and make the necessary changes, how many of the beautiful species we spent time with last night, will disappear? Either way, this is turning out to be one of BBC America’s finest documentaries to date, and it should be incredible to see what stunning images and moments await us in the weeks to come. Until next time.