For the most part, science fiction television shows, and television shows in general, that feature some kind of central theme… only stick with that one theme and it makes sense as to why. Because no one wants to overload the audience with too many themes, nor do they want to dilute a strong concept. So, they hold to one, something powerful in nature, and let the audience ruminate upon that, and perhaps explore other ideas that came up in crafting the story in question for another episode down the line. But now and again, you run into a series that decides splitting up too many complex ideas would be a bad idea if they can be properly combined. Giving way to either a powerhouse episode, or a jumble and one series that had no qualms with trying this… was Star Trek: The Next Generation.
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For its next episode decided to go hard and combine multiple themes and concepts to explore, courtesy of a grand surprise for Lieutenant Commander Data. For ‘Inheritance’ is a tale that offered up quite the surprise for Data when the Enterprise entered orbit of a planet in need of its vast resources to keep its core going. In that, he met a woman named Juliana, who outright informed him, that she was his mother. For she was once married to Dr. Noonien Soong and lost touch with Data after the Crystalline Entity ravaged his home world. Which led to a powerful journey for Data. One where he had to reconcile the sorrowful reasons that she left Data behind, and the fact that she was an android herself. One that didn’t know her true identity.

Which is… a lot to chew upon thematically. Because on the one hand, there is a deep and brooding story here about why some parents choose to abandon their children, and what motivates them to step back into their baby’s life. Which is a topic you don’t see explored in television all that often and it leads to some incredible musings. Such as how such a decision isn’t easy in the first place, but necessary for some parents based on the circumstances in that moment, and… how hard it is to try and make amends for doing so. Granted, Data makes it easy since he is devoid of emotion at this point in his life, but even still… that is indeed an incredible exploration to go upon, which makes the other concepts here quite surprising to find.

Because at the same time, this is an episode that also ponders upon the ethical nature of letting artificial life believe it is in fact, organic. Since Data comes to learn that his real mother died not long after she and his father escaped, and dear old dad wanted to give her more life and a chance to thrive and chose to make this artificial body and program her to shut down if she ever discovered the truth. A move that put Data in a tough spot when he uncovered mom’s true nature, since he had to choose to tell her the hard truth and let her die or let her live a lie. All of which pondered deeply on our responsibilities when the day comes that we create artificial life and what is acceptable and ethical regarding that creation. 

All of which made for a powerful episode. One that gave us a lot to think about, but in true Star Trek fashion… it was handled masterfully and never felt overwhelming in the slightest. If anything, this felt akin to a ‘sins of the father’ style episode, where Noonien’s madness and mistakes were imparted upon Data, leaving him in a no-win scenario. And it is likely that concept that made this one so easy to digest, as did the human aspect of it. Because you felt for Data here, and the fact that he tried so hard to make a real connection with family and his own kind again, only to stonewalled again, by his dad’s foolishness. And while it might not have hurt Data, it hurt us, and that pain stays with you long after this episode comes to an end. Making this… another wondrous tale, one that impressed and reminds us of the importance of this series and why it continues to find new fans after all these years. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 209 of ‘Leverage: Redemption’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the online era of human history, has brought forth wonders untold and horrors beyond our wildest dreams. Because sadly, so many nefarious and twisted individuals have used the online world to manipulate people to their advantage. Since it is easy to hide behind the world wide web and it is also easy to hide behind a fake business online to rob people of everything, they’re worth and what is genuinely devastating about this… is how little accountability the individuals behind such gross scams, face.

A feat made possible by the fact that some of them… hide behind what appears to be a legitimate business façade, such as say… the Multi-Level Marketing campaign. A business that truly puts people through the wringer and makes its boss as rich as can be and that type of business might be one of the worst of the worst in this digital and online era… since they are springing up left and right and sucking innocent souls into their destructive vortex. But thankfully, fiction is always there to give us justice and catharsis and it just so happens that the next episode of Leverage: Redemption, provides us with what we need… since ‘The Pyramid Job’ sees the team handle an MLM nightmare. 

For they are introduced, through a former associate of Sophie’s, to Magiq Baby. A Multi-Level Marketing company that quite frankly… has their scheme down pat. For they appear to be a true business at first glance, since they offer customer support and have office space, something that isn’t always the case with these businesses. And they of course, have a pair of owners named Debra and Richard who play the part and promise the world, allowing for them to recruit endless droves of business owner hopefuls that quickly learn… this company is a nightmare. One that will suck up their finances no problem in the name of making sure that Debra and Richard have their pockets lined with cash and well, once the team saw how this business really worked… they invested themselves hard in bringing them down.

Because it was obvious that Debra was the kind of monster that took great pleasure in controlling lives in addition to controlling people’s finances. Since she made a point to put people on the spot and test them and drop them down a peg when they were rising to something more. Which meant the only person that could properly handle her, was Sophie. Since no one knew people quite like the boss and that led to a powerful cat and mouse between those two, while the team shredded Magiq Baby’s infrastructure. A game designed to properly expose Debra’s ego and intentions to properly destroy the company and well, Debra will undoubtedly rue the day she ever met Sophie Devereaux since our favorite boss taught her a valuable lesson and destroyed her disgusting business in the process.

Giving rise to a supremely satisfying episode for certain, one that really did take down a type of scummy business we all despise through and through in a fun and compelling manner. Since Harry’s bromance was the stuff of legend and Parker was at her best here, as was Breanna. But what was equally as amazing about this episode, is that it once again dug deep into a character’s past. Specifically, Sophie. Since that acquaintance and Debra, forced Sophie to reflect upon her darker days and what pushed her to finally try and do some good in the world, and that was quite the treat and hinted at something more to come. But in the here and the now, this was another brilliant episode from an utterly brilliant series, one that once again explored a corner of our world, that is in dire need of justice. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘The Watchful Eye’. This article also contains discussions regarding suicide, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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There are few things in this world that devastate us more, than seeing our kindness go to waste or to have it blow up in our faces. For we are taught from an early age that kindness trumps all things evil, and that we should express it every chance we get, to quell and disarm those who want to do bad things, and perhaps bring them around to the good side when they see what it has to offer. And it is painfully difficult to learn the hard way, that some people just don’t care about that, and only care about their own agenda and will do whatever is necessary to get theirs. Which is a lesson that always puts us at a crossroads and teaches us a bevy of lessons and always leaves us wondering… why.
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Why would someone choose to inflict that kind of emotional pain upon others? And why doesn’t the universe properly punish people who continually violate the trust of others? Which are questions that rarely offer an easy answer since we tend to purge those people from our lives, quickly. But there are ways to find catharsis on such matters, and one such way to accomplish that… is through fiction. Where origins can indeed be explored and where that karma can come into play, and it just so happens that a brand-new series on Freeform does just that. For The Watchful Eye is a show that wastes little time in introducing us to an individual with dark goals in their heart and examining why they have chosen to use trust to harm others.

For ‘Hen in the House’ and ‘Hide and Seek’ plunges us into the Ward household at a critical time. For the mother of this family felt she could no longer go on and took her life, and now Matthew, her husband… is doing his best to find proper care for their son, Jasper, through a nanny. Whom he believes he has found in a woman named Elena Santos since she appears to be an honest person that wants to do right and propel herself into a better tomorrow and at first, all goes well. For Matthew gives her a shot and she is wonderful with Jasper and is bubbly and fits right in. But it doesn’t take long for Matthew to realize… that Elena isn’t telling him everything, and while she is quick to apologize for white lies, she does a fine job of keeping her true intentions with this job a secret. For Matthew’s home is host to something she badly wants, and she will use everyone and everything at her disposal to get it.

Which is the perfect way to explore the origins behind why people betray trust and/or use it to their advantage. In the instance of someone like Elena, it’s about spite really. For Elena has seen her life not go the way she’s wanted it to, and this is a chance to get rich and get on the path she wants, by breaking the rules and sticking it to people that wouldn’t give her the time of day normally and don’t care about the plight of real people. And she is going to do what she must to get hers and find peace in doing so. Which is a motivation that has a hint of Robin Hood to it but is still nefarious and mean spirited none the less… and fascinating. Because it allows for us to truly get an inside look at such motivations and how much of it is fueled by marginalization and pain, and that’s critical to understand. So, we can spot it before opening up our own homes and hearts to others that might want to inflict harm upon us.
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However, there was mention of catharsis for such matters, and that is where this story truly shines. Because the building that Elena now lives within, the Greybourne, is not what it seems. For she isn’t the only person with an agenda in this place. There are plenty of others that have their own plans and machinations taking place, which at times plunges Elena into awkward and uncomfortable situations and serves to remind us that sometimes… unsavory behavior attracts unsavory behavior, adding a strange poetic justice to Elena’s plight. One that becomes precarious as well, since we also come to learn… that this place has more going on behind the scenes than anyone is aware. The kind of strange stuff that could cause serious trouble for Elena and anyone else that the seeming spirits of this building latch onto. 

All of which sets the stage for a genuinely unique story. One that is part mystery and part thriller and could in fact… offer potential redemption for Elena. Because at times, she does hint at better angels still being present within her soul, and if properly motivated, perhaps… she can leave behind this plot and embrace a better life the more traditional way. But while we wait to see if that’s the case, we can relish in a lovely premiere. One that sold its theme with quality writing and offered plenty of surprises along the way and featured some solid performances as well. With Mariel Molino (Elena) leading the charge with her delicately nuanced performance. Since she effortlessly bounced between the darkness that drives Elena and the good, and well, at this point it is safe to say, we are all hooked and eager to see what surprises will await us down the line, as Elena continues along in her mission. Until next time.    

Stories that are focused on a voyage to the stars, tend to be supremely optimistic in nature and rightfully so. For we see space as the last great frontier, a place where humanity and its best aspects can thrive, so why not show us stories that feature a better tomorrow amongst the stars… or even spin darkness into a second chance for our species? Since there are a great deal of tales that see Earth in peril, and those that venture out into the void to create a new home for humanity, carry hope and the belief that round two for humanity will go better than it did the first time around. Which are, wonderful storylines for audiences to enjoy and they do indeed lift our spirits and give us the hope we desire in these troubled times. 
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However, as with any story, such a design does have its drawbacks. In that such stories rarely feature real conflict. They feature external problems for everyone to solve and they often feature a happy ending. Granted, that doesn’t mean they are devoid of meaning, since the conflicts in question do often feature commentary on our modern world. But to date, few shows have really grappled with the human condition in the raw and tested their crews and their spirts like never before. But that is about to change. For a brand-new series on SYFY from the mind of science fiction legend, Dean Devlin, makes its debut tomorrow, and The Ark just so happens to be… a sci-fi series that defies expectations and norms by offering up a grittier and far more realistic series. 

A feat that it accomplishes by providing us with a refreshing and unique plot. One that takes place one hundred years in the future, aboard a colony vessel known as Ark One, and well… the crew of this ship is in peril. For they have sustained critical damage close to their destination and that has awakened the crew and its passengers and put them at a crossroads. Wherein they must figure out how to survive in a sustainable manner before they reach their new home and well... that is a plot that is an absolute reinvention of this type of show. For there is no noble quest here, no carrying of the flags and ideals of the world. Just crisis and worry and uncertainty and that allows for some stunning sequences to take place as the story plays out.

The kind that does indeed put the crew and the passengers to the test. Which leads to breathtaking and intense storytelling, the kind that actually manages to tackle real-world topics and conflicts and asks hard questions about who we are as a species. All of which makes for an engaging experience for the audience, one that truly surprises and offers plenty for the viewer to chew upon. Not to mention, it is heavily grounded in scientific concepts that have real-world merit, giving rise to a series that feels as though you’re plunged in the moment. All of which speaks to a series that was crafted with incredible care through and through and rightfully so. Since Dean Devlin, co-showrunner Jonathan Glassner, and the cast spoke with passion and excitement about this project at the 2023 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour. 

Making it clear that this is a show made for fans by fans, and that everyone involved wanted to really offer up a refreshingly creative and inventive series and they most certainly have. For you walk away from every single episode, eager for more and with plenty of questions in mind regarding some of the surprises the show throws your way. All of which makes this the first real must-see science fiction series of 2023, and the best news of all… is that you don’t have to wait all that much longer to enjoy all the wonder this series has to offer. For The Ark drops on SYFY on February 1, 2023, at 10 p.m. EST, and we here at NTG hope you give it a look and join us back here for our detailed breakdowns of this refreshing and dynamic sci-fi series.

Dean Devlin (Executive Producer/Co-Showrunner) Regarding His Passion for This Series
“So, yeah, this tickled every creative bone I have. It's all the things that I love about making fiction. And the best part of all of it was getting to work with some incredible people.”
 
Jonathan Glassner (Executive Producer/Co-Showrunner) Regarding the Show’s Realism
“We did a lot of research in writing scripts. Now, it's science fiction, and so we have to cheat a little bit or it would be ‑‑ nothing would happen. But we tried to base everything that we could on actual science or actual theoretical science that NASA's working on for SpaceX or some other companies.”
 
Series Stars Christie Burke, Reece Ritchie, and Richard Fleeshman Regarding the Excitement They Experienced in Joining the Show
CHRISTIE BURKE: “I felt like literally exactly what Dean just said, like I was a 12-year-old getting to do all the bucket list things.”
 
REECE RITCHIE: “… everybody was just so energetic and bright and played their parts so intelligently that for me, at least, it made it such a joy to work on.”
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RICHARD FLEESHMAN: “And the best thing about this for me personally, as I've said before, is kind of every day was a new box of toys that we got to open.  So, every so often, you'd find this new gadget or this new thing or this new suit or this new shuttle you had to fly.  And, so, it was the gift that kept on giving, really.  It was amazing.”

One particular aspect of the human condition that is supremely fascinating, is the sheer fact that we… do a poor job of planning for the future. A reality that could be attributed to the fact that we are taught from a very early age to live in the moment since tomorrow is never promised, and we certainly follow that mantra to a tee, only to be surprised when something we knew we should have prepared for down the line… is front and center in our lives. But more than likely, it is related to the fact… that the future is hard for us to visualize and conceptualize. Because a lot of what we need to plan for isn’t tangible nor is it, real in the moment, and we only seem to react to it, when it becomes just that. Which of course can lead to disaster and regret, since this type of life twist, usually has warnings that precede it and is followed by a bevy of cleanup work to get us back on track.
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But since this is such a norm and something that we struggle with, it does leave one wondering… exactly what it might take to get us to plan ahead at last as a species so we don’t suffer with embarrassing surprise and epic clean up and well… there may not be an easy answer to that question. For a show that tends to offer us great answers on life’s great mysteries… struggled to find a way to solve a conundrum that has plagued us for as long as we’ve been on this tiny blue ball we call home, and that made the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, ‘Force of Nature’, quite the powerful affair. One that oddly enough… felt akin to a day in the life episode of the series, courtesy of its focus on Lieutenant Commander Data and Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, and what appeared to be a hum-drum mission for the crew of the Enterprise.

Because Data was trying to train Spot to be a better and more obedient cat and was having minimal luck. Mainly because Spot clearly had Data trained instead. Plus, Geordi was working hard to be the top Engineer in the fleet through some creative work on the ship’s systems to keep him ahead of his chief rival. And while that was going on, the senior staff was searching for a lost vessel, one that disappeared in a very precarious region of space for warp travel. Which brought forth a grand mystery that didn’t seem to have any weight. That is until a surprise encounter with scientists from the only habitable planet, revealed they had been disabling ships left and right to get Starfleet’s attention. For they learned that warp drive was causing damage to this region of space and to prove the point, one of the scientists detonated their warp core and created the end result rift they were worried warp drive was quietly laying the groundwork for. Which led to a daring rescue of the lost ship in question and a real problem for Starfleet. One that perfectly encapsulated the theme of this tale, and it also reflected our everyday world.

Courtesy of the fact… that the best scientific minds in the galaxy, didn’t think to research the long-term impact of warp drive. They just rolled with it and saw it as safe and effective and endless in use. Only to discover that it harbors a risk and much like we would… they acted accordingly, with egg on their faces as they worked to just mitigate the damage during the fallout. Which really is the perfect way to explore what the core theme looks like and of course, one can easily compare this problem… to climate change in our world. And how we too didn’t bother to do the advance research on fossil fuels until we recognized a problem and even then… our response to such matters hasn’t been ideal since so many aren’t seeing the problem in the tangible manner they want to. Making this a sobering tale, one that is filled to the brim with stunning commentary on our world and our species and it offers no easy answers on this question. 

Because this episode goes to show, that it is stunningly difficult for us to find a flaw or a problem with most of what we do. Because we cannot predict the future, nor can we fully comprehend the consequences of our actions at times. Which is an observation that doesn’t satisfy, nor does it offer up a happy ending either since this episode feels too real, and it definitely offers zero guidance. But perhaps… that is the point. In that, it isn’t up to a television show to solve all of our problems. Sometimes… we just need to see it and start working on solutions on our own. Such as say, training ourselves to really weigh the pros and cons of decisions and actions that will have far reaching implications for our future and our lives. Which may sound excessive and counterintuitive to the human experience, but that might be what it is needed and one person doing it can influence others and perhaps enact change. Or perhaps something deeper is needed, but either way… this episode deserves a round of applause for offering such biting commentary regarding humanity, for being prophetic in nature… and for offering zero answers to the problem. Because that’s a rarity in science fiction and a bold direction to take this story in and well… that kind of move deserves our respect, and action on our part, since this one does take us to task. Until next time. 

It is definitely safe to say that the Power Universe on STARZ is one of the most popular franchises out there right now. Because fans keep tuning in, in droves, to see everything this franchise has to offer, years after the flagship series went off the air, and their desire for more makes sense. Because Raising Kanan is a brilliant and engaging series for certain, one that is providing us with a stunning origin story. Plus, Force, gives us everything we’ve ever wanted when it comes to Tommy Egan. And of course, Ghost is incredibly captivating since it is one of the few crime dramas out there to explore the generational impact of this lifestyle.  
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In fact, we are so eager to see where Tariq’s journey is going to take him, since he continues to struggle with his desire to be free of the game whilst falling into the allure of the game, and we have been so loyal in our viewership, that STARZ provided fans of this franchise with quite the gift today. In that, well ahead of the season three premiere of Power Book II: Ghost, the show has received an early season four renewal, and it’s added Michael Ealy to the cast of season four as a series regular. A move that truly ensures that we get more of this incredible story and can have our burning questions answered and with that in mind, here are more details on this incredible announcement, courtesy of STARZ. 

‘STARZ announced today its hit series “Power Book II: Ghost” has been renewed for a fourth season ahead of its highly-anticipated March 17 season three premiere.  Production has just begun in New York, with Michael Ealy (Barbershop, Takers) joining the cast as a new series regular for season four.
 
Ealy joins the cast as Detective Don Carter, a rising NYPD officer who was on track to become Police Commissioner, until his wife was killed in a crossfire between rival drug gangs.  Vowing to make the streets safer, Carter traded in his tie for a kevlar vest and now leads an elite NYPD drug task force that elicits concrete results against drug related violence.  While his achievements are noteworthy public recognition, nothing can bring back his lost love.
 
“The high-octane drama of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ continues to resonate with our viewers and we’re thrilled to get season four production underway ahead of our season three debut,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming for STARZ. “It’s clear our fans are ready to devour more of this explosive series and we look forward to having Michael join our incredible cast.”  
 
Season three of “Power Book II: Ghost” will premiere on Friday, March 17 at midnight on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the LIONSGATE+ premium streaming platforms across the UK and Brazil. On linear, it will debut on STARZ at 9 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada. 

“Power Book II: Ghost” is the first series in the expanded “Power” Universe franchise.  Brett Mahoney (Empire, The Following) serves as showrunner and executive producer for season three. The “Power” Universe series is executive produced by the creator and showrunner of the original “Power,” which inspired the full universe- Courtney A. Kemp- through her production company End of Episode, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through G-Unit Film and Television, and Mark Canton through Atmosphere Entertainment MM. In addition to Mahoney, Kemp, Jackson and Canton, “Power Book II: Ghost” is executive produced by Chris Selak. Lionsgate Television produces the series for STARZ.

About “Power Book II: Ghost” Season Three
The third season of “Power Book II: Ghost” kicks off with Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey Jr.) determined to get his trust, get back to his family, and get out of the game for good. The emergence of a ruthless new connect interrupts Tariq’s plans to reunite with Tasha (Naturi Naughton) and Yaz (Paris Morgan) and puts him, Brayden (Gianni Paolo), and Effie (Alix Lapri) back into business with the Tejadas as they’re challenged to move more weight than ever before. When Brayden brings Tariq in as an intern at his family’s hedge fund Weston Holdings, the drug business expands beyond Stansfield and the streets onto Wall Street, while Tariq is also shown an alternate, legitimate path to success. Monet Tejada (Mary J. Blige), set ablaze by the death of her son Zeke Cross, is willing to pay a hefty price to avenge her firstborn and keep the rest of her children - and the business - in line as she works closely with Davis MacLean (Cliff “Method Man” Smith) to solve Zeke’s murder and keep the feds off her trail.  Business is booming when a staggering reveal forces Tariq to reckon with a betrayal from those closest to him... and a R.I.C.O. investigation mounting into the entire drug enterprise, pulling Tariq deeper into the business and even closer to the legacy of his father. 
 
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Join the conversation with #PowerGhost #PowerTV and #STARZ 

About STARZ 
STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its international premium streaming platform STARZPLAY, now LIONSGATE+, to provide subscribers access to bold, curated storytelling. LIONSGATE+, coupled with the STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture in MENA and Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia, has a footprint that extends across the globe. STARZ and LIONSGATE+ are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company. 
 
About Lionsgate 
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world.  The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.’ 

It is definitely safe to say that human beings… are quite the incredible species. After all, we defied the odds to become the dominant species on planet Earth and once we did, we accomplished wonders. For we figured out how to fly like the birds, we harnessed the power of the atom, and we are slowly beginning to explore deep space and its majesty and its many secrets about the building blocks of life. But of the many wonders we’ve accomplished, perhaps one of the most important ones… is a touch less ambitious in nature. Because it really is a big deal that we developed language and communication skills since that is a big reason, we’ve been able to organize and pull off the wonders we have, since we can communicate easily with one another.
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In fact, we are so good at expressing our thoughts and even our feelings, that one would think that at this point in our existence, that we would be at peace as a species and that happiness would permeate the day. But alas, our advanced ability to communicate… requires a touch more work unfortunately. Since we aren’t flawless with it yet and let other issues cloud the opportunity to really reach one another on a fundamental level. For there is still an emotional youth to us, one that we are slowly leaving behind. If anything, the power of communication and what we lose out upon when we don’t embrace it, are top of mind today, simply because the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation explores such matters.

A feat that ‘Attached’ accomplished, by having the crew of the Enterprise arrive at Kesprytt. A world that petitioned to join the United Federation of Planets, a request that was received with curiosity, simply because this world was not united. For the Kes, a democratic and advanced society, was oft at odds with the Prytt. A split off nation that despised outsiders and refused to make peace with the Kes, and well… the battle that came forth between these two warring nations, spoke to that central theme we mentioned a moment ago. For this species refused to talk and lost out on opportunities for growth and peace because of it. Reminding us easily of how far we go when we properly communicate, and their stubbornness oddly brought forth… another powerful lesson regarding this. 

Simply because, these two warring factions were forced to a negotiating table, because the Prytt kidnapped Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Doctor Beverly Crusher when they first arrived on the planet. Out of the belief that they would fill the Prytt in on super-secret plans against their nation, courtesy of devices that would allow for the Prytt to read their thoughts. But a daring escape aided by the Kes allowed for this duo to make a run for it… and learn further about the opportunities we miss when we don’t communicate. Since we learned about a lost love between these two that Picard kept buried deep within his soul, and while obviously, life takes us where it takes us… one cannot help but wonder what his life would have looked like if he told Beverly his true feelings, and we too wonder… where our lives would have taken us… if we too opened up and communicated properly.

But that of course, gets us into a different kind of discussion about regret and the choices we make, which we aren’t here to do. We’re just here to point out, the core of that journey, which does speak to what honest communication can do for us and where it can take us if we embrace it, in an impactful manner. Which makes this quite the intelligent and engaging episode. One that does leave you with plenty to ponder upon, since both of those plot lines relate to who we are now, and the Federation represents who we can be, and it is the Federation here that engenders hope in our hearts at the end of this tale. Since it gives us something to work toward and a reason… to be open and honest… whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Frozen Planet II’.
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Our minds have a tendency to believe… that the parts of our world that are uninhabitable to human life, are uninhabitable to all life and it makes sense why we hold to that. After all, all we really know is our world and how our species functions. So, if we can’t go there and thrive, nothing can in our minds, and we give it little thought beyond that. But that is of course, an incorrect belief and an incorrect line of thinking. For while we may be masters of our domain and the dominant species on the planet, life goes on fine without us, and the places where humans cannot go, are often teeming with life and activity and it never hurts to be reminded of that… or to learn what goes on in places where we don’t have thriving cities.
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All because that teaches us how lucky we are to be upon this planet and be a part of something so much bigger and it just so happens that BBC America is now home to another incredible documentary series that provides us with just that. For last night saw Frozen Planet II debut on the network and it didn’t take long for ‘Frozen Worlds’ to show us just how the frozen places we think are dead zones because we aren’t living there… are in fact… filled with life and activity. Take for instance, the North Pole. A place that is indeed barren and desolate since it is covered in ice and snow, but there are animals native to this hostile land, such the polar bear. Who roams this chilly place in search of food… and a mate to start a family with.

For the species must survive and that reality allowed for us to follow a male polar bear in this frozen place to see how they choose a mate and how hard they have to fight to keep one. Since others will come and make their case to be a mate and that leads to fierce competition, and a bevy of injuries to ensure the line survives and harsh living conditions and a harsh life aren’t exclusive to the North Pole. Since the frozen tundra of the north is host to hard fights for survival, where delicate and deadly games are played between wolves and native bison there to see who will reach another tomorrow. And those segments really did a fine job of establishing the fact that life is indeed present and thriving in areas we avoid and rarely think about. 

But of course, it would be foolish for this series to only focus on the north end of the coldest parts of our world. For there are other parts of the planet that are also chilly and teeming with life, such as the South Pole. For it is here that penguins thrive alongside various species of seal, and regardless of how terrifyingly cold it is to human beings, they do just fine, and they’re not the only species down this way. Since there are whales that migrate to the South Pole, and it has become a popular hunting ground for Killer Whales. Who surprisingly, will work together to wear down prey and claim them. Making the end of the earth quite the lively and incredible place, one that subverts our expectations for life on Earth, and humbles us in the process.

Because it really does remind us… that we live on a unique world where we are part of something supremely special. A vibrant biosphere that will not let any hostile environment slow it down and even if by chance there is a place where life is sparse, this incredible world is still in motion. As evidenced by what we saw take place in Iceland with its glaciers that move through water flow and that… really is incredible to know, and it truly compels us to continue the journey. So, we can see what other incredible species make the cold their home and thrive in those subzero temperatures, and to learn more about what happens on this wondrous planet, while we go about our day in our carefully crafted kingdom. Until next time.  

There are a great many things that go into creating a flawless final season for a television series. For instance, the final season needs to feel epic and powerful in nature. So, the audience feels as though the series is going to go out with a bang. Not to mention, the series finale, should be nothing short of incredible. Because the audience wants their final ride with the show to be as incredible and as memorable as possible, and a great finale helps with that. But above all… loose plot threads and long-standing questions should be wrapped up and answered. Because closure is the key to feeling good about the end of a story that one has invested their time in, and while that seems like a simple list, it’s quite amazing how few shows check off all those boxes.
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Because incredible care must go into making those things happen and that isn’t always possible, and for proof… look at the final season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Because season seven only checked two of those three boxes, since it featured some off kilter and bad episodes, removing the epic nature of its start. All because movies were in development and the whole production lost some of its focus, and that is wild, since this is about as iconic a series as it gets and that hammers home how tough it is to make a perfect ending to a magnificent story. But it is important to celebrate what TNG got right, and since we aren’t at the finale yet… we can definitely discuss how the series did an amazing job of wrapping up some loose threads and answering some big questions, that had been hanging about over the past seven years. 

For its next episode, ‘Dark Page’, is a story that answered some burning questions about Counselor Deanna Troi’s family life. Specifically, her mother and why she was so overbearing and demanding of her daughter over the course of the series, and it accomplished that particular feat… by putting Lwaxana through some serious stress. Because while she was aboard the Enterprise as part of a diplomatic mission, she fell ill. In large part because she was working hard to make this mission a success, but also because… something deeper was at play here. For the Cairn, the species she was working with to bring into the Federation, tapped into some primal memories for her and forced her to face them and that put her into a supremely deep coma. 

One that only Deanna could help with since only she had the capacity to do so. But at first it seemed as though failure was the going to be the outcome for Deanna. For her mother’s mind was just a jumble of memories, the kind that didn’t explain why she was suddenly so sick. But with Captain Picard’s help… she was able to discover that a sister that Deanna knew nothing about… died in an accident when she was an infant. Something Lwaxana worked hard to overcome. But those wounds run deep for a parent and being near a child that reminded her of her lost baby while being pushed to her physical limits… proved too much to bear and broke her emotionally and telepathically. And it was up to Deanna to get her mother to face her pain and relinquish fault so she could continue to live her life and find peace at last over this. 

Which… made it clear that Lwaxana’s behavior has always been related to trying to have that family unit she never had in her youth. Since she lost a child and a husband and trying to constantly marry was meant to fill that, and being protective of Deanna and demanding she marry, came out of trauma and fear and that was… a powerful way to answer some burning questions regarding this character and this relationship and this also… moved us. Because this story featured some powerful moments and incredible acting from both Marina Sirtis and Majel Barrett, and it wrapped up a long-standing plot thread/character arc as well. Since it did give Deanna and her mother closure, and it brought their relationship as it stood in the show… to its end. For this was the final time Majel Barrett would play Lwaxana Troi in The Next Generation, and well, in the end, this episode really does deserve a round of applause. For addressing some realistic concepts and for giving an iconic guest star a proper and classy send off. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘BMF’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of crime dramas that are told from the perspective of the criminal, that is genuinely fascinating, is how much time they dedicate to the parallels and contrasts between the everyday world and the criminal world. Because one would think that a story such as this would want to focus on the crime. But in reality, these stories want us to wake up to the fact that two worlds exist and that we need to recognize the similarities, so we stop vilifying the dark one and step in and help, so it will cease to exist. Which these stories hammer home by showing us the most relatable examples possible. For instance, people in both worlds, come to know what failure is all about from a career standpoint. Since criminals and everyday folks alike, stumble and fall in their endeavors and learn plenty from it, however… it is the lessons and the results of that failure, that are truly of note. 
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Because when people fail in the everyday world, they have safety nets to help them with their mistakes, the kind that allows for them to quietly regroup and learn from what went wrong so they can quickly start over again or pick up where they left off with minimal worry about their future and their livelihood. But in the criminal world, failure is a whole different ball game. Because it can cost someone everything for certain if the failure is hard enough, even their lives, and there is no safety net to speak of. There is just reacting on the fly and learning on the fly, so that such mistakes never happen again. If anything, the dark lessons that come with failure in the criminal side of the world are top of mind today, simply because Terry and Meech were forced to learn them and deal with failure, in the next episode of BMF on STARZ.

For when we caught up with the Flenory brothers in ‘Runnin’ on E’, they were reeling from recent events. For the surprise return of Lamar and the fact that he was left for dead instead of removed… brought forth failure to their business. Because Meech was in hiding while healing to keep him safe from Lamar and his madness and with him out of commission, the business basically died. Not to mention, BMF members were beginning to step away. Because there was no weight to throw around town, and they were struggling with no money coming in. Plus, K-9 was all over the fact that some of his best movers were MIA and that pushed Terry to try and react in the moment and see if he couldn’t prop the business up while his brother was down.

That led to some unique deals and more failure as well. Since the police were watching Terry closely and quickly caught onto his plan to move new weight, which led to Denise’s arrest since she was working to help out with this support plan. Which more or less brought the business to its knees and put Terry and Meech in a precarious place. Because not only was Lamar hunting them, but they owed several houses in Detroit and that would mean trouble or death, and well… that was… the perfect way to explore the contrast between our world and the criminal world regarding failure. Since there was no chance to regroup, no safety net for these young men. Just failure, hard and painful failure… the kind that forced them to run to save their lives and take a breath to try and learn and regroup and that made for one powerful episode. 

One that really did a great job of reminding us of the dangers of this business and how hard it is to find success in such a world. Mainly because everyone is pulling for something in the life, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Plus, it gently hammered home that our desire to see this world as the lowest of the low or a turn against who we are, instead of a failure of the system, helps it persist and that we could change it. But… all that aside… this story has taken a fascinating and bold turn. Simply because, seeing failure in a drug kingpin story is rare, and this is something that likely could have been left out to produce a different dramatic effect. But keeping it here, keeps this story grounded in realism and keeps us glued to it. Since we simply must know how this duo overcame stunning adversity to build the empire that fascinates us, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out as season two of this brilliant and dynamic series, continues along. Until next time.