​When the words wildlife and Earth come into our minds, some quick images appear. We see lush jungles, or healthy and green prairie lands, teeming with life as apes swing through the trees, or there’s buffalo and bison roaming those epic ranges. Or we think of the mountains and the vast forests that cover them, where bears roam free and eagles soar through the sky. And those thoughts come to our minds simply because these are familiar things we’ve seen in some form or fashion during our time upon this beautiful planet. In fact, documentaries such as Seven Worlds, One Planet have reinforced these images of places teeming with seemingly endless life and what’s fascinating about our understanding of the world in association with particular words, is that other phrases about our planet engender vastly different images in our minds.
 
For when someone hears or thinks about the arctic, desolation is what comes to mind, or the image of a lone animal wandering through a wintery wasteland, simply because these places are hostile to life, to the point where humanity isn’t a fixture there. But while there is some merit to those images, life on Earth always finds a way to thrive and survive and that is the case in even the most hostile of environments, as was evidenced during last night’s episode of this phenomenal documentary. For this time around, the show took us on a grand tour of Antarctica and while life is indeed thriving here, surviving in an icy world is no easy task. For example, the Weddell Seal that lives here tends to spend most of its time under the sea, simply because its warmer in the water than it is on the surface. But to continue their family line, they have to give birth on the freezing ice and sadly, when blizzard conditions arrive, there are no guarantees that their pups will survive those first few days.
 
Yet while this is a harsh and difficult place for wildlife to live, it is important to find the beauty in all things and this documentary did a phenomenal job of that. For we were able to spend quality time with the King Penguin and see their massive colony, one that is bustling with young chicks that are often waiting for their parents to return with food. But while that segment of the story featured some painfully cute moments, since those baby chicks were curious about the world surrounding them and were happy to explore every corner of it within their reach, this particular tale did feature something quite breathtaking and impressive. For we came to learn that beneath all of that ice, a beautiful and magnificent marine ecosystem is outright thriving, one that is complete with its own coral reef and it was just incredible to see the creatures that live here go about their day and to be able to bask in the sheer majesty of this part of our world.
 
However, this is a series that has yet to let up on its message in regard to how our world is changing like never before thanks to mankind’s impact on the climate and this particular episode offered up some incredibly harsh reminders of that fact. Because the ice that is now breaking off of this continent, is starting to impact how these animals gather food, since there are penguins that are now unable to quickly get to out sea since their shores are surrounded with icy flotsam and the ever changing weather patterns are costing young animals their lives. For the grey-headed albatross, a species which only breeds every couple of years, is seeing their precious young be lost to exposure and winds that knock them out of their nests before they are ready to leave them and that’s putting their species in a perilous place, since these changes to the climate may potentially wipe their kind out if something doesn’t change soon.
 
If anything, these segments were harrowing and heartbreaking to watch, but important as well. For they truly put a tangible consequence for climate change on display and that, combined with the closing chapter of this tale serves to remind us in bittersweet fashion that we can make a difference if we put in the work. For the southern right whale is starting to thrive in this part of the world once again after being hunted to near extinction decades ago, all because mankind stepped in and said enough and hopefully, we can do the same when it comes to our climate and our carbon footprint. In the end however, this was quite the powerful story. For it truly put the harshness of the world on display, all while showing us how even the most desolate places on the planet can host great beauty and well, it really is a shame there is only one episode left in this magnificent documentary since it has done a phenomenal job of teaching us about our world and our impact upon it. And it should be interesting to see how this journey around the world wraps up next week when we venture to Africa for the finale. Until then.   

​Over the course of its first few episodes, Star Trek: Picard has done a phenomenal job of exploring the transformed landscape of the late 24th Century. For we have come to learn that Starfleet and the Federation, once beacons of hope in the galaxy, have transformed into nothing more than figureheads following their withdrawal from just about everything that matters in the galaxy. But what’s more relevant to this stunning revelation, is the sheer impact that Starfleet and the Federation made by choosing to abandon the Romulan people in their time of need since that has also transformed good people that once fought for justice and equality, such as the now retired Admiral Jean-Luc Picard.
 
For seeing the organizations that he once believed in so deeply, fail so many, has left him a shell of his former self, and we spent a lot of time in the first four episodes, deeply exploring his pain and his regret and how every single poor choice he has made in the past fourteen years have haunted him like never before. Yet, what’s truly impressive about this extended study of the future, is the sheer fact that this series has held steadfast to the slow burn approach of storytelling, something that some would deem to be a cardinal sin in this era of peak television. But it would seem that this unique story structure was all part of a grandiose plan, one designed to truly set the stage so that later episodes in the season can start to bring everything together in magnificent and thrilling fashion, as evidenced by this week’s episode.
 
But before we dive deep into how exactly ‘Stardust City Rag’ pulled off that particular feat, we would be remiss to not discuss the fact that this episode still made a point to do a little bit more world-building, the kind that was supremely relevant to the story at hand. For this particular tale took the time to explore how the galaxy transformed in the days following the Federation’s cowardly move to leave the Romulan Empire to its own devices and it turns out that opportunists took full advantage of the retreat and began to make deals with shady figures, the kind that flat out cost people lives. For in that first year after Starfleet retreated within the UFP’s borders, Seven of Nine went through quite the transformative moment in her life.
 
For Icheb, the young Borg drone that she and the crew of the U.S.S. Voyager rescued all those years ago, found himself in a horrible place, one where his implants were being removed for sale to the highest bidder. But despite Seven’s valiant attempts to save him, the injuries that were sustained during this savage ‘surgery’ were more than he could bear, and she was forced to do the unthinkable and put him out of his misery and well… that’s why Seven is now in a darker place and his passing is one of the many reasons that she’s left Starfleet as well in order to do some vigilante work with the Rangers. For she believes that lawlessness and wanton chaos are unacceptable and that someone has to step up and fill the void that Starfleet left behind.

​Which brings us to how this backstory was supremely relevant to this week’s story, because it tied right into the rescue of one Doctor Bruce Maddox. Who as it turns out, was up for sale on the black market by an individual named Bjayzl and well, Seven knew exactly how to rescue Maddox before the highest bidder sold him off to the Tal Shiar. Because Bjayzl was the woman who sanctioned Icheb’s harvesting and there was no way she could resist potentially getting her hands on the grand prize that is Seven of Nine’s Borg implants and that allowed for a grandiose rescue plan to take place. One where Rios would set the stage with a little acting and a lot of lies, all in the hopes of making a Seven a more attractive ‘prize’ and wouldn’t you know it? This ragtag plan actually went off without a hitch since Bjayzl was indeed ready to meet Picard’s pirate alter ego in the hopes of negotiating a trade, wherein he would hand over Seven of Nine in exchange for Doctor Maddox.
 
But it didn’t take long for this plan to go to pieces when Seven of Nine revealed the fact that she went along with it, in order to get face to face with Bjayzl so she could exact a little measure of revenge. Something that shocked Picard. For he firmly believed that Seven should know better than to succumb to such primal desires, but despite the successful rescue of Bruce, and his attempts to talk Seven off of the proverbial cliff, she simply would not listen. For Icheb was the closest thing she ever had to a son and the only way to properly handle the pain in her heart was to make her enemy and the source of her pain, pay. And in a stunning sequence of events, she returned to Freecloud and put an end to Bjayzl, and this dark and powerful moment spoke volumes to how much Seven believes in justice at any cost these days.
 
Yet while that was stunning in its own right, the show still had some incredible moments waiting in the wings for us and those came forth shortly after Bruce settled in aboard the La Sirena’s medical bay. Because not only did he let Picard know of Soji’s location, he also revealed to the former Admiral that he believes that nefarious forces are working behind the scenes in Starfleet and the Federation, and to make matters worse, one of them is aboard the ship. For dear Doctor Jurati revealed herself to be a double agents of sorts, since she took the time to tell her beloved Bruce that she was now aware of the dangers of synthetic life and that she had to do something in order to keep the universe safe from it and part of that process… involved ending Bruce’s life. Which means that genuine danger now surrounds the crew as they prepare to venture to the Artifact, since Agnes is a murderer, and will likely kill again if it means completing her mission.
 
If anything, this was a supremely dark and brooding episode when all is said and done, one that definitely featured some jaw dropping moments, and one that truly does close the world-building chapter in this tale. For now, we know how much the Federation’s cowardice shattered hope and left the galaxy in tatters and it would seem that the big question hanging over the back half of this phenomenal first season is whether or not hope can be restored, and there is a chance that it can. Because if Jean-Luc can save Soji, and expose the corruption in the Federation, then perhaps people can believe in something better again and also that perhaps, one man can make a difference. Either way, time will tell if this iteration of Trek can find a hopeful voice once again in a sour future that mirrors present day, but in the here and the now we can celebrate another powerful tale in a magnificent, well woven story, one that is about heat up since Soji’s rescue awaits. Until next time.

​Whether we like to admit it or not, revenge is something we’ve all taken part in at some point or another in our lives. Because there are injustices in this world that simply demand it in our minds, and that’s why we were or will be motivated to get back at someone in either petty or epic fashion. But while most of our vendetta related experiences involve teaching someone a lesson in humility, for some folks, revenge is about so much more. Because in their mind they have been wronged on a level that no one can understand and the only way to ease their pain or find justice in the world is to do something drastic and terrible, and it just so happens that the darker side of revenge, served as the focal theme for the next episode of CHiPs.
 
For ‘New Guy in Town’ introduced us to a man named Martin Beck and dear Martin, was consumed with fury over an incident from long ago. Because four years ago, Ponch and Jon were in hot pursuit of his identical brother, and that pursuit ended in fatal fashion when said brother crashed into a median. And Martin, well he believed that Ponch and Jon were somehow responsible for his brother’s death and never faced the proper consequences for it. Which prompted him to take matters into his own hands and the only appropriate thing to do in his mind; was to kill the both of them. Which in turn led to Jon being put in the hospital for a bit when Martin tried to run him down and the violent attempts to murder our dynamic duo didn’t end there.
 
Because Martin even took the time to plant a bomb in Ponch’s firebird. Something that was thankfully discovered before it was too late, and when that didn’t work, well he made use of someone else who wanted to aid in this vendetta; his late brother’s wife, Lina. And her role in all of this mess was partly to help Martin with his escape routes when the heat was bearing down upon him, and she also needed to serve as bait. Which is why she led Ponch toward an abandoned car that was laced with explosives in the hopes that he would examine the vehicle as per protocol. Yet Ponch managed to escape trouble there as well and his and Jon’s consistent ability to stay mostly upright in this tale came courtesy of the new guy that the title makes mention of.
 
Because Officer Theodore Carlton (T.C.) Hunsacker was a bright guy, and the latest addition to Central, and his keen eye spotted much of the trouble surrounding our dynamic duo. Which oddly enough, is what helped to catch our Creeps of the Week. Because every single failure only frustrated them further, and eventually Lina made a stupid mistake, the kind that put her in handcuffs, and the same goes for Martin as well. For his final attempt to blow Ponch and Jon up, blew up in his face when he didn’t properly latch up the saddlebag on Frank’s bike, wherein he placed his latest bomb, and of course he just had to make his presence known. And these sloppy missteps allowed for the boys to avoid any harm and finally put Martin in cuffs, ending his reign of terror and hopes for revenge at last.
 
If anything, this episode gets some serious props for telling one intense and unique tale. Because this series rarely goes to territory this dark, but it handled it here in brilliant fashion by balancing out the dark with more joyous scenes involving T.C., since he was a stand up and hopeful guy. And of course, the happy ending also helped to balance out Martin’s raw fury and all of these elements helped to make this tale a memorable one. Because it is rare to see Ponch and Jon be hunted by a COTW and it’s equally as rare to see them stumble and the sheer humanity on display in this tale is what makes it so worth one’s while and once again, this episode just goes to show that season four has truly exceeded expectations and they really did save the best for last, as year four begins to come to a close. Until next time.

​There are a great many reasons to love and celebrate the now cancelled series, Lodge 49. For not only is a powerful story about grief and loss and how we come back from the darkest parts of our lives, it is also a technical marvel from a screenwriting standpoint. Because there are few stories out there as carefully layered as this particular one, and I am hard pressed to think of another show where multiple themes are injected into a specific story in seamless fashion such as this one. And for proof of how well this series pulled that off, well look no further than its next episode, ‘The Solemn Duty of the Squire’.
 
For this particular tale blends together so many themes, with the primary one revolving around how life, or the universe if you prefer, likes to shake things up and rattle us from time to time and that our responses to the shakeup are rarely perfect. And it accomplishes this particular feat by injecting some chaotic and thoughtful plot elements into the story, many of which involved Mister Ernie Fontaine. Because Ernie was lost early on in this tale, stunned by the fact that his longtime friend and mentor was gone from this earth. And really his pain here, while chaotic, also served as a fine reminder that death stuns us and the emptiness that we feel when those we love disappear from this world is powerful and the silence from their exit is deafening, and this was just the bare beginning when it comes to the many layers present in this tale.
 
Because this story also took the time to examine how the secrets we keep in life, come out in death and that was explored by way of what Jocelyn uncovered in Lodge 49’s ledger. Because we came to learn that Larry went above and beyond to keep the Lodge going in desperate fashion by taking out all kinds of ridiculous loans to fund the Lodge and well, not only did that change Ernie’s opinion of his friend and what Larry stood for in a matter of seconds, it also brought instant chaos into his life. Because talk of the Lodge shutting down and seeing his role as Sovereign Protector disappear are some serious curveballs and they fully explain his fury by the end of the story.

Yet while all of that would have been enough for the audience to chew upon, there was still one more chaotic plot thread for the series to dive into. For Liz encountered quite the curveball in the midst of her attempt to change the course of her life, since Omni was going to run a background check on her, something that struck fear in her soul and prompted her to escape Omni HQ post hate and she firmly believed that her past would forever ruin her future. But a quick visit from Corporate Guy helped remind Liz (and the audience) that we can never escape from yesterday, and we need to own it and the feelings that come from it and a good chat with her new suitor seemingly helped to release some of the angst buried in her heart at last.
​
However, perhaps the best part of this particular episode, is that it stayed true to a foundational notion for the series and found a way to stay positive amidst all this chaos. For Dud’s journey in this tale, wherein he worked hard to pay it forward, and enjoy some quality time with ‘The Parabola Group’ served to teach the audience that no matter how much chaos comes into our lives, we have to find joy. And if that involves doing something nice for someone, or just going out to put a smile on our faces, so be it. But find that happiness and revel in every single second of it and that was a wonderful theme to have lying beneath the tougher moments in this one.
 
But what truly is impressive about this episode and the handful that preceded it, is that the series is simply diving into stuff that most shows don’t even think about exploring. Because a fair majority of these themes take serious time and careful writing to bring to life, and most shows would rather focus on the juicy stuff over anything else. But this series, clearly wanted to chronicle every struggle in life, be it good or bad and these past few episodes show us how successful it was in achieving that goal, and it’s wonderful to see the series focus on so many various topics and I am supremely excited to dive back in and gain fresh perspective on a pair of episodes that truly served as my favorites from season one, and the saga with Captain (played brilliantly by the one and only Bruce Campbell) is where we will pick up next time. Until then.  

Over the course of the past four seasons, we’ve really been able to celebrate some incredible storytelling in regard to the police serial CHiPs, thanks to the fact that the writers’ room and the production team really worked hard to do something special with this series when all is said and done. But while we have been privy to some thoughtful stories, the kind that have stayed with us long after they went to black, these Retro Recap have exposed one important flaw when it comes to this series in that; it really didn’t focus all that often, on what made our characters who they are today.

Which may sound silly since we know that Jon Baker is from Montana and a former Vietnam Vet, and that Frank Poncherello is a former troubled youth from the streets who turned his life around, but really think about how we came to make those discoveries. For most of these tidbits have come about by way of casual conversation on the series, with only a handful of episodes actually taking the time to show us some genuinely important moments from their past and while that’s not a horrible thing, since we know these two men are good human beings deep down, it’s never a negative thing to truly learn more about what formed Ponch and Jon’s moral center and that’s what made the next episode in this series such a genuine treat.

Because ‘Karate’ took the time to venture into a tougher part of town, one where a crime boss ruled the streets and the CHP had to step in to help deter criminal activity. And as it turns out, this particular place was Ponch’s old stomping ground and bringing him back home allowed for us to learn a great deal about him in regard to his youth. For example, we came to discover that Ponch was badly bullied when he was younger, to the point where he earned the nickname ‘Punchy Puncherello’ by the lead bully that knocked him around. But all fascinating facts about Ponch aside, what mattered more is that he wanted folks who were still struggling in this part of the city, to have the opportunity at the better path that he walked down, and that prompted him and most of his pals at Central to step in and offer up youth activities at the Rec Center to give some of the local kids focus and a sense of hope.

Which is something that actually produced some positive results, and it started to pull kids away from the aforementioned local crime boss, a fellow named Andy Macedon. And he turned out to be the bully that used to smack Ponch around and Frank’s actions, prompted Andy to step in and ruin Ponch’s rep with the kids in order to draw them away from the Rec Center so he could keep them on his payroll and keep his empire rolling. Which sadly is a plan that worked like a charm and well, it also prompted Frank to finally confront his past in healthy fashion. Because it was clear that the only way to take down Andy was to embarrass him in front of others and when he was off duty, he challenged his old bully to a fight in front of his cadre of kids and despite taking some serious lumps, Ponch eventually bested Andy and closed a chapter in regard to his past and this really was one heck of an episode for certain.

Because we finally were able to learn some solid facts about Ponch and his past and how important it is to him that he rose up from his troubled days in that part of town. But more importantly, this really was a grand exploration of Ponch’s moral center and how it was formed, and it was fascinating to learn that he really believes that people can be more and that hope, and an opportunity will inspire them like never before. Plus, it was equally as incredible to see him stand up to his bully and close an important chapter on yesterday and this is hands down, my favorite episode of season four to date. Because it was so unique, and I am truly a sucker for any story that offers up incredible character development and this had plenty of that in spades and well, if this is how the home stretch of season four is going to go, then sign me up for more. Until next time.

​The last time we settled in to discuss CHiPs, I kinda, sorta, definitely gave the show the business about potentially copping out with a garbage ending. Because ‘Ponch’s Angels – Part 1’ really ended on a disappointing note, with Ponch and Officer Melanie Mitchell sharing a forbidden kiss, making it seem as though the second half of this story was going to be full of stereotypes and clichés revolving around how women and men cannot work side by side without needing to be romantically involved and how Melanie wouldn’t be able to find fulfillment without Ponch being at her side. Which may be some extreme thinking on my part, but that’s basically what the 1980s offered audiences on a regular basis. But oddly enough, I actually do owe this show quite the apology for assuming I had any idea where this story was headed.
 
Because ‘Ponch’s Angels – Part 2’ ended up being quite the pleasant surprise. For this particular tale picked up mere moments after that forbidden smooch and wouldn’t you know it? Ponch saw the light. He realized this was something that couldn’t happen, and that it was bad for both of their careers. So, he took action. He apologized for the kiss, traded trainees with Jon and rode with Paula instead and started acting like a training officer and well, professionalism became quite the important theme in this part of the tale. Because Paula and Melanie also needed to understand that despite their desire to be motor officers as quickly as possible, the rules still applied to them as well. Prompting Jon to take disciplinary action for their loose cannon actions when he stood in for an ailing Getrear and, the lessons present here served everyone well since it humbled the team and allowed for them to focus and that allowed for the ladies to accomplish some wonders.
 
After all, there were still some serious Creeps of the Week floating about the city and the first ones to be dealt with in this tale, were the snatch and grab duo that had been ripping off people at the Marina left and right. And they were so difficult to catch, simply because they used disguises and misdirection to both hide and evade the authorities. But like all dumb criminals this duo got greedy, super greedy in fact. Because they thought they could score big by ripping off a bank in sneaky fashion. But an abandoned clue and a familiar scent within it, immediately flagged Melanie’s memory when the girl of this thieving duo rode by her on roller skates, prompting her to call for help and spring into action. And thanks to Melanie’s sharp senses and detective skills they were able to bring this duo down at last.
 
Yet there was still the matter of the escaped criminals we were introduced to in ‘Part 1’, and while our characters were getting their attitudes refocused, these guys were working toward their ultimate goal. For their leader had taken the time to bury treasure in a well many moons ago, silver coins to be exact, and these guys were digging them up so they could eventually get themselves on easy street. But of course, their boldness brought them into the direct path of the CHP on several occasions, and their inability to give a crap about the law allowed for them to get away since they went the extra mile to escape pursuit and well, it took some serious teamwork to bring them down in the end. In fact, it took Turner to flush them out, thanks to Paula and Melanie spotting them, and Bonnie to assist those two in a high-speed chase, the kind that ended with these sleaze balls in handcuffs.
 
But while that was cool to watch, there was one last question hanging over this particular tale in that, did the ladies do enough to warrant becoming full time motorcycle officers? And thankfully, they did, and that led to a lovely celebration and a lovely ending to this tale. Because Paula and Melanie both showed that they belonged on a motor, and that they were qualified officers through and through and presenting these officers in positive and competent light is precisely where I was hoping this particular two-part story was going to go. Granted, it took a lot longer to get there than originally expected. But the end was worth the wait and it was great to see some badass female motorcycle officers bringing down crooks left and right and see the show preserve its wonderful reputation for telling bolder and progressive stories. And I am just so happy the story righted itself and I am so looking forward to seeing what other great tales await us as we enter the back end of season four. Until next time.  

If there is one risky experiment that televisions shows rarely undertake, it would have to be toying with their respective genre. Because once a show establishes the fact that it is a science fiction series, a horror series or say a drama, they hold fast to that notion and do little to deviate from their path. For they understand what their audience is expecting and that injecting an air of heavy comedy or any other element, runs the risk of alienating and chasing away said audience. But despite the risks, there are some shows out there that enjoy toying with their overall structure from time to time, by fusing together the genre they represent with another one, and one such series that does this often in successful and fascinating fashion; is Doctor Who.
 
For this magnificent science fiction series has been around long enough that it is almost a requirement for it to change up its style of storytelling, in order to keep things fresh. And that’s why we often see this science fiction series drop a full-on comedy into our laps or provide us with a quality drama that leaves one wondering who is chopping onions nearby. But of the many genre fusing experiments that this series has toyed with over the years, it truly shines when it injects a little bit of horror into the mix. Because for some strange reason, monsters and terror work well within the framework of the series and some of our favorite adventures with the Doctor are the ones that have left our skin crawling. And it just so happens that the time finally arrived for the Thirteenth Doctor to enjoy a creepy adventure with her magnificent companions in ‘The Haunting of Villa Diodati’.
 
But of course, it wasn’t The Fam’s intention to take part in a creepy adventure. Because the initial plan was to simply pop by Lord Byron’s estate in 1816 to witness the genesis of the horror masterpiece Frankenstein and well, it didn’t take long for Team TARDIS to realize that something was amiss. For every writer and creative present in the house on this dark and stormy night were distracted and steering clear from the very event the group came here to observe and this odd behavior, and a strange vibe coming from the house, prompted the Doctor to begin to investigate what was going on and that’s… when the scary stuff started coming into play. For there were odd shadows moving about in the distance and to make matters worse, the team had to contend with reanimated bones.
 
Bones that managed to come from Lord Byron’s private collection, since he kept the skeleton of a dead soldier from a war long gone, and the reanimation of portions of this collector’s item only added to the mystery of the night. Because there were no clues to help the Doctor or her mates understand why this was suddenly happening and well, the weird just continued along in this particular tale. For soon everyone within the house was stuck in a strange loop. The kind that forced them to wander about the same location in the house over and over again and for a brief moment there, it truly seemed as though something supernatural was happening here and this genuinely was a creepy segment of the story, one that felt as though a grandiose ghost story was about to play out.

​But that is perhaps the beauty of this series. In that, it always provides a logical explanation for the spooky stuff that appears on screen in tales such as this, and once a little sleepwalking came into play, the story took quite the logical turn, one that featured a surprise. Because it became clear to the Doctor that something scientific was indeed happening here, and the house was confusing them and trapping them on purpose, simply because it was trying to keep something hidden from their sight. What exactly, still eluded her. But the appearance of another apparition made her realize that the house was guarding something genuinely important, something that said apparition wanted and that brings us to the surprise in question. For the ‘ghost’ outside, finally made its presence known inside and revealed itself to be… a Cyberman.
 
However, this wasn’t just any Cyberman, this was the Lone Cyberman that Captain Jack Harkness warned the team about a few weeks ago and well, now was the opportunity to deny it what it so desperately wanted; an element named Cyberium which would help the CyberWar take place. And to keep it out of his hands, all that needed to happen was for Mister Shelley, who was carrying the element within his flesh, to die. Which brought about a powerful debate. Because letting Shelley die, would indeed save billions of lives since this twisted and incomplete Cyberman would not be able to start his precious war. But in doing so, the future would be irrevocably altered and unknown to all, and rather than let that happen, the Doctor chose to give the monster what it wants… and deal with the consequences in the future.
 
If anything, this turned out to be quite the fascinating story when all is said and done for several reasons. First and foremost, it really does do a phenomenal job of misleading the audience in all the right kinds of ways. For it really does seem as though we are going to stay in some spooky territory for a majority of the episode, and that the apparition in question is something trapped on Earth that needs the Doctor’s help to be free. So to have it be the Lone Cyberman, was quite the powerful surprise, as was the sheer fact that this monster ended up helping to preserve history after all since its tortured soul and resurrection from the dead, gave Mary the idea to perhaps put together a story about such matters. But while seeing the genesis of a brilliant horror novel come to life is delightful and majestic in its own right, the Doctor’s moral dilemma here is the true highlight of this particular tale.
 
Because the Doc is at her best when she’s cornered with a no-win scenario since it forces her to think about the most unique ways imaginable to save the timeline and lives, and the stalemate, she forces here is quite brilliant in its own right. Because it accomplishes just that, and now it is up to her to formulate a wild plan to save billions of lives. In the end however, this really was quite the delightful episode. Because not only did it stun and surprise, it really did do a fine job of offering up a delightful horror story, one that featured a quality mystery and some eerie moments, truly reinforcing the fact that Doctor Who can do it all. But all of that aside, the stage is now set for the Series 12 Finale and it should be interesting to see where the Doctor’s gambit takes us next week when Team TARDIS faces off against one of the Doc’s deadliest foes. Until next time.  

​Over the course of the past few weeks, the BBC America documentary, Seven Worlds, One Planet, has done a phenomenal job of showing us sides of our world we never quite knew existed. For we have enjoyed unique insight as to how wildlife is thriving on the various continents of this world, all while coming to understand that these wonderful creatures are struggling since our biosphere is changing like never before. But what’s truly impressive about this documentary, is the sheer fact that it is challenging its audience week in and week out. For now, we are forced to ponder upon new ideas that will help mankind and wildlife coexist peacefully alongside one another and of course what we can do to help the environment, in order to alter our carbon footprint and preserve the beauty of this world.
 
Yet what’s truly fascinating about this documentary, is that its next chapter actually takes the time address some of these ideas. For Europe is a continent where mankind and nature are in tight quarters to begin with, providing us with perhaps a potential blueprint of a future where mankind and nature can live side by side in relative harmony. But before the show dug deep into that, it did take the time to show us some of the untouched parts of this continent where wildlife goes about its day without a care in the world. For the brown bears of Finland still roam the forests there with complete and utter freedom and wolves in the Alps still hunt freely despite the fact that our world is slowly encroaching on their own. Plus, there’s the limestone caves in Slovenia, where the Olm resides, a unique blind salamander that can go ten years without food.
 
But while it was incredible to see nature going about its business, it wasn’t long before this episode shifted gears to discuss how exactly wildlife is functioning alongside the rest of us in Europe. And for the most part that’s simply happening because we let them be and they are able to adapt to the new world that new surrounds them and that appears to be letting a fairly normal life occur for these animals. After all, the Barbary Macaque monkeys in Gibraltar have created their own caste system in a world they no longer recognize and they had quite the powerful segment in this tale since we were able to see how their system works and how the monkeys on the lower rungs of the caste suffer, since one saw her baby briefly kidnapped by an upper echelon monkey that wanted a young one of her own. Yet while it was incredible to see these monkeys’ function and thrive in mankind’s domain, they weren’t the only ones who are able to get by.
 
For the wild European hamster is doing just fine living in our world, since they can easily find food in places where we don’t often tread, and their segment was hands down the cutest of the night since these little critters showed off how hard they will battle for a meal. However, while all of this is lovely to know in its own right, it doesn’t directly answer the burning question on all of our minds; as to how exactly mankind and nature can coexist in harmony. But showing us these little vignettes and also letting us see how the Iberian Lynx is starting to thrive in their respective preserve in Spain, does inspire a solution when all is said and done. Because there will come a day when the rest of the world becomes as cramped as Europe as humanity continues to expand that means, one big key to preserving the beauty of our world is to offer nature a safe space to grow and thrive.  
 
Which means we need to rethink how our cities and our infrastructure expand, so we can set aside land for the beautiful creatures that live alongside us. And we also need to do everything within our power to try and help the wildlife that is threatened by years of change and while that seems like too simple a direction to follow, the simple path is often the best one. The bigger conundrum of course is whether or not we can pull together to respect our world in that manner and that sadly, is a discussion for another time. But in the here and the now, the overall structure of Europe shows us that balance is possible and that made this particular chapter in this beautiful documentary a fascinating one for certain. One that took us off guard when humanity popped into the mix and one that showed us how resilient nature really is and it is an episode that imagined some incredible possibilities for the future. And you simply cannot go wrong with a documentary that offers a shred of hope that maybe, we can do right by nature after all. Until next time.

When one takes the time to tune into the majestic series that is CHiPs, there are certain guarantees as to what you’re going to see. Because this is a show that made it inherently clear that it would offer up lighthearted storytelling that would sometimes dip into more dramatic and powerful themes. And of course, it would always offer audiences some thrilling action on the highways surrounding Los Angeles, the kind that would result in some epic stunts from time to time. But while these guarantees/staples of the series are wonderful in their own right, the next episode of the series served as a fine reminder that one particular constant on this series has gone the wayside over the past few seasons.
 
Because it used to be, that Ponch was always getting into trouble with Sergeant Getrear because he always did his own thing and basically threw procedure out of the window. But as time went on that became less and less of an occurrence to the point where no one really noticed that Ponch was an officer of the law who followed the rules to the letter. But after a slight delay, Ponch's break from the hot dog lifestyle finally came to an end. For ‘Ponch’s Angel’s – Part 1’ saw this ‘reformed’ officer break all the rules once again in the midst of a high speed chase involving some crooks who recently busted out of prison and well, this seemed to be the straw that broke the sergeant’s back since Ponch still hadn’t figured out that by the book was the way to go.
 
But rather than scream and yell and threaten over the need to understand policy and procedure, Getrear came up with the finest possible punishment for Officer Frank Poncherello; by making him a teacher. Because in doing that, Ponch would now be forced to quote the rule book and follow it to the letter in order to help nurture a young motorcycle officer along. And of course, Ponch wasn’t cool with this in the slightest, and he was equally as apprehensive over the fact that his trainee, would be a lady. Which would have been a shocking element to introduce into the plot back in 1981, making this episode a bit of a time capsule since this is commonplace in the CHP in this day and age.
 
All of that aside however, this particular plan did work like a charm. Because he was indeed following procedure to a tee, and what made these twists and turns so worth our while, is the sheer fact that his trainee, an officer named Melanie Mitchell, was cut from the same cloth as Ponch. For she believed that she needed to make waves as a new motor officer, and that prompted her to break the rules, disregard procedure, and put herself in harm’s way, all in the hopes of making a name for herself at the CHP. Yet while this particular twist should have received more attention in this tale, this is still 1981, where drama and romance were king. Something that prompted the Writer’s Room to have these two fall in love, leaving us with a bit of a cheesy cliffhanger involving a forbidden smooch.
 
If anything, this is an episode that is teetering on the verge of disappointment. Because the love thing is just silly, and it feels shoehorned into the story and that’s a shame. Because it overshadows the fact that a female officer is finally in the motorcycle division and that’s huge and would have been progressive storytelling at the time, had the show not snuck in the whole; she has a crush on her instructor and vice versa. But it is what it is, and it is reflective of the storytelling of that era. And all we can hope for at this point is that the kiss is viewed as a mistake by both of them in ‘Part 2’ and better writing takes hold. But, it’s best we don’t hold our breath. Because Ponch is the ladies’ man, and she has fallen under his spell, and that likely means this is going all going to be wrapped up in stereotypical and disappointing fashion. Until next time.

It’s no secret that we here at Nerds That Geek are huge fans of the BBC America series, Seven Worlds, One Planet. Because this nature documentary has provided all of us with an insightful look into the vast amounts of wildlife that populate the seven continents of our world, and thus far this series has treated us to some breathtaking and powerful moments. And in anticipation of tomorrow night's brand-new episode, one revolving around how wildlife survives alongside humanity in Europe, we have quite the special treat for all of you.

Because we have the distinct honor of providing you with a sneak peek of tomorrow night’s episode, one that shows us a unique situation for one of the tinier critters that roams about Europe. But before we break into that sneak peek, we’d also like to take a moment and share something interesting about this particular chapter in the documentary, because it features an important first. Per BBC America: 

‘In the Europe episode, camera crews take audiences into the 12,000 limestone caves in Slovenia to capture a rare creature called the olm, which is a blind salamander that inhabit the area and can go without food for nearly a decade. Using drone technology, the film crew was able to get footage from underground inside the caves, which required expertise in freestyle drone flying to navigate the cave’s strong air currents when location accuracy tools didn’t work underground.’

Plus, we also have some fun facts for everyone to enjoy, such as: 

· An olm in Europe can go without a meal for a decade and live for a century.
· Wolves have about 200 million scent cells. Humans have only about five million. 
· A hungry wolf can eat 20 pounds of meat in a single meal, which is akin to a human eating one hundred hamburgers.
· When a European hamster needs to swim it inflates its cheek pouches with air for increased buoyancy.
· Mayflies have been around for some 350 million years.This means that they existed even before the dinosaurs came to existence and they survived the K-T Extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.
· Iberian lynxes have amazing eyesight and can spot a mouse even from a distance of 250 feet.
· Europe is home to around 747 million people.
· Trillions of charged particles react with the Earth’s atmosphere to make the northern lights.
· Over 12,000 caves have been discovered in Slovenia’s Karst region alone.

So, as you can see, this is going to be quite the unique chapter in this magnificent documentary. But we did promise an outright sneak peek. So, without further ado, we present you a clip from Seven Worlds, One Planet – ‘Europe’; one that features a hamster battle.  

'Seven Worlds, One Planet' - 'Europe' airs Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on BBC America, AMC, IFC and Sundance TV.