Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘A Wild Year on Earth’.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, the BBC America documentary, A Wild Year on Earth, has done a phenomenal job of changing our perceptions of what life on our planet, looks like over the course of a single year. Because let’s be honest, we are buried deep within our carefully crafted world, one where we are free from the troubles that wildlife deal with on a consistent basis and that gives us quite the narrow worldview. So, being able to see how things go in the wild over the course of a year has allowed for us to come to understand how nature struggles mightily while we go about our day, and also how we are more connected with nature than we give ourselves credit. 

But while all of this has been downright fascinating and incredible to learn, all good things must come to an end, and our journey around the globe over the course of a year… came to a close by way of last night’s fascinating finale. For ‘Full Circle’, took the time to chronicle what life really looks like on Earth during November and December, and once again, we were able to see the fascinating contrast between man’s world and the natural world. Because normally for us, this time of year is when we tend to reflect upon our own yearly journey and celebrate the gift of life, we’ve been given; with family members by way of big dinners and gift giving. Whereas nature, has other tasks and concerns on its collective mind.

For in the northern hemisphere, the cold has arrived at last and that means that a great deal of animals’ either head into hibernation to wait out the chill or get to work on surviving through the icy winter. Or in the case of some animals, they get ready to enjoy quite the bounty, since they are made to survive in the cold. Take the Eurasian Lynx for instance, a feline that is able to use its giant paws to provide it with stealth and silence when the snow begins to fall, since the unique padding of those paws, allows for it be silent as it moves toward its prey. And of course, there are the grey wolves of Yellowstone, that have wonderful coats to keep them warm, and large packs to help them hunt, giving them quite the advantage at a time when the elements make survival a genuine struggle. 

However, there was mention of this episode providing us with great contrast. A feat that was accomplished by way of showing us what the rest of the world looks like during November and December. Since those of us in the northern hemisphere only know the cold. But, in the southern hemisphere, spring has finally sprung and that change in temperature signals to so many animals, to bring new life into the world. Which is why the crabs of Christmas Island begin a mass migration to the beaches, so they fulfill that deep rooted call to keep their species going and they’re not the only aquatic being that is eager to breed during this time of year. For the Great Barrier Reef is host to the biggest mating ritual on the planet as it prepares to circle the sun once again.

If anything, this was the perfect way to bring this series to a close. In part because this finale lives up to its namesake, by mirroring some of what the series premiere brought to the table. But more so because this episode did a phenomenal job of bringing this journey to its end in a thoughtful and humbling manner. Since this finale made it clear that we live in a world that is constantly in motion and fighting for survival and that we are lucky beings indeed since we are free from those troubles. To the point where we can observe it safely through a television screen. And that really does put a lot of our daily struggles in perspective and it definitely reminds the viewer to appreciate and cherish the gift of life that we've been given and to perhaps do a better job of protecting this precious world... so that the yearly traditions that take place for all... can continue without interruption. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘For All Mankind’.
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Each and every one of us out there, have some kind of dream job/career in mind. One that we chase with impunity whenever the opportunity arises to go after it, simply because we know this particular gig is going to do a great deal for us. Such as the fact that it will give us purpose and direction and also great peace in our souls. Because we will finally do what we love and find joy in our work every single day and that’s why you never see someone leave their dream gig when they finally find it. Because this really is exactly where they want to be, and they could not be happier. But while that is a wonderful thought and a wonderful goal to push for… there is one scary possibility when it comes to our dream job that we don’t talk about or think about enough. In that, what exactly do we do, if by chance we achieve it, and have it taken away from us? Because that is a real possibility and at no point are we prepared to see what we love, disappear before our eyes and that could have an incredibly devastating impact upon us.

If anything, this particular fear is top of mind today, simply because the next episode of For All Mankind, took the time to examine this unfortunate possibly in a direct and dynamic manner. For ‘The Bleeding Edge’ focused heavily on several characters that were struggling with the swift end of their careers as astronauts, and that allowed for us to see exactly how being removed from something that you truly love could in fact, rattle a person and haunt them in ways they never thought possible, and it handled this exploration by way of two key characters: Danielle and Gordo. Because Danielle's journey helped us to learn that being forced away from the dream, can lead a person to believe that they have unfinished business and that if they don’t complete it, there will be a hollow feeling that will forever hang over their souls. Since she did outright express that leaving the program was a mistake and that she needed to return to it to finish what she started, since she went through so much to earn a seat at Jamestown

​But while Danielle was quick to admit the impact the end of her space career had upon her; Gordo wasn’t so quick to be open about how his grounding impacted his soul. But the fact of the matter is, leaving the program over the fact that he went through a side effect of space travel that no one could have anticipated, broke him through and through. Plus it brought forth all kinds of feelings of inadequacy and helped to instill in him a firm belief that he was an outright failure in life and that undoubtedly put him on the off kilter path that he's walking right now, and it really was fascinating to learn how being pulled away from the one thing you love could ruin a person in such a heartbreaking manner. But rather than just focus on the terrifyingly negative aspect of being forced to step away from what we love, this story took the opportunity to offer up a bold message in regard to what we should do if we find ourselves in that situation.

In that, we shouldn't give up and accept it as the end, and that means we should take some time to process what happened and then go after our dream again and exhaust every avenue to get there so we can finish what we started and get what we want, and that message came about in bold fashion… by way of Ed’s decision to send both Danielle and Gordo back to Jamestown. So that they both could complete their careers as astronauts on a high note and find the closure and peace they need. Which is something that put Danielle on cloud nine since she was ready and able to get back into space. As for Gordo, well, this surprise definitely sent fear surging through his veins. Because he is so far inside his head and so buried in the belief that he is a failure for what happened ages ago, that he’s not sure he can reclaim the guts he needs to return to outer space. And he will undoubtedly need every ounce of support that he can get from his best friend, in order to return to the moon and find what he believes he left behind on its barren surface. 
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Yet while all of that made for compelling television, we would be remiss to not point out that this story also took the time to tie Molly Cobb’s plight loosely into this thematic exploration. Since she was grounded for six months to a year as a precautionary health measure for the radiation she absorbed and that too has left her listless and confused since she really did use the wonder of space to find calm in her soul. But she is also rattled, because she might be facing the end of her career and her life, since she was exposed to so much solar radiation, and she will have to reconcile all of that in the coming weeks and well, in the end, this was nothing more than a fascinating character study. One that did an amazing job of diving into how hard it is to overcome our fears when they become a reality and truly everything introduced here is going to make the wait for next week's tale quite difficult. Since we are all eager to learn more about Molly's fate and to see if Gordo will finally make great strides toward the redemption he is desperate to find.

‘For All Mankind’ is streaming now on AppleTV+.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘WandaVision’.
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If there is one thing that everyone can agree upon, it would have to be that the Marvel Cinematic Universe does indeed follow a fairly baseline formula. One where the hero of the story, goes through some life changing hardships and experiences, and comes out of them stronger and for the better. All so that they can rise up and save the day from some kind of powerful evil and well, this is definitely a formula that everyone enjoys. Since it has provided depth and meaning to everything our favorite Marvel heroes have done on the silver screen and of course, it has also led to some supremely satisfying and epic battles between good and evil and for a time… it seemed as though WandaVision was going to follow this similar formula.
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After all, Wanda Maximoff was clearly going through her own personal hardships, after the events of Endgame, and apparently being manipulated by someone to bring Westview and her own show to life. Which meant that it was only a matter of time before Wanda snapped out of this awful trance and realized that her memories and pain only made her stronger and that she could no longer let one Agatha Harkness continue to manipulate her any further, allowing for that grand showdown to take place. But after this week’s episode, it is becoming inherently clear that this tried-and-true formula is not going to be making an appearance in the fabric of this particular story. Because ‘Previously On’ is an episode that revealed to the audience, that this story is nothing more than a sorrowful journey for a valued member of the Avengers.

Because in this particular tale, Agatha didn’t make any demands of Wanda or fire off some grand speech about taking over the world with magic. No instead, she simply wanted answers as to how Westview was created by Wanda’s power, a request that immediately removed Agatha from the running as the show’s overreaching villain. And that surprise twist allowed for us to learn a lot about Wanda’s past and how trauma and pain are something she has never really dealt with. Because the fact that she had to switch to survival mode when her parents passed, taught her that buckling down and forging ahead and burying that pain was the right way to handle trauma and loss. And if by chance that pain was bothering her, settling in with an escape, such as sitcoms, would also ease her aching soul and she carried that strategy with her for quite some time.

For she used it to deal with the hard times she experienced in Hydra’s care and after Peitro died and really, the only time she ever thought about the possibility of feeling something more in life than numbness, was the moment she realized she loved dear Vision. And their wonderful time together truly did give her hope and wonder for the first time in her life. All of which was robbed from her as well, thanks to Thanos, and to complicate matters further… the pain of that horrendous moment was only further enhanced by the indignity and indifference that S.W.O.R.D. exhibited in regard to Vision’s body. But even after seeing his remains in such a compromised and disrespectful position, she still tried to push ahead and not let emotion take over. A feat she was able to accomplish for only a little while longer.
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Because a trip to Westview, one that helped her to see what Vision had planned for their future, finally broke Wanda Maximoff, and motivated her to create the Hex and a safe place and that in essence makes her the ‘big bad’ of this tale since it is inherently clear now, that there is no one above her pulling the strings. No instead, this whole mess exists because of Wanda’s strong desire to not feel pain ever again and to find the happily ever after she has been craving for as long as she can remember and that makes this story, officially a grand tragedy. One that sees a hero fall because of unresolved pain and severe trauma and that is incredible when all is said and done. Because that makes this story one of the most relatable superhero tales out there, since we have or will experience strife and struggle when the power of trauma and loss and grief, finds its way into our hearts.

But while we now have a clear understanding of what happened in this story, there is still one question that remains. In that, where does Wanda go from here? Because now she is fully aware of what she’s done and why she’s done it and that does put her at a crossroads. Where she can either choose to stay in this unsustainable world or she can finally face her pain and perhaps try and learn how to use her incredible powers in a new and helpful manner. Which is a mystery that will likely be resolved in next week’s finale, when Wanda undoubtedly will have to face her past once again by way of the White Vision that Hayward has to brought to life. But while we eagerly await to see how this incredible story comes to a close, we can bask in the majesty of one powerful tale. One that let Elizabeth Olsen utterly shine as an actor and one that offered up what could be considered to be the most tragic and human origin story for a superhero… in the history of the genre.

When we think of love stories, some sappy concepts come to mind and understandably so. After all, tales of romance are designed to bring us joy since they represent one of the most wondrous aspects of the human condition. But while it is always nice to partake in a movie or a book or a show where love springs eternal and nothing can divide two dedicated lovebirds, we all know deep down that these stories simply aren’t that realistic. Because in everyday relationships, there are mundane days where laundry and dinner plans are the biggest challenges a couple will face. Or there is simply peace and quiet and contentment because some couples don’t fight and work out their worries and concerns in a mature manner. 
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Plus, what romantic stories don’t cover enough, is the sheer fact that sometimes love affairs are quite toxic in nature. Because for some odd reason we find ourselves attracted to people that are our polar opposites or are bad for us, and the draw and the connection we share keeps us around them, regardless of their toxicity. To the point where the only way we can be free of them is to have a good friend point out the harsh truth about our beloved and really, this is worth discussing today, because all of these elements of romance made their way into the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. For ‘Qpid’ saw the return of Vash, since she came aboard the Enterprise for an archeological conference and while that allowed for Captain Picard to rekindle his romance with her, he also came to learn a lot about how unhealthy his relationship with her, actually is.

Because it turns out they are polar opposites, the kind that actually grate against one another. As evidenced by how Vash was eager to make her love affair with Jean-Luc as public as possible amongst the crew. An act that more or less embarrassed Picard since his views about duty and life aboard a starship completely conflict with Vash’s. And of course, one cannot forget that Vash is a thief, and came to this conference in the hopes of getting access to a restricted archeological site in order to rob it blind. Which is also the opposite of everything that Captain Jean-Luc Picard stands for. But despite learning these facts, Picard did his best to hold to this love, because he was blinded by her charms and the joy, she brought him on a consistent basis, and that’s where the good friend aspect of this tale comes into play.

For Q also returned in this story to try and pay his debt back to Picard for saving his life in ‘Deja Q’ and well, after seeing how Vash and Picard interact, he decides that Jean-Luc needs to see the unhealthy nature of this love and allows for that happen… by plunging the crew and Vash into a Robin Hood style fantasy where Picard must save his love. And doing so teaches him the lesson inherent, and it also allows for Picard to have an amicable split from Vash so she can go off with Q and find herself and a better path and well, all of these elements make this a satisfying story in the end. One that does a great job of exploring the nature of how toxic relationships stick around and how wonderful it is to have people in your life that are willing to tell you the truth and it is equally as incredible… that Q is the one to do that for Jean-Luc. Which makes this episode an important milestone in their relationship since Q goes from antagonizer to sympathizer and friend, and of course… his return also makes this story a true delight.

Because the entire segment in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle is nothing short of hilarious, since we get to see a balding Friar Tuck Data, one that takes an arrow in the chest from Counselor Troi. Plus, we are treated to a lute playing LaForge and well, let’s be honest… Worf wins this entire segment by bashing said lute and by uttering the finest line in this particular tale: “I protest! I am NOT a ‘Merry Man’!” But all of that aside, this really is a lighthearted and intimate affair, one that tackles another unique aspect of the human condition and it grows Captain Picard as well since now he has a better idea of what to look for in love and of course, it has Q and that’s always a treat and this is one that honestly, might need a third viewing. To ensure that this reviewer didn’t miss any gags during that incredible Robin Hood sequence. Until next time.

Fitting in is something that is supremely important to every human being out there, and understandably so. Because humans need to feel some kind of connection and some sense of belonging, and when we find that with a particular group of people, it gives our souls and minds incredible peace and security. Because at long last, we have a proverbial home and people that see us for us and most of us, find that particular need with ease. But for some folks, it is a little tougher to find that peace, since they don’t quite fit in with the usual societal norms. Which is why understanding, and care and inclusiveness is key to making sure that everyone feels as though they belong and even then… sometimes a little extra care is necessary for those that are considered to be outsiders.

Simply because, from time to time, the insecurities and loneliness linger for those that were once ostracized. To the point where they struggle to accept the fact that they’ve finally found people that see them for them. And that can lead to a touch of regression or an outright need for reassurance if they’re struggling to feel secure and really, this interesting aspect of the human condition is top of mind today, simply because it serves as the focus of the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. For ‘The Nth Degree’ takes the time to catch up with Lieutenant Reginald Barclay, who we first met in the season three episode: ‘Hollow Pursuits’. And when we find Mister Barclay here, he’s definitely experiencing a touch of imposter’s syndrome when it comes to his place aboard the Enterprise.

Because despite the progress he’s made and the friendships that are now part of his everyday life, he still feels as though he just doesn’t fit in and that he can be better and do more to be a regular member of the crew, despite the fact that Troi and Geordi and everyone from the bridge crew assures him that he is fine the way he is and that he is welcome in their world. But sadly, their words fall on closed off ears since Barclay holds true to his beliefs and oddly… gets the opportunity to put those beliefs to the test. For a wild encounter with a probe, somehow ups his IQ to levels that are off the charts, giving him an ego boost and a drive to push himself to the limit and prove to the crew how wonderful he is and how much he belongs, now that he has the know how to solve the ship’s problems in record time and the intelligence to do something quite daring and dangerous.

For a moment of trouble motivates him to create a neural interface with the ship’s computer, so that he can handle a problem faster than fingers can type. A move that puts his mortality at risk for a brief moment before it is discovered that this was all part of a plan to meet a new species that explores the galaxy in a unique manner. But what matters more about Barclay's wild journey, is that once that encounter has come to a close and Reg is back to being the same guy he's always been, he is able to objectively see that he is still loved by his new surrogate family, and that he doesn't need to be anything more than he already is and that is a wonderful message to send to the audience. One that definitely reminds us to be objective when our mind fires up some insecure noise so that we can continue to enjoy the good feelings that come with finally knowing that we fit in, and are right where we belong.

If anything, that makes this episode a feel-good tale for certain, since it really is filled to the brim with subtle positivity and some cool science fiction moments as well. Since it is quite amazing to see Lieutenant Barclay transform before our eyes and become talented at... everything... because of the gift the probe gives him, and this transformation works simply because Dwight Schultz is a super talented actor and is allowed to shine in this particular tale. And really in the end, this is just good old fashioned, classic Next Generation when all is said and done. Since it examines the human condition in a positive light and offers up some uplifting commentary and it would seem the show is going to go on a lighthearted kick after exploring some heavier material, and there is nothing wrong with that. Especially when one considers that the next chapter in this storied saga, focuses on love… in the key of Q. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Clarice’.
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When we last settled in to discuss the new CBS crime serial series, Clarice, we talked at length about several glaring issues hanging over the pilot episode. In that, said series premiere, rushed a golden opportunity to provide its audience with a powerful tale. One that would have properly put the struggle with PTSD on display by having Special Agent Clarice Starling begin the long road back to healing from it. But instead, that pilot opted to use it as a gimmick and a gateway to offer up excessive fan service set to the tune of ‘Goodbye Horses’, allowing for an uneven story to take place. One that was clearly fighting its own brilliance for the sake of playing it safe, leaving one to wonder if this particular problem would continue along as the series continued or if it was nothing more than opening chapter jitters.
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Well thankfully, the next episode in this new series, wasted zero time in informing us of the fact that the rushed and chaotic nature of ‘The Silence Is Over’ was nothing more than an aberration. For ‘Ghosts of Highway 20’ figured out how to properly explore the power of PTSD in a supremely dynamic and unique manner. A feat that this story accomplished by putting Clarice in some tough spots. Such as having her face expulsion from ViCAP for going rogue in the prior tale and by putting her smack dab in the middle of another triggering case. One that involved her and the team facing off against a paramilitary group known as The Statesmen, and their enigmatic and downright insane leader, who immediately took a shine to Agent Starling.   

After all, she just so happened to be the face of the FBI and he opted to speak with her and only her and that led to quite the poignant moment for Clarice. Because being in a room with a man that reminded her of all of the bad parts of her childhood, immediately triggered old emotions and sour memories and left her a shell of herself and at quite the crossroads mentally. Because Krendler was right, her PTSD was compromising her as an agent she could either accept reassignment back to Behavioral Sciences once this mess came to an end or figure out a way to deal with her PTSD in the here and the now and learn to live with it at work while she healed from it at home, so that she could keep a brilliant career going and thankfully… she chose the latter and opted to add a twist to that decision.

In that, if she wasn’t going to heal from her PTSD right away, then she had to figure out how to use it to her advantage. Which sounds like quite the wild concept since that isn’t something that is commonly associated with a healthy way back from such an affliction, but the story did offer up quite the unique path forward for this notion. Because Clarice quickly figured out that she could face this enigmatic leader in a manner that would allow for her to resolve her demons from the past, and if she could in fact, help innocent people while facing her trauma… then perhaps she could begin to heal all of it bit by bit and well… her plan worked, believe it or not. 
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Because when given the opportunity to stand toe to toe with this monster, she harnessed every sour memory from her youth and used it to gain his trust before breaking him down and forcing him to make the kind of mistake that would bring justice about for the women he abused in this complex. And of course, by setting those women free and by exposing a crooked sheriff in the process, she did some solid good in the world for a change, and it was her pain that served as the catalyst for that and that did offer some healing. The kind that allowed for us to see Clarice Starling at peace for the first time in well… ever and that twist, also signaled the fact that this series can be more and do more storytelling wise. 

Because this episode really did offer up a fascinating tale, one that truly examined a different angle for a character struggling to resolve their PTSD related pain. And while some may lament the fact that Clarice is powering through it and being tough about it, rather than going through proper treatment, let’s not forget this is set in 1993. An era when receiving proper care for one’s mental health was viewed as a sign of weakness. Which means that even having her deal with it in the first place, in any manner, is a huge deal, one that speaks to the strength of the character and this should provide us with more powerful stories in the weeks to come as we watch Special Agent Clarice Starling, use the wonder of good deeds to stitch her ailing soul, back together. Until next time.

Something that is truly incredible about the human condition, is the amount of control that most of us have over well… just about everything. Because the vast majority of us, are able to decide when we want to eat or sleep, or what kind of career we want to take part in and what kind of life we want to lead. Plus, that same majority, is able to control their body and mind with minimal fuss and that kind of freedom is quite empowering for certain, since it really does make us masters and commanders of our bodies and lives. But you likely noted that the word ‘majority’ was used in regard to those kinds of freedoms and there is good reason for that.

Because some folks don’t have full control of those elements unfortunately, for a bevy of reasons, which gives those individuals a unique and powerful perspective on life. Plus, the harsh reality of being a human, is that those kinds of freedoms don’t always last. For a poor decision can end our freedom and genetics can end the control we have over our bodies and well, losing all that control is something we definitely fear since we become so accustomed to having it. In fact, we fear it so much, that our imagination sometimes ponders upon what it would be like to see those kinds of changes come to fruition and how we might respond to them. But thankfully, stories and testimonials can give us safe perspective and advice on these matters and it just so happens that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, takes the time to examine how to handle this fear in a fascinating manner. 

For ‘Identity Crisis’ sees Lieutenant Commander Geordi LaForge receive some unsettling news. In that, the vast majority of his shipmates from the U.S.S. Victory, his last assignment prior to the Enterprise, have gone missing on a ghost world known as Tarchannen III. Which is a place that Geordi and those very shipmates once visited to investigate why an outpost there went silent and empty seemingly overnight, and well, with the help of the only other surviving away team member from what appears to be a doomed expedition, the horrifying truth is uncovered. In that, Geordi and everyone that beamed down on that fateful day, was infected with some kind of parasite that is slowly rewriting everyone’s DNA and calling them back home to Tarchannen III. Which gives Geordi precious little time to figure out a cure for this infection.

But rather than cower in fear or panic, as he watches his former shipmate begin to transform into something quite inhuman, Geordi opts to do whatever he can to fix his condition, even going so far to use the holodeck to expose what infected him in an effort to narrow down the cure. But alas, his desire to find answers comes to a quick end, when the parasite goes into overdrive and begins to make rapid changes to his body. And if it wasn’t for Beverly’s skilled hands as a surgeon, and the help of his old friend, there was a chance that Geordi could have been lost forever and living a new life as a new species and well, that little twist really did make for some fascinating and poignant moments for certain. Since Geordi and his buddy were able to remember every feeling and emotion from their brief time as the true natives of Tarchannen III.
 
If anything, it is safe to say that the commentary present in this story is incredibly mature. Because living in the now and taking each day as they come is sometimes all we can do, especially if some of the control we exert, fades away from our lives. But while that was intelligent and wise, we would be remiss to not talk about the fact that the story in and of itself is also quite compelling. Because this episode does a wonderful job of building up the mystery surrounding this strange condition and this strange world, and it even creeps the viewer out… courtesy of the strange physical changes that Geordi and his friend go through and really in the end, this was one quality tale. One that featured some solid science and a compelling story, that really does give the viewer pause in regard to one of our greatest fears. Until next time.

At some point or another during our lives, we will be hurt badly by someone that we genuinely trust… and that is going to leave us in quite the difficult place, emotionally and mentally. Because trust is something that means a lot to us, and to have it broken in any form or fashion, is a violation of sorts. That kind that truly shatters us and leaves us hurting in a manner we never thought possible. To the point where the only safe thing to do, is to close off our hearts and our souls to others and lick our wounds and keep those walls up. So that when we finally do move on, we don’t get hurt again. But while that definitely helps us in the moment, that is of course… an unsustainable path to living life.
 
Because eventually, we will meet people that trust us and want to be close to us, and we have to figure out how to lower those walls and trust, and yes... risk being hurt once more, and that is truly no easy task. For the walls we put up, are thick for certain and it takes something big to remove them from the equation and well, all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because this particular problem serves as the foundation for the next episode of Almost Paradise. Because ‘Rise of the Kalangay’ makes it clear that both Ernesto and Kai want to trust Alex completely and have him reciprocate in kind and well, he’s simply not willing to do that early on in this tale, because of what happened to him in the DEA and because he thinks the current arrangement is perfect as is.
 
Which in turn allows for this tale to explore, what motivates a person to lower their walls and trust again and well, that made the rewatch of this episode quite the pleasant surprise. Because initially, it really did feel as though it was a story revolving around Alex coming into his own as a mentor, and it does have feature that element. But as you watch this story unfold and see Alex terrified of the fact that his closed-off nature is beginning to push Kai away from him as a friend, you start to see that this episode features some incredible depth for certain. And it really is quite bold and powerful of this crime story to point out the fact that closing ourselves off to others, can create problems and that while it is scary to open up after we’ve been hurt, we have to do it… in order to keep those new and often better people in our lives.
 
Something that Alex does do as the episode rolls along, since he is willing to inform Ernesto of how scrambled he is emotionally after everything’s that happened and of course… by slowly showing Kai that he cares about her well-being and her future. An act that comes to a head in the finale, when Alex finally lowers his guard and opens up to Kai in a powerful and beautiful manner, and uses his pain and experiences to show her that there is a better way in a bad situation and well, that act makes this one complete and satisfying tale. One that shows us that the way back from the pain of betrayal, often involves surrounding ourselves with better human beings that will reciprocate and nurture our trust, instead of using it or violating it.
 
Plus, it is also quite incredible that this story offers healing advice to the audience. Since that is unheard of when it comes to crime shows… but it’s there and it is it simply magical to find within the framework of this show, and it also takes the time to grow this universe as well. Since we finally get to learn more about Kai and what makes her tick and what drives her moral center, and it is wonderful to see her grow before our eyes in this tale, and see this team finally come together in a dynamic and wholesome manner. And it just goes to show that once again, Almost Paradise is a crime show unlike any other in the genre and it really is wonderful that a rewatch is revealing all of its incredible layers and truly, it will be fascinating to see what other subtext awaits us as we close in on the season one finale. Until next time.
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​‘Almost Paradise’ is available to stream for free (with ads), right now, on IMDbTV.

Something that is truly fascinating about Star Trek: The Original Series, is how the show genuinely tried hard to integrate elements of horror into its storytelling from time to time. By offering up tales that revolved around the supernatural, just to see if by chance, horror and wholesome science fiction could properly co-exist on the small screen and this is an experiment that quite frankly, ended in disaster. For the episodes that did try this, ended up being quite cheesy in nature since the supernatural just didn’t mix with fact-based science fiction in the slightest and thankfully, these awful attempts at hybrid storytelling were abandoned by Star Trek, well before its cancellation came about.

But that certainly didn’t stop that incredibly unique notion from disappearing from the fabric of the franchise, as evidenced by some of the stories that popped up in Star Trek: The Next Generation from time to time. For the writers of The Next Generation, really wanted to know if such a feat was possible and well, it just so happens that they eventually figured out the proper formula to make this hybrid style of storytelling, work. And it turns out that the trick to making this palatable, was to no longer shoehorn horror into a story and hope for the best, and instead ground the scares in solid science. So that a sense of realism would allow for something compelling and chilling to come to life, and the next episode of this storied and wonderful franchise, served as the perfect moment to trot this new and improved formula out to the masses. 

For ‘Night Terrors’ saw the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise be the ship to locate a missing science vessel named the U.S.S. Brattain and well, its discovery posed quite the mystery for Picard and his crew. In that, everyone aboard the Brattain, save for a Betazoid passenger, was dead, and those that died… died terribly. In fact, it appeared as though the crew outright murdered one another for reasons unknown. But before Picard's crew could figure out what went wrong, strange occurrences and behaviors begin to manifest aboard the 1701-D, the kind that resembled what happened aboard the Brattain. And to make matters worse, the ship was no longer able to move. Which motivated Data and Troi to work hard to finally discover that this whole mess was related to the fact that another ship was trapped alongside them and its crew was using sleep disruption to try and garner attention to their plight and to offer up a solution to this mess. One that Data and Troi made use of to save both crews.

But while that plot seems pretty straight forward and by the Trek numbers… it is the details that make this quite the fascinating horror hybrid. For the presentation of burned bodies and violently murdered Starfleet officers definitely jars the viewer and makes them uncomfortable. As do the sleep deprived hallucinations that the crew experiences. For those prey upon our most primal fears, such as our collective fear of the unknown or the ones that involve gross creepy crawlies. But of all the scares in this particular tale, the one that truly stands out and makes hair stand on end, is the one involving Doctor Beverly Crusher. Because having her be surrounded by corpses that suddenly sit up really is some top-notch horror for certain and the show deserves serious credit for making this type of hybrid palatable.

For the science really does make this work and it really does make for a compelling tale, since you are immediately sucked into the surprise of watching a spooky TNG episode and you're quickly eager to see where it is going to take you next. But while it is refreshing to finally see Trek figure out how to bridge the gap between two storied and iconic genres, this is a type of story, that isn't for everyone. Because a hardcore Sci-Fi fan has no desire to see these two genres mix, and that is likely why this story is reviled to this day, by a great many fans. But while they lament this particular storytelling move, this reviewer outright praises it. Because this decision genuinely made Star Trek accessible to fans from every genre, and that really is a wonderful thing. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 306 of ‘American Gods’.

It is definitely safe to say that season three of the STARZ series, American Gods, has been quite the unique venture. For this year’s adventures through the world of the Gods has offered up some surprisingly intimate stories, the kind that feel supremely familiar as the Gods work to deal with some of the heartache and roadblocks that mankind deal with on a regular basis. But while this has made for some compelling and unique storytelling, the ‘why’ behind this fascinating paradigm shift in the structure of the series has yet to make itself apparent to the audience. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means, since these tales do indeed draw you in, but it would be nice to get some inkling as to where this is all headed. 

If anything, this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because… the next episode in this story, kept that mystery going by once again offering up an episode that examined more fascinating aspects about the human condition. For ‘Conscience of the King’ took the time to ponder upon how the past can come back to haunt us, while also exploring how second chances can go sour when we don’t let go of what prompted the need for a fresh start to begin with; alongside a storyline that explored how important it is to have closure in life in order to move on. And it accomplished these grand explorations, by way of three key plot lines involving Shadow, Laura and of course… the infamous Mister Wednesday and well, it’s best we start with Shadow’s storyline, since it offered up the simplest exploration of all. 

Because in this particular tale, everything that Shadow was running from found its way to Lakeside. Since Laura dropped by in a desperate attempt to get him to reveal Wednesday’s location, which he wasn’t willing to do and… it also turns out that Marguerite’s sister is someone that Shadow already knows. Because an invitation to dinner, allowed for Mister Moon and Sam Black Crow to reunite and kinda, sorta catchup and of course… this little twist, put Shadow’s cover story at risk. But thankfully, Sam made a point to keep his real identity a secret and while this didn’t end in disaster, the lesson inherent was quite clear. In that, the past will always find new ways to haunt us and come back around until we finally deal with it, and it will be interesting to see when Shadow will finally opt to do just that.

As for Laura’s journey… well that handled the whole matter revolving around how one can waste a second chance. Something that was hammered home by Shadow himself. Because he was quick to point out to her that she’d been to the void and beyond and made it back to Earth in one piece and had the opportunity now, to do whatever she wanted in life, so why focus this second chance on exacting revenge upon a God? Words that were wise but fell upon closed off ears since she was hellbent on executing her plan. If anything, all of this boils down to the fact that while Laura has indeed made peace with her past, she has yet to understand that blaming others for one’s hardships doesn’t exactly heal one’s soul and that it can in fact, muck up a second chance when that fury is pointed in the wrong direction. And it should be equally as interesting to see if Laura can come to that particular epiphany or if she will let the cycle continue.

But while it was fascinating to see Shadow and Laura get some fine schooling in regard to this wild journey known as life, it was Mister Wednesday and Demeter that examined our final lesson of the night. Because we came to learn in this tale, what it was that ruined their relationship, and it turns out that the loss of a child and Wednesday’s decision to choose war and glory over compassion… drove Demeter away. And that realization motivated Odin to finally apologize properly and help his love to understand that he did care and felt similar pain over losing someone so important to the both of them. Which was everything that Demeter needed to hear and that motivated her to finally forgive Wednesday and make peace with her journey, which in turn allowed for her to simply move on from this plane of existence. A decision that was hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking for certain, and this plot line deserves some serious credit for finally showing us a side to the God of War that we’ve not seen to date. Since it helps us to understand that he does have a heart, and that perhaps there is hope for Wednesday after all. 

However, while this episode offered up a great deal of life lessons and everyday moments that Gods and mankind share alike, it did take the time to push the plot along in the background as well. After all, Shadow is continuing to discover that Lakeside is not what it seems, and that Derek is the undergarment thief in this town… and it was also heavily insinuated that Marguerite’s son might have fallen victim to the same invisible force as dear Alison. Plus, Mister World (played brilliantly by Danny Trejo in this tale) put in motion an attempt to forge a shaky alliance with Laura Moon in the hopes of bringing down Wednesday, and he even revealed he may be taking orders from a higher power and well… all of these little surprises definitely motivate one to continue this unique journey. So, that we can see where this plot is headed, when it is finally ready to reveal is secrets. Until next time.