If there is one unfortunate truth about television shows that fans don’t enjoy facing in the slightest, it would have to be, that keeping a cast together for years on end simply isn’t possible. Because actors are human beings, and they like to be challenged creatively in their careers like the rest of us, and that means that from time to time, they will exit a particular show in the hopes of finding the creative fulfillment they so seek. Which is of course, tough for the fans since they have to sit through a farewell episode for the character in question and sadly, this is something that happened in season four of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Because after years of flying the NCC-1701-D through the stars, Wil Wheaton decided the time had come to hang up Wesley Crusher’s ensign uniform and go do his own thing as an actor. Which is a respectable reason for certain, since he was eighteen at the time and undoubtedly ready to take on the world and his career, just like the rest of us are at that age. But it takes age and wisdom to properly understand the gravity of his decision. Because back in the day, when a majority of us were kids that looked up to Wil, this was a devastating decision for certain. Because our hero, the man that was a big nerd like us and inspired us to embrace who we are, was leaving the show and that made ‘Final Mission’ tough to sit through the first time around.

Thankfully though, enough time has passed between viewings of this episode, to properly appreciate what this story brings to the table and upon further review, this is actually quite the stellar sendoff for Wesley Crusher… for several reasons. Such as the fact that it finally gives young Mister Crusher exactly what he’s been working toward, admission into Starfleet Academy. A move that not only allows for the character to grow, but it keeps the door open for his return, easing the pain of his exit. Plus, this is a story that also isn’t all that sentimental. Sure, Wesley is leaving. But we don’t spend the entire hour hearing from the entire crew, about how much they’re going to miss him, and that matters because it means the story is acknowledging the fact that everyone knew this day was coming and they’ve said their piece in advance and there is something quite adult and refined about that storytelling choice.

But what truly makes Wesley’s exit from the series so supremely worth our while, is the sheer fact that he goes out, as a hero. Because once his final mission gets complicated and dangerous, and the goofball he and the captain are traveling with, seals his own horrific fate, it’s up to Wesley to save the day. And that's huge, simply because being a brave and bold Starfleet officer was his goal in life at this particular point in time and he succeeds at that in an epic manner. For he uses his wits and his training and outright ingenuity, to conquer his own personal Kobayashi Maru and save the man that he admires most; Jean-Luc Picard. If anything, it doesn’t get more fulfilling that that when it comes to a farewell and it really was quite lovely to see TNG send off this character in a proper manner, regardless of the fascinating twist his journey took at the end of the series.

However, we will discuss that another time. Because in the here and the now, we have a solid farewell to celebrate. One that really did let Wil Wheaton shine as an actor one more time before he headed off to enjoy new horizons and what’s truly impressive, is that the rest of this episode was actually quite intense in nature as well. Because the crisis that kept the crew of the Enterprise from joining the search for Wesley and Picard was pretty darn epic in its own right. Which makes this one engrossing and quality tale for certain. One that informed the audience of the fact that the series had outgrown its earlier mistakes when it comes to bidding farewell to series regulars. Since it offered up a wonderful and heartwarming goodbye for a cast member that wanted to move on, instead of outright killing their character off. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘The Watch’.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, the BBC America series, The Watch, has managed to establish itself as one of the most philosophical fantasy shows out there. Simply because week in and week out, this series keeps finding new ways to ponder upon the nature of the human condition and what makes it so special and so wonderful. Which has made for some fascinating episodes. The kind that have pondered upon everything from the power of trauma and loss, to what it means to love and embrace exactly who you are. And while it has been lovely to see a show where goblins walk the earth; take the time to ponder upon such powerful notions… the fact that the season finale draws near, does leave one to wonder if such explorations are sustainable with so much on the line.
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After all, both Carcer Dun and the officers of the Watch are inching closer to finding the final artifact. Meaning that a grand showdown awaits, the kind where plot and resolution could take precedence above all else. But as it turns out, this show isn’t good with abandoning its exploration of the human condition and what makes us tick and it figured out a way to slip such matters into season one’s penultimate episode. For ‘Nowhere in the Multiverse’ featured a subtle and fascinating examination of the importance of the choices that we make in life and how they can lead us down incredible and sorrowful paths, depending on the decisions we make. And it accomplished this particular feat, by having Carcer and Wonce, execute their plan to put Lady Ramkin in harm’s way by swapping good Vimes for an evil Vimes and well, it didn’t take long for both men to realize how the choices they’ve made have impacted their lives in an incredible manner.

Take evil Sam Vimes for instance. For while he was eager to celebrate his newfound freedom and follow Carcer’s instructions to a tee to continue to enjoy said freedom, he was quite shocked by seeing what kind of life his counterpart was leading. For the Vimes he was filling in for was truly blessed by comparison, and that took him off guard and helped him to understand that he’d made a lot of rough choices in his corner of the multiverse. The kind that led him to twenty years of imprisonment and left him feeling hollow. And he also came to realize that maybe, if he did something good for a change, that a path to a genuinely better life and future would become apparent to him, and that’s why he opted to ignore Carcer’s demands that he put Lady Ramkin down, in a subtle effort to change his sorted life at last. 

As for the Vimes we know, well after dealing with a bout of confusion in regard to his new surroundings in prison, he quickly made efforts to try and get back home post haste, with mixed results of course. Because being locked up in an airtight prison where the woman he loves is in charge, made escape pretty darn impossible. But what his time in the clink did make possible, was to provide a Vimes with time to reflect upon his journey and reaffirm the fact that he’s made the right call decision wise time and time again. And while at times it hasn’t quite seemed that way, choosing the right path has in fact, given him more than expected since he has friends/coworkers that respect him and care about him and his choices have also given him a chance at love and happiness, and all of those epiphanies gave Vimes a sense of peace we’ve never seen him enjoy before, the instant he finally returned home. 
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Yet while it was cool to experience a subtle exploration on the choices we make, this particular episode had some other treats in store for us. Such as a touch of comedy involving Death when Cheery, Carrot and Angua found themselves face to face with the end, when they were locked up behind bars by the alternate Vimes. And really, who knew that Death loved making music in such an epic manner? Plus, this episode did a fine job of moving the plot along as well, since we came to learn that the third artifact wasn’t a person in a slightest, but Captain Vimes’ badge. For it still had the remnant of royal blood in the spot where Carcer shot true all those years ago and sadly, he and Wonce now have it in their possession, which sets the stage for an epic season finale, one where the Watch will have to go above and beyond to save Ankh-Morpork. 

But while we wait to see how on earth that is going to happen, and how their actions will inspire the people of this good and troubled city, we can take a moment to reflect on one delightful tale. One that did a phenomenal job of making us laugh, whilst giving us plenty to chew upon. For it is rare to see a fantasy story take the time to remind us to make the best choices we can in whatever situation we’re facing, and to course correct and make the right call if we goof at first. Which really is an inspiring and hopeful message to inject into a fantasy tale and truly, it should be interesting to see what kinds of messages and commentary the season one finale of this series is going to send our way. Because clearly, this show wants to teach us something powerful with every story it tells and an epic showdown between Captain Sam Vimes of the Watch and the enigmatic Carcer Dun will be a wonderful way to keep that trend going. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘A Wild Year on Earth’.
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The end of spring and the beginning of summer is a time of the year that we tend to associate with one particular word: freedom. Because at this point, the weather is downright gorgeous. Granted, there are some rainstorms here and there, but the clouds often quickly part, bringing us blue skies and moderate temperatures and that means the time has come… to get out of the house and enjoy the world. So that we can take in the wonder of those aforementioned skies and soak up the sun and basically do whatever we want, since we are no longer constrained by the shackles of an icy winter and chilly early spring.
 
But while we bask in the sunlight and get some hiking and bike riding done, or perhaps enjoy a picnic in the park, that kind of unrestrained freedom doesn’t exist in the world beyond our own. For nature is on a frenzied quest for survival during May and June, the kind that is full of heartbreak and urgency and even terror from above as evidenced by this week’s episode of A Wild Year on Earth. For ‘A Time of Volatility’ helped us to learn just how much chaos erupts during this time of year, especially when it comes to the weather. Because this is when tornado season gets underway in North America, bringing forth terrifyingly beautiful clouds whilst the heavens open up on the other side of the globe by way of the Monsoon season and the harshness of this time of year doesn’t end with the weather.

Because while conditions are moist and volatile in the northern hemisphere in May and June, the dry season is hitting hard in the southern. Which means that animals down south, are working hard to find water and food and shelter, and they definitely experience some serious hardships when this particular part of the season arrives. Because some don’t find what they need and expire, giving scavengers what they so desperately need and somehow the hardships are so powerful and so heartbreaking that grieving comes into play. As evidenced by the sorrowful elephant that refused to leave the side of its lost child, chasing off scavengers out of respect for her lost baby and it was quite powerful and sobering to see just how tough life is in the wild whilst we enjoy a spring salad and our favorite beverage on the patio of a local bistro.

But while that makes it sound as though this entire episode was mired in tough moments through and through, that simply wasn’t the case. Because part of the frenzy that comes about during this time of year, is a push to create life. So that the young born during this time period can partake of the fruitful bounties of food available to them and the sense of urgency that comes with this allows for some fierce competition to take place. To the point where the male mustangs of California will put on displays of strength to show that they are worthy of leading the pack and finding a mate, and Cuttlefish in the sea will even duke it out fiercely to ensure their line will continue and really, all of these elements made for one breathtaking tale.

Because it was downright exhausting watching nature fight hard to find a break and a meal or a mate, but that is the harsh reality of the world that surrounds us and once again that made for one quality tale. Because this documentary really is doing a phenomenal job of providing us with a dynamic look at our world and how it truly functions in a manner that is the polar opposite of how we live, and it is just fascinating to see nature rush and panic to get their own biological checklist accomplished as the year rolls along. And it will be quite interesting to see how nature responds to the excessive heat and bitter temperatures that await the animals of the world, as we begin to explore the second half of the year by way of this magnificent documentary. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘WandaVision’.
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When a television series brings forth a game-changing episode, the kind that is filled to the brim with incredible reveals and all kinds of twists and turns, it finds itself at quite the crossroads. In that, it can either continue to up the ante and wow us with more big moments, or it can retreat a bit and once again shroud itself in mystery, in the hopes that the story has done just enough to keep everyone hooked and watching so that all can be revealed in the finale. And really, this is something that is top of mind today, simply because fans of the Disney+ series, WandaVision, were undoubtedly wondering which direction the series was going to take after last week’s stunning tale.

Because the potential to retreat and tease us more was definitely there, since this unique series still has a few episodes to go before we hit the finale. But as it turns out, ‘On a Very Special Episode…’ opted to go ahead and continue to push the plot forward at light speed and continue to surprise us. Which are feats that it accomplished in several key ways. One of which was to close out a lingering question from last week’s tale and establish the fact that Wanda was indeed the ‘showrunner’ of what’s happening in Westview, and it also took the time to point out that her actions are indeed related to grief over what’s she lost. As evidenced by what she had to say to the Agents of S.W.O.R.D. when she came out of the Hex to confront them for continuing to poke around inside Westview.

Which in turn, allowed for the story to dig into more intimate and powerful matters. Such as the fact that Vision is starting to understand that something is quite amiss with this place and with Wanda. Since he was keen to notice that everyone is following their cues from her and that she is indeed exerting control over innocent people that are eager to return to their regular lives, and that led to quite the stunning sequence of events. The kind that quite frankly, has to leave one wondering as to whether or not Wanda is the true mastermind of this syrupy nightmare. Because eventually, Vision finally took the time to confront Wanda over her actions and the fear that he felt over not knowing what his life was like before Westview and that brought about quite the admission from his beloved.

In that, she too didn’t remember how she arrived at Westview, and she was also quite curious as to how much control she was exerting over everything in this cuddly place. But before she could properly reach any kind of epiphany in regard to the nature of this new reality and how exactly she came to exist within it, something quite incredible happened to distract her. In that, there was a knock at the door from an unexpected visitor and when she opened the door, it revealed a long-lost face to Wanda… her brother Pietro. But not just any Pietro, no instead… this was the Quicksilver from the rebooted X-Men film franchise. Yet, she still knew it was her brother and he in turn knew it was his sister. 

Which of course brings about all kinds of questions about the Multiverse and whether or not Westview is a place where experiments and machinations revolving around that notion, are taking place. But more importantly, the big mystery that this episode leaves us with, is who exactly is manipulating Wanda? Because that timing was a little too perfect and it definitely distracted Wanda and Vision from the concerns at hand and that clearly means that someone doesn’t want Wanda to know what she’s doing or what this place is all about. But alas, we will likely have to wait to see where this surprise takes us and while we twiddle our thumbs and count down the minutes until next Friday’s entry… it’s best we celebrate one engrossing tale. One that was filled to the brim with poignant moments and powerful character development, and most important of all… progress. Since we are indeed closing in on the truth about Westview and the meaning of this magnificent mess. Until next time.  

When we think of what makes life worth living, a lot of ideas come to mind. Such as our friends and family, since they do a wonderful job of lifting our spirts up on a consistent basis. Or we think of our hobbies since they too bring us joy and fulfillment and if we’re lucky, we think about our career. Since a quality job, one that keeps us ignited and driven also makes the days worthwhile. But what’s truly fascinating about all of these elements, is that they all share in one common thread. In that, they all generate incredible and uplifting memories, the kind that can send us soaring when the going gets tough.

Which means that in many ways, the real key to what makes life worth our while; are the memories that we generate. For they are with us every single step of the way since we carry them in our hearts and our minds, and the best part about them, is that no one can take them away from us. But that doesn’t stop us from fearing that particular possibility. Because the imagination knows no bounds and sometimes it ponders upon what our life might be like, if by chance the wonderful memories we’ve forged… no longer exist within the confines of our mind. And oddly enough, this is an unsettling concept that Star Trek: The Next Generation opted to put on display in its next episode and that made ‘Future Imperfect’ one fascinating tale.

Because this story really does do a fine job of exploring how critical our memories are to not only our happiness, but to how we function, all by putting Commander William T. Riker through the wringer. Because shortly after he passed out from noxious gas on an away mission designed to discover whether or not the Romulans had a foothold on a barren and isolated planet, he awoke aboard the Enterprise… sixteen years after that fateful day, without a single memory of anything past slipping into unconsciousness. A surprise that was attributed to a strange virus, according to the good doctor. But that also meant that now Captain William T. Riker had to fill in those gaps and figure out a way forward and this just made for some powerful moments.

For Will was in essence, forced to grow right before our eyes to be the captain that the Enterprise needed in regard to an important set of negotiations with the Romulans, and be the father to a son that he didn’t know. And all of that really did hammer home the fact that without our memories to guide us and lift us up in life, we would struggle for certain. But thankfully, it turns out that this was all a ruse and that in the end, a lonely alien, armed with his own personal holodeck made these events take place, in the hopes of having a friend around. A wish that Commander Riker was willing to grant, by taking him away from his desolate place so that he could find a new home amongst the stars, giving this tale quite the happy ending for certain.

In the end however, while this episode does do a good job of exploring an obscure fear in a dynamic manner, let’s be honest… it’s hard to really take something away from a situation that likely won’t ever happen to us. Which means that the story had to have some other kind of deeper meaning in mind and when you take a moment to think about it, you realize it does. Since it basically speaks to the need to cherish our memories, and make as many of them as possible, since you never know when the universe will rob of us them. Which is a theme that kind of ties into ‘Remember Me’ without all the gravity of death surrounding it, and kudos to the show for offering up these thoughts by way of a supremely unique story. One that allowed for the cast to shine as their ‘older’ selves and also kept us guessing every step of the way. Until next time.

If there is one complaint that can be associated with the original Star Trek, it would have to be that The Original Series really did do a poor job of telling follow up stories. In fact, the closest it ever really came to such matters was by way of letting Harry Mudd return to the series from time to time. But by focusing heavily on 'planet of the week' or event style storytelling, the saga missed out on further developing its dynamic characters, since they were unable to face the consequences of some of their decisions or come to learn the aftermath of some of their missions. But thankfully, as the franchise grew and the years rolled along, amends were made in regard to this problem by way of the TOS film saga and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For TNG embraced sequel episodes and arc-based storytelling and that allowed for some powerful moments to take place and for this incredible future universe to have depth and meaning and really… all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because the next episode of this iconic sequel series takes the time to offer up a grand follow up on several events that took place during seasons two and three. For ‘Reunion’ sees Worf’s beloved K’Ehleyr, who we first met in the season two tale, ‘The Emissary’, return to the Enterprise to enlist Captain Picard’s help in an important Klingon matter involving leadership of the Empire. Which is something that we will get to in just a moment. Because first, we need to talk about the other reason that K'Ehleyr is eager to come aboard. In that, the time has come to introduce Worf to his son, Alexander.

Which is a revelation that put Worf in quite the unique spot. One where he was forced to figure out how on earth, he was going to be able to reconcile with his love and raise his son with the dark cloud of dis-commendation/dishonor hanging over his head, and it really was quite incredible to see K’Ehleyr try and free Worf from the shackles of tradition and embrace the possibility that they could be together. Simply because you don’t see the Star Trek Universe challenge notions of tradition all that often. Which made this plot thread quite fascinating and charming at times and heartbreaking at others, especially when it comes to how it ends. Because this episode also marked the exit of K’Ehleyr at the hands of Duras, which brings us to that all-important other plot point that was mentioned a moment ago.

For this tale also takes the time to follow up/expand on some plot threads from ‘Sins of the Father’. Such as the fact that K'mpec was killed in a grand assassination attempt, one that we later learn is orchestrated by the man he helped to protect, Duras. And that particular discovery even manages to expose that Duras is a lot like his father, since he enlisted the help of the Romulans in matters of deception. But what makes the Duras twist so incredibly important, is that it allows for Worf to challenge Duras by way of the Right of Vengeance and defeat him in a harrowing manner. One that finally gives Worf closure in regard to a man that has brought nothing but trouble into his life and well, in the end, all of these plot elements make this a supremely delightful and important episode for certain. Because Alexander would become critical to Worf’s growth down the line and of course, the events in this tale set the stage for the season four finale.

Plus, it also features the first on-screen appearance of Gowron; another character that would be critical to the future of TNG and the franchise as a whole. Which makes this episode a sequel and a prequel and everything in between and it really does a wonderful job of helping to flesh out the Star Trek Universe in a dynamic manner and more importantly, it is just a phenomenal story. One that uses the backdrop of the Klingon Empire to question the nature of tradition and family and it’s full of wonderful performances and slick direction, courtesy of Jonathan Frakes, and honestly… this might be one of season four’s finest episodes to date. Because it features everything that we love about this franchise and this one definitely builds anticipation for the season four finale. But before we get to that particular follow up, we have a lot of other gems to rewatch first, such as the next episode. Which caught fans everywhere by surprise, by way of its fascinating look at a potential future for the crew of the Enterprise. Until next time.

When one thinks of the heroes that populate the world of the crime drama, a pretty specific image comes to mind. In that, the hero in question is going to be a supremely flawed individual. One that has seen some rough things during their time fighting crime, and they tend to be supremely good at their job simply because they have learned to operate within the grey areas of life that few of us understand. And because they embrace elements of darkness and know what it is capable of, they become gatekeepers and forces for good, the kind that sacrifice their mental health and overall well-being to make the world a better place. Which is a grim way to put together a hero, but it works, and we eat it up often.
 
But while this bleak portrayal of a hero has become the norm for this particular genre, it does leave one to wonder, if by chance it is possible to put forth a crime drama in modern times, that features a genuinely good human being. One that is driven to stop criminals from harming others… simply because their strong understanding of what’s right and what’s wrong compels them to be a champion for good and as it turns out, Almost Paradise is a series that worked had to answer that question with a resounding yes. Because Alex Walker and all of his friends have an incredible moral core that guides them above all things, and just how deep that goes and how hard it drives them is on full display in the next episode of this dynamic series.
 
Which is interesting, since one would think that the series premiere would have established this. But its focus on Alex’s conflict over his past and his future moved such examinations to 'It's Personal', and it’s a wonderful thing that the series opted to shift said examination to the second episode. Simply because that allowed for a detailed character study to take place, one that informs us that good deeds provide Alex with calm and purpose and that he will fight hard to ensure that good prevails above all else. The latter of which is expressed in a brilliant manner during the episode’s finale, when Alex is faced with the horrible fact that he’s dealing with sex traffickers. And really, it is wonderful to know by the end of this tale that we are dealing with a genuinely great man, one that truly believes that the world can be a better place and that he can do more, to make that a reality.
 
But while it is wonderful to know that Alex is about a pure a soul as they come, and that this series was going to make a grand effort to find a way to keep its storytelling as positive as possible, we would be remiss to not point out that Ernesto’s journey in this story also manages to inform the audience that he is a kindred spirit to Alex. At least when it comes to a strong moral center. Because he really struggles over the fact that a common, opportunistic thug is remorseless about hurting an innocent man that was trying to make his way in the world, to the point where he is ready to teach this guy a powerful lesson in morality and humility before bringing him in. But not to satisfy his ego or to engender fear. No, instead, Ernesto does all of this, simply to teach the thug's cohorts that crime doesn't pay, and to right a wrong, and that definitely helps to establish exactly what Ernesto stands for.

If anything, a rewatch of this particular tale, really helps the viewer to understand a few key things. In that, Dean Devlin and Gary Rosen and everyone involved with the series, really wanted to take their time in growing the characters while entertaining the audience and also that, they were eager to create a crime story, unlike any other. One that bucked all the negative trends in the genre and would lift the audience up when they tuned in, and they accomplished that mission for certain. Because this episode achieves all those goals in a dynamic manner and seeing all of these wonderful nuances on display in this particular tale, definitely leaves this reviewer eager to continue this second journey through Cebu. So that we can properly examine and enjoy, everything that this incredibly special series has to offer.
 
‘Almost Paradise’ is available to stream for free (with ads), right now, on IMDbTV.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Big Sky’.
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One particularly satisfying moment in crime related stories, and storytelling in general… is the moment when the bad guy is finally captured or confronted. Because in that particular moment, we know that they are likely scared and nervous and undoubtedly unsettled about what their future is going to look like and well, that’s a wonderful thing. For they’ve done nothing but indulge the darkest parts of their souls and caused great harm to others in the process, so seeing them suffer and endure terror… if only for a moment, makes for the perfect way to bring the story to a close. But when a particular tale is opting to shake things up and shift from the norms, one has to wonder if that particularly satisfying moment is going to come into play.
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Because truly, anything can and will happen in a story that operates outside of tropes and standard structure, and that means that evil could potentially avoid punishment in an effort to shock the reader or the viewer and this is a solid concern that had to be on the minds of fans of Big Sky, after last week’s episode. For having Ronald in hiding and pondering upon his next moves, whilst Trooper Rick Legarski remained in a coma, before transitioning to a blank conscious state, meant that perhaps true justice would never come for the trio of women that spent far too long being held captive in a storage container. But thankfully, the next episode in this storied saga opted to give the audience exactly what they wanted, since ‘I Fall to Pieces’ was filled to the brim with unique punishments for both Ronald and Rick, the kind that definitely offered up some just desserts for these two awful men. 

Rick for instance, was no longer able to make use of his clever and calculated mind. For the bullet did just enough damage to keep him scattered during conversations with others. To the point where he was unable to follow the moment, or he’d straight up quote Jaws for no good reason. Plus, his memory was now a void in regard to the last couple of years, and that allowed for Legarski to face the horrors of his actions in the raw, which left him confused and scared. Something that was taken to the Nth degree when Grace took the time to identify him as her captor and the man responsible for killing that innocent fisherman and well, it doesn’t get more satisfying than that. Because he really has done some disgusting things and seeing him in this state and filled with terror over what comes next, is indeed a just and wonderful way to punish him for his crimes.

As for Ronald, well he was simply living in terror throughout the course of this entire tale. For he was helpless to do anything but watch and listen to the news about how Legarski was improving, and to complicate matters further… his darling mother was pushing him like never before. Specifically, to abandon his quest to get into Rick and Merrilee’s home and to quite frankly, give up this quest to avoid the authorities and do the right thing in this instance. Which put Ronald under enormous emotional pressure, the kind that finally came to a head when his mother informed him that she was ready to call the police in order to settle this matter and well, that actually managed to push Ronald over the edge, and put an end to his mother’s life. And while that isn’t exactly a punishment at first glance, their unhealthy attachment disappearing from his life, and the fact that he was responsible for it, will have lasting repercussions on Ronald’s life and psyche, making it a long-term punishment for certain.
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One that he might actually endure in prison believe it or not. Because with his mother out of the way at the moment, there was no one to talk him out of going for the secret records that Rick hid away in his home. And that motivated Ronald to go all-in with Merilee and be the wonderful ‘friend’ that she so desperately needed right now, by being there for her every step of the way, in order to gain access to the house and her heart if she’d allow it, and sadly part of his plan worked. For eventually she invited him over and that gave him free reign to break into the closet and grab the drive full of critical data. But what might send him to prison… is the sheer fact that Cassie and Jenny showed up whilst he was ransacking the house, to see if Merrilee recognized their brand-new sketch of him. Which means, there is a chance that our heroes could nab Ronald and shake this story up even further.

But before we ponder upon whether or not an arrest is about to happen, it is best we bask in the wonder of one satisfying and dynamic tale. Because this particular episode really did a wonderful job of rewarding the audience for sitting through some supremely dark moments by making these two villains supremely uncomfortable and incredibly afraid, and hopefully there are more ugly days ahead for Rick and Ronald. Simply because they’re terrible fictional people and deserve to suffer as badly as their victims and that is why it is imperative that Ronald be put in handcuffs as quickly as possible. So that he can spend the rest of his natural life, reflecting upon the piece of garbage that he is behind bars. But he also needs to be captured, so he doesn’t cause any more harm. Because if he does manage to evade Cassie and Jenny, who knows what kind of trouble he will cause and that will make the wait until next week’s episode a tough one for certain, as we wait to see if another cat and mouse game is in order, or if Ronald will be captured at last. Until next time.

Something that all of us can agree upon, is that we would do anything to have just one more day with the people that we have loved, and lost. Because we know that if we could have that special and powerful second chance, that we would do things right and say all the right things and find closure before our final moments together came to a close. And we harbor that wish, simply because death is a sudden and jarring experience, one that rarely gives us proper closure and peace and sometimes we want that so badly, that we do unhealthy things to grasp it in our hands and it just so happens that these unhealthy behaviors were explored in the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For ‘Legacy’ saw the crew of the Enterprise arrive at Turkana IV, which is a planet that should sound familiar. Because this place was Lieutenant Tasha Yar’s home world, the one that she left behind when given the chance and well… returning to a world as war weary as this one put the crew on edge. Mainly because they didn’t have a clue what to expect when a rescue team beamed down to the surface to retrieve a pair of freighter pilots. But as it turns out, there wasn’t as much danger as they anticipated, simply a forthcoming ransom demand from an organization known as the Coalition. Which meant that Picard would need the help of a rival faction known as the Alliance, in order to save those pilots and that’s when the exploration in question came into play.

Because the Alliance figured the best way to communicate with a starship that didn’t quite trust them, was to put forth a familiar name to serve as a liaison. And that brought Ishara Yar aboard the ship and well, having Tasha’s sister aboard not only opened some old wounds, but it brought forth some unhealthy behaviors from the crew as well. For they desperately wanted Ishara to stand in for Tasha and that meant she was quickly given special treatment and extra protection and trust from the crew, all so that they could finally find peace and closure in regard to Tasha’s death and sadly, that led to all kinds of trouble. Because Ishara was working to earn their trust in order to execute quite the dastardly plan, one that involved an outright double cross.

For shortly after the away team rescued the pilots in question, Ishara was prepared to destroy the Coalition’s defenses to pave the way for a grand takeover from the Alliance. An act that Data was quick to rectify before things got out of hand, but the lasting impact from her actions here is what made this episode so powerful and so poignant. For it really did do a phenomenal job of pointing out the fact that we will never have that do-over with the ones we’ve lost and that we have to make peace with what’s happened and this episode also took the time to teach us to never project our pain onto others. Because not only can that create conflict and awkwardness, but there are also people out there who are eager to manipulate our pain and vulnerability, and that will only make things worse in the long run and those lessons really do make this episode quite brilliant when all is said and done.

Simply because these are harsh lessons that we rarely talk about in real life, much less in fiction. So, to find that examination here is refreshing and uncomfortable, since that’s the best way to make life lessons, this poignant, stick. But all commentary and lessons aside, this episode also deserves some serious credit for even following up on the events of ‘Skin of Evil’, and revealing the fact that the crew is still suffering from a touch of PTSD from the dark day featured in that tale, really does add depth and gravity to this tale. One that quite frankly, is another fine example of how this series loves to run with concepts over the course of several episodes, since just like ‘Remember Me’, it focuses heavily on how we handle death in our lives. And it should be interesting to see if the writers’ room is ready to move onto new topics, or if they have a little more to say, on matters involving the end. Until next time.   

If there is one thing that television fans everywhere can agree upon, it would have to be that rewatching our favorite television shows can be quite the fulfilling experience. Especially when the series in question is top-notch. Because a great show tends to be carefully layered and filled to the brim with depth and that means that when we dive in a second or third or eighth time around, we find something new and meaningful that we missed the first time we watched it, and that’s precisely why it is a wonderful thing that the Christian Kane series, Almost Paradise, is back on the air at IMDbTV. Because now fans of this series can dissect Alex Walker’s fascinating journey in great detail, and savor over the wonderful nuances that Christian Kane and Dean Devlin injected into this grand and sweeping story of redemption.
 
Which is precisely what this particular blog series is hopefully going to accomplish, since we are going to re-examine every episode in detail and reflect upon what’s different a second time around, such as the fact that the series premiere of this saga, has a different tone when you watch it again. Because initially, ‘Finding Mabuhay’ is a story that truly seemed to focus upon the bitter conflict that was roiling within Alex’s soul over being discharged from government service. As though he wasn’t sure how to process the unfinished business, he left behind alongside his desire to enjoy a sense of peace and relaxation for a change. And that first viewing also made it seem as though, the only reason he returns to public service, is because lives are in danger and leaving people to their own devices and allowing for harm to come to others wouldn’t sit right with him.
 
But the fact that we know how season one ends and what Alex is about, is what brings about that shift in tone. Because it is obvious, the second time around, that he’s actually angry about leaving unfinished business on the table, and he’s equally as furious over the fact that bureaucracy and gamesmanship helped to keep him from doing what he really wants to do in life, and that’s help people and do genuine good in the world. And that realization adds depth and gravity and satisfaction to this tale, since now we completely understand why Alex is so eager to go along with a rogue plan. All so that he can finally do some good without the shackles he is accustomed to dealing with and that also explains why he is so fearful of getting back into the business at one point during the story. Since he simply cannot stomach the thought of failing at something he excels at, once again.

If anything, a rewatch of the premiere really makes it clear how nuanced and complex Alex Walker truly is out of the gate and that is a testament to the writing and quite frankly, Christian Kane’s performance. In fact, that warrants some serious praise today simply because a second viewing of this episode really does hammer home how talented he is as an actor. Because he is able to express every complex emotion that we’ve just discussed in a realistic and powerful manner, especially when he lets his frustrations at the DEA bubble to the surface and his acting is so well refined here and so smooth that it is basically safe to say that Alex Walker is his finest performance to date. Because he really sells this character, and the vulnerability that he gives Alex is what immediately allows for the viewer to root for this guy. Since you want nothing more than for him to find the peace that he is so desperately seeking, and the happiness that he craves, and it is nice to see him get a taste of that in this particular tale. 

But what matters most, is that after all this time… we can finally indulge in Alex’s adventures once again and bask in the wonder of a series that dares to be a different kind of crime drama. One that knows exactly how to balance grit and wit and action and adventure as well, and we would be remiss to not point out that everything in this story still works and clicks together well, thanks to a whip smart script written by Dean Devlin and Gary Rosen, and it really is quite delightful to be re-introduced to this magical world. One where good people consistently work together to do wonderful things as they try to make the world a better place, and the rebroadcast of this series could not have been timed more perfectly. Since we could all use the pick me up that this show still provides us with during these uncertain times, and it should be interesting to see what other nuances and surprises await us in the weeks to come, as we return to the island of Cebu. Until next time.  

‘Almost Paradise’ is available to stream for free (with ads), right now, on IMDbTV.