Please enjoy a sneak peek of Episode 203 of Fast Foodies, which will air on truTV on February 10, 2022.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘New Gold Mountain’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating new Sundance Now series, New Gold Mountain, we talked at length about the bevy of plot-lines and concepts that the series premiere presented us with. Since it was part murder mystery, part learning experience and a bit of a parallel piece on racism and prejudice and how it still pops up in our modern world. If anything, revisiting those many threads before diving into the next episode is supremely important. Because each and every one of us have been wondering… if the show was planning to continue to juggle all of those concepts as the series continued along or refine its focus and really grow one of them and as it turns out… the plan was to narrow the focus and expand upon one.

For ‘Righteousness’ took the time to further examine the death of Annie. Whom as it turned out, was married to Pat and by focusing on her… we came learn to a great deal about her and Pat. In that… they lost a child long ago, which led to Pat’s injury and the divisive nature of the death of their little one, moved Annie into the arms of another man. One who gave her the opportunity to become a mother again before she changed her mind and underwent a 19th Century abortion procedure. Something this episode made clear was even more frowned upon back then and well… there was good reason to explore Annie’s past and all of her actions before her passing, simply because… her death still hung heavy over the camp and Leung for that matter as well, since it happened on his watch.

In fact, he was so concerned about this, that he worked with Hattie to send her, and a few of the men, including Pat… into the part of the outback where outlaws thrived. So, he could pin the murder on the redheaded outlaw he saw briefly, and for a time it seemed as though this plan was going to work. Since Pat and his cohorts were eager to find the man and string him up. But the hollow nature of his end, a surprising discovery and some interesting words from another outlaw before he died, made it clear that Leung wouldn’t be able to quickly shift the blame for this. Because it became clear that someone from the camp was spotted with Annie before she died, plus… there was physical evidence that she died far away from the outlaw camp. 

A reality that forced Leung to try and flush out the potential killer in a supremely creative manner. One that involved taking Annie's beautiful Jade storage box, that Hattie found at the outlaw camp, and placing it in plain sight down main street… before kicking back to see who might respond to it. For whomever was involved would surely notice the gift they gave Annie and well, after sitting there for hours with little result, Leung decided to call it a day and speak with his brother who just so happened to arrive at that moment and well, that conversation took quite the turn. Since Leung Wei Sun took a moment to shockingly glance at that trinket whilst talking to Leung Wei Shing and well… that confirmed the worst-case scenario for Shing.

In that, his brother may have been involved in a murder. A reality that could rip Shing’s life to pieces, since he will have to choose between blood and justice and the mine, and more problems are brewing for Shing in this tale as well. Since Zhang Lei made it clear how ruthless she can be and how she knows that more is happening in this camp than she leads on and well, going this route storytelling wise was the right choice. Since it builds tension nicely and informed us what is at stake and well, that definitely sets the stage for a rollercoaster second half to the season. One where Shing will be challenged like never before, and where nothing will ever be the same once the truth about Annie's death comes to light, as the truth always does. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 402 of ‘Agatha Raisin’. To revisit the Holiday Special, click here.
​
Often times, murder mysteries and crime dramas, work hard to establish a solid division between good and evil. Where the hero is pure and the criminal is pure evil, and they stick to that structure, because audiences simply love it. For it really does harken back to the age-old battle of good versus evil and it invests us heavily since we want nothing more than evil to get its comeuppance. And of course, it also gives us a sense of comfort and escape, since in the real world… the line between good and evil is blurred and operates more often than not in a grey area. Since heroes are sometimes flawed or in over their heads and villains aren’t as evil as we like and it is the grey that is of note today, because that is squarely where Agatha Raisin: Love, Lies, & Liquor, on Acorn TV, spends its time.

For this latest chapter in Agatha’s adventures sees her and James venture off to The Palace Hotel, wherein James is planning to work on his new book and spend time Agatha to properly find inspiration. But while they are there… they encounter a boorish woman named Geraldine and shortly after a nasty confrontation at dinner, they part ways only to learn the next morning that Geraldine has been killed. Strangled by a scarf that Agatha lost in fact, making her the prime suspect in a case that the hotel management asks her to solve and well, let’s be honest… this was a great twist. Because not only did it add a sense of urgency to the case since Agatha was eager to clear her name, but it truly is a trope-busting move. For now, Agatha was more than a sleuth, she was a suspect and untrustworthy to everyone, but her friends, and she used that to her advantage.

Because she invited them to The Palace to help her out with the case and once everyone played their role and dug deep alongside Agatha, a grand reveal of the grey came into play. Because everyone they encountered, minus the supremely kind and humble front desk agent… had secrets and a past. To the point where Agatha realized that a great deal of the people involved here, were in on something illegal, and she was able to expose every last one of them, including the police officer that was eager to bust her for a crime she didn’t commit. But what matters more here, is that by digging deep, an interesting fact about the murder revealed itself. In that, no one being exposed here had motive to kill Geraldine. In fact, it was almost as if someone was going out of their way to avoid detection and suspicion. 

Which motivated Agatha to revisit the case from top to bottom and really look for the obvious clues that were missed by the noise everyone else made and what she found… was heartbreaking. For Geraldine and her former beau were involved in a murder/heist back in the day, one that left a girl named Samantha, an orphan. And that dark day broke Samantha so deeply, she spent a lifetime plotting revenge. To the point where she was successful and in plain sight. Making her nothing more than a flawed and broken villain that never got over or addressed her trauma and believed a killing spree was the only way to make herself whole again, and just like that… the case was solved and Agatha and her friends were able to move on with justice served.

If anything, this was simply a brilliant episode when all is said and done. One that really did offer up twists and turns and realism, the kind that made this story feel as though it was ripped out of everyday headlines and the show deserves a serious round of applause for giving us a story that goes against the grain in a fun and engaging manner, and it also deserves kudos… for some epic homages. After all, we’d be foolish to not point out that this saga features a bevy of tributes to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Courtesy of a Room 237 moment, one complete with an axe and a ‘Here’s James’ visual. Plus, there were creepy twins, a bartender named Lloyd, and a photo on the wall from 1921 and heck, the Palace even resembles The Stanley/Overlook Hotel, and well, you can’t go wrong with quality shout outs like that or an engaging case that once again reminds us, that Agatha Raisin is one of the most dynamic and fun murder mysteries out there. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘New Gold Mountain’.
​
When one thinks of the Great Gold Rush of the 19th Century… one thinks of California. Because everyone was taught in school that the Golden State was the place to be if you wanted to strike it rich as a gold miner and popular culture has helped to reinforce this for us as well. For there are countless stories that hammer home how many people made their way to California to find a better life through the majesty of gold. But the fact of the matter is, that wasn’t the only place that experienced a mass migration toward its borders of people hoping to strike it rich. In fact, Australia saw similar growth in the 19th Century, and it just so happens that Sundance Now is now host to a series that explores that relatively unexplored aspect of world history.

For New Gold Mountain is a series that plunges us into that time frame and place, where people are coming from around the globe to partake of the rich veins of gold present in Australia and that makes the show’s series premiere, ‘Propriety’, quite the fascinating tale. Because we spend a great deal of time in this opening chapter alongside a gentleman named Leung Wei Shing, who runs one of the Chinese mining camps and is responsible for keeping the operation profitable and hanging out with him, gives us unprecedented access to what life was like for the miners that gave up so much to try and strike it rich here. To the point where we see the kinds of injuries that people worked through for the promise of a better life and the wonder of this story doesn’t end there.

Because it also takes the time to explore the prejudices of the era. Since the Chinese citizens that came here to work, were often discriminated against directly and indirectly. Serving as a fine reminder of the minor progress we’ve made since then and how far we have to go and the examinations of prejudice in this story aren’t limited to Leung’s camp and associates. Because we are also introduced to a woman named Belle Roberts, who has inherited a newspaper now that her husband has passed on and she is eager to get this business rolling again and well… a woman owning her own business in the 19th Century, was unheard of then. And she consistently runs into prejudice and skepticism over her abilities to do so and that too, leads to some fascinating and poignant moments that both observe the past and reflect upon our modern world.

Yet while those two elements are important to this series and definitely engage the audience through and through, there are other aspects of this time frame in history that the series is eager to dive into. For instance, there was minimal oversight during this period of time, and not having major government regulations in place, allowed in this instance, for unsavory characters to operate behind the scenes to obtain their own profits. A reality that puts Leung’s safety on the line and of course, the 19th Century was well known for its lawlessness in general since the world was expanding and law enforcement couldn’t keep up, and that unfortunate aspect of life in this era, brought about all kinds of trouble to this camp… by way of a murder mystery. Since the body of the wife of one of the miners, is discovered one fine day. Something that Leung worked to cover up to… to no avail.

If anything, everything introduced here, makes it clear that this is going to be a fascinating series when all is said and done. One that will captivate us with the mysteries at hand since we are now eager to know if Leung can outmaneuver the criminal underworld back home and who exactly took the life of that innocent wife. And while we play detective alongside the characters, we get to enjoy a painfully accurate look at the 19th Century. One that puts prejudice and ignorance on display, and it also doesn’t hurt… that we will undoubtedly get a little bit of commentary on the nature of greed, courtesy of why all these people happen to be in this camp. For there is gold in them thar hills, and it will be fascinating to see how its power and its promise changes lives for better and for worse as this journey through a forgotten corner of history continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Power Book IV: Force’.
​
Stories that focus on the power of the fresh start, tend to offer up some formulaic journeys for certain. The kind that always seem to revolve around good, everyday people that just so happen to have fate throw them a curveball. One that either motivates them to realize they need to get away from everything and start over or hit the reset button on who they are so they can properly reinvent themselves, and these are stories that will rarely bring you down. Because this is the kind of tale, that offers up a grand opportunity to inspire its audience as well, and while they tend to engage us and lift us up, the excess cliché present in this kind of story, tends to do the audience a bit of a disservice.
​
For in many ways, those formulas and tropes, paint a picture of a world where the fresh start is only exclusive to those who are open to the reality that change, and reinvention is sometimes necessary. When in reality, the fresh start is something that is open to all and will never be exclusive, and it is something that each of us will crave or take part in at some point or another in our lives, and not everyone takes part in them for rosy and inspiring reasons. For some folks are in a bad place and need to start over in order to survive, while others, just want a reset… so they can enjoy some kind of peace and comfort in their lives and sometimes folks that have done unsavory things… need a fresh start to escape the trouble surrounding them, and to finally find their way in an industry that others would shy away from.

It is that latter concept that serves as the central structure of Power Book IV: Force. A brand-new show on STARZ, that is set in the Power Universe. Which for the first time in the franchise’s history, takes us out of the Big Apple and into the Windy City of Chicago to focus on a fresh start for the iconic gangster Tommy Egan and well, when we catch up with Tommy in ‘A Short Fuse and a Long Memory’, he is in quite the difficult place. For this tale picks up shortly after ‘Heart of Darkness’, the Power Book II: Ghost season one finale, wherein Tommy is on the road and haunted badly by memories of New York. Prompting him to divert his journey toward Los Angeles into Chicago. Where he can take a moment and reflect on his life and where it is going and what he needs to let go of to survive, and that’s when this series really begins to dive into some supremely intimate elements regarding the central theme here.

Because understanding who we are and where we are going is indeed part of the mantra of starting over. Since we have to properly comprehend the past in order to close the book on it and move forward with confidence and well, Tommy’s attempts to do that here, brings forth some incredible surprises for him. Such as the fact that his grandmother, whom he thought was dead after all these years, is alive and well. Plus, he also comes to find that he has a brother he wasn’t aware of in the slightest and being presented with the reality that he doesn’t really understand his past in the slightest. Puts Tommy beside himself and forces him to take a beat and think about the significance of such a revelation and what it could mean for him and his future. But while that is indeed an intimate character study, this premiere doesn’t forget its roots and makes sure to balance out the intimacy with moments grounded in the elements that put the Power Universe on the map.

For a simple visit to a bar, allows for Tommy to come in contact with the Flynn family and their drug operation and after being disrespected by one of Walter Flynn’s lackeys, Tommy decides that a little fun and games with Vic Flynn, by messing with the drop he is heading to on this night, might help clear his head and well, what happens when he arrives, changes the course of Tommy’s plans. Because Vic and a gentleman named Jenard, struggle to deal with some wild card moments during the drop. Helping Tommy to understand that’s it is basically Amateur Hour in the Windy City and that these cats are clueless as to how to properly handle the drug trade and in order to really get an idea of what the business he knows so well, looks like a thousand miles from home… he makes a point to hang around a little bit longer and meet the head of the family and size him up.
​
Which in turn leads to a powerful meeting between Tommy Egan and Walter Flynn, one that appears to be cut right out of classic literature courtesy of the flames surrounding the both of them, giving this encounter a Faustian feel, but not in the classical sense. No in this instance, it is Walter Flynn making the reverse Faustian deal by having Tommy Egan in his presence, since Tommy is able to size up every weakness and flaw in the Flynn family in that moment, and that in turn, motivates Tommy to follow in Ghost’s footsteps and go into business for himself. Giving Tommy a fresh start at last, one where he can forge his own path and enjoy his own empire for a change… while taking the time to figure out who he is, now that certain truths have presented themselves to him.

But what’s amazing, is that the central theme here is going to extend beyond Tommy’s journey as well. Since the aforementioned Jenard is a man now faced with incredible changes on the horizon. For his brother Diamond is out of jail and is looking to start over in an honest manner, which will alter a great deal in their lives and will undoubtedly force them to ponder upon whether or not they can have their fresh start, since there were hints of roadblocks regarding that in this tale. Not to mention, there’s Gloria Rodgers. A woman that catches Tommy’s eye and is also clearly looking for a fresh start of her own, one that will take her some time to find because she’s struggling to let go of some serious pain and well, having these kinds of subplots present within the framework of a crime drama set in an iconic universe, makes this one of the most unique and brilliant series premieres to ever hit the airwaves.

Because you just don’t find this kind of depth and intimacy in a crime drama. Instead, these stories are always about forging ahead for the characters involved and feeling their feels another time because the intense world of crime doesn’t allow for anyone to breathe. But here, we are privy to all kinds of intimate and powerful moments from all of the characters as they search for peace and new beginnings and of course… power. And that kind of relatability sucks you into the story like never before and leaves you eager to learn more about the people that populate this world… especially Tommy. Since we truly see a side of him in this premiere we’ve never seen before and well, this perfect premiere does a wonderful job of leaving you starving for more of this new adventure in the Power Universe. One that is clearly going to break new ground in the franchise and give us unprecedented access to a fan favorite character and it will be incredibly interesting to see what this fresh take on the fresh start has in store for us, as season one continues along. Until next time. 

To learn more about ‘Power Book IV: Force’, check out our interviews with the cast of this dynamic new series, by clicking here.  ​

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two finale of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
At some point or another in our lives, we each learn a valuable and difficult life lesson. In that, walking away is sometimes our only option when it comes to finding true happiness and what makes that so difficult, is the sheer fact that sometimes, walking away seems like an impossibility. Simply because we are comfortable and reticent to change and the thought of leaving behind comfort and routine is terrifying for certain. But the value comes out of the fact, that we realize in that moment, that something is very wrong with the situation that we are in, and if we don’t step away from it… we will suffer and we will be shells of our former selves. So, it is now or never, and once we take the plunge… we are better off for it and can reflect upon the power of this lesson.
​
But not everyone that learns it, is able to execute the walking away portion of it. Because sometimes, they are in too deep and stepping away would be costly and painful and dangerous in some instances. Which means they have to forge ahead whether they like it or not and take their lumps and find a way to survive and that is something that Tariq St. Patrick and Monet Tejada both had to learn in the season two finale of Power Book II: Ghost. For when we catch up with them in ‘Love and War’, they are both at a point where they realize that they need to get out of the game, and for a time… it seemed as though they were going to have no problem with walking away from their respective situations.

After all, Brayden stepped up and came through for Tariq in his hour of need. By taking the stand instead of Trace and declaring that he was the kingpin of this operation all along, utterly absolving Tariq of any ties to murder and of course, Brayden will be just fine since his family’s standing in the community will likely get him out of any major charges. But what mattered more in this instance, was that Tariq was a free man, and could in fact… work to get out of the life and get his sister back. As for Monet, well she was so close to freedom she could taste it, since Mecca was making preparations to whisk her and the kids away to parts unknown. But alas, it didn’t take long for Mecca’s machinations and lies to make it clear that getting out of the life for both parties wasn’t going to be easy in the slightest.

Because Monet came to realize that Dante would continue to lie and scheme to keep her in his life and might not deliver on his promises, thanks to being a snitch, and the only way she’d be free of him and his constant scheming, the kind that would undoubtedly come back to haunt her… was to kill him, and of course… she needed help in getting that done. Which is why she pulled Tariq into the fold once again, to execute a plan that would allow for Tariq to get his money and escape the life, and all that was needed… was to make Mecca and his men vulnerable, by way of the go bag that had all the dirt on Mecca and by getting him to believe that he was in no way a target in Monet’s eyes and well… the plan worked. For lieutenants were brought down and so was Mecca, but it was the manner in which he died… that made it tough for Tariq and Monet to escape the game.

For Mecca died without ever getting Tariq’s trust fund set up. Meaning he was stuck in his partnership with Monet for the time being, since there was no other way to get the money, he needs to accomplish what he wants. Plus, with Mecca now out of the picture, Monet needed to sell unity in the family and make peace with her children. Which meant she had to stick with Lorenzo and the game for the time being, to achieve all of that. Because walking away in this instance, would have caused more harm than good. Since separation in the Tejada household would have bought about chaos and disaster and a normal life for Tariq would interfere with his plans for the future. But while there is peace in the moment for this duo, unfortunately… there is still more trouble on the horizon brewing for them.
​
After all, more questions are surrounding Tariq, the kind that Agent Rodriguez will want answered quickly, now that she’s seen him in a picture, that was captured by a camera in the lobby of Mecca’s apartment building. Plus, Cooper Saxe is apparently ready to double cross Tariq and Davis to bring the son of James to justice, especially now that Lauren was found dead in an apparent ‘accident’, and worst of all… a ticking time bomb has been planted in the Tejada household thanks to Lorenzo. For shortly after Diana informed him of what she found in Mecca’s bag, in his jealous fury, he went to the hanger and shot who he thought was Mecca… but it turned out that his victim, was none other than Ezekiel Cross-Tejada. And when Monet finds out about that… woe to Lorenzo.

However, it wasn’t all darkness and gloom and doom in this tale. Because when faced with the reality that his family might never be safe, Tariq decided that perhaps the best place for his baby sister, wasn’t with him. Which motivated him to do Yaz and his mother quite the solid. Since he figured out how to reunite the two of them via Witness Protection and of course, Davis got some good news about the Theo Rollins case, the kind that ironically left all of us quite curious as to what Theo meant, regarding how his release could put Davis in jeopardy…  and well, that’s all there is to say about this epic season finale. Because this one brought the heat from the get-go and never let up in the slightest and it was filled with enough twists and turns and surprises to fill several season finales.

But epic is where this show thrives and the good news is that all we have to do now, is wait patiently to see what comes out of the cliffhangers present here. For season three of Power Book II: Ghost is a go, and it will be fascinating to see where this story is going to take us in year three. In large part because the cliffhangers in this story are top notch and left us on the edge of our seat and have real consequences surrounding them. But of course, it is the central question on all of our minds that remains unresolved that has us ready for more. Specifically, who will Tariq St. Patrick become? Because he is still firmly planted in the grey area of life, and able to take part in wonderful acts and extremely evil ones as well… and it will be equally as incredible to see if he finally decides to move into the light or instead follow in his father’s footsteps and become the new Ghost, when season three gets underway. Until next year.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Fast Foodies’. To revisit the season two premiere, click here.
​
When we think of comfort food, let’s be honest, we think of meals that aren’t all that healthy for us. Instead, our mind drifts to foods that are greasy and stick to our ribs because having that kind of semi-unhealthy food, find its way into our bellies really does give us comfort after a long day and there’s nothing wrong with that. Because we like what we like. But with that in mind, it is important to note that comfort food extends beyond a greasy package of fries or a burger that is coated in sauces that would make our family doctor angry. Sometimes it’s just something delicious that clicks with our taste buds that brings us great joy.
​
If anything, that type of meal is top of mind today, simply because it made an appearance in the next episode of Fast Foodies. For Wrestling Superstar Chris Jericho stopped by the kitchen for this week’s competition and well, the food that brings him down home joy and comfort… was breakfast. Breakfast from Cracker Barrel to be exact. Because their Momma’s Pancake Breakfast meal, one that comes with apples and amazing pancakes… and that Chris removes the unhealthy stuff from, brings him joy on a consistent basis and well, he was hoping the Foodies could recreate this dish to a tee, especially those pancakes… and what came out of those attempts, was downright fascinating and hilarious at times to say the least.

Because while Jeremy matched some of the consistency, his pancakes were uh…. well look, they were raw. So, that happened. As for Justin, he matched a fair amount of the dish, since his eggs and apples were solid, but the pancakes just weren’t close enough. Which meant that it was up to Kristen to save the day and be the one to recreate the true favorite dish of a superstar wrestler and lo and behold… she managed to match the dish to his satisfaction, bringing her closer to a total victory. Provided of course she could land the remix portion of the competition and speaking of that segment of the show… the Foodies straight up impressed this week. Because they leaned hard into their creative side to impress the iconic Mister Jericho.

Kristen for instance, brought forth a fascinating Herbed Pasta with a Confit Egg Yolk and this writer uses the word fascinating, because you don’t normally associate pasta with breakfast dishes. But Kristen made that happen in a beautiful and impressive manner. As for Justin, he created a Poached Duck Egg with Polenta and Bourbon Sauce Gastrique, giving life to a breakfast food that was both filling and elegant and delicious. But while both those dishes were creative and impressive for certain, Jeremy is the one who blew Chris Jericho away with his Benton’s Bacon, Latkes and Apple Marmalade dish. Because it captured the down-home southern feel of Cracker Barrel and was full of flavor that Chris relished over and well… that meant that Jeremy was crowned, this week’s Chompion.

In fact, he did such a great job, he got an awesome Breakfast Chompionship Belt. One that actually featured breakfast in the center of the belt, and he got to torch the visages of his fellow chefs to hammer home his standing as the Breakfast King and well… in the end, this was just another great and fun episode. Because not only was it full of colorful and hilarious moments, but it once again reminded us that food is the just the best, and that we find comfort and joy in all kinds of unique meals and well, now that this breakfast themed bonanza has come to a close, it will be quite interesting to see what other unique recreations await the Foodies as season two cooks along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Single Drunk Female’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
Something that is genuinely concerning about stories that revolve around the power of addiction and the journey of recovery… is that a great deal of them tend to gloss over the recovery process. Instead, the story will focus heavily on the struggle and the pain of addiction and the gravity of the decision to recover and well, that’s concerning simply because… the recovery process is perhaps the most important part of the journey. Since this is where people learn powerful new coping skills to deal with their addiction and it is a little strange that stories wouldn’t want to focus on that as well, but it does make sense as to why.
​
After all, there’s real drama and entertainment value to be found in a story in showing us the character’s battle with addiction and what drove them to it, and there is catharsis to be found in knowing they turned out okay. But it would be just as powerful and engaging to watch those characters work toward a better tomorrow, and it would be equally as satisfying to watch them learn the skills needed to cope and thrive in that brighter day and thankfully… there is a story out there that is focusing on the real steps that happen during recovery by way of the Freeform series, Single Drunk Female. For the next episode in this magnificent and bold series about addiction and recovery, takes the time to focus upon one of the most difficult steps that an addict of alcohol in this instance, will encounter as they work toward sobriety.

Specifically, how the everyday world cares not about one person’s recovery and offers powerful temptation to recovering alcohol addicts by way of holidays that celebrate what they now shun. A feat that ‘Shamrocks and Shenanigans’ accomplished, by allowing for us to accompany Sam and James and Mindy, as they dealt with the fact that St. Patrick’s Day was upon them. Which meant that these brave souls had to navigate constant temptation and genuine societal pressures, since this is now a holiday that is synonymous with drinking and partying and well… how our heroes handled such matters in this tale was powerful and brilliant and downright engaging. In part because Mindy had quite the amazing idea on how positively reinforce sober behaviors… courtesy of a game.

One where the person in recovery would see every challenge to their sobriety as something akin to a video game. Wherein, saying no to a drink that was being offered or finding a new way to best behaviors and statements that downplay sobriety, would help the person in question… level up. Allowing for them to find satisfaction in doing something for their sobriety and well, this was a wonderful idea through and through. Because it kept Mindy and James from succumbing to temptation when they had to go inside a bar and retrieve James’ house keys, since his roommates had them handy in an attempt to get him to ‘party hearty’. But what matters more here, is that this is at last… a look at the struggles that those in recovery go through and how much we treasure party culture over sobriety and what’s amazing is that this intimate look at such matters, didn’t end there.
​
For Sam struggled the most with this particular day over anyone else. Because she really did shape her life around partying and drinking and without it in her life on a day that was once important to her… she struggled with the pull between two worlds. For she knew how easily she could go out there and get what she wanted, but she genuinely wanted to stay sober and rather than reflect upon the back and forth and let temptation fester… when an opportunity to do something constructive arose, she took it. For Beth needed a (former) best friend’s perspective on her wedding dress and Sam came to the rescue there and offered genuine help to Beth and found a little healing in the process. Since she quietly learned what it means to be selfless and how good deeds can heal us in ways we never thought possible. But most important of all, she made it through the day sober and conquered another challenge.

If anything, this was just a brilliant episode when all is said and done. Because it really did offer up a raw and visceral look at the challenges one finds in recovery and why the mantra of ‘one day at a time’ is so important. Because it is baby steps like these that help folks in recovery to cope and find strength and this series deserves a round of applause for putting that kind of struggle on display. Since now we understand what the fight for sobriety looks like and how the world can make it so difficult and well, now that we’ve reached the end of a properly inspiring and engaging chapter in Sam’s incredible journey, it will be quite interesting to see what other eye-opening lessons and moments await us as Sam continues to fight the good fight to stay sober. Until next time.

​Please enjoy a sneak peek of the season two finale of Power Book II: Ghost, which will air on STARZ on February 6, 2022, at 8 p.m. EST.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Total Control’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
Stories that revolve and politics and cleaning up the system tend to feature a lead character that is supremely pure in nature, and it makes sense as to why. Because stories and shows in this vein are meant to expose the flaws in politics and having a main character that is the anthesis of the system and is infallible and morally sound, gives us hope that maybe there will come a day where good people infiltrate politics and turn the whole mess around. But while it is nice to escape into a world where perfect people teach the system a lesson, those stories don’t quite stick with us in the manner that they were intended to.

Because deep down, we know that politics are handled by human beings. And no matter how good someone is at their core, with the right set of circumstances surrounding them, they’ll give into the games that government officials play and do what must be done to come out on top. And rather than transform Alex Irving into a cliché/two-dimensional character that is always pure, the next episode of Total Control on Sundance Now, opted to go the realistic route and have Alex have a genuine moment of humanity in politics, and it accomplished that feat… by pushing Alex to the absolute limit. For when we catch up with her, here, she’s going through it for certain. 

For @Bait15 is starting to make horrible phone calls to her and someone is continuing to drive around the house and yell slurs at her and her family and to top it all off… someone called Child Protective Services on her, making her look like a fool and adding extra stress at the worst possible time. Plus, Jack Ramsey was finally showing his smug face around town to ensure he didn’t lose his seat and well, it just seemed strange that uncomfortable moments started to surround Alex, the instant Jack became an engaged opponent. Which motivated Alex to dig deep and see if by chance, he was the one sowing trouble for her, despite being kind and courteous to her, and wouldn’t you know it? He was indeed the troublemaker here after all. In fact, one of his staffers made that CPS call and that made Alex beyond furious.

Because that was in fact, a low blow, one that Charlie said she should avoid repaying in kind. But this humiliation and that level of cruelty was more than she could bear and well… at a town hall meeting, one that Jack actually showed up to… she opted to play the game and fire off a measure of payback. One that involved her quietly riling up the audience to go after Jack and hammer him on stage to see if they could shatter his cool demeanor. A decision that did indeed work. Since he blew up at the crowd and stormed off… but that vengeful meltdown came at quite the cost. Because innocents were put in the crosshairs of the press and Charlie was furious about her crossing the lines that should never be crossed to get ahead, to the point where he left Alex at the venue, to hold onto the emotional weight of her actions.

But all emotional weight of that moment aside, this really was one realistic and relatable tale. Because it really did remind us of the fact that the right level of pressure and the right circumstances can make anyone succumb to pettiness or vengeful moments and who among us, haven’t gone the extra mile to put someone in their place? If anything, this plot just goes to show that Total Control is one of the smartest political dramas out there and truly, this episode leaves one hungry for more. So, we can see if Alex’s tactics did in fact, have a positive impact upon the campaign or if the consequences of her actions will be real and devastating, and that will make the wait for next week’s episode, a difficult one  for certain. Until next time.