Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Premiere of ‘Party Down’. To revisit seasons one and two of the show, click here. 
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One particular question that we ask of others and others ask of us is… where do you see yourself in ten years? And we ask that question because we are forward thinking creatures, the kind that harbor dreams and hopes and plans for what tomorrow may hold and asking that question or being prompted to answer it helps us to understand that plan for ourselves and for others, and hopefully it keeps everyone involved in that conversation on track toward that ten-year plan. But alas, what’s fascinating about that question is that it really is nothing more than a fleeting moment of fantasy. For none of us know the future, nor do we have any clue what will happen in the next ten years since life can take us to some wild places on a moment’s notice and never was that truth more evident than in the season three premiere of the wildly popular cult classic STARZ series, Party Down.
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For ‘Kyle Bradway is Nitromancer’ is a story that picked up ten years after the season two finale of the show, wherein… we came to learn about where life can take us in a decade. Sometimes for instance… nothing changes all that much as evidenced by Rowan and Ron’s journeys since we came to learn here… they were still working at Party Down with Ron running the show. For others… ten years allows for life to settle into calm since Lydia was enjoying her time as her daughter’s manager and Constance’s rich husband left this plane of existence and left her everything, giving rise to comfort and peace and through Henry’s journey we were reminded… that life can take us to some very unique places. Since this once hopeful actor found the path to marriage and steady work as an English teacher and the catch-up session didn’t end there. 

Because this story also informed us, that sometimes… ten years’ time does net us exactly what we want Since we came to learn that Casey found the success she wanted and so did Kyle Bradway. Since this story focused on his big night. For he landed the coveted superhero role, Nitromancer, in the mega movie of the same name and that brought everyone together again and allowed for them to reflect upon the journey. Which was joyous for some, and bittersweet for others, but this premiere did exactly what we were hoping for. It showed us what the team has been up to since that wondrous wedding episode, and it was the perfect way to immerse us back into their world and their lives in a smooth manner. Plus, it allowed for depth and subtle moments to come forth regarding the journey they’ve all been upon. All of which kept the realism and relatability of this series alive and well, and its wonder didn’t end there.

Simply because, what would an episode of Party Down be without some shenanigans and twists and turns and surprises? And those were here in spades. Courtesy of Ron’s dilemma in trying to buy the franchise outright, since he came to learn that debt, he incurred was going to make that quite difficult. Forcing him to go to extremes to try and save the company and poor Kyle… was dealing with some past echoes from his former band. The kind that brought forth questions regarding whether or not the upcoming star of Nitromancer had ties to the scummy world that only Neo-Nazis populate and well… that ended up bringing about quite the painful twist for Kyle. One that oddly tied into the theme since that too reminded us of the fact that life takes us on some crazy and wild turns, a point that was also hammered home by story’s ending.  

Since we came to learn that this particular celebration and evening, took place in the year 2020, at a time when the world was concerned about a potential viral outbreak from the Coronavirus that found its way to American shores and that perfectly speaks to the theme, and the fleeting nature of that question, and it truly brought home the fact… that this remains one of the most relatable comedies out there. Since everything here, felt like old times with the gang and was as reflective and as introspective as ever, and as funny as ever too, since the humor here was flawless through and through, and well… it’s just great to have this show back. Plus, it’s equally as wonderful to know, that it hasn’t missed a beat and that we are going to be treated to another incredible journey with this crew, one that will offer up the same magnificent echo of life that we’ve come to expect from this classic. Until next time. 

To learn more about the return of ‘Party Down’. Visit our preview article to hear about the revival process from Showrunner John Enbom and check out our interview with Martin Starr and Ryan Hansen.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Shrinking’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. 
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One particular lesson that cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to the power of grief as a result of trauma and loss… is that one cannot rush the healing process, in the slightest. For this a major wound psychologically, one akin to major surgery and it requires incredible time to heal and an incredible amount of emotional therapy as well. Yet so many believe that anyone suffering through that pain can quickly emerge from it and be just fine if they lower their heads and go for it, or quickly immerse themselves in everyday moments that they took part in before the pain began. And for that matter, those who hurt are so desperate to be free of the pain, that they will often agree with that summation and do their best to get back on the proverbial horse and well… that often leads to disaster… as evidenced by this week’s episode of Shrinking on Apple TV+.
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For when we catch up with everyone in ‘Imposter Syndrome’, they’re trying to get back into the swing of things and leave the pain behind and somehow magically heal. Gaby for instance, was eager to enjoy a little sexual freedom now that she was divorced, through some good old-fashioned flings. Only to find… she wasn’t quite ready to make that happen since there was still emotional attachment and damage to repair from her divorce, and she struggled accordingly. As for Paul… while his decision to tell his daughter about his condition was a noble one to say the least, but one that he didn’t think about from a consequence standpoint. Because his little girl was worried sick about him and understood that life was about to change, and Paul didn’t want that. He wanted to relish in every last free moment and was now facing the reality that he might have rushed the process and would lose some of that freedom. 

As for Jimmy and Alice… well… they too just wanted to get back into the swing of things and the world and that was why… they agreed to host Brian’s engagement party. Because he was ready to pop the question to Charlie, and what better way to do that then under the guise of a shindig at Jimmy’s? And well… such a decision came back to haunt Jimmy and Alice. Because parties were a thing that Tia loved and hosting one brought back a flood of memories and… Jimmy had to hear often on this night about how he and Tia were just a wonderful and inspiring couple. Which stirred up every raw emotion about his lost love. Which prompted Jimmy to just drown his sorrows and get stinking drunk at the party and that brought about an awkward proposal for Brian and Charlie… when the booze got the better of Jimmy’s stomach and well… clearly neither party was ready to get back to this kind of stuff, and it only got worse from there. 

Because Alice, in her slightly inebriated state, saw the kindness that Sean showed her on this night as a signal to go for it and find love. Since that would give her a chance to feel something good at last and well, that was a poor and rushed choice. Since Sean recognized the age gap and reminded her of that and made it clear those feelings weren’t shared. Shattering her crush and bringing back the pain she tried to mask through that crush, and Jimmy… well he crossed a line that might come back to bite him. Because he and Gaby shared a quiet moment in his bedroom where both sides were vulnerable emotionally and of course, a little drunk and in order to feel something good as well, they kissed and undoubtedly spent the night together and well… we will see what the morning brings for them when heads are clear, and hindsight comes into play.

But all of this was because they rushed the healing process and did everything, they could, to just feel something other than sorrow and that doesn’t make them bad characters or people, just broken ones that need more time and more care and that makes this… a realistically bittersweet tale. One that reminds us of the mistakes we’ve made while grieving or informs of the ones we will make. For we are only human, and our emotions can and will rule the day, especially when we hurt, and it was incredible to see the series dive deep into this after hinting at this reality a little while back and really put on display… how much grief hurts and how powerful it can be. Because that’s the honesty we need in discussing this process, and we need to know that we are going to stumble and fall on our way to happiness again, and it will be interesting to see how these characters pick up the pieces and resume the work, when tomorrow comes. Until next time. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Hello Tomorrow!’ To revisit the previous episodes, including the series premiere, click here.
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One particular habit that each of us take part in when life is coming at us in a fast and furious manner, is that we all lower our heads and bury ourselves in work and tasks. Because in that moment… we simply cannot handle dealing with our problems, and/or we need to sort through them in a manner that is nontraditional and keeping busy in that manner… helps us slowly sort it out or it girds our constitution to prepare us for the fight ahead. Which we do indeed take part in when the time is right in some form or fashion. But while this is a tried-and-true method to handling our business from time to time, it does harbor some unsettling drawbacks. After all, some people bury their head in other tasks and their work for so long, that they actually learn to ignore the issue at hand and just soldier on, as though nothing is wrong. 
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Which… usually ends badly for the person taking part in such an act. Since we cannot outrun the past or our problems and somehow or another… they will catch up to us, and demand that we pay attention to them, or else, and they started to do just that in this week’s episode of Hello Tomorrow! on Apple TV+. For the Brightside crew was genuinely settling into Vistaville in ‘Forms, Appropriately Filled and Filed’, and that brought about some unique storylines for certain. Such as the fact that the business basically had to shut down. For the shady and false operation that Jack has set up, finally dealt with the man regarding licenses and bonding and the like, and that meant quiet time for the team. Wherein some of them were forced to face a long-awaited wake-up call to deal with their problems and their past, and that brought about some interesting moments.

For instance, this quiet time taught Eddie… that he really doesn’t have a life plan. He just moves from moment to moment with hope, despite the trouble it has caused him. Courtesy of incredible debts and the threat of physical harm looming over his head. But he has been at it for so long, what else does he know? Hence why he once again placed the bet of a lifetime in a desperate attempt to not have to think about what comes next in life for, he and Shirley and well… that oddly brought out a fascinating wake-up call for Eddie. Because this time around, he won… and won big. Wiping away those horrible debts and putting him in quite the unique place. Because now, the money he promised his love was here, as was the future they wanted so badly, and that will leave him with no choice but to think upon how to leave those problems and bad habits behind and focus upon what tomorrow is finally going to look like.  

However, while Eddie had something of a happy wake-up call, Jack’s was a touch darker in nature. Because Joey was in need of some serious romantic help in this story since he finally found the courage to ask the girl, he’s had a crush on for forever, out. But her father wanted to meet Joey’s parents and Joey asked Jack to step in and play dad. Which Jack was happy to do and eventually made magic happen in playing the role he already had. A move that led to the discovery that Jack was his son and incredible pain for Jack. Because now he knows what a fool, he’s been for running from his true calling, and how much he now wants this and is scared of it all at once, and well… this was a fine wake-up call for Jack. That if he doesn’t step up and be a father and confront his mistake and the truth… that conflict and the regret such ignorance will engender… will be with him for the rest of his life.

All of which led to another powerful episode of this series. One that was as subtle and as quirky as the previous three and of course… still found a way to keep things light. Through Herb’s storyline in this tale for instance. Wherein his wife came all this way to seek vengeance when there was none, and even through Costopoulous and Myrtle. Since his straight arrow approach to everything was wonderfully counterbalanced by Myrtle’s need to make Brightside pay. Which served to remind us of the brilliance of this series and how it does a wonderful job of using humor to hammer points home, since there was comedy to be found in Jack and Eddie’s big moments as well and well, in the end, the critical epiphanies that Jack and Eddie went through here, only leave us eager for more. Because we have to know if they are going to answer the call and find the happiness and hope and peace they seek, or if old habits will resume and the hard work they use to hide from the world, will become their focus once again. Until next time.

Please enjoy this exclusive clip from tonight’s new episode of Life After Lockup on WE tv.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale of ‘Kold x Windy’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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For the most part, shows that explore the elements of the human condition, rarely explore the same element twice. In part because there’s so much to explore about who we are and what makes us tick, that repeating any examination would seem superfluous in nature and perhaps insulting to the audience. But in reality, sometimes certain aspects about our humanity, absolutely require more in-depth explorations. For some of what we deal with in our journey, involves months if not years of our lives and involves incredible steps and work, to move to a new phase of our lives and that’s why the WE tv series, Kold x Windy is of note. Because this series at its core, is about change and how we leave the past behind and learn to embrace tomorrow, and that is not an overnight process. It features a lot of work and setbacks and ups and downs.
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Which is why this series has devoted so many episodes to exploring this and that is precisely why it served as the focus of the season one finale. For ‘It Is, What It Is’ is a story that was keen to explore how our desire to change can terrify those close to us… who aren’t ready to embrace it, and how tough times can wipe away the progress we’ve made, and it accomplished this feat… by putting Malika and Renee at quite the crossroads. Because it became clear to both of them… that their lives were quickly taking new paths, since GeGe informed them of her diagnosis and her desire to let the cancer win, meaning their lives weren’t going to be the same soon. Plus, Malika and Marlon were planning their nuptials, and Malika… was thinking strongly that perhaps the time had come to shift the music of this duo in a new direction.  

One that wasn’t so dark and tied to violence, especially since there was a new record company eager to sign them and pay them the cash they’ve always craved. But Renee didn’t agree with this idea. She wanted Kold and Windy to stay at it was and well, that is where the divide came into play. For this duo were finally understanding that they were moving in two different directions. For Malika wanted more out of life than the violence and the showmanship aspect of the business. She wanted a family, a life, and a chance to grow as an artist. While Renee wanted the opposite and well, she was so rattled by the reality that the duo might split and that she might be on her own and away from her closest friend, that she went to extreme measures to sabotage any changes Malika planned to make. Such as telling Marlon, to back the hell off and forget about marriage and she even entertained a meeting with Shelly. To discuss their future as a duo.

Something that Renee quickly shook off since she firmly believed… she could convince Malika to leave grander ideas behind, and well… fate took care of that for her. Because Marlon was shot dead in a stunning moment in this story. One that has us wondering exactly how far Renee was willing to go keep a status quo, and well, that loss… devastated Malika to no end. As did Renee’s arrest since the police finally decided to act, in a somewhat shady manner of course. But all of that allowed for anger and pain to bubble to the surface for Malika and forced her to lash out to find peace, setting her back on her journey and making it clear… that this whole process can be ugly, especially when we are in a world that is toxic in nature and is unwilling to let us go. And well… this series deserves a round of applause for pointing out that setbacks do happen… and for showing us how a fear of change can prompt those we love to do horrible things.  

Which Renee exemplified in this tale since her own issues and co-dependent behavior really drove her to do some terrible things in this tale, the kind that were destructive and painful to watch since she held someone back in the name of maintaining comfort. But that happens in the world, and that realism is what continues to sell the wonder of this series and well, all of these elements made for the perfect finale. The only question that remains is… what comes next for this duo now that the prospect of change has rattled them in ways, they never thought possible and well, hopefully WE tv renews this brilliant series for a second season so we find out. Because this is a story that needs to be brought to its proper conclusion, since it has so much to say. But while we wait for that good news, we can bask in the glory in a powerful season of storytelling, one that gave us plenty to think about when it comes to the pursuit of our dreams, and the difficult journey and incredible change that accompanies it. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 302 for ‘Star Trek: Picard’. To revisit the Season Three Premiere, click here.
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One thing that fans of the Paramount+ series, Star Trek: Picard, can agree upon… is that we were all left a touch worried at the end of last week’s season three premiere. For the Starfleet Recruitment Center was left in utter ruin courtesy of a stolen superweapon and our beloved admiral and his trusted right hand for decades on end, were staring down the barrels of many guns, courtesy of the arrival of a massive and daunting vessel. Leaving all of us to wonder what was to come next for these characters since they were facing incredible trouble and incredible odds and well, this week’s episode wasted little time in informing us… that everyone would get a moment to breathe and a moment of safety to ponder upon their next moves, before the show offered up more surprises and mysteries, and danger.
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Which for Raffi… involved demanding answers from her handler at Starfleet Intelligence regarding the quick resolution of the whole attack on the Recruitment Center, since it was deemed that a rogue Romulan was behind this mess and that just seemed too simple a solve. Because whomever was behind this attack was clearly trying to send a deep message to Starfleet and the Federation and likely wasn’t done with their work and that prompted her to ignore her handler’s orders to ‘Disengage’ and seek out her ex-husband. Because he could get her a meeting with the Ferengi gangster that she discovered, brokered the deal to get that tech out into the galaxy and well, that was a tough moment for Raffi. Since her ex asked her to choose between duty and family and she chose the former. 

Because she had to do right, and she truly believed in the cause and that brought her face to face with Sneed. The scummiest Ferengi to ever appear in the STU, since he wasn’t just about profits, he was also about power and fear and the worst aspects of any living creature in the galaxy, and this ruthless little monster… led to serious trouble for Raffi. For he seemed to know that she was Starfleet Intelligence and just wanted to mess with her mind and offer her nothing. Which brought about more mystery regarding the attack on Starfleet and one epic surprise. For when Raffi was in serious trouble, her handler finally arrived to help, and it just so happened… that her savior in that moment was none other than Captain Worf.  

Which was epic and amazing and left us eager to learn more about his time in Starfleet Intelligence and everything else he’s been up to since the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E parted ways. But that will have to wait. Because there was still the whole matter regarding Admiral Picard and the whole situation near the Titan. Because that particular mess, went from bad to worse. For the mysterious captain of that massive ship, made it so there was no escaping the Elios. Which of course meant that the only hope for survival here, was Captain Shaw, who wasn’t exactly keen on stepping in and helping a pair of living legends, who he basically believed made him a fool in front of his crew. But thankfully, Seven’s keen powers of observation allowed for her to appeal to Shaw’s ego.  

That in turn, allowed for a daring rescue mission to take place, one that brought everyone aboard the Titan and allowed for everyone to have that moment of respite and allowed for us… to be introduced to more mystery. Because with everyone safely on board, the skipper of that massive ship finally wanted to talk and that brought the crew face to face with Captain Vadic of the Shrike. A seething individual that was eager to have Jack Crusher aboard her ship to have him answer for his endless, pirate-esque crimes. And she expected the young man to be aboard her ship within one hour or everyone would face the consequences of harboring a fugitive. And to show her resolve and her cruelty, she quite literally, threw the Elios at the Titan, causing some damage and it left everyone curious as to what prompted such fury.   
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Of course, that question went unanswered. Because despite Jean-Luc’s best attempts to learn what Jack was hiding and why he was wanted on so many worlds, the young man would not speak about anything to anyone. He simply worked out his own escape plan from the Brig of this ship and when the time was right, executed that plan. Forcing everyone to scramble and make the hard call. In that, would they just let him go and move on with their lives or step up and protect someone that would face more amicable and humane terms under the laws of the United Federation of Planets? But Will Riker knew there was something special about Jack, something that Jean-Luc was hiding and in order to get to the truth and to force a solution, he revived Beverly shortly after she was fixed up by the ship’s doctor.

All so she could silently confirm to Jean-Luc what Riker and some of us suspected. That Jack Crusher was in fact, the son of Jean-Luc Picard and Beverly Crusher and with that in mind… the admiral stepped in and made sure that his son would be protected, giving rise to what will be, a cat and mouse game within the nebula ahead. One that we won’t enjoy until next week, and that’s fine. Because this one left us with plenty to ponder upon. Because… it’s obvious now that Jean-Luc and Beverly opted to explore the feelings that they spoke to harboring for one another in season seven of The Next Generation, and clearly things went south, and that has us eager to hear the admiral and his love spill the earl grey tea (served piping hot) regarding their broken love affair, and why Jean-Luc wasn’t there for his son. 

Plus, let’s be honest… we have to know more about the enigmatic and chilling Captain Vadic. For she is obsessed with having Jack in her clutches and is excited by inflicting pain and generating fear and the thrill of the hunt and well… all of these mysteries and surprises made for one incredible episode. One that captivated us from beginning to end and of course, left us eager for more. Because clearly, this season is building to some big moments and equally as big thematic explorations and the setup for all of this is simply incredible and will undoubtedly have us counting down the minutes until next week’s tale. So, we can see what other answers and epic moments and reintroductions to other crew members from The Next Generation await us. Until next time. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘The Ark’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe so say, that the ending to last week’s episode of the SYFY series, The Ark, left the fans in quite the hopeful place. Because after several weeks of squabbling and infighting and all around not working together… the crew of Ark One finally figured out that they were stronger united. Which allowed for them to solve the water crisis aboard the ship and move the ship out of harm’s way when a comet came barreling down upon them. A finale that more or less made it seem as though brighter days were finally ahead for this crew and that this unity might last and well, the next episode in this storied saga informed the crew and its loyal audience… that might not be the case. 
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Which took us by surprise since ‘We Weren’t Supposed to Be Awake’ reinforced the positive we experienced last week, early on. Because everyone had plenty of water to drink and bathe with at last and there was enough to re-fire the engines and get this ship moving toward its destination once again. Plus, the garden was growing, and it just seemed as though peace was settling over the ship. But alas, what Lieutenant Lane discovered at the end of last week, wherein there was video footage of Sharon violently murdering a person… broke the calm when she was placed under arrest and subjected to interrogation and that led to quite the surprise for the audience.

In that, at long last… we finally received some answers regarding her mysterious past. Because Sharon needed to exonerate herself and the truth was the only way to make that happen, and it turned out that Sharon wasn’t a murderer as we and Lane were led to believe. Instead, she was… a science experiment. A clone, in fact, and she was created to study the impact of long-term space travel on the human body and whether or not… mankind could be upgraded for the long voyages ahead. Which is why she was given Tardigrade DNA and while she did fine with that integration, her twin did not do well with what science subjected her to, and that made her violent and impulsive, and she was the one that committed that murder while Sharon was halfway around the world and sadly, she eventually ended up dead. Which was enough truth and proof, for Felix to let her go and her release could not have come at a better time.

Simply because, a strange affliction washed over the crew. For everyone was suddenly having wild hallucinations about family members left behind and coworkers and lovers gone, and that… led to serious trouble. For the crew wasn’t able to perform their duties and the mental degradation that came with that, led to bursts of violence and seizures, even. Not to mention, the crops were starting to die and well… Angus figured out along the way, that the water was the problem. And science confirmed that microbes were indeed present in the water and impacting the mental and physical health of the crew and oddly enough, Sharon was the key to saving the day. Since her Tardigrade DNA was resistant to those microbes and with a little bit of her blood being made into an serum… the madness ended, the water could still be consumed, and life seemingly went on… for the time being.

Because this is a story that knows how to close one chapter of mysteries and open a new one in its stead. As evidenced by the fact that Baylor’s hallucinations involved some kind of secret and uncomfortable mission given to him from the late Commander Susan Ingram and of course… what Angus discovered about the frozen goop that nearly ended Brice’s life… was stunning to say the least. Since it implies that perhaps, this crew and humanity are not alone in the void and are being warned by extraterrestrial life to stay on their side of the galaxy. Which is a game changing revelation if legit, and all of these elements are what hint greatly at trouble ahead and more struggles to test this crew, and well… all this magnificent and engaging episode does, is leave us eager for more of this incredible journey and the amazing revelations that await us in the depths of space. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Poker Face’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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For the most part, stories that revolve around the power of trauma and loss and its lasting impact upon us… tend to be positive in nature. For those stories understand that trauma can cause great harm and that if we are reading a story about it or watching a show or movie about it… that is likely because we are dealing with its impact and/or know someone who is, and we want this… to help with healing, to give us direction. So… they offer us a wonderful tale that truly examines how we emerge from those dark times, and that really does make for some wonderful and fulfilling storytelling. The kind that does guide us and give us hope that this too shall pass. But while those stories are indeed wonderful to enjoy and inspire us in a time of need, there is a slight problem with them.
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In that… they don’t always give us the complete picture of the power of trauma and loss. Because for every person that emerges from the darkness with newfound perspective, there are others who never escape its grasp. These are the folks… that disappear from the world and are avoided because they’re believed to be sour all because… their pain was too great to overcome and what’s problematic about not showing us this side of things… is that it sticks with the mantra that only happy endings exist in the world when that’s never the case. For not everyone’s path is perfect, and people do suffer and don’t need to be shunned when they do… they need kindness and closure, and more time to work out what aches in their heart, and sometimes, they need justice to help with that. If anything, this particular aspect of trauma and loss is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focus of the next episode of Poker Face on Peacock.

A feat that ‘The Orpheus Syndrome’ accomplishes by having Charlie Cale spend time with a gentle Hollywood legend. For Arthur was once of the finest visionary minds in the business and one of the best special effects guys around. But an unfortunate accident on the set of his directorial debut, prompted him to leave the business and never look back, and spend his days, doing odd work where he can and work upon his own project, one named after this episode. All because the ghosts of yesterday haunted him deeply and well… his untimely passing, prompts Charlie to explore how this could have happened so suddenly. Especially after spending time with an old friend and colleague named Laura and what Charlie will uncover, is a sorrowful truth about trauma and loss and how its lasting impact can transform us into something so much more. 

Which really is the best way to explore the dark side of trauma. Since both Laura and Arthur are haunted by that terrible day. One that changed the course of their careers and their lives through and through and watching how they both respond to choices made and a life lost… leads to some powerful moments. The kind that informs us that trauma can indeed haunt a person and make them a shell of their former selves where they desperately try to reconcile it with minimal success. Or it can make a person an outright monster. The kind that will take the darkness of the moment and let it infect their soul and push them to do awful acts to feel nothing and keep that pain buried deep within the core of them. All of which helped to make it clear that showcasing this doesn’t insult the journey back from trauma but reinforces a need to address it and support others going through it, so they don’t lead lives akin to Laura and Arthur.
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Plus, this episode also allowed for Charlie to address her own recent brush with trauma and loss and process it to some degree. Since she too has been in need of that, and watching her work through it here was powerful and it was also wonderful to really come to understand… that working to solve these crimes and bring justice to so many, is helping her to slowly heal her own aching soul. Adding wonderful depth to her character, and an episode, that was just… a masterclass in storytelling. One that assembled this mystery in a uniquely compelling manner and paid homage to the horror films of the 1970s and 1980s and… paid incredible tribute to the classic mysteries of the same eras in a beautiful manner. Which was made possible by Alice Ju and Natasha Lyonne’s phenomenal script, and those words were beautifully brought to life by Natasha’s stunning work as the director of this episode as well.

In fact, she coaxed forth some incredible performances from the show’s most incredible cast to date. Since Cherry Jones (Laura), Nick Nolte (Arthur), Luis Guzmán (Raoul), and Tim Russ (Max) pop up here and deliver just an acting clinic, and for that matter… Natasha doesn’t miss a beat while on screen with them and shows off her skill set as well. All of which makes this, the show’s finest episode to date. Because it had everything. A juicy mystery, shout outs, acting to die for and a story that demands your attention from beginning to end. If anything, this just serves as a fine reminder as to how brilliant this series truly is and that its potential is endless and truly… this story is going to make the wait for next week’s mystery, as painful as can be. Simply because we need more of this magnificent series and all the incredible commentary and moments it has to offer. Until next time.

​Please enjoy a sneak peek of the season three premiere of Party Down. Which makes its debut on STARZ, tomorrow, 2/24/2023!

The vast majority of television shows that revolve around the workplace, tend to be fairly lighthearted in nature and understandably so. After all, we spend 40 hours a week, away from home and working hard to pay the bills… so seeing what we left behind in prime-time or on a streaming service… better not remind us of that. So, those shows just tend to lean into satire and comedy to offer up that perfect sense of escapism so we can enjoy our night and get some rest and head back out to do it all again the next day and well… maybe that is something that needs to change. Because let’s be honest, there’s been quite the awakening regarding the workplace in our modern world, specifically… how it isn’t the lighthearted and romanticized place we see on television.
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In fact, we are finally speaking aloud to the fact that work can be a bear and a burden and that there are far too many workplaces out there that are toxic in nature and harm our mental health courtesy of managers that have no people skills and only know how to manage quotas and results. Which means that putting that reality on television in an earnest and honest light, might finally hammer home the fact that we need to expect better of our workplaces and our bosses and improve where we spend so much of our lives, and well… it just so happens that a series in that vein is about to do just that. For Friday, February 24, 2023, will see The Consultant debut on Prime Video and this series about the workplace… is nothing short of brilliant in what it has to say about working conditions in our modern world.

A feat that this story accomplishes… by plunging us into a company in crisis. For the gaming company CompWare has lost its visionary CEO, Sang-woo, in a tragic manner, leaving the company and its employees worried about their futures. A concern that is further compounded by the arrival of The Consultant. A man named Regus Patoff who is using his role to keep the company going as an interim CEO and observer and well… his arrival at CompWare is going to change the lives of its employees in ways they never thought possible. Which is… the perfect way to explore the horrors of the workplace in the modern world since Regus is quite unconventional in how he manages and that leads… to powerful moments. 

The kind that explores the anxieties that we experience in the workplace when there is a change in management or ownership, and the struggles we go through to just be recognized for our hard work and it even features observations and commentary regarding the boundaries that don’t exist between the workplace and our personal lives, making this at times… an intense and almost frightening series. Since so much of what we don’t enjoy is on display here, and this series deserves a round of applause for addressing a topic that needs to be addressed in a surprising manner and style. Because it is one thing to basically remind us of what we dealt with from 9-5 before coming home to watch this… but it is another to give us something more. 

Which this series does… by adding some grand mystery to Regus and his real purpose here. The kind that at times seems almost supernatural in nature. All of which compels us to complete the journey so we can understand what brought Regus to CompWare and what his true intentions are for the company. Which creates… the perfect blend of observations and satire and entertainment, to the point where at times the story even knows how to make us laugh because this is… a brilliant series through and through. One that is carefully thought out when it comes to its plot, and it features brilliant acting as well. Since Christoph Waltz (Regus), Nat Wolff (Craig), Brittany O’Grady (Elaine), and Aimee Carrero (Patti) sell this world and this mystery in a compelling and honest manner. So that we are further drawn into a world that at times… feels all too familiar. 

For at its core, it really is a series about corporate America and its need to change and well… by now, you’ve likely noticed that we’ve kept it light on the details regarding how it accomplishes that and there is good reason for that. Because you need to settle in and see this series for yourself and enjoy all the wonder and surprises it has to offer. So instead, we will just simply state that this is must-see television, and the good news, is that you don’t have to wait that much longer to be drawn into this quality series. For Friday draws near and we hope you give this unique and refreshing series a look and join us back here to geek out about this incredible story, and to enjoy more pre-release coverage via our interview with Nat Wolff, Brittany O’Grady, and Aimee Carrero. As we count down to the release of one incredibly original and refreshing series about work, and all strange and unsettling quirks that come with earning a paycheck.

As an added bonus, here are some pictures from the Red Carpet Premiere of the series, courtesy of Getty Images.