One thing that television fans can agree upon, is that the STARZ series, Party Down, is one of the most iconic and beloved comedies of these early years of the 21st Century and rightfully so. In large part because, it’s as funny as can be. Thanks to a stellar cast that harbors wonderful comedic timing and whip smart scripts that feature stories and moments that are just plain hilarious. Not to mention, its premise and setup are as original as it gets, but above all, what truly makes this series so worth our while and draws us back to it time and time again… is the sheer fact that this story is so incredibly relatable. Because… the good folks of Party Down are dreamers and hopefuls… just like the rest of us. 
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For they too work a job that they don’t enjoy as we’ve all done or might be doing now, and they are hoping for better as we do and have goals in mind that they are desperate to grab hold of. And that raw humanity present within this story stuck with us when we first watched and stayed with us long after the series left the airwaves back in 2010. In large part because… it was a series that left the airwaves well before its time, and that left fans desperate for more of this show and its wonderful characters and shenanigans and of course, the end left us wondering… what would have happened to the crew years down the line. Would they have found their dreams? Or would life have taken them on different paths than they originally hoped?

Well in a twist of wondrous fate, thirteen years after this iconic series left the airwaves, we are finally getting more of what we need and the answers we seek. For Friday February 24, 2023, will see the debut of the long-awaited and highly anticipated third season of this beloved show and well, since you’re dying to know more about it and have undoubtedly watched both seasons in preparation for it… we here at NTG thought it would be worthwhile to preview this new season in a spoiler-free manner. To properly prepare you for its return and to build that anticipation further. And well, perhaps the best place to start with this preview… is to talk about how this series made its way back to the airwaves and the best person to explain that… would be Party Down’s Showrunner: John Enbom.

For we recently sat down with John to discuss how this blessing happened, and here is what he had to say: “You know, it was a conversation on our end, that never stopped, in the sense that, you know, we were gung ho to do a season three, after season two, and we had already started talking to STARZ about it, we had been working on it ourselves. And then they had, you know, a big regime change there, which, as you know, often will sweep out a lot of the executives who made the show in the first place, and then you end up without a show. And so, we never lost the desire to do more. And so, we’ve been kind of trying to get something going this whole time, you know, here and there, you know, going back into STARZ, sort of trying to sort of imagine taking it somewhere else, or do this or that. And so, you know, this version of it came together, literally, when we read an interview with the new head of STARZ, like a year or two ago, where he made mention of, you know, coming into the new network, and one of the shows that he liked that, you know, he wished he could see more of was Party Down.

And so, Rob Thomas, literally just picked up the phone and called him was just like, “Guess what, you know, we're still here.” And, you know, one thing led to another, and then they were like, “Well, do you think you could put it together.” And so, you know, it actually happened. So, it wasn't something where we just woke up one day, and we're like, “You know what we should try?” It was like, we've been trying to do this, on and off the whole time. And, you know, we keep in touch with the cast, we all have, you know, very warm feelings about doing the show, not just as the show, but also as an experience, it's really fun to do. So, you know, we, we've always wanted to keep it going. And once we had the opportunity, and we could just, you know, send out a group message and be like, “Guess what, you know, are you guys available?” And you know, it all fell together. So, it was… it was a… stroke of good fortune, I guess you would say.”

If anything, John’s words echo our love of the show and the passion that went into the project in the first place and informs us that… the cast and crew wanted to continue the journey and see where it was headed and well, that translates well to this new season. Because this is a series that is in fact, supremely organic and feels like a true continuation of what came before. In fact, it doesn’t feel as though the show has been off the air for some time, it feels like we sat through the season two finale but a few months ago and that’s wondrous. And this new season also makes sure to give us exactly what we want. Since we get to learn what has happened in the time between season two and now and how these characters have grown and that makes for a brilliant season of storytelling.

One that is also… filled to the brim with incredible surprises that completely drop your jaw from a storytelling standpoint. But above all… what everyone is truly worried about, is whether or not the series remains as fresh and as funny as it was back then and the answer to that question… is a resounding yes. If anything, it’s funnier since everyone in the cast has honed their impressive skills further and deliver every joke with incredible zest and zeal, and of course, the wild situations that only this group seems to encounter are present here as well and all of those elements… brings forth a perfect third season. One that gives the fans everything they want and more and the best news of all, is that we don’t have to wait that much longer to enjoy it. Since Friday is right around the corner and we here at NTG can’t wait to geek out with all of you about season three and to share more pre-release coverage with you. By way of our interview with series stars Ryan Hansen and Martin Starr and through some Sneak Peeks and clips, one of which we’ve shared with you here, to properly celebrate the return of a beloved and iconic series.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘American Auto’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Now and then, we hear about how there’s just… the next great thing coming from the technology sector. Something that is revolutionary and powerful and will change the world as we know it, and we also hear… that someone has taken the time to invest in it… so it has to be legit. And we course, perk up and listen because that usually means good news for the world, only to learn… it wasn’t that great. Or it was a hoax and then of course… there’s the ugliness that comes with that. Such as hearings and trials and everything in between, since someone lost a lot of money on that. Which does leave one to wonder, how such an investment comes to life. Because if other people sniffed out the false platitude of it, how did the investor miss on that?
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Well, since American Auto is the quintessential satire on the mistakes that corporations often make, this week’s episode served as the perfect place to answer that question. A feat that ‘Going Green’ accomplished by taking us back into the C-Suite at Payne Motors where the team was pondering upon green initiatives to make investors happy and pump up that stock price. Because Jack came to learn that Payne was one of the few companies out there to not be investing in such technologies and well, that prompted Katherine to say yes to going green and the subsequent announcements and stock jump that came from them… put the team on the road.

So, they could indeed find, the next great green product to add to their vehicle lineup. Which led to some solid pitches, and some boring ones, and some investments along the way. But of the many places they visited, there was one that Wesley absolutely believed they had to check out. A battery company run by his old buddy Chase. For he really believed that Chase was onto something big for green car manufacturing and after some pressing, Katherine relented and took a meeting with him and instantly harbored regret. Because Chase somehow believed that sand, could be used to power batteries. And of course, there was no science to back that theory up, nor were there any tangible results that this kind of battery would work. Prompting Katherine to speak her mind and leave this charade behind.

But when one of the employees at Chase’s company, mentioned that Tesla had shown interest… things quickly changed. Because now, it seemed as though there was real demand for this product and in doing their due diligence to see if by chance Tesla knew something they didn’t… a buzz was created. One that was so strong and so powerful that Katherine… had to have those sand batteries. So, she did her best to smooth things over with Chase and asked for Wesley’s help in the matter to close the deal and get Payne’s hands… on an ungodly amount of sand. Sand that did nothing but be sand, really. All of which helped us to understand how these investments are made and how they’ll stick around until fundamental change comes into play.

Because in essence, hype products and solutions such as these are created… by hype. Where someone gets a buzz going and those that hear about the hype and want to be in on the next hot thing, get suckered into something silly and stupid. Like sand batteries. Which informs us, that the hype train is the problem, and that real due diligence needs to come into play to examine what the next great thing looks like and until that happens, mistakes like this one will be made. But all commentary and satire aside, make no mistake about it, this was a hilarious episode. One that did a wonderful job of lampooning the hype train and featured a Superstore reunion. Since Ben Feldman played Chase and well, now that this delightful journey has come to a close, the time has come to wait once again for more brilliance from one of the smartest comedies on the airwaves. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Night Court’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

Over the course of the past six weeks, the NBC Series, Night Court, has done a phenomenal job of offering up some supremely uplifting commentary regarding the human condition. Since its stories have been filled to the brim about how we can lift each other up and be better all around, all while of course, keeping things light and funny and that has brought about… some powerful stories. The kind that really do stick with you after the show has come to an end. But the best shows out there, understand balance and understand that sometimes… you just have to let loose and have fun and let the audience process what they’ve learned and that’s why this week’s episode of the show is of note.
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Because ‘Train Court’ is a story… that went light on the commentary and had a lot of fun through ‘a day in the life’ type tale. Wherein we came to learn that Abby and several of her co-workers all took the same train and she thought… that perhaps they should be train buddies. Which Olivia informed her, was a bad idea. Simply because… train time is sacred time, and no one wants to deal with anything but their thoughts on the subway. But that of course, didn’t stop Abby from trying and well… the pausing of the Number Six train that she and Olivia took into work every day due to mechanical failure, prompted Abby to try and see if by chance… she could get people on the train to open up and be friendly and make their ride more than just a trek to work.

Which went about as well as one might expect. Since everyone was pretty territorial and spicy about talking to anyone else. But a dispute regarding who was sitting in a particular seat, and the subway rules regarding that… led to an opportunity for Abby. Wherein she could use the law to her advantage and set up a full-on court inside the train. To give everyone a sense of justice about the evening’s events and hopefully open up to one another again. Which also… went about as well as one might expect. Since the testimony was wild and the judgement from the jury was something straight out of a reality television show. But at least Abby did get people to interact with one another and socialize and that’s something of a win in the end. 

However, while she and Olivia were taking part in that, Dan and Gurgs had their own little shenanigans going on. Because with Abby out, a substitute judge was behind the bench, and he was eager to cook through the night’s cases. Which was going to benefit Dan and Gurgs, since they would finish early, and he would be able to partake in a delicious unique meal at New York’s hottest new restaurant. While Gurgs planned on using her spare time to enjoy a little time in the VIP Champagne Room in the hottest gentlemen’s club in NYC, the one filled with only the hottest gentlemen. But the arrival of Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir in the courtroom for a case, changed plans. Because Abby loved that duo and Gurgs wanted her to meet them… so Dan and Gurgs took part in a little game of game of cat and mouse to delay things long enough for Abby to meet them. One that Dan handed to Gurgs to help a friend out, costing him that reservation, even though… Abby already knew them.

If anything, this was just a fun episode through and through. One that really did just have a lot of fun with the moment and let so many characters shine, and it was filled with some great comedy. Since the folks on the train were as quirky as it gets, especially the pizza guy with the serial killer brother. Not to mention, the jail scene where Dan and Neil were christened ‘Sweets and Sour’ by an amorous prisoner was pretty amazing and well, this was just a fine lesson is how versatile this series can be, and how well it understands its history and the wonder of comedy. And now that we’ve reached the end of one delightful tale, it will be interesting to see if deeper meaning returns next week or if we are in for another round of outright hilarity. Until next time.

Normally big cast announcements for upcoming seasons of television shows come well after the current season has ended. Since this is when the new season is usually announced and when pre-production upon said new season is underway. But when a network has a massive hit on their hands and has already announced a new season earlier than expected… then it is okay for the network to indulge the fans with some wonderful news about some big names coming to a beloved show down the line… as evidenced by today’s announcement from STARZ.
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Because STARZ already renewed the mega-hit series BMF for a third season and knows how to build some serious hype. Which is why the network let it be known that Grammy Award Winning artists, 2 Chainz and Ne-Yo will be coming to season three of BMF, and well… it doesn’t get more epic than that. Because uh… it’s 2 Chainz and Ne-Yo. That just plain sums it up and builds incredible excitement for a season to come, and here are more details on this stunning announcement, courtesy of STARZ… to help you process this awesome news.  

​‘STARZ announced today that multi-hyphenate Grammy Award winners 2 Chainz (The Enforcer) and NE-YO (Dance Monsters, Hip-Hop Family Christmas Wedding) have joined the third season of its hit drama series “BMF” in recurring roles. This casting exemplifies how the gritty period drama has carved out cultural resonance for a modern audience by attracting some of the biggest names in entertainment. 2 Chainz and NE-YO join the series’ impressive guest star roster that has previously included Eminem, Serayah, Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee and Snoop Dogg – to name a few.
 
Season two of “BMF” is currently airing on Fridays at midnight ET on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the LIONSGATE+ premium streaming platform in the UK and Brazil. On linear, it airs on STARZ at 8:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada.
 
2 Chainz will play “Stacks,” an Atlanta-born and bred distributor whose wisdom and stature command respect wherever he goes.  Fiercely loyal and determined to provide for his family no matter the cost, Stacks lives by the street code and challenges Meech's leadership style. NE-YO will play “Rodney ‘Greeny’ Green,” a local Atlanta player who's all about making the bag. Filled with swagger and an entrepreneurial spirit, there's more than meets the eye to Greeny.

“BMF” is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through his G-Unit film and television (Executive Producer of the “Power” Universe, “For Life,”and Hip Hop Homicides), alongside showrunner, executive producer, writer and Detroit native Randy Huggins (“Star,” “Rebel,” “Power”) and interim showrunner and executive producer Heather Zuhlke. Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements also serve as executive producers on the series. “BMF” is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television in association with Lionsgate Television for STARZ. 50 Cent, 2 Chainz, and NE-YO are all repped by APA Agency.

About “BMF” Season Two
“BMF” returns for a second hit season inspired by the true story of two brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory (Demetrius Flenory, Jr.) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi), who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late ’80s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in the country, Black Mafia Family. “BMF” continues to humanize the choices of the brothers and their pursuit of the American Dream. Rooted in family, loyalty, and brotherhood, the series continues to explore the brothers' complex familial relationships with their parents Charles Flenory (Russell Hornsby) and Lucille Flenory (Michole Briana White) who seek counsel from their spiritual advisor Pastor Swift (Snoop Dogg). Rooted in authenticity and told with grit, heart, and humor, we parachute into the season with Meech and Terry at odds. Meech wants to expand the business beyond Detroit, yet Terry is no longer in the game and is focused on school and launching a legitimate car-ride service with his Pops. As the season unfolds, the streets implode and the brothers risk losing everything. We find out what happens to Meech and Terry as they both seek to become stronger than ever and strategically execute a new vision. Along the way, they meet and form an alliance with Goldie (Oscar-winner Mo’Nique), a sophisticated Atlanta strip club owner, who helps Meech forge his future. As the brothers reflect on their wins, little do they know that their new beginnings will also be plagued with new obstacles.
 
FOLLOW “BMF” on SOCIAL
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Join the conversation with #BMF and #STARZ

About STARZ
STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its international premium streaming platform STARZPLAY, now LIONSGATE+, to provide subscribers access to bold, curated storytelling. LIONSGATE+, coupled with the STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture in MENA and Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia, has a footprint that extends across the globe. STARZ and LIONSGATE+ are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.
 
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world.  The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Bloodlands’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here.

​One aspect of the human condition that is genuinely unsettling, is how far we are willing to go to get our hands on financial freedom. And what makes this so unsettling is that… it is indeed only money. Money we can’t take with us when we die, and the root of an evil that no one is willing to challenge just yet. But while we know it is worthless in the grand scheme of things… people will in fact, go so far as to kill for it and that just doesn’t make any sense when all is said and done, and it is difficult to reconcile in our minds and in our hearts. Which is why the next episode of Bloodlands on Acorn TV was so shocking and so uncomfortable to sit through… because it focused on just how far a man is willing to go, to get his hands on the fortune he seeks.
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For this is a story that saw Tom Brannick… just go wild. Because he wanted that gold and was willing to pervert the course of justice to have it and his financial freedom. Which pushed him… to use the system to his advantage as needed during this tale. In the cleverest ways imaginable of course. To stay under the radar and keep his job and that was why he pushed the envelope following Robert Dardis’ arrest. So that Robert would easily be released from jail, and that way, Tom could track him and the gold, and all it took to make that happen… was to look like a jerk in the interview room. As though he just lost his cool in the name of justice and in the name of solving this case promptly. And once Robert was released and once, he was back home and under surveillance, Tom was able to escalate and isolate.

Which allowed for him to quietly take Robert to a location of his choosing in the middle of the night. To press him without worry of his superiors and really see if at long last he could figure out where the gold was and what it would take to have it in his hands. A plan that sadly… went south. Simply because he didn’t account for the fact that Robert wanted the gold as well, as did Olivia, and that gave Robert all the leverage he needed, and it also helped him to realize… that Tom Brannick was the mysterious Goliath that was in the news. All of which left Tom in a desperate place, one so dark that he took the time to cross the line and murder Robert. All because he couldn’t risk any truth about his past and the gold heist getting out. 

A move that made the whole situation more precarious. For now, the press would have a field day with the reality that a prime suspect was in essence, missing, since Tom did a fine job of hiding the body and course… the police were now without leads and unable to solve a dire murder. But none of that mattered to Tom. It was about all the gold and in a harrowing finale to this journey… he made sure to have a face-to-face sit down with Olivia. At the station no less, without cameras and without any witnesses to a grand discussion… about the gold and how he might get hold of it. Which of course, didn’t quite go his way but that is irrelevant going forward. Because the man that has been skirting the line between good cop and corrupt cop is clearly ready to slip into the darkness.

All of which just served as a fine reminder of how far people are willing to go to have some extra money in their pockets and to be free of the rat race and well, if they happen to have the power of the law behind them… we now know they’ll twist that to their benefit as well. Either way, all of this made for a harrowing episode, one that appeared to set the stage for a grand tragedy. Because no good can come of Tom’s decision to just… unleash his fury and his greed upon the world. But then again, Tom is about as savvy as they come and has made it under the radar thus far. Which means, we also might be treated to one epic abuse of power and skirting of the law, all in the hopes of getting a pension paid in blood, and it will be interesting to see where this powerhouse story takes us as season two continues along. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Under the Vines’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It has often been said that we truly learn who is with us and against us during trying times, and well… there is a lot of merit to those words. Because time and time we’ve seen people that claim to be our bestest friends in the whole wide world, step away when the going gets tough for whatever stupid reason, while others… step up to the plate or reaffirm why they’re in our lives or why they need to be. Which makes trying times… beneficial in a way, since they help to inform us where to put our energies when it comes to the people in our lives. If anything, this particular lesson is top of mind today, simply because it was put on full display in the next episode of Under the Vines on Acorn TV.
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For this is a story that saw trying times come to Oakley. Some of which was self-inflicted. Since Daisy and Louis hosted the banker, they met in season one, the one whose prized turkey Louis let perish because he was so eager to be at the meeting when they could have helped. And in a strange twist of guilt-ridden fate, Daisy and Louis basically ensured they would be the caretakers of the banker’s new prize show turkey, David Bowie, for a little while. Which went, about as well as one might expect. Because David Bowie made the like the Goblin King and escaped into the labyrinth of the vines, prompting the need for a replacement turkey and that decision… ended in an explosive manner, literally. Since it fell into the de-icer on the property while it was running, and what made this so harrowing and concerning, is the sheer fact that this was all designed to help them get a line of credit and a lack of turkey would obviously jeopardize that. 

But that wasn’t the only tough time that surrounded the vineyard. Because both Philippe and Tippy sensed in the core of their bones, that a surprise frost was coming. Which was later confirmed by the weather service. One that would easily destroy the harvest and the future of Oakley Wines, and well… that more or less left the team to their own devices. After all, Marissa clearly hired Philippe as a psyche out measure for Tippy and that meant the normal network of support between vineyards couldn’t be trusted here. Which forced the Oakley team to scramble and do their best to save what they could. Simply because… they didn’t have the manpower or the supplies to properly handle the frost and for a time… it really seemed as though the situation was going to become quite dire. Since that lack of supplies denoted real danger for the harvest and the future of the winery.

However, that’s where the reminder of those words came into play. Because despite his wife’s actions, Don decided to go the extra mile for Louis, whom he truly thought to be a friend and he made some calls on his way to the winery… so that the town would come down and ensure that the harvest wasn’t lost in the slightest. Which was beautiful to see take place, since it spoke to how the community had accepted everyone and how close everyone had grown, since everyone on the team chipped in late to ensure the health and survival of the harvest. Making it clear, who was in Louis and Daisy’s corner and who would stand by them day or night, and for those efforts, the harvest was saved, and they even got their line of credit. Since Major Tom Turkey came back from his sabbatical to rejoin his family at the end of this.

However, while that seems like a lovely and happy ending, there was mention of the fact that tough times teach us who is against us as well. And it is important we recognize that… since real trouble is brewing because of that. For Marissa didn’t care if the Oakley Winery failed since she wants to utterly destroy them for humiliating her and Philippe believes in her cause. Despite the fact that he helped out, because he understands who is signing the checks and is doing his best to bring down family of all things and well… that’s the perfect way to assemble and encapsulate this lesson and it sets the stage for a fascinating second half to this season. Since now we can clearly see, it’s about a fight for Oakley’s survival, all because a bitter woman cannot handle a bruising of her ego or a little friendly competition across the way. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Watchful Eye’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that fans of the new Freeform series, The Watchful Eye, were eagerly awaiting last night’s episode and rightfully so. After all, we came to learn last week that Elena has some unique stakes in this particular get rich quick scheme, that are designed to protect her family and her future from a destructive mother, which has us now rooting for her to find peace, hopefully in a more noble manner. And of course… it was also revealed… that Scott’s involvement goes far deeper into this matter than we ever knew. Since Elena spotted him in the kitchen, talking to Matt, and Jasper referred to him as ‘mommy’s friend’. Leaving all of us to wonder exactly what was going on here and whether or not Elena was some kind of pawn and well, that definitely created quite the painful wait for this week’s tale.
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Because we needed to answer to that epic question and thankfully, ‘Stairway to Eleven’, offered the answer in question… after of course… deepening the mystery just a little bit more. Because a quick flashback revealed that Ally and Scott were quite friendly before her passing and the whole matter of course… pushed Elena to dig deeper into this mess and see if she could figure out exactly what Scott was up to. Specifically, whether or not he was planning to cause her trouble, since it would be easy for a police officer to make someone with Elena’s talent a patsy and burn her once the job was done. Which prompted her to actually dig into his files and learn… that Scott had critical information about the trust and the heirs to the family line and fortune and well… that led to a confrontation and the answers everyone was so desperately seeking.

As it turned out, Elena thankfully wasn’t a pawn. She was in fact, Scott’s best chance at inheriting the family fortune. Because his blood line was tied to the Greybournes, but thanks to all kinds of drama within the family, his family was blacklisted and expelled from the main family’s fortunes and standing, and since he and Ally were related… he decided it was time to make contact. So that he could finally forge a path to claim what was rightfully his. But since that went south, getting his hands on that sweet, sweet prize instead, would allow for him to finally enjoy a slice of the fortune his family was denied. Which offered up a new angle for Scott and the assuaging of our fears about him since it finally became clear that he and Elena were indeed on the same side and could finally work together properly on their long-term goal.

But what’s amazing, is that this particularly critical revelation wasn’t the only surprise present in this tale. Because this is a story that also shocked us… by offering some fine observations about grief and how we cope with it. For all of this was happening around what would have been Ally’s next birthday and that… rattled the family through and through. Because this was a fresh reminder of the pain they felt and what they lost, and that… one way to get through these early difficult days… is with people that matter at our sides. Something that Elena reminded Matt and Tory of, and it was advice they listened to. To the point where they honored Ally on her special day and found solace in the wonder of good memories of days gone by. Which was… wonderful to find in a story about revenge and it also served as a fine reminder of what kind of person Elena truly is. 

However, feel good moments aside… there were still more mysteries and surprises present in this tale. After all, reflections upon Ally’s life, led to the reveal that Tory and Matt have quite the romantic past, and that’s a big deal. Plus, we also came to learn that Mrs. Ivey might be in possession of the prize and that this building has a bevy of hidden observations spots since Elena found one of them and clearly… someone has been using them on her. Courtesy of that stunning ending that informed her… she’s been noticed. All of which brought forth… one incredible episode. Because we received answers to burning mysteries, we learned more about the situation at hand and the tensions between some of the characters and best of all… this episode informed us to buckle up. Because the mystery is unraveling now, and we are likely in for more intense stories that will drop our jaws and hopefully unveil the secrets of the Greybourne and the strange families that call it home. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Five Premiere of ‘Magnum P.I.’ Also, this recap contains discussions regarding domestic violence and abuse, which may be triggering for some individuals.
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One year ago, it truly seemed as though that a beloved series was coming to an early and unsettled end. For Magnum P.I. received its cancellation notice, leaving fans everywhere devastated and uncomfortable with the fact that a huge moment would go unexplored, and that the wondrous adventures of Thomas Magnum and Juliet Higgins would no longer be part of their weekly television viewing and enjoyment. But thankfully, they weren’t comfortable with just sitting back and letting this show fade quietly into the night, and a massive fan campaign was waged to save the show and their passion reaffirmed to NBCUniversal, that their investment in the series, was worthwhile, and that if by chance… they made themselves the solo investor in this show, wonders could be achieved.
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So, they swooped in and saved the day, giving new life to a show with a massive and loyal following and well, that news sent everyone soaring and left everyone wondering… when we would enjoy new episodes with this newly romantic duo and what this revitalized series would look like on NBC, and thankfully… that long wait is over, and that question has been answered. For last night saw season five debut on NBC with a powerhouse two-hour season premiere extravaganza and well… the first thing we learned about this new season, is that we are going to get a lot of what we love and expansion upon the big kiss that took place at the end of season four. In fact, ‘The Passenger’ and ‘The Breaking Point’ wasted zero time in informing us… that the plan for Thomas and Juliet going forward, was to dive right in and explore their feelings for one another… in private.

Just so they could properly sort out these feelings without feeling pressured by their friends and the world. Where they could be themselves and grow and that was a lovely way to handle such a big moment for this series, since it will ensure that their love is neatly woven into the fabric of this show and the wondrous moments we share in with these characters. Speaking of that, it was also lovely that these two episodes took the time to catch up with the crew and see how they’re doing. Which allowed for us to see how Rick was handling fatherhood, to be reminded of TC’s big heart courtesy of that Purple Heart storyline, and of course… to be refreshed upon the fact that Kumu is still as awesome as ever. But where this segment of the premiere truly shined, was in the follow up of Gordon’s storyline since he finally decided… to fight his dismissal with every fiber of his being. 

But of course, while we love the characters through and through and savor every delightful moment with them, we also tune in to be treated to unique mysteries and cases for Thomas and Juliet to solve and the show delivered there as well in a powerful manner. Since there was a case involving a dirty lifeguard captain that was willing to kill to fatten his wallet, and without the help of Magnum and Higgins, a good life would have been sullied by a lie. Plus, this premiere also went bold and took the time to explore the horrors of domestic violence through a case that involved a good Samaritan’s suffering because he tried to rescue an abuse victim from her abuser and well… this taboo topic rarely makes its way onto prime-time television and it’s a huge deal that the series made the effort to speak upon it. 
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Which does leave one to wonder… what other deeper storylines await us in season five since clearly… that’s some bold storytelling to inject in the first two episodes of a new season. And it just so happened that this premiere did tip its hand about what we can expect, since we came to learn that serialized storytelling is about to come into play. For a continuous thread in both of these episodes, involved the disappearance of Captain Buck Greene. The commander that put Magnum and his team in harm’s way, setting in motion Thomas’ fateful journey to Hawaii and his employment by Robin Masters. And well, since we the audience were privy to the fact that nefarious forces want to find Magnum and his crew, and harmed Buck to try and get information regarding them… it is inherently clear that this is a plot thread that will carry on throughout the season. 

A move that is… both exciting and brilliant to say the least. Since it informs us that the move to NBC will allow for this series to try new things storytelling wise and really keep us on our toes and keep us engaged and of course… create conversation around important topics that need to be addressed. All of which makes this, a perfect premiere when all is said and done. One that seamlessly immersed us back into Magnum’s world before letting us know that we are about to embark upon some incredible journeys with Thomas and Juliet and well, that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode quite painful to say the least. Because we simply want more of this dynamic and wonderful series and we simply must know how these characters are going to grow now that they’ve all taken bold steps to be the best people they can be. Until next time.

There was a time when cancellation was the final word regarding a television show. For when the studio ordered a show’s end, there would be no revivals, no sequels… just the end. And for a long time… that meant fans had to enjoy what was in front of them, regardless of where the story ended and it seemed as though, this was going to be the gold standard in the business, with show’s that receive a final season order being the only exception to the rule, since they could craft a true finale. But something has changed in the past couple of years. In that, the advent of streaming and the arrival of peak television, which has created unprecedented demand for shows… has prompted everyone to look differently at cancellation.
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For these days, it is no longer the final word regarding a television series, nor is it a proverbial death sentence for the story. Because networks and streamers are now open to the idea of picking up shows that have been cancelled on another network and give them a new life at a new home. Which has allowed for fan favorites to survive and for some shows… to finally come to their logical conclusions on their own terms. If anything, the wonder of the revived television series is top of mind today, simply because a story in that vein is about to make its debut on NBC later tonight. For Magnum P.I., a series that was indeed given its cancellation notice a year ago, has found its new home, and that of course… has all of us wondering… what to expect from this revitalized series. Which is why we here at NTG thought it would be worthwhile to preview this new season of storytelling from the show… in a spoiler-free manner of course, and from the source, if you will.

Because NTG was fortunate enough to attend the panel for this series at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour last month and hear from Eric Guggenheim (Showrunner/Executive Producer), Jay Hernandez (Thomas Magnum), and Perdita Weeks (Juliet Higgins) about what to expect from season five. Such as the fact that it will offer up an answer regarding the most important question of all, from the fans. Specifically, what is to come of THAT season four moment… you know… the kiss. Well, they let us know that wasn’t just a fluke or some gimmick to end the season. It was an important moment in their relationship, one that will indeed have an impact upon season five, as hinted at the in the trailer. Much to the joy of all of us because that was a big moment, one that has the potential to do so much for the story ahead. Because it will absolutely add new depth to this series and the cases that Magnum and Higgins work to solve.

But aside from that, we also came to learn that the switch to NBC was joyous news and that of course… there won’t be any significant changes to the structure of the series. Because everyone involved is still quite cognizant of the legacy of the original show and what kind of entertainment it provided the world with, and that’s of course… influenced a great deal of what we’ve seen in this reboot/revival and that is something the team wants to keep going. Because this is one of those perfect shows to get lost within and just enjoy the wonder of being alongside an iconic character once again, and it is just a joy to see Magnum bring people to justice and solve seemingly impossible cases. And of course, you cannot go wrong with being treated to incredible visuals since Hawaii is about as beautiful as it gets.
 
If anything, all of this information, just generates incredible excitement. Simply because it is obvious now that we are going to be immersed back into the world of Thomas Magnum seamlessly and enjoy everything we know and love about this series, and its predecessor. Plus, we get to watch the characters continue to grow and potentially be challenged in exciting new ways. Making it clear that NBC did the right thing by stepping in and saving this series since it had yet to reach its potential. But it soon will, and we don’t have to wait all that much longer to see what it is capable of. For Magnum P.I. returns tonight on NBC with a two-hour season five premiere at 9-10 and 10-11 p.m. EST, and we here at NTG cannot wait to geek out about it with all of you come tomorrow morn and as season five continues along.

Eric Guggenheim (Showrunner/Executive Producer) and Perdita Weeks’ (Juliet Higgins) Thoughts Regarding NBC’s Decision to Commission a Fifth Season
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ERIC GUGGENHEIM: “I was surprised that it found another home.  It's such a rare thing to happen.  And watching the things that were taking place on social media with billboards and petitions and just seeing the amount of support that the show was getting from the audience, from fans, that was humbling to me. I kind of put my head down, we do our work, and sometimes you forget about the people and the impact that the show has.  It's kind of easy to disregard at times.”

“And NBC has been phenomenal. I mean, the transition there felt, in a lot of ways, just very seamless.  And we certainly realize the opportunity we've been given.  Not a lot of shows get it.  We're grateful to the fans for their support.”

PERDITA WEEKS: “I was quite removed because I was already back in England.  So, I would get little things here and there, but with these things, as they've both said, it's so rare that you have to sort of completely put it out of your mind.  So then when I heard that it was going to happen, it was just the most extraordinary news.  I just ‑‑ I didn't know ‑‑ I'm kind of new to the American TV world.  And as such, I've never heard of something like that happening.  And I have been assured that it is unusual.  So, feeling especially lucky, yeah.”

Jay Hernandez (Thomas Magnum) Regarding the Generational Legacy of the Character and the Show
“And I'm not sure when exactly, but I know that when people started yelling out "Magnum" on the street, you know, that felt like, ‘All right.  It's little kids, a new generation.  They've never seen Tom Selleck.  Now I've sort of crossed over that line.’  Yeah, it's pretty fascinating.  At the airport is where I experience a lot of this. And there would be, like, a 90‑year‑old grandmother with her kids.  She loves the show.  She remembers the original.”

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Frozen Planet II’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve learned a great deal about the frozen corners of our world, courtesy of the BBC America series, Frozen Planet II. For this series has left no snow drift unturned in its exploration of the iciest regions on Planet Earth, and how life thrives in these places. Granted, it may not thrive in the most pleasant or appealing of manner… but it thrives, nevertheless. Courtesy of biospheres and ecosystems that have more or less come together in these regions, out of necessity, due to the isolation of these icy places and never was that more evident than during this week’s fascinating tale. Since ‘Frozen South’ introduced us to perhaps the most incredible frozen ecosystem out there. 
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For Antarctica is a place that is about as isolated as it gets from the rest of the rest of the natural world and since there is wildlife at the end of the world, it is dependent upon one another to thrive and flourish. Which is why you find seals and penguins constantly playing a dangerous game at some of the small islands surrounding the core of the continent. Since the penguins there need to be in the water often to feed themselves and their starving little ones and the seals in those waters, need penguins to survive as well. Which creates a harrowing but necessary balance in this part of the world, one where survival of the fittest truly applies and the savage nature of Antarctic life doesn’t end with this back and forth.

Because we came to learn that the continent itself is flush with creatures living on and around the ice. Since there are so many seals that make the ice their home and nurture their young there and of course… deal with seal related problems, such as suitors that sometimes need a hard hit to take a hint when their advances are not wanted. And of course, those seals have worries to deal with outside of moments such as that. For there are killer whales in these waters that use collective hunting knowledge and efforts to properly send seals into the water to enjoy their own meals. A reality that hammers home the brutal nature of this environment and how every day will feature a difficult struggle for survival and food.

However, while it was indeed fascinating to learn about the how animals in this cold and icy place survive, this was also a grand opportunity to really showcase… the continent as a whole. Because let’s be honest, few documentaries really showcase the inhospitable nature of the south pole, and this one opted to change all that by taking us on an incredible tour inland. Wherein we were able to see how desolate and foreign Antarctica can be. Since it is filled with volcanic activity and stunning surprises, such as sand dunes formed by the horrible winds that whip around in this place and… it also is a place of great scientific value when it comes to our understanding of life on Earth. Since there is a lake that features a time capsule of what primordial life on our planet looked like billions of years ago.

All of which, made for a powerful and impactful journey, one that was also bittersweet in nature. Simply because this chapter of our journey through the coldest places on the globe, made sure to point out that this delicate world away from our own… is in dire need of humanity’s help. For the temperatures in these waters are rising. Which is causing harm to the penguins in this place, the whales and every animal that calls this place home and without our action, this perfect little world within our own… may be as desolate and dead as its nexus and that is… a powerful reminder to send our way. One that we should absolutely listen to so that this majestic and incredible place, can continue to thrive unfettered, as it has for centuries on end. Until next time.