Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Shrinking’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve been treated to a powerful examination regarding the power of grief… courtesy of the Apple TV+ series, Shrinking. For this series has dug deep into grief and all of the negative behaviors it elicits in us and how difficult it can be deal with. Because grief hurts and the pain runs deep and isn’t easy to simply shake off or suck up, as some people believe. That’s led to some powerful and moving moments in this show, the kind that have given us pause since they’ve reminded us of our own struggles with grief or serve as a warning of things to come. But what the show hasn’t done yet… is take a moment to explore… how we truly start to heal. Because thus far, Jimmy and his daughter, and those suffering around him… seem to be stuck in a cycle.
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But thankfully, the next episode in this story took the time to finally explore that and well… what ‘Woof’ informed us of… is that the company we keep can contribute to the start of our healing journey. Because the people we love and the keep we choose as family, should feel comfortable enough in our relationship to call us to the carpet on our behavior and our struggles, to get us focused and motivated to do what must be done to finally remove ourselves from our funk, when the time is right, of course. And all it took for that work to begin… was more toxic behavior between Jimmy and Paul. Because they continued their nonsense feud in this tale, and since their pain ran deep, they added this quagmire to their daily routine like it was no big deal and well… that’s when friends stepped in. 

For Gaby noticed that Paul was using her as an impromptu sounding board for his issues with his clients. Something she was proud to have in her corner, but she knew Paul was just compensating for not having Jimmy around and doing everything to avoid confronting what was a nothing more than an impasse amplified by grief and emotion and everything in between. So, she neatly and sweetly called him to the carpet on that and over his other isolationist behavior and that moment, alongside Alice even going so far as to call him out over the same things… gave Paul pause. For it informed him that he really was indulging in behavior that wasn’t healthy and was indeed related to his desire to isolate from grief related to his diagnosis and that… that wasn’t him. 

Which in turn motivated him to do some bold things. Such as make his way to Jimmy’s place and let himself in and help himself to some beers, so that he could sit down with Jimmy and Sean and be the wise advisor and friend that Jimmy needed. To get Sean back on track and to focus a severely unfocused Jimmy and perhaps… call him out as well for his own bad behavior, and the wonder of Paul’s wake-up call in this story, didn’t end there. Because he knew the other rotten behavior that had come forth because of his diagnosis and the pain and grief it caused him… was making a point to avoid telling his family about said diagnosis and what it meant, and well… armed with this newfound knowledge about his behavior, he did the seemingly impossible and reached out to his daughter to tell her the truth.

All of which made for a powerful exploration on how those we love… lift us up and guide us and start to move us on the right track. Because we saw it in action here and we saw that power and the end result, was nothing short of amazing. Since it gave Paul focus and direction and an understanding that his grief related behavior wasn’t sustainable, nor was it healthy and that made for one brilliant tale. One that reminded us that we are never alone when we grieve and with the right support network, we can achieve wonders. Not to mention, the power of honesty extended beyond grief related lessons in this story, since it helped Brian get over his fear of commitment. Making it clear to all of us to keep it real in life with those we love, come rain or shine… simply because we do need that honesty to be better people in life, and well, now that we’ve seen Paul begin to tackle his grief and his pain, it will be interesting to see who is next in line to do the same, as season one of this magnificent show rolls along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Twelve of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We live in quite the interesting era when it comes to awareness on social issues. Because for the first time in perhaps the entirety of American history, people are finally becoming aware of the fact that there are problems in America. The kind that extends well beyond the usual economic nonsense we tend to hear about. Because there are problems revolving around racial injustice, the legal system, how people treat and respect one another and how… cultures are seen and viewed and abused in American society. Since we are finally coming to understand that there are so many out there who don’t respect other cultures and see what they offer the world as nothing more than something to exploit. 
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Which has brought about conversations revolving around appropriation and how it is a problematic aspect of American society and unfortunately, those conversations aren’t always productive. Since some don’t see an issue with such matters and tend to believe that it is just part of the ‘melting pot’ experience that is part of the American zeitgeist. But it is a real problem, and it is something that runs rampant in modern America and well… to better help people understand that it is a problem and that it does hurt individuals, pop-culture is now getting involved on such matters and is putting this problem and its impact on display, as evidenced by this week’s episode of Lopez vs Lopez on NBC.

For ‘Lopez vs Appropriation’ is a story that explored appropriation in every detail. Such as, what it is and again, that impact and it accomplished that feat by way of a simple encounter at Mayan’s workplace. Because she decided that Churro needed a new bed, and that prompted her to make a comfy one for the little guy, out of a sarape no less and that… caught Jana’s eye. Because she ran her own business online and was eager to find an amazing new product for her lineup, and that bed was the winner. So, she and Mayan came to an agreement on selling them on the web and of course, Mayan was going to get a cut. But once she saw that Jana removed any hints related to the work that went into these pillows, and their cultural influence… alongside the price she jacked them up to… Mayan was out.

Of course… that gave George an opportunity to swoop in and get that cash and make Momo and his crew become the crafters of these pillows. But once Jana told lies about George’s life and embarrassed his family, since she basically sold him as homeless to sell the pillows, and appropriated and exploited him and his life… he too walked away, and we were left… with the perfect lesson on appropriation. For now, we know, it’s when someone just steals something and makes it their own. And it’s a problem because it wipes away cultural meaning and turns something wondrous and important to a culture, into nothing more than the next hot product, and its impact is profound. For it insults and marginalizes history, and lineage, and the importance and richness… of a culture. 

Which is why we need to be better about educating others about it, so we can combat it and this is a story that will clearly help with that. But that is what this series does, it teaches, it has plenty to say, and it always does so in a manner that is never overwhelming. Courtesy of the jokes and courtesy of the side stories that let us process what we are seeing and learning and those too… are entertaining and wondrous. Since this week’s side tale saw Quinten and Rosie bond over removing a particular brand of seasoning from their lives. Not to mention, everything Chance does in this series is gold, and he once again delivered some amazing one liners here and well, in the end, this was just another incredible episode from one of the finest comedies on the airwaves right now. And once again… we are left counting down the minutes to next week’s new episode and all the lessons it will undoubtedly send our way. Until then.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘BMF’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that season two of the STARZ series, BMF, has been nothing short of an intense ride. Because all season long, big moments have been followed by even bigger moments. The kind that has seen Lamar return to the streets to terrorize the Flenory family, and where Meech and Terry were forced to flee their home courtesy of the heat surrounding them during uncertain times in the drug trade. All of which, has left us breathless and in awe and that’s why this week’s episode was such a surprise. Simply because ‘Homecoming’ is a story that broke from that mantra of storytelling, to allow for Terry and Meech, to just catch their breath, and refocus and regroup.
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For this a story that saw Meech and Terry return home from Atlanta with new product in hand and new perspective in mind. Because their visit to the ATL let them know… they really could be successful if they buckled down and handled their business and with that in mind, they quietly laid the groundwork for the next phase of their operation. Of course, Meech took the lead regarding that, and it involved quietly getting new recruits into the mix since Lamar had scrambled the business and taken out some of the crew, and that also entailed… quietly listening to the songs that everyone was singing on the streets about the game, and that may have landed BMF the connect they’ve been waiting for. Since Meech came to learn that K-9 was struggling to pay his Colombian connects, and that could be the window he’s been waiting for. 

Which are acts that one would think would be intense in nature. But they were quite low key, since Meech handled all this in the coolest manner possible while making some money on the streets and he wasn’t the only one who lived life in a quiet manner in this tale. Because Terry’s return home allowed for him to inform his parents he wasn’t going back to school, he was going to grow his own business and find his true direction and whatever he needed to fulfill his soul. Which also included love. Since it was obvious, he and Lawanda were on the outs, so he made his move with Markisha and was there for her and tried to win her over. To no avail of course because of his family drama, but clearly… being away gave him perspective and understanding of what he wanted out of life and those two storylines really did give everyone a nice little break from the action. 

However, since this is a series about a tough life and tough road ahead for these two, it did have some darkness to offer. Such as the fact that Charles and Lucille’s future as a couple is in jeopardy since Charles continues to succumb to temptation whenever the opportunity arises, and of course… Lamar is still causing trouble when he can, and that’s always a problem. One that may be resolved soon if Meech takes the advice he received regarding how to handle a man that knows the game and the streets. Not to mention… the police are more fired up than ever to bring Meech and Terry down, especially now that B-Mickie finally came to understand where his loyalties lie and even that… didn’t absolve him of trouble, as evidenced by the end of this tale. 

But what matters more here, is that the characters finally enjoyed a little downtime and were able to process the events that have happened so far and close the book on them so they can start a new chapter in life. One that will undoubtedly propel Terry and Meech into the empire they have always wanted to run, and potentially propel others… into heartache and strife, especially for Charlies and Lucille since clearly… this affair is going to cause trouble down the line. If anything, this was just… a wondrous episode when all is said and done, because down time and regrouping is another very real thing that happens in life and having it here… adds to the realism of this story and reminds that we are bearing witness to a slice of history. And it will be interesting to see what comes next for the Flenory brothers, now that they’ve had a chance to rest and start to refocus on their business. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Kold x Windy’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about the power and the importance of change, as it relates to the WE tv series, Kold x Windy. Simply because those matters have been critical to the fabric of the series since both Malika and Renee are at a critical crossroads in their lives right now. Since they are on the cusp of success. The kind that will immediately bring forth change, and if they don’t embrace it and the work that goes into it… that success will be fleeting. But what we often forget, is that there is far more that goes into change than just preparing to embrace it as part of a new chapter in one’s life. Because if we don’t alter our course and fundamentally grow as a person, bad things will come our way. Since toxic traits can bring success down and bring our lives down, and of course… our rotten path can backfire upon us. 
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If anything, that particular aspect of change is critical to our discussion today, simply because… that was the harsh lesson that Malika and Renee were forced to learn in this week’s episode of the show. For they’ve had plenty of time now to walk away from Stains and walk away from violence and really lean into their music and their art since clearly… record companies have expressed interest and their talents are recognized by their legions of fans, and that lean, and some self-care, would have allowed for real change and real happiness to come into their lives. But they’ve struggled to let that go and that brought forth all kinds of trouble in ‘Ain’t No Love’. Such as the fact that Renee… began to find no joy or thrill in her normally exciting actions.

Simply because… her part time lover was beginning to tire of being at her beck and call when he genuinely cared for her, and the fact that she was still dropping bodies, put heat on her since the police were working every angle. But what mattered more here… was that staying on this path, more or less left Renee in a very bleak and empty place. One where there was no joy or direction to be found. Just dark times that were numbing to her, all because GeGe did open her eyes to the toxic nature of her path and those words sunk in deep. But she simply struggled to let that life go and to work on herself and it would seem that the walls are closing in now, and with nothing to hang onto and the police drawing near… Renee may be facing her darkest moment yet. 

As for Malika, well… despite getting proposed to in this in this tale and having happiness head her way, she couldn’t let go of the Stain. For she firmly believed that only a big score could solve the rest of her problems. Which motivated her to see this through to the end and net herself $1.3 million in the process… only to lose it all because of her mother. Who seemingly stole it to keep her daughter safe. But the fiery reaction from Malika regarding this, spoke to someone who has not come to embrace change regarding her life… since she still sees money as the out over her art, especially when putting in the work to be the best artist she can be would do so much for her. Not to mention, her toxic actions came back to bite her in this tale as well. Since Pop got out of jail and tried to make things square, only to lose his life at Marlon’s hands. 

But what made that whole mess worse, was the sheer fact it was caught on camera, meaning that the cops might get hold of the footage since they’re putting the heat on Ricky. Which was the perfect way to hammer home, the dangers of not embracing change. Especially when the universe is screaming out to a person to do so because of how their actions are causing more harm than good. And the only question that remains from this story… is whether or not Malika and Renee will learn from what the universe was trying to teach them here. Because truly, this duo is at a crossroads… one that will either send them into darkness and regret or push them into the limelight and a better life at last, and it will be fascinating to see what this duo takes away from the events of this episode, when season one of this magnificent series comes to a close next week. Until then.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Hello Tomorrow!’
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It is definitely safe to say… that we live in some bleak times right now. For there is uncertainty surrounding the future of the free world, courtesy of the return of elements we thought were eliminated from society years ago when the world stood up against them. Not to mention, there is constant worry about the state of the economy and our economic future. Plus, we just survived a global pandemic and are wondering if more troubles akin to that await us with the temperature of the Earth rising and to top it all off… echoes of the Soviet Union have returned and so have worries about a potential war we thought we left behind. 
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Which means… we are just searching left and right for ways to find hope at a time where it seems there is none and we are turning to unique ways to find it. For instance, we are doing our best to buy hope through items, vacations, and anything and everything that will give us moments of levity so maybe we can find the bright side in all these messes. Yet even that only offers temporary respite at best. Because how we find hope involves so much more, regardless of what anyone tells us… or tries to sell us… and well, how we find sustainable hope is top of mind today, because it is going to serve as the focal exploration of the brand-new Apple TV+ series, Hello Tomorrow!

A journey that this story begins to take us on, by plunging us into an alternate reality where the 1950s and the wonder of Americana never ended, and everything we’ve ever wanted is finally at our fingertips. So, if you want to fly to work to via a jetpack, you can. If you want the latest hovercar, it is at your fingertips. Because in this America, technology and innovation bring people hope. Hope for a better tomorrow and a hope that they can have anything they want… even a house on the Moon. Which is what the company Brightside specializes in, and no one more believes more in its mission of offering a hopeful fresh start than Jack Billings. The lead salesman at this company who can convince anyone… to sign up for a chance to see the world from a lunar perspective and find hope in the process. But when we catch up with Jack and his team in this three-part series premiere, a return to a town that had a profound impact upon Jack years ago… will change his beliefs on hope and his mantra toward life. 

Which at first glance, is a plot that seems heavily grounded in science fiction concepts and facing one’s past. Wherein there is little about hope and how we find it and sustain it, and therein lies the brilliance of this series. For this premiere, sucks you into a world that you’ve never seen on television before, filled with characters that are equally as unique, and traveling with the team and learning about what they’re selling and pondering upon whether or not their product is real… thanks to some fascinating moments… makes you comfortable and allows for the show to surprise you with a stunning revelation. Because once we settle into Jack’s old stomping grounds, we come to learn everyone in this story is searching for something and they are hopeless and lost in this world where things don’t fill the void, they just fill the moment.
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That in turn… sets up the fascinating exploration in question. One that ponders upon the power of hope, since Jack sells it well and truly believes that he is doing a service by giving people what they want, all while also pondering upon the horror of hope. Since it quickly becomes obvious that a time share with Brightside won’t fix anyone’s problems, won’t make the world a better place. It is just another thing being consumed to fill a void that requires real work to fill. Which is what makes this premiere so powerful. Because it gently informs us that we are going to be privy to a grand journey as to how we find real hope, and how that journey is unique to every person out there. For we all believe in different things and want different things out of life, and it will be fascinating to see what the team truly needs to inspire hope in their own lives and what will inspire Jack to find his own brand of hope, instead of trying to create it by giving it to others.

Which makes this… a powerful and cerebral series. One that is going to dig deep into some powerful topics beyond hope as well. Since there are hints of discussions to come regarding family’s role in this broken world, and what responsibility means in this day and age. Plus, the power of honesty and well, that’s precisely what we need on television right now. Because we’re all looking for answers to those conundrums, and we’re all looking for our own hope for tomorrow and if we can learn from Jack and his team as to what might look like, perhaps we can find it too. If anything, this is going to be a shockingly unique series for certain, one that is refreshing and moving, courtesy of the stunning acting present here from the wondrous cast… and it truly will be interesting to learn a little more about ourselves and the good people that make up Brightside, as this magnificent and original series continues its journey through the world of hope. Until next time.

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

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Premiere of ‘Star Trek: Picard’. To revisit the season two finale, click here.

September 28, 1987 was quite the important day in science fiction history. For this is the day that Star Trek: The Next Generation made its television debut and well… so much changed for science fiction and the Star Trek franchise on that day. For not only did TNG bring to life the expansion of the Star Trek Universe, something that would continue well after it left the airwaves in 1994… but it marked the beginning of a powerhouse thirty-six-year journey. One that would see a successful seven year run on television for the cast and their characters, a four-picture movie franchise and now… a grand farewell tour for the cast and characters as well. For yesterday marked the debut of the third season of Star Trek: Picard, one that will bring the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D and NCC-1701-E together one more time for one last adventure and well… that has left us all wondering… what is that going to look like?
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Because this is a crew that has already undergone several epic farewells. Since the series finale of The Next Generation is widely regarded as one of the finest finales to ever grace our television screens, and while there are a number of fans that do not care for Star Trek: Nemesis and its angry and visceral ending to the crew’s time aboard the Enterprise… it is an epic ending none the less. So how then… does one top either of those finales and for that matter… how does one bring back together a crew that’s been scattered to the solar winds of the galaxy for decades on end? Well as it turns out… by offering up a supremely different season of this series. Because ‘The Next Generation’ wasted little time in informing us, that the farewell tour for the crew of the Enterprise, will be unconventional, cinematic, and grand and elegant in nature. 

For proof… just look at the structure of this premiere. Because the prior two premieres in Picard, were bombastic and epic in nature. With the series premiere introducing us to a bitter end to the 24th Century and a retired Admiral waking up from his failures to try and inspire the galaxy with hope once again. And of course, the second season premiere bringing Q back into the mix and showing us a potential future for mankind if we let darkness win, was pretty darn amazing. Not to mention… these two episodes were rife with incredible commentary on our world and life in general, and well… all of that was basically put on hold in this particular premiere. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means because it allowed for us… to quickly grow comfortable with a return to this universe and it allowed for the characters to just live and thrive in a manner truly reminiscent of The Next Generation.

Since we came to learn that Jean-Luc was preparing to enter another new phase in his life, one full of peace and love with Laris, far from Earth. Plus, the reintroduction of Doctor Beverly Crusher and Captain Will Riker informed us that their lives have taken fascinating paths, since it was revealed that Beverly left Starfleet and went off to live quite the risqué life, and the good captain was still on active duty and dealing with marital and family problems. Not to mention, we also came to learn here that Seven of Nine, was in Starfleet at last and serving as the first officer of the newly commissioned U.S.S. Titan NCC-80102-A and that Raffi was working undercover with Starfleet Intelligence to recover some stolen weapons on a faraway world that tested her sobriety. 

All of which, felt so traditional and was so engaging, we didn’t need commentary in this tale. We were just… able to kick back and enjoy returning to this universe and spending time with characters that we love and well… going that route allowed for this story to gently nudge us toward trouble and a bigger conflict brewing. One that will undoubtedly bring forth the commentary in question that Trek is known for, and the deeper moments we crave. Making it clear that this really is a grand and sweeping cinematic journey that hits all the right notes with beautiful Easter Eggs and throw backs and call backs to every corner of the franchise and of course… builds toward that bigger conflict in a smooth and engaging manner for certain. 
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All by revealing to us… that Beverly Crusher is in deep trouble in this tale. To the point where she reaches out to Jean-Luc following that twenty-year absence, and the sheer panic in her voice and the injuries she’s sustained, prompts Picard to work with Will to basically manipulate Captain Shaw of the Titan to take them to Beverly’s last known location. A move that almost fails because of the fact that Shaw is a hardcore, by-the-book skipper. But thanks to an assist from Seven, these magnificent heroes not only find Beverly and an intense young man whose identity we will speculate upon later, but they also find grave trouble. Courtesy of a massive vessel that appears to rival the size and ferocity of Shinzon’s Scimitar. Setting the stage for an epic conflict, one that is likely underway without Picard and Riker’s knowledge.

Because Raffi eventually figured out the codewords she learned about a forthcoming operation against Starfleet and that led… to quite the stunning finale to her journey. Wherein a Starfleet building was leveled by a stolen weapon. Making the intentions of an enemy clear; that they intend to make Starfleet suffer. And well… that’s about as good as it gets when it comes to a cliffhanger and that is a wonderful way to set up the season ahead. Because that informs us, the stakes are high, the danger is real and that our heroes are going to be tested once again, and that… is what you want from a farewell tour for a crew that so many of us spent our youth watching on television. Because they deserve a grand and satisfying end to their trek through the stars and it is just so wonderful to know we are going to enjoy just that.

If anything, this was just… a perfect series premiere. One that truly blends the wonder of cinema and television together and grabs from you the get-go and never lets you go. Thanks to some of the fine work from this cast and through a beautiful story that is fully prepared to take us on a hell of a journey. One that is going to be filled with big moments and the right balance of nostalgia and surprise. Plus, it also gets credit for not immediately making the entire reunion happen, so that we get to savor the arrival of crew members to come and well, in the end… it is definitely safe to say, that we are all hooked and eager to learn who or what this intrepid crew is up against as we settle in to enjoy the final mission of one of the finest crews to ever serve aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. Until next time.       

One the best aspects of being a television fan in this day and age, is the sheer fact that when you inch closer to the release date of a show you love… you tend to receive all kinds of exciting gifts. Such as key art, trailers, sneak peeks, and everything in between. All to build one’s excitement for the show and prepare your mind for the journey ahead. Plus, it also speaks to the fact that the network WANTS you to be happy and keep you eager for what awaits and one particular network that excels at this… is STARZ.
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Because they know exactly what to release and when, and what they send our way keeps us guessing and keeps us excited about the show to come, and well… for proof regarding just how great a job STARZ does with this… look at today’s gifts. For earlier, STARZ released the key art and trailer for season 3 of Power Book II: Ghost, and that trailer is so incredibly epic and so incredibly enticing that we are now counting down the seconds to the next chapter in Tariq’s harrowing journey. Since it looks like this season is going to just… well… it is best you see for yourself. So, without further ado, here is that trailer and that art, and some additional details, courtesy of STARZ, to excite you and prepare for you Ghost’s biggest season yet.

‘STARZ released today the trailer and key art for season three of “Power Book II: Ghost,” with an explosive trailer for the highly anticipated drama series. Ghost returns on Friday, March 17 at midnight ET on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the LIONSGATE+ premium streaming platform across the UK and Brazil. On linear, it will debut on STARZ at 9 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada.
 
Season three takes off in dramatic form with brand new twists, turns, and murder as Tariq, Brayden, and the Tejada family are grieving the death of Zeke, but they won’t get much time as a new set of problems and questions arise. This season is flashier, juicer, and sexier, with even more family drama, betrayals, and surprising new alliances. Monet finds herself at a crossroads with her family, Brayden is forced to choose between his birth family and chosen family, and Tariq is leveling up this season.
 
Season three of Ghost cast includes Michael Rainey Jr. as “Tariq St. Patrick,” Mary J. Blige as “Monet Stewart Tejada,” Cliff “Method Man” Smith as “Davis MacLean,” Gianni Paolo as “Brayden Weston,” Woody McClain as “Cane Tejada,” Lovell Adams-Gray as “Dru Tejada,” LaToya Tonodeo as “Diana Tejada,” Berto Colon as “Lorenzo Tejada,” Alix Lapri as “Effie Morales,” Larenz Tate as “Rashad Tate,” Shane Johnson as “Cooper Saxe,” Paton Ashbrook as “Jenny Sullivan,” Monique Curnen as “Detective Blanca Rodriguez,” Keesha Sharp as “Professor Harper Bennet,” David Walton as “Lucas Weston,” Moriah Brown as “KeKe Travis,” Luna Lauren Velez as “Evelyn Castillo,” Caroline Chikezie as “Noma” and Lightskinkeisha as “Brushaundria Carmichael.”
 
“Power Book II: Ghost” is the first series in the expanded “Power” Universe franchise. Brett Mahoney (“Empire,” “The Following”) serves as showrunner and executive producer for season three. The “Power” Universe series is executive produced by the creator and showrunner of the original “Power,” which inspired the full universe, Courtney A. Kemp through her production company End of Episode, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through G-Unit Film and Television, and Mark Canton through Atmosphere Entertainment MM. Lionsgate Television produces the series for STARZ.
 
ABOUT “POWER BOOK II: GHOST” – SEASON 3
The third season of “Power Book II: Ghost” kicks off with Tariq St. Patrick determined to get his trust, get back to his family, and get out of the game for good. The emergence of a ruthless new connect interrupts Tariq’s plans to reunite with Tasha and Yaz and puts him, Brayden, and Effie back into business with the Tejadas as they’re challenged to move more weight than ever before. When Brayden brings Tariq in as an intern at his family’s hedge fund Weston Holdings, the drug business expands beyond Stansfield and the streets onto Wall Street, while Tariq is also shown an alternate, legitimate path to success. Monet Tejada, set ablaze by the death of her son Zeke Cross, is willing to pay a hefty price to avenge her firstborn and keep the rest of her children - and the business - in line as she works closely with Davis MacLean to solve Zeke’s murder and keep the feds off her trail.  Business is booming when a staggering reveal forces Tariq to reckon with a betrayal from those closest to him... and a R.I.C.O. investigation mounting into the entire drug enterprise, pulling Tariq deeper into the business and even closer to the legacy of his father.

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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 Three of ‘The Ark’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about a particular observation that the SYFY series, The Ark, has made. In that… we are a very divided society right now. One that is concerned more with personal agenda and ideology over anything else, and that is tearing us apart and it has left all of us wondering… what it will take to bring humanity back together as one. But thus far, the show hasn’t had the opportunity to explore the potential answers to that question, and rightfully so. After all, the poor crew of Ark One has done nothing but face incredible adversity. The kind that has pushed them to their absolute limits.   
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In fact, when we last left them, they were at their absolute lowest, really. For their water supply was near exhaustion and there seemed to be no real hope of survival. But as it turns out… bringing these people to their breaking point, was the perfect way to open their closed minds and offer the audience one particular answer to the burning question posed moments ago. For ‘Get Out and Push’ is a story that informed us… that if we had a real cause to rally around, we might be inclined to finally put our nonsense aside and do what ‘s right for the whole of humanity. Which in this instance, involved the discovery that a massive asteroid was heading right for the ship.

So, with no functional engines… there was the possibility that a horrific and swift fate awaited everyone. But rather than just give up and call it a life, when a few more days of life might have brought forth a long-term solution to their problems, a mad dash to get the engines restarted post haste, took place, and when that failed, ingenuity came into play. Because the only way they were going to live was to think outside of the box and well, with mortal doom in front of them, all kinds of incredible ideas came to the table. Such as using the landing shuttle as a propellant instead and when that ran into repair trouble, the idea to just… blow a hole in the men’s shower, and use that force to move the ship, appealed to all.

Which is exactly what the crew did, and that… actually saved the day and revealed quite the wondrous lucky break for everyone. In that, the asteroid they escaped, wasn’t an asteroid, it was a rogue comet. One that could supply water… if a daring mission came to fruition. One where Brice would take the newly functional shuttle down the surface after using it to match the speed of the comet, and drill off enough ice to use for water. A mission that nearly failed just because of physics and a few unaccounted-for variables, but Brice stood by the ship and the moment and filled the vessel with enough water to keep everyone alive. Giving rise to a break at last for this shattered crew and well… all of these moments spoke to the answer in question.
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Because finally, there was no infighting or agenda present amongst the people of this ship. There was just the realization that they were indeed all in the same situation, one that would end horribly if they didn’t put their nonsense aside and work as one. Which brought about some incredible moments. The kind that saw everyone trust one another and listen to one another and enjoy more days in the depths of space because of such acts. Hammering home, the lesson, and leaving us to wonder, what we can unify against in our world now… to see similar change take place. But alas, it will take time to figure that out, so we can in the meantime… relish in a story that will hopefully inspire all of us to find way to bring about inclusion and unity akin to what we saw here, into our everyday lives, so we can just… make a difference.

But that aside, it was nice to enjoy a happy ending in this tale at last, after spending weeks watching this crew suffer dearly. But… the joy may not last. After all, there are still other crises waiting in the wings. Such as getting beat up systems back online to get their journey rolling again. Plus, they still have a limited food supply, and some are harboring secrets galore. Such as the shocking one that Sharon is keeping from everyone at the moment. Which means it will be quite interesting to see how this newly united crew handles the unresolved challenges before them, and the new ones that likely await them in the void. As they continue their desperate and harrowing journey to a new home far from the dying world they left behind. Until next time.  

It is definitely safe to say, that the Peacock series, Poker Face, is the most refreshing crime series of the year. In large part thanks to its supremely unique setup. Since Charlie Cale is a supremely nontraditional gumshoe, one that really does feel akin to an everyday person with a genuinely unique gift, and that’s allowed for the audience to immediately connect with her and root for her every step of the way, and she needs our support. Because she also takes on incredible cases that captivate as well, the kind that are complete with meaning and people that commit these crimes that aren’t traditional villains in the slightest, since they have depth to them. All of which has made for must-see television, and thankfully… this season of storytelling won’t be the show’s last.
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For recently Peacock announced that Poker Face will be getting a second season, and that is just wonderful news. Simply because… this is an outright amazing series. One that the fans cannot get enough of, courtesy of the show’s intelligent and compelling writing and amazing acting and everything in between. Which is why it should come as no wonder that this outlet and so many of our peers continue to heap praise on a series that makes you think and leaves you hungry for more and well, here are some additional details regarding this wondrous announcement (courtesy of Peacock) to hammer home the reality that Charlie Cale will soon be back on the airwaves and solving the tough cases that no one else can.

·   Peacock’s mystery, case-of-the-week series POKER FACE has been renewed for a second season. POKER FACE is T-Street's two-time Academy Award nominee Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman’s first television series and is produced by MRC Television, along with multiple Emmy nominated executive producer and star Natasha Lyonne, under her production banner Animal Pictures.  
 
·       Season one premiered on Jan. 26 to rave reviews and quickly became certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes (99% critic score), including: 
·       “The crime show of the year” - Entertainment Weekly 
·       “A whodunit fan’s delight” - The Hollywood Reporter  
·       “A triumph” - Decider  
·       “Damned clever” - Rolling Stone  
·       “Natasha Lyonne is unforgettable” - NPR 
 
·       Episode 107 “The Future of the Sport” airs this week on Feb. 16 with new episodes dropping Thursdays through March 9, including Episode 108 “The Orpheus Syndrome” co-written and directed by Lyonne.   
 
·       “Poker Face is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams,” said Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman, along with our partners at MRC and T-Street, has been a spectacular ride, and we can’t wait to hit the road for another season as we continue to build momentum across Peacock’s originals slate.” 
 
·       Season one featured executive producer and star Natasha Lyonne in addition to an A-list roster of guest stars, including Adrien Brody, Angel Desai, Audrey Corsa, Benjamin Bratt, Brandon Michael Hall, Charles Melton, Chelsea Frei, Cherry Jones, Chloë Sevigny, Clea DuVall, Colton Ryan, Danielle MacDonald, Dascha Polanco, Ellen Barkin, Hong Chau, Jasmine Aiyana Garvin, Jack Alcott, Jameela Jamil, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Light, Leslie Silva, Lil Rel Howery, Luis Guzmán, Megan Suri, Niall Cunningham, Nicholas Cirillo, Nick Nolte, Reed Birney, Rhea Perlman, Ron Perlman, Rowan Blanchard, S. Epatha Merkerson, Shane Paul McGhie, Simon Helberg, Stephanie Hsu, Tim Blake Nelson and Tim Meadows.  
 
·       The renewal of POKER FACE joins the additional second seasons of Peacock Original series PITCH PERFECT: BUMPER IN BERLIN, BEL-AIR, WOLF LIKE ME, KILLING IT, DR. DEATH and WE ARE LADY PARTS.   
      
ABOUT POKER FACE SEASON 1: 
Poker Face is a 10-episode mystery-of-the-week series following Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve. 

ABOUT SEASON 1:    
Creator / Writer / Director / Executive Producer: Rian Johnson    
Executive Producers: Ram Bergman, Natasha Lyonne, Nena Rodrigue and Iain B. MacDonald  
Showrunners / Executive Producers: Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman  
Co-Executive Producers: Maya Rudolph and Danielle Renfrew Behrens    
Studio and Produced by: T-Street and MRC Television
Produced By: Animal Pictures
Starring: Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale