Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘The Irrational’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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If there is one particularly unfortunate aspect of love that we all know to be true, it would have to be… that love makes you crazy. Simply because time and time again, we’ve been involved in moments revolving around someone we love… where we simply cannot think straight. Granted that usually just involves daydreaming and swooning and grinning about with a smile we thought we left behind in childhood… but sometimes it makes us do things far worse. Where our emotions get the better of us and we simply aren’t ourselves. Which is where love becomes a touch scary in nature, and where it can motivate us… to do things we never thought we were capable of.

If anything, that extreme aspect of how love can make us irrational to the Nth degree is top of mind today, simply because… that’s exactly what the next episode of The Irrational on NBC explored. A feat that ‘The Real Deal’ accomplished… by way of the most unique first date in the history of dates. Because this was it, Rose and Alec were finally going out on a date after all this time and thankfully, it went well… and became something extra special, when an emergency phone call came across Rose’s phone. In that, an old friend was in dire need of help from Rose, and well… if Alec was keen to, he could tag along and help her with what was likely a complex mystery to solve.

Which Alec jumped at the chance to take part in, and well, with Rose at his side they uncovered quite the surprise. In that, that old friend had quite the fake piece of art in her home, and she wanted Alec and Rose’s help in uncovering how a fake came into her home and how best to get her money back, and that… allowed for this power couple to discover, that love was behind this fake art. For a fake art ring was operating about, laundering money, and taking advantage of house money, but the situation was turning deadly and ugly, all because of love. Because the ringmaster of this chaotic circus wanted all the evidence of his crimes to be hidden since folks were discovering the truth. Which meant the art had to go. But one man wouldn’t let that happen, for he loved the now deceased artist of these forgeries and would stop at nothing to keep her memory alive.

A plot that was the perfect way to explore how love can drive us mad and push us to do things unbecoming of ourselves to reconcile its power. Which made for one engaging tale, one that featured more powerful moments. Since Kylie and Marisa did their best to reconcile old demons and heal old wounds following Marisa’s divorce from Alec, since we learned they were in essence, sisters back when Marisa and Alec were married, and that was incredible to watch play out and taught us the importance of forgiveness. Not to mention, while Alec and Rose’s first and second dates were as weird as they come, they are good together, and found strength in one another, and that too was a form of growth and should lead to some interesting moments down the line.

All in all, this was just… a delightful episode through and through. One that really did find a way to surprise us by having Alec and Rose team up in a romantic manner to do what they do best, which is helping people. And the case was compelling and complex and supremely unique. Thanks to all the twists and turns it took us upon and thanks to its fascinating message. Which offered a fresh spin on the broken heart and the power of love and this, was the perfect way to follow the previous episode. Since it did not attempt to top what came before, and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this wonderful tale, it’s onto the next one, and it will be interesting to see what wonders await us there. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 303 of ‘Resident Alien’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particularly harrowing lesson that each and every one of us learn as we journey through life, is that uncovering the truth can be difficult to say the least. Because the search for it, makes people uncomfortable and the truth in and of itself that we seek, can be pretty damaging when all is said and done. But we do it nevertheless and will continue to do so even when a quest for it wounds us. Because we know it matters above all, and that good can come from it, and well, that particularly lovely aspect of searching for truth is top of mind today, simply because that’s what the next episode of Resident Alien on SYFY put on display.

For ‘141 Seconds’ was all about two big quests to find the truth. One of which, took place in Patience, Colorado. For Liv and Mike’s brainstorming sessions led them to believe that if they went down a particular path in their investigation, specifically… fingerprints… they could lock down the ID of the person that was in the car. Which we, and a handful of others know, was Harry. But while Mike and Liv waited for those results to come back, they canvassed the town and that brought about that positive exploration in question. Because it solidified bonds since D’Arcy came to realize who they might come after. So, she and Sara, and her pop… burned all of Harry’s plaid flannel shirts.

That really did bring everyone closer together and even helped Sara and Dan talk through some of the tough times she’s experienced and what comes next. Which is all positive stuff to come from a search for the truth and it didn’t end there. After all, this also allowed for Mike to realize he was being reckless with his broken heart since he spent the night with Judy, who basically fell in love with him. So, he had to finally use his words and stand up and handle that matter, despite the hurt it would bring. Plus, this quest also helped us to understand why Liv is so driven, simply because… she wants to be seen as a great officer. Sadly, there’s still some roadblocks ahead with that, thanks to Nana and that damn article, but she’s trying and she’s working, and that’s all you can do sometimes. 

All of which made for some very human moments that while maybe a tinge bittersweet, have positivity in them in the end, and while that was going on, Harry seized the day to find out what the Greys were up to. Because Ben felt the need to just… getaway for the weekend and for some reason… Yellowstone was calling to him. Which to Harry, likely meant there was significant Grey activity there, and in turn, answers and well… he tagged along. Because he had to know, and while he waited, some powerful moments took place. The kind that spoke to how the Greys were deeply wounding both Ben and Kate emotionally, and that something needed to be done to help them and well… Harry found the key to that.
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Because just near the park was a mining company, one that was composed of people far too pretty to be considered to be blue collar. Ergo, they had to be some nasty little Grey-Hybrids and that had to be their base and Harry was right about all of that, and with Max’s help, he uncovered the plan. In that, the Greys were eager to force the Yellowstone Caldera to blow quickly and violently. Thus, killing so many. But now that Harry had the truth in hand, he knew what to do, how to stop it, and well… perhaps delay the inevitable since science told him the caldera was due for its big day. But what mattered most, was that this episode really did offer up a supremely human story about the ups that come with the truth, and why it is important to seek it regardless of the hurt that comes our way, because we do come out stronger the other side and we do… find value in it. 

However, while that made for a beautiful story through and through, what would an episode of this series be without a grand twist and more for Harry to overcome? Which arrived at the very end, when a giant blue bird person appeared and served Harry some intergalactic law documents. Because he broke it by sticking around our world to save it, and well, this court order demanded he leave immediately. Putting Harry’s fight to save us in huge jeopardy, while dropping one hell of a cliffhanger in our laps. Because how on earth will Harry overcome this? To which we will have to stay tuned to find out, and while we wait, we can revel in one amazing episode. One that really was quite funny and moving in all the right ways, courtesy of a lovely exploration of the human condition. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 104 of ‘Constellation’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
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Each and every one of us, like to believe that when we go through a dark time in this life, that we will come out of the other side just fine. Because we know we have strength, we know we are grounded and likely have a good support network around us. So, when trouble comes calling, we’ll be ready, we’ll be mighty and we will learn and step forward accordingly, only for us to discover… that won’t be the case at all. Because nothing prepares us for true tragedy and scary moments that force us to face our mortality and test our mettle like never before, and in the end, we will emerge from that moment in quite the messy state. One that will leave us questioning everything about ourselves and our lives. 

If anything, that particularly shocking truth is top of mind today, simply because it was showcased in the next episode of Constellation on Apple TV+… with a twist no less. A feat that ‘The Left Hand of God’ accomplished by having Jo, work hard to settle back into civilian life with interesting results. Because early on in this tale, she was in fact, doing well getting back to her everyday life. She was mending fences with Magnus, getting honesty from him, raw and uncomfortable honesty… but honesty, nevertheless. Plus, she and Alice were slowly beginning to bond again, despite some road bumps, and she was even in therapy at the ESA. A move that spoke to someone who was on the right path.

In fact, she even had a diagnosis in hand, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Which made sense considering the fact that she had been through utter hell aboard the International Space Station and this plot thread, and what followed these humble moments, made it really appear as though… this was going to be a story that really did focus on that central theme we discussed a moment ago. Since the hallucinations got worse as the hour progressed and there were other strange occurrences that spoke to a severe break in her mind and a low point that would take incredible work to recover from. Which let’s be honest, is compelling as can be. But that’s precisely when this series flipped the script and added quite the twist. 

Because in between Jo’s difficult moments, were a bevy of others with Henry and Bud. Some of which involved the fallout of Bud’s wild decision, while the rest dealt with Henry’s utter obsession with the Cal device that was flipped on before things got weird abord the ISS. All of which spoke… to the very real possibility that Henry was toying with things that no other scientist has in our lifetimes. Specifically, quantum physics and toying with multiverse concepts, alongside an underlying hint that perhaps… something has been breached and that perhaps what Jo is dealing with, is a hint of other moments and potentially other realities. Which was also given great merit here… but never confirmed.
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For at the same time… Jo also came to learn that she, and Harry, and other astronauts that have done some bold things in space, have been taking a vitamin batch designed to keep them clear of psychotic breaks. Giving rise again to the possibility that anyone snacking on those red and yellow pills, suffer from a form of mental illness as a result of suffering through distress in the depths of space. But even then… we simply don’t know. Because this episode also featured more hints of something wilder going on. Such as how Jo was sent two recordings from a mysterious entity, one of which confirmed her suspicions that the corpse she saw, was real. Plus, this episode was littered with moments and revelations that Jo has no understanding or knowledge of.

Speaking to a person that isn’t quite where they belong. Which raises more questions than answers and well, that’s okay. Because just like that… we are now in the midst of a fascinating storyline. One that really has us laser focused on whether or not Jo is indeed having a shocking psychotic break and losing memories and paths because of that, or something surreal is happening, something related to Cal and it may only get worse before it gets better since Henry may be messing with concepts that we are too young a species to understand. Either way, we are in for quite the treat, one we will not miss in the slightest. Because now we need to know, what’s happening and need to know the truth, and it will be fascinating to see what lies ahead as this story reveals its secrets. Until next time.

One big reason that television shows exist regarding the life and times of famous or influential people, is so that we can outright learn about those individuals in every way imaginable. Such as who they were as a person, what drove them to become the person of influence we know them as today. And of course, to explore the impact of their actions. So that history doesn’t have to repeat if they caused incredible harm, or to perhaps emulate the best parts of them… or just… understand the mark they left upon the world.

But there are more ways to sit down and learn those elements, and that is why STARZ is offering up something quite unique in this vein. For recently, they released, BMF: The Dinner. A roundtable discussion with some of the key cast and crew from the show and some of biggest figures in the hip-hop industry… to discuss the impact the Flenory family has had upon their lives, the pop-culture landscape and more. Giving rise to a fascinating way to further explore what is easily America’s last great crime family, and well… to properly recognize the wonder of this discussion, here are all the details on this new short-form content, and The Dinner itself, courtesy of STARZ.

‘WHAT:
Ahead of the season 3 premiere of  STARZ’s hit drama series “BMF,” STARZ has released “BMF: The Dinner,” a roundtable conversation where key cast and major figures in the hip hop industry gather to discuss the real cultural impact and “History in the Making” of BMF, the latter of which is a major theme explored in the new season of the drama series inspired by the real life rise of the Flenory family. Moderated by Big Tigger,  throughout the conversation, the cast and hip-hop legends discussed the intersection of BMF with the music industry, the legacy of BMF, its impact on The Culture, and how the drama series represents real-life players and events, among other topics. 

WHO:
Lil Meech, who portrays his father Big Meech, Da’Vinchi, who portrays Terry Flenory, La La Anthony, 2 Chainz, DJ Drama, and Da Brat

WHERE:
Starz Youtube Channel Here

WHEN:
Monday, January 26 Live Now!

ABOUT:
Premiering March 1, “BMF” season three continues the story of the inspiring true legends, 
brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory (Demetrius Flenory, Jr.) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi), who founded one of the most influential crime families in the country, the Black Mafia Family. We parachute into the early '90s with Meech moving to Atlanta, hoping to grow the BMF empire in the south and rise to the top of the Atlanta drug scene. At the same time, Terry remains in the “D,” handling business there, not yet aware of all the dangers lurking around the corner. Charles Flenory (Russell Hornsby) and Lucille Flenory’s (Michole Briana White) marriage remains on the rocks, and Detective Bryant (Steve Harris), on probation from work, and Detective Jin (Kelly Hu) find themselves on opposite sides of the law, but might find common ground in their determination to take down BMF. Additionally, season three includes special guest stars recurring throughout the season, who cross paths with Meech and Terry in this next phase of their unbelievable journey. 

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 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 20,000+ 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.’

Please enjoy this sneak peek of Episode Four of Constellation which debuts tomorrow (2/28/24) on Apple TV+!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 303 of ‘The Madame Blanc Mysteries’. To revisit the Season Three Premiere, click here.
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One particular bit of advice that is supremely difficult for us to follow, is to forgive those who have wronged us or wronged people that we love. And that’s tough advice to swallow because an attack on us, or anyone that we hold near and dear, in any capacity, demands retribution and fury. Because they shouldn’t mess with us or the people we love. But the fact of the matter is, forgiveness really is sound advice. For so many reasons. In large part because… holding onto the pain and the hurt transforms our soul for the worse and it can also motivate us to carry notions of revenge for ages on end. Which never ends well, because revenge offers no catharsis, just energy.

But despite hearing that advice if we are in those shoes or offering it to those who we see hurting… not everyone is going to take it to heart. Because they simply cannot get over the pain in their hearts and truly believe an eye for an eye is the only way, and those folks will suffer accordingly for going this route, and this particularly tragic aspect of tough times in our lives is top of mind today, because it showed up in the next episode of The Madame Blanc Mysteries on Acorn TV. A feat that ‘Duel’ accomplished by revealing quite the crime. In that… someone had plunged a fancy sword into the chest of a local citizen, one who was dressed to the nines and was discovered by Gloria, and well… his clothing and the murder weapon caught Caron’s eye.

Because it was odd to see a man so ‘refined’, killed in a manner that had an air of class to it as well. So naturally, Jean was called in and that was a fine choice. Because she quickly identified that the sword that did him in, and some artifacts on his person, were rare and valuable, making this less a crime of passion or randomness and more grounded in calculation and sophistication. And the paper trail and ties to those artifacts, led everyone to believe a gangster named John Marsden was involved and this was a hit. But we quickly came to learn, that wasn’t the case. For Marsden, while ruthless, wanted there to be a special twist, if and when he chose to end a life, and well, that pushed Jean to look elsewhere.

Specifically, to follow the history of those artifacts and to look at the murder weapon and the man’s life in detail to find something that might explain how he came to be killed in this manner and why, and… eventually… it became apparent this well-dressed man was rotten beneath his fine clothes. For he used to roll with Marsden, used to thrive in nefarious acts and even once… took part in a duel. The last duel in this town in fact, one that he walked away from no problem, but nevertheless, he didn’t ponder upon the impact of his actions. For the fallen left behind a daughter, who was so devastated by the death of her father that she refused to let go of the pain and anger that entered her heart that day. To the point where she waited all this time… to exact revenge, only to have… nothing in the end.

Because as mentioned before, when it comes to revenge… once the mission is completed… there’s nothing left. Just anger and a desire that isn’t satiated. Because healing starts within, and in many ways… her punishment is the worst thing that could happen to her, since now… she’ll spend life in prison, feeling unfulfilled and well… that made for a bleak and powerful tale. One that really did remind us that we cannot hang onto the anger and the fury and must forgive and move forward… or endure misery. And this episode deserves a round of applause for pointing this out in such a tragic manner, and for also changing the game when it comes to the bar, since we don’t know if Celine and Niall will be back, and well… all of this compels us to continue the journey. To see what other unique lessons and surprises await us as season three moves along. Until next time.

It is definitely safe to say that documentaries have settled into a groove in the television landscape and understandably so. Because the formula for making a great and compelling documentary has been around for some time now, so why not follow that? Because no audience member out there has a problem being taken upon a journey with a particular species of animal or through a particular landscape in a manner that is educational and compelling through and through. But while that does indeed satisfy and while we do indeed learn, it has made nature documentaries somewhat sedentary at times, to the point where we know what to expect and anticipate from them. 
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Leaving one to wonder if by chance… there’s any way that the documentary can still offer up something refreshing and new and can spotlight aspects of our world we’ve never been privy to do before and well, it just so happens that, yes, documentaries certainly can, and for proof… look no further than a new documentary series that makes its debut on National Geographic next week, Queens. For this particular series really is unlike any other documentary series out there, and we here at NTG have had the opportunity to see it in advance and absolutely need to spotlight its wonder and majesty because of what it accomplishes (in a spoiler-free manner of course.)

Such as the fact that this is a documentary series that forges standard formula and thinking and is instead laser focused on one particular region at a time. Wherein it can carefully explore the life and times of specific families of animals, and really showcase the matriarch or ‘queen’ of the family. To understand how they lead and how they push their families forward. Which really is a refreshing way to explore the wonder of nature. Because we don’t often really get to see how leaders lead in the wild, or the struggles they go through to keep a family rolling, keep their young safe and that alone… makes for a refreshing take on this type of tale, one that has more wonder to offer.

Because this particular series also makes sure… to offer up a no holds barred look at nature and how it operates in the real world. Which means we are privy to some scary and harrowing moments a great deal of documentaries shy away from, but should not. For it is important to really see the world in the raw and understand how nature is chaos and a place where survival of the fittest rules the day. To give us a sense of awe and to make us thankful for the world we live in, and it also creates some compelling storytelling as well. The kind where we pull for these animals to make it, knowing full well… they might not. All of which creates a documentary that you simply cannot look away from. For you must know how each chapter will end and you must know if and how the matriarch you meet will accomplish the goals she’s set forth. 

Yet, while those two elements alone would be enough to keep our attention… since we don’t see a lot of stories about matriarchs in the world of documentaries, these stories also feel different, and focus on elements that aren’t traditional in the slightest and there’s good reason for that. Because the crew behind the camera are made up of women, and they opted to collectively examine what works and what could be better in this type of story and made incredibly bold choices that no other crew has ever made in assembling such stories. Giving rise to journeys that really do showcase new corners of the animal world and offer different perspectives through and through and are expressed to the audience via Angela Bassett, a true queen herself, and all of these elements make for one revolutionary documentary.

One that we are thankfully only days away from enjoying, since Queens arrives on National Geographic next Monday, March 4th at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST, and will stream on Hulu and Disney+ on March 5, and we here at NTG cannot wait for you to enjoy this fantastic new series, one that really does look at the world and it’s amazing matriarchs through a different lens. Nor can we wait to share our interviews with Director Faith Musembi, Directors of Photography, Justine Evans, Erin Ranney, and Sophie Darlington, and Series Composer and Photographer Morgan Kibby and Jen Guyton as we continue to count down the days to this important and pioneering series.