Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘That Dirty Black Bag’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We are taught from a very early age, that making the most of a tough situation, through busy work or mindless but fulfilling acts… is critical to maintaining our mental health and keeping us happy and there is a lot of merit to that line of thinking. Because sometimes… when the going gets tough and there is no escape from our situation in sight, keeping our minds occupied through a hobby or any kind of mental exercise, prevents us from worrying too much about the problem at hand and gives us the levity we need to cope and move forward. Which is why we will do what we must to escape our problems for a little while when life overwhelms us. But that process does beg a terrifying question. In that, what happens then… if we are in a tough situation for too long… and our minds run out of things to focus on outside of our problem?
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Because that could lead to some potential trouble… the kind that quite frankly was put on full display in the next episode of That Dirty Black Bag on AMC+. For when we swing by Greenvale in ‘Chapter Three: Alliances’ just about everyone in the town… is in a sour place and the lack of anything to do outside of ponder upon their current situation… brings about all kinds of trouble. For Nathan is utterly fixated on Symone and since he has no standing orders or anything to do outside of pine over her… he takes that to the next level, to the point where things get uncomfortable between the two of them. In fact, he continues to press and press to have her hand in marriage and well… when he doesn’t get the answer, he was hoping for… the exploration of where we go in when there are no more fantasies or busy work to keep us in check… gets underway in the most horrifying way imaginable.

Because Nathan straight up betrayed his badge and beat the living tar out of Symone because she would not cater to his whims and that too… engendered more trouble in this town. For Eve simply could not stand the fact that someone hurt one of her girls and she handled this matter in the only way one could in the old west, with revenge, and what’s wild is that Eve’s tough decision… wasn’t the culmination of this exploration either. Because in between indulging in revenge for rotten men that could not handle their tempers, she also found herself under duress mentally. For she was struggling to be without Steve and his unconditional love and that need and lack of anything positive to focus on here, drove her… to try and entice him to leave this all behind and start anew with just their love, and sadly… Steve once again rebuffed her because of the belief that he was guarding his gold for noble reasons.

But while all of that made for a fascinating exploration regarding what happens when idle minds and souls can no longer stay idle and have nothing to look forward to… we’d be remiss to not talk about the trouble brewing in this tale. For the money that Sheriff McCoy stole, wasn’t money he should have toyed with in the first place. Simply because… it belonged to a powerful criminal that set up the failed heist to enjoy its spoils and once he became aware of McCoy’s treachery in the matter, a plan was set into motion to make him pay. In fact, a terrifying bounty hunter/mercenary, one that is nameless and ruthless… and brilliant and terrifying was asked to travel to Greenvale to handle this matter, and he will undoubtedly cause hell for the sheriff… either in town or in the middle of nowhere. Since McCoy is still out in the desert with Red Bill, dragging that poor bounty hunter back to Greenvale.
 
However, while we wait to see what comes of that mess, we can in the meantime… bask in the wonder of a bleak and powerful tale. One that held nothing back in its examination of how lonesome and heartbreaking well, stagnant… this period of time in American history was and it deserves a round of applause for putting this kind of trouble on display and for reminding us to keep searching for more when we are in a situation akin to the characters here. So, we don’t snap and cause harm to our lives or the lives of others and well… now that this chapter in this harrowing and fascinating journey has come to its end, the time has come to impatiently wait for next week’s episode… and all the hell it should unleash. For the death of a law man won’t go over well in this town, and trouble is on the train and on its way, and ready to strike in the name of fortune and glory. Until next time.  

Please enjoy this sneak peek of Episode 208 of Fast Foodies, which will air on truTV on March 24, 2022.

One particular lesson that we have to be reminded of often in life, is to keep our emotions in check and it makes sense as to why that reminder keeps popping up. Because sometimes in life, the moment really does get the better of us and it allows for our emotions to surge through every fiber of our being and in that moment… if we don’t remember the lesson or if we don’t have someone there to talk us down and ask us to relax so we can clear our heads… who knows what we are capable of. Thankfully, most of us have that someone there to keep us rational and calm… but curiosity does get the better of us from time to time and leaves us wondering just how far we would go if our emotions were left unchecked or if by chance, someone was there to do the opposite, and encourage us to let our emotions… go the distance.
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If anything, that somewhat uncomfortable possibility is top of mind today, simply because the season six finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation takes the time to explore it. A feat that ‘Descent’ accomplishes… by putting the crew of the Enterprise in an extremely unsettling situation. Wherein they arrive at a distress call to discover a massive vessel, one that appears to be silent and unconcerned with the crew until a powerful and unsettling discovery is made down below. In that, the facility in distress, has been attacked by the Borg and they are still there. Putting the crew in a life and death situation and while the Borg are eventually driven off with minimal losses on both sides, a great deal of concern and questions remain after the fight.

Such as why the Borg encountered here… were angry and vicious and nowhere near as calculated as the ones last encountered in ‘The Best of Both Worlds’ and also… how they managed to coerce a violent emotional response out of Data. The latter of which is explored in great detail since it is Data’s first negative emotion and he stops at nothing to try and replicate it, only to struggle with failure since he cannot feel a thing… that is until a Borg soldier… brings forth the exploration in question. For this rotten little cyborg, does everything within his power to encourage the dark emotions that Data experienced on that planet. Making it clear that having someone push us to indulge in the darkness, would be a horrible thing, since it would drive us to either do horrible things or betray the good within and the good that surrounds us… as evidenced by Data’s decision to steal a shuttlecraft and leave with the Borg Prisoner.

But that’s really as far as that exploration goes and that’s really as far as it has to. Since that’s a clean cut and simple answer to that important question/worry. But it also comes to a close that quickly, because there was one more surprise in store for the crew of the Enterprise and the audience. For when the ship arrives at the world that Data escaped to and find the shuttle, Picard orders a skeleton crew to keep the ship in check while he and the majority of those that serve aboard this intrepid vessel… search for their missing shipmate and well, Picard and his team are the ones to find Data and what they discover about the company now surrounding him… is horrifying to say the least. For not only is this planet host to a large number of unshackled and angry Borg drones, but they are led by none other than Lore himself, and he clearly has a bone to pick with the captain and he’s happy to have his brother at his side while he makes that happen.

Which is… a hell of a cliffhanger for certain since it sets the stage for what would end up being a final showdown with Lore. But before we dive into that particular fight, we can bask in the wonder of a quality finale. One that genuinely surprises the viewer at every turn. Because the arrival of the Borg is a shocker, as is their newfound individuality and of course… the arrival of Lore is epic as well. Especially since we haven’t seen him since ‘Brothers’ in season four and well… this is the perfect way to close out season six and it also doesn’t hurt that this episode has a little commentary on the human condition as well, and who better to explore that with than the android that aspires to be human and now that this harrowing mission has come to a close… our next stop is the conclusion of this tale and the beginning of the end, of The Next Generation. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Reacher’.
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There was a time, not that long ago, where the crime drama landscape on television… featured a vastly different type of gumshoe. One that was hard-boiled, and gruff, and no-nonsense and they used those attributes in conjunction with their keen eye and mind to cut through the lies and distraction surrounding their cases to bring bad people to justice. But somewhere along the line, that type of story was no longer viable on television. Because audiences realized that they wanted more depth from their detectives and humanity as well, and that has brought about vastly different crime dramas in this day and age, the kind that now feature inclusion and innovation and depth when it comes to the characters, and they’ve even tied technology and how it assists detectives in catching criminals in this modern age into these tales.
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Which are storytelling decisions that truly made it appear as though the old school gumshoe was going to be relegated to the shelves of television history. But believe it or not, there is still room for hard-boiled, no-nonsense detectives/investigators on television in this day and age, provided of course they have evolved to match the world as it stands today and for proof… then look no further than the brand-new Prime Video series, Reacher. For this reboot of the film and newest adaptation of the Lee Child novels, gives us a gruff investigator that truly works within the framework of 2022, and it accomplishes this feat, by placing Jack Reacher firmly within the grey area that so many now understand we now operate within, as evidenced by how we are introduced to this iconic character here.

For when we catch up with Reacher in ‘Welcome to Margrave’ he’s minding his business and trying to enjoy a little pie and a cup of coffee in an out of the way diner when he finds himself under arrest for a crime he didn’t commit. One where someone was murdered brutally on the side of the highway, and since Reacher just so happened to be on the side of the road the next morning, walking his way into town… he became the likely suspect. A reality that irritates him to no end, especially when he exhibits to the police that he already has keener observations about the case than they do. A sequence that more or less speaks to how we view police officers in a vastly different light these days and how some departments have sown distrust amongst the people. Giving Reacher that modern new edge in question, one that is further explored by an interesting surprise.

Because while he is waiting to have his name cleared, he ends up sharing a cell at the local prison with someone who claimed to take part in the murder. A move that leads to all kinds of trouble for Reacher since some of the inmates and the guards seem eager to let the wrong crowd deal with him and his new friend. And it is in this place that we see Reacher do his best to mind his own business and stay out of this mess. Which is something that seems unheard of for a hero, but that is the point. For Reacher makes it clear that he now understands the cruelty of the world and will only step in when it truly suits him so, and that really is the ‘grey area’ mindset that so many people share in and going that route may shock audiences for certain, but it really is the right way to handle this story for a couple of key reasons.
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First and foremost, because Reacher’s mindset is where so many good people reside right now. For they have been doing their best to right wrongs and spread a message of hope and equality, only to have their push for good be pushed aside by people that believe shouting nonsense and lies and spreading hate and disdain is the way to go in America, and these folks feel beat down and as though they can only do so much, so why not handle it within the framework of their circle of control. Making Reacher a genuinely relatable character for certain and the other reason this is the right way to handle his journey, is because it makes him a prime candidate for redemption since he can use the harrowing discovery made at the end of this episode to make an important decision.

One that would require him to perhaps let go of that more aloof outlook on the troubles of the world to go full bore into helping people and righting wrongs and well… there’s no more powerful motivator in this life than losing a family member under the circumstances he has, especially a brother that meant the world to him. Which means we are going to be in for one incredible ride, full of emotion and action and adventure as Reacher finds peace in righting the wrong of his brother’s death and if that journey is anything like the one here in the premiere, we are in for something special. Since this magnificent premiere, one full of homages to investigators and detectives of old, is about as refreshing as it gets, and it will be genuinely amazing to continue this story and enjoy all of the twists and turns meaningful moments it is going to send our way. Until next time.  

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve had some pretty hefty and powerful discussions regarding some of the incredible themes that Star Trek: The Next Generation spotlighted during the tail end of season six. Simply because this series went on something of a philosophical tear, one that ranged from examinations of religion in the modern world, to the nature of murder and what it means to be gaslighted and toyed with mentally. But while that has made for some powerful storytelling, the kind that has left all of us with plenty to think about… this is a series that also understands balance and the importance of sticking with the roots of the story, and that would absolutely explain the storytelling choices made for the next episode.

For ‘Timescape’ is a journey that is devoid of deeper meaning and philosophy and instead focuses on the mysteries of the stars and the strange new life forms that are potentially out there in the void and it brought forth this kind of story, by having Captain Picard and a small contingent of his officers, make quite the strange discovery aboard a runabout when they were returning from a conference. In that, something was horribly wrong with time. For everyone aboard the runabout either watched it stop for a particular individual or was caught in these strange temporal wakes and well, after a great deal of digging, both Geordi and Data were able to ascertain that the source of these problems… just so happened to be the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Which was frozen in time, in the midst of what appeared to be some kind of battle with a Romulan Warbird and that of course, motivated Picard to take Troi and Data aboard the ship to explore what could have caused this fight. But as the minutes ticked along for them, they came to realize that this wasn’t a fight after all, but instead a rescue mission. One where an attempt to save the Warbird and her crew, via an emergency energy transfer, caused a warp core breach that was steadily leaking through time and would eventually destroy the Enterprise and all hands aboard. Which meant the away team had to figure out quickly… what the ship was trying to save the Romulans from and well… what they uncovered was fascinating to say the least.

For it turned out, that a species of alien that uses singularities to grow their young, placed some of their spawn in the Artificial Singularity Core of the Warbird and once it became clear that wasn’t a natural singularity, all hell broke loose, moving time into its current state of flux. Which meant the only way to save the day was to reverse time using the Romulan Singularity Core and do their best to cease the energy stream that the 1701-D was feeding the Warbird, since that was contributing to the problem. But that was of course… no easy task. Since one of the remaining aliens was eager to cause trouble to keep their young safe, delaying the plan and forcing Picard to get creative with it and thankfully, his ingenuity kept his ship and his extended family from perishing. 

If anything, this was just a straightforward, wild adventure through the stars. One that truly lived up to the mantra of the show and it is one that entertains you every step of the way. Because the mystery present here is top notch and incredibly engaging, and it even features some incredible stakes as well. The kind that go beyond the fact that it is a race against time to save the Enterprise, since the away team ran the risk of losing their minds and their health by finding a way to walk through time and well, you simply cannot go wrong with an adventure that engages and surprise and compels. And now that this unique story has come to a close… it is time to turn our attention to another epic TNG tale… one that closes out season six with several blasts from the past. Until next time. 

It is definitely safe to say, that each and every one of us out there, have stumbled upon a television series… that outright takes us by surprise in all the right ways. It could be because it features a stunning performance (or performances) that captivate us like never before or it could offer up a storytelling concept so unique that one simply has to see it through to the end. Or it could simply be so original and refreshing and unlike anything else on television, that not watching it and sharing its wonder with others, would be a crime, and one particular series that meets all of those criteria… is Queens of Mystery on Acorn TV. Because this cozy murder mystery… is the most original crime saga to hit the airwaves in years, so much in fact, that it deserves a deeper dive into its mythos.
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For this is a show that simply has to be celebrated from beginning to end which is why we are gathered here today to discuss it once more. Because sadly, there are no new episodes to fawn over at the moment, but there is a season one that we here at NTG haven’t had a chance to dig into just yet. And with the world in a sour place yet again… now seems like the perfect time to lose ourselves into this whimsical world once more, in a manner different from our prior recaps. For we are going to dive deep into every single chapter as they stand on Acorn TV to properly appreciate every single wondrous moment that this series has to offer. In fact, it has become so apparent that this series has so much depth… that a rewatch of season two is likely in the cards as well to properly appreciate its majesty.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, it’s best we refocus on the series premiere and point out how ‘Murder in the Dark: First Chapter’ is a masterclass on how start a series. Because this particular opening chapter, not only does an incredible job of immersing the audience into this whimsical and plucky world through flawless exposition, but it also does a wonderful job of informing us of what’s at stake for DS Matilda Stone and what she’s searching for. And her quest is so relatable that you’re immediately attached to her and rooting for her to succeed, and the wonder of this introductory tale doesn’t end there. Because it also takes the time to properly introduce us to her aunts and help us to understand what they’re all about, and all of this is just rare to find in murder mysteries. Since they tend to use reveals of what the characters stand for as a hook to keep us coming back for more.

Instead, it’s used here as an advantage since their quirks and talents allow for them to dig right into the case at hand. Which involves, via delicious irony, the death of a murder mystery writer at an awards ceremony for murder mystery writers, and even that death is handled in handled in the most unique manner imaginable. Since in many ways, the setting and the style of this heinous crime and the introduction of the suspects… harbors a throwback feel to classic crime stories on television, with a modern twist of course, and this too… is utter genius to find here. Since it keeps things fresh from beginning to end and throwing in the possibility that Beth Stone might know something about the victim's passing… only adds to the intrigue and allows for one quality cliffhanger to come into play.

If anything, all of these elements make this… a perfect and bold series premiere. Because everything here feels organic and fleshed-out and that’s rare to find in a premiere/pilot. Since most of them are a work in progress. But if one were to just, stumble, upon this episode, they’d not know this one from the season two finale and that’s a testament to creator/writer Julian Unthank’s skills as a writer. As for the bold nature of this premiere, well that lies within the honesty present here, since few shows inform the audience of what they’re about, this quickly. But in doing so here… you know exactly what you’re getting into and that allows for one to really enjoy the mystery at hand, and in a way, helps you to appreciate the characters more, and you really cannot ask for more from a premiere than that. But what matters most, is that this episode informs us… that we are going to be in for quite the treat over the next few weeks as we explore every last corner of Wildemarsh. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘The Chelsea Detective’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It has often been said that time heals all wounds, and there is a lot of merit to that particular phrase. Because as the days roll by and the hours tick along, the pain of a particularly rough moment in our lives, does seem to fade. In fact, there does come a point where it is nothing but an echo in the back of our minds allowing for us to pass that advice along to others when the time comes, since it served us so well. But while there is comfort to be found in knowing that one day we will awaken and not feel the deep ache in our soul that we are experiencing when that phrase is uttered our way, there is one particular problem with this bit of advice. 
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In that, it isn’t one hundred percent correct. Because some emotional wounds run incredibly deep. So much in fact that no amount of time will ever allow for them to close, and we either take that particular pain to the grave with us… or feel its ache once again in later years when someone or something opens the wound and exposes it to fresh air once again. Provided of course... we don't deal with it, and if we don't... it is that latter surprise that is the dangerous one because that’s the kind of pain that comes back so strong that sometimes… it can influence us to do things that we simply should not in order to heal it, such as say… indulge in a measure of revenge to make it stop and it just so happens that this particular conundrum is top of mind today, because it was central to the plot of the next episode of The Chelsea Detective.

But ‘The Gentle Giant’ sure didn’t make that apparent early on. For when we catch up with Max and Priya in this particular tale, they’re dealing with quite the surprising death. Because the victim in this case, a man named Steve O’Hara… was something of a local hero. For he once chased down drug dealers to keep that stuff off of his block and he even went above and beyond as a person by doing everything to care for his incredibly sick wife. So, to find him stabbed to death near a bag of drugs was a shocking revelation to say the least… since there was no rhyme or reason to his end. But once this duo and their team began to dig into the case and look deeper at everything, some troubling truths began to come to light about Steve and his supposed ‘good guy’ persona.

For he was spotted talking and working with folks that dealt drugs in this part of town and he also was taking part in some under the table deals at work, but even then… the fact that he wasn’t dealing and was guilty of making some tax-free cash… didn’t really reveal a murder motive. But eventually, some incredible work on Max and Priya’s part, and their team… finally revealed that an incident involving him and some of his mates’ decades ago at a soccer event gone wrong thanks to hooligans, led to his death... the long way round. Since he was tasked with killing the soccer hooligan that killed his wife’s brother during that incident when he popped up in Chelsea. Which meant that his wife, Siobhan, was the true mastermind of this mess and she wanted it to happen… because her pain and the possibility of dying without there being any justice for her brother… was too much to bear. Making it clear that time in and of itself, do nothing to heal wounds and that genuine grieving and self-work on the matter… is the only way to truly be free of our pain and wake up in the future, with peace in our hearts.
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However, while that made for an incredibly engaging mystery here, we would be remiss to not point out some of the other powerful moments that took place here involving Max and Priya. Since their journeys outside of work allowed for them to grow. For instance, Priya came to learn that it is okay to ask for help at home since it is a partnership, she’s in and not just a one-sided deal where she has to pay the piper because of her field of work. An epiphany that gave her peace for certain and Max… well he finally came to learn that he is at a crossroads for certain. One where he needs to decide how to handle things with Astrid since the stalemate they’re currently residing within, isn’t helpful or productive in the slightest and it was just wonderful to see these characters in the raw in this manner, and see what their support network looks like, and be reminded of the fact that they’re people with troubles like the rest of us... who push through them to do some good in the world.

In the end however, this was simply… a fascinating mystery through and through. Simply because it went above and beyond in its messaging. Because not only did we come to learn the dangers of not properly caring for our old wounds, but we also came to learn… that nothing is ever quite what it seems in life and that if you take a moment and really look at things in an objective manner… you’ll be shocked at what you see. Plus, you cannot go wrong with more tender moments for Max and Priya, since those sequences just allow for Adrian Scarborough and Sonita Henry to shine as actors, and well, now that this case has come to its close… the time has come to turn our attention to the bittersweet reality that only one more episode in season one remains, and if this brilliant ride is any indicator, we are going to be in for one incredible and thoughtful finale. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 404 of ‘Killing Eve’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are a great many questions that hover over humanity that remain unanswered. Such as why we came into existence and whether or not there is a God or if we are alone in the universe. Which are some powerful questions for certain, the kind so deep and so out of reach that a vast majority of them will go unanswered for a long time. Which is why we tend to turn to more intimate questions to solve life’s mysteries, since a narrow focus on ourselves can give us purpose and direction and spiritual and personal fulfillment. Which is why we ponder upon our own specific purpose and niche in life, and it is also why we think deeply upon the nature of change and whether or not we can alter who we are when we find ourselves in a rut or on a destructive path, to find direction… and peace.
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If anything, that latter question is one that is of note today… simply because it is the central question hovering over the final season of Killing Eve on BBC America. Because in essence all of the characters in this story have been wondering whether or not they can become different people and leave behind the toxicity of who they’ve become in order to find that peace. And since their adventures have taken them to some wild places in the first few weeks of this farewell season, we haven’t had the chance just yet to really explore that question and receive answers as to whether or not these people can in fact, change. But the next episode in this series decided to fix that by focusing squarely on that question and what each character in this story wants to abandon and that made ‘It’s Agony and I’m Ravenous’ quite the powerful tale.

One that quite frankly, was supremely sobering in nature. Because not everyone is going to the like the answers that Carolyn and Villanelle, and Eve discovered. For instance, Carolyn has been wondering for some time now, as to whether or not she can shed her spy persona and become a genuine champion for truth and do so in a manner where she doesn’t have to feed on the wonder of being the boss and playing every side and well, it doesn’t look like she can. Because when given the chance to work with Villanelle in Cuba, she took it. All so that she could run point on the investigation into the Twelve and pull all the strings in doing so, making it clear how intoxicating that kind of power is and how hard it is to let go of. 

Speaking of Villanelle, her desire to leave murder behind and truly embrace the good of the world, went the wayside when Hélène broke her out of jail and demanded she kill Carolyn. Simply because Carolyn really did know exactly what buttons to press to get Villanelle on her side and how to get her to do her bidding without insulting her or making her feel akin to an outcast. And being able to enjoy that kind of tenuous trust and being encouraged in the right way to commit murder, allowed for her to indulge in her favorite pastime with fervor once again. Which speaks volumes to how difficult it will be for Villanelle to abandon a lifetime of this kind of work, especially because of the joy It brings her.
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As for Eve, well she’s been wondering for some time now, if she can leave behind the toxic thrill that comes with chasing trouble and troubled women so that she can finally understand aspects of life that she never knew existed. But her desire to be Hélène’s bestie in this tale and immerse herself in her frenemy’s twisted world, to the point where she made a point to participate in every sexually charged moment to gain Hélène’s trust and to indulge in a life and psyche that she doesn’t understand… outright reminds us how desperate Eve is to explore the parts of life she has been sheltered from and how far she is willing to go to taste that kind of existence.

Which means that in essence, this story makes it clear that sometimes… people cannot change in the slightest. Not when they are unwilling to put in the work to deal with the root causes of their unhealthy behaviors, which is exactly the case here and until they do… this is the path they are on and well, that revelation could prove worrisome. Because this trio is in fact, inching closer and closer to the true identities of the Twelve and since the Twelve prefer to work in the shadows, being exposed makes this collective obsession dangerous to say the least and well, this is a heck of a way to set the stage for the back half of this final season. Since it adds gravity to the journey and leaves all of us wondering, if this story is going to end in tragedy, since obsession and a desire to stay a toxic course will either bring this trio to ruin… or a devastating pyrrhic victory at best. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Power Book IV: Force’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are few moments in life more difficult than standing on the precipice of everything we’ve ever wanted. Because when we are there, we can see our future, and we can almost reach out and grab everything we’ve been working for and knowing we are that close… can drive a person down one of two paths. Wherein they might sabotage everything they’ve dreamed of because they push too hard to get it. Or… they could race toward the finish line and cross it in a breathless manner wherein they did it, they reached their goal and now they can relish in the wonder of finally having everything they’ve ever wanted. Making this moment a critical one for certain.
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If anything, that particular moment is top of mind today, because the precipice is precisely where Tommy Egan found himself standing in the next episode of Power Book IV: Force on STARZ. For when we catch up with him in ‘Outrunning a Ghost’, he has Dahlia out on the streets and his and Claudia’s lieutenants are giving people a taste and getting the word out about this drug’s wonder and potential and well… word is spreading fast in this tale and the reality that the plan is working to a tee, puts Tommy in that tough place mentally. Because he is fully aware of the fact that greatness is within his grasp and that motivates him… to do some of the negative things we discussed a moment ago to finally get his Chicago empire started.

Which of course, left the audience nervous that Tommy might experience failure for the first time in his life. Simply because, he pushed hard. To the point where he and Claudia were butting heads over the next phase of his plan. Because she wanted this drug to stay in the upper echelons of Chicago, where only the elite could afford it and pay top dollar, and Tommy was having none of that. For he saw Dahlia’s potential and if by chance, they could cut it right and make it affordable to all, they wouldn’t just own the Windy City. They’d own the American drug trade and make Tommy bigger than Ghost or Capone. He’d be the goddamn king of the hill, and nothing was going to stop him from having his chance to make that happen. Because he genuinely believed Dahlia was the biggest thing to ever happen to the industry.

Which in turn, motivated him to hammer Claudia on sticking with his plan and he also hammered the cook to make sure she could figure out how to make this happen. In fact, he pushed Dr. Williams so hard that she started to miss work and Liliana had to join her on a date, to ensure that she wouldn’t squeal and that she’d get the work done and of course, this barrage of demands and expectations, motivated Liliana to try and talk a little sense into Tommy to perhaps, back off a bit and let everyone breathe. But Tommy wasn’t ready to go easy on anyone. For this was the moment and this was his chance to get his, and this conversation… allowed for us to once again get to know Tommy on a whole different level.
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Because he made it clear to Liliana that all his life, he’s been serving someone else and taking care of business for them. But he knows deep down, he’s capable of handling an empire as well as Ghost did. in fact, his ability to remain impartial and locked into the business side, would make him better than Ghost, and those words… really helped us to understand how much Tommy wants to be someone of note in this business, someone respected and admired, and of course… how much he wants to be the top man. And it was just fascinating to see him become so vulnerable and learn how he justified his actions. Since he also informed Liliana, that he had to be this hard on everyone because this is when things could go wrong, and he was right about that.

For Claudia just had to find a way to tie this into the family business and did so by having a courier give her brother a taste of Dahlia to put it on his radar and Williams nearly got off track with her shenanigans. But by continuing to apply that pressure and really hammer home the point of making this drug affordable and accessible to all, and to follow all the right processes in preparing for its launch, Claudia finally stepped back in line, and the good Doctor Williams, finally figured out the formula to make Dahlia everything that Tommy dreamed of. And now… with the foundation laid down, and the right product in hand… the time has come for Tommy Egan, to own Chicago. 

Oddly enough, that part of the plan might go smoother than anticipated, courtesy of a surprise encounter involving Jenard. Because while he and his crew were out and about and enjoying the night… Jenard got a taste of Dahlia and brought it back for Diamond to sample as well and since Diamond understands its power… he might want in on it at last. Giving Tommy a huge potential in with CBI and more power and reach on the streets would do wonders for Tommy’s burgeoning business and what is amazing, is that this episode explored some other potential reasons as to why the launch of Dahlia might go off without a hitch.
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Mainly because, CBI’s infighting continued here, since Jenard stepped around Diamond to grow CBI’s reach into Gary, Indiana, and focusing upon that will undoubtedly take CBI’s eyes off of the prize while Tommy moves in and the forthcoming fight between the Sampson brothers will help there as well, and so will Adrienne’s plans to write an exposé on Diamond. Not to mention, the fact that Gloria left Vic because of the attempt on their lives, combined with Walter’s illness and Claudia’s focus on this new venture… should weaken any response by the family to stop Dahlia, as will the Serbs. Since you know they will be striking back at the Flynn family some point, further distracting them.  

But all pending trouble aside for others, make no mistake about it, this was… an amazing character study through and through. Since it really allowed for Tommy to begin to grow into the role of a Kingpin, since he took charge here in a manner that informs us how he will rule his new kingdom and what kind of results he expects. And of course, it was just amazing to see him open up and really speak to what he needs and well, this one of course leaves us eager for more of this fantastic series. Because this is it, we are now about to witness the creation of a powerful new drug empire, and it will be fascinating to see how fast Tommy Egan’s empire grows when Dahlia hits the streets of Chi-town, in force. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 213 of ‘Central Park’.  To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One of the hardest skills that we have to learn in life, is how to communicate properly with others, and it isn’t from a lack of trying that makes this task so difficult. No, what makes it so tough, is the sheer fact that every single person out there… communicates in vastly differently ways. Since some people communicate through actions or emotions, while others use as little words as possible to communicate and expect others to quickly understand them through their mysterious style, and our struggles with this skill set don’t end with learning the external aspects of communication. Because we have to figure out how to express ourselves as well, so we can properly inform others of what we want and need.
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Which is why it takes some folks years to properly learn this. To the point where sometimes they don’t figure it out until they are well into adulthood and for that matter, it’s so tough a process that some people don’t figure out at all and go through life communicating as best they can. But it is an essential skill that we have to do our best to learn and understand. Because without communication or some form of it, life can be extremely frustrating. Especially when it prevents us from getting the emotional fulfillment we need or prevents us from providing it to others. But we simply have to keep trying at it, because eventually we will crack the code and have a breakthrough… as evidenced by the next episode of Central Park on Apple TV+.

For ‘Celeste We Forget’ is an episode that saw Owen finally learn how to properly communicate with someone that he’s always struggled to connect with, his mother Celeste, and this breakthrough in their relationship came about in the most unique of circumstances. For when we catch up with Owen, here… he’s excited to take the kids to see a once in a seven-year event, the blossoming of a Corpse Flower. in fact, he is so amped about this, that he has the day planned out to a tee so they can get there for the blooming (and the stench) right on time. But when mom pops by, things don’t quite go as planned, largely because she is such the polar opposite of Owen.

Because Celeste is all about living in the moment and letting the day dictate where one should go. Which brings about chaos and delays for Owen and the kids, since mom needs to just… do her thing. But alas, her desire to enjoy so many moments… forces the family to miss the blooming and well, despite having tried to express his desire to see it and why for hours on end, Owen couldn’t get through to her. Because he didn’t know how to communicate with his own mother, despite knowing her a lifetime. But at last, he decided now was the time to try something new and he opened up to her about his disappointment, and how he lives, and how he learns and how he needs her to acknowledge and respect that. And by being open and honest with her at last, and completely blunt about his emotions… they finally found common ground and mom even went out of her way to ensure that everyone’s noses got a whiff of that stinky flower. 
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Which is a plot that made for some powerful observations on communication and how we become better at it. But before we break all that down in depth, we need to take a moment and talk about Paige’s journey in this tale. Since it reminded us of how ethical and good, she is as a person and that exploration came about, by way of a chance encounter with Bitsy. Because while Paige was covering a story about beauty products at a beauty convention, she ran into Bitsy and followed her close. Since she was eager to finish her story about the corruption that Bitsy is involved in at City Hall and she realized as she tailed her, that if she could get a chance to look at her phone… she could break this story wide open and eventually, she got that opportunity, through Helen. But when faced with Helen’s disdain for such a plan, an act that oddly speaks to her moral core as well… Paige realized this was the approach of a scuzzy journalist, one that put their morals aside for the scoop and fame.

Which motivated her to stand down and find another way to get the truth and it was just wonderful to be reminded of how great a person Paige is, and how much integrity matters to her, and it was equally as incredible to see Owen learn how to communicate with his mother and help those of us struggling with such matters in the process. Since his push to find common ground with her informs us that sometimes… we simply need to not beat around the bush and say what’s on our mind with someone we are close to and trust, so that we can create understanding when there is an issue, and we need to sometimes be direct with those that we struggle to communicate with and ask them how best to reach them. So, we can learn how they do it and vice versa and well… it is just comforting to know that Central Park is going to continue to inject life lessons into its storytelling, and it will be fascinating to see what other lessons await us as we continue our journey with the Tillerman family. Until next time.