Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Star Trek: Picard’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous Paramount Plus series, Star Trek: Picard, the situation was quite grim. After all, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard and his friends were facing their end in the midst of a fight with the Borg Queen aboard the newly commissioned U.S.S. Stargazer and to complicate matters further… the return of the omnipotent trickster Q, revealed unto the audience that Jean-Luc at the very least… survived that particular nightmare, only to be deposited in a strange world that resembled Earth, but didn’t quite match it. Leaving all of us to wonder exactly what Q was up to, this time around, and what his little challenge was going to be for the admiral after all these years, since they hadn’t crossed paths since ‘All Good Things…’ and well, as it turns out, the next episode of this bold new season of the show… answered none of those questions.
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For ‘Penance’ wasted little time in informing us of the fact that Q wasn’t in a talking mood. In fact, he was in a sour, scornful place mentally. One where he was so angry with Jean-Luc and the path he’d taken that he was down to resort to physical violence and extreme shock therapy. The kind that revealed that Picard was now living with an alternate 25th Century. Where the planet’s climate was under constant duress and where the Federation had transformed itself into the Confederation of Earth. An organization that believed in human purity above all else and its most celebrated champion was General Jean-Luc Picard. A brutal and savage man that in this alternate world… killed some of the most infamous aliens in the galaxy in the name of humankind’s domination.

A new reality that left Picard beside himself. In large part because this alternate Picard did what he promised he was never capable of to Shinzon and let the echo triumph over the voice to murder countless innocents. To complicate matters further… Q merely told Picard he had to fix this but offered little else clue wise. To the point where Jean-Luc was unaware of what happened to his shipmates aboard the Stargazer and thankfully, the series took the time to inform us of that, while the admiral took a moment to collect his bearings. As it turns out, Elnor and Raffi were doing their best to survive an outright insurrection in Japan, one so violent that buildings were collapsing in the name of fallen species and had it not been for Raffi’s quick thinking, she and Elnor might have been put down by Confederation forces. 

As for Captain Rios, well he was on the front lines of an all-out assault on Vulcan, while Jurati languished in a lab back on Earth and as for Seven of Nine, well… Annika Hansen’s path in this world, didn’t involve a single moment under Borg control. Instead, her path took her to the top of the Confederation. For she was its President and thanks to her high standing, she was able to learn a great deal about this world. Such as the fact that the planet was set to celebrate a horrible holiday known as Eradication Day. Wherein the Vulcan rebels would fall, and the scourge of the Borg would finally be removed from the Galaxy and well, her vast power and the commonsense her friends exhibited, finally brought everyone back together in Jurati’s lab, wherein the truth about this horrible place was revealed.

For the Confederation had in its possession, the Borg Queen. And since queens have a deep understanding of temporal mechanics, she was able to reveal to everyone, that time had been broken. Which mean that Q had changed the past and put Earth on a horrifying path, one that saw it indulge its worst instincts and the only way to fix it now… was to repair yesterday and restore the future and well, that was going to be a difficult task. For this rag-tag band of heroes were going to have to partner with the Borg Queen and use her technological prowess to travel through time in an old school manner; by using La Sirena to slingshot around the sun the same way the stolen HMS Bounty did in The Voyage Home. Provided of course, they could outwit the savvy Confederation forces and their transport inhibiting technology and fool the blood-thirsty folks upstairs long enough to escape.
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Which they eventually pulled off. Because once Raffi and (mostly) Elnor beat down a few bloodthirsty officers, they were able to at least lower the shields to help with transport and once Jurati removed the last of the inhibitor technology, everyone escaped aboard the ship and not a moment too soon. Since the crowd gathered for the execution of the queen, was ready to turn on its president and its hero since Jean-Luc didn’t kill the Borg Queen quickly with impunity. But even then, escape proved to be difficult. For Seven’s alternate timeline husband beamed aboard with his security attaché and held the crew at phaser-point, making it clear that the formidable Confederation was going to do its best to keep them in this nightmare and well, that’s a heck of a way to end an episode that quite frankly, is one of the darkest to ever grace the Star Trek Universe.

Because this place, is worse than the Mirror Universe. For it is a racist and selfish timeline, where all of our worst fears about humanity have been realized. Which means that in many ways, this was something of a cautionary tale. One that warned us that continuing to indulge the voices of people who do not believe in equality is a dangerous game to play and kudos to the show for finding a way to inject that message here and for pulling off the impossible… by making Q terrifying for the first time ever. Because this omnipotent being has always exhibited a whimsical and plucky nature, even when being stern. But here, he is angry and jaded and ready to punish and well, these are all fine storytelling decisions to make for certain, simply because they up the stakes like never before for Jean-Luc and his friends.

For if they fail in their mission, humanity is doomed to a future of fascism and potentially the final wrath of the Q Continuum, and their creativity knows no bounds and well… that most certainly compels us to continue this bold new journey. One that is going to slowly reveal its secrets as the season rolls along that is just fine. Because having Picard take its time with the story is allowing for engaging episodes to take place, such as this one. Since this story properly fleshed out this nightmare and was of course, full of twisted Easter eggs for certain and well… now that we’ve reached the end of our exploration of a world gone mad, we can turn our attention to next week’s tale. An adventure that is likely bringing us to 2024, so we can finally come to understand what singular moment motivated mankind to turn away from its better angels and indulge in its darkest demons. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray’.
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One particular lesson that is slammed into our skulls at an early age, is that we absolutely must live life to the fullest and it makes sense as to why we are taught this in such an aggressive manner. For we are only on this tiny little Earth for a limited number of years and death can surprise us at any moment. So, if we don’t go for what we want and make a family with the person we love, and forge endless memories in doing so… our golden years will be nothing short of a nightmare. The kind that are devoid of joy and filled instead with regret of a life not well-lived and the fear of the possibility of spending our final moments in awe of how little we accomplished, is what makes this lesson so impactful, and it is why we follow it to a tee.
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But while that lesson does indeed motivate us to move and grow and enjoy this finite and special life, there’s a lot that our parents leave out of that lesson. In that, our golden years will not be as rosy as we might expect. For life is going to take things from us as we grow older and sometimes, despite doing our best to live every moment as though it is our last… there is a chance the memories designed to keep us comfortable and content, may be robbed from us regardless, by the ravages of time and an ancient mind. If anything, that somewhat harsh outlook on what our later years might look like because of the natural order, is top of mind today… simply because it is one of the many themes present in the brand-new Apple TV+ series, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. 

For this particular show introduces us to a ninety-something year old man named Ptolemy Grey who is in the early stages of dementia and well… make no mistake about it, this part of the show wastes little time in examining what old age could look like for some of us and that makes for a moving and humbling viewing experience. Since the cruelty of advanced old age is shown here in the raw through Samuel L. Jackson’s riveting performance. One that will bring you to tears as the indignity and struggle of having the body rob the mind of what it cherishes most, of what we cherish most, washes over Ptolemy and leaves him a shell of his former self, a man that was clearly well-lived and full of vibrancy in his youth. 

Not to mention, his journey in this story also focuses heavily on how the elderly instill a fear in all of us, since the realities, of old age shatters the romantic notion we have in our heads of what the twilight years should look like, and remind us of our mortality. Plus the cruelty and prejudice exhibited toward Ptolemy in this story, courtesy of one character's desire to take advantage of him out of the belief that no one will care because Ptolemy is ‘old and crazy,’ really does provide the viewer with a stark look at ageism. A topic we don’t talk about all that much in our modern world, but we should. Because the elderly deserve the same care and respect as anyone else and what’s amazing… is that these opening two episodes still have more amazing concepts to explore.

Since they also lean heavy into the gravity of death and how it becomes amplified in our minds in our later years since we are staring down our own mortality and that is examined by way of the terrible loss that Ptolemy has to endure in the first episode. One so devastating and heartbreaking that it brings both Ptolemy and the audience to outright tears over the realism and painful nature of this loss and of course, this exploration also takes the time to remind us of how loss and grief are always with us, regardless of how the years roll on, and how the ghosts of the most important people in our lives are what truly haunt us. Not the specters we imagine or see on the silver or small screen. 
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But while all of those elements seemingly bring forth a story that is bleak and depressing in nature, one that is only going to break our hearts further by watching Ptolemy waste away before our eyes, that’s simply not the case. For there is beauty to be found in this tale, by way of the decency and care that both Robyn and Reggie show toward Ptolemy. Because their actions here serve to remind us, that decency costs us little and kindness costs us even less, and when we take a moment to indulge in both of those acts, wonders are often achieved, and joy can be found and those are the acts that make life worth living and celebrating, and they create moments that are worth hanging onto for as long as they will last.

Plus, we would be remiss to not talk about the science fiction-esque element present within this tale that gives Ptolemy and others great hope for his future. Since there is a doctor in this story named Rubin, and he offers up claims of a miracle cure for dementia. One that can restore Ptolemy's memories and cherished moments, and well… it would seem that his miracle drug has merit. Since there are moments of lucidity for Potlemy, after he samples said drug, that show us briefly the man that he was for many years before his brain began to lose its neural cohesion, and the potential of what this cure could do for his mind and his life… compels one to continue this incredibly moving and powerful journey. One that is clearly going to dive into so much more than its central themes. 

Since this is also a story that is going to focus on what it means to be Black in America and what that experience looked like in years past as well, making this show a welcome showcase for Black voices at a time when they absolutely need to be heard, and that aspect of this story, will only add to the brilliance of a series that is unlike anything on television right now. Because this writer is hard pressed to think of another show that demands the audience look hard at aspects of life that we fear and refuse to discuss in a manner that is so realistic and so captivating, that its messages and their power stay with you long after these episodes have come to an end. But that is of course what great storytelling does when all is said and done, and it will be simply incredible to see what else this poignant series has to say as we continue this intimate journey into the life and times of Ptolemy Grey. Until next time.    

To learn more about the depth present in this show, check out our interviews with cast members Cynthia Kaye McWilliams (Sensia), Marsha Stephanie Blake (Niecie), and Omar Benson Miller (Reggie).

Please enjoy a sneak peek of Episode Three of Shining Vale, which will air on STARZ on March 13, 2022.
 
If the embedded link below doesn’t work, please click here.

Please enjoy a sneak peek of Episode Six of Power Book IV: Force, which will air on STARZ on March 13, 2022, at 8 p.m. EST.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 210 of ‘Big Sky’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Ronald, Scarlet, and Phoebe have stolen Wolf’s old Chevy truck and made it to a motel in the middle of nowhere. Ronald is wounded and Phoebe wants nothing to do with him or his scheme to go live in a cabin in Alaska. Phoebe has matured a great deal during her time away from her mother, and she seems far less trusting of her mother’s judgment now. Ronald tells her that he will protect Phoebe and her mom, to which she retorts that he will not, for she had a dream that he dies. None of his dreams ever came true, is his dejected response.

Scarlet gets them checked in to the motel, then helps Ronald onto one of the beds. He is wrapped in a bloodstained blanket and struggling. Scarlet checks his wound, and her face belies the severity of the damage, despite her assurances that she will fix him up. She and Phoebe leave Ronald to go for supplies to clean and bandage his wound.

Nearly the moment Scarlet walks into the drugstore with Phoebe, she begins conspicuously dropping items from the shelves into her purse instead of the basket she’s carrying. Phoebe is obviously displeased and demands to know why her mother is helping Ronald. As Scarlet tries to explain that Ronald is family, she is confronted by the store’s security guard, who has been observing her the entire time. He demands to see inside of her bag. Scarlet attempts to flirt with him, but he’s still keen to see inside her purse. Realizing she’s cornered, Scarlet pulls out a blade and presses it to the security guard’s gut. Threatening to scream or stab him in the balls, she tells him she really needs these things. He’s smart enough to read the wild look in Scarlet’s eyes and lets her go. Phoebe seems shaken by the exchange.

As Scarlet pulls Wolf’s truck to a stop back at the motel parking lot, Phoebe is startled by a revolver sliding into view on the floor at her feet, which she brings to her mother’s attention. Scarlet reminds Phoebe the truck belonged to Wolf, who is a mean man, and she shoves the gun into the truck’s glove box.

About this time, Scarlet notices the door to their motel room is ajar, and orders Phoebe to wait in the truck for her. Inside the room, she finds Ronald on the floor in a heap with a dead housekeeper. When the unsuspecting woman came in to clean the room and found him lying in a blood-soaked blanket, she merely offered to call him an ambulance. Instead, with surprising strength and violence, considering Ronald’s injuries, he attacks, subdues, and kills her.

Scarlet quickly goes about hiding the body before getting Phoebe and telling her they need to go to a new motel. Scarlet tries to feed her daughter a story about this motel lacking a pool and pancakes, but Phoebe notices a foot sticking out of the closet and is obviously concerned. Scarlet simply insists they need to get to the truck and helps Ronald make his way there. Once again, they are on the run, with Ronald still desperately needing medical attention.

Meanwhile, Ren is now the owner of the ranch Cassie’s father, Joseph, was going to buy thanks to his murder, a happy coincidence for Ren and her plans. Ren lays everything out for Tonya: how her family imports a substance called 4-ANPP from Delhi to Canada and then makes it into large amounts of fentanyl. Their biggest problem is in getting the drugs across the border into the US. Ren tells Tonya that she is going to set up a new manufacturing and distribution hub in Helena, and already has a chemist lined up. The only piece of the puzzle Ren is missing is transportation. Tonya eagerly volunteers that she may know someone and sets off to make arrangements.

As Tonya is leaving, in strides Jag and Dhruv. Jag belittles Ren’s plan and warns her not to tell their father about it. About this time, Jenny and Poppernak arrive to arrest Dhruv and Jag based on Bridger’s witness statement that they were the ones who shot his karate instructor. Jag is incredibly smug and immediately lawyers up. That doesn’t stop Jenny from telling him she has an eyewitness and needling him about the power dynamic with his sister.

Jenny is shocked, however, when she pays a visit to the Ryan home to show Bridger photos of Jag and Dhruv to confirm their identity. Bridger recants his entire statement, and now claims not to have a clear recollection. It is instantly apparent to Jenny that someone has gotten to them and threatened them, especially when she spots a bunch of packed suitcases lined up and ready to go. She implores Bridger to tell the truth and assures him she will protect him, but his lawyer parents have had enough and insist she be on her way.

It was Ren who made sure that neither Bridger nor his family wanted to continue their involvement, thus getting her brother and Dhruv released from police custody, but only Dhruv is gracious enough to thank her. Ren tells Jag she knew her brother to be lazy and unhinged, but she didn’t think he was straight up stupid. Jag excuses shooting up the dojo as something their father wanted in pursuit of the return of his money. Ren informs Jag she's done with what their father wants.

When Tonya returns from her successful bid to secure transportation for the cartel, she finds Jag alone. Tonya remains coy and vague, and Jag compliments her on her loyalty. He then sweet talks her into believing that he and Ren are partners, gently leading Tonya to share Ren’s plans in detail.

Only Jag and Dhruv are waiting on the tarmac when the private plane carrying Veer Bhullar and his girlfriend arrive in Helena. It quickly becomes clear that Ren has no idea her father is coming to town. As the four ride from the airport, Veer informs his son that he is aware of his run-in with the local sheriff. This takes Jag by surprise. He tries to save face by telling his father he has a plan. His father demands to know his exact plan. Jag proceeds to spell out Ren’s plans for the cartel in Helena, stealing it right out from under her. Veer seems pleased with the idea.

While all this has been going on, Cassie has convinced Lindor that his hunch about Wolf Legarski somehow being linked to Ronald Pergman is a lead they should pursue. Together, they drive out to the ranch. During the drive, Cassie receives a call from Denise. Jenny has managed to confirm that the identity of the RV thief was indeed Ronald, and an APB has been issued for him. This is proof that it was Ronald who killed Joseph at Dewell and Hoyt.

​Upon arrival at Wolf’s property, Lindor warns Cassie this will not be a friendly visit. Alarm is further raised by the absence of the animals and even more so by the bloody handprint on the doorframe. Guns drawn, the two enter the house. They notice the odd assortment of items on a table, one of which is Ronald’s precious cereal, Cocoa Chunks. Wolf emerges from the back of the house. Despite appearances at the end of the previous episode, Scarlet and Ronald didn’t manage to kill him after all.

Guns still drawn, Cassie and Lindor tell him they know that he had Ronald there. When he asks how, they refer to the box of cereal, causing Wolf to curse it. They demand to know where Ronald has gone. Wolf replies that if they want his help, they ought to start by lowering their guns.

It is clear that Scarlet and Ronald are as dangerous as they’ve ever been, and it’s scary to picture what the pair are capable of should they become trapped. Pressure will likely only increase on them as they are driving a distinctly noticeable stolen truck, and an all-points bulletin is out for Ronald. The wildcard in this is Phoebe, who seems more independent with each passing day.

It’s also clear that the violence in Helena is likely to escalate with the arrival of yet another member of the Bhullar cartel in town. Ren seems to have had it with playing second fiddle to her brother and is most certainly plotting something additional for her family. It seems to be a question of when, not if, the next bodies drop.

Over the course of the past couple of years, we’ve talked at length about how cross-genre fusion between the Star Trek Universe and whatever genre tickled a particular writer’s fancy… often ends in disaster. Because some genre elements, such as horror and psychological thrillers, tend to not jibe with what Trek has to offer. After all, this vision of a positive future for humanity has no room for twisted moments and things that go bump in the night. But while those experiments failed more often than not, resulting in some weird episodes for certain, once in a while… the STU was able to figure out how to properly combine a future grounded in peace with the core elements of a different genre.
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In fact, the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, is one of those perfect fusion episodes. For ‘Frame of Mind’ is a story that merges the 24th Century with the uncomfortable nature of the psychological thriller, and satisfies in the process, and it accomplishes that feat, by giving us a story where Commander William T. Riker questions his sanity through and through. Because while he is preparing to act in a play that Beverly wrote, about a man that is wrongly imprisoned within an asylum for a crime he didn’t commit, he finds himself shifting between worlds. One where he wakes up in that very asylum and finds himself subjected to all kinds of horrible mind games and psychological torture from the staff. But the fact that he keeps waking up aboard the Enterprise, leads him to believe that this is nothing more than a bad dream brought on by method acting.

But eventually, he spends more and more time within the uncomfortable part of that dream world and comes to believe… that this his reality and that he may have committed a horrible crime and that his time on the Enterprise was nothing more than a fantastical, coping lie. Which of course, isn’t the truth in the slightest. Since it turns out that Riker was kidnapped during a botched away mission and subjected to all kinds of mental abuse and gaslighting in a desperate attempt, by an enemy of the Federation, to obtain military knowledge. And that epiphany, one that Riker eventually reaches on his own, allows for him to escape the madness of his mind and return home with no lasting damage done and well… this actually made for quite the quality tale when all is said and done, one that genuinely made the thriller element here palatable and compelling.

Because watching Riker ‘lose his mind’ and struggle with reality and fantasy, brought forth some powerful moments. The kind that allowed for Jonathan Frakes to shine as an actor and creep out the audience in the process. For the visuals are jarring here and really do feel as though they’d fit at home within a 90s psychological thriller and what makes it work here so well… is that it is a genuine external force that brings forth trouble for the commander, and that their reasons for doing this are grounded in something quite real and quite plausible. That adds gravity to this whole scenario and also allowed for it to feel organic instead of forced or awkward and had other episodes in this vein bothered to do that, more of them might have been a rousing success. But what also makes this episode of note, is its progressive nature.

Since it was mentioned a moment ago that gaslighting and mental manipulation was part of the plan to get Riker to talk and to get him to commit to the device that the aliens were using to access his mind, and let’s be honest… there was no word for Gaslighting back in 1993, nor was this kind of behavior really explored in that era either. So, this episode was genuinely ahead of its time in looking at problems that we now recognize to exist, and how such matters work, and it is quite incredible that the series found a way to inject that analysis here, but also not surprising. For TNG was always ahead of its time and in the end, this is a solid standalone episode. One that grabs hold of you and never lets go, courtesy of a grand mystery and some thrills and hopefully if future writers in the STU feel a desire to fuse a pair of genres together once again, they’ll look to this episode as a blueprint as to how to do it right. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Echos’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.

Normally shows that feature a devastating and unsolved event in their opening chapter, use that as storytelling leverage for the rest of their season and rightfully so. After all, who doesn’t love a good hook? The kind that engages an audience and commands their attention so that the grand payoff for their time is the answer to that all important burning question, who or what did it? But some stories are keen to surprise their audience and take their tale in a vastly different route than traditional storytelling might dictate and one particular show that meets such criteria, is Echos on Sundance Now.

For the second chapter in this already fascinating saga, actually wasted little time in informing us as to who was responsible for the fire on that fateful night. Because we were quickly given a more in depth look at the life of Tyler, the young woman we saw at the end of the series premiere, and this de facto leader of the underground citizens living in the city’s tunnels, was beyond disgusted with the privileged having a party in her tunnels, in her home. So, that motivated her to set the fire in question and get people the hell out of there. But unfortunately for her, her acts didn’t go unnoticed since Max and his buddies caught her in the act and that led to their eventual capture and current situation.

But while that was satisfying to learn and indeed the end of a grand mystery here, it does beg another question about this series. Specifically, what then is the focus of this tale? For if the big reveal is over, aside from bringing Tyler to justice, what else do we have to stick around for? Well, the good news is, plenty. After all, Max is still a prisoner in this place and isn’t safe in the slightest since there are others in the tunnels that are eager to remove him from the equation, and the land of the living, post haste. And by removing the fire mystery, Nellie’s search for him takes on a new life and creates conflict and danger. Especially after meeting Tyler, since she will do whatever it takes to keep her decision a secret. But Nellie is determined and intelligent and knows deep down that her brother is alive and will do the same to find him.

Plus, there are some shady mysteries that need to be solved as well. Such as why Officer Kaltbrunner is obsessed with Max and the case she’s clearly not supposed to be working on, and we cannot forget that Nellie’s mother is someone that has taken part in some wildly illegal acts, judging from how quickly she is working to keep her conversation from the series premiere quiet and resolved and of course… there’s plenty to suspect with Lisa as well. Since she clearly had some kind of romantic encounter with Max along the line and her obsession with keeping the project going at work, despite the setbacks… leave one to wonder what agenda she’s pushing and why it is so important for her to see the company succeed at this particular project over anything else in their portfolio.

Which means it is those mysteries that are driving us forward now, since we must know how all of this connects and who will face justice for their actions and why they are doing what they do, and of course… we are dying to know whether or not Max will make it home. Especially after that terrifying closing image we were ‘treated’ to and well, this episode just goes to show that this particular series, really is quite the breath of fresh air. For it offers up unpredictable twists and turns and its story isn’t from the beaten path either. It’s original and deep and full of so many layers and well, that definitely compels one to continue to the journey post haste, to earn the answers to the field of burning questions that this episode presents to us. Until next time.     

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘That Dirty Black Bag’.
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It is definitely safe to say that the wild west is something that we romanticize in the United States of America and understandably so. After all, every school kid is taught about the wonder of ‘Manifest Destiny’ and how the push west built America as it stands today… and that lesson, and the belief that good men helped to tame the wild west in the name of justice and honor, another concept reinforced by Hollywood’s John Wayne Western Era of filmmaking… really does make this time period appear to be a noble and wonderful part of American history. But the fact of the matter is, this Americana-esque view of a volatile time in our history, is woefully incorrect through and through.
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For the wild west lived up to its namesake and was violent and vile and of course, great atrocities and genocide were committed in the name of the gold rush and ‘Manifest Destiny’ and unfortunately those are facts about the growth of America we aren’t too keen to face since they go against our teachings and the strange need to prop America up as ‘perfect.’ But thankfully, there are folks out there now, eager to really examine the darkness of that era through either enhanced and earnest history lessons or through fiction and the latter of those two options is top of mind today, courtesy of AMC+. For the network is now host to a brand-new show about the raw and ugly nature of the wild west, and taking that angle storytelling wise, makes That Dirty Black Bag quite the visceral experience.

For its series premiere, ‘Chapter One: A Head Weighs Less Than a Body’, wastes little time in plunging us into the lawless world of the wild west. Wherein we are introduced to a bounty hunter named Red Bill who takes the heads of his bounties instead of bringing them in whole, and his violently chosen career path is also designed to help him narrow down the field of criminals out in the desert, to find the monster that killed his mother and he’s not the only one surrounded by death and trauma and chaos, there’s also Steve. A farmer that is trying to do right by his family and make an honest living but is being shut down at every turn by greedy landowners eager to continue the gold rush by snapping up his precious land and they are stopping at nothing to chase him and his family away.

Which of course begs the question, where is the law in all of this and well, that question is quickly answered as well. For we are also introduced to one Sheriff McCoy, an egotistical man with a badge that is oft worried about his own agenda and making the office of the Sheriff profitable over actually helping the citizens of his town. To the point where a foiled robbery of a bank caravan accomplishes a great deal of personal goals for McCoy, since it gives him the line of credit he’s always dreamed of. And of course, he’s so eager to protect his newfound fortune and its potential, that anyone willing to speak of it or go against him, will face the bad end of his steel and well… this really is a wonderful and uncomfortable way to introduce us to this world.

Since it  makes it clear that the wild west was a violent and angry place, so far removed from the fledgling, civilized core of America, that there were no bounds or limits to the evil that men could do. For prying eyes and neighbors and the law for that matter, were simply not a thing and now the stage is set for a powerful story. One filled with corruption and greed courtesy of McCoy and revenge and darkness, courtesy of Red Bill and of course… Steve and his family will forever serve as the poor folks stuck in the middle of the madness as they try to uphold what they believe the wild west should stand for. And it will be quite interesting to see, where this bleak and engaging journey through life in the past is going to take us in the weeks to come. Until next time.

Please enjoy this exclusive clip from Episode 207 of Fast Foodies, which will air on truTV on March 10, 2022.

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that mankind is extremely talented at finding the answers to complex questions revolving around the mysteries of the universe and for proof… just look at our modern world. For our curiosity regarding what made our species sick, led to the discovery of viruses and bacteria and all kinds of treatments and cures, the kind that now save countless lives. Plus, our desire to really know how the universe works, revealed unto us that we are not the center of it, but a part of a great whole… one that spans billions of light years and is populated with countless galaxies and alien worlds. But despite our ability to use science to make incredible discoveries, the more philosophical answers to some of our curiosities still elude us.

Because while we understand the scientific origin of humanity, our capacity for good and our ability to achieve wonders, really does lead us to believe that there is more to our existence that mere scientific luck. There has to be a reason why we are here and why we are able to do the incredible things we do. But alas, there is no answer to that long-standing question and that is why storytelling has no problem exploring such matters. Since it can offer us unique insight and possible answers as to why mankind was put on this Earth and it just so happens, that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation dives into this in a supremely surprising manner. By first making 'The Chase' appear to be nothing more than a grand murder mystery.

For shortly after begging Captain Jean-Luc Picard to join him on a quest for a grand truth, to no avail, the renowned Professor Galen, a mentor to the captain… becomes a casualty when his shuttle is attacked en route to his next destination. Which in turn motivates Picard and the crew of the Enterprise to not only solve his murder, but to uncover why an archeologist would be marked for death, and as it turns out, the Professor had his hands on some potentially powerful information that was embedded in DNA samples from various worlds. And this information was so compelling, that even the Cardassians and Klingons, and Romulans were interested in learning its secrets and well… in the end… it turned out to be nothing more than clues to bring together a unique message for those that solved the puzzle.

One that informed Picard, and everyone assembled, that all of life in the Milky Way Galaxy, was brought about by way of an ancient humanoid species. One that didn’t have neighbors in the stars like the Federation does, and it was their hope that by seeding the galaxy with their DNA, that they would in fact, live on through other species and give the gift of companionship to their descendants. Which means that according to TNG, our reason for being is to keep the wonder of life going in the galaxy. A reveal that could be considered to be underwhelming, but the show seriously deserves credit for going that route, since it instead asks us to perhaps stop asking that question. For the answer might be simpler than we give it credit and vastly unsatisfying to our philosophical soul.

Which means that instead, we should be celebrating the fact… that we are here and that we are part of something special. After all, despite some minor physical differences, we are all human beings and we all share the same building blocks deep down within and if we took a minute to celebrate that and how there are only a handful of us in the grand scheme of things, we could in fact accomplish wonders and well… those messages make this a shockingly beautiful episode. One that genuinely challenges us in a unique manner, and it was simply wonderful to sit through this episode again and enjoy that message, especially with what is happening in the world right now... and, in the end, this one just serves as a fine reminder that no other science fiction franchise out there, celebrates the human condition and inspires us to do so as well, quite like the Star Trek Universe. Until next time.