If there’s one common truth I’ve come to learn about situational television shows, it’s that they are downright afraid to steer clear of the formula they’ve taken the time to establish. Which is not a bad thing by any means. Because sticking with what works is quite the solid formula for success, but I have to admit that sometimes the same old thing does get a little stale, which is why I’m always supremely excited when a T.V. series takes the time to shatter its own formulas. Because it means the people behind the scenes have great faith in their cast and crew to execute something fresh in the smoothest of fashion and well, this is on my mind today simply due to the fact that the next episode of CHiPs, ‘Hitch-Hiking Hitch’, beautifully breaks the mold that this series worked so hard to establish.
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Case and point, the fact that there is no Creep of the Week in this particular tale, which doesn’t seem all that shocking or different at first glance, since the series has done such a thing before in season one. But often times, when a slimy thief or thieves disappears from the plot, they’re instead replaced by some heavier storylines that give the audience pause. But in this episode, positivity was the key, and that led to quite the entertaining affair, one that was able to provide us with more elaborate action scenes not involving a scumbag, such as the thrilling sequence where Ponch and Jon needed to use Bear’s cruiser as a giant two ton breaking device in order to slow down a runaway truck and that was supremely cool to watch since the stunts and editing in this part of the story were simply on point, and this definitely put me on the edge of my seat.

But the magic of this episode doesn’t end there, simply due to the fact that this particular episode more or less lets loose when it comes to the fun. Because there is a delightful sub plot involving Ponch and Jon and the Sarge when they learn that Getrear is being spotlighted by the CHP’s internal magazine, and this lovely thread is memorable simply because the boys take a little time to have fun with the Sarge and his awesome honor and this sequence really took the time to highlight Joe’s dedication to humility, and just how much of a badass Sergeant he can be, since he had to handle a man four times his size at one point and it was nice to see the Sarge get a little more airtime than usual. However, while that was cool in its own right to see, we cannot forget about Ponch and Jon’s journey in this tale, because they found themselves involved in one of their most unique traffic situations to date, one that brought an utter smile to my face.

For while they were on patrol, they came across quite the traffic jam. One caused by a house mover who was unable to move the home he was hired to haul away and the holdup here, related to a family dispute. Because an elderly dad, who was upset about being put into a retirement home, locked himself into the house in the hopes of having his daughter see the light about keeping the family together, and thanks to our dynamic duo, the dispute was resolved and dear old dad was able to come home and the good hearted nature present here, also extended to the main plot line in this tale. For we also came to meet a pair of teenagers named Jenny and Marge, and well, Jenny was a bit of a bully who made Marge do dumb things, like hitch-hike on a regular basis and they just so happened to cross paths with Ponch and Jon, prompting the duo to try and teach these two some fine lessons about the dangers of grabbing a ride with a stranger, and while they didn’t exactly get through to Jenny, and had to step in and save Marge’s life when an impromptu ride went south, what matters more is the effort they put into being a positive influence.

If anything, I was quite unprepared for how positive and lighthearted this episode turned out to be, and that quickly helped to remind me that my favorite episodes when it comes to this particular series, are when the story forgets about formula and provides the audience with a ‘day in the life’ of Ponch and Jon. Because this is when we see their dedication to the job, and what the badge stands for, and it’s also when we see them at their best and that’s precisely why I loved this episode through and through, and I love the fact that this series can be traditional or unique on a moment’s notice and well, as we get closer to the end of season one, I have to admit that I’m a tad melancholy because I simply don’t want it to end. Because this first year has been a rollercoaster ride of unexpected surprises and refreshing stories and while I understand that there are five more seasons after this one, the experience of properly watching this all-important first season really has been something special, which means it is time for me to dive into the next episode, and cherish more of these magical stories. Until next time. 

When it comes to television shows, normally a juicy plotline that’s been building over the course of an entire season, is what outright entices the audience to tune in for the season finale. Because more often than not, we are going to be treated to some powerhouse storytelling, the kind that usually resolves the plot in question, all while setting up the next season to follow and this is a formula that’s been followed by television shows for as long as I can remember, because it works. But sometimes, you come across a story so unique and so refreshing that going the traditional route would feel like an outright copout for the mysterious series in question, and the possibility of going a different route than the norm is precisely why I was so excited to tune into last night’s season two finale of American Gods.
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Because there was a fair chance that this finale was going to continue the grand exploration of the human condition that has been woven into the fabric of season two and thankfully, ‘Moon Shadow’ did not disappoint when it comes to this in the slightest, since it stayed the course, all while peppering in a few surprises along the way. For this particular tale dove deep into some of the rawer emotions that gnaw at us after someone we are close to has passed on. For anger, confusion and sorrow were all on display in this story, and much of that was explored by way of Laura and Shadow as they worked to process Sweeney’s untimely passing, with Mrs. Moon feeling most of the emotions I just made mention of since she was ready to kill Wednesday, while Shadow handled all the guilt since Mad Sweeney died at his hands, and while this was fascinating in its own right, it felt…a little too easy for the show to tackle, which is why I’m glad it used the void that Sweeney left behind as a gateway to so much more.

For this story also took the time to return to its roots, and examine the nature of faith, and this returned to the series because of the fact that Shadow now found himself in quite the tough place. After all, he’d spent all this time learning about Wednesday’s world, and the wonders of the Gods that he met along the way, and he also poured his soul into the forthcoming war, backing Wednesday as well, and learning of the betrayal that Grimnir pulled behind his back, left Shadow second guessing every last decision he’s made up until this point, and it was tough to see him question the man and the new world he put his faith into and what was supremely intriguing about this particular plot thread and the suffering that Shadow went through is that, it offered no resolution for him when it comes to faith. For Mister Moon’s dedication to it, yielding nothing positive or fruitful and it seemed for a brief moment that our hero was right back where we found him a year ago, with nothing. 

But, before we discuss the surprise twist that accompanied his journey, we do need to discuss the headlining theme that this episode dedicated its time to, and that was the notion of fear. For Mister World saw a grand opportunity to strike while Wednesday’s troops were licking their wounds, and what better way to do that than to expose them and make everyone terrified of their existence. And thanks to New Media’s help, and an assist from a newly christened Quantum Boy, World reigned down terror upon America, leaving everyone glued to their television sets to learn what horrors would await us next, and this was really the first time ever that the series offered commentary on current events, since this served to remind all of us of the fact that fear is a powerful tool these days, one that sadly a great many people thrive upon and share via social media, and that was perhaps the finest message this episode offered upon in that, we definitely need to take a moment and properly disseminate everything we are seeing before reacting in the brash fashion that mankind is wont to do.

But one cannot forget that this is a fantasy series that has plenty to offer story wise as well, which brings us back to Shadow. For in his darkest hour, with the police closing in, the World Tree sucked Shadow into whatever realm it watches over and while he was in there, he came to learn a powerful truth. In that, Donar is the not only son in Wednesday’s family tree, Shadow Moon would be the second and with this revelation and discovery came quite the surprise for Mister Moon. For it turns out he was able to harness the power that courses through his father’s veins, and save himself and Samir from a lifetime in prison and for now it seems that there is a tenuous peace, but only because Shadow and dear old dad are on the run and who knows where fate will take them in the days to come…

If anything, I have to admit I’m quite impressed with just how much story this particular episode featured over the course of the hour, and I wonder what will become of Sweeney now that Laura has removed his body from the funeral home since I’m fairly certain she’s headed back to New Orleans to have Samedi bring him back from the great beyond. But really, the biggest mystery hanging over this tale is what will become of Shadow Moon. For his world has been turned upside down, again, and everything he stood for has been predicated on a lie, and now he has to decide what he believes in and what he wants to pursue in life, and that will either spell doom or hope for Wednesday and his crew because it seems more and more that Shadow is the key to the future of the Gods that roam America and sadly we will have to wait for quite some time in order to see what wonders await our intrepid hero down the line. Until next year.   

Sometimes in a particular story, it seems as though something inevitable is headed your way. You can simply feel the hero and the villain on a collision course, or the danger surrounding a particular character continues to grow, and you know there’s no way they’re going to survive what’s coming. It’s a list that simply goes on and on. But when it comes to BBC America’s Killing Eve, I think we can all agree that the first option I made mention of a moment ago is what hangs heavy over this series, and we’ve all been counting down the days until Villanelle and Eve are once again face to face with one another, and who knows exactly how that second confrontation is going to go down.
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Which is why last night’s episode of the series was so surprising in its own right. Because ‘Desperate Times’ once again found a way to change up our expectations in fascinating fashion. For the hunt for Villanelle basically came to a crawl in this tale, to the point where it seems that a second confrontation is no longer a certainty and that’s thanks in large part to Carolyn’s work in this tale. For when an opportunity arose (more on that in a moment) to investigate Villanelle’s handiwork, she sent one of Eve’s teammates to check things out instead. Simply because, Carolyn has started to recognize that the obsession her star agent has for this assassin is becoming downright unhealthy, and also because, she saw a grand opportunity to truly put Eve’s skill set to the test, and her little gambit brought forth some spectacular results.

Because without Villanelle to distract her, Eve was able to go full bore into the hunt for The Ghost and this allowed for us to see Eve in a whole new light. For her nerves basically melted away as the case rolled on, and confidence filled the void and it was just amazing to see her this focused and determined and it was equally as incredible to see her exude an air of leadership and she even took the time to admit how much she enjoys the rush of this job during a moment of weakness with Hugo, and for her efforts, she was able to finally put two and two together when it comes to the Ghost’s modus operandi, and use the evidence to zero in on the right suspect. And if that wasn’t awesome enough, she even took the time to personally bring the Ghost in and when all is said and done, this was Eve’s finest hour to date and I’m quite anxious in the right kind of way to see how the interrogation of this assassin is going to go.

However, we cannot forget about Villanelle, and I made mention of an opportunity to investigate the other assassin in this story and well, being considered as ‘number two’ is what allowed for that opportunity to arise. Because Konstantin did a fine job of prodding Villanelle to take her love of the theatrics to the next level, in order to prove her prowess as an assassin and draw Eve to Amsterdam to investigate their latest gig, and well, she went all out when it comes to that by taking down a dude who loved infidelity and paying for sex (and he also had a proclivity for farm animals) in front of an audience. But alas, Carolyn’s sly move to keep Eve in London, seemingly broke Villanelle’s heart since she was destitute and angry following this kill, to the point where she almost killed an annoying bystander just to feel something after being abandoned by her obsession, and while it seems as though paths are now diverging, I have a funny feeling it won’t be too long before Eve and Villanelle are once again ready to collide.

Because, let’s be honest, there’s no way Eve will be good with letting Villanelle just fade into memory now that the Ghost is in custody, and the idea of Villanelle just walking away is about as silly as they come and well…I have to admit that I have some concerns about how all of this went down, since their ‘separation’ seems orchestrated. Especially when one considers that Carolyn told her boss that everything is going to plan, and she had plenty of time to chat with Konstantin during her off hours and I cannot help but wonder if these old friends (or lovers, or whatever the heck they are) worked together to split these two up for reasons yet unknown to us because that’s the kind of sneaky crap both of them would pull. But for now, we are onto learning more about The Ghost and who she works for, and whatever Konstantin is up to with Villanelle because he always has an agenda and once again, I’m back to playing the waiting game when it comes to this magnificent series. Until next time. 

So, full admission before we get into the meat and potatoes of this recap, I am a newbie when it comes to Top Gear. It’s a show I’ve known of for some time, and one that I know plenty of people watch and enjoy, it’s just one that I’ve never settled in to properly watch since my viewing habits have been focused in the past on a world of superheroes and other various fare. But, this past year, I’ve come to realize that I really need to broaden my television watching horizons, and check out shows that I’ve never seen before or normally don’t watch, simply because, I feel as though I’m missing out when it comes to T.V. and my newfound quest to fill my mind with new and exciting shows, prompted me to finally give this series a shot, and boy, am I glad I did.
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Because it turns out that Top Gear is just downright fun, and stunningly educational, especially for a guy like me who knows how to dismantle a MacBook Pro but is clueless when it comes to how to change my oil, and my lack of knowledge when it comes to cars, helped to suck me into this particular episode, especially the opening segment. Because I was fully unaware of the fact that Ferrari and Porsche actually produced station wagons (or family estate cars, as they’re known overseas) and seeing a family ‘truckster’ haul it over 100 m.p.h. is something you simply cannot turn away from, and the same goes for a friendly competition to see which driver can handle their car better and thanks to Chris, I learned plenty during this segment and definitely enjoyed some chuckles as well, thanks to Matt’s delightfully smarmy commentary.

I also have to say I was quite impressed with Ryan’s segment in this tale, because I have seen subcompact cars on the road and thought little of them when it comes to what they could accomplish outside of city driving, but this part of the show turned my assumptions upside down since the Suzuki Ignis he was driving in this tale, could basically do it all. I mean this little car went everywhere and anywhere, and I was also stunned over the fact that this little car could essentially haul itself up a mountain and the competition here, wherein Ryan squared off against Sabine and her Fiat Panda, only reinforced the versatility of this style of vehicle and this sequence convinced me that maybe, just maybe, if I ever want a vehicle that can handle just about anything thrown its way, and save some bread while buying one, a subcompact might be the way to go.

Plus, I thoroughly enjoyed the celebrity segment with James Marsters just because of the fact that his interview ending up being surprisingly intimate. Because here, I actually learned about James’ love affair with cars, and received some lovely insight on his youth and his experiences with vehicles, instead of hearing him plug some new project, as is usually the case with these kinds of interviews, and it was equally as cool to see him get behind the wheel and let loose. However, the true highlight of the night, was Matt and Chris’ final showdown, because this featured an epic race to the top of a mountain with base jumpers (who planned to get back down the mountain via ‘airdrop’) as their cargo, and this allowed for us to see what these cars could really do, and we also learned at the end of this race that Chris is pretty brave because I’m with Matt, no thanks to flying off of a cliff.

In the end, I’m quite intrigued by what this show has to offer, and I honestly feel a little ashamed that I didn’t dive into it sooner. Because it’s pure entertainment, and pure fun and I really did enjoy every single minute of this wild ride (sorry, couldn’t resist) and well, I am definitely ready to learn more about cars, and travel to more exotic locations with these guys, to see what these babies can do, and also learn more about celebrities that dig an awesome ride, and the funny thing is, since I’m new to this series, I may be one-hundred percent wrong about how the format for this season is going to go and therein lies the magic. Because for the first time in a long time, I can sit back, and see where the show takes me, and I cannot wait to be surprised come next week. Until then.  

Okay, I know I’m not the only one, who has been running the ending of last week’s episode of The Orville through their minds over and over again. Because Kelly’s rejection of Ed in that tale, could not have been some one-off moment, it had to have major implications for the season two finale. Would it or could it create a separate timeline? One free from current canon as one fellow fan suggested to me via a comment on Facebook, or would this decision have major implications on the timeline and alter the course of future history as we know it? Well, thankfully, last night’s episode of the show, wasted no time in answering our burning questions and addressing all of those possibilities, in the most devastating of fashion, of course.
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Because ‘The Road Not Taken’ quickly revealed to us that Kelly’s decision did not create some offshoot timeline, instead her choice to push Ed aside changed everything in the current one and definitely not for the better. For by not marrying Ed, and not going through their respective ups and downs, Kelly never recommended Ed for the Orville’s chair, and since that never happened, Doctor Finn never came aboard the ship, and her boys didn’t attach themselves to Isaac, which means, the Kaylon gambit to bring down Earth’s defenses was a rousing success and they began their purge of biological life in the galaxy. Earth, Moclus, and countless other worlds were destroyed by these beings and the crew of the Orville was scattered to the wind all over the galaxy, and knowing what should have actually happened, prompted Kelly to finally try and set things right.

Which means she worked overtime to re-assemble a crew that had never worked together before, in order to pull off one hell of a bold plan to set the timeline straight. Which meant, she needed to get her hands on an important chemical compound, and the Aronov Device data in order to send Dr. Finn back in time to ensure that the memory wipe took hold a second time around and well, this push led to some devastating visuals and heartbreaking moments. Because we were forced to say hello and goodbye to Lt. Alara Kitan once again since the Kaylon brought down her resistance cell in brutal fashion after a visit from the crew, and we were witness to the utter devastation these monsters inflicted upon Planet Earth, and we also came to learn that Topa and Klyden died on Moclus, and all of this simply added a sense of urgency for the crew to complete their mission and despite a few bumps in the road, and the destruction of the Orville, they actually managed to pull this bold gambit off, and change history for the better.

If anything, this is how you execute a season finale, because this sucker had it all. Harrowing moments, incredible action and adventure, and I was definitely on the edge of my seat several times, and there were quality performances present from every single actor on the show since they were able to play fascinating, alternate versions of themselves. But what I also loved about this episode; was the incredible fan service it sent our way. I mean come on, Halston Sage returning as Alara? Yes, a thousand times yes. But the fan moment that stood out to me the most, was the homage that this finale paid to one of my all-time favorite Next Generation episodes, ‘Yesterday’s Enterprise’, and much like the aforementioned TNG episode, this story was able to roll around in the mud for a little bit and give our characters something challenging to chew upon without changing the course of what this series stands for.
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Yet, what would The Orville be without some kind of uplifting or inspiring message, and that was present here too. Because in essence, Kelly’s decision spoke volumes to the fact that we should always look upon the past with objective and/or appreciative eyes. Because while things don’t always go as planned for us, everything happens for its own respective reasons, and the decisions we make and the paths we walk, take us down fascinating roads that teach us plenty and trying to ‘correct’ some of the harsher lessons we learn, by avoiding future conflicts or heartbreak or strife, can cause more harm than good, and I really do love the fact that the series found a way to express that kind of message in the midst of a nightmare story and really, when all is said and done, this episode outright took my breath away.

Because I don’t think any of us were prepared for something so bleak and so powerful, and while I think deep down we knew it would end happy, there were moments there that we were lost in the quagmire with the crew, thanks to one quality script from David Goodman and some fine direction from Gary Lake. But, while this episode is one to be celebrated, fans of this show and the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Orville now face undiscovered country in the days ahead. Because as of press time, there is no season three waiting in the wings for this show and well, I really do hope that changes quickly. Because in a creative landscape where edgy and dark rules all things science fiction, this series really is a beacon of hope, for it shows us the wonder and value of working together to solve our problems, and it’s never afraid to be bold and show us a better way when it comes to some of the issues plaguing our society. It’s a television series that quite frankly, an angry and messy world needs right now, and I really do hope Fox gives this magnificent adventure another year. Because if this is what The Orville can accomplish in its sophomore season, imagine what year three could bring to the table and like the rest of you, I’ll be watching and waiting for the good news, so I can come back here with all of you and geek out about one of the finest science fiction shows to ever hit the airwaves. Until next time. 

When it comes to social commentary in popular media, I would venture to say that we can all agree that there is an unspoken criteria in regard to what the audience should expect from a writer and/or director’s snap shot of our current world. We definitely want it to be relevant and poignant, and we want it to stay with us long after the episode or movie has come to an end, so that we are able to analyze it with our friends. But the key to making that happen, is that the commentary in question needs to be subtle, to the point where we recognize it, but never feel overpowered by it, because then the story would be hammering a point into our heads, potentially removing us from the power of the moment, and such criteria is on my mind today, simply due to the fact that I’m quickly learning that the newest iteration of The Twilight Zone is going to continually disobey those roles and get away with it.
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Because while the commentary has been quite subtle at times, as it was in the first two episodes of the season and last week’s entry, ‘A Traveler’; ‘Replay’ and last night’s episode, ‘The Wunderkind’, have thrown caution to the wind and brought their all-important point to the forefront of the story in a no-holds barred approach, and it actually works in magnificent fashion. Because somehow, by not tiptoeing around the matter at hand, the gravity of what these stories are trying to get across sinks in and they give you pause, and last night’s tale decided to examine the world of politics with a controversial President at the helm of the nation, and what it had to say about him and our country was downright fascinating. Now, in this tale we are introduced to political mastermind Raff Hanks and witness his fall from grace after he botches an important re-election campaign, and while he’s on the hunt for a comeback years later, he stumbles upon an eleven year old YouTube phenom named Oliver Foley who has declared his candidacy for the Presidency and on a whim, Raff decides to take the kid under his wing and see if he can’t re-energize his career by helping Oliver become President of the United States.

So, it quickly becomes obvious in this episode that Oliver is the small screen iteration of the 46th President of the United States and what is impressive about the comparison here is that scenes with Oliver, especially after he’s taken office, present the President in objective light. Gone is any partisan opinion of the man, allowing for Oliver to show us the parts we should be concerned about when it comes to the Commander-in-Chief since Oliver is prone to temper tantrums when he doesn’t get his way, and he’s quick to threaten and demand outlandish things that simply cannot be done, and the comparisons don’t end there. For he is as charismatic and charming on the campaign trail as Trump was and he also makes plenty of empty promises that aren’t feasible execution wise, and it’s equally as fascinating to watch his inner circle enable Oliver and never once try and stand up to the President out of fear of being ostracized or humiliated by his fans, or base, if you will.

Yet what truly impressed me about this particular tale, is that it didn’t present the massive doomsday scenario as we often fear, instead…laying out the core of what makes Trump, Trump, allowed for the show to explore how someone who is clearly not mature enough or qualified enough to hold the office, obtained it in the first place and that comes from our sheer disillusionment of government as a whole. Because it really is the same old, same old in Washington, with the same tired faces sitting in the seats of Congress year in and year out, and nothing ever really changes, and we are so desperate for someone to actually shake things up that we were quick to vote in a guy who promised us the world and delivered little past that point. But while that seems a tad too obvious of a lesson to provide us with, the show does dig deeper, because it also explores how our democracy can get to that point and ironically, the stinging truth there comes from a line from Oliver, wherein he tells Raff; ‘you can do better’, and well, it seems as though the kid is speaking to the audience over anyone else. Because he’s right. We haven’t demanded better of ourselves or our country and we’ve simply expected things to magically change with the same people in place and well, you get where this lesson is going.

If anything, this is a story that will definitely be polarizing in the days to come because there will be those out there, that see this episode, or read this review and see all of it as a hit piece on the President, and they will be counterbalanced by people who will offer up their opposite opinions on the matter, and quite frankly, that part of the discussion should also give us pause, because that is also more of the same. Because those reactions will be filled with partisan nonsense and the same old rhetoric that helps to maintain the status quo when the real fix when it comes to this particular mess, is that we have to do better, we have to be better, and we need to expect more from those we elect to run our nation. And if by chance they feel the need to do their own thing, or lie to us or make silly promises, we need to make our voices heard in unison, free from party and agenda and perhaps that’s the most bone chilling twist when it comes to this particular episode, in that, that kind of unity, is what truly feels like fiction right now. Until next time. 

If there’s one comic book trope that I think we can all agree is tad annoying at times, it’s how most heroes in these adventures, get over some of their problems in quick and clean fashion. It doesn’t matter what the issue is per se, but if they’re not a crimefighter in the city of Gotham, they are able to handle and process great trauma with minimal effort and that can be irritating, simply because, important moments that rattle us or change our lives don’t just go away and seeing that happen in print, or in hero related television shows can sometimes remove you from the experience. It’s just another reason why I’m so appreciative of Freeform and Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, since this series finds ways to address the long-term impact of big moments in our lives, and for proof, look no further than last week’s episode.
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For ‘Rabbit Hold’ brought quite a few elements that Tyrone has been dealing with full circle, such as the pain he still carries when it comes to Connors and the lasting echo he’s had on Tyrone’s life and much of that was immediately brought the surface of this tale by way of Tandy. Because once she realized that Connors was ‘inside’ Tyrone, she straight up called him out over the fact that he could have ended his troubles with the police by pulling him from the void, and while there was some debate as to whether or not he could pull such a feat off, the more important part of this conversation is the sheer fact that it revealed that Tyrone was more or less hiding from life and his problems, and shortly after Tandy entered the void that he can send people to, Tyrone seemingly took the accountability she sent his way to heart and started dealing with some of the messes in his life.

Which could not have come at a better time. Because unfortunately for Tyrone, some of the gang members he helped to capture saw his Wanted poster at the police station, prompting them to put in a few calls to their friends on the outside, which definitely put his mother in danger and thanks to a quick call from Brigid, he was able to swing by and help her escape in harrowing fashion. Because with Tandy in the void, Tyrone was unable to teleport, and that ended up being quite the good thing when all is said and done. For this little problem forced our intrepid hero to spend quality time with his mother, and have an honest and earnest conversation with her about some of the decisions he’s made over the past few months, and eventually, he seemingly made peace with everything that was chewing at him and when the gang came calling, he found a peaceful way to keep everyone safe, by calling the police to turn himself in.

However, while Tyrone dealt with all of that, Tandy ventured to the place where Connors was banished to and this was, a strange universe to say the least. Because in this dark and twisted place, the worst parts of life were on display, and of course, monsters lurk here as well since Tandy ran into Mayhem and Connors and despite her best efforts to keep things peaceful and steer clear of the dark temptations present in this place, curiosity and Mayhem made her mission difficult, to the point where she was banished from the void, but she didn’t return to our world empty handed. For not only did her return allow for Tyrone to ‘jump’, shortly after he discovered that the police sent more officers than necessary to arrest him, but she also brought back Connors, and he’s loose upon the world and it would seem that everything Tyrone learned in this tale is going to have to be applied in the future, if he wants to have one of his own…

If anything, this was just another incredible episode from this magnificent series. For it wasted no time in getting down to business since we dove into Tyrone’s journey right from the start and might I say, it was quite refreshing to have a tale focus upon him and acknowledge the fact that he hasn’t quite healed yet or dealt with his demons, he’s simply using heroism to fill the void, and there’s something supremely relatable about that. After all, we’ve all done what he has done, and buried ourselves in other tasks to not deal with something nagging. Plus, I love that this episode actually bothered to bring Connors back from the void, because now, we can finally get proper resolution on this matter and hopefully see Tyrone put some of the pieces of his life back together. But in the here and the now, Connors is on the loose, and I am counting down the minutes to the next episode, because you know that our broken hero will be hot on his trail. Until next time. 

I have to admit, that I am thoroughly enjoying my voyage back through the first season of CHiPs. Because not only have I run across a couple of episodes that I’ve never seen before, I’ve been treated to some downright impressive feats from Officers Jon Baker and Frank Ponchorello. After all, these guys have taken down some wild thieves in their first adventures together, and they’ve also had to deal with some heavier moments that involve breaking terrible news to people and they’ve even had to face certain parts of their past while on the job and well, at this point, I’m really not sure there’s any greater challenges these two cannot face and conquer as the series rolls on and for proof, well, look at what these guys had to deal with in the next episode of this storied series.
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For ‘Vintage ‘54’ gave this dynamic duo their biggest task to date, simply because, they had to play a pair of surrogate fathers for a little while to a cute baby girl they simply dubbed ‘Princess’. Because as it turns out, this little lady was the daughter of a couple that had a lot of kids and little time on their hands as they tried to juggle work, their family and an upcoming vacation and unfortunately, in the midst of the latter preparations mentioned there, they left Miss Princess behind on a bench at a rest stop and thankfully, Ponch and Jon got the call and well, their attempts to care for the kid were just a delight to watch. Because you just don’t see the softer side of cops in police serials in general, so to see both of them work to help out the folks at the foster home that took her in for a little bit was supremely down to earth and charming, and it really spoke to the genuine kindness and good nature present in both of their hearts.

Plus, it also helped to clear one’s pallet of some of the incredibly intense things these officers had to deal with in this episode, because some impressive stuff went down, such as the moment when a skydiver’s chute failed, and the backup deployed late, sending this thrill seeker on one terrifying ride since she eventually crash landed atop an overpass and the only thing keeping her from being hurt, was a simple sign attached to the concrete. Meaning it was up to Ponch and Jon to think fast to keep her safe and they did not disappoint. For both men sprung into action, with Jon risking his own physical health by hanging onto the string of her parachute for as long as possible while Ponch improvised and made use of a nearby crane to get her down just in the nick of time and while this was pretty harrowing and impressive in its own right, it pales in comparison to the Creeps of the Week since their desire to steal vintage cars brought forth the wrath of one of season one’s toughest foes, Mrs. Downey.

Yes, the love able little old lady that always knows better than the Sarge and his team returned in this tale, due to the fact that the COTW’s stole her baby blue car, and while Ponch and Jon didn’t deal with her directly, and I mean, I get why, she made life hell for the Sarge in this tale. She simply wouldn’t leave headquarters without an update on the investigation, and to complicate matters further, she even went so far as to try and confuse Bear when he was asked to take her home in the hopes of finding her car and well, this added some levity to the situation since the thieves that took her vehicle, were pretty daring in their own right. After all, they simply waited for as long as necessary in order to get their hands on a new ride, and they would swipe these suckers in broad daylight if given the opportunity. But with bravado comes stupidity at times, and these boys got greedy, and were eventually noticed by a concerned citizen and that led to a happy ending for Mrs. Downey, since she finally got her precious car back after the boys busted the thieves, and she even put the Sarge in quite the comedic situation since she wiped out his bike on her way out of the garage where her car was being stored.

But, we cannot forget about how the story ends for baby Princess, because that too wrapped up in happy fashion since the parents finally figured out their baby wasn’t at grandma’s and they were able to be reunited with their little one at the foster home, allowing for Ponch and Jon to say their goodbyes and make sure she left with the teddy bears they bought for her, and really, in the end, wow, what an episode. I mean this sucker had it all, drama, laughs, thrills and chills and a little heart as well and I really loved this one through and through. Mainly because of the depth that Ponch and Jon exhibited in this tale, but also because of the fun factor since this episode was just entertaining through and through and as we enter the home stretch of season one, I cannot help but wonder what kinds of new challenges and bigger adventures await Ponch and Jon as we cruise toward the season one finale. Until next time. 

It’s been quite the wild ride when it comes to season two of American Gods. For a series that had the opportunity to continue to play with the various mythos that permeate our culture in its first year, instead opted to spend season two, diving deep into the human condition and how the Gods are a lot like the human beings that created them, since they are filled to the brim with the same flaws and fears that impact our daily lives. But, for a brief moment there, it seemed as though this season was going to change course, since last week’s tale offered up a fascinating reflection on how far Mr. Wednesday had stepped away from honor and any sense of a moral code. But as it turns out, that was all done to show us of the fact that Wednesday had done what so many of his kind had done, he learned to adapt to the only constant in this grand universe, change.
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That matters, simply because that little wrinkle served as the preamble to last night’s episode. For ‘Treasure of the Sun’ served to remind us of another flaw in the human condition, in that, sometimes we choose not to adapt the world that is rapidly changing around us, and when we cannot take the time to recognize that society is going to move on, whether we like it or not, and get with the program, tragedy can occur and all of this was explored by way of Mad Sweeney, whom we reunited with in harrowing fashion in this story. Because ol’ Sweeney was at his lowest point here, after all, his coin was still inside Laura, and his luck was basically gone and all he had left at this point in his life, was regret, and shame and the memories of a past that should have taught him proper lessons, but that he chose to forget.

But the past always finds a way to make itself relevant once again, and as Sweeney arrived back at the funeral home, he was forced to ponder upon yesterday and everything he’s lost. And we came to learn that at one point in his life, he was a King, one that had a wife and a baby on the way, and his first real stumble in life, came about when religion arrived in Ireland and the stories about his kind, changed, which was something he couldn’t handle. For he was a King, a man that others believed would give them knowledge and direction, and there was no way that he would be viewed as a little person in a green suit that protected his gold and brought forth mischief. But rather than try and reason with the monks that were changing his story, or work with them for that matter, he held fast to the status quo, and demanded they either leave or face his fury and naturally, war came, as did a curse upon Sweeney, and rather than deal with the mess he created, he ran, and paid the price.

For the guilt and shame that came with cowardice left him scavenging in the woods, to the point where he didn’t even recognize his wife and daughter and he stayed in that particular state until Wednesday found him, and offered him solace and war, in exchange for favors, which brings us back to present day. Because despite his second chance, and despite the fact that he still had the opportunity for glory in battle, Sweeney held steadfast to the anger in his heart, and rather than own up to the mistakes and choices he’s made over many millennia, he turned his fury and ire toward Wednesday, and blamed that man for every misstep along the way and this was…fascinating to say the least. Because several people showed Sweeney the way in this tale since Bilquis, Salim and Mr. Ibis all pointed out the positives in his life and a path forward. But there are some, Gods included, who firmly believe that the bad that happens to them in life is the fault of others and will never have their minds changed when it comes to that belief, nor will they take responsibility for their own actions and that…is what brings about tragedy, and Sweeney is no exception to that rule.
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Because his anger and guilt and selfishness consumed him, to the point where he felt the need to put down Wednesday to find some sense of satisfaction in this world, and despite providing Shadow with the truth about Grimnir’s manipulative machinations, his words fell upon deaf ears. For people who don’t believe in anything but the old ways, and are willing to blame others for their troubles are always seen as liars who are in it for themselves and his desperate plea will forever be remembered as the efforts of a master manipulator trying to get his way in his final moments, and I do mean final moments. Because when given the opportunity to attack Wednesday, he took it, only to have Shadow do his part and turn the blade upon the Leprechaun and plunge it into his heart. Meaning that we said farewell to Mad Sweeney in this tale, but…his death was not totally in vain, since he did take a moment to banish Grimnir’s prized spear to the Horde’s hiding place and by banishing Gungnir to the void, he may have done some good in this war, and saved a great many lives.

If anything, there is little to feel good about when it comes to this particular tale. After all, Sweeney was a delight of a character, and it’s always heartbreaking to see anyone in fiction or life fall from grace and feel as though violence or darkness is their only out in life, and it was equally as harrowing to bear witness to the mistakes he made throughout history in order to maintain what he believed to be the right way of doing things. But, while his death felt hollow and sad, it will have grave implications in the days to come. After all, Shadow now knows that Wednesday has been manipulating him and causing him strife, and Shadow will no doubt confront the boss about such matters and of course, there’s definitely trouble on the horizon with Odin’s spear now missing, for that weapon is a rallying item for his army, and how will he lead the Gods into battle without it? Either way, this was one hell of a penultimate episode, and it’s also interesting how Mad Sweeney has set up the season finale two years running and well, thanks to his ugly farewell, I’m expecting an incredible ending to season two to come our way, since everything Wednesday has been working toward may fall to pieces. Until next time.    

To me, one of the many marks of good storytelling, is when a particular tale is able to enthrall and excite you to the point where you’re hungry for more and well, that’s something that Killing Eve is able to accomplish with minimal effort. Because week in and week in out, this dynamic series figures out how to shock and stun the audience and for proof, look no further than last week’s episode, wherein we came to discover that Konstantin was alive and well, and that surprising revelation left me counting down the minutes to this week’s episode because I was simply desperate to know how the heck he survived his seemingly lethal encounter with Villanelle in the season one finale.

As it turns out, last night’s episode, ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’, revealed that his survival came about from a touch of blind luck since the bullet missed his heart and now that he was free from the Twelve’s clutches, he was a touch more honest with Eve during their first encounter in this tale since he let her know that Villanelle was poison for the mind and the only way to keep her twisted machinations at bay was to engender hate in her heart. It was a simple message to say the least and one that seemed grounded in regret and reflection, but little did we know that his speech would have a little gravity in this tale, and while Eve continued along with the case, Konstantin pined for his family, and understandably so, since he clearly misses them, and he pushed hard to see if Carolyn would be kind enough to reveal where they were located, which of course, she refused to do.

Now I made mention of the fact that Konstantin’s speech ended up being a touch important in the end and well, it didn’t take long to realize just how relevant his words turned out to be in this tale since Villanelle, took her obsession with Eve to a whole new level. Because behind the scenes, and in-between the copycat murders that the Twelve were asking her to accomplish in order to get her into trouble with MI6, she was working to shatter Eve’s marriage. For a few complaints from a ‘student’ kept rolling in regarding Niko, and when given the opportunity to sneak into a staff and family party at Niko’s school, she made a point to embolden another teacher that happens to have a crush on Niko to push for something more, all in the hopes of creating the divide she needed to sneak in, and she even went so far as to gently drop a clue into Eve’s bag when our favorite Agent evacuated the building in the hopes of catching the master assassin and this was just another lovely change-up when it comes to the traditional cat and mouse game normally found in this genre.

However, what Villanelle didn’t count on, or perhaps she did, because she’s awesome like that, was that her decision to drop that clue, motivated Eve like never before to hunt Villanelle down and she pulled out all the stops, including offering Konstantin the address where his family was staying in order to get what she wanted. But, her efforts backfired greatly, because once the former handler came to realize that MI6 would make him nothing more than a patsy and a pawn, he went to visit Villanelle himself in order to try and recruit her into a little freelance gig where they would split the funds while doing what they do best. And to properly motivate his favorite assassin, he gave her one hell of a choice; ether join his cause or be arrested in a matter of minutes when MI6 arrived and oddly enough, the obsession our spy and assassin have with one another almost paid off for Eve, since she was able to figure out where Villanelle was hiding after waltzing in with a tactical team, but alas, Villanelle and Konstantin were too quick and managed to escape.

Of course, all of this drew Carolyn’s ire and rightfully so since an important asset was lost and the target got away, but one cannot help but admire Eve’s boldness in this episode. Because she really did give it her all in her attempts to bring Villanelle in, and this simply demonstrates growth on her part and clearly, if you mess with her and she will hunt you down in impressive fashion. Yet, what made this episode so downright fascinating, at least for me, is that it shifted gears in tone and design, moving away from surprises to give us a semi-traditional cat and mouse game and more importantly, this episode was intense and riveting and while it didn’t drop any major revelations into our laps, it still did plenty plot wise to leave me hungry for more. Because I’m dying to know more about ‘The Ghost’ and the competing franchise she works for, and I’m curious to see how Konstantin and Villanelle will fare on their own and of course, I’m left to wonder, can Niko and Eve’s marriage survive? Either way, I’ll be counting down the minutes to next week since this series does a fine job of drawing me in. Until next time.