Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Harry Wild’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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There are few things in this world more humbling and infuriating, than being outperformed in our respective career fields by an amateur or a rookie. Because when that happens, it means we were complacent in our work and being embarrassed in that manner, likely means we have to have face our superiors and explain just how the heck someone that isn’t as skilled in the field as we are, made us look unqualified and foolish and that’s no easy task. But it does prompt one to refocus and reenergize when the fury dies down, since this is where we belong and where we thrive, and well, this little problem is top of mind today… because it was present in the next episode of Harry Wild on AcornTV. 
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For when we catch up with Harry in ‘Samurai Plague Doctors Kill for Kicks’, the town is simply abuzz about her. Because she basically embarrassed the police department through and through and well… the fallout regarding that was massive at the station and that made life tough for Charlie. Simply because he should have been the one to bring in that killer, and missing so many clues and allowing for his mother to save the day, made him a pariah at work. Of course, it also created incredible tension with his mother, since that’s the last person he ever expected to solve crimes in a manner better than the police, and well… unfortunately for Charlie, while he was trying to cool down and reflect upon how to do better… his mother was fast at work on another big case.

Because Harry and Fergus were contracted by a local woman to look into the strange death of her husband from a year ago. Because she didn’t believe it was a suicide at all, and that foul play was involved and the only reason this matter was of concern to her, is that it never received proper due from the police. Since they were the ones that declared this a suicide from the get-go. Which was a matter that Harry didn’t want any part of at first, because of the advanced fallout it could create with her son. But the instant she was able to dive into what Fergus uncovered, she quickly came to realize, something foul was afoot. In fact, she and Fergus came to learn, that multiple deaths were tied to the clues, and people were dying out of a desperation for money. Since a gambling magnate approached these desperate individuals with the promise of a massive cash prize if they took part in his dangerous competition, one they clearly never received nor could talk about… thanks to this man’s assassins. Which in turn motivated her to spring to action… in a cautious manner.

Because solving this case of her own accord again, without police intervention, would cause more strife for her family and the city and of course… the men behind this ring were watching her closely and were doing everything within their power to stay hidden. Which meant that in order to bring these scoundrels to justice, she was going to have to get creative and she most certainly did. By first giving all the evidence to her son, and she even informed him as to how to best present it to the brass. So that they would believe he did this of his own accord, allowing for him to become the hero here and past that... she knew she had to expose these guys and their assassins. And in order to do that, she used herself as bait and some GoPro trickery, to show the world that this whole nightmare was real and well… for her efforts, everyone involved in this disgusting and wicked crime ring were brought to justice… by her son no less.

Which was… a wonderful way to continue this tale. Mainly because, it was grounded in such realism. Because having an amateur private investigator best the police, would indeed have all kinds of fallout. The kind we saw here and kudos to the show for taking the time to inject that into the story, and for finding a creative way to get Harry back into the game and deeper into her calling. Not to mention, the case was engaging and original as well and really in the end, this episode just goes to show that Harry Wild is going to be a fun and unique ride. One that will surprise us at every turn and never bore us with cliché and that’s something the crime drama needs right now, and this one definitely motivates you to continue the journey. To see what comes next now that Harry is settling into her second act in life. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two finale of ‘Central Park’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Normally in storytelling, a villain is stopped from completing their evil and epic quest in one of two ways. In that… they are outright bested mentally and physically by a superior opponent, which teaches them a valuable lesson about humility and good. One they will never forget as the spend the rest of their days in some form of exile. Or… they have to be stopped by way of the ultimate sacrifice and ultimate act, because they are that freakin’ evil and the world is a scarier place with them in it, and well… how villains receive their ultimate comeuppance is top of mind today… largely because of the fact that no one had a clue as to how the Tillerman family was going to properly defeat Bitsy Brandenham in the season two finale of Central Park on Apple TV+.

Because… the family already humiliated her and bested her by revealing her plot at the end of season one and obviously, that didn’t teach her any particular lesson. Since she merely bided her time before figuring out a new way forward in buying the park and of course… there was zero chance that death would come into play here. Because the Tillermans aren’t capable of that, and this just isn’t that kind of show. But this is an important conundrum for certain. For Bitsy had to be stopped from buying the park and turning it into some ugly and hideous shopping arena and as it turns out… the writers’ room of this already crafty show figured out how to bring an end to her reign of madness (for the time being) in a supremely unique and refreshing manner in ‘The Lyin’ in Winter’.

For this is a story that saw Manhattan be hit by a fast-moving blizzard, the kind that forced just about everyone to stay home post haste and while the Tillermans were bundling up and preparing for the long haul, a surprise came across Paige’s laptop. For she published the story about the mayor and his response on live video to such matters… was his resignation. A move that Owen thought was worth celebrating. Since it was clear that Paige brought down a corrupt tyrant with her fine writing. But the way he spoke about the end of his tenure, gave Paige pause… as though he was up to something, and she was right. Because Bitsy set it up so the deal to sell the park would happen on this day and the family came to learn about that… by having Bitsy and Helen in their home.

Because while they were driving about the park so Bitsy could gloat about this purchase, the snow forced them off the road and into Castle Tillerman and well, while they were within its walls, Paige was able to learn more about the deal and came to discover… that Bitsy was about to be double crossed. For her brother used this opportunity to set up a shell corporation with which to work a backdoor deal with the mayor. One that would ensure a transfer of ownership of the Brandenham to him, whilst giving Bitsy her precious park and little else and well… when faced with the reality that she was about to lose what she cherished more than money, the Tillermans executed a plan to defeat Bitsy. One that involved outright kindness and charity.

For they offered to help her get to City Hall to stop the deal and Bitsy accepted and that brought forth a powerful showdown in Mayor Whitebottom’s office. One where a grand threat from Paige to make Whitebottom’s life utter hell if he didn’t back out of the deal, finally put an end to this madness. Allowing for the park to remain with the city and for the Brandenham to stay with Bitsy and well, that’s definitely a different way to stand up to a villain for certain, since you don’t usually see, pure kindness be used to put an end to their reign of terror in storytelling. But that sadly, didn’t produce the long-term result everyone wanted in the end. Because Bitsy declared that she was going to have Central Park someday and have her tribute to consumerism built atop its lush green grass. Meaning it is only a matter of time before the family has to get creative in defeating her again… but they are ready to do so on a moment’s notice.

If anything, this was just, a wonderful and fascinating way to wrap up season two. Since it made it inherently clear to the audience that Bitsy is always going to operating in a grey area. Where she’s able to be swayed from evil acts but never fully leaves them behind and that’s wonderful simply because… it means we get more seasons of this amazing show and that’s exactly what we want. For in between those battles between Bitsy and the fam, are beautiful stories about the wonder of life. The kind that are both uplifting and inspirational and that’s really what makes this show so worth our while and the best news of all, is that season three of this magnificent series is a go. And now all we have to do is patiently wait to enjoy more incredible adventures about life with this wonderful, animated family. Until next year.   ​

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘The Outlaws’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating new Prime Video series, The Outlaws, we talked at length about how the series accomplished something rare in storytelling. In that, it took the time to present people that have committed crimes as people and not pariahs or outcasts, allowing for a powerful series premiere to take place. One that genuinely allowed for us to gain an understanding of how quickly life can change in a single moment, and to a lesser extent, what it is that drives people to cross the line and break the law and it is that latter aspect of the series that is of note today, simply because the next episode in this magnificent series, took the time to dive far deeper into that. 
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A feat that ‘Episode 2’ accomplished, by really examining the root causes behind why people will choose crime, alongside a fascinating exploration on how little we support those that have been convicted once they’re out, and how that can create and perpetrate a cycle for these folks… alongside a potential fix for breaking that cycle and in order to properly look at all of this, that meant the story needed to focus upon Lady Gabriella Penrose-Howe and Gregory Dillard. Simply because, they seem like the least likely people to cross that line and violate the law, but they did and their root causes for doing so… were both fascinating and heartbreaking all at once. Because we came to learn that they got into trouble with the law due to loneliness and their own romantic troubles, alongside other factors.

Greg for instance… was indeed quite lonely after his wife left him and he was struggling at work since he wasn’t bringing in any new clients and being an outlier in his career and going home to an apartment complex for divorcees that demanded six months of rent up front in the event someone decided to commit suicide, motivated him to pay for companionship and well… he got caught and here we are. As for Lady Gabriella… well… we came to learn that outside of her Instagram followers and social standing, she has little in life, connection wise. In fact, all she had regarding that, before her conviction, was a troubled relationship with her girlfriend, and the drama and strife it brought into her life, led to her incident in question. Wherein she decided to earn attention from the lover that jilted her by drunkenly vandalizing her car.

Which are actions that make it one-hundred percent clear that our emotions getting the better of us and being in the wrong place in the wrong time can serve as a root cause for crime, and people that commit smaller offenses in that unfortunate moment, aren’t monsters. Just folks that went astray. But there was mention of an examination of how there is no support network for folks broken in this manner and well… watching Gabriella and Greg struggle with little change in their lives outside of having to go to community service, speaks volumes to how convicts are abandoned once their trial is done and leaving them to the same devices can cause all of this to happen again. As evidenced by how the loneliness took hold of Gabriella again and drove her over the edge, making it clear we have to do more for the convicted to ensure they have a better tomorrow and Greg and Frank’s actions regarding her fall in this tale… are what gave us a potential way forward to preventing repeat offenders.
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Because Greg went the extra mile in keeping Gabriella out of jail, giving her a sense of hope and the much-needed reality that someone cared about her. Not to mention, Frank motivated her to swing by his grandson’s party to give the young man some street cred and being able to do something nice twice over, since Gabriella also went with Greg’s law firm for future representation… gave her purpose and direction in that moment and a sense of healing as well. As though things weren’t as awful as she initially thought and perhaps tomorrow would be a better day, and well… that’s what most convicts need. Not a handshake and a good luck, but to be recognized as people that made a mistake, and to be treated with kindness and care and understanding so they can get their feet under them and start over properly.

Which made for another powerful and delightful tale. One that once again put humanity on display and reminded us well of how we actually need to view folks that have broken the law because of one bad day or a series of bad moments, and that really is important to hammer home, plus it also showed us a way forward. So, a second chance is not a pipe dream for these folks and this series deserves a round of applause for continuing to really look at crime in a vastly different manner… and for still finding a way to progress the plot behind the scenes. Since Christian’s stolen money has been discovered and dark clouds are gathering over that act since it brought trouble into Rani’s home and of course… we also came to learn that the man expecting that money, is ready to go the extra mile to get it. Which means we have no choice but to continue the journey… to see how these flawed individuals get out of this mess and of course, to watch them grow and take advantage of their second chance. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 210 of ‘Fast Foodies’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that sometimes our search for the right food at the right time… ends in failure. Because in that moment, are tastes are oddly specific or in a place where restaurants simply cannot supply us with what we need. Which is why, in that moment, ingenuity comes into play to satisfy our hunger. Since we must have what we crave and that motivates us to experiment with various dishes in our kitchen, just to see if we can make magic happen, and more often than not… we do. And we of course, file away that little creation in the back of our minds because deep down, we know that there will come a day when we need to call upon this unique creation once again… when our stomach goes places craving wise, that we didn’t think it was capable of going to.
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But what’s amazing, is that kind of ingenuity extends beyond the kitchen. Because every once in a while, we might find ourselves in a place where we can’t easily whip something wild up in the kitchen and we have to work with what we’ve got in front of us at a restaurant, and that particular process is top of mind today, because it served as the focus of the next episode of Fast Foodies on truTV. For when we catch up with our amazing chefs in this tale, they’re hosting Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally and these gentlemen were eager to show the chefs their own magical creation… the McDouble Dare. Which is a sandwich they concocted in that moment of randomized hunger, that combines a McDouble with a McChicken, and it was of course… up to our talented chefs to recreate this inspired meal.

Which of course, brought forth some interesting results. In that, the team really did a fine job of creating a flavorful sandwich that resembled this hybrid McDonald’s creation. For Jeremy nailed the flavors and the look and Justin went hard with the ingredients, once again trying to really bring his sandwich as close to restaurant authentic as possible. Even going so far as to add mustard to the batter recipe and plopping down cheese at just the right moment. And Kristen landed it when it comes to the sodium content and also did a wonderful job of nailing the flavors and well, that made declaring a winner a difficult venture. But in the end, Kristen came the closest to matching this beautiful creation and with her win in hand… the Remix Round got underway.

Where once again, these talented chefs impressed, courtesy of their McDouble Dare inspired creations. For Kristen put together a Seabass with Squash and Bearnaise dish, and the consistency of the Seabass… combined with the other ingredients offered up flavors that really were reminiscent of a McDonald’s meal. As for Justin, well he served up a Prosciutto Wrapped Quail which was just ridiculously flavorful and inspired and used a variety of ingredients to fool the tastebuds into thinking this was a Mickey D’s treat and Jeremy… well his Ham Wrapped Asparagus and Sausage Stuffed Morel not only offered up reflections in the key of the McDouble Dare… but it blew everyone away with its incredible flavors and design and that allowed for him to win big and take home the Chompionship trophy.

Which also brought about a hell of a punishment, since Jeremy served up a cake made of nightmares. Since this thing had relish and horseradish and straight up tuna fish in it. Like… this is the kind of cake that you only wish upon your worst enemies and even then, you question if you haven’t violated laws by serving it to them. And it is no wonder that the punishment of eating this atrocity was quick and clean and uncomfortable. But crazy punishment aside, make no mistake about it… this was a great episode, since it brought ingenuity to the forefront of everyone’s mind and reminded us of how we tend to get creative with our food when we’re starving and, it will be quite interesting to see what other culinary twists and turns await us as we close in on the season two finale of this phenomenal show. Until next time.

Please enjoy a sneak peek of Episode Seven of Shining Vale, which will air on STARZ on April 10, 2022.
 
If the embedded clip below doesn’t work, click here to view it.

​Please enjoy a super-sized sneak peek of Episode Nine of Power Book IV: Force, which will air on STARZ on April 10, 2022, at 8 p.m. EST.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Star Trek: Picard’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that we all tend to have complicated relationships with our family members. Because regardless of how picturesque a particular family might seem, it is made up of individual people with hopes and dreams and views that differ, and they all handle their emotions differently and that leads to great conflict in family life. The kind that for some, is so difficult that they have to step away when the time is right to keep their own sanity in check and only check in when needed. While others, figure out how to weather the storm as they grow older and use their knowledge of how everyone communicates and interacts to their advantage.
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But while family life can leave us pondering upon what we might look like without hair, since pulling ours out might be preferable to dealing with that one uncle that always manages to frustrate, we stick with family when we can. Simply because they know us on a level that no one else does and that allows for us to find clarity and direction from them in a time of need, and we can of course… respond in kind. And even if we don’t know who our family is… we seek out people that can fill that role. Because family is something special when all is said and done and it really can lift us up in ways, we never thought possible and the wonder of family is top of mind today, because it just so happened to take the center stage in the next episode of Star Trek: Picard.

For when we catch up with Admiral Picard’s rag tag group of time travelers in ‘Two of One’… it is a race to keep Renée Picard safe and that led to some fascinating moments at the NASA gala ball. Wherein Picard and Tallinn had to figure out how to reach her without violating the code of the Watchers. A code that Picard realized is quite dumb in nature and he had no problem with tossing it aside when both of them came to realize that Q’s plan to plant seeds of doubt in her head, to keep her away from the Europa Mission… was working. Which is a tough choice that Picard made, in order to figure out how to reach his great ancestor and keep her on the path toward heroism and keep the future as safe as can be and that led to a beautiful moment between the present and the future.
 
Wherein Jean-Luc took a moment to dig deep into his old bag of inspirational tricks to really connect with Renée in a manner… that only family can. Which truly helped to remind us of the wonder that family provides and how moments such as these, heal us and guide us and motivate us to do wonders. Because if family, the people who know us best and know what we are capable of, believe that we can do the thing… then we can most certainly make it happen and well… that truly made it appear as though, the future was saved. For Renée decided she was indeed ready to take on a powerful mission that unbeknownst to her, would change humanity for the better and now… Picard and his motley crew could figure out a way home. 

But alas, this is Star Trek, where challenges always follow heroism and that came forth here shortly after Picard saved the day. For Adam Soong was present at this party and in an effort to save his daughter and please Q… he tried to run Renée over and instead hit the admiral. A move that we will discuss further in a moment, simply because Soong’s sour actions here revealed that he is the darkest Soong we’ve seen in the franchise to date. Since we also came to learn that his daughter is in essence a genetic experiment, and his desire to perfect the human genome, regardless of the cost, implied heavily, that he might be more of a villain in this tale than we initially gave him credit. 
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Plus, there’s trouble brewing behind the scenes with Dr. Agnes Jurati as well. Because despite playing the hero in this tale… by getting the away team access to the party and by blasting out an operatic version of Pat Benatar’s ‘Shadows of the Night’ to help them all escape… her story ended in quite the sour manner. Because every bold act she conducted in this tale, came at the behest of the Borg Queen in an effort to gain full control and unfortunately, Jurati going along with it in the moment, led to disaster. The kind where the Borg Queen gained enough access to Agnes’ mind to take control and assimilate her, leaving the good doctor to an unknown future in a time where mankind is quite vulnerable.

To complicate matters further, now is a good time to snap back to the incident with the car. Because Adam’s desire to commit to murder, wounded the admiral badly. To the point where Rios and the crew were forced to bring him to Teresa for healing and thankfully… she was able to get his android body stable after a good… ten or twenty jolts from the defibrillator. But alas, Picard didn’t come out of his unconscious state and Tallinn was able to figure out why. For the weight of everything over the past few days, combined with having to face the dark realities regarding his family’s lineage… Picard was simply keen to dive within his own mind and lock himself within those thoughts and it would seem the only way to save the admiral, is to enter his mind and lead him out of the quagmire.

If anything, this was a supremely unique episode of this series and that’s not a bad thing by any means. Because season two of this saga, is trying new things storytelling wise that are stepping away from the norms of the franchise. For Star Trek is not known for packing in multiple storylines into a single episode. It instead prefers to lock into a particular theme to hold to it. So, to see a show in this franchise, juggle family themes alongside offering grand setups for the villains and a journey into trauma, is something new and exciting for this saga and well, it will be quite interesting to see what awaits the crew next. As they prepare to face all kinds of wild challenges from within their minds and from the nefarious forces that are now gathering on the horizon. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series finale of ‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When the time comes for us to depart this plane of existence in any capacity, be it through losing our faculties or outright breathing our last breath, we like to believe that our final moments and final days… are going to be elegant in nature. Wherein our family and our friends surround us and celebrate the incredible journey we’ve all enjoyed together in a bittersweet and beautiful manner before we depart the world that held us near and dear for years on end, and we hold to that belief… because we want there to be true dignity in death. But while that is a wonderful and beautiful way to bid farewell to this life, it is a belief that is something of a pipe dream when all is said and done.
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For death tends to be mired in indignity. Thanks in large part to the fact that the diseases that ravage us in old age rob of us our lives before we have the chance to make plans for a farewell, or the sheer cruelty of fate can take us before we can even blink. Not to mention the loss of faculties can be so subtle and gradual, that by the time our mind and bodies have lost control, we’re in no shape to bid farewell and we might not even be aware of what’s happening around us. Which are fine reminders to have our affairs in order before the possibility of the end of arrives. But that aside, the reason this ugly aspect of the end is top of mind today, is because it was put on full display in the series finale of The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey on Apple TV+.

For when we catch up with Ptolemy in an episode that shared his namesake, he’s preparing for the end by taking part in one last item on his bucket list. In that, he once told Sensia what he would do if by chance he could just have a full day to himself to be free, and for him, that involved taking in art and sitting by his favorite lake to just… enjoy the world and the moment. But alas his desire to fully immerse himself in the wonder of creation both man and meta, didn’t quite go as planned. For his mind was quickly beginning to slip back into his dementia, prompting him to ask strangers for simple help with understanding the basics of art and his trip to the lake was full of hallucinations and worry. But while that would have been a subtle and elegant way to express the show’s thoughts on the indignity of the end, it found a way to hammer it home in a stunning manner.

Because shortly after Ptolemy finished up enjoying his day of freedom, he hurried back home to have a little discussion with good ol’ Alfred. One that he recorded for posterity and one that he wasn’t sure he was going to walk out of. Because Alfred was a dangerous dude, one that undoubtedly would cause serious trouble and harm to Ptolemy if pushed right and push Ptolemy did. Since he was relentless in getting Alfred to admit to the fact that he killed Reggie and well… while Ptolemy was able to survive this encounter with a few bumps and bruises, indignity was how this meeting ended. Since PityPapa shot Alfred when he had the chance, and even chased him out onto the street in a confused manner, leading to his arrest and a supremely unfortunate future.

One where he was committed to a long-term care facility and forgotten by his family once again. All because they wanted to take this time to fight for his fortune when they learned how vast it was and that led to an ugly sequence set six months after that dark day. Wherein poor Robyn had to duke it out with Niecie and the others to keep Ptolemy’s fortune in a place where it wasn’t spent in a rapid and lavish manner, which was no easy task. For Niecie hired one heck of a lawyer to go toe to toe with Ptolemy’s and in the end, it took a very powerful ‘sound mind’ certification to finally put the money in Robyn’s hands to do with as she pleased. But even, there were no guarantees that PityPapa’s vast fortune would be completely safe and secure.
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Because despite Robyn’s best efforts to make peace and offer kindness to Niecie and the family, Niecie was ready to continue to drag this out in court and fight hard, and of course… Ptolemy was still tied to a bed and lost in his thoughts and his memories. An image that ended this story on a sobering note for certain, one so striking and uncomfortable that it begs the question… what was the point? What was the lesson inherent that we needed to learn from watching a man handle his affairs and right wrongs before slipping into the void through cruelty and indignity? Well as it turns out, bearing witness to the last days of Ptolemy Grey was less about death and more about the meaning of life and what we leave behind… as evidenced by what Robyn revealed when she was speaking with Niecie.

Since she planned to put a vast majority of the money into a trust fund for people in need and of course, the fact that she tried to make peace with Niecie after everything that happened… provided us with the real lesson this series was eager to teach us. In that, life is short, life is fleeting and the memories we cherish are for us and us alone and never come again. Which means, it is what we leave behind and the lessons we impart upon others that matter the most. For that is how we find immortality and that is how we change the world. Because when we are inherently good in our souls and do right by others and stand by them in a time of need… we teach others around us to conduct themselves in a similar manner and slowly but surely… they teach others as well and that is the edict mankind should live by. Because we only have so long here and to waste it on worry and fear and anger and ugliness, does us and the experience a great disservice.

If anything, that’s the kind of powerful lesson… that leaves one silent when this story comes to its melancholy end. Since it asks us to take inventory on the life we’d led and ask ourselves if we’ve done enough to impact others in a positive manner and if we’ve done enough to have our affairs in order since the end can come at any time and well… that makes this series a poignant piece of art. One that everyone should see when they have the chance to immerse themselves in the lessons it sends our way and well, now that the journey has come to an end all we can do is offer thanks. Thanks to Walter Mosely for assembling such a beautiful and moving story, and thanks to Samuel L. Jackson for putting in the finest performance of his career to sell it, and thanks to the rest of the cast and crew for giving their all as well to provide us with a series that truly speaks to the ups and downs of life, all while informing us of what it really takes… to find happiness and fulfillment.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 214 of ‘Big Sky’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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This episode of Big Sky provides clarity into why the Bhullars are moving their operations to Montana from Canada. Rifts and loyalties amongst the parties are also coming into sharper focus as the plot rockets forward.
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Jenny’s trust in Travis is pushed to the limit when he reveals Bob’s dead body to her lying in the bed of his truck. Jenny is mystified as to why he would expect her to simply turn a blind eye to yet another murder at the hands of the Bhullars. One can only imagine her reaction if she knew it was Travis that stabbed Bob.

Travis, aka Stone, is not on the receiving end of a lot of trust from Ren’s camp either. Donno confronts Travis upon his return to ranch, grabbing Travis’s hands to check his nails for dirt, proof he actually did bury Bob in the woods. Donno then shows Travis a video recording of Travis stabbing Bob and promises to kill Travis himself should he betray Ren.

Veer Bhullar is forced to finally tell his children more about the move to Helena after they discover him outside in the dark reciting poetry, which is apparently wildly out of character for him. Veer and Alicia sit down with Ren and Jag for as close to a heart to heart as this family will likely ever get. Concern is apparent on their faces as their father very hesitantly tells them that he has been betrayed by one of his own men back in Toronto, and that it was Alicia who discovered that he had drained several of their accounts. Veer tried to kill this man, but was unsuccessful, and the man escaped.

Veer’s vague account only raises more questions for his children. He angrily shuts down Jag’s question regarding their monetary solvency as disrespectful. When Ren asks if people will be coming after them, her father is again unsatisfyingly vague in his answer, essentially giving none.

Despite his dim affect, Donno is quite perceptive to the inner workings of the Bhullar cartel. Tonya forces him to spill the beans to her when she finds him cooking with a furrowed brow and look of worry painted across his face. Donno tells her that he believes trouble is coming and professes his loyalty to “Team Ren.” He tells Tonya that Ren’s father is dangerous and unpredictable, and that he doesn’t trust Stone. Donno reminds Tonya that Ren believes in her, and questions Tonya’s level of loyalty. Tonya assures him of her allegiance to Ren, then asks him to clarify. Donno tells her she may just need to kill for Ren in the not-too-distant future.

Ren encounters Alicia the next day and takes the opportunity to try to learn more about what exactly is happening. Alicia says that Veer is worried that someone will try to take him out and was hoping that Montana is far enough away to deter this. Alicia thinks Veer needs to retire before he gets taken out, but that someone would have to take over for him. Ren scoffs that her father will never retire to which Alicia agrees. She insinuates Veer might be persuaded to hand things over if someone were to show him that things are in capable hands, and that she thinks Ren is a far better candidate for it than Jag.
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Meanwhile, Jenny is investigating the overdose death of a local boy, Mason Ford. The pills found in his possession turn out to be tainted with a yet unidentified substance. Jenny has no doubt that the trail leads directly back to the Bhullars and drives out alone to confront Ren. Ren is immensely annoyed to see Jenny on her property again but puts on a pleasant façade. Jenny tells Ren that she’s killed a boy to which Ren plays dumb. Jenny tells Ren that she’s pushing tainted drugs which were responsible for the boy’s death. Travis intervenes just as this situation begins to escalate, reminding Jenny she has no authority on private property without a warrant. Jenny storms off after giving Travis a look that could peel paint.

It is immediately obvious that this is a complete shock to Ren. She is livid that somehow her pills have been cut with some foreign substance, as the last thing they need is a reputation for tainted drugs. She enlists Donno and Travis to dig in and get to the bottom of this, using any means necessary.

Jenny has not yet left the property when she notices a truck parked next to a wooden cellar door. She foolishly decides to check inside. Gun drawn, she finds herself inside an immaculate laboratory, which she slowly checks out. After careful inspection, she holsters her gun, deciding she’s alone. As she examines a large glass container full of white pills, Dhruv ambushes her, knocking her to the floor. She attempts to draw her gun, but he deftly knocks it away. Jenny is at his mercy.

Things are as dire as can be for Jenny; it is possible no one even knew she went to the Bhullar ranch that night. Travis’ two lives are about to collide with an intense test of where exactly his loyalties lie. Ren’s problems are mounting almost too quickly to count as she endures the increased scrutiny likely to come with her father’s presence, though it is clear she can count on Donno’s undying loyalty.

Will the widening rifts tear the Bhullar cartel apart? Can loyalties triumph over betrayals? No one seems to totally trust anyone at this point, but they are bound together for now, as long as interests align. Additionally, the possibility that trouble will follow the Bhullars from Canada looms. Only time will tell how this story unfolds.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season finale of ‘Echos’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Our journey through the Sundance Now series, Echos, has offered up quite the engaging and wild ride. For this series has been downright unconventional from the get-go. In large part because it seemingly abandoned its mystery roots and commentary on wealthy inequity in our world, to focus on its characters and their plight and the struggles that the have nots face in this world and what’s amazing… is that it never once lost its ability to engage us and entice us. A feat it accomplished by making sure the danger surrounding young Max remained fresh and tense. But alas, after five weeks of explorations and ponderings, the season one finale of this series opted to take the show back to its humble roots. 

Which it was able to do, by quickly wrapping up the biggest problem hanging over the lives of the characters in this tale. For in the opening moments of ‘Die Rache’, Nellie and Tyler were able to find Officer Kaltbrunner and tail her to her mother’s apartment. Wherein they found Max tied up and ready for punishment from a broken peace officer. But thankfully an assist from Liebknecht kept Kaltbrunner from doing something drastic. Which also allowed for everyone to leave unharmed, reuniting Nellie’s family at last and seemingly bringing an end to this harrowing journey. Since Max was home again and could heal from the horrors of the tunnels. 

Not to mention, the reconciliation between Nellie and Janosch, really did make it appear we were heading into happy times through and through and well… that’s when mystery and commentary came back to the forefront of this show. For the killer of Max’s girlfriend and close friend was still at large and that needed to be solved. Especially since the police were basically done with the case with Kaltbrunner playing the hero/savior, courtesy of a smart move on Liebknecht’s part. Which motivated Tyler to dig deeper on the matter, especially since Liljana had new digs to live in once she got out of the hospital and that came out of the blue and had to be financed by someone. But despite her best efforts to get her to explain her role in this… Tyler received no answers.
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But the audience sure did. In that, it was Anna all along. For she used her vast cash resources to pay for the sacrifice of Werner to get her baby boy home and when the clues led back to her… she simply took matters into her own hands. Solving the mystery as to how Max got out and reminding us of the fact that in this life, folks with money to spare… wield incredible power through and through. The kind that can make life difficult for everyday folks. A reality that was hammered home further by the power play that Anna took part in involving Lisa’s company, so Anna’s investors would make their precious money and get off of her back. But as if often the case, for every action… there is an opposite and equal reaction and Anna’s push to rule overall, backfired for certain.

Since we saw Tyler return to her firebug roots by setting fire to Nellie’s home in an effort to send a powerful message about messing with the lives of others to her mother. A move that sets the stage for a powerhouse season two where the haves and the have nots go to war and well, hopefully a second season of this dynamic show does get a green light. Because it is original and engaging and we simply cannot leave on that note. We have to know what will come of this act, and of Janosch’s meeting with his twin. But while we wait to see if year two is in the cards, we can revel in a solid finale. One that closed one door to violently open another.