Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘The Outlaws’.
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We view crime and the people who commit crimes in quite the negative light in our modern world and understandably so. After all, crossing the line and doing something illegal is in essence, a turning of one’s back on everything that society holds dear. Which in essence makes the person that chose to cross the lines we politely asked them not to, a pariah of sorts. To the point where they are often shunned by so many and passed over for jobs once they’ve served their time… because they are marked, they are outlaws, and they can never be trusted again. But while there is merit to turning our back on people who did that to the rules that the rest of us abide by… that’s really not the correct way to view crime or criminals at all. Because not every person that went to jail and served time or was ordered to community service via probation, is the second coming of John Wayne Gacy or the Unabomber.
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No, instead, they are people. That found themselves in a tough situation and made a tough choice. One that changed their lives in a manner that few will understand, and to top it all off, there is fair chance that their crime wasn’t committed out of some stereotypical attempt to stick it to the man or punish society. They simply broke the law and got caught, and it is important to recognize that reality and that not every crime out there is ripped from the pages of a Mickey Spillane novel or a trendy crime drama on prime-time TV, and that not every criminal is some monster that deserves to be cast out of our world and forgotten for making the decision to steal a Baby Ruth out of hunger. If anything, that need to better understand the reality of crime in our world is top of mind today… because Prime Video is now host to a brand-new series that explores that other side of the equation in The Outlaws.

Which is a show that introduces us to a woman named Rani that appears to have it all. After all, she’s young and intelligent and about to get into Oxford University, which means a bright future is ahead of her. That is until, a secret is revealed about Rani. In that… she has a bit of a shoplifting habit and when we catch up with her, here, that habit has finally brought great trouble into her life since it’s led to her arrest. Which of course, has put her future in jeopardy. And her only hope at this point in reclaiming her future, is to complete the community service plea deal the district attorney sent her way and well… that move is going to change her life in ways she never thought possible. Since she will now be exposed to aspects and realities of the world she’s never known before and meet people she never thought she’d ever engage with and well… that’s quite the powerful setup for this journey.

Because it really does expose to us, how quickly our lives can change courtesy of a bad decision and how those that commit crimes come are truly everyday people from all walks of life... that crossed the line and are now paying the price. Since there are others in Rani’s community service group that simply don’t seem to belong there. For instance, there’s John. A businessman desperate for redemption that is picking up trash alongside Rani, who stole because she was bored and unchallenged in life. And there’s Gregory, an everyman that one would never expect to see in this kind of situation. But he is and he is doing the best he can at this point in his life. Plus, there’s Frank, an older gent that should be hanging out with his grandkids but is completing the last step of a prior sentence by working with these folks, and he’s not the only older person present in the group. Since activist Myrna has been ordered to pay her penance to the state by picking up trash, and we have to talk about Lady Gabriella Penrose-Howe. A socialite that cannot believe she’s in such a scenario but will of course use it to her Instagram’s advantage.
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But we would be foolish to not discuss Christian as well. Since his journey in this tale is powerful and sobering since he’s trying everything within his power to put his mistake behind him and forge a better life for himself and his family. Which is of course… easier said than done, since his environment isn’t exactly conducive to growth. But bearing witness to his plight the plight of everyone else in this group… really does give the viewer pause. For it is proof positive that the central theme of this show is spot on and that really does transform one’s perspective regarding how we should view those that have committed a crime and perhaps cut the vast majority of them some slack. Since they are trying to do better and make themselves and others whole again and that isn’t an easy task with the stigma of being a criminal surrounding them.

However, while those elements really do present us with a fresh and original and engaging story that explores an aspect of life, we don’t give a lot of thought to, there are other wonders to be found in this story as well. Such as the fact that the acting present here is downright phenomenal. Since Rhianne Barreto (Rani) and Gamba Cole (Christian) outright shine when they’re on screen and sell their respective character’s plight with a raw honesty that draws you in. Plus, Stephen Merchant (Gregory) and Christopher Walken (Frank) steal every scene and moment they’re in with their immense talent and to top it all off, the show is a ton of fun as well. Since Stephen Merchant and Elgin James’ scripts are designed to make this a lighthearted affair that allows for us to process the gravity of the subject manner in a way that doesn’t overwhelm and well… in the end, this is simply a brilliant series premiere. One that plunges us into a powerful and moving and plucky story that demands our attention and leaves us craving more and it will be quite incredible to see how these characters grow and where their journeys take them… as they do their best to put the pieces of their lives back together. Until next time.

To learn more about the genesis of this series and its stars, check out our interviews with Stephen Merchant, Elgin James, Rhianne Barreto, and Gamba Cole.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 209 of ‘Fast Foodies’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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What’s truly fascinating about season two of Fast Foodies on truTV, is that every single dish that the celebrity guests on this show bring to the Fast Foodie kitchen, harbor incredible meaning. Because each and every one of them evoke powerful memories for the celebrity in question and they obviously hold a special place in their hearts, and that really does speak to the power of food and how much we love it and how much it means to us. And this is such a constant for season two, that each and every one of us believed that this week’s episode of the show as going to feature more of that depth and meaning. But uh, as it turns out… this week’s food journey had a surprise waiting for us.

For the arrival of the ultra-talented Lucas Brothers, Kenny and Keith, informed us of the fact that sometimes, our love affair with a particular food… doesn’t involve a wondrous memory or some kind of powerful significance tied into a singular moment. No instead, sometimes we’re all about a particular food because it is convenient to get and it is simple and delicious in nature, and that’s why the Lucas brothers are such fans of the basic pepperoni pizza and wings from Domino’s. Because that’s a meal that gets the job done and doesn’t require any thinking and of course, it fills one up and is easy to find when they’re on the road, and they’ve eaten enough of it… that the chefs had their work cut out for them in recreating this pie and those iconic wings.  

Which is why each chef received fascinating feedback regarding their copycat dishes. For instance, while Kristen did a fine job of recreating the cheese and the dough for the pizza, her sauce didn’t quite hit right, and the wings were basically too good to be served with this dish. As for Jeremy, well his pizza didn’t quite hit the mark since its flavor was closer to that of say, Pizza Hut. But the plus side is, he basically nailed the wings. Which meant it was up to Justin to match this meal and uh… he simply did not. For he put together, ironically, the most gourmet meal of the round. One so good that the Lucas brothers had to ponder hard on how best to choose a winner and in the end, they went with the pizza that closest resembled one from the home of the Noid, giving Kristen a solid victory here.

Of course, with the copycat round complete… it was on to the Remix round, wherein once again… these talented chefs evoked the essence of the dish in the most beautiful and unique ways possible. For instance, Jeremy presented everyone with a Butternut Squash Ravioli with a Cheesy Zucchini Flower. Which really nailed the flavors and textures of pizza and wings. As for Kristen, she offered up a Cheese Pita with Schmaltz and Tomato Vinaigrette, which was a bite sized treat that immediately made the lucky person eating it think of Domino’s night. And of course, we’d be remiss to not talk about Justin’s epic dish. For his Lamb Ribs with Tomato Biscuit and Kefta Gravy did such a great job of elevating the experiences of everyone’s palate that he won the Chompionship Trophy.

Plus, he also got to blast the losers in the face with toilet paper, and that’s always hilarious and well, this was just another amazing episode, one that definitely put a smile on our faces. Because the Lucas brothers were delightful guests and really offered up some amazing critiques on the food presented to them since they know pizza and wings well, and what matters most… is that their experience and story here was able to teach the audience, that sometimes a food doesn't have to be tied to a memory for us to love it so and well, now that this culinary adventure has come to its end, we are back to hungrily awaiting the next chapter in this delicious and amazing journey through the magnificent world of food. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Star Trek: Picard’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that season two of Star Trek: Picard has been nothing short of a masterclass on how to inject social commentary into a Sci-Fi story. Since its first four episodes have conducted a stunningly deep dive into the problems and divisions currently facing modern mankind when it comes to race and equality. Which has in turn put some uncomfortable realities that we aren’t talking about enough on display and it has even posed the possibility that our future might be quite frightening if we don’t do anything to course correct now, while there is still time. But while that has made for fascinating television for certain, the kind that has given all of us pause, this is still a television series, one that has to move the plot forward in order to properly entertain and that… just hasn’t happened yet on this series.
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For we don’t know what Q’s plans are or why he’s doing all of this, since he still hasn’t explained to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard why he is so angry with humanity and why he feels the trial needs to be moved to the Nth degree. But now that we’ve reached the halfway point of season two, it would seem as though the truth about Q’s machinations are about to come to light. For ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ is an episode that made it clear who is the key to the divergence that will lead to the creation of the Confederation and who some of the players might be in putting together its foundation. But before we get into that, let’s take a moment and revisit a pair of important plot points. Since once of them resolved a big problem, while the other… created a new one.

In fact, let’s start with the good news, first. In that, Seven and Raffi were able to rescue Captain Rios from being lost to the world. Since they used their tricorder to shut down the bus he was on, and that in turn allowed for them to free Rios and everyone on that bus, and once he was back out in the open, they were able to return to La Sirena and discover some ugly surprises. For while they were away… the Borg Queen made a power play to assimilate the ship and Agnes for that matter as well, and it quickly became obvious to the away team that the good doctor had to make some hard decisions regarding the Queen's machinations. Since Agnes put down the Borg Queen with an old school shotgun, putting a return home at risk. But a bigger issue arose from this confrontation, that we will discuss in a moment.

Because with both of those plot-lines seemingly resolved, it was on to the plan to save the future and while the crew was dealing with the fallout of the Borg Queen’s problematic attempts to claim the ship, Picard was learning that one of the big keys to the forthcoming divergence, was a family member. Renée Picard to be specific. Whom we learned was an outright genius at twenty-four years of age and she was also an accomplished pilot, one that was set to begin a long journey into deep space via the Europa Mission. Wherein she would discover life on Io and bring it back to Earth and likely lay the foundation down for a future where humanity would be accepting of other species and a future amongst the stars. But Q was working quite hard to ensure… that didn’t happen. In fact, he went so far as to play her therapist and sow doubt into her mind about the mission, which might cause her… to skip it.

But that wasn’t the only chaos that Q was working to sow within the timeline, because he also spent a little time hanging out with a Doctor Adam Soong. Who just so happens to be, yet another brilliant and tortured mind in this family’s long and winding lineage and he was of note for several reasons. In part because, he was a bit of a danger as a geneticist since he did some shady things with the human genome earlier in his career, to the point where his daughter was in rough shape physically and he harbored some serious disdain for modern humanity and how it works and well… Q used his worries about his daughter, and his temper, to enlist his help for his master plan. One that didn’t quite get revealed in that moment, mainly because the story shifted back to the Picard storyline since the admiral and his crew came up with a plan to try and keep Renée from doing something rash.

For she was preparing to enter quarantine for the Europa Mission. But before she did, she was going to attend the mandatory NASA gala event, was the perfect opportunity for Q and his new disciple to potentially bring about the divergence in question. Which forced the crew to go undercover as party goers to infiltrate this event and keep Renée safe and that’s when the other problem reared its ugly head. Since Agnes was the top choice to hack the ultra-secure system that NASA employed to keep the event private and well, an unfortunate passenger in Dr. Jurati’s mind kept that part of the plan from being executed in a quick manner. For the Borg Queen lightly assimilated Agnes before her passing and she’s active in her mind and ready to engage in the kind of chaos that only the Borg can and well, that might lead to utter disaster.

But while that is a juicy cliffhanger to leave us with, one that is the perfect way to close out a story full of surprises, it doesn’t truly reveal Q’s plan and the test in question. But it definitely sets the stage for things to come and gives one enough to work with… to speculate what Q might be up to. Which in this writer’s opinion, relates to his past endeavors with the test. Because time and time and again, Q has tasked humanity with thinking beyond its limitations and finding the beauty and majesty of what the universe can offer and perhaps, seeing Seven and the Admiral react in anger and from a place of revenge to an ancient foe in the premiere, was enough for him to wonder if we were capable of being the better species we claim to be in the 25th Century. And thinking outside the box and convincing Renée and potentially Soong, as to why we can and should be better... may be the only way to pass the test.

But while that theory would fit in with how Q normally operates, he is a bit mad in this adventure and is somehow losing his luster and power, so it could be wrong. But this seemed like the right time to ponder upon the nature of the plan and this episode makes it impossible not to. Since all the pieces are being placed on the chessboard and the game is about to begin. But before it does, we can bask in one quality ride. One that featured the wonderful return of Brent Spiner, playing a very different kind of Soong, and a cool twist with Isa Briones as his daughter. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a Lea Thompson cameo and a plot that really does engage us deeply and well, all this episode does is leave us hungry for more. Because this really was a wonderful setup and it should make the second half of season two of this iconic show, as epic as it gets. Until next time.

Please enjoy a sneak peek of Episode Six of Shining Vale, which will air on STARZ on April 3, 2022.
 
If the embedded clip below doesn’t work, click here to view it.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We are taught from a very early age… that the clock is ticking when it comes to our lives, and since the minutes are slipping away, once we are adults… we need to get moving and accomplish wonders. So that we lead full and fulfilling lives and rack up accolades and accomplishments and make an impact before the end arrives… and there is some healthy merit to this line of thinking. Because we simply don’t know how much time we have on planet Earth and having a sense of urgency in everything we do can ensure we depart this plane without a concern or regret. But while that definitely pushes us like never before, there is an unfortunate side effect that accompanies that line of thinking.
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In that, it leads to worry, that our goals and our dreams and the things we need to accomplish, have an expiration date and if we don’t get them done by a certain age, we have failed, and our lives are a waste. An unfortunate belief that relates to the fact that we cherish youth over old age and because we don’t understand how to properly utilize our time on this particular plane of existence. But the fact of the matter is, it is never too late to work toward our goals or accomplish them, provided we buckle down and apply ourselves and that is hard to learn in a world that fast paced and eager to chalk up accomplishments at a brisk pace. But it can be done, even until our final moments linger before us, as evidenced by the next episode of The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey on Apple TV+.

For when we catch up with Ptolemy and Robyn in ‘Nina’, Ptolemy has had enough time now to really reflect upon his life and the fact that his memory is about to slip and fade and knowing that the end is finally nigh, motivated him to go hard into granting the one wish that was bestowed upon him years ago by Coydog. Which is why he set up a vast trust fund for his family, one that went above and beyond the first one he set up, and he wanted Robyn to be in charge of it. So that everyone would be taken care of by a responsible party and could instead focus on improving their lives instead of constantly hustling to get by, and well… in order to really ensure security for the family, Ptolemy revealed quite the powerhouse secret.

In that, he was in possession of a doubloon worth millions of dollars, which could be cashed in and used to further inflate the trust and well, that’s a powerful way to atone for a sin of sorts and the wonder of Ptolemy’s push to take care of the community like he was asked, doesn’t end there. Because everywhere that Ptolemy went in this story, he was quick to try and inspire others to be more and do more and that was beautiful to see. Because sometimes that is what saves a person or a community, the mere thought that they can accomplish a wonder and watching Ptolemy do all this at his advanced age, was inspiring for certain and it was further enhanced by some more intimate decisions on his part as well. 

Because Ptolemy also assembled the family and Doctor Rubin back at Niece’s for a proper memorial for Reggie. A move that was designed to accomplish two key goals. The first, involved making peace with the checkered past that Ptolemy believed hung heavy over him. Which is why he spoke to his mistakes at the wake and revealed that he once had a daughter with another woman, one that he spurned because of how closed off he was emotionally back then. An admission that provided Ptolemy with absolution and peace over a grand mistake and the other reason he wanted to assemble the family, including Reggie’s wife, Nina… was to finally smoke out the real killer of the good man that gave him so much. 
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For this memorial allowed for Ptolemy to get a little one on one time with Nina and come to learn that her trashy and unsavory ex… was likely the one responsible for the end of Reggie because he saw Nina as property and potential and well, when faced with that reality, Ptolemy did something quite bold. In that, he confronted this man and more or less received the confirmation he needed that this unsavory fellow, was the one responsible for the death of sweet and innocent Reggie and that perhaps the time had come for them to sit down and chat. A move that could harm Ptolemy since this dude isn’t exactly someone that can be trusted in the slightest… but PityPapa has made it clear, he wants to handle this matter himself and in his own way, and well… his push to make this happen couldn’t have come at a better moment.

For the integrity of his memory and mind was in question here. In fact, he had a loose moment with his mind while at the wake for Reggie and now he knows he is racing against the clock to handle the last item on his bucket list. But what’s amazing, is that he is so close to leaving the world with no regrets and accomplishments in hand. Because he accomplished so much in this tale in such a brief amount of time and there is a powerful lesson to be found in that. One that goes beyond the core message we discussed earlier. Since that revelation informs us, that a lot of what seems insurmountable to us, is likely easier to accomplish than we give it credit, and the sooner we get it done, the more peace we will find, as evidenced by how calm and how focused Ptolemy was at the end of this tale. 

If anything, this was just another amazing chapter in this flawless and powerful journey. Because not only did it teach us yet another powerful lesson about life and how perceptions and beliefs regarding it aren’t always correct… it also moved the plot forward in an incredibly dynamic manner. Because just like that, a powerful showdown is about to take place. One that should bring Ptolemy peace at last and justice for Reggie, provided he can outwit this monster of a man... and that might be a difficult task. Since his neurons are beginning to fade and fumble again and well, that potential for a messy confrontation in every sense of the phrase… is going to make the wait for next week’s series finale, unbearable. Since we want nothing more than to see Ptolemy Grey complete his end-of-life checklist… right on time. Until next time.