It is definitely safe to say, that the world is in a precarious place. Especially when it comes to the environment. For the climate is indeed changing and weather patterns are shifting. Not to mention, the warming of our world risks harming the delicate ecosystems that make up this beautiful blue ball we call home, and it is endangering the lives of so many species of wildlife. Which is why so many are concerned and discussing climate change, to raise awareness and to motivate people to change course so we can save our world, and these discussions have made something quite clear as they continue. In that, if we want to truly save the planet and keep such a crisis from ever happening again, education is key.
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For people must learn the value of the world they inhabit, and the value of the wildlife that go about their day free from our world, and of course… they must learn the value of taking care of the world. And one easy and simple way to reach people regarding that kind of education, is through television. Since the right kind of show can make those values easy to learn and it just so happens that Apple TV+ is planning to lead the charge in bringing that kind of programming to life. For April 14th will see the debut of Jane on the network, a series that is designed… to show kids and families the value of the only home we know.

A feat it will accomplish by offering up a plot that celebrates the wonder of nature and teaches us of its fragility and how our role as the masters of the planet, can be beneficial instead of confrontational. Not to mention, it pays tribute to one of the greatest environmentalists of our time in Jane Goodall, and well… to give everyone an idea of how well this series is going to start conversations and education in the home, Apple TV+ released a trailer for the show and details regarding what it stands for. And with that in mind, here is that trailer and those details, to help you decide how best to use this series to teach your kids what it means to care for the world that sustains them, as we all work toward a better tomorrow and healthier Planet Earth.

‘Apple TV+ today revealed the trailer for “Jane,” a new 10-episode mission-driven series for kids and families inspired by the work of world renowned ethologist and conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace. From Emmy Award winner J.J. Johnson (“Dino Dana,” “Endlings,” “Ghostwriter”), Sinking Ship Entertainment and the Jane Goodall Institute, “Jane” premieres globally on Friday, April 14 on Apple TV+. 
 
Ava Louise Murchison (“Reacher”) stars as Jane Garcia, a nine-year-old budding environmentalist on a quest to save endangered animals. Using her powerful imagination, Jane takes her best friends David, played by Mason Blomberg (“Shameless”), and Greybeard the chimpanzee on epic adventures to help protect wild animals all around the world because, according to her idol Dr. Jane Goodall: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved.”
Cast also includes Tamara Almeida (“Secrets at the Inn”), Dan Abramovici (“Wayne”), newcomer Jazz Allen, and Sam Marra (“Stumptown”). Guest stars include Emmy Award winner Mary-Louise Parker (“Weeds”), Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (“The Mandalorian”), Al Rodrigo (“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”), Lucian-River Chauhan (“Encounter”), Samantha Walkes (“Orphan: First Kill”), Brian George (“The Neighborhood”) and  Academy Award nominee Graham Greene (“Dances with Wolves”). 
 
“I believe that stories have the power to inspire people to action.  I am very hopeful that this series will encourage young people, their families, and friends to help save animals around the world,” said Dr. Goodall.
Apple Original Series Soundtracks will release the “Jane” theme song, “One Step Closer,” performed by Leona Lewis, with words and music by Diane Warren on April 7. 
 
From Sinking Ship Entertainment, “Jane,” a live action/CGI blended series, is created by company partner J.J. Johnson, who executive produced alongside Christin Simms, Blair Powers, Matt Bishop and the Jane Goodall Institute’s Andria Teather.
“Jane” marks the second Apple Original series produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment, joining acclaimed, Daytime Emmy Award-winning series “Ghostwriter.”
 
The award-winning slate of original series and film for kids and families on Apple TV+ includes impressive all-ages offerings such as the critically-acclaimed properties BAFTA Award and Humanitas Prize-winning “El Deafo,” BAFTA Award-winning “Lovely Little Farm,” “Duck & Goose,” GLAAD Media Award nominated “Pinecone & Pony,” Emmy Award-winning “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” and “Harriet the Spy” from The Jim Henson Company, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning series “Stillwater,” “Helpsters” from Sesame Workshop, “Wolfboy and the Everything Factory” from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, HITRECORD and Bento Box Entertainment, “Sago Mini Friends,” Emmy Award-winning “Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show” from Jack McBrayer and Angela C. Santomero, “Snoopy in Space,” “The Snoopy Show” and “Get Rolling with Otis.” Live-action offerings for include Bonnie Hunt’s “Amber Brown,” "Best Foot Forward," “Surfside Girls,” “Life By Ella,” Daytime Emmy Award-winning “Ghostwriter” from Sesame Workshop, and “Puppy Place.” 
 
Also included are specials from Peanuts and WildBrain including “It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown,” “Lucy’s School,” “To Mom (and Dad), With Love,” Emmy Award-winning “Who Are You, Charlie Brown?” and “For Auld Lang Syne,” and “Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth,” the Daytime Emmy Award-winning television event based on the New York Times best-selling book and TIME Best Book of the Year by Oliver Jeffers.
 
The kids and family film offerings include Academy Award and BAFTA Award-winning animated short film “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” star-studded animated adventure film “Luck” from Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation which premiered this year, and BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated animated film “Wolfwalkers.”
 
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have earned 345 wins and 1,421 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
 
Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL, and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and attv.apple.com, for $6.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.* For more information, visitapple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Consultant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When it comes to television shows that feature grand mysteries, they tend to take one of two paths when it comes to resolving said mysteries. In that, they either quickly resolve their mysteries to prepare us for a grand season finale, or they let those mysteries fester and grow before revealing everything at the end of the season. Granted, there’s nothing wrong with either path as long as the story is engaging, but those are two common formulas that these types of shows take part in, and that is why it is always refreshing to run into a series that works to shake things up from a mystery perspective, such as The Consultant on Prime Video.
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For this show is taking the time to combine both elements. By giving us early or mid-season answers to the mysteries surrounding CompWare, since we now know what brought forth Sang-woo’s untimely passing and we now have an idea of how dangerous Regus Patoff truly is. Since we also now know… he likes to commit to terrible acts and enjoys suffering. In fact, that pleasure is paramount to this combination of reveals and build-up, since the next episode of this story offered up some chilling answers as to who/what Regus might be and in doing so… set the stage for a wild season finale and potential epic reveal if the clues are correct, and ‘Sick’ accomplished this particular feat, by having Craig call out sick. 

All so he could find Frank Florez and see what information he could learn from the man that might help him in his fight against the weirdest and creepiest boss ever and well… what he uncovered was downright terrifying. For Frank was a jeweler that knew the name Regus Patoff well. Simply because he rebuilt Patoff’s skeleton. For over the course of a few years and through some epic payments… Frank smelted down enough gold to replace Patoff’s skeleton. Without question of course, because of that money. But once the cash flow stopped and good fortune ended, Frank began to understand… he had made a terrible deal and traded so much for mere cash. A story that hinted at something supremely sinister, without directly saying what we were all thinking, and that possibility only grew when random robbers came after Frank and Craig, as though… someone wanted neither man to speak aloud of what they just learned. 

That eerie darkness surrounding Patoff’s origins was further compounded by how things were going back at CompWare. For Regus let it be known that a manager had resigned and was headed home to take care of their family, and whomever wanted their office… just had to take it. Which led to all-out war in the office, the kind that Regus watched from afar with joy, to see how it would play out. And when he wasn’t inspiring and sowing bad and ugly behavior… he was cozying up to Patti. Who dropped by because Craig didn’t tell her he was playing hooky, to try and end his boss, and well… Regus took that opportunity to charm and make it clear that he had desires for her, that he wanted to indulge in. And well… the subtle moves he put on Patti, and the fact that he was able to corrupt Elaine into sneaking into her own office… combined with what Craig discovered… made it quite clear who Regus Patoff is, and what he wants at CompWare.

In that… he’s the Devil. And he wants nothing more than to corrupt and claim souls, and taking the ones of the CEOs he manipulates, is merely the appetizer and the staff is the main course. And only a devil would want a golden skeleton to be damn near invincible from those who would uncover their truth and only a devil, would be so eager to ingratiate themselves into the negative workflow of the workplace and to tease and toy with the fiancée of an employee. But what this episode didn’t reveal… was how to bring Patoff down and that is what sets the stage for the finale. Since now, Craig and Elaine will have to figure out how one beats the Devil, a being that clearly can sense what lies ahead and what darkness resides in the hearts of men. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 508 of ‘Magnum P.I.’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It’s been a little while since we settled in to discuss one of the juicer plot lines present in season five of Magnum P.I. on NBC. Specifically, the death of Captain Buck Greene and the hunt for Magnum and his compatriots at the hands of Buck’s killer and well… it makes sense as to why this took a bit of a back seat. Simply because… this story needed to move along the romance between Thomas and Juliet and bring it out into the light. Plus, Gordon needed to get his job back and that too demanded the story’s attention. But now that our star-crossed lovers have made their magical relationship known to the world, and now that Gordon is back on the force… the time arrived at last for Magnum to dive into this dark matter in the next episode of this phenomenal series. 
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In fact, ‘Dark Skies’ wasted zero time in having Magnum get to work in regard to uncovering who killed Greene and who was hunting his team. For he swung by San Diego to speak with the harbormaster that disappeared after Buck died. For he most certainly had to have information regarding who hired him to lie and who expected him to disappear. But alas, Lewis Peele was fairly worthless in such matters. Because whomever ponied up the dough wanted to stay anonymous and offered enough of a daunting presence to push Peele to get out of town. Which forced Magnum to do something quite dangerous and bring Lewis back to Hawaii in the hopes of using him as fresh bait to smoke out the people responsible for this and well, this dangerous plan paid off.

That is, after some gunfire was exchanged. Since the bad guys seemingly knew that Lewis was a liability and led to that most dangerous game. But Thomas of course, was ready for this kind of surprise and used his foresight to capture a shooter named Oliver Cane. Who was a former soldier with a sorted past and should have been serving a sentence inside Leavenworth prison. But some combined detective work from Gordon and Higgins revealed that Cane was nothing more than a hired gun that was released from prison to handle this kind of work, and they also came to learn, that the call to take Magnum and others down… since others involved in the op died as well… came from someone embedded deep within U.S. Intelligence. Why exactly we don’t know. But this did indeed raise the stakes like never before since Magnum’s bold move might have exposed him, and it also gave us answers… and a name: Swayzak. Who Cane stated was the top dog calling the shots on this op.

Which was enough for Magnum to hand the man over to the U.S. Marshals service while he planned his next move and well, this was definitely some incredible progress for this storyline and brought about some dark and scary moments that were bleak enough to prompt… two other, more positive storylines. One of which involved a robbery at the bar, one that Kumu and Kenny decided to solve since Rick went with Magnum on his dangerous mission. And they were able to figure out who stole the goods and Kumu figured out how to save the offending thief from an ugly fate by not pressing charges. Simply because she knew to do so would put him down a dark path, and that was too cruel for a young man trying desperately to help his family. As for the other storyline, that involved Higgins and T.C., who went to a remote island property to help an eccentric billionaire preserve his privacy. Only to learn that one of his staff was being targeted by a former drug lord that she turned in. Allowing for Higgins and T.C. to do what they do best when that kingpin’s lackeys came calling… and save the day in the process.

But while Kumu’s story made us love her even more and while Eddie Jemison shined in a guest star role as billionaire Nolan Pierce while Higgy and T.C. gave the bad guys the business… let’s be honest, it’s the Greene storyline that ruled the day here. For at long last, we know that Magnum and his friends are being hunted by unsavory elements in the Central Intelligence Agency. Setting the stage for an epic conclusion to this storyline. One that will undoubtedly have Magnum and his friends and loved ones, fighting for their lives with limited resources against a well-funded group of potentially unsavory ex-American soldiers. And that is going make the wait for the next episode quite difficult, since we simply must know how this harrowing storyline is going to come an end, and why exactly… someone in the C.I.A. is going after heroes. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Lucky Hank’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We are taught from a very early age, that being tough is essential to getting through tough times. Because they will test us and do whatever they must to break us, emotionally. So, if we want to make it through them, our resolve must be at its absolute best, and we must put our heads down and work through it and of course… project an air of confidence. Because that too, helps us feel as though little has changed in that moment and only when the ugly days are behind us, can we let our guard down and process the pain and well… that really is the mantra we follow to a tee, and in the end, that really is the wrong way to handle long days and unpleasant nights.
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Simply because… we will bottle up our emotions in doing so and that can bring about all kinds of trouble. For it can prompt us to lash out when the pressure becomes too great, and we will say and do hurtful things when that particular moment arrives. Not to mention, it makes us numb and a shell of ourselves. To the point where we go through the motions akin to a George Romero zombie. Plus, it can also prompt us to lash out in a different manner. Where we take our troubles, emotions and our fears and flat-out project them onto others. Which can lead to uncomfortable moments and can even inspire negative behaviors as evidenced by this week’s fascinating episode of Lucky Hank on AMC. 

For ‘Escape’ is a story that saw more tough times come Hank’s way. Because Dean Rose basically confirmed to Hank that the rumors were true, that the school was indeed pondering upon budget cuts and layoffs and that Hank needed to submit a list of viable candidates to release, as soon as possible. Which immediately put a bevy of pressure upon him since the staff wanted to know if they would make the list and what they could do to prevent being fired, and that difficult task… was compounded by a secondary struggle and surprise; the fact that Hank’s father was returning home. For he had his stuff shipped to Hank’s address and made mention Railton was his next stop, and well… that did not sit right with Hank in the slightest. Because he had worked so hard to ignore and be free of his father and their sordid past.

But alas, dad was coming home, and he even had mom’s blessing, since Hank also came to learn they had been in communication for some time and well… that damn near broke him. Because it brought old memories and old ghosts back to the forefront of his mind, and emotions that lay unresolved. All of which put Hank into that mental mode we discussed a moment ago. Wherein tough times and old lessons pushed him to forge ahead and not deal with this until the time was right and well, that prompted him to project his fears and his frustrations and outright deeper desires upon others. For he basically told his daughter that perhaps the best course of action for her was to leave Railton and start over, without prompting or without reason and that brought about a fight since it was so random and so blunt.
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Not to mention, he leaned in hard with this same projection when it came to his interactions with Meg. Since he discouraged her from teaching at the college in every way imaginable to motivate her to escape this town as well, and he of course… indulged in his frustrations with alcohol, with Meg, as people are wont to do when the world seems overwhelming. Which brought about an awkward moment between Hank and Meg when she saw a night of drinking and care as a signal that something intimate could happen. A move Hank quickly rebuffed. All of which made it clear how forging ahead in tough times is a terrible idea, since repressed emotions do indeed bubble over in a toxic manner and can cause all kinds of trouble and can inspire the opposite of what one wants. Since Lily is considering taking a gig in New York City because of all this talk of escape. Also… because… everyone’s refusal to clean up a puddle of urine at her school made it her job.

All of which made, for a fascinating tale, one that further expanded upon a man in crisis. Since now we know that a fair chunk of what’s haunting Hank in regard to his mid-life crisis, relates to past traumas and unresolved emotions, that have managed to influence broken behaviors in the present. Adding fascinating depth to this journey and informing us of how much self-work Hank is going to have to take part in to find peace and to really start his second chance. And this episode deserves a round of applause for putting this kind of realistic behavior on display and for further expanding upon a complex character, all while setting the stage for the work ahead in his complex journey and it will be incredible to see what other unique life lessons and expansions upon the mid-life crisis await us, as this journey continues along. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seventeen of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Each and every one of us, are familiar with a particular rite of passage that exists within our culture. Simply because our parents taught us about it when we were young and quite a few of us, went through it when our time came. For these rites of passage are incredibly important to certain members of our family and those same family members, have great faith in what they can do for a person through the memories they create and what they stand for. But not everyone observes them in this modern day and some folks, are aware of them but don’t get to take part in them for various reasons. Which leaves one to wonder, if by chance it is possible to revisit them later on down the line and perhaps go through them well beyond the moment they are intended for.
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Simply because they might not have the same meaning at thirty-five as they would have at fifteen, since life provides us with different perspective as we grow. But… under the right circumstances, there is a chance that going through a rite of passage when we are older, could have merit and value, as evidenced by the next episode of Lopez vs Lopez. An exploration that ‘Lopez vs Dog Quinces’ brought forth by offering up quite the revelation to Mayan. For she came to learn during Churro’s annual checkup, that she wasn’t seven years old, but fifteen… and that gave Mayan one heck of an idea. Wherein she could showcase the long-standing Latin/Latinx tradition of the Quinceañera on TikTok in a unique and helpful manner. By having Churro undergo this rite of passage, one normally reserved for Latinx women, who use it to celebrate their transition to womanhood when they turn fifteen years of age, all while raising awareness for the clinic and to potentially see some dogs in need of good homes become adopted.

Which simply seemed like another creative moment of inspiration for Mayan. One that really would accomplish several wonderful goals, and she quickly set out to bring it to life and worked hard to assemble the perfect Quinces for her beloved puppy. But as the work grew and Rosie and George slowed things down with their trademark battles, it became apparent that this was more than just a chance to do something creative and wondrous, and educational. In fact, we came to learn that Mayan wanted to have a Quinceañera back in the day but opted to skip it because of the fact that her parents were in the midst of a divorce and hosting this rite of passage, seemingly would have brought about more strife and more heartbreak. So having it now, through the guise of her dog, would finally allow for her to share in a rich tradition that she deemed important and would help her feel complete.

But with her parents fighting once again, she began to wonder if it was worth it and quickly leaned toward it being a giant waste of time. Which gave Rosie and George great pause. Because they had no idea their usual bickering had caused so much trouble, or that the collapse of their love did as well. So… they buckled down and worked together to give Churro… er… Mayan… the Quinceañera she always wanted. Which made for a magical evening. One that hammered home that there is value to be found in going through important rites of passage in our later years. Especially if we believed it would give us value and bring us joy and fulfillment as it did for Mayan in this tale, and well… this whole journey made for one incredible episode. For reasons that went far beyond Mayan’s fulfillment, and the wonder of Oscar dating a woman named Georgina… that looked and acted just like George.

For this… was that rare opportunity to showcase an important Latino/Latinx tradition. One that so many Latino families cherish and treasure. That makes this… a poignant and important episode from a cultural education standpoint, and it was quite impressive how smoothly this story brought forth that education. So that the uninitiated could easily understand why this tradition is so important to Latinx culture and truly appreciate its wonder and beauty. Plus, it also doesn’t hurt that this story undoubtedly brought back memories of Quinceañeras gone by, that all the Latino viewers attended back in the day, this writer included and well… all of this just serves to remind us why this show is important and why it needs to be on television right now. Since it is one of the few mainstream shows out there, putting the richness of Latinx culture on display, and it will be interesting to see what other educational moments await us as season one of this dynamic series continues along. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Grand Crew’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

​It is genuinely fascinating how we view dating and dating traditions in our modern world. Simply because… what we expect and demand from dating… is quite old fashioned in nature. Which is strange because in 2023, dating websites and the open nature of the world should denote looser views on dating. But that simply isn’t the case. For people still hold to a need to be married by a certain age, and they still have high expectations for their partner, and what traits they should exhibit from a physical and psychological and even financial standpoint. Not to mention, there are stringent ideas we apply to how people should handle dating if they’re a single parent or in their later years. Since there is a mantra that single parents shouldn’t ever date because only the child matters or that people in their twilight years should forget about love if they’ve lost their partner along the way, because that somehow sullies what they had.
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All of which are genuinely silly views. Because love is love, and it knows no bounds and abides by no rules. And we as a modern society should forget about setting a target date for when we find it, so we don’t feel pressured and panicked over not having ‘The One’ in our lives. Not to mention, we shouldn’t have specific expectations of who they should be. We should just want them to be good people that treat us right and make us happy so genuine love can blossom and of course… people should be near someone that matters regardless of their age or the life they’ve led. Because everyone deserves love, and those wondrous truths about love are top of mind today… simply because this week’s episode of Grand Crew on NBC, explored them in wondrous detail. A feat that ‘Wine & Children’ accomplished by way of several engaging journeys.

One of which, involved Sherm. Who met a wonderful woman while behind the wheel and decided to date her regardless of the fact that she was a single mother. For he believed that one should just… take a chance and see where it leads and well, that brought forth some funny moments for certain. Since it turned out her son was Sherm’s age and that made some of the dates awkward at first, but eventually led to several surprises. Such as the fact that Sherm became friends with the man and that the relationship ended. Just because they weren’t compatible. But Sherm did a get new buddy out of it and taught us all a valuable lesson. In that, one cannot discount single parents as viable partners because you simply don’t know where dating a single parent might lead. It could bring you the love of your life, or a new bestie. So, take the chance and understand that sometimes, single parents looking to date is part of the game and to be ready for that and open to it, since that is how life goes in matters of love.

Speaking of being open minded, well that applied to Nicky and Noah’s journey in this tale. Since their father wanted back in the game, and was eagerly looking to find women to date, and that didn’t sit right with Nicky. Because she believed that there should be no replacement for her late mother, and that pushed her to pull Noah into a detailed plan to stop dad’s newfound dating ways. Which led a slapstick sequence where they worked to sour dad’s opinion on his current interest. One that backfired and taught Nicky… to let her father do his thing. Because he wasn’t looking for a replacement, just companionship and a great time and there’s nothing wrong with that. Because that was what his heart needed, and she needed to respect that and respect the fact that he was an in demand ‘Zaddy’. But what mattered more here is that this hammered home the lesson that matters of the heart should be open to anyone and everyone regardless of age or past, because we all need to feel wanted, desired, and loved. 

Yet while those two plotlines alone could have carried this tale, there were more explorations of modern love to be found here. Since Anthony and Fay continued to explore their physical attraction to one another… in front of Wyatt’s many plants no less when the opportunity presented itself. But they wanted to keep that secret and quiet when they didn’t need to. For sometimes that’s the only way to work through what we want and to discover if a partner is right for us, and there should be no shame in indulging in that attraction and seeing where it goes and really, all of this made for one beautiful tale. One that really did a great job of hammering home the stigmas about love we need to leave behind. So that people can just live their lives and be happy and not worry about how matters of the heart are perceived to others, and hopefully that message is expressed more often in popular media down the line, so that love can truly find freedom in our world. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Finale of ‘Party Down’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There is a fascinating perception that surrounds the pursuit of one’s dream. In that, once a person has locked onto the dream in question… one must obtain that dream or be seen as an utter failure. And oddly enough, there is logic behind that perception. For modern society is all about success being the endgame, and chasing a dream is a noble cause that inspires others. So, to go for it and not grab hold of it, doesn’t jibe with that. But while that is a logical understanding as to why we hold someone who didn’t get their dream in low regard, that doesn’t make it right. Because in reality, not everyone gets the dream they want. Because life is wild and chaotic and takes us down all kinds of incredible paths. The kind that sometimes inform us that failure is what we needed… to find our true passion and calling.
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If anything, that honest and critical lesson, one we don’t discuss often, is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focus of the season three finale of Party Down on STARZ. A feat that ‘Sepulveda Basin High School Spring Play Opening Night’ accomplished, by immersing us within quite the special event. For this was a story, that saw Henry enjoy the wonder of opening night of his school play. Which went off without a hitch and which the audience loved. And to properly celebrate the momentous evening that Henry put forth, Evie hired Party Down to cater one epic party on school grounds. Which went belly up quick. Because the Vice Principal, a hardass by nature, shut the whole thing down. But Henry really wanted to enjoy this moment and enjoy the night so… everyone quietly moved the party to the library in the hopes that the Veep wouldn’t notice, since he was oddly… still lurking about, and sneaking about… brought forth the exploration in question. 

Because as the party continued along, and while Ron ran interference with the ol’ iron butt VP, Henry found himself in an oddly reflective place. Wherein he began to question whether or not returning to acting was right for him. After all, he had built a life here, and was inspiring students to get into the arts and nourish that part of their soul. Leaving him to wonder if walking away would lead to regret and a sense of emptiness and well… he eventually received the answer to that question when the Veep’s decision to join the party (thanks to Ron cooling him down), led to disaster. Because the kids got into the champagne, and one of his students figured out that he was leaving, and the ruckus brought the principal to the school in the middle of the night. Where she was ready to fire Henry without giving it a second thought, and that gave Henry the focus and clarity he desperately needed and what he came to realize was quite powerful.

In that, he didn’t want to act at this point in his life. For he’d done the hard pursuit, he’d taken his lumps and he failed in getting what he wanted when he wanted it. But had he not failed, he would not have become a teacher and would not have experienced life the way he had since initially leaving Party Down. But above all, he wouldn’t have touched lives and ignited a dream in his students. So, with a little blackmail assist from the Veep… he kept his job, and he turned down the dream one and well, that made for a powerful finale, one filled with lessons about how it is okay to chase a dream and fail. Because we might learn it really isn’t for us and failure brings clarity, the kind that pushes us in the right direction and gets us where we need to be. Plus… failure can also potentially bring forth second chances. Since an old flame returned in this tale, one that might be near Henry once again since Casey Klein spoke of leaving the business, and had he not failed and found focus… he would not have been there to see her again and feel that spark.

But what was amazing is that this episode had more to say and explore regarding failure. Since it put Ron in a reflective place about his own journey where he used his own lessons on failure to inspire others. And Roman came to realize the failure he endured with his deal, could finally motivate him to start over and start fresh and maybe find the right idea to write about, and even Kyle found a new angle to his career by failing to land the role he wanted, all of which just spoke to a positive side to failure. Something we don’t associate with such a concept, but it does have its upside and well, that was a powerful way to wrap up a fresh season of storytelling about a show that reflects life often and well in the end, this was just an amazing season of storytelling. One that left us in stitches and left us with plenty to ponder upon and hopefully STARZ greenlights a new season soon, so we can continue this bold new chapter in the lives of everyday people… that are trying to find their way in their world. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 303 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere.
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It is definitely safe to say, that season three of the STARZ series, Power Book II: Ghost, is off to an outright incredible start. Courtesy of engaging stories that feature depth and commentary, and there is for the first time really… a genuine sense of danger hanging over Tariq’s world. Thanks to Noma and her brutal ways, and she is pushing this crew to do things they’ve never done before and well… it would seem that season three will not be letting up when it comes to this new style of storytelling. Since the next episode in this magnificent season, once again wowed us with an intense tale that forced Tariq and his friends/extended family to think on their feet to see another day.
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Because despite moving the majority of Noma’s weight in record time, ‘Human Capital’ opened up with some ugly threats hanging over everyone’s head. Since Noma’s lackey provided them with more product and harder demands. In that, if they didn’t move millions of dollars’ worth of weight in a week, lives would be lost. Specifically… family members and people that mattered to them and that put the team in quite the nervous place and understandably so. After all, up until now, it’s been their play and their plans and the only thing they’ve had to worry about is the New York Police Department and keeping them at bay hasn’t been a problem for this crew… so far. 

But the pressure that Noma applied here… did indeed bring forth some creativity to make magic happen. For instance, it inspired Cane to aggressively take charge of the market and move the family business into new corners of the Big Apple that they previously stayed out of, such as Brooklyn. All so the product would flow quickly. But to do so, would require some dirty work for certain, the kind that could not tie the Tejada family to a plan that Dru inspired. Wherein the connect down Brooklyn way would be removed from the equation so the dealers in that area would use the Tejada family as their suppliers. And the reason the family could not be implicated in the slightest, was simple. For knowledge of their involvement would lead to war instead of profit. Which is why Cane asked Brayden to handle it, an act that he failed at because he’s not a killer, and that nearly ended the deal, since it was Tariq that stepped in. But a creative assist from dear old dad, saved the deal and grew the business.

Speaking of Tariq and Brayden, well in between handling the wet work required to keep their lives and move that product, they too were working on creative solutions to the problem at hand. Because they knew that Wall Street would pay off big if they could find the right and easy way to move weight throughout the firms in this place, but that remained elusive. But a visit with a prominent billionaire that the Weston family was courting for investments, inspired them to put together quite the plan. Wherein, they would use crypto investments, some fierce discounts, and a ‘coffee’ delivery app… to bring all kinds of products to America’s financial center. Allowing for them to crank out affordable and quality product with no one ever being the wiser and that would hopefully get them out from under Noma’s thumb all that much quicker. 
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All of which made it seem as though the intensity would soon fade, and brighter days would be on the horizon for everyone. But alas, this is the Power Universe we are in, where trouble is always lurking behind the scenes and it most certainly was here as well, mostly in the form of the villain our anti-heroes thought they had finally eluded. But Detective Whitman was still relentless in this tale and kept pushing hard to expose Monet as the cause of everyone’s problems. A move that prompted her to snap and forced Davis to work overtime to slow this whole thing down, with some success. But Whitman, and Jenny for that matter, are determined to bring both Tariq and Monet down, and their constant pressure cannot be a good thing in the slightest. Nor can Cooper’s spying, since he continued to poke around and snap pictures as needed, leaving all of us to wonder how long before this pressure cooker situation explodes.

Not to mention, there’s an internal threat present in this story as well, since Cane is loving his newfound power as head of the family business, and it is making him bolder and more terrifying, as evidenced by the end of this tale, and that too… could bring about some serious trouble down the line. As could the truth about Davis's sorted past. But while we wait to see where these underlying troubles will take us, we can revel in the wonder of another intense and engaging tale. One that captivated us from beginning to end and did a wonderful job with character development and growth since everyone here evolved before our eyes, and well… now that we’ve reached the end of this chapter, it is definitely safe to say that we will be impatiently counting down the minutes to next week’s tale. To see what other intense and engaging storylines await us as we continue our journey through what is clearly shaping up to be the show’s best season to date. Until next time.