​Something that everyone hopes for when we emerge from tough times, are for the highs that we feel, to continue along. Because everyone enjoys the wonder and the majesty that comes with just plain feeling good once again and you always hope that the good times will never end and that nothing, but great things will continue to head your way. But the harsh reality of the matter is that, deep down we know that life is a rollercoaster, and that good times can never last. Because the universe is a place where balance is often found by putting harsh moments and new challenges in our way and that unfortunate fact is another reason why Vida is such a fascinating and powerful series.
 
Because this is a show that often reminds us of that fact by presenting the Hernandez sisters with new challenges often, the kind that are difficult to overcome. Something that most shows simply don’t do because it might be seen as punishment for the characters or lazy writing. But it is something to be praised since it adds an incredible sense of realism to an already relatable tale and last night’s episode of the series, once again saw Emma and Lyn dealing with surprises that challenged the joy they’ve recently been experiencing. Lyn for instance, was struggling with the news she received during last week’s tale. Because she couldn’t handle the fact that her father was alive and well, and that he never bothered to look for his kids or try to be a father to them. And all of those thoughts, and what it might be like to have a father in her life, put her in a tough place in this tale, one where she was floating about as she searched for focus and direction on what do to when it comes to dear old dad.
 
As for Emma, well her problems involved her darling Nico. Because once again, Zoe felt the need to swing by the bar to do her drama thing and while she was there, she dropped quite the bombshell in front of Emma in that; she and Nico were a married couple. A revelation that utterly stunned Emma and rightfully so, since she has in fact, been lied to once again, and it seemed for a moment that all of the darkness, she was keeping at bay was going to come to the surface in a hurry. But this time around, Emma took a moment to cool off and have a drink before dealing with the unfortunate reality that she’d been played again. And while this behavior does remind us of the darker Emma we met at the start of this tale, her words to her sister about how they’ve been constantly betrayed and pushed aside helps one to understand her fury, and woe to Nico in the days to come. Because cracking that furious façade might be next to impossible.
 
However, while it was wonderful to see Emma and Lyn handle new challenges in a more mature manner than they usually have in the past, it was Mari’s unfortunate surprise that took the center stage in this tale. Because Johnny forgot to take his dad to the hospital for his bloodwork since he was juggling the business and a sick baby and well, that rattled Mari to her core. Because her dad had never missed an appointment before, and she knew he needed this work done and quickly, and sadly, her worst fears came to fruition when she discovered that her father had passed away in the night, when she went to check on him. If anything, that discovery and everything that followed was outright heartbreaking to watch. In part because of how relatable it was. Since so many of us fear losing a parent, or we have lost one and seeing them try to stay strong while putting together final arrangements for the man that raised them, only added to that familiar ache and it was equally as tough to see the pain and anguish on their faces when they came to realize that they would never see their father again.
 
If anything, that surprise added incredible gravity to a ‘slice of life’ episode, and it also served to remind us of the randomness of the universe and death for that matter as well. For when the end comes for a loved one, it’s sudden and unexpected, since they’re gone… just like that, and seeing it here is a brave and bold move storytelling wise. Because few shows ever show us the horror of discovering that a loved one is gone, or the immediate and raw pain that follows. But that was on full display here, in all of its powerful and uncomfortable glory and well, when all is said and done this was another moving chapter in this incredible tale, one that upheld what the story stands for. Because Vida is about life, and the difficult and heartbreaking journey it can be from time to time, and it should be interesting to see where this story is headed next, now that everyone has powerful new challenges to overcome. Until next time. 

For the most part, spy stories really make an effort to shy away from plotlines involving the families of our protagonist and antagonist and there really is good reason for that. After all, this is supposed to be a lonesome job, one where personal attachment is forbidden and discouraged since it runs the risk of compromise or death. Which is something that works within the framework of the genre since most spies and their foils, are cold and calculated and only know of death and the mission, and that’s precisely why Killing Eve is so refreshing as a spy drama. Because this series features deep and dynamic characters, ones that are as human as they come and require meaningful connections with others, like the rest of us. But their line of work is dangerous and unique and that makes these interactions complex in nature and the difficulties that come with basic human needs whilst being a spy were put on full display in last night’s episode.
 
Which made ‘Still Got It’ one powerful and stunning story, one that actually took the time to explore just how hard it is grieve and be a powerhouse spy, courtesy of Carolyn’s journey in this tale. For in the wake of the whole mess with the Twelve’s accountant, MI6 felt the need to return to her, the proper resources to investigate this mysterious organization. And it was quite lovely to see Carolyn take charge around the office again and put her new boss in his place in the polite and magical way that only she can. But she truly is wearing two faces right now and putting on a strong front for her daughter and others while her heart weeps in private and this was quite incredible and oddly relatable to watch. Since we’ve all been in a position where we have to put on a happy face in order to get by when we hurt, and it was phenomenal to see this show put that kind of raw humanity on display, especially by way of its toughest character.
 
But such explorations weren’t limited to Carolyn. For even Konstantin and Vilanelle put their private lives and their feelings on display in this tale. Because Konstantin was struggling with his daily duties with the Twelve while trying to reconcile a family life and Villanelle, well she was still pondering on her real family and why they might have given her up and as always, these two worked together to try and help one another. Because she was quick to help out in killing the accountant’s widow in order to get precise information on her real family and their whereabouts and having the widow out of the way, helps Konstantin with his plans for the future. Simply because it is starting to be inferred that he is the one who stole the money. But the reveal of that will likely have to wait until later. For in the here and the now, Villanelle is on her way to meet her family. And really what made this segment so fascinating, is the sheer fact that these two cold-blooded characters were seen as truly human for the first time ever, serving as a fine reminder that good or bad; everyone comes from somewhere and has their own personal battles to fight.

​But while it was fascinating to see a more human side to such colorful characters, Eve’s journey was by far, the most powerful one of the night. For when we catch up with her, here, she’s still in a tough place. Because now, she’s homeless, since she refuses to go home now that Villanelle has violated its sanctity and she’s celebrating her birthday alone and at work and well, at this point all she wants is some semblance of a normal life. One where she has friends again, and someone to come home to and slowly but surely, she starts to see some of those elements return to her life. For Jamie offers her a spare room at his place, and he gets personal with Eve, taking the time to inform her that she’s not the only person out there to make the kind of poor decisions that send one’s life down the tubes. And it really was nice to see Jamie reach out and be kind and see Eve crave the things that so many of us take for granted, and for a time it seemed as though she was finally going to get her wish and enjoy a taste of everyday life once again.
 
Because it turns out that Nico was extremely receptive to her repeated requests to talk, and he even offered to host her in Poland for a chat about the future of their relationship. Something she was over the moon about and well… that’s when this particular tale took quite the dramatic turn. For this is a spy drama after all, one where good people suffer because of evil agendas and sadly, this entire meeting between two star-crossed lovers was nothing more than a ruse. For the Twelve was done with Villanelle playing nice with Eve. So, in order to get Eve to despise Villanelle, Dasha was sent to Poland to draw Eve there and do the unthinkable and kill Nico in the key of Villanelle, and sadly, her elaborate plan went off without a hitch. For Nico died right in front of his wife, and while Eve is indeed a strong character, this is going to rip her soul to shreds since this brutal act robbed her of the future with Nico that she always wanted.
 
If anything, this was simply an incredible and devastating episode for so many reasons. First and foremost, because Nico didn’t deserve to go out like that. But this season is raising the stakes like never before and his death reaffirms the fact that no one is safe right now. But what truly made this episode so great, is that it lulled us into a false sense of security. For this brilliant and dynamic character study, one that felt like a spy version of Pulp Fiction, really did lose us within the framework of its carefully crafted tale. For we were all fascinated by what we learned about these dynamic characters and their need to feel connections to other human beings, and that made the ending all the more powerful. Especially when one considers that Eve was robbed of that very thing, and it should be interesting to see how she responds to the death of her love. Either way, this show continues to impress and clearly, we need to brace ourselves when we settle in to watch this series since anything can and will happen as season three rolls along. Until next time.  

​The point of no return is an important concept in modern society. For it truly represents the moment that we are outright ready to commit to something big. It could be something good, such as preparing to ask the person we love if they would like to spend the rest of our lives with us. Or it could be something horrendous, like preparing to cross a line and commit a crime that we swore we never would. But one way or another, once we commit to that positive or negative thing there is no going back, and this is relevant to today’s discussion, simply because when we last saw DCI Tony Gates on Line of Duty; it seemed as though he had reached the point of no return in a negative fashion.
 
For he had abandoned DS Steve Arnott in his hour of need, and it wouldn’t be long before Tommy’s boys put an end to him like they did Jackie Laverty. And allowing for that to happen would in essence complete Tony’s downward spiral and make him no better than the thugs he put behind bars, and when we catch up with Arnott here, it would seem there’s no hope for Steve or Tony in the slightest. Because Gates is nowhere to be found, Kate and IT are struggling to get into Tony’s computer, and Steve is mere moments away from being sliced up by bolt cutters. But that’s when quite the surprise came into play, for suddenly there were sirens in the air and they in turn, led to the stunning return of Tony Gates. Who quickly dispatched the thugs and saved Steve from a horrific and bloody fate. 
 
But that act left Steve in quite the tough place. Because this proved that while Tony might be lost, he’s no killer and he can be saved and rather than immediately resume the search for Tony; Steve took the time to protect him. Something that didn’t sit well with Kate or Hastings but buying Gates a little bit of time was enough to inspire Steve to use this broken officer to finally bring all of these cases to a close. And with some creativity, Arnott was indeed able to get Tony to agree to a powerhouse sting operation, one that would bring Tommy to justice and potentially restore Gates’ honor and standing and wouldn’t you know it? The plan worked and Gates was able to get Tommy in handcuffs and provide a full confession for his crimes. But while Tony saved the day and stayed away from the brink, the damage to his personal and professional life was more than he could bear.
 
So, rather than deal with the fallout of his actions, and see his transgressions be dragged into the public eye; Tony made one hell of a devastating decision. One that would take care of his family and preserve his legacy, and in stunning fashion, Tony walked into traffic and ended his life. Which is a shocking way to end this tale since Tony was so close to redemption. But he truly felt he was too far gone, and the darkness surrounding the end of this investigation didn’t end there. Because Tommy never once faced charges, because AC-12 was looking at the wrong cop all along. For it turns out that Dot was the crooked element in TO-20 and his ascension in Tony’s absence allowed for him to fix the case, and to sour things further; Arnott’s testimony did nothing in the end since his former unit never faced a single charge for killing an innocent man.
 
If anything, this was just an incredibly shocking way to end the first season of this incredible series. For in essence, a great man fell from grace, the bad guys got away with it and not a single ounce of justice was served in this tale. Which should be infuriating, but instead, this ending deserves nothing but praise. Because this is a bold and realistic way to end this story, since those very things happen in the world on a daily basis. And with the Gates mess now behind us, who knows where this series will take us since there are more seasons of this saga waiting in the wings. But one thing is certain, in that, whatever comes our way will be bold and unfettered, and that means we are likely in for more powerful stories that will drop our collective jaws and that’s a wonderful thing when all is said and done. Until next time. 

With season two of Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney+) on the horizon, I am eagerly awaiting the continuation to arguably one of the best fandom shows on television to date. And, if you’re anything like me, you’re extremely excited that Jon Favreau (Creator; Showrunner) and his colleagues have given us a plethora of new characters to pour over – hopefully for years to come, right?? Plus, now that we know Favreau has been “writing season 3 for a while,” we can all breath a collective sigh of relief that at least some of our dreams are coming true (LOL)!! So, whether you’ve been following my three part Under the Helmet series or not, you’re likely here because this article is about the main character; Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal). Obviously, I saved him for last, and similar to Part 1: The Armorer and Part 2: Paz Vizla, we’ll visit the actor himself as well as the character in The Mandalorian series. I’ll offer some questions and share some opinions as well. So, before you can say, “This is the way,” let’s dive in, shall we?
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Originally from Chile, Pedro Pascal’s parents were political activists against the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet and fled to Denmark under political asylum not long after Pedro was born. Interesting!! Later, moving to the United States, Pascal was raised in California and Texas before heading to New York at 18 to pursue theatre. Attending both Orange County School of the Arts and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Pedro has had a pretty successful theatre career. Beyond directing original productions for the Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre and the LAByrinth Theatre Company, he’s also starred in various off Broadway productions and received critical acclaim and awards for his work.

More recently, Pascal made his Broadway debut in 2019 as Edmund in King Lear (William Shakespeare), receiving high marks publicly. He’s also been a television actor since the 90s playing various one time roles in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (WB; UPN), Nurse Jackie (Showtime), Nikita (The CW) and Homeland (Showtime). As well as, multiple one-time characters in the Law and Order (NBC) franchise including Special Victims Units, Criminal Intent and Law and Order proper. Further, he’s had recurring roles as Nathan Landry in The Good Wife (CBS), Omar Assarian in Lights Out (FX) and Jay Castillo in Red Window (ABC). However, none of these roles is where I first met Pedro. I mean. Do YOU remember him in Buffy?? LOL!!

It wasn’t until a teeny, tiny, wittle show (LOL!), called Game of Thrones (HBO) that Pascal landed on my radar. His character, Oberyn Martell, was an instant hit and likely led to his even larger recurring roles as Agent Juan Badillo in Graceland (USA Networks), Agent Juan Marcus Pike in The Mentalist (CBS) and the very well received, Javier Peña in Narcos (Netflix). His movie career also flourished with roles like Whiskey in Kingsman: The Golden Circle (20th Century Fox), Dave York in The Equalizer 2 (Sony Pictures) and Max Lord in the upcoming and highly anticipated Wonder Woman 1984 (Warner Bros. Pictures). In love with Oberyn Martell and his charisma from the get, I was quite excited to find out Pascal would play the mysterious lead in The Mandalorian. But how well could he do without showing his face, a huge part of his charisma in the first place? Turns out… holy cow, way better than I ever dreamed!!

By now, Chapter 1: The Mandalorian has gone down in Star Wars history for so many reasons. I mean. Baby Yoda, yo!! LOL. But, beyond the cutest character to grace the Star Wars Universe, Mando, as he’s immediately dubbed, gives us exactly what we wanted! The true embodiment of a Mandalorian bounty hunter without looking or sounding too much like the one who paved the way; Boba Fett (Jeremy Bullock). Though, it seems nowadays, Fett’s true Mandalorian status is that of a simple bounty hunter and not actually a Mandalorian or, I believe, even an adopted one, as Din Djarin appears to be. But I digress… LOL!! Back to the story at hand. The overall western scene set at the far reaches of the galaxy felt familiar and brand new at the same time. Exactly what Favreau was going for, I’d wager. You?? Plus, we see immediately that Pascal’s charisma is on full display face unseen! His calm voice, rustic armor, even his walk, all play a distinct part in laying the groundwork for this character. And later, as he acquires new armor, the history behind it adds not only to the character, but the overall story arc. Pascal’s silent disposition, even during Mando’s childhood flashbacks, is felt right through the helmet on so many levels it’s crazy!

Not a thick and towering character like Paz Vizla (Tait Fletcher; Jon Favreau), Mando’s presence is somehow larger. His calm approach almost automatically gives one confidence in his abilities making it easy to believe the old adage that his reputation precedes him. His armor, scuffed in all the right places, looks worn and battle weary, giving even a stronger sense of Mando’s checkered history and experience. Still, the Alpha Trawler (also Tait Fletcher) second guesses Mando, giving the viewer that "I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” vibe. A set up we’ve seen a million times, yet made individual by the new surroundings and Pedro under the Helmet. Pascal himself, referring to Mando, says, “He’s got a lot of Clint Eastwood in him (a),” confirming the strong, silent demeanor is definitely on purpose. Further, he confirmed studying homework (b) in the ways of the classic gunslinger and old school Samurai flicks, and boy does it show!! Not to mention the amazing set designs and cinematography supported by a blockbuster movie-like budget, top notch co-stars and directors throughout. A fun side note – Favreau would only allow true fans of the genre to direct and I am so here for it!! Finally, adding in the fantastic music from Ludwig Göransson, known for scoring major films like Black Panther (Marvel Studios) and the Creed series (Warner Bros. Pictures; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer), completes the ensemble better than one could’ve imagined, no?
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As the show progresses, Mando’s story unfolds with perfect little teasers of his past, present and future. Just enough for the viewer to understand his plight yet still question his motives. We learn that he’s currently a member of the Bounty Hunters’ Guild, yet also holds connections to the group of Mandalorians living in the secret underground enclave on Nevarro, know only as The Tribe. Complicated to say the least, am I right?? And when he returns to Nevarro to save The Child in Chapter 3: The Sin, as we all knew he would, the overall outcome was still surprising when he’s aided by The Tribe in a scene that I’m pretty sure on some level, made my head actually explode (LOL)! Further, saved as a child himself by a mysterious Mandalorian later confirmed to be what we all suspected, a member of Death Watch, we learn why Mando hates droids and holds the Mandalorian way of life in the highest regard above all. It’s also clear why Din Djarin, a Mandalorian, most of which are not really known for their caring side, could empathize with an innocent youngling – protecting The Child at all costs.

Still, by the end of season one, so much about Din Djarin remains a mystery. Who were his parents and what planet is he from? Why were the Separatists on this planet specifically? Actually seeking out his parents or just doing what Separatists do – wreak havoc? Who is the Mandalorian from Death Watch that saved him and why? This doesn’t really go along with that “caring side” I mentioned above…LOL! And what about Mando’s bounty hunter connections revealed in Chapter 6: The Prisoner? I certainly assume we’ll see more of them as time goes by. Why does Moff Gideon know all about him – his name; his past? And who could forget that jaw dropping season one ending with the Dark Saber, right??  Mando has to be connected to all this somehow!! And where did the rule of not removing your helmet come from? It’s certainly not “The way” in other clans, as evidenced in both The Clone Wars and Rebels TV series. Was Din Djarin taught this specifically? If so, why? Maybe, Paz Vizla and The Armorer (Emily Swallow) have something to do with this, since they are the only other Mandalorians we’ve heard use the term “This is the way.” These are just a few of my questions… LOL! Seriously, they’re endless!!

Looking ahead, I obviously (LOL!) have several theories on just where this story is headed. One point – considering Din Djarin was born between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, his history is deeply rooted in not only Mandalorian history, but Jedi as well. Additionally, The Mandalorian series picks up shortly after the Battle of Endor as Favreau wonders, “What happened after the celebration of the Empire falling? The revolution is successful, and then what happens? Now what?” Indeed!! All I know is thus far, Favreau’s vision has me locked in and fully engaged and to that I say…”Well played Happy, well played!!” Or should I say…”Paz Vizla?”

What about you? Do you have similar questions regarding Mando’s past, present and future? Other questions and/or theories? Reach out to me in the comments below or @obi_juanita on Twitter. In the meantime… I have spoken! *wink*
 
References:
1.https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-mandalorian-season-3-in-the-works-disney-plus-1234586103/
2.https://nerdsthatgeek.com/television/under-the-helmet-a-mandalorian-character-close-up-part-1
3.https://nerdsthatgeek.com/television/under-the-helmet-a-mandalorian-character-close-up-part-2
4.https://www.britannica.com/biography/Augusto-Pinochet
5.https://www.ocsarts.net/alumni/hall-of-fame
6.https://tisch.nyu.edu/drama/about/studios/experimental-theatre-wing/alumni
7.https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/king-lear-theater-review-1199652
8.https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Oberyn_Martell
9.https://www.bobafettfanclub.com/news/fett-fact-check/is-boba-fett-a-mandalorian-or-does-he-just-wear-mandalorian-armor/
10.https://www.starwars.com/news/swcc-2019-9-things-we-learned-from-the-mandalorian-panel (a and b)
11.https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3234869/#composer
12.https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Bounty_Hunters%27_Guild
13.https://www.newsweek.com/mandalorian-timeline-star-wars-galaxy-events-disney-plus-first-order-1473583