Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Secret Invasion’.
One thing that hardcore fans of comics can agree upon, is that Marvel does a fine job of translating and adapting classic comic storylines into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Which allowed for the Infinity Saga to wow us through and through. By giving us all the big moments, we always wanted to see on the big screen and by offering up new spins on classic comic stories. And now, as Phase Four of this iconic film/television franchise continues along, the time has come for another wildly popular and iconic comic series to come to life in the MCU, courtesy of the latest Disney+ MCU, release… Secret Invasion, which just so happened to debut on the network yesterday, to much curiosity. Simply because, this was quite the powerhouse and epic series when it debuted in print about the same time that the MCU kicked off, and well… the curiosity in question comes from the fact that fans have been eager to know how this adaptation would play out in the MCU. After all, the Avengers were still in play in the comics, and they’re disbanded essentially in the MCU. Not to mention, there are characters in the printed story, that have yet to debut in the MCU. Well as it turns out, in order to bring this to fruition without Tony Stark in play… the brain trust at Marvel decided the best way to handle this story, would be to convert it into a grandiose spy drama. One gritty and dark and that featured echoes of The Winter Soldier, and that made ‘Resurrection’ quite the powerful, intelligent, and moving, and at times… terrifying tale. Feats that this episode accomplished by bringing Nick Fury home from S.A.B.R.E., simply because things were going awry with the Skrulls. In fact, they were getting downright dangerous, and who better to help with this than Nick Fury? Which brought forth quite the opening chapter to this tale, one that was calculated and careful and oddly emotional. Since the plot to harm humanity, forced Nick to really ponder upon his past and his actions and that added real depth to this story. Since we don’t think about the impact that constant fighting has upon the human psyche, not to mention… the story also offers up a fascinating view from the Skrull perspective. Specifically, how not having a home created desperation and disdain for humanity, the kind born out of empty promises and that… set the stage for a bleak spy story. One that saw the Skrull working hard to bring forth a dirty bomb. So that they could destabilize governments and swoop in and take control. Forcing Fury and Hill, and Talos to race against the clock and learn all they can as only spies would, only to be foiled along the way in a devastating manner. Wherein a hero fell, and where the bad guys won and that… brought forth one stunning premiere. One that truly upped the stakes for the MCU, since now the planet is in a different kind of jeopardy, and vulnerable thanks to the fact that so few have on eyes on this, and of course… this deeply invested us. After all, we simply have to know if Nick Fury can find his tough nature once again and rise to the occasion at a time when the world’s heroes are scattered to the winds or gone forever. But while the plot alone could have carried this story from beginning to end, as could the show’s unique commentary regarding how we view immigrants in the modern world, what truly makes it so engaging and moving, is the acting present here. Because everyone in this story turns some magnificent performances, with Samuel L. Jackson leading the charge by giving us a flawed Fury who is clearly working through some pain, and he is complemented nicely by Ben Mendelshon’s reinvention of Talos at a different stage in his life. And of course, Cobie Smulders reminds us of her brilliance as Maria Hill and even Emilia Clarke, a newcomer to the world of the MCU, holds her own here, quite well. And really, all of these elements make this an incredibly worthwhile watch, one that offers action, adventure, commentary and sets the stage for another incredible adaptation of a classic Marvel story. Except this time around, it may be far darker than its printed counterpart. Until next time.
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Please enjoy this sneak peek of Episode 9 of Silo, which debuts on Apple TV+ tomorrow, (6/23/23). Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Primo’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked at length about the sheer brilliance of the Amazon Freevee series, Primo, and rightfully so. Simply because this show has not done an amazing job of offering up proper representation regarding Latino/Latinx people, but it has also… broken down walls and removed stereotypes and tropes from stories about Latino people and their culture. But while it is wonderful to see that play out on screen at last, there is in fact, so much more that this show has to offer. Because it is a story about family, and it sometimes serves as a coming-of-age story for Rafa, one that is filled to the brim of all the struggles that a teenager goes through in the United States of America as they prepare to enter adulthood and for proof… look no further than its next episode. For ‘The Ride Home’ is a story that partly focuses upon… how difficult romance can be as a teenager, especially when you come from a family that meddles in your affairs and has their own ideas about how things should go and what path you should be on. And those difficulties were put on display when Rafa saw an opportunity to get to know Mya properly. Because she needed a ride on Saturday from a school event and if he provided her with that ride, well… they could talk, build upon the spark, and hopefully move toward the relationship that Rafa had in mind. But of course, to get that ride, he had to go through his uncle Ryan and that uh… that didn’t go well. Because Ryan really didn’t want him driving his fancy car, even though it was falling to pieces. But they came to an agreement on how to make this work, one that fell apart the day of. So, Jay stepped in and offered up a ride in his amazing, manure filled van, and that in turn, led to a Jay dominated conversation, and then to Rafa and Mya working for Jay in the afternoon. Which was also a hilarious disaster, one so ugly that Rafa just went home. Wherein his uncles soon apologized for letting him down on this day and for trying to control the moment and his fate. And they also explained how this push to help him find love and find happiness their way, came from a place of love. But they understood his need to do this on own his own and the need for him to learn on his own, so, Ryan let him drive the car and at long last… Rafa was able to get to know Mya properly and well, this was brilliant. Because it really was a fine blast to the past for the majority of the audience. Since those of us from tight knit families dealt with this and received a similar talk when we finally pushed back on everyone telling us how to lead our love lives. But since this episode was a true slice of life through and through, and because we know the characters well enough now, the episode decided to further expand upon the power of family and examine a less frustrating aspect of it. Specifically, how a tight-knit family supports one another in a time of need. For we came to learn that Mondo recently saw a doctor for an injury, and that the clinic needed to speak to him about his health further. Which pushed Drea to send Rollie and Mike to find him and bring him in, while she violated HIPAA laws to find out that his heart was of concern. Which led to a hilarious sequence where Mondo showed up at home, while Rollie and Mike wounded themselves in the woods trying to find their brother, before they were rescued by Drea and the man they were sent after. Wherein everyone learned that everyone would be okay after some additional tests were run, and after Mike and Rollie were patched up. However, what mattered more, is that Mike and Rollie risked life and limb, by going out there to make sure Mondo was okay, and Drea went the extra mile for him. Because this family really does one love another, and a tight knit family will indeed do what must be done to make sure everyone is okay… or on the right path and that made this… a truly delightful episode when all is said and done. One that celebrated the rites of passages we go through, the ups and downs of family life, and how even the downs have noble intentions at times… in a hilarious manner no less. Because seeing Rafa with tampons in his nose to solve a bloody nose was just amazing and this episode also deserves a round of applause for bringing forth one subtle and hysterical d*ck joke, and well… all this episode does… is compel us to continue the journey. To see what amazing life lessons and incredible adventures await us and this wondrous family. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
There is perhaps an unspoken mantra in show business, specifically television. In that, new seasons of a television show should be grander in nature and offer up new surprises and growth for the characters and it makes sense as to why this mantra exists. Because storytelling is all about challenging everyone involved with the project, and its audience, so that the story never once becomes stale and is always wowing the viewer and pushing the envelope and this mantra has served television well. Since it has brought forth big seasons of storytelling, the kind that stay us with and feature incredible journeys through and through.
But what’s fascinating about the industry, is that this is not a one-size fits all mantra. Because now and again, there are stories that come together that are in fact, perfect. Where tinkering with the structure of the show or trying to make big changes, would do more harm than good. Wherein the elements which the audience loves are removed and well, that will drive them away. And now and again we’ve seen those ugly results when change comes to what works in the name of trying to do more. But there are also shows that understand what they have and stick with it and add little tweaks to change things up and one particular show that fits that mold, is Lovely Little Farm on Apple TV+. For this family-themed series, is a show that returned for its second season recently, and very little changed from its overall structure from season one to season two. For it remains a story that takes place on a quaint farm, and it still focuses on Jacky and Jill and their adventures, and it is still filled to the brim, with beautiful and uplifting messages for kids to take away from these adventures. The kind that revolves around family unity, acceptance, rising to a challenge, alongside everything we loved about season one and that… really is the best way to approach a second season. Because its familiar territory, and it reinforces the wonderful lessons present in season one and it keeps this universe light and cheery and celebratory and is a perfect example of how staying the course pays off. But there are… some tiny tweaks present in this season, the kind that are equally as welcome as the status quo if you will. Since there are some new challenges for Jacky and Jill to deal with by way of some new arrivals in the barn and courtesy of changes in their interpersonal relationships. But those are so subtle and so simple, it never feels overwhelming, it just feels… natural… and rightfully so. Because a lot of the challenges they encounter here, reflect our own journeys in growing up. Wherein new people came into our lives and relationships changed and evolved, and that allowed for us to discover empowerment and helped us to learn new lessons about life and the world, allowing for parents to do more than just plop the kids in front of the ol’ television and let them enjoy some talking animals and more cute moments on this cute farm, they can instead… converse about those lessons. Wherein the kids can learn from their parents and take those lessons to heart and apply them when the moment arrives and that makes season two, quite delightful to say the least. Since it entertains and educates and is that rare story that doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel or try new things. It just needs to plunge its audience into a lovely day in the life on a lovely little farm, and that makes this a perfect season of storytelling. The kind that really does lift spirits up and motivates wonderful conversations and the best news of all, is that you and your family can return to the farm right now. For season two of Lovely Little Farm is now streaming on Apple TV+. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Happy Valley’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One particular lesson that we are unfortunately forced to learn in this life, sometimes several times over… is that our worlds can come crashing down… in an instant. Because sometimes… where we are at is precarious to say the least. It could be related to financial issues, or it could be because we haven’t dealt with something that needs to be dealt with, but one way or another, one bad day can bring us to our knees and open all kinds of negative floodgates and there is little we can do in that moment… but ride the wave. Ride it and wait for the waves to subside so we can pick up the pieces, learn our lessons and start over and well… this particularly unpleasant lesson is top of mind today, because Sergeant Catherine Cawood and her family were forced to learn it in the next episode of Happy Valley. For this episode picked up a few hours after Tommy escaped from his court case and well… that plunged the family into chaos. To the point where Catherine was barely able to handle her job duties. Since she struggled to do something as simple as cordon off Rob’s home when she and others came to investigate Joanna’s murder, since everyone wanted to know if she was okay and mentally prepared to handle this… and that chaos only continued as she tried to juggle getting her family to safe location while filling in the detectives on the Rob and Joanna situation. Which irritated her to no end since she just wanted to work, but her life had transformed before her eyes and she was now a victim, something she didn’t care for and that was a fine way to hammer home how a single moment can change our lives for the worse and she wasn’t the only one suffering from this new normal. Because Ryan was of course… forced into hiding with his grandad for a bit, and he wasn’t welcome there because Richard’s wife… didn’t want him or the drama around. Which prompted him to leave and stay with his uncle for a minute, wherein he truly bore the brunt of how fast the world comes crashing down. Since Lucy unloaded on his actions and her feelings about everything really, which gave Ryan pause and put him in a somber place until he was reunited with Clare and his grandma. And even then… that collapse of diplomacy that most people keep up period when there are skeletons in the family closet, continued along. Since Catherine tore into Clare and also offered up her two cents on everything, allowing for this family to finally collapse from a peace and structure standpoint and if left them facing an uncertain future. All because the man responsible for their biggest heartache was out there, and a threat and well… everyone at the station was right to be worried about Catherine’s safety. For we did spend time with Tommy in this story, and while he was over the moon over his freedom and ready to move into a new phase of his life away from England and away from accountability, he had plans to execute before he boarded a plane to soar into his new life. In that, he wanted to settle the score with Catherine, and he was ready to risk it all to make that happen. Making her a target for certain and putting her health in jeopardy since we know what Tommy is capable of. And to make matters worse, he’s hellbent on bringing Ryan with him to his promised land. To the point where he sneakily contacted his son while he was gaming to have a chat and offer an exit, one that Ryan was clearly conflicted over. Since he felt unwanted in this moment, but also… understood the danger now that everyone had truth bombed him about the past. All of which puts Ryan at a crossroads and sets the stage for an incredible finale. One where Catherine will collide with her painful past one last time and that… is a pretty damn epic set up for the finale, one that also… did a fine job of reminding us of what one bad day can do. Especially when we are emotionally compromised or haven’t dealt with deep pain since that brought forth scorched earth in this story, the kind that will change relationships forever, and who knows if the upcoming events of the finale will make it so mending cannot be done. For Tommy is clearly ready to go out with a bang and leave as much damage behind as possible in the process, and that is going to make the wait for next week’s series finale as difficult as can be. Since we are all now eager to know… how this decades long battle between Catherine and Tommy is going to end. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Cruel Summer’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere.
It is definitely safe to say, that each and every one of us are fully invested in the new season of the Freeform series, Cruel Summer. Simply because… it has put on a masterclass in deception. After all, the season two premiere had us briefly thinking that Megan might have killed Isabella for reasons related to that unfortunate tape, when in fact… she was alive… and then we came to learn it was Luke that died, and that this duo were seemingly covering it up to keep a bigger secret at bay. But that of course, left us no closer to the truth about what happened to Luke and why and how he died. But as we slink along through this story, we are starting to get some idea of what might have happened and what might have motivated the end of Luke. For ‘Springing a Leak’ is a story that offered up some key moments that potentially could lead to answers, and the Summer of ’99 and the Winter of ’99, outright informed us that the love triangle might have been deeper than we knew and that jealousy all around was in play and that… could have motivated some darkness. As evidenced by the fact that while Isabella and Megan’s friendship was blossoming and strong in those early summer days, to the point where they were eager to forge new memories as besties, there was still some underlying tension regarding Luke and Isabella’s desire to be near him. The kind that seemingly started to boil over in the wintertime, as evidenced by one wild dinner. Since Megan and Isabella, and Debbie, swung by the esteemed Chambers estate to eat and stay the night when their house struck a leak, and well… several key moments there… seemed to reinforce the possibility that jealousy and love related musings were to blame for the end of a life. For Megan found a Luke and Isabella romance souvenir while using Luke’s shower, and that prompted her to explode with speculation that Isabella was sneaking around with her man, behind her back… and that concern might be warranted. Since that very dinner ended with Brent going off when asked to apologize and he implied that an affair was indeed happening and well… those words/revelations, combined with something Isabella said when she worked to cool Megan down, definitely has us wondering if a crime of passion took place here. Because Isabella said point blank, that her loyalty to Megan mattered over anything else, something she backed up by offering to pay for the plumbing repairs and through telling Megan… she’d kill for her if it meant proving that loyalty. Which are strong words, the kind that easily could have come to life if emotions ran high and the stakes were great enough, and we learned in the Summer of ’00, they might have been. Since we also came to learn that Megan, was pregnant, and that news, combined with the real possibility that an affair took place, might have helped lead to Luke’s death. But… was it in cold blood? Heat of the moment? And were there other factors at play here? Not to mention, other players involved in that life-changing moment? Because these there are obviously secrets in this town, and more questions in our minds. Such as… what happened to Megan’s baby? Since we’ve not seen a child in ’00 in the slightest, just the players in this grand mystery. But alas, those questions will have to wait to be answered. For this is a show that only gives us so much, and yet, what it gives us has us buzzing. Because suddenly the innocence we thought this duo harbored may not be as present as we’d like and of course… we simply must know more. More about this pregnancy, more about this love triangle and how all of those elements brought an end to a promising life. Not to mention, should we also be concerned about Brent and his unhinged ways? Either way, all this episode does is leave us hungry for more. Because clearly, secrets are starting to come to light and we are inching closer to the truth, and it will be fascinating to learn all there is to know about the end of Luke in the weeks to come. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Run the World’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
When it comes to bouncing back from big changes in our lives and healing from the trauma and rattling nature those changes can cause, our world firmly believes… that having a support network and a positive attitude… are everything we need to complete that process. And there is… some merit to that thinking. After all, we do need people that call us on our nonsense and lift us up in our time of need and no, we cannot let the bad days get us down. But while those elements do help us to heal, we need more to heal completely. We need an external observer to help us get there. Someone that can see what we cannot and can offer a raw honesty that not even our bestest friend in the whole wide world can offer. Which is why, seeing a therapist is never a bad thing. For they can offer all of that… and for proof… look no further than this week’s episode of Run the World on STARZ. For ‘My New Therapist Says…’ saw Whitney, and Renee, and Sondi’s old therapist retire and in stepped a new one… Dr. Monica Mitchell. Who offered that honesty to our beloved trio. For instance, Renee was struggling with the fact that her new relationship with Preston, was moving as fast as his private jet, and she was deeply worried… this would end as poorly as her last relationship. So, she was ghosting, shielding, doing all the wrong things when he was treating her right. But Monica… helped her to understand that it was okay to set boundaries in a new relationship and to also embrace the unknown and enjoy the moment. Because who knew? There might be a chance that Preston could be her one and only and if she shut him out… she would never know that. And… if she skipped out on therapy, she might have come to those epiphanies a little too late. As for Whitney, well… she was struggling to process the mess that still hung over her head with Ola. Sure, she was back at work and finding routine, but that mistake hung heavy over her head and there was great guilt in her heart. The kind that was fresh and painful again because of a double cross from her pastor. One that put her in a room with Ola, and that uh… well that went badly, plain, and simple. But it also opened up Whitney’s eyes to the reality that she did want resolution… possibly through a chance to just talk it out with Ola. But Monica’s work and honesty, helped her to realize… not only why she did what she did. Since the affair was born out of a worry that the future would not be bright as a submissive wife, but that Whitney was at a crossroads. One where she could either continue to hang onto this mistake or own up to it and start to move forward and heal what needs to be healed, and find resolution in doing so, regardless of Ola. All because a doctor asked her to be honest with herself over anything else. Of course, Sondi was part of this exploration into the power of therapy as well. Because she too was in a tough spot in this tale, wherein she was finding her agency and her voice through the changes she was making in her life, and that left her wondering… if sticking with Matthew was the right path or if she was just using that as a waystation to ground herself. Thanks to Monica’s work, it became clear… it was the latter. That a younger version of herself saw life with Matthew and his daughter… as the path she wanted, the way forward. But that was only because she hadn’t found a voice or what thrills her and now that she had, she was beginning to realize, that there was more for her out there and while it was going to be scary to pursue it all, she had to. She needed to know what her journey entailed and what it might offer her from a peace perspective and well… that led to some struggles and eventually, an understanding that the good doctor and her friends were right, and she had to forge her own path now. All of which, brought forth something that we need more of on television. Specifically… a presentation of mental health care, through therapy, in a positive and meaningful light. Because Whitney, Renee, and Sondi didn’t choose to go to therapy because they were broken or struggling to put the pieces back together. They just wanted a helping hand, guidance, and clarity, and that is what mental health care and therapy can do for people. Because it isn’t for the weak, nor is it just some plot device to give characters an epiphany. It’s real honesty, it’s real help for people and this episode deserves every bit of praise this writer can offer for finally putting that front and center in a television show. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that we saw these characters grow in a dynamic manner from taking part in therapy, something that reaffirms its use and well, in the end, this incredible episode reminds us of the sheer brilliance of this show, and it definitely leaves us eager to see how the honesty present here will guide Whitney, Sondi, and Renee to new heights in the weeks to come. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Seven Premiere of ‘Outlander’.
Ask anyone what they would do in the name of love, and they will fire back the same answer, anything. Which we deem to be a beautiful and noble answer. Because any person willing to do that in the name of love has to have a good heart and is willing to make the necessary sacrifices and changes to their life to ensure they have it in their hands and that it is maintained. But while there is a beauty to knowing that any one of us will go the extra mile to do things in the name of love, we shouldn’t always celebrate that answer. Because love… can sadly be a toxic thing and it can drive us to do wild and ugly things in its name and in its honor. If anything, the ups and the downs of love and the wonderful and ugly things it makes us do in its name are top of mind today, because they were put on display in the season seven premiere of Outlander on STARZ. A feat that ‘A Life Well Lost’ accomplished through several key plotlines. One of which, involved Bree and Roger. Who were out in the world doing the Lord’s work when they came across Wendigo Donner. A traveler that was in link with the horrible assault that happened to Claire and well… he asked for help from Roger and absolution of course, and Roger was ready and willing to give it. But Bree pointed out how problematic and disrespectful that would be, considering the hell her mother had been through and how that would hurt her and because of the love that Bree had for Claire, and because of what it meant to feel a sense of justice in a world and time when that wasn’t always possible, Roger abided. Which served as a fine reminder that love and the respect it commands, sometimes requires it to be nourished with acts of respect as Roger performed here. Not to mention, there was nobility to be found in Jamie’s journey in this tale as well. Since he stopped at nothing to traverse the wilds to find his love. Who as it turned out, was sitting in a jail cell for a time before being moved to a government boat where she was expected to serve as a healer, until deemed worthy of release. But Jamie wouldn’t stand for that and found a way onto that boat. Wherein he was tasked with finding 200 men for the war that was underway in exchange for his wife’s pardon and freedom. A move that disgusted Jamie to no end, but he stuck with that plan. For if his involvement in the war meant Claire could be free and be at his side, so be it. Which was… noble to say the least. Because it meant that Jamie would compromise his conflicted feelings regarding the war to see Claire safe and see Claire home, and there was a lot to like about that decision and that he truly let nothing stand in his way to see his beloved and hold her and be near her.
But oddly enough, it was Claire’s incarceration that also brought about the exploration of how love can make us do toxic things and push us into situations that perhaps we would never approach otherwise without maddening, sickening and downright intoxicating love in our heart. Because Claire was eventually set free in this story, by the most unlikely of characters… Tom. Who finally came to realize that all his life, he had been searching for something to ignite his soul and give him some sense of purpose in this life… and he came to realize here… he had found that. By way of what was, a pure and powerful love for Claire. One that burned so hot and so bright, that he felt the only way to properly express it, was to confess to Malva’s murder. Thus, making Claire free to return home and thus ending Tom’s life. A move that Jamie and Claire tried to stop, to no avail. For Tom really believed that this was the ending to his story, and that it would be a noble one because it was in the name of love. Which while there are elements of romanticism to that, it is toxic in nature. Because it claimed Tom, consumed him, and drove him to an end… all because he felt love was the only thing, he was worthy of.
Yet while Tom’s decision alone could have closed this story out no problem, this premiere wasn’t done with big and surprising moments. Because while Claire was indeed home and with her love, and while there was a touch of justice out there in the world for her… there was still unfinished business from the past that needed to be handled. Specifically… the Browns. For throughout this story, Jamie kept close watch on a horse that seemed a little too familiar, one that moved about the city with purpose it seemed. That was simply because, Richard Brown was in town and well… it was time to settle that score. Which prompted Jamie to quietly dispatch Ian and others… to handle the rest of the Browns while Jamie handled Richard. A moment that came about via chilling confrontation in Brown’s hotel room where he finally realized that Jamie got the better of him and his family and that his time on this earth and in this life… had come to its end. Which seemingly brought an end to that longstanding plot thread, in fact… there was a lot of resolution here. Making it clear that loose ends are being wrapped up for bigger concepts and bigger plot points, the kind that will guide us to the end of the line for this grand and sweeping story. But before we get ahead of ourselves, we must celebrate a solid premiere. One that plunged us back into this world perfectly and handled the lingering cliffhanger from season six in a brilliant and crisp manner. Not to mention, this episode also deserves recognition, for not waving away Claire’s horrific assault, via absolution and forgiveness. Because the show has had a controversial past in dealing with such matters… but pointing out the error in just letting it be is a step in the right direction and hopefully that means that a new chapter is on the horizon regarding such matters. In fact, new horizons really did seem to be the overall theme of this premiere and it will be interesting to see what new frontiers await Jamie and Claire, as the war rages on. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘Silo’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about the sheer brilliance of the Apple TV+ series, Silo. For this dystopian story about a harrowing future for mankind, one where what remains of us due to a cataclysmic event, exists deep underground and is ruled by an autocratic/authoritarian government, has offered up some fascinating insight on who and what we would become under that kind of rule and how it would rob us of a great deal of what makes humanity great. Not to mention, this setting and this grand exploration into such matters, has also provided us with equally as fascinating insight on the unbreakable nature of the human spirit and what fighting back against such a regime might look like. But while it is safe to say we have enjoyed these lessons and everything they provide us with, those lessons have to come to an end. After all, there is a fight brewing in the Silo. Since Juliette’s free-thinking ways do not align with the power-hungry Sims in the slightest and having an immovable object hit an unstoppable force was always the inevitability in this story, and that moment finally arrived in this week’s episode. For ‘Hanna’ picked up shortly after the last episode, with Juliette reeling from the fact that Judicial was watching her every move and the every move of the people that lived in the Silo and well, since there was little she could do about that in the moment, and since she was thankfully not caught by Sims directly… she decided to go about her business and that led to a spark. For a return to the office, meant a return to chaos. For Judicial was there, ripping the place to shreds to try and find unsanctioned relics, when in fact, this was a search for the hard drive that Sims desperately wanted in his hands and well… that moment… combined with what Juliette had experienced in the past with Judicial (more on that in a moment) prompted her to take a stand. So… she marched downstairs and arrested Sims for making an illegal seizure that did not follow the rules of The Pact in the slightest, and in doing so… shocked the Silo from top to bottom. But going that route, empowered Juliette like never before. To the point where she felt the need to investigate Sims and the knowledge he possessed and that… brings us back to Juliette’s past, since she grabbed her mother’s file from Sims’ office to finally try and understand what happened to her family and well, what we learned was devastating. Since they spied on the family and tried to turn mother and father against one another. All to maintain control and to keep Hanna Nichols second guessing her life, her future, everything. And well… that fear and that psychological destruction led to her end.
But it also… led to reconciliation between Juliette and her father. Since now the truth was known and the reality of the Silo was in front of them, and well… that helped the spark become a flame, especially since it informed her of the truth about her mother and reaffirmed the reality that control, and fear, matters most in this godforsaken place. That meant… someone had to take a stand and that someone was Juliette. For she had the hard drive, and she knew Martha could crack the code… so she put it upon herself to fight the system using the truth, and sadly… that push went south quick. Because the arrest of Sims brought unrest and worry to the Silo, to the point where checkpoints were going up at various levels to ensure safety and to ensure that no one was taking advantage of the chaos, and those checkpoints included personal property inspections.
Which worried Juliette deeply since Judicial was on a rampage at this point, but thankfully… Bernard stepped in while checking in on the Silo, and got Juliette through, and with his keen sense… he knew that she needed to talk and was dealing with trouble and since he was the only ally, she seemingly had at this point, she was eager to open up to him. Only to discover… that Bernard was in fact, the mastermind she was trying to stop. In fact, he only befriended her to manipulate her and get his way and well… just like that… Juliette was in a tough place and the fight was nearly stopped. And had it not been for an unfortunate surprise on Billings’ part, wherein the Syndrome kicked in… Juliette would have been sent out to clean. But she did escape in the boldest manner possible, one that does indeed have us worried about what physical price she might pay for her freedom. In the end however, this was just… a brilliant story when all is said and done. Simply because… we now know who has been pulling the strings and bringing about death and fear in the Silo. Why exactly, Bernard only hinted at. But with the fight underway and with Juliette eager to spread truth, it is only a matter of time before we finally learn the motivations of Bernard and likely all there is to know about the Silo and why oppression and fear are the way of life in this place, and who knows… perhaps we will also learn the truth about why mankind is down in this sorrowful pit and more importantly, perhaps humanity will finally fight back and seize control of its destiny to end this misery. And of course, the only way to know… is to continue what is promising to be an epic finale to this first leg of the journey, and truly, it will be amazing to see what surprises await us as the fight for humanity’s future intensifies. Until next time. Written by Shae Rufe
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’. To revisit the Season One Finale, click here.
The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise is back in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for a wonderful season two, and what a start this episode was. As season one ended with a bit of a cliffhanger of sorts, with the Gorn attack leaving them a Chief Engineer down, Spock and Christine possibly being a thing, Una Chin-Riley being arrested and with La’an Noonien-Singh going on a leave of absence. This season starts us off with Captain Pike making the decision to seek out an old friend in order to help out Una, as she’s facing charges and potential expulsion from Starfleet. This leaves Spock in charge while he’s gone. Thankfully the Enterprise is in dock for some repairs and tests. In the midst of the tests, UIhura gets s distress signal from La’an. She’s on a Dilithium planet mined by both the Federation and the Klingons. When Spock brings this to the attention of the Admiralty, he’s told not to investigate it. The Dilithium mines are mined every other month by the Federation, and this month it’s the Klingon’s turn. A Federation ship showing up would likely reignite the war between the Federation and Klingons. Spock insists this can’t wait. He doesn’t take ‘no’ very well. So, Spock channels his inner human and decides he’s going to do what he wants and steal the Enterprise and go rescue La’an. Consequences be damned. He’s really embracing his human half and rebelling, even playing the harp, and really, what could go wrong? The Enterprise crew is always off on some whacky adventure where at least one person nearly dies every mission. It’s like a rite of passage for them. This mission is no different. La’an informs them that the girl they saved from the Gorn has parents, and they’ve been found, but they’re sick. M’Benga and Christine head down and help the girl’s sick parents. And then they’re promptly kidnapped by Klingon revolutionaries that want to restart the war, using a stolen/rebuilt Starfleet Cruiser, so they can charge astronomical prices for Dilithium to both the Klingons and the Federation.
Brilliant plan, only M’Benga and Christine are former War Veterans who are not down for another one. They happily drug themselves up and fight their way to the stolen Starfleet Cruiser’s control panel and send a message to the Enterprise. Luckily, Spock and La’an have already uncovered the plot to make it look like the Federation was starting things against the Klingons. When the message comes through, however, he wasn’t expecting M’Benga and Christine to be on the stolen ship. With a message that says, ‘destroy this ship’, Spock is left in a tough place.
They follow the ship, just as a Klingon ship shows up, it’s a now-or-never situation and Spock holds out until the last second before ordering to fire. The ship explodes. Luckily, M’Benga and Christine are brilliant and resilient, and they leapt out of the airlock with a jet pack and a helmet that held a transmitting signal. The Enterprise picks them up, and Christine and M’Benga, are going to be okay. Spock, isn’t so sure how he feels about Christine’s condition. It’s possible he has some very strong feelings for the Ship’s Nurse. Of course, these antics didn’t go unnoticed. The Klingon Ship demands answers and won’t settle for less. They don’t believe Spock at first, until they meet and share some Bloodwine together. Then, and only then, does the Klingon Captain accept what Spock said as true. A Vulcan drinking Bloodwine with a Klingon. Stranger things have happened. |
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