Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’.
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One particular aspect of our minds that we deeply cherish, is our memories. Because while the world can rob us of joy and money and other emotions and material possessions, it can never take away our memories. Those precious moments where joy still resides and where lessons were learned. The kind that makes us strong and helps us to grow, and so… we forever cherish them, and we forever are grateful for the fact we can make more and share in them with others. But despite the safety we feel regarding our memories, that doesn’t stop the recesses of our mind, to express a real worry about such matters. Specifically, what and who would we become if somehow, some way… our memories were ripped from our mind?

Would we still be the person we are proud of when we look in the mirror? Or would we transform before our eyes and struggle to find agency and direction? Well, those are questions we hope to never answer, but that doesn’t stop us from pondering upon it via our imagination, or the imagination of others. For stories can always explore such matters in a fascinating manner and it just so happens that a brand-new series on AMC will indeed ponder deeply upon those questions. For Orphan Black: Echoes wastes little time in its ‘Pilot’ episode in introducing us to a woman named Lucy. Who awakens with a start on the couch of a doctor’s office. Wherein, she has no memory of who she is or of the face present in a photograph near her. She is just awake and confused and scared, and her situation only grows worse.

For eventually she comes to discover, that this office is a façade and that it is tied to a lab where… others that look exactly like her are being grown and printed by a mysterious doctor named Kira, for reasons that are not made clear nor are discovered by Lucy. For she chooses to escape from the facility quickly and works to forge her own life and that is where the episode and the series begins its exploration regarding who we are without memory. Wherein we come to learn that we might turn out just fine. For sentience and emotions and some base understandings of right and wrong… can allow for a person to just and live fine. Since Lucy is able to rent some property from a former Army medic and just live and create and share in memories of her own choosing.

But of course, it doesn’t take long for that peace to be interrupted by the company that Kira works for. Since they see Lucy as a threat and a mistake to be erased. Which puts her in immediate danger in this tale and prompts a desire… to strike back. For that moral core tells her this is wrong and that she deserves better than being recalled akin to a product, and that prompts Lucy to head into the city and learn all she can about the people who created her and why, and why she has no memories. Only for her to discover, that there are more Lucys in the world, and the one she just met is named Jules and in order to understand how so many copies of her own face exist, she will need Jules to come with her whether she likes it or not.
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Which is a wonderful way to set the stage for a grand exploration regarding the importance of memory and so much more, of course. Since it puts together an intimate plot revolving around a worry/fear we share in. Especially when one considers how memories do indeed determine the person we become. But what is equally as amazing about this plot and its deep questions about memory, and who we become without them, is the connective tissue present here regarding the old show. Since it is indeed set decades after the original Orphan Black and showcases a future that feels like the natural progression of what came before, and it also harbors that amazing twist at the end that leaves us curious as to what lies ahead regarding that reveal. 

Not to mention… this is just an engaging story through and through. Because it presents us with some dynamic characters that we immediately take to. For we feel for Lucy through and through, and understand, through Krysten Ritter’s stunning performance, how horrifying it would be to have our memories torn asunder from our mind and how hard it would be to understand what makes us feel a certain way without those reference points. All of which makes for a brilliant series premiere. One that really does immerse us in this incredible new time period in this franchise and leaves us eager for more. To learn more about the power of memory, about whether it truly controls everything that defines us… and what Lucy will discover as she searches for an elusive and dangerous truth about her past. Until next time.

To learn more about the construction of this series, check out our interview with the show’s Creator & Showrunner, Anna Fishko.

When we last settled in to discuss the phenomenal MHz Choice series, Babylon Berlin, we talked at length about how the series perfected, blending together multiple ideas and concepts into its storytelling. For this remains that rare crime drama that offers up not only engaging cases for Charlotte and Gereon to solve, but it also features amazing character moments and growth, and it is filled to the brim with social commentary and history lessons, and parallels to our own world. Making it a jam-packed series, one that opted for its third season… to refine all of that further. To offer a more enriching experience to say the least and it accomplished that by taking all of those elements to new heights in season three.
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After all, the cases this season were more intricate in nature. But also, equally as engaging and fascinating. Wherein we were treated to matters involving corruption and fallout from the events of season two. The kind that saw a race to try and save lives and uncover all kinds of truth regarding the bubbling threat that lurks beneath the peace in the city via the growing Nazi Regime and we were also treated… to a good old-fashioned mystery involving a cloaked figure known as ‘The Phantom’ and their sour machinations on a movie set funded by old foe of Gereon’s. All of which brought forth intrigue and curiosity and truly showcased how the show had in fact, mastered this kind of storytelling. Because it was all so smooth and refined.

Plus, of course, the character moments were a true delight as always. Since the whole matter with the good doctor was not resolved in a quick and clean manner and left us with plenty to chew upon and of course, Charlotte goes on quite the ride here as well, by making more difficult choices to feed her family. But what truly made this season so interesting, was how much it time it spent in other corners of the world with other characters. Allowing for us to really see life in this era and enjoy unique moments in the process. All of which speaks to mastery of this aspect of the show as well. For only a confident writer’s room can take this kind of risk and shift some of the focus away from its two main characters. Granted, we never lose sight of them here, in fact… we get quite the surprise at the end of the season… but this still speaks to enriched and fulfilling storytelling.

However, it is the historical stuff that also intrigues us deeply when it comes to this tale, and while the Nazi reveal in season two left us curious as to how much more we would see them here… they’re not quite as prominent in this tale. Mainly because this season needed to take the time to showcase one key moment in history that helped the tiny mustache man rise to power. Specifically, Black Monday, 1929. For the crash of the American Stock Market plunged the world’s economy into the Great Depression. Which in turn would bring about unemployment, hunger, and desperation. The kind that would allow for Germany to believe in a tiny little man’s propaganda and screaming, and well… that moment happened here. And we were privy to discussions around it and enjoyed a fine reminder of how the rich prize their money over anything else.

Which perhaps, brought about the least number of parallels to our time we’ve enjoyed to date in this series, save for the scheming from the rich, but that’s okay. For we can celebrate another fascinating season of this show. One that really was just a grand symphony of storytelling. Wherein we were treated to all kinds of incredible moments and incredible interactions, with some unique twists and turns thrown in for good measure. Such as explorations of the occult through the good doctor and more intrigue and understanding of the fragile nature of the time. All of which makes for an enjoyable binge, one that leaves us eager to enjoy more of this period in time and the wondrous people that are fighting without knowledge, against a dark future.

Please enjoy this rapid recap of Episode 102 of Deb’s House on WE tv and ALLBLK, along with two refresher clips!
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Episode 102 – “Blank Canvas” – Premiered Friday, June 21st on WE tv and ALLBLK at 10pm ET/PT
Ms. Deb pits Billboard Baby & Rocky against each other in an impromptu rap battle to keep their spots in the house…leading to the first elimination of the season! As Billboard Baby is eliminated, Ms. Deb is haunted by a decision made during the cypher…prompting her to invite Hot Chok back into the competition. With a new contestant in the house and emotions running high, the ladies are faced with Ms. Deb’s “Blank Canvas” challenge…stripping away their public personas to uncover who the contestants are at their core.

One particular truth about modern crime dramas, regardless of their setting… is that they each have a ‘thing’ they bring to the table. For some, it’s about deep commentary about our world and the state of it through the crimes that the heroes solve. While others teach us about a particular era in time through the setting of the story to give us an understanding of what life was like back then, and how hard it was to solve crimes back in the day. Or… they simply offer up amazing character studies that explore the human condition with amazing depth. And that… is but a sampling of what crime dramas do since so many more have their own niche, and one unspoken rule amongst them… is that you never combine elements. You stick with the hook and never deviate and that is why the MHz Choice series, Babylon Berlin is of note.
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For this is that rare crime drama that thumbs its nose at such concepts. For it wants to be about life, and history, feature commentary, and offer incredible character dynamics through and through and it indeed combines those elements into its stories, as evidenced by its second season. For year two of Rath and Charlotte’s travels through pre-WWII-era Germany, featured juicy cases for them to solve. One that was in many ways, was left unresolved from season one, and the fight to solve it and others allowed for our heroes to dig deep into conspiracies and surprises and give us a crime story that was engaging and powerful, and stayed true to the era, via the difficulties both parties faced in finding the truth and in bringing bad guys to justice, and that made for a compelling season of storytelling, one rife with big moments we will come back to in a moment. 

Because we’d be remiss to not point out, how the characters were indeed a big focus here. After all this is a story that deeply explored Gereon’s actions in the First World War and how those actions led to his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and formed him into the bold man we met in the series premiere of this amazing tale, with some amazing twists and turns of course. Because the truth about ‘Dr. Schmidt’ was simply a stunning moment, and all of those moments only connected us to Gereon further since we found relatability in his plight and we of course, found that with Charlotte as well. Since she too has her own growth and hardships in this tale that are very human and very powerful and well, both of these elements blended together seamlessly. Showcasing that a crime drama can focus on both elements no problem and offer a powerful tale, and it can add more to the mix.

Since of course, there were more relevant and parallel history lessons to be found in this tale. Because this season featured the chilling arrival of a scary truth that we all knew was lurking behind the scenes but did not want to focus upon. In that the Third Reich was slowly coming to life behind the scenes, and its proud and misguided members were slowly preparing to properly reveal themselves to the world. Reminding us of the darkness that awaits and how this moment was indeed the right one for them to seize power since Germany was clearly in tatters at this point in time. Not to mention, the desire to return Germany to its pre-war standing by some parties in this tale offers echoes of now, since there are so many around the world who want to turn the clock back and stunt humanity’s growth because of fear and close-mindedness and that plot thread was eerie to say the least and reminded us of the need to be vigilant.

But what mattered most here, was that this season of storytelling… featured a beautiful tapestry of sorts. One that defied convention by blending together all of those elements in a beautiful fashion. Which in turn allowed for an engaging season of storytelling that pulls you into this period of time and the lives of these lovely characters and holds onto you tight. For one cannot look away and one is eager to experience the controlled chaos of this story and all the other elements it has to offer. If anything, the best way to describe season two is to call it… epic in nature. Because it just offers so much and left us wanting more. To see how on that twist involving Rath would come to resolution and of course, to enjoy more of this gentle period in time that we know litlte of, before it is overshadowed by the machinations of a madman.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that fans of the wildly popular STARZ series, Power Book II: Ghost, can agree upon, is that the opening chapters to its fourth and final season have been quite incredible in nature. For not only have they been tense and engaging, but they’ve been filled with big moments and big ideas. Wherein we’ve seen drug kingpins face the consequences for their actions and deeply ponder upon their future in the game and whether or not they even want to be part of it. Giving rise to some supremely philosophical stories, something that is rare in this genre to say the least and this move has definitely grabbed our attention.

But while it has been fun to enjoy a vastly different season of storytelling for the show, make no mistake about it… this is still an entry in the Power Universe and in this particular franchise, there are certain tenets that must be put on display. Such as interpersonal conflict and machinations and game playing and death. For this is at its core a crime drama through and through and crime dramas require that to stay true to the genre’s roots and well, for its next episode, this particular show made sure to bring those elements back to the forefront of the story. Courtesy of Tariq’s back and forth regarding whether or not he wants to stay in the game.

For ‘Birthright’ saw Tariq and Brayden work to build their own drug empire, with sorrowful results. Because they no longer had any good connections left, nor did they have much capital to work with, despite selling their cars to the highest bidder. Which prompted them to work with Davis to secure a connect, at a fee of course since Mister MacLean was suffering badly financially as well, and that too… was a rousing failure. Because they still could not secure a single ounce of weight, and Tariq endured some hard disrespect along the way as well, giving rise to a real fury within, one that prompted him… to game the game. 

Which entailed, using Noma and the Tejadas to his advantage by making it seem as though new dealers were on their turf at Stansfield. So, they would open up a spot with the connect he needed to work with, and well, that plan worked like a charm and disrupted the chain and gave Tariq the window he needed. Which in turn revealed that he might not be doing this to just enjoy living on easy street as he originally cited last week. Since he spoke to some measure of revenge against those who told him, he cannot live this life and that… makes Tariq quite scary at the moment. Because a man filled with revenge will stop at nothing to carry it out, setting the stage for some real bloodshed. The kind that will add to the blood that was spilled in this particular tale.
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Simply because this story saw Dru and Cane make some power plays. The kind that brought an end to Obi’s life and saw Cane literally lie in bed with Noma. All of which made for the trademark drama and conflict we love in this story. Which was also taken to the Nth degree thanks to quite the surprise twist. In that, Monet began to wise up to the fact that her daughter wasn’t telling her the truth, a suspicion that became reality in the most shocking manner possible. Through a hacked Ring camera that showcased that Diana did indeed pose as Monet and motivate the shooting in question. Putting a hard divide into the family and in many ways, giving Tariq another leg up regarding his revenge.

For a house divided is easier to conquer than a house united and well, in the end, this was just an epic episode through and through. One that reminded us how much we love this franchise and how well it executes these elements. Since we were captivated from beginning to end during this tale. One that also left us eager for more. Because the stage is set for some epic showdowns, the kind that will undoubtedly bring forth more death and suffering and sorrow, since so many are wounded and eager to impart revenge and speaking of that… now that we know that’s Tariq’s primary focus… we must see this to its end. For that admission hints at the possibility that Tariq will try and leave the game, and we simply know if Tariq can find that peace or if revenge will help him to ultimately, suffer his father’s fate. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season 14 Finale of ‘Doctor Who’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that season fourteen of the iconic Disney+ series, Doctor Who, has been quite revolutionary in nature. After all, this year’s stories have been steeped in bold moments and they’ve also featured a great deal of depth and a great deal of meaning. Wherein we’ve learned a great deal about the human condition and been left with some deep thoughts and observations regarding our modern world and many of the problems it currently faces. But while it has been amazing to enjoy a season of storytelling that is thoughtful and often fun, since this year’s adventures have been epic in nature… and see the show move into a bold new direction free from the trappings of its past… there are some things this series cannot and will not ever step away from.

Such as say, incredible season finales that test the Doctor and his companion or companions in ways that they never expected. Because the Doctor is and will forever be an epic hero, one that faces the odds and beats them with his wits and the love he carries for all in his two hearts and well, that particular aspect of the show is top of mind today, because that is precisely what we enjoyed during this week’s season finale. For ‘Empire of Death’ did not have a ton of messaging or deeper meaning and that’s okay. Because Sutekh was reborn and he wasted little time in this tale, laying the world to waste. For that was all he ever dreamed of, killing everyone and everything and presiding over the emptiness of the universe and his wish was indeed granted here. Thanks to his minions and his twisted end around of the Doctor.

Who thankfully, did find a way to escape with Mel into the other TARDIS present in the temporal chamber. For the wonder of the TARDIS and the power of memory allowed for a second TARDIS to come into existence and while it was weak, it had enough juice to get everyone to safety and to a faraway world. Wherein the Doctor was able to ponder upon his deep failure and bear witness to the anthesis of everything he stands for. For death was indeed everywhere across the galaxy, and once he licked his wounds and pondered upon how best to respond, did a plan begin to form in his mind. Because they too should have been destroyed by their foe’s blight against life, but they stood, and they breathed and that was due to the fact that they had information regarding something Sutekh badly wanted.

Specifically, the identity of Ruby Sunday’s mother. Because that was a soul that this monster realized he could not touch, and he needed all to die to enjoy the emptiness. Which put both parties into a hunt to uncover the name and identity of Ruby’s mother. A decision that brought together every story told this year, including ‘73 Yards’. Which in turn, brought Team TARDIS to 2046 to use a mandatory DNA database from that era to uncover the truth, to protect it and keep life in the universe, and well, that brought forth one epic showdown between good and evil. Simply because Sutekh reached out across time and space to corrupt Mel, so that she would bring the Doctor and Ruby back to the void of present day, wherein at last, the final souls this old God wanted could be claimed and wiped away, giving rise to the empire of death he so desperately sought and craved.
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But alas, the Doctor was one step ahead and knew full well what his foe had planned, and since Sutekh explained in detail how he climbed aboard the TARDIS, the Doctor was able to use that knowledge to reclaim his old, time traveling friend, and drag the God of Death into the vortex to bring life back to everything and anything. All before the Doctor was forced to break his own vows and end Sutekh for all time, to save all of time. Which finally brought forth, the victory we knew would come and it allowed for Ruby to bid farewell to the Doctor for the time being, courtesy of the right reasons. Because she finally met her mom and even found out about her father’s whereabouts and well, the time she needs to embrace for the moment is with the family she never knew and just like that, season fourteen came to a happy but quizzical close.

After all, there are some questions left pending after this tale. Because while it is lovely that Ruby’s mom was the reason to drive forth good, her being an everyday person doesn’t quite explain Ruby’s incredible powers and of course… we must know more about Ruby’s neighbor and how she seems to be so wise regarding this universe and the Doctor’s fate. But while we wait to see if those questions are answered in season fifteen, we can applaud one great finale and one great season in the meantime. Because this really was a different and refreshing year for Doctor Who, one that really explored the franchise’s potential when the mythos and brooding is left behind and replaced with good old-fashioned adventure, fun and downright thoughtfulness. And it will indeed be interesting to see what Russell T. Davies and his team accomplish next season, now that they know how best to use those elements to tell incredible tales.

​Please enjoy this sneak peek and synopsis of the Series Premiere of Orphan Black: Echoes, which will debut on AMC, AMC+, and BBC America on Sunday!
 
Episode 1 – “Pilot” – Premieres Sunday, June 23 at 10pm ET/PT on AMC and BBC AMERICA; and is available to stream on AMC+
When Lucy’s quiet life in the countryside is violently interrupted by forces from her past, she must escape to the city with her new chosen family to find answers, only to meet a familiar young woman who begs even more questions.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Outer Range’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It wasn’t that long ago, that we talked at length about a central theme that was popping up in the second season of the fascinating Prime Video series, Outer Range. In that, season two was starting to talk about the power of the truth and how we face it and process it in our darkest hours, and yet, for a brief moment there… it seemed as though that would not be the central theme of this season. For the last episode took us for one hell of a ride in the 1880s, one that was indeed incredible, and saw Joy play the hero and play an integral part in Royal’s arrival in the 20th Century. Leaving one to wonder what season two wanted to focus upon. Well as mentioned, that was a brief break from the fact that truth is indeed the core idea this season wants to dive into, as evidenced by the next episode in this story.

For ‘All the World’s a Stage’ pondered deeply upon the importance of telling the truth alongside an exploration of facing hard truths with our head held high and it accomplished that latter exploration through Cecilia and Autumn. Who spent a lot of time together in this tale and learned that lesson the hard way. Because Autumn’s best efforts to save the farm failed horribly and she had to figure out how to handle that with grace. Because the good Padre in town made her failure ugly and Cecilia, well she too had to figure out how to stand tall over the fact that she failed to bring Amy home, even though she knew she was on the right path in bringing her back and accept that the farm was toast. And well, the importance of showcasing that was to teach them and us that failure is part of life and that sometimes failure comes from elements we cannot control and when that happens… all we can do is accept the truth in front of us and move into whatever lies ahead bravely.

As for the importance of telling the truth, well that was explored by Royal and Joy. Who were heading for medical care on the reservation in this particular tale, when they encountered some of the local deputies. Who of course spotted Joy and laid in pursuit. Which at first meant little for the truth, since Royal and Joy did their best to deceive both Reservation Police and the Sheriff’s office to just get Joy the healthcare she needed for that bad ankle, and they of course… kept the truth from both entities once Joy’s ankle was fixed up. Despite some hard pressing to talk about what happened out there and how Joy sustained such a wild injury, and of course… everyone wanted to know where she was over the past few days. 

But when the dust settled, Royal talked to Joy about what lie ahead. Because his secret was out to her, she now understood more about time travel than most folks and well… she had a decision to make. In that, she could hide it all as they did on this day and as Royal did for most of his life. Or she could tell the truth. At least to her loved ones and that was what Royal told her she needed to do. So that her life wasn’t filed with lying since that could lead to more lies and guilt untold. Because he harbored some hard regrets about keeping his past a secret and knew how much better he would feel if he had a single confidant ages ago, and well, his regrets and his musings over what lying makes us become, informed us all we need to know about why the truth must be told and it was nice to see Royal, live up to his own desires.

Since he did take Cecilia out on the range, to show her the hard evidence of how he got here and where Joy had been. For the hole was still there and questions still surrounded it, but there were no questions surrounding that central theme. For now, we know that truth is the focus of season two and why it should be a core tenet of our lives and that season two will explore all kinds of details regarding it and that made, for one fascinating tale. One that truly did give Joy and the audience a lot to chew upon, alongside more unique moments revolving around the hole and its power. Since Autumn also enjoyed a taste of its incredible power, and well, simple lessons aside, this episode does indeed leave us eager for more of this tale. To see if the truth will help Royal and Cecilia save the farm and to see if Autumn’s journey here will bring about the truth regarding her identity. Until next time.

It really is quite amazing how people view history in the 21st Century. For there are some who wish to deny what has come before, and there are so many who simply don’t care about what happened yesterday. And there are of course, so many of us, that still don’t have the complete picture and/or have our own assumptions and generic understanding of the world that came before us. Simply because we only value history to a certain extent and pick and choose what parts of it should matter to us. But we should in fact, learn as much of it as possible. For to do so will inform us about how best to not repeat old mistakes and help us to learn how some things really haven’t changed with the times.
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Which in turn will enrich us and help us to grow and oddly enough, entertainment can help with that. Which may sound silly… but books, films, television, they all can be tools and aids and can motivate us to seek out more about a particular era and well, the importance of yesterday and entertainment’s role in helping us learn about such matters is top of mind today… simply because we here at NTG have stumbled upon a series we should have viewed years ago. For Babylon Berlin on MHz Choice is that rare show that explores the rawness of humanity, and its cyclical nature, while also teaching us about history and how best to not repeat it and its first season accomplishes such feats in quite the incredible manner.

All by dropping us into 1929 Berlin, at the edge of the roaring twenties and in the midst of a wild time in Germany’s history. For obviously, in ten years’ time the nation will become the focus of the world when it invades Poland and plunges the planet into the Second World War, one led by a sad little man with hate in his heart. But before we get there, the opening chapter of this story, deeply explores how a Germany eleven years removed from World War I was a place of unrest and unease. Where security is not quite at its finest as evidenced by the dark forces looming in this tale with dreams of power and of flexing strength. Which gives rise to a fine history lesson on how unrest finds root and can build into the fear that will be taken full advantage of.

Not to mention, this story also explores a world nowhere near as open as it is now, since the core introductions to the characters that drive this story, Inspector Gereon Rath and Charlotte Ritter, revolve around sex and our odd struggles with being open about it as a culture period. Which at times echoes our world and feels familiar, and really… those echoes, and those characters are what allow for season one to shine. For actors Volker Bruch (Rath) and Liv Lisa Fries (Charlotte) bring a wonderful honesty to their roles that helps us connect to them as we immerse ourselves into their world and that honesty allows for us to see a world that does resemble our own. Since Charlotte is just doing her best to get by and enjoy life and Rath has much pain to overcome from the darkness of the world he’s seen.

Which genuinely speaks to the cyclical nature of our world since soldiers still work to overcome their fight a la Rath and people are still fighting to get by and find joy, and of course… unrest exists in our world and people that feel they can do it better are fighting to take charge, which makes this first season… something special. For it is poignant, powerful, and truly a fascinating look into a world that only seems different because of a lack of technology and connectivity. But is bound to present day through the very emotional moments our heroes endure and that makes for one compelling season of storytelling. One that offers so much to those who tune in, and truly… it will be fascinating to see Rath and Charlotte grow in a world that is on the brink of disaster as this incredible story continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 404 of ‘The Boys’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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As we continue our journey through season four of the hit Prime Video series, The Boys, it is now becoming clear how year four is going to go from a storytelling standpoint. In that, this season is going to be a mix of character study and commentary on our modern world. Wherein we face the horrors of the far-right/MAGA movement that is growing in this universe as well, as the characters face their past and try to grow and find the peace they’ve never known in this show. And never was that more evident than during this week’s episode of the show, and that made ‘Wisdom of the Ages’, quite the compelling and engaging tale. 

For it allowed for us to explore the right way and the wrong way to handle our past and of course what goes into resolving it and finding peace and much of the positive side of handling that, was handled by Hughie in this tale. Because his father being on death’s door really put life in perspective and gave him a wild idea in which to make peace with yesterday. In that, if he could see real remorse from A-Train, and see a real moment of emotional growth, he would just forgive him. Forgive him to start moving forward and healing and that was why he tasked A-Train with getting him some V for his father. Because that would and did produce what he hoped for. Giving Hughie peace and reminding us outright… that we have to have grace and forgiveness in our hearts to let go of the past, otherwise… we turn into Homelander.

Because there are some who use the past as fuel to function and let its darkness give them strength, and when and if they try to resolve it, without grace and forgiveness, and a dash of honesty as to what they really need to work on… what comes forth is nothing but madness. Which Homelander put on display here by going home. Or more specifically, the lab where he was grown into Vought’s prized hero and the nightmare threatening the world now, and well… this went awful. Simply because Homelander was deeply interested in imparting pain upon those who imparted pain upon him. Which led to a fiery and cruel sequence of events that left the staff that formed his darkness, dead in horrible ways and truly, this hammered home how not to handle settling one’s past and why we should never let the darkness win.

But while those two elements would have been enough to carry this episode, it threw in a bonus lesson on the matter. Specifically, that sometimes, confronting our past won’t quite bring us the exact peace we think it will. Which was explored through Frenchie and Kimiko. Since Kimiko discovered that the mistakes we make can never be corrected and we have to learn to live with that, and she learned that… after ripping more people to shreds since the Shining Light wasn’t done with her yet, and Frenchie… also learned the same lesson. Because after taking a beating in this tale he finally confessed to Colin, his past transgressions. Which brought about more pain and not the resolution he hoped for… but that is how this goes sometimes.

However, there was mention of the show’s trademark commentary on our world being present here, and that… came about through the past as well. Since Firecracker hosted a live show outside of Starlight’s foundation, wherein she poked and prodded and exposed Annie’s past, and despite the Boys’ best efforts to shame Firecracker into backing off, she tripled down and played the victim to get Annie to snap. Which was all part of Sage’s successful plan to have the nation watch Starlight beat the hell out of Firecracker on live television to whip up more disdain and more frenzy and that… is something in practice now. Wherein the Right pushes others to push back to immediately look sorrowful and wounded, as though they are being persecuted, when they are in fact, just being a-holes.

But alas, it works and brings people to their cause, and we have to find a better way of dealing with it since this is the playbook for MAGA morons. All of which made, for another amazing episode. One that truly offered up more amazing moments, and some incredible acting. With Antony Starr leading the charge here since he sold the madness, and pain, and fury of Homelander in an epic manner. Plus, the stage was also set here for some big moments down the line. Since Starlight’s mistakes will have echoes for episodes on end and of course, it’s a big deal that Hughie’s dad is seemingly awake because of a potential decision mom made, and clearly… something is up with Butcher in a wild way and all of this, has us eager for next Thursday’s episode. So, we can enjoy more of the raw brilliance of the show’s commentary and so we can share in more amazing moments with these dynamic characters. Until next time.