The last time we settled in to discuss the wonder that is the CBS All Access series, The Twilight Zone, we talked at length about how the show had finally taken the time to bring together notions of the fantastical and its patented social commentary in a single story. Something that required attention, largely because it was handled in such a smooth and magnificent fashion. But it also deserved recognition, because that storytelling decision left this reviewer and likely others, wondering as to whether or not we would see more of this hybrid storytelling as season two went on. And it just so happens, that ‘A Human Face​’ did such a phenomenal job of combining both of these elements, that everyone behind the scenes decided that the next episode in this storied saga would be the perfect opportunity to try this new formula once again.

For ‘A Small Town’ is a tale that offers quite a bit of commentary on greed, ego and wealth inequality, alongside some supremely incredible events and it accomplishes the commentary side of things by introducing us to a small mountain town that finds itself in the midst of an unfamiliar crisis. For the tiny town that is Littleton, was enjoying great economic success a year ago, but once their kindhearted mayor passed away tragically in a car accident, things changed. Because the new Mayor, a man named Conley, immediately put financial interests over the good people of Littleton. Which is why his first act in office, was to take a payout from the state, so that a massive interstate project could be completed, one that cut this tiny city off from the rest of the world. And while that cash offered up a little boon for this small berg, the money simply didn't last. 

Which means that when we catch up with the fine folks of Littleton in this tale, they are in dire straits. For the economy is now in the tank, and with no money coming in, people are falling upon hard times and preparing to pack up their lives and try their luck elsewhere and this is where the episode dives deep into wealth inequality. And how this episode handles its look at that, is what makes the early segment of this tale so worthwhile. Because rather than be preachy on the matter or take aim at a specific organization, the story simply presents this particular problem in the raw. Allowing us to see its impact in an earnest fashion as people struggle to put food on the table, and this striking presentation has incredible impact upon the viewer since it feels painfully familiar and realistic, and the series deserves serious credit for presenting a growing problem in America in an objective and honest manner. 

But there was mention of the fantastical in this tale and that is handled by way of Jason Grant, a man who was married to the former mayor and he is outright desperate to see the town he loves thrive once again, and oddly enough… he gets the opportunity to make that happen. For he stumbles upon a magical diorama of Littleton, one that allows for him to in essence play god, and make changes to the town in the middle of the night. The kind that not only begin to improve the look of this once proud city, but bring business and tourists back, which in pretty incredible in its own right. But once Jason begins to feud with the mayor, over this little man taking credit for all of the changes in the town, some truly incredible moments come into play, since Jason is able to conjure a meteor strike onto Conley’s car and harass him with a giant spider in the dead of night.

However, as is often the case, greed and ego ruin all good things, and they too bring an end to Littleton's resurrection when the Mayor decides he wants on in the magic. Which in turn brings about chaos and ruin, leading one to believe that this is going to be a bleak episode of the series, one where no one gets anything but sorrow. But surprisingly, this one finds a way to close out on a happier note, one that offers a little bit of hope for Littleton and its future and really in the end, this was definitely an enjoyable tale. For it features plenty of juicy real-world concepts for the audience to chew upon, and plenty of incredible moments to enjoy as well and this hybrid of commentary and the impossible is actually working out quite well for the show. For it is adding depth to these stories and giving fans on either side what they want and hopefully the show keeps this style of storytelling going. Because it really is making the back half of season two, a real treat. Until next time.  

Over the course of our journey through season one of Star Trek: The Next Generation, we’ve talked at length about how sometimes television shows will explore a particular concept or notion multiple times over the course of a season, when an idea offers up endless possibilities storytelling wise. And this particular discussion continues to come up, simply because revisiting ideas that have been explored in prior episodes is a staple for the inaugural season of this series. For this dynamic show has dug deep often, on how far people are willing to go to either right a wrong or save something that matters deeply to them. Plus, it’s also taken the time to try and explore what life might actually look like in the universe since the imagination knows no bounds there. And it just so happens that another concept that was introduced and explored a little while back, specifically the power of tradition and whether it should be continued to be followed, found its way into the next episode of this storied saga.

Something that took a little while to get to in ‘Heart of Glory’. Because as is often the case with early episodes from this saga, a little deflection came into play, by way of a distress call near the Neutral Zone. Which of course brought about some generic interplay and an idea that this reviewer cannot recall the show re-visiting beyond this particular tale. For this is a story that also saw Geordi LaForge try and help others see the world as he does, with a special transceiver that broadcast his VISOR’s feed to the Enterprise main viewer. Which was an interesting attempt to give the audience perspective on differently abled individuals, and this would have had more gravity had the episode made bigger of use of it, rather than toss it to the side once the away team discovered Klingons aboard the battered freighter they boarded. But it is understandable as to why the show shifted gears away from that idea.

For Commander Korris and Lieutenant Konmel of the Klingon Defense Force, are the characters that are key to the episode’s exploration of tradition and once they are aboard the 1701-D, said exploration gets underway. For these two warriors are carrying quite the burdensome idea, the kind that is looked down upon by the Empire in the 24th Century. In that, they believe that the peace treaty between the Klingons and the Federation is outright silly, and that Klingons should be allowed to be Klingons and hunt and conquer as they see fit. Something that motivated them to rise up against their fellow shipmates when they disagreed with them and that battle is what brought them to the Enterprise. Where they hoped to find a new ally in Lieutenant Worf and that led to some powerful storytelling for certain, since their desire to be joined by Worf in glorious combat put him in quite the conflict.

For Worf is of course, of two worlds. Born a Klingon but raised as a human, and he is also the only Klingon serving in Starfleet and being able to learn another aspect of history and see how other people live and thrive, has allowed for him to understand that while traditions are important to remember and reflect upon, not all of them need to survive. And while the Warrior’s Way sounds appealing and runs through his veins, it faded into the past for good reason. Because it pushed the Empire to the brink and by abandoning it, better and more prosperous times have come to Qo’noS and clearly that line of thinking is designed to offer commentary on the many outdated traditions we deal with on Earth. But what matters more is that Worf’s overall understanding of tradition, motivated him to stand by Starfleet and choose the better way, and really, this was quite the magnificent episode when all is said and done. 

Because this was the first on-screen television appearance of the Klingon Empire since The Original Series and boy do they make quite an impact here. For not only are they at their fiercest once again, we actually get to learn more about Klingon culture for the first time ever by way of discussions of honor and by bearing witness to one of their most sacred rituals. Plus this episode finally lets Michael Dorn shine as Worf, and it really was quite wonderful to learn his backstory and get an idea of how difficult his life has been, since being of two worlds has forced him to fight hard to earn everything in life, including his position aboard the Enterprise. In the end, this was just a pure delight to watch, and it is another story that serves as a foundational episode in regard to the future of the franchise, since this won’t be the last time that poor Worf will be forced to choose between his Klingon brethren and his Starfleet family. Until next time.

Thus far, season two of The Twilight Zone on CBS All Access has established a pretty solid storytelling pattern in regard to how it presents its episodes. In that, it tends to switch back forth between episodes that feature cerebral and meaningful commentary and the fantastical and that’s led to a satisfying season for certain. But while it is quite fun to enjoy an episode that leaves you pondering upon the nature of everyday life or partake of a tale that ignites one’s imagination, the show has seemingly made a grand effort to stay away from a story that manages to combine both of those concepts, in a silent effort to please fans of the old and the new. But clearly, the temptation to create a tale that can indeed leave us thinking while still blowing our minds was too great for the writers’ room to resist, as evidenced by the next episode in this storied franchise.
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For ‘A Human Face’ really did figure out the perfect way to combine great depth with the fantastical and it brought forth the latter of those elements by having something quite incredible happen, by delivering unto the world, alien life. The kind that is unfathomable to the human mind, to the point where this strange visitor from another world decided that the only way it can properly communicate with mankind, or in this case a broken couple named Robert and Barbara, was to take on a human form, specifically that of their late daughter Maggie. And well, that definitely led to some trippy moments that defy what we normally think of in regard to science fiction, since this alien/Maggie hybrid was able to walk through walls and appear anywhere that it wanted to and while that alone would have made for a solid tale, it is the deeper meaning that comes into play that makes this story so worth our while.

Because it doesn’t take long for this story to offer up some timely commentary on how mankind has a proclivity to ignore the facts when they are laid out right in front of them. For Robert is fully aware that this creature is from another world, as is Barbara for that matter. But since Barbara is so desperate to see her daughter once again and wants nothing more than to see her shattered family reunited, the facts simply go the wayside for her. And suddenly she is motivated to embrace this creature as her baby Mags, regardless of the danger that this creature may present and that definitely hits home in the middle of a pandemic. For this kind of illogical and self-serving line of thinking feels akin to all the videos we’ve seen of people denying the science surrounding them, and even before this notion applied to our current situation, it still feels familiar since science and fact denial has been gaining steam in America for some time now.

But what’s truly impressive about this particular tale, is that it has more to say about the human condition outside of some troubling commentary on our modern world. For this is a story that also examines the power of trauma and loss and how not being able to resolve our feelings in regard to the people that we lose along the way, can become quite toxic for our mental health, and potentially, our physical well-being. Because both Barbara and Robert have done little to deal with the loss of their daughter, and that proves to be problematic for them as this story rolls along. For the Maggie-creature is able to reach them with an honesty that the real Mags was unable to do in regular life, and being forced to feel old emotions in regard to their late daughter, and the guilt that both of them carry in regard to her passing, proves to be quite ominous for this rattled and broken couple.

For it is heavily implied that the new Maggie’s overtures of peace and love and unity, are nothing more than bait from a creature that is finding a new way to sucker in its prey, making it inherently clear that hanging onto the past can cause us great harm. Which may be a heavy-handed way to get that particular point across, but it is effective none the less and it is the perfect way to wrap up an episode that is quite frankly, a lovely hybrid of commentary and the fantastical. Because this tale really does feature the perfect marriage of storytelling for fans of the old show and the new and it all works together in seamless fashion here since you’re captivated by every moment that plays out on the screen and really, one has to wonder if this is a storytelling blueprint that the series is going to make use of going forward. Because this definitely made for a fascinating and powerful and bleak story, one that drops your jaw and stays with you, long after it has come to an end. Until next time.  

The old saying, a guilty man has nothing to hide, has a lot of merit when you take a moment to think about it. Because good honest people, who find themselves under scrutiny for whatever reason, rarely do anything to impede an investigation into their affairs. Instead they are helpful and open with the curious and do whatever it takes to give them the answers they so seek, simply because deep down they know they will be exonerated from whatever they’re being accused of, since they have done nothing wrong. But that sure doesn’t stop some people from trying to discover otherwise, since some folks will stop at nothing to prove that the accused are as guilty as they come.

If anything, this particular notion is relevant to today’s discussion, because it just so happened to be the focal point of the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. For ‘Coming of Age’ saw Admiral Gregory Quinn and his attaché, one Lieutenant Commander Dexter Remmick, come aboard the Enterprise to discover the impossible. In that, Quinn believed that something afoul was happening aboard the NCC-1701-D and Remmick was going to uncover it come hell or high water. Which led to a fascinating dissection of how an innocent man handles false and outright outlandish accusations, since there’s no way in the cosmos Jean-Luc was doing anything illegal aboard his ship. Something that he was able to prove to Remmick and Quinn by offering up kindness and openness at every turn. 

Yet while it was fascinating and satisfying to watch the crew unify in the face of a witch hunt, there was another interesting plot line rolling along in between the investigation. In that, young Wesley Crusher was getting his first crack at a career in Starfleet. For the planet the ship was in orbit around, was hosting candidates from the sector for admission into Starfleet Academy, and only one of the four in this group would be chosen for that honor. Which means that young Wesley was put to the test in every way imaginable, including having his greatest fears put upon display before his eyes. But despite handling his coursework and his tough tests like the smart and balanced young man he is, the time simply wasn’t right for Wesley to head to San Francisco, giving him a harsh taste of how life doesn’t always go as smoothly as we might like. 

But while those two plot points are pretty by the numbers in their own right and should make for a fairly middle of the road episode, two key elements in this story make it far more important the second time around. For starters, this is a tale that does a phenomenal job of establishing what kind of leader Jean-Luc Picard really is. Which is a bit of a refresher for fans re-watching this series, but you simply cannot go wrong with becoming re-acquainted with the best parts of Picard. Such as coming to learn/be reminded of how cool and collected he is under pressure when young Jake Kurland steals a shuttlecraft in a panic, and of course, how he handles Remmick and his ridiculous snipe hunt speaks volumes to his integrity since he allows the investigation to be handled in unfettered fashion, until it is time to step in.

Yet while those elements are quite intriguing upon further review, we would be remiss to not point out that this is also the first time in Star Trek TV history that the franchise toys with arc-based storytelling. For Quinn and Remmick are going to return in a couple of episodes for a supremely controversial tale and this episode lays the foundation for the events of ‘Conspiracy’ by having Admiral Quinn inform Picard that something is happening behind the scenes at Starfleet Command and that is incredibly ominous, now that we know how this baby arc comes to an end. Either way, this was simply one entertaining tale, one that allowed for young Wesley to grow, one that establishes the wonder and the legend of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and seeing this episode a second time around, makes it supremely valuable and important to the future of the franchise. And it gives one a newfound appreciation of what appeared to be a run of the mill tale, back in the day, and it should be interesting to see what other foundational surprises await us as we close in on the season one finale. Until next time.  

As we continue our journey through season one of the delightful AppleTV+ series, Central Park, it is starting to become apparent just what series creator Loren Bouchard and the creative team are hoping to accomplish with this particular animated series. In that, everyone pondered upon the possibility as to whether or not an adult cartoon could feature plotting and structure that resembles an everyday television series and it just so happens, that they are indeed achieving this ambitious goal. And for proof, well look no further than this week’s episode of this magnificent series, since ‘Hot Oven’ pulls off quite the unexpected feat.
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Specifically, this is an episode that begins to bring together all the intricate plot points that this series has been gently nurturing over the course of season one, in subtle and wonderful fashion and it makes this happen, by dropping a pair of important moments into the audience’s lap. By first having Bitsy get extremely bold with her plan to take over the park, because she takes the time to place a full-page ad in the paper that rips Cole and the Park League in epic fashion, all so that she can get the public on her side. An act that stuns the Tillerman family and while they deal with this surprise attack, the other important moment comes into play. In that, Brendan and Molly are talking once again and their romance is budding and well, Paige thinks it is high time that the family meets this young man and plans are made to have dinner.

Something that eventually puts fear into Molly’s heart when she learns the big secret that Brendan is indeed a Brandenham and that revelation, and her desire to keep this fact from the family, since Bitsy is persona non grata in the Tillerman home, leads to some supremely funny moments. The kind full of Chewbacca growls and deflection and the saddest journey for a pizza ever. But eventually the family comes to learn about Brendan’s big secret, and they accept him for who he is because they’re fine people. But what matters more about this particular moment, is that Cole now has an in when it comes to the Brandenham family and potentially a conduit into Bitsy’s wild mind and there is no doubt that going forward, young Brendan is going to be instrumental in helping the Tillerman’s save this beloved park. 

But only time will tell how that is going to play out, and it should be interesting to see how Bitsy is going to react to an uprising. But if this particular episode is any indicator, such a rebellion against her plans will come as quite the surprise to her. Because dear Bitsy is straight up clueless to the fact that there are forces working against her and she seems to have no inclination to worry about the possibility that her plan might fail. As evidenced by her intense focus upon having Shampagne undergo some serious and hilarious dog therapy in this tale for a simple bladder accident. But the fact that Helen tried to use this opportunity to get that sweet pup out of the inheritance picture once again, and that Brendan is now an ally of the Tillerman’s because of his feelings for Molly, it’s only a matter of time before her jaw drops when this house of cards comes tumbling down.

But all future plot possibilities aside, this really was quite the quality episode. One that genuinely did a phenomenal job of bringing together the overall plot in masterful fashion, just like a standard television series. And it handled this crafty and important series of moments in subtle and fun fashion, since they were surrounded by laughs and more beautiful, toe-tapping musical numbers. And now that everything is starting to jell together, it is likely that the final two episodes of season one will bring everything to a head. Because Bitsy is clearly ready to accelerate her timetable, but the Tillermans and Helen don’t seem too keen on letting her carry out her agenda, and that should make for one explosive and hilarious season finale. Until next time.

As we continue our journey through season one of Star Trek: The Next Generation, a particular pattern is starting to emerge. In that, clearly the writers’ room came across several supremely specific ideas that they really wanted to explore in great detail. Which is why we’ve been on a run of stories involving how far aliens and humans will go, in order to right a wrong or hold onto something important in their lives, because that notion offers so many possibilities storytelling wise. But that particular concept isn’t the only one that the writers’ room realized they could expand upon. For the nature of the universe, and what alien life might actually look like, is something that features endless possibilities as well, and it just so happens that the series resurrected this concept in its next episode.
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For ‘Home Soil’ went all in out in exploring what kinds of wild lifeforms the universe could give life to, by having the crew of the Enterprise swing by a remote terraforming facility on a lonesome planet. A place where no life should exist, and according to the Federation’s engineers, that was indeed the case. But as the crew learned more about this particular endeavor to create an M class planet, the more they became suspicious of what was going on in this remote facility. For the administrator was dodgy and eager to have them leave, simply because he was hiding something from the away team. And to complicate matters further, one of the technicians died horribly while working nearby, which meant that the crew was going nowhere until this matter was settled.

A decision that immediately put the crew of this facility under scrutiny. Because where else would Picard and company look, in regard to a murderer? But as the investigation into this untimely death continued along, quite the surprise fell into the crew’s lap. For in the place where said technician died, a beautiful and tiny and glowing speck of ‘sand’ was discovered, one that had the potential to be an actual life form that no one had ever seen before, and it turns out, that was exactly the case. Which was quite astounding since Data and Crusher came to learn that it was more or less composed of the same elements that computers are made out of. But the fact that it was able to procreate, proved that it was indeed alive, and this discovery brought about some complications aboard the 1701-D.

Because soon this creature is able to replicate enough of itself to become sentient and communicative and once it speaks to Picard, he and the bridge staff come to learn that these poor beings feel terror and anger toward humanity for ignoring their pleas. For Picard also learns that the terraforming crew had an inkling that life might be on this world and chose to not express it to Jean-Luc or Starfleet, which forces Picard to get creative in finding common ground with this bold new species, one that manages to commander the ship in the hopes of bending the crew to its will and punishing them as it did that unfortunate technician. But eventually, Jean-Luc and his intrepid officers find a way to show these beings that they mean them no harm, allowing for these creatures to return home and enjoy their lives in peace and harmony. 

If anything, this is in many ways a fairly by the numbers episode for certain. Because it doesn’t really go into anything too deep concept wise, and it moves at a brisk pace and features a little action to break things up. Which normally should bore us or leave us feeling ho-hum about this tale. But the fact that it expands upon ‘Lonely Among Us’ by offering up a supremely unique alien, one that doesn’t resemble anything we know of on Earth, makes this one a winner for certain. For these creatures are simply dazzling and they leave the viewer curious at every turn and exploring strange new worlds and seeking out new life and new civilizations is part of the magic of this franchise. Which makes this tale a wonderful mental palate cleanser and it should be interesting to see if more unique explorations involving truly alien, aliens, await us down the line as we begin to inch toward the season one finale. Until next time.    

During our brief time on this beautiful blue planet that we call home, mankind has indeed accomplished some serious wonders. For not only have we crafted massive cities that we can traverse in a matter of minutes, we can travel the globe in a matter of hours by soaring through the skies, and we’ve beaten some of the illnesses that plagued us in our past and we’ve even figured out how to compile the compendium of human knowledge and make it available to anyone, anywhere on a moment’s notice. Plus, we even have human beings living in space and we’ve been to the moon, and that’s precisely why mankind tends to believe that we are the absolute masters of our domain, and that nothing can ever topple us from that particular perch. 
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But let’s be honest. Planet Earth itself is the true master here, and it has no problem reminding us of that fact from time to time by way of a natural disaster or the current pandemic that is raging the globe. Yet while Mother Nature is quick to humble us whenever she deems it necessary, we do still remain as the strongest species on the planet. Leaving one to wonder, if by chance, there is a species out there in an unexplored region of our world that can rival the mental fortitude of man, and if such a being did exist, how would our first encounter go? Since eventually we would have to cross paths. And it just so happens, that the next episode of The Twilight Zone takes the time to explore this idea in utterly chilling fashion. 

For ‘8’ takes us to the frigid fringes of Antarctica. Wherein a science team is looking to learn more about the impact of climate change on the various species that thrive in this subzero environment and that has led to some fascinating discoveries. Specifically, new species of aquatic life that mankind has never seen before and that is both a blessing and a curse. For deep in these icy waters is a species of octopus that is unlike any other, for it is as intelligent and cunning and as ruthless as man can be and it is about to cross paths with these researchers and well, that’s all we are going to go into plot wise today. Because there are some delightful storytelling elements that we really need to discuss in greater detail. Such as the fact that this episode is a brilliant hybrid of science fiction and horror, thanks in large part to the arrival of this feisty and scheming cephalopod.

Because its arrival inside the facility, makes this story feel like a love letter to Alien and John Carpenter’s The Thing, with a modern twist of course. And this little monster’s ability to blend in is what sends shivers down your spine because you haven’t a clue where the gooey little bugger is hiding until it is too late, and that leads to some genuinely unsettling scares. The kind that completely and utterly make you squirm in your seat, thanks to the shock factor and thanks to some unexpectedly welcome and satisfying gore for the horror fan in all of us. But while those scares are quality indeed and have you hooting and hollering for the next wild moment, none of them compare to the sheer horror of the ending. Because how that plays out, and how this octopus plays into it, creates a genuine sense of doom and dread, the kind that stays with you long after this episode has come to an end since it is so incredibly dreary.

Plus, it’s also quite fascinating to find some genuine commentary in this tale as well. Because this story does take the time to ponder upon mankind’s impact on the environment, and how our desire to see everything as a resource over anything else can cause us great harm. And that maybe, just maybe, if we took the time to do the opposite, our world and our society would be in a vastly different place. Either way, this was just a great episode. One filled to the brim with everything you want and more from a Twilight Zone story. Because this one had tension, a sense of adventure and sci-fi and horror all rolled into a tight, 31-minute package. Which means we need to tip our cap to directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, along with writer Glen Morgan, for ensuring that this whip smart script came together in seamless fashion, with quality performances no less. In the end however, this episode just serves as a fine reminder, that season two of this magnificent series is going to offer up something special during every single episode, and it should be interesting to see what kind of incredible tales await us as we inch toward the season two finale. Until next time.  

When one thinks about the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole, a great deal of fantastic memories come into mind. Because the MCU has brought joy to all of our hearts over the past twelve years by way of a bevy of incredible shows and movies and characters for that matter as well. And while it is easy to find incredible moments from this storied franchise to reflect upon, our love of it really does bring about an important question for certain, specifically; what is it that has allowed for the MCU to last as long as it has? Because a franchise this big should have run out of steam by now, but this one is still rolling and is still beloved and really its success can be contributed to one thing and one thing alone; it knows how to connect with its fan base. 
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Because every story in the MCU knows exactly when to drop the superhero guise and offer up some genuine humanity, by way of humor or touching moments and for proof that this is still going strong in this franchise, then look no further than last night’s episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. For ‘The Totally Excellent Adventures of Mack and The D’ was a supremely emotional tale, one that saw our beloved new director suffer mightily after losing his parents. In fact, Mack was so distraught and broken over discovering that his folks were replaced by Chronicoms that he outright withdrew from this foreign world and hid within a cabin, drinking his days away while he licked his emotional wounds. And this was quite powerful to watch since it took the time to remind us that even the strongest heroes have their breaking point, and they too need to heal like the rest of us.

But while that did make for some powerful moments and some fine acting from Henry Simmons, there was mention of how this franchise knows how to have fun as well, and an important request from Deke, one that asked Mack to join him at a local bar, is where that came into play. Because Mack came to discover that while he was healing, Deke was quite busy with putting together a new group of agents, known as the ‘Deke Squad’, and their introduction and the revamping of the Lighthouse led to some of the most hilarious moments of the night. Because you can’t go wrong with Deke borrowing 80s musical hits to further his cause, nor can you go wrong with his ragtag band of agents bumbling and stumbling at every single turn and oddly enough, the fun didn’t end with Deke and his usual shenanigans. Because Sybil’s plot to return to glory also brought about some special moments in this episode as well. 

For this sly Chronicom basically built the Protector Robot from Chopping Mall, a movie that’s been referenced multiple times in this series, and her all out assault on the Lighthouse led to some incredibly gory homages to the film in question. In fact, it’s actually quite surprising that the network let some of that splatter through, but hey, no complaints. But more importantly, this attempt to take out the Deke Squad finally snapped Mack out of his funk and helped him to realize that people needed his help and his leadership, and that prompted him to help save the day and defeat Sybil once again, and for his efforts, he finally found peace and eventually, he was able to reunite with Yo-Yo and the rest of the team. Because at long last, the Zephyr was able to jump back to the 80s, and while that’s a wonderful thing for certain, since this team is always stronger together, it also means that Sybil was able to reclaim the power of the Time Stream. Which means more trouble is on the horizon for the team, and considering the fact that Nathaniel Malick is alive and well, it looks like the fight for the future is about to get all the more difficult.

In the end however, this really was quite the delightful episode. One that truly embodied everything you love about the Marvel Cinematic Universe and this show for that matter as well and hands down, this was the most fun the show has offered up all season. Which is saying something in a season filled to the brim with dynamic storytelling. But the laughs just kept on coming in this one, and seeing Deke perform ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ was a true campy highlight, as was the perfect homage to Chopping Mall. Because Mack facing off against the mechanical monsters, he so loves, was just awesome. Plus, the Coulson/Max Headroom twist was a lovely little 80s surprise and it should be interesting to see what Simmons has in store for his new LMD. But while this was a fun and adventurous tale, the fight will only get harder from here and one has to wonder if this was the show’s final hurrah before things turn bleak and serious. Until next time.  

Also, just for fun, here is a side by side comparison of the Chronicom Killbot from last night’s episode and the Protector Series Robot/Killbot from ‘Chopping Mall’.

It has often been said that the children are indeed our future and there is a lot of merit to that statement. For children are the ones who will inherit the Earth in years to come, and they will be the ones responsible for carrying on our legacy in every sense of the word. But while that gives us cause to nurture and care for these guardians of tomorrow, what matters most in society’s mind in regard to children; is that we find great comfort in the fact that babies are continually born every minute of every day. Because that reminds us that our kind will continue on for generations. But while there is great safety in that thought, some still worry that there may come a day where we cannot produce any more children, and they’ve pondered upon what our world might look like if that happens.

For example, would we devolve into violent monsters when the future of our species has come to a screeching halt? Or would we band together and find a way to keep our traditions and legacies alive, by any means necessary? And it just so happens that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation dives into those questions in a supremely unique manner, by having the crew of the Enterprise encounter a species dealing with that exact conundrum. For the discovery of a legendary planet named Aldea in ‘When the Bough Breaks’ reveals quite the heartbreaking truth about a planet bathed in beauty. In that, the Aldeans have lost the ability to procreate, and with their species beginning to die off, they’ve opened up their world to Picard and his crew in the hopes of making quite the disturbing trade.

Specifically, the want to adopt some of the ship’s children, in the hopes of teaching them the Aldean way so that all the beauty and wonder that this world stands for, isn't lost to the void when the old guard fades away. And in return they’ll give the Federation secrets untold in regard to the galaxy. An offer that Picard balks at of course, because… kids aren’t trade goods. But that sure as heck doesn’t stop the Aldeans from just taking what they want as is and threatening the ship with destruction and doom if Picard doesn’t accept the offer. Which leads to quite the scramble aboard the Enterprise, because Picard now knows they have a limited window with which to save the children before the planet disappears again, and that motivates the crew to work hard at finding a weakness in regard to this planet’s incredible defenses.

Something that Data actually finds after doing a little digging, since he uncovers a flaw in the global shield that the crew can exploit to their advantage. And that discovery, along with a sneaky move on Dr. Crusher’s part during a visit with Wesley, who was taken from the ship as part of this Aldean contingency plan, allows for the crew to finally get the upper hand. Wherein they are able to help the Aldeans understand that the ship's children want to go home, and that there is a better way through science, to heal their world and their future and really, all of these elements made for one fascinating tale. One that saw Wesley Crusher step up his game by becoming a leader, since he led a hunger and speech strike in order to get the attention of the kids’ captors and it is also a story that once again… fit into the ‘going the extra mile’ mold that’s been permeating the series as of late.

Because this was another detailed examination of how far a species is willing to go to keep their way of life alive and it was fascinating to see a culture so advanced and so intelligent, stoop to such desperate measures so that their traditions could see another day. But it certainly made for fascinating television none the less because this is an episode that does not waste a single minute of screen time, by providing the audience with an intense and fast-paced story that features high stakes for certain. If anything, it really is wonderful to be enjoying quality episode after quality episode right now, since it just goes to show that something special was brewing here and really, it is best we celebrate this kind of storytelling for as long as we can. Because sadly, this is still year one, and it is only a matter of time before episodes full of pratfalls and missteps, return. Until next time.  

As season two of the latest iteration of The Twilight Zone rolls along, it’s quickly becoming apparent that the writers’ room of this particular series has finally found its stride storytelling wise. Because not only are the stories delightful and intriguing and intelligent, but they’re filled with balance in year two. For this season’s offerings are not only taking the time to say something about our modern world and some of the problems that society is currently facing, they’re also taking the time to pay homage to the Zone of old, by offering up stories that reside within the fantastical. And for proof that this is becoming quite the trend, then look no further than the last two episodes. For ‘Ovation’ dove deep into our unhealthy obsessions with fame, while the next episode digs into matters that are far more imaginative.
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For ‘Among the Untrodden’ takes the time to examine the power of the mind and its untapped potential in a sneaky manner. Because early on, this story plunges us into a world that few of us understand by introducing us to a young woman named Madison, who just so happens to attend a private school and well… she’s a bit of a bully. Because the instant a new girl named Irene arrives at the school, Madison is quick to point out her quirky and nerdy nature and pick on her for it, every chance she gets. Which makes it seem as though this particular tale is going to focus heavily on the nature of bullying, which would in turn, provide us with quite the twist ending wherein Madison pays her dues in an ironic fashion, because that’s just how things go in The Twilight Zone. But instead, a discovery on Irene’s part, takes this story in a supremely fascinating and engrossing direction.

Because Irene is obsessed with the possibilities of psychic powers, to the point where she makes it her science fair project at the school. And as she begins to collect data on the matter, by way of her fellow classmates, she comes to realize that Madison is exhibiting traits that would indicate she has these mysterious powers, prompting her to approach Madison to see if she can entice her to explore the possibility that she may in fact be psychic. Something that Madison balks at initially. But once she starts to see some genuine results in regard to Irene’s teachings on the matter, she embraces the possibilities and oddly enough makes a new friend in the process, since this discovery brings Irene and Madison closer together than ever before. But just when it seems as though life is going well for the two of them, that’s when the fantastical comes into play.

Because it turns out that Madison’s power is far greater than anyone thought possible. For not only can she apparently save lives by thinking hard, and conjure things out of thin air, she can also control minds. Something that becomes evident when she puts the popular kids into a catatonic state for being excessively cruel to Irene. Which is an act that terrifies her to no end and motivates her to press Irene on who exactly has these powers since they didn’t appear until Irene came into her life. But in the end, she is the only one that has them, and this lowering of her walls reveals to all that Madison is in a dark place, one where she was so lonely and broken by her experience at school that she manifested Irene out of thin air in order to save her sanity. An act she will have to repeat again since Irene fades away when that epiphany crosses Madison’s mind, and this was quite the unexpected twist.

For it really did seem as though Irene was going to be the source of this power and that she was indeed using it to make Madison and all the popular kids pay for their cruelty from day one. But perhaps that would have been too easy and too predictable, and it is a good thing, in the end, that this story went in a vastly different direction. Because playing ‘what if?’ in regard to what could happen if an imaginary friend was actually brought to life, and what would happen if we had psychic powers, made for a far more satisfying story. Because we were treated to an engrossing mystery and it turned Madison into an oddly relatable protagonist since we’ve all had our struggles with fitting in. But what matters more, is that this particular tale truly did explore one incredible idea, and you can never go wrong when The Twilight Zone decides to make the impossible, possible on screen. Until next time.