Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Almost Paradise’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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Often times in crime themed stories, the death of an innocent, one that is close to a hero or a law enforcement individual… brings about a parable steeped in revenge. For the hero in question cannot stand the fact that someone would impart such cruelty upon an innocent, and that kind of monster must pay, at any cost. And well… we know how things go from there. For this is a cliché we have seen in film and television time and time again, with the only variation being how violent or graphic the vengeance is going to be and well… we tolerate this formula simply because… it has merit. For humans do harbor a dark side, and have been known to indulge it, especially when the world imparts such pain. So, this makes sense and is quite plausible in nature. 
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Which is why… it is so refreshing when we encounter a story, that works to buck that trope. Because we oft forget that not everyone is eager to give into the darkness and impart pain upon others. Sometimes they want their revenge to involve handcuffs and prison time, and it just so happens… that the next episode of Almost Paradise on Amazon Freevee, works to offer the opposite of what we know with this concept. But for a brief moment, it sure didn’t seem as though that was going to be the case. For ‘Breaking Badminton’ opened up with Alex Walker coming to learn that a good and innocent man named Carlo, who was helping him get back into shape… died terribly at the hands of people who clearly had no respect for humanity in the slightest. And since Alex is a true champion of right and wrong, he was ready to bring forth justice for a fallen friend… to the point where going rogue was indeed a valid option on the table.

But of course… that option was only going to happen if by chance… he could convince no one else to do the right thing, and thankfully some honesty with Kai and Ernesto and even Ocampo, allowed for this to be done the right way. Through investigation and evidence gathering, and by going undercover to really understand what Carlo had fallen into. Which as it turned out, was nothing but a supremely shady and dangerous drug operation. One that used a unique front (more on that in a moment) to move drugs into the city, and since Carlo had discovered what was happening, and was dealing with insurmountable gambling debt, he tried to use his knowledge to blackmail the kingpin into tossing aside his debts. But of course, you don’t mess with a man like that, in that manner and that is what cost him his life and that truth, only emboldened our heroes to bring this monster down… the right way.

Which allowed for this trio to shine as investigators. Since this gave Kai the opportunity to think fast and think ahead when the going got tough and it of course, let Alex use his endless knowledge of drug operations to break this wide open and it also, reminded us of how incredible Ernesto is from an undercover standpoint, and their powers combined, brought about a full confession from the heavy and stopped the drugs from coming in and this was… just refreshing to watch. For it wasn’t overtly violent in all the wrong ways, and it didn’t see Alex revert to the man he used to be. He chose the higher path here and really wanted to do things right and that allowed for an honest and powerful vendetta to take place, and this story also… offered up some fine humor.

Because the front that was used to move the drugs, was an underground Badminton club, and to get in deep and uncover the truth, Ernesto and Alex had to show off their badminton skills. Well, Ernesto did, since Alex’s were limited. But this led to some incredibly lighthearted and fun moments as this duo tried their best to be powerhouse Badminton players. But more important, that sequence served to remind us that this really is… a positive crime drama. One that always finds ways to make us smile, and where these intrepid characters do the right thing and remind us there is a better way when the chips are down, and well… that made for one delightful and engaging episode. One that was indeed wholesome and satisfying, and it will be interesting to see what other positive spins on old tropes await us, as season two of this magnificent show continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Dark Winds’. To revisit the Season One Finale, clickhere. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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It is definitely safe to say that season one of the AMC series, Dark Winds, was nothing short of a breath of fresh air, for several reasons. For starters, it was an engaging crime drama set in a vastly different era of American History, the 1970s. Wherein advanced crime fighting techniques were unavailable to investigators. Which meant good old fashioned police work had to come into play, and that brought forth a juicy and detailed investigation that eventually revealed some ugly crimes steeped in robbery and vigilantism in the name of Indigenous Americans, and so much more. Not to mention… it is the Indigenous American aspect of this series that truly made it quite refreshing and quite special. Since it was set on a Navajo Reservation and also focused on the struggles of the Navajo people.
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Giving rise to representation that remains rare in 2023 since we don’t see enough Indigenous Americans or their culture on television or in film. But this series put the Navajo front and center and that is simply amazing and well, all of those elements left us eager for more of this series, and thankfully, our wait for just that has come to an end. For last night saw the season two premiere of this dynamic series debut on AMC and well… it didn’t take long for us to learn through a harrowing shootout involving Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Sergeant Bernadette Manuelito, that season two is going to offer a higher stakes case for Joe than last season provided us with. But before we dive too deeply into that, we should take a moment and reflect upon the fact that ‘Na’nilkaadii’ also took the time to explore what everyone was up to after defeating the Buffalo Society and crooked FBI Agent Leland Whitover.

As it turned out, life simply went on. For Joe and Bernadette were back to their usual routine at the station and investigating more common crimes on the Reservation. Such as potential alien attacks, as cited by one high individual, and locking up folks that felt the need to not listen to what Joe and Bernadette had to say when they warned them to stop crossing the line. Not to mention, Jim Chee decided the time had come to leave the FBI behind after the hell he experienced working for them, and instead take up a new life as a private investigator. Wherein he could do good deeds both small and large for the people of the Reservation, and had we not started off with a grand shootout, it would have seemed that peaceful times were ahead for everyone in this story.

But alas, those catch up moments were days before the shootout in question, which meant… we were bearing witness to the steady end of better days ahead and really… the ugly in this tale and the reality that Joe and his team were about to face off against something more sinister and powerful than the Buffalo Society, was made apparent when something horrifying happened at the local hospital. For while Emma was taking care of a patient, a car bomb went off. One designed to terminate the life of a man sick with cancer. Why exactly, wasn’t immediately apparent. Which is why Joe was on the case and the nasty nature of this crime, did push him to learn why as quickly as possible and well, soon the audience and Joe were privy to the knowledge that an unwelcome visitor to the Reservation, and other dark forces, were working together to bring something sinister to life.
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For eventually, Joe and Jim teamed up, since Jim was working a PI case related to this, and they came to learn that everything seemed to be linking back to an ultra-secret society on the Reservation known as the People of Darkness. A group steeped in mystical concepts, to the point where seeing into the future was commonplace for them, since one of their members predicted the explosion that killed Joe Jr. All of which Joe and Jim were skeptical of until they arrived at a retrieval site for an item stolen on Jim’s end of the case. Since an item thought lost to the explosion that Joe Jr. was wearing on that fateful day was retrieved. Which truly inferred that something incredible was at play here. But alas, before Joe and Jim could properly process this stunning surprise, trouble arrived. Because… a very snake like individual that spent a great deal of time either lurking or killing in this episode, made their presence known, and offered up a threat… in a supremely explosive manner. Setting the stage for a very brutal and personal case for Joe Leaphorn. Since that discovery will absolutely drive him and haunt him.

If anything, this was just… an amazing season premiere when all is said and done, for several reasons. Such as the fact that it did a wonderful job of immersing us back into this world through its dynamic characters, that we’ve come to love. Plus, it invested us deeply in the stakes at hand since we are indeed worried about Joe and Bernadette and of course… it set the stage for a compelling case, since we are all quite curious about the People of Darkness and their agenda and of course… we must know what that weird lookin’ fella wants and how he is tied to all of this. And immersion and grand setup is all you can ask for from a quality season premiere and we got that in spades here… and so much more. Since we were also treated to a beautifully woven story that brought everything together in an organic and smooth manner, and it would seem… that the more mystical side of the Navajo people is going to be explored this season. Giving rise to more education about a people that deserve their day in the sun and well… it truly is wonderful to have this engaging and dynamic series back on the air, and it will be interesting to see how this case plays out as season two of this magnificent show continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Minx’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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One of the best parts of watching someone settle into the hard pursuit of their dream, is watching them… do whatever it takes to bring it to life. For that really speaks to how much it means to them and how badly they want it, and somehow, seeing sacrifices come into play or incredible effort… just inspires us. Because we see the intensity in their brows, the fire in their eyes, and the sly smile on their faces as they work so hard to have what they have longed for… and well… we want that. So, we walk away from that moment with inspiration in our hearts and the belief that we too will make it, and that is likely what a great deal of us felt when we turned off our streaming devices or our cable boxes once this week’s episode of Minx on STARZ, came to a close.
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For ‘I thought the bed was gonna fly’ just so happened to be a story that put that type of behavior on display. For when we caught up with the Bottom Dollar crew, they were working to get word back out about the magazine and really get that buzz to an all-time high, and what better way to do that… than by hosting an exclusive West Coast screening of one of the most popular pornographic movies of all time… Deep Throat. Because that would indeed get people thinking about what Minx had to offer and well, once the whole crew was assembled, the joy in their eyes and the smile on their faces, really did speak to how the dream was bringing them joy, and it took the universe… to bring forth complications that would push them all to do the absolute most to make this night a success, and keep the dream alive.

Because it turned out, that someone screwed up the shipping manifest to the theater. Since the projection booth was home to Bedknobs and Broomsticks, instead of Deep Throat, and no… this wasn’t some XXX knockoff Doug could use to his advantage. This was the full-on wholesome film. Which meant that not only did someone’s party offer up a vastly different experience for those in attendance, but this screening was on the verge of falling to pieces. Not to mention, the police wanted to shut it down, and well… that’s when we saw the fight come into play. Because not only did Doug use the situation with the cops to his advantage, by giving them the reels of what they thought was Deep Throat to keep them off their backs… but everyone pitched in to either delay the crowd or to get the only other copy of the film to the theater and that was incredible to see play out.

Since Richie and Tina literally drove to a producer’s house to patiently wait to grab hold of the reels that he enjoyed in private often, while Joyce stood up in front of the crowd and educated the world on sex, as her magazine was wont to do, and well… this collective effort brought forth majesty. For the reels were eventually delivered in two separate trips, no less, but delivered none the less. Giving rise to an inspirational night where everyone worked together to keep this dream alive and gave so much in the name of the magazine. Not to mention we saw such actions inspire Joyce deeply. Since it gave her what she needed to write a great Letter from the Editor for the next issue and well… it doesn’t get more inspirational than that. 

Because that is the kind of stuff that speaks to a real deep pursuit of a dream. In a wholesome manner of course since it didn’t require anything illegal or half-assed. Just pure drive, pure effort, and ingenuity and that made… for an amazing episode. One that was once again filled with quality laughs and quirky moments, such as the whole police thing. Since Doug handing over the ‘movie’ was a stroke of genius, and the multitude of other jokes here, just worked through and through. But more importantly, we were once again privy to the process of a dream coming together. A topic that fascinates us to no end, and it will be interesting to see what comes next for the magazine, now that this crew dug deep and pulled off miracles, all in the name of the dream. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 707 of ‘Outlander’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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At the conclusion of last week’s episode of Outlander, on STARZ, it truly seemed as though… rough storytelling was on the horizon. For Jamie had signed up for another tour in the American Army, and he of course… was talking about heading to Saratoga, wherein some incredible battles took place that eventually cemented a decisive victory for America. Which meant, war was going to play out on screen, and we would be privy to dark visuals within it since this is a series that understands the gravity of brutality. Which undoubtedly meant we all steeled our nerves for the ugly to come… only to be deeply surprised by this week’s episode, in every possible sense of the word. Mainly because… ‘A Practical Guide for Time-Travelers’ took the majority of the story in a vastly different, yet still dark, direction.
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For this was a tale, that spent a lot of time in 1980. Wherein we came to learn that the man that Roger smacked around a bit last week, was none other than Buck MacKenzie. Who learned the hard way that he was rash and foolish with Roger and should have never gone the route he did. Not against family anyway. Which cooled tempers and allowed for forgiveness and a plan to of course, get Buck back to his own time. Regardless of the fact that it might mean his end, since the family tree spoke to the year of his end being the same as the year, he left for 1980. But he was fine with this regardless and made every effort to integrate into family life for the time being, and that led to peace while another surprise made itself apparent to the MacKenzine family, in the form of one Rob Cameron. For he uh… he basically made himself at home at Lallybroch as well.

All because he jumped at the chance to learn more about the family and enjoy their presence and of course… he was eager to flirt with Brianna, much to Buck and Roger’s chagrin. All of which made it appear as though, nice times were ahead for this family. But alas, we came to learn at the end of this storyline that Rob was not whom he appeared to be. In fact, he knew something was off about this family, and that they did not belong in this time, and that prompted him to play nice, to gain access to everything Roger had written down about time travel and use that to his advantage. By taking gemstones to the stones nearby and Jem with him as well. Leaving this family one child lighter and leaving Roger and Bree in a furious place. Since this man dared to mess with their family and time travel. All of which truly lifted our worries about something gory and violent happening, but definitely delivered some darkness. 

For that sequence was still pretty worrisome since an innocent child was lost to time for reasons we don’t understand. But we were truly expecting commentary on the darkness of war, and even the scenes back in 1777 spoke to little action in this tale. For we spent a lot of time with Jamie and Claire as they prepared for the first Battle of Saratoga and enjoyed their downtime together, and William Ransom, just went about his life as well. Which in this instance involved trying to stay on the frontlines for the fight ahead when others wanted to send him away as a messenger boy again, and well, he was eventually granted his wish and treated to the spoils of war. Since he did stand at Saratoga and saw his friends fall as bullets whizzed by him. 
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Which was, gloomy for certain and uncomfortable, but still tame by what the show had foreshadowed. Not to mention, when the gunpowder settled, and the dead were buried, William just returned to base, a changed man that had taken part in hard combat. But that’s when the show… really took us off guard like never before. Because in the wake of Saratoga, on the American side… we came to learn that the fight did not go as well for Jamie as we had hoped. For somewhere in the madness of cannonballs and hand to hand bloodshed, Jamie was badly wounded… or worse. For all we saw in the closing moments of this tale was him lying still, leaving us to wonder if he is alright or if this story is about to take quite the turn and sadly… we won’t know for two weeks courtesy of a quick break before the midseason finale.

But what mattered more here, was that this episode shook us ways we didn’t expect. By first having an innocent child go missing at the hands of a man whose intentions remain a mystery, and one of the most important characters in this tale is in a bad place physically. All of which leaves us beside ourselves and in a worried state. For we really thought this story was going to say more about the horrors of the bloodshed of the Revolutionary War and what it taught those who fought it, about freedom, and war in general in a powerful and sobering manner. But leave it to this show to invest us in such lessons personally and leave us deeply unsettled about the fate of Jem and well, all of these elements are going to make the two weeks wait for the midseason finale quite painful. Since we simply must know how Roger is going to bring Jem home, and whether or not Jamie Fraser is okay. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Foundation’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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If there is one particular aspect of the Apple TV+ series, Foundation, that we’ve spoken to often, it would be the show’s desire to truly tell a slow burning sci-fi epic. And this keeps coming up, simply because the show refuses to deviate from that. For every time there is an opportunity to ramp up the tension and perhaps move this show in a more action packed or grittier direction, it simply does not. It instead, does the opposite and slows things down greatly and for proof… look no further than this week’s episode. For ‘King and Commoner’ had the opportunity to start the march to war in a brisk and powerful manner since Empire decreed it necessary. But instead… this was a story that just expanded upon this universe further in a slow burning yet engaging manner.
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In fact, it actually managed to introduce us a bevy of new characters and teach us about what makes them tick. Such as Hober Mallow. Who we learned is nothing more than a scoundrel really. Who is eager to sell their wares and steal wares when the opportunity presents itself, and in doing so… finds himself in trouble often. Which is precisely what was surrounding him, here. Since his attempts to stun a powerful man landed him in a lot of hot water, to the point where even the clerics were unable to change hearts and minds and save him. In fact, it took his own level of cunning and intelligence to escape what looked to be a solid and painful death. But what mattered more here is that we saw more of the galaxy and met quite interesting new characters as sci-fi epics are wont to do, and the majesty of this story didn’t end there.

For we were also introduced to Bel Riose. A broken man that once stood up to Empire and its ways and found himself badly punished for it. But with Day ready to wage war in the Outer Rim, he needed Riose’s cunning and skills. And after testing his loyalty, gave him his life back and his husband. So, he could feel complete about returning to the field. Which he did, much to the joy of people he served with ages ago. But what made this segment so compelling and so powerful, was that it spoke to the reality that Empire is losing its grip on its own people, to the point where even the naval officers that salute Day and their superiors, are more interested in following Riose. For they trust him over Empire and it will be interesting to see where this loyal convert turned rebel, turned back into convert, loyalties lie, and what path he will choose as his work on the Outer Rim continues, and it was supremely amazing to meet this man and learn what we learned here.

However, while that was fascinating to enjoy, the story also made sure to catch up with Gaal, Salvor and Hari. Who made quite the detour in this particular tale… to a wasteland really. For Hari had the ship set down on a rock that was once a proud mining world for Empire. Until it was depleted of its resources of course. And well, that was problematic. Because it didn’t give rise to the Second Foundation, just strange curiosities, and locations that well… happened to be full of secrets. For they allowed for Hari to meander about without the need of the Prime Radiant and this world also transformed him. For at the end of this story, when Salvor and Gaal were ready to leave without Hari since he disappeared with a mystery projection, they came to discover… his new body. One that made him living flesh again, leaving all of us to wonder about the majesty of this world… and what comes next.

For this story at its core, set the stage for big moment upon big moment. The kind that will see a thief and a con man tussle with faith and see a broken hero tussle with where his loyalties lie, and of course… the story will undoubtedly show us how all of this ties into the Second Crisis and we will learn, whether or not our heroes can set up the Second Foundation needed to stave off the Mule and years of darkness. But while we wait to see all that play out, we can relish in one satisfying tale. One that took its time in telling its story and truly expanded upon this already majestic world with its introductions and explorations and well, all this episode does is leave us hungry for more. So, we can learn more about these new people, and to enjoy more of a true science fiction epic. One that continues to impress with its world-building and overall scope Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 103 & 104 of ‘Praise Petey’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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When we last settled in to discuss the hilarious new Freeform series, Praise Petey, our hero and hope for a better tomorrow was facing quite the powerful conundrum. In that, Petey’s dad left her with nothing but an utter mess in the utopia he once ran as its leader. For the people in this town believed in nothing but the leader and were so deeply entrenched in his teachings and his desires that they had no future or purpose. Which Petey of course, believed she could change and well… the question that remained in our minds at the end of the first two episodes was… could she? After all, she made a lot of compromises to keep the status quo going for a short time and that spoke to a town that was potentially too far gone.
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But the next two episodes in this wondrous show made it clear… that it might be possible for Petey to save the day and save the good people of this town. It will just take a lot of work and a lot of shattering of old nonsense to make it happen, as evidenced by what she faced and fixed in ‘We Need $30’ and ‘Father’s Knee’. In fact, the task ahead of her is so great and so powerful, that for quite some time in these stories it seemed as though the positive direction we spoke of, simply wouldn’t be possible here. In part because Petey came to learn that the town was in fact, broke in every sense of the word. For financially, its income was created by having new recruits just hand over money and morally, it was a mess since the town’s magazine was nothing more than a front to spy upon people.

Which pushed her to see if by chance she could make the magazine worthwhile and if there was a way to jump-start and create an economy. Since the Comet Bucks used as currency were a joke outside of the city walls and truly… Petey struggled to find a solution. Because her best efforts to make money for the town, just to get thirty bucks for medical supplies, were rousing failures, further complicated by her being cut off by her mother. And the magazine was deeply close to its gross immoral ties, to the point where Petey even pondered upon using its evil powers to advance her own causes with Bandit. Simply because everything she needed to offer up scandalous piece about him was there. Leaving her beside herself and unsure of how to make this town better.

But… she eventually figured it all out. Because she came to learn that all the money in this place, went to her father and his so-called elder friends. Who lived in posh mansions while others suffered, and if she decreed those houses and their materials to be put up for sale, the town could finally fund itself. So, she did, saving a nice pharmacist from losing his life savings. And of course… she knew better as a journalist than to let a dirty rag remain dirty. So, she stood up for journalistic integrity and wrote a great piece about herself and her hopes and dreams for the town. Giving this place the baby steps, it so desperately needed to thrive and start moving in the right direction. Which was wonderful to see take place and truly gave Petey and the audience hope for a better tomorrow for this town, which it… desperately needs.

But of course, while it was wonderful to see Petey make progress and move this town in the right direction, make no mistake about it, challenges remain. For the people are still broken, and bad vibes still surround the town. Not to mention, dear old mum is hiding secrets about her baby, and that’s a huge deal. For now, however, this town is on the right path for a change and while we wait to see what steps await Petey next to save its collective soul, we can celebrate, one delightful set of stories. The kind that of course, featured amazing one-liners and off kilter moments that made us laugh out loud, while also showcasing the best aspects of humanity. Through Petey’s kindness and desire to do what’s right above all, and truly… if she can keep on that path and keep handling the setbacks as she did here… she may just get her wish and save this godforsaken town from the desolation her father laid down as its foundation. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Heels’. To revisit the Season One Finale, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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When we last settled in to discuss the magnificent STARZ series, Heels, we talked at length about one particular moment in life that everyone wants to achieve. Specifically, grabbing hold of our greatest dream at last, and how… it doesn’t play out quite the way we expect to. For the prevailing belief is that the moment we reach the apex, we have a moment of clarity. Of what it means to get there, of what the journey looked like and well… ‘Double Turn’ made it clear, that’s simply not the case. It’s just a moment. One that of course, features a great deal of joy because we finally achieved everything we have ever wanted. But that does of course, beg an important question. In that, why then do so many stories and people speak of reflection at the end of this leg of the journey?
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Well, it just so happens, that season two premiere of this incredible series, takes the time to answer that question. That is, after celebrations were underway in ‘Ten-Bell Salute’. For shortly after Crystal hoisted the belt as champion of the Duffy Wrestling League, and the audience went home… it was indeed time to toast to the reality that the league pulled it off. They were the toast of the town and the buzz of the fair. To the point where deals were ready to be made to make the DWL the premier event of fairs to come and well, everyone was over the moon, and rightfully so. Because at last, the dream was achieved and the sky was now the limit, and that… is where the story began to explore how reflection comes into our proudest moment, by outright taking us into the past to explore what really brought us to this moment and how the journey got underway.

Which for Jack and Ace Spade… began in their darkest hour. But they weren’t aware of that in the moment. After all, their father was gone, in the worst possible manner and all they could think of in the days that followed that devastating discovery, was the pain in their hearts, and they weren’t alone. For the entire town knew and loved Tom ‘King’ Spade and everyone’s attention in Duffy was tuned into paying their last respects to a man that tried to do so much for the community and tried to really make something special happen in this town. But now that all remained of him, were unpaid bills and a Dome that no one could afford. So, plans were set in motion to bid farewell to the Duffy Dome and the DWL and that… is where the journey accelerated for these two gentlemen, and their friends. Allowing for us to understand what lights the spark for the dream and how powerful it feels in those early days of chasing it.

A feat accomplished by way of an interesting suggestion from Stacy. For while she and Jack were talking, she pointed out that Jack’s lamentation of never getting to tell amazing stories via the league and revitalize it the way he hoped his late father would, could be easily fixed. If he put together a Ten-Bell Salute Event. One that would offer up one last match for the DWL, in the Duffy Dome. Wherein King Spade could be sent off in style and with respect and well, that… allowed for Jack and Ace to wrestle together at last, since Ace wanted in and watching him pick it up quickly and watching the joy fill his eyes, alongside Jack… spoke to what lit the spark and what it meant to them to be doing this, on a fateful night when the Duffy Dome was at capacity to say farewell to the King. Since they loved every second of it and found the path, they wanted more than anything.

Which was a sequence that accomplished two goals really for the story. One, it filled in the last of the blanks regarding everyone’s story, and what wrestling, and family and Duffy means to each of them. Since we saw Crystal in her pre-valet days here, and the hunger she had to be near the sport, and we saw Willie really speak to her passion regarding the sport and we learned a lot about Staci and how a miscarriage transformed her into someone that had no qualms being bold to savor the importance of the moment and what we have. But it really did speak to how… the moments following the one where we achieve everything we’ve wanted, are where we finally reflect. Where we truly appreciate the journey and every hardship. Because those moments made us into something more, into the champion, if you will, that finally reached the top of the mountain and achieved what so many seek to achieve.  
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But of course, since this is a powerfully cerebral series through and through, just showing us the formative moments of the DWL and the dream, and what real reflection looks like… isn’t enough for this series. Which is why it also explored how that moment changes us for the better. Because shortly after he returned home from the big night, Jack Spade was not the same person that entered the ring. He was humbled, he was at peace, despite his mistakes. That prompted him to talk to Stacy on a more comprehensive and honest level about their love and how they would start to look toward tomorrow. At stabilizing their relationship, while Jack worked on maintaining the dream and enjoying the fruits of his labor through and through, and it was nice to have the series showcase how the dream does benefit us from a mental health standpoint and also how… the challenges don’t end. 

Because the dream doesn’t stop the world from turning, nor does it stop hardships and well… there are definitely troubles waiting on the horizon for Jack and the DWL. After all, despite being humiliated by a man that made a mess in his pants, Charlie Gully was determined to put Florida Dystopia Wrestling back into the spotlight, despite it being badly eclipsed by the DWL’s incredible night. By simply going online to mock Crystal’s achievement and the match in general. Making it clear this grade-A jackass isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and of course… there’s Ace. Because we learned in this tale, the DWL brought him closer to his father, and that’s another layer as to why he was chasing this dream. But having Jack treat him in the manner he did for ticket sales… was more than he could bear, and he thought perhaps… his time was done in Duffy, and he headed away from home in a hurry late on this wondrous night. 

A move that also speaks to how our pursuit of the dream at any cost can bring forth big consequences. For now, the DWL is down one of its biggest stars and that will be a big problem in the days to come. But while we wait to see how that gets resolved, we can celebrate… one amazing season premiere. One that informed us that this year’s storytelling will leave no stone unturned with the characters and that their growth and their journey is the focus. And that it won’t be abandoning its explorations of the power of dreams and the ups and downs that come with chasing them and maintaining them. Which is wonderful news. Since it means the characters, we love and adore and relate to, will still be the top focus of the show, and the inspiring commentary we crave will be present, and it will simply be incredible to see what lies ahead for the Duffy Wrestling League as season two of this inspired and incredible series, continues along. Until next time.

To learn more about Willie Day’s journey in season two of ‘Heels’, check out our interview with Actor Mary McCormack.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Twisted Metal’. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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It is definitely safe to say, that anytime hardcore fans of a particular video game hear that their beloved game is being turned into a movie or show… they find a lump in their throats. Simply because… let’s be honest… a lot of video game adaptations are underwhelming and disappointing in nature. For they often try to reinvent the wheel and modernize or revolutionize the story to fit the silver or small screen. Or they don’t get the budget they deserve, and the end result just doesn’t do the source material justice. And it is equally as safe to say, that such trepidation was on everyone’s mind when Peacock announced it was going to bring the wildly popular video game franchise, Twisted Metal, to the small screen, for the concerns outlined above. But slowly and surely, studios and networks and creatives are coming to understand… that it is okay to not get wildly artistic with property in this manner and to instead… either create the world in question faithfully, and/or build upon it.
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Which is starting to bring forth more faithful and/or more engaging adaptations to the silver and small screen and it just so happens… that this particular show is one that fans can celebrate, for several reasons. For this game was known for its wild violence and graphic depictions of everything revolving around that violence, and that’s where the show really delivers. For there is gory violence to be found here, and not an ounce of filtering surrounding it. Plus, there’s action and adventure to be found here, and guns and explosions and of course, Sweet Tooth makes a cameo in this pilot episode, and that wild nature of the game is what the fans absolutely want to experience and that’s what they get there. Complete with the humor and fun the franchise is also known for. 

But this is a series that also takes the time to build upon what made the franchise so wondrous in the first place. For Twisted Metal the game was basically chaos in a race style setting, which of course evolved over the years, but rather than go that route and offer up just a the same old, same old, we get an entire world here… one borne of a digital apocalypse that has prompted the nation to be divided into two camps, really. One of which, is civilization… with some restrictions. Wherein the great cities of America are walled in and beyond those walls… is the chaos in question.

For this is where the lawless live to fend for themselves and if by chance… critical supplies are needed in the cities, then milkmen can bring those supplies across country for handsome rewards. Which is, the perfect way to expand this world and create the madness that the game was celebrated for and of course… there’s a story to be found here as well. Since we meet John Doe in ‘WLUDRV’, a talented milkman that cannot be stopped by conventional forces, to the point where the top dog in New San Francisco offers him the opportunity of a lifetime. Complete the mission she’s laid out for him, and bring back something special from Chicago, and John can live in the majesty in New San Francisco. 
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That allows for John to traverse the countryside in episodes to come and that… really does give us a magnificent adaptation of the game. It's just an outright bonus… that the structure of this world is expanded greatly and now the chaos is everywhere to be found and there’s a story in place. One that is driven by some fine writing and some fine acting as well. Since Anthony Mackie delivers as John Doe, Stephanie Beatriz builds mystery as Quiet. While Thomas Haden Church and Will Arnett and Samoa Joe sell the evil of this world nicely as Agent Stone and Sweet Tooth respectively (with Arnett playing the voice and Samoa Joe playing the character).

All of which makes this, a true delight of a series. Because it really is that rare video game adaptation that captures the spirit the game while catapulting it to new heights courtesy of that unique and expansive story, and it’s fun, and gritty, and everything one could have hoped for and more. Making this the adaptation that every fan of the series has been waiting for, and it will be interesting to see where this fresh story is going to take us in the weeks to come, as we continue east with John Doe and his new, mostly silent friend. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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Sometimes an episode comes along, and it really hits home on some intense themes. Star Trek isn’t one to shy away from asking the deeper questions or hide a more serious conversation under the guise of a funny moment or entertaining episode. This episode, however, was not that, it was gritty and serious and tackled PTSD in a much different way. It faced the theme head on, bringing to light the horrors of war. Yes, this is a fictional show about Space explorers, but the subject of war is very real. As the show touches on the Federation war against the Klingons, it showed the darker side of surviving the war. From the perspective of those who were at one of the ugliest battles.
 
The ugly truth is that the war never ends for those who survive it. War continues. It haunts and decays and stays, only leaving behind scars that never fully heal. M’Benga, Chapel, and Ortegas know this far too well. When a Klingon Ambassador is brought onto the ship for special transport, it doesn’t go well. They fought him in the war. Their wounds are never going to heal, and they all deal with it differently. Chapel retreats into herself, pulling away from everyone but M’Benga, and expresses a desire to be left alone. Ortegas is angry, outwardly, loudly, angry and she isn’t afraid to show it, especially to the Ambassador. M’Benga experiences flashbacks and physical pain.
 
Their shared trauma may be expressed in different ways, but they all struggle nonetheless. It’s more than noticeable, especially at a forced dinner where they sit with the Captain and the Bridge crew and the Klingon Ambassador and listen to him talk about peace, knowing full well what they all experienced. M’Benga more so than anyone. M’Benga, who was on the frontlines treating the endless wave of wounded, saw the worst of it for the longest, and was still there when the Klingon’s turned, on the civilians. When countless Starfleet officers died, and innocent children were slaughtered. M’Benga who knows the truth of this Klingon War General turned false Peace Ambassador.

​Because that is the truth, Ortegas was right from the start to not trust a single word he said. Still, in the end, M’Benga ended his stint in the war with a promise to end it all, to kill the Klingon General who ordered the deaths of civilians and Starfleet soldiers alike. Starfleet was never meant to be a military that fought wars, they were supposed to be Space Explorers. And, perhaps, that is the biggest lesson of it all. What started out as something meant to bring unity and peace, turned into a force to fight war, only to go back to the same message of spreading unity and peace. Yet, there never is a way to go back. There is only going forward and hoping to learn from the past and heal the wounds.
 
The truth in it all is that unresolved trauma does not heal on its own. Complex PTSD is extremely hard to heal from, but it can be done. Triggers are always going to be there; it’s learning how to handle them that is the key. Chapel’s avoidance of her trauma will ultimately cause the downfall of her relationship with Spock. M’Benga’s unresolved trauma will never let him stop feeling guilty. Ortega’s anger will be something she has to struggle with. And still, despite their PTSD, despite everything, these three war veterans are more than just soldiers and survivors, they’re people. People who may have experienced things that broke parts of them, but they’re still people. They’re moving forward, they’re forging new paths and new memories. Their trauma doesn’t define them.
 
And perhaps, getting a little justice, doesn’t hurt either.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Based on a True Story’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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If there is one unfortunate truth about the poor choices we make in this life, it is that one poor choice, often unleashes hell upon our lives. For that one decision, is nothing short of a crack in the foundation of our lives, and it doesn’t take long for that crack to grow and widen until our lives are upended by it, and all it takes is saying yes to something stupid, and well… that particular truth is top of mind today… because it was put on full display in the next episode of Based on a True Story on Peacock. But it sure didn’t seem as though that was going to be the case early on in ‘National Geographic’. Simply because a wild dream that Nathan had, made it seem as though everything in he and Ava’s life was going to be just fine after all.
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For Nathan not only dreamt of a torrid affair with Ruby, but that dream iteration of her, sent him inspiration. In the form of how to save the podcast. Which involved, taking it private, having donations flood in and record accordingly. A move that would cut out the middleman, give them complete control and well, Matt loved the idea. To the point where he believed this gave him complete and utter freedom as a killer once again. Where he could violently murder people and satiate his bloodlust, and speak to his crimes, and feed his ego further though a massive captive audience. And of course… he could keep the Bartlett’s alive since they were too afraid to speak up about what they knew, and they could give him the means to continue to keep the show going and well… that brought Ava and Nathan’s world crashing down.

Simply because, they came to realize that there would be no stopping Matt now without losing their lives and that sunk their spirits. Because they knew that innocent people were going to die because of their enabling nature, and it seemed that Michelle was indeed the next victim and that… was far too much to bear in the moment and left them besides themselves. Because this was the kind of inflection moment that spoke to how their lives as they knew them were over. They were Matt’s buddy now. His partner in crime and his enabler and they simply couldn’t understand how they had reached this particular point in their lives. Which really was the perfect way to explore how their lives were falling to pieces because of this decision, and how bad things could get, and that did indeed make for a bleak tale.

One though… that spoke to the reality that not all is lost when we reach this point. Because if we can figure out what led us to this point and figure out what we actually need in life, we can perhaps bounce back, and this couple worked to do just that in this story. Since Ava came to realize, she stuck her head into fantasy far too often, rather than look at what was in front of her and that prompted her to finally confront those fantasies and begin to look at what she needed to fix in her life rather than escape from it. And Nathan, well he came to realize that he had in essence, grown soft. And going that route and being so happy go lucky took him out of the driver’s seat of his life, and that he needed to find that drive and reawaken his ambition so that he would never find himself looking for a quick fix like this again, and Ava came to the same epiphany as well.

But alas, to really get on the right track, some things will have to come into play for this couple. Such as working out their deeper marital issues. For their personal issues and detachments have indeed created a rift in their lives that must be fixed. Not to mention, they must deal with the mess they’ve created with the Westside Ripper. Because he holds their future in his bloody hands and that… will be no easy task. For he is at his most powerful, and he is ready to return to killing and it would seem that he wants his business partners to enjoy the spoils of his twisted desires as well. As evidenced by the closing moments of this story, since Ava and Nathan came face to face with the dead body of Ruby. Who was dropped on the doorstep of their summer home, by Matt no less… to share in his sickening joy of the kill and to remind them… he controls what comes next for them in this life.

But that aside, this was, another brilliant episode. Since it really did examine how quickly our lives fall apart when we make poor choices that are laden with risk and consequence. But where it shined was in its examination of how we get out of that funk, of how we find our way back, and that was wondrous because that just isn’t present in crime stories all that often, much less a black comedy about befriending and enabling a serial killer. But it was necessary to find here, to add something more for the audience and to properly set the stage for the finale ahead. For this couple is ready to take a new path in life, and they must confront the monster to claim it, and it will be interesting to see whether or not they get out of the mess they created… when this magnificent story comes to its conclusion. Until next time.