Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 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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Over the weekend Paramount+ aired their much-anticipated Star Trek crossover episode between Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks. To say this episode is an instant favorite with how epic it truly turned out to be, is a genuine understatement. The groundbreaking episode featured both the animation style we love for Lower Decks turned to the real life amazing show that is Strange New Worlds. The best part, easily, was having the two main voice actors for Mariner and Boimler, reprise their roles in live action. This was the most genius move on Star Trek’s part, as Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid are so iconic as Mariner and Boimler, that replacing them would be a travesty.
 
Quaid managed to bring to life Boimler’s exaggerated movements, squeaks, yelps, and facial expressions without it being a mockery, having it fit in seamlessly, while Tawny gives such Mariner vibes that everything, she did on screen was perfect. Star Trek isn’t a stranger to time travel, as La’an recently had her own stint in an alternate universe, so she quickly bonds with Boimler when he drops by the Enterprise after flying through a time portal. The problem is that Boims will be Boims, and it’s hard not to let things slip about the future or what past events will happen. Does he, inadvertently, cause tension between Christine and Spock? Maybe, just a bit, by mentioning how human Spock has become and how the future needs Vulcan Spock. Does he also infer a dislike for Una? Maybe, but that’s also not what we think. Things went okay, until Mariner showed up. 
 
The truth is, Pike isn’t cut out for Mariner and Boimler, and the duo doesn’t make it easy for the crew. At least Ortegas and Christine got to mess with Boimler a little when he was alone, Mariner is just chaos incarnate with a huge thing for Uhura. She even gets Uhura to loosen up with some drinks. And maybe the two visitors manage to help the Orion’s be a little bit more legitimate. As, in their time, it is rude to just assume all Orions are pirates, after all. But of course, Boims and Mariner made their mark on the crew, and everyone learned they’re not so different, just from different times, before our time travelers made it home. Because this is Star Trek and that’s a big message in the franchise.

​So why was this crossover so epic? Star Trek: Lower Decks is the first, successful, multi season animated Star Trek series that focuses on the Lower Decks crew, rather than the Bridge crew. While the series has a lot to offer in its supporting cast, including the Bridge crew, Lower Decks is happier to focus on what the Ensigns get up to during adventures, rather than the Captain. While Strange New Worlds has the standard Captain and main Bridge crew as the show’s focal point. Heads of departments, important characters, and strangely, no Lower Deck crew members. Just Uhura, but… she’s Uhura. It just made for a wonderful mix of the higher ranks mixing with the newer ones. Although Mariner’s been around a bit and maybe lost a few promotions.
 
This was also a great way to integrate the prequel to The Original Series and a show set farther into the future. The joke that Ransom calls the original Enterprise crew TOS, short for ‘Those Old Scientists’, is a play on TOS meaning The Original Series. Lower Decks takes place after The Next Generation, and man was this episode filled with callbacks to that and other series in the franchise as well. It also was the first episode to be done in both real world and animation. As the episode concludes, we get the Strange New Worlds cast, animated into the Lower Decks style, really tying the crossover home. Strange New Worlds has already had a lot of fun with its first season and a half, even offering a D&D style episode at the end of its first season and promising a musical episode towards the end of its second. Making this bold crossover event on par for the wonderful experimentation that is Strange New Worlds.
 
Again, the absolute best part of this whole thing was having the original voice actors for Mariner and Boimler reprise their roles in the live action. Seeing Quaid with purple hair and Newsome with rolled uniform sleeves, really tied it all together. They are Mariner and Boimler, voices and all! The chemistry of the cast mixed amazingly, creating the perfect episode.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 706 of ‘Outlander’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. It also contains discussions regarding suicide, which may be triggering to some individuals. 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 unfortunate truth about fiction, is that it tends to romanticize war. Either by providing us with a journey that makes war seem as noble as can be, complete with rallying cries and powerful imagery designed to really get the audience behind the cause of the soldiers in the story. Or they work to showcase beauty during combat, through a love story or through other means. To create duality within the tale and truly make it seem as though we can find something worthwhile when war rages on. But what makes that so problematic is that… there isn’t anything romantic or pretty about war. It’s hell, people die, atrocities are conducted, and people suffer and suffer greatly. To the point where worldviews are changed and people too.
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Which is why it is always refreshing to find that rare story that doesn’t celebrate such matters. So that we are reminded of its awfulness and our need to find a better way and it just so happens, that Outlander is going to be a story that explores war in an honest light, as evidenced by this week’s episode. Since it showed us some ugly aspects to war, while also throwing a little palate cleanser in for good measure. Since ‘Where the Waters Meet’ featured an uplifting journey for Roger MacKenzie. Since he had the chance to finally do more with his day than just scribble notes about his journeys and ponder upon his future. He was able to teach a Gaelic course at the school and share the wonder of his heritage and impart its wisdom and wonder upon others, and it was very sweet to see Roger find fulfillment in this manner and even confront his wife’s tormentor, who may or may not be up to something… and discover that the mysterious figure near his home, is another traveler. 

But that aside, make no mistake about it… this was a story that showcased the horrors of war, and it accomplished that feat, but putting Claire in serious trouble. For shortly after the boats returned to land and the refugees prepared to move out, trouble befell them in the way of British soldiers that were working to impersonate Indigenous Americans to scare anyone that came near them. To send rebels running and perhaps capture a few along the way and well… those scare tactics worked. For the poor soul that was filled with PTSD regarding the attack she endured, could take no more pressure, and opted out of this life, in front of Claire no less. Who sadly, was taken by the British who heard that gunshot, and returned to Fort Ticonderoga to endure the horrors of war, again, and share them with the audience.

For we were privy to how prisoners of war are far too often seen as afterthoughts and bargaining chips. Since everyone the British captured, received no water or care, and even the kind soul that was Walter Woodcock suffered here. For while he was gently moved to his new prison site, being shuffled out of bed was jarring to his recovering body and created blood clots in his lungs. Which in turn, eventually brought forth his death. Not to mention, Claire was reminded of the fact that sides and flags can create inadvertent divisions amongst family. Since William Ransom finally made his way to Ticonderoga and returned to uniform and duty, and well… his loyalty to the British army was jarring to say the least. Especially when… the rescue plan that Jamie and Young Ian put together… came to fruition. For Young Ian’s plan was to sneak into the fort and blend in and that part of the plan worked but became problematic when William saw him. 
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All of which spoke to the divisions now created in this war and the uncomfortable nature of it, only grew from there. Since Jamie created a fiery distraction to get Claire and Ian out… and that led to a tense moment where duty and honor were taken to task between Ian and Ransom. The latter of which, eventually did the right thing, but even then… it should never have been a question. But war changed that, and it also left Claire in a tough place mentally. Because she was forced to leave everyone else behind, and she had gone to great lengths to get them care and get them food and water and without her advocacy, who knew what might become of them. But that is war. Filled with hard choices such as this, and where people are left behind and what’s incredible… is that there is a chance, that this powerful story was nothing more than its own opening salvo of things to come.

For we came to learn at the end of this story, that Jamie re-upped with the United States Army. Simply because they needed his rifleman skills and we also learned that he would be heading to Saratoga, a place that played a huge part in the Revolutionary War. Ergo, there is a good chance, this story is about to dive deeper into the horrors of war. For while we see that battle and so many others as formative and critical to the birth of America… in that moment, it was bloody and violent combat, between those who wanted freedom and those who wanted the status quo, and clearly… this series wants nothing more… than to explore just that. Which will make for some powerful moments in the weeks ahead, as this series gives us a unique history lesson that few stories do, and it will be interesting to see what kind of raw and visceral lesson will be presented to us. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Minx’. 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 reach a point where we are close to achieving our dreams and are ready to set out and seal the deal so to speak, the prevailing belief in this life… is that we need to be prepared to do what must be done to have fate sign on the dotted line. Which means, if we need to compromise a little, so be it. If we have to leave certain people that helped us get there behind to close the deal… oh well. Because the dream is everything to us and we didn’t make sacrifices and fight this hard to have nothing to show for it, and of course… with success in hand, we can always replicate what we left behind and assume control of what we still desire… right? Well perhaps it doesn’t have to be that way. Perhaps we can replicate everything that helped us accomplish the climb and do things our way if we so choose. And it just so happens… that the season two premiere of the STARZ series, Minx, ponders upon how that might work.
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For when we return to this world in ‘The perils of being a wealthy widow’, Joyce Prigger is in fact… following the standard societal edict for bringing one’s dreams to life Since Doug is nothing but a memory, courtesy of the fact that every publisher and their brother is knocking at her door to have them sign with her. For they understand the power and the gravity of the magazine and know what it would do for their portfolio. That means… Joyce thought she should… sign with whomever offered up the best deal, to give Richie and Bambi what she promised. But instead, there is nothing but hesitation from Joyce in this tale, for something just doesn’t sit right with her regarding this decision and that puts her at a strange crossroads in this story. One where she simply cannot decide what is best for the magazine. Which of course puts Bambi and Richie at a crossroads since they expected to get right to work. But instead, they’re at the mercy of crisis. The kind that leaves Joyce wondering if just signing on the dotted line without giving it a second thought would cause more harm than good.

Almost as though, what they are offering isn’t complete, as though going the traditional route would ruin the dream, since big publishers would of course want their stamp upon it and compromise the magazine, and she isn’t the only one feeling as though this new path forward isn’t quite right. For Doug isn’t exactly firing on all cylinders either. Because despite fully believing that his company will be just fine without Joyce at his side, it’s obvious… it won’t. Because every connect he has from a distribution standpoint… know that he’s toast without his flagship product. To the point where things go from bad to worse. For not even banks will offer him a loan to keep things going, and the same goes for the most unsavory of folks in his inner circle. Leaving Doug and sadly, Tina, without much of a future really. Just a bunch of magazines waiting to hit the stands that will likely have to get there the old-fashioned way. With gusto and elbow grease and a crazy road trip that Tina shows little interest in and well, these polarizing problems for both Joyce and Doug… help them to come to understand that the classic route of seizing one’s dream… isn’t the best way to handle it.

No instead, when one has exactly what they want and need in hand, they need to keep the status quo going, and find new ways to be pioneering to seize hold of what matters most and believe it or not… both parties found that in this tale. For this story also introduced Joyce and Doug to one Constance Papadopolous. A former shipping magnate with money in hand that well… was a trailblazer back in her day and remains a firecracker now. One that inspires Joyce to no end but of course… seems out of reach. To the point where Joyce feels the need to just sign with a traditional publisher and get it done. But Doug knows the misery and compromise that would bring and inspires her… to chase the person that inspires her. To keep everything pure, to remain the outsider and the outlier she and the magazine are viewed to be. Which leads to a powerful meeting, wherein Joyce finally takes charge through and through and… seals the right deal for her future. One that will also help Doug… since she did realize she needs his uncompromising and unorthodox view of the industry. But more importantly… it will bring Minx back to life and move it to new heights and give Joyce… an un-compromised dream.

All of which makes this… a powerful season premiere. One that truly does inspire and ignite something within the viewer. Since it tells us… don’t listen to those that say we must compromise to have what we want. No, we should instead, be mavericks and be bold and get what we need so that we don’t experience regret or worry, and that’s just great to see on screen. But what matters most, is that we get more of this glorious and refreshing series. Courtesy of the fact that it was given new life on STARZ, allowing for us to finally see Joyce’s dream come to fruition and learn more about the ups and downs that come with chasing one’s dream as a rebel, an outsider, and of course… we are reunited with characters we love, and we also will get to see what comes next for them. Such as where that whole love affair that Bambi is caught up in, will head next. And it will be both interesting and wonderful to see what lies ahead for Joyce and her loyal crew as they get back to work and solidify the dream. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Praise Petey’. 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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Something that each and every one of us secretly fear… is coming to learn that someone we love deeply, was lying to us about their life and their actions, shortly after they’ve passed. For death means there is no confrontation we can indulge in, no chance for apologies. Just the cold hard truth that they were not who we thought they were, and there will undoubtedly emotional consequences and beyond for making this discovery. Thankfully though, this fear rarely comes to light since the people we love are often honest with us. But the ‘what if?’ portion of our brains… cannot help but ponder upon that possibility and that is why, fiction tends to explore this. In a somber manner, no less.
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For such discoveries have to be devastating and likely afford a life changing experience. So, keeping it serious and keeping it grounded is seemingly the only way to explore those possibilities and what our lives might become with the truth now in front of us. But that does beg an interesting question. In that, if such a discovery were made… would there be anything positive to glean from it? Well, it just so happens, that a brand-new television series on Freeform is looking to explore if that outcome is a possibility and that makes, Praise Petey, quite the fascinating watch. Simply because… it offers up quite the theory as to how we could in fact spin such a discovery into a positive and make something special out of darkness.

A feat that ‘Taxi to the South!’ and ‘Unemployment Crisis’ accomplishes, by introducing us to a plucky and joyous IT girl named Petey St. Barts. Who is happy in New York City, and rightfully so. After all, her boyfriend is just the best. Sure, he’s plank of wood, but he’s solid and reliable and a great listener. Plus, she has the best job in the world. Yeah, it’s entry level and she is essentially a line level employee that no one cares about, but she’s in a field she loves. Not to mention, she has the best, Best Friend for Life that anyone could ask for. Never mind the fact that she is totally sleeping with her man. Okay, actually, Petey does mind that… because that breaks her, as does losing that job and this collapse leaves her wondering in these tales what she should do and that’s when quite the surprise arrives. In that, she learns that her now late father, left her an entire town for her to run, a move that should give her purpose and direction.

So, she heads down to her new Utopia, only to learn… dad had a lot of secrets. Such as the fact that the town he cherished was in essence, under his rule, and happy to follow his orders because uh… well… everyone in the whole damn town belongs to a cult. One that her dear father started, and they hope she will now lead in his absence, and that’s where the story works… to explore how one could make the most of a wild discovery in death. Because let’s be honest, that’s a lot to unpack. Enough to break someone, but the story theorizes that if by chance… we wanted to be more in life and such an event landed in our laps during that quest, we could try to make such a situation something worthwhile. All by trying to guide misguided people to something more and a life where they can find fulfillment without praising Petey and her mere standing as the Leader’s daughter. 
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Of course… there are no guarantees that this theory will pan out. That’s for an entire season of storytelling to decide. But that is a refreshing twist on such a concept, one that also offers up some fascinating satire on our modern world and our love of stories that feature the trope where a big city girl must adjust to country life, courtesy of some brilliant comedic elements. Such as Petey’s manservant, who is there to warm her feet on a moment’s notice since that is the comfort a leader deserves, or the fact that the trappings of city life don’t exist in this town. To the point where brewing an oat-milk latte is nothing short of an all-day job. One where the end result is not worth the effort. Oh, and the fact that everyone here really is brainwashed by the teachings of her father… and unable to function without someone barking orders their way, and when their way of life is interrupted, chaos ensues. 

Which means that Petey has her work cut out for her and well… that’s a great way to invest an audience in this particular tale. Because we want to see if Petey can in fact, pull off the impossible and improve the lives of the people in this town, and rise above the shadow of her father and find purpose. Plus, we want to see what wild jokes await us next. Because those examples are merely scratching the surface of the jokes in this tale. And there are many, because this is indeed at its heart, a comedy through and through, one that features an all-star cast that delivers incredible work from beginning to end, and it really does want to put a smile on our faces as it offers commentary and send ups, and well… in the end this is a great series premiere. Because it perfectly sets up a magnificent season of storytelling, one that will indeed take us on a hilarious and fascinating ride as Petey does her best, to make things right in a town where everything has gone wrong. Until next time.

To learn more about Petey’s Dad and the joy it brought Stephen Root to play him, check out our interview with Stephen, right here.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Foundation’. 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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For as long as mankind has existed… we’ve wondered deeply… what it will take for our species to find balance and harmony. And we’ve pondered upon this for eons, simply because we cannot figure it out. Because attempts to make peace are met with those who cry for war, and efforts to make equality a standard are met with feverous demands for favoritism and a status quo. And above all, attempts to level the playing field and give everyone a fighting chance are met with fury from those who want everything for themselves. So, we have instead, found ourselves dreaming of harmony and still asking that question… one that the Apple TV+ series, Foundation, is pondering upon as well. For that’s all the heroes are searching for so darkness doesn’t win the day and well, its next episode pondered upon what it might take to finally make that happen. 
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Which as it turned out, might involve instituting real checks and balances. The kind that would create a healthy system of sorts. One that would let demons be indulged to keep that morbid need we harbor satiated before pushing our better angels to prevail. To guide us really, so that the silliness that we saw play out in ‘A Glimpse of Darkness’ could be avoided. Since checks and balances would have prevented Brother Day from his dreams of genetic immortality and cleansing, that he continued to chase here. Since he dreamed of a future where all the clones would be nothing more than stored code for a rainy day and where Dusk would fade away and Dawn would live a life without purpose or direction because of the aloof nature of the throne. All because Day truly believed he knew best, courtesy of that irritating ego he is host to.

Not to mention, checks and balances would have also prevented the madness that was spreading through the Foundation. Since we came to learn that far in the future, Hari Seldon was less a man to admire for his brilliance and instead seen as a God. To the point where monks that wished to spread the word of his glory and his visage were moving through the outer rim of the galaxy to do just that. Which spoke volumes to how religion and our inability sometimes to look within makes us followers instead of leaders, and beings that spew interpreted opinion, and that leads to disaster. Which we saw play out here since the opening of the Vault, only brought death and destruction and a cryptic message that will undoubtedly be interpreted in an incorrect manner by those who think they know what the Seldon God meant. And had there been someone to ground these folks… perhaps the Foundation would not be a group of Zealots hungry for war in the name of a God. 

As to how the episode came to this conclusion as to what we need, well that was handled by Hari’s AI counterpart and Gaal and Salvor aboard their beat-up ship. For after peace was made, Hari explained that all had gone wrong because of the fact that he put a Second Foundation into his original equation. One that would indeed create checks and balances for the First Foundation and Empire. Allowing for those moments of weird and ego to ebb and flow before eventually focusing mankind on minor conflict and an age of information. And they would accomplish that by having the bigger picture period. But alas, that didn’t exist now, because of Gaal’s mistakes in rushing the process. Which meant, the time had come to look deep into the future, to the Third Crisis to see how best to inject the creation of the Second Foundation into the timeline to salvage humanity’s future. 
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But alas, what Gaal found while looking… was of great concern. For all that the future featured was war, and a mysterious individual known as the Mule. Who recognized Gaal’s abilities to travel through time in her own unique way and he tried to use them to his advantage. So, he could learn the location of the Second Foundation and destroy it. For he wanted nothing more than chaos and heartache and pain. Making this man the embodiment of what a lack of checks and balances will bring. All of which of course… spooked Gaal and Hari as well. Since it meant their choices and the lack of that anchor… were about to unleash hell upon the galaxy, from which there might not be a return and well… all of these elements made for some powerful commentary. 

For what was on display here… is happening in our world, and it has indeed brought that question to the forefront of our conversations on a daily basis once more. Making this a stunningly relevant episode, one that tasks us to ponder upon the answer and really begin to look at what needs to happen to enact change and balance. But all pondering and commentary aside, make no mistake about it, this was a still a great episode. One that once again engaged us deeply and showcased a galaxy in genuine crisis, and truly… it seems as though darkness awaits since the Mule is ready to have the future remain as it stands, and it will be interesting in the weeks to come to see if a mankind flung far in the future can finally figure out resolution to the madness, or if chaos and rebirth are truly our unfortunate and unsettling destiny. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Almost Paradise’. 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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One particular cliché in storytelling, that has definitely worn out its welcome… is that of the ‘new chapter, happy ending’. Wherein a character that was suffering hard from the stresses of life, hits rock bottom and uses the reset button to put their life back together to enter a new chapter in their lives. One full of happiness and contentment and where story can end happy… and well… that really needs to stop in storytelling. Because life doesn’t end when we conquer one big challenge in our lives. More await and there’s more for us to do when we’re starting over in life and that is why… the Amazon Freevee series, Almost Paradise is of note. Because thankfully, this is that rare story that doesn’t let that cliché rule the day, as evidenced by its season two premiere.
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For when we caught up with Alex Walker in ‘The Magellan Cross’, he was… starting a new chapter in his life. After all, he had made great peace with much of his past, worked to heal with his daughter and finally let his new friends into his world emotionally. So now was the time… to explore what comes next and what would fulfill him in this new chapter, especially since he was about to be fully independent, since his disability checks were ending as well. All of which prompted Alex to think upon what he wanted outside of that DEA life, and well… he wanted to settle down romantically for starters. Which brought forth some endearing and some funny moments. The kind that saw him struggle with dating apps and saw him genuinely open up to a socialite in town to woo her and perhaps be with her, and there was more that he wanted as well.

Because Alex in essence, made it clear he wanted to put down roots and really forge a life that didn’t require him to travel the globe and see the ugly side of the world. Which meant, becoming part of the community. Of course, it took a little push from Kai and Ernesto to really get that going, since Alex has been on his own for so long… but he did it, primarily by helping his friends/extended family, help restore a church ravaged by fire. Which led to the case of the week, but more on that in a moment. Because we need to celebrate… what this show explored from a new chapter perspective. For it perfectly explained that starting over requires baby steps, and reflection, and an indulgence of what the heart desires once the dust settles down from hitting the reset button. And it was just magical and wonderful to see Alex embrace change and what comes next, because that’s what storytelling needs. To showcase the reality that more occurs after we make a change and that there is still learning and growing to be had when we enter that new phase of our life.

But while it was wonderful to enjoy such a wholesome and wondrous new beginning for Alex, let’s not forget this is Almost Paradise we are talking about here. A show that mixes life lessons with some epic crime elements and that was present here too. Since that fire and a subsequent discovered murder, and trouble for the woman that Alex adored, all related to a crime motivated by greed. For so many wanted an artifact known as the Magellan Cross since it was stepped in history and jewels, and it was up to Team Alex to stop them. Which brought forth the action and adventure we crave, the amazing one liners we adore, and the fist fights that are the stuff of legend. The kind that not only let Ernesto shine with his amazing skills as a fighter but reminded us to never mess with Kai and of course… let Alex bring this case to a close as only he can. Giving rise to nothing but better days ahead for the church… and for Alex as well.

Because this is it, he’s smack dab in Act II of his life and we… get to see it play out and explore an aspect of life we don’t see all that often in fiction, courtesy of an amazing season premiere. Because not only did this story grow Alex as a person, but it gave the other characters care and wonderfully eased us back into the majestic paradise we left behind. Plus, what’s incredible… is that the long hiatus had no impact on the quality of the show. If anything, the wait made the show better. For everything is crisper and tighter and everything flows perfect from beginning to end. And the already top-notch acting, is even better… simply because the actors are comfortable now and that’s letting Christian Kane really showcase his talents. But what matters most, is that this series is back on the air and doing what it does best… which is to inspire us to be better to fight for more in this life, and much like season one… that message could not have come at a better time. And it will simply be a true delight to experience more goodwill from this brilliant series as we continue our journey through the next chapter in Alex Walker’s magnificent life. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 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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Season two of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been doing episodes from different character’s point of views and it has worked well. This week, we saw a mission from Uhura’s perspective. A challenging mission has the Enterprise and her crew at a new Starfleet Station on the border of Gorn space. This station will be a fueling point for Starships, allowing for greater exploration into the unknown. Which everyone still seems keen on doing, despite the constant and repeated dangers. But also, these are Space Explorers who’re happy to be out in space meeting now people and making new discoveries. Some of us aren’t really built for the idea of space travel, because maybe we just like being on solid ground.
 
Pike is made Fleet Captain, temporarily, to oversee the repairs of the Starfleet Space Station which is refining fuel. The Nebula is rich in materials as this is also where stars are born, the perfect mix for fuel, right? Except, not everything is as it seems. Uhura is suddenly hearing a strange sound. She thinks it might be a signal of some sorts, but the signal itself can’t be found on any of the recent recordings. Resetting the communications array and running diagnostics doesn’t seem to help either. Instead, she starts seeing their dead friend and former Chief Engineer, Hemmer. M’Benga says it is deuterium poisoning and puts her on medical leave, after treating her of course. The hallucinations only get worse, not better, however, leaving Uhura in quite the state.
 
Enter James T. Kirk. He’s here with the Farragut, newly promoted to First Officer, much to Sam’s dismay, and he’s here to help, or make things worse, he hasn’t fully decided, really. The tension between him and Sam is so thick, but he seems to make friends with Uhura. Okay, friends also isn’t the right word either. Begrudging acquaintance. She needs help, he can see it, and he even offers to help her, only to get a punch to his face during a severe hallucination that Uhura experiences. Thankfully, he doesn’t take it too personally and doesn’t offer skepticism when she says she’s seeing things and it’s not from poisoning or lack of sleep.

​In fact, instead of turning against her or dragging her to medical, he chooses to believe her, listen, and genuinely help her. When a crew member of the space station is found hiding, and is discovered to be a saboteur, and is experiencing the same symptoms Uhura is experiencing, it changes things. A little at least. Ramon is suffering from brain damage, specific to the language center of his brain. Uhura’s brain scans show that she has more activity in that area. And, after chatting with Kirk, we learn she might also have just a little PTSD. Although, that seems to be a requirement to join Starfleet, as all the Enterprise crew have some form of PTSD.
 
Uhura then figures out what’s really going on with her. Something is trying to talk to her. It’s not trying to actively harm her but communicate with her instead. Her hallucinations are proof enough, this whole time. She just hadn’t been able to put it all together. Seeing her dead friend, watching the ship’s viewscreen break and suck everyone out into space, trying to stab herself, it’s all been an unknown alien creature warning her and crying out for help. Because its species is experiencing pain and death because of the fuel refinery. These creatures are actively dying at the hands of Starfleet.
 
Thankfully, Pike trusts his crew, because when Uhura comes to him with all of this information, he believes her and evacuates the base before destroying it completely. Uhura knows it worked when Hemmer shows up to give one last nod and vanishes. This ordeal helped her form a genuine friendship with Jim and reassured her that people take her seriously and her Captain believes in her decision making. At the end of it, Uhura is having a drink with Jim when Sam walks up for more brotherly banter and sibling rivalry. Sam leaves in a huff and Spock gets introduced to Jim. The two might be able to bond a bit over Spock’s dislike of Sam and their mutual love of 3D chess, which they do.
 
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has shown a different side to Star Trek, one that seems to be working well in not just expanding the series but also improving upon it. Having different perspectives of the crew helps bond us to them more and more, reminds us why we love this franchise and… here at least, sets the stage for the five-year mission that changed everything so long ago.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six 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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When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous Peacock series, Based on a True Story, we pondered a bit on what was going to come next for Matt, Ava, and Nathan. Simply because, they had fully committed to the dark path in front of them. Where they were going to celebrate the evil of murder and do everything necessary to make their show about that, a success, so they could enjoy riches beyond their wildest dreams. And while that is indeed a bold decision with big risk and potentially big reward… there have to be negative consequences to taking part in such a wild and unorthodox act, and well… it just so happens that the next episode in this fascinating journey, explored what those consequences could look like.
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But not before… pondering upon the potential reward for taking such a bold risk. For when we caught up with this trio in ‘Love You, Buzzfeed’, they were simply on cloud nine. Because everyone and their sister was captivated by the podcast, to the point where features were now popping up left and right in the news about the podcast and the downloads were simply through the roof. To the tune of fifteen million people, in fact, and all of them were eager to hear more from the Westsdie Ripper, and everyone wanted to know who was behind the show and the joy that brought this trio was evident. To the point where there was a hop in their step when they arrived at Simon and Ruby’s for an evening of dinner and charity, and that mood only improved when it looked like Spotify was going to offer them a massive exclusivity contract.

However, that’s about when the good times ended for this trio. Because Ruby… was very curious about the phone she found back in Vegas with Carlos at her side, and she used it to call Matt and confirm… that her friend was working with the Westside Ripper, and that people she adored were basically behind the hottest podcast in all of the land, and that prompted Ruby to get bold. To the point where she confronted Ava in private with the knowledge of what she’d discovered, and that forced Ava to work hard to deflect the truth and keep the status quo going. Making it seem as though that might be only road bump this trio would encounter on their way to podcast stardom, but the night only got worse from there. In part because of one wild dinner, wherein Simon decided to surprise everyone with some hideous behavior.

For in essence, he felt tonight was the night to expose Ruby’s affair and regain agency over his marriage. All by offering Carlos all the money he needed to get his personal training business going on the East Coast, provided of course, he took the money and ran to New York right away. Which he did, because… that was his dream. But that cruelty brought forth pain for Ruby, the kind that motivated her to grasp for control in life by making a new demand to Ava. In that, she wanted in on the show, and she told Simon all about it to cover her bases and give her leverage and that served as the first real consequence of this journey. In that, others will want to share in success and will be ruthless to take part in it, especially those who pretend to be our friends and well… the evening only went downhill from there, because shortly after Ava tried to rally the team to figure out a strategy on how to handle this… dual disasters arrived.
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One of which, involved Simon again… since he crossed a horrible line when confronted about his toxic actions. The kind that shocked the crowd and changed how his friends look at him… and sadly, while they were trying to process what the heck just happened before their eyes, another big surprise arrived. Wherein the trio came to learn… about the court of public opinion and the realities of putting a controversial show out there. In that… some people won’t be cool with the content, and they will speak out about that in a manner so bold, that others will follow them. Such as how Jessica Alba made note that the show was sick, period, and if it was real… it was in poor taste and an abomination. And soon, others on the internet that agreed felt empowered and called them out for what they had assembled and just like that… every podcast host in the country dropped the show, including Spotify. Effectively, putting an end to the show and everyone’s dreams.

Which meant… the real consequence of going this route… was not so much that it was a failure… but that Ava and Nathan sold their souls for nothing but a glimmer of fame. And now they have to carry the truth that they were playing nice with a serial killer for no good reason and will spend the rest of their days… filled with regret. Regret over disrespecting the dead and sensationalizing their tragic stories and for enabling a monster. Who is once again, thinking about indulging his blood lust and that could bode poorly for a couple that know his secret and failed to give his ego what it desired, and what’s amazing… is that this all happened two episodes before the end of the season. That means, some big moments undoubtedly await us as we wait to see if Ava and Nathan can put their lives back together or if enabling and learning about a serial killer will cost them more than they ever imagined. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Secret Invasion’. 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 word out there that makes people instantly cringe and puts a bad taste in their mouths, it would have to be… failure. Simply because, that is a word which human beings regard as disgusting in nature, and the worst possible experience that anyone can go through. For we are a species that believes in only the spoils of success and to fail at anything, is somehow a betrayal of everything we stand for, and oddly… there are some fine reasons as to why we hold failure in such low regard. Because it can devastate a life and it can shatter a psyche for years on end if not forever. So, avoiding it has merit. But what’s funny about failure, is that there’s wonder to be found within it, and positives that can come from it and really… those two aspects of failure are top of mind today, simply because they were put on display in the next episode of Secret Invasion on Disney+.
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For ‘Harvest’ picked up shortly after the harrowing attack on the President of the United States, and since Nick Fury saved POTUS… Gravik had to deal with failure. For he didn’t deliver the war as promised and others in his stead suffered and well… that brought about revolution in the compound. Where disenfranchised Skrull were ready to move a new leader into position to finally get them all that they had been falsely promised for some time. Which brought serious worry to Gravik since he had not expected this kind of trouble and that prompted him to use his strength to teach lessons to his followers and to pivot and try to figure out a new way to bring the war to fruition. Which meant, having Rhodey tell the president that the Russians and the Skrulls were working together, and that with an airstrike, retribution would be at hand. Which would of course… start a war. But the threat of that, was part of a bigger plan we will get to in a moment. But that aside, this was a fine reminder of how failure can bring about great trouble in our lives and had Gravik not been a Meta-Skrull, who knows if failure would have cost him his life. 

But there was mention of positivity to be found in such matters, and that was explored, in part, via G’iah and Falsworth. Because Falsworth found agency in the failure of the Skrulls and was able to use her unique position to take charge of her division and learn what the Skrulls were actually up to on this world. Giving SIS unprecedented data and advantage over any other agency out there and of course… it put her at the top where she could be proactive to the problem at hand. As for G’iah… failure gave her perspective and a second chance to be a hero. To be somebody within the Skrull world really, and she took to that. By honoring her people’s traditions with Vaara and finding peace regarding her father in doing so, and well… the resulting attack on Varra’s home allowed for G’iah to stand at last against Gravik and his machinations and save a life. Something that clearly gave her newfound focus and direction… courtesy of failure.

But they weren’t the only ones to find positives in failure, for Nick Fury found it as well. Because losing Talos and seeing how far Gravik had come in a negative manner… gave Nick deep perspective. The kind that informed him of the man he had become after the Blip and after facing so much heartache through the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the many losses that have piled up, even via the Avengers. Which meant, he needed to find himself again and find a way to be the hero that Earth needed right now. For all of this was his fault really, and he owned up to that and knew that the only way to set it right… was to confront Gravik directly. Which brings us back to that master plan. Because something Gravik also wanted to make use of via his device, was to make real superheroes out of Skrulls. The kind that would have the abilities of Earth’s… Avengers. But alas, Fury had kept the location of their DNA a secret, but that secret would end in this tale… to prevent a bloody war and to allow for a final showdown between Fury and Gravik, to settle scores and old wounds… courtesy of failure.

If anything, this was just a fascinating episode when all is said and done. Since it is that rare superhero story that takes the time to explore the emotional fallout of what happens in these stories. For all we normally see, is the fight, the heroism, the sacrifice as needed, and we move on. But death leaves lasting scars as do the other losses that heroes suffer, and it was nice to have that be acknowledged here and see the good guys and gals in this story use that to strengthen their souls, so that at long last, years of pain and ugliness can be resolved in a manner we’ve also not seen before in the MCU. One without sass, armor, and smash… just Nicholas J. Fury trying to make things right with an alien that he deeply let down ages ago, and that is going to bring forth a fascinating finale to this series. One that will undoubtedly be as unpredictable and as a bold as every other moment this series has sent our way. Until next time.  

Please enjoy this sneak peak of the Season Two Premiere of ‘Minx’.  Which arrives tomorrow, 7/21/23 on STARZ!