Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episodes 403 and 404 of ‘Jack Ryan’. To revisit the Season Four Premiere, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous Prime Video series, Jack Ryan, we talked at length about the fact… that Jack and the Central Intelligence Agency as a whole, were facing quite the horrifying threat. In that, Miller, the former CIA Director, had made a deal with the devil really. One that set up black ops around the world to aid the Silver Lotus Triad in quite the diabolical plan. One that would unite the drug trade under their banner and would give them unfettered access to the United States of America. Wherein they could sow chaos through drug sales and any other particular plan they wanted to execute, up and to and including, a terrorist attack on American soil. Which of course… was news that left Jack in quite the difficult place. 
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For now, he had to urgently figure out how to track down all the details on what the Triad had planned specifically, in order to stop it before it could come to fruition and well, that meant extreme measures would need to take place in ‘Sacrifices’ and ‘Bethesda’. Simply because, this needed detailed care and resources that would allow for the truth to be exposed and that would be no easy task. Not with congress watching over the CIA closely and looking for any reason to blow up current leadership and well, that prompted Jack to get creative in stopping the bad guys. Wherein he resigned his commission as Deputy Director and had Jim Greer installed in his place. Giving him the freedom to head out into the world and go on the offensive for a change.

Which did wonders for this mess. In part because it allowed for Jack to, in a way, be in two places at once. Since he could be on the ground gathering live intelligence on the fly, while Elizabeth and Jim worked in an official capacity to unlock whatever secrets they could at the Federal level. Which produced some interesting results. Since Wright came to learn that everyone in Nigeria was worried about the attack suffered on their soil and wanted to know the players involved. Giving rise to cooperation and unity and peace and Jim… well he scared the hell out of whomever was working the American side of this plan. Since they sent their lackey to threaten him, and they even attempted to harm him, a move that put that man on camera and allowed for the CIA to collect his DNA and blood on a blade when he learned that Jim is not to be messed with.

Granted, that didn’t expose who exactly is behind this mess, but scaring the bad guys always does good in this kind of story and speaking of them being spooked… there was definite chaos surging through the ranks of the Triad in these tales. Courtesy of grand moves that Jack and Chavez and Mike made to rattle the saber, and that led to Chao having to resort to some extreme measures to keep his intentions to defect a secret, and it forced him to play along as the power dynamic in the Triad shifted. To the point where Chao was pulled from a critical meeting that Jack and his team were hoping to meet him at, since they were curious about his intentions, to talk with Zeyara Lemos. A surprise that spoke to how far this conspiracy reaches and that we aren’t sure who can be trusted at this point. And her hope regarding meeting with Chao, was to make him a top leader as part of the dynamic shift, in the hopes of benefitting her role in the madness.
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A hope that was transformed… courtesy of the next power play from Jack Ryan and his crack team of spies and soldiers. For there was mention of that all-important meeting that they missed Chao at, and that is of note… because without Chao there, the team went all out in making life hell for the Triads and getting answers on their own. By recruiting their old friend Zubkov to get them into the meeting, wherein they were able to open fire and get their hands on some kind of unique detonator and they were also able to take out one of the big players in this mess. Leaving the right kind of chaos in their wake whilst putting Chao in that uniquely hopeful position. Since his communication with Ding Chavez, in the wake of that attack gave him the potential out he’s been searching for, and that might give Jack and his team the information they need regarding the plan. 

But while we wait to see what comes next for this story, we can celebrate a pair of intense and engaging tales. The kind that did a phenomenal job of allowing for the good guys to strike back. Because the CIA and America, as a whole, were at the mercy of the Triads until Jack was turned loose in this tale. But now, they’re confused, worried and may potentially have a defector ready to expose their secrets and that was just wonderful to watch. Because it means there is hope that something horrible won’t happen on American soil and that Jack might be able to uncover the traitors in his midst before they can run and hide, and that is going to make the wait for Friday’s grand finale of this saga, quite painful. Simply because we have to know how this long and winding story is going to end, and we absolutely want to see Jack Ryan be sent off in style… courtesy of a victory that denies evil a chance to harm the country he loves. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the SundanceTV series, True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes, has taken us on quite the powerful journey. For we’ve been privy to the shock and pain that rocked the community of North Port when three teenagers died under strange circumstances, and how the person that touched all the lives of those teens through hypnosis, was reviled and admired as a devil and a saint for his decidedly controversial actions. Plus, we came to learn that accountability came into play since there were lines that Dr. George Kenney crossed in his desire to be a hypnosis health provider and well… that leaves but one last bit of information for us to learn. Specifically… how did this ordeal end?
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Because this community was in chaos really following the no contest resolution of the primary case and that led to the parents of the fallen… to file a civil suit against the school district. One that should have made the school district pay dearly for letting Kenney do what he did. In fact, we came to learn in ‘Step Four: The Outcome’, that what Kenney did was so out of line, that the school district more or less started covering their tracks to make it look as though they hadn’t enabled Kenney to continue. Despite there being evidence to contrary. All of which made it seem as though this town was about to be torn asunder even further by an ugly civil trial. One filled to the brim with powerful testimony and heartbreaking moments. But that is when… resolution came to this whole matter swiftly.

In that… the school district decided the way out of this mess, was to just settle. To offer the maximum payout to each family to bring finality to the matter and well… with no other alternative to justice really, the families took that deal and that brought forth… what came after. Which was… pain, really. Pain over the loss of three teenagers with bright futures and pain from a real lack of closure. Because no one received it really in this case. Kenney didn’t turn out as the hero he wanted to be, lives were lost, and a town was left divided. To the point where there are still folks in North Port that wept with joy when Kenney returned to the school and the town out of a desire to see it all again, and even where one former student was willing to be put under again to show the doctor’s ‘innocent’ approach to hypnosis.

Which could be seen as a hard reality that nothing was learned from this mess and that what happened was nothing more than chaos that no one can pull a message or a lesson from. But that is simply not the case. For that ending and those moments, and the final words from those hurting, spoke to a situation that we can indeed learn a great deal from. Specifically… how we prevent this kind of independent chaos from taking place in other towns in America and well… how we infer that, is through what is presented to us here. In that, there were a lot of people at fault here, and had there been accountability and structure in place, then perhaps there would be no division and death and those three teens would be alive to this day, charting their course. 

For instance, the school board should have stepped in immediately and either regulated this or stopped it, because that would have prevented so much strife. Not to mention, the school board needed to offer better mental health support for its students, so it would never fall to a principal. Not to mention, the community should have never enabled Kenney. Because it doesn’t matter how trusted an individual is, you don’t let them handle your child’s health care if they’re not qualified and of course… Doctor Kenney should have been recognized in his role. So that he didn’t feel marginalized and in turn, would not have developed a savior complex and most important of all… he should have never toyed with undeveloped minds. Because his job was to guide the educational experience, and nothing more. But while those answers will help others to prevent a principal from having such freedom… for the fallen… all that remains are questions and a community divided for generations. All because one man took it upon himself to be an unnecessary hero, and no one took the time to stop him.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Run the World’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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More often than not, stories that chronicle our grand comeback from great changes and trauma in our lives… end when the characters find themselves on the right track. Which is… odd to say the least. For those stories hint at the possibility that… that’s it. As though the epiphany of knowing what you need and putting in the work to heal is all we have to worry about in life, and once we’ve reached that point of peace… it’s back to nothing but wondrous times and that is… a problematic way to end a story. Because our challenges don’t end and there will be more hardships, and while we may be prepared to better handle them there are tough days ahead none the less. Not to mention, those early days in our new chapter won’t be smooth all the time. There will be baby steps and setbacks as we work to reclaim what we’ve lost or claim what we’ve always wanted.
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Which is why it is refreshing to find stories that offer that honesty about what comes next when we heal and that is precisely why Run the World on STARZ deserves to be celebrated often. For this is a show that puts that on display and for proof, then look no further than this week’s episode. Since ‘A Rage in Harlem’ saw Whitney, Renee, and Sondi deal with those new chapter struggles. Some of which… were more a nuisance than anything else, as was the case with Sondi. Because her new chapter involved living her life to the best of her abilities and keeping her agency close to her heart. But alas, in order to do that in life and at work, she would still see Matthew and would need to handle it professionally and accordingly and that was no easy task. For Matthew was quite bitter about being dumped, to the point where he did spiteful things and that just went to show us… that new chapters can bring about troubles from yesterday. Especially when an emotionally immature man named Matthew is involved, and sadly… we need to be ready for them and take the high road always.

As for Whitney, well she decided that her next step in life, was to settle into her new home and start dating again. Just… get out there and find the love she craves through and through. Which brought her to a high-class dating agency and ironically… back to Phillip. Who was a match and immediately turned on the charm. To the point where Whitney finally enjoyed physical love again and found herself being showered with gifts. Such as a high-priced piece of art that… she wasn’t sure was for her. But she really did want to give that gift and this relationship every chance, that is until… her housewarming party. For Renee and Sondi spoke up about that art at that party. Since they pointed out… it was ugly and to make matters more complex, Phillip decided to invite whomever to her party, and he and his friends even did a little nose candy in her bathroom. Which brought forth some agency from Whitney when she broke it off and asked him to leave. Which he did, slowly… since the bowls of nuts she put out for guests, put him into an allergic shock. But thanks to an epi-pen, problem solved and well… in the end, Whitney’s story teaches us that starting over will be full of fumbles, but we have to try, we have to get out there and live… and like it or not… it will make us wistful for yesterday. As evidenced by that hug between her and Ola. 

Of course, we cannot leave out Renee and her journey in this tale. Since she too learned a valuable lesson regarding starting over. Which at first appeared to be… that hitting the reset button and going our own way involves taking charge in every facet of our lives. Which includes putting an end to a good thing when we know what our heart wants. Which was why she made sure to break it off with Preston, despite the incredible connect he dropped in her lap. Because she loved Jason deeply and she knew that he was home and where she wanted to be. And getting rid of Preston allowed for her to set up a rekindling between them once that was done, she decided that the next time she and Jason could talk, she would declare her love and make this work. But alas, when the time came to finally reconcile her marriage with Jason, he dropped quite the surprise in her lap. Specifically… divorce papers. For he filed and he told her that clearly, it was time for a fresh start for both of them and that shocked Renee and taught her a powerful lesson. In that, sometimes… we cannot reclaim what we had in a prior chapter in our lives, and we need to be ready for that reality and it will be interesting to see how Renee handles that potential truth in the season two finale. 

In the end however, this was just… a brilliant episode through and through. Simply because it covered a topic that rarely receives any coverage in the world of television: what comes next. And what those early days into a new tomorrow look like, and this episode explains why… it is important we recognize the reality of our next chapter. So that we aren’t shocked to our core when the fantasy that life will be nothing but sunshine and rainbows after tough times… is shattered by the constant chaos of the universe. And putting that in a television show, helps to debunk such nonsense and truly prepares people for what lies ahead, especially those struggling that watch stories like this to heal. But that aside, make no mistake about it, this story is also critical to the franchise since it sets the stage for a powerhouse season two finale. Wherein Whitney, Renee and Sondi will continue to grow in an incredible manner as they tackle the new challenges now laid out in front of them. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 704 of ‘Outlander’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that season seven of the hit STARZ series, Outlander, has featured a great deal of closure and follow up. After all, a grand cliffhanger was resolved in a smooth and quick manner, old haunts and old monsters have returned only to receive their comeuppance and one could even say… we’ve said some fascinating goodbyes. All of which, seems to be setting the stage for the eighth and final season of this show, and in some ways, it likely is. Because by cleaning up hanging threads now, whatever is planned for the farewell year, can take the center stage without any concerns from the loyal fans regarding unfinished business. But as this week’s episode took the time to educate us, it’s more than just preparations for the end, this ‘housecleaning’ from a plot standpoint if you will… is also setting the stage for some big moments in season seven, and helping some characters move into new chapters in their lives, such as Brianna and Roger.
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For ‘A Most Uncomfortable Woman’ took the time to swing by 1980, so we could see how Roger and Bree were settling into family life at Lallybroch and well… they were definitely coming to understand the difficulties of being on their own. Since the restoration of this lovely place was costing a small fortune, to the point where Bree felt it best to get a job again to complete the estate and make it the home they wanted and well… this was a plot that spoke to how hard it can be to adjust to a new life. Since Roger was indeed unsure of what comes next for him at this point in his life and Bree once again had to fight to remind people of her worth and her intelligence, thanks to the misogynistic buffoon she interviewed with for a job and in the end, this was just fascinating. Since it really did allow for us to see these two start from scratch and do their best to make a new future happen of their own accord, without family finances behind them.

Plus, this is a story that also explored what William Ransom’s new chapter is going to look like. Since he was given his deployment orders to New York in this tale, and a special mission. One born out of kindness really, since he took the time to stand up to his fellow officers when they abused and murdered a woman just because they could, and it was comforting to see a character stand against such actions. Since it spoke to the show not being good with women being abused on screen without consequences anymore, and that is a welcome change. But, this writer digresses, because that which led him deep into the swamps… led to tough times for William. For he was wounded out there and nearly died and had it not been for Young Ian, who was on a mission of his own, he would not have met the Hunters and been nursed back to health and on the road with ‘rebels’. A move that may teach him a great deal about the war and what it really stood for.

Speaking of Young Ian, well his mission was of note as well since it related to the new chapter that was coming to life for the Fraser family. Because while the trio were on their way to the docks and in town, Jamie received some tough news from old friends. In that, the United States Army was in dire need of good men and since Jamie called North Carolina his home, he was being drafted into the Army, per the order of some lad named General George Washington. Wherein he either had to consign someone to fight in his place or choose a side and fight the war, and well… since Jamie is as noble as they come and understands the importance of standing tall instead of running… he opted to fight. Which meant, Young Ian was off into the woods to bring more indigenous fighters into the fold, courtesy of their own disdain for the English and that also meant… everyone had to handle the reality that Scotland would have to wait, for a different journey now awaited them.
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For General Washington needed Jamie to be posted at Fort Ticonderoga and oddly… while Jamie and Claire made preparations to leave… a surprise arrived. Specifically… Tom. Because he was tasked with being the secretary for the Governor after his confession since he knew how to read and write and the Governor was in need of a literate secretary, and well… once the Gov fell out of favor, Tom basically went free and of course, kissed Claire against her will and once more declared his undying love for her. Perhaps making this also, a closing chapter of sorts for their interactions. Since once their meeting was done, one that explained that obituary that Bree and Roger were aware of… which adds new wrinkles to the fold about possibly changing history… our favorite couple were off into the world and eventually made their way to Fort Ticonderoga and their new chapter. One that will indeed involve blood and sorrow as America fights for her independence. 

But while we wait for the battle to begin and ponder upon whether or not father and son will fight since the Hunters and dear William are also heading Jamie’s way… we can revel in a fantastic transitional episode. For this story really did set the stage for the season ahead and informed us along the way that one of America’s bloodiest early chapters is about to unfold in front of us. Which will be incredible and intriguing to watch play out, since it should feature some fine drama and some challenging moments for these incredible characters as they deal with the spoils of war, and well, the show deserves a round of applause for flawlessly setting the stage for big moments ahead and for seamlessly moving us into this next chapter of the tale. One where history comes to life for a woman out of time and where the future is forged by a man that is exactly where he belongs, and that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode quite painful, since we simply must know… what comes next. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the television series, ‘Gotham Knights’.
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Hello my fellow geeksters! Having recently been here to discuss the fate of The Winchesters (CW; 2022-2023), it pains me to do this again with another Supernatural (CW; 2005-2020) alum series: Gotham Knights (CW; 2023). Staring our beloved Misha Collins as the infamous Harvey Dent (AKA: Two-Face), I was ecstatic to see just how this show would take Misha – best known for portraying Castiel on Supernatural – into the dark psyche of Harvey Dent. Yet, before its final two episodes hit the air, on June 12th, Gotham Knights was cancelled by the network. *SIGH* Amidst internal changes and a current writer’s strike, many shows have faced similar peril. However, my focus remains here because I came for Misha and stayed for so much more. So today, I’d like to discuss a few reasons why I fell in love with this new, albeit short, slice of the DC pie. Interested??

First, I’d like to point out that I am by no means a DC expert. In fact, whether it’s comics, films, or television, I often lean much more in Marvel’s direction. Again, I came for Misha!! Regardless, it’s worth noting that overall, the beginning is a little wayward in the realm of the caped crusader and the Gotham Knights comics. Beginning with the murder of Batman – a story unto itself – this series separates from canon as a completely new adventure. Is that bad? Heck no!! Will it immediately garner backlash from some of the die hard Bat fans? Um… probably!! Do I care? NOPE!! Now that we’ve established a bit of background, beginning with talent, let’s dive in!

Talent:
The pilot episode is all about the death of Bruce Wayne and forcing our would be Knights together. We thankfully only linger on the lifeless bat (and his cheesy mask – LOL!!) for a short time before the real focus becomes Bruce’s adopted son Turner Hayes (Oscar Morgan). Along with a group of Gotham’s young criminals – Duela Doe (Olivia Rose Keegan) and fraternal twins Harper (Fallen Smythe) and Cullen Row (Tyler DiChiara) – Turner is framed for Batman’s slaughter. Thus, our core crew are thrust together on the run. As the series continues, aided by Turner’s best friend Stephanie Brown (Anna Lore) and Batman’s sidekick Robin/Carrie Kelley (Navia Ziraili Robinson), the fugitives reluctantly work together to clear their names.
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Each of the budding young actors bring strong energy to their roles. None more than Olivia Rose Keegan as Duela. Thought to be the daughter of the notorious Joker, Duela takes every opportunity she can to put up a cruel front. Further, Olivia’s portrayal embraces every scene with a wide-eyed deranged outlook that any Joker would be proud of… LOL!! Duela is screaming with issues and despite my initial reservations, I grew to love her in no time. As for our main protagonist – Turner Hayes – he’s a little gun shy and not as compelling as his companions. None the less, Oscar does a fine job here as I suspect gun shy was the plan all along. *PEW-PEW* Looking at the twins, their chemistry is fantastic and it’s easy to believe they’re really brother and sister as both Fallon and Tyler bring their A-game. Rounding out our vigilante ensemble, Navia as Carrie and Anna as Stephanie give excellent performances as individual backboards for Turner’s frustrations. Of which, there are many!! All of this sits beside a compelling and sinister mystery with unseen villains pulling the strings. *VERY COOL!!*   

On the flip-side, which is perfect I might add (*WINK*), we watch as Harvey Dent’s life slowly unravels towards his transformation into Two-Face. This is delightful to witness for several reasons. One: Misha is excellent as the comforting, caring and by the book kind of District Attorney Gotham needs. All Harvey Dent’s start out this way and Misha does a brilliant job in this realm. Two: as the lines began to blur, Misha brings the talent further by playing a confused and helpless Harvey. Until finally… later in the season… bits of Two-Face emerge and it’s glorious! Capped off with the full-fledged mad man by series end. LITERALLY… so much potential…yet, over before it barely takes hold. I mean… if you haven’t seen Misha become dark characters in Supernatural like Lucifer and The Cosmic Entity, then you’re truly missing out!! For he embraces each with a sly smile and a menacing mix of humor and evil that I didn’t even know he possessed at the time!! Quite literally some of his best work comes from his dark side(s) and I LOVE IT!! The same can be said here. With his ability to pivot from a sensitive caring soul to a ruthless cold killer with comedic chops is just simply fantastic. *DAMN STRAIGHT!*

Teens framed for murder. A good guy on the verge of destruction. A cloudy villain behind it all. Sounds pretty straight forward, right? But it’s what they discover and share along the way that makes me love them and this show!! Let’s discuss.

Representation:
Upping the game from being gay in the comics, Cullen is a transgender male. As is the actor who plays him. *AWESOME!!* Even better? From finding allies in Harvey Dent, his sister Harper and the Knights themselves, many scenes touch on Cullen’s plight without overpowering the main story. It’s refreshing to say the least!! What’s more, we explore lesbian themes for a couple of our girls, that play out just as intriguing and exciting as any hetero entanglements we’ve seen a million times. Again, taking care not to muddy the waters of the main story at hand. More to the point. It all feels natural. Things like Dent standing up for Cullen when he’s bullied by another cop for being trans (*CHEERS!*) to the moment the girls finally romantically crash into one another (*SO SWEET*). THIS is what LGBTQ+ representation is. Normalcy! And it’s BEAUTIFUL!!
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A bit more blatant to the story. We see themes surrounding physical and emotional abuse not only for our teens, but Dent as well. Tales of alcohol and drug addiction are also dealt with. Why does all this matter? Because no one person’s story is the same. This is what makes individuals so compelling. We’re all dealing with something and seeing yourself in a character matters. For kids, teens and grown-ups alike!! Besides, even if none of the stories align with your life, you can bet there’s someone out there who feels differently. I mean… we all have trauma and watching those on-screen deal with theirs can be cathartic. Or at the very least, comforting. Most types of entertainment strive to find a connection with their audience. Gotham Knights does an outstanding job in this realm, and I’d wager that for many viewers, there’s likely something that will resonate at some point.

Finally, beyond the other strong female leads, Robin is played by a woman of color. As is her mother Lisa Kelley (Angela Davis) – a  doctor at Gotham City General Hospital. *HECK YEAH* Historically, Batman’s sidekick has been portrayed by white cis males which makes this Robin a refreshing change of pace. *KAPOW* Especially when other female personas in the world of Batman are often reduced to deranged and/or sociopathic hotties, for lack of a better term. *FACE PALM* And though I actually like the majority of these characters, look no further than Harley Quinn, Cat Woman and Poison Ivy, and it’s easy to see why Robin stands on her own here. Are those other women strong? Hell yes!! But they’re also overly sexualized and don’t exactly scream stable… LOL!!

With immense talent and representation our final topic allows the viewer to solidify their bond with a tantalizing story and my personal fav… getting to know our crew!

Character Development:
As previously noted, Turner is pretty reserved in the beginning. However, as the story progresses, he opens up and takes more risks. As do all the main characters. Especially the twins and Turner’s friend Stephanie. Each fighting demons from childhood into their young adult lives, in unexpected ways the Knights find strength from deep within as well as from those around them. In particular, Stephanie comes to realize that her parents issues are not her own while the twins learn they may want different things than once previously thought. Carrie – as Robin – is the most grounded of the bunch but hits her own trials and tribulations with Turner and her mother. Both proving to be gut wrenching for the sidekick and the audience. Overall, each Knight reckons with something and in most cases, it’s agonizing to watch. Making any triumph all the more satisfying. Plus, the balance of fun and joy sprinkled throughout makes all the doom and gloom easier to take – if not understand!! *BRAVO*
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The adults in the series go through some pretty large (ah-hem) growth spurts of their own. *LOL!* As Harvey spirals, other secrets are revealed about him and his fellow Gotham elites. Some fairly predictable with a few others turning out to be shocking and really quite dark. *YIKES* Without spoiling anything, let’s just say pretty much every main adult has something to hide and most of it is diabolically delicious. *INSERT EVIL LAUGHTER HERE*

Unfortunately, as confirmed by showrunners James Stoteraux and Chad Fiveash, aside from being cancelled, hopes of the show being picked up elsewhere have also died. *DAMMIT* Even with huge support behind the scenes… here we are! I’m also not going to pretend that I haven’t heard concerns about how shows like The Winchesters and Gotham Knights – who are proudly showing non-binary and transgender characters, respectfully – are the ones being cancelled. Coincidence?? Well… the debate is ongoing, and hopefully that is *NOT* the case.

In the end, is Gotham Knights predominantly aimed at teenagers and 20 somethings? For the most part, yes. Honestly, I think that’s what makes it so good. A fictional superhero show isn’t new. A rag-tag group of teenagers? Also… not new. Regardless, with its compelling characters and twisting storylines, the show finds interesting ways to draw the audience in without adding too much over-the-top teen angst. While giving us a whole new set of characters to love, it also offers VERY well written takes on old ones. Namely Harvey Dent whose background and transformation are spectacular. *BRAVO MISHA!!* Though short lived, in my opinion, Gotham Knights deserves a look from any comic and/or Supernatural fan from pre-teen on up. Allowing yourself to not over think it and be swept up in its magic is worth it. Looking at the immense talent, important representation and dynamic growth – all of which work in tandem to produce a fun, charismatic and well told story – only adds to the fairy-tale! Check it out… or don’t – “Not offended.” *WINK*

Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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What is genuinely fascinating about the human experience… is how so much beauty and so much direction… comes from chaos. For our lives really are a random collection of moments and memories and yet, from that storm comes love and wonder and people that we trust and believe in and learn from. And we take those beautiful moments and our relationships with those people, and build upon them further and what we are left with, is a rich and powerful experience that we celebrate through various means. But we also… take this experience for granted unfortunately, since it is so commonplace and routine and that is why… it is nice to be reminded of what it means to us through the magic that is storytelling.
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In fact, this week’s episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds took the time to remind us of the majesty of the moments and memories we experience and cherish, and how wonderful it is to have them in our lives, regardless of the emotions they sent our way and it accomplished this particular feat by having the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, return to an iconic world in Star Trek lore… Rigel VII. A world that made its debut in the original pilot of the franchise and eventually was put into canon in ‘The Menagerie’ courtesy of The Original Series, and it was critical to this story… because it reflected a mistake in Captain Christopher Pike’s past. For we came to learn in ‘Among the Lotus Eaters’, that the full story regarding this planet and Pike… was one of sour memories. Wherein crew members died during the first visit to the planet and well… in the process of a hasty retreat… Starfleet gear was left behind.

Which of course, was a direct violation of the Prime Directive and seeing as to how satellite images showed the mark of a Starfleet Delta on the planet’s surface, the time had come for the NCC-1701 to return to the planet and clean up that mess, and upon their arrival… the crew was exposed to some real surprises. Such as the fact that one of the crewmen of that original ill-fated mission survived his wounds and became the king of this world. And his loyal subjects paid tribute to him by building the delta. But that wasn’t the only shocker present regarding this world. For soon the good captain and his away team and crew above came to learn… that Rigel VII was harboring a biological surprise as well. In that, radiation from a fallen meteor had transformed the landscape of the planet and the future of its people. For it harbored the ability… to interfere with memory function in the brain.

To the point where anyone afflicted by this radiation would lose time and eventually their basic memory functions and find themselves in an odd place mentally and that lost crewman, named Zac, wanted Pike and La’an and Doctor M’Benga to suffer through this by casting them out into the world. Where they lost their memories promptly and they weren’t alone. Because the crew aboard the Enterprise was also suffering from this and that put the ship at risk since no one knew what to do with the Big E, and the away team was at risk as well. Since the away team’s base instincts told them to fight back and not deal with the oppression coming their way and that caused injuries to La’an. The kind that needed to be treated post haste if she expected to live and well… that is precisely where this story explored in great detail, why we need to cherish those random moments we take for granted and the wonderful memories and lessons they send our way. 
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For those are the bits and pieces of us that define us. That shape us, that make us into the person that we eventually find pride and security within, and without them… we would indeed be a shell of ourselves. As evidenced by the cruelty that Pike put on display while out of sorts and the lack of confidence that Spock and Lieutenant Ortegas exhibited when their memories were lost. But while that alone would have carried this episode and provided us with a powerful message, this story also took the time to address something more regarding the human condition. In that, regardless of whether or not we do cherish the essence of who we are, there are times where we lose ourselves and forget what we stand for and that too is tough because we oft wonder if we can find our way back again and this episode took a moment to remind us that yes, we can. 

For sometimes all we need to do is take a moment when the going gets rough and think about the journey and what pushes us to be more and embrace that, and when we do… wonders happen. Such as reclaiming one’s rightful spot as the slickest pilot in the fleet or indulging in the kindness we are known for instead of anger… and that of course… led to a happy ending for the crew and the people of Rigel VII and in the end this was one fascinating tale. One that truly explored the power of memory and of moments and how every single one of them transforms us into something wonderful, and how we should indeed pay them tribute often. For life is a gift, and worth celebrating and now that we’ve reached the end of this wondrous and beautiful, and philosophical tale, it's onto the next mission (and incredible lesson), for this intrepid and brave crew. Until next time.

There was a time where animated television shows… were for children and children alone. A feat the networks accomplished through afternoon cartoons that played when school let out and of course, on Saturday mornings, and those shows were pretty tame overall. They simply offered entertainment and fun because few believed that adults would want to watch them and there was a belief that there was no point in teaching kids anything when they tuned in. Because that’s what PBS and Sesame Street and shows akin to that were for. But as the years have rolled on, it’s become apparent that animation can accomplish so much more. For it can be educational, it can be artistic and beautiful in nature and… it can definitely be for adults.   
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Because adults need a good laugh too, and a great story to lose themselves within, and they no qualms with it being a cartoon. In fact, sometimes adults prefer it since animation can accomplish things that film cannot. So, at long last, shows started to cater to different audiences and offered more, and it just so happens that Freeform is about to make is animated debut with a story in that vein. For Friday, July 21st at 10:00 pm ET will feature the back-to-back, two-episode premiere of Praise Petey (with episodes available the next day on Hulu). An animated comedy about a big city girl that gets caught up in quite the new life when her father passes, and it boasts an incredible cast and promises tons of laughs and well, you don’t just have to take our word for it. Because earlier today, Freeform released the full trailer for the show, and to show you how amazing this series is going to be… here is that trailer and some details on the show, to prepare you for one hilarious ride through one wild ‘utopia.’ 

‘Petey aka Petra (Annie Murphy) begins the series as an NYC “It Girl” with everything figured out, until her well-curated life comes crashing down. As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her deceased father (Stephen Root) gives her a new lease on life – taking over as leader of his small-town cult New Utopia. As Petey leans into her new role as a “girl boss,” she discovers what it means to be a leader and how to find her voice as she tries to modernize her late father’s small-town cult. 
 
Other voice cast members include Christine Baranski (Petey’s mom), John Cho (Petey’s nemesis/love interest) and Kiersey Clemmons (Petey’s friend).
 
“Praise Petey” is from creator, writer and executive producer Anna Drezen (former head writer of “Saturday Night Live”). Bandera Entertainment’s Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Dustin Davis, along with ShadowMachine’s Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico, and Monica Padrick (“Central Park”) serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television Animation, with animation by ShadowMachine.
 
Executive Producers include Anna Dezen, along with Bandera Entertainment’s Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Dustin Davis and ShadowMachine’s Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico (Guillermo Del Toro’s PINOCCHIO). The series is produced by 20th Television Animation, with animation by ShadowMachine.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘True Crime Story’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked at length about what makes good people in positions of power and trust… fall out of favor and commit strange acts, some of which bring about great harm. Courtesy of the SundanceTV docu-series, True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes. For this documentary has taken the time to explore in great detail what made a dedicated educator decide to cross some big red lines and be the savior of his struggling students through hypnosis and what we’ve learned about that, has been fascinating and heartbreaking to say the least. Since we have come to learn, that marginalization and a desire to leave a lasting legacy drove Dr. George Kenney to walk down a path that made him appear to be a miracle messiah of sorts.
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But while it has been fascinating to learn about the genesis of such a decision, there is only so much we can learn about what inspires that kind of behavior, and since this is a documentary designed to chronicle the entirety of the harrowing events that took place at North Port High… this next episode served as the right time to explore what came next after those unfortunate deaths. Which was in essence… consequences. For the fallout from all those deaths, was far and wide, to the point where the community and the school was divided over whether or not their principal was a good man or a misguided monster and completely responsible, and his suspension only added to that divide, since enough people demanded his presence at graduation and the school board relented. Which brought about disdain from those who saw him in a negative light.

However, there were greater crosses to bear for what happened since the media scrutiny on the school, exposed other transgressions where Dr. Kenney stepped into situations he should not have. Such as being the primary medical responder to critical medical moments, instead of the school nurse. Not to mention he also made a point to use hypnosis in those situations instead of allowing for standard medical care to take place. Which garnered the attention of the state medical board and those who work to uncover whether or not people are committing a crime by pretending to be a medical professional and offer unlicensed health care and well, that brought the hammer down on Kenney really quick. Because in essence, he was not a licensed health care professional, nor was he legally allowed to practice health care. He was merely licensed to do hypnosis therapy and that was it. 

Which brought forth criminal charges since that was a violation of the law. Which in turn, made it seem as though justice was coming swiftly to the families that lost their children. But that’s when this case took a turn. Because despite being deposed regarding what happened and facing major charges in a court of law… there was a chance to just… end this quickly. A move that would prevent a public trial and hold Kenney accountable so people could move on, and life could return to normal. So, Kenney took a special deal by pleading no contest and quickly headed out of town via retirement. Leaving North Port’s fallen with nothing more than a legacy of questions… the kind that the parents wanted answers for. Which is why, they made a powerful decision. In that, they banded together, and filed a civil suit against the school board and the district.

To get answers, to get justice, and that… is what the finale of this story will explore. How justice was served and what came of that trial. But while we wait for that, we can reflect upon one powerful episode. One that really did remind us that actions have consequences, and that is what we saw here. Because regardless of which side you stand on, regarding the debate of whether Dr. Kenney was an innocent victim or a diabolical monster... he made a choice. He took action and the end result was disastrous to say the least and there were consequences to accompany that choice, and well, with only one episode left, it will be interesting to see how that civil case played out and see what came next for the people of North Port when the dust from this sorrowful storm, settled. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Based on a True Story’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about the satirical brilliance of the Peacock series, Based on True Story. Simply because this show has wonderfully examined how our obsession with pop-culture, or more specifically… true crime… could potentially lead people down some unfortunate paths. The kind that could jeopardize their mental health and their physical health. Especially when say… one ‘befriends’ a serial killer in order to hit it rich with a big-time podcast. For that is precisely what our characters have done, and they have compromised their morals and risked their safety in doing so and well… these wonderful explorations are clearly not leaving the forefront of the story any time soon. Since they were taken to new heights in the next episode of this refreshing and original tale. 
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Simply because ‘The Survivor’ opted to not only further explore the potential dangers that could come forth from enabling a monster like Matt… but it also dug deeper into the commentary regarding the fame and fortune people now desire from podcasting and how it can be harmful in so many other ways. For instance… this is an episode that quickly informed us… that Ava and Nathan didn’t account for a harsh reality in their quest to beat the Sisters in Crimeto an exposé on the West Side Ripper: failure. Because they had no social media presence before the launch, no lead up to the big show, so in this world of super content… no one was listening to this confession and well, that left this duo in a difficult place. Because they in essence, sold their souls for nothing and had to carry an ugly secret and they were certainly humbled. For they truly thought they would be the next big thing. 

All of which, had some real-world echoes since everyone expects a podcast to just become a thing or that they’ll be the next big sleuth because they have a slick podcast. When in fact, it takes hard work and patience and dedication to grow an audience and produce a show that people crave and rave over. So, that brought this couple, and creepily, Matt, to Las Vegas for a true crime podcast convention. Wherein they wished to learn how to do things right and well… this too offered up some fascinating commentary on the current state of the market and our obsession with such storytelling. Mainly because… this deeply reflected how crime has become a form of entertainment now, one that people consume heavily, and that… there should perhaps be some pause regarding that. Since this is something that deeply impacts people and changes lives and shouldn’t be celebrated in the manner it currently is. 

Which is a lesson that Ava learned later on in this tale. Since she ran into Chloe’s mother. Who came to the convention to talk about her daughter’s death on the Sisters in Crime Podcast, and their interaction, really did hammer home that this desire for justice through fame, harbors some serious flaws and that made for an incredible and sobering moment in this story, one that was further compounded by the dark lesson present in this story. The one that revolved around enabling a maniac. For the convention and that iconic podcast were also host to the one woman that survived the West Side Ripper’s machinations and well, Ava, Nathan and Matt, heard her story and it didn’t resonate well with Matt in the slightest. In fact, it outright unlocked his fury.  
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Because he truly believed her to be a liar, and an opportunist, since no one had escaped him before, and the remote possibility that this could have even happened, prompted Matt to confront her when the moment was right… to prove that she was indeed using the killings to gain fame and a following and well, Matt was right about that. Because she claimed she could recognize him in a heartbeat and well… she didn’t seem to have much recollection of Matt’s face when he was standing there in front of her and one could infer that having his ‘work’ disrespected in such a manner, prompted Matt to do what he thinks he does best. Since the closing moments of this episode, featuring a falling ‘survivor’. One that certainly met a horrible end in front of Ava and Nathan.  

Which deeply spoke to the fact that enabling a monster such as Matt, was and will continue to be a terrible idea. For now, he believes he has agency and ownership and the ability to do as he pleases to defend his stance and his ugly desires, and that’s scary. Since it likely means… he will flex on this further and enjoy the power that’s been given to him by greed and the marginalization of his own actions and of the Bartletts. But while we wait to see what grows out of that, and the fallout of that death… we can celebrate the show’s best episode to date. Because this really was a powerhouse story that offered up some amazing commentary, and it will be interesting to see what other lessons and poignant moments await us regarding this central theme as this brilliant story continues along. Until next time. 

​Please enjoy this sneak peak of Episode 207 of ‘Run the World’.  Which arrives tomorrow, 7/7/23 on STARZ!