Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Ask anyone how far they are willing to go to uncover the truth, and you’ll get back the same answer. In that, they are ready to go as far as they must to discover the facts and that’s a great answer. Simply because it speaks to how much the truth means to us and how important it is to place it in the light. But while that is a wholesome and inspiring answer, the cold reality is that not everyone will hold to the particular edict they put forth for themselves. Because in reality, searching for the truth is a painful process, one that can cause us great harm.

After all, sometimes the truth we seek involves potential emotional wounds and uncovering those can and will devastate some people. Plus, the truth can also just be plain dangerous. For there are some individuals out there that will do whatever must be done to keep it hidden. Which means, that if we really want to uncover all the facts about something bothering us in our lives, we must be prepared to sacrifice and put ourselves in harm’s way to see it through, and that does require an iron constitution, and a real understanding of the fallout of facts. Which is why this week’s episode of Orphan Black: Echoes is of note. Because we learned this week, what that bravery looks like, courtesy of Jules and Lucy. 

A feat that ‘It’s All Coming Back to Me’ accomplished, by having this duo pair up and try something quite wild to uncover the truth about their past. In that, they were ready to try hard hallucinogens to try and force a shared memory. Which didn’t exactly produce what they were hoping for. No instead, it just made them high and giggly, and prompted them to partake in some art projects in the hopes that it would trigger that memory as well. But nothing came forth, but thankfully, Tina was able to spot something in their art that prompted a trip to Boston. To a familiar sorority house for that matter, to see what secrets it held, and well, that too proved to only be slightly useful.

Only because all they found was the bathroom and more echoes of memories. Which wasn’t what they needed, but in talking to the sorority girls about the house and its history, they came to learn that a woman named Melissa used to own the house, before her mind slipped to the point where she escaped her care facility and dropped by now and again. Which allowed for our dynamic duo to visit Melissa and finally find some truth and face some danger along the way. In that, Melissa was their biological mother, and that their shared real name was likely Eleanor. Since their visage was present in multiple photographs in Melissa’s place, and she consistently called them that, and that truth did indeed come at a shocking cost. 
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Mainly because Darros’ lackeys were ready and eager, to bring the duo down at any cost. Well, all of them but Emily. Since she helped Lucy escape, because she really has not agreed with the plan. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Neva is indeed a caring adoptive mother. Since she helped Jules get home with a little mace. But regardless of outcome, make no mistake about it, Lucy and Jules came within an inch of their lives to get the truth. Because they wanted it that badly, and they were indeed ready to risk it all to have it. Proving such a quest is not for the faint of heart and that it can bring risk, and for a time… it seemed as though our heroes would only enjoy a taste of the facts. But thankfully, Doctor Manning was made aware of the situation and did something quite noble to say the least.

In that, after spending time studying Lucy and her thoughts, since the trailer was sized by Darros, she decided the charade had to end, as did the immediate danger. So, she swooped in and saved Lucy and earned her trust with a stunning promise. In that, she would tell Lucy everything. Absolutely everything, and the bare beginning of that admission is where this story ended. One that was simply… sublime. Because just like that, this series got down to business and showed us how badly this duo wanted to know their origins… no matter the cost. Giving rise to a great lesson for the audience and great television in general. For this story was simply compelling from beginning to end and well, it has us counting down the seconds to next week’s story. Because it would seem, this is it. The truth awaits and it will be fascinating to learn all there is to know about Eleanor. Until next time.

Caution: This rapid recap of Episode 105 of ‘Deb’s House’ contains spoilers.

Please enjoy this rapid recap of Episode 105 of Deb’s House on WE tv and ALLBLK, along with a refresher clip, and a summary of who has been sent home!

Episode 105 – “Two Little Fingers” – Airs Friday, July 12th on We TV and ALLBLK at 10pm ET/PT

Multiple eliminations dwindle the house down to the Final Four and brings Ms. Deb to tears…but the competition must go on! Ms. Deb invites celebrity guest, Tracy Morgan, as well as The Source’s Londell McMillan and artist/songwriter Kyla Imani, in studio to help motivate the remaining contestants. A photo shoot at DaRucci Leather makes Ms. Deb question who wants it the most.

Eliminated Contestants
Alectra – 20, Bakersfield, CA *Eliminated Episode 5
Honey B – 25, Charlotte, NC *Eliminated Episode 5
Hot Chok - 28, Philadelphia, PA *Eliminated Episode 5
Big Mali - 22, Henderson, NC - *Eliminated Episode 3
Billboard Baby - 29, Harlem, NY – *Eliminated Episode 2 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Down in the Valley’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
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One particular goal that a great majority of people on Planet Earth share in, it is to learn as much as possible about the world we live upon, and the many people we share this world with. Because despite the fact that humans do share in a great deal of similar experiences, there are so many, so many of us will never understand. For only a handful know what it is like to walk through life with cancer in their bodies or what it means to struggle with mental illness. Which is why, we tend to turn to true-life stories and documentaries whenever we get the chance. To learn about such matters and find the understanding we seek.

But even then, that’s not a perfect process. For sometimes true-life tales focus on the reaction versus the realities of the matter and forget to teach us, what we seek knowledge wise, and sometimes documentaries lead us astray. Because they discover there is another story to tell or an angle to bring forth and well, that’s why the STARZ docuseries, Down in the Valley, is so supremely important. Because it is that rare documentary that doesn’t have an angle to send our way. It really is… about life in the delta and the experiences we don’t know about but want to understand better and for proof… then look no further than this week’s shockingly powerful journey.

For ‘Out the Mud’ transported us to Dallas, Texas, with our intrepid and incredible host, Nicco Annan. To examine something that few docuseries have ever explored in great detail. Specifically… what it means to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ in the United States of America at this time of great change regarding perceptions of the LGBTQIA+ community. What life is like when you’re queer, and how hard it is still in 2024 to know that your sexual preference doesn’t align with the toxic homophobic norms that do still exist within the landscape of American life, and it accomplished such a feat by introducing us to a man named Marley Santana.

Who is a gay black man, and who… for many, many years… denied that was the case. Because the life he led was surrounded by the toxic homophobic agenda, and of course… to protect his very life, he had to pretend to be part of that community. Which meant he had to hate members of the very community he was actually part of and deny himself what his heart truly desired. But a surprise outing allowed for Marley to come to understand what it means to be one’s authentic self and how that heals us, and he embraced his sexual identity and now gives back to the community he ostracized and denied, to heal the damage he did on an internal and external level. Which made for a powerful story… one that really did offer incredible insight for the audience.

Because Marley, bares his soul in this story, and explains the fear that gay men experience in America because of how powerful and prevalent homophobia is in our world, and how it truly does drive men like Marley to do what must be done to feel some sense of acceptance. And we also learned how lonely and painful it is to not be out, to deny ourselves what we really want and really need and that was shocking to learn happens in 2024, but this truly taught us so much and this journey did indeed inspire. Mainly because Marley’s journey into being out and proud and being himself, spoke to who we become when we shake off the bullshit of prejudice and embrace what matters most: what makes us happy and fulfilled. As it turns out, we become a person who is happy, secure and willing to live life to the fullest. All of which made, for a stunning and powerful, and moving episode. One that brought this writer to tears with its raw honesty and its ability to help anyone watching… understand.

Truly understand an aspect of American life that so many of us casually know but should learn more about. Plus, Marley’s story and how he found acceptance on a personal level, reminds us of the need to be kind to one another, and to be accepting of everyone and anyone. For there are only so many of us on planet Earth and we should spend our days embracing the gift of life instead of ostracizing anyone who doesn’t live it by a ‘norm’, and this episode deserves a round of applause for its incredible lessons. Also, we need to take a moment and thank Nicco Annan for the incredible work he’s doing in hosting this show. Because he’s truly a guide here, and a host that is as honest as the stories present here, and that only adds to the wonder of a show that is accomplishing so much and has us eager to see, what incredible lessons await us down the line as we continue our journey through the valley. Until next time.

Watch ‘Down the Valley’ on STARZ.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘The Serpent Queen’. To revisit the Season One Finale, click here.
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When we last left Catherine de Medici in the hit STARZ series, The Serpent Queen, it seemed as though she was on top of the world. After all, she had survived a harrowing youth and a harrowing marriage that was rocky and frustrating, to become the regent of France. The person who would make all the decisions for the crown as her son learned the nature of the business as a young King of France and well, that made it seem as though… we had reached the end of the story. After all, Catherine had schemed and worked her way to the top, so what more was there to tell?

Well as it turns out, there was plenty. For that was merely the opening chapter to her long and winding journey, of a life that was indeed worthy of the title of this show. For Catherine did more beyond just make the throne her own, and well… the time has indeed come to learn more about that journey and learn more about what life was like in France during her rule, and thankfully… last night saw that journey continue. For yesterday brought forth the season two premiere of this beloved and amazing series and well, ‘Grand Tour’, wasted little time in showcasing and reminding us of a truth that we learned about Catherine during last season.

In that, she wasn’t inherently evil as a leader. She just made the hard calls that so many of us might not be able to make and that deep down, she wanted there to be peace and prosperity for many… as evidenced by how this tale played out. For she came to understand that the people really were insulated from the world of the crown, and she was right. Since royalty back then really did live in a different world under different rules… so she thought it best to do something that had not been done before. A Grand Tour of the nation where the King and the royal family would meet their subjects. To garner loyalty and trust and to unify France, and it was… a rousing success. For it brought love and loyalty to the crown and potentially laid down the groundwork for a prosperous and unified France. 

Which was fascinating to see and fascinating to learn and spoke to Catherine’s intentions and vision for the nation. One that clearly never quite came to perfect fruition and with good reason. For internally, no one saw the value of the Grand Tour in the manner that she did. In fact, her kids simply saw it as another duty of the crown, no big deal really, and spent most of their days infighting and fussing about their future and their roles when the regency label would be removed from their mother. Which was coming soon. Giving rise to the reality that Catherine saw the world as few did, from both worlds, and that hinted at the potential that royalty in that era could never understand the common man, and that could lead to disaster in season two. 
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But before we worry too much about how that will go, there were more immediate problems that popped up in this story, the kind that will drive conflict in this season no problem. Because everyone associated with the crown in season one, were still thriving the ten years later that this episode thrives within and they of course… have their own ideas of what they want out of life and what they want out of France. Which in this instance was financial prosperity for the de Bourbons and a strong and Catholic France for the church and after being held at bay by Catherine for so long, and with the knowledge that the crown would soon be changing hands… they made some bold moves to get what they wanted. Going so far as to make backwater deals, and to outright kill in the name of the Lord. 

All of which, set the stage for a season of conflict, challenge and the need for a more level and heavy hand to bring order to chaos. Which is likely the purpose that Catherine will serve here, showcasing the Serpent Queen at her strongest. Which makes this… a grand setup premiere and a great one at that. Since it did a wonderful job of reintroducing us to Catherine, her family, and her world… and the other players in her life and rule… before laying that framework down in a smooth and magnificent manner. One that has us hooked. Because we simply must know how she will handle the church overstepping bounds and killing innocents after they were told the crown adores them, and it will be interesting to see how quickly the Serpent Queen is forced to emerge, and how far she will go… to maintain her vision for a strong and secure France. Until next time.

To learn more about the creation of season two, check out our interview with Series Creator/Showrunner Justin Haythe and Executive Producer Erwin Stoff.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 407 of ‘The Boys’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing fans of television can all agree upon, is that season four of the Prime Video series, The Boys, has done a phenomenal job of tapping into the American zeitgeist. For it perfectly mirrors the political tension that is hanging over the United States and no show out there has properly captured the manic and ludicrous, and downright dangerous nature of the MAGA movement, quite like this show has. After all, we have been treated to moments that perfectly reflect the nonsense that its real-world stars spew, and the horror of what they want, and we now have a great understanding of how they gained the ability to shout into our homes instead of into the void.

But while it has been amazing for us to see America properly showcased on the small screen, there’s been one big question we’ve been hoping the show will answer regarding these issues. Specifically, how in the ever-loving hell do we genuinely stop this mess? Because it just keeps going and we’ve all had enough, and we want things to change. But how the hell do we get there? Well as it turns out, the next episode in this amazing series takes the time to explore just that. But before we dive too deep into that, we should take a moment and talk about the other big moments present in ‘The insider’. Because much was set up for the season four finale in this particular tale. Such as the fact that Frenchie returned to the Boys with a mission in hand.

Specifically, to bring the virus to fruition, but with a twist. Because Butcher didn’t want to commit genocide, he just wanted Homelander to die. So, he had Frenchie and Kimiko watch and supervise the creation of a virus that would bring down the big man, which allowed for this duo to speak upon their friendship issues and their past. Plus, they did get a virus produced, one that cost them the good doctor and Kimiko’s leg. But that’s okay, it will grow back. But what mattered more here was that the virus was nearly ready and of course… we would be remiss to not point out that the Boys are in deep trouble thanks to whatever the hell Sage set up with that shapeshifter. Since they now have sensitive information. 

But all setup aside, let’s be honest… it’s the answer to that burning question that makes this episode worthwhile, and that came up… because it really seemed as though this story was barreling toward utter disaster. For Vicky and Homelander’s plans continued to move along and that brought about real worry and real trouble and well, that’s when the show made it clear that in order to start to move the needle in a different direction, the time has come for people… to stand up to these bullies and say something, do something. Do anything at this point. But specifically, start calling them out on the endless bullshit they spew and take them to task like never before. Which just isn’t happening right now.
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But it happened here, and it brought about some amazing results. For Hughie opted to just go to Vicky directly and point out the horrors on the horizon for America if Homelander got his way, and he challenged her on how that was right or fair, and she definitely buckled a bit at this. Not to mention, Ryan straight up called out how stupid some of the messaging was, and how wrong it was as well. Which left everyone shocked and second guessing what so many tend to go along with. But of course, the centerpiece to this was A-Train’s journey. Since the inside man stood up and said enough and fought his co-workers over their stance, and all of this, left Homelander unsure of how to proceed. To the point where he blew up the plan, fired Sage and likely took in some down-home milky milk from the tap at Firecracker Farms.

More importantly though, being stood up to, being called out and showcased as being stupid for saying and doing such stupid things… had a massive impact upon the villains of this tale and left all of us wondering. What would happen if interviewers and more outlets and pundits went after the stupid shit that Cheeto von Tweeto says and does, and confronted him? And the same goes for Marjorie Trailer Trash and her ilk. It might change a lot, and hopefully this brilliant tale helps inspire that. But all lessons and commentary aside, make no mistake about it, this was a satisfying tale. One that finally saw the good folks of this world counter punch and land deep blows and it will be interesting to see what comes from this surprise offensive in the season four finale of the show. Until next time.

​Please enjoy this super-sized sneak peek and synopsis of tonight’s new episode of Down in the Valley, which debuts on STARZ later tonight, and is available to stream in the STARZ app, now!
 
DOWN IN THE VALLEY EPISODE 103: Out the Mud
Airdate: July 12 at 9:00pm ET/PT on STARZ
“Out the Mud” takes us into the life of an MC named Marley Santana. A gay Black man from one of Dallas’s toughest neighborhoods, Marley’s dramatic story of how he was outed and ultimately found self-acceptance and unconditional love is truly exceptional.

​Please enjoy this sneak peek and synopsis of the season two premiere of The Serpent Queen, which debuts on STARZ later tonight, and is available to stream in the STARZ app, now!

THE SERPENT QUEEN EPISODE 201: Grand Tour
**Season Premiere**
Airdate: July 12 at 8:00pm ET/PT on STARZ
Catherine aims to unite France under King Charles IX, pushing her agenda of a secular state. The Bourbons present an ambitious trade deal with Protestant England. As tensions rise on the Privy Council, the Guise’s plan to reignite religious conflict.

Please enjoy this exclusive sneak peek of this weeks’ episode of Deb’s House. Which airs on WE tv and ALLBLK later tonight!  

​Please enjoy this super-sized sneak peek of Me, which is available to stream on Apple TV+ today!