Cliffhangers have and will forever be, a tricky venture in when it comes to television, especially when it comes to their respective endings. Because if it wraps up in weak fashion, the audience is quickly disengaged from the story and those sour feelings can stay with a fan for quite some time. Plus, if a character has to do something off the wall that they would never do normally to resolve the story, well then it seems as though lazy writing is taking hold, further testing the fan base’s patience. But, while we’ve seen those horrible things happen on some shows from time to time, one particular franchise that always delivers amazing cliffhangers is Star Trek, and that’s likely due in large part to the fact that The Original Series set the gold standard for telling that kind of tale.
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Because ‘The Menagerie: Part I’ truly did a phenomenal job of setting up the finale to this fascinating story. For Kirk and Spock’s careers were on the line; and it would seem that Spock’s life might be hanging in the balance too, all over his mysterious decision to seemingly turn his back on his duties as a Starfleet officer. Which is a setup that definitely leaves the audience hungry for answers and positive resolution and well, that’s what makes ‘The Menagerie: Part II’ such a wonderful bookend since it accomplishes all those things, and oddly enough, sets up a great deal for the future of the franchise at the same time. Something that I was honestly unprepared for at first, but before we dive too deeply into that, let’s examine the resolution in question since it was so glorious.

For when we pick up with the captain in this particular story, we come to discover that Kirk is feeling differently about Spock’s court-martial. Because Jim knows his crew, and he knows Spock well at this point and it’s clear that somewhere in between Parts I and II, that Jim comes to wonder if there is a genuine rhyme and reason as to why Spock made his secretive decision, something compounded by the fact that the Talosians continue to broadcast their first encounter with Pike and the Enterprise. And it is just wonderful to see Kirk come to realize that Spock meant no ill will and did this for a greater purpose; to save Christopher Pike by giving him a second chance at life, one where he will forever feel like his old self, which brings us to how exactly this episode sets up all kinds of events for the future.

Because this sequence of events taught Captain James T. Kirk some fascinating lessons on loyalty and what it means to stand by the people who stand by you. For there is going to come a day when Kirk takes this moment to heart and risks everything he’s worked for in Starfleet, to provide a better life for his closest friend, and that revelation and the events of this tale speak greatly to what Starfleet and the Federation stand for. Clearly it’s all about providing people with a better quality of life and making sure that an individual feels as important as the whole and I love how this two-parter begins to set the tone for the foundation of this franchise and that it also answered the question I posed in the Part I recap in unique fashion.

But it doesn’t seem that way at first glance, since Spock in essence, never turned his back on the uniform or the insignia. Instead he upheld its virtues and went the extra mile in doing so and that’s the roundabout way it answers what makes an officer abandon what they stand for and clearly, that’s related to disillusionment. Because someone who no longer believes in the institution they were asked to defend, would never do the things Spock did and perhaps the solution to keeping officers dedicated to their duty and the oaths they swear to, is for the armed services to add a little bit of those Starfleet virtues into the mix, but that’s another discussion for another time. Because in the here and the now, we simply need to celebrate a truly magnificent episode of Star Trek, one that really did embody what we love about the series through and through and this one is going to stay with me for some time, thanks to its endearing and enduring message about going the extra mile to be good to one another. Until next time.

Anyone that puts on a uniform that is tied to the armed services, has some instant expectations surrounding them. For they’ve volunteered to defend our nation and its interests around the world and now they have to have the highest of integrity, and act with honor in all things and that’s why we are supremely shocked when we see someone from the armed forces committing a crime or falling from grace in any form or fashion. Because they were supposed to represent the best parts of our nation and doing anything outside of that, is heartbreaking to say the least.
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Which leads one to wonder, what is it that prompts a soldier, or an airman or a navy man to betray their uniform and do something that in essence leaves them in disgrace? Well there’s no easy answer when it comes to that, because it could relate to a multitude of reasons. But none the less, it’s something that piques our curiosity and it just so happens that Star Trek felt the need to explore this idea in the middle of season one by having an officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise betray the Starfleet Delta and the crew that he calls family in the opening chapter of a two part episode, in ‘The Menagerie: Part I’.

Now, this is a tale that eventually explains why Commander Spock was willing to risk his future in Starfleet and even his life for the badly wounded Captain Christopher Pike, so we won’t be diving too much into that today. Instead, I want to spend as much as time as possible discussing the iconic moments present in this tale and quite frankly, how it did a phenomenal job of setting up the mystery/cliffhanger present in this story and actually, let’s start there. Because this story more or less completely catches you off guard by revealing the fact that Spock is ready to do whatever it takes to help Pike and seeing him beat the crap out of other Starfleet officers and steal the Enterprise to achieve his goals is stunning to say the least and completely out of character for this normally reserved and logical man and everything he does leaves you with so many questions, the kind that instantly draw you into this story, since you have to know why Spock would do such a thing.

Yet, it is that setup that oddly enough leads to the fan service in question. Because once Spock is in custody and Kirk is back aboard the ship, the stuff that makes you giddy takes the center stage, since this was the episode that figured out how to integrate footage from the pilot into this particular story, by making the pilot appear as though it took place thirteen years prior to this tale. And it is just, amazing to watch Jeffrey Hunter slay it as Captain Pike and it is equally as neat to see Majel Barrett step into the role of Number One for the first time ever. But really the personal treat for me, is how everything that transpired with Pike and Spock in Star Trek: Discovery fills in the blanks here, specifically when it comes to their bond and loyalty to one another and also how Spock is able to keep the truth hidden, along with a few other things that we’ll talk about in the ‘Part II’ recap.

But in the here and the now, it’s best we just celebrate the fact that this was one intense tale, one that took us on a shocking ride and set the stage for a great many things when it comes to the future of this franchise. And despite knowing how it ends, it still managed to suck me in with its twists and turns and phenomenal acting and it’s also important to note that this episode was the first ever cliffhanger in franchise history, something that would become an integral part of every single series to follow this one and well, I have to admit that writing about this particular story has me jazzed to get to the second part, so we can finally answer the question that I posed a little bit ago. So, on that note, it’s best I return to the NCC-1701 as soon as possible, to enjoy the wonder of the powerhouse ending that awaits me. Until next time.     

When we think of anyone in particular, our boss, our parents, the sports heroes we grew up idolizing, we only think about their accomplishments, about the finished product if you will. We don’t think about the hours our boss put in to receive their promotion, or the courtship our parents went through and the discussions they had about having us. Nor do we think about how many minutes of practice and film study it took for our favorite quarterback to win the Super Bowl, and we don’t ponder upon those things simply because, we often only worry about what’s right in front of us. It’s not a bad thing by any means, because it means we are living in the moment, but sometimes it is important to reflect upon the journey that brings people to an important place in their lives.
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If anything, that particular line of thinking is on my mind today, because it applies to The Handmaid’s Tale. For last night’s season three finale, ‘Mayday’, finally put the pieces together for this series, and allowed for us to understand that every trial and harrowing moment that June Osborne has faced in this series, was designed to show us the genesis of a genuine heroine, and to help us understand what drives someone to finally say enough and stand up and fight for a good and just cause when it seems as though the odds are against them. Because in this tale, June finally became the heroine this series has been sorely missing since she finally pushed ahead, in bold fashion, to get the kids out of Gilead and back toward a better life, and of course, her final transformation into this role, came about in the most difficult ways imaginable.

But, before we get too deep into that particular journey, we need to take a moment to talk about how the series continues to reward its fans for sticking by it through those difficult times. Because up in Canada, a haggard and exhausted and terrified Fred Waterford, finally pulled a power play of his own, confessing what happened in the Waterford home when it comes to June, putting Serena on the hot seat at last. Because Mister Tuello ended her amnesty and her forthcoming freedom by arresting her for her crimes against humanity and it was just delightful to see both the Waterfords receive their just desserts for the horrible things they’ve done and I do hope we get to see them deal with the fallout of their cruelty in season four since they have so much to answer for. 

Which brings us back to June. Because today was the day in this tale, the big day when the kids were supposed to be moved and unfortunately for June, an early arrival jeopardized everything when it comes to this master plan. For the Martha that came to the house in the middle of the day with her respective child, panicked and decided to go back and eventually was picked up by the Eyes, prompting June to act quickly, and this, this when a true leader stepped into the light. Because June was suddenly clear headed about everything that had to be done, and willing to take risks to make this happen, to the point where she put Lawrence on notice and risked being seen to keep these kids safe and well, that particular fearlessness inspired more people to resist and assist.
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For when June and her cohorts returned from marking the path to the airport, they returned to a house full of children, being gently read to by Joseph Lawrence, the kindest act we’ve seen on this show to date from a Commander. Plus, the house was also full of a cadre of Handmaids and Marthas that were ready help these kids get to the airport and their timing could not have been better. For word had gotten out that something was up, which meant the time to leave was then and there and while they made it to the airport in one piece, there was one final fight that awaited these rebels, one led by June and it was one that cost people their lives and injured June badly… but it had to be done. For someone had to lead the way, someone had to show everyone that it wasn’t okay to lie down and just deal with Gilead’s garbage anymore, and that someone was indeed June, and this was truly her ascension moment and it was glorious.

Plus, we were even treated to a happy-ish ending for a change on this series. Because the fight distracted the Eyes just long enough for Rita to get every last kid on board the plane, and they made it to Canada, where families were reunited and finally these kids have hope for a future. But it wasn’t all joy and laughter at the end of this tale, for there will likely be grave consequences for June’s bold actions. Because I don’t see how Commander Lawrence will be able to keep the other commanders from stoking the fires of war and to make matters worse, June isn’t safe, nor is she healthy at the moment. But, that’s part of the fight. For sometimes the risk is high and it always gets worse before it gets better, and what matters more here; is that someone finally stood up to Gilead and wounded them like never before. And while a wounded animal is dangerous in its own right, it is still vulnerable and any further  conflict may weaken it to the point of collapse and that… is a satisfying possibility in its own right and I cannot wait to watch the fight against Gilead, unfold in season four. Until next year. 

There are a lot of things that go into making a television series iconic in the eyes of the fans. But while we could talk all day about those particular elements and how sometimes a little luck helps to create a series that will be beloved by fans until the end of time, I honestly think the true formula to making a classic, lies in simplicity. For it is great characters and great storytelling, the kind that is handled in organic and subtle fashion, that makes a series timeless and magnificent and those two key elements are precisely why I believe Star Trek continues to endure in all of our hearts after all of these years.
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Because it truly offered up incredible stories on a consistent basis, and Kirk and his intrepid crew were dynamic and relatable and served as role models in their own right. But while I know what this series stands for after all these years, I’ve made no secret of the fact that the early days of season one was quite a struggle to go back through as a fan. For some of the episodes present here were off kilter and devoid of the wonder this show is known for. And while I’ve seen flashes of brilliance and familiar moments, I’ve yet to see Trek’s heart on display in this series. But all of that changed when I started the next episode in this storied franchise, since ‘The Corbomite Maneuver’ is clearly the moment when this series finally arrived.

For this is an episode that finally allowed for Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise to let loose personality wise since we saw how they truly handled pressure with the mystery and the threat of the First Federation looming over them. And I really enjoyed the human moments that came about from said pressure since we saw the crew buckle here and there and take a moment to regroup when they realized that their duty to the ship mattered above all else and really, this episode also gave us great insight into how Jim Kirk works and what he stands for since we saw his unique style of captaincy, the one we know and love, on display for the first time here.

In fact, it was just magnificent to see Kirk know exactly how to read people in this episode, and know where his crew’s breaking point was so that he would never cross it, and it was equally as amazing to see him figure out the situation at hand and put together the gambit that saved his ship and his crew. Because the Corbomite card was a magnificent one to play, and seeing it work and see Kirk do it in calm and collected fashion only seemed to embolden the crew and comfort them at the same time and of course, it also led to one of the most memorable moments in the show’s storied history. After all, this is the tale that features a supremely young Clint Howard in the unique role of Balok and his love of Tranya and the deep voiceover of this character truly brought about a sense of wonder, since this whole sequence felt alien and unique.

If anything, this is the first episode that felt like Star Trek since everything the franchise stands for was present here. For the crew of the Enterprise only used their weapons when there was no other alternative, and they worked together, despite their differences, to survive a seemingly impossible problem and of course, they discovered and befriended new life and man, I forgot how good this episode was when all is said and done and I’m glad I did. Because the wonder of this one felt new, and that ending plastered a smile onto my face and now I’m more excited than ever to revisit the rest of season one. Because I won’t lie, I peeked ahead at the episode roster, and what comes next and later this in this season are more iconic moments, meaning that some serious magic Is headed my way and I cannot wait to fall in love with this series all over again in the days and weeks to come. Until next time.   

It’s rare in this day and age to find television shows that outright speak to one’s soul because T.V. as a whole, is a tricky venture anymore. After all, it takes time for a new series to find its voice and grow and the days of giving a show several seasons to do just that are more or less over. Because now it’s about gimmicks and big hooks and big names in a series, which in a way removes the human element as to why we watch in the first place. But from time to time, there are shows that pop up that capture the human condition in its purest form, and last year, a series debuted on AMC that pulled this feat off in the most spectacular of fashion in Lodge 49.
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For this particular series, wasted no time in presenting us with a world that was in essence our own, since it was populated by characters that quite frankly we either know or resemble in some form or fashion. Because Dud and his friends are simply trying to get by in life, and they’re struggling to pay their bills or deal with the pain in their hearts and all of those elements resonated with me the instant I settled in to watch this magnificent series. And I love how it never lost sight of what it stands for as season one rolled on and that it found ways to make me smile and laugh and care and that made the inaugural season of this series supremely special in its own right and I know I was over the moon when AMC announced that a second season was in the cards.

But I have to admit that the prospect of another year of adventures at the Lodge left me a little nervous. Mostly for the reasons I outlined a little bit ago. Because you just never know when it comes to television, and all it takes is a single suggestion in a production meeting to change the course of a series forever. But clearly, everyone involved with this show didn’t think that altering the direction of this show was a good idea in the slightest. Instead, the season two premiere of this series, ‘All Circles Vanish’, made it clear that it is going to be business as usual for Lodge 49, with an added benefit in that, these dynamic characters are going to grow and find new challenges to face since it would seem that year two is going to dive into the question, ‘what comes next?’

I say that, simply because, Liz and Ernie and Dud actually managed to handle some of their problems in season one. For Liz finally stood up for herself and managed to get out of debt, and Ernie finally went all-in on saving the Lodge and honoring his friend and mentor and Dud, well he seemingly made peace with his father’s passing and those are big things to overcome. But normally in film and T.V., when that happens it’s just a happy ending and the story immediately moves onto the next big thing. In reality however, it’s not quite like that. Life goes on, not everything is flawless in a single moment and sometimes there is genuine fallout from our actions and for proof, look no further than Ernie. Because the confident man we met, the one with nothing to lose, was reeling from failure in this tale. For clearly his mission with El Confidente went south, the whole mess with Captain is hanging over his head and at this point, it’s hard to say how Ernie will get back on track when he’s concerned with the past over anything else.
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Yet what’s amazing, is that the story wasn’t quite done with exploring how tomorrow isn’t always rosy when we accomplish a goal since Liz found herself stuck, despite her wins. Which speaks to the fact that financial gain and freedom isn’t always the answer to our problems and the deep-rooted stuff has to be dealt with before we can feel whole again and that is likely what her journey will entail this year. However, not everyone was struggling to find peace in this particular tale since Dud served as the anthesis to everyone’s internal battles. For he felt more alive than ever and was as hopeful as can be when it comes to what the future holds, and this was quite the dynamic turnaround for this character since he was stuck in the thick of trauma and loss last year. But now, he’s set on getting back into pool cleaning and keeping his dad’s legacy alive and it’s just wonderful to see Dud find a direction to hold onto and work toward it for a change, rather than just let the currents take him and it’s equally as magical to see him try and lift his friends and his family up and spread the proverbial joy that now resides within his heart.

If anything, it’s just wonderful to have this magnificent series back on the air, and I love that this premiere simply didn’t skip a beat, because the journey that everyone is going upon in this sweeping story is unique and intimate and just so supremely different from anything out there right now. It’s just genuine and free from gimmicks and to top it all off, the show is still a hilarious delight, and it is still filled with wonder since there are still questions surrounding alchemy and the all-important scrolls. Plus, I also enjoyed how this premiere set up this year’s twists and turns in unique fashion since that dream sequence and guest spot from Paul Giamatti was ominous and fascinating all at once, and speaking of cameos, the one from Bronson Pinchot was pretty epic in its own right. But I digress, because what matters the most is that this brilliant series has come back to all of us and I am more than ready to see where Dud’s adventures will take him and his friends as season two rolls on. Until next time. 

While not all of us share a genuine love of cars in the same manner as the hosts of Top Gear, I think we can all agree upon the fact that we’ve all experienced some kind of emotion when it comes to automobiles. Because they really do offer up a special experience from time to time, and there’s something to be said about how the open road brings joy to our souls when we’re on a road trip or how slamming the gas pedal brings about a rush of adrenaline as we feel our ride haul across the asphalt. The bottom line is that cars are fun and the emotions they engender from us is precisely what the producers of the show wanted to focus upon for the Season 27 Finale, in the most fascinating ways possible of course.
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Because Fred and Chris made a trip to Iceland in this finale, to take part in something I didn’t know existed; Formula Off-road Racing. Which is an event that entails a multi-stage race wherein vehicles designed for bumps and crashes take part in some incredible challenges, the kind that send them into the air and through massive amounts of mud, all in the name of racing. And the idea behind participating in this was to see if by chance Fred would show a little fear for a change since nothing rattles the man and well, this challenge did indeed bring out some emotions in Fred and definitely Chris as well. For both men enjoyed the thrills and chills that come with this kind of race, and it even brought out some competitive fire as both men worked to be number one, and while they didn’t exactly achieve that, since Chris went sixth and Fred went seventh, this was still a blast to watch and it was neat to see a different side of Fred in this segment of the show.

But the series wasn’t quite done with exploring the emotions that cars can bring out of us, and for Paddy’s segment, it was all about the wonder and joy they fill our hearts with, since Paddy was able to take part in the opportunity of a lifetime. Because growing up, he wanted nothing more than to drive the 1993 Toyota Supra A80, since it was the hottest car in the U.K. back in the day and at long last, he finally got behind the wheel of one, and loved every single second of it. For this little ride was a supercar killer and it was supremely cool to see it beat a Ferrari 521 Testarossa, an Aston Martin DB7 and a Porsche 911 Turbo on the open road and it was equally as awesome to see Paddy’s sheer joy while he drove this bad boy through the countryside and that joy only increased once he fired up the brand new Toyota Supra, a car that just so happens to be a product of BMW engineering. That was something that irked Chris when he got a chance to drive it as well, but even he had to admit that it was great ride and really, this segment was just a true delight through and through.  

Yet, I made mention a moment ago, that cars also elicit a sense of wonder in us and the show found a way to explore that as well, by looking to the past for a brief moment. Because Chris took the time to educate us on the wonder of the Formula F-1 racing car, and how Lotus engineering changed the vehicle for the better back in 1979. For the Lotus team finally figured out how to get more out of their cars, and that’s how Mario Andretti won so many races back then. And while a history lesson was pretty awesome to sit through since this was something I knew nothing about, the wonder in question came about from the fact that the Lotus team let Chris drive the very car that won title after title and the look on his face, when he hopped in that ride said it all. Because this was his opportunity to sit in a car that straight up made history and take it out on the track and see what it could do, and being able to experience something such as that definitely engenders that sense of wonder and honestly, this really was the coolest segment of the night because how often does someone get the opportunity to immerse themselves in history, in this manner?

So, when we take all of those elements, and Will Young’s supremely competitive celebrity segment, we are left with one uplifting and fun finale, one that quite frankly reminded us why we love cars in some form or fashion. Because when they’re not slogging us to and from work, they know how to bring out the kid in us and generate a sense of freedom in our hearts and this was truly a perfect end to a perfect season. Because Top Gear was simply firing on all cylinders this year with its new hosts and unique ideas designed to make the supercar relatable to the audience for a change and while this season has come to a close, the future of this series is a bright one indeed since it is telling some magnificent stories involving devices we somewhat take for granted these days and I cannot wait to see how this series grows in seasons to come as this wonderful group of hosts continue to explore the magic of the automobile and the open road. Until next time. 

At some point or another in our lives, we are forced to reflect upon some of the decisions we’ve made that bring us to a current situation, one that is often negative in nature. And we take the time to reflect, because it is a surprisingly positive process, even though it doesn’t seem to be worth our while in the midst of a bad moment. But taking the time to ponder, allows for us to see what matters in our lives and helps us to understand our missteps so that we don’t repeat them going forward and it just so happens that Jesse Custer and his beloved friends were forced to endure a moment of reflection during last night’s episode of Preacher.
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Because ‘Deviant’ allowed for a little bit of downtime for our characters, and downtime is a perfect time for inflection, especially when one is tied to a hospital bed at the Grail’s headquarters, as was the case with Tulip. And while her introspective moments weren’t quite as profound as her cohorts, since we already know a great deal about her, it was still important for her to deal with the loss of Jesse and her feelings in regard to their current tiff. Plus it was just great to see Tulip embrace her anger when confronted with it and be able to escape into Grail HQ regardless of the threat she posed to everyone within the building and it should be interesting to see what comes next for her now that Cassidy has already been transferred out to his next foreskin assignment.

Speaking of Cass, his moment of reflection revealed a great many things about his past and why he lives such a wild and carefree life, and it is surprisingly not directly related to his rebirth as a vampire. If anything, we came to learn that Cassidy firmly believes he is a failure in life (and death and rebirth), and that stems from a time when he tried to play the hero. For he joined up with the IRA to take part in the Easter Rising of 1916 in the hopes of ending British rule in his homeland, and rather than rise up and fight as he intended; he ran, he hid and he eventually found himself under attack from a vampire and rather than go home and see his family and reveal his missteps and his fear, he stepped out into the world as a vampire and has in essence, given up for the time being. Plus, we also learned his first name is actually Prioinsias, so, that’s a thing.

But truly the centerpiece of the night was Jesse’s journey. For his quiet time took place aboard another private plane ride, and while he was high in the skies he came to realize that this journey to find God and use Genesis for the benefit of the universe has in many ways gone off the rails and transformed him in the process. For the reformed Jesse Custer we met in season one, has more or less disappeared from the landscape, instead replaced with a man filled with raw anger and rage over the lies he’s discovered and the pain he’s experienced. And while his attempts to make the world a better place are genuine in nature, his fury causes more harm than good, as was evidenced by the flashback of what happened in that strange brothel he and Steve the pilot visited last week, and truly Steve made quite the point in this episode when he asked Jesse, ‘what kind of Preacher are you?’

If anything, hopefully Jesse can figure out the answer to that question after he deals with this latest crisis since his plane is going down and really when all is said and done, this episode was downright brilliant. Because this is exactly what you want from the final season of a show, since the characters are finally dealing with their demons and we are getting the answers to all of our questions since Cassidy’s backstory finally came to fruition and all of this left me supremely excited. Because getting all of this important stuff out of the way early on in the season means that bigger and juicer plot points await us down the line and we are also likely going to be treated to one powerful finale that brings together everything this series has been toying with over the past four years, and something tells me from the care that went into this tale that the grand finale is going to be thoughtful and magnificent and I truly cannot wait to reach the finish line. Until next time. 

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve learned a lot about the city of Singapore thanks to everything Wild City: Singapore has taken the time to teach us about this fascinating place. In fact, we’ve learned that this thriving metropolis is more of a massive oasis for man than we give it credit since it is surrounded by a great many species and we’ve also come to learn that mankind and the animal kingdom are slowly figuring out ways to co-exist in this tropical paradise. And while those two elements alone should serve as more than enough for the audience to chew upon, it turns out there is plenty more to learn about this place, especially when it comes to the islands and the water that surround Singapore.
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Which is precisely what last night’s episode focused upon, since ‘Wild Islands’ took us on a little tour of everything away from the city and what we came to discover on this little journey was equally as fascinating as everything we’ve learned so far. For this episode revealed more about how mankind and the vast number of species that live here are coming to co-exist without much effort, since coral reefs are starting to grow on the pontoons used in the Marina, allowing for a new aquatic community to thrive beneath the many boats that people use for leisure and even the fish farms that provide mankind with a great many meals in this place, are helping to support marine life in ways we never thought possible. For algae on the nets is attracting all kinds of species here, and they’re simply making a home in this manmade contraption.

But the series wasn’t quite done with showing us how much marine life thrives in this area, since we were privy to a tour of the coral reefs that hide at the bottom of the ocean here, wherein all kinds of species work together to survive, even on the outskirts of these reefs since there are shrimp and fish that work together to protect one another. If anything, it was just incredible to see how much of this part of the world works in harmony since truly every species of marine life has a role to fulfill, and quite frankly, it was almost overwhelming how much stuff this particular part of the story went into. For we spent time with cuttlefish, octopus and the reefs themselves, and really, having that much material present in this segment speaks to just how much life is thriving beneath the sea surrounding Singapore.

Yet, while it was fascinating to take that voyage through the water, there was still more for us to learn in this tale since it dedicated a healthy chunk of time to the species that move about above the water on the islands surrounding the city. On Big Sister Island for example, the ultra-cute Macaque monkeys we met in the last episode rule this tiny land, and that makes them a touch more aggressive than their city counterparts, simply because food and water isn’t exactly plentiful here, and they can’t exactly leave thanks to the waves that surround this island. So, they fight a little harder for survival and fight amongst themselves a little more and it was just fascinating to know that even a tiny island such as this one can support life in this manner, but nature truly does find a way.

Plus, it was also incredible to learn that Coney Island, a place that was once designed to be a theme park, but was closed off to the public when plans fell through, has now become a reserve of sorts where once displaced animals have made a new home and really all of these facts are what made this episode so special in its own right. Because in many ways, this particular tale changed pace for this documentary, and shifted way from any message or theme and just immersed us into the wildlife that lives alongside mankind. And while there’s nothing wrong with a message being present, it was just cool to kick back and learn and soak up the beauty of this place and quite frankly, I’m impressed with how this documentary can shift gears in that manner, and I am more than ready to see what else this journey through the Wild City, has in store for us. Until next time.  

When one thinks of science fiction or horror for that matter, our minds instantly recognize the fact that these two genres, are masters of social commentary. Because both of them are able to take issues from our world and transform them into thoughtful yet entertaining stories, but there is one particular caveat that accompanies this particular feat, in that, these genres tend to tackle the bigger and broader topics. That’s due in large part to the fact that it is indeed easier to tackle something as broad and important as say, our addiction to social media. But going big, also means that we see a glut of stories tackling similar topics, which in a way cheapens the experience since there is so much about our world to explore and discuss. Which is why I am supremely pleased when I stumble upon a show or a story that explores something new and unique, and that’s why I was thrilled as the next episode of Star Trek unfolded before my eyes.
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Because ‘Dagger of the Mind’ went right after something that few science fiction stories tackle, since it examined the humane treatment of prisoners, and what it would take to properly reform them, a topic that quite frankly we barely discuss in this day and age, so it was quite lovely to see Trek tackle this for starters. But, before we dive too deeply into the commentary in question, let’s talk about the sheer wonder of how Gene Roddenberry took the time to further explore a notion introduced in ‘Mudd’s Women’, in that, not everyone subscribes to what the Federation stands for, since there are plenty of other people like Harry Mudd to who break the law in an attempt to get ahead in the galaxy. And while that’s not necessarily a huge revelation at this point, the fact that the Federation still has a crime problem and has people actively working to wipe crime out are important to say the least.

For those elements set up the commentary in question in this tale since Dr. Adams’ work on the Tantaulus colony more or less dives into several issues that still have relevance in this day and age. Because let’s be honest, modern America has a problem when it comes to prisons. They’re overcrowded, and a vast majority of those who go in, tend to go back after serving their sentence, and at this point in time, no one has a solution on how to properly reform criminals to ensure that they stay in the world after they’ve done their time. And while the episode doesn’t exactly offer up a direct answer on how to solve this problem, it does do a fine job of pointing out what we shouldn’t do, and that’s to rob those who have broken the law of hope and make them feel as though they are lesser citizens and should bend to the will of others for their crimes.

If anything, the grand message here, was that prisoners and criminals are human beings as well, and only a handful of them have committed crimes so grievous that they’re worthy of book study and perhaps a Netflix true crime special. Which means that the majority of the incarcerated out there, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and we should work with them to help them understand where they went wrong and how to get on the right track, and it was lovely to see Trek address such matters in entertaining fashion. Because providing this commentary without making it obvious is what allows for it stick and Kirk’s time in the colony, his love interest in this tale and a fascinating villain in Dr. Adams are what allow for everything in this episode to work so well since the story just draws you in and never lets go.

But, while all of this was fascinating, I need to take a moment and geek out once again over another first when it comes to The Original Series. For this particular tale also featured the first ever appearance of the Vulcan Mind Meld since Spock used it to learn more about what was happening on the penal colony and this, was just so cool to see. In the end however, this really was quite the impressive episode. It was thoughtful, poignant and surprisingly relevant to the 21st Century and genuinely fun to watch, since Kirk was put in some supremely awkward situations for him to get out of, and I am really loving how the show continues to get better with every single story that comes along and that the rough stuff is seemingly behind us and I am definitely ready for more. So, if you’ll excuse me, it’s off to Netflix to enjoy another trek through the stars. Until next time.  

We are taught from a very early age, to not relish in the misfortune of others. That we should always take the high road in situations like that and be humble and never gloat, and there is a lot of merit when it comes to doing just that. But human nature loves to look for loopholes, and let’s be honest, when bad things happen to bad people, we tend to find joy within it and not think twice about it, and that particular indulgence was downright irresistible when it comes to the next episode of The Handmaid’s Tale since ‘Sacrifice’, allowed for the audience to watch some of Gilead’s greatest monsters suffer for their endless crimes.
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Because this episode took the time to catch up with the Waterford’s to show us how their little trip to Canada is going and it turns out, they were finally paying the piper for everything they’ve done. For Fred finally learned that his wife sold him out to get a chance to be with Nichole and seeing him undergo interrogations and face Luke’s fury was oddly satisfying to say the least, as was Serena’s story in this tale. For while she expected more freedom with her surrogate daughter, social services helped to make it clear that she was in no way the baby’s mother, and Moira also made a point to enlighten her on how she’s helped evil win in this world and it was just fascinating to watch someone who is always in charge, take orders for a change and be forced to listen.

But, while that was quite the indulgence for the audience, there was still plenty of story to tell in Gilead, and as it turns out, there were real consequences brewing for Serena’s actions. For the commanders were in a panic at learning one of their own was in Canadian custody, and they also firmly believed that Winslow was behind bars up north as well, absolving June of any wrong doing for the time being. But I digress, because I mentioned consequences and well, this ‘act of aggression’ had many of the commanders ready for war and it took every ounce of effort on Lawrence’s part to get his cohorts to stand down since he was aware of the fact that a battle with Canada, would spill over into a greater conflict. Yet, while it was interesting to see Lawrence do the right thing for a change and work to prevent the next World War, an unexpected surprise came about for him and his household in this particular tale.

For Eleanor was at her worst, mentally, and in a desperate attempt to find some kind of joy in this madness, she began to try and tell everyone and anyone about June’s plans to get the kids out. An act that led to a fiery confrontation with June, as she tried to talk some sense into Mrs. Lawrence. But sadly, that moment didn’t quite have its intended impact, and it sent Eleanor spiraling downward and she took her own life by downing as many pills as she could. An act that June oddly could have saved her from, since she did find her in a sedated state before she slipped away, but she let her pass, in part out of mercy and in part out of concern that she might ruin the plan, especially if she ended up in the hospital and it would seem that this decision may or may not backfire when all is said and done, since Commander Lawrence, seems suspicious of what happened in his home.

Either way, this was a tough ending to watch simply because Eleanor Lawrence was indeed one of the good guys and this horrible world swallowed her up and while some will fault June for not doing more to save her, I oddly understand her decision. For this is war, and Eleanor was a liability and my only lament here is that June didn’t find a different way to keep Eleanor on the level in regard to the mission. But, what’s done is done and the clock is ticking to get these kids out and it should be interesting now, to see if June will able to accomplish this astronomical task and wound Gilead in the process, or if a heightened state of awareness in this rattled nation will ruin her opportunity to save lives. Until next time.