Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 104 of ‘Ted Lasso’.
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When one thinks of a sports series or sports-themed comedy, certain expectations come to mind. For starters, you expect heavy doses of whatever sport said series revolves around. After all, that’s the focal point and that’s what matters most, so it should be everywhere. Plus we expect the series to have a lot of heart, the kind that shows us what drives the players and the coaches to be at their absolute best on and off the field and if by chance they’re struggling in some particular arena in life, their teammates will likely lift them up so that the team can accomplish wonders when the time is right. Which are pretty standard elements to a supremely standard formula and well, it all works because audiences eat this up time and time again. 

Which is why the AppleTV+ series, Ted Lasso, continues to impress as its inaugural season rolls along. Because sports shows rarely dive into things that every day folks deal with, such as relationship related issues or jealousy or feelings in general. But those are elements that this series is unafraid to explore, and for proof of that… well then look no further than this week’s episode. Because ‘For the Children’ took us away from the stadium and the soccer being played on the field, in order to explore the ‘forbidden’ elements we just briefly discussed. Which made this tale supremely unique and supremely special as well, since it allowed for us to really get to know some of the side characters and what makes them tick, all while reminding us how wonderful and pure Ted Lasso is as a person, and it accomplished all of this; by bringing forth some interesting conflicts at a charity gala, hosted by Rebecca. 

One of those conflicts, involved two of the star players on the team. Because Jamie and Roy were once again at each other’s throats and it was dividing the team and Ted saw this lovely dinner as the perfect opportunity to get these men to finally hash out their differences. Something they both scoffed at when Ted presented this possibility to them. But since Ted seemingly has a sixth sense for these kinds of things, eventually they realized that he was right, and that they needed to settle their differences after all, and what made this part of the story so unique is the sheer fact that you just don’t see this on television all that often, especially sports shows. Because the thought of two tough-as-nails, machismo dudes talking out their feelings and being honest with one another instead of just going to blows is simply unheard of, and it was quite satisfying to see these gents finally bury the hatchet in a somewhat classy manner.

But truly the biggest surprise in this tale, is that took the time to explore the downside that sometimes accompanies romantic relationships. Something that was mostly handled by way of Rebecca and Keeley in this tale. For they both had to deal with some serious problems in regard to love, such as the fact that Keeley finally decided that dating Jamie wasn’t worth the trouble and the heartbreak that it brought into her life and that maybe it was high time for her to seek out a mature man that would treat her right. And poor Rebecca, well her ex-husband decided to do whatever he could to make her life difficult at this charity event, since he showed up in order to make her feel small and uncomfortable and he even worked behind the scenes to cancel the musical guest, all to remind her that he was in charge. But while that was indeed distressing to watch, what made this segment of the story so compelling, is that Rebecca and Keeley handled their respective problems with grace and bravery. 
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Because at no point did Rebecca give Rupert the satisfaction of appearing weak in the slightest and with Ted’s help and guidance and kindness, the event was still a smashing success. And of course, it was equally as wonderful to see Keeley stand her ground and know her worth for a change and all of these elements made for one incredible episode. One that leaves the audience rooting for these characters like never before. Because now that you see what Rebecca is up against, you simply hope that she will get the chance to prove Rupert wrong by making AFC Richmond a stunning success and of course, you also hope that Keeley gets what she wants and needs, and that Roy can finally find some peace in the locker room and success on the field. If anything, the only person you’re not rooting for at this point is Jamie, because he’s an ass. 

But outside of that, this show just continues to accomplish the outright impossible. For this really is a unique and endearing sports comedy. One that is clearly weaving together a downright incredible story, one that is likely focused on slowly bringing everyone in the club together as a family. Because when that happens on a sports team, everyone is quickly united toward the cause and will do whatever it takes to win, and slowly but surely… this squad is coming together. And that will make the highs all the more wonderful, and the lows all the more painful. But most important of all, it will make every episode of this series meaningful and special and that really is quite the feat for certain. Since sports shows are usually designed to be popcorn entertainment, not heartfelt stories that invest us and leave us hungry for more. But this series is quickly becoming the latter and that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode, a difficult one for certain. Until next time.

One particular element that fiction as a whole, loves to explore, is the darkness that mankind carries within. Because there is something quite powerful about diving into a story that helps us to understand why people turn their backs on their fellow human beings, in order to perform horrible acts that create heartbreak and sorrow and suffering. But while that makes for fascinating storytelling, that’s really the only angle that these stories prefer to explore. Simply because some of the other ‘evils’ that are present within people, are nowhere near as interesting or as lethal as say, homicidal tendencies. But once in a while, you do manage to run into a story that is happy to explore the nature of the lesser evils that people carry in their hearts, and how we should handle them.

Which is precisely what the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, takes the time to focus upon, in the most unique way imaginable. For ‘Time Squared’ sees the crew of the Enterprise encounter a lost shuttle in the middle of the void and when they bring it aboard, they are left stunned. For inside a duplicate Shuttlecraft 05, is a duplicate Captain Jean-Luc Picard and well, the mystery surrounding this surprise, is a disturbing one indeed. Because it doesn’t take long for Geordi and Data to uncover the fact that in six hours’ time, the 1701-D will be facing off against a dangerous galactic phenomenon. One that motivates Picard to leave the ship in the hopes of saving the crew. An act that fails since visual and audio logs show and reaffirm the complete destruction of the Enterprise with a loss of all hands, and this revelation rattles Captain Picard to his core and understandably so.

Because the thought of him abandoning ship is simply unheard of in this series, but that’s precisely what his doppelgänger does here and well, that’s what brings about the exploration in question. For this alternate Picard represents everything that prime Picard is afraid of when it comes to his psyche. For the Jean-Luc we know is a capable and confident commander, one that never waivers in the face of insurmountable odds. But he is human, and he definitely fears letting doubt or worry get the better of him and that makes the ‘clone’ the personification of those fears and really what this story stands for, is that it asks both Jean-Luc and the audience, what we would do if we were forced to face those awful parts of ourselves. And well, what Jean-Luc goes through in regard to answering that question, is pretty darn powerful for certain.

For Jean-Luc straight up acknowledges the fact, that this second Picard is indeed full of everything he fears about himself, and that if this man is willing to give into his absolute worst traits, then the real Picard could in turn, do the same. But rather than give into notions of fate and fully believe that this cowardly version of himself is the only path that awaits him in life; he fights Picard 2 at every turn. Because when the anomaly arrives, he questions every decision he makes in a healthy manner, in the hopes of changing his fortunes and that bold decision to buck fate, leads to one powerful finale. Wherein Jean-Luc confronts his lesser self, and in turn his fears, in order to save the ship and his sanity and well, Picard’s decision to phaser himself before saving the day; stands as quite the powerful metaphor when all is said and done.

Because in essence, that portion of the story is designed to inform the audience to stand up to those lesser fears and evils and never let them take control of us, and if necessary; do whatever it takes to remove them from your mind and your soul. So that you can enjoy peace and calm for a change, and it’s nice to see that message embedded into this story. If anything, this is just another unique TNG story, since it bravely leaves so much unresolved. For we never really learn the purpose or intent of the vortex, and the same goes for the alternate Picard. They simply exist. Which does allow for the meatier and more philosophical stuff to take precedence and well, in the end, this episode really does deserve some serious credit, for being bold and for bringing such a unique story, to the table. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 103 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’.
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One particular constant for shows in the Star Trek Universe, is that they tend to reflect the zeitgeist of the times. Something which impacts the storytelling of the respective series for certain, since it allows for the writers’ room of that show to examine some of the concerns and problems plaguing mankind in that moment, and offer commentary on how perhaps we can move past said concerns. Which is one of the many reasons why this franchise is celebrated often, simply because it always has something powerful and insightful to say about our modern world and society. But what’s fascinating about this long-standing standard for this universe, is that an interesting exception to this particular rule has suddenly come about for the franchise. 

Because Star Trek: Lower Decks is a series that has established itself to be an outright comedy through and through, and a funny one at that. And really the conundrum at hand here, is the sheer fact that it really isn’t able to examine our modern world in the same manner as its companion shows. Because poking fun of some of the current events happening in our troubled world would be a poor decision for certain. But thankfully as season one of this series rolls along, it is starting to become apparent exactly what this series is going to examine in great detail. For this week’s episode made it clear that Lower Decks is going to focus heavily on the franchise itself and what makes Trek so great and that made ‘Temporal Edict’ quite the delightful and uplifting tale when all is said and done.

For this particular story took the time to dive deep into what makes a starship crew as legendary as the ones that populate ships named Enterprise and it accomplished this particular feat, by way of a crackdown aboard the Cerritos. For Captain Freeman came to learn about ‘Buffer Time’, the unspoken edict that allows for crew members to work at their own pace to accomplish wonders aboard the ship and well, discovering that after being passed over for important peace talks on Cardassia drove the captain to push this crew like never before. For she eliminated Buffer Time and demanded that the crew complete their tasks according to regulation so they could be the best crew in the fleet and well… that screwed everything up aboard the ship. Because now everyone was rushing to complete their work and they were moving at a pace that quite frankly, was too much for anyone to bear and that allowed for chaos and exhaustion to reign aboard the ship and these problems extended to away missions as well.

Because Commander Ransom’s away team forgot a crucial piece of cargo before they left, because they were in such a hurry to stay on point for the captain and that led to utter disaster on the ground. Since the warrior like species they went to greet, saw the away team's mistake as an act of war. Which meant that it was up to Boimler and Mariner to talk some sense into their respective leaders and that’s when the exploration in question came into play. Because the both of them pointed out that great leaders not only trust their teams to complete their daily tasks, they also use everyone’s strengths to get the job done and once that sunk in for Ransom and Freeman, wonders were once again accomplished. Something that allowed for peace to be made once more and for Buffer Time to return to the Cerritos. A decision that didn’t quite sit well with Boimler, mainly because the captain’s new rule on a relaxed working environment, made him look like an outright slacker through and through.  

But what matters more about this particular exploration, is the sheer fact that it puts an element that we love about this franchise on full display. For there is something quite dynamic about watching a Starfleet captain stand by their crew and encourage their ideas so that they feel as though they matter and that they have something to contribute and seeing that come to life here is just magnificent and reminds us of incredible moments where various bridge crews from other shows, solved impossible tasks by working together. And it is just wonderful to know that the crew of the Cerritos is finally starting to come together in this manner and that this series is going to continue to celebrate the best parts of the franchise in the weeks to come. Because that will make this show a testament to the franchise, and a primer to the uninitiated as it continues along, and it also doesn’t hurt that this show took the time to remind us to reward and treat ourselves when we’ve completed a job well done. Because who doesn’t love a frozen margarita after a hard day’s work? Until next time.  

If there is one thing that we can all agree upon, it would have to be that stories are supremely important to modern society. For not only do they provide us with a wonderful escape from everyday reality, but they have incredible meaning to us on a personal and societal level. After all, some stories change our lives and provide us with a new outlook on life whilst others, perfectly encapsulate the times or important moments in history. Which is why we cherish storytelling and pass along great stories to others, and that is also why the Library of Congress works to preserve those socially relevant pieces of art, so that future generations can properly understand what the world was like when said story was created.

But what would happen if those important stories were lost, and all that was left was the silly or fluffy stuff? Well clearly future generations might view us in a supremely unique and different light when the only understanding they have of the modern world is a sub-par Adam Sandler comedy, and oddly enough; the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation takes the time to explore this notion in an incredibly fascinating manner. By pondering upon what life on other worlds would think of us if they, by chance, were able to study our society through mediocre fiction. Which makes the ‘The Royale’ a supremely unique episode for certain, since you really don’t think you’re going to see Data rolling craps in a casino when you tune into an episode this series, but that’s what happens here. 

An act that is brought to fruition by way of a surprising discovery on a barren and inhospitable world. For not only does the crew of the Enterprise discover the remains of a deep space exploration vessel from the 21st Century, named the Charybdis, they also come to learn that a tiny sliver of this awful planet can support human life and well, when Riker and Data and Worf beam down, that’s when things get interesting. For in the middle of an ammonia storm, is the Hotel Royale, a Vegas-style casino that offers up over-the-top characters and no escape for the Away Team. Because it turns out they are trapped in a never-ending simulation of an awful 21st Century novel known as Hotel Royale. Which was created by the beings of this world as an apology/gift to the lone surviving crew member of the Charybdis and the only way for the Away Team to get back home… is to immerse themselves in this story and bring it to its cheesy and gambling-filled conclusion.   

Now, this is an episode that quite frankly, I didn’t like all that much when it first came out. Because at the time, it seemed like a step backward for the franchise since this feels a little bit like an updated version of ‘A Piece of the Action’ from The Original Series. Only this version is on steroids since it features some powerhouse stereotypes and incredibly goofy sequences. But upon a second viewing all these years later, now it makes sense. In that, the story isn’t designed to be taken seriously in the slightest. For this is nothing more than a caricature of our world and its people and that’s why everything here is so off the wall and goofy and that’s on me for not paying closer attention the first time around. Because this really is a lighthearted tale, one that lets several members of the cast let loose and have fun and it does feature some memorable moments for certain, especially when the crew tries to ‘blend in’.

But while this particular tale grows on you and puts a smile on your face, it is clear that this episode didn’t quite resonate with audiences when all is said and done. Because TNG would never try this type of tale again and if it wanted to let the characters and actors get silly, then the Holodeck would serve as the perfect setting to let that happen, since that was oddly more palatable for the audience. Yet while this story may not be the most popular TNG one out there, it gets props for trying something incredibly different and for providing future space travelers with quite the important lesson. In that, when you board your ship, bring some classy literature and magnificent movies with you. Otherwise, things might get weird years down the line, and you could force an incredibly intelligent android to say ‘baby needs a new pair of shoes’, before rolling a hard six, so that he can escape the cheesy prison that you inadvertently helped to create for him. Until next time.

One particular thing that is truly fascinating about our modern world, is how much we’ve managed to learn and understand when it comes to older civilizations. Because record keeping has its gaps when you venture further back from modern society, which means it falls to the work of archeologists and historians to piece together exactly what life was like for mankind thousands of years ago and that work has yielded some fascinating results. For we now know how older societies used to function, and what mattered most to the people of that era, and that gives us incredible insight into the human condition and it reminds us how far we’ve come as a species, during our short time on this tiny blue rock that we call home.
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But as our technology continues to advance and we eventually venture into the stars, one has to wonder, if our current methods of archeology will yield the same results when we encounter remnants of ancient alien civilizations. Because we know nothing of their base social structure or what is remotely meaningful to them and that could yield some interesting facts and some unexpected dangers. And it just so happens that the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation takes the time to examine this in a supremely intense manner. For ‘Contagion’ sees the crew of the Enterprise dig deep into the nature and wonder of a long-gone alien civilization, and what they uncover is quite confusing and dangerous for certain.

In fact, the discovery of the Iconian home world by Captain Donald Varley of the U.S.S. Yamato, turns out to be quite deadly. Because a strange probe from that mysterious world infected the systems of the Yamato with a computer virus, one that eventually caused a massive failure in the safety systems of the warp core, leading to a loss of all hands. And unfortunately for Captain Picard and his crew, downloading her logs infects the 1701-D’s mainframe as well, causing similar problems. Making it a race against time to figure out how to purge the virus before the Enterprise suffers the same horrific fate and while that alone makes this episode worth the audience’s while since it is intense and entertaining through and through, it’s the minutiae that makes this episode stand out as an important and influential episode for certain. 

Because this is the first introduction of the Iconians into Star Trek canon, and these mysterious and ancient aliens would go on to cause more inadvertent trouble down the line with their technology. Since Captain Benjamin Sisko and the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Defiant would deal with another gateway during Deep Space Nine’s run and of course, these ancient aliens ended up becoming quite the villainous fixture in later seasons in Star Trek Online. So, it is quite awesome to revisit the genesis point of this particular species and as an added bonus, this particular tale also accomplishes something quite important for the crew of the Enterprise as well. Because this tale also helps us to understand just how talented and brave and resourceful this crew really is, which is important when serving aboard a ship named Enterprise and it is quite nice to see them come together in this story. Since it provides the audience with a subtle reassurance that this crew can handle anything that comes their way and boy… do some big challenges lie ahead. 

But before we get ahead of ourselves, it is also important to point out that this story really does serve as a warning for the lucky folks who are going to poke around Mars and other planets in ten or twenty years and beyond. In that, be humble in what you discover and be careful and patient. Because impatience and arrogance in this tale, led to outright disaster and if life in general has taught us one important lesson; it is to observe and absorb before making any big decisions when presented with something new. And if Captain Varley had stuck with that notion, the Yamato might still be in service in 2365. In the end however, this was just a fun and intense ride. One that featured a lot of cool moments and great one liners and there is nothing wrong with enjoying a good ol’ fashioned, entertaining sci-fi story and it would seem that for a little bit here, that’s exactly what we are going to get from TNG. Especially when one considers that the next episode in this season involves a stop at an intergalactic casino. Until next time.

Something that makes science fiction one of the most unique and fascinating genres out there, is its unrestricted freedom when it comes to storytelling in general. Because this genre is able to ponder upon any topic and it is one of the finest places in fiction to properly explore and challenge elements of the human condition, both global and modern. For time and time again, this genre has found ways to question whether or not some of the things we hold near and dear in modern society, would matter to us in a future world where science and technology reigns. Such as love for instance. Because in a world where aliens roam freely among us and our society is focused on exploration and enrichment, there might not be any place for love and everything it has to offer us in present day.

A question that oddly enough, found its way into the storytelling fabric of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Which is, the perfect platform to ponder upon notions such as these. After all, space travel, and the quest to better mankind, and interspecies mingling are everyday things in this franchise, and combining those elements with notions of love, made ‘The Dauphin’ a fascinating albeit awkward story at times. Mainly because it offered up a teenage love story as the catalyst for this grand exploration. For Wesley Crusher finds himself quite smitten with an alien delegate named Salia, the instant she comes aboard the Enterprise and well, let’s be honest… we’re all awkward when we are teenagers and when we fall in love as a teen, the whole affair is often silly and messy. 

Which is what we are privy to here. Since Wesley and Salia run around the ship with puppy dog eyes for one another as they explore the wonder of the universe and ponder upon what life might be like if they saw the galaxy together. Which makes for some hokey and eye-rolling moments but honestly, that’s okay. Because this part of the story means well and is designed to remind us of days gone by, where it seemed as though our first love would be at our side forever. Plus, it is kind of neat to see the story try and inject elements of Romeo and Juliet into the plot by having Salia’s protector try and keep Wesley at bay. And the story also deserves serious props for not giving Wesley his 'happy ever after' with his dream girl, for that offers up a realistic finale. Since most teenage love affairs end in devastating heartbreak. 

Instead, what makes this part of the story so surprisingly progressive and so worth the audience’s while is the sheer fact that this love affair serves as a pro-LGBTQ message. Because Wesley falls in love with a being that can take on whatever form it wants, whenever it wants. Something that no one on the ship questions or mocks Wesley for. Because in 2365, everyone seems to understand that love is love and who your heart goes after is no one’s business but your own. Which is precisely what the LGBTQ community is trying to get across to everyone in 2020 and it is quite nice to find that message present within the framework of an episode that was released in 1989, and if TNG can figure out something this simple, hopefully the rest of us can. 

Yet, while it is quite nice to find some measure of commentary upon the human condition and the nature of love, and how Trek believes without a doubt that it will find a way to endure and adapt as technology grows and mankind's focus changes, in the end this is a story that is really designed to be a palate cleanser. Which is a brilliant decision to make storytelling wise. Because rather than try and top ‘The Measure of a Man’, the writers’ room instead opted to offer up a feel-good story and that’s the best way to handle the tale that follows an incredible episode and really, in the end, this episode is a lot of fun. Because there are silly and funny moments to be found everywhere within the framework of this story, with Guinan and Riker’s flirt fight in Ten Forward standing out above them all, and really you can't find fault with an episode that genuinely wants to put a smile on your face by way of mushy and cuddly topics. Until next time.

There are a great many reasons why Star Trek as a whole, remains in such high regard after all these years. One of which, is the sheer fact that it is always unafraid to tackle and address uncomfortable topics, such as issues that plague our modern world, or problems that we thought we’ve left behind as a society. Because sadly, despite our progress, and our ability to recognize our faults, complacency and time help for some of the ugly issues we addressed in the past to come to fruition once again. Which means we must be vigilant in keeping them at bay and be ready to fight them at every turn and this is relevant to today’s discussion, simply because the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation takes the time to examine some unfortunate notions that continue to come up for discussion, in an era when they shouldn’t.
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Something that makes ‘The Measure of a Man’ one of the finest episodes the series ever aired. Simply because it examines what can allow for a free nation and its people to give into horrible concepts such as slavery and servitude. An examination that is handled by way of a horrifying request from Starfleet in regard to Lieutenant Commander Data. For a Commander Bruce Maddox believes that he has found the secret to creating more androids like Data, and in order to complete his work, he needs Data’s help in the worst way imaginable. Because he has to deactivate and disassemble Data in order to get some proper answers in regard to the construction and flow of his positronic brain, and that was of course a procedure that Data was not inclined to take part in and well, that brought about the conflict in question.

For Maddox ordered Data to submit to the procedure, which in turn motivated his resignation, which in turn motivated a debate over whether or not Data was property instead of an individual, and that led to some powerful storytelling for certain. The kind that brought about a grand debate about the rights of an individual and what qualifies as sentient, and this was a chilling sequence for certain. Because unfortunately, these are debates that we’ve had in America in the 20th and 21st Centuries, wherein we’ve actually taken the time to discuss whether or not African Americans or women for that matter are individuals and subject to the same rights as Caucasian people or men and that haunting parallel definitely gives the audience pause. For everything that Captain Picard has to say in Data’s defense is relevant to now and leaves one to wonder… why we as a society, don’t think like Picard does. 

But truly, what makes this part of the episode so chilling, is the sheer fact that this debate is still happening in 2364 and fiction or no, one would think that mankind would finally step away from such thoughts that far in the future. And this is where the show explains how we easily submit to these notions. Because sadly, fear is something that drives a lot of the stupider decisions that we make, as do notions of progress and the betterment of mankind. For they help to fool people into thinking that perhaps the greater good and the future makes poor actions, okay. But thankfully, the series holds nothing back in pointing out that we have to be better than this, and we have to treat our fellow man equally, simply because we are all one. And in the case of Data, the children of mankind deserve that same respect as well since they were brought to life out of love over anything else. 

In the end, this is simply a brilliant story. One that challenges our history and our future and demands better of us and oddly enough, this is a story that is crucial to the future of Star Trek as well. For a great many issues and concepts introduced here came to life once again in Star Trek: Picard and that gives this episode even more weight when all is said and done. Plus, this particular tale also features some stellar performances from the cast. Since everyone here, guest star and regular; simply put on an acting clinic. With special attention of course to Patrick Stewart, who sells the gravity of the message as only he can and well, it’s quite incredible to watch this one again after all these years, and properly understand what it wanted to get across. For it just helps to reinforce the fact that this franchise is/was ahead of its time and once again, this only builds excitement for upcoming stories. Because TNG is truly starting to find its stride and that means some absolute storytelling wonders await us down the line. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the third episode of ‘Earthflight’.
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For the most part, it is extremely rare to see a documentary offer a sequel/follow-up story and there is good reason for that. Because often times, these stories tend to focus on a supremely specific part of our world, and the animals that live there, simply don’t venture to any other part of the globe. So, in order to follow up on these majestic creatures, the documentary film crew has to make the long journey back to that particular environment, in order to check in on those animals and that’s just not always feasible. But believe it or not, it is quite possible to see a documentary offer up a follow up story, provided of course the animal in question can easily move from location to location, as is the case with Earthflight, since it just so happens to focus upon birds.
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Which allowed for ‘Europe’ to follow up on some of the birds that we met in ‘Africa’, since that episode ended with several types of birds making their way to the aforementioned Europe to breed and keep their species rolling. Which plunged the audience in the middle of some tough moments for the birds that opted to take a sea borne route, north. Since they struggled with finding thermals to propel them high into the sky. But thankfully, some islands along the way gave them what they needed to finish the journey and it wasn’t long before we were in Europe with these birds and well, their arrival led to some fascinating educational moments. Because it really seemed as though a heavily populated area wouldn’t offer birds much in the way of comfortable travel, since thermals would likely disappear over a city.

Because mankind has transformed the landscape into something unrecognizable to birds, to the point where old feeding grounds are no longer a good stopping point for them, because they no longer exist. But as it turns out, the reflective roofs and heat we produce, allows for birds to use manmade thermals to propel them across our cities and landscapes to their respective destinations. Yet while it was incredible to learn how nature adapts, what truly made this segment of the story so incredibly fascinating, was how it managed to remind us that life is thriving all around us while we go about our carefully structured day. A fact that reminds us to take a moment and step away from our email and look up at the skies once in a while, because we might just see some of the magnificent sights that played out in this documentary.

But while it was quite lovely to see this documentary sneak in a little reminder to appreciate the world that surrounds us, what truly made this particular chapter worth our while, was the beauty it showcased at the end of these long journeys. For eventually, each of these various species of birds found their way to their breeding grounds and brought forth a new cycle of life. Something that brought about a sense of familiarity and comfort for some of the birds in question. For we also came to learn that some of these fine feathered fowl, have permanent nests in these locations, the kind that have been in their respective families for generations and after a little maintenance, they help to raise a new family and that is quite stunning for certain. Because in a way, it helps to remind us that life on this world, shares a lot of common traits since mankind’s ‘nests’ are often around for generations as well. 

In the end however, this really was quite the breathtaking chapter in this already incredible saga. Simply because it really just took the time to show us the wonder of life. For every waking moment we spent with these birds revolved around their need to procreate and keep their wonderful species going and it was heartwarming to see that some of these birds have mates for life and that they always find their way to one another, regardless of the odds. If anything, it just helps to reinforce the fact that we are a part of something quite special and that there is beauty to be found everywhere in this world, if we just take a moment to look. And now that this chapter has come to a close, it would seem we are off to South America to see what kinds of trials and tribulations and wonders, accompany the birds that populate one beautiful continent. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Ted Lasso’.
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Each and every one of us out there, are huge fans of the underdog story and understandably so. Because there is something supremely satisfying about settling in to enjoy a tale about a struggling individual that uses their passion and desire to overcome the odds and do something incredible in this world, and we love these stories, simply because they outright inspire us. Because if someone facing those kinds of odds can make the impossible happen by way of an iron constitution and an endless will, then we can handle the various problems we encounter in our lives with little to no problems at all, if we take a page from their playbook.
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If anything, these particular stories serve as the perfect escape, since we are fully aware of the fact that the underdog story in real life is a rarity. For most employers’ demand years of experience, despite an applicant’s gift in regard to that field, and raw athletes that try and pull a ‘Rudy’ get surprised when they take the field. Leaving one to wonder how the underdog story would actually play out in real life if underdogs were given a genuine chance. Thankfully, we have fiction to examine these notions for us and it just so happens that Actor Jason Sudeikis and Writer Bill Lawrence, were pondering upon this same concept and decided to explore what a realistic underdog story might look like by way of their new series on AppleTV+ and well, what these gentlemen have assembled concept wise in Ted Lasso, makes it a special series.   

For starters this is a tale that outright creates the perfect underdog/fish out of water scenario. For when we meet Ted Lasso in the ‘Pilot’ episode, he’s being tasked with the impossible. For the soccer team, AFC Richmond, which has languished in mediocrity for years now, has a new owner. And in order to make a splash, Ms. Rebecca Welton has opted to hire Ted, who has never coached a game of soccer in this life, to lead this team and well… it doesn’t get more underdog than that. Because all Ted knows is the American way of life and American football and being a part of something this unique is a struggle for Ted. Because no one believes that Ted is anything beyond a gimmick, and that is a pretty solid setup for a story for certain, one that quite frankly, lacks any sense of realism at first glance.

But it doesn’t take long for us to learn that Rebecca is planning to run the team into the ground in order to get back at her cheating ex-husband, and the happy go lucky, and somewhat naïve Ted seems like the perfect guy to make that happen. And that is quite realistic since people are apt to use others in their own respective revenge schemes. But the true wonder of this super-sized series premiere, is that as ‘Biscuits’ and ‘Ted Crimm: The Independent’ unfold before our eyes, we begin to see how this brilliant story is going to come together. Because Ted is more than meets the eye. For he can read people quite well, and he believes that they can be the best version of themselves more often than not, and his methods begin to warm people over minute by minute. Meaning that Rebecca’s plans might fail in the end, if Ted continues to win over the town and his team with his charm and outright honesty.  

Which means that it is the characters that sell this story and truly, Ted Lasso is quite the unique character. Because he is the anthesis of what we see on television these days. He’s not flawed or haunted and tortured by something horrible from his past. In fact, the only skeleton in his closet is that he took this gig in the hopes of giving his wife the space she is asking for. Because he’s just a good guy through and through, one who genuinely believes that paying it forward is the key to making the world a better place and that is just refreshing to say the least and Ted is joined by some equally as dynamic characters as well. For the players on this team are more than mere meatheads designed to push the plot along. They have hopes and dreams for the future of the team and it is just wonderful to see a comedy hit the airwaves that features this kind of depth and realism. 

But make no mistake about it, this is a comedy through and through and the jokes in this tale are quite the hilarious treat. Because they arrive in a dead pan and straight forward manner that honestly catches you off guard, allowing for a hearty and deep laugh to ensue and really in the end, this is just a delightful new series. Because this really this an uplifting underdog story, since you absolutely want to see this man find a way to succeed and reach this team. Because he’s a good man through and through and he engenders joy and hope in everyone he encounters and that’s the kind of story that we need right now. And it should be wonderful to watch Ted continue to spread good everywhere he goes as the season rolls along, because it just might turn this ailing franchise around. Until next time.  

The old saying that we cannot truly understand a person’s plight until we’ve walked a mile in their shoes is one that still has gravity in our modern world. Because the fact of the matter is, human beings still live in quite the bubble. Sure, we have information at our fingertips and ways to learn more about one another, but we really only know our world and our environment over anything else. This means it is paramount to truly take the time to get to know people from other walks of life and learn about their experiences. Because that is the only way to truly understand the world and what it is all about since there are limits to actually walking in those proverbial shoes, and that’s why it is nice that fiction takes the time to try and help expand our knowledge in regard to that notion as often as it can.

For books and movies and shows from different voices around the world can, in fact, give us the insight we seek to better understand our world and the incredible people that inhabit it, and wouldn’t you know it? The next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation took the time to dive into this particular concept in a fascinating manner. For ‘A Matter of Honor’ saw Starfleet create a new officer exchange program. So that humans and aliens from all parts of the galaxy could come to better understand how other cultures and species live and this was, quite the brilliant concept for certain, storytelling wise. Because that is indeed a solid starting point to learning as much as one can about others and well, this episode took full advantage of this concept by way of a couple of unique storylines.

The first one involved a young Benzite officer named Mendon who came aboard the Enterprise to study our ways and his purpose in this tale, was to remind everyone to be mindful of other cultures and take the time to soak up what you can about them, before making waves within their society. A point hammered home by the fact that this ambitious young man came aboard with the intention of becoming an outright hero of the Federation for figuring out new ways to make a starship run more efficiently. Only to discover that Starfleet and humanity operate quite differently in regard to ambition. A lesson that humbled Mendon to no end and allowed for him to quickly integrate into the crew and save the day, once he understood the right path to take aboard a Starfleet vessel. 

But while that was wonderful and subtle, where this episode truly shines is by way of Commander Riker’s journey. For he opts to spend a little time on a Klingon vessel known as the Pagh and this was just, brilliant storytelling through and through. For Riker was able to break bread with a former and deadly enemy of the United Federation of Planets. One that Starfleet had met in combat countless times and learn, that they are just people like the rest of us and that they too worry about some of the same stuff that we do and that is a point that sticks with you for a long time after this tale has come to an end. For that is the point of trying to walk in another person’s shoes so that we learn that while we have different backgrounds and social standings, we are still people underneath it all, and we are all just trying to get by in a different manner. 

Which quite frankly, makes this perhaps the finest episode that season two has offered to date. Because this is the stuff we’ve been waiting for, and it really is a solid episode through and through. One that definitely is carried by Riker’s storyline in this tale. Because he really is forced to juggle two worlds and work with a measure of subtlety and guile to keep the peace, and his ability to do so speaks volumes to his abilities as a leader and truly, none of this works without Jonathan Frakes bringing those nuances to the table as an actor and he shines here for certain. In the end however, it really is a treat to see TNG start to find its storytelling footing. Because this really is the stuff that we know and love from this series and it has this reviewer quite excited to continue the journey. Because the storytelling will only get more powerful from here and it should be interesting to see what kinds of wonderful surprises await us down the line as our journey through season two continues along. Until next time.