Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Showtrial’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Normally in crime dramas and thrillers, the instant a suspect is arrested and in custody with the local police, the audience is treated to quite the intense search for clues. One where the heroes race the clock to ensure that they have everything they need to charge said suspect. Providing the viewer with an exciting story, one full of setbacks and revelations… and outright justice. Because eventually, the investigators working the case find what they are looking for and they bring the villain to trial and that’s usually that. A wonderful, happy ending that gives everyone at home, everything they ever wanted when it comes to this story. Which is why the next episode of Showtrial on Sundance Now is so important.

For ‘Little Horses’ is a story, that defies that convention and adds incredible humanity to this story in the process. For when we catch up with DI Cassidy and her team in this story, the clock is indeed ticking on Talitha’s hold, and they have to find clues to prove she committed murder, quickly. But that quest instead… goes south. For Talitha isn’t saying much, thanks to Cleo’s fine work as a defender and the clues just aren’t presenting themselves. A move that utterly shocks, simply because it makes it appear as though, the heroes are about to lose. Because obviously, Talitha is somehow involved in this mess, the question is how. But alas… they don’t get what they need, and they have to let her go and that, puts the rest of this story in unfamiliar territory.

Wherein Cleo has to watch over her client, since she can’t go home with the press waiting for her. Because that would quickly lead to a horrible verbal faux pas since Talitha just can’t help herself. Not to mention her weird father is pining over taking control of his daughter’s life. But more importantly, it was just wild to see a suspect walk and see the police be supremely unsure of how to proceed. For they were really banking on Talitha just bursting out and incriminating herself or finding the smoking gun they were hoping for. But after taking a moment to ponder upon their next steps, Cassidy and her team came to realize, there was one last person to speak to regarding this mess, a young man named Dhillon.

For he was present in just about every photo from the night that Hannah died, and he appeared to be quite close with Hannah and Talitha, which made him a prime suspect and the quest to speak to him regarding this mess, led to a stunning confrontation at his family’s getaway cottage. Wherein Cassidy seemed to discover the missing murder weapon. Which as it turned out, was sitting in an active fire on a hot day, as though he put it there… and well… what he had to say about the case was disturbing and incriminating enough to levy charges against Talitha once again. Putting this case back on track in a supremely unconventional manner, and it would also appear we aren’t quite done with surprises when it comes to this story.

After all, Dhillon’s mother is powerful in this town, and she seems to know things she shouldn’t. Not to mention, Cassidy has a leak in her department, and it is only a matter of time before that brings about trouble. But for now, she has her suspects, and the trial can now get underway and while we wait for that to start, we can bask in the majesty of one refreshing tale. One that truly caught us by surprise and took us for a ride and provided us with some amazing realism. Since sometimes the bad people of the world are let out of jail and the heroes don’t always find the clues, they are looking for right away or at all. If anything, it will be genuinely interesting to see what other unconventional moments await us as this story continues along, since it is now clear that this show is eager to provide us with a crime story unlike any other.. Until next time.    

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘Three Families’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this article contains discussion on abortion rights, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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When we last settled in to discuss the powerful and poignant premiere of the Sundance Now series, Three Families, we talked at length about the visceral nature of that episode and rightfully so. For this story, one set in the past, felt far too much like the present. Since it was filled to the brim with pro-lifers that preached and pushed their agenda as the only salvation for a woman with child, alongside the fact that it presented us with a world that still resembles our own. Where a woman’s right to choose is in jeopardy everywhere and where women are being subjected to real horrors and pain that could in fact, be avoided if a fundamental human right was recognized by all.

But what matters more is that this was merely the first leg of the journey. For this two-part series was designed to chronicle the fall of the draconian laws that were only recently overturned in North Ireland, and that meant that Part 2 had to be the story that explored how that came to fruition and it most certainly did. For it picked up a few years after the events of the premiere to show us how Theresa and Hannah were faring after the horrors, they faced in the first tale, and they were in fascinating places years later. For Hannah was thriving and working toward changing the laws in this country while Theresa was stuck in a very long game with the government, one that constantly threatened her freedom and put great stress upon her family. 

However, a pair of breaks and the introduction of the third family… quickly moved this story toward chronicling how those awful laws were overturned. For the introduction of Rosie Fortress and her husband David, not only reminded us of how women suffer under these laws, since she was forced to carry a baby that was going to die, to term, but her journey set the stage for the downfall of those backward laws. For her painful ordeal, one that broke her emotionally… coincided with chaos in parliament. For the government disbanded and was working toward trying to form a new government, and if they couldn’t accomplish that… Westminster would step in and impose United Kingdom rule and law and well… that was the window in for Hannah and her friends.

Because if they could convince Westminster to open up abortion access to all, they could either apply pressure to the government in Northern Ireland or impose that law upon a broken government. Which motivated Hannah to speak up and tell Rosie’s story and her own and speak to how little choice they were given regarding their bodies and the fates of their babies while they were pregnant. Which Westminster heard, and that led to better rights for a woman’s choice… and the end of draconian rule in Northern Ireland. For the government couldn’t reform, and the UK stepped in and enforced that law. Giving Hannah and Rosie closure, a better tomorrow for others and this of course, let Theresa walk free since there was no longer a case against her. Ending years of struggle for her family and in the end, this painted a picture for how we in the rest of the world can fight the current squeeze happening regarding the right to choose.

Because… let’s be honest. That’s what we watched this show for. Because we feel helpless and scared and haven’t a clue where to start. But thankfully this series informs us, to get involved somehow, to not just sit back and ignore and wait and hope for a wave of change. We have to be it, and we need to find the right politicians to move into office. The ones that aren’t interested in special interests and lobbying and pleasing old voices. We need the ones who want to enact change and aren’t afraid to do so and are forward thinking and we need to be relentless in drumming up the vote and lifting those candidates up. Because the other side has time on their hands and are happy to waste it on keeping the past alive and well… hopefully the lessons here, and the struggles these women faced, are enough to inspire those who aren’t sure how to help, to do so and hopefully it changed some minds. Since now we are able to see, that a woman’s right to choose is important, essential and healthy. For the alternative in some cases, is cruel and dangerous and the anthesis of pro-life and well, we here at NTG thank Sundance Now for hosting a series that tackles a critical topic in the right way and hopefully inspires sweeping change at last.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 611 of ‘Better Call Saul’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It really is quite fascinating how humanity, tends to still believe after all this time that it is singular moments that change the course of our lives for better or for worse. Because we are finally coming to learn from a psychological standpoint, that no one moment does just that. Instead, it takes a collection of moments, often brought forth by conscious choices, to either feed our better angels and grant us the dreams we have sought after… or plunge us into strife and lamentation when we reinforce negative behaviors and thoughts by not handling our trauma and our pain. Granted, there are exceptions to this since big moments can and will happen at random that force some changes, but for the most part… stepping into the light or surrounding ourselves with suffering is a long and progressive progress.
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Which is why the AMC series, Better Call Saul is of note. Because this is a show that has taken the time to explore every step regarding how trauma and insecurity and poor choices can take a good man and plunge him into darkness. Since we’ve watched James McGill over the past six years, use the pain his brother inflicted upon him and Chuck’s subsequent death, to fuel angry acts of vengeance against those who also wronged him, or the system that he believes failed him by not recognizing his talents as a lawyer. And it is that desire to offer up a big middle finger to a system that rewards men like his brother, that in turn helped to motivate the creation of Saul Goodman and his mantra of helping ‘the little guy’ out, and that of course… eventually brought forth all kinds of strife for Jimmy. Since his criminal relationships cost him the love of his life and eventually, his practice and his freedom courtesy of his partnership with a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White.

If anything, the impact of moments and the choices we make are top of mind today, simply because they served as the focus of last night’s episode of the show. For ‘Breaking Bad’ is a story that forced Jimmy McGill to ponder hard on the past couple of years and the choices that led him to this point, and that… allowed for the grand tragedy this tale has promised us from day one, to come back into focus. For when we catch up with Jimmy here, he’s energized after running that tasty little scam with Jeffy in last week’s episode, to the point where he felt the need to venture down memory lane and check in on his many investments left behind. Which motivated a phone call to an old friend back in the ABQ… Francesca.

Who quickly informed him that well… things were still not good back home. Because despite Walter being gone forever, and his wife getting her plea bargain courtesy of Walter’s final actions… the Feds were still keen on finding everyone involved in the case, including Saul. But since he was missing… the next best thing to Saul was restitution and that prompted a seizing of his other assets. Putting an end to most of his fortune. But while this was a brilliant way to explain what came after El Camino, there was one critical moment of note that once again put Jimmy at a particular crossroads. Since Francesca revealed that Kim Wexler called her after everything went to hell, and even asked about Jimmy. A revelation that prompted him… to do something quite bold.

In that, he called the place of business that Kim was likely working at, and while we weren’t privy to what was potentially said or heard during that conversation, Jimmy’s ugly response to the call… spoke volumes to the fact that he either got the business from Kim or got some bad news regarding her. But whichever outcome that might have been, what matters more here… is that Jimmy had a decision to make. In that, he could either make a clean break here, and move on as Gene… in the clear and live a quiet and normal life… or stick it to the man again and teach others a grand lesson in humility. And with pain welling up from all those memories reignited from his talk with Francesca, and of course, whatever came out from that phone call… Jimmy chose the latter option.
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Which is why he and Jeffy and Buddy… went on a tear locally. One where Gene would select rich businessmen around town that he could easily ingratiate himself with, so he could get them drunk, and have Jeffy drug them up before Buddy would sneak into their homes to commit identity theft. A plan that allowed for Jimmy to enjoy a taste of the old life again, complete with creature comforts and women, while no one was the wiser. A move that really did speak to how years of trauma and pain drove the darker side of Jimmy, and how he was likely never going to let that side go. Because it gave him catharsis and a sense of power and belonging, and after this many years and having it work… why stop now? Especially since he had the perfect cover surrounding him. 

But alas, this being a grand tragedy of a story, and this being Jimmy’s darkest hour when you think about it… since he is in exile and hiding at this point in time… his worst imaginable choice was present here. Because as stated before… eventually the moments we take part in and the choices we make, culminate in our lives. In either our dreams coming true or the nightmare taking hold and well… when presented with the chance to back off of this plan, when a financial guru with cancer became the mark, prompting Jeffy and Buddy to second guess the plan on moral grounds… Jimmy doubled down. Likely as part of a chance to get back at a now dead Walter White for screwing up a good thing and well, where that will take us next week, cannot be good since Jimmy broke every rule, he preaches in going after said mark.

Instead, his decision here, is indeed the culmination of his long and winding journey into darkness. Because all the lies, all the tricks and all the close scrapes have given him a confidence that is unhealthy and pushing boundaries in all the wrong ways and it truly hammers home… the power of choice and how easily choice slips us into moments that shape that kind of reality. Which is also why the Walter White and Jesse Pinkman flashback/cameo is so critical here. Since it also served to remind us how these choices snowball since he had a chance to walk away from the Heisenberg Empire, and instead enabled it and sealed his fate. If anything, this was just… another brilliant episode from this already brilliant series. Since it brought the tragedy back into focus and featured a powerhouse and subtle performance from Bob Odenkirk, one complimented by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul since they were seamless in their cameo. And now that Jimmy has made perhaps a critical error at last, we are left counting down the minutes until next week’s tale… to see what will come of another ugly moment brought forth by another poor decision. Until next time.  

It wasn’t that long ago that we talked at length about how Acorn TV offers up some of the most original and engaging programming around and we made a point to spotlight that, for good reason. Because that is simply the truth, and it deserves to be recognized often. But what we didn’t get a chance to spotlight in our last discussion about this dynamic network, was how it outright excels at offering up a diverse number of crime themed stories. For this network is not only home to powerful crime dramas that captivate and initiate a sense of dread, but it is also home to some incredible cozy mysteries and some intelligent and meaningful crime stories as well.
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If anything, this particular benefit to Acorn TV is top of mind today, simply because the network is about to add another quality crime story to its lineup, one that also happens to star Maria Doyle Kennedy. For earlier today, it was announced that Recipes for Love and Murder is going to debut on Acorn TV on September 5, 2022, and well… this dynamic series is going to offer up unique and dynamic characters and fascinating mysteries for Maria’s character to solve, in quite the unique manner. And to properly give you an idea of what to expect from this series and how great it is going to be… here are some first look photos, a trailer, and some key art for all of you to enjoy, courtesy of Acorn TV.

‘Award-winning actress Maria Doyle Kennedy (Outlander, Orphan Black, The Tudors, Kin) stars in the dangerously delicious Acorn TV Original mystery drama, Recipes for Love and Murder, premiering Monday, September 5 with two episodes on Acorn TV, AMC Networks’ acclaimed streamer devoted to British and international television. Based on Sally Andrew’s best-selling novels “A Tannie Maria Mystery,” the ten-part series follows a newspaper recipe advice columnist, Tannie Maria (“Auntie Maria” in Afrikaans), who offers guidance and counsel and helps investigate crimes in her small town in the vibrant, beautiful region of the Karoo in South Africa. Two new episodes will premiere weekly every Monday through October 3.
 
When the local newspaper cuts her recipe column, Tannie Maria (Kennedy) lobbies to take on the role of advice columnist. Things take an unexpected turn when a correspondent who writes to Maria about her abusive husband is found dead. Maria’s worlds collide as she begins working through her own mysterious past trying to solve the case. Maria joins forces with a local, risk-taking, rookie journalist, and sometimes rival, Jessie September (newcomer Kylie Fisher), to investigate the murder and catch the killer -- before the local police find more victims. But will they make too many enemies in the process and risk the perpetrator catching them first?  Meanwhile, Maria comforts her readers by blending experiential advice with soothing recipes—truly chicken soup for the soul.
 
The series also stars Tony Kgoroge (Black Sails, Invictus, Long Walk to Freedom) as Chief Detective Khaya Meyer, Elton Landrew as Constable Piet, Arno Greeff as Warrant Officer Regardt Snyman, Jennifer Steyn as newspaper editor Hattie Wilson, and Lee Duru as Grace.
 
Recipes for Love and Murder is produced by Both Worlds Pictures, in coproduction with M-Net and Acorn Media Enterprises and in collaboration with Pirate Productions and Paradoxal.  The series was adapted for television by South African writer/director Karen Jeynes (Puppet Nation, 90 Plein Street), with Scotland-based director/writer Annie Griffin (Avenue 5, Outlander) as story consultant. The co-executive producers are Griffin, director Christiaan Olwagen, and Maria Doyle Kennedy. Executive producers are Yolisa Phahle, Nomsa Philiso, Jan du Plessis and Allan Sperling for M-Net; Catherine Mackin and Lesley Pemberton for Acorn Media Enterprises; and Thierry Cassuto and Jeynes for Both Worlds Pictures.
 
The series was filmed in Cape Town, in the Karoo and in Scotland.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘P-Valley’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Something that each and every one of us hope for when it comes to the world and our own lives, is unity. Because we all know deep down that unity would solve a great deal of the world’s problems and the problems in our lives since everyone would be working toward common goals that serve everyone’s needs. In fact, that level of unity is such a wonderful concept and so powerful and enticing in nature that it has inspired stories where we see mankind at its finest because they found the route to it. But alas, while we dream and hope for such a concept, the hard reality of the world is… we simply aren’t ready to reach that particular point yet. For we live in a world where it’s about getting ours and making our mark and following those solo dreams, and that will continue to bring about great conflict.
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If anything, the messiness that comes with the fact that we all want something specific out of life is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focus of the next episode of P-Valley on STARZ. For ‘The Death Drop’ is a story that saw everyone make a push to obtain their dreams and their desires and that led to some difficult and tense moments for certain. Because it brought about a divide at the Pynk. For Clifford was done with Hailey’s push to just sell and dash dreams over the almighty dollar. Which motivated Clifford to take matters into her own hands and push to make negotiations with people she normally wouldn’t… in an effort to potentially secure a better future for the Pynk, one where Hailey would be forced to understand… to not mess with Uncle Clifford or her dreams. 

Not to mention, Andre made a power play of his own in this tale as well. Since the fight for Mayor was heating up and getting utterly ugly, to the point where nasty ads were harming him and well… that pushed he and Hailey and his errand boy Corbin to take Patrice out of the race by way of a huge buyout to focus the voters. A move that may or may not work, but it and Clifford’s journey spoke volumes to how far folks will go to get what they want. But of course, since this series explores everything, it can about the human condition, Mercedes’ journey in this tale allowed for us to be reminded of how sometimes, our push to do the right thing will sometimes be met with epic resistance. For empowering Terricka brought forth some nasty backlash from Shelle… who firmly believed her standing as guardian was violated and she also lightly hinted that her religious beliefs on such matters superseded a woman’s choice, and that made for a straightforward exploration on how good deeds go punished.

But of course, there was also a darker side to explore regarding the primary theme of this episode. Because sometimes, chasing after what we want can result in a great deal of trouble and ugly moments, especially when we operate outside of the rules. As evidenced by Roulette and Whisper’s journey in this tale. For they were frightened by Mercedes’ literal fall from grace and decided to just, get theirs now while they can… and that motivated Roulette to pimp out Whisper and rob a trick when things went south. Putting them on a dark path for certain… one that Murda also walked in this tale. Because while he is pondering upon a life away from the life, its demands of him from a street cred perspective, motivated him to commit murder in this tale when Big Teak was disrespected by people who just felt the need to run their mouths. Which was… a powerful way to hammer home the message in question.

For it held nothing back in its exploration and led to some genuinely uncomfortable moments, the kind that will undoubtedly feature some backlash down the line. But while we wait to see what comes from the darker actions in this tale, we can definitely bask in the wonder of another brilliant tale. One that truly did a phenomenal job of setting the stage for the final two episodes left in season two. For this was clearly an episode designed to set up grand conflicts galore. Because everyone’s desire to do their own thing and get what they want, is going to collide in an explosive manner, because that’s how life works when this stuff happens. The only question is whether or not resolution will be found or if these power grabs will cause great harm and collateral damage and well… that’s going to motivate us to count down the minutes until next week’s tale. So, we can indeed watch the seeds planted in this magnificent story, grow and prosper for better or worse. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Becoming Elizabeth’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We like to believe, that the end of a particularly ugly crisis in our lives, means that better times are ahead, and we hold to that belief for one simple reason. In that, we just want to move on. For we had our fill of the drama and the awful feelings it sent our way. So, just pushing past the ugly would be the best thing for everyone, as it would allow for the pain to end and the healing to begin, and for life to go on. But alas, it turns out that such simplicity only occurs at the end of minor problems in our lives, the kind that don’t have all that much meaning but in the moment. But the big stuff, the life-changing matters that utterly disrupt our world… well it turns out that the fallout from that, is lasting, as evidenced by this week’s episode of Becoming Elizabeth on STARZ.
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For when we catch up with the Tudor family in ‘To Laugh, To Lie, To Flatter, To Face’, everyone quickly came to learn that King Edward VI and his new Lord Protector… were reeling from the mess that the Seymour family brought forth. To the point where the dear King felt humiliated and ignored, and as though his reign as the Sovereign Leader of the people of England was viewed as nothing more than a great big joke. Which of course, as history has taught us time and time again, men and boys without maturity, that suffer from those kinds of worries, are quick to bring forth hell upon those around them to change those particular concerns… and the good King was no exception to this unspoken and unfortunate rule.

Because he quickly doubled down on the concept that England was to be a protestant nation and that all of the dissent could be easily quelled through some bold actions. Which is why the churches were once again robbed of their goods, only this time they were burned instead of sold, and that is also why… dissenters and enemies of the crown were burned at the stake in front of a live audience. To hammer home just how little appetite the King now had for all this talk of revolution and action against nobility and well, once Edward felt comfortable with this shift in tone for the people of England, he turned his attention to this family, to keep order in his own house and that led to plenty of strife and pain for Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth.

For the king believed that both of them… harbored too much power and were in essence, an embarrassment to court. After all, neither of them was married, nor were they using their standing to help England abroad and of course, not being at a husband’s whim allowed for conflict and challenge to come the King’s way. Which is why he decreed that both of them were to be married to the right prince (for ‘political’ reasons, of course), and that they were no longer to question him or make demands that benefitted them over his wishes and the people of England. A move that put Mary and Elizabeth on two fascinating paths. One of which taught Elizabeth another powerful lesson… in that, she had little control over her freedom and her fate. 

A reality that led to some compliance from Elizabeth, since she knew that fighting her brother constantly would undoubtedly lead to a horrific fate. One that would leave her in agony both mentally and physically… so it was best to go along and see where fate would take her and make the most of it. A choice that may have shocked some that watch since one would never think that the iconic, future Queen Elizabeth I… would ever acquiesce in that manner. But this was nothing more than a grand learning opportunity for Elizabeth. Wherein the lesson regarding her freedom taught her that if the opportunity arose, to forge her own destiny in a fearless manner. An epiphany that undoubtedly laid down the foundation for her reign as well, since she also came to learn that respecting others in kind, could go a long way in leadership.
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However, while there was wonder to be found in Elizabeth’s journey here, Mary’s was far darker. For she truly took her brother’s actions as an outright assault on her and her love of Catholicism and God. To the point where she began to wonder if she even had a future in England. For this was now a wasteland to her religion and a place where she would be subject to the wishes of the King. But rather than run as she originally thought about doing, she instead opted… to stay behind and plan on how best to fight the King’s push to remove her love of God from the world. A move that also likely cemented the future for Mary as well. Since her love of God and her belief that England was a Catholic country dominated her reign and well, it would seem her fight will be brief since her time as Queen might be drawing near.

For this episode also featured another touch of history. Because near the end of this tale, King Edward VI found himself feeling a touch under the weather and harboring a nasty cough. One that featured a touch of blood in said cough. Which means this story is inching toward the moment when King Edward grew ill with the sickness that would end his reign and that could potentially allow for us to see what life was like at a time where more chaos surrounded the Monarchy. For no good can come out of a weak and ailing ruler, one that might not be of sound mind and body and well… that is likely pushing us toward an intense season finale as a sickness and desperation take hold of a young King that simply isn’t ready to rule.

But while we wait for the next chapter in this tale, and the tough times that await this family… we can relish in another wonderfully human tale. For this one really did explore how ugly actions linger and lead to fascinating and far-reaching consequences and strife. Since Elizabeth was truly caught between two worlds again as she worked to find her identity and her purpose in this life, and it was powerful to see the future Queen Mary begin to form her ideologies as a leader and well, one can’t help but feel a touch of pity for the King. Because he is at heart, just a boy. One that was thrust into a man’s job and a world he doesn’t understand and his response… while awful and harrowing…. was indeed the end result of a boy that cannot reconcile the troubles of the world in this era, and well, all this episode does is leave us starving for more of this magnificent world. So, we can immerse ourselves within this incredibly refreshing take on the Tudor family, one grounded in humanity over mystique. Until next time.