Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘The Serpent Queen’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
The true mark of good storytelling… is maintaining focus on the core of the story at hand. For each and every story out there has a goal in mind, something that it wants to accomplish. It could be to thrill us with action sequences about, or to scare us deeply via ghostly and ghoulish things. But one way or another… it has something in mind and maintaining that something while growing the characters and exploring other aspects of the story really is quite the accomplishment. Because it is easy to lose sight, easy to slip toward another topic, and it takes real writing skill to maintain and that is why the STARZ series, The Serpent Queen deserves a round of applause. For its central focus has always been about… what made Catherine de Medici… the Serpent Queen. That stunning ruler of France that remains in our minds long after she departed this Earth, and well… her amazing story and the great detail that writer/showrunner/creator Justin Haythe has put into bringing to life… harbored the risk we mentioned before. But Mister Haythe has never let the story lose sight of that core question, he merely understood when it was best to explore other corners of her life to truly understand her upbringing and truly understand how it wasn’t an easy choice to lean into the dark. That Catherine did want peace and did want to see a France that was equal and beautiful. But that the pesky wants of others and the scheming present in this world for power and glory… forced her hand. Making her a tragic character, really, and all of this is top of mind today… simply because after learning how she defied the odds to survive, and how she ascended to the throne and maintained a decade of rule… the story refocused upon her journey toward that moniker during last night’s episode. For ‘Judas’ saw the Queen return home… to bury a son. For Hercule succumbed to his injuries in this story and left the family in a dark and stunned place. One where no one knew immediately what to do other than fight and Catherine did not want that. She still wanted to hold to higher standards and that let… more issues brew in the background. For Louis de Bourbon soon found himself to be under the charm of Queen Elizabeth I and did whatever she asked in the name of the glory he sought and of course, Edith gained power as well.
Which prompted Catherine to think deeply upon what to do next to maintain her vision and allow for her son to maintain agency and well… she deemed it best to continue to try and maintain a wily status quo. Where pressing the right buttons and inserting the right influence would do the trick. Which was how she was able to punish Anjou for his actions since she used Margot and her feelings for the Duke to wonderfully manipulate the King and bring forth Catherine’s agenda and for a time… it appeared she had figured out a way to satisfy the Holy Roman Emperor as well. Who wanted pure vengeance for any act against the church, but Catherine knew that would be the spark Edith’s followers needed to enact war against the Catholic Church. So, she instead played a delicate game to solve her Edith problem. One that truly reflected the problem at hand.
Because Angelica’s desperate need to be seen and in the heart of court, prompted her to discuss her fragile trust with Aabis with Catherine, which revealed Aabis’ access to Edith. Something that Catherine knew would pay off in spades, but she had to play it cool. Which meant paying no mind or credence to Angelica’s information, while working behind the scenes to use it to the court’s advantage. Since it would allow for an internal matter to quell the rise of rebellion. Which brought about the problem in question. Because while Aabis was indeed influenced to kill Edith through Catherine’s machinations… Angelica’s nonsense and a chance to be a hero, allowed for Edith to live and be further entrenched as a vessel of the protestant God, since she survived death. Setting the stage for that holy war and putting Catherine one step closer to truly becoming the Serpent Queen. Because bit by bit, control is slipping, and egos and agendas are breaking down all that Catherine has worked to amass. Ergo, in order to maintain order and power, she will have to crack down. She will have to make people suffer and impart harm to maintain control and that is indeed a tragic future, one that has been in motion for weeks now and has returned to the forefront of the story. Reminding us of how masterful a series this is because now we are invested and both terrified and eager to see Catherine, whom we know to be good… break bad and immerse herself in ugly in the name of the greater good, and truly it will be fascinating to see that play out. Now that this series is locked on loaded on Catherine’s villain era and the history and sorrow, it will create. Until next time. Watch ‘The Serpent Queen’
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Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale of ‘Down in the Valley’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Often times, small town life in the deep south is portrayed in popular media in a very specific manner. Wherein life slows down and is simple in nature. Because the folks that populate that town understand they are free from the hustle and bustle of city dwellers and city life, they can just kick back and enjoy the world that surrounds them and be amongst a close-knit community. One that is populated with generations of families that know one another well, own a fair chunk of the town and get along well, minus a few disputes… because they’ve discovered the value of harmony. In fact, one could almost say that such depictions of the deep south, relate to the birth of Americana in the United States. Since in many ways, suburban life in the 1950s and on, was designed to replicate just that. But while that is a lovely image to see in films, one that we truly all know well, is that really what life is like in the deep south? Or has that too changed and altered with the American landscape and gone the way of Americana? Well as it turns out, for the season one finale of Down in the Valley, our intrepid host Nicco Annan informed us of the fact that yes, life in the south does indeed resemble that, but that it might not be exactly as advertised in television and film. For ‘Ten Toes Down’ spotlighted Charleston, Mississippi. A town that indeed harbors some of those popular media tropes. After all, there is a family that is in charge of just about everything in this town, and it harbors a community that knows one another closely and invites people in to take part in that sense of unity. The only difference is, there are no elderly Caucasian men in fine white suits enjoying a mint julip at town hall amid a summer heat wave. No instead, this particular story informed us that small town life in the deep south is in fact, far more diverse. Since Charleston, is run and sustained by an African American family known as the Smiths… and their lives and their journey… was simply fascinating to learn about here. Simply because, this family defied the odds and managed to purchase eighty-five acres of land. Giving them a vast majority of the land in town to control and use for farmland and it was no easy task to get there. After all, in order to have that kind of control in 2024… hardships had to happen ages ago, and those that came before the current generation of Smiths fought hard and battled racism and roadblocks to accomplish their goal. Which was to live the American Dream and own land and build a business and, in this instance, shape the future of a town the way they saw fit and well… the end result of that dream is a wondrous community that speaks to a beautiful blend of what came before and what lie ahead. In large part because the Smiths, have adapted with the times. For in this era, where farming and agriculture in general has been handed over to larger corporations, the Smiths have worried less about farming… in part because the land isn’t quite as fertile as it used to be… and have focused more upon what the land and community can do for a person’s soul. By hosting parties and events that allow for one to just be part of nature, with some of the comforts we currently enjoy, and that has helped to keep this community close and happy, and it has helped some to straight up heal and find focus, and it allows for folks passing through to enjoy that small town vibe and feel welcomed because the Smiths do indeed believe in the charm of southern hospitality. All of which made for an incredible story. For this showcased… how the spirit of the south and what we believe it stands for, transcends stereotypes and tropes. It’s about harmony, and people, and who we become when we all contribute to the whole and that makes Charleston a place, we should all learn from. Because it resembles the promise of America and what it should stand for and well, what an amazing way to wrap up this journey through the south, one that we hopefully get more of. Since one gets the sense that there is more to learn here, and it would be a true joy to come back here for more adventures and see the south as it really is and enjoy all the wonder and love it has to offer. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Me’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
If there is one particular trope that is used ad nauseum in superhero origin stories, it is what becomes of the hero when they discover their powers. Wherein our newly christened hero goes upon quite the journey. Where they discover a mentor or guide or find a quiet corner of the world to hone their skills and become the hero, we want them to be. So that when they emerge from their Fortress of Solitude, they are a well-oiled, pure hero that is ready to stop evil because good is in their heart. And while that’s epic to watch since it speaks to how people can embrace the good in their soul, and find strength from it, it is quiet escapist in nature… for if superpowers were reality, their discovery would go a different route. In fact, we can likely use the Apple TV+ series, Me, as the blueprint of what obtaining superpowers would look like in real life. For this series has thumbed its nose at such tropes and is instead eager to use reality to grow a hero in a different manner and for proof… look no further than its next episode. For ‘Facing Up’ was a story that should have seen Ben begin to feel a calling to head into the wild to learn. But instead… he simply went about his life. Because he still had responsibilities, and leaving his family behind to learn would go poorly, as evidenced by how things went down in the pilot when he ‘disappeared’. So instead, this story explored the harsh reality that being a teenage hero, wouldn’t really offer any major benefits up front. Just more teenage moments, the kind that frustrate. After all, that lack of understanding of his powers, left Ben helpless to help Owen. Who kept taking real heat from the school bully, Jason, and Ben truly wanted nothing more than to use his powers to teach a bully a proper lesson. But there was little he could do, other than try and enlist others in his quest. Which only led to trouble for Max, whom he talked into helping embarrass ol’ Jason. The kind that did force our hero to intervene and use his powers for a parlor trick to avoid accountability. Because that too, is what a teenager would do with powers, in the midst of also trying to navigate life itself and the struggles of blended family life. In fact, the struggles of learning to communicate in a new family dynamic are partly why Max agreed to help Ben. Since she needed him to help smooth over the mistake that Elizabeth made. All of which just made… for a slice of life story. One that explored the ups and downs we deal with as a teen, along with those very real struggles within his family. Not to mention, an opportunity to lean into tropes, was broken up with logic. Because Carter did make her presence known more often in this tale, and she did explain how superpowers would likely create fear in our world, and that… there would need to be some modicum of maturity and real desire to use those powers for pure good before answers and training could come into play. Which in many ways, made this episode akin to the frustration that teens feel when they are eager to become adults, but cannot because they’re in that awkward phase where they are stuck, limited by the world and their standing, until time and growth nudge them in the right direction. If anything, that made… for a brilliant episode. Since it informed us, that real life will always take precedence in this tale over anything else, and the superhero stuff is the fun stuff that we the audience… will have to earn, just like Ben. But while we wait to get there, we can celebrate an episode that worked hard to help this series in its quest to reinvent the superhero origin story. All while educating us and reminding us of the perils and struggles of being a teenager and it continues to compel us to continue the journey. For it is also obvious we are building to bigger days for Ben, and bigger moments as well… the kind that relate to the maturity we uncover as we grow, and it will be quite the treat to see how this brilliant series handles that as it continues to surprise us and subvert classic superhero tropes. Until next time. Watch ‘Me’
Written by John Edward Betancourt It’s August and that means one thing, the dog days of August are upon us. Those stifling days where the heat bears down and where getting anything accomplished outdoors in the afternoon just seems like an impossibility, because of that heat. Which means that August is the perfect time to head indoors as the sun bakes the Earth and catch up on shows you’ve been meaning to watch or take in a movie or two, or four if the heat is bad enough and that’s why… the networks are starting to load up on content this month. Because they know you need to beat the heat and keep your mind busy while the AC bears down and STARZ is going the extra mile in such matters. For their August lineup includes some powerhouse finales since season two of The Serpent Queen and the inaugural season of Down in the Valley wrap up this month. Plus, they’re bringing some amazing movies to the app and the network as well, and since you’re already thinking about how best to stay cool and entertained, here is STARZ’s August 2024 Programming Lineup, to help you plan ahead. STARZ Original Series“Down in the Valley'' concludes its first season on Friday, August 2 at midnight on the STARZ app. On linear, the season finale will debut on STARZ Friday, August 2 at 9:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and at 10:00 PM ET in Canada. “Down in the Valley,” a groundbreaking new docu-series hosted by the dynamic and iconic Nicco Annan (“P-Valley”), will pull back the curtain on the surprising but always intriguing people and places that make the Deep South, a place where anything can happen and usually does. For six 30-minute episodes, the audience will dive into the fascinating duality of the Deep South from a kaleidoscopic marginalized lens. Annan, best known as “Uncle Clifford” on STARZ’s critically acclaimed drama series “P-Valley,” will be immersed in the people, sensuality, music, culture, and stories of the South. From strip clubs to sex workshops, rap performances, and ancient hoodoo rituals, Annan, as well as the audience, will experience it all. "Down in the Valley" isn't afraid to tackle the taboo. The series confronts uncomfortable truths, challenges societal norms, and advocates for a more inclusive and enlightened future.
“Ten Toes Down” explores the culture of Black country life in the South from line dancing to horses and ATVS on the trail rides. Nicco takes us to Smith Family Farms, a Black-owned farm in Charleston, Mississippi to learn just what it takes to keep the land across generations and how it continues to be the center of culture for both the family and the region. “The Serpent Queen” concludes its second season on Friday, August 30 at midnight on the STARZ app. On linear, the season two finale will debut on STARZ Friday, August 30 at 8:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and at 9:00 PM ET in Canada. “The Serpent Queen” tells the story of Catherine de Medici (Morton) who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history. In season two, Catherine de Medici is Queen Regent of France now that her son, Charles IX has come of age. Distracted by the personal conflicts of the Valois children, a new mysterious prophet named Edith gains a loyal following who vow to challenge the current religious establishment, sparking tension across the country. Feeling threatened by the rising strain, the divided court turn to their own schemes for selfish benefit. The Guises commit unholy acts while the Bourbons turn to a familiar foreign sovereign, Queen Elizabeth I of England in hopes of personal gain. As France falls into political and religious turmoil, Catherine struggles to maintain her power, but The Serpent Queen will do whatever she needs to regain control.
Catherine seeks retribution for the court’s defiance in her absence. But with Charles ready to make his own rules, he rejects his mother’s influence. With a rebellion on the rise, a mysterious plan is set, but when loyalty can be so easily swayed...miracles can happen.
Catherine relinquishes her seat on the Privy Council, but not before absolving Anjou of any responsibility in Hercule’s death and securing him a place on the Council. With religious war on the horizon and as Queen Elizabeth lands in the Netherlands, can a marriage be France’s saving grace?
Queen Elizabeth's arrival sparks manipulation and intrigue within the Valois Court. Catherine schemes to secure peace through a marriage alliance, but personal betrayals threaten to unravel her plans. A dramatic fencing match for the Queen's affections ends in a shocking revelation, leaving the Court in turmoil.
Tensions escalate as Edith and her followers wield newfound power, while Catherine grapples with political manipulations and betrayals. As Queen Elizabeth's schemes unravel, Catherine must strategize to secure power and navigate a web of deceit.
Catherine's actions lead to chaos and bloodshed, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Can Catherine's desperate measures prevent total war, or has she unleashed forces beyond her control? Notable Film Additions to the STARZ app in AugustAvailable August 1:
Available August 3
Available August 10
Available August 11
Available August 15
Available August 17
Available August 21
Available August 24
Available August 26
*Films are exclusive to the STARZ app Notable Film Stunts and Collections available on the STARZ app in August:
Notable Marathons: STARZ
STARZ Cinema
STARZ Encore Westerns
About STARZ STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. STARZ is available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding Written by John Edward Betancourt If there is one particular aspect of the human condition that deeply fascinates us, it would have to be… what makes everyday people turn upon their fellow man? Because so many of us play by the sometimes-frustrating rules, but we stick with them and don’t cause harm because there’s this part of us that knows… crossing those lines cannot be good. So, when someone does, we are utterly captivated by their decision and want to know what finally pushed them to say, ‘to hell with it’ and do the worst things imaginable. Which is why we turn to stories often, since they can help us understand the turn and well, it just so happens that are inching toward a quality story regarding such matters. For October will see the debut of Sweetpea on STARZ, a story that follows Rhiannon, an everyday wallflower that lives her life by the rules like the rest of us… until THAT moment arrives and she transforms into someone quite fiery and quite dark, and well, since so many are curious about this story and since the Fall TV lineup is on the horizon… STARZ thought today would be the perfect day, to release a little more information on this show, and a teaser. Which we will share with you now, as we begin the countdown to the release of a story that will answer that all important question in the most epic way imaginable. ‘ 'STARZ released the teaser today for the deviously twisted coming-of-rage story, “Sweetpea,” coming this October. Ella Purnell (“Yellowjackets,” “Fallout,” “Sweetbitter”) stars as Rhiannon, a quiet wallflower who develops a vengeful and intoxicatingly liberating taste for murder. Purnell also serves as executive producer. Purnell said, “I truly cannot wait for the world to meet Sweetpea! I’ve loved exploring this incredibly complex character, as well as working alongside our dynamic cast and powerhouses Ella Jones, Kristie Swain, and Patrick Walters. This has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career so far. At its core, the series is about a woman finally finding her voice, told through a uniquely dark and comedic lens. I hope audiences have as much fun going on Rhiannon Lewis’ wild, coming-of-rage journey as we did bringing it to life.” Rhiannon Lewis doesn’t make much of an impression - people walk past her in the street without a second glance. She’s continually overlooked for a promotion at work, the guy she likes won’t commit, and her dad is really, really sick. Then everything in her life turns upside down. Rhiannon is pushed over the edge and loses control. Suddenly the wallflower is gone, and in its place is a young woman capable of anything… Rhiannon’s life transforms as she steps into a new, intoxicating power, but can she keep her killer secret? The ensemble cast includes Nicôle Lecky (“Mood,” “Sense8”) as Julia, Jon Pointing ("Big Boys," "Smothered") as Craig, Calam Lynch (“Bridgerton”) as AJ, Leah Harvey (“Foundation”) as Marina. Also starring Jeremy Swift (“Ted Lasso”) as Norman and Dustin Demri-Burns (“Slow Horses”) as Jeff. The six-part series was acquired directly from Sky Studios and is set to debut in October 2024 as a STARZ original in the U.S. and Canada. ABOUT SWEETPEA “Sweetpea” is a six-part series produced by See-Saw Films and fanboy in association with Sky Studios. The series is adapted from C.J. Skuse’s cult novel of the same name by Executive Producer Kirstie Swain ("Pure"); written by Kirstie Swain, alongside Krissie Ducker ("Killing Eve"), Laura Jayne Tunbridge and Selina Lim ("Sex Education," "Hanna"). The series is directed by award-winning director Ella Jones ("The Baby," "Back To Life"), who also serves as Executive Producer. Commissioning Editor, Manpreet Dosanjh, is Executive Producer for Sky Studios. Executive Producer for fanboy is Patrick Walters ("Heartstopper"), and Executive Producers for See- Saw Films are Helen Gregory, Iain Canning, and Emile Sherman. Ella Purnell also serves as Executive Producer. Zorana Piggott ("Heartstopper") is the Series Producer.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Wayne Brady: The Family Remix’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here. There is a prevailing belief in our world, that honesty and the truth, immediately set us free in life, and there’s good reason we hold to that. Because time and time again, we hear about how unleashing the truth is like taking a hundred-pound weight off our shoulders. And that kind of relief is life changing and freeing, so we hold to that notion only to learn… that it is incorrect in nature. Because while we feel unburdened by the release of our truth, we don’t acknowledge the fact that it can change so much for other people. Because if our truth requires some change and some unexpected attention upon us, that can in fact… bring forth struggles. Not to mention, it isn’t easy to speak the truth, it can be downright scary and well… these truths about the truth are top of mind today because they were explored in great detail in the next episode of Wayne Brady: The Family Remix. For ‘Through the Wire’ explored the immediate fallout of Wayne’s decision to go public with his sexual orientation and the fact that he had another child, and that allowed for this episode, to explore the impact the truth had upon his family. Which was positive to say the least, because Wayne had their love and support. But Mandie and Jason understood… that work would come forth because of this. Because now co-parenting would come into play, and that meant Tina, Wayne’s ex, would be in the mix. Which meant that Maile would have to confront someone that she was not a fan of and that led to some hard discussions at the dinner table with Maile and some hard discussions with Tina as plans were set into motion to make all of this work and well, this was proof positive that the truth can be life changing. For it truly brought about change to Wayne’s life and Wayne’s family and that made for a powerful exploration regarding the truth. Because we don’t see that often in reality television or in television in general, nor do we see the discussions and the work that surrounds honesty, and this show deserves a round of applause for showcasing the difficulties that accompany this matter and for showing us how scary this process is. Because in the midst of a filming day for Mandie and Jason, Wayne showed up and spoke even more truth about this experience. In that, it scared the living hell out of him, to the point that he had a panic attack in his car while running errands. Despite talking to a hero about his truth and getting positive reinforcement there. Because in the end, the truth is scary, because it interrupts safety and security, and it does force us to look at our lives in a vastly different manner, and it removes us from routine and that’s terrifying. Which was why Wayne shed tears here and spoke to how it might be best to step away from this and this… was powerful to watch play out. For this too, is rare to see on the small screen in any capacity, but this show promised us a raw and visceral inside look into Wayne’s life and his family’s life and that is indeed what we are getting here, and it should be commended over and over. Because this is the anthesis of shows in this vein, and it’s refreshing and powerful to see Wayne Brady the man over Wayne Brady the celebrity, and this really was quite the moving and powerful story. Because Wayne and his family confront some tough stuff here and truly… this part of the journey has us eager and curious to continue the journey. To see and learn more about Wayne’s truth and the difficulties that come with sharing it with the world. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Those About to Die’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating Peacock series, Those About to Die, we talked a little bit about how scheming was something that appeared to be a normal behavior in this vastly advanced society. Well, advanced for the time. Because so many people were going back and forth with one another behind the scenes, working to sabotage, working toward an advantage and that definitely left all of us wondering… was scheming the norm back in those days? Was that truly the only avenue for survival in Ancient Rome? Well, it just so happens that the next episode in this engaging series, took the time to answer yes to both of those questions. Because ‘Death’s Door’ was all about the scheme. In fact, the majority of this tale focused heavily upon Tenax and Cala, and how they needed to exact revenge upon Antonia. For she was the one responsible for nearly bringing Tenax’s new venture to its knees and she of course, had possession of Cala’s other daughter, and well… to properly put her in her place… scheming was the name of the game. Which was why Tenax worked closely with Cala to garner all the information they could about what the Blue Faction had planned next for the racing world so that Tenax could get ahead and well, that worked like a charm. Since he came to discover that Antonia was ready to kill Scorpus over his defection and that prompted quite the shocking plan to come forth from Tenax. Wherein he fooled his own star racer to fake his death, all so Antonia would think she had the upper hand, and this plan came forth with help from Cala and her daughter and it allowed… for wonders to take place in the Circus Maximus. Because no one knew that a new faction was coming, nor did they know that Scorpus was alive or that the horses Antonia tried to kill in an effort to retake her shares and make more money, were doing much better. And that led to shock, and excitement and a grand win from the new faction. One that allowed for Tenax to finally enjoy a little agency over his enemy and for Domitian to be pleased. For he was embroiled in his own money-making scheme here, and a win from the new faction helped keep him out of trouble with his brother and the newfound power he enjoyed. But what mattered more here, was that scheming was the name of the game in this episode, and it was so widespread and so normal that we can indeed infer at least, that in this interpretation of Rome, that this was the only way to survive and the only way to enjoy spoils untold. Which makes this a sorrowful land for certain, one where happiness cannot be achieved since scheming requires more scheming and keeping a close eye on one’s back. But who knows, that may change with a regime shift in place. For this story also saw the great Emperor Vespasian in poor health. So poor in fact, that he summoned his family and his closest and most trusted soldiers and servants… to help him stand tall before leaving this world for the next. Which means that Titus is now the Emperor of Rome and with his arrival will undoubtedly come the change he sees fit for the empire. But while we wait to see what that will be, we can celebrate one engaging and amazing tale. One that truly showcased a great empire filled with distrust and dishonesty. Where every person was in it for themselves and well, that may indeed explain why Rome fell. For its ruling class believed the empire was unified when in fact, it was fractured, and that made for a solid hour of television, one that does indeed have us ready for more. So, we can see what lies ahead for a new ruler as he confronts the wanton corruption of this empire, and corruption within the walls of his own palace courtesy of his brother, and the woman he loves, since the queen… also has her own agenda. Until next time. Watch ‘Those About to Die’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
It really is quite wonderful when a new franchise comes to life on television. Simply because it means we are going to be treated to all kinds of refreshing new stories and new characters and depending on the series, places to visit. Which is why so much buzz is surrounding Prime Video’s Citadel franchise. Because now we know this slick and fun series is expanding and taking us around the globe to explore more moments with these mysterious agents and well, Prime Video and Executive Producers, The Russo Brothers are so excited to share more of this universe with us, that a surprise came forth today.
In that, Prime Video let it be known that 2024 will feature not one, but TWO Citadel stories. For in addition to the already announced Citadel: Diana premiering on October 10, 2024… another Citadel series will follow it on November 7 in Citadel: Honey Bunny. A story that will take us into the heart of India and offer another unique look at this franchise and this epic storyline and well, to properly celebrate this announcement, Prime Video also released a trailer for the show, and details, which we will share with you now. As we begin the countdown to an action-packed fall season, courtesy of the world of Citadel. ‘Prime Video, India’s most-loved entertainment destination, today announced November 7, 2024 as the premiere date of the eagerly anticipated Original series, Citadel: Honey Bunny. The Indian series born from the world of Citadel is directed by Raj & DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK) and written by Sita R. Menon, along with Raj & DK. The series is produced by D2R Films, Amazon MGM Studios, and executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO. Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Scott Nemes from AGBO, alongside David Weil (Hunters), executive produce Citadel: Honey Bunny and all series within the world of Citadel. Midnight Radio is also an executive producer. The series features the immensely talented Varun Dhawan and Samantha in the lead, and the ever-so-versatile Kay Kay Menon, along with an exciting ensemble cast that includes, Simran, Saqib Saleem, Sikandar Kher, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Parihar, and Kashvi Majmundar. Citadel: Honey Bunny is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on November 7. Prime Video confirmed the premiere date of the series at a pulsating event attended by fans of Varun, Samantha, and Raj & DK, as they witnessed and partook in the innovative supersized date reveal of the series. The service also released an enthralling teaser that showcases the veritable non-stop action, impeccable performances, and visual scale of the new series that will take the audience on a rollercoaster ride when it launches this November. Citadel: Honey Bunny has a riveting narrative that fuses the pulse-pounding elements of a gritty spy action thriller with the heartwarming allure of a love story, all set against the vibrant tapestry of the '90s. “We are thrilled to announce the premiere date for the much-awaited Citadel: Honey Bunny today. The Indian series in the world of Citadel blends the charm of the '90s with an immersive narrative and truly captivating performances by Samantha as Honey, Varun as Bunny, and the entire ensemble cast. The fictional series will take the audience back to the genesis of this international clandestine spy-agency, delving further into its foundation, activities, influence, and rise in the distinctive and sensational signature of Raj & DK that the audience has come to love, enjoy, and admire. The teeming excitement for the series has been palpable amongst super fans of Varun and Samantha and having them participate in this larger-than-life date reveal event is truly a memorable experience for everyone present,” said Nikhil Madhok, Head of Original Content, Prime Video India. "Citadel: Honey Bunny is a swashbuckling blend of gritty, fast-paced action and compelling drama with exceptional performances. We are excited to introduce Varun as an edgy action hero, and Samantha has upped her action game to the next level. We are also thrilled to have joined with the powerhouse Kay Kay Menon once again and are lucky to have an incredible cast,” stated Raj & DK. “Ever since the series was announced, we have received overwhelming support and anticipation from fans, and that has been truly gratifying. So, it is only natural that we include fans in our date reveal today. The response to the teaser has been very heartening and we believe it is a testament to the dedication of the entire team. We cannot wait for audiences across the world to enjoy one of our most ambitious projects yet!” About the World of Citadel The first season of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, premiered to global success in 2023, becoming Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the U.S., and fourth most-watched worldwide, after 24 days. Executive produced by the Russo Brothers' AGBO, Citadel and its subsequent action-espionage Original Series traverse the globe, evolving the story of spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore. Each series born from the world of Citadel stars top local talent and is created, produced and filmed in region—bringing about stylistically unique shows with strong cultural identities rooted in their respective country of origin. The Italian Original, Citadel: Diana, is the second series to debut from the world of Citadel (launching October 10, 2024) and will be followed by India’s series, Citadel: Honey Bunny starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha on November 7, 2024. Season Two of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, will begin production this year, with Joe Russo serving as director. About D2R Films Founded by the trailblazing writer-director-producer duo Raj & DK, D2R Films is known for producing uniquely original content. Its rich portfolio includes the seminal global blockbuster series The Family Man, created and directed by the duo. Popular for their quirky, new-age filmmaking, they have also created cult hit films like Go Goa Gone, Shor In The City, 99 and the blockbuster film, Stree. The duo’s latest initiative, D2R Indie, which mentors and supports upcoming filmmakers, has produced the much-loved award-winning feature, Cinema Bandi. D2R Films strives to constantly elevate, enhance and innovate distinct storytelling with universal appeal. About AGBO Established in 2017 by acclaimed directors Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO's mission is to propel the next era of storytelling by developing and producing universe-driven intellectual properties that span film, TV, and interactive. As a powerhouse independent studio founded and operated by a collective of artists with decades of experience, AGBO has consistently shattered audience records with its globally resonant content. In recent years, AGBO has achieved record-breaking success in both box office and streaming, setting new standards in global entertainment. The Russo Brothers and AGBO have had 11 number one global openings with over seven billion in box office including Marvel’s highest grossing film of all time; Avengers: Endgame. Everything Everywhere All at Once broke records for A24 by winning seven Academy Awards including Best Picture in 2023. The Russo Brothers-directed film The Gray Man sits in the top six of Netflix's "most viewed of all time" list, and the Chris Hemsworth-starrer Extraction has become Netflix’s most successful franchise to date. Additionally, following its April 2023 release, the first season of Citadel was Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the U.S., and fourth most-watched worldwide at that time. About Prime Video Prime Video is a one-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one application available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites American Fiction and The Boys in the Boat; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Federer; and programming from Prime Video add-on subscriptions such as Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles, including blockbusters such as Challengers and The Fall Guy, via the Prime Video Store, and can enjoy content such as Jury Duty and Bosch: Legacy free with ads on Freevee. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘The Ark’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
If there is one particular question that humanity has asked often when it comes to the stars that surrounds us, it would have to be… are we alone in the universe? Because the vastness of space may harbor more life than us, and we are quite curious to know if we are an outlier in the galaxy or if we are part of something more. So, we search, and we wonder and while we wait, stories explore the possibilities of such matters. Some for instance, look at the possible negatives of discovering we are not alone, while others explore the wonder of what such a revelation might entail, and those two concepts have helped science fiction to thrive for ages on end. But what if… the life we encounter out there, is nothing like what we think it might be? After all, we are but babes in space exploration and we don’t know the real rules and we don’t know what actually awaits us out there. So, life in the stars could be beyond even the baseline concept of the word alien and well, it just so happens that the pioneering SYFY series, The Ark, decided to explore what real alien life might look like amongst the stars, during last night’s episode. A feat that ‘Anomaly’ accomplished by revealing to the audience, and eventually the crew of Ark 1, that the lightning bolt we saw emerge from the FTL bubble, was indeed something alive and sentient in nature and that led… to quite the struggle aboard the ship. Simply because, this alien life form was smart, but primal. In fact, all it really wanted to do was feed, and that allowed for this creature to essentially… hunt on instinct. Which meant, anyone that got between it and its electric food source, paid the price and our thinking on such matters are so three dimensional, that no one believed Alicia when she pointed out that something alien was aboard the ship. But eventually, the evidence presented itself, and that prompted the crew to get creative to do the right thing and capture this bolt of lightning and send it back into the FTL field. Which made for quite the unique story, one that really did ponder upon the possibility that life out there, may be unlike anything we have ever thought of. Especially if we come up with our own FTL system, and toy with the space between spaces. All of which made for amazing science fiction, the kind that was wonderfully counterbalanced by some fascinating plot threads in between. One that primarily involved, Kimi and Strickland. Since the latter continued to fight against giving anyone from Ark 15 any measure of grace. For he simply did not trust them, and for a time it seemed we were enjoying another storyline involving the need for grace and trust. But as it turned out, Strickland was right to not trust Kimi, despite her attempts to be in his good graces. Simply because, Strickland’s worst fears are true and there is some chatter happening between Kimi and the Ark 15 crew. Hopefully, it’s a misdirection… but if not… real trouble could be brewing aboard the ship. Well… it already is. Since that cliffhanger ending was something else and has all of wondering what the heck is going on, and if that shocking surprise relates to the fact that Ark 3 and the stars are nowhere to be found on the ship’s cameras upon exiting the FTL field. But while we wait for answers on both, we can celebrate one amazing tale. One that took the first contact story to new heights, since we rarely think of alien life as well… truly alien in science fiction. But this series is all about challenging tropes and challenging audiences and it did that here in an amazing manner and well… now all we can do is impatiently wait for next week’s episode. To learn what the heck happened to Brice and where the ship ended up after coming out their static FTL bubble. Until next time. Watch ‘The Ark’
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