For as long as I can remember growing up, television shows loved to offer up a special two-hour episode from time to time. I was never sure why as a kid, but as I grew up, I came to learn that these served as a grand opportunity to boost the ratings since they often happened during Sweeps Week, something that was a huge deal before the advent of streaming. And usually these particular tales gave us a grandiose adventure, one that would be life-altering for some characters or they would introduce a major change for the series going forward, or in the case of CHiPs, provide the audience with two hours of filler that disappoints more than it enthralls.
 
Which I know, is a bitter way to dive into this Retro Recap, but I don’t want to mince any words here or lie to you because ‘Drive, Lady, Drive’ was a mediocre and messy adventure for certain, one that really wasn’t indicative of the top quality that we know and love from this series and that’s frustrating to say the least. Because this particular tale actually had the chance to do some special things on the screen. After all, Ponch and Jon were put in charge of the Palma Vista Police Department in this tale, since their men were on strike for better wages, which set up a grand opportunity for them to really strut their stuff as officers of the law, and we were even introduced to a badass female racing ace named Candi Wright, a character who was loaded with potential.
 
Because this was 1979 and the idea of a woman racing a car was unheard of then, so I was supremely eager to see where her storyline would take her and well, before we dive into that, let’s talk about the first elements in this episode that didn’t quite sit right with me. For this particular tale’s extended running time, which could have been dedicated to some fascinating character development, was wasted with a lot of drawn out racing scenes and filler moments that really don’t take the plot anywhere, and Palma Vista is such a boring suburb that the only real crime that happens here involves the work of spoiled rich teenagers with too much time on their hands. Which more or less is what allowed for Ponch and Jon’s potentially glorious journey to sputter out. Yet while that’s rough enough on its own, the biggest problem that I had with this particular tale, is how it handled Candi’s arc.
 
For this was a grand opportunity to really do something special by delivering unto the audience an independent woman with an amazing career in prime-time television and for a time, it did just that. Because early on Candi wasn’t putting up with anyone’s crap or doing what everyone expected of her and that was great to see. But as the hours rolled on, the script made her a confused character, one who suddenly fell into familiar female tropes, since the story forced her to choose between her motherly instincts and her career and it even took the time to make her unstable for no good reason when her career was threatened and this was just, so disappointing to see. Which is tough to write since the kid in question did indeed deserve something better, and had Candi in her corner, but it is frustrating to see a woman who has carved out a niche of success in a male dominated field question her future out of the blue once the 'biological clock' comes into play. 
 
Especially when one considers the fact that she never speaks to what she wants as a character and the bigger crime here is that the story never resolves what her future is going to be. Instead, it focuses more on Ponch and Jon bringing down some electronic thieves that they encounter in the first act and really in the end, they simply blew it with this one. Because it’s two hours of fluff, and slow fluff at that, and this really could have been something special had they taken the time to focus on the key elements that piqued our interests. But sadly, this is one of those rare episodes of the series that I simply did not enjoy. But that’s okay. Because there are still plenty more episodes of CHiPs to enjoy, so it’s best to just move on from this one and dive right back in. Until next time.  

If you’re a fan of Lodge 49 and you’re reading this, then you’ve already heard the unfortunate news that AMC has opted to not renew the series for a third season, and I think it’s safe to say that fans of this series are heartbroken about this decision. Which is fair, since this is a show, we all love with every fiber of our being and feeling a gamut of emotions is only natural, even if they’re negative. And while that setup makes it seem as though I’m preparing to vent said emotions and unleash upon AMC, that’s simply not the case. Instead, I’m hoping to do my part properly today in trying to convince someone out there to pick this gem of a show up because this really is a series that T.V. needs right now.
 
Why exactly, well that’s going to require me to get a little personal with all of you. Something I don’t often do, but I think opening up is quite relevant to this particular discussion. For a year ago, when I discovered this series, I was in an odd place, mainly because 2017 was quite a dark year for me. Because in ’17, I saw several family members that were a fixture of my youth and my life pass into the great beyond, and that shattered me because I was lucky enough to not deal with death all that often growing up, and those losses put me in a tough place mentally, and some professional failures only added to the darkness around me. If anything, I felt lost at this point in my life and thanks to some incredible support from my friends, my best friend Shae and my family and a dash of therapy, I finally pulled myself out of that funky place.
 
But despite feeling better and finding peace, I still felt lost to a certain degree, as though a new chapter was opening up for my own story and I hadn’t a clue how to write it. So, in all honesty, I drifted about a bit in ’18, searching for answers and directions as to what comes next when someone you love is gone and when a particular aspect of your professional life is back to square one. And at about that time, is when I stumbled upon Lodge 49 and this show was, a revelation in its own right. Partly because the story was so incredibly unique in its own right since it offered up a modern fable involving alchemy, but it is what I discovered, as I came to know these characters, that truly made this show revolutionary and powerful, in my mind. 

Because this series found a way to resonate with me on a supremely personal level, and I was able to feel genuine empathy for Dud and Liz’s pain, and Ernie’s quest to find purpose in life, and seeing dynamic characters that were going through something that I had and was currently going through sucked me into this story like never before, to the point where I was hanging onto every single minute. Because this was a series that straight up addressed the question, ‘what comes next?’, and it actually offered guidance on the matter. For Lodge 49 taught me that there is no right way to bounce back from trauma and loss, that you really do have to take everything one day at a time and more importantly, that you need to take a moment and celebrate the progress you do make and bask in the wonder of what you have in your life, after it seems as though everything has been taken away from you.
 
Because it’s easy to get lost when you’re putting the pieces all back together, and to find a series that takes the time to remind us that we are richer than we think and loved and likely further ahead in our goals than we give ourselves credit is magnificent and stunning and something that television needs right now. For this is a dark world, one that often provides us with tough challenges and bad news and it’s rare to find a story that wants to help people celebrate the beauty of the world that surrounds them and that reassures them that everything is going to be okay and that someday we all find our way back, especially when we have great people in our lives, when we in essence… belong to a Lodge of our own, and those lessons helped me so much and allowed for me realize everything we discussed and if this series was able to do that for me, I guarantee it’s doing it for others.
 
Which means, this series needs to continue along, to offer the anthesis to all the gimmicks that are on television right now. But more importantly, it needs to stay on the air because it’s a human story, one that strips down all the layers we surround ourselves with and shows us for the flawed and beautiful beings that we are and that’s what the finest stories out there do, present the human condition and all of its follies and successes in a raw and frank manner. And with that in mind, please, someone at Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or any network out there that’s looking to offer up something that is truly magical and breathtaking, and original; pick up this series. Because this one, resonates with people on a fundamental level, and it makes us laugh and cry and everything in between because it is flawless art, the kind that needs to thrive and be celebrated on a regular basis and it would just be a shame to see this powerful story come a close well before its proper time, since it offers so much and all I can do now is sit and wait and hope that the Lodge will reopen its doors to all of us and soon, since this is indeed a series that works to make the world a better place.

​The old saying ‘the show must go on’ is heard often in regard to the entertainment industry, because stars push through just about everything to make sure that a respective series or a movie gets completed and that’s why we hear stories about them suffering through the flu or working through a pregnancy on a consistent basis. But from time to time, stars get badly hurt or super sick, putting production into a precarious place while they rest up and/or heal. However, there are some shows that see a health issue involving a star as an opportunity to get creative storytelling wise and tell unique tales and oddly enough, that particular set of circumstances happened on CHiPs.
 
Because shortly after I watched ‘Hot Wheels’, I found myself quite curious as to why this series was putting Erik Estrada on the back burner of the series by having Ponch stay in the hospital after the events of ‘Return of the Supercycle’ and as it turns out, Erik suffered an actual injury back in the day that forced him to stay off of a bike for a bit, during the filming of season three. Which prompted the writer’s room to integrate this injury into the overall season three arc and I have to give them credit, this all worked together seamlessly. For it allowed for Mister Estrada to properly heal and it made for some fascinating storytelling. Because this story managed to separate Ponch and Jon for an extended period of time and let’s be honest, the thought of Ponch and Jon not being on the road together is a weird idea to say the least. And never mind how that thought process ends because yes, I’m aware of season six’s casting changes and we will get there in due time.
 
But I digress, because I’m getting ahead of myself here. For what matters most about this story, is how creative the script turned out to be since it gave Jon a temporary riding partner to work with named Bill Clayton, who just so happened to be his old riding partner, and Bill, was quite the prankster. In fact, we saw him pulling a goof on just about everyone in this episode and it was actually kind of cool to gain a little insight into Jon’s professional past by having Bill return to the forefront of the story here and see it impact Ponch and Jon’s relationship, thanks to Bill’s need for validation and desire to immediately catch up on old times. But make no mistake about it, while Clayton was one quirky cop, he was a damn good one for certain, as evidenced by his actions during a thrilling rescue in the hills.
 
As for the Creeps of the Week in this tale, well Jon and Bill were given quite the group of nasties to deal with. For our baddies were using disguises and Los Angeles County service vehicles to rob jewelry stores left and right and their ability to blend in made them impossible to catch. But Ponch used his downtime to help the team out with some potential leads when it comes to this little problem, and his advice on the matter was thankfully taken to heart. Because it allowed for Jon and Bill to learn that one of the culprits worked at the county’s central repair facility and he’d take the various vehicles out to ‘test’ them after repair and return them after the deed was done so that no one was the wiser, and thanks to Ponch’s tips they were able to apprehend the guy and his group of thieves at last and as an added bonus, everyone at Central Division was able to prank the great Bill Clayton.
 
In the end however, this really was quite the magnificent episode. For the story definitely drew me in, and the acting was simply top notch all around, and Erik Estrada did a great job of selling his worries about losing his partner. And speaking of performances, I’d be a fool to not point out how many big-time guest stars were in this one. Because Martin Kove plays one of the baddies and he would go on to play the twisted John Kreese in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai saga. Plus, this episode also featured a stint from Anne Ramsey would who eventually play Mama Fratelli in The Goonies and Andrew Robinson, who played Bill Clayton, eventually found himself deep in the Alpha Quadrant playing Garak, everyone’s favorite tailor/spy on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. If anything, these guest spots once again serve as a reminder of the fact that this series often attracted some of the modern greats with its quality storytelling and well, after this one, I’m quite curious to see how much longer Jon is going to ride without his partner and the only way to find that out, is to dive back into this magnificent series. Until next time. 

I think what makes police serials such a delight to watch, is the sheer fact that you never quite know what surprises will await you when you tune in. Because every week brings forth a new and exciting storyline, one that offers up a new villain and new challenges for our heroes to face and that kind of dynamic storytelling is addictive in its own right and it is also why we don’t see very many ‘sequels’ on these particular shows. Because it has to be a bear to re-sign old guest stars for another tour of duty with the heroes in question. But from time to time it does happen and oddly enough it’s starting to become commonplace on CHiPs.
 
Because for the second season in a row, the series offered up a sequel. And this time around ‘Part 2’ involved following up on a unique story from season two, ‘Supercycle’. Which was a gem of an episode, one that injected noir into this saga, and one that saw the boys in tan bested by a wild daredevil named Roy. Who wanted nothing more than to be a star and went along with his twisted agent’s dangerous stunts in order to make that happen, prompting the guys to make use of a special motorcycle to finally bring him down. Which is important to revisit, since early on in ‘Return of the Supercycle’, it seemed as though that history was repeating itself since a daredevil in red was ripping off jewelry stores before pulling off big stunts, and this guy was also causing big trouble for our heroes.
 
For one of the daredevil’s stunts, put Ponch in the hospital, and it was an odd coincidence that this new thrill seeker showed up shortly after Roy’s return to Los Angeles since he was doing a brand-new show, up in the hills, and that made all signs point to Roy as the culprit of these crimes. Which means that this series once again toyed with more traditional detective tropes by having Jon become the lead investigator on this case, and it was fascinating to watch him work the clues and of course, to see him transform before our eyes as well. Because Jon was hellbent on getting the Supercycle out of mothballs, in order to bring the daredevil to justice and in essence, that push allowed for his inner Ponch to come forth since he was working the Sarge and Harlan the same way his partner would. But sadly, Getrear shut him down every single step of the way.
 
Eventually of course, Jon did win the Sarge over. But not before the red menace bested, he and Getrear on the road and well, you don’t embarrass Joe, plain and simple. And the recommissioning of the Supercycle is what brought forth our big reveal as to who exactly was committing these crimes and thankfully, it wasn’t Roy after all. Instead we came to learn that our Creeps of the Week were Roy’s subordinates in the show. Who felt burned that they weren’t getting the right kind of pay or the right kind of press on this tour, and they were pulling off these crimes to throw the cops off the trail in the hopes of framing their boss. But of course, Jon and his fellow officers were able to figure this out before it was too late and thankfully, they brought these lackeys to justice before they did any harm to Roy’s budding career.
 
In the end, this is an episode that was honestly a true treat to watch. In large part because of the fact that we were able to see Roy come back into the fold and learn that he’s grown since we last saw him on the series. But the other real magic to this story is that everything was handled in gritty and powerful fashion. Take for example, Ponch’s injury, for it is the first time we’ve seen a series lead out of commission in this fashion and since we care about him, we’re worried from the get-go and seeing him hurt somehow adds a sense of urgency to Jon’s quest to bring the new daredevil to justice. If anything, all of these elements added a level of gravity I’ve never seen on the series before and I applaud it for going bold in this fashion and it once again goes to show that season three is shaping up to be something truly special and thanks to this one, I am one-hundred percent certain that more incredible stories await me down the line, and I cannot wait to enjoy every last one of them. Until next time. 

Normally, when a television show is multiple seasons into its existence, it very rarely deviates from the formula that has brought said series so much success, and it makes perfect sense as to why that’s the case. After all, the powers that be and the writer’s room know what the audience likes, they know what works and trying something new at this point just seems silly. But once in a while, a series will in fact, take the time to pepper in something new just to see what happens and oddly enough, that’s precisely what the next episode of CHiPs worked to accomplish since ‘Counterfeit’ did something that we’ve never seen the series do before.
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For this particular tale, took the time to introduce a more philosophical concept into the overall fabric of the story, something that this series really tended to shy away from. Because it really preferred to explore a day in the life of a police officer, and all the highs and lows that come with that. But it was clear early on that this story was going to explore the age-old notion, of how sometimes things are not quite what they appear to be, and it didn’t take long for this decision to reveal itself to be quite a stroke of genius when all is said and done. Because writer Dean R. Koontz (yes, that Dean Koontz, who wrote this one under the pen name Brian Coffey) did a phenomenal job of blending this notion into everything that makes this series great. Because in essence, diving into this concept was handled by way of the daily things that Ponch and Jon experience, in both subtle and direct fashion.

The more direct approach came about by way of Ponch’s romantic journey in this tale since he was unsure of a beautiful woman named Heather that he met on a blind date, since she seemed ‘shallow’ as he put it. But by having an honest conversation with her, Ponch was able to realize that there was far more to Heather than her looks, teaching him that all-important lesson. As for the subtle exploration of this notion, well that was handled by guest star Billy Barty, since his character, James O’Hara, was angry at the world since he believed everyone judged him for his size. And while there is some merit to that, since some scenes did feature a little prejudice, it took an ugly accident to hammer home the lesson, that his perception that the world was against him was incorrect, since Ponch and Jon were quick to stand up for him when he needed it the most.

But while all of this was fascinating and unique in its own right, it is high time we discuss the Creeps of the Week featured in this episode, since they were something truly special. Because they too, were individuals who were not what they appeared to be at first, since one would think that men who were in the counterfeiting business would be genuine scum that wanted to do as much harm as possible while getting rich. But instead, it turns out these dudes were religious men who had fallen from grace, and in order to get their church back, they turned to a life a crime and this was just a fascinating twist to inject into the story and of course, their greed eventually brought them to justice, but not before we were treated to a unique chase scene that featured the gospel.

If anything, I have to admit that I was quite impressed with this particular tale. Because at first glance it seemed like quite a by-the-numbers affair, one that was designed to clear our palate of the lingering darkness from the last episode. But as the minutes rolled on, this one sucked me in with its intelligence and its quality performances and in the end, I loved this one through and through. Because it truly demonstrated that with a little care, there was nothing that this series couldn’t accomplish and honestly, when one considers the depth present here and the gravity of the prior episode, I cannot help but wonder if season three is going to outright blow me away with more intelligent and thoughtful storytelling in the weeks to come. For it truly seems like something special is brewing here and I hope I’m right because it would be a true delight to sit back and be wowed by a series, that was often viewed as just fluffy and wholesome. Until next time. 

If there’s one saying that I apply to my television viewing habits often, it would have to be; ‘be careful what you wish for.’ Because time and time again, I hope for something to happen within the framework of a particular series, only to have that wish rewarded in devastating fashion and this is on my mind today, simply because… it happened again. For recently, I lamented over the fact that CHiPs was making its villains one-dimensional once more and sticking with fluffier fare story wise, and I truly hoped that the saga would return to its more cerebral roots and well, the next episode sure did accomplish that in the ugliest way imaginable.
 
For ‘Death Watch’ did something outright incredible; it killed off a motor officer. Something that I never thought I would see on a series that features disco and roller derby but, it happened. Granted the officer that died in the line of duty wasn’t a series regular, but the show did enough to make Steve Wydemeyer matter quickly, and that made the moment when his ride collided with he and Baricza all the more powerful since that kind of violence was rarely present on this series. But truly, learning that he succumbed to his injuries put a heavy cloud over the episode since it injected some real-life gravity into this story, and the fallout that came about from his death only added to the power of this particular tale.
 
Because this rattled Central Division like never before, and I am hard pressed to think of another moment in the series where I’ve seen Jon Baker brought to tears, and Steve’s death also put Ponch in quite the dark place. For he lost his cool in the midst of a traffic stop and while we have seen that happen before, we’ve never seen it happen like this, since the moment ended with Ponch sucking in air to keep from losing his mind and even Getrear struggled with this loss since he actually took the time to vent aloud, something we’ve never seen him do. If anything, this made for an hour of powerful storytelling, the kind that definitely moved me and one that has your heart screaming for justice when all is said and done.
 
Thankfully, that was to come, but not before we had the opportunity to be properly introduced to our Creep of the Week; a stuntman named Dennis who was desperate to stick it to the man. Because he lost a loved one in a collision ages ago and had an insurance company insult that loved one’s legacy and now seemed like the right time to make them all pay, regardless of the cost. And part of that cost involved the harsh reality, that he caused the accident that killed Steve and was able to evade the cops by making use of his Hollywood skill set. But his professionalism was eventually his downfall. For once Ponch and Jon figured out that he worked in showbiz they eventually brought him, and the guy that actually hit Steve and Baricza’s cruiser, thanks to Dennis’ scheme, to justice.
 
Yet while this one ends in happy-ish fashion, the weight of the story hung heavy over this one long after it came to an end. Just because it presented the death of a police officer in raw and powerful fashion, and honestly, while this episode provided this reviewer with quite the gut punch, I can do nothing but praise it. Because this was good television, the kind that really featured some magnificent depth and emotional weight and it is these types of tales that allowed for CHiPs to truly shine and transcend its status as a fluffy police serial. If anything, this was hands down the finest ‘dramatic’ episode of the series I’ve seen to date, and it honestly energizes me to watch more, simply because it’s obvious this show hasn’t quite reached its potential yet, and I am curious to see what kind of story the show will provide us with when that all-important moment happens and the only way to experience that, is to push ahead. So, on that note, I’m off to hit the highways with my favorite motor cops, once again. Until next time. 

​If you take a moment and think about it, it’s quite fascinating how the world views television shows. Because there are some who see the boob tube as just that, a device designed to waste time that offers nothing of substance with the noisy programming that comes out of it. Yet there are plenty of other folks who view television as poignant and important, and there are others who live and die by it because the stories it presents, gives them meaning and purpose. But personally, I think that television’s greatest gift to humanity, is the sheer fact that it manages to capture a moment in time.
 
Because classic shows often worked to tackle something relevant to the times, giving us a touch of insight into that era and how society was reacting to the situation in question and that is just fascinating. Because it really is akin to living through a little slice of history when you watch stories that voyage back in time, and it just so happens that the next episode of CHiPs managed to take us through an important moment that I honestly didn’t know a heck of a whole lot about; the oil shortage of 1979. Now, for those unfamiliar with this as well, when the Iranian Revolution went down back in ’79, oil production slipped, supply went down and prices skyrocketed, leading to long lines in America and ‘High Octane’ made this particular crisis a focal point of its story, with a little twist thrown in for good measure as well.
 
For this is a police serial, one that needs a little crime to drive the plot and well, in this story we were introduced to a couple of scuzzy dudes who were taking advantage of the crisis by stealing gas at every turn so they could sell it to chosen clients at a beautiful price. And the only reason these guys went on the CHP radar was because they took Sergeant Getrear out of active duty, and they continued to be bold in their actions and were getting greedier by the day, which led to some serious effort on Ponch and Jon’s part to catch these guys. Which of course they were able to do with some fine detective work, but what matters more here is how cool it was that the writer’s room managed to weave this blip in American history into a compelling story and I’m fairly certain it was a tad surreal for audiences back then, to get an uncomfortable slice of everyday life in a show that usually stayed away from that.
 
But while this storyline had its dark moments, since it was pretty bleak to watch the Sarge wipe out and end up in the hospital, this episode did manage to pepper some lighthearted stuff into the mix. For Getrear’s temporary replacement ruffled some feathers around headquarters with a little friendly West L.A. rivalry, and that led to quite the fluffy set of subplots involving roller hockey and while this wasn’t exactly something that was supremely compelling, unless of course you’re a big fan of roller hockey, this part of the show did have it moments. Because there is joy to be found in watching Ponch talk trash and push buttons and try to put his money where his mouth is, and that aspect of the story and the friendly competitions that came out of Ponch’s bravado definitely lightened the mood.
 
In the end however, I really was impressed with the fact that this series managed to teach me a little something about history, since my vague familiarity with this gas crisis prompted me to do a little reading once the episode came to a close, and I will always praise a series that motivates someone to learn. But outside of that, this one was a pretty standard affair, with the usual Creeps of the Week that do their thing with impunity and while they were worth rooting against, I do hope we start seeing more cerebral villains once again. Because the series truly impresses when it gives the baddies, depth. I suppose time will tell if we are going to get back to that or not. But in the meantime, this episode was a solid watch and with this story now in the books, it’s time to enjoy another. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to roll call before hitting the highways with my two favorite motor officers. Until next time. 

I’ve always found it fascinating how people express and defend their pride when it comes to their hometown or where they currently live. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing by any means. Because where we grow up is important to us and it provides us with fond memories, and where we call home means the world to us since it holds meaning and beauty. But the part that fascinates me, is the darker side to that celebration since people firmly believe that those two places, belong to them and no one else and that’s just silly. Because the world is for everyone to explore and people can live wherever they want, and it just so happens that this particular concept is on my mind today, simply because it served as the focal point for the next episode of CHiPs.
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For ‘Valley Go Home!’ took us to the beach in order to introduce quite the conflict brewing by the waves. Because a group of surfers, who grew up in this area and called it home, weren’t cool with the fact that folks from the valley came down here on a regular basis to act as though the beach was their own. And it just so happened that one particular group of valley kids got under their skin over anyone else and that led to an ugly rivalry, the kind that quite frankly escalated quickly and became dangerous. For these rival groups damaged one another’s property and engaged in high speed chases, all in the name of turf and territory that didn’t belong to either of them and their constant battling prompted Ponch and Jon to step in before someone got hurt.

Which was a classy thing for our dynamic duo to do, and for a brief moment it seemed as though their plan to make peace was going to pay-off, since these two groups were finally getting along and sharing surfing practices. But our Creeps of the Week helped to destroy any hope of peace between these two groups, since the surfers blamed the valley kids for what the COTWs did (more on that in a moment) and that led to a boiling over of frustrations, the kind that brought about the worst case scenario when they trashed both their cars in heated pursuit of one another and this… was just frustrating to watch. Because these kids were basically idiots, and they subscribed to a silly notion that caused them more harm than good, and well, folly of youth or no, this was just outrageous and oddly enough it hit home in a weird way as well.

But I digress for the moment, because I made mention of the COTWs being part of the problem in this tale and well, our greasy crooks this time around were a pair of dudes looking to make some extra change by ripping off CB Radios and Tape Decks from cars. And their repeated robbery of the surfer group’s car is what led to the crash in question and they made things personal with the cops by ripping off Jon’s radio as well. But what made their arc unique in this story is that they stayed in the shadows until late in the episode. Which meant we got a little bit of an honest mystery to work with in this tale and I rather liked how they were brought to justice, because being in the wrong place and the wrong time because they got greedy was just poetic in its own right and it’s nice that Ponch and Jon brought them down with minimal fuss.

In the end however, this was a surprisingly high octane episode, one filled with morality moments, thanks to some lectures that Ponch laid on some people, including the ladies he eventually dated because… it’s Ponch, and I loved that this episode struck a nerve in me. Because I’m a native Coloradoan and I constantly hear about how people shouldn’t move here for whatever dumb reason and that drives me nuts because, that’s just ridiculous. But it is cool that the show had a message in that vein that still resonates after all this time and what matters more here is that this story was a ton of fun. It was just non-stop action and adventure and it is quite awesome to see the series just let loose this early on into a new season and well, I definitely want more. So, on that note, it’s time to bid you all farewell and report for roll call. Until next time. 

What comes next? That’s a question that has plagued mankind likely for the entirety of its existence, simply because we thrive on notions of the future and we are constantly wondering what tomorrow might bring. Which sounds a tad ominous in its own right, because when life is rough, and we are struggling to keep our heads above water, tomorrow might bring more sorrow and pain and that doesn’t sound appealing in the slightest. But there is a flip side to that. Because when things are going great, we simply cannot wait to see what waits for us come tomorrow, since there is a fair chance that more joy and fulfillment is just around the corner, and that really is a wonderful place to reside mentally.
 
But let’s be honest, life is tough, and it likes to throw more curveballs our way than we care to acknowledge and that tends to keep our minds on alert in a more negative fashion. Because we brace for the worst in the hopes of being prepared, and this is something that is amplified for folks who have experienced great trauma or loss. For it’s quite difficult to find the sunlight when the universe has hurt you so, and this is precisely why we see the tough journey on display in entertainment because the struggle is far easier to dive into as opposed to more positive things and that’s why I continue to praise AMC’s Lodge 49 as often as possible. Because this is a series that always examines both sides of the proverbial coin that is life and as it turns out, last night’s season two finale, felt the need to focus on the bright side of things and examine how sometimes, what comes next for all of us, is nothing but joy and wonder.
 
Because everyone was just in a magnificent place in this story and with good reason. For everyone came to learn that The Scrolls are real and getting out of town allowed for everyone to clear their head and gain perspective on where their lives are at and where they could be going, and that brought nothing but sunshine into their worlds. And the first lesson that ‘The Door’ taught us about the wonder of happiness, is that it is damn infectious and those who are content, love to share happiness at every single turn. For Ernie took the time to buy Dud’s car back for him after the two of them received a promotion at work all in the name of being a good friend who wanted to return the favor to Dud since he went above and beyond to keep Ernie’s spirits afloat a little while back. And speaking of Dud, he too took the time to pay good deeds forward by working with the landlord at the strip mall to give Blaise a second chance when it comes to his business and it was just beautiful to see everyone coming together like this and spreading the wealth whenever possible.
 
Yet while those wonderful moments would have been enough to carry the entire episode, because who doesn’t enjoy watching every character in this story smile and bask in happiness, the infectious euphoria present in this tale was enhanced further by a unique exploration. For this finale also took the time to point out that sometimes the good that infects our lives, doesn’t have come about by way of acts or physical gifts. Sometimes it comes about when our minds are in a healthy and peaceful place and for proof, look no further than Liz. Because she finally found some serious clarity in this tale since she came to realize that she’s a damn fine leader, and that maybe the time has come for her to carve out her own path when it comes to the business world, and that it was okay for her to indulge in a little self-care and things she enjoys once in a while. And as an added treat, Liz wasn’t alone in the epiphany department, for Scott also found himself in a good place mentally in this tale since he came to understand that sometimes he’s a little too closed off and goal driven and that’s cost him wonderful moments like the ones he shared with his friends in Mexico and that prompted him to relinquish his title as Sovereign Protector and hand it over to Ernie and it was wonderful to see both of these characters find the sense of peace they’ve been searching for all season. 

​But in my humble opinion, the most beautiful moment in this particular tale involved Ernie and Dud. Because the conversation they had right before Ernie was crowned as Sovereign Protector was powerful and moving and thoughtful, simply because I didn’t expect Dud to speak to something we really don’t talk about when it comes to happiness, in that; sometimes the joy is difficult to maintain. Especially in regard to folks who have suffered through trauma and loss. Because folks who experience that, want someone that they’ve bid farewell to, to be present to see them grow and thrive and it was sobering to see a television series explore something so intimate and relatable. For sometimes we really do want nothing more than to share every wonderful moment with those that mean the most to us, and that’s sadly, not always possible. Which is why we need to cherish and hold onto every single beautiful moment that comes our way, so we can call upon them when those darker days arrive.
 
Yet while was it was wonderful to see everyone grow in this tale and enjoy the proverbial salad days; this finale also deserves some serious credit for doing a great job with the mythos surrounding the Lodge. After all, the last of El Confidente’s visions came true with the swim that both Liz and Dud enjoyed since they were indeed islanded in an ocean of stars, and of course the whole mess in England is getting more intriguing episode by episode since clearly, there are some nefarious and selfish forces at work within Lodge 1. And of course, that ending was something to truly behold. Because not only did we finally get to see Liz set foot in the Lodge at long last, it resonated with her in fascinating fashion and watching Dud essentially slip through the framework of our world to end up back where he started leaves us with more questions than answers about the mysterious door that shares the namesake of this episode.
 
Which is why it is imperative that AMC renew this series as soon as possible. Because you cannot leave the audience hanging like that, not when so many mysteries have yet to be unraveled. But there are bigger reasons as to why this series deserves a third season and that’s because Lodge 49 is hands down the most important show on television right now. For this series explores aspects of the human condition that most shows are afraid to dive into, and this one does it in realistic and open fashion to the point where the audience instantly connects with these colorful characters and honestly, I’d like to think that this show is helping folks who have lost loved ones or feel like they’re stuck, to heal. Because I know it’s helped me deal with a few monsters that are rattling around upstairs and a television show that accomplishes that kind of feat is rare and beautiful and needs to see its story come to a logical and cathartic end and I do hope that AMC renews this one quickly, so that we can continue to indulge in this beautiful journey with Dud and his magnificent family. Until next time.    

​If there’s one hard lesson when it comes to television shows that continues to ring true after all these years, it’s that… closing out a cliffhanger in quality fashion is no easy task. Because not only does the ending need to satisfy and not feel rushed in the slightest, the meat and potatoes of the story need to enthrall and entertain the audience as well as they did in Part 1, and the pressure of delivering a perfect Part 2 is something that seems to overwhelm writers and directors since we’ve seen sub-par conclusions on T.V. time and time again. But as it turns out, the folks who worked behind the scenes at CHiPs clearly had no fear surging through their veins when the time came to craft the conclusion to the franchise’s first ever two-part arc.
 
Because ‘Roller Disco: Part 2’ was quite the quality episode, one that did a phenomenal job of tying up all the loose ends that ‘Part 1’ introduced, especially when it comes to the nasty Creeps of the Week that we first met in that prior tale. For dear Carlin’s vengeful ways came to a close once he ran into Ponch and Jon since they were able to outwit this nitwit and it was nice to see him and his do-nothing pal get placed into cuffs. Plus, our dynamic duo was also able to finally bring down Lita and her gang. Because she and her boys got greedy and they were predictable, so when they went after a big score at a bank, Ponch and Jon (with an assist from Bonnie) were able to put her and her accomplices into the back of a squad car and end their roller skating reign of madness.
 
But while there was plenty of action and adventure to be found in this particular story, one cannot forget that the last episode left Ponch and Jon with quite the set of conundrums on their hands. Because Ponch didn’t have a single celebrity for his ‘Skate with the Stars’ event and Jon had a rock star wreaking havoc in his home. Which meant that both of them needed to find a solution their problems and quick, and it turns out that getting Jimmy and his agent to make peace was the best way to make all of that happen. Because that would get Jimmy refocused on music and back where he belongs. And with a clear mind, he could make a few calls and get some big names to show up at the event, and it was nice to see a happy ending come to fruition since Jimmy and his long-time manager and friend reconciled their differences and were able to move forward, giving Jon his life back and Ponch, all the stars he could ask for.
 
Which basically brings us to the end of the storylines that needed wrapping up, making it seem as though this recap is going to come to a close in supremely brief fashion. But that’s simply not the case at all, because we need to take a minute and discuss the finale of this story since it was so… out there. I mean, ending a story about two motorcycle cops, with a super-sized disco-themed montage in a skating rink, that’s filled to the brim with celebrities galore is about as 70s as it gets. Oh, and so is throwing in a musical number from a 1970s teen heartthrob, and this was just, a weird trip down memory lane. Because I remember a bunch of shows having ‘special episodes’ or storylines where they did ‘everyday’ things like this back in the day, and it was wild to see this again, and it equally as strange to be reminded of how much people loved skating back then.
 
But, all nostalgia aside, this was an impressive wrap up episode. Because it was quick paced and full of heart. Case and point, the scene where Ponch goes to Balford’s office to have him reconsider the bad blood he’s indulging in with Jimmy and the fact that no plot thread was left unresolved, including the one involving young Mike, is impressive to say the least. Granted the ending is a tad awkward to watch in 2019, but it works, and it really does do a fine job of reminding us of a time where stuff like that was popular on television because of its wholesome nature and well, I definitely enjoyed this one when all is said and done. Because this was a big episode for this series, and it makes me wonder if everything is going to be a tad more epic this season, and the only way to find out; is to hop off of here and head back to the California highways to see what other storytelling wonders await us in season two. Until next time.