Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three finale of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

With everything that happened last time, the Federation is fully prepared to retire the California Class ships and replace them with the fully automated Texas Class ships. Captain Freeman is not about to stand for this, however, and she is fully prepared to fight for it. Freeman challenges Admiral Buenamigo to a second contact fight. Whoever visits the most planets for second contact/resupply/upgrades, wins. Buenamigo agrees and even gives the Cerritos a head start. Unfortunately, no matter how hard the Cerritos tries, they’re behind.

On one planet, however, Tendi discovers possible sentient organisms in the soil, which causes the Cerritos to stop what they’re doing and run proper tests. The Texas Class keeps going, and wins. Throughout the entire day, however, Rutherford has been searching through the code of the Texas class ships programming. It looks familiar and it is bothering him for some reason. But he can’t quite figure it out. Tendi feels awful, like she caused them all to lose, but she actually helps Freeman realize something. The Texas Class didn’t stop and scan the planets properly, unlike Tendi. While the rules are sometimes annoying, they’re also important. The Prime Directive is no joke. Admittedly, Admiral Buenamigo isn’t really wanting to hear that.

Rutherford has finally figured out why the Texas code is bothering him. It’s his code. He rushes in to tell the Captain, and confront the Admiral. Turns out, Buenamigo was there during Rutherford’s accident. He’s the one who ordered Rutherford’s memory to be wiped. Too bad for Carol and the Cerritos. Buenamigo gives full autonomy to the Texas ships and launches them to destroy the Cerritos. The ships would much rather kill Buenamigo and the Starbase in question. The Cerritos is doing its best to fight against the ships, but things are looking dire.

Meanwhile, Mariner has some questions for her new workmate. Like where’s all the money coming from if they’re just giving the artifacts they take to museums. The answer is simple, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard is the only one financing their freelance work. The irony of all ironies. It’s then that Mariner learns of what’s happening with the Cerritos. She’s quick to take action.
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Mariner flies in to help and she arrives just in time for the Cerritos to be facing off against one remaining Texas ship. How did they evade the other two? By dropping the Warp Core mid Warp. It was Shaxs’ idea. It’s a win! Mariner doesn’t show up alone either. She shows up with the entire California Class Fleet.

Together, they defend the Cerritos and win! It’s back at Douglas Station where all the ships crews are mingling that Mariner returns to her friends. Notably, ignoring Jennifer. She’s back. She’s taking her old position, even with Ransom back as her mentor. She even admits that her mom had a right not to trust her. Mariner did work hard for a while to be untrustworthy. Even still, Mariner’s loyalty never once faltered. Carol still apologizes, so do Tendi, Rutherford, and Boimler. Boims is also now a part of the Bear family now. Welcome aboard, new Baby Bear. All is right as it should be.

Please enjoy this super-sized sneak peek and synopsis from Episode Two of Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars.  Which you can see on The CW tomorrow, 10/29/22!
 
‘This Saturday, October 29, on the second episode of Criss Angel’s Magic With the Stars, choreographer Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Dancing With the Stars) and R&B artist Omarion go head to head as they perform Angel's infamous Amystika Chair illusion in front of a live Vegas audience and judging panel to win the coveted golden wand. The Amystika Chair requires a one-of-a-kind vanish and reappearance in a split second.
 
Throughout the episode, Maks must also master his pain threshold as he attempts to lie on a bed of nails while Omarion strives to become the greatest showman.’

It is definitely safe to say that fans of the phenomenal STARZ series, The Serpent Queen, were fully preparing for Sunday’s finale to be just that. For the story has provided us with a fulfilling journey thus far. One that has explored what drives people to commit ugly deeds in the name of agency and power and it seemed prepared to leave us at a solid stopping point in the story. Where the story of Queen Catherine de’ Medici would feel complete and satisfying, since we now had an understanding of what made her the villain, we’ve always known her to be.
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But a funny thing happened along the way, in that, fans truly responded to this show in a dynamic manner, and we here at NTG have sung our critical praises as well since the series just grabs hold of you and never lets go and well… STARZ took notice of the fan response, and decided it was high time to explore more details regarding Catherine’s life and what her the rest of her reign on the throne looked like. Which is why STARZ opted to announce today that The Serpent Queen will be getting a second season days ahead of the now season one finale. To comfort the fans and reward them and get them excited for more and well, with that in mind, here are all the details on this wondrous news… courtesy of STARZ.

‘STARZ announced today its popular, critically acclaimed series “The Serpent Queen” will return for an eight-episode second season with Golden Globe® winner, two-time Academy Award® and two-time BAFTA Award-nominated actress Samantha Morton starring as ruthless ruler Catherine de Medici. News of the renewal comes ahead of the series’ season one finale airing this Sunday, October 30 at midnight on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the premium streaming platform LIONSGATE+ across all territories. On linear, it will debut on STARZ at 8:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada.
 
A historical drama with an edge, “The Serpent Queen” puts a contemporary spin on conventional storytelling to tell the tale of Catherine de Medici (Morton) who against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history. The series begins when 14-year-old, orphaned Catherine marries into the 16th-century French court. With her future uncertain, she must quickly learn who she can trust – both within her personal entourage of courtiers and the members of the royal court – while outmaneuvering anyone who underestimates her determination to survive at any cost.
 
“’The Serpent Queen’” is distinctly modern, darkly comedic and completely unexpected,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, STARZ. “Catherine De Medici’s story is the perfect complement to our female-forward slate, and Samantha Morton’s brilliant portrayal of this ruthless, charming and savvy queen anchors the whole production. We’re thrilled to unveil more of her incredible life and reign in season two, which promises to be even more provocative and sublime.”
 
"The Serpent Queen" is based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda and is from writer and executive producer Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road, Red Sparrow, The Lone Ranger). The series is executive produced by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2) and Erwin Stoff (The Matrix, 13 Hours, Edge of Tomorrow). Kathryn Tyus-Adair, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, is the executive overseeing “The Serpent Queen” for STARZ and Courtney Mock is overseeing for Lionsgate Television. The series is produced for STARZ by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Follow “The Serpent Queen” on Social:
Twitter: @serpentqueen
Instagram: @serpentqueenstarz  
Facebook: @theserpentqueenstarz
Join the conversation with #TheSerpentQueen and #STARZ
 
About STARZ
STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global 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. In 2018, STARZ launched its international premium streaming platform STARZPLAY, now LIONSGATE+, to provide subscribers access to bold, curated storytelling. LIONSGATE+, coupled with the STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture in MENA and Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia, has a footprint that extends across the globe. STARZ and LIONSGATE+ are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.
 
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
 
About 3 Arts Entertainment
3 Arts Entertainment is a talent/literary management and production company, with 26 years of experience. We have offices in Beverly Hills and New York and have clients in the TV and Film Lit world, acting world, hosting world, branded areas, digital media and more. 3 Arts has produced hit films such as The Matrix, Austin Powers: Thy Spy Who Shagged Me, The Devil’s Advocate, Edge of Tomorrow and 13 Hours and more. We currently executive produce over 30 shows on the air. Some of our series include: “Julia,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Master of None,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Insecure,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘Andor’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

Truly one of the greatest accomplishments of the Star Wars Universe… was how it managed to establish the sheer evil nature of the Galactic Empire, without ever really giving us in depth insight as to what made it so evil. A feat that A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi accomplished by giving us the personification of evil (at the time) in Darth Vader and by introducing us to Emperor Palpatine. Since their physical and emotional qualities made it clear that the Galactic Empire wasn’t all that friendly toward anyone that enjoyed freedom and of course its vast army and resources also backed that reality up.
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But what’s equally as impressive, is that even the multitude of stories that followed that trilogy, kept the true reality of what life under the Galactic Empire was actually like but thankfully… that is starting to change. For Andor continues to be a series that wishes to explore every facet of that dark era in the Galaxy’s history and really for the first time ever… we finally came to understand just how ugly and terrifying life under the rule of Emperor Palpatine truly was during that time period. For ‘Narkina 5’ just let loose and showed us the dark side of the dark side. By having the people of Ferrix suffer greatly under Imperial rule since Cassian’s mother wasn’t doing well health wise under the new rules, and Bix even found herself under fire for trying to check in on Cassian via long range communication with Luthen. 

But truly the centerpiece of this exploration took place with Cassian. Simply because he arrived at the penal colony on Narkina 5 and quickly found himself in a hopeless and horrible situation. Where the living conditions were meager and frightening and where his only joy would be found in tiny rewards within the prison for hard labor done well. Making it clear that being under the Empire’s true rule, was nothing short of hopeless and horrifying. Wherein there would be no purpose or direction in life and perhaps this… is what will finally make Cassian a true hero. Because what he went through here was no way to live in the slightest, and it truly hammered home how the Empire rules through fear and intimidation and pain, and how frightening that can be. 

However, while those elements could have carried this episode from beginning to end since they were so impactful and educational, this episode took its explorations of life in this era a touch further by also revealing to the audience, just how difficult it was for the Rebel Alliance to even find the power it did. Since Mon Mothma found herself struggling to move funds because of the Empire’s new banking restrictions and an off-world visit to Saw Gerrera allowed for Luthen and the audience to learn how fractured the Rebellion was in its early days and how little was accomplished because of that. Which again, leaves us wondering what it took to unify it and how much of a role Cassian would eventually play in that unity. 

Either way, this was just another fascinating episode for certain. One that once again took us deep into this universe in ways we haven’t experienced before, and it truly put the cruelty of the Empire on display and helped us to understand its relentless ruthlessness as well. Courtesy of the storyline involving Syril and Dedra. Since we came to learn how quickly they could move resources in this tale and how the hate they created inspired others to join the cause and well, all this episode does, is once again leave us eager for more. Since we simply must know how Cassian gets out of jail and how of course, the Rebellion finds unity and legs at a time when the Emperor is trying to crack down upon it and thankfully… we still have four more episodes left in season one of this magnificent series to explore just that. Until next time.

​Please enjoy this Sneak Peek from Episode Five of Shantaram, which debuts on Apple TV+ tomorrow (10/28/22).

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Big Sky: Deadly Trails’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We begin with Paige, who is being held hostage by Walter out in the woods. Walter asks her why she didn’t scream for help when she had the chance, she retorts that she has no idea who any of these people are. Paige learns that Sunny is Walter’s mother who keeps him out in the woods. Walter seems to think he rescued Paige from Luke because she had wounded herself running from him when Walter found her. Paige expresses sympathy for Walter as he cleans the deep gashes in her leg. She wants Walter to embark on a secret mission for her to retrieve some of her things from camp.

Motorcycle shopping for Emily takes a turn when Beau witnesses a man attempt to steal one of the bikes and then stab the employee who tries to stop him with a screwdriver before he runs off. Beau chases after him on foot, but the man jumps into a truck and races away, although not before Beau memorizes the license plate.

Beau and Poppernak pay a visit to the lot they traced the truck to, Poppernak looks around while Beau goes to chat with the lot manager. Unfortunately, Poppernak encounters the occupants of said truck, who force him at gunpoint to join them on their criminal endeavor. Beau witnesses the truck he’s looking for speed off the lot as he talks to the manager, not yet realizing Poppernak is being held inside.

After recovering Poppernak’s phone and radio at the scene, Jenny and Beau get to work figuring out who is using the truck. They trace it to the truck owner’s grandson, Trent Dilliard. As they read over his rap sheet, they realize he is stealing way more than motorcycles. He robs banks, he always kills a hostage, and gets away on a bike. Jenny and Beau immediately enlist all available help to alert the area banks, but it’s a bit late.

Trent, his accomplice Heather, and their hostage Poppernak are already in a bank, with Heather holding a gun to Poppernak’s back to keep him compliant. Trent demands the key to the safe deposit boxes from one of the bank employees. She hands him the keycard and he promptly shoots her.

Everyone in the bank is properly horrified, and Trent orders everyone to lay face down. He warns them that he will shoot Poppernak should anyone call an ambulance.

Trent and Heather proceed to tear through the safe deposit boxes, while Poppernak stands helplessly by. Heather is searching for her mother’s safe deposit box. Trent comes across a box loaded with cash and decides he’s satisfied, but Heather is intent to keep looking. Trent tells her he’s over her mommy issues and raises his gun to kill her. Desperate, Poppernak uses his body weight to swing shut the safe’s massive door, blocking Trent’s shot, but also trapping him in with an armed Heather.

Beau and Jenny arrive at the bank in time to see Trent escaping on a motorcycle. Beau hops on another motorcycle and proceeds to chase Trent though traffic, weaving among cars until Trent manages to lose Beau. Beau continues to pursue Trent when Beau drives past the waiting truck that Trent’s been using. Beau whips around to take the driver into custody and wait for Trent.

Trent drives his bike directly in the back of the truck. Whooping, he yells to get going. Beau appears the with the driver and his gun drawn. Trent is forced to surrender himself.

​Jenny calls an ambulance for the wounded bank employee, and the enters the safe where she finds Heather holding Poppernak at gun point. Heather makes Jenny to put down her gun, so Jenny is forced to negotiate with her. When Heather finally lets her guard down a little, Jenny takes the opportunity to grab a safe deposit box and whack her in the head, then handcuff her.

Meanwhile, Cassie continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the formerly missing backpacker, Mark Woodman, despite the coroner ruling his death accidental. His parents tell Cassie how careful and experienced Mark was, the idea of him being careless enough to fall to his death doesn’t make sense. Cassie shows the wooden carved figure that they found on Mark. His parents assure Cassie that Mark would have considered such a trinket junk, he would have tossed it.

Sunny’s son Cormac pays a visit to Dewell and Hoyt later that day at Cassie’s request. Cormac is unable to offer any helpful information regarding the creepy man lurking around camp or the blue and white Suburban she saw him driving. However, while the carved figure is unfamiliar to him, he recognizes the heart carved into the figures foot. Cormac tells Cassie he’s seen it on the trees around camp.

Back at camp, Sunny is annoyed by Cassie’s continued meddling and Buck is not satisfied with the way she’s been handling the situation with Walter. Realizing there’s no choice, Sunny orders Buck to burn their beloved old Suburban since Cassie’s seen it and it’s full of DNA. Buck dutifully complies.

Cassie is looking through the woods where Cormac told her he’d seen the heart carved in the tree. As she finds the red heart carving she was looking for, she notices flames through the trees. Cassie moves closer to witness the Suburban engulfed in flames. She watches it burn.

Cassie is not alone here. Walter is also watching the vehicle burn with a smile on his face. It’s unclear if he can also see Cassie. She certainly doesn’t see him.

Last year saw the debut of a bevy of cozy mysteries. Some of which offered audiences more than just the usual fun stuff that such mysteries reside within. Take the Acorn TV series, Whitstable Pearl for instance. For this was a cozy mystery that really did a wonderful job of focusing on its characters and their growth, and the raw nature of the human experience. Which led to some powerful stories, the kind that engaged us emotionally and invested us as well and this show did such an incredible job of pulling us into Pearl Nolan’s world, that we’ve been anxiously awaiting more of her moving adventures, and thankfully… that wait is about to end.
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For earlier today, Acorn TV let it be known that season two of Whitstable Pearl will debut on November 28, 2022, and to really build up excitement for it, they provided fans of this series with more than just the premiere date. For the network also released a trailer and some details on what we can expect from season two and without further ado, here are those details and that trailer to prepare you for Pearl’s return, courtesy of Acorn TV.

‘The Acorn TV Original cozy seaside mystery series, Whitstable Pearl, returns ashore for its second season premiering Monday, November 28 with two episodes on Acorn TV, AMC Networks’ acclaimed streamer devoted to British and international television. Two new episodes will premiere weekly every Monday through December 12. Starring Kerry Godliman (After Life, Derek) as the titular Pearl Nolan, a restaurateur with a knack for investigation, Season Two will find Pearl in the middle of some big changes and even bigger cases including a potential kidnapping, a voyeuristic investigation of a man across the street, and the attempted murder of a ‘70s starlet.
 
In Season One, Pearl (Godliman) juggled her commitments to the restaurant—the eponymous—Whitstable Pearl—with her ‘side hustle’ as a PI. Season Two, however, finds Pearl prioritizing her detective work—transitioning from being a chef who solves crimes to a full-time investigator who just happens to own a restaurant. It’s also been six months since the breakdown of her fleeting romance with DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles, Shadow and Bone, The Musketeers); the two former lovers have decided to remain friends, and both have moved on…fast. With every new case she takes, it always seems to begrudgingly overlap with Mike’s police investigations. Charged by a determination to outdo each other (and a fiery mutual attraction), it’s a race to solve each case, but when they work together, they make a hell of a team.
 
This season features the return of Frances Barber (Mr. Holmes, The Chelsea Detective) as Pearl’s spitfire mother and Rohan Nedd (Harry Wild) as Pearl’s humorous and caring son, as well as new cast members Robert Webb (Peep Show, Back) as Pearl’s kind albeit righteous boyfriend and Emily Head (The Inbetweeners, The Syndicate) as Mike’s new outgoing, sunny girlfriend.
 
Executive Producers for Whitstable Pearl Season 2 are Anna Burns, Richard Tulk-Hart and Tony Wood for Buccaneer Media; Catherine Mackin and Bea Tammer for Acorn Media Enterprises; Øystein Karlsen, Mike Walden, and Julie Wassmer. Writers are Mike Walden, Jess Williams, and Kam Odedra. The producer of the series is Letitia Knight. Created for TV by Øystein Karlsen.’

For the most part, television shows tend to operate under the assumption that a new season will always be on the horizon and the story for any particular season should reflect that. So, it should offer up moments that can be resolved further down the line or it can feature a cliffhanger or two, and what it absolutely should not do… is feel complete or wrap up the story. Because that could potentially confuse an audience and motivate them to never return if a new season and new story arrives. But that’s nothing more than an assumption. For audiences are supremely savvy and actually appreciate a complete story that is satisfying and comes to a logical end.
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Which is why it is always wonderful to run into a series that understands that about its viewers and wants to be complete in its storytelling and one such series that follows such an edict is The Mysterious Benedict Society. For season one of this show, saw the Society work together to defeat Dr. Curtain and resolve ‘The Emergency’ before essentially settling into regular life and parting ways. Signaling the end of one chapter and one adventure and in turn, such a move left all of us wondering how the story would continue and how the society would reunite, allowing or a genuine buzz to surround season two of this magnificent series… which wastes little time in answering our questions and concerns. 

Since we come to learn that simple acts can in fact, easily reunite this group, who are now a little older and a little wiser and are of course… eager to plunge in and solve a new mystery/conundrum. For this new season also wastes little time in informing us of the fact Mister Benedict and Number Two are in serious trouble and that… is how this show sucks us right back into this world and compels us to continue the journey. Because just like that, we’re back in the thick of it, enjoying a new mystery, one that is grander in scale and forces our characters to grow and that’s just delightful. Because it adds a real sense of freshness to the show and to top it all off, the grand nature of this season doesn’t end with the amazing adventures that the Society goes on. 

For this is a season of storytelling that gets supremely philosophical in nature, by having Dr. Curtain return and ponder upon… the nature of happiness. For he seems to believe he has figured out how to provide the world with unlimited happiness and that leads to some incredible commentary on what it means to be happy in this life. Such as what motivates us to find it and how we maintain it when it comes our way, and if eternal happiness is something that is attainable or not. All of which elevates the storytelling of this series to a whole new level. For it truly poses some powerful questions while challenging our heroes like never before, as they work to save their hero and deal with a gleefully resurgent villain that they’ve faced before.

Which is… just incredible storytelling when all is said and done. The kind that informs us that it is very possible to put together a single season of television that features a beginning, middle and end, provided the show ups its game and tells a bigger story the second go round and well… this is a season of storytelling that grabs hold of you with its boldness and never let’s go. Because it poses so many questions and offers up compelling moments left and right and the best news of all, is that you can start this new journey right now. For the first two episodes of this dynamic and refreshing new season are available to stream on Disney+, and we certainly hope you give it a look. Because this really is quite the revolutionary season of storytelling, one that entertains and engages and leaves the viewer with plenty of fascinating concepts to ponder upon.

To learn more about the new season and its construction, check out our interviews with cast members, Mystic Inscho, Marta Kessler, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Gia Sandhu, & MaameYaa Baofo and the show’s Executive Producers, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Darren Swimmer, and Todd Slavkin.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 508 of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When the Hulu series, The Handmaid’s Tale debuted, it was nothing short of a fascinating personification of our fears of the world we were currently living within. After all, a frighteningly unqualified and conservative new president was elected to office, there was extensive talk about removing women’s rights from the world, a horror that unfortunately is beginning to come to fruition. Which made this show the right one at the right time to explore our rightful fears and concerns and it truly examined the potential horror of living in an America where the Constitution was an afterthought and where the ugliness that is extremist religion, ruled the day. But as the show went along, its tone definitely shifted and understandably so.
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After all, there were greater plot points to work with here, and a grand hope that perhaps we the audience would get to watch Gilead collapse and burn. But as we near the end of the series, those plot points are once again giving way to fascinating questions about our modern world and the human condition. For last night’s episode of the show, pondered heavily on something we haven’t given a lot of thought to at the moment. After all, there will come a day down the line where these lines and divides end. It could come about when say Trump is jailed for his crimes, or it could come when the guard finally changes in Washington and when that happens… what do we do as a people? How do we move forward? 

Which are questions that ‘Motherland’ explored by having Commander Lawrence finally explain his motivations for the birth of Gilead in the first place and his future vision for the nation, all by properly introducing us to New Bethlehem. A place where displaced Americans/Refugees from Gilead could convalesce in peace. Free from any charges levied by the state for rightfully fleeing a horrible country and where they could live alongside folks from Gilead in the grand hope… that perhaps common ground could be found at last, and healing could begin. Essentially postulating the theory that everyone in this world (and perhaps ours own) should just… forgive and forget years of suffering and atrocities and try to move forward as one and keep reforming and changing what once was, until it is all a distant memory. 

A move that required a lynchpin to bring it to life, June. For she was a leader amongst Americans whether she wanted to admit it or not and going to New Bethlehem would fill that place to the brim. A reality that Lawrence knew, and he tempted her mightily with discussions on bringing Hannah there, and almost landed her. But a video handed to them allowed the United States remnant to locate Hannah and promise her a return home, putting a hold on a trip for now. But what matters more, is the commentary that came out of this twist. In that, just being besties again as a country, will not magically heal it and unify it. For there are deep differences between us, the kind that are generational and sour and without fundamental changes to who we are and how we operate, change will never come.
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Which isn’t a hopeless bit of commentary, it’s just blunt. For we as Americans always look toward the quick fix instead of a fundamental one. So, it was refreshing to get a kick in the pants here and of course… be treated to so much more. Such as watching Serena come to understand she’s not forgiven by June nor is she welcome in Gilead. She’s just a lost soul that will have to figure out her own way and will endure a taste of a Handmaid’s life for the moment whether she likes it or not. Not to mention it was also nice to learn that Commander Joseph Lawrence is filled with regret over what he created. Because damnit, we needed that and needed someone in that nation to learn a lesson, and at least there is finally a commander that is honest regarding the mistake that it is and that could perhaps… help to end it. 

Not to mention, what Tuello had to say here was supremely enticing. In that, the United States of America has been pooling resources and planning for a military operation against Gilead for ages. And that would be huge for freedom and peace. For a strike from a near dead nation against a military superpower would be stunning and expose the fragility of Gilead. Allowing for America and the world to set the tone about what comes next and well, getting Hannah back and seeing Gilead take a sock to the jaw, would be satisfying ways to end this season indeed and perhaps that is where the last leg of this season is headed. Which would be wonderful, since we’ve waited five long years and gone through hell with June, to see everything bad happen to a place that encourages the worst in people and the potential for all that… will definitely have us counting down the minutes until next week’s episode.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episodes 305 and 306 of ‘My Life Is Murder’. To revisit the previous episodes, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked at length about how season three of the Acorn TV series, My Life Is Murder, has been quite revolutionary and fun in nature. For year three really has brought forth some major comfortability for the writers and actors, allowing for them to just let loose and enjoy the ride and provide us with some entertaining mysteries that offer the right balance of lightheartedness and respect for the subject matter. And of course, the cases are top notch and compel us to follow the clues from beginning to end, and well… it would seem that season three of this show is eager to continue to wow us every step of the way.
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For this week’s mysteries were simply out of this world. Largely because Alexa and her team really had to work hard to uncover who committed the ultimate crime. For instance, ‘Silent Lights’ featured what appeared to be nothing more than an accidental death. One that had witnesses and all Alexa had to do, was just confirm that. But the little things about this case made her suspicious, to the point where she dug deeper than ever before, which in turn slowly revealed some cracks in everyone’s alibi and testimony, allowing for her to come to understand this was indeed murder. The kind that was premeditated and careful, since it involved technology and knowledge of the human body, allowing for her to bring forth a guilty party in an impressive fashion. 

As for the second story, ‘Bride to Bee’, well that too was a case that appeared to be grounded in nothing more than a quirk of fate. Since the bride in question seemingly died of a bee sting allergy on her wedding day. A tragic moment that offered no clues or much of anything for Alexa to investigate. In fact, even the hint of a revenge factor… didn’t pan out in the slightest because while the parties involved were sour people, none of them were murderers. Leaving her to wonder how on earth she’d find anything beyond accidental death. But alas, some classic sour behavior from the deceased’s best friend, and some odd ties between her and the groom’s family… finally allowed for Alexa to narrow down how a murder took place and bring the bride’s greedy killer to justice. 

Which really did make for two incredible tales that kept us guessing. Because there were no solid clues or X factors to raise our eyebrows. Just a touch of death and sorrow. But having Alexa stop at nothing to really uncover the truth and really prove murder over accidents, led to some compelling moments and some big-time payoffs. The kind that kept us hanging from beginning to end. All of which reminded us of the fact that Alexa is brilliant, and it was amazing to see these cases unfold in the manner that they did. Because not only did all of that wow us and engage us completely, but it also served to remind us that this is one of the most versatile and meaningful crime dramas on television right now. 

It's versatile because it presents us with such incredibly different mysteries from week to week and it’s meaningful… because it never forgets the core fact that murder is awful and hurts people deeply and can put them in ugly places for certain. The kind where the victims need love and support and really, it is the humanity of this show that really makes it worth our while and now that we’ve reached the end of these two fascinating cases… we are once again left waiting for more and this time around the wait is going to be excruciating. After all, this season continues to impress, and we simply have to know what kind of incredible cases and wonderfully human moments await us as season three continues along. Until next time.