In my humble opinion, a television season has done a fine job of telling a particular story, when it leaves you unprepared and uncertain of how the story is going to end. Because it means that nothing is predictable at this point, and anything can happen and that’s precisely what season two of Jack Ryan has managed to accomplish. Because at no point, as I settled in to watch the season two finale, did I feel comfortable or knowledgeable in the slightest, since I hadn’t a clue how Jack was going to save the day, or if Greer was going to make it out alive with his heart condition and quite frankly, if Jack was going to handle the pain building within his heart with class or bloodthirsty revenge.
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But thankfully, ‘Strongman’ took the time to answer all of the questions on my mind in explosive and powerful fashion and the first issue that it addressed was how exactly Jack was going to save the day and Venezuela for that matter since Reyes’ grip on the country was firm. And as it turns out, sometimes the only way to beat a man like Reyes, is to firmly place his dastardly deeds squarely in the court of public opinion. Which is why Jack sent footage of what Reyes had done in the prison camp to every news agency out there, because they quickly made it breaking news and embarrassed the president in front of his own people. Something that prompted Reyes to shut down the polls in a desperate bid to retain power, an act that backfired immediately since the people saw the news and wanted their vote counted and they instantly stormed the palace.

Which is something that could not have worked out better for Jack and his boys. Because come hell or high water they were going to get their hands on Greer and get him to safety and they flew into the palace whilst the riots were taking place, and while they were indeed able to discover that Greer was fine outside of a few bumps and bruises, and get him to the chopper, what matters more about this segment of the story is that this is where Jack was forced to face down the darkness within his soul. Because this was a grandiose opportunity for revenge, under the cover of riots and that brought Jack and the president face to face for a little fist fight. But when the opportunity arrived to put a bullet into Reyes’ brain, some prompting from Mike and Jack’s moral code kept him from giving into the fury, allowing for Jack to keep his purity and for Nicolas Reyes to pay the piper at the hands of his loyal subjects.

If anything, that allowed for quite the happy and bittersweet ending to come to fruition. One that saw Gloria Bonalde become the next president of Venezuela and reunite with her husband briefly aboard an American boat. But what made the finale of the finale, so bittersweet was the sheer fact that it had one last loose end to tie up, specifically; who was it that Max spoke with before the assault on the convoy? And as it turns out, Jack was able to put the pieces together with one last favor from Harry and sadly the man that Max called was Senator Chapin and with a little bit more digging, Jack came to understand that the Senator worked with Reyes via that shell company in order to strike it rich, all in the name of preserving American interests of course. But thanks to Jack’s fine work, Chapin will be behind bars for a long time and at long last, there was justice for Jimmy Moreno.

In the end however, this really was a magnificent way to end season two of this powerful series. For it was intense and dark and brooding, which a good spy drama should be. Plus, this story took us on all kinds of twists and turns that kept Jack true to what he stands for and I loved every single second of it and of this finale. Because you cannot go wrong when the bad guys get their comeuppance and truly everyone that was shady and evil in this story got just that, and the poetic justice of Reyes being dealt with by the people he wanted adoration from was brilliant, as was how Jack handled the Senator’s deception and betrayal of his country. I suppose though, if I have a complaint, it would be that, the journey has now come to an end and that stinks, because I could definitely go for more. But alas, I’ll have to wait until next year to discover what new adventures await Dr. Jack Ryan and I truly cannot wait to see which powerhouse story from the Tom Clancy archive, this series will bring to life in season three. Until next time. 

I made it no secret a little while back, that I am always hesitant when it comes to holiday themed episodes of just about any television show out there. Because they’re often weird in nature, altering the rules and the structure of an established series, in order to offer up some kind of unique experience for the audience and that’s just silly and unnecessary. But thankfully, these Retro Recap of CHiPs are starting to give me hope in regard to these types of stories. Because the Halloween themed episode from season two of this series was a solid entry, one that mixed realism and the spookiness of the season in seamless fashion and being treated to that wonderful story, helped temper my worries for the Christmas themed episode that season three offered up.
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If anything, I’m glad I went into this one without a worry in my mind because ‘Christmas Watch’ delivered another magnificent episode, one that kept realism at the forefront of the story. Because despite the fact that there was Christmas cheer to be found in every single corner of Central Division, this is a story that made a point to remind us that while we open presents and slice into our holiday ham, or rush to get those last minute gifts, the world is still turning, the bad parts included. Which made Ponch and Jon’s efforts to keep the streets safe all the more comforting since it served to remind us that there are people making sacrifices during a time we take for granted and oddly enough, the realism that came about from this, was taken one step further, by way of Ponch.

Because Frank was dealing with a case of the holiday blues since his family wouldn’t be around for the holiday season, and that prompted him to dive deep into his paperwork and his patrol routes and it was quite the surprise to see Ponch this sentimental about the holiday and the time we spend with family during it, which is what made the surprise waiting for Poncherllo all the more worthwhile. Because his darling mother came out to Los Angeles to see her boy and that simply lit him up like the tree in the briefing room and that was a lovely and realistic Christmas Miracle for Ponch to enjoy, and it also served to reinforce the sacrifice public servants make this time of year since Frank still had to work the Christmas Watch, despite the fact that his mother was in town for the holiday.

But what would an episode of this series be without the always dastardly Creeps of the Week and the ones featured here were pretty disgusting in their own right. Because Bob and Alice were a pair of thieves that saw Christmas as a time to give to themselves, and they went the extra mile during this season to rip off presents from homes while the owners were out and while that’s pretty awful in its own right what truly made these two genuinely gross human beings, was the sheer fact that they were willing to steal from a church. Yes, you read that right, and it is actually worse than it sounds, since they swiped a bell that kids from the church, paid for by way of money they’d raised for an entire year. But thankfully, their holiday greed eventually led to their take down and one happy ending wherein the bell was returned during Christmas Mass.

In the end however, this really was quite the lovely holiday episode, since it offered up a smidge of relatability for the audience. For we’ve all been in Ponch’s shoes from time to time during the holidays, and some of us have had to work during the season or don’t quite love it for various reasons. But really what I enjoyed the most about this episode was the fact that it depicted a realistic look at how crime doesn’t exactly take a holiday vacation and offering up that kind of honesty just made this episode a breath of fresh air, one that had my attention at every single turn and one that reinforced the fact that season three really has been a revelation storytelling wise. Because it’s offered up so many unique stories and I simply cannot wait to see what the home stretch of this season has in store for me. Until next time.   

I have to admit, that I was extremely nervous to settle in and watch the next episode of Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan. Because the death of Matice in the prior episode made it clear that this series was no longer going to mess around, and that more bad things could be waiting for us down the line, and well, ‘Dios y Federacion’ didn’t exactly do all that much to squelch my fears. For the opening salvo of this particular tale saw our intrepid hero under fire from Reyes’ forces, meaning that the danger was going to continue. But despite the odds, Jack was likely going to stop at nothing to save his friend once he discovered that Greer was alive and well and that, alongside a few other surprises, offered up a taste of hope in a tale that should have been supremely bleak.
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For Greer was indeed alive and well in this story, and while he was taking quite the beating at the hands of Bastos, he was staying true to his oaths and not giving Reyes’ thug an ounce of information and thankfully, once the beating came to a close, Jim was able to get a good understanding of what this camp was all about. As it turns out, this was the place that Reyes sent his political rivals, or anyone that just so happened to offend him and it was quite the tragedy to see artists and scholars and good men suffer in horrible conditions simply because they wanted a better life for their fellow countrymen and the hope that I made mention of in this particular tale came about from the fact that Gloria’s husband was still alive and mostly well in this camp and also because, Jack had one hell of an idea in regard to springing Greer.

Because Jack needed an army in order to get his friend to safety and thankfully, he knew how to get one. Which brought him to the mercenary camp that put him in hot water to begin with and despite the bad blood between he and the Jost, our intrepid analyst knew exactly how to get through to his temporary foe by offering him and his men an ungodly amount of money to help them storm the camp and free the prisoners and since money talks, they agreed. But what they found at the camp was enough to chill Jack’s blood. Because by the time they arrived, prisoners were being executed with impunity per order of the presidente, and that left Jack in a panic as he searched for his friend and eventually he was able to discover that Greer was moved to the Presidential Palace and well, this was indeed the brightest point of the story since lives were saved and Jim was finally in a somewhat safer place than the jungle.

But what motivated the death of so many innocent lives and the transfer of a high value asset, made this episode all the more frightening. Because these decisions helped us to understand just how terrified Reyes is of losing an ounce of control over his beloved country and that he will do whatever it takes to keep his grip as tight as possible upon Venezuela and his people, and this was something that was hammered home by his handling of General Ubarri. For at long last the general made his decision about where his loyalties need to lie, thanks to seeing Reyes’ cruelty firsthand in their hometown, and he made great efforts to challenge his longtime friend to change his violent course. But that was a bold and critical mistake on the general’s behalf because when given the opportunity, Reyes slit Ubarri’s throat, for what he viewed as unfettered treachery.

So, this is another one that ends on shaky ground. Because no one is safe at this point and I’m genuinely afraid for Greer’s safety, since now we know that Reyes is a genuine mad man and well, all jittery and breathtaking moments aside, this really was a magnificent way to set up the season two finale. Because the stakes actually managed to get higher in this tale since now an entire country is in danger alongside Greer and I honestly haven’t a clue how Jack is going to prove that Reyes is dirty or bring him down because the man is simply untouchable at this point. Which means it’s best I don’t waste a single minute and get my backside back on my couch and fire up my Amazon Prime app. Because I have to know how this ends and whether or not Jack is truly going to save the day, so if you’ll excuse me, it is time to see how this powerful season comes to a close. Until next time. 

At some point or another in our lives, we’ve all heard or uttered the phrase ‘knowledge is power’ and there’s good reason for that. Because this particular saying is filled to the brim with truth. For the more we know, the better equipped we are to handle the challenges that life throws our way. But while there is a supremely personal benefit when it comes to knowledge, there are even greater rewards for the planet when swaths of people are educated on a particular topic. For now, everyone knows what it is at stake in regard to say, a particular problem, and that kind of awareness allows for us to study it and find solutions that we can all pitch in and help with.
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Which is why I’m so supremely happy with the narrative that Blue Planet Now is sending our way. Because this particular documentary is working hard to educate the public on the power of climate change, and how we impact the natural world in ways we never thought possible. And sticking to this particular edict of knowledge over anything else, made the second entry in this series quite the fascinating tale. For ‘Shark Paradise’ worked hard to really offer up all kinds of facts and tidbits about everything we’ve discussed so far, all while injecting hope into our minds that wonders can indeed be accomplished when it comes to some of the seemingly impossible tasks ahead of us.

If anything, that last element should have immediately garnered your attention as it did mine when I was watching this episode. But we will get to that in a moment. Because we do need to discuss just the wonderful job this particular tale did when it comes to education. For I was unaware of the fact that our proclivity to wish to be closer to nature, even when observing from afar, can throw it off. Since we came to learn that blue whales are shy and the many tourists that come to see them in Mexico sometimes frighten them off, and thanks to research and education, we are learning to back away when we observe these majestic creatures. And research is also helping endangered species find a footing since the Monk seal is getting greater attention in Europe, and the observations being made there are allowing for humanity to interact better with these gentle animals so that they can potentially breed and thrive once again.

But while the knowledge aspect was fascinating, let’s dive into those conservation efforts and their impact since the long-term application of some of this research is inspiring. For example, there’s a reason that the bull shark thrives in the Bahamas. For the people there and the scientists that study them know that this is a great place for them to feed and to nurture their unborn pups and fisherman are happy to let them enjoy scraps in order to help the species flourish, and in North America, there are people working to build a better fishing trap so that the whales there don’t find themselves entangled on lines, which hurts the chances of the females giving birth, and it’s working. But really the centerpiece of the night was the group that is risking life and limb to collect the precious sperm and eggs that coral reefs send out into the ocean several times a year, all in the hopes of using it to reseed reefs that are dying and this is a bold and beautiful and aggressive plan that may just save these important parts of our eco-system.

Now, if that seems like a lot to cover in a single hour of TV, you’d be correct. But this documentary pulled this knowledge bomb off with little effort and I love that it had so much to teach us and that it also offered up some sobering factual images to hammer home our impact upon this world, since seeing plastics at the bottom of the ocean, which may never rot, was a disturbing image indeed. But what matters more is that research and knowledge are paying off in spades, and I love the fact that there are sound and wonderful plans in place to save marine life and the elements need to balance out this delicate eco-system. And my only hope is that others watching this series are inspired to help in some way, either by donating to a cause, spreading the knowledge found here or by outright asking others to watch this series to help their friends learn about the power and importance of our oceans and I honestly cannot wait to see what other incredible facts and hopeful solutions await us in next week’s episode. Until then. 

Normally, when one settles in to watch a story set in the Star Wars universe, you have a pretty solid idea of what you’re going to be in for. There will likely be a grand adventure, one that will take you to a world so beautiful, there simply isn’t enough to time to soak in all of its wonder. Plus there will likely be some kind of a struggle, one that involves the age old notion of good versus evil and really, these elements are commonplace in this franchise simply because it’s the standard that was set from the get go and we truly do eat it up when it is presented to us. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means since hey, it’s been working just fine for forty years, but clearly, times are changing when it comes to this franchise and how it tells its tales and for proof, look no further than the next episode of The Mandalorian.
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For ‘Chapter 2: The Child’ continued to immerse us in the greyer parts of the galaxy since we saw our intrepid bounty hunter (aptly nicknamed ‘Mando’ in this tale), do things that we don’t normally see people do on a consistent basis in this universe. Because he was going to do whatever it takes to protect that sweet, baby Yoda-like youngling (which is one of Star Wars’ cutest creations ever I might add), and if that meant murdering some folks with impunity in order to secure its safety, then so be it. Which while jarring and unexpected, makes sense and works here, simply because bounty hunters aren’t exactly known for their couth and desire to do things the right way. They’ve got a job to do plain and simple, and his drive to do what must be done was reinforced further by an unfortunate encounter with some Jawas.

Because those little buggers mostly disassembled his vessel, and rather than try and reason or deal with them, it was back to blasters first and that led to quite the action sequence, one that saw some Jawas get vaporized and one that taught Mando a valuable lesson; don’t pick a fight with Jawas. Because eventually they beat him and the only way for him to get off of this planet was to work through his new friend Kuiil and take on a daring mission for the Jawa, one that saw Mando face off against a massive horned beast in order to get his hands on its giant egg. And really two key things came out of this particular sequence of events. First and foremost, we learned that Mando is one tough dude. Because he took one hell of a beating against this creature and just kept on pushing forward, and I get the feeling there’s an important reason to show us that he can take a licking and keep on ticking that will likely reveal itself down the line.

But while it was cool to see how tough he really is, what matters more here, is that we learned that Yoda’s species, are supremely force sensitive at a young age. And we learned that particular lesson during Mando’s battle with the mud beast. Because this cute little green one, used the Force to subdue the creature long enough to give Mando a fighting chance to defeat the monster and well, that little surprise raises more questions than answers. Primarily, what does the Imperial Remnant want with a force sensitive, baby Yoda youngling? And more importantly, will Mando actually hand him over to these jerks? If anything, that first question is an easy one to answer since we all know deep down nothing good can come from anything the Empire has planned in any capacity, and I really hope that Mando wises up to that and maybe leans toward getting that little youngling into better hands.

Which is a genuine possibility since it is obvious there is some definite good within his soul since he did take the time to offer Kuiil riches untold and genuine gratitude for his aid in rebuilding Mando’s vessel. But only time will tell what he will he will do with that precious bounty and whether or not the light within him will shine once he discovers what the Remnant has planned for that little cutie. But in the here and the now, all we can do is celebrate another incredible episode of this brand-new series. Because this particular tale was intense, and captivating and I love that this show reveals all of its surprises in organic fashion and it truly does leave you hungry for more. Which means it is going to be a long week for certain and I know I’ll be counting down the minutes until next Friday when this magnificent series returns. Until then. 

​There are quite a few elements that go into making a story, great. But of the many pieces to that particular puzzle, one that always stands out to me, is misdirection. Because if a story is able to genuinely surprise an audience in ways they never saw coming, then it has done a fine job of building tension and immersing you in other matters and this is something that Jack Ryan is pulling off in masterful fashion in season two. Because I know personally, I’ve been so intrigued by the spy stuff and the drama that comes with that, that I’ve been completely oblivious to the tension building behind the scenes. That is, until everything exploded in disastrous fashion in the next episode.
 
For ‘Persona Non Grata’ saw everything fall to pieces in epic and devastating fashion and well, I use the word devastating simply because, the collapse of everything that Jack and Greer have been working toward, cost a fan favorite character, their life. Because Matice and his boys found themselves under fire from Reyes’ chief of security, and while they were able to reunite with Uber and get their hands on some quality intel, they were grossly outnumbered. Which prompted Matice to send his boys back to the boat and draw the enemy deeper in the forest, all in the hopes of saving lives and intel and this was… a doomsday decision. Because Matice was grossly outnumbered and outgunned and eventually, Venezuelan forces surrounded him and killed him made a mockery of his corpse as well.
 
But while that is pretty awful in its own right, there were more hardships and awful surprises to be had in this particular tale, and all of them seemed to be the result of President Reyes playing the long game with Jack and Greer. Because after a visit to the shady lawyer that paid Max, our intrepid heroes found themselves detained at the President’s pleasure, and when it became clear that Jack wasn’t backing down in his investigation, Reyes kicked his little plan into overdrive. For he released images of Greer shaking hands with Gloria Bonadle, and of Matice’s corpse, all in the hopes of showing the good people of Venezuela that the United States was robbing them of a fair election, and to complicate matters further, he ordered the Embassy closed, which should have put an end to any further investigation when it comes to the death of Senator Moreno and the president’s potential ties to Jimmy’s untimely passing.
 
However, Reyes really didn’t count on the fact that Jack and Greer and COS November would see right through this shady decision and do whatever it takes to uncover the truth and really, watching this trio arm up and load up on cash was the only real joyous highlight of this story. Because you knew deep down that they were going to get results and quick now that they were free of diplomatic constraints. But alas, this story wasn’t done beating us up just yet. For while November and Jack headed toward the safe house, Greer found himself in a far more precarious situation. For his driver was loyal to Reyes, and he was happy to turn Jim over to the president’s head of security and well, that’s where this one ends, with disaster and devastation and worry since no good can come from Greer’s capture. 
 
If anything, all of these elements made this episode tough to watch, because this one was supremely intense and bleak and honestly, I’m genuinely bothered by Matice’s death. Because I simply did not see such a twist coming and really his passing and how this episode ends speaks to the fact that the stakes are higher than ever on this series and well, now that chaos has arrived, and the team is without support, I have to admit that I am both nervous and anxious to see what happens next. Because at this point, the show isn’t messing around and anything can happen and that will likely make the final two chapters in this particular tale, explosive and powerful and potentially heartbreaking. Until next time.  

​Often times in storytelling, we find ourselves captivated with the motivations of the antagonist. Because it is always fascinating to learn about what exactly allows for a human being to turn their back on their fellow citizens and do harm to them as well. But the flip side of that coin is often something that is viewed as taboo for storytellers. For we expect our heroes to be something quite different. They are to be infallible in fact, free from temptation and notions of revenge, and they are supposed to represent the best of us, and are not allowed to explore the darker recesses of our souls and this is why I’m such a fan of season of two of Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan. Because this particular season is bucking that trend and offering up a supremely human look at Dr. Ryan, one that is seeing him give in and indulge his darker side all in the hopes of righting a horrible wrong.
 
Granted, this is something that season two has only been toying with in its first four episodes, but the next chapter in this tale, ‘Blue Gold’, saw Jack let loose and take risks and make decisions that he’s never made before, which were a touch scary in their own right and might lead him into more trouble when all is said and done. But what made this sudden shift in his demeanor so shocking, is the sheer fact that this episode dropped it into our laps without warning, since this started out like any other episode. After all, Gloria Bonalde continued to inspire the people of Venezuela and Greer even figured out how that the rock she gave him was a valuable mineral that could change the fortunes of this country forever. Plus, November even made an offer to the General to defect to the United States in exchange for a little information.
 
But Jack and his dark journey is what truly made this episode worth our while because he pushed the envelope like never before. Because when faced with the prospect of returning stateside once again, he took matters into his own hands and decided to explore Throne’s penthouse on his own and continue to dive deep into Rupert’s shady dealings and reveal the fact that his company did indeed take part of a direct line cash transfer to Max. But he only thing he couldn’t prove while diving into that data, was who exactly fired off the assassination order for Senator Moreno and well, the only way to figure that out was to get to Max himself. Which of course meant it was time to team up with Harry once again, who was still in London thanks to a tense confrontation with Max and well, the information she offered Jack is what in essence transformed him before our very eyes.
 
Because let’s be honest, the guy is indeed a boy scout, one that stands for truth, justice and the American way and he’s always played by the book to get what he needs. But losing his friend has indeed compromised him and his soul, since he headed off to a nearby school to confront Max’s daughter and use her for bait and this was just stunning. Because Jack using a kid for his own personal gains should be a line, he would never cross, but he did here and it was shocking to watch him grab Max’s daughter, Annabelle, and use her to draw this mysterious assassin out into the open. Granted, he didn’t hurt Annabelle in the slightest, but the act and the decision is a huge step for Dr. Ryan and sadly, his efforts were all for naught. For before Max could reveal who really ordered the hit on Moreno, since he made it clear that Reyes was not behind it, Harry showed up to put a bullet in Max’s brain and now we are left with an intrepid hero that is fighting to keep his purity, and has zero answers as to what is going on.
 
If anything, Jack’s decisions in this particular tale made this an incredibly powerful episode and I’m honestly blown away that the writer’s room took this risk. Because this is a slippery slope for Jack to play upon and it could lead us in two vastly different directions when all is said and done. But it’s a genius move if you ask me, as was making this episode incredibly ambiguous when it comes to the side characters. For there is a frightening passion coming from Gloria at this point, leaving one to wonder if she really wants a peaceful change in her nation and I still cannot tell where Harry’s loyalties lie since she kinda, sorta threw Jack under the bus in the closing moments of this tale, and I don’t know if she did that to save her own hide or if she’s working another angle as. But the only way to find out, is to continue the journey, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to my Amazon Prime app to see what surprises await me next.  

​Yesterday, was truly a red-letter day for Star Wars fans everywhere, and if you’re reading this, you absolutely know why. For The Mandalorian arrived at last with the launch of Disney+, and I know I’m not alone in saying that I basically ran to my television the first chance that I could, to settle in and see what this live action Star Wars series had to offer. Because this really is a new exciting opportunity for this franchise to do some incredible things storytelling wise and I have to say, that I’m quite impressed with how this series premiere turned out. Because ‘Chapter 1’ wastes no time in plunging us right into the story at hand, one that allows for us to see the day in the life a bounty hunter and seeing this seedier side of a galaxy, far, far away is a real treat.
 
Because up until now, this saga has put a lot of its live action focus upon the Jedi, and their never-ending fight against the Sith and their lust for eternal power, and while that’s fascinating and fun in its own right, it does sometimes play akin to a broken record. Because let’s be honest, a galaxy this large has to have more stories to offer. So, being able to dive into a world where people operate in more muted tones is refreshing to say the least, as is exploring a galaxy that is free of the Empire since this story is set post Return of the Jedi and the immediate wonder of this particular tale doesn’t end with the fact that it is diving into undiscovered country for this franchise, it’s also providing us with a unique style of storytelling that is unlike anything we’ve seen before.
 
For often times, Star Wars as a whole employs a bit of exposition to get the plot moving along and to keep the audience clued in as to what complexities are playing out before their eyes. But his show, is about as organic as it gets in regard to how it tells its story. For example, we don’t learn right away when this particular series is taking place until casual conversation reveals the Empire’s fall at the Battle of Endor and there are no clues or visual cues to be found as to what we can expect in the powerhouse ending of this premiere, we are forced to settle in and enjoy the ride. But while all of that sounds alien and foreign in its own right, have no fear, everything we love about this franchise is present within the framework of this premiere as well.
 
The humor for instance, a true staple of the saga, permeates the fabric of the story as well. And heck, we even get a Holiday Special reference thrown in for good measure and the laughs here definitely do a fine job of breaking up the tension. Plus, the saga’s sense of adventure is present here as well, as are quirky and unique and memorable characters; as evidenced by the Mandalorian’s encounter with the gentile who guides him to his mission objective. Also, the action is downright breathtaking to say the least and for proof, look no further than the final act of this tale because that blaster battle was the stuff of legend and of course, one cannot go wrong with that stunning ending, since that has some powerful ties to some of the franchise’s most important moments.  
 
If anything, this was hands down one of the finest series premieres that I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. Because this one was supremely polished and organic and that is quite the rare feat. For most pilots and premieres feel as though they’re still looking for their footing. But this felt as though I was reuniting with an old friend and that’s just glorious and already, I am hooked. Because I have to know more after that incredible ending and I’m curious to explore more about the seedy world that the Mandalorian inhabits and thankfully, I won’t have to wait that long for more. For ‘Chapter 2’ of this already powerhouse story arrives on Friday and I will once again be running to my couch for my Star Wars fix since this one is a worthy and magnificent addition to this storied franchise. Until next time. 

Truth be told, I got into these Retro Recap of CHiPs for one reason and one reason alone; to see how a classic series from a vastly different era would hold up when one applies modern thinking to the storylines of yesteryear. Because I really believed that this series would fail the more tolerant standards of the 21st Century and that would lead to some fascinating discussions with all of you. But this series continues to impress me by offering up positive and thoughtful messages and storylines at every single turn, and while it definitely stumbles and accomplishes my initial criteria from time to time, the good continues to outweigh the bad. Yet despite constantly encountering stories that amaze me more often than not, I still find myself bracing for the worst when I see that the series is going to tackle a particularly hot or unique topic from that era, because this could be the one that the show gets wrong.
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Which is why there was definite worry on my mind when I settled in to watch the next episode of this storied saga. Because it was evident early on that ‘Wheeling’ was going to tackle the plight of the handicapped in modern America at the time, and while that’s not a bad thing by any means, the fact that the characters central to this exploration were incredible jerks, is what rang some alarm bells in the back of my mind. Because going that particular route would have made disabled people in wheelchairs look supremely bad and lost, defeating the whole point of assembling an episode designed to raise awareness about something most people don’t understand. But thankfully, this was apparently all part of a grandiose storytelling plan, one designed to offer up some serious misdirection and give the audience genuine pause.

Because in essence, presenting the characters in this brash manner, prompts the audience to judge them immediately and that’s precisely what the show wants to get across; we shouldn’t judge those that are different from us, we should take the time to understand them and what makes them tick. Which is precisely what Ponch and Jon did as the episode rolled along to understand why these guys, Artie in particular, were so gung ho and fiery and that allowed for the audience to dive into a world where it isn’t as easy for folks in wheelchairs to get around and while the technological part of the tale was definitely outdated, the message of how we should treat others is not. But what truly blew me away when it comes to this tale, is the surprising moral lesson present within the framework of the story.

For in many ways, Artie was bitter about his situation and his bravado stemmed from the fact that he wanted to stick it to others for ever doubting his abilities as a man in a wheelchair and the lesson inherent here is that we cannot be upset or vengeful when it comes to the hand we’ve been dealt because what’s done is done. It’s all about how we move forward and that message was hammered home further by way of the side story in this tale involving a man Harry Saunders, who had to bear witness to his son being struck and injured by a hit and run driver. And rather than thank his stars that his son survived to see another day and let the police do their job, he felt the need to control everything and try and right wrongs that he was incapable of fixing and for his troubles, he ended up with a bruised ego and a busted leg, and oddly enough, Artie suffered similar injuries for letting his anger get the better of him, and that cautionary lesson and what we learn about Artie and his friends is what definitely gives the audience the pause I mentioned a moment ago.

If anything, all of these elements made this episode supremely philosophical and special to say the least.  Because these were some fascinating concepts to chew upon and I love that the story handled every last element we’ve discussed here in subtle and unique fashion, and it was refreshing to see a police serial weave this kind of thoughtfulness into the fabric of its story and in the end, I really loved this episode through and through. Because this episode really did surprise me when it comes to its overall quality, and really it’s just wonderful to see season three find new ways to excel at storytelling and push the envelope in an era where we were a touch more close minded, and all this does is motivate me to press on further to see what other surprises await me as the season rolls on. Until next time.   

One of the biggest draws when it comes to Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan, in my humble opinion, is the sheer fact that this series is quite the chameleon storytelling wise. Because this show has proven time and time again that it can be anything that it wants on a moment’s notice. It can be a powerful war drama that reminds us that such an act is hell and has lasting repercussions, or it can be a powerhouse action and adventure story, filled with explosive moments that drop your jaw. Or It can be a spy drama filled with all kinds of twists and turns and in season two, it’s starting to find footing as a political drama as well. If anything, the show’s ability to transform in this manner is just magnificent, since you never know what you’re going to get when you tune in.
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As it turns out, the next episode in this phenomenal franchise chose two of those elements to work within since ‘Dressed to Kill’ featured a great deal of spy related moments and political goodies to play with and that made for another delightful episode, one filled to the brim with surprises and powerful moments and most of that came about by way of Jack’s journey in this tale. Because following the botched operation in the jungle, Jack was in essence sent packing back to America since COS November believed that he was too close to the case and compromising himself along the way, and that of course, didn’t sit well with Dr. Ryan. In fact, he was far from being done on the matter and pulled a few strings to head across to the pond to England in order to chase the money and the man that set up his rough set of circumstances.

While he started his investigation over there, the political drama in question played out back in Venezuela because Gloria Bonalde came to discover that her push to obtain the presidency is making people in high places, nervous. For in the middle of the night, President Reyes swung by her home to play nice and offer her a spot in his cabinet, wherein he would groom her to become the next leader of this proud country. An offer that she quickly rebuffed and recognized as a desperate ploy and unfortunately for her, that prompted Reyes to resort to intimidation tactics, which in turn motivated Gloria to get in contact with Greer and ask him for help protection wise. Which of course, he was happy to provide. But while this is all pretty by-the-numbers, what matters the most here is that Gloria did take the time to offer Greer a clue as to what might be going on in the jungle and why her husband is gone and why Senator Moreno may have died, since she has a unique mineral in her possession, one that Greer will likely study post haste.

But while those aren’t exactly earth-shattering moments, have no fear. For this particular tale saved the best stuff, for last. Because Jack’s journey to London began to unravel the intricate web surrounding the death of his friend and eventually he and Harry and a member of MI5 were able to get face time with the head of a corporation named Rupert Throne, and his business was involved in all kinds of shady dealings, including the whole mess in Venezuela and all that Jack wanted here; was to get his hands on Max in the hopes of obtaining a full confession. But as is often the case in operations such as these, nothing quite goes to plan, and Max was ready for such a betrayal and managed to kill Rupert in brutal fashion, leaving Jack with more blood on his hands and nothing to show for his efforts and that is quite the savage manner in which to end this particular tale.

If anything, I’m loving the fact that every single episode so far just keeps throwing twists and turns and misdirection our way. Because at this point, the mystery behind Moreno’s assassination just continues to grow and it seems to involve so many people and we are no closer to the motivation behind this attack, nor do we know who we can trust outside of COS November and Greer and man, I love that. Because so many shows in this vein begin to tip their hand at this point, out of concern that they may lose the audience. But this one, knows that its viewers want as much mystery as possible and well, I need to get back into this story as soon as possible. To not only see what the fallout is going to be from Jack’s blunder, but to also see if any answers are coming our way. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading back into this world to see what surprises await me. Until next time.