The moment when you discover a powerful documentary that captivates your mind like never before, is a special moment indeed. Because it means you’ve stumbled upon a story that has perfectly captured a moment or a part of our world like never before, and that’s why I’m such a fan of BBC America’s Blue Planet series. For this particular set of stories about our world and the incredible wildlife that inhabits it alongside mankind, have managed to captivate us in ways we never thought possible. And more importantly, these documentaries, Blue Planet II in particular, have started to help us ask important questions about the health of our world and our relationship with it.
 
Which brings us to last night’s premiere of Blue Planet Now. For this particular documentary is one that is designed to raise awareness about our relationship with our oceans, and the precarious place that they currently reside within as mankind pushes into our blue frontier for precious resources needed for our world, alongside how wildlife in the water is adapting and reacting to climate change, and that made the opening chapter of this particular tale, fascinating to say the least. For ‘Whale Sanctuary’ provided the audience with some powerful storytelling, the kind that truly helped us to understand the fragility to nature, all while giving us hope for the future as we watched some people go the extra mile to ensure that our oceans are safe and the creatures there, can thrive for generations to come.
 
But in between those harrowing stories, which we will get to in a moment, we do need to also talk about the fact that this particular documentary did a phenomenal job of educating the audience. For I was unaware of the grey whale sanctuary in Baja, Mexico, and it was just incredible to learn about the journey and the plight of this species of whale and see how majestic and kind these creatures really are and I am thankful that the show took the time to teach us about a place this gentle and kind, along with everything other factoid the show threw our way. Because this opening chapter also took the time to remind us a great deal about the importance of the Great Barrier Reef and its relationship to our world and how a gentle push to preserve some of the creatures that thrive in places like that, such as the Green Sea Turtle, can make quite the difference.
 
Which in turn, brings us to those conservation efforts I mentioned a moment ago. Because I was also blissfully unaware of how many people are trying to save various species that thrive in and around the water. Such as the group that is stationed in Africa. Because they’re working hard to ensure that a species of penguin that resides there, gets a chance to continue to thrive by slowly moving them back near their food source, which has moved thanks to climate change. And in the Caribbean, there are people working to remove the stigma surrounding sharks, so these gentle beasts aren’t hunted anymore. And yes, I called sharks gentle and if you take the time to watch this episode, you will too. For it was simply incredible to see sharks straight up wish to cuddle with a human being and enjoy rubs as a dog would, and that speaks volumes to the fact that these apex predators are more than fodder for horror films, they are beings that feel and should be treated as such.
 
If anything, this was simply a beautiful opening to what is clearly going to be a beautiful documentary and I must admit that I was quite impressed with how many moments and facts the folks behind the scenes packed into this premiere. Because it forces one to put down their phone, or their tablet, and shut the lid on their laptop, since this documentary requires your full attention, and with good reason. Because our oceans are indeed important, and we need to be aware of what’s happening within them and once again, I have to thank BBC America for taking the time to assemble and air a powerful and important documentary. Because knowledge is power and the more people that learn about our oceans and why it is important to save them, the better the odds that such a goal will be accomplished and I am looking forward to every lesson that Blue Planet Now is going to send our way in the weeks to come. Until next time.  

A long time ago, a discussion with my stepmother about crime in the modern world brought forth quite the insightful saying on her part when she commented that, ‘locks keep honest people out’. And that particular phrase resonates with me to this day simply because it’s a phrase that carries a lot of truth and a lot of weight since it speaks volumes to the fact that in essence, committing a crime is a choice. And those that do choose to break the law, close their eyes to the fact that they will be hurting others and instilling fear into their fellow man, and while some are remorseful when it comes to their unfortunate decision; what makes criminal activity fascinating in its own morbid way is the sheer fact that there are people who commit heinous crimes, and have zero regrets about what they’re doing.
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If anything, such thoughts are on my mind today, simply due to the fact that remorseless criminals served as the focal point for the next episode of CHiPs. For ‘Second Chance’ introduced us to Danny and Chuck, a pair of brothers who were only concerned about enjoying a grandiose payday by ripping off the rich and they really didn’t care about others or who they would hurt in the process and that made them some of the most ruthless Creeps of the Week that I’ve ever seen on this series. Because I’m not kidding when I say nothing mattered to these guys since Chuck was quick to send a car over the side of an embankment in order to escape capture and he even put a kid in the hospital during another escape, and honestly, I thought death was going to become a focus in this tale yet again since it seemed as though Chuck would likely let someone die if it meant keeping his hide out of jail.

Thankfully though, Ponch and Jon and Bonnie recognized the danger here and that prompted them to come up with a supremely intelligent sting operation to bring him down before something that bad could happen. Because eventually, everyone was able to piece together that Chuck and his brother were working at a restaurant that featured a valet, something that would give them access to house keys. And while folks enjoyed a meal, they helped themselves to all the fine jewelry within someone’s home before getting away with ease. Which prompted our intrepid officers to set up a little trap to catch them in the act, and while that might be a significant bending of the rules, it did work and they were finally able to put these jerks away for likely a long time since uh, trying to kill people tends to be frowned upon in California and just about everywhere else.

But all snark aside, this manhunt really was quite thrilling and fascinating in its own right since these brothers were true scumbags, the kind with no redeemable value or depth and it’s always jarring when the show presents realistic criminals that fit that mold. Yet, while their actions made for some bleak moments for certain, this episode was not without the show’s trademark optimism and heart. For the girl that Chuck injured, who was named Keli Adams, became a focal point for Ponch since she was deeply depressed because of her injuries and believed that she would never walk again. And it was nice to see Frank take time out of his day to try and motivate her to do her exercises and it also added a sense of urgency to the tale since Keli saw this whole mess as a great injustice in the world and bringing down Chuck and his bro provided her with a genuine sense of hope for the future and of course, she eventually worked to get healthy again.

In the end however, I have to admit that I was supremely impressed with this particular tale. For it really was intense and dark and brooding, and it even built upon some of the more fascinating elements presented to us in ‘Destruction Derby’ since it allowed for Ponch and Jon to use their detective skills once again and boy did they shine when it comes to that, as did the rest of the team once they got involved. But truly, our COTWs were the highlight of this particular tale, since these guys were about as evil as they come and there really is something unwholesome and jarring about people who are willing to hurt kids without giving it a second thought. Either way, this was just another quality episode from a season that’s offered up more hits than misses and once again, I find myself hungry to see what other surprises await me in season three, so if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to report for duty. Until next time.

​I think what I’ve always enjoyed the most when it comes to Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan, is the sheer fact that this series goes above and beyond when it comes to how it tells its story. I mean, sure, it’s a spy drama that features some pretty intense moments involving bad people doing bad things before our hero stops them dead in their tracks. But it also offers up more intimate moments, the kind that help us to get to know every single character that populates this rich and fascinating world and thankfully that’s something that season two of this magnificent series is working to stay true to.
 
For ‘Orinoco’ allowed for us to spend a lot of time with some of the side characters who haven’t quite received their due, such as General Ubarri for example. Which is a wonderful thing since we’ve all been wondering exactly where his loyalties lie and while this story didn’t exactly reveal where his heart is just yet, we did get some great insight as to why he stands so close to the president and why he’s so conflicted about supporting him in the here and the now since he seems to think Reyes has lost his way. And this internal debate was fascinating to watch him go through, simply because it is clear that he is starting to have his conscience call to him and he’s starting to wonder if selling his soul for safety and security was worth it, and that could take his journey into some interesting and dangerous territory down the line.
 
But Ubarri wasn’t the only side character that we spent extended time with in this tale. For we also had the opportunity to finally meet the opposition in the upcoming election and now it makes sense why Reyes and his people have concerns over Gloria Bonalde’s chances when it comes to winning the presidency. Because she really is for the people and genuinely stands for everything that you want a politician to stand for and her message is truly resonating with the people and giving them hope like never before. Yet while this was refreshing and wonderful to see in its own right, what was truly fascinating and powerful about Gloria, is why she’s running for office in the first place. And as it turns out, what motivates her is that her husband is one of many that have disappeared in the night for speaking out about the corruption in Venezuela and she clearly wants to set things right and ensure that no one else has to endure that horror, and that kind of nobility serves as a wonderful anthesis to Reyes and his arrogance.
 
However, while all of this was fascinating to watch in its own right, this is a spy drama and this episode didn’t forget about its roots. Because in between all of these character heavy moments, Jack and Greer were continuing their investigation into Reyes’ shady dealings and that meant it was time to head into the jungle for some covert operations with Matice and his latest batch of mercenaries and this plotline led to some ugly and tense moments. For the plan was to inspect the cargo containers that recently arrived in Venezuela aboard the Almeta, and unfortunately for this band of brothers, Jack pushed that search to the limit. And while he was able to uncover some potentially explosive components in at least one of the containers, their cover was blown and that led to an ugly firefight that ended with a man being left behind, the boat driver named Marcus who we met in the last episode; and we are still lacking answers since no one knows definitively what is in those containers.
 
If anything, I would fully expect that this particular failure will not sit well with COS November or the United States Government, and the fallout should be ugly to say the least. But I actually get where Jack was coming from here; he needed something more concrete and that ammonium nitrate discovery does indicate something suspicious is happening in the jungles of Venezuela. But for now, this is just another great episode to celebrate. Because this one featured some wonderful character development, the kind that I’m certain will come around full circle in future episodes and it set the stage for something nefarious for certain, since deep down we know those containers are filled with trouble and it is only a matter of time before their contents are revealed to the world in terrifying fashion. Until next time. 

​One fascinating truth that I’ve come to learn in regard to television shows in general, is that often times once a series finds a particular format that brings in ratings and keeps fans happy, the series in question sticks to that formula, no matter what. That’s not an insult by any means because hey, I get the value of sticking with what works, but sometimes it is nice to see a show cut loose and try something new storytelling wise, regardless of how long it’s been on the air. Which is why I’m such a big fan of CHiPs, since this particular police serial always took risks, regardless of the potential consequences and while it didn’t always stick the proverbial landing, what it produced by trying something new, was fascinating in its own right.
 
Take for example the next episode in this storied franchise, ‘Destruction Derby’. Because this particular tale was quite the risk for certain, since it took Ponch and Jon off of the California highways and put them square into their civilian gear as they went undercover as off-circuit racing drivers, in the hopes of finding out who was moving some stolen auto parts, before shifting gears to bring down a drug ring. Which made this a vastly different episode indeed since the guys were in essence, becoming impromptu detectives in this story and had to work hard to keep their cover. And while they’ve gone undercover before, as was the case in the season two episode ‘Pressure Point’, this is the first time we’ve seen them deep in the thick of an investigation and fully removed from their uniforms and their bikes.
 
But unfortunately, while this was quirky and special in its own right, I made mention of how the experiments this show performed didn’t always click and that applies here. Simply because going this far outside of the box narrative wise, made for a confusing episode, thanks to some obvious interference when it comes to the script. Because it’s clear that while the powers that be, loved the idea of taking these guys off the road for a bit to do something new and exciting and hone their skills as gumshoes, they didn’t want the story to stray too far from what makes this series great and that’s where things got messy. For the crimes and subplots, they needed to unravel and navigate, were complex in nature and this story rushed them to their respective conclusions so that there was plenty of screen time available for thrilling race sequences and banter and that’s just a shame when all is said and done.
 
Because the mysteries in question were genuinely intriguing and watching Ponch and Jon work the case in smooth and methodical fashion completely sucked me into the story. Plus, every lead they followed revealed something new and exciting about the drug ring in question and it kept you guessing as to who exactly was the genuine Creep of the Week here, and what made this whole investigation sweeter was how the show revealed the truth about every single character that our dynamic duo were investigating. And had the story taken the time to scale back all that racing, we would have had a genuine ‘who done it?’ on our hands, and that would have made for a supremely spectacular episode, one that would have provided Ponch and Jon with some incredible growth.
 
If anything, I find it surprising that three years in, the show is still only willing to go so far with its storytelling experiments. Because every time they toy around with the formula, we are treated to a magnificent concept that falls short, and it is a tad annoying that another unique story was in essence wasted by concerns of straying too far. But alas, what’s done is done and while this episode may not be flawless, it does give us great insight into Ponch and Jon’s detective skill set, and this episode also found ways to have fun, too, since Jon’s improvisation on how to save his partner led to another wonderful gag involving Ponch’s Firebird. Either way, I did enjoy this one when all is said and done, and I do hope the show continues to tinker with the formula down the line because at some point, they’ll get these little experiments right, and when they do, it is going to be glorious. Until next time. 

​I have to admit, that the more time I’ve had to think about the season two premiere of Jack Ryan, the more impressed I am with it. After all, it was pretty epic in its own right, since it was filled with stunning moments and heartbreak and quite frankly, twists and turns that were worthy of a season finale, and if this was any other show, the rest of the season would pale in comparison to what a premiere like that had to offer. But thankfully, this is a series unlike any other, and it always has more to offer its audience. And now that some big moments have grabbed our attention, the show took the time to slow things down in the next episode and provide the audience with another aspect of Dr. Ryan’s adventures that we adore; the spy stuff.
 
Because ‘Tertia Optio’ wasted no time in having Jack dive into his investigation of who was responsible for killing his close friend and that brought him aboard the Almeta in the hopes of finding some kind of clue as to what is going on in Venezuela. And while that visit didn’t yield any direct results, it did allow for him to get a little closer to his new romantic friend, the mysterious woman we met in the premiere. As it turns out, her actual name is Harriet Baumann and she works for German Intelligence and she’s here to find a man named Max Schenkel and bring him home quietly so that her country can save face over any intelligence embarrassments and as a peace offering, she provides Jack with a little something that might help to instill a little insurrection and get Jack all the information he needs.
 
Which led to some lovely moments, wherein Jack and Greer toyed with Reyes’ head of security and leaked the contents of a sensitive conversation between General Ubarri and his wife, one where the General spoke poorly of el presidente, in the hopes of stirring the pot and smoking out potential allies. But sadly, the plan instead semi-backfired since Reyes was willing to play the game. For he took the time to stage the semblance of justice in order stop Jack and Greer in their tracks, since he prompted his forces to bring in some no-name rebels, the kind that he could easily pin the assault upon and get a signed confession from, and he even took the time to use that private conversation to instill a little fear into the heart of his second-in-command as well, in order to keep control, as evidenced by that uncomfortable little chat the two men shared at the party.
 
However, while all the spy stuff was a true treat to watch, and detailed in its presentation, Jack’s work to put everything together is what made this story worthwhile. Because he simply wasn’t having the lies in this tale, and made a point to confront all the guilty parties with thinly veiled threats of justice, and for his efforts, he came to realize that the corrupt police captain, who turned himself in, was a victim of the president’s attempt to clean up his messes. Plus, he also learned that Max is a bloodthirsty killer, and is working with the government of Venezuela in nefarious fashion. And a nearly fatal encounter in his hotel room hammered home the fact that Reyes wants no loose ends and sadly, Jack’s theories are going to remain just that for the moment since Max got away wounded, and the captain has passed into the great beyond.
 
Yet while all of that was impressive in its own right, I would be remiss to not discuss that this episode wastes no time in showing us how Jack handles duty and trauma and unfortunately, he’s struggling to find a balance. Because he was savage in this story, to an extent we’ve never seen before, and I really am worried that he may do something he will regret in stories to come since there is seething anger boiling beneath his surface, that may explode on a moment’s notice. But in the here and the now, it’s best we celebrate another great chapter in this tale, one that served as a ‘greatest hits’ of everything we love about this series, all while setting up a beautiful web of intrigue and deceit and well, I need more. So, if you’ll excuse me, it is time to fire up my Prime App and see where Jack’s adventures take him from here. Until next time. 

​I think it is safe to say, that each and every one of us, love the feeling that comes with being respected. For there really is something warm and fuzzy about walking into a room of our peers, armed with the knowledge that they respect who we are and what we do. Yet while that is a wonderful feeling in its own right, what makes respect so fascinating in general, is how many people crave it and how far they are willing to go to get it. These are the people who demand it at every turn, and never work to earn it from the people they expect it from, and these are the same people who are often the first to be humbled when they realize they don’t have an ounce of what they desire, and it just so happens that a man that fits this bill, served as the focal point of the next episode of CHiPs.
 
For ‘The Watch Commander’ brought a new Lieutenant to Central Division, who held the title that matches the namesake of this tale and he was, quite the handful. Because Harold Bates wanted to quickly improve Central’s already incredible record and that meant he quickly made life hell for every officer on his watch. Even the best of the best, such as Jon and Grossie, were not immune from his wrath since they received disciplinary action for not setting a good example on lunch breaks, and the new Lieutenant felt they did a poor job in corralling our Creeps of the Week and his repeated badgering and minute by minute demands quickly made him nothing more than a figurehead at HQ, one that indeed demanded respect on the merit of his gold bars over anything else.
 
But as is often the case when it comes to guys like that, they lose a team, and it didn’t take long for the officers at Central to turn their backs on him and revolt in unique ways. For Ponch and Jon were quick to push back on just about any negative decision that Harold brought their way, and Grossie even went so far as to get a little mischievous when it comes to his brand of insurrection, since he took the time to syphon gas from the Lieutenant’s car in order to embarrass him. Because such a move would allow for Bates to eventually fail at a fuel conservation plan, one that he expected everyone to excel in. Yet while it was incredible to see a show of resistance from this group of fine officers, the pushback that impressed me the most here, came from the Sarge. Because Getrear quickly realized that Harold was losing the support of the team and tried his best to teach the man the lesson he was missing.
 
Which obviously related to how respect is earned but hammering home that point and that point alone would be far too easy a task for this series. Which is why I’m glad the show took the time to remind us, through Harold’s journey, that life isn’t always black and white and that professionals know what they’re doing, and that great leaders are admired because they trust their associates and aren’t afraid to get into the trenches with them. And it was delightful to see Harold do just that as the episode rolled on and play a big part in bringing down the electronics thieves that were giving everyone at Central fits and this was, quite the delightful episode when all is said and done. One that thankfully wiped away the bad taste of ‘Drive, Lady, Drive’ with its commentary on respect and teamwork and one that also oddly enough; put most of the leads on the backburner by making Bates the focal point of the story.  
 
In fact, I have to admit I was quite taken aback with how much screen time Lieutenant Bates received in this story since usually a character in that vein is handled in quick and brisk fashion on this show. But it was nice to see an antagonist be fleshed out in such quality fashion for a change. Plus, it was equally as intriguing to see one of the Creeps of the Week be arrested early on in this tale since they’re normally brought to justice at the end of the episode and honestly, I really enjoyed all of these little twists and turns. Because they really did serve as a nice change of pace, and everything here worked on screen, and it’s wonderful to see this series display a little versatility in its storytelling and give us something new in a season where the greatest hits lead the way storytelling wise. Until next time. 

I think it is safe to say that Jack Ryan was one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises when it comes last year’s slate of new television shows. Because this latest iteration of America’s version of James Bond was filled to the brim with quality performances, intense moments, fantastic action and a lovely retelling of The Sum of All Fears. And I know that I personally enjoyed season one of this new series so much that I spent a fair chunk of 2019 carefully watching social media to see when season two of this magnificent show was going to air and well, the day has come at last. For Jack’s newest adventure, a remake of Clear and Present Danger, is on the air and well, the big question that the season two premiere needed to answer, is whether or not year two will hold a flame to the stellar beginning that came before it.
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As it turns out, the answer to that question is a resounding yes, because ‘Cargo’ was a compelling story to say the least, one that definitely let us know that the stakes are going to be incredibly higher in season two, as evidenced by the opening moments of this tale. For the missile launch that reintroduced us to Jack’s fascinating world, immediately plunged us into a tense mystery, one that saw Jack and his mentor Will Grier, heading to Venezuela to see if their corrupt president was in fact working to finalize an alliance with the Russian Federation and that alone is enough to put unease into the audience’s heart. For Jack makes it clear early on that such an unholy union could spell trouble for the United States since it would give an enemy the kind of foothold where they could launch a strike upon America with ease.

Yet what truly made this opening chapter to this new story so incredible in its own right, is that nothing is quite what it seems. For we quickly come to learn that there is a fair chance that the Russians aren’t involved in the slightest and that few can be trusted in Venezuela. Because everyone it seems has their price in this country. Plus there is a lot of mystery surrounding some of the people that Jack met in this tale, as evidenced by his encounter with another spy named Lena (likely not her real name) since she took the time to bug his room in the afterglow of their little tryst. However, while this awesome web of intrigue keeps one’s attention, I did make mention of their being more danger in this particular tale and well, that came about by way of an iconic scene in this story, one ripped straight from the pages of Clear and Present Danger.

For Jack and his entourage found themselves under fire from the mysterious assassin that was hired to bring them down and it was quite thrilling and quite heartbreaking to see the convoy assault scene come to life once again, mainly because this powerhouse action sequence ended with the loss of an important life, one Senator Moreno. For he was the man who saved Jack after his crash and he is also the man who worked to nurse Jack’s mind back to health by spending time with him while he recuperated in the hospital, and his loss, changes so much for this story. Because now Jack will have to deal with grief and the mission, something that is new to him and also because, tensions will be at their highest. For the death of a U.S. Senator on foreign soil will not go over well in Washington and the patience of the U.S. Government will be thin as Jack works to unravel the secrets of this attack and whatever is being assembled in the jungle.

If anything, this was a flawless season premiere. Because this one did everything right. It sucked us in, it stunned us with incredible moments and most importantly, it set the stage for one thrilling season filled with deception and intrigue. But personally, what has me enthralled for this year’s storyline, is that Jack is going to be tested like never before. Because he’s hurting, he’s angry and thoughts of revenge are only natural and that leads us to one big question; can Jack maintain his supremely tight moral code when faced with an incredible threat and a shattered heart? Time will tell for certain, but I am here for everything this year’s story has to offer, for this is quickly shaping up to be a quality season and the only way to see where this plot is going to take us, is to dive right back in. So, on that note, I’m off to Venezuela once again, to see what kind of fallout is going to occur from Senator Moreno’s untimely passing. Until next time.