Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Mammals’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that we look at love through rose-colored glasses in popular entertainment and it makes sense as to why. After all, love does a lot of positive things for us. It lifts our spirts us, it motivates us to be more and be better and to go the extra mile for the person that has captured our heart. So why not present it in books and film and television shows in a positive and enticing light? Well, the answer to that question is simple. In that, constantly presenting this concept and search in such a saccharine light creates false expectations for love. The kind that disappoints us deeply when we finally come to learn what love is all about in this life.
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For it is in fact, supremely difficult to maintain. Because love and all that it comes with, requires a true partnership. One where compromise and communication are key as are matters of give and take so that both parties feel happy and fulfilled. Not to mention, it also requires adaptation since people grow as the years roll along and to not adapt to one another’s needs and wants, can result in people growing apart. But above all, what we truly need to learn about love, is that sometimes it just doesn’t work between two people. Because one or both parties that have a spark aren’t actually compatible and it is important, we learn those lessons… so we don’t find ourselves devastated when a love affair doesn’t work out and it just so happens, that a new series on Prime Video, works to hammer home those lessons.

For Mammals is indeed about the harsh realities of love and how the modern world of technology has brought forth new challenges for it as well. But of course, it doesn’t get into such matters right away, instead… it outright fools us into believing we’re about to enjoy a traditional romance story. After all, when we meet Amandine and James Buckingham in this tale… they’re on cloud nine. For they are in love and on a weekend getaway to enjoy a little time together before their baby arrives. And they make sure to make time for magical moments and they’re even neighbors with freakin’ Tom Jones during this weekend. But the loss of their child on this romantic getaway due to a miscarriage, changes everything for them. Not because of the loss, since that seems to reaffirm their love for a brief moment. No instead, the discovery that Amandine is having an affair, rocks James’ world and leaves him questioning the solidarity of the love he thought he knew. 

Which is… the perfect way to explore the realities of love. Because not only does it offer that modern twist and how technology helps us to easily meet our needs in this day and age, but it really does dive deep into… how hard love is and how we truly romanticize the belief that it is enduring and forever. Because obviously, Amandine isn’t getting something out of this and has different needs that don’t align with James and not knowing that because of poor communication and a focus on the fluff over the substance has brought James to a desperate point. One where he even goes so far as to try to end the affair to have his storybook romance back, only to learn another horrifying twist about this little secret that his wife is harboring from him. Something that will undoubtedly be explored in later episodes. 

But before that gets underway, we can in fact, celebrate quite the brilliant series premiere. For this is a refreshing take on the romantic comedy that just hasn’t been done before. Because it’s realistic and fascinating, and honest and raw, and the comedy really does help to never make the uncomfortable nature of said honesty overwhelming. Which is a credit to James Corden’s comedic chops here, since he plays Jamie and brings perfect balance to the role and well… in the end, this is a series that absolutely grabs hold of you and never lets go. Because it finally speaks to a reality that storytelling has been unable and unwilling to embrace and that raw nature of the story compels you to continue the journey and see what other truths await us and if James can reconcile them. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘The English’.
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We are taught from a very early age, of the dangers of revenge. Of how it can consume us and ruin us and how we should never indulge within it. For there is always a better way to make peace when we’ve been wronged by someone. But despite having that lesson hammered into our minds… at some point we commit to it, and it usually takes the fallout of that one ugly sampling of vendetta for us to truly learn its power and steer clear of it for the rest of our lives. But some folks have been so deeply wronged and so deeply hurt and consumed by the embers of pain within… that an eye for an eye is the only way they believe they can find peace in this life, and when we encounter a person like that… it is best they are left to their own devices.
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For that person is indeed dangerous and ready to strike and convincing them to take the right path is nothing short of a waste of time. But while we know it is the right thing to just let them barrel toward their own fate, one cannot help but wonder… what that kind of life is like. For that is a rare sight, one that few will ever understand and well… to satiate our curiosity revolving around that kind of fury, a new series on Prime Video explores such matters in a supremely unique way. For not only does The English take us into a grand quest for revenge for a mother that has lost her son, but it accomplishes that particular feat by plunging us into a period of American history where such an act could have played out in an unfettered manner.

Specifically… the Wild West. For frontier era America was about as lawless as can be. For resources were spread thin, lawmen were as well and that left a great deal of people to deal with their own problems in their own way and well… that really is the perfect way to set up a tale grounded in the power of the vendetta. One that also takes the time to explore the injustices of the era as well. For before we meet our antihero in ‘What You Want & What You Need’, we are introduced to a man named Eli Whipp. A Pawnee scout ready to move on now that he has completed his work with the United States Army. A move that of course, brings forth great trouble for Eli. For the rest of the world isn’t quite as kind to the Indigenous Americans that land is being robbed from, as the Army happens to be, and that puts him in a bind.

Wherein he finds himself captured and tortured by a local and ruthless hotel owner on his way back home. And had it not been for the arrival of a well to do woman named Cornelia Locke, Eli likely would not have survived and it is that meeting and the subsequent revenge that Eli even takes part in, that begins the exploration in question. For when the dust settles from making the crooked hotel workers pay for harming a woman with a right cross to the face and torturing an innocent man because they didn’t care for the color of his skin… we get to learn about Cornelia’s plight, and how revenge has consumed her and brought her to the Wild West with every last penny she has in the hopes of meeting the man that killed her boy face to face, before putting him down to find peace.
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Which in turn presents us with a sorrowful answer to our question. For Cornelia truly is broken and consumed with rage. One that she keeps hidden beneath the surface to stay under the radar of the man she wishes to bring to his end and that truly helps to inform us that being consumed by the power of revenge, is a miserable life. For the person now consumed needs revenge like they need oxygen and rely on that fury to function in their daily lives, for they need its power to move, to eat, to do anything and that makes for one powerful exploration and one equally as powerful ending. Since Eli agrees to help her along to get to her destination so she can complete her mission, one that he hints at understanding on some level.

That of course, sets the stage for a grand and sorrowful and violent adventure. One that will undoubtedly dive deeper into the nature of revenge and how people function with it when it is their sole focus, and it may even ponder upon what becomes of the person that completes their quest, if by chance Cornelia is successful in her endeavors. But while we wait to learn more about these characters as we indulge in their dark journey, we can celebrate one incredible series premiere. One that not only set the stage for the darkness ahead but offered up a true Western through and through. Complete with visuals and musical stings and villains that evoke that sense of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, and Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone. All of which will nurture this story as we barrel toward a dark fate for Cornelia and possibly Eli. Until next time.

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Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
 
In the first ‘Spirit of the Ducks’ episode from Season 1 of Game Changers, we saw a reunion of the Ducks teams from the original movies. Coach Bombay had hit some low points with his new squad, so his old players came back to remind him of the important things. With the new Ducks down to an 0-3 record in the EPIC round robin tournament, Coach Alex and the Ducks are in need of similar motivation, and a different kind of Ducks visit is the remedy. 
 
Before we get to see the Ducks grow as a team, this episode features some important growth for a few characters on their own. Over on Team Dominate, Evan chooses to bet on himself. Teams across camp are choosing their captains. Initially, Dominate comes to an easy consensus of electing camp superstar AJ Lawrence. Evan pushes back and nominates himself for the role. In campaign style speeches, they each plead their case. AJ points to his on-ice skills and Evan admits that on talent alone, AJ is the right choice. But he suggests that the best captain is one that can make the most out of a team. He points to the adversity he's faced in not being a top talent and suggests that he plays to the strengths of those around him. The two split the team's votes and settle the runoff by proving who wants it more by seeing who can last the longest in a cold tub. Evan wins and emerges as team captain. 
 
Another subplot of this episode focuses on relationships. Sofi and Jace see their relationship blossom, with the two spending more time together and falling for each other. In a rare moment, Jace opens up and shares with Sofi what brought him down into his slump. His struggles with self-confidence started after he scored an own goal trying to clear the puck during the Summer Showcase. To add insult to injury, he made the blunder on a big stage - at the Honda Center - and the video quickly went viral. The two bond over that and it feels like Jace can finally make the jump to get over the yips. Speaking of quick bonding, sparks fly when Coach Cole and Coach Alex kiss at the end of the episode, a culmination to the back-and-forth tension they've shared throughout the season. 
 
The main focus of the episode, however, is on the Ducks' experience on an unsanctioned field trip to the Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks. Hoping to rally the team before designating a captain, Coach Alex uses a lifeline that Gordon Bombay gave her if things got tough: a phone call to the Anaheim front office. She arranges a meet and greet between the team and the Ducks' head coach. 
 
The team shows up full of excitement, with a magical sweeping shot of them entering the arena with the ice and scoreboard behind them. Unfortunately, the Disney storybook moment is soured quickly when Anaheim's assistant to the assistant to the director of fan relations reveals that they won't be able to meet the coach after an unexpected PR crisis (Anaheim hosted a dinner with a Michelin star chef who served whole roasted duck). 
 
It appears that the Ducks will get sent off with goodie bags but without a meeting, until Coach Alex appeals to the assistant. Walking down the halls of the arena, surrounded by pictures on the walls of the Ducks and Team USA squads from the original movies, Alex tells the assistant how she planned to turn the team's fortunes around by meeting the coach. The assistant reveals that he’s been a fan of those Ducks teams since he was a kid who found out that the professional sports team that he loved “was named after a bunch of misfit kids”, As a misfit himself, they inspired him. 
 
Strolling through a room with photos of the Bash Brothers and with Russ Tyler's Goodwill Games knucklepuck on a pedestal, he tells Coach Alex that she doesn’t need something big to turn the team around; she just needs to lean into all of the things that make the players weird and unique. He posits, “you want the coach of the Ducks to help you; you are the coach of the Ducks”. With that, Coach Alex tells every player on the team to "find your inner knucklepuck", flipping their perceived weaknesses into assets. While practicing, the Ducks get their payoff: a few players from the Anaheim Ducks join them for a scrimmage. Trevor Zegras, (my alma mater, the University of Denver's own] Troy Terry, and Max Jones suit up and mess around with the team. (I got two of the three right in my last review!) The cameo rivals that of the Stars' cameo in the first Mighty Ducks film, feeling more central to the plot and the development of its characters. 
 
This episode provided a lot of introspection and growth for the two top teams - the Ducks and Dominate - and for their key players. Each of the Ducks, Evan included, find something within themselves to help them push to the next level, setting up a David vs. Goliath matchup. Inspired, the Ducks look like they might finally have what it takes to play together and rally for a championship.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Shantaram’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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For the most part, season one of the Apple TV+ series, Shantaram, has been devoid of genuinely formational moments for its main character, Lin Ford. Which isn’t a bad thing by means, because his lack of direction and understanding of his own self and the world around him… has allowed for this story to truly explore what it means to be lost in this world when one is afraid and unwilling to embrace the power of change. Which has led to some fine commentary on the matter and of course, helped us to just learn about Bombay in the 1980s and what a unique city it was ages ago. But while it has been enjoyable to just kick back and immerse oneself in a story about a messy life in a chaotic place, we as an audience need more.

We need the character to work toward something bigger, to have stakes that motivate an end game and well… it turns out that this series was simply waiting for the right time to make that happen, the next episode to be specific. For ‘Apo Vai Pranah’ is a story that finally saw Lin make a move that will change everything and force him on a path to face that which he hides from. But it sure didn’t totally seem as though that was going to be the case, here. Since so much of this story focused on other affairs. For this is a story that saw Lisa take charge in her situation and do as she wanted for a change, whether we agree with her style of agency, however, matters not. Because it is her life to do with as she pleases and it matters more, that she made choices here and held power. Plus, we also saw the intricate cat and mouse game between Khan and Zhou play out further as the former worked to gain power over his rivals. 

But in between all of that… was disaster in Sagar Wada. The kind that put lives at risk. For once Parvati returned with Prabhu, Lin was able to determine that she had come down with a case of cholera and she wasn’t alone. For it was sweeping through the settlement and that pushed Lin to his physical and mental limits. Because the edict here was to use whatever was on hand to save lives and for everyone to do their best to mitigate the spread through community cleaning and isolation. But that didn’t work, and in reality, the camp needed the right supplies both medical and normal. Since the drinking water in this place was badly contaminated and good medical supplies would save all kinds of lives and that pushed Lin to do something quite drastic.

In that, he reached out to Khan and asked for help. Which Khan was happy to provide, and that did indeed give Sagar Wada everything they could need to ride out the outbreak with minimal loss of life. Which at first glance, doesn’t appear to be a reckoning of sorts or a push to make Lin deal with himself and his problems. But making this move, pissed off Qasim and undermined him. A move that will indeed have repercussions for certain. But more importantly, Lin has made a Faustian deal with the city’s greatest devil. For while Khan spoke to this being an act of kindness and free from any debt or worry, we the audience know that isn’t the case. He will want payment and collateral of some kind from Lin, down the line and that… is what sets the stage for foundational growth.

Because Lin will have to face the consequences of his actions at last and he will come to learn that good deeds aren’t just handled on a whim. Sometimes they require care and thought, and while one cannot fault him for his actions here, that particular problem extends well beyond the big call here. For his entire life is peppered with whimsical good deeds and wild actions and the price he will pay for all of that… will indeed force him to look within and ponder upon some real change and finally grow. Or… hopefully grow since some folks don’t embrace change. But either way, this was a critical tale for Lin’s growth and set the stage for some big moments down the line, and it will be interesting to see how Lin handles the surprises that are about to come his way. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘The Mosquito Coast’. To revisit the season two premiere, click here.
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One thing that fans of the Apple TV+ series, The Mosquito Coast, can agree upon, is that the Fox family is a supremely dysfunctional and shattered family unit. After all, the children’s upbringing was predicated on fear and the sometimes-selfish nature of their parents, instilled a real fracture within the family unit. To the point where it seems as though, this family will never get along, nor will they ever truly be there for one another. Since it took monumental effort for them to even come together to take part in that powerful rescue in the season one finale of the show. Which is why, this week’s episode of the series was so supremely surprising.
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Simply because ‘Least Concern Species’ saw the impossible come into play. In that, for the first time ever, the Fox family actually acted like a family unit. One that had each other’s back through and through and went the extra mile to ensure the safety of one another and that came to fruition, through yet another crisis for this family. For while they chugged on down the river toward their mysterious final destination, they encountered a nasty storm. One that taxed the boat like never before and prompted a bold move on Margot’s part. Because the current and the garbage engine on this scow, brought forth a collision that ripped open the hull, prompting her slam the vessel into the riverbank to stop their progress and keep water out.

A move that worked but left the family in a tough spot the next day. For the first plan to get the boat back on track and repaired, failed and Allie… came down with a severe illness. One that involved a parasite delivered via mosquito. Which in turn, left everyone in a dark place. Because unity or no, dad was the leader of this outfit and had all the ideas and with him down, no one was certain how to proceed. Which prompted Margot to bring the family together and demand their best and in doing so, Charlie dug deep into his memory banks from his powerhouse studying and offered up the possibility of finding the exact medication to combat this parasite, at a nearby oil rig while Dina… realized she could probably fix this boat. 

Which led to a pair of powerful quests. One with mother and son as they headed to the oil rig and bonded along the way. Since Margot was a great mother in this instance and worked to help her baby boy heal from what he’d recently seen, all before coming across what they needed at an oil rig that had clearly seen some hard violence and Dina… well with a little quiet time, she figured out how to patch the hull and get the boat seaworthy again. Allowing for this family to celebrate their first real win in a long time and heal their father and get underway and finally… work as one and feel like a real family. One that could have a future where life is normal(ish) and loving and healthier than it’s ever been. Provided of course… one key element comes into play.

Specifically… Allie. Because despite healing nicely and being kind when he regained consciousness from his hideous bug bite, he still hinted at life going back to the miserable way that divided the family in the first place. But if they can convince him otherwise, the sky could be the limit here. But while we wait to see if that talk can happen and learn where the heck this family is going… we can celebrate one uplifting tale. Because it was genuinely nice to see Margot be a mom and see this family not on icy grounds and work toward a better tomorrow. Because better days are all we’ve ever wanted for them, and all we can hope for now, is that their final destination will teach them that this family is capable of wonders when the nonsense is out of the way. Until next time.

To learn more about Margot’s journey in season two, check out our interview with Actor Melissa George, who plays Margot, right here.

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the television series, ‘Circuit Breakers’.

One thing that fans of television can agree upon, is that the anthology is something that is supremely important to the fabric of modern television. Because Rod Serling’s work on The Twilight Zone and the advent of The Outer Limits, taught audiences and future creatives several lessons. Such as how, it is possible to tell a layered and powerful story in a short period of time, and of course… that science fiction and other genres can make great use of this format to really wow audiences. Which in turn brought forth shows like Tales from the Darkside, and Tales from the Crypt and more recently, Creepshow.
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In fact, the thought of bringing short and impactful stories to life, inspired Nickelodeon, and other networks to create spooky anthologies for kids. Such as the wildly popular Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark? But while it was wonderful to see kids shows lean into this as well, there was one problem inherent with those kid-themed anthologies. In that, they never really offered kids depth and meaning, out of the fear that perhaps that would be over their head, and it would be more fun to spook them. But as we continue to learn that children are smarter than we give them credit and that television is a great way to teach young minds, some networks are coming to understand the true power of the anthology, such as Apple TV+.

For earlier today the network debuted, Circuit Breakers, a sci-fi anthology series that is unlike any other on the family-themed market. For not only does this anthology steer clear of scares and gore, but it leans hard into unique themes and messages, the kind… that a child or a teen can completely and utterly relate to. For instance, the series premiere, ‘Test Subject 13’, is an episode that deals heavily with that awkward period of growth for our bodies. Where we either grow too fast or grow too slowly depending on how the genetic winds flow, and how that can frustrate us and push us in ways we don’t need to be pushed. Which is something all of us can speak to and have quality conversations about.

Which in turn gives this show wonderful depth and meaning and engagement. But the best part of all, is that such matters are handled in a subtle manner. Because the science fiction in this show is top notch and it entertains and wows along the way, allowing for fun viewing in general, the kind that can in fact… be revisited on a deeper level early on and not to mention… it’s also a massive labor of love for those involved. For recently, NTG sat down with Cole Keriazakos and Maz Jobrani, who star in the fourth episode, ‘Entangled’ and here is what they had to say about being involved in such a unique and refreshing series.

Cole Keriazakos: It's inspiring for me, because I love acting, and I love making my own stuff too. That's where I would love to live, you know, 10 years from now. So, seeing all these people put such an amazing project together really is inspiring for what I wish that I can do.

Maz Jobrani: Yeah, I'll go back to the idea of being involved in quality projects. I think that they, you know, Apple TV Plus, has done a good job of bringing this anthology together. And again, you just feel like you're in good hands. From the crew in Toronto, to the director to the cast. It was just, you know, and to the final product, I got a chance to see the final product. And I was like, “Oh, wow! That did turn out the way—" because a lot of times, you know, I think it was Ron Howard who famously said you make a movie three times, once on the page once on set, and once in post. So, when you read a script, and you go, “Oh, this is gonna be fun!” and then you go shoot it, you go, “Oh, this was fun.” And then you kind of are cringing and waiting and go, “I hope it turned out fun.” And it turned out fun! And I go “Yes!” So yeah, it's a quality project. And I think that people will enjoy it.

So, as you can see, it’s a series that brought joy to those involved and inspired them and engaged them and it will indeed do the same for you and your family, and the best news of all… is you can see it right now. For season one is now streaming on Apple TV+, and we really hope you give it a look. For it really is a new anthology for a new generation, one that ignites the imagination and entertains, and it inspires and educates at the same time, and most important of all, it brings the family together. Since it starts important conversations in the home that allow for parents and their kids to connect, and you cannot ask for much more than that from an anthology series.

To learn more about the creation of this series, check out our interview with the show’s Creator, Melody Fox, and it's Showrunner, Andrew Orenstein.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season three premiere of ‘Mythic Quest’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that fans of the Apple TV+ series, Mythic Quest, were left in stunned awe of the season two finale of the show. After all, so many incredible and shocking moments took place. After all, there was the whole mess with Brad and his street cred desires, and Rachel and Dana said farewell to the office to start a new life. And of course, there was that whole bombshell involving Ian and Poppy and their desire to do something new outside of the game and well… that left all of us beside ourselves. Because the dynamic was shattered, and nothing would ever be the same and we simply didn’t know what this series would look like going forward.
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But thankfully, that wait is over and answers are pouring in, since the show returned from hiatus today and well, as it turned out… those changes were pretty darn permanent and realistic in nature. For when we catch up with everyone in ‘Across the Universe’, time has marched on and so have people. For David was now running Mythic Quest, and it was enjoying fine success and Jo was helping him out and Carol has a new role and agency within the office. And Rachel and Dana are living their best life up north and Brad has even returned as the janitor, having served his time in prison for insider trading. Not to mention Ian and Poppy have developed a new game under their new banner, GrimPop and well… going that route hammers home a true staple of this show.

For this series has always been grounded on concepts revolving around real life, since the people that populate this world grow like the rest of us and make mistakes and find success as they travel through this thing called life, just like we do, and that’s what happened here. They just moved into a new chapter and life went on and people found their groove. Which led to some endearing moments in that tale and in ‘Partners’. Because new chapters in our lives bring new challenges and concerns. Such as whether or not Brad is indeed reformed and honest, since David and Jo had a lot of questions about his integrity and his intention, despite the fact that the place was sparkling clean and smelled great. Plus, Poppy and Ian had to figure out how to work together side by side and understand what kind of success they genuinely wanted. 

Not to mention, this premiere was also quick to point out that new chapters in life also bring about new hardships and farewells. For one of the big moments in this particular set of tales, involved the return of C.W. in the most unique way imaginable. In that, he assembled everyone, regardless of their current standing to meet with him for a grand event. One that announced through a letter, that he was actually gone from this plane of existence and wanted everyone together to just reflect upon life, and that was quite beautiful to see here, as were the little moments where the office found ways to constantly reunite and be near each other. Plus, it was also amazing to learn that there is cross pollination between GrimPop and Mythic Quest, because it speaks to a deeper meaning for this season, and it also went deeper into the core theme of this show.
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Since this went hard into how life ebbs and flows and takes us in wild directions that have an endgame hidden to us. And how life takes from us and gives to us. Specifically, how it gives us people that mean the world to us, and how we won’t always admit to that and that… really is the perfect way to bring us back into this beautiful world. Because it lets us know that change is okay, and it is part of the experience and the journey and all we can do is embrace it and see where it takes us and if it scares us… to not worry. Because the people we need will be there to say hello and keep us grounded in unique ways. Such as saying goodbye in a beautiful manner or welcoming us to old haunts or keeping our toilets spot free or even going so far as to getting us food, regardless of how badly they screw up bringing back a buffalo chicken pizza from 7-11. 

All of which of course brings up the best part of these two episodes, in that… they are as funny as can be and remind us why we love this show. Because it sends us endearing and realistic stories that leave us with plenty to think, in a lighthearted and quirky manner. The kind that really do leave us in stitches now and again thanks to the comedic chops of this cast and the talents of its writers and well, it’s just wonderful to have this series back on the air once again and know that change and surprise will continue to be the constant here, and it is great to know that the stage is set for another unique season of storytelling. Where new challenges await these characters as they try to figure out how to maintain bonds when new chapters begin, and it will be genuinely fascinating to see where this bold and ambitious season of storytelling is going to take us, in the weeks to come. Until next time.   

To learn more about season three of this incredible show, check out our interview with cast members: David Hornsby, Charlotte Nicdao, Imani Hakim, Danny Pudi, Naomi Ekperigin, Jessie Ennis, and Ashly Burch.

​Please enjoy this super-sized sneak peek and synopsis from Episode Four of Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars.  Which you can see on The CW tomorrow, 11/12/22!
 
'This Saturday, November 12, on the fourth episode of Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars, Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ginuwine and Jeff Timmons from 98 Degrees go head to head as they perform one of Criss Angel's most challenging demonstrations -- Submerged -- in front of a live Las Vegas audience and judging panel to win the coveted golden wand.

Submerged is an escape inspired by Harry Houdini, and is one of the most dangerous escapes of all time! The two celebrities raise the ante in this death-defying performance, being submerged in a transparent glass cube filled with over 100 gallons of water, spinning 360 degrees. With only one breath to stay alive, they must escape from their restraints before they run out of air as this demonstration has real life or death consequences.'

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘The Suspect’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the supremely engaging Sundance Now series, The Suspect, we talked at length about how the show did a phenomenal job of setting the stage for a grandiose mystery. For when that story ended, we were left wondering as to whether or not Dr. Joe O’Loughlin was capable of murder because of his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease and the inherently powerful stress that news put upon him. For there were hints that perhaps Joe went through a severe mental break, one that would have made the good doctor quite capable of doing something horrible without even being the wiser to his own actions.
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Which of course, we were hoping the next episode would answer for us and well, as it turns out, the next episode in this fascinating series, simply toyed with us regarding the answer to that question in a supremely unique manner. By first making it seem as though, the good doctor had actually discovered Catherine’s true killer. Because spending a little more time with Bobby Moran in session, revealed hints that perhaps he took part in this crime, and of course, his love of the number 21 only reinforced that reality and that finally allowed for Joe to talk with the police about everything he actually knew and the fact that Bobby was likely the killer. Which led to his arrest and the seeming end of the case.

But alas, a flawless alibi on Bobby’s part and the reality that he was well liked at his hostel and had been feeding Joe lies all along… put him back on the street and forced the police to arrest Joe instead. For everything he had been doing to this point made it seem as though he was trying to frame Bobby Moran. Once again leaving us to wonder if Joe had indeed crossed the ultimate line and committed and atrocious crime. But without hard evidence, the police had to let him go. And that… brought about a potential answer as to whether or not Joe was the man that made Catherine suffer before she died and for a time… it seemed as though Joe was in the clear.

Because while the police saw a grand gap in his alibi, wherein he went drinking and drinking hard the night of his diagnosis, which is also the night Catherine died… Joe did indeed go and spend time with someone that could in fact, clear his name. For during that gap, he was in Cara’s bed, finding solace at a time when he was at his absolute lowest. But the shame that brought him and the pride in his heart, prompted him to refuse to tell the police that. In fact, the only people that did know the truth, was his best friend and doctor and later… his wife. Which of course, she wasn’t happy with and rightfully so since he cheated on his beloved. 

But therein lie the manipulation and the confusion regarding the answer we seek. Because while Joe does indeed have an alibi, one that would clear his name and has already caused the damage he wanted to prevent, he still refuses to offer it up. Giving us pause as to whether or not there’s truth there. Plus, we saw temper tantrums from him here, only adding to the reality that he might be capable of something as dark as murder and well, keeping the audience in the grey here with Joe, is brilliant to say the least. Because it keeps us emotionally invested in the story and eager to know answers and well, the only way to learn the truth about Joe is to continue the journey post haste and hope for the best… but be prepared for the worst. Until next time.

Please enjoy a sneak peek of the new series, Mammals, which debuts on Prime Video tomorrow, 11/11/22.