Please enjoy this exclusive sneak peek, and synopsis of the Love After Lockup, which airs on WE tv later tonight!
Redd goes MIA with his ‘bestie’. Brittney plots her escape from Andy. Kerok drops a bomb; Sharae puts Anthony to the test. With Chelsea back in Ohio, Mikey is pulled in two directions. Melissa and Louie clash as Donna sees her opening.
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Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 516 of ‘Magnum P.I.’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One of the hardest truths we will ever learn in this life, is that the world is not the cozy and beautiful place we grow up expecting it to be. Because it’s shocking to know that there is a real cruelty within it, complete with people eager to take advantage of others and cause harm. But thankfully, we usually have family and friends that we can immediately rely upon to help us process that truth and to help us understand that we can in fact, avoid that evil and counteract it with good acts. But sadly, not everyone learns that lesson. For some, get lost within the ugly quick, before they can process it, and some… are so surprised that it exists that they accept it as the norm and those are the folks that require extra care and love, so they can be freed from it and to help them find a proper path to avoid it all going forward. If anything, those poor souls that are claimed and stunned by it are top of mind today, because one of them had to be rescued and helped from it during this week’s episode of Magnum P.I. on NBC. For ‘Run With The Devil’ saw Thomas and Juliet, step in and help a young man named Jacob… try and find his sister. For Hannah and Jacob were Amish, and Hannah came to Hawaii for the old tradition of Rumspringa, a rite of passage to show the Amish the world before they committed to their traditional lifestyle. But she never came home, and Jacob was worried and rightfully so. For a quick investigation into what happened to her, revealed that she had fallen in with some bad people, to the point where she helped to rob a dispensary and was committing crimes left and right. Which left everyone wondering… if Hannah just plain broke bad and turned her back on everything she was raised to embrace. But a little more digging revealed, she was likely under the influence of the wrong people. Who took advantage of her naïve nature and lack of understanding of the realities of the world and used her to conduct crimes untold. Something that was backed up by the discovery that other lost souls looking for a fresh start on the islands, were arrested for similar acts. Which prompted Magnum and Higgins to find the crew responsible for this to rescue her, and when they turned up dead… they leveraged, Sam Bedrosian. Who was a twisted hedge fund manager that went after Jacob to secure the money lost in the heist at the dispensary he owned. Which brought Jacob to bear, who we also learned… was actually named Saul and did some shady things to get his sister home… and she too turned up safe. All of which really did point out, how easy it can be for the innocent to get lost in this world without a support network to guide them, and how the bad agents in it… will take advantage of what they don’t know. However, in this case, there were heroes waiting in the wings to make things right, and thank heavens there were. Because Hannah was indeed in a bad place, but thankfully her story ended happy and reminded us of the importance of the season’s central theme, which is to be kind and always support people and that theme was also further explored, via TC and Rick’s journey in this tale. For while the dynamic duo was saving an innocent, Rick was trying to help TC get his mojo back and start over romantically since he was lamenting the end of his relationship. But despite Rick’s best efforts to get TC out there and get him dating again, nothing worked. Because TC just wanted that second chance with Mahina and he got it. For Rick made a phone call to her on the day of the Marine Ball, to have her come down and give TC just that. Which was a lovely thing of Rick to do and spoke to the majesty of their friendship. If anything, all of these elements just made for a lovely, feel-good tale. One that really was about the ties that bind us, how kindness costs nothing and how a little support can go a long way. Which is the kind of stuff we need to hear and see right now during these very divided times, and it really was nice to enjoy those kinds of heroics and potentially meet who could be the big bad for the remainder of this season. Since Mister Bedrosian was not happy with how things went or that his money was not recovered, and he seemed to burn the names, Juliet Higgins, and Thomas Magnum, into the back of his mind, and well, having more of Sam wouldn’t be a terrible thing. For he was played by Patrick Fabian of Better Call Saul and Cooper’s Bar fame, and let’s be honest, he’s a terrific actor and will add some real spice if he is indeed the heavy. But the only way to know is to tune in, and tune in we shall, because there are only a handful of episodes left of this magnificent and uplifting series. Until next time. Watch ‘Magnum P.I.’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Quantum Leap’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
It really is quite fascinating how destiny, is something we continue to believe in. Simply because… we live in a universe of chaos. Where random things can happen to us at any given time or where wild things happen simply because mother nature decides to roll the hard six and see what happens. Plus, we are in control of so little, that we shouldn’t hold to this concept in the slightest. But we do. Largely because, the universe also surprises us with moments that inform us that we are on the right path career wise or life wise, or we continue to run into strange little moments that seem to hint toward an incredible fate for us. As though we are indeed destined to meet certain people and end up in certain places. If anything, our strange relationship with destiny is top of mind today, simply because… it came into play in the most amazing manner possible via last night’s episode of Quantum Leap. For ‘Secret History’ gave Dr. Ben Song, a man of true science and understanding of the chaos of the universe… via his leaping, a taste of destiny. A feat that it accomplished by having him drop by Princeton, New Jersey in 1955. Wherein he was tasked with helping a man that his alter ego knew… find justice after being brutally murdered for seemingly no good reason. But it didn’t take long for Ziggy and Jenn, and later Tom, to inform him that such an untimely death was related to a battle for nuclear secrets. Which didn’t quite make sense, since in 1955 the Russians already had nukes. But soon, quite the surprise made it clear what was really going on. In that, Nazis from Project Paperclip that were still loyal to the stupid cause Nazism stood for, wanted to get their hands on a secret equation. One that Einstein wrote and could have brought forth a powerful bomb. But alas, they were unable to because Ben managed to thwart them with the help of a touch of destiny. Because it just so happened that Hannah Carson, who Ben initially encountered and offered advice to back in 1947 when he was investigating some extraterrestrial affairs in New Mexico, was in Princeton and spent time learning from great minds to fuel her need to uncover more about the universe, and well… this was pretty wild. Because the odds of running into someone that Ben helped along in a timeline of infinite moments and infinite possibilities, were astronomical. Yet it happened here, and… they even managed to connect with one another on a fundamental level. As though they were old souls that were meant to reunite in the timeline and well, this is indeed the kind of coincidence that leads to a hard belief in destiny and fate and the like, and what was even more wild… was that outside of the math… Ben didn’t question it. He welcomed it, and he was super honest with Hannah about his travels and his emotions and well… this was incredible. Because this really was an impossible reconnection and it will be interesting to see if this continues to go somewhere in the story or if this was a one-off, mathematical improbability born out of the chaos of everything. But that’s what made this episode so much fun. The fact that it makes you question what you believe about destiny and fate and all that fun stuff, well that… and the fact that we got to see some Nazis get beat up hard, because that it is ALWAYS a welcome sight to see. But that aside, this clearly was something important and significant and something the show will explain, and truly… we will be waiting with bated breath to see if science somehow made this happen or if it was indeed destiny for these two to reconnect. But while we wait, we can celebrate one delightful tale. One that was indeed a good old fashioned, ‘save everything’ leap, that also featured some trouble back home. Courtesy of that little dust up that Mason and Jenn took part in over the owner of the new chip, and that too will be important to follow. Since the mission means nothing if the team cannot track Ben Song as he continues to bounce about through time. Until next time. Watch ‘Quantum Leap’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Finale of ‘BlackBerry’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating AMC/AMC+ series, BlackBerry, we pondered upon whether nor not cutting corners and making strange deals and decisions to bring BlackBerry to prominence is what helped lead to the company’s outright downfall. Because the good people at RIM, while brilliant and clearly gifted… really did take part in some shady acts and some lightning-fast decisions to bring the company to the top of the smartphone food chain. The kind that had the real potential to rip this company to shreds and destroy the legacy that Mike and Jim hoped to build, and as it turned out… that was indeed part of what brought this company to its knees. For third and final chapter in this story, saw the chickens come home to roost for Jim. Who really, cut the most corners and made the strangest decisions of all, by backdating stock options to recruit top talent. Which… the SEC finally caught wind of and that led… to an ugly ending to Jim’s time at RIM. Because that brought the SEC to RIM’s doorstep, and since Jim was off trying to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins to eventually move them to Canada, a move that failed when the league got wind of that plan… Mike was stuck dealing with the SEC and that evidence. Which prompted Mike to just turn Jim over to the SEC and try to keep BlackBerry rolling. Which he did, but let’s be honest, their strange relationship was a big reason why the company was able to be successful. Since Mike was the brains that brought about incredible ideas, while Jim handled the business side of things and well, with Jim basically out of the picture for this entire tale… everything fell to Mike and that pressure, combined with ignorance and arrogance, helped to bring about BlackBerry’s eventual end. For this episode also featured the moment when the iPhone was announced to the world. Which of course captivated everyone and led to a revolution in the smartphone industry. But at RIM on that day, it did nothing but offend Mike. To the point where he doubled down on BlackBerry’s design and the importance that RIM was the one that brought this product to market. But when his new invention, a trackpad on the faceplate instead of the ball, fell flat at a Verizon meeting… he panicked. For he simply had to be seen as an innovator, a leader, and rather than properly find a way to adapt the product line to compliment the iPhone or perhaps eventually overtake it… he simply offered a clone. One that had to be rushed into production, and one that had to be outsourced to China. Something that Mike swore he would never do. And that led… to the end of Doug’s time at the company, because he saw his friend become a businessman overnight and shun what made the company great… and it also led to the end of BlackBerry. For the Storm, the iPhone clone, was a terrible product, and cost the company an unwholesome amount of cash. However, that was merely the nail in the coffin for RIM and BlackBerry. Because it was indeed the corners that Jim cut that put the company in jeopardy to begin with, since it ruined the integrity of the company. And Mike’s ego and need to be viewed as a genius, and decision to not innovate and become complacent only added to the disaster and took out a company and a product that people did love. For few in the world didn’t have a BlackBerry all that long ago. Making this, a powerful and cautionary tale. One that speaks to how just wanting to be the best and make a splash isn’t enough in this life to really make that happen and make it sustainable, and hopefully people learn from this story and do the opposite, so their product not only changes the world, but dominates a la what rose from the ashes of BlackBerry’s burn out. Watch ‘BlackBerry’
Apple TV+ to Stream ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ for Free to Celebrate 50th Anniversary11/16/2023 Written by John Edward Betancourt If there is one lamentation that sometimes comes up regarding this era of streaming, it would have to be that now and again, true holiday classics aren’t available to the masses to watch, without taking part in a trial or having a subscription to a particular service. That frustration exists simply because there was a time when a lot of programs that fall under that concern, were free and on the air before being moved to the world of streaming, but alas… this is the new norm and streaming is here to stay… and that is why some networks are going the extra mile to help with those frustrations. For instance, Apple TV+ has made a habit of making certain iconic specials and shows available for free when the time is right to stream them, so that families can indeed enjoy those incredible stories as part of their yearly viewing traditions, and they are preparing to do that once again. For recently, Apple announced that it will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving in style, by having it air free the 18th and 19th of November. So, fans of this classic can kick back and enjoy a true classic that’s hung on for fifty years and to make sure you have all the information regarding this event, here are all the details from the source. ‘Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the beloved Peanuts special, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” a must-watch staple during the holiday season, exclusively on Apple TV+. Subscribers can access the special all year round and non-subscribers can enjoy a special free window to stream the beloved holiday classic on Apple TV+ Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19. In the iconic Peanuts classic, Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown's for Thanksgiving, even though he's going to see his grandmother; Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends. Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have earned 392 wins and 1,579 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.” Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.*’ Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘BlackBerry’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
It is the hope of every business owner out there… that they not only find incredible success in their endeavors, but that they also corner the market and become untouchable. Because that creates sustainability in a place where sustainability rarely exists. Plus, it creates a legacy for the business, and makes it the standard for everyone. But alas, not everyone reaches that goal, since sometimes… businesses fail or they enjoy such rapid success, that they are quickly gobbled up by a bigger fish. One that sees a need to add them to their portfolio before they become untouchable. Which means that to truly obtain what they crave, a businessperson not only must create a true wonder, but they also have to be vigilant and even then… there are no guarantees. If anything, this aspect of the business world is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focus of the next chapter of BlackBerry on AMC and AMC+. For when we caught up with Mike and Jim in ‘Part II’, things were going pretty darn well at RIM. After all, the product was a hit, people were enjoying their Quarks, and the money was rolling in. Allowing for innovation to take place since Mike and the gang were able to figure out how to create a built-in messenger for BlackBerry that would make them even more desirable as a product and well… that’s when the need for vigilance and true superiority came into play. Because just like that, the CEO of Palm Pilot paid the company a visit, with a proposition in hand. Wherein, RIM would sell its product to Palm Pilot as part of a grand merger. One that would allow for Palm to dominate the market and well, neither Jim nor Mike liked that idea and that meant… desperate times called for desperate measure. For the threat was put on the table that if they didn’t sell, a hostile takeover was coming and that prompted Jim and Mike… to really look at the business differently. In that, they realized they needed bigger minds from an engineering standpoint, and the business needed to have less of a startup mentality and be treated seriously for a change and that prompted both men, to make some drastic changes to the company and their own day-to-day operations. Which for Jim, involved going out and recruiting the best of the best under some shady stock measures, and hiring new executives to run the business, and of course… sending out the directive that the sales team needed to sell as many phones as possible to bump up the stock price and keep Palm away from the company. As for Mike, well he knew that Doug was becoming a problem and didn’t take the gig as seriously as he needed to, which meant… Mike needed to play sides and make use of the new asskicker Jim brought in to clean up the floor and well… for their efforts… there were more struggles before light appeared at the end of the tunnel. Because just like that… networks were being flooded by the glut of new phones and innovation had to come into play to make them work and keep them from crashing. And of course, Doug’s voice was the loudest in the room regardless, which still brought about laziness. But eventually, the engineers figured out how to reprogram towers to solve the network load and expand the network to handle more BlackBerry devices and Mike’s ability to passively play both sides, got the floor, and Doug in line. Making BlackBerry and RIM untouchable at last. But of course, that all came at a cost. Since corners were cut to innovate and create and bring talent into the fold and the faithful, may not quite believe in the mission as much as they used to with a touch of corporate autonomy coming into the fold. But it was how things went, and it was how at the time, Mike and Jim thought best to keep the company growing and thriving. But alas, we all know deep down, fast deals and corner cutting is no way to keep a company thriving and of course, those stock moves were likely not legal. Which means, it is only a matter of time before this push to be the best through wrong reasoning creates problems down the line. The kind that undoubtedly helped to bring this company to its end, and it will be interesting indeed to see how this helped contribute to the downfall of the RIM and BlackBerry, when this saga wraps up later tonight on AMC. Until next time. Watch ‘BlackBerry’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Hidden Assets’.
There was a time in mainstream crime dramas where the end of a case meant the true end to that story. Wherein justice was served, and everyone moved on in some capacity. Simply because, the mentality at the time was that audiences wanted happy or slightly imperfect endings, the kind that gave them satisfaction and closure, when in fact… no audience wanted that. They were invested and understood that actions have consequences… far reaching at times… and that the end of a case isn’t always the end of a case, and that brought about a titanic shift in how these stories are told. Where the audience received exactly what it wanted and that has brought forth, some incredible storytelling. The kind that showcases the long and lasting impact of crime, and how far it reaches sometimes, and the long-standing consequences of the actions heroes and villains take part in to win the day, and well… this particular aspect of crime themed storytelling is top of mind today, simply because Hidden Assets on Acorn TV, opened up its second season with a masterclass on such matters. For the season two premiere, wasted little time in immersing us back into a world where there was fallout to be had from the events of season one. Such as accountability for that shooting, since there had to be answers to accompany that, as is the case in real life, and the wonder of this story didn’t end there. Simply because it used one other lingering thread from season one to set the stage for season two. For we also came to learn here that Richard Melnick had passed into the great beyond and well, his end, brought about all kinds of surprises. Such as the fact that Bibi found herself under fire, and she wasn’t the only one being targeted by unknown forces. Since others that were somehow associated with the Melnick empire were turning up dead and were more or less being hunted. By whom, we knew not, but whomever was pulling the proverbial trigger, had deep designs on not being caught and that meant… they had to move to extreme measures to ensure that freedom would continue to ring for them. Which led to quite the surprise for the police. Mainly because back at CAB, the computer system was compromised. By hackers that demanded a handsome ransom or data was going to be released. Which at first seemed quite harmless and annoying in nature, as though someone was going to have to take the ‘Safe Email’ electronic learning course once again. But soon, officers were being targeted by this investigation, and… certain files were being hit hard. To the point where they were corrupted, and wouldn’t you know it? They all related to the Melnick matter and all those horrible events of last year, and the same went for De Jong’s agency. Making it clear that something sinister was happening behind the scenes here, and unfinished business was in play. Which was… the perfect way to give the audience what they crave. Since season one didn’t end in a perfect manner and there absolutely had to be consequences for what happened. But what made this premiere so fascinating, was that someone clearly has a deeper agenda than just ending Bibi’s life and the lives of people immersed in that empire. Because to destroy evidence and files implies, they have something more in mind, something grand in fact, and that will be the mystery to solve this season. One grounded in a need for revenge, power, perhaps all of the above. But most importantly, it keeps ties to season one going, and it reminds us that crime can indeed be far reaching and expansive, and difficult to truly bring down and it will be interesting to see what challenges lie ahead from that fact, in the weeks to come. Until next time. Watch ‘Hidden Assets’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘BlackBerry’.
There is a prevailing belief in our world, that innovation and technological creativity happens in a very orderly and organized fashion, and it makes sense as to why we hold to that belief. For we grow up hearing about the titans of industry, and how they focused their vision with their team, and brought forth wonders in doing so. And we’ve seen video footage of assembly lines and factories, working in harmony to give us the incredible devices that we make use of on a daily basis. But the fact of the matter is, that belief isn’t as correct as one might hope. For innovation and technological creativity are sometimes born out of outright chaos, and outright necessity. Simply because the human condition is involved in such matters, and well… we are flawed and emotional and that can bring about chaos and failure, the kind that can topple a mighty company. If anything, the true ups and downs of how we create technological marvels in our world are top of mind today simply because AMC has opted to dive into the rise and fall of BlackBerry. A company that changed the world by giving us the ability to connect as we do now, all courtesy of a magnificent all-in-one phone. But they did indeed disappear from the technological landscape, and that’s shocking. Since that kind of innovation should give a company staying power. But this series is clearly going to leave no stone unturned regarding how it rose to power and fell from grace so quickly, and oddly enough, it is necessity that serves as the focal theme of the show’s fascinating series premiere. For ‘Part I’ transports us back to 1996 when the company was founded under odd circumstances. For initially, Mike Lazaridis and Doug Fregin, the top dogs at RIM, the company that would become BlackBerry… experienced nothing but failure in trying to get their phone backed. To the point where they were outright ignored by an executive named Jim Balsillie, making it seem as though their device would never come to life, and they would in fact… be forced to just continue working on their modems for US Robotics. But Jim’s dismissal for trying to get ahead in an important meeting, changed everything. For he saw a chance to be an industry leader if he could shepherd this product in the right direction, and that prompted him… to basically muscle his way into the company and try to take it to the top. A move that brought about immediate chaos and disarray, but a mutual understanding between Mike and Jim… that this was indeed a marriage of necessity, and a sense of urgency needed to persist. Simply because RIM was running out of money, thanks to a dirty deal with US Robotics that they used to their advantage. One that stymied payroll for RIM. And of course, Jim needed this badly to feel a sense of accomplishment and a sense of purpose and well… that brought forth quite the miracle. For Jim’s fast actions not only allowed for the staff to stay, but for innovation to come to life. Because a meeting that Jim put together with Bell Atlantic, prompted Mike to innovate like never before and bring what would become the BlackBerry to life, and despite some speed bumps at the meeting, Mike was also able to demonstrate his expertise and wow the executives and show them… what the future was going to look like. Giving rise to a powerful moment that happened in history, one that would lead to one incredible ride. Which made for an amazing opening episode to this journey. One that really did explore how innovation comes from chaos and necessity, and how big technological moments aren’t always brought to life via inspirational meetings and incredible teamwork. Sometimes they are just forced into existence and that’s how BlackBerry came to be, and it was simply fascinating to learn about its tenuous origins and in many ways, a lot of what we saw here, had to help lead to its downfall. Because the rushed nature of everything, combined with the tension present in the office over Jim’s arrival and his actions… are a rough foundation for success. But of course, something else could have led to its utter collapse and that is what makes the journey ahead so exciting. Since this premiere made it clear, that we will indeed learn how every single wrong turn and brilliant epiphany led to the rise and fall of a company that had a massive impact on our world and how we function. Until next time. Watch ‘BlackBerry’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
It is definitely safe to say that AMC Networks is well-known for epic storytelling. After all, it’s the home of The Walking Dead Universe, which harbors some of the most epic stories around. But it has other epics in the mix. Since Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul were grand American tragedies through and through, and not to mention, it is also home to Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe, and those stories are simply breathtaking. But what is truly fascinating about AMC and needs to be spotlighted more often… is that there is something more that they should be consistently recognized for.
Specifically, telling supremely human stories. Stories that explore the human condition and all of its ups and downs. Which oddly enough, you’ll find in all of those franchises and in a story that is now on the horizon. For 2024 will bring forth, Parish. A drama about a proud man that finds himself at a horrifying crossroads when tragedy strikes. Which is… a story that only AMC could tell and one… that you can now get a sample of. For earlier today AMC released a teaser and some first look photos of this Giancarlo Esposito led series, and well, to prepare you for the long road ahead with Parish, here is that trailer, details on the show and those wondrous photos… courtesy of a network that cherishes storytelling. ‘AMC Networks today released a first-look teaser trailer and photos for its upcoming action-packed dramaParish, premiering on AMC and AMC+ in 2024. The six-episode series stars and is executive produced by Emmy® and SAG® Award-nominee and Critics Choice® Award-winner Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian). Esposito stars as Gracian “Gray” Parish, a family man and proud owner of a luxury car service in New Orleans. After his son is violently murdered and his business collapses, an encounter with an old friend from his days as a wheelman resurfaces old habits, sending Gray on a high-stakes collision course with a violent criminal syndicate. Shot on-location in New Orleans, Parish features a prominent ensemble cast of Zachary Momoh (The Nevers, Harriet, Doctor Sleep) as New Orleans-based Zimbabwean gangster The Horse; SAG® Award-nominee Paula Malcomson (Watchmen, The Hunger Games, Ray Donovan) as Parish’s wife and mother to his two children, Rose; Skeet Ulrich (Scream, Riverdale) as an old acquaintance to Gray, Colin; Bonnie Mbuili (Invictus, Wallander) as Shamiso Tongai, The Horse’s smart and protective older sister; Ivan Mbakop (Hawkeye, Red Notice) as The Horse’s brother, Zenzo; Arica Himmel (Mixed-ish, Black-ish) as Gray and Rose’s daughter Makayla; and Dax Rey (The Good Fight, Chicago Fire) as The Horse’s son Luke. Bradley Whitford (The West Wing, Get Out, The Handmaid’s Tale) recurs as Anton, the charming and intelligent face of industrial business in Louisiana who covertly heads a criminal organization. His dispute with The Horse’s human trafficking ring puts him at direct odds with Parish. SAG® Award-nominee Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orphan Black) guest stars as Sister Anne, who has a mysterious past with Gray. Parish is based on the hit U.K. series The Driver, created by Danny Brocklehurst and Jim Poyser. It’s produced by AMC Studios, in association with A+E Studios and Thruline Entertainment. Brocklehurst serves as co-creator and executive producer. Eduardo Canto and Ryan Maldonado serve as showrunners and executive producers; Giancarlo Esposito also executive produces alongside Brocklehurst, Poyser, Jolyon Symonds and David Morrissey for Scribbler Films, Josh Kesselman, Danny Sherman, Barry Jossen, Tana Jamieson, Theo Travers and Red Production’s Nicola Shindler.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Planet Earth III’. To revisit the premiere, click here.
Something that is genuinely fascinating about this age of discovery that we live within, is how little humanity has learned about our world. Which seems like a contradiction since we have indeed studied so much about terra firma. For we are now aware of what makes us ill and how to beat it, how the biomes work, how the currents move air around the globe, and we’ve even figured out how to replicate the flight of the birds. Not to mention, we even have humans living above us amongst the stars. Yet, despite having such incredible knowledge about our world… there really is little we know about it. Courtesy of the very element that gives us life, water. For we simply have not been able to explore the depths of our oceans, and understandably so. For it creates pressure whereas space does not, making it our final frontier at the moment and that’s why documentaries such as Planet Earth III are so important. Because they can help us with that knowledge and have teams dedicated to learning and that is why ‘Oceans’ was such a compelling watch. For it took us on a knowledge laden tour of the waters that seem to stretch on forever beyond our coasts. Wherein we briefly came to learn how the coral reefs and kelp reefs are filled to the brim with clustered and thriving aquatic life. Where everything lives in homeostasis through a food chain, and once we get beyond those beautiful lumps of kelp and the colors of the corals… the open sea awaits. A place that is as vast and empty as space itself, but there are signs of life out there. Since the kelp that floats away from the coasts is a breeding and feeding ground for fish. And of course, there are hints of us out there as well. Since plastics are floating about there, some of which cause harm and some of which serve as a life raft of sorts. Where tiny little crabs can hang onto it for dear life until they can find a better mode of transport, often through a turtle that will carry them across the sea in exchange for routine cleanings and oddly enough, despite its vast nature, man and nature are finding ways to coexist out there in the middle of the waters. Since this tour helped us to learn that seals and birds are now relying upon our immense fishing industry to feed and thrive. But of course… no tour of the ocean and its vastness would be complete… without heading into its depths. For far beneath us is utter darkness and pressures untold and believe it not, life that seems to be not of this Earth. For so many species down here don’t require adaptations to keep themselves safe from ultraviolet rays or the other harsh conditions we find above. They simply live, and feed and move about the darkness with an understanding of the void we do not harbor. Not to mention, there are thriving communities down there. Since we had the distinct honor of learning about a species of octopus that sacrifices everything in huddled and warm community birthing areas to ensure the survival of their species. Giving rise to some fascinating parallels to the world above. If anything, this was just… an incredible episode when all is said and done. One that really did remind us that we have so much to learn about our oceans. For they are vast and teeming with life and surprises that science should have in hand. But alas, at this time it’s not a priority to map out our oceans. But it should be. Because knowledge is indeed power and who knows what amazing discoveries we could make if we focused on the darkness below us. But for now, we can learn through shows like this, and hopefully the wonders seen here inspire someone to make its exploration the priority. So that at long last… all the mysteries of the Earth are solved. Until next time. Watch ‘Planet Earth III’
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