Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season finale of ‘Anna’.
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The vast majority of shows out there, are often eager to assemble a spectacular season finale. One that is filled to the brim with epic twists and turns and huge moments and cliffhangers that leave us talking for days on end and eager to see what next season will hold. And they accomplish this feat, by putting together an intricate story designed to take us on heck of a ride and well, audiences love this through and through and it really has become a staple of the industry. But every once in a while, you run into a story and a season finale that defies that convention and tells us a vastly different kind of story and for proof that happens from time to time, look no further than the season finale of Anna on AMC+.
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For ‘What to Do When Mama Dies’ is a story… that had nothing to build to. For the world is indeed gone forever and the vast majority of humanity is lost to the moment since all that remains are children that will one day die of the horrific Red Fever, save for maybe a few that are outright immune. And knowing that the end is nigh and knowing that there was little for Anna to do than return home and wait for the end, initially gave this finale the same bleak feel that has permeated over the rest of the season. Because that is quite the hopeless place to take this tale and well… that’s when this finale took quite the turn, one that continued to help this episode defy convention.

Because shortly after she was reunited with Astor, Anna thought it might be best, that she take a page from Pietro’s book and try to live her final days on this Earth doing more than just waiting to die. Which motivated her and Astor to try and leave Sicily and head for mainland Italy. Where perhaps the virus didn’t utterly decimate the population, and where a cure might be available and that led to a harrowing struggle for more. One that was sour in nature. For once they hit the water in a paddle boat, there was no sight of land and little hope of tomorrow. Once again making it seem as though bleak was going to be the theme here as we watched them die trying instead of just lying down and this darkness was reinforced, by the bevy of flashbacks that accompanied the silence on the water.

Since both of them reflected upon their former life and what those first days without mother looked like and how hard it was for them to get by in harsh conditions and that allowed for us to process how difficult it was for them to comprehend that this was the end of everything and normally that kind of reflection, is the inventory we take at the end and that’s when another twist came into play. Wherein this vigilant brother and sister ran into an oil rig. One filled to the brim with food and water and power, and people. Adults that survived the virus and have managed to bring forth a child into this awful new world. Meaning that for the first time ever… this story offered up a semblance of hope and it doesn’t get more unconventional than that. At least, for a story this dark and this hopeless. But it went there none the less and it did so in the subtlest and most relaxed manner imaginable, serving as the true anthesis to how television handles season finales and well, this was a brilliant direction to take.

Because it truly allowed for the past to be left in the past for these intrepid young heroes so they can face a new chapter in their lives, one filled with hope and better days with other people instead of starvation and fear and most important of all, this episode finally rewarded the viewer for sticking with the ugly. Because finally, we felt relief and joy and more than just sheer horror and that’s just a kind thing for this story to do and it does leave us eager for a season two. So, we can learn if there is a cure, or if humanity has survived and hopefully this series gets a year two order. Because television needs more brave shows like this one, that are unafraid to challenge us and terrify us and remind us… that life is precious and fleeting and to treasure ever single moment we can…. since they can be ripped away from us… just like that.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season one finale of ‘The Wheel of Time’.
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It has genuinely seemed as though the Amazon Prime series, The Wheel of Time, has been barreling toward an epic and encompassing finale over the past couple of weeks. For not only did our heroes make their way to the edge of the Eye of the World in a prompt manner, but we came to learn that Rand was the Dragon Reborn after all and was ready to embrace his role as a hero. Setting the stage for a grand and final showdown with the Dark One, wherein his likely defeat would propel season two of this series into new territory, where the characters would face incredible and unique new challenges in an era of peace and prosperity.
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In fact, this seemed so much to be the case that even the season one finale appeared to cement this reality. For ‘The Eye of the World’ is an episode that saw the Dark One’s forces advance on the last stronghold near the Blight. Which meant that anyone left within its walls had to fight hard to save the rest of humanity and that brought about one epic battle for certain. One that saw Nynaeve and Egwene tap into the One Source and work with others to unleash its power upon evil in a dangerous manner. To the point where only Nynaeve and Egwene were left standing once the Dark One’s army lay defeated. An ending that definitely felt akin to the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one.

A feeling that was reinforced, by what happened at the Eye of the World. For once Rand and Moiraine arrived, it didn’t take long for a grand showdown to take place with the Dark One. Wherein Rand was forced to choose between the light and the dark. And thankfully, after coming to realize the horror of his newfound power and what it could truly transform him into… he opted to stick with the light side of things and quickly channeled immense and incredible power into a stone provided by Moiraine, to cast the Dark One back into his cell for another three thousand years. But that… would have been too easy an ending for a series that has been ambitious from the get-go and well, it didn’t take long for us to realize… that this battle was nothing more than a test

One designed for both sides to get a feel for the others’ defenses and that more battles would take place down the line and the challenges these heroes had to overcome weren’t quite complete yet. Realities that were reinforced by what Perrin encountered back at the castle. Since everyone’s favorite merchant, Padan Fain, revealed himself to be a Darkfriend during the battle, one that came here to leave Perrin and his friends alone to instead claim an ancient horn that would signal all the allies of the Dragon Reborn to battle… as part of a greater plan for the Dark One. Which was executed in this manner because that evil monster wasn’t defeated in the slightest.
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As to where exactly he went after that battle, no one is sure of. But it was epic and dark and concerning enough for Rand that he asked to be declared as dead by Moiraine so he could learn more about this part of the world and to see if he could control the madness he felt in the midst of battle, leaving his story quite open-ended for certain. Not to mention, Moiraine is now facing some difficult challenges of her own, since the Dark One robbed her of her abilities to channel the One Source in a cruel and ironic twist. But what matters most, is that the battle isn’t done, and the good guys haven’t won, and that means season two will undoubtedly focus on what comes next regarding this ugly ongoing fight between the light and the dark. 

If anything, this was simply a delightful season finale through and through, since it figured out some creative ways to surprise us and leave us eager for next year’s journeys. Not to mention, it featured one hell of a revelation/reveal in its opening moments by informing us that The Wheel of Time is not a traditional fantasy story set long ago. No instead, this is set far in Earth’s future, where the discovery of magic and a battle with the Dark One set humanity back eons and it will be quite interesting to see if that twist come into play down the line, and what other surprises will await us… courtesy of that ending, when we return to this far off future in season two. Until next year.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 406 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.
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​The crew of the Discovery has faced many difficulties, none of which more challenging than the DMA. With its most recent appearance still fresh on their minds, the crew decide to head back to the site to see what data they can collect. It’s going to be a bumpy ride and it will have its challenges, but nothing will stop the determination to solve the riddle that is the DMA. The crew is ready for whatever is thrown their way, or so they think.
 
They enter what is called the Void, what they’ve named the aftermath of the anomaly, and things aren’t shaky like they all thought it would be. Things are actually calm and eerily quiet. Deadly silent. Book offers to go explore, but Michael sends a probe instead. Whatever the Void is, it’s alive, and it easily dismantles, destroys, and essentially eats the probe. They send a flare next and that soon dies as well. Michael has the shields extended as far as they can go, hoping that will buy them time so they can get out. The problem is, they can’t find where the out is. Zora is unable to detect directions, including where they came in from. So, they’re stuck. They try to jump away, but that backfires. Book is helping Stamets when he’s hit with a ball of energy that has him now seeing illusions of his dead father. Thankfully, it will pass, but still that’s unsettling.

In the meantime, it’s all hands-on deck and Gray is feeling more than a little useless. They’re doing his best to help, which means sitting in the lounge, when Zora and they start to chat. For a computer, she’s naturally evolving to have emotions, and feelings, and that is more than a little confusing for the once not sentient A.I. Gray helps Zora to focus by getting her to play a game. That’s when she starts to calm her mind and realize she’s feeling things, like hull breaches.

Eventually, Zora informs the captain of what she’s feeling, and Gray tells the captain that Zora is more advanced than they thought. With the Void closing in on them, they need to think of an escape route fast. Stamets comes up with using the energy signature left behind in Book’s brain as a way to track their exit and it’s also a link to whomever made the DMA. The maker is beyond their Galaxy, and that has everyone reeling.

There’s just one problem, the ship’s shields are not strong enough to sustain the impact of leaving the Void. Michael decides to send everyone into the Pattern Buffer in order to keep them safe. She’ll stay behind with Zora and get the ship to safety. It’s risky, but it might work. It takes cutting off life support to get the ship free from the Void, but Zora does it. She even sings to Michael as everything slowly falls apart around them. Zora admits to feeling parts of her dying, and Michael admits that she always trusts Zora.
 
In the end, they make it out alive and Zora brings the crew back to help Michael. Book also confessed his love for Michael and she hers for him. Book also confided in Saru about his feelings towards whoever invented the DMA. Saru understood but offered the best advice in dealing with his feelings. What’s next for the crew? Therapy maybe?

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four ‘The Pact’.
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One particular experience in life that each and every one of us hope to avoid, is being betrayed by an incredibly close friend. Because having someone that we chose to bring into our inner circle, turn their back upon us and violate the trust we bestowed upon them, would be devastating and hurtful. But alas, it is an experience that we will deal with somewhere along the line and it is as bad as advertised. Since it truly rattles us like never before and closes us off to others, and also motivates us to spend a great deal of time pondering upon why someone that laughed and smiled and shared in emotions with us, would choose to do such a thing. Because it simply doesn’t make sense.

In fact, it is so befuddling, that we often turn to fiction to try and gain some kind of understanding of how this can occur and oddly enough, this is a question that the next episode of The Pact tries to answer. For when we last left our four friends, Anna came to discover that her closest pal, Nancy, had betrayed her and everyone else in their group by extorting them for money and that allowed for this episode to go back in time and truly dive deep into the why, and it turns out that a close friend might betray someone they call family… if by chance they find themselves in a desperate and emotionally destitute situation. Such as say, having lies rule their marriage all while facing severe financial strife.

Which is precisely what happened to Nancy. Because in the months prior to Jack's passing, her beloved husband Richard committed to some relationship changing decisions. Such as not telling Nancy that he was unemployed and obsessed with online gambling. To the point where he and Nancy’s finances were put in peril, and as Nancy was trying to reconcile the reality of this once she discovered the truth... the whole mess with Jack got underway. Adding more strife and stress to her life and well… once the car was repossessed, Nancy decided the only way forward, was to go to extremes and do whatever she must to find stability. Which of course, motivated her to send those texts and claim Anna’s money and this was proof positive that when someone is truly down and hopeless and broken, they’ll betray anyone if it means they can find peace.

But regardless of Nancy’s reasoning for crossing the line in this manner, there were grave consequences for her actions. Because eventually, Nancy was shunned from the group and even denied a chance to set things right when Louie was at her lowest ,since Arwen died in this tale from his injuries. And being cast out left Nancy in a difficult place mentally, one where she was ready to just cut her losses and move on. Which would have allowed for her to simply fade away in this tale… but it turns out that there were more consequences waiting in the wings for dear Nancy. For while she tried to navigate a new normal of her own creation, Max was hard at work at solving the case and figured out that it was Nancy’s car on the road that fateful night, which brought the police to her doorstep.

A move that puts this story into undiscovered country, simply because police pressure on a dejected and desperate Nancy could motivate her to talk and bring incredible scrutiny upon the rest of the group. but while we wait to see what comes of this visit, we can revel in the majesty of one intelligent tale. For this episode did a fine job of exploring what could cause a good friend to shun people they call family and it also excelled at moving the plot along. Because not only did the police make progress at last, but the story also implied, that they might inadvertently have the killer in front of them. Since this episode reminded us, that we don’t know what Nancy was doing alone in the dark on the night Jack died. A hint that added all kinds of unsettling tension to this tale because there’s no way that Nancy was in that dark of place, or was she? Either way, it is clear now that we are closer than ever to the answers we seek and that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode, a difficult one. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Close to Me’.
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The phrase/question, ‘what comes next?’ is one that we view in quite the positive manner and understandably so. For it infers that we have closed the book on a particularly dark chapter in our lives and in doing so… we are ready to step into the light and rise to the occasion and tackle all the new challenges this new chapter has to offer and that’s precisely why this concept, is so prevalent in storytelling. Since it can provide a viewer or a reader with a beautifully inspiring tale. One that genuinely lifts our spirts up and gives us guidance when the going gets tough. But while that does indeed make for some wholesome entertainment, there is a flaw regarding this concept and how it is explored in fiction.
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In that, we tend to forget that this particular phrase/question… only applies when we are truly at the end of our recovery/dark chapter and that before we get there… what comes next are tough times and hard battles and we tend to ignore that reality in our everyday lives and in fiction… but we shouldn’t. Because that part of the journey is just as important since this is where we learn a lot about ourselves and what we actually need going forward and that’s why stories that take the time to explore the reality of what comes next, deserve our attention and our praise. Because they’re being honest and raw and they’re truly preparing us for the fight that brings us to the end of a tough journey and that is why Close to Me is a series of note.

For the next chapter in Jo Harding’s harrowing journey back from injury, truly spotlights that struggle and the scary days that occur shortly after we’ve gone through a life changing experience. For when we catch up with Jo here, she is ready to try and find support for her injuries and perhaps insight from others as to how to recover and that decision leads to some scary moments for certain. Since she gets to see firsthand at a support group, how brain injuries could result in changed emotional states and gaps that never quite get filled and being faced with the prospect that she might never properly recover from this, puts her in a dark place and a crossroads. Wherein she decides how she wants to handle this and that leads to some inspirational moments as well.

Because Jo came to realize that sitting idly by wouldn’t do her any good. She at least had to try and fight for a day where she felt herself again and she thusly doubled down on finding her memories and enjoyed success in her endeavor. Since a clear one came to her in a bath one day, providing her with hope that maybe just maybe, a full recovery was possible after all, and all the wondrous moments of the past year would return to her. But alas, she quickly came to learn that this quest would be grounded in balance and uncover a great deal of dark memories as well. Such as how her son and bestie informed her of the fact that she worked to break up her son’s relationship on grounds that might have been irrational at the time and that definitely broke Jo’s heart.
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Simply because it made her wonder if there was a darkness, she harbored within that was now forgotten following her injury, since a clear perspective on her actions helped her to understand her initial stance was quite foolish. But while this was fascinating to watch we would be remiss to not talk about the dark clouds hanging over this story. Because in addition to learning there might be a dark side to her psyche, there are more hints that Rob might not be the loving husband he currently projects himself to be. Since he took the time to try and change Jo’s now forgotten stance on veganism by force feeding her meat without telling her and of course, he’s still eager to control every step of her recovery. 

Plus… the testy and uncomfortable encounter she had with a co-worker is equally as concerning since it hints at a life, she wasn’t aware she was capable of having and it is only a matter of time before those elements spill over in this story and expose hard truths to Jo. But while we wait to learn more about these revelations and Rob’s true self, we can bask in the wonder of an honest and powerful tale. One that really did make it clear that there is a lot we go through after a life-changing experience before we can truly decide what comes next, and how we respond to those experiences determines a positive or negative answer to that all-important question and truly, it will be fascinating to see what other parts of the healing process and what other surprises await us, as this engaging and powerful journey toward the truth, continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season finale of ‘Hawkeye’.
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I just want everyone to know that I did cry at the end of this, as it was and forever will be, my most favorite show ever. Yes, this overtakes The Falcon and The Winter Soldier for that number one spot. I would basically cry if a season 2 does not happen. I am, however, also a realist. To say that this was Marvel’s best show, in my opinion, is a huge understatement. Now, it takes a twist on the comics and really gives us a unique story, and I ended up really enjoying every single nuance.

So, Eleanor wasn’t as innocent as we knew she wasn’t. Nobody should be shocked at this turn, genuinely. She’s worked for Kingpin for years. Alright, so her husband had owed Kingpin a lot of money, but she’s paid it tenfold. Also, let’s be completely honest with this, if Eleanor didn’t use Loki’s attack on New York as an opportunity to kill her husband for the insurance money, like we know she probably did, then I really would be shocked. Instead of this meeting being all sunshine and rainbows, though, Eleanor decides she’s done with Fisk. She tells him she quits. I’m not really sure Eleanor understands how the mob works… like at all. There is no quitting unless you die and/or are murdered, and yes those are both two different things and the same.
 
We also find out that it was Eleanor who killed Armand and also framed Jack. Katie Kate finds all of this out from a video Yelena sends her. Clint explains how serious this is, with the Kingpin involved, everything is more complicated. Kate is understandably worried, so they take action. But first, they’re going to need a lot more trick arrows. Clint makes them himself, because of course he does, he’s smart like that. Katie Kate labels them, this time, because she’s the smarter of the two. It’s Christmas Eve and the night of the Bishop Security Company Christmas Party, where they know Eleanor will be in danger. Now, it’s go time.

Grills and his LARP team infiltrate the wait staff as back up, while Clint and Kate dress up and get into the Party. All is almost going as planned. What Kate and Clint don’t know is that Maya has also been working for the Kingpin, except, she’s in the process of leaving. Kazi, on the other hand, has a personal bone to pick with Clint. He’s set up in a sniper nest across from the party and almost gets the drop on the infamous archer but misses. Clint gets away and Grills starts to get everyone to leave. Kate confronts her mom about working for Fisk, and Jack wants to have his own words with Eleanor. We all know she was only marrying him for his money. Ironically, Jack is completely innocent in all this. Or is he? To make matters even worse. Yelena shows up, still determined to kill Clint, maybe because she was hired to, but definitely because she thinks he killed Natasha. It is personal at this point.

As Kate makes a mad dash out to see what’s happening, she spots Yelena, and they even end up in the same elevator together. Yelena, despite being a world class deadly black widow assassin, takes it very easy on Katie Kate. They fight over the elevator buttons, then fight out of the elevator. Kate refuses to let Yelena kill Clint and Yelena refuses to not kill Clint. Either way, the natural banter between Yelena and Kate has all the best set up for a near future best friending. Yelena almost gets the drop on Clint, only she misses when Kate warns him. The Track Suits show up, bro, they can’t be left out of the final battle, bro! This is when we finally see Kate showcasing all that martial arts talent that she’s accrued over her lifetime. Kate is becoming the hero she’s always wanted to be. Meanwhile Clint blows some stuff up and has a one-on-one fight with Kazi.

During his own escape, Clint ends up stuck in a giant Christmas tree. Leave it to Kate to save the day… or ruin Christmas. She manages to do both when she shoots the giant tree down. Clint would be thankful if he wasn’t nearly crushed to death by the giant star that had been atop the tree or the giant swarm of Track Suit Bros. Trick Arrow time? Oh yes, it’s on. Kate and Clint fight seamlessly together to take out the Bros. Kate even gets to use the new Trick Arrows. Maybe she is one of the world’s greatest archers after all. As the Bros fall, one by one, Kate goes after her mom. She shows up just in time to save her mom from Fisk, and she even fights him! Yes, Katie Kate Bishop takes on the Kingpin himself. Granted, he’s obviously holding back as to not hurt Kate, but she is tenacious!
 
He finally takes all the arrows from her quiver and snaps them all in half at once. Just to prove that he has been playing nice and doesn’t want to hurt Kate. In the end, she hurts him. That little trick Clint taught her last episode comes in really handy when she does it flawlessly and sets off all the arrowheads at once. Fisk is down… ish, for now. He did take an arrow to the chest and a car, and nothing phased him. At least Eleanor is all right… right? Okay, maybe not so much since she does get arrested for Armand’s murder.

Clint would have helped Katie Kate had Yelena not chosen that moment to show up and fight him. He tries to convince her that he didn’t kill Natasha. Natasha made up her mind and died to save the world. Yelena refuses to believe him and proceeds to beat the ever-loving s*it out of Clint. Eventually, she listens to reason, but only after Clint does the secrete whistle she shared with Natasha. He tells her that Nat taught him that, that they were best friends, and he tried everything to save her. Clint would have died for her, he had tried to, but there was nothing he could do. Once Natasha made up her mind there was no changing it. Yelena finally accepts this and helps Clint up. The day is saved for now, right? Ish. Maya had confronted Kazi earlier, asked him to run away with her, and when he refused and tried to kill her, she beat him for it and ran. Now she’s off to face Fisk, families don’t always see eye to eye but Maya showing up to shoot Fisk doesn’t seem like a good idea. Especially since he probably killed her instead. Sadly, we won’t know just yet.
 
With that all taken care of, Clint does make it home for Christmas, as promised, and he brought some strays. Okay, he brought Kate and Lucky, but same thing really. And the watch that was so important, well it wasn’t Tony’s. It was Laura’s. Clint’s wife is more than meets the eye and she just happens to be Agent 19, also known as, Mockingbird. Why the name change from Bobbi to Laura? Who knows! But we do finally have the Hawkeye and Mockingbird marriage story we didn’t know we needed. Or maybe we need more back story to that. Either way, it’s a good Christmas gift. Almost as good as the Ronin costume finally being burned, but not quite as good as the Rogers: the Musical post credit scene.

So, what’s next? We’re clearly being set up for the Young Avengers! Hopefully we get a season 2! And more so, a spin off series of Kate and Yelena’s best friend adventures! Guess we’ll find out in time!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 304 of ‘Lost in Space’.
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Action and adventure and incredibly tense moments, and huge revelations are staples of television shows that are leaving the airwaves and it makes sense as to why. After all, this is the final act, so why not go big before going home, and wow the audience with moments that will have them talking long after the show has come to an end. But what's fascinating about this standard, is that every once in a while, you run into a show in its final season, that doesn’t quite embrace those elements right away, leaving one to wonder what that story is up to, and that’s a curiosity that definitely has to be on the minds of every fan that’s tuned into the final season of Lost in Space on Netflix.
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For the first three episodes of season three, have been supremely low-key and focused on discoveries and characters moments. Which is engaging for certain but is a bold move as well. Since trouble has been brewing behind the scenes since this season got underway, since SAR has returned to the land of the living and is eager to find Will Robinson and well… as it turns out, going the softer route has in fact been quite the genius decision when all is said and done. Because it has allowed for the viewer to get to know the Robinson family once again and properly attach to them emotionally so that when those all-important staples do arrive… there’s gravity and depth to them and wouldn’t you know it? It turns out the traditional finale elements finally made their appearance in the next episode of this magnificent series.

For ‘Nothing Left Behind’ sees the survivors of the Resolute in quite the distressing situation. For SAR used the link between Robot and Scarecrow to extrapolate the position of the Jupiter fleet and made his way to that location post haste, to wipe out humanity and potentially uncover the location of Alpha Centauri. A move that John was supremely concerned about since that would bring about all kinds of disaster, which motivated everyone aboard these ships… to purge any and all data of its location, to save others through their sacrifice, since they expected to die at SAR’s metal claws once he and his makeshift fleet arrived and for a time, it really seemed as though there was little hope for a future for these worn and weary survivors. For there was no avenue of escape.

But thankfully, back at the Robot builder’s home world, the kids made other plans. Because they couldn’t bear with the thought of their parents dying helplessly when they could in fact, do something and that brought to life a daring plan. One that saw the rescue Jupiter appear near the fleet, motivating SAR to chase it with fury… while the Fortuna emerged from the other side of those twin suns before docking with the fleet so that families could be reunited and sent to Alpha Centauri at last and what’s amazing… is that this plan almost worked. Because despite getting 99% of the fleet to their destination, the Jupiter 2 and the Fortuna didn’t escape SAR’s clutches in time, forcing the Robinson family to alter course and jump toward who knows where. 

Which means this episode ends on an epic cliffhanger and that’s saying something, because this was an epic episode through and through. One filled to the brim with tense moments and incredible action and adventure, and it really is a wonderful thing the show held back on going this route sooner. Because this felt natural through and through and it definitely raised the stakes for certain since the Robinson family and their greatest enemy is now stranded with them at their current destination and that definitely motivates one to continue the journey post haste. To see what other surprises and tense moments await this family as their long and winding journey through space… nears its end. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season thirty-one finale of ‘Top Gear’.
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​One of the greatest moments in our young lives that we will ever experience, is getting our first car. Because being able to purchase our first ride and get behind the wheel of it and hit the open road, is a genuinely wonderful and liberating experience. But what we often forget when it comes to that first purchase, is the sheer amount of adulting that accompanies it. Because once we own that wonderful new ride, we have to insure it and register it, which requires a little more money than we originally expected and that lesson needs to be taught more often, so that new drivers are ready and prepared for the potential total cost of buying their first car and it just so happens, that the season thirty-one finale of Top Gear, figured out how to help new drivers prepare for just that.

Because the lads calculated exactly what a first time driver would need to spend to get a car with all the fiscally responsible related fixings, and well, what they came up with for their best budget rides for new drivers… was pretty darn awesome. For Paddy believed that one could enjoy sheer style when it comes to their first car, which is why he selected the MGB GT. As for Freddie, he thought a classic would be perfect for a new driver’s first ride and that’s why he went with the Volkswagen Beetle and Chris, well he thought an all-purpose ride would be ideal for that first real taste of the road, hence why he selected the Lada Niva and of course… once the lads presented their rides to all of us, the time came to put these cars to the test to see who indeed picked the perfect budget car for a nouveau driver. 

Now the first test, involved determining which of these cars offered the best fuel efficiency. Something that is incredibly important and in order to get an idea of which car would be the king there, the lads tried to see how many laps they could conduct on a quarry racecourse on a single gallon of gas. Which is a test that the MGB passed with flying colors and once that was settled, a general speed test came into play. One that would determine which of these cars could easily achieve a general cruising speed of fifty miles an hour, and not a hair faster… lest a paint bomb go off in the lads' respective cars and once Paddy was disqualified for hitting fifty-one… Chris and Freddie pulled a draw since both of their cars were able to cruise at fifty on a consistent basis, no problem.

Which meant the competition was still wide open, and in order to declare a winner… a super-sized relay race was going to take place. One where the lads were paired up with teens, who would drive through an obstacle course on an airfield before handing the car back over to Paddy, Chris and Freddie, so the pros could hustle to the finish line. For the relay team with the quickest time through the course would be declared the winner and their car, the best new budget car for first time drivers and well… this was actually quite the competitive race. Because the teens wanted to win and tore through the course pretty darn quick and of course, the lads wanted the win as well and in the end, it came down to Team Paddy and Team Chris, because Team Freddie took one wrong turn and toasted their time and when all was said and done, Team Paddy and the MGB GT won the day, and now we know a used sports car is the way to go when you’re searching for your first car.

In the end however, this was just a fun episode through and through. One that featured cars that we’ve each given thought to since who hasn't wanted a sports car, or an all-terrain monster or in the case of this writer… a beetle? (Look, I loved The Love Bug when I was kid.) Plus, you cannot go wrong with the joy this adventure brought everyone who took part in it, except maybe The Stig… since The Stig is always in business mode. Either way, this was just a wonderful way to bring season thirty-one to a close since it tied into the season’s underlying theme regarding the passion we all share in when it comes to cars and all this finale does… is leave us eager for more delightful adventures on the road with a trio of hosts that make learning about automobiles as fun as can possibly be. Until next time.  

It is definitely safe to say that each and every one of us, have some specific expectations in mind when we settle in to watch a holiday television special. In that, said holiday episode should be fun and engaging, and of course… it should be heartfelt and wonderful and inspiring. Since the holidays is a season filled with joy and wonder and what we are watching should reflect that through and through and thankfully… holiday specials stick to these criteria no problem, so that audiences everywhere can have exactly what their hearts desire. But believe it or not, every once in a while, you run into a holiday special that looks to surprise viewers with some elements that go outside of those rules, to shake things up and tell a special tale, and it just so happens that Acorn TV is now host to a special that accomplishes just that.
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For Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye is a holiday themed special that defies convention, by injecting murder into the season, courtesy of a unique case for Agatha. For when we catch up with her and Roy in this tale, they’re preparing for a grand holiday party, one that all of their friends will thoroughly enjoy. That is until a request comes in for Agatha, one demanding protection at a tenuous time. Because a filthy rich older woman is about to hand over her estate and an entire town to charity, an act that brings forth her untimely end. Springing Agatha into action to solve the crime before the big day arrives and well… that’s all we are going to say about the plot. Because you need to experience the incredible detail that goes into this case on your own.

Instead, it’s best we focus upon what makes this special so unique and obviously, the first storytelling element that helps it accomplish that goal, is the murder in question. Because you just don’t expect a holiday story to feature an intricate murder right before Santa’s big day, since that really doesn’t scream ‘holidays’ in the slightest. But it happens here and what’s wild… is that it works. Because not only is the case incredibly engaging, but it also adds a strange realism to this particular special. Because sadly, crime doesn’t schedule vacations during the season, it still occurs, we just tend to put it out of mind and oddly enough, having Agatha work hard on solving a murder case days before Christmas… oddly adds hope to this story.

Because it goes to show that good people are genuinely working hard during this season to keep people safe and bring the bad folks to justice and her desire to solve this case and put a killer behind bars, oddly fits in with the season and has you rooting for good to prevail. Making this quite the delightful and powerful special for certain and believe it or not… a fun one as well. Because all the dark humor and wonderful gags that Agatha and Roy take part in, are present here, and there are some delightful side stories involving Agatha’s friends that leave you laughing and while that seems morbid to find here… it is needed. In part to lighten the mood but to also stay true to the characters and really in the end, this is nothing more than a refreshing take on the holiday special.

For it really does buck the super sweet tradition by demanding that the audience engage with a different kind of story. One that takes you off guard sure but is filled to the brim with all the purities of the season. They just come forth in an unconventional manner that no one is expecting and that genuinely makes this holiday special, a must watch. In part because Agatha Raisin is back on the air and that’s always wonderful but also because, you have to celebrate a story that bucks the norm and tries something new and succeeds in its mission. Plus, you simply cannot go wrong with the fun factor present here and if this writer has done enough to pique your interest regarding this special, then swing by Acorn TV when you have a chance and give this one a look. You’ll be glad you did.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘The Larkins’.
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One particular aspect of our health that we all tend to neglect and rarely admit to overlooking, is our mental health. For there is a prevailing belief in our world that we can just forge ahead and push through any mental fatigue or distress, and we are now learning, that is simply not the case in the slightest. For our minds require rest and nurturing and acts that keep it healthy and going and our mental health is something we can no longer ignore. But while we are making great strides in mental health care in the 21st Century, seventy years ago… how we handled such matters was vastly different, as evidenced by the next episode of The Larkins.

For when we catch up with the family in ‘In Which Pop and Ma Go on Holiday’, Pop is uh… doing a poor job of taking care of his mental and physical health, plain and simple. For Ma has taken notice of the fact that he is constantly up early and constantly working on the farm and that does leave her to worry about how it is impacting his mind and his body. A thought that quite frankly, is progressive in nature given the era the show is set within and well… that motivates Ma to pull Pop away for a holiday. Wherein he can relax and recharge and that of course… turns into a bevy of hijinks. For not only does Pop struggle with taking it easy, but he also decides to take on a new task whilst on vacation.

In that, he and Ma ran into a loving couple that was dealing with a sour family life. One where everyone else around them was making demands of how their love and their wedding should go. And rather than sit back and watch a couple of lovebirds struggle like this when they clearly needed space and time to process their love, Pop felt the need to step in and help them at every turn. A move that is indeed classic Larkin, since they always have everyone’s back, but also spoke volumes to how hard it was for folks in the 1950s to really do what was right for their mental health, regardless of the situation. Since the times clearly called for people to be in constant motion and dealing with something. But all commentary and slice of life from the era aside, make no mistake about it… it was sweet to see Pop and Ma be so kind to others.

Yet as this series is wont to do, it had more slice of life moments to offer us. For while Pop and Ma were away, Charley and Mariette were in charge and that went about as well as expected. Since Charley was ill prepared for the collective intelligence and drive of the Larkin kids, since they played him like a fiddle, and Mariette… well she was further driven toward her decision to leave home. Since a date with Tom and an encounter with Pauline, only left her feeling more trapped at home and in need of culture and really, this was quite the lovely sequence for certain. Since it helped us to get to know what makes Charley and Mariette tick, and it also led to some wonderfully comical sequences involving humanity’s emerging love affair with the television. 

If anything, all of these elements made for a fascinating and heartwarming tale. One that found a unique way to ask the audience to take part in self-care of the mind… by showing us how we look when we ignore it and forge ahead. Which really did serve as a fine reminder that just because this has been the status quo for far longer than we know… it doesn’t have to be the way forward from here on out. Plus, it was equally as wonderful to see life in the 1950s through the Larkins’ eyes once again and now that this charming adventure has come to a close, it will be quite fascinating to see what other lessons this show is going to teach us by way of history and what other kind and incredible gestures the Larkins will take part in as this wonderful inaugural season of this refreshing show continues along. Until next time.