Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 3103 of ‘Top Gear’.
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One particular aspect of television that is genuinely fascinating, is when a writers’ room becomes entranced with a particular concept. Because when they do, they dive into it over the course of multiple episodes to properly explore every angle of that concept and well, this is something that truly benefits the fans. Since they are treated to a quality examination of a topic that is likely quite relevant to their interests and what’s amazing, is that this lovely little twist to modern television, is starting to expand to every type of show out there and for proof… look no further than BBC America’s Top Gear. For last week’s caravan themed, road trip episode… inspired the producers and writers and hosts of this dynamic series, to dig deeper into the notion of the road trip and the different types that people can embark upon.

Which is why this week’s episode of the show, focused on the wonder of the expedition style road trip. So that everyone could get a chance to experience what it is like to go off road and enjoy the rugged harshness of nature and well, what better way to get that across… then by sending the lads to Iceland to enjoy an expedition adventure in a land where volcanoes rule the day, with some twists and surprises of course. Such as sadly, not having Freddie Flintoff join Paddy McGuiness and Chris Harris on this adventure. For he was forced to self-isolate when the voyage got underway, leaving Chris and Paddy to venture about Iceland in their unique choices for off-roading. Since Chris opted to drive the Vauxhaull Chevette and Paddy chose the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. 

Cars that initially made it seem as though they were both going to be in trouble since the landscape is indeed bouncy and gruff in this part of the world. But before the adventure determined if trouble was to come and which of these cars was the best for this kind of trip… Paddy and Chris took part in a time-honored road trip tradition, experiencing local culture. Which allowed for them to try sand racing in volcanic ash, which is quite popular in Iceland, and they also had the chance to participate in a strongman competition. Which is also a big hit in that part of the world, and it just so happens that they beat two strongmen with some fine teamwork and physical sacrifice and once the duo stood triumphant and sore after dragging two cars across the finish line, they sampled a little local cuisine (well… Chris did, since the sight of hardcore Icelandic food made Paddy ill), and prepared for the ultimate expedition challenge.

Wherein they would race the Stig (who was driving an off-road vehicle suited for this environment), to the top of a volcano’s crater. A journey that would take them through some horrible terrain, the kind that should have finally put their vehicles down with how rugged and rough it was. But believe it or not, the Chevette and the Silver Shadow performed admirably, despite a couple of genuine scares. Since Chris lost an engine cylinder and Paddy darn near slid off the road on several occasions. But those cars never faltered one this volcanic leg of the journey, allowing for the duo to win the day over the Stig and remind all of us, that sometimes… the best road trips out there, are the ones where you taste a touch of danger and really get in the muck with mother nature and really all of this, made for one entertaining and beautiful tale.

Because the laughs were simply top notch, courtesy of watching Paddy turn green while Chris ate some exotic meats, and the producers and our hosts did a wonderful job of genuinely exploring the wonder and the majesty of Iceland. Which has beauty to offer all of humanity, even in its most desolate places, since the volcanic ridge that the lads raced upon, had a haunting beauty to it and it was humbling to see the origins of our world at work and really, in the end, a round of applause is in order for the cast and crew of this series. Because this was mission accomplished, since they really did explore the wonder of the road trip in a bold new light that not everyone thinks of, and now that we’ve had a chance to dive deeper into the majesty of the road, it would seem that the passion this series exudes is going to serve as the focus of next week’s adventure and this writer cannot wait to see that on full display, once again. Until then.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Madame Blanc Mysteries’.
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It is definitely safe to say that every parent out there is supremely protective of their child, and they are justified in that. After all, this is their flesh and blood, their shot at immortality and with the right amount of protection and guidance, their little one could grow up and change the world for the better. So why not fiercely protect them to ensure they have the best shot to be successful in life? But what’s tough for parents, is the transition they go through when their little one has come of age. For when that day arrives, mom or dad have to lower their protective shield and let their baby venture out into the world on their own and that really is no easy task. In fact, it can be so difficult, that some parents refuse to let go and even take their protective nature to the Nth degree.

All because they believe they know what is best for their baby and well, that particularly strange side of parenting is top of mind today, because it served as the focus of this week’s episode of The Madame Blanc Mysteries. But as is often the case in this story, that particular theme was buried beneath a mountain of deception. For the murder of a priest and the theft of a rare holy artifact, immediately led the police and Jean White to believe, that someone wanted that artifact badly and that the poor priest got in the way. Which in turn motivated Jean to call up an old friend, one that would be able to help her determine who would try and buy a rare artifact from the religious world and that in turn, led her to believe that a local businessman named Sasha Ruse was behind this all.

For not only was he dating the only woman that would know how to move precious religious artifacts, but he had taken quite the vested interest in property surrounding the church. To the point where he was preparing to purchase it and that only seemed to reinforce Jean’s theory that this man was the killer and she was so certain she had it right that she had Caron swing by Ruse’s office with her, to question him and hopefully expose his crimes, since she was working off of a lot of circumstantial evidence and well, that ended in disaster. Since she and Caron came to learn that Ruse’s mother was buried on the plot of land that he had his eye upon, and he wanted to develop it into a proper memorial for her and others and well, that left Jean beside herself.

For she basically failed for the first time ever in finding a killer. But rather than let a single misstep bring her down, she returned to the church for another look at the crime scene and that’s when she came to discover… the killer was within these hallowed halls after all. In fact, it was the mother of a priest named Durand that committed this heinous crime. For Paulette Durand believed her baby boy never needed to endure the irate temper of the former priest and should of course, be front and center in the church, and that motivated her to orchestrate murder and hide the artifact to keep the eyes of the police off her baby. All so he could be the center of attention and find success, because she couldn’t bear the thought of letting him handle his life on his own and well, that discovery, helped to bring Paulette to justice and put Jean back in Caron’s good graces.

But what matters more here, is that this story did a wonderful job of exploring how parents genuinely need to let go when the time is right. Because to do otherwise is detrimental to the now grown child and their mental health, and the mental health of the parent. For while hanging on might not lead to murder, it would certainly put a parent in a bad place mentally and warp their minds in other ways. If anything, this was simply a unique case through and through, one that took an age-old concept to a whole new level and to top it all off, it set the stage nicely for next week’s season finale. For it appears as though Jean is about to get her ring back and that will undoubtedly bring our villain out of the woodwork, as they attempt to get their hands on it… at last. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Under the Vines’.
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When we set out into the world as an adult, we are full of optimism and hope and a plan. One that will help us achieve our career goals and help us to make an impact upon this world, so we are fondly remembered and what’s wild about this part of life, is that all of those things go the wayside quickly, once we immerse ourselves into the realities of the world. For we quickly come to learn that chaos is everywhere, and struggles find their way to us and that forces us to adapt and survive and abandon grand plans sometimes. To complicate matters further, sometimes our career goals falter and we are robbed of what we believe to be our purpose in life and when these things happen… we are simply left beside ourselves and haven’t a clue what to do.

Which seems like a bleak way to look at the world and adult life in general, but let’s be honest, those are realities that a great deal of people will deal with somewhere along the line and it is important to point that out. Not to instill fear mind you, but to prepare folks so that they can handle the curveballs that life throws our way, appropriately. Because what matters more when life sows chaos and places us in situations that we aren’t comfortable with, is how we respond to it all. Since that response will determine a great deal when it comes to our future and really, all of this is relevant to our discussion today… since this harsh aspect of everyday life is featured prominently in the new Acorn TV series, Under the Vines.

For the first two episodes of this dynamic series, introduces us to a pair of people that have been dealt quite the sour hand. For Daisy Munroe is a socialite that really hasn’t made an impact upon the world or found direction in life and Louis Oakley… is a man that has seen his dreams dissolve before his eyes. To the point where he’s no longer able to practice law, his first love, and he’s dealing with the painful and embarrassing reality of becoming an internet sensation for prancing about Piccadilly Square, naked and drunk. But the death of Louis’ father and Daisy’s stepfather will put this duo in quite the unique situation. For the late Stanley Oakley has left them his dilapidated and disorganized winery and now… Daisy and Louis must figure out what to do with the facility, and their lives for that matter as well, and that brings about some powerful moments.

For we are privy to a great deal of honesty from these characters. Since Daisy and Louis bare their souls to us over the course of these first two episodes and make it clear that they are at their lowest and frustrated with their lives and where fate has taken them. And that kind of raw honesty catches you off guard since most characters in shows in this vein, are never this vulnerable or this real or relatable. But this series is clearly interested in keeping things honest and real seeing them in this light, immediately allows for the viewer to care about them and their journey deeply, and root for them every step of the way and our reward for sitting through such cutting honesty… are some beautiful moments and genuine growth from these two characters.

Because as these episodes unfold, it becomes clear that Daisy is taking an objective look at her life and the new hand she’s been dealt and that allows for her to realize that this is her moment. That this is the universe handing her the opportunity she’s been waiting for and if she sticks with this, she will indeed accomplish wonders and leave a lasting impact upon this world. Provided of course she can get Louis on her side. For he displays all the fear and terror that comes with life shaking things up, and well, watching him come round to Daisy’s teachings, allows for a beautiful future to be setup for this season. One that will be inspirational in nature as we watch this duo, who know nothing about wine, seize the day and go for it and the message lying beneath this portion of the story is clear.

In that, we cannot fear change and we cannot allow for the swirling chaos of the universe to beat us down. Instead, we need to embrace what it sends our way and learn the lesson it is teaching us. For there is a fair chance that the universe or whatever deity you embrace, shakes things up to let you know you’re on the wrong path and this will put you on the right one and that is a powerful and wonderful message to find within this dramedy. And what allows for said message to stick with us, is the fine acting from Rebecca Gibney (Daisy) and Charles Edwards (Louis). Because their earnest performances and comedic timing, sell every powerful moment through and through and keep us engaged and well, this is a series that you absolutely need to watch when all is said and done. Because it really is a breath of fresh air, and it does lift your spirits and it compels you continue the journey… so one can see what other powerful and uplifting life lessons this series is going to send our way as season one rolls along. Until next time.

To learn more about the show, check out our interview with series star and Executive Producer, Rebecca Gibney. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Hightown’.
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Thanksgiving is a time of year that just about everyone in America looks forward to and with good reason. Because you can never go wrong with sitting down to enjoy a giant meal with friends and family and being able to enjoy football and meaningful conversation in their company, just gives us a sense of peace and reinforces the wonder of the season. For it really does hammer home what we have to be thankful for. But while the vast majority of us count down the seconds to our turkey dinner, there was mention of the fact that not everyone eagerly awaits this particular holiday, and they too have good reason as to why they can look upon this day with disdain.
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Because for some folks, there are no family and friends to go home to or they have little to be thankful for. Or heading home is stressful and brings up bad memories or it could by chance… be a holiday that reveals some hard truths that no one wanted to face, and it just so happens, that the darker side to Thanksgiving took the center stage in this week’s episode of Hightown. For ‘Crack Is Wack’ is an episode that took place during Thanksgiving and well, there was little joy to be found on the cape. For Charmaine was beside herself over losing her sister and nearly left the business over her death, and the only thing that kept her going was her Uncle Wayne and his pep talk that asked her to stick with this unsavory career path since she’d already accomplished so much and she wasn’t the only one having a tough Turkey Day because of family related problems, for Jackie is the one that had to face some hard truths about her family and her life.

For her time with her dad, went from joyous to nightmarish pretty darn quick. For once the drugs ran out and the bottles were emptied, dear old dad asked horrible things of his daughter. The kind that made her realize that she uses to mask the pain of the past and the abusive relationship she has with her father, and if she doesn’t address it… more benders will continue, and she’ll stay in this dark place. Which finally motivated Jackie to open up and try to get help, but it will be a little while before she does so. Since her drinking ways brought another slip up to the case, one that revealed to her the hard truth about Daisy and well… while that is a tough reality to reconcile, there is a bright spot to be found in this storyline. Since Jackie is indeed self-aware at last and with the right support, she might finally beat addiction and heal from her past. 

However, while Jackie’s journey alone could have carried this tale from beginning to end, there were other harsh things happening on the cape in this tale. For instance, Ray Abruzzo made his move to try and crack the case wide open, by playing games. For once he learned about Jorge’s disappearance, he made it seem as though Jorge was in fact, a DEA informant. A lie that he shared with Renee to make her think that she and Frankie might be sent to jail and the panic that put into her soul was powerful to say the least and it downright confirmed that Ray is playing her the same way she played him. All so that he can use her panic to get her to turn in Frankie and he in turn will get his job with the CCINU back and well, that’s about as diabolical as it gets, and Renee’s problems didn’t end there.
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Because Frankie was scary in this tale, since he spent a great deal of this episode brooding and pondering over what to do next regarding Jorge. To the point where Thanksgiving dinner was awkward and terrifying when Alan swung by since they found Jorge’s car (but no Jorge) at the airport. A revelation that prompted Frankie to detach further and figure out that his cousin was dead and well, that means Renee is in a truly difficult place now. For Frankie made it clear, he is going to find Jorge’s killer and he is going to need Renee’s help to run the business and keep the money flowing and it will be quite interesting to see if Renee can keep it together in the weeks to come with this kind of pressure and fear surrounding her.

In the end however, this was just another brilliant episode from this brilliant show. Since it once again added some realistic twists into everyday life since it put the darker side of Thanksgiving on display and finally helped us to understand why Jackie is an addict. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the story figured out a way to make Thanksgiving intense as well, courtesy of the Renee plot line, since there was a genuine moment where it appeared she might die at the hands of her beloved Frankie and well, once again… the wait for next week’s episode is going to be a difficult one. Because the pressure is ramping up and we are all dying to know what is going to happen to Renee and Jackie and Ray, when all of this madness finally explodes. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’.
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One thing that each and every one of us love to experience in this life, it’s feeing in control of our lives. Because being in that position, just puts us on cloud nine and has us feeling as though we’ve accomplished something wonderful and well… we most certainly have. Since we're the boss and we have managed to obtain something that so many others desire. But what’s fascinating about this feeling, is that sometimes… it is nothing more than an outright lie. For when our slice of control revolves around something that unsavory folks around us desire as well, they are content to let us believe we are in charge, so they can quietly surprise us and sneak in and take what we thought we had firm grip upon.

If anything, that strange and concerning aspect of life is top of mind today, simply because it served as one of the focal themes of this week’s episode of Power Book II: Ghost. Because Tariq felt as though he was finally in complete and utter control of his life in ‘The Greater Good’. After all, product was back in his hands, there was peace between him and Cane, Course Correct was back up and running and after showing Lauren what he was constantly pushing her aside for (mostly), he was finally able to get the girl. Plus, it seemed as though he was on the path to getting Yas back home since he had legit paychecks rolling in and was making plans to get an apartment so that she would have somewhere to stay. But alas… the sense of control he was currently experiencing, was something of an illusion. 

For while Tariq planned for a better tomorrow, Cane planned to obtain the upper hand over Mister St. Patrick. For he struggled with not being in command of Tariq’s money-making operation and that’s why he worked with Mecca to figure out how to best gain full control over Tariq and it turns out… that his way in, is through Brayden. For Mister Weston was desperately looking for a way to take this operation to bold new heights and well, Cane was happy to show him the way and how the streets can make them infinite money, and this was simply a fascinating segment to watch. Because it served as a fine reminder that when drugs and money are involved, there’s always someone else wanting to take control of as much of it as possible and it was also fascinating, because we’ve never seen Tariq in such a compromising position. For up until now, he’s been the de facto boss and it was quite wild to see him get played for a change. 

However, while that storyline both engaged and frustrated the audience, since we all wanted to see Tariq figure out the problem in front of him and take charge, there were other aspects of control that this episode wished to explore. Such as how sometimes, we can outright lose control when something we desperately want is right in front of us and that was handled by way of Monet in this tale. For Mecca reached out and asked her to spend the day with him and to ensure he could make that happen... Mecca turned on the charm. And being romanced outside of a prison setting and being treated like a queen, helped Monet to utterly lose control and get lost in the moment and in Monet’s case, that’s a bad thing.
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Because while Mecca fed her fine food in a restaurant rented out for the two of them, before flying her around Manhattan in his own private helicopter, trouble was brewing for the business, and it wasn’t just Cane’s machinations. For if you recall, Zeke was pulled downtown by Detective Whitman last week, and the good gumshoe… really stuck it to Zeke. Because he was relentless in his interrogation and did everything and anything to get Zeke to implicate Carrie. And while Zeke stayed loyal and did his best to keep his nose out of this business, he was forced to push back in a manner that raised all kinds of hell. Since he dropped Ramirez’s name and card during the interrogation to get out of trouble. Which of course brought about all kinds of questions, ones that the Whitman will have to wait to have answered. Because once Tariq found out about Zeke, he sent Davis down there… and once Monet found out about this, she went down there too, saving the day and keeping this mess at bay. 

But it will only be a matter of time before Whitman comes calling again and his push for knowledge and everything else that happened here, felt like a grand setup. The kind that will eventually put Tariq and Monet in tough spots when they are forced to deal with the twists that came into play in this tale. But while we wait for that, we can offer up a round of applause for another great episode. One that was once again packed to the brim with juicy storylines and quality performances and a wonderful upside-down world. One where Tariq and Monet weren’t in control in the slightest for a change and it really will be quite interesting to see how they handle what is going on behind the scenes, when one considers that they have both expressed a desire to leave the life behind. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series thirteen finale of ‘Doctor Who’.
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Doctor Who wasted no time on its series thirteen finale, we jumped right in to where we last ended. The Doctor is faced with Azure and Swarm and only one way out. Azure is dangling her locked memories like a carrot in hopes of coaxing the Doctor to stay, while Swarm is too happy to gloat over her apparent capture. The Doctor begs the Ood to help her escape and it seems like she almost does. She fades into existence on the Lupari ship where Bel and Karvanista are currently fighting off Sontarans. She fades away just as quick to find the TARDIS with Yaz, Dan, Jericho, and hopefully some much needed allies, only to be brought back to the Division ship. Turns out she’s actually in three places at once. Three Doctors are a dangerous thing. Technically, one Doctor is dangerous. Being split between three places at once is proving to be a bit of a strain, but it’s nothing she can’t handle.

With Yaz and Dan, she figures out the door system. With Bel and Karvanista, she plans to sabotage the Sontaran ships. Turns out the Sontarans have sent out a message to all Daleks and Cybermen who remain within the universe, asking for a treaty. And with Swarm and Azure, well, things are a bit different. They’re torturing the Doctor. Revenge for what she did to them when she worked for Division. The locked memories from countless lives she’s lived still dangled before her, ever a present reminder of everything she’s been denied. All the while she’s split enough to start to struggle. It’s not sustainable, being split into three. On the Sontaran Ship, she learns that Karvanista was a companion of hers. He can’t speak to her about that time, however, since Division put an implant in his brain that will kill him if he ever does. She’s then escorted away by the Grand Serpent, to be tortured/interrogated by him. It gives Bel all the time she needs to get information from their ship. The Doctor shows up and saves the Doctor and it’s quite adorable to see her flirt with herself. Two Doctors in one TARDIS, navigating away from everything and saving the day, what more could we ask for on a finale?

All finales are not without loss. The Doctor isn’t able to sustain this being split for long but she is able to connect with her selves and make an informal plan. First, they have to save Vinder and Diane who were trapped in a Passenger Form. Claire and Jericho are sent to the Sontaran psychic division where Claire sees the exact end of the universe, the next wave of the Flux is hitting soon. That’s why the Sontaran’s are calling the Daleks and the Cybermen here, so they can destroy their enemies once and for all and survive behind the Lupari ships… also they killed all the Lupari except for Karvanista. Vinder and Bel are sent out to destroy Sontaran communications just as the Flux begins, shortly after the Cybermen and Dalek armies arrive. While the Sontarans think they’ve won, since the Flux starts to destroy the Cybermen and Daleks, Karvanista moves the Lupari ships remotely, while safely in the TARDIS. Claire makes it back to the TARDIS, but Jericho isn’t as lucky. Sadly, he dies in the Flux… and I cried like a baby. With the Flux breaking through the Lupari ships, Diane suggests the Passenger Form. The Doctor summons it and they all watch as the Passenger Form absorbs the rest of the Flux, saving the remainder of the Universe.

By now, Swarm and Azure have taken the Doctor to meet Time, literal Time. The Doctor is their offering, even though they failed to destroy the universe and free Time. Which doesn’t go well for them, since Time literally kills them. Then the Doctor is given a warning. Her enemies are vast, and she should beware their Master. Then Time makes the Doctor whole again and she ends up back on the TARDIS. Vinder takes care of the Grand Serpent, and then the Doctor sends him and Bel off with Karvanista on his ship. Dan and Diane go home, Claire and Kate Stewart are where they need to be, and all loose ends are tied up nicely. Well, they were. Dan asks Diane out for a drink, and she turns him down… even though they did save the world together. In the end, the Doctor and Yaz show up, offering him to join them on their next adventure, which he happily accepts. The Doctor even apologizes to Yaz for pushing her out and not opening up to her.
 
Finally, alone, the Doctor takes her locked memories and asks the TARDIS to hide them from her, only to be given back when she truly asks for them. With that, we’re left until the New Year’s Special to wait for more Doctor Who and find out just what trouble The Doctor is going to get up to with Dan and Yaz next.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Wild Patagonia’.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the planet we call home is as gorgeous as they come. For everywhere you look, there is something wonderful to see and if by chance you decide to leave home to explore it, you can see just about every single climate imaginable since our biosphere is full of diverse and magnificent environments that take our breath away. But what’s truly fascinating about our world, is that it is so unique and so dynamic, that there are actually places where you can experience and explore every climate known to man with minimal travel, and one such place where that is the case, is Patagonia.
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Which is a stretch of unique land in South America where the ocean and the Andes Mountain range, collide. And having the water and the mountains strike one another in this manner, allows for unique climates and biospheres to exists in close proximity, and it just so happens that a brand-new documentary on BBC America is going to spotlight this wild land over the next few weeks. And to properly introduce us to this fascinating part of our world, the series premiere of Wild Patagonia thought it was best to take us on a grand tour the ever-changing environments present here and that made ‘Fire and Ice’ quite the beautiful and fascinating tale.

One that took the time to show us, that the Ring of Fire plays a big part as to why this section of the world is so diverse. For the volcanoes on the north side are active and are consistently building more mountains that can trap moisture and create basin environments. The kind that are nearly untouched by humanity and that’s allowed for prehistoric plants to thrive and unique ecosystems to come to life and beyond those pockets are tundra and glaciers, the kind that feed freshwater south and create green and lush landscapes and even the parts of Patagonia that should be arid and desolate still support beauty and life. But while it was wonderful to experience the majesty of Patagonia and the Andes, it is the life that thrives in this wild environment that stole the show.

Simply because the creatures that populate this place, have in fact… adapted to their respective part of the world. For instance, there are birds and marsupials that have roamed those pocket environments for ages on end, courtesy of the specially created treats it has to offer them. And those waterways are filled with ducks, whose webbed feet have evolved to help them navigate brutal white-water rivers and of course… there are predators in the arid parts of this land that hunt with impunity and thrive and even humanity has found its place in Patagonia. For there are Gauchos that live off the land and well, all of these elements and visuals made for a breathtaking introduction to a segment of the globe that isn’t highlighted enough.

But it should be. For it is indeed gorgeous and thriving and it clearly harbors wonders untold for us to explore and that’s why this documentary needs to be celebrated. For already, this series has offered up a bevy of facts for us to chew upon and stunning visuals for our eyes to feast upon and truly, this opening chapter and the wonderful worlds and wildlife that it introduced us to… is so compelling and so powerful that we will undoubtedly be counting down the minutes until next week’s entry. So, we can see what other ancient creatures and wildlife live here and to learn exactly how they thrive in a place where every environment on Planet Earth, is but a stone’s throw away. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Fourteen of ‘Leverage: Redemption’.
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There was a time when it was extremely easy to spot evil in our world. For it was boisterous and brave and had no qualms in making it and its intentions known to the world, and that was helpful for the rest of us. Since it allowed for us to quickly target it, and fight it and defeat it, and keep it away from the rest of mankind for ages on end. A reality that evil wasn’t good with and sadly, its absence gave it time to think and realize that if it put on a fake smile and pretended to be good, it could fool people and go about its twisted business and sadly, this plan is working. Since we are seeing evil work behind the guise of good, often, and its resurgence in this manner has left all of us wondering exactly how it can be defeated, now that it likes to hide in plain sight.
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Well as it turns out, this is a question that Dean Devlin and the writers’ room of Leverage: Redemption were curious about as well and that led them to explore how we could bring down hidden evil, and evil in general, in the next episode of this storied franchise and that made ‘The Great Train Job’, one poignant and powerful tale. One that oddly enough, seemed as though it was going to focus on a different topic early on. As evidenced by the fact that this episode opens up with a hate crime involving an interracial and same sex married couple. For these intrepid farmers, find themselves under assault from white supremacists that ‘don’t take kindly’ to well… anyone different than they are, making it appear as though this was going to be an episode that focused heavily on hate in America. 

But that act was designed to hide a bigger secret. Because there was something incredibly wrong with this farm, and while Eliot and Harry went to figure out what exactly… Sophie and Parker and Breanna went after a man named Blake Whitcomb. Who had uncomfortably coincidental ties to this group, despite being an innovator that claimed to want to make the world a greener place, and well, what they learned about this man was horrifying. In that, he was also a white supremacist and used goodwill and charm and boatloads of money to hide his real intentions. Which was to bring old school Nazi values back to life, under the guise of philanthropy and innovation so people would more easily follow his twisted views, and that uh, that makes Whitcomb the most horrific enemy the team has faced to date.

For that is the worst-case scenario when it comes to hidden evil and well, to stop him and people like him, the solution was quite clear. In that, what evil tends to forget, is that it is supremely weak at its core, and it loves operating with impunity. So, if by chance it was exposed and stood up to by the masses… it would likely back down and that is precisely what happened here, since Whitcomb cowered and eventually ran when exposed and of course, went to jail with the help of Canadian Mounties. But what matters more here is that Whitcomb’s exposure and the underlying lesson in defeating him, provides the audience with homework of sorts. The kind that asks us to be vigilant and unwavering in exposing this type of evil so that it never has a chance to hide and so that others who ponder upon indulging in it… choose to do something else instead.

Plus, this episode also pointed out, it would be best for lawmakers to be a bit more proactive and close loopholes that evil uses to thrive and give law enforcement whatever it needs to intervene before guys like Whitcomb can even remotely enjoy any semblance of power. But while we wait and hope for those kinds of collective changes to arrive, we can in the meantime… celebrate one brave episode. Because these kinds of scumbags are somewhat taboo in popular culture, so it is wonderful to see a show point out how bad they are and how thirsty they are for power in a manner that is just light-hearted enough to make it all palatable, and hopefully this episode inspires other shows to put these unsavory individuals on display. So that they are indeed exposed and so that the conversation about how to put an end to any tolerance of their beliefs and behaviors… can begin. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Wheel of Time’.
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Something that is genuinely fascinating about fantasy adaptations, is that they truly tend to lean heavy into the majesty and wonder of the worlds they bring to life on the small or silver screen, and it makes sense as to why. After all, this is it, the audience’s chance to see the incredible landscapes and creatures that were relegated to imagination for ages on end… so why not let loose and show us everything we’ve dreamed of? But while that does make for some epic moments for certain and a visual feast, there is a slight flaw in going this route. In that, sometimes sticking with the hardcore fantasy elements in an adaptation… removes the human element from the equation. 
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Because a big reason that fantasy is so popular, is because it really does find a way to reflect upon the human condition. A feat that is often accomplished in this genre by allowing for us to share in some supremely intimate moments with the dynamic characters that populate these stories. Granted, that’s not to say there isn’t depth and complexity to the characters in other fantasy adaptations… but they simply don’t go as deep as the books do and it would seem, that the team behind The Wheel of Time, is looking to change that. For the next episode in this fascinating and dynamic series, figured out a way to inject some powerful humanity into this grand and sweeping world and one way it pulled that off, was by adding a supremely relatable concept into the fabric of this episode… grief.

For when we catch up with Moiraine and Lan and Nynaeve in ‘Blood Calls Blood’, they’ve arrived at last at Tar Valon and are eager to enter the White Tower to figure out the next steps for Nynaeve… and to grieve for their fallen friends. An act that Stepin struggles with mightily since he and Kerene were so incredibly close. Which means that for a great deal of time in this tale, he’s listless and broken and in a dark place and that made for some powerful and tragic moments. The kind that we can relate to on a fundamental level since grief is something we will all experience at some point. But we would be remiss to not point out that this journey also reminded us of grief's dangers. Since Stepin couldn’t survive its power, and eventually took his own life and well, while this was a tragic and devastating plot line for certain… it really did add depth and gravity and realism to this story since there are some in this world who lose themselves to grief and it did accurately portray its power.

But what was amazing, is that this episode’s quest to inject real humanity into this story, didn’t end there. For while grief surged through the Tower, Rand and Mat did their best to collect their bearings in the city below… with mixed results. For they were worn down and emotionally broken over their journey and over the fact that not everyone in their party completed it. Since Thom died somewhere along the way and what made their journey so striking and relatable, is the sheer fact that they are lost and worried about what comes next. Which we all go through that when we’ve sacrificed a great deal for a goal that we aren’t sold on, and we too just sometimes need to live in the moment and let our minds process everything that’s happened so we can figure out a way forward, and kudos to the show for injecting so much realism into both of these storylines since it genuinely helped to attach us to these characters.
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However, while that was refreshing and intimate for certain, this is still a fantasy story and big moments are indeed a given in this world and Perrin and Egwene took part in those. For they found themselves in quite the harrowing situation in this tale, courtesy of the Children of the Light. Because these brutal purists stopped the Tinkers mere miles from the city and once Child Valda noticed some old friends, he brought them into his fold and demanded they channel for him or face some twisted consequences. Since he was convinced, they could harness the One Power and well… he came to regret that demand. For his torture of the both of them, did indeed allow for them to tap into the One Power and show him their ability to wield it. Which thankfully, allowed for them escape and once again… we are left with more questions than answers regarding this story.

For now, we have to worry about Perrin, since his ability to channel could in fact drive him mad and of course… if Egwene can channel as well, is she the Dragon Reborn or merely talented and well, while we wait to receive answers to those questions… we can bask in the wonder of one quality tale. One that really did do the seemingly impossible and add wonderful depth and meaning and drama to a medium that sometimes forgets to keep that rolling and oddly enough… the intimacy present here really does compel the viewer to continue this journey. So that we can see how these powerful moments will grow these characters and how that growth will play into the challenges that lie ahead in the weeks to come. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Anna’.
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At this point, it is definitely safe to say that the AMC+ series, Anna, is one of the most unique post-apocalyptic television shows to ever grace the airwaves. Because not only does this series feature an extremely original plot… wherein all the adults of the world have died of a horrific and contagious virus, leaving the children to inherit the earth without direction or guidance, but it is also unconventional in how it tells this dynamic and harrowing story. For this series genuinely takes the time to flesh out every single character no matter how big or how small so that they have depth and meaning when they finally encounter our heroine Anna and that wonderful dynamic, one that was introduced in last week’s episode by way of the mysterious and twisted twins, carried on in this week’s entry. 

For ‘The Hyenas Laugh’ helped us to better understand the creation of the Blue Kids and who leads them. But not before wrapping up the whole mess with the twins in the most harrowing way imaginable. For when we catch up with Anna here, she and a Blue Boy are locked away in dog crates and are being fed nothing but kibble and this kind of cruelty and madness prompts Anna to play along and curry favor in the hopes of arranging her escape. But that sadly, goes sideways and puts her in a far more precarious place. At least, until Pietro shows up and frees her, allowing for her to finally teach her captor a lesson before heading out into the world to try and retrieve her brother from the Blue Kids and while she was on her journey… the exploration into their creation got underway.

As it turns out, the origins of this strange group, were born out of cruelty well before the pandemic took hold. For a pre-teen named Angelica thought it would be fun to pick on a girl named Lucia that wanted to roll in Angelica’s inner circle, and she was so hell bent on proving her superiority to Lucia… that she demanded the young girl do horrible and dangerous acts. The kind that eventually cost this innocent girl her life. And shortly after the dust settled from this ugly moment and the Red Fever gripped the world, payback came Angelica’s way in the form of being covered in blue paint and well… her ability to withstand her humiliating punishment… combined with a hell of a medical surprise, allowed for her to build a world unlike any other.

One where her minions assemble and worship Angelica and indulge her madness and fury. Since she has shown no signs of the Red Fever despite being of age and being that kind of beacon of hope and supposedly having a cure, is why the kids fall in line and put up with the cruelty that she embraced before the end of everything, and that is bad news for Anna. For eventually she found herself caught up in Angelica’s strange little world when she arrived at the Blue Mansion for her brother, since she was turned into a ‘dancer’ that was to entertain Angelica on demand or face death upon refusal, and thanks to her intelligence and understanding of the situation… she was able to evade trouble and simply observe her surroundings and that will hopefully help her formulate a plan to escape with her brother. 

But while we wait to see if that happens, we can bask in the wonder of one engaging and unique tale. One that pulled us in by changing up the narrative all while engendering hope. Because at long last… there are teenagers in this world that aren’t dying horribly from the Red Fever. Which means there is potential for immunity and a cure and a way forward for humanity. Provided of course someone can figure out how to get these healthy kids away from the bedlam they’ve created at the mansion. Which only compels us further to continue this amazing and creative journey, so we can indeed see if hope will spring eternal from this revelation or if this mansion is nothing more than the place where hope and mankind’s future will die at the whims of immaturity. Until next time.