Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episodes Three & Four of ‘Three Pines’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.

For the most part, crime dramas on television… tend to only offer one specific underlying theme for audiences to chew upon, regarding the case the story is presenting to them, and understandably so. After all, most of these shows revolve around heinous crimes, such as murder, and that alone is overwhelming and powerful for us to process. So, adding anything more than that one theme could be seen as a tad excessive from an emotional standpoint. But every now and then, you run into a television crime drama, that challenges that, out of the belief that the audience is smarter than they are often given credit and that quality and supremely deep storytelling can and should take place within these universes. 
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One such show in that vein, just so happens to be Three Pines on Prime Video, as evidenced by its next batch of episodes. For ‘The Cruellest Month’ is a story that not only looks upon what it means to be needed and how scary it can be to not have a purpose in life, and what that drives us to do… but these are a pair of episodes that quite frankly, explored in great detail the atrocities that Indigenous Americans suffered through in Canada for generations on end and how the ghosts that haunt communities… can leave lasting and painful scars. Alongside adding some updates to the Two-Rivers case, and it accomplished all of those feats, through a brutal and unexpected murder.

For one fine night, when seemingly everyone united at the former school that even CC once owned, a murder occurred. One that was savage in nature since a skull was crushed in the process. Which of course, brought Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team back to Three Rivers to investigate how this happened and well, the discovery of indigenous skeletons in the school during the course of the investigation… spoke volumes to the horrors committed against the Native Americans in this land and how much suffering and indifference they endured and that made for some powerful and moving moments. Especially when Armand discovered the first body… of a child, no less… and well, this was so unsettling and so brutal, and clearly hurt Bea and this down so badly, that watching the school burn at the end of this episode, was a satisfying moment indeed. Since the scars in this town finally healed on this night.

However, it wasn’t revenge or an attempt to educate that led to the murder in question. Instead, that was the result of a broken father. One that saw his little girl growing up before his eyes, and that terrified him. Because he always assumed her visual impairment would make her, need him, and in turn give him purpose. But she was doing fine without help and finding her own way and when the deceased helped her plan for a future away from a possessive and controlling, and downright stifling father… murder came into play. A sorrowful reality that made it clear how much we need purpose in this world and how we need to be essential to others but that at the same time… we also need to know how to have a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. So, we don’t transform into the blubbering mess this man did, since his lack of that… led to panic and the end of a life.

If anything, this was just… another incredible episode from an already incredible series. Since it informed us that this show is going to continue to pack in the storytelling and also make sure we get all the answers we want. Since dark news came in about Blue in the Two-Rivers case, since Isabelle found bleached blood remnant in the home of her man. Not to mention, character growth will be a priority as well. Since this episode helped us to learn what makes Armand tick and what drives him, and we even saw Officer Nichol grow before our eyes here, thanks to Gamache’s tutelage and well, in the end, all this episode does is leave is eager for more. So, we can watch Armand’s keen mind and good heart, solve incredible cases filled to the brim with meaning, as season one of this incredible crime drama, continues along. Until next time.

One thing that fans of television can agree upon, is that we are truly living in a golden age for T.V. shows. Because new and dynamic stories keep finding their ways to the small screen and each of every one of us keep finding new characters to latch onto and care about and learn from. Because television keeps presenting us with unique stories that explore parts of the human condition, that few of us understand and that particularly wonderful aspect of the industry as it stands is top of mind, simply because another story in that vein is about to hit the airwaves.
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For January 5, 2023, will see the debut of Kold x Windy on WE tv and well… judging from the plot synopsis that was released by the network and the supertease trailer that accompanied it, it is obvious this is going to be a special show. One that is going to take us on a unique ride that will provide us with a unique perspective on chasing one’s dreams and for proof… then look no further than the details in question and that supertease trailer, courtesy of WE tv.

‘WE tv today released the supertease trailer for its all-new, eight-episode scripted drama series, Kold x Windy, from creators Kenny Young (One Week), Phil James (Bachelors), and Vernon “Xtreme” Brown (Raven Music). Exposing the reality behind Chicago’s south side and its street culture that has influenced our entire nation, the original series, premieres on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 10 PM ET/9 PM CT on WE tv. New episodes become available on popular AMC streaming service ALLBLK, every Monday, following their premiere on WE tv.
 
Fueled by the authentic sounds and raw energy surrounding the drill music movement, Kold x Windy follows rising hip hop and drill star Malika “Kold” Wise (Sh’Kia Augustin, Black Lightning); who is desperate to create a better life for her and her son in Chicago’s south side. Her trusted confidant and group member Renee “Windy” Johnson (Nijah Brenea, Rap Sh!t), is a rapper with a strong dedication to the city streets. As Malika’s career begins to ignite, the challenges she faces start to stack up. Her lifelong hustle – credit card fraud – catches up with her, and rival drill artists start to view her as a threat. When new love arises, the pressures of making music, her hustle and her troubled son may stand in the way…alongside Renee who does not support Malika’s desire to change her image and will stop at nothing to prevent it. Will Malika be able to break free of her life of street crime to achieve her music dreams and save her family?
 
The series also stars Brely Evans (“Ambitions”) as GeGe, Kaja Brielle (“Black Lightning”) as Shelly Winter, Kiyanne Muhammad (“Love and Hip Hop: New York”) as Temperance “Temper” Davis, Solo Lucci (“Love and Hip Hop: Hollywood”) as Pop Off, and more.
 
Kold x Windy is co-created by Kenny Young, Phil James, and Vernon “Xtreme” Brown of Chalice Entertainment. Lauren Gellert, EVP of Development and Original Programming, David Stefanou, SVP of Original Programming and Development and Nikki Love, SVP of Production and Development (ALLBLK) serve as Executive Producers for WE tv.’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 3304 of ‘Top Gear’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular topic of discussion that has come up often in our recaps of the BBC America series, Top Gear, is the sheer fact that this series is a genuine love letter to the world of automobiles. Because time and time again, we’ve been presented with episodes where our beloved hosts not only express their love of the car but celebrate its wonder or find ways to explore how the average citizen can get their hands on a ride that will please them to no end. Because that is what this series was founded upon, our love of the road and the cars that take us from Point A to Point B and well, that is top of mind today, simply because the best example to date of how this show celebrates that love was put on full display, in its next episode.
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In part thanks to Freddie and Chris. Who spent a lot of time looking at a pair of revolutionary Hot Hatches in this tale. Because the Hot Hatch has and will forever be, a wondrous gateway car. The kind that truly motivates a person to explore what other kinds of cars are out there and thanks to Honda and Peugeot, that process can continue. Because Honda’s Civic Type-R, while a little larger than the average Hot Hatch, knows how to wow a driver and helps them to understand all the fun a car can provide them with, by celebrating the best features of the Hot Hatch. Whereas Peugeot’s 205 GTI does the same, with a true retro feel. One that allows the driver to connect to the legacy of this car as they begin their journey into all that automobiles have to offer.

But while that was indeed another wonderful way to celebrate the legacy of the automobile and our love of it, it was Paddy’s vignette in this episode that took that to a whole new level. Because at some point or another in our lives, we have wondered what it would be like to be a professional racing driver and know the thrill of blasting through the racetrack in a car that moves akin to lightning. But most of us let that little dream slip away and are fine with just… enjoying a little speed on the weekends. But for some… that thought becomes an obsession and they would give anything for a shot to take part in that world and that left Paddy wondering. In that, what would happen, if someone that had that dream, had a Rocky Balboa-esque opportunity to become a race car driver.

So, he held auditions for both mechanics and drivers and assembled a Top Gear team that would train and eventually compete at the GT Cup, and this was… so freakin’ cool. Because we got to watch three young men and one woman… live their dream. For they were able to train with the best and see what goes into this world and stumble and make mistakes along the way before getting the chance… to really go for it. Which led to some proud moments for certain since everyone did amazing on the day of. Making it clear that given the chance, the right person will live their dream and do well at it since they want it so badly. But what mattered more, is that… this journey truly hammered home how Top Gear celebrates our love of everything and anything to do with automobiles.

Because the show gave people that dreamt of being near them in a professional manner, a chance to do it. To be around everything they’ve ever wanted and that was just… beautiful and inspiring to watch. Since we were able to see the joy on their faces and the satisfaction in their hearts at getting the chance to take part in something that meant the world to them. Which made this, a supremely special episode, one that we can take so much from and kudos to the show for taking the time to do something this magnificent and this special and kind, and in the process… remind all of us of the wonder of the car and what it does for us on a fundamental level. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eleven of ‘Shantaram’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about the lessons that Lin Ford/Dale Conti’s journey has provided us with via the Apple TV+ series, Shantaram. For Lin’s desperate attempts to avoid change and never have to face his past has taught us to embrace change and do impactful work internally to become a better person. But of the many lessons that we have explored over the past eleven weeks, there are two that have been hovering over this series for some time now. Specifically, what are the consequences of not addressing our past and running from it hard, and what would come from trying to heal or improve a situation that is already toxic and volatile, and well… this week’s episode turned out to be the moment when the show opted to address those concerns.
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For ‘Banquet of Consequences’ informed us of the fact… that trying to create a status quo or better days ahead for darkness, will go nowhere in life and bring us great trouble. Because when ugly is deeply established in the world around us, it cannot be healed or improved. It can only do what it does and spread and bring heartache, and the story that Karla put out into the world, in an effort to promote that healing and make Lin proud and safe… spiraled out of control. For Walid learned of its existence from Madame Zhou and learning that… brought forth a turf war. One that saw Khader Khan under fire from Walid’s forces and this war also brought forth, major suffering in Sagar Wada, since Walid’s boys went back in to cause trouble and inflict great harm. 

The kind that saw Qasim suffer a brutal head injury in the ensuing battle and that of course… brought forth nothing but fury and disdain from Lin. Who came to learn that Khan was going to use his freedom as a bargaining chip to end the story before it could be printed. Which was enough to motivate him to walk away from the whole mess, and well, that really was an impactful way to hammer home that lesson, and that chaos oddly enough, led to the second lesson of the hour. Specifically… what happens when we don’t deal with our past. Because while all of this was going on, Nightingale was finally learning a sense of humility and in doing so, was able to find common ground with Bombay PD and advance the case through a squeeze of Didier and through informants. 

Which brought Nightingale to Sagar Wada, where Prabhu went through abuse to distract the angry detective while Lin worked on Qasim to save his life. But thanks to Ravi, Lin/Dale and the officer that did him harm came face to face at last after all this time. Making it clear without a shadow of a doubt… that when we don’t resolve our past, eventually it will come back to haunt us. Either in an emotional manner… or a literal manner. Which was the case here, and that put Lin in a tough spot. Where he either has to figure out a creative way to secure his freedom or run again and hope that somehow, he can avoid yesterday. But we all know he can’t because that’s not how the universe works in the slightest. 

Either way, such lessons set the stage for one powerhouse season finale for this story. For now, the bad of this world is mired in conflict and lives now hang in the balance since Karla and Lisa were kidnapped by Zhou’s lackeys, and Modena may not survive because of that. Giving rise to uncertain futures for those flawed people and of course… Lin is back on the run and unsure of what comes next since his plans have been blown to bits and well… that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode quite painful in nature. Because we simply have to know what will become of the people that we’ve come to know so well, and we of course must know… whether or not Lin can resolve his past as Dale Conti and find peace and at last. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘The Mosquito Coast’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Often times in storytelling, where the main character or characters are desperately searching for direction or purpose in life… an eye-opening, life changing event tends to give them clarity and a push in the right direction. Which makes sense, since our lives are composed of moments that open our eyes to so much and help us to process where we have been and where we are going. So, what better way for a character to do so, than by going through what we do? But what’s problematic about how stories handle this… is that said characters tend to move toward resolution in record time when that stunning moment arrives, when in fact… it doesn’t happen like that in the slightest in the everyday world. 
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Which of course, relates to the nature of entertainment and escapism, but realism can be impactful in storytelling as well, since it can draw an audience into the story further and truly offer up advice and perspective and that is why the Apple TV+ series, The Mosquito Coast continues to impress. Because it is heavily grounded in realism, as evidenced by this week’s episode. For ‘Goat Head Taco’ is a story that picks up immediately after the events of last week’s stunning tale, where everyone in the Fox family faced stunning… life changing revelations, which in a standard story… would lead to epic progress and change for everyone involved. But in this episode, realism won the day. 

For it showed us a brother and sister divided over the news that came out of their past, which was painfully realistic since in reality… family perceives bad news differently, as was the case here. Not to mention, Margot was basically a shell of her former self. For she couldn’t believe that the darkest part of her past came back to haunt her, here, of all places, and not knowing how to handle it in that moment left her listless and distant. As would be the case for so many people, and even Allie found himself in a strange place mentally. Since he came to realize that this wasn’t the paradise that he was hoping it would be and this was… a brilliant direction to take this story in for certain.

Simply because… this is what happens when life changing events surround us. We are confused and listless and unhappy and unsure of where we go next, and there were no easy answers for the family here. Heck, not even those we suspect of more nefarious plans, like Isela, seemed to have a perfect plan down and kudos to the show for going this route and giving us something of real substance for the characters to grow from. But of course, this is a television show and had to have some measure of drama for us to indulge in and oddly enough that came via Charlie in this tale. Who went to extreme measures to teach the man, he viewed as the family pest, a powerful lesson in humility.

But that aside, this really was an episode grounded heavily in everyday life, and what big moments do to us and well, it served as proof positive that injecting that level of realism into a television show, can be a wonderful thing. Because we felt for the Fox family in this tale and pondered upon what might come next, alongside them, as they struggled to find a way forward. All courtesy of quality writing and acting. But now that the family has had time to reflect, it will be interesting to see what comes next for them now that we know that Margot, and Richard, and even Special Agent Raban… have plans for the future in mind, regarding what they want out of life. Until next time.

To learn more about Isela, check out our interview with Actor Natalia Cordova-Buckley, who plays Isela, right here.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 306 of ‘Mythic Quest’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that no one wants to work on Christmas Day. For we are taught in our youth that family time during the holidays is scared, and we hold onto that as adults and lament when the world makes anyone work during the holidays. But alas, there are employers out there who call in their staff to work on the big day and there are some jobs that are essential on this day. Such as emergency services and the like. But for those who aren’t essential workers on that all important holiday, how does one get through it with a smile on their faces and without bitterness in their heart? Well, that’s a question that next episode of Mythic Quest on Apple TV+, takes the time to answer.
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For ‘The 12 Hours of Christmas’ saw the staff of Mythic Quest, and the staff of GrimPop, hanging out in the office on Christmas Eve and Day. Simply because, the staff needed to be present to make sure that all the servers were running smoothly at a time when people would be playing for hours on end and well, while the staff understood the need to be there, they’re human. They weren’t exactly thrilled to do it and uh… David made it worse. Because he wanted this, his first year running the festivities, to be… very dry and very Christmas-y. So, he was hoping that people would join in on Karaoke and take part in the simple festivities and yeah… they didn’t.

In fact, they quickly defected to the wild GrimPop party a floor below since Ian and Poppy were offering up booze and sick beats and well… that ended badly when David walked in, and the mood was only made worse when Rachel figured out how to make a boatload of cash from the game when Brad said she would fail at such at ask. Since it spoke to the fact that no one was getting a bonus this year and was going to be subjected to more dry moments on a day that was already difficult because they weren’t with their families. Which definitely put a damper on the day and left everyone in a sour mood. Even Jo, who normally finds the spin in everything, but looking the fool on this day for giving gifts to people that didn’t reciprocate, i.e., Poppy and Joe… let the sour nature of the day sink in.

But alas, the end of the Server Party was quite sweet and wondrous, simply because… somehow bonuses came into play and others figured out how to make the workday fun and snowy and bright. And even Jo came to learn what she means to her friends when they took the time to make her a game where she was the star. Which meant, that the actions of Brad and Rachel to drive bonuses and the push from Ian and others to create a relaxed work environment that was both productive and fun… means that the secret to making Christmas work special for all… falls to the employer. For they need to show their (hopefully) cherished workers that it means something to have them working on a special day they could be spending with their families and doing so… will do a great deal for productivity and joy.

However, for those CEOs reading this and thinking of replicating some of the steps… please remember to not use toxic snow in your holiday wonderland setup, since that will lead to problems. But outside of that, this was another phenomenal episode from a phenomenal show. One that took the time to address corporate worries for the season and remind folks in charge of the importance of cherishing their employees over profits. Which is a timely message when one considers the state of the tech world and the labor market in general. But lessons are a staple of this series, and it was wondrous to see another important one come into play here and enjoy a lot of laughs along the way and now that we’ve reached the end of this wonderful chapter in this magnificent journey, we are back to waiting for another new adventure from a series that always knows how to make us smile and always teaches us something worthwhile. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Echo 3’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous Apple TV+ series, Echo 3, we talked at length about how Episode Four was quite revolutionary in nature. For that was a tale that rejected the machismo nature of this type of story, to focus instead on the emotional fallout of failure and how sometimes, heroes don’t bring everyone home and how they have to reconcile that reality. Which really did add unprecedented depth to this story and this genre quite frankly, and what’s amazing… is that this story is nowhere near done with those kinds of examinations, as evidenced by this week’s powerful and harrowing chapter.

For ‘We Reject Your Influence’ also took the time to explore a corner in this type of story that tends to also be neglected. Specifically, what becomes of those who are captured and imprisoned by the enemy. For more often than not when someone is captured in a story such as this, they become something of an afterthought and our only updates regarding their well-being are handled through snippets and cutaways or visceral images of torture. But this particular tale informed us… that life in this manner, is far more different than the fearful images we usually associate with such matters. It can be lonesome and isolated and difficult to reconcile for those captured.

After all, Amber was away from her family, her life, her world. She hadn’t a clue if her husband was okay, and she was now in a world that she didn’t understand in the slightest. Which led to isolation and worry, and fear of the unknown. The kind that was compounded by her new mysterious contact from the Venezuelan government who wanted her to simply denounce America and embarrass it through and through to further his interests in the country. Which pushed Amber to her darkest and lowest points, and this was powerful to watch. Since it spoke to how scary such an event would be and how hard it would be upon the human psyche and of course, it also showed us… how we endure such terrible times.

Because eventually, Amber realized that isolation and fear would do nothing to help her. She was here for the moment and needed to make the best of it and figure out if by chance, escape was an option since freedom and safety, are part of our emotional needs. Which motivated her to make a friend in this weird and uncomfortable place, and work alongside others to feel productive and needed, and have some semblance of normalcy and safety, and that in turn, led to a slightly more amicable day for Amber. One she could stomach and function through and her eventual freedom around the compound, helped her to discover that escape was indeed a possibility. Which in turn gave rise to purpose and direction, and for a time… it seemed as though this story might end happy.

For Amber did execute a daring escape plan, one that saw her suffer mightily on her way away from the compound and it was a plan that ended in sorrow. Because despite getting through a treacherous jungle and risking life and limb to make her way home, her captors found her and enacted the worst kind of punishment, giving rise to a murky future for Amber. But while we wait to see what that future is going to be, we can bask in the wonder of a powerful tale. One that bookended the previous episode nicely and truly dug deep into the horrors of being a captive and the struggles that come with it and now that we’ve reached the end of this leg of the journey, it will be fascinating to see what other powerful moments await us from a series that is going to explore so much, regarding the struggles of the human condition as it relates to the dark side of war and combat. Until next time.

Truly this era of peak television has brought forth some of the finest storytelling, fans of television have ever seen. Simply because the demand for new shows and the advent of streaming has pushed studios and networks to be brave regarding the stories they tell and push the envelope and bring forth ideas that would have been ignored in pitch meetings long ago, and that has provided us with countless new and incredible stories that we cannot wait to watch, or talk about or share with our friends and family the first chance that we get. But of the many networks currently working to satisfy our hunger for creative new shows, one that is helping to lead the charge is Apple TV+.
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For the folks at Apple TV+ work tirelessly to provide us with dynamic shows that take our breath away and that has led to the creation of stories that are wildly popular and move us and truly leave us in awe with their observations about the world and the human condition and another show in that incredible vein is on its way. For earlier today, Apple TV+ dropped the release date, details, and some first look photos for their upcoming dramedy, Hello Tomorrow!, and judging from the cast roster and plot details… this is going to be another special release from a network that loves to wow its viewers, and with that in mind, here are those first look photos and details about this new series for you peruse, courtesy of Apple TV+.

Apple TV+ today unveiled the premiere date and a first look at “Hello Tomorrow!,” the new 10-episode dramedy starring and executive produced by Emmy and Critics Choice Award winner Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”). The highly anticipated half-hour series is set to make its global debut on Friday, February 17, 2023 with the first three episodes, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday through April 7, 2023 on Apple TV+.
 
Set in a retro-future world, “Hello Tomorrow!” centers around a group of traveling salesmen hawking lunar timeshares. Crudup stars as Jack, a salesman of great talent and ambition, whose unshakeable faith in a brighter tomorrow inspires his coworkers, revitalizes his desperate customers, but threatens to leave him dangerously lost in the very dream that sustains him.
 
The ensemble cast starring alongside Crudup includes Haneefah Wood (“Truth Be Told,” “One Day at a Time”), Alison Pill (“Them,” “The Newsroom”), Nicholas Podany (“Harry Potter And The Cursed Child”), Dewshane Williams (“The Umbrella Academy,” “In the Dark”), Emmy Award winner Hank Azaria (“Brockmire,” “Ray Donovan”), Matthew Maher (“Our Flag Means Death”), and Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook,” “Animal Kingdom”).
 
“Hello Tomorrow!,” produced by MRC Television, is co-created by Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen. Stephen Falk (“You’re the Worst”), Jonathan Entwistle (“The End of the F***ing World”), Bhalla and Jansen serve as executive producers alongside Crudup. Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil and Noah Weinstein serve as executive producers for Mortal Media.
 
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 been honored with 293 wins and 1,256 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and this year’s Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
 
About Apple TV+
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 $6.99 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.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘The Suspect’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are a great many elements that go into creating a truly magnificent mystery television series. For instance, the case in question must be compelling and complex, otherwise the audience is quickly bored. Plus, the characters need to be dynamic in nature and at times… morally suspect. So that our curiosity is piqued, thus pushing us to continue the story and see what we learn about them in relation to the mystery at hand. But above all, the show simply has to keep us guessing. Since that really is what we love the most about a mystery, and keeping us on our toes, keeps our attention and compels us to reach the finish line to see if we are right or wrong about who committed the crime in question, or so we can just plain be surprised at the outcome/truth.
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If anything, that latter qualifier for what goes into making a fine mystery, is top of mind today, simply because… that is what made The Suspect a truly magnificent mystery. For it already featured a compelling and dynamic case and fascinating and suspect characters to go along with it. We just needed the truth as to who killed Catherine and worked to blackmail/frame Joe, and the finale of this saga finally brought us to the resolution of such matters, by first offering up a twist that finally got the police off of Dr. Joe O’Loughin’s back. Because he compiled all the evidence he collected regarding Bobby into a single file and in the process of completing his own investigation, came to learn that someone else was involved. Someone, that resembled Jack. 

Which pushed him to return home and speak with the police once again to present them with his findings and he hoped this evidence would finally get them to listen to reason. Sadly, that wasn’t the case at first since Vince did everything, he could, to just bring Joe in. But once he got a look at the evidence Joe compiled and after coming to realize that a great deal of the evidence tying Joe to this crime was too perfect in its timing and clarity… he came to realize that Bobby and Jack were likely the culprits here and that they should be brought in for questioning. A move that didn’t quite pan out either since Bobby went missing and Jack offered little to no help on the matter and rightfully so. Since the killer was hiding in plain sight after all.

For when Joe returned home, he came face to face with Bobby and came to learn that the helpful plumber that was taking good care of his family and helping where he could, was Bobby’s older brother, DJ. Who abandoned Bobby in his hour of need ages ago and came back into his brother’s life to atone for leaving him behind and realized that the only way to properly do that, was help his brother enact revenge on those that wronged him, and to preserve what was left of his baby brother’s fragile mind and psyche, he committed the murders himself. A revelation that allowed for Joe to wear down DJ and earn his family’s freedom, not a moment too soon. Since the police arrived mere moments before the bomb that DJ set up to punish everyone… exploded. 

But what mattered more here, was that Joe was finally exonerated and truth surrounded him at last. For now, he knew that DJ was the man committing to revenge after all this time and that his best friend was nothing more than a lie. Not to mention, he could finally live his life as he saw fit, with his family, before his diagnosis took him over, and for the audience, we were treated to a satisfying mystery. One that kept us guessing from beginning to end and well, it’s a shame this one has ended. Because it really was supremely engaging and it did a wonderful job of making just about everyone a suspect, including our hero, and we would have happily enjoyed more. But alas, all good things must come to their end and the good news is that we can look fondly upon this tale for sticking the landing and offering up a complete story. One that reminded us of how little we control in this life and how easily the past can come back to haunt us.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Gangs of London’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular concept that pops up often in crime dramas, is how there are consequences for our actions, and it makes sense as to why this is commonplace in this genre. Simply because the world of crime functions upon causality, for the crime demands justice and depending upon the complexity of the story and the crime in question… pushback is also a consequence for the hero since sometimes evil doesn’t want a wrong to be righted. And of course, this is also commonplace, simply because it really is the perfect way to explore lessons grounded in morality and this is so well-received by audiences that few have ever toyed with the concept or removed it from their crime-laden story.
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But some crime dramas, aspire to go above and beyond and truly tell a tale unlike any other, and those are the stories that will jiggle the concept and see if by chance it can be explored in new light and one such show eager to do that, is Gangs of London on AMC+. For this is a revolutionary and bold crime drama through and through and it just so happens, that its next episode, took a stab at attempting to revisit this concept and see if by chance… greater consequences can come forth from causality. After fooling us of course. Since a fair chunk of this story, Elliot’s journey to be specific, focused upon more traditional consequences for the life he’s agreed to lead. Since he found himself working to rescue Ed Dumani from the clutches of Koba, because of the fact that he re-engaged with Shannon.

Of course, once that was accomplished in a harrowing manner, he faced consequential pain. Since a desperate attempt to get his father out of town as quickly as possible, ended in disaster. Because while he waited for his son at the airport, as part of the plan to get out from under the clouds hanging over the family… the Investors seemingly struck and put down Elliot’s contact and his father. Leaving him in a rage that spoke to how choosing to go this route and follow this path, harbored horrible consequences. The kind that would come to the investors as well, since Elliot did indeed go after them shortly after his father died in a rage and fury, we’ve never seen from him. But alas, that was merely the tip of the iceberg in this story regarding this lesson. Since it did indeed explore something far more powerful regarding consequences.

In that sometimes, evil generates its own consequences with its actions and can make a difficult situation worse if it inspires revolt from the wrong individuals and that’s what happened here. For Koba was facing all kinds of penalties for the Wallace attack happening on his watch and of course, Elliot’s government handler was putting a squeeze on Sean to become the state’s puppet, and well… that pushed Sean to do something drastic. In that, he was ready to snap back at such gestures, and stun everyone in charge and take control of the city, by teaching the Investors and the government how little control they actually had over their ‘subjects’. As evidenced by how easily he was able to establish a treaty and partnership with Koba. Thanks to the fact that Koba wasn’t good with being seen as a failure or having his position threatened, and it didn’t hurt that Sean offered up one solid and daring plan.

One that involved having Elliot’s dad and handler killed to get the Investors data, so the Wallace/Koba Alliance, could go after the Investors. Making it clear that the consequence here, was that too much control and too much fear can make the staunchest of employees and allies turn their back when a better opportunity arrives… and well… that really was quite the twist to inject into this concept. Because we rarely see those employed by drug empires in storytelling, turn on their bosses in such a prompt and stunning manner, but this is the right show in which to toy with this. For this series always stands above others in the genre because of the bold chances it takes, and kudos to the show for surprising us with this twist and for leaving us eager to see what will come forth from the coup that Koba is now planning alongside the man that was once his enemy. Until next time.