Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Nine of ‘Three Women’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular truth about human behavior that we often forget in this life, is that every action we take part in and everything we believe in… comes forth because of our past. For we are creatures made up of memories and experiences and we truly use those elements to shape us, define us, and guide us. Which is a bittersweet truth really. Since it pushes us to do good things and drives us toward a purpose, but it can also make us sour at times and push us to do things that hurt other people and that really… is the only time we remember that truth. For then we have to focus on the source problem from yesterday and fix it and never was this more evident than during the next episode of Three Women on STARZ.

For ‘sex on drugs’ spent a lot of time focused on Gia and Sloane. In part because Gia was getting treatment up north and was hoping to tell Sloane’s story to the world and wasn’t having much luck in doing so. But also, because it was time to explore what makes Sloane, Sloane. Because to date, all we’ve known is that she is driven, she has incredible wants and needs both sexually and professionally and up until now… they’ve not caused any issues for her. They might isolate her a smidge, but one can deal with that. But here, we finally came to learn exactly what drives that sexual appetite and a need to conquer and that came forth… by way of one grand plan to have everything she ever wanted sexually in this life. 

Because she was still having sex with Will when she pleased, without her husband’s knowledge or Lily’s knowledge and she wanted that to stop. She wanted everyone to enjoy one another and indulge in the wonder of that. So, she planned an evening where she could get Richard to seduce Lily and where she could be with Will as she pleased and for the most part, her plan worked. For the night in question was sexually charged and eventually everyone swapped partners. But Richard’s foolishness in not wearing a condom brought her plan back down to earth and brought about truth and chaos when it was revealed that she and Will were having an affair. And of course, the fallout of that was devastating and left everyone drifting and gave Sloane a moment to think about… what brought her to this point.

For it didn’t make sense for her to try and destroy all she had built and give up the perfect sex life she enjoyed. But pondering upon that helped her to understand… this was all about her past. In that, she never felt loved by… anyone really. She was just, best seen, not heard, and so she pushed for connection through control and sex, and this went south… because she felt loved and desired by Will. Genuinely desired and she was willing to chase that and risk it all to have what she needed most. Which put her at a crossroads for certain. One that she intended to work through by sitting down with Gia and put her incredible story to paper at last. So, the world could finally see her, hear her, and understand her and her needs.

All of which made for a powerful tale. One that truly expressed that forgotten truth. But it is one we need to discuss more often. Because that’s the kind of discussion that creates awareness and prompts us to think upon our actions before we do things we shouldn’t, and what’s wild is that this story had more to offer. Since we did spend time with Gia in this tale, wherein she expressed her fear over what might happen to her, both professionally and in life, to the point where she too is isolating. Since she shot down an attempt by Jack to contact her and be with her, which was also powerful to watch and well… the stage is now set for the season finale. Because the core push of this story was for Gia to finish her book, to tell the tale of these three women, and it would seem… she’s close to finally writing ‘the end’ on this powerful journey. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Happy’s Place’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Stories that revolve around the power of loss and grief and the impact it has upon our lives… are certainly comprehensive in nature. Because we see the emotional slam that death imparts upon people in these stories, and we see how much the hole it creates in our hearts, can make a person suffer and suffer greatly. Plus, we see how hard it is to get out of that funk and find our way back to the light. So that we aren’t locked in sorrow forever and can live and do right by the person we lost and honor them. But what’s interesting, is that these stories do miss the mark when it comes to something quite important to such matters. In that, they never cover… how to grieve.

Which one would think is paramount for certain, since we have to grieve and get that muck out to heal, but those stories rarely exhibit that. It could be related to the fact that such an act can be personal in nature, or perhaps there is a worry that how the story outlines it, might be seen as verbatim and people will try and use it, and fail. But there are some things we all do to grieve and move on, and that’s why this week’s episode of Happy’s Place on NBC is of note. Simply because ‘Fish Fry Monday’ explored some of the universal things we do to grieve, and it accomplished that feat, by way of a great suggestion from Emmett. In that, the bar should bring back Fish Fry Mondays, an event that was super popular and made the joint some serious cash, and that her late father took part in, and he expected Bobbie to follow in her daddy’s footsteps and help him with it.

An act she was mortified to take part in. Since it meant leaving the bar alone and potentially opening it up to trouble. But the staff had her covered and she came to slowly learn, that this wasn’t a fishing trip. Heck, it wasn’t for her daddy back in the day. It was just an excuse to drink beers and shoot the breeze with Emmett and that is where the lesson got underway. Because Emmett wanted to do just that with Bobbie. So that they could remember her father and think upon the good times and talk about old times. Because that… is how we all grieve. By honoring the memory of the ones we love, by keeping them alive through our words and thinking about the impact they had upon our lives. Because then we are able to think fondly upon them instead of with sorrow, and that was a great first step for Bobbie and Emmett to take together.

But of course, this show always offers more than just a singular lesson, and Isabella handled the second one in this story. One that revolved around how important it is to respect others and their respective field. Because Isabella was behind the bar and learning about how to tend bar from Gabby and she really didn’t pay much attention to all that Gabby had to say. For Isabella thought slinging drinks was a simple job, one that required minimal thought and attention. In fact, she thought a YouTube video would get her ready to roll, and that brought forth all kinds of conflict between the two, the kind that Steve had to step in and cool off. So that Isabella could see that Gabby wasn’t trying to be a jerk or overbearing. She in fact, cared deeply about her craft and knew way more nuances about bartending than any video could ever teach a person. 
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Which in turn, prompted Isabella to back off, and listen, especially when it was made clear she missed some critical steps in her belief that she was just ready to go, and that led to the respect in question and allowed for Isabella to step back and learn. All of which brought forth, a touching episode. One that showcased some wonderful lessons regarding respect and grief and presented them to us in a manner that was just… beautiful. Since it made those points clear in a direct and humbling manner and regarding grief, it went where few stories go, and that’s important. Because that’s the kind of stuff we need to see in print, and on the silver and small screen because people look to these stories for guidance and the good news is, they have it here, and truly… that leaves us eager to see what other brave lessons await us on the horizon as season one of this delightful comedy continues along. Until next time.

​Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 304 of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One unfortunate truth about life that no one wants to face or talk about, is that there will come a day where we realize we are getting older. For some that arrives when lots of gray hairs start showing up. For others, it hits when a wound or injury takes a lot longer to heal or when we notice that it sometimes hurts our back to get up off of the couch. But one way or another… that day will come, and it will be tough to reconcile. For it speaks to the fragility of life, of our mortality and that… tougher days are ahead and that does leave one to wonder… how do we make peace with something that earth shattering?

Well, it just so happens that the next episode of Lopez vs Lopez on NBC took the time to offer up some positive thinking on the matter, a feat that ‘Lopez vs The Roast of George Lopez’ accomplished, by way of a birthday celebration, George’s in fact. For he was now well into sixties and feeling good about it until a mishap and spill involving his birthday cake, prompted Mayan and the rest of the family to worry deeply about him. Because they realized, he was getting up there in years, and bad things could happen from that, and this scared George too. Because this was that moment for him, that moment where he realized age was now a factor and well, not only did this episode show us how to reconcile it, but also how NOT to reconcile that fact.

Courtesy of a grand push from George to look and feel young again. By dying his hair and suddenly being all about fitness, which led to some painful shenanigans for him. Wherein he tore something in his shoulder and struggled to really work at a peak physical level. Because there comes a point where we cannot and when that happens… we simply have to embrace the fact that we aren’t getting any younger and that the only way to be square with that, is to adjust our lives so we feel as young as possible. By living in the moment, by finding joy with the people we love and for George that involved… being roasted and thriving within laughter. Which led to an epic roast with Jeff Ross as the emcee, where some fine burns were delivered. But before we dive into the lesson further, we do need to take a moment and discuss… the other unique lesson present here.

For while Quinten helped George find comfort in his miles, Mayan was dealing with quite the surprise. In that, Chance was using foul language at school, and she was desperate to find out how he was learning it, so she could cut that off at the source. As it turned out, Rosie was the one responsible. Because Josué was trying his best to talk to her and that prompted her to exude fury over the phone, the kind that included a few F bombs and crude descriptions of that cochino, and Chance heard that, and Mayan had to step in and teach her mom how best to speak about such matters around her son and that text messages… might communicate those feelings better. Of course, she also had to punish Chance, and did so in a traditional Latinx manner, by having him wash out his mouth with soap.
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Which is legit by the way. In fact, allow this Latinx writer to offer up a pro tip, Irish Spring is the smoothest tasting soap out there, and Dial is just the worst. So, kids, if you’re going to cuss and take that punishment, have that Irish Spring around to make life easy. But that aside, this was just… a magnificent slice of life episode. One that spoke to what parents sometimes have to deal with and how sometimes… parents and grandparents create their own problems when they forget that kids pick up on everything, along with a fine lesson on how we handle that all-important and scary moment in our lives. Because that’s just what this show does, it explores life, culture, and everything in between and that made for another satisfying and fun episode. One that has us ready for more of this show’s intelligence and its wonderful reflections on the experiences we share in. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 2606 of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. This article also contains discussing regarding domestic violence and sexual assault, which may be triggering to some individuals.

If there is one particular question we ask often in this life, but rarely get a good answer to, it would have to be… why aren’t men that abuse women and assault them held accountable more often? And well, don’t get a good answer to that for several reasons. For starters, we don’t always know it happens. Because so many women stay silent on the matter, in large part because we don’t listen to them. Second, there is a strange mantra in our world that somehow… this is a ‘simple mistake’ that men make, and they somehow deserve second chances for this calculated crime, and if you don’t believe that… well we did just elect a man convicted of being a sexual assaulter to the highest office of the land.

But that second reason, has a lot of the keys to it as to why these crimes go unpunished. For again, calculation comes into play and a lot of these dude bros think about how not to get caught, how to keep their disgusting actions a secret. And that, combined with the power of fear, they get away with it. Which does leave us to wonder what it would take to bring the calculated ones to justice and well, the next episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC answers that question. In that, vigilance and persistence are the key, so that in the long term, there is a real fear that men that do such acts will be caught, regardless of how smart they think they are, and ‘Rorschach’ made that clear, through one complex crime.

For the SVU team was pulled into a strange case up north by the Feds. Wherein a pair of travel vloggers named Ellie and Chris ended up in the hospital due to a brutal attack. One where Chris was stabbed several times and where Ellie was plunged into a coma, and well… it was just so savage and random that the Feds and the local police needed another set of eyes on it and at first, it really did seem as though someone just lost their mind and decided to attack two innocent people. Which while plausible, did not sit right with Captain Benson or Detective Silva. Because something about the crime scene and the way Chris spoke about the case, just didn’t add up. In fact, there was a sense of staging and a sense that facts were missing.

Which forced the team to dig deep into the evidence and anything they could get their hands on data wise to piece together what happened here, and well… some body cam footage from a traffic stop, and some horrible, deleted footage revealed… that Chris… was THAT guy. The abuser who could no longer take his girlfriend having agency or wants, so he did what they always do. Resort to violence, power, and every low thing in the book to be the poor little Alpha, and of course, to not get caught… he hurt himself by plunging the knife into his body, and well… under normal circumstances he would have gotten away with it all. Due to lack of solid evidence and leads. Which is why, we need teams like Benson’s, working these cases tirelessly and tearing into every detail to prove what abusers do. 

All so, they can be held accountable and so that long term, guys like Chris, do have the fear of whatever God they believe in, put into them that they cannot get away with such crimes, and refrain from committing them. But alas, we do enable, and we do reward men that go this route… so it will be a long time before the Chrises and presidents-elect of the world pay the piper for the awful things they do. But while we wait, we can praise one intelligent episode. One that showcased how abusers work, how they get away with so much and how outright pathetic they are. Because it takes a real coward, to strike a woman and cross that line, and it was nice that this series reminded us, what real men look like, and how dudes like Chris, are just an embarrassment. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 2406 of ‘Law & Order’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There was a time in the United States of America, where schooling was viewed in a different light. It was seen as an essential part of growth, an opportunity to enrich one’s mind, and because of that… parents made it a priority for their kids. They expected them to do well in school and work hard, so they could graduate high school with ease and go to a solid college and garner knowledge that would help them for the rest of their natural lives. But somewhere along the line, things changed, and school became something different. The student experience became the focus, not grades or hard work… and competition came into play. 

To the point where we now hear horror stories about parents and kids that make school hell for teachers and administrators because it is about their baby’s experience over anything else, and it is scary to hear about such stories. Since we worry, what could come from this? Because these days, the right circumstances and wrong desires seem to lead to bad things and well, it just so happens that this week’s episode of Law & Order explored those possibilities. A feat that ‘Time Will Tell’ accomplished, by way of a horrible crime at a prestigious school. Wherein the administrator was brutally murdered in the middle of the night. Which brought forth sorrow for her family and her passing exposed all kinds of problems within the school, since some hard truths regarding conduct came into play.

For the police learned that this school wasn’t just prestigious, but a real battleground of sorts. Where rich students and their rich parents would do anything and everything to get ahead. Which included getting false diagnoses to have their kids take part in more specialized study time. Which made life tough for students that earned their way into the school, and actually needed better care in school. Because without a proper donation, they were denied it through and through. Which brought forth, a suspect. Because the police came to discover that a girl named Emily, who was denied that opportunity and harbored great anxiety and fear over not excelling in school, crossed the line and committed this heinous crime. Which brought forth quite the wild trial. 

Because Lieutenant Brady garnered quite the ugly confession from Emily, one that was not admissible in court and that gave Emily’s mother, Lisa, a chance to step in and go the extra mile to give her child a fighting chance at an education. At a future. So, she took the fall for the whole thing, regardless of the consequences. Which sent her to prison for twenty years so her kid could have an education with a prestigious title. Because that is what school has transformed into. It’s not about the value of the work, or the knowledge… but the seal on the school’s logo and the price of tuition, and it broke a student and a family and that made for one sorrowful and tragic tale. One that truly was a no-win scenario for the police and the DA’s office.

For there was no way to close this out cleanly, and there was no way that anyone would be happy with the end result. But that’s how these cases go sometimes and that definitely led to a mostly bleak ending. In fact, the only saving grace here, was the sheer fact that Brady was inspired by Lisa to be a better mother and support her kids in a more positive light. But aside from that… we saw prestige rip people to pieces here both literally and figuratively and this episode deserves applause for going this route and giving us such a powerful story. One that said a lot about school as it stands in 2024 and how it clearly needs to get back to basics, so that pressures untold don’t bring about more violence in schools. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Found’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It has often been said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and it makes sense why people speak those words. For there is real wonder in having someone copy you. For instance, when a child tries to replicate the appearance and actions of their parent, it speaks volumes to how much the child admires them and sees them as a perfect model. And let’s be honest, it’s powerful to know that from time to time, we inspire others to follow in our footsteps. So, we say that phrase and mean it, despite the fact that it too, has a dark side to it. For we are not perfect beings and sometimes we do things or take parts in moments that are unsavory, that inspire, as evidenced by the next episode of Found on NBC.

But before we dive into how that was explored in ‘Missing While Gabi Mosely’, we need to talk about Margaret. Since this episode explored what the heck happened with her and how she found herself under arrest, and it all related to her missing boy. For an attempt to do some general cleaning at the bus station, that would have taken that all-important photo down for a moment, led to a panic and rage from Margaret. Who thought his memory was about to be dishonored and so she fought back, and literally struck back. Which brought forth charges, and a restraining order and the reality that she could no longer stay at the bus station and wait. 

Which put her in a tough place, at the worst time… for dark flattery was in play. For a teenage girl named Gabi Mosely, went missing and well… the belief was at first, that Hugh ‘Sir’ Evans was involved. For everything matched his modus operandi, and it only got worse when a second girl went missing. But the more that the team dug into the case, and the fact that Sir even showed up in person to clear his name on the matter, it became clear he wasn’t involved. That this was all a copycat move by the other Gabi. To live a life she did not understand, to find purpose and find direction. For she wanted to be as strong as Gabi Prime, and thought going through her life would make that happen. But thankfully, the team stopped her, and the other missing girl was returned home… with a caveat.

In that, Sir was the one who rescued her since he figured out the case, and because he wasn’t getting what he wanted at the moment and had no leverage… he decided to muck things up for everyone. By playing the hero and changing the narrative. Which brought about chaos at the office, the kind that finally forced Gabi to speak from the heart and point out that this infighting had to stop. Because it was tearing everyone apart, and it was giving Sir quite the advantage and at last, everyone was on the same page and finally working toward common goals again and supporting one another, regardless of consequence as evidenced by Dhan’s admission to his love. All of which was the right thing to do, and it needed to happen, because a common foe is in front of them. Because Sir remained out there and it was obvious in this tale, that he has been receiving some serious help in maintaining his lifestyle and his freedom.

But what mattered more here, is that this story reminded us that sometimes… people will indeed copycat the worst parts of a person’s life, for reasons that aren’t necessarily twisted. Because we all have an inherent understanding of the power of trauma, of how it can transform us for the better when the work is there… and people will try to follow some of that if they think it can improve their desperate situation. Which made for a unique case for the team to work on, one that also showcased the power of pain, the power of redemption and what it means to go through the worst parts of life. And it seems to have given Gabi real perspective, the kind she needs right now as she and her friends and family prepare to handle their biggest challenge yet… Sir… and his machinations to make Gabi his eternal prize. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 504 of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we here at NTG have been admittedly wax nostalgic about the wonder of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+. For we’ve talked at length about the sheer wonder of this show and the joy it brings us, and we’ve talked a lot about how season five has done of phenomenal job of showcasing the best parts of the franchise, and its belief that we could be better. Which is likely related to the fact that we are barreling toward the show’s conclusion in a few weeks. But this week, spotlighting such wonders are worthwhile simply because the vibe calls for it, since we are all definitely struggling a bit with a vision of a better tomorrow. So, it’s wonderful to get lost in a story that gives us that.

In fact, this week’s episode took the time to remind us at length, the wonder of being there for one another, and the power of lifting one another up, and ‘A Farewell to Farms’ accomplished that in part, by taking us to Qo’noS for a bit. Wherein we were able to catch up with Ma’ah. The Klingon who was involved in a mutiny last season and here, we saw him at his lowest. For he was stripped of command and back on his family’s farm, working with his brother Malor and moving bloodwine about the planet, and he was… miserable. He wanted to pretend that he wasn’t, but he was. For he wanted to be a captain so badly, and well… Mariner and Boims gave him that opportunity once again.

Because they dropped by to check in on him and seeing him in this state, prompted them to step in and invoke an old ritual to get him his captaincy back. A move that went well since he passed all the stunning trials to make that happen, but he still struggled to return to a mental state where he could lead warriors and that was because… he would still answer to a petaQ, one that would make his life hell. So, the Lower Deckers helped him overcome that, in the most Klingon way possible and that led to a renewed sense of purpose for Ma’ah when he emerged from the fight victorious, and this made for a heartwarming story. One that really did showcase the central theme. But we will break that down a little further in a moment.

Because we also need to discuss what took place on the U.S.S. Cerritos. For while Mariner and Boims handled lifting someone up, and a secondary mission to scan those fissures, Tendi and Ruthy were offering up a different lesson on being there for people. Because Dr. Migleemo was about to meet two of his planet’s finest food critics, which his species was known for, and he was so excited to be near them and escort them home from a poor food journey. But… they were awful to deal with and critical of every morsel he prepared. Be it from the replicator or by hand and that brought forth shame for him and seemingly the end of his time in Starfleet. But all along, he had a hunch about their actions and used the return home to discover they had lost their palate and were blaming others for it, helping the good doctor regain his standing.
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Which at first glance just seems like a series of events. But all the way, Ruthy and Tendi were there to support him as needed, which helped him find his way, because that’s what we can do sometimes to make the world a better place. Be there for others as needed, since that can help them think clearly and figure out how to fix their problem. And obviously Mariner and Boims’ mission spoke deeply to how much it means to be there for folks that really need it. Because that keeps them from giving up, from slipping into the darkness so they can find their way into the light and that really is a wonderful message to find this week. For at a time where it seems as though the world wants the opposite, this episode reminds us, we can be more like this crew and stand with folks that need support right now. 

All of which made, for a lovely and timely episode. One that really did capture the true essence of Star Trek. For that is what it has always been about, being there for each other and working together to be a better species and toward a better tomorrow, and you cannot go wrong with having that reminder plop down right now. Not to mention, one cannot go wrong with the mystery brewing in the galaxy. Since now we know, those fissures aren’t some weird phenomena just happening in the stars. They’re being made by someone. Who, why, we simply don’t know. But it is safe to say that this show will reveal that truth in time before we bid goodbye to this fine crew, and this fine ship. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1206 of ‘Chicago P.D.’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of crime stories that is genuinely fascinating, is how every single green detective in these stories, is a master sleuth. Sure, the rookie might be awkward just a bit, but they know their stuff, they’re already grizzled and hardened and able to solve stunning cases with ease, and what makes that so fascinating… is how? How on earth can a brand-new gumshoe, know everything so well and be so perfect at solving crimes? Because people don’t just magically fall into what they do, they learn, they grow, they make mistakes and eventually master what they do, and it is just wild that new detectives are these polished products in stories, and it is why we are all so thankful for shows like Chicago P.D. on NBC.

Simply because this series doesn’t fall into such storytelling traps, and that adds to its wonder, its realism and its ability to engage and for proof… well just look at this week’s episode. Since ‘Pawns’ followed Kim Burgess closely, as she took the final exam to become a detective. Which involved a seasoned investigator riding along with her to a crime scene. Wherein Kim would take charge and be the lead detective, and her performance would determine if she would get the title of detective and where she would be placed as one, and sadly… it did not take long for Detective Suarez and Detective Burgess to receive their first call. One that involved a violent homicide during the attempted robbery of a catalytic converter.

Which of course, pushed Kim into action and well… she made some mistakes for certain. Simply because she was new to this, and worried about messing up. But for every mistake she made, she found a way to counter it and move the case forward. Because she wanted this, and she knew she could do it. So, slowly but surely, she was able to unravel the case and narrow down who was responsible and for her efforts, and after an extensive chase, she was able to bring the bad guy to justice in the most stunning way possible. Which of course, should have brought forth a happy ending. One where she was praised and adored and given her choice of assignments. But a mistake on Suarez’s part and the ugly nature of this case, ended with Kim being assigned elsewhere, but she did receive her new title and badge regardless.

Yet, there was some joy to find here, albeit strange. Because despite being ready to step into a new role at a new division, she was told to stay put, by Deputy Chief Reid no less. Who hammered her and Suarez during this case, and that was just out of sorts for him and left even Sergeant Voight confused. But what mattered most, is that we finally got to see a serious crime drama, handle a new detective’s career/first day, in a realistic manner. Where no strange knowledge switch was flipped or where some hidden vision was magically discovered. There were nerves, there were missteps, there was just straight humanity and a chance to see what Kim will be like going forward as a detective. Since she did inject kindness and gentleness into the role as needed, meaning that balance will be the order of the day for her. 

All of which made for an amazing and refreshing episode. One that truly bucked tradition in this genre, and also offered up a compelling case for certain. Because the hunt for those responsible for this fatal shooting was intense and full of twists and turns and stunning moments, and you simply cannot go wrong with that. Plus, this episode set the stage for more surprises down the line. After all, there is now a grand mystery surrounding DC Reid. Because we know he is just not known for grace and kindness. But he showed it here and there has to be a reason, and a price to pay for it. Which will be interesting to uncover. But while we wait, we can celebrate one amazing tale. One that truly offered up a different kind of detective story, and that should come as no surprise from a crime drama that is unlike any other. Until next time.

Please enjoy this super-sized sneak peek and synopsis of Episode five of Sweetpea. Which debuts on STARZ tonight!  
 
EPISODE 105: Someone’s Been a Naughty Girl
Airdate: November 8 at 8:00pm ET/PT on STARZ 

With suspicion swirling around Rhiannon, she has to partner with an unlikely ally – but will things go to plan?

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1306 of ‘Chicago Fire’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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For the most part, procedural shows that take the time to showcase a specific career field, rarely offer up long-standing mysteries and understandably so. Because it’s about the moment, the work that people do in the field the series showcases, and the big moments they encounter and their mpact upon them. So, there really isn’t room to do much else or room to have something big hanging over the story. But now and again, you run into a show that figures out a way to make that happen. Such as Chicago Fire on NBC. For this particular series has kept us guessing regarding the sordid past of one Chief Dom Pascal. Since we simply don’t know what drove him out of Miami and back to the Windy City.

But that all started to change last night. For ‘Birds of Prey’ started to give us some idea of what happened in Miami, and that all came about, courtesy of one ugly fire. One that hit a storage unit and one that had a single survivor and a surprise within its walls. In that, members of 51 discovered something quite unsettling. Specifically, ghost guns. Which are handguns that are 3-D printed, function fine but have no serial numbers, thus rendering them untraceable and thus making them highly illegal and well… while Severide was trying to figure out the source of the fire and perhaps how it related to those guns, Chicago State Police arrived and basically kicked his team out… since the weapons related to a case they were working on.

However, they took away all kinds of evidence in the process, evidence that could have proven what started the fire, and to make matters worse… the one person involved in the fire… was nowhere to be found. Which Severide called foul on since he realized the State Troopers were up to something here, and sadly, Chief Pascal let them take the lead. Which prompted Severide to dig deeper and uncover, that Pascal was involved in some messy moments in Miami. The kind that inferred he was involved with some dirty people out there. Which would indeed be good reason to leave if rot in a department spread far and wide and entangled him. But the good news, is that he was the good guy in that situation and brought those guys down instead of helping them out, and he has the same machinations to bring down corrupt individuals in Chicago.

Which while that isn’t a perfect answer to the question, it does get us going and it does begin to open the floodgates for this storyline, and it will be interesting to see what more we learn as this duo work to stop something illegal. But while we wait for that, we should talk about the other moments in the episode of note. Since Mouch ran afoul of a pigeon that was eager to protect her baby birds, which made for some fine comedy. Plus, Violet and Novak may have dealt with one of the boldest emergency calls to air on network television, courtesy of an intestinal surprise and Carver… had a wakeup call here. Well… a few. Because he was way too tired. Mainly because he was learning just how toxic his new relationship turned out to be.

All of which gave rise, to another engaging episode from this show. One that finally did offer up answers regarding Pascal, and that was lovely. Because we have been waiting patiently for those details and it does make us like the guy a little more. Since we couldn’t tell exactly which side of the fence he stood on. But it would seem he’s a straight arrow with some flaws, and that means he does fit in at Firehouse 51 no problem. But that aside, this was also just a vintage, day in the life episode, something we’ve grown to love when it comes to this series. Because it’s always amazing to watch the life and times of these incredible people, and truly, it will be interesting to see what lie ahead now that we know a hero is leading the charge and see what other everyday moments await us as this new season of storytelling continues along. Until next time.