Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 2410 of ‘Law & Order’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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The nature of justice and its outright definition is something that is fiercely under debate right now and understandably so. Because the public simply do not believe that justice for all applies at the moment. After all, there are people out there now, making decisions that are causing great harm to others, and no one is doing anything to stop that. Yet, everyday citizens are put away for the simplest things, and sometimes… they are arrested for taking justice into their own hands because the police and others won’t help them in the slightest. All of which has us pondering deeply on those key concepts, along with what has to change to ensure justice is ‘for all’ as outlined in our very pledge. 

Well, it just so happens that Law & Order on NBC, pondered upon the answer to that question by way of a case in ‘Greater Good’ that brought that crossroads to the forefront of our heroes’ lives. For one regular night, a well-known and beloved mogul in New York City was gunned down in cold blood, and there seemed to be no rhyme or reason for it because of his standing. But soon, the investigation into his death revealed some dark truths about this man. In that, he did a ton of good for the community and others and used that for cover so he could conduct dark acts without anyone being the wiser. The kind that involved sexual trafficking and other disgusting acts, and well, when the father of one of those abused by this man got wind of what was happening, Lyman Ross took matters into his own hands and committed this murder.

Which… brought about that very debate. Because in the eyes of the NYPD and the DA’s office, Ross was at fault here. For he killed a man, and our laws very clearly state that murder is a crime that harbors the highest penalties possible. But at the same time, he gunned down a disgusting human being. One who used power and money to influence acts just as illegal and just as atrocious. So, in the eyes of others… was Ross not just leveling the playing field? Because it was indeed an eye for an eye, and that left our heroes reeling. Because that same line of thinking came forth from an undercover cop named Vanessa, who almost torpedoed the case through perjury to save Ross… and well… while Ross was found guilty, courtesy of Shaw’s counter testimony, there was no joy or resolution to be found in this tale, and rightfully so.

For this was… a no-win scenario. Because no good can come from murder, but no good can come from letting a monster persist and live… and clearly, the team didn’t exactly feel great about putting a vigilante hero away, but they also understood the oath they took and well… all of this speaks to why the debate currently exists in our world. Because justice has been perverted and men akin to the villain here get to commit crimes in our world and never once face consequences. Because we value the almighty dollar, and profits, and shareholders, and standing, over human life, and that’s why Vanessa is such an important character in this story. Since she is the one who takes the time to speak to actual long-term solutions regarding this debate and the conundrum that officers like Shaw face.

In that, we need major reforms of the laws of the land. Wherein we hold to account the CEOs that let people die in the name of a profit, where we listen to those who have been hurt by the powerful so that we can uncover whether or not the person in question is a model citizen or hiding behind a mask. Because no one should be above the law, and the same goes for companies. and until we hold to that and demand that change, injustice will continue. Which makes this a poignant and thoughtful tale, one that truly does raise some good points and exposes some real flaws in the system. Which this show does well, and often, and this one will stay with us for some time, thanks to its timely commentary, and it will be interesting to see what other lessons about our world lie ahead as our heroes continue the good and endless fight against the evils of the world. Until next time.

Please enjoy this sneak peek of the series premiere of Asia, which debuts on BBC America tomorrow, Saturday, January 25 at 8pm ET/PT.

​Please enjoy this exclusive sneak peek of tonight’s brand-new episode of Love During Lockup on We TV!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1210 of ‘Chicago P.D.’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One particular phrase that still holds great weight in the modern world, is that you never truly know a person. And it still has gravity in our modern world, because time and time again… we’ve been surprised by people we think we know, courtesy of the digital world we are surrounded by. Because people can easily hide behind profiles and fake lives that remove them from the person they truly are. Something they do to either hide from a life they are not happy with, or to take part in nefarious acts. But these days, it is difficult to truly know a person and that can sometimes lead to disaster and real strife, as evidenced by the next episode of Chicago P.D. on NBC.

For ‘Zoe’ was a story that showcased how hiding behind digital masks and other personas can truly inflict great harm on the world and it accomplished that feat by having Ruzek stumble upon a hellish crime scene during a wellness check. For some neighbors were concerned about a young family and called in the police and they were right to do so. Since a mother and her child were found stabbed to death in the bedroom, and not far off was a young girl named Zoe. Who knew nothing of what happened in the other room and merely wanted to see her father, a man named Peter, and well… that meant Intelligence was now on this case and it did not take long for them to discover that Peter, was not who he seemed in the slightest. For not only did he hide behind digital footprints and fake IDs, but he was also a monster.

Because the team slowly peeled back the layers surrounding Peter and they came to discover a disturbing pattern regarding him. In that, this was a man that regularly dated single mothers and wooed them so hard that he motivated them to cut ties with their family so that no trouble would come to him when he murdered them in cold blood. Which would allow he and Zoe to move onto the next mark and start the cycle anew. And to make matters worse, Zoe wasn’t even his real daughter, and that prompted the team to fight hard to solve this. To give that little girl some peace and to bring a serial killer to justice and that allowed for them to round up Peter’s accomplice and learn Peter’s true identity and potentially bring an end to this case.

But alas, uncovering his home address only led to more sorrow and more darkness, since the team found a cemetery of his victims on the property and despite having the household in their hands… the monster escaped into the night. Giving rise to unfinished business and a hard reminder of why that phrase holds such weight. For this piece of trash truly never let anyone too close and hid well behind lies and other identities and that definitely brought forth a bleak and moving episode. One that saw Ruzek have to hold back emotionally when hearing Zoe’s dark story and maintain control emotionally regarding his father. Who dropped by to say goodbye since his Alzheimer’s diagnosis had him ready to head to a care facility for such matters. A move that prompted Ruzek to ask his dad to move in, so that he didn’t lose his identity.
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Which was a beautiful gesture for certain, one that offered up the lone bright spot in this devastating tale. For this is one of those stories where the bad guy won the day, and where the real evil we are capable of was put on display. Because it takes a special brand of evil to do what this piece of human garbage did in this tale, and that also made for a story that was tough at times to watch, and infuriating to a certain degree since he got away. But that reflects the world, and this series thrives in doing that, and all we can hope for, now, is that the show will revisit this down the line and offer up resolution. But while we wait to see if that happens, we can applaud a brave tale and prepare ourselves, for the upcoming ‘One Chicago’ crossover. Where it seems a few members of Intelligence will face some strife. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1310 of ‘Chicago Fire’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to enjoy the magnificent NBC series, Chicago Fire, we were all left with grave concern when it came to the future of Joe Cruz. For his desire to keep the whole Flaco/Junior mess quiet dragged him into a shootout. One that killed Junior and left Joe wounded, and of course, a dead body with Chicago Fire Department gear on its head would potentially bring about questions and potentially derail the storied career of a good man that made some bad choices. So, we truly found ourselves worried that the next chapter in this madness might lead to the end of Joe’s time at Firehouse 51, and well, rather than drag this out for weeks on end, this week’s episode of the show took the time to follow up on our worries and resolve the whole mess.

Which ‘Chaos Theory’ accomplished by putting Joe through an emotional rollercoaster. For following that shootout, he sought out some off the books care and tried his best to just pretend as though nothing happened. But that was easier said than done. Because his conscience was chewing at him and he was still touchy and sketchy at work, and to complicate matters further… Pascal got involved. Because the complaint that Junior filed finally reached his desk, and he had some no-nonsense questions to ask Joe about what happened during that fateful fire, and Joe’s actions during that conversation made Pascal suspicious that something was going on with Joe. That prompted him to turn to Severide to pour over the case to see if the truth could be uncovered.

But Joe was starting to collapse mentally from hiding the truth. For his work suffered, through mistakes he made in the field, and he sunk deeper into the negative emotions swirling about his head, when he heard his son speak volumes of his heroic work. Which prompted him… to just tell the truth and face the consequences. A process that started with a positive conversation with Severide. Wherein he spilled his guts, and was told not to worry since Kelly spoke to how there was nothing, he could have done to save Flaco. But that did not stop Joe from turning to the police to offer his full confession… one that eventually led, to absolution. Because Kelly’s findings were sound, and there was no proof that tied him to Junior’s death.

So just like that, Joe was free of the past and able to move on and mend fences. Of course, there was a penalty to face since he was suspended. But what mattered more, was that Joe stopped hiding from the past and owned up to it in a brave and bold manner, and we can all learn from what he accomplished here, and that wasn’t the only story that offered some positivity in this tale. Since Stella returned home in this tale and used her skills to keep students at a school from suffering further from a tear gas and pepper spray training session gone wrong. And her bravery in that moment and her ability to think fast and put others above all else, inspired one of the teachers from that school to be more like Stella in tough situations and that was just lovely. Since it spoke to how firefighters… do inspire the best in us.

Plus, it didn’t hurt that this episode featured more wonderful days for Violet when it comes to matters of the heart and the whole storyline involving Ritter and his rideshare rating made for some good laughs as well. But what matters more, is that we finally saw resolution on a longstanding problem for Joe take place, and that made for one incredible episode. One that taught us to always tell the truth and always accept the consequences for our actions. Because to do so makes one heroic and also because… sometimes going that route will inform us, we did the right thing. Even though we might think otherwise, and well… it is indeed best we enjoy the good vibes this episode sent our way while we can. For next week brings forth the ‘One Chicago’ crossover, and judging from the trailer, it is going to bring about some tough days for Firehouse 51. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1010 of ‘Chicago Med’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One unfortunate truth about life that no one wants to face or discuss, is that death comes for us all, and it makes sense why we choose to ignore that. After all, it’s a dark topic to begin with, one that makes people uncomfortable when discussed, and facing it does indeed force us to think about our limited time on this planet. So, we do our best to avoid thinking about it or discussing it… when quite frankly… we should own up to the fact that death is an inevitability. Because taking the time to discuss something so incredibly important and real, helps us to truly understand the gift that we’ve been given, so that we cherish every moment and feel fulfilled in the decisions that we make.

If anything, facing death and its inevitability is top of mind today, simply because it was the central focus of this week’s episode of Chicago Med. A feat that ‘Broken Hearts’ accomplished by having everyone in the ER, both patient and doctor, face death in some form or fashion and learn from it as we oft do. For instance, a case that Dr. Archer was dealing with, one that involved a supremely ill titan of hedge funds, taught her assistant to not let money, and status, and the rot that can create, control her life. Otherwise, she would end up with nothing, like her boss, and that was a powerful and impactful lesson to learn. One that we all should be mindful of. 

Plus, a case that Doctors Lenox and Ripley were dealing with served as a reminder that we should always choose life, regardless of the risk. Because we simply don’t know when it is our time to go, and that was expressed through a pair of conjoined twins named Powell and Elijah, who were staring down the end. For Elijah was suffering from cancer and if it spread, it would be the end of Powell, and well… that meant the hospital staff needed to operate and separate this duo, so the cancer could be cleanly removed and there was a lot of risk in this procedure. The kind where the twins debated their next steps and the reality that all of this might not work, and their desire to live, outweighed the risks… so they committed to the surgery, only for Powell’s life to be claimed by a blip in the operation. Which broke Elijah for certain but did hammer home that lesson and spoke to how fragile our lives can be. 

Not to mention, even Dr. Ripley faced some heartache here. Since he was reminded twice over of that fragility. Because his sole mission in this story was to get Sully to stay longer in the hospital. To just buy him that precious time with his family and a sliver of freedom. But in order to do that, he needed Dr. Lenox to sign off on more tests and more treatment since there was talk of sending Sully home early, and oddly enough, what she witnessed with the twins was enough for her to agree to this plan. But alas, more time for Sully wasn’t meant to be. For his lacerated spleen did indeed lead to more damage, the kind that resulted in a blood clot that eventually took his life, and just like that… Sully was gone and there was nothing that Ripley or anyone could have done to save him.

All of which forced so many to face that hard truth, and be reminded of how life is fragile, life is precious, and it can indeed be ripped away on a moment’s notice. So, it is best we cherish it, and enjoy every second of it, and that made… for a powerful episode for certain. One that took us on an emotional roller coaster and left us with plenty to ponder upon. But that is what this show does well, and thankfully, it wasn’t all heartbreak in this story. Since we did see Maggie claim agency when she realized her relationship wasn’t working out, and Hannah also found a way to reconnect with her sister on a fundamental level. Which are moments that speak to not wasting time and seizing the moment to live and create new memories, and well… what we learned here will stay with us for some time and likely be carried over to next week’s ‘One Chicago’ crossover event. Until then.

It is definitely safe to say that so many people are immersing themselves within fiction like never before, and it does make sense as to why. After all, stories are truly everywhere right now in every format that exists for them and that allows for folks to dive in and enjoy one on a whim and get lost within their wonder. Not to mention, the world is a rough place as well, and the fear we all harbor regarding war and what out of touch governments are going to accomplish by lunch… prompts us to just throw on a comfort show or bury ourselves in a book.
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None of which is harmful mind you, but this has caught the eye of so many, to the point where there are even television shows now blurring the line between reality and storytelling, to see what true immersion looks like, and it has raised some questions. Such as whether or not this is all healthy and if it is possible to truly immerse ourselves in fantasy through and through for extended periods of time, and well, that second question is top of mind today simply because a new show on TBS is keen to explore that, and that makes The Joe Schmo Show quite the interesting television experiment. For this re-imagining of the original series takes such thinking to a whole new level, courtesy of its premise.

For this series introduces us to Ben, an everyday electrician who believes he has been selected to take part in a new reality television show, wherein he could win $100,000, and he is eager to give it a try.
Which plunges him into the heart of what appears to be the American version of a foreign reality show that he is not familiar with, but other contestants are, and now Ben will go through familiar moments and tough fights to win that money and be the show’s champion. But there is a twist in all of this. In that, nothing about this show is real in the slightest. In fact, The Goat USA is nothing more than a chance to see if an everyday man can be immersed in fiction for an extended period of time, and all of the major players are actors tasked with taking Ben on a scripted experience, and therein lie the challenge.

Because in order to sell that premise and complete the exploration, there can be no mistakes. Everything must feel authentic, and we learn in the series premiere, that is not an easy task. For one over the top moment could raise questions and shatter the façade, as could a simple slip up in the stories crafted by the actors playing Ben’s ‘competition’. But while the answer to that question isn’t brought forth in the first episode of the show, it’s clear that this season will indeed explore it in a fascinating manner and truly give us plenty to think about when it comes to our relationship with storytelling, and yet… it still has more to offer us than that exploration.

For this is a series that also serves as a bit of a sendup of reality television, courtesy of satire regarding how these shows are assembled, and the contestants that often appear in shows in this vein. Which gives us plenty to ponder upon when it comes to our expectations of reality television. But while that does make for a meta and intelligent take on storytelling and one of the biggest genres of television out there, there is still a lot of fun to be had watching this show. Since Ben is indeed a gentle guy that wants to do well, and the wild things the production team put him through are fascinating and downright hilarious now and again, and you are quickly invested in his journey. All of which makes for a fun and entertaining, and downright thoughtful series. One that is filled with surprises despite being designed to offer otherwise, and where you truly are captivated by an interesting take on an interesting question.

‘The Jo Schmo Show’ airs Tuesdays on TBS at 9:00PM ET/PT.   

​Please enjoy this this exclusive sneak peek of season two of Eva the Owlet, which debuts on Apple TV+, tomorrow!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Prime Target’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that conspiracy theories are all the rage right now, and rightfully so. Because let’s be honest… the world is currently a mess. It’s filled to the brim with lies and misdirection and people happy to make up stories to get clicks to their websites and social accounts and well, that’s given rise to fresh conspiracy theories and fake videos, and we are indeed pouring over them and trying to decipher what’s the truth and what is imaginary nonsense.  Which is why it should come as no surprise that television is getting in on the mix with stories that explore the nature of conspiracies or are eager to explore what would happen if one was real.

Since that helps us to cope with the uncertainty that these theories send our way and that helps us to play out the ‘what if’ fantasy in our minds, for entertainment is all about catharsis and engagement, and it just so happens… that Apple TV+ is now home to a new show that offers just that. For Prime Target is a brand-new show that features quite the grand and sweeping story revolving around conspiracies, and the best part is, ‘A New Pattern’ and ‘Syracuse’ gently ease us into the madness ahead. For these two episodes introduce us to a pair of innocuous individuals. There’s Edward Brooks for instance, a brilliant mind in mathematics that works at Cambridge and is obsessed with learning about prime numbers and their power. Plus, there’s Taylah Sanders. A woman who works abroad and likes to keep to herself.  

But little do they know that their fates are about to be intertwined. For some new discoveries regarding prime numbers excites Edward like never before, to the point where he works with one of the best minds in his school regarding the power of what he's found and that scares Professor Robert Mallinder to no end. For it is evident to him that Edward has discovered something shocking regarding his research. Something so powerful in fact that he is ready to destroy Edward’s work and seemingly end his life over what his eyes have seen. Which shocks Edward to no end and leaves him curious as to what exactly spooked a man this deeply, and Taylah, is the one to shed some light upon the why there.

For she works for the National Security Agency and her job is monitor mathematicians around the world. For the common belief in the world of the NSA, is that the next great threat to national security will come from the world of math. Since math is the core basis for all of our computer systems, and math would easily bring them down no problem or perhaps cause worse problems. And she of course, uncovers Edward’s complex work and Robert’s attention to it, and that Mallinder's life likely ended in a sinister manner. Which she flags and sends up the chain, only for the brass to decide that no one else should know about this. In fact, they’re so eager to keep it hidden that they are ready to end lives over it, putting Taylah in great danger.
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She is of course, not alone when it comes to trouble. Because Edward is now in the spotlight of the NSA and that absolutely will bring him trouble down the line as well, but he might be better prepared to see it coming. Since his desire to rebuild his research here helps him to uncover that someone else that was once as brilliant a protégé as he, died nearly thirty years ago after publishing her own incredible work regarding similar research. Plus, a strange agency that has ties to this whole mysterious mess, takes a great interest in Edward. To the point where introductions are handled in an unsettling manner, one that leaves Edward wondering what he’s stumbled upon.

All of which makes, for a delightful series premiere. One that truly sets the stage for a grand conspiracy to come to life. For clearly Edward has stumbled upon something shocking and stunning and some believe the world is not ready for it. All of which brings about an engaging story. One that feels akin to a grand tapestry where every little stitch matters and will come into play as we see more of it, and it also has some genuine Dan Brown vibes, and some great performances, and it truly offers everything we want from a story in this vein. For it is indeed cathartic and plucks on those imaginary strings to help us cope with our day and forget about the madness of the world, and it will be interesting to see what nightmare Edward and Taylah have uncovered and how they escape it, as season one of this unique show continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘St. Denis Medical’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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If there is one particular phrase, we’ve all heard time and time again in our place of work, it would have to be… keep it professional. For there is a strong belief that who we are off the clock shouldn’t mix with who we are on the clock, and that is a fair expectation to have. Because sometimes, we are going through it and being professional can help us clear our head, and of course… it ensures we get work done as well. But while that phrase has merit and weight, we still hear it. Directed at either ourselves or someone else. Simply because, it is impossible to truly separate our humanity from our jobs, no matter the career field.

For we all have wants, needs, and emotions that override our professional self, and for proof… look no further than this week’s episode of St. Denis Medical on NBC. For ‘Gimme the ScuttleButt’ saw Joyce make quite the discovery while shooting some B-roll with the documentary crew. In that Dr. Bruce and another surgeon were fooling around in the on-call rooms and that prompted Joyce to try and quell such matters in the hospital and cool off any gossip to keep things professional. But soon, she realized… that was going to be tough. In part because… well… she wanted to be part of the gossip and the thrill that comes with that and because she knew, people cannot deny themselves what they need.

Oddly enough, her moment of weakness on the matter, which included her doing her best to get in on the gossip that people buzzed about, inspired others to let loose and indulge as well. Which brought about some high school level hilarity at the hospital. Some of which involved a need to feel desired, since Dr. Bruce went all in to try and figure out who might want to sleep with him. At Dr. Ron’s twisted behest, no less, and for some reason, finding out that Val did not find him attractive in that manner, drove him wild. Plus, Matt revealed to Serena that he might have a crush on her, and he happily admitted to this in his own quirky way.

Not to mention, Alex decided that today was the day that she would take a break from the busy and get busy with her husband, and that led to a little VIP Suite time for the couple when their other plans to get away and be intimate went awry. But what mattered most here, is that none of these actions were professional. But not because the staff are jerks. But because they’re people who want to be desired and find love and yes, outright need those elements of joy now and again to handle working in a hospital. Where people suffer, where people die and where long and difficult healing takes place. Which served to remind us, that it is okay to be human when needed at work… because balance is important in life and that helps brings it forth.

All of which made for another magnificent episode from this series. Since it, too, offered balance with its message… by way of some amazing comedy. Because watching Dr. Bruce try and be the hottest doctor on the planet was ridiculously funny, as was watching Dr. Ron egg him on for his own amusement. Plus, watching Joyce attempt to be hip and cool was equally as funny, and hopefully we learn a little more about why the hell she hated Mary so much. But that aside, this was just a fine reminder that this series knows how to tap into something special with its audience, all by humanizing a career field we all hold in unique regard, and it will be interesting to see what other lessons lie ahead as season one of this hilarious series rolls along. Until next time.