Milkshakes and Vacations: The Good Place "Chapter 51: Patty"

Welcome to The Good Place or is it?

As Eleanor and the gang travel in the air balloon to the Good Place, what they see looks like paradise. As things look amazingly peaceful and warming; Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason go to a party of their own taste that had combined due to entering the portal together. As Jason races gocarts with monkeys, Tahani and Janet meeting with other people; Chidi meets with Hypatia with Eleanor and not only freaks out from talking to one of the great minds. But things aren't what they seem as the gang realizes that the good place is the borning place.

Meanwhile, as Michael thought that he was being sworn in to be a member of The Good Place; but the board members tricked him into signing to be the management of The Good Place. While trying to figure what's going on, Michael, Eleanor, and the gang figure out what to do and that the best thing to do is have the option of knowing that there's a door to the end.

After announcing the plan to the rest of the people that have been around for over five hundred years; everyone had a party and later on Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, Jason, Janet get to live in their Good Place places with Michael making his office close to them. Eleanor and Chidi talk while looking at the sun setting by the mountain as they take-in the moment.

"Patty" was such a great episode that it really felt like it should have been the finale. The performance from the cast was good and the writing was as good as ever. The episode showed that the good place wasn't all that what it seemed; our gang needed to help fix the issues and to provide a solution was good and around out the problem.

But it leaves our characters with when will they go through that door and what will become of them after they go through that door? Is it death? Is it a rebirth of life? This episode would have been an excellent ending; that would have our gang be where they are and had us play out in our minds of what they do after.

I'm pretty anxious, nervous and emotional for this series forking finale. From what I've read in the interviews and such, this could be like the Parks and Recreation finale as it was too a jammed-packed full of emotions and laughs. Move over This Is Us, The Good Place fans will be needing the tissues this week.

Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch the one-hour series forking finale of The Good Place Thursday, Jan. 30 at 8:30/7:30c and the post-show interview with Seth Meyers at 9:30/8:30c on NBC

Need to Talk:This Is Us "A Hell of A Week, Part 1"

This starts the first of the Big Three Trilogy with another powerful story. Here's a recap!!

In this another installment of the Big Three Trilogy; we start off with Randall as we pick up from the moment the previous episode ended when Randall face to face with a burglar in the house that started to relive his past once again.

After Randall stands his ground and offers the burglar his money; the guy ran off and we start to see Randall become unhinged when it comes to protecting his family and the fear that comes to it. After placing home security, it takes a real toll on him that it even takes him away from his job; as the city council and the talk about the big bill that the residents have big concerns.

Randall gets a call from Kevin, who's in Pittsburgh to visit Sophie as her father past away; but Randall doesn't tell him about what had happened. Night terrors start to come back and we see how after Jack's death that these night terrors started and continued throughout his life even when meeting Beth. After taking his run, Randall stops a robber from stealing from a lady and kicks the shit out of him. When he returns to work as a hero, he runs back home as it took much and later calls Kevin to tell him that he wasn't okay and tells him about what had happened and needed a talk.

This episode was so powerful and truthful about not only fear can conquer us but that it's okay to talk about anything Sterling K. Brown gives such a strong performance in this episode along with the actors that played the young and college Randall. The writing was strong and had so much character development. It does leave to preview of what to expect in the next two episodes; with Kevin meeting Sophie and Kate's history with the so-called boyfriend that ended with a shocking cliffhanger in this episode. Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

You can catch This Is Us tonight at 9/8c on NBC.

The Path: This Is Us "Lights and Shadows" Winter Premiere

This Is Us returns with a winter premiere that was full of powerful emotions. Here's a recap!

After the fall finale, we see our characters going through the stuff that we were expected to see. Randall trying to get an appointment for Rebecca during the holidays; Kate confronts Toby about his text messaging with another woman and Kevin trying the online dating world.

Coming in the new year, Rebecca gets an appointment and does some memory tests; but while doing those tests we see how she fought to stay with Jack. Randall and Miguel argue over about the situation and after learning that there could be something going on with Rebecca the two put their feelings aside and focused on Rebecca.

Kate is about to throw a surprise birthday for Tobey and can't wait to meet the lady from his Zumba class. As she works and worries, it turns out that during the party she wasn't there and that Tobey has switched to a different class group. After Tobey tells Kate why he switched classes and the reason he didn't tell her as Kate gives him his gift of a vacation retreat that helps with parents for blind children. But in the end, they have a moment when baby Jack sees the pineapple lights really spark the love back with one another.

Kevin tries to get in the online dating world and it's not going so good. After a few bombs, Kevin decides to stop and late the universe take it from there; until he meets this woman at the coffee shop. He confronts her and the two talk and after sparks really fly with one another the two go out on a date with John Legend performing for them. It all stopped after learning she's married and this was just a hall pass. But as Kevin goes back to work he gets a call from Sophie.

As Randall comes back home seeing him look at his girls and later kiss Beth; he goes downstairs and sees a burglar and we leave the episode like that.

"Lights and Shadows" was such an amazing and powerful episode that had such rich and emotional moments.  The Rebecca story was so damn good and one of my favorite performances from Mandy Moore so far. Kate and Toby were good as well; while I was convinced that Sophia Bush could be the woman for Kevin; I'm still hoping for him to get back with Sophie. It has to be that Kevin and Sophie will get back together and have that child that he wants. Strong writing with strong character growth in this episode. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch This Is Us Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

"It's so Basic!" The Good Place "Chapter 50: Mondays, Am I Right?"

Can Michael get the employees of the wrong place to use his method in the new plan? Is Chidi good for Eleanor? Here's a recap!!

As Michael and the gang meet up with the employees of The Bad Place, Michael tries to get them to come together and follow his method for his new plan. But when some do not like it or do not get it, it takes Vicki to grasp the concept through their heads with some healthy understanding. Even though Michael is upset about Vicki teaching them quicker than him, he learns a lesson that follows his pushing the rock up a hill.

Meanwhile, Eleanor, Chidi, and Jason must find a thousand people that will fit well with the formula so the plan can work from Mr. Rogers and Susan B. Anthony. But when Eleanor sees her file, she jumps to Chidi to not read it, but when she tells him to, Chidi doesn't think he's good for her. Thinking more about it, Jason helps Chidi while Chidi believes he is assisting Jason and gets his confidence back about loving Eleanor.

As the plan seems to be working, the jingle that someone's going to the excellent place comes, and it's Eleanor and the gang going. Michael brings the air balloon for them and goes along with Janet, and as they ride off waving bye to the people of the medium place, Jason yells out Folies.

"Mondays, Am I Right?" was a good and hilarious episode. This was a great Michael episode as he had to deal with Vicki, helping him explain how the new method to the point system works. Hell, I just loved that scene when Tahani was in the VR room and got attacked by a chainsaw bear. That has to be a T-shirt. Why do I feel this is only the calm before the storm as we get to the series finale? We get a Wizard of Oz ending in this episode. Does anyone think we'll get Eleanor to wake up and see Chidi somewhere and go after him?

Anyway, overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch The Good Place on Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC,

The Healing Powers of Dude, Season 1

Last week, a new Netflix series premiered, and while it has some wacky moments, it's got enough heart and inspiration to win over.

The first season of The Healing Powers of Dude is about an 11-year-old boy named Noah (played by Jace Chapman) suffering from a social anxiety disorder and the one thing that could help him is a dog named Dude, who's trained to be a support therapy dog. After getting the dog, Noah makes new friends with Amara and Simon (played by Sophie Kim and Mauricio Lara). He even has a crush on a girl named Valerie (played by Gabrielle Quinn).

But he also deals with fun and supportive parents (played by Larisa Oleynik and Tom Evertt Scott) and a young but wise little sister in Embry. While anxiety is Noah's enemy, Dude has his own in the school's principal, who dislikes dogs and pulls off a sad, cruel, and yet exciting way for season two.



I very much enjoyed this first season, and while it has some goofy yet funny moments, the show has heart and inspiration and tackles mental health head-on in the rightful way of social anxiety. This ensemble cast is fantastic, and while Chapman steals the show, Kim and Lara give such an excellent performance as Noah's best friends, while Oleynik and Scott are amazing and hilarious. The writing was as good as it has some strong character growth.

While this show has heart and inspiration, it hits close to home for me as I, too, have a social anxiety disorder. Whether at school, family gatherings, or public places, I was the kind of person who shut down like a hermit crab, and while therapy support dogs weren't a thing, I had the one thing that had helped me, and that was television. Watching one episode of a comedy or a drama helped me calm down my nerves before going anywhere.  I think this show is for parents to watch with their kids and not only watch but also teach.  The show serves a great message, and I hope that the show gets another season.

You can catch the first season of The Healing Powers of Dude available on Netflix now.

Animal Among Us

If you think that "Animal Among Us" was a film that you know all too well without seeing it, guess again. This film keeps you guessing until its mind-blowing ending. 

When a campground is reopening celebration fifteen years after two girls were murdered and lead to a best-selling novel, Anita and Penelope Bishop (played by Larisa Oleynik and Christine Donlon), deals with issues of an animal like creature on the campsite, after two people had been attacked and killed. But when the author. Who wrote the book on the previous murders comes for the celebration at the Bishop's mother; the plot twists and turns about man and creature.

"Animal Among Us" is a horror film that might have the same plot devices as previous classic horror films like Friday the 13th. I enjoy some originality in this film; while for a 90-minute movie with some slow parts, it builds to an ending that I would have never had thought of. Larisa Oleynik, who won Best Actress in a Feature at Northen Horror Fest 2019, gives a stunning performance unlike we've seen her do from her previous roles. Even Don Frye and Erin Daniels were outstanding and stood out in the film as well.

I give the film an 8/10.

You can catch "Animal Among Us" available now on DVD and digital.

Supergirl "The Bottle Episode" Preview

After a crazy and thrilling Crisis event, Supergirl returns with a much, much deeper threat. 

A new threat comes upon Supergirl and it's Lex Luther. Here's a promo of this Sunday's episode:

You can catch Supergirl Sundays at 9/8c on The CW.

What's the plan, man? The Good Place "Chapter 49: You've Changed, Man"

With only minutes to spare, who will Eleanor and team come up with a way to stop the judge from erasing EVERYTHING? Here's a recap!

As soon as Chidi got all of his memories back, showing confidence; he tells Eleanor, Micheal, Tahani and Jason that the best way to stop the judge was to negotiate an idea of a system that would work middle ground to the good and bad place. But just as they tell the board of their idea and agreeing before hearing it, they talk to Shawn and things don't go so well.

Meanwhile, as the Judge looks for her remote to erase the Earth; Janet tries to talk her out of it while they go in Bad Janet and even Disco Janet as well. With no luck of finding it and given a no to Eleanor and Michael's idea; the Judge goes into Janet to find the remote. While there, Janet pulls off a prank but surprises her with a special guest, Timothy Olyphant.

As Shawn was brought in; Eleanor and the team talk about their plan for a system that will work with both groups; but Shawn turns down the idea and goes his merry way of peeing in the water fountain. Michael pulls off one last move to make Shawn agree and just as the Judge finds the remote all of the parties were in agreement but the question relies on how will this work. Chidi?

"You've Changed, Man" was such a good episode. While there were a lot of hilarious moments like Chidi doing things that he's never done like having confidence and not worried at all. And he's got me thinking of eating some warm pretzels. Yummy, yum yum, right?  The Olyphant appearance was fantastic and even though he was in for a few minutes or a scene, it was probably the top three moments of the episode. While Jackson and D'Arcy gave strong performances, Maya Rudolph was amazing as the judge in this episode.

As much as I would love to give my theories to how this will end; I don't have any as I just rather watch and follow the characters with each moment occurring. But I think that this ending will be an emotional one, to say the least. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch The Good Place tonight at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.

The Healing Powers of Dude: A New Netflix Series

On Monday, Jan. 13th, Netflix will release a new series that might be just up your alley for you and your family to enjoy.

The Healing Powers of Dude is about an 11-year-old boy (played by Jace Chapman) who has social anxiety disorder but gets help from an emotional support dog named Dude (voiced by Steve Zahn of War For the Planet of the Apes and You've Got Mail).

Along for the journey are his parents played by Tom Evertt Scott (ER, Southland, 13 Reasons Way) and Larisa Oleynik (The Secret World of Alex Mack, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Animals Among Us).

After watching the trailer that came out a couple of days ago, it really looks so fun, cute and inspiring. The cast looks solidly good. I believe that this is a series that the whole family should be watching come Monday evening.

Here's the trailer:

You can catch The Healing Powers of Dude tomorrow on Netflix.

Chidi the Answer Please! The Good Place "Chapter 48: The Answer" Fall Finale

The fall finale of The Good Place asked the question and gives the answer to that question. Here's a recap!

With no time to spare Eleanor get Michael to bring back the original Chidi and to do that Michael will have to put all of Chidi's memories back in the right order. By doing so we see moments of time he comes home after birth to save his parent's marriage from divorce with a counterpoint presentation.

Piece by piece we see Chidi's memories come in order to his girlfriend dumping him to writing a horrible book; even the moment he gets killed by a falling air conditioner. Then we get to where he's in The Good Place from the moment in season one to the multiple versions from Michael to even when all things started to happen between Eleanor and Chidi's relationship. And by the time we catch to the moment where he loses his memory, we see him talking to Michael and then asking Janet to hold a note for him if he ever gets back.

As Chidi comes back full memory and all, Eleanor tells him that he needs to help save the universe before the Judge reboots the universe. Chidi says that it's gonna take a lot of time but then ask Janet for the note and when he reads it it says "there's no answer" but "Eleanor is the answer." 

"The Answer" was as good as any clip show I have seen in years; probably since Community. It was a brilliant and witty character growth of Chidi since the peeps in the chill episode. While we hoped to learn that Chidi has the answer to the question to save the world; it apparently relies all on Eleanor. How will she be the factor into this is the million-dollar question and with only four episodes to go, I'm nervous and emotionally intense to see how it all ends. Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

You can catch the return of The Good Place tonight at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.

"You Mean the World to Me": Chicago Fire "Best Friend Magic" Fall Finale

CROTIS FOREVER!!!!!

The fall finale of the Chicago Fire was one to remember for all the right reasons and more.

While cleaning up the firehouse, Cruz finds an old drone that belongs to Otis and is determined to fly it once more. But as Cruz tries to fix it, he tells Ritter that the reason why he's doing this is that he was the one who hid the drone. After repairing the new part, something was still wrong, and when he checked it on the computer to find a video of him and Otis about to fly the drone with "Best Friend Magic."

The story that we've been waiting for since the rumors and news broke was the return of Dawsey. Let me say that this episode wasn't a disappointment. Dawson returns to Chicago for a fundraiser but stops at Firehouse 51 to see Otis' memorial. After Casey and Truck 81's skyscraper rescue, Casey and Dawson have a moment to talk, but he gets invited to a charity event she's attending to get donors.

After thinking it over and asking advice from Brett, Casey went and had a ball dancing and learned that Dawson wanted to come to Chicago. As Casey and Dawson danced away, the two returned to her hotel and had a one-nighter. Just before she leaves, Dawson leaves a message for Casey, offering to come to help her out. It doesn't look like it's the end for Dawsey. That worries me.

Kidd shows off that she can handle the workload of driving Truck 81 and being at the academy. But it does have a toll, and it shows when Brett and Foster order her to go home to rest, and as she drives off, she hits a van with a mother and daughter inside. After learning that the mother and child are okay, Bowden sees the effects both jobs have on Kidd and tells her that he's going to help change that for her and the rest of the future trainers.

Severide opens up another arson case that proves a guilty man innocent that involves a company burning down their property for insurance.  After getting Casey's input on it, Severide and the team get the help of the SWAT and CPD detective to raid the suspect's whereabouts at an abandoned warehouse, where Severide finds the suspect in the basement. And we leave the episode with the suspect holding a firestick and Severide one-on-one in a dangerous basement.

"Best Friend Magic" delivered more than what I had expected. This episode was well written, with character growths packed with suspense and emotions. The Dawson and Casey might have been the episode's highlight, but I give Cruz's story the winner as it was powerfully well written, mainly at the end when Cruz sees that video of him and Otis. 

While the Casey-Dawson gave me chills and emotions, that moment when they danced took me to breathe away in more ways than one. And I think this won't be the last time we see Dawson. And the Kidd storyline was good and, I believe, an educated moment as well. And Severide is leaving with an intense cliffhanger. OMG!! Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch the winter premiere of Chicago Fire tonight at 9/8c on NBC.

Messy Messy Joyous Holiday: All Rise "Dripsy"/"The Joy of Oz" Fall Finale

"Dripsy"

Making a decision is the hardest thing to do even if you're a lawyer or judge.

After being re-assigned to another courtroom due to leakage; Judge Carmichael comes to making some harsh and tough decisions when it comes to two cases. One was given a warning to a defendant that was stealing cars but pleaded for a warning that he'll change due to family. But that didn't last too long as he did the same thing and was watched live on the news.

The other is trying to help a defendant, who's lawyer was making some horrible calls. When Emily, who has a history with the client, gets involved; she not only fights but proves to the facts that she didn't do it. Also, her first date with Luke started off great yet ended with different opinions on the same case; but in the end, all is good.

And if that wasn't enough for Carmichael, a storm is coming for her when the DA has filed a lawsuit to dismiss her as a judge.

Meanwhile, while trying on a case about a robber who says he was sleepwalking, Mark doesn't believe him but looks into it. He learns that he was actually telling the truth and figured out that the victim falsified her claim. But during this case, after seeing his father for a visit; he sees him get arrested and couldn't find him for a few days. Mark learns that his father is charged for a murder that he didn't do but was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Dripsy" was a very enjoyable episode and at times interesting. Watching Carmichael dealing with two cases that I thought would be a double win turns out to only be one out of the two. Also, lesson learn on this one: always trust your mother. A showdown between Carmichael and DA lawyers should be interesting. Mark's story was very good and watching this character dealing with two different situations. Overall, I give this episode an 8/10.

"The Joy of Oz:

Twas the last day before Christmas break and all through the courthouse; as a judge faces trial on her actions. While facing the other judges, Judge Carmichael fights for her life to convince that she stands firm and hard on the law. After a couple of rounds, the verdict comes in as Carmichael not guilty.

Meanwhile, Mark gets Amy to represent his father in this murder case. But while that was going on, he had a chance to finally take down a familiar face that led him to want to be part of his father's legal team.

Also, since it's Christmas Judge Brenner gets the DA's and others to perform The Wizard of Oz on trial. While Emily and Thomas butted heads with each other during this special performance, after Carmichael was trial was over she appears and saved Dorthy.

"The Joy of Oz" was a very good fall finale episode. While it had a Christmas theme going, Carmciahel's trial, Mark's storyline and even learning about Sara's past was amazingly well done. Even when Paul McCrane's character talked to Carmichael near the end of the episode gave me chills and even a tear. But it was when Carmichael gave Sherri a gift was cry time at the way. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

You can catch All Rise returning tonight at 9/8c on CBS.

Family and Reunion: All Rise "Maricela and the Desert"/"How To Succeed in Law Without Really Re-Trying"

"Maricela and the Desert"

"Maricela and the Desert" was a very good episode from start to finish. It had a very nice balance of seriousiness drama with enough humor to carry this episode well. Judge Carmichael takes a case of a murder that a child testifies that the suspect is her father. But as everything leads to her father being the suspect; Emily Lopez gets the detective on the case to look back and arrested the suspect and learned the truth about what had happened to the child's mother.

Meanwhile, what happens in Vegas might as well come back to the court room. When Mark and Luke, who's chaperone for the day, takes on a case that involves an injuried college student trying to get into a college fraternity; their own witness ends up in Vegas arrested. Mark and Luke head to Vegas to get their witness out but if they want him out they must play the Vegas way with the judge that ended up with a win and another as they won their case.

As I said eariler that I very much enjoyed this episode from start to finish and the performance from the cast was so good. While Missick and Camacho give another strong performance, It was Bethel and Brinson that really was enjoyable to watch that had a buddy-buddy chemistry between one another. If Luke does become a laywer, I hope he works with Mark as I think it would be a real cool duo. Overal, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

"How to Succeed in Law Without Really Re-Trying"

When a blast from the past case has been re-opened for appel it turns out to be one of Lola's biggest cases and to make things worst her old nemesis is back.  As Mark takes the case the edvidences doesn't quite hold up like it did years ago, but after many times talking to one of the witness to testify; Mark and even Lola gets the win.

Emily deals with a client that tries to fool the system but while that wasn't the main story for Emily; she comes to terms to sign the divorce papers and even ask Sara if she could be her roommate, which she accpeted.

This episode was good but at times the build up was a bit overdone with Lola and Felice, her nemesis, about the re-trial case. But watching Mark and Lola back to back going over what worked and what's not going to work was very good. Throughout this season, I've very much enjoy watching these two playoff one another as they really show the meaning of friendship. Emily's story was awkward and yet enjoyable as she comes to terms on moving forward with her life. The writing was good with character development between Mark, Lola and Emily. Overall, I give this episode an 8/10.

You can catch All Rise Momdays at 9/8c on CBS.