Racing The Clock: Prime Video's Countdown Series Premiere Review

 

Prime Video's Countdown could be what you're looking for if you're in the mood for an exciting new crime drama with a familiar touch. Here's my thoughts on the series premiere.

Rescue: Hi-Surf Cancelled at Fox

 

It seems we won't be experiencing another wave of rescues and excitement from Rescue Hi-Surf this time around.

From Bachelor Parties to Ghostly Powers: Ghosts "The Bachelorette Party"/"St. Hetty's Day" Recap

 

Ghosts fans are in for a treat as Season 4 continues with two unforgettable episodes that blend humor, mystery, and heartfelt moments. Here's a recap of episodes 15 and 16!

Chicago Fire "All Kinds of Crazy" Episode Preview

 

Here's a preview of this week's episode of Chicago Fire.

English Teacher "Kayla Syndrome"

 

When Evan teams up with the new teacher at the school to put together this year's homecoming, is the new teacher coming to him? Here's my review

The Capture Season 2

 

If you're looking for an exciting series that will keep you at the edge of your seat, I highly recommend checking out season two of Peacock's crime thriller, The Capture! I can't wait to share my thoughts with you!

A Heartwarming Comedy to Watch: Colin from Accounts Season 1

One of my all-time favorite TV series from 2023 has to be the charming rom-com Colin from Accounts. It's sure to bring a smile to your face while warming your heart in the best possible way. I’d love to share my thoughts on it! 

2024 Primetime Emmys Nominations: The Bear Breaks Record, Reservation Dogs Gets Emmy Love

 

On Wednesday morning, the 76th Primetime Emmys Awards nominations were announced, and what comes as no shocker is..

FBI Season 3: A Thrilling Season

 

The third season of CBS's FBI was such an exciting thrill ride! It really tugged at my heartstrings, and I understand why it has captured the hearts of so many fans. I can’t wait to share my thoughts! 

Worth Watching?: Special Ops: Lioness Season 1

 

Is Paramount+'s summer hit series, Special Opd: Lioness, worth watching? Here are my thoughts.

NBC 2022 Fall Schedule: La Brea Takes This Is Us Time slot, The Blacklist Moved to Midseason

 

On Monday, NBC released their 2022 fall schedule as May Upfronts begin this week. The 2021-2022 top-rated freshman series, La Brea, will take over the Tuesdays at 9pm timeslot (which has been the home of This Is Us for the past six years).

The most significant buzz for any new NBC series, the Quantum Leap reboot starring Raymond Lee, has landed the network's most prominent real estate, Mondays at 10/9c leading out of The Voice. While the Night Court revival, which stars John Larroquette and Big Bang Theory alum Melissa Rauch, and has been ordered to series back in September, won't make its debut until midseason.

Meanwhile, Young Rock will be moving to Fridays for its third season, starting in Movember, where it will be paired with the new George Lopez sitcom, Lopez vs. Lopez. This will make The Blacklist's 10th season premiere held back to midseason.

Here's a look at the schedule:

MONDAY:

8/7c The Voice

10/9c Quantum Leap

TUESDAY

8/7c The Voice

9/8c La Brea

10/9c New Amsterdam (final season)

WEDNESDAY

8/7c Chicago Med

9/8c Chicago Fire 

10/9c Chicago PD

THURSDAY

8/7c Law & Order

9/8c Law & Order SVU

10/9 Law & Order Organized Crime

FRIDAY

8/7c College Bowl

9/8c Dateline NBC

FRIDAY (In November)

8/7c Lopez Vs. Lopez

8:30/7:30c Young Rock

9/8c Dateline NBC

SATURDAY

8/7c Drama encores

9/8c Dateline Weekend Mystery

10/9c SNL Vintage

11:30/10:30c Saturday Night Live

SUNDAY

7/6c Football Night In America

8/7c Sunday Night Football

MIDSEASON:

The Blacklist, American Auto, Grand Crew, Night Court (NEW). The Wheel (NEW), Million Dollar Island (NEW), That's My Jame, The Wall, and Dick Wolf's LA Fire and Rescue (NEW Reality Series about the LAFD).

TBD on the fate of the pilots for Blank Slate, Found, Irrational, Unbroken, and the untitled drama from Mike Daniels.

CANCELLED:

The Endgame, Kenan, Mr. Mayor, Ordinary Joe

While NBC has made some changes, mainly bringing back comedy in late fall. But I do wish that network could have renewed Mr. Mayor.

 We'll see how La Brea can be when moving to Tuesdays and wonder if it will keep close to what the ratings would be in the first season. 

And what the heck happened with some of the competition shows like AGT Extreme or Family Game Night? Was it renewed or put on hold until something goes wrong with the new series? 

Overall, this first look fall schedule looks good. I look forward to seeing what the reboot of Quantum Leap will bring. 

What did you think of the NBC fall schedule? Leave a comment below!

Tomb Radar Anime Series Coming to Netflix

 

Looks like Lara Croft is taking her adventures to Netflix. 

TVLine and The Hollywood Reporter have reported on Wednesday that Netflix adding more of its anime series with Tomb Radar. 

The streaming service giant will be picking up after the events of the highly successful video game reboot trilogy, the Tomb Radar that was released from 2013-2018. Tasha Huo, of the upcoming Netflix's The Witcher: Blood Origin prequel series, is set to write and executive producer the series.

Grey's Anatomy vet Camilla Luddington was the voice of Lara in all three of those rebooted trilogy. There's no voice casting has been announced yet.

Not to mention, Netflix's partnership with Legendary will create Skull Island, an anime series based on the 2017 movie Kong: Skull Island.

I'm so freakin excited for this news. I'm a big Tomb Radar fan (yet I've only played one game that happened to be a demo for the PS1). But I've watched my brother play the reboot series from the Xbox. 

I hope that Camilla Luddington would still be the voice for Lara in this series, it would make sense if it's a continuation from the video games. 

Also, I'm a fan of Kong Skull Island, and while I have mixed emotions about Kong vs Godzilla. I'm looking forward to seeing what they'll do with the series. 

What do you think of the news? Leave a comment below!

Single Parents Canceled; ABC and Hulu Should Saved It

The news on Thursday wasn't what I had expected. ABC announced that it had canceled Single Parents after two seasons.

The series was about single parents helping raise each other and their children. If you're a fan of New Girl and Friends, this show might be the one to watch. The recently canceled series was my favorite comedy out of the ABC network, with The Conners. The series wasn't just well-written; the characters were so grounded and well-connected. The chemistry of this ensemble cast is so irresistible no matter who you pair one another within an episode.

But if I had to choose one pair I'd enjoyed through this series, it was Taran Killam and Leighton Meester's Will Copper and Angie D'Amato. While the two are best friends, they come to terms in the second season that they have feelings for one another. It was in the season finale (that's now a series finale) that Angie learned Will's feelings for her. And you can't tell me we can't get the third season after that moment?

Yes, I'm very much upset and sad about the news. I looked forward to seeing where Will and Angie would go after that cliffhanger. With what's going on with COVID-19, the network would want to keep a good chunk of their shows (they picked up 13 shows for renewal). While a few of the shows that got picked up over, Single Parents had about the same Live+3 Days DVR rating, but Single Parents had a higher DVR in the L+7 rating.

But the thing that has stuck in my mind since the announcement that ABC is renewing shows that build a strategy to bring people together, create cultural moments, and make content that entertains and inspires across generations and demographics. Single Parents fits that model that the network's plan for the new season. The series has a substantial diversity that appeals to many people who are single and raising kids.

While ABC made a wrong decision, they could have placed the series on their streaming service, whether it's Hulu or Disney+. This would have been more like what NBC did with A.P. Bio. The series ran for two seasons until it was canceled, and then NBC picked it up and placed it on their streaming service, Peacock Streaming Service. Hulu fits the show best because of its humorous content. I would plead with ABC to reconsider saving the show.

After hearing about it from many people, this show spoke to me over a year ago. I watched the entire first season and fell in love with it after the second episode. The characters just spoke out; the humor was so funny, and I got all the jokes. The show has a lot of heart, with moments that made me want to grab a tissue or another glass of wine. Back in April, my grandmother and I watched the first season and caught up in the second season. She loved it. It's a different family show without taking the meaning of family out of it.

I'm just hoping there's a miracle for another show, like The Mind Project, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, One Day at a Time, and The Last Man Standing, that got saved from other networks and streaming services. A show like Single Parents shouldn't be left out; it deserves to be on, as it has five to seven seasons ahead of it.

The hashtag #SaveSingleParents trended yesterday as fans voiced their opinions and even signed a petition. Could this help? I hope so; we've seen shows get picked up before because of fans speaking out. We can get Single Parents to be the next one. Come on, ABC, don't be like Netflix or make the same mistake with Last Man Standing.

Stranger Things Season 2 "Chapter 3: The Pollywog"/"Chapter 4 Will the Wise"

Chapter 3: The Pollywog

In Stranger Things Season 2, "Chapter 3: The Pollywog," Dustin makes a surprising discovery at home. At the same time, Eleven's growing desire for freedom leads to a significant act of disobedience against Hopper's strict rules.

Dustin's Curious Discovery & Will's Terrifying Vision

As soon as Dustin investigates the noise in his trash can from the previous episode, he finds a strange creature. He takes it inside, adding it to his collection of pets, much to the dismay of his pet turtle and mother's cat. What he's brought home appears to be a pollywog, with an insatiable appetite, especially for candy that Dustin readily provides.

He eagerly introduces the creature to Mike, Lucas, and Max, and they attempt to identify it, ultimately naming it Dart. However, Will soon recognizes the same scream he heard from a creature in the Upside Down and immediately freaks out. Dart quickly scurries away, leading the group on a chase. When Will finally confronts the creature, he suffers another terrifying episode involving the Upside Down. This time, he attempts to stand up for himself as Bob had advised, but the shadowy creature brutally extends its tendrils through his mouth and ears, possessing him.

Eleven's Quest for Freedom

Meanwhile, Eleven's longing to leave the cabin and see Mike intensifies, but Hopper continues to put off his promises, a frustration many can relate to with parental figures. As soon as Hopper leaves, Eleven, defying his orders, ventures out. She's briefly spotted by a mother and child, who then report her to the police. Undeterred, she presses on, determined to see Mike. However, she's heartbroken when she sees him seemingly enjoying time with another person (Max), leading her to retreat.

Review: Standout Performances and Emotional Proximity

"The Pollywog" was a very strong episode. The dual storylines of Hopper and Eleven, contrasted with Dustin and the boys' meeting and subsequent search for Dart, were equally compelling. I was on the edge of my seat when Eleven and Mike were so agonizingly close to seeing each other again. The writing of this episode was excellent, and the performances from both Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) and Noah Schnapp (Will) were particularly outstanding, truly standing out in their respective emotional arcs.

Overall, I give this episode an 8/10!

Chapter 4: Will the Wise

As Joyce races to find Will, a multitude of other issues surface in "Chapter 4: Will the Wise," escalating the tension and deepening the mysteries in Hawkins.

Will's Worsening Condition & Hopper's Investigation

Joyce finds Will outside the school with Mike, locked in another trance-like vision of the Upside Down and its terrifying creature. After he awakens, he's taken home, struggling to articulate what he's experiencing. The next day, Will's condition worsens; his body temperature drops dangerously low, and he refuses a warm bath, finding the heat unbearable.

After numerous attempts, Joyce finally reaches Hopper, who quickly attends to the situation. Hopper tries to get Will to explain his visions, but Will, unable to find the words, communicates through frantic drawings. What initially appears as scribbles coalesce into a massive, unsettling puzzle revealing blue vines. This leads Hopper to a chilling realization, prompting him to head straight for the pumpkin patch.

Dart's Disturbing Evolution & Team Hawkins's Struggles

Dustin continues to keep Dart as a secret pet at home, feeding him more candy. Meanwhile, Mike, Lucas, and Max futilely search for Dart around the school. Mike confides in only Lucas and Dustin about the creature, explaining its connection to Will's episodes in the Upside Down. Later, Mike checks on Will, questioning Joyce about the creature he's seen.

While Mike is preoccupied, Lucas attempts to reconcile with Max, urging her to join their hunt for Dart. However, she's still hurt by Mike's earlier declaration that she's not a "real" member of the party. The two part ways, with Max heading off in her so-called brother's car (who, by the way, is proving to be a real pain).

Nancy & Jonathan's Dangerous Quest

Nancy and Jonathan embark on a dangerous mission to meet with Barb's parents and reveal the truth about her disappearance. Their efforts put them squarely in the crosshairs of the Department of Energy (DOE) and lead to an unsettling meeting with Dr. Owens. What seemed like a failed attempt turns into a victory, as Nancy cleverly records their conversation with Owens while inside the highly secure DOE building. What a move!

Eleven's Rebellion & Discoveries

One of the most compelling storylines in this episode revolves around Eleven and Hopper. Upon her return to the cabin, Hopper shifts into strict, "mean dad" mode, attempting to impress upon her the importance of his protective rules. Eleven, however, perceives this as a lie, leading to a dramatic outburst that trashes the cabin. Hopper, in response, confiscates all her comforts – from her beloved Eggos (a true tragedy!) to the television (a crime!), though he's forced to merely pull the plug on the TV due to her powers. After a night spent cleaning up the mess, Hopper offers a compromise: if she cleans the cabin, he'll repair the TV.

While cleaning, Eleven stumbles upon a hidden door concealing boxes filled with files marked "Hawkins Lab." Delving into the documents, she discovers her own file, complete with her name, "Jane," and information about her parents. Using her powers with the radio, she manages to momentarily glimpse her mother, but the vision vanishes when her mother calls out her name, "Jane."

Chilling Cliffhangers

The episode ends on a particularly creepy note, with a scene so unsettling I had to look away even though I knew it was coming. Dustin rushes to his room only to find Dart's tank shattered and a shed skin. He then hears guttural growls from the closet and sees blood on the floor. Peering inside, he discovers that Dart has grown significantly larger and is gruesomely devouring his cat. Shockingly, Dart is now shown as an early stage of the creature from Season One, with its terrifying, petal-like mouth opening like a blooming flower.

And let's not forget Hopper's chilling discovery: as soon as he deciphers Will's blue vine drawings, he heads to the pumpkin patch farm. Digging into the soil, he unearths something gross and blue, which leads him directly into a dark, tunnel-like structure that eerily resembles Will's visions of the Upside Down's inner workings.

Review: A Packed and Potent Episode

"Will the Wise" was an incredibly good episode, packed with pivotal moments. From the grotesque reveal of the cat being devoured by Dart to the poignant and sad scene of Eleven glimpsing her mother, and Hopper's horrifying discovery of the Upside Down tunnel, this episode truly had everything to offer and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed everyone's performance, but Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp once again delivered particularly standout work.

Overall, I give this episode a 9 out of 10.

You can catch Stranger Things Season 2 now on Netflix.

Chicago Med - First Look at the Series

Here's a first look at the latest spinoff from Chicago Fire, Chicago Med.



You can catch Chicago Med Tuesday at 9/8c on NBC