Thursday, January 16, 2020

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

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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.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

The Healing Powers of Dude: A New Netflix Series

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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.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

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

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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.



Wednesday, January 8, 2020

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

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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.


Monday, January 6, 2020

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


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"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.


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"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"

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"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.


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"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.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Hope, Help and Compassion for All: Batwoman "Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 2"

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To find truth and courage will rely on two people. It's probably who and who not you're thinking. Here's a recap of Part Two!

Moments after Part 1, the team is greving from the lost of Oliver; Harbinger has gotten another version of Legend's Waverider and Mick from another Earth; for them to use and help. The Monitor tells the team that what he read in the "Book of Destney"; they must find the seven Paragons that could help get a win against the Anti-Monitor. While they got two of them, Sara the dysteny paragon and Kara the paragon of Hope. The other two rely on Superman and Batman.

As Clark, Lois and Iris search for Superman; they're challeneged by Lex Luther, who steals the book of Distney and tries to kill all the Supermens on each of the mulitverisons of Earth. While they stopped on Earth-167 where Smallville Clark Kent lives; Lois, Iris and Clark found the right Clark Kent in Earth-96, but as Lex gets to them he has both Supermen fighting each other. That is until Lois knocks Lex out and both her and Iris save Earth-96 Clark from killing our Clark.

Meanwhile, Kate and Kara go find Batman in Earth-99; but when they get there the Bruce that Kate knows is no longer familair as he's not only old but broken while wearing an exoskeloton suit. Kara  help Kate decide that Bruce is not the paragon of courage after learning that he had killed Superman of that plaent. Kate knocks Bruce out and electicutes him.

Later on as Ray Palmer and Clark Kent of Earht-96 introudce each other; Kate learns that the bat of the future is no  that turns out to be The Anti-Monitor, who is asking for her help.

Part 2 was a very good next chapter in this crossover event. The episode does live up to the hpe from the previous episode with strong character development and some very overwhelming at times, nostalgic.

Let me just say that I ate up every second of seeing Earth-96 and Earth-167 of Supermen. I love Smallville and very much think that Superman Returns is an underrated Superman movie that no one gives enough credit just like Man of Steel. And I ate up when Lex from Earth-38 meets with Clark of Erath -167 and realie that he has no powers and still wiped Lex's butt.

Anyway, Kevin Conroy playing Bruce Wayne was a television moment dream come true; as someone who's been the voice of Batman in the animated tv shows, movies and video games. This was very, very good.

The Kate and Kara story was so damn good and that I hope down the road there's gonna be a crossover between them. That needs to happen!! Hear me CW! Needs to happen!! Just like the comics and animated shows, I just love how these two can help each other when one of them are down. But I am worried about what Kate will do with that spare kryptonite she took from Bruce. Don't ruin something that's good now!!

As for the Barry/Mia/Sara storyline, what's the point of a death if they're trying to bring him back to life? Wouldn't that ruin the entire moment and momentum of this event?
Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Part 3 of the Crisis on Infinite Earths Tuesday on The Flash at 8/7c on The CW; and stay tune for the Aftershow.