Outlander Season 5 Episode 2 Recap: “Between Two Fires”

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February 23, 2020

Outlander Season 5 Episode 2 — Caitriona Balfe and Richard Rankin in ‘Outlander’ season 5 episode 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Tensions rise as Murtagh and his Regulators tar and feather a Justice of the Peace and his associates in Starz’s Outlander season five episode two. It’s a graphic, disturbing beginning to an episode that finds Jamie and Claire separated for the majority of its one-hour running time.

It’s obvious Brianna (Sophie Skelton) can’t get Stephen Bonnet out of her head as we find her sitting beneath a tree sketching a dark portrait of her rapist. She stops as a wagon races up with a sick man who needs immediate attention. The man struggles to breathe as Claire (Caitriona Balfe) examines his stomach. With a bevy of worried women watching her every move, Claire learns he’s ingested a toxic substance given to him to help purge his stomach.

To her shock, she learns he’s been given mercury!

There’s nothing she can do to save him and he takes his dying breath on her exam table.

Jamie (Sam Heughan) is apparently enduring an equally trying day as he travels with one of the Governor’s men, Lieutenant Hamilton Knox (Michael D. Xavier), searching for Murtagh. Knox has actually been sent to assess Jamie’s loyalty and honesty, and he finds Jamie worthy of trust. He congratulates Jamie on his ability to bring people together.

As they pass, settlers aren’t impressed with the line of Redcoats traveling through their lands. One even spits as the lieutenant tosses down some coins.

Jamie agrees with Lt. Knox that they’re the same in that they’re “united in their aim of offering protection to those they’re sworn to defend.” The lieutenant questions whether Jamie’s sympathetic to the Regulators, but mostly the talk is amicable… or at least as pleasant as possible, given the circumstances.

Word arrives regarding Murtagh’s recent raid and they take off to that settlement to calm the citizens with their presence.

Back at Fraser’s Ridge, Claire’s knee-deep in an autopsy when Brianna joins her. The new bride is sickened by the sight of the dead man’s opened chest, but Claire assures her it’s necessary to determine the cause of death. She’s confirmed his appendix burst and his wife hurried his death with her treatments. Claire agrees with Brianna that she needs to put the body back together so as not to alarm their fellow settlers.

Claire’s final words before Brianna hustles away: “It’s bad enough I’m fighting the disease; I’m also fighting the cure.”

Claire steps outside and notices how expertly Marsali (Lauren Lyle) butchers a deer. You can clearly see the wheels are spinning as Claire notes Marsali’s knifework.

The townsfolk are busy picking up broken items and tossing away burned wood as Jamie and the Redcoats arrive. Jamie spots Mr. Edmund Fanning (Samuel Collings), a friend of Governor Tryon, nursing an injury to his face. Fanning’s happy that Lt. Knox and his men have arrived, and he informs them the Regulators seized control of the courthouse and forced the judge to listen to their complaints. When he didn’t give them the justice they sought, they tarred and feathered men.

One of the men shows off his horrific wounds and says they did it because he enforced taxes they didn’t want to pay. Lt. Knox calls the Regulators cowardly dogs. Fanning’s house was ripped apart and he was forced to watch as the men were tortured. Three of the insurgents were captured but Murtagh isn’t among those arrested and set to hang.

Jamie asks to speak to the prisoners alone, but Lt. Knox wants to be involved. Jamie then asks to speak to the men first, Highlander to Highlander. He recognizes them and they him, and he asks if they’ve seen Murtagh. They think he’s a traitor and one says the men they tortured were thieves and extortionists.

Knox takes over the questioning and gets no further information. He draws his sword and demands they tell him the location of Murtagh Fitzgibbons. Ethan claims the name as his own, delivering his announcement by spitting in the lieutenant’s face. Knox stabs him and Jamie immediately pulls him away. “What have you done?! You executed a man without trial!” says an enraged Jamie.

When men from the town enter the room, Jamie covers for Knox and says it was done in self-defense.

Meanwhile, Brianna’s teaching Roger (Richard Rankin) how to shoot. He can’t believe he’s a captain in the militia and is practicing his aim by shooting at squirrels. He claims it’s like shooting at Tufty Fluffytail. Brianna’s never heard of such a thing and Roger explains Tufty is a squirrel who teaches children about road safety.

Roger’s fully aware Brianna’s just keeping him busy while the “real men” – his words – are away. Brianna protests, saying Roger’s been left behind to protect Fraser’s Ridge. Roger wonders if he’s protecting the Ridge from squirrels.

They have a sweet moment as Brianna holds Roger close while helping him aim at a tree. It’s broken up before it gets physical by a rafter of wild turkeys. Roger attempts to shoot one and misses, of course. Brianna doesn’t and Roger’s noticeably frustrated.

As they collect the dead turkey, Brianna addresses the elephant in the room. She asks if he wants to return to the ‘60s and Roger pauses before replying. He makes light of the question, saying he wants wee Jemmy to grow up with Tufty and his road safety club. Roger realizes Brianna doesn’t want to leave her parents and return through the stones.

Once more to Jamie we go and he’s a sympathetic ear to Lt. Knox as he grasps the magnitude of what’s he done. He never wanted to become that sort of man, and Jamie suggests he make amends. Jamie wants the others to get a fair trial, but Knox knows the other two men will be hung to help staunch the uprising. Knox finally concludes he gave the man a soldier’s death which was more than he deserved.

Jamie wonders if there’s any cause Knox would die for and he replies, “We’re here, aren’t we? To die for King and Country, for that is an oath we both have sworn.”

Claire approaches Marsali during the funeral for the unfortunate man who died of appendicitis/mercury poisoning. She’s noticed how well Marsali handles butchering deer and asks if she trusts her. She then takes Marsali into her operating room where the dead man is still on the table. Marsali’s shocked and wonders if Claire is in fact a witch.

Claire admits she and Roger filled the coffin with rocks. It was Claire’s idea so she could teach Marsali how to perform surgery on a cadaver. Claire truly believes she’s found herself the perfect apprentice.

Getting over her initial shock, Marsali begins to ask the right questions. Claire assures her after she’s done instructing Marsali, they’ll sew the body up and give it a proper burial.

Jamie sneaks back into the jail and the imprisoned men aren’t pleased to see him. They view him as a traitor even while Jamie protests and says he’s just trying to save all their lives. Jamie breaks the locks on their cells and before they escape, they reveal Murtagh was with them when they attacked the town.

Jamie warns them to tell Murtagh not to return because Knox has an army. The Regulators claim their own large army is made of men with nothing left to lose.

Hours later, the escape’s noticed and everyone assumes it was perpetrated by insurgents hiding in town. Jamie suggests this might put an end to the uprising now that all will know the punishment for rebellion is death.

Lt. Know doesn’t agree. He thinks war is inevitable. Knox and Jamie both recite the saying, “One man fighting for his home is worth 100 fighting for pay.”

Knox commands Jamie to get more men. He doesn’t think the men Jamie gathered on Fraser’s Ridge are enough. Jamie agrees to do so and Knox commands him to return with additional men as quickly as he can.

Claire listens to the women of the settlement discuss different illnesses and treatments. She attempts to warn them that the medicines they’re using are actually poisonous and may seem to temporarily help the problem but aren’t good in the long run. They just laugh at her and toss aside her explanations, sure that the nearest real doctor, Doctor Wilson, has given them the correct information. If the treatments Dr. Wilson prescribes are good enough for the King, then they should be good enough for their men.

Shortly thereafter, Claire begins work on a list of items not to give when someone’s injured or ill. Brianna questions her decision, wondering if they’ll equate her knowledge to that of Otter Tooth. Brianna doesn’t believe anyone will listen to her, but Claire has a solution. She’s going to write them as if they’re from Dr. Rawlings, the male doctor who used to own her medical kit.

After demonstrating what a poor shot he is, Roger sits down for an eye exam. Could bad vision explain his inability to kill squirrels? Claire thanks him for helping with the dead body and confirms Marsali is her new apprentice. “Apprentice under the root cellar…surely that’s a Nancy Drew novel begging to be written,” jokes Roger.

Claire declares his vision is just fine. Roger’s just a terrible shot, mostly because he doesn’t want to shoot any living thing. Talk turns to returning to the 1960s and family ties, and Claire reveals she loves them being there but hopes they’ll return through the stones.

“I’ll miss you all, terribly. But it’s safer in the future for all three of you,” says Claire, acknowledging she’s aware Roger feels the same way.

However, they’re both aware nothing has to be decided until Jemmy hears the stones.

The prisoners make it back to Murtagh and the Regulators and disclose details of what happened while they were being held. Murtagh decides to listen to Jamie and not return to that town. However, the newly freed men aren’t sure they can trust Murtagh’s judgment when it comes to his godson. He assures them he’ll be ready to fight against Jamie if it comes to that.

Murtagh refuses to allow them to believe Jamie stands with the Crown. “He stands with his people,” corrects Murtagh. “And I stand with mine.”

Claire’s spent the entire night backing bread so that she can make penicillin. Brianna doesn’t believe it’s possible, but Claire’s willing to do whatever she can to keep everyone healthy. She’s even sent Marsali after food scraps to find the right strain.

Brianna’s worried something bad will happen if Claire invents penicillin a hundred years before it was actually supposed to be discovered. Brianna warns it might mess with the space-time continuum and what Claire’s doing is playing god. Claire has the perfect comeback; she reminds Brianna that’s exactly what she did when she came through the stones to save her and Jamie.

Claire alters the future when she saves a patient. Jamie changes the future when he saves anyone in this time. Claire’s done with worrying about that and will do what she needs to do.

Roger sings Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World” (you know…the” Jeremiah was a bullfrog song”) to little Jemmy who seems happy enough listening to the peppy tune. Brianna walks up with laundry, complimenting Roger on his parenting skills.

Roger carries the basket inside while Brianna remains with the baby. He accidentally knocks over her sketchbook and sees the disturbing drawings of Bonnet. He returns outside after Brianna yells for him to come to see Jemmy taking his very first steps, but his mood’s no longer light as he looks at his wife and child.

Speak of the devil, Stephen Bonnet makes his first appearance in season five as a member of the betting crowd cheering on two women fighting. He’s introduced around as someone who can discreetly get around the King’s levies. Bonnet gets in a fight with another man betting on the women after the man claims Bonnet knew one of the women and cheated.

They settle the argument with a sword fight and Bonnet easily wins. Instead of letting the man surrender, he slices his face much to the crowd’s dismay. When asked why he didn’t just kill the man, he says he’s setting a good example since he’s a father now. Damn, that man’s evil!

The Postcard Killings Trailer: Jeffrey Dean Morgan Stars as a NY Detective

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 21, 2020

RLJE Films just released a full trailer and new poster for The Postcard Killings starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead). The action drama’s based on James Patterson and Liza Marklund’s bestselling novel and was directed by Danis Tanovic (No Man’s Land).

Marklund co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Stern, Ellen Furman, and Tove Alsterdal.

In addition to Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the thriller’s cast includes Famke Janssen (How to Get Away with Murder), Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight), Joachim Król (The Wall), Steven Mackintosh (Wanderlust), and Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story).

RLJE Films is set to release The Postcard Killings in theaters, On Demand and on digital on March 13, 2020.

The Plot:

In The Postcard Killings, based on the James Patterson and Liza Marklund #1 New York Times bestselling novel, NY Detective Jacob Kanon’s (Morgan) world is destroyed when his daughter and son-in-law are brutally murdered in London. Unable to sit idly by and do nothing, Jacob travels to London get the answers he needs. As he learns of similar heinous murders happening across Europe – each preceded by a postcard sent to a local journalist – Jacob is in a race against time to stop the killings and find justice for his little girl.

The Witcher Announces New Season 2 Cast and Characters

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 21, 2020

The Witcher Season 1 — A scene from ‘The Witcher’ season 1 (Courtesy of Netflix)

Filming on season two of Netflix’s The Witcher is currently underway in the UK. Netflix announced the start of production and confirmed the addition of seven new regulars to the ensemble.

New to season two are Yasen Atour (Young Wallender) as Coen, Agnes Bjorn as Vereena, Paul Bullion (Peaky Blinders) as Lambert, and Thue Ersted Rasmussen (Fast and Furious 9) as Eskel. Aisha Fabienne Ross (The Danish Girl) will play Lydia, Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones) is Nivellen, and Mecia Simson is Francesca.

“The reaction to season one of The Witcher set a high bar for adding new talent for the second season. Sophie Holland and her casting team have once again found the very best people to embody these characters, and in the hands of these accomplished directors, we’re excited to see these new stories come to life,” stated showrunner and executive producer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s The Defenders, Umbrella Academy).

Henry Cavill (Mission Impossible – Fallout, Man of Steel) returns to lead the cast as Geralt of Rivia. Additional returning cast members include Anya Chalotra (The ABC Murders, Wanderlust) as sorceress Yennefer, Freya Allan (Third Day, Gunpowder Milkshake) as Ciri, and Joey Batey (Knightfall, Strike) as Jaskier.

MyAnna Buring (Kill List) returns as Tissaia, Tom Canton (Good Karma Hospital) is Filavandrel, Lilly Cooper (Peterloo) is Murta, Jeremy Crawford (Titans) is Yarpin Zigrin, and Eamon Farren (Twin Peaks) plays Cahir. Mahesh Jadu (Marco Polo) is back as Vilgefortz, Terence Maynard (Cursed) reprises his role as Artorius, Lars Mikkelson (House of Cards) is Stregobor, Mimi Ndiweni (Black Earth Rising) is Fringilla Vigo, Royce Pierreson (Judy) is Istredd, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte (Hunter Street) is Dara, Anna Shaffer (Harry Potter) is Triss Merigold, and Therica Wilson Read (Young Wallender) returns as Sabrina.

Stephen Surjik directs episodes one and two and Sarah O’Gorman helms episodes three and four. Ed Bazalgette helms five and eight, with Geeta Patel confirmed for episodes six and seven.

Netflix is targeting a 2021 premiere date for the second season of the critically acclaimed series.

The Witcher Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:

“Based on the best-selling fantasy series, The Witcher is an epic tale of fate and family. Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. But when destiny hurtles him toward a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret, the three must learn to navigate the increasingly volatile Continent together.”

Katy Keene Season 1 Episode 4: Photos and Preview of “Here Comes the Sun”

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 21, 2020

The first season of The CW’s Riverdale spinoff, Katy Keene, continues with episode four, “Here Comes the Sun.” Episode four was directed by Pamela Romanowsky from a script by Alina Mankin and will air on February 27, 2020.

The series stars Lucy Hale as Katy Keene, Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy, Katherine LaNasa as Gloria Grandbilt, Zane Holtz as KO Kelly, and Lucien Laviscount as Alexander Cabot. Camille Hyde is Alexandra Cabot, Julia Chan is Pepper Smith, and Jonny Beauchamp plays Jorge Lopez/Ginger.

“Chapter Four: Here Comes the Sun” Plot – LETTING GO – Katy (Hale) decides to put all her energy into work to avoid her personal life, but she finds herself in hot water again at work. Determined to fix things, she enlists Pepper’s (Chan) help to track down the designer that is key to saving her job.

Meanwhile, Jorge (Beauchamp) questions his new relationship and Josie (Murray) stands up to Alexander (Laviscount) and Xandra (Camille Hyde), which gives her the upper hand.

The Season 1 Plot, Courtesy of The CW:

“Katy Keene follows the lives and loves of four iconic Archie Comics characters — fashion legend-to-be Katy Keene (Hale), singer/songwriter Josie McCoy (Murray), performer Jorge Lopez/Ginger (Beauchamp), and “It Girl” Pepper Smith (Chan) — as they chase their twenty-something dreams in New York City…together.

Katy designs clothes for anyone she can, including her friend and roommate Josie, whose singing talent catches the attention of Alexander Cabot (Laviscount), a CEO who hopes to reboot the record label division of his father’s corporate empire. But Alexander’s dream of signing Josie to a recording contract meets resistance from Cabot Media’s powerful senior vice president Alexandra (Hyde), who also happens to be his twin sister. Josie and Katy’s roommate Jorge works at his family’s bodega and has his eye on Broadway, but after a series of rejections, he hopes to take his drag performance career as Ginger to the next level. The mysterious Pepper Smith plans to open her own version of Andy Warhol’s Factory. She has the connections, but no one seems to know where she got her money — or if she really has any at all.

Katy struggles to manage the pressures of her day job at Lacy’s Department Store and her very demanding boss, Gloria (LaNasa), who is a legendary personal shopper. But Katy has the support of her longtime boyfriend, KO Kelly (Holtz), who has his own dream of becoming a professional boxer. As these aspiring artists take on the runway, the recording studio, Broadway, and the NYC social scene, they will find more than just a career in the big city — they’ll find long-lasting friendship.”

Katy Keene Season 1 episode 4 — Jonny Beauchamp as Jorge Lopez, Julia Chan as Pepper Smith, Lucy Hale as Katy Keene and Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy in ‘Katy Keene’ season 1 episode 4 (Photo: David Giesbrecht © 2020 The CW Network, LLC)

Deputy Season 1 Episode 9 Photos: Preview of “10-8 Entitlements”

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 21, 2020

Deputy Season 1 Episode 9 — Stephen Dorff in ‘Deputy’ season 1 episode 9 (Photo © 2020 FOX MEDIA LLC)

Burglars target West Hollywood homes in Fox’s Deputy season one episode nine, “10-8 Entitlements.” Episode nine is set to air on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT.

Stephen Dorff (“Sheriff Bill Hollister”) leads a cast that includes Brian Van Holt as Cade Ward, Bex Taylor-Klaus as Brianna Bishop, and Shane Paul McGhie as Joseph Harris. Yara Martinez stars as Dr. Paula Reyes.

“10-8 Entitlements” Plot – When a rash of home invasions hit West Hollywood, it leads the Sherriff’s department to discover a burglary ring, whose members are competing against one another for bragging rights. Paula and Maggie continue to plan Maggie’s Quinceañera, enlisting the help of Paula’s mother. Meanwhile, Bishop tries to deal with an uncomfortable conversation with Genevieve.

The Deputy Plot, Courtesy of Fox:

“Deputy blends the spirit of a classic Western with a modern-day attitude and emotionally driven, visceral storytelling. Featuring an ensemble of ambitious and complicated people who won’t rest until justice is served, DEPUTY brings a gritty authenticity to the modern cop drama.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is one of the largest police forces in the world, but when the elected Sheriff dies, an arcane rule in the county charter, forged back in the Wild West, suddenly thrusts the most unlikely man into the job. That man is Bill Hollister. A fifth-generation lawman, Bill is only interested in justice; his soul wears a white hat. The bad guys don’t stand a chance, but neither do the politicos in the Hall of Justice.

Under Bill’s command is a county-wide crew of LA’s finest, including Deputy Cade Ward, a former Marine stationed in Afghanistan, eight years sober and one of Bill’s few confidantes; Deputy Brianna Bishop, the whip-smart, sarcastic driver in charge of Bill’s security detail; and Deputy Joseph Harris, the son of Bill’s fallen partner.

The dangers associated with the job often lead the police to LA County General Hospital, where Bill buts heads with Dr. Paula Reyes, the hospital’s chief trauma surgeon – and his wife.

Given a job he never wanted, in an unfamiliar sea of politics, Bill quickly learns that doing what is expected and doing what is right are two different things, and that his innate, dogged pursuit of justice is the only skill the job truly requires.”

Station 19 Season 3 Episode 6 Photos: Preview of “Ice Ice Baby”

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 21, 2020

Seattle experiences some dangerous weather in ABC’s Station 19 season three episode six. Directed by Tessa Blake from a script by Rob Giles, episode six – “Ice Ice Baby” – will air on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT.

Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls) guest stars as Michael and Stefania Spampinato guests as Dr. Carina Deluca.

The cast of season three includes Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andy Herrera, Jason George as Ben Warren, Boris Kodjoe as Captain Robert Sullivan, Grey Damon as Jack Gibson, and Barrett Doss as Victoria Hughes. Jay Hayden is Travis Montgomery, Okieriete Onaodowan is Dean Miller, Danielle Savre is Maya Bishop, and Miguel Sandoval is Captain Pruitt Herrera.

“Ice Ice Baby” Plot – When a blizzard hits Seattle, Travis must take a difficult call and members of the crew are forced to face their truths. Meanwhile, Ben has rising suspicions about a colleague.

The Plot, Courtesy of ABC:

“Station 19 follows a group of heroic Seattle firefighters as they put their lives and hearts on the line. The latest series from the executive producers of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder takes us inside the tough, tight-knit and sometimes heartbreaking world of the city’s bravest first responders.”

Station 19 Season 3 Episode 6 — Grey Damon and Okieriete Onaodowan in ‘Station 19’ season 3 episode 6 (ABC/Kelsey McNeal)

BTS ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ Track List and Song Descriptions

By

Alison Helms

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February 21, 2020

One of 2020’s most highly anticipated albums drops today by none other than South Korean superstars BTS. The group’s Map of the Soul: 7 is the second album to come from The Map of the Soul series. The first album, Map of the Soul: Persona, earned the number one spot on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart back in April 2019.

7 is a complete album while Persona was considered an EP.

Big Hit Entertainment has teased regarding the album, “BTS now accepts both the proud light and withheld shadow of their identity to tell a story of individuals who have found their complete selves.”

The digital version of the album features 15 new tracks as well as five tracks from their previous album, Persona. The physical album has 14 tracks on it. The lead single titled “ON” will feature powerhouse singer Sia. (This version will be on the digital album and will most likely be the version pushed to radio stations.)

While describing the song “ON,” Big Hit stated, “BTS once again pour out their hearts through the powerful and energetic hip-hop lead single ‘ON’ that reflects on their calling and mindset as artists during the seven years.”

Descriptions of the songs were released a day prior to the album dropping:

“UGH!” – Rap unit (where the rappers share their anger towards the malicious anger)
“Zero O’Clock” – Vocal unit
“Friends” – V & Jimin (these two members showcase their friendship)
“Respect” – RM & SUGA
“Filter” – Different sides of Jimin
“My Time” – Jungkook’s emotions on his journey from trainee until now
“Inner Child” – V (a song referencing V’s past self, back when he was going through a rough time)
“Moon” – Jin’s love for ARMY
“Louder than Bombs:- Co-written with Troye Sivan

Other songs on the album include “Interlude: Shadow” from Suga and “Black Swan.” The “Interlude: Shadow” music video was released on January 9th and the “Black Swan” single was made available on January 17th. “Black Swan” spent nearly a week at number one on US iTunes. The group performed “Black Swan” on The Late Late Show with James Corden back in January.

The new album also features “Outro: Ego” from J-Hope. The official music video for “Outro: Ego” arrived on February 2.

Full Track List:

BTS’ packed promotional schedule in support of the album’s release kicked off on February 19th at 1pm PT with the very popular TikTok app releasing a 30-second teaser of the lead single, “ON.” The app crashed when fans flooded it trying to listen to the teaser, but fortunately was back up and running fairly quickly. The group will be appearing on The Today Show on Friday, February 21st followed by an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on February 24th.

BTS will be rounding out the week by joining James Corden for “Carpool Karaoke” on February 25th.

The Call of the Wild Movie Review

By

Kevin Finnerty

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February 20, 2020

“How do you feel about an adventure, beyond all maps? We could go – you and I – where no one has ever been before,” says Thornton (Harrison Ford) to Buck, a 4-year-old Saint Bernard/Scottish Shepherd mix, as they team up to go on an adventure during the 1898 gold rush in Alaska in the latest big-screen adaptation of Jack London’s classic novel, The Call of the Wild.

The film begins with a voice-over by Ford as Thornton telling the story of Buck, a big-hearted lovable dog who always gets into mischief and is terribly spoiled by his owners in California. Buck’s life gets turned upside down when he’s dognapped and transported to Alaska. As his new and harsh handlers get ready to sell him, Buck meets John Thornton, a grizzled old man who has come to the wilderness to distance himself from a horrible family tragedy.

Buck and Thornton’s first encounter comes as Buck returns Thornton’s harmonica after it slips out of his pocket. Following that, Buck’s sold to be a sled dog for the mail carrier service.

As the rookie of the team of dogs, Buck must learn to adapt to the harshness of the elements and to work with other dogs to transport the sled from town to town. Buck not only quickly becomes the best sled dog of the team, but also starts to hear the call of his wild ancestors as he begins to thrive in the Alaskan wilderness.

As fate would have it, Buck and Thornton’s paths cross again and Thornton ends up saving Buck from certain death. The unlikely pair then team up to travel to a place off the map to experience the adventure of a lifetime.

The Call of the Wild star Harrison Ford — Harrison Ford in ‘The Call of the Wild’ (Photo © 2019 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

This film adaptation of The Call of the Wild is a watered-down, softened take on the classic novel that captured the harsh and brutal life in the Yukon during the gold rush. The film’s a light family-friendly adventure that benefits greatly from Harrison Ford’s performance as Thornton and his voiceover work telling Buck’s story.

Ford brings a crusty gruffness but also a vulnerability to Thornton, a man in the twilight of his life who’s using the Yukon to escape from a terrible family tragedy. Ford’s performance opposite a CGI Buck is truly superb and helps the audience believe Buck’s actually sharing the scene with him.

The overuse of CGI in the film to create all the animals and part of the Alaskan Wilderness detracts greatly from the moviegoing experience. It’s glaringly obvious, in particular in the early part of the film, that Buck’s fake. His CGI-enhanced facial expressions and movements aren’t lifelike. This gives the film an unbelievable appearance which denies the audience the ability to become emotionally connected to Buck and his adventures.

This latest version of The Call of the Wild takes the classic story of a dog connecting with his ancestors’ primal ways while dealing with the harsh realities of life in the wilderness and turns it into a lightweight adventure of Buck and his bond with Thornton. That’s not how London intended the story to be interpreted.

GRADE: B-

MPAA Rating: PG for some violence, peril, thematic elements and mild language

Release Date: February 21, 2020

Running Time: 110 minutes

Directed By: Chris Sanders

Studio: 20th Century Studios

The Blacklist Will Return for Season 8

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 20, 2020

The Blacklist Cast — ‘The Blacklist’ cast celebrates the show’s 150th episode (Photo by: Will Hart/NBCUniversal)

NBC’s has officially announced The Blacklist will return for an eighth season. The announcement comes a few weeks prior to the seventh season’s return on March 20, 2020 from its winter break.

“Congratulations to our incredible cast, producers and crew, all of whom continue to reach excellence week in and week out,” stated Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, Co-Presidents of Scripted Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We couldn’t be more excited to continue Red and Liz’s story into season eight.”

Season seven is averaging 6.6 million viewers and is tied for the number one spot in viewership among Friday dramas.

“The Blacklist continues to tell exciting and imaginative stories,” said Chris Parnell, Co-President, Sony Pictures Television. “It’s due to the brilliant cast, crew and our writing staff, led by Jon Bokenkamp and John Eisendrath, who commit to unparalleled creativity. Wait until you see what’s in store for season eight. Thank you to Lisa Katz, Tracey Pakosta, Pearlena Igbokwe and all of our partners at NBC and Universal Television.”

Season seven stars James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington, Megan Boone as Elizabeth Keen, Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler, Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai, Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma, and Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper.

Spader executive produces with Jon Bokenkamp, John Eisendrath, John Davis, John Fox, Lukas Reiter, J.R. Orci, and Laura A. Benson.

The Plot, Courtesy of NBC:

“After being abducted by Katarina Rostova, Raymond ‘Red’ Reddington (Spader) finds himself alone in hostile territory, unsure of who, if anyone, he can trust. Surrounded by old enemies and new allies, Red must stay one step ahead of the Blacklist’s most dangerous criminal, who will stop at nothing to unearth the very truth Red wants no one to know about. To find it, Katarina will insinuate herself into the life of Elizabeth Keen (Boone), who has finally reunited with her daughter Agnes. Katarina’s presence will bring danger to Liz’s doorstep and forever alter her relationship with Red.”

Westworld Season 3 Trailer: Dolores Declares War

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 20, 2020

The trailer for season three of HBO’s Westworld begins with a voiceover by Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood). “I was born into this world. And my first memories of it are…pain. For my kind, there was one place we were never allowed to go, one place we were never allowed to see. Your world.”

The powerful new trailer for the critically acclaimed sci-fi drama continues with Caleb (a new character played by Aaron Paul) and Dolores meeting. She tells him someone – or something – has been watching him. She also informs him they’re a lot alike since both have had their lives decided for them. Later in the trailer, Dolores reveals to Caleb that if her plan doesn’t work as proposed, they will kill everyone.

The trailer also features a scene of Maeve (Thandie Newton) being asked by the new character Vincent Cassel’s playing to kill Dolores. We don’t see her accept that request, however there’s a brief clip in the trailer that seems to show the two squaring off to fight.

William (aka the Man in Black, played by Ed Harris) also returns for the third season and it appears he’s been locked up. “Welcome to the end of the game,” says Dolores while caressing his face. The trailer slips in another scene of William, this time revealing his quest for the third season. “I finally understand my purpose. I’m gonna save the f**king world,” he says.

“The real gods are coming and they’re very angry,” warns Dolores as the trailer ends.

Additional returning cast members include Jeffrey Wright as Bernard, Tessa Thompson as Charlotte, Luke Hemsworth as Stubbs, Simon Quarterman as Lee Sizemore, and Rodrigo Santoro as Hector Escaton. Lena Waithe, Scott Mescudi, Marshawn Lynch, John Gallagher Jr., Michael Ealy, and Tommy Flanagan join the cast for the third season.

Season three will premiere on March 15, 2020.

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