Legacies Season 2 Episode 4 Photos: Preview of “Since When Do You Speak Japanese?”

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October 25, 2019

The CW’s Legacies season two episode three found Dark Josie breaking the arm of a promising Mystic Falls High School quarterback just to keep Mystic Falls from winning the annual MF versus Salvatore High School football game. Rafe finally returned to human form in episode three, thanks to Hope and Landon who, by the way, figured out part of Hope’s big secret. Episode three ended with Alaric butting heads with the new Salvatore School headmaster who isn’t at all what he appears to be.

Up next, season two episode four titled “Since When Do You Speak Japanese?” Episode four was directed by Geoff Shotz from a script by Penny Cox and will air on November 7, 2019. (The series is taking a two-week break between episodes three and four.)

Legacies stars Danielle Rose Russell as Hope Mikaelson, Jenny Boyd as Lizzie Saltzman, Kaylee Bryant as Josie Saltzman, and Quincy Fouse as MG. Aria Shahghasemi is Landon Kirby, Peyton Alex Smith is Rafael Waithe, and Matt Davis is Alaric Saltzman.

“Since When Do You Speak Japanese?” Plot – THE LOST SAMURAI — When a samurai shows up in Mystic Falls looking for a demon that possesses its victims, Josie (Bryant) leads the charge to defend her friends from the demon’s wrath. Meanwhile, as Landon (Shahghasemi) and Rafael (Smith) head to Mystic Falls High in hopes of learning more about the mysterious Hope (Russell), MG (Fouse) is conflicted by a secret he’s uncovered about Lizzie’s (Boyd) new vampire friend Sebastian (guest star Thomas Doherty). Finally, just as Alaric (Davis) lets his guard down around the town’s new sheriff, a confrontation with a demon forces him to reevaluate his priorities.

The Season 2 Plot:

Last season, viewers were thrilled to tap into a whole new passion for The Vampire Diaries / The Originals universe, when the third installment in the franchise launched with Legacies. Set in the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted, Legacies told the story of the next generation of supernatural beings as they learn what it means to be special in a world that may never understand. Typically a school for vampires like MG (Fouse), werewolves like Rafael (Smith) and witches like twins Lizzie (Boyd) and Josie Saltzman (Bryant), the kids and their beloved headmaster Dr. Alaric Saltzman (Davis) were stunned to come face to face with a series of monster and creatures they had only ever heard of in myth and lore. A dragon. A gargoyle. The Headless Horseman.

The evil behind the real-life resurrection of these formerly fictional beings proved to have a horrifying connection to the school’s newest student, Landon Kirby (Shahghasemi). This led his first and only love, Hope Mikaelson (Russell), the school’s shining star, to sacrifice her place at the school — and in the world — to protect Landon from a terrible fate.

Season two will show us a world without Hope Mikaelson and all the chaos that goes along with it. All the while, Hope will be trying to find her way back to the school she has learned to call home and the friends she has learned to love like family. It will be filled with new monsters and more romantic and emotional surprises than ever.

Legacies Season 2 Episode 4 — Kaylee Bryant as Josie, Aria Shahghasemi as Landon, Danielle Rose Russell as Hope, and Matthew Davis as Alaric in ‘Legacies’ season 2 episode 4 (Photo: Jace Downs © 2019 The CW Network)

Review: The Current War Starring Benedict Cumberbatch

By

Kevin Finnerty

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October 25, 2019

Benedict Cumberbath in ‘The Current War’ (Photo Credit: Dean Roger)

“Today the impossible becomes possible,” declares Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) as he lights up a section of Manhattan using electricity for the first time in the historical drama, The Current War.

The film tells the true story of the two greatest inventors of the industrial age: Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon). The brilliant inventors end up in a cutthroat competition to see whose electrical system will power the U. S. in the 20th century.

Edison has the edge as he’s already discovered how to put his electricity to work. He demonstrates this by lighting up a small portion of Manhattan with funding provided by JP Morgan (Matthew Macfadyen). But Westinghouse remains in the competition, teaming up with another visionary, Nikola Tesla (Nicholas Hoult). Together they challenge Edison’s direct current design with a highly risky and dangerous alternating current.

Extremely well-acted and surprisingly intriguing, The Current War: Director’s Cut is an effective period piece about the race between two titans of industry and visionaries who desperately wanted the opportunity and, more importantly, the credit for lighting up the United States.

Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a dynamic performance as Thomas Edison, America’s greatest inventor. Cumberbatch portrays Edison as a tough, blunt, passionate but ill-mannered man determined to be the one responsible for providing America with light via his idea of direct current. Cumberbatch also captures the man’s love for his family who, at times, he takes for granted and neglects while chasing his electrical dream.

Michael Shannon is perfect in the role of George Westinghouse, a man also determined to be the one to light up America but through a cheaper and more dangerous method. Shannon plays Westinghouse as a very decent, cordial, and loyal man of industry who finally ends up turning cutthroat in his race against Edison to keep his business alive.

Nicholas Hoult delivers a solid performance as Nikola Tesla who initially is an employee of Edison’s but eventually partners up with Westinghouse against him. Tesla is at best a secondary or supportive role and the script never really delves into what kind of man he was other than that he was a foreigner and a bit odd socially.

The look of the film is fantastic with the costumes and set design vividly bringing back to life America in the late 1880s and 1890s. The scenes on the train as Edison’s traveling trying to acquire funding for his endeavor, and when he lights up part of old Manhattan, are flawless.

With powerhouse performances and a stimulating story of how America was finally brought out of the darkness and into the light with the power of electricity, The Current War is an entertaining historical drama that shines a light on an fascinating period in history.

GRADE: B+

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violent content and thematic elements

Running Time: 101 minutes

Release Date: October 25, 2019

Directed By: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

Studio: 101 Studios

Modern Love Charms Viewers and Earns a Season 2 from Amazon

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 24, 2019

Modern Love Season 1 — Anne Hathaway and Gary Carr in ‘Modern Love’ (Photo by Christopher Saunders / Amazon Studios)

Amazon Prime Video’s engaging romantic anthology series Modern Love which just premiered on October 18, 2019 has already picked up a second season order. Amazon Studios confirmed the renewal and announced they’ve struck a new deal with the series’ writer/director/executive producer John Carney.

“Since its debut just last week, the reaction to Modern Love from viewers has been incredible. It’s a show with so much emotion and warmth – every episode touches the heart in a different way,” stated Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “We’re so excited we’ll be able to bring our global Prime Video customers more of the beautiful stories of romance, friendship, and family from Modern Love.”

The anthology series was inspired by a New York Times column edited by Daniel Jones. Commenting on the series, Jones said, “I couldn’t be prouder of this show, and the global outpouring of emotion has frankly blown me away. John Carney managed to honor the complexity of the original column while making a series that’s beautiful, upbeat and hopeful. I can’t wait to get to work on Season 2.”

Amazon is targeting a 2020 launch of season two.

In addition to John Carney, season two will be executive produced by Todd Hoffman, Trish Hofmann, Anthony Bregman, Sam Dolnick, and Choire Sicha. Daniel Jones is involved as a consulting producer.

“Being given a green light to proceed with Modern Love is a great opportunity for us to continue to tell stories of love, while opening up the series into new cities and worlds. The possibilities are truly endless,” stated Carney. “Subsequent seasons can really branch out and dig deep into what it means to love in this complicated world. It’s incredible news for everyone involved in the series, and we are dizzy with possibilities moving forward.”

The cast of the eight-episode first season included Jane Alexander, Sofia Boutella, Gary Carr, Olivia Cooke, Brandon Victor Dixon, Tina Fey, John Gallagher, Jr, and Andy Garcia. Julia Garner, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Anne Hathaway, Catherine Keener, Caitlin McGee, Cristin Milioti, Dev Patel, Laurentiu Possa, James Saito, Andrew Scott, John Slattery, and Shea Whigham also starred in the first season.

The Plot, Courtesy of Amazon:

“The series explores love in all of its complicated and beautiful forms, as each standalone episode brings some of the column’s most beloved stories to life with a stellar cast.”

Tough as Nails Competition Series Announces a Season 1 Casting Call

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 24, 2019

Tough as Nice — Phil Keoghan will host ‘Tough as Nails’ (Photo: Monty Brinton / 2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

The Amazing Race‘s Phil Keoghan’s new CBS project just announced a casting call for the show’s first season. Keoghan’s on board to host and executive produce the new competition series Tough as Nails, with a casting tour set to take place from November 2nd through November 9th, 2019.

Casting Tour Dates Include:

St. Louis, Mo.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Enterprise Center
1401 Clark Ave, St. Louis, Mo. 63103
Time: 9:00-11:30 AM

Chicago, Ill.
Sunday, Nov. 3
3635 N Clark St, Chicago, Ill. 60613
Time: 9:30-11:30 AM

Detroit, Mich.
Monday, Nov. 4
(Parking Lot)
Between Tigers Stadium and the Fillmore
Across from the Corner Tap Room
At Witherell Street and East Elizabeth Street
Time: 9:00-11:30 AM

New York City
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Father Duffy Square Times Square
47th between Broadway and 7th
Time: 9:00-11:30 AM

Cincinnati, Ohio
Wednesday, Nov. 6
Washington Park Music Hall Plaza
Elm Street and 14th Street
Time: 9:00-11:30 AM

Las Vegas
Saturday, Nov. 9
PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals
Toshiba Plaza at T-Mobile Arena
3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Time: 2:30-5:00 PM

For more information or to apply online, visit toughasnailscbscasting.com/home.

Louise Keoghan and Anthony Carbone join Phil Keoghan as executive producers of the Raquel Productions Inc. project in association with Tough House Productions Inc.

Details on Tough as Nails, Courtesy of CBS:

“Tough as Nails is about competitors who consider the calluses on their hands a badge of honor. They will be tested for their strength, endurance, agility and mental toughness in challenges that take place in the real world. One by one, they will be eliminated until the Tough as Nails winner is named. The series will redefine what it means to be tough, proving that it comes in all shapes and sizes, and will celebrate Americans who roll up their sleeves 24/7 and don’t think twice about working long hard hours and getting their hands dirty, in order to keep their country running.”

Riverdale Season 4 Episode 4 Photos: Preview of “Halloween”

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 24, 2019

Jughead’s adjusting to his new school, Betty’s continuing to work on taking down The Farm, and Archie’s determined to raise money to open a community center in The CW’s Riverdale season four episode three. Those storylines continue in the upcoming fourth episode of the season, “Halloween,” airing on October 30, 2019. “Halloween” was directed by Erin Feeley from a script by Janine Salinas Schoenberg.

The season four cast is led by KJ Apa as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, and Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones. Madelaine Petsch is Cheryl Blossom, Marisol Nichols is Hermione Lodge, Mӓdchen Amick is Alice Cooper, Ashleigh Murray is Josie McCoy, Casey Cott is Kevin Keller, Mark Consuelos is Hiram Lodge, Skeet Ulrich is FP Jones, Charles Melton is Reggie Mantle, and Vanessa Morgan plays Toni Topaz.

The “Halloween” Plot – HALLOWEEN IN RIVERDALE — When ominous videotapes begin appearing on doorsteps across Riverdale, widespread fear quickly returns to the town. At Stonewall Prep, Jughead (Sprouse) learns about a series of mysterious disappearances that have occurred to former students at the school. Meanwhile, Archie’s (Apa) plan to create a safe space for the town’s kids gets derailed when some unwanted visitors crash their Halloween party. Elsewhere, Veronica (Mendes) comes face to face with trouble, while Betty’s (Reinhart) past comes back to haunt her.

Lastly, a haunting at Thistlehouse rocks Cheryl (Petsch) and Toni (Morgan) to their core.

Riverdale Season 4 Episode 4 — Camila Mendes as Veronica, KJ Apa as Archie and Eli Goree as Munroe in ‘Riverdale’ season 4 episode 4 (Photo: Jack Rowand © 2019 The CW Network)

The King New Trailer: Timothee Chalamet as King Henry V

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 24, 2019

Netflix’s full trailer for The King begins with Joel Edgerton as Sir John Falstaff addressing Timothée Chalamet as King Henry V. “A King has no friends, only followers and foe,” warns Edgerton.

The trailer shows the recently-crowned King is having a difficult time adjusting to being the leader of his country, and he receives advice from not only Falstaff but his sister. Meanwhile, the Dauphin of France prepares for a bloody war with England.

In addition to Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name) and Golden Globe nominee Joel Edgerton (Loving), the cast includes Sean Harris (Mission: Impossible – Fallout), Ben Mendelsohn (Captain Marvel), Robert Pattinson (The Lost City of Z), Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk), Thomasin McKenzie (Leave No Trace), and Lily-Rose Depp (Yoga Hosers).

The film is inspired by William Shakespeare’s Henry VI and Henry V. David Michôd directed and co-wrote the script with Joel Edgerton. Michôd and Edgerton previously worked together on Animal Kingdom (the film that inspired the TV series) and The Rover. Edgerton, Michôd, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Liz Watts served as producers.

The behind the scenes team includes director of photography Adam Arkapaw, editor Peter Sciberras, production designer Fiona Crombie, and costume designer Jane Petrie, with music by Nicholas Britell.

Netflix has set a November 1, 2019 release date.

The Plot:

Hal (Chalamet), wayward prince and reluctant heir to the English throne, has turned his back on royal life and is living among the people. But when his tyrannical father dies, Hal is crowned King Henry V and is forced to embrace the life he had previously tried to escape. Now the young king must navigate the palace politics, chaos and war his father left behind, and the emotional strings of his past life — including his relationship with his closest friend and mentor, the aging alcoholic knight, John Falstaff (Edgerton).

The King Timothee Chalamet — Timothee Chalamet in ‘The King’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)

Timothee Chalamet stars in ‘The King’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)

S.W.A.T. Season 3 Episode 5 Photos: “The LBC” Preview

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 24, 2019

Cory Hardrict (The Oath) puts in a guest-starring appearance as Street’s foster brother in CBS’s S.W.A.T. season three episode five. Directed by Lin Oeding from a script by Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, episode five will air on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT.

“The LBC” guest cast also includes Jared Ward, Lovensky Jean-Baptiste, Dalia Phillips, Jason Huber, Veena Bidasha, Eileen Grubba, James C. Burns, and Leif Gantvoort.

The cast of season three features Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Stephanie Sigman as Jessica Cortez, Alex Russell as Jim Street, and Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay. Lina Esco stars as Christina “Chris” Alonso, Kenny Johnson is Dominique Luca, David Lim is Victor Tan, Amy Farrington is Lieutenant Piper Lynch, and Patrick St. Esprit plays Commander Robert Hicks.

“The LBC” Plot – Street reconnects with his estranged foster brother, Nate (Hardict), to help a joint investigation between SWAT and the Long Beach Police Department when criminals steal a mass arsenal of LAPD assault rifles. Also, Hondo finds himself at odds with his father over the elder man’s declining health, and Luca is overwhelmed when the entire team reconsiders becoming investors in his food truck.

S.W.A.T. Description, Courtesy of CBS:

Inspired by the television series and the feature film, S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant, tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, Daniel ”Hondo” Harrelson strives to bridge the divide between his two worlds and acclimate to his new duties as the legal guardian of a teenager.

Hondo’s elite unit includes David “Deacon” Kay, an experienced S.W.A.T. officer and dedicated family man who always puts the team first; Christina “Chris” Alonso, a skilled officer and the team’s canine trainer; Dominique Luca, an expert driver who gets them in and out of high risk situations; Victor Tan, who started in the LAPD Hollywood Division and uses his confidential informants in the community to help the team; and Jim Street, the team’s cocky newest member who is re-instated to S.W.A.T. after being fired for compromising the unit.

Responsible for the management of all Metro Division S.W.A.T. units is Commander Robert Hicks, a senior LAPD official with the Special Operations Bureau. Overseeing Hondo’s team is Hicks’ direct report, Jessica Cortez, the ambitious captain of L.A. Metro weighing an offer to leave S.W.A.T and work for the FBI. With Hondo leading the charge, these dedicated men and women bravely put themselves at risk to protect their community and save lives.

SWAT Season 3 Episode 5 — Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson and Amy Farrington as Lieutenant Detective Piper Lynch in ‘S.W.A.T.’ season 3 episode 5 (Photo: Bill Inoshita © 2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 6: “Monsters” Photos and Preview

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 24, 2019

The Halloween holiday adds special challenges to the first responders in Fox’s 9-1-1 season three episode six. The appropriately titled “Monsters” episode will air on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 8pm ET/PT.

The cast of season three includes Angela Bassett as Athena Grant, Peter Krause as Bobby Nash, Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall, and Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley. Aisha Hinds plays Henrietta “Hen” Wilson, Kenneth Choi is Howie “Chimney” Han, Rockmond Dunbar is Michael Grant, and Ryan Guzman is Eddie Diaz.

The “Monsters” Plot – Athena and the 118 respond to bizarre emergency calls on Halloween, including a flock of crows terrorizing a field trip, an office employee having a close encounter with an eight-limbed creature and a ghost-like girl wandering a neighborhood. Meanwhile, Maddie remains convinced that she is doing the right thing in taking a 9-1-1 call into her own hands.

9-1-1 Series Description, Courtesy of Fox:

Creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear reimagine the procedural drama with 9-1-1, exploring the high-pressure experiences of police officers, firefighters and dispatchers who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives.

9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 6 — Angela Bassett in ‘9-1-1’ season 3 episode 6 (Photo by Jack Zeman © 2019 FOX MEDIA LLC)

Room 104 Season 3 October and November Episodes Guide

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 23, 2019

Room 104 Season 3 — Steve Little and Sam Richardson in ‘Room 104’ (Photo by Tyler Golden/HBO)

HBO’s just released details on episodes seven through 12 of Room 104 season three. The anthology series from Mark and Jay Duplass is currently airing on Fridays at 11pm ET/PT and will wrap up the season on November 29, 2019.

The third season includes episodes featuring Luke Wilson, Christine Woods, Eric Edelstein, Robert Longstreet, Dale Dickey, Tom Woodruff Jr., Arturo Castro, Gina Gallego, and François Chau. Episodes of the twisted anthology series also feature Catalina Sandino Moreno, Mary Mouser, David Paymer, Paul F. Tompkins, June Squibb, and Aasif Mandvi.

Room 104 October and November 2019 Episodes:

Season 3, episode 7: “Jimmy & Gianni”
Debut date: FRIDAY, OCT. 25 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
In this documentary episode, father and son artists Jimmy Ray Flynn and Gianni Arone are invited to create a work of art in Room 104, where they open up about their relationship, their creative process and Gianni’s history with addiction and mental illness.
Written by Mark Duplass; directed by Doug Emmett.

Season 3, episode 8: “No Hospital”
Debut date: FRIDAY, NOV. 1 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
An ailing man summons his estranged children to make a change to his will and ensure the line of succession for their extraordinary family business.
Written by Miguel Arteta; directed by Miguel Arteta.

Season 3, episode 9: “Prank Call”
Debut date: FRIDAY, NOV. 8 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Left alone by her bickering parents, a bored teen girl makes a series of prank calls, until one tests her brazen alter-ego.
Written by Mark Duplass; directed by So Yong Kim.

Season 3, episode 10: “Night Shift”
Debut date: FRIDAY, NOV. 15 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Two stars of a 1970’s horror show talk to a podcaster about the origins of their cult TV program and the on-set jealousies that led to the demise of their friendship.
Written by Mark Duplass & Ben Kasulke; directed by Ben Kasulke.

Season 3, episode 11: “Crossroads”
Debut date: FRIDAY, NOV. 22 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
A young woman sells her soul to live a life of earthly pleasures and is forced to reckon with her decision decades later.
Written by Sam Bain; directed by Patrick Brice.

Season 3, episode 12: “The Specimen Collector” (Season finale)
Debut date: FRIDAY, NOV. 29 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
While on a layover from collecting a rare botanical specimen, a scientist wakes to find herself inside a lush, rapidly growing jungle.
Written by Mel Eslyn; directed by Mel Eslyn.

The Plot, Courtesy of HBO:

Room 104 tells unique and unexpected tales of the characters who pass through a single room of a typical American chain motel. While the room stays the same, every episode of the series features a different story, with the tone, plot, characters, and even the time period, changing with each installment.

Tapping into a variety of genres, from dark comedy to poignant drama to musical romance, the stories and characters featured in season 3 include: a man searching for a cure to his chronic skin condition; the caretaker of an exotic animal looking to make a sale; estranged siblings reuniting to make an investment; and more. Filled with plenty of twists and surprises, this season offers a new discovery from one episode to the next, telling tales of everyday people striving for connection and meaning inside a single room.

The Rookie Season 2 Episode 5: Preview and Photos from “Tough Love”

By

Rebecca Murray

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October 23, 2019

The rookies have to figure out the best way to develop confidential informants in ABC’s The Rookie season two episode five. Directed by Rachel Feldman from a script by Vincent Angell, “Tough Love” is set to air on October 27, 2019.

Season two episodes air on Sundays at 10pm ET/PT.

Episode five guest stars include Zayne Emory as Henry Nolan, Harold Perrineau as Detective Nick Armstrong, and Ali Larter and Dr. Grace Sawyer.

Nathan Fillion leads the cast as John Nolan. Alyssa Diaz is Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones is Sergeant Wade Grey, Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Titus Makin is Jackson West, Melissa O’Neil is Lucy Chen, and Eric Winter plays Tim Bradford.

“Tough Love” Plot – As part of their second phase of training, the rookies are asked to develop their first confidential informants. Officer Nolan soon discovers that no two informants are the same and struggles with his newest task. Meanwhile, Officer Chen’s mother complicates her home life when she comes to stay with her.

The Series Description, Courtesy of ABC:

“Six months into his career as a cop, John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD, has used his life experience, determination and sense of humor to keep up with rookies 20 years his junior. But as he embarks on the second half of his rookie year, Nolan will be put to the test by a host of new challenges, romantic relationships and deadly criminals, as he looks to figure out what kind of cop he ultimately wants to be.”