‘Game of Thrones’ Season 8 Episode 1 Recap: Reunions, Secrets Revealed, and About Those Dragons…

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April 15, 2019

Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 1 — Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke in ‘Game of Thrones’ season 8 episode 1 (Photo: HBO)

It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here! Unless you’ve been living in a cave or on top of a mountain with no Wi-Fi for the last few weeks, then you know I’m referring to the premiere episode of the final season of Game of Thrones. It has been nearly 20 months since season seven episode seven premiered. Twenty. Has there ever been a more anticipated episode of television? I don’t think so. Don’t believe me, just check Twitter. People all over the world were glued to their televisions on April 14, 2019 for season eight episode one. If HBO had had a technical glitch and had gone dark, there would have been rioting in the streets. We’ll put up with a lot, but don’t mess with our Game of Thrones.

“The Great War has come, the Wall has fallen and the Night King’s Army of the Dead marches towards Westeros. The end is here, but who will take the Iron Throne?” That is the “official” synopsis of tonight’s episode. (Which by the way, we only got because DirecTV released it five hours early. Some helpful early viewers posted the summary to IMDB. HBO has been so secretive that they haven’t even released episode titles.)

But before we get to all that, where have all of our favorite denizens of the Seven Kingdoms been languishing for these 20 months?

Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju) and Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer, whose voice sounds like he should be doing previews for old Hammer horror movies) are on the Wall at East Watch when the Night King rode in on his undead dragon. The dragon was breathing undead blue ice/fire and destroying the wall.

When last seen, Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) had finally quit his bonkers, murderous, power-mad sister/lover, who may or may not be preggers. (If anyone could have a hysterical pregnancy or attempt to will it into being, it would be Cersei.) Jaime was heading north to keep his pledge to help Jon and Daenerys fight the Army of the Dead. Cersei (Lena Headey) was still in King’s Landing awaiting the arrival of Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek) and the mercenary Golden Company, along with her only friend, Qyburn (Anton Lesser.)

Speaking of Greyjoys, poor unfortunate Theon (Alfie Allen) was on his way to rescue his sister, Yara (Gemma Whelan), who hasn’t been seen since season seven episode four and it’s unclear where she is. Has Euron locked her away on the Iron Islands or is she on the boat with him heading to Essos?

Sam (John Bradley) has packed up Gilly (Hannah Murray), Baby Sam, and a cart-load of stolen texts and high-tailed it away from the Citadel, heading for Winterfell.

Meanwhile, at Winterfell, the Stark sisters (Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams), and their brother The Three-Eyed Raven (Isaac Hempstead Wright), having dispensed true justice to Littlefinger, are holding on to the North and awaiting Jon’s return.

Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), Viserys (Conleth Hill), Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen), Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel), Jon Snow (Kit Harington), and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), along with, I presume, Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) and Gendry (Joe Dempsey), Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham) and Sandor Clegane (Rory McCann) are on a ship heading North to White Harbor to meet up with the Dothraki and Unsullied armies so that they can all march into Winterfell. And that ship? If it’s a-rockin’ don’t come a-knockin’. Jon and Dany have just consummated their new romance. We know he’s just had sex with his aunt, but Jon Snow? He knows nothing.

Now we’re caught up.

The music is starting! Holy crap, the title sequence has changed for the first time in eight seasons! That incredible, living, breathing mechanical intro has been redesigned and expanded for this, the final season! As if we didn’t already know something special was about to begin.

We open with a boy running through the snowy streets of Winterfell, climbing a tree to get a better look at the marching army as it approaches the castle. (An homage to the series’ first episode.) It’s an impressive sight. Jon and Daenerys riding side by side to Ramin Djawadi’s score, look like royalty. Arya is in the crowd. Her face lights up when she sees Jon. Then her smile fades. Is it the sight of the Targaryen queen or that he didn’t see her and recognize her?

The two remaining dragons make their entrance. Daenerys couldn’t be prouder. Arya is fascinated. Sansa looks concerned.

Jon arrives inside the castle gates and finds Bran. I have to say, for the first time, the interior of the Winterfell courtyard looks like it belongs to an actual castle and not some backwater barnyard. I credit Sansa. Jon’s first words to his thought long-dead brother? “You’re alive.” Bran’s response, “Almost.” Jon is rightly confused, but there’s no time to discuss as he must now introduce his new girlfriend – I mean queen – to his sister. The icy North just got icier.

At the first gathering of the Lords of the North, their response to the current political state-of-affairs is as Jon said it would be. They are not amused. Leave it to tough little Lady Lyanna Mormont (Bella Ramsey) to state the truth of it.

Remember Sansa counting how much grain they had and how long it would last in season seven? When I saw the ginormous army, I thought, “How will they feed this ginormous army?” Sansa was thinking same.

Tyrion and Sansa’s reunion doesn’t go well. I don’t know if he was thinking they’d reminisce about their pseudo-marriage, but Sansa is not the same “stupid girl with stupid dreams,” and she no longer thinks Tyrion is the cleverest man she knows. Sansa immediately saw through Cersei’s promise to send her armies north to help fight the Army of the Dead. Tyrion, after all he’d been through with his sister, still believed.

Jon is in the Godswood, brooding when Arya surprises him. Their reunion is tense at first and then dissolves into the warm embrace we’ve been waiting for when Arya leaps into his arms. (I teared up.) He sees that she still carries the sword he gave her, Needle, and asks if she’s ever used it. In typical Arya fashion, she evades and says, “Once or twice.”

Jon shows her his Valyrian steel sword and rather than show him her dagger made of the same steel, she is coy and asks, “Do you have any for me?” When Jon puts his hand on Arya’s shoulder and wants to know where Arya has been when he needed her “help” with Sansa, she looks askance at it. Jon says Sansa thinks she’s smarter than everyone and Arya replies soberly, “She’s the smartest person I know.” Jon is surprised at her defense of her older sister. “She’s protecting her family,” says Arya. Jon replies, “I’m her family, too.”

“Don’t forget that,” Arya says, and they embrace again. They are both genuinely happy to be in each other’s company, but I hope that Arya doesn’t forget it when she learns the truth about “Uncle Aegon.”

Back in King’s Landing, Qyburn informs Cersei that the Wall has fallen. Her response? “Good.”

The Golden Company have arrived.

Yara is indeed on Euron’s ship. She’s begging for death, and he’s taunting her. He mentions that the Golden Company are “mutes.” Euron leaves her tied to a post to go “f**k the Queen.”

In the throne room of the Red Keep, Euron confesses he’s already killed some of the Golden Company during the voyage. New guy, Harry Strickland (Marc Rissman), the leader of the Golden Company, does not look amused. Cersei is disappointed that there are no elephants.

Euron, still trying to worm his way into Cersei’s bed, pleads his case. Cersei relents.

Bronn (Jerome Flynn), who is in bed with three prostitutes who only want to talk about the dragons, is interrupted by Qyburn, who has an offer he (presumably) can’t refuse. He hands Bronn a crossbow and sends him off to kill both Jaime and Tyrion.

Cut to the “afterglow” in the queen’s chambers. She’s still on about the elephants. Euron wants her to tell him he’s a great lover. (insert eye-roll) She tells him she appreciates his arrogance then sends him away, but not before he declares he’s going to “put a prince” in Cersei’s belly. The enigmatic smile on this maniac tells me that she’s hatched another evil plan. My theory, she’ll claim her child is Euron’s instead of Jaime’s. *sigh* Please tell me we’ll never get that far with this crap.

Back on Euron’s ship, Theon arrives to save his sister. After a head-cracking reunion, Yara lets Theon go off to fight with the Starks of Winterfell. Yara intends to go back to the Iron Islands so that Daenerys will have somewhere “the dead can’t go” if she needs to retreat.

Back at Winterfell, Ser Davos is attempting to school Tyrion about Northern loyalty. They overlook Jon and Dany in the courtyard. Ser Davos suggests that perhaps the solution is for “a just woman and an honorable man” to rule the Seven Kingdoms together.

Dany is concerned that the dragons are barely eating. She and Jon go to see what’s wrong with them. “They don’t like the North.”

Jon Snow finally rode a dragon! It was magical, and I was reminded of Hiccup and Astrid in How to Train Your Dragon. I wanted it to be accompanied by John Powell’s score. (If you don’t get the reference, I don’t want to know you.)

Jon and Dany make-out next to a waterfall under the watchful gaze of a dragon.

Seven Hells, Dany and Jon are cute together! WTF is going to happen when they find out the truth?! (Tune in next week for another episode of As the Throne Turns.) Seriously, given everyone in the North’s reaction to a Targaryen queen, they are not going to like the news that Jon is Aegon. Things are going to get much, much uglier before they get better.

Arya and The Hound meet again in the smith’s forge of Winterfell. Oh yeah, they’re cool. Pffft. But then she spies Gendry! In truth, I don’t know what I expected. They were obviously happy to see each other, but I wanted hugging, like with Jon. I live in hope for this pairing.

Sansa and Jon argue some more about the whole King in the North business and how Jon has let everyone down, yadda yadda. If Sansa is so smart, why doesn’t she see the logic in what Jon is telling her? *wringing hands* Oh, it’s not going to be good when everyone finds out the truth!

Sam runs into Dany and Ser Jorah. She’s grateful that Sam saved Ser Jorah’s life. She wants to reward him. Sam asks for a pardon and lists as one of his crimes the stealing of his family’s Valyrian steel sword. She is the one to tell him that both his father and brother have been executed.

Sweet baby Jeebus! No one at the Citadel told Sam about his father and brother?!?! Those rat bastards! His father was a mean-spirited son of a bitch, but he was still Sam’s father. Poor Sam, he’s devastated.

And then he runs into Bran the Creepy Raven, who sends him in to tell his best friend the worst best news ever.

Sam and Jon are momentarily delighted to be together again, but Sam is upset. He tells Jon about his father and brother and can see on Jon’s face that he didn’t know. We can see that it has knocked him back. Jon tries to justify Dany’s acts with his own. Sam isn’t having it. He tries to show Jon how his behavior in similar circumstances has been different.

“I wasn’t a king.”

“But you were. You’ve always been…I’m not talking about the King in the North, I’m talking about the King of the bloody Seven Kingdoms!”

So, there it is. Sam lays it all out for Jon. R + L = J. Aegon Targaryen, the true heir to the Iron Throne. Poor Jon. It all plays out on his face. The truth of who he is, the fact that he’s in love with his aunt. Gah!

“You gave up your crown to save your people. Would she do the same?” Sam wants to know. This, in my humble opinion, may be the biggest question of the season. Will she? I have my theories. I think not.

We knew Tormund and Beric survived the fall of the Wall thanks to the trailer, but it was still good to see them. They’re skulking around the remains of East Watch? Castle Black? I don’t know, but they’re obviously looking for other survivors. Hurray! Edd (Ben Crompton), the current Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, is still alive!

So it would seem that the Night King is a lot more sentient than we’ve taken him for. He not only tacked little Lord Umber (who had been tasked with gathering his people to take them to safety in Winterfell) to a wall, surrounded by other people’s limbs, but when the boy’s undead blue eyes flew open (I actually screamed), and Beric and Tormund set him on fire, the whole thing looked a lot like the Targaryen house sigil. Coincidence? I think not. (It’s confirmed the reunion of Tormund, Beric and the Night’s Watch took place at the Umber stronghold, Last Hearth.)

Jaime managed to make it to Winterfell. Guess who the first person he claps eyes on is? BRAN! Dun, dun dun. (While I’m sure it has put fear into Jaime’s heart, it does beg the question, why didn’t Bran tell anyone that Jaime pushed him out the window of that tower?) In any case, that’s a fade to black and a wrap on season eight episode one. (Jaime and Bran were also featured in the final scene of season one episode one.)

While we still don’t know the title, the episode managed to get a handle on all the major players. There were callbacks to just about all the previous seven seasons, and the board has been reset for the Great War to come. Winter is freaking here. How are there only five more episodes?!?

There are still so many questions and so many characters left unaccounted for. I guess we’ll have to wait for next week to find out what Brienne thinks of Jaime’s arrival. And is it too much to hope for that we get a Tormund/Brienne love scene? How about a Brienne/Jaime love scene? Also, remember nothing means nothing in Game of Thrones. Where is Robin Aryn? (Do we care?) Where is Daario Naharis? (He’s pretty. We care. He was sent to Essos. Wasn’t he also once affiliated with the Golden Company? I know Jorah Mormont was. Have they a traitor in their midst or have the sell-swords already been persuaded to fight for Queen Daenerys, thus double-crossing Cersei?) What’s up with Nymeria? Arya didn’t find her direwolf in the woods after all those years for no reason. Is Benjen Stark finally dead this time? How did he survive beyond the Wall? We have not seen the last of the Red Witch. Melisandre (Carice Van Houten) told Varys, “I will return, dear Spider. One last time. I have to die in this strange country, just like you.”

Some memorable lines from season one episode eight:

Varys: “Respect is how the young keep us at a distance, so we don’t remind them of an unpleasant truth.”
Tyrion: “What’s that?”
Varys: “Nothing lasts.”

Sansa: “What do dragons eat, anyway?”
Daenerys: “Whatever they want.” (delivered with maximum side eye)

Jon: “You’ve completely ruined horses for me.”

Edd: “Stay back! He’s got blue eyes!”
Tormund: “I’ve always had blue eyes!”

More on Game of Thrones:

‘Whiskey Cavalier’ Season 1 Episode 8 Photos: “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” Preview

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 15, 2019

Dylan Walsh guest stars as Alex Ollerman in ABC’s Whiskey Cavalier season one episode eight. “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” was directed by Jon East from a script by Jameel Saleem and is set to air on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT.

The Walking Dead‘s Lauren Cohan and Scandal‘s Scott Foley lead the season one cast as Frankie Trowbidge and Will Chase. Ana Ortiz plays Susan Sampson, Tyler James Williams (also a Walking Dead alum) is Edgar Standish, Vir Das is Jai Datta, and Josh Hopkins plays Ray Prince.

Series star Scott Foley is also involved as a producer. The Warner Bros. Television production is executive produced by Bill Lawrence, Jeff Ingold, and writer David Hemingson. Peter Atencio directed the pilot and is also on board as an executive producer.

The “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” Plot – The team heads to Europe for a mission to transport a dangerous prisoner for interrogation, who, much to their surprise, turns out to be Will’s corrupt former boss and ex-FBI director Alex Ollerman. Meanwhile, Jai helps organize a Secret Santa gift exchange for an off-season Spy Christmas.

The Whiskey Cavalier Plot:

The series follows the adventures of tough but tender FBI super-agent Will Chase (code name: “Whiskey Cavalier”). Following an emotional breakup, Chase is assigned to work with badass CIA operative Frankie Trowbridge (code name: “Fiery Tribune”). Together, they lead an inter-agency team of flawed, funny and heroic spies who periodically save the world – and each other – while navigating the rocky roads of friendship, romance and office politics.

Interview with Whiskey Cavalier star Scott Foley

Whiskey Cavalier Season 1 Episode 8 — Scott Foley, Lauren Cohan, and Dylan Walsh in ‘Whiskey Cavalier’ season 1 episode 8 (ABC/Larry D. Horricks)

‘Station 19’ Season 2 Episode 14 Photos: “Friendly Fire” Preview

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 15, 2019

Season two of ABC’s popular action drama Station 19 continues with episode 14 airing on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT. The episode titled ‘Friendly Fire” was directed by DeMane Davis from a script by Jim Campolongo. Jake Borelli guest stars as Dr. Levi Schmitt.

Season two of Station 19 stars Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andy Herrera, Jason George as Ben Warren, Boris Kodjoe as Captain Sullivan, Grey Damon as Jack Gibson, Barrett Doss as Victoria Hughes, Alberto Frezza as Ryan Tanner, Jay Hayden as Travis Montgomery, Okieriete Onaodowan as Dean Miller, Danielle Savre as Maya Bishop, and Miguel Sandoval as Captain Pruitt Herrera.

Stacy McKee (Grey’s Anatomy) serves as showrunner and executive producer, along with Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. Paris Barclay (Pitch and Sons of Anarchy) is a producing director and executive producer.

The “Friendly Fire” Plot – When Station 19 gets called to a structure fire at a coffee processing plant, the team risks their lives to save Station 42’s captain. Meanwhile, Ripley and Vic consider a shocking option to save their relationship; Andy gets some surprising news about some of her fellow crew members, and Pruitt takes on a new position.

The Station 19 Plot:

“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 2 Episode 14 — Boris Kodjoe, Dohn Norwood, Brett Tucker, and Jaina Lee Ortiz in ‘Station 19’ season 2 episode 14 (ABC/Tony Rivetti)

‘American Gods’ Season 2 Episode 6 Recap: “Donar the Great”

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 14, 2019

American Gods Season 2 Episode 6 — Derek Theler as Donar the Great in ‘American Gods’ season 2 episode 6. (Photo Credit: Starz)

Starz’s American Gods season two episode six focuses on Mr. Wednesday’s (Ian McShane) search for the dwarf capable of carving runes and mending Gungnir. But first, episode six begins with a flashback to the 1930s with Mr. Wednesday on stage at the Regius Theater. He breaks out in song as gorgeous women dance behind him.

Going by the name Al Grimnir (Grimnir is one of Odin’s many names), he welcomes the audience to the burlesque show and introduces the crowd to Donar the Great (Derek Theler) and Miss Columbia (Laura Bell Bundy). After the show, he sends a bottle of champagne to table #3 on the house as he spots Nazis walking through the club.

Wednesday’s memories of the club are interrupted when Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) startles him awake. Wednesday’s been asleep in the passenger seat but now they’ve arrived at their destination. Wednesday shocks Shadow by telling him he reminds him of his son.

Their search for the dwarves has led them to a mall that was inadvertently built by men over the dwarves’ home base. As they walk through the place with its scattered handful of customers, Wednesday acknowledges the death of malls everywhere.

Meanwhile, Mr. World (Crispin Glover) believes war has started without anyone noticing. His assistant ticks off the list of single attacks that have been launched but Mr. World thinks victory will only happen if New Media’s worshipers harness their power. New Media (Kahyun Kim) agrees and promises to up her game.

Once more we return to Mr. Wednesday’s memories of the club. Mr. Nancy (Orlando Jones) wanders through it, pointing out shoes to be picked up and costume tape that needs to be applied. He screams at a performer who he calls “my queen” to get on stage; his mood’s dark and foul.

Performers Donar the Great and Columbia are a long-term couple and she wants to head to California. Columbia helps oil up Donar’s body until it glistens as he reminds her he can’t abandon Grimnir. Columbia’s frustrated with the monotony of it all and determined to break free. They’ve both signed contracts with Grimnir, but Columbia reminds Domar they’ve been under Grimnir’s thumb for 10 years and that’s long enough.

The customer treated to a bottle of champagne turns out to be Tech Boy (Bruce Langley) and he’s not impressed with Grimnir’s joint. He insults Grimnir’s champagne and showgirls as he prepares to leave. Grimnir insists he stick around, telling Tech Boy he’ll miss the club’s best act. Grimnir adds, “We’re the ancient ones. You know, the ones who paved the way so you kids could do your thing.”

A rotary dial telephone rings on the table and Tech Boy talks to an associate. Wednesday wonders what will happen when this tech is obsolete and a shiny new thing comes along, which it will. Tech Boy doesn’t seem worried even as Wednesday warns him that at some point in the future he’ll need real power on his side.

The audience cheers as Donar performs, showing off his phenomenal strength and ability to wield a mighty hammer. One of the men wearing a Nazi armband introduces himself to Grimnir as Manfred, a member of the Friends of New Germany. (Grimnir makes a comment about the “flanged thwarts” symbol which the Nazis appropriated.) Manfred wants to talk about Donar.

Returning to current events, Shadow Moon window-shops while Wednesday tries to contact Dvalin, the dwarf who can fix Gungnir. Wednesday insists what was broken must be fixed, but he’s told the strength to etch runes of war requires an artifact of great power. The artifact needed? A leather jacket worn by Lou Reed being sold at the rock and roll collectibles shop in the mall.

Wednesday chuckles and says, “F**king dwarves.” Shadow can’t believe this all comes down to a leather jacket they can simply buy. Wednesday refuses to buy anything for the dwarves. He leaves Gungnir and promises he’ll return.

Returning to Wednesday’s memories, Grimnir introduces Manfred to Donar. Manfred wants to sponsor Donar in the World Weightlifting Championship, claiming he sees the “American” values in Donar: strength, confidence, and good breeding. Wednesday’s wholeheartedly into this proposition, and Manfred says all Donar needs to do is shave off his beard, cut his long hair, and lift heavy things. Donar accepts with Wednesday’s encouragement.

After Manfred leaves, Wednesday’s ecstatic about this opportunity. He’s convinced it will elevate Donar to his former glory. Donar wonders why the Friends of New Germany were wearing the flanged thwarts and Columbia realizes Donar’s been talking to a Nazi. Wednesday brushes that off, calling them sheep in search of a shepherd.

When Wednesday leaves, Columbia confesses she’s afraid of Nazis, even ones in America. Donar attempts to calm her fears, promising people will cheer his name as he wins. He also promises they can even travel to California.

Miss Columbia performs her routine, a song and dance number featuring fake guns that ends with a striptease. Even Tech Boy stands and applauds.

Wednesday and Shadow make it to the rock and roll collectibles store. Wednesday impresses Carl the clerk with his knowledge of the jacket, introducing himself as Bishop Hammersmith. Carl unlocks the display cabinet containing the jacket and Wednesday hands him an envelope of cash to cover the hefty $7,500 price tag. Wednesday interrupts the clerk’s marking of the bills to determine if they’re counterfeit by handing him a tip.

Just then Shadow arrives, impersonating a cop and accompanied by two mall security guards. He tells Carl that the “Bishop” is wanted for counterfeiting, but Carl claims he checked the bills. Shadow asks to examine them and compliments the fake Bishop’s improved counterfeiting methods. He then claims they need to take the jacket as evidence, but Carl can retrieve it later at the police station.

This scam’s so elaborate that Shadow even has business cards he hands over to Carl while instructing him to call the station and mention his name.

Shadow and Wednesday find a quiet, out of the way spot in the mall to hide until the mall closes. Wednesday’s pleased with how well the scam went down, but Shadow won’t uncuff him until he tells him about his son. Wednesday confesses he’s dead and Shadow reveals he knows Odin’s son was Thor. Wednesday confirms that and that Thor was also known as Donar. Although Thor was many shades lighter, Wednesday believes Shadow and Thor share a number of characteristics.

Shadow doesn’t understand how Thor could be dead since everyone knows who he is. “There are certain deaths our kind cannot come back from,” says Wednesday. He refuses to say anything else.

Back to the ’30s where newspapers are declaring Donar Odinson is the new “Golden Boy.” Donar evolves into Donnie as the headlines report his domination.

Manfred warns Donar he needs to lose against his German opponent or else something bad will happen to his friends. Nancy turns up as Donar’s fuming from the proposal and confused as to why his sponsors would demand he lose to a German. Nancy reveals his own story of being born in a woman’s world. Male gods were forbidden from ruling and despite being treated well, he left the world and traveled through time to a world run by men so that he could rule. Nancy made a deal with men to steal fire lances from the gods, and then men took that fire and journeyed to the world of women. There, they raped and murdered the world and tried to destroy it. Nancy’s homeland still exists but he cannot return.

Nancy reminds Donar he didn’t even want to carry his hammer on stage, so he shouldn’t want to be the champion of a rigged game. Nancy warns him not to give away his honor.

Wednesday returns to the booth at the mall with the jacket. He places it on Dvalin and says, “Let this give you strength.” Dvalin waves his hands over Gungnir and the runes appear. He then sinks to his knees and crosses his arms over his chest.

Wednesday whispers to Gungnir, “You started the first war. You will finish the last.” He gives it a kiss as he says, “With you, I will not fail.”

As Gungnir is reborn, an alarm goes off at Black Briar Golf Club. Mr. World opens a box exposing a red button. He presses it and the alarm stops. He acknowledges to New Media things are happening ahead of schedule because the runes have been etched. She needs more tech support for her live stream, and he promises she’ll have it. “The storm is coming,” says Mr. World, menacingly.

Backstage at the club, Donar pumps iron and when Columbia walks in reminding him he missed her act, he makes a spur of the moment decision that they’ll head off to California that very night. They make plans to meet after the show, pledging themselves to each other.

As Columbia’s packing, Wednesday arrives with Tech Boy. Tech Boy introduces himself as the future and explains they’re on the brink of another war and his associates need the goddess of substance to take them into the fight. He assures her the people will eventually forget her, but she can save the American way of life. She’ll need to be less Buffalo Bill and more “our lady of the war effort.” Columbia asks for time to think over Tech Boy’s request.

Columbia wants to talk it over with Donar, but Wednesday claims he left with the Germans. Wednesday suggests she manifest her own destiny.

Wednesday catches Donar outside with his bags and hammer, waiting for Columbia. Donar isn’t going to fight the German and instead he’ll forge his own path with Columbia. Wednesday says Columbia won’t be coming, suggesting Donar should just throw the match to secure his destiny. Donar refuses and Wednesday warns that if he doesn’t, he can’t come back to the theatre. The two square off with Wednesday now in full Odin mode, complete with Gungnir, and demanding respect from Donar. Donar in turn warns Wednesday to remove the charm he placed on Columbia. Wednesday continues to lie and claim Columbia made the decision to leave on her own.

Odin raises Gungnir against his son, Thor. Thor’s Mjöllnir meets Gungnir in mid-thrust. Mjöllnir slams into the side of Gungnir, severing the spear in two. Odin sinks to his knees and picks up the pieces, saying, “Oh my boy, power like this you cannot walk away from.”

Donar can and does walk away from his father.

The scene jumps forward to Shadow and Wednesday back on the road. Shadow apologizes if he upset him with questions about Thor, but Wednesday brushes the apology aside. “It wasn’t you. Ghosts from the past,” says Wednesday facing away from Shadow and looking out the car’s passenger window into the dark night.

Shadow asks what happened to Donar and Wednesday says sacrifice is the only noble act and the sustenance and currency of gods. “I regret nothing,” says Wednesday, emotionless.

We see Donar, looking disheveled and alone, placing a double-barrel shotgun to his chest and firing. Blood splatters on the wall behind him. “1942, somewhere outside of Philadelphia, so I heard. Suicide,” reveals Wednesday.

Suicide is the kind of death gods cannot come back from.

A flashback shows Wednesday sitting alone on the edge of the stage in the empty theatre. He sings, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” in a mournful tone.

‘Supernatural’ Season 14 Episode 18 Recap: “Absence”

By

Saim Cheeda

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April 12, 2019

The CW’s Supernatural finally did it. It rid us of one of the blandest characters we’ve seen on any show. Mary Winchester (Samantha Smith) is complete – this being the exact statement for her eventual fate. Many fans have been asking the showrunners for years to rid us of Mary’s presence (she’s never lived up to her position as the boys’ mother) and it looks like our wish has been granted.

Supernatural season 14 episode 18 “Absence” begins exactly where the previous episode left off. Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) return to HQ and can’t find Jack and Mary anywhere. Castiel (Misha Collins) informs them of Jack killing the snake a couple of episodes back, and a livid Dean begins his usual schtick of treating Cas like dirt whenever he’s angry. Sam tries to locate Jack’s phone, but it appears the boy is flying from one country to another within a matter of seconds.

When Jack (Alexander Calvert) returns to his original location, he finds the hallucination of Lucifer taunting him about how killing Mary Winchester is the deal-breaker for the Winchesters. A repentant Jack insists it was an accident, but Lucy keeps mocking him.

Sam and Dean head to the cabin where Jack killed Nick, finding his charred corpse; they are disgusted by the sight and can’t believe Jack would do such a thing. Castiel arrives and Dean, being the extreme jerk he is in this episode, sounds off on Cas by telling him if something happened to Mary then “you’re dead to me.”

Castiel tries to apologize for not informing him what Jack was becoming, but Dean has no time for it. Sam calls Rowena (Ruth Connell) to track Mary down, but Rowena ominously tells him Mary can’t be tracked since she’s no longer on Earth. Dean destroys stuff around him in a rage and tells Rowena to use the Book of the Damned to bring Mary back. He then commands Castiel to go to Heaven and find Mary. (Seriously, Dean was impossible to like in this episode.) However, Rowena is greeted by Jack himself who wants her to do the same thing Dean wants.

Rowena tries to stall for time before the Winchesters arrive, but Jack catches on to this and teleports her to the bunker with him just as the boys break down the door. Sam and Dean, clueless what to do next, take a moment to talk about how Jack failed them. For some reason, these two boneheads blame Jack even though he’s soulless and it’s not really the boy’s fault; regardless, Sam reasons that the blame isn’t all on Cas since he and Dean also played a part in resurrecting Jack.

Meanwhile, Castiel is greeted by a bemused Duma – no reasons given for why she’s being so unwelcoming to him – who informs Cas that Mary is in Heaven and peacefully there. She’s complete, according to Duma, meaning her story is over.

Jack’s busy forcing Rowena to complete the spell, but when she refuses, he flings her back to her apartment. Rowena warns Sam and Dean over the phone what Jack is about to do, and the brothers race over to Jack’s location. According to Rowena, reviving the dead with magic would mean a possibly evil version of Mary would come back.

Jack’s still able to complete the spell, but only Mary’s body is returned. It’s a shell of what she was, with no capacity for life. Jack, thoroughly shattered by this, teleports away. He’s visited again by Lucifer’s hallucination who tells him that now not only do the Winchesters not trust him, Jack can’t trust them anymore either.

This seals the fact that Mary is definitely gone, and the boys return to the bunker heartbroken. Castiel also returns and informs them that he came across Mary’s heaven, and entered to find her with John. (It looks like a huge plot hole all the way back from season two has been solved and John is confirmed to be in Heaven.) This is consolation enough for Sam, it seems, while Dean doesn’t react with any kind of joy over Mary’s newfound peace. Dean insists they give Mary a hunter’s funeral, and the boys burn the shell of a body Jack brought back.

A remorseful Castiel tries to move in to comfort Dean, but a tactful Sam stops him from doing so – the younger Winchester might be calm, collected, and forgiving, but the older Winchester is mainly made up of rage and guilt; most likely not too fond of Castiel anymore.

The episode had featured sporadic flashbacks to Mary’s time with all the main characters, and you know how badly she had been characterized when the show felt the need to interject these sudden flashbacks to make Mary seem more of a well-rounded person than she was ever shown to be. In any case, the final shot is of her name being added to the bunker’s table carving, signifying that she had made a permanent mark on Sam and Dean.

‘Good Girls’ Picks Up a Third Season Order

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 12, 2019

Good Girls Cast — Retta as Ruby Hill, Mae Whitman as Annie Marks, and Christina Hendricks as Beth Boland in ‘Good Girls’ (Photo by: Jordin Althaus/NBC)

There’s good news for fans of NBC’s Good Girls. The network has given the popular drama starring Christina Hendricks (Mad Men, Another Period), Retta (Parks and Recreation), and Mae Whitman (Parenthood, Arrested Development) order for a third season.

Season two debuted on March 3, 2019 and has been averaging 4.1 million viewers. NBC reports each new episode of season two has actually increased its seven-day non-linear viewership numbers.

“We’re so excited to continue following the friendship and adventures of these three incredible women while also exploring relatable issues in both funny and surprising ways,” stated Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, Co-Presidents of Scripted Programming, NBC Entertainment. “Congratulations to Jenna Bans, and our amazing writers, cast and crew who give these stories depth and humanity.”

In addition to Retta, Hendricks, and Whitman, the season two cast includes Reno Wilson (Mike & Molly), Manny Montana (Graceland), Lidya Jewett (Hidden Figures), Isaiah Stannard (Brad’s Status) and Matthew Lillard (Twin Peaks). Good Girls is written and executive produced by Jenna Bans. Jeannine Renshaw, Mark Wilding, Bill Krebs, and Michael Weaver executive produce. Weaver also directs.

The Season 2 Plot:

“Season two of Good Girls is all about our women dealing with the consequences of their criminal behavior. When we last saw Beth, she had just returned home triumphant — her plan to have Rio and the gang arrested, a success, or so she thought — only to find Rio in her dining room, with a gun trained on her bloodied and beaten husband, Dean. As the season came to a close, a shaken Beth was left holding Rio’s gun as he taunted her to pull the trigger and shoot him: the only way out if she and Dean wanted to walk away alive.

What happens in the wake of the trigger being pulled will have life changing consequences that ripple through the entire season for Beth, Ruby and Annie.

Meanwhile, Stan’s discovery that Ruby and the others robbed the grocery store will test the strength of their marriage and endanger his new position as a police officer, especially when FBI Agent Jim Turner uncovers Stan’s connection to the women.”

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ Teaser Trailer, Poster and Photos

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 12, 2019

Star Wars fans fortunate enough to make the trek to the “Star Wars Celebration” in Chicago were treated to the first teaser trailer for Stars Wars: Episode IX and the reveal of the film’s official title: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The new addition to the blockbuster sci-fi franchise will arrive in theaters on December 20, 2019.

Stephen Colbert had the honor of hosting the panel discussion at the fan event, and he was joined on stage by cast members Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar Isaac, Billy Dee Williams, Naomi Ackie, Joonas Suotamo, and Anthony Daniels. Even BB-8 rolled out along with his new friend D-0 who’ll be debuting in the much-anticipated new Star Wars film.

Writer/director J.J. Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy also took part in the panel with fans, confirming this final film of the three trilogies will be the last Star Wars feature film for a while as Disney turns its attention to creating original content for its new streaming service, Disney+.

In addition to the title reveal and the teaser trailer, Disney and Lucasfilm released a teaser poster and photos from the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

The cast also includes Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Keri Russell, and Richard E. Grant. Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels reprise their iconic roles, and Carrie Fisher will be featured in the film using footage shot but not used in The Force Awakens.

C3PO (Anthony Daniels), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (Photo (c) 2019 ILM and Lucasfilm Ltd)

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker teaser poster — ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ teaser poster

‘Riverdale’ Season 3 Episode 18 Preview: “Jawbreaker” Photos

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 12, 2019

Archie’s back in the ring in season three episode 18 of The CW’s Riverdale. Episode 18 titled “Jawbreaker” was directed by Gabriel Correa from a script by Brian E. Patterson and Arabella Anderson.

Season three Episode 18 airs April 17, 2019 at 8pm ET/PT.

The cast of season three includes 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, and Luke Perry is Fred Andrews. The third season also stars Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy, Casey Cott as Kevin Keller, Mark Consuelos as Hiram Lodge, Skeet Ulrich as FP Jones, Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle, and Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz.

The “Chapter Fifty-Three: Jawbreaker” Plot – REMATCH — When a tainted batch of fizzle rocks makes its way through Riverdale, Jughead (Sprouse) and FP (Ulrich) set out to find who’s responsible. After asking Veronica (Mendes) to help get him into an upcoming boxing tournament, Archie (Apa) quickly learns he may be in over his head. Elsewhere, Betty (Reinhart) makes one last attempt to rescue Alice (Amick) from The Farm’s grip, and Toni (Vanessa Morgan) becomes unsettled by a sudden change in Cheryl’s (Petsch) behavior.

More on Riverdale Season 3:

Riverdale Season 3 Episode 18 — KJ Apa as Archie in ‘Riverdale’ season 3 episode 18 (Photo: Katie Yu © 2019 The CW Network, LLC)

‘Missing Link’ Movie Review: Terrific Voice Cast Brings to Life an Enjoyable Adventure

By

Kevin Finnerty

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April 12, 2019

Sir Lionel Frost (left) voiced by Hugh Jackman and Mr. Link (right) voiced by Zach Galifianakis in ‘Missing Link’ (Photo Credit : Laika Studios / Annapurna Pictures)

“I’m the last of my kind but on the other side of the world they talk of this creature, the Yeti. I think these Yetis are my cousins. Can you take me there?” asks Sasquatch aka Mr. Link (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) to world adventurer Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman) in the animated comedy/adventure film Missing Link.

All Sir Frost wants to do is prove to the adventure society in Victorian London he’s worthy to be one of their members. Unfortunately, so far he’s failed to get proof of a historic discovery. But when he receives a letter suggesting he travel to the wilderness of the New World – America – to find Big Foot, Frost believes this time his quest will end with the proof he needs.

When Frost does find Sasquatch he’s shocked to learn that he’s an intelligent missing link who knows how to both speak and write. Frost is further surprised to discover the creature was the one who sent the letter in hopes that he’ll be Sasquatch’s guide on a journey to find his long-lost relatives: the Yetis who are rumored to be living in Shangri-La in the Himalayas.

The two strike a bargain and with Sasquatch traveling as Mr. Link, Frost will have the proof he needs to verify Big Foot exists to the adventure society. Frost becomes Link’s guide as they travel the world, facing more than their fair share of danger as Frost helps Link reunite with his family.

Charming, colorful, and funny, Missing Link is brought to life masterfully with wonderful Claymation animation and a first-rate voice cast. Hugh Jackman brings to life Sir Lionel Frost, an English gentleman and adventurer in the same fashion as Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. The dry one-liners Jackman delivers as Frost are witty and clever.

Zach Galifianakis lends his voice to Mr. Link, giving the friendly creature a childlike innocence and extremely likeable personality. The character’s a bit of a klutz, and Galifianakis leans into that with perfection.

The dazzling, stop-motion animation heightens the quality of the film, giving it a warm and entertaining look and feel.

The only drawback to Missing Link is the lengthy dialogue scenes and high-brow humor which is completely lost on the younger members of the audience. Children under the age of nine are likely to lose interest halfway through and become fussy…as they did at this critic’s screening.

Still, with stunning animation and a strong voice cast, Missing Link is an enjoyable, above average animated adventure for older kids and their parents.

GRADE: B

MPAA Rating: PG for action/peril and some mild rude humor

Running Time: 95 minutes

Release Date: April 12, 2019

Directed By: Chris Butler

‘New Amsterdam’ Season 1 Episode 18 Photos: “Five Miles West” Preview

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 12, 2019

NBC’s medical drama New Amsterdam continues season one with episode 18 titled “Five Miles West.” Episode 18 is set to air on April 16, 2019 and features guest stars Dierdre Friel and Lilly Knowles.

The cast of season one includes Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin, Janet Montgomery (Salem, This Is Us) as Dr. Lauren Bloom, Tyler Labine (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency) as Dr. Iggy Frome, and Jocko Sims (The Last Ship, Masters of Sex) as Dr. Floyd Reynolds. Freema Agyeman (Sense8, The Carrie Diaries) is Dr. Helen Sharpe and Anupam Kher (The Indian Detective) plays Dr. Vijay Kapoor.

The “Five Miles West” Plot – Reynolds (Sims) struggles to help a young Cystic Fibrosis patient (Knowles) with curious symptoms while Kapoor (Kher) finally comes face to face with Ella (Friel) after their awkward encounter. Meanwhile, Sharpe (Agyeman) takes a major step in her personal life.

The Season 1 Plot:

“Inspired by Bellevue, the oldest public hospital in America, this unique medical drama follows the brilliant and charming Dr. Max Goodwin (Eggold), the institution’s newest medical director who sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care. How can he help? Well, the doctors and staff have heard this before. Not taking “no” for an answer, Dr. Goodwin must disrupt the status quo and prove he will stop at nothing to breathe new life into this understaffed, underfunded and underappreciated hospital — the only one in the world capable of treating Ebola patients, prisoners from Rikers and the President of the United States under one roof — and return it to the glory that put it on the map.”