Guy Pearce as Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol (Photo by Robert Viglasky/FX)
Guy Pearce is set to take on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in FX and BBC One’s miniseries, A Christmas Carol. The three-part series is targeting a December premiere in the U.S. on FX.
FX and BBC One confirmed Andy Serkis (Black Panther) is the Ghost of Christmas Past; Stephen Graham (This Is England) will play Jacob Marley; Charlotte Riley (Peaky Blinders) is Lottie; Joe Alwyn (The Favourite) is tackling the role of Bob Cratchit; Vinette Robinson (Doctor Who) is on board as Mary Cratchit; Rutger Hauer (True Blood) will play the Ghost of Christmas Future; Kayvan Novak (What We Do In The Shadows) is Ali Baba, and Lenny Rush (Old Boys) is Tim Cratchit.
A Christmas Carol reunites FX and BBC One with Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and Tom Hardy’s Hardy Son & Baker. Steven Knight (Taboo, Peaky Blinders) is writing the miniseries and Nick Murphy (The Awakening) is directing. Knight, Hardy, Scott, Dean Baker, David W. Zucker, Kate Crowe and Mona Qureshi are executive producing. Julian Stevens is producing.
“This production of A Christmas Carol will respectfully present what we believe to be a timely interpretation of a timeless story,” said Knight.
“We are incredibly proud to join the BBC in this latest creative venture, which builds on our expansive programming partnership to bring the best in television to audiences in the U.S. and U.K.,” said Eric Schrier, Co-Presidents of Original Programming, FX Networks and FX Productions. “Charles Dickens’ classics, including A Christmas Carol, are timeless tales that have been reimagined generation after generation. We couldn’t imagine a better team to undertake this enormous task than Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, Ridley Scott, and their formidable production companies.”
“We’re incredibly excited that filming has begun on Steve Knight’s brilliant interpretation of A Christmas Carol, with Nick Murphy directing a phenomenal cast in what promises to be an iconic version of the classic tale,” stated Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama.
Per the official announcement, A Christmas Carol is the first in a series of adaptations planned for classic Charles Dickens stories.
D.B. Woodside and Tom Ellis in ‘Lucifer’ season 4 (Photo by John P. Fleenor/Netflix)
Netflix’s Lucifer season four episode two opens with a flashback to how Chloe (Lauren German) really spent her vacation after being exposed to Lucifer’s devil face. Chloe turned to the Church for help in coming to terms with what she’d learned, pouring through books on religion and the Devil. The pages reminded her of incidents from her recent past involving Lucifer interacting with criminals.
It’s during this research that she meets Father Kinley (Outlander‘s Graham McTavish). When he explains he works for a division of the church called the International Association of Exorcists, Chloe’s pretty sure she’s come to the right place for answers. They specialize in working with people who are possessed or believe they’re the Devil. Lucifer Morningstar’s been on their radar for seven years and they’ve figured out he’s the real deal.
Father Kinley reveals that although he can’t help Chloe, she can help the Church. It’s dangerous to have Lucifer on earth as “death and destruction” follow him.
Flash-forward to current events and Ella (Aimee Garcia) super pleased with Margaret the chicken’s first egg. Margaret is apparently Ella’s new distraction since she has her Sundays free. Bob the turtle was also a distraction, but unfortunately he had to hit the road as he wasn’t a fan of the ruler of the roost, Margaret.
The chicken and turtle stories are interrupted with news of a new murder to investigate.
Meanwhile, a shirtless Luci (Tom Ellis) gets a visit from Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside) who announces he’s not returning to Heaven. Earth is his new home and as he’s about to explain why, Luci cuts him off. Turning to his favorite subject – himself – Lucifer needs his bro’s help on selecting a dress shirt. Of course, the dashing Devil opts for the one Amenadiel did not choose.
Amenadiel realizes his brother’s still having problems with Chloe. Luci explains he shared “a moment” with Chloe, and Amenadiel can’t help himself…he laughs. Now Luci’s confused about whether they should just pretend that never happened. Amenadiel suggests Luci seize the day and get out there with humans. “I say put up your sign, ‘Open for business: humanity come on in,’” says the overly optimistic Amenadiel.
Luci, confused, can’t figure out what Amenadiel’s suggesting. Cutting to the chase, Amenadiel tells Luci to ask Chloe out.
Shortly thereafter Luci is like a giddy schoolboy at Chloe’s side during the investigation. He uses mosquitoes to segue into a conversation about food and is about to ask her out when they arrive at Ella photographing the dead body.
Ella’s completely fangirling over the fact their murder victim is on a reality show and the murder took place on the set. Luci again turns the conversation to eating out, but Chloe does her usual act of ignoring Luci’s random conversations while at a crime scene.
The victim was a school teacher named Melinda competing on The Cabin, and it just so happens Ella’s been binge-watching 27 seasons of the series. Melinda, a fan favorite, was apparently hit on the head with something hard.
Unfortunately, the show’s cameras didn’t catch the attack, according to the executive producer. Chloe puts the show on hold and Ella jumps at the chance to watch all of the unaired footage.
Finally alone, Lucifer formally asks Chloe out to dinner. She says yes without hesitation.
A flashback reveals Father Kinley handing Chloe something which will send the Devil back to Hell. She’s reluctant to take it, but Father Kinley assures her she’s the only one who can do the job.
Back at the station, Chloe catches Dan (Kevin Alejandro) in the act of switching desks. He’s doing so to get away from Luci because of Luci’s involvement in Charlotte’s death. Dan is done with Luci and his secrets. Which leads to another flashback of Father Kinley showing Lucifer’s previous visits among humans led to all sorts of disasters including the Chicago fire and the rise of Nazi Germany. Chloe doesn’t want to believe all of the evil from the past was caused by Luci, although she does admit he killed Marcus Pierce.
“He is the Devil and he’s not supposed to be here,” says Father Kinley. He offers Chloe the vial again and this time she accepts it.
Ella’s having a fantastic time with this reality TV show murder. She found the totem that keeps contestants safe in Melinda’s pocket, but it was another competitor, Judd, who located it during the game. How did it wind up in Melinda’s pocket? Maybe Judd killed her because she stole it. There’s even footage of him acting like he’s violently hitting Melinda over the head.
While the important murder discussion’s going on, Luci’s busy planning their date. He attempts to get Chloe’s input on swimming with sharks or jelly wrestling and she puts him off…again.
Chloe believes Judd’s the killer since if it walks like a duck, it is a duck. She and Luci head out to arrest Judd.
They make it to the set and Chloe immediately accuses Judd of killing Melinda. Luci, for once, is the voice of reason while Chloe is all about jumping to conclusions. A cameraman interrupts and Chloe sends him away, reminding him it’s an active crime scene.
Judd explains his bad boy personality is all an act and he’s just doing it to win the game. He’s playing the villain because that’s what it takes. He also admits Melinda was the most competitive in the game and she was crafty. Plus, she had a secret alliance.
Catching back up with L+M=BFFs…Dr. Linda’s definitely going through some bizarre phase. She thinks Maze invited her over to Luci’s to spar or learn to throw knives. She jogs in place and takes a few practice swings as they discuss Maze and Chloe’s relationship. Linda suggests Maze not take things personally since it’s pretty scary for a human to learn there really are angels and demons, and that the Devil is walking the Earth.
Linda finally works herself up so much that she passes out.
Chloe and Luci interview the cast members (each of whom represents a perfect reality TV stereotype) on the set and none seem to know anything. Fruitless interrogations complete, the conversation turns to history, religion, and the Devil. Chloe only semi-jokingly asks if Luci bites the heads off children.
“No, of course not. I detest the little creatures and I’d certainly never put one in my mouth,” says Luci, not joking. Duh.
Luci’s happy to answer any of Chloe’s questions. She wonders if he keeps track of his kills and Luci confirms Pierce was the first human he killed. But he also reminds Chloe that Pierce was actually Cain. She also wants to know what Hell’s like and if he enjoys torturing people. Dead serious and obviously hurt she’d believe that could be true, Luci says it was a job he was forced to do.
Chloe decides much of what she read was just dumb stereotypes.
Back at Lux, Maze is worried about Linda. She’s concerned about Linda’s hyperactivity followed by fainting and examines Linda carefully. Unfortunately, the medical book Maze is referencing is from the 14th century.
Luci shows up at the police station with a gorgeous red gown for Chloe. Ella’s beside herself with glee, and they discuss whether it’s a Pretty Woman or Indecent Proposal gesture. Luci’s planned a helicopter ride to San Francisco followed by the opera. But, he’s nervous. He knows Chloe’s acting weird and thinks she’s hiding something. Ella thinks Chloe’s just anxious about their big date.
However, Chloe’s actually anxious about the vial from Father Kinley. She watches Luci and Ella, and then asks if they can postpone their date until the case is solved. Ella’s just as bummed by this development as Luci.
Chloe meets up with Father Kinley to admit she’s stalling. She’s definitely having second thoughts and doesn’t want to believe everything Father Kinley claims Luci’s responsible for. He thinks every positive aspect of Luci is just an act. The Devil cares for no one but himself, per Kinley. But Chloe’s certain Luci never lies.
The next morning at the station Luci brings in donuts for the squad and coffees for Ella and Chloe. Ella’s all aglow because she and her mom subbed in for Luci and Chloe on the trip to San Fran. (They don’t let Chloe in on what was planned.)
Luci’s super excited about solving the case so they can go on their date, and Chloe confirms she’s not backing out. They edge closer to the killer when Ella describes what was in Melinda’s stomach – the ingredients of Hungarian Rum Balls.
Amenadiel’s ready to do human things and Dan is the one he picks as his plus one. However, Dan’s just not into having any fun at all so he turns down Amenadiel’s offer of an improv night or sporting event.
Not ready to give up on finding something fun to do, Amenadiel tries to make conversation with a stranger at a coffee shop. She’s busy on her computer and doesn’t even reply when he asks what she’s writing. (Fun cameo by writer/executive producer Ildy Modrovich!)
Nothing’s going his way (a homeless person steals his wallet) and so he pours his heart out to a Hispanic stranger. No advice is forthcoming and Amenadiel remains confused.
Luci and Chloe return to the set to hunt down Hungarian Rum Balls. Obsessed with closing the case, Luci tries to put the executive producer in handcuffs after they discover the Rum Balls on the craft services table. The executive producer confesses he gave Melinda his balls and asked for a favor. Since she was the fan favorite, he wanted her to help increase the show’s sagging ratings.
Luci’s had enough of all this and demands the guy confess so he can go on his date. Chloe insults him by saying he does only think about himself, and Luci is so hurt by that he takes off, promising to give her some space.
The executive producer shows Chloe tape of Melinda kissing Kylie, another female contestant. They were into each other, but the tape wasn’t shown to Chloe before because it was shot in the bathroom. (A real no-no.) They look at the monitors to find out where Kylie is now and discover she’s damaging a gas line outside one of the cabins. Luci’s inside that cabin as Kylie tosses in a lighter. The building explodes but Luci emerges unscathed through the flames.
Chloe watches in frightened amazement and then races to make sure he’s okay. She stumbles over her words as he tells her he’s used to living in a fiery pit. Kylie runs up, apologizing for not knowing someone was inside. She just needed to burn it all down.
Kylie confesses she was jealous and upset over something Melinda did and pushed her into the lagoon. She hit her head and died, but it was an accident. Case closed.
Luci tells Chloe it’s okay if she doesn’t want to go on a date. She assures him she does and will meet him at Lux that night.
Cut to Dr. Linda receiving a shocking call from her doctor…
7pm arrives and Luci has candles and roses ready for their date. Chloe shows up and Luci’s even made grilled cheese – her favorite – for dinner. He confesses he’s happy there aren’t any more secrets and says he’ll answer any of her questions. He reminds her he’s always been honest and will continue to be.
When Luci leaves the room to put on some bad ‘90s jams, Chloe prepares to pour the vial’s contents into his drink. The music comes on so loud it startles her, and she spills the contents of his glass. He cuts himself on the broken glass and Chloe doesn’t understand why he’s bleeding.
How can Lucifer emerge unscathed from a fire but bleed from a little scratch? Plus, he was injured when she shot him – something she feels horrible about. She wonders if he wasn’t really injured and was simply trying to make her feel bad or make her care about him more. “How is it that sometimes you don’t get hurt and then other times you do? What is the difference?” asks the detective, overcome with emotion.
“You are, detective,” replies Luci. He admits he doesn’t know why he’s only vulnerable when he’s close to her but it’s the truth.
Ella texts, at the most inopportune moment, with an update on their case. Kylie wasn’t the killer. Something with a right angle hit Melinda three times. Chloe figures out a possible murder weapon and rushes off, telling Lucifer she’s doing this alone.
Chloe returns to the set and asks to look at the cameraman’s equipment. She finds the item that could have been used and the cameraman arms himself with an axe. Chloe pulls her gun and it’s a stand-off. The cameraman admits he made Melinda into America’s sweetheart and they were going to split the money if she won. But then Melinda hooked up with Kylie and broke their arrangement. He killed her after her argument with Kylie.
The cameraman launches the axe at Chloe, but Luci’s been creeping around outside watching the action and leaps in front of his partner. Chloe fires and hits the cameraman in the knee and the axe winds up going through Luci’s jacket. Chloe can’t believe he tried to save her again. She holds the axe up to his chest and asks if she could kill him if she pushed it into his body. It would. (Chloe is so slow at catching on to anything involving Lucifer!)
Chloe realizes that even though it might have killed him, Lucifer jumped in front of the axe to save her. “Yes, and I would do it again and again. Don’t you know that, detective?” asks Lucifer.
Hours later Amenadiel’s drinking away his pain at Lux when Dr. Linda arrives with news. She’s pregnant!
The following day Chloe meets with Father Kinley and confesses she’s decided not to help him or the Church. She refuses to hurt Lucifer. Father Kinley’s disappointed and reminds her all she has to do is give Lucifer the sedative and then he’ll perform the exorcism. He acknowledges they can’t do it without her and admits to knowing she makes Lucifer vulnerable. But Chloe’s certain Lucifer’s changed.
Back at Lux Lucifer’s at the piano again when he receives a text from Chloe, apologizing. Father Kinley shows up at Luci’s saying he has something important to tell him about Chloe Decker.
CBS’s action drama MacGyver wraps up its third season on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 8pm ET/PT. Season three episode 22 is titled “Mason + Cable + Choices” and was directed by Maja Vrvilo from a script by Ji Adler.
Episode 22’s guest cast includes Peter Weller, Emerson Brooks, Jacobi Howard, Rachael Thompson, CC Castillo, and Mike Whaley.
Season three’s cast is led by Lucas Till as Angus “Mac” MacGyver. George Eads plays Jack Dalton, Tristin Mays is Riley Davis, Justin Hires is Wilt Bozer, and Meredith Eaton plays Matty. Recurring guest cast members include Levy Tran as Desi, Tate Donovan as Oversight, David Dastmalchian as Murdoc, and Michael Des Barres as Nicholas Helman.
The “Mason + Cable + Choices” Plot – MacGyver faces off with a cunning new adversary whose carefully crafted plans put Mac at the epicenter of an impossible choice: save the life of a friend, or save the lives of hundreds of innocents. Also, Mac receives new information that will drive a wedge between him and his father.
The MacGyver Plot:
“MacGyver, a reimagining of the classic series, is an action-adventure drama about 20-something Angus “Mac” MacGyver, who creates a clandestine organization within the U.S. government, where he uses his extraordinary talent for unconventional problem-solving and his vast scientific knowledge to save lives. Joining his team on high-risk missions around the globe is maverick former CIA agent Jack Dalton; Riley Davis, an unpredictable computer hacker with a chip on her shoulder; Wilt Bozer, Mac’s roommate and the newest agent on the team; and Matty Weber, a legend in Covert Ops and the director of operations at the Phoenix Foundation.
Under the aegis of the Department of External Services, MacGyver takes on the responsibility of saving the world, armed to the teeth with resourcefulness and little more than bubble gum and a paper clip.”
Samuel Goldwyn Films just released the official trailer for the romantic comedy/drama Summer Night directed by Joseph Cross. The film marks actor Cross’ directorial debut and stars Shameless‘ Justin Chatwin and The Walking Dead‘s Callan McAuliffe.
Summer Night‘s cast also includes Lana Condor (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before), Victoria Justice (The Outcasts), Ellar Coltrane (Boyhood), Ian Nelson (The Boy Next Door), Analeigh Tipton (Two Night Stand), and Ella Hunt (Anna and the Apocalypse). Hayden Szeto (Truth or Dare), Bill Milner (X-Men: First Class), Elena Kampouris (Before I Fall), Khris Davis (Detriot), and Melina Vidler (800 Words) also star in the coming of age drama.
Summer Night opens in theaters on July 12, 2019.
The Plot:
“It’s the last days of summer. Best friends Seth (Nelson) and Jameson (Coltrane) are getting ready to perform—and party—at local rock venue The Alamo. But before the night begins, both young men come face- to-face with serious reality checks: Seth receives life-changing news from his girlfriend Mel (Tipton), and Jameson has to choose between his on-again-off-again girlfriend Corin (Kampouris) and a new girl he’s just met, the outspoken Harmony (Justice).
At the show, Seth and Jameson’s friends are too caught up in their own lives to be much help: young rocker Taylor (McAuliffe) romances his new crush Dana (Hunt), and awkward Jack ‘Rabbit’ (Milner) avoids his childhood friend Lexi (Condor) after learning what she did at her sister’s wedding. These intertwining friend-dramas, fueled by a lot of drinking, unfold against a backdrop of live music performed by the best bands in town.
By the end of the night, these young men and women are confronted with a series of fast- approaching life decisions that will either leave them stuck in the comfort of adolescence or catapult them into adulthood.”
Justin Chatwin stars in ‘Summer Night’ (Photo Credit: Samuel Goldwyn Pictures)
The 30 second teaser trailer for BH90210, the 2019 Beverly Hills, 90210 event series, features the cast getting together for a table read. The video shows the cast reunion and the gang looking through the first episode script.
In addition to unveiling the short teaser, Fox confirmed BH90210 will premiere on August 7, 2019. The six-episode series will air on Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT.
Returning for the event series are original cast members Jason Priestley (“Brandon Walsh”), Shannen Doherty (“Brenda Walsh”), Jennie Garth (“Kelly Taylor”), Ian Ziering (“Steve Sanders”), Gabrielle Carteris (“Andrea Zuckerman”), Brian Austin Green (“David Silver”), and Tori Spelling (“Donna Martin”). Series stars Carteris, Doherty, Garth, Green, Priestley, Spelling, and Ziering executive produce with Patrick Sean Smith, Chris Alberghini and Mike Chessler.
Smith, Alberghini, and Chessler conceived the series and are writing BH90210. Smith is guiding the series as showrunner.
The Plot, Courtesy of Fox:
“90210 comes with a big twist: Priestley, Garth, Ziering, Carteris, Green, Spelling, and Doherty will play heightened versions of themselves in a brand-new serialized drama – with a healthy dose of irreverence – that is inspired by their real lives and relationships.
Having gone their separate ways since the original series ended 19 years ago, Jason, Jennie, Ian, Gabrielle, Brian and Tori reunite when one of them suggests it’s time to get a Beverly Hills, 90210 reboot up and running. But getting it going may make for an even more delicious soap than the reboot itself. What will happen when first loves, old romances, friends and frenemies come back together, as this iconic cast – whom the whole world watched grow up together – attempts to continue from where they left off?
Spawning generations of imitators, Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered on FOX on October 4, 1990, when it became an instant pop culture sensation and one of the most adored programs in the network’s history. Centered on the tony Los Angeles community identified in its title, the show aired for 10 seasons, during which it documented the trials and tribulations of a group of friends from high school to college and into early adulthood, as they navigated a myriad of coming-of-age dramas and complex rivalries, often making real-world headlines by tackling controversial and socially relevant topics.”
David Costabile, Kelly Aucoin, Condola Rashad, Toby Leonard Moore, Damian Lewis, Jeffrey DeMunn, Asia Kate Dillon, Maggie Siff, and Paul Giamatti in ‘Billions’ (Photo: Marc Hom / Showtime)
The critically acclaimed primetime drama Billions has earned a fifth season order. Showtime just confirmed the series, which has four new episodes still to air in season four, has been picked up for season five.
The cast of the award-winning drama is led by Oscar nominee and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man) and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Damian Lewis (Homeland). The cast of season four also includes Maggie Siff, Asia Kate Dillon, Toby Leonard Moore, David Costabile, Condola Rashad, Kelly AuCoin, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Malin Akerman. Samantha Mathis, Kevin Pollak, Jade Eshete, John Malkovich, Clancy Brown, and Nina Arianda guest star.
The series was created by Andrew Ross Sorkin, Brian Koppelman, and David Levien. Koppelman and Levien are executive producers and showrunners.
“Billions’ addictive examination of wealth and power is supremely entertaining, smart and surprising,” stated Gary Levine, Co-President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. “We’re loving season four and can’t wait to buckle up for the wild ride that Brian and David and their brilliant cast have in store for us in season five.”
Season four airs on Sundays at 9pm ET/PT, with the finale set for June 9th. The current season’s averaging 4.2 million viewers.
The Season 4 Plot:
“When everyone is out for revenge, no one is safe. Bobby Axelrod and Chuck Rhoades, former enemies, and Wendy Rhoades (Siff), the chief counselor to each, have come together to form an uneasy but highly effective alliance, aimed at the eradication of all their rivals, including Grigor Andolov (guest star John Malkovich), Taylor Mason (Dillon), Bryan Connerty (Moore) and Waylon “Jock” Jeffcoat (guest star Clancy Brown). Ambition and betrayal have long been at the heart of Billions, and this season all the characters find out exactly how high a price they’ll have to pay to satisfy those needs.”
The final season of The CW’s iZombie continues with episode two airing on May 9, 2019. Titled “Dead Lift,” season five episode two was directed by Michael Fields from a script by Philip Hoover and Jacob Farmer. Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar guest stars.
The season five cast is led by Rose McIver as Olivia “Liv” Moore. Malcolm Goodwin is Clive Babineaux, Rahul Kohli is Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti, Robert Buckley plays Major Lilywhite, David Anders is Blaine DeBeers, Aly Michalka is Peyton Charles, and Bryce Hodgson is Don E.
The “Dead Lift” Plot – KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR GUEST STARS — Liv (McIver), on fitness guru brains, and Clive (Goodwin) continue investigating a murder with no body and no evidence. Meanwhile, Peyton (Michalka) approaches councilman Zed (guest star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) with a request but doesn’t get the answer she was hoping for. Lastly, Liv surprises Major (Buckley) with a thoughtful gesture just when he needs it the most.
The Season 5 Plot:
“In season 5 of iZombie, our heroes try to keep the peace in the zombie state that is New Seattle, but with starving zombies on one side, and terrified humans on the other, they’ll have their work cut out for them. Liv faces off with the U.S. military trying to prevent her from bringing the sick and dying into Seattle to give them a lifesaving scratch. Major, now the head of Fillmore Graves, has to worry about dissent in the ranks dissatisfied with his warmhearted treatment of humans. Peyton, still the acting mayor, will use her power to attempt to make the rest of the world see Seattle as something other than a lawless wasteland. Ravi will work tirelessly on a cure that may be the only thing that can stave off widespread violence. And through it all, Liv and Clive will continue to solve the murder cases that come across Clive’s desk, the murders themselves becoming more and more tied to the societal breakdown taking place all around them.”
“Thawne’s plans have plans,” says Ralph (Hartley Sawyer) as he tries to figure out what Thawne’s plan is in 2049 and how the timeline they’re in now in 2019 doesn’t make sense in season five episode 21 of The CW’s The Flash.
The episode begins in 2049 as Thawne’s countdown clock reaches zero. The guard’s gloating to Thawne that his time is up and that it’s the very lightning that created him that will kill him. The guard asks how he feels about that and Thawne (Tom Cavanagh) smirks and replies, “Time will tell.”
In 2019, Cicada II (Sarah Carter) is working on the cryoatomizer to turn it into the weapon to kill all metas. She keeps seeing her uncle and hearing him encourage her by saying they need to finish what they started.
At S.T.A.R. Labs, Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) explains to Team Flash just how Cicada II plans on turning the cryoatomizer into the weapon she needs. She also describes the parts she’ll need to make it work. Joe (Jesse L. Martin) suggests Caitlin start making more of the metahuman cure and heads out with Cecile (Danielle Nicolet) to the CCPD to get Capt. Singh to agree to having the metas who want to take the cure show up at the station. Caitlin will administer it there.
Cisco (Carlos Valdes) tests the Mirror Gun to see if it will be able to destroy Cicada II’s dagger. It works!
Over at the CCPD, Singh (Patrick Sabongui) agrees to Joe’s idea but says he needs to talk the mayor and other political heads into it. To speed up the plan, he’s putting Joe in charge while he’s at City Hall.
Sherloque (Cavanagh) checks on Renee Adler (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) who hasn’t been replying to his texts. He reveals he knows her big secret…that she’s a meta. Cicada II flies in and her dagger lights up. She heads towards Sherloque and Renee who start running while Sherloque sends a distress message to Team Flash on his phone. The Flash (Grant Gustin) and XS (Jessica Parker Kennedy) speed off to take on Cicada II.
While running XS’s lightning turns red and she starts to connect with Cicada II’s mind. The Flash and XS arrive and throw lightning at Cicada II. She flies off, avoiding it. Sherloque tells Renee he loves her and has a way to save her from Cicada II.
At S.T.A.R. Labs, Cisco explains Cicada II stole a quantum tunnel converter which can covert dark matter energy into practical energy. This will super-charge the cryoatomizer making it deadly to metas all over the world and the multiverse. She still needs a hyper-conduit for the machine to work. Ralph asks Nora where she would find one in the future and she mentions a name that Cisco recognizes, his slacker roommate in college. Cisco searches Central City using the computers and finds his latest location. The Flash speeds over but instead of finding the hyper-conduit, he finds a bomb left by Cicada II ticking down. The Flash speeds away just missing being blown up in the explosion.
Nora admits to Barry and Iris (Candice Patton) that when she and Barry were racing over to save Sherloque, she found herself in Cicada’s mind – just like before. She believes if she uses the mind device Caitlin used to communicate with Killer Frost, she can find Cicada II’s location. Barry and Iris say no, that’s it’s too dangerous. They decide she’s benched for now.
Ralph brings up the timeline and all its changes to Barry, Iris, and Cisco. He’s concerned about what Thawne’s plan is. Barry and Iris wave it off saying they need to focus. A little later Ralph tries again, asking them to just hear him out. Ralph points out that all the time-jumping with Nora and Cicada II leaves too many unanswered questions. And, what about the dagger? Barry, who doesn’t seem to think what Ralph’s saying is important, again waves it off. He thinks they need to focus on the here and now to stop Cicada II.
Iris talks to Barry and wonders if they did the right thing benching Nora. He confirms they did, reminding her it’s their job as parents to protect her. Nora, who was vibrating so fast they couldn’t see her, hears the conversation and decides to once again go rogue and do what she wants. (When will she learn?! It’s because of her and Thawne that Team Flash is in this mess and she still acts like a bratty teenager hellbent on doing what she wants.)
At the CCPD the growing crowd is growing scared and impatient. Renee shows up with Sherloque to receive the cure and the crowd starts to get out of control. Everyone looks to Joe for leadership, but he panics and says he needs a minute. Cecile talks to Joe and he admits he’s overwhelmed by being the top cop in charge. Cecile reminds him of how many times Barry, Iris, Nora, and even Ralph have come to him asking for his help and advice. She assures him that he can handle it, that he has it in him. Joe returns to the lobby and calms everyone down by taking charge and talking sense to them.
An alert goes off at S.T.A.R. Labs and Barry and Iris find Nora using the mind device to try to locate Cicada II. She’s surrounded by red lightning and her eyes are red. Barry speeds over, avoiding all the red lightning and removes the device from Nora’s head. She passes out.
Barry and Iris scold Nora, pointing out she could have accidentally revealed their location to Cicada II. Nora won’t be talked down and she reminds Barry and Iris she’s not a kid but an adult and they need to back her up, not protect her.
Sherloque finds Renee, who left during the chaos in the lobby, and she admits she doesn’t want to lose her powers. She loves being a meta (she has the power of telekinesis) and refuses to live in fear of Cicada II. Sherloque tells her about the multiverse and says he can send her to his Earth until the threat is over, that way she’s safe. Renee asks him to come with her but he says he must stay and help defeat Cicada II because Team Flash has become a family to him. Renee and Sherloque kiss and realize just how much chemistry is between them. Sherloque sends Renee through a breach to his Earth.
Barry and Iris talk it over and inform Nora they’re going to help her. Barry and Cisco rework what they used to try to trap Thawne in season one – now called “Thawne Trap 2.0” – for Nora to use to connect with Cicada II’s mind. Nora goes in and sees Cicada II has completed the deadly device. She and Cicada II talk and Nora realizes all the rage and anger she’s feeling causes her lightning to go red while she’s connected to Grace is actually from Grace. It’s not her. Nora tells Grace she can’t let her use the device and she sees that Cicada II is in the CCPD parking lot with the device. Nora tells Team Flash Cicada II’s location.
At the CCPD, Cicada II crashes into building through the skylight with her meta-killing device. Joe tells the cops to get everyone out. He draws his gun but Cicada II knocks him out with the power of her dagger. Barry, Cisco, and Ralph head to CCPD.
Cicada II sets up her weapon, putting her dagger in it as Killer Frost hits her with a cold blast. The Flash speeds in and super power punches Cicada II, knocking her out. “Nice punch,” says Frost to The Flash. Elongated Man and Vibe breach through and Ralph asks what’s the plan.
Cisco realizes if he tries to breach the weapon to a dead Earth, it could go off because it’s already armed and primed. He tells the team he has to find a way to deactivate it and asks Nora and Iris through his comms to bring up the blueprints. The Flash tells him they’ll keep Cicada II busy and Frost makes an ice barricade to keep Cisco safe.
Cicada II gets up and Ralph asks what she plans to do since she doesn’t have her dagger. “Oh, I don’t need a dagger to kill you. I didn’t have it until I came to this time,” replies Cicada II. This surprises Ralph. The fight is on with Cicada II using most of her power to knock out The Flash. She then takes on Killer Frost and Elongated Man in a well-choreographed and exciting fight sequence. Being able to knock out all three (this was hard to believe since Killer Frost and The Flash have proven to be an almost unstoppable team earlier in the season), Cicada breaks through the ice barricade using poor, knocked out The Flash. She smiles in victory as she walks over to Cisco who has just finished deactivating her device. Enraged, she’s about to kill Cisco but he’s saved in the nick of time by The Flash speeding over and knocking out Cicada II again.
Frost prepares to throw the dagger over so The Flash can use the mirror gun and destroy it. This is when Ralph’s mind quickly starts to put the pieces of information about everything involving Cicada, Cicada II, the daggers and Thawne from 2049 together. Ralph now knows Cicada II didn’t get her uncle’s dagger until she arrived in 2019 because someone else had it in the future. Like a lightning bolt, Ralph comes to the realization the dagger is being used in the future to keep Thawne’s powers at bay. The scene switches to Thawne being wheeled, Hannibal Lecter-style, to his execution and the guards remove a metal plate from his chest which reveals the dagger. Thawne smiles.
Back to 2019 and Frost tosses the dagger while The Flash aims the mirror gun. “Don’t shoot it!” yells Ralph as Barry fires the gun. Cut to black.
The Flash Season 5 Episode 21 Review:
Intense and revealing, episode 21 titled “The Girl with the Red Lightning” has Team Flash – Flash, Killer Frost, Vibe and Elongated Man – taking on Cicada II in the field and finally reveals the real reason Thawne was helping Nora all this time. It also ends on an exciting cliffhanger with Thawne possibly escaping his fate if they did in fact destroy the dagger.
The episode still had a few scenes which slowed the momentum building up to the big showdown. All the scenes with Barry and Iris trying to protect Nora and her going rogue were unnecessary and repetitious. It’s way too late in the season to still be figuring out the parenting rules for young adult Nora, and it’s something that has already been pretty much handled in the last few episodes.
A big plus was focusing on the intellect of Cisco, which saves the day more than his powers as Vibe, as he deactivates the meta-killing device. Another strong element was finally giving Tom Cavanagh and Kimberly Williams-Paisley a few scenes together as Sherloque and Renee. The two have solid chemistry and play off each other nicely.
With Cicada II stopped and Reverse Flash possibly free and on the loose, it seems Team Flash may have just stopped one villain but just helped release the worst foe they have ever gone up against.
After a massive #SaveLucifer social media campaign, Netflix breathed new life into Lucifer following its demise by Fox. Yes, Lucifans did have to patiently wait for a year for the fourth season, but thanks to the streaming service the Devil and his friends are back with more witty clips and sexy shenanigans.
Lucifer season three ended with Chloe finally understanding her partner, Lucifer Morningstar, is the Lucifer Morningstar. He only told her this every single day, but the detective refused to believe what was staring her in the face. Season four picks up a couple of months after the season three finale, with Lucifer unsure how Chloe is handling this shift in their professional and personal relationships.
All 10 episodes of season four were released for binging on May 8, 2019.
Recap of Season 4 Episode 1 “Everything’s Okay”
Thank you Lucifer writers for starting off season four with Tom Ellis at the piano! The sexy Devil’s pouring his heart out – and depressing his Lux customers – by singing “Creep” by Radiohead. Rapid shifts in Lucifer’s attire clue us into the fact he’s tinkling the ivories every night with this song.
Luci seems to feel the title describes him to a T. Poor Luci! The Devil’s having a devil of a time in the aftermath of showing Detective Chloe Decker his true face.
Someone in the club finally puts an end to “Creep” by holding a gun to Lucifer’s not as neatly coiffed as usual head. It turns out the gunman and his partners aren’t music critics, they’re out for revenge. The gunman’s the thief Lucifer left in the desert and he’s not at all pleased to have been set out to wander in the heat without his stolen Brinks truck.
When Lucifer bends his gun like it’s made of butter, lifts him a foot off the floor, and flashes his red eyes, the gunman decides maybe he didn’t hallucinate Lucifer’s angel wings. His fellow masked gunmen fire but of course the bullets don’t faze Luci. He’s too busy wondering if Chloe felt the terror this gunman’s feeling right now when she realized who he is. He works out his issues while informing the robbers (and thus the audience) that Chloe’s been gone on vacation for a month. She left after seeing his face and they’ve yet to discuss how she feels.
Lucifer continues working out his own problems by loading the gunman up with gold bars and stacks of cash. When he whips off his pants and shows off his buttocks (thanks to Netflix, again, for picking up this series), the gunman’s had more than enough.
Maze (we’ve really missed Lesley-Ann Brandt and her wicked humor) shows up as the gunman scurries away. She wonders if Luci’s holding a grudge since she tried to kill him, but he’s over that. She also wonders if he wants her to track down Chloe, and Luci suggests she has an ulterior motive for wanting to find the detective: she wants to apologize to Trixie.
Lucifer admits he’s reached the point where he wonders if Chloe will ever return.
Cleaned up and presentable once more, Luci shows up at a crime scene and is immediately told to go home by Detective Douche/Dan (Kevin Alejandro) who’s in a lovely – and by that I mean completely pissed off – mood. Luci reminds Dan he has no authority over him and pushes his way in, as Lucifer’s wont to do.
Ella (Aimee Garcia) suggests Dan’s mood is rotten because he’s still mourning Charlotte. Lucifer, as always, makes it about himself, declaring he’s not going to be a scapegoat for what he believes is not his fault.
Ella’s also not quite herself and the reason why turns out to be she’s still on the outs with God. When Ella asks if Luci wants the details on the crime scene, Lucifer admits he’s done with the consulting work. Of course, that’s when Chloe (Lauren German) shows up unexpectedly acting as if nothing’s wrong. She makes eye contact with Luci but really only engages in conversation with Ella who’s going over the evidence. Their victim is a beekeeper named Bob who was killed by a honey scraper.
Chloe interviews Bob’s wife and she claims no one wanted to hurt him. As they talk, Luci hovers over Chloe and stares at her as if she’s lost every last one of her marbles. Chloe’s forced to break off her questioning to speak with her partner.
Chloe claims to be okay and her vacation in Europe gave her time to come to terms with what she saw. Chloe, who for three seasons displayed an annoying lack of detective skills when it came to Lucifer, admits he’s always told her the truth. “I think deep down I always knew,” she says. She also assures Luci, while wearing a super fake smile that never reaches her eyes, she just wants to get back to work.
Lucifer’s reply once she walks away: “What the f……?!” It’s Netflix but apparently they’ll be keeping the show PG language-wise as the Lucifer theme plays over the F-word. A tease of R but that line’s not crossed yet.
Lucifer pays a visit to everyone’s favorite therapist, Dr. Linda (Rachael Harris). He’s decided Chloe is in denial and that’s why she’s not reacting to his true self. When Linda asks what he wanted to happen, Lucifer gets all defensive. She believes he wanted Chloe’s rejection because he refuses to talk about his Devil face. He blows that off, saying it’s back because he killed a human for the first time.
The ever-intuitive doctor knows that’s his father’s rule, not Luci’s. He’s now self-actualized and is likely punishing himself by bringing forth his Devil face. She wonders if he’s punishing himself for enjoying killing a human and that’s why he sees himself as evil.
Luci continues to be one of the worst patients ever, refusing to accept Linda’s theory. She asks him to consider Chloe’s actually fine with him, but Lucifer’s taking the glass half empty approach to Chloe’s reaction.
“So you’re saying I should just act as if everything is as she claims and slowly poke at her denial and find a way to pop the bubble?” asks Lucifer, not listening to anything Linda’s saying. (Dr. Linda continues to have the patience of a saint.)
Lucifer shows up at the police station and delivers an “I am the Devil blah blah blah” speech to Ella. She can’t keep a straight face and doesn’t understand how he stays in character. Lucifer adds that Amenadiel’s an angel and Ella replies, “Does he have wings?” Lucifer responds truthfully but Ella thinks he’s just a barrel of laughs.
Chloe, on the other hand, looks ready to send him off to a solitary, padded cell. Lucifer wonders why Ella won’t accept he’s telling the truth and Chloe finally has enough, squashing the conversation before Lucifer does something to prove he’s telling the truth.
Back to the case… Dead beekeeper Bob couldn’t have been killed by his own scraper because it had another company’s honey on it. Maybe a rival wanted to destroy Bob’s hive and wound up killing him.
Chloe and Lucifer head off to find Bob’s competition at a farmer’s market. Luci’s all giddy about the fact Chloe’s now in on the joke and can watch the other humans “twist themselves into pretzels” trying to figure out what he’s telling them. Chloe thinks it’s a bit mean since the humans are left trying to figure out Lucifer’s metaphors because no one would truly believe he’s literally the Devil walking the earth.
Luci gets in the same dig I did earlier in this recap, pointing out she’s just smarting from not figuring out he was always telling the truth about his identity.
Chloe finds the Pure Honey stall and it’s possible they were pissed about another honey company showing up on their turf. Lucifer’s ready to get his mojo on, asking Chloe if since now she knows the truth, she wants to really watch him in action. She does.
Luci asks Glenn, the Pure Honey owner, what he really wants. He admits he wants Bob to die because he’s terrified of him. Glenn didn’t realize Bob’s truly dead, but he’s happy now because he can relax. He confesses he destroyed Bob’s beehive but he didn’t kill him. However, Bob did show up at Glenn’s door a few hours after the beehive was destroyed. He beat Glenn with a bag of doorknobs, sending Glenn off to the hospital.
Chloe and Lucifer walk through the farmer’s market discussing what they’ve just learned, and Chloe realizes they’re being followed by a guy with a gun. Lucifer offers to show off his devilish strength, but Chloe believes it’s easier if she just shows the guy her gun. Lucifer’s disappointed he doesn’t get to learn just how far he can toss a human, and Chloe – surprisingly – gives in.
Lucifer holds the guy by the throat up against the wall. Chloe demands he stop once she spots the badge on the stranger’s belt. It turns out Bob was in witness protection, according to U.S. Marshal Luke Reynolds (Sasha Roiz). (Roiz is no stranger to the world of supernatural creatures after six seasons on Grimm.)
Luke was in charge of watching over Bob who, as it turns out, had the nickname Bob the Knob. (Insert inappropriate Lucifer chuckle here.) Bob was a mob enforcer who used a bag of doorknobs to beat people. His murder could have been a hit placed on him by the mob since members of the Paradiso mob are in town and they could have done the job. However, there’s no way they’ll talk to the cops.
Luke doesn’t understand when Lucifer says they might, given that Chloe has the Devil at her side. Chloe decides it might actually be fun being in the know.
Investigation done for the day, Chloe heads home and is surprised to see Maze in her living room. Maze has handcuffed herself so Chloe won’t be scared. It’s a good-faith gesture, according to the demon. Maze swears she would never hurt Chloe and Chloe is sure she’s telling the truth. The moment of good faith is broken when Maze easily breaks the handcuffs, admitting they were on just to make Chloe feel comfortable.
Poor Auntie Maze is disappointed to learn Trixie is at Dan’s place. She’s heartbroken to learn Trixie’s still upset with her and needs more time.
Luci also returns home to discover he’s not alone. Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside), wings spread in all their glory, wants to make sure Luci knows angels have control over themselves. He’s also there to gloat and drink with his bro. They both agree Charlotte deserved a first-class ticket to Heaven, and Lucifer compliments his brother for flying her straight to the Silver City.
Luci’s happy for his sibling since now he can return to the Silver City, something he’s been wanting since he came down to earth. But, Luci’s also a bit confused as to why Amenadiel didn’t just stay in Heaven when he delivered Charlotte.
Luci reveals Chloe knows the truth now. Amenadiel can’t believe Chloe’s fine with it and volunteers to stay and make sure everything’s okay. Luci assures Amenadiel it is and that he can go back to where he belongs.
Tom Ellis and Lauren German in season 4 (Photo Credit: John P. Fleenor/Netflix)
Chloe and Lucifer continue the hunt for Bob the Knob’s killer, showing up at a ritzy outdoor party to interrogate Frank the Pool Boy. Frank claims it’s just a coincidence he’s in LA and hasn’t seen Bob since he testified. Luci, using actual detective skills, figures out he’s lying because there’s a jar of Bob’s honey on the table.
Frank confesses they found out Bob was in LA, but he claims not to harbor any ill feelings toward the guy who put his uncle away for 50 years. Apparently, everyone hated the uncle anyway. And it turns out they’re in LA to warn Bob that someone squealed on him and revealed his whereabouts to the mob.
It’s not exactly a dead end but close to it. As they’re walking and talking, Lucifer places his hand on Chloe’s shoulder. She jerks away and lets out a gasp as if touched by someone who scares her to death. She blows it off, saying she was startled but Lucifer’s obviously confused by her reaction.
Back at the station, Chloe informs U.S. Marshal Luke Reynolds that Frank the Pool Boy’s alibi checked out. Luke’s sure it was the mob who killed Bob, and Chloe wonders if Bob’s wife, Lenore, knew about his past. Luke isn’t sure because he’s never met her. Plus, Bob was supposed to keep it a secret.
Chloe puts two and two together and figures out Lenore did know because Frank acted like he knew her. If that’s true, then she may have read the note.
Although Dan and Lucifer aren’t best buddies at this particular moment in time, Lucifer turns to Dan to learn why a woman would recoil at a man’s touch. He’s certain Dan knows from personal experience. Dan doesn’t want to play Lucifer’s game anymore, saying they’re no longer friends. However, he decides to Lucifer’s question.
“It means that they hate you. That they want you as far away from them as possible because your very touch makes them recoil in disgust,” says Dan. Lucifer’s shocked, realizing he was right and Chloe was lying about accepting his Devil face.
Lucifer turns to Dr. Linda for help, again, because Chloe’s in denial. Linda gives him a suggestion which he twists into Chloe projecting her issues on the case, which means he needs to use the case to help her understand her feelings. “And in so doing understand your own feelings as well,” adds Linda. Lucifer brushes off that suggestion.
With Lucifer off visiting Dr. Linda, Chloe partners up with Dan to talk to Lenore. She apologizes for not being there for him when he was dealing with the loss of Charlotte. She offers to cover if he needs some time off, but Dan thinks work is the best therapy right now.
Dan and Chloe find Lenore’s front door cracked open. There’s no one inside when they enter. A team’s called out to go over the place, and Dan reports the neighbors saw her leave alone, in a hurry and carrying a gym bag.
Maybe she wrote the note and then killed her husband. Lucifer pops in, asking if maybe the truth about Bob drove her away. Luci suggests she might have felt horror or disgust, and Chloe knows he’s talking about their situation. Chloe decides to go with it, saying Lenore might have felt confused, betrayed, or scared.
Chloe then returns to the case, asking what Lenore took in the bag. Just your normal toiletries says Ella, plus her wedding album. That’s a weird thing to pack if you murdered your husband.
Dan reveals the footage from the farmer’s market shows Frank the Pool Boy did visit the stall once, and Marshal Luke Reynolds visited it a couple of times. Once he even spoke to Lenore, which contradicts what Luke told Chloe.
Meanwhile, Maze turns to Dr. Linda – her BFF – to figure out what to do about reconnecting with Trixie. Linda’s acting bizarre, pacing the floor like a caged animal. However, she’s in a good mood and has tons of energy. In fact, she thinks a little fight time with Maze might be just what they need. Linda punches Maze in the face just as Amenadiel walks in. He wrongly assumes they’re fighting over him and just as quickly realizes that’s not true.
Amenadiel truly needs his own session as he’s confused about why he didn’t remain in the Silver City. It felt different this time – not like home. Maze says it felt different because this is his home.
At the station, Ella and Chloe try and trace Luke’s phone while Lucifer snacks away on honey. Dan’s learned that two of the ex-cons Luke was protecting have died in the last few years. Luke apparently lets enemies know where the people in his charge in witness protection are hiding. This time he must have done his own killing and Lenore probably ran because Luke told her she was in danger.
They finally get a hit on Luke’s phone and track him to the pool at a recreation center. He’s copying Frank the Pool Boy’s MO to frame him, and Lucifer and Chloe arrive as he’s about to shoot Lenore and leave her in the pool.
Luke swears he’s not the bad guy; the criminals in witness protection deserved what they got. Lenore’s not an innocent since she forgave Bob when she learned about his past. Lucifer warns him it’s not his job to punish people, it’s his. Luke gets off a shot that goes through Lucifer’s hand. (Remember, he can be injured if he’s near Chloe.)
Chloe rescues Lenore from the pool and Lucifer follows Luke into the parking lot. When Luke attempts to drive away, Luci grabs the rear of the car and keeps it from leaving. Luke yells, “Jesus!” in surprise and Luci quips back, “Not quite.”
Lucifer rushes off as Chloe arrests Luke.
Over at the station, Maze drops off a bad guy and sees Trixie waiting at a desk. She apologizes to Trixie and Trixie rushes into her arms. “I know, dummy,” says Trixie. They hug some more as Maze realizes it was Chloe keeping them apart.
Amenadiel also shows up at the station to have a chat with Dan. He wonders why Dan lives in LA and Dan says it’s the food, the ocean, and the people he’s met that he cares about. Amenadiel admits it’s now his home, too, and he’s going to stay.
“She’s in Heaven, Dan,” says Amenadiel. Dan can barely keep it together as he tells Amenadiel not to say that. Amenadiel commands Dan to look at him and says it again, this time while his palm is resting on Dan’s chest. Dan believes him and lets out a deep breath before hugging Amenadiel. “Somehow I believe you,” he says, shoulders finally relaxed and with tears in his eyes.
Luci’s back at his place in a rotten mood. He’s at the piano when Chloe shows up, smiling. She takes a seat next to him and wants to talk about what she saw. Luci’s emotional as he says his monster side is not all that he is. (Chloe had better realize that after everything he’s done for her!)
Luci doesn’t believe it’s fair for him to just expect her to accept it. “What I saw was my partner,” says Chloe, taking hold of his hand. Lucifer can’t believe it because if Chloe can accept him, that’s all that matters.
Chloe is not telling the truth. I repeat…Chloe is not telling the truth. Later that night she enters a church, sits in a pew, and sobs. Father Kinley (Graham McTavish) sits next to her and reminds her she knew it would be difficult. But, it’s the best thing for everyone on earth.
The episode ends with Father Kinley asking if she’s ready for the next step.
The South Korean boyband BTS kicked off their sold-out “Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” US stadium tour Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Fans of all ages were there well before the concert was to start, lined up to get into the venue or to buy merchandise. By the size and length of the lines one would think they were queued up for a ride at Disneyland. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was abuzz with anxious, happy, and excited fans.
Once inside, the mood intensified. On the jumbo screens BTS’ music videos were being played and fans were singing along, cheering, and even doing the fan chants.
Right away the group came out hard. BTS opened with “Dionysus,” a rock-pop song with insanely good and very fast-paced choreography. I thought surely they would slide into a slower song just to catch their breath, but definitely not; they went straight into one of their older songs, “Not Today,” with massive choreography.
Throughout the concert BTS sang songs off several of their albums including their latest, number one on the Billboard 200 chart, Map of The Soul: Persona. Plus, each member came out and sang their solo songs. These songs were also part of the “Love Yourself” tour (which kicked off last August in South Korea), but each performance was different from the last tour. During Jungkook’s solo performance this time around he suddenly stopped doing his choreography and was strapped to a device that lifted him high in the sky, flying over the audience all the while still singing.
At the end of member RM’s solo of “Trivia: Love,” holographic hearts appeared, giving off the illusion he was the one writing out these hearts which eventually spelled out “Love you! LA.”
Each performance brought out a lot of energy, not just from BTS but the crowd as well. The show headed to a close as RM announced it was their last song. They then performed their hit “Mic Drop,” the remix version that features Steve Aoki. The performance included the dance break that got the crowed in an excited frenzy.
After leaving the stage, “Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” filled the jumbo screens and Armys were waiting for the encore to begin. Soon after, BTS came back on stage to their fun song about a super hero, “Anpanman,” which included a giant inflatable slide and other inflatables the members had fun jumping around on.
Much too soon the concert was coming to an end but not before each member delivered a speech in which they shared their thoughts and feelings regarding the concert and their fans. After teasing V about his speech, which earned a laugh from the crowd, RM began his speech by stating, “Something was wrong with my ear piece, something was wrong with my head set, something was wrong with my Dr. Strange ring.” After the Dr. Strange comment earned a laugh from the crowd, I thought about the other things he said and I personally could not tell he was having problems with any of that; it goes to show what professionals they really are.
They ended the night on a high note almost quite literally with their song “Mikrokosmos,” a song written for the fans. The members walked around saying their good-byes to the crowd and soon after they took their final bows (both with their back-up dancers and then just the band) until they were eventually lowered under the stage, followed by a beautiful display of fireworks that left the crowd in awe.
The first stop on their “Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” concert tour confirmed the members of BTS are certainly great showman who know how to put on an epic two-and-a-half-hour show. It was truly remarkable to see a Korean boyband who sing 90% in Korean selling out a stadium in the US to diverse fans from all different ethnicities, different genders, and all ages.
“Love Yourself Speak Yourself” Set List:
Dionysus
Not Today
Outro: Wings
Trivia: Just Dance
Euphoria
Best of Me
Serendipity
Trivia: Love
Boy with Luv
Dope
Baepsae
Fire
Idol
Singularity
Trivia; Seesaw
Epiphany
The Truth Untold
Outro: Tear
Mic Drop
Anpanman
So What
Make It Right
Mikrokosmos
