The cast of the feature film, ‘What We Do in the Shadows.’
Jemaine Clement and Taiki Waititi’s critically acclaimed, award-winning comedy film What We Do in the Shadows has spawned a television series. FX confirmed they’ve ordered a first season of what will be a half-hour comedy series.
Jemaine Clement (star of Eagle vs Shark, Flight of the Conchords, Legion), Taiki Waititi (director of Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok), and Paul Simms (writer of The Larry Sanders Show, Divorce) are on board as executive producers. Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and Garrett Basch are also executive producing.
The series is set to star Matt Berry (House of Fools), Kayvan Novak (Four Lions), Natasia Demetriou (Year Friends), and Harvey Guillen (The Internship). FX is targeting a spring 2019 premiere of the 10 episode first season.
What We Do in the Shadows only gets better with age thanks to this brilliant adaptation for television by co-creators Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi,” said Nick Grad, President of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions. “Their feature version was a hilarious, fresh take on the mundanity of everyday life that even immortals must face. We are thankful to them, Paul Simms and Scott Rudin, and this amazing cast for taking us deeper into the shadows with this series.”
The 2014 feature film won the San Diego Film Critics Society’s Best Original Screenplay and Best Ensemble awards. It also won Denver Film Critics Society’s Best Comedy Film, Hawaii International Film Festival’s Best Narrative Feature, and Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness People’s Choice award. Additionally, the film won in New Zealand Film and TV Awards’ Best Supporting Actress (Jackie van Beek), Best Self-Funded Film, Best Production Design, and Best Sound categories.
The Plot: Set in New York City, What We Do in the Shadows follows three vampires who have been roommates for hundreds and hundreds of years.
Netflix has unveiled the first official promotional video featuring the opening sequence of season four of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. They also released five new photos from the upcoming fourth season of the critically acclaimed, award-winning comedy series.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt season four stars Ellie Kemper (The Office) in the title role. The cast of the award-winning half-hour comedy also includes Tituss Burgess (30 Rock, Smurfs: The Lost Village), Jane Krakowski (A Christmas Story Live!, 30 Rock), and Carol Kane (Gotham, Thanks for Sharing). Guest stars over the three seasons have included Tina Fey, Jon Hamm, Amy Sedaris, Josh Charles, David Cross, and Gil Birmingham.
The popular comedy was created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. Fey, Carlock, Jeff Richmond (30 Rock) and David Miner (30 Rock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) serve as executive producers.
Netflix has set a May 30, 2018 premiere date for the first six episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt season four.
The Opening Sequence and Plot Description: In the scene, Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) makes her way to her first day as HR manager at Giztoob, in the style of a 90’s Main Title Sequence, complete with a soundtrack of the original song, “Little Girl, Big City” sung by the multi-talented Jane Krakowski (music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Sam Means). The excitement of Kimmy’s new position in life reaches a record screeching halt when she arrives to the office and her first task is to fire someone. But have no fear…it will be done the Kimmy way.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows Kimmy Schmidt as she continues to adjust to the 21st century and learn more about who she really is. Joining Kimmy on her journey are her best friend and roommate, Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess); her former-employer-turned-friend Jacqueline White (Jane Krakowski); and landlord Lillian Kaushtupper (Carol Kane).
Tituss Burgess and Ellie Kemper in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ season 4.Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, and Tituss Burgess.Ellie Kemper in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ season 4.Jane Krakowski stars in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ season 4.Carol Kane and Ellie Kemper in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.’
Adan Canto and Kiefer Sutherland in ‘Designated Survivor’ season 2 episode 20 (ABC/Ben Mark Holzberg)
“I’m representing the family of Matthew Jennings,” says Ethan West (Michael J. Fox) to President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) who’s trying to negotiate the release of an American teenager in season two episode 20 of ABC’s political thriller, Designated Survivor.
The episode begins with a back tie benefit dinner and President Kirkman talking to the Ambassador of Bultan, hoping to get him to persuade the Prime Minister of his country to secure the release of Matthew Jennings (Gage Munroe). Matthew was arrested on a charge of graffiti. The ambassador makes it clear that without a trade it’s unlikely the teenager will be released. As the party continues, President Kirkman sees Ethan West who informs him that he’s now representing the mother of the teen.
Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci) meets with Kendra Daynes (Zoe McLellan) on the President’s choice for a judgeship, Steven Flannery, who back in the day was sort of a mentor to Kendra. Kendra’s excited and tells Flannery who’s hesitant to take the job.
Meanwhile, Agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) meets with the automotive entrepreneur and friend of President Kirkman, Dax Minter (Chris Butler), and seeks his help. She tells him she was fired by the President for looking into Frost (Kim Raver) but believes she’s the master hacker they’ve been after. She wants him to invite Frost to lunch to give her time to sneak into her house and find the evidence she needs. He asks why him, and she says because he has the best interests of the President in mind.
Back at the benefit dinner, the Ambassador to Bultan collapses and when Aaron Shore (Adan Canto) checks on him, he doesn’t have a pulse. Early the next day, the President and his staff talk about the death of the ambassador and how it will affect negotiations trying to get Matthew home.
Kirkman decides to have Secret Service Agent Mike Ritter (LaMonica Garrett) investigate who could have poisoned the ambassador. Even though he died of a heart attack, everyone agrees it smells of foul play.
Ritter teams up with Chuck Russink (Jake Epstein) to investigate the ambassador. Working together, they discover the ambassador had a lavish lifestyle and owned a ranch but seemed to have financial issues. They head to the ranch and talk to a man who believes he’s getting his money back from the ambassador who borrowed $2 million from him and invested it in horses.
Back at the White House, President Kirkman meets with Matthew’s mother and assures her that he’s doing everything possible to bring her son home.
In the press room, Seth Wright (Kal Penn) is handling the questions about Matthew when one of the reporters receives an alert that says Matthew has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Kirkman talks to the Prime Minister of Bultan to try to make a deal to get the kid out, and the Prime Minister wants an agreement signed giving Bultan control of the Pulu islands. Seeing no other option, Kirkman agrees to the deal. He opts not to listen to the reservations voiced by Aaron and Emily.
A problem comes up with Flannery while Kendra, Seth, and Emily are vetting him. It seems he was named in a sexual discrimination suit years ago at a law firm. Seth knows the woman who filed the complaint and offers to talk to her to see if it’s something they should be worried about.
Later, Seth meets with her and it turns out it was a different co-worker who she filed the suit against. But, she adds that Flannery knew about her being turned down for a promotion after turning down a date with a superior.
President Kirkman talks to Matthew via satellite and assures him he’s doing everything he can to get him home. Matthew confesses to Kirkman he’s ashamed of the events that landed him in prison. He knows he’s being used to blackmail America for his release and tells Kirkman not to give in to their demands. The video feed goes dark and Kirkman realizes he can’t go through with the deal and must find another way to get the young man home.
Meanwhile, Ritter and Chuck have discovered the true killer of the ambassador after catching him on video at a café where he swapped out the ambassador’s drink with a poisoned one. The murderer is the CEO of an active environmental firm and he despised the ambassador trying to sell his ranch because of what it would do to the very large oak tree on the property. The CEO had filed for court injunctions but failed.
Chuck rejoins Wells to help her sneak into Frost’s home while she has lunch with Dax. While Chuck monitors the lunch via computer feed, Wells searches the house and discovers a false wall in a closet. Behind the wall is a huge room with computers and large hard drives.
“It’s like NASA,” says Wells as they go about downloading the data in the master computer. Chuck warns Wells that “the subject” is leaving the lunch and heading home. The race is on for Wells to get all the data copied while the subject arrives home. Chuck keeps Wells updated and when the subject is about to enter the home, Wells takes the now 100% copied drive and escapes via the roof, unseen.
Kendra and Emily agree that the old claim shouldn’t stand in the way of the judgeship for Flannery. Kendra admits to Emily that back in the day she and Flannery had a hook-up but that it was consensual. Emily tells her it’s not a big deal and to go ahead and tell him he should be a lock for the judgeship.
Kirkman finds out from his staff that West is on all the media networks claiming the President is soft in dealing with Bultan and mocking the Prime Minister. Kirkman sends for West while asking his staff to do some digging. They discover that West knew Matthew’s aunt years ago and that he blames himself for her untimely death. She was stabbed to death waiting for him and he never showed up for their date.
Kirkman and West team up against the Prime Minister. Kirkman tells him that the Pulu island deal is off the table and that West is going to sue them because they destroyed much of the area’s resources. West tells the Prime Minister to google him and see what he’s up against, promising him he’ll make destroying Bultan financially his mission in life. The Prime Minister asks what they want and Kirkman tells him the release of Matthew. The Prime Minister reluctantly agrees. West thanks Kirkman for letting him help get the boy back safe, and Kirkman assures him everyone deserves a second chance.
Kendra meets up with Flannery who’s excited to become a judge.
Later, Kendra tells Emily she told Flannery it was a no-go and blamed the GOP. She admits to Emily that she’s not sure if she was coerced into the one-night stand with Flannery years ago because of his charm and her wanting his approval.
Kirkman meets with his friend Dax in the Oval Office and reveals Wells thought it was Frost who leaked the private conversation he had with her in the Oval Office to West. Kirkman had the Secret Service sweep the room for devices. They found one in the model car Dax gave him as a gift. It was Dax’s house Wells snuck into while he had lunch with Frost! Dax is the master hacker!
Kirkman asks him why he did it and Dax tells him he’s tired of the government and all of its sanctions and intrusions into his business. Wells walks in and reveals to Dax she was never fired and that they staged that conversation in the Oval Office so he would believe she was. Dax has been set up and played.
Later, Kirkman meets with Frost to thank her for all her help and friendship. She tells him she’s moving to San Francisco partly due to her new business enterprise. He wishes her the very best.
Wells meets with Chuck and they discover after a little digging that the person who killed Rennett is his former handler, Valeria (Nora Zehetner), who was actually trying to kill Wells.
In the last scene of the episode, Aaron meets up with Wells at a bar and tells her he cannot sanction her to go after Valeria because they are going to be doing business with the Russians. Wells gives Aaron her badge and FBI ID and walks out.
Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 20 Review:
Dramatic, suspenseful, and surprising, season two episode 20 titled “Bad Reception” finally reveals the identity and eventual capture of the master hacker via a sting operation on Dax conducted by the President, Wells, Frost, and Chuck. This was a smartly written episode showing just how bright and cunning Kirkman can be when pressed. It also shows once again how Kirkman is truly the President who knows how to take on corrupt foreign leaders to save American lives.
With Wells going rogue to hunt down Valeria and Kirkman about to go up against his former friend, President Moss, the season finale should be both intense and exciting.
AMC’s unveiled the official trailer for the upcoming series, Dietland, set to premiere on Monday, June 4, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT. The series will make its debut with back-to-back episodes, with season one consisting of 10 episodes.
Dietland comes from Marti Noxon (UnREAL, Mad Men) and is based on the bestselling novel by Sarai Walker. The series stars Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) and Joy Nash (The Mindy Project). The cast also includes Campbell Scott, Tamara Tunie, Alanna Ubach, Kelly Hu, Marc Blucas, Ami Sheth and Jen Ponton.
The Plot:Dietland is a wickedly funny and extraordinarily timed satire about Plum Kettle (Nash), a ghost-writer for the editor of one of New York’s hottest fashion magazines. Struggling with self-image and fed up with how she’s treated by her boss and society, Plum sets out on a wildly complicated road to self-awakening. At the same time, everyone is buzzing over news reports about men, accused of sexual abuse and assault, who are disappearing and meeting untimely, violent deaths.
Plum also finds herself in the middle of two warring factions—one sisterhood who may be responsible for the attacks on male harassers, and the other which preaches female empowerment. She straddles these two groups, trying to make sense of the changing world and her part in it.
Equal parts revenge fantasy and heartfelt journey to self-acceptance, Dietland is a darkly comedic story that explores a multitude of issues faced by women today – including patriarchy, misogyny, rape culture and unrealistic beauty standards.
Campbell Scott (House of Cards) plays Stanley Austen, a one-time industry titan whose influence and clout as the head of the Austen Media empire is threatened by a group of anonymous female terrorists. Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) plays Julia Clark, the wry, fast-talking keeper of Austen Media’s beauty closet. She is as good at keeping secrets as she is at hiding blemishes.
Alanna Ubach (Girlfriends Guide To Divorce) plays Marlowe Buchanan, a former famous sitcom star who lost her job when she returned from hiatus with a few extra pounds and her signature hair style lopped off. A fierce feminist activist and earth mother, she is one of Verena Baptist’s acolytes, and the author of Bangability Theory, a book about the sexualization of women. Kelly Hu (Arrow) is Abra Austen, Stanley’s wife. She is well-educated, well-mannered but a teensy bit bored and resentful of being considered Stanley’s trophy wife.
Marc Blucas (Underground) joins as Bobby, a New York City cop who is also Dominic’s ex-partner and friend. Ami Sheth (Blindspot) is Sana, an artist and acolyte of Verena Baptist (Robin Weigert). Serene despite her shockingly disfigured face, she is a model of self-acceptance for Plum Kettle (Joy Nash), who begins to understand that peace starts within and that inner peace is essential if you have to go to war. And Jen Ponton (30 Rock) is Rubi, a resident at Calliope House. She is colorful, exuberant and very opinionated.
The CW’s The 100 season five episode two concentrated on life inside the bunker. Octavia had her leadership tested by an open revolt and wound up slaying those who wouldn’t fall in line. The revolt, which was led by Skaikru member Kara Cooper (Kyra Zagorsky), was put down by Octavia and her people, with the help of Jaha. Unfortunately, Jaha was stabbed during the uprising and sacrificed his final hours to help Octavia.
Up next, season five episode three titled “Sleeping Giants” and airing on May 8, 2018. Tim Scanlan directed from a script by Aaron Ginsburg and Wade McIntyre.
The season five cast includes Eliza Taylor as Clarke Griffin, Paige Turco as Dr. Abigail Griffin, Bob Morley as Bellamy Blake, Marie Avgeropoulos as Octavia Blake, Lindsey Morgan as Raven Reyes, Christopher Larkin as Monty Green, Henry Ian Cusick as Marcus Kane, Richard Harmon as John Murphy, Luisa d’Oliveira as Emori, Chelsey Reist as Harper, and Tasya Teles as Echo.
The “Sleeping Giants” Plot: HOME — Bellamy (Morley) leads the charge investigating a potential way home. Meanwhile, Clarke (Taylor) and Madi (guest star Lola Flannery) deal with the new, uncertain threat to their home.
The Season 5 Plot: Over the last four seasons The 100 have fought to survive against unimaginable odds, only to see the world end for a second time. Season five begins six years later, with our heroes still separated: Bellamy’s team in space, Clarke on the ground, and hundreds trapped in the bunker below. But when a massive prison ship descends upon the last survivable place on earth, The 100 must come together to reclaim their home.
As two armies converge on one valley, alliances will shift, friends will become foes, and the march to war threatens to destroy all that’s left of the human race. Can our heroes break the cycle, or is humanity doomed to repeat the past? In this epic battle for survival, one thing is certain: there are no good guys.
Cinemax’s upcoming miniseries C.B. Strike is set to premiere on June 1, 2018 at 10pm ET/PT. The series is based on J.K. Rowling’s bestselling novels (written under the name Robert Galbraith) and was adapted by Tom Edge and Ben Richards, with Charles Sturridge, Michael Keillor, and Kieron Hawkes directing.
The cast of C.B. Strike includes Tom Burke, Holliday Grainger, Andrew Brooke, Emmanuella Cole, Matt King, Killian Scott, Martin Shaw, Tara Fitzgerald, Siân Phillips, Kerr Logan, Natasha O’Keeffe, Amber Anderson, Kevin Fuller, Ben Crompton, Sarah Sweeney, Tim McInnerny, and Sarah Gordy. The miniseries was produced in association with BBC One. J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and Elizabeth Kilgarriff executive produce.
In support of the miniseries’ upcoming premiere, Cinemax has released details on the plot, cast, and air dates.
The Plot: C.B. Strike is a war veteran turned private detective who operates out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street. Although wounded both physically and psychologically, his unique insight and background as a military police investigator prove crucial in solving complex crimes that have baffled the police.
C.B. Strike Episode Guide:
Episode #1: “The Cuckoo’s Calling (part 1)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
London, the dead of winter: Supermodel Lula Landry (Elarica Johnson) plummets to her death from the balcony of her Mayfair apartment. After an inquest concludes that she committed suicide due to the pressures of fame, her brother, John Bristow (Leo Bill), seeks Strike’s (Tom Burke) help in finding justice for his adopted sister. Despite Strike’s attempts to get DI Eric Wardle (Killian Scott) to reopen the case as a possible homicide, he is met with a brusque brush-off and left to his own means to prove otherwise. With Robin’s (Holliday Grainger) help, Strike conducts interviews with neighbors, friends and family of the victim, hoping to get to the truth.
Episode #2: “The Cuckoo’s Calling (part 2)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
After the sudden death of Lula’s friend Rochelle (Tezlym Senior-Sakutu), Strike (Tom Burke) decides to interrogate the rest of Lula’s friends. Strike questions Derrick Wilson (Brian Bovell), the concierge at Lula’s building, to determine his whereabouts when the supermodel died and discover how the potential killer escaped unnoticed. The unoccupied second-floor flat and a bouquet of white roses lead Strike to important conclusions.
Episode #3: “The Cuckoo’s Calling (part 3)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 15 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Robin (Holliday Grainger) visits a boutique where Lula shopped on the day she died, gathering key information from the salesperson who secretly recorded the celebrated model’s conversation with Rochelle. Strike’s (Tom Burke) tireless analysis of the CCTV footage and a clandestine search of Lula and Bristow’s family home lead him to two possible suspects and eventually point him in the direction of the actual killer.
Episode #4: “The Silkworm (part 1)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 22 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Strike’s (Tom Burke) new client, Leonora Quine (Monica Dolan), wants help tracking down her missing husband, the once-infamous Owen Quine (Jeremy Swift), a former bad boy of the London literary scene, now toiling away in relative obscurity. Strike’s first port of call is Liz Tassel (Lia Williams), Quine’s agent, still smarting from her client’s reckless behavior. She has dropped him from the agency after his bombastic, unpublished manuscript, “Bombyx Mori,” caused a stir in the industry with its slanderous, thinly disguised fabulist portrayals.
Episode #5: “The Silkworm (part 2)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JUNE 29 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
When Owen’s disemboweled body is discovered, Strike (Tom Burke) and Robin (Holliday Grainger) delve deeper into the hidden meanings and concealed secrets of “Bombyx Mori,” fighting to prove the innocence of his incarcerated widow (Monica Dolan). Strike invites Liz (Lia Williams) to lunch and gains insight into Andrew Fancourt (Peter Sullivan), Quine’s famous literary rival, and the feud between them. By looking more closely at the manuscript and putting the pieces of the puzzle together, the true author of an alternative version of “Bombyx Mori” – and the identity of the killer – are revealed.
Episode #6: “Career of Evil (part 1)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JULY 6 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Robin (Holliday Grainger) arrives at the office to accept a package from an impatient motorbike courier. Opening it, she is horrified to discover a severed leg inside, accompanied by famous song lyrics. Interpreting this as a vendetta against him, Strike (Tom Burke) begins to pull together a list of potential suspects from his past, any of whom may have sent the macabre delivery.
One of the names, Jeff Whittaker (Matt King), relates directly to Strike’s late mother, Leda (Kierston Wareing), and he asks his longtime friend Shanker (Ben Crompton) to help him track down the degenerate musician, while Robin begins to research all three suspects. Strike and Robin’s time-consuming, close-working relationship begins to rile her fiancé, Matthew (Kerr Logan), and the couple’s arguments become more frequent. Adding fuel to the fire, their investigation takes Strike and Robin to Barrow-in-Furness for an overnight stay.
Episode #7: “Career of Evil (part 2)”
Debut date: FRIDAY, JULY 13 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Strike (Tom Burke) visits several London strip clubs to find out more about Niall Brockbank (Andrew Brooke), who is one of the murder suspects. Robin’s (Holliday Grainger) relationship with Matthew (Kerr Logan) hits a low point and she questions her commitment to marriage. Strike begins to narrow his field of suspects, but the killer continues to taunt them, hitting close to home when he leaves a severed thumb in Robin and Matthew’s tea kettle. Outraged and determined to trap Brockbank, Robin, unbeknownst to Strike, pays Shanker (Ben Crompton) to lead her to Niall’s home, where she tries to question his girlfriend (Emanuella Cole). Brockbank returns home and Robin finds herself in a fight for her life.
Holliday Grainger and Tom Burke star in ‘C.B. Strike’ (Photo Credit: Cinemax)
The CW’s iZombie season four episode nine’s murder victim’s brain belonged to a rapper, giving Liv a chance to drop some hot rhymes. The episode also found Clive and Ravi involved in a highly competitive game of Dungeons and Dragons, and then ended with Liv and Peyton letting Ravi in on the big secret that Liv is Renegade.
Up next, season four episode 10 directed by Veronica Mars‘ Rico Colantoni. The episode was written by Chelsea Catalanotto and is set to air on May 7, 2018.
The cast of season four includes Rose McIver as Olivia “Liv” Moore, Malcolm Goodwin as Clive Babineaux, Rahul Kohli as Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti, Robert Buckley as Major Lilywhite, David Anders as Blaine DeBeers, Aly Michalka as Peyton Charles, Bryce Hodgson as Don E., Jason Dohring as Chase Graves, and Robert Knepper as Angus McDonough.
The “Yipee Ki Brain, Motherscratcher” Plot: RICO COLANTONI (VERONICA MARS) DIRECTS THE EPISODE — When Liv (Rose McIver) consumes the brain of a vice detective who doesn’t play by the rules, her newfound recklessness gets her into trouble. Meanwhile, Major (Robert Buckley) is coming really close to discovering Liv’s secret.
Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings and Amy Tribbey as Marilyn in ‘The Americans’ season 6 episode 6 (Photo by Jeffrey Neira/FX)
The relationship between Philip and Elizabeth continues to deteriorate in FX’s The Americans season six episode six. The episode airing May 2, 2018 begins with Philip (Matthew Rhys) at home and depressed when Elizabeth (Keri Russell) arrives. They barely speak and as she’s about to head up to bed, Philip tells her Stan came over upset over the death of a Russian couple in front of their child.
Elizabeth explains she didn’t kill them in front of the child and she didn’t realize he was in the apartment. Philip informs her the child saw his parents covered in blood. He also reveals he’s not going to set up Kimmy.
Elizabeth isn’t surprised, admitting she was sure he never intended to help. Philip, however, says he changed his mind. The tension is so thick you could slice it with a knife as Elizabeth accuses Philip of wanting to sleep with Kimmy because he wasn’t getting enough sex at home. She informs him she’ll take care of Kimmy. Philip doesn’t think that will happen since he warned Kimmy not to go to communist countries. Kimmy is off the table as a potential hostage.
Needless to say, they retire to separate bedrooms.
The tension level is also a bit high between Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich and Agent Dennis Aderholt (Brandon J Dirden) when Dennis asks Stan to come with him downstairs at FBI headquarters. Stan’s still upset about the murders of Gennadi Bystrov and Sofia Kovalenko. Dennis fills Stan in on a new development that’s a huge break for the FBI. Gennadi’s diplomatic pouch had a circuit board for a sensor that picked up radioactivity. There’s a plant that makes the sensor in Chicago and a plant in Newington. Dennis and the team have connected Elizabeth’s break-in at Newington and the murder of three security guards to Gennadi’s pouch. They know the robbery in Newington was unsuccessful. However, the FBI was able to uncover an engineer at the Chicago plant who admitted to being recruited by a man in a bar he had sex with.
The FBI set up another meeting between the engineer and the Russian spy. Dennis explains the Russian agent’s code name is Harvest and he runs an accounting business in Skokie. The FBI has a team on him, and Dennis reveals they’ve collected an incredible amount of material while watching this spy operate. They’re using that to track the rest of the Russian spies in the country.
Dennis has also tied together General Rennhull’s “suicide” with Gennadi and Sofia’s murders, and now this pouch. Plus, Oleg has returned for some unknown reason. The FBI is aware the Russians are trying to screw them while publicly acting like they’re negotiating for peace. Dennis is sure now’s the time for Stan to return to the hunt for Russians.
Elsewhere, Philip picks up Henry (Keidrich Sellati) from school. They talk about finals and school work, and then Henry brings up the subject of tuition. He doesn’t want to leave school and Philip assures him he’s doing everything possible to keep him in school. Henry volunteers to get a summer job, plus he’ll apply for a scholarship.
Henry also reveals he talked to his friend’s dad who’s very successful and wealthy about the travel agency. The man’s willing to offer suggestions on how to improve business and might even toss business Philip’s way. Philip hates to be seen as a failure, but eventually he understands Henry’s motivations.
Elizabeth takes a seat in a movie theater and makes small talk before a screening of Rififi. The young man who she sits next to appears to be a movie buff.
Back at the FBI, there are about 20 places in Chicago that are still being checked out as possible bases of Russian spies. Plus, they identified a safe house used by Harvest and realized that the person renting it pays utilities in advance. That could be a standard MO.
Dennis shares info on how Harvest gets around in multiple cars. He bought them through the classifieds with cash, legally, but used a fake ID for the registration. Dennis and his team have worked out a system for trying to find more cars bought with cash but using a fake name. He hands Stan a huge stack of paperwork to run through, telling him he can call in as many people as he wants to help him out.
Elizabeth and the young man discuss the film while standing outside the theater after the screening. They smoke and chat about film noir and foreign films, and Elizabeth asks if he wants to go with her to get pizza. He declines and leaves, saying he has to get up early.
At home that evening, Elizabeth’s outside smoking when Henry asks if he can have one. She’s about to offer him a cigarette when he tells her it’s just a joke. She admits she’s smoking more now than she used to, and then offers to make him dinner.
Philip’s at the table working on the books, but he leaves the room once Elizabeth starts working in the kitchen. The chill in the air is palpable.
The next morning Henry eats cereal with his dad. He wonders who’s sleeping in Paige’s room and Philip says it’s Elizabeth because she has to get up early. Instead of going to work, Philip takes time off and watches slot car races with Henry. Philip’s obviously tense (he yells f*ck when his car keeps crashing) and Henry wants to know what’s going on. Philip sort of admits he and Elizabeth have hit a rough spot, but then says everything is fine.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth is stalking the guy from the theater. She “accidentally” bumps into him on the Metro and asks what he does for a living. The young man reveals he’s an intern for a senator, and Elizabeth claims to know of the senator because her company helps with consulting and corporate strategizing. He seems sort of suspicious but continues talking to Elizabeth on the ride. She gives him her card and tells him they have a great management training program since he doesn’t want to go into politics. He introduces himself as Jackson and she tells him to give her a call.
Philip makes it into his office and he tells Stavos that he’s got to start letting people go. Unfortunately, the people getting the boot at Stavos, Lacy, and Steve. Stavos is understandably upset.
When Philip gets home, Elizabeth, Henry, and Paige are in the kitchen, cooking. Elizabeth’s called in to work and Philip takes over helping with the meal.
Elizabeth meets with Claudia (Margo Martindale) and learns that someone in Chicago sent an emergency signal. He knows he’s under surveillance and needs to get out. She also tells Elizabeth it has to do with what she met about in Mexico. Elizabeth informs Claudia that Philip won’t help with Kimmy.
Elizabeth returns home and packs. She and Philip are barely speaking at this point, and Elizabeth looks at Philip with a mix of disgust and dislike. She explains she needs to go to Chicago to help one of theirs who’s in trouble, telling Philip to figure out what to say to Henry about her leaving on Thanksgiving.
As Elizabeth’s leaving, Paige (Holly Taylor) asks if she can come. Elizabeth tells her it would be too suspicious.
Stan and Renee (Laurie Holden) are hosting Thanksgiving at their place, with Dennis and his wife, Janine (Eboni Booth), invited as well as the Jennings family. Philip makes up a big story about Elizabeth having to fly to Houston to fix a mix-up in ticketing for one of their biggest clients.
Stan makes a toast and says he’s grateful to be with friends and family. He goes on to talk about people in other countries who don’t want Americans to live in peace and freedom. He adds that some people don’t like our way of life and are afraid of it. It’s an interesting speech for a Thanksgiving dinner, and he has no idea how uncomfortable he’s made multiple guests at his table.
Later that evening, Philip’s in bed still dressed. He quietly goes downstairs and looks in their secret cabinet. He then drives over to one of their safe houses and looks through Elizabeth’s disguises. He pulls out a box with cash and passports, and then thumbs through the book of sketches. He takes out a pad and after stopping to consider his actions, begins writing.
He secretly stashes the note to Oleg in a drop spot.
In Chicago, Elizabeth and her associate, Marilyn (Amy Tribbey), go over plans on how to pick up the agent who’s in trouble. It’s a risky plan and Elizabeth thinks their chances of success aren’t great.
Noah Emmerich as Stan Beeman and Brandon J. Dirden as Dennis Aderholt in ‘The Americans’ season 6 episode 6 (Photo by Patrick Harbron/FX)
Back at work, Stan informs Dennis that he has 50 guys in seven offices working the phones on the cars that were sold. Dennis tells Stan they’re now looking at Russian Orthodox priests in the area since Harvest met with one in Chicago. (The noose is tightening.)
Henry’s at home when Elizabeth calls. She says she’s calling for him and they discuss the weather. They talk about school and favorite classes, and Henry fills her in on what’s happening. He admits he’s working on getting a girlfriend, and from Elizabeth’s face it’s apparent she’s not sure she’ll ever see her son again.
Philip arrives and he’s happy Henry hasn’t eaten the last piece of pie. Henry tells him his mom called and he thought talking about school and girls was weird. They never talk. He’s also worried about why she’s so unhappy. (That comment worries Philip.)
Oleg picks up Philip’s message. He returns to his hotel room with the coded message and begins deciphering it.
Philip calls Elizabeth from a pay phone. He’s worried about her and she admits everything is not all right. She says it’s a hard one and Philip asks if she might lose the client. “I’m not sure I can accomplish what I came here for without…” When he asks, “Without what?” she tells him she’ll handle it. Henry admits her handling it by herself these last few months hasn’t been working and this client isn’t worth it. She should just come home.
Elizabeth isn’t coming home so Philip agrees to help her. “Just sit tight. I’m on my way,” says Philip.
FX’s critically acclaimed dramatic series Snowfall will return to kick off season two on July 19, 2018. The network confirmed the second season will air on Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT.
In addition to announcing the premiere date, FX also released the first teaser trailer for the show’s upcoming second season.
Snowfall was created by John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood, Higher Learning, 2 Fast 2 Furious), Eric Amadio (After Sex, Stuntmen), and Dave Andron (Knight Rider, Justified, Past Life). Singleton, Amadio, Andron, Thomas Schlamme, Michael London, and Trevor Engelson are the executive producers, with Andron also serving as showrunner.
The cast of season two includes Damson Idris (The Commuter, Megan Leavey), Carter Hudson (The Night Of), Sergio Peris-Mencheta (La zona), and Emily Rios (From Dusk to Dawn: The Series).
Season one of Snowfall premiered on July 5, 2017. The first season averaged an impressive five million viewers.
The Season 2 Plot:Snowfall continues its riveting story about the infancy of the crack cocaine epidemic and its ultimate radical impact on the culture as we know it. Season two follows our ensemble of characters as they intersect and overlap within the mosaic of Los Angeles as we enter 1984, all of them working toward their ultimate goals of money, power and influence, including Franklin Saint (Idris), young street entrepreneur beginning to experience the perils of success; Teddy McDonald (Hudson), a CIA operative who finds that his off-book drug-funded operation may be vulnerable from unexpected sources, both personal and professional; and Gustavo “El Oso” Zapata (Peris-Mencheta) and Lucia Villanueva (Rios), the drug running couple who discover the potency of crack and try to exploit it, despite the new dangers involved.
Malcolm Mays as Kevin, Damson Idris as Franklin, and Isaiah John as Leon in ‘Snowfall’ season one (Photo by Mark Davis / FX)
Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett in ‘Empire’ season 4 (Photo by Chuck Hodes / Fox Broadcasting Co)
Fox has officially confirmed Empire has been renewed for a fifth season. The dramatic series is currently airing season four on Wednesdays as 8pm ET/PT, with this current season averaging 11.3 million viewers.
Empire was created by Oscar nominee Lee Daniels (Precious) and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (Game Change). The series is executive produced by Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken, Francie Calfo, Sanaa Hamri, Brett Mahoney, and Dennis Hammer.
The cast is led by Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Jussie Smollett, Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, Trai Byers, Grace Byers, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Serayah, Xzibit, Rumer Willis, Andre Royo and Terrell Carter also star in season four of the critically acclaimed series.
Season four guest stars include Demi Moore, Forest Whitaker, Alfre Woodard, Taye Diggs, and Phylicia Rashad.
“Empire is as compelling, emotional and unpredictable as it ever was,” said Michael Thorn, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “We are so proud of our amazing cast, led by Terrence and Taraji, who deliver powerful performances week after week. We’d also like to thank our tremendous creative team – Lee, Danny, Brett, Ilene, Sanaa, Brian and Francie – whose inspired storytelling continues to create the unforgettable, jaw-dropping OMG moments that have always been signature to Empire.”
The Season Four Plot:Empire’s explosive twists and turns resume, as Empire Entertainment embarks on a celebration of its 20th anniversary. Lucious (Terrence Howard) makes his first public appearance after the explosion in Las Vegas, and all members of the Lyon family, as well as Lucious’ nurse, Claudia (guest star Demi Moore), have their own interests in Lucious regaining his physical and mental faculties. While Lucious struggles with his recovery, Cookie (Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson) begins to revisit the most challenging time of her life – her 17 years in prison – in a series of flashbacks. Throughout the season, Lucious, Cookie and their three sons will be forced to take a hard look at their choices, both past and present, in order to secure their legacy and save their Empire.
In true Lyon fashion, season four will be filled with exciting new music, splashy events and high-profile guest stars. In addition to Moore’s return, Phylicia Rashad will reprise her role as Diana Dubois, who, along with her son, Angelo (returning guest star Taye Diggs), launches an elaborate plan to take revenge on the Lyons. Forest Whitaker also join the cast for a multi-episode arc as Eddie Barker, a charismatic music icon and Lyon family friend.
