‘Alexa & Katie’ earns a second season (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Netflix has officially confirmed they’re bringing Alexa & Katie back for a second season. Season one’s 13 episodes premiered on March 23, 2018 with Paris Berelc (Mighty Med, Lab Rats: Elite Force) and Isabel May starring as Alexa Mendoza and Katie Cooper, best friends who stick together through thick and thin.
Netflix’s first tween sitcom also stars Tiffani Thiessen (White Collar, Saved By The Bell) as Lori Mendoza, Alexa’s determined and protective mother. Emery Kelly (Lab Rats, Best Friends Whenever) is Lucas Mendoza, Eddie Shin (The Man in the High Castle, NCIS: Los Angeles) is Dave Mendoza, Jolie Jenkins (Liv and Maddie, One Day at a Time) is Jennifer Cooper, and Finn Carr (Peanuts, Fuller House) is Jack Cooper.
Katie & Alexa was created and executive produced by Heather Wordham (Hannah Montana, Reba). The first season was written by Wordham, Ray Lancon, Todd Linden, Kamon Naddaf, and Erin Wagoner, with Andy Cadiff, Jeff Melman, Trevor Kirschner, Katy Garretson, Victor Gonzalez, and Phill Lewis directing.
The Plot:Alexa & Katie, Netflix’s first fully produced tween sitcom, is a funny and heartwarming show about two best friends eagerly anticipating the start of their freshman year of high school. Despite the fact that Alexa (Berelc) is undergoing cancer treatment, her outgoing personality and enthusiasm for life never falter, especially with her loyal and awkwardly adorable best friend Katie (May) by her side. At times they’re left feeling like outsiders, during a period when what seems to matter most is fitting in.
The show’s star is Alexa and Katie’s friendship; whether it be at school, at home, or in the hospital, they are by each other’s side through thick and thin, serving as role models for modern-day female friendships.
Anson Mount joins season two of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ (Photo Credit: Moon Gang and Uni So)
CBS All Access has signed up Anson Mount for an important role in season two of the critically acclaimed sci-fi series, Star Trek: Discovery. According to the official announcement, Anson Mount will play Captain Christopher Pike of the U.S.S. Enterprise, “a character first introduced in the original Star Trek who led the famed ship prior to Captain James T. Kirk.”
The season one cast included Sonequa Martin-Green (‘First Officer Michael Burnham’), Doug Jones (‘Lieutenant Saru’), Jason Isaacs (‘Captain Gabriel Lorca’), Shazad Latif (‘Lieutenant Ash Tyler’), Anthony Rapp (‘Lieutenant Paul Stamets’), Michelle Yeoh (‘Captain Philippa Georgiou’), Mary Wiseman (‘Cadet Sylvia Tilly’), Chris Obi (‘T’Kuvma’), Mary Chieffo (‘L’Rell’), James Frain (‘Ambassador Sarek’), Rainn Wilson (‘Harry Mudd’), Terry Serpico (‘Admiral Anderson’), Maulik Pancholy (‘Doctor Nambue’), Damon Runyan (‘Ujilli’), Rekha Sharma (‘Commander Landry’), Kenneth Mitchell (‘Kol’), Clare McConnell (‘Dennas’), and Sam Vartholomeos (‘Ensign Connor’). Star Trek: Discovery is executive produced by Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Fuller, Heather Kadin, Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts, Akiva Goldsman, Rod Roddenberry, and Trevor Roth.
All episodes of the show’s first season are currently available via CBS All Access.
Anson Mount’s credits include Hell on Wheels, Mr. Right, The Forger, Supremacy, Straw Dags, Conviction, Third Watch, The Battle of Shaker Heights, City by the Sea, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, and Line of Fire. He was most recently seen starring as ‘Black Bolt’ in the comic book-inspired series, Inhumans.
The Plot:Star Trek: Discovery follows the voyages of Starfleet on their missions to discover new worlds and new life forms, and one Starfleet officer who must learn that to truly understand all things alien, you must first understand yourself. The series will feature a new ship and new characters, while embracing the same ideology and hope for the future that inspired a generation of dreamers and doers.
The Grammy-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls just announced their 2018 North American tour which will kick off on September 30th in Phoenix, Arizona. The “SiriusXM Presents: Goo Goo Dolls – Dizzy Up The Girl 20th Anniversary Tour” celebrates the band’s album which hit stores on September 22, 1998. The album marks one of the Goo Goo Dolls’ most successful albums, earning 4x platinum status and selling more than 6 million copies.
Per the official announcement, the Goo Goo Dolls will be performing the full Dizzy Up The Girl album during each concert stop. Singer John Rzeznik confirmed the band’s plans, saying, “I am incredibly excited to share this album in its entirety with our fans.”
Tour stops will include St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and San Diego. The tour will wrap up on November 18, 2018 in Las Vegas.
Ticket pre-sales begin on Tuesday, April 10 at 10am local time via the Citi cardmembers program. Fan Club and VIP Package pre-sales also begin on April 10 at 10:00am local time. General public tickets will be available beginning on Friday, April 13 at 10:00am local time.
Goo Goo Dolls – Dizzy Up The Girl 20th Anniversary Tour Dates
Sun., September 30 – Phoenix, AZ at The Van Buren
Tues., October 2 – Houston, TX at House of Blues
Wed., October 3 – Dallas, TX at House of Blues
Fri., October 5 – Saint Louis, MO at The Pageant
Sat., October 6 – Indianapolis, IN at Old National Centre
Sun., October 7 – Nashville, TN at Ryman Auditorium
Tues., October 9 – Atlanta, GA at The Tabernacle
Wed., October 10 – Charlotte, NC at The Fillmore Charlotte
Fri., October 12 – Philadelphia, PA at The Fillmore
Sat., October 13 – Washington, DC at The Anthem
Mon., October 15 – New York, NY at Beacon Theatre
Tues., October 16 – Red Bank, NJ at Count Basie Theatre
Wed., October 17 – Boston, MA at House of Blues
Fri., October 19 – Buffalo, NY at Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Sat., October 20 – Buffalo, NY at Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Sun., October 21 – Toronto, ON at Rebel Complex
Tues., October 23 – Detroit, MI at The Fillmore
Wed., October 24 – Grand Rapids, MI at 20 Monroe Live
Fri., October 26 – Chicago, IL at Chicago Theater
Sat., October 27 – Minneapolis, MN at State Theater
Sun., October 28 – Kansas City, MO at Uptown Theater
Tues., October 30 – Denver, CO at Paramount Theater
Thurs., November 1 – Salt Lake City, UT at The Depot
Sat., November 3 – Seattle, WA at The Paramount Theater
Thurs., November 8 – San Diego, CA at House of Blues
Fri., November 9 – Los Angeles, CA at Hollywood Palladium
Sat., November 18 – Las Vegas, NV at The Joint
Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer in ‘Preacher’ Season 3 Episode 2 (Photo by Alfonso Bresciani / AMC / Sony Pictures Television)
AMC’s announced a Sunday, June 24, 2018 premiere date for the third season of Preacher and the network’s released the first three official photos from the upcoming season. The trippy series based on the popular comic book series stars Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer, Ruth Negga as Tulip, and Joseph Gilgun as Cassidy.
The season three cast will also feature returning cast members Ian Coletti, Graham McTavish, Pip Torrens, Julie Ann Emery, and Malcolm Barrett. Betty Buckley (Supergirl, Split) and Colin Cunningham (Blood Drive, Falling Skies) join the cast as season three regulars. In addition, Jeremy Childs (The Last Castle, Nashville), Liz McGreever (Star, Nashville), Jonny Coyne (Turn, Alcatraz), Adam Croasdell (Reign), and Prema Cruz (Mozart in the Jungle) will be recurring as guest stars.
Season three will consist of 10 one-hour episodes and will air on Sundays at 10pm ET/PT. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and showrunner Sam Catlin (Breaking Bad) developed the series for television and serve as executive producers. James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Ori Marmur, Vivian Cannon, Jason Netter, Michael Slovis, Mark McNair and Ken F. Levin also executive produce the adult drama.
The Plot:Preacher is a supernatural, twisted and darkly comedic drama that follows a West Texas preacher named Jesse Custer, who is inhabited by a mysterious entity that causes him to develop a highly unusual power. Jesse, his badass ex-girlfriend Tulip and an Irish vagabond named Cassidy come together, and when they do, they are thrust into a crazy world populated by a cast of characters from Heaven, Hell and everywhere in between.
In Season 3, Jesse Custer’s quest for God takes him back to the place he’s been avoiding his whole life: home. Jesse, Tulip, and Cassidy return to Angelville, the Louisiana Plantation where Jesse was raised, and find old grudges and deadly obligations await them. With the help of his friends — and a few enemies — Jesse will need to escape his past… because the future of the world depends on it.
Ruth Negga as Tulip O’Hare in ‘Preacher Season 3 Episode 1 (Photo by Alfonso Bresciani / AMC / Sony Pictures Television)Pip Torrens as Herr Starr in ‘Preacher’ Season 3 Episode 2 (Photo by Alfonso Bresciani / AMC / Sony Pictures Television)
The CW’s The 100 season five episode one is set to air on April 24, 2018 and will find the group still separated after the events of the season four finale. Directed by Dean White, the episode written by series creator Jason Rothenberg is titled “Eden” and is set six years after season four.
The “Eden” Plot: HOPE — In the fifth season premiere, Clarke (Eliza Taylor) struggles to survive on a desolate, scorched earth while her friends in space come across a long-awaited beacon of hope.
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.
We learn Chewbacca’s age, a tad bit more about Han Solo’s backstory, and get to hear a twist on the Star War franchise’s running “I have a bad feeling about this line” gag in the official trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story. The two and a half minute trailer highlights action over dialogue, although we are treated to scenes with Qi’Ra (Game of Thrones‘ Emilia Clarke), Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson), and the recruitment of a young Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover).
Solo: A Star Wars Story was directed by Ron Howard after Chris Miller and Phil Lord were fired from the project midway through over creative differences. Jonathan Kasdan and Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screenplay, and Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur, and Simon Emanuel served as producers. Lawrence Kasdan, Jason McGatlin, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller executive produced.
In addition to Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, and Donald Glover, the cast includes Alden Ehrenreich, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany. Disney’s set to launch Solo: A Star Wars Story in theaters on May 25, 2018.
Among the Star Wars projects in the works are a new trilogy from Star Wars: The Last Jedi‘s Rian Johnson. The trilogy will be separate from the episodic Skywalker saga and will feature brand new characters. Lucasfilm has hinted the new characters will be “from a corner of the galaxy that Star Wars lore has never before explored.” It was also announced that Game of Thrones‘ David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are on board to write a different series of Star Wars movies.
The Plot: Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.
A Quiet Place took the top spot at the box office with an outstanding $50 million opening weekend. Paramount Pictures has to be ecstatic about the film’s debut, especially considering it was made for just $17 million. John Krasinski’s earning high praise from critics (and audiences) for directing, co-writing, and starring in the thriller which is currently sitting at 97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. (179 Rotten Tomatoes-approved critics gave it a positive review while only six gave it below average scores.) Audiences agreed with the majority of critics, with CinemaScore reporting the film has a B+ rating among ticket buyers.
The weekend’s other big release, Universal Pictures’ Blockers, performed about as expected and delivered a third place finish. The April 6-8, 2018 weekend also saw Black Panther passing by Titanic on the list of all-time top grossing films, domestically. Marvel and Disney’s Black Panther has grossed $665 million domestically and $634 million in foreign markets, for an international total of $1.29 billion since opening in theaters on February 16, 2018. It needs to cross the $761 million mark to take over the #2 spot on the domestic all-time top 10 list from Avatar.
A Quiet Place will attempt to retain the top spot on the box office chart when it faces off against the horror film Truth or Dare and the action thriller Rampage, both opening on April 13, 2018.
The A Quiet Place Plot: In the modern horror thriller A Quiet Place, a family of four must navigate their lives in silence after mysterious creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival. If they hear you, they hunt you.
John Krasinski and Noah Jupe star in ‘A Quiet Place’ from Paramount Pictures.
Sarah Bellini as Jutta, Luca Tanganelli as Marcello, Harris Dickinson as J. Paul Getty, III, and Laura Bellini as Martine in ‘Trust’ season 1 episode 3 (Photo Credit: FX)
FX’s intriguing dramatic series Trust continues with episode three airing on April 8, 2018. The series follows the Getty family, and episode three concentrates on the events immediately leading up to John Paul Getty III’s kidnapping. The episode titled “La Dolce Vita” begins with John Paul Getty III (who goes by ‘Paul’) partying with Martine (Laura Bellini), Jutta (Sarah Bellini), and their friends, snorting cocaine, drinking, and having a wild time during the photo shoot which eventually gets him in trouble with his grandfather. He leaves the shoot and runs outside to help protestors. Paul (Harris Dickinson) and his friends join the protestors in fleeing from the tear gas and smoke grenades.
Meanwhile, two men have a wealthy older couple tied up in their home. After forcing them to reveal the combination to their safe, one of the robbers accidentally says the name of this partner. After being named, Primo Nizzuto (Luca Marinelli) kills the couple to keep from being identified later. Primo then shoots his partner in the back of his head and lights the place on fire on his way out.
Paul’s delivered to Bertolini (Giuseppe Battiston) in the middle of nowhere. He’s transferred into the trunk of his car, all while apologizing for what he’s done.
J. Paul Getty has refused to pay a single cent to retrieve his grandson, claiming it would open the rest of the family to greater risk of being kidnapped.
While he’s stuck in the trunk of the car, Paul flashes back to painting Martine, naked. There’s very little food in the house and no one has any money. Paul claims they’re always broke but that love will provide. Jutta wants him to ask his mother for money, but he refuses. Instead, he’s going to sell the painting of Martine to Bertolini. If he doesn’t want that painting, then Paul has a backup plan: he’ll sell him one he just did of Bertolini’s dog.
Paul, Martine, Jutta, and Marcello (Luca Tanganelli) head over to the restaurant, all smiles as they greet Bertolini. Bertolini’s not impressed with the nude portrait but he loves the painting of his dog. He feeds the foursome but tells them this is the last painting he’ll buy.
Marcello follows Bertolini into the restaurant’s kitchen and receives what Bertolini claims will be the last drugs he supplies Paul until he pays him back with actual cash – not paintings. Marcello invites Bertolini to join them that evening. They’ll be hanging out with Roman Polanski, and Bertolini’s star-struck and eagerly accepts the invitation.
Back outside at the table, Paul seems to be the only one who’s happy about Bertolini joining them to see Polanski.
Later, Bertolini gets dressed to go out, giddy over the chance to meet Roman Polanski.
Paul and his friends hit the club, drinking, doing drugs, and dancing. Martine’s ready to go to Roman’s but Paul’s fallen into a bad mood after watching Martine and Marcello make out on the dance floor. Martine reminds Paul they’re “not into couples,” and returns to dancing with Marcello.
Marcello, Jutta, and Martine leave the night club just as Bertolini arrives. He calls out to the threesome as they leave, but they just laugh at him and ride off.
Paul, alone, heads off to the museum. Luigi (Elia Schilton) lets him in, even though it’s closed, and Paul takes up a seat in front of his favorite painting: Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness by Caravaggio. Luigi tells him the story of John the Baptist’s death and then carefully places a blanket over Paul as he falls asleep on the floor.
Bertolini pounds on the door and calls out for Polanski and Marcello, but they don’t let him in. He’s furious after stepping in dog poop and getting yelled at by strangers complaining about the banging noise.
The next morning, Paul returns home to find Martine in Marcello’s bed. Bertolini busts in, still furious from the night before. A crate is brought in and Bertolini says it will be staying with them in the house until he needs it. Bertolini then reveals that because Paul owes him money, he’s now in debt to someone else. Paul finally learns that Marcello has rung up a $6,000 bill by promising Paul will pay for his drugs. Paul wasn’t even aware of what Marcello was up to, but Bertolini tells him to do whatever he has to to get the money. He has one week or else…
After Bertolini leaves, Paul confronts Marcello. Paul assumed Marcello had his own money and was buying the drugs, but now he knows Marcello was just using the Getty name to run up debt. Paul yells that he has no money at all, but the threesome believe he can get it if he needs it. Paul reveals he’s always refused to ask his family for money and doesn’t want it because he hasn’t earned it.
Paul takes off without saying where he’s going. Marcello notices there are men outside watching the place. Nervous, Marcello, Jutta and Martine open the crate and discover it’s full of guns.
Harris Dickinson as J. Paul Getty III (Photo by FX)
Paul arrives at his mother’s place and eventually tells her he needs money. He confesses he was stupid and got into trouble, and Gail (Hilary Swank) assures him they’ll sort it out. She offers him all she has which is just the rainy day money she’s been saving up.
Paul hates his mom’s new husband Lang Jeffries (John Schwab) and doesn’t take it well when he calls him a poor little rich kid who does nothing but wait for the inheritance to roll in. Paul calls his mom and Lang disgusting and then takes off in a huff.
Paul returns to his house and frantically searches for his passport. What his mom gave him will be enough to pay his way to England. There, he can ask his dad for money. He’s still upset with his friends as he leaves.
Flash-forward and Paul’s still in the trunk of Bertolini’s car. Memories of the photo shoot and of being with his grandfather flash through his head, and then Bertolini opens the trunk.
Paul’s hands are tied and he’s taken out of the trunk in a field of sunflowers. Bertolini and his associate won’t give him any water, and Paul apologizes again for everything he’s done. His hands are untied and he’s given back his shoes.
A car approaches and Bertolini fetches a gun from the car. Paul’s hood is placed back over his head and he’s told not to move as a car races up. Bertolini hands Paul over and his new captor removes his hood. Paul wants to know what’s going on and tells Bertolini this isn’t what they agreed.
Paul’s new captor, Primo, isn’t nearly as nice as Bertolini, slamming Paul into the car and tying his hands behind his back. When Bertolini reminds Primo his debt is now paid, Primo points out that J. Paul Getty refused to pay the ransom. The senior Getty said paying the ransom would put every member of his family at risk of being kidnapped.
Primo’s no longer offering Bertolini the agreed-upon payment and drastically reduces the amount, given the fact obtaining the ransom for Paul has just gotten more difficult. Bertolini claims there’s an American who’s offering more and then he pulls out his gun. He’s angry about this new deal and demands the full payment be placed in his car. Primo does it and then returns to his own car as Bertolini and his associate drive off leaving Paul behind.
Primo doesn’t rush as he removes a rifle from his car. He shoots at Bertolini’s vehicle and sends it spinning off into the sunflowers.
Paul follows Primo as they check out Bertolini’s vehicle. Bertolini is still alive but his associate is dead. Paul watches as Primo strangles Bertolini. While Primo’s still busy taking Bertolini’s life, Paul races off through the sunflowers.
Unfortunately, Paul breaks through the flowers right next to where Primo is patiently waiting. Primo makes him help place Bertolini and the other man into the trunk of his car and then tells Paul to get in with him. Paul doesn’t want to but after Primo threatens to kill him, he crawls in next to Bertolini.
Another flashback shows Paul meeting with Bertolini at the restaurant. He confesses he doesn’t have the money but knows how to get it. He suggests the kidnapping, claiming it will make Bertolini rich. Paul believes if he and Bertolini work on the kidnapping together, they will both wind up rich. Nothing can go wrong.
Bertolini swears he’ll kill Paul if the plan does go wrong.
After speaking with Bertolini, Paul returns home to let Martine in on the plan. Martine’s pissed Paul left her and reveals Bertolini’s friends attempted to rape her and Jutta. He reveals he’s finally going to use the fact he’s worth hundreds of millions to get cash from his family.
Martine, Jutta, and Paul work on the ransom note. They try to figure out how much to ask for and decide to leave the amount blank. Paul signs the ransom note, “I love you, Paul.”
Martine and Paul take a walk and he truly believes it will be no more than two weeks before they’re free and can leave. He asks Martine to marry him but she reminds him he’ll lose his inheritance if they marry before he’s 26. Paul doesn’t care; he just wants to be Paul and Martine and forget about the Getty part.
Martine agrees to marry him when he returns from being kidnapped.
Paul’s taken to a small room Bertolini has selected to hold the “kidnapped” heir until the ransom money arrives. When Paul tries to look out the window, Bertolini threatens to tie him up if he can’t stay out of sight. After Bertolini leaves, Paul tries to go out the window again but Bertolini’s man hauls him back down. (Paul sucks at staying out of sight and is easily bored.)
Paul goes stir crazy and turns his table upside into a make-believe boat. He does a shadow puppet show for his babysitter, and he’s really good at it.
A while later, Paul experiences cramps and asks for cigarettes. He tells his babysitter he needs cocaine or something because he’s getting ill. He nearly has an accident in his pants and barely makes it to the bucket. When the babysitter takes the smelly bucket out to empty it, Paul escapes out the window and runs away.
Night falls and Paul runs through the streets. He makes it to the club and dances, buying a gorgeous waitress a drink. (This is a repeat of the scene from episode one.)
Back to reality, Paul’s cozy in the trunk of the car with the smelly corpses of Bertolini and his associate. The car finally stops and Paul arrives at a farmhouse. There are now multiple kidnappers and Paul listens as they discuss burying Bertolini and his associate.
Paul tells them through his hood that his grandfather won’t pay. If that’s what he said, then they can expect him to carry through with that. Paul’s told not to worry. “They always pay in the end,” says Primo.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan and Steven Ogg as Simon in ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 Episode 15 (Photo by Gene Page / AMC)
AMC’s The Walking Dead season eight episode 15 begins with Rick (Andrew Lincoln) reading his letter from Carl. Carl recalls happy memories from school, going to the movies, Friday night pizzas, and all the ordinary things that went on back when life was normal. He remembers feeling safe when his dad held his hand and how he figured out that growing up means making those you love feel safe.
Carl confesses he wanted to kill Negan and that he doesn’t think the Saviors will surrender. But, he also notes that he believes his dad doesn’t want those ordinary people to die just because they’re with Negan for now. He wants his dad to make peace with Negan and find a way to move forward.
Most of all, Carl wants his dad to show others that life can go back to normal at some point. They just have to keep trying and not give up their humanity.
Michonne (Danai Gurira) takes the letter Carl wrote to Negan out of the drawer.
Gregory (Xander Berkeley) has a heart-to-heart with Simon (Steven Ogg), and Simon’s definitely not pleased with the former leader of The Hilltop. Gregory wants to make it up to Negan, but Simon informs him he’s assumed control of the Saviors. They toast to Simon’s new position, unaware Negan’s arrived back at the complex.
Despite their mutual appreciation of Simon’s new power, Simon doesn’t forgive Gregory and needs to make an example of him. Gregory, of course, insists he’s still an important player and isn’t done. Simon decides not to kill him and instead takes him on as a coffee boy.
The Oceanside people are wandering the forest when Aaron (Ross Marquand) kills a walker about to attack them. They’re not sympathetic to Aaron and barely speak as they pass by him.
Eugene (Josh McDermitt) whips up a batch of Mac and Cheese, delivering a lengthy explanation as to how he makes it. He tells his cooks to make it for all the workers. He then tells all his workers they need to speed up, as commanded by Simon. He admits he’s aware they won’t be able to make Simon’s quota, but they have to try their best.
Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) is still ill and Eugene goes off on him for raising his mask. He doesn’t want Gabriel to spread his disease or to get more ill. Gabriel reveals he’s having a hard time making bullets that will kill his people, however, he also doesn’t want to die. He thinks his predicament is God’s way of showing him he’s still the same scared animal who locked out his parishioners. Eugene kicks him off the assembly line.
Eugene heads outside to test-fire rounds and is immediately captured by Rosita (Christian Serratos) and Daryl (Norman Reedus)! (Score one for the good guys.)
Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is back, with Lucille, and Dwight (Austin Amelio) is understandably shocked. Negan asks what he was thinking when he didn’t rescue him from Rick. Dwight blames it on Simon, saying Simon was calling the shots. Negan warns Dwight he wants him to remember this little talk when the time comes. He wants Dwight to think about what they’ve done and what they can still do together.
Negan has a talk with Simon, and Simon admits he lacks discipline. He also admits he moved things to extermination at the Hilltop, promising to make it up to Negan. Negan smiles and recalls when he initially took control of the compound. Negan also recalls Simon killed a lot of boys and men before the Saviors jelled as a group. Simon appeared to be a crazed killer, but Negan kept him on anyway.
Negan commands Simon to get on his knees in front of the half-dozen other Saviors in the room. Simon doesn’t make a move against Negan and Negan tells him he’s forgiven. He allows Simon to live and says they’re good. Simon promises he won’t let Negan down again.
Negan points out a new staging post on a map. The outpost will make it so that the Hilltop can’t leave their complex to get supplies. The Saviors will set up multiple outposts and multiple teams outside Hilltop, picking off anyone who steps outside the walls.
After the group leaves, Negan has Dwight stay behind. Negan’s impressed Dwight has always kept his eyes on the prize – no matter what. He advises Dwight to continue to do so.
Josh McDermitt as Dr. Eugene Porter in ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 Episode 15 (Photo by Gene Page / AMC)
Eugene keeps up a steady stream of conversation with Rosita and Daryl and finally Daryl has enough and threatens to cut his tongue out. They’re walking and need to keep ahead of the Saviors who should be looking for Eugene by now. Eugene starts talking again, recalling how he thought he’d be tortured or killed by the Saviors but they let him live. Rosita tells him every single person who’s died is on him.
Eugene blames everything on Rick, but Rosita will have none of it. She calls him a coward and a traitor who turned his back on his only friends. She also warns him they’re going to stick him in a dark room and only pull him out when they need to use his brain.
Dwight copies the map with the outpost locations. He’s interrupted by Simon knocking on his door and is able to put the map away before he lets Simon in. Simon wants to organize other Saviors against Negan, and he wants Dwight to help gather like-minded Saviors to make their move. Simon reminds him of everything Negan has done to him and sets up a meeting in the courtyard after rounds. Dwight reluctantly agrees.
As they near their car, Daryl has to take on a herd of walkers while Rosita watches over Eugene. Eugene makes himself throw up and as Rosita reacts, he runs away.
Daryl and Rosita track Eugene past piles of ash and don’t realize he’s buried himself in one of the piles. (I take back what I said about scoring one for the good guys. This is like a bad Laurel and Hardy routine.)
Aaron’s in bad shape in the forest and doesn’t have any food. Fortunately, it’s raining and he’s able to collect clean water. Unfortunately, he’s by himself and on constant walker alert. He hears growls and the fight for his life begins. He’s weak and killing them in hand-to-hand combat takes a lot of energy. He drops his knife as more walkers arrive and surround him. He unsuccessfully searches for it in the leaves and then is forced to use a stick to hold them off. He stakes one through the head and manages to beat another one to death.
Aaron passes out in the mud, surrounded by now really dead walkers. The Oceanside crew find him that way and he comes to enough to explain the Saviors are responsible for everything. They don’t trust, they hide…it’s all because of the Saviors. The Oceanside group needs to fight or else hiding out is their life forever.
Dwight waits at the meeting spot as a bunch of Saviors (and Gregory) arrive. Simon commands the group, telling them they’re “in.” There won’t be any “takebacks” from this action. He also wants their takedown of Negan to be quick, quiet, and respectful. Simon then says Dwight can be the one who kills Negan. (Why are they meeting out in the open?)
Simon says next up will be the destruction of the Hilltop, after they set things straight with the Saviors.
Negan arrives from around the side of the nearby trash container. Dwight told Negan what was happening, and Negan has his own loyal people kill everyone at the meeting except for Simon, Gregory, and, of course, Dwight. Simon can’t believe Dwight sold him out.
Negan’s pissed Simon killed all of Jadis’ people after he was specifically told not to. However, Negan is still willing to give Simon a chance to live. Negan says, “If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man.”
The Saviors gather inside the main building. Simon tells the group that he didn’t want this, but he believes it’s the only way for the Sanctuary to continue to exist and flourish. He gets in the first two hits on Negan but then it becomes a pretty even fight. There are a lot of fists flying and grunting going on before Negan slams Simon to the ground.
While no one’s looking, Dwight sends Gregory off with the outpost map to give to Rick.
Negan holds Simon by the throat and is furious that now he must kill the Hilltop people or else they’ll always be looking for ways to push back. After Simon’s dead, Negan calls him an a**hole.
Back at the Hilltop, Gregory’s locked up in the prisoner’s pen again. Rick gets the note from Dwight and he, Michonne, and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) have to decide what to do.
Negan and Dwight talk and walk, and Negan’s happy he has always been able to count on Dwight. He makes him his new right-hand man, and Dwight’s honored. However, it’s all been a setup. The outpost map was a fake. Negan knew what Dwight was up to and when Dwight opens the door to his room, he’s surrounded by Saviors. Dwight’s stunned to see Laura, who he assumed was dead, in his room. She describes how Dwight turned on everyone in Alexandra. She’s been waiting to expose him as a weasel, claiming it’s the only thing that kept her alive. Negan reveals he’s aware Dwight’s been passing information to Rick for a while and Negan knows Dwight’s been lying about other things, too.
Negan calls him a nothing, a nobody who’s way over his head. Negan describes how he set up the fake outpost plan because he knew Dwight would pass the info to Rick. Negan also knows Gregory delivered the info to Rick, and now Rick and his people will be led directly into the line of fire.
Negan explains that killing Dwight is too dignified an end, so he has other plans for him.
Eugene returns to the ammunition factory, demanding they set up a perimeter in case they get attacked again. He learns Negan’s back and needs the bullet order by tomorrow to wipe out the Hilltop. Eugene promises the order will be filled on time. He then tells his workers to get busy, giving them a horrible pep talk that includes a declaration they’ll change Savior history.
A quick Simon update: He’s now a walker chained to the front gate.
Michonne contacts Negan over the walkie-talkie. She explains she’s calling about Carl and his letter, saying she’s delivering the letter because that’s what Carl wanted. She reads it over the walkie and it includes Carl’s explanation of how he got bit. Carl wrote that he doesn’t think Rick has killed Negan and he believes Negan doesn’t think all of Rick’s people are lost causes. He tells Negan the way out is working tougher. He hopes Rick offers him peace and that he takes it. Carl adds that he hopes Negan can start over.
Negan replies, “There is no getting out of it now. I wouldn’t accept your surrender if you came to me on your knees.” He goes on to say he wants to kill each and every one of them. That’s the only way this ends. He tells Michonne to pass on that message to Rick and then smashes the walkie-talkie.
CBS confirmed the half-hour comedy series Mom will return for a sixth season. The comedy joins previously announced pickups of The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, and S.W.A.T. to continue CBS’ Thursday primetime schedule into the 2018-2019 season.
Mom was created by Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky, and Gemma Baker, with Lorre, Gorodetsky, and Nick Bakay executive producing. Anna Faris and Allison Janney lead the cast that includes Jaime Pressly, Mimi Kennedy, Beth Hall, and William Fichtner.
“Mom has been a lynchpin comedy for us over the last several years,” stated Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment, announcing the sixth season renewal. “It’s a fearless series that tackles provocative social issues with laughter and grace, and a large, loyal audience has followed. With gifted talents like Anna and Allison leading a great ensemble cast, and a production team headed by Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky, Nick Bakay and Gemma Baker, this series just keeps getting better.”
According to CBS, Mom has been averaging 11 million viewers. It ranks third on the list of most-watched comedies in broadcast television, with only The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon pulling in more viewers. CBS also says Mom is in the top 5 comedies watched among adults 25-54 and adults 18-49.
The Plot: Christy is a single mom who, after years of questionable choices, is now sober and trying to get her life on track. She’s tested daily by her mother, Bonnie, who Christy still considers the root of her troubles, even though she has also gotten sober. Now mother and daughter are working to overcome their mistakes and build a better future for their family.
Christy has gone back to school and is pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer, while Bonnie attempts to have a healthy romantic relationship with her boyfriend, Adam, and figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. Through all this, Christy and Bonnie rely on their support system from AA, including wise Marjorie, the wealthy and sometimes misguided Jill and the overly emotional Wendy. Together, they help each other stay sober and face whatever life throws at them.
