21-time Grammy Award winner Jay-Z leads the pack of 2018 Grammy nominees with eight nominations including Album of the Year and Best Rap Album. Kendrick Lamar picked up seven nominations followed by Bruno Mars with six. Childish Gambino, Khalid, No I.D., and SZA each earned five. Winners will be announced during the live broadcast on January 28, 2018. The 60th Annual Grammy Awards will air on CBS beginning at 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET.
“I’m inspired by this year’s nominees and the incredible talent each possesses,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “Their recordings are a true testament to how creatively alive and meaningful our music industry has become. Each nominee uses their craft to inspire, uplift, and tell stories of our world through their artistry. They provide a vibrant soundtrack that represents the highest level of excellence and continues to impact and reflect our culture.”
“The beauty of our process begins and ends with the participation of music professionals,” said Bill Freimuth, Recording Academy Senior Vice President of Awards. “Our nominations reflect the expertise and passion of Recording Academy voting members.”
Grammy Awards Nominees:
Record Of The Year:
“Redbone” — Childish Gambino
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story Of O.J.” — JAY-Z
“HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” — Bruno Mars
Album Of The Year:
“Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama — Lorde
24K Magic — Bruno Mars
Song Of The Year:
“Despacito” — Ramón Ayala, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Erika Ender, Luis Fonsi & Marty James Garton, songwriters (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber)
“4:44” — Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (JAY-Z)
“Issues” — Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter, songwriters (Julia Michaels)
“1-800-273-8255” — Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury, Khalid Robinson, songwriters (Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)
“That’s What I Like” — Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
Best New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA
Best Pop Solo Performance:
“Love So Soft” — Kelly Clarkson
“Praying” — Kesha
“Million Reasons” — Lady Gaga
“What About Us” — P!nk
“Shape Of You” — Ed Sheeran
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Something Just Like This” ¬— The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“Thunder” — Imagine Dragons
“Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man
“Stay” — Zedd & Alessia Cara
Best Dance/Electronic Album:
Migration — Bonobo
3-D The Catalogue — Kraftwerk
Mura Masa — Mura Masa
A Moment Apart — Odesza
What Now — Sylvan Esso
Best Rock Performance:
“You Want It Darker” — Leonard Cohen
“The Promise” — Chris Cornell
“Run” — Foo Fighters
“No Good” — Kaleo
“Go To War” — Nothing More
Best Urban Contemporary Album:
Free 6lack — 6lack
“Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino
American Teen — Khalid
Ctrl — SZA
Starboy — The Weeknd
Best Rap Album:
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Culture — Migos
Laila’s Wisdom — Rapsody
Flower Boy — Tyler, The Creator
Best Country Album:
Cosmic Hallelujah — Kenny Chesney
Heart Break — Lady Antebellum
The Breaker — Little Big Town
Life Changes — Thomas Rhett
From A Room: Volume 1 — Chris Stapleton
Best Jazz Vocal Album:
The Journey — The Baylor Project
A Social Call — Jazzmeia Horn
Bad Ass And Blind — Raul Midón
Porter Plays Porter — Randy Porter Trio With Nancy King
Dreams And Daggers — Cécile McLorin Salvant
Best Gospel Album:
Crossover — Travis Greene
Bigger Than Me — Le’Andria
Close — Marvin Sapp
Sunday Song — Anita Wilson
Let Them Fall In Love — Cece Winans
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:
Rise — Danny Gokey
Echoes (Deluxe Edition) — Matt Maher
Lifer — MercyMe
Hills And Valleys — Tauren Wells
Chain Breaker — Zach Williams
Best Latin Pop Album:
Lo Único Constante — Alex Cuba
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
Amar Y Vivir En Vivo Desde La Cuidad De México, 2017 — La Santa Cecilia
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos) — Natalia Lafourcade
El Dorado — Shakira
Best Americana Album:
Southern Blood — Gregg Allman
Shine On Rainy Day — Brent Cobb
Beast Epic — Iron & Wine
The Nashville Sound — Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Brand New Day — The Mavericks
Best Comedy Album:
The Age Of Spin & Deep In The Heart Of Texas — Dave Chappelle
Cinco — Jim Gaffigan
Jerry Before Seinfeld — Jerry Seinfeld
A Speck Of Dust — Sarah Silverman
What Now? — Kevin Hart
Best Song Written For Visual Media:
“City Of Stars” — Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, songwriters (Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone), Track from La La Land
“How Far I’ll Go” — Lin-Manuel Miranda, songwriter (Auli’i Cravalho), Track from Moana: The Songs
“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker) — Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew & Taylor Swift, songwriters (ZAYN & Taylor Swift), Track from Fifty Shades Darker
“Never Give Up” — Sia Furler & Gregg Kurstin, songwriters (Sia), Track from Lion
“Stand Up For Something” — Common & Diane Warren, songwriters (Andra Day Featuring Common), Track from Marshall
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical:
Calvin Harris
No I.D.
Greg Kurstin
Blake Mills
The Stereotypes
Amazon’s set a December 22, 2017 US premiere date for the dramatic series, The Last Post, on Amazon Prime Video. The series is distributed by BBC Worldwide and stars Jessica Raine (Call The Midwife, Partners in Crime), Jessie Buckley (War and Peace, The Woman in White), Jeremy Neumark Jones (Denial, One of Us), Amanda Drew (Broadchurch, The Passing Bells), Ben Miles (Coupling, Wolf Hall), and Stephen Campbell Moore (History Boys, The Go-Between).
In addition to announcing the premiere date, Amazon released a new trailer for the original drama.
The limited series consists of six episodes directed by Jonny Campbell (The Casual Vacancy, In the Flesh) and Miranda Bowen (Women In Love, Cast Offs). Bonafide Films’ Margery Bone and Elwen Rowlands executive produced along with The Forge Entertainment’s George Faber and Mark Pybus, and BBC One’s Matthew Read. BAFTA Award winner Peter Moffat (The Night Of) created, wrote, and also executive produced the series.
Discussing the series, Peter Moffat said, “Young married couples in the heart of the Sixties living in extremely close proximity in a very alien and dangerous environment has always struck me as ripe territory for drama. Men full of vim, vigor and a desire to be heroes in a situation where that isn’t always possible; alongside young women who are starting to feel the emancipation of the Sixties and a sense of new freedoms but who are living in a constrained setting where their role is supposed to be merely supportive.
Throw in tumultuous love stories alongside the unexplored territory of this period in our history and you have a pretty heady mix. This was my parents world and one I have wanted to write about all my career.”
The Plot: In The Last Post, the men in the police unit don’t have easy jobs: half soldiers, half policemen and full time husbands and fathers who face constant insurgency and threat. Danger is everywhere. Based on Peter Moffat’s childhood memories, his father’s life as an officer in the Royal Military Police and his mother’s struggle between being what the army required her to be and what she felt like being, The Last Post is an in depth look at the sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families.
Jessica Raine stars in ‘The Last Post.’ (Photo Courtesy of BBC One)
ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns for season five on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 8pm ET/PT. The special two-hour premiere is titled “Orientation” Part One and Part Two, with Part One directed by Jesse Bocho and Part Two directed by David Solomon. Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen wrote Part One’s script and DJ Doyle wrote Part Two.
In support of the comic book-inspired series’ return, ABC released a teaser trailer along with season five episode one photos.
The season five cast includes Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons, Henry Simmons as Agent Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie, and Natalia Cordova-Buckley as Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez.
Guest starring in “Orientation (Part One)” are Jeff Ward as Deke, Joel Stoffer as Enoch, Jordan Preston as driver, Peter Hulne as Jerry, John Wusah as young soldier, Deniz Akdeniz as Virgil, Nathin Butler as Jones, and Derek Mears as captain. Jeff Ward also guest stars in “Orientation (Part Two)” along with Eve Harlow as Tess, Dominic Rains as Kasius, Florence Faivre as Sinara, Paul Duna as Reese, Kaleti Williams as Zev, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Grill, James Babson as Holt, Tunisha Hubbard as Ava, Wes Armstrong as Rick, and Jay Hunter as watch commander.
The “Orientation (Part One)”/“Orientation (Part Two)” Plot: Coulson and the team find themselves stranded on a mysterious ship in outer space, and that’s just the beginning of the nightmare to come.
ABC’s ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ stars Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Melinda May, Elizabeth Henstridge as Jemma Simmons, Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson, Iain De Caestecker as Leo Fitz, Natalia Cordova-Buckley as Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez, and Henry Simmons as Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie. (ABC/Matthias Clamer)Chloe Bennet, Clark Gregg, and Elizabeth Henstridge (ABC / Jennifer Clasen)Chloe Bennet and Clark Gregg (ABC / Jennifer Clasen)Clark Gregg and Elizabeth Henstridge in ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ season 5 episode 1 (ABC / Jennifer Clasen)Jeff Ward in ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ (ABC / Jennifer Clasen)Chloe Bennet, Elizabeth Henstridge, Clark Gregg, and Ming-Na Wen (ABC / Jennifer Clasen)Jeff Ward in ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ (ABC / Jennifer Clasen)
Fergie joins Fox’s ‘The Four: Battle for Stardom’ (Photo by Frank Micelotta / FoxPictureGroup)
Fox has tapped Grammy Award winner Fergie to host The Four: Battle for Stardom, the network’s new singing competition series. Grammy Award winner Sean ‘Diddy Combs, producer DJ Khaled, Grammy Award winner Meghan Trainor, and record executive Charlie Walk are on board as The Four‘s panel of experts.
“I am very excited and proud to be the host of The Four: Battle for Stardom,” said Fergie. “This is a unique and modern show format that I believe will set the standard for the next generation of singing competition series on TV. I am looking forward to being by the contestants’ sides during what could be the most important performances of their lives. Along with these amazing panelists whom I know and love, I hope my experiences as a solo artist and as a member of The Black Eyed Peas can help guide them in their quest to make it in the music industry.”
“Fergie is a genuine superstar,” stated Rob Wade, President, Alternative Programming and Specials, Fox Broadcasting Company. “She’s fierce, she’s a force in her own right and she knows exactly what these singers are going through. So who better than her to help guide them as they fight their way to the finish.”
Fox has set a Thursday, January 4, 2018 premiere date for the six-episode event series.
The Four: Battle for Stardom Plot:The Four: Battle for Stardom begins where the other shows end: With the best. These four top-notch singers, spanning all music genres, will fight each week to defend their coveted seats on the show, as determined newcomers challenge them and try to knock them out of the competition. The singer who is the last standing at the end of the competition will earn the ultimate prize: the panel of industry experts becomes key players on the winner’s team. This elite group of starmakers will guide the winner’s career to help make him or her a breakout star.
As part of the grand prize, the winner will be named an iHeartRadio “On The Verge” artist. iHeartRadio’s On The Verge program provides artists with unparalleled national reach through on-air radio exposure, as well as digital and social support across iHeartMedia’s powerful range of music and entertainment platforms. FOX also has teamed up with iHeartMedia to support auditions, assist in the search for talent and boost the careers of artists throughout the run of the competition.
A Home for the Holidays with Josh Groban (Photo Courtesy of CBS)
CBS announced singer/songwriter and occasional actor Josh Groban will headline the 2017 A Home for the Holidays special. The one-hour special celebrates adoptions and features “uplifting stories of adoption from foster care and raises awareness of this important social issue. The inspirational stories of these American families are enhanced with performances by some of today’s most popular artists.”
The network also confirmed that in addition to Josh Groban, Kelly Clarkson, Kacey Musgraves, and Kane Brown will perform. Mike Simon is directing, and Karen Mack, Stu Schreiberg, Stephen Kroopnick and Marilyn Seabury are involved as executive producers.
The 19th annual special is set to air on Tuesday, December 19th at 8pm ET/PT.
CBS released details on the families who will be spotlighted in the 19th annual A Home for the Holidays special:
Dennis Family (Norfolk, Va.)
Reporter Staci Dennis had been working on a story about a child who had aged out of foster care, and said, “That experience had an impact on both my husband and I, and we chose to adopt a hard-to-place foster child at risk of aging out.” In 2013 Staci and her husband Eric found Kylie’s photo on an adoption web site.
“Kylie was considered almost un-adoptable,” Staci said. “She had lived in fear and chaos for 13 years and we wanted to give her the opportunity to see who she really was.” “I was born into foster care,” Kylie said. “Foster homes, group homes and institutional facilities – I was moved through them all. My life was about survival. I ran away four times. By 12, I’d been placed on 14 prescription pills a day. I didn’t think I had a future.” Today, Kylie is on her school track and field team, plays volleyball and is a great sister to 17-year-old Angie, who joined the Dennis family this summer. “It turns out that I didn’t need any of those prescription drugs. All I needed was to be nurtured,” said Kylie.
Fisher Family (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Jen and Jeff Fisher were the proud parents of two children when they found three remarkable kids in a heartbreaking situation. “I met Tannah and her little brother Teagun while I was working for a drug rehab facility where they would visit their biological mother, who was my client,” said Jen. “When I was little, our parents did drugs, and I never knew who they were going to be. I was super scared because no one was ever there for us,” said Tannah. “One day, their biological mother called me and asked me to take her newborn, who was severely drug-addicted and now in state custody,” said Jen.
Not only did the Fishers embrace the infant, Tallie, but they soon welcomed Tannah and her little brother into their family after the kids were placed in foster care. “I am so happy and grateful. We are finally safe, and Tallie will never have to live like my little brother and I did,” said Tannah.
Thompson Family (Poteau, Okla.)
Officer Jody Thompson and his wife, Jeannie, had two sons before a 9-1-1 child abuse call changed their family’s life forever. “When the call came out, I prepared for the worst and prayed for the best,” said Officer Thompson. When he arrived on the scene, he found John, an 8-year-old boy who had been starved, had his wrists bound, and was left submerged in a trash can of ice water with the lid attached. The child’s body was covered in abrasions. “I just looked at him and thought, ‘Man, you are an incredibly brave boy.’” Thompson continued. “I was so happy that Jody stayed with me at the hospital that night. I knew he would protect me,” said John. “The next morning I knew the only way I would feel that John was safe was if he was with me,” said Officer Thompson.
When the Thompsons learned that John’s biological sister had been born in prison, they adopted her too. Today, the Thompson kids are thriving and John is a straight-A honor roll student. “I decided to share my story because I don’t want other kids to suffer like I did,” said John. “If you see something, please say something. Kids just want to feel safe – and now we are!”
Black Family (Rochester, N.Y.)
Veronica Black was a successful single mom when she decided to adopt from foster care. “I came from a big family,” said Black. “I wanted my 6-year-old son, Styles, to grow up with siblings.” In 2007 she adopted 7-year-old Lennon, who had been placed in foster care as an infant. Over the years, his siblings had been adopted, but Lennon was left alone. “When I was little, I had a ‘list of wishes’ and I never gave up hope that one day some would come true… then I met my mom and they all came true,” said Lennon.
Six years later, Black adopted brothers – 7-year-old Ian and 5-year-old Jaubert, who had been living in separate foster homes and had been part of a horrific child abuse case. Today, Black’s four sons are thriving in school and active in lacrosse, football and the school wrestling team. “Today my boys are truly happy kids, and watching them grow up is such a blessing,” said Black.
The 29th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) has chosen Allison Janney as the recipient of their annual Spotlight Award – Actress. The Spotlight Award is given in recognition of outstanding performances, with Janney’s work as Tony Harding’s mother in I, Tonya earning her the award.
“Allison Janney delivers a knock-out performance as Tonya Harding’s mother LaVona Golden in I, Tonya. The usually charming Janney takes a compellingly dark turn as Tonya’s abusive, alcoholic mother,” stated Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “For this outstanding performance, which is sure to garner awards attention, it is an honor to present Allison Janney with the Spotlight Award.”
Allison Janney (Mom, Masters of Sex) will be presented with the award during the Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards Gala to be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The awards gala will once again be hosted by Mary Hart, with the festival running January 2 through January 15.
Previous winners of the Spotlight Award include Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Andrew Garfield, Helen Hunt, Rooney Mara, Julia Roberts, and J.K. Simmons. In addition to Janney, the 2018 Palm Springs International Film Festival will honor Gary Oldman with the Desert Palm Achievement Award – Actor for his performance as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Sam Rockwell has been named the recipient of the Spotlight Award – Actor for his portrayal of a not-so-bright deputy in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Timothée Chalamet will receive the Rising Star Award – Actor for his riveting performance in Call Me By Your Name. Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot has been chosen as the Rising Star Award – Actress honoree.
In announcing Gal Gadot’s selection, Festival Chairman Matzner said, “Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman showed us a strong, capable, poised, curious and compassionate character, and her performance has been universally praised, resonating with audiences everywhere. Gal plays the immortal warrior so well, and the film’s themes are especially apt for today, empowering all types of people — women and men, young and old — the world over.”
The I, Tonya Plot: Based on unbelievable yet true events, I, Tonya is a darkly comedic tale of American figure skater Tonya Harding and one of the most sensational scandals in sports history. The first American woman to complete a triple-axel in competition, Harding’s legacy was instead defined by her association with an ill-conceived, crudely executed attack on fellow Olympic competitor Nancy Kerrigan. Featuring an iconic turn by Margot Robbie as the fiery Harding, a mustachioed Sebastian Stan as her impetuous ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, and a tour-de-force performance from Allison Janney as her acid-tongued mother, LaVona, Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya is an absurd, irreverent and piercing portrayal of Harding’s life and career.
Pixar’s Coco pulled off an easy first place finish over the Thanksgiving weekend, providing families with an alternative to frenzied holiday shopping. The animated film opened strong over the extended holiday weekend, with Box Office Mojo reporting Coco‘s sitting in fourth place on the all-time list of the best five-day Thanksgiving openings. The PG-rated film performed better than anticipated, with only 2013’s Frozen ($93 million), 2016’s Moana ($82 million) and 1999’s Toy Story 2 ($80 million) placing above it on the Thanksgiving openings chart.
Coco earned high marks from critics (it’s currently sitting at 96% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and from ticket buyers, with CinemaScore reporting audiences gave it an A+. Coco should be able to lure in kids and families audience for a few more weeks as the competition in that demographic is slim. Ferdinand, the next major animated film scheduled to hit theaters, doesn’t arrive until December 15th.
Up Next: The Disaster Artist from James Franco, Guillermo del Toro’s critically acclaimed The Shape of Water, and writer/director Woody Allen’s Wonder Wheel. All are opening in limited release on December 1st.
The holiday film The Man Who Invented Christmas doesn’t provide much insight into how novelist Charles Dickens “invented” Christmas. It does, however, provide an entertaining look behind the scenes at the story surrounding Dickens’ beloved classic, A Christmas Carol.
The comedy/drama delves into the period of time in Charles Dickens’ life when he was coming off sluggish sells of his work and needed something catchy to snag readers. Inspired by random people he met during his everyday excursions in public, Charles came up with the brilliant idea to write a story set at Christmas. Apparently, although it is barely touched on in the film, the holiday wasn’t that big of a deal back in Dickens’ time. However, he believed there would be an audience receptive to a story that involved ghosts, Christmas, and redemption.
Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast, Legion, Downton Abbey) is perfectly cast as husband/father/frustrated novelist Charles Dickens. Charles is suffering from a severe case of writer’s block as the film opens, and the novelist who was once the toast of the town has had a bad run of luck.
He’s about to be a father for the fifth time, his wife is lavishly redecorating their home, and he’s supporting his penniless father. He feels an exorbitant amount of pressure to deliver a bestseller, but it turns out his publisher isn’t keen on the idea of a Christmas-themed novel. If Charles wants to follow this idea down the rabbit hole, he’ll have to do it on his own – which is just what he decides to do. He gathers his own funding and working off a self-imposed deadline, drives himself crazy attempting to put out the book in just a matter of weeks.
As Charles works, the characters who populate his imagination and who’ll be woven into A Christmas Carol spring to life. The film uses actors on screen to represent the colorful characters, with each earning increasingly fleshed-out personalities as Charles weaves his holiday tale. They speak to him, chide him for his missteps, and taunt him when he seems bent on continuing down the wrong path in the writing process. Most notably, the story’s central character – Ebenezer Scrooge – becomes a part of Charles’ life. Scrooge is even shown convincing Dickens the ending to A Christmas Carol must be one that reveals even someone as miserly as he can be redeemed.
Dan Stevens is surrounded by an impressive ensemble including Christopher Plummer as Mr. Scrooge. Plummer so well embodies the role that the film leaves you wanting a full production of A Christmas Carol with him in the lead. Jonathan Pryce is also outstanding as Dickens’ father, John, who gets by financially only due to the fact he’s related to the famous writer. (He even sells his son’s autographs to make money.)
The production design and costumes are fantastic, bringing the mid-1800s vibrantly to life on the screen. The Man Who Invented Christmas is surprisingly sweet and, after a somewhat sluggish start, hits all the right holiday notes.
GRADE: B-
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements and some mild language
Running Time: 104 minutes
Directed By: Bharat Nalluri
Written By: Susan Coyne
Based on the Book By: Les Standiford
Dan Stevens as Charles Dickens and Christopher Plummer as Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’ (Photo by Kerry Brown / Bleecker Street)
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in ‘The Walking Dead’ season 8 episode 6 (Photo by Jackson Lee Davis / AMC)
AMC’s The Walking Dead season eight episode five ended with Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) locked up and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) back in control of his people, the Saviors. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait at least one more episode to find out Father Gabriel’s fate.
Season eight episode six titled “The King, The Widow, and Rick” begins with Rick (Andrew Lincoln) continuing his journey on foot, picking up a message placed in a microwave on the side of the road. The message is one of many distributed to key members of the alliance, including one that is delivered to Carol at The Kingdom. Members of that community mourn their dead as Carol (Melissa McBride) reads one of the notes from Rick.
The note explains the Saviors were beaten but then things got complicated. Jesus took prisoners and they’re being held outside the Hilltop. The notes contain information about the ambush and the status of the major players in this war on the Saviors. Rick’s note claims they need to make things right for those who’ve sacrificed their lives. Rick’s heading to the Sanctuary which he believes is growing weaker by the hour.
“We meet at the Sanctuary in two days to end this, to win it all,” says Rick. He tells the rebellion that this could be their final fight.
Over at Hilltop, Jesus (Tom Payne) hands out food to the prisoners until Maggie (Lauren Cohan) stops him. Jesus explains it’s just turnips left behind by the Saviors, and Gregory (Xander Berkeley) replies that it’s time to build gallows and kill the prisoners. Maggie doesn’t agree and sends Gregory back inside the Hilltop complex.
Maggie pulls Jesus aside to tell him he’s put them in a horrible position. She also warns him every option is on the table. The most important thing is to end Negan, but Jesus wants to make sure they still have their humanity left when the war is over.
At The Kingdom, Ezekiel is locked in his house and Carol bangs on the door and reminds him they must gather everyone possible to help Rick fight. He doesn’t respond and Carol marches away, angry.
Rick enters the Scavengers’ complex and requests a deal with Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh). The discussion doesn’t start off well, and then Rick reveals the Saviors are finished. He flashes the Polaroid photos to prove his point. Rick says they’re ready to end the Saviors, and he has a better deal than Negan gave them. Rick wants them to switch sides and join the Hilltop, Alexandria, and The Kingdom – or they’ll be destroyed.
Rick advises Jadis to make a decision, and that decision will determine what his people do next. She says no, and they escort him into a cargo container where he’s locked up.
Gregory and Maggie have a talk back at the main house, and Gregory continues to insist he only did what was best for the community. He keeps claiming his motives were pure, and he assures her it’s okay to follow her gut about the prisoners. “You can’t have wolves wander around among the sheep,” says Gregory.
Michonne (Danai Gurira) isn’t supposed to leave Alexandria but she does, and Rosita (Christian Serratos) joins her. They head out in a car to check things out for themselves.
Daryl (Norman Reedus) has returned to Alexandria and gives Tara (Alanna Masterson) an update. She admits he was right not to kill Dwight, but she will kill him after this is over.
Jesus watches through the fence as inside the Hilltop complex hammering is going on. He’s still watching over the prisoners at night when he hears walkers in the woods. One of the Saviors talks about how he just kept joining other survivors, implying he didn’t intentionally join Negan. Jesus tells him not to pretend he’s innocent.
Michonne confesses a siren’s been going off in her head since the group left to attack the Sanctuary. She tells Rosita she has to see it herself so she can turn the alarm off in her head. Rosita understands and agrees.
They’re driving and hear music playing in the distance. They stop in the middle of the road, but they don’t think it’s coming from the Sanctuary. Armed, they head off into the woods. They approach a building where the music is coming from.
Elsewhere, Carl (Chandler Riggs) walks through the forest and watches a walker struggle with a bag hanging from a tree branch just out of reach. Carl’s been following the guy from the gas station and after watching him kill the struggling walker, Carl assures him he wasn’t shooting at him earlier.
Carl has food and water, and the two introduce themselves. Carl explains he’s helping Siddiq (Avi Nash) because it’s what his mom would have wanted him to do. Siddiq accepts the food and water, quietly thanking Carl. Carl then explains he’s in a community and if Siddiq answers his questions honestly, he can join them.
Siddiq admits he’s killed 137 walkers, give or take a couple. He’s only killed one person, and then only because the dead didn’t kill him when they tried. He’s been making walker traps because his mom believes killing them frees their souls. It’s possible she’s right.
Carol told the determined young boy, Henry, not to follow her from The Kingdom, but he did anyway. He’s trapped in a circle of walkers and she saves him, but he insists he’s not scared. He’s a fighter and wants to go to the Saviors’ place to get revenge on the people who killed his brother. Carol hands him a gun, and he assures her he can use it.
Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene in ‘The Walking Dead’ season 8 episode 6 (Photo by Gene Page / AMC)
Once more to the Hilltop where it’s daytime now and Jesus is still watching over the prisoners. Enid (Katelyn Nacon) arrives and tells Jesus to bring the prisoners inside. There’s a pen set up to contain them, something that pleases Jesus who thought Maggie might be willing to sentence these men to death.
Maggie advises community members they will not mistreat these prisoners. They will stay inside the complex and will be taken care of. Gregory doesn’t like this decision, but Maggie is determined this is what will happen. Maggie then admits she can’t trust Gregory and has him locked up with the prisoners.
The Savior Jared (Joshua Mikel) attempts to take a gun and Maggie hits him in the head, twice. She tells the rest not to make her regret her decision.
Carl and Siddiq walk through the woods, knives at the ready, and come upon walkers eating a deer. They’re going to kill them to free their souls, and Carl says they’re doing it for Siddiq’s mom. Siddiq and Carl aren’t good at this and Carl is almost bitten by multiple walkers. He takes out his gun at the last minute and shoots them.
Siddiq isn’t sure going to Alexandria is the right decision, given that Rick tried to scare him off. Carl’s determined to take him to join the group.
Rosita and Michonne enter a warehouse and hear talking. Two Saviors are discussing the battle between Rick and Negan, and mention a large hidden weapon. Michonne sneaks toward them but she accidentally kicks a ball. The two Saviors draw their weapons and shoot, and Rosita drops her gun. She tries to find something to defend herself with as the Saviors walk through the warehouse. She throws a glue gun, hoping the Saviors follow it. They don’t.
Michonne is attacked by one while the other heads out to the Sanctuary. Michonne yells at Rosita to stop him, and Rosita finds the grenade launcher and annihilates the man. The woman gets away in a truck with lots of loudspeakers blaring. (The point is to take it to the Sanctuary and lure the walkers away by making them follow the music.)
Daryl and Tara save the day by appearing out of nowhere and crashing into the truck. Michonne reveals there’s a cache of weapons inside the warehouse and then admits she’s out there because she wanted to see the Sanctuary. Daryl and Tara explain they’re out there because they all have a lot more work to do.
Carol returns to The Kingdom and enters Ezekiel’s (Khary Payton) home. He’s a broken man and he confesses he can’t lead his people anymore. When Carol reminds him he’s their king, he says he just played a part. Even when he knew it was a deadly mission, he played the role and smiled. He’s incapable of being what they need now and asks Carol to leave him alone.
Carol turns to leave but stops and asks, “Why did you keep coming to visit me?” He says it was his duty to make sure she was okay. She doesn’t believe that answer and Ezekiel admits she made him feel real.
Tears in her eyes, Carol reminds him he is real and adds, “To me. To The Kingdom. The people need their King to lead them.” Ezekiel believes Carol could lead them now, but she says it must be him. “You inspired them to build this place, to believe in something. You have to help them grieve, to move on, to end this. You owe them that.”
Carol says Henry and the people need him, even if it means he’s just playing the part and not feeling it. He must act like it’s all normal until it actually is normal. He needs to give that to them. Ezekiel says he can’t.
Jared uses a rock to try and cut the ropes off his hands, but one of his fellow prisoners knocks the rock he was holding out of his hand.
Aaron, Enid, and Maggie talk in the main house and Aaron admits he sometimes doesn’t remember the love of his life has died. Maggie understands and can relate, and she confesses it doesn’t get easier. Jesus joins them, reporting Gregory is sucking up to the Saviors now. He wants to thank Maggie but she won’t let him. She calls the prisoners bargaining chips and reveals they’re only alive because they might need them to exchange for freeing their people. If they don’t need them, she won’t let them out.
Aaron leaves without saying anything and Enid catches up to him. He says he’s going to make sure they win, and Enid asks to join him. He agrees and sends her back in to get some food, warning her they may be gone for a while.
Daryl, Tara, Rosita, and Michonne arrive outside the Sanctuary. The building is surrounded by hundreds of walkers. Daryl says he wants to end this right now.
Jadis draws a mark on the door of a cargo container at the Scavengers complex. Inside, a captured Rick is shirtless and sweating.
* * * * * *
So much for Rick’s carefully laid plans. Season eight episode six was a frustrating episode, with players acting out of character and way too many unbelievable coincidences moving the story forward. How did Daryl and Tara just happen along at exactly the right moment? How believable is it that Tara would drop her gun at such a critical moment? Carl’s been killing walkers for years so why did he struggle so hard to kill a couple? And, why would Rick allow himself to be taken prisoner? Hopefully, episode seven will tidy things up a bit and provide some semi-logical answers to lingering questions.
Caitriona Balfe as Claire in ‘Outlander’ season 3 episode 11 (Photo Courtesy of Starz)
Water, water everywhere but nary a drop to drink. As Starz’s Outlander season three episode 11 begins, we return to where we left off in week 10 of season three (titled “Heaven and Earth”) with Claire (Caitriona Balfe) in the ocean floating on her makeshift raft. Episode 11 of season three, “Uncharted,” starts in such a way that you might feel like you could spit cotton, though there’s water everywhere.
Claire’s close enough to land that her little raft turns over with a small wave, naturally waking her from her attempt at sleep. She comes sputtering to the surface and sees the land. Being weakened by the journey through the waves, she’s tossed on the shore like a patch of dark and stringy seaweed.
Claire gets to her feet and picks up her things that floated ashore with her. It’s a beautiful scenic view, but not so much when you’re stranded alone with no direction or idea where you are. Claire lays out her things to dry and she contemplates her situation. She knows her paramount concern, even above Jamie, is water. She can only survive three days without hydration.
With the sun beating down, Claire makes a small shelter out of her skirt to take a short respite from the sun’s rays. She continues to fear for Jamie all the while. In her wanderings, she steps on a couple of flint stones and keeps them for possible later use in building a fire. Later that night she does just that, with a little practice and more than a few internal curse words.
The next morning, Claire wakes to an entire army of ants engulfing her calves and shins. (These are some massive ants! They look like they could almost carry her off. She jumps up and starts slapping them off, then tries to doctor the bites as best she can with what provisions she has. That is to say, with a piece of cloth.
With each day, she weakens and as she travels inland the foliage thickens. She finds a coconut tree but doesn’t have a way to get at the milk. As I said, not a drop to drink. If your mouth is not as dry as that beach full of sand by this point, then you’re not paying attention.
As the sun sets, Claire finds a palm tree to rest against for the night. With possibly the rudest and startling awakening possible, Claire wakes to find a massive python making its way across her chest. She does the smart thing by letting the reptile continue on its journey. (I would have freaked out entirely. I don’t do snakes!)
Claire gets up and continues looking for something, anything, that can help her. She stops long enough to scratch at her ant bites. When she raises her shift up, we can see the damage those tiny little beasts did to our heroine’s legs. WOW! She needs treatment on them or she will be scarred, not to mention they could get infected.
On day three wandering through the thick brush, she staggers into a clearing to see a priest and his dog. Claire passes out on the ground to the sound of the dog barking and wakes to find herself in a bed. She’s sunburned, thirsty, exhausted, and tied up.
An older woman, Mamacita (Vivi Lepori), comes in to tend to her and she’s not the friendliest of attendants. Claire’s throat is so dry she can hardly swallow, and yet Mamacita practically pours the entire glass of water down her throat. She tells Claire she tied her up to keep her from scratching her ant bites. The thing is, she says all this in her native tongue, not English, so Claire still doesn’t know why she’s tied up.
The woman takes what garments Claire has so she can clean or mend them. She does notice the zipper in her undergarments. That’s a deviation from the book, but makes sense given the differences in the show versus the book.
Claire falls asleep again and the next thing she sees when she wakes up is the priest watching over her. The priest’s name is Father Fogden (Nick Fletcher). He warns Claire not to drink the water too quickly after he unties her and helps her to sit up. Claire tells him she’s a doctor from the colonies, and the priest likens her to St. Bridget. Our Sassenach is no Saint, but she does perform miraculous healing at times.
Claire asks about where she is and how to get to Jamaica. Fogden tells Claire she’s at Hacienda de la Fuente, which is a couple of days travel from Jamaica. She’s still determined to make it to Jamie in time to tell him of the warrants out for his arrest. The good Father walks over and picks up a coconut, telling her it’s far too dangerous for her to travel yet according to Coco. (The scene reminds me of the Castaway movie). The Father’s rather eccentric and talks to his coconut friend like it’s a person.
Mamacita takes Claire outside to a washtub. (Talk about an oasis in the desert!) Even though the goat pens are close by, the cool water feels like God’s own healing touch upon Claire’s body. (The goats are in the series; in the book the priest had sheep.)
Mamacita prepares a meal for them to eat. While eating, Claire asks Father Fogden how he came to be out in the Caribbean. The priest explains he started in Cuba but fell in love with a beautiful woman and they fled the island. The woman was Mamacita’s daughter who had died some years ago. This explains Mamacita’s dislike for Claire; she was afraid the priest would like Claire now.
Claire mentions she needs to leave for the local town right away so she can find a ship to take her to Jamaica. Father Fogden says she’s too ill to leave for at least a week, maybe two. Claire starts to argue but Mamacita jumps in arguing for Claire to go immediately. Of course, it’s not to help Claire but instead to get her away from the good Father.
Claire goes into another room while the pair argue further. In the adjoining room, she finds a small mirror that would fit in her pocket. She notices a beautiful dress hanging nearby. The priest comes in and explains it belonged to the love he lost. He tells Claire about the situation, so now Claire realizes why Mamacita was so nasty to her. He confesses to Claire that Mamacita need not be so concerned, he could never forget her daughter. Claire tells the priest she has such a love for her husband and that’s why she so urgently must reach Jamaica. Now they both understand the other’s situation. The priest says he must consult with Coco the coconut in the morning to be sure.
Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser), Nick Fletcher (Father Fogden), and Vivi Lepori (Mamacita) in ‘Outlander’ season 3 episode 11 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Claire wakes up the next morning to find her garments clean and folded. After she dresses, Claire has a rather loud conversation with Coco as Father Fogden comes in. Mamacita screams from outside about a Chinaman who killed one of their goats. When they mention this in English to Claire, she realizes they’re talking about Mr. Willoughby (Gary Young). Claire knows this means Jamie is on the beach nearby. She begs to know where and Mamacita tells her. Claire takes off running in the direction Mamacita points.
On the beach, the men who survived the misfortune that befell the Artemis as they went through the shoals are gathering supplies. They lost the captain and several of the crew, but the men who remain are repairing the mast and sails. Jamie (Sam Heughan), Fergus (Cesar Domboy), Marsali (Lauren Lyle), and several others are among those on the beach.
Claire runs as fast as she can, and in her distraction she cuts her arm on a broken branch. She’s aggressively bleeding as she reaches the coast. Jamie and the crew are back aboard the Artemis by the time Claire makes it to the beach. The ship’s about to make way when Claire thinks to pull the mirror from her pocket to get their attention. The glare manages to catch Jamie’s eye, so he asks for a spyglass and sees Claire.
Jamie takes the longboat with some men and makes his way back to shore to be reunited with Claire. There’s a heart-pounding moment as they both run toward each other on the shore.
Mr. Willoughby has to sew up the gash Claire got on her arm from the branch. Claire finally tells Jamie of the warrants out for his arrest. Jamie mentions he gave Fergus his blessing, and Claire says she can help with the wedding of Fergus and Marsali. The price of the wedding is for Mr. Willoughby to make reparation to Father Fogden for the loss of his goat.
Marsali’s trying to get dressed for her wedding in a room in the Father’s house and Claire helps her. Claire asks if she’s nervous. Marsali confesses she’s only concerned about not having a bairn just yet. Marsali comments on how she saw her mother and Jamie interact in comparison to Claire and Jamie. Marsali wants her experience with Fergus to be more like how Jamie is with Claire – affectionate and loving. Claire tells her she’ll explain how to prevent pregnancy when they get back on the ship.
As they’re conducting the wedding, Father Fogden points to another man as the groom since Fergus is missing a hand. (The entire wedding is rather comical.) He asks Marsali if Fergus had lost his cock along with his hand, and she says she dinna ken but would like to find out if he would hurry things along. Everyone has a laugh at that exchange.
The priest asks for her full name so the union can be legal, and he rather likes Marsali’s name a little too much. He then turns to Fergus to get his name. Since Fergus was born in a brothel he doesn’t have a surname. Jamie offers his name for him. Fergus is an official Fraser from that moment on. If you did not tear up at this exchange, then you are not a devoted fan. Sorry, but it’s true. That poor boy has been a son to Jamie in all ways except blood. He should have the Fraser name.
Fergus, with tears in his eyes, looks at Jamie and Claire – the only real parents he’s ever had. The wedding continues with Fergus putting the ring on Marsali’s finger, and Father Fogden blessing the union. He then walks over and blesses Claire and Jamie’s union, too.
That night they set sail again, with Jamie and Claire in the Captain’s Cabin. Jamie enters with Claire’s little kit containing the antibiotic. She’s eating a soup prepared just for her since she needs the nourishment after her ordeal.
Claire starts to put her needle set together so she can give herself a shot. She has a high fever and needs the antibiotic to take care of the infection in her arm. Jamie tries to help her but she insists on doing it herself, one-handed no less. She gets only so far with one hand though and that means Jamie must load the needle for her. Jamie’s surprised by all the proceedings involved. Claire suggests he could get his revenge on her by giving her the shot in the arse. (I’ve had to give a shot to a loved one, not as easy as Claire makes it look. I have to admit I was more like Jamie.) Jamie can’t plunge the needle into her skin so Claire takes the shot from him and sticks herself. But, Jamie is able to push down the plunger to give her the medicine. Fraser teamwork on display!
Claire gives Jamie a rather lecherous leer when the administration of the medicine is concluded. She asks what kind of soup she was eating and Jamie informs her it was Turtle Soup, and that she’s drunk off it. Claire tells Jamie to bolt the door and that she intends to have more than the soup. Jamie says he wasn’t going to take advantage of a drunk and feverish woman, but Claire gets her way in the end.
While they are rather raucous in their activities, Mr. Willoughby comes to inquire if Claire liked the soup. Needless to say, Mr. Willoughby can hear what’s going on behind the bolted door. He turns to go with a broad smile on his face.
We are down to the last two Outlander episodes this season. The big question remains: Will Jamie and Claire retrieve young Ian (John Bell) in time?
