‘Outlander’ Season 3 Episode 9 Recap: The Doldrums

November 12, 2017

Tonight’s episode for week nine of Starz’s Outlander season three is called “The Doldrums,” quite apropos! The chase across the sea begins in order to retrieve young Ian (John Bell) from the pirates who kidnapped him, bound for the Caribbean. This episode is dull on several levels, but the connection between our dashing couple is still red hot. I don’t mean to imply I didn’t like the episode; I thought it was great. It’s just one of those transitional points in any show that has to move the plot along, so it’s not particularly heart-pounding most of the time. You do have to further the plot, ya ken?! And time on the water is a complete horizon of nothing but water, so you can see why this would be called “The Doldrums.” Though, it wouldn’t be Starz’s Outlander without a few excitements, so let’s get to it.

The episode starts with a distinctly Caribbean feel to “The Skye Boat Song.” Love the drums and new title pictures, keeps the opening interesting and fresh. As the crew make the Artemis ready to sail, Jared Fraser (Robert Cavanagh) gives Jamie (Sam Heughan) charge over his cargo aboard the ship. That’s the excuse for the ship to take Jamie, et al, along with them to Jamaica. If you don’t know that our dashing hero has the highest aversion to water travel, you will soon find out. Everyone’s joking at him about it now, but it becomes no joking matter soon enough. Bon Voyage Frasers!

As the ship makes way, they all take one last look at land. They sure won’t be seeing that for a long while. One by one the crew of the ship pass by Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie standing at the rail. They are touching an iron horseshoe for luck on the voyage. If you are not aware of how superstitious sailors are, you will have no doubts about it after this episode. Women are bad luck, redheads are bad luck, not touching the horseshoe is bad luck, and many more. The crew is predisposed to feel this voyage will be a challenge, even before they get fully out of port.

Fergus (Cesar Domboy) comes up with a surprise on his arm that makes Jamie irate. Marsali (Lauren Lyle) has come with Fergus, and they inform Jamie they are handfasted as of that morning. Handfasted is to basically declare yourself married before witnesses until you can make it legal before God with a minister. Naturally, the argument begins. Marsali had sent her mother a letter and puts Jamie over a barrel about her remaining on board with them. Fergus has not consummated the marriage, so Jamie makes the men stay in one cabin and puts Marsali and Claire in the other cabin. No one is happy about this, but Jamie has to protect her virtue and by default protect Claire’s as well. No conjugal visits for our favorite couple either, it would seem.

Jamie’s seasickness kicks in with a roar. He has more than the average case of seasickness. You can’t get this clearly in the show, but the books do it up very well.

Jamie comes almost to the point of dying. If someone could vomit themselves completely inside out, it would have been Jamie. You will see how this is resolved a bit later. Claire does her best but she’s not the ‘physician to the rescue’ this time. As Claire is attempting to tend to Jamie, she’s called to tend to a man who had an accident.

Captain Raines and Claire have a short back and forth about the superstitions of sea travel when she dines with the Captain that evening. Jamie’s sick and could not attend the meal. The Captain is by far more practical than his crew, but he makes Claire understand that he does have to play to those fears or risk a mutiny.

Jamie and Fergus argue about Fergus keeping his courting of Marsali from him. Fergus throws the quick love that was between Jamie and Claire back in his face. Jamie makes Fergus tell Marsali about his other girlfriends prior to their relationship so she has the knowledge to make her decision. Maybe Jamie did learn something about hiding his second marriage. Then again, maybe not…

Yi Tien Chow (also known as Mr. Willoughby) comes in to check on Jamie. Mr. Willoughby (Gary Young) asks Jamie how long he’s going to let the retching continue. He explains some of the physical dangers of letting the vomiting continue for too long. (Fun conversation, to be sure.)

Marsali and Claire have a delightful {said in all sarcasm} discussion in their cabin about which bed they will use. Claire handled it much more patiently than I would have done. The word ‘whore’ would have been fighting words. But, they sort of call an unspoken truce long enough to go to bed.

The next morning, Claire enters the galley to see Jamie eating breakfast and is more than a little surprised. Marsali and Fergus come up asking again for Jamie’s blessing. Fergus proves to Jamie he told her the truth of his other girlfriends. They say they want to be married anyway. Claire tries to help, much to Marsali’s surprise, but Jamie still says no.

Claire goes up on deck to see Mr. Willoughby writing in Chinese in the dust on the deck with a paintbrush and water. Claire asks what he’s doing and he explains he was writing a poem. Naturally, the sun dries it from the boards quickly. It’s such beautiful work to just vanish like that. He’s an interesting man.

As the days roll on, Claire has to tend to minor injuries and various work she had performed in a simpler time. Claire ventures up to the cabin where Jamie is and catches Willoughby in the act of acupuncture to keep Jamie’s seasickness away. Clearly, he didn’t learn yet to refrain from keeping things from Claire. She asks why he didn’t tell her before that was how his seasickness stopped. Can Jamie just stop being a coward where Claire is concerned, sheesh man! Remember the days when you could tell each other anything?! Claire smirks and kisses him. Jamie pulls away to realize the boat has stopped moving. They have lost the wind. Now the fears about the superstition of the horseshoe are cranked up to a new level.

At night, Claire finds Jamie alone on the deck. Jamie’s staring out at the unmoving sea and they embrace, relishing the moment alone. They both look up at the moon and Claire explains she was able to see a man step on the moon shortly before she came back through the stones. Jamie asks what it looked like and Claire describes the barren wasteland of the surface. Claire tells Jamie one of the children’s rhymes she used to tell Brianna (Sophie Skelton) when she was young about the cow jumping over the moon. Jamie asks if Claire misses her. She simply replies, “Terribly.” Jamie wraps her in his arms all the tighter.

Weeks pass by with no wind. To add even more prodding to the superstition that brought ill luck to the voyage, most of the barrels of water have gone bad in the cargo hold. They now don’t have enough to last the voyage unless it rains. The crew start rumbling about casting the ‘Jonah’ overboard who did not touch the horseshoe before the voyage began. If you understand the Biblical story of Jonah and the whale, you know why they call the unlucky person a Jonah. Jamie declares to the Captain that none of his men will be thrown overboard. The Captain tells Claire and Jamie of his tentative situation in keeping the men from mutiny. If they decide to cast someone overboard, he would be unable to prevent it.

The crew start running down the list of who touched the horseshoe and come to one man who did not. They start calling Hayes (James Allenby-Kirk), Jonah. Hayes climbs up to one of the yardarms and Jamie comes out on deck to see the chaos. The ship’s crew yells for him to jump but Jamie tells him to stay. Jamie starts his way up the netting to save Hayes from jumping off to his death.

As all this activity is happening, Willoughby notices a seagull flying very low, just above the water. If the other sailors had not been so caught up, they might have noticed it too.

Jamie manages to save Hayes from jumping, but the crew is not satisfied. Jamie and all his men line up against the crew, severely outnumbered, and fighting almost begins. Yi Tien Chow rings the bell on the deck to get everyone’s attention. He starts to reveal the story of how he came to leave China. His tale engulfs the crew and calms the situation. I could not possibly do his tale justice, so I will leave it to you to watch the episode to hear his incredible story. It really is quite heartbreaking.

He buys the time needed and just as he finishes his story, the wind catches up the sails. He and Jamie explain what the low-flying gull means when Claire asks, telling her rain is coming. Yi Tien Chow is hailed as their savior.

Jamie and Claire take the moment of everyone’s distraction to run down to the cabins. They intend to have their own celebration of the rain and wind. Conjugal visit, here we come! As they’re laying together, postcoital, Jamie says he likes the grey that shows in her hair. Claire calls him the King of Men, which of course he is. They agree that what’s between them down to their spirit and soul never changes.

Soon, a British Man-of-War appears. Jamie informs Claire the British ship could take him and several of the other men since they are subjects of the Crown. As the other ship’s acting Captain, Captain Leonard (Charlie Hiett), boards the ship and reveals he’s not looking for men, he’s looking for medical help. Claire asks what the symptoms are and believes she knows what it is that’s befallen the crew. Jamie’s not happy when she says she needs to go see the men to be sure. Here Claire goes again, not taking heed of her husband’s wise advice. Jamie tries to argue but Claire tells him what the disease is and that she’s been immunized against it, so she can’t catch it. Jamie remembers how useless it is to argue with her when she has set her mind to treating a sick person. Still, he’s not happy about her going.

Claire arrives on the deck of the British ship and they show her down to the hold where the sick are crammed in like a horribly nasty nightmare. Every manner of upper and lower bodily fluid is covering every inch of the hold. She finds a man to examine to confirm her suspicions and starts right away explaining how to stop the spread of the disease to the rest of the crew.

While Claire is making plans to get the sick above deck, the British ship lifts anchor. The Captain has sent word to the Artemis that they will meet them in Jamaica to return Claire. They need her skills to stop the spread of the disease until they reach land. And yet again Claire has put herself in danger. Tune in next week for more water and wind, hopefully ending in palm trees and sand.

Interesting fun fact: Do you know where the other ships, besides the Artemis, came from for this episode? They’ reusing some from the Starz series, Black Sails.

– Exclusive Interview on Season 3 with Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore
– One-on-One with Sophie Skelton
– Richard Rankin Interview on Outlander Season 3 and Playing Roger
– Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan and Tobias Menzies Q&A

Box Office Report: ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Holds Off ‘Daddy’s Home 2’ and ‘Orient Express’

Rebecca Murray

November 12, 2017

Just how well is Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok performing? Box Office Mojo reports the third film of the Thor franchise has already earned more than either Thor or Thor: The Dark World did over their entire domestic theatrical runs. Just 10 days in, Thor: Ragnarok continued its hold on the top spot at the box office with a $56 million second weekend. That brings the comic book-inspired action comedy up to $211.5 million domestically. 2011’s Thor amassed $181 domestically during its theatrical run. 2013’s Thor: The Dark World performed better, grossing $206 million while in domestic theaters.

Thor: Ragnarok remained in first, however the weekend’s two new wide releases – Daddy’s Home 2 and Murder on the Orient Express – had impressive debut weekends. Daddy’s Home 2 didn’t match the first film’s $38 million opening weekend, but $30 million isn’t bad for a sequel. Daddy’s Home 2 didn’t screen for most critics, but those who did take in a showing gave it a rotten score of just 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. 2015’s Daddy’s Home also didn’t impress critics, however its RT score is a little higher at 30%.

2017’s new take on Murder on the Orient Express snagged a third place finish, ringing up $28 million which is just about what was expected of the adult drama. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the cast of the PG-13 murder mystery includes Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley.

Box Office Top 10: November 10-12, 2017

Thor: Ragnarok – $56,600,000
Daddy’s Home 2 – $30,000,000
Murder on the Orient Express – $28,200,000
A Bad Moms Christmas – $11,510,000
Jigsaw – $3,420,000
Tyler Perry’s Boo 2! A Madea Halloween – $2,070,000
Geostorm – $1,545,000
Blade Runner 2049 – $1,410,000
Happy Death Day – $1,312,000
Lady Bird – $1,249,000 (in just 37 theaters)

The Thor: Ragnarok Plot: In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (played by Oscar winner Cate Blanchett. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)!

Thor: Ragnarok Review — Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston star in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (Photo © 2017 Disney/Marvel)

‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ Season 2 Episode 5 Recap: Shapes and Colors

Rebecca Murray

November 11, 2017

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency season 2 episode 5 — Elijah Wood, Jade Eshete, and Samuel Barnett in ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ season 2 episode 6 (Photo by Ed Araquel / BBC America)

BBC America’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency season two episode five begins with a voice-over from the forest witch Wakti Wapnasi (Agam Darshi) running down the weird events that have just happened in Dirk’s world. Hidden houses, prophecies, and the possibility of a dream becoming a nightmare make the list of bizarre stuff impacting #TeamDirk.

The Rogue 3 call out to each other from their restraints in Blackwing. Martin isn’t sure how long they can go without energy, and the guys are beginning to feel the end is near.

Farah (Jade Eshete) and Sheriff Sherlock Hobbs (Tyler Labine) head off to Suzie Boreton’s house, and Farah reminds him to be careful. Before they enter the house, Hobbs deputizes Farah as a Bergsberg sheriff. She cries, hardly able to believe she’s finally working in law enforcement – something she’s always dreamed of.

Suzie Boreton (Amanda Walsh) allows them in and she’s back to limping and using a cane. She acts all goofy but gives away the fact she knew they were there yesterday. She claims not to have been to the book club in ages and says her hubby is sick. When Hobbs asks about the dog, Suzie pretends to cry and says her son, Scott, killed the dog. She adds that it might not have been an accident.

Suzie uses the dog story to distract Farah from looking at the spell book on a nearby table. Suzie’s sort of successful at shifting all the blame to her son, Scott, and Farah and Hobbs say they’ll track him down. When Farah mentions Dirk could find him, Suzie perks up.

Detective Tina (Izzie Steele), Dirk (Samuel Barnett), and Todd (Elijah Wood) are having breakfast at a diner, and Dirk’s determined to do things by the book. And by “by the book” he means “the boring book of mundane deduction” he’s co-authoring with Todd. It’s all about being normal detectives right now, and he starts listing off the facts. That leads him to looking at the evidence instead of just drawing insane coincidences, as he puts it.

All the while Dirk’s talking, an elderly waiter is listening in.

Dirk wants to break the mold on how he usually cracks cases so lovely people won’t die. As he’s about to say that you can’t expect people to just walk up and connect the dots, the waiter does just that. He wants to know where they got the pictures of the house, the yard, and the car that fell from the tree. He declares the house is his.

He can’t believe they entered his house and he wonders if it’s destiny they came to the restaurant. After everything Dirk just said about doing true detective work, his only response now is “sh*t!”

Back at the station, Panto (Christopher Russell) is still in his cell. Bart (Fiona Dourif) is hanging out in hers, drawing pictures. Panto’s happy he’s found Dirk Gently, they’ve found an image of his world, and that things seem to be falling into place. He’s not scared, not even of Bart who he calls a beautiful woman.

Meanwhile, Farson Dengdamor (Ajay Friese) leads Amanda (Hannah Marks) and a severely injured Vogel (Osric Chau) through the woods of Wendimoor. He promises the forest witch will protect them. Amanda’s completely confused and when Vogel keeps asking questions, she admits she knows absolutely nothing.

Amanda and Vogel are distracted talking and get captured by super colorfully clothed forest creatures.

Back in the normal world, it turns out the Cardenas’ son is named Arnold, and that makes sense since the growth notches inside the house are labeled “AC.” Tina does actual police work and finds out Arnold’s been going by the name Arnold Freeman. Dirk’s concerned because Arnold (Tony Amendola) looks miserable, and now Dirk’s sure they shouldn’t have brought him to the house so quickly.

Todd, Tina, and Dirk get into a little argument about breakfast, the Cardenas photos, and talking loud enough for the waiter to overhear. Dirk’s upset because he didn’t know that would lead to a clue and he can’t control anything. “I don’t want the situation to get abruptly monster-y or scissor-y or anything of the other things situations have been getting lately!” says Dirk. “I want this to be a relaxing stroll down memory lane that conveniently tells us everything we need to know, resolves all loose threads, and makes us all feel great about our choices in the most boring, uneventful way possible.”

As Dirk talks, Arnold heads into the house. Todd chases after him so of course, Dirk follows. Arnold wants to know why the wallpaper is down. He reveals the world drawn on the wall is Wendimoor. He points out the Trosts, the Dengdamors, and all the monsters in the woods – the rainbow monsters, the furry monsters, and the old snail witch. He also points out The Mage and calls him the villain. He’s supposed to be locked in a train in the sky by the hero, a train that goes around forever.

Arnold asks to see his mom and dad.

Once more to the station we go, and Bart is talking about how the universe tells her what to do. She doesn’t remember her parents. Panto talks about his childhood of singing, dancing, and studying the sword. Bart reveals she was taken by jerks who didn’t understand how she could do stuff, and those jerks now have Ken.

Panto thinks maybe it’s time for Bart to leave this world. If the time comes, she might decide it’s better in Wendimoor.

Hobbs and Farah are back at the station, regrouping after their visit with Suzie. He admits to being overwhelmed but agrees the Cardenas house is at the center of everything. He would like to focus on “just one weird thing at a time,” but Farah reminds him everything is connected.

They decide to focus on Suzie and how Suzie was talking about her son mentioning a fairy tale. The fairy tale is Wendimoor so that connects the Boretons to the Cardenas house. Farah thinks they can bring in Scott on an animal cruelty charge and since he’s a minor, Suzie would also have to come in. Since Scott is at a big music festival, Farah will have to get Dirk to go because he’s good at finding needles in haystacks.

Farah gets a call from her brother and he warns her she has to come in. He says Blackwing is active and she’s in danger.

Dirk Gently season 2 episode 5 — Hannah Marks and Agam Darshi in ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ (Photo by Ed Araquel)

Amanda and Vogel are taken to the hideaway of weird creatures and Wakti Wapnasi. Amanda can’t figure out if the witch is a thing or a person, and she’s freaked out when the witch knows her name. Amanda suddenly realizes the witch’s voice is the voice she hears in her visions.

Arnold’s furious about his visit to his old house, and he believes everything that happened in 1967 was his fault. He’s also sorry a boat fell from the sky and Farah immediately connects that description to the boat that’s been mysteriously beached for decades. Dirk’s upset he’s never heard about any of this, and Arnold thinks all the strange things stopped in the 1960s. He thought he ended everything, but apparently not.

Arnold explains there were sightings of things from the dreams. Those things from his dreams started off nice but got dangerous. They had an air gun and the monster from the song was flying around. Arnold calls Dirk a liar and attacks him when Dirk brings up the scissors and the broken vase.

After Hobbs takes Arnold out of the room, Arnold grabs the air gun and begins shooting. Hobbs is first and then he points the gun at Farah. He yells that he did what he had to and the thing from the boat wasn’t human.

Arnold is stunned to see Panto in jail. He doesn’t think Panto should be able to exist and Arnold has a heart attack and drops to the floor, surrounded by Team Dirk. Bart, still in her cell, throws up her hands and says, “I did nothing.”

Back with Amanda, the witch tells her she sees through her inner eye. Wakti suggests she answer a question: who is she? Amanda finally says she’s Amanda from Oregon. That doesn’t satisfy the witch, so Amanda adds, “When I think, I hear a voice in my head. I am the brain having those thoughts.” When she expands her answer and says she’s the consciousness seeing through the eyes of Amanda, the witch is pleased and the creatures make purring/humming/trilling noises.

Wakti claims Amanda’s consciousness is very special. She also adds that Amanda is very powerful. With training, Amanda can see everything and go everywhere. Wakti is willing to teach her more about her visions.

And now back to the Boreton house where The Mage (John Hannah) threatens to harm Scott to get Suzie to go after Dirk Gently. Dirk is the only thing that’s keeping The Mage from understanding the world of Wendimoor.

Arnold’s taken away by ambulance and Hobbs declares he’s going to follow him there. That leaves Tina in charge of finding Scott at the concert, and she’s not sure she can do it. Hobbs apologizes to Farah for putting the gun into evidence and asks her to keep everyone safe. He gives Tina a hug before heading out.

Todd’s not sure about going to the concert to find Scott, but Farah thinks the arrows are all pointing to him. Tina, on the other hand, is happy about it because they can also just hang out, and Dirk compliments Farah. He likes that she’s being very professional, very detective-y and even does a sarcastic impression of himself and his “everything is connected” ways.

Dirk feels guilty about Arnold being mostly dead, and now he’s not even sure he was “the boy” he was supposed to find. Maybe Scott Boreton, who is still a boy instead of an old man, is “the boy.”

Todd, however, thinks the most important thing is to find Wendimoor. He gives in because it’s three against one, so he doesn’t have much of a choice but to go to the concert.

Suzie is also getting ready for the concert, putting on a band t-shirt and heavy makeup.

In Wendimoor, Amanda has a vision of the Rowdy 3 but Wakti is unable to bring them through to this land. She reminds Amanda she has an important role to play if she survives.

Outside Wakti’s hut, Vogel is being nursed back to health by the weird forest creatures and Farson. They’re friendly and Vogel seems to be in good shape, although now he does have bright flowers in his hair.

Bart’s wandering around outside her cell and Panto feels bad that maybe Arnold was the boy. If he was, then no one else is around to speak to his universe. Bart wants him to feel better, so she gets a radio and dances around. Panto cheers up a bit at the sight.

Farah and Todd arrive at the concert and she confesses she talked to her brother and he warned her about Blackwing. She also reveals she’s never been to a concert. Tina and Dirk catch up with them, and Tina thinks she and Todd should check out the crowd from the stage while Dirk uses his “thing” to find Scott.

Sound of Nothing is on stage as Dirk and Farah work their way through the crowd. Dirk’s not happy real teens are sweating on him. He’s also sure they’ll ever find Scott Boreton…so, of course, Scott Boreton bumps into him and announces his name. Dirk says, “This is just stupid now,” exasperated with his whole everything is connected life.

Scott makes a run for it after Farah says she wants to question him.

Back in Wendimoor, Vogel senses something dangerous is coming. He tells the weird creatures to arm themselves as the knights working for The Mage approach.

Wakti tells Amanda to reach across reality and find someone who can fight the knights.

Tina’s too busy taking selfies to look for Scott. Todd finally convinces her to scan the crowd and they see Farah chasing Scott. Tina also spots Suzie Boreton in the crowd.

Dirk’s in the middle of the crowd by himself as Todd and Tina suddenly realize Suzie’s the dangerous one, not Scott. Suzie and her wand make their way toward Dirk as do Tina and Todd. Dirk is oblivious to everything going on, calling out for Farah.

Suzie uses her wand, frustrated she can’t find Dirk or Scott. She drops the wand and goes scrambling for it as the crowd turns euphoric.

Todd finally reaches Dirk and he can’t stop complimenting him, telling him how much he’s changed his life. Todd thinks Wendimoor is real, they’ll find Amanda, and they’ll be BFFs. (This wand has really made everyone in the crowd high.)

Todd and Dirk continue to confess how much they mean to each other. Dirk correctly guesses something supernatural’s been done to them, but he thinks it’s great. Farah reunites with them and is happy her dad died because he never liked her anyway. Dirk can’t believe Farah and Todd made out, and Farah declares she’s one of the freaks and this is where she’s supposed to be.

Tina has made her way through the crowd and joins the happy group, shouting that she wants to have sex with everyone there. They hug, they laugh, and they dance.

Dancing is also going on back at the police station where Bart is the happiest we’ve ever seen her. She dances, through the bars, with Panto as he laughs.

Amanda is working on pulling up someone to help her fight the knights and after a struggle, she finds who she’s looking for. She asks Wakti for help and they pull the Rowdy 3 into Wendimoor. The Rowdy 3 charge toward the knights and suck their energy. That’s followed by a happy reunion with Vogel and Amanda.

The forest creatures dance.

Back at the Cardenas house, The Mage is looking at the drawings of Wendimoor. He doesn’t understand how this exists or who could have made this.

Hobbs seems to be stuck at night on the side of the road near the Cardenas house. He calls for Tina, but it goes straight to voicemail. As he’s leaving a message, he sees headlights. It’s a truck and Hobbs is suspicious when it pulls into the Cardenas’ barn and disappears. He pulls his gun and follows it in.

Bob Boreton is inside the barn (without the truck) and all Bob can do is grunt. As Hobbs is trying to get answers, his flashlight lights up guns on the floor. The Mage appears and tells Hobbs he has bad timing, zapping his with his wand.

More on Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency Season 2:
– Samuel Barnett and Elijah Wood Interview
– Hannah Marks and Jade Eshete Interview
– Fiona Dourif and Mpho Koaho Interview
– Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine Interview
– Max Landis and Robert Cooper Interview

‘The Exorcist’ Season 2 Episode 6 Recap: Darling Nikki

Rebecca Murray

November 11, 2017

The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 6 — Ben Daniels, Alex Barima, Beatrice Kitsos and Hunter Dillon in ‘The Exorcist’ season 2 episode 6 (Photo by Sergei Bashlakov © 2017 Fox Broadcasting)

Fox’s The Exorcist season two episode six begins immediately where episode five left off, with Nikki unmasked and Grace gone. Andy (John Cho) faces Nikki in the attic room, and she chides him on making a mess of her painting room. He asks about Grace, but Nikki reminds him he sent her away and now he has her. Andy thinks it’s not real, so she caresses his face and asks if she feels real.

The kids walk through the woods and Harper (Beatrice Kitsos) is worried about Truck. Harper hears whispering in the woods as their neighbor walks them home in the pitch-black night.

Andy’s certain he’s losing his mind. His first kiss with this Nikki-demon is interrupted when the kids return. Before he checks on them, Nikki assures him she’ll never leave him again.

Seattle, Washington: Marcus (Ben Daniels) has been waiting for Father Tomas for hours. Marcus gets upset when Father Tomas (Alfonso Herrera) reveals he went to Andy’s house last night, but Marcus gets over it when Father Tomas says he felt a presence of evil. Father Tomas has another vision of all the children murdered on the island and Marcus has a difficult time calming him down. Father Tomas recalls finding a rock in the attic and seeing all the children dying, all killed by someone they loved. He and Marcus now believe the island is being used as a hunting ground.

Andy and Rose (Li Jun Li) visit Truck (Cyrus Arnold) at the psychiatric hospital, and Truck’s worried Verity hates him. He asks them to tell Verity he’s sorry. He then insists the person in his head made him do it.

As they’re leaving, Rose says she’ll look into more long-term options for Truck. Andy’s concerned his home will have to close after what happened and worried about what will happen to his kids. Rose reminds him no decision has been made, but Andy is certain his house will be shut down.

Andy finds a quiet place to sit alone, and he asks Nikki if she made Truck do it. She insists she didn’t and that the kids are sometimes unfixable. He tried to protect them and now thinks he let everyone down. Nikki smiles and says, “We won’t let them tear us apart.”

Rose and Andy return home just as Father Tomas and Marcus arrive.

Caleb (Hunter Dillon) explains to Harper how Truck got his name. Harper wants to know if the island witch is real, confessing she thought she saw someone in the woods.

Rose meets the priests outside and tells them about Truck attacking Verity. Marcus believes there’s something dangerous at work, and if she ignores it the children are at risk. Rose admits everyone has been stressed, especially Andy. Father Tomas confirms the demon seeks emotional trauma. Marcus adds this particular demon targets families and coerces parents into murdering their own children.

Father Tomas and Marcus want to talk to Andy and observe his behavior. They must verify what’s happening before they proceed. If they’re wrong, they’ll leave.

Verity (Brianna Hildebrand) finds Andy preparing lunch and can tell he’s off. He doesn’t tell her Truck apologized and simply says Truck needs more help than he can provide. He tells her to focus on the kids who are left, reminding her they’re still a family.

Andy’s surprised to see Father Tomas and Marcus at his home, and Rose says she asked them to stay for dinner. Andy replies, “The more the merrier,” and returns to the kitchen where Nikki comforts him. He’s mad the priests are there, and she tells him to make it through the night and then they can put the house back together again. She’s ready for their happily ever after.

Meanwhile in Chicago, Mouse (Zuleikha Robinson) and Father Bennett (Kurt Egyiawan) kill two bodyguards and then enter Maria Walters’ room. She’s in bed in bad shape, with intravenous drips. Maria’s eyes transform to reveal the demon’s, and the demon says it smelled Father Bennett coming.

Andy serves up dinner and seems more like himself. When Shelby (Alex Barima) asks about Grace, Andy stops short until he realizes Shelby’s talking about saying a prayer. Father Tomas leads the prayer and Andy throws in a couple of dumb jokes as Father Tomas prays. Verity gives Andy a strange look.

Andy asks what type of priests they are and Harper pipes up and says they’re exorcists. Andy laughs when he considers the fact they fight demons, saying it sounds 14th-century-ish. Andy believes in the human brain and that primitive civilizations came up with metaphors to explain concepts they didn’t understand. He continues to put them down and asks Verity if these exorcists are like Verity’s conversion therapy priests.

Father Tomas apologizes for anyone from the Church trying to pray the gay away. Andy apologizes too, saying he wants the house to remain a safe place for his kids.

Back with Maria Walters (Kirsten Fitzgerald), she has cancer and is terminal therefore worthless as a host. Mouse demands the names of the conspirators inside the Church. The demon wants Father Bennett to change his mind and come over to its side. Mouse changes out the IV to Holy Water, but the demon insists Maria Walters has been abandoned since her body is rotting. It’s happy about the torture as blood leaks from Maria’s mouth.

After dinner, Harper tells Marcus everyone’s sad about Truck. He asks if anyone has seen anything weird around the house and she tells him about hearing something whispering in the woods. The voice said her name. She asks if it’s the island witch and Marcus assures her there’s no such thing as island witches.

Andy, Rose, Father Tomas, and Marcus sit down for coffee and discuss Harper. Andy points out they were wrong about Harper and started an exorcism too early. Father Tomas goes through what they usually look for to determine possession, and Andy’s still acting out of character. Marcus says it usually starts with changes in demeanor…little things. Marcus reveals sooner or later the demon always makes a mistake.

Andy explains he’s been fostering kids for six years, and Father Tomas asks if it was difficult. Marcus tries to egg Andy on, and Andy says he and Nikki made the decision to foster kids. Andy remains in control of himself, even when Marcus blames him for abandoning Truck. Andy begins to get upset, but Nikki puts her hand on his shoulder and tells him to be careful.

Andy regains control of himself and leaves to get them more coffee. After he leaves, they explain to Rose they were trying to make Andy lose emotional control. Andy returns, pours more coffee, and Father Tomas has a vision of the coffee as blood overflowing the cup. He excuses himself.

Marcus tells Andy he admires what he’s done there. He asks if Andy wonders what his life would have turned out like if he hadn’t taken in kids. He then asks if Andy sought counseling after his wife died. Andy has a vision of Nikki standing behind Marcus motioning for him to be quiet. Marcus has the rock in his hand and tells Andy he found it upstairs. Nikki whispers, “He’s baiting you.”

Marcus thinks the rock is a funny thing to keep around. He asks about its significance and Andy says there isn’t any. “It’s just a rock,” says Andy. Marcus wonders why Andy keeps staring at it, and then asks if Andy blames himself for Nikki’s death. Andy is about to attack Marcus and then demands he leave his house.

Rose says this isn’t what she agreed to. Nikki whispers to Andy that Rose has been against them since the beginning. Rose explains she did it for the sake of the kids in case there was just a chance something was wrong. Marcus whispers to Andy to fight it if he cares about his children and wants to keep them safe. Andy looks like he is and then says he’s calling the police. Father Tomas stops him and agrees to leave.

Father Tomas and Marcus leave the house, but they are now sure there’s something wrong with Andy. They’ll wait until the lights go out and take Andy by force. Father Tomas reveals he saw an “echo” and these visions are not a gift. Marcus reminds him if he didn’t have them, everyone in this house would be dead. Marcus assures him he’s there for him and together they pray.

Father Bennett promises the demon in Maria Walters that its pain can end if it tells them what they need. Blood is leaking from Maria’s mouth and eyes as the demon says it’ll still take Father Bennett if he wants to change. But then it also reveals that “great headway is being made with the little cub,” adding that Father Tomas has such promise. “He’s coming along nicely despite the warnings from the old grey lion,” says the demon.

The demon uses Marcus’ voice to tell Father Bennett that Mouse has skeletons in her closet. It suggests Father Bennett ask her why she became an exorcist and what happened at the Abbey 20 years ago. Mouse shoots Maria Walters in the forehead, killing her. Lights shatter, a chandelier falls, and Father Bennett is wounded. He’s bleeding profusely. The demon leaves Maria Walters’ body.

Back at Andy’s, Rose knows Andy is angry at her and reassures him she was just worried about him. He’s pissed, but she thinks the family is in danger. She says with everything that’s been happening, she’s been worried about how he’s been acting.

Andy says it’s all because he’s about to lose his family. She apologizes and admits she should have talked to him. Andy confirms Marcus wasn’t wrong and that he didn’t deal with his grief after Nikki’s death. He tried walling off the pain so it wouldn’t hurt so much.

Andy won’t make that mistake again, and he kisses Rose. They move the action into the bedroom.

Harper wakes and hears something. There’s a storm raging outside but inside her room, she sees her mom, Lorraine. Lorraine grabs her so she won’t scream. “I came back for you, baby. I came back,” she says.

Rose and Andy are in bed and it’s getting hot and heavy. He stops as he sees Nikki’s hands around Rose’s neck. He then sees all of Nikki, snuggling with Rose and saying, “Two for the price of one. What are you waiting for?”

Harper’s mom confesses she missed her and wants Harper to leave with her. Lorraine says they can go far away and she’ll take care of her. When Harper says no, Lorraine whips out a large knife warning her to be quiet.

Lorraine is taking Harper downstairs and is about to walk out the front door when Marcus and Father Tomas return. They force her back upstairs, demanding she put down the knife.

In Andy’s room, Rose is shaken as she realizes Andy is seeing Nikki. Andy speaks to Nikki and then Nikki kisses him.

Rose tries to leave and Nikki tosses her in the air. She also forces Father Tomas, Marcus, Lorraine, and Harper to fly up, out of control. Bodies are flung, but Marcus is able to grab Harper while Father Tomas grabs her mother.

Andy appears to be in a trance as Rose gasps for breath, clutching her throat.

Shelby emerges from Caleb’s room and Verity joins the fray.

Andy strangles Rose as Verity screams from the hall. There’s fighting going on as Andy emerges from his room and picks up the knife Lorraine dropped. He holds Lorraine by the neck against the wall as everyone yells at him not to stab her.

Andy doesn’t listen and slices open Lorraine’s chest. The children watch in horror as Andy’s body contorts as if fighting off the demon. It doesn’t work, and Father Tomas and Marcus begin the exorcism. Andy doesn’t fight and remains kneeling on the floor in the hallway by Lorraine’s dead body.

More on The Exorcist:
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 1
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 2
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 3
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 4
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 5
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 7
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 8
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 9
– Recap of The Exorcist Season 2 Episode 10

– Interview with Ben Daniels, Alfonso Herrera and Kurt Egyiawan
– Interview with John Cho and Brianna Hildebrand
– Recap of The Exorcist season one finale

Gwen Stefani Celebrates the Holidays with ‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas’

Rebecca Murray

November 10, 2017

Grammy Award-winner Gwen Stefani will be helping to ring in the holidays as the star of her first holiday special. NBC announced Gwen Stefani’s You Make It Feel Like Christmas is set to air on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT.

“Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year,” said Stefani. “I am excited to share my new holiday album with everyone and the joy of this holiday season. I look forward to giving audiences a peek into our family’s favorite Christmas traditions and enjoying some of the music, old and new, that makes the holiday so special.”

Gwen Stefani’s You Make It Feel Like Christmas special is described as a “modern take on traditional Christmas specials.” The hour-long special will include music performances and sketches, with guest appearances by Blake Shelton, Chelsea Handler, Ken Jeong, Seth MacFarlane and NE-YO.

Gwen Stefani’s holiday-themed album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas, was released on October 6th. The album hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Holiday Album chart and features holiday classics along with six original songs.

More on Gwen Stefani, Courtesy of NBC:

A three-time Grammy Award winner, Stefani has achieved worldwide success as a performer, songwriter and recording artist who has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide with No Doubt and as a multi-platinum solo artist. Last year Stefani released her critically praised third album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and featured the gold-certified single “Used to Love You.” This Is What the Truth Feels Like followed her other successful solo albums — Love.Angel.Music.Baby and The Sweet Escape, which featured the hit singles “Rich Girl,” “Sweet Escape,” “What Are You Waiting For?” and the Pharrell Williams-produced #1 hit “Hollaback Girl.”

Trendsetter Stefani is also widely recognized as an accomplished fashion designer and entrepreneur, having created much-loved lifestyle brands L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers. In addition to her fashion and music ventures, Stefani launched her first children’s animated television series, Kuu Kuu Harajuku, which is airing daily on Nick Jr. Co-created and executive produced by Stefani, the show follows the adventures of the all-girl band HJ5 – Love, Angel, Music, Baby and G – through their supercute fantasy world of music, fashion and style. Stefani wanted to create an animated series for young girls that celebrate creativity, imagination and individuality. A line of Kuu Kuu Harajuku toys and dolls designed by Stefani just launched in partnership with Mattel. In early 2017, Stefani was announced as the newest Revlon Global Brand Ambassador.

Gwen Stefani You Make Me Feel Like Christmas — Gwen Stefani stars in her first holiday special (Photo by Jamie Nelson / NBC)

Oscars 2018: 26 Animated Films are Eligible for Consideration

Rebecca Murray

November 10, 2017

Animated Films Eligible for Oscars — A scene from Disney•Pixar’s ‘Coco’ (Photo © 2017 Coco•Pixar)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the list of animated feature films that are currently eligible for consideration for the 90th Academy Awards. Animated movies are eligible for categories including Best Animated Feature Film and Best Picture.

Per the Academy: “Several of the films have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying run. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and comply with all of the category’s other qualifying rules before they can advance in the voting process. Depending on the number of films that qualify, two to five nominees may be voted. Sixteen or more films must qualify for the maximum of five nominees to be voted.”

The 2018 Oscars mark the first time all the eligible voting members of the Academy will be able to vote in the Animated Feature Film selection process. The rules previously allowed only select members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch, as well as special invited members, to have a say in the Animated Feature Film nominees.

The 2018 Oscars are set for Sunday, March 4, 2018 and will be airing live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center.

2017 Eligible Animated Feature Films:

“Coco”

“Despicable Me 3”

“Ferdinand”

‘Gotham’ Season 4 Episode 9 Preview: Photos from “Let Them Eat Pie”

Rebecca Murray

November 10, 2017

Fox’s Gotham season four episode eight found Lee Thompkins assuming a position of great power in The Narrows and allowed Gotham fans the opportunity to see Cory Michael Smith as Ed Nygma do his best Robin Lord Taylor as The Penguin impersonation. Plus, Detective Jim Gordon finally came to his senses and took the necessary step and replaced Harvey Bullock as GCPD Captain. The move was made possible thanks to the behind-the-scenes maneuverings of Sofia Falcone.

Up next, Gotham season four episode nine titled “A Dark Knight: Let Them Eat Cake.” Episode nine is set to air on November 16, 2017 and returns to the story of Professor Pyg.

The cast of season four includes Ben McKenzie as Detective James Gordon, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne, Morena Baccarin as Leslie Thompkins, Sean Pertwee as Alfred, Robin Lord Taylor as The Penguin, Erin Richards as Barbara Kean, Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle/the future Catwoman, Cory Michael Smith as Edward Nygma/the Riddler, Jessica Lucas as Tabitha Galavan, Chris Chalk as Lucius Fox, Drew Powell as Butch Gilzean/Solomon Grundy, Alexander Siddig as Ra’s Ah Ghul, and Crystal Reed as Sofia Falcone.

The “Let Them Eat Cake” Plot: Professor Pyg continues to torment Gotham city, involving Jim Gordon whenever possible. Sofia and Penguin get ready for a fundraiser for the orphanage, and things don’t go as planned when Professor Pyg shows up as the chef. Meanwhile, Bruce’s partying gets in the way of his relationship with Alfred. The episodes guest cast includes Michael Cerveris as Professor Pyg, Gordon Winarick as Tommy Elliot, and Christopher Convery as Martin.

More on Gotham:
– Recap of Season 4 Episode 1
– Recap of Season 4 Episode 2
– Recap of Season 4 Episode 4
– Recap of Season 4 Episode 6
– Recap of Season 4 Episode 7

– Erin Richards Interview
– Cory Michael Smith Interview
– Jessica Lucas Interview
– John Stephens Interview
– Alexander Siddig Interview

Gotham Season 4 Episode 9 — Robin Lord Taylor and Crystal Reed in ‘Gotham’ season 4 episode 9 (Photo by Jeff Neumann © 2017 Fox Broadcasting)

‘The Pirates of Somalia’ Trailer with ‘American Horror Story’s Evan Peters

Rebecca Murray

November 10, 2017

The official trailer’s arrived for the dramatic film The Pirates of Somalia starring American Horror Story‘s Evan Peters. The action thriller is inspired by a true story and is based on the bestselling book The Pirates of Somalia: Inside Their Hidden World by Jay Bahadur. Peters takes on the lead role of journalist Bahadur.

Bryan Buckley (The Bronze) adapted Bahadur’s book and directed the fact-based film. In addition to Peters (X-Men: Apocalypse, The Lazarus Effect), the cast includes Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips, The Brothers Grimsby), Oscar nominee Melanie Griffith (Working Girl, Hawaii 5-O), and Oscar winner Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman, Danny Collins). Russell Posner (The Mist, Louder Than Bombs), Philip Ettinger (One Percent More Humid, Dominion), and Aidan Whytock (Blood Drive, Black Sails) are also featured in the dramatic film.

Writer/director Bryan Buckley, Hilary Davis, Phil Hunt, Stephen Kelliher, Michael S. Murphey, Peter Pastorelli, Jane Rosenthal, and Compton Ross executive produced the thriller. Claude Dal Farra, Irfaan Fredericks, Mino Jarjoura, and Matt Lefebvre served as producers. The Pirates of Somalia is set to open in theaters on December 8, 2017.

Describing Jay Bahadur’s book, Publishers Weekly stated, “An engaging account, full of solid analysis. . . . What’s especially impressive (aside from Bahadur’s sheer nerve in insinuating himself among these dangerous men in a lawless corner of the world) is the amassing of multiple perspectives—of pirates and policymakers— that support a rich, suspenseful account.”

The Plot: When rookie journalist Jay Bahadur (Evan Peters) has an inspiring chance encounter with his idol (Al Pacino), he uproots his life and moves to Somalia looking for the story of a lifetime. Hooking up with a local fixer (Barkhad Abdi), he attempts to embed himself with the local Somali pirates, only to find himself quickly in over his head.

The Pirates of Somalia tells the incredible true story of one reporter’s risk-taking adventure that ultimately brought the world an unprecedented first-person account of Somali Pirates the first close-up look into Somalia’s rich culture.

Niall Horan, Imagine Dragons and Khalid to Perform on the American Music Awards

Rebecca Murray

November 10, 2017

Niall Horan to Perform on American Music Awards — Niall Horan (Photo Credit: David Needleman)

ABC and dick clark productions announced platinum-selling artist Niall Horan will perform on the 2017 American Music Awards. In addition, Imagine Dragons and Khalid have been added to the list of artists set to take the stage during the awards show’s live broadcast on November 19, 2017. This year’s AMAs will take place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Imagine Dragons and Khalid will team up for the first time on stage. Imagine Dragons first performed on the American Music Awards in 2013, and in 2013 and 2014 they earned the Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock award. They’re nominated in that category again this year, along with picking up a nomination in the Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock category.

Khalid released his first album in March and is nominated this year in the Favorite Song – Soul/R&B category for “Location” from American Teen. Niall Horan is making his second appearance as a solo artist at the American Music Awards and will perform “Slow Hands” from his solo album, Flicker. This year marks Horan’s first AMA nomination as a solo artist, picking up a nomination in the New Artist of the Year category.

ABC and dick clark productions previously announced BTS, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and Pink will perform. Christina Aguilera will also entertain viewers with a special tribute to Whitney Houston and The Bodyguard in honor of the musical drama’s 25th anniversary. And, Diana Ross will perform as well as accept the American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement honor.

Overall, Bruno Mars leads this year’s list of nominees with eight followed by The Chainsmokers, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd with five each. Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi picked up four nominations. Keith Urban snagged three and Rihanna and Halsey each earned two.

Complete List of 2017 American Music Awards Nominees

CBS Holiday Lineup Includes Newly Colorized Lucy and Dick Van Dyke Episodes

Rebecca Murray

November 10, 2017

CBS will kick off its 2017 special holiday programming on November 23rd with the Thanksgiving Day Parade hosted by Entertainment Tonight‘s Kevin Frazier and correspondent Keltie Knight. The network’s holiday lineup also includes Bruno Mars’ first primetime television special and a special look back at The Carol Burnett Show with Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner.

CBS’s holiday lineup includes a one-hour I Love Lucy Christmas Special made up of the colorized “Christmas Episode” and the newly colorized “The Fashion Show” episode. Two newly colorized episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show will air in The Dick Van Dyke Show – Now in Living Color! special airing Friday, December 22nd. The episodes were personally selected by the series’ creator, Carl Reiner, and represent the two episodes he believes are Mary Tyler Moore’s best.

CBS will also rebroadcast the holiday classics Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns, The Story of Santa Claus, and Robbie the Reindeer.

Thursday, Nov. 23:

THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS (9:00 AM-12:00 PM, live ET/8:00-11:00 AM, live CT/7:00-10:00 AM, live MT/9:00 AM-12:00 PM, delayed PT)
A CBS Thanksgiving tradition in its 57th year, the special, to be anchored by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT host Kevin Frazier and correspondent Keltie Knight, will feature portions of the 91st annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, live from New York City. Performers during the parade will include GRAMMY® Award nominated recording artist Kelsea Ballerini and the casts of the Broadway hit musicals “Come From Away” and “Waitress,” featuring GRAMMY® Award winner Jason Mraz. (New)

Friday, Nov. 24:

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT)
Frosty, that “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship. Narrated by Jimmy Durante, the special also includes the voices of Jackie Vernon (as Frosty) and Billy De Wolfe (as Professor Hinkle). (Rebroadcast)

FROSTY RETURNS (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT)
The magic still in his old silk hat, the holiday season’s perennially popular original dancing snowman continues his adventure and skates on the edge of danger. Jonathan Winters is the narrator with John Goodman as the voice of Frosty. (Rebroadcast)

GRAMMYS® GREATEST STORIES: A 60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)
In this special, CBS, The Recording Academy® and AEG Ehrlich Ventures celebrate epic moments from the past 59 years of GRAMMY® history. This first all-encompassing retrospective will feature rare archival footage, exclusive interviews and special appearances by multi-GRAMMY Award winners Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Dave Grohl, Elton John, Bruno Mars, Chris Martin, Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, U2 and Keith Urban, among others. The special will also take viewers behind the scenes of “Music’s Biggest Night®,” revealing secrets about the remarkable performances and unique “GRAMMY Moments” only seen on the GRAMMY Awards. (New)

Saturday, Nov. 25:

ROBBIE THE REINDEER: HOOVES OF FIRE (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT)
In this animated special, Robbie (voiced by Ben Stiller) must train to compete in the Reindeer Races to become a part of the sleigh team for Santa (voiced by Jim Belushi). (Rebroadcast)

ROBBIE THE REINDEER: LEGEND OF THE LOST TRIBE (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT)
In the second of the two specials, Robbie battles Blitzen (voiced by Hugh Grant) in an effort to stop his nemesis’s launch of a reindeer theme park. Britney Spears, James Woods, Leah Remini and Jerry Stiller are among the additional stars to lend their voices. (Rebroadcast)

THE STORY OF SANTA CLAUS (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT)
This animated musical holiday special revolves around a gentle toymaker (voiced by Ed Asner) whose only wish is to deliver a toy to every child on Christmas. The voices of Betty White and Tim Curry are also featured. (Rebroadcast)

Tuesday, Nov. 28:

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)
Narrated by Burl Ives, who is also heard as the voice of Sam the Snowman, this favorite is a music story based on the popular song of the same name by Johnny Marks. It recounts the tale of a shy reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny nose has made him the laughing stock of all of Christmasville. (Rebroadcast)

THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)
Filmed in Shanghai, China for the first time, the all-star line-up of Victoria’s Secret Angels will include returning favorites Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, Lais Ribeiro, Martha Hunt, Romee Strijd, Sara Sampaio, Stella Maxwell and Taylor Hill, as well as new faces. Merging fashion, fantasy and entertainment, the lingerie runway show will include pink carpet interviews, model profiles, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show, and musical performances that will be announced at a later date. (New)

Wednesday, Nov. 29:

BRUNO MARS: 24K MAGIC LIVE AT THE APOLLO (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)
CBS and Atlantic Records have partnered with multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, director, musician and two-time Super Bowl Halftime performer Bruno Mars to premiere his first primetime television special, which was taped at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City. Mars kicks off the electrifying special in spectacular style with an epic performance atop the Apollo’s landmark marquee. Also, Mars and his band the Hooligans take to the streets, visiting, singing and entertaining locals in exciting, intimate, must-see moments. (New)

Sunday, Dec. 3:

THE CAROL BURNETT 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT)
CBS celebrates the 50th anniversary of Carol Burnett’s classic, award-winning comedy series “The Carol Burnett Show,” which premiered on Sept. 11, 1967. In this special, filmed on the show’s original soundstage (Stage 33 at CBS Television City in Los Angeles), Burnett reminisces about her favorite sketches, Q&As with the studio audience, guest stars, her memorable wardrobe and bloopers, as well as the tremendous effect the show continues to have on television today as a true pioneer of sketch comedy. The special will also feature original cast members Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner, costume designer Bob Mackie, as well as comedians, comic actors and friends, including Jim Carrey, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Colbert, Harry Connick Jr., Bill Hader, Jay Leno, Jane Lynch, Bernadette Peters, Maya Rudolph and Martin Short, who will join Burnett to discuss how the revolutionary series paved the way for them and impacted their careers. (New)

Friday, Dec. 22:

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)
Featuring two back-to-back episodes of the classic series, the colorized “Christmas Episode” (first presented in black and white on Christmas Eve, 1956) is paired with the newly colorized “The Fashion Show.” In this episode (first presented on Feb. 28, 1955), Lucy convinces Ricky to allow her to spend up to $100 on a dress at the fashionable Don Loper Salon in Beverly Hills. However, when an opportunity arises for Lucy to participate in a Loper fashion show featuring glamorous movie star wives, Lucy winds up spending five times that! Lucy hopes that if she gets a mild sunburn, Ricky will feel sorry for her and forgive her for spending so much, though, as always, she goes a bit too far! (New)

THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW – NOW IN LIVING COLOR! (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT)
The two newly colorized back-to-back episodes of this memorable series were selected by series creator Carl Reiner as two of Mary Tyler Moore’s best episodes. In “My Blonde-Haired Brunette” (first presented on Oct. 10, 1961 during the series’ first season), Laura dyes her hair blonde when she fears the romance between Rob and her is fading. In “October Eve” (initially presented on April 8, 1964 during Season Three), a painting of Laura returns to haunt her…despite having posed fully clothed, the artist (played by Carl Reiner) took the liberty of “undraping” her. (New)

Tuesday, Dec. 26:

THE 40TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)
Actress, dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade, singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan, hip hop artist LL COOL J, television writer and producer Norman Lear and renowned musician and record producer Lionel Richie will receive honors. CBS has broadcast the special each year since its debut 40 years ago. The host will be announced at a later date. (New)

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