Diedrich Bader returns to the DC Comics world with the animated series Justice League Action from Warner Bros. Animation coming this fall to Cartoon Network. The animated series features Bader as Booster Gold, Kevin Conroy as Batman, Mark Hamill as The Joker, and James Woods as Lex Luthor, and is executive produced by Justice League‘s Butch Lukic, Batman: The Animated Series‘ Alan Burnett, and Green Lantern: The Animated Series‘ Jim Krieg.
We had the chance to chat with Bader, the executive producers, and designer Shane Glines during the 2016 San Diego Comic Con where they described what Justice League fans can expect from the new series. Asked if Booster will be as fame-hungry in Justice League Action as he has been in previous incarnations, Bader said his character’s definitely all about getting attention. “He’s always taking selfies with Batman. It’s pretty funny. Anytime he’s around Batman he’s blogging the whole time,” said Bader, laughing.
Bader also revealed Booster will idolize Batman, an aspect to the character that Bader found fun to play. “I actually really liked it. He has a total hero worship about him. Actually, the most interesting episode we have – a full-on Booster episode – is that the two of them are paired up and Batman shows him the responsibilities and how to be a real hero. So it’s this great storyline because there’s this child, he pretends to be a hero and Batman tells him what the responsibilities really are.”
The Plot: Featuring the return of Kevin Conroy as Batman, the Dark Knight will join with Superman and Wonder Woman and the rest of DC’s iconic team of heroes in a series that promises to put the action back in heroics. Whether defending the Earth, facing invaders from space, or battling the bizarre forces of magic, the always-rotating team of Justice League heroes, are up to any challenge.
Watch the full Justice League Action interviews:
(Interview by Fred Topel. Article by Rebecca Murray.)
USA Network’s entertaining and thought-provoking sci-fi series Colony was represented at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con by series stars Josh Holloway, Sarah Wayne Callies, Adrian Pasdar, Amanda Righetti, Peter Jacobson, and Tory Kittles as well as writers/executive producers Carlton Cuse and Ryan Condal. The Colony cast and crew took part in a Q&A with fans and sat down for roundtable interviews to discuss the second season of the popular series. USA Network has not set a premiere date yet for season two, however co-stars Adrian Pasdar and Amanda Righetti teamed up for roundtable interviews to provide a little sneak peek into what viewers can expect from the highly anticipated second season when it does arrive in 2017.
The season one plot: “Set in the very near future, Colony‘s world is a dangerous one of divided ideologies. While some choose to collaborate with the occupation and benefit from the new order, others rebel and suffer the consequences. After being separated from their son during the invasion, former FBI agent Will Bowman (Holloway) and his wife Katie (Callies) are willing to do whatever is necessary to be reunited with him. Thus, when the powerful Proxy Snyder (Jacobson) offers Will a chance to get his son back if he will collaborate with the occupational government, Will and Katie find themselves faced with the toughest decision of their lives. They will have to go beyond whatever they thought possible, risking their lives and their relationship to protect their family.”
Adrian Pasdar and Amanda Righetti Interview:
How does the world open up and the characters change in season two?
Adrian Pasdar: “I think that the dynamics between the characters change in a way that allows you to even like them more or fear them more or become even more ambivalent. (Laughing) I think I have managed to make all three of those things happen this year.”
Amanda Righetti: “It’s more extreme. I think that the occupiers have taken a more extreme position; the resistance has taken a more extreme position. So, the screws are really tightening for everybody across the board.”
What’s going to happen with the relationships between your characters and Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies’ characters?
Amanda Righetti: “I think they have a lot to rebuild to come back to an understanding between each other. It makes an interesting dynamic for the season because it sort of gives them a throughline and somewhere to go. In terms of Maddie and Katie, Maddie is in more of a power position this season than she was last season. Everything she sort of built up to in the first season, it’s coming to fruition now. And Katie has had everything stripped from her, so the tables have turned. Katie is relying more on Maddie for her help and what’s happening with Bram, and not having her family close to her.”
Do you think we’re actually going to see the invaders this season?
Adrian Pasdar: “That’s a good question. I’ve been told we’re going to learn a lot more about them this season, but I haven’t been able to to confirm if that’s a physical description or more of purpose of why they’re here. I mean, we know ostensibly why they’re here but I think that gets expanded a little bit.”
Do you remember that Frankenheimer film, The Train? It’s a great film about rescuing art from Germany during World War II. If you want to, watch the movie and it will tell you a little bit more about what’s going on here. Why are they after art? Why are they after culture?”
Do you want to know what’s coming up or would you rather learn all of the secrets gradually?
Adrian Pasdar: “It really depends on…oftentimes information can handcuff you because things are fluid and they change. Sometimes playing just the scene without knowing where it’s going in two or three scripts down the road can be a little bit more energetic. If you have an idea of where you’re going, you can fall prey to… It lends a certain smugness to it. I see it in performances. It’s not intentional, but actors often if they know what they’re doing and they know where they’re going, their performance becomes a little more relaxed. That’s never quite as interesting. So, personally I like to know only as much as I need to.”
How do you feel about how morality is handled in the show and that delicate balance between what is right and what is wrong?
Adrian Pasdar: “I think it’s decided on an individual basis. I don’t think there’s a moral ambiguity in Nolan’s character but I think you adapt the morals that service your desires in the end. There’s no action that’s divorced from desire, ever. So you have to want something in order to do something. So while I may appear somewhat slippery in terms of characters I’ve played in the past, there’s a solidity to this guy that is a backbone that is a little different than what I’ve played before which I think is great.”
Amanda Righetti: “I also think you don’t know how you are going to react until you’re in an adversarial position. We can think that we’re going to react or act a certain way but until you’re placed in that specific position, you don’t really know what decisions you’re going to make. I think the fact that Carlton (Cuse) and Ryan (Condal) really explore those in every aspect – every character has some sort of moral dilemma and it makes it relatable for anybody who watches for any given emotion at any given time to go, ‘Oh, I get that. I totally can see why they would make that decision.'”
Adrian Pasdar: “How far would you go to protect the people you love?”
Amanda Righetti: “Yeah.”
Adrian Pasdar: “That’s what she’s confronted with on an every script basis. It seems like you’re against the wall trying to make things work for a family. I think I said it earlier. I was saying that every good TV show – you guys would probably agree, tell me if you don’t – is all about family. You don’t care whether it’s All in the Family or The Simpsons or The Sopranos or whatever, it’s about family. The dynamics that we’re creating here in this show is pushing people closer and closer together while the world around them is getting pushed farther and farther apart. I think if we can do that right and keep the audiences tuned in, it has a long way to go. There’s a long build on the show.”
Watch the full Adrian Pasdar and Amanda Righetti interview:
Tim Rozon is an Earper and proud of it. During the 2016 San Diego Comic Con, the Wynonna Earp star was literally wearing his love for the series and Doc Holliday on his sleeve…his head, his chest, etc. “I got all of my Earper swag that everybody gave me and I said I’m going to wear it,” explained Rozon in our interview in Syfy’s Wynonna Earp press room. “Everybody’s been too good not to – how could I not? I’m not joking. I’m a fan. I’m one of the Earpers.”
Rozon was teamed up with Wynonna Earp comic book creator during roundtable interviews to discuss the show’s successful first season and what Earpers can look forward to in season two of the Syfy series that also stars Melanie Scrofano, Shamier Anderson, and Dominique Provost-Chalkley.
Tim Rozon and Beau Smith Interview:
Where is the story going to go for Doc Holliday?
Tim Rozon: “I’m in the best hands of Emily Andras. I want to see where she takes it as a fan. Because, yes, I’m an actor on the show but I’m a fan – it’s weird to say – but I’m a fan first of the show, of the comic book. I’m just a fan of Wynonna Earp, so I want to see where she takes it. I don’t know. I know that the gun is pointed at Wynonna Earp and Doc Holliday. I know that Melanie Scrofano is the star of the show so I feel like the bullet’s not going that way. So, yeah, I’m nervous. I’m nervous to see what’s going to happen, but at the same time I can’t wait to see what Emily does, honestly.”
You don’t really think they’re going to kill your character off, do you?
Tim Rozon: “I hope (not)! Let’s not even put that in the universe! Well, I’m already dead so I have that going for me. I am supposed to have been dead 135 years ago so I’m feeling good. And, Emily’s killed me before, let’s be honest. She killed me a couple of times.”
Beau Smith: “Let’s look at it this way though, Doc’s basically kind of immortal. We don’t know the extent of his immortality. Say if he did get shot in this, we don’t know how that’s going to effect (him). Emily’s smarter than me and Tim put together.”
Why is Doc not wearing a bulletproof vest?
Tim Rozon: “Like I said, I don’t think we know the extent of what… He’s also not the sharpest tool. It’s 135 years in that well – the man’s petrified of a selfie or a snapchat.”
Beau Smith: “It would have clashed with your outfit anyway. Doc’s always stylish.”
Tim Rozon: “Exactly.”
Did the reaction of viewers surprise you and did it surprise you how popular it became so quickly?
Tim Rozon: “I mean, yes and no. I loved it so much from day one it’s like, ‘How could everybody else not like this?’ But I’m just so biased to say this is the best thing ever, how could anybody not think this was amazing? But then at the same time when it starts happening you’re like, ‘People are liking it! People are into it!’ So, it’s an amazing thing.”
Will Waverly be the big bad in season two?
Tim Rozon: “I don’t want to mess with Waverly. I wouldn’t. What’s the thing? There’s no hell like a woman scorned. Trust me, I believe it. I don’t want to mess with any of you. I don’t want to mess with anybody. No, I don’t want to see evil Waverly. (Laughing) I’ve seen her shoot a shotgun even in real life and on the show. She’s badass.”
Beau Smith: “She’s Mary Poppins with a gun.”
Tim Rozon: “I would actually like to see a crossover from Beau’s, from the book, and maybe get Mars Del Rey or let’s get… There’s a lot of others.”
Beau Smith: “There’s 20 years of history so there’s a lot of other villains. Bobo Del Rey is a character I created in the first series and in that I also killed him off. But, also gave him a younger brother in Mars Del Rey who’s a little different. So, that’s possible. We’ve got a lot of different characters that Emily can draw from. She’s just done an amazing job with the comics (providing) the background and just moved it forward, everything forward. What I’ve always dreamed of, she’s taken to the next level. She’s taken it to a worldwide level. So many more people are reading comics than they used to. At the same time, all of these people are watching a TV show that never would have watched, a supernatural Western or something like that. Every day I’m doing the touchdown thing, ‘Win, win!’ Every day. It’s the best.”
Would you like to see the romantic relationship between Doc and Wynonna explored more?
Tim Rozon: “Of course, yeah. You know, kissing Melanie…someone’s got to do it! Yeah, I love the relationship. But this show is so well written and so well cast that honestly – I mean I can’t speak for other people, only myself – but I’ve had so much fun playing with everybody. And all of the relationships are different and in their own way. Like, give me as many Waverly/Doc scenes as you want. Give me as many Dolls (scenes). When we finally got to work together, it was so fun – me and Shamier (Anderson). That’s when comedy started coming out. You know what I mean? And Mel and I from day one it was super fun. And Michael Eklund and my Bobo stuff. You name it. All of the relationships were different and fun and interesting, so I’m just down for all of it.”
How did it feel when you saw who was going to be playing these characters you created?
Beau Smith: “They involved us from day one. We saw all of the dailies, all of the auditions. Got to see Tim’s audition, Melanie’s, everyone. I’ve got to be honest with you. My wife and I were pretty good about which ones (were good). Tim, I’ve got to be honest, Tim seriously was the one. Melanie, again, was the one. And when I saw Dominique (Provost-Chalkley’s), I thought, ‘There’s the sister.’ When she and Melanie interacted, there was no other choice. Shamier was different because I pictured him as some tall, wavy, Italian-looking guy. Kind of like a taller Tim, in a way. But when I saw Shamier out there and this stoic attitude, I said, ‘This could be the guy.'”
Monkey (voiced by Charlize Theron) watches as Beetle (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) teaches Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson) how to fish in ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (Photo Credit: Laika Studios/Focus Features)
“Monkey, do you ever say anything encouraging?” asks Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson). “I encourage you not to die,” replies Monkey (voiced by Charlize Theron) while the two new friends are on a quest together in the animated film, Kubo and the Two Strings.
Living a quiet, peaceful life with his mother just outside a small Japanese shoreside village, the young boy Kubo makes a living entertaining the villagers with creative stories of a Samurai warrior fighting against the evil Moon King. Kubo always returns back home to his mother before sundown, just as she has instructed him to do. They always finish the day having dinner together, with Kubo listening to his mom recall stories about his father, a Samurai who gave his life so that Kubo and his mother could live.
One day Kubo stays out too long because he wants to experience the celebration the village is throwing to honor their lost loved ones. The sun sets and to Kubo’s horror two spirit sisters appear eerily calling his name while chasing him. Kubo tries to run home but he’s not fast enough and the two spirit sisters are almost upon him when his mother appears and uses her magic to transport Kubo away quickly while she distracts the spirits.
Kubo is woken up by a talking monkey (named Monkey) who tells him the village has been destroyed and that his mother used her last bit of magic to save him. Once they find shelter, Monkey tells Kubo the stories his mother told him, and the stories he’s been telling to the villagers, are all true. Kubo’s family is strong with magic and a powerful, evil spirit from his parent’s past has sent the sisters to settle an old vendetta. Kubo’s only hope to survive is to find his father’s magical suit and indestructible sword so he can stop the ancient evil.
Visually breathtaking, Kubo and the Two Strings is an uneven, animated adventure with strong performances by its voice talents. Charlize Theron is great at bringing the overprotective and nagging Monkey to life, completely capturing the personality of a caring, bossy, and no-nonsense mentor. Art Parkinson is solid as the voice of Kubo, the imaginative, good-hearted and loving boy who’s about to discover the surprising truth about his parents, the evil hunting him, and himself.
Matthew McConaughey provides the much-needed comic relief as the memory-robbed Beetle who can only recall that he was once a Samurai and followed Kubo’s father. His willingness to join the quest and always put himself in harm’s way for both Kubo and Monkey make him the most likeable character in the film. Rooney Mara gives a truly effective performance as the eerie voice of the two spirit sisters. In fact, she’s so effective that the scenes late in the film of the sisters hunting Kubo and doing battle with his friends are too scary and intense for very young viewers. Most likely eight and above should be able to handle it.
The film’s stop-motion animation is truly stunning with its use of vivid colors, dark and stormy seas, and the vibrant, bright scope of Kubo’s village. Kubo and the Two Strings is a visual delight even while its tone is all over the place. Early in the film, the scenes shift quickly from peaceful to suddenly creepy and intense to violent battle only to cut quickly to a quiet scene, and this happens more than once and it’s jarring. The animated family movie also fails to ever establish a solid rhythm and pacing to its story.
Fortunately, even with its pacing and tonal issues Kubo and the Two Strings is saved by its originality and interesting characters. The film is so visually striking that if you’re interested in checking it out, don’t wait for the DVD. This LAIKA/Focus Features production should be seen on the big screen to fully appreciate its craftsmanship.
GRADE: B-
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, scary images, action and peril
Harry Potter‘s Tom Felton joins the cast of The CW’s The Flash for the show’s third season in the role of CSI Julian Dorn. Felton gets to keep his accent for the role of the CSI investigator who works with Detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) and Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), but at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con he kept any over potentially spoiler-ish details to himself. What he did reveal during our interview is that Julian and Joe have a “pleasant relationship,” however his description of Julian’s relationship with Barry did not involve the word ‘pleasant’. “There seems to be more of an instant clash there,” revealed Felton. “Sort of ruffling each other’s feathers. I think because they do a lot of the same sort of work that one of them is trying to outdo the other one. My character has a slight air of superiority, shall we say.”
The CW’s The Flash will kick off season three on October 4, 2016.
Tom Felton Interview:
What can you tell us about joining The Flash?
Tom Felton: “A few weeks ago I was (asked) if I wanted to join the cast, really. I marathoned my way through about 35 episodes, fell in love with the show, just felt like something very different, something very new, something completely that I didn’t expect it to be type of show. It has a wonderful feel good factor, kind of comfort level. I said a metaphor last night and it’s a terrible one so excuse me. ‘It’s like the comfort of watching Friends but with the excitement of watching Spider-Man or Batman. It was very surreal.
So, after watching 35 episodes I found myself at a crime scene looking at human remains, speaking all of this stuff that I quite recently fell in love with. It was quite surreal and a lot of fun. I’d only been on the set two hours but they were two enjoyable ones.”
Was your first scene a darker one or was it more of a lighthearted Friends one?
Tom Felton: “Well, I’m not sure if the show really separates itself into such clear distinctions. The nature of Barry’s character seems to lend itself to humor at some dark times. Even on a crime scene where we’re essentially looking at someone’s body, it was a very funny scene. It felt funny to me! It felt very funny to me. Grant’s got such a great way of making you love this character so much, Barry, you can’t help fall for him. So, yeah, it’s a lot of fun.”
Do Julian and Barry have a history or is this the first time they’ve met?
Tom Felton: “I feel like that was probably a question to pry into storylines. If so, I don’t know, honestly. I’m sure you get that answer relentlessly at these things, but I don’t know anything. They asked me to play a character I really want to sink my teeth into, and that was it. That was really enough for me to go, ‘Yeah. Sounds fun.’ I tried to get the writers a bit tipsy last night to no avail. Also, really, I don’t have any interest in knowing. As long as I have the next two episodes…it’s a lot more fun doing it that way. I have complete faith and trust in the writers that they know what they’re doing. They don’t need my two cents or my opinion. I’m just excited to get it as they come.”
It sounds like you’re coming out it from a fan perspective, in a way.
Tom Felton: “A fan perspective? It’s odd, I won’t lie. Especially since I found out after the first scene for me that Grant and Jesse are both Potter fans. So they were sort of secretly doing this fanboy moment I think while I was neck deep in it myself. It was fun but also surreal. I have to sort of keep (cool). Like, ‘Oh my god, you’re here! You’re talking to Barry Allen!'”
How do the DC Comics fans compare to Harry Potter fans?
Tom Felton: “So far, remarkably similar. Passionate, enthusiastic, and endlessly excited. Before I had even stepped on set so many people had messaged me about just being excited to see what’s going to happen with the character and the show. It’s nice to see those two fandoms collide, really. If there is such a thing.”
Have you had a chance to see the Harry Potter show on Broadway?
Tom Felton: “No. I’m endlessly excited to do so. I’ve heard from various cast members that have gone who raved about it. If I can get a ticket…”
Don’t you have connections?
Tom Felton: (Laughing) “Believe me, even they’ve come up dry at this point.”
Watch the full Tom Felton interview:
(Interview by Fred Topel. Article by Rebecca Murray.)
Why is Hollywood serving up a new Ben-Hur? The answer may be because films with religious themes have been doing surprisingly well at the box office. Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, producers of The Bible, Son of God, and A.D. The Bible Continues, backed this version of Lew Wallace’s classic novel and they’ve scored success with their recent religious productions. However, Ben-Hur is a horse of a different color. Unlike Downey and Burnett’s other projects, Ben-Hur has not been targeting the church-going audience and instead has been leaning heavily on its action scenes to pique potential ticket buyers’ interest.
The new Ben-Hur finds Boardwalk Empire’s Jack Huston taking on the titular role played by Charlton Heston in the epic Oscar-winning 1959 swords and sandals film. The 2016 Ben-Hur cuts the running time in half and, as advertised, spends much of that running time moving from action set piece to action set piece. The film begins by establishing Prince Judah Ben-Hur as a decent man from a privileged family who loves his adopted brother, Messala Severus (Toby Kebbell). But Messala’s never felt completely embraced by the wealthy family that took him in and, wearing a heavy chip on his shoulder, leaves them behind to go fight for the Romans.
Messala eventually returns to Jerusalem as a well-respected general in the Roman army. After briefly catching up on what’s happened in the city since he left to fight alongside Pontius Pilate (Pilou Asbaek), Messala in no uncertain terms lets Judah know he expects him to turn in the zealots who’ve been launching attacks against the Roman army. Judah refuses and attempts to make his brother understand why he can’t turn in his own people. The conflict between brothers escalates, Messala sides with the Romans against his family, and Judah is ultimately captured and forced into servitude as a galley slave for five years.
The hatred between the brothers drives the story, but once Judah makes his way back to Jerusalem the pace lets up as Judah trains for the much-anticipated showdown in the arena. When it finally arrives director Timur Bekmambetov (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Wanted) serves up an in-your-face spectacle complete with impressive chariot crashes, flailing hooves, and plenty of deaths. Mind you, the deaths are never gory as the PG-13 rating keeps blood and guts to a minimum.
Huston’s impressive in the lead role, making Judah a sympathetic figure who falls into the trap of becoming obsessed with exacting revenge. Kebbell’s underutilized as Messala, an unsympathetic, one-dimensional character whose motivations are glossed over. Morgan Freeman dons dreadlocks to play the wise owner of a traveling chariot race squad, or something of the sort, and it’s with his guidance and financial backing that Judah is allowed the opportunity to face off against his brother in the arena. Rodrigo Santoro shows up every so often as the peace-loving Jesus who calms the people of Jerusalem before ultimately being arrested and crucified.
This Ben-Hur is really for those who haven’t read the book or seen any of the other productions, including the 1959 film, based on Wallace’s novel. 2016’s Ben-Hur is more concerned with action than story, with supporting players given short shrift. When redemption does come for the central characters it feels both false and forced, as does the toned-down crucifixion scene that seems tacked as if an afterthought.
2016’s Ben-Hur is neither as epic or spectacular as the 1959 film, although the chariot race is nearly worth the price of a ticket. But, the keyword here is ‘nearly’.
GRADE: C
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of violence and disturbing images
T.J. Miller (Deadpool, Silicon Valley) will once again take on hosting duties at the Critics’ Choice Awards. The 22nd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards will be held on December 11, 2016 and will air live beginning at 5pm PT/8pm ET on A&E. The Critics’ Choice Awards recognize the best in films and television as voted on by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA*) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA).
This year’s Critics’ Choice Awards date in mid-December will make it, according to the network, the first of the major televised awards shows. The 21st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards were held on January 17, 2016, which is the normal time of year for previous film award ceremonies presented by the BFCA.
“T.J.’s tremendous presence and comedic humor complement our mission to make this show bigger and better year after year,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, Executive Vice President of Programming for A&E. “We are honored to have him return as we lead the way into award season celebrating the best of television and film.”
“The BFCA and BTJA are very excited about moving the Critics’ Choice Awards from the traditional mid-January date to December 11th,” added Joey Berlin, President of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA). “This is the logical time for the Critics’ Choice Awards to be presented in the vanguard of the awards season. The role of critics is to assess new films and television shows and advise the public when they are initially released. So this new date is actually the most appropriate time for our annual year-end assessment of the finest achievements in both media. December 11th will be the first time all of the year’s major award contenders will be gathered together to celebrate the best of the best.”
* – I’m a voting member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association.
Portia Doubleday as Angela Moss in ‘Mr. Robot’ (Photo by Michael Parmelee / USA Network)
Elliot’s (Rami Malek) true location is revealed in the seventh episode of season two of the USA Network series Mr. Robot. There have been many hints that he was in some type of institution this season: the sparse nature of his “mother’s house;” the vertical lines on the wallpaper; the way that all his visitors have sat at a table across from him; that his room looks more like a cell than an actual bedroom; the fact that he ate all his meals in the same place with Leon; and that he had no access to computers. The only question has been whether he was in prison or a psychiatric facility. Finally, in a session with his psychiatrist, Krista (Gloria Reuben), we learn that he has been in prison all along.
When we first see Elliot in his fantasy, he is still in the basement where he is holding hands with Mr. Robot (Christian Slater). Elliot tells him that he had never experienced Mr. Robot protecting him before. However, he still wants to know what happened to Tyrell. Mr. Robot acquiesces and tells him that Tyrell was raving about killing some woman and us being gods, so he shot him with the gun hidden in the popcorn machine.
Ray (Craig Robinson) brings Elliot up from the basement in order for him to work on Ray’s site problem. When Elliot finishes, he asks Ray to play a game of chess. During this game, Ray confides that his wife set up the site and that he only recently learned of the kind of illegal and unsavory transactions taking place there. He tells Elliot that he thought that he’d be Elliot’s savior but it was the other way around. Ray knew what would happen when he let Elliot back on the computer. Elliot muses that he gave Ray a chance to make the right move and a remorseful Ray left himself wide open. Elliot was able to add code so that the FBI could find Ray’s site. Before Elliot leaves him, Ray thanks him and warns him to be careful.
There are, indeed, consequences to Elliot’s actions. Several of the inmates lost money when Ray’s site was shut down. At first, they threaten, and then they begin to assault Elliot when Leon interferes and stabs the assailants. Leon tells Elliot to do what a letter he will receive says, and to say hi to Whiterose for him.
In another plot thread, Tyrell’s wife, Joanna (Stephanie Corneliussen), opens a box wrapped in red ribbon. She has received several similar boxes this season and by way of a flashback we see that Tyrell has sent gifts wrapped in a red ribbon in the past. Later she is outside on the street with her baby in a stroller when someone comes up to her and throws a thick, red liquid on her. The color red shows up many times in the series but it is not clear what it signifies.
Derek, who met Joanna at an E Corp party, gives her an ultimatum: come to a party as his girlfriend or they are done. Although she doesn’t go, she later shows him a petition for divorce from Tyrell. Joanna remains a mysterious character.
When we left Angela (Portia Doubleday) in the last episode, FBI agent Dominique DiPierro (Grace Gummer) appeared at her desk as she was receiving hacking instructions from Darlene (Carly Chaikin). Dom asks Angela what she was doing on a restricted floor. She tells Dom that she was making plans with Agent Thomas to meet for lunch. The FBI agent is not content with this explanation and she tells Angela that her story is fascinating: she leaves Allsafe just one week before the company is hacked and ends up at E Corp. Clearly suspicious, Dom tells her “whatever this is, it’s not you.”
After Dom leaves, Angela is able to finish the coding that allows fsociety to hack the FBI. When Dom sees that the agency was hacked, she tells them to check Angela’s computer though she doubts that they will find anything.
When Angela meets Darlene, an unhappy Angela tells her that Darlene and Elliott were always smarter than her. She now realizes that they were behind the 5/9 attack. She recalls that the masks worn in the Halloween movie that Elliot and Darlene made her watch are just like those worn by fsociety.
Later Angela unsuccessfully tries to get one of the parties bringing a class action suit against E Corp to drop the independent inspections contingency. She tells him that she can settle the lawsuit. He asks, “Is that how they suckered you?” to which Angela responds that they value and respect her. She already has enough signatures though, as the plaintiffs care more about money than anything else, she tells him.
Angela then meets with E Corp CEO, Philip Price (Michael Cristofer) and tells him that she got the contingency dropped. She wonders why the contingency was so important to Price and muses that it was to protect a secret, evil agenda. Even though he tells her that she is squandering the capital earned by asking for a lateral move to Risk Management, he agrees.
Once in Risk Management, Angela learns of a class action lawsuit against E Corp for its role in the water contamination in Flint, Michigan. She asks to sit in on a director’s level meeting. While there it is clear that Angela hopes to gather information about other lawsuits against E Corp. After her boss quickly adjourns the meeting, he tells her that he knows about her. It appears that it is not going to be easy for Angela to destroy E Corp from within.
In a final voiceover, Elliot tells us that control can be illusion and that he needed illusion to gain control. In a sage observation of our world where people are more engaged with their devices than with others, he states that we are attached to our screens to avoid each other and avoid the truth.
A new video’s arrived for the horror film Morgan opening in theaters on September 2, 2016. Morgan‘s new trailer follows the rapidly accelerated development of the film’s titular character from birth to adolescent killer. Directed by Luke Scott from a script by Seth Owen, Morgan‘s cast includes Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Toby Jones, Rose “You know nothing, Jon Snow” Leslie, Boyd Holbrook, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Paul Giamatti.
The Plot: A corporate troubleshooter (Kate Mara) is sent to a remote, top-secret location, where she is to investigate and evaluate a terrifying accident. She learns the event was triggered by a seemingly innocent “human,” who presents a mystery of both infinite promise and incalculable danger.
Doctors from ‘Animal ER’ pose at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (Photo Credit: Nat Geo WILD)
Nat Geo WILD is set to premiere the new series Animal ER on September 10, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT. The series spotlights the work of the doctors and staff of the Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS) in Houston, Texas as they treat a variety of animal patients including dogs, cats, reptiles, and birds. The hospital is one of the busiest in the world, according to Nat Geo WILD, and sees more than 50,000 sick and injured animals come through its doors each year.
“GCVS has the most fascinating and dramatic range of cases in the country, with everything from exotics and zoo animals to family pets crashing through their doors 24/7,” stated Geoff Daniels, executive vice president and general manager, Nat Geo WILD. “Combine this with an incredible cast of passionate vets, and you get some of the most innovative, expert and extraordinary animal care in the world. It will be like nothing else on TV.”
The Plot: Follow patients as they are rushed into the hospital and through diagnosis and treatment. From dogs and cats to chimps and giant pythons, to rams and exotic birds, a broad range of pets are welcome. GCVS is the last stop for animals whose care is beyond the capabilities of their regular veterinarians, and GCVS doctors deal with the most complex and challenging animal cases across their departments, which include Surgery & Orthopedics, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Critical Care, Dentistry & Oral Surgery, Dermatology & Allergy, Avian & Exotics, Diagnostic Imaging, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation & Fitness, Nutrition, and Emergency. The hospital’s medical technology is state of the art and the care is cutting edge, as the staff constantly develops new approaches and techniques to treat their patients.
Animal ER September Episodes:
Tiger Emergency
Premieres Sat., Sept. 10, 10/9c
Today is a first for Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. Nia, a 6-year-old white Bengal tiger, is in critical need of surgery. Harley, a therapy puppy for a little girl, has a broken leg that only surgery can fix. Spirit the cockatiel is fighting for breath, with a mass growing in her throat. And a 9-year-old Lab mix named Duchess undergoes surgery to remove a growth near her brain that may save her life.
PO’ed Python
Premieres Saturday, Sept. 17, 10/9c
Mikka, an 18-foot reticulated python, needs her lungs checked for pneumonia. She finally slithers still for a set of radiographs, but it takes every effort by Gulf Coast’s Avian & Exotics team. Coco the Dalmatian needs a risky surgery to remove a cyst that is hampering her spinal function and ability to walk. The Houston Zoo rushes in with a 31-year-old blue-billed curassow with a broken leg — is she too old for surgery? The parents of Daphne, an 11-year-old Labrador mix, face a tough decision, and finally, Dr. Beale performs a total hip replacement on Bear, a limping German shepherd. Just another typical day at GCVS!
Heroic Measures
Premieres Saturday, Sept. 24, 10/9c
Damon, a rescue dog found bleeding and missing a paw, is a candidate for an artificial limb, a potentially life-changing procedure. Lucy, a dachshund, is rushed to the ICU with a crushed jaw. Meanwhile, Emma, a French bulldog, is brought to the neurology department with paralyzed legs. Two sea turtles are driven 200 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Avian & Exotics department to remove a rash of tumors that are growing out of control all over their bodies. Finally, Darth Rachel, a Labrador retriever, is brought to GCVS because of her heavy, labored breathing.
Code Red
Premieres Saturday, Oct. 1, 10/9c
GCVS comes to the aid of the Houston Humane Society after they receive over 200 neglected animals that were confiscated during a pet store raid. Exotic animal specialist Danielle Inman and Dr. Sue Chen treat a wide variety of animals for issues related to neglect and mismanagement. Cha Cha Larue, a 5-year-old Chinese crested who is a social media darling, gets critical surgery on one of her back legs — will she be able to walk again? Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda Miles gets to work on 7-year-old cat Noir’s crushed jaw. Hulk, a 10-year-old German shepherd, gets a last-chance back surgery from Dr. Carly Giovanella. Finally, Sugar Bear, a coatimundi, needs the infected end portion of his tail amputated to live a normal, happy life.
