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‘Sharknado: The 4th Awakens’ – Will April Live or Die? The Results are In

Ian Ziering and Tara Reid star in Sharknado 2
Ian Ziering as Fin and Tara Reid as April in ‘Sharknado’ (Photo by: Syfy © NBC Universal, Inc.)

Sharknado fans were given the opportunity to decide if April Wexler (played by Tara Reid) would live or die, with the social media campaign using either #AprilLive or #AprilDie votes to determine her fate. With the fourth film of the flying shark franchise, Sharknado: The 4th Awakens, set to air on July 31, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT, the fans have spoken and the votes have been tallied. As it turns out, fans want Reid to stick around. #AprilLive’s won and Reid will be reprising her role as April once again.

In addition to announcing the results of the fan voting, Syfy announced the final batch of cameos for Sharknado: The 4th Awakens. Joining Sharknado stars Ian Ziering (‘Fin Shepard’), David Hasselhoff (‘Gil Shepard’), and Ryan Newman (‘Claudia Shepard’), and newcomers Gary Busey, Tommy Davidson, Imani Hakim, Cody Linley, Masiela Lusha and Cheryl Tiegs in the upcoming Sharknado are:

    • Andre “Black Nerd” Meadows (YouTube star) as a Train Conductor

 

    • Carrot Top (“Vegas Headliner”) as an Uber Driver

 

    • Chippendales Dancers (“Chippendales”) as themselves

 

    • DeStorm Power (You Tube/Vine Star) as a National Guardsman

 

    • Dolvett Quince (“The Biggest Loser”) as a Trainer

 

    • Erika Girardi (“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”) as Tech Frances

 

    • Gilbert Gottfried (comedian) as TODAY Show correspondent

 

    • Seth Rollins (WWE Superstar) as AstroTech Lopez

 

    • Steve Guttenberg (“Colton West,” “Lavalantula,” “2 Lava 2”) as Car Owner

 

    • Hayley Hasselhoff as Supervisor Mary Jane and Taylor-Ann Hasselhoff as Pilot Shaylin

 

    • iJustine (You Tube star) as Supervisor Brock

 

    • Roy Nelson (MMA fighter) as Donnie the Paparazzo

 

    • Stassi Schroeder as Koening and Jax Taylor as a Guardsman (“Vanderpump Rules”); and

 

    Paul Shaffer as himself

Previously announced cameos include:

    • Benjy Bronk (“The Howard Stern Show”) as a morning show host

 

    • Corey Taylor (Slipknot) as a Shark World hotel security guard

 

    • Cynthia Bailey (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”), Robert Herjavec (“Shark Tank”), Kym Johnson (“Dancing with the Stars”), Carrie Keagan (TV host), T’Keyah Crystal Keymah (“In Living Color”) and “Baywatch” stars Gena Lee Nolin and Alexandra Paul as Astro-X rocket scientists and astrophysicists

 

    • David Faustino (“Married with Children”) as a Las Vegas gambler

 

    • Dr. Drew Pinsky (“Loveline”) as a pastor

 

    • Duane Chapman (“Dog the Bounty Hunter”) as a chainsaw dealer

 

    • Frank Mir (MMA fighter) as head of security for the Shark World hotel

 

    • Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts) as manager of the Shark World hotel

 

    • Jedward (Musicians) as Astro Techs

 

    • Jillian Barberie (TV Host) as a train passenger

 

    • Lori Greiner (“Shark Tank”) as a home shopping guru

 

    • Patti Stanger (“Millionaire Matchmaker”) as a reporter

 

    • Stacey Dash (actress and pundit) as the Mayor of Chicago

 

    • Vince Neil (Motley Crue)

 

    • Wayne Newton (aka Mr. Las Vegas)

 

    Todd, Savannah and Grayson Chrisley (“Chrisley Knows Best”)

The Plot: Sharknado: The 4th Awakens takes place five years after the East Coast was ravaged in last summer’s Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!. Fin (Ziering), his family and the cosmos have been blissfully sharknado-free in the intervening years, but now sharks – and ‘nados! – are being whipped up in places (and ways) least expected.

First ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ Season 2 Teaser Trailer and Photo Arrive

Ash vs Evil Dead Season 2 Bruce Campbell and Lucy Lawless
Bruce Campbell and Lucy Lawless star in ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ (Photo @ Starz Entertainment, LLC)

Starz released the first official teaser trailer and photo from season two of the horror comedy Ash vs Evil Dead. Bruce Campbell returns in the titular role of Ash and Lucy Lawless is back as Ruby. Also returning from season one are Ray Santiago as Pablo Simon Bolivar and Dana DeLorenzo as Kelly Maxwell, Ash’s sidekicks who help him battle demons while tossing out one-liners.


The 10 episode season two will premiere in October 2016. New cast members include Lee Majors as Ash’s dad, Ted Raimi as Ash’s childhood best friend, and Michelle Hurd as Ash’s high school love. Craig DiGregorio executive produces and is the showrunner, with Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, and Ivan Raimi also executive producing.

The Plot: The second season roars back into action with Ash leaving his beloved Jacksonville and returning to his hometown of Elk Grove. There, he confronts Ruby. The former enemies have to form an uneasy alliance as Elk Grove soon becomes the nucleus of evil.

Season two also finds Ruby now in possession of the powerful Necronomicon and Pablo recovering from the wounds he suffered in the cabin. Kelly Maxwell will be spending season two plotting revenge against The Evil Dead for the death of her parents.

Watch the Ash vs Evil Dead teaser trailer:

‘Animal Kingdom,’ ‘Wrecked,’ ‘Angie Tribeca’ Earn Renewals

Animal Kingdom Cast
The cast of TNT’s ‘Animal Kingdom.’

TBS and TNT just announced renewals of Animal Kingdom, Wrecked, and Angie Tribeca. Animal Kingdom and Wrecked will return for second seasons while Angie Tribeca earned a third season order. Over its first season Wrecked has been averaging 5.2 million viewers and is one of the top 25 scripted series among cable shows. It also ranks first among new cable comedies. Animal Kingdom‘s first season is averaging 6.7 million viewers and it’s the youngest-skewing show of any TNT dramas.

“A year ago we began reinventing TBS, and thanks to the incredible talent behind these shows, we’ve come a long way in a very short amount of time,” stated Brett Weitz, executive vice president of original programming for TBS. “Pulling the trigger on renewals early allows us to build on our success by giving fans new seasons more quickly.”


Animal Kingdom has signaled the new tone for TNT dramas and is moving the network in the direction we hoped it would,” added Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT. “I’m confident that our strategy of working with high-caliber talent and then getting out of their way will continue to pay off.”

Details on Wrecked: Wrecked centers on a diverse group of plane crash survivors on a remote island where they must face many threats – mostly brought on by themselves. The ensemble cast for the first season includes Asif Ali, Zach Cregger, Rhys Darby, Brooke Dillman, Ginger Gonzaga, Will Greenberg, Jessica Lowe, Ally Maki and Brian Sacca. The first season of Wrecked is executive-produced by Justin Shipley & Jordan Shipley, along with Jesse Hara and Moses Port. The second 10-episode season will premiere in 2017.

Details on Angie Tribeca: Angie Tribeca stars Rashida Jones, Hayes MacArthur, Jere Burns, Deon Cole, Andrée Vermeulen and Jagger. The first two seasons of the buzz-generating hit about a squad of LAPD detectives is the brainchild of executive producers Nancy and Steve Carell, with Ira Ungerleider serving as executive producer and showrunner. The 10-episode third season is slated to launch in early 2017.

Details on Animal Kingdom: Animal Kingdom, which airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), stars Emmy® and Tony® winner Ellen Barkin, Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole, Daniella Alonso and Molly Gordon. The series is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television, with Emmy® winner John Wells and Jonathan Lisco serving as executive producers of the series, along with Etan Frankel and Christopher Chulack. Animal Kingdom is inspired by the award-winning feature film written & directed by David Michôd and produced by Liz Watts, who also serve as executive producers on the series. Season two will return with 10 episodes in early 2017.

CBS Comic Con 2016 Lineup: ‘Scorpion,’ ‘MacGyver’ and More

CBS Comic Con 2016 Shows

CBS has confirmed its schedule for the 2016 San Diego Comic Con taking place July 21-24th in downtown San Diego. The network will once again be bringing cast members from Scorpion to the sold-out Con, and they’ll be showing off new series American Gothic and MacGyver as well. The just-announced panels join the network’s Comic Con lineup that includes “Star Trek: Celebrating 50 Years,” The Big Bang Theory, and a special first-ever Fan Favorites panel. Among the celebrities expected to attend are Katharine McPhee, Elyes Gabel, Juliet Rylance, Antony Starr, Justin Chatwin, Eric Christian Olsen, Lucas Till, George Eads, and James Wolk.

Those lucky enough to have a Comic Con ticket can ride around San Diego’s Gaslamp District in electric cars promoting CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden, MacGyver, Kevin Can Wait, The Great Indoors, and Man with a Plan.

CBS Comic Con Panels:

THURSDAY, JULY 21

CBS Television Studios Block Featuring SCORPION, AMERICAN GOTHIC, FAN FAVORITES and MACGYVER
When/Where: 12:00-3:00 PM (Ballroom 20)

SCORPION – #TeamScorpion, we’ve got a case! We need to retrieve the inside scoop on what’s happening this fall with #Waige, #Quintis and the rest of our favorite band of misfit geniuses. Back by popular demand, Monday night’s top-rated drama series, SCORPION, returns to SDCC for the third year in a row with the stars and producers giving fans the intel on plots, story arcs and romances before anyone else. Fans can join series stars Elyes Gabel, Robert Patrick, Katharine McPhee, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jadyn Wong, Ari Stidham and executive producer Nicholas Wootton (subject to availability) for a panel discussion moderated by Patrick Gomez (@PatrickGomezLA) from PEOPLE magazine.


A Scorpion signing with the cast will take place from 11:00-11:30 AM on Thursday at the Entertainment Earth booth (#2343).

AMERICAN GOTHIC – See how the other half kills with AMERICAN GOTHIC, CBS’s new summer series centered on a prominent Boston family that is reeling after a chilling discovery links someone in their midst to an infamous string of murders. As shocking secrets from the past and present are revealed, the mounting suspicion and paranoia threatens to tear the family apart. Get an exclusive sneak peek at what’s behind closed doors at the Hawthorne estate followed by a panel discussion with the stars and producer. AMERICAN GOTHIC stars Juliet Rylance, Antony Starr, Virginia Madsen, Justin Chatwin, Megan Ketch, Elliot Knight, Stephanie Leonidas and Gabriel Bateman.

FAN FAVORITES – It’s Throwback Thursday at Comic-Con with some of your favorite CBS stars! Join Eric Christian Olsen (“NCIS: Los Angeles”), Daniela Ruah (“NCIS: Los Angeles”), Wilmer Valderrama (“NCIS”), Kirsten Vangsness (“Criminal Minds”), Daniel Henney (“Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders”) and James Wolk (“Zoo”) as they throwback to the early days of their careers and the most memorable moments from the sets of their shows. Don’t miss the fan Q&A when they will exclusively tease what’s ahead for their characters in the upcoming season.

MACGYVER – Mac is back! The action-adventure drama, and hugely popular, MACGYVER is coming back to CBS this fall in the reimagining of the classic series. MacGyver creates a clandestine organization within the U.S. government where he uses his extraordinary talent for unconventional problem solving and vast scientific knowledge to save lives. MacGyver and his team take on the responsibility of saving the world, armed to the teeth with resourcefulness and little more than bubble gum and a paper clip. Fans will be joined by series stars Lucas Till, George Eads, and Executive Producers Peter Lenkov and James Wan for an exclusive sneak peek of the first season, followed by a panel discussion.

FRIDAY, JULY 22

THE BIG BANG THEORY (Presented by Warner Bros. Television)
When/Where: 10:00-11:00 AM (Ballroom 20) #WBSDCC

Inside THE BIG BANG THEORY Writer’s Room — THE BIG BANG THEORY’s writers return to San Diego to take you inside the biggest moments of season nine and behind-the-scenes of TV’s #1 scripted series/comedy! From the wedding and the baby news, to “Shamy’s” big night, find out what goes into making the hit series each week and how the writers keep things fresh after more than 200 episodes! Join the show’s executive producers and writers for a lively discussion and special video presentation.

SATURDAY, JULY 23

STAR TREK: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS (Presented by CBS Television Studios and CBS Consumer Products)
When/Where: 2:00-3:00 PM (Hall H) #StarTrek50

Sept. 8, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the first broadcast of STAR TREK. What began as a TV show became a window into the future and a reflection of our greatest hopes and dreams. By envisioning a world where technology and science improve the human condition and where peace and unity transcend conflict and separation, STAR TREK has inspired children, parents, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs and viewers around the world. It’s also spurred countless real-world innovations and “firsts”… giving a name to a Space Shuttle (the Enterprise), launching one of the first and most passionate worldwide fandoms and featuring the first interracial kiss on U.S. television. Join William Shatner, Scott Bakula, Michael Dorn, Jeri Ryan and Brent Spiner. The conversation will be moderated by Bryan Fuller, executive producer of the new STAR TREK television series coming to CBS All Access, following its CBS Television Network preview in January 2017.

‘Ben-Hur’ New Video: Jack Huston Explains the Story

Ben Hur Toby Kebbell and Jack Huston
Toby Kebbell plays Messala Severus and Jack Huston plays Judah Ben-Hur in ‘Ben-Hur’ (Photo credit: Philippe Antonello © 2016 Paramount Pictures)

Paramount Pictures and MGM’s latest featurette from the action drama Ben-Hur features the film’s stars Jack Huston and Morgan Freeman discussing the relationship between brothers Judah and Messala. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) and based on the classic novel by Lew Wallace, the cast also includes Toby Kebbell, Nazanin Boniadi, and Rodrigo Santoro. Ben-Hur will open in theaters on August 19, 2016.

The Plot: Ben-Hur is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption.

Watch the Ben-Hur featurette:

Comic Con: ‘South Park’ 20th Season Celebration Announced

South Park Gang Goes to Comic Con
Cartman, Stan, and Kyle in ‘South Park’ (Photo Credit: Comedy Central)

Comedy Central will be celebrating 20 seasons of South Park with a panel, interactive fan experience, and an art gallery at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con. The animated TV series will have a huge presence at the fanfest topped by the “South Park 20 Experience” featuring 20 of the most iconic scenes from the series and a Hulu viewing lounge. The interactive fan experience will be open July 21st through July 24th at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade Park directly across from the San Diego Convention Center, and fans who come dressed as a South Park character will be able to skip the line. South Park viewers will also be invited to take part in interviews that may be included in the South Park fan mini-documentary debuting later this year.

The South Park panel will take place on Friday, July 22nd at 5pm PT in Hall H. Per Comedy Central, “panelists will discuss the evolution of the series over the last two decades, take questions from fans and provide an exclusive sneak peek of “South Park: The Fractured But Whole,” the highly-anticipated next-gen video game from Ubisoft and follow-up to the wildly-popular and award-winning “South Park: The Stick of Truth” (2014).”


South Park premiered on August 13, 1997 and will begin airing season 20 on September 14th at 10pm ET/PT. The half-hour animated comedy series was created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and is executive produced by Parker, Stone, Anne Garefino, and Frank C. Agnone II.

Details on the “South Park 20 Experience:”

•20 iconic, life-sized scenes built out in 2D/3D format allowing fans to jump into some of the most memorable moments in South Park history for a photo op to share on social with #SOUTHPARK20.

•“The Coon & Friends Experience” from Ubisoft celebrating the upcoming launch of the new video game, “South Park: The Fractured But Whole.” The space will include a viewing area for game content, a designated pre-order station and real world costumes and items from the Coon and Friends secret lair. Available on December 6 as a digital download and at retailers on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

•A South Park GIF Booth where fans can take an animated GIF with various characters featured across the 19 seasons to print and take home and/or share across their social networks.

‘Patriots Day’ First Poster: Mark Wahlberg in the Boston Bombing Drama

Patriots Day Poster

Director Peter Berg reunites with his Lone Survivor and Deepwater Horizon star Mark Wahlberg for Patriots Day, a dramatic film based on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The film, which just released the first official teaser poster, was co-written and directed by Berg and stars Wahlberg as a Boston Police Sergeant. The cast also includes John Goodman, Kevin Bacon, J.K. Simmons, and Michelle Monaghan. Patriots Day is set to open in limited release (for awards consideration) in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston on December 21, 2016. A wide release is scheduled for January 13, 2017.


The Plot: Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Peter Berg, Patriots Day is an account of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the everyday heroes who inspired the world in the extraordinary hours that followed. In the aftermath of an unspeakable act of terror, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) joins courageous survivors, first responders and investigators in a race against the clock to hunt down the bombers before they strike again. Weaving together the stories of Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon), Police Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman), Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese (J.K. Simmons) and nurse Carol Saunders (Michelle Monaghan) this visceral and unflinching chronicle captures the suspense of the most sophisticated manhunt in law enforcement history and the strength of the people of Boston that inspired the world.

‘The Secret Life of Pets’ Movie Review

The Secret Life of Pets Review
Giant, fluffy, unruly rescue Duke (ERIC STONESTREET), owner Katie (ELLIE KEMPER) and pampered terrier mix Max (LOUIS C.K.) in ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ (Photo © 2016 Universal Studios)

Is your pet a party animal? In Illumination Entertainment’s The Secret Life of Pets furry family members spend their downtime between walks, treats, and sleeping in comfy beds inviting their pals in similar positions over for parties. They also have apparently learned how to give themselves massages using kitchen appliances and wile away the hours while their owners are at work by staring out windows and occasionally barking, protecting the neighborhood from pesky squirrels and other critters who populate suburban neighborhoods.

The PG animated film provides plenty of laughs while following the adventures of a select group of neighborhood pets, but it also reinforces the important message that adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment. Pets are not disposable and shouldn’t be tossed aside when they’re no longer cute, small, or convenient, and in The Secret Life of Pets breaking that rule of pet ownership has created a gang of marauding animals who hate people. Led by Snowball the bunny (voiced by Kevin Hart), the former pets dwell in the New York underground where they plot their revolution against humans.

On the other side of town, Max (Louis C.K.), a lovable terrier mix who’s owned by Katie (Ellie Kemper), would never voluntarily run away from home. He loves his life and his furry friends, and simply adores his Katie. But his calm, orderly life is thrown into chaos when Katie brings home Duke (Eric Stonestreet), a huge, hairy stray who Katie thinks will keep Max company while she’s at work. Duke and Max are immediately at odds over who rules the roost, and after a particularly bad day at the dog park, Max and Duke find themselves needing Snowball’s help escaping the dog catcher. They convince the psycho bunny they’ve also been tossed aside by humans and are welcomed into the underground lair of discarded dogs, cats, rats, birds, bunnies, lizards, snakes, alligators, and sea monkeys. Yes, sea monkeys. It doesn’t take long before the Army of Flushed Pets figures out that Max and Duke aren’t rebel material and the chase is on across New York as the lost dogs attempt to find their way back to Katie, with Snowball and his gang in close pursuit.


The Secret Life of Pets has a sweetness to it that’s not overly saccharine, and it plays just as well for dog lovers as it does for those into cats (or birds, guinea pigs, or rabbits). The voice cast is outstanding, with Louis C.K. and Eric Stonestreet leading the pack as Max and Duke, the new brothers who are forced into working together and who – of course – form a close bond by the end of the film. Kevin Hart’s Snowball is a wise-cracking ball of energy and fur, and his timing is perfect, lending the character the right balance of craziness and cuteness. Nearly stealing the film is Jenny Slate as Gidget the Pomeranian, an adorable ball of fur who is addicted to telenovelas and is secretly madly in love with Max. Other standouts in the voice cast include Bobby Moynihan lending his voice to a goofy pug named Mel; Hannibal Buress providing the voice for Buddy, a first-rate party animal dachshund; Lake Bell as Chloe, a fat cat with an inexhaustible appetite who is Max’s closest confidante; Albert Brooks who takes on the role of a red-tailed hawk forced into curbing his appetite in order to assist with the rescue of Max and Duke; and Chris Renaud as the voice of a perpetually lost guinea pig named Norman.

The central theme of responsible pet ownership is coated with enough laughs and thrills to make it go down easy. The lesson’s especially important for the younger audience, but adults will be reminded of the commitment necessary to provide pets with furever homes.

The animation, as is always the case with Illumination Entertainment’s films, is stunning and even in 3-D the colors remained vibrant and fairly sprang off the screen. And, there’s enough humor aimed at adults to make the film one that will keep audiences of all ages engaged for the 90-minute running time.

The Secret Life of Pets is a fun look at the world as viewed through the eyes of our pets. Anyone who’s ever shared their life with an animal should be left feeling all warm and fuzzy and with the urge to go home and hug their furry family member.

GRADE: B+
Directed By: Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney
MPAA Rating: PG for action and some rude humor
Running Time: 90 minutes
Release Date: July 8, 2016





‘Zoo’ Recap Season 2 Episode 3: Collision Point

Zoo Season 2 Episode 2
Billy Burke as Mitch Morgan, James Wolk as Jackson Oz and Nora Arnezeder as Chloe Tousignant in ‘Zoo’ (Photo: Shane Harvey © 2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)

CBS’ Zoo season two continues with episode three titled “Collision Point” airing on July 5, 2016. The episode finds the gang still busy attempting to stop the Noah Objective which would wipe out the entire animal population on Earth. Jamie is still trying to make her way to safety along with the help of Logan, and Jackson is debating whether it’s now the right time to tell Mitch that his blood type has changed following a dog bite. Plus, the episode found a tiny insect causing havoc and beavers earning their title as nature’s best engineers.

“Collision Point” kicks off somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, with the gang angry Ranger Dariela Marzan killed the mutated human who might have held the cure for the plague. Then an argument breaks out over whether or not they should tell the government what’s going on with the phase 2 mutant.

Next we catch up with Jamie (Kristen Connolly) and her new buddy, Logan (Josh Salatin), who last we saw were on the verge of freezing to death in New Brunswick, Canada. They’re trekking through the forest but Jamie’s in pain after stepping on a nail. They’re following the river, and their plan is to make it to Caraquet where they hope to stock up on supplies and/or get rescued. Jamie and Logan make small talk and it turns out Logan’s a courier who flies in supplies to the area. He’s apparently lugging around his life savings rather than any useful supplies.


Marzan’s working out her anger on tires stored on the plane, pissed off Chloe (Nora Arnezeder) won’t inform the authorities and still steaming over the mutant’s murder of her entire team. But, whoa, she’s not so angry that she can’t find time to leap into Abe’s and land a smackeroo on his surprised lips. Did not see that coming – seems completely random and sort of out of place, given everything that’s going on onboard that plane.

The action zooms to Geneva where ants are marching up a metal table leg in a fancy restaurant’s kitchen.

Nope, not sticking with Geneva for long as now Jackson (James Wolk) and Chloe are arguing over whether they should tell Mitch (Billy Burke) about Jackson’s blood type changing. Jackson wants to tell him; Chloe is adamant they should not. Just then Mitch walks up, they both clam up, and off they go to listen to an update by phone from Eleanor Lewis (April Grace) who says they’re pushing forward on the Noah Objective (the plan to get rid of every animal). They promise to return to Geneva and meet her at her hotel (the one with the ants she knows nothing about yet) as soon as possible. She gets off the phone and starts choking, with some weird electric crackling thing going on in her mouth.

The scene quickly switches back to Jamie and Logan who are now lost after following the map and sticking close to the river. Come to find out – a little late – the river has moved. Are the beavers smart enough to have accomplished the complete rearrangement of the river?

In the episode that I’m now going to remember as a compilation of quick cuts of random scenes, we’re now at the hotel in Geneva because Eleanor didn’t show up at the airport to meet their plane. No one knows where Eleanor is, but General Davies (Peter Outerbridge) is there to tell Chloe she should be working with him on the Noah Objective and not traveling around with “Frodo and Sam.” Jackson tells the General the Noah Objective is madness, and then Mitch figures out where he knows Dr. Davies from – he’s got a graduate degree from Cambridge (not sure why any of this needs to be mentioned). General Davies is done discussing the Noah Objective with them and storms off, while Chloe, Jackson and Mitch take off to find Eleanor.

Oh, yes, it was the beavers! They diverted the river and even flooded out a coal mine, creating a lake in the process. Damn you, beavers! Jamie and Logan are lost, but at least they know who to blame for why the map is incorrect.

So now Abe (Nonso Anozie) is dropping off Marzan who doesn’t even give him a kiss good-bye. Abe says it was brief but a very good brief, but before he finishes his sentence she’s already gone.

Logan can’t believe the river is that far off course and Jamie thinks they should just keep moving.

Mitch, Chloe, and Jackson find Eleanor dead in her hotel room, her mouth completely separated from her jaw. In other words, her face is really gross and you shouldn’t watch this scene with food in your mouth. Before they call the cops, Chloe wants to find whatever it was that Eleanor wanted them to know in private, without any eavesdroppers. Mitch figures out the wounds were made from something burning her from the inside out, and Chloe thinks she was assassinated. Mitch needs Eleanor’s spinal fluid to figure out what killed her and Jackson decides to spend the time looking through drawers and closets. Mitch has to jerry-rig a way to extract the spinal fluid using a straw and sucking it up while Jackson looks on completely disgusted. We’re right there with you, Jackson. As Jackson’s looking away from Mitch’s spinal tap, he notices the ants.

Jamie and Logan try to find their bearings, but they need a higher vantage point. They climb up the mountain, with Jamie limping and Logan volunteering to go on ahead to check things out. It’s actually a ploy to get Logan to put down the bag as he climbs, and Jamie quickly goes to check it out. Inside is a bunch of money and photos of the location where she was being held. There’s also a newspaper article and photos of her gathering wood. A nearby beaver growls at her and Logan returns to let her know he saw the mountain peaks and they’re heading the right way.

Back on the plane, the news reports Eleanor’s death. Now that Eleanor and Amelia are both dead, Chloe and the team are effectively on their own. The news also reports more deaths in Geneva due to strange mouth burns. Mitch has it figured out after looking at Eleanor’s spinal fluid. There were ants inside Eleanor when she died.

Ranger Marzan wants to go back to her unit, but she’s not getting anywhere. Then she spots a lieutenant (Eleanor’s assistant) who is hightailing it out of Geneva. She follows the general who’s following the lieutenant. The lieutenant lies and says he’s been called stateside, but the general believes the Lt. took Eleanor’s laptop and files. The general didn’t kill Eleanor but he does kill the lieutenant after he swears he doesn’t have the missing laptop. Marzan watches all this from a hiding place. She moves forward to the dead lieutenant just in time to see the train station short out.

So, yes, once more we’ve moved off to the plane where a discussion is being held about male ants dating attractive female ants. But, actually, the conversation’s about Abe and Marzan hooking up. Chloe barges in to say Marzan has something to show them and they need to meet her at the train station. Off Chloe and Jackson go while Mitch and Abe stick around to play with ants. They discover the ants are all moving in exactly the same direction, but Mitch would rather drink than figure out why. The talk turns to what Jamie would have wanted, which just rips the bandage off Mitch’s wound. Their argument is interrupted by the ants giving off electrical charges in their little ant container.

Chloe and Jackson find Marzan who shows them the wrecked train station and the pile of metal that is stuck to the now-magnetized transformer. There’s a smell of sulfur and Jackson looks around for ants, which give off the sulfur smell. He finds the huge pile of dead ants, but none of them understand what that actually means. Loud bangs are heard in the distance and they (the people, not the dead ants, obviously) run off.

The situation with Jamie and Logan has gone from bad to worse, as now it’s pouring rain and pitch black. They do, fortunately, stumble upon a rundown little cabin with a stove. Logan volunteers once again to go and get firewood, but this time he takes the bag with him. He’s only gone 30 seconds but that’s long enough for Jamie to make her escape.

Mitch and Abe call Jackson, Marzan, and Chloe to tell them the ants can generate electricity, which is what killed Eleanor. “Enough of these ants together could generate a powerful enough charg to…,” says Mitch and Chloe interrupts to say, “Blow up a transformer.” Mitch tells them where the explosions have been and Abe figures out all the ants are heading to the same place: a Large Particle Accelerator. Mitch then explains it’s the largest machine of its kind in the world and the ants are going there to attack. The attack would generate a charge large enough to kill every living thing within a thousand-mile radius.

Logan fairly easily tracks Jamie down, warning her not to run away. She doesn’t listen and falls, and he catches up and asks if she looked in his bag. He tells her it was never about her, it was always about the leopard. He was sent to capture it and take it back. Jamie wants to know where his plane is, and he says the animals have torn it apart. He also doesn’t know where the men are that hired him, although they were on board the plane with him. Jamie plays 20 questions, sort of likes what she hears, but wants his gun or else she won’t trust him. He hands it over.

Mitch, Chloe, Ranger Marzan, Jackson, and Abe explain about the ants and how they’re marching on to the LPA. As they run to stop it, they encounter a huge stream of ants that all go around Jackson’s feet without touching him. Mitch and Marzan wonder what’s going on. The threesome continue their quest to stop the ants that are now coming in the room and getting closer. Mitch, Marzan and Jackson find the override switch but it’s locked. Marzan and Mitch team up to stop the ants temporarily so that Jackson can throw the switch. It works and the ants all stop marching, but Marzan’s choking on an ant she accidentally swallowed.

Logan and Jamie have made up and Logan wants to have a look at her hurt foot and sees her big black, dead toe. It’s not good and he eyeballs the axe.

The gang hooks up Marzan to an electric chair with low voltage but high enough to kill the ant.

Logan holds the axe, but says he can’t do it. Chloe tells him he has to.

Marzan is shocked – literally – and Abe anxiously awaits the news that the ant has died. It didn’t so they shock Marzan again.

Logan heats up the axe blade and Jamie wants to know if, because her foot is numb, it won’t hurt. She asks about his girlfriend and down comes the axe. As it lands on her toe, she reflexively fires Logan’s gun.

The battle of Marzan vs the ant is still going on, and the ant’s winning. She demands Jackson throw the switch and zap her again. They do for a longer period and this time the ant is dead but Marzan hasn’t got a pulse. Abe takes over doing CPR, willing her back to life. It works. She coughs and asks if the ant is dead. It is, but it’s dead somewhere inside her which is gross but not life-threatening.

Back on the plane, Chloe asks if Marzan wants to stay with them but she wants to go back to her unit. She tells Chloe she saw General Davies murder the lieutenant and that thegeneral thought the lieutenant had stolen files from Eleanor.

Jackson gets Mitch alone and says he has something to tell him. Duh. It’s about time.

Chloe and Marzan go over Eleanor’s files and find a simulation of the Noah Objective that shows wiping out 5 billion animals would also wipe out a huge number of humans. Over 2 million people will die if the Noah Objective goes forward. Chloe says they have to stop it.

‘Code Black’ Season 2 Adds Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe (Photo © Richard Chavez)

CBS confirmed Rob Lowe, who recently starred in both You, Me and the Apocalypse and The Grinder, has joined the cast of Code Black for season two. Lowe joins a cast that includes Marcia Gay Harden, Luis Guzman, Melanie Chandra, Harry Ford, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Jillian Murray, Boris Kodjoe, and William Allen Young. Lowe will be playing Colonel Ethan Willis, a character who will be introduced during the second season premiere on September 28, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT.

Per CBS, Colonel Ethan Willis is “a doctor in the U.S. Military’s prestigious Combat Casualty Care research program who has been pulled out of a combat hospital in Afghanistan and embedded at Angels Memorial to teach what the military has learned about combat medicine. His aggressive, rule-breaking style is greeted enthusiastically by Dr. Leanne Rorish (Marcia Gay Harden), but not by all the other doctors.”


Lowe’s other recent credits include Moonbeam City, Parks and Recreation, Brothers & Sisters, Killing Kennedy, and Behind the Candelabra.

The Season One Plot: Code Black is a heart-pounding medical drama that takes place in the busiest, most notorious ER in the nation, where the staggering influx of patients can outweigh the limited resources available to the extraordinary doctors and nurses whose job is to treat them all—creating a condition known as Code Black. At the heart of the ER’s controlled chaos is Residency Director Dr. Leanne Rorish, renowned for successfully performing high-risk procedures in Center Stage, the trauma area reserved for the most critical cases. Her four new first-year residents are Christa Lorenson, Malaya Pineda, Mario Savetti and Angus Leighton. Leanne’s confidante, Jesse Sallander, is an amiable seen-it-all senior nurse who manages the residents.

Also working in the ER is Dr. Neal Hudson, an excellent physician who sometimes disagrees with Leanne’s “cowboy” approach, and Dr. Rollie Guthrie, the energetic, longest-serving attending. In Center Stage, life is measured in seconds, and these heroic doctors and nurses operate with speed and skill within an overwhelmed system to treat the crowds of people who are often there for one of two reasons: to die or to receive a life-saving miracle.

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