Open Road Films just released the first full trailer and official poster for Snowden, the dramatic film focusing on true events involving Edward Snowden and the NSA and directed by Oliver Stone. Stone co-wrote the script with Kieran Fitzgerald and Joseph Gordon-Levitt tackles the lead role of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. The cast also includes Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Rhys Ifans, Nicolas Cage, Scott Eastwood, Joely Richardson, Timothy Olyphant, and Ben Schnetzer. Snowden will arrive in theaters on September 16, 2016.
The Plot: Academy Award®-winning director Oliver Stone, who brought Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, Wall Street and JFK to the big screen, tackles the most important and fascinating true story of the 21st century. Snowden, the politically-charged, pulse-pounding thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley, reveals the incredible untold personal story of Edward Snowden, the polarizing figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the NSA and became one of the most wanted men in the world. He is considered a hero by some, and a traitor by others. No matter which you believe, the epic story of why he did it, who he left behind, and how he pulled it off makes for one of the most compelling films of the year.
In honor of Administrative Professionals Day, which apparently is a real thing, Sony’s released a new Ghostbusters video focusing on Chris Hemworth’s character. Hemsworth plays Kevin, a receptionist he describes as a “big, dumb puppy dog.” Hired for his looks, Kevin’s not even sure what company he works for or how to answer a phone – and he wants to be a Ghostbuster. Directed by Paul Feig, the new take on the Ghostbusters franchise stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. Ghostbusters will open in theaters on July 15, 2016.
The original Ghostbusters film starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Dan Aykroyd opened in theaters on June 8, 1984. Ghostbusters II followed in June 1989, reuniting all of the main cast as well as director Ivan Reitman. After years of attempting to get the stars to agree to Ghostbusters III, the studio went a completely different direction, rebooting the franchise with female Ghostbusters.
The Plot:Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters. Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today.
Barry’s old morning routine was racing to work after picking up coffee and then powering through his case files. His new morning routine looks more like that of the rest of us…slowly getting dressed, taking the crowded bus to work, standing in a super long line at the coffee shop, followed by hours of tedious paperwork. Needless to say, Barry’s less than enthusiastic about the way life is now that he’s no longer a speedster.
At S.T.A.R. Labs, Cisco (Carlos Valdes) vibes and determines Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) is in Zoom’s lab and she’s okay for now. They have to get her back but have no idea how. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) blames Barry (Grant Gustin) for all of their current troubles, including the fact Zoom can now come through the breach anytime he wants. Wells takes off to find his daughter before Zoom (Teddy Sears) can get to her, tracking her by way of cellular dead zones that she leaves behind because people from Earth-2 vibrate at a different frequency. He takes a laser gun in case he runs into someone from Earth-2 that he has to take down.
On Earth-2, Caitlin’s chained to a bed and won’t eat. Zoom tells her she has to, but she won’t talk to him until he takes off his mask. Jay complies, but Caitlin’s still not willing to carry on a real conversation. She calls him Hunter, and that causes him to flashback to his childhood. He tells her she’s not there because he needs something from her, she’s there because he loves her. He’s willing to wait for her to once again be in love with him. He takes off her chains and says she’s free to look around the lab. He takes off and Caitlin tries to talk to the man in the mask. Just then Killer Frost makes her presence known, saying, “Well hello doppelgänger of mine.” Killer Frost’s locked in one of Zoom’s cells and Caitlin looks stunned to see her.
Back on Earth-1, Wally (Keiynan Lonsdale) visits Joe (Jesse L Martin) at the station, wanting to know more about The Flash. He wants to know what their connection is to him, but Joe won’t say who he is. Wally’s fine with that, but he’d like a meeting with The Flash. Joe, however, doesn’t think that’s possible right now.
Harrison tracks Jesse (Violett Beane) down to an apartment she’s sharing with another young woman. He tells her they have to leave because she’s not safe on her own, but she refuses. “I’m in danger because of you!” says Jesse, telling him everything is his fault. She also tells him she’s afraid of Zoom and she’s just as afraid of him. Harrison leaves the apartment in tears. Driving away in a van, he’s distracted and doesn’t brake in time to avoid hitting a meta-human in the middle of the road.
Barry’s hanging out at S.T.A.R. Labs watching the news reports of petty crime on the rise throughout the city. Cisco turns off the TV, telling Barry to stop watching the news. Cisco then gets an alert that Wells has been in an accident, and the dash cam shows him being taken away by someone.
Back on Earth-2, Killer Frost and Caitlin Snow are getting to know each other, with Killer Frost wondering why Caitlin doesn’t show off “the girls.” She says, “I mean, you’ve seen our body, right?” Killer Frost’s extremely annoyed by the continuous knocking by the man in the mask, telling Caitlin she doesn’t know who the guy is but Zoom must need something from him or he wouldn’t be locked up. Caitlin wonders what Zoom needs from Killer Frost, but her Earth-2 doppelgänger has no idea what Zoom’s up to. Killer Frost wants to make a deal: if Caitlin frees her from the cell, she’ll help her get home.
Back on Earth-1, Barry collects evidence from the crash scene with help from Iris. They figure out it was a meta-human that Wells hit and that it’s probably from Earth-2. Iris grabs the laser gun and they head off to find Jesse.
Wells comes to and discovers he’s been captured by Griffin Grey (Haig Sutherland), a name he doesn’t recognize. Griffin says he was one of Wells’ mistakes, and Wells tries to explain he’s not that Dr. Harrison Wells. Griffin wants him to fix what the particle accelerator did to him which was made him super strong. Being strong was fun at first but then Griffin learned it’s making him age at a super accelerated pace. He’s only 18 but looks like he’s in his 30s. If Wells can’t fix him, then Griffin will just have to kill him.
Jesse returns with Barry and Iris to S.T.A.R. Labs, regretting she ever left her dad. Cisco says the fingerprint Barry found at the crime scene belongs to Griffin Grey, a high school senior who went missing six months ago. Cisco compares his photo with the photo taken from the dash cam and they’re a match, although obviously Griffin has aged a lot in six months. Cisco wishes Caitlin was there to analyze the cells and Jesse steps up to help because biochem was one of her majors. (She had five majors in college!) Barry heads out to check the police database.
On Earth-2, Caitlin’s trying to figure out how to free Killer Frost. Killer Frost tells her about her powers, and they compare childhoods. Killer Frost had a brother who died, which turned her mom into a b*tch. Caitlin’s mom was the same way, but she never had a brother. Caitlin explains she’s going to heat up the glass cell wall and make it crack.
Wally visits Joe again and asks once more to meet The Flash. He really wants to thank him because he thought he was going to die and The Flash gave up his powers to save him. He needs a face-to-face to tell him how much that means to him, and Joe finally agrees to set up the meeting.
Barry tells Cisco and Jesse that Griffin’s been spotted breaking into a warehouse. He grabs the laser gun, leaves Jesse at the lab, and heads out with Cisco. Joe meets them there and they spot Griffin in one of the aisles. They demand he lets Wells go, but he refuses and hurls heavy objects at them. Barry shoots and misses, but Griffin connects with a barrel, knocking Barry down. All the effort of tossing heavy objects around makes Griffin age into a senior citizen in front of Barry’s eyes, but Griffin’s gone by the time Joe and Cisco come to Barry’s aid.
Iris fixes up Barry back at the lab while Jesse explains Griffin’s genes have mutated. The more he exerts himself, the faster he’ll age. They need to get him to expend energy as soon as possible. Everyone but Barry and Iris leave to go work on a solution. Barry reminds Iris she was the first person he saved after he got his powers. He saved her from oncoming cars while they were on a walk, and now he doesn’t even know who he is. She tells him, “Suit or no suit – that guy is a hero.”
Wells is putting chemicals together while Griffin talks about all the things he missed because of the particle accelerator accident.
On Earth-2, Caitlin throws the switch and takes a sledgehammer to the wall. It works and Killer Frost is free. The man in the iron mask gets Caitlin’s attention and Killer Frost uses that opportunity to try and freeze her. She misses, and Caitlin’s upset because she thought they had a deal. Killer Frost says she needs to kill Caitlin after realizing the only reason Zoom’s keeping her alive is because they look alike. With Caitlin there, Zoom won’t need Killer Frost. Killer Frost sends an icicle at Caitlin but Zoom races in, intercepts it, and stabs Killer Frost through the abdomen. She was right. Zoom doesn’t need her and now she’s dead. Jay warns Caitlin if she tries to set the man in the mask free, he’ll kill him too. And off he goes, leaving Caitlin once again.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs the team is still working on trying to track down Wells. Jesse comes up with the idea to try to zero in on Wells’ watch which should be alerting since he’s in the presence of a meta-human. They find its signal and learn Wells is at Central City’s amusement park. Jesse and Cisco worked on the lining of The Flash’s suit (with a little assist from Felicity) and it will protect Barry. But, they could only protect the chest area of the suit and it will only absorb one of Griffin’s super-strong punches.
Wells hands Griffin the cure, but Griffin’s smart enough to know Wells hasn’t really been working on something that will actually fix him. Wells admits there isn’t a cure and Griffin punches Wells, knocking him across the floor. Right at that moment Griffin’s security cameras alert him to the fact he’s got unwanted company. Joe, Barry, and Cisco have reached the amusement park, with Iris and Jesse in the van monitoring Griffin’s movement. Iris switches on all the lights, temporarily blinding Griffin and giving the speed-less The Flash time to get in a few good punches. Griffin throws a metal amusement park car at Joe and Cisco, knocking Joe down. He then takes off after The Flash, hair now completely grey and face wrinkly. The Flash throws another punch but misses, while trying to tell Griffin they can help him. Griffin says it’s too late and sends The Flash flying with a punch to the chest. He aims for The Flash’s head but the blow barely misses. He tries again, aging with each failed punch. Barry takes one more punch to the chest and hits the ground, but the punch also marked the end of Griffin who dies from accelerated old age. Once dead, he returns to his 18 year old self.
Jesse races in and frees Wells and the two hug it out, apologizing for how they treated each other.
Jesse and Harrison are back home and Jesse tries to explain that she feels a huge burden because she’s the reason he killed a man. He understands and knows he’s done something unforgivable. He tells her when her mother died something inside of him broke. He swore on her grave that he’d protect Jesse and when Zoom snatched her up, he snapped. She gets it but wants assurance that he won’t snap again. He promises that he’ll be the kind of father she can be proud of if she promises to never run away again. It’s a deal and they embrace again.
And now it’s time for the meeting between Wally and The Flash. Joe leaves them to it and, from a distance, Wally thanks him for saving his life. “I’m not going to waste this chance that you’ve given me. Thank you,” says Wally. The Flash says, “You’re welcome, Wally,” and leaves. Well, that was super short and pretty anti-climatic.
On Earth-2 Jay thinks Caitlin should be thanking him for saving his life after Killer Frost tried to kill her, but Caitlin just wants to go home. Jay says, “No. Stay.” She tells him she wants to leave which once again gives him flashbacks to that night when his dad murdered his mom. Caitlin begs to go home and Jay says he’s just made a decision. Instead of counting his success by the number of his victims, he’ll count it by the number of Earths he conquers. “You want to go home? Let’s go. After all, this Earth has already been brought to its knees,” says Jay, laughing maniacally.
At S.T.A.R. Labs, Barry and Wells are early risers and Barry admits he has no idea how to get Caitlin back without his powers. Wells confesses he doesn’t believe he’s paid for everything he’s done but he thinks he knows a way to help. He’s going to create another particle accelerator explosion so that Barry can get his speed back.
The Review:
What a waste of a terrific character! Killer Frost was one of the most interesting meta-humans introduced this season on The Flash and, unfortunately, the writers chose to get rid of her far too soon. Danielle Panabaker was fun to watch in both roles, and it’s a shame we won’t get to see Killer Frost and Caitlin attempting to get to know each other better (and comparing more horrible mother stories) in future episodes.
Zoom/Hunter/Jay revealed himself to be obsessed with winning back Caitlin, which might lead to his eventual downfall. And while Caitlin was away dealing with the craziness of Zoom, Jesse Quick stepped up to take her place analyzing clues for Team Flash. It’s great to have Jesse back involved, but hopefully her presence doesn’t mean Caitlin will be off with Zoom for more than a couple of episodes. Team Flash needs to reunite and get back to working together to stop meta-humans from creating havoc in their fair city. Season two’s definitely much darker in tone than season one and it feels like it’s about time to add some lighter moments back into each episode.
Samuel L Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman and John Cusack in ‘Cell.’
Cell phone signals scramble brains, turning users into mindless killers in Cell, based on the book by Stephen King. The first trailer’s arrived for the horror film which reunites John Cusack and Samuel L Jackson, the stars of another film based on a Stephen King-inspired movie: 1408. Cell was directed by Paranormal Activity 2‘s Tod Williams and also stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Lloyd Kaufman, and Stacy Keach.
The Plot: When a powerful signal is broadcast across mobile networks worldwide, cell phone users’ minds are instantly and dangerously re-programmed. Heading north through New England in search of his wife and son, Clay Riddell (John Cusack) is joined by a group of survivors hoping to fend off the bloodthirsty and hyper-connected “phoners.”
The preview clips from The CW’s The 100 season three episode 13 seem to indicate viewers might have to prepare themselves for another favorite character to be killed off this season, or maybe the character will keep on fighting and the video’s edited just to make our hearts jump in our throats. Titled ‘Join or Die’, the upcoming episode airing on April 28, 2016 stars Eliza Taylor, Richard Harmon, Henry Ian Cusick, Marie Avgeropoulos, and Bob Morley. Dean White directed from a script by Shawna Benson and Julie Benson.
The Season 3 Episode 13 Plot: KANE REACHES A BREAKING POINT — Clarke (Eliza Taylor) is on a mission that could change everything. Meanwhile, Murphy (Richard Harmon) gains insight that might prove useful in ensuring his survival. Lastly, Kane (Henry Ian Cusick) reaches a breaking point. Paige Turco, Devon Bostick, and Christopher Larkin also star.
J.K. Rowling’s screenplay for the upcoming return to the world of wizards, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, will be available in book form on November 19, 2016. Scholastic is publishing Rowling’s first screenplay in the US and Canada the day after the film will be released in theaters. In addition to the hardcover book, an ebook edition will be available on Pottermore on November 19th.
“With any new writing from J.K. Rowling, we know that we are not only engaging her vast fan base, but are also building a new generation of readers,” said Ellie Berger, President of Scholastic’s U.S. Trade Division. “The much anticipated release of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie marks another magical and exciting moment for film lovers and readers everywhere, and we are absolutely delighted to publish J.K. Rowling’s screenplay debut.”
Fantastic Beasts was directed by Harry Potter veteran David Yates and produced by Rowling, David Heyman, Steve Kloves, and Lionel Wigram. The cast is led by Eddie Redmayne and includes Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Ron Perlman, Carmen Ejogo, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jenn Murray, and Faith Wood-Blagrove.
The Plot:Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a feat of imagination and an exciting adventure featuring an array of magical creatures and characters. The film opens in 1926 as Newt Scamander, played by Academy Award-winner Eddie Redmayne, has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary collection of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident–were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical briefcase, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.
The cast of season two of PBS’ critically acclaimed Mercy Street has expanded, with Brían F. O’Byrne, Patina Miller, and Bryce Pinkham joining the series. PBS also announced directors Stephen Cragg and Laura Innes have come on board for season two of the popular series set in the 1800s, and additional directors will be announced later. Cragg is directing episodes one and two, and Innes will direct episodes three and four. Filming is currently underway in Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia.
Returning cast members from season one include Mary Elizabeth Winstead as nurse Mary Phinney, Josh Radnor as Dr. Jedediah Foster, Gary Cole as James Green, Sr., Hannah James as Emma Green, Brad Koed Jr. as James Green, Jr., Norbert Leo Butz as Dr. Byron Hale, Tara Summers as nurse Anne Hastings, McKinley Belcher III as Samuel Diggs, Jack Falahee as Frank Stringfellow, AnnaSophia Robb as Alice Green, Donna Murphy as Jane Green, L. Scott Caldwell as Belinda, Suzanne Bertish as Hospital Matron Brannan, and Luke Macfarlane as Chaplain Hopkins.
Brían F. O’Byrne (Mildred Pierce) joins the cast as Allan Pinkerton, “head of the Union Intelligence Service, based on the real Pinkerton.” Patina Miller (Madam Secretary) is on board as Charlotte Jenkins, “a black Northern abolitionist and former slave who escaped to freedom years before through the Underground Railroad (a composite of numerous historical figures, most prominently Harriet Jacobs).” And Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is Maj. Clayton McBurney III, the new hospital chief.
“We are thrilled to add these talented actors and directors to the Mercy Street production, both behind and in front of the camera,” said co-creator and executive producer Lisa Q. Wolfinger. “They each individually bring a new perspective to the series, and together, will take Season Two to new heights.”
“It has been a privilege for all of us on Mercy Street to be able to tell these stories at the intersection of drama and history. This new season, with new faces, presents an exciting opportunity to build on all we’ve accomplished in Season One,” said co-creator and executive producer David Zabel. “Having worked with Stephen Cragg and Laura Innes for many years at ER, and then on many projects since, I am eager to bring their considerable talents to this great ensemble.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome a new set of actors, directors and historical advisors to the Mercy Street family for Season Two, as well as introduce viewers to compelling new characters with captivating story lines,” said executive producer David W. Zucker.
The Plot:Mercy Street‘s first season took place in the spring of 1862 in Alexandria, Virginia, a border town between North and South and the longest-occupied Confederate city of the war. Ruled under martial law, Alexandria was the central melting pot of the region, filled with civilians, female volunteers, doctors, wounded soldiers from both sides, free blacks, enslaved and contraband (escaped slaves living behind Union lines) African Americans, prostitutes, speculators and spies. Mercy Street follows the lives of all of these characters, who collide at Mansion House, the Green family’s luxury hotel, which has been taken over and transformed into a Union Army hospital.
Season Two picks up directly from the dramatic events at the end of the Season One finale, continuing to explore the growing chaos within Alexandria, the complicated interpersonal dynamics of Dr. Foster, Nurse Mary and the Mansion House staff, the increasingly precarious position of the Green family and the changing predicament of the burgeoning black population. The season will introduce a number of new elements, taking us closer to the fight and into the halls of Confederate power, all set against the intensifying war, starting with the Seven Days’ Battle and culminating with Antietam.
Director Danny Strong has added The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story‘s Sarah Paulson to the cast of the dramatic film Rebel in the Rye. Paulson joins a cast that includes Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road), Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), Brian D’Arcy James (Spotlight), Victor Garber (Legends of Tomorrow) and Hope Davis (American Crime). Filming is currently underway in New York City on the biopic based on the life of J.D. Salinger.
Per the official casting announcement, Paulson is set to play Dorothy Olding, “the agent that believed in young Jerry Salinger from his earliest short stories and was fiercely loyal to him throughout his entire career.” Rebel in the Rye was adapted by Danny Strong from Kenneth Slawenski’s Salinger biography. Strong is also producing along with Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Thad Luckinbill, Bruce Cohen, and Jason Shuman. Black Label Media is financing the project.
The Plot:Rebel in the Rye is the story of the life and mind of the legendary and secretive author J.D. Salinger. Through his rebellious youth, the bloody front lines of World War II, enduring great love and terrible loss, a life of rejection to the pages of The New Yorker, and the PTSD-fueled writer’s block that led to the birth of his iconic book The Catcher in the Rye.
Episode one of Fox’s sexy supernatural comedy/drama Lucifer won me over mainly due to Tom Ellis’ performance as the Devil vacationing in LA. Lucifer’s pilot also benefited from terrific chemistry between Ellis and Lauren German, and the playful way it embraced police procedural tropes while adding fun little twists. Each subsequent episode only got better, with season one’s finale on April 25, 2016 the best of the show’s rookie season. Episode 13 titled ‘Take Me Back to Hell’ more than lived up to expectations, leaving fans of the series with a cliffhanger that sets up the big bad for season two. It also expanded on the potential partnership hinted at in previous episodes between Ellis’ Lucifer and D.B. Woodside’s Amenadiel. Plus, there was the unexpected partnership between German’s Chloe and Lesley-Ann Brandt’s Mazikeen. The two kick-ass women teaming up spawned a new ‘ship’ on Twitter along with cheers for the surprise dream team.
Lucifer Season 1 Episode 13 Recap:
The season one finale picks up right where episode 12 left off with Chloe holding Lucifer at gunpoint. She’s ready to place him under arrest for the murder of the street preacher, and Lucifer’s stunned and a bit crestfallen she would believe he’d actually kill the man. Doesn’t she trust him by this point in their relationship? This murder is definitely not his style and Chloe should realize that immediately. Instead, she appears not to believe him when he says he didn’t do it. As the four officers gathered around Lucifer move in, he laughs and tells Chloe this is a huge joke – but it’s on him. He refuses to come peacefully and as he tells her she’s just like all the others, he taunts the officers, picking out one ‘newbie’ and basically daring him to shoot. Chloe orders the officer not to shoot, but Lucifer reaches inside his suit and the officer fires. Chloe screams, ‘No!’ expecting to see Lucifer injured or bleeding. Instead, she finds he’s disappeared in the blink of an eye. Take that Detective Chloe for not believing in the ‘demon cop’ half of your team.
Up on the roof of a nearby hotel, Lucifer asks his brother to never admit to anyone he rescued him and carried him to safety in his arms. (Wish we could have actually witnessed that particular scene!) Lucifer’s shaken up by the experience and ready to call it quits on this whole LA adventure. A well-timed rainstorm keeps Lucifer from smoking – God apparently is a strong supporter of healthy lungs, even in immortal angels – adding one more reason to his list of why he’s ready to give up his detective work in the City of Angels. He also blames Amenadiel for ruining his big exit and tells him he’s now ready to go back to hell. “I’ll go willingly. Please, just take me back to hell,” says Lucifer. Amenadiel calmly replies, “No.”
Back at Lucifer’s, Detective Dan Espinoza (aka Detective Douche) and Detective Malcolm Graham (aka Detective Stache) are investigating the crime scene when an officer finds a demon blade. Malcolm (Kevin Rankin) recognizes it as something special and volunteers to check it in when he gets back to the station. Sure, just hand over the demon blade to the guy who’d most like to put an end to the Devil. Chloe doesn’t think Lucifer committed murder and explains her reasoning to Dan (Kevin Alejandro), saying there wasn’t enough ‘passion’ behind a single bullet to the head to be the work of Lucifer. Lucifer would off someone in a much more flashy, punish-y sort of way. Just then an officer walks up with the gun which may be the murder weapon. After he walks away, Dan tells Chloe Lucifer’s prints will definitely be on that gun. He knows this because the gun is the one he gave to Malcolm to shoot Lucifer. Dan also now agrees with Chloe that Lucifer’s not the killer. Will it be Detective Douche to the rescue? Moving on…
Back on the hotel roof, Lucifer’s completely confused about why Amenadiel won’t take him back to hell. Amenadiel says Maze is right, they both used her, and he also used Malcolm. Amenadiel’s been a bad, bad angel and has to set things right but he needs Lucifer’s help to do so. Amenadiel’s new mission: find Malcolm and send him back to hell where he belongs.
Amenadiel and Lucifer head to Amenadiel’s fake office where they attempt to work out how they’ll get to Malcolm, and Lucifer can’t believe Amenadiel expects him to come up with the solution to their problems. They can’t talk for more than 30 seconds without getting into an argument, and Dr. Linda Martin (Rachael Harris) shows up just as Lucifer labels his brother an “egotistical twit.” Not the harshest insult he’ll launch at his brother during their search for Malcolm, but definitely one of the most entertaining to say out loud. Linda thinks Amenadiel is poaching her patients until they reveal they’re brothers. Surprise! Dr. Martin takes just about everything in stride, even this weird revelation that her fellow professional is none other than her occasional sex partner’s brother. The siblings come up with the brilliant idea to air their grievances and let Dr. Martin sort things out.
Meanwhile, Chloe punches Dan in the face after hearing his full confession regarding Malcolm and the Palmetto shooting. Well done, Chloe, well done. Chloe’s upset but gives Dan an out. All he has to do is prove Lucifer’s innocent. Chloe heads out to find Lucifer, knowing full well he thinks she abandoned him in his moment of need.
Dr. Martin is floored by the idea of Amenadiel and Lucifer being brothers and quickly sorts out that Amenadiel is not a real doctor. That leads to a bout of name-calling and finger-pointing between the dysfunctional siblings. Linda tolerates that for a minute or so and then, anger in check, tells them both off before dispensing advice. She’s once again trying to get Lucifer to give up the heaven and hell metaphors, but Lucifer and Amenadiel stop listening once they latch onto her words: “start a new life.” They know where to start looking for Malcolm and it’s with a guy who can make fake identities.
Chloe shows up at the nightclub to ask Maze about Lucifer, but Maze isn’t about to help her bitter enemy locate her boss. Maze explains exactly why she doesn’t like Chloe but then Chloe surprises her by saying she doesn’t believe Lucifer is guilty and needs to find him before anyone else does. Between the two of them, they figure out Lucifer is going after Malcolm and needs to be stopped before he gets caught. Maze, surprisingly, offers up her services even though Chloe doesn’t really want them. A new crime-fighting team not to be messed with has arrived!
Lucifer and Amenadiel interrupt a funeral in order to have a word with Neil Palmer, the funeral director. Neil says Lucifer’s being disrespectful to the dead, but Lucifer insists the dead guy’s not actually hearing anything they’re saying – and Amenadiel backs him up. “It’s a selfish way for you to all feel better about yourselves about how much you ignored this poor sod in life,” says Lucifer to the funeral attendees. Neil, not wanting a further scene, pulls Lucifer and Amenadiel over to the side where he pretty easily gives up the info on Malcolm. Malcolm needs $100k which he didn’t have to procure the IDs, mentioning he’d get the money from an old associate named Tommy.
The crime-fighting team of Chloe and Maze show up at Malcolm’s residence and Maze doesn’t wait to be invited in. She kicks open the door only to find the house is loaded with new items still in boxes. This leads to a little bonding moment and to Maze confessing she almost killed Chloe in her sleep a while back. Just then Chloe knocks Maze out of the way as a shotgun blast breaks up a nearby box, leaving Chloe laying on top of Maze which of course sets off a whole new topic of conversation. Back to the matter at hand, they’re not being shot at by Malcolm; it’s his wife and she thought she was shooting at her husband. He’s been acting strange and she’s scared of him. She says he was just there and left to get a beer. Just then Dan calls with the news he can’t find any evidence tying Malcolm to the murders. He and Chloe try to figure out where Malcolm would go for a beer or where he’d go for some quick cash, hanging up before they arrive at any real answers.
After getting off the phone with Chloe, Dan spots Lucifer with his feet up on the desk in his office. Lucifer’s holding a toy gun to a bobblehead from Dan’s desk and says, “Don’t move or wobbly head gets it.” Dan wants to know why Lucifer would show up at the police station and Lucifer says it’s because it’s the last place anyone would look. He’s also forced, once again, to introduce Amenadiel as his brother. Amenadiel tells Dan that Malcolm’s looking for Tommy, and that rings a bell with Detective Douche. He won’t tell Lucifer what he just realized, and Lucifer has to pull his Jedi mind trick to get Dan to open up. Dan still doesn’t tell him and Lucifer laughs, saying, “You’re a complicated one. That is a surprise.” Finally, he opens up, telling Lucifer he wants to redeem himself and says Malcolm’s probably with a drug dealer named Tommy who works out of an old brewery. Dan turns to leave, saying they have to go to a holding cell, but when he turns back seconds later they’re gone. Doesn’t anyone wonder how these big men disappear so quickly?
Dan calls Chloe with the Tommy news and they plan to meet up at the brewery.
Malcolm’s at the brewery, telling Tommy he can give him a supply from the evidence locker if he’s got cash. Tommy has cash, but they’re interrupted by someone taking out Tommy’s men elsewhere in the brewery. Malcolm uses the distraction to pull a gun on Tommy and demand his money.
The distraction was, of course, brothers Lucifer and Amenadiel who are met by a dozen or so of Tommy’s heavily armed men. Lucifer asks them to hand over Malcolm, but no, they don’t comply with his request. Dumb move on their part, but they couldn’t possibly have known what they were actually up against. As the Lucifer writers tweeted, it’s not wise to bring guns to an angel fight. Amenadiel’s just about to slow down time when Lucifer suggests they fight their way through it, letting his bro know he’s not in mortal danger if the detective’s not around. One bad guy shoots at Lucifer, but it doesn’t do any damage and then all of the men begin shooting while Lucifer declares, “This is hardly a fair fight.” The bad-ass angels take down the goons one after another while not breaking a sweat, all while seeming to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Lucifer tries to extend the brotherly bonding moment, but even after teaming up for the fight Amenadiel’s not ready to join hands with his brother, sing Kumbaya, and forget their past differences.
Amenadiel suggests they split up to find Malcolm, with Lucifer agreeing but making him promise he’ll share the fun of taking him down if he finds him first. Amenadiel actually does come across the creep first and is taken by surprise when Malcolm stabs him in the stomach with the demon blade – one of the few things that can kill an angel. Malcolm’s actually surprised it worked, pushing the blade in deeper as Amenadiel winces in pain. Just then Lucifer shows up and Malcolm flees with the money, leaving Amenadiel bleeding on the floor. Lucifer has to quickly make a decision: stay with his wounded brother or chase after Malcolm. Lucifer opts to stay with his brother, calling it just a flesh wound. Lucifer tries to stop the bleeding but can’t. Maze runs in, sees the demon blade in Malcolm, and says she’ll handle it, sending Lucifer off to find Malcolm who’ll wish he was dead if Lucifer catches up to him. Chloe spots Malcolm running through the warehouse and shoots while yelling for him to stop. He escapes but leaves behind the bag of money.
Lucifer shows up as Chloe inspects the bag and she points her gun at him, telling him not to move. But she also tells him she knows he isn’t guilty, while Lucifer explains he just wants to tear Malcolm’s arms and legs off. Lucifer still thinks Chloe no longer believes in him, but she does and doesn’t want to see him sent to prison if he kills Malcolm. “I know you’re innocent. I always have. Let’s catch this bastard together and put an end to this,” says Chloe to a stunned Lucifer. The Chloe/Lucifer team is back together and when Chloe asks after Maze, Lucifer’s back with the one-liners. “Why, detective? Are you pining for some good cop/demon cop action?” He also says impulsive and short-sided is his jam when she tries to explain why they can’t just kill Malcolm.
Dan and some officers show up and Lucifer’s ready to surrender because Chloe assured him it would be okay, but Dan tells him they found the evidence they needed to clear his name. Lucifer’s happy about this turn of events but not pleased that it’s Detective Douche who saved him.
Maze takes the injured and possibly dying Amenadiel back to Lucifer’s place where he tells her he’s made his peace and she needs to let him go. She tells him to shut up so she can help him, but he’s gravely injured and only something divine can cure him. Fortunately, Maze has just the thing – a feather she rescued from Lucifer’s wing-burning ceremony at the beach. She thought she could use it to get back home, but she’s willing to sacrifice her trip to hell to use it to save Amenadiel.
Dan and Chloe bring Lucifer into the station where Dan confesses everything, making Lucifer rethink the whole Detective Douche nickname. Dan’s taken away as Chloe receives a phone call from Trixie. However, it’s not Trixie, it’s Malcolm. He’s kidnapped her daughter and will hand her over in exchange for the bag of cash Chloe now has. Chloe isn’t allowed to tell anyone what she’s doing and manages to get the cash out to her car before Lucifer catches on that something’s up with his partner. He’s wondering why she doesn’t trust him and where she’s heading with all that cash when she tells him the truth. Lucifer, despite his self-proclaimed loathing of children, has a soft spot for Trixie and immediately wants to help. But Chloe can’t risk Malcolm seeing that she didn’t come alone, even though Lucifer says she’ll stand a better chance riding shotgun with the Devil. She makes him promise he’ll let her go alone and he does, but you know he’s not going to stick to that particular agreement.
Chloe meets up with Malcolm who’s holding Trixie in an airplane hangar. Trixie’s scared but being brave, and after Chloe tosses over her guns, Trixie runs and hides like her mother tells her to. Chloe opens the trunk and reveals the bag of cash, but she’s fully aware Malcolm can’t let her live. Just then a paper airplane flies in with a drawing of the Devil. Lucifer walks up and asks for Malcolm’s gun. He doesn’t hand it over and Lucifer asks him what it is that he desires, getting within a foot of the extended gun. Malcolm says he wants to live and shoots Lucifer in the abdomen. Lucifer falls to the ground, clutching his bleeding stomach and quivering in pain. He’s dying and Malcolm stands over him, telling him he’s feeling what it’s like to die. Malcolm tells him Chloe will soon follow him in death, walking away to try to find the detective who’s now in hiding.
Lucifer, life fading away and blood spreading in a circle around his body, speaks to his father. “I don’t know if this is all part of the plan or if you can even hear me, but if you’re up there, Dad, I need a favor,” gasps Lucifer. He promises he’ll be the son he always wanted him to be and do whatever is asked of him if he spares Chloe’s life. It’s a heartbreaking scene with Lucifer willing to sacrifice everything for his friend. Lucifer’s then seen in hell, touching a wall and saying, “Home sweet home,” while complaining about the ashes. He approaches a door that’s open and shouldn’t be. Something horrible has happened as evidenced by the fact Lucifer looks both frightened and confused. Someone has escaped.
Back in the hangar, Lucifer sits up, no longer dying. His eyes flash red as he hunts down Malcolm. Malcolm’s just about to shoot Chloe when Lucifer grabs his arm and punches him, sending him back against a stack of crates. Before Malcolm can raise the gun and shoot Lucifer again, Chloe fires three shots into his chest. Dying, he tells Lucifer it doesn’t matter because he’s got the get out of hell free coin. Swearing he’ll be back, Malcolm feels his pockets for the coin which Lucifer holds up. Malcolm wants to know how he got it back and Lucifer replies, laughing, “I know a guy. Apparently, he wants me back here.” He flips the coin in the air and as Malcolm reaches up to grab it, it catches fire and disintegrates. Malcolm dies, knowing he’s going back to hell where he belongs.
Chloe calls for Trixie and they hug. Lucifer walks up and Chloe’s shocked he’s alive, believing Malcolm shot him. Lucifer says he was dead but he got better, and Chloe just sort of lets that go with a, “Hmmm.” She’s seen him disappear in front of her own eyes and now he’s survived a gunshot to the gut at point-blank range. Will season two’s first episode explain why she isn’t at least slightly shocked by these weird events?
Back at Lucifer’s, Amenadiel comes to and Lucifer tells him Malcolm’s been dealt with. Pouring himself and his brother a drink, Lucifer explains that he spoke with their dad and he accepted Lucifer’s service in exchange for… He won’t tell Amenadiel the rest, but he does reveal that their father showed him someone has escaped from hell and needs to be found. Amenadiel realizes his brother is actually scared of this person and wants to know who it is. And we learn the hunt will be on in season two for…brace yourselves…their mom!
The Review:
Lucifer turned out to be one of my favorite new shows for 2016. It hit a few bumps in the beginning but quickly figured out what worked, leaving what didn’t (most notably sex in exchange for therapy) behind as it focused on the core of the show: the relationship between Lucifer and Chloe. Lucifer’s schtick never got old and when he made everything too much about himself, Chloe was there to set him straight. Incredibly sharp writing, a talented cast bringing to life flawed characters audiences can connect with and root for, and some of the best one-liners of any primetime TV series in years all contributed to making a series that not only engages and entertains but also evokes surprising emotional responses and connections.
The chemistry between Tom Ellis and Lauren German nearly sends sparks off the screen, and German proved to be the perfect choice to play the detective who grounds Lucifer and who shares a special, yet-to-be-fully-explained connection with the Devil. D.B. Woodside as Amenadiel was underused in the first few episodes but steadily grew to be an integral ingredient in making Lucifer such a delicious weekly treat. Lesley Ann-Brandt as Maze was not just all sex wrapped in leather, but also turned out to be a complex character who proved herself loyal yet independent – and someone you’d never want to encounter in a dark alley. Kevin Alejandro’s Detective Dan was saddled with the Detective Douche label by Lucifer and could have been the one-dimensional supporting character often used as the unlikable third side of a love triangle. The writers didn’t fall into that trap and instead fleshed out Dan, letting the character evolve into a man who’s actually worthy of finding redemption.
Rachael Harris’ Dr. Linda Martin was relied on less in the later episodes of season one yet Harris continued her scene-stealing ways whenever the opportunity arose. Hopefully, season two will find even more ways to work in visits to Martin’s office or to involve her as a consultant on more police cases. You can never have too much Rachael Harris, in my opinion. And speaking of scene-stealers, I’m not in general a fan of child actors but Scarlett Estevez is an old soul in a child’s body. Just as Trixie worked her way into Lucifer’s heart, Estevez won over the audience with her performance as Chloe and Dan’s wise beyond her years daughter.
But Lucifer is truly Tom Ellis’ show and while he’s surrounded by a terrific ensemble, if we didn’t buy into his performance as the self-centered Prince of Darkness Lucifer would not work. Ellis is charming, sexy, talented, and boy has he got an impressive singing voice. Let’s have more time with Ellis at the piano next season, please @LuciferWriters. Also, more time with Ellis shirtless while you’re at it.
Aldis Hodge and Alano Miller in ‘Underground’ (Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Television)
WGN America announced they’re bringing back the dramatic series Underground for a second season. Season one, which has been averaging 3 million viewers, will finish up on May 11, 2016 and prior to the season finale WGN America will air an all-day Underground marathon. Season two will consist of 10 new episodes which will shoot this summer and air in 2017.
The series was created by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski. Green, Pokaski, John Legend, Akiva Goldsman, Tory Tunnell, Joby Harold, Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius and Anthony Hemingway executive produce. Underground stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Christopher Meloni, Alano Miller, Jessica de Gouw, Marc Blucas, Adina Porter, Mykelti Williamson, Amirah Vann, Johnny Ray Gill, Chris Chalk, Reed Diamond, Theodus Crane, James Lafferty, Renwick Scott, and Jussie Smollett.
“With enormous pride we are announcing a second season of Underground, a series that has resonated with so many passionate fans across the country,” said Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios. “We are deeply proud of the work that the talented cast, crew and production team have done to bring this story to life, led by our gifted creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and our partners at Sony Pictures Television. It is an honor to have Underground on our air and we look forward to how the story will unfold in what is sure to be a stellar sophomore season.”
“When we came together to create Underground, we had one mandate, and that was to be bold. To evoke the spirit of the American heroes who bent the arc of history,” stated Green and Pokaski. “To our extraordinary cast and crew who gave blood, sweat and tears to breathe life into this story, thank you for being bold with us. To our supportive partners at WGN America, Sony Pictures Television, Weed Road, Safehouse and Get Lifted, thank you for being bold with us. And to all the Underground fans who tune in every week, tweet and spread the word, thank you for being bold with us. We are beyond thrilled to have the honor and privilege to continue this journey.”
“Underground isn’t just a television show. It’s a movement. It is storytelling at its finest, and the brilliant work that Misha, Joe and our cast have done to infuse Underground with the kind of passion that’s made it part of the zeitgeist is incredible. This show does so much more than entertain, it inspires us to reflect on our past and learn from those mistakes to make a brighter future for our children. Thanks to everyone at WGN America, Sony Pictures Television and my Get Lifted partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius for putting their hearts and souls into Underground. We look forward to a spectacular season two,” said John Legend.
The Plot: Set in a desperate and dangerous time, WGN America’s Underground tells the story of revolutionaries of the Underground Railroad who use their ingenuity, will and power to attempt the greatest escape in history despite the dire consequences that awaited them on the other side. The provocative and compelling series focuses on a group of courageous men and women who band together for the fight of their lives – for their families, their future and their freedom.
Open Road Films just released the first full trailer and official poster for Snowden, the dramatic film focusing on true events involving Edward Snowden and the NSA and directed by Oliver Stone. Stone co-wrote the script with Kieran Fitzgerald and Joseph Gordon-Levitt tackles the lead role of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. The cast also includes Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Rhys Ifans, Nicolas Cage, Scott Eastwood, Joely Richardson, Timothy Olyphant, and Ben Schnetzer. Snowden will arrive in theaters on September 16, 2016.
