The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus will soon have two series on AMC, with Ride with Norman Reedus set to debut on June 12, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT. The new show will focus on Reedus and his love of motorcycles, and the official poster just unveiled by the network makes that abundantly clear by showing just Reedus on a motorcycle.
Season one of the one hour non-fiction series will consist of six episodes. Ken Druckerman and Banks Tarver are the executive producers.
According to AMC, Ride with Norman Reedus “follows The Walking Dead fan-favorite star and motorcycle enthusiast as he hits the open road to explore local biker culture and celebrate the best and brightest collectors, mechanics and craftsmen around the country. Each one-hour installment of Ride with Norman Reedus will feature Reedus with a riding companion – notable guests include Peter Fonda, Robert Rodriguez and Balthazar Getty – as they journey to new destinations throughout the United States, including North Carolina, Florida, California, Nevada, Texas and Louisiana. Reedus and friends stop by various locales such as custom bike shops, tattoo parlors, collector’s warehouses, or a roadside smokehouse.”
“There’s some unfinished business we need to take care of,” says Supervisory Agent Terence Beal (Keith David). “There always is,” replies Reese (Jim Caviezel) in season 5 episode 3 of CBS’s crime thriller series, Person of Interest.
The episode starts with a flashback to when Reese was being recruited to a special branch of the CIA by Beal. He assigns Reese and his partner, Kara (Annie Parisse), to investigate a military advisor named Tomlinson who is suspected of helping the Taliban steal a shipment of Stinger missiles. If they discover he is guilty, they are to “handle the situation” – in other words, kill him.
Flash forward to present day, Reese is fighting with a man in the bathroom of a restaurant who was trying to kill a man whose number Finch’s machine picked out. Reese knocks out the would-be killer and handcuffs him to the stall. He tells the man that it appears his business partner wanted to be a solo businessman and that Reese’s partner would collect the assassin. Reese heads out into the restaurant to have lunch with the woman he’s been dating, Dr. Iris Campbell (Wrenn Schmidt), and her parents.
After lunch, Reese meets up with Finch to go over a new number which belongs to Alex Duncan (Stephen Plunkett), a computer science tech who works for an international consulting firm that has a contract with the DOD. Reese realizes on his first day at Duncan’s work with his fake ID that Duncan is up to something and witnesses him sneak into his boss’ office and copy files. As Reese is following Duncan outside, the CIA pulls up and kidnaps Duncan. Reese knows it’s the CIA because he recognizes his old boss Beal. Finch (Michael Emerson) warns Reese not to engage to save Duncan because the CIA believes Reese to be dead.
With some help from the Machine, Reese is able to track down where the CIA is holding Duncan. Reese sneaks in wearing a ski mask and rescues Duncan, but Beal recognizes Reese’s style of fighting and realizes Reese is alive.
Root, with the help of the Machine, goes undercover to discover that Samaritan is using a certain location to deliver and load malware onto computers. She is able to get a copy of the malware code to Finch to analyze.
Jump back to 2010 where Reese and Kara are interrogating Tomlinson about the missing missiles in his tent. Of course, he denies doing anything wrong and so far they haven’t found any evidence in his tent to indicate that he is the traitor.
Back to present day, Reese and Duncan are holed up in a very expensive hotel because Reese knows the CIA will be checking the cheaper hotels and motels for them. Alex tells Reese he didn’t steal any top-secret files; he was just looking to see if he could find out what really happened to his brother. All he’s been able to find out is that his brother, Paul, was being investigated for treason before he died. After looking at the files and a photo, Reese realizes that Duncan’s brother was the same man he interrogated back in 2010. Duncan and Reese head back to the office where Duncan stole the files and go through more files to discover that Alex in his search to find out what happened to his brother accidentally stumbled across an off-the-books CIA op that the agency will want to keep hidden. As they go to leave, Beal shows up with some men and knocks John out.
In the car Beal gets Reese to admit that he and his partner were sent to investigate and question Duncan’s brother. But Reese lies and says they left because Duncan’s brother was innocent when in fact Reese killed him and then his partner found the money under a false bottom in his suitcase. Beal realizes that Duncan is no spy so he lets Reese’s lie stand, and then it’s fist-fight time with Reese taking out Beal and his goons and getting the car to crash while escaping with Duncan.
Reese and Beal meet up the next day and come to an agreement that John will not expose the off-the-books op as long as Beal leaves Duncan alone. Beal also tells Reese he’s going to leave him out of the report he’s going to file. Reese asks why he’s going to do that and he tells John that maybe it’s because he likes knowing Reese is still out there doing what needs to be done.
Reese meets up with Iris and breaks up with her, letting her down easy. He knows that as long as he works with Finch saving people and fighting Samaritan, he can’t have a normal life (he can’t have that someone special to come home to). Just then Finch contacts Reese through their ear devices and tells him they have a new number to which Reese responds, “I’m on my way.”
Review of Person of interest season 5 episode 3 titled “Truth Be Told”
Suspenseful and engaging, season 5 episode 3 titled “Truth Be Told” turned the focus of the show to Reese who is still struggling with the sins of his past and still hopes in the end that he’ll have done more good saving people with Finch and the Machine than the bad he accomplished working for the CIA. Caviezel delivers a flawless performance as “The Man in the Suit” John Reese but in this episode shows the softer side of the man who feels for the young man Duncan who only wants to discover the truth about his brother. He shows kindness in letting Duncan believe the lie that his brother was innocent of treason instead of telling him the truth and shattering the image he has of his brother.
With the numbers up and running again it’s only a matter of time before the ultimate showdown between the Machine and Samaritan. Can’t wait!
Jodie Comer (as Lizzie), Jacob Collins-Levy (as King Henry VII), and Michelle Fairley (as Lady Margaret Beaufort) in ‘The White Princess’ episode 7. (Photo Credit: Starz)
Starz’ The White Princess has added Game of Thrones‘ Michelle Fairley to the cast as Margaret Beaufort. Doctor Foster‘s Jodie Comer also has just signed on to The White Queen follow-up, which is set to go into production in Bristol, England in late 2016. The White Queen‘s showrunner Emma Frost returns as showrunner and executive producer on the eight-episode The White Princess. Also executive producing is Philippa Gregory, author of the bestselling The Cousins’ War book series that includes The White Princess.
Starz is aiming for a 2017 premiere.
Michelle Fairley’s character Margaret Beaufort is the mother of Henry Tudor and a “philanthropist, a benefactor for the Church, and the calculating mastermind behind Henry’s ascent to the Throne of England. Margaret knows that getting the throne and keeping it safe for the Tudor line are two different things, and works to fortify Henry’s rule, as York rivals continue to plot against them.”
Jodie Comer’s playing Princess Elizabeth of York (Lizzie) who “is promised in marriage to the newly anointed King Henry in hopes that it will unite the Houses of York and Tudor and bring an end to The Wars of the Roses. The arranged union and Lizzie’s anger at being used as a pawn, bring her into direct conflict with Henry’s strong-willed mother. Matching wits and wills, these two brilliant and ambitious women battle for Henry’s favor, which they know determines the future of England and the fates of the ones they love.”
The White Princess Plot:The White Princess concludes the story of England’s War of the Roses and charts the rise of the House of Tudor through the tempestuous marriage between Princess Elizabeth of York and King Henry Tudor. The year is 1485 and Princess Elizabeth, daughter of “The White Queen,” has been pledged in marriage to the newly anointed King Henry Tudor in hopes that it will bring peace to a war-torn country. England is united, but their marriage is soon divided, as rumors circulate that Elizabeth’s long-lost brother Prince Richard is alive and planning to take the throne. Now she must choose between Tudor wife and York princess, between her new husband and the boy who claims to be her own blood and the true heir to the crown.
“Good to see you, Barry, but I’m not Joe,” says an entity who look and sounds just like Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) to Barry (Grant Gustin) who has found himself trapped in the Speed Force after trying to get his powers back in episode 21 of season 2 of the CW’s comic book-inspired fantasy action series, The Flash.
As the episode begins Team Flash are extremely upset believing that Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh) from Earth 2 while trying to get Barry’s powers back by repeating another particle accelerator explosion – except this time directing it just at Barry – ended up accidentally killing him as he seemed to disintegrate before their eyes. Cisco (Carlos Valdes) reaches for and touches what’s left of The Flash outfit Barry was wearing when he gets a vision of Barry standing in some sort of energy field surrounding him. “I see Barry,” shouts Cisco and the team’s relieved to know he’s still alive.
Barry looks around and sees himself standing in what appears to be his home with Joe and some entity looking and sounding like Joe. The Joe image tells Barry that he is really the Speed Force and it is choosing images that will calm Barry so he can listen to what it has to say. This isn’t really working because all Barry wants to do is go back to his friends, city, and life to help them stop Zoom (Teddy Sears). The Speed Force tells Barry there is this speedster blur running around outside and if he can catch it he can go back home but not until then. Barry pleads with the Joe image to let him go back but to no avail so he goes outside the image of the house and starts running after the speedster blur.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs Wells uses his genius and adjusts the machine he put Barry in to get his powers back to hook Cisco up and enhance his Vibe visions so he can find Barry and hopefully reach out and grab him to bring him back home. Cisco is a little nervous considering he will be getting hit with some electricity, but his determination to bring back his best friend overpowers his fear and he gives it a try. Meanwhile, Dr. Allen uses his talents to treat Jessie (Violett Beane) who is in a coma after getting hit by the dark matter.
Barry chases the speedster blur to what looks like a park bench and sitting there is Iris (Candice Patton) who really is still the Speed Force entity just picking another image Barry loves and trusts. But instead of having a calming effect on him, it only fuels his frustration. The Iris image tells Barry they need to test him because he rejected the gift they gave him by giving him his speed and making him part of the speed force. Barry starts yelling at the image that it doesn’t know what he has done. That he has saved so many lives and only gave up his speed to yet save another life. That he’s a hero and he’s now trapped here only because he tried to get his powers back to save his world. It’s than that Barry sees a little energy tornado open across from where he’s standing. He asks the Iris image what is that and it says, “That’s your friends, Barry. They want you back.” Barry asks if he can go back and the image tells him it’s up to him but if he goes back now before his testing is done, he’ll go back without his powers for good.
Cisco, using his Vibe powers, finds himself surrounded by the speed force which to him looks like an electrical energy storm. He sees Barry and yells to him to take his hand. Barry turns to look at Cisco and turns back seeming to be communicating with something Cisco can’t see. Cisco yells again for Barry to take his hand but Barry looks at him again with a sad expression and moves away. Cisco comes out of his vision telling Wells, Iris, and the others he lost Barry.
Barry continues chasing the speedster blur which leads him to a cemetery and right to his mother’s grave. This time the entity takes the form of Barry’s father, Henry Allen (John Wesley Shipp). At this point Barry’s patience begins to end and he asks the entity why it is doing this to him. The Speed Force tells Barry that it’s making him face his greatest pain (the loss of his mother) because he has never truly accepted her death. The entity asks Barry if he is at peace with letting his mother die when he could have saved her so others cold live? This infuriates Barry who asks back who could ever be at peace with making that choice?
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, it seems the attempt to give Barry his powers back accidentally reactivated a part of Girder’s brain, a meta-human who was being kept in the basement on ice and now he’s reanimated and up with his metal strength like a slow, mindless zombie creating havoc on Central City. Once again Team Flash comes up with creating a machine that will shock Girder’s brain with enough energy waves to shut it down but they need to lead him back to S.T.A.R. Labs. Iris remembers that when he first became a meta-human, he kept coming after her so she will be the bait for the trap and lead him back to S.T.A.R. Labs.
Barry chases the speedster blur back to an image of his home and he goes inside to see the Speed Force taking the image of his mother. (Okay, now that is below the belt.) The Mother image speaks to Barry and tells him how proud his mother is of him and the man and hero he has become. Barry asks if it’s the Speed Force telling him that or really his mother and the image says to him “Both.” It starts to become a little clearer that the Speed Force and Barry’s mother are connected to each other. Finally, Barry, with tears rolling down his face, admits the truth that he never really accepted his mother’s death and doesn’t think he ever will. The Mother image tells him he has to find a way to do exactly that, that even with his powers he can’t stop all the horrible things the universe is going to throw at him. No matter how strong he is and how fast, he’ll never be able to outrun the pain of loss. Instead he needs to accept it, deal with it, and find a way to draw strength from it. That’s the only way he’ll ever be the man he wants to be with his powers. The Mother image shows Barry his favorite childhood book that he and his real mother used to read together when he was little. It’s called The Runaway Dinosaur. Barry remembers it word for word because its message was that the dinosaur had the exact right mother for it, one that would love it always and forever.
This is when Barry, having accepted finally his mother’s death, is faced with the speedster blur which stops in front of Barry to show itself to be Barry as The Flash. He has gotten back that part of himself which is the speed force. This is when Cisco tries again using his powers to get Barry but this time he’s holding Iris’ hand so Barry can see and hear her. Iris reaches out to Barry and tells him to come back home to her. Barry looks back at the image of his mother smiling at him and then reaches for Iris’ hand. The two grab hold of each other and Barry is back at S.T.A.R. Labs and not a minute too soon because Team Flash’s plan to trap the Girder zombie didn’t work and he’s right outside the door pounding to get in. Cisco and Harry bring Barry quickly up to speed on what’s happening and Barry uses his speed to both fight Girder and re-energize the electromagnets to hit Girder’s brain to stop his reanimation. It works and Girder is once again at peace.
Barry visits Jesse who is still in her coma and instinctively touches her, giving her a spark of his energy which wakes her from her coma. Joe, Harry, and Barry suspect that Jesse is becoming a speedster but for now they are just happy to have her awake and alive.
Barry has a moment with his dad explaining how he has accepted everything that has happened to him both the good and the bad and that all of it is what makes him who he is today. Barry’s dad admits his plan to stay away so Barry would not worry about him was a dumb one and that from now on he will be staying close to his son.
The next day Barry and Iris go to his mom’s grave and put down flowers along with The Runaway Dinosaur book to honor her. Barry never actually visited his mother’s grave until now. Iris admits she never cared for the book because it told a story of a mother who was always there for her son and she and Barry never had that. Barry corrects her that they did have someone who was always there for them…Joe. Barry than tells Iris that he’s not sure what it is going on between them but that they have always had each other.
The last scene is at the CCPD where Zoom is talking to Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and he tells her that he’s had enough of her roller coaster going around and around again, that she is either with him or against him. He tells the horrified Caitlin he is going to go out to the main room and talk to his army of meta-humans. When he comes back if she is still here that means she has chosen to be with him and to be loyal to him. If she is gone it means she has chosen her friends and that he will show her no mercy and her fate will be as theirs. Caitlin stares and listens in terror as Zoom delivers a rousing, horrific speech to his meta-human army about taking over Earth 1 from the humans.
Review of The Flash season 2 episode 21 titled “The Runaway Dinosaur”
Emotional and slow moving with an exceptional performance by Grant Gustin, season 2 episode 21 titled “The Runaway Dinosaur” focuses on the pain and sorrow Barry still feels for losing his mother at such a young age and the guilt over not saving her when he had the chance for the greater good of others. It’s a very different episode in style and tone partially because it’s directed by Kevin Smith and mostly due to the writing. This is an introspective episode focusing mostly on Barry’s guilt, pain, and finally acceptance that one can not allow all the horrible things that happen to you or to the ones you love to define you and dictate your actions.
The stand-out performance goes to Grant Gustin who delivers nothing less than an Emmy-worthy performance as Barry who goes through wave after wave of emotions trying to figure a way back to those he loves. The scenes between he and the image of his mother are truly heartbreaking and are sure to bring tears to the viewers’ eyes. (No, nothing, I’m fine…must be catching a cold is all…sniff sniff.)
With Zoom’s meta-human army ready to attack Central City, Caitlin’s time almost out (will she run back to Team Flash and try to help them defeat Zoom or surrender to her inner darkness and join Zoom in his fight being his loyal moll?), and Barry back to full strength as The Flash, the final two episodes of season two should be exciting, action-packed, and unfortunately heartbreaking.
Will we be able to make it through the final two episodes of season three of The CW’s The 100 without any further major character deaths? Based on the plot and the preview teaser trailer, I suggest you don’t hold your breath. It’s possible we’ll lose one more fan favorite before the season comes to an end. Directed by Ed Fraiman from a script by Wade McIntyre and Aaron Ginsburg, the first part of the two-part season finale will air on May 12, 2016.
The Season 3 Episode 15 Plot: Perverse Instantiation – Part One — Clarke (Eliza Taylor) finds hope in the most unlikely place. Meanwhile, Alie’s (guest star Erica Cerra) master plan comes together. Paige Turco, Isaiah Washington, Henry Ian Cusick, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos, Lindsey Morgan, Devon Bostick, Christopher Larkin and Richard Harmon also star.
Fox is moving forward on a wide variety of new shows including television adaptations of The Exorcist and Lethal Weapon. The network’s confirmed they’ve ordered The Exorcist, Lethal Weapon, APB, Pitch, Making History, and The Mick. The dramas outnumber the comedies four to two in this round of series orders, with the new batch joining previously announced series orders for 24: Legacy and Star.
The Exorcist is set to star Geena Davis, Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Brianne Howey, Hannah Kasulka, Kurt Egyiawan, and Alan Ruck. Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) is on board to direct and executive produce. The horror series is written by Jeremy Slater who also executive produces with Rolin Jones, James Robinson, Barbara Wall, and David Robinson. The plot: A modern reinvention inspired by William Blatty’s original 1971 book, The Exorcist is a propulsive, serialized psychological thriller following two very different men tackling one family’s case of horrifying demonic possession, and confronting the face of true evil.
Inspired by the Lethal Weapon movies, the Lethal Weapon series stars Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs and Damon Wayans, Sr. as Roger, police partners who patrol Los Angeles. Matt Miller writes and executive produces along with director McG. Dan Lin and Jennifer Gwartz also executive produce.
The new police drama APB will star Justin Kirk, Natalie Martinez, Eric Winter, Ernie Hudson, Taylor Handley, Tamberla Perry, and Caitlin Stasey. The dramatic series inspired by true events comes from writer/executive producer Matt Nix and director/executive producer Len Wiseman. The plot: APB is about the Chicago Police Department spiraling out of control amid sky-high crime, officer-involved shootings, cover-ups and corruption. After witnessing a violent crime first-hand, genius tech billionaire Gideon Reeves (Justin Kirk), decides to do something about it, putting up millions of dollars of his own money to take over the troubled 13th Precinct and reboot it as a private police force: better, faster and smarter than anything seen before. With cutting-edge technology and revolutionary new ideas, Gideon plans to rethink everything about the way cops fight crime.
Dan Fogelman, Rick Singer, and Paris Barclay team up on Pitch, a dramatic series starring Kylie Bunbury, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Ali Larter, Mark Consuelos, Dan Lauria, Michael Beach, and Bob Balaban. Bunbury plays Ginny Baker, “a beautiful, tough and incredibly gifted athlete who instantly becomes the most famous person in the country when she’s called up by the San Diego Padres, making her the first woman to play Major League Baseball.”
The single-camera comedy Making History comes from The Lego Movie team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller as well as writer Julius Sharpe and Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess. Leighton Meester, Adam Pally, and Yassir Lester are attached to star. The plot: Making History chronicles three friends from two different centuries as they try to balance the thrill of time travel with the mundane concerns of their present-day lives. Two shows in one, it’s both a rollicking historical adventure, and a contemporary comedy about love, friendship and trying to fit in to an increasingly complex and impersonal world.
Kaitlin Olson, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Thomas Barbusca, Jack Stanton, Carla Jimenez, and Susan Park star in John Chernin and Dave Chernin’s The Mick. The single camera comedy is also executive produced by Nick Frenkel, Oly Obst, and Randall Einhorn. The plot: Mackenzie “THE MICK” Murphy (Kaitlin Olson) is a brash, blue collar, two-bit hustler who has spent her entire life gaming the system and shirking any semblance of responsibility. But when her estranged sister and billionaire brother-in-law flee the country to escape federal charges, the opulent, care-free life Mickey has always envied is finally within reach… But there is one minor catch: she must assume custody of her sister’s three rich, entitled, high-maintenance children.
Jessica Pimentel, Taylor Schilling, and Jolene Purdy in ‘Orange is the New Black’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)
We’re a little over a month away from season four of the award-winning Orange is the New Black and today Netflix released the official full-length trailer for the upcoming season. The series is based on Piper Kerman’s bestselling memoir and Jenji Kohan is the showrunner and executive producer. The cast is led by Taylor Schilling and features Uzo Aduba, Kate Mulgrew, Laura Prepon, Laverne Cox, Dascha Polanco, Danielle Brooks, Selenis Leyva, Samira Wiley, Taryn Manning, Yael Stone, Jackie Cruz, Lea DeLaria, Adrienne C. Moore, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Michael Harney, and Nick Sandow.
All 13 new episodes of Orange is the New Black will be available for your binge-watching pleasure on June 17, 2016.
The Plot: The newest season of Orange delves into the racial and economic tensions that run rampant in the halls of Litchfield. Overrun with new inmates and overseen by inexperienced guards, the prison undergoes an unprecedented culture war.
The R-rated indie comedy adventure Swiss Army Man has just released a new restricted (not safe for work or kids) trailer. Co-written and co-directed by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, the redband trailer stars Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, with the Harry Potter star playing a farting corpse with a special ability to guide Dano’s character home. Dano and Radcliffe also sing the song “Montage,” composed by Andy Hull and Robert McDowel of Manchester Orchestra, that’s featured in the film. A24’s opening Swiss Army Man in New York and Los Angeles on June 24, 2016 and nationwide on July 1st.
The Plot: Hank (Paul Dano) is stranded on a deserted island, having given up all hope of ever making it home again. But one day everything changes when a corpse named Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) washes up on shore; the two become fast friends, and ultimately go on an epic adventure that will bring Hank back to the woman of his dreams.
Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst and Ruta Gedmintas as Dutch Velders in ‘The Strain’ (Photo by Michael Gibson / FX)
The Strain season three will arrive on FX on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT. The horror series based on Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain Trilogy book series will have a 10 episode third season with Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis and Joaquín Cosío back on board in the creepy vampire series.
FXX will be kicking off the third season of the half-hour comedy series You’re the Worst on Wednesday, August 31st at 10pm ET/PT. Season three’s 13 episodes have Aya Cash and Chris Geere reprising their roles in the critically acclaimed comedy from creator Stephen Falk.
Details on The Strain: As season three begins, New York City is a battleground. Written off by the federal government, the people of New York City must fight for survival on their own. The question is who will win? Humans or strigoi? Our heroes win victories but are not winning the war. Beset by personal conflicts – betrayal, disappointment, paranoia – our group is splintering… Meanwhile, the Master is close to executing an irreversible transformation of the world. Is there still hope to save the city and humanity?
The Strain hails from Showrunner/Executive Producer/Director/Writer Carlton Cuse along with Co-Creators/Executive Producers/Writers Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Gary Ungar, J. Miles Dale, Bradley Thompson, David Weddle and Regina Corrado also serve as executive producers.
Details on You’re the Worst:You’re the Worst is a modern look at love and happiness told through the eyes of two people who haven’t been very successful with either. It’s the story of Gretchen and Jimmy, fear, heartbreak, romance, sex, food, Los Angeles, Sunday Funday, friendship, and the fact that sometimes the worst people make the best partners.
An original comedy from writer and executive producer Stephen Falk, You’re the Worst puts a dark twist on the romantic comedy genre. Narcissistic, brash, and stubborn Jimmy Shive-Overly (Chris Geere) has inadvertently found himself paired up with cynical, people-pleasing, and self-destructive Gretchen Cutler (Aya Cash). Rounding out the cast is Desmin Borges, who plays Edgar Quintero, Jimmy’s once homeless war veteran roommate who is struggling to manage his PTSD while forging a post-combat life; and Kether Donohue as Lindsay Jillian, Gretchen’s best friend and former partner in crime who’s exploring her identity after her loveless marriage was resurrected by a surprise pregnancy.
“You stink, Strange. This whole place stinks,” says Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) to Dr. Hugo Strange (BD Wong) as he serves him a warrant to search his office only to discover that all his files and documents have been shredded in season two episode 20 of FOX’s gritty comic book-inspired crime thriller series, Gotham.
Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) is with Harvey during the raid of Hugo’s office and tells the doctor they won’t be backing down even though he knows the warrant is only good for the office and getting another warrant to search the asylum won’t be easy now that he and Harvey came up empty. After they leave, Peabody (Tonya Pinkins) tells Dr. Strange that Azrael (James Frain) is still not back which doesn’t bother Hugo who believes that Azrael must still be trying to complete his mission to kill Gordon. The scene changes to a church and a priest who finds the lock on a door is broken. Blaming kids, he mumbles as he looks around only to find Azrael kneeling. He asks the cloaked and masked figure if it was he who broke in and Azrael stands up and tells the priest he’s on a holy quest and needs a weapon. The frightened priest tells him he is in a church and there are no weapons here. “What good are you then?” asks Azrael as he twists the poor priest’s head backward, killing him.
Back at the GCPD, all the detectives are looking to Bullock who uncharacteristically gives a very rousing speech about taking Gotham back from the weirdos and gets the detectives off their butts and into action trying to find Azrael. Since Barnes – who it turns out did not die in the last episode – is in a hospital in critical condition, Bullock is now the acting Captain. Gordon tells Harvey they will never find Azrael by going through normal routine police procedure. Bullock remembers that Azrael, who used to be Galavan, has a sister (Tabitha) so off he and Gordon go to see if she knows where her brother might be.
Meanwhile, Bruce (David Mazouz) is headed to find Selina (Camren Bicondova) to see if she knows a way to sneak into Arkham Asylum. He knows that Hugo is behind these horrible experiments and needs to find the proof to stop him, even if it means doing it by sneaking into Arkham illegally. Alfred (Sean Pertwee) of course tries to talk him out of it but to no avail. Bruce finds Selina on top of a roof feeding a friend of her’s pigeons (a nice homage to On the Waterfront).
At first, Selina is annoyed and concerned for Bruce, telling him he’s going to get himself killed if he keeps looking into the corruption of Gotham City and the death of his parents. She’s not willing to help him this time; it also doesn’t help that she’s still hurting from their last fight a few episodes back. Bruce tells Selina about the re-animation experiments Hugo is performing and that he knows he was behind his parents’ murder. Selina still won’t listen until Bruce tells her that her friend Bridgit was taken to Arkham and might still be there now most likely being used in the experiments. Selina is both surprised and upset by this and she tells Bruce that she’ll break in instead of him – and she’s going to do it alone. Bruce asks her why and she tells him that if she gets caught they’ll probably just let her go because she’s not important but that if he gets caught they’ll kill him. Plus, she already knows a way in. (Once again Selina risks her own well-being to help and protect Bruce. When will young Mr. Wayne realize that this girl is the BEST?!)
At Butch’s place, Tabitha (Jessica Lucas) is packing and getting ready to leave while a very upset Butch (Drew Powell) tries to talk her into staying. That’s when Gordon and Harvey walk in and Gordon appeals to Tabitha that Galavan is her brother and if they find him it will be better than other cops finding him because they’ll shoot to kill. Tabitha tells Gordon and Bullock the legend of Azrael being a knight of old who served the monks and God back in medieval times. She tells them her brother believes he IS Azrael and will be looking for his sword. The sword he used to wound Barnes was a fake and the real Azrael sword lies with her dead grandfather inside his tomb. So off Gordon, Tabitha, and a wary Harvey go to find the sword before Azrael does.
Once at the crypt, Gordon and a creeped-out Harvey open the coffin and remove the sword from the skeletal remains of Tabitha’s grandfather – cue creepy horror movie music. Just then Azrael announces his presence and demands the sword. A fight ensues with Harvey getting knocked out and Gordon losing the sword to Azrael and getting thrown out of the crypt and down the steps outside. As Azrael begins to head toward the door, Tabitha closes it and stands in front of him. He tells her to stand aside and that he is on a mission from God but she stands her ground.
Tabitha tries to reach her brother by reminding him of their childhood together and talking to him about the happiest time of their life when they were young. The only memory that clicks and comes alive in Theo’s mind is the mission to kill Bruce Wayne. He thanks Tabitha for getting him to remember his original target and stabs her with the sword while calling her a traitor. Gordon finally finds a way back into the crypt to find Harvey coming to and tells him to call an ambulance for Tabitha who apologizes to Gordon for making Theo remember his other target: Bruce Wayne. So off goes Jim to try to get to Bruce before Azrael.
Back at Arkham, Ed (Cory Michael Smith) has gotten back up from his little unauthorized adventure down the secret elevator to Indian Hill looking shocked and terrified. When a guard asks him what he’s doing out of his cell, Ed apologizes saying it’s his fault he got lost and asks the guard to please take him back to his cell. Once inside, Ed sits on his bed and begins to think of a way to escape saying to himself, “Gotta get out.” He feels a breeze across his face and looks up at the vent on his ceiling.
Outside, Selina has used a delivery truck as a way to get past the main gates and quickly climbs up onto the roof of Arkham, using the air ducts to slip into the building. As the young cat (oh yeah!) burglar works her way through the rat and dirt-infested ducts, she comes across Ed who is lost and trying to find a way out. Ed tells Selina to go back and that she shouldn’t be trying to get in this madhouse. She tells Ed she’s looking for a friend of hers who Hugo might be experimenting on. Ed starts to go on and on about the secret elevator and dead people not being dead anymore and Selina tells him if he gives her directions on how to find the secret elevator down to the level he’s talking about she’ll show him the way out. He agrees but asks her if she knows how to pick a lock to which Selina just rolls her eyes.
Back at Wayne Manor, the phone has been ringing and Alfred, who was down in the cave, finally answers. It’s Gordon who wants to know if Bruce is there and Alfred says no that he met up with Selina. Gordon quickly brings Alfred up to speed about Azrael coming after Bruce and he tells him to stay there in case Bruce returns. Gordon will head to where Bruce met up with Selina. Just as Alfred is about to hang up he realizes someone is behind him and turns to strike, only to see young Bruce. After telling Bruce not to sneak up on him like that, he informs Gordon that Bruce is back and Gordon says to stay there and he’s on his way. Alfred tells Bruce about Azrael and the two decide to make sure the mansion is locked up tight. They split up to cover more ground. (Seriously, these two need to watch a few horror movies and take notes on what not to do!)
At the hospital Butch is standing at Tabitha’s bedside while she lies unconscious and he begins to tell her how much she means to him. This is when Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) shows up with flowers to pay his respects. Butch points his pistol at Penguin warning him he’ll shoot him if he tries anything, but Oswald assures Butch that he means him and Tabitha no ill will even though she did stab Penguin’s mother. He tells Butch they are all victims of Galavan and he doesn’t believe the whole avenging knight thing at all. He tells Butch Galavan must die and for good this time. Butch and Penguin leave to work together to kill Galavan aka Azrael.
At Wayne Manor, Alfred and Bruce are locking doors and bolting windows shut when Bruce comes across a shattered window. He begins calling to Alfred who is back in the study and is facing Azrael. Alfred first tries shooting Azrael but his armor protects him. Alfred then grabs a sword of his own and he and Azrael begin sword fighting like two knights of old. Bruce finally reaches the study and Alfred tells him to run as he continues to fight Azrael but Bruce is mesmerized by the fight and is too worried for Alfred to leave. After a few more minutes of the extremely well-choreographed sword fight, Azrael knocks Alfred out a window – man this guy is brutal on windows – and goes after Bruce. Young Mr. Wayne runs to his father’s large car garage and hides with Azrael not far behind. Azrael starts to taunt Bruce trying to get the boy to make a mistake and give away his hiding place but Bruce one-ups Azrael and tricks him into positioning himself in front of the car Bruce is in and Bruce hits the gas and runs Azrael over as he crashes through the garage. Bruce then stops the car and gets out to look to see where Azrael’s body is, (SERIOUSLY! WATCH SOME HORROR MOVIES, BRUCE!!!)
Azrael comes out from the shadows and overpowers Bruce, getting him down on the ground. Just as he’s about to bring his sword down upon Bruce, Azrael is shot by Gordon who empties his gun into him. As Gordon and Alfred both go over to Bruce to make sure he’s okay, Azrael opens his eyes and stands up much like Michael Myers from the Halloween films or Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th movies. As Bruce’s eyes widen at the horror of Azrael standing and starting to walk toward them, Gordon goes to fire only to discover his gun is empty. It’s then that Penguin arrives telling Gordon that he really needs to bring the right tools for the job with him. Behind Oswald comes Butch carrying a bazooka. Alfred, Bruce, and Gordon quickly get out of the line of fire as Butch fires the bazooka right after Penguin tells Azrael that he’ll see him in hell. Azrael is blown to bits and is finally dead.
At Arkham Ed has finally reached the entrance/exit of the air duct up on the rooftop of Arkham, but unlike Selina Ed is not quiet while getting out of it and soon guards and dogs are upon him telling him to freeze. Back in the Asylum, Selina has reached the other level known as Indian Hill and hides to overhear Dr. Strange and Peabody talking about Azrael and that in his current condition he won’t be arrested but killed meaning all evidence of him being at Arkham will be erased for good. Selina keeps looking for her friend Bridgit and finally finds her but Bridgit, who now only responds to the name Firefly, is convinced that Selina is there to test her skills. Selina tries to get Bridgit to remember her but Firefly only becomes more convinced Selina is there for her to try out her new and improved flamethrower. Selina can’t get to the door she came in and realizes she’s trapped. She tries again to reach Bridgit who only yells at her to stop calling her that and her name is Firefly as she raises her flamethrower and points it at Selina as Selina yells, “No, Bridgit, no, NO NO!”
Review of Gotham Season 2 episode 20
Dark, creepy, and feeling much more like a horror film than a crime thriller, episode 20 titled “Unleashed” brought to an end the killing spree of Azrael and placed Selina in an extremely deadly situation. It also continues the horrible experiments that Dr. Strange is conducting in his Asylum.
The stand-out performance in this episode goes to Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock who for the first half of the episode really takes charge of the investigation and the GCPD, rallying his brothers in blue to work together to find Azrael. It’s a new side of Harvey who never wanted to be the cop in charge but rises to the occasion since Barnes is out of commission. Still, he brings some much-needed humor to the dark series when he and Jim are in the crypt looking to unearth the sword and a very unnerved Harvey tells Jim he feels like they’re grave robbers.
The action scenes are top-notch but best of all was the sword fight between Alfred and Azrael. Reminiscent of films like The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Prisoner of Zelda, it’s an extremely well-coordinated sword fight that’s both stirring and exciting.
With poor Selina trapped in Arkham, it’s time for Bruce, Gordon, Alfred, and Harvey to come up with a rescue plan ASAP to save her and get the proof they need to put Dr. Strange away and shut down those horrific experiments at Arkham.
