Jennifer Lopez performs on the American Music Awards (Photo by Christopher Polk / Getty Images for AMA)
Jennifer Lopez has been tapped to host the 2015 American Music Awards airing live on ABC on November 22, 2015 at 8pm ET. Lopez will also perform on the awards show which recognizes fan favorites in a variety of music genres. ABC also confirmed Joe Jonas and Charlie Puth will be announcing this year’s nominees in six categories on October 13th during Good Morning America.
Previous American Music Awards hosts include Pitbull, Smokey Robinson, Jimmy Kimmel, and Keenen Ivory Wayans. Following the official announcement, Jennifer Lopez took to Twitter to express her happiness about the hosting gig.
Nominees for the the American Music Awards are determined by fan interaction including “album and digital singles sales, radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring.” This year’s show will be executive produced by Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan, and produced by Larry Klein, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson in ‘The Sherlock Special (Courtesy of BBC / Hartswood Films for MASTERPIECE)
Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman reprises his role as John Watson in The Sherlock Special coming soon-ish to BBC and PBS. The special finds Sherlock and Watson back in Victorian London where they take on a “seemingly impossible case.” Other than that very basic info, not much is known about this special which is supposedly also set to get a limited theatrical release.
Series writer/creator Steven Moffat first revealed the special was in the works back in July 2014, also announcing at that time the three episode fourth season. The Sherlock Special was shot earlier this year and will also include Una Stubbs back as Mrs. Hudson.
14 year old Hawaii native Auli’i Cravalho will be providing the voice of the lead character in Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Moana. Cravalho has already started work on the 2016 release, joining Dwayne Johnson in the animated adventure film directed by Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin). Osnat Shurer is producing and Disney’s aiming for a November 23, 2016 theatrical release.
The pretty teen apparently auditioned for a totally unrelated project, but the casting director remembered her and suggested her for the role in Moana. “Her audition was fantastic – she was such a raw talent,” said producer Shurer. “Auli’i was among a small number of girls we brought back for a second round of auditions. Then we flew her and her mom over to audition at our studios in Burbank.”
“I didn’t think I would have a chance,” said Cravalho. “When I was little, I used to dance around the house singing at the top of my lungs. In my mind, that was performing and I loved the feeling of it. But I never imagined being in a Disney movie, being Moana—representing my culture in that way.”
Director Musker said Cravalho had a fearless quality to her auditions which caught his attention. “She has a playful, mischievous wit,” explained Musker. “She can project vulnerability, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all by the challenges ahead, and her Polynesian background has helped shape her connection to family, hard work and music. These are all qualities she shares with Moana.”
The Plot:
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.
Christina Aguilera on ‘The Voice’ (Photo by Trae Patton / NBC)
NBC announced Christina Aguilera will be returning to the singing competition series The Voice for season 10. Aguilera will join returning coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Pharrell Williams when season 10 premieres in February 2016.
“The coaches on The Voice continue to bring incredible energy, unrivaled musical expertise and a want-to-win attitude that makes for the perfect ingredients of a two-time Emmy-winning show,” stated Paul Telegdy, President, Late Night and Alternative Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We can’t wait to see what season 10 will bring.”
Season nine is currently airing with Levine, Shelton, Williams, and Gwen Stefani as coaches. The show’s averaging 12.6 million viewers over season nine’s first few weeks of the blind auditions, and is about to launch into the battle rounds.
No female coach has ever had one of their team members win a season of The Voice. Blake Shelton coached the most aspiring artists to wins, with four of his team members earning the top title (Jermaine Paul, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, and Craig Wayne Boyd). Adam Levine follows with two wins (Javier Colon and Tessanne Chin) while Usher has one win (Josh Kaufman), and Pharrell Williams coached last season’s winner (Sawyer Fredericks).
Levine and Shelton have coached every season of The Voice. Season nine marks Pharrell Williams’ third season in the coaching chair, and Aguilera’s return for season 10 will be her sixth season on the show.
The Voice was created by John de Mol and is executive produced by de Mol, Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Lee Metzger, and Jay Bienstock.
Fox wants more of Bob’s Burgers, ordering up seasons seven and eight of the animated comedy series. The Emmy winning show’s renewal for two additional seasons was announced by Fox Broadcasting Company’s President of Entertainment David Madden who said, “Six seasons in, the Belchers have become one of America’s most beloved TV families, and we are so happy to keep them in the fold for another two seasons. Bob’s Burgers is hilarious, warm, smart, inventive – critics love it, and so do fans. Loren, Jim and the brilliant voice cast continue to surprise us in the best ways, and we look forward to seeing what Bob and the family will cook up in Seasons Seven and Eight.”
Bob’s Burgers was created by Loren Bouchard who serves as a writer/executive producer along with Jim Dauterive (King of the Hill). The popular series, which earned the Outstanding Animated Program Emmy in 2014, features the voices of H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, and Larry Murphy. This season’s guest voices include Jenny Slate, Billy Eichner, Steve Buscemi, Wanda Sykes, Henry Winkler, Tim Meadows, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, and Zach Galifianakis.
The next new episode, titled “The Land Ship,” will air on October 11, 2015 at 7:30pm ET/PT. The plot: “Bob (Benjamin) believes the upcoming Land Ship parade will mean increased business, until he finds out that two port-o-potties will be placed right in front the restaurant. Meanwhile, Tina (Mintz) finds out she’s boring, so she joins up with Jordan (guest voice Nathan Fielder), who has been vandalizing the school with graffiti. But when Jordan wants to graffiti the Land Ship, Tina must decide between ruining the parade or disappointing her new crush.”
Lee Jones as Wilkin Brattle and Flora Spencer-Longhurst as Baroness Lady Love Ventris in ‘The Bastard Executioner’ (Photo by Ollie Upton / FX)
After Lady Love (Flora Spencer-Longhurst) dropped the bombshell in last week’s episode of The Bastard Executioner, I wondered what would push Wil (Lee Jones) over the edge to possibly begin a relationship with the Baroness. This week, we start to see the emotional strain his conscious is having on him and just how much relief he gets from talking to Lady Love.
The fifth episode of season one starts with the Baroness and her handmaiden trying to deal with the pregnancy lie. Isabel (Sarah White) is instructed to hide a bloody nightgown in the washing so as not to arouse any suspicions about the possibility of an heir.
Meanwhile, Milus (Stephen Moyer) reads a letter bearing the seal of Baron Pryce as a servant, Frenchie (Mattheu Charneau), enters the chamber. Milus asks him if he is enjoying his new position, having moved from wiping his Baron’s ass to serving meals to the Chamberlain. Having already discussed the relationship of this servant to the Chamberlain, it doesn’t surprise me that he wields his station over the servant, making him repeat the fact that he is now in the debt of Milus Corbett.
Wil and Luca (Ethan Griffiths) make their way through the streets of Ventrishire, where they spot Annora (Katey Sagal) peddling her potions and remedies. Jessamy (Sarah Sweeney) follows with the infant in her arms, all the while watching Wil interact with the healer. When Wil questions the safety of Annora selling her concoctions in the open, Annora assures him she is safe, even without the Dark Mute (Kurt Sutter) in her presence. She gives more oils to Wil for Berber, Ash, and Calo, who are still held prisoner and suffering. As Jessamy continues to watch them, Annora tells Wil to be careful with her because she has a crippled heart from all she has been through. She urges him to use gentle caution as angry ghosts push her towards madness.
After Wil returns to the dungeon, Luca acts as lookout during a guard change. Wil slips the oils to his friends and then Luca warns that he hears someone approaching. Milus enters and tells Luca to leave so that he can have an adult conversation with Wil. He tells Wil and Toran (Sam Spruell) that Baron Pryce is trying to woo the King to give him Ventrishire by sending religious relics, including a Bible, to the King, who is a collector. Milus wants Wil to attack the caravan carrying the items, killing the guards and burning all to ash. Before Wil can really refuse, he threatens the prisoners by advising Wil he knows he is slipping them oils, which is against the rules. If Wil does what Milus asks, he will offer mercy to the prisoners – releasing them from prison and into servitude to pay off their crimes. Toran is against it, but as Milus pretends to storm out, Wil says they’ll do it. The Chamberlain says he will have the release documents drawn up and Lady Love will sign them, with Wil’s friends to be released when the sun rises. When Toran leaves grumpily, Milus warns Wil against his friend. Wil says that Milus should look to himself, as he is drunk with power, and men rarely make good decisions while drunk.
Lady Love watches from her tower window in fear as soldiers bearing the King’s crest arrive in Ventris. She tells Isabel that she needs to do something to expand her waistline. Among the soldiers entering the city is the slick and sleazy Piers Gaveston (Tom Forbes), Earl of Cornwall. If you remember his attitude from the previous episode, you know this isn’t a visit to win over the Baroness.
Milus meets Gaveston and asks for the reason for his visit, only to be ignored as Lady Love makes her way to greet him. The pair trade shaded comments as Gaveston reveals his reason – to give a declaration of heirs. Once proof is given that the Lady is with child, the King can pronounce her heir, if male, the heir to Ventrishire. Milus is surprised to learn that his Baroness is pregnant and when Gaveston is taken to the guest-chamber, Lady Love apologizes for not telling him. He tells her that he has heard the progeny testing is basically super uncomfortable and offers his assistance during that time, should she need it. He then sends the twins, Clara and Ramona (Sophie and Eloise Lovell Anderson), a gift to the Lady in her time of mourning from the King, to Sir Gaveston’s chambers because he saw the way the Earl was eyeing them as he passed.
Lady Love seeks answers in the church, thinking hard about her current situation. Gaveston, creeper that he is, finds her there and reveals that he knows she is lying. He calls her out, stating that he’s also concerned for her soul since she is lying before God as well as her King. He offers mercy if she admits her lie and says there will be no repercussions if she comes clean now. When she says nothing, he instead offers her bodily mutilation and the executioner’s axe.
At the same time, Wil and Toran have ridden to inner Ventrishire, South of Heaven’s Eye to meet Baron Pryce’s caravan carrying the relics to King Edward I. They look for a vantage point from which to attack, while Toran questions the relationships Wil seems to be building with the nobles. Toran says the weight of their lies will sink them if they continue.
Gaveston arrives in his bedchamber to find the twin girls under the covers and feigns piety. One of the girls kisses him and he smiles, jumping in bed with them both. This reminds us that Gaveston knows the girls, having sent them to the castle on his behalf without King Edward even knowing about it.
Wil and Toran attack the caravan, killing the soldiers and shooting flaming arrows at the carriage. As Toran tosses a jar of liquid at the carriage, they hear screams coming from inside. Wil races forward in horror and does what he can to get the people out and pat them down to put out the flames. Too late, however, as the woman he is able to pull from the wreckage is already dead and the rest of the people inside, if there were any, seem to be engulfed. A burned book lays next to the woman and Wil picks it up, reading the inscription inside. The woman is Lady Pryce, the Baron Pryce’s wife. Milus has just removed one barrier to his rise in stature, as discussed in last week’s episode.
Betrayed and beyond pissed, Wil returns to the castle and confronts Milus with his fists. They both land painful punches and Wil tosses Milus into a few walls before Frenchie enters and calls on guards to protect Milus. Before they arrive, Milus declares that now they both see each other truly for who they are. As the soldiers enter, Milus covers for Wil, stating they were just practicing combat. As Wil leaves, the twins enter, fawning over a beaten Milus. They bring news of Gaveston, telling Milus that Gaveston had no interest in them, but instead was interested in the Chamberlain. They told him to meet Gaveston in his chambers after supper.
Wil is in the castle garden, thinking about the atrocity he’s just committed in killing Lady Pryce and how Milus was behind it the whole time. Lady Love has also come to the garden to think about her situation and they sit together for a time. He asks about the release of the prisoners, to which the Lady responds she wasn’t aware but would have the servitude papers drawn immediately. She notices his wounds and he tells her he will go to the healer for a remedy. She asks about the healer and then says she could use some different wisdom. Wil watches her intently, his entire demeanor changes from tense to tender as Lady Love describes feeling as though she is living someone else’s life. He relates, then offers to arrange a meeting with the healer for her.
Stephen Moyer as Milus Corbett in ‘The Bastard Executioner’ (Photo by Ollie Upton / FX)
Night has fallen and we find Gaveston and Milus having a drink in Gaveston’s chambers. Gaveston wishes to discuss Milus’ rise to power in Ventris as well as the rumors surrounding Lady Love and her barren womb. Milus admits he is not noble but has earned his way to his position. He also doesn’t confirm the rumors about Lady Love and seems to genuinely want to protect his Baroness. He turns the topic to Ventris, asking why, when he has many more appealing places he could try to rule, would the Earl of Cornwall want Ventris? Milus suggests that Gaveston is trying to hide from something. Gaveston says he has stirred the pot and now bees are looking to sting. Milus asks whose faces are on the other end of the stingers and Gaveston says he will tell him and his lips will loosen if Milus gives him a blow job, then proceeds to drop his pants.
Milus stands and says they have a lot in common, gesturing for the Earl to lay on the bed. Gaveston tells him it will be much more pleasurable if he is on his knees. While Milus doesn’t like it, as obviously it lessens his power in the situation, he still drops to his knees. He hesitates and it is then that Gaveston slaps him away, stating that he would never let anyone without a drop of noble blood put his lips on his person. Milus is a complete opportunist, but even I feel bad for him in this moment – it’s a vulnerable and heartbreaking scene brought to a seemingly villainous character by talented actor Stephen Moyer. Milus is clearly shaken from the encounter and heads back to his own chambers. Frenchie awaits, asking if he can do anything to make him more comfortable and Milus raises his hand to beat the poor man. He has to gain back the power after being utterly humiliated by Gaveston and beats the servant to a pulp.
Lady Love and Wil head to the beach under the cover of night to meet with Annora. As they reach the end of the hill that leads to the waiting healer, the Baroness has second thoughts. Wil convinces her to meet with Annora and if she doesn’t do anything to make her feel better, they will leave. Lady Love agrees and they make their way to Annora, while the Dark Mute watches from a rock down the beach. Wil leaves the women alone to talk. Annora offers a shivering Lady Love her jacket and her kindness breaks down the wall the Baroness has put up. She cries in Annora’s arms and says that her shame now equals her piety. The healer assures her that she is pious and that God holds her closer than even she knows.
Wil, meanwhile, is sitting on a rock and looks up to find night morphed to day and a woman coming out of the splashing waves. Petra (Elen Rhys) emerges, asking him to follow her, that he deserves this. She disrobes and he follows. As he nears, she turns to face him, then falls backward into a dark hole in the ground. He hears her scream and reaches for her. A hand rises from the hole and as he grabs it, the burned Lady Pryce pulls herself up from the depths.
As Wil recoils from the vision in horror, Lady Love interrupts the vision and suddenly he is back on the beach and night still surrounds them. Annora tells the Baroness to send her maiden Isabel to her at sun up. The healer holds both Wil and Lady Love’s hands, looking from one to the other. Lady Love asks why she is sad, to which she replies that it is not sadness. She turns to Wil, telling him to keep the Lady safe. The pair leave the beach and Annora looks at the Dark Mute with a knowing smile.
In the morning, Isabel brings the remedy to Lady Love, who looks up and tells God that she hopes he knows what he’s doing. She mixes the powder with some dog urine and then presents it to the tester brought by Gaveston. He commences the progeny test, explaining that if the blood swirls, the pins turn rusty or the phallic bone of a goat turns soft, then she’s preggers.
Gaveston meets the twins in one of the castle hallways and says no brother could ask for better sisters, to which they say they are only half-sisters. Still creepy, no matter the percentage!
The Lady awaits the results, with Milus, Isabel, and Gaveston. The tester brings in the items and declares the Baroness to be with child. Milus looks sincerely happy while Gaveston loses his cool. He spits in the bowl of blood before stomping from the chamber, while Milus and Lady Love smirk.
Back in the chapel, Wil sits and prays, his hands worrying the cross about his neck as the Baroness enters. She sits next to him, asking him to tell Annora that she is grateful for her assistance and then hands him the servitude papers for the prisoners. He stands and says he will take care of it right away and she stops him by saying his fake name. Wil responds without thinking, saying, “Yes, my love?” The Lady stands, shocked. Wil still has no idea what he has said and she tells him. He apologizes, saying it was a slip of words. She says she was not insulted, and that she enjoys his company. She doesn’t want them to grow apart. They hold hands, then embrace one another, taking comfort and giving peace. Toran spies them from the cracked chapel doors, turning away in disgust. He meets Jessamy on his way out, who is looking for her “husband”. Toran tells them he is in the chapel, practicing his devotion. She also spies the Lady embracing Wil and the look on her face, once again, spells trouble.
The preview for next week’s episode doesn’t tell us much except that Lady Love and Isabel are in danger and that a fight is brewing. Now that Wil has finally given in to the warm and fuzzy feelings he has been having around Lady Love, will he risk everything to save her from her captors? Find out next week when The Bastard Executioner returns!!!
The CW’s The Flash kicked off season two on October 6, 2015 with an episode that addressed a few questions left lingering from the season one finale including how the Singularity was stopped and why Barry (Grant Gustin) is unable to accept being referred to as the hero who saved Central City. The episode’s set six months after the events of the finale, meta-humans are still a threat, and Team Flash has a lot of healing to do in order to move forward.
The episode titled “The Man Who Saved Central City” begins with Heat Wave and Captain Cold aiming their weapons at The Flash and almost taking him down. Ronnie (Robbie Amell) shows up and helps him out and back at S.T.A.R. Labs Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) happily proclaims, “Superhero double play, baby,” before kissing her hubby. The rest of The Flash team are happy as well, with Joe and Eddie congratulating Barry on a job well done and Harrison (Tom Cavanagh) telling him he’s ready to do this on his own. This can’t be real…and it’s not. In reality, Barry is alone in S.T.A.R. Labs. It’s been six months since the singularity and he’s on his own in order to keep the people he cares about safe.
Joe (Jesse L Martin) and Barry are at the site of a nuclear plant worker’s death. He was strangled by something large and strong, but Barry doesn’t know what it is. In other news, it’s Flash Day and Barry doesn’t know if he’ll show up at the downtown rally to get his award from the mayor because he doesn’t think he deserves one.
In comes Cisco (Carlos Valdes) who’s part of the new Metahuman Task Force formed by the Central City police. He gives the Captain the receipts for his new invention, the Boot, but he still can’t get a badge. Joe and Cisco talk about Barry and Iris (Candice Patton) chimes in to say she thinks Barry should go to the ceremony.
Meanwhile at CC Jitters, the coffee shop is a complete mess. Barry is trying to put it all back, and Iris understands saying, “It seems like a lot of local businesses are being rebuilt at night in secret.” Iris really wants him to go to the rally, but Barry says he’s not the man who saved Central City.
Flashback to that day and Barry’s racing to save the city as buildings topple. The tornado-like event pulls cars and people up to the sky. On the ground Team Flash try to figure out how to help Barry finish the job of shutting down the singularity, and Ronnie and Dr. Stein are the only hope. It’s dangerous but they have to at least try. They fly up to assist The Flash and then everything explodes, with The Flash left to carry Dr. Stein to the ground but Ronnie is gone. And, that’s why the Flash won’t take credit for saving the city – Ronnie gave his life to do so.
The city is celebrating but the man of honor is nowhere to be found. People are dressed in Flash t-shirts and the Mayor talks about the new breed of criminal they’ve had in their midst over the last year, but they’ve also got The Flash. “The Flash doesn’t just protect us; he restores hope where it was lost,” says the Mayor. He lifts up the key to the city and finally The Flash appears. Everyone chants his name, waving yellow foam lightning bolts. Accepting the key, he saves the Mayor when a heavy metal box flies in. The guy who threw it has super strength, and Cisco runs to get the Boot. It’s supposed to contain him, like a boot on a car, but instead he becomes gigantic. The Flash throws propane cans while Joe shots them. The new metahuman reveals himself to be the dead guy, Al Rothstein (Adam Copeland), from the nuclear plant somehow alive once again before taking off.
Iris says the X-ray and CT machines failed next to the rally, and Cisco’s 92% sure he didn’t do it with the Boot. Iris also tells her dad they have to make Barry let them in again and need to stop asking him to do so.
Caitlin is at Mercury Labs and Cisco is incredibly impressed when he visits her. He tells her he spotted her at the rally, and she says she can’t come back. But Cisco knows how to make her and that’s by providing her with a piece of evidence he needs help analyzing.
The next day’s headlines read “Flash Falters,” and an attorney shows up at Barry’s office to discuss S.T.A.R. Labs. Harrison left the property to him, but it’s scheduled to go into receivership unless he watches a flash drive provided by Wells. If he watches it, then the lawyer will do what Harrison wanted and turn everything over to Barry. He walks out and Barry puts it down. Immediately an alert pops up on his computer notifying him of activity at S.T.A.R. Labs. He zooms over and Joe, Caitlin, Dr. Stein, Cisco, and Iris have figured out the new meta sucks up all the radiation around him. They’re using the lab and Barry doesn’t want them there. They don’t care and tell him he has to work with them; he doesn’t have a choice. Dr. Stein names the new metahuman Atom Smasher and Cisco hugs him and welcomes him to the team. Barry still doesn’t want to work with them, and leaves his comm system behind so they can’t talk him.
The Atom Smasher is sucking up radiation and in pops The Flash. The meta thought he was going to have to come looking for him, as he’s only there to hurt him. He grows larger and tries to strangle The Flash. “He says you were some kind of big hero, but you don’t seem worthy of him or this city,” says Atom Smasher.
Barry passes out on his way back to S.T.A.R. Labs and flashes back to being a kid living with Joe and feeling sad, lost, and alone. All those years ago Joe let him know it’s okay to cry.
Fade in on Joe sitting by Barry in a bed at the lab. It’s only Joe because he knew Barry wouldn’t want an audience. Joe has given him space for six months, but that’s not going to happen anymore. Barry doesn’t want to get his friends killed, but Joe reminds him he wasn’t the only one making decisions that day. “It’s on all of us, Barry, so stop with this hogging all the blame and regret,” says Joe. Barry wants to know what to do next, and Joe says to stop rebuilding the city at night and start trying to rebuild what really matters.
Barry shows up at Mercury Labs and surprises Caitlin. He apologizes for Ronnie dying trying to save him and Caitlin says she doesn’t blame him for Ronnie’s death. She blames herself for not leaving when Ronnie first became Firestorm. She couldn’t do it, and if she had he’d still be alive. That’s why she can’t be at S.T.A.R. Labs anymore. He gives her a handkerchief and out falls the flash drive with Harrison’s living will. She offers to watch it with him since he’s too afraid to do it himself.
Harrison starts off his speech by saying something’s gone horribly wrong if Barry’s watching this video. Harrison realized they were never truly enemies and will give him what he wants most. And what’s that, you ask? A message specifically for the police confessing to the murder of Nora Allen so that Barry’s dad will be set free. Barry and Caitlin are stunned. Harrison did it because it was what Barry wanted the most in life.
Joe calls the DA and relays to Barry the news that the DA thinks it looks good. Wells apparently provided all the key details about Nora’s murder. Everyone is gathered at S.T.A.R. Labs and they couldn’t be happier for Barry, and Barry admits he has to work with others in order to capture Atom Smasher. They snag the Bat symbol idea and instead signal the Atom Smasher with a Flash symbol in the night sky, luring him to exactly where Team Flash needs him to be (at the nuclear plant) in order to stop the Atom Smasher. They activate the reactor core and Atom Smasher can’t absorb it all. He shrinks back to normal size and is neutralized. Barry goes into the core and tells Atom Smasher he’s sorry but he couldn’t let him hurt anyone else. “He promised he’d take me home if I killed you,” says Atom Smasher. “Who?” asks Barry. And as he dies, Atom Smasher reveals the name of the person who wants Barry dead: Zoom!
In happier news, Barry’s dad, Henry (John Wesley Shipp), is released from prison and at Joe’s house there’s a party going on to celebrate his freedom. Cake’s eaten, toasts are made, and Dr. Stein is reminded of a Hebrew word used during times of graduation – kadima – it means forward. They raise their glasses and drink. Barry wants to look for an apartment in the morning for the two of them, but it’s immediately obvious that Henry has other plans. “Can you be all that you are becoming with me here?” asks Henry. “You’re the only family that I have left,” replies Barry, with tears in his eyes. Henry says he does have another family in that room, and Barry must be The Flash now and not merely Henry Allen’s son. Henry says he has to go and needs Barry to tell him it’s okay. They cry and hug.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Joe wants to know if Barry is okay with his dad leaving. Barry’s sad and Joe whips out the key to the city which lightens the mood considerably. The gang’s all there and Cisco has added an upgrade to the suit so it looks just like the one from the future’s lightning bolt. They’ve also made the lab considerably safer so that no one can just walk in…which means that someone’s about to just walk in. In strolls Jay Garrick (Teddy Sears) announcing to Team Flash that their world is in danger. Is he warning them about Zoom or some other unknown threat?
The Bottom Line:
Season one of The CW’s The Flash was one of the true 2014 fall season breakout hits. Season two is starting off strong, focusing on the relationships between members of Team Flash while also allowing each to exist as individuals outside the group. Grant Gustin has already proven to be perfectly cast in the title role, and episode one of season two provided plenty of opportunity for Gustin to really sink his teeth into Barry’s guilt and sense of loss. “The Man Who Saved Central City” also managed to throw in a few terrific action scenes, but it was the group’s dynamics that were front and center as season two kicked off. Overall it was a great start to the new season which, hopefully, will keep up the pace set in this episode over the course of season two.
Channing Tatum and the crew behind Magic Mike XXL learned their lessons on what works in a male stripper film from the 2012 Magic Mike, taking all of the elements that worked the best in that film – dancing, stripping, and hot male bodies – and increasing the amount of those elements in the 2015 sequel. Magic Mike XXL also takes itself less seriously than the first film, with self-deprecating humor and more camaraderie between the…what do you call a group of strippers? Not a gaggle or a herd, maybe a troupe? That doesn’t seem quite right, but you get the idea. The sequel may not have earned quite as many favorable reviews as Magic Mike and it earned less than half the box office total of the 2012 film, but the audience embraced the well-toned guys on the screen and made taking in a screening in theaters into a real girls night out event. With the release on home video, it’s certain those girls night out screenings will continue but without the need of a trip to theaters.
Magic Mike XXL’s cast is led by Tatum and includes Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriguez, Kevin Nash, and Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, all of whom completely embrace their characters. They seem to be having a good time working on the film, and it would have been fun to see more of their behind-the-scenes work in featurettes on the Magic Mike XXL Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD released on October 6, 2015. Unfortunately, the home video release only includes three short bonus features which means if you’re going to pick this one up, you’re doing it because you’re a fan of the film franchise and not for the extra material.
The Bonus Features:
The Moves of Magic Mike XXL: Channing Tatum and the choreographers discuss what makes the dance moves so entertaining and how they tried to elevate the stripping routines in the sequel. The featurette explores why it was important to make the dance routines connect with the dancers and with the audience, and cast members talk about their favorite moves. This short video also reveals the reasoning behind including Matt Bomer singing (which he did live) in the film. And the choreographers talk about how they created the dances playing to each actors’ strength.
Georgia: A behind the scenes look at the different locations throughout Georgia that were used for the film’s shoot.
Extended Malik Dance Scene: A much longer version of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’ dance in front of appreciative women at a private party.
The Plot:
Picking up the story three years after Mike (Tatum) bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, Magic Mike XXL finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them.
On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.
“You don’t have to do this,” begs Jerome’s blind father. “No, pretty sure I do,” replies Jerome (Cameron Monaghan) as he prepares to torture and murder his dad while framing him to look like the mastermind who broke Jerome, Barbara (Erin Richards), and the other inmates out of Arkham in season two’s third episode of FOX’s Gotham.
Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) are using very aggressive interrogation skills to try to find Jerome who’s become public enemy number one after leading the attack on the GCPD and murdering Commissioner Essen. Harvey suggests they visit Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) who might know something now that he’s the crime boss of Gotham, but Gordon isn’t anxious to ask for any additional favors after the last time. Finally, the two partners get a lead: Jerome’s father, Cicero, left the circus he used to work for and is somewhere in the city.
Unfortunately, Jerome and Tabitha (Jessica Lucas) have gotten to the old man first. Tying him to a chair, Jerome goes off on a tangent about how terrible a father he was and how he didn’t protect him from his mother’s abuse. Just as he is about to kill the old man there’s a knock on the door, it’s Jim and Harvey asking the old man a few questions about his son. The two detectives hear the old man cry out and break down the door to discover Cicero tied to the chair with a knife in his eye, dead. Harvey goes to investigate the dead body and gets exposed to the knock-out gas used in the jailbreak Jerome was planting to frame Cicero. Gordon pulls his now unconscious partner out to the hallway and gets somewhat exposed to the gas as well. There, he’s attacked by Jerome and Tabitha and knocked out.
Meanwhile, it’s the big night of the children’s hospital gala where all of Gotham’s elite and anyone who is anyone is there to help a needy cause and have a good time. Of course, Bruce (David Mazouz) and Alfred (Sean Pertwee) attend in honor of Bruce’s parents who went every year. They’re greeted by Dr. Leslie ‘Lee’ Thompkins (Morena Baccarin) who is also emceeing the event. Alfred takes a real shine to Lee, unaware she’s dating Jim Gordon while Bruce spots Selina (Camren Bicondova) pick-pocketing and goes to talk to her. Poor Bruce is given an icy reception from Selina who almost seems upset with Bruce for some reason. Could it be it’s been almost three months and he never once tried to contact or call her…maybe.
Selina quickly brushes Bruce off and goes back to pick-pocketing. Theo (James Frain) and his sister Tabitha are hobnobbing with Deputy Major Harrison Kane when the lights go down and the entertainment for the night is about to begin. Lee introduces a Magician named “The Great Rudolfo” who is really Jerome in disguise, assisted by Barbara who’s also in disguise. During his first trick, Jerome says he’ll need a volunteer and picks Bruce, who doesn’t seem to be too anxious to be part of the magic but goes ahead and participates in the famous “splitting in two” act which, thankfully, goes off without Bruce actually being cut in two.
Back at the police precinct Gordon tells a recovering Harvey to go home and sleep off the effects of the gas and that they’ll both go see Penguin tomorrow and find out what he’s heard on the street. Not long after Harvey leaves, Jim gets a call from Lee who has realized the true identity of the magician and his assistant. Off Jim goes to the gala which has turned into a bloody hostage situation with Jerome killing the deputy mayor and using a couple of armed goons to keep Gotham’s elite trapped at their tables.
During the chaos and first attack at the gala, Alfred goes into military mode. He takes out one of the armed thugs before getting knocked down, and Bruce takes off after a fleeing Selina who shows him a secret way out that she used to crash the party. Realizing Alfred is still back in danger, Bruce tells Selina he can’t leave him behind and he has to go back. Selina tells Bruce she’s not going back to which he replies, “I don’t expect you to. Selina, I’ve missed you. I wanted you to know.” Bruce goes back after Alfred, leaving behind a shocked and upset Miss Kyle.
Jerome decides his first victim will be Bruce Wayne, the Prince of Gotham, but he can’t find him and instead threatens to kill Alfred. Bruce won’t let it happen and calls out, “I’m here!” Before being taken to Jerome but his goons, he secretly hands Alfred a gun and whispers to him that Jim is waiting behind the curtain to take out Jerome.
Bruce goes up to the stage and is held prisoner with a knife to his throat when the shoot-out begins and Gordon and Alfred take out the gun-carrying goons. Jim says he doesn’t have a clear shot and Alfred tells Bruce to stay calm when Theo comes up behind Jerome and says again, “I said enough,” and stabs Jerome in the neck. As a shocked Jerome begins to fall and Theo guides him down to the ground whispering to him that he knows that this isn’t how they had rehearsed it but it’s necessary and that he really did have great potential. Jerome dies on the stage.
Barbara uses a secret trap door to escape before Jim can get to her. Alfred, Gordon, and Bruce thank Theo for his assistance but Bruce seems a little wary of Theo. As Alfred and Bruce leave to go home, neither of them sees Selina who snuck back in to check to make sure Bruce was safe. Awww, young love.
Penguin gets an unexpected visit from Harvey at his headquarters. Harvey just wants to let Penguin know that if he ever decides to go after Jim, who Harvey heard on the street did a favor for Penguin that went bad, he’ll have to go after Harvey too. Bullock also reminds Penguin that he still owes him for what Oswald did to Fish Mooney.
The episode ends with news footage of Jerome’s wild and deadly antics and some of Gotham’s darker, more evil residents adopting his eerie laugh as tribute.
Dark, action-packed, and shocking, Gotham season two episode three titled “The Last Laugh” removes all too early one of the best villains of the series. Gone too soon is Jerome who it appeared was going to eventually become the Joker but instead is the inspiration who gives birth to the clown prince of crime. The performances are all solid, with the exception of James Frain being just a little melodramatic as Theo the true criminal mastermind who set all this in motion to appear to be Gotham’s new savior. Perhaps the best scene in the entire episode is the quiet but stern threat Harvey delivers to Penguin. When he calls Oswald the little umbrella-holding punk of Fish’s, it’s obvious it cuts through Penguin like a blade.
Another great scene that stands out from the episode was between Bruce and Selina as she’s trying to save him from all the gunfire. It’s so obvious these two teens are crazy about each other but, just like adults, they have a hard time admitting it. The fact Selina comes back after all the chaos to make sure Bruce is okay is sweet and touching.
With the best villain now in the Gotham morgue and Theo about to make a run for the vacated Mayor’s office, here’s looking forward to episode four.
Willa Holland as Speedy in ‘Arrow’ (Photo Courtesy of The CW)
Just ahead of the season four premiere of Arrow, The CW has released a new photo of Willa Holland in her Speedy costume. During this summer’s Comic Con, Holland had joked about how hot it was going to be filming season four wearing her new superhero costume. “I am so stoked about it except for during the summer. I’m not looking forward to wearing it outside in the summer. It’s going to be very, very hot inside of all that tight, tight leather. But, regardless, I’m not going to complain because I’m getting to be a superhero so it’s kind of amazing. I’ll just put mini-fans around me at all times. I’ll just put them up my arm,” said Holland, laughing.
Arrow will kick of the new season on October 7, 2015 at 8pm PT/ET. The fourth season will debut with an episode titled “Green Arrow” directed by Thor Freudenthal from a story by Greg Berlanti and Beth Schwartz. Marc Guggenheim and Wendy Mericle wrote the script.
The Plot: MY NAME IS THE GREEN ARROW — Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Felicity’s (Emily Bett Rickards) blissful getaway is cut short when Thea (Willa Holland) and Laurel (Katie Cassidy) pay them a visit and tell Oliver they need his help back in Star City. The city has been attacked by “Ghosts,” assassins led by a dangerous man named Damien Darhk (guest star Neal McDonough). However, when Oliver returns, Diggle (David Ramsey) makes it very clear that he doesn’t want Oliver on the team.
