The buzz surrounding Neon’s horror thriller Longlegs continues to build as it nears its July 12, 2024 theatrical release. The final trailer teases the hunt for a serial killer who, for 30 years, has left behind letters signed “Longlegs” with his victims.
“In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree,” reads Neon’s synopsis. Maika Monroe stars as FBI Agent Lee Harker and Nicolas Cage plays the serial killer. The cast also includes Alicia Witt, Kiernan Shipka, and Blair Underwood.
Although Cage’s character is the source of the terror, he’s never seen full-on in any of the teasers or trailers. “It’s the equivalent of putting a warning label on a jar of nitroglycerin,” explained Cage to Entertainment Weekly. “The monster is a highly, highly dangerous substance. The way it’s moved, unveiled, deployed has to be treated very carefully. Forget about the movie theater blowing up; the whole city could blow up, nay the country, maybe even the world. He is going to change your reality. Your doors of perception are going to open, and your life is not going to be the same.”
Maika Monroe in ‘Longlegs’ (Photo Credit: Neon)
Oz Perkins, son of Anthony Perkins (Psycho), wrote and directed Longlegs. Perkins’ credits include I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, Gretel & Hansel, and February. Producers include Nicolas Cage, Dave Caplan, Chris Ferguson, Dan Kagan, and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones.
Commenting on reactions to the early screening at Beyond Fest, Perkins admitted to IndieWire that he wasn’t expecting people to be so terrified by it, or to find it “so grotesque and so brutal.” Perkins added, “I never set out to make anybody feel bad. I don’t know that any filmmaker necessarily does, although there’s a couple of people who I wonder if their intention is to make people feel bad. I don’t like those movies at all. But for me, honestly, I just tried to make something that was good and that people would want to enjoy.”
Less than two weeks from its release, the R-rated horror is sitting at 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Richard Gere as Bosko and Michael Fassbender as Martian in ‘The Agency’ (Photo Credit: Luke Varley/Paramount+)
The cast of Paramount+ with Showtime’s The Agency continues to grow, with Richard Gere the latest to sign on to the espionage thriller as a series regular. The series, based on the French drama Le Bureau des Légendes, is currently in production in London.
“Richard Gere is in a class of his own, adored by generations of fans worldwide for his exceptional ability to infuse depth and authenticity into every role he plays,” stated Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. “We are delighted to have him join our extraordinary cast that includes Michael Fassbender and Jeffrey Wright in Showtime’s latest thriller.”
Two-time Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave, Steve Jobs) and Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction) were previously announced to star.
“The all-new political thriller follows Martian (Fassbender), a covert CIA agent, ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station,” reads Paramount+ with Showtime’s synopsis. “When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart; hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.”
Gere is attached to play Bosko, described as “the London Station Chief with a storied past after serving as an 8-year undercover agent.”
Tony Award winner Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth are writing the 10-episode season and serving as executive producers. Two-time BAFTA winner Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice) is directing the drama and also executive produces. Additional executive producers include Michael Fassbender, TOP-The Originals Productions’ Alex Berger, and Smokehouse Pictures’ George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios’ Keith Cox and Nina L. Diaz executive produce as well as David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, and Bob Yari of 101 Studios.
Ashley Stern and Pascal Breton executive producer for Federation Studios/Federation Entertainment of America.
Richard Gere’s credits include An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, Chicago, and Nights in Rodanthe. Gere recently wrapped up work on Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada starring Jacob Elordi and Uma Thurman. He’s attached to star in The Making Of with Diane Keaton and Blake Lively.
Production is officially underway on the live-action adaptation of Japan’s highest-selling manga series One Piece season two. Netflix announced the start of production with a short video showing the series’ stars reuniting in Cape Town to begin filming.
Season one premiered on August 31, 2023 and earned a quick season two renewal in September. Netflix’s latest announcement didn’t confirm when fans can expect to catch up with the Straw Hats crew for season two.
The popular series stars Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. The returning cast also includes Ilia Isorelys Paulino as Alvida, Jeff Ward as Buggy, and Michael Dorman as Gold Roger.
Newbies to the wild One Piece world include Brendan Sean Murray as Brogy, Callum Kerr as Smoker, Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5, Clive Russell as Crocus, Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9, and David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3. Jazzara Jaslyn joins as Miss Valentine, Julia Rehwald will play Tashigi, Rob Colletti is Wapol, Ty Keogh is Dalton, and Werner Coetser plays Dorry.
“One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.”
Matt Owens and Joe Tracz serve as writers, executive producers, and co-showrunners of the series, based on Eiichiro Oda’s pirate manga. Additional executive producers include Oda, Tetsu Fujimura, Chris Symes, Steven Maeda, and Tomorrow Studios’ Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements.
Emma D’Arcy in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 episode 3 (Photograph by Theo Whiteman/HBO)
HBO’s House of the Dragon season two episode three delivered pivotal moments that set up the war to come. But more importantly, it featured one of the series’ most stunning moments involving the two most powerful women in the Seven Kingdoms: Queen Rhaenyra and Queen Dowager Alicent.
But before we get to that, episode three begins with one of the first battles of the civil war, The Battle of the Burning Mill.
The Brackens are patrolling their land when they’re confronted by the Blackwoods. An argument over boundaries quickly escalates into a fight once the Blackwoods confirm they’ve declared for Queen Rhaenyra while the Brackens have pledged to King Aegon. By the time it’s over, the battlefield is littered with hundreds of dead bodies.
At Dragonstone, Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) has Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk buried together, much to the displeasure of Jace, who believes Arryk was a traitor. Rhaenys (Eve Best) joins Rhaenyra at the gravesite and they both agree it’s the younger men who made this move, not Alicent or Otto. Rhaenys believes the only way to avert further bloodshed is for Rhaenyra to speak with Alicent.
“There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin,” says Rhaenys. “And no war so bloody as a war between dragons.”
Rhaenyra admits Alicent sent a raven, but she chose not to read the message. Alicent permitted the war, even if it’s the men around her now giving the orders. Rhaenys points out that if that’s true, then Rhaenyra permitted the murder of Aegon’s little boy. Touché!
Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) is tardy to his first small council meeting as the Hand of the King. He’s shocked to see King Aegon’s buddies are now members of the Kingsguard, and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) says it’s because they’ve lost so many men including Arryk.
Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) informs the council of the Blackwood/Bracken battle. Lord Samwell Blackwood was slain, and King Aegon’s happy the first blood was taken in his name. Members of his small council seem to think the Brackens and the Blackwoods were just looking for an excuse to fight, and both took heavy losses. It’s hard to call this a victory.
Grand Maester Orwyle suggests they contact Lord Tully of the Riverlands since both the Blackwoods and Brackens are under his control. Lord Jasper’s certain Lord Tully is barely able to control himself, let alone the people under him. Instead, Jasper believes Lord Ormund (Aegon’s uncle) is marching from Oldstone and could be called upon. Lord Lannister is of the opinion his brother can handle the Blackwoods after he amasses an army. That should only be a matter of weeks.
Ser Criston Cole finally speaks up. Since the Riverlands are the key to the war, he’ll ride to Harrenhal with men he’s personally trained. If he acts quickly, he can turn the Crownland houses to support King Aegon. After that’s accomplished, the army he’s amassed will conquer the Riverlands and take Harrenhal.
Alicent (Olivia Cooke) thinks Criston’s being too hasty and doesn’t have enough men yet. She also tosses in that acting rashly got Ser Arryk killed. King Aegon wants Criston to take Aemond and Vhagar, but Criston thinks Vhagar needs to remain put to defend King’s Landing. In that case, Aegon thinks he should come along with Sunfyre.
Criston disagrees, arguing that if they field a dragon the odds of encountering one of Rhaenyra’s dragons increase. Aemond agrees with Criston and points out that they can’t risk the loss of their king.
King Aegon is too stubborn to listen and declares himself fearsome.
Back at Dragonstone, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) is watching a dragon flying when Queen Rhaenyra joins her. Rhaenyra’s in her debt after Mysaria saved her life by warning that Ser Arryk was masquerading as Ser Erryk. They discuss ways to pay off the debt, and Mysaria asks for a place at her court. The fact that Rhaenyra released her was shocking since no one ever keeps their promises. Because of that, Mysaria wants to help Rhaenyra win this war. She knows the inner workings of the Red Keep and is ready to punish the Hightowers.
Phoebe Campbell and Emma D’Arcy in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 episode 3 (Photograph by Theo Whiteman/HBO)
Queen Rhaenyra asks Lady Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) to accompany Joffrey, Aegon, and Viserys to her cousin Lady Jeyne Arryn at the Vale. Rhaena will then take the little children further away to Pentos, where Rhaena’s mother died, to keep them safe. Rhaenyra is heartbroken over sending the children away and asks Rhaena to be a mother to her boys. “Teach them, train them, guard them as a dragon guards her eggs,” says Rhaenyra.
Rhaena isn’t happy to leave Dragonstone and her sister but agrees.
And now 15 minutes in, we finally see what Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) has been up to. He and Caraxes land at Harrenhal in the middle of a storm. Daemon silently makes his way through the decimated castle and doesn’t encounter anyone until he reaches the dining hall. (Harrenhal was nearly destroyed by Balerion when House Black was wiped out, and further damaged in the fire that killed Harwin and Lyonel Strong.) He claims Harrenhal, and Ser Simon Strong, Castellan of Harrenhal, doesn’t object. He bends the knee and pledges to Queen Rhaenyra.
They invite Daemon to dinner and Daemon refuses to eat, believing the food might be poisoned. Ser Simon laughs and assures Daemon he is welcome. He denounces Lord Larys Strong (aka Larys Clubfoot), pointing out how strange it is that Lord Lyonel died in a fire in such a damp environment. It’s not even dry in the summer. He believes Larys ordered the fire and killed his kin.
Simon doesn’t know why Daemon’s come to Harrenhal, and Daemon points out it’s the largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms. (Even if it’s in horrible shape.) The Riverlands has 40,000 swords and currently stands as the biggest undeclared part of the realm. Daemon wants to change that and then garrison them at Harrenhal. He’s unaware of the Blackwood and Bracken battle.
Daemon orders Simon to summon Lord Paramount Lord Tully, and Simon confesses Tully’s barely alive and his bannermen do as they please. Daemon doesn’t care; Tully should be obeyed no matter his condition. He believes his presence, along with his dragon, will convince everyone to fall in line.
Simon, not one to mince words, asks what Daemon hopes to accomplish. Daemon confirms his plans are to march on King’s Landing and seize the throne.
Simon says, “The throne?”
“It’s a big chair made of swords,” replies Daemon.
Meanwhile, Criston’s army assembles just as Ser Gwayne Hightower (Alicent’s brother) arrives with his men from Oldtown. It’s obvious from their first conversation these men detest each other, with Gwayne (Freddie Fox) admitting he was shocked that Criston had replaced his father as the Hand.
Gwayne volunteers to go with Criston into battle, but Criston doesn’t want him along. Alicent won’t take no for an answer. Gwayne, sarcastically, says he’s delighted to march out to war with a Dornishman.
Queen Rhaenyra’s council meets and Rhaenys confirms there haven’t been any sightings of horses, ships, or dragons. Members of her council believe they should act now and send out the dragons. That will shift the tide quickly in their favor.
Rhaenyra vehemently disagrees, knowing that’s just inviting their own destruction. She insists it’s the armies that will do the fighting, and believes The Greens think the same. Men are coming from the Vale and the North, and all they need to do now is give Daemon – who hasn’t been heard from – time to take care of Harrenhal.
Her council greatly underestimates their Queen and suggests that she leave for somewhere safe. The men will take care of handling the war. No need to worry her pretty little head, right? Queen Rhaenyra warns them what they’re suggesting is treason.
After Rhaenyra leaves, Rhaenys reminds the men that their Queen wears the crown of the wisest of Targaryen kings, Jaehaerys the Conciliator. Jaehaerys’ reign was the longest in Targaryen history.
Rhaenys joins her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), at the port and confirms she still believes Rhaenyra can rise to the task – even with her council working against her. She hopes Corlys will join Rhaenyra soon. Rhaenyra needs his support in person.
Rhaenys is obviously concerned about naming an heir to Driftmark before the kingdom plunges further into war. She believes Rhaena would be perfect. The other option is Joffrey, and Corlys reminds her that neither knows ships nor dragons. Corlys walks off, refusing to discuss the heir any further.
And speaking of Rhaena … the family says their goodbyes to her as she, very reluctantly, leaves with the children. Rhaenyra’s sending young Stormcloud and Tyraxes with her, as well as four incredibly fragile dragon eggs. Rhaena resents being away from the action, but Rhaenyra assures her that what she’s doing is crucial. If Dragonstone falls, Rhaena will be the Targaryens’ hope for the future. (Yes, it’s confirmed three of the eggs are the ones given to Daenerys as wedding gifts!)
Rhaena now fully understands the full importance of her role.
Tom Glynn-Carney and Matthew Needham in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 episode 3 (Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO)
King Aegon gets suited up for war wearing King Aegon the Conqueror’s armor made of Valyrian steel. His buddies, now Kingsguard, shower compliments as Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) interrupts for a quick private chat. Larys, ever the snake, says rumors have it that Aegon is either courageous and wise to go to battle or has been outwitted by the council so Alicent can rule in his place. Aegon orders Larys to tend to these people spreading rumors. He also makes the spur-of-the-moment decision to name Larys his Master of Whisperers.
King Aegon decides not to go to battle, and his buddies ask him to go out that night. Apparently, Ser Martyn’s new squire is a virgin so they’re heading to a brothel to take care of that. They laugh when King Aegon reminds them that they’re sworn to chastity. That is until they realize he’s not joking.
Night falls in King’s Landing and the townsfolk are out partying and having a good time as Ulf (Tom Bennett) makes his way through the crowds, glad-handing everyone before he arrives at a table in a pub. Among his companions is a Dornish man he’s never met before, and he tells this stranger that his grandsire was Jaehaerys the Conciliator. Ulf claims he’s the son of Baelon the Brave which makes him the bastard brother of Prince Daemon and King Viserys. His allegiance is with Rhaenyra, the one true queen.
He’d lose his head if anyone discovered this. They joke that he looks nothing like either, especially his hair, and he says it’s because he’s their half-brother. Suddenly, the room falls quiet as King Aegon and the Kingsguard enter the pub. Aegon pays for drinks all around as Ulf stares at the usurper.
Aegon’s next stop is the brothel where he can’t stop laughing when he sees his brother in bed with the same whore who took his virginity. Aemond remains silent as Aegon makes jokes at his expense. Finally, Aemond stands, and we get a full naked body shot as he leaves Aegon and his cohorts with the whore.
Once more to Dragonstone we go, and Queen Rhaenyra’s in a reflective mood, thinking about her children she just sent away. She finally reads the message Alicent sent.
Their journey’s begun but Ser Gwayne and Ser Criston are no closer to forming a bond when Criston tells Gwayne’s group to camp with the rest of the company. Gwayne would rather travel a couple of miles to a tavern with real beds. He will meet up with Criston’s company at first light after a good night’s sleep. Criston’s been distracted while they’re talking and suddenly realizes they’re exposed. A dragon is circling high overhead.
They race to the trees for cover just as Baela (Bethany Antonia) on Moondancer spots them. Baela heads straight toward them but they manage to beat her into the woods. She circles above the tree line looking for any movement but doesn’t see anything and leaves.
Gwayne has a change of heart about Criston, thanking him for saving his life. Criston alters their plan. From now on they’ll move at night under the trees. And, obviously, no one will stay in an inn.
Baela reports that she spotted Criston Cole and other knights on the move. The council also received word from Lord Farring that a larger force is moving towards Rosby. They insist it’s time for action. Lord Simon wants to leave to fortify his lands, while others are certain the main force is on its way to Harrenhal which puts Daemon at the heart of the battle. Rhaenyra thinks Daemon will be fine since he has Caraxes, but the council reminds her Cole could call on a dragon for support.
Her council believes the dragons need to be brought into action now. Kill Criston Cole and his men and stop their advance. Rhaenyra glances at Rhaenys and then agrees to consider their arguments.
Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 episode 3 (Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO)
The episode’s final visit with Daemon finds him having a vision of a young Rhaenyra sewing Jaehaerys’ head back on while telling her uncle/husband she always has to clean up after him. A woman warns him that he will die at Harrenhal.
Rhaenyra asks Mysaria about Alicent’s movements, and Mysaria wants to know why. Rhaenyra reveals she wants to speak with Alicent and that Alicent expressed remorse in a message. Maybe if they can talk, they can come up with a solution before more blood is shed.
Mysaria believes Rhaenyra has a chance to meet Alicent face-to-face if she goes by fishing boat to King’s Landing and dresses as a septa. Alicent only goes outside the castle for prayer, and that’s where Rhaenyra surprises her as she’s lighting candles, alone. After stopping her from screaming, Rhaenyra reminds Alicent that they both know men are eager to fight. Rhaenyra hopes that Rhaenys is right and that Alicent wishes to avert further bloodshed.
Rhaenyra believes they can come to terms, but Alicent thinks that’s impossible. Besides, Rhaenyra doesn’t have an army or many allies. They both swear they didn’t cause the deaths of either Lucerys or Jaehaerys. But Alicent won’t agree that they stole Rhaenyra’s throne. She insists King Viserys changed his mind.
Rhaenyra informs Alicent that she visited her father just hours before his death, and he affirmed that she was heir to the throne. But as they talk, Rhaenyra starts to believe Alicent truly thinks Viserys changed his mind. She asks Alicent about her last conversation with Viserys, and it’s clear that Alicent misinterpreted what happened.
Alicent says Viserys was very tired and difficult to understand. However, he said Aegon’s name. “He said he was the prince that was promised to unite the realm,” recalls Alicent. Rhaenyra’s shocked her father spoke to Alicent of the Song of Ice and Fire, and Alicent indicates she’s never heard of that before. Rhaenyra explains it’s a story about Aegon the Conqueror.
Alicent fumbles out, “The Conqueror,” as it dawns on her that King Viserys wasn’t talking about her son Aegon. They sit in silence for a moment, letting that sink in. Finally, Alicent tells Rhaenyra she should leave and refuses to take action to stop the war from decimating the Seven Kingdoms.
Alicent says it’s too late and then quickly leaves. Rhaenyra remains seated and considers what to do next now that it’s confirmed her father never changed his mind and Alicent won’t change hers.
Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky in ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ season 3 episode 5 (Credit: Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+)
Police bust down a door as Paramount+’s Mayor of Kingstown season three episode five opens. Shots are fired, officers are hit, but fortunately, it turns out to be a training exercise Kyle’s taking part in.
Robert (Hamish Allan-Headley) congratulates Kyle (Taylor Handley) for the way he handled himself. Kyle admits it felt good.
Apparently, Mike (Jeremy Renner) and Evelyn (Necar Zadegan) are a thing now as the first scene with either finds them together in the morning at her place. Evelyn wakes to the news there are more ODs, bringing the total to 18 deaths in recent weeks. Mike promises Bunny’s going to fix it but Evelyn’s not sure it’s his problem to fix. It turns out the deaths are caused by a mix of “meth and opioid analogs.” The finger’s pointing at Konstantin as the drugs are of Russian origin.
Mike asks Evelyn to keep that info under wraps, but the word’s already out on the streets. Mike, again, promises to fix it, but he might be biting off more than he can chew at this point.
Over at the station, Ian (Hugh Dillon) and Stevie (Derek Webster) are deep in conversation about addicts being a financial strain on the system. Neither is in a good mood, but that changes when Kyle arrives with news that he’s now part of SWAT. However, their congratulations are interrupted by Captain Walter (Rob Kirkland) telling Ian he needs to see him in an hour. (That sounds ominous!)
Bunny (Tobi Bamtefa) refuses to pick up the phone when Mike calls, saying to himself, “It’s too little too late, Mikey Mike.” He checks in on the guys packaging the drugs and then gets a tour of a weapons cache. He’s tired of not being able to react when attacked and is ready to go on the offensive. Bunny’s talked out of purchasing grenades and into purchasing assault weapons.
Mike’s day keeps getting worse when Ian informs him that Kyle made SWAT.
He heads to Crips territory and a couple of Bunny’s guys claim not to know where Bunny is. Mike talks his way into Rhonda’s salon, and she also claims ignorance when it comes to Bunny. She does say that he needs to protect himself because he’s looking after so many people.
Konstantin’s getting high and talking to himself about Milo as Iris (Emma Laird) arrives at the club. Konstantin seems happy to see her and they’re both delighted Milo’s gone. Konstantin thinks Milo wasted her talents, and she claims she’s only in Kingstown because Milo forced her to join him there. It’s strange, but Konstantin seems to genuinely care for her. (He’s the one who named her “Iris.”)
Ian’s meeting with Captain Walter isn’t as bad – or as dramatic – as it sounded. Walter hands Ian letters from families of murder victims, families who got closure only because Ian got serial killer Charlie Pickings to open up. Walter’s just happy the department is getting some good publicity for once.
Mike stops by Konstantin’s place and asks for a minute to talk. Konstantin invites him to do so in front of Iris, with neither Mike nor Iris acknowledging they know each other. Mike wants the new Russian mob boss to stop poisoning street drugs, but Konstantin insists he’s not. Mike “orders” Konstantin to back off Bunny just as the Crips pull up outside and start shooting. One guy barges into the club and shoots indiscriminately, leaving dead bodies inside and outside the club.
Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky and Hugh Dillon as Ian Ferguson in ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ season 3 episode 5 (Credit: Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+)
Ian arrives at the crime scene, upset Mike almost got himself killed. Ian’s ready to arrest Bunny right now, but Mike jokes he wasn’t aiming at him. Mike will handle this and suggests Ian get all the witnesses to the station and off the streets before the Crips return to finish the job. Ian wonders why Iris is there, and Mike doesn’t know.
Mike counsels Konstantin to not retaliate. The Russian promises that when he acts, he acts with a purpose. All Bunny did was kill cannon fodder, “discount meat marked for short sale.” Mike warns Konstantin not to engage with Bunny. The cops are on edge and just itching to take him down, given the opportunity.
Mike and Ian interrogate Iris at the station, and Mike’s confused about why Iris involved herself in Konstantin’s operation. Iris says he wants her working the front of the house, which will allow her to keep an eye on the Russians. She confirms she’s doing it since Konstantin is dangerous to Mike. Ian agrees with Iris, but Mike’s worried she’ll end up in a dumpster like Tatiana.
Kyle’s wife, Tracy, returns to her job as a nurse at the Women’s Correctional Facility after being off on maternity leave. Her first day’s rough as she’s attacked by an inmate, and she seems ready to go home even though her shift just started.
Nishi Munshi as Tracy McLusky and Taylor Handley as Kyle McLusky in ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ season 5 episode 5 (Credit: Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+)
That night, Kyle’s happy to share the news that he made the cut. Tracy wants him to let Robert know she’ll come for him if he gets hurt. Kyle insists SWAT is the safe move.
Finally, Mike stops by to meet his nephew for the first time. He fills Kyle in on Iris getting close to Konstantin and how that means she can’t have contact with anyone around their family. Kyle assures his bro he’ll tell Tracy to say she’s never heard of her.
It’s late at night when Bunny finally calls Mike for a meetup. Mike still thinks he’s in charge and warns Bunny not to ghost him. Bunny wasn’t aware Mike was at the club and only pushed back on Konstantin after the Russian took some of his business. Mike can’t believe Bunny’s guys shot at him, and Bunny says he ordered the attack on the Russians because they don’t understand (or respect) how Kingstown works.
Mike admits he doesn’t know if he calmed down the situation. The tension eases as they talk about Rhonda, but then ramps back up a little when Bunny says the KPD needs to get on Konstantin now before the Russian gets too close to the Crips’ territory.
Mike and Ian have a secret meeting with Iris, letting her know exactly what sort of information they need about Konstantin. Ian tries to convince her to wear a wire, but Iris refuses. Konstantin would know, and she’d end up dead. She’s doing this of her own volution, and they need to let her handle this her way.
Mike gives her a burner phone and instructions on how to safely use it.
Later, Mike and Ian keep eyes on her as she gets on a yacht with Konstantin. Mike’s pissed that Ian told her he’s in danger, which convinced her to be their eyes and ears.
Konstantin treats Iris well and claims he hates what Milo did to her … but wants all the details. They continue snorting and drinking, and Iris gives him a kiss on the cheek when he says he’s anxious to leave Kingstown and return to New York.
Konstantin’s right-hand man signals him, and Konstantin and Iris follow him onto the deck. A smaller boat pulls up, but it’s positioned so that neither Mike nor Ian can see what’s going on. Iris watches as drugs and money are exchanged without anyone counting or weighing either bag. Konstantin says he doesn’t need to; it’s all about trust and they wouldn’t dare screw him over.
Iris and Konstantin leave the boat and continue to get high. They pull up outside her place and he promises to move her to a better house in the morning. She gives him a friendly kiss as she exits the vehicle. As soon as she’s in her apartment, she calls Mike and is ecstatic that she’s back in tight with Konstantin. She reveals she saw White Power cash traded for Russian drugs, confirming Konstantin is working with the Aryans.
Brandon Brown and Joe Schoen in ‘Hard Knocks Offseason with the New York Giants’ (Photograph by Matt Swensen/HBO)
A new entry in the Hard Knocks franchise, Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants, debuts in July 2024 on Max, along with the original series Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, and documentaries Faye, Wild Wild Space, and Quad Gods. Max is also adding the films Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, Love Lies Bleeding, and Knox Goes Away to their July lineup.
Max has set a July 11th premiere date for the three-episode documentary series Teen Torture Inc., and the four-part docuseries Charlie Hustle & The Matter of Pete Rose debuts on July 24th.
SERIES & FILMS ARRIVING ON MAX IN JULY 2024
JULY 1
!Three Amigos! (1986)
17 Again (2009)
90 Day Fiance: The Other Way, Season 6 (TLC)
America’s Best Towns to Visit
As Good as It Gets (1997)
Babe (1995)
Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)
Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One (2021)
Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two (2021)
Beowulf (2007)
Blended (2014)
Black Adam (2022)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Butterfield 8 (1960)
Candyman 3: Day of the Dead (1999)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Chinatown (1974)
Cleopatra (1963)
The Company You Keep (2013)
The Craft (1996)
Cyrus (2010)
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
The Express (2008)
The Eyes of My Mother (2016)
Firestarter (1984)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Frank (2014)
Garden State (2004)
Gattaca (1997)
Giant (1956)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
The Glass Castle (2017)
Gods of Egypt (2016)
Good Luck Chuck (2007)
Grand Piano (2014)
Inside Job (2010)
Lady Bird (2017)
Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love (2019)
The Meg (2018)
Melancholia (2011)
Mortal Kombat (1995)
A Most Wanted Man (2014)
National Velvet (1944)
Network (1976)
Out of the Furnace (2013)
Panic Room (2002)
Parenthood (1989)
Please Stand By (2018)
Posse: The Revenge of Jessie Lee (1993)
Raging Bull (1980)
Rescue Dawn (2007)
The Rider (2018)
Saw (2004)
Saw 3D: The Final Chapter (2010)
Saw II (2005)
Saw III (2006)
Saw IV (2007)
Saw V (2008)
Saw VI (2009)
Signs (2002)
Single White Female (1992)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Smurfs (Movie) (2011)
Spy Kids (2001)
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002)
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003)
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
To Sir, with Love (1967)
To the Wonder (2012)
Twister (1996)
Unbreakable (2000)
West Side Story (1961)
Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Woodshock (2017)
JULY 2
Contraband: Seized at the Border, Season 4 (Discovery)
Mecum Full Throttle: Indianapolis IN 2024 (Motor Trend)
Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants (HBO Original) – HARD KNOCKS: OFFSEASON WITH THE NEW YORK GIANTS will bring viewers inside the New York Giants organization as the team prepares for their highly anticipated 100th season. Camera crews will chronicle the team’s every move as general manager Joe Schoen and other members of the team’s front office and staff navigate the critical offseason period from January to July 2024, from the NFL Scouting Combine to free agency, to the NFL Draft, and team minicamps.
Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire – The film is an explosive, action-packed adventure that follows Kong’s journey to find his family through an undiscovered layer of Hollow Earth—and what he uncovers inadvertently brings forth the most dangerous threat to mankind yet… one that can only be countered (and possibly conquered) by the combined forces of Kong and Godzilla, now evolved like never before.
JULY 5
Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation, Season 9 (Magnolia Network)
Care Bears: Unlock the Magic (Specials): The Star of a Thousand Wishes (2024)
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Season 48 (Food Network)
King of Zanzibar (Max Original)
JULY 7
Belly of the Beast: Bigger and Bloodier (Discovery)
Jaws vs. Leviathan (Discovery)
Makozilla (Discovery)
Sydney Harbor Shark Invasion (Discovery)
JULY 8
BBQ Brawl, Season 5 (Food Network)
Big Shark Energy (Discovery)
Bodies in the Water (ID)
Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood (Discovery)
Shark Frenzy: Mating Games (Discovery)
Shark Frenzy: Mating Games (Discovery)
Signs of a Psychopath, Season 7 (ID)
Two Guys Garage, Season 23 (Motor Trend)
JULY 9
6000-Lb Shark (Discovery)
Bobby’s Triple Threat, Season 3 (Food Network)
Deadliest Bite (Discovery)
Monster Hammerheads: Species X (Discovery)
My Big Fat Fabulous Life, Season 12 (TLC)
Mecum Main Attractions: Indianapolis IN (Motor Trend)
JULY 10
Alien Sharks: Ghosts of Japan (Discovery)
Expedition Unknown: Shark Wrecks of WWII (Discovery)
Great White North (Discovery)
Quad Gods (HBO Original) – QUAD GODS is a high-stakes and heart-warming film that follows the lives of three New Yorkers with quadriplegia that meet in a neuro-rehabilitation lab where they create the world’s first-ever, fully quadriplegic e-sports team. As they navigate New York City, confronting challenges at every turn, they pursue their shared dream to compete as athletes while subverting assumptions about disability.
JULY 11
Caught! When Sharks Attack (Discovery)
Christina on the Coast, Season 5 (HGTV)
Great White Danger Zone (Discovery)
MILF of Norway, Season 1 (Max Original)
Monster of Oz (Discovery)
Teen Torture Inc. (Max Original) – This arced documentary series follows on-going efforts to expose America’s “troubled teen” industry (TTI). For six decades and counting, this billion-dollar business has used what it calls “tough love” as a form of treatment despite numerous deaths, countless suicides, life-altering injuries, and instances of child sexual abuse. Until recently, nobody has been able to stop it. The series follows a recurring band of young survivors and whistleblowers and their harrowing first-hand accounts of extreme abuse and cult-like brainwashing at the hands of these programs, starting a social media firestorm in 2021.
Survivors, including rap star Bhad Bhabie, are determined to take down this business once and for all. While they have seen impressive victories, the “troubled teen” industry has long been protected by power and is not going down without a fight.
Faye Dunaway (Photo by Terry O’Neill/Iconic Images/Courtesy of HBO)
JULY 12
Shark Attack Island (Discovery)
Sharks of the Dead Zone (Discovery)
The Real Sharkano (Discovery)
Faye (HBO Original) – In FAYE, the first feature documentary of the Hollywood legend, Academy Award®-winning actress Faye Dunaway candidly discusses the triumphs and challenges of her illustrious career, with breakthrough, Academy Award®-nominated roles in Bonnie & Clyde, Chinatown, and Network – for which she won Best Actress in 1977 – while also reflecting on the film Mommie Dearest, which she views as a critical career misstep.
Through those reflections, she courageously explores personal discoveries including her struggles with mental health issues and bipolar disorder, her family history growing up in a small town in Florida, and how the intensity of the characters she played still impacts who she is today. In addition to Faye, the film features interviews with her son Liam Dunaway O’Neill, as well as her colleagues and friends, including Sharon Stone, Mickey Rourke, and James Gray.
JULY 14
Alex vs. America, Season 4 (Food Network)
In the Eye of the Storm, Season 1 (Discovery)
Mary Makes It Easy, Season 4 (Food Network)
JULY 15
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Two (2024)
JULY 16
The Black Widower: The Six Wives of Thomas Randolph, Season 1 (ID)
Welcome to Plathville, Season 6 (TLC)
JULY 17
Wild Wild Space (HBO Original) – WILD WILD SPACE chronicles the modern-day, celestial land grab happening above our heads. It’s a fast paced, high-stakes race of epic proportions in which companies compete to blast satellite-carrying rockets into low earth orbit. From exhilarating triumphs to gut-wrenching setbacks, we witness the fierce competition to tackle humanity’s next great frontier. However, beneath the shiny veneer of progress is the dark side of capitalism’s insatiable appetite for profit and the far-reaching reverberations of a world controlled from the skies.
JULY 18
Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Season 1 (Max Original) – Kite Man and Golden Glider take their relationship to the next level by opening a bar in the shadow of Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom. Nobody said serving cold ones to the most dangerous rogues outside of Arkham Asylum would be easy, but sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and how to hide a body.
The Commandant’s Shadow – THE COMMANDANT’S SHADOW follows Hans Jürgen Höss, the 87-year-old son of Rudolf Höss, as he faces his father’s terrible legacy for the first time. His father was the camp commandant of Auschwitz and masterminded the murder of over a million Jews. The life of Höss and his family was recently fictionalized in the Academy Award®-winning The Zone of Interest. Now, THE COMMANDANT’S SHADOW tells the story of some of the real people who lived on-site at Höss’s concentration camp.
Katy O’Brian and Kristen Stewart in ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ (Photo Credit: Anna Kooris / A24)
JULY 19
Love Lies Bleeding (A24) – From Director Rose Glass comes an electric new love story; reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.
JULY 21
Forbidden Love, Season 1 (TLC)
JULY 22
Fatal Affairs, Season 1 (ID)
JULY 23
Chopped, Season 58 (Food Network)
Secrets & Spies: A Nuclear Game (CNN Originals)
JULY 24
Guy’s Grocery Games, Season 36 (Food Network)
Charlie Hustle & The Matter of Pete Rose (HBO Original) – A four-part documentary series chronicling the life and career of Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader, who received a lifetime ban from the game after a Major League Baseball investigation revealed he bet on the Cincinnati Reds to win games during his time as manager of the team. CHARLIE HUSTLE & THE MATTER OF PETE ROSE provides intimate access to the polarizing former player as he embarks on a new bid for reinstatement in the MLB and a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
JULY 25
Full Custom Garage, Season 4 (Motor Trend)
Mecum Full Throttle: Kissimmee Summer Special 2024 (Motor Trend)
JULY 26
Walker, Season 4 (2024)
Knox Goes Away (2024) – Academy Award nominee Michael Keaton directs and stars in this unpredictable thriller as John Knox, a hit man attempting to make amends before his recently discovered dementia takes over. Aided by a trusted friend with his own shady past, Knox races against the police, and his own rapidly deteriorating mind, to save his estranged son from a vengeance-fueled mistake and “cash out” before it’s too late.
Will Forte at Netflix’s special screening of ‘Bodkin’ (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix)
Will Forte’s following up his starring role in Netflix’s Bodkin with another Netflix comedy. Forte’s just checked into The Four Seasons starring Tina Fey.
In addition to Forte and Fey, the series will star Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Erika Henningsen.
Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield created the series, and serve as writers and executive producers. The series, inspired by the 1981 film written and directed by Alan Alda, is expected to begin production later this year.
The Four Seasons film sits at 76% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Netflix hasn’t released a synopsis for the series, however, Universal Pictures’ official film synopsis reads: “In this heartfelt comedy about three 40-something couples who frequently vacation together, life’s ups and downs take their toll. Their perfect dynamic is forever changed when one friend leaves his wife for a much younger woman. The lines are drawn when they are forced to take sides regarding the new couple, reminding US that friendship is like the seasons; forever changing.”
Additional season one executive producers include David Miner, Eric Gurian, and Jeff Richmond. Alan Alda and Marissa Bregman are on board as producers.
Will Forte’s credits include Thelma The Unicorn, Win or Lose, Strays, The Great North, and Sweet Tooth. Forte co-created and starred in the half-hour comedy The Last Man on Earth which earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards nominations in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series categories.
Jeff Goldblum leads the cast of Netflix’s KAOS, channeling Zeus but with a modern-day twist. The streamer describes the series as bold and darkly comedic, and promises no degree in Greek mythology is necessary to understand what’s going on.
“Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus: king of the Gods, ruler of the world. He’s cruel, stylish and all-powerful. That is, until he’s not,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “Having long enjoyed his status as King of The Gods, Zeus’ reign has never been truly threatened. That is until he wakes up one morning and discovers a wrinkle on his forehead. Believing it to be the harbinger of an ancient prophecy which foretells his destruction, neurosis sets in: Zeus becomes convinced his fall is coming. As his paranoia takes hold, the God of Gods – seeing signs everywhere – starts to dangerously self-destruct.
And he’s right to be worried. Zeus’ one-time friend and now prisoner, Prometheus, is orchestrating a plan to bring him down. The plan involves three disparate humans, all of whom are totally unaware of their cosmic significance or the part they must play in saving the world. No pressure. (Some pressure).”
The eight-episode season stars Janet Mcteer, Nabhaan Rizwaan, Aurora Perrineau, Killian Scott, and David Thewlis. The ensemble also includes Rakie Ayola, Cliff Curtis, Stephen Dillane, Misia Butler, Stanley Townsend, and Leila Farzad.
Diving further into the characters, Netflix released detailed descriptions of KAOS‘ key characters:
Zeus (Goldblum) is King of the gods: all-powerful yet desperately insecure. A megalomaniac in leisure wear, Zeus’s paranoia is ignited one day when he finds a new wrinkle on his forehead. He becomes convinced that it is evidence of an ancient prophecy coming to pass: that he and the family of gods are going to fall from power. As he attempts to shore up his regime, Zeus makes dangerous enemies all over the place, fails to listen to those who are actually trying to help him, and takes actions that threaten the survival of humanity itself.
Hera (McTeer) is queen of the gods, and married to Zeus (who also happens to be her brother). Life is pretty good for Hera when we meet her, but it becomes increasingly strained by her husband’s increasing paranoia and obsession with his prophecy. As Zeus becomes more deranged in his actions, Hera is placed in real jeopardy. For she has an explosive secret that could threaten her very existence if Zeus were to discover it. Perhaps the best thing for Hera would be to strike out on her own…
Dionysus (Rizwan) is Zeus’s favorite son. His mother was mortal, and Hera turned her into a bee (don’t ask) Zeus made Dionysus a full god – the keeper of Pleasure, Madness, and Wild Frenzy. Up until this point all has been good but, recently, Dionysus has found himself a little… bored. He wants more: more power, and more respect from his family. He’s fed up of being treated like a child. A moment of casual cruelty from Zeus pushes Dionysus into actions that are aimed to annoy his father, but end up threatening to rupture the entire world.
Meanwhile, the humans continue to live a frustrated existence under the rule of the Gods. Riddy (Perrineau) has no idea of her cosmic significance. She barely feels significant in her own life. The wife of Orpheus, world-famous musician, her days are ones of easy luxury: from the outside, her existence is enviable. But Riddy is deeply unhappy, and knows she needs to make a change. And as fate would have it, a chance encounter one morning at a supermarket offers just that. Her husband, Orpheus (Scott) is a rockstar with a big heart and an ego to match. When his life is ripped out from underneath him, Orpheus has a choice: to accept the cards he has been dealt or attempt to defy death itself.
Charlie Covell (The End of the F*****g World) created the series and serves as writer and executive producer. Additional season one executive producers include Jane Featherstone, Chris Fry, Katie Carpenter, Georgi Banks-Davies, Nina Lederman, Tanya Seghatchian, and John Woodward.
Come for A Quiet Place: Day One’s hearing-enhanced aliens. Stay for endearing performances by Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and the world’s best feline actor. Actually, that should read actors. Nico and Schnitzel shared time, and probably a litter box, as Frodo, the world’s coolest cat. And, apparently, neither were divas on the set and both agreed to do their own stunts.
As director Michael Sarnoski (Pig) is proud to point out, it’s all a living, breathing cat on screen. Not a single kitty cat frame is CG. That’s why every time the cat’s in trouble – which is basically the whole film – the tension rises.
Given that this is a prequel to two highly successful films, Day One isn’t saddled with establishing the premise. We already know an alien invasion has decimated the earth’s population and that those who managed to survive do so by remaining quiet. A Quiet Place: Day One doesn’t move us any closer to learning why these grotesque creatures targeted our planet. Instead, the story fulfills the title’s description and concentrates on the first days of the attack.
Like A Quiet Place 1 & 2, Day One narrows the focus to just a couple of key characters. But it differentiates itself and expands the devastation by placing the central characters in New York City rather than a rural setting.
Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) is the heart of the story. A hospice patient who is angry at life, at impending death, at bad poetry, and at a nurse who insists that she socializes, Sam has no illusions about the days ahead. They will be few, but hopefully not painful. That’s all she can expect at this point, thanks to a terminal cancer diagnosis.
There’s not much Sam wants from life, but one non-negotiable is a chance to eat pizza in Harlem. Even as the world falls apart around her and as aliens decimate New York, Sam refuses to give up on pizza.
It seems like a bizarre choice for a, shall we say, last meal but as A Quiet Place: Day One goes on and her reasons are revealed, getting her to a pizza place in Harlem – and protecting Frodo at all costs – are the two quests audiences (even cat haters) will unite behind.
Sam doesn’t want company. In fact, she seems to loathe the idea of human companionship as she sets out on foot toward Harlem. All she needs is her service cat and a tote bag for the essentials. So when a terrified young British man (Joseph Quinn, Stranger Things) refuses to leave her side, her first, second, and third reactions are to try and ditch him. Frodo, on the other hand, forms an instant bond with this poor guy who’s far away from home and is struggling to come to terms with the fact he’ll never see his family or friends again. Eric’s a lost soul in a foreign country, and life’s becoming stranger by the minute.
Sam becomes his life raft in a turbulent sea, a beacon of hope, and a calming presence in a world gone mad. And Eric’s decency wins out, affording Sam the opportunity to find solace in not facing her journey alone.
A Quiet Place: Day One is an alien invasion film. No doubt about it. But it’s also an incredibly bittersweet story of facing death with dignity and grace. Oscar nominee Lupita Nyong’o does a fabulous job of infusing a sort of world-weariness into Sam, even before the aliens chose to attack. Sam’s accepted that she’s dying, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to lay down and give up quite yet. There’s Frodo to think about and one final wish to fulfill.
What Nyong’o conveys with just her eyes is nothing short of brilliant.
Joseph Quinn earned a throng of new fans with his performance as the heavy metal-loving, Dungeons & Dragons fanatic Eddie Munson in Stranger Things. As one half of the post-apocalyptic pizza-chasing duo, Quinn’s going to expand that fan base. Cat lovers, at the very minimum, will adore his performance.
Quinn and Nyong’o find ways to say so much with extremely limited dialogue, and the connection between Sam and Eric is raw and honest. Sam tethers Eric to reality while Eric’s compassion for Sam’s circumstances makes her open her heart to this desperate stranger.
The special effects are impressive, and the aliens are disgustingly creepy and frightening, just as they were in A Quiet Place’s first two installments. There are jump scares aplenty, a smattering of lighter moments to relax the tension, and adrenaline-pumping alien action. But most of all, it’s the quieter, emotionally fraught scenes with Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn that make A Quiet Place: Day One so compelling. That, and one amazing, superheroic cat.
GRADE: B
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violent content, bloody images, and terror
Isaiah Tuck in ‘Alone’ season 11 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
History’s Alone season 11 episode three checks in on Isaiah, Dub, Dusty, Michela, Peter, and William. And by the time the episode concludes, the number of survivalists left in the competition has been reduced to eight.
Isaiah – Age 35, Ghent, West Virginia
Day 3, 8:01am – Isaiah admits that it was too cold to get up in the middle of the night to go outside. So, he urinated in the gas can that he found on day one. The wind is kicking his rear, and he pledges that today is the day he’ll focus on his permanent shelter. He announces he’s going to attempt to make the warmest shelter in Alone’s history.
Isaiah plans to build a super-shelter with a large frame that’s 10’x10’ or 10’x13’. One of his 10 items is a shovel, which he uses to cut into a hill. He’ll add walls inside his shelter’s frame, even as the days go by and the winter really sets in. By the time he’s done, he believes his shelter will be bombproof.
Thus far, he’s used about 3,500 calories digging out the shelter. As he works, he reveals his brother was killed by a distracted driver. Isaiah thinks about his brother, Josh, every day and it still feels like an open wound. Josh’s death is the most difficult thing he’s endured.
The hat he brought with him belonged to his brother.
Day 6, 12:14pm – Isaiah admits his shelter’s taking more time than he’d like. But there’s nothing that can be done about that. He gets busy digging holes for his four posts, and he’s happy with how it’s coming along. Isaiah’s well aware that people have gone home after spending too much time on their shelters, but he’s pretty sure he can outdo Roland’s Rock House from season seven.
Isaiah needs protein because he’s depending only on berries and expending too many calories building. A squirrel chirps nearby, and he grabs his bow and arrows. He spots it, finds a clear spot, and takes a shot. Isaiah will be feasting on squirrel for dinner.
He’ll use one of its front arms for bait.
Isaiah and his wife have been trying to have another child, but she keeps miscarrying. His daughter was born through IVF, which is very expensive. That’s why he’s competing on Alone.
He cooks up his squirrel on the riverbank and notices his line’s moving. Isaiah reminds himself not to freak out as he pulls it in. He laughs and says, “Man, today is the day!”
Dub Paetz in ‘Alone’ season 11 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
Dub – Age 44, Frederic, Michigan
Day 4, 8:38am – Dub puts together a gill net, admitting it’s not pretty. As long as it works, that doesn’t matter. He has a rough time getting it to sink, but finally manages to set it.
Dub’s getting a bit delirious from hunger and, now that his shelter’s basically safe from grizzlies, he’s turning his attention to food. All he’s eaten thus far are mushrooms and berries, and he heads to the river to fish.
Dub used to be a fly-fishing guide and none of his customers ever failed to catch a fish. Suddenly, he sees a wake and realizes ducks are coming his way. He does a duck call and prepares to take a shot, but it’s too risky. Dub doesn’t have much time to think about it as he spots something else moving in the river. It’s another duck, and it’s working its way in his direction. He takes a shot and misses as three ducks fly off. Dub tries to retrieve his arrow, but it’s too far out. He’s forced to swim for it before it sinks. If he loses this arrow, he’ll be down to just one flu flu arrow.
The water is 51 degrees as Dub gets in and out quickly. At least he managed to find his arrow but is kicking himself that he missed having a duck dinner by waiting too long to take a shot.
Day 6, 7:52am – Dub’s sure today’s a good day to get food. It’s 41 degrees as he heads to check his gill net. He’s frustrated he hasn’t caught his first fish yet.
Whiskey jacks are on his net as he makes it to the river. He can see a fish head in his net as he gets closer, and it turns out to be a big pike. He pulls it out and challenges season 10 competitor Wyatt Black to a big pike contest. Wyatt caught a 42 incher. Alone believes Dub’s is about 36 inches.
He scales his fish while noting he’s really just competing against himself. Dub puts half the pike in his pot, which will provide him with about 2,400 calories. His strategy is to eat what he catches and not save it since preserving food hasn’t always worked in previous seasons.
The first bites are delicious.
Dusty Blake in ‘Alone’ season 11 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
Dusty – Age 35, Fifty-Six, Arkansas
Day 5, 8:42am – 12:15pm – Dusty’s done an amazing job of putting up his log cabin shelter and finishes up building a worktable about 3’ off the ground. He plans on keeping some of his supplies on it. A chittering squirrel gets his attention, and he takes a shot. It just misses. His second shot does the trick.
His stomach’s been hurting, and he hopes it’s just from hunger. Dusty pulls off the squirrel’s fur, setting aside the parts he’ll use for bait. So far, he hasn’t been successful fishing. However, he has shot four squirrels.
He sits on a log and uses his paracord and fishhook to sew up the squirrel’s fur after stuffing it with moss. Once it’s done, he’s made his version of a hacky-sack – a squirrely sack.
Michela Carriere in ‘Alone’ season 11 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
Michela – Age 33, Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Canada
Day 5, 3:03pm – Michela’s covered with horsetail ferns as camouflage while she waits at the edge of the lake for ducks. She’s set out her duck decoys, and there are a few live ducks nearby. Michela does a duck call which actually does the opposite of what it’s supposed to do; it scares them away.
She hasn’t caught any protein and has been getting by on berries. Michela gets excited when she sees a nearby plant she believes is burdock, which has an edible root and is full of carbs. She pulls some up while Alone points out it is actually arctic dock, which is used as a laxative, astringent, and blood purifier.
Michela’s happy she knows so much about the plants in the area. They’ll provide sustenance until she gets protein.
Day 7, 1:36pm – Michela continues to work on her shelter and has a breakfast of bush cranberries from a basket she made of birch on day five. She follows that with arctic dock root soup, which has a really strange flavor.
Belly full, she heads off to check her fishnet. She’s caught a pike worth about 3,600 calories. Michela prepares it as she says this area feels like home in a way. Unfortunately, she’s forced to stop working on the fish when she feels nauseous. She vomits multiple times into the water, away from the fish. (Alone says arctic dock is used to induce vomiting.) Michela has misidentified the dock root, so she blames her upset stomach on the berries.
She gets back to work on the fish and plans on cooking the fish head first because it has the nutrients she needs. Michela provides a brief demonstration of how to properly prepare the fish as she cuts it up.
Peter Albano in ‘Alone’ season 11 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
Peter – Age 43, Castelgar, British Columbia
Day 5, 7:51pm – Peter’s busy carving a hand line so he can fish. Next, he works on a fishing lure. He’s hoping that if he can get one fish, he can use it as bait. He’s only eaten berries since day one.
Peter is making a lure with two treble hooks on it as Alone says a treble hook counts as three of a participant’s 25 allowed hooks. Lure completed, Peter heads to the lake while noting fishing is one of his better survival skills.
9:02pm – Peter casts his new line, hoping to finally be successful in getting food. He believes he’s down five pounds, but Alone says he’s actually dropped 11.
9:54pm – Peter hasn’t caught anything yet but keeps at it.
10:16pm – His patience pays off and he catches his first fish. It’s a pike that almost gets away, but he stops it from getting back in the water. Peter’s using a snare wire leader since pike have sharp teeth that can bite through the line. After five days of failing, Peter’s going to have delicious pike soup for dinner.
He plans on putting out four set lines tonight.
Day 6, 3:27pm – Peter gets busy stringing together a decent-size gill net and then sets it out.
6:32pm – He checks his gill net and the lines he set out yesterday. One of the lines caught a baby pike, and he’s also got a pike in his net. His next line has snagged a decent-size burbot (a freshwater fish also called a poor man’s lobster). But that’s not all … his final two lines have large pikes on them. The largest pike is about 36” long.
Altogether, he’s hauled in about 10,000 calories in fish.
Peter decides that with so many fish, it’s time to build a teepee-style smoker. He’s obviously happy about all the fish but realizes it’s a lot of work to preserve them. Peter wants to make sure the food doesn’t spoil or get stolen by bears. Everything around his camp now smells like fish, which will definitely attract bears.
Alone notes it will take Peter two days to smoke five fish. He finishes his smoker by covering it with moss and then topping it with his raincoat. He’s hoping to preserve these fish for the winter ahead. It doesn’t have a door yet, but his next priority is building a ladder to keep the food away from bears.
Day 8, 9:33am – Peter works on his ladder while admitting he’s tired. Right now, the area is getting 14 hours of sunlight each day, and he’s constantly fishing, foraging, or building. He cuts his hand but doesn’t think it’s that bad. He places a Band-Aid on it and gets back to work.
He’s only eaten one fish and is smoking the rest.
Peter heads down to check his lines and loses a fish because he pulls it in too slowly. His lines are empty today, so he heads back to camp. As he’s working, he talks about how stressful it is being a parent knowing the choices you make affect your kids. He wants to be a good example for his kids but is questioning whether he’s treating them right. His son feels “big feelings” and Peter admits to not being able to relate or empathize with him. Now, in this environment, he’s feeling an overwhelming sense of failure. His mind is being flooded by feelings of sadness and grief, and he can’t stop it.
10:11am – Peter sits by the river, watching ducks. His goal with Alone was to test his survival skills, and he believes he’s done well. His shelter’s good and his belly’s full, but he’s also had eight days of complete emotional release, which he wasn’t expecting. Peter’s wife hasn’t seen him cry in the 15 years they’ve been married, but he’s cried out here alone.
He needs to go home and fix his relationship with his family. Peter becomes the second survivalist to tap out of season 11. The emotional challenge was too much for him. He never thought he would defeat himself, but he needs to return to his family.
On a positive note, he feels more like a well-rounded human than he was before Alone. He won’t bury his emotions moving forward.
William Larkham Jr in ‘Alone’ season 11 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
William – Age 49, Happy Valley Goose Bay, Labrador
Day 7, 10:53am – William’s in a great mood as he heads out to check his rabbit snares. He grew up in a remote town where there wasn’t anything to do. As kids, they were always out in nature, and that’s why he was so excited to do Alone. William believes that if you look after nature, nature will always feed you back.
His first snare has trapped a snowshoe hare that’ll be good for at least two meals. He places the rabbit in a hole that should keep it cool (21 degrees) where it will stay for a few days.
