‘Mayans M.C.’ Season 5 Episode 1 Recap: “I Hear the Train A-Comin”

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May 24, 2023

Mayans MC Season 5 Episode 1 Recap — Clayton Cardenas as Angel Reyes and JD Pardo as EZ Reyes in ‘Mayans MC’ season 5 episode 1 (Photo by Prashant Gupta / FX)

The war between the Mayans and Sons of Anarchy is well underway and the body count is stacking up as FX’s Mayans M.C. season five – the final season – episode one begins. EZ’s committed to uniting the Southern and Northern California charters and taking down the Sons. But his SoA counterpart, Isaac, is a ruthless adversary. EZ’s smart, but Isaac is mentally unstable, and attempting to figure out his game plan proves more difficult than the new Mayans M.C. Santo Padre President anticipated.

And now, let’s delve into episode one, “I Hear the Train A-Comin.” Spoilers ahead – you’ve been warned!

EZ (JD Pardo) greets the morning with a little sex which is a far cry from what his brother’s up to. Angel (Clayton Cardenas) is at home being quite the proud papa, changing Maverick’s diapers and covering his sweet little face with kisses. Angel seems to have settled into family life with Adelita (Carla Baratta) and finally has a happy home life.

Angel makes it to the club and is confronted by his younger brother who asks if he has something he wants to tell him. Angel’s clueless and EZ doesn’t help him out. It’s not until EZ opens the clubhouse door to a chorus of “Happy Birthday” that Angel figures out what his bro was hinting at.

They get down to business and Hank (Frankie Loyal) provides an update on the Orange County charter. War’s taken its toll, and the charter’s decimated. Isaac (President, SOA San Bernardino) urinated on Orange County’s Tito after he’d been brutally beaten and while he was having a seizure.

Multiple charters attend this meeting, and the presidents aren’t happy about EZ’s decision to set up Orange County in Sons territory in the first place. EZ accepts the blame, believing they needed to battle Sons’ expansion.

Inland Empire and Santo Padre are the last charters still functioning in So. California. As for the northern charters, the treaty between SoA’s Charming and Mayans’ Diaz remains intact. Both sides hope the war will be contained to So. Cal.

The presidents and Bishop (who’s now EZ’s VP) argue over whether to attack Charming, but cooler heads prevail…for now. Oakland and Stockton would be wiped out if Charming entered the war.

EZ’s reminded, again, that the charters are bleeding money and people. Thus far, the charters haven’t seen any return on their investments in EZ’s war. Marcus Alvarez wanted peace, but the charters chose to follow EZ. Now, their patience is running out.

EZ believes that if they get the pipeline to the Lobos New Generation cartel back, they’ll be on solid ground. The problem is that they still haven’t figured out who burned down the warehouse full of heroin. (That happened in the final minutes of season four, episode 10.) Also, the Mayans in jail are in desperate situations without the pipeline and their ability to sell drugs behind bars.

EZ confirms he’s working on restoring their relationship with Soledad, the leader of the Lobos cartel following the death of her brother, El Banquero. EZ has a plan in place for a big score today, with only Santo Padre involved.

The plan involves ambushing a shipment of guns in broad daylight during rush hour. The Mayans launch their attack, bullets fly, and multiple Sons are killed in the gun battle.

Back at the clubhouse, the prospects do all the heavy lifting until EZ rolls up, and only then do Angel, Gilly (Vincent Vargas), and Downer (formerly with Yuma, now with Santo Padre) leap into action.

It’s a massive weapons score, double what they anticipated.

Miguel Galindo (Danny Pino), who now works for Soledad (Selene Luna), shows her around a huge building that used to be a toy store/warehouse. He plans to set up a non-profit organization there that will do good while also laundering the cartel money.

Soledad’s irritated when she’s told the Mayans have come to see her. EZ explains they’ve brought her a peace offering, and Soledad hopes it’s 40,000 kilos of heroin to replace what went up in smoke during the warehouse fire. EZ reminds her that the fire also impacted the Mayans.

“We banked our entire future on being in business with you,” says EZ.

Soledad warns EZ that the Mayans murdered her accountant and lost the heroin in the warehouse. That’s two strikes…and EZ will not survive a third.

He shows her what’s inside the crates and Soledad isn’t impressed. The guns are old and nothing compared to the weapons the cartel possesses. She leaves after speaking in Spanish to Miguel, telling him to end his relationship with these lowlifes.

Miguel points out that the guns EZ’s offering are from the Cold War and that times are changing. The Mayans are getting left behind.

After Miguel takes off, Gilly says Soledad’s bodyguard had a brand-new military weapon that’s a replacement for the M4. They’re incredibly difficult to come by, and EZ thinks whoever is running their heroin pipeline might also be supplying the guns.

SoA San Bernardino informs Isaac (JR Bourne) that the Mayans hit their transport, and three Sons were killed. Joker reluctantly admits five other brothers survived, and Isaac’s disappointed. (Of course he is, the psycho!) “Only the dead have seen the end of war,” says Isaac.

Isaac orders a celebration. Finally, their enemy has shown some life. Things are starting to get exciting.

A brief break from the Mayans/SoA conflict shows Hope (Vanessa Giselle) and Letty (Emily Tosta) are still mourning the death of Coco and have teamed up to rip off dealers. They need to dig themselves out of the financial hole Coco left behind, and drugs are their only way to get quick cash.

Hope hasn’t given up on the world and frees a dealer’s bird after stealing from him. “You’re so f**kin’ weird,” says Letty.

Letty and Hope return home to discover their landlord taping up an eviction notice. They’re a year behind on rent and he gives them one week to get out or pay up.

Letty and Hope are working with Louie (Noel Gugliemi) to sell the drugs but only earn 20% of the cash for their efforts. It’s not enough; they need $13,000 in one week. Louie has an idea of how they can do that, but it’s dangerous. Hope doesn’t want to risk it, but Letty’s all in.

Later, EZ, Angel, Downer (Angel Oquendo), Gilly, Bishop (Michael Irby), and Nestor (Gino Vento) scare the crap out of Louie at a drive-thru. He thinks they’re after him because of what he’s doing with Letty and Hope. They’re not and have no idea what he’s talking about when he stammers out an excuse. They’re after info on who’s moving heroin through the valley.

Broken Saints, a crew in the Salton Sea that stays off the grid, are rumored to be moving heroin. Louie’s never dealt with them before and doesn’t know much about them.

EZ and the guys head to the Salton Sea while Gilly visits Creeper in jail to see if he knows about the Broken Saints. EZ also wants him to pass on the message that they’ve got Creeper’s back.

Santo Padre makes it to the Broken Saints’ compound and dogs rush up out of nowhere. Before the guys are aware of what’s happening, they’re surrounded. Downer points his gun at a dog and Angel warns him that if he shoots the dog, he’ll shoot him. (Angel’s got that protective vibe going on, and we’re here for it!)

Downer’s not paying attention and steps in a trap which seems to be the signal for the dogs to attack. They go for the balls as Broken Saints (a female biker club) surround Santo Padre. The dogs are called off before blood is spilled and EZ and the men find themselves being held at gunpoint. (Poor Angel, his testicles are going to be hurting for a while – and after he just defended a dog from Downer!)

The Broken Saints president, Johnny Panic (Caitlin Stasey), warns EZ they’re trespassing – and they shoot trespassers. She always warns EZ to drop his condescending attitude. Broken Saints believe the Mayans are with Iron War, an LEO club. (A club consisting of law enforcement officers.) Angel describes Iron War as cops and seals playing 1%ers. F**k them.

Johnny calls the Mayans and Sons limp-dick corporate shells working out their mommy issues. EZ asks for a private conversation to work things out. She agrees and explains they aren’t who EZ’s looking for. They’re more into rescuing animals and people, and only sell drugs to buy food and supplies.

Johnny reveals that Iron War claims to control everything within 100 miles of the border. With the Sons and Mayans at war, Iron War is filling the void and taking over the pipeline.

The Broken Saints aren’t paying Iron War’s taxes. Sister Ann even carved a smile on one of their faces when they intruded on the gang’s peace. EZ believes Iron War will return, and Johnny agrees. He offers to help them if they ever need it, and Johnny assures him they can take care of themselves.

Later, Felipe (Edward James Olmos) hangs out with his son, grandson, and Adelita. They pose for a family photo and enjoy each other’s company, and it’s obvious Felipe adores Maverick. Adelita and Felipe find some time alone to talk and Felipe warns her that she needs to tell Angel the truth. Secrets destroy relationships.

Adelita says it won’t be much longer, and Felipe asks what she does “over there.” Adelita doesn’t reply.

Felipe and Angel drink beer and discuss EZ. Felipe’s well aware it’s his son’s birthday and Angel believes it must be incredibly difficult to be estranged from your child. He can’t imagine it now that he has Maverick.

Felipe has accepted that EZ made his choice. Angel needs to make sure Maverick has the right foundation to make better decisions.

EZ’s made it home to his trailer, and Sofia (Andrea Cortés) got a cake to help him celebrate. Plus, their dog, Sally, is wearing a party hat and looking adorable. He takes a minute to make a wish before blowing out his candles. One remains lit.

Sofia holds his face and tells him he’s got this. Sally’s growling sends EZ into fight mode and he grabs his gun and steps outside. It’s only Angel in Adelita’s car, and EZ admits he had no idea Adelita returned. He’s also never met Maverick and wasn’t aware Angel’s son returned either.

Angel hands Maverick to EZ and tells him he’s an uncle. EZ can’t believe his nephew’s named Maverick or that Adelita would allow that. EZ smiles and laughs as he hugs his nephew. Angel tells EZ he needs to consider the fact that they have family to live for. “We ain’t nothing without family,” says Angel.

Sofia steps outside and it seems EZ has just realized how much he has to lose.

Speaking of family, Hope and Letty share ice cream and watch TV in bed, while elsewhere, Bishop and Maggie’s relationship continues to grow. Bishop wishes he could stay with her, but Maggie reminds him that the night he does, it will be for good. They have something special and Maggie doesn’t want either of them to screw it up.

The episode ends with Creeper (Joseph Raymond Lucero) viciously attacked in prison.

‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Shows Off a Season 2 Trailer

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Rebecca Murray

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May 24, 2023

Strange New Worlds fans get their first real sneak peek at the much-anticipated Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks live-action crossover in the official season two trailer. The new season premieres on June 15, 2023 on Paramount+ and stars Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike and Rebecca Romijn as Una Chin-Riley, with Lower Decks‘ Tawny Newsome as Beckett Mariner and Jack Quaid as Brad Boimler popping in for the special episode.

Season two also stars Ethan Peck as Spock, Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, Christina Chong as La’An Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura, Melissa Navia as Erica Ortegas, and Babs Olusanmokun as Joseph M’Benga. Paul Wesley returns in a special guest-starring role as James T. Kirk, and Carol Kane joins the series in a recurring role as Pelia.

Season two’s 10 episodes will arrive on Thursdays.

Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers guide season two as co-showrunners. Executive producers include Goldsman, Myers, Alex Kurtzman, Akiva Goldsman, Jenny Lumet, Aaron Baiers, Heather Kadin, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry, and Trevor Roth.

The series is a CBS Studios, Secret Hideout, and Roddenberry Entertainment production.

Star Trek Strange New Worlds Lower Deck Crossover — Tawny Newsome as Mariner and Jack Quaid as Boimler in ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ (Photo Cr: Michael Gibson / Paramount+)

The Plot, Courtesy of Paramount+:

In season two of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, under the command of Captain Christopher Pike, confronts increasingly dangerous stakes, explores uncharted territories and encounters new life and civilizations. The crew will also embark on personal journeys that will continue to test their resolve and redefine their destinies.

Facing friends and enemies both new and familiar, their adventures will unfold in surprising ways never seen before on any Star Trek series.

Star Trek Strange New Worlds Poster — Jess Bush as Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding as Shura, Ethan Peck as Spock, Anson Mount as Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Una, Babs Olusanmokun as M’Benga, Christina Chong as La’an and Melissa Navia as Ortegas of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ (Photo Cr: Pari Dukovic / Paramount+)

‘The Wheel of Time’ Season 2 Sets September Premiere and Unveils First Photos

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Rebecca Murray

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May 24, 2023

The Wheel of Time season 2 — Moiraine Damodred played by Rosamund Pike in ‘The Wheel of Time’ (Photo: Amazon Content Services LLC and Sony Pictures Television Inc)

Prime Video has finally officially announced a premiere date for season two of The Wheel of Time. The eight episode first season debuted in November 2021 and finished up in December 2021. The much-anticipated, long-awaited second season will premiere on September 1, 2023.

The premiere date announcement was accompanied by the first eight photos from season two.

Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) returns to lead the cast of the fantasy series based on Robert Jordan’s bestselling novels. Pike is back as Moiraine Damodred, Josha Stradowski (Gran Turismo) plays Rand al’Thor, Daniel Henney (Criminal Minds) stars as Lan Mandragoran, Zoë Robins (Power Rangers Ninja Steel) is Nynaeve al’Meara, and Madeleine Madden (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) stars as Egwene al’Vere. Marcus Rutherford (Obey) is Perrin Aybara, Dónal Finn (Rogue Heroes) plays Mat Cauthon, and Ceara Coveney (Young Wallander) is Elayne Trakand.

Rafe Judkins (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Hemlock Grove) adapted Jordan’s work and serves as executive producer and showrunner. Mike Weber, Darren Lemke, Marigo Kehoe, Justine Juel Gillmer, Sanaa Hamri, Amanda Kate Shuman, Radar Pictures’ Ted Field, and Larry Mondragon and Rick Selvage of iwot productions also executive produce.

The series is an Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television Studios production.

The Plot, Courtesy of Prime Video:

A humble farm boy, Rand al’Thor (Stradowski), learns he is The Dragon Reborn — a dangerous figure from history destined to save the world … or break it. Desperate to protect him from the Dark One, an army of powerful sorceresses must reckon with his burgeoning power and encroaching madness. The Wheel of Time turns, and the Last Battle approaches.

Though Rand thought he destroyed the Dark One, evil is not gone from the world. In Season Two, threats new and very old seek out the young friends from the Two Rivers, now scattered over the world. The woman who found and guided them is now powerless to help, and so they must find other sources of strength. In each other, or themselves. In the Light … or the Dark.

‘Break Point’ Part 2 Preview: Teaser, Photos, and Episode Guide

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Rebecca Murray

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May 24, 2023

Netflix just released the season one part two teaser trailer for the docuseries Break Point, along with the names of the tennis players who will be featured in episodes six through 10. The first five episodes premiered on January 13, 2023, and part two of the sports documentary series will launch on June 21, 2023.

The featured players in the upcoming second half of the docuseries include Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fritz, Ons Jabeur, Ajla Tomljanovic, Iga Swiatek, Frances Tiafoe, and Aryna Sabalenka. Part two also includes interviews with Andy Roddick, Patrick Mouratoglou, Maria Sharapova, Carlos Alcaraz, Paul Annacone, and Ratko Tomljanovic (Aijla’s Father), and Chris Evert.

Break Point Part 2 — A scene from Netflix’s ‘Break Point’ part 2

Break Point Season 1 Part 2 Episodes:

Episode 6 – Belonging
Wimbledon is the cathedral of tennis, and with its all-white dress code and royal traditions, the oldest Grand Slam represents the pinnacle of the sport for fans and players alike. After his doubles win at the Australian Open, Nick Kyrgios enters the 2022 tournament ready to prove that he can finally reach his singles potential.

On the women’s side, Ajla Tomljanovic needs to overcome her personal and professional heartbreaks to master her mental game once and for all. As they win their way through the early rounds, both Kyrgios and Tomljanovic will lean on their fathers for encouragement and support. But when one player challenges the tournament’s high standards of decorum, will it cost them everything?

Episode 7 – Saints and Sinners
As Wimbledon 2022 rolls on, two unconventional players are making history on its pristine grass courts. Women’s No. 2 Ons Jabeur broke through with a life-changing win in Madrid earlier in the season; now, she’s carrying the hopes of the entire African continent as she pursues her first Grand Slam. Nick Kyrgios, meanwhile continues to play brilliantly through a cloud of scandal, and he’s learning to use his temper as a tool to throw opponents off their game.

In the final, Jabeur’s finesse comes under attack from Elena Rybakina’s massive serve, while Kyrgios goes head to head with defending champion Novak Djokovic, a patient, methodical giant who’s unlikely to be perturbed by chaos.

Episode 8 – Fairytale in New York
The streets of New York City are always buzzing for the last Grand Slam of the year. But the 2022 U.S. Open is more electric than usual: Serena Williams announced she would retire at the end of the tourney, and the media frenzy surrounding her is at a fever pitch. It’s a nightmare for Serena’s opponents, but for Ajla Tomljanovic, it’s a chance to prove she’s found the mental strength to play up to her potential.

When the two women go head to head in a third round match, not only does Tomljanovic have to beat the G.O.A.T. to move on – she has to do it in front of 24,000 screaming fans rooting for her to fail.

Episode 9 – Under Pressure
The young guns continue to shine at the U.S. Open, as women’s No. 1 Iga Swiatek, men’s No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, and men’s No. 22 Frances Tiafoe reach the quarter finals. Swiatek has an incredible eight titles and 37 consecutive wins coming into this tournament, but the noise of New York City – and the Open’s raucous crowd – could throw her off her game.

For Tiafoe, it’s the chance to achieve a lifelong dream that started on the courts of a Maryland tennis center, where his father, an immigrant from Sierra Leone, worked on the maintenance staff. He’s got a chance to become the first American man to win the Open trophy in almost 20 years, but can he make it past Rafael Nadal?

Episode 10 – One Last Chance
The 2022 season draws to a close with the ATP/WTA Finals, in which the top eight men and women compete for a huge payday. Taylor Fritz gets a last minute call to join the men’s tournament in Turin after an injury to Carlos Alcaraz – but he’ll have to play back-to-back matches against Nadal and Djokovic to prove he belongs there.

At the women’s tourney in Ft. Worth, Aryna Sabalenka is trying to end the hardest year of her career on a high note – but to reach the final, she’ll need to take down Iga Swiatek, the seemingly unstoppable No. 1. The odds are against her, and there’s only one thing Sabalenka knows for sure: when in trouble, hit harder.

The Plot: From the team behind F1: Drive to Survive, Break Point follows a select group of top tennis players on and off the court as they compete in grueling Grand Slams and tournaments all over the world. Their dream: lifting a trophy and becoming number one. As some of tennis’ legends reach the twilight of their careers, this is the chance for a new generation to claim the spotlight.

Break Point gets up close and personal with these players over a year competing across the globe in the ATP and WTA tours. From career-threatening injuries and emotional heartbreak, to triumphant victories and personal moments off the court, viewers will get a behind the scenes look at the pressure-tested lives of some of the best tennis players in the world.

‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’ Trailer Teases a Battle with Mermaids

By

Rebecca Murray

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May 23, 2023

In the animated fantasy Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken it’s the mermaids that are the big baddies while the krakens are the protectors of the ocean’s creatures. Who knew mermaids are evil? Also, does this trailer give anyone else Turning Red vibes?

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before‘s Lana Condor voices Ruby the reluctant kraken princess. The voice cast also includes Toni Collette, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson, Jaboukie Young-White, Liza Koshy, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, and Jane Fonda. Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, Ramona Young, Eduardo Franco, Echo Kellum, and Emma Chamberlain also lend their voices to DreamWorks Animation’s family-friendly comedy.

Oscar nominee Kirk DeMicco (The Croods) directed from a screenplay by Emmy winner Pam Brady (South Park), Brian C. Brown, and Elliott DiGuiseppi. Faryn Pearl co-directed and Kelly Cooney Cilella served as a producer. Mike Mitchell (director of Kung Fu Panda 4) executive produced.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken will be released in theaters on June 30, 2023.

The Plot, Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation:

Sometimes the hero you are meant to be lies just beneath the surface.

This summer, DreamWorks Animation dives into the turbulent waters of high school with a hilarious, heartfelt action comedy about a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed.

Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman (Condor) is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High, but she mostly just feels invisible. She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy crush (Young-White), who only seems to admire her for her fractals, and she’s prevented from hanging out with the cool kids at the beach because her over-protective supermom (Collette), has forbade Ruby from ever getting in the water.

But when she breaks her mom’s #1 rule, Ruby will discover that she is a direct descendant of the warrior Kraken queens and is destined to inherit the throne from her commanding grandmother (Fonda), the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas.

The Kraken are sworn to protect the oceans of the world against the vain, power-hungry mermaids who have been battling with the Kraken for eons. There’s one major, and immediate, problem with that: The school’s beautiful, popular new girl, Chelsea (Murphy) just happens to be a mermaid. Ruby will ultimately need to embrace who she is and go big to protect those she loves most.

‘Muscles & Mayhem’ Dives Into the World of ‘American Gladiators’

By

Rebecca Murray

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May 23, 2023

Netflix’s Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators documentary series takes an in-depth look at the world of American Gladiators, the competition series that premiered in 1989 and ran through 1996. The series was briefly revived in 2008.

Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators will premiere on June 28, 2023 and, per Netflix, “chronicles the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and gripping behind-the-scenes stories of one of the biggest spectacles on television during the height of the ’90s. Told firsthand from the stars who lived through it, this five-part series reveals untold stories of the iconic American Gladiators’ triumph, turmoil, and ultimate price of fame.”

Dan “Nitro” Clark, Debbie “Storm” Clark, Erika “Diamond” Andersch Bunker, Jim “Laser” Kalafat, Lori “Ice” Fetrick, Michael “Gemini” Horton, and Raye “Zap” Olson participated in the five-episode documentary series. Past American Gladiators competitors Shari E “Blaze” Pendleton Mitchell, Shirley “Sky” Eson-Korito, and Steve “Tower” Hennebery are also involved in the docuseries.

Tony Vainuku (Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist) and Jared Hess (Murder Among the Mormons) directed and served as executive producers. Additional executive producers include Ross M. Dinerstein, Kyle McCutcheon, Danny Lee Clark, Peter Sussman, and Chris Koras.

The original American Gladiators series took place in an arena-style setting and showcased a range of events designed to test the physical strength, agility, and endurance of the contestants. These events included obstacle courses, jousting, tug-of-war, and assorted athletic challenges. The contestants, often referred to as “contenders,” competed for points, and the season’s top contenders would advance to the finals for a chance to win the title of “Grand Champion.”

Muscles and Mayhem — A scene from Netflix’s ‘Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators’

Muscles & Mayhem — (Photo Credit: Netflix)

Unknown: Cave of Bones Docuseries Trailer and Poster

‘NCIS: Hawaii’ Season 3 Adds LL Cool J as a Recurring Guest Star

By

Rebecca Murray

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May 23, 2023

NCIS Hawaii LL Cool J — LL Cool J as Sam Hanna in ‘NCIS: Hawaii’ season 2 (Photo © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

CBS’s NCIS: Hawai’i wrapped up season two with episode 22, “Dies Irae,” which featured a special appearance by NCIS: Los Angeles star LL Cool J. The network’s long-running NCIS: LA concluded its 14-season run on May 21, 2023, but that series finale and his cameo on NCIS: Hawai’i on May 22 will not be his final outings as Sam Hanna.

NCIS: Hawai’i ‘s season two’s finale found Sam traveling from Morocco to Venezuela to help Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey) and Kate Whistler (Tori Anderson). And now the network’s confirmed LL Cool J will appear in season three as a recurring guest star.

“One of the most beautiful things about working on NCIS: Hawai’i is the show’s ability to bring the franchise together. We have had so much fun spreading the aloha to NCIS and NCIS: LA with the triple crossover. Now, we have the amazing opportunity to bring Sam Hanna to Hawai’i to help the island solve some cases and maybe have a few laughs in the process. Welcome to the ohana, Todd! It’s going to be a fun ride!” said Lachey.

In addition to Lachey and Anderson, the series stars Alex Tarrant, Noah Mills, Yasmine Al-Bustami, and Jason Antoon.

“All of us at NCIS: Hawai’i have been huge fans of LL Cool J for years and couldn’t be more thrilled or honored to be adding his spectacular talent to our ohana for season three,” stated executive producers Matt Bosack, Jan Nash, and Christopher Silber.

NCIS Hawaii Season 2 Episode 22 — Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant and Noah Mills as Jesse Boone in ‘NCIS: Hawaii’ season 2 episode 22 (Photo: Karen Neal © 2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

The NCIS: Hawaii Season 2 Plot, Courtesy of CBS:

The world’s most successful television series continues on the seductive shores of the Aloha State with the #1 new drama, NCIS: Hawai’i , where the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, Jane Tennant, has thrived and risen through the ranks by equal parts confidence and strategy in a system that has pushed back on her every step of the way. Together with her unwavering team of specialists, they balance duty to family and country while investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the sun-drenched island paradise itself.

Review: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Starring Halle Bailey

By

Rebecca Murray

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May 23, 2023

Some fans of Disney’s animated classic The Little Mermaid are worried about the live-action version, questioning the addition of new songs, the fact that Ariel’s hair isn’t red enough, and the changes in Eric’s castle and Ariel’s costumes. And these complaints/concerns are based solely on the trailers. But the absolute funniest takeaway I heard before the screening – and the one I can get behind – has to do with Flounder.

I wasn’t thinking fast enough to write down the fan’s hot take, but it went something like this: “It seems everyone in Hollywood is taking Ozempic, including Flounder.” Nailed it, sort of, because the live-action version of Ariel’s finned BFF is slimmed down and way too sleek.

Nitpicking? Yes. But the Mouse House sets itself up for such quibbling when it does a live-action version of a beloved animated classic.

Ozempic Flounder aside, most of the alterations made to bring this tale of a curious young woman who longs to expand her universe, exchange her fins for feet, and stand tall are a positive step forward. Representation and inclusion matter, and director Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns, Into the Woods) has done an impressive job of allowing a new generation of movie fans the opportunity to see characters that reflect our big, beautiful, diverse world up on the screen.

As for the story, it’s much the same as that of the animated tale. Ariel (Halle Bailey), the free-spirited, adventurous daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem, delivering the weirdest performance of his career), collects treasures that wind up on the ocean floor, cast off by humans or lost at sea as the result of shipwrecks. Her sisters, each representing one of the seven seas (a change that hardly matters), are well-behaved and content. It’s only Ariel who’s filled with wanderlust and a desire to understand humans.

Ariel witnesses Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King, fine when he’s not singing) tumble overboard during a violent storm and saves the handsome young man. Her first crush on a human leads the impetuous teen into making a deal with The Little Mermaid‘s version of the devil – the many-tentacled Ursula the sea witch (Melissa McCarthy). And while we’re discussing Ursula, McCarthy’s performance nails the vibe of the animated version but isn’t nearly as voluptuous or imposing.

Ariel’s deal with Ursula requires her to make Prince Eric kiss her within three days; a task made more difficult after Ursula steals her voice and wipes her memory of the kiss portion of their deal. Fortunately, Ariel’s not alone in this strange new world. Flounder, the newly svelte fish (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), and Sebastian, the spy-turned-ally, scene-stealing crab (Daveed Diggs) do everything in their power to push Ariel and Eric into locking lips, along with the well-meaning Scuttle (Awkwafina), a northern gannet diving bird. Is a gannet an upgrade from the animated The Little Mermaid‘s seagull? No, because the original Scuttle didn’t bust out in an unnecessary, nails-on-a-chalkboard rap song. (The new songs add nothing to the production.)

Anyway, you know the rest of the story, or if you don’t, where have you been and how did you escape sitting through the 1989 blockbuster?

Disney isn’t going to stop bringing their animated classics – or their amusement park rides – to life in live-action productions anytime soon. There’s too much money to be made from their built-in fan bases. But they have a challenging tightrope to walk in making these adaptations of popular properties. Deviate too much, and you risk offending diehard fans. Stick too close to a beat-for-beat adaptation, and the question of why even make a live-action version is raised. 2023’s The Little Mermaid exists in a peculiar little bubble. It doesn’t push far enough away from the original text to win over new fans, but it also isn’t just a reproduction of the animated film done with flesh and blood characters.

Director Rob Marshall took bold steps in the casting of the live-action adaptation, and I’d posit an answer to why a new The Little Mermaid should exist boils down to two words: Halle Bailey. The announcement of Bailey as Ariel brought out the worst in some idiots but, more importantly, it was a source of hope to many young girls as Bailey’s only the second Black actor to be crowned a Disney princess.

“I want the little girl in me and the little girls just like me who are watching to know that they’re special and that they should be a princess in every single way,” said Bailey in an interview with Variety. “There’s no reason that they shouldn’t be. That reassurance was something that I needed.”

Halle Bailey does a terrific job of capturing Ariel’s independent spirit, and there’s absolutely no denying she has the vocal chops worthy of handling Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s beloved song, “Part of Your World.” As sung by Bailey, “Part of Your World” is soulful and heart-wrenching, with all the yearning and uncertainty of growing up channeled into its lyrics.

Thanks to Bailey’s performance, the 2023 The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s better live-action adaptations. It’s not quite as magical as the animated classic, but it does weave its own special spell as it invites audiences to be part of Ariel’s world.

GRADE: B

MPAA Rating: PG for some scary images, action, and peril

Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Release Date: May 26, 2023

26th Annual Family Film and TV Awards Nominations

‘Color Purple’ Trailer: Fantasia Stars in an Epic New Take on the Classic Story

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 22, 2023

The first The Color Purple trailer has arrived with American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino reprising her Broadway role. The epic musical reunites Steven Spielberg, the director of the 1985 film, with Oprah Winfrey, who made her feature film debut playing Sofia. Quincy Jones, a producer on the original film, is also back as an executive producer along with Spielberg and Winfrey.

Fantasia Barrino’s picked the perfect project as her movie debut, starring as the adult Celie, with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as the young Celie. Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, Ciara is adult Nettie, Danielle Brooks is Sofia, Taraji P. Henson is Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo stars as Mister. Corey Hawkins is Harpo, H.E.R. is Squeak, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is Mama.

Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King, The Burial of Kojo) directed the musical and Marcus Gardley (Maid, The Chi) wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Author Walker serves as an executive producer along with Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs, Adam Fell, Courtenay Valenti, Sheila Walcott, and Michael Beugg.

The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Dan Laustsen (John Wick: Chapter 4, The Shape of Water), production designer Paul Denham Austerberry (The Flash, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), editor Jon Poll (Bombshell, The Greatest Showman), choreographer Fatima Robinson (Coming 2 America, Dreamgirls), and costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (Emancipation, One Night in Miami…).

Jordan Carroll (The Greatest Showman, Godfather of Harlem) and Morgan Rhodes (Space Jam: A New Legacy, Selma) are the music supervisors. The music is by Kris Bowers (King Richard, Green Book) and the executive music producers are Nick Baxter (Babylon, CODA), Stephen Bray (Respect, Juanita) and Blitz Bazawule.

Warner Bros. Pictures is opening in theaters on December 25, 2023.

CBS Sets It Summer 2023 Reality Series Schedule

By

Rebecca Murray

-

May 22, 2023

CBS’s summer 2023 primetime lineup will include returning reality shows Secret Celebrity Renovation, Big Brother, and The Challenge: USA, along with the unscripted game show Superfan. Nate Burleson and Keltie Knight host the new musical game show, with Kelsea Ballerini, Gloria Estefan, Little Big Town, LL COOL J, Pitbull, and Shania Twain popping in during season one as fans vie to be named their favorite artist’s biggest supporter.

Secret Celebrity Renovation hosted by Entertainment Tonight‘s Nischelle Turner kicks off the network’s summer reality lineup on Friday, July 28th at 9pm ET/PT. Season three will feature NFL player Damar Hamlin, The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan, actor/comedian JB Smoove, and Fire Country’s Max Thieriot. Survivor‘s Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano and interior designer Sabrina Soto (Design Star) return to the design team. [Update: CBS moved the premiere to August 4 at 8pm ET/PT.)

The Plot: Secret Celebrity Renovation series provides celebrities with a hands-on opportunity to show their gratitude to someone in their hometowns through a surprise renovation.

Season 25 of Big Brother debuts on Wednesday, August 2nd at 9pm ET/PT with a special 90-minute episode. The reality competition series will air on Sundays at 8pm and Wednesdays at 8pm, with live evictions on Thursdays at 9pm ET/PT (tape-delayed on the West Coast). Julie Chen Moonves is confirmed to return as host.

The Challenge: USA premieres its second season on CBS on Thursday, August 10th, with new episodes arriving twice a week on Thursdays at 10pm and Sundays at 9pm ET/PT for the first three weeks. Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Big Brother alumni will compete and T.J. Lavin is the host.

CBS SUMMER 2023 PREMIERE SCHEDULE

Wednesday (ET/PT)
8:00-9:00 PM – BIG BROTHER (starting Aug. 2)
9:00-10:00 PM – SUPERFAN (starting Aug. 9)

Thursday (ET/PT)
9:00-10:00 PM – BIG BROTHER (starting Aug. 10)
10:00-11:00 PM – THE CHALLENGE: USA (starting Aug. 10)

Friday (ET/PT)
8:00-9:00 PM – SECRET CELEBRITY RENOVATION (premieres Aug. 4 at 8:00-10:00pm)

Sunday (ET/PT)
8:00-9:00 PM – BIG BROTHER (starting Aug. 6)
9:00-10:00 PM – THE CHALLENGE: USA (Aug. 13-Aug. 27)

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CBS SUMMER 2023 PREMIERE SCHEDULE

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