The first season of CBS’s Fire Country is heating up with the addition of four new songs from Country music superstars Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert. The final two episodes of season one will showcase songs performed by Bentley and Lambert.
“I’m a huge country music fan! Dierks and Miranda have written and performed some of my all-time favorite songs, so to get the chance to work with them on Fire Country was a dream come true,” said series creator and star Max Thieriot. “Their songs provide the perfect backdrop for our dramatic conclusion to the season.”
The four songs include:
“Saved” (May 12) – written by Jon Randall & Luke Dick; performed by Dierks Bentley with Miranda Lambert.
“Still Burning” (May 12) – written by Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall & Luke Dick; performed by Miranda Lambert with Dierks Bentley.
“Something in the Water” (May 19) – written by Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Jon Randall & Luke Dick; performed by Dierks Bentley with Miranda Lambert.
“Barbed Wire Heart” (May 19) – written by Dierks Bentley & Jon Randall; performed by Dierks Bentley.
“Dierks and I got together with our buddies Luke Dick and Jon Randall, and we started writing for Fire Country. It’s a different process to write to another storyline that’s already been written and sort of go along with the script. It’s been a cool project!” said Lambert.
Bentley stated: “From the moment I saw the very first scenes of the pilot for Fire Country, I knew I wanted to try to write songs for it. Writing for TV stretches different muscles than writing for my own albums. And getting to collaborate with my friends Miranda, Luke Dick and Jon Randall made the whole process explorative and, of course, a lot of fun.”
The new songs will be featured on “Backfire” airing May 12, and “I Know It Feels Impossible” airing May 19, 2023. Thieriot directed the May 12th episode.
“Backfire” Plot: The station 42 and Three Rock crews are called to a backfire started by a private firefighting company to protect a high-end winery but instead threatens to grow out of control.
“I Know It Feels Impossible” Plot: The station 42 and Three Rock crews face a daring rescue when a massive mudslide tears through Edgewater. Meanwhile, Bode’s freedom is on the line at his parole hearing.
Kelly Reilly and Kevin Costner in ‘Yellowstone’ season 5 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)
After months of rumors circulating regarding Yellowstone star Kevin Costner’s status, Paramount Network’s confirmed this current season of the popular drama will be the show’s final season. The first eight episodes of season five aired from November 2022 to January 1, 2023. The final season five episodes will kick off in November.
Paramount’s Yellowstone announcement included the news that an untitled Yellowstone sequel will premiere in December. The sequel’s been given a straight-to-series order, however, Paramount didn’t announce any casting details or event hint at the story. Matthew McConaughey has been in talks to star, and it’s likely at least some of the Yellowstone cast will show up in the sequel.
“Yellowstone has been the cornerstone on which we have launched an entire universe of global hits – from 1883 to Tulsa King, and I am confident our Yellowstone sequel will be another big hit, thanks to the brilliant creative mind of Taylor Sheridan and our incredible casts who bring these shows to life,” stated Chris McCarthy, President & CEO Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios.
In addition to Kevin Costner as John Dutton, Yellowstone season five stars Luke Grimes as Kayce, Kelly Reilly as Beth, Wes Bentley as Jamie, and Cole Hauser as Rip. Kelsey Asbille stars as Monica, Brecken Merrill is Tate, Jefferson White plays Jimmy, Forrie Smith is Lloyd, Denim Richards is Colby, Ian Bohen is Ryan, Finn Little is Carter, Ryan Bingham is Walker, and Gil Birmingham is Thomas Rainwater.
Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan (Hell or High Water) and John Linson created Yellowstone and serve as executive producers along with Costner, Art Linson, David C. Glasser, Bob Yari, Stephen Kay and Christina Voros.
“The Dutton story continues, picking up where Yellowstone leaves off in another epic tale. We are thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world,” said David Glasser, CEO, 101 Studios.
Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, and Kevin Costner in ‘Yellowstone’ season 5 episode 8 (Photo Courtesy of Paramount Network)
The Plot:
Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family, led by John Dutton (Costner), who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and vicious business rivalries.
Idris Elba in ‘Hijack,’ premiering June 28, 2023 on Apple TV+
Idris Elba, the Emmy Award-winning star of Luther, stars in and executive produces the new thriller Hijack, which will premiere on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The seven-episode drama, created by George Kay (Lupin) and Jim Field Smith (Criminal), has just released the first set of photos from the upcoming season.
In addition to Idris Elba, Hijack stars Emmy Award winner Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife), Christine Adams (Black Lightning), Max Beesley (Jamestown), Eve Myles (Torchwood), Neil Maskell (Peaky Blinders), Jasper Britton (Anonymous), Harry Michell (Devils), Aimee Kelly (This England), Mohamed Elsandel, and Ben Miles (Andor).
George Kay writes and executive produces, with Jim Field Smith directing and executive producing. In addition, Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta and Kris Thykier executive produce, and 60Forty Films, Idiotlamp Productions, and Green Door Pictures produce.
Apple TV+ released the following synopsis of the thriller:
“Told in real time, Hijack is a tense thriller that follows the journey of a hijacked plane as it makes its way to London over a seven-hour flight, and authorities on the ground scramble for answers. Elba will star as ‘Sam Nelson,’ an accomplished negotiator in the business world who needs to step up and use all his guile to try and save the lives of the passengers — but, his high-risk strategy could be his undoing.
Panjabi will play the role of ‘Zahra Gahfoor,’ a counter-terrorism officer who is on the ground when the plane is hijacked and becomes part of the investigation.”
Archie Panjabi (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)Eve Myles (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)Max Beesley and Christine Adams (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
The world inhabited by the characters in Apple TV+’s Silo is claustrophobic, devoid of vibrant colors, and incredibly bleak. Based on Hugh Howey’s book series, Silo’s dystopian future finds humans forced to live underground to survive. The surface world is uninhabitable, and the thousands who call the vast underground silo home have learned to adapt to their confinement and exist peacefully in this insulated environment.
Episode one sets up the rules the citizens must abide by, including restrictions on pregnancies. Possessing items from the past (historical artifacts) is strictly forbidden, and what information exists about the history of the silo is kept under lock and key. Punishment is swift and severe for anyone who disobeys the rules. Yet some members of this confined society are quietly skeptical about the limited information they’re being fed.
Some citizens of this sheltered society come to believe the world above isn’t a toxic, lifeless land. However, once a citizen requests to go outside, there’s no turning back. The request must be granted, and anything that happens outside is no longer under the jurisdiction of the silo. A window to the outside world reveals that people who choose to leave perish within 100 feet of the exit. Their dead bodies serve as a dire warning to those inside that it’s best not to ask questions.
The 10-episode season delves into the history of the silo and the rebels within who suspect they’re being tricked into remaining inside. The first episode, “Freedom Day,” focuses on Allison (Rashida Jones), an IT worker, and her husband, Holston (David Oyelowo), the sheriff. Allison and Holston are overjoyed to win the lottery and be allowed to try to have a child, but the sheer joy of possible parenthood quickly shifts into despair as Allison uncovers restricted information that shatters their world.
The compelling narrative of Allison and Holston concludes abruptly, leading to Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) taking on the responsibility of being the primary storyteller. Juliette’s a highly skilled engineer who ensures the smooth operation of the silo. Her intelligence and ingenuity aid her in uncovering the extent of the deceitful practices taking place within the silo. She meticulously pieces together evidence, hoping to solve the mystery and bring to light the falsehoods that serve as the basis of the silo’s existence.
Rebecca Ferguson does a remarkable job playing Juliette, a strong, determined woman who’s physically and emotionally capable of facing down the powerful leaders of the community. Juliette wants answers – as does the audience since Silo spends much of the season being an incredible tease – and Ferguson perfectly captures her tenaciousness.
Even after rising from the bottom levels of the silo where the lower-class dwell to the position of sheriff, Juliette’s frequently thwarted in her quest for the truth. Ferguson does a terrific job of channeling the frustration of being so close to understanding what’s happening, only to have the answer snatched away when it seemed to be within her grasp.
Creator/showrunner Graham Yost (The Americans, Justified) has loaded the epic sci-fi production with a first-rate supporting cast that includes Common, Tim Robbins, Iain Glen, Harriet Walter, Will Patton, Avi Nash, and Chinaza Uche. Equally important in this world-building is the work of the production designer Gavin Bocquet (Star Wars: Episode I, II, and III). Bocquet’s designed the silo as functional not fancy, with spiraling staircases and levels dedicated to different tasks (keeping the power on, growing the food, etc.). The deeper into the earth that the silo descends, the starker and more oppressive the living spaces become.
Juliette’s search for the truth behind the construction of the silo is the main focus of the season, but it’s not the sole storyline. Multiple deaths divert Juliette’s attention while also adding to the clues regarding the status of the world outside the silo.
The audience is kept on their toes as the characters conceal secrets, leaving Juliette and viewers constantly reassessing motivations. With so much going on, there are numerous unresolved questions, and the first season lingers a little too long on the physical upkeep of the building to the detriment of more intriguing elements of the plot.
Despite a few slower episodes, season one of Silo maintains a gripping sense of impending danger throughout. Although it could be argued that eight episodes would have been more effective than 10 for telling this story, Silo still manages to captivate and enthrall as a compelling sci-fi mystery.
GRADE: B+
Silo premieres on Apple TV+ on May 5, 2023. The first two episodes arrive on May 5th followed by a new episode each Friday. The season final’s set for June 30.
Season two of CBS’s Ghosts concludes with an episode that finds Sam and Jay fighting to keep Woodstone Mansion. Season two episode 22, “The Heir,” will air on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 8:30pm ET/PT.
Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar lead the cast as Samantha and Jay, the living residents of the mansion. Playing the mansion’s resident ghosts are Brandon Scott Jones as Isaac, Richie Moriarty as Pete, Danielle Pinnock as Alberta, and Asher Grodman as Trevor. Román Zaragoza stars as Sasappis, Sheila Carrasco plays Flower, Rebecca Wisocky is Hetty, and Devan Chandler Long plays Thorfinn.
“The Heir” Plot: When a woman named Kelsey (Jessie Ennis) shows up claiming to be the rightful heir to Woodstone Mansion, Sam and Jay enlist the help of a lawyer, Dan (P.J. Byrne). Meanwhile, Isaac tries to decide how to spend half of Sam’s advance on his autobiography. Also, a surprise event takes place that could dramatically change life at the manor.
Ghosts is a single-camera comedy about Samantha and Jay, a cheerful freelance journalist and up-and-coming chef from the city, respectively, who threw both caution and money to the wind when they decide to convert a huge rundown country estate they inherited into a bed & breakfast – only to find it was inhabited by the many spirits of deceased residents who now call it home.
The departed souls are a close-knit, eclectic group that includes a saucy Prohibition-era lounge singer (Pinnock); a pompous 18th-century militiaman (Jones); a ‘60s hippie fond of hallucinogens (Carrasco); an overly upbeat ‘80s scout troop leader (Moriarty); a cod-obsessed Viking explorer from 1009 (Devon Chandler Long); a slick ‘90s finance bro (Grodman); a sarcastic and witty native from the 16th-century (Zaragoza); and a society woman and wife of a 19th-century robber baron who is Samantha’s ancestor (isocky), to name a few.
The opening of the B&B is a source of intrigue, anxiety, and curiosity among the spirits, but they’ll gladly put up with the commotion as long as they can continue to interact with a living inhabitant – Samantha.
Election day finally arrives on ABC’s Station 19 season six episode 17. “All These Things That I’ve Done” will air on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.
Season six stars Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andy Herrera, Jason George as Ben Warren, Boris Kodjoe as Robert Sullivan, Grey Damon as Jack Gibson, and Barrett Doss as Victoria Hughes. Jay Hayden plays Travis Montgomery, Danielle Savre plays Maya Bishop, Stefania Spampinato is Carina DeLuca, and Carlos Miranda stars as Theo Ruiz.
“All These Things That I’ve Done” Plot: It’s election day at Station 19, with all eyes on the mayoral race. Andy, Theo, and Sullivan vie to be named captain, and Vic forges an unexpected bond after going rogue.
Jay Hayden in ‘Station 19’ season 6 episode 17 (ABC/Tina Thorpe)
Station 19 Series Description, Courtesy of ABC:
Station 19 follows a group of heroic Seattle firefighters as they put their lives and hearts on the line. The latest series from the executive producers of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder takes us inside the tough, tight-knit and sometimes heartbreaking world of the city’s bravest first responders.
Jaina Lee Ortiz in season 6 episode 17 (ABC/Tina Thorpe)A scene from season 6 episode 17 (ABC/Bonnie Osborne)Boris Kodjoe, Carlos Miranda, and Jaina Lee Ortiz in season 6 episode 17 (ABC/Bonnie Osborne)Boris Kodjoe and Jaina Lee Ortiz in season 6 episode 17 (ABC/Bonnie Osborne)Jaina Lee Ortiz in season 6 episode 17 (ABC/Bonnie Osborne)Grey Damon and Barrett Doss in season 6 episode 17 (ABC/Tina Thorpe)Grey Damon and Jayne Taini in season 6 episode 17 (ABC/Tina Thorpe)
Season one of Fox’s new reality series Stars on Mars will feature a couple of former Olympians, a Modern Family alum, and a Super Bowl champion. 12 celebrities will participate in what sounds like a space-themed Big Brother-style competition.
Star Trek‘s William Shatner will dole out assignments and act as Mission Control as the celebs vie for the title of the “brightest star in the galaxy.” The series is set to premiere on Monday, June 5, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.
The 12 celebrities heading to Hollywood’s version of Mars are:
Former Professional Road-Racing Cyclist and Investor Lance Armstrong
Comedian, Actress, and Writer Natasha Leggero
Former Super Bowl Champion, Community Advocate, and Entrepreneur Marshawn Lynch
Widely known Comedic Actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Olympic Figure Skater and TV Personality Adam Rippon
Professional Wrestler and UFC champion, Olympic Medalist, and Actress Ronda Rousey
Television Personality and Restaurateur Tom Schwartz
Sports Analyst and Professional Football Player Richard Sherman
Multi-Platinum-Certified POP & R&B Disruptor, Singer, Songwriter, and Dancer Tinashe
Television Personality, Actress, and Author Porsha Williams Guobadia
Entrepreneur and Artist Tallulah Willis
SAG Award-Winning Actress and Producer Ariel Winter
Charles Wachter is the showrunner and executive produces along with Chris Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Wes Dening, and Eden Gaha. Stars on Mars is produced by Eureka Productions.
This summer, adventurous celebrities prepare for take-off to the red planet, where they will live, eat, sleep, strategize and bond with each other in the same space station. During their stay, they will be faced with authentic conditions that simulate life on Mars, and they must use their brains and brawn – or maybe just their stellar social skills – to outlast the competition and claim the title of “brightest star in the galaxy.”
The celebrities will compete in missions and will vote to eliminate one of their crewmates each week, sending them back to Earth. Cue the intergalactic alliances and rivalries. Stars on Mars will send these famous rookie space travelers where no one has gone before and reveal who has what it takes to survive life on “Mars.”
HBO three-part docuseries Angel City goes behind the scenes of the Angel City soccer team’s debut season in the National Women’s Soccer League. The trailer shows off some of the big names behind the team, including Oscar winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan) who founded the Angel City Football Club.
Arlene Nelson (Gutsy, Naked States) directs and Portman, Sophie Mas, Anna Barnes, Christine O’Malley, and Free Solo Oscar winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin executive produce. Additional executive producers include HBO’s Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Bentley Weiner.
Natalie Portman at an Angel City Football Club game (Photo Courtesy of HBO)
HBO released this description of the docuseries along with details on the three episodes:
Founded in September 2020 by actor Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman and gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman, ACFC breaks the mold by being the largest majority female ownership group in professional sports and includes 14 former US Women’s National Team players as investors.
The series pulls back the curtain on the origin story through the 2022 inaugural season and candidly reveals the passion and grit needed to build a franchise from scratch. While the athletes and coaching staff contend with training facility challenges and unexpected injuries, the club is tasked with filling the stadium and proving to the world that you can lead with passion and purpose and still turn a profit.
As philosophies are debated, and performance expectations aren’t met, the club must cope with the growing pains of a startup, begging the question: can this new ACFC model succeed both on and off the pitch?
The series is driven by extensive access on and off the pitch and includes candid interviews with co-founders Kara Nortman, Natalie Portman, and Julie Uhrman; ACFC team members Christen Press, Jasmyne Spencer, Paige Nielsen, Vanessa Gilles, and Jun Endo; coaching staff Freya Coombe, Eniola Aluko; investors Alexis Ohanian, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy; and appearances from Angel City investors Billie Jean King, Serena Williams, Becky G., Jennifer Garner, Eva Longoria, Mia Hamm, America Ferrera, and more.
A scene from ‘Angel City’ (Photograph by Will Navarro / Courtesy Angel City Football Club / HBO)
Angel City Episodes:
Part One: “Brick by Brick”
Debut date: TUESDAY, MAY 16 (9:00-10:01 p.m. ET/PT)
Three determined women come together from different industries- entertainment, business, and gaming – in an unexpected way, to answer the question, ‘what would it look like if we did things different and started a team?’ As Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman, and Julie Uhrman begin the process of building Angel City Football Club from the ground up ahead of its first season in the NWSL, they realize bucking the status quo can be a tightrope walk and changing systems from the inside isn’t always easy.
Part Two: “Running with the Angels”
Debut date: WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 (9:00-10:01 p.m. ET/PT)
From the moment they hit the pitch, the stakes are high, the pressure is intense, and the passion is palpable. As players and staff deal with the stress of living up to the club’s ambitious goals, ACFC kicks off their inaugural NWSL season at home in front of a vibrant, star-studded crowd. Riding high on their early season results, the club soon finds its identity challenged and a devastating injury puts the team’s resiliency to the test.
Part Three: “It’s Who We Are”
Debut date: THURSDAY, MAY 18 (9:00-9:58 p.m. ET/PT)
Tensions mount as ACFC searches for solutions in their roster while fighting for a playoff spot during the final weeks of their inaugural season. Looking to build on their success, the club’s co-founders turn their attention to the future, confident that their vision will usher in a new era for professional women’s soccer.
Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia Zdunowski and Niamh Wilson as Lydia in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 6 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
Episode six of Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies finds Jane (Marisa Davila) not quite sure what to do after kissing Buddy. Buddy (Jason Schmidt), on the other hand, can’t stop thinking about that kiss.
Jane suggests they keep their relationship a secret for now and admits she’s confused. They have a lot to sort out, including her recent breakup with Richie. Buddy’s super supportive and agrees, even offering to help show her the ropes as class president.
Meanwhile, Cynthia (Ari Notartomaso) and Lydia (Niamh Wilson) are enjoying rehearsing Romeo and Juliet, in particular the kissing scene! Rehearsal is really just a ruse to kiss. Finally, they don’t even bother with the lines and just kiss. (We stan Cynthia and Lydia!)
Uh oh… Cynthia just realized there are only two more days of rehearsal. Lydia, a stage veteran, explains rehearsals end, the play’s performed, and then it’s all over. Everyone moves on. It’s obvious Cynthia doesn’t want what’s going on between them to just be an acting thing.
Buddy’s also rehearsing his lines from his bedroom window, with Hazel (Shanel Bailey) checking out the night sky while helping him out. Buddy stumbles but Hazel has every line memorized. Buddy knows Hazel should be in the play – not just working props.
Hazel’s mom also believes it’s her daughter’s time to shine. Hazel claims she’s fine the way she is, dressed in dreary plaids and not hogging the spotlight.
The school day kicks off with Olivia (Cheyenne Isabel Wells) buzzing about a secret she knows about one of them. She can’t contain herself and busts out with the news that Jane won the election. Jane acts surprised as Olivia proudly declares they did it!
The attention turns to Cynthia and the play, and when Olivia asks if she’s ready for her debut, Cynthia is too distracted to reply. She marches off after glancing at Lydia.
Richie (Johnathan Nieves) and the T-Birds roll up in the parking lot, and Olivia reveals Richie’s been down since he and Jane broke up. But she refuses to get involved in their business. (And that’s all we’ll see of the T-Birds in this episode.)
Jane and the Pink Ladies are in gym class when Assistant Principal McGee (Jackie Hoffman) announces the election results. She congratulates Buddy for winning, and Olivia’s absolutely stunned. So is Buddy. Olivia confirms to the girls that she was there when the votes were tallied, and Jane was the winner.
Cynthia says goodbye to the Pink Ladies, assuming they only became friends to get Jane elected. Now that they failed, that’s it – they’ll go their separate ways. Olivia and Jane insist that’s not true; the Pink Ladies will live on.
Cynthia believes she’s proven her point when Jane rushes off to talk to Buddy.
Olivia and Jane meet up after Jane’s talk with Buddy, and Jane confesses Buddy asked her to help him out. She agreed since she also asked him the same thing. Jane thinks being in Buddy’s ear is now the only way to accomplish anything they set out to do.
Olivia isn’t about to give up so easily. She tells Mr. Daniels (Chris McNally) that she was present when the PTA counted the votes, and she knows Jane won. Olivia asks for his help in getting to the bottom of what happened…strictly as a student coming to a teacher for help. She’ll try and gather proof for an article in the newspaper.
Elsewhere, Wally (Maxwell Whittington-Cooper) is flirting with Hazel backstage as the drama club preps for the play. However, Hazel’s not picking up on what he’s throwing down and just assumes he’s there to support Buddy.
Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy Nakagawa in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 6 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
Cynthia’s a disaster during rehearsals, and Mr. Vaughan orders Lydia to double their rehearsals. But Cynthia’s performance is just one of the major problems with the play. Mr. Vaughan (Marc Senior) discovers Nancy (Tricia Fukuhara) has only finished one costume which means they can’t have a dress rehearsal. The play’s just a day away, but only Romeo’s costume’s ready.
Buddy invites Jane over to his house to discuss the student council but then puts on mood music and lowers the lights. Before they can get down to business, Susan (Madison Thompson) barges in without knocking. Susan’s shocked to be left out since she guided Buddy’s winning campaign. Neither Susan nor Jane wants to work together, and Buddy’s forced to choose between them.
Buddy immediately chooses Jane and Susan exits, screaming. Literally. Screaming.
Mr. Vaughan orders the actors and Hazel to help Nancy out. Nancy’s insulted by the offer and doesn’t want any assistance, even after Hazel gently offers to pitch in. Nancy imitates Hazel being a wallflower and Hazel fights back, imitating Nancy and pushing everyone out of the way.
Nancy won’t give in and Hazel leaves, feelings hurt, followed by all the actors. It’s once again Nancy alone with 12 costumes to make.
Cynthia and Lydia rehearse, again, and Cynthia’s heart isn’t in it now that she knows it’ll all be over in just 24 hours. Lydia tries to explain those 90 minutes on stage are something special, but it’s obvious Cynthia wants more out of this relationship, yet Lydia’s unwilling to say how she feels. Lydia sticks to business even after Cynthia ends the rehearsal shortly after it begins and gives her an opening to express her feelings.
Another school day arrives, and Susan’s sitting alone, miserable, and watching Jane and Buddy walk and chat. She’s surprised when her mom shows up for a PTA meeting and snatches the sandwich out of her hand. Susan’s mom insists she’ll get Buddy back – and that she doesn’t need to eat. She shares her pills with Susan, promising they’ll put a pep in her step. (Can’t believe I actually feel sorry for Susan after watching this exchange.)
Olivia shows Mr. Daniels the vote tally. 213 students signed in to vote, but only 181 votes were counted. That’s a huge margin, and Mr. Daniels promises not to shut down Olivia’s investigation.
They’re busy looking for homeroom attendance records when Asst. Principal McGee arrives. They pretend they’re working on something else, and then Mr. Daniels whispers to Olivia to sneak the records into his office. They’ll go over them there that night while the play’s going on.
After Mr. Daniels leaves, Olivia asks Ms. McGee what happened with the vote. They both witnessed the vote tally and know that Jane won. McGee confirms she didn’t witness the recount but checked their work later and also came up with Buddy as the winner.
Olivia realizes Ms. McGee also believes there’s cheating involved. She also realizes Ms. McGee is not going to do anything about it.
Madison Thompson as Susan in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ episode 6 (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
The school day continues and unfortunately for the driver’s ed teacher, Susan and Jane are his next students. Jane drives them to the teacher’s dry cleaner and while he’s out of the car, they fight over Buddy.
Susan takes over driving and she’s just as bad as Jane.
And now, nearly 25 minutes into the episode, we’re finally treated to our first musical number. Susan sings about never being allowed to decide for herself who she wanted to be. “I want to be big. I want to be bold. But I’m doing as I’m told,” sings Susan.
Susan reveals she’s kept what she wants hidden deep inside. And by the end of the song, Susan’s emerged from her carefully constructed cocoon into a young woman demanding to be seen and heard.
Back in the real world, Susan refuses to slow down and smashes through a sign, wrecking the car. Fortunately, no one’s hurt.
Olivia shamed McGee into at least asking questions and she confronts Principal Nicholson (Danny Mac) about the election results. Nicholson admits Jane won, but he gave it to Buddy because Buddy needs it on his record to impress colleges. Nicholson’s a male chauvinist pig who believes Jane won’t make anything of herself, even if she attends college, but Buddy will be somebody.
Nicholson (who didn’t go to college) promises McGee (who graduated) he’ll name her as his replacement when he runs for superintendent if she keeps the real results of the vote a secret.
Nancy finishes Juliet’s costume and realizes Hazel was right. She needs help. She apologizes and asks Hazel for her assistance and Hazel agrees to pitch in. Hazel realizes Nancy’s made patterns for all the other costumes out of muslin and suggests they use those. Everyone will look the same – except Romeo and Juliet. Nancy agrees that conceptually that works.
“It more than works. It’s art that you made,” says Hazel.
“But the vision is bold – and that’s you,” replies Nancy.
Back at the crash scene, Susan retrieves the pills that spilled during the accident and then she and Jane take a seat on the grass. Susan believes Jane’s truly a good person which is why Buddy will always choose her. Jane reminds her that she lost the election and doesn’t have a voice, but Susan points out Jane underestimates the power of the Pink Ladies. Susan says the students are gaga over the gang and they listen to what Jane says.
They share a laugh over being stereotypically bad female drivers.
The teacher returns with news that the tow truck isn’t coming and they have to walk three miles back to school. He also delivers the news that they both flunked.
Susan leaves the bottle of pills behind on purpose and follows Jane and the teacher.
It’s 15 minutes before the curtain goes up, and Cynthia and Lydia have a quiet moment together. Cynthia admits she’s scared but then realizes Lydia’s also scared. They kiss and this time Cynthia’s certain it’s not acting. They laugh shyly as they pull apart, and then Cynthia rushes off.
Jason Schmidt as Buddy and Shanel Bailey as Hazel in ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ “Sloppy Seconds Ain’t My Style” (Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel / Paramount+)
It’s almost time for the play to start when Nancy and Hazel hurry to the dressing room to try and locate their Juliet. Cynthia’s written “sorry” on her mirror and is nowhere to be found.
Nancy tells Hazel to get into Juliet’s costume, insisting she should have been Juliet the whole time anyway. The show must go on and Hazel’s the perfect replacement for Cynthia.
Olivia’s about to step into Mr. Daniels’ office with the attendance records when Jane makes it back to school. Jane reveals Susan helped her realize the Pink Ladies have power and she doesn’t want to play second fiddle to Buddy.
Olivia shows her the vote counts which don’t match the attendance records. Olivia doesn’t have enough evidence to prove it, but Jane believes it doesn’t matter. She and the Pink Ladies can make a difference even without being president.
Jane confesses she kissed Buddy after breaking up with Richie. Olivia realizes relationships are complicated and confesses she was about to meet with Mr. Daniels – which is also complicated. But now she doesn’t want to be second place either and isn’t going to meet with him.
Nancy runs up and says they have to leave now. They need to check on Cynthia!
Hazel steps onto the stage and everyone’s shocked. Her parents look incredibly proud.
Hazel sings about shaking off shadows and finding her light. She’s leaving the safety of being invisible behind and is ready to be seen.
Buddy joins her onstage and they kiss. An audible gasp is heard in the crowd.
The Pink Ladies arrive at Cynthia’s door and Cynthia doesn’t want to talk about what happened. They all agree not to talk about it; they’re exhausted from talking about schemes, plans, and elections. Instead, they plop down on the couch to watch television and just chill.
Back at school, the play ends with a round of thunderous applause. The actors soak up the adulation and Buddy reminds Hazel that he told her she’d be great. He then walks off the stage before the clapping ends, looking a bit confused.
Hazel steps forward and receives a standing ovation.
Episode six ends with an homage to Grease. The Pink Ladies sing the Ipana toothpaste jingle and giggle. Jane adds a fart at the end and the girls can’t stop laughing.
The team’s called on to conduct a manhunt during a prison riot on CBS’s FBI: Most Wanted season four episode 20. Directed by Peter Stebbings from a script by David Hudgins and Richard Sweren, episode 20 – “These Walls” – will air on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT.
Season four stars Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott, Alexa Davalos as Special Agent Kristin Gaines, Roxy Sternberg as Special Agent Sheryll Barnes, Keisha Castle-Hughes as Special Agent Hana Gibson, and Edwin Hodge as Special Agent Ray Cannon.
“These Walls” Plot: The witness Remy and Kristen are visiting in prison is put in danger when a riot breaks out, leaving the staff and visitors held hostage by two murderous gangs.
FBI: Most Wanted is a high-stakes drama that focuses on the Fugitive Task Force, an elite unit that relentlessly pursues and captures the notorious criminals on the Bureau’s Most Wanted list. The team’s charming but formidable new leader is Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott, who started his career in the New York FBI field office before rising through the ranks of the Bureau in Philadelphia and Las Vegas.
The team includes Special Agent Sheryll Barnes, a former NYPD detective and forensics expert who is raising two young children with her wife; Special Agent Hana Gibson, a gifted millennial computer whiz with a sharp wit and mad hacking skills; Special Agent Kristin Gaines, a Navy veteran who became a star in the FBI’s Miami Field Office as a result of her dogged pursuit of cold cases; and their newest member, former New Orleans cop-turned-junior detective Ray Cannon, who was recently working Violent Crimes in Albany after following in his retired FBI agent father’s footsteps and graduating at the top of his class at Quantico last year.
Always in the field and always on the run, FBI: Most Wanted is a weekly adrenaline shot about the thrill of the chase.
