Congrats to CBS’s Fire Country starring SEAL Team‘s Max Thieriot. The new drama’s first episode drew in 5.74 million viewers and currently sits as the most-watched new series of the 2022–2023 season. Let’s see if those viewership numbers hold when season one episode two, “The Fresh Prince of Edgewater,” airs on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT.
In addition to Thieriot, season one’s regulars include Billy Burke as Vince, Kevin Alejandro as Manny, Diane Farr as Sharon, Stephanie Arcila as Gabriela, Jordan Calloway as Jake, and Jules Latimer as Eve.
“The Fresh Prince of Edgewater” Plot: After Bode requests to be transferred to a different city, his future in Edgewater hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, the crew joins forces to protect the town from a treacherous storm.
W. Tre Davis, Kayla Zander, Tom C Pickett, June B Wilde, Noah Park, and Maya Kooner guest star in episode two.
Fire Country stars Max Thieriot as Bode Donovan, a young convict seeking redemption and a shortened prison sentence by joining a prison release firefighting program in Northern California, where he and other inmates are partnered with elite firefighters to extinguish massive, unpredictable wildfires across the region. It’s a high-risk, high-reward assignment, and the heat is turned up when Bode is assigned to the program in his rural hometown, where he was once a golden all-American son until his troubles began.
Five years ago, Bode burned down everything in his life, leaving town with a big secret. Now he’s back, with the rap sheet of a criminal and the audacity to believe in a chance for redemption with Cal Fire.
Rosalind’s back and wreaking havoc on ABC’s The Rookie season five episode four, “The Choice,” part of a The Rookie: Feds crossover event. Directed by Bill Roe from a script by Fredrick Kotto, episode four will air on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
Nathan Fillion leads the cast as John Nolan. Eric Winter plays Tim Bradford, Melissa O’Neil is Lucy Chen, Alyssa Diaz plays Angela Lopez, and Richard T. Jones is Wade Grey. Mekia Cox is Nyla Harper, Shawn Ashmore plays Wesley Evers, Tru Valentino is Aaron Thorsen, and Jenna Dewan returns as Bailey Nune.
“The Choice” Plot: Rosalind (Annie Wersching) returns with a vengeance and Bailey’s life is left hanging in the balance. With a ticking clock, the LAPD and the FBI join forces, and Officer John Nolan is forced to make a deadly decision after a harrowing ultimatum.
Nathan Fillion in ‘The Rookie’ season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Eric Winter and Melissa O’Neil in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Nathan Fillion in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Nathan Fillion in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Lisseth Chavez in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Melissa Marty and Nathan Fillion in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Raymond Liu)
ABC’s Official The Rookie Series Synopsis:
John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD, has used his life experience, determination, and sense of humor to keep up with rookies 20 years his junior. Nearing the end of his training, Nolan now faces his biggest challenge as a police officer yet when he must come to terms with the choices he has made in pursuit of the truth.
Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, and Eve Best in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 8 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)
It’s been six years since Princess Rhaenys Targaryen last saw Lord Corlys Velaryon as HBO’s House of the Dragon season one episode eight begins. And 10 years have passed since Queen Alicent slashed Princess Rhaenyra’s arm, effectively drawing a line in blood between the greens (the Hightowers and their allies) and the blacks (the Targaryens and their supporters).
Princess Rhaenys receives the devastating news that Corlys had his throat slashed in an ambush. His ship’s maester as well as Corlys’ brother, Ser Vaemond Velaryon (Wil Johnson), are more worried about the blood fever affecting him than the wound. Rhaenys (Eve Best) refuses to believe Corlys will almost certainly die soon.
Who will take the Driftwood Throne if he dies? Rhaenys thinks it should pass to Lucerys Velaryon as Corlys requested, but Vaemond insists he’s the rightful heir. Vaemond knows Lucerys isn’t of true Velaryon blood and instead is from House Strong.
Vaemond doesn’t need Rhaenys’ support because he’s certain Queen Alicent will take his side. (Alicent is ruling in King Viserys’ place since he’s gravely ill.)
Over at Dragonstone, Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) retrieves three dragon eggs from Syrax’s clutch to be placed in a warming chamber. He hands them off and receives a note written by Lady Baela explaining Vaemond’s questioning Luke’s legitimacy.
Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) checks on her boys as they study. A teenage Jace (Harry Collett) is set on learning High Velaryon to prepare for sitting on the Iron Throne. Rhaenyra sends them away when Daemon arrives looking worried.
Rhaenyra realizes this means even her own right to the throne will be questioned. Daemon’s certain Rhaenys is still backing Rhaenyra as heir, but Rhaenyra knows Rhaenys has only taken in Baela as her ward because she’s Laena’s daughter – not because she has any love for either of them.
Daemon touches his wife’s pregnant belly as they agree to visit King’s Landing.
They arrive and Lord Caswell’s the only one who greets their carriage.
A meeting of the small council takes place with Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) at the head of the table. Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish) interrupts to announce Rhaenyra and Daemon have arrived. A discussion ensues about Vaemond’s claim to the throne over Lucerys’, and it’s revealed Corlys never formally named him as heir – although they’re all aware that was his desire.
The Crown must choose. Lord Beesbury continues to insist it’s obvious Lucerys is the rightful heir.
Ser Erryk Cargyll stops Queen Alicent on her way to greet Rhaenyra and informs her Prince Aegon’s gotten into trouble – again.
Rhaenyra and Daemon visit King Viserys’ chambers and he’s in bed, breathing labored, and looking skeletal. His hair’s gone and his body shows signs of advanced disease. (Paddy Considine says Viserys has leprosy.) He can’t see well, his teeth are missing, and Rhaenyra has to tell him who she is. He asks to sit up and Rhaenyra assists him. Even though Viserys is near death, Daemon doesn’t take time to ask after his health and gets right to business.
With Corlys injured, they need to decide on who will inherit the Driftwood Throne. Daemon insists that Viserys take Luke’s side and back his petition.
Rhaenyra asks for their children – Aegon and Viserys – to be brought in since Viserys has never met his grandchildren. He laughs in delight but quickly becomes too exhausted to interact with them.
Viserys asks for his tea and after he takes a sip, Daemon sniffs the glass.
Alicent finds a young woman in her son Aegon’s room and the girl’s frightened to death she’ll be disciplined. Her name’s Dyana and she stumbles through a recap of what happened. She wasn’t aware Aegon was in the room and then when she asked him to stop, he refused. Alicent claims she believes her, and Dyana calms down a little.
Alicent explains that since the girl was alone with Aegon, no one will believe her story. They might think she’s trying to besmirch or entice the prince. Dyana swears on her life she’ll never tell anyone and Alicent pays her for her troubles.
Alicent then forces the young girl to drink the special tea, just in case she’s pregnant.
After Dyana flees, Alicent demands Aegon think about what he’s just done. (It’s obvious this is a common behavior.) “You are no son of mine,” whispers Alicent. Aegon cries and says he didn’t ask for this. He claims he’s trying so hard but it’s never enough.
Rhaenyra and Daemon meet with Alicent, and the scar on Rhaenyra’s arm looms large. They note she didn’t greet them at their carriage, and Alicent explains Viserys’ condition is considerably worse than when they last saw him.
It’s a tense meeting and Rhaenyra accuses Alicent of keeping Viserys high on milk of the poppy so that she and Lord Otto can rule in his place. Alicent insists it’s strictly for his own benefit.
Daemon has noticed the changes to the castle and demands to know why Targaryen heraldry has been replaced by statues and stars. Alicent says the emblems of the Seven help guide them and remind them of a higher authority.
Alicent confirms she will be the one making the decision about who will rule Driftmark, along with Ser Otto.
Harry Collett in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 8 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)
Luke and Jace visit their old training grounds, drawing the attention of all gathered. Jace doesn’t care but Luke knows if he looked Velaryon rather than like Ser Harwin Strong, no one would stare. Jace reminds him it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks.
They’re distracted watching Ser Criston fight with Prince Aemond (who looks like a grown man and much older than his older brother, Aegon), and it turns out Prince Aemond is quite skilled, even with one eye. Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) spots his nephews and wonders if they’re there to train.
Ser Vaemond Velaryon marches in so Jace and Luke don’t have to reply.
Vaemond speaks privately with Alicent and Otto about what will happen if Lord Corlys doesn’t survive. The Hand is concerned with putting a child in charge of the Navy if war comes to their doorstep. Alicent believes they need to act in the best interest of the realm, and Vaemond promises the next Lord of the Tides will be in her debt. Of course, he means if he’s named the rightful heir.
Meanwhile in the Godswood, Princess Rhaenys is happy to see her granddaughter Rhaena, and Rhaenyra compliments Rhaenys’ job of watching over Baela. Rhaenys and Rhaenyra have a moment alone and Rhaenyra wonders why Rhaenys is there. She quickly figures out Rhaenys intends to claim the Driftwood Throne for herself and cut out Lucerys.
Rhaenyra says she loved Laenor, even though Rhaenys may not believe it. She swears she didn’t order his death and wasn’t complicit in it. Rhaenys walks away, unwilling to listen to any more of this.
Rhaenyra stops her in her tracks when she makes an offer to wed her children to Laena’s. Baela will be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and her sons will be heirs to the Iron Throne. Rhaena would rule in Driftmark, which means it would ultimately pass to Lucerys’ children.
Rhaenys isn’t sure if this is a generous offer or a desperate one. Rhaenyra doesn’t believe it matters which it is. Rhaenys doesn’t accept the offer.
“Tomorrow the Hightowers land their first blow. They force you to your knees, and I must stand alone,” says Rhaenys.
Rhaenyra did not anticipate this turn of events.
It’s late at night when she visits her father again. He doesn’t have the strength to open his eyes, and Rhaenyra asks if he believes the Song of Ice and Fire is true. She reminds him it is their duty to hold the realm together against a common foe. But naming her heir has divided the realm.
She confesses the burden’s too heavy.
Viserys calls her his “only child,” and she begs him to defend her and her children if he wants her to continue to bear this burden. Viserys is in no shape to have this discussion and Rhaenyra doesn’t get the answer she seeks.
The next day Viserys’ many wounds are tended to while Ser Otto (Rhys Ifans) stands nearby. He asks to have supper that evening at the Red Keep with all his family. Viserys wants them all to dine together.
Viserys groans in pain as his body is moved around by the maesters. Ser Otto orders more milk of the poppy be brought to the King, but Viserys refuses to drink it. Instead, he orders Ser Otto to arrange the supper.
Later, Ser Otto addresses an assembly and claims to speak for King Viserys in determining who inherits Driftmark. He sits on the Iron Throne and listens to the petition by Ser Vaemond who insists he’s spent his entire life defending his brother’s seat. He has unimpeachable blood running through his veins.
Rhaenyra interrupts, insisting her sons also have Velaryon blood.
Vaemond claims this is about the future of his House, not Rhaenyra’s. He places his bloodline above all else, and he is the rightful Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides.
Rhaenyra petitions for Lucerys to claim the Driftwood Throne. She’s just beginning her speech when King Viserys walks in, wearing his crown and using a cane as he ever-so-slowly makes his way to the quickly vacated Iron Throne.
Vaemond, Alicent, and Otto look shocked as Viserys walks the length of the hall, half of his face hidden behind a golden mask. He makes eye contact with Alicent and then Rhaenyra, holding Rhaenyra’s gaze much longer.
“I will sit the throne today,” he says to Ser Otto as he attempts to walk up the stairs. He finally allows Daemon to assist him and makes it all the way to the throne. Daemon replaces the crown on King Viserys’ head which fell off on the steps.
Out of breath, King Viserys admits he’s confused as to why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. Only Princess Rhaenys might have insight into Lord Corlys’ wishes, and she says Lord Corlys’ will was for Driftmark to pass through Ser Laenor to Laenor’s trueborn son, Lucerys.
“His mind never changed, nor did my support of him,” says Rhaenys.
She adds that Rhaenyra suggested her sons will marry Laena’s daughters, and she wholeheartedly agrees with that. King Viserys declares Lucerys is the heir to Driftmark.
Vaemond won’t allow it and King Viserys reminds him who he’s speaking to. Enraged, Vaemond insists that Lucerys is not a Velaryon while King Viserys is equally adamant that Lucerys is his trueborn grandson, calling Vaemond no more than the second son of Driftmark.
“You may run your House as you sit fit but you will not decide the future of mine!” says Vaemond. He will not see his House ended by seating a bastard on Driftmark’s throne. “And, she is a whore,” he adds, meaning Rhaenyra.
King Viserys stands and pulls out his dagger, declaring he’ll have Vaemond’s tongue. He doesn’t get the opportunity to strike as Daemon removes Vaemond’s head with one strike of his sword, Dark Sister. He slices Vaemond’s head in half through the mouth.
“He can keep his tongue,” says Daemon.
This has all been too much for King Viserys, yet he continues to refuse milk of the poppy. He believes he needs to put things right.
The family gather for dinner, with Alicent seated on one side of King Viserys and Rhaenyra on the other. Viserys is brought in in a chair, unable to walk. He says it’s good to see them all together as a family, and Alicent says a prayer before they begin – a prayer asking for the family to be healed.
King Viserys is genuinely happy Jace and Luke are marrying Baela and Rhaena, and the boys smile as do Laena’s twin daughters. It will cement the bond between the Houses and King Viserys leads the toast. He also toasts to Prince Lucerys, the future Lord of the Tides.
Prince Aegon quietly teases Prince Jace about not knowing where to place his penis.
King Viserys removes his mask after saying how pleased he is to see everyone. His eye is missing and there’s an ugly, gaping hole where it – and his cheek – used to be. He wants them to see him as he is – a father, a brother, a husband, and a grandsire. Viserys knows he won’t live much longer and hopes they can rid their hearts of their anger and grievances, for the sake of the crown and for him – an old man who loves them dearly.
The table remains silent as he returns to his chair. After he’s seated, Rhaenyra raises her cup to Alicent.
“I love my father, but I must admit that no one has stood more loyally by his side than his good wife,” says Rhaenyra. She praises Alicent’s tender care of Viserys, and she has both her gratitude and her apology.
Alicent is moved by Rhaenyra’s words. “We’re both mothers and we love our children. We have more in common than we sometimes allow,” replies Alicent. “I raise my cup to you and to your House. You will make a fine queen.”
Everyone drinks to that and Viserys smiles while Ser Otto looks like someone just killed all his political hopes.
Ewan Mitchell in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 8 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)
Aegon taunts Jace again, and Jace momentarily loses his temper. Jace gathers himself and he and Prince Aemond are standing as he toasts Aegon and Aemond, recalling fond memories of their shared youth. He hopes as men they are friends and allies.
Aegon curtly replies, “To you as well.”
Princess Halaena toasts Baela and Rhaena, saying that it’s not bad because they’ll be ignored except when he’s drunk. (She’s referencing her experience with her own brother-husband.)
Jace and Halaena dance and laugh, as everyone around the table lets their guards down just for the night. Viserys takes it all in, hearing the gentle conversation and looking at the happy faces.
His health forces an early exit from dinner, and he’s carried from the table by his guards.
A roasted pig is brought in and Luke laughs to himself, recalling the pig they gave Aemond. Prince Aemond pounds the table and makes the final toast to his nephews, calling them handsome, wise, and strong. He emphasizes “strong” as an insult, and says strong multiple times. Jace hits Aemond and Aegon attacks Luke before the fight’s broken up.
Alicent’s angry with Aemond who claims he was just expressing how proud he is of his family. (I swear Aemond looks to be about 30 years old.)
Prince Daemon steps in as the fight’s about to begin again, and Rhaenyra sends the boys off to their quarters. (Alicent’s boys have grown up to be spoiled jerks.)
Alicent sounds genuine when she says she doesn’t want Rhaenyra to leave. Rhaenyra promises to return on her dragon after seeing the children home. “The King and I would both like that,” replies Alicent.
King Viserys is groaning in bed when Alicent gives him milk of the poppy. She gently wipes his disfigured face and comforts him. He apologizes, believing he’s speaking to Rhaenyra. He speaks of Aegon’s dream and the Song of Ice and Fire, and says it’s true what he saw in the North about the Prince That Was Promised.
Alicent misunderstands and thinks Viserys is saying her son, Prince Aegon, is the one who is meant to unite the realm against the dark. (He’s talking about Aegon the Conqueror’s prophecy, but Alicent has no way of knowing that.)
Viserys says, “It is you. You are the one. You must do this.”
He has no idea it’s Alicent he’s speaking to. He falls asleep without ever realizing he’s given Alicent a reason to believe Prince Aegon is meant to sit the Iron Throne.
Alicent leaves and King Viserys draws his last breath. His final words are, “No more. My love.”
HBO Max’s Doom Patrol will return for season four on Thursday, December 8, 2022 with the release of the first episodes. So, what’s in store? HBO Max’s official synopsis for the upcoming season revealed the team will be “unexpectedly” traveling to the future where they’ll be met by an unwelcome surprise.
What else can fans of the comic book-inspired series expect? Series stars Brendan Fraser (“Robotman”), April Bowlby (“Elasti-Woman”), Joivan Wade (“Cyborg”), and Michelle Gomez (“Madame Rouge”) participated in a panel during the 2022 New York Comic Con to briefly discuss what we can expect from season four.
April Bowlby on Rita as a leader:
“I’m really proud of Rita for taking the leadership role. She’s always looking for something that she belongs to, something to define herself with. It was acting…that didn’t go so well. She tried to be the Beekeeper…that didn’t go so well. And now she’s the leader. You’ll see that she gets a little pushy and she wants to be a perfectionist about it, and then the Doom Patrol turns against her and she’s back to square one.
But she’s incredible. I think she’s great in the role. She has her own superhero costume; there’s a costume reveal, you guys, with a beret, a cape. I think she loves it. I think she progresses into a true leader by the end of season four, I’m just going to say.”
Brendan Fraser, Dianne Guerrero, Matt Bomer, Michelle Gomez, and April Bowlby in ‘Doom Patrol’ (Photograph by Bob Mahoney/HBO Max)
Brendan Fraser on Cliff’s goal:
“The beauty of Doom Patrol to me is that they’re misfits and they found each other, and they’re an unconventional family – whether they like it or not. They need one another, as much as they don’t want to admit it. Cliff didn’t have such a good start in his life. He was kind of a jerk in season one. I seriously question if or not he really won all of those racecar races fair and square. You know what I mean? But hubris and all, he crashed his car and his brain got stuck in a robot. That’s life, right?
So his quest, as I’ve always seen it, is for Cliff to become a better human than he ever was as a robot, which is poetic in a way to me. I think we’ll see in season four that he does get a chance to reconcile with his daughter, with his grandson. It’s his quest, really, to become a better man although he’s a robot. So, stay tuned and let’s see what happens.”
Jovian Wade on Vic losing his powers:
“It was very different. I think the first time it kind of really hit me was actually seeing the poster that was displayed on that screen and seeing all of the Doom Patrol – including Vic – and seeing Vic without his cybernetics was a bit weird. It was like, ‘Oh, this looks a bit odd.’ That has been a part of the journey, really, with Vic trying to find himself and essentially now getting the opportunity to be – or have the choice to be himself and what it means to be a human and also a Black man in Detroit and understanding what it means.
We got that conversation with Vic and Frenzy when he was challenging what it meant to him to be a Black man. And Vic’s kind of questioning for himself and wanting to understand exactly who he is and what it means. And now, you know, we had a really beautiful scene – and shout out to Phil Morris (‘Silas’) – at the end of season three we have this really challenging conversation where Vic really stands up to him and he says, ‘I am a S.T.A.R. Labs security guard. I am exactly what you’ve tried not to turn me into. That’s exactly what’s taken place.’ And now he’s on a journey where he gets to discover what it means to be himself and really connect with the human side.
My vision for this character has always been…there’s been so many different iterations, but I fell in love with Teen Titans as a kid. That was my first connection to the character. What I loved about it was that he was human first. I’ve always tried to really portray my version of Vic as human first, so now I really get the opportunity to dive into him and feel what it means for him to be a human without all of his cybernetics.”
Michelle Gomez on Madame Rouge’s season four journey:
“In season four, it is about for Madame Rouge kind of living in a gray area – the nuance between good and bad. And her kind of swimming about in that for a bit, trying to do the next right thing. I think she gets infected by Rita’s goodness. And like anybody that we love, we want to be the best versions of ourselves for that person. Right? So, I love Rita. And then I saw my naughtiness – Rouge’s naughtiness – kind of liberating Rita a little bit. So, we kind of were each other’s flip of the coin.
Also, I love what Brendan’s saying as well that we’re all just trying to do our best. All of us. We’re all just trying to be as good as we can be. And some days you don’t want to be that. Some days you’re like, ‘F*ck it. I hate you.’ But mostly we’re trying to come together, especially today. It’s no bad thing to live in the nuance of the conversation and not to be so polarized. I feel like Doom Patrol, in a strange way, kind of reflects that back to us, where we are at today as a community.”
The CW’s Supernatural prequel, The Winchesters, made its New York Comic Con debut on October 9, 2022, with Supernatural’s Dean Winchester – Jensen Ackles – joining Meg Donnelly (“Mary Campbell”) and Drake Rodger (“John Winchester”), as well as executive producer Daneel Ackles and showrunner Robbie Thompson, for a screening of the show’s first episode followed by a Q&A. Jensen Ackles will be reprising his role as Dean to narrate the prequel which focuses on Sam and Dean’s parents, John and Mary Winchester.
NYCC attendees got a big surprise when Ackles had the pleasure of introducing the actor who will play Samuel Campbell, Mary’s father, and Sam and Dean’s grandfather: Tom Welling. Welling joked he lost a bet and that’s why he’s there, and Ackles reminded everyone he and Welling have been friends since Smallville.
The series was conceived during Covid when there were two episodes of Supernatural season 15 left to shoot. Quarantine hit and talk turned to the expansion of the Supernatural universe. Jensen really wanted to see the ‘70s and a throwback to how John and Mary got started. “If we’re going to expand this world, it’s going to help if there’s a Winchester involved,” explained Jensen Ackles.
Episode one of The Winchesters is close to the initial idea they came up with for the show, including Ackles’ intention to narrate the series. “I just thought if we could do a Supernatural version essentially of How I Met Your Mother…,” said Ackles.
Daneel Ackles pointed out Jensen loves that show.
Robbie Thompson assured fans that there won’t be any revisions of Supernatural history. The goal of this was always to not rewrite or change anything that happened in 15 seasons. “We were very clear, it was like a Hippocratic Oath – do no harm, said Thompson. “We are not going to have, as Jensen likes to say, the Sam and Dean polaroid from Back to the Future fading.”
Thompson added: “But it was actually very freeing because it gave us the opportunity to, because we’re a prequel obviously people know where the story’s going but because we’re also Supernatural that could do different things, we had an opportunity to do something different. Now, what exactly we’re doing will be revealed in episode 13 of The Winchesters. But I can assure you that I know that if people do have any concerns, I had the same concerns, and (Jensen and Daneel) had them before I even showed up.”
Asked if Castiel (played by Misha Collins) will be involved, Robbie Thompson said he was campaigned for that before he even heard about the job as showrunner. “Daneel and Jensen at the beginning were like, ‘Hey, let’s establish for these kids and then let’s slowly bring some people in.’ We will be bringing a lot of familiar faces. I think we can tell them…I’m ‘low-key’ excited about the next one. But whether or not we see Mr. Misha Collins…I would love it. I would love to see everybody back in some way, shape, or form. I think we’ll have an opportunity to do that hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Jensen Ackles was asked if we are going to see Crowley and he responded, “Sure.” He followed that up, saying, “If you guys give us an opportunity to tell more of this story, I guarantee you’re going to see a lot more familiar faces.”
Meg Donnelly and Drake Rodger understand the immensity of their roles within the Supernatural world. Donnelly confessed she was crying backstage at the reaction of the fans to the pilot episode.
Donnelly described her approach to Mary: “I think playing Mary is so much fun because she is a very strong, independent woman who knows exactly what she wants. Very badass, for sure. So, I think with John it kind of makes her open up. She’s a little bit more vulnerable. Throughout the show, you kind of see more vulnerability in Mary which I think is really beautiful.
Playing Mary, I just want to show you can be really tough; you can be this badass, awesome woman, but also, it’s okay to have sensitive and vulnerable moments as well. That’s been really fun.”
Donnelly promised we’ll get to see Mary’s experience as a woman in the 1970s.
Rodger grew up watching Supernatural and has zero intention of trying to live up to Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s portrayal. “More than anything when I got the role, I just wanted to provide context. John’s controversial so I just wanted to offer context to the character, his life, to the aspirations and dreams he had. And fall in love with Mary…that’s also a benefit.”
Rodger called Supernatural and its 15 seasons an endless resource to draw on when getting into John.
“Being a fan of the show, I was extremely excited to play John. With how people feel toward the character, I was excited to get to look at the opposite end of the spectrum as to where he ends and go back to where it begins, and kind of just show the biggest transition that I could. I’ve been using as an example Walter White to Heisenberg. I’m trying to give that kind of transition into who he is. Like, who he wanted to be versus what Chuck or destiny had in mind for him,” said Rodger.
There’s trouble brewing within the Reagan family on CBS’s Blue Bloods season 13 episode two. Directed by Alex Zakrzewski from a script by Brian Burns, episode two – “First Blush” – will air on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast is led by Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan, Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan, and Bridget Moynahan as Erin Reagan. Will Estes stars as Jamie Reagan, Len Cariou is Henry Reagan, Marisa Ramirez plays Det. Maria Baez, and Vanessa Ray is Officer Eddie Janko.
Season 13’s recurring guest stars include Abigail Hawk, Gregory Jbara, Robert Clohessy, Steven Schirripa, Andrew Terraciano, and Stephanie Kurtzuba.
“First Blush” Plot: Frank causes family tension when he announces he will not endorse Erin’s run for district attorney. Also, Danny and Baez investigate a bloody crime scene at a hotel, and Jamie begins a new job as a field intelligence sergeant that requires him to keep secrets from his family.
Scott Bryce, Shane Johnson, Kim Director, Mick Szal, and James Hiroyuki Liao guest star in episode two.
David Berry, Mercy Ojelade and Sam Heughan in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Starz hosted the “Sunday Morning Tea with Two Highlanders & A Lord” Outlander panel on October 9, 2022, the final day of the New York Comic Con. Sam Heughan (“Jamie Fraser”) and Duncan Lacroix (“Murtagh Fraser”) were the two Highlanders while David Berry (“Lord John Grey”), of course, was the “Lord” in the panel’s title. Author Diana Gabaldon didn’t make it into the panel’s title but was also on stage to answer Outlander fans’ questions.
(If you came for season seven news, you’ll be disappointed. The panel focused on previous seasons.)
Sam Heughan admitted they were all slightly naïve at the beginning of the series and didn’t realize the vast scope and investment of Outlander fans. Hopping onto social media was a wake-up call back then. Plus, a very small event while they were shooting season one episode four drew thousands of people – something neither Heughan nor Caitriona Balfe anticipated.
“To see all the fans there, to see all the excitement about the show coming out, it certainly gave us a thrill but also we did start to ask ourselves, ‘Can we do this?’ But Diana’s been so supportive along the way – she’s been brilliant. You guys (meaning the fans) have been great support as well so thank you.”
Heughan added: “And we have new cast now. We’ve got Charles…we’ve got all these new people coming in. It must be hard for them to just come in and then establish themselves. They’re all doing an incredible job.”
Diana Gabaldon described writing episodes as “dead easy” compared to writing a book and it’s the actors who do all the heavy lifting. “Really, all I have to do is provide dialogue and little, short bridges and you take it from there. And even then, you mess with the dialogue…but that’s good.”
Season six was one of the hardest seasons to shoot, according to Heughan. “And it was also a small season. But I think it was the sort of cumulative effect of obviously shooting through winter in Scotland, which we always talk about the weather…whatever…but it was really tough. But then I think also the subject material – I mean, the Christies. I mean, my god, that family. Boy, they’re hard work, right? […] They’re fantastic as a family but geez I wouldn’t invite them around for dinner.
But then also the Covid protocols. It just made everything slower and more difficult. But also, despite being a smaller season, I think it’s one of the more interesting one. It’s compact; it’s intense. So, I actually really enjoyed it but it was very, very difficult. I can’t think of a funny thing that happened because not many laughs come when you’re working with the Christies.”
David Berry recalled that the first time he’d seen more than two people after quarantining was on an Outlander set. “I flew from Australia to the UK, and that was crazy actually. But one of the first days was the day that we had the big crowd scene. Lord John Grey meets Claire and Jamie, and there were so many people in that one room – all those extras. I think it was a huge extras day with Flora MacDonald. (Talking to Sam) We went a bit crazy, a bit loopy that day, didn’t we? As you do on big crowd days, but that was the most people I’d seen so I was going extra loopy since I hadn’t seen so many people in so long.”
Diana Gabaldon receives all the dailies and gets to see all the dozens of takes of the same scene. “I kind of judge how things are going by the number of times either Sam or Caitriona says f*ck,” said Gabaldon. “And there have been a few hard days lately.”
Heughan asked who says it more and Gabaldon quickly responded Caitriona. Heughan agreed.
Through Outlander, Sam Heughan learned history’s less black and white than written history books. “Even going back to Culloden, I think in the UK we thought it was the British versus the Scots. And then when you actually look at it and find out more, you realize there were Scots on both sides. And I think the same goes for the American Revolution. Families were torn apart. I mean, you can see Jamie Fraser – he obviously has prior knowledge but he’s literally jumping from side to side. He knows who’s going to win but I guess at the time it really tore the country apart but also created this America that we live in now.”
Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books cover a wide range of genres and mix humor, action, romance, and family issues. David Berry, who views Lord John as a very comedic character, spoke to that, saying, “There’s a unity in the tonality of the show. It has this heart to it with all these big dramatic things going on, like with the comedy, the romance, the battles – there is this really strong core. I don’t know what it is and that’s why I can’t really answer it. But that’s what’s tantalizing to play. You’re playing something human, and I think that’s what she’s created. You can’t put your finger on it but I think it’s very human.”
Duncan Lacroix’s natural tendency is toward comedy, and he really liked the relationship between Murtagh and young Fergus in season two. “It was a lovely little comedy duo that we had going on.”
The panel was hard-pressed to come up with any behind-the-scenes antics they could share. “But I would say that when we all get together, it is trouble. Especially Lauren (Lyle), Cesar (Domboy), Sophie (Skeleton), and Richard (Rankin). When we’re all in a scene together, when the family’s all together it is chaos. There’s like 20 conversations going on. The poor crew are trying to like, ‘Next, we’ll do the scene…’ It’s madness. I think those are the most wild times we have.”
Neither Sam Heughan nor Diana Gabaldon would confirm whether Fergus or Marsali will return in season seven.
Jamie’s relationship of unrequited love with Willie is one of the most interesting things for Sam Heughan to play.
Diana Gabaldon has not changed the ultimate outcome of the series.
Sam Heughan’s favorite filming location is where the Standing Stones are filmed. He believes it’s a magical area.
David Berry’s first castle was Craigmillar where the Ardsmuir Prison scenes were filmed. He’s positive it’s haunted.
At the moment, there doesn’t seem to be any interest from the studio in a Lord John Grey spinoff.
Duncan Lacroix thinks the lasting appeal of Outlander is that it’s all about family.
Diana Gabaldon joked that if they get a season eight, she’ll see what they can do about bringing Duncan Lacroix back as Murtagh’s ghost. He hopes we’ll see Murtagh in the future on a motorcycle with a Sons of Anarchy vibe.
Sam Heughan is obsessed with the Yellowstone prequel, 1883.
Duncan Lacroix really loves The Boys and if he could play any other character, he’d love to play The Butcher – Karl Urban’s character.
David Berry is a huge Rick & Morty fan.
Diana Gabaldon’s favorite scenes to write are the conversations between Jamie and Claire.
Sam Heughan doesn’t think Jamie Fraser would like him. He’d say, “Stupid actor.”
Duncan Lacroix only had one scene with Tobias Menzies and wishes he could have had more acting time with him.
Duncan Lacroix put his trousers on backward and his Calvin Klein underwear was exposed during one action scene.
Playing Lord John Grey has helped David Berry understand love in its various iterations.
Wednesday heads to Nevermore Academy, decides there’s something strange going on that has nothing to do with its weird assortment of students, and decides to figure it out in the trailer for Netflix’s Wednesday. The two-and-a-half-minute trailer is mostly set at Nevermore and features a surprise appearance by Uncle Fester, played by Fred Armisen.
Stick around until the trailer’s end and you’ll also get a glimpse of the 1991 The Addams Family film’s Wednesday – Christina Ricci.
The series’ Wednesday Addams is played by Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie is Principal Larissa Weems, Jamie McShane plays Sheriff Galpin, Percy Hynes White is Xavier Thorpe, and Hunter Doohan is Tyler Galpin. Emma Myers stars as Enid Sinclair, Joy Sunday is Bianca Barclay, Naomi J Ogawa is Yoko Tanaka, Moosa Mostafa is Eugene Ottinger, Georgie Farmer is Ajax Petropolus, and Riki Lindhome is Dr. Valerie Kinbott.
Season one guest stars include Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams, Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams, Iman Marson as Lucas Walker, and Lucius Hoyos as Young Gomez.
Alfred Gough and Miles Millar are the writers, executive producers, and season one showrunners. Tim Burton directs and also executive produces along with Steve Stark, Andrew Mittman, Kevin Miserocchi, Kayla Alpert, Jonathan Glickman, Gail Berman, Tommy Harper, and Kevin Lafferty.
Wednesday premieres on Netflix on November 23, 2022.
From the imagination of Tim Burton, Wednesday is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy, where she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the murder mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago — all while navigating her new and very tangled relationships at Nevermore. Snap snap.
Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season one concludes on October 14, 2022 with an episode that promises to be epic. And after the season wraps up, LOTR fans can continue to dive into Middle-earth with a companion podcast hosted by Felicia Day (Supernatural).
The eight-episode podcast launches on October 14, 2022 on Amazon Music after the finale airs, and explores the events of the first season.
“As a fan of all things Tolkien, I could not be more excited to explore all things Middle-earth and spill all the magical secrets that brought the new series to life,” said Felicia Day. “The Official Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Podcast is giving it all away; we are talking with cast and creators to get all the behind-the-scenes tea!”
Per Prime Video, the podcast is “filled with intimate cast and crew interviews, essential analysis, and Easter egg moments.” The podcast will feature interviews with showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay on the season one finale. Plus it will “go deeper into the canals of Númenor, the mines of Khazad-dûm, the halls of Lindon, and more.[…] Host Felicia Day takes a fresh and insightful look at the groundbreaking series and what it takes to bring Middle-earth to life.”
Episodes will feature interviews with The Rings of Power stars Morfydd Clark (Galadriel), Ismael Cruz Cordova (Arondir), Sophia Nomvete (Princess Disa), and Charlie Vickers (Halbrand).
Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) and Charlie Vickers (Halbrand) in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (Photo Courtesy of Prime Video)
The Plot:
Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and one of the greatest villains that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.
Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
The team works on securing the release of a former Marine on CBS’s FBI: International season two episode four. Directed by Avi Youabian from a script by Roxanne Paredes, episode four – “Copper Pots and Daggers” – will air on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT.
Season two stars Luke Kleintank as Special Agent Scott Forrester, Heida Reed as Special Agent Jamie Kellett, Carter Redwood as Special Agent Andre Raines, Vinessa Vidotto as Special Agent Cameron Vo, and Eva-Jane Willis as Europol Agent Megan “Smitty” Garretson.
“Copper Pots and Daggers” Plot: When a former U.S. Marine is detained in Istanbul on a charge of smuggling antiquities, the Fly Team races against the clock to organize her release before the Turkish police learn the truth behind her visit.
Maurice Irvin, Aykut Hilmi, Selin Akkulak, Sabina Akhmedova, Armando Riesco, and Jophielle Love guest star.
FBI: International Series Description, Courtesy of CBS:
FBI: International is the third iteration of the successful FBI brand that follows the elite operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s International Fly Team. Headquartered in Budapest, they travel throughout Europe with the mission of tracking and neutralizing threats against American citizens wherever they may be, putting their lives on the line to protect the U.S. and its people. The Fly Team’s Special Agent Scott Forrester, their accomplished and dedicated leader, puts his missions ahead of his personal life and is often accompanied by his trusty Schutzhund dog, Tank.
Second in command is Special Agent Jamie Kellett, a heroic and fearless investigator – and her extensive network of informants is a powerful resource. Special Agent Andre Raines shines in the field and makes good use of his accounting background in tracking criminal enterprises’ moving money; and Special Agent Cameron Vo, a competitive West Point grad who excels at interrogation and strategy. Newly embedded with the Fly Team is Megan “Smitty” Garretson, a streetwise Europol agent with an extensive undercover background who liaises with each host country they inhabit.
