‘Roswell, New Mexico’ Season 4 Episode 4 Recap: “Dear Mama”

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June 27, 2022

Roswell New Mexico Season 4 Episode 4 Recap — Lily Cowles as Isobel Evans-Bracken and Jeanine Mason as Liz Ortecho in ‘Roswell, New Mexico’s season 4 episode 4 (Photo: John Golden Britt © 2022 The CW Network, LLC)

The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico season four episode four opens with the heartbreaking news Maria’s mother has died. Maria (Heather Hemmens) and Dallas (Quentin Plair) went looking for her after learning she’d gone missing, and Maria was with her mother as she passed away in a parking lot.

A few hours later, Liz (Jeanine Mason) joins Isobel (Lily Cowles), Dallas, and Maria at the Wild Pony. Liz gives her BFF a hug and then the friends look through one of Maria’s mom’s photo albums. Michael (Michael Vlamis) joins them and after leaving a message for Alex, he also comforts Maria.

Maria can’t believe they’re all there for her, and Isobel says, “You’re my sister. Of course, I’m going to be here for you.”

Max (Nathan Dean), Cam (Riley Voelkel), and Kyle (Michael Trevino) arrive and Michael asks what’s up at Deep Sky. Kyle explains the cameras were on the fritz when Jones’ body disappeared. Plus, no one has talked with Eduardo recently. Max is sure this all has to do with the third alien.

Michael’s going to keep working on getting close to Bonnie. Although he initially turns down their request to wear a tracker, Michael ultimately gives in as Max reminds him this could get dangerous.

Meanwhile, the new alien triad gather around Jones’ dead body. Tezca (Brigitte Kali Canales) sprinkles drops of her own blood on Jones’ chest and a symbol forms.

Isobel makes a coffee run and Anatsa shows up, worried about Maria. (Anatsa’s still part of the group texts.) Anatsa offers to help however she can and Isobel wonders why she’s so perfect. It appears Isobel’s on the verge of getting back together with her girlfriend…but instead she pulls away, saying she needs to be with her family.

Anatsa reminds her the Albuquerque newspaper wants her to join their staff and Isobel suggests she take the job. Damn it, Isobel! Allow yourself to be happy and just take a chance and trust Anatsa!

Michael continues to give Bonnie guitar lessons and learns music isn’t allowed on Oasis. Bonnie thinks Earth is proof things can be different. Clyde interrupts their chat/music lesson, reminding Bonnie music will rot her brain. Michael wants answers about his own life and Clyde seems willing to provide them.

Clyde destroys Michael’s phone before they go for a ride.

Max, Cam, and Isobel join Liz in her new lab furnished with equipment provided by Shivani. Liz examines the alien skin and confirms that is, indeed, from an alien. Unfortunately, the sample’s destroyed and turns to sand while Liz is working with it.

Max and Liz head back out to the derricks to try and find another sample. Liz admits her brain’s a bit scattered – there’s too much going on and she can’t concentrate. Max assures her he has faith in her and he’s right; her specialized alien-seeking metal detector hits paydirt. Whatever it’s beeping about is buried and Max volunteers to use his powers to dig it up quickly.

The ground rumbles and a semi loaded with dirt rises out of the ground. Max is impressed with himself and claims Liz is his turquoise; she focused him. They kiss to celebrate.

Dallas brings a bag of goodies from Arturo and the Crash Down Café to Maria at the Wild Pony. She’s alone and he’s able to speak freely. Dallas thinks she should tell the group she has lost her visions and Maria gets angry, suggesting he work on his own powers and stop telling her what to do.

She quickly apologizes. Maria regrets not telling her mom that she’s powerless. If Maria had, then her mom might have given her more details as she was dying instead of suggesting she use her powers. Her mom wanted her to go somewhere, but Maria can’t figure out where she was talking about.

Bonnie and Clyde take Michael to their hideout and after grabbing a couple of wine coolers, talk turns to Jones. Clyde says Jones showed them what the world could be and Michael asks what he’s talking about. They offer Michael a fruit from home and he loves how it tastes.

Next, Clyde shows Michael what Oasis looks like via a mindscape. It’s so gorgeous that Michael wonders why they’d ever leave it. Clyde replies, “It was our savior’s will.”

Michael realizes they were all on the same ship, but this alien triad’s been in stasis waiting for Jones to call on them. Clyde believes Michael’s asking too many questions about Jones, but Michael claims he only wants to learn about Oasis.

Clyde becomes suspicious Michael’s being tracked (even though he destroyed his phone) and Michael secretly yanks off his ring and creates a fire in his clenched fist, melting the ring. Michael informs the bank-robbing aliens that Jones was his father and demands to know his role in all this.

Bonnie and Clyde walk away to talk privately, and Michael uses the opportunity to search their hideout. He finds Eduardo (David DeSantos) tied up in a chair and while freeing him is surprised to see Eduardo’s eyes have turned blue. Eduardo has no idea why or how he wound up in this building.

Eduardo asks if Michael thinks Bonnie and Clyde are all bad, and he admits he thinks they’re justs lost. Eduardo suggests he’ll escape on his own so as not to blow Michael’s cover. Michael should continue to learn whatever he can without making them suspicious.

Kyle’s shocked to find Isobel’s made herself at home in his Deep Sky office and has apparently turned into a private detective overnight. She wants everything he has on Jones and reveals she’s in possession of an envelope addressed to Eduardo from someone in Careyes, Mexico – a town that rivals Roswell in alien-friendly residents. Inside is a photo of the familiar alien symbol and a note:

“There are things in Careyes you’d find interesting. Ask for Xitlali.”

Isobel’s ready for a road trip right now and thinks Careyes might hold the answer to where Jones hid his Plan B. Kyle realizes from Isobel’s behavior that she never told Anatsa the truth. Isobel confesses she blew the opportunity and will never be able to tell her.

Isobel wants to check out the cameras from the construction going on outside Deep Sky to see if they caught Jones’s body snatchers.

A while later Kyle and Isobel meet up with Cam and Max, and Cam’s clutching a Careyes T-shirt. She explains they got it from the truck’s owner who woke up wearing it after being knocked out for a week. They all suspect mind-control.

Isobel and Kyle show Max and Cam a photo captured on the security camera showing Eduardo and an unknown woman who matches the description of the woman who stole the truck. They believe this woman’s the third alien.

Maria has a flashback to high school and talking to her mom at the drive-in about her love life. The flashback provides the answer to the meeting place her mother referred to right before she died. Maria realizes what her mom was trying to tell her had something to do with her mom’s wedding.

Max and Liz search the truck as Max explains they believe Eduardo was mind-controlled into stealing Jones’ body. Eduardo is still missing (Michael doesn’t have a phone and hasn’t checked in yet) and Liz wants Kyle’s help sniffing out alien DNA samples. However, Kyle’s with Isobel heading to Mexico sniffing out a different lead.

As they’re talking Liz finds the truck driver’s ID just as the driver, Renata, walks up. Renata confirms she didn’t have blue eyes until she was kidnapped.

Isobel and Cam have a weird chat about gunslingers and other things. Isobel’s really hyper and oversharing, and Cam figures out it’s because of what Maria’s going through and how easy it is to lose someone you love.

Cam ties that into Isobel thinking she’ll lose Max when he marries Liz. Oops…Isobel didn’t know Max wants to get married. Isobel can’t believe her brother had the nerve to get down on one knee and she can’t even tell Anatsa the truth.

Cam understands Isobel’s situation, aware Anatsa’s the first person Isobel’s loved since Noah. Cam also understands Isobel’s worried that if she reveals her secret, Anatsa won’t react well. “My guess is you’re afraid that if you open your heart to her, she might shatter it,” says Cam.

Nailed it.

Cam then confesses she was in love with Isobel’s brother years ago but never found the courage to tell him. Would things be different if she had? We’ll never know.

Isobel took Cam’s words to heart and shows up in the middle of the road as Anatsa’s leaving Roswell. Anatsa meets her in the road and Isobel apologizes for everything – all the lies and all the pushing away she’s done. Isobel confesses she’s completely in love.

Isobel asks Anatsa to come with her to a cave, promising answers, but Anatsa doesn’t accept the invitation. She doesn’t like this rollercoaster they’re on and her heart is broken. Anatsa loves Isobel but doesn’t want love to be this complicated.

Anatsa hopes Isobel will figure it out and wishes her the best. She gets back in her car and drives away, leaving Isobel devastated and alone.

Meanwhile, Clyde’s still trying to wrap his mind around an engineer and the savior having a child. Clyde calls himself Jones’s star pupil and wants to put their differences aside and learn from each other.

Clyde shows Michael the safety deposit box and explains the item inside is part of a larger puzzle. When all the pieces are put together, they form the three segments of the alien symbol. Clyde wants Michael to retrieve the missing third piece and then he’ll see what the completed puzzle can do.

“Rumor has it your mother built it,” says Clyde.

Kyle’s made it to Careyes – and his family’s distillery – but can’t find Xitlali. He calls Liz to see if she’s making progress and learns Liz got alien eye DNA from Renata. Liz is leery of touching it given what happened last time and needs Kyle’s help. Kyle wants Liz to take a chance and add the dye.

Alberto Gordon introduces himself to Kyle as the man in charge of the distillery for the past three decades. Alberto explains that Xitlali isn’t a person; it’s a place.

Liz adds the dye and the sample, again, turns to sand.

Cam and Max split up to try and find Michael, and Max warns Cam to be on the lookout for Eduardo who now has blue eyes. As they’re talking, she spots Eduardo and immediately notices his eyes are brown. This isn’t the real Eduardo!

Michael and Bonnie talk and Bonnie confesses Clyde isn’t always who he seems to be. Bonnie misreads the room and kisses Michael and he quickly explains he’s in love with his boyfriend. She apologizes and explains she still hasn’t figured out Earth’s customs. Bonnie also explains the device his mom built that they’re attempting to put back together is to take them home.

Maria’s alone going through her mom’s wedding album when she finds a drawing of a tree.

It’s night when Max discovers Cam slumped down by her car and shot in the leg. Cam doesn’t think there’s time to get to the hospital because they need to follow Eduardo and asks Max to heal her. It works, but Max is drained.

Cam takes off walking in the direction she claimed Eduardo went and Max follows. They come upon Jones’s body and Max describes what’s been done to it as looking ritualistic. Cam doesn’t seem surprised by Jones’s body appearing in the middle of nowhere, but Max doesn’t notice that at first. However, when she brings up Liz severing the connection Max figures out something’s up.

It’s pitch black when Kyle enters Xitlali and discovers signs of a struggle. Liz calls as he’s walking around the room, and explains she thinks the alien DNA is just playing dead like an octopus does. She puts a few drops of Renata’s tears into the alien dust and her theory is correct. It changes back into alien tissue.

Kyle walks into another room and finds a pod with Tezca inside. Kyle looks at his phone and wonders how Tezca’s in two places at once.

Isobel tracked Cam’s location on Snapchat and discovers her lying unconscious. When she comes to, she has blue eyes and no idea where Max is.

Max notices an alien tattoo on Cam’s arm and knows for certain this isn’t his friend. Tezca shapeshifts and then introduces herself to Max.

‘Nope’ New Featurette Focuses on the Film’s Siblings

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Rebecca Murray

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June 27, 2022

The new featurette from Universal Pictures’ Nope delves into the relationship between the main characters OJ and Emerald, siblings played by Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah) and Keke Palmer (Alice, Hustlers). The minute-and-a-half video features interviews with Kaluuya, Palmer, and Oscar-winning writer/director Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us), with Peele describing the film as about many things but at its core about the relationship between OJ and Emerald.

“We have the great Daniel Kaluuya who’s my all-time favorite actor. He’s somebody that forced me to push to unlock further things in the character. And Keke Palmer – she has this spark. She just crushes,” said Peele, discussing his cast.

In addition to Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, Nope stars Oscar nominee Steven Yeun (Minari), Michael Wincott (Westworld), and Brandon Perea (The OA). Writer/director Jordan Peele produced along with Ian Cooper.

Described as an “expansive horror epic,” the simple synopsis says Nope follows “residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.”

Universal Pictures is releasing Nope in theaters on July 22, 2022.

Nope Poster — Poster for Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’ (Photo Credit: Universal Pictures)

‘The Old Man’ Earns a Well-Deserved Season 2

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 27, 2022

The Old Man Star Jeff Bridges — Jeff Bridges stars as Dan Chase in ‘The Old Man’ (Photo Credit: Kurt Iswarienko/FX)

FX’s The Old Man has been renewed for season two after scoring the highest ratings of any cable series premiere since January 2021. The critically acclaimed drama is based on the bestselling novel by Thomas Perry and stars Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow.

Alia Shawkat, Amy Brenneman, E.J. Bonilla, and Gbenga Akinnagbe also star.

Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine created the series and executive produce along with Warren Littlefield, Dan Shotz, Jeff Bridges, David Schiff, and Jon Watts. The series is produced by 20th Television in association with The Littlefield Company.

“Jonathan E. Steinberg, Dan Shotz and Warren Littlefield have done a fantastic job with The Old Man, which delivers on the powerful intrigue and breathtaking action of Thomas Perry’s book,” stated Eric Schrier, FX Entertainment President. “The stellar cast led by Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, Amy Brenneman and Alia Shawkat is really connecting with audiences and we are excited to get to work on season two with our colleagues at 20th Television and this fantastic team.”

The seven-episode first season premiered on June 30, 2022. New episodes air on Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT on FX and are available to stream on Hulu the following day.

“This terrific series has had a long journey to the air, which makes the reaction from critics and audiences these past few weeks all the sweeter,” said Karey Burke, President of 20th Television. “But the truth is, no one who has worked on it these past three years is surprised it’s resonating so deeply. From the brilliant creative execution by Jon, Dan, and Warren to the spectacular star turns from Jeff, John, Amy and Alia, this heart-racing series delivers and we thank FX for the incredible support.”

Executive producers Jonathan E. Steinberg, Warren Littlefield, and Dan Shotz issued the following statement regarding the season two renewal:

“We couldn’t be more excited to begin the next chapter of this journey. Our partners at FX and 20th Television showed us such unwavering patience, faith, and support in getting Season 1 completed, we can think of no other way to repay that support than to go deliver a Season 2 that raises the bar yet again. On behalf of the producers, our extraordinary partner Jeff Bridges, and our stellar cast led by Jeff, John Lithgow, Amy Brenneman, and Alia Shawkat, we are incredibly grateful for the response the show has received, and can’t wait to get back to work.”

The Old Man Plot, Courtesy of FX:

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Thomas Perry, The Old Man centers on “Dan Chase” (Bridges), who absconded from the CIA decades ago and has been living off the grid since. When an assassin arrives and tries to take Chase out, the old operative learns that to ensure his future he now must reconcile his past.

With Dan Chase flushed out of hiding, the FBI’s Assistant Director for Counterintelligence “Harold Harper” (Lithgow) is called on to hunt him down because of his complicated past with the rogue fugitive. Working alongside Harper is his protégé “Angela Adams” (Shawkat) and CIA Special Agent “Raymond Waters” (Bonilla). When Chase proves to be more difficult to apprehend than the authorities expected, “Julian Carson” (Akinnagbe), a highly trained special ops contractor, is sent to pursue him as well.

While on the run, Chase rents a room from “Zoe McDonald” (Brenneman) who draws on reserves she never knew she had in order to survive the day when she learns the truth about her new tenant.

‘Succession’ Season 4 Starts Filming and Confirms Plot Details

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Rebecca Murray

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June 27, 2022

HBO’s critically acclaimed drama Succession has begun filming season four. The network announced the start of production and confirmed shooting is now taking place in New York.

Returning cast members include Brian Cox as Logan Roy, Sarah Snook as Siobhan, Alan Ruck as Connor, Jeremy Strong as Kendall, and Kieran Culkin as Roman. Matthew Macfadyen is back as the devious Tom Wambsgans, Nicholas Braun returns as Greg Hirsch, J. Smith-Cameron reprises her role as Gerri Kellman, and Peter Friedman’s back as Frank Vernon.

Additional cast members include David Rasche as Karl Muller, Fisher Stevens as Hugo Baker, Hiam Abbass as Marcia Roy, Justine Lupe as Willa Ferreyra, Scott Nicholson as Colin, Zoë Winters as Kerry, and Jeannie Berlin as Cyd Peach.

The production notice was accompanied by a description of the upcoming fourth season:

“In the ten-episode season four, the sale of media conglomerate Waystar Royco to tech visionary Lukas Matsson moves ever closer. The prospect of this seismic sale provokes existential angst and familial division among the Roys as they anticipate what their lives will look like once the deal is completed. A power struggle ensues as the family weighs up a future where their cultural and political weight is severely curtailed.”

Season one premiered in June 2018 followed by season two in August 2019. Season three debuted in October 2021 and wrapped up in December 2021. HBO hasn’t announced a targeted season four premiere date.

The award-winning Succession was created by executive producer and showrunner Jesse Armstrong. Adam McKay, Frank Rich, Kevin Messick, Jane Tranter, Mark Mylod, Tony Roche, Scott Ferguson, Jon Brown, Lucy Prebble, Will Tracy and Will Ferrell also executive produce.

The popular drama won nine Primetime Emmy Awards as well as multiple Critics Choice, BAFTA, Directors Guild, Producers Guild, and Writers Guild awards.

Jason Schwartzman Joins ‘The Hunger Games’ Prequel

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 27, 2022

Jason Schwartzman (The Righteous Gemstones) will play Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman in The Hunger Games prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Lucky Flickerman is the host of the 10th Hunger Games and an ancestor of Caesar Flickerman, played by Stanley Tucci in the four previous The Hunger Games films.

West Side Story‘s Rachel Zegler and Billy the Kid‘s Tom Blyth lead the cast as Lucy Gray Baird and Coriolanus Snow, respectively. The cast also includes Jerome Lance as Marcus, tribute from District 2; Ashley Liao as Clemensia Dovecote, one of Coriolanus’s closest friends and mentor to a tribute from District 11; Knox Gibson plays Bobbin, tribute from District 8; Mackenzie Lansing is Coral, tribute from District 4; and Aamer Husain plays Felix Ravinstill, mentor to a tribute from District 11.

Lionsgate is targeting a November 17, 2023 theatrical release.

The Hunger Games veteran Francis Lawrence returns to direct this prequel after having helmed Catching Fire (2013), Mockingjay Part 1 (2014), and Mockingjay Part 2 (2015).

The prequel is based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, with The Hunger Games author involved as an executive producer. Director Lawrence, Nina Jacobson, and Brad Simpson produce, and Tim Palen and Jim Miller are involved as executive producers.

The Plot: “Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor.

Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.”

Carol Burnett Guest Stars on ‘Better Call Saul’s Final Season

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 27, 2022

The legendary Carol Burnett is confirmed as a guest star on the final season of AMC’s Better Call Saul. Burnett will play a character named Marion, however, the network didn’t release any additional information regarding Marion’s connection to Saul.

It was previously announced that Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will be reprising their Breaking Bad characters Walter White and Jesse Pinkman for the upcoming second half of the sixth and final season.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of my favorite show,” said the six-time Emmy Award-winning Burnett.

The first half of season six premiered on April 18, 2022 and wrapped up on May 23rd. The release of the final six episodes of the series kicks off Monday, July 11th at 9pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+. The series finale is scheduled for August 15th.

The cast is led by Bob Odenkirk and includes Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, and Patrick Fabian. Michael Mando, Tony Dalton, and Giancarlo Esposito also star in the final season. Peter Gould, Vince Gilligan, Mark Johnson, Melissa Bernstein, Thomas Schnauz, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock, Diane Mercer, and Michael Morris executive produce.

The Plot: “Better Call Saul’s final season concludes the complicated journey and transformation of its compromised hero, Jimmy McGill (Odenkirk), into criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. From the cartel to the courthouse, from Albuquerque to Omaha, season six tracks Jimmy, Saul and Gene as well as Jimmy’s complex relationship with Kim (Seehorn), who is in the midst of her own existential crisis. Meanwhile, Mike (Banks), Gus (Esposito), Nacho (Mando) and Lalo (Dalton) are locked into a game of cat and mouse with mortal stakes.

The final episodes will conclude the complicated journey and transformation of its compromised hero, Jimmy McGill, into criminal lawyer Saul Goodman.”

‘Becoming Elizabeth’ Episode 3 Recap: “Either Learn Or Be Silent”

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 26, 2022

Becoming Elizabeth Episode 3 Recap — A scene from ‘Becoming Elizabeth’ episode 3 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Starz’s Becoming Elizabeth episode three finds Princess Elizabeth at odds with Catherine Parr and caught up in a love affair with her stepmom’s husband. Young King Edward proves he’s not ready to lead as his behavior’s more like that of a petulant child than a ruler. Meanwhile, Princess Mary appears to be the only member of the royal family with a solid grasp of the state of the world.

And now, the episode three recap:

“Either Learn Or Be Silent” opens with a man testing Catherine Parr’s urine (he drinks it!) and announces she’s with child. Catherine (Jessica Raine) believes this is a death sentence for her and the child.

Lady Jane Grey (Bella Ramsey) disagrees and thinks the baby is blessed. Jane would be happy if Catherine and Thomas were her parents, and that actually brings a smile to Catherine’s face.

And speaking of Thomas, he’s wormed his way into Elizabeth’s heart and declares she’s his and his alone. Their private chat’s interrupted by the arrival of Catherine, Jane, and assorted servants. Thomas (Tom Cullen) distracts the gathering by pointing out the clouds and then wondering why Elizabeth’s dressed in such somber attire.

Lady in Waiting Kat Ashley (Alexandra Gilbreath) reminds him that Elizabeth (Alicia von Rittberg) is in mourning for her father, but Thomas thinks the rebirth that comes with the spring means Elizabeth should shed her dark attire. He helps her out by cutting the strings on her bodice with his sword.

Elizabeth sharply draws in her breath as Thomas places his sword across her chest. He then moves behind her with Catherine egging him on. Elizabeth moves away from Thomas but now it’s Catherine’s turn to undress the princess.

Kat stops Lady Jane from joining the tussle as Catherine and Elizabeth giggle. Catherine informs her stepdaughter the dead want them free as Thomas rips Elizabeth’s dress from behind and Catherine pulls it down in front. She’s left in her undergarments while both Catherine and Thomas laugh.

Catherine appears ready to announce her pregnancy but is stopped when Thomas gives playful chase to a fleeing Elizabeth, leaving his wife behind.

Over in Framlingham Castle, Princess Mary (Romola Garai) can’t stop herself from re-reading the letter from her sister, Princess Elizabeth. She confesses to Pedro that its meaning pains her. Elizabeth has turned on her, just as her father did. Mary believes that both her father and her sister have chosen Catherine over her. And Elizabeth’s choice makes it clear there will be war.

Pedro sends a messenger to the Lord Protector Edward Seymour requesting a Catholic sit on the council.

Edward Seymour (John Heffernan) receives the note and immediately pays a visit to Bishop Gardiner locked in the Tower of London. Edward notes King Edward has strong opinions about faith and reminds Bishop Stephen Gardiner he attempted to have Catherine Parr executed for heresy.

Princess Elizabeth is brought before King Edward and the council to discuss Princess Mary. Edward Seymour’s fully aware of the letter Elizabeth sent and believes putting the Catholic Bishop on the council will help soothe things over.

Catherine is also in attendance and lays it on the line. Elizabeth wrote to Mary and told her she and King Edward are united against her. Now, as Edward Seymour points out, Mary feels the need to “protect” herself. Mary now poses a threat to the crown, and King Edward demands they tell Mary he never requested Elizabeth send her a letter.

Later at dinner, Thomas and Catherine demand answers as to why Elizabeth felt the need to write to Mary. Elizabeth says she was simply answering a question.

Catherine becomes angry, fully aware Mary could request she be executed. Elizabeth had no idea that when her father was dying, Bishop Gardiner wanted Catholicism to regrip the nation. Catherine explains the Bishop wanted her condemned so that he could be the one whispering in young King Edward’s ear.

Bishop Gardiner tortured Catherine’s friends to get any info they had that he could use against Catherine. He even burned Anne Askew at the stake after destroying her legs. After that, Elizabeth’s father, King Henry VIII, called for Catherine’s death – for the third time.

Fortunately for Catherine, it was Bishop Gardiner and not her who ended up in the Tower.

Thomas Seymour doesn’t think Bishop Gardiner poses a threat, but Catherine remains angry at Elizabeth for what she unleashed.

Bishop Gardiner visits Princess Mary and their discussion about religion gets a little heated. Princess Mary reveals she’s chosen her brother over her religion, and Gardiner warns that a fanatic and his handler actually rule England.

Gardiner reminds Mary she has the backing of all Catholics. Shocked at what he’s implying, Princess Mary can’t believe Bishop Gardiner wants her to tear apart her family and England.

Back at Chelsea Manor, Elizabeth comes to Thomas late at night and he calls her “the maker of fine messes.” Although he’s angry, he still wants Elizabeth and they discuss how he views her. Elizabeth’s sure he thinks of her as a child, and Thomas assures her he sees her clearly. He thinks she’s definitely not a child. (He’s married and she’s turning 15.)

Their gentle kisses turn increasingly passionate.

Moments later, Thomas joins Catherine in front of a fire. Catherine’s figured out Thomas’s brother isn’t scheming against them; he’s just trying to make them irrelevant by ignoring them. Thomas is sure that if King Edward marries Lady Jane, then their fortune will change.

Thomas winds up in bed with his wife and talk turns to Elizabeth’s 15th birthday. Catherine wants to arrange a celebration here at Chelsea Manor with Thomas in charge and King Edward as an honored guest.

Elizabeth’s birthday arrives and she looks gorgeous. Catherine notes beauty is wasted on the young. Catherine isn’t pleased that Elizabeth is wearing her mother Anne Boleyn’s necklace, and deems the gesture unwise. They compromise by hiding the ornate letter B on the necklace under Elizabeth’s dress.

The evening celebration gets underway, and King Edward’s given the honor of shooting a flaming arrow that spreads fire across the top of the river. That’s followed by a tremendous display of fireworks, much partying, and Elizabeth playing a rousing game of cards with Robert Dudley.

King Edward (Oliver Zetterström) and Lady Jane carry on a friendly discussion over who is the louder man – King Henry VIII or Thomas Seymour. Catherine, who’s seated with them and looking after her dog who’s had a bit of a scare from the fireworks, joins the conversation. She reminds King Edward that if he wants to do something then he should do it. After all, he’s the King.

Elizabeth and Robert Dudley (Jamie Blackley) watch as Thomas and Catherine toast with Jane Grey and King Edward. Robert wonders what game Thomas is playing and reveals Thomas has asked for King Edward to see Jane, but Lord Protector Edward Seymour doesn’t allow it.

Jealousy rears its ugly head as Elizabeth watches Lady Jane and King Edward laugh over dinner. The straw that breaks the camel’s back is Edward Seymour’s toast to Elizabeth and to her brother, the King. It’s her birthday and she’s no longer the center of attention as the crowd stands and cheers King Edward.

Elizabeth grabs the attention by announcing Lady Jane has a special song she wants to sing. It doesn’t go over well as Lady Jane’s singing voice isn’t pleasant. No one claps as Lady Jane flees the room while King Edward remarks it was a “sh*t” performance.

Elizabeth confesses to Thomas Seymour that she understands he set this whole thing up to force King Edward and Lady Jane together – not because he wanted to do something special on her birthday.

Robert Dudley confronts Elizabeth over her disgusting display of pettiness, and Elizabeth unsuccessfully attempts to justify her behavior. Robert confirms he’s always on her side, but not when she uses her power to hurt innocent people.

Lady Jane receives a beating from her father for embarrassing the family. Elizabeth witnesses it and gets Henry Grey to stop, defending Jane’s participation since she’s the one who prompted it. Elizabeth takes the full blame and after Henry leaves, Elizabeth comforts Lady Jane and offers her a dress since Henry ripped hers.

Elizabeth explains she’s never had the power to affect anyone else’s life until tonight, and she’s just now fully understanding what that power means.

The party’s still going on when Thomas joins Elizabeth in her bedchamber. Thomas reveals he thinks his brother doesn’t trust him, and he hates being like him even for a moment. He claims he’s his brother’s hostage and then lunges at Elizabeth for a kiss. Elizabeth pushes him away; angry he and Catherine hide secrets from her.

Thomas warns Elizabeth not to be jealous because their secrets are bigger than the ones he shares with his wife. Elizabeth admits she loves him – more than is safe. Although he never says he loves her, he hints that she should be assured that’s the case.

Thomas unties her bedclothes and leans in for another kiss and once again Elizabeth pushes him away. However, this time it’s because Catherine has barged into the room and witnesses them together in bed. Catherine leaves but not before stating they’ll talk about this in the morning.

The following morning Chelsea Manor looks like a frat house after a hard night of partying. Catherine finally discovers Thomas asleep, spooning with a dog, and kicks him awake.

Meanwhile, Princess Mary’s upset she was not invited to London to celebrate her sister’s birthday. Pedro admits he wasn’t impressed with the bishop, and Mary pledges to show her brother she’s not a threat. If he views her as one, then all Catholics are at risk.

The council and King Edward are seated at a table in Catherine’s house, and Edward Seymour chides them for being late despite the fact it’s their home. Catherine reveals King Edward invited her to attend the meeting and she prompts her stepson to speak. King Edward declares Edward Seymour’s grown too bold and that the villainous bishop’s seat on the council must “not be seen as a concession to heresy, but as a sign of its end.”

King Edward orders the beginning of a religious reformation for his country. When Edward Seymour attempts to interrupt, King Edward reminds him he’s not the king. King Edward’s angry Edward Seymour won’t allow Lady Jane to visit him, and Edward declares the King of England isn’t about to marry Lady Jane – no matter what Thomas thinks or desires.

King Edward’s stunned. He had no idea that was what Thomas and Catherine had in mind.

The Lord Protector has had enough. He will no longer allow King Edward to play at ruling the country; King Edward’s only job is to learn how to rule in the future.

“Sit and learn, sir. That is all that is required of you,” shouts Edward Seymour.

After the meeting’s over, Catherine calls Elizabeth in for a talk and asks what Thomas has done. Elizabeth attempts to call what Catherine saw “play” and claims they did no wrong. Catherine brings up Anne Boleyn’s reputation up and wonders if Elizabeth’s cast from the same stone. Elizabeth continues to plead innocence, even with Catherine warning her to choose carefully how she acts.

“I have been quite blind to you, and I see you now. I see you clearly now, my love,” says Catherine.

Catherine understands that her lessons on how to play this great game are now complete.

Elizabeth sobs after her stepmother leaves the room.

Next, Catherine turns her attention to Thomas Seymour. She demands he chooses whether he’s an apologetic sinner or a defiant husband. He claims to be neither and Catherine realizes he’s really of two minds about whether to choose his wife or choose Elizabeth.

Catherine points out that if he chooses Elizabeth, he’ll need to tell King Edward that after marrying his stepmother, he now wants to marry his 15-year-old sister.

Catherine decides the best option is to send Elizabeth away. Thomas admits he finds Elizabeth beautiful and this hasn’t been some giant scheme to accumulate more power.

Catherine finally reveals she’s pregnant and suggests if he chooses Elizabeth, it won’t end well for him or Elizabeth. Catherine also believes she’ll wind up being beheaded alongside Thomas.

Thomas wishes they’d married long ago and that she’d never been the wife of King Henry VIII or stepmother of the new king, Princess Elizabeth, and Princess Mary.

Elizabeth’s carriage is packed and Catherine joins her outside, explaining she needs peace in her household because of her pregnancy. Catherine reminds Elizabeth to be careful with her reputation and that what matters is what people think she’s done.

Thomas stands outside Chelsea Manor and Elizabeth finally realizes he chose Catherine over her.

Elizabeth replays intimate moments with Thomas in her head as the carriage leaves Chelsea Manor.

BTS’ J-Hope Announces ‘Jack in the Box’ Solo Album

By

Alison Helms

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June 26, 2022

J-Hope Jack in the Box — J-Hope announces ‘Jack in the Box’ solo album (Photo Credit: Big Hit Music)

J-Hope of BTS is set to release his solo album Jack in the Box on July 15, 2022. J-Hope’s label, Big Hit Music, made the announcement on Weverse followed by a video posted by J-Hope on his Instagram announcing the upcoming album. The album’s first single will drop on Friday, July 1, however, there’s no official word yet on its title.

Soon after the news broke fans around the world showed their excitement on social media, with J-Hope and Jack in the Box trending worldwide on Twitter.

“Jack in The Box lends a voice to J-Hope’s aspirations to break the mold and grow further. The album represents J-Hope’s own musical personality and vision as an artist,” according to Big Hit.

The release of Jack in the Box will make J-Hope the first BTS member to embark on “BTS chapter 2.” On June 13, BTS held a dinner party to celebrate their nine-year anniversary and it was there they announced to fans the members will be releasing solo albums. BTS made it very clear this is not a breakup of the globally popular group, but instead they’re taking a break to find themselves individually. It was also made clear there will still be group activities as well.

The rap members of the group – RM, SUGA, and J-Hope – have previously released solo work they’ve called mixtapes, but this will be the first time the other members will release solo albums. BTS member and leader of the group, RM, noted these will be albums and different from mixtapes that were released in the past.

While it was announced J-Hope would be the first member to embark on the solo adventure, the group did not reveal which member will release next or what the proposed album release schedule looks like. However, BTS’ Jin did say he will probably be the last to release – but that wasn’t confirmed by their label.

J-Hope is set to make his solo stage debut at one of the world’s biggest music festivals, Lollapalooza, where he’ll be a headliner. His appearance will mark the first time a Korean artist will headline a major US music festival when he takes the stage on Sunday, July 31st. The news about his first solo stage show was announced on June 6, 2022, before the group announced their temporary break.

As reported by Variety, singer-songwriter/frontman for the band Jane’s Addiction and founder of Lollapalooza, Perry Farrell, commented on his excitement at having J-Hope perform at the festival.

“I’m happy to welcome J-Hope and Tomorrow X Together into the Lollapalooza family,” stated Farrell. “These artists have been given great gifts in communication. Their global audience speak different languages but possess an intense passion for their music. Lolla is the place where all music genres live in harmony. These are the superstars of the global phenomenon of K-Pop, and we are so excited to have them at this year’s festival.”

Tomorrow X Together are labelmates with BTS at Big Hit Music and will be performing Saturday, July 30.

j-hope 'Jack In The Box'#jhope #제이홉 #JackInTheBox pic.twitter.com/aVVBwH3QbT

— BIGHIT MUSIC (@BIGHIT_MUSIC) June 25, 2022

Taylor Swift Debuts a Haunting Lyric Video for “Carolina” from Where the Crawdads Sing

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 24, 2022

Taylor Swift’s haunting original song “Carolina” just unveiled a gorgeous lyric video. The new song’s featured in the dramatic film Where the Crawdads Sing based on the bestselling novel by Delia Owens and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones.

“About a year and half ago I wrote a song about an incredible story, the story of a girl who always lived on the outside, looking in. Figuratively and literally,” explained Swift. “The juxtaposition of her loneliness and independence. Her longing and her stillness. Her curiosity and fear, all tangled up. Her persisting gentleness… and the world’s betrayal of it. I wrote this one alone in the middle of the night and then Aaron Dessner and I meticulously worked on a sound that we felt would be authentic to the moment in time when this story takes place. I made a wish that one day you would hear it.”

Where the Crawdads Sing was adapted by Lucy Alibar and directed by Olivia Newman (First Match). Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter produced, with Rhonda Fehr and Betsy Danbury executive producing.

“Taylor Swift writing a song for the film based on these characters was the greatest gift that we could have received,” said producer Reese Witherspoon. “We got a call from Taylor and her team to tell us she had written a song, ‘Carolina,’ that incorporates so many of the haunting elements of the movie. I’ve gotten to talk with her a couple of times about what inspired the song and how she wrote it. Obviously, she’s a beautiful songwriter who understands so much about folk and country music, and it’s her appreciation of those genres that made the song so perfect for this film. And who doesn’t love a gorgeous, haunting Taylor Swift song?”

In addition to Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) as “Kya Clark,” the cast includes Taylor John Smith (Sharp Objects) as “Tate Walker,” Harris Dickinson (The King’s Man) as “Chase Andrews,” Michael Hyatt (Snowfall) as “Mabel,” Sterling Macer, Jr. (Double Down) as “Jumpin’,” and David Strathairn (Nomadland) as “Tom Milton.”

Where the Crawdads Sing opens in theaters on July 15, 2022.

The Plot: “From the best-selling novel comes a captivating mystery. Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. For years, rumors of the ‘Marsh Girl’ haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Drawn to two young men from town, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world; but when one of them is found dead, she is immediately cast by the community as the main suspect.

As the case unfolds, the verdict as to what actually happened becomes increasingly unclear, threatening to reveal the many secrets that lay within the marsh.”

‘Westworld’ Season 4 Preview: Plot, Cast, Photos, and Air Dates

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 24, 2022

Emmy Award nominee Evan Rachel Wood returns for the long-delayed, much-anticipated fourth season of HBO’s award-winning, mind-bending drama Westworld. However, Wood isn’t playing Dolores since that character apparently really, truly died in season three. Instead, Wood is now starring as Christina, a character described as a struggling writer.

And, according to Deadline, Christina will be dating a character played by James Marsden who’s not Teddy this time around. Remember, Teddy bit the dust in season two.

Evan Rachel Wood describes Christina as more human than Dolores was in previous seasons. “I think most people come onto the show and are thinking, ‘Oh I wish I was a host,’ and I think the treat for me was actually getting to be vulnerable and somewhat human in season four,” said Wood during an interview with EW.

Wood’s Christina lives in a big city and has a roommate, played by Westworld newcomer and recent Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story). Additional confirmed season four cast members include Jeffrey Wright as Bernard Lowe, Angela Sarafyan as Clementine Pennyfeather, Tessa Thompson as Charlotte Hale, Ed Harris as The Man in Black, and Luke Hemsworth as Ashley Stubbs. Emmy Award winner Thandiwe Newton returns as Maeve Millay and Aaron Paul is back as Caleb Nichols.

Season one premiered on October 2, 2016, followed by season two in April 2018. Season three aired from March through May 2020, and season four premieres on June 26, 2022 with an episode titled “The Auguries.”

New episodes of the eight-episode fourth season will debut on HBO on Sundays at 9pm ET/PT.

Westworld is based on the 1973 film written by Michael Crichton and was created for TV by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan. Joy, Nolan, Alison Schapker, Denise Thé, J.J. Abrams, Athena Wickham, Richard J. Lewis, and Ben Stephenson executive produce.

HBO describes the series as “a dark odyssey about the fate of sentient life on earth.” Season four is set seven years after the events in season three.

Check out photos from Westworld season four episode one: