Romance and the hunt for a mythical sea creature are front and center in the first trailer for Apple TV+’s The Essex Serpent. The limited series is based on Sarah Perry’s bestselling novel and stars Emmy nominee Tom Hiddleston (The Night Manager) and three-time Emmy winner Claire Danes (Homeland), with BAFTA Award nominee Clio Barnard directing.
Apple TV+ will release the first two episodes on May 13, 2022. Additional episodes arrive on subsequent Fridays. The limited series wraps up on June 10th.
In addition to Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes, the series stars Frank Dillane, Clémence Poésy, and Hayley Squires. BAFTA Award nominee Anna Symon adapted Perry’s novel for the series and serves as an executive producer along with Barnard, Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Patrick Walters.
Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston in ‘The Essex Serpent’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
The streaming service released the following description of The Essex Serpent:
The Essex Serpent follows London widow Cora Seaborne (Danes) who moves to Essex to investigate reports of a mythical serpent. She forms a surprising bond of science and skepticism with the local pastor (Hiddleston), but when tragedy strikes, locals accuse her of attracting the creature.
CBS’s Blue Bloods has been picked up for a 13th season, with the network confirming the popular drama will return for the 2022-2023 primetime season. Season 12 currently ranks 4th among all broadcast shows and has been averaging 9.81 million viewers, according to CBS.
“America’s favorite first family of law enforcement is back for season 13,” stated Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment. “The Reagans possess an incredible bond with audiences literally everywhere and on every platform. And in its 12th season, with over 250 episodes, Blue Bloods not only continues to dominate in the ratings but excels at an exceptionally high creative level. Led by the incomparable Tom Selleck, this amazing cast skillfully brings universal and relatable personal storylines to life week after week, while executive producer Kevin Wade and the skilled writing team craft compelling episodes featuring the show’s trademark mix of family dynamics and police work. We look forward to many more Reagan family dinners next season.”
Season 12 airs Fridays at 10pm ET/PT and stars Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan and Donnie Wahlberg as Danny Reagan. Bridget Moynahan is Erin Reagan, Will Estes plays Jamie Reagan, Len Cariou is Henry Reagan, Sami Gayle is Nicky Reagan-Boyle, Marisa Ramirez plays Det. Maria Baez, and Vanessa Ray stars as Officer Eddie Janko.
Kevin Wade, Ian Biederman, Brian Burns, Siobhan Byrne-O’Connor, Dan Truly, and Tom Selleck executive produce.
Blue Bloods Description, Courtesy of CBS:
Blue Bloods is a drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan is the New York Police Commissioner, and heads both the police force and the Reagan brood. He runs his department as diplomatically as he runs his family, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry, during his stint as Chief. A source of pride and concern for Frank is his eldest son, Danny, a seasoned detective, family man and Iraq War vet who on occasion uses dubious tactics to solve cases with his partner, Detective Maria Baez. Erin, the middle daughter, is a New York Assistant D.A. who serves as the legal compass for her siblings and father.
Jamie is the youngest Reagan, a Harvard Law graduate and the family’s “golden boy.” Unable to deny the family tradition, Jamie decided to give up a lucrative future in law and follow in the family footsteps as a cop. He’s found a friend and ally in his wife, Eddie, who keeps him on his toes, and has very different reasons than the Reagans for joining the police force.
Netflix has released the first photos from the spy thriller The Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. The first batch of film stills was accompanied by news The Gray Man will open in theaters on July 15, 2022 followed by a release on Netflix on July 22nd.
In addition to Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, the action thriller stars Ana de Armas, Jessica Henwick, Wagner Moura, and Dhanush. Billy Bob Thornton, Alfre Woodard, Regé-Jean Page, Julia Butters, Eme Ikwuakor, and Scott Haze also star.
Netflix is hoping the big-budget film, based on Mark Greaney’s book series, launches a new franchise for the streamer.
Anthony and Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War) directed, and Joe Russo co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The Russos also serve as producers along with Joe Roth, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, Mike Larocca, and Chris Castaldi. Patrick Newall, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Jake Aust, Angela Russo-Otstot, Geoff Haley, Zack Roth, and Palak Patel executive produce.
The Gray Man Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
The Gray Man is CIA operative Court Gentry (Gosling), aka, Sierra Six. Plucked from a federal penitentiary and recruited by his handler, Donald Fitzroy (Thornton), Gentry was once a highly-skilled, Agency-sanctioned merchant of death. But now the tables have turned and Six is the target, hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Evans), a former cohort at the CIA, who will stop at nothing to take him out. Agent Dani Miranda (de Armas) has his back. He’ll need it.
ABC’s The Rookie season four episode 20, “Enervo,” concludes Niecy Nash’s guest starring arc ahead of her potential spinoff. Episode 20 was directed by Bill Roe from a script by Alexi Hawley and Terrence Paul Winter. “Enervo” airs on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
Season four stars Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, and Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey. Melissa O’Neil is Lucy Chen and Eric Winter stars as Tim Bradford.
Additional guest stars include Felix Solis as Matthew Garza, Kat Foster as Casey Fox, and Frankie Faison as Christopher “Cutty” Clark.
“Enervo” Plot: The team alongside the LA Division of the FBI are in a race to stop bombs that have been scattered throughout the city by a suspected terrorist. Meanwhile, the joint task force is suspicious of the CIA’s involvement in the situation.
Nathan Fillion and Niecy Nash in ‘The Rookie’ season 4 episode 20 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Frankie Faison, Arjay Smith, and Shawn Ashmore in season 4 episode 20 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Melissa O’Neil and Niecy Nash in season 4 episode 20 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Eric Winter and Nathan Fillion in season 4 episode 20 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Nathan Fillion and Niecy Nash in season 4 episode 20 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Niecy Nash, Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan in season 4 episode 20 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Niecy Nash, Nathan Fillion and Jenna Dewan in season 4 episode 20 (ABC/Raymond Liu)
Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny star in ‘Bullet Train’ (Photo By: Scott Garfield)
Sony Pictures kicked off the 2022 CinemaCon at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with a presentation of their upcoming theatrical releases. The studio unveiled the first footage from The Woman King, unfinished footage from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and the full first reel of Bullet Train. A sizzle reel touched on the studio’s other projects, with the presentation ending with early footage from George Foreman, a biopic directed by George Tillman Jr. and made with the support of the former heavyweight champion.
The following is a recap of key events from the presentation held on April 25, 2022.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group President Josh Greenstein confirmed the studio’s commitment to maintaining the exclusive theatrical window. Greenstein pointed out Spider-Man: No Way Home is the 3rd highest-grossing film in U.S. history, even with the never-ending pandemic. And despite audiences still being a little leery, Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, noted the studio’s impressive $3.3 billion box office haul. “What are you guys doing here? Don’t you know you’re dead?!” joked Rothman to the crowd of National Association of Theatre Owners attendees.
Director David Leith appeared in person to promote the star-studded action film Bullet Train. Leith said he set out with lofty goals to make something original, something people will come back to the cinema to watch. It was always his intention this film would be screened in theaters.
Leith described Bullet Train as an action thriller with a comedic edge and promised audiences a “Brad Pitt like you’ve never seen before.” He teased the film’s full of characters who find out that fate is something you ultimately can’t control, and then showed off the film’s first reel. The footage introduced Brad Pitt’s character, Ladybug, as well as several other key passengers on the train, and showed a few absolutely bonkers action scenes including one featuring a briefcase as a weapon.
Bullet Train stars Brad Pitt, Andrew Koji, Bad Bunny, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Brian Tyree Henry. Sony’s set a July 29, 2022 release date.
Reese Witherspoon taped a message for CinemaCon in support of Where the Crawdads Sing. Witherspoon is a fan of Delia Owens’ novel and serves as a producer on the film which debuted a new trailer starring Daisy Edgar-Jones at CinemaCon. Directed by Olivia Newman, Where the Crawdads Sing opens on July 15th.
Co-writer and director Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball) made her first appearance at CinemaCon to talk about The Woman King starring Viola Davis. Prince-Bythewood, an admirer of historic epics, said every director wants to work with Davis because it is a chance to touch greatness. The writer/director praised Davis for setting the tone on set with her brilliance, work ethic, and unquenchable desire for excellence.
Viola Davis added another trophy to her shelf as the winner of CinemaCon’s first-ever Trailblazer of the Year award. “The five words I don’t want to take to my grave would be I was not brave enough,” said Davis. The Oscar winner recalled watching Cicely Tyson on screen when she was just nine years old and how that experience transformed her and made her believe in something bigger than her world.
“As a human being, I wanted to sit in an audience and be transfixed, transformed,” said Davis, noting that’s something great stories are capable of doing.
Davis felt it was divine intervention to be connected to The Woman King and to be able to introduce a whole area of storytelling to the world. She described the film as a labor of love.
The first footage of The Woman King focused on Viola Davis as the leader of the Dahomey Amazons. TriStar Pictures’ official synopsis: “Inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries, The Woman King tells the story of Nanisca (Davis), General of the all-female military unit known as the Amazons, and her daughter Nawi, who together fought the French and neighboring tribes who violated their honor, enslaved their people, and threatened to destroy everything they’ve lived for.”
Sony’s presentation also found Bad Bunny taking the stage to discuss El Muerto, the first Latino character to lead a Marvel live-action film. “This opportunity to bring El Muerto to life is amazing, it’s incredible,” said Bad Bunny. He grew up watching wrestling and said, “I think it’s the perfect role, to me.”
El Muerto is targeting a January 12, 2024 theatrical release.
Phil Lord and Chris Miller were next up, joking about being in the tough spot of having to follow Viola Davis and Bad Bunny. Lord and Miller described Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as “way, way, way bigger than the last one.” Their animated sequel has the largest crew of any animated movie ever, with about 1,000 people working to bring the story alive on screen. Plus, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse had 40 characters; the sequel has 240.
Lord and Miller also confirmed Across the Spider-Verse, opening on June 2, 2023, will take place in at least six universes. And they announced the new title for Across the Spider-Verse Part 2 is Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (coming in 2024).
The first 15 minutes of Across the Spider-Verse raw footage, featuring Hailee Steinfeld’s Spider Gwen, Oscar Isaac’s Miguel O’Hara, and Shameik Moore’s Miles Morales, was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
Sony’s presentation wrapped up with the confirmation of more installments in the Venom and Ghostbusters franchises.
Theo James and Rose Leslie in ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ (Photograph by Macall B. Polay/HBO)
Season two of Hacks, a new look at a 2001 murder case, and a series adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s time-traveling romance novel debut on HBO Max in May 2022. George Carlin’s American Dream and the second seasons of That Damn Michael Che and PAUSE with Sam Jay also arrive on HBO Max this May.
Emmy Award-winning Hacks starring Jean Smart returns for season two on May 12, 2022. The critically acclaimed comedy follows Smart as Deborah Vance, a legendary Vegas comedian, and Hannah Einbinder as Ava, a struggling writer.
Colin Firth and Toni Collette star in the limited series The Staircase based on true events and premiering on May 5, 2022. The Staircase explores the 2001 murder of Kathleen Peterson and the ensuing investigation into her husband’s involvement.
The Time Traveler’s Wife series, based on Niffenegger’s popular novel, debuts on May 15, 2022. Niffenegger’s novel was previously adapted into a feature film in 2009 starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. Theo James and Rose Leslie take on the lead roles of Henry and Clare in the series.
SERIES & FILMS ARRIVING ON HBO MAX IN MAY 2022:
Exact Dates To Be Announced:
George Carlin’s American Dream, Documentary Premiere (HBO)
PAUSE with Sam Jay, Season 2 Premiere (HBO)
May 1:
Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Racism in Hollywood, 2019
47 Ronin, 2013
Assassins, 2020 (HBO)
At Close Range, 1986 (HBO)
An Autumn Afternoon, 1962
The Big Sleep, 1946
Back To School, 1986
Bottle Rocket, 1996
Calladita, 2020 (HBO)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 1968 (HBO)
Child 44, 2015 (HBO)
Chungking Express, 1994
The Color Purple, 1985
Conan The Barbarian, 2011 (HBO)
Devil in A Blue Dress, 1995
Dodes ‘Ka-Den, 1970
Domino, 2019 (HBO)
Downhill, 1927
Dragnet Girl, 1933
Early Spring, 1956
Early Summer, 1951
The End of Summer, 1961
Equinox Flower, 1958
Eraser, 1996
Fallen Angels, 1995
Floating Weeds, 1959
FRIDA, 2002 (HBO)
The Fugitive, 1993
Furry Vengeance, 2010 (HBO)
Gang Related, 1997 (HBO)
Good Morning, 1959
Hard Rain, 1998 (HBO)
Hart’s War, 2002 (HBO)
High and Low, 1963
Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius, 2001 (HBO)
Julie, 1956
Killers, 2010 (HBO)
Language Lessons, 2021
Love and Baseball, 2021
The Machine That Kills Bad People, 1952
Masters Of The Universe, 1987 (HBO)
The Missing, 2003 (HBO)
The New Guy, 2002 (HBO)
North Dallas Forty, 1979 (HBO)
Not Easily Broken, 2009
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 2012
Poseidon, 2006
Red Beard, 1965
Ringo and His Golden Pistol, 1966
Rugrats Go Wild, 2003 (HBO)
Rugrats In Paris: The Movie, 2000 (HBO)
The Rugrats Movie, 1998 (HBO)
The Sapphires, 2012 (HBO)
Sense and Sensibility, 1995
Sliding Doors, 1998
St. Elmo’s Fire, 1985
The Stepford Wives, 2004 (HBO)
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, 2009 (Extended Version)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day, 1991 (Director’s Cut) (HBO)
Tokyo Twilight, 1957
Top Secret!, 1984 (HBO)
Transporter 3, 2008 (HBO)
Unbroken, 2014
Underworld, 2003
Underworld: Awakening, 2012
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, 2009
Welcome to the Dollhouse, 1995
W.E., 2011 (HBO)
What To Expect When You’re Expecting, 2012 (HBO)
The Wild Thornberrys Movie, 2002 (HBO)
You, Me and Dupree, 2006
Young Adult, 2011 (HBO)
Zathura: A Space Adventure, 2005
May 3:
Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Know, Documentary Premiere (HBO)
May 5:
Las Bravas F.C., Max Original Season 1 Premiere
Queen Stars Brazil, Max Original Season 1 Premiere
The Staircase, Max Original Limited Series Premiere
May 6:
Dear Evan Hansen, 2021 (HBO)
Entre Nos: Carmen and Alfred (HBO)
La Afinadora De Árboles, 2019 (HBO)
May 7:
We Baby Bears, Season 1 Part C
May 9:
Get Hard, 2015
May 10:
Catwoman: Hunted, 2022
The Matrix: Resurrections, 2021 (HBO)
Sesame Street Mecha Builders Season 1 Part A
Robot Chicken Season 11 Part B
May 12:
Hacks, Max Original Season 2 Premiere
Who’s By Your Side, Max Original Season 1 Premiere
May 13:
Hank Zipzer, 2014
Old, 2021 (HBO)
Smalls, Season 4
May 15:
The Time Traveler’s Wife, Drama Series Premiere (HBO)
May 17:
Sesame Street Mecha Builders, Season 1 Part B
The Mule, 2018 (HBO)
May 20:
Identidad Tomada, 2020 (HBO)
May 22:
Fast Foodies, Season 2
May 23:
Teen Titans Go! Season 7 Part B
May 26:
Navalny
That Damn Michael Che, Max Original Season 2 Premiere
Tig n’ Seek, Max Original Season 4 Premiere
May 27:
Blippi Special
Blippi Visits
Blippi Wonders
Blippi: Learn With Blippi
Ghost, Season 1
Ghost, Season 2
Stath Lets Flats
Homeowners plagued by unexplainable noises and spooky goings-on have a new team to call. The Ghost Adventures squad – Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, Billy Tolley, and Jay Wasley – are helping homeowners in trouble with Ghost Adventures‘ first spin-off series, Ghost Adventures: House Calls.
The new eight-part series premieres on May 19, 2022 on discovery+.
“A home is a very personal and sacred space,” said Zak Bagans. “When unexplained spirit activity causes a family to feel threatened and uncomfortable in their own house, that’s cause for immediate action. House Calls is about helping people who are living in fear from something unknown. Our goal is to figure out what’s going on and provide answers, advice and many times, validation. These are the most personal and emotional investigations we’ve ever done.”
Zak Bagan executive produces the new supernatural series along with discovery+’s Christine Shuler and MY Entertainment’s Michael Yudin, Joe Townley, and Casey Dale.
discovery+ provided the following description of the series along with episode air dates and details:
In this first-ever spinoff, the team responds to urgent calls for help from desperate homeowners whose lives have been thrust into turmoil from unexplained activity inside their private residences. After hearing each family’s haunted account and reviewing bizarre evidence that was captured in their home, Bagans sends Goodwin, Tolley, and Wasley on a personal house call to meet the family and get to the bottom of their paranormal emergency.
When the team arrives on-site and explores further, they are able to get a clearer picture of the situation – and whether it’s benign, or worse than they anticipated. Armed with their equipment, the crew conducts a thorough investigation to see what evidence they can capture, while Bagans oversees the activity from his headquarters, providing insight and applying experimental tactics from his unique vantage point. After the team analyzes their evidence, Bagans shares the findings in a one-on-one meeting with each homeowner, offering them much-needed advice and resolution.
Ghost Adventures: House Calls Season 1 Episodes
SERIES PREMIERE: “Crisis in Long Beach” – Begins Streaming Thursday, May 19
In the series premiere, a newly married couple in Long Beach, California, is plagued by a powerful and unexplained force intent on driving them apart. Matt and Christina are terrified that the entity is trying to control Matt’s life and separate him from his family. The minute the team enters the home, they quickly sense a dark energy around them. Then, as Matt talks with the group about his experiences, unexplained red marks begin to appear on his neck.
As the crew conducts their investigation, the energy kicks up and Bagans begins to experience uneasy feelings all the way from basecamp. Compelling audio and visual evidence lead the crew to believe a malicious entity has taken up residence in the home, and the family must expel it before it further takes over their lives.
Episode 2 – “Ellington Home Invasion” – Begins Streaming Thursday, May 19
Zak Bagans sends the crew to Ellington, Connecticut, after he receives an urgent request from desperate parents. They believe a tall, shadowy entity with hooves has invaded their home and fear this demonic figure will hurt their four small children.
Episode 3 – “Auburn in Hell” – Begins Streaming Thursday, May 26
Zak Bagans sends the crew to investigate claims of extreme paranormal activity on a farm in Auburn, California. Disembodied voices, strange shadows and ghostly attacks have made the owner uneasy in her home, and she wants answers fast.
Episode 4 – “Wappingers Falls of Fear” – Begins Streaming Thursday, June 2
Zak Bagans sends the team to Wappingers Falls, New York, where the owner of a historic home claims that a dark presence is harassing her boyfriend. The case takes a disturbing turn when she reveals a strong attachment to the spirits that reside there.
Episode 5 – “Panic in Palatka” – Begins Streaming Thursday, June 9
Zak Bagans sends the crew to a horse ranch in rural Palatka, Florida, to help the new owner unravel claims of an evil, manipulative presence on the property. Has a history of slavery and a potential curse on the town made the ranch a threat to all who enter?
Episode 6 – “Mayhem in Marquette” – Begins Streaming Thursday, June 16
Zak Bagans sends the team to Marquette, Kansas, where a young woman is worried for her little brother. She believes the spirits that lurk in the shadows of her childhood home are causing night terrors for her brother, and she wants to help him before it gets worse.
Episode 7 – “Jacksonville Family Curse” – Begins Streaming Thursday, June 23
Zak Bagans sends the team to Jacksonville, Florida, to help a mother and daughter who are desperate to break a suspected decades-long curse. They fear something dark is targeting the maternal family bloodline, and they want answers before it’s too late.
Episode 8 – “Chaos in Emmaus” – Begins Streaming Thursday, June 30
Zak Bagans sends the team to an Emmaus, Pennsylvania, home to investigate claims that a violent entity is terrorizing a large family. The crew must race against time to find the alleged Shadow Man who touches people and throws objects.
Vicky Krieps and Ben Foster in ‘The Survivor’ (Photograph by Jessica Kourkounis / HBO)
Ben Foster reunites with Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson (Rain Man) for the biographical drama The Survivor, based on the true story of boxer and Holocaust survivor Harry Haft. Premiering on HBO on April 27, 2022, The Survivor delves into Haft’s life, from being forced to entertain his Nazi captors by fighting his fellow concentration camp prisoners to his decades-long quest to find the woman he loved who was snatched away by the Nazis.
Ben Foster made his acting debut in Barry Levinson’s Liberty Heights and was thrilled to collaborate with the award-winning filmmaker on The Survivor.
“He sent me this script and I read it that day, and I was overwhelmed by the tale and overwhelmed with a full heart that Barry wanted to work with me again in this way,” said Foster during the Television Critics Association’s winter press panel.
Levinson believes Foster is one of the few actors of his generation who can completely transform and become another person. “That was a requirement for this particular piece,” explained Levinson during the TCA panel.
Foster lost 60 pounds for the scenes that take place in Auschwitz and then gained that and more as Harry aged. That commitment is what made Foster the right actor to tell Harry Haft’s story.
“[…] He literally becomes another person and I think that’s an essential requirement because you don’t want to feel that somehow we’re kind of playing a role. The piece needs real credibility, and that applies for all of the characters. There needs to be a real credibility to a story we’re trying to tell of basically an individual who was suffering [from] now [what] we determine as post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Levinson.
Foster described the process of getting into the role as a series of small steps. “The closer you get to the story, the more immense it becomes. The way that I combat fear personally is the deep dive, is getting lost in the research. And I was surrounded by people who are very well-connected. The Shoah Foundation guided us quite a bit,” said Foster.
Foster added: “I watched thousands of hours – thousands of hours – of Holocaust survivor interviews, spending time with Yiddish experts, learning about this world, the responsibility to honor survivors. And there aren’t many left who are still on the planet…those who have survived the camps. Some of their children are still with us. The immense responsibility to represent the complicated nature of this kind of trauma, I just had to not let the fear take hold and get lost in it.”
Ben Foster stars in ‘The Survivor’ (Photograph by Leo Pinter/HBO)
Foster shared his reaction to visiting Auschwitz where thousands of men, women, and children were brutally murdered by the Nazis. It’s an experience he’ll never forget.
“It’s an altering experience to be there, to touch the rails that brought the boxcars full of human beings in mass slaughter. It’s inescapable, the feeling. It’s one thing to see a documentary. It’s another thing to see a photograph, and it’s another thing to walk into the place. And it impacted Barry. It impacted all of us who took this trip before we began filming,” said Foster.
“It’s a place I hope someday to bring my children. It feels like a necessity to see that. So, it informs you, whether you want to call it energetically or visually, taking those experiences back, seeing the mountains of baby shoes and toothbrushes that had been disposed of when they stripped the passengers of their belongings…these are things you can’t unsee. And for the job that we have at hand is to fill ourselves with these images and to take that further.
I then plastered my trailer with the images of the camps so that when I close my eyes that’s all I saw. These are the things that he takes with him throughout the rest of his days and finds healing through compassion, and that’s from the compassion of Miriam that Vicky (Krieps) plays so luminously. It’s not a current tale of gender dynamics, but it is an investigation of a time and place of people dealing with trauma, and that trauma is something we can speak to today,” explained Foster.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Survivor is based on the book Harry Haft: Survivor of Auschwitz, Challenger of Rocky Marciano. Barry Levinson directs and Justine Juel Gillmer wrote the screenplay. The cast is led by Ben Foster and includes Vicky Krieps, Billy Magnussen, Peter Sarsgaard, Saro Emirze, Dar Zuzovsky, Danny DeVito, and John Leguizamo.
Red’s hunt for answers will bring him in touch with an old associate on NBC’s The Blacklist season nine episode 18. “Laszlo Jankowics” airs on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT.
James Spader leads the cast as Raymond “Red” Reddington. The season nine cast also includes Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler, Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai, Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma, Laura Sohn as Alina Park, and Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper.
“Laszlo Jankowics” Plot: Red questions the whereabouts of a former associate. The Task Force hunts down a criminal dealing in illegal psychedelics.
Season 9 Description, Courtesy of NBC:
“In the two years following the death of Elizabeth Keen, Raymond Reddington (Spader) and the members of the FBI Task Force have disbanded – their lives now changed in unexpected ways and with Reddington’s whereabouts unknown. Finding themselves each at a crossroads, a common purpose compels them to renew their original mission: to take down dangerous, vicious and eccentric Blacklisters. In the process, they begin to uncover lethal adversaries, unimaginable conspiracies and surprising betrayals that will threaten alliances and spur vengeance for the past, led by the most devious criminal of them all – Raymond Reddington.”
James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington and Diany Rodriguez as Weecha Xiu in ‘The Blacklist’ season 9 episode 18 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Diany Rodriguez as Weecha Xiu, Alexander Pobutsky as Laszlo Jankowics, and Paul Chirico as Laszlo Man in season 9 episode 18 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Diany Rodriguez as Weecha Xiu in season 9 episode 18 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Winsome Brown as Clara Moore and Diany Rodriguez as Weecha Xiu in season 9 episode 18 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in season 9 episode 18 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Diany Rodriguez as Weecha Xiu and James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in season 9 episode 18 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Alexander Pobutsky as Laszlo Jankowics in season 9 episode 18 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)
Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 7 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Starz’s Outlander season six episode six ended with Claire (Caitriona Balfe) discovering Malva dead in the Frasers’ garden. Episode seven, “Sticks and Stones,” opens with a flashback to Malva confessing her sins during a church service. She claims her innocence was stolen by someone she trusted.
“The Skye Boat Song” plays and then fades into Claire and Jamie (Sam Heughan) with Malva’s dad and brother in the garden standing over Malva’s dead body. Claire explains she never saw anyone other than Malva, but Allan (Alexander Vlahos) doesn’t believe her. Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) points out Claire’s soaked in blood and Claire says it’s from attempting to save the baby.
Claire assures Tom that Malva’s death was quick.
Tom will not allow his whore daughter to be buried in the cemetery and instead will dig a grave in the woods. Jamie objects to the location and to Tom calling the deceased baby his bastard son.
Tom refuses to budge and Jamie’s had enough. Malva and her unborn child will be buried in a consecrated grave. There will be no further argument.
Tom wonders what will be said at Malva’s funeral and Claire replies, “That Malva Christie was full of life and light, and that there was a fire in her eyes. And when I held her tiny baby, I felt that same light in him.”
Claire will see to making Malva’s body presentable for the funeral.
As she sets to work on stitching up Malva, Claire hallucinates a disturbing visit from Lionel Brown. She pours herself two stiff drinks to settle her nerves.
Jamie confirms he’s sent Ian out to warn Roger and Bree, and to search for the killer. He expects the Beardsley twins will join Ian in the hunt. Mrs. Bug interrupts, unable to find Lizzie and with news Hiram Crombie’s here to see Jamie.
Mrs. Bug, never one to shy away from gossip, reveals the settlers have been asking what happened. Mrs. Bug continues to talk about the scandal and Malva’s confession in church that she was carrying Jamie’s baby. She’s sure Jamie must have hated Malva.
Jamie speaks with Hiram and it’s obvious Hiram believes Claire killed Malva. Hiram insists everyone on the Ridge will suffer because Jamie slept with Malva and Claire sliced her throat. Jamie, shooting daggers with his eyes, warns Hiram to choose his next words wisely. Hiram does the smart thing and walks away.
Claire gets back to work on Malva and Brown’s her unwanted companion. He wants her to confess she killed Malva and then taunts her about her past lies and her loveless marriage to Frank.
Roger (Richard Rankin) and Bree (Sophie Skelton) arrive, and Jamie tells Bree it’s her turn to pacify Mrs. Bug. Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan), no longer missing, delivers the news Obadiah Henderson wants to talk to Ian. Bree wonders why Lizzie has twigs in her hair and Jamie asks where she’s been. Lizzie claims she was just feeding the horses.
Jamie and Roger step outside and Henderson demands to know why Ian’s questioning everyone. Roger offers his condolences on the loss of Malva since he knows they were…well…friends. Obadiah insists there was nothing to their relationship.
“Everyone on the Ridge has questions about you and your wife. Is it true she cut the baby out of Malva’s belly before she slit her throat?” asks Obadiah.
Jamie’s hand twitches and his face hardens as he approaches Obadiah. Roger reminds Obadiah he saw him with Malva, but Henderson doesn’t back down.
That evening Ian (John Bell) finds Lizzie in the barn with the horses and wonders if she’s seen the Beardsleys. She’s acting weird and Ian knows she’s hiding something and insists she tell him the truth. He needs to know why the Beardsleys never showed up to help him search for the killer.
Over dinner, everyone – other than Claire who’s resting – tosses in ideas about what might have happened. Ian reveals the Sin Eater’s dead and his corpse is missing fingers. He also covers for the Beardsleys, saying they were conducting their own search. Bree points out the bones might have been used for the love spell and Ian thinks the killer could have been a jealous woman.
Bree jokes they need Perry Mason and offers a confused Ian the explanation he’s a lawyer from their time who defends the falsely accused. Roger knows Perry Mason would ask who had the means, motive, and opportunity to murder Malva.
Claire walks in just as Roger says that and acknowledges she’s the most obvious suspect.
Later, Claire confesses she’s worried she might have actually killed Malva. She took some ether and recalls having a nightmare about losing her temper and threatening Malva. She’s worried it wasn’t a dream, but Jamie insists it’s just her mind playing tricks on her.
Jamie swears they’ll find the real killer.
As the Christies prepare for Malva’s funeral, Ian breaks the news to Jamie and Claire that Lizzie is pregnant! (Just what the Frasers need…another scandal!) Jamie demands to know who debauched Lizzie and Ian quickly replies, “Beardsley.” He reveals Lizzie has no idea which one is the father – she slept with both.
Ian feels horrible about having to deliver this news.
Richard Rankin and Sophie Skelton in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 7 (Photo credit: Starz)
Meanwhile, Roger works on the sermon and Bree tells him their son is worried Claire will turn him into a ghost. (The Bugs and the fisherfolk have been spreading gossip about Mrs. Fraser.)
Claire has a heart-to-heart with Lizzie, and Lizzie confesses the first time she slept with the twins was when she was sick and requested that they rub ointment all over her. Shirts were removed and one thing led to another. She confirms it was her choice and she wanted to have sex with Josiah and Keziah. They made her feel safe and as she describes the first experience, she reveals they are identical EVERYWHERE.
She confesses it’s continued to happen, and she loves the feeling of being with them. It doesn’t seem wrong at all…and she doesn’t want to stop. (Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie…what have you gotten yourself into?)
Claire points out that if anyone found out, she could be stoned for fornication. Lizzie’s shocked and doesn’t believe it’s anyone else’s business. (It’s not.)
Claire says Jamie will want her to marry one of them and Lizzie seems hurt and confused. She really doesn’t want to break up the happy threesome.
“Well, if both the Beardsleys are still alive after Mr. Fraser finds them, he may take matters into his own hands and solve that problem for you,” says Claire.
Roger has a word with Mr. Bug and asks him to be more careful about what he says around Jemmy. Mr. Bug suggests the lad doesn’t need to be shielded from such talk.
Roger and Jamie take a walk and chat about how in the future there will be vegetarians. Roger’s not one, but he has a hard time thinking about killing an animal. He’s worried about how he stands with God after killing a man. “It does no good to quote ‘thou shall not kill,’” advises Jamie. He points out that in Greek and Hebrew scriptures it specifically says “murder,” not kill.
Roger can’t believe he has become the Ridge’s preacher. He never thought that would happen growing up in a minister’s house. Roger worries about getting ordained quickly since the war’s already here. He’s also worried about telling Bree because she might think he’s a coward for choosing this path. He won’t fight with an army. However, he’s willing to take up arms to protect those in need.
“And that is enough for me,” says Jamie. “Yer wife…she has eyes too.”
Claire continues to be haunted by Lionel Brown and to escape his hateful words with the help of ether. But even that chemically-induced sleep is plagued by nightmares. She has flashes of moments from her past and hears Frank, Black Jack Randall, Dougal MacKenzie, and Geillis reminding her of her lies.
It’s a very sparse crowd gathered for Malva’s funeral and all eyes drift to Claire during Roger’s short sermon. The Christies and Hiram refuse to allow Jamie to help carry the coffin and Ian steps in to help lift it.
Claire spots the small coffin and, without thinking, walks over and picks it up. Allan reacts by letting go of his sister’s coffin, almost causing it to fall. He orders Claire to put the baby down, calls her a killer, and then snatches the coffin from her hands.
After returning home, Jamie tells Lizzie she needs to be wed immediately. He makes her choose, reminding her she must do right by her unborn child. Lizzie’s unwilling to pick just one, claiming they’re one soul in two bodies. Jamie demands she tell him where they’re hiding.
Lizzie realizes she has no choice and takes Jamie and Claire to the barn. Jamie holds two straws and says the one who draws the short straw will wed Lizzie. The winner is Keziah and he holds Lizzie’s hand and agrees to take her for his wife. Lizzie also agrees to wed Keziah. Jamie pronounces them handfast. They’ll have a real ceremony when they find a priest.
Jamie advises them they need to keep this a secret. Jamie then orders Josiah to leave Fraser’s Ridge until after the child is born.
That evening, Bree wonders if Malva’s baby is in Heaven since he wasn’t baptized. Roger wants to believe he is but, as a minister, he’s not certain. Roger finally confesses he wants to be a preacher and Bree understands but is worried about what that will mean for their family. Roger will be kept busy by his congregation and the kids might suffer from his absence. Roger swears he will be her husband and a father first. “Whatever I do will not be at the price of my family,” says Roger.
Roger’s thrilled Bree is on board with the idea, although she reminds him she’s Catholic. Roger won’t ask her to convert and anyone who questions her religion can go to hell.
Decision done – they will pack up and head to Edenton so he can become an ordained minister tomorrow.
Lizzie’s not taking Jamie’s decision to send Josiah away well, but Claire assures her it’s for the best. Lizzie apologizes for not telling Claire sooner and then reveals she’s the one who knocked on the door on the day Malva was murdered. Claire assumed it was Malva and realizes it was just a nightmare. She didn’t let Malva in that day and did not threaten to kill her.
She returns to her surgery and confronts Lionel Brown’s ghost. Claire knows she didn’t kill Malva but Brown assures her it was still her fault. Lionel claims she’s not absolved of her guilt.
Jamie catches Claire storming out of her surgery looking distressed. He enters her surgery after she warns him not to and, of course, he doesn’t see anything strange. Claire confesses she thinks she’s going crazy and doesn’t recognize herself. There’s a darkness inside her and she can’t bear for Jamie to see her this way.
“I didn’t kill Malva but what if I would have? For us?” asks a distraught Claire. She admits she wanted to and Jamie assures her they all have darkness inside them. Claire finally explains she’s hearing voices and seeing Lionel Brown. The only way to escape his taunts is taking ether.
She can no longer cope by compartmentalizing things. It’s all too much and she believes it’s all her fault for changing things by stepping through the stones. Bree’s attack, Roger being sold into slavery…it’s all because she came to this time because she’s selfish. She desperately wanted to be with Jamie.
Jamie tries to get Claire to see the real picture. Bree wouldn’t have been born, Roger wouldn’t have a wife and son, and Fergus wouldn’t have Marsali without Claire. There is pain, yes, but Claire’s actions have also brought joy and happiness. “Without you our whole world crumbles into dust,” says Jamie.
Claire’s worried nothing will make the voices stop and Jamie reminds her she found him in the dark after Wentworth. He wants her to let him into her mind and soul the same way she did for him in those horrible times. He asks that she stop with the ether and allow them to face this together. Claire confesses she’d do it all again to be with Jamie. (This scene is incredibly intense and brilliantly played by both Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan.)
Claire allows herself to be comforted in Jamie’s arms as she cries.
Caitlin O’Ryan and Paul Gorman in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 7 (Photo Credit: Starz)
That evening Lizzie, Keziah, and Josiah show up at Roger and Bree’s. Lizzie asks Roger to marry her to Josiah, with Keziah as the witness. Lizzie admits she’s with child, very much in love, and wants the marriage done immediately. Bree believes Roger should perform the wedding but he explains it will only be a handfast ceremony.
Season six episode seven ends with Jamie and Claire helping Bree and Roger finish loading their wagon. Bree asks them to give Lizzie a present in honor of her marriage to Josiah, and Jamie’s stunned. He explains Lizzie’s already handfasted to Keziah, and Roger calls them the “unholy trinity” before adding that God works in mysterious ways.
Jamie and Claire return home and discuss Lizzie’s situation. Their conversation’s interrupted by Richard Brown and his Committee of Safety arriving to arrest Claire for Malva’s murder!
