Rey, Poe, and Finn head off on what they hope will be a relaxing, fun-filled vacation in the upcoming Disney+ special LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation. The new special, which just launched a trailer and unveiled new photos, is the third in the series of LEGO Star Wars specials following 2020’s LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special and 2021’s LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales.
The voice cast includes “Weird Al” Yankovic as Vic Vankoh, Yvette Nicole Brown as Colvett Valeria, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Billy Dee Williams as Lando (Holovid), Dee Bradley Baker as Boba Fett, and Jake Green as Poe Dameron. Matt Lanter is Anakin Skywalker, Thomas Lennon is Wick Cooper, Paul F. Tompkins is Rad, and Ashly Burch is the Tour Droid.
Voice cast members also include Kyliegh Curran as Sidero, Trevor Devall as Emperor Palpatine, Allie Feder as Sy Snootles, Ross Marquand as Han Solo, Omar Miller as Finn, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Jabba the Hutt. Matt Sloan voices Darth Vader, James Arnold Taylor is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Helen Sadler is Rey Skywalker, Matthew Wood is Ben Solo, and Shelby Young voices Leia Organa.
Weird Al sings the original song “Scarif Beach Party” that’s included in the trailer.
Ken Cunningham directed and David Shayne wrote the screenplay and serves as an executive producer. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert, Jason Cosler, Keith Malone, and Jennifer Twiner Mccarron also executive produce.
LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation will premiere on August 5, 2022 on Disney+.
Disney+ released the following plot description:
“Looking for a much-needed break from stormtroopers and TIE fighters, Finn arranges a surprise vacation for his friends Rey, Poe, Rose, Chewie, BB-8, R2-D2, and C-3PO, aboard the ultra-luxurious Galactic Starcruiser, the Halcyon. But Finn’s plan to have one last hurrah together quickly goes awry when he’s separated from the group.”
While searching for his friends, he encounters three Force ghosts: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Leia Organa, who each share their own unexpected stories of vacations gone wrong, helping him to understand that holidays are about more than just having fun.
The two-minute trailer for Netflix’s Stranger Things season four volume two finds Eleven warned she’s not ready for the upcoming battle and that her Hawkins friends have no idea what’s in store for them. The trailer also shows Noah’s convinced Vecna won’t stop until he’s taken everyone!
The season four volume two trailer gives off that “someone you care about is about to die vibe” and that someone better not be Steve. Or Max. Or Robin. Or…you get the point.
Season four volume one’s seven episodes premiered on May 27, 2022. The season’s final two episodes will debut on July 1st. Netflix previously teased the final episodes will be super-sized, and it’s confirmed episode eight is one hour and 25 minutes while episode nine runs two hours and 20 minutes.
Stranger Things season four stars Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair. Noah Schnapp plays Will Byers, Sadie Sink is Max Mayfield, Natalia Dyer is Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton is Jonathan Byers, Joe Keery is Steve Harrington, and Maya Hawke is Robin Buckley. Priah Ferguson stars as Erica Sinclair, Brett Gelman plays Murray, Cara Buono is Karen Wheeler, and Matthew Modine is Dr. Brenner.
Additional cast members include Jamie Campbell Bower as Peter Ballard, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Eduardo Franco as Argyle, Sherman Augustus as Lt. Colonel Sullivan, Mason Dye as Jason Carver, Nikola Djuricko as Yuri, and Tom Wlaschiha as Dmitri. Season four also features Myles Truitt as Patrick, Regina Ting Chen as Ms. Kelly, Grace Van Dien as Chrissy, Logan Riley Bruner as Fred Benson, Logan Allen as Jake, Elodie Grace Orkin as Angela, John Reynolds as Officer Callahan, Rob Morgan as Chief Powell, Amybeth McNulty as Vickie, and Robert Englund as Victor Creel.
“It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.”
The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico season four episode three opens with Bonnie and Clyde cooking a snake over a fire and arguing about how to spend their time on Earth. Bonnie wants to take a little vacation and enjoy herself while Clyde’s all about the work.
Over at the Wild Pony, Dallas (Quentin Plair) and Michael (Michael Vlamis) shoot pool unaware Alex is in serious trouble. They spot Bonnie (Zoe Cipres) at the bar and Dallas takes off while Michael goes to offer a little support to this lonely alien who appears to be drowning her sorrows in alcohol.
Bonnie doesn’t want Michael’s company but he doesn’t buzz off and instead persists, finally charming her into telling him what she’s drinking. He strums his guitar and they discuss his love of music.
Bonnie confesses she doesn’t have any real friends; everyone she knows is terrible.
Bonnie doesn’t get Michael’s references to Footloose or Kevin Bacon, and he uses that to try and get more info. Unfortunately, Bonnie hurries off before Michael can get her to answer any personal questions.
After she leaves, Michael examines her glass and sees a lip imprint.
Max (Nathan Dean) is working on his abilities when Cam (Riley Voelkel) shows up at his place. He’s rusty and frustrated, and now’s not the time to be worried about his powers. He needs them since there are three new aliens in town and Jones is haunting them from the grave.
“I’ve got no leads and shaky hands,” says Max.
Fortunately, Cam’s got a bit of good news. They know who owns the stolen safety deposit box and it turns out it was Maria’s grandmother.
The #PodSquad gather and Max asks Maria (Heather Hemmens) to trigger a vision. Plus, Max has dirt from the aliens’ stolen car and he hands it over to be analyzed. Michael suggests Liz (Jeanine Mason) get Eduardo to help her and she thinks that’s a great idea.
Dallas volunteers to get info from Graham on the mysterious sigil.
Michael’s not sure the new triad is their enemy, confessing he ran into Bonnie and she reminds him of himself. He believes she’s a lost soul and suggests he go undercover to become her friend. Max puts the kibosh on that idea, unwilling to let Michael play 21 Jump Street when they don’t know what the triad’s up to.
Michael’s pissed but controls his anger when Max orders him to backup Dallas during the Graham meeting.
The #PodSquad splits up but Isobel (Lily Cowles) lingers and has a chat with Max. He whips out two VIP tickets to a wine tasting, suggesting she can take Anatsa there to keep her away from their investigation.
Max and Liz head over to the Deep Sky lab and Eduardo’s super helpful, providing Liz everything she needs to analyze the dirt. It turns out the dirt has a little bit of everything, including alien DNA. But, most importantly, there’s petroleum hydrocarbon in it. Max earns brownie points by knowing that’s the result of oil extraction and that Roswell Oil and Gas recently had to shut down some derricks. That could be the source of the high levels of petroleum hydrocarbon.
By the time they make it to the derricks the place is crawling with people. Shivani (Rekha Sharma) and her team have beat them to it. Shivani reveals she’s bought this place and after she walks off, Liz explains that Shivani’s company is looking for scientific anomalies.
Max is determined to spend this episode worried, and now he’s added to his list of things to fret about. He’s sure Shivani’s people will grab all the evidence he needs to learn about the new triad. Liz thinks she can get what they need from Shivani.
Meanwhile, Maria pays Kyle (Michael Trevino) a visit since he missed the Pod Squad meeting. She gets him to reveal he’s dating – and it’s not Isobel – and then confesses she’s experiencing side effects from the treatments. She’s been achy and he gives her meds to help her out, unaware she just grabbed an adreni-pen from his bag while his back was turned.
Dallas meets with Graham (Peter Diseth) at the Crash Down Café, and Michael sits at the bar communicating telepathically with the newest member of the Pod Squad. Graham and Dallas discuss conspiracy theories and how there’s truth behind much of what’s out there when it comes to aliens.
Michael’s prompting Dallas to get on with it while Dallas reminds him that he promised not to be a backseat driver.
Dallas draws a sigil and Graham calls it an obvious fake. He then gets Graham to admit his great grandfather was a bank guard who saw the sigil that’s currently in his museum’s ad on a case that was placed in a safety deposit box. His great grandfather insisted the case glowed.
Dallas also gets Graham to reveal the safety deposit box wasn’t at the branch of the bank that was robbed.
After the meeting, Dallas and Michael go over what they’ve learned. Both believe Bonnie and Clyde are going to hit the branch with the glowing case soon and when they do Max will grab them and toss them in Jones’ cage. It’s obvious Michael doesn’t want that, and Dallas suggests Michael go around Max and talk to Bonnie again. Maybe he can swing her over to their side.
Isobel and Anatsa (Sibongile Mlambo) show up at the Milky Wine Galaxy Winery tasting, spot Kyle and Kira (Ellen Humphreys), and decide to intrude on their date. Kyle’s super uncomfortable but Isobel doesn’t back off.
Isobel regrets her decision to make this a double date when Kira reveals she’s in insurance and her company’s working on the recent bank robbery. That sparks Anatsa’s interest and Kira’s ready, willing, and able to answer any of her questions.
Kyle and Isobel try and change the subject, but Anatsa really wants answers. Kira reveals the security footage was doctored and, unfortunately for Isobel and Kyle, she has the video on her phone. They watch it and speculate on whether it was manipulated. Anatsa believes she sees Max and Isobel sends the phone flying.
Back over at the derricks, Liz and Shivani circle the truth until Shivani finally blurts out that she thinks Liz is back in Roswell because of alien activity. Shivani admits they’ve found something alien that possesses healing properties, and their daughter’s sick and in desperate need of help. Strides are being made and Shivani confirms she’s already well-versed in alien science.
Reluctantly, Liz admits she’s there because she found markers similar to the St. Elmo’s Fire. Shivani volunteers to share all of her equipment, manpower, and the derricks if Liz wants to work together.
Alone, Maria injects the adreni-pen to try and force a vision. It doesn’t work. Dallas wanders in just as Maria’s throwing a glass out of frustration, and Maria admits she did something stupid. Maria confesses she’s losing her powers and doesn’t want anyone to know, especially Isobel. She’s worried she’ll disrupt Isobel’s life at a time when she’s just gotten to a happy place.
Maria begs Dallas to keep this a secret from everyone and he agrees. Dallas works through the problem and they decide to search through storage to locate anything helpful left by her grandmother. Maria finds safety deposit keys from two different branches of the bank.
Later, Liz suggests that Max think about Michael’s plan. It has some value and getting Bonnie on their side might not be a bad idea. She wonders why Max is so reluctant to consider it and knows it’s not because of his ego.
Max confesses that when he was untethered from Jones his abilities changed. His powers seem to have multiplied and he recalls Jones told him he’s only scratched the surface of his potential. Max wants the triad locked up so he won’t be forced to use his new powers. He admits he’s afraid of what he could possibly do.
Liz believes they need to figure out a way to do this without his powers. Max agrees to try things Michael’s way.
It’s pitch dark when Bonnie and Clyde break into the bank in search of box 1407. Max, Liz, and Cam beat them there and are able to lock them in while dispersing gas into the vault. Bonnie opens the box and inside’s a walkie-talkie. Max talks to them through it and Clyde addresses him as Sheriff Clone.
Max keeps him talking to give the alien inhibitors time to kick in. Countdown over, Max informs them their powers no longer work. Before they can figure out what to do next, Michael breaks through a hole in the exterior wall and helps them escape.
Michael tells them it’s their one chance to run and earns a punch in the face from Clyde for his help. Bonnie lingers but eventually runs off with Clyde. However, the mission’s a success because Michael took something off of Bonnie.
Kyle and Isobel bicker over whose date is the bigger problem, and Isobel eventually confesses she loves Anatsa but didn’t want to be alone with her and that’s why she intruded on Kyle’s date. Kyle’s confused and concerned, and Isobel admits she mindscaped Anatsa to keep her from learning she’s an alien.
Isobel thinks she’s a terrible monster for what she did and is actually worried she’s just like Noah. Kyle tries to convince her she’s not; she’s just acting out of fear. She needs to be honest or else she’ll continue to sabotage her relationship with “painfully awkward double dates.”
Isobel’s actually able to laugh a little and thanks Kyle, well aware he’s right.
Dallas and Maria examine what they retrieved from her grandmother’s vault but have no idea what it is. Maria appreciates Dallas’ company and friendship, and he reveals being part of the Pod Squad is all he has to help him understand his past.
While they’re talking Maria receives a call with the news her mom’s gone missing again.
Elsewhere, Eduardo nearly runs into Tezca (Brigitte Kali Canales) and leaps from his car, apologizing. She returns the apology by staring at him with eyes glowing purple.
Michael is proven correct when Bonnie shows up for a talk. They discuss not fitting in and Michael even suggests she use music to quiet the chaos in her head.
Anatsa confronts Isobel over her feelings for Kyle, acknowledging everything’s been different since she told her she loved her. Isobel doesn’t handle this well and the relationship appears to be over – at least for now.
Liz gets an update from Shivani informing her the team found a piece of alien skin. Instead of calling her back, Liz would rather spend the night enjoying quiet time with Max. They begin kissing and Liz ignores her phone when Kyle calls. He’s at Deep Sky and has discovered Jones’ body is missing!
Paramount+’s new dramatic series Tulsa King has cast two-time Emmy Award winner Dana Delany (China Beach, Body of Proof) as a series regular. Delany joins a cast that’s led by Sylvester Stallone and includes Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, Jay Will, A.C. Peterson, and Garrett Hedlund.
Paramount+ released the following description of season one and Delany’s character:
“Tulsa King follows New York mafia capo Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi (Stallone), after he is released from prison after 25 years and is unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Okla. Realizing that his mob family may not have his best interests in mind, Dwight slowly builds a crew from a group of unlikely characters to help him establish a new criminal empire in a place that to him might as well be another planet.
Delany will play Margaret, an affluent and influential equestrian and owner of a sprawling horse farm and animal preserve. She is a formidable presence and a trustee of the Annie Oakley Society.”
Tulsa King was created by Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan, the creative force behind Yellowstone, 1883, 1923 (formerly titled 1932), and Mayor of Kingstown. Sheridan executive produces with Emmy Award winner Terence Winter (The Sopranos), Stallone, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Allen Coulter, and Braden Aftergood. Winter will guide the series as showrunner and writer.
The series is a MTV Entertainment Studio and 101 Studios production.
Paramount+ will launch Tulsa King with the release of the first two episodes on Sunday, November 13, 2022. The series will also debut on November 13th on Paramount Network immediately following the fifth season premiere of Yellowstone. Episode two will air on Paramount Network on November 20th, with the remaining season one episodes airing exclusively on Paramount+.
Teen Wolf creator Jeff Davis is delving back into the world of werewolves and shape-shifting creatures with Paramount+’s Wolf Pack. However, Davis’ new series is definitely not a Teen Wolf spinoff and instead will be based on the bestselling book series by Edo Van Belkom.
Armani Jackson (Honor Society, Chad) will play Everett, Bella Shepard (iCarly, The Wilds) stars as Blake, Chloe Rose Robertson (Wildflower) is on board as Luna, and Tyler Lawrence Gray (Our Town, Macbeth) plays Harlan.
Filming is expected to kick off in Atlanta, Georgia next week. Paramount+ is expecting Wolf Pack to premiere later this year.
Jeff Davis is writing and will executive produce along with Joe Genier. Jason Ensler (Love, Victor, The Exorcist) is the pilot’s director and is also executive producing.
Jeff Davis is currently filming Teen Wolf: The Movie, which reunites Teen Wolf stars Tyler Hoechlin, Tyler Posey, Holland Roden, Shelley Hennig, Crystal Reed, Dylan Sprayberry, Colton Haynes, and JR Bourne.
Paramount+ released the following description of season one:
“Based on the book series by Edo Van Belkom, Wolf Pack follows a teenage boy and girl whose lives are forever changed when a California wildfire awakens a terrifying supernatural creature. Wounded in the chaos of its attack, the teens are inexplicably drawn to each other and to two others who were adopted sixteen years earlier by a park ranger after another mysterious wildfire. As the full moon rises, all four teens come together to unravel the secret that connects them – the bite and blood of a werewolf.”
Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford to star in Paramount+’s ‘1923’ (LtoR Photo Credits: Giles Keyte and Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
Taylor Sheridan’s second Yellowstone prequel is changing its name from 1932 to 1923. The official announcement cites the reason as due to wanting to move the timeframe to include the end of World War I in 1918 as well as the start of Prohibition in 1920. Both topics will be addressed in the Yellowstone origin story.
Paramount+ previously announced Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (The Queen) and Oscar nominee Harrison Ford (the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises) will star in 1923. The streaming service’s update didn’t include any details on who either big-name actor will be playing.
The official synopsis: “1923 focuses on the Dutton family’s next two generations as they struggle to survive historic drought, lawlessness and prohibition, and an epidemic of cattle theft; all battled beneath the cloud of Montana’s great depression, which preceded the nation by almost a decade.”
Taylor Sheridan, John Linson, Art Linson, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, and Ben Richardson will executive produce. MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions are producing.
1923 is expected to premiere in December 2022.
The first Yellowstone prequel, 1883 starring real-life spouses Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, is Paramount+’s most-watched title. The prequel has been greenlit for a second season, however the streaming service hasn’t announced a targeted premiere date.
After the extended Elvis trailer premiered during Warner Bros Pictures’ 2022 CinemaCon panel, I tweeted: “Calling it now – #Elvis will catapult Austin Butler into superstar status.” I stood by that declaration after additional footage dropped, and I continue to feel justified with my early praise of Butler after watching the gorgeous music-driven drama. (I hate eating crow so I’m super happy to have been proved correct.)
Writer/director Baz Luhrmann’sElvis is a tale of good versus evil with no middle ground. Elvis, of course, is the good in this equation and Colonel Tom Parker (played by Oscar winner Tom Hanks) is the evil. Luhrmann doesn’t allow for either colorful character to break out of their assigned box. Elvis is shown as a decent man struggling with living life in the spotlight while Parker doesn’t possess a single redeeming quality.
Is the Moulin Rouge director’s interpretation a fair take on Elvis’ relationship with Parker? Yes, according to a source who had a front row seat to this battle between an artist who was basically held prisoner and his corrupt manager/jailer. “It is a true story told brilliantly and creatively that only Baz, in his unique artistic way, could have delivered,” wrote the love of Elvis’ life, Priscilla Presley, on social media.
It’s the tragic story of a talented young man who grew up dirt poor, fell in love with gospel music, and became a movie star/musical icon driven to an early death by a greedy, opportunistic liar. Elvis touches on Presley’s youth in Tupelo, MS, his close relationship with his beloved mother, and his father’s run-in with the law. The future rock star’s teen years reveal how the groundbreaking artist became the star of female audiences’ dreams and the nightmare of authorities who viewed his hip gyrations and pelvic thrusts as criminally provocative.
Told with lots of razzle-dazzle, the film concentrates on the relationship between Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker and often neglects or glosses over some of the most interesting periods of Elvis’ lengthy, groundbreaking career. Even at 159 minutes long, there’s so much story left to be told that it feels that not making a trilogy – or at the very least a two-parter – is a real missed opportunity.
Austin Butler’s incredible, mesmerizing performance as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will help bring a new generation of fans into the Elvis Presley fold. Butler’s completely keyed into this performance, channeling the still-popular entertainer with such dedication that it’s a shame audiences won’t get more of an extended opportunity to watch him transform on screen. Butler delivers a sexually charged, raw performance and the care he took in capturing every nuance of the larger-than-life performer is evident in every frame.
Tom Hanks rarely has to play second-fiddle at this stage in his career but he gracefully yields the Elvis spotlight to Butler. Obviously, both Hanks and Butler’s performances are central to the film’s success, but it’s Butler who outshines the more seasoned actor. There are a few scenes in which Hank’s accent feels forced but that doesn’t really detract from his terrific performance as a carnival show barker turned mustache-twirling villain.
Olivia DeJonge looks like a young Priscilla Presley and she does a fine job of capturing the initial sweetness and innocence of the couple’s relationship through its ultimate demise. The genuine chemistry between DeJonge and Butler helps to gloss over the large gaps in the story of their relationship.
We can expect to hear cinematographer Mandy Walker and production designers Catherine Martin and Karen Murphy mentioned during awards season. Elvis is a feast for the eyes and their work is absolutely stunning.
Luhrmann’s a brilliant showman and with Elvis it’s a perfect match of subject and filmmaker. His sumptuous tribute to the iconic performer is at its best when Austin Butler’s seen on stage, giving over his body to the music, and making audiences believe Elvis hasn’t yet left the building.
GRADE: A
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for substance abuse, strong language, smoking, and suggestive material
Running Time: 159 minutes
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Cast: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Dacre Montgomery, Luke Bracey, Richard Roxburgh, Kelvin Harrison Jr, David Wenham, Helen Thomson, Xavier Samuel, and Chaydon Jay
Alicia von Rittberg in ‘Becoming Elizabeth’ episode 2 (Photo Courtesy of Starz)
Starz’s Becoming Elizabeth episode two opens with Thomas Seymour (Tom Cullen) doing his best to wake the dead. He claims he’s the new trumpeter and it’s his job to raise the entire household. Princess Elizabeth (Alicia von Rittberg) laughs and even her lady in waiting Kat Ashley (Alexandra Gilbreath) eventually finds his antics amusing.
Later, Thomas outrageously flirts with Elizabeth and tells her she’s gotten inside his head. Kat warns Elizabeth it might be unfair, but she’ll be held responsible for Thomas’ unseemly actions.
Catherine Parr (Jessica Raine) has a word in private with Elizabeth before they join King Edward for the performance of a play. Catherine apologizes she’s upset Elizabeth by marrying Thomas and worries the young princess has a poor opinion of her now.
The royal audience is seated and everyone’s having a good time until a character representing the Pope is introduced. Princess Mary (Romola Garai) is upset over this turn of events (she’s the only practicing Catholic in the family) and Thomas Seymour joins the players to ask if Lady Jane (Bella Ramsey) gives the Pope a thumbs up or thumbs down. She doesn’t hesitate and says thumbs down, declaring the Pope is the Antichrist.
Everyone chuckles except Princess Mary.
King Edward (Oliver Zetterstrom) follows Lady Jane’s lead and also gives the Pope a thumbs down, adding, “Death to the Pope.”
Princess Mary’s had enough and flees the room with King Edward following after her. She asks to be excused and admits she’s upset her brother condemned the Holy Father. “It cleaves me in two,” confesses Princess Mary, but then makes an excuse that she feels ill and needs to take a walk.
Lord Protector Edward Seymour (John Heffernan) demands Catherine return the royal jewels now that she’s wed his brother, Thomas. Catherine claims they were left to her in King Henry’s will and an argument ensues. Thomas ends the battle of wills and says they will hand the jewels over. He then taunts his brother about wanting to wear them or give them to his future wife, while Edward remains in control of the situation and declares they’ll go to Princess Mary.
The princess siblings finally have a chance to speak alone and they discuss King Edward’s hatred of Catholics. Mary believes she’ll wind up banished or worse. Elizabeth suggests they don’t need to fight even though the world believes they should be at odds. Mary attempts to warn Elizabeth that Catherine is not to be trusted and that she’s mocked their father’s memory by marrying Thomas so quickly.
Mary’s suggesting Elizabeth move out when Thomas Seymour appears and asks if she’s angry. Mary brushes away his concern and reacts strongly when Thomas calls her daughter. “I had a father and he is gone,” says Mary.
Mary turns to Elizabeth and whispers, “For your safety and your sanity, come to me.”
The group – minus Mary – returns to Chelsea Manor and Elizabeth and Jane are working on their lessons while Catherine and Thomas engage in a screaming match about the jewels. Catherine calls Thomas weak for giving into his brother, and Thomas reminds his wife they have both Jane and Elizabeth under their roof. King Edward may marry Jane and Elizabeth is, according to Thomas, their “real jewel.”
The brutal verbal battle is followed by noisy makeup sex that Elizabeth and Jane can hear from the other room.
That evening Elizabeth informs Catherine she’s going to live with Mary. Catherine assures Elizabeth only she and Thomas are working on her side, and Mary’s actually attempting to lure her away because she has her eye on becoming queen.
Catherine claims to love Elizabeth and hopes she’ll remain at Chelsea Manor.
The following day Thomas gets Elizabeth alone and Elizabeth jerks away when Thomas moves in to kiss her. They speak of having sex and Thomas indicates he’s aware she’s interested in him. Elizabeth asks what she is to him and suggests she’s just a playing piece he can use in these royal games.
Thomas is angry she’d assume he doesn’t have legitimate feelings for her and asks, “Do you think this is a smart move for me?” He assures Elizabeth that he’s risking everything – including his life – by being with her.
Elizabeth points out she’s also risking her neck if any relationship between the two is revealed.
King Edward’s council meets and Henry Grey (Leo Bill) points out they went to war for nothing. They’ve lost Mary, Queen of Scots while also doubling their enemies now that France has moved to protect Scotland. Pedro (Ekow Quartey) argues for war and Henry’s upset to be speaking with this man he doesn’t even know. Edward Seymour reveals he knighted Pedro after the battle in Scotland.
Pedro insults Henry and even King Edward laughs.
This isn’t helping Edward Seymour’s case, so he asks Pedro to step out of the room and then takes on Henry Grey. Edward Seymour informs Henry that England will continue their war with Scotland and nothing Henry can say will change that.
King Edward meets privately with Princess Mary and demands she stop holding public Mass. Her actions are damaging him, and she needs to convert to Protestantism. He views her as a rallying point for heretics, but Princess Mary will not do so. She believes this is all Edward Seymour’s doing but King Edward insists it’s not.
“You are to convert and give up Catholicism,” says King Edward, requesting she denounce her religion in front of the whole court. He quietly adds “please” to his request and Mary doesn’t respond. He asks please once more and Mary announces she’ll return to the country rather than give up her religion.
Meanwhile, Jane and Elizabeth are getting on much better and Jane flirts with two young men, one of whom is Robert Dudley (Jamie Blackley). Both young ladies are invited out on the hunt with Robert’s father, John (Jamie Parker), and Thomas Seymour.
Elizabeth rides off ahead of the group, accompanied by Robert. She spots a stag and doesn’t wait for the group before firing an arrow into the creature. She refuses to allow the animal to suffer and grabs Robert’s knife to dispatch the stag.
Tom Cullen in ‘Becoming Elizabeth’ episode 2 (Photo Courtesy of Starz)
It’s passed away by the time Thomas, John, Catherine, and Jane ride up. Only Thomas smiles at Elizabeth’s work.
John Dudley slaps his son for allowing Elizabeth to put herself in danger.
Upon the group’s return to Chelsea Manor, Elizabeth is handed a secret letter. It’s from Mary advising her she’s left court and has returned home to Framlingham Castle. Mary reveals to her sister that she’s to be persecuted for her faith and wants Elizabeth to plead her case to their brother, King Edward.
Robert Dudley suggests Elizabeth stay out of their game and not choose sides.
Meanwhile, King Edward stews over Mary’s continuing insistence to hold mass and remain a Catholic. Edward Seymour believes the young monarch should allow his sister to follow her heart.
King Edward requests they hold a prayer meeting with even Catherine Parr invited to attend. He informs his Lord Protector he’d also like to see Thomas Seymour more often. King Edward wants Thomas around much more and doesn’t care that Edward Seymour hates his own brother. He thinks Edward should follow the scriptures and embrace his younger brother.
Over at Chelsea Manor, Thomas creeps into Elizabeth’s bed chamber and warns her to be quiet. They move out of that room and into an adjourning one where they can be alone. He wonders if the attack on the stag was meant to be a warning to him and Elizabeth gently laughs. She may choose not to believe him, but he regards her as magnificent.
He admits he’s in a more powerful position than he believed was possible and yet he’s risking it all to be with her. “This would be a most un-useful move and yet I want to play it all the same,” says Thomas, voice smoldering as they stand by the fire.
Thomas confesses he will let her ruin his life if that’s what is necessary to be with her.
They kiss and Thomas pulls away to caress her face. Elizabeth can’t stand the separation and pulls him close again, and the kisses become much more passionate.
Neither are behaving sensibly but Thomas is determined to enjoy his life and asks for Elizabeth’s permission to bed her. She doesn’t reply and he asks what he describes as a better question.
“Would you like me to stop?” asks Thomas. Elizabeth quickly whispers no.
Thomas demands to know if she thinks of him and Elizabeth confesses she does all the time.
Elizabeth attempts to kiss Thomas again and he pulls away, calling her a powerful tonic. He thinks he’ll need to ration himself but adds “if only I could.”
The scene ends with both smiling while still fully clothed.
The action shifts to Mary Tudor’s residence, Framlingham Castle.
Edward Seymour journeys to Framlingham Castle to speak with Princess Mary. Ambassador Guzman de Silva (Olivier Huband) sits in on their meeting, noting he’s spent the last few months there at the request of his king who wants to ensure Mary isn’t in any danger due to the religious shifts and fanatism in England.
Sir Pedro joins the group and Princess Mary reveals he’s with her because he recognized the attitude shift in court against her and against the Catholic faith. Sir Pedro offered his service and Mary has employed him to keep her safe.
Edward Seymour claims Mary’s held in high regard and, as long as she’s discreet, she can practice her religion without fear of persecution.
Back at Chelsea Manor, Princess Elizabeth works on her reply to Mary’s letter while Kat reminds her she’s free to ask for her opinion rather than Catherine’s. Elizabeth wants to make her own decisions and then reads what she’s written to Kat. She describes the English as at war with themselves but then crinkles up the letter unsure what she really wants to say.
While Elizabeth’s debating what to write, Edward Seymour is busy attempting to keep the religious powder keg from lighting.
Elizabeth finally settles on a reply and hands the letter to the courier.
The courier delivers it to Princess Mary while Edward Seymour sits nearby.
Princess Elizabeth visits King Edward in the chapel while he’s kneeling in prayer. She places her hand on his shoulder, while at Framlingham Princess Mary appears distressed over Elizabeth’s reply.
Princess Mary hurriedly exits the church and Edward Seymour immediately retrieves the letter. He reads it while slowly shaking his head no.
Princess Elizabeth confesses to King Edward that she’s praying her sister will convert so that her soul can be saved. King Edward doesn’t reply and instead appears to offer up that same prayer.
Dennis Quaid has come on board Walt Disney Animation Studios’ fantasy adventure Strange World directed by Big Hero 6 and Raya and the Last Dragon‘s Don Hall. Lucy Liu, Gabrielle Union, and Jaboukie Young-White have also signed up to lend their voices to the project.
Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal was previously announced to lead the cast as Searcher Clade, a farmer who unexpectedly finds himself in a strange world.
Disney’s announcement included details on who the new voice cast members will be playing:
Dennis Quaid (Merry Happy Whatever) as Jaeger Clade, Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father.
Jaboukie Young-White (Fairfax) as Ethan Clade, Searcher’s 16 year-old son who longs for adventure beyond his father’s farm while also navigating a school crush.
Gabrielle Union (LA’s Finest) as Meridian Clade, a pilot and natural leader, mom to Ethan, and wife of Searcher.
Lucy Liu (Why Women Kill) as Callisto Mal, the head of the land of Avalonia and the leader of the exploration into the strange world.
Jake Gyllenhaal (The Guilty, Spider-Man: Far from Home) lends his voice to Searcher Clade, the son of a steadfast explorer. The original action-adventure journeys deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades, a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest — and by far — most crucial mission.
The Haunting of Bly Manor‘s Oliver Jackson-Cohen and The Serpent‘s Jenna Coleman have signed on to star in Prime Video’s Wilderness. The upcoming dramatic series is based on B.E. Jones’ novel and was created by Marnie Dickens, with Dickens writing and executive producing.
B.E. Jones’ novel is described as a twisted love story, and Jackson-Cohen and Coleman are set to play a couple whose marriage is nowhere near as happy as it seems. Production is expected to take place in the UK, United States, and Canada beginning this month.
Lovesong‘s So Yong Kim is on board to direct and executive produce. Elizabeth Kilgarriff is also serving as an executive producer and Firebird Pictures is producing.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen’s credits include The Invisible Man, Mr. Malcolm’s List, The Lost Daughter, The Haunting of Hill House, and Emerald City. Jenna Coleman will soon be seen in The Sandman based on the DC comics created by Neil Gaiman.
Prime Video’s targeting a 2023 premiere.
The official synopsis:
Based on B.E. Jones’ novel of the same name, Wilderness features British couple Liv (Coleman) and Will (Jackson-Cohen) who seem to have it all: a rock-solid marriage; a glamorous new life in New York thousands of miles from their provincial hometown; and still young enough to feel that their whole lives are ahead of them. Until Liv learns about Will’s affair. Heartbreak is swiftly followed by another emotion: fury. Revenge is her only option, and when Will proposes a trip around America’s epic National Parks to give their relationship a fresh start, Liv knows just how to get it…
Wilderness is a twisted love story, where a dream holiday and a supposedly “happily-ever-after” quickly turns into a living nightmare.
