Netflix’s Cheer returns for its second season on January 12, 2022, once again focusing on the Navarro Cheer team as they train and compete amid Covid-19 and legal scandals. The new trailer reveals some of what the squad will be up against as they deal with personal issues while preparing to take on their rival, Trinity Valley Community College.
Season two will consist of nine episodes directed by Emmy winner Greg Whiteley. The One Potato Productions, Boardwalk Pictures, and Caviar production is executive produced by Whiteley, Andrew Fried, Dane Lillegard, Jasper Thomlinson, and Bert Hamelinck.
“I am a huge believer in the power of stories and telling them honestly. I believe the story is going to ultimately be the best version of itself when you are honoring what is true, and you’re not running from it. This season covers events as they unfolded, beginning in January 2020 through April 2021, following Navarro College and their rival Trinity Valley Community College on their journeys to the national championship,” explained director/executive producer Greg Whiteley.
Whiteley continued: “The new episodes also tackle extremely difficult moments, including the impact of COVID-19 and criminal charges against one of Navarro’s former team members. It was inspiring, heartbreaking, sometimes frustrating, and ultimately moving to be a part of their lives. Flying home from our last day of shooting in Daytona, I thought, ‘I cannot believe we saw what we just saw, we experienced what we just experienced.’ If we do our job right, we’re able to take the audience on that same ride.”
Season two features Coach Monica Aldama, Lexi Brumback, Gabi Butler, Morgan Simianer, Brooke Morosca,and Faith Gatlin.
The Emmy-winning breakout sensation is back and the stakes have never been higher. As Season 2 opens and the buzz around their newfound stardom threatens to alter the dynamic of Navarro Cheer, the team finds no amount of press frenzy could compare to the challenges they must face when COVID-19 upends the 2020 cheer season and a serious criminal accusation is levied at one of their teammates.
Against that dramatic backdrop, the 9-episode season expands to showcase Navarro’s fiercest rival: Trinity Valley Community College. As with the Navarro team, TVCC has a charismatic coach and breakout stars whose struggles, triumphs and stories extend far beyond the mat. As both teams push for the 2021 championship in Daytona, familiar faces take compelling detours and new contenders make a name for themselves.
Ralph Fiennes and Harris Dickinson star in ‘The King’s Man’ (Photo Credit: 20th Century Studios)
The build up to World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the birth of the secret intelligence agency run out of a Saville Row tailor shop in London are the focus of the latest installment of the Kingsman franchise, The King’s Man. The prequel explores the origins of the secret spy organization and takes the action back to the early 20th century.
The King’s Man opens in 1902 in South Africa and introduces Duke Orlando Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) as he witnesses the untimely death of his wife. Devastated but determined, he’s left to raise their only son, Conrad (Harris Dickinson), alone. Orlando becomes increasingly overprotective and constantly concerned about Conrad being in any kind of danger.
Fast-forward several years later and young Conrad’s now almost a legal adult. He yearns for adventure and is anxious to enlist and fight on the front lines in World War I.
Conrad’s dreams are put on hold when he and his dad are selected to protect Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (Ron Cook) from assassination attempts. Despite their best and bravest efforts, Ferdinand’s killed by an assassin who works for a mysterious evil mastermind. Following the failure of their mission, Conrad enlists in the British army on his birthday, anxious to be part of the great campaign – much to his father’s disapproval.
Shocking events lead Orlando, his most trusted housekeeper/spy-in-disguise Polly (Gemma Arterton), and his right-hand-man Shola (Djimon Hounsou) to go all out to find the identity of the criminal bigwig who’s trying to ignite an even bigger war and stop him before he succeeds.
Even with a great cast, The King’s Man can’t escape its uneven tone and vulgar humor which ruins what could – and should – have been a rousing comical adventure. Ralph Fiennes shines in the role of Orlando Oxford, a man who only wants to protect his son from the horrors of the world. Ralph portrays Oxford with charm, grace, and as a gentleman’s gentleman. It’s reminiscent of his performance as John Steed in the 1998 big-screen version of the hit British television show The Avengers. He also brings depth and real emotion to the role in the more shocking and disturbing scenes. This is never more evident than in the opening sequence with the tragic killing of his wife. It’s heartbreaking to watch as he clutches her lifeless body and looks at his six-year-old son while trying to hold back tears.
Gemma Arterton and Djimon Hounsou are solid as Polly and Shola, Orlando’s loyal comrades in arms who are highly skilled in battle and espionage. The film’s at its best when Arterton, Hounsou, and Fiennes are working together during the third act.
But even with these above-average performances, The King’s Man cannot escape its uneven tone, awful dialogue, and painfully silly villains. Going back and forth from deadly serious and even tragic scenes to juvenile and tasteless humor gives the film a lost and disjointed feel. It’s almost as though the filmmakers tried to blend together the Austin Powers films with 1917 and Gallipoli. The result is a jumbled, erratic mess of a film with tasteless humor, ridiculous action, and over-the-top melodrama.
GRADE: D+
MPAA Rating: R for some sexual material, language, and strong bloody violence
Grammy winner Lyle Lovett reprises his role as Texas Ranger Major Waylon Gates on CBS’s Blue Bloods season 12 episode 10, “Old Friends.” Directed by Jackeline Tejada from a script by Ian Biederman, episode 10 is set to air on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
Tom Selleck leads the cast as Frank Reagan, with Donnie Wahlberg back as Danny Reagan and Bridget Moynahan returning as Erin Reagan. Will Estes plays Jamie Reagan, Len Cariou is Henry Reagan, Sami Gayle is Nicky Reagan-Boyle, Marisa Ramirez is Det. Maria Baez, and Vanessa Ray plays Officer Eddie Janko.
Recurring season 12 cast members include Abigail Hawk, Gregory Jbara, Robert Clohessy, Steven Schirripa, Andrew Terraciano, and Dylan Walsh.
“Old Friends” Plot: An illegal drug shipment arriving in New York City forces Danny to partner up with his Texas Ranger associate, Major Waylon Gates (Lovett), to find the narcotics before they flood the streets. Also, Jamie makes a concerning discovery about a former mentor as he helps a neighbor handle a gambling debt, and Frank receives pushback from Mayor Chase over his handling of a brawl between demonstrators and police officers at a protest.
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.
When CBS’s Magnum P.I. returns from its winter break it’ll be with an episode that finds Higgins hiding a romantic dream she had about Magnum. Season four episode 10 was directed by Avi Youabian from a script by David Wolkove and will air on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT.
Jay Hernandez returns to lead the cast as Thomas Magnum. Season four also stars Perdita Weeks as Juliet Higgins, Zachary Knighton as Orville “Rick” Wright, Stephen Hill as Theodore “TC” Calvin, Tim Kang as Det. Gordon Katsumoto, and Amy Hill as Kumu.
The episode’s guest cast includes Michael Camp, Kelly Mumme, Brooke Nevin, Logan Donovan, Nathan Hurd, and Josh Stamberg.
“Dream Lover” Plot: When a woman hires Magnum and Higgins to locate a man she met briefly at a coffee shop and felt a spark with, they learn that he is hiding a big secret. Also, Higgins keeps a secret of her own after she has a romantic dream about Magnum.
Magnum P.I. is a modern take on the classic series centering on Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator. A charming rogue, an American hero and a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan, Magnum lives in a guest cottage on Robin’s Nest, the luxurious estate where he works as a security consultant to supplement his P.I. business.
The “majordomo” of the property is Juliet Higgins, a beautiful and commanding disavowed MI:6 agent whose second job is to keep Magnum in line, with the help of her two Dobermans. When Magnum needs back-up on a job, he turns to his trusted buddies and fellow POW survivors, Theodore “TC” Calvin, a former Marine chopper pilot who runs Island Hoppers, a helicopter tour business, and Orville “Rick” Wright, a former Marine door-gunner-turned-impresario of Oahu’s coolest nightclub and the most connected man on the island.
Suspicious of Magnum’s casual attitude and presence at his crime scenes, Detective Gordon Katsumoto finds that he and Magnum are more alike than either of them care to admit. One of Magnum’s biggest supporters is Teuila “Kumu” Tuileta, the unofficial “House Mom” and cultural curator of Robin’s Nest. With keys to a vintage Ferrari in one hand, aviator sunglasses in the other, and an Old Düsseldorf longneck chilling in the fridge, Thomas Magnum is back on the case!
Warner Bros Pictures just delivered a late Christmas present with the unveiling of a new “The Bat and The Cat” trailer from The Batman. The new two and a half minute trailer features Robert Pattinson‘s Batman and Zoë Kravitz’s Selina Kyle/Catwoman (surrounded by kitties), and also throws in new action scenes and a disturbing look at The Riddler.
Judging by this new trailer, director/co-writer Matt Reeves has done an impressive job of capturing the Christopher Nolan vibe while making this latest take on The Dark Knight his own. Hopefully the March 4, 2022 release date sticks and we’ll finally get to judge for ourselves how this new Batman compares to The Dark Knight trilogy early next year.
In addition to Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz, The Batman stars Jeffrey Wright as Lt. James Gordon, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, Peter Sarsgaard as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/The Riddler, and Jayme Lawson as mayoral candidate Bella Reál.
Justice with a vengeance. Check out the new duo covers for ‘The Batman’ featuring Batman and Catwoman as debuted as part of the collector’s edition of Empire Magazine
The Plot, Courtesy of Warner Bros:
Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman (Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies — Alfred Pennyworth (Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Wright) — amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens.
When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Farrell), Carmine Falcone (Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the
perpetrator’s plans become clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.
Fox’s new drama The Cleaning Lady finds a single mom willing to do anything necessary to help save her son’s life. The series is based on a successful Argentine drama and stars Elodie Yung (The Defenders) as the mother willing to go to extreme lengths in the hunt for a medical treatment for her child.
The season one cast also includes Adan Canto as Arman Morales, Martha Millan as Fiona, Oliver Hudson as Garrett, Sean Lew as Chris, and Faith Bryant as Jaz. Sebastien and Valentino LaSalle star play Luca.
Season one debuts with episode one, “TNT,” airing on January 3, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT.
The creative team includes executive producer/writer Miranda Kwok (The 100), executive producer/showrunner Melissa Carter (Queen Sugar), and executive producers Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars), David Dean Portelli, Rose Marie Vega and Paola Suarez. Kwok developed the series and wrote the pilot episode which was directed and executive produced by Michael Offer (Homeland).
Fox released the following description of The Cleaning Lady season one:
The Cleaning Lady is an emotionally driven character drama about a whip-smart Cambodian doctor, THONY, (Yung) who comes to the U.S. for a medical treatment to save her ailing son LUCA. With her son diagnosed with a life-threatening immunodeficiency disorder and her husband, MARCO (Ivan Shaw), struggling with a gambling addiction and unable to get a visa, Thony is left to save the boy on her own. Where she once had it all – a successful career as a doctor, loving husband and family, Thony is now in Las Vegas with her sister-in-law, FIONA, waiting for a matching bone marrow donor for Luca, while struggling to make ends meet as an undocumented worker.
However, when the system fails and pushes her into hiding, she refuses to be beaten down and marginalized. Instead, through an unexpected run-in with a lieutenant of a powerful crime syndicate, ARMAN MORALES, she becomes a cleaning lady for their operation. Crossing into a world of moral greys, Thony begins to live a double life, keeping secrets from her family, while cleaning crime scenes for Arman and dodging the law, including the smooth-talking FBI Agent GARRETT MILLER who is in pursuit. Using her cunning and intelligence to forge her own path in the criminal underworld, Thony does what is necessary to save Luca – even if it means sacrificing her own soul in the process.
Kevin Costner stars in ‘Yellowstone’ season 4 episode 9 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)
Paramount Network’s Yellowstone season four episode nine opens with Beth (Kelly Reilly) angry at Rip (Cole Hauser) for allowing her dad to walk into a diner full of armed robbers. Rip’s preparing to start the workday as Beth, still in bed, asks for an explanation. Rip reminds her there’s no way to stop John when he’s determined to do something, but he did his best to help him which kept him safe.
Rip points out she’s not worried about him. “Baby, I never worry about you. I know nothing’s happening to you,” says Beth. Rip warns something will happen one day. (And this is just the beginning of Beth’s no good, very bad day.)
Carter (Finn Little) saddles up John’s horse and John (Kevin Costner) asks if he can ride. When he admits he can’t, John sets about correcting that situation.
Carter complains about his testicles taking a beating when they’ve only gone a few feet, and John explains he needs to bounce with the horse. John’s patient and Carter actually learns quickly but admits now his legs hurt and his balls don’t. John imparts an important life lesson in response. “That’s life, Carter. Something’s always getting beat, no matter what,” says John.
John’s not impressed by Carter’s foul language and gives the horse a slap, explaining he’s going to ride the foul right out of the boy’s mouth.
They take a break and John shares that this particular area is known as Buffalo Valley. Back in 1889 his great grandfather James Dutton told the army all the buffalo were gone because he was concerned they would kill the remaining herd. James was aware buffalo were still in this valley and all the buffalo in this area are descendants of those buffalo John’s ancestors saved.
Carter questions why the army wanted to kill them and John explains their tongues were sold to rich New Yorkers and their fur was sold to wealthy women in France. Also, the army thought by killing them they’d get rid of the Native Americans. “Now the buffalo live on ranches or preserves. It’s not much different for the Indians,” says John.
Carter points out it’s not fair and John explains fair means one side gets exactly what it wants in a way the other side can’t complain about. John speaks the truth when he adds, “There’s no such thing as fair.”
Back at the lodge, Beth launches a cup at her dad’s head when he asks her to pour him coffee. She’s angry John’s not taking care of himself and she reminds him she watched him suffer in a coma for 60 days. She believes confronting armed robbers was just him looking for a way to lose his life. She refuses to “will him back to life” if he’s shot again.
Beth screams at her dad for placing himself in danger, again, for strangers. Everything they’ve fought for dies with him if he’s killed. She thinks he should have walked away but John says he’s not made that way. She suggests he get remade then. It’s obvious how much Beth loves her dad, but John’s unwilling to change his ways. He explains he does what’s right in his heart and soul; that’s just the way he’s wired.
Beth’s fury intensifies as she strips off her shirt and demands he look at her scarred back. She wants to know when he’ll get justice for the man who tried to kill their family. It’s obvious Beth remains convinced Jamie’s behind the attack and she indicates John’s false connection with her brother is keeping him from seeking revenge.
“Your child, he burned the skin from me and you did nothing about it!” says Beth.
John finally lets Beth in on what he’s found out. He tells her Terrell Riggins, a leader of Montana Free Militia, was behind the attack and Terrell’s currently serving life in prison. John’s explanation reveals he’s under the mistaken impression Terrell organized the attack to send a message to rival gang members that he’s not weak. John explains Terrell’s cornered and likely hiding behind his bunk just waiting to die.
Beth asks if he’s doing anything about it and John says he’s not. He won’t waste his life on that white supremacist. Beth leaves, angry and saddened her dad won’t make Terrell pay for ordering the hit.
After Beth leaves, John receives a call from Summer in jail. She explains the DA wants to ask for life in prison for protesting the airport.
News breaks that the armed robbers in the diner were members of a local militia. Sheriff Haskell’s death is mentioned and the reporter suggests there would have been many more deaths if John Dutton hadn’t taken action. She plays a clip from John’s speech accepting Governor Perry’s endorsement, saying his reference to a war being waged has the ring of prophecy.
Jamie (Wes Bentley), Garrett (Will Patton), and Christina (Katherine Cunningham) watch the news and Jamie’s upset his dad’s being called a hero. Christina and Garrett believe Jamie should flip his dad’s words – that he’s the opposite of progress – and use it as a campaign slogan. Jamie won’t win the vote of the ranchers by campaigning that he’s on the side of progress, but he could win other key voters in bigger cities.
Christina thinks now’s the time to separate from John by introducing the world to his real father. Jamie disagrees and explains his dad was in prison for murdering his mother. Shocked, Christina realizes once Jamie’s birth certificate is out it’ll ruin his chances. Jamie will need to put distance between himself and Garrett as soon as possible if he wants to have a shot at being elected governor.
Garrett overheard the conversation and volunteers to leave. Jamie doesn’t want that.
John shows up at the jail to visit Summer and he’s met with a friendly greeting by the sheriff on duty. He speaks with Commander Bill Ramsey (Rob Kirkland), the interim Sheriff following Haskell’s death, about Summer’s case and learns she’s meeting with the public defender right now. Bill will allow John to sit in on the meeting but first they discuss Sheriff Haskell. Bill reveals he wasn’t a fan of Haskell, describing him as a gambling addict whose services were for sale to the highest bidder.
Bill warns things will be different once he’s in charge.
Summer’s attorney explains that since Summer’s an outsider, they will be making an example of her. Her attorney warns Summer the jury won’t be made up of her peers and she’ll be viewed as the enemy. The attorney wants to make a deal and plead guilty to lesser charges, and Summer asks for a moment alone with John. Summer’s upset she’ll be in jail for 30 years and John reminds her she assaulted two officers. He also reminds her in Montana there’s plenty of room in jail.
John suggests she apologize but Summer refuses. Summer says she never should have listened to Beth and it’s obvious John has no idea what she’s talking about. Summer explains Beth told her to slap a cop and John promises he’ll get her out of this.
John meets with Summer’s lawyer and says he’ll have a word with the judge who, it turns out, owes him a favor.
Meanwhile, Kayce (Luke Grimes) meets with Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) and Mo (Mo Brings Plenty) to discuss the wolf. Kayce explains most of the sightings are when he’s with Monica and Mo says the wolf is Kayce’s spirit animal. Kayce’s part wolf in his heart and that can be a burden. “He is the hunter most hunted, the killer most killed,” says Thomas. We’ve evolved alongside the wolf and they’re just like us. Men and wolves have tried to destroy each other, and it’s been said each exists to manage the spread of the other.
Kayce wonders why a wolf is protecting him and Thomas says he’ll need to ask the wolf. Mo believes Kayce will need to cry for a vision and Kayce admits he doesn’t know how to. Mo explains he and Monica can teach him when he’s ready. Kayce thinks he’s ready now.
In town, John notices Garrett in a nearby booth when he sits down at a diner’s counter for lunch. He recalls the last time he saw Garrett was when the judge handed down a life sentence and Garrett talks about his 30 years in prison. He blames John for putting him away and accuses him of lying during the trial. John shifts the blame back on Garrett’s own actions and says he raised Jamie with love and respect. He warns Garrett not to attempt to get revenge or else he’ll rid the world of him.
He pays for Garrett’s meal and says he should try and enjoy it since it could be his last.
Jimmy (Jefferson White) spends one final night with Emily (Kathryn Kelly) discussing their relationship before taking off for a week on the road. That conversation and his subsequent actions at horse shows reveal he’s truly matured.
Jimmy compliments Travis (Taylor Sheridan) on his performance in the arena, and Travis realizes Jimmy must be doing well on the 6666 Ranch. They talk about cowboying and working cows, and Travis admits the best work he’s ever done was in a field without an audience.
A gorgeous high-earning horse is introduced and Jimmy’s surprised to hear Yellowstone is a half-owner of the beauty. He’s also shocked to learn he’s about to head back to Yellowstone. “School’s over, Jimmy, and you came out of it a cowboy,” says Travis.
Jimmy returns to the 6666, kisses Emily, and reveals he’s about to return to Montana. Emily suggests he doesn’t need to leave Texas, but Jimmy explains he gave John Dutton his word. Emily respects that but is obviously sad to be losing Jimmy at the start of this new relationship. She kisses him one final time before they part company.
Kelly Reilly in ‘Yellowstone’ season 4 episode 9 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)
Night falls and John informs Rip, Beth, and Carter they’ll be eating in the big dining room because that’s where he likes to eat. He also reveals Beth’s not going to like this dinner. Rip opts to take Carter down the bunkhouse instead. She calls him “quitter” and Rip smiles, telling her to find him after her ass-whipping.
Beth refuses to take a seat, saying she prefers to fight while standing. She works herself up and finally John asks if she’s throwing a tantrum for no reason or if she’s psyching herself into being right. John’s ready to get into it – he’s ready to throw the table through the wall if necessary – and finally Beth takes a seat. Beth confirms she used Summer and John reminds her Summer isn’t an enemy. However, Beth says she’ll do anything to hurt their enemies and Summer was useful. She doesn’t care what happens to Summer; she only cares about her family.
John suggests she care about having morality while fighting, but Beth equates Yellowstone to a kingdom. “There is no morality here, dad. None. There is keep the kingdom or there is lose the kingdom,” explains Beth. If that doesn’t sit well with him then he should break his promise and sell this place.
John says if Yellowstone’s a kingdom then he makes the rules. Fight with dignity and no collateral damage. Plus, they don’t fight sheep – they only fight wolves. John confesses he’s never felt this way before but for the first time she’s disappointed him. Beth never expected to hear her dad say that and is even more surprised when he suggests he fight this battle himself.
John’s words cut deep when he says maybe it’s time she moves off the ranch and finds a different place to call home. (This conversation’s going to leave a scar worse than the ones on Beth’s back.)
There’s a happier ending to the day over at the 6666. Jimmy returns to Emily’s place and announces he’s not leaving. However, Emily doesn’t want him to break his word. She tells him to keep his promise but come back to her. Jimmy asks her to wait for him and she quickly agrees.
Back at Yellowstone, Carter sits in on the poker game and says it’s his first time playing. When he triples the bet, the ranch hands think they’ve been hustled. Teeter (Jen Landon) calls him a “motherf**king card-sharking little elf” – among other things – as Carter shows off his skills.
The mood’s light and everyone’s goofing around as Beth watches silently from the door. Walker (Ryan Bingham) is the only one who notices her and he steps outside. She admits she’s sad and lost the one thing she spent her entire life fighting for. She requests he play a sad song and Walker agrees, quietly grabbing his guitar. Beth says she needs a song to cry to and Walker plays “Hallelujah,” a song about a man who got killed but wasn’t ready to die.
The song does the trick and Beth cries her heart out. (Her sobs are absolutely heartbreaking.) Rip steps outside the bunkhouse and watches her cry while seated next to Walker. He doesn’t approach them and instead heads back inside, closing the door behind him.
Season four episode nine ends with Kayce ready to connect with the wolf. Mo warns him to beware of the coyote, explaining this process will take four days and four nights without food or water. Kayce’s worried he’ll die and Mo says, “You must stand on the cliff of death to understand your purpose in life.”
Monica tells Kayce to listen to Mo and do what he says. She gives him a kiss and Kayce heads off with Mo and Thomas for his vision quest. Once alone in the middle of nowhere, Mo and Thomas instruct Kayce on what to do next and warn that what he’s about to experience depends on how hard he prays and how much he suffers.
One of the immigrants loses his life, crushed under a wagon wheel as Paramount+’s 1883 season one episode three gets underway. Elsa (Isabel May) informs the audience death is everywhere and takes forms “your worst nightmare couldn’t muster” as scenes of animal attacks, wagon accidents, and a snakebite confirm her narration.
Animals, accidents, sickness, and bandits shrink the group’s numbers, but it’s crossing the river that strikes the most fear in the hearts of those making this perilous journey.
James Dutton (Tim McGraw) and Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott) discuss the best way to get the wagons across the river, with Shea certain taking a ferry at Denison is the answer. James reminds him Denison’s the wrong direction, but Shea believes it’s the safest way to cross.
James disagrees and informs Shea he’s going west, even if that means the Duttons will be parting ways with the group. After James rides off, Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) reminds Shea heading to Denison puts them two weeks behind. Shea’s worried about drowning the immigrants if they cross now or running out of water if they head west.
The group hasn’t left Texas yet and Thomas seems to agree with James that going west might be the best option. He believes any delay would leave them more vulnerable to the winter weather.
Ennis (Eric Nelsen) visits the Duttons’ camp and tells James the cowboys are about to return home. A few more men will be needed to watch over the herd after the cowboys take off and, unfortunately, the immigrants can’t speak English or ride. Ennis asks for James’ help and both Elsa and Margaret (Faith Hill) volunteer. Margaret would rather be riding a horse than handling their wagon, which means James will be left in charge of babysitting John while also hunting for their dinner.
John (Audie Rick) promises his dad he can be quiet, but James doesn’t appear to be convinced any of this is a good idea.
As James rides out of camp to hunt, Shea and Thomas carry on a conversation about his skills. He’s not a team player and Thomas is concerned that having two leaders in the group – Shea and James – won’t work out well.
As they’re riding through camp, Thomas and Shea spot a gypsy woman named Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi) having trouble with her horses. Her husband was shot by the bandits that attacked the camp, and Shea and Thomas help her out. They also share useful tips and provide her young sons with water.
Noemi’s desperate and doesn’t have any family members to turn to. She suggests she could be Shea’s wife, but he turns down her offer. However, Shea will help her set up camp and take care of her horses. He promises he’ll get her to Oregon and maybe she’ll find a husband there or learn how to farm. She pleads with him to be there to teach her, but Shea once again says no. He’s not interested in ever getting married again.
Thomas shows Noemi how to hobble the horses and makes her smile when he says a handsome farmer will woo her once she arrives in Portland. He assures her they’ll help her on the journey and suggests she shouldn’t marry out of fear.
Shea asks about her supplies and learns others in the group stole them after her husband was murdered. Shea beats the man she points out and Thomas joins in after a man excuses their behavior by saying Noemi and her family are just gypsies. Thomas warns the man to never question his orders and Shea takes an ax and disables the wagon’s tongue.
The man’s family can no longer travel with the group. “If you steal, you will stay where you stole,” growls Shea. He sets their horses loose, and then he and Thomas retrieve Noemi’s stolen supplies.
Shea adds a warning that if he sees them again, he’ll kill them. He tells Josef to police his people or else he’ll find someone else willing to take charge.
Thomas and Shea admit they’re having second thoughts about this trip, but Thomas also admits he’s thinking ahead. There’s a possibility one of the kids in the group will have children someday who will do something to make the world a better place.
Shea remains pessimistic. “The world ain’t getting better, Thomas, no matter how many kids are in it,” he says.
Margaret and Elsa join Ennis and Wade (James Landry Hébert), and Margaret immediately takes charge of the situation. She orders the cattle moved to the river and won’t take no for an answer. Wade follows Margaret and Elsa flirts with Ennis, making him blush. Ennis jokes that she has terrible taste in men, and Elsa snaps back calling him a boy. She whispers, “I guess I have terrible taste in boys, too.”
Ennis is overjoyed when Elsa admits she likes this flirting thing they’ve got going on.
Meanwhile, James tries to explain to John why he needs to be quiet even if the horse is making noise. John’s about to start crying when James points out a herd of deer. They use the cover of tall grass and James takes aim, instructing John to put his finger on the trigger and pull. The deer goes down and John’s made his first kill.
The deer’s large enough to feed the family for a week. James places some of its blood on John’s cheeks and says, “You took a life to give us life so now we say thank you.” John does as told and thanks the dead deer.
Shea’s at the Dutton camp when James and John return with their fresh kill. Shea explains their situation and that he needs everyone – including James – to follow his orders without question. James points out he questioned the decision to go east and now Shea’s decided they will go west as he suggested. James says he’ll always put his family first and reminds Shea he doesn’t work for him.
When Shea says he’s going to let James go first and he’ll follow with the group in three days, James immediately disagrees. He tells Shea to go first and says he’ll follow with the herd. Shea agrees and it’s apparent from how quickly he changed his mind that this was always his plan.
James initially offered Shea some of the deer but changes his mind. Shea leaves camp without sharing a meal with the Duttons.
Elsa watches her mother herd the cattle and suddenly understands she’s not just a mother, she’s a powerful woman in her own right.
Night falls and Josef (Marc Rissmann) attempts to calm the group. They’re upset that Shea’s booting members of the group from the caravan and mistakenly believe they don’t really need Shea and Thomas’ help anymore.
Shea walks up and challenges the group to come and take the horses and his guns. He then has the troublemaker step away from the group and prepare for a duel. Of course, Shea’s a faster draw but he doesn’t pull the trigger.
Shea recalls a battle during the war in which he fired so many rounds that his rifle’s barrel melted. He switched to his pistol, then his sword, and ultimately killed his enemies with his boots and bare hands. “We killed 5,000 men that day. When I say killing you means nothing to me, I mean it,” says Shea in a quiet, controlled voice.
Shea walks a short distance away and reminds the man he promised to kill him if he ever saw him again. This will be his only opportunity to make a liar out of him. The family he booted out must leave immediately.
Before he retires, Shea instructs the immigrants to boil as much water as they can. It will be scarce from now on.
Shea joins Thomas at the campfire and says they’ll need to keep Noemi’s wagon at the front of the group. He believes the people he’s kicked out will round up men in Fort Worth to come after them.
Thomas and Shea agree Shea should have just shot them.
Wade sings as they watch over the herd and Margaret tells Elsa it calms the herd. Ennis thanks the women and suggests they get some sleep. Margaret notices the smiles exchanged between her lovely daughter and the cowboy but doesn’t say anything about it.
Margaret and James share a quiet moment together by the campfire and discuss Elsa. They realize she’s turning into a woman, and Margaret compliments her horsemanship. Margaret tells James that Elsa and Ennis are interested in each other, and James jokes that he’ll shoot Ennis in the morning.
Margaret admits she’s worried it’s not fair there aren’t any gentlemen where they’re heading. James reminds her she didn’t marry a gentleman and she tells him she wouldn’t change a thing. She confesses she wouldn’t mind a big house and James replies, “I’m going to build you a house so big you get lost in it.”
“Deal,” responds Margaret as James gently kisses her forehead.
The following morning the group gets on the move again. Margaret and John are in the wagon while James and Elsa join Ennis and Wade with the herd. James tells Ennis he has permission to court Elsa and Ennis is confused. He’s uncertain what “court” means.
James describes it as talking and going on rides, and Ennis says they’re doing that already. James warns that if Ennis gets handsy or breaks her heart, there will be hell to pay.
Ennis asks James to define handsy and then quickly realizes he picked a rotten time to make a joke. He issues a sincere apology and knows he’s made a serious error in judgment.
In a voice-over Elsa describes the group as being on two journeys. One is full of despair and danger, and the other is full of adventure and wonder. At the present time, she’s on the latter and loving this life. But she adds, “I didn’t know enough to know they would collide. I didn’t know enough to know how cruel and uncaring this world could be.”
Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star cast promises season three of the popular drama will be epic, beginning with episode one’s ice storm. The third season kicks off on January 3, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT with “The Big Chill,” with new episodes arriving on Mondays at 8pm ET/PT.
Season three stars Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, Gina Torres as Tommy Vega, Ronen Rubinstein as T.K. Strand, Sierra McClain as Grace Ryder, and Jim Parrack as Judd Ryder. Natacha Karam plays Marjan Marwani, Brian Michael Smith is Paul Strickland, Rafael Silva is Carlos Reyes, Julian Works is Mateo Chavez, and Brianna Baker plays Nancy Gillian.
Episode one guest stars include Billy Burke as Billy Tyson and Julie Benz as Sadie.
“The Big Chill” Plot: An unexpected arctic cold front brings an ice storm to Austin and a variety of weather-related emergencies. Meanwhile, Owen deals with the fallout of the 126 closing, as Tommy, T.K., and Gillian settle into new employment and Judd and Grace prepare for the birth of their first baby.
HBO Max just released a two minute video teasing the series – both new and returning – set to arrive in 2022. The video includes new footage as well as previously released clips from highly anticipated new shows House of the Dragon, Peacemaker, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and The White House Plumbers.
The video also includes clips from Westworld season four, Euphoria season two, His Dark Materials season three, Raised By Wolves season two, and Barry season three.
TITLES INCLUDED IN THE 2022 PREVIEW VIDEO:
HBO Originals
Westworld Season 4
The Emmy®-winning one-hour drama series WESTWORLD is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the birth of a new form of life on Earth.
The Gilded Age New Series
From creator Julian Fellowes, the American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic change, of great conflict between the old ways and brand new systems, and of huge fortunes made and lost. Against the backdrop of this transformation, the series follows a young woman who becomes enmeshed in a social war between old and new money in 1880s New York high society.
Euphoria Season 2
Amidst the intertwining lives in the town of East Highland, 17-year-old Rue (Zendaya) must find hope while balancing the pressures of love, loss, and addiction.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty New Series
A fast-break ten-episode series chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of the sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined an era, both on and off the court.
House of the Dragon New Series
Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series, which is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen.
Barry Season 3
The Emmy® winning dark comedy series starring and co-created by Emmy® winner Bill Hader returns. Desperate to leave his violent past behind in favor of his newfound passion, Barry is attempting to untangle himself from the world of contract killing and fully immerse himself in acting. But getting out is messy. While Barry has eliminated many of the external factors that pushed him towards violence, he soon discovers they weren’t the only forces at play. What is it about his own psyche that led him to become a killer in the first place?
The Time Traveler’s Wife New Series
An intricate and magical love story, adapted by Steven Moffat from the much-loved novel by Audrey Niffenegger. The series tells the story of Clare (Rose Leslie) and Henry (Theo James), and a marriage with a problem… time travel.
The White House Plumbers New Limited Series
The White House Plumbers tells the story of how Nixon’s own political saboteurs and Watergate masterminds, E. Howard Hunt (Woody Harrelson) and G. Gordon Liddy (Justin Theroux), accidentally toppled the Presidency they were zealously trying to protect.
We Own This City New Limited Series
From George Pelecanos and David Simon, a six-hour limited series chronicling the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force.
A Black Lady Sketch Show Season 3
Created by and starring Robin Thede, the Emmy®-winning narrative sketch comedy series features a core cast of Black women living relatable, hilarious experiences in a magical reality that subverts traditional expectations.
His Dark Materials Season 3
Adapting Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy of the same name, which is considered a modern masterpiece of imaginative fiction, the third season will be based on Pullman’s final novel in the trilogy – The Amber Spyglass – and will see Will (Amir Wilson), the bearer of The Subtle Knife and Lyra (Dafne Keen), the prophesied child, travel through multiple worlds to find and protect each other.
The Nevers New Episodes, Season 1, Part 2
Victorian London is rocked to its foundations by a supernatural event that gives certain people – mostly women – abnormal abilities, from the wondrous to the disturbing. But no matter their particular “turns,” all who belong to this new underclass are in grave danger. It falls to mysterious, quick-fisted widow Amalia True (Laura Donnelly) and brilliant young inventor Penance Adair (Ann Skelly) to protect and shelter these gifted “orphans.” To do so, they will have to face the brutal forces determined to annihilate their kind.
The Righteous Gemstones Season 2
Created, written, and executive produced by Danny McBride, and marking his third HBO comedy series from Rough House Pictures, the series tells the story of a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work. Season two finds our blessed Gemstone family threatened by outsiders from both the past and present who wish to destroy their empire.
Gossip Girl Season 2
Developed by showrunner Joshua Safran, a writer and executive producer on the original series, this extension of the pop culture classic takes us back to the Upper East Side, where we find a new generation of New York private school teens who are introduced to social surveillance nine years after the original blogger’s website went dark.
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin New Series
In the dark, coming-of-age, horror-tinged drama PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: ORIGINAL SIN, we find ourselves miles away from Rosewood, but within the existing Pretty Little Liars universe — in a brand-new town, with a new generation of Little Liars.
Julia New Series
JULIA, an eight-episode first season, is inspired by Julia Child’s (played by Sarah Lancashire) extraordinary life and her long-running television series, “The French Chef,” which pioneered the now popular genre of cooking shows.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts New Special
A capstone event of the holiday season celebrating the anniversary of the franchise’s first film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone along with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and other legendary cast members.
DMZ New Limited Series
A four-part limited event series from Emmy® nominee Roberto Patino and Emmy® winner/Academy Award® nominee Ava DuVernay, who also directs the first episode. DMZ is based on the popular DC comic and set in New York City in the not-so-distant future when the country is embroiled in a bitter civil war.
Hacks Season 2
From creators Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, the Emmy®-winning comedy starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder as a legendary Las Vegas comedian and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old, returns for a second season.
Peacemaker New Series
Written and directed by James Gunn, PEACEMAKER will explore the continuing story of the character that John Cena reprises in the aftermath of James Gunn’s 2021 film “The Suicide Squad” – a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it.
Love & Death New Series
Written by David E. Kelley, directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and starring Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery, the series is based on a true story revolving around two church going couples, enjoying small town family life in Texas, until somebody picks up an axe.
The Staircase New Limited Series
An eight-episode limited series based on a true crime docuseries starring Academy Award-Winner® Colin Firth as American novelist Michael Peterson; exploring his life, his sprawling North Carolina family and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson (played by Toni Collette).
Our Flag Means Death New Series
The Max Original comedy series is loosely based on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), a pampered aristocrat who abandoned his life of privilege to become a pirate. The series is directed by and also stars Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi as “Blackbeard,” history’s most feared and revered pirate.
Sesame Street Season 52
Season 52 continues a playful problem-solving curriculum, designed to build critical thinking skills in young children and equip them to handle challenges in school and beyond. As characters and kids approach challenges creatively, they repeat the phrase “I Wonder…What if…Let’s Try!” This framework for finding solutions is used in Street Stories, interstitials, and Elmo & Tango’s Mysterious Mysteries segments.
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai New Series
In the animated television adaptation, we travel back to 1920s Shanghai to reveal the story of how 10-year-old Sam Wing (future shop owner Mr. Wing in the 1984 movie) met the young Mogwai called Gizmo. Along with a teenage street thief named Elle, Sam and Gizmo take a perilous journey through the Chinese countryside, encountering, and sometimes battling, colorful monsters and spirits from Chinese folklore. On their quest to return Gizmo to his family and uncover a legendary treasure, they are pursued by a power-hungry industrialist and his growing army of evil Gremlins.
Raised By Wolves Season 2
In season two of RAISED BY WOLVES, Android partners Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), along with their brood of six human children, join a newly formed atheistic colony in Kepler 22 b’s mysterious tropical zone. But navigating this strange new society is only the start of their troubles as Mother’s “natural child” threatens to drive what little remains of the human race to extinction.
Legendary Season 3
The Max Original ballroom competition series will return for a third season. MC Dashaun Wesley, along with judges Leiomy Maldonado, Jameela Jamil, Law Roach and multi-Grammy® winner Megan Thee Stallion will return to crown another “Legendary” house.
The Flight Attendant Season 2
Season two finds Cassie Bowden (Kaley Cuoco) living her best sober life in Los Angeles while moonlighting as a CIA asset in her spare time. But when an overseas assignment leads her to inadvertently witness a murder, she becomes entangled in another international intrigue.
