Warner Bros Pictures and New Line Cinema wowed the 2022 CinemaCon crowd with the debut of the Don’t Worry Darling trailer. Prepare for more awards buzz as the visually impressive trailer for the psychological thriller has just been released online.
I tweeted my reaction immediately after its CinemaCon debut, saying I believe it’s a film we’ll need to discuss and dissect every frame of. I stand by that description on the second (and third) viewing.
Florence Pugh (Little Women) and Harry Styles (Dunkirk) lead a cast that includes director Olivia Wilde (Booksmart), Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians), KiKi Layne (The Old Guard), and Chris Pine (All the Old Knives).
Olivia Wilde was on hand for the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation at CinemaCon and said the film was inspired by The Truman Show, The Matrix, and Inception. Wilde described the film as ambitious and believes they’ve made something really special. “I want you to imagine a life you had everything you could possibly dream of,” said Wilde. “What would it take for you to give up that life, to do what’s right?”
Don’t Worry Darling opens in theaters on September 23, 2022.
Don’t Worry Darling Synopsis:
Alice (Pugh) and Jack (Styles) are lucky to be living in the idealized community of Victory, the experimental company town housing the men who work for the top-secret Victory Project and their families. The 1950s’ societal optimism espoused by their CEO, Frank (Pine)—equal parts corporate visionary and motivational life coach—anchors every aspect of daily life in the tight-knit desert utopia.
While the husbands spend every day inside the Victory Project Headquarters, working on the “development of progressive materials,” their wives — including Frank’s elegant partner, Shelley (Chan) — get to spend their time enjoying the beauty, luxury, and debauchery of their community. Life is perfect, with every resident’s needs met by the company. All they ask in return is discretion and unquestioning commitment to the Victory cause.
But when cracks in their idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something much more sinister lurking beneath the attractive façade, Alice can’t help questioning exactly what they’re doing in Victory, and why. Just how much is Alice willing to lose to expose what’s really going on in this paradise?
ABC’s The Rookie season four episode 21 is titled “Mother’s Day” and actually airs on Mother’s Day. Nice how that worked out, right? Episode 21 was directed by Lisa Demaine from a script by Diana Mendez Boucher and Fredrick Kotto and premieres on Sunday, May 8, 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.
Guest stars include Brent Huff as Officer Smitty, Angel Parker as Luna Grey, Jane Daly as Patrice Evers, Carsyn Rose as Lila Town, and Crystal Coney as Nurse Lisa.
“Mother’s Day” Plot: Sergeant Grey supports Officer Nolan’s desire to become a training officer and offers to ride with him for the day to get him ready. Meanwhile, Tim and Lucy must manage expectations in their respective relationships as they decide on their plans for Mother’s Day and a romantic vacation.
Nathan Fillion and John Wusah in ‘The Rookie’ season 4 episode 21 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Pauline Dyer and Shawn Ashmore in the “Mother’s Day” episode (ABC/Raymond Liu)Page Leong and Paul Yen in season 4 episode 21 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Roxanne Hart, Carsyn Rose and Mekia Cox in season 4 episode 21 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Paul Yen, Page Leong, Richard T Jones and Nathan Fillion in season 4 episode 21 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Alyssa Diaz and Shawn Ashmore in the “Mother’s Day” episode (ABC/Raymond Liu)Shawn Ashmore, Alyssa Diaz and Mekia Cox in season 4 episode 21 (ABC/Raymond Liu)
Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 8 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Starz’s Outlander season six comes to an end far too soon with episode eight, airing on May 1, 2022. And May 1st is a fitting date for such a pivotal episode. Fans of Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling books and the award-winning show know it’s James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser’s birthday.
The season six finale begins with what appears to be a brief trip to the ‘60s, with Claire and Bree (face hidden behind a menu) in a diner about to enjoy burgers and fries. That peaceful snippet fades into Richard Brown and his Committee of Safety demanding Jamie (Sam Heughan) hand over Claire. Jamie, of course, refuses while Claire (Caitriona Balfe) frantically tells Mrs. Bug to go get help.
Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan) and one of the Beardsleys emerge from the barn and see what’s going on. They race off before anyone (other than Jamie) spots them.
One of the Committee members makes it around back and into the Frasers’ home. Claire acts as though she’s about to hand over her rifle and instead uses her pistol to shoot him in the stomach. He runs off as out front Jamie fights with half a dozen men.
Richard’s about to shoot when Claire screams for Jamie to duck. The shot misses and Jamie runs into the house. They quickly move furniture in front of the doors and windows, incredibly outnumbered but unwilling to go down without a fight.
Jamie retrieves more weapons as bullets fly, destroying the interior of their home. Dishes shatter, chandeliers are ruined, and the walls are pockmarked with bullet holes.
Jamie and Claire take up strategic positions and are able to hold off Brown and his Committee. Unfortunately, they’re both aware it’s only a short reprieve.
Jamie knows Richard Brown doesn’t care about arresting Claire. He wants them both dead in retribution for his brother’s murder. “Malva’s death is but an excuse for revenge,” says Jamie.
Richard Brown waves a white flag and approaches the house. Jamie fires a warning shot, deliberately missing. Richard doesn’t stop walking toward the house while demanding the “murderous witch” surrender.
Richard claims they won’t hurt Claire. They plan on taking her to Salisbury where she’ll stand trial. Jamie shoots Richard’s hat out of his hand in reply.
Richard orders his men to hold their fire.
The sun’s setting as Richard and the Committee continue to surround the Frasers’ home. Jamie believes as soon as it gets dark, they’ll set the house on fire. He admits it’s what he’d do. Claire doesn’t understand how they could be burned alive this evening since the obituary said the house would go up in flames the Sabbath before January 21st. It’s May – so that doesn’t make any sense.
Jamie reminds her you can’t trust everything you read in “the broadsheets.” Still, that’s a four month difference so it’s unlikely what’s happening right now is what was referred to in the obituary.
Claire swears she’ll never go with Brown and Jamie replies, “I would never let you go.” However, he still hasn’t come up with a plan. Mrs. Bug will likely go for Arch but thus far no one has shown up to help. Arch would run for Kenny Lindsay and Lizzie will probably go find Ronnie.
Claire’s worried about Lizzie’s involvement and Jamie assures her Lizzie will be safe. “Dinna fash, mo nighean donn,” says Jamie. “She’ll be safe. She’s with her husband…well, one of them.”
Jamie’s mind turns to food and he suggests they eat. They’ll need strength for what’s to come.
While Jamie and Claire are pinned down and fighting for their lives, Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and Roger (Richard Rankin) are on the road, heading to Edenton Seminary. (Talk about your horrible timing! Why did they leave when things were so unstable on the Ridge?!) They discuss battles of the Revolutionary War and although Roger’s a historian, he’s happy they’re heading somewhere safe.
Bree and Roger also discuss how and when to break the news to Jemmy that they are time-travelers. Bree’s torn over whether her parents should have told her sooner. She understands Claire gave her word to Frank that she’d grow up believing he was her father. “I guess I don’t think she should have broken it,” says Bree.
Roger correctly points out that if they tell Jemmy early on, there’s no way he’ll keep it a secret. That could cause a lot of confusion among his friends. It appears they’ve landed on waiting until he’s old enough to understand why he can’t tell people.
Roger notes it’s possible that if they tell Jemmy he’ll decide to go through the stones at some point.
The family settle in for the night and Roger and Bree remember the time they drove her Mustang in the North Carolina mountains. Roger almost drove off the road at 75 mph thanks to Bree distracting him with a kiss. That was the same weekend they broke up which was then followed by Roger pursuing Bree through time to get back together.
Bree and Roger get naked and explore each other’s bodies, attempting to keep the noise down so as not to wake Jemmy while they make passionate love.
Back to the Ridge and Claire recalls the American tradition of allowing prisoners to choose their final meal. The episode’s opening scene makes sense as Claire says she’d choose a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke from Carmi’s. That was she and Bree’s regular order at the diner.
Jamie would choose what he’s eating right now with his lovely wife in their home.
Claire’s concerned Ian hasn’t shown up yet but Jamie believes he’s out hunting. She asks about everyone else and Jamie confesses if they aren’t there by now, they’re not coming. Claire thinks that means they genuinely believe she killed Malva.
Aldo snacks on their leftovers as Jamie and Claire wake from a brief nap as the fisherfolk arrive. Hiram Crombie (Antony Byrne) appears to be leading the group and Jamie’s sure he won’t let Brown smoke them out or hang them.
Hiram asks Jamie and Claire to come out in order to avoid further bloodshed. He’s been asked by Richard to negotiate their surrender and he places himself between the Frasers and the Committee. Jamie and Claire agree to step outside but will do so while armed.
Jamie declares they’ll take Claire over his dead body and Mrs. McGregor replies, “Thou shall not suffer a witch to live!” and throws a heavy stone at Claire. Jamie continues to insist Claire is innocent and the crowd turns on him, suggesting maybe he’s the one who murdered Malva.
Claire, voice breaking, attempts to explain she tried to save Malva and the baby, but the crowd isn’t listening. Richard believes anyone accused of a crime is entitled to a trial and he wonders why Jamie would refuse that request if Claire’s innocent.
Hiram thinks that’s fair but Jamie tells the crowd he knows Claire will be killed if he hands her over to Richard Brown. “He would slaughter her out of hand for sake of revenge upon me,” says Jamie.
Allan Christie (Alexander Vlahos) speaks up and demands they take Jamie as well as Claire. Mrs. McGregor still believes Claire murdered Malva because only a witch would steal a baby from the womb.
Hiram suggests they take them both just as Jamie’s men arrive. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough of them and Jamie knows it would be a fight to the death. He whispers to Claire that their only choice is to go with Hiram. But he warns Hiram if they’re handed over to Richard and killed, their blood will be on his hands.
It’s at this tense moment that Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) walks through the crowd and announces he’ll travel with them to ensure their safety. That appears to satisfy all parties, including the Frasers.
Lizzie rushes up and cries out, “No, Mr. Fraser!” and Jamie asks her to stand down.
Tom Christie says they’ll leave in the morning. “There’s no reason you and your wife should not rest in your own bed,” says Tom. Jamie thanks him for this act of kindness.
Once alone inside their home, Jamie promises Claire – with this life – this won’t be the last time they see the Ridge by moonlight.
Neither can sleep and Claire admits she’s scared. Jamie strokes her face and she strokes his in return. He gathers her hand in his and kisses it, and then they share a long, sweet kiss before making love for what could be the final time in the beautiful home they’ve made together. And if things go badly, they know this could also be the final time they’re able to cling to each other for comfort.
The following morning Richard assigns Oakes (Hunter Bishop) to keep an eye on Claire and Jamie after they’re placed in the back of a wagon. Richard warns the Frasers not to leave the wagon or there will be hell to pay.
Claire peeks out of the wagon at their home for what she obviously believes is the last time.
The group stop for a break and Claire wonders if she should tend to their wounds. Jamie points out she doesn’t owe these men anything.
Mark Lewis Jones in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 8 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Tom Christie gently hands Claire a bowl of food and Jamie tells her to eat because it was “kindly given.”
Richard Brown’s gone ahead of the group and has learned Salisbury no longer has a court. The sheriff quit and the town’s split on the question of independence. Richard decides they’ll travel to Wilmington which is 200 miles away. They can’t stop in Cross Creek because Jamie’s aunt lives near there and they won’t get a fair trial.
Richard confirms he’s an evil man by informing Jamie that he told the town of Salisbury about Claire. “Word’s spreading like wildfire now,” says Richard with barely hidden glee.
Back at Fraser’s Ridge, Lizzie races outside as Ian (John Bell) arrives in a wagon. She collapses to her knees, overcome with emotion.
The group is back on the road and Jamie points out to Claire that Richard’s losing control of his men. It’s apparent they never expected to be gone from their homes for any period of time and they’re getting tired.
Claire wonders why Tom volunteered for this trip. “Is he really protecting us only to see me hanged?” asks Claire.
They ride through a town and Oakes yells out, telling everyone they’re transporting the murderers to be hanged. The townsfolk have heard Claire’s a witch and they begin throwing stones at the wagon. Claire’s hit but she manages to punch one young man in the face.
Tom demands they stop this but Brown’s lost control. Tom fires his pistol and the townsfolk scatter.
Once more we go to Roger and Bree, and Bree’s getting antsy. She asks, “Are we there yet?” and Roger chuckles, reminding her Jemmy’s supposed to ask that. Roger’s apparently been waiting for just the right minute to show Bree what he received from Fergus. She picks up a newspaper – The New Bern Onion – and realizes it’s Fergus’ maiden effort. Fergus wrote a piece on why it’s called the Onion, and it has to do with onions being complex and having layers. Bree finishes reading Fergus’ explanation of the name: “A pungency and savor of the reasoned discourse always to be exercised herein.”
There’s also a Poet’s Corner and they think that was probably Marsali’s doing.
Jemmy crawls into Bree’s lap to say hi to his unborn sibling. His head’s itching and Bree discovers he has lice! They pause in their journey to cut off his hair and Bree discovers there’s a strange mole on his scalp. Roger corrects her and says it’s a nevus. He explains they show up when you’re two or three and they’re harmless. “I’ve had one just like it ever since I was a kid,” explains Roger.
He points his out and adds, “They’re hereditary.”
Bree and Roger realize at the exact same moment that this is confirmation Roger is in fact Jemmy’s biological father!
Roger takes off his hair tie and asks Bree to cut off his hair to match his son’s. And that concludes Roger and Bree’s story for season six. Now back to Jamie and Claire…
Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 8 (Photo Credit: Starz)
The group’s made camp for the night. Claire’s in pain from punching a man and she’s also “crabbit.” When Jamie points that out, Claire replies, “Oh, crabbit my arse!”
You can’t blame her one bit for being in a foul mood and Jamie attempts to lighten things up by describing how she had blood in her eye as she pounded on the lad in a fit of fury. He says he’ll always treasure the memory.
They discuss their current location and Jamie reveals they’ve stopped at a meat camp. It’s where hunters gather to dress their game. It’s a wild place and Jamie thinks Brown’s probably having second thoughts about spreading gossip about them since his group’s been caught up in the middle of stonings.
Jamie suggests Claire sleep and then gets up to urinate. He has a brief moment alone and Ian appears out of nowhere. Ian explains he’s not alone and will come out of the shadows when Jamie tells them to. Jamie doesn’t think it’s the right time but asks Ian to stay close.
Ian suggests Jamie and Claire make a run for it, but Jamie knows that’ll just turn them into hunted fugitives.
Ian confirms he’ll remain nearby and keep watch.
Morning arrives and they hit the road again. The man Claire shot in the gut finally dies and Richard orders his body strapped to his horse so they can continue.
The group stops at a well for a drink and Jamie’s allowed out to get water. He figures out too late that it’s a trap! Jamie’s grabbed as Claire’s wagon is driven away, with men in the back holding onto her so she can’t leap out.
They ride a short distance and stop, and Richard says it’s none of her business where they’re taking Jamie. She calls him a petty bastard but he claims he’s not doing this because of his brother. He’s only doing this because she murdered Malva and her unborn child.
Tom rides up and Claire shouts for him to go back to Jamie. Richard says Jamie’s not being harmed; he’s being sent home. Tom has a brief private conversation with Richard and then tells Claire that Jamie won’t be harmed. Brown gave Tom his word.
Tom won’t leave Claire’s side and will continue the journey with her, even though she wants him to check on Jamie. Reluctantly, Claire admits to herself that Tom’s right.
Claire hopes the news of her arrest will reach Roger and Brianna in Edenton. She worries about her future but can’t stop thinking of her beloved Jamie. She suspects Tom knows more than he said, and that Jamie is dead.
Claire’s group arrives in Wilmington and there’s evidence of a fight everywhere she looks. Windows are broken and there’s a man hanging in the town square.
Richard delivers her to The House of Correction for the County of New Hanover and she’s placed in a cell. When Richard steps away for a word with the sheriff, Tom secretly hands Claire a bag of coins. He also assures her Jamie is alive. “I would not have his death on my conscience, nor yours,” says Tom. He tells her to trust in God because he will deliver the righteous out of danger. He also commits to not leaving town.
Season six wraps up with Jamie on a beach tied to a massive pole. Oakes takes the bag off Jamie’s head and informs him the ship he sees in the distance will transport him back to Scotland. Oakes says he hopes Claire dies, and then Jamie’s made to stand up. Oakes delivers a gut punch and snarls, “You’ll never see your witch of a wife again.”
One of Jamie’s captors is about to knock him out when an arrow strikes its mark and kills him. Ian and his friends have arrived and easily dispatch the men holding Jamie. Oakes is the last man standing and Jamie warns them not to shoot. Oakes is the only person who knows where they’ve taken Claire. “So do we, Uncle,” says Ian as Chief Bird-Who-Sings-In-The-Morning (Glen Gould) shoots Oakes through his outstretched palm and into his eye.
Chief Bird has the final word of the season. “I told you I would fight with you, Bear Killer.”
The first batch of photos from NBC’s The Blacklist season nine episode 19 appear to confirm that Weecha (played by Diany Rodriguez) is in fact still alive. Episode 19 – “The Bear Mask” – will air on Friday, May 6, 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.
“The Bear Mask” Plot: Feeling the weight of recent pressures, Aram turns to an unusual outlet for release.
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 19 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper and James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in season 9 episode 19 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)A scene from “The Bear Mask” (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in season 9 episode 19 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai in season 9 episode 19 (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai in “The Bear Mask” episode (Photo by: Will Hart /NBC)
CBS’s Blue Bloods season 12 wraps up with episode 20, “Silver Linings,” which finds Danny and Jamie teaming up with their nephew. Directed by Ralph Hemecker from a script by Siobhan Byrne O’Connor, episode 20 will air on Friday, May 6, 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, Ian Quinlan, Will Hochman, and Rosyln Ruff.
“Silver Linings” Plot: Danny and Jamie join forces with their nephew, Joe Hill (Hochman), when Jamie and Joe’s search for an undocumented, trafficked teenage girl converges with Danny and Baez’s investigation into the murder of a woman in witness protection. Also, Frank and Erin butt heads when Frank calls out the district attorney’s office for instituting a new rule that classifies armed robbery as a misdemeanor, a mandate that has immediate ramifications for Eddie and her partner.
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.
CBS’s Magnum P.I. season four comes to an end with episode 20, “Close to Home,” which finds Katsumoto’s ex-wife in serious trouble. Directed by Bryan Spicer from a script by Eric Guggenheim, episode 20 will air on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT.
Jay Hernandez leads 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.
Episode 20 guest stars include Chantal Thuy, Christopher Thornton, and Shawna Christensen.
“Close to Home” Plot: Magnum and Higgins take on a dangerous mission inside a high-security correctional center when a ruthless criminal abducts Katsumoto’s ex-wife, Beth. Also, T.C. rushes to help Rick when Suzy has unexpected pregnancy complications.
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!
Part two of the final season of Netflix’s critically acclaimed Ozark opens with a distraught Ruth (Julia Garner) driving while experiencing flashbacks of her beloved cousin Wyatt (Charlie Tahan). Season four, episode seven, ended with Wyatt and Darlene being murdered by Javi, and episode eight finds Ruth remembering fun times spent on the roof of their trailer naming albums of their favorite artists. She recalls they daydreamed about building a big house on their land.
The memories are too powerful and Ruth pulls over to the side of the road, lost in her grief over Wyatt’s death.
Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) is on the phone with Javi (Alfonso Herrera) when the cartel bigwig orders him to clean up a mess. While Wendy (Laura Linney) listens to one side of the conversation, Javi informs Marty he’s setting a meeting up with Clare; he wants to renegotiate the terms of their deal. Javi lets Marty know he wants him to “clean up” what he did at Darlene’s, stating he took care of her.
After Marty hangs up, he fills Wendy in on what Javi wants them to do. She wonders why he didn’t tell Javi about Ruth. The answer’s obvious – it’s because Javi would kill Ruth. It comes as no surprise that Wendy doesn’t seem to care. She thinks her family will get killed if Javi finds out they didn’t warn him about Ruth.
Jonah (Skylar Gaertner), who hasn’t been #TeamWendy this entire final season, jumps in because he doesn’t want anything to happen. Wendy tries to cut him off by pleading that she and Marty are trying to figure this out. Jonah’s not having it and asks his sister, Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz), to take him back to the motel where he’s been staying.
Wendy, who truly believes she’s never wrong, says, “I’m right.”
Marty insists she’s being too emotional and Wendy takes offense to that description and begins to freak out. She tries to get him to see her side about why Javi needs to know what Ruth is doing. Marty refuses to get Ruth killed. (We should all be solidly #TeamMarty at this point.)
Ruth meets up with Jonah and Charlotte at the motel and begs them to tell her where Javi stays when he’s in the Ozarks. Jonah claims not to know, but Ruth picks up on Jonah and Charlotte exchanging glances. She pleads with Charlotte to tell her what she knows. “Please, if you have ever cared about Wyatt…”
Charlotte breaks and tells Ruth her parents are meeting with Javi the next day in Chicago.
As Ruth’s loading up money from the safe Jonah shows her a photo of Javi so she knows what he looks like. She assures Jonah she’ll be okay. (Fans really hope that’s a promise she can keep.)
Ruth returns home to find Wendy waiting for her. Ruth wonders if Wendy came to kill her and Wendy immediately launches into more lies, saying if she wants to kill Javi they won’t stand in her way. When Ruth questions if they’ll deliver Javi to her, Wendy continues her lies by saying he’s on a plane back to Mexico. (Unbeknownst to Wendy her children already spilled the beans.)
Ruth asks how many months he’ll be gone and Wendy says three. Ruth asks her to promise to tell her when he’s back and Wendy, who’s been known to break promises without feeling an iota of remorse, assures her she will.
Marty calls Javi and tells him there’s a problem and that cops are already at the Snell Farm. Javi demands Marty get to Chicago and bring with him the financials regarding his uncle’s children.
Ruth pays a visit to Frank Cosgrove Jr. (Joseph Sikora) and asks for a gun. He reminds her she was just trying to talk him out of doing the same exact thing she’s planning on doing, and then asks who does he have to thank for taking care of Darlene. She suggests it’s probably better if he doesn’t know.
Ruth shows up in Chicago, spots Javi, and shoots him point-blank in the middle of the street. Oh, not really, it’s just a daydream that’s broken up when Marty calls her. He reveals the cops told him she reported the dead bodies and now the sheriff’s looking for her. She seems to think Marty is most likely in the same boat as Wendy, so she points out she wouldn’t call the cops if she was about to do something stupid.
Marty asks what she wants him to tell the sheriff and she says she’ll go see the sheriff in a couple of days. She ends the call after telling Marty she’s fine and he doesn’t have to worry about her.
Ruth arrives in Chicago and parks outside the Shaw building. She briefly steps out of her truck but then gets back in and calls her cousin Three (Carson Holmes). He wants to know how and why Wyatt was murdered and she protects him by claiming she doesn’t know. He doesn’t believe her and wants her to come home. Three’s smart and figures out what she’s doing. He warns her Wyatt wouldn’t want her to do this. She says she’ll be home soon and hangs up.
As Ruth begins to walk around the city she thinks about her childhood with Wyatt and their broken home.
Ruth’s leaving a diner when she runs into rapper Killer Mike. She’s a fan and they have, strangely, a heart-to-heart chat before she leaves.
The next day Ruth does a lousy impersonation of Charlotte as she calls the Shaw company to confirm the time her parents are supposed to meet.
Her stalking pays off as she spots Javi walking up to the building. As he goes in, she grabs the gun, gets out of her truck, and follows him.
Javi meets with Marty, Wendy, and Clare Shaw (Katrina Lenk) and says he’s willing to commit to five years right now at a 20% price reduction. Gee, how nice of him! Clare’s not buying it and senses a catch. After saying there isn’t any catch when, of course, there is one, he informs them he wants stock options in Shaw Medical.
Clare insists that’s impossible. Javi tries to get Wendy to buy in on this but she attempts to defuse the situation by reminding him he needs to get back to Mexico to get the family business set. She then tries to appeal to Clare, complimenting her business skills and suggesting she could tell Javi a thing or two about transforming a family business.
Javi’s like a dog with the bone and doesn’t move one. He wants the stock to be put in his mother’s name. Clare reminds him his mother is the sister of a drug cartel lord.
Javi turns his attention to Marty and asks for the financials of his uncle’s legit business dealings. As Javi glances through them, he informs Marty he wants them transferred to his mother’s name. Marty reminds him those are for his uncle’s children. Javi says he’ll take care of them. (Javi’s word is about as good as Wendy’s.)
Ruth spots Javi exiting the Shaw building and begins to walk in the same direction but then stops. As she’s walking back to her truck, she locks eyes with Marty.
Back in her truck, she chastises herself for being scared. The phone rings and it’s Marty wondering what she’s doing. As they’re going back and forth – she calls herself a failure, he assures her she’s a good person – Ruth lets Marty know Wendy lied to her. He tries to defend that by saying Wendy was just trying to give her time to calm down. She calls BS on that, aware Wendy was trying to protect the Byrde family circle. (Ruth says this in much more colorful words). She correctly points out that Marty knows she’s right.
Backed by music from rapper Nas, Ruth follows Marty and Wendy around Chicago. She’s tracking the couple as she leaves a message on her deceased cousin’s cellphone about how Marty and Wendy are looking at offices and making deals, continuing on with their lives. “They’re building a whole life that should be ours,” she says.
Javi has dinner with a former professor from his business college and brags about all that he’s done for the family business. (He leaves out that his uncle actually did it all.) His former professor believes that puts him in a position to make an anonymous donation to the college. Javi wants to know why it needs to be done anonymously. The professor shies away from the truth (no one wants to openly accept cartel money) and claims it’s to protect him from the people with their hands out.
A short while later, the professor’s in the restaurant’s bathroom when Javi walks in and asks what if he offered him a $2 million donation but wants his name on the building? He then gives him another option: “Or, I could beat the living s**t out of you.”
Javi’s obviously insulted by the suggestion of a donation being anonymous. He lands on option two, beats up his former professor, and then tells him he’ll have his people write the check.
Ruth watches from outside of a restaurant as Marty and Wendy have a good time eating with Clare. She interrupts their happy little dinner and informs them they’re going to return to Clare’s office now. Ruth calls Wendy out, throwing her lie that Javi was on a plane to Mexico in her face. Looking smug, Wendy acknowledges she lied.
Marty jumps in and reminds Ruth she told him she was going home. Ruth corrects Marty, saying he told her to go home and there’s a big difference. Clare’s in the middle of an “I won’t be bullied” speech when Ruth suggests the Byrdes tell Clare to take her to her office or she’ll shoot her in the head.
Once there, Marty tries – again – to tell Ruth she doesn’t want to do this because she’s a good person. This isn’t who she wants to be. He tries to play on her sympathy, bringing up the time he thought his and Wendy’s lives were in danger and went to her to take care of his kids because he trusts her. Ruth says she used to love hearing Marty talk.
Ruth informs Clare just who she’s in business with. Looking directly at Wendy, Ruth describes her as f**king soulless. “She will rip your heart out of your chest if it helps her get what she wants,” says Ruth, speaking the truth.
She then talks about how Marty wants to believe he’s a good person and he’s doing everything for his family but that’s not true. As she continues recounting all the evil things they’ve done Wendy cuts her off and calls Javi. Wendy tells him to come down to Clare’s office because they’ve talked Clare into giving him stocks.
This time it’s not a dream… As Javi walks in Ruth shoots him dead. Afterward, she looks Marty and Wendy directly in the eyes before leaving.
As season four episode eight comes to an end, Marty and Wendy begin to clean up the mess Ruth made. Meanwhile, Ruth is in her truck sobbing. She suddenly stops, pulls herself together, and drives away.
Netflix just released new details on the upcoming original comedy series Mo created by comedians Mo Amer (The Vagabond, Black Adam) and Ramy Youssef (Ramy, Mr. Robot). The photos, plot description, and character list arrived ahead of Mo Amer taking the stage at the 2022 Netflix Is A Joke Festival running April 28 through May 8 in Los Angeles.
Mo stars Mo Amer, Teresa Ruiz, Farah Bsieso, Omar Elba, and Tobe Nwigwe. Amer executive produces along with Ramy Youssef, Harris Danow, Luvh Rakhe, and A24’s Ravi Nandan and Hallie Sekoff. Executive producer Solvan “Slick” Naim (It’s Bruno!) directs.
Season one consists of eight half-hour episodes and will premiere on August 24, 2022.
Netflix released the following plot and character descriptions:
“Mo Najjar straddles the line between two cultures, three languages, and a ton of bulls**t as a Palestinian refugee constantly living one step away from asylum on the path to U.S. citizenship. His family — including his resilient and spiritual mother, sister, and older brother — flee to Houston, Texas. Laughing the pain away, Mo learns to adapt to his new world though getting ahead in life comes with several setbacks.”
Mo Amer as Mo Najjar, a refugee at the mercy of a decades-long, convoluted immigration process. He works hard for his family, wanting to provide for the people he loves…even if they might not approve of the means.
Teresa Ruiz (Father Stu, Narcos: Mexico) as Maria, an ambitious businesswoman and supportive girlfriend who is committed to her relationship with Mo but will not compromise on her independence or her beliefs.
Farah Bsieso as Yusra Najjar (devoted mother to Mo and Sameer Najjar), the quick-witted, intelligent and, when necessary, meddlesome head of the family. Despite all the loss and hardship she has endured, Yusra has only grown stronger focusing on the things that matter most to her: family, God and The Price is Right.
Omar Elba (Limetown, A Hologram for the King) as Sameer Najjar, Mo’s brilliant older brother, with a natural innocence and a deep love of cats. He has always had trouble fitting in due to his social anxieties. Deep down, Sameer has a desire for independence and romantic love.
Tobe Nwigwe as Nick, Mo’s oldest, most loyal, and most cunning friend. After spending his youth getting into trouble with Mo, Nick has sought out a calmer lifestyle, but his willingness to stand by his best friend means his life can never truly be stress-free.
Disney+ just released a new music video from the upcoming family-friendly musical Sneakerella, an updated, quirky twist on the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. The video features the original song “Kicks,” written for the film by Antonina Armato, Tim James Price, Thomas Armato Sturges, and Adam Schmalholz, and performed by Sneakerella‘s star Chosen Jacobs (It).
In addition to Chosen Jacobs, the musical’s cast includes Lexi Underwood, John Salley, Devyn Nekoda, Juan Chioran, and Bryan Terrell Clark. Kolton Stewart, Robyn Alomar, Yvonne Senat-Jones, and Hayward Leach also star.
Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum directed Sneakerella from a screenplay by David Light, Joseph Raso, Tamara Chestna, Mindy Stern, and George Gore II (story by Stern & Gore and Light & Raso). The film features eight new songs as well as a score composed by Elvin Ross. Ebony Williams and Emilio Dosal are the film’s choreographers.
Sneakerella will premiere on Disney+ on May 13, 2022. The digital soundtrack also drops on May 13th, followed by its physical release on June 24th.
Chosen Jacobs in ‘Sneakerella’ (Disney/Brendan Adam-Zwelling)
The Sneakerella Plot:
El (Jacobs) is an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens who works as a stock boy in the shoe store that once belonged to his late mother. He hides his artistic talent from his overburdened stepfather and two mean-spirited stepbrothers who constantly thwart any opportunity that comes his way. When El meets Kira King, the fiercely independent daughter of legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon Darius King, sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity for sneakers.
With a little nudge from his best friend and a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic, El finds the courage to use his talent to pursue his dream of becoming a ‘legit’ sneaker designer in the industry. El is now ready to lace up and dream big.
An American scientist’s murder has the team searching for a sniper on CBS’s FBI: International season one episode 19. Directed by Jonathan Brown from a script Wade McIntyre, episode 19 – “Get That Revolution Started” – will air on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT.
The season one cast includes Luke Kleintank as Special Agent Scott Forrester, Heida Reed as Special Agent Jamie Kellett, Carter Redwood as Special Agent Andre Raines, Vinessa Vidotto as Special Agent Cameron Vo, and Christiane Paul as Europol Agent Katrin Jaeger.
Episode 19 guest stars include Christina Rouner, William Ludwig, Joseph Balderrama, Thirsa van Til, Dendrie Taylor, Balázs Csémy, and Magnus Bruun.
“Get That Revolution Started” Plot: The Fly Team works to hunt down the sniper responsible for killing an American during an attack targeting a biomedical lab in Belgium. Also, Jaeger clashes with her boss at Europol over her allegiance to the Fly Team.
FBI: International is the third iteration of the successful FBI brand that follows the elite operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s International Fly Team. Headquartered in Budapest, they travel the world with the mission of tracking and neutralizing threats against American citizens wherever they may be, putting their lives on the line to protect the U.S. and its people.
The Fly Team’s Special Agent Scott Forrester, their accomplished and dedicated leader, puts his missions ahead of his personal life and is rarely seen without the team’s “secret weapon” – their trusty Schutzhund dog, Tank. Second in command is Special Agent Jamie Kellett, not afraid to tussle – in an alley or courtroom – and her extensive network of informants is a powerful resource. Special Agent Andre Raines shines in the field and makes good use of his accounting background in tracking criminal enterprises’ moving money; and the group’s newest member is Special Agent Cameron Vo, a competitive West Point grad who excels at interrogation and strategy.
A key part of the mix is the unflappable Europol Agent Katrin Jaeger, a multilinguistic liaison between the FBI Fly Team and each host country they inhabit. Always at the scene where American interests are at risk, FBI: International is a globe-trotting depiction of law enforcement overseas.
