Season four of NBC’s hit medical drama New Amsterdam continues with episode six, “Laughter and Hope and a Sock in the Eye.” Episode six is set to air on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
The cast of season four is led by Ryan Eggold as Medical Director Max Goodwin. Janet Montgomery returns as Dr. Lauren Bloom, Freema Agyeman stars as Dr. Helen Sharpe, Jocko Sims plays Dr. Floyd Reynolds, and Tyler Labine is Dr. Iggy Frome. Michelle Forbes guest stars as Dr. Fuentes.
“Laughter and Hope and a Sock in the Eye” Plot: Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Malvo have a heart-to-heart with Dr. Baptiste. Max learns a little more about Sharpe when someone from her past resurfaces. Iggy plays referee between two young patients and their families. Dr. Wilder reconsiders Max’s offer to join the staff.
After a turbulent year of sacrifice and hardship, Medical Director Max Goodwin and the team at New Amsterdam begin a well-deserved new chapter in their lives. The opening episode, titled “More Joy,” reflects both the drive of characters and the tone of season four. More joy: How can we find it, and how can we hold on to it?
For Max that means acknowledging and surrendering to his long simmering feelings towards Dr. Helen Sharpe. While this new relationship brings its own set of challenges, Max continues his optimistic – and quixotic – quest to improve our nation’s healthcare system.
Continuing to navigate their own personal journeys – including Dr. Bloom’s relationship with Dr. Leyla Shinwari, who is now her resident, Dr. Frome’s new career and Dr. Reynolds’ personal entanglements – the doctors will strive to embrace the joy and successes in their lives.
But there is a surprise in store for our heroes. Dr. Veronica Fuentes is joining the New Amsterdam team to help turn around the overburdened and underfunded hospital. Her first order of business will be to tear down every progressive program Max has erected. Max will have his work cut out for him if he is going to outwit this calm, poised and fearless fixer.
Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in ‘New Amsterdam’ season 4 episode 6 (Photo by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC)Jocko Sims as Dr. Floyd Reynolds and Freema Agyeman as Dr. Helen Sharpe in season 4 episode 6 (Photo by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC)Freema Agyeman as Dr. Helen Sharpe and Tobias Truvillion as Guillaume in season 4 episode 6 (Photo by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC)Sandra Mae Frank as Dr. Elizabeth Wilder, Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin, and Conner Marx as Ben in season 4 episode 6 (Photo by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC)Sandra Mae Frank as Dr. Elizabeth Wilder in season 4 episode 6 (Photo by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC)Freema Agyeman as Dr. Helen Sharpe in season 4 episode 6 (Photo by: Eric Liebowitz/NBC)
Georgia (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Sam (Algee Smith) in ‘Mother/Android’ (Courtesy of Hulu)
Hulu’s released the first batch of photos from the sci-fi thriller Mother/Android starring Chloë Grace Moretz (The Miseducation of Cameron Post). The streaming service also announced they’ve set a December 17, 2021 premiere date.
The new photos show off a little of the world in which the post-apocalyptic thriller is set. In addition to Moretz, the photos reveal the characters played by Algee Smith (Judas and the Black Messiah) and Raul Castillo (We The Animals).
The Batman co-writer Mattson Tomlin directs and The Batman director Matt Reeves serves as a producer.
According to a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Mother/Android is a very personal story for writer/director Tomlin. “The movie is a very loose adaptation of my adoption story,” said Tomlin. “I was born in 1990, right after the Romanian revolution. I was born in Bucharest. And the story is a retelling using the three or four things that I know about my origin. My parents were extremely young and found out they were pregnant—and then their whole world blew up.”
Reeves’ 6th & Idaho production company’s Adam Kassan and Rafi Crohn also serve as producers along with Miramax’s Bill Block and Charles Miller.
Hulu released the following synopsis for the 2021 thriller:
“Set in the near future, Mother/Android follows Georgia (Moretz) and her boyfriend Sam (Smith) through their treacherous journey of escape as their country is caught in an unexpected war with artificial intelligence. Days away from the arrival of their first child, they must face No Man’s Land – a stronghold of the android uprising, in hopes of reaching safety before giving birth.”
A scene from Hulu’s sci-fi thriller (Courtesy of Hulu)Arthur (Raúl Castillo) in a scene from ‘Mother/Android’ (Courtesy of Hulu)A scene from ‘Mother/Android’ (Courtesy of Hulu)Georgia (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Sam (Algee Smith) – Courtesy of Hulu
Shaun’s pushed to his limits when a person who’s not a doctor is brought in to consult on a case on ABC’s The Good Doctor season five episode four. Directed by David Straiton from a script by Peter Blake and Tristan Thai, episode four will air on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast of season five features Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy, Antonia Thomas as Dr. Claire Browne, Hill Harper as Dr. Marcus Andrews, and Richard Schiff as Dr. Aaron Glassman. Christina Chang plays Dr. Audrey Lim, Fiona Gubelmann is Dr. Morgan Reznick, Will Yun Lee is Dr. Alex Park, and Paige Spara stars as Lea Dilallo.
The episode four guest cast includes Rachel Bay Jones as Salen Morrison, Jeremiah Birkett as Walt Taylor, Maria Nash as Holly Taylor, Jill Teed as Gina Campbell, Adam DiMarco as Henry Campbell, and Elfina Luk as Nurse Villanueva.
“Rationality” Plot: Dr. Shaun Murphy and the team treat a young girl whose father’s personal research complicates their treatment plans. Meanwhile, Dr. Park, Dr. Reznick and Dr. Lim’s patient refuses a life-saving lung transplant despite having a family donor.
The Good Doctor Description, Courtesy of ABC:
Dr. Shaun Murphy (Highmore), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, continues to use his extraordinary medical gifts at St. Bonaventure Hospital’s surgical unit. As his friendships deepen, Shaun tackles the world of dating for the first time and continues to work harder than he ever has before, navigating his environment to prove to his colleagues that his talents as a surgeon will save lives.
Freddie Highmore, Rachel Bay Jones, and Hill Harper in ‘The Good Doctor’ season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)Richard Schiff and Rachel Bay Jones in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)Freddie Highmore and Paige Spara in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)Freddie Highmore and Hill Harper in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)Jeremiah Birkett, Freddie Highmore, Hill Harper and Rachel Bay Jones in season 5 episode 4 (ABC/Jeff Weddell)
Director Denis Villeneuve’s stunning take on Frank Herbert’s Dune pulls off the near-impossible by not only living up to its pre-release hype but also surpassing expectations. This PG-13 adaptation is a visually spectacular, mesmerizing introduction to this world of spice, sandworms, and warring noble families.
Dune begins by announcing what’s about to play out is only part one of the story. This first of hopefully many installments lays out the pivotal characters and power dynamics that pit rival Great Houses against each other in a battle to control the harvesting of spice. The precious commodity can extend lifespans, enhance mental capacity, and makes space travel possible. As Herbert wrote, “He who controls the spice controls the universe.”
House Harkonnen’s control of Arrakis, the only planet where spice can be found, is taken away by the Emperor and handed over to House Atreides as the film gets underway. Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), leader of House Atreides, is leery of the Emperor’s motivations but has no choice other than to move his family, along with the Atreides army, from their home planet of Caladan to the inhospitable desert planet of Arrakis.
Duke Leto’s son, Paul (Timothée Chalamet), inherited special mental abilities from his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), a member of an exclusive sisterhood known as the Bene Gesserit. Paul has prophetic visions of Arrakis and specifically of a girl (played by Zendaya) who lives there prior to his family’s journey to the isolated planet. From the moment he steps foot on Arrakis, it’s apparent he feels a deep connection to the planet and its oppressed indigenous population, the Fremen.
Shortly after taking over the spice harvesting operation, Duke Leto’s suspicions that his House has been setup by the Emperor prove to be true. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard in a grotesque fat suit), leader of House Harkonnen, plots to reclaim control of Arrakis and sets in motion a war between the Houses with the future of Arrakis – and the empire – at stake.
Denis Villeneuve assembled an incredible ensemble for this epic sci-fi film, led by powerful performances by Oscar Isaac, Timothée Chalamet, and Rebecca Ferguson. In fact, even with a two and a half hour running time, the opening chapter of the revived Dune cinematic franchise features so many compelling performances and interesting characters that quite a few wind up with less screen time than they deserve. Zendaya’s Chani is featured in Paul’s dreams but overall isn’t given much to do in this outing. (Chani is set up to become a key player in part two as is Javier Bardem’s Stilgar, one of the leaders of the Fremen.) Jason Momoa turns in a scene-stealing performance as one of House Atreides’ fiercest warriors and one of Paul’s closest friends and advisors. And Josh Brolin’s terrific, as always, in his few scenes as Gurney Halleck, a Warmaster for House Atreides and trusted confidante of Duke Leto.
The film’s driven by incredible performances, however the key to Dune’s success lies squarely on the shoulders of Timothée Chalamet as the would-be messiah who drives the narrative in Herbert’s first two Dune novels. Paul spends Dune: Part 1 growing into his powers, and Timothée Chalamet’s a commanding presence as he captures Paul’s transition from the love and protection he enjoys on his home planet to a young man forced to deal with loss and betrayal on Arrakis.
Hans Zimmer’s pulsating, unrelenting score feels like its own character and Greig Fraser’s stunning cinematography demands the film be seen on as large a screen as possible. The special effects, in particular the rendering of the sandworms, are spectacular and the planet of Arrakis looks astonishingly real.
Given the depth and breadth of Herbert’s Dune universe, I expected to feel a little lost trying to figure out the politics and key players of this 2021 adaptation. Fortunately, Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, and Eric Roth’s adaptation is so precise, so well-constructed that any fears of getting lost in this fantastical world proved to be unfounded. The film’s only real shortcoming is the lack of a satisfying ending. We can only hope Warner Bros. will quickly announce they’ve greenlit Dune: Part Two so we’re not left wandering the Arrakis desert beside Paul for long.
GRADE: A-
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some disturbing images, sequences of strong violence, and suggestive material
The network’s midseason lineup kicks off with the addition of the new Gordon Ramsay cooking competition series, Next Level Chef, on Sunday, January 2, 2022. The culinary competition show will air following an NFL on Fox doubleheader.
Call Me Kat season two starring Mayim Bialik will also arrive as part of Fox’s midseason programming, debuting on Sunday, January 9, 2022 after an NFL on Fox doubleheader. The season two premiere of that half-hour comedy will be followed by the series premiere of Pivoting, starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Eliza Coupe, and Maggie Q.
In addition to announcing premiere dates, Fox released details on the upcoming series premieres of Pivoting and Next Level Chef as well as season two of Call Me Kat:
NEXT LEVEL CHEF: The series is the next evolution in cooking competitions, as award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay has designed a one-of-a-kind culinary gauntlet, set on an iconic stage like you’ve never seen. Over three stories high, each floor contains a stunningly different kitchen. From the glistening top floor to the challenging bottom of the basement, the ingredients will match the environment, because Ramsay believes the true test of a great chef is not only what they can do in the best of circumstances, but what kind of magic they can create in the worst!
With a level playing field, Ramsay has opened up the competition and scoured the country for the very best line cooks, home chefs, social media stars, food truck owners and everything in between, all competing against one and other with the goal of finding the food world’s newest superstar! Joined by two elite names in the food world, chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais, Ramsay and his co-mentors will leave no stone unturned, as they each recruit a group of the talented chefs and take them under their wings. Ramsay and his friends will attempt to bring out the very best in their cooks, as they all try to find “the one.”
Although he now sits unrivaled at the top of the culinary world, Ramsay started at the bottom, washing dishes in a local takeout restaurant. He firmly believes that as long as a chef has the drive, talent and perseverance, he or she can make that climb to the top. Creativity, consistency and cunning are the recipe for success to make it to the NEXT LEVEL, as the competitors adapt to the challenges waiting for them. Only one can walk away with a life-changing $250,000 grand prize and become a NEXT LEVEL CHEF!
CALL ME KAT: Based on the British series Miranda, created by Miranda Hart, CALL ME KAT stars Emmy Award nominee Mayim Bialik as an optimistic and fun-loving woman continuously defying societal expectations, and her mother’s wishes, to prove she can live a happy and fulfilling life on her own terms. Her first move? Using her entire savings to open a cat café in Louisville, KY.
This season, Kat’s back, navigating life’s ups and downs with a little more self-assurance and a lot more whimsy. Kat’s in her element at her lively cat café, working alongside her friends: Randi (Kyla Pratt), a bold, aspiring artist, and Phil (Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan), the café’s resident baker dipped in southern flair. Across the way, the local piano bar, run by cool, down-to-earth Carter (Julian Gant), remains the gang’s favorite watering hole, where Kat’s best friend from college, Max (Cheyenne Jackson), slings drinks and charms the patrons. All the while, Kat’s mother, Sheila (Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe nominee Swoosie Kurtz), actively keeps tabs on her daughter’s romantic life, which found Kat in a tough spot at the end of Season One, having to choose between her new beau, Oscar (Christopher Rivas), or her long-time crush, Max.
This year, Kat will find herself in all sorts of predicaments, handling them as only she can – with joy, humor, and positivity.
PIVOTING: Starring Eliza Coupe, Ginnifer Goodwin and Maggie Q, PIVOTING is a single-camera comedy set in Long Island, NY, that follows three women – and close-knit childhood friends – as they cope with the death of the fourth member of their group. When faced with the reality that life is short, these women pivot, and alter their current paths, by way of a series of impulsive, ill-advised and self-indulgent decisions. These pivots will strengthen their bond and prove it’s never too late to screw up your life in the pursuit of happiness.
For AMY (Coupe, Happy Endings), the fearless producer of a local cooking show, managing a hundred employees comes easily. Yet, when it comes to caring for her own children, she’s absolutely terrified. Despite her lack of maternal instincts, her husband, HENRY (Tommy Dewey, Casual), a contractor who never loses his cool, perfectly counter-balances Amy in all of her flaws. Her pivot is to be a more active, present mother.
JODIE (Goodwin, Once Upon a Time) is a stay-at-home mom of three in a loveless marriage. Her husband is a controlling, finance-obsessed jerk, but Jodie has never even considered that the grass might be greener anywhere else. When she does, her pivot means getting in shape…and maybe more with her hot 27-year-old trainer, MATT (JT Neal, Bless This Mess), who gives her the attention and excitement she didn’t realize she had been craving for years. SARAH (Q, Designated Survivor) is a successful doctor — an MD and PhD, as she will readily let anyone know.
For Sarah, the loss of their friend is compounded by the recent divorce from her wife. After a life filled with stress, Sarah is sent into a tailspin, that launches her pivot to a simpler, and thus happier life — working as a grocery store employee.
PIVOTING takes a real look at three intelligent, empowered and seemingly enlightened women who decide to stop and hit the reset button. For all three of these women, the untimely and heartbreaking death of their friend was the wake-up call they didn’t know they needed, but might be just the thing that helps them live their best lives.
The team reflects on the events of 9/11 on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on CBS’s SEAL Team season five episode three, “Nine Ten.” Directed by Jessica Paré from a script by Dana Greenblatt, episode three will air on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 10:30pm ET, 10pm PT.
David Boreanaz returns to lead the cast as Jason Hayes. Max Thieriot plays Clay Spenser, Neil Brown Jr. is Ray Perry, AJ Buckley is Sonny Quinn, and Toni Trucks stars as Lisa Davis.
Episode three guest stars include Travis James, Francesca Xuereb, Pierce Pope, C. Thomas Howell, Cheyenne Haynes, Robert Olsen, and Mia Pollini.
“Nine Ten” Plot: As members of Bravo team travel to New York City, they reflect on a day that shaped each of their lives forever.
SEAL Team is a military drama that follows the professional and personal lives of the most elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous, high stakes missions our country can ask of them. Jason Hayes is the respected, intense leader of the Tier One team whose home life has suffered as a result of his extensive warrior’s existence.
His team includes his trusted confidant, Ray Perry, the longest-tenured operator with whom Jason shares an ingrained shorthand; Sonny Quinn, an exceptional, loyal soldier with a checkered past who still combats self-destructive tendencies; and Clay Spenser, a young, multilingual, second-generation SEAL with insatiable drive and dedication.
Vital to the team’s success is Ensign Lisa Davis, a no-nonsense, take-charge officer. Deployed on clandestine missions worldwide at a moment’s notice and knowing the toll it takes on them and their families, this tight-knit SEAL team displays unwavering patriotism and fearless dedication even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Peter’s shocked to learn Catherine’s dubbed herself “The Great” as the official trailer for season two of Hulu’s The Great begins. “It is if you’re not great. If you are, they’re just calling things what they are,” replies Catherine.
The two-minute trailer also finds Catherine suggesting she’d rather choke to death on a tiny chicken than make love to her husband and shows her commitment to tearing Russia away from her hubby in a coup.
Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult return to lead the cast as Catherine and Peter. Phoebe Fox plays Marial, Adam Godley is Archbishop, and Gwilym Lee is Grigor Dymov. Charity Wakefield stars as Georgina, Douglas Hodge is Velementov, Sacha Dhawan plays Orlo, Bayo Gbadamosi is Arkady, and Belinda Bromilow stars as Aunt Elizabeth.
Gillian Anderson joins the series as Catherine’s mother, Joanna.
The second season will premiere on Friday, November 19, 2021 with the release of all 10 episodes.
Oscar nominee Tony McNamara (The Favourite) created the series and serves as writer and executive producer. Fanning, Hoult, Marian Macgowan, Mark Winemaker, Matt Shakman, and Echo Lake’s Brittany Kahan Ward, Doug Mankoff and Andrew Spaulding executive produce. Thruline’s Josh Kesselman and Ron West also serve as executive producers.
The Great is a Civic Center Media production in association with MRC Television.
Poster for season two of ‘The Great’ (Photo Courtesy of Hulu)
The Season 2 Plot, Courtesy of Hulu:
In season two of The Great, Catherine finally takes the Russian throne for her own — but if she thought coup-ing her husband was difficult, it’s nothing compared to the realities of ‘liberating’ a country that doesn’t want to be. She’ll battle her court, her team, even her own mother in a bid to bring the enlightenment to Russia.
Meanwhile she’ll also battle her heart as Peter slowly transitions from much-hated husband, to prisoner? Ally? Lover? Ultimately Catherine will learn that to change a country, you must let it change you, that there is a fine line between idealism and delusion, and that becoming ‘Great’, will ask more of her than she could have imagined.
Citizens using an app wreak havoc on the team’s attempt to capture armed robbers on CBS’s S.W.A.T. season five episode four. Directed by Cherie Dvorak from a script by Ryan Keleher, episode four – “Sentinel” – will air on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT.
The season five cast is led by Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. Alex Russell stars as Jim Street, Jay Harrington plays David “Deacon” Kay, Lina Esco is Christina “Chris” Alonso, Kenny Johnson is Dominique Luca, David Lim is Victor Tan, and Patrick St. Esprit stars as Commander Robert Hicks.
David DeSantos and Norma Kuhling appear in recurring roles.
“Sentinel” Plot: As the team races to stop a violent band of armed robbers, the search is complicated by civilians using a public safety app that encourages vigilantism. Also, Street receives difficult news that alters his future.
Series Description, Courtesy of CBS:
Inspired by the television series and the feature film, S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant, tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson strives to bridge the divide between his two worlds. However, Hondo is forced to question his professional identity when he is demoted from Squad Leader after going public to expose racial corruption within the LAPD.
The other members of Hondo’s elite S.W.A.T. unit include David “Deacon” Kay, an experienced S.W.A.T. officer and dedicated family man who always puts the team first; Christina “Chris” Alonso, a skilled officer and the team’s canine trainer; Dominique Luca, an expert driver who gets them in and out of high risk situations; newlywed Victor Tan, who started in the LAPD Hollywood Division and uses his confidential informants in the community to help the team; and Jim Street, the team’s cocky newest member. Responsible for the management of all Metro Division S.W.A.T. units is Commander Robert Hicks, a senior LAPD official with the Special Operations Bureau.
With Hondo no longer leading the charge, these dedicated men and women face an uncertain future as they bravely put themselves at risk to protect their community and save lives.
Netflix’s binge-worthy glassblowing competition series Blown Away is welcoming back fan favorites from its first two seasons for Blown Away: Christmas. The four-episode special holiday challenge features season one standouts Alexander (3rd place) and Edgar (8th place), and season two’s Nao (4th place), Andi (5th place), and Cat (2nd place).
Queer Eye‘s Bobby Berk hosts and Katherine Gray is the resident evaluator.
Netflix has set a November 19, 2021 premiere date.
The Plot:
Blown Away is cranking up the heat for a spectacular holiday showdown! ’Tis the season for redemption as five fan favorites return to the hot shop to compete in a series of Christmas-themed challenges in the quest to become The Best in Holiday Blow. In the spirit of giving, the winner will not only receive a $10,000 cash prize, but an additional $10,000 will also be donated to their charity of choice.
There’s a lot of talk of death and dying in the teaser trailer for the fourth and final season of Netflix’s Ozark. The one-minute teaser includes clips of familiar Ozark locations and ends with the declaration that “today is a new beginning.”
The upcoming fourth season will air in two parts, each consisting of seven episodes. Part one will premiere on Netflix on January 24, 2022. The network did not confirm a launch date for the series’ final seven episodes.
The cast is led by Emmy winner Jason Bateman, Emmy winner Laura Linney, and Emmy winner Julia Garner. Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, Charlie Tahan, Jessica Frances Dukes, Lisa Emery, and Felix Solis also star. In addition, the cast includes Damian Young, Alfonso Herrera, Adam Rothenberg, John Bedford Lloyd, Joseph Sikora, Bruno Bichir, CC Castillo, Katrina Lenk, Bruce Davison, Ali Stroker, and Veronica Falcón.
Chris Mundy writes, executive produces, and serves as showrunner. Jason Bateman, Mark Williams, John Shiban, Patrick Markey and Bill Dubuque also executive produce, with Laura Linney serving as a co-executive producer.
Ozark is a thrilling drama set in the present-day and follows the Byrde family’s journey from their normal, suburban Chicago life to their dangerous criminal enterprise in the Ozarks, Missouri. The series explores capitalism, family dynamics, and survival through the eyes of (anything but) ordinary Americans.
