‘Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story’ Episode 7 Recap: “The Shillelagh”

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July 7, 2020

Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story Episode 7 — Amanda Peet as Betty Broderick in ‘Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story’ episode 7 (Photo by: Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)

The end of episode six of USA Network’s Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story found the judge ruling in Dan’s favor and Betty shopping for a gun. Episode seven, “The Shillelagh,” opens with Dan (Christian Slater) delivering a lecture to a class of law students. The topic is the definition of a statement of fact and how two people can perceive the same incident differently. He suggests a client’s truth is the ultimate truth because the job of a lawyer is to focus on their client’s perception of events.

Meanwhile, Linda (Rachel Keller) and her friends are busy giggling over Linda’s bachelorette party plans. They joke about Betty still leaving messages on Dan and Linda’s answering machine. Linda reenacts a message, using Betty’s language and calling herself “the whore.” She toasts to herself, quoting Betty, “Once a whore, always a whore.”

Linda’s friends are incredulous, unable to fathom how Linda puts up with Betty’s rage. Linda lightens the mood by singing “Chapel of Love.”

Betty (Amanda Peet) is home alone, the gun case open on the kitchen table. She’s writing her thoughts in her diary, talking about the dark tunnel Alice Through the Looking Glass fell down and how she doesn’t stand up for herself.

Another day finds Betty listening to her daughter describe the plans for Dan and Linda’s upcoming wedding, and she’s upset Dan’s planning on wearing formal morning dress after refusing to wear that at their wedding. She also learns Dan’s taking Linda to the Caribbean for their honeymoon. She thinks Dan’s just repeating what he did with her including the month of the ceremony and the morning dress.

Betty has her boys over and while they’re playing, they knock something over. Betty reacts quickly and picks it up. She then makes them promise if she shows them something, they’ll never handle it.

Later, Betty returns the boys to Dan’s and sends one up to fetch a dress from Tracy’s room. She waits in the doorway for only a moment before stepping inside, fully aware she’s not legally allowed to enter Dan’s house. She shuts the door behind her and spots a box of pink bachelorette shirts nearby. She snags one as well as a large pink envelope off the counter.

Her son retrieves the dress and she gives him a hug and kiss before taking off.

That evening Linda and Dan are going over seating arrangements for the reception when Linda discovers her invitation list is missing. She immediately blames the boys – who’ve entered the room asking about dinner – for letting their mom inside the house. Dan calms the boys down and assures Linda they won’t let Betty keep the stolen list.

Linda pouts and wants to know why Betty won’t leave them alone. Dan swears he’ll get the list back.

Betty’s busy using the list to make phone calls. She’s telling Dan’s friends and colleagues they’re not on the list in order to make them angry at Dan.

Dan takes a seat next to one of the boys on the couch and apologizes again for Linda’s behavior. He blames it on how women get stressed while they’re planning a wedding and need everything to go perfectly. The young boy confesses to his dad that his mom has a gun. He reveals Betty told them not to touch it and asks if it’s okay if she has it. Dan thinks she’s not keeping it a secret and told the boys so they would pass the news on to him.

Linda overhears the conversation and appears concerned.

Betty’s at her job at the preschool when she receives a phone call. No one is on the other end of the line so she hangs up.

The call was Linda checking to see if Betty’s home. Learning she’s not, she goes through Betty’s house looking for her list. She finds Betty’s diary and is reading a few entries when the maid arrives. Linda scurries out, claiming to be Betty’s friend who just dropped by to pick something up.

Betty returns home as the maid’s still cleaning. The maid explains a young blonde stopped by to retrieve something, but she’s unaware of what the stranger wanted. Betty looks concerned and then frantically searches for her diary. It’s missing.

Linda tries to show Dan what’s in Betty’s diary, but he doesn’t want anything to do with it. He chastises her for breaking the law by entering Betty’s place, and Linda bites back reminding him Betty always breaks into theirs.

Linda starts reading out loud from the diary and Dan stops her. He tells Linda to put it back where she found it – and he doesn’t care how she does that. She storms off, upset.

Betty’s hauled into court because Dan’s accusing her of taking their wedding invitation list. Her attorney (Stephen Culp) demands to know if she took it and she claims not to even know what they’re talking about. Her attorney argues on her behalf that it’s a baseless accusation. The judge, however, takes Dan’s side – again – and will allow Dan to withhold payments until she gives it back or explains where it is.

Betty’s attorney begs her to explain what’s going on and she finally takes the list out of her purse and hands it over. When she returns home, her diary is right inside the door. She imagines Linda and Dan laughing as they read what she’d written over the past months.

Linda and Dan meet with a security company, worried Betty might try and ruin the wedding. Linda believes Betty might even try to ruin the supplies as they’re being delivered. They admit they haven’t heard any specific rumors of what Betty has planned, but Linda confesses Betty has joked about shooting them.

Dan and Linda confirm Betty has a gun. Dan also confirms he hasn’t installed a security system at the house. He assures the security guard that he should be able to handle Betty if she shows up to cause trouble.

Betty’s friend Karen wants to plan a trip out of town or something to keep Betty’s mind off the wedding. Betty doesn’t want to go anywhere on that day and instead would like to buy herself an expensive watch engraved with Dan and Linda’s wedding date. Karen plans to come over on Sunday – the wedding day – to keep Betty company.

Betty buys herself a happy anniversary cake.

Karen meets with another friend of Betty’s and describes what Betty told her about wanting to buy a watch. They’ve bought pagers they’ll use to keep each other in the loop as to Betty’s whereabouts on the wedding day. They work out a code – 666 is a heads-up number that something might be wrong. A 911 page from Karen will mean she can’t find her and to give Dan a warning Betty’s on the loose.

Dan confirms to a friend there will be security guards at the wedding. He doesn’t seem overly concerned and tells his friend to stop worrying, even though his friends think Betty has a hit list. He’s sure all Betty cares about is money so she won’t kill him since he’s her source of income.

The guests arrive on April 22, 1989, and Betty’s at home with Karen. They look through old photo albums and Betty wonders if Karen feels sorry for her. Karen doesn’t and believes Betty is strong enough to handle life on her own.

Linda and Dan return from their honeymoon and Linda changes the answering machine message. The court had ordered Dan to get his girlfriend off the machine, but Linda points out now she’s his wife. The order no longer applies. Obviously, all she’s doing is poking the bear.

Betty meets with her therapist and he describes her children – who live a luxury lifestyle – as “in crisis.” He wants her to help them and herself by getting them home.

The boys are over for the weekend and she explains she may be moving to a smaller condo. They make her feel better about their possible new living arrangement by revealing their friends have bunk beds in a shared room. She suggests the next weekend they come she’ll take them looking for a place.

When one of the boys points out they won’t be with her for a while, Betty tenses up. Dan and Linda will be taking them to Indiana for the Notre Dame vs USC football game. Betty’s mood noticeably darkens.

On the day of the game Betty watches the action on the gridiron at a bar. She tells a friendly lady she’s sitting near that she met her ex-husband in South Bend in 1965. Betty then reveals her husband left her for his secretary and is now at the game with her plus their kids. She becomes emotional as she talks about Dan having a great time with his new wife at the place they met and fell in love. Betty wonders what Dan’s friends’ wives think about Dan being with some young chick.

A few days later, Betty puts in an unexpected appearance at a restaurant where three of her friends are having lunch. They’re shocked to see her and she pulls up a seat at the table, uninvited. They ask how she’s doing and she reveals Dan and Linda are going to the Greek Isles and want the boys to be left at their place with the housekeeper instead of with her. This means she’ll have to beg a judge to let her be her sons’ mom for two weeks. She’s livid, and her friends don’t engage in the conversation. Instead, they look uncomfortable as she rages on about Dan and Linda.

Betty meets with her attorney and learns Dan’s refusing to discuss custody. The attorney shares a letter from Dan complete with transcripts of recent answering machine messages. Dan also claims Betty’s committed 20 separate acts of contempt since the judge’s last ruling. He threatens Betty with another jail sentence.

Betty curls up in bed with Dan’s letter playing over and over in her head.

Betty’s daughter is over visiting her mom and after a heated discussion, she storms off – leaving her purse on the table. Betty fishes out her daughter’s keys and puts them in her pocket.

Linda and Dan have dinner out with a friend and they’re absolutely giddy over their trip to the Greek Isles. They reveal their next vacation will be to Australia and their friend’s overjoyed. But then they drop a bombshell – the Australia trip may have to wait because they’re hoping to add a new member to their family!

Linda’s absolutely bubbling over with excitement about the idea of having a child.

November 4, 1989. Betty has lunch with a friend and is distracted as the woman describes her son’s Halloween costume. Betty reveals Dan had said she could take them trick or treating but then they called and canceled. She confides this wasn’t her first Halloween without them, but it will probably be the last time they want to go out trick or treating since they’re getting older.

Betty looks defeated and depressed, and she asks her friend if Linda’s pregnant. The woman claims not to know anything about Dan and Linda’s relationship.

Her boys are over for the weekend and as they do dishes, one of her boys says his friend invited him to Disneyland this weekend but he said no. He turned his friend down because if he went, he couldn’t see his mom. She begins sobbing and he asks her not to cry again, suggesting she does this a lot. She blames her emotions on lack of sleep and he suggests she should get some.

Fully dressed, she lays on top of her bed and doesn’t close her eyes. A while later she rises, unaware her son has crawled into bed with her.

She walks through her house in the dark, with only the kitchen light on. Betty retrieves the keys she stole from her daughter’s purse and gets into the car. She realizes she’s going over the edge but doesn’t stop. Instead, she takes her gun from her purse and enters Dan’s home.

A short while later she begins calling friends, waking them from their sleep, and confessing what she did.

Friends swing by Dan’s house, believing this is a prank. Her daughter explains Betty doesn’t know if Dan’s dead and told her it was dark and she heard Dan talking to her.

Tracy calls her dad’s house and no one answers.

Betty rings up her father but doesn’t stay on the phone.

Betty finally returns home and her daughter, Jenny, plus the friend from HALT are with her. The friend explains that no matter what happened to Dan, the truth is Betty went to his house and fired a gun. She suggests Betty turn herself in and get a criminal lawyer to help her with the police.

As the friend’s talking, Betty and her daughter are staring at each other without speaking.

Next we see Betty in the passenger seat of her friend’s car. Her new attorney arrives, introduces himself, and confirms Dan and Linda are dead.

The scene shifts to Linda and her new attorney standing in front of the judge. Betty’s charged with two counts of first-degree murder. She pleads not guilty and requests a jury trial. Due to the seriousness of the charges, Betty is remanded into custody.

The episode ends with Betty, now in jail attire, being locked in a cell.

‘Wizards’ Wraps Up Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Tales of Arcadia’ in August

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 7, 2020

DreamWorks Animation’s Wizards will premiere on August 7, 2020 on Netflix. The third chapter in Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro’s Emmy Award-winning series, Tales of Arcadia, will wrap up the trilogy which kicked off with 2016’s Trollhunters followed by 2018’s 3Below.

In addition to announcing the premiere date for Tales of Arcadia‘s final chapter, Netflix also confirmed the Wizards voice cast and plot details.

Returning voice cast members include Colin O’Donoghue (Once Upon A Time) as Merlin’s apprentice Douxie; Emile Hirsch (Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood) as Jim; Lexi Medrano (Trollhunters) as Claire; Charlie Saxton (Hung) as Toby; Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead) as Steve, and David Bradley (Harry Potter) as Merlin. Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) is back as Morgana; Fred Tatasciore (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) is Aaarrrgghh!!!; Clancy Brown (Billions) is Gunmar, Diego Luna (Narcos: Mexico) is Krel; Mark Hamill (Star Wars) is Dictatious; and Kelsey Grammer returns in his Emmy Award-winning role as Blinky.

Joining the cast for Wizards are Alfred Molina (Frozen II) as Douxie’s shape-shifting familiar Archie, Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) as troublemaker troll Callista, James Faulkner (Game of Thrones) as legendary ruler of Camelot King Arthur, and John Rhys Davies (Lord of the Rings) as Galahad.

Guillermo del Toro created the series and executive produces. Marc Guggenheim and Chad Hammes also executive produce, with Chad Quandt and Aaron Waltke co-executive producing.

The Plot:

“Following Trollhunters and the second series 3Below, Wizards marks the final chapter in the trilogy that brings together the three disparate worlds of trolls, aliens and wizards. In the newest installment, wizard-in-training Douxie (O’Donoghue) and the heroes of Arcadia embark on a time-bending adventure to medieval Camelot that leads to an apocalyptic battle for the control of magic that will determine the fate of these supernatural worlds that have now converged.”

‘Ozark’ Season 3 Episode 9 Recap: “Fire Pink”

By

Alison Helms

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July 7, 2020

Ozark Season 3 episode 9 — Julia Garner and Tom Pelphrey in ‘Ozark’ season 3 episode 9 (Photo by Steve Dietl © 2020 Netflix)

Episode nine of Netflix’s Ozark season three starts off right where episode eight ended. Ben (Tom Pelphrey) is in the backseat of a cab rambling on and on. He’s going back and forth between laughing one second and then crying the next. He ends his rambling monologue by asking the cab driver how his day is going.

Marty (Jason Bateman) pays Ruth (Julia Garner) a visit to find out if Ben’s there. She’s in too deep with Ben and yells at Marty for putting Ben in the hospital. She doesn’t seem to understand that he’s “sick” (as Marty labels it). Ruth’s not hearing any of that and accuses him of putting Ben in the hospital because he embarrassed him at his charity gala.

Ben shows up in the cab at Ruth’s place and also yells at Marty. He warns Marty he and Wendy can go f**k themselves – he’s done with them. He also lets it be known that he told “that lawyer lady to do the same,” stating this BS is over right now.

Ben reveals he told Helen’s daughter just exactly what her mother really does for a living. Marty and Ruth go into panic mode, realizing that what Ben just did is going to get him killed. Marty demands Ruth get Ben out of town immediately.

Wendy (Laura Linney) is on the phone with the hospital, angry they just let her brother free without speaking with her. She abruptly ends the call when she spots Helen (Janet McTeer) through her window.

Instead of telling Wendy what Ben has done, Helen goes with the “have you spoken to him” approach. Wendy hasn’t heard from him and is still wondering why a judge would rescind the order. Marty calls to inform Wendy her brother messed up and went to Helen’s, and Wendy lets him know Helen is there. He tells Wendy to try her best not to react. He continues by letting her know Ruth went to Darlene to get Ben out and Ben went straight to Helen’s. He also lets her know Ben told Erin everything.

After hanging up with Marty and while trying to hold it together, Wendy lies and claims Marty went to Ruth’s and no one was there.

Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) and Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) pull up on their boat and find a freaked-out Erin (Madison Thompson). She questions them about what their parents do for a living, what her mom does for their parents, and if their uncle just got released from a mental hospital. Charlotte turns the questioning around and asks what she’s talking about. Erin reveals their uncle just came to her house and told her that her mom works for a Mexican cartel.

Rather than lie, Jonah tells Erin their parents own and operate shell companies while Charlotte tries to get him to stop. Charlotte then lets Erin know her entire life is about to get blown out of the water, but she cannot tell anyone about it. If she needs someone to talk to about it, she can talk to them.

Next, Nelson (Nelson Bonilla) shows up at Ruth’s trailer looking for Ben. Meanwhile, Ruth and Ben seek refuge at Darlene’s. Ruth explains she has to go back to the casino to make sure everything seems normal. This situation is just temporary until they can get passports so they can leave the country.

Although it’s not his decision at this point, Ben says he doesn’t want to leave the country. Ruth yells at him that he’ll leave the country if she tells him to.

Darlene (Lisa Emery) takes Ben to get him settled in while Ruth thanks Wyatt (Charlie Tahan) for helping with this. During their conversation, he admits he’s in love with Darlene and points out to Ruth that she’s in love with Ben. She tries to deny it.

Wendy, Marty, and Helen are all at the Byrdes’ house, ostensibly waiting for word on Ben. Marty tries to tell Helen they can call her if Ben shows up but she claims she doesn’t mind waiting. After Wendy tries to offer Helen something to eat, Helen grows impatient and demands to know where Ben is. Wendy attempts to calm the situation, suggesting she’ll speak with Erin and convince her Ben was lying. Then, she’ll get her brother out of the country.

Just then the kids show up and Erin starts screaming at her mom that she’s a liar. Wendy attempts to talk to Erin and convince her Ben is insane and makes up stories all the time. She tries to reassure the teen her mother is not a lawyer for a drug lord. Jonah stops his mother from continuing. Erin tells her mom she can’t even look at her and she’s going home, packing her stuff, and leaving.

Marty does his best to play peacemaker, assuring Helen they’ll fix this. Helen says they’ve been doing too much of trying to fix things lately and it’s her turn to fix things. With that, she leaves.

Marty asks the kids to give him and Wendy a moment alone but they refuse and take their seats. Jonah wants to know where Ben is and Marty reveals he’s with Ruth. Jonah tries to talk his mom and dad into leaving and starting over with Ruth and Ben. Wendy says they can’t do that and begins listing things they need to do, such as get money out of the mausoleum and get Ben a passport so he can leave the country. Jonah asks why he has to leave and Wendy, straight to the point, replies, “Because he f**ked up.”

Ben and Wyatt are sitting down eating when Ben confesses he messed up. Wyatt lets him in on the fact that Ruth is in love with him. Ben admits he loves her as well. He’s asking a 19-year-old for advice, wondering if he should go tell Ruth how stupid he is. Wyatt says he shouldn’t. Ben then suggests he can call Helen and fix things. Wyatt reminds him Ruth brought him here so he would not leave.

Nelson shows up at the casino and waits in the parking lot.

Marty talks to Sam about pushing money one last time and Sam seems scared. Marty won’t take no for an answer and walks away.

Sam is back inside the casino when he spots Agent Maya Miller (Jessica Frances Dukes). He gets spooked and walks away.

Ben, of course, does not listen to Wyatt and shows up at the casino. Nelson follows him in.

Sam barges into Marty’s office, warning he cannot do this anymore and knows Miller is on to him. As he’s panicking, Marty spots Ben on the security cameras. Marty then spots Nelson and runs out.

Ruth is talking to Ben when Marty rushes up and says Nelson is downstairs. He needs Ben to follow him. After Ben and Ruth confess their love for each other, Ben follows Marty out.

Marty calls Wendy to instruct her to rent a car and meet them somewhere as he and Ben get on a boat and take off.

As Marty and Ben wait for Wendy to show up, Ben starts talking about all the stuff Marty has had to deal with over the years because of him. He asks Marty if he’s sure that he can’t fix this. Marty confirms he can’t, insisting they will kill Ben and their entire family. Just then Wendy shows up to pick up Ben.

A short while later, Ben and Wendy sit in a parking lot eating and talking. Ben begins to cry and tells Wendy how sorry he is. He wonders how they got here and suggests Helen’s daughter would have figured it out on her own eventually. Wendy informs him that wouldn’t have happened because Helen’s smart.

Back at the Byrde home, the kids question Marty during dinner about what’s going on with their mom and Ben.

Ruth is followed home by Nelson and she assures him Ben isn’t there. When Nelson doesn’t speak, she says, “I wanted to ask you a question about my dad. Did he suffer at the end when you shot him?” Nelson still sits there, wordlessly.

Back in the parking lot, Wendy’s asleep in the minivan she rented when Ben takes that opportunity to sneak out and leave. The next morning Wendy is awakened by a police officer knocking on her window. The policewoman informs her she’s there because of Ben. Ben reported he’s in danger of being killed by Omar Navarro. Wendy explains her brother is not well and was just released from a mental hospital. The cop believes her and warns them to be careful.

After the officer leaves, Wendy yells at Ben who only seems to be making the situation worse.

Marty uses his laptop to show Helen that Wendy is on her way to Kansas City to meet with donors. Helen doesn’t buy it because she believes their charity is dead in the water due to Marty’s brother-in-law.

Sam attempts to talk to Ruth about Agent Miller, but he should know better. He’s not going to get any sympathy from Ruth and she yells at him to just do what Marty asked.

Helen is still at Marty’s house but now she’s arguing on the phone with her ex. Because of what Ben told Erin, her ex will get both the kids now. Helen angrily informs Marty, “Just to be clear, Ben doesn’t have to die because he told Erin. Ben has to die because Erin won’t be the last person he tells.”

Ben doesn’t understand the severity or dangerousness of his situation at all, no matter how many times he’s told what can happen. While Wendy is gone, he calls Helen and attempts to say he’s sorry. She’s asking for his location when Wendy yanks the phone away and ends the call. Wendy demands to know who he was talking to and when he confesses it was Helen, Wendy loses it. She’s enraged and asks if he’s trying to get her family killed. Wendy once again explains this is not a game and orders him to get in the car.

Wendy then calls Marty. She’s crying as she admits she can’t fix this. Ben is never going to listen and she doesn’t know what she’s going to do. After she ends the call, she turns to look at Ben who’s crying and slapping himself in the face. Wendy embraces her brother and asks, multiple times, where she can take him. Through tears he says Knoxville. He knows some people there. Plus, they have good hospitals.

Agent Miller goes through the casino’s earnings and realizes they’re up 19%. She calls Marty right away, seeming to know exactly what he’s doing by increasing the profits. She reveals it’s interesting they are up that much because that’s enough to get her warrant extended. She calls Marty a game player and while this will keep her there, they are not going to be friends.

Wendy and Ben stop at a gas station and Ben goes in before his sister. He purchases something before Wendy does and leaves to go wait in the car. Wendy asks the cashier if he just bought a phone and the cashier confirms he did. Wendy gets back in the car and doesn’t say anything to him about the phone.

Later, they relax as they eat dinner at a restaurant. They talk about their childhood and Wendy asks what he wants in five years. He says Ruth, a house, and a job. He asks her the same question in return. She says the same as him. Wendy gets up and tells him she’ll be right back, but then leaves the restaurant.

She looks at her brother one last time through the window before getting into her car and leaving. As she’s driving, she calls Marty, crying. She tells him she didn’t know what to do. Just then we see Nelson pull into the parking lot of the restaurant. Ben comes out and sees him while Wendy, who’s still on the phone but now down the road and out of sight, pulls over and asks Marty what she should do. She asks if she should go back and stop him. Marty replies by begging her to come home.

The episode ends with Wendy on the side of the road sobbing uncontrollably.

‘Hair Love’ Inspires ‘Young Love’ Series on HBO Max

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 7, 2020

The critically acclaimed Oscar-winning short film Hair Love has inspired a new animated series coming to HBO Max. Young Love, based on writer/director Matthew A. Cherry and Sony Pictures Animation’s Hair Love, has been greenlit for a 12 episode season.

Cherry created the series and will serve as showrunner on the first season along with Carl Jones (The Boondocks, Black Dynamite).

“I am beyond excited to continue telling the story of Stephen, Angela and Zuri and further explore the family dynamics of a young Black millennial family we established in our short film Hair Love as an animated series,” said Cherry. “Couldn’t ask for better partners in Sony Pictures Animation and HBO Max in helping us get Young Love out to the world.”

“It’s a privilege to continue our partnership with Matthew Cherry, who has a gift for tapping into meaningful stories that touch our hearts. I personally can’t wait to collectively laugh and cry with the Young family,” stated Karen Rupert Toliver, executive vice president of creative for Sony Pictures Animation and Hair Love producer.

Blue Key Entertainment’s Monica A. Young (producer of Hair Love) and Lion Forge Animation’s David Steward II and Carl Reed will executive produce.

“Hair Love struck a chord that is still resonating deeply with audiences of all ages,” said Billy Wee, SVP, Original Animation, HBO Max. “Matthew and Sony Animation’s creative voices are a welcomed addition to the HBO Max family and we can’t wait to bring this joyous story to the world.”

The Young Love Plot, Courtesy of HBO Max:

“Hair Love centers around the relationship between an African-American father, his daughter Zuri, and the most daunting task a father could ever come across – doing his daughter’s hair for the first time. The short resonated with people everywhere, especially fathers who found themselves in similar situations.

The all-new animated series Young Love expands on the family introduced in Hair Love. Filled with comedy and heart, Young Love is an honest look into the world of the Young family – including millennial parents Stephen and Angela, their daughter Zuri and her pet cat Rocky – as they juggle their careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics all while striving to make a better life for themselves.”

‘Away’ with Hilary Swank Teaser Trailer and First Look Photos

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 7, 2020

Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank (Boys Don’t Cry, Million Dollar Baby) stars in Netflix’s new sci-fi drama, Away. The streaming service just debuted a short first teaser along with character descriptions and a batch of first-look photos for the series created by Andrew Hinderaker.

In addition to Hilary Swank, season one stars Josh Charles, Talitha Bateman, Vivian Wu, Mark Ivanir, Ato Essandoh, and Monique Curnen.

Hinderaker, Jason Katims, Matt Reeves, Edward Zwick, Adam Kassan, and Jeni Mulein serve as executive producers. Jessica Goldberg is the season one showrunner and also executive produces.

Away is set to premiere on Friday, September 4, 2020.

The Away Plot and Character Descriptions, Courtesy of Netflix:

“From Executive Producer Jason Katims, the Netflix series Away is a thrilling, emotional drama on an epic scale that celebrates the incredible advancements humans can achieve and the personal sacrifices they must make along the way. As American astronaut Emma Green (Swank) prepares to lead an international crew on the first mission to Mars, she must reconcile her decision to leave behind her husband (Charles) and teenage daughter (Bateman) when they need her the most.

As the crew’s journey into space intensifies, their personal dynamics and the effects of being away from their loved ones back on Earth become increasingly complex. Away shows that sometimes to reach for the stars, we must leave home behind.”

Emma Green (Hilary Swank) – Emma Green is an American astronaut and former Navy pilot. She is the commander of the first mission to Mars. She is a headstrong, empathetic and highly intelligent astronaut and leader. She is married to Matt Logan, a chief engineer at NASA. Emma and Matt have a 15-year-old daughter, Lex.

Matt Logan (Josh Charles) – Matt Logan is a NASA engineer whose wife Emma Green is commanding the first mission to Mars. He faces the already enormous challenges of dealing with the mission from home, while trying to raise their teenage daughter on his own.

Alexis “Lex” Logan (Talitha Bateman) – 15-years-old Lex is the daughter of astronauts Emma Green and Matt Logan. Like her father, Lex is supportive and proud of her mother’s three-year mission. She struggles with coming of age while her mother is on the mission and her father faces his own struggles.

Misha Popov (Mark Ivanir) – Misha Popov is a Russian cosmonaut and engineer on the mission to Mars alongside Emma Green. The most experienced member of the crew, Misha doesn’t lack for ego, but secretly struggles with the personal sacrifices he made to get to space.

Kwesi Weisberg-Adebayo (Ato Essandoh) – Kwesi Weisberg-Adebayo is a British citizen from Ghana. Kwesi (pronounced Kway-Si) is good-humored, modest, and a man of deep faith. He’s a world-renowned botanist and carries with him the hope of growing life on Mars.

Ram Arya (Ray Panthaki) – Ram Arya is an Air Force fighter pilot from India. While the other astronauts are forced to reckon with their attachments to earth and their families, Ram is quite alone in the world.

Lu Wang (Vivian Wu) – Lu Wang is a chemist and astronaut representing China. She is intelligent and pragmatic but below her focused exterior, she has a complex personal life. She is married with a young son.

Melissa Ramirez (Monique Curnen) – Melissa Ramirez is a former astronaut who is Emma’s Crew Support Astronaut. Her job is to be Emma’s Liaison To Earth. Melissa gave up her own career as an astronaut to support her special needs child, but she is there for Emma and her family. She takes care of Lex in Matt and Emma’s absence.

Away Series — Hilary Swank, Josh Charles, and Talitha Bateman in ‘Away’ (Photo by Diyah Pera © 2020 Netflix)

‘Dead to Me’ Rises for a Third and Final Season

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 6, 2020

Netflix is bringing Dead to Me back for a third and final season. The critically acclaimed award-winning series will return for season three with Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, and James Marsden back in starring roles.

In addition to announcing the final season, Netflix announced a new creative partnership with creator Liz Feldman. The new deal brings Feldman into the Netflix fold “for original series and other projects.”

Feldman, Applegate, Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, and Jessica Elbaum serve as executive producers, with Cardellini co-executive producing.

“From start to finish, Dead To Me is exactly the show I wanted to make. And it’s been an incredible gift,” stated Feldman. “Telling a story sprung from grief and loss has stretched me as an artist and healed me as a human. I’ll be forever indebted to my partners in crime, my friends for life, Christina and Linda, and our brilliantly talented writers, cast and crew. I am beyond grateful to Netflix for supporting Dead To Me from day one, and I’m thrilled to continue our collaboration.”

“Liz Feldman is a comedic force who brings her fresh and distinct point of view to every element of the creative process from inception through writing and producing. We could not be more excited to expand our relationship with Liz and continue to work with her on Dead to Me and future series to come,” said Netflix’s Jane Wiseman, Vice President, Comedy Series.

Dead to Me Season 2 — Linda Cardellini and Christina Applegate in ‘Dead to Me’ Season 2 (Photo Credit: Netflix)

A Look Back at Season 2:

“Jen (Christina Applegate), Judy (Linda Cardellini) and the lies that entwine them are back. Picking up in the aftermath of that bloody backyard reveal, the irrepressible pair once again struggle to keep their secrets buried. With a surprising new visitor in town and Detective Perez (Diana Maria Riva) hot on their heels, Jen and Judy take drastic measures to protect their loved ones and each other — no matter the cost.”

‘Stargirl’ Starring Brec Bassinger is Renewed for Season 2

By

Rebecca Murray

-

July 6, 2020

Stargirl Season 1 Episode 6 — Brec Bassinger as Stargirl, Cameron Gellman as Hourman, Anjelika Washington as Dr. Mid-Nite and Yvette Monreal as Wildcat in ‘Stargirl’ season 1 episode 6 (Photo © 2020 The CW Network, LLC)

The CW has officially announced Stargirl will be sticking around for a second season. The DC superhero series renewal was announced as season one just passed its halfway point.

The season one cast is led by Brec Bassinger (Bella and the Bulldogs, School of Rock) as Courtney Whitmore / Stargirl. Luke Wilson is Pat Dugan, Amy Smart is Barbara Whitmore, Trae Romano is Mike Dugan, Yvette Monreal is Yolanda Montez, Neil Jackson is Jordan Mahkent, and Anjelika Washington is Beth Chapel. Christopher James Baker plays Henry King Sr, Jake Austin Walker is Henry King Jr, Meg DeLacy is Cindy Burman, Cameron Gellman is Rick Tyler, and Hunter Sansone plays Cameron.

Geoff Johns, who serves an executive producer, created the character Stargirl in 1999 as a tribute to his sister who died in a plane crash in 1996. Co-showrunner Melissa Carter, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Greg Beeman also executive produce.

New episodes of the first season air on The CW on Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT. Next up is episode eight, “Shiv Part Two,” which finds Stargirl recovering from a fight while her newly recruited Justice Society of America friends conduct a secret investigation of their classmates.

Season 1 Description, Courtesy of The CW

When Courtney’s (Bassinger) seemingly perfect life in Los Angeles gets upended with a move to Blue Valley, Nebraska with her mother Barbara (Smart), stepfather Pat (Wilson) and stepbrother Mike (Romano), she finds herself struggling to adapt to her new town and high school. But when Courtney discovers that Pat is harboring a major secret about his past, she ultimately becomes the unlikely inspiration for a new generation of superheroes.

‘Blindspot’ Season 5 Episode 10 Photos: Preview of “Love You to Bits and Bytes”

By

Rebecca Murray

-

July 6, 2020

Blindspot Season 5 Episode 10 — Jaimie Alexander, Audrey Esparza, Heather Burns, Ennis Esmer, and Ashley Johnson in ‘Blindspot’ season 5 episode 10 (Photo by: Barbara Nitke/Warner Brothers/NBC)

Part two of back-to-back Blindspot season five episodes arrives with episode 10, “Love You to Bits and Bytes.” Season five episode 10 will air on July 9, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT.

The cast is led by Jaimie Alexander as Jane Doe. Sullivan Stapleton is Kurt Weller, Rob Brown is Edgar Reade, Audrey Esparza is Tasha Zapata, Ashley Johnson is Patterson, Ennis Esmer is Rich Dotcom, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio plays Madeline Burke.

“LOVE YOU TO BITS AND BYTES” Plot: As Ivy races to retrieve the devastating stash of ZIP bombs, but the remaining members of the team must rely on the help of a longtime thorn in their side, the very unstable genius Kathy Gustofson.

The Blindspot Plot:

A beautiful woman is found naked in Times Square, her memory erased, her body covered in a series of coded tattoos. But as “Jane Doe” and the FBI team who discovered her work to decipher, investigate and solve the complex treasure map of her body, an ever-widening web of conspiracy and corruption is revealed, as is the truth behind Jane Doe’s real identity and the identity of the people who sent her to the FBI in the first place. But what does this nefarious group really want? And can Jane and her teammates stop them in time?

‘The Kissing Booth 2’ Trailer: Rules Were Made to Be Broken

By

Rebecca Murray

-

July 6, 2020

Netflix’s popular teen coming of age comedy The Kissing Booth returns with a sequel, The Kissing Booth 2. The streaming service has just launched a new trailer for the romcom starring Joey King and Jacob Elordi.

The sequel’s cast also includes Joel Courtney, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and Molly Ringwald. Vince Marcello returns as writer/director.

Netflix has set a July 24, 2020 premiere date.

The Killing Booth 2 Plot:

Elle Evans (King) just had the most romantic summer of her life with her reformed bad-boy boyfriend Noah Flynn (Elordi). But now Noah is off to Harvard, and Elle heads back to high school for her senior year. She’ll have to juggle a long-distance relationship, getting into her dream college with her best friend Lee (Courtney), and the complications brought on by a close friendship with a handsome, charismatic new classmate named Marco (Zakhar Perez).

When Noah grows close to a seemingly-perfect college girl (Richardson-Sellers), Elle will have to decide how much she trusts him and to whom her heart truly belongs.

Jacob Elordi as Noah Flynn, Joey Kings as Shelly ‘Elle’ Evans, Joel Courtney as Lee Flynn, and Meganne Young as Rachel of ‘The Kissing Booth 2’ (Photo by Marcos Cruz/Netflix © 2020)

‘Yellowstone’ Season 3 Episode 3 Recap: “An Acceptable Surrender”

By

Rebecca Murray

-

July 5, 2020

Yellowstone Season 3 Episode 3 — Brecken Merrill and Kevin Costner in ‘Yellowstone’ season 3 episode 3 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)

Most of the wranglers are still sleeping when Tate (Brecken Merrill) leaves his tent as Paramount Network’s Yellowstone season three episode three kicks off. He joins his grandpa who shushes him while beckoning him over. They kneel behind the bushes and John tells Tate to listen to an elk who’s busy leading a wolf away from her baby. They listen as the mama draws the wolf’s attention.

John (Kevin Costner) explains baby elk don’t give off a scent, and the wolf won’t find it as long as the baby doesn’t make a run for it. John’s feeling a little sentimental and wants to make sure the baby survives by helping out mama elk. He and Tate quietly walk closer to the action, but not close enough to scare the baby into making itself known. John reveals the way to help is for them to “mark” the territory.

Monica (Kelsey Asbille) is next up and spots John and Tate relieving themselves in the field. Kayce (Luke Grimes) entices her back into the tent since Tate’s in good hands.

After briefly checking on the cattle, John lets Tate choose what to do next. He suggests they take a walk so off they go, all the while discussing what it’s like to be a rancher. John admits ranching’s a “terrible business,” and then explains all the cons of being a cattle rancher. It’s a lengthy list and Tate pays attention as John lays it all out.

Tate asks the key question: Why be a rancher if it’s so hard? “Because it’s one hell of a life, Tate,” replies John.

Beth (Kelly Reilly), looking very relaxed and satisfied, sips her coffee as she sits outside Rip’s house in the early morning hours. Rip (Cole Hauser) joins her and she’s sad that in a few generations this ranch won’t exist anymore. He disagrees, reminding her that one hundred years ago people thought barbed wire would spell the end of the frontier. It didn’t.

He delivers a sweet kiss on her forehead as he heads off to work.

Meanwhile, Governor Perry (Wendy Moniz-Grillo) breaks the news to State Attorney General Stewart (Timothy Carhart) that the president has appointed Cassidy Reid to Deputy Attorney General of the United States. He’s incredulous, given the fact she’s only 30. Because Reid will be taking off for Washington, Governor Perry needs to appoint someone in her place. (She was just elected to take over Stewart’s spot because he’s retiring.)

Governor Perry begs A.G. Stewart to stay on a while until she can figure out her options.

After that brief discussion, they’re joined by Ellis Steele (John Emmet Tracy) and his associates to discuss his airport plans. Ellis wants the state to give them the land to build the airport on, but the state will retain ownership. His company will have a 30-year lease. He explains the airlines will be responsible for building their terminals, with his company building the infrastructure. All told, he wants $400 million in land and a tax subsidy of $500 million over 10 years.

Ellis believes once the ski resorts are operational, the airport could handle two million guests each year. Governor Perry asks if the Forest Service has agreed to lease the land for the resort, and he confirms they’ve signed on. The first of three phases of building on 12,000 acres could be complete in just 18 months.

Governor Perry doesn’t like comparisons of this area to Jackson Hole when Ellis offers up the comparison, believing Jackson Hole’s actually not a good example of responsible development. However, Ellis believes the area is ripe for growth and not only could but should expand in order to keep the community alive and profitable. His planned developments will likely bring in three to six billion in tax revenue.

Although he initially planned to repurpose the golf courses at the Sporting Club into land for the airport, he’s been told by the FAA that land is too narrow. Instead, they’d like to build the airport smack dab in the middle of the Yellowstone Ranch.

Ellis wants Governor Perry to invoke eminent domain and she reveals that’s been unsuccessfully attempted before. Ellis is sure John Dutton can’t beat it twice since the first attempt was simply a land grab while this is progress.

Beth’s still sitting outside Rip’s place while working on her laptop when she receives a call from her mole inside Governor Perry’s office. The insider tips her off Ellis wants to build the airport in the middle of Yellowstone Ranch.

Beth’s response is predictable. She says, “F*ck,” and ends the call.

Meanwhile, Jamie (Wes Bentley) meets with Livestock Agent Steve Hendon (James Jordan) in jail. Hendon explains he only did what he was told to do, and Jamie’s pissed. He demands to know everything that went down. Hendon goes through what happened, admitting he worked the brakes too hard. However, it was the deputies who loaded the suspects into the trailer. Jamie hints that maybe they were assaulted before Hendon’s arrival and Hendon reluctantly agrees that might be true (although he knows it’s not).

Jamie walks through the scenario he’ll need Hendon to stick to. It’s basically lies upon lies, but it will get Hendon off the hook for killing the two suspects. That is, if Hendon can actually remember all the details of Jamie’s fictitious story.

Beth’s driving when she rings up Roarke. The call goes straight to voicemail. She doesn’t leave a message but does note to herself that he’s a douche.

Beth has a pretty good idea where he is and she’s right – he’s in the river fishing again. They joke about her assassinating him since his location’s so predictable and then they get down to business. She demands to know where he’s building the airport and Roarke (Josh Holloway) reminds her he’s not involved in the decision-making. She doesn’t believe that and he knows it, so he finally reveals her dad will be one of the richest men in the state when it’s all said and done.

Beth explains her dad doesn’t care about money; he cares about the land. She swears she’s going to stop the development, and Roarke assures her they can afford to fight this out in the courts for the next year if needed. He suggests she make them a fair proposal so they can end avoid a legal fight.

Beth doesn’t reply and instead simply walks away.

Jamie’s back in his office when County Attorney Randy Harper (K.C. Clyde) shows up. Jamie throws something at him, forcing him to duck out of the way. Jamie warns Randy he’ll testify in court Randy called him and asked him to send an agent to assault detainees. Randy tries to play innocent, but Jamie reveals he recorded the call. Jamie very briefly describes the circumstances his agent came upon, and Randy tries to convince him if Hendon will take the fall, they’ll all be in the clear for the deaths.

Jamie’s not willing to let his agent do jail time because Randy wanted the suspects to be taught a lesson. The two dead men are from out of state, so Jamie suggests they tag them as John Does and claim they were drunk and found dead.

Randy points out the obvious hitch in that plan; the victim saw everything.

Jamie accompanies the trailer as it’s released to the family of the girl who was robbed, and her father’s happy to have it returned. He thought they’d need to keep it longer since a deputy “took it too far” with the suspects. Jamie explains the person responsible was a Livestock Agent and tells the father he’s about to reveal the true story which could get him and his agent in trouble.

Jamie explains his sister was also brutally beaten and, perhaps, something else happened to her but she won’t say. “A man who puts a hand on a member of my family never puts a hand on anything else,” says Jamie. The father understands and admits his daughter won’t say if anything other than a beating happened to her. He becomes emotional and confesses he’s of the mind to stand outside the jail and shoot the men when they leave the courthouse.

Jamie assures him he doesn’t need to do that and hints they’ve been taken care of. He then opens the back of the trailer and the suspects’ blood is still inside. The father’s happy to learn the men are dead and suggests Jamie should run for governor.

The dad is touched Jamie did this for him and his family. Jamie replies, “I did that for every father who’d be sacrificing their family if they did it.”

Problem = solved.

Later that day, Governor Perry tries calling John Dutton. It goes to voice mail, so she calls Jamie instead. She wants a meeting with him and his dad tomorrow, warning Jamie time isn’t on their side.

Jamie starts panicking after getting off the phone with Perry. He assumes she wants to talk about the dead men, so he calls up Randy to see if he told anyone what really happened. He didn’t, and Jamie reminds him the lie is now the truth. They have to stick to the story but now Randy’s also panicking. It appears Randy’s going to part ways with Jamie and not lie about the deaths.

Back at the ranch, Rip and John take a look at the new barn that’s almost finished being built. John’s glad they’ve put it up, suggesting they should have thought of it years ago. He spots a woman at the uppermost point of the roof and wonders if that’s Rip’s new hire. He also wonders how she got up there. Rip says she is and he has no idea how she managed to climb that high.

Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith) tells them the new hire, Tetter (Jennifer Landon), ran up the roof like “a damned beetle.”

Jimmy (Jefferson White) wants to take off to work on making his buckle in the rodeo ring. John warns him if he breaks his arm, he won’t stay on the payroll.

Jamie drives up just then and John’s mood sours. Jamie delivers the bad news that the governor wants to meet with them, even though John reminds him he’s retired. Since it’s apparently important, John says Jamie should tell Governor Perry to meet them at the rodeo in Livingston.

John tells Rip to decide who will stay with the cattle. He’ll take the rest of the wranglers with him to town to watch Jimmy at the rodeo. Tetter and Colby have to stay behind, and the wranglers tease Colby about being left behind with the crazy new woman.

The rodeo gets underway and Beth tries to hold Rip’s hand. Rip’s seated next to John and pulls away. John, of course, notices what’s going on. “I guess everyone thinks I’m the dumbest man in the valley,” he says to Rip. He adds, “You can hold her damn hand, Rip.”

Beth smiles and says, “Thank you, daddy,” as she snuggles into Rip. Kayce’s chuckling as John says, “As if something can happen on the ranch I don’t know about. Jesus Christ.”

Governor Perry does as John requested and meets him at the rodeo. John would rather have a fun night and not discuss whatever problem Perry needs to discuss. They do a little flirting before Perry says, “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you the solution tonight and the problem tomorrow. You agree to the solution and we can play teenager for the remainder of the night.”

Perry suggests she’ll appoint Jamie interim attorney general. After she does that, John will appoint someone else to run the Livestock Commission. She thinks it’s the best thing for John and for the valley but admits it might not be best for the state. She reveals it’s all about negotiating an acceptable surrender. She doesn’t reply when John asks the details on the surrender.

John sees problems with Perry’s plan, including the number one issue that he doesn’t have anyone appropriate to replace Jamie. She suggests Kayce and John admits Kayce already turned him down. Perry volunteers to ask him if that’s what John wants. John confirms it’s what he’s always wanted for his son.

Jimmy does a little flirting with a pretty girl who’s interested in going out. He gives her a smile before entering the arena, and Lloyd warns him to concentrate on the horse. He doesn’t take Lloyd’s advice, smiles at her again, and isn’t ready when they open the chute’s gate opens. It’s not long into the ride the crowd reacts to an accident in the arena. Jimmy was bucked off and it appears as though he’s seriously injured. Lloyd races into the arena along with the medics.

Jimmy isn’t moving as they load him onto a stretcher.

More on Yellowstone:

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