‘Ozark’ Season 1 Episode 8 Recap: “Kaleidoscope”

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April 12, 2020

Ozark Season 1 Episode 8 — Josh Randall, Esai Morales, and Jason Bateman in ‘Ozark’ season 1 episode 8 (Photo by Jackson Davis/Netflix)

Netflix’s Ozark season one episode eight takes us back in time to 2007. The timeline for this episode jumps around, but it’s all in 2007 where it seems the money laundering started.

The episode begins with Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy (Laura Linney) involved in a car accident. The scene switches to Del (Esai Morales) in Chicago meeting with several different investment firms. While meeting with Bruce and Marty, Del takes notice that Bruce does all the talking. He cuts Bruce off and asks Marty to look at his numbers. After Marty informs him it’ll take a while, Del says he’ll wait.

Wendy tries to get back in the political world and is being interviewed by someone not only much younger than her but who also seems to not want to hire her at all. He hints that it has to do with her not working recently due to being a mother.

Agent Roy Petty meets with Louis Zehner (Ivan Martin) at the park. Petty wants Louis to work with the FBI against Del. Petty shows him some papers and it appears he has incriminating evidence on Louis.

Del, Marty, Bruce, and Louis go golfing. Louis is trying to talk business with Del when Del shuts him down and tells him, “Just golf.” Del seems to prefer Marty over Bruce; all Bruce does is talk.

Roy goess out to eat with his mother, Barb, who seems to be edgy about something. Roy asks his mom how her job’s going and learns she’s been fired. He points out this is the second job she’s been through in a month.

Roy’s boyfriend, Scotty (Dennis Flanagan), joins them for lunch and when Roy’s mom excuses herself, Scotty asks Roy if everything is all right with his mom. He points out she seems a little off. Roy gets defensive about it and asks Scotty to elaborate on what he means by “a little off.” He suggests she might be on something, maybe pills. Roy adamantly denies it.

The episode jumps back to Marty and Bruce at the hospital talking in the cafeteria immediately after the car accident. Bruce tries to lighten the mood with jokes. He then changes his tune and lets Marty know he’s there for him, anything he needs. Bruce reminds Marty not to blame himself; it wasn’t his fault.

Marty comes home to find the front door open, an overturned dining room chair, and water running in the kitchen sink. After locating the kids outside he asks them where their mom is and they respond with, “I don’t know.” After telling the kids to go inside he says he’s going to go upstairs to check on mommy. He finds Wendy in bed, crying. Marty brings up the kids being alone and she gets upset, saying it has only been five minutes. Marty asks what he can do to help make her feel better. She rolls over away from him and replies, “Nothing.”

The timeline jumps again. Marty and Wendy visit Del’s house, and Wendy and Del’s wife seem to be hitting it off. Bruce is there as well when Louis walks in to join them for dinner. After Marty introduces himself to Louis, Marty asks him, “Didn’t I see you at the Finance and Credit conference a few weeks ago?” Louis denies he was there.

Del’s wife asks Wendy to go to the street fair with her in the morning and Wendy gladly accepts. Del thinks that’s a good idea and suggests the fellas go golfing while the women are out.

Marty pours over Del’s financial statements with him and discovers they’re off. He believes half of the accounts are completely made up. Marty asks if it was a setup for a potential money manager to catch or if someone is skimming off those accounts. Del asks Marty if he’d like to work together. Bruce jumps in answering, “Yeah, I think…,” but Del abruptly cuts him off. “I was asking Mr. Byrde,” says Del.

Marty declines, stating his client list is full. Del offers a stay at a resort for the work Marty put into going over his financials. Marty declines that as well. After Del leaves, Bruce asks Marty if he has any idea what he just turned down. Marty suspects there’s more to what Del does for a living.

Roy and his boyfriend, Scotty, visit Roy’s mother and help her with a table she plans on selling. She informs Roy she needs the money. He confronts her asking if she gave money to his uncle again. The subject’s changed when she spots the fishing gear in the back of his vehicle. Roy and Scotty are planning on going on a fishing trip. Barb says she forgot something in the house and goes up the front steps where she falls and hurts her leg.

Once again the scene switches to the hospital. Wendy’s in a hospital bed crying and Marty begins to hold her.

The timeline jumps to Marty and Wendy asleep in bed when the hotel phone rings and it’s Del. He wants Marty to meet him downstairs in the lounge. Marty suspects the celebratory drink is more than about their golf win as partners earlier in the day and he gets straight to the point and tells Del just that. Del changes the subject and reveals Wendy told his wife about the car accident. Del confesses they went through something similar. He quickly changes the subject again and says, “I need you to work for me.” Marty corrects him and adds, “To clean your money.”

Del explains his boss wants him to find a pristine money guy. Marty asks Del who his boss is and Del replies, “You have a pretty good idea, I’m sure.” Marty’s having a hard time saying yes to something unethical and believes Wendy would never go for it.

Roy informs his boss about Louis and the illegal activities he’s up to. The boss seems uninterested in going after local drug dealers. However, Roy believes Louis is their way to the kingpin. His boss still shoots him down.

While Roy and Scotty are relaxing in bed talking about Roy’s job, his mother pops her head in and asks about her prescription. After she walks away, Scotty takes that opportunity to suggest maybe it’s not just work that’s stressing him out. Roy gets defensive and asks Scotty if he’s mad his mother’s still there. Scotty replies no. Roy admits he’s just frustrated because this is not how he pictured working for the FBI.

Roy gives his mom a ride to a shady neighborhood. After seeing who opens the door, he decides to go check out what’s going on. His mom’s caught shooting up heroin. Roy loses his temper and beats up the dealer. His mom freaks out and screams at Roy to stay away from her.

After Marty puts Charlotte to bed, he finds Wendy on the porch. She assures Marty she’s getting better and she knows she’s been distant from him and the kids. She explains she can’t shake this feeling. She randomly tells Marty she used to break into houses as a kid, not to steal anything but because it felt liberating. She confesses nowadays she feels like a fraud and she can’t take care of the kids like she used to. Marty offers to take her on a vacation and she reminds him they can’t afford it. He reveals he has as a potential client who offered them a free stay at a resort. He tells Wendy why this guy isn’t his actual client and that he has a feeling he’s in the mob or something.

Rewinding the timeline, again, Bruce asks Louis what he does for Del while they’re golfing. Louis nonchalantly replies, “Put the money through the f**king washer.”

Bruce and Marty are talking when Bruce tells him, “Remind me to not doubt your instincts again.” He’s referring to Del, but Marty lets Bruce know he’s seriously considering taking him on as a client. Bruce says Wendy will never go for it.

We then see Roy’s mother being released from the hospital with a cast on her leg. Roy and Scotty set her up at their place. She insists she doesn’t want the pain medication from the doctors.

Now the true bombshell of it all arrives. Up until this episode, we assumed it was Bruce who made the deal to work with Del when, in fact, it was Marty.

Marty returns to the resort and informs Wendy that Del does exactly what he suspected he does and offered him a job. Wendy tells Marty he can’t do it and Marty admits he knows he can’t and shouldn’t – but he wants to. Wendy suggests they talk it out, listing the pros and cons. He immediately brings up the money and never having to worry about it again. Cons, possibly going to jail. She asks what Bruce thinks and he says Bruce counted on her shutting it down.

Wendy starts to really think about Marty saying yes to working for Del. She tells Marty she’s good with it if he is.

Roy’s mother seems to be in extreme pain and he attempts to convince her to take the pain pills the doctor prescribed. She finally agrees to take them.

Wendy’s at home in the bathroom taking a pregnancy test that comes back positive. The next scene comes back full circle to when they’re driving the car at the beginning of the episode. She and Marty talk about her being pregnant and how she didn’t think it was possible to get pregnant now. Wendy goes on to discuss finances and how it could be tough. (This conversation takes place before Del offered the job). A man who’s messing with his cigarette lighter not paying attention hits the Byrdes.

Back at the golf course’s lounge, Marty informs Del they’re in. Del thinks they should celebrate and then delivers the news to Louis his services aren’t needed anymore. Marty, panicked, says he didn’t know he was taking his job. Del enlightens Marty and Bruce that Louis is a cheat. “He cheats on his wife and in business. He cheats in golf,” says Del.

Del continues with the revelations, letting Louis know it’s been clear to him that he’s been working with the Feds. He also offers up that he knows he has been skimming money from him. Del’s enforcers kill Louis on the spot and then proceed to cut out his eyes.

After many different timeline jumps, all in 2007, the episode ends with Marty and Wendy returning home from the resort to their children.

‘Ozark’ Season 1 Episode 7 Recap: “Nest Box”

By

Alison Helms

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April 12, 2020

Ozark Season 1 Episode 7 — Michael Mosley, Jason Bateman, and Bethany Anne Lind in ‘Ozark’ season 1 episode 7 (Photo by Eliza Morse/Netflix)

The action in season one episode seven of Netflix’s Ozark picks up right where episode six left off. Marty (Jason Bateman) is leaving a voicemail for Wendy about the cross that was put up, ending the message with, “I’m going to the Youngs.”

Marty arrives at Pastor Mason Young’s house just as Jacob and Darlene Snell are arriving as well. Darlene (Lisa Emery) informs him they put up a cross. Marty knows and is determined to handle the situation.

Just then the Youngs come outside wondering what’s going on. Marty explains that since he’s investing in their church, he thought the Snells can talk to them about the type of man he is. He goes on to tell them he’s also investing in the Snells’ farm. Maybe the Youngs would be willing to give him a good reference?

Jacob (Peter Mullan) catches on to Marty saying he’s investing in their farm. Jacob asks Marty how much he plans on investing and Marty suggests $100,000. Jacob says that’s not worth his while. Marty proposes they leave the Youngs to go discuss business.

Jacob catches a ride with Marty who’s now offering $200,000. Jacob stares at Marty while pointing up. Marty says, “$724,000 is all I got and it’s earmarked.” Jacob replies, “All you got sounds about right.”

Marty takes the Snells to where he’s hiding his money and begins to hand it over. All the while Jacob’s going on with one of his stories, this time about his childhood.

Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) is obsessed with watching documentaries on birds. In particular, a species of bird called Starlings. These birds apparently cause a lot of problems. He’s watching it in the back of the van while waiting for his mom and Charlotte so they can go to their first day of school. After both Wendy and Charlotte get in the car, Jonah asks his mom if he can kill Starlings. He explains they’re bad birds and clearly his mom’s caught off guard as she adamantly tells him no.

Charlotte seems to be depressed about arriving at school.

Back at the Langmore compound, Ruth (Julia Garner) tells Wyatt (Charlie Tahan) and Three (Carson Holmes) she can’t pick them up after school because she’s going to visit her dad. Wyatt asks, “Are you sure you don’t want to let your bruise heal first?” She can’t put it off because her father said today so today it is.

Russ (Marc Menchaca) goes to see Roy (Jason Butler Harner) and asks why he’s doing all this. Roy tells him he’s better than he thinks he is. Roy makes Russ promise him he won’t try to kill Marty Byrde again. Russ reluctantly agrees he won’t.

Marty jumps on the phone with past clients and practically begs them for their investments. Everyone appears to be telling him no.

Meanwhile, Wendy (Laura Linney) is busy staging a house with Sam and his mother, Eugenia (Sharon Blackwood). She isn’t happy about Sam’s mom being there and hanging up ugly artwork. A man shows up and asks if they have a similar house to that one in a similar price range. Wendy offers to show him the property.

During their drive the man confronts her and asks, “When did you stop being Wendy Byrde?” Wendy is visibly shaken when he then points out the high school her kids attend. He informs her they must clear $8 million by the end of the summer. He points out that Marty hasn’t been to the Blue Cat in a while. He leaves with the warning, “We have eyes on you.”

Wendy heads home to tell Marty about the man. She’s freaking out – and rightfully so. But, she thinks she might have a plan.

The scene shifts to show Wendy talking to Sam, asking if he ever wanted to do anything else with his life. He wonders how he could change anything at this point in his life. Wendy suggests that his mother should do something with her money; after all, it’s just sitting there. Wendy turns this into an opportunity to bring up Marty being a financial advisor and that he can something with Sam’s mom’s money. Sam says he’ll talk to his mom.

Marty’s at the church with Mason and his wife, ordering his contractor to take it all down. Mason wants an explanation as to exactly what the problem is, and Marty offers up a half-hearted excuse. Mason angrily informs him he will hold his sermon there anyway. Marty, in turn, warns him he’s not going to do anything on that property because there is not a zoning issue. He drops the bombshell: “The Snells are drug dealers. They are running heroin on the water every Sunday when you preach through hymnals that are passed to their dealers from your boat.”

Marty instructs Pastor Mason he must stay on the water or otherwise Jacob will come after him and his family.

Roy calls up Agent Evans with an update on the case. Evans tells Roy he should come down to help, reminding him it’s protocol. Roy declines the offer saying he doesn’t want a bunch of feds there. Evans asks what the deal really is with this Langmore guy (Russ).

Russ and Boyd (Christopher James Baker) are on the water picking floating trash trying to find valuables when Boyd asks Russ what he’s worried about. Russ confesses he’s been thinking about going into the bait and tackle business.

Mason’s wife is very upset and tries to talk Mason into going back to the water. Mason refuses to help drug dealers and storms off.

Jonah gets in trouble at school for giving the teacher a hard time about signing a “don’t do drugs” paper. The Byrdes are forced to go to the school to talk to the principal about Jonah. The principal informs them it’s not a good start for either of their children at this school. The Byrdes ask what he means by that and he reveals Charlotte didn’t show up to school. She was last seen talking to Wyatt.

The Byrdes head over to the Langmores’ place to find out what’s going on. They confirm Charlotte left school with Wyatt and Ruth demands they tell Marty and Wendy where their daughter is. Wyatt says Charlotte wanted to go back to Chicago and he walked her to the bus station. Marty has to leave to meet with Sam’s mom because they can’t afford for him to put it off, so Ruth offers to show Wendy where the bus station’s located. It’s near where Ruth’s dad is incarcerated.

The Snells seem to be having a cookout when Pastor Mason shows up. Mason asks what they do on this farm and Jacob wonders what’s with all the questions. Mason informs Jacob he won’t preach on the water for him anymore. Darlene suddenly offers to get lemonade…and we know how that turned out for Bobby Dean the last time she offered that particular refreshment. Jacob stops her as Mason again refuses to traffic their drugs. Jacob asks him why and Mason seems genuinely baffled by the question. Jacob, ironically, begins preaching to the pastor, trying to convince him what they’re doing is a good thing.

Jacob wants to know why he wants a church on land so badly. Mason brings up the fact that Marty Byrde wants to build him a church. For the second time this episode Pastor Mason is dealt a bombshell. Jacob reveals Marty wants to build him a church with his own drug money.

Wendy and Ruth show up at the bus station to look for Charlotte, splitting up to search. Wendy finds Charlotte and while they hug Charlotte apologizes and says she wants their old life back. Ruth watches their private moment.

Marty explains to Sam’s mom why she should let him invest her money, and Sam’s mom doesn’t seem interested at first. Before Marty leaves, he compliments her ugly painting. That’s all it takes for her to change her mind and invest with Marty.

Wendy and Charlotte give Ruth a ride to the prison so she can visit her dad.

Ruth’s father asks, “Someone want to tell me why Marty Byrde is still alive?” He then asks Ruth about her face. She tells him she got into a fight with a stripper. He seems not to care about that and implies he meant the makeup, saying she looks like a whore. He doesn’t want her to come back until Marty’s dead.

Marty transfers Eugenia’s money to an online investment bank.

While Wendy and Charlotte are waiting for Ruth, Charlotte opens up about how she feels about her life there. Her parents made it so she can’t even open up to her friends and tell them what’s going on. She looks at her friend’s social media and feels like she’s missing out on so much. Ruth returns, crying. Wendy and Charlotte don’t say anything.

Sam and his mom stage a house and she belittles him while they’re working. He’s had it with her and lets her have it verbally. When his mother laughs that off, he tells her Marty and Wendy are married. That seems to get a rise out of her since she hates Wendy. She demands the papers back and Sam tells her to call Marty and get them herself.

Sam fires his mom but she doesn’t listen to him. She proceeds to put out the open house signs outside. As they continue to argue, Eugenia’s suddenly hit by a trash truck.

Russ shows up at Roy’s hotel with a brochure he had made for their future business. Russ remembers Roy called him over there to talk and wants to know what about. Roy clams up and says he just wanted to see him.

Mason goes to the half-built church and burns it down as Jacob watches it burn from afar. Darlene informs him someone has been watching the Byrdes and doesn’t want to wait for someone else to kill him.

Wendy and Charlotte return home and after hugging her dad, Charlotte wants to go for a swim and leaves her parents to talk. Wendy suggests they let her and Jonah go back to Chicago to live with friends. Marty tells her no and continues with a verbal jab, throwing it in her face that she’s teaching them her trick when stuff gets hard to run. He assures Wendy if any of them run they’re dead. Marty’s first statement makes Wendy mad.

While Marty and Wendy are fighting, Charlotte – an experienced swimmer – is suddenly not and seems to be struggling in the water. She drops to the bottom of the lake. She appears not be moving and then shoots up to break the surface. (It’s not clear what the point of that was.)

Marty brings up Wendy being a “deceitful b*tch.” Wendy tries to throw in his face he has a video of her and Gary. (How that equates to cheating isn’t clear. It’s more of an indictment of Wendy than Marty). Marty says, “Every night you came home to this family you were living a f**king lie. How do you do that?”

Marty doesn’t let up and keeps bringing up all the times she could have said no to her lover. Wendy asks Marty to just tell her the truth. Under his breath, Marty replies, “You broke my heart, Wendy,” and walks away.

‘Ozark’ Season 1 Episode 6 Recap: “Book of Ruth”

By

Alison Helms

-

April 12, 2020

Ozark Season 1 Episode 6 — Lisa Emery, Jason Bateman, and Peter Mullan in ‘Ozark’ season 1 episode 6 (Photo by Jackson Davis/Netflix)

Netflix’s Ozark season one episode six begins with Marty (Jason Bateman) enjoying a nice, quiet bike ride. Shortly after riding by and noticing how the church he and Wendy are having built for Pastor Mason is coming along, he’s run off the road by none other than Ash (Michael Tourek), Jacob’s enforcer. Ash and more of Jacob’s muscle pick Marty up off the road and force him into the back of a truck.

Wendy (Laura Linney) and the kids are driving and discussing the new school year when Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) spots Marty’s bike lying on the side of the road. Wendy gets out to inspect what’s going on and orders Charlotte to stay in the car. Wendy finds Marty’s messenger bag lying on the ground and tries to call his cell phone. She hears it ring nearby.

When the cover of the truck Marty was shoved into opens, he’s greeted by none other than Jacob Snell (Peter Mullan). “Welcome to our home, Martin Byrde,” says Jacob.

Jacob takes Marty on a tour of their operation, all the while giving Marty a history lesson on the Snells. The floods of 1929 forced the Snell family to move further up the mountains. He begins to tell Marty the problem with them moving further up is things didn’t grow up there. But there’s one thing in particular that grows almost anywhere… poppies.

Jacob goes on to tell Marty he’s messing things up for him. “You seemed to think you have more power than you do,” he says, adding, “You are a threat to our little colony.” First with the strip club when he took over and now with the church.

Of course, Marty had no clue the Snells were using the church to distribute their drugs. Jacob demands he stop all construction on the church. Marty says he can’t do it until next month because of his employer. Darlene (Lisa Emery) cuts him off and begins to describe what the inside of the Byrdes’ house looks like down to every single picture of their family that’s hung up. Darlene goes on to describe the layout of the house including whose room is whose. Every detail including what color his toothbrush is.

Jacob might not know who Marty’s “employer” is, but he knows enough to know Marty might not be touchable at the moment without Marty’s employer retaliating. However, he knows he can go around Marty. Surprisingly, he doesn’t threaten anyone in the Byrde family. Instead, he brings up Pastor Mason’s pregnant wife. That gets Marty’s attention and he tells Jacob the construction will never finish and the Pastor can stay on the water indefinitely.

Jacob warns Marty, “If we see so much as a cross go up, we will cut that baby out with a paring knife.”

Wendy and the kids burst through the door of their home to see if Marty’s there. While calling out his name, Wendy tells Charlotte in a rush to call the Blue Cat to see if he’s there. Wendy runs to the basement to grab a shotgun and while loading it Marty shows up. He begins to tell them a lie about someone hitting him and the person taking off. He tells his family a local saw him on the side of the road and gave him a ride home. Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) points out they beat him home. He elaborates on the lie by saying the lady got lost on the way to their house and he wasn’t paying attention.

Ruth (Julia Garner) puts on a nice dress and makeup, and Wyatt (Charlie Tahan) asks if she’s going on a date. It turns out she’s going to see her father, Cade Langmore (Trevor Long), in prison. Once there, she tells her dad all about Marty’s money and where it’s located. He asks what she’s waiting for and she explains she doesn’t know how to clean it.

Cade begins to tell her there’s a lot of accidents on the lake. “You do what nature intended,” he says, implying nature intended for Marty to die. It’s an interesting way to tell his daughter she has to kill Marty. In a sinister way, Cade ends their visit with what I’m sure is supposed to be a compliment. “You’ll be fine, Ruthie. You’ve got me in you,” says Cade.

Back at the motel where we left them in episode five, Russ Langmore (Marc Menchaca) shows FBI Agent Roy Petty (Jason Butler Harner) a fly he made himself. Roy praises Russ, letting him know they’re good enough for Russ to sell. Roy lies and says he’s been thinking about opening his own bait and tackle shop for a while. He asks Russ if he’d like to go into business with him. Russ quickly names off what they would need…capital, money upfront. Roy casually slides in there, “What about that guy your niece works with, Byrde? Get him to invest.”

Russ adamantly tells him no, not him right away. Roy questions why he’s refusing to ask Byrde and Russ deflects and tells Roy soon he’ll have his own money to invest. Roy warns him to never invest his own money. He proceeds to coerce Russ to get Ruth to make an introduction. Russ reluctantly agrees.

Marty and Wendy are forced into telling Mason they must stop construction on the church. They use the excuse the lot isn’t zoned for a religious establishment. Marty, the forever BSer, interjects, “Mason, you’re going to get your church. I promise we will get all this sorted out.” Until then, there can’t be any construction from anyone. Marty goes on to tell Mason the good news is he can get right back out onto the water.

Charlotte returns a book to Wyatt and before she leaves he invites her to an FT party that coming weekend to celebrate the end of summer and the tourists leaving. It’s not her scene so she declines.

Marty’s stressed; he doesn’t think the Blue Cat and the strip club will cut it.

Wendy’s proving Marty isn’t the only smooth talker in the family, telling Sam – the real estate agent – his sales are up 43% since last August. She informs him it’s because of her. When he attempts to point out that his overbearing mother helps as well, Wendy reminds him she has to fix what his mother does. She also declares she deserves a bonus.

Sam’s mother picks this particular moment to come in and criticize the cookies Wendy made for the open house. Sam asks his mother to give them a moment and Wendy starts breaking down the money that has been made. She informs him she wants half his increase in income.

Sam seems shocked and Wendy plays her cards, threatening to go down the street to another realtor. Before she can leave, he offers her $10,000. Wendy counters with $40,000. Sam’s mother isn’t having it and threatens to change her will to give everything to the ASCPA. After Sam’s mom storms off, he offers Wendy $25,000 and tells her to take care of the open house today before taking off after his mother.

A big party’s happening at the Blue Cat and Rachel (Jordana Spiro) goes on the hunt for Marty who seems to be MIA. It turns out Marty’s on the phone with Ruth in the office at the Blue Cat, letting her know he’ll be at the club tomorrow with his contractor to reroof the place. Marty also lets her know he’s leaving his van for the workers and will need a ride home from her.

Ruth sees an opportunity to put her plan in place.

Rachel finds Marty and tells him a half a dozen employers are wanting to buy him a beer, but he’s stuck in his cave. Ignoring what Rachel said, he reveals they’re going to re-carpet the rooms in the lodge. She confesses she’s really starting to like this place again since her grandma died. She reminds Marty about when she told him not to get her hopes up and he acknowledges remembering when she said that. She admits, “Well, they’re up.”

Wendy’s home and decides to sit outside with Buddy while she drinks. He complains about her kids being loud and she politely tells him to shut up so she can drown her stress in quietness. He tries to ask her what’s wrong and she shushes him. Wendy asks Buddy why he moved there and he reveals he worked for a politician. There was a bit of trouble so he came there. Wendy asks what kind of trouble and he flatly replies, “I killed Jimmy Hoffa,” and begins to burst out in laughter.

Turnabout is fair play so he asks Wendy why she came there. Instead of giving him an answer, she tells him she was in politics once. She believes she was really good at it. It was under the Obama administration back in Chicago. She loved everything Obama stood for. She quit after Charlotte was born and now here she is in nowhere Missouri. Buddy gets up to leave but not before informing Wendy there’s a package that came for her this afternoon.

When Marty gets home Wendy’s waiting for him visibly upset. She informs Marty that Del sent them something. Marty opens it to find a jar with eyes in it.

Ruth’s messing with the electrical by the docks. It seems she took her father’s advice not only to kill Marty but to use Google to figure out how to do it. She’s decided if she gives him a ride it will be by boat. She rigs the power down by the docks so that when Marty uses the dock later to leave, he’ll be electrocuted.

Russ brings Roy to the strip club to try to talk Ruth into introducing them to Marty. She reminds him they have a plan in motion or did he forget. Ruth asks Roy to step outside so she can talk to her uncle in private. Russ asks Ruth what her plan is and she replies, “His dock. I’m rigging it to light him up.” It’ll be the perfect accident.

Ruth warns Russ in the meantime to shut his mouth and to get out. Russ returns to Roy’s truck and Roy asks what that was all about. Before Russ can answer, Roy asks what Ruth was talking about. Russ’ not so vague response, “Let’s just say Marty Byrde won’t be investing in much anymore.”

Roy tells him not to do anything or he’ll wind up in jail.

Charlotte sees Zach at the Blue Cat and asks him if his invite still stands. He confirms they’re heading there now.

The party’s a real boozefest on the water. When Charlotte goes below deck to use the bathroom, Zach accompanies her. When she returns from the bathroom, Charlotte makes the first move and kisses Zach. They move to the bedroom on the boat.

Charlotte loses her virginity to Zach.

Ruth goes to Marty’s dock unbeknownst to the Byrde family (and Buddy) to set up the electric rig to kill Marty.

Ruth’s on the water with Marty giving him a ride home. When they make it to his dock, Marty climbs up the ladder. Ruth is shocked nothing happens and Marty is perfectly fine.

Agent Petty’s in the woods spying on Ruth and Marty when Jonah appears behind Petty and aims a gun at him. Jonah stands there wordlessly holding the gun aimed at Petty but then allows him to walk away.

Marty tells Wendy they’re very close to hitting their goal. “We are going to make it,” he says. After an emotional embrace, they become intimate with each other in a way Marty thinks Wendy is into – thanks to the sex tape he has of his wife and Gary.

Ruth confronts Russ believing he messed with her rig to kill Marty. Russ denies it. She gets in Russ’ face and he gets right back in hers. “Fact is, we should have never let a little bitch do a man’s job!” After that verbal jab, Ruth spits in his face. That being his last straw, Russ slaps Ruth across her face.

The next morning Wendy asks Marty about the prior night, confirming they’ve never done that before. Marty simply says, “I thought you liked it.” She questions him again wondering why after all these years he would think she would like it. Marty leaves the house and leaves his laptop behind. She begins to look around on his laptop and finds the video of her and Gary.

Charlotte goes to look for Zach at the boat dock but finds Wyatt instead. He informs her Zach pulled his boat out this morning before he left to go back to Chicago. Charlotte wordlessly turns to face Wyatt when he admits he heard they were at party cove together. “They always leave, Charlotte. That’s the difference between us and them. And you…guess you’re one of us now,” Wyatt tells her. Charlotte begins to cry and walks off.

Ruth returns the van to Wendy at the Byrde home and Wendy notices Ruth’s black eye. Wendy invites her in and begins to clean Ruth’s eye. She asks Ruth if it’s from a boy or someone at home. Ruth insists she tripped. Charlotte storms into the house as Ruth says she has to leave. Wendy gives her number to Ruth and tells her to call if she needs anything.

Wendy and Charlotte are sitting on the dock when Charlotte tells her mom she hates it there and begins to cry.

Marty heads over to the Blue Cat office and finds Rachel sitting at the desk going through the books. She tells him the books are pristine but BS. She starts going over everything that isn’t true in the books. She confronts him about being a lair and demands he leave the property. He refuses. Marty begins to tell her about his situation. She threatens to call the police. He throws all the papers and storms out of the office.

Jacob has surveillance on the church to make sure it’s not being built when Ash shows Jacob that a cross was put up.

Marty’s trying to call Wendy when he stops in front of the church and sees the cross. Episode six ends with a shocked Marty leaving a voicemail to Wendy saying, “They put up a cross.”

‘Outlander’ Season 5 Episode 8 Recap: “Famous Last Words”

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 12, 2020

Outlander Season 5 Episode 8 — Caitriona Balfe, David Berry, Sam Heughan, and Sophie Skelton in ‘Outlander’ season 5 episode 8 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Starz’s Outlander returns from a painful mini-Droughtlander (a two-week break) with season five episode eight, “Famous Last Words.” Outlander left Roger hanging – literally – at the end of episode seven, and episode eight picks up with a flashback to Roger (Richard Rankin) teaching at Oxford University in 1969.

Brianna (Sophie Skelton) listens in as Roger talks to his students about the meaning of burying the hatchet while handing out their graded essays on famous last words. He’s not pleased with their papers because he expected them to truly consider the importance of someone’s last words.

He wants his students to understand the impact their words have and asks them to choose their words wisely as they move forward in life. “Live a life worthy of them, especially your last words,” says Roger. “They outlive us.”

When asked what his will be, Roger replies, “It is my dying wish, oh Lord, that my students write structured arguments supported by evidence in legible handwriting. Amen!”

He then turns serious and asks that history forget his name and instead let his loved ones remember his words and deeds.

After the gorgeous “The Skye Boat Song” plays, we’re treated to a projector screening a film titled “Famous Last Words.” The silent black & white movie that follows picks up the action from episode seven’s final scene. Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Brianna embrace as Roger’s cut down into Jamie’s arms. An intertitle confirms Roger’s still breathing!

Claire works quickly to open an airway, performing surgery in the field while Brianna attempts to comfort her husband. He opens his eyes but doesn’t seem aware of what’s happening.

The silent film ends.

Three months later Claire exams her patient and assures Roger his throat’s healing nicely. He doesn’t want to speak, but Claire says he needs to try. She warns him it will sound croaky at first and he doesn’t want to risk it. Brianna tries to lighten the mood by threatening to teach Jemmy American pronunciations since he can’t speak.

She then comforts her hubby, saying they don’t need words to show their love. They can pretend to be in a silent film like those they used to enjoy in Oxford.

Claire asks Roger if he wants to come to the house to see Lord John and the trunk of books he’s brought with him. Roger shakes his head no. After everyone leaves, he strains to make a noise emerge. It’s the tiniest of croaks, just as Claire predicted.

He relives the moments leading up to his hanging. It’s revealed he was chosen as one of three prisoners to be strung up as an example.

Brianna and Claire have a heart-to-heart, and Brianna recalls a friend’s boyfriend after he returned from Vietnam. There wasn’t any life left in his eyes and he had what’s described as a thousand-yard stare. She’s worried about Roger because it’s been months and at this point, it’s probably more of a psychological problem than a health issue. She’s observed that same thousand-yard stare in his eyes and thinks he’s lost.

Claire tells her she needs to have faith she’ll find him.

Jocasta (Maria Doyle Kennedy) sings a song of grief while visiting Murtagh’s grave at Fraser’s Ridge.

She and Jamie (Sam Heughan) talk about the pain they feel over Murtagh’s death. He assures her Murtagh kept his vow to his mother to the very end. They say their goodbyes and, for some reason, it feels final. Have we just seen the last of Jocasta?

Later, Jamie reads a letter delivered by Lord John (David Berry) from Governor Tryon. The letter declares Roger’s been granted 5,000 acres in the backcountry as compensation. Brianna wonders what they’d do with 5,000 acres and Lord John calls it a valuable tract of land. Brianna doesn’t want land; she wants her husband back.

In a quiet moment, Lord John gifts Brianna an astrolabe. He always felt he had the wisdom of the heavens in the palm of his hand while carrying it. It’s also useful for figuring out the time of day. Brianna is touched by the gift and thanks him for his generosity.

Roger, alone, has another flashback to the hood being placed over his head and the rope going around his neck. He only survived because he was able to work his hands free and grab the rope as it tightened around his neck.

That evening, Claire and Jamie discuss the difficult months they’ve endured. He’s still mourning the loss of Murtagh and Claire strokes his face and says, “They say time heals all wounds.”

Meanwhile, life goes on at Fraser’s Ridge. Food is prepared, clothing’s washed, animals are tended to, and candles are made.

Jamie’s got a bit of a hangover as he and Claire visit Brianna and Roger’s place. Roger’s pounding away working on stairs for their loft and Jamie’s definitely not in the mood to hear hammering. Jemmy’s also up pounding on things, now tall enough to stand and pound on the kitchen table.

As the adults are distracted, Jemmy reaches for the hot tea kettle. Roger yells, “Stop!” and apparently it’s the first time they’ve heard him speak. Brianna begs him to say something else but he refuses.

Later, he listens to Brianna sing “Clementine” to Jemmy as he cuts wood. She continues singing (Sophie Skelton’s got a beautiful voice) and Roger finally breaks down crying.

Claire and Jamie are playing a game of hide-and-seek when Jamie hears an animal in the nearby trees. He tells Claire to take Jemmy back to the cabin, but she doesn’t make it far before a boar emerges from the woods. Before Jamie can stab it, the boar’s felled by an arrow.

Jamie spots an Indian at the top of the hill and only as he approaches with Rollo does Jamie recognize Ian (John Bell)! He’s sporting a mohawk and looks fit. No one’s following him and he’s not expected anywhere, so he’s fine to stay for a boar dinner.

Jamie gathers Ian in for a hug, but Ian doesn’t return the embrace.

Jamie, Claire, and Ian return to Roger and Brianna’s cabin, and Roger gives Ian a head nod acknowledging his return. That’s followed by an embrace and this time Ian hugs back.

Roger’s about to attempt to speak but then decides otherwise.

Next up it’s Brianna’s turn to hug Ian. She tells him it’s really good to see him.

Ian’s impressed by the home Jamie and Claire built, astounded by its size. Jamie offers to have one of the men carve up the boar, but a very sedate Ian claims the task since he did the killing.

Although Claire invites him inside, Ian declines and wants to linger outside a bit longer.

Marsali (Lauren Lyle) sits opposite Roger at his table and reads her fortune in tarot cards. Roger actually smiles but then turns somber when she turns over the hanged man card while reading his fortune. She replaces those cards and tries again. Once more it’s the hanged man card that’s turned over. He wipes the cards off the table and has another flashback to the day of his hanging.

Brianna arrives to find Roger holding the hanged man card. Marsali brushes it aside as harmless fun and leaves.

Brianna replaces Marsali in the chair opposite Roger. She begs him, again, to please speak. She knows it’s hard and says, “Your voice is your gift but you’re still you. You’re still the man I married, and I want him back, please.”

She doesn’t care how he sounds; she’s scared because he doesn’t engage. She reminds him about the darkness she went through and that there are times she still wants to crawl into a hole and die. She doesn’t because she has a husband and a son who needs her.
She needs her husband and Jemmy needs his dad.

Roger doesn’t react and won’t even look her in the face. Brianna has finally arrived at the point where she needs assurance he’s not lost forever. “Are you coming back?” she asks. “Are you going to fight for us?”

Roger’s face betrays his emotions, but he remains silent.

That night Ian joins the family (minus Roger) at the dinner table. He’s seated between Fergus and Marsali, and when Jamie offers a prayer over dinner he doesn’t participate.

Marsali and Fergus want to hear all about Ian’s adventures. Ian’s not really forthcoming but Marsali doesn’t give up. He finally says the Mohawks were good people and they’re forced to leave it at that.

Claire asks if he’s returning to the Mohawk and he confirms he’s not. Jamie mentions the 5,000-acre land deed and says it needs to be surveyed. Brianna doesn’t believe Roger’s up to it and Jamie thinks they can send one of the men. He wonders if Ian would be willing to help out by marking out the boundaries. Ian doesn’t reply and doesn’t smile. (This is not the boyish, fun-loving Ian we know and love.)

Claire thinks they should give him some time and offers to let him stay in the bed in the kitchen.

Roger, alone as usual, plays “Clementine” and whispers the lyrics. He struggles to hold himself together as he once again has a flashback to the moment the bucket was kicked out from under his feet.

The next morning Jamie wakes to find Ian laying on blankets outside the house. He says he’s not used to beds or a grand house, and Jamie assures him they’re happy to have him back. Jamie also points out Ian isn’t himself.

Jamie wonders what happened with the Mohawks and Ian admits he doesn’t have the words to describe it right now. He then surprises Jamie by saying, “There are things you keep hidden from others – you and Claire both.”

Jamie admits that’s true. He also confesses it makes him heartsick to see Ian in such a state. Jamie asks if it’s okay if he sits with him for a while and Ian doesn’t mind.

A short while later it’s Marsali who sits for a chat with Ian. She seems to be the only one who can truly reach him at this point. She admits to being happy and accepted as a member of the Fraser family and wonders if it’s bad that she feels at home here. Ian suggests it’s a good thing.

As they talk, her baby’s kicking. She’s glad Ian will be around to welcome her third child into this world.

Roger prepares to head out to their new land and Ian’s agreed to go with him. Brianna folds a paper airplane as they talk and says she’s learned to bend and readjust her expectations. She reminds him the first anniversary of marriage is celebrated with paper; the 60th is diamond. She wants their marriage to become that strong. She tells Roger she loves him and leaves without expecting him to say anything in return.

He picks up the airplane after she’s gone and packs it in his bag.

Later, Roger and Ian get busy doing the surveying. Roger writes down the numbers as Ian calls them out. Rollo joins in the work by exploring the land.

That night by the fire Roger hands Ian the astrolabe. Roger notices bracelets around Ian’s wrist but Ian quickly covers them with a sleeve.

Back at Fraser’s Ridge, Claire asks Marsali if she prescribed someone hemlock. There’s only one root left and there should be more. Neither woman can understand what happened, and Marsali wouldn’t have touched it given that she’s pregnant.

Out in the field, the men relax under a tree and Ian wants to know about the paper airplane. He guesses it’s a bird and Roger doesn’t correct him. Roger lets it sail and Ian notes it flies but doesn’t sing. Ian reveals when he didn’t understand the Mohawk, he talked to the birds to keep from feeling alone.

That night Roger wakes with a start after having the hanging nightmare again.

Cut to Claire and Jamie in bed. She wonders if Roger might not want to come home and believes it might be Roger who took the hemlock. She thinks he might kill himself.

The following day Roger stands at the edge of a cliff and stares down. He has a flash of the hanging again and this time we see he nearly gave up while strung up. Only the memory of Brianna made him fight on.

Roger takes the airplane and sails it off the cliff. He pictures Brianna’s smiling face as it flies away.

Another night in the woods and this time Roger wakes to find a whimpering Rollo tethered nearby.

Ian is seen burying his hatchet and then saying a Mohawk prayer over it. He lifts the hemlock roots from his coat and adds them to water boiling over a fire. As he’s kneeling down next to it, Roger surprises him by kicking over the bucket.

Ian’s enraged and attacks Roger, demanding to know why he of all people would stop him. Ian acknowledges he knew Roger was thinking of jumping off the cliff. “You have everything…a wife that loves you…a bairn…and still you don’t want to be with them!” says Ian.

Ian asks Roger what he saw when that rope was around his neck. Roger doesn’t answer and Ian becomes more frantic with his questioning. He demands to know what Roger saw and Roger shoves him away. He struggles and finally croaks out, “I saw my wife’s face.”

Ian realizes there’s no escape – even in death. Roger understands Ian’s talking about a woman he loved and lost and asks her name. Ian won’t say, believing it doesn’t matter now. She’s not dead but she is lost to him. Ian just wanted the pain to go away so he could be at peace.

Roger tells Ian if he kills himself, he will forever be separated from those he loved. Ian can’t believe Roger has unburied his weapon – his voice – and is using it against him. Roger agrees that’s what’s happening and says he’ll have to pick up his weapon again and fight. He asks if Ian can do the same. Ian’s not sure it’s possible.

They return to Fraser’s Ridge and Roger heads straight home to Brianna. She smiles and he says her name. She’s obviously shocked to hear him speak after all these months and he jokes, “Brianna, don’t tell me you’re at a loss for words now.”

They both admit they’ve been so scared, with Roger confessing part of him died while he was hanging from that tree. Brianna understands exactly how he feels.

Roger explains he’ll never be the old Roger and after seeing the tarot card he realized this is who he is now. He is the hanged man. He thinks this is his fate – that his own ancestor tried to kill him. He questions whether he was meant to exist.

Roger admits he thought his last words would matter but actually what mattered was the last face he saw – Brianna’s. They share a lengthy kiss and he promises he will always sing for her, no matter what.

Disney Attempts to Raise Spirits with a Special Family Singalong

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 10, 2020

Ryan Seacrest is hosting and stars including Christina Aguilera, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, and Josh Gad are set to appear on ABC’s The Disney Family Singalong special. The one hour broadcast will air on April 16, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT and is described by Walt Disney Television as a celebration of “family, music and the love of all things Disney.”

Additional performers and guests include John Stamos, Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town, Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Kenny Ortega, Jordan Fisher, Donny Osmond, Luke Evans, Bobby Bones, Erin Andrews, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Amber Riley.

The televised singalong will feature remote performances of Disney classics as well as recent fan-favorite numbers from Frozen, High School Musical, and Moana. Lyrics will appear on screen to help families at home sing along in harmony with the celebrity guests.

“If there’s something that we’ve all learned in the past few weeks, it’s to cherish every moment and the importance of connection, whether through laughter, stories or music. We hope that we can help create some new unforgettable moments in everyone’s home in a way that only the magic of Disney can,” stated Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment.

Per Disney, the special will include PSAs that help spread “awareness about Feeding America’s vast network and resources for people in the country who are finding themselves in unfamiliar circumstances and facing hunger for the first time due to COVID-19. Families and vulnerable members of the community who need help can visit FeedingAmerica.org/FeedTheLove to learn more about Feeding America’s COVID-19 response and how to locate local food banks for help.”

Additional guests and performances will be announced closer to the airdate.

‘Dead to Me’ Season 2 Premiere Date, Teaser Trailer and Poster

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 10, 2020

Netflix’s season two of Dead to Me will premiere on May 8, 2020. The streaming service just confirmed the premiere date of the new season and released a one-minute teaser trailer and season two poster.

Season two of the critically acclaimed dark comedy will consist of 10 new 30-minute episodes.

Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini return to lead the cast as Jen and Judy, respectively. Season two will also star James Marsden, Diana Maria Riva, Natalie Morales, Valerie Mahaffey, Sam McCarthy and Luke Roessler.

Series creator Liz Feldman (2 Broke Girls, One Big Happy) is the showrunner and executive produces. Applegate, Gloria Sanchez Productions’ Jessica Elbaum (Booksmart, Hustlers) and Christie Smith (Nathan for You, Tosh.0), along with Will Ferrell (Succession, Drunk History) and Adam McKay of Gary Sanchez Productions also executive produce.

Season 2 Details:

Jen (Applegate), Judy (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 (Riva) hot on their heels, Jen and Judy take drastic measures to protect their loved ones and each other — no matter the cost.

From Emmy Award-winning creator Liz Feldman, Dead to Me returns for an addictively dark second season, where the stakes are higher, the friendship is deeper and the traumas that bond loom larger than ever before.

And a Look Back at Season 1:

Jen is a sardonic widow determined to solve her husband’s recent hit-and-run murder. Judy is an optimistic free spirit who’s recently suffered her own tragic loss. When the two women meet at a support group, they become unlikely friends despite their polar-opposite personalities. But as they bond over bottles of wine, Entenmann’s cookies and a shared affinity for The Facts of Life, Judy desperately tries to shield Jen from a shocking secret that could destroy her life as she knows it.

Dead to Me Season 2 Poster — Poster for season 2 of ‘Dead to Me’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)

‘Westworld’ Season 3 Episodes 5 Thru 8 Preview and Air Dates

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 10, 2020

Westworld Season 3 — Evan Rachel Wood and Aaron Paul in ‘Westworld’ season 3 (Photograph by John P. Johnson/HBO)

HBO’s Westworld continues its wild third season with the final four episodes airing this month and in early May. The network’s released minimal details on episodes five, six, seven, and eight, but have unveiled the titles, very brief plot synopses, and air dates.

The third season’s cast also includes Evan Rachel Wood (Dolores), Thandie Newton (Maeve), Jeffrey Wright (Bernard), Ed Harris (Man in Black), Tessa Thompson (Charlotte), and Luke Hemsworth (Stubbs). Aaron Paul (Caleb), Lena Waithe (Ash), Scott Mescudi (Francis), Marshawn Lynch (Giggles), John Gallagher Jr. (Liam), Michael Ealy (Jake) and Tommy Flanagan (Conells) joined the series for season three.

Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy created the Emmy Award-winning sci-fi series and serve as executive producers. J.J. Abrams, Athena Wickham, Richard J. Lewis, Ben Stephenson, and Denise Thé also executive produce.

Westworld Season 3 Episodes:

Season 3, episode 5: “Genre”
Debut date: SUNDAY, APRIL 12 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Just say no.
Written by Karrie Crouse & Jonathan Nolan; directed by Anna Foerster.

Season 3, episode 6: “Decoherence”
Debut date: SUNDAY, APRIL 19 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Do a lot of people tell you that you need therapy?
Written by Suzanne Wrubel & Lisa Joy; directed by Jennifer Getzinger.

Season 3, episode 7: “Passed Pawn”
Debut date: SUNDAY, APRIL 26 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
Written by Gina Atwater; directed by Helen Shaver.

Season 3, episode 8: “Crisis Theory”
Debut date: SUNDAY, MAY 3 (9:00-10:15 p.m. ET/PT)
Time to face the music.
Written by Denise Thé & Jonathan Nolan; directed by Jennifer Getzinger.

‘Station 19’ Season 3 Episode 13 Photos: Preview of “Dream a Little Dream of Me”

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 10, 2020

The crew comes together to pose for a calendar photo shoot on ABC’s Station 19 season three episode 13. Directed by Stacey K. Black from a script by Rob Giles, episode 13 will air on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT.

The cast of season three includes Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andy Herrera, Jason George as Ben Warren, Boris Kodjoe as Captain Robert Sullivan, Grey Damon as Jack Gibson, and Barrett Doss as Victoria Hughes. Jay Hayden is Travis Montgomery, Okieriete Onaodowan is Dean Miller, Danielle Savre is Maya Bishop, and Miguel Sandoval is Captain Pruitt Herrera.

Episode 13 guest stars include Pat Healy, Lachlan Buchanan, Tracie Thoms, Jayne Taini, and Brandon Brown. Monette Moio , Jonathan Silverman, Colleen Foy, Ansel Sluyter-Obidos, and Bob Levitan also guest star.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” Plot – Vic rallies the crew to pose for a calendar photo shoot that will support a good cause. Meanwhile, Emmett comes clean to Ben and Sullivan, and shows Andy a softer side.

The Plot, Courtesy of ABC:

“Station 19 follows a group of heroic Seattle firefighters as they put their lives and hearts on the line. The latest series from the executive producers of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder takes us inside the tough, tight-knit and sometimes heartbreaking world of the city’s bravest first responders.”

Station 19 Season 3 Episode 13 — Jason George, Brandon Brown, and Monette Mojo in season 3 episode 13 (ABC/Christopher Willard)

‘Mrs. America’ Review Starring Cate Blanchett and Rose Byrne

By

Rebecca Murray

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April 9, 2020

Mrs. America Cate Blanchett — Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly in ‘Mrs. America’ (Photo by Pari Dukovic/FX)

Jason Voorhees. Michael Myers. Freddy Krueger. None of these iconic movie monsters can hold a candle to the terror Phyllis Schlafly evokes in FX and Hulu’s Mrs. America. Played by two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, the centerpiece of the limited series is a snake draped in pearls and striking fear with venomous rhetoric. The fact you don’t absolutely hate the character by the end of Mrs. America is a testament to the brilliance of Cate Blanchett.

Mrs. America recounts the complicated journey of the Equal Rights Amendment (which still hasn’t passed into law, by the way), focusing on key players who were instrumental both in fighting for and in fighting against the amendment back in the 1970s. Leading the charge on the anti-ERA side is Phyllis Schlafly, an intelligent, ruthless, power-hungry wife and mother who believes women don’t need to be deemed equal to men. Women shouldn’t work. They shouldn’t challenge men in or out of the bedroom, and they definitely do not need an amendment added to the United States Constitution that would allow them equal footing with men in all arenas.

Phyllis Schlafly embodies the description of a perfect housewife. Her appearance is always spotless, the house is neat and tidy, and dinner is promptly served each night at the same time. However, despite the fact she claims to despise women in the workplace, she’s constantly craving the spotlight for herself and in fact is often away from home working as a public speaker.

Phyllis’ Stop ERA movement draws in the upper crust of society. The women who gather around Phyllis are the epitome of ladies who lunch. These married women are fine with being completely dependent on their husbands. Phyllis’ anti-feminist movement also draws in racists who not only want to continue the treatment of women as second-class citizens but also want to trample the rights of African Americans.

Each episode of the nine-part series is named after the activist who will be spotlighted in that particular one-hour episode. Series creator Dahvi Waller has filled out the pivotal players in the equal rights fight with an incredible collection of talent. While Cate Blanchett’s character is by far the most memorable of the lot, Rose Byrne’s take on feminist icon/founder of Ms. magazine Gloria Steinem is some of her finest work to date. Byrne’s Gloria is a sympathetic figure who has a complicated relationship with other pivotal players within the equal rights movement.

The impressive ensemble also includes Sarah Paulson as Alice, Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug, Tracey Ullman as Feminine Mystique author Betty Friedan, Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm, Elizabeth Banks as Jill Ruckelshaus, and Melanie Lynskey as Rosemary Thomson.

You don’t need to be aware of the battles behind the scenes to know Mrs. America’s not going to end on a celebratory note. It’s both a frustrating watch as it presents both sides of the ERA battle and a must-see series in that it should provoke conversation and, hopefully, might prompt viewers to become more involved in political activism.

Mrs. America manages to successfully weave a tapestry of complicated storylines into coherent and entertaining viewing. Obviously, the history of the ERA is complex, but the snapshot shared via Mrs. America is a solid, condensed version of the fight for women’s rights.

GRADE: A

Mrs. America premieres Wednesday, April 15, 2020 on FX on Hulu.

BTS Stuns Fans with “Bang Bang Con” Online Concert News

By

Alison Helms

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April 9, 2020

Get ready to settle in, station yourself in front of your computer, and get comfy, BTS fans. Super global group BTS is set to host “Bang Bang Con,” an online concert series. “Bang Bang Con” will take place the weekend of April 18-19, 2020 beginning at 12:00pm (KST).

Both days will include past live concerts and past musters. For those not in the know, a “muster” in the BTS world is a clever bit of wordplay. Their fans, referred to as “ARMY,” muster together for their annual fan meeting in which fans are treated to special performances put together specifically for them in a more intimate setting.

April 18th and April 19th concerts will be streamed on BTS’ BANGTANTV YouTube channel.

News of “Bang Bang Con” came via the group’s Twitter which stated: “A special online streaming event for BTS and Army. Bang Bang Con: The at-home BTS concert experience. Spend a couple of Spring Days” – BTS has a song titled Spring Day, hence its capitalization – “comfy at home with Bang Bang Con.”

Fans celebrated this news by immediately trending BANGBANGCON number one worldwide on Twitter.

Full list of what’s going to be aired on those two days:

April 18:

2015 BTS Live HYYH On Stage
2016 HYYH On Stage: Epilogue
2014 BTS 2014 Live Trilogy: Episode 2 The Red Bullet (2014 Memories)
3rd Muster [ARMY.ZIP+]

April 19:

2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode 3 The Wings Tour in Seoul
2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode 3 The Wings Tour the Final (2017 Memories)
4th Muster (Happy Ever After)
2018 BTS World Tour Love Yourself Seoul Concert

BTS was set to kick off their “Map of the Soul World Stadium Tour” this April in Seoul, South Korea, but it was canceled due to COVID-19. There’s no word yet on if or when the four-day concert event in Seoul will be rescheduled. It was announced late March their North American Tour was postponed.

The North American tour was set to kick off April 25th at Levi Stadium. No official dates have been set yet for the rescheduling on the North American tour.

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