Month: December 2017

“Wayward Sisters” Can the spin-off series of “Supernatural” be a success?

I was disappointed to not have my fix of Sam and Dean Winchester this week, as we are still waiting on new episodes of Supernatural to return.  However, I thought it would be a good time to introduce the Wayward Sisters and discuss whether or not this spin-off series can be a success.  Looking at spin-off series that have been popular such as Angel and The Originals to name a few, they have been able to capture the fan base of their original shows and carve out their own identity in the process.  Will the Wayward Sisters be able to achieve this?  This is no easy task, as many spin-off series have failed the test of time and have not had the same punch as the original series.  Supernatural:  Bloodlines did not make it and I have to admit I don’t even know if they aired an episode or not.  I didn’t even remember that they had already tried this to be honest.  So what do we know about Wayward Sisters?

https://tvfanatic.blog/2017/12/06/ranking-top-5-spin-off-television-series-of-all-time/

The spin-off series will be premiering on the CW on January 18th and the cast includes fan-favorites Kim Rhodes as Jodi Mills and Kathryn Love Newton as Claire, the daughter of Jimmy Novak, Castiel’s vessel.  We will also see psychic, Patience and dream-walker, Kaia on the new series and Jodi’s other adopted daughter, Alex.  Sheriff Donna will also be a part of the cast, giving fans a familiar set of faces to connect with and root for.  From my understanding, the show will feature the female cast trying to help Sam and Dean escape out of the world they are now trapped in.  Once the series gets through the task of saving the boys, they will be based primarily out of Siox Falls, South Dakota.  So now that we all know the players involved, will you be watching the new spin-off?

I am absolutely going to give it a try out of pure loyalty for the Winchester family.  I think that the spin-off series has the potential to exceed expectations and become very popular.  There are many episodes of Supernatural where we get a glimpse into some of the characters that I mentioned above and I personally wanted to dive deeper into their story-lines.  For example, Patience and newcomer, Kaia are both very interesting and a breath of fresh air.  I initially was disappointed that we probably wouldn’t learn too much about them until I realized they would be part of the spin-off series.  Jodi is one of my favorite recurring characters and this will give her a chance to truly shine and do what she does best, bring together a family even when they feel like they were initially alone in the world.  Jodi already has the mamma bear vibe down and has proven previously how much she cares for her adopted daughters, Claire and Alex.  Sheriff Donna will also bring some laughs for sure to lighten up the series from becoming too focused on the drama.  Part of what makes Supernatural so great is that it has the perfect blend of comedy and drama, so this show should try to emulate this as much as possible if it wants to keep up.

https://tvfanatic.blog/2017/11/10/supernatural-lucky-season-13-how-has-the-longest-running-show-on-the-cw-lasted/

The family bond between the Winchester brothers is another reason why the show has been so successful and lasted for 13 years and counting.  Jodi clearly cares about creating a family of misfits to give them a sense of purpose and belonging, which means that they have a good chance of creating their own undeniable bond in the process.  Also, the cast will be all females, which brings me back to the wonderful days of shows like Charmed.  In a world of demons, wizards, and police detectives snooping around at every corner, the sisters of Charmed were able to come together as a powerful force and still make time for some female bonding as well.  I am hoping to get some of that back with Wayward Sisters.  So I will absolutely give the spin-off series the chance it deserves.  Will you be tuning in for the premiere? 

I hope you enjoyed and please feel to post your thoughts and comments on Wayward Sisters and Supernatural below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

 

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 9 mid-season finale: Is the Black Hood truly revealed?

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 9 last night, I am left wondering if the mystery of the Black Hood’s identity has actually been solved?  While it all adds up and makes sense, there was something almost anticlimactic about the reveal.  The end of the episode suggests that Betty’s not entirely sure it’s all over either.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Betty and Archie once again take matters into their own hands to track down Mr. Svenson and deal with the Black Hood’s threats.  Meanwhile, Veronica makes a bold decision and Cheryl refuses to give up on the fancy Christmas tradition she has become accustomed to.  The group participates in secret Santa and more than just gifts are exchanged, as unresolved feelings re-surface.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 9 are:

5

The group participates in Secret Santa.

Even though there is a killer running loose, that doesn’t stop our Riverdale favorites from participating in some Christmas traditions.  However, gift giving becomes slightly complicated when recent exes are involved.  For example, Veronica receives a “couple’s massage” gift certificate and Betty obtains the “Swiss Family Robinson” album that she and Archie used to sing to as children.  Later, Veronica and Betty present their gifts to their exes, revealing how much they still care.  As if this couldn’t get any more confusing, the Black Hood decides to get in on the Secret Santa action and leaves Betty a gift-wrapped finger.  I guess it’s the thought that counts.

4

No Serpent stands alone.

What is the first law?  “No Serpent stands alone!” Jughead refuses to let his father deal with the consequences of his actions and enlists the help of his fellow Serpents to go after Penny and drive her out of Riverdale.  This might backfire, however; as Penny doesn’t seem like the type to give up so easily.  Jughead means business when he takes out a knife to get his pound of flesh…literally.  While it’s nice to see Jughead boost morale and try and help out his father, it seems like he keeps involving himself deeper and deeper, jeopardizing his own future in the process.  Time will tell if Penny attempts to take revenge on him but all signs point to yes.

3

Cheryl saves Christmas.

When Cheryl’s mother explains they will need to cut back around the holidays because they are broke, Cheryl refuses to accept this.  She marches off to purchase the grandest Christmas tree and decorates her house with glitz and glamour galore.  She demands that her mother figure out a way to make ends meet, refusing to apologize for her actions.  Nana Rose comically adds in to Cheryl’s mother that “she should have drowned them at birth like a basket of kittens.”  Later in the episode, Cheryl walks in on her mother kissing a stranger with a Santa hat.  Is this a new boyfriend or has her mother lowered herself to a new profession?

2

Veronica is no longer Daddy’s little girl.

Veronica desperately wants to help Archie and Fred.  When she learns that Fred is facing a medical bill of 86,000 dollars she asks her family for help but is turned down.  Much like Cheryl, Veronica refuses to back down.  She breaks into her father’s office and finds out that he owns Pop’s diner.  As if her actions weren’t bad enough, she then uses her mother’s black amex card to pay off Fred’s bill.  When her parents later confront her about this, she proves that she is ready to grow up quickly and learn all there is to know about the Lodge family business.  Veronica has some ground rules which include keeping the charge to help Fred and staying away from doing anything illegal.  Veronica liked the way it felt to sit in her father’s chair and is ready to play boss.  But can she handle it?

1

The Black Hood is revealed.

Betty and Archie are not giving up until they discover the truth and they do just that in this mid-season finale.  When Mr. Svenson hasn’t shown up to work, Betty and Archie head over to his house, but all they find is a lonely bowl of soup left on the front porch.  They visit the Sisters of Quiet Mercy to find out more about Mr. Svenson’s involvement and learn what his sin is.  After his family was brutally murdered, he took a group of people to punish the culprit, only to kill an innocent man by mistake.  Betty and Archie discover that Nana Rose Blossom was around for this and that Betty’s grandfather was involved as well.  They are horrified to learn that the innocent man was buried alive, bringing them that much closer to discovering the sin that the Black Hood wants them to.  Before they go any further, Archie confesses “I need you with me” to Betty and they share a kiss.  This seems like a fleeting moment in the midst of all of this chaos and danger, but what if it’s not?  Cheryl has witnessed the kiss and later Veronica tells Archie that she does love him as a mysterious photographer captures their embrace on camera, which has fans wondering when this will all unravel.  Will Betty and Veronica’s friendship be able to survive this? Who will Archie ultimately choose?

Archie and Betty’s feelings are forced to be put on hold, however; when they dig up the coffin in Pickens Park.  They find that it’s empty, but the Black Hood shows up and forces Archie inside.  Betty turns the tables on him and Archie makes a bold decision to shoot him, killing him instantly.  Sheriff Keller shows up just in the nick of time which seems suspicious, but Betty and Archie are happy to have some back-up.  Mr. Svenson is revealed as the Black Hood, down one finger and his life.  It seems like the mystery has been solved, but the gang is later sitting in the diner trying to find the words to uncover the why to no avail.  At the end of the episode, Betty is unable to burn her black hood, which shows that her own darkness is still lurking inside her and that this isn’t over just yet.  Is Mr. Svenson the only Black Hood killer or was this a set up?  We will have to wait for new episodes to find out, but I’m not closing the book on the Black Hood mystery just yet.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Watching “The Walking Dead” out of responsibility or necessity? Can the popular series survive changing the future of the comic?

As a loyal television watcher, there are some shows that I cannot live without and others that I find myself watching out of responsibility, becoming more and more like a chore, which isn’t a good sign, right? There are shows that I have to watch as soon as they air because I don’t want anyone to spoil what happened and there are others that I can wait a few days to catch up on via my DVR.  However, there are some I have invested quite a bit of time in since the beginning of the series, which just aren’t hooking me in the same way anymore.  Don’t get me wrong, I have watched The Walking Dead since the very beginning and would even say I considered it to be one of my absolute favorite shows in the earlier seasons.  However, the show has lost that edge for me that it initially had, reserving its shocking over-the-top moments for mid-season and season finales only.  However, this sometimes becomes a struggle getting through the fluff episodes in between just to see which main character will not make it through the night.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not watched the mid-season finale, which aired on Sunday, 12/10/17.

While I am not going to rank my top moments of the mid-season finale, I find it important to talk about Carl.  If you type in “Carl” online, you will find hundreds and hundreds of reviews and comments about what was revealed on the mid-season finale.  As a loyal fan to Rick, I have to admit that he just isn’t doing it for me anymore.  I know he’s been through a lot but it seems like he is always crying or whining about something out of his control.  Carl was outshining him, outsmarting the saviors, and making the right decisions to protect the people around him.  Last season, the introduction of the enemy, Negan, portrayed by the brilliant Jeffrey Dean Morgan sparked some much needed life into the show, killing off main characters last year in a horrific and violent way.  But can one villain carry a show?  Sure, the show is about the surviving the undead, but there is not much happening in the episodes throughout the season.  For example, Rick and the others have declared war on the saviors.  When I first learned that this season would focus completely on the war, I was thrilled.  I thought I would get the action and fast pace that I desperately missed from the earlier seasons.  However, we didn’t lose any main characters in all of these episodes leading up to the mid-season finale.  Rick has been off recruiting others and I sometimes forget where he is in the episodes.  That being said, characters like Carl and Maggie have stepped up, proving that a pregnant woman and a boy can be more of a threat than a former police officer.

So why kill off Carl then? In the comic series, the future of all is left in the hands of Carl and now we know that the show is going in a different direction.  But what direction is that? While we know that the new episodes will return with a long, drawn out goodbye from Carl, there is no way he is getting out of this alive.  In earlier seasons, I didn’t mind us losing Carl, as he seemed like more of a liability to Rick.  However, now he has become a force to be reckoned with.  Unlike Rick who is constantly making ill decisions because of his emotions, Carl uses his head and knows how to outsmart the enemy.  He kept emphasizing that everyone follow his plan, knowing that running off aimlessly would get others killed.  When he revealed the bite mark on him, I was genuinely upset.  Not because I care so much about Carl as a character, but because the one character with true potential to spark some life into the series was about to fade away, much like fan-favorite, Shane.

So where do we go from here? I have to think that the writers must have a plan and are not just winging it episode to episode.  Perhaps Maggie’s unborn child is the key and the future? Either way, there needs to be much more content included in episodes leading up to season finales.  I no longer want to watch this show out of obligation.  I want to go back to actually wanting to watch the show.  I’m hopeful that this can still happen, but will continue to watch the show out of loyalty if need be.  I would just prefer to be counting the days down to the season premiere and binge-watching earlier episodes to prepare.  Remember those days?  RIP Carl.  May your death bring some life back into The Walking Dead.

Please feel free to post your comments, thoughts, and theories on The Walking Dead below.  Thank you for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “SMILF” season 1 episode 6: Bridgette’s Purpose

Greetings TV viewers!  After watching Showtime’s SMILF season 1 episode 6 last night, I am left with the spot-on advice from Dr. Seuss who said that “you know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”  For Bridgette, Tutu, Ally, and Rafi, it initially seems like their dreams are something to cling to, giving them a glimmer of hope that they aren’t trapped in their routine lives forever.  However, their dreams don’t exactly pan out the way they thought they would.  But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t hope or meaning in their lives.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Bridgette is psyched to receive an invitation letter to try out for the WNBA, her golden ticket to something she has always dreamed about.  Meanwhile, Tutu hunts down her former lover on Yelp and Rafi attempts to help his mother out while dealing with his own inner demons. My top 5 moments from SMILF season 1 episode 6 are:

5

Larry says “bye bye” to the IRS. 

In the beginning of the episode, Bridgette is going through a sea of bills and cringes at one from the IRS.  Larry innocently says “bye bye” and throws it off the table, causing Bridgette and viewers everywhere to smile as a result.  Bridgette is surrounded by never-ending bills, but is ecstatic when she receives an invitation letter to try out for the WNBA.  It seems like there is a glimmer of hope for Bridgette after all, allowing her to dive head-first into her hopes and dreams.

4

Ally has a 911.

As Bridgette is trying to prepare for her basketball tryouts, she is dealing with distractions left and right.  Ally begins texting her frantically, saying “911” and it’s “URGENT.”  Bridgette swings over there, hoping for something quick and easy, but discovers that Ally is covered head to toe in a cast as she has just went through every plastic surgery she possibly could at once.  Ally looks ridiculous, unable to even put a straw in her own mouth, but Bridgette has to put this on hold to go pursue her own dreams.  When Bridgette tells Ally that she was beautiful already, Ally points to the picture on her nightstand, explaining to Bridgette her own dream to look that young and beautiful again at a time when she was truly happy and in love.

3

Rafi has a moment of weakness.

Rafi is initially feeling happy and at peace.  He has been successfully sober for a while now and starts discussing all of the good things going on in his life with his priest sponsor, including putting together Ikea furniture with his girlfriend.  However, the priest warns him that every day is not going to be a perfect one and he has to cope with what will happen when he doesn’t feel this great.  As if he was foreshadowing what the day held for Rafi, he gets a call from his mother and goes to help her move some stuff and feed the dogs.  Rafi can’t handle the stress and begins taking his dog’s medication to numb the pain.  He goes to see his priest sponsor, who kisses him unexpectedly, leaving Rafi to flee, just needing to escape it all.  In a moment of weakness, he falls back into old habits, unable to deal with the chaos surrounding him.  We sympathize with what Rafi is going through and hope that he can put it behind him to start fresh and embrace the reality that not everything will work out perfectly.  Rather, he needs to focus on the supporting people in his life who will help him get there.

2

Tutu tracks down her lost love.

Tutu finds her past love on Yelp and decides to go and surprise him, posing as one of his patients at the dentist’s office.  While they do have a fleeting moment together, Tutu is horrified to see that he has had his tattoo removed, which is the other half of her heart, snapping her back into reality that their love maybe wasn’t this everlasting and epic story, but that perhaps they just outgrew each other.  They swap stories about their lives and families, and Tutu realizes that she is lucky to have Bridgette and Larry in her life, even though it turned out differently than she expected it to.

1

Bridgette tries out for the WNBA.

Bridgette is clearly nervous to try out for the WNBA, as it’s been about 10 years since she has played competitively.  However, this doesn’t stop her from trying out for her dream.  Although Bridgette is enthused and passionate, she is clearly outmatched.  Bridgette doesn’t want to lose any momentum, but reality starts to sink in when she asks if everyone she is playing against can dunk.  When one of the coaches says he has seen all he needs to for today and she can leave, Bridgette is begging for another chance.  While her dreams of playing for the WNBA are put on hold at least for today, Bridgette confides in Tutu and is reminded that Larry is her purpose in life.  Bridgette desperately wants something for herself, but comes to realize that being a mother is something truly special even if it doesn’t always seem like it.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on SMILF below.  Also, congrats to the show on its Golden Globe nominations! Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 6: Fiona gets a new friend

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 6 last night, I am left with the advice that “you can’t save everyone,” but perhaps sometimes you need to try anyway.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Fiona comes face to face with Mrs. Cardinal, Debbie goes on a mission to obtain the morning after pill, and Lip enlists Carl’s “uber,” or I guess “ubber” as he spells it, skills to help him find Brad.  Meanwhile, Frank learns that being the best doesn’t necessarily amount to much and Kev tries to be “part-gay” to keep up with V and Svetlana.  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 6 are:

5

Frank is employee of the month.

Frank starts off his morning the right way, receiving his first ever non-fraudulent credit card in the mail.  You may think things are truly going well for Frank, especially after we learn that he is in fact employee of the month, but unfortunately Frank is in for a shocking surprise.  When he learns that his boss has been fired, he assumes it is because he is being promoted.  However, to Frank’s dismay, he learns that the company is being closed and he is also being let go.  Frank is back to joining the ranks of unemployment, but not before he takes one last look at his framed pride and joy on the wall, treasuring his employee of the month recognition.

4

Lip can’t save everyone but is willing to try.

Lip reveals his own vulnerability and weakness, when he shouts “how am I supposed to make it if Brad can’t?” Perhaps, you cannot save everyone, but Lip recognizes the importance of not giving up on a friend.  He goes on a mission to find Brad and bring him back to his wife and baby, running into trouble along the way.  When Carl and Lip discover Brad’s car, they find boxes of donuts, hair extensions, and Michael Jordan’s severed statue arm.  Lip doesn’t let this discourage him, however; as he tracks down Brad and brings him back, desperately trying to make a difference.  The possibility of Brad starting over gives Lip the very same hope that he can make it too.

3

Kev tries to be “part gay.”

Kev is feeling jealous and unneeded by his wife, V as she spends all her time having “spasgasms” with Svetlana.  Kev decides that he is going to attempt to level the playing field and embark on his own mission to find pleasure with a man.  Kev seeks out Ian’s advice and learns that you just know whether you are gay or not.  For Ian, it was Justin Timberlake, and for Kev it’s…well he’s not entirely sure what.  When a stranger offers to buy his food, Kev thinks this might be a step in the right direction.  He quickly learns that this is not the case, but the “have a nice day” throws him off, as he begins saying it and winking, thinking that this is “code.” When Kev finally does find a likely candidate, he realizes that he is not gay at all.  He returns to V to let her know and she is proud of him for trying, but he admits his jealousy and confesses that he just wants to make V happy, reminding us how truly devotional and committed Kev is to V.

2

Debbie has less than 67 hours…make that 39 hours to obtain the morning after pill.

After Debbie wakes up, she realizes that she has once again made the mistake of unprotected sex.  She is not about to have another baby and a count-down clock appears on the screen as she sets off to get the morning after pill.  However, to Debbie’s horror, they are out of it at the local store.  She tries another pharmacy, but is carded and they refuse to sell of her because she is not 17.  When Debbie tries to enlist the help of a fellow shopper, she tries to run on her, and Debbie pounces on her and attacks her, leading to them both ending up in jail.  What makes this moment even funnier is that Debbie is in the middle of face-timing baby Franny during the fight.  Just when it seems that time is running out and Debbie has no other choice than to embrace her fate, her friends bail her out of jail, cause a distraction at the pharmacy, and obtain the pill, allowing Debbie to coast by in just the nick of time.

1

Fiona finds a new friend.

When Fiona discovers a water leak, she has no other choice but to enter into Mrs. Cardinal’s apartment to check it out.  To her horror, she discovers Mrs. Cardinal’s dead body and finds out that she really does have a dog… a dog that is now nibbling on Mrs. Cardinal’s human flesh.  Although this is vomit-worthy for sure, the dog has a cute and innocent quality, shadowing Fiona along the way.  As Fiona goes through Mrs. Cardinal’s junk in her apartment, she finds some old photos of her and is curious about her past life and story.  She starts to think about if this could be her life in the future and is saddened by the possibility.  When Mrs. Cardinal’s niece shows up, they proceed to throw everything out, including the pictures.  Fiona is not about to let the memory of Mrs. Cardinal fade completely, as she digs in the dumpster to save one and frame it on the wall.  She confides to Mrs. Cardinal’s dog along the way and makes the big decision to not allow him to be taken by animal control or the “executioner” as Fiona calls them.  The dog stays with Fiona at least for now and we are happy to see her have a new friend who is a very good listener.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on Shameless below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 heart-breaking moments from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”

It’s Throw-Back Sunday TV Fans!  For today, I have once again returned to one of my old favorites, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  There’s something to be said about moments in television that can bring you to tears.  You invest a lot of time into the shows you watch and connect with the characters on a profound level, which is what makes it so impossibly emotional when certain moments happen, shattering the calm and happy existence you have come to know and rely on.

Whether it is one of your favorite characters dying, an epic romance coming to end, or something else entirely, there are certain heart-breaking moments on television that still impact us today.  After many re-watches of Buffy, there are still certain moments that I recognize.  I find my heart starting to skip faster, anticipating the worst, even hoping that somehow the outcome might be different with a re-watch.

However, the tragedy replays as it did the first time watching, still bringing tears to our eyes and tugging at our own feelings in the process.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the full series yet. 

My top 5 heart-breaking moments from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are:

5

Giles’s discovery of Jenny’s death. 

In season 2, Angel loses his soul when he experiences true happiness with Buffy.  When he returns to his former monstrous self, Angelus, he stalks and torments Buffy and her friends.  It is not enough to simply kill them.  He wants them to truly suffer, weakening them further in the process.  Fans loved the blossoming romance between Giles and Jenny Calendar.

When Angelus learns that Jenny is on the verge of finding out how to bring the curse back along with his soul, he views her as a threat in the episode, “Passion.”  He hunts her down in the school and snaps her neck, which was horrific enough for viewers.  However, Angelus doesn’t stop here.  Rather, he stages a romantic evening for Giles to walk into.  Giles approaches his doorway with a rose waiting for him and happily walks into opera music playing along with champagne and a note reading, “Upstairs.” 

To Giles’s horror, he finds Jenny’s lifeless body waiting in his bed, dropping the champagne bottle and shattering it, while the opera music crescendos louder and louder.  What makes this moment truly tragic is Giles’s reaction to it.  Giles and Jenny were finally going to be reunited and make things work, but Angelus viciously ripped this happiness away from him, toying with his emotions.

4

Tara’s death. 

In season 6, Warren is not about to let Buffy and the gang make a fool of him.  A once harmless villain has now become deadly.  He points a gun at Buffy and Xander to the surprise and horror of fans and shoots it.  Xander falls to the ground and it first appears that he is his victim, but the bullet ricochets to the upstairs window and strikes Tara right in front of Willow.

Tara’s blouse has a single blood stain on it, as she falls and collapses in Willow’s arms.  Willow’s eyes turn black in rage, now releasing the dark magic and power that she had kept away for so long.  The love between Willow and Tara was so pure and beautiful and fans were horrified to see Willow’s love taken away from her in a violent act.  The Scoobies have faced evil day after day, but what makes this so awful is that it was a mortal act of violence.

It wasn’t a vampire or a monster, rather it was a human being who felt wronged by the world and took his anger out with a man-made weapon, revealing that mortals can be just as dangerous as monsters in this world.

3

Buffy sacrifices herself to save Dawn. 

In the season 5 finale, “The Gift,” Buffy recognizes that her blood is just like Dawn’s.  Dawn’s blood is the key to closing the portal that will destroy the world, but she is not about to let her innocent sister suffer the consequences.  Buffy makes the decision to jump into the portal to sacrifice herself.

She tells Dawn that “you have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world — is to live in it. Be brave. Live…for me.”

This is one of the most powerful and heart-breaking quotes in the entire series for me.  Buffy’s unconditional love for her sister, her friends, and the world is beyond words.  She has touched the lives of so many people and helped saved innocents with each action, but there is something about this act that transcends all of that.

She recognizes the sacrifice and embraces it, leaving her friends mourning her behind.  Spike is left in tears, making this moment that much more tragic for fans, as he does truly love her and feels like he let her down.

2

Buffy kills Angel when his soul returns. 

In the season 2 finale, “Becoming,” Buffy knows what she must do and is now truly ready to defeat Angelus so that she can save the world.  She recognizes that the good man she came to know and love is gone, leaving only a shell of a monster behind.  Seems easy enough, right?

Before Buffy is about to strike the final blow, Willow’s spell works and Angel’s soul returns.  Angel doesn’t remember what has happened and Buffy tells him to close his eyes and kiss her, right before she strikes him fatally with a sword, sending his body through the portal.  Buffy is still relatively new and young as a slayer in season 2, dealing with high school drama and this is more than any teenage girl could handle.

She leaves Sunnydale behind, unable to deal with her emotions and the loss of her great love by her own hand.

1

Buffy finds her mother’s body. 

In season 5, Buffy is dealing with a new sister and a god named Glory who will stop at nothing to find her key and destroy the world.  What makes this moment truly tragic is that it is a mortal tragedy.  Buffy’s mother, Joyce, has been sick for a while, but when Buffy discovers her body lying on the floor, she becomes an innocent and terrified young girl.  Buffy whispers “Mommy,” as we empathize with her completely.

Her powers will not help her here.  She is left to attempt CPR and call an ambulance, but it is too late.  Her mother is gone and she has to deal with this loss along with realizing that she will now have to pick up the pieces of her family and grow up even faster than she already has.

This episode did not feature any background music so that viewers were able to completely focus on Buffy’s reaction and emotions throughout this heart-breaking scene, which is still incredibly difficult for me to watch.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to share some of your own heart-breaking moments from Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the comments section.  Thank you so much for reading and happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 9: Step-mother role reversal

As the snow begins to trickle down here in New York, I am anxious for a relaxing day of TV watching.  How about you?  After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 9 last night, I am wondering just how many sleeping curses need to occur before someone finds a way of preventing this from happening in the first place.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, we learn quite a lot about Lady Tremaine’s back-story, while Regina and Henry are still off in San Francisco.  Jacinda is thrilled to have Lucy back in her life, but lets her emotions get the best of her when she falls onto Nick’s lips.  Meanwhile, Ivy/Drizella continues to try to thwart her mother’s plan, while Rumpel reveals to Hook the reason behind his recent actions.  My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 9 are:

5

Lady Tremaine is revealed to be Rapunzel.  After we learned that Alice is Hook’s daughter, I wasn’t sure there would be any more surprises so soon, but Rapunzel’s story has been re-written quite a bit in the process.  While I was very interested to find out more about Lady Tremaine and how she came to be this way, this revelation seemed slightly forced, however.  In the Rapunzel fairy-tale, we don’t know very much about her other than that she was a baby paying for the mistakes of her parents who stole from the witch’s garden.  Her identity is stifled by her circumstances, being trapped in a tower waiting for someone to rescue her.  I did enjoy the twist of Rapunzel taking matters into her own hands to save herself, rather than waiting for a prince to appear to save the day.  I am just not so sure that this connection between Lady Tremaine and Rapunzel is that convincing but I’m willing to keep an open mind.

4

Lady Tremaine makes a deal with Rumpel.  Lady Tremaine lays all of her cards on the table and seeks out assistance from our favorite schemer, Rumpel.  Rumpel doesn’t bother keeping up with appearances here, calling Lady Tremaine out as “Rapunzel” and agreeing to help her with Anastasia because Lady Tremaine has information on the guardian.  We know that Rumpel is focused completely on finding his way back to Belle and the guardian is the key, but at what cost?

3

Hook does some investigating.  Hook is tired of getting the run around and takes matters into his own hands to find out the truth.  He shows off some Nancy Drew-like skills when he pulls the fire alarm so that the locked door will open.  Hook finds files that Rumpel has on everyone, pulling at his curiosity even further.  When he confronts Rumpel to get to the bottom of this, Rumpel reveals that everything he is doing is to try and find his wife.  Hook empathizes with this and puts differences aside to help him find Lucy but to no avail.

2

Step-mother role reversal.  While I was slightly disappointed that Lady Tremaine was Rapunzel, I thought it was very clever to switch up the roles to have Ella’s mother be the other woman stepping into her family’s lives to replace her.  Traditionally, Lady Tremaine has always been very jealous of Cinderella because she had her father’s love and in this version, this jealousy is still very present but stemming from something else.  Rapunzel gives into revenge and temptation and does send Ella’s mother away with black magic, but her husband still cares very much for his wife’s daughter, Ella.  When Ella and Anastasia are playing on the ice, it tragically breaks and her husband can only save one.  To Rapunzel’s horror, he saves Ella, but she is not to give up just yet.  She tricks Gothel and promises Anastasia that she will find a way to be with her again.  While Rapunzel makes it clear how important family is, this idea becomes distorted when she puts her family above the well-being of others and the greater good, refusing to apologize for it.

1

Lady Tremaine destroys Lucy’s innocence to free Anastasia.  Lucy is thrilled to be reunited with her mother and when Lady Tremaine gives her back her fairy-tale book, it appears that she is trying to make amends.  However, she demonstrates her wickedness by showing Lucy the video of Jacinda and Nick kissing, destroying Lucy’s idea of a perfect family with her, Jacinda, and Henry.  Lucy’s belief is shattered at this point, leaving her questioning everything.  When a tear is released, this is the key to waking up Anastasia.  However, once Anastasia wakes up, Lucy immediately falls asleep taking her place.  Hopefully it’s up to Regina, Henry, and Zelena to return and save the day.  But are they are a match for the ruthlessness of Lady Tremaine? 

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Once Upon a Time below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 9: Dream-walking out of this world

Happy Friday TV fans! The weekend is almost here, but I find myself needing to discuss the mid-season finale of Supernatural before diving into any other shows.  After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 9 last night, I am wondering exactly where everyone is and I am most concerned for the Winchester brothers.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Sam and Dean are reunited with Jack, realizing that he is good after all.  Dream-walkers are introduced into the mix and some familiar friends return to warn us that something wicked comes this way.  Meanwhile, the angels are after Jack and will stop at nothing to capture him, but this doesn’t stop him from attending an addiction meeting along the way.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 9 are:

5

Jack attends an addiction anonymous meeting.  He is there to find the dream-walker, but he needs to take a page from Sam and Dean’s book on how to come up with a convincing cover story.  Kaia is a young dream-walker who is suffering from a drug addiction as she desperately attempts to escape “the bad place.”  When she crosses paths with Jack, she asks why he is there and he enthusiastically responds with “cocaine!” Kaia later refers to him as “cocaine boy” which keeps the laughs coming, as she is no fool and realizes that he is absolutely something other-worldly.

4

Patience is back.  I was thrilled at the introduction of psychic, Patience a few episodes back and was wondering if we would see her again.  Luckily for the Winchester brothers, Patience has a vision and realizes that they are all in serious trouble.  She makes a difficult choice when her father tells her she cannot come back if she decides to go down this route.  Patience remains strong and realizes that she must embrace her destiny because it is the right thing to do.  She knocks on Jody’s door to tell her that they are all in great danger, leaving fans trapped in a cliff-hanger that we are all anxiously waiting to see unravel.  Either way, it is great to see Patience back and I am looking forward to the development of her character.

3

Jack is able to see Sam and Dean’s mother.  While viewers have been able to see what is going on with Mary, Sam and Dean have been completely clueless regarding her well-being, fearing the worst.  When Jack taps into the power of the dream-walkers, he is able to get close enough to see her through a door to another world.  It is clear that Mary is in desperate need of rescuing, but now that Jack is there, how are they going to escape?

2

Jack tells Sam and Dean that they are his family.  When Sam and Dean are riding in the car with Jack they express how worried they were that he would be looking for his father, Lucifer.  This word strikes a confused look on Jack’s face as he explains that Sam, Dean, and Castiel are his family and that is why he was trying to do one good thing for them and find their mother.  Although Jack is still very new to this world and his powers are alarmingly strong and dangerous, he possesses a child-like vulnerability and clearly does understand what family means, warming the hearts of us viewers in this touching moment.

1

Kaia and Jack send everyone through the open doors of worlds via dream-walking.  While we know that Jack is in Mary’s world, Sam and Dean are somewhere else entirely, waking up inside an enormous foot-print of something otherworldly.  Is this the danger that Patience predicted in her vision?  Is this the “bad place” that Kaia feared? How will they get out of there and find one another? The mid-season finale leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions, but if there is one thing I’m certain of, it’s that Sam and Dean Winchester can escape the inescapable.  It’s just a matter of how and when.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Supernatural below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 8: “It’s a Mad World”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 8 last night, I am left with the haunting melody of “Mad World,” playing in my head, wondering if the passionate and intense feelings of Archie and Veronica are enough to overcome dodging those three powerful words that have now ripped through their bond.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Betty lets her pony-tail down and embraces her naughty side to try and fit into Jughead’s world, Archie and Veronica take a turn at playing detective, and FP contemplates retirement from the Serpents.  Seeing FP waiting on Cheryl Blossom at Pop’s diner puts things into perspective, however; as this is no place for a king.  Meanwhile, Cheryl continues to cling to Josie’s shadow while Alice Cooper breaks out of her cardigans to bring on the leather, and Archie gazes out his window at an unsuspecting Betty to wonder what could have or might still be.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 8 are:

5

A connection is confirmed between the Riverdale Reaper and the Black Hood.  In the beginning of the episode, Jughead sits down with Betty to discuss his research done at city hall.  They learn about the “house of horrors” and the tragedy that happened to the Conway family, begging the question, how does this fit in with the Black hood now?  Betty makes the connection that this house is the same one that the Black Hood lured her to, realizing that it is an important part of the equation.  Research does pay off, but what’s the next step from here?

4

FP is released from jail.  Jughead is ecstatic to learn that his father is finally free from this nightmare and anxiously awaits his release with supportive Betty and who else but the witty Alice Cooper. Alice is not about to let things slide, however; continuing to pass her judgment on FP.  She asks him what his plans are now and FP jokingly calls her “Warden Cooper,” which doesn’t seem too far off for our tough cookie, Alice.  Now that FP is out of jail, he is left with the important decision of what to do with his freedom.  He decides retirement is the answer and even accepts a humble job waiting tables at Pop’s diner to prove to Jughead that he is serious about turning his life around.  But how long will this last?

3

Archie and Veronica pick off where Betty left off.  “So you want us to be you guys?” Veronica asks with skepticism.  Veronica and Archie are already skating on thin ice as it is, when Archie tells her he loves her and she says nothing in return.  This brings up Veronica’s own insecurities, but the two need this distraction to find out more about the Black Hood and the connection to the Conway murders.  After some investigation of their own, they learn that the Conway family wasn’t of 4, but of 5 and that there is a third child who made it out alive.  They later discover this is none other than school custodian, Mr. Svenson, but quickly rule him out once Archie looks into his eyes and realizes he is not staring back at the Black hood.  More clues are falling right into their laps and they are hard to ignore.  Did Mr. Svenson get his justice in the past, or is there something else he is not telling us?

2

FP is here to stay and he wants Jughead out.  At the end of FP’s retirement party, he quickly announces that he is there to stay to Jughead’s dismay.  He explains to Jughead that he did the one thing he asked him not to, which was to get stuck in the middle of a drug trafficking operation.  When FP reveals that he now has to clean up this mess and that Jughead has broken his heart, it clearly destroys Jughead.  Jughead realizes that his mistake has now cost his father a chance at having a clean slate, forcing him back into a world that he may never get out of now.

1

Betty and Alice Cooper’s entrance into the party.  Both ladies have their hair down and prove they are a force to be reckoned with.  Alice’s ensemble is wild and she even pokes fun at Betty’s outfit, not realizing that she is about to strip off almost every layer to perform the Serpent dance.  Jughead is not pleased with this, begging her to stay away from him, as the mistakes he made with his father are now bleeding into his relationship with Betty.  Although the dance doesn’t have the impact Betty was hoping for, it does allow her to free her inhibitions and step out of her cookie-cutter mold of perfection.  Archie sees a new side of her when he gazes out the window and he’s not alone.  We salute you Betty!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 spin-off television series of all time: Can a spin-off surpass an original?

Is it possible for a spin-off series to surpass the original?  Perhaps not in most cases, but that doesn’t mean that the spin-off can’t branch out into something entertaining and epic on its own.  Creating a spin-off series is always a gamble.  You are relying on the fans from the original series to follow the show and create a fan base with its own separate identity as well.

While many spin-off series have failed to capture this difficult standard, there have been some that are so memorable that you almost forget that there was an original series that started it all.  This really got me thinking about my own favorite spin-off series and why they stand out above the rest.

My top 5 favorite spin-off television series of all time are:

5

The Originals

This show is a spin-off series of the CW’s successful hit, The Vampire Diaries.  Klaus Mikaelson and his family of original vampires are introduced as dangerous and worthy villains, but their history is so rich and intriguing, not leaving The Vampire Diaries much room to explore it among its own plot.

The Originals is set in New Orleans and fans were pleased to see the Mikaelson family as the center of it all, while introducing new characters as well with just as much complexity.  The Originals does not shy away from its roots and all fans know where it started, however; it takes a darker and more historical approach to vampires, allowing viewers to see the full picture of how everything started.

After years of watching both series, I came to ultimately prefer The Originals because it was fresher and explored darker elements.  Klaus, who was previously shown as a ruthless killer with no remorse, now shows a glimmer of a soul and reveals to us how he became so broken in the midst of family and romantic betrayals.

4

Melrose Place

This show is a spin-off series of one of my all time favorites, Beverly Hills, 90210.  90210 was such a success and targeted a teenage audience who craved a drama with more depth and complication than your average soap opera.  Some fans don’t remember that the very entertaining Melrose Place was actually a spin-off of 90210.  Jake is introduced as an old friend of Dylan’s and has a fleeting romantic moment with Kelly, only to decide to ride his motorcycle off to a new town to discover a life of his own.

The opening episodes of Melrose Place even feature Kelly coming to find him to see why he had broken their relationship off, strategically hooking in viewers from 90210.  While a lot of the love triangles, betrayals, and outrageous plots seem familiar to 90210, Melrose Place did a good job of capturing an old generation of viewers as well, breaking out of the mold of a high school drama and paving the way for many more shows to come.

3

Angel

A spin-off of the hit TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon recognized that Buffy and Angel’s story was over…or at least put on pause, leaving fans wondering where Angel would go after Buffy graduated and went off to college.  Lucky for us, Angel was not done with his destiny just yet, traveling to LA with fan-favorite, Cordelia, to help innocents along the way and even start his own business while doing so, taking on one evil lawyer at a time.

In Buffy, Angel’s back story is briefly explored, but his own show allows us to truly see and understand every aspect of his origin.  Also, Angel was not able to shine as much in Buffy since he was obviously not the center of the show.  Angel’s personality and potential were often stifled in Buffy because the focus was on more of the romantic relationship between them, rather than who Angel truly was or meant to be.

This spin-off series did have a strong following and it was lined up right after Buffy on the same night of airings, but Angel did have its own identity and voice, proving that a supporting character could become a principal hero after all.

2

Better Call Saul

A spin-off of the hit series, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is a prequel to the beloved series, focusing primarily on our favorite scheming lawyer, Saul Goodman.  This spin-off is one of the most successful ones I have watched and I adore both series.

What’s so great about the show is that it introduces important elements and characters that fans recognize from Breaking Bad, giving us a chance to further dive into how everything started in Breaking Bad.  However, this does not outshine the incredible acting by Bob Odenkirk who does an excellent job at truly embracing his character.

While fans are pleased with his wit and schemes along the way, we begin to fully learn about his past life and what lead him to the decisions he made later in Breaking Bad.  Saul demonstrates his work ethic and how much he wanted to be a lawyer and prove to his brother and girlfriend that he is capable of being a good man.

This becomes difficult to maintain later on, but it is clear that Saul’s character is deeper and more complex than anyone could have imagined on Breaking Bad, creating something unique and separate from the series it came from.

1

Xena:  Warrior Princess

Who could forget the fabulous and beautiful Xena, played by the brilliant and gorgeous, Lucy Lawless?  While fans remember that it is a spin-off of Hercules, this series surpasses it in my opinion.  Xena paved the way for strong female leads such as Buffy, proving that a female warrior can be just as dangerous as any man.  Xena fights warriors and gods along the way, refusing to back down.

Her iconic battle cry is still memorable along with her heart-warming and controversial friendship with her side-kick, Gabrielle.  While Xena did air directly after Hercules in the lineup, fans became more excited and hooked by Xena.  I did watch both shows and have to admit that once Xena came on, all bets were off.

While the show was darker and more violent than Hercules, it was the character of Xena that drew me in.  She wasn’t just a hero; she was jaded, and searching for forgiveness.  She masked her vulnerability and weakness behind her sword, but the humanity in her provided viewers with a true connection to her character.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your thoughts and comments below along with some of your favorite spin-off television series of all time.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl