My performance of the week ending 2/29/20 on TV goes to…

Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper on The CW’s Riverdale.

I never get tired of watching my girl Betty Cooper stand her ground and fight for the ones she loves. She’s relentless, courageous, smart, and the one person I want in my corner if I ever get stuck in some kind of small town mystery drama.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

When I think about some of my all-time favorite shows on television, I think about my favorite characters and how much they have impacted me. Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers, Holly Marie Combs as Piper Halliwell, and Evangeline Lilly as Kate Austen come to mind. I can certainly add Lili Reinhart to this growing list now, as she continues to impress me again and again with her brilliant and inspiring performances.

Betty Cooper the CW — Images courtesy of The CW

Betty Cooper has always been my character to root for against all odds and she is certainly in a tough spot right now, but she can use all the support she can get!

This is not the first time I have highlighted Reinhart’s performance as Betty Cooper and sometimes I feel like giving her the spotlight every single week because she deserves it. After watching season 4, episodes 13 and 14, there have been a lot of reveals and Betty is doing her best to bring down the annoying cronies from Stonewall Prep to clear her name and get justice for her beloved Jughead.

You would think that Betty might be feeling defeated or overwhelmed and yet she is somehow channeling all of her inner strength to keep fighting, refusing to give up. The Stonewall Prep cronies may be smart, but we know that Betty Cooper is way smarter and she will outmaneuver them somehow.

Donna better watch her back because the daughter of the Black Hood is coming for her. As Betty said, she is the “ultimate wild card” and my hero. Betty may be far from perfect and perhaps she takes things too far sometimes, but she has a big heart and is extremely loyal.

Betty Cooper The CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

Betty can run circles around the adults in town and I know that she is about to channel her Carrie Mathison like theories to get to the bottom of everything, but I’m still hoping that we can somehow get a Bughead happily ever after.

What’s next for Betty? Well, quite a lot actually. Even though Betty has just set several pieces in motion, she now needs to sit back and wait for the Stonewall Prep cronies to make their next move. I’m confident that Betty will find a way to bring them to justice, but let’s hope that Archie and Veronica continue to have her back.

Betty Cooper The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

Charles seems to be an ally for now, but we know that he has a lot of secrets as well after visiting Chic in jail, so our girl needs to be extra cautious. Either way, I can’t wait to find out what happens next and I know that Betty will continue to light a fire until she can get to the truth.

Watch out Quill & Skull…Betty Cooper is coming for you!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural? Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 4 Episode 14: “How to Get Away With Murder”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 4 episode 14, it finally happened, but “the thing about murder” is you “gotta have the stomach for it.”

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Seventy-One: How to Get Away With Murder,” Betty, Archie, and Veronica deal with the aftermath of that horrific night in the woods. Meanwhile, Betty works with Charles to bring Donna and Bret to justice, but have they been outmatched?

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 4 episode 14 are:

“Toga party, strip poker, and skinny dipping…”

Perhaps Betty, Veronica, and Archie should have gotten their stories straight after walking in the door a little past 3am in only their underwear. It’s clear that everyone is traumatized by what has happened, but what they do next is extremely important.

Charles is already playing a vital role here, which begs the question, is this all some kind of an elaborate hoax to bring down Quill & Skull?

“There’s only so much pretending I can do.”

Meanwhile, Veronica is dealing with her own issues at home when her father wants the family to look over the changes to his will. Veronica doesn’t want any part of this and refuses to give up on her father, but he asks her to try and get along with Hermosa.

Riverdale The CW 5 — Images courtesy of The CW

Veronica agrees, but it doesn’t look like Hermosa is going to play fair here. Can she really be trusted?

It doesn’t seem likely and I have a feeling that she is the one who leaked information to Veronica’s college about her Maple Club business after being burned by her and Choni.

“They’re smart. We just have to be smarter.”

Betty is dealing with a lot, but luckily she has Charles and her friends to back her up. I’m not sure that she has even fully processed what has happened with Jughead, as she is now focusing all of her energy on bringing the real killers to justice.

Riverdale The CW 6 — Images courtesy of The CW

After Betty and Charles’s plan to bug Stonewall Prep gets shut down, they realize that they should stop playing defense. Betty realizes that they need to come up with something that will completely shock their enemy, but is she taking things too far?

Is she using this mission to shield herself from the reality that Jughead is gone? I’m not sure, but I did enjoy seeing Archie punch Bret in the face…go Archie!

“We need to know the truth.”

Even though Archie and Veronica are on Betty’s side, they begin to have some doubts as well, especially since Betty was holding a bloody rock and can’t remember what happened. This is the not the first time Betty has had some kind of a violent outburst or blackout so they want to make sure they know all the facts.

Charles hypnotizes Betty again so they can find out the trigger word, but we discover that Donna actually blew some kind of white powder in her face called the “Devil’s Breath,” which can result in short-term memory loss.

Charles thinks that it is doubtful that Betty could have killed Jughead in this kind of state, but we still don’t know what happened exactly. Little by little, we are inching closer to the truth, but I’m all for exonerating Betty.

“You’re gonna regret ever meeting me.”

We also learn that it was Betty’s idea to have FP find Jughead’s body, hoping that this is the unpredictable move that will really throw Bret and Donna off their game. We get another flash of Betty and FP looking at Jughead’s body and it is Jughead’s face, but I’m still trying to piece together a theory that he is still alive somehow.

Why was Betty so insistent on FP being the one to find him? Is it because he is part of the inner circle of trust and could identity the body without being questioned? I still am wondering if that morgue guy is making it look like Jughead is dead, but honestly I don’t know at this point.

It just seems like everyone is handling Jughead’s death a little too well and even Archie says he has to tell his mother something, which makes me wonder if he is bringing her into the circle of trust now as well?

Either way, we still get this incredible moment where Betty meets Donna in the woods.

Riverdale The CW 4 — Images courtesy of The CW

She stands up to her and reminds her that she is the “ultimate wild card” and that she is going to take Donna down with her. Donna should be scared at this point because no one messes with our girl Betty Cooper or her beloved Jughead Jones!

Stay tuned!

What are some of YOUR theories?

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Walking Dead” Season 10 Episode 9: Cave of Wonders

Happy Monday TV fans! The wait is over and TWD is back! After watching AMC’s The Walking Dead season 10 episode 9, we were reminded that we should “fight for our future,” but we “don’t fight for revenge.” Makes sense, but what happens when your need for revenge endangers those around you? Is it still possible to make amends or are some actions unforgivable?

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Squeeze,” we explore a cave sans wonders with the group, as they get into some dangerous jams along the way. Meanwhile, we witness something even more disturbing between Negan and Alpha that still has my skin crawling.

My top 5 moments from The Walking Dead season 10 episode 9 are:

“We got into this mess together and we’re gonna get out of it together…”

Inspiring words, Daryl, but easier said than done. The episode picks up exactly where we left off, as a group of our characters are trapped in a cave filled with walkers. Daryl refuses to give up hope and keeps everyone moving, but there is danger lurking behind every corner.

“If I only knew what you told me, I wouldn’t know shit…”

Daryl speaks the truth and that’s why we adore him, but Carol really needs to listen to reason now. I sympathize with everything that Carol is going through, but she ran off by herself and forced everyone into this mess and this should be a wake-up call for her.

Daryl proves just how much he knows Carol, recognizing that she is claustrophobic. He tries to keep her motivated, but there is clearly still a voice in the back of Carol’s head driving her toward revenge.

“Go…go…GO!”

The group begins to make their way out of the caves using small tunnels and they certainly all have to “squeeze.” Poor Jerry has a close call when he gets stuck, but surprisingly everyone is able to make it out of this one without a scratch. This certainly gave us some much needed action during the episode.

“Your reward…”

Negan gets some screen time during this episode and begins to plant some seeds of doubt within Alpha, suggesting that the traitor may be Gamma. Negan tries to explain that they are the same, but Alpha decides to lead him off away from the rest of the group.

Initially, Negan worries about his fate, but apparently Alpha wants to give him a crass reward. Alpha strips down and instructs Negan to do the same, but keeps her skin mask on.

Negan actually kind of digs the mask and I was left with a foul taste in my mouth.

Seriously, gross!

“Please say it…”

Oh Carol, if only you had listened to Daryl. After there is a close call with dynamite, (For all you Losties, we almost had an Arzt situation) it looked like everyone was going to make it out of the caves, but of course Carol goes back to take out some of the horde.

Daryl, Connie, and Magda go after her and Connie and Magda end up getting trapped in a cave in. Carol finally breaks down, watching Daryl digging for them and begs him to finally blame her.

So, has Carol finally learned her lesson now that she has potentially harmed Connie and Magda?

Is there another way out of the cave?

Let’s hope so because I actually really like both of their characters and it would break my heart to see Daryl lose Connie.

Overall, not too much happened in the mid-season premiere, so I’m hoping that we can pick up the pace in next week’s episode.

Stay tuned!

What are some of YOUR theories?

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on TWD in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 2/22/20 on TV goes to…

Cynthia Erivo as Holly Gibney on HBO’s The Outsider.

If you are a fan of slow burn mysteries, this show may be perfect for you, but I was not sure how I felt about it until Holly Gibney showed up, lighting the way to an intriguing story and some spine-tingling moments that still have me cringing.

Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Holly is so incredible and she is the BEST part of the series.

**Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.**

The mystery behind The Outsider is dark and disturbing, as a hooded stranger seeps into the cracks of this small town with threatening and cryptic messages, along with some unspeakable acts. To make matters worse, he seems to be getting away with his unspeakable crimes, infecting people who essentially take the fall for his bad deeds. But, is this town capable of accepting a supernatural presence that defies all rational explanation?

The Outsider HBO 1 — Images courtesy of HBO

Well, one person is ready and willing to look deep into the depths of this mystery. Holly asks, “Can a person be in two places at the same time?” Everyone recognizes that it’s not possible, but when evidence says otherwise, Holly is willing to search every lead to get to the truth.

Even when the others don’t believe her or think that she is wasting their time, she continues to do her job, showcasing her extraordinary attention to detail. Seriously, if I needed a private investigator, I would want Holly on my case.

Every scene with Holly is so incredible, as you almost feel like you are right there along with her, trying to figure out the mystery. Holly is brave and resourceful as well, proving to be a worthy opponent that no one should underestimate.

The Outsider HBO 2 — Images courtesy of HBO

What’s next for Holly? Well, we know that the supernatural threat wants her out of the way, but I’m anxious to see how Holly will ultimately outsmart him. She has proven to be extremely perceptive and smart, but perhaps she needs some help. It’s time for someone else in town to have her back already!

Either way, I am extremely impressed by Cynthia Erivo’s performance and she never disappoints. Everyone on the show is incredible, but Erivo still stands out every single week. I’m not sure if I would have stuck around if not for her, which just goes to show you how much range she has as an actress. She pours her heart and soul out in every single role and she is so talented and believable.

I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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Ranking the 10 Most Iconic Songs Featured on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”

Happy Throwback Thursday TV Fans! Since many of my favorite shows are not airing new episodes this week, I thought it would be the perfect time to revisit one of my favorite shows of all time…Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

One of the reasons why I adore this show so much is because the music is so fitting and perfect. We don’t just get random bands playing or background for a soundtrack. We witness these beautiful and earth-shattering moments on the show accompanied by the perfect piece of music.

If I even hear some of these songs now, I am immediately transported to a particular moment or scene from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While some of the songs listed have been featured by performers on the show, others may be lesser known, and some are even from the musical episode, “Once More, With Feeling.”

One thing is for certain…these songs are beautiful on their own, but when they are paired with epic moments on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, they become something even greater, filled with passion, heartbreak, and soul searching.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you have not watched the full series yet.**

Without any further delay, let’s get to my list!

My Top 10 Iconic Songs Featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are:

10

I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Melanie Doane)

Buffy Family — Song featured in episode “Family” (5×6)

Who could forget this magical and romantic moment between Willow and Tara? After Tara tells Willow how she always makes her feel so special, we witness a beautiful slow dance between them and we even get to see some levitating as well. Talk about walking on air!

9

Rest in Peace (James Marsters)

Once More, With Feeling 1 — Song featured in episode “Once More, With Feeling” (6×7)

I love every single song in the musical episode, but there has to be something said about Spike’s edgy rock performance of this one. He sings his heart out for Buffy with one of my favorite lines of all time: “If my heart could beat, it would break my chest.” Swoon!

8

Goodbye to You (Michelle Branch)

Goodbye to You Buffy — Song featured in episode “Tabula Rasa” (6×8)

I love Michelle Branch and was so excited to see her perform this song on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy featured many wonderful performers at The Bronze, but there was something extra magnetic about this performance. It was paired perfectly with several heartbreaking moments going on in the episode.

We witness Tara and Giles leaving and Buffy and Spike kissing in The Bronze, reminding us that so much has changed, but sometimes we need to walk away from those we love the most.

7

Under Your Spell (Amber Benson)

Under your Spell 1 — Song featured in episode “Once More, With Feeling” (6×7)

Another beautiful and magical moment for Willow and Tara. Their costumes are lovely, they walk through the park on a beautiful day, and let’s throw in the fact that Amber Benson has an amazing singing voice! Wow!

6

Blue (Angie Hart)

Blue Buffy — Song featured in episode “Conversations with Dead People” (7×7)

You really have to be in the right mood to listen to this song and watch this episode. The slow melodic feel really accompanies the opening moments of this episode to perfection. The haunting melody mirrors everything that our characters are going through. There is this feeling of loneliness creeping in and it is amplified by the soundtrack, proving once again how incredible this series is.

5

Something to Sing About (Sarah Michelle Gellar)

Buffy SOmething to Sing About — Song featured in episode “Once More, With Feeling” (6×7)

Another one of my all time favorite songs featured in the musical episode. Seriously, is there anything Joss Whedon can’t do? Sarah Michelle Gellar gives us an incredible performance with some welcomed backup from Tara and Anya. This song is catchy and entertaining, but there is also this huge reveal in it that completely shatters everyone, including the audience. Talk about a powerful song!

4

Full of Grace (Sarah McLachlan)

Song featured in episode “Becoming Part 2” (2×22)

This is probably one of the most memorable songs for me ever on the series and part of that is because it is featured in my all time favorite episode…Becoming Part 2. Buffy is forced to kill Angel to save the world after his soul is restored, which is one of the most heartbreaking moments I have ever witnessed on any show.

If you weren’t crying already, we then listen to this song as Buffy prepares to leave Sunnydale behind for good, unable to cope with what has just happened.

3

Walk Through the Fire (Sarah Michelle Gellar & Cast)

Buffy Walk Through the Fire — Song featured in episode “Once More, With Feeling” (6×7)

My absolute favorite song of the musical episode! The lyrics are dark and beautiful, but I also love that it starts off with Sarah Michelle Gellar alone, mirroring her destiny as the chosen one in this indescribable pain and then cuts to the other characters, reminding us that they are all in this together. Beautiful song and amazing cast!

2

Wild Horses (The Sundays)

Probably the ultimate Bangel moment for me. Even though the beautiful Bangel instrumental music that typically is in the background is epic enough, they deserved another song to truly put them into the spotlight.

After Buffy’s classmates actually prove that they have noticed all she has done for them by awarding her with the “Class Protector” award, Buffy’s night is not over yet. Even though Angel is leaving town, he decides to surprise Buffy at the prom and we get to witness a beautiful and romantic slow dance between them. Perfection!

Quick shout out to “They Got The Mustard Out!!!!”

Drum roll please…

1

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme Song (Nerf Herder)

BTVS Theme — Theme song for Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I’m really not sure how I could have possibly placed the iconic theme song at any other spot. It deserves the number one spot today and it is incredibly catchy and memorable. It is probably my favorite theme song of all time on any show and it perfectly captures the essence of our bad-ass slayer, Buffy Summers.

This is the only song that I ever learned to play on the guitar and I will forever be proud of that!

I hope you enjoyed the list Scoobies and Slayers and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on your favorite songs featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Safe” on Netflix: The Perfect Binge-Watch for fans of “The Stranger”

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

If you thoroughly enjoyed your binge-watch of The Stranger, you might have been endlessly skimming through Netflix recommendations for something to measure up. Well fear not, as Netflix gets it completely right with its latest recommendation…Safe.

Safe actually premiered on Netflix on May 10th 2018, but it has been gaining popularity ever since The Stranger premiered. It features 8 episodes (40-45 minutes in length) and it stars Dexter’s Michael C. Hall, Amy James-Kelly, Amanda Abbington, Marc Warren, and Hannah Arterton.

Like The Stranger, Safe is also brought to us from author and creator, Harlan Coben. It is a mystery thriller that follows Tom Delaney’s search for his missing daughter, Jenny. Once again, dark secrets are exposed as several threads begin to unravel together, leaving us on the edge of our seats with constant twists and turns.

The show has a very similar feel, almost making it seem like part of a thriller anthology series, but does Safe measure up to The Stranger? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Safe Netflix 4 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Once again, an amazing cast!

Michael C. Hall was absolutely brilliant as Tom Delaney and as a huge fan of Dexter, I was pleased to see him thrive in another role. The rest of the cast was fantastic as well, making the character dynamics that much more more intriguing.

Safe Netflix 7 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Another surprising mystery.

Even though I preferred the approach of an actual stranger exposing dark secrets, I thought that the mystery behind Safe was just as compelling. Once again, I found myself completely invested to see how things would unfold, coming up with my own theories and suspects along the way. The show is far from predictable and each episode leaves you wanting more and more.

The Cons:

Safe Netflix 5 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Too many sub-plots.

Much like The Stranger, we ended up lost in several side plots and characters along the way. Some of them connected to the main mystery centered around Tom Delaney and his daughter, but others seemed out of place and strange. That being said, I thought that Safe did a better job with this than The Stranger, connecting as many dots as possible for us without completely overwhelming us.

So am I in or out?

Safe Netflix 6 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent again! After watching The Stranger, I was endlessly searching for something similar to watch and I love that we now get the chance to discover the hidden gem of Safe. I didn’t even know about this show when it premiered, but hopefully more fans of The Stranger will discover it and give it a chance because it can stand on its own as a worthy thriller series.

Even though I think that I enjoyed The Stranger a little bit more, Safe did not disappoint at all. Once again, Netflix delivered with the perfect binge-watch and we can never get enough of Michael C. Hall, so that was an added bonus!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Safe in the comments section below. You can check out my review of The Stranger here! Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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My performance of the week ending 2/15/20 on TV goes to…

Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones on The CW’s Riverdale.

If you are fan of Riverdale, then you know that Jughead Jones is the heart of the series. His narrations shed so much light on everything and you really get to know him through his writing and his interactions with the rest of the characters. Cole Sprouse’s performance each week is believable and true.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

That being said, it makes it even more difficult to picture Riverdale without Jughead Jones and yet we are left trying to piece together the mystery behind his supposed murder. To make matters even worse, a lot of evidence is pointing at Jughead’s queen, Betty Cooper, which makes this even more shocking and heartbreaking for us Bughead fans.

Riverdale The CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

After watching season 4, episode 13, we finally catch up to that fateful night, but that doesn’t mean that we have solved the case just yet. Donna may have used a new trigger word on our girl Betty, but I have a feeling that this is all a set-up. I have to remain positive because I cannot even think about Betty being guilty under any circumstances.

In this past episode, Cole Sprouse really pulled out all the stops to make Jughead’s path toward potential demise so heartbreaking. As fans, we want to believe that there is some way for him to still be alive, creating a vortex of theories and questions to make sense of everything, but that’s part of the reason why I adore this show so much.

Sure, it may submerge itself in excess teen drama noir here and there, but the dark mysteries are so intriguing and compelling, luring you in that much more. Combine that with fantastic character dynamics and wonderful performances and you have more than a guilty pleasure on your hands.

What’s next for Jughead? Well, this might be the toughest one to figure out yet. Is Jughead really dead or is there some way to explain what has just happened? I can’t ignore the fact that we have been dancing around the plot of a “perfect murder,” so has Jughead truly cracked the case to somehow bring the real conspirators to light?

Riverdale The CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

I have a lot of theories, but we know that Betty has connections with the morgue and their creepy doctor friend might have been able to make Jughead appear to be dead while Betty tries to bring the real culprits to justice, but how else can we explain what has happened?

For me, there is no show without Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper, so I’m hoping that the truth can salvage this ultimate duo. Lili Reinhart is always fantastic every single week, but I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with Cole Sprouse’s performance this past week.

Let’s hope he gets the chance to continue to shine by bringing down the real villains here. Go team Bughead!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 4 Episode 13: “Beware the Ides of March”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 4 episode 13, I started to wonder what one should really do when the game is fixed? Sometimes it seems like the odds are always against us, but is there still a glimmer of hope to turn our luck around?

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Seventy: The Ides of March,” Jughead is accused of plagiarism, as we finally catch up to that horrific night in the woods. Meanwhile, Betty is determined to get to the truth, Cheryl and Toni tag team with Veronica, and Archie contemplates the future of his father’s business.

This is the episode we have all been waiting for!

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 4 episode 13 are:

“I don’t want to think about the future right now.”

After Veronica’s trip to NYC and finding out about her father’s condition, she just wants to turn everything off and have some fun. We get to witness some passionate and steamy Varchie moments as a result, but it’s clear that Veronica is having some trouble dealing with everything.

Archie continues to be extremely supportive of her even though we don’t really know if their relationship will continue once college begins, but he reminds her that she is the strongest person he knows and that her father needs her.

This inspires Veronica to ignite the competitive spirit in her father, realizing that perhaps she knows him better than anyone else after all.

“I can’t do it…”

Archie begins to question his own future in this episode as well. Mr. Honey explains that he may not be able to graduate with his class and college admission could also be off the table for him right now.

Archie risks everything to protect Veronica after a flask is found in her locker, reminding everyone that he has nothing to lose. Archie also has to contemplate what to do with his father’s construction business. After considering selling it, he decides against it, remembering that the business has been in his family for generations.

Archie has a lot of thinking to do, but we are certain of one thing…Riverdale needs Archie Andrews!

“It’s time to snap a trap.”

Watch out for Choni and Veronica! They make an unstoppable team! Hermosa goes undercover to do some recon on The Maple Club, but our girls are too smart for her, leading her right into a trap. Hermosa may be good, but our girls are that much better…fact!

Riverdale The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

The girls put Hermosa in her place while allowing us to witness a welcomed montage of Choni dancing!

“The perfect victim to the perfect murder…”

Beware the Ides of March, Jughead! Things are about to be turned completely upside down for our main character, as Jughead is accused of plagiarism.

Riverdale The CW 7 — Images courtesy of The CW

We know this is far-fetched, but Bret and the others are quite convincing, leaving behind a lot of evidence pointing in Jughead’s direction while stealing his laptop.

Jughead is determined to set things right and is also tasked with writing a new Baxter Brothers novel in five days, but Jughead is up for the challenge and decides to lean on Betty for help. Betty convinces him to write up his own story at Stonewall Prep, but is he actually now documenting the moments leading to his supposed demise?

“I am the daughter of the Black Hood!”

Betty has some fantastic lines in this episode and proves to be a worthy opponent. She stands up for Jughead and even has him take a lie detector test to prove that he did write his own story. Donna and the others don’t really seem to be intimidated by Betty, but one should never underestimate our girl with her very effective bobby pin!

Later on, Jughead agrees to stand down and leave Stonewall Prep when Bret threatens to release the sex tape that will damage Betty’s reputation for good. They are invited to a party in the woods and we know all too well that this is the night of Jughead’s “murder.”

Bret leads Jughead out in the woods and Betty has a chat with Donna. Donna reveals that she has been doing some digging of her own and admits that she met with Evelyn Evernever. Betty reminds her that “tangerine” has no effect on her, but apparently there is another trigger word that will make Betty turn on her loved ones.

What’s the word? We don’t know, but we are now finally caught up, as Betty is standing over Jughead’s body while Archie and Veronica discover her. So, did Betty actually kill Jughead because of the trigger or is this an elaborate plan to make her think she did?

We can’t trust this group from Stonewall Prep and it’s clear that they are well matched for our group, but let’s hope that Betty can find a way to push aside her guilt to get to the truth.

Is Jughead really dead? Did Betty really kill him? We’ll have to wait for some more answers, as episode 14 is set to release on February 26th 2020.

Stay tuned!

What are some of YOUR theories?

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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My Ship of the week ending 2/8/20 on TV goes to…

Cheryl Blossom and Toni Topaz on The CW’s Riverdale, also known as Choni!

Ever since Toni told Cheryl that she thought she was sensational, I fell in love with these two. Over the seasons, they have had their ups and downs, but one thing remains. They are loyal to one another until the end and their love knows no bounds.

Choni The CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

While Choni doesn’t always get enough screen time, their relationship has truly grown and developed over the seasons. While I enjoy seeing some of the passionate and steamy moments between them, the reason why I ship them so much is because of their friendship and understanding.

Cheryl and Toni open up to one another, truly letting their walls down, as they reveal their past, fears, and desires. If anyone tries to mess with the other, they are right there to stand up for their love, bringing us timeless epic moments again and again.

Choni The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

In season 4, episode 12, Cheryl crosses paths with Nick Sinclair once again, bringing up some traumatizing memories. After sharing everything with Toni, Toni tells Cheryl that she has also been there before and wants to help her get through things one step at a time. This gesture is so real and honest, as Toni wears her heart on her sleeve, proving to be Cheryl’s rock.

Even though this is a heartwarming moment, Toni takes things up a notch to remind Nick Sinclair that no one should ever mess with Cheryl, proving to be the world’s best girlfriend. She lures Nick into a trap and teaches him a lesson, which had me standing up and applauding.

Cheryl may never be able to completely recover from what happened, but Toni is there to support her every step of the way, making each day that much brighter.

The transformation and growth of Choni is contagious. They always find a way to make me smile, reminding me what real love is all about.

What’s next for Choni?

Choni The CW 4 — Images courtesy of The CW

We’ll have to see how their new business venture at The Maple Club goes, but I have a feeling that Penelope may try to make some waves, but it’s nothing that our power couple can’t handle.

Choni gives us so many incredible moments week after week on the show. They have both changed and grown as characters, but they have also both learned to finally be themselves.

Both of them shine so much in their relationship and I know that they are end game for certain! I can’t wait to see more incredible moments showcasing these two and they will continue to be one of my favorite ships of all time!

What are YOUR thoughts on Choni?

Stay tuned for a recognized Ship on TV each week!

Have a Ship that you think is absolutely swoon-worthy? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Locke & Key” on Netflix: Unlocking the Door to your Next Binge-Watch

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

A dark, magical adventure filled with heart, leading us past our imagination with some worthy evil threats thrown into the mix.

Locke & Key premiered on Netflix on February 7th 2020 with 10 new episodes (40-45 minutes in length). It stars Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Darby Stanchfield, and Laysla De Oliveira.

The show is based on the graphic novel series written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodríguez. After the tragic death of their father, three siblings move into his old mansion with their mother, unlocking past secrets and discovering some magical keys that light the way to their new potential destiny. However, there is an evil lingering inside the well of Keyhouse that threatens them all.

This is not the first time we have seen a plot like this and there are a lot of similarities to The Chronicles of Narnia, The Haunting of Hill House, and Stranger Things. That being said, I absolutely love all three of those, so I welcomed this familiar plot with open arms.

However, does Locke & Key unlock its way to its own identity? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Locke and Key Netflix 5 — Images courtesy of Netflix

The Locke siblings are the heart of the show.

I loved the family aspect of The Haunting of Hill House and we get a young adult friendly version of that in Locke & Key. The relationship between the siblings is heartwarming and believable. All three of these characters are absolutely fantastic and you almost feel like you are a part of their family. The performances are well done and the family drama isn’t overly exaggerated.

Locke and Key Netflix 8 — Images courtesy of Netflix

The mystery is intriguing and entertaining.

From the very first episode, we get a sneak peek of what’s to come for the Locke family, as they explore Keyhouse with brand new eyes. The house is breathtaking, but the Locke siblings quickly discover that there are more secrets hidden within the walls of their father’s old home.

Locke and Key Netflix 6 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Evil looks good on our Villainess.

The villain in this series is beyond entertaining. She’s absolutely fantastic and will lure you over to the dark side for sure. She is cunning, powerful, and mysterious, as the Locke siblings are forced to really think outside the box to stop her, but do not underestimate her for one second. I love a good Villainess and Dodge or “Well Lady” certainly exceeded my expectations.

The Cons:

Locke and Key Netflix 7 — Images courtesy of Netflix

The rest of the characters fade into the background.

Unlike Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which has an endless amount of extraordinary characters, the rest of the group in Locke & Key are just kind of okay and very forgettable. Even Mrs. Locke seemed all over the place and I almost felt like they didn’t really know what to do with her character.

I did enjoy Scot the most out of the friend characters, who had the most adorable nickname for our girl Kinsey, Rocky Road, but the supporting characters seemed underdeveloped and uninspiring. That being said, the Locke siblings and Dodge certainly made up for that and stole the show.

Some plot holes and unanswered questions.

I wouldn’t say that this was a major con, but I found myself asking more questions about the keys and where they came from. A lot of things are explained in the end and we are left with a major cliffhanger, so I’m hoping for some more background information if we get a second season.

So am I in or out?

Locke and Key Netflix 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in! This series was so much fun and I watched it all in one day. It has a lot of heart and so many twists and turns that will keep you thoroughly invested throughout the show.

While it may not be the next Stranger Things, it doesn’t have to be. Locke & Key creates its own separate identity and has the potential to become my new favorite show with possible future seasons. Now about my key…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Locke & Key in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!