Tag: comedy

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 9: “Yes Team Fiona!”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 9 last night, I am left with the saying that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” and that past mistakes should not be repeated.  The Gallagher family quickly forgets this advice, however; when they come to the realization that they are not so great at keeping relationships and are determined to make a change.   Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “The Fugees,” Fiona goes out with literally a bowling team of Irish Ford’s exes, Ian uses his YouTube fame to make a difference in the church and save a life, and Debbie enlists the help of a dog named, Toto.  Not the Toto you are thinking of.  Although I suppose she does find her own version of the yellow brick road paved with drugs to help her pay her welding tuition bill.  Meanwhile, Lip is unable to put his past feelings aside for Sierra and gets stuck in the middle of a disaster of a love triangle, while Svetlana has a blast from her past as well.  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 9 are:

5

Frank makes it back to the USA.

It seems like everything is going well with Frank’s new business venture to illegally transport people across the Canadian border until he gets cornered by the “Royal Canadian Mountain Police.”  While he is riding in the police car, he even jokes that they actually do wear those hats and that he “thought that was only in cartoons,” to the disapproval of the police.  Luckily, Frank is able to escape his dilemma and goes on an adventure of his own to make it back safe and sound to the states.  He knows he has arrived home safely when he spots a Costco, thrilled to embrace discount detergent with open arms.

4

Kev comes to the realization that “dominance is in his DNA” while Svetlana gets an unexpected visitor.

Kev or “Sir Kev,” or wait just “Sir,” as he wants to be called is still holding on to his new-found power of dominance, refusing to back down from it now.  He explains to V that it was previously in “hibernation like a baby bear,” but now there is “no more Mr. Nice Guy.”  V decides that his dominance could best be used to convince Svetlana to wear a new dress code, which he enforces to her enjoyment.  “Dominance…boom.”  Even though Svetlana is covering up her “tatas,” she still rocks some seriously fashionable glasses.  Svetlana gets an unexpected visit from a woman she had helped smuggle into the country, which she previously referred to as a “bottom feeder,” only to get a slap of reality, realizing that the “bottom feeder” now has the American Dream she so desperately wanted.  Svetlana is horrified at her own circumstances, wondering if she made the right choices for herself.  Something tells me that Svetlana is not about to let anyone step on her, however.

3

Debbie befriends a dog named, Toto.

To make some extra cash for Welding school tuition, Debbie takes on a job watching someone’s dog.  The adorable dog, Toto, has a unique set of skills that Debbie was not expecting, however.  At first, Debbie thinks the dog has a problem with everyone when he continues to bark randomly, as if alerting her to something.  After Debbie witnesses a drug-bust and finds the product, she realizes that Toto must have been a “drug dog” in the past.  She quickly enlists his help as her new “drug supplier” to obtain the money she needs to go to school.  Perhaps Frank should take some advice from his youngest daughter on how to successfully pull off a business scheme, although it could back-fire as well.

2

Fiona goes bowling.

After getting some mixed signals from Irish Ford, Fiona is not sure what to expect from him.  When he invites her to hang out, she hesitantly accepts, not sure what she is in for.  She quickly discovers she is hanging out with a bunch of Ford’s exes at a bowling alley.  When they ask her what she typically averages in bowling, she admits “I have no idea.”  Things are looking up, when she does a decent job and screams out, “Yes Team Fiona!”  No one is really paying attention, but the important thing is that Fiona is actually having a good time.  Later in the episode, Fiona feels the familiar reaction of confusion and mixed signals coming her way, revealing to Ford that she is an “amazing effin catch.”  Irish Ford appears to agree, kissing her at the end of the episode, putting aside Fiona’s doubts for now.  Is this the start of a solid relationship for Fiona?

1

Carl is getting married…

Carl’s girlfriend, Cassidy, starts out the episode making a video scrapbook for her beloved, not wanting him to abandon her and ship off to military school.  Seems like a sweet idea, until she begins adding in some tasteless photos of her and some interesting recordings.  Carl seeks out some advice from Kev and the guys on what to do, realizing that he needs to prove his commitment to Cassidy.  Unlike most girls, Cassidy has an interesting perspective on love.  She thinks of their “boning” as “uniting our souls” and tells Carl that he is “mutilating her effin heart” when she is convinced there will be tons of girls at military school, even though he repeatedly explains there are literally no women at the school.  Carl takes the plunge and purchases a promise ring, staging a romantic re-creation of the day they first met…handcuffs and all.  The sentiment is actually quite sweet, until Cassidy mistakes it for a marriage proposal and eagerly shrieks “yes!” How is Carl going to get out of this one?  Is he actually going to marry Cassidy?  We’ll have to stay tuned to find out, but it’s clear the adventure is not over yet.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Mick” season 2 episode 10: “The Climb.”

Happy Wednesday!  After watching Fox’s The Mick season 2 episode 10 last night, I am left with the urge to start Beverly Hills, 90210 over again…even though I literally just re-watched the entire series a few months ago.  Why, you might ask?  Keep reading to find out!  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “The Climb,” Sabrina is hosting a party for her socialite art-friends.  Mickey seems uninterested in “social climbing” until she bumps into a fabulous celebrity mother from our favorite zip code.  Meanwhile, Chip goes camping with Mr. Buckley to share some father and son precious moments and Ben takes matters into his own hands when he realizes that being cool isn’t everything.   My top 5 moments from The Mick season 2 episode 10 are:

5

“Being cool is very important.”

Ben has a new friend named Totsi who is very interested in new-age meditation and abhors instant coffee.  Mickey is ready to tell Ben’s new friend to take a hike, but Ben pleads with her to be nice and to do what he asks because he thinks he is cool.  Mickey tries to explain that being cool isn’t everything, but can’t come up with a compelling argument to support this and agrees that “being cool is VERY important.” 

4

“Social Climbing” via the salon.

In the beginning of the episode, Sabrina explains that she is throwing a “salon” for her art-friends and that it will be very classy and exclusive.  Mickey initially wants nothing to do with this and mistakes a salon for a hair-salon.  She quickly recovers from this naïve error, ripping on Sabrina for “social climbing.”  Mickey claims that she is above this and is content with who she is, but an unexpected new friend will quickly change her tune.

3

Chip bonds with his father.

After it is revealed that Chip has a different father from his siblings, he tracks down his biological father, Mr. Buckley, desperately looking for a sense of belonging.  In a previous episode, this goes horribly wrong when Chip takes out his sister on a date trying to keep up his cover story as an intern at Mr. Buckley’s job.  Mr. Buckley is willing to give him a second chance; however, as he takes Chip camping.  Chip tries to convince his dad that he is up to the challenge, but it is clear that Chip has never had to do anything on his own, let alone camping in the wilderness.  Just as they begin to set up the camp, Chip knocks over a stack of boats and Mr. Buckley’s leg is severely injured as a result.  Chip panics when he realizes that he has no cell-phone reception, shrieking in defeat.  Mr. Buckley attempts to talk him through sterilizing the wound, when Chip vomits all over it in response.  Just when things can’t get any worse, Mr. Buckley instructs him to pull his leg so he can snap it back into place and Chip pushes instead, making the injury even worse.  At the end of the episode, Chip is in the hospital with Mr. Buckley and his “dad” reveals that he had a DNA test completed and that he is not Chip’s real father.  Chip is disappointed to discover this and opens up a criminal file to reveal his real dad.  If he does track down his real dad, perhaps camping should be off the table as a form of bonding.

2

Ben plays “Cowboys and Indians” with Totsi.

After Ben comes to the realization that he no longer wants to play with Totsi or listen to his new-age babble, he slaps him across the face, hoping to get the message across.  Mickey scolds him and explains that there is no hitting in their house…opting to then tie him up as an alternative.  Ben takes this to an extreme, however; when he begins to shave off Totsi’s dreads, leaving even Mickey speechless about how to explain this to his celebrity mom.  While it’s important that Ben embraces who he is and learns that he doesn’t need to compromise to be cool, perhaps some ground rules need to be set.

1

Jennie Garth!

When Mickey has had enough of Totsi’s nonsense, she brings him home and the door opens to reveal his celebrity mom…Jennie freakin Garth!  My reaction mirrored that of Mickey’s and Alba’s who were thrilled to meet Jennie Garth, aka Kelly Taylor.  Sabrina, however; reveals the generation gap, claiming to not know who she is.  Alba is horrified by this and chimes in with “what a Brenda!”  Mickey and Alba begin social climbing as well, but it doesn’t really turn out the way they hope.  Alba’s goal is to get Jennie to sign her 90210 lunch box and thermos, while Mickey is looking to get the ultimate invitation to Mario Lopez’s birthday party.  After all, “he has access to all of Hollywood.”  Things don’t go as planned, however; when Jennie reveals to have the same new-age philosophy as her son, Totsi, boring Mickey.  Jennie also has trouble remembering who Mickey is, explaining that she meets so many people.  She comes up with interesting ways to remember everyone’s name.  Mickey is not so thrilled with hers:  rhyming Mick with Sick and then yelling cancer to recall her new friend.  Mickey is still focused on the goal of getting the invitation to Mario Lopez’s party so she puts her feelings aside, however; there is no coming back from Jennie walking in on Totsi being tied to a chair, missing most of his hair.  It’s safe to say that Mickey will not be joining Mario Lopez for his birthday.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “SMILF” season 1 episode 8 season finale: “The Heart Wants What it Wants.”

Greetings TV viewers!  After watching Showtime’s SMILF season 1 episode 8 season finale last night, I am left with a clutter of emotions ranging from sadness to heart-warming.  While season one has come to a close, Bridgette explored what’s been locked away for so long, relying on the support and love of her family and friends around her.  She demonstrates vulnerability and extreme courage simultaneously, making us adore her and root for her that much more.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Mark’s Lunch & Two Cups of Coffee,” Bridgette tries out a new job and a new hair-cut.  Her lack of interest in finding a match on Tinder leads to an unexpected match with her long-lost father.  Meanwhile, Rafi graduates from “sober living” and Tutu takes the big step of leaving the house to be there for her daughter when she needs it the most.   My top 5 moments from the SMILF season 1 episode 8 season finale are:

5

Bridgette gets a job at Account Collect Management.

Bridgette seems to be taking a step in the right direction finding a suitable 9-5 job that can still allow her to be there for Larry.  However, the world of account collect management is not as glamorous as one might guess.  Bridgette desperately tries to get through her page of calls, but finds herself empathizing with the callers on the list.  She tells one customer that “it sucks” and tells her not to worry about paying them right now.  While it’s difficult for Bridgette to separate her personal feelings from her job responsibilities, she is ready to at least try, which says something.  Bridgette gets an A for effort for now, but something greater is out there for her.

4

Bridgette gets a new hair-cut.

Now that Bridgette has entered the work-force, she is ready for a change in her appearance as well.  Her friend convinces her to get a “lob” like Khloe Kardashian, but Bridgette comically makes the mistake of calling it a “ball cut.”  Tutu’s hair-dresser goes with it and assumes she means a “bowl cut” which is not so flattering on Bridgette.  Either way, she is happy to make a change and owns her new look with confidence.

3

Bridgette eats cupcakes in the bathroom.

As the pressure becomes a little bit too much to handle at her job, Bridgette takes a time out to find out what’s for lunch in the fridge.  She begins sampling other people’s lunches that are not labeled, assuming they are there for everyone.  A delightful box of cupcakes catches her eyes, as she grabs the entire box and hides out in the bathroom stall, away from the claustrophobic feel of the cubicles.  Bridgette dives into the cupcakes, literally eating her feelings, when her boss comes to find her to see why she hasn’t gotten to her list of calls yet.  Bridgette exits the stall in shame with chocolate caked all over her face and explains that she’s not feeling well, but promises to make the calls the next day.  Lucky for Bridgette, her boss is willing to give her another chance, but her friend points out those cupcakes were for Molly’s birthday in shock.  Perhaps she should give labeling a try as Bridgette suggested.

2

Rafi graduates from “sober living.”

Rafi reveals that he has indeed “graduated” and is ready to move in with his girl-friend to the surprise of Bridgette.  Bridgette shows concern, as she worries about Larry’s well-being when he stays with Rafi.  Rafi assures her that he is alright and is ready to embrace the responsibilities of sober-life, but Bridgette is not so sure.  While I am hoping that Rafi is better and recognize his accomplishment, we will have to see what next season holds for him.

1

Bridgette matches with her father on Tinder.

Earlier in the episode, Bridgette absent-mindedly scrolls through unworthy candidates on Tinder repeating “no” over and over, even getting Larry to agree.  However, she panics when she finds a man that looks very much like her father.  It is revealed that Bridgette was abused when she was younger and hasn’t seen her father since she was a little girl, but she is convinced that it is him and even digs out some old photos for evidence.  Tutu is concerned about Bridgette’s plan to “go on a date with her dad” to get him to admit what he did so she can find some sense of closure.  After Bridgette tries on an array of outfits, she is ready to come face to face with her dad.  Tutu and her friends stay at the restaurant to support her and Tutu gives her a letter that Bridgette wrote to her dad so many years ago.  When Bridgette sits down at the table, she is trembling with uneasiness, but confidently reads the letter aloud, which is absolutely heart-breaking.  The man cuts her off to say that she has made some kind of mistake and Tutu rushes over to let Bridgette know that the man across the table from her is not her father.  They apologize to the man for the mistake and he does tell Bridgette that for what it’s worth, he would “murder her father” if he ever saw him.  Bridgette was initially disappointed to not get the closure she was looking for, but has her friends and family there around her to support her, proving that she is loved and worth something.  While Bridgette may never be truly ok from what happened to her in the past, she has the unconditional love of her family to pick her up when she falls down.  Overall, the first season of SMILF gave viewers the chance to laugh, connect with characters on a deep level, and find meaning in life, re-defining the parameters of how to be the “perfect parent.”

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 8: “Now who’s complicated?”

Happy New Year TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 8 last night, I am left with Justin Bieber’s “Baby” song stuck in my head along with “My Heart will Go On.”  Seems like a strange mix, right?  Well not if you are boarding “Frank’s Northern Shuttle Express.”  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, Fiona contemplates moving out on her own to find her independence, while Kev explores “full on domination mode.”  Meanwhile, Lip tries to find a new sponsor, Debbie puts out an interesting Craig’s list ad, Ian shows off his skills in a “bible quoting contest,” and Frank continues with his “entrepreneurship” talents to illegally help people cross the Canadian border.  If you get into trouble, just remember “my name is Frank, I’m from the US of A, and I like apples.”  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 8 are:

5

“All Carl’s.”

In episode 7, we were introduced to Carl’s new love interest, Cassidy who proved that she was not afraid to record a ransom video to black-mail her parents.  Seems like this could be an indicator of her emotional well-being, right?  Unfortunately, Carl is distracted by her other “charms” and is very welcoming to her as his new girl-friend.

The family seems to approve as well, when she orders KFC after Deb’s failed attempt to get dinner.  She even sports off some new panties with…you guessed it, “All Carl’s” written across the front.  Perhaps she is just really enthusiastic about her new-found love for Carl.  Everything seems to be going well until Cassidy gets in the way of Carl’s Uber or “Ubber” business, however.

After Cassidy tells of a customer, Carl begins to have second thoughts about how fast their relationship is moving, but continues on with it for now, desperately trying to avoid another melodramatic melt-down.

4

Lip tries out speed-sponsoring.

It seems like nothing is going right for Lip these days.  In episode 8, Lip tries out his own version of speed dating to find a new sponsor.  He is surprised that his first candidate is a woman, portrayed by the hilarious Lea DeLaria who also plays “Big Boo” on Orange is the New Black.  I was thrilled to see her in this role and her tell-it-like-it is humor did not disappoint.

Lip is already on edge after seeing Sierra’s boyfriend at Planned Parenthood with another woman who is very pregnant.  He tries to do the right thing and have him tell her the truth, but is discovering that other people just don’t have the same good conscience he possesses.  Just as Lip thinks he is getting somewhere, his sponsor candidate cuts him off and asks “did I just walk into some episode of Gossip Girl?” 

Lip tries out a few more sponsors, only to go back to the original one and to try and finally learn about how to talk about himself, rather than focusing on the drama around him.  After everything Lip has done for others, it’s about time he takes some much needed “me” time.

3

“Sexy Welder Girl Looking for Work.”

It’s no secret that Debbie is now out of a job after her stunt with Dr. Dick’s car.  Debbie is freaking out the entire episode, fearing she might be pregnant.  After taking several pregnancy tests, Lip takes her to the Planned Parenthood clinic to put her at ease.  In the waiting room, Debbie reveals her panicked fear to Lip:  “I can feel the fetus growing inside me as I sit here!”

Debbie continues to wait for the results, but is not about to put her job-hunt on pause.  She convinces Liam to take “sexy” photos of her for her Craig’s List ad: “Sexy welder girl looking for work.  No job is too small or too big.”  When she gets an immediate call-back, I was slightly concerned about what this job would entail, however; it did seem to be a legitimate welding job and Debbie was thrilled to find out she was not pregnant as an added bonus.

2

Kev is in “full on domination mode.”

After V discovers that she has a need to be dominated, Kev unleashes his frustrations about house-hold chores on his wife, to his and her delight.  Kev begins to realize that he likes being in domination mode, as V even serves him breakfast in an unconventional way:  “More scrambled eggs, my king?”  While this initially seems to just take place between the couple behind closed doors, Kev decides that his domination mode can help out at his job too.

When Svetlana breaks a bottle and demands for Kev to clean out the ice tray, Kev has a sudden epiphany.  “The ice will not be cleaned out by me,” he says firmly to V and Svetlana’s surprise.  Kev has a rush of power and refuses to let Svetlana or anyone else talk down to him.  He still can’t perform basic math skills, but stands up to Svetlana to prove his worth.  Go Kev!

1

Fiona goes on a field trip and learns that she’s “complicated.”

Fiona has been beyond frustrated at her current living situation especially when she finds an unwanted shower guest sleeping in her tub at home.  After confiding to her neighbors at the apartment building, Fiona decides to try out living on her own.  She takes a long shower in the vacant apartment and even dances around in her underwear, feeling free of obligation and time constraints.

However, Irish Ford walks in on her to her embarrassment, which leads to an interesting proposition.  Irish Ford takes Fiona on a field trip of sorts to view some of the buildings he is restoring.  When she lies down next to him on a mattress and stairs up at beautiful art-work on the ceiling, Fiona thinks she is reading the signs correctly.  However, she is shocked when Irish Ford does not kiss her back, turning down her advance because she is “complicated.”  Fiona unconvincingly replies that “being called complicated feels awesome” and returns home in shock and disappointment.

After her family gives her numerous examples of how very complicated she is, she accepts it and is ok with being complicated.  Later, Fiona attends her neighbor’s party and learns that Irish Ford is the father of their unborn children, along with several others.

A look of instant satisfaction flashes across Fiona’s face when she challenges Irish Ford with “now who’s complicated?”  While we are not sure what is in store for Fiona and Irish Ford, it’s a safe bet that a romantic relationship is not out of the question.

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

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

My top television shows of 2017 on Cable Networks: The best of the best!

Greetings TV Fans!  For today, I am going to be listing my top favorite television shows that aired in 2017 on cable networks.  While some shows near the top of my list were no surprise for me, there were others that crept into the top 5 that I would not have predicted last year.  There were also some shows that I used to enjoy a lot which fell short this past year and are in need of something earth-shattering to happen in 2018 to get them back to the top of the pack.  While I haven’t gotten a chance to view all shows that aired new episodes in 2017, I did get to more than I initially anticipated.  Please feel free to include some of your favorites below as well.  I will be breaking the shows into 3 categories:  the best of the best, honorable mentions, and shows that have lost some steam.  Please note some spoilers are ahead.

The Best of the Best for television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 in no particular order are:

Game of Thrones

Fear the Walking Dead

American Horror Story:  Cult

SMILF

Shameless

While Game of Thrones and Shameless are two of my all-time favorites, I was pleased with the seasons airing in 2017.  Game of Thrones sped things up to the delight of fans, which I guess makes sense since they are running out of time.  Either way, it was great to see Daenerys and Jon Snow finally meet face to face and discuss terms of an alliance on a war against the undead.  Everything is falling into place and I am eager to see the remaining episodes in 2018.  Shameless is another favorite of mine that has had me laughing out loud this season.  Even though the show is on its eight season, it is proving to still have fresh material.  American Horror Story:  Cult bounced back from American Horror Story:  Roanoke from 2016.  Cult was terrifying and real at the same time, providing viewers with a dangerous view of society.  Evan Peters played his best character yet in my opinion, diving into his terrifying role of Kai Anderson.  Newcomer SMILF is the perfect mix of raw humor and sentimental moments, as Frankie Shaw has had a stand-out performance.  The most surprising one of the bunch for me is Fear the Walking Dead.  I will be honest and admit that I had been previously watching the show out of obligation.  It’s the prequel to The Walking Dead and in some way I felt like I owed the show a chance, even though I wasn’t too hooked.  However, this all changed for me this past season in 2017.  Alicia played by the lovely and talented Alycia Debnam Carey stepped out from her shadow as Madison’s daughter and has grown into an independent and powerful survivor.  Main characters with interesting story-lines were killed off to the shock of fans everywhere; including myself, proving that the show is ready to take on a life of its own.  Rick and the gang should take some notes from the characters in Fear the Walking Dead who are making difficult decisions and moving on to each new obstacle without too much fluff in between.

Honorable mentions for television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 in no particular order:

Homeland

Bates Motel

Better Call Saul

Pretty Little Liars

The Strain

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

South Park

Some of these shows are favorites of mine and did enough in 2017 to earn a spot in my honorable mentions.  South Park and It’s Always Sunny kept the laughs coming and Homeland and Better Call Saul did the same with the edge of your seat drama and big moments.  While the shows had solid episodes, there wasn’t enough of a hook to move them into my top 5.  That being said, I thoroughly enjoy watching these shows and I am looking forward to new seasons.  Bates Motel, Pretty Little Liars, and The Strain ended in 2017 on a strong note.  While none of the series finales were that epic in my opinion, they did a good job of bringing everything full circle and satisfying the questions fans had.

Television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 that are running out of steam in no particular order are:

The Walking Dead

Archer

I have watched all of the episodes from both shows and was somewhat disappointed overall in the seasons from 2017.  While neither show was terrible enough for me to take them off my DVR line-up permanently, there was something missing.  Whether it was too much fluff in between major moments or a missing connection to characters, both shows have the potential to win their fans back and provide some good content.  Are they going to deliver on this, however?  I am optimistic and will continue to watch both series, but am looking for something fresh and over-the-top to remind me why I loved watching in the first place.  I know it’s a lot to ask for, but consistency in television entertainment is important.  Let’s make it a great 2018 for shows everywhere and hope these two shows ignite a spark that will keep viewers coming back for more and more.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post some of your favorite television shows from 2017 that aired on cable networks below.  Happy viewing and the countdown to 2018 is here!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 siblings from television: Family is where the heart is.

As we are in the midst of the holiday season, it’s a time to re-connect with family and remember what’s truly important in life.  Many of us have an unspoken bond with our siblings, whether it is inside jokes or a similar laugh, which is natural when you have all grown up together and faced many of the same challenges and shared similar memories.  This really got me thinking about siblings on television and how difficult it must be to create that connection instantly.  The actors on these shows already have the complicated task of portraying their roles and diving deep into what makes that particular character tick.  However, when you also need to add on a believable and real connection as siblings, this becomes even more difficult to capture.  For today’s topic, I am going to be ranking my top 5 siblings from television.  The siblings I chose are not just cast well.  Rather, they become so believable as siblings that I have to bring up Wikipedia on my phone just to double check that the actors are not related.  Please note spoilers are ahead.  My top 5 siblings from television are:

5

Brandon and Brenda Walsh from Beverly Hills, 90210.

The Minnesota Twins!

Who could forget when twins, Brandon and Brenda Walsh move from Minnesota all the way to glamorous Beverly Hills, California.  While the twins quickly realize that West Beverly High is not like any other high school they have ever seen, they fast-track into a superficial bubble where they are faced with difficult decisions.  Luckily, the twins have each other to support one another.  Some of my favorite moments on the show are when Brandon or Brenda would make a huge mistake and they would end up meeting in their Jack and Jill bathroom, relieved to see their other half so they could confide in them.  Brandon and Brenda share quite a bit of fights along the way and introduce new friends like Kelly and Dylan into the mix, but there is something about their bond as siblings that is wholesome and unbreakable.  Fans were disappointed when Brenda left the show, wondering where that would leave Brandon now that his beloved sister was gone.  While Brandon still kept viewers hooked with his charm and good sense of right and wrong, the earlier episodes with the Walsh twins had something truly special that could not be so easily replaced even with new cast members.

4

Fiona, Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam Gallagher from Shameless.

“Hey, sometimes life throws a couple swings at you. But we’re Gallaghers, okay? And there’s two things that we’re really good at:  knowing how to get back up, and knowing how to party.” (Shameless)

This list would not be complete without the Gallagher siblings we have watched grow up over the years.  Fiona has the difficult task of taking care of her five younger siblings since their parents are rarely present…and when they are it’s like they are children too.  While this forced Fiona to grow up very quickly, she has always made it clear that family comes first.  The Gallagher siblings may appear to be a group of untamed misfits, but at the end of the day they are truly there for one another.  The family faces many problems over the seasons ranging from losing their house to Fiona winding up in jail.  When Fiona was not around, Lip and the others recognized that they now needed to step up.  Whether that meant collecting money in a jar for the electric bill or making sure that Liam was actually fed breakfast, the siblings are forced to grow up fast in a world that seems to be against them, but they are resilient and strong.

3

Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows from Prison Break.

“I’m breaking out, and you’re going to make sure my brother goes with me.” (Michael from Prison Break)

How many of us would tattoo our entire bodies with the blueprints of a prison and commit a crime so that you could help break your brother out of prison?  Seems extreme, right?  But Michael Scofield is a genius and will not stop until he frees his brother, recognizing that his brother was framed for a crime that he didn’t commit.  While this show keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with each new challenge that gets in the way of the escape, what keeps you coming back for more is the undeniable connection between Michael and Lincoln.  Lincoln is the older brother and used to take care of Michael when he was younger.  Michael feels like he owes him and has guilt about turning his back on him previously when he asked for help.  He sacrifices everything to help him escape, redefining what unconditional love means in the process.  Michael and Lincoln always have each other’s backs and their physical resemblance is uncanny.  Even though they are not related, I found myself repeatedly searching online to see if perhaps they were distant cousins to no avail.

2

The Halliwell Sisters from Charmed.

“The power of 3 will set us free!” (Charmed)

Charmed has always been a guilty pleasure of mine.  I always enjoy watching shows that feature a supernatural premise, but this series goes beyond that.  The sisterly bond between Prue, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell is so heart-warming that you truly believe they are sisters.  In moments where one of the sisters faces an unstoppable evil or comes close to death, their heart-breaking tears even get me crying.  Through all of the evil monsters and demons they face as witches, they take the time to bond and fight over things normal sisters would, such as trying to stealing the other one’s boyfriend or remembering to ask before borrowing a favorite outfit.  This light comedy combined with some intense drama and action along the way makes this show truly unique.  Much like 90210, Shannen Doherty left the show, which had fans wondering how Prue could ever be replaced.  You couldn’t just recast her because the sisterly bond is what captured so many viewers.  Fans would have been put off if they just tried to pretend like another actress was the oldest sister. The producers and writers were smart enough to add in a new story-line where Piper and Phoebe discover that they have a half-sister they never knew about previously who could help re-establish the power of 3.  Whether you were on board with this or not, Paige stepped in seamlessly to fill the void Prue left and the sisterly bond continued to stay strong.

1

Dean and Sam Winchester from Supernatural.

“You saved my life over and over.  I mean, you sacrifice everything for me, don’t you think I’d do the same thing for you?  You’re my big brother.  There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”  (Sam from Supernatural)

So my number one pick for best siblings on television has to go to my favorite brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester.  The series has lasted for 13 seasons and is still going strong.  Like Charmed, this show features a supernatural premise…hence the title.  Sam and Dean are forced to grow up quickly when their mother dies when they are young and they follow in the shadow of their father’s footsteps to become hunters.  The brothers travel from place to place to take on cases and help save innocent lives, but deal with some powerful obstacles along the way.  Whether it is getting trapped in hell or purgatory or working with angels or demons, the brothers refuse to let death get in the way.  They support each other no matter what.  When one brother is going through a difficult time, the other recognizes that he needs to step up and help pick up the pieces.  Out of every show I have ever watched, the bond between Sam and Dean is the most real and uplifting.  You don’t doubt for a second they are brothers and you never give up on them.  What’s so great about the brothers is that they also have quite a few hilarious moments together as well, ranging from running away from an adorable Yorkie to reluctantly facing a child-hood fear of clowns.  This reminds viewers that the brothers are human and while their calling is to fight the good fight, they are not afraid to share some laughs too.  Fans love when the brothers show up posing as FBI agents, wondering what new dynamic duo they will pretend to be.  Like our own families, Sam and Dean portray the good, the bad, and everything in between, truly representing what it means to stick by one another through thick and thin.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite siblings from television.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “SMILF” season 1 episode 7: Bridgette and Larry go to the movies

Greetings TV viewers!  After watching Showtime’s SMILF season 1 episode 7 last night, I am left with some thoughts on motherhood from actress Sophia Loren who once said that “when you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”  Bridgette can absolutely use some of this advice, but part of what makes her so likable is that she is truly trying…one mistake at a time.  But it doesn’t necessarily make her a bad mother.  It just makes her human.  She does tend to think for herself first out of habit, but Larry is still her number one priority.  Part of Bridgette’s forgetfulness is not out of lack of love or devotion to her child, it’s just how she is as a person and she’s learning from it with each new day.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Bridgette attempts to toilet train Larry and feels an overwhelming sense of boredom creep in, inspiring her to go to the movies.  Meanwhile, Tutu faces an emotional breakdown of her own and tries to recover from her encounter with Edmund.  My top 5 moments from SMILF season 1 episode 7 are:

5

“Fun….fun….fun.”

Bridgette goes to the playground with Larry and feels the repeated routine of pushing him on a swing take control.  She absentmindedly says “fun, fun, fun” over and over with a look of extreme exhaustion and boredom on her face.  She later complains that “I’m so bored I think I’m dying.”  Bridgette is feeling pressure and is looking to escape even if just for an afternoon.

4

Tutu has an interesting bench conversation with strangers.

After Tutu’s encounter with Edmund, she is left with a mixed bag of emotions, unsure how to deal with the baggage.  She leaves her husband in the bathtub and mechanically walks out of the house, not really sure where she is going.  When she ends up at the park, she finds herself waist-deep in the water, staring up at the sky contemplating life.  Like Bridgette, Tutu feels a desperate need to escape her circumstances and looks for distractions along the way.  She sits down next to a father and daughter on a bench and comments that “they burned witches at the stake not far from there” and then starts wondering out loud about what it feels like to be burned alive to their horror.  Tutu then aimlessly wanders around the stores, trying on clothes and make-up and having harmless conversations with the employees, but once she leaves the store she is right back where she started with an aching sense of loneliness.  When she buys a bunch of scratch offs, her husband climbs up the stairs in exhaustion to let her know they won a boat cruise.  This snaps her back into reality and she is so thankful that he felt the need to do that for her, realizing that she does have someone in her life who truly cares for her.

3

Bridgette attempts to toilet train Larry.

In the beginning of the episode, Bridgette is desperately trying to toilet train Larry and keeps commenting to herself that she has no idea what she is doing.  She even tries to guilt him into doing it but his adorable “no” to everything she asks, brings a familiar sense of defeat Bridgette’s way.  Later, Eliza assumes that the task cannot be that difficult and takes a shot at it, only to face the same results.  When it seems like this might never happen, the girls are arguing near the tow-truck lot and Larry successfully sits on a toilet there to Bridgette and Eliza’s surprise.  Perhaps Larry had been feeling the pressure before much like his mother, but is ready now for sure.

2

Bridgette brings Larry to the movies during nap time.

Bridgette was super bummed that she could not go to the movies with Eliza when Tutu is unable to watch Larry.  However, the boredom at the park was too much to bear.  Bridgette realizes that since it is Larry’s nap time, there is no harm in bringing him along.  The girls are watching a horror movie and keep commenting on the violent death scenes.  A couple behind them begins to pass judgment explaining that it is no place for a child, but Bridgette dismisses them, assuring them that he is asleep.  When Larry wakes up, she is disappointed she cannot see the next victim die.  Later on the bus, Bridgette asks Larry if he saw the movie and of course he says “yes” innocently.  She proceeds to ask him then if he has anxiety or depression because of the movie and he says “yes” to every question, reassuring Bridgette that he was not scarred for life by the movie.  However, then she realizes that she hasn’t fed him breakfast or dinner yet.  Luckily, a kind stranger on the bus provides her with a diaper and some cheerios.

1

Bridgette asks for help.

Earlier in the episode when Bridgette is at the playground, a woman tells her in Spanish that it is OK to ask for help.  These words truly resonated with Bridgette, when she agrees to a ride from a stranger with Eliza and Larry to retrieve her car.  Bridgette tries to explain to Eliza the odds of parking in tow-away zones to no avail and then realizes she didn’t check the hours of the lot either.  When Larry runs inside, Bridgette goes after him.  They find the car and drive up to the gate, not knowing what to do next.  A Spanish woman and her daughter approach her and Bridgette tells her that she has a beautiful daughter and then asks her for help.  The woman is fearful that her boss might find out she brought her daughter, so she is more than willing to help Bridgette out.  She pulls open the gate, as Eliza and Bridgette look at each other in disbelief, realizing they could have done the very same thing.  Either way, this moment is important for Bridgette as she now understands that she can’t always be a perfect mother.  She is going to make mistakes but her love for Larry and the support from the people around her will keep her in check.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 7: “You get a 20!”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 7 last night, I am left with a new found appreciation for the art of Debbie’s welding skills along with Fiona’s natural ability to bribe teenagers with pizza…and then money.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Ian refuses to back down and attempts to make Fiona’s business and personal life a living hell.  Frank attempts to find a new profession while Debbie realizes that her own is short-lived.  Meanwhile, Lip continues to fight the good fight and Carl embarks on a new business scheme.  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 7 are:

5

Carl records a ransom video.

Carl is on his way to securing all of the tuition he needs for military school, but is short by $3527.  One of his junky rehab customers tempts him with a new proposition, which is hard for him to ignore.  The girl, Cassidy, suggests that he shoot a harmless ransom video and that her dad will put up the cash without a problem.  As soon as Carl hits play, it’s clear that Cassidy is no amateur.  She begins screaming with a hood over her head to Carl’s surprise.  When he goes to retrieve the money, Cassidy’s dad approaches Carl and requests that she just come home and go to Tiffany’s party.  When Carl relays the message, Cassidy explains that she has no interest in going back and reveals her romantic interest in Carl.  While it seems like Cassidy is calling the shots, Carl did get the money he needed without dealing with the stress of being an uber driver or a detox specialist.  Either way, we will have to see what trouble these two crazy kids get into together.

4

Lip goes on the stand.

Lip is continuing to do whatever it takes to get Brad and his professor ready for the court hearing.  He understands the importance of showcasing a man who is truly sorry and ready to be a productive and sober member of society.  It seems like everything is going in the right direction after Brad successfully gives his testimony without too much trouble.  Lip proceeds to go on the stand as a character witness and explains that his professor saw the value in his life when he didn’t.  He begs the judge to give him a chance, but unfortunately his professor is already drunk when it is his turn.  To Lip’s dismay, his professor is now in jail, but he doesn’t want to lose hope on him completely.  Lip knows how much he has done to help him and he wants to do the same, but it is finding it truly difficult to help someone who doesn’t want to be saved.  Will Lip give up or continue to stand by his friend?

3

Debbie welds a dumpster to Dr. Dick’s car.

Just when Debbie convinces her boss to give her another chance at the parking garage, using Baby Franny’s cuteness to her advantage, she learns that she needs to be nicer to customers.  Debbie gives it her best effort, utilizing words like “please” and “thank you.”  However, there is one customer who insists on pushing her buttons and speaks to her in a condescending way.  She upsets him so much that he even proceeds to get out of his car and destroy property.  Debbie has the last laugh, however; when she puts her new welding skills to good use.  She literally welds his car to a dumpster and admits to her boss that she knows she is fired now but it was totally worth it.

2

The safe word is “French fry.”

After V discovers that she has a need to be dominated, Kev is more than willing to try and please the love of his life.  V catches Kev “researching” online and asks if he should really be doing that in front of their daughters.  Kev explains that “the volume is on mute,” in a matter of fact way and continues on with his research.  V is surprised several times throughout the episode with a new safe word each time.  “French Fry” and “Alley Cat” are supposed to be used by V, but Kev starts saying them repeatedly every time he has a question or a concern.  When it seems like this is not going to work out, Kev gets extremely frustrated that V used fabric softener on their kids’ pajamas, unleashing the angry and dominating man V was looking for.

1

Fiona says it’s “game on!”

Throughout the episode, Ian demonstrates that he is not backing down and is still mad at his sister for preventing him from obtaining the shelter for the homeless kids he works with.  He pours ice-cold buckets of water on her, throws eggs at her apartment building, and sets up tents in the lot next door to bother Fiona.   “Occupy Fiona!” the kids scream repeatedly, while Ian uses a megaphone to get the full volume and effect he is looking for.  Fiona tries to be the bigger person and refuses to let Ian see that she is angry, but when he calls the fire marshal on her and messes with her business, it’s game on.  Fiona bribes the homeless teens with pizza and when that doesn’t work, she whips out her wallet.  “You get a 20 and you get a 20!” she shouts proudly, happy to have won.  Her pride is intact, but most of her money has been sacrificed for the cause.  Ian is furious that she has done this, but she tries to make amends by finding them another space to open the shelter.  She tells Ian how much she cares about him and loves him, genuinely worried about his well-being, remembering that family comes first.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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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