Spoiler-Free Review of “You” Season 2 on Netflix: Lifetime Dexter Does It Again

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

Obsession looks good on Joe Goldberg, played brilliantly by Penn Badgley.  After season one became a streaming sensation on Netflix, I was slightly worried that season two would not be able to deliver, but starting over in a new town gave us plenty of opportunities to witness Joe’s dark narrative come alive once again.

You (season two) began streaming new episodes on December 26th 2019 on Netflix.  Season two features ten episodes (about 50 minutes in length).  It stars Penn Badgley, Victoria Pedretti, James Scully, Ambyr Childers, Carmela Zumbado, and Jenna Ortega.

In season two, Joe moves from New York to L.A. and is determined to get a fresh start as “Will,” but things get complicated when he falls in love with his new romantic interest, Love.  He quickly becomes entangled in her family drama, which mostly involves her twin brother, Forty.  Joe tries to be a better person, but the darkness within him continues to stir, as he starts to lose self-control once again.

If you loved season one, you are probably wondering if season two lives up to it?  Let’s find out!

The Pros:

You Netflix 6
Images courtesy of Netflix

Strong supporting characters that steal the show.

As much as I love listening to Joe’s moody narrative, it can get a bit stale if we don’t shake things up with some interesting characters.  My biggest issue with season one was that I actually really didn’t like Beck as a character.  In season two, I really thought that Love had a lot of potential, but I was also intrigued by her twin brother, Forty, who is absolutely hilarious.

Joe’s new neighbors, Delilah and Ellie, are also both fantastic.  You care about their stories and they really allowed us to see Joe/Will’s struggle to be a hero you can count on.  Being a serial killer can get in the way of this; however, but these characters spark a lot of goodness within him, which really helps him grow as a person despite all of his past inner demons.

Joe’s backstory is revealed and seamless connections to season one questions.

We get a lot of flashbacks sprinkled in during the episodes about Joe’s childhood, which help us understand him a bit more.  Even though we get a new setting and characters for season two, I thought the connections to season one worked perfectly.  They weren’t forced or excessive and they really answered a lot of questions that I had without hitting us over the head with unnecessary cameos.

Really great twists.

I did not see the ultimate twist coming and I was very impressed with it, bringing me in that much more.  This show is addicting and I tend to watch it all in one sitting because I don’t want anyone to spoil it for me.  Each reveal was well timed and I actually thought this season was even better than the first.

The Cons:

You Netflix 4
Images courtesy of Netflix

Less kills than season one.

I mean, I guess that shows growth in Joe’s character, but I kind of missed seeing all of the Dexter-like kills from season one, but the ones we do get are rewarding enough.  That being said, it’s hard to continue listening to Joe’s conflicted narrative when we don’t get some surprising kills thrown into the mix to balance that out.

Can’t escape that Lifetime feel.

The show actually did originally air on Lifetime and Netflix ended up picking it up, but there are a lot of scenes that just scream Lifetime with so many over dramatic moments.  But to be honest, that’s why we are watching this.  I can’t say that this surprised me and we witness so many real and honest performances to balance this out, but there were some scenes that were just a little bit too outrageous.

So am I in or out?

You Netflix 5
Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!  I really enjoyed season one of the show, but I loved season two even more. “I wolf you season two!”

This show is beyond addicting.  It’s dark and obsessive, but it also has so many genuine moments of compassion and humor. 

Stand out character:  Forty, who basically stole the show for me. 

Season two was also not afraid to make fun of itself, even having one of the characters comparing Joe’s actions to Dexter, which I appreciated.

The twists were so great and the pacing worked so well, making this show the perfect one to binge-watch.  I hope that we get a season three because this show is fantastic!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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**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!

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 18: “She’s her Father’s Daughter”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 18, the Invasion of the Body Snatchers drama continued, as some of our favorite characters dove deeper into trouble.  Whether they were looking for answers or comfort, darkness is never too far away in Riverdale.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Fifty-Three:  Jawbreaker,” Jughead works with FP to investigate the town’s latest murder.  Meanwhile, Betty tries to get through to Alice, Toni worries about Cheryl’s involvement in the Farm, and Archie is up for a rematch with Veronica’s full support.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 18 are:

5

“I felt reborn.”

In the beginning of the episode, Betty continues her conversation with Edgar Evernever, who begins to reveal more about himself.  Edgar explains that he previously felt lost and found himself on a farm, which made him want to recreate that feeling of being reborn with his own farm.  Betty recognizes that it sounds like a nice story and all, but she is not buying it whatsoever.  Edgar does not reveal anything about how Cheryl and Alice are seeing their dead relatives, as he vaguely explains that they are discovering the best versions of themselves.  Betty refuses to let Edgar turn everything around on her and decides to get through to her mother once and for all.

4

“I’m always in your corner…”

Archie feels very passionate about honoring Baby Teeth’s death and Veronica works with him to get their gym, the El Royale, in the spotlight.  Elio agrees to let Archie have a rematch against Randy, but decides to dose him with “G,” which is some kind of bad batch of fizzle rocks that apparently turns people into zombies.  Not really, but the foaming at the mouth and the extreme behavior sort of had me thinking along those lines.  I mean, they are only a town away from Sabrina and Greendale so anything is possible.

Archie is able to knock Randy out, but the drugs may have actually done a lot of damage, as Randy is not waking up yet.  Even though the fight was entertaining, I was more interested in the lingering stare between Archie and Veronica.  Is there hope for Varchie?  It looks that way and even Josie notices that Veronica certainly didn’t hold back when she purchased Archie some new attire for the fight.

3

“You’re a daughter who wants her mother back just like I want my girlfriend back.”

Finally someone else notices what is going on with the Farm!  After Cheryl trades in her signature red for a white ensemble, Toni is beyond concerned about her.  Toni approaches Betty, who fills her in on what she knows so far.  Toni continues to try and get through to Cheryl, but Evelyn has other plans.  Evelyn confronts Toni and Toni tells her, “Bitch I love her and she loves me.”  Seriously Evelyn, you better watch out.  Evelyn proves to be manipulative and conniving, as she tells Cheryl that she needs to choose between Toni and Jason.  Toni says that there has to be another way and begins her own runway walk down the halls sporting some white attire.

I was a little worried that we had lost our girl Toni to the Farm as well, but she is undercover, still working with Betty.  I have to say that I really enjoyed the interactions between Betty and Toni in this episode.  We don’t typically see too much between these two, but they both have a common goal now and I’m interested to see them continue to work together to bring down the Farm for good.

2

“I will kill you…”

After crossing Toni, Evelyn makes the mistake of confronting Betty.  Betty has had enough and slams Evelyn against a locker and threatens her.  Go Betty!  She tells her that she sees right through her and wants her to stop messing with her and her family.  Betty doesn’t want to give up on her mother and even resorts to kidnapping her and keeping her in Dilton’s bunker.  It seems a bit extreme, but Betty will do anything for her mother.  Betty tells Alice, “The past is part of who you are,” but Alice doesn’t seem to want to remember the pain.  Alice even begins burning the old photos that Betty shows her and Betty comes to the realization that she may need to let her mother go after all. 

After listening to one of the tapes, Betty hears her mother’s thoughts on her, recognizing the same darkness in Betty that she saw in Hal.  Betty continues to confide in her father about everything, but now he wants a favor in return.  He’s ready to return home, but I’m not really sure how that would work.  I mean, you don’t just get to leave prison and all.  Betty is continuously pushed again and again, but will this release the darkness within her or will she channel her love for her friends and family?

1

“Save the little princess.”

After Jughead and FP catch Kurtz, Kurtz continues to be overly creepy and tells Jughead that “Baby Teeth was only the warm up to the ultimate quest.”  He further explains that there is still one final game for Jughead and his family and we cut to Jellybean being brought to the Gargoyle King.  I have so many questions here.  Now that we have been focusing on the Farm so much, the Gargoyle King has taken a back seat, but it looks like he or she is done hiding in the shadows.  However, why is the Gargoyle King so interested in the Jones family?  Is there a connection between the Gargoyle King and Gladys?  We know that she is controlling the drug trade, but is she somehow pulling the Gargoyle King’s strings as well.  I previously thought that Hermione could be the woman behind the mask, but I’m not really sure what she would get out of hurting the Jones family.

There are a lot more players now and it’s difficult to determine who is the true Gargoyle King.  Jughead also previously thought that perhaps Baby Teeth was murdered by a copy cat killer.  Baby Teeth clearly struggled and he had a matchbook stuck in his throat from the Maple Club, which also potentially incriminates Penelope Blossom.  We know that there is a connection between the Gargoyle King and the Midnight club from so many years ago, but what is the real motive here?  If the Jones family is at the center of it, we need to carefully look at all of their potential allies and enemies.  It looks like no one can really be cleared as innocent, but what is their end goal?  Stay tuned!

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

**I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy dark fantasy, 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! 

**Book Two of the Dreaming of Wonderland series is scheduled to come out in June 2019 so stay tuned on that!!!!!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Feb 2019

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5 Spoiler Free Reasons why you should watch “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” Part Two on Netflix: Dancing with the Devil

“My soul is who I am and I signed it away willingly.”  So what happens when we make that Faustian deal?  Are we destined for darkness or can we still choose a path of light?  For Sabrina Spellman, finding a balance between her mortal life and her witch one becomes that much more complicated in Part Two.  Part Two features 9 episodes and they are all currently streaming on Netflix as of April 5th 2019. 

After watching all of the episodes in one weekend, I can tell you that I am even more hooked than I was before.  While Part One subtly dipped us into darkness, we have now submerged ourselves in it completely, as the gates of hell threaten everyone in Greendale.  However, sometimes the most dangerous threat is staring back at us in the mirror.  Do we embrace the darkness or do we continue to fight for good to prevail?  Please note that major spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read away!  My top 5 reasons to check out Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part Two are: 

5

Part Two is darker.

The spells are darker, the threats are darker, and even the romance is.  Sabrina embraces her life as a witch, but quickly realizes that she may no longer be able to balance it with her mortal life.  We learn about dark prophecies and fears, as Part Two does not hold back.  It gives us the perfect amount of horror and has quickly become one of my favorite shows about witches of all time.

4

Buffy the Vampire Slayer nostalgia.

Some fans of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina mentioned that they thought the show was similar to Buffy back in Part One.  While I did see some similarities with certain episode plots, it still seemed far away from Buffy, which is one of my favorite series of all time and it’s difficult for a show to even come close to this for me.  However, Part Two was a different story.  We discover a lot about the gates of hell in Part Two, which will have you thinking about the hellmouth in Sunnydale.  Also, Sabrina’s mortal friends come together and start helping out a lot more this season, reminding me a lot of the Scoobies in Buffy.  Alexis Denisof (Wesley from Buffy and Angel) is a fun guest star and we also see a darker romance for Sabrina, which gave me a lot of Bangel feels.  The end of Part Two will have you making some comparisons to “Becoming Part II” of Buffy, which is my favorite episode of all time.  Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is unique and can stand on its own, but I thoroughly enjoyed some of these parallels, which made me like the show even more.

3

All hail the Villainess, Ms. Wardwell.

One of my favorite characters on the show is Ms. Wardwell, better known as Lilith.  In Part Two, her character is explored a lot more and she becomes even more entertaining, if that is possible.  I always love a worthy villainess and while some of the Weird Sisters continue with their antics in Part Two, Ms. Wardwell takes the cake as a villainess you do not want to mess with.  We get to understand a little bit more about her motives as well and her dynamic with Alexis Denisof’s character, Adam, is very entertaining.

2

Kiernan Shipka.

I devoted a previous blog to Kiernan Shipka’s performance as Sabrina Spellman and even gave her my performance of the week.  Kiernan elevates Sabrina’s character to something greater in Part Two.  She is so convincing and she constantly challenges authority, proving to be a female role model one can look up to.  Sabrina never shies away from a challenge and always speaks her mind and tries to do what she can to make a difference.  She is so believable and strong, but she makes mistakes too, allowing us to relate to her that much more.  I absolutely love seeing Sabrina’s character enter into more layers, as we get to peel back each one to discover more and more about who she is and who she is destined to be.

1

New and dangerous threats.

Part Two gives us so many new threats and a lot of twists and turns as well.  Sabrina continues to be tested and we get a huge reveal later in the season, which will have you glued to your television.  Even with all of the dangerous threats thrown Sabrina’s way, she continues to persevere.  However, we quickly realize that Sabrina’s biggest threat may be herself, but are we ever truly able to separate our darkness from our humanity?  Just when you think you have witnessed the Big Bad of Part Two, a new threat emerges, keeping us entertained and guessing until the very end.  I fell in love with this series in Part One, but my love has now quickly become an obsession, which is a good thing.  I hope you enjoy Part Two as much as I did and I absolutely recommend it.  Ready to watch?

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

**I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy dark fantasy, 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!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Feb 2019

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Do you love horror series?  Of course you do!  Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon.  It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals! 

My performance of the week ending 4/6/19 on TV goes to…

Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina Spellman on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.  Kiernan is so versatile and talented and she is completely spellbinding as Sabrina.  In Part One, Kiernan nailed the bubble gum pop goodness of Sabrina, but Part Two is taking us somewhere much darker and Kiernan has been so convincing and captivating.  Sabrina embodies female empowerment and constantly challenges authority, reminding us that she is strong, confident, and just as capable as any male warlock. 

In Part Two, Sabrina is diving deeper into her path of night, but will she need to compromise her goodness to do so?  I feel every part of Sabrina’s struggle here, as she is constantly tempted by darkness, but her glimmer of goodness continues to shine through.  However, darkness looks good on her too, as she starts to fully experience life as a witch, but darkness always has a price.

What’s next for Sabrina Spellman?  We’ll have to stay tuned to find out, but I am about halfway through Part Two and I am hoping that Sabrina can find a balance between her life as a witch and her mortal one, but this is no easy task.  Sabrina will continue to be tested and she won’t always make the right decision, but that’s why I love her character so much.  She learns so much with each new step she takes and she reminds us that we can always break through and challenge something even when it seems like everyone is against us.  I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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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! 

**I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy dark fantasy, 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!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Feb 2019

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 10: “The Stranger”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 10, I learned that sometimes you just have to keep fighting.  But what happens when you lose sight of who you are in the process?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Forty-Five:  The Stranger,” we learn the fate of Archie Andrews.  Meanwhile, the SATs are approaching, Fangs gets invited to join the inner circle, and Betty finally pays her father a visit.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 10 are:

5

“I will kill you…”

Fred Andrews steps up and channels some Dylan McKay, as he threatens Hiram Lodge.  Hiram has been pushing and pushing and Fred reminds him that he will not hesitate to kill him if he goes after his son again.  While Fred typically takes the high road, it’s clear that he has been pushed over the edge, but will his need for revenge get him into trouble?  Either way, it was great to see someone stand up to Hiram.  Hiram may be a master manipulator, but I have a feeling that Fred could easily take him in a fair fight.

4

“You are not cornering me into joining your cult.”

During the episode, Betty quickly learns that her mother, Alice, has given away all her money to the Farm.  When Betty questions her mother about this, Alice explains that the account has not been “drained, just transferred.”  Betty is beyond outraged and learns that Alice forged her father’s signature to make the transaction, which means that Betty will have to pay her father a visit after all.  While there has been quite a lot of set up going on for the Farm, I am really looking forward to seeing that story-line finally develop.  I want to know more about Edgar, their end game, and how they have managed to completely brainwash Alice.

3

“It’s over, isn’t it?”

After Archie returns home with quite a few scars inside and out, Veronica is beyond happy to see him.  It seems like these two are going to make it after all, but where does Reggie fit into this equation?  Reggie is willing to take the high road and allow Veronica and Archie to head off into the sunset together, but he unintentionally tells Archie what happened between them.  After Hiram is shot and recovering from surgery, Veronica and Archie have a talk and come to the conclusion that their relationship is over.  Is this really the end of Varchie for good?  We’ll have to wait and see, but it looks like Reggie has been eagerly waiting in the wings so Veggie fans can rejoice for now.

2

“To keep me coming back to you…”

So we finally get the meeting we have been waiting for, as Betty confronts her father, Hal.  Hal continues to play mind games and even claims that he was the Gargoyle King in the past and that he tried to take down the entire Midnight Club.  After some Nancy Drew investigating, Betty learns that Penelope Blossom has been posing as her mother to go visit Hal and has provided him with this Intel.  Betty soon realizes that Hal did this intentionally to keep Betty coming back to him.  Even though Hal is sick and twisted and a little bit too obsessed with punishing sinners, he does hold on to his connection to Betty.  Hal signs the affidavit for Betty, but it looks like this is a potential new beginning for these two.  Even though Betty swears that she will not return, she has a void at home now that Alice has completely given herself over to the Farm.  Betty continues to confide in her father, but will this eventually lead to her own darkness returning?  We’ll have to wait and see.

1

“You’re looking at the new law in Riverdale.”

During the episode, it seems like everyone is on board to claim that he or she is the true Gargoyle King.  After Hal’s false confession, it seems like Tall Boy is the actual Gargoyle King, but my money is still on Hermione Lodge.  During the episode, Hiram decides that he wants Claudius Blossom to step up as the new sheriff, but Hermione is not happy with this decision.  Tall Boy and Claudius both don’t make it through the episode and even Hiram is shot and left for dead.  Only it’s not that easy to kill a cockroach like Hiram, as he manages to pull through surgery.  At the end of the episode, Hermione meets up with FP and tells him that it’s time.  There’s a new sheriff in town and it’s FP Jones.  It doesn’t seem like being the sheriff requires any type of credentials here, but I guess it doesn’t hurt to have FP leading the way.  However, Hermione has been strategically pulling several strings here, which is hard to ignore.  I have been saying from the start that I believe Hermione is the Gargoyle King, but perhaps she is not in it alone.  Either way, I think that this episode redeemed itself from the unnecessary fluff last week and I’m back on board.  However, let’s not forget about our girls, Cheryl and Toni.  Everyone deserves some screen time here in Riverdale.  Stay tuned!

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

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

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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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!

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!

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The Search for Alice Cover

Ranking my top 5 Male Vampires from TV: “I’ve Always Been Bad”

Happy Tuesday TV viewers!  When you think of vampires, what comes to mind?  There is that overwhelming sense of darkness and desire that is beyond dangerous.  And yet, you still find yourself intrigued by their existence.  Whether it’s about blood or lust, there is something beyond mesmerizing about vampires.  While many vampires have entertained us in film, books, and television, there are some characters that truly stand the test of time, inviting us into their world of darkness.

For today’s list, I am going to be looking at male vampires from television.  Whether the vampire is considered the “big bad” or is on a quest for redemption, there is something undeniably hypnotizing about their existence.  These vampires are not just about the kill.  They are complex and unique and we often find ourselves rooting for them above all others…and maybe even swooning over them from time to time as well.  Please note some spoilers are ahead. 

My top 5 Male Vampires from TV are:

5

Klaus Mikaelson from The Originals & The Vampire Diaries

Klaus vampire collage

“You know, over the years, I’ve had my share of friends, enemies, lovers, losses, and triumphs. With time, they all begin to run together, but you will find the real moments are vibrant. The rest just fades away. Your pain will fade.” 

When I first saw Klaus on The Vampire Diaries, I was instantly intrigued.  He basically stole the show for me and I was beyond excited when I found out that the spin-off series, The Originals, would focus around him and his family.  Klaus is dangerous and a formidable foe that you do not want to cross.

Klaus gif

He has a quick temper and a monstrous quality, but he also has an artistic side to him and possesses wisdom beyond his years.  He reveals glimmers of goodness along the way, especially when it comes to Caroline, Camille, and Hope.  Klaus is the epitome of the “bad boy” on television, but he is so classy about it as well, which makes him the perfect anti-hero.

4

Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries

Damon vampire collage

“If you’re going to be bad, be bad with a purpose or else you’re not worth forgiving.” 

When we first met the Salvatore brothers on The Vampire Diaries, Damon easily became my favorite.  While Stefan is conflicted and brooding, Damon just wants to have fun.  Although his idea of fun often involves killing and torture, there is just something so charismatic about Damon.

Damon gif

Like Klaus, Damon’s character shifts toward redemption, as he falls desperately in love with Elena.  Damon’s actions become selfless and pure, which really elevates his character even more.  While I enjoyed seeing the growth of his character, I do prefer his bad boy charm, as he really shows off his flair for being evil with style.

3

Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel

Angel vampire collage

“She made me feel like a human being.  That’s not the kind of thing you just forgive.”

The vampire with a soul who had us falling desperately in love with him, along with Buffy Summers, absolutely deserves a spot on this list.  Angel is cursed by gypsies and has to live as a creature of the night with a conscience.  While Angel initially shies away from society because of this, he eventually finds his purpose when he meets Buffy.

Buffy gif.gif

Angel tries to help Buffy, but ends up falling in love with her, which becomes beyond complicated when he loses his soul after experiencing a “moment of true happiness” with her.  When Angel’s soul is gone, he reveals just how dangerous he is by torturing Buffy and her friends, proving that he truly relishes in watching others suffer.  Angel’s soul is later returned, but he ends up leaving Buffy to give her a real chance at happiness and to further his own quest for redemption on a spin-off series.

2

Eric Northman from True Blood

Eric vampire collage

“Death is scary.  I’ve been avoiding it for a thousand years.”

This list would not be complete without including Eric Northman.  Like many of the other characters on this list, Eric has the bad boy charm act down pat.  Eric possesses a regal and elegant quality, while also being vicious and dangerous.

Eric gif.gif

He proves to be truly ruthless on the show and a formidable villain, but also reveals some humanity within him as well.  While he falls in love with Sookie, his relationship with Pam is also something that should be noted.  Eric is almost like a father figure to Pam and he truly does care about her, proving that bad-ass vampires can have feelings too.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one pick are:

  • Marcel from “The Originals”
  • Benny from “Supernatural”
  • Stefan from “The Vampire Diaries”
  • Eichhorst from “The Strain”
  • Roman from “Hemlock Grove”
  • Elijah from “The Originals”
  • Cassidy from “Preacher”
  • Bill from “True Blood”
  • Barnabas from “Dark Shadows”
  • John from “Being Human”

1

Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Spike vampire collage

“That’s right.  Big Bad’s back and lookin for a little death!”

So my number one pick has to go to William the Bloody, aka Spike, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  When Spike first showed up with his crazy girlfriend, Drusilla, back in season 2, I was hooked on the show for life.  Spike just screams bad boy and he has this sexy and dangerous quality to him, which makes you almost feel wrong about rooting for him so much.  Almost.  Spike is absolutely hilarious and even probably tops Buffy with some of his puns, which are laugh out loud funny. 

Out for a walk spike.gif

Spike proves to be a threat to Buffy and the Scoobies over and over, but eventually gets a chip in his head that prevents him from harming humans.  Spike tries to fit in with the Scooby gang, but continues to go back to his evil ways whenever possible.

Later on in the series, Spike develops real feelings for Buffy and eventually earns back his soul.  Whether Spike is evil or good, you can’t help loving him.  His presence elevates the show and he reminds us that it’s never too late to try and do the right thing, even if you have been evil for over a century.

Spike will always be my favorite vampire of all time and will continue to be the “Big Bad,” even when reciting some of his “bloody awful poetry.”

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite male vampires from TV.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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

My Whizbuzz Book Page

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Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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

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

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

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

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover

Ranking the top 5 moments featuring Betty Cooper from “Riverdale” season 2: “You Have No Power Over Me”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  Even though we will have to wait quite some time for season 3 of Riverdale to premiere on the CW, there is still plenty to discuss.  For today, I am going to be recapping and ranking the top 5 moments featuring our very own Nancy Drew, Betty Cooper.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the full season yet.  Betty may seem like the model of bubble gum perfection on the surface with her glossy ponytail and sweater sets, but there is a darkness brewing within her, clawing at the surface.  Betty proves to be intelligent and always one step ahead, even solving mysteries that the local Sheriff has trouble with.  In season 2, the Black Hood reveals that he has a fascination with Betty, calling her over and over and presenting her with new obstacles along the way.  While Betty has the support of Jughead and her friends and family, she ends up internalizing a lot of her feelings, not wanting to trouble them with her own inner demons.  What makes Betty such an amazing character is that she is far from perfect and some of my favorite moments below reflect that.  Ultimately these moments are what shape Betty into the powerful woman she has now become.  Without tapping into her darkness, she would have never found the strength within to conquer it.  When Betty discovers the true identity of the Black Hood, her world begins to fall apart, as she starts to question everything, including her own moral compass.  Betty proves to be even stronger than one could have imagined when she courageously goes to face the Black Hood and find some much needed closure.  While Betty may now be crowned the new Queen of the Serpents with Jughead by her side, she was already proving just how powerful she really is by standing up for herself, her mother, and anyone who threatens the balance of good and evil in Riverdale.  My top 5 moments featuring Betty Cooper from Riverdale season 2 are:

 

5

Betty’s Serpent Dance. (Moment from Season 2, episode 8)

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

4

Betty finds her brother. (Moment from Season 2, episode 10)

Betty is surprised to find Polly in her bedroom, picking up a few things and nonchalantly sharing the news that she had the twins already.  When Polly goes back to the farm without even staying to say hello to their parents, Betty is feeling hurt and abandoned by her sister, causing her to put her Nancy Drew skills to the test once more.  Betty is not good at sitting still, always diving into a new mystery to solve, refusing to take a minute to actually deal with her feelings.  She tracks down the address of her brother, Charles Smith and lets her parents know that she wants to go and meet him.  While Betty’s father wants no part of this, Alice visits Betty later that night and confides to her that she does want to meet her son.  When they walk through the seedy motel to find him, Mrs. Cooper latches onto Betty’s arm, as if the infestation and filth will seep through their bubble of perfection.  After meeting Charles or “Chic” as he likes to be called, Betty and Mrs. Cooper are horrified by his lifestyle and surroundings, feeling somewhat responsible for his current conditions.  After Betty returns to check in on Chic, she finds him being attacked and stabbed.  Betty saves the day with Pepper Spray, proving once again that she is not one to mess with.  After taking Chic home, the Cooper family helps stitch him up and gives him a place to stay, not realizing that they just “let another monster in.” 

 3

 Betty embraces the darkness.  (Moment from Season 2, episode 12)

 In the beginning of this episode, Betty is sporting her femme fatale black wig, turning away from the computer with newfound passion and excitement.  While her deception of “webcamming” may initially seem harmless, Betty is not ready to abandon it just yet.  She begins keeping secrets from those she loves without even the slightest hesitation to suggest that she has no guilt or second thoughts about her actions.  While Chic opened the door to the darkness, inviting Betty in, she is making her own decisions.  Later in the episode, Betty and Jughead reunite and share a passionate kiss as Jughead tells her that “he wants all of her,” but what will he do when he finds out that he needs to share Betty with the rest of the cyber world?

2

“That’s your very own angel of death.” (Moment from season 2, episode 19)

 After finding out that Chic is not really her brother, Betty has a sea of emotions taking over.  With almost perfect timing, the “Lollipop” ringtone begins playing, luring her back to the darkness.  She answers and the Black Hood greets her by saying, “Hello Betty.  You miss me?”  The Black Hood asks for Betty to deliver Chic to him so that he can get what he deserves, explaining that he has murdered before.  At this point, we are not sure if Betty will follow the Black Hood’s orders.  He isn’t threatening her right now, but merely requesting this, so she has every opportunity to keep her moral compass intact.  Betty pulls a gun on Chic and takes him to the cemetery, demanding that he confess.  Chic tells her that he did kill the real Charles after they got in a fight but that he didn’t mean to kill him.  His tears suggest that he is finally telling the truth, but it’s too late.  Betty tells him she will begin counting and give him a head start when the Black Hood shows up at the edge of the cemetery.  Chic begins frantically questioning her, asking her what is going on, but Betty remains unwavering.  Chic finally takes her advice and rushes off, as she nods to the Black Hood.  While we are unsure if Chic was able to make it out alive or not, it doesn’t seem like we will be seeing him again anytime soon.  And as for our sweet and lovable Betty Cooper…well she is playing a dangerous game that makes her role play days seem like a distant dream.

1

 “I’m not like you.” (Moment from season 2, episode 22)

 While all of the drama with Mr. Lodge is taking center stage in the season finale, Betty and her mother are trying to put the pieces together again after Hal is taken off to jail, who has been confirmed as the real Black Hood.  Betty blames herself for what happened, however; and feels like she should have been a better detective and seen what was right in front of her.  While everyone around her reminds her that this is not her fault, Betty is still having doubts.  She wonders if evil can be passed on and Jughead tells her that she is a good person.  Now it’s up to Betty to believe this.  But can she deny the darkness whirling around within her?  After initially deciding not to visit her father, Betty decides to go see him anyway.  Her strength is admirable and one can’t help but cheer for her in this moment.  After telling her father that she is not like him, he asks her why she is really there.  Betty’s response gave me chills, as she tells him, “To say goodbye Dad.  No more darkness.  No more evil.  It’s over.  You have no power over me.”  In this moment, I was literally standing up and cheering for our girl, Betty Cooper.  While her father seems convinced that she will return, this moment allows her to truly move on and embrace the goodness within her.  I couldn’t be more proud.  All hail Queen Betty!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post some of your own favorite moments featuring Betty Cooper from Riverdale below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 21: “We Don’t Negotiate with Villains”

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 21 last night, Henry talks about the importance of finding one’s happy ending the right way.  Unfortunately not everyone shares this belief, which we quickly learn during the first half of the series finale.  While sometimes patience, hope, and good deeds can be enough to fulfill our days, some characters are not able to overcome the overwhelming sense of defeat and loneliness within them.  Perhaps we all have the potential to become a villain, only we surround ourselves with people we love and things that make us happy to remind us to stay on a good path.  It’s hard not to be sympathetic to those who wander off the path, however, which can lead to darkness.  While these villains may not realize the damage that they are causing before it’s too late, it’s up to the heroes still existing to fight for good to prevail.  And it’s also important to know when to ask for help, as none of us are in this alone.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Homecoming,” wish Rumple pays Henry a visit and offers him a deal.  Meanwhile, Rogers/Nook promises Tilly/Alice that he will find a way for their own curse to be broken, Tiana/Sabine has doubts about her purpose, and Rumple takes on the greatest enemy he will ever face…himself.  My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 21 are:

5

Wish Rumple threatens Henry.

Just as the curse is broken and everyone’s memory is restored, it seems like our happy ending is right around the corner.  Only there is one more test that everyone must face in order to obtain it.  Henry is beyond happy to be reunited with his wife, Ella and his daughter, Lucy, but wish Rumple takes advantage of his love for them and traps them in the wish realm.  He threatens Henry and explains that he will destroy his family unless he retrieves the Dark One’s dagger and brings it to him.  Henry finds reinforcements when he goes to Regina, Rumple, and Nook for help.  Regina reminds him that “we don’t negotiate with villains” and talks about the importance of sticking by your family and protecting it no matter what.  They decide to go into the wish realm to save Ella and Lucy, using Alice’s cracked looking glass as a portal.  While they do not really know what to expect on the other side of the portal, they are ready to face whatever or whoever gets in their way, including some familiar faces.

4

Old friends and enemies return.

In wish realm, Henry and the others come across several familiar faces that will have OUAT fans everywhere cheering.  While the end of the show is near, it’s important that we look back on all of our past friends and enemies who have shaped the show and made it what it is today.  While Nook gets some help from our old friend, Ariel, other not so friendly faces are lurking behind the corner.  Peter Pan warns them as soon as they get to wish realm and Cruella holds on to her fur coat, but not her hair color unfortunately, as Henry later strips the black from her hair, which is the ink he needs for the Author’s Pen.  While we know more familiar faces will be surfacing in next week’s series finale, these characters are not to be forgotten, as they provide us with a reminder and a sense of nostalgia of the earlier days of Once Upon a Time.

3

Rumple vs Rumple.

Rumple decides to have a talk with himself.  He explains that he doesn’t want to force the dagger on an innocent and is happy to hand it over to him.  He thinks that wish Rumple could be the loophole he has been searching for all along.  But is he really ready to make a deal with his darker self?  Rumple explains that the one enemy he can never defeat is himself and is ready to get the happy ending he has been searching for.  However, Rumple has a trick up his sleeve, as he uses the squid ink Ariel gave them to trap him.  Rumple is ready to defeat his alter-ego, but Regina walks in and wish Rumple escapes.  While we know it can’t be that easy to defeat wish Rumple, it’s important that our Rumple is taking the necessary steps to finally do the right thing after repeating his mistakes over and over.  Rumple truly loves Belle but is willing to sacrifice reuniting with her if it means saving his family.  This transformation reminds us that it’s never too late to do the right thing and that having people in our lives who support us can make all the difference.

2

“None of my wishes came true.”

Like our version of Rumple, wish Rumple has not revealed his true intentions up front.  We learn that he has another agenda and it involves Henry.  Henry’s emotions are running high, as he is worried about the safety of his family, clouding his good judgment in the process.  He makes the rash decision to obtain the Author’s Pen and is warned by the author to use it to record, but not create.  Wish Rumple has been after the Author’s Pen this entire time and uses wish realm Henry as his instrument of destruction.  Even though our version of Henry turned down Rumple’s deal, wish realm Henry never had a single wish come true and is broken from this.  He is desperate enough to make a deal with wish Rumple and to rewrite history.  We know this can be extremely dangerous and it’s up to our favorite heroes to put a stop to this before all of their stories are rewritten.  After all, words are very powerful, but the intent behind them is what gives them their true meaning.

1

Tilly and Margot are ready to save the day.

Tilly/Alice gets a pain within her and recognizes immediately that something has gone terribly wrong.  She and Margot/Robin go to Tiana for help.  Tiana has been having doubts about her new role as a queen, but puts this aside when she stands in front of her people and asks them for help.  Her words are inspiring and remind us that you don’t always have to possess magic in order to make a difference.  Tiana’s words are enough and a magic bean is turned over to help Tilly and Margot get to their friends to save the day.  Only they need to make a quick stop first to get some help from some friends.  Next stop Storybrooke!  I am beyond excited for the conclusion of the series finale next week, especially since some of our favorite characters will be returning.  While it’s bitter sweet to see the ending finally arrive, I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds.  How about you?  Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 19: “Prisoners”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 19 last night, I once again have Betty’s “Lollipop” ringtone playing over and over again in my head, but there is nothing sweet about Betty’s decisions, as she proves to be quite a dangerous force that you do not want to mess with.  Jughead got it absolutely right when he spoke about different kinds of “prisoners” and how difficult it can be to free oneself from a dark past, ambition, or a quest for revenge.  While our characters feel trapped behind bars figuratively speaking, Betty is quickly becoming an accomplice that could very well see the inside of a jail cell if she’s not careful.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Thirty-Two:  Prisoners,” the town comes together to mourn the loss of Midge, Mrs. Lodge recruits Cheryl to smear Sheriff Keller, and Mr. Lodge feeds on Archie’s ambition.  Meanwhile, the Black Hood begins calling Betty again, Alice comes clean to FP, and Chic confesses.   My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 19 are:

5

Bughead is on the case.

Everyone has their own theories about the resurfacing of the Black Hood.  While some believe it could be a copy cat killer, others believe that Mr. Svenson had been set up, leaving the real killer unmasked and still out there.  Jughead throws out Chic’s name and Betty initially dismisses this since he had no motive to hurt Midge, but then finds a connection that is worth exploring.  We learn that Mr. Svenson and Chic were at the “Sisters of Quiet Mercy” around the same time and Mr. Svenson could have recruited Chic.  Bughead decides to check this out further and they talk to one of the sisters and get their hands on Chic’s file.  Only what they find is far from what they could have ever anticipated.  The picture in the file is not Chic.  Betty demands an answer, but the Sister explains that this is the Charles Smith who stayed there.  While fans have guessed that Chic is not who he says he is for quite some time, it’s all out in the open now and Betty confronts him in front of Alice to find out what he really wants.  Chic attacks them with a knife once he realizes his cover is blown, but Betty proves to be a force to be reckoned with when she knocks him out.  Alice is distraught and rushes out.  She feels guilty for turning away the real Charles Smith from her doorstep after Chic tells her he later overdosed as a result of her rejection.  Alice cannot bear the thought of being responsible for the death of her son.  While Betty is clearly angry at his betrayal, she refuses to let Chic go until she finds out the truth.

4

“No more secrets.  No more lies.”

Alice rushes over to FP and is in tears, not knowing what to do next.  She can’t take the lies anymore, which have been wreaking havoc on her conscience.  She tells FP that she had his child and he is beyond shocked.  As he tries to comprehend this news, he stays strong for Alice who is clearly at her breaking point.  FP asks if Chic is his son and Alice explains that Chic is someone else and that their real son is dead because of her.  While we know that Alice is not directly responsible for his death, her pain and suffering is heart-breaking, as the past comes racing to the present, refusing to let go of her until she finally deals with the secrets she has kept buried for so many years.  While this revelation may bring Alice closer to FP than she imagined, that will need to be put on hold until the madness subsides.

3

Archie tells Mr. Lodge he wants to bring down the Black Hood.

During the episode, Archie feels like he keeps seeing the Black Hood, convinced that they did not get the real killer.  He shares his concerns with anyone who will listen to him, including Sheriff Keller.  Archie is worried that the killer will circle back and go after his father again and refuses to let that happen.  Before Archie can do anything else, Nick St. Clair and some of his friends jump him and hold him captive for ransom.  Nick is the least of Archie’s worries, as he eventually breaks free to rush toward Veronica’s side.  Later in the episode, he talks to Mr. Lodge about what happened and reveals to him his intent to bring the Black Hood down.  Mr. Lodge finally has the leverage he needs over Archie to control him the way he wants and agrees to help him anyway he can.

2

“How much is it worth to get him back in one piece?”

After Archie is kidnapped, Nick calls Veronica and blackmails her, demanding one million dollars.  Veronica is beyond disappointed in her parents when they refuse to pay the ransom and takes some of the money herself.  She doesn’t have nearly enough, however; and Nick proposes that they have a night together to serve as the rest of her payment.  Veronica is initially appalled by this, but will do anything to protect Archie.  Nick puts on a live feed for Archie to watch, desperately hoping that he will hurt him as much as he has hurt him.  Veronica meticulously puts on her lipstick and dresses for the occasion, but can she really go through with something like this?  Like Betty, Veronica is not one to be messed with, as she uses her charm and femininity to her advantage.  She gives Nick a taste of his own medicine and roofies him, causing him to pass out.  You would think this would be punishment enough, but Veronica is not done yet.  She calls up Nick’s father and blackmails him for one million dollars and gets exactly what she demands.  Later, she puts the money on the table and tells her parents what she did; reminding them that she is a Lodge too and always gets what she wants.

1

“That’s your very own angel of death.”

After finding out that Chic is not really her brother, Betty has a sea of emotions taking over.  With almost perfect timing, the “Lollipop” ringtone begins playing, luring her back to the darkness.  She answers and the Black Hood greets her by saying, “Hello Betty.  You miss me?”  The Black Hood asks for Betty to deliver Chic to him so that he can get what he deserves, explaining that he has murdered before.  At this point, we are not sure if Betty will follow the Black Hood’s orders.  He isn’t threatening her right now, but merely requesting this, so she has every opportunity to keep her moral compass intact.  Betty pulls a gun on Chic and takes him to the cemetery, demanding that he confess.  Chic tells her that he did kill Charles after they got in a fight but that he didn’t mean to kill him.  His tears suggest that he is finally telling the truth, but it’s too late.  Betty tells him she will begin counting and give him a head start when the Black Hood shows up at the edge of the cemetery.  Chic begins frantically questioning her, asking her what is going on, but Betty remains unwavering.  Chic finally takes her advice and rushes off, as she nods to the Black Hood.  While we are unsure if Chic was able to make it out alive or not, it doesn’t seem like we will be seeing him again anytime soon.  And as for our sweet and lovable Betty Cooper…well she is playing a dangerous game that makes her role play days seem like a distant dream.  Has Betty fully committed to the darkness?  Will she become the Black Hood’s accomplice?  Her lies to Jughead and her family suggest that this is not over for her yet either, but is the Black Hood closer to her than she thinks?  After asking where her father is, did we just unmask Hal Cooper as the real Black Hood?  All signs point to yes, but stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 12: “Bitter Sweet Symphony”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 12 last night, I’ve realized how dangerous it can be to live in the moment.  Decisions have consequences but it can be tempting to push them aside and worry about them later.  That is until they show up again, threatening everything that matters most to you.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Twenty-Five:  The Wicked and the Divine,” Veronica announces her Catholic confirmation, which seems to be more of a substitute for the spotlight to be on her in front of an adoring crowd.  Penny is back and is looking to seek revenge on Jughead for how he treated her and Archie gets an exclusive invite to Mr. Lodge’s poker game.   Meanwhile, Betty tries out “webcamming,” Jughead comes clean to her about the past, and Alice begins cleaning…literally, to cover up something beyond appalling.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 12 are:

5

Jughead comes clean to Betty about his past with Toni.

Jughead and Betty have pretty much avoided having a serious conversation since their breakup until now.  Whether it was too hard to talk about or they were concerned with hurting each other in the process, their breakup has been somewhat of a smooth ride.  However, when Jughead and Betty are face to face in the beginning of the episode, Jughead feels the need to tell her the truth about what happened with Toni.  He reveals that they did have a fleeting moment but that’s all it was.  Betty is offered the chance to reveal any secrets she may be keeping, but decides not to tell Jughead about her kiss with Archie or her new scandalous life of “webcamming.”  Jughead offers to “shield her from darkness,” but Betty has already gotten a taste for it and is spinning a complicated web of deception without realizing the consequences just yet.

4

Veronica’s Confirmation.

Veronica really knows how to do absolutely everything in style.  She turns her Catholic Confirmation into more of a Debutante ball.  Veronica wants to sing The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” at the event with Josie because it was from the film, “Cruel Intentions.”  I was excited for the reference but also a little saddened that this is the only way Veronica knows this epic song.  Either way, her performance with Josie is beautiful as Veronica walks down the aisle of the church in style, rejecting Satan and making her family proud.

3

Penny is back and seeks revenge on Jughead.

After Jughead turned Penny away from the Serpent’s gang and had her tattoo carved off her arm in a brutal way, it was no surprise that Penny would be back at some point.  She wants “blood for blood” and demands that Jughead be kicked out of the gang and that she be able to remove his own tattoo.  Jughead continues to make excuses but his father ominously reveals to him that he “will be the death of us.”  Jughead is always reacting and needs to take the time and patience he puts into his writing and apply it to everyday life.  Without realizing it, Jughead is taking a turn down a very dark path and it may be too late for him to find his way back unscathed.

2

Archie is invited to Mr. Lodge’s poker game.

Archie is thrilled when Mr. Lodge begins to take notice of him and actually commends him on what he did to Nick Sinclair.  He invites him to his poker game which Archie ambitiously accepts, knowing that some major players will be in town and it will be a great time to provide Agent Adams with the inside scoop.  However, when Archie learns that one of the players was found dead, he has second thoughts about coming clean about what he found out.  He lies to Agent Adams, which begs the question, is Archie in over his head?  Have his feelings for Veronica complicated his mission to bring down Mr. Lodge?

1

Betty and Alice Cooper embrace the darkness.

In the beginning of the episode, Betty is sporting her femme fatale black wig, turning away from the computer with newfound passion and excitement.  While her deception may initially seem harmless, Betty is not ready to abandon it just yet.  She begins keeping secrets from those she loves without even the slightest hesitation to suggest that she has no guilt or second thoughts about her actions.  While Chic opened the door to the darkness, inviting Betty in, she is making her own decisions.  Later in the episode, Betty and Jughead reunite and share a passionate kiss as Jughead tells her that “he wants all of her,” but what will he do when he finds out that he needs to share Betty with the rest of the cyber world?  Whether intentional or not, Chic has also brought out the darkness in his biological mother, Alice as well.  At the end of the episode, a man appears at the door looking for Chic and Betty walks into her mother cleaning up a mess of blood with the lifeless body spread across the floor.  Alice quickly tells her daughter to close the door, implying that she is not about to let her actions reach the surface either.  Who is responsible for the death of this stranger?  Is Alice covering up for Chic or did she do the unthinkable?

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl