Ranking the top 5 moments from “Fear the Walking Dead” season 4 episode 10: “I Can See Her In You”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead season 4 episode 10, I remembered that good memories can save your life.  You may try to forget the past, but the good in those we lost before can help us find our way, even if it seems like it is hopeless.  We can find strength in ourselves and in others just by opening our hearts a little bit, just enough to let someone else in who may be in as much pain as we are.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  In last night’s episode, “Close Your Eyes,” the storm has arrived and Alicia tries to find shelter on her own, but quickly realizes that she has an uninvited guest that she is now trapped with.  Alicia desperately wants to do the right thing, but has trouble facing the person she holds responsible for killing her family.  My top 5 moments from Fear the Walking Dead season 4 episode 10 are:

5

“You can never make up for it.”

While Alicia begins securing the house and taking out the walker family residing, she quickly discovers that Charlie is there too.  Alicia panics and tells Charlie that she can’t be there, fearing what she might do to her.  Alicia has a lot of bottled up pain and anger toward Charlie and rightfully so.  Alicia is still a good person; however, and tells Charlie that she can’t send her out in the storm, but is worried that she may kill her if she stays there.  Even though Alicia doesn’t physically harm Charlie, her words cut straight to the bone.  Alicia tells Charlie that she is a waste of a person and that she wants her to stay alive so she can live with the pain and guilt of what she did to her family.  Alicia’s brutal honesty clearly impacts Charlie, especially when she tells her that she can never forgive her.  At this point, it’s clear that both Alicia and Charlie are in pain, unsure of how to deal with it.  While Alicia puts her feelings out in the open, Charlie remains quiet for a long time, which creates an interesting contrast between these two.  We all handle pain and grief in our own way.  Sometimes we want to scream so loud that the earth will shake and other times we want to quietly numb ourselves, secluded away from the rest of the world.  Alicia and Charlie’s worlds are about to collide; however, forcing them to deal with the pain that has been locked inside both of them for so long.

4

“Why did you save me?”

During the episode, both Alicia and Charlie spot a walker pinned by a tree branch outside the bedroom window.  Charlie heads outside toward the walker, getting closer and closer to death, but Alicia pulls her away in the nick of time.  Charlie finally speaks and asks Alicia why she saved her.  Alicia suddenly realizes that the gun Charlie held on to was not for her.  Charlie had come here to end her own life, but Alicia reminds her once again that she needs to live with it and that she can’t help her.  While Alicia continues to do the right thing, she still cannot completely open up to Charlie.  However, this moment is important because we start to truly understand Charlie’s character.  While she has made many mistakes previously, she’s not that different from Alicia and the others, as she tries to find some way to cope with her loss.

3

“Sometimes when I’m reading I just like to close my eyes and try to see what I just read about.”

Charlie begins to open up to Alicia and tries to break the ice.  She asks her about living in California, intrigued by the idea of the beach.  Charlie’s love for reading and books starts to make more sense, as she explains the need to try and find some kind of escape in these words and stories.  Alicia coldly responds that the beach is just like everywhere else, now covered with the dead.  While Charlie is disappointed with her answer, Alicia begins to understand her more and more now.

2

“I can’t end up like them.”

Later in the episode, Alicia and Charlie end up trapped in the basement, as the water begins to quickly rise, threatening their lives.  Charlie begins to panic and tells Alicia that she doesn’t want to end up like the dead.  She tells Alicia that she saw her own parents turn and that she tries to remember what they looked like before, but she can’t.  Charlie’s interest in photographs adds up now, as she tries to create some kind of picture of what her parents looked like before.  She asks Alicia to end her life so that she doesn’t turn and Alicia even points the gun right at her head, but she can’t go through with it.  Alicia breaks down also and begins seeing images and pictures of the last moments of her family, which is heartbreaking.  Even though it is clearly difficult for Alicia to remember these moments, it gives her the strength she needs to do the right thing.  When all seems lost, the walker from the roof falls on the door to the basement, ultimately saving both Alicia and Charlie.  Whether this is coincidence or fate, I’m not so sure, but Alicia’s refusal to give up proves that she is more than just a survivor.  She is a force of nature, stronger than the storm outside.  Alicia finally channels her pain the right way, trying to keep her mother’s memory alive by doing so.

1

“Close your eyes…”

At the end of the episode, Alicia buries the walker family and has finally made a connection with Charlie.  Charlie tells Alicia that she can see her mother in her, which is truly heartwarming.  This leads to my absolute favorite moment of the episode, as Alicia and Charlie drive away.  Alicia tells Charlie, “Close your eyes…I’m going to take you to the beach.”  Charlie closes her eyes and Alicia walks her through every sight, smell, and sound.  Charlie tells her that she can see it all and can now also finally see her mom and dad again.  While this moment is truly touching, the escape is temporary, as Alicia quickly discovers that her friends are gone and tells Charlie that “things don’t get better…they get worse.”  Reality has surfaced again and we don’t yet know the fate of the other characters, but this episode was extremely significant for both Alicia and Charlie.  Alycia Debnam-Carey’s performance was so real and heartbreaking.  It’s like I could feel every breath she took and every word she blurted out, empathizing with the pain screaming inside her character.  While some of our favorite characters are gone, Alycia’s performance proved that she is a strong female protagonist, worthy of the lead and I am absolutely ready and willing to follow her.  It looks like we will determine Morgan’s fate next week.  Stay tuned!

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

Stay up to date on upcoming premieres of horror TV series 12nightsofhorror.com/horror-series-coming-soon

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.

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“SMILF” Season 1 episode 5 ranking the top 5 moments: “Panda is Larry’s Constant”

Greetings TV Fans!  Lately, I have been binge-watching Showtime’s SMILF and I have to say that I am absolutely obsessed.  The critics say it is “raw and funny” and they are absolutely right.  The main character, Bridgette, has just the right blend of Weeds’ Nancy Botwin and Orange is the New Black’s Piper Chapman’s personality along with her own set of quirkiness.  She is learning how to be a single mother with each new day and challenge, while still trying to chase her dreams in the process.  If you have not gotten a chance to check this show out, I highly recommend it.  After watching SMILF season 1 episode 5, I have my own desire to play the day out in different parts.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In episode 5, the show opens up with “Part 1” revealing that it is father’s day.  The day plays out differently each time with 4 different parts throughout the episode.  Each part starts off with Larry’s father knocking on the door displaying his #1 Dad apparel, to be interrupted by Larry not being able to find his beloved panda stuffed animal.  The distractions get more and more extreme, involving different characters, leading up to part 4, which is actually heart-warming and truly perfect. My top 5 moments from SMILF season 1 episode 5 are:

5

Bridgette beats up the fire alarm.  In part one, Bridgette has a premonition type flash of where the panda could be, revealing that she left it over at Ally’s house.  She runs over there to enter a sea of chaos and distraction, as the family is trying to prepare everything for father’s day.  When the fire alarm goes off, Bridgette is determined to lend some assistance, as she proceeds to punch it repeatedly to be quiet.  While I’m not sure we should try this method at home, it is clear that she is channeling her own frustration over finding panda.  But she is not about to give up just yet.

4

Bridgette decides to do shrooms which “could make her a better parent.”  In Part two of the episode, Bridgette has a similar premonition flash that panda was left behind in Eliza’s room.  While she searches frantically, the two decide that doing shrooms is the best solution to remedy the situation.  Bridgette is convinced that this will absolutely help her clear her mind to find panda, only it leads to some very confusing hallucinations along the way, including Larry speaking to her in a grown man’s voice and Eliza suffocating in her excess sea of clothing.

3

Bridgette gets propositioned for a “sleep over.”  In part one after she beats up the incessant fire alarm, Bridgette is listening to Ally go on and on about “Mr. Daddy” and what to do for him for father’s day.  While it is initially revealed as background chatter, Bridgette’s attention is woken up suddenly when she is asked if she would like to have a sleep over.  Bridgette’s confusion about what this actually means leading up to a scenario where she would get pregnant again and what the trust fund would look like make this moment even more hilarious.  Unfortunately, this does not lead to the discovery of panda.

2

The panda is Larry’s “constant.”  Bridgette’s desperate need to find panda for Larry demonstrates how much she truly cares for his son.  She mirrors his own frantic cries, throwing everything around in a frenzy to try and locate Larry’s beloved panda.  At one point, she is speaking to her mom on the phone and screams out that she needs to find panda “or Larry is going to die!”  While Bridgette has been hanging on by a thread to make ends meet, her unconditional love for Larry never fails which makes her search for panda empathetic.  Larry deals with a lot of moving around; going from his mother’s house to his father’s and even to his grandma’s and the panda is the only thing that stays the same.  Bridgette is clearly also holding on to this constant for Larry, wanting to be able to provide him with stability and continuous love.

1

Panda is found along with Bridgette embracing father’s day.  Part 4 starts off the same way, with Larry’s father, Rafi at the door.  Rather than slamming the door in his face, Bridgette and Larry leave with Rafi to go celebrate the day at Tutu’s house, Bridgette’s mother.  Panda is discovered at the house and all is right with the world again.  This leaves us with a true family moment.  Even though everyone has their differences, they come together because Larry is the constant, creating an undeniable bond of happiness.  Plus, it helps that panda is there keep the peace.

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

“Shameless” Ranking the top 5 moments from Season 8 episode 5: 50/50

Happy Monday TV fans!  As you pour that second cup of coffee, get ready for another dose of the Gallagher family antics. After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 5 last night, I feel the need to provide Debbie with some serious parenting tips.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Fiona learns the valuable lesson of saying please and apologizing in an unconventional way, Carl tries to think of ways to earn money so he can go back to military school, and Ian is ready to make a huge investment.  Meanwhile, Lip is contemplating what matters most in life while Kev embraces his southern identity.  Svetlana teaches us basic math skills while Frank helps others see the problems with standardized testing.   My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 5 are:

5

Kev embraces his southern roots.  “Shift change!” Kev yells, as he enters the bar dressed liked a cowboy, informing the Russian population that they must leave and make room for his fellow Americans .  This of course leaves the bar practically empty while he is informed that there is a difference between being southern and western.  V had it right when she said that her husband is transforming into a “Kentucky fried red-neck.”  Kev even insists on practicing his common southern phrases and using them in everyday conversation to V’s dismay.  Kev may be back in Chicago, but he is not leaving his new found identity behind just yet.

4

Carl’s detox program for junkies is a success.  In the beginning of the episode, Carl has the junky he caught in last week’s episode tied up in his basement as he leaves him no choice but to get clean reluctantly so that he can be free and a more productive member of society.  As if this isn’t funny enough, at the end of the episode the former junky bursts into the Gallagher home and brings in his friend or girlfriend who also needs help from Carl.  He explains that no other rehab was able to help except for Carl’s method and he has brought lots and lots of cash for the results.  Maybe Carl has another calling besides the military.  Either way he has now successfully made enough money to return to school while making a difference in the lives of others…one junky at a time.

3

Frank convinces the parents to look further into the cultural interpretation of multiple choice and the dangers of standardized testing.  When he learns that Liam has failed his exam, Frank doesn’t take this at face value.  Rather, he goes through the questions and shares some concerns of his own.  For example, “how would Liam know what a foyer is?”  There is a fill in the blank question about glue and Liam crosses out the choices to write in “sniffing” which Frank explains is not necessarily wrong in that context.  While it may seem that Frank is just making excuses, he really inspires the other parents to get involved and to take measures against the testing to ensure that each child’s success is measured fairly.

2

Lip contemplates what life is really all about.  It’s been really great to see Lip stay sober and it is clear his sponsor has had a part in this and has truly helped him.  While Lip is continuing his affair with his co-worker, he is later seen gazing over at Sierra and wanting to hold his sponsor’s baby demonstrating his own desire to truly connect with someone and start a family.  While this may be a big epiphany for Lip or perhaps something that was there all along, it gets put on pause when his sponsor cannot handle the stress of being a new dad and winds up at the corner bar.  Lip tries with every effort to help him, but he doesn’t want it and speeds off drunk to Lip’s disappointment.  Will this set Lip back or motivate him to continue to stay strong?

1

Svetlana is back and is ready to teach us basic math.  It is great to see Svetlana back in the bar, but she is immediately ready for business and explains to V that profit should be 50/50 even though there are three parties involved.  V is not about to give up so easy, but Svetlana explains that she does the majority of the work and even shows her numbers that prove she makes the majority of the money during her shift.  When V is still not ready to budge, Svetlana decides to get her to sign the contract with her terms another way…with sex of course.  V is no match for Svetlana at this point and ultimately signs the contract.  Kev’s shock about what happened combined with detailed questions is hilarious as Svetlana proudly walks out of the house holding the contract.  50/50 wins after all.  It’s great to have you back Svetlana!

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