family Archives - Page 15 of 23

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Younger” season 5 episode 10: “We Accept the Love We Think We Deserve”

Happy Wednesday TV fans! After watching TV Land’s Younger season 5 episode 10, I realized that it’s important to take our own advice. Sometimes it’s easier to reflect on what someone else might need or deserve, but what happens when we take a good hard look in the mirror? Can we truly apply that same advice to our own situation? It’s important to remember that the person staring back at us in the mirror deserves the same respect as anyone else. We just have to remember that we are worth it and we do deserve our very own chance at happiness. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In last night’s episode, “Girls on the Side,” Liza quickly realizes that her secret relationship with Charles is not ideal. Meanwhile, Josh opens up Inkburg 2.0, Diana meets Enzo’s entire family, and Caitlin introduces her mother to her new boyfriend. My top 5 moments from Younger season 5 episode 10 are:

“He is your father’s age.”

Liza is surprised and excited to run into her daughter, Caitlin, at Josh’s re-opening. When Caitlin introduces Liza to her new boyfriend, Liza is not thrilled. Caitlin’s new man is much older than her and also her former English professor at school. Liza tries to give him a chance and agrees to brunch with them and Josh tags along for moral support. Liza reminds Caitlin that he is her father’s age and Caitlin hilariously tells her mom that she checked and he is in fact younger than her dad. Liza doesn’t want to get in the way of Caitlin’s happiness, but she is very worried about this new relationship and how it will impact her daughter.

“I just want to acknowledge one person in particular. She inspired me to not give up so thank you Liza.”

Liza is very excited to attend the launch party for Josh’s grand opening of his new tattoo parlor. Kelsey had previously told her that he has been trying really hard to impress her, but Liza just wants to be there to show her support for him. When Josh gives a speech, he focuses entirely on Liza and thanks her for being there for him and never giving up on him. This moment is truly touching, but it makes it so much harder to shift gears toward Team Charles, especially when Josh wears his heart on his sleeve…of tattoos. Josh and Liza have had their fair share of ups and downs, but it’s nice to see him take a moment to acknowledge her here. But is there more to it beyond friendship? We’ll have to wait and see.

“I am too old to fight.”

In this episode, Diana is invited to dinner with Enzo’s entire family and she is beyond nervous. Enzo’s mother tells her to bring a dish and she enlists the help of Maggie to pull off something spectacular. When she arrives, Enzo’s mother is pleased with the dish, but this leads to Diana being forced to help her in the kitchen. Diana is a real trooper and tries to do her very best, but she has had enough when Enzo’s mother scolds her for not using the proper garnish on the Eel dish. Even though Diana has very strong feelings for Enzo, she is not about to go insane to impress his mother. Diana courageously stands up to Enzo’s mother after her harsh words and walks out. Enzo goes after her and tells her that he is going to move to an apartment in Manhattan, which shows that he is not ready to give up on Diana just yet. After all, he likes to be around strong women and Diana is absolutely worthy of this title. Arrivederci Enzo’s mom!

“You don’t even know what real is.”

It seems like Josh and Liza are getting along very well, but this takes a turn for the worst when Liza decides to confide in him about her relationship with Charles. Liza tells Josh that she is “trying to be more real,” but Josh tells her that a secret relationship can never be something real and that he was always so open with his feelings for her. While I was heartbroken for Josh in this moment, I was beyond upset when we see him going to get his dragon tattoo covered up or re-done, which is the tattoo he got for Liza. Is Josh really ready to permanently remove his attachment to Liza?

“Call me when it is.”

After Caitlin comes home upset after her boyfriend made her leave because they could be seen together by a colleague, Liza tells Caitlin all about the lie she has been living. Caitlin is doubtful at first, but is supportive of her mother. Liza tells Caitlin that she deserves to be with someone in an open and honest relationship and quickly realizes that she needs to apply this to her own situation with Charles. She asks Maggie, “What if Charles and I are just a fantasy?” Maggie hates seeing Liza resort to being someone’s side piece because she deserves so much more. At the end of the episode, Charles explains why they need to still keep their relationship a secret and that it’s not the right time yet. Liza courageously tells him to call her when it is, trying to accept the love that she does truly deserve, which is something more than this. While I was heartbroken to see a setback for Charles and Liza’s relationship, it’s important that Liza doesn’t lose her sense of self-worth along the way. I’m proud of you Liza! Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on Younger 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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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!

The Search for Alice is available here!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Affair” season 4 episode 8: “We Need to Know that it’s the Real Her”

Happy Monday TV fans! After watching Showtime’s The Affair last night, I realized that sometimes you spend so much time being strong for everyone else, that you almost forget to take a moment to let the grief and pain in. Even if it is just for a moment, sometimes you need to allow all of your feelings to rush straight to the surface. Whether this leads to crying or yelling, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you take the time to allow yourself to dive into your own feelings. This doesn’t make you weak or selfish. It just makes you human and it’s important that we process our feelings every now and again. Please note major spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In last night’s episode, “408,” Cole, Noah, and Anton set out to find Alison and solve this mystery once and for all. While these three bond along the way, nothing can prepare them for the discovery they are about to make. My top 5 moments from The Affair season 4 episode 8 are:

“I want you to understand the hole that you left in her life.”

Part one of the episode is from Cole’s perspective and he teams up with Noah and Anton to find Alison. After speaking to Alison’s mother, Athena, Cole learns about Alison’s father and decides to pay him a visit. Noah insists that they take a polite approach so that they open up to them, but Cole cannot sit there and listen to Alison’s father judge her, especially when he talks about her “episodes.” Cole reminds him that he hasn’t been there for her entire life and that he doesn’t know anything about Alison. Cole refuses to let Alison’s father take advantage of her, remembering how Alison always felt like it was her fault that her father wasn’t around. I have to say that I was also rooting for Cole in this moment, as it seems like her father was only out to use Alison, but we will need to wait and see if there is more to the story.

“What are you two doing together?”

So I never thought that I would see Noah and Cole working together on anything, but their love for Alison brought them together. Anton added some comic relief as well, which gave the episode a lighter feel at first. Even though the episode takes a dramatic twist, it was hilarious to see both Noah and Cole point out what works for the other in terms of getting women. While Noah refers to Cole as a “classic moper,” Cole takes things further when he explains that Noah will make promises that he can’t keep. Anton refuses to let them ruin the mood and schools them both when he “sexiles” Noah from the hotel room after he meets up with the owner’s daughter. After barely escaping another disaster when her father pounds on the door, these three enjoy some male bonding, which helps keep their minds off the inevitable…at least temporarily.

“We need to know that it’s the real her…you do it.”

Cole and Noah are shocked when they find out that a body has been discovered. Cole is barely able to process his own grief and refuses to look at the pictures to identify Alison’s body. He wants to be brought to her actual body, but is warned that she drowned and was left underwater for several days. When they finally approach the room, Cole cannot handle this and Noah courageously offers to identify her. Cole’s reaction to Noah’s confirmation is beyond heartbreaking. I have to admit that I was hoping that it would not be Alison and that we still had a mystery to unfold, but there is still more to the story. Even though Cole cannot stand Noah, he genuinely appreciates that he was able to do this for him, as they are both connected forever to the memory of the woman they both loved so much.

“I don’t buy it.”

After receiving the heartbreaking news that Alison is dead, Cole refuses to believe that it is a suicide. I have to say I agree with Cole, as it’s unlikely that Alison would leave Joanie especially when it seemed like she was finally getting her life back into some type of order. While Cole tries to blame Ben, he has an alibi and explains that Alison broke up with him. Cole is still not buying it, but I am starting to think that perhaps her father or his new wife had something to do with it. We know that Alison was not about to hand her kidney over, especially after Athena tells her that she was raped by him. Is it possible that they tried to take matters into their own hands? While I’m not certain that this is true, it seems like Alison had such a great conversation with Helen and was finally ready to start changing her narrative. So what changed when she returned from California?

Part two: Noah.

I was surprised to see “Part Two” pop up on the screen, as the episode was almost over at this point. There was so much going on that I almost forgot that the show was divided into separate parts. However, this part was absolutely necessary and extremely moving. The majority of the episode focuses so much on Cole’s own grief, as he desperately tries to find out what happened to Alison. Noah was strong for Cole the entire time, but when he goes to the diner with Anton, he finally has a moment to himself. Noah sees a woman in a waitress uniform that resembles Alison and all of his memories and feelings come rushing back. When Anton goes to the restroom, Noah begins quietly sobbing at the table and I was crying right along with him. While Noah may have confessed to Cole that his relationship with Alison was over, that doesn’t mean that he didn’t have something real with her. The two of them shared a connection for many years and he clearly cared for Alison very much. Noah did his part for Cole, but in this quiet and temporary moment, he is able to finally release his grief. This moment was heartbreaking and I empathized with Noah completely. Will Noah be able to pick up the pieces now that Alison is gone? Will we finally find out what happened to her? Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

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, 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!

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The 100” season 5 episode 12: “I Loved Her So Much But It’s Nothing Compared To How Much I Love You”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s The 100 season 5 episode 12, I learned that sometimes we need to own up to our mistakes and do what is necessary to make things right. While we may not be able to fix everything with a good deed, the willingness to make a sacrifice to save a life should not go unnoticed. It may seem impossible to achieve, but it’s never too late to start trying to fix what may seem to be eternally broken. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In Tuesday night’s episode, “Damocles – Part One,” war is finally here and Octavia marches Wonkru into a battle they are not prepared for. Meanwhile, Clarke and Octavia attempt to tip the scale with their actions, Vincent brutally attacks Kane, and Echo does everything in her power to save Bellamy. My top 5 moments from The 100 season 5 episode 12 are:

“It’s time to end this so both our children can live happily ever after.”

War is here and McCreary will stop at nothing to obtain all of the power for himself. Echo and the others recognize that Bellamy is in some serious trouble along with the rest of Wonkru and understand that perhaps they need their true Commander to lead them through before it’s too late. It seems like McCreary is always lurking behind a corner with perfect timing to thwart everyone’s plan. Once again, Raven and Shaw have been captured, which seems to be a pretty normal occurrence for these two. Clarke saves Echo’s life and explains to McCreary that they need her, proving once again that she can think quickly on her feet. We know that McCreary will continue to be a threat to everyone, but who will be the one to take him down for good? Will Diyoza really be able to stop the father of her child before it’s too late?

“So much for surrender.”

When Octavia marches her people into battle, McCreary’s men are beyond ready for them and begin surrounding them and taking out her people left and right. Gaia is hanging on by a thread and Bellamy reminds Octavia, “You led them here. These people are dead because of you.” While it’s clear that Bellamy still blames Octavia for everything, he now realizes that surrender is not an option. When several members of Wonkru call out that they give up, they are gunned down just the same, forcing Octavia to finally realize that she has now completely broken Wonkru. Will her people ever trust her again?

“Now you care about Bellamy?”

I have been waiting for an encounter all season between Clarke and Echo that really boils down to who should be with Bellamy. I have always been a Bellarke fan, but Echo has been good for Bellamy and clearly cares for him deeply. Echo is angry at Clarke for betraying him and reminds her that he is still alive. Clarke tries to tell her that she always cared, but Echo seems doubtful. While these two have bigger problems to face right now, the underlying tension here cannot be ignored, as Echo is no fool and must know that Bellamy does care for Clarke. Who will he ultimately choose? I’m not sure this will be resolved this season, but we’ll have to stay tuned to find out.

“My brother, my responsibility.”

After reality finally hits home with Octavia, she feels responsible for the defeat of her people. Gaia is injured badly and she is hiding with her brother and Indra. Octavia recognizes that she must make the ultimate sacrifice in order to help them get away safely. In a courageous moment, Octavia begins shooting at the enemy and screaming, “You are Wonkru or you are the enemy of Wonkru,” just in case anyone has forgotten their slogan. For a moment I thought that this was it for our girl Octavia and that “Blodreina” would finally fall, but Echo and the others show up with perfect timing to save the day and get them out of there. However, Octavia’s actions should not go unnoticed, as she was more than willing to give up her own life to save her brother’s. Will Bellamy finally be able to forgive her?

“I love her so much but it’s nothing compared to how much I love you.”

The greatest moment of part one of the season finale belongs to Clarke and Madi. Clarke realizes that she cannot stand in Madi’s way and that she has to let her embrace her destiny. However, that doesn’t mean that she won’t do whatever it takes to keep her safe. We know that Clarke fears losing Madi just like she lost Lexa, but Madi reminds Clarke, “She’s not a ghost. She’s real. Betraying you is her deepest regret. She doesn’t want you to make the same mistake.” Madi tells Clarke that “life should be about more than just surviving” and she is absolutely right. Clarke understands that she must stay behind and that Echo will be by Madi’s side to help her. Madi doesn’t want to do this alone, but Clarke tells her, “You will always have me. This is how I protect you.” In a heartwarming moment, she reveals to Madi that she is the one who saved her. Madi fears that they may never see each other again, but Clarke tells her that, “I’m the Commander of death and I say we will meet again.” This moment is truly beautiful and probably my absolute favorite one of the season so far. Clarke has done everything in her power to keep her daughter safe and finally empathizes with everything her own mother has had to do. She knows that Madi is more than capable of being a strong Commander and she is finally ready to let her embrace her calling, trusting that Madi is strong, powerful, and capable. While her love for Lexa will never fade, Madi taught her about true and unconditional love. At the end of part one of the season finale, there are so many questions still unanswered. What will Clarke do to save everyone? Will Raven really end Shaw’s life? Will Marcus survive? Stay tuned for the epic conclusion of the season finale next week!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The 100 in the comments section below. Thanks for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

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, 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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Affair” season 4 episode 7: “I Wish I Had Your Life”

Happy Monday TV fans! After watching Showtime’s The Affair last night, I realized that sometimes you have to just let the fear in and embrace it. You may want to maintain control over your emotions or keep your feelings locked away, but sometimes facing what scares us the most and saying it out loud can make a world of difference. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In last night’s episode, “407,” Helen decides to go to Joshua Tree with Sierra to attend a moon circle. Meanwhile, Noah continues to involve himself in Janelle’s family affairs and then receives an unexpected phone call from an old friend. My top 5 moments from The Affair season 4 episode 7 are:

“Eventually you get old enough and start to figure shit out.”

Part one of the episode is from Helen’s perspective and she impulsively decides to go to Joshua Tree with her neighbor, Sierra, even though she initially dismissed the previous invitation. Helen’s reaction to the idea of the moon circle is hilarious, but she does get the opportunity to step away from her life for one night. After the women at the circle write down their fears, the Guru begins reading them out loud and Helen provides each of them with really great advice. Helen has experienced a lot of what they are going through now and her wisdom is very much appreciated. The Guru passes the baton to Helen for the night, as she touches each and every one of them with her advice. Maybe Helen has another calling she has yet to tap into just yet. Either way, it was great to see Helen finally let her guard down for just a moment to really make an impact with these women.

“I’m not doing it for him.”

In part two of the episode, we see everything from Noah’s perspective and he is surprised when Anton shows up at his home to ask for his advice on whether or not to join the Marines. Noah stays neutral and suggests that he at least go and see Princeton for himself before making a rash decision. Noah also explains the importance of involving Janelle in this decision. Janelle’s ex-husband, Carl, is not happy to see Noah back at his home again and asks him, “don’t you have your own family?” Noah believes in Anton and does not want to see his potential go to waste. Later in the episode, Janelle shows up at Noah’s home late and thanks him for what he did. Noah agrees to take Anton to Princeton so that Janelle can focus on the board meeting and she is happy to see him standing up for her son. The moment we have been waiting for has finally arrived, as Noah and Janelle enjoy a passionate night together without interruption. While I’m not sure where they will pick up now that Alison is missing, it seems like this might be the first stable relationship Noah has had in a very long time.

“Control is really hot.”

In part one, Helen and Sierra continue bonding in their tent. Sierra clearly feels guilty about sleeping with Vik, but decides to act on her growing feelings for Helen. She passionately kisses Helen and the two share an intimate moment together. While I had seen hints and implications at this earlier in the season, it’s nice to see Helen finally enjoy a moment for herself, as she is always so busy being needed by everyone in her life. Sierra makes her feel wanted and free, as she is able to take a moment to truly relax and give in to what she wants. She deserves it!

“I don’t want you to die.”

After Helen goes into the deprivation tank, she begins to panic in the small space. Sierra opens the tank and asks her if she is all right, but Helen just needs to get out of there, as she takes off quickly in the car. When Helen returns home, she immediately rushes over to Vik and reveals her own fear out loud. Helen finally had the epiphany she was searching for and doesn’t want to waste another second. She tells Vik that she doesn’t want him to die and Vik promises her that he won’t. This moment was truly something significant and special for Helen and Vik. Ever since his diagnosis, Vik has been focused on the statistics and the reality of his situation, but in this moment with Helen, he finally allows his heart and emotions to take over. Whether he believes that he will not die or not, Vik understands the importance of holding on to the belief that he could be OK, giving Helen the glimmer of hope she so desperately needed. We know that Helen has been speaking about starting menopause, but perhaps a baby is not so far off now.

“So who’s coming to get us?”

After Noah and Anton miss their connecting flight to New York, Noah notices that he has several missed calls from Cole. He is finally able to answer and is shocked to hear what Cole has to say. All of the pieces have now come together, as we finally catch up to the present day timeline, understanding how Cole, Noah, and Anton all end up together in the same car. When Cole picks them up, Noah tries to stay positive, but Cole is clearly beyond worried that something terrible has happened to Alison. Will they be able to find out what happened to Alison before it’s too late? Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

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 is now available! If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, 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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The 100” season 5 episode 11: “She Bore It So That They Didn’t Have To”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s The 100 season 5 episode 11, I learned that things aren’t always how they seem. You may think you know why someone does what they do, but until all of the pieces of the puzzle come together, it’s impossible for you to put yourself in their shoes. Would you do any differently? Would you understand what is at stake for survival? Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In Tuesday night’s episode, “The Dark Year,” Clarke desperately tries to save her mother’s life and learns the truth about what Wonkru had to endure. Meanwhile, Shaw tries to protect Raven, Marcus discusses next steps with Diyoza, and Madi lectures Clarke on what it means to be a hero. My top 5 moments from The 100 season 5 episode 11 are:

“I’ll give you 24 hours to get her operating again.”

After Clarke saves Abby’s life, she is horrified to learn that she is addicted to pills and recognizes that if she takes anymore, she could die. McCreary discovers Clarke and Madi and tells her that she needs to have her mother up and running again or “you both get to watch your daughters die.” Clarke understands that it’s not just her life being threatened and takes the necessary steps to help her mother, but Madi reminds her that she is fighting on the wrong side of the war. Clarke forms an unpopular alliance with McCreary, recognizing that they both want the same thing. She tries to explain this to Madi, but Madi reminds her about what it means to lead and fight with honor.

“I’m not fighting for you.”

Octavia begins to march Wonkru off to war and Bellamy reminds her that she is “marching us into a massacre” and killing her own people. He talks about the importance of winning the war the right way and making a deal with Diyoza so that they can all share the valley peacefully. Octavia listens to what Bellamy has to say, but it’s clear that she is only focused on one outcome…winning. She thanks Bellamy for fighting for her and he harshly reminds her, “I’m not fighting for you. I’m fighting to get back to my family.” Octavia has always been Bellamy’s family and these words clearly impact her, but she keeps going, realizing that there is no turning back now.

“I’m not mad at you for saving my life. I’m mad at you for making me care about yours.”

Shaw refuses to stay behind and is willing to help Raven and her friends no matter what. Raven reminds him that if he is captured, he can endanger everyone, but Shaw is willing to take that chance to protect her. Shaw shows up with perfect timing to help save the day and everyone is grateful except for Raven. When he later confronts her about it, he tells her, “Maybe you should forgive me for saving your life.” In an impulsive and passionate moment, Raven says, “I’m not mad at you for saving my life. I’m mad at you for making me care about yours,” and the two share the kiss we have all been waiting for. The tension between these two has finally been explored and I’m looking forward to see what’s next for them. However, I still see romantic sparks between Raven and Murphy, but with Emori still in the picture, I’m not sure that we can expect to see anything happen here just yet.

“I won’t let the devil in this garden.”

When Marcus speaks to Diyoza about how this war will end, they both realize that a peaceful resolution seems out of the question now. McCreary and Octavia are both dangerous leaders, but Marcus tries to figure out which option is potentially better when he asks, “How do you choose between a monster and the devil?” Later in the episode, Marcus agrees to help McCreary, reminding everyone that he doesn’t want to let Octavia in this garden, revealing that he thinks that she is the greater threat. Marcus has spent years with Octavia and witnessed what her leadership has done to humanity. He is not about to just stand by and watch this again, hoping that he will have better luck with McCreary. Is he making the right choice or is there another way out of this?

“She bore it so that they didn’t have to…just like you.”

In this episode, we finally get a glimpse into “The Dark Year” and truly learn and understand what Wonkru had to go through to survive. While the fighting pits seemed brutal and violent, I never realized their true purpose until Tuesday night’s episode and I have to admit that my stomach is still turning. Abby’s addiction clearly escalated because of her role in all of this, as she reveals to Clarke what they had to do to survive. “All of me for all of us,” took on a new meaning, as we learned that Wonkru was eating the meat of the people who lost in the arena. While some recognized that this was necessary to survive, others refused to resort to cannibalism and took a stand, including Marcus. Even Octavia felt that she could not force her people to do this, but Abby explained to her that it was the only real way to survive and told Octavia that she needed to take away their choice. In a horrific and heartbreaking moment, Octavia points a gun at a man who refused to eat because his brother died in the arena. She shoots and kills him to make her point and continues to do so, telling everyone that they must eat or die. After enough people died, Marcus stood up and said he would eat, swaying everyone else. After hearing Abby’s part in this and what Octavia had to convince her people to do in order to survive, Clarke is horrified, but Madi reminds her that Octavia did what Clarke did at Mount Weather. Even though Clarke says she never was a hero, Madi tells her that she is ashamed of her, searching for the Clarke who risked everything over and over again to protect her people. Will Clarke be able to find the hero within? Will Abby ever be able to truly redeem herself? Will Octavia ever be able to live with herself after all she has taken on to protect her people? Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The 100 in the comments section below. Thanks for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

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!

The Search for Alice is available here!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Affair” season 4 episode 6: “What If You Change The Narrative?”

Happy Monday TV fans! After watching Showtime’s The Affair last night, I thought about the idea that it’s easier to confide in a stranger than it is to your best friend or loved one and I started to wonder why that is. Is it because we are afraid to let our loved ones see the inner turmoil stirring around inside of us? Is it because we don’t want to taint their image of us or is it because we need to hear the raw and simple truth? Either way, we sometimes get the best advice from someone on the outside, but what do we do with this advice? Do we change our narrative or do we continue to go down the same path, continuing to make the same mistakes over and over again? Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In last night’s episode, “406,” Noah and Janelle continue to grow closer when they bond over Anton’s essay. Meanwhile, Alison meets an unexpected stranger and finds out the truth about Ben and her day continues get worse until she has a real conversation with the last person on earth you would think would be willing to help her. My top 5 moments from The Affair season 4 episode 6 are:

“He saved your life.”

Part two of the episode is from Alison’s perspective and she is visiting her mother, Athena, with Joanie while Cole is away. Alison notices that Athena gets upset after a short phone call and that her phone continues to ring. Curiosity eats away at Alison until she finally picks up the phone and is shocked to find out the identity of the person on the other line. Alison meets a man named James who claims he is her father. Alison is shocked by this revelation and explains that her mother said she never knew who her real father was. James reveals his side of the story to Alison and explains that he is the one who saved her life, putting some of the pieces together of her lost memory, which involved two strong hands pulling her out of the water. Alison realizes that the timing of this revelation is strange and asks her father, “why now?” James explains that his kidneys are failing and he is hoping that Alison can get tested to see if she would be a potential match as a donor. Before Alison can give a real answer to this request, she leaves the house, unable to process all of the information being thrown her way.

“Why did he reach out to you?”

Alison confronts her mother, Athena, and asks her why she kept this information from her. Athena is upset to find out that James contacted Alison and begins laughing hysterically when she finds out that he wanted a kidney. When Alison questions her mother further about this, she tells Alison the truth and explains that James raped her when she was nineteen and that she changed her name and moved away to protect her. Athena tells Alison that she doesn’t remember anything about him saving her and Alison is having trouble processing everything, as she desperately needs some kind of escape at this point. If James did not save Alison, it still makes us wonder about this memory she has locked away. It was clearly traumatic enough to be blocked, but will we find out the truth about what happened to her? Is it possible that James or his wife has something to do with Alison’s disappearance? The questions keep coming as new players are introduced to the mystery, but we will have to wait and see how it all unravels.

“Hey pot, I’m kettle. Nice to meet you.”

In part one, Anton approaches Noah and gives him an essay to look at, as he is now thinking about applying to Princeton again. Noah is clearly having an impact on Anton and he wants to loop Janelle into the conversation, as he recognizes how much potential her son has. Noah barges into Janelle’s office and interrupts a conference call with her supervisor. Noah tries to get involved further by talking to him and explaining that he’s “incredibly lucky to have her.” While this gesture is sweet and well intended, Noah is out of line and Janelle reminds him to knock next time. After Trevor refuses to go to the concert with Noah, he ends up at Janelle’s doorstep and the two discuss Anton’s essay and begin growing even closer. As fate would have it, just when they begin kissing, Anton and his father walk in the door and Noah finds himself out of place. Janelle thanks him for coming over and Noah is beyond polite to Anton’s father, but is Noah overstepping here? Noah is having trouble connecting to his own family and it looks like he has the chance to do so here, but something tells me that Anton’s father will not want Noah intervening any further. I was disappointed to see Noah and Janelle’s moment together interrupted, but it’s clear that sparks are continuing to fly, but how will Anton feel when he finds out that his teacher and mentor is into his mom?

“You look good for a felon.”

After Noah gets a phone call and rushes off to bail Alison out of jail, we jump to part two to learn about the events that led up to this. Alison tries to call Ben and she really needs to talk to him about everything she just learned about her father. Her emotions are overwhelming her and she makes the decision to drive down to his work, but is in for an unexpected surprise when she meets his wife at the office. Alison is stunned and walks out of there, desperately needing to just get away. She uses Noah’s gift card to take a flight to California, but trouble refuses to stay behind. Alison begins drinking and talking to the stranger next to her and it seems harmless enough until he begins touching her thigh and suggesting that they try out the mile high club. Alison throws her drink on the stranger and tries to get up, but bumps her head and accidentally pushes over an elderly woman. The misunderstanding begins to escalate and no one believes Alison when she tries to tell security that the man attacked her. Alison’s terrible day hits a new low when she winds up zip tied for the remainder of the flight while a young girl records her on her phone. #BadDay

“You can manifest your reality.”

After Noah bails Alison out of jail, they are in the car and she begins breaking down and tells Noah she feels like she can’t breathe. While it seems like Alison is having a panic attack, he rushes her over to Vik so he can make sure she is all right. Helen offers for Alison to stay the night and even Alison comments that “this is weird.” Alison turns to Helen, recognizing that perhaps she is the only person who can give her some real and honest advice. She asks her, “Why do men look at me and see someone they can fuck with? It’s like they can smell something on me.” Helen talks to her about “manifesting her reality,” and explains that “if there’s something in your life you want to change, you just need to think differently and it will change.” Alison seems doubtful at first, but Helen reminds Alison that she doesn’t always need to play the victim. She says, “If you don’t like the way men are treating you, change the story. Play a different character.” Helen’s words seem to really resonate with Alison and Helen reminds us why we love her so much when she tells Alison to tell Ben to “go fuck himself” and that it’s not OK for him to treat her like that. It’s no secret that Alison and Helen have a beyond complicated past and this moment is truly important, as Alison gets some much needed advice that is free of an ulterior motive. Helen has been going through her own issues and she reminds Alison that she is still young enough to change her story. Will Alison be able to do so, however? Either way, Alison genuinely appreciates Helen’s words. I have to admit that I never thought I would see these two bonding over anything, but this moment of clarity was extremely important for both Alison and Helen. Perhaps these two women can finally discover who they are and what they want without compromising themselves to please someone else. It’s about time. Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The Affair 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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The Search for Alice is available here!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The 100” season 5 episode 10: “You Can’t Save Someone Who’s Already Dead”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s The 100 season 5 episode 10, I learned that having a choice is very important and necessary for survival. It reminds us that we can choose our own path and that there is always another option to turn to. However, if you take away that choice, hope can shift to desperation, which can prove to be extremely dangerous. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In Tuesday night’s episode, “The Warriors Will,” Octavia begs for Indra and Bellamy to give her another option, but the reality begins to set in that she is going to lose one of them if they fight in the arena. Meanwhile, Madi begins experiencing memories from other Commanders and Abby’s health takes a turn for the worst, causing her to do the unthinkable. My top 5 moments from The 100 season 5 episode 10 are:

“Your disease vs. mine.”

McCreary takes away Abby’s pills when she refuses to treat him and Abby begins going through withdrawal. She recognizes that if she doesn’t take her pills soon, she could have a seizure and realizes that she will need to think outside the box to get what she needs. Abby turns to an unlikely ally in the prisoner, Vincent, who agrees to help her. Everything seems to be going according to plan until one of the guards notices the bottle and Vincent brutally attacks them, ripping out pieces of flesh with his teeth. Abby watches in horror, but focuses on getting her fix from the pills. Abby has always understood the importance of protecting the lives of others as a doctor, but she blocks out her conscience, as her addiction has now reached a new low. Will Clarke be able to save her from herself before it’s too late?

“Give me another option.”

After Bellamy, Indra, and Gaia betray Octavia, she knows that she must put them in the arena if she is going to be respected as a leader. She understands that she needs to rule with fear especially since Madi has accepted her destiny by taking in The Flame. In a heartwarming moment, Octavia reveals to Indra that “the day you asked me to be your second was the best day of my life.” Indra reminds Octavia that the strength was already there and that she may have betrayed “Blodreina,” but she never let down “Okteivia kom Skaikru.” Octavia begs Indra to give her another option because she doesn’t want to see her family in the arena, but Indra cannot do so, still remaining a true warrior. Indra explains that she will kill Octavia’s brother and then ask Gaia to take her own life, recognizing that she will need to sacrifice herself for her daughter. Even though Octavia loves Indra, she cannot bear to lose Bellamy and desperately tries to come up with a way out of this.

“There’s no coming back from this.”

When Octavia goes to see Bellamy, she brings up memories of their childhood and talks about games they used to play, proving that she does still have some humanity within her. Bellamy refuses to take Octavia’s advice about how to take down Indra and says that he doesn’t plan on fighting. Bellamy is not afraid of his sister and asks her what kind of leader she is and tells her that “The Red Queen” is a joke. Bellamy explains that she only has two options: she can call this off and make a deal or watch him die. Octavia realizes that she is not going to get through to her brother this way, but she still wants to save him because he is her blood. In a heartbreaking moment, she tells Bellamy that “you can’t save someone who’s already dead,” recognizing that “Okteivia kom Skaikru” is too far gone to change things and that only the ruthless reflection of “Blodreina” remains.

“You are my child and I will protect you with my life.”

Clarke takes Madi away from Octavia, recognizing that she is in great danger now that she has accepted “The Flame.” Madi begins having vivid dreams and memories about Becca Pramheda and sees her being burned alive. Madi explains that it’s more than nightmares, as she feels what they do and is experiencing everything for herself. Madi desperately wants to return and fight, recognizing the spark within her burning brightly, but Clarke can’t bear to let anything happen to her. In a heartbreaking moment, Clarke asks Madi, “Do you see her too?” Clarke is referring to Lexa and it looks like Madi’s own ascension is bringing up some painful memories that she may not be ready to handle. It’s important for Clarke to recognize that Madi is different from Lexa; however, and may have a unique path that is necessary to protect others. Will Clarke be able to allow Madi to blossom as a leader or will she continue to stifle her destiny? It’s hard not to feel sympathetic toward Clarke in this moment, but Madi’s fate may be out of her control now.

“Stay here and die or march with me and live.”

In the arena, Indra and Bellamy begin to fight and Octavia watches anxiously from her throne. The fight is interrupted by Monty and he announces to the entire arena that the Hydrofarm is up and running and that Octavia kept this information from them. Monty proves that a farmer can save the day just as much as a warrior and gives everyone something very important: a choice. Shouts for “Blodreina no more,” begin to be heard, but Octavia refuses to stand down. She burns the entire Hydrofarm and takes away the choice of her people, shattering their hope in the process. At the end of the episode, everyone is forced to follow Octavia to war, as “Blodreina” rises from the ashes, refusing to let “Okteivia kom Skaikru” surface anymore. War is now inevitable and there is also the threat of the worms that Clarke disposed of, which may have unforeseen consequences for everyone. Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The 100 in the comments section 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, 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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The 100” season 5 episode 9: “They Made Their Choice”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s The 100 season 5 episode 9 last night, I learned that sometimes we make promises we can’t keep. Ultimately, we have to do what we think is right, but at what cost? We all have someone in our lives who is worth everything. Perhaps we would sacrifice it all to protect them, but sometimes it’s necessary to step back and look at the big picture. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In Tuesday night’s episode, “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” Bellamy and Indra do what is necessary for the good of their people, recognizing that it is time for Madi to rise as the true Commander. Meanwhile, Diyoza reveals who the father of her baby is, Raven continues to grow closer to Shaw, and John Murphy reminds us why he’s good at being John Murphy. My top 5 moments from The 100 season 5 episode 9 are:

“Maybe it’s your easygoing charm.”

Raven continues to protect Shaw and reveals some Intel that he provided her with, which actually comes in very handy. When she initially asks Shaw to come with them, he says no, but Raven refuses to give up without a fight. Shaw reveals that he doesn’t want to let anything happen to Raven, which is both sweet and commendable. It’s clear that they both have growing feelings for one another, but will they get the chance to pursue it once the war is over? Will Shaw ever truly be one of them? Raven reminds us why we adore her so much when she says to Shaw, “Come with us or we’ll kill you. How’s that for easygoing?” Shaw finally agrees, but will he end up being more of an asset or a liability?

“It’s a girl by the way.”

The rivalry between McCreary and Diyoza has been apparent since the moment we were first introduced to their characters. After a fight breaks out between their people, McCreary goes after Diyoza and tries to eliminate her once and for all. Only he is in for a surprise when Diyoza reveals that McCreary is her unborn child’s father. Diyoza has been working with Abby on curing her people, hoping that McCreary would be dead within a week, but we now know that there is much more to their story. Is it possible that there was ever love between these two? I’m not so sure, but we’ll have to see if fatherhood agrees with McCreary. It doesn’t seem like he has a nurturing bone in his body, but perhaps he will change his tune.

“He’s being John Murphy.”

John Murphy is back and better than ever. I much prefer him taking action as opposed to whining about his circumstances. In this episode, Murphy strategically reveals to McCreary that Abby found a cure, knowing that it would escalate the war brewing between Diyoza’s people. His plan works like a charm when they are all out in the open, but Murphy needs to get further involved when no one initiates the first attack. His poker face may suck, as Emori comically points out, but Murphy is able to execute his plan, as he strikes one of Diyoza’s men from afar, triggering the battle between them all. While Murphy is not really humble about his efforts, he is not too far off when he says that this is his “masterpiece.” If we need a fire started, one can always count on John Murphy to light the first match. Murphy is still working toward becoming a redeemed hero and agrees to stay behind with Kane to help protect Abby. We know that Murphy tends to stay where the action is and to make the difficult decisions, but it seems like he genuinely wants to protect one of his own, which is admirable. Perhaps John Murphy has finally found the spark within him to embrace his full identity as one of the good guys.

“Bellamy, if you do this, she’ll never forgive you.”

Bellamy has been making some difficult choices and understands that you can’t always please everyone. He has poisoned his own sister and he now realizes that he needs to break his promise to Clarke, as Wonkru seems unwilling to follow Indra. Both Indra and Bellamy recognize that their only chance to stop the war is for Madi to accept her fate as the true Commander. When he reveals this plan to Clarke when she is in chains, her reaction is truly heartbreaking as she screams after him, painfully reminding him that he promised her that he would keep her safe. When Madi is approached about accepting the Flame, she realizes that Clarke does not want this for her, but worries what will happen to Clarke if she doesn’t do this. Madi is becoming more and more like Clarke every day, willing to sacrifice her potential life of freedom to save someone she truly cares about. Madi reminds Bellamy that Clarke will never forgive him, but accepts her new fate. When Madi wakes up after the Flame has bonded with her mind, she reminds a warrior that she is from the same lineage as Lexa and her words are powerful and inspiring, suggesting that she might be the very leader that Wonrku desperately needs. Unfortunately, Octavia is done with her nap and is ready to take her throne back with vengeance.

“They made their choice.”

An unlikely partnership is formed when Clarke confronts Octavia and holds a gun at her. Octavia proves just how strong she is, as she refuses to stay unconscious after she is poisoned and is not about to let go of her role as “Blodreina” without a fight. Octavia reminds Clarke that they want the same thing and says, “The only person who wants Madi to be Commander less than me is you.” Clarke realizes that Octavia is right and works with her to stop the ascension, but they are too late. Bellamy is taken away right in front of Clarke, but Clarke is more concerned about protecting Madi in this moment. After Clarke takes out the guard who was about to begin following Madi’s commands, she runs away with her, hoping to keep her safe as long as possible. Octavia ignites the fire in Wonkru once more and they begin chanting for “Blodreina,” reminding us that war is just around the corner. Bellamy, Indra, and Gaia will need to answer for their betrayal, but as Octavia takes her seat on her throne, we finally see a look of vulnerability and humanity on her face. Indra reminded her that she felt responsible for what she let her become, but is Octavia strong enough to do what is right? Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The 100 in the comments section 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 Affair” season 4 episode 4: “You Amaze Me”

Happy Monday TV fans! After watching Showtime’s The Affair last night, I learned that it’s sometimes difficult to discover what we truly want in life. We may think we know, but our actions tell another story. Even though we may want to dive right into a solution, it may not reflect the inner desires of our heart. Sometimes the best thing we can do is to walk away and to free our hearts and minds to finally discover what truly matters. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In last night’s episode, “404,” Alison and Ben meet again at a conference and get even closer. Meanwhile, Cole and Luisa continue to argue and Cole seeks out some advice from his mother, Cherry. My top 5 moments from The Affair season 4 episode 4 are:

“Because you know I thought she was my daughter.”

Part one of the episode opens up with Alison and we finally get to see some interaction between her and Noah. Alison and Joanie are Skyping with Noah and Noah tells Alison that she looks good. It looks like everyone is noticing Alison’s transformation, as she is much more together now than she has ever been. Noah offers to buy her and Joanie plane tickets so that they can come and visit him in California and reminds Alison that he does miss Joanie. Noah spent the first two years of Joanie’s life thinking he was her father and it’s natural for him to have formed an attachment with her. While Alison seems hesitant about accepting his offer, it is nice to see that these two are on speaking terms. We know that in present day, Noah and Cole are working together to find Alison, but is he completely over Alison? Even though he clearly has feelings for his boss, Janelle, Alison still seems to have an impact over Noah.

“You have me.”

In part two, we see everything from Cole’s perspective and learn that Luisa is trying to get her green card. Cole is initially excited to hear about this until he learns what Luisa is planning. Luisa wants Alison to declare herself as an unfit mother to Joanie so that she can be Joanie’s legal guardian, which would help her case to obtain her citizenship. Even though she says this will only be on paper, Cole is shocked and appalled by this request. He explains that it will break Alison’s heart and reminds Luisa that she has him and that should be enough. Luisa replies, “I don’t know,” suggesting that she doesn’t even know if she really has Cole’s heart anymore. Cole is sick and tired of Luisa turning this into a competition between her and Alison, but is Luisa on to something? Perhaps she didn’t want to bring it up before, but there have still been signs that Cole is not over Alison yet and I’m not sure that he ever will be. Is this request enough to push him over the edge?

“Does she know you’re married?”

In part two, Cole tries to be a Good Samaritan and takes Bram to an AA meeting against his will. Bram comically tries to say that Cole is kidnapping him, but Cole tells him to be quiet and just listen. Sure enough, it’s a small world in Long Island and Cole meets Ben at the meeting. Ben shares his own story and battle with addiction and tells everyone that he met someone and that “she’s like the woman I’ve been looking for my whole life.” Cole thinks that Ben might be a good sponsor for Bram and tries to introduce himself after the meeting. Ben explains that he needs to get home to his wife and kids and Cole asks him about the girl he was talking about. Ben shrugs this off and tells him it’s complicated, but has no idea how complicated this is about to get when their paths cross again. When Cole comes to pick up Joanie, Alison is waiting for her date to pick her up and he meets Ben for the second time. Cole asks Ben if Alison knows that he is married and he begs him not to tell her. He explains that he wants to be able to tell her in his own time and Cole does what he asks of him. It’s clear that Cole is doing this for Alison’s sake more than his, but it’s only a matter of time before these two clash over being in love with the same woman.

“I just need to know that I matter.”

Cole comes home and finds Luisa packing, as she tells him that she is going to leave. After talking with his mother, Cherry, Cole learns that his father went on a “Walkabout,” which is kind of like a spiritual journey or a rite of passage. Cherry says that his father left for six months and gives Cole the postcard that she received from him. She doesn’t know much about what happened to him there, but she recognizes that Cole is clearly torn and in need of some time away to figure things out. Cole asks Luisa if she would wait for him while he leaves for a while and she agrees. When Cole takes off, he looks at the postcard from Morro Bay, California and heads off to the place where his father once went off to. Whether he is looking for answers about himself or his family, it’s clear that Cole needs to take a break from all of the pressure surrounding him. Will he find out what his heart truly desires or will he find himself even more lost than he was before?

“Close your eyes, take a breath…what do you notice?”

In part one, Alison is delighted to actually have a friend at the conference and agrees to be Ben’s partner during the EMDR role-play training. EMDR is a form of treatment that involves reprocessing memories and traumas. When Alison tries this out with Ben, she becomes overwhelmed from her memories of Gabriel and her own nightmares. Ruth Wilson had me in tears during this moment, as she was so believable and so real. You could not help sympathizing with her here. Alison rushes out of the conference, but Ben is not ready to give up just yet. He follows her and suggests that they spend the rest of the afternoon on a boat. Alison agrees and these two truly open up to one another and share some of their deepest secrets and fears. Alison confides in Ben and tells him that she thinks that her dream was a premonition and that she missed the sign to save her son. She tells Ben things that she has never shared with anyone, including Cole and Noah. Perhaps she feels that Ben will truly understand or perhaps there is a connection here that is truly transcendent. After Alison and Ben kiss, Alison purposely falls back into the ocean and stays beneath the surface for just a moment. Ben jumps in after her to make sure she is OK and she explains that she was just trying to get away from him for a moment. Whether this is true or not, it’s clear that Alison is finally opening the door to all of her feelings and is no longer repressing them. While Ben seems to be worthy of Alison, what will happen when she finds out the truth about his marriage? Also, in present day, Detective Jeffries has confirmed that Alison is the one who is missing, no longer using vague descriptions like “she,” which means that Ben might have something to do with her disappearance. We know that Ben is capable of hiding things from Alison, but is he keeping something dangerous from her? Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The Affair 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 Empowered TV Female Characters of 2018 who Save the Day: “Touch me again and you’re gonna need another wooden hand”

Summertime is typically known for reruns, but I am happy that some of my favorite shows premiered late enough in the year so that I can get in some quality time binge-watching. As I look back on some of my favorite shows that released new episodes in 2018, I started to really think about how incredible it is to see so many empowered female TV characters emerging on a daily basis. These women are strong, fearless, passionate, and loyal.

They stand out because they aren’t perfect. They make mistakes just like everyone else, but they are able to turn things around and make the right call to save the people they care about the most. For today’s list, I am looking at female characters that can kick some serious ass and save the day without compromising who they are in the process. Please note that supernatural abilities need not apply, as I want to focus on female characters that do not have any special powers or gifts. Please also note that some spoilers may be ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch any of the series mentioned below. My top 5 Empowered TV Female Characters of 2018 are:

Claire Novak from Supernatural.

“I saved Sam and Dean…WE saved Sam and Dean.”

If you haven’t caught up on Supernatural, Claire Novak is the daughter of Jimmy, who is Castiel’s vessel, and she is played by Kathryn Love Newton. Claire has appeared several times on Supernatural and Jody Mills looks after her. In 2018, fans got a look at the “Wayward Sisters” backdoor pilot and Claire has grown up to be quite the bad-ass. She is comically referred to as “Biker Barbie,” which I have to admit is spot on, as she sports some serious leather and a tough attitude, but still has an element of sweetness to her. In the backdoor pilot to “Wayward Sisters,” Sam and Dean are trapped in “The Bad Place,” and Claire works with Jody and the others to help save them. She has fully embraced her identity as a hunter and proves to be quite resourceful. It is absolutely fantastic to watch her take down her enemies and she is not afraid to improvise and even uses a flame thrower to really make an entrance. While Claire initially tends to swing her fists first and ask questions later, she soon learns from Jody and from her own mistakes that this is not always the best plan. When Sam and Dean are rescued, Claire finally realizes the importance of family and teamwork, proving that she has grown even further as a character that one can truly count on.

Al from Fear the Walking Dead.

“Cause I’m a chick with layers.”

If you haven’t caught up yet on Fear the Walking Dead, now is the time. This season has introduced us to some really compelling characters like John Dorie, Morgan Jones, and Naomi/Laura/June. Al, played by Maggie Grace, has truly captured my attention, however. Al is focused completely on gathering the stories of others and she records them on camera so that she is able to keep the story going as long as she can. Even though Al drives a tank, she initially stays on the sidelines and tries not to get herself too involved. However, after John Dorie is shot, Morgan gets through to her and she realizes that she may need to put the camera down from time to time and help save the day. Al is fully capable of taking care of herself and is extremely resourceful and knowledgeable. When she makes the decision to help John and the others, she proves to be an asset. Al can also kick some serious ass, as we see an epic fight between her and Alicia that will have you on the edge of your seat. I’m looking forward to seeing further development of her character, but I am definitely seeing some real potential for a new heroine to emerge on the series.

Octavia Blake from The 100.

“You are Wonkru or you’re the enemy of Wonkru.”

The 100 is one of my absolute favorite shows on television right now and the female characters on the show really prove to be strong, intelligent, and valuable. Characters like Clarke, Lexa, Raven, and Abby really elevate the show, but I have to admire Octavia Blake’s breakout in 2018. Octavia, played by Marie Avgeropoulos, was known as “the girl under the floor,” always hiding behind her brother, Bellamy. When Octavia meets her true love, Lincoln, she was able to tap into her potential and learn how to fight and stand up for herself. After “Praimfaya,” struck the world, Octavia made the brave decision to allow all crews inside the bunker to save them, but this was no easy task to maintain. In 2018, we see Octavia’s struggle to hold on to her power as “The Red Queen” or “Blodreina,” as each crew became agitated with the others and the reality set in that not everyone in the bunker would be able to survive. Octavia was hesitant at first about being a leader, but fully embraced it after Jaha died, taking his words of wisdom to heart. Octavia recognized that not everyone would agree with her decisions; but that they would all need to stand together in order to have a chance at survival. In a heroic moment, Octavia begins fighting anyone who rebels and repeats, “You are Wonkru or you’re the enemy of Wonkru,” over and over again, until she finally makes her point. Even though her decisions as a leader are somewhat questionable and perhaps no longer appropriate in their current situation, you can’t help but root for Octavia in this pivotal moment. The girl under the floor is no more and a true queen has emerged.

Cheryl Blossom from Riverdale.

“Untie her, you serpent hag!”

While there are many empowered female characters on Riverdale, Cheryl, played by Madelaine Petsch, showed the most promise for me in 2018. We have seen Cheryl grow as a character and take on quite a lot. While she may initially seem like an ice queen, Cheryl eventually learns to let her walls down and to open up to those around her. Cheryl has a lot to deal with and her mother doesn’t make her life any easier. When Cheryl begins confiding in Toni about how her mother stifled her feelings toward other girls, it starts to make a lot of sense why Cheryl kept everyone at a distance. After Cheryl’s mother has her locked away in a mental institution, Toni and Veronica come to her rescue, but Cheryl refuses to be broken in this moment. Cheryl rises from the ashes and stands up to her mother and I have to say it’s about time. Cheryl’s growing feelings for Toni also help her realize the importance of love and loyalty. When Penny kidnaps Toni, Cheryl heroically shows up with a red hood and her bow and arrow to save her “Cherie.” One can’t help but cheer for her in this moment, as she is no longer a scared little girl. Rather, she has blossomed into a fearless and sensational woman. Cheryl continuously shows her courage, as she stands up to the adults around her and even takes on “The Black Hood.” Look out world, here comes “Cheryl Bombshell.”

Kelly Maxwell from Ash vs Evil Dead.

“It’s Gladiator time, bitch.”

So my number one pick for the most empowered TV female character of 2018 has to go to the beautiful and hilarious Kelly Maxwell, played by Dana DeLorenzo. Kelly proves that you don’t need to be “The Chosen One” or “El Brujo Especial” in order to save the day. Kelly is tough and loyal, proving to be a “ghost beater” for life. After teaming up with Dalton from the “Knights of Sumeria,” Kelly makes the courageous decision to take on the villain, Ruby, all by herself with the Kandarian Dagger. Ruby is pretty much the queen of hell and is almost indestructible, but Kelly actually puts up quite a fight against her. You can’t help rooting for her in this moment and when Ruby stabs her with the Kandarian Dagger, she even tells her that she was her favorite. I remember being shocked and heartbroken in this moment, but Kelly was able to survive in the world through the rift and is ultimately rescued by Pablo toward the end of the series. In the series finale, Kelly reminds us why we love her so much. She kicks some serious ass and begins screaming while shooting as many deadites as she can, proving that she is fully capable of saving the day. When Ash ultimately goes to fight the big bad, he tells Kelly that she is the leader now and I have to agree with his choice. Kelly is strong and fearless and refuses to compromise herself for anyone. She’s not afraid to express her opinion and use as much colorful and foul language as possible to get her point across, but that’s why we adore her so much. Kelly is someone you could genuinely see yourself being friends with. She tells you the harsh truth whether you want to hear it or not, but she is there for you no matter what, which is something that makes her truly stand out as a good friend and an even better heroine.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts on some of your own favorite empowered TV Female Characters of 2018 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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