Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Purge” season 2 episode 2: “Everything Is Fine”

Happy Wednesday TV fans!  After watching the USA network’s The Purge season 2 episode 2 last night, I also started to ask myself:  “What do you do when every choice you can make seems like the wrong one?”  Is it possible to find redemption and goodness in the world of The Purge or is society too far gone?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  

In last night’s episode, “Everything Is Fine,” it’s the day after Purge Night, which may be even messier than the actual night, as our new characters deal with the aftermath, making new decisions that might change their lives forever.  My top 5 moments from The Purge season 2 episode 2 are:

5

“I know how you got this…”

After pulling off a dangerous heist, Ryan takes his bag of money to a facility where his mom is being treated.  We learn that Ryan’s mother suffers from some kind of dementia and Ryan is doing his best to take care of his family and his other team members from the heist.

Ryan is being presented as the leader with the moral compass, but it will be interesting to find out where his loyalties truly lie once he is connected with the rest of the characters.

4

“He’s family.”

After Tommy makes it to the safe house, Ryan is worried that he may have been followed and sure enough, the police show up with perfect timing.  Tommy walks out of the building with no weapon, but the police continue to beat him badly to make a point.  Ryan explains that Tommy will be held until the next Purge and then they will just kill him, which reveals quite a few holes in this justice system that the NFFA seems so proud of.

Will Ryan risk it all to free his friend?  We’ll have to stay tuned to find out, but I thought that this inside look during The Purge aftermath shed some new light on everything.

3

“I’m fine…”

But are you really, Ben?  After beating the boy in the “I Am God” Purge mask to death, Ben makes it home to his fraternity, covered in blood.  His roommate is extremely surprised to see him and things aren’t looking too good for him, especially since he left Ben to die.

Ben claims that everything is all right, but this trauma has clearly impacted him and it looks like it also unleashed some inner violence brewing within Ben.  He even tries out playing a Purge video game and gets a little bit too obsessed, revealing that Purge Night may have changed Ben for good.  It also looks like we haven’t seen the last of the “I Am God” Purge mask, as Ben goes back to retrieve it.

2

“I need to know what happened in that house.”

After Esme’s friend is brutally murdered, Esme continues to look into the case, even though her supervisor tells her to let it go.  Esme goes to her friend’s house and finds an envelope with an interesting recording of a woman’s voice.

The woman is talking about her need for violence and already I am connecting the dots, wondering if the voice on the other end is Marcus’s wife, Michelle?  I’m really interested in Esme’s character and I support her quest for the truth, but she better watch her back because the NFFA is always watching.

1

“Whoever is trying to kill you is still out there.”

During episode 2, we discover that Marcus is a doctor and he actually attempts to save the life of the man who tried to kill him.  Marcus doesn’t get any concrete answers out of him, but he decides to go visit his son at college.

In episode 2, we get several connections between our new characters already.  Marcus’s son had Professor Adams as a teacher, who is Esme’s friend, so the dots are already lining up for us.  Ben was in the same class, so we get that link as well, but I’m sure that there are more connections to discover.  Marcus’s son finds a hidden app on his phone that was spying on Marcus and they learn that there is still a bounty out on Marcus. 

So, who wants Marcus dead?  The obvious answer is his wife, but things are not always what they seem on The Purge.  Either way, I’m intrigued.  Stay tuned!

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

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

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

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

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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Walking Dead” season 10 episode 3: “Ghosts”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching AMC’s The Walking Dead season 10 episode 3, I realized that sometimes our worst fears and nightmares exist within our own minds.  Can we ever truly shake them or will they continue to wreak havoc on our essence until we face our inner demons once and for all?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Ghosts,” Alpha requests a meeting with Michonne and the others, reminding us that she is always watching.  Meanwhile, Carol’s lack of sleep begins to catch up with her, Eugene gets a reality check, and Siddiq’s trauma continues to overwhelm him.  My top 5 moments from The Walking Dead season 10 episode 3 are:

5

“We are going to listen.”

In the beginning of the episode, we are presented with several time stamps, throwing us into quite a bit of chaos, as our group begins to hold off constant waves of walkers.  The group thinks that Alpha is behind this, but Lydia explains that this doesn’t seem like her mother, explaining that her mother would send her entire horde to eliminate them at once if she truly wanted to eliminate them.

After some lack of consensus among the group, Michonne puts her leadership skills to the test and gives a motivational speech, reminding everyone that they need to act as one.  Michonne is ready to honor Alpha’s request for a meeting, but are they putting themselves in even more danger here?

4

“You think our friendship is just nothing?”

Eugene and Rosita get some screen time in this episode and it looks like the sleep deprivation is really allowing the truth to leak out, as Rosita tells Eugene that they are never going to happen.  Eugene is head-over-heels in love with Rosita and while I feel bad for him, I think perhaps he needed to hear this.  Is there someone else out there for Eugene or is it possible that Rosita has repressed some feelings for Eugene?

I’m not sure, but now I have this feeling that Eugene might sacrifice himself to protect Rosita or the baby.  I guess I’ll leave that for a mid-season finale discussion when a main character is typically killed off, but nothing happens by accident on TWD.

3

“I am trying to make things better.”

Negan recognizes that everyone is on edge and would much prefer to stay in Alexandria in his peaceful garden, but Gabriel doesn’t give him much of a choice, sending him out with Aaron to take out some walkers.  Negan tries to do his part, but Aaron is clearly not a fan, still blaming Negan for what happened to the love of his life.

After some funny moments from Negan, things get a little bit serious when Aaron reminds Negan that he is to blame for the death of his wife and I’m not sure he should be bringing this up, but Negan keeps his cool.  After Aaron is temporarily blinded, Negan actually helps him and you have to wonder why?  Negan claims he is trying to do better, but does he have another reason for keeping Aaron alive?  Either way, it was great to see some well deserved screen time for our favorite anti-hero.

2

“You need to sleep…”

Carol has not been sleeping and she is also taking some kind of pills, but the ghosts become all too real when Carol begins hallucinating.  She sees Henry and we even get an interesting breakfast table scenario with Daryl, which I kind of loved, bringing us this alternate reality to life.  It was difficult to figure out what was real and what was just a dream, but I thought that worked well, as we almost felt like we were right there with Carol, desperately trying to put the pieces together.

Carol is clearly not over what happened and I can’t say that I blame her, but will her quest for vengeance break her in the end?  We’ll have to see what happens next, but I’m hoping that Daryl can help her before it’s too late.

1

“I look at you…and I feel nothing!”

The most exciting part of the episode for me was the meeting with Alpha.  Alpha reminds everyone that she is always watching and schools them all on how many times they have actually crossed the border.  Alpha initially seems like she is ready to follow through on some kind of punishment, but decides that there will be no bloodshed today.

Carol speaks her mind and calls Alpha out on her “bullshit,” bringing a gun to this showdown.  Alpha continues to test limits, telling Carol that Henry called out her name right before they took his head, which pushes Carol over the edge.

Michonne intervenes before Carol can shoot Alpha and Alpha is actually willing to forgive her “mother to mother,” but this is clearly not the end of this rivalry.  Alpha wants more land and reminds them all of their place, but something tells me that Carol is not going to back down at all.

There was a lot of chilling tension in this showdown and I thought it really complimented Carol’s own mental battle.  Alpha wants Carol to fear her, but Carol doesn’t feel anything when it comes to Alpha, but that doesn’t mean that her fears have vanished completely.  Rather, they exist within her own mind, threatening to suffocate her with painful memories and thoughts, which may be even more terrifying.

I thought that the majority of this episode was so well done.  I could have done without the drama between Rosita and Eugene, but I understand that we need to catch up with other characters, but it almost disrupted the chilling tone I was getting from the first half of the episode, which captivated my undivided attention.

Time played such an interesting component in the episode as well, as we got several time stamps in the beginning, a clock waking Carol up, and a watch with no second or minute hand, reminding us that ghosts exist outside of time and space.  They never rest, but perhaps our group needs to take a serious power nap before they face the next threat of walkers.

My main question after watching the episode is…where are these walkers coming from?  Gamma and Lydia say they are not coming from The Whisperers, so what’s actually causing the groups to head in their direction?  I can’t wait to find out.  Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

**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!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

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

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

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 10/19/19 on TV goes to…

Samantha Morton as Alpha on AMC’s The Walking Dead

What makes a truly formidable villain?  I ask myself that a lot whenever I watch a television series, film, or read a book.  There are so many villains emerging across the screen and page, but I find myself drawn to the villains with buried layers.

The ones that make you stop and think about how our choices can lead us down a dark path and how the difference between right and wrong is not always set in stone.

When it comes to TWD, Negan was always my go to villain, but can we really classify him as a villain now?  To me, Negan is more of a former foe and he seems to be growing as an anti-hero.  When The Whisperers were first introduced, we met Alpha and I immediately saw the potential for a villain who would not back down.  Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.

Alpha has been making her mark and she really cut deep with that heartbreaking cliffhanger episode in season 9.  Just thinking about it still gives me chills!  There is this raw quality to Alpha.  She is a survivor through and through and she refuses to let weakness taint this instinct.  And yet, when it comes to Alpha herself, she clearly does have a weakness when it comes to her daughter, Lydia.

In season 10, episode 2, we are presented with Alpha’s backstory and it really put things into perspective for me.  I never thought that I would feel any type of sympathy or understanding toward Alpha and yet I now see her in a completely different light.  Alpha gives new meaning to the survival of the fittest concept and she understands that order must be followed to truly maintain power and unity.

However, the slivers of humanity presented make her a complex villain and I really started to think about if we can ever truly classify good guys and bad guys?  After all, the bad guys always think they are the good guys and vice versa, but Alpha’s unconditional love for her daughter does seep into her decisions as a leader.  She initially spares Gamma’s sister’s life because she understands what it feels like to be a mother without her child.

That being said, Alpha understands that she needs to keep this part of her hidden from the rest of the group.  Any sign of weakness on her part could weaken the whole and she knows that examples must be set.

Samantha Morton is absolutely haunting and captivating as Alpha.  There’s something about the way she looks at you, almost like she is looking right through to the very depths of your soul, bringing this necessary and chilling quality to her character.

What’s next for Alpha?  We’ll have to wait and see, but it looks like she is ready to punish our group for crossing the line.  Alpha’s actions can be beyond ruthless, but can Lydia still get through to her somehow?  I have some knowledge of what happens in the comics and I’m wondering if the ultimate showdown will stay true to that or if we have just set up something even more interesting between Carol and Alpha?

I sort of like the idea of these two strong mothers going up against each other, but of course I’m always ready to throw Negan into the mix to shake things up!  Either way, I think that Alpha’s past really revealed so much about her character.  Samantha Morton is fantastic and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!** 

In honor of the release of Book 3, ALL 3 books of the Dreaming of Wonderland Series are FREE for a limited time! (10/16-10/20) You can read now or recommend to someone who might enjoy at:

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

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! 

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” Season 15 Episode 2: “Raising Hell”

Happy Friday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 15 episode 2, Castiel reminded us that life may be an obstacle course, but we do run our own race.  Sometimes it may feel like we are just puppets, but we can still determine our own fate and what we do each day is real and significant.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. 

In last night’s episode, “Raising Hell,” some familiar faces show up since it’s basically all hands on deck at this point, but is there anyone who can stop these souls from taking over the world?  Meanwhile, Chuck/God has a family reunion and Dean and Castiel have a heart-to-heart talk.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 15 episode 2 are:

5

“Am I interrupting something juicy?”

It’s always great to see Rowena, who shows up to help the Winchesters out of this jam.  Rowena is willing to help, but she does point out that a town full of ghosts is extremely messy even by Winchester standards.  Rowena also seems to be quite familiar with the leader of the ghosts, Francis.  Will she be able to put a dent in his plan or do we need some more recruits to fight the good fight?  Either way, I always want Rowena on my side!

4

“Ketch…how are you here?”

Rowena is not the only one to show up to help out, as Ketch makes a grand entrance as well.  Ketch and Rowena have an interesting vibe going on, although Sam and Dean don’t seem to be too interested in this love connection.  Ketch claims that he wants to help, but things get interesting when he becomes possessed by Francis.

After Dean uses an iron bullet on him, Ketch reminds him that this isn’t the first time he has tried to kill him, but Castiel cannot heal Ketch, which means that something is definitely off in the universe.  It looks like our former assassin is all right for now, but everyone will need to be more careful moving forward.

3

“What about all of this is real?  We are.”

It wouldn’t be Supernatural if we didn’t get some kind of motivational speech and Castiel and Dean stop to have a heart-to-heart chat.  Dean is still feeling very defeated, but Castiel maintains a positive spin.  I think that Castiel makes a significant point and I’m just hoping that Dean can truly see the good that they are all doing.  There is always this dynamic when one character loses faith, but I’m hoping that they can all find some way to keep on believing in the final season.

2

“You’re on your own.”

Dean is not the only one to think twice about life and his purpose, as Chuck/God decides to pay his sister a visit.  Amara is not exactly pleased to see her brother and seems to be perfectly content right where she is.  Chuck wants to take on some kind of family project, clearly searching for something else beyond the world he just abandoned, but it looks like he is starting to realize his mistake. 

Later on, Amara detects that Chuck is not at full strength and it appears that he has also been weakened by the bullet.  When Chuck touches the wound on his shoulder, Sam also feels it, which means that they are somehow linked.  I started thinking about what this means and I was wondering if Sam could be next in line to be the new “God” of the world? 

Maybe it’s time for someone else to take over and perhaps this link will allow him to do so.  We’ll have to see how this plays out, but it’s clear that Chuck and Sam’s fates are now intertwined.

1

“I love you guys…”

Kevin also shows up during this episode, but Dean is extremely surprised to see him since he was under the impression that he was in heaven.  Chuck/God lied about this, which means he could have been lying about a lot of other things, but Kevin is now basically trapped between Hell and earth.  Apparently once a soul has been to Hell it can’t go to heaven and Chuck/God is no longer on the Winchesters’ side, so it looks like Kevin doesn’t have much of a choice here.

It’s clear that Kevin thinks of Sam and Dean as his true family and I’m hoping that they can find a way to help him.  However, it looks like they need to first tackle the issue of more souls coming out to play, which makes me wonder how they will get out of this one?  Stay tuned SPN family!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!** 

In honor of the release of Book 3, ALL 3 books of the Dreaming of Wonderland Series are FREE for a limited time! (10/16-10/20) You can read now or recommend to someone who might enjoy at:

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

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

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

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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “American Horror Story: 1984” season 9 episode 5: “Is That My Head in There?”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the FX network’s American Horror Story:  1984 season 9 episode 5, I learned that “a darkness resides in everyone,” but that doesn’t mean that you have to tap into it.  Should you willingly accept it or can you still make things right even from the other side?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “Red Dawn,” we dive more into Rita/Donna’s past, as she comes face-to-face with something she cannot explain.  Meanwhile, Brooke makes an impulsive decision and Margaret tries to eliminate everyone one-by-one.  My top 5 moments from the American Horror Story:  1984 season 9 episode 5 are:

5

“A hunger I can’t satisfy…”

In this episode, we dive more into Rita/Donna’s past and flash back to 1980.  Donna was following her father because she thought he was cheating on her mother, but discovered something even more disturbing, learning that he was a serial killer.  Donna’s father tried to explain that he had always been like this, but Donna tried to reach out to him right before he stabbed himself.

This explains Donna’s obsession with studying serial killers, but she is not sure she can rationalize what is happening in front of her now when the Night Stalker comes back to life.  The Night Stalker claims that he is “evil” and Donna even sees her dead father talking to her, but is the Night Stalker a projection of Satan or something else?

4

“It’s your fault my future is in radio!”

Xavier continued to make me laugh out loud during this episode, beyond furious that his face is ruined.  However, that doesn’t stop him from jumping right back into character to take down Mr. Jingles with his bow and arrow.

Too bad he’s stopping the wrong killer, but you gotta love his enthusiasm.  Unfortunately, Margaret eliminates Xavier, but I have a feeling he will continue to bring on the campy horror laughs even in the afterlife.

3

“I don’t want to die when I don’t even feel like I’ve lived yet.”

Ray randomly shows up and has a heart-to-heart talk with Brooke…only we know that Ray is actually dead.  To make things even more weird, Brooke loses her virginity to a ghost and they later discover Ray’s head in the fridge.

“Is that my head in there?”  It’s clear that Brooke is beyond traumatized from this encounter, but Ray seems to be just as confused.  I’d like to say that perhaps Brooke’s day might be improving now, but things are only going to get worse.  Sorry Brooke!

2

“I’m gonna rip you apart.”

Margaret is not holding anything back now, as she starts to split the group up one-by one, determined to add more ears to her collection.  Mr. Jingles is determined to stop Margaret once and for all, but of course Xavier gets in the way.  After Montana and Brooke’s showdown, everyone is pretty much dead except for Brooke and Margaret, as a school bus of campers shows up with perfect timing.

Margaret puts her acting skills to the test and stabs herself in the leg, claiming that Brooke killed everyone.  Brooke is taken away in handcuffs, but I hope this isn’t the end for either of them.

1

“We can be gods here!”

Montana is initially pissed off to be dead, but she embraces it pretty quickly, realizing that she can do whatever she wants and kill whoever she wants.  She claims that they can be gods here and it looks like these ghosts are looking for some revenge, but we know that they cannot leave the campground. Only we see the Night Stalker and Mr. Jingles take off in a car headed to L.A. after Mr. Jingles apparently accepts Satan as the Night Stalker did.

Is this the reason why they can leave?  I’m thinking so, but now I’m wondering what direction we are headed in for the remaining episodes.  This felt like the end of something for me and yet we know that these spirits have some unfinished business, so I guess there is more to see.  Stay tuned for the 100th episode of AHS next week!

American Horror Story:  1984 episode 5 Music Soundtrack Highlight:

Amii Stewart – Knock On Wood – Official Video

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on American Horror Story:  1984 below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!** 

In honor of the release of Book 3, ALL 3 books of the Dreaming of Wonderland Series are FREE for a limited time! (10/16-10/20) You can read now or recommend to someone who might enjoy at:

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

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

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

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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Purge” season 2 episode 1 Season Premiere: “This Is Not a Test”

Happy Wednesday TV fans!  After watching the USA network’s The Purge season 2 episode 1 last night, we learned that what happens on Purge Night doesn’t necessarily stay on Purge Night.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  

In last night’s episode, “This Is Not a Test,” we meet a new group of characters, as the clock approaches the end of Purge Night, but what happens next?  Meanwhile, we get some fun Easter eggs sprinkled in from The Purge films that will creep you out all over again…in a good way!  My top 5 moments from The Purge season 2 episode 1 season premiere are:

5

“The line is including murder…”

In the beginning of the premiere, an actress comes on stage for an audition and discovers that she is actually reading for the voice of the announcer of The Purge.  The actress gives a stunning performance and it’s clear that she is definitely the voice for the job, but she seems confused when she thinks that she will be telling people that she is endorsing murder.

I thought this was a fun way to bring us right into season 2 and the premiere doesn’t hold anything back, as it unleashes a whole new level of Purge Night.

4

“They look pretty bad-ass though.”

Season 1 did a fantastic job of introducing us to different characters, while connecting the dots for us later on.  It looks like they are continuing with this format, as we follow about four different groups of characters.  One group has just committed armed robbery, led by Ryan (Max Martini).  When the siren sounds, the crime was still taking place, which is a major felony, but will they make a run for it or turn themselves in?

3

“Don’t leave me!”

On Purge Night, we also meet two college fraternity students named Ben and Turner.  They are on some kind of scavenger hunt that leads them to an actual suicide bridge, claiming that they need pictures for proof.  It seems like they are having harmless fun, but when Ben gets trapped, Turner leaves him there to die.

The major thing to note in this scene is that the threat that walks forward is wearing The Purge mask with God written on the forehead, which also appeared in The Purge:  Anarchy film.  This is probably one of the creepiest masks in the entire franchise, so I thought it was really fun to bring it back here.

Only Ben is not having so much fun, but he ends up stabbing the threat repeatedly, which suggests that Ben has some darkness of his own that may need to be purged…

2

“Should you be watching this?”

During the episode, we also get a look at NFFA’s surveillance team and meet new character, Esme (Paola Nunez).  Part of Esme’s job is to look at all the cameras on Purge Night to see if there are any threats that are not permitted.  She pays a lot of attention to tiny details and is very meticulous, but things get complicated when she spots the death of a woman who is very special to her.

The job is not supposed to be personal, but it looks like Esme is about to embark on her own journey to discover the truth.

1

“I want to know who almost purged me.”

We also meet a married couple, Michelle (Rochelle Aytes) and Marcus (Derek Luke).  They are in their home during Purge Night and talk about possibly starting a family, but an intruder breaks in and tries to kill them, which brings us quite a bit of action and chilling moments. 

Michelle and Marcus seem to have the most potential so far, but I do think it is interesting that Marcus discovers that the hit on them was not random, finding the phone of the intruder with several pictures of him.

Now that Purge Night has ended, does this mean that Marcus will continue to track this person down?  Is Michelle completely innocent or is there more to this marriage than meets the eye?  We’ll have to wait and see.

The first season of The Purge was such a welcomed surprise for me.  I went into it with no expectations and it ended up being one of my favorite new shows on television.  I am a huge fan of the movies and I now have extremely high expectations for the second season, but I think that the season premiere did an excellent job of pulling us right back into the world of The Purge. 

I love that we are going to be focusing more on the aftermath of Purge Night, which brings a new element to the franchise and I can’t wait to see what happens next.  The premiere gave us plenty of terrifying moments, while setting up some major aspects that should unravel with even more edge of your seat moments as the season progresses.

It may be 364 days until the next Purge Night, but it looks like the day after The Purge may be even more ruthless and surprising.  The Purge is your next favorite show so what are you waiting for?  Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!** 

In honor of the release of Book 3, ALL 3 books of the Dreaming of Wonderland Series are FREE for a limited time! (10/16-10/20) You can read now or recommend to someone who might enjoy at:

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

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

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

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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Walking Dead” season 10 episode 2: “We Are the End of the World”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching AMC’s The Walking Dead season 10 episode 2, Alpha reminded us that there are two kinds of people left in the world:  “The ones brave enough to walk with the dead and everybody else,” but what happens when you blur the line between these two extremes?  Can you still continue to believe in a vision when doubt and regret start to seep in?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “We Are the End of the World,” we dedicate an episode to The Whisperers, discovering how Alpha and Beta first met.  Meanwhile, we also meet Gamma, played by Hocus Pocus star, Thora Birch.  My top 5 moments from The Walking Dead season 10 episode 2 are:

5

“We’re all monsters now.”

In the beginning of the episode, we jump back to 7 years ago and witness Alpha and Lydia on the run from walkers.  They end up in a building, but quickly learn that they are not alone, as Alpha and Beta cross paths for the very first time.

Alpha and Beta instantly form some kind of twisted connection and seem to truly see each other for what they are.  We learn that Alpha used to enjoy singing and even hums Patsy Cline’s Walkin’ After Midnight, which gave me some LOST nostalgia.

4

“You’ll never understand how it feels to abandon your child.”

In present day, Beta takes two sisters out with him, but one of the sisters freaks out and starts crying, putting the pack in danger.  We learn that she is the mother of the abandoned baby that Connie rescued and it’s clear that she is still broken from this trauma. 

Beta wants to make an example out of her, but Alpha decides to spare her, understanding what it feels like to lose a child.  Beta thinks that she has made a mistake and some other members of the pack begin to question everything.  Losing Lydia has taken a toll on Alpha, but is it now impacting her decisions as a leader?

3

“You gotta become them.  Feel what they feel…”

Back in the past, Alpha explains that they are in a world beyond names, but that they can still recognize each other on some primal level.  She refers to Beta as “B,” which of course makes her “A,” as our origin story continues.  Beta enjoys the sound of the dead and Alpha definitely beats to the sound of her own drum, as poor Lydia starts repeating over and over that “we’re all monsters now.”

Even though Lydia is not exactly like her mother, she doesn’t want her to ever leave her, but she is in such a vulnerable state right now and is extremely impressionable, which makes her past decisions even more understandable now.

2

“I anoint you Gamma.”

After Gamma’s sister is given a second chance, she loses it again when she sees a walker with a baby carrier and runs after it in a blind range.  Gamma makes the decision to protect Alpha over her sister, as her sister is ripped apart.  Alpha explains that Gamma has now accepted her new destiny, but is she a potential threat to Alpha?

Alpha’s better judgment has been clouded because of her own loss and it looks like Gamma is ready to take on more responsibility, which makes me wonder if an even greater threat has just risen among The Whisperers.

1

“Walk with me in the darkness.”

Beta follows Alpha and discovers that she held on to Lydia’s stuffed animal, realizing now that she wasn’t able to kill Lydia.  Alpha explains that she is still her daughter, but that the others cannot know, recognizing that it will weaken her authority and the pack.  Beta agrees to keep her secret and we also flash back to their connected past, learning how the beliefs of The Whisperers came to be.

We learn that Beta was keeping his undead best friend around with an unsettling smiley face T-shirt, but once Alpha eliminates him, she explains that Beta can still keep him with him, taking his skin for the mask that he now wears.  The two of them embrace the darkness together here and we cut to present day, as Alpha explains that she will need to teach our group a lesson for crossing the border, recognizing that she needs to do something to strengthen her pack before anything else unravels.

Alpha is looking to punish our group, but will she truly be able to bury her own mixed emotions about her daughter?  Stay tuned!

Overall, I thought this was an important and revealing origin story that truly allowed us to see things from Alpha’s perspective.  Even though she is considered a villain, it really made me think about Michonne’s discussion last week about good guys and bad guys.  It looks like everyone is blurring the line now between right and wrong, but is there still a chance to find some middle ground before it’s too late?

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from the “Supernatural” Season 15 Episode 1 Season Premiere: “Back and to the Future”

Happy Friday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 15 episode 1 season premiere, I realized that we’re coming to the end of the road for the Winchester brothers, but how will it all end?  I mean, “What’s one more apocalypse, right?”  Will Sam and Dean drive off into the sunset together or is there one final battle still coming?  I can’t wait to find out!  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. 

In last night’s episode, “Back and to the Future,” Sam, Dean, and Castiel face off against an overwhelmingly large group of the undead.  The souls of hell have been freed and they are looking to inhabit the nearest bodies, but some of them seem to be pickier than others.  Meanwhile, Sam and Dean are forced to work with a demon, as some familiar ghosts begin to wreak havoc in town.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 15 episode 1 season premiere are:

5

“Welcome to the end…what did that mean?”

An excellent question for sure, as we start off the season premiere exactly where we left off.  Chuck/God is out and he leaves the Winchester brothers and Castiel to fight off the undead.  Our favorite heroes are outnumbered for sure, but they are able to get to a nearby mausoleum, barricading the door.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that they are out of the woods just yet though…

4

“It’s not Jack…”

For all of you Jack fans (me included), fear not!  Even though Jack appears to be gone, a demon decides to set up shop in his body and even sports some nice new shades since Jack’s eyes were burned right out of him.  Castiel is beyond upset and wants him to get out of Jack as quickly as possible, but the demon offers to help the Winchesters out, claiming that he likes hell the way it is.

While I’m not sure that he can be trusted, they hilariously refer to him as “Crowley Junior” and Jack’s got a new attitude, but it’s probably only a matter of time before he turns on Castiel and the Winchester brothers.

3

“If she’s back, then they’re all back…”

Sam and Dean run into quite a few familiar faces…only they’re ghosts and it looks like a lot of this season may involve them trying to eliminate past foes that they killed previously.  A lot of  these spirits will most likely have vengeance on their minds, but some of them just want to have fun, tormenting several people in town, which forces Sam and Dean to get creative about evacuating everyone.

This is only going to last for a little while; however, so they better come up with something else fast even though the demon’s spell seems to work for now, creating some kind of barrier, trapping the spirits where they are.  Either way, I thought this was a fun and clever way to allow fans the chance to see the Winchesters face some of the more popular villains again and I can’t wait to see who else shows up!

2

“Did you fix it?”

As a reminder, a bullet did hit Sam in the fight against Chuck/God during the season 14 finale, but it looks like there is something strange going on with the wound.  It has no exit and Castiel tries to heal him, but explains that there is some kind of energy he has never felt before surrounding it.  What exactly does this mean for Sam’s fate?  We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m hoping that they can figure out a way to heal him soon.  We need you, Sam!

1

“You and me vs. every soul in hell.  I like those odds.”

Toward the end of the episode, Dean feels frustrated and asks Sam what it all meant, feeling almost like a rat trapped in Chuck’s maze.  Sam reminds him that they saved so many people and that it did matter.  Dean doesn’t seem completely convinced, but Sam also explains that Chuck/God is gone and that “it’s just us.”

After they figure out everything and stop the newest apocalypse, they are basically free.  Dean is on board and they say that they have work to do, but it will definitely be interesting to see where their last journey leads them.

Will the Winchesters be able to earn true freedom or is this the end of the road for them?  It will be a bitter sweet ending for sure and I’m not sure that I’m ready to say goodbye just yet, but I’m looking forward to exploring the road ahead and I can’t wait to see what happens next.  Stay tuned SPN family!

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Nancy Drew” Series Premiere on the CW: “Maybe more horror and less mystery?”

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

“Mysteries were everywhere and I loved solving them.”

Your favorite amateur sleuth is getting her own show, but it seems like this Nancy Drew is darker and more mature, but can she measure up to the competition?  The series premiere of Nancy Drew aired on the CW on October 9th 2019.  The show will run weekly episodes and it comes on directly after Riverdale.  Know your audience, right?

The show stars Kennedy McMann, Tunji Kasim, Leah Lewis, and Scott Wolf.  Nancy Drew makes reference to how she started solving mysteries at a young age, paying tribute to the book series character we all know and love.  However, after tragically losing her mother, Nancy Drew is all grown up and it seems like she wants to stay away from mysteries and ghosts, but it doesn’t look like they are ready to let her go just yet.

Nancy Drew has a lot of competition, especially since other shows like Riverdale, Veronica Mars, and Stranger Things all have a captivating female lead who likes to solve mysteries, but where does that leave the girl who started it all?  Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Nancy Drew CW Premiere 1
Images courtesy of The CW

True respect for the original character.

Nancy Drew was the first book series I fell in love with and I lost myself in the mysteries again and again.  I have seen several movie interpretations and I appreciate that this show is trying to do something different, but I also respected the clever Easter eggs thrown into the mix, including our girl Nancy investigating with the infamous flashlight.

Some potential for the new Scoobies.

I am still sorting out who is who and I’m not sure how I feel about Nancy’s friends just yet, but I like that they all want to help out.  I always loved “The Scoobies” on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, reminding us that you don’t have to be the obvious hero to make a difference and save the day, so I think this could be the start of something really fun and nostalgic.

The supernatural horror elements are genuinely scary!

If you know anything about Nancy Drew, you know that even though you get your fair share of ghostly mysteries, there is always some kind of rational explanation to bring us back to the real world.  Even this Nancy reminds us in the beginning of the show that she doesn’t believe in ghosts and yet there is this very real ghost story going on, which has captured my full attention.

I expected this show to be more focused on teenage drama with mystery sprinkled in, but I was genuinely surprised by the supernatural horror aspect and I think this might be something that can help Nancy Drew create a voice of its own separate from RiverdaleChilling Adventures of Sabrina comes to mind, but so far they are doing much better with that deliciously dark component, but that doesn’t mean that Nancy Drew can’t step up to the plate too.  More horror please!

The Cons:

Nancy Drew CW Premiere 2
Images courtesy of The CW

I can’t get a real read on Nancy yet.

Part of the reason why I like characters like Betty Cooper, Veronica Mars, and Nancy Wheeler is that they channel Nancy Drew while having this magnetic spark that really draws you in to their character.  I’m missing something with Nancy Drew so far and while I get that she is dealing with her grief and seems closed off, I haven’t connected with her at all yet and that could be a problem.  I’m only one episode in so I hope to get some more layers soon, but I want to ignite a fire within Nancy as soon as possible.

Forcing a ship.

Part of the way I fall in love with a ship, is that I see the progression of their relationship that leads to some epic moment between them that cannot be ignored.  We dive into this relationship between Nancy and Nick (Ned Nickerson) and I just don’t feel the chemistry yet.  I want to see some real moments between them leading up to something, rather than these bits and pieces that are being forced upon me.

The actual mystery is just kind of blah…

A dead body shows up and Nancy Drew is on the case, but there is nothing really unique or special about the murder and Nancy’s process to discover the clues seems very by the numbers and uninspiring.  That being said, the mystery surrounding this ghost story and her parents might be the real winner, but I still want Nancy to surprise me and invest me in her other mysteries.  Maybe she should call Betty Cooper up for some advice on this…

So am I in or out? 

Nancy Drew CW Premiere 3
Images courtesy of The CW

As of right now, it’s about 50/50 for me.  The show isn’t necessarily bad, but there’s nothing that magnetic or special about it just yet.  I feel like right now it is in the shadow of its competition and it needs to do something spectacular to pave its own way.  Maybe that’s the horror element I mentioned earlier, which has a lot of chilling potential. 

I plan on giving the show another two episodes to really get a feel for it, but I’m hoping for some kind of a spark here.  Out of every new Fall show premiering, this is the show I was really looking forward to and perhaps I set my expectations too high, but I’m keeping an open mind for now.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Nancy Drew 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!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

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

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

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!

 

 

 

Ranking the top 5 moments from “American Horror Story: 1984” season 9 episode 4: “It Feels So Good”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the FX network’s American Horror Story:  1984 season 9 episode 4 last night, I realized that “we’ve always got a say in what happens next,” but what if you really can’t explain what is going on?  What if there really is no rational explanation for it?  Are we still in control or are we helpless?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “True Killers,” we learn more about Montana’s connected past with the Night Stalker, along with their shared appreciation for Billy Idol.  Meanwhile, the two killers on the loose finally cross paths, but who will end up victorious?  My top 5 moments from the American Horror Story:  1984 season 9 episode 4 are:

5

“This is aerobics.  It’s serious!”

This show is really making me laugh out loud and I love it!  In the beginning of the episode, we get an important glimpse into Montana’s past and discover that she first met the Night Stalker when he stumbled into her aerobics class.

The Night Stalker seems to hit it off with Montana right away, but reacts when one of her students decides to go off on her for her music selection.  After the Night Stalker presents Montana with a bloody surprise, she seems more turned on than scared, revealing that perhaps she has had a darkness within her all along.

4

“Promise me she’ll suffer.”

We don’t have to wait too long to understand Montana’s motive for wanting Brooke dead, as we learn that her brother was the best man at Brooke’s wedding.  Montana blames Brooke for what happened and is looking for revenge, but she clearly wants to make Brooke’s pain last.  The Night Stalker seems to be on board with killing for his girl, but does he have an agenda of his own as well?

3

“You always hated the crust.”

While Mr. Jingles is off on his killing spree, Xavier attempts to get Birdy to safety, but when Mr. Jingles shows up, it appears they used to be friends and he remembers her from the camp prior to the massacre.  We learn that Mr. Jingles enjoys a PB&J sandwich, but once he spots Xavier, it’s clear that he also has a hunger for something else.

Poor Xavier almost gets cooked alive, but Birdy is able to save him in time.  Birdy asks Xavier to put her out of her misery and he reluctantly agrees, but once he sees the burns on his face, he realizes that his dream of being on the cover of TV Guide may be over…

2

“You shouldn’t have crashed this party.”

Brooke manages to escape, but ends up caught in a net, as Rita reveals her plan to her.  Brooke says, “F*ck your research,” but she really is in quite the jam now.  Montana finds her and realizes that she can finally have the Night Stalker kill her once and for all, but of course Mr. Jingles shows up with perfect timing and we get an impressive showdown between both killers, which ends with the Night Stalker getting a tree branch stabbed through his throat.

Brooke and Montana are able to get away and this certainly ruins Montana’s plan, but Rita witnesses something horrifying when she sees the Night Stalker’s body levitating in mid-air.  His eyes turn black and he is brought back to life, reminding us of the supernatural presence still lurking at Camp Redwood.

It’s one thing to have a harmless camp counselor marching around dead, but it’s quite another to have an undead serial killer on the grounds.  We’ll have to see how this plays out, but it is keeping things interesting for sure.

1

“You never had a chance…”

We certainly get a lot of plot twists thrown our way in episode 4, as we also finally learn what’s up with Margaret.  I suspected something was off with her from the start and so did many of you, but she finally steps into the light to face Mr. Jingles.  We get to see another flashback for Margaret and discover that Mr. Jingles had somewhat of a crush on her and wanted to protect her.

Margaret used this to her advantage and manipulated him, taking her own revenge out on her bullies at camp while framing her poor “Benji Bear.”  After being locked away in the asylum, Mr. Jingles started to truly believe that he was the killer, but Margaret reminds him now that she set the whole thing up.  She even cut off her own ear to sell it, but it looks like Margaret is ready to embrace her true self again.

After shooting Mr. Jingles and eliminating Trevor, Mr. Jingles manages to get away, but the real killer has now emerged.  We know that the campers will be arriving shortly, so what is Margaret’s end game here?  Is she looking to re-create another massacre?  How will the supernatural elements come into play?  Stay tuned!

American Horror Story:  1984 episode 4 Music Soundtrack Highlight:

Billy Idol – Rebel Yell (Official Music Video)

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on American Horror Story:  1984 below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

**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!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

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

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

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!