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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Fear the Walking Dead” season 4 episode 1: “Tell Me One Real Thing”

Happy Wednesday TV fans! I have to admit that Sunday television has got me playing catch-up, as some of my favorite shows happen to all air at once. After watching AMC’s The Walking Dead season finale, I had some mixed feelings, but there was a lot to wrap my head around. I finally got the chance to watch the season 4 premiere of AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead last night, however; and I have to say that the crossover event was a success to me. Although it had almost an eerie sense of quiet compared to the deafening chaos in The Walking Dead, it was something that truly resonated with me, as I found myself lost within the story and truly sympathizing with Morgan Jones. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In last night’s episode, “What’s Your Story?” many of our fan-favorites from The Walking Dead show up and try to get Morgan to change his mind about leaving. However, Morgan feels that he needs to be alone and heads out on his own. This is short-lived however; when he crosses paths with a man in a cowboy hat named John Dorie and a female journalist named Al. My top 5 moments from Fear the Walking Dead season 4 episode 1 are:

“You can hide but you can’t run.”

When the season premiere begins, we focus in on Morgan who is still in the junkyard, closed off from society. This is interrupted over and over, however; when Jesus, Carol, and Rick all show up, desperately trying to get Morgan to change his mind about leaving. Morgan sticks to his decision and explains that he needs to be alone. Morgan has been struggling with inner-demons and is searching for a way to overcome this. He knows that he is a danger to those around him if he stays, but will he lose himself completely if he goes off on his own? His friends remind him that he cares about people and should be with them, but Morgan remains strong with his decision and steps out onto an open road, leaving his past behind him. We know that Rick’s words, “you can hide but you can’t run,” will catch up to him all too quickly, but Morgan continues on his journey all the same.

Meet John Dorie.

That’s Dory like the fish, but spelled with an “ie.” This new character is not from the comic series and is played by Deadwood star, Garret Dillahunt. The stranger in a cowboy hat proves to be quite the “gunslinger,” but seems to have a good heart and a strong sense of doing what’s right. He offers Morgan shelter and when Morgan takes off and gets into trouble, John Dorie is not far behind, proving that he can be a worthy ally. John Dorie shares his own story that he is searching for his wife who has his matching gun, which is heart-breaking and commendable at the same time. He refuses to give up hope and he seems to remind Morgan that human connections are all they have to cling to in this harsh reality filled with death and decay. The “karate man” and “gunslinger” prove to be quite the team, but will Morgan be able to truly open up after all he has been through?

Meet Al.

Shortly after the introduction of new character, John Dorie, we also meet Al who is a journalist played by the beautiful and talented, Maggie Grace. As a huge fan of Lost, I was more than pleased to see Maggie Grace step into a new and different role. Her hair is cut boy-short and she packs quite the punch with her van filled with handy weapons, but what sparked my interest the most is that she is out to discover everyone’s story. Morgan gently reminds her that there are no more news stations around and why does it matter, but Al’s need to continue the story anyway proves that she hasn’t given up hope either. She keeps her camera with her and documents everything she can, looking for something real to connect to.

“Tell me one real thing.”

After Morgan, John, and Al survive the attack from the armed men and walkers, Morgan is finally ready to open up, even if it is for just a moment. Al records him and asks him to tell her one real thing and explain why he left Virginia. Morgan explains, “I lose people and then I lose myself,” which touched my heart instantly. It’s hard not to feel sympathetic toward Morgan and understand his need to run away. Even though he was part of many settlements before, he still chooses to be on his own, desperately trying to hold on to his humanity. Perhaps being around people again will remind Morgan that he has the chance to truly do something great and make a difference.

“So what the hell’s your story?”

At the end of the episode, the three characters come across a woman who is sobbing in the middle of the road. They cautiously approach the woman, not knowing what to expect, but offer to help her. The woman is revealed to be Alicia who turns a gun on them and Nick, Luciana, and Victor appear as well to surround them. The crossover has officially well…crossed over and these characters are now all connected whether they want to be or not. While we are unclear on how Alicia, Nick, Luciana, and Victor all ended up together, since it seemed like everyone was separated at the end of last season, we have plenty of episodes to find out what they are up to and how they got here. Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Ranking my top 5 One True Pairings on Television: Ships that will make you Swoon

Happy Valentine’s Day TV fans! When it comes to defining what makes a OTP (one true pairing) on television, what comes to mind? Is it the passionate and fiery moments between these two characters or is it more about an everlasting love that stands the test of time? Whether it involves sacrifice and heartbreak or compromise and understanding, there are some couples on television who truly encompass the essence of love.

It’s rare to find that happy ending that we read about in fairy-tales, but these OTPs are not for lack of trying. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch any of these series yet. Please also note that sitcoms were not included for today’s list. My top 5 One True Pairings on television are:

Veronica & Logan from Veronica Mars.

Logan: “I thought our story was epic, you know you and me?”

Veronica: “Epic how?”

Logan: “Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined, bloodshed. EPIC…”

Although Veronica Mars only lasted for three seasons, it still gave fans plenty of time to ship Veronica and Logan. While the beginning of the series focuses on her feelings for her former love, Duncan, Veronica also seems to initially despise Logan. On the surface, Logan is selfish and cruel, refusing to apologize for his actions. When Veronica and Logan team up later on in season one, you cannot deny the sparks flying between these two. Logan lets his guard down for Veronica and they fall in love with each other.

These two do not ride off into the sunset, however; as they are in for their fair share of ups and downs. At the end of the season one cliffhanger, fans are not sure who is on the other side of the door for Veronica when she says, “I was hoping it would be you.” Once season 2 premieres, we learn that it was Logan waiting for her on the other end, but she is now dating Duncan to make things even more complicated. Even when Veronica and Logan are not together, Logan clearly cares about Veronica more than anyone else. He constantly proves his love for her and defends her honor, not caring about the consequences.

While Logan may initially lack the stability that Veronica ultimately needs, his love for her is unchanging. At the end of the series, Logan and Veronica are not back together, leaving fans disappointed. However, when the Veronica Mars film was released years later, Veronica and Logan finally got the happy ending they deserved. It was worth the wait!

Piper & Leo from Charmed.

“Leo, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was afraid that you were too good to be true, that maybe I didn’t deserve someone so pure and beautiful and loving as you are…Leo I was born to love you and I always will.”

At the beginning of the Charmed series, the blossoming relationship between Piper and Leo is delightful and real. Piper’s sister, Phoebe even initially competes with her to win Leo’s affection, but it’s always been clear where Leo’s heart lies. As Piper’s white lighter, it is forbidden for them to be together, but they cannot deny their connection. Piper and Leo have been through so much together and Leo is even ripped away from her by the elders during their first attempt at a wedding.

Ultimately, Piper and Leo are meant for each other. However, they go through quite a lot on the way and are tested constantly. Piper and Leo have two beautiful sons, Wyatt and Chris, and form a beautiful family together, constantly trying to keep this priority above all others. While Piper is known for her quick temper, Leo balances her out and always keeps her calm. When they are apart, it’s truly heartbreaking, as fans recognize the selfless love these two have for one another.

Piper and Leo do get their happy ending and keep their friendship and love strong in the process. There is something so believable and undeniable between Piper and Leo, still holding the test of time and reminding us what true love is all about.

Emma & Hook from Once Upon a Time.

“When I win your heart, Emma, and I will win it. It will not be because of any trickery. It will be because you want me.”

When the devilishly handsome Captain Hook sailed into our hearts on OUAT, he initially was out for revenge. While Hook innocently flirted with Emma from the start, his love for her allowed him to grow as a character and to learn from his wicked past. Hook was always used to taking the easy way out and making decisions based on how well it suited him.

Emma changed this perspective, however; proving that he could be a selfless man. When Hook realized his strong feelings for Emma, he even backed down and explained that she should be with Neal so that Henry could have his family all together. Hook truly loved Emma at this point, but was willing to sacrifice this so that she could find happiness. Later, when they did end up together, Emma’s power became too great and evil corrupted her heart. The only thing that could bring her back to goodness was Hook’s love for her.

Emma and Hook had one of the most beautiful relationships on television and their wedding at the end of season 6 was touching and heart-warming. Hook’s love for Emma transformed him from a villain into a hero one can be proud of, who will never stop fighting for the one he loves. Now that’s a fairy-tale ending!

Buffy & Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Angel: “This isn’t some fairy-tale. When I kiss you…you don’t wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.”

Buffy: “No, when you kiss me, I wanna die.”

This list would not be complete without including Buffy and Angel. Known as the vampire cursed with a soul, Angel is initially used to being on his own, lurking in the shadows and staying clear of human connections. When he crosses paths with Buffy, he realizes that he has a chance to turn his destiny around and do some good. However, he falls in love with her along the way.

Buffy and Angel’s love is touching and romantic initially, making fans everywhere swoon this ship. When Buffy and Angel consummate their love, he experiences a moment of true happiness and the curse is broken, freeing his soul in the process. As a result of this, Angelus is released, the pure vampire killer with no remorse or guilt and he begins torturing Buffy and her friends. Buffy is completely heart-broken but she proves her strength when she goes up against Angel, knowing that she must defeat him to protect the world. She recognizes that the good man she came to know and love is gone, leaving only a shell of a monster behind. After Buffy sacrifices Angel, he returns from Hell with his soul intact but their relationship is so complicated and shattered at this point. They love each other but they know that they can’t get too close because of the consequences.

They try out being friends and the villainous vampire, Spike even points out that they can never be friends because their love for one another is messy and passionate. At the end of season 3, Buffy and Angel part ways as Angel leaves the show for his spin-off, but not before he shows up at her prom to dance with her one last time, reminding her that he will always be there for her.

Although Buffy and Angel do not end up together and have other relationships along the way, they both recognize how much they truly care for one another. They have a love that transcends romance, understanding that even though they are apart; they are always together on some level.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my favorite OTP are:

Blair & Chuck from Gossip Girl
Brenda & Dylan from Beverly Hills, 90210
Michael & Sara from Prison Break
Maggie & Glenn from The Walking Dead
Octavia & Lincoln from the 100
Piper & Alex from Orange is the New Black
Kev & V from Shameless
Ian & Mickey from Shameless
Seth & Summer from The OC
Damon & Elena from The Vampire Diaries
Phoebe & Cole from Charmed
Buffy & Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Desmond & Penny from Lost
Sawyer & Juliet from Lost
Mike & Susan from Desperate Housewives
Tara & Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Clarke and Lexa from The 100
Sookie & Eric from True Blood
Nathan & Haley from One Tree Hill
Alice & Robin from Once Upon a Time
Cheryl & Toni from Riverdale

Sun & Jin from Lost.

“I was going to leave you. I was going to get away…but you made me change my mind.”

My all-time favorite OTP has to go to Sun & Jin from Lost. For me, Sun and Jin have a love that is very different from other characters on television. This is mostly because their love is the most real. Their love isn’t perfect and there are times where they do temporarily give up on one another and forget about why they fell in love in the first place. But this is what makes their love so important. Real love isn’t out of a fairy-tale; although I’m sure we would like it to be. Real love is about compromise and accepting that we will make mistakes along the way.

Sun has an affair with another man and even contemplates leaving Jin and running away at the airport. However, Jin shows her that he is holding a small white flower, just like when they first met and she changes her mind. It breaks Jin’s heart when he finds out that Sun speaks English, representing another lie she kept from him for so long. Both Sun and Jin are looking to prove themselves to the other, only to later realize that their love is enough. The fact that they are able to forgive each other for mistakes they made before, shows the viewer what true love is all about. Sun and Jin truly find themselves together as a couple and learn to love each other more than they thought possible.

After they are separated numerous times, they are finally reunited, not realizing that it will be short-lived. Right after they are reunited, Sun gets pinned under metal in the sinking submarine and Jin is unable to free her. Sun demands that he go and save himself, but Jin won’t leave her. He will never leave her again. Their death is one of the saddest for me to watch on television and the image of them holding hands under water as they take their last breaths, proves that they will never be apart again.

I hope you enjoyed my list and feel free to post your own comments and thoughts about some of your favorite OTPs on television. Thanks for reading! Happy Valentine’s Day!

**Don’t miss out on My Bloody Valentine’s Week book promotion for The Search for Alice! It will be on sale for 99 cents from 2/11/19-2/17-19 and free with Kindle Unlimited!

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Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Throw-Back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 episodes of “Lost.”

It’s Throw-Back Sunday TV Fans! I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Fans everywhere were beyond disappointed that Lost was being taken off of Netflix streaming. Lucky for us, Hulu swooped in to save the day and you can now watch your favorite moments again and again. For today, I am going to be counting down the top 5 episodes from Lost. Out of the 121 episodes of the series, it was extremely difficult to narrow this list down to just 5 episodes and I did include some honorable mentions as well.

Over my 16 re-watches of the show, these episodes have proven to be timeless and epic, truly making an impact on me as a person and resonating with me even years after the show has been off the air. The entire series is filled with great episodes, all intertwining to create a masterpiece of story-telling, while keeping our favorite characters real and significant in the process. These stand-out episodes take it a step further; however, surpassing our expectations as fans and surprising us with unforgettable moments. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not yet watched the series. My top 5 episodes from Lost are:

“Ab Aeterno.” (Season 6, episode 9)

“I’ve changed my mind. Are you listening to me? Does the offer still stand?” (Richard from episode Ab Aeterno)

“Ab Aeterno” translated means “from eternity” in Latin, but in this context means “since the beginning.” Appropriately named, this episode reveals the long awaited back-story of Richard Alpert. Over the seasons, it is revealed that Richard does not age and is a sort of proxy for Jacob. When time travel is introduced, Richard still remains exactly as he looks today, leaving fans wondering how his immortality is possible. “Ab Aeterno” reveals Richard’s life before the island on the Canary Islands. He desperately tries to save his wife, Isabella, but kills the doctor refusing her medicine by accident, resulting in his capture as a prisoner. The secrets of “The Black Rock” ship in the middle of the jungle are also revealed in this episode. Richard and the other prisoners are chained up as slaves and Richard witnesses the “smoke monster” destroy all other survivors on board.

Richard is quickly introduced to both the Man in Black and Jacob. After the Man in Black’s failed attempt to trick Richard into killing Jacob, he is offered a job as a sort of “advisor” to the island. While Jacob cannot absolve Richard of his sins, he does grant his wish to live forever. The history of Richard and “The Black Rock” answers a lot of important questions for fans however; this episode is elevated beyond this, allowing us to empathize with Richard’s humanity and vulnerability. Even after so many years of being on the island, he still misses his wife dearly and feels responsible for her death. Richard is often seen in the background on Lost, but this episode allows him to step into the spotlight, revealing every depth of his character and proving his significance to the show.

Just like everyone else on the island, Richard has made mistakes in his past and is trying to start a new life. While it may take him longer to realize his purpose, his journey to the truth is emotional and heart-breaking.

“The Constant.” (Season 4, episode 5)

“I love you, Penny. I’ve always loved you. I’m so sorry. I love you.” (Desmond from The Constant)

My top 5 list would not be complete without including “The Constant.” In the beginning of the episode, Desmond and Sayid are flying on a helicopter back to the freighter, when Desmond begins shouting in confusion, not remembering where he is or how he got there. When they get to the boat, Desmond is connected with Daniel Faraday. Desmond believes they are in the year, 1996 and Faraday explains that if his mind continues to jump back and forth, his injuries will be fatal. He instructs Desmond to find a “constant” to prevent this from happening. Desmond asks if a constant can be a person and Faraday confirms this.

Ultimately, Desmond must connect something, or someone in this case, from both timelines so that his mind ceases from jumping through time. Sounds complicated, right? While a lot of confusing theories about time-travel are introduced in this episode, Desmond’s everlasting bond with Penny is what makes this episode so classic to Lost. Back in 1996, Desmond and Penny have broken up and he joined the military to prove his worth again to her. He shows up on her door-step and begs her not to change her number and explains he will not be calling her for eight years. Penny never gives up on Desmond and does answer the call on Christmas Eve, 2004, letting him know that she will keep looking for him.

Their love for one another is so transcendent and powerful, proving that it can stand the test of time, very much like this episode of Lost for me.

“Greatest Hits.” (Season 3, episode 21)

“It’s the five best moments of my…sorry excuse for a life. My greatest hits. You know, memories. They’re all I’ve got.” (Charlie from Greatest Hits)

During season 3, it is revealed that Desmond can see the future and that Charlie is destined to die to the shock and disappointment of fans. In “Greatest Hits,” Desmond has a different sort of flash, which involves Claire and her baby getting on a helicopter and finding rescue. Charlie has accepted his fate and will do anything to help Claire and Aaron, proving that he has grown from being a selfish junky into a real hero. As he gets ready to head out to the flooded “Looking Glass” Dharma station with Desmond, he takes the time to write down the five best moments of his life:

The first time that he heard his band’s breakout song on the radio.
His father taught him how to swim at Butlins.
The time when his brother Liam gave him their grandfather Dextor Stratton’s “DS” ring, for which Drive Shaft is named, as a Christmas present.
When Charlie saved a woman from being mugged and was called a hero.
The night following the crash, when he met Claire.

(Greatest Hits list credit to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_Hits_(Lost)

What makes this episode so powerful is that we have previously watched Charlie show a glimmer of hope and change in episode, “The Moth,” but in “Greatest Hits” he has now become a man to be proud of, leaving the past behind him and holding on to his memories that changed his life for the good. While Charlie does not die at the end of this episode like fans anticipated, it makes his death in the season 3 finale that much more heart-breaking.

“The Incident parts I & II.” (Season 5, episodes 16/17)

“Come on! Come on! Come on, you son of a bitch!” (Juliet from The Incident)

While many of the season finales of Lost have been jam-packed with action and twists and turns, “The Incident” is on an entirely different level. Jack accepts his destiny and believes that he was meant to detonate the hydrogen bomb to reset them back in time before Flight 815 ever crashed. Some of the other Losties do not agree, reminding Jack that it wasn’t all misery and that they wouldn’t remember each other if he goes through with this. Ultimately, they all side with Jack and support his efforts, defending each other at the Dharma Swan Site where a pocket of electromagnetic energy has just been hit. While this chaos is occurring, each candidate is revealed to have met Jacob at some point in their former lives in a moment of great happiness or weakness.

For example, Jacob appears at Sun and Jin’s wedding, touches Locke’s shoulder after he is thrown out a window, and intervenes with a young Kate when she tries to steal a New Kids on the Block lunchbox. Jacob proves to be a guiding force in their lives, even though they didn’t know it at the time. Everything is about to change and the timelines will ultimately collide when Jacob whispers his last words after Ben murders him, “they’re coming.” As if this could not get any more dramatic, Juliet gets caught in some chains and is dragged to the bottom of the Swan Site. Sawyer and Kate desperately try to get her out of there, but she falls, leaving Sawyer in defeated tears, crushing fans everywhere.

At the end of the episode, Juliet’s eyes open and she is pinned under debris, but spots the hydrogen bomb. She detonates it with a rock, refusing to let their efforts be thwarted. The screen goes white for the first time in Lost history, leaving fans with a major cliff-hanger.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one episode of Lost are:

“LaFleur”
“The Brig”
“Meet Kevin Johnson”
“Some Like it Hoth”
“Expose”
“The Long Con”
“The Candidate”
“Tricia Tanaka Is Dead”
“Through The Looking Glass”
“Across the Sea”

“Flashes Before Your Eyes.” (Season 3, episode 8)

“Please let me go back. Let me go back one more time. I’ll do it right. I’ll do it right this time. I’m sorry, Pen. I’ll change it. I’ll change it.” (Desmond from Flashes Before Your Eyes)

“Flashes Before Your Eyes” remains unchanging as my all-time favorite episode of Lost. When I first watched the series, this is the episode that changed everything for me. Don’t get me wrong, up until now I was completely hooked on Lost. I watched every episode and paid attention to all of the details and character flash-backs, looking forward to what would happen each week. When I first saw “Flashes Before Your Eyes,” the series became something more to me than just entertainment. It had now become brilliant and life-altering for me. Sure time travel and seeing the future has been done before on other shows, but Lost does it so well and seamlessly, making you almost believe that all of this is absolutely possible.

When Eloise Hawking first appeared and told Desmond “you don’t buy the ring…you have second thoughts,” I remember being shocked and intrigued. The mystery of Lost was unraveling with Desmond at the very core of it all. Desmond desperately tries to replay his former days, realizing that this is much more than a case of Déjà vu. After he buys the ring for Penny and attempts to re-do his mistake, the past remains unchanged, as they get into a fight after he can’t afford to buy the photo of them. Desmond is still holding on to a feeling of being unworthy of Penny, determined to do things right and be someone you can be truly proud of. When Desmond is struck over the head in the bar, he snaps back into the present day timeline and is back on the island. He is desperate and crying at this point, exclaiming that he’ll do it right this time and that he’ll change it, but he can’t go back and what’s done is done, leaving Desmond with a heavy burden to carry.

This moment was so powerful and unforgettable for me, leaving me in tears every time I watch, sympathizing with Desmond. This is the moment that made me realize that Lost was truly the greatest show I would ever watch, impacting me on an emotional level and reminding me about what’s important in life.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post some of your own favorite episodes from Lost below. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the Top 5 TV Bad Boys Redeemed by Love: “I’m a Complex Guy, Sweetheart.”

Happy Friday TV viewers! When you think of your favorite male hero on television, what comes to mind? Are you thinking about the selfless actions they make to help those in need? Perhaps, they become so good at playing the “hero” that we forget about the anti-hero who has just as much charm and more intrigue. While the good guy typically saves the day and gets the girl, what about our favorite bad boys who lurk in darkness and mystery? Being a “bad boy,” isn’t enough, however; as the hero will ultimately sweep in to make things right. For today’s topic, I am specifically looking at bad boys from television who are redeemed by love and transform into a more realistic hero we can root for as a result. These “bad boys” are nowhere near perfect and continue to make mistakes along the way, but that’s why they are so entertaining to watch. While a hero may sometimes feel destined for greatness, our favorite bad boys were initially looking out for themselves and possessed their own agenda. This changes drastically, however; when they fall in love with the right person who brings out the best in them and reveals an unlikely hero in the process. Please note some spoilers are ahead. My top 5 TV Bad Boys redeemed by love are:

Cole Turner from Charmed.

“I was dead before I met you. I was born the day you loved me. And my love for you will keep me alive…forever.” (Cole’s letter to Phoebe from Charmed)

When Cole was first introduced on Charmed, he was revealed to be a demon who was half-human, posing as a lawyer. His plan was to get Phoebe to fall for him so that he could worm his way into the Halliwell house to steal their powerful spell-book, “The Book of Shadows.” Seemed like a solid plan, until Cole fell madly in love with Phoebe. Cole had the tall, dark, and handsome role down pat, as he used his charm to get what he desired. What separated him from other “bad boys,” was his vulnerability for Phoebe. Even when he was the source of all evil, his love for her still allowed him to embrace goodness inside him that he thought was long gone. Over the seasons, Cole and Phoebe’s love was epic and messy, ending in heart-break and tragedy. Even though Cole overcame his demonic side on more than one occasion and came back from the dead repeatedly, their love did not ultimately win out to the dismay of fans everywhere. Phoebe even commented that “it wasn’t meant to be,” but the uncertainty in her voices suggested otherwise. While Phoebe ended up finding several new romantic loves later on in the show, none of them compared to her passionate love for Cole.

Killian Jones aka Captain Hook from Once Upon a Time.

“When I win your heart Emma, and I will win it. It won’t be because of any trickery.” (Hook to Emma in OUAT)

When the devilishly handsome Captain Hook sailed into our hearts on OUAT, he initially was out for revenge against the “crocodile,” otherwise known as Mr. Gold/Rumpel. While Hook innocently flirted with Emma from the start, his love for her allowed him to grow as a character and to learn from his wicked past. More importantly, he transformed from a classic fairy-tale villain into one of our favorite anti-heroes. Hook was always used to taking the easy way out and making decisions based on how well it suited him. Emma changed this perspective, however; proving that he could be a selfless man. When Hook realized his strong feelings for Emma, he even backed down and explained that she should be with Neal so that Henry could have his family all together. Hook truly loved Emma at this point, but was willing to sacrifice this so that she could find happiness. Later, when they did end up together, Emma’s power became too great and evil corrupted her heart. The only thing that could bring her back to goodness was Hook’s love for her. Emma and Hook had one of the most beautiful relationships on television, but Hook’s growth into a hero is what made him truly stand out.

Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries.

“I don’t mind being the bad guy. I make all the life and death decisions while you’re busy dealing with collateral damage.” (Damon to Stefan in The Vampire Diaries)

This list would not be complete without Damon Salvatore. He embraced the role of the bad brother, refusing to apologize for what he was and how he acted. Unlike Stefan, Damon was reckless and dangerous. He also possessed a magnetic quality about him that just reeled in the ladies with barely any effort. Damon’s initial mission was to free his love Katherine from a tomb, however; he soon realized that Katherine was not the epic love he thought she was. Damon’s jealousy for Elena and Stefan’s relationship reached new heights at this point, but he quickly realized that his feelings involved more than envy. He grew fond of Elena and fell in love with her, which quickly tamed the vampire beast within. Damon didn’t lose his “bad boy” charm, but put Elena before everything else, truly learning what sacrifice means. While the love triangle between Elena and the Salvatore brothers became complicated, Elena eventually followed her heart straight to Damon, allowing her own darkness to reach the surface as well.

Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

“What can I tell you baby? I’ve always been bad.” (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

I have to admit it was extremely difficult for me to choose between my top 1 and 2 picks for this category. After all, Spike was the very epitome of the bad boy redeemed by love. Like Damon, Spike was a soulless vampire, only interested in power and his deranged and misguided love for Drusilla. Over the seasons, Spike proved to be a worthy foe of Buffy, constantly coming up with ways to stop her while having a little bit of fun in the process. In season 4, Spike is captured by a military order experimenting on supernatural creatures and a chip is placed in his brain which prevented him from harming anyone. While this brought on quite of bit of laughs, Spike eventually became a sort of honorary member of the Scoobies, trying to bring down evil, but still holding on to his own agenda to destroy the slayer one day. Like the other bad boys on this list, Spike was redeemed by his love for Buffy. What makes this love so special, however; was the fact that Spike still did not have a soul when he fell in love with Buffy. Sure he had the chip in his brain, but his thoughts and desires were the same as they had always been. Spike grew into an anti-hero that we rooted for above others because he learned how to get in touch with his humanity, with having literally no humanity within him. In season 5, he sets off to kill Buffy and finds her crying on the porch after she has learned about her mother’s illness. Spike puts aside his anger and sits on the porch next to her, offering his support without any hidden agenda. He revealed how much he truly cared for Buffy, as his feelings only grew stronger and stronger. Spike eventually came to realize that Buffy may never love him the way he wanted her to, but accepted this, realizing his destiny to be an unlikely hero for good.

James Ford…aka Sawyer from Lost.

“I’m a complex guy, sweetheart.” (Sawyer to Kate in Lost)

So my number one pick for best TV bad boy redeemed by love has to go to the charismatic and hilarious, Sawyer. When the survivors of Flight 815 crash on the island, Sawyer was revealed to be a con-man with a jaded past. He quickly shifted into survival mode, hoarding many of the supplies for himself. Sawyer wanted everyone to hate him, mostly because he didn’t feel like he was worthy of the love and compassion of others. He even put together several schemes, putting the Losties against each other and making deals that only benefited him. While Jack represented the good hero we came to know and adore, Sawyer proved to be an unlikely hero as well. In season 3, Sawyer returned to the Losties after being captured by the others and the survivors looked to him as their leader. Sawyer showed some promising signs of change, attempting to help out and to protect his love, Kate in the process. He also began to reveal signs of selfless behavior, jumping off the chopper so that Kate and the others could be rescued. While this seemed like a heroic gesture, Sawyer was still running away from his destiny. When Kate and the oceanic six said goodbye to the island, Sawyer was left behind with Juliet, Jin, and Miles. In episode, “LaFleur,” Sawyer put his con-man skills to good use and saved the day, convincing the Dharma Initiative to let them stay with them for a while. Juliet wanted to get on the sub and leave, but he asked her to stay with him. “Who’s going to get my back?” he asked, revealing the first real spark between them. It took traveling back in time for Sawyer to finally embrace the goodness that was there all along. His love for Juliet was pure and selfless, but he was no longer running away from himself or his feelings. Sawyer was finally ready to settle down and lead a simple life with the love of his life. The bad boy was truly redeemed, proving that love can help point our moral compass in the right direction.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite TV bad boys redeemed by love. Thanks for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 heart-warming moments from “Lost”

It’s Throw-Back Sunday TV Fans! I hope you are enjoying your weekend and wish you all the best for the upcoming holiday season. Since it is that time of year, I started thinking about heart-warming moments from some of my favorite television shows. For today, I am going to be counting down the top 5 heart-warming moments from Lost. When you think of something heart-warming, what comes to mind? According to the dictionary, it means something that is “emotionally rewarding or uplifting.” Synonyms include: “touching, moving, heartening, stirring, uplifting, pleasing, cheering, gladdening, encouraging, gratifying.”

So now that we know what it means, how does that translate for you into a single moment? I feel like different moments portrayed by our beloved characters on television impact us all in some way or another. While some moments seem more heart-breaking than heart-warming, the line between these two often blurs if it has a glimmer of hope or happiness. For me, it has to be a moment that truly resonates with me and stands the test of time. Whether it is a particular dialogue that had meaning for me or a demonstration of unconditional love, the moment has to bring tears and a smile at the same time. Sounds difficult to achieve, right?

What I love about heart-warming moments is that they bring out an array of emotions in us, but ultimately remind us of the importance of true connections with one another. Sometimes a small act of kindness can have more of an impact than a grand gesture. I think it’s important to remember that when we come across anyone who may be in need of some uplifting themselves. What we do matters and our actions and words can truly make a difference. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not yet watched the series.

My top 5 heart-warming moments from Lost are:

Sawyer tells Jack about his conversation with Christian.

“And this guy, Christian, tells me he wishes he had the stones to pick up the phone, call his kid, tell him he’s sorry, that he’s a better doctor than he’ll ever be—he’s proud, and he loves him.” (Sawyer from episode Exodus part I)

What makes this moment truly heart-warming for me is that Sawyer has been trying so hard to make others hate him. This takes place in season 1 and Sawyer is carrying quite a bit of emotional baggage around. He goes out of his way to challenge Jack with every chance he gets and the two have somewhat of a rivalry throughout the whole show. They are both initially in love with the same woman, Kate, and are both looked to as leaders by the group. Initially, Sawyer proves that he is a man out for himself. He keeps a stash of supplies hidden and refuses to help out just to do the right thing. Jack, on the other hand, is selfless in his actions. He attempts to motivate the Flight 815 survivors and embarks on several adventures because he knows they are counting on him. However, Jack is not perfect either. Before he got on Flight 815, he had traveled to Sydney, Australia to recover his father’s body. Jack’s relationship with his father, Christian, was very complicated.

Christian frequently told Jack that he didn’t have what it takes and that he had trouble letting go. When Jack arrives on the island, he begins even seeing his dead father roaming around the island, forcing his fears and insecurities to the surface. Jack has always been under the impression that he wasn’t good enough, but when Sawyer shares this conversation with him, he is truly impacted and even sheds a tear. Jack did have what it takes and his father was very proud of him. They were both just too stubborn to admit this and unfortunately Christian died before ever sharing this with his son. Throughout the series, we learn that many of the Losties have crossed paths before they stepped onto the plane and their lives and decisions are intertwined. Sawyer’s decision to let Jack know about this proves that he truly is a good person deep down and recognizes the importance of family and friendship.

Jack passes the torch to Hurley.

“It was only supposed to be me so I can do this. But if someone has to take care of the island, if someone has to protect it…then it should be you Hurley. I believe in you.” (Jack from episode The End)

Fans were not surprised when Jack stepped up to volunteer to become the candidate who would take Jacob’s place to protect the island. Jack has always reacted quickly and made tough decisions for the greater good. However, when he ultimately passes the torch to fan-favorite, Hurley, this was a truly touching and heart-warming moment. Throughout the series, Hurley demonstrates that he wears his heart on his sleeve. He always tries to make others laugh and help out, even when he is told he’ll just get in the way. Jack and everyone else recognize that Hurley’s gift is taking care of others which is why this moment is so beautiful.

Hurley always had trouble believing in himself and now he has to face his fear and embrace this important responsibility. He tells Jack that he will only do it temporarily until he gets back, but will ultimately become the permanent protector of the island. Hurley was capable of being a leader all along; he just needed to believe it. Jack’s belief in him gives him the courage to unleash his potential.

Charlie and Claire have imaginary peanut butter together.

“I remember peanut butter. Why do I remember peanut butter?” (Claire from episode Homecoming)

For me, this is one of the most iconic and romantic moments on the show. When Charlie and Claire are first starting to get to know one another, she is revealed to be very pregnant, but Charlie isn’t scared off by her in the slightest. Their friendship and budding romance has an innocent quality and allows viewers to feel young again. When Charlie asks Claire if there is anything she craves or misses, she admits that she is “the only Australian who loves peanut butter.”

Charlie is disappointed when he cannot initially find any, but he doesn’t give up here. He shows up with an empty jar and pretends that it is filled with peanut butter. The two sit on the beach and enjoy the imaginary peanut butter together, laughing and gazing at each other with joy. What I love about this moment is that everyone around them is worrying, while Charlie and Claire take a small moment to have some fun and forget about the chaos for just a little while.

Penny answers Desmond’s call after 8 years.

“I won’t call for eight years. December 24, 2004. Christmas Eve. I promise. Please, Pen.” (Desmond from episode The Constant)

Seems like a lot to ask of someone, right? Desmond and Penny have broken up, but he shows up on her doorstep and tells her that she can’t change her number and that she must answer his call 8 years later. Even I would think that person is absolutely crazy. It’s not like Desmond can exactly explain that his mind is traveling between times and that Penny is the key to saving his life. Desmond and Penny’s love has always been something epic and timeless. They are frequently separated but refuse to give up on one another. They teach us that true love does exist but that it doesn’t always work out so perfectly. Penny and Desmond both make mistakes along the way, but ultimately end up together because they never stop believing in their love for one another. It’s a powerful and undeniable bond that cannot be broken.

When Desmond snaps back into the current time, he dials Penny’s number on the freighter. It rings several times as fans were on the edge of their seats, wondering if she would answer after all this time. When Penny does answer the phone, Desmond’s memory and mind are healed and she reminds him that she won’t give up on him. Very similar to true love’s kiss from fairy-tales, this moment reminds us that having someone you love stick by you can help you overcome any challenge or impossible task. You just need to believe in it.

Vincent stays with Jack so he is not alone.

But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” (Jack from episode White Rabbit)

While I admit that I probably have shed more tears than smiles in this moment, there is something truly uplifting and heart-warming about this last scene on the show. Jack is dying after he has sacrificed himself to re-light the island and is wandering through the same bamboo forest he did when he first woke up here after his flight crashed. To bring everything full circle, Jack lies down and looks at the sky, waiting for the end to come.

A familiar bark is heard and Walt’s dog, Vincent appears by his side and lies down next to him. As an animal lover myself, this moment really resonated with me. The unconditional love a dog has for a companion is something that is truly special. When Jack’s eye closes, similar to when his eye opened in the beginning of the series, he knows that his words held true. He is not alone. He never was. He helped his friends and he made a difference that will stand the test of time.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post some of your own favorite heart-warming moments from Lost below. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 10 winter finale: You just need to believe

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 10 last night, I am wondering if every curse can really be broken. True love’s kiss or belief in the impossible is not always enough. Rather, sacrifices need to be made for the greater good. But can our favorite characters from OUAT make these difficult choices? Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, we learn about the moments leading up to the curse and how it was cast. The power of the coven of 8 is introduced and an old friend is back to help. Meanwhile, Rumpel enlists the help of Anastasia, Robin and Alice are revealed to be in love, and poor Lucy is still in a coma. My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 10 are:

Zelena is back.

When Regina took Henry to San Francisco to enlist some help, fans were excited because we knew Zelena would be the one she goes to. In Zelena’s new life, she is an exercise peddling instructor and even tells her class to fly like monkeys. Zelena is hesitant about stepping out of her new life. Regina uses MacCutcheon whiskey to bring back her memories. Lost fans will be pleased once again with this Easter egg as Charles Widmore’s liquor of choice is getting quite a bit of screen time this season. When Zelena remembers who she is, she confides to her sister that she is about to get married and enjoys her new life, complicating her choice. Zelena ultimately decides to help her sister, but it is clear that she will want to return to the simple life she has come to know and love here in San Francisco.

Rumpel tries to help Anastasia unleash her magic.

Rumpel is convinced that Anastasia is the guardian and this will ultimately help him achieve his own destiny. However, he recognizes that Ana is the only one who can save Lucy right now. He lays out several knives on the table in front of her and explains that “all you have to do is tell me which one of these has magic.” Lost fans will recall a similar conversation when Richard Alpert goes to visit John Locke as a child and lays out several items on a table and asks “which one of these items belongs to you already?” Whether this was intentional or just familiar, this scene allowed us to see exactly what Ana is capable of. It is clear that she is overflowing with magic and is unsure how to control it all. Will her powers be used for good or evil?

Gothel proves to be a worthy foe.

Ana’s childish innocence gets in the way later when Drizella tries to trick her into giving away her magic. However, Gothel double crosses her and gives Ana all of Drizella’s power, hoping to unleash the full force of the coven of 8. The symbol of the coven of 8 has been surfacing all over the place, but it is clear that unleashing their dark magic will be a threat to our favorite OUAT characters. Regina and Zelena are powerful witches, but can they defeat an entire coven? Who else will be joining? Once again, Gothel proves to be a worthy opponent and leaves viewers wondering what else she has in store for everyone.

Regina is the one who unleashed the curse.

When Regina and the others confront Gothel and Drizella, they prove they are going to fight for what they believe in and keep the curse from happening. Regina challenges them asking, “You want a witch fight? Happy to oblige!” However, Drizella and Gothel anticipate this and capture Henry, poisoning him in the process. The only cure for him is a land without magic. To Regina’s horror, she realizes that she is left with the impossible choice of letting her son die or casting the curse herself to save him. The good in Regina and the unconditional love she has for her son are weaknesses that Drizella and Gothel were counting on. The other characters completely understand her decision and cling to each other, hoping that they can find each other again once the curse takes place.

“Every curse can be broken. You just need to believe.”

Henry immediately leaves San Francisco when he learns that Lucy is in a coma. He rushes to Jacinda’s side to comfort her. When he is left alone with Lucy, he reads to her from his “Once Upon a Time” book and knows exactly which passage to start with. His love for Lucy is clearly one of a father’s, even though he doesn’t realize it yet. He will do anything to help her and even tells her that he will believe that he is her father in another world if she will just wake up. He kisses her on the forehead but true love’s kiss is not enough here. Lucy’s own beliefs had been shattered previously, preventing this magic from waking her up. Regina later reveals that if the curse is broken, Henry will die, but if it remains, Lucy will be its victim. Once again, this leaves Regina with an impossible choice. How will she be able to choose between her son and her granddaughter? Is there another way around this? We will have to wait until new episodes return to find out, but if anyone can unearth a way, it’s Regina.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the seasons of “Lost” from best to worst: “We have to go back!”

Happy Sunday TV Fans! For today’s throw-back Sunday, I am going to be ranking the seasons of Lost from best to worst. I have to admit that this took longer than I anticipated because each season has so much to offer. We watch the characters we have come to know and love grow and change, while the island continues to reveal new mysteries and challenges along the way.

Each season has its own set of heart-warming and shocking moments, refusing to allow the viewer to take a break for even an episode or you might just become lost yourself…pun intended. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

“We have to go back, Kate! We have to go back!” Jack (Through the Looking Glass part 2)

From the first time watching the series up until my 16^th re-watch, season 3 remains my absolute favorite but I do admit that some seasons come very close to knocking it out of the number one spot. Season 3 introduces us to the others. Yes, the others are coming or they came and we want to know what they are all about, right? At the end of season 2, Sawyer, Jack, and Kate have been captured by the others. They take them to Hydra Island and keep Jack locked up in the Hydra station while keeping Sawyer and Kate locked up in cages. Not only do we get to learn more about the others and see things from their perspective, but we are introduced to Dr. Juliet Burke who brings a new dynamic to the show. While it seems like Ben is calling the shots, Juliet proves to be an other who is just as home-sick as the rest of the losties and even risks her place as an “other” to help save Kate and Sawyer becoming more of a friend than a foe.

Ben has stepped out of his role of “Henry Gale” and proves to be a worthy opponent, and Desmond can now see the future and tells Charlie that he is going to die. For me, what sets season 3 above the rest is the fast pace of it. After watching the show so many times, I still have to sit on the edge of my seat watching this one in particular and tend to binge-watch this one more than the others. There aren’t as many filler episodes and one episode leads into the next seamlessly. Some of the greatest episodes in the entire series for me are in this season as well such as “Flashes before your eyes” and “Greatest Hits.” While this may or may not be your favorite season, most fans will agree that it is one of the best, as we learn that all bets are off. Flash forwards now exist and the Losties or at least some of them do get off the island. Talk about a cliff-hanger for a season finale!

“Has it occurred to any of you that your buddy’s actually gonna cause the thing he says he’s trying to prevent? Perhaps that little nuke is the incident? So maybe the best thing to do…is nothing?” Miles (The Incident)

Season 5, like season 3, is full of lots of action and introduces the concept of time travel. At the end of season 4, Ben moves the wheel to save the island, only the wheel is off its axis, causing the island to skip through time like a broken record. Locke has to then leave the island himself to get it back on course, which causes Sawyer, Juliet, Miles, and Jin to remain trapped in Dharmaville time. You may think that the time travel aspect is confusing or that it’s been done too many times, but what makes this season truly great is that it separates the characters for a period of three years and then they are all reunited again on the island bringing chaos and challenges along the way.

The season 5 finale, “The Incident” is one of my favorite episodes of the series giving the losties another chance to reset time to before Flight 815 crashed. But this would mean that some of them may have never met which could sever relationships and friendships for good. So is it the right thing to do? The end of the season reveals that Juliet has survived momentarily and takes it upon herself to detonate the hydrogen bomb to save Sawyer and give him a chance. Rather than the typical fade out into a black screen, the screen flashes white and I remember screaming at my television the first time watching, impatiently waiting to see what happened next.

“Last week most of us were strangers, but we’re all here now. And god knows how long we’re going to be here. But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” Jack (White Rabbit)

The pilot of season 1 is full of never-ending action, introducing the viewer to an overabundance of characters among a whirlwind of horrible events. As season 1 continues, Lost reveals that it is a show about much more than what the smoke monster is or who the other people are on the island. Don’t get me wrong, the scene where Kate is counting to 5 hiding from the smoke monster in the rain-soaked bamboo is terrifying and hooked me immediately.

However, the show transforms into something more with each episode. It’s about the people who crashed there and what their lives were like before. While some were criminals, others were alone or searching for something more, creating an undeniable connection between the characters and the viewer. We can find so much of ourselves in the decisions or mistakes they made, and they are given a chance at a clean slate to get a new life and survive together.

“Please don’t give up, Des. Because all we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. And you have her. I will wait for you. Always.” Penny (Live together, die alone)

Season 2 opens up with us finding out what is in the hatch that Locke was so desperate to get into. Was it his destiny? Maybe, but what’s truly interesting about the hatch is what, or I should say who, is inside. Desmond Hume has been living in the hatch for 3 years pressing a sequence of familiar numbers every 108 minutes to save the world. To Hurley’s dismay, the code is 4 8 15 16 23 42, the very numbers that he won the lottery with that he is convinced are cursed.

Desmond initially appears to be quite mad in the opening episodes, but later returns and becomes one of the most influential characters on the show. It is also revealed that there were survivors from Flight 815 in the tail section, which include the introduction of new characters such as Ana Lucia and Libby along with a beautiful reunion between Rose and her husband, Bernard. Michael switches sides and betrays the losties, killing Ana Lucia and Libby in the process and helping the others capture Jack, Hurley, Kate, and Sawyer. Although we are sympathetic with Michael trying to help his son, his actions are unforgivable and horrifying. Meanwhile, Locke believes the prisoner, Henry Gale that the numbers and the hatch aren’t real and just some experiment. Desmond returns to make the connection that he is what crashed Flight 815 and that it’s all very real, leading to the infamous “system failure” scene, where the hatch begins to self-destruct and Desmond turns the fail-safe key to sacrifice himself to save them all. While the action is there, season 2 lacks the fast and natural pace that seasons 3 and 5 have, as some filler episodes are trying a little too hard to reveal back stories and force connections.

“You were all flawed. I chose you because you were like me. You were all alone. You were all looking for something that you couldn’t find out there. I chose you because you need this place as much as it needed you.” Jacob (What They Died For)

Season 6 is the final season of the Lost series and many fans have revealed that this is the most controversial season, especially the ending. After watching the series so many times, I do still appreciate everything the writers did in this last season. I think that the forces of good and evil face off in a powerful match between Jack and the man in black, wearing John Locke’s face. The writers kill of characters we have come to love and bring us into another world or dimension, something that cannot be explained by time or reality.

Christian later explains to Jack that “there is no here, now.” The flash sideways we see are a way for the losties to find one another and to ultimately move on. Once again, this season proves to be very much about the characters and the connections they made along the way. While it may be lacking something final or epic, it brings closure and allows the island to be embraced by Hurley as the new Jacob to take care of others the way he always has and to lead the island in a new way. The series ends with Jack’s eye closing, bringing everything full circle, reminding us that life may be finite, but what we do and the memories and connections we hold dear to our hearts, last eternally.

“If there’s any part of you that still believes in us, just give me your number.” Desmond (The Constant)

Season 4 is my least favorite of all the seasons but not for lack of great material and drama. This was during the writer’s strike so this is the shortest of all of the seasons so perhaps that is why it falls short for me. However, it has some great episodes, including one of my favorites, “The Constant.” Flash-forwards continue as it is revealed to us who the “Oceanic Six” are and new characters from the freighter are introduced such as Daniel Faraday, Miles, Charlotte, and Frank.

While they initially arrive claiming they are there to help rescue the losties, it is clear they have another agenda which includes capturing the scheming, Ben Linus and returning him to Charles Widmore. More secrets are revealed, including how to move the island and what a 14-J is, but there just aren’t enough of them to rank this season toward the top. Either way, the show would not be complete without all of these seasons, proving time and time again why it is such an epic and memorable series.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your comments and thoughts on some of your favorite seasons of Lost. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 television series with numbers in the title: What’s your favorite zip code?

Happy Wednesday TV Fans! As I am counting the days until the weekend and I am sure you are too, it got me thinking about numbers in particular on television. I started to create a list of television series with numbers in the title and couldn’t believe how many there were over the years. If you are bored at all throughout the day, I challenge you to create a list of as many number TV shows as you can without using the internet of course. 🙂 It’s actually really fun and you can post how many you were able to come up with in the comments. Naturally, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to rank my top TV shows that fit into this category. My top 5 TV shows containing numbers in the title are:

5) One Tree Hill. One Tree Hill has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I used to watch Soapnet all day when I worked from home and this show came on quite a bit. I was actually really disappointed that they took the show off of Netflix streaming because it is really addicting to watch. While it may seem like your typical teenage soap centered on high school drama, the show does a good job of involving real issues as well. There is a strong emphasis on family in the show and the narrator and main character, Lucas Scott, has a romantic view of the world, which elevates the show for me and ties in epic works of literature along with a lot of important thoughts that may have crossed our minds in different points in our lives.

4) 24. While I have to admit, I have not gotten a chance to watch through this show recently, it is my mother’s absolute favorite and I thought very deserving of a spot in the top 5 even though it is not necessarily my top choice. When this show aired on television, it had a quality that hooked the audience to watch the show live similar to The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones now. You didn’t want to merely record 24 because you could miss something crucial or you didn’t want someone around you to spoil what happened. The number 24 is significant in the series and not just merely in the title, as each season contained 24 episodes covering the 24 hours in Jack Bauer’s life. All of the events happen in real time, which keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat seeing everything from Agent Bauer’s point of view.

3) 13 Reasons Why. When this series streamed on Netflix earlier in the year, it was considered to be very controversial because of the subject matter and targeted audience. As a result, it got mixed reviews. After watching the first episode for myself, I found myself binge-watching the season all in one day. While I am sure many of you have done the same, the show did an excellent job of drawing the viewer in wanting to unlock the real reasons why Hannah Baker decided to end her life and how her friend, Clay Jensen is involved. Rather than leave a suicide note, Hannah records everything on 13 audio cassette tapes and has them delivered to the different people responsible so that they can hear the whole story. While the show makes you want to dive deeper into truth, there is something very raw and painful about the emotions that are revealed along the way from each character who wronged Hannah and how they are dealing with the aftermath of her death along with issues in their own lives that they are facing.

2) The 100. I have to admit that this is one of my favorite shows on television right now and I am counting the days until new episodes are aired. The 100 reminds me of a futuristic version of Lost, revealing mystery after mystery where you truly can’t guess what is coming next. The series starts off after earth has been destroyed by the nuclear war and the remaining survivors are living in a space station called the Ark. However, air and supplies are running low and the leaders of the Ark make the decision to send 100 juvenile prisoners down to earth. While it seemed initially that they were sending them off to die to sacrifice the few to save the many, earth is in fact livable again. The prisoners are all trying to exist in a world without adults and laws, but find out that earth has many dangers, including other people who were already living there, “Grounders,” who are not looking forward to sharing their land with these invaders. While each threat is dealt with, a new one emerges, forcing the Sky survivors to deal with betrayal, love, death, and war.

1) Beverly Hills, 90210. It should be no surprise that my top choice takes place in our favorite zip code. The show lasted for 10 years and even had a revival series done years later. Many of us have grown up watching our favorite twins, Brandon and Brenda Walsh move from Minnesota to the very different and superficial Beverly Hills, California. The soap-drama is a guilty pleasure of many and I recently watched through the entire series again over the summer. Through all of the drama, this group of friends sticks together and grows up fast in a materialistic world only to realize that things don’t come as easily as they did in high school and that you can’t always buy your way out of everything. While many of the plots are outrageous and over the top, there is a lesson in all of them, and we find ourselves rooting for each character who we have come to know well from years of watching them.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your comments below about any of these shows or some of your own favorites. If you do complete the challenge, feel free to post how many shows you were able to come up with that do have a number in the title. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 couples from “Lost”

Happy Sunday TV fans! As I woke up this morning, the wind is out of control and I have the urge to sit back, relax, and watch some more of ABC’s Lost. My dog, Honey, approves as well, insisting she reserve the comfiest part of the couch per usual. I wrote about characters last week and I realized that Lost is about more than the characters, it’s about their connections to one another. While some characters are linked through friendship, rivalry, and family; many of the heart-warming bonds are romantic.

This got me really thinking about my favorite ships or couples from the series. I just recently learned what “ships” actually are so I thought I would incorporate it in here. 🙂 Like my top characters list, this one has also shifted for me over the years with each re-watch. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. My top five ships/couples from Lost are:

Kate & Sawyer aka Skate.

So the first time I watched the series, I adored the relationship between Kate and Sawyer. I know that many fans of the show either prefer Kate and Sawyer or Juliet and Sawyer, but not both. I think that Sawyer was in a different place in his life for each relationship. With Kate, he is still trying to discover who he is and come to terms with what happened to his family and for murdering an innocent man in cold blood before he got on Flight 815. If Juliet were to come into Sawyer’s life at this time, there would be no relationship. He wasn’t ready for it yet. Kate, like Sawyer, was also dealing with guilt of her own, running from it at each chance she got.

When she thinks she is talking to the ghost of her father, Wayne, she tells him that “every time she feels something for Sawyer she thinks of him and it makes her sick.” They both needed each other to help them grow and although it may not have been true love, they had a fiery passion that could not be easily replicated. Kate is also able to deal with Sawyer more than the other Losties and is able to convince him to help on more than one occasion. One of my favorite moments with them is when they play “I Never” while drinking which reveals just how alike they are. Kate is also the one to realize that Sawyer wrote the letter he carries around and sees right through his tough guy act. When they are trapped by the others in the cages, Kate will do anything to save his life which shows that although she may not realize her love for him yet, she does truly care for him. In another one of my favorite scenes, they kiss and Sawyer tells Kate she “tastes like strawberries” and her reply is that he “tastes like fish biscuits.” Ultimately, Sawyer is not ready to be with Kate or Freckles as he likes to call her just yet. He jumps off the chopper so that she can make it to the freighter.

Years later when Kate returns, he explains that he wasn’t fit to be her boyfriend then similar to not being fit to raise his own daughter. He has changed so much over the years but circumstances are different now and Juliet is in the equation.

Charlie & Claire.

One of my favorite scenes of the entire series is when Charlie brings back imaginary peanut butter and the two of them share this on the beach. Charlie is dealing with his heroin addiction when he crashes on the island and displays a lot of selfish and foolish behavior along the way. However, his love for Claire is pure and beautiful. There is a teenage dream like quality when they are together. Although I don’t see the passion like with Kate and Sawyer, their connection transcends this. When Desmond later tells Charlie that he is going to die, Charlie writes down his “greatest hits” and insists that Desmond give it to Claire when he is gone. His top moment of his life is the day he met Claire which may sound cliche on the surface, but it is so representative of the bond between these two.

What’s so beautiful about their love is that Charlie also fully accepts Aaron as his family too. He may go off the deep end with this several times, but ultimately he considers him to be his son and leaves the family DS ring to him. In the last episode of the series, many characters are re-united and when Charlie and Claire are brought together again, it brings tears to my eyes.

Juliet & Sawyer aka Suliet.

As I mentioned earlier, I do think that both relationships are epic in their own way. When Sawyer is left on the island, he transforms as a character. He understands and accepts that he needs to take on leadership and help others. In embracing the best part of himself, he is now truly ready to open his heart to someone else and finds love with Juliet. When it was first revealed that Sawyer and Juliet were together, many fans reacted against this ship. After watching the series so many times, I understand and appreciate their love. Sawyer demonstrated signs of selflessness with Kate, but he was still running from himself at the same time.

When he is with Juliet, he now understands what it means to care for someone else and to be loyal to them until the end. Perhaps I did not realize how much Sawyer and Juliet care for one another until I watched “The Incident,” season 5 finale. Juliet’s death is one of the most tragic ones in the entire series for me mostly because of the impact it has on Sawyer. Like with Charlie and Claire, when Sawyer and Juliet are re-united together in the vending machine scene, I lose it and the tears keep on coming.

Desmond & Penny.

After watching the series many times, this couple has always been present somewhere in my top five. One of my favorite moments of the show is in the season 2 finale when Desmond opens the book, Our Mutual Friend, by Charles Dickens. Desmond has previously revealed that he was saving the book for when he died as he wanted it to be the last thing he read before leaving this world. Penny knows and understands Desmond so well, that she leaves a note for him in the book. She knows that he will only open the book in a moment of great despair and writes: “Please don’t give up, Des. Because all we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. And you have her. I will wait for you. Always. I Love you, Pen.” This is not just a sentiment. Penny truly means this and the end of season 2 reveals that she is still looking for Desmond even though he has been gone for over three years. She tells him that “with enough money and determination, you can find anyone.”

As if this couldn’t get any more epic and destined enough, in the episode “The Constant,” Desmond is flashing back and forth through different times and tells Penny that he is not going to call her for eight years and she cannot change her number. When Desmond is calling from the freighter, my heart was beating uncontrollably wondering if she would pick up. To fans delight, she does answer and saves Desmond once again. The love between Desmond and Penny is so powerful and it goes to show that having someone like in that your life who never gives up on you is greater than anything else that gets in the way.

Sun & Jin.

For me, Sun and Jin have a love that is very different from the other characters. Out of all of the ships/couples, their love is the most real. Their love isn’t perfect and there are times where they do temporarily give up on one another and forget about why they fell in love in the first place. But this is what makes their love so important. Real love isn’t out of a fairy-tale; although I’m sure we would like it to be. Real love is about compromise and accepting that we will make mistakes along the way. Sun has an affair with another man and even contemplates leaving Jin and running away at the airport. However, Jin shows her that he is holding a small white flower, just like when they first met and she changes her mind.

It breaks Jin’s heart when he finds out that Sun speaks English, representing another lie she kept from him for so long. Both Sun and Jin are looking to prove themselves to the other, only to later realize that their love is enough. The fact that they are able to forgive each other for mistakes they made before, shows the viewer what the island is all about. It makes perfect sense to me why Jacob chose them as candidates. While other characters have discovered who they were along the way, Sun and Jin truly find themselves together as a couple. Their death is one of the saddest for me to watch and the image of them holding hands under water leaves us with a reminder that they will never be apart again.

I hope you enjoyed my list and feel free to post your own comments and thoughts about the ships on Lost. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“Once Upon a Time” Ranking the top 5 moments from Season 7 episode 7: Who is in San Francisco?

ABC’s Once upon a Time, season 7 episode 7, is filled with surprises and unexpected twists and turns. After watching the two hour episode last night, it left me with even more questions. Please note that spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. It looks like Hook may find his happy ending after all with an unexpected bond that not even a poison heart can break. Speaking of hearts, Regina/Roni may not have left hers in San Francisco, so who is she going after for help? My top five moments from Once upon a Time, season 7 episode 7 are:

5) Henry & Ella/Jacinda get trapped together in a net. This scene was pure magic for me and actually showed me the spark between these two which has been blaringly missing from the prior episodes. It brought me back to when Prince Charming caught Snow White in a net, bringing together these destined soul mates in an adorable meet cute. It also reminded me of ABC’s Lost, when Jack and Kate get stuck in a net together much like Henry and Ella. It was a nice way for the writers to give fans a sense of nostalgia and ignite a much needed connection between Henry and Ella/Jacinda.

4) Mother Gothel proves she is a villain to watch. I was excited to see the introduction of Rapunzel into the world of OUAT, only to find out that it was the witch, Gothel in disguise. She plays on Hook’s weakness who is a fool for love, only to use him to give birth to a magical child with her blood so that she may leave the tower. When Hook/Detective Rogers frees her as Eloise Gardner, she reveals that Ivy/Drizella and Lady Tremaine may not be the main villains we thought they were. Gothel is done hiding in the shadows and is about to show the world what she is capable of.

3) Jacinda and Lucy are re-united. I was so sympathetic with Jacinda when Lucy was taken away from her and she revealed her own insecurities as a mother when she admits that she waived her parental rights and let Lucy go with her grandmother voluntarily. A new romantic interest is introduced into the mix as well when Lucy’s father, Nick/Jack, comes back into their lives to help with the case. While Jacinda claims she has no feelings for Nick, it makes us wonder if this is another threat to the bond between her and Henry. Jacinda does ultimately get Lucy back and Lucy accepts her mother with open arms.

2) Hook’s daughter is revealed to be…Alice! The introduction of Hook’s child was a surprise for me but I thought it gave him a real chance to be selfless and to raise his baby after she was abandoned by her mother, Gothel. I thought it was especially touching when he sang her a lullaby, revealing his own need to have some form of connection in the world. Alice’s story was already very interesting to me, different from the other versions of Alice who were introduced previously on Once Upon a Time. This gives Alice a new purpose and hope for Hook to find his own happily ever after.

1) Who is in San Francisco? The episode ends with Regina/Roni going off to San Francisco to get some help to take down the villains and wake everyone up. After Rumpel rejects her proposal to team up and continues on as if he does not remember who he is, Regina/Roni realizes that she will need to recruit help from somewhere else. So who is in San Francisco? I am banking on Zelena but we will have to wait and see.

I hope you enjoyed and please feel free to post your comments and theories below. OUAT may be on a break for the next few weeks, but let’s keep the theories coming!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl