mystery Archives - Page 19 of 20

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 13: “Norman Bates made it look so easy.”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 13 last night, I have to admit that even I did not see some of these twists and turns unraveling. While we will need to wait until early March for a new episode to air, let’s focus on what we know and what we still don’t know for today. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Chapter Twenty-Six: The Tell-Tale Heart,” Betty goes down a dangerous path and makes the decision to help her mother and Chic clean up a mess that won’t make her guilt disappear along with it. Archie makes the brave decision to stand up to Agent Adams and Veronica chooses to do the right thing, weighing it above her family loyalty. Meanwhile, Cheryl refuses to let her mother ruin another family and Jughead decides to take on the big boss, Mr. Lodge to strike up a deal. My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 13 are:

Jughead has a meeting with Mr. Lodge.

Jughead refuses to sit by quietly and enlists the help of his father, FP to sit down for negotiations with Mr. Lodge. Veronica happily mediates the discussion which seems to be full of all of the niceties one would expect at a legitimate business meeting. Mr. Lodge and the Jones family agree that they want peace in the land. After Mr. Lodge offers to meet them half-way, Jughead refuses to keep his name out of the expose he is writing and tells him “no deal.” FP is proud of his son and supports him completely. It’s good to see the Jones family making the right decisions. After all, making a deal with the devil deserves some much needed contemplation.

Cheryl does the right thing.

When Cheryl learns that her mother is having an affair with Hal Cooper, she argues that she is “destroying families with her courtesan ways.” Her mother shocks her by telling her that it’s the real deal with Hal and she doesn’t even blink an eye at the thought of shattering Alice Cooper’s family. Cheryl refuses to accept this especially after witnessing Betty sick to her stomach at school. Assuming it must be directly related to her family breaking apart; Cheryl confronts Hal and warns him to stay away from her “harlot mother.” Even though she offers to keep things quiet from Betty, Cheryl makes the decision to tell her what’s going on anyway because she feels it is the right thing to do. It looks like Cheryl is finally going down the right path. There doesn’t seem to be any ulterior motives here, but will her mother cross her once she finds out about her betrayal?

Veronica visits Mayor McCoy.

Even though Veronica has accepted her new role in the family business with open arms, it’s clear that she is not about to let her conscience be corrupted in the process. When she finds out that her parents intend to blackmail Mayor McCoy with information on the affair she is having with Kevin’s dad, Veronica makes the brave the decision to tell the Mayor what is going on. In an effort to protect her reputation, she admits to her what her parents know and Mayor McCoy asks “how much time do I have?” She steps down from her position as Mayor and Veronica reminds her parents that she is no longer a threat and exposing her now would only be cruel. Will her parents find out that she has put the Mayor over her responsibility to her family? Will Veronica be able to get out of this with a clean conscience? Time will tell but it’s great to see that she still has her morals intact.

Betty comes clean to Jughead.

While still withholding some very pertinent information from her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Jughead, Betty cannot keep her latest secret to herself. In the beginning of the episode, “the lives of the Cooper women were forever changed,” as Betty decides to help her mother cover up the murder of the shady man who came to see Chic. When Betty comes down for breakfast the next day, she is appalled that Chic and her mother are sitting there bright eyed and bushy tailed without any hint of remorse. Her anger leaks out when she says “I don’t like chocolate chip pancakes” in disgust. The doorbell rings and Betty shatters the plate in her hand, revealing her own guilt and nerves about what took place the night before. She is unable to let her guilt go as she goes back to the body and takes the man’s phone, going through each number to provide her with some sense of truth or closure. Betty learns that Chic is lying to the family as his info appears in the shady man’s phone, but Alice refuses to let Betty start a fight and divide the family. Not knowing where else to turn, Betty confides in Jughead about what has taken place and they sink the shady man’s car that has been parked on Betty’s block for two days. Not wanting for Betty to make the same mistake his family has, they bring in FP who helps dispose of the body and keeps their secret, understanding full well what a cover up can do to a family. Even though everything seems to be safely hidden under the surface, we know that things don’t always stay buried for long. Will someone come looking for the shady man? What else is Chic keeping from the family? How will Betty and Jughead cope with such a dark secret?

Archie meets “the boss.”

Archie is facing quite the dilemma when he has second thoughts about spying on the Lodge family. He loves Veronica very much and feels awful about what Agent Adams is asking him to do. Agent Adams pays his father a visit, reminding Archie what’s at stake here, but Archie holds his ground, risking everything to protect the Lodge family. He goes to Mr. Lodge and tells him everything, putting all his cards on the table. Later in the episode, Archie is escorted off to see “the boss.” Not knowing what to expect, the car pulls up to a secluded spot to reveal Veronica’s mother, Hermione Lodge as the HBIC. She reveals to Archie that Agent Adams isn’t real and this was all a test. Archie is completely shocked by this revelation. Luckily for Archie, he made the right decision, but what else is the Lodge family capable of? Now that he has been accepted into their family, what will they expect from him in return? We will need to wait until March 7^th 2018 for new episodes to air, but there are still a lot of mysteries to be solved. Stay tuned to find out!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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

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

Jughead comes clean to Betty about his past with Toni.

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

Veronica’s Confirmation.

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

Penny is back and seeks revenge on Jughead.

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

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

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

Betty and Alice Cooper embrace the darkness.

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

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 11: “The Dark Education of Betty Cooper.”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 11 last night, I’ve realized that there is a very thin line between heroism and villainy. Whether it stems from the need to dive deeper into what lurks beneath the surface or to protect someone we love, our decisions can get us caught up in a web of deception that may not be so easily unraveled. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Chapter Twenty-Four: The Wrestler,” Betty and Archie fall further and further away from grace, clinging to the hope that they can discover the truth no matter what the cost is. Veronica and Jughead become immersed and blinded by their new worlds, sugarcoating the consequences, and Cheryl learns the wretched truth about her ancestors. Meanwhile, Pickens Day inherits a new tradition, Josie takes a stand against Veronica, and Hal Cooper’s anger gets the best of him. My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 11 are:

Hal Cooper is pushed to the limit.

Even though Hal helped an injured Chic, he is having second thoughts about letting Betty’s brother stay with them, especially since he is sleeping in Polly’s old room, bringing up some unhealed wounds for Hal. His concerns are dismissed by Alice and Betty who tell Chic that he can stay there as long as he likes. Alice’s need to connect with Chic is the most important thing to her right now and she refuses to let her husband ruin it for her. Hal snoops around the house and discovers that Chic is into “webcamming” and has a unique set of clients, infuriating him beyond reason. He confronts his family at Pickens Day, which Cheryl’s mother takes note of. Does Cheryl’s mother view this as a possible new business opportunity? All signs point to “yes” as she strategically offers to take Hal out for a better dessert, hinting at her intentions. Will Hal throw away his marriage over Chic’s arrival? It’s no secret that Alice and Hal have had their problems in the past, but this may be what ultimately pushes him over the edge to no return.

Cheryl learns the truth about her ancestors.

In the beginning of the episode, Cheryl gives a history presentation about Pickens Day and talks about the important part the Blossom family played, even suggesting that they rename the day in history to include the name, Blossom. When the truth comes out that General Pickens was responsible for the massacre of innocent people and stole land, Cheryl is unable to maintain the cool front that her mother does. She sheds a tear, horrified by this revelation. Is this enough to turn her to action, however? At the end of the episode, we learn that someone beheaded the statue of General Pickens and everyone is ready to point fingers at the Serpents, but could this actually be the handy work of Cheryl?

Jughead uncovers the real story about General Pickens.

When Jughead is researching his own history presentation, he learns a lot from Toni’s grandfather who is the oldest Serpent still living in Riverdale. Jughead is horrified that the town is honoring General Pickens rather than trying to make amends. While it is clear that Jughead is angry by this, does he cross a line? Toni is clearly upset about his article and explains to Jughead that “it’s not his story to tell.” It certainly gave Jughead the ammunition he was looking for against the town, but he recognizes that Toni is right and the Serpents take on a different approach on Pickens Day to truly make a point. The Serpents show up with protest signs and some have tape over their mouths, representing the dead and silent from that massacre. Toni courageously gets up on stage to talk about the importance of them being honored and remembered, but Mr. Lodge deflects the issue and takes over the microphone with his empty promises. While this may temporarily prevent the town from erupting into chaos, it’s clear that this is not the only secret being covered up.

Betty tries to make it right with Chic.

Betty is thrilled that her brother is staying with her family, but he does not warm up to her instantly as she had hoped. Chic is unsure of her motives and Betty tries to win his trust. After Chic is upset that his laptop and web-cam equipment were taken by his landlord/pimp, Betty gives him her old laptop as a peace offering. Chic lets his guard down and begins providing some answers as the two start a real connection. Betty admits that she has a darkness brewing inside her and she desperately wants to get to the root cause. She is hoping that they can both connect to this on some level and she is right. Chic admits that he did spy on her that first night and that “webcamming” provides him with an escape. It’s a way to get away from the darkness, sparking Betty’s immediate interest. Chic is clearly winning Betty’s trust but is she ready for what’s to come next? Sure Betty can put on a wig and pretend to be someone else, but is she really going to be able to compromise her image of goodness and perfection in the process? Is Chic actually manipulating Betty into getting exactly what he wants? Could she become the accomplice to the real Black Hood? Time will tell.

Archie vs. Mr. Lodge.

Archie realizes that he needs to get closer to Mr. Lodge if he is going to truly help Agent Adams with his investigation. Veronica explains that her father loves wrestling and was even on the team when he attended Riverdale high. Archie tries out for the team, expecting for it to be a cake-walk since he is somewhat of a jock, but is in for a rude awakening. During the first try-out, Kevin schools him and Archie realizes that this is going to be harder than he thought. Mr. Lodge makes some unnecessary comments about how it is OK to just be a musician, clearly testing Archie’s limits and mocking his manliness. Archie reacts by kissing Veronica in front of her father, which is not the best approach. In the next try out, Mr. Lodge decides to try out his famous wrestling headlock move on a volunteer, however; he ignores all of the volunteers and picks Archie to prove a point that he will always win. He later reveals to Archie that wrestling is about “knowing your opponent.” He tells Archie that he will tolerate him and that “boyfriends come and go while Fathers are forever.” Archie is up to the challenge and does extremely well in his next try-out, but pushes the limits when he asks Mr. Lodge to be his mentor in terms of getting into business. After ignoring a call from Agent Adams, is Archie in over his head or is he initiating a plan to truly outsmart his opponent?

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 10 mid-season premiere: Dangerous Liaisons

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 10 last night, I am so beyond thrilled that one of my favorite shows on television is back with new episodes. The episode did a great job of tying up some of the loose ends and unanswered questions from the mid-season finale. Worlds collided and new characters and agendas were introduced, proving that the drama is nowhere near over for Riverdale. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Chapter Twenty-Three: The Blackboard Jungle,” Veronica happily embraces her new productive role within the Lodge family business. Archie is approached by an FBI agent and Cheryl learns that her mother is happy being a “woman of the night.” Meanwhile, South Side High is officially closed; bringing everyone together for a happy reunion at Riverdale High, but Jughead is not ready to conform just yet. Betty decides to track down her last chance at family after a disappointing visit from Polly, which could be the most dangerous decision of all. My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 10 are:

South Side & Riverdale High Schools collide.

In the beginning of the episode, it is revealed that the mayor is shutting down South Side High School because of dangerous fumes from a meth lab in the basement along with other issues involving drug trafficking. Where will Jughead and the Serpents go to school? You guessed it…Riverdale High School. While some students don’t seem to care very much about the change, others take a stand on both sides, refusing to share their space with their enemies. While this decision to bring all the students together created its own sense of drama and chaos, the real question still remains as to what the Lodge family has to gain from this? Mr. and Mrs. Lodge clearly desire the land underneath South Side High School but why? Are they making a play to take over the entire town? Who will get stepped on in the process?

Cheryl crashes the Welcoming Committee.

Veronica eagerly steps up to lead the Welcoming Committee, hoping to make a good impression on her parents and the entire student body. She even convinces Archie to help with it as well to keep the peace. Everything seems to be going well until Cheryl and some other angry students storm in, refusing to welcome the South Side students with open arms. Veronica comically refers to Cheryl as “Facist Barbie,” but Cheryl is unaffected by this, labeling the South Side students as “ragamuffins.” She tells Archie that he is on the wrong side and even attempts to black-mail him, revealing that she witnessed the secret kiss he shared with Betty. Cheryl proves once again to be the classic mean girl we adore, refusing to sit by on the sidelines.

“A Serpent never sheds his skin.”

You would think that Jughead would be excited to return to Riverdale High School. Even though he and Betty broke up, all of his friends are there and it’s not like he has been gone that long. When the Serpents cross paths with Cheryl and the jocks, Jughead is beyond frustrated. After a student paints graffiti on the school emblem, the principal makes the quick and rash decision to ban the Serpent jackets from school. Toni and some of the others are fine with the decision, happy to have new computer labs and a legitimate chance at a good education, but Jughead becomes more and more angry, refusing to comply. After he refuses to take off his jacket, he gets in a fight and is suspended. Jughead eventually comes around and decides to form a club so that they can still get together on campus, without revealing that they are a gang. He explains that it will be their “safe haven” and that they will be “lying low in the tall grass.” What exactly is Jughead planning? Has he gotten in too deep with the Serpents?

Betty finds her brother.

Betty is surprised to find Polly in her bedroom, picking up a few things and nonchalantly sharing the news that she had the twins already. When Polly goes back to the farm without even staying to say hello to their parents, Betty is feeling hurt and abandoned by her sister, causing her to put her Nancy Drew skills to the test once more. Betty is not good at sitting still, always diving into a new mystery to solve, refusing to take a minute to actually deal with her feelings. She tracks down the address of her brother, Charles Smith and lets her parents know that she wants to go and meet him. While Betty’s father wants no part of this, Mrs. Cooper visits Betty later that night and confides to her that she does want to meet her son. When they walk through the seedy motel to find him, Mrs. Cooper latches onto Betty’s arm, as if the infestation and filth will seep through their bubble of perfection. After meeting Charles or “Chic” as he likes to be called, Betty and Mrs. Cooper are horrified by his lifestyle and surroundings, feeling somewhat responsible for his current conditions. After Betty returns to check in on Chic, she finds him being attacked and stabbed. Betty saves the day with Pepper Spray, proving once again that she is not one to mess with. After taking Chic home, the Cooper family helps stitch him up and gives him a place to stay, but did they just “let another monster in?” Clearly there is something not right with Chic, especially after we see him standing over Betty’s bed in a beyond creepy way. Archie is not so sure they got the right bad guy…so is it possible that Chic is the real Black Hood? I’m thinking yes, but we will have to wait and see what this new character has in store for Riverdale.

Archie begins spying for the FBI.

At the end of the mid-season finale, Archie was clearly being watched, as someone took secret photos of him. We now learn that this was Agent Adams who works for the FBI and is seeking Archie’s help to be the inside man spying on the Lodge family. While Archie is hesitant about this at first, he soon realizes the importance of protecting his father and his girlfriend, Veronica. His first mission is to find out what really happened to Nick St. Clair, as the FBI has reason to believe that Mr. Lodge is responsible for his “accident” and is heavily involved in “organized crime.” After Archie learns that Nick also tried to attack Veronica, he is beyond angry. Archie proves to be the white knight coming to the rescue of both Veronica and Cheryl, paying Nick a surprise visit to get the check that Cheryl deserved. Archie lets his emotions get in the way, however; punching and attacking the already injured Nick several times before leaving. Archie is warned about this and realizes that he cannot let his emotions get in the way again if he is going to be successful with his mission. He now feels ready to do what needs to be done: to take down the Lodge family and assist the FBI. Archie even comes clean with Veronica and tells her about the kiss he shared with Betty, truly wanting a fresh and honest start with his girlfriend and reminding himself that he will do anything to protect her…even if means bringing down her own family in the process. Is Archie in over his head? Most likely, but I’m rooting for him just the same.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 9 mid-season finale: Is the Black Hood truly revealed?

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 9 last night, I am left wondering if the mystery of the Black Hood’s identity has actually been solved? While it all adds up and makes sense, there was something almost anticlimactic about the reveal. The end of the episode suggests that Betty’s not entirely sure it’s all over either. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, Betty and Archie once again take matters into their own hands to track down Mr. Svenson and deal with the Black Hood’s threats. Meanwhile, Veronica makes a bold decision and Cheryl refuses to give up on the fancy Christmas tradition she has become accustomed to. The group participates in secret Santa and more than just gifts are exchanged, as unresolved feelings re-surface. My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 9 are:

The group participates in Secret Santa.

Even though there is a killer running loose, that doesn’t stop our Riverdale favorites from participating in some Christmas traditions. However, gift giving becomes slightly complicated when recent exes are involved. For example, Veronica receives a “couple’s massage” gift certificate and Betty obtains the “Swiss Family Robinson” album that she and Archie used to sing to as children. Later, Veronica and Betty present their gifts to their exes, revealing how much they still care. As if this couldn’t get any more confusing, the Black Hood decides to get in on the Secret Santa action and leaves Betty a gift-wrapped finger. I guess it’s the thought that counts.

No Serpent stands alone.

What is the first law? “No Serpent stands alone!” Jughead refuses to let his father deal with the consequences of his actions and enlists the help of his fellow Serpents to go after Penny and drive her out of Riverdale. This might backfire, however; as Penny doesn’t seem like the type to give up so easily. Jughead means business when he takes out a knife to get his pound of flesh…literally. While it’s nice to see Jughead boost morale and try and help out his father, it seems like he keeps involving himself deeper and deeper, jeopardizing his own future in the process. Time will tell if Penny attempts to take revenge on him but all signs point to yes.

Cheryl saves Christmas.

When Cheryl’s mother explains they will need to cut back around the holidays because they are broke, Cheryl refuses to accept this. She marches off to purchase the grandest Christmas tree and decorates her house with glitz and glamour galore. She demands that her mother figure out a way to make ends meet, refusing to apologize for her actions. Nana Rose comically adds in to Cheryl’s mother that “she should have drowned them at birth like a basket of kittens.” Later in the episode, Cheryl walks in on her mother kissing a stranger with a Santa hat. Is this a new boyfriend or has her mother lowered herself to a new profession?

Veronica is no longer Daddy’s little girl.

Veronica desperately wants to help Archie and Fred. When she learns that Fred is facing a medical bill of 86,000 dollars she asks her family for help but is turned down. Much like Cheryl, Veronica refuses to back down. She breaks into her father’s office and finds out that he owns Pop’s diner. As if her actions weren’t bad enough, she then uses her mother’s black amex card to pay off Fred’s bill. When her parents later confront her about this, she proves that she is ready to grow up quickly and learn all there is to know about the Lodge family business. Veronica has some ground rules which include keeping the charge to help Fred and staying away from doing anything illegal. Veronica liked the way it felt to sit in her father’s chair and is ready to play boss. But can she handle it?

The Black Hood is revealed.

Betty and Archie are not giving up until they discover the truth and they do just that in this mid-season finale. When Mr. Svenson hasn’t shown up to work, Betty and Archie head over to his house, but all they find is a lonely bowl of soup left on the front porch. They visit the Sisters of Quiet Mercy to find out more about Mr. Svenson’s involvement and learn what his sin is. After his family was brutally murdered, he took a group of people to punish the culprit, only to kill an innocent man by mistake. Betty and Archie discover that Nana Rose Blossom was around for this and that Betty’s grandfather was involved as well. They are horrified to learn that the innocent man was buried alive, bringing them that much closer to discovering the sin that the Black Hood wants them to. Before they go any further, Archie confesses “I need you with me” to Betty and they share a kiss. This seems like a fleeting moment in the midst of all of this chaos and danger, but what if it’s not? Cheryl has witnessed the kiss and later Veronica tells Archie that she does love him as a mysterious photographer captures their embrace on camera, which has fans wondering when this will all unravel. Will Betty and Veronica’s friendship be able to survive this? Who will Archie ultimately choose?

Archie and Betty’s feelings are forced to be put on hold, however; when they dig up the coffin in Pickens Park. They find that it’s empty, but the Black Hood shows up and forces Archie inside. Betty turns the tables on him and Archie makes a bold decision to shoot him, killing him instantly. Sheriff Keller shows up just in the nick of time which seems suspicious, but Betty and Archie are happy to have some back-up. Mr. Svenson is revealed as the Black Hood, down one finger and his life. It seems like the mystery has been solved, but the gang is later sitting in the diner trying to find the words to uncover the why to no avail. At the end of the episode, Betty is unable to burn her black hood, which shows that her own darkness is still lurking inside her and that this isn’t over just yet. Is Mr. Svenson the only Black Hood killer or was this a set up? We will have to wait for new episodes to find out, but I’m not closing the book on the Black Hood mystery just yet.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 9: Dream-walking out of this world

Happy Friday TV fans! The weekend is almost here, but I find myself needing to discuss the mid-season finale of Supernatural before diving into any other shows. After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 9 last night, I am wondering exactly where everyone is and I am most concerned for the Winchester brothers. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, Sam and Dean are reunited with Jack, realizing that he is good after all. Dream-walkers are introduced into the mix and some familiar friends return to warn us that something wicked comes this way. Meanwhile, the angels are after Jack and will stop at nothing to capture him, but this doesn’t stop him from attending an addiction meeting along the way. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 9 are:

Jack attends an addiction anonymous meeting. He is there to find the dream-walker, but he needs to take a page from Sam and Dean’s book on how to come up with a convincing cover story. Kaia is a young dream-walker who is suffering from a drug addiction as she desperately attempts to escape “the bad place.” When she crosses paths with Jack, she asks why he is there and he enthusiastically responds with “cocaine!” Kaia later refers to him as “cocaine boy” which keeps the laughs coming, as she is no fool and realizes that he is absolutely something other-worldly.

Patience is back. I was thrilled at the introduction of psychic, Patience a few episodes back and was wondering if we would see her again. Luckily for the Winchester brothers, Patience has a vision and realizes that they are all in serious trouble. She makes a difficult choice when her father tells her she cannot come back if she decides to go down this route. Patience remains strong and realizes that she must embrace her destiny because it is the right thing to do. She knocks on Jody’s door to tell her that they are all in great danger, leaving fans trapped in a cliff-hanger that we are all anxiously waiting to see unravel. Either way, it is great to see Patience back and I am looking forward to the development of her character.

Jack is able to see Sam and Dean’s mother. While viewers have been able to see what is going on with Mary, Sam and Dean have been completely clueless regarding her well-being, fearing the worst. When Jack taps into the power of the dream-walkers, he is able to get close enough to see her through a door to another world. It is clear that Mary is in desperate need of rescuing, but now that Jack is there, how are they going to escape?

Jack tells Sam and Dean that they are his family. When Sam and Dean are riding in the car with Jack they express how worried they were that he would be looking for his father, Lucifer. This word strikes a confused look on Jack’s face as he explains that Sam, Dean, and Castiel are his family and that is why he was trying to do one good thing for them and find their mother. Although Jack is still very new to this world and his powers are alarmingly strong and dangerous, he possesses a child-like vulnerability and clearly does understand what family means, warming the hearts of us viewers in this touching moment.

Kaia and Jack send everyone through the open doors of worlds via dream-walking. While we know that Jack is in Mary’s world, Sam and Dean are somewhere else entirely, waking up inside an enormous foot-print of something otherworldly. Is this the danger that Patience predicted in her vision? Is this the “bad place” that Kaia feared? How will they get out of there and find one another? The mid-season finale leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions, but if there is one thing I’m certain of, it’s that Sam and Dean Winchester can escape the inescapable. It’s just a matter of how and when.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 8: “It’s a Mad World”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 8 last night, I am left with the haunting melody of “Mad World,” playing in my head, wondering if the passionate and intense feelings of Archie and Veronica are enough to overcome dodging those three powerful words that have now ripped through their bond. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, Betty lets her pony-tail down and embraces her naughty side to try and fit into Jughead’s world, Archie and Veronica take a turn at playing detective, and FP contemplates retirement from the Serpents. Seeing FP waiting on Cheryl Blossom at Pop’s diner puts things into perspective, however; as this is no place for a king. Meanwhile, Cheryl continues to cling to Josie’s shadow while Alice Cooper breaks out of her cardigans to bring on the leather, and Archie gazes out his window at an unsuspecting Betty to wonder what could have or might still be. My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 8 are:

A connection is confirmed between the Riverdale Reaper and the Black Hood. In the beginning of the episode, Jughead sits down with Betty to discuss his research done at city hall. They learn about the “house of horrors” and the tragedy that happened to the Conway family, begging the question, how does this fit in with the Black hood now? Betty makes the connection that this house is the same one that the Black Hood lured her to, realizing that it is an important part of the equation. Research does pay off, but what’s the next step from here?

FP is released from jail. Jughead is ecstatic to learn that his father is finally free from this nightmare and anxiously awaits his release with supportive Betty and who else but the witty Alice Cooper. Alice is not about to let things slide, however; continuing to pass her judgment on FP. She asks him what his plans are now and FP jokingly calls her “Warden Cooper,” which doesn’t seem too far off for our tough cookie, Alice. Now that FP is out of jail, he is left with the important decision of what to do with his freedom. He decides retirement is the answer and even accepts a humble job waiting tables at Pop’s diner to prove to Jughead that he is serious about turning his life around. But how long will this last?

Archie and Veronica pick off where Betty left off. “So you want us to be you guys?” Veronica asks with skepticism. Veronica and Archie are already skating on thin ice as it is, when Archie tells her he loves her and she says nothing in return. This brings up Veronica’s own insecurities, but the two need this distraction to find out more about the Black Hood and the connection to the Conway murders. After some investigation of their own, they learn that the Conway family wasn’t of 4, but of 5 and that there is a third child who made it out alive. They later discover this is none other than school custodian, Mr. Svenson, but quickly rule him out once Archie looks into his eyes and realizes he is not staring back at the Black hood. More clues are falling right into their laps and they are hard to ignore. Did Mr. Svenson get his justice in the past, or is there something else he is not telling us?

FP is here to stay and he wants Jughead out. At the end of FP’s retirement party, he quickly announces that he is there to stay to Jughead’s dismay. He explains to Jughead that he did the one thing he asked him not to, which was to get stuck in the middle of a drug trafficking operation. When FP reveals that he now has to clean up this mess and that Jughead has broken his heart, it clearly destroys Jughead. Jughead realizes that his mistake has now cost his father a chance at having a clean slate, forcing him back into a world that he may never get out of now.

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

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 8: What’s in the vault?

Don’t fret TV fans, it’s almost the weekend and there are plenty of shows to catch up on. After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 8 last night, I am reminded of that well-known question “what’s in the box?,” although in this case it’s more like what’s in the vault protected by Indiana Jones like booby-traps? Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, Dean takes a chance and opens up, reminding himself why they became hunters in the first place and that saving lives does matter, all while enjoying some well-deserved cherry pie. A new cross-roads demon introduces himself, but he’s surely got something up his sleeve, and Jack is still nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Sam and Dean decide to embark on a heist filled with unexpected twists and dangers. My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 8 are:

5) The new cross-roads demon tries to make an impression. Dean receives a cryptic phone call from this demon that he has something Sam and him will need to find Jack. They take the bait and meet him at a diner where there is a freshly baked slice of heavenly cherry pie waiting for Dean. This demon has done his homework for sure as he convinces the brothers to work for him to retrieve a vault that he desperately needs. Dean demonstrates a lot of self-control and hilariously waits for the demon to leave before digging in to his favorite food. Sam and Dean haven’t trusted a demon since Crowley and they are not about to start now but need to figure out a way to still get what they need to find Jack.

4) “Hey Winona, the 90s called and they want their shoes back.” After much discussion, Sam and Dean decide to go on the heist with the help of a mortal we later find out is named Alice and another demon. Alice is able to break into safes but it is unsure what her motive is at this point. Dean decides to break the ice by teasing her about her fashion sense, but the two then bond over his favorite old caffeinated drink, “nerve damage.” While Alice is weird and awkward, she seems to appreciate the company of Dean and it makes us wonder if Dean does really care about others after all. He has been extremely negative lately about their purpose and all they have had to deal with along the way. It’s nice to see him smile and take a moment to connect with someone even if it is on a minor level.

3) Dean is a “vault compass.” Dean is needed on this heist because he has been to hell and back and his blood is the key to opening up where the vault is held. The demon begins chanting and Dean rolls his eyes at the thought of something magical happening here, but he begins being dragged off as if by a magnet while gripping his flash-light tightly. Alice and the demon follow Dean as he treks through the property against his will, but adds for some laughs along the way. Dean’s reaction to opening up the vault later is very amusing as well, as he cringes and squirms through the one small prick on his finger. Sure he can fight the most terrifying forces of heaven and hell, but gets queasy at the idea of giving some blood. It reminds us why we have come to adore Dean over the years, keeping the episode light and fluffy with just the right amount of mystery.

2) Sam has a good idea on how to get through the Indiana Jones like booby-trap. The immortal guarding the vault is not about to give up any secrets to the brothers and it is clear that the algorithms and design of the vault will lead to an unwanted arrow to the head. Dean seems confident they can just “wing it” but Sam reminds us why he is the logical one in the family. They strap the immortal to a chair and push him through so that he takes the hits from all of the arrows. Good thinking Sam!

1) Sam, Dean, and Alice do the right thing and break the deal. Alice has revealed that she sold her soul and made a deal with the cross-roads demon, but she is not a lost hope. Once it is revealed that the cross-road’s demons bones are inside the trunk, they realize that it is not the greatest idea to just turn this over to him. He holds Alice at knife-point and Dean trusts her enough to grab the lighter and set the bones on fire to rid the world of the cross-roads demon. Dean later tells Sam that it felt good to save someone again and Alice is freed from her deal to start a new life. Dean tells her to “stay weird” revealing that he is ready to make friends and embrace his destiny again. Saving innocents and helping people does truly make a difference. Welcome back Dean!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl