Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 5 Episode 4: “Purgatory”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 5 episode 4, seven years may have gone by, but did everything truly change in the town of Riverdale?

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In episode, “Chapter Eighty: Purgatory,” we jump seven years in the future as Archie returns home to learn that the Riverdale he knew and loved is not the same anymore. Meanwhile, we catch up with the rest of the characters and learn more about their new lives as a new mystery brings them back to town.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 5 episode 4 are:

“Women can have it all now.”

Great point, V, but I’m not sure if I’m really buying the fact that you used to be the “She Wolf of Wall Street.” Either way, it’s quite catchy and Veronica feels like she has been losing her edge with her new husband, Chadwick.

Married life may not be right for her, but a helicopter accident had her changing her tune slightly.

Even though Veronica’s life has changed and she appears to be settling down in a lot of ways, Archie’s phone call brings her right back to Riverdale.

“One hit wonder…”

It should come as no surprise that Jughead became a writer since it was his dream, but I didn’t expect him to become a drunk and a “one hit wonder.” Jughead is also on the run from debt collectors and meets a female stranger who seems more interested in having Jughead read her novel rather than being with him, which shows that his connections are few and far between now.

Images courtesy of The CW

Will there be any leftover sparks now that he has been reunited with Betty? We’ll have to wait and see…

“The Blossom curse runs deep.”

Toni is the first person Archie speaks to when he returns home to Riverdale. We know that Archie was in a war and is now being asked to revive the R.O.T.C. program in Riverdale and Toni is very…pregnant.

Images courtesy of The CW

But apparently the identity of the father is a secret…

I have a feeling she is a surrogate for Kev and Fangs, but we’ll see about that.

Meanwhile, Toni talks about what happened to Cheryl and it looks like Cheryl has truly become the weird loner of Thornhill. She spends her time painting and even when Toni tells her they could be together, she seems like she has accepted her fate to be alone.

I’m missing the fire from our Queen and I hope it returns soon. We need you Cheryl!

“How are the nightmares?”

Out of all of the flash forwards, Betty’s story is the most interesting. Betty joined the FBI and was held captive by the Trash Bag Killer or “TBK.”

She says she is over it, but it’s clear that she is still carrying around a lot of emotional damage from it. TBK escaped so is it possible that he made his way back to Riverdale?

Images courtesy of The CW

We know that our girl is no stranger to hunting down serial killers, but I have to say that I really miss the ponytail!

Betty has a new boyfriend as well, but what will happen now that she has been reunited with both Archie and Jughead?

Hmm…

Together again.

At the end of the episode, our characters are reunited and are determined to save Riverdale, which has become a lawless town. There is a new mystery surrounding someone named Lynette Fields that has captured their attention, but I have a feeling that a lot more secrets are about to be unraveled. Oh and of course Hiram Lodge is still causing trouble, but Reggie is his right hand man? Honestly Reggie, I expected more from you!

After watching the episode, I liked the vibe of the show. It almost seemed kind of like the sequel to “IT” when everyone returns home, but as long as they leave some of the ridiculous flash forwards behind (seriously Veronica’s future leaves something to be desired), we should be in good shape!

Oh and let’s get those Ghoulies out of Archie’s house…

Stay tuned Riverdale fans!

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

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “Head Count” on Shudder: Beware the number Five

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

“A Hisji is a vengeful thing. Five times its name you never sing. With skin pale white and eyes of green. It’s something you’ve already seen…”

Head Count premiered on Shudder in February 2021, but the film was originally released back in 2018. The film stars Isaac Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, and Cooper Rowe. It is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

After visiting his brother out in Joshua Tree, California, Evan meets a group of friends who invite him over for some seemingly harmless fun, but all goes horribly wrong when they begin telling ghost stories around the fire and one becomes a disturbing reality, as they summon a paranormal presence unknowingly.

Here is the trailer:

Head Count leaves the jump scares behind and focuses more on a slow burn terror that latches on to you with intensity, but does its ambiguity get in the way? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Unsettling terror.

I think that this film really delivered with its slow burn approach. The pacing still worked and I was invested in what was going on the entire time. I thought that the fear really built up well and maintained suspense without revealing too much too soon.

Images courtesy of Shudder

Unique mystery.

I’ve seen plenty of films that involve a group of teens summoning an evil spirit by accident, but this film kept me guessing. I enjoyed the focus on numbers and the clues were well placed and chilling on their own.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Forgettable characters.

There were a few glimmers here and there, but the majority of the characters were just kind of there for the ride. I didn’t really care about what happened to them and I wanted to feel connected to at least a few of them.

I thought that Camille and Evan were the best out of the bunch, but I just wanted some more layers presented to us.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m in!

I thought that this movie really stood out and it kept me invested the entire time. The fear felt very real and unsettling. I thought that the ending was satisfying and even though it was left kind of ambiguous, that worked for me. Not everything was explained and I still have a lot of questions, but that means this film effectively created a conversation worth having.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 5 Episode 3: “Graduation”

Happy Friday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 5 episode 3, Betty and Jughead asked an important question: “are we just doomed to be haunted by this town for the rest of our lives?”

While graduation is a celebration, it is also a moment of change, but will our favorite characters keep to their word or go their separate ways?

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In episode, “Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation,” everyone prepares for graduation, but not everyone is staying in town. Meanwhile, Archie makes an important decision that may forever change his life.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 5 episode 3 are:

“What does that mean?”

FP announces in the beginning of the episode that he is going to move with Jellybean to get her some help and be there for her, but Alice is shocked by his decision.

We haven’t really been getting any real screen time for Falice which has been extremely disappointing and when Skeet Ulrich announced that he would be leaving the show last year, I was wondering how this would end.

Images courtesy of The CW

Well, it ends with FP riding off on his motorcycle in style, but we do get to witness one more passionate kiss between him and Alice.

The show has grown up a lot over the years and many of the parents don’t really have a place in Riverdale anymore, but hopefully they will stay in touch or pop in for a quick cameo here and there!

“Stay young for as long as you can.”

Betty brought us a thought-provoking graduation speech and I thought these words were important because many of our favorite characters tend to take on too much at such a young age. Veronica and Cheryl own businesses, Betty and Jughead solve mysteries, and Archie has had to deal with way too much tragedy over the years.

Images courtesy of The CW

I loved the idea of the time capsule and even though we have seen this on other shows (Saved by the Bell, Beverly Hills, 90210), I thought it was an important milestone for everyone.

But, how will Riverdale change? I’m interested to find out, but I think that leaving high school could be a very good thing for this show.

“It’s not too late is it?”

We got several flashbacks thrown into the mix and Archie even had a dream where Fred was alive, witnessing him graduate, which brought some tears to my eyes. After learning about the time capsule, Archie makes the decision to join the army.

Images courtesy of The CW

While he seems confident in his answer, Veronica is outraged by it because she doesn’t want anything to happen to him, but perhaps this is exactly what Archie needs to find out who he is.

Archie has always been the hero of the town so I think that he is just trying to still embrace that while making his father proud.

“I have to fix things here…”

Cheryl looked absolutely fabulous in her red gown and of course she has to stand out in the crowd. However, she makes the decision to stay in Riverdale and not go to school with Toni, which had me crying, but I sort of knew it was coming.

Images courtesy of The CW

I think that Cheryl has the potential to do some real good in town, but let’s hope that this isn’t the end of Choni for good. My heart can’t take that!

“I should have told you right when it happened.”

Meanwhile, the breakups continue as Betty finally comes clean to Jughead and tells him that she kissed Archie. They seem to get over it pretty quickly, but there is a divide that forms between them and Betty goes off to college early.

Images courtesy of The CW

Jughead is left alone in town, but his friends make a pact to meet back at Pop’s in a year.

Only Jughead is the only one who returns, but what does this mean?

Are the others truly too busy? Have they really moved on?

Next week’s episode looks really confusing and presents us with a what-if extreme for each of our characters set seven years in the future, but I’m hoping that we get a new mystery in town to bring them all back together again. The trailer seemed really chaotic and almost ridiculous so I’m hoping that this is not the true direction of the show, but change could be a very good thing. Let’s just execute it properly!

Stay tuned Riverdale fans!

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

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 5 Episode 2: “The Preppy Murders”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 5 episode 2, reveals were made and second chances were given…

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Preppy Murders,” someone is targeting the group from Stonewall Prep, dangling clues for Betty and Jughead. Meanwhile, Cheryl attempts to redeem her family’s reputation, the Lodge women attempt to bring Hiram down, and Archie has a breakdown.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 5 episode 2 are:

“We’re shutting you down.”

After a close call with a group of Hiram’s enemies, Veronica is saved by…Hermosa. Yeah, apparently Hermosa carries a gun and knows how to use it. I’ll skip that and fast forward to the part where Veronica, Hermosa, and Hermione agree to team up to finally bring Hiram down.

Images courtesy of The CW

After several attempts, Hiram gives in and it looks like he is going to be taking a vacation for a while…only Hermione will not be joining him as she announces that she is divorcing him and becoming a Real Housewife of New York…talk about an exit!

“I’ve got some work to do here in Riverdale.”

Even though it seems like Toni is still trying to work on things with her family so that she and Cheryl can live happily ever after, this has ignited a fire within Cheryl and she is determined to make things right once and for all.

Cheryl tries to convince her family to let her re-brand the business so that she can finally do some good, but they don’t agree. This forces Cheryl to turn to Penelope Blossom, who apparently poisons her entire family…yep, don’t get on her bad side.

Cheryl is in charge and maybe she can finally do some good. Even though things are a little rocky for Choni, they did take that mini vacation together, but I was happy to finally see Cheryl in her element.

“You can’t just fight the pain away.”

Good point, Uncle Frank, but Archie is determined to. The video tape left for him has really brought all of his emotions and grief to the surface. Archie visits his father’s grave and struggles throughout the episode when his mother asks him if he would consider making a statement to help the kid who killed his dad.

Images courtesy of The CW

In the end, Uncle Frank comes to help out and lets Archie beat him up so that he can release all of the pain and it looks like Archie is finally coming out of this dark spot. He ends up writing a letter to help the kid as well, which was no easy task. He had me in tears a few times during the episode, but what comes next for Archie after graduation? Well, hopefully he can actually graduate…

“You got sloppy…”

I really love it when Betty takes someone down. After getting a cryptic phone call from Bret, he is found dead in his cell the next day and his eyes were gouged out…yuck. Betty gets a call from Donna and learns that someone is targeting them. Later on, we finally get the reveal that many of us guessed from the start.

The serial killer is…Charles. Apparently, Charles thinks that he is Dexter and only kills bad people…

Either way, Betty is not buying it and we also finally hear about his accomplice, Chic, who was the one who killed Bret in jail.

Mystery solved…except he is not behind the video tapes.

“Are you the one making those video tapes?”

So, we don’t have to wait too long to wrap up the other mystery as we discover that the person behind the creepy video tapes is…Jellybean Jones.

Yep, all of these weird appearances from Jellybean finally make sense and she is the one with access to pretty much everything.

Images courtesy of The CW

Jughead asks her why and apparently this was to keep him home. She thought that giving him a mystery would keep him close to her, but Jughead explains to his dad that he is not sure that she fully comprehends what she did and I’m a little worried about her well-being. Apparently, she was working with that weird kid Ricky we used to see her with.

Sure, she didn’t harm anyone, but those video tapes really hurt people. Look what they did to Cheryl and to Archie…there need to be some consequences…like, send her to a family member’s place for a while? I mean…something?

Either way, the mysteries are solved and we can finally move on to graduation. This episode was jam-packed with quite a lot once again and it still had that erratic feel. I’m feeling a little rushed with all of this and I am anxious to get to a new mystery so that we can get back to the Riverdale I love and enjoy.

Stay tuned Riverdale fans!

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

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “Nancy Drew” Season 2 Premiere on the CW: Let’s kick things up a notch

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

“How do you have the bandwidth for another mystery right now?“

A good question for sure, but I think it’s exactly what this show needs for season 2. While season 1 took a while to pick up for me, once we reached the second half, I was completely hooked and I am such a fan. The mystery was fantastic in season 1 and those reveals were insane, but what does season 2 need to do to keep up?

Let’s find out…

As a reminder, the show stars Kennedy McMann, Tunji Kasim, Leah Lewis, and Scott Wolf. Season 2 premiered on January 20th 2021 on The CW and will air weekly new episodes similar to last year.

Season 2 picks up right where we left off as Nancy Drew and her friends have to deal with a pissed off Aglaeca, who wants to collect the debt on their souls, while dealing with a new mystery in Gorham Woods and a wraith.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for more chilling mysteries!

The Pros:

Images courtesy of The CW

The mini cases are exactly what we need!

Since we wrapped up the Lucy Sable mystery from season 1, the only thing left remaining is what is going to happen to everyone now that they owe a life debt to the Aglaeca. However, if we just focus on this all season long, things can get over-dramatic and stale pretty quickly.

I thought that the introduction of the new mystery with the wraith was exactly what this show needs. I would love to see new mysteries incorporated in every week similar to Supernatural and we can sprinkle in the main mystery throughout the season.

Plus, it actually really allows the Scoobies of this show to shine!

The chilling horror continues.

I really loved the horror elements in season 1 and I’m glad that we are going to be continuing with them for season 2. The wraith was beyond scary and I think that we have a lot set-up for some more scares along the way. More please!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of The CW

Too much family drama.

After all of the reveals in season 1 (no spoilers here), I think that Carson Drew needs to really think about how he is going to contribute to this show moving forward. Things can get borderline melodramatic sometimes so I think we need something new for Carson’s character.

I think that in order for season 2 to really take off, we also need a main character to die and maybe Carson needs to do something to redeem himself…either way, someone has to go.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of The CW

I’m in!

Season 2 is already off to a chilling start and as long as it can maintain the pace of the second half of season 1, we are good to go! I would like to see the show adapt the weekly mysteries into the mix because I think that will really help elevate the show even more, but I’m intrigued and ready to find out more!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 5 Episode 1: “Climax”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 5 episode 1 season premiere, we were reminded how quickly life on Riverdale can turn into a Jamie Lee Curtis movie…

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax,” everyone gets ready to attend the prom, but is this the end for some of our favorite couples? Meanwhile, the videotape killers continue to wreak havoc while Betty and Jughead try to get to the bottom of everything.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 5 episode 1 are:

“I’m beating it.”

I think it’s worth mentioning that Hiram Lodge is now suddenly getting better because he is beating up everyone in town. Veronica calls the doctors to confirm, but we know it’s only a matter of time before Hiram sinks his teeth into some other dark scandal.

“So you’re my competition.”

After the cancellation of Katy Keene, we knew we would be seeing some of the characters from that spin-off show pop up in Riverdale and K.O. Kelly is the first one. Veronica suggests that they have an exhibition boxing match so that Archie can prove his worth to the navy scout.

Images courtesy of The CW

Archie really puts up a fight and he may have actually been the winner in my book, but K.O. takes the victory and Archie has a fit, saying he won’t apply in the future.

I think Archie needs to find his true calling before he spins out of control…

“This one’s for you Archiekins.”

Poor Veronica. After finding a song that Archie wrote, he throws it in the trash and tells her that it is no good, but of course we know that she is going to get up on stage and perform the song that he actually wrote for Betty to make things extremely awkward for everyone.

Images courtesy of The CW

Betty and Archie exchange a few glances and ultimately, Archie breaks up with Veronica at prom. He tells her about the kiss, but they decide not to tell Jughead, but it looks like Varchie will be heading in different directions after graduation.

I have a feeling that Hiram is going to take away that “deputy mayor” offer pretty quickly…watch out, Archie!

While I’m sad about this break-up, I think that Archie really needs to find out who he is without someone. Maybe he needs another spiritual road-trip or something…

“Was there ever any doubt?”

Varchie is not the only couple to have some major obstacles to get through during prom. We start off with some cute and hilarious moments with Choni, as they petition to be co-queens of prom.

They have my vote for sure!

Later on, Cheryl asks about meeting Toni’s grandmother and is upset to find out that she has to pretend that she is not her girlfriend. Cheryl takes things into her own hands and goes to see Toni’s grandmother, which leads to more drama.

We find out that Toni’s grandmother doesn’t want her dating Cheryl because she is a Blossom and they have wronged their family for too many years.

Images courtesy of The CW

Toni is able to show up to prom with Cheryl and we watch them become prom queens, but the moment is short-lived.

Toni tells Cheryl to give her some time, but Cheryl broke my heart when she was crying in Nana Rose’s lap, explaining that she is destined to be alone.

I really hope that Cheryl and Toni find a way back together, but if I’m being honest, they needed this. There hasn’t really been a lot going on in their relationship lately and perhaps this will allow them both to grow as characters and I’m hoping that they can find a way back to each other.

All hail, Choni!

“To surviving this town…”

While all this drama is going on, we also get Betty and Jughead teaming up to bring down the videotape killer or killers. They even go to visit Bret in jail to get some intel and are told to make a snuff movie, allowing us to witness Cheryl and Reggie show off some of their acting skills. Loved the wig, Cheryl!

Images courtesy of The CW

David at Blue Velvet Video knows that it is a fake, but Betty turns over the tape of her father when he was a young boy and says he is the Black Hood. They get the invite they have been looking for and end up crossing paths with Jellybean (what?) while trying to figure out who the director behind the curtain is.

During prom, the music is cut short and we witness another film where masked strangers are murdering Dave, proving it is not him. I have to say that these killers have been giving me some Purge vibes and I want to know more.

Archie gets a video at his doorstep and it looks like this is going to unlock even more rage inside of him so we’ll have to see how this plays out.

Overall, the season 5 premiere felt slightly chaotic and all over the place. I realize this episode was actually supposed to be part of season 4 before shooting was put on hold because of the pandemic, but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and I’m hoping we can put some of the drama aside and focus on the mystery at hand.

I did love seeing everyone dressed up for prom and Betty’s dress was my favorite! But, do you think Jughead could have taken off his hat just this once?

Stay tuned, Riverdale fans!

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

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “WandaVision” on Disney+: Delightfully Intriguing

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

“My wife and her flying saucers…”

WandaVision premiered on Disney+ on January 15th 2021 with the first two episodes available to stream now. There will be nine episodes in total that will air weekly. The series stars Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Kathryn Hahn. Each episode runs for approximately 30-35 minutes.

If you are familiar with MCU, then you know that this series may initially seem strange and misplaced based on the events that occurred in the Avenger films. Nonetheless, we are presented with a sitcom series featuring Wanda (Scarlet Witch) and her husband, Vision. Things are not as they seem as we find ourselves trapped within a television-centric nostalgia that is not without its own unique charm and mystery.

Here is the trailer:

WandaVision may be the most unique release we have seen yet in MCU, paying its respect to timeless sitcom classics while presenting us with clever Easter eggs and the promise to unfold the mystery at hand, but does it do enough to keep viewers coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Undeniable chemistry.

While I always noticed a spark between these two in the films, there really wasn’t enough time to devote to it with everything else going on. WandaVision gives us the chance to finally see just how charming these two can be together and I have to say that it’s even better than I could have imagined.

The love is believable and even though it’s clear that things are not as they seem, the connection between the characters keeps us invested in their well-being. Seriously, these two are adorable!

Images courtesy of Disney+

Welcomed TV nostalgia.

The show really owes a lot to series like The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, and I Love Lucy, embracing all of these classic shows effortlessly without becoming stale in the process. I especially enjoyed the second episode and was actually really laughing at several parts, allowing myself to treat this show as what it is meant to be…a sitcom.

Images courtesy of Disney+

Fantastic supporting characters and guest stars.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, Emma Caulfield was fantastic and I always love watching Kathryn Hahn, who nailed the nosy neighbor vibe with flair. Pretty much every guest star has really added to the show and based on the cast listed, I can’t wait to see everyone else.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Strange and confusing.

I’m all for strange and confusing and there have already been several well placed Easter eggs and hints at a bigger mystery going on, but it is really confusing at times. Perhaps we will get to everything in the later episodes, but I think that the series can take a page out of Pleasantville’s book and give the audience just a little bit more.

That being said, I am intrigued by the mystery and love the concept of being trapped inside a television sitcom (if that’s what is actually happening here), but I think some viewers may be turned off and lose interest if we aren’t given more hints soon.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Disney+

I’m in!

This show is really different and unique, but it also presents us with so much charming nostalgia. I can’t wait to watch the next episodes and I think that as long as the mystery picks up, this show will develop into something truly fantastic!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Wilds” on Prime Video: So Much More than a “LOST” Rip-Off

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

“We should have died, but we didn’t…”

The Wilds premiered on Amazon Prime Video on December 11th 2020 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Sarah Pidgeon, Mia Healey, Sophia Ali, Reign Edwards, and Rachel Griffiths. Each episode runs for approximately 50-55 minutes.

The show is about a group of teenage girls who end up stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes.

Sound familiar? Well, it certainly screams LOST with its premise, but the twists and reveals lead us down a unique path that begs to be explored.

Here is the trailer:

The Wilds attempts to find a balance between mystery and survival while exploring the past of each stranded girl with flashbacks. While I can’t dismiss the similarities between both shows, does The Wilds do enough to stand apart from LOST? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Believable characters with layers.

When I first started watching this show, I was worried that these girls would quickly blend into uninspiring stock characters. The party girl, the Christian girl, the athlete, the outcast…

The list seemed to be all there and yet each and every one of these characters took that stereotype and stomped on it completely, revealing what truly makes them tick. Each character has struggled in some way or another, but their journey really helped shape them into characters to root for, which is important in a show like this.

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Quickly forms its own identity with addicting and intense reveals.

While the first episode will really make you think of LOST and Lord of the Flies, the show quickly finds its footing and actually lures us into an enticing mystery that is very different. The twists were well placed and each reveal pulled me in that much more, which made this binge-watch friendly.

The episodes were almost an hour and I didn’t even mind because I was so hooked.

And that ending…wow!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

The trailer doesn’t do this show justice…

From the trailer, I thought that I was going to watch a LOST rip-off with a lot of teenage melodrama. Instead, I got a thought-provoking emotional thrill ride that may have been one of the best things I have watched in a long time.

This show could have easily gone a different way and instead it really surprised me. If you were thinking about skipping the show from the trailer alone, you should give it a try because it exceeded my expectations and then some.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in 100 percent!

This series was so addicting, but it also really dived deep into some emotionally stirring moments that created important layers for the show. Similar to why I love LOST so much, this show was about so much more than being stranded on an island after a plane crash. It was about character connections and moments of both strength and weakness colliding.

I loved this show so much and I am beyond excited that it already got picked up for season two because I need to know what happens next after that major cliffhanger!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Hardy Boys” on Hulu: A New Mystery to Uncover without all the drama

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

Welcome to Bridgeport…

The Hardy Boys premiered on Hulu on December 4th 2020 with thirteen new episodes available to stream now. The series stars Rohan Campbell, Alexander Elliot, Bea Santos, Keana Lyn, Riley O’Donnell, and James Tupper. Each episode runs for approximately 40-43 minutes.

Based on the iconic book series, this new re-imagining of The Hardy Boys takes place in the 1980’s. After a family tragedy, Frank and Joe Hardy move in with their aunt as they try to piece together the mystery in front of them.

While the series may initially give off some Riverdale and Nancy Drew vibes, it manages to leave the majority of the teen drama behind, focusing on the mystery and the connection between these brothers.

Here is the trailer:

The Hardy Boys is following in the footsteps of modern takes on Nancy Drew and Riverdale, but its simple formula may actually set it apart. Does it do enough to stand out from its predecessors? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Smart choice of time and setting.

Unlike Riverdale and The CW’s Nancy Drew, which both take place in current times, The Hardy Boys takes place during the 1980’s. This actually works to its advantage, as we rely more on how to truly solve a mystery without using modern technology, channeling a lot of nostalgia from the original novels.

We also get a great soundtrack and a small town setting that has a lot of secrets to be uncovered.

Let the mysteries begin!

Images courtesy of Hulu

Believable bond between the brothers.

I think this is important and much like the Winchester brothers on SPN, we get a really strong connection right away between Joe and Frank Hardy. It makes us that much more invested throughout their involvement in the mystery and we care about what happens to them.

There are also some stand-out characters like Biff, who really lit up the screen. While Biff was originally a male character in the book series, girls have some serious sleuth skills too!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

The mystery is just kind of okay…

It’s not bad, but I have to admit that some of the mysteries on both Riverdale and Nancy Drew have caught my attention more. I think that the mystery gets better in the later episodes, however.

Too many episodes.

I think that The Hardy Boys would have actually benefited more from running weekly episodes instead of having them all available at once. While I love a good binge-watch, there are thirteen long episodes and the mystery kind of dragged as a result of this.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in about 75 percent.

While it took me a little longer than I would have liked to get into this show, I did start to become hooked around episode five. The characters started to really grow on me and the mystery reveals were well placed. I think that the show does enough to form its own identity separate from The CW shows, but I wouldn’t say that you need to move this one to the top of your watch-list just yet. However, it does make a fun watch when you have time.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Flight Attendant” on HBO Max: Fasten Your Seat Belts for Your Next Binge-Watch

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

Impulsive decisions can have deadly consequences…

The Flight Attendant premiered on HBO Max on November 26th 2020 with three new episodes. The series will feature 8 weekly episodes in total. It stars Kaley Cuoco, Rosie Perez, Zosia Mamet, Michelle Gomez, and Michiel Huisman.

Based on the novel of the same name, we follow a flight attendant named Cassie who has her carefree/party-girl life brutally turned upside down when she wakes up in a hotel room with a dead man and has no memory of what happened. As she pieces together the mystery, she begins to wonder if she is the killer or if another threat is still out there.

Here is the trailer:

The Flight Attendant has a premise that draws you in, but will it be smooth skies or bumpy turbulence? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Kaley Cuoco’s character is a mess…but a charming one!

I’m not sure that another actress could have really pulled off this role. Cassie does not have it all together…in fact she’s spiraling out of control, but Kaley Cuoco’s portrayal gives her a quirky edge that makes you root for her that much more.

There is a dark humor weaved into the thrills and Kaley Cuoco is absolutely amazing! Can we also just take a moment to appreciate and laugh at her badly timed but awesome ringtones? Two of Hearts is stuck in my head and I’m loving it!

The whole cast is talented and I was also very excited to see a familiar face show up as a potential villain (no spoilers). More please!

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Binge-watch friendly.

The show hooks you from the very start. As soon as I started watching the first episode, I had to binge-watch the next two and now I am impatiently counting the days until Thursday so I get more episodes to watch.

This show is clever, addicting, and fast-paced. The unconventional and bizarre hallucinations somehow just work, the mystery is a good one, and the show is off to a fantastic start.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Troubling behavior glossed over.

There is another real issue for Cassie…addiction. We see her drinking and making rash decisions in almost every scene, but I feel like her real problems are being glossed over to make way for the mystery at the center of the plot.

That being said, we are getting glimpses into Cassie’s past and I am hoping that this develops more, but it is troubling to see her going down a dark path without really addressing it fully yet.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m in 100 percent!

Your next binge-watch is officially here. This show is quirky and fun, but there are so many unexpected twists and turns that will leave you wanting more. Kaley Cuoco is absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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

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