Spoiler-Free Review of “The Beast in Me” on Netflix: Carrie Mathison is Back…Kind of!

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

“Sometimes bad things just happen…”

The Beast in Me premiered on Netflix on November 13th 2025 with all eight episodes available to stream now. The crime thriller mini-series stars Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Brittany Snow, Jonathan Banks, David Lyons, and Natalie Morales. Each episode runs for approximately 48-52 minutes.

After a family tragedy, Author Aggie Wiggs has trouble writing her next book until her new neighbor, Nile Jarvis moves in. After his wife went missing, he was blamed for her murder, but it was never proven, but Aggie begins to discover some connections of her own leading to a dangerous new friendship.

Here is the trailer:

The Beast in Me has a talented cast, an addicting premise, and quite a few entertaining reveals along the way to keep you invested until the end. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Claire Danes is back!

I’ve missed watching Claire as Carrie Mathison on Homeland and have been waiting for her to appear in a series like this. She was in Max’s series, Full Circle a few years back, but I thought this one was much more suited to her.

If you missed the over-the-top emotional crying and yelling…it’s back! But seriously, Claire Danes is absolutely terrific in this series and Matthew Rhys was charming in such an eerie way. The rest of the cast is stacked as well and there were quite a few familiar faces in this one.

Images courtesy of Netflix

A consuming watch!

I was hooked right from the opening episode. I loved the setting (I’m very familiar with it) and I thought it worked well against the chaos and turmoil going on between these characters. Each episode did just enough to pull me in for more and I found this series very easy to binge-watch. I finished all eight episodes in two days.

There were a few side-plots to deal with, but everything connected enough in the end so I didn’t mind this. Episode 7 was incredible!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Predictable at times…

Even though I enjoyed it, you can pretty much guess what’s going on in this one. None of the reveals were that surprising, but they were still satisfying enough. I really enjoyed my watch, but I would have appreciated at least one shocking twist here to keep me guessing.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

The Beast in Me is an engrossing watch enhanced by two powerhouse performances by Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. 

This was such a nice surprise. I haven’t been able to get into a show in a while, but this one really hooked me and never slowed down for one second. Loved it!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rulethey can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Apartment 7A” on Paramount+: Julia Garner Is Delightful

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

“I came here for one reason…to make something of myself.”

Apartment 7A released on Paramount+ on September 27th 2024. The horror drama prequel film of Rosemary’s Baby stars Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest, Jim Sturgess, and Kevin McNally. The film runs for approximately one hour and forty-five minutes.

Set in New York City during the 1960’s, Terry dreams of becoming a famous dancer, but an injury puts a hold on her career. Down on her luck, she accepts an offer from a wealthy couple to stay with them in their apartment, but she soon discovers that something evil may be lurking within the Bramford.

Here is the trailer:


Apartment 7A is stylish and sinister, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Shot beautifully.

I really enjoyed this movie for aesthetic reasons. I loved the choice of lighting and fashion. I felt like I was seamlessly transported back in time. This was a visually striking film, which worked in its favor. I also really enjoyed the dancing. I don’t think it overpowered anything and it allowed this film to subtly dip into different genres without losing track of its main intention.

The Easter eggs were clever and well-placed as well.

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Julia Garner is wonderful!

The Ozark star showed off her range and talent in this role. While I didn’t necessarily picture her for this movie initially, she really gave it her all and elevated it in a lot of ways. Dianne Wiest was great too.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Nothing new here.

This film was supposed to be a prequel, but the majority of it felt like a remake instead. This was slightly disappointing because I was hoping to explore this world more and we had the opportunity to, but instead we got a remake. I still enjoyed it overall, but I think we missed the mark a little here.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount+

I’m in!!!

Apartment 7A is a decent enough watch, featuring a performance by Julia Garner that should not be missed!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Apartment 7A 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 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 “Upgraded” on Prime: Camila Mendes is an Absolute Delight!

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

This is what you wanted, right?”

Upgraded released on Prime on February 9th 2024. The romantic-comedy film stars Camila Mendes, Archie Renaux, Marisa Tomei, Lena Olin, and Anthony Head. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

A hard-working art intern is given the opportunity to travel to London to help her demanding boss when she meets a handsome stranger, which distracts her from her priorities.

Here is the trailer:

Upgraded successfully channels films like The Devil Wears Prada and Confessions of a Shopaholic, making this a charming treat for rom-com fans. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime

Cheers to Camila Mendes!

She’s an absolute dream in this film and she elevated it in a lot of ways. The Riverdale star definitely has a long career in front of her and I think she should continue to do films like this because she was likable and down-to-earth in her portrayal, making it very easy to root for her character.

The rest of the cast was great as well. I thought Marisa Tomei was hilarious (although her accent took a little getting used to) and I was so beyond excited to see Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, Anthony Head in this! He was bloody fantastic!

Images courtesy of Prime

Believable chemistry.

I hate it when chemistry feels forced in films like this, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easily I fell in love with these two. I think what helped was that the main focus wasn’t on the new romance.

Rather, we learned more about Camila’s character as an individual and focused more on her challenges at work, which made the rest of the pieces fall together seamlessly. Adding in a charming romance was a bonus and while traditional rom-com fans may be looking for a little more in this department, it was the perfect amount for me.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime

Predictable at times…

I mean, but most rom-com films fall into some ounce of predictability so I can’t really fault it too much here. The film played it safe a lot, but I honestly couldn’t care less. I knew what I was getting when I started this film and it delivered and then some. Just don’t expect anything too shocking or unique here.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime

I’m in!!!

Upgraded is the artsy version of The Devil Wears Prada, delivering with super cute and charming moments worth indulging in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film and I think it found the perfect balance of self-discovery and romance.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Upgraded 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 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 “Surviving Summer” on Netflix: Blue Crush style Coming-of-Age Series

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

“Are you into surfing?”

Surviving Summer released on Netflix on June 3rd 2022. The Australian teen series features ten episodes available to stream now. The show stars Sky Katz, Kai Lewins, Savannah La Rain and Dustin Clare. Each episode runs for approximately 26-30 minutes.

A wild teen from New York is sent to Australia to live with family friends she hasn’t seen in years, introducing her to the world of surfing.

Here is the trailer:

Surviving Summer will remind you of Blue Crush and Dive Club, but does this coming-of-age story add anything new to the genre?  Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Aesthetically pleasing.

This series was gorgeous to watch. The scenery was incredible and the music soundtrack complimented it well. I felt like I was being transported somewhere else while watching it and I think the “summer” premiere was a smart one. I’m ready to hit the beach after watching this…

Images courtesy of Netflix

Likable characters.

I would have preferred a little bit more edge to some of the characters, but much like Dive Club, this series was very family friendly. I liked a lot of the characters and I appreciated that we spent enough time peeling back some layers. Even though this was a story I have seen over and over again, it was still entertaining to watch because of the characters.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Predictable with unnecessary montages…

The montages were a bit much in this one. The episodes were on the short side, but I’m not sure that we really needed ten of them. I think this gave us a lot of unnecessary fluff when the story itself was entertaining enough to keep me invested. The ending was also really predictable as well so I’m not sure that this coming-of-age story really did anything that different to make it stand out in the genre.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

This series had its charms and it was absolutely stunning to watch, but I wanted a little bit more from it. If you enjoy Blue Crush, you will find a lot to enjoy with this one, but you’re probably better off just re-watching that film.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Inventing Anna” on Netflix: Juicy and Intriguing Premise

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

“Everyone here wants something…”

Inventing Anna premiered on Netflix on February 11th 2022 with nine episodes available to stream now. The drama series based on a true story stars Julia Garner, Anna Chlumsky, Arian Moayed, Anders Holm and Laverne Cox. Each episode runs for approximately 60-70 minutes.

A journalist looks into the case of Anna Delvey, who stole money from New York elites while pretending to be a wealthy German heiress.

Here is the trailer:

Inventing Anna takes a true story and shows the audience different angles on how Anna Delvey became a well-known name. Is it worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Showcases gorgeous fashion and settings.

There was so much fashion embedded in this series and I loved it! We also got to be transported to different places, focusing primarily on New York City. The series did a good job of capturing the vibe and feel of each setting, which really helped elevate this series in a lot of ways for me.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Worthy flashbacks.

Julia Garner put forth a valiant effort here and I thought the flashbacks were the strongest part of the series. It was really interesting seeing how Anna did what she did over time, connecting with different people throughout her journey. This probably could have been the main focus of the series because it was that intriguing.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The journalist angle didn’t work…

I just couldn’t connect to this part of the show and I think it forced each episode to run longer than needed. Vivian was not likable at all for me as a character and I think that we spent way too much time focusing on her life rather than the interesting story we actually came to see…

That accent…

I thought I might get used to it after a while, but Julia Garner’s impersonation of Anna Delvey’s accent was so strange and off-putting. I’m sure she put a lot of thought and effort into it and I don’t want to knock her because I think she’s a great actress but it was really distracting.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

This series highlights an intriguing story worth watching and the fashion pieces alone are definitely worth your time. I personally would have preferred the series to just focus on the flashbacks more because they were really interesting. The episodes are super long and it took me a little while to get through this one, but I’d recommend giving it a whirl because it does have its moments.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Archive 81” on Netflix: Chilling and Consuming Watch

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

“Please find me…”

Archive 81 premiered on January 14th 2022 on Netflix. All eight episodes are available to stream now. The horror mystery series stars Mamoudou Athie, Dina Shihabi, Matt McGorry, Ariana Neal and Evan Jonigkeit. Each episode runs for approximately 55-57 minutes.

An archivist named Dan takes a job restoring old videotapes up in the Catskills, uncovering a mystery surrounding the missing director and a supernatural cult.

Here is the trailer:

Archive 81 reels you in with a slow burn approach that manages to transform into something truly disturbing as we are along for the ride to discover what truly happened to the girl on the tapes. Is it worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A mystery that pulls you into the rabbit hole with each episode.

I love feeling like I’m a part of the mystery and I thought that this series managed to bring the audience in effortlessly. I found myself trying to piece together all of the clues and my eyes were glued to the screen the entire time. Much like the archivist, Dan, I felt a need to find out what truly happened to the girl on the tapes, luring me in more and more.

The series gave me some Last Night in Soho and 1BR vibes, so if you enjoyed those films, you will feel right at home with this one.

A show you’ll think about long after it is over.

I can always tell when I truly appreciate and love a series. It always comes back to the shows that create a dialogue worth having, leaving you with even more questions and theories. It’s a show that you just want to talk to someone about. It’s that good! It will resonate with you and really make you think even after we witness many of the reveals.

We also got that major cliffhanger at the end to contemplate so I’m crossing my fingers that we will see a season two!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Slow moving at times…

The episodes are super long and the opening episodes dragged a little for me. At one point I thought I had been watching it for over two hours and realized I had only been actually watching for thirty minutes. I think the pacing drastically improved by the time we got to episode three and thinking back on it, I actually felt like the slow burn approach worked because it mirrored what Dan was going through as the archivist.

That being said, I would have preferred the episodes to be just a little shorter but I still managed to watch this series in almost one day!

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

Chilling and disturbing on so many levels! A worthy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end and well after that!

I absolutely loved this series and I can’t stop talking about it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Archive 81 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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Pivoting” on Fox: Dream Cast gives us plenty of laughs

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

“We have to live our best lives now…”

Pivoting premiered on January 9th 2022 on Fox and Hulu. The comedy series stars Maggie Q, Ginnifer Goodwin and Eliza Coupe. Episodes air weekly and run for approximately 22-24 minutes.

Set in Long Island, New York, three best friends deal with the death of the fourth member of their group, as they come to the realization that they need to make some drastic changes in their lives while they still have time.

Here is the trailer:

Pivoting immediately gives off vibes of Bad Moms, Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives, as these three fantastic ladies bring a lot of laughs to the table. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

I can’t get enough of this trio!

I tuned into this show because I absolutely love Maggie Q and I will pretty much watch her in anything. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this show right from the start and the major reason why is because of the talent of these three ladies.

This show is witty and smart and it was a breath of fresh air.  More please!

A familiar premise but great delivery.

I’ve seen this type of show before but that doesn’t matter because I think this show is a true gem. The interaction between the three main characters just works effortlessly and the comedy didn’t feel forced, which often happens when I watch network sitcoms. So far it’s off to a great start!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

The separate plots need some work…

I personally preferred the banter and the moments when the three main characters were together to their individual plots. There was nothing really wrong with them, but they felt a little generic and the true magic seemed to happen when they were all together. That might just be because the show is still trying to find its identity and what really works, but I’m confident that we will get there.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in!

If you’re looking for a lighter comedy to indulge in, you’ve come to the right place. These three ladies deserve to be in the spotlight and so far I am loving this comedy gold. 

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 Pivoting 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! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 4 Episode 12: “True Honor”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 4 episode 12, I learned that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but it’s usually a draw. When it comes to true honor, winning isn’t always the answer.

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

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Sixty-Nine: Men of Honor,” Jughead and Bret prepare for a duel, but Betty and Alice have a side mission of their own that may be more important. Meanwhile, Archie gets caught in the middle of Uncle Frank’s past, an old nemesis returns, and Veronica heads out to New York to catch up with Katy Keene.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 4 episode 12 are:

5

“New York is my town.”

Veronica takes a trip out to New York for a college interview and spends some quality time with her old friend, Katy Keene, presenting us with a fun crossover to prepare us for the premiere of the spin-off series.

Riverdale The CW 7
Images courtesy of The CW

After witnessing a super fun shopping spree with these two, Katy reveals that her mother is very ill, causing Veronica to have her own moment of self-reflection.

After Hermione reveals that Hiram is also very sick, Veronica decides to change her name back to Lodge. It may seem like a small gesture, but Hiram is clearly pleased with this.

Veronica was missing something, but will she find it in New York next year or will she stick around in Riverdale? We’ll have to wait and see, but it looks like we will get some serious Varchie screen time in next week’s episode.

4

“Bret is afraid of me?”

I mean, you are pretty intimidating, Betty, especially after smashing that headstone to pieces, but I am loving the rivalry between our girl and annoying Bret. In this episode, we get the team-up we fell in love with before, as Alice decides to tag along for Betty’s mission.

Riverdale The CW 5
Images courtesy of The CW

Betty and Alice meet with Mrs. Chipping, trying to piece together what happened to her husband and we finally discover that Moose left because Bret threatened him with a sex scandal video tape.

Betty fears that there may be a tape of her and Jughead as well and is determined to find his collection, but Bret is not making things easy with his secret alarms.

3

“And may the best man win…”

The duel between Jughead and Bret is quite eventful, as we get three rounds to determine who the best man truly is.

Riverdale The CW 6
Images courtesy of The CW

Round one is fencing and Bret takes the point, but Jughead literally knocks Bret out in round two, which was quite entertaining to see.

The final round is a chess match, but Jughead ultimately decides to throw the match, explaining that he is done playing this game. Even though Jughead doesn’t win the match, he is a winner in our books as he takes the moral high ground here.

However, it’s only a matter of time before we discover how Jughead meets his untimely demise (or not) and it’s hard to pinpoint the exact motive, but it looks like the Baxter Brothers book series may still be at the center of it.

2

“I will ruin you…”

Cheryl and Toni (Choni) seem to be quite the hit with their new Maple Club, but things get complicated when Nick Sinclair shows up. Cheryl spots him from behind the curtain and this brings up a lot of horrible memories for her. In case you forgot, Cheryl was drugged by Nick during her sophomore year and Veronica and the Pussycats came to her rescue.

Riverdale The CW 4
Images courtesy of The CW

Cheryl really opens up to Toni about what happened and we also learn that Toni went through something similar in her past as well. She shows her love and support for her girlfriend, but she also takes things one step further and decides to teach Nick Sinclair a lesson.

Toni teams up with Kevin and Fangs with their side hustle and videos Nick being tickled. Toni tells Nick that she will ruin him and saves the day, proving once again why Choni is such an incredible couple. I love these two so much! Go Toni!

1

“I think we need to be more worried about Donna.”

Even though Bret stops Betty and Alice from taking his precious collection, Betty does manage to slip Donna’s tape by him. Betty discovers Donna’s confession, which is an identical speech about a teacher she had an affair with.

Betty recognizes that she is lying and has done this speech before, but what is Donna’s end game here?

Betty is right about suspecting Donna as the greater threat, but what does she want with Jughead?

Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural? Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “You” Season 2 on Netflix: Lifetime Dexter Does It Again

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

Obsession looks good on Joe Goldberg, played brilliantly by Penn Badgley.  After season one became a streaming sensation on Netflix, I was slightly worried that season two would not be able to deliver, but starting over in a new town gave us plenty of opportunities to witness Joe’s dark narrative come alive once again.

You (season two) began streaming new episodes on December 26th 2019 on Netflix.  Season two features ten episodes (about 50 minutes in length).  It stars Penn Badgley, Victoria Pedretti, James Scully, Ambyr Childers, Carmela Zumbado, and Jenna Ortega.

In season two, Joe moves from New York to L.A. and is determined to get a fresh start as “Will,” but things get complicated when he falls in love with his new romantic interest, Love.  He quickly becomes entangled in her family drama, which mostly involves her twin brother, Forty.  Joe tries to be a better person, but the darkness within him continues to stir, as he starts to lose self-control once again.

If you loved season one, you are probably wondering if season two lives up to it?  Let’s find out!

The Pros:

You Netflix 6
Images courtesy of Netflix

Strong supporting characters that steal the show.

As much as I love listening to Joe’s moody narrative, it can get a bit stale if we don’t shake things up with some interesting characters.  My biggest issue with season one was that I actually really didn’t like Beck as a character.  In season two, I really thought that Love had a lot of potential, but I was also intrigued by her twin brother, Forty, who is absolutely hilarious.

Joe’s new neighbors, Delilah and Ellie, are also both fantastic.  You care about their stories and they really allowed us to see Joe/Will’s struggle to be a hero you can count on.  Being a serial killer can get in the way of this; however, but these characters spark a lot of goodness within him, which really helps him grow as a person despite all of his past inner demons.

Joe’s backstory is revealed and seamless connections to season one questions.

We get a lot of flashbacks sprinkled in during the episodes about Joe’s childhood, which help us understand him a bit more.  Even though we get a new setting and characters for season two, I thought the connections to season one worked perfectly.  They weren’t forced or excessive and they really answered a lot of questions that I had without hitting us over the head with unnecessary cameos.

Really great twists.

I did not see the ultimate twist coming and I was very impressed with it, bringing me in that much more.  This show is addicting and I tend to watch it all in one sitting because I don’t want anyone to spoil it for me.  Each reveal was well timed and I actually thought this season was even better than the first.

The Cons:

You Netflix 4
Images courtesy of Netflix

Less kills than season one.

I mean, I guess that shows growth in Joe’s character, but I kind of missed seeing all of the Dexter-like kills from season one, but the ones we do get are rewarding enough.  That being said, it’s hard to continue listening to Joe’s conflicted narrative when we don’t get some surprising kills thrown into the mix to balance that out.

Can’t escape that Lifetime feel.

The show actually did originally air on Lifetime and Netflix ended up picking it up, but there are a lot of scenes that just scream Lifetime with so many over dramatic moments.  But to be honest, that’s why we are watching this.  I can’t say that this surprised me and we witness so many real and honest performances to balance this out, but there were some scenes that were just a little bit too outrageous.

So am I in or out?

You Netflix 5
Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!  I really enjoyed season one of the show, but I loved season two even more. “I wolf you season two!”

This show is beyond addicting.  It’s dark and obsessive, but it also has so many genuine moments of compassion and humor. 

Stand out character:  Forty, who basically stole the show for me. 

Season two was also not afraid to make fun of itself, even having one of the characters comparing Joe’s actions to Dexter, which I appreciated.

The twists were so great and the pacing worked so well, making this show the perfect one to binge-watch.  I hope that we get a season three because this show is fantastic!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?  Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery?  Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I really hope you enjoy!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Killing Eve” season 2 episode 6: “I Hope You Like Missionary!”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching BBC America’s Killing Eve season 2 episode 6 on AMC, I learned that you should never mess with Villanelle.  Even if she is not trying to kill you, she will make you pay…oh and never pick up a muffin anywhere near her…ever.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “I Hope You Like Missionary!” Niko confronts Eve about his conversation with Villanelle, which puts more than a strain on their marriage.  Meanwhile, Villanelle shows off her impressive collection of personalities and accents after Eve asks for her help, but ends up revealing some truth behind the real Villanelle.  My top 5 moments from Killing Eve season 2 episode 6 are:

5

“Looks like we’re both pretty busy…”

After the intense conversation between Niko and Villanelle in last week’s episode, Niko confronts Eve and asks her, “What do you want from me?”  It’s a fair question especially since Eve has been all over the place lately.  It initially seems like Niko and Eve are all right for now, but Niko changes his mind in the morning and reminds Eve, “but you’re not alone, are you?”  Niko temporarily moves out of the house and stays with Gemma, who is the colleague from his job that clearly has more than a crush on Niko.

Eve stops by and insists on coming in for tea, but she loses it when she begins going through Gemma’s things.  Gemma asks Eve what she is doing and Eve asks her if she is scared, almost like she is trying to channel her own inner Villanelle.  It looks like this may be the end for Niko and Eve and I can’t say that I’m really surprised, but Eve has a lot to work through.  She really needs to discover what she wants for herself before she can move forward in any relationship.

4

“Who do you want?”

Eve and her team are trying to figure out a way to get close to Aaron Peel so we can learn more about his dealings with The Twelve, but Aaron doesn’t really have many close connections.  The one weak link seems to be his sister, Amber, who is currently in recovery from addiction.  Eve comes up with the idea to enlist Villanelle’s help once again…only her services will not include killing someone.

Villanelle is eager to work with Eve and greets her with a chipper tone when she says, “Hi Partner!”  Villanelle is ready to play the part and shows off her fabulous ideas for her next “character.”  I have to say that I absolutely adored the New York persona, Billie, and her accent was far from annoying.  I’m glad she went with that one and I would love to run into Villanelle in New York!

3

“The only thing that makes you interesting is me…don’t forget.”

Villanelle tries out her persona, Billie, at an AA meeting, but the group sees right through her lies, explaining that she is throwing a self-pity party for herself and their group is more about honesty.  Eve is initially frustrated by this because Villanelle’s story was inspired by Eve’s life and goes off on her as a result, but Villanelle gently reminds her that she doesn’t like her that much and she shouldn’t forget that she is the one making her life interesting right now.  Villanelle may have an obsession with Eve, but she likes to do things her way and perhaps she is always the one in charge, so Eve better remember that.  Even though Villanelle is “working” for Eve, she may have her own agenda.

2

“I don’t feel anything…”

When Villanelle returns to her next AA meeting, she is ready to reveal some truths about herself.  Villanelle explains:  “Most days I feel nothing…I don’t feel anything…it’s so boring.”  She further explains that she just tries to find ways to feel something.  This was a huge moment for Villanelle, as she finally lets her walls down, revealing that she is not an empty shell.  Villanelle has been trying to tap into her humanity for a while now and this moment allowed us to truly see that.

I thought Jodie Comer’s performance here was fantastic and I was very moved by her revelations.  Aaron’s sister, Amber, is impressed as well and it seems like these two are going to begin bonding according to plan, but Amber’s sponsor continues to get in the way.  Even though Villanelle shows off a softer side of herself, she is still an assassin and she pushes the sponsor in front of a moving vehicle in front of Eve.  Seriously, don’t get in her way.

1

“You’re a bully…there’s only one way to communicate with a bully.”

Villanelle is invited over to dinner at Amber’s house and she gets to interact with Aaron Peel.  She has Eve and Konstantin in her ear the whole time, which is distracting, as Villanelle decides to take the ear piece out and do things her way.  Billie’s cover story includes her having two degrees in philosophy, but it’s safe to say that Villanelle has not really done her homework.  Aaron begins to question her repeatedly, but Villanelle does not waver.

Villanelle faces Aaron and tells him that he is a bully and the only way to communicate with him is to…strike him in the face with the book he tossed on her lap.  Go Villanelle!  I have to say that I LOVED this moment, as I cannot stand bullies myself and Villanelle really put him in his place.  Even though she may have just blown the mission, Villanelle proves that she is her own boss and we later see her following a pair of young women who have piqued her interest.  I’m not really sure what she has in store for them, but perhaps she has found a new obsession?  We’ll have to wait and see, but it looks like Eve’s hold over Villanelle may be fading.  How will she handle it though?  Stay tuned! 

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

**I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

**Book Two of the Dreaming of Wonderland series, Embracing the Looking-Glass, is scheduled to be released June 5th 2019!!!!

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The Search for Alice Feb 2019

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