Tag: Season 2

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:

5

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.

4

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.

3

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.

2

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?

1

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:

5

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.

4

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?

3

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.

2

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.

1

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 “The Mick” season 2 episode 13: “The Dump.”

Happy Wednesday!  After watching Fox’s The Mick season 2 episode 13 last night, I learned that school field trips can lead to some dangerous consequences and that everyone has their own interpretation on how to prove one’s self worth.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “The Dump,” Mickey and Alba volunteer as tribute…I mean as chaperones for Ben’s school field trip.  While the dump was not as inspiring as Mickey hoped for, she gets more than she bargained for when she realizes that they picked up an extra child by mistake on the way back.  Meanwhile, Jimmy has big plans for the day and Chip and Sabrina learn that their grandfather, the Colonel, may have some usefulness after all.  My top 5 moments from The Mick season 2 episode 13 are:

5

Jimmy has big plans for the day.

After Jimmy lectures Chip and Sabrina on leaving their grandfather outside and forgetting about him, they suggest that he takes him out for a hair-cut.  Jimmy politely declines explaining that he has big plans for the day.  While missing for most of the episode, Sabrina and Chip call him later on for his help, revealing that he is at an arcade trying to get a high score to be proud of.  While he doesn’t admit to Sabrina and Chip where he is, he still proves to be worthy and helpful in the situation.  One can always count on Jimmy even though he has an interesting perspective on priorities.

4

“His name is Dump now.”

On the way back from the field trip, Mickey reminds everyone that she needs to do a headcount to ensure everyone is accounted for.  She frantically recounts several times but keeps getting “21.”  Although they are not missing anyone, there is one little boy who has come along for the ride who doesn’t belong.  Mickey tries to ask him where he comes from and his address but he says nothing in reply.  When Mickey and Alba take the boy home, Mickey decides his name will be “Dump,” refusing “Ignacio” as Alba suggested.

3

Chip and Sabrina lose the Colonel.

Chip is furious when Sabrina rolls the Colonel up to him, forcing him to lose his place in line to get his new “kicks.”  The store clerk allows Chip to skip the line, however; since he is there with his grandfather.  Chip also gets some free “kicks” or “lifestyle shoes” playing on his grandfather’s war hero story to get attention.  Sabrina and Chip realize that having grandpa around is not so bad after all, deciding to see what else they can get out of this.  The plan backfires, however; when he rolls out of the bar and takes off.  After some failed attempts at tracking him down, Jimmy asks if he is “micro chipped” reminding Sabrina that she can track her phone that she left on the wheelchair.  They finally find the colonel in an alley, stripped of his kicks, and ready to go home.  Perhaps Sabrina and Chip will learn to finally treat him with respect and kindness, but the best we can hope for is that he gets home safe and sound without them being distracted by shiny objects on the way.

2

Mickey and Alba use “the last pay phone on earth” to call the police.

Mickey and Alba argue over what to do next when “Dump” is at their house, unable to provide them with any answers.  They decide to find a pay phone and anonymously call the police to see what they know so they can get the boy back safely.  After Alba’s racist accent on the phone referring to the police as “bacon,” and repeatedly leading with “yo,” they learn that everyone believes the boy to be kidnapped and they have now become the prime suspects.  They also learn that he is deaf, which is why he hasn’t been responding to their threatening questions.  Mickey later tries to call the police and Alba points out that her “Asian” accent is just as racist.

1

Kidnapping lingo.

After several failed ideas to return the boy safely, Alba and Mickey argue over what to do next.  Alba suggests a form of good cop vs. bad cop, but Mickey is not convinced this will have an impact on Ben and his new friend and suggests that they set up a “drop point.”  Alba comically tries it out anyway and begins smashing Ben’s games when they don’t get an answer out of “Dump.”  Mickey grabs the gulf club out of Alba’s hands only to also begin smashing the games to pieces to the horror of Ben and “Dump.”  Ben and “Dump” find their way back to the actual dump and tell Mickey that they are going to live there from now on.  Ben strategically makes a deal with Mickey that she will need to go on field trips with him for the next century which is pretty much the worst possible punishment Mickey can think of while Alba proves her self-worth by taking on a guard dog.  Ultimately, the police find “Dump” with a very honest and apologetic note from Mickey and Alba, letting them know that it was a mistake and they will try to be more sensitive next time about their racist accents.  Looks like Mickey and Alba will be participating in their fair share of school field trips from now until the next century.  Good luck ladies!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on The Mick 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:

5

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?

4

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.

3

“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?

2

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.

1

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Mick” season 2 episode 12: “The City.”

Happy Wednesday!  After watching Fox’s The Mick season 2 episode 12 last night, I’m left with the familiar quote that “it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”  Although for Mickey, her idea of winning at a “break up” seems beyond competitive.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “The City,” Mickey, Alba, and the kids take a trip to Manhattan so that Chip can meet his real dad.  Meanwhile, Mickey gets an unexpected request to identify the body of an old friend, and Ben and Alba are on a mission to track down Hamilton tickets.  My top 5 moments from The Mick season 2 episode 12 are:

5

Mickey attempts to flee from the police.

In the beginning of the episode, Mickey answers the door and sees the cops standing before her.  Without a moment’s hesitation, Mickey makes a run for it, refusing to stick around to find out what she may or may not be in trouble for.  Unfortunately for Mickey, the stairs come out of nowhere and get in her way, causing her to comically trip and fall.

4

Mickey is asked to identify Jimmy’s body.

To Mickey’s surprise, the police request that Mickey come down to the morgue to identify Jimmy.  While I knew the writers explained that the break-up was very real, I was shocked that these two might be separated forever.  After seeing Jimmy’s wallet, Mickey takes a deep breath and is ready for them to unveil Jimmy’s body.  Luckily it is not Jimmy, even though Alba is convinced they are one in the same.  Mickey insists that they check his “ass” explaining that Jimmy has a burnt ass and that will absolutely shed some light on the confusion over the identity of the body.  Once it is determined that it is definitely not Jimmy, Ben requests that they take the man’s ashes so he can spread them out in the city, only he ends up consuming them, mistaking them for candy at the Hamilton show.

3

Chip tracks down his real father…at a strip club.

After his failed attempt with Mr. Buckley, Chip is hesitant about meeting his dad.  After some initial confusion and shock over the revelation, Chip’s dad seems actually happy about meeting his son.  While he is initially upset that his bouncers let in both Chip and Sabrina since they are underage, he then insists on taking Chip for a tour around the establishment, which ends with him seeing his office/bedroom.  Chip’s father confides in his son that he does have dreams and tells him that he wants to open up his own Strip Club in Florida one day.  While not the sharpest tool in the shed, it seems like Chip’s dad actually shares something with his son….including an inhaler for when he can’t breathe after screaming at a stripper to get out of his office.  While the reunion doesn’t lead to anything permanent, considering how his dad gets arrested at the end of the episode, perhaps Chip has now found the answers he was looking for.

2

Jimmy is back and has stolen Ben’s identity.

After Mickey is quite relieved that the body wasn’t Jimmy, they decide to visit the Pemberton penthouse and are confused when they find Jimmy dressed in a suit and eating shrimp galore.  To Mickey’s shock, Jimmy reveals that he has stolen the identity of young Ben so that he can get a job and impress his new bosses in the finance world.  While this seems too good to be true, Mickey has her suspicions about what is really going on.  After she witnesses Jimmy in action, she explains that it seems like he is more of a secretary, rather than a sales man and tries to push him down the fast track to promotion.  This plan back-fires, however; when she is convinced that they are pulling off a “boiler room” type of situation, scamming their clients out of money.  This leads to her calling the IRS and a bowl of Manhattan clam chowder pouring all over Jimmy, now burning his nuts to match with his already burnt ass.  While Mickey had good intentions, she shatters Jimmy’s new life and dreams.

1

“You won the break-up.”

Since Mickey bumped into Jimmy again, she has been obsessed with “winning the break-up.”  It seems like Jimmy has the perfect life without her and she is not about to lose at anything.  After the incident with the clam chowder, Mickey finally lets her walls down and tells Jimmy that he “won the break-up.”  She admits she made mistakes and is the reason why everything is not going well in his life.  Jimmy refuses to let her walk away and explains that he is the one who lost because he lost her.  Mickey asks Jimmy to come home and he agrees.  However, when he leans in for an epic and romantic kiss, Mickey turns this down because he smells like clams.  Either way, I was very excited to see them get back together, as there has been a void since Jimmy has left.  Welcome back Jimmy!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Mick” season 2 episode 11: “The Trip.”

Happy Wednesday!  After watching Fox’s The Mick season 2 episode 11 last night, I am a little hesitant to ever borrow someone’s denim jacket again without truly understanding the consequences behind what lies in the pockets.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “The Trip,” Sabrina is feeling anxious and unsure about going to her Yale college interview and decides to take a “trip” to get there.  This plan backfires, however; when she finds herself trapped in a closet and calls Mickey to help get her out of there.  Meanwhile, Alba’s cousin visits her and she attempts to prove that she is still a maid living the American Dream and working hard in a “beautiful prison,” which causes her to enlist the unlikely help of Chip in the process.  My top 5 moments from The Mick season 2 episode 11 are:

5

Mickey explains the importance of going to college.

In the beginning of the episode, Sabrina explains that she is thinking about ditching her Yale interview, claiming that she is a legacy and the interview is really just a formality.  Mickey stresses the importance of going to the interview, as if she is invested in Sabrina’s future.  She then reveals her true agenda, however; admitting that shipping Sabrina off to college is the first step in her elaborate plan to get the house all to herself.  She allows Sabrina to borrow her denim jacket, hoping she will make the right decision, not realizing the consequences of this seemingly harmless gesture.

4

Alba pretends to be a maid again.

Ever since Mickey has moved in, Alba has pushed her duties as a maid aside, enjoying a life of leisure and relaxation.  This is all about to change, however; when she gets a call that her cousin from Guatemala is planning on visiting her.  Alba dusts off her maid’s uniform and attempts to prove to her cousin that she works very hard and that the American dream is not all it seems to be, desperately hoping that he won’t stay long enough to realize that this is all a lie.  Alba explains that coming to America and not working is shameful and she doesn’t want her family to disown her as a result of her new lifestyle.

3

Sabrina takes the acid she finds in Mickey’s denim jacket.

Sabrina goes on an unexpected “trip” after she takes the acid she finds in Mickey’s old denim jacket.  As a first-time user, she is having a hard time deciphering reality and locks herself in a closet in fear.  She calls Mickey in a panic, as her anxiety and self-doubt have now come screaming to the surface.  When Mickey tries to convince her to leave the closet and go out the door, Sabrina is horrified by this and says she would be going “through another door and another door without purpose,” unable to snap back into reality.  Luckily for Sabrina, Mickey is not about to abandon her in this state.

2

Alba enlists the help of Chip…and then turns the tables on him.

After Alba realizes that her cousin may see through the lie and learn that she is not a maid anymore, she comes up with a plan to have Chip give him a temporary job there and treat him poorly so he will not want to stay.  Alba forgets that her cousin’s work ethic is tremendous, however; accepting each new chore with eagerness.  Chip even begins pouring his cereal and milk all over the counter, counting down until Alba can find a bowl in time and her cousin jumps in to make the best of the situation to the surprise of Chip.  After Chip continues to go on and on about his gym story where he had to sit out because he bullied other kids, Alba sees the flaw in his story and turns the tables on him.  She calls the school, goes through his room, and finds out about the “incident in the boy’s locker room,” threatening to expose Chip’s secret that he puts a “wig on his penis.”  Chip backs down and fires Alba’s cousin in defeat, realizing that Alba is the one with all of the power after all.

1

Mickey takes acid with Sabrina to help break her out of the closet.

Once Mickey realizes that getting Sabrina out of the closet is harder than she initially anticipated, she decides that the best solution is to take acid with her so that they are both in the same state of mind.  They share an interesting escape through the empty school hallway, which erupts into chaos and confusion when the bell rings for next period, separating Mickey and Sabrina.  Mickey begins hearing voices and learns about the power of the school’s announcement system, coming up with a plan to leave a message for Sabrina so that they can meet up and find each other once again.  Just when they are about to escape, Sabrina decides to go to her Yale interview after all.  She finally comes to terms with the scary realization that she doesn’t know who she is yet but it’s the journey that is most important, now eager to take on her next adventure.  While she seems to impress the admissions representative from Yale, she does confuse him with her constant need to touch his sweater after each response.  Either way, Mickey has done her job as the “shepherd of self-revelation” and supports Sabrina through her uncertainty about the next chapter of her life.  While Mickey’s methods are unconventional, her heart is in the right place and she ultimately helps Sabrina.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Mick” season 2 episode 10: “The Climb.”

Happy Wednesday!  After watching Fox’s The Mick season 2 episode 10 last night, I am left with the urge to start Beverly Hills, 90210 over again…even though I literally just re-watched the entire series a few months ago.  Why, you might ask?  Keep reading to find out!  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “The Climb,” Sabrina is hosting a party for her socialite art-friends.  Mickey seems uninterested in “social climbing” until she bumps into a fabulous celebrity mother from our favorite zip code.  Meanwhile, Chip goes camping with Mr. Buckley to share some father and son precious moments and Ben takes matters into his own hands when he realizes that being cool isn’t everything.   My top 5 moments from The Mick season 2 episode 10 are:

5

“Being cool is very important.”

Ben has a new friend named Totsi who is very interested in new-age meditation and abhors instant coffee.  Mickey is ready to tell Ben’s new friend to take a hike, but Ben pleads with her to be nice and to do what he asks because he thinks he is cool.  Mickey tries to explain that being cool isn’t everything, but can’t come up with a compelling argument to support this and agrees that “being cool is VERY important.” 

4

“Social Climbing” via the salon.

In the beginning of the episode, Sabrina explains that she is throwing a “salon” for her art-friends and that it will be very classy and exclusive.  Mickey initially wants nothing to do with this and mistakes a salon for a hair-salon.  She quickly recovers from this naïve error, ripping on Sabrina for “social climbing.”  Mickey claims that she is above this and is content with who she is, but an unexpected new friend will quickly change her tune.

3

Chip bonds with his father.

After it is revealed that Chip has a different father from his siblings, he tracks down his biological father, Mr. Buckley, desperately looking for a sense of belonging.  In a previous episode, this goes horribly wrong when Chip takes out his sister on a date trying to keep up his cover story as an intern at Mr. Buckley’s job.  Mr. Buckley is willing to give him a second chance; however, as he takes Chip camping.  Chip tries to convince his dad that he is up to the challenge, but it is clear that Chip has never had to do anything on his own, let alone camping in the wilderness.  Just as they begin to set up the camp, Chip knocks over a stack of boats and Mr. Buckley’s leg is severely injured as a result.  Chip panics when he realizes that he has no cell-phone reception, shrieking in defeat.  Mr. Buckley attempts to talk him through sterilizing the wound, when Chip vomits all over it in response.  Just when things can’t get any worse, Mr. Buckley instructs him to pull his leg so he can snap it back into place and Chip pushes instead, making the injury even worse.  At the end of the episode, Chip is in the hospital with Mr. Buckley and his “dad” reveals that he had a DNA test completed and that he is not Chip’s real father.  Chip is disappointed to discover this and opens up a criminal file to reveal his real dad.  If he does track down his real dad, perhaps camping should be off the table as a form of bonding.

2

Ben plays “Cowboys and Indians” with Totsi.

After Ben comes to the realization that he no longer wants to play with Totsi or listen to his new-age babble, he slaps him across the face, hoping to get the message across.  Mickey scolds him and explains that there is no hitting in their house…opting to then tie him up as an alternative.  Ben takes this to an extreme, however; when he begins to shave off Totsi’s dreads, leaving even Mickey speechless about how to explain this to his celebrity mom.  While it’s important that Ben embraces who he is and learns that he doesn’t need to compromise to be cool, perhaps some ground rules need to be set.

1

Jennie Garth!

When Mickey has had enough of Totsi’s nonsense, she brings him home and the door opens to reveal his celebrity mom…Jennie freakin Garth!  My reaction mirrored that of Mickey’s and Alba’s who were thrilled to meet Jennie Garth, aka Kelly Taylor.  Sabrina, however; reveals the generation gap, claiming to not know who she is.  Alba is horrified by this and chimes in with “what a Brenda!”  Mickey and Alba begin social climbing as well, but it doesn’t really turn out the way they hope.  Alba’s goal is to get Jennie to sign her 90210 lunch box and thermos, while Mickey is looking to get the ultimate invitation to Mario Lopez’s birthday party.  After all, “he has access to all of Hollywood.”  Things don’t go as planned, however; when Jennie reveals to have the same new-age philosophy as her son, Totsi, boring Mickey.  Jennie also has trouble remembering who Mickey is, explaining that she meets so many people.  She comes up with interesting ways to remember everyone’s name.  Mickey is not so thrilled with hers:  rhyming Mick with Sick and then yelling cancer to recall her new friend.  Mickey is still focused on the goal of getting the invitation to Mario Lopez’s party so she puts her feelings aside, however; there is no coming back from Jennie walking in on Totsi being tied to a chair, missing most of his hair.  It’s safe to say that Mickey will not be joining Mario Lopez for his birthday.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on The Mick 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:

5

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.

4

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.

3

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?

2

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?

1

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 “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:

5

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?

4

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?

3

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?

2

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.

1

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

My top 5 questions from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 7. Theories and spoilers ahead. Bobby pins required.

Greetings TV Fans!  I have to say I am absolutely thrilled to have a new episode of the CW’s Riverdale back after the break from last week.  After last night’s episode, so many new questions and mysteries have emerged.  Secrets and lies are creeping to the surface, Archie is at a crossroads…literally, and Betty might be pushing things out into the open too far.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  The episode is split into three parts from the perspectives of Archie & Jughead, Josie, and Betty & Veronica.  All three parts are occurring at the same time and intertwine along the way.  My biggest takeaway is to always have a bobby pin handy!  You never know what locked doors need opening, but will you like what you discover?  My top 5 questions from Riverdale season 2 episode 7 are:

5) Has Chuck truly turned over a new leaf?  When we get to Josie’s storyline, we find out that she has a secret admirer, which sounds harmless enough, but starts escalating into stalker territory.  Chuck is introduced back into the mix and Josie questions whether or not he has changed.  He offers to give her a ride home and they grab a quick bite at Pop’s diner.  Not only does Chuck reveal that he goes to church, but he is not a bad dancer either.  Just as we are starting to think that perhaps he really has changed, Josie’s mother bursts in and Josie receives a threatening note the next day.  She accuses Chuck of being her stalker, but this seems farfetched.  Is Chuck a good guy now?  I’m not sure I am buying the charming act either especially because we know the black hood targets sinners.  Is his new found religion a clue that he could be the black hood?  You never know but I’ve got my eye on Chuck for now.

4) Is Sheriff Keller off the hook?  When we get to Betty and Veronica’s storyline, both girls are anxious to get to the truth about Sheriff Keller.  Betty is convinced that he is the black hood and Veronica thinks that he is having an affair.  Veronica strategically plans a sleep over at Kevin’s but only ends up discovering Sheriff Keller’s secret of working out in the basement.  Betty has a little more luck when she breaks into his office, but he catches her in the act.  All of the information he has on the black hood relates to the case, which makes sense, but perhaps that is so he could easily be ruled out.  Betty is not buying it and spies on him with Veronica outside a motel.  They discover that he is in fact having an affair with…Josie’s mom!  It seems that we have discovered his scandalous secret, but is he hiding anything else?

3) Is the black hood connected to the Riverdale reaper?  When we are involved in Archie & Jughead’s story, Jughead leaves his better judgment behind and takes a ride from a stranger so he can move his illegal crate to his destination in time.  The stranger is certainly mysterious and has a creepy vibe going for him with his hidden dead animals in his truck, but does reveal some important information.  He informs Jughead that Riverdale once saw a killer like the black hood before and talks about what happened with the Riverdale reaper.  However, how has no one in the town heard about this before?  What are they covering up?  What else does this stranger know?  The questions are endless, but it looks like the boys will need to get caught up their town’s history pretty fast if they want to stop the black hood.

2) Is Cheryl Josie’s stalker?  When the stalker threatens Josie and sends her a portrait, we can quickly rule Chuck out.  It just seems too easy that it is him so who else could it be?  Cheryl has been clinging to Josie lately and is clearly very thankful that she helped stop her attacker, but has this gratitude gone too far?  Cheryl is shown drawing a very similar sketch of her and Josie, which seems like all signs are pointing to yes that she is the one threatening Josie.  Has Cheryl hit a breaking point?  Is there any chance it’s not her?  Just as Cheryl has been starting to display some redeeming qualities, she is being dragged back down by obsession.

1) What are the consequences of failing the black hood’s test?  At the end of the episode, all of the intertwining stories have caught up to one another and all parties are present at Pop’s diner.  Pop receives a phone call and reveals that it is the black hood and he said that they all failed his test and that the day of reckoning is upon them.  What exactly was the test and what is going to happen now as a result?  We know that the black hood is capable of murder, but does he or she have something else in mind?  We will have to stay tuned for more answers, but it doesn’t look like the black hood is finished with Riverdale just yet.

I hope you enjoyed my top 5 questions and please feel free to post your own theories and questions from Riverdale below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl