Tag: Shameless

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 10: Fiona buys a chair

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 10 last night, I am left contemplating the Golden Rule, which says that you should “treat others the way you want to be treated.”  In other words, you need to be nice to others and do the right thing if you want the same in return.  However, what happens when you live by the Golden Rule and even go out of your way to do the right thing…only to get stomped on in return and sued for six million dollars?  Poor Fiona.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Church of Gay Jesus,” Fiona is enjoying living on her own and attempts to pay it forward to a family in need.  Kev and V decide to coach Svetlana on how to find a rich husband, Debbie takes a night-time welding job which sounds “sketchy,” and Lip tries to deal with his grief.  Meanwhile, Ian embraces his new calling with open arms while Frank and Liam attempt to turn it into a new business scheme.  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 10 are:

5

Lip attempts to deal with his grief.

When Lip decides to go check in on Professor Youens in jail, he is in for a horrible shock when he learns that he died that past week.  All of Lip’s emotions that had been bottled up for so long come rushing to the surface as he desperately tries to deal with his grief.  When Lip goes to Professor Youens’s home, he runs into his daughter there who tells him she’s got it handled.  Part of Lip’s diversion from drinking has involved his constant distractions to help those around him.  He returns home and tries to come up with the words to a truly representative eulogy and even crosses out the word “professor” and replaces it with “friend.”  As Lip listens to tons of students get up and tell similar stories about how Professor Youens was like a father to them or believed in them when no one else would, Lip crumples up the eulogy and walks out.  He releases all of his anger and takes it out on the motorcycle he has been working so hard on, unable to control the swirl of emotions rushing around inside him.  Later in the episode, Professor Youens’s daughter gives him an unfinished recommendation letter she found about Lip, revealing that he was “amazed by his mind.”  She offers to give the letter to Lip, thinking it may provide him with some sense of comfort, but Lip is still too angry to take it.  It seems like nothing is going right for Lip these days, but he still holds on to his sobriety in the face of everything he has had to deal with, becoming someone truly worthy of that recommendation letter.

4

“Hot Gay Jesus.”

Ian’s growing popularity has the Gallagher family stunned, as more and more followers come to the house just to hear Ian speak.  Fiona refers to it as a cult, but Cassidy reveals that he is more like a “Hot Gay Jesus,” sparking a business scheme in Frank’s unemployed head.  Frank and Liam begin selling tee-shirts to make a profit off of the “prophet” otherwise known as Ian.  Ian is unsure what to make of so many people coming out to hear him speak.  At the end of the episode, Fiona accompanies him to the church where seas of people are anxiously waiting for him.  Ian embraces his destiny and speaks out, realizing that he is making a difference.

3

Cassidy and Carl get married.

After Carl’s promise ring was misinterpreted as an engagement ring, his girlfriend, Cassidy, enthusiastically accepts.  She provides the Gallagher family with engagement presents and explains that she will be “the best effin wife,” cooking Carl dinner every night with an interesting dessert menu.  While it seems harmless at first, Cassidy then shows off her present for Carl, which is a vile of her own blood for him to carry around.  Channeling her inner Angelina Jolie, Cassidy insists that they carry each other’s blood around to be closer to one another.  When their wedding is delayed by a day, Carl begins to have second thoughts and his family members warn him that Cassidy is kind of “psycho.”  He reveals his doubts to her, hoping that their love can be enough for now.  However, Cassidy takes this to the extreme, refusing to not get what she wants.  Carl walks in to his love, Cassidy, hanging on a noose and rushes to her side.  While she explains it was more of a test for Carl, she reveals that all she wants is to get married.  Carl agrees and the two tie a very different kind of knot…fake ids and all.  Will Carl be able to have the first successful marriage of the Gallagher family?  Time will tell.

2

Kev and V try to coach Svetlana on how to secure a rich husband.

After setting up an online profile for Svetlana, Kev and V are horrified by her actions on her first date, which involve an outfit mostly covered in fish-net and ending in a punch in the face.  Kev and V try to “coach” Svetlana on “etiquette” and how to behave on a date, suggesting smiling as an easy first step.  “What is the point of smiling?” Svetlana asks, not falling for the bait.  Kev and V realize that their best hope of finding Svetlana a rich husband is to have her wear a microphone and earpiece so Kev can talk her through what to say.  Svetlana seems reluctant at first, but Kev reminds her that “this is spy shit.  It’s in your DNA!”  After the code words fail and Kev realizes he forgot to test the microphone, he is still confident that his words of wisdom will help Svetlana.  However, Svetlana takes off her ear piece and goes back to what she knows best…grabbing the man’s “goods” and seeing where this will take them.

1

Fiona buys a chair…and then gets sued.

Fiona is finally living on her own and even purchases a chair, revealing to Irish Ford that this is the first time she bought something she didn’t actually need.  When she notices the injured roofer and his wife and kids living out of a car, she wants to help them.  She secures a spot for them in a family shelter, but there is a two-day waiting period.  Fiona generously agrees to let the family stay in her apartment, while they wait, showing a lot of compassion and goodness.  Irish Ford and her grow closer and take their relationship to the next level, as he reveals that he has asked around about her and knows that she is a good person.  When Fiona returns to her apartment, she finds more family members squandering there and a stain on her brand new chair.  Fiona is starting to have second thoughts about her decision but takes a deep breath and reminds herself that they will be in the shelter soon.  At the end of the episode, Fiona is served and she discovers that the injured roofer is now suing her for six million dollars.  Fiona is beyond angry and realizes that doing the right thing doesn’t always guarantee that those you are helping will have the same good intentions.  It’s clear this man messed with the wrong Gallagher, but we will have to wait and see what Fiona does next.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 9: “Yes Team Fiona!”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 9 last night, I am left with the saying that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” and that past mistakes should not be repeated.  The Gallagher family quickly forgets this advice, however; when they come to the realization that they are not so great at keeping relationships and are determined to make a change.   Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “The Fugees,” Fiona goes out with literally a bowling team of Irish Ford’s exes, Ian uses his YouTube fame to make a difference in the church and save a life, and Debbie enlists the help of a dog named, Toto.  Not the Toto you are thinking of.  Although I suppose she does find her own version of the yellow brick road paved with drugs to help her pay her welding tuition bill.  Meanwhile, Lip is unable to put his past feelings aside for Sierra and gets stuck in the middle of a disaster of a love triangle, while Svetlana has a blast from her past as well.  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 9 are:

5

Frank makes it back to the USA.

It seems like everything is going well with Frank’s new business venture to illegally transport people across the Canadian border until he gets cornered by the “Royal Canadian Mountain Police.”  While he is riding in the police car, he even jokes that they actually do wear those hats and that he “thought that was only in cartoons,” to the disapproval of the police.  Luckily, Frank is able to escape his dilemma and goes on an adventure of his own to make it back safe and sound to the states.  He knows he has arrived home safely when he spots a Costco, thrilled to embrace discount detergent with open arms.

4

Kev comes to the realization that “dominance is in his DNA” while Svetlana gets an unexpected visitor.

Kev or “Sir Kev,” or wait just “Sir,” as he wants to be called is still holding on to his new-found power of dominance, refusing to back down from it now.  He explains to V that it was previously in “hibernation like a baby bear,” but now there is “no more Mr. Nice Guy.”  V decides that his dominance could best be used to convince Svetlana to wear a new dress code, which he enforces to her enjoyment.  “Dominance…boom.”  Even though Svetlana is covering up her “tatas,” she still rocks some seriously fashionable glasses.  Svetlana gets an unexpected visit from a woman she had helped smuggle into the country, which she previously referred to as a “bottom feeder,” only to get a slap of reality, realizing that the “bottom feeder” now has the American Dream she so desperately wanted.  Svetlana is horrified at her own circumstances, wondering if she made the right choices for herself.  Something tells me that Svetlana is not about to let anyone step on her, however.

3

Debbie befriends a dog named, Toto.

To make some extra cash for Welding school tuition, Debbie takes on a job watching someone’s dog.  The adorable dog, Toto, has a unique set of skills that Debbie was not expecting, however.  At first, Debbie thinks the dog has a problem with everyone when he continues to bark randomly, as if alerting her to something.  After Debbie witnesses a drug-bust and finds the product, she realizes that Toto must have been a “drug dog” in the past.  She quickly enlists his help as her new “drug supplier” to obtain the money she needs to go to school.  Perhaps Frank should take some advice from his youngest daughter on how to successfully pull off a business scheme, although it could back-fire as well.

2

Fiona goes bowling.

After getting some mixed signals from Irish Ford, Fiona is not sure what to expect from him.  When he invites her to hang out, she hesitantly accepts, not sure what she is in for.  She quickly discovers she is hanging out with a bunch of Ford’s exes at a bowling alley.  When they ask her what she typically averages in bowling, she admits “I have no idea.”  Things are looking up, when she does a decent job and screams out, “Yes Team Fiona!”  No one is really paying attention, but the important thing is that Fiona is actually having a good time.  Later in the episode, Fiona feels the familiar reaction of confusion and mixed signals coming her way, revealing to Ford that she is an “amazing effin catch.”  Irish Ford appears to agree, kissing her at the end of the episode, putting aside Fiona’s doubts for now.  Is this the start of a solid relationship for Fiona?

1

Carl is getting married…

Carl’s girlfriend, Cassidy, starts out the episode making a video scrapbook for her beloved, not wanting him to abandon her and ship off to military school.  Seems like a sweet idea, until she begins adding in some tasteless photos of her and some interesting recordings.  Carl seeks out some advice from Kev and the guys on what to do, realizing that he needs to prove his commitment to Cassidy.  Unlike most girls, Cassidy has an interesting perspective on love.  She thinks of their “boning” as “uniting our souls” and tells Carl that he is “mutilating her effin heart” when she is convinced there will be tons of girls at military school, even though he repeatedly explains there are literally no women at the school.  Carl takes the plunge and purchases a promise ring, staging a romantic re-creation of the day they first met…handcuffs and all.  The sentiment is actually quite sweet, until Cassidy mistakes it for a marriage proposal and eagerly shrieks “yes!” How is Carl going to get out of this one?  Is he actually going to marry Cassidy?  We’ll have to stay tuned to find out, but it’s clear the adventure is not over yet.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on Shameless below.  Thanks for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 8: “Now who’s complicated?”

Happy New Year TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 8 last night, I am left with Justin Bieber’s “Baby” song stuck in my head along with “My Heart will Go On.”  Seems like a strange mix, right?  Well not if you are boarding “Frank’s Northern Shuttle Express.”  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, Fiona contemplates moving out on her own to find her independence, while Kev explores “full on domination mode.”  Meanwhile, Lip tries to find a new sponsor, Debbie puts out an interesting Craig’s list ad, Ian shows off his skills in a “bible quoting contest,” and Frank continues with his “entrepreneurship” talents to illegally help people cross the Canadian border.  If you get into trouble, just remember “my name is Frank, I’m from the US of A, and I like apples.”  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 8 are:

5

“All Carl’s.”

In episode 7, we were introduced to Carl’s new love interest, Cassidy who proved that she was not afraid to record a ransom video to black-mail her parents.  Seems like this could be an indicator of her emotional well-being, right?  Unfortunately, Carl is distracted by her other “charms” and is very welcoming to her as his new girl-friend.

The family seems to approve as well, when she orders KFC after Deb’s failed attempt to get dinner.  She even sports off some new panties with…you guessed it, “All Carl’s” written across the front.  Perhaps she is just really enthusiastic about her new-found love for Carl.  Everything seems to be going well until Cassidy gets in the way of Carl’s Uber or “Ubber” business, however.

After Cassidy tells of a customer, Carl begins to have second thoughts about how fast their relationship is moving, but continues on with it for now, desperately trying to avoid another melodramatic melt-down.

4

Lip tries out speed-sponsoring.

It seems like nothing is going right for Lip these days.  In episode 8, Lip tries out his own version of speed dating to find a new sponsor.  He is surprised that his first candidate is a woman, portrayed by the hilarious Lea DeLaria who also plays “Big Boo” on Orange is the New Black.  I was thrilled to see her in this role and her tell-it-like-it is humor did not disappoint.

Lip is already on edge after seeing Sierra’s boyfriend at Planned Parenthood with another woman who is very pregnant.  He tries to do the right thing and have him tell her the truth, but is discovering that other people just don’t have the same good conscience he possesses.  Just as Lip thinks he is getting somewhere, his sponsor candidate cuts him off and asks “did I just walk into some episode of Gossip Girl?” 

Lip tries out a few more sponsors, only to go back to the original one and to try and finally learn about how to talk about himself, rather than focusing on the drama around him.  After everything Lip has done for others, it’s about time he takes some much needed “me” time.

3

“Sexy Welder Girl Looking for Work.”

It’s no secret that Debbie is now out of a job after her stunt with Dr. Dick’s car.  Debbie is freaking out the entire episode, fearing she might be pregnant.  After taking several pregnancy tests, Lip takes her to the Planned Parenthood clinic to put her at ease.  In the waiting room, Debbie reveals her panicked fear to Lip:  “I can feel the fetus growing inside me as I sit here!”

Debbie continues to wait for the results, but is not about to put her job-hunt on pause.  She convinces Liam to take “sexy” photos of her for her Craig’s List ad: “Sexy welder girl looking for work.  No job is too small or too big.”  When she gets an immediate call-back, I was slightly concerned about what this job would entail, however; it did seem to be a legitimate welding job and Debbie was thrilled to find out she was not pregnant as an added bonus.

2

Kev is in “full on domination mode.”

After V discovers that she has a need to be dominated, Kev unleashes his frustrations about house-hold chores on his wife, to his and her delight.  Kev begins to realize that he likes being in domination mode, as V even serves him breakfast in an unconventional way:  “More scrambled eggs, my king?”  While this initially seems to just take place between the couple behind closed doors, Kev decides that his domination mode can help out at his job too.

When Svetlana breaks a bottle and demands for Kev to clean out the ice tray, Kev has a sudden epiphany.  “The ice will not be cleaned out by me,” he says firmly to V and Svetlana’s surprise.  Kev has a rush of power and refuses to let Svetlana or anyone else talk down to him.  He still can’t perform basic math skills, but stands up to Svetlana to prove his worth.  Go Kev!

1

Fiona goes on a field trip and learns that she’s “complicated.”

Fiona has been beyond frustrated at her current living situation especially when she finds an unwanted shower guest sleeping in her tub at home.  After confiding to her neighbors at the apartment building, Fiona decides to try out living on her own.  She takes a long shower in the vacant apartment and even dances around in her underwear, feeling free of obligation and time constraints.

However, Irish Ford walks in on her to her embarrassment, which leads to an interesting proposition.  Irish Ford takes Fiona on a field trip of sorts to view some of the buildings he is restoring.  When she lies down next to him on a mattress and stairs up at beautiful art-work on the ceiling, Fiona thinks she is reading the signs correctly.  However, she is shocked when Irish Ford does not kiss her back, turning down her advance because she is “complicated.”  Fiona unconvincingly replies that “being called complicated feels awesome” and returns home in shock and disappointment.

After her family gives her numerous examples of how very complicated she is, she accepts it and is ok with being complicated.  Later, Fiona attends her neighbor’s party and learns that Irish Ford is the father of their unborn children, along with several others.

A look of instant satisfaction flashes across Fiona’s face when she challenges Irish Ford with “now who’s complicated?”  While we are not sure what is in store for Fiona and Irish Ford, it’s a safe bet that a romantic relationship is not out of the question.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on Shameless below.  Thanks for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

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

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy 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!  

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover

My top television shows of 2017 on Cable Networks: The best of the best!

Greetings TV Fans!  For today, I am going to be listing my top favorite television shows that aired in 2017 on cable networks.  While some shows near the top of my list were no surprise for me, there were others that crept into the top 5 that I would not have predicted last year.  There were also some shows that I used to enjoy a lot which fell short this past year and are in need of something earth-shattering to happen in 2018 to get them back to the top of the pack.  While I haven’t gotten a chance to view all shows that aired new episodes in 2017, I did get to more than I initially anticipated.  Please feel free to include some of your favorites below as well.  I will be breaking the shows into 3 categories:  the best of the best, honorable mentions, and shows that have lost some steam.  Please note some spoilers are ahead.

The Best of the Best for television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 in no particular order are:

Game of Thrones

Fear the Walking Dead

American Horror Story:  Cult

SMILF

Shameless

While Game of Thrones and Shameless are two of my all-time favorites, I was pleased with the seasons airing in 2017.  Game of Thrones sped things up to the delight of fans, which I guess makes sense since they are running out of time.  Either way, it was great to see Daenerys and Jon Snow finally meet face to face and discuss terms of an alliance on a war against the undead.  Everything is falling into place and I am eager to see the remaining episodes in 2018.  Shameless is another favorite of mine that has had me laughing out loud this season.  Even though the show is on its eight season, it is proving to still have fresh material.  American Horror Story:  Cult bounced back from American Horror Story:  Roanoke from 2016.  Cult was terrifying and real at the same time, providing viewers with a dangerous view of society.  Evan Peters played his best character yet in my opinion, diving into his terrifying role of Kai Anderson.  Newcomer SMILF is the perfect mix of raw humor and sentimental moments, as Frankie Shaw has had a stand-out performance.  The most surprising one of the bunch for me is Fear the Walking Dead.  I will be honest and admit that I had been previously watching the show out of obligation.  It’s the prequel to The Walking Dead and in some way I felt like I owed the show a chance, even though I wasn’t too hooked.  However, this all changed for me this past season in 2017.  Alicia played by the lovely and talented Alycia Debnam Carey stepped out from her shadow as Madison’s daughter and has grown into an independent and powerful survivor.  Main characters with interesting story-lines were killed off to the shock of fans everywhere; including myself, proving that the show is ready to take on a life of its own.  Rick and the gang should take some notes from the characters in Fear the Walking Dead who are making difficult decisions and moving on to each new obstacle without too much fluff in between.

Honorable mentions for television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 in no particular order:

Homeland

Bates Motel

Better Call Saul

Pretty Little Liars

The Strain

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

South Park

Some of these shows are favorites of mine and did enough in 2017 to earn a spot in my honorable mentions.  South Park and It’s Always Sunny kept the laughs coming and Homeland and Better Call Saul did the same with the edge of your seat drama and big moments.  While the shows had solid episodes, there wasn’t enough of a hook to move them into my top 5.  That being said, I thoroughly enjoy watching these shows and I am looking forward to new seasons.  Bates Motel, Pretty Little Liars, and The Strain ended in 2017 on a strong note.  While none of the series finales were that epic in my opinion, they did a good job of bringing everything full circle and satisfying the questions fans had.

Television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 that are running out of steam in no particular order are:

The Walking Dead

Archer

I have watched all of the episodes from both shows and was somewhat disappointed overall in the seasons from 2017.  While neither show was terrible enough for me to take them off my DVR line-up permanently, there was something missing.  Whether it was too much fluff in between major moments or a missing connection to characters, both shows have the potential to win their fans back and provide some good content.  Are they going to deliver on this, however?  I am optimistic and will continue to watch both series, but am looking for something fresh and over-the-top to remind me why I loved watching in the first place.  I know it’s a lot to ask for, but consistency in television entertainment is important.  Let’s make it a great 2018 for shows everywhere and hope these two shows ignite a spark that will keep viewers coming back for more and more.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post some of your favorite television shows from 2017 that aired on cable networks below.  Happy viewing and the countdown to 2018 is here!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 siblings from television: Family is where the heart is.

As we are in the midst of the holiday season, it’s a time to re-connect with family and remember what’s truly important in life.  Many of us have an unspoken bond with our siblings, whether it is inside jokes or a similar laugh, which is natural when you have all grown up together and faced many of the same challenges and shared similar memories.  This really got me thinking about siblings on television and how difficult it must be to create that connection instantly.  The actors on these shows already have the complicated task of portraying their roles and diving deep into what makes that particular character tick.  However, when you also need to add on a believable and real connection as siblings, this becomes even more difficult to capture.  For today’s topic, I am going to be ranking my top 5 siblings from television.  The siblings I chose are not just cast well.  Rather, they become so believable as siblings that I have to bring up Wikipedia on my phone just to double check that the actors are not related.  Please note spoilers are ahead.  My top 5 siblings from television are:

5

Brandon and Brenda Walsh from Beverly Hills, 90210.

The Minnesota Twins!

Who could forget when twins, Brandon and Brenda Walsh move from Minnesota all the way to glamorous Beverly Hills, California.  While the twins quickly realize that West Beverly High is not like any other high school they have ever seen, they fast-track into a superficial bubble where they are faced with difficult decisions.  Luckily, the twins have each other to support one another.  Some of my favorite moments on the show are when Brandon or Brenda would make a huge mistake and they would end up meeting in their Jack and Jill bathroom, relieved to see their other half so they could confide in them.  Brandon and Brenda share quite a bit of fights along the way and introduce new friends like Kelly and Dylan into the mix, but there is something about their bond as siblings that is wholesome and unbreakable.  Fans were disappointed when Brenda left the show, wondering where that would leave Brandon now that his beloved sister was gone.  While Brandon still kept viewers hooked with his charm and good sense of right and wrong, the earlier episodes with the Walsh twins had something truly special that could not be so easily replaced even with new cast members.

4

Fiona, Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam Gallagher from Shameless.

“Hey, sometimes life throws a couple swings at you. But we’re Gallaghers, okay? And there’s two things that we’re really good at:  knowing how to get back up, and knowing how to party.” (Shameless)

This list would not be complete without the Gallagher siblings we have watched grow up over the years.  Fiona has the difficult task of taking care of her five younger siblings since their parents are rarely present…and when they are it’s like they are children too.  While this forced Fiona to grow up very quickly, she has always made it clear that family comes first.  The Gallagher siblings may appear to be a group of untamed misfits, but at the end of the day they are truly there for one another.  The family faces many problems over the seasons ranging from losing their house to Fiona winding up in jail.  When Fiona was not around, Lip and the others recognized that they now needed to step up.  Whether that meant collecting money in a jar for the electric bill or making sure that Liam was actually fed breakfast, the siblings are forced to grow up fast in a world that seems to be against them, but they are resilient and strong.

3

Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows from Prison Break.

“I’m breaking out, and you’re going to make sure my brother goes with me.” (Michael from Prison Break)

How many of us would tattoo our entire bodies with the blueprints of a prison and commit a crime so that you could help break your brother out of prison?  Seems extreme, right?  But Michael Scofield is a genius and will not stop until he frees his brother, recognizing that his brother was framed for a crime that he didn’t commit.  While this show keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with each new challenge that gets in the way of the escape, what keeps you coming back for more is the undeniable connection between Michael and Lincoln.  Lincoln is the older brother and used to take care of Michael when he was younger.  Michael feels like he owes him and has guilt about turning his back on him previously when he asked for help.  He sacrifices everything to help him escape, redefining what unconditional love means in the process.  Michael and Lincoln always have each other’s backs and their physical resemblance is uncanny.  Even though they are not related, I found myself repeatedly searching online to see if perhaps they were distant cousins to no avail.

2

The Halliwell Sisters from Charmed.

“The power of 3 will set us free!” (Charmed)

Charmed has always been a guilty pleasure of mine.  I always enjoy watching shows that feature a supernatural premise, but this series goes beyond that.  The sisterly bond between Prue, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell is so heart-warming that you truly believe they are sisters.  In moments where one of the sisters faces an unstoppable evil or comes close to death, their heart-breaking tears even get me crying.  Through all of the evil monsters and demons they face as witches, they take the time to bond and fight over things normal sisters would, such as trying to stealing the other one’s boyfriend or remembering to ask before borrowing a favorite outfit.  This light comedy combined with some intense drama and action along the way makes this show truly unique.  Much like 90210, Shannen Doherty left the show, which had fans wondering how Prue could ever be replaced.  You couldn’t just recast her because the sisterly bond is what captured so many viewers.  Fans would have been put off if they just tried to pretend like another actress was the oldest sister. The producers and writers were smart enough to add in a new story-line where Piper and Phoebe discover that they have a half-sister they never knew about previously who could help re-establish the power of 3.  Whether you were on board with this or not, Paige stepped in seamlessly to fill the void Prue left and the sisterly bond continued to stay strong.

1

Dean and Sam Winchester from Supernatural.

“You saved my life over and over.  I mean, you sacrifice everything for me, don’t you think I’d do the same thing for you?  You’re my big brother.  There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”  (Sam from Supernatural)

So my number one pick for best siblings on television has to go to my favorite brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester.  The series has lasted for 13 seasons and is still going strong.  Like Charmed, this show features a supernatural premise…hence the title.  Sam and Dean are forced to grow up quickly when their mother dies when they are young and they follow in the shadow of their father’s footsteps to become hunters.  The brothers travel from place to place to take on cases and help save innocent lives, but deal with some powerful obstacles along the way.  Whether it is getting trapped in hell or purgatory or working with angels or demons, the brothers refuse to let death get in the way.  They support each other no matter what.  When one brother is going through a difficult time, the other recognizes that he needs to step up and help pick up the pieces.  Out of every show I have ever watched, the bond between Sam and Dean is the most real and uplifting.  You don’t doubt for a second they are brothers and you never give up on them.  What’s so great about the brothers is that they also have quite a few hilarious moments together as well, ranging from running away from an adorable Yorkie to reluctantly facing a child-hood fear of clowns.  This reminds viewers that the brothers are human and while their calling is to fight the good fight, they are not afraid to share some laughs too.  Fans love when the brothers show up posing as FBI agents, wondering what new dynamic duo they will pretend to be.  Like our own families, Sam and Dean portray the good, the bad, and everything in between, truly representing what it means to stick by one another through thick and thin.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite siblings from television.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 7: “You get a 20!”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 7 last night, I am left with a new found appreciation for the art of Debbie’s welding skills along with Fiona’s natural ability to bribe teenagers with pizza…and then money.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Ian refuses to back down and attempts to make Fiona’s business and personal life a living hell.  Frank attempts to find a new profession while Debbie realizes that her own is short-lived.  Meanwhile, Lip continues to fight the good fight and Carl embarks on a new business scheme.  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 7 are:

5

Carl records a ransom video.

Carl is on his way to securing all of the tuition he needs for military school, but is short by $3527.  One of his junky rehab customers tempts him with a new proposition, which is hard for him to ignore.  The girl, Cassidy, suggests that he shoot a harmless ransom video and that her dad will put up the cash without a problem.  As soon as Carl hits play, it’s clear that Cassidy is no amateur.  She begins screaming with a hood over her head to Carl’s surprise.  When he goes to retrieve the money, Cassidy’s dad approaches Carl and requests that she just come home and go to Tiffany’s party.  When Carl relays the message, Cassidy explains that she has no interest in going back and reveals her romantic interest in Carl.  While it seems like Cassidy is calling the shots, Carl did get the money he needed without dealing with the stress of being an uber driver or a detox specialist.  Either way, we will have to see what trouble these two crazy kids get into together.

4

Lip goes on the stand.

Lip is continuing to do whatever it takes to get Brad and his professor ready for the court hearing.  He understands the importance of showcasing a man who is truly sorry and ready to be a productive and sober member of society.  It seems like everything is going in the right direction after Brad successfully gives his testimony without too much trouble.  Lip proceeds to go on the stand as a character witness and explains that his professor saw the value in his life when he didn’t.  He begs the judge to give him a chance, but unfortunately his professor is already drunk when it is his turn.  To Lip’s dismay, his professor is now in jail, but he doesn’t want to lose hope on him completely.  Lip knows how much he has done to help him and he wants to do the same, but it is finding it truly difficult to help someone who doesn’t want to be saved.  Will Lip give up or continue to stand by his friend?

3

Debbie welds a dumpster to Dr. Dick’s car.

Just when Debbie convinces her boss to give her another chance at the parking garage, using Baby Franny’s cuteness to her advantage, she learns that she needs to be nicer to customers.  Debbie gives it her best effort, utilizing words like “please” and “thank you.”  However, there is one customer who insists on pushing her buttons and speaks to her in a condescending way.  She upsets him so much that he even proceeds to get out of his car and destroy property.  Debbie has the last laugh, however; when she puts her new welding skills to good use.  She literally welds his car to a dumpster and admits to her boss that she knows she is fired now but it was totally worth it.

2

The safe word is “French fry.”

After V discovers that she has a need to be dominated, Kev is more than willing to try and please the love of his life.  V catches Kev “researching” online and asks if he should really be doing that in front of their daughters.  Kev explains that “the volume is on mute,” in a matter of fact way and continues on with his research.  V is surprised several times throughout the episode with a new safe word each time.  “French Fry” and “Alley Cat” are supposed to be used by V, but Kev starts saying them repeatedly every time he has a question or a concern.  When it seems like this is not going to work out, Kev gets extremely frustrated that V used fabric softener on their kids’ pajamas, unleashing the angry and dominating man V was looking for.

1

Fiona says it’s “game on!”

Throughout the episode, Ian demonstrates that he is not backing down and is still mad at his sister for preventing him from obtaining the shelter for the homeless kids he works with.  He pours ice-cold buckets of water on her, throws eggs at her apartment building, and sets up tents in the lot next door to bother Fiona.   “Occupy Fiona!” the kids scream repeatedly, while Ian uses a megaphone to get the full volume and effect he is looking for.  Fiona tries to be the bigger person and refuses to let Ian see that she is angry, but when he calls the fire marshal on her and messes with her business, it’s game on.  Fiona bribes the homeless teens with pizza and when that doesn’t work, she whips out her wallet.  “You get a 20 and you get a 20!” she shouts proudly, happy to have won.  Her pride is intact, but most of her money has been sacrificed for the cause.  Ian is furious that she has done this, but she tries to make amends by finding them another space to open the shelter.  She tells Ian how much she cares about him and loves him, genuinely worried about his well-being, remembering that family comes first.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on Shameless below.  Thanks for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 8 episode 6: Fiona gets a new friend

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 6 last night, I am left with the advice that “you can’t save everyone,” but perhaps sometimes you need to try anyway.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Fiona comes face to face with Mrs. Cardinal, Debbie goes on a mission to obtain the morning after pill, and Lip enlists Carl’s “uber,” or I guess “ubber” as he spells it, skills to help him find Brad.  Meanwhile, Frank learns that being the best doesn’t necessarily amount to much and Kev tries to be “part-gay” to keep up with V and Svetlana.  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 6 are:

5

Frank is employee of the month.

Frank starts off his morning the right way, receiving his first ever non-fraudulent credit card in the mail.  You may think things are truly going well for Frank, especially after we learn that he is in fact employee of the month, but unfortunately Frank is in for a shocking surprise.  When he learns that his boss has been fired, he assumes it is because he is being promoted.  However, to Frank’s dismay, he learns that the company is being closed and he is also being let go.  Frank is back to joining the ranks of unemployment, but not before he takes one last look at his framed pride and joy on the wall, treasuring his employee of the month recognition.

4

Lip can’t save everyone but is willing to try.

Lip reveals his own vulnerability and weakness, when he shouts “how am I supposed to make it if Brad can’t?” Perhaps, you cannot save everyone, but Lip recognizes the importance of not giving up on a friend.  He goes on a mission to find Brad and bring him back to his wife and baby, running into trouble along the way.  When Carl and Lip discover Brad’s car, they find boxes of donuts, hair extensions, and Michael Jordan’s severed statue arm.  Lip doesn’t let this discourage him, however; as he tracks down Brad and brings him back, desperately trying to make a difference.  The possibility of Brad starting over gives Lip the very same hope that he can make it too.

3

Kev tries to be “part gay.”

Kev is feeling jealous and unneeded by his wife, V as she spends all her time having “spasgasms” with Svetlana.  Kev decides that he is going to attempt to level the playing field and embark on his own mission to find pleasure with a man.  Kev seeks out Ian’s advice and learns that you just know whether you are gay or not.  For Ian, it was Justin Timberlake, and for Kev it’s…well he’s not entirely sure what.  When a stranger offers to buy his food, Kev thinks this might be a step in the right direction.  He quickly learns that this is not the case, but the “have a nice day” throws him off, as he begins saying it and winking, thinking that this is “code.” When Kev finally does find a likely candidate, he realizes that he is not gay at all.  He returns to V to let her know and she is proud of him for trying, but he admits his jealousy and confesses that he just wants to make V happy, reminding us how truly devotional and committed Kev is to V.

2

Debbie has less than 67 hours…make that 39 hours to obtain the morning after pill.

After Debbie wakes up, she realizes that she has once again made the mistake of unprotected sex.  She is not about to have another baby and a count-down clock appears on the screen as she sets off to get the morning after pill.  However, to Debbie’s horror, they are out of it at the local store.  She tries another pharmacy, but is carded and they refuse to sell of her because she is not 17.  When Debbie tries to enlist the help of a fellow shopper, she tries to run on her, and Debbie pounces on her and attacks her, leading to them both ending up in jail.  What makes this moment even funnier is that Debbie is in the middle of face-timing baby Franny during the fight.  Just when it seems that time is running out and Debbie has no other choice than to embrace her fate, her friends bail her out of jail, cause a distraction at the pharmacy, and obtain the pill, allowing Debbie to coast by in just the nick of time.

1

Fiona finds a new friend.

When Fiona discovers a water leak, she has no other choice but to enter into Mrs. Cardinal’s apartment to check it out.  To her horror, she discovers Mrs. Cardinal’s dead body and finds out that she really does have a dog… a dog that is now nibbling on Mrs. Cardinal’s human flesh.  Although this is vomit-worthy for sure, the dog has a cute and innocent quality, shadowing Fiona along the way.  As Fiona goes through Mrs. Cardinal’s junk in her apartment, she finds some old photos of her and is curious about her past life and story.  She starts to think about if this could be her life in the future and is saddened by the possibility.  When Mrs. Cardinal’s niece shows up, they proceed to throw everything out, including the pictures.  Fiona is not about to let the memory of Mrs. Cardinal fade completely, as she digs in the dumpster to save one and frame it on the wall.  She confides to Mrs. Cardinal’s dog along the way and makes the big decision to not allow him to be taken by animal control or the “executioner” as Fiona calls them.  The dog stays with Fiona at least for now and we are happy to see her have a new friend who is a very good listener.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“Shameless” Ranking the top 5 moments from Season 8 episode 5: 50/50

Happy Monday TV fans!  As you pour that second cup of coffee, get ready for another dose of the Gallagher family antics. After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 5 last night, I feel the need to provide Debbie with some serious parenting tips.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Fiona learns the valuable lesson of saying please and apologizing in an unconventional way, Carl tries to think of ways to earn money so he can go back to military school, and Ian is ready to make a huge investment.  Meanwhile, Lip is contemplating what matters most in life while Kev embraces his southern identity.  Svetlana teaches us basic math skills while Frank helps others see the problems with standardized testing.   My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 5 are:

5

Kev embraces his southern roots.  “Shift change!” Kev yells, as he enters the bar dressed liked a cowboy, informing the Russian population that they must leave and make room for his fellow Americans .  This of course leaves the bar practically empty while he is informed that there is a difference between being southern and western.  V had it right when she said that her husband is transforming into a “Kentucky fried red-neck.”  Kev even insists on practicing his common southern phrases and using them in everyday conversation to V’s dismay.  Kev may be back in Chicago, but he is not leaving his new found identity behind just yet.

4

Carl’s detox program for junkies is a success.  In the beginning of the episode, Carl has the junky he caught in last week’s episode tied up in his basement as he leaves him no choice but to get clean reluctantly so that he can be free and a more productive member of society.  As if this isn’t funny enough, at the end of the episode the former junky bursts into the Gallagher home and brings in his friend or girlfriend who also needs help from Carl.  He explains that no other rehab was able to help except for Carl’s method and he has brought lots and lots of cash for the results.  Maybe Carl has another calling besides the military.  Either way he has now successfully made enough money to return to school while making a difference in the lives of others…one junky at a time.

3

Frank convinces the parents to look further into the cultural interpretation of multiple choice and the dangers of standardized testing.  When he learns that Liam has failed his exam, Frank doesn’t take this at face value.  Rather, he goes through the questions and shares some concerns of his own.  For example, “how would Liam know what a foyer is?”  There is a fill in the blank question about glue and Liam crosses out the choices to write in “sniffing” which Frank explains is not necessarily wrong in that context.  While it may seem that Frank is just making excuses, he really inspires the other parents to get involved and to take measures against the testing to ensure that each child’s success is measured fairly.

2

Lip contemplates what life is really all about.  It’s been really great to see Lip stay sober and it is clear his sponsor has had a part in this and has truly helped him.  While Lip is continuing his affair with his co-worker, he is later seen gazing over at Sierra and wanting to hold his sponsor’s baby demonstrating his own desire to truly connect with someone and start a family.  While this may be a big epiphany for Lip or perhaps something that was there all along, it gets put on pause when his sponsor cannot handle the stress of being a new dad and winds up at the corner bar.  Lip tries with every effort to help him, but he doesn’t want it and speeds off drunk to Lip’s disappointment.  Will this set Lip back or motivate him to continue to stay strong?

1

Svetlana is back and is ready to teach us basic math.  It is great to see Svetlana back in the bar, but she is immediately ready for business and explains to V that profit should be 50/50 even though there are three parties involved.  V is not about to give up so easy, but Svetlana explains that she does the majority of the work and even shows her numbers that prove she makes the majority of the money during her shift.  When V is still not ready to budge, Svetlana decides to get her to sign the contract with her terms another way…with sex of course.  V is no match for Svetlana at this point and ultimately signs the contract.  Kev’s shock about what happened combined with detailed questions is hilarious as Svetlana proudly walks out of the house holding the contract.  50/50 wins after all.  It’s great to have you back Svetlana!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“Shameless” Season 8 episode 4 ranking the top 5 moments: Fiona is not a step in anyone’s rehab

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 8 episode 4 last night, I am left with even more respect and appreciation for our lovely Fiona.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Fiona is confronted by her ex, Sean on top of her everyday responsibilities at work.  You know like prying a junky’s head out from between the bars of a fence.  Meanwhile, Lip is losing to his own battle of self-control while Franny takes her first steps, and Kev and V discover a whole new world in Kentucky.  My top 5 moments from Shameless season 8 episode 4 are:

5) Frank joins the PTA.  Frank, or I should say Francis, is looking to continue with his newly found identity and embrace it to the fullest.  He seeks involvement at Liam’s school and joining the PTA is a step in the right direction of teaching others the valuable lesson of hard labor.  Frank wins the respect of the moms on the committee and puts the other dads to shame who have not lifted their heads from their cell phones.  Is this Frank’s new calling?  Perhaps, but the mothers sure seem to like having him around at the car wash.

4) Carl joins the neighborhood watch.  After Ian and Carl are confronted by the neighborhood watch and find out about a burglar terrifying the neighborhood, Carl takes it upon himself to find out what happened when he learns that a Veteran was robbed.  Carl salutes the neighbor and embarks on his very important mission which ends with him setting up “junky bait.”  When he catches the thief, he lets him know that he is his “worst effin nightmare.”  Carl has been on the sidelines these past few episodes, so it’s great to see him reminding us why we are always rooting for him.

3) Lip considers the idea of “no strings attached” relations.  The beginning of the episode opens with Lip’s dream surrounded by topless women, but they keep disappearing leaving him stuck in a whirlwind of dissatisfaction.  Lip approaches a girl at work only to be turned down because “Sierra is her girl” and then swipes right on Tinder but decides that rum-flavored kisses are not the best decision since he is in recovery.  After all of Lip’s constant complaints at work, his female co-worker finally stops working on the bike to take him upstairs so that he will stop whining about it and has her way with him.  The scene is absolutely hilarious leaving us with Lip asking her to please stop slapping him to no avail.

2) Kev discovers he is the successful one in the family.  Kev, or Bart, and V head down to Kentucky so that he can be reunited with his long-lost family.  It seems harmless enough to start until the racist comments keep coming left and right to V’s horror.  Kev is disappointed to find out that his family voluntarily left him, but when he is at a gathering and everyone starts swapping stories, he realizes that he is the most successful one out of the bunch.  What makes this trip so laugh out loud funny is V’s reaction to everything.  She calls Fiona in a frenzy fearing that they took Kev off out in the woods to eat him or something and grimaces every time a racist comment is dropped her way.  She handles it gracefully, however; supporting Kev through it all.  Even Kev realizes that perhaps it is a little too much when white hoods are draped over his daughters’ heads and they yell out that is only for Halloween.

1) Sean is back and Fiona is not about to let her heart stay shattered.  When Sean walks through the door, Fiona’s first reaction is to walk out and leave him standing there with his mouth open.  After she eventually goes to find out what he has to say, she learns that he is clean now, but also married and she realizes that she is a step in his recovery.  Fiona storms out of the restaurant but is not done just yet.  She writes down every lie and every promise in a fury and decides to let his wife know just how she is feeling.  Sounds like the perfect revenge, only Fiona tells all of this to the wrong woman and she starts screaming at her husband thinking he is using drugs again.  Sean then walks out of his motel room with his wife and Fiona just gets into her car laughing.  It’s great to see Fiona can still have a sense of humor even when she is dealing with the jerk who broke her heart and left her on her wedding day.  Fiona realizes that Sean is not worth it and heads home to be with her family.  You are much more than a step in a program Fiona, you are our hero!

 

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 Binge-Watching worthy shows for the end of 2017: Filling the void of holiday reruns and specials

Happy Tuesday TV Fans!  As we approach the holidays, you may be preoccupied with your never-ending to do list, shopping, cooking, and spending some quality time at home with your family.  There is also that troublesome fear setting in that your favorite shows will be taking a break from new episodes and you will be left with a void of reruns and holiday specials.  So what’s a TV viewer to do?  Fear not, for there are plenty of binge-watching worthy shows to choose from when you may need a break from all of the holiday chaos surrounding you.  My top 5 binge-watching worthy shows to choose from for the end of 2017 are:

5) Fox’s The Mick.  I have been watching The Mick for two seasons now mostly because it stars the wonderfully funny Kaitlin Olson from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.  Since the show is on Fox, the humor is not as crude and extreme, but it is just as funny.  Olson pretty much plays a similar version of Dee from It’s Always Sunny, which is hilarious enough, but supporting characters like Alba and Jimmy steal the show.  They are laugh out loud funny.  There are a lot of sitcom-like shows that don’t make me laugh out loud and I find this is hard to come by now.  Here and there I’ll chuckle, but it’s not the same as with Friends and Seinfeld from years ago.  The Mick has the perfect balance of value, or maybe lack of family values is more accurate similar to Shameless, with over-the-top hilarious moments.  I absolutely recommend that you binge-watch this show and check out the Halloween episode from a few weeks ago which is one of my personal favorites.

4) Netflix’s Slasher.  So one of my favorite series of scary movies of all time is Scream and I was somewhat disappointed in MTV’s version of the show they produced.  Don’t get me wrong, I did watch and see it through, but there was something lacking for me.  The characters weren’t believable and there wasn’t that underlying fear gnawing at me.  Netflix got it right with two seasons of Slasher.  Each season is different, very similar to American Horror Story with familiar actors but a different premise, plot, and murderer.  There were moments I had to close my eyes because I was so scared in the first season and the main character is someone you desperately want to root for.  Having characters present that you actually want to see make it out alive does carry weight.  The second season has more of an Agatha Christie like vibe mixed with the movie, Heathers which I found to be very addicting once I got past the first few episodes filled with back story and flashbacks.  No one is safe and it provides some edge of your seat moments as a result.

3) Netflix’s The Punisher.  I am a big fan of Marvel in general and The Punisher is one of my favorite heroes or maybe anti-heroes of all time.  Usually when I say this, fans question this and say why not Wolverine or Captain America?  The Punisher is so powerful to me because he has no super powers and his quest for revenge is sympathetic and tragic.  When Netflix’s Daredevil season 2 came out, the best part of it was the introduction of The Punisher.  I was ecstatic when I heard that the character would be getting his own series.  I am happy to say that I successfully binge-watched this show over the weekend and it is everything I could have hoped for.  Jon Bernthal is so believable as Frank Castle that you would think the comic series was based off of him.  He is someone to root for and although the violence may be extreme, the enemies get what is coming to them.  I also found myself investing time and energy into the supporting cast as well which is rare for me.  The villains are also so intense and heart-breaking, as Frank Castle finds himself being betrayed left and right while he is trying to make amends and bring those who deserve it to justice.

2) Showtime’s SMILF.  There are only a few episodes that have come out so far so you have plenty of time to catch up and binge-watch this hilarious new show starring and created by the brilliant and lovable Frankie Shaw.  The show has you laughing, crying, and cheering for single mother, Bridgette who is trying to find her way and pursue her dreams while maintaining a strong bond with her son.  Bridgette is far from the perfect mother for sure, but she truly loves her son and is doing the best she can.  You find yourself truly invested in Bridgette and root for her through every moment no matter how ridiculous some of them are.

1) Netflix’s Stranger Things season 2.  This show and season is absolutely worth a binge-watch and perhaps a second or third time through.  That’s how good it is.  The music alone sparked new life into this season, the characters and friendships were bonded further, and the quest to find out where one comes from and what “home” truly means is touching and beautiful.  Once again, this season blended the perfect amount of comedy with sci-fi mystery.  New friends and characters are introduced and the adventures don’t stop.  I don’t want to give away too much in case you haven’t gotten a chance to watch yet, but remember “friends don’t lie.”  So please watch and enjoy!

 

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl