My performance of the week ending 12/14/19 on TV goes to…

Lizzy Caplan as Annie Wilkes on Hulu’s Castle Rock season 2.

As soon as I started season 2, I was completely mesmerized by Lizzy Caplan’s portrayal of Annie Wilkes.  Her performance was so real and compelling each week and she had this wild eyed stare that would certainly make Kathy Bates proud.

**Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.

While this story of Annie Wilkes is not necessarily a prequel to Misery, it does provide us with some fun Easter Eggs throughout the season leading up to the season finale.  Lizzy Caplan is able to show off the psychotic sides of Annie with accuracy, but she also somehow makes this character real and sympathetic, as you start to root for her as an anti-hero on the show.

Annie’s darkness comes in and out, but her daughter, Joy, is her one shining light, constantly motivating her to be good and to be better.  While Annie may not be able to overcome the darkness within her ultimately, she continues to fight and struggle, which is no easy task, especially after we are introduced to a Salem’s Lot inspired group to shake things up.

I thought that from start to finish, Annie was such an intriguing character with many layers.  My favorite episode was “The Laughing Place” (season 2, episode 5).  I thought this particular episode was so interesting because we got to explore Annie’s past to understand her a little bit more, but her younger self was played by another actress, who somehow managed to be just as brilliant as Lizzy Caplan.  This really elevated her character that much more for me, as we continued with the rest of the season.

While the show started to get off track with some of the Salem’s Lot drama in later episodes, the end of the season was able to come full circle, allowing us to truly see Annie’s character development toward the character we all know in Misery, but the writers didn’t hit us over the head with this, which I appreciated.

Everything was subtle and well done, which really made me want to re-watch Misery that much more, but I also felt like I was introduced to a completely new side of Annie Wilkes, as her character came alive across the screen.

What’s next for Annie?  Well, it looks like we will be closing the book on her chapter for season 2, as we will most likely explore a new character/plot if Castle Rock is renewed for season 3, but I may have just become Lizzy Caplan’s “number one fan.”  She immersed herself into this role with disturbing perfection and I loved every minute of it!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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My performance of the week ending 10/12/19 on TV goes to…

Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman on Netflix’s El Camino:  A Breaking Bad Movie.  So, Breaking Bad is in my top 5 series of all time and part of the reason why is because of the character of Jesse Pinkman, played brilliantly by Aaron Paul.  Sure, he brought so much humor to the show (Magnets!), but he also tapped into something so real and heart-wrenching.

Jesse’s journey had so many ups and downs and his father-son-like relationship with Walter White had this incredible dynamic, but I always wanted more from the ending of the series.  Even though we end with Jesse driving off, sensing that he is finally free, what happens next?  Well, thankfully we got the El Camino movie to find out!  Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.

I thought that the movie was the perfect addition to this show.  Jesse’s journey was necessary and important and it also brought us some cameos along the way, but they weren’t forced or over-the-top.  There was something about them that just worked naturally.  I loved filling in the blanks from some of the questions I had over the years, but the main focus was Jesse, which was really nice to see.

Throughout the series, we fell in love with the dynamic between Jesse and Walt, but sometimes other things happening with Walt’s family took up a lot of screen time.  Not to say that they weren’t important or relevant, but I thought this focus on Jesse now was welcomed and earned.  Jesse finally got his time to shine, while discovering what his next path would be and I thought that his performance was still so real and inspiring.

It can’t be easy returning to a character that you haven’t played in many years and yet Aaron Paul does it so well, making you truly believe that we are picking up with Jesse Pinkman exactly where we left him in the present.

There are a few beautiful moments with Jesse, where we get to witness some compelling flashbacks and I thought it truly gave the audience a chance to see Jesse’s journey come full circle.  He has made so many mistakes along the way and there is always that “what if” question still lingering, but this movie allowed him to truly think about his past, while deciding what to do now in his present.

Every single action will impact his future, but Jesse continues to try and tap into his inner strength, which is beyond difficult to do after witnessing some of what he had to deal with, but he continues to fight and I think that he will always carry his past with him, but that doesn’t make him a failure in the present.

That just means that he is far beyond a character on a show.  His character is so real and and remarkable.  Aaron Paul brings a mind-blowing component to his character, presenting us with a captivating performance that will never be forgotten.  So glad I took the time to watch this!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

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

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 10/5/19 on TV goes to…

Kaitlyn Dever as Marie Adler on Netflix’s Unbelievable.  So, I heard really great things about this limited series on Netflix, but it’s not something I would normally watch.  It deals with some difficult subject matter and I typically have to make sure that I am in the right state of mind to watch something like this.  That being said, I am really glad that I gave this show a chance because it was absolutely captivating and thought-provoking.  Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.

The performances from the entire cast were beyond incredible, but I was mostly impressed with Kaitlyn Dever’s performance.  I could really believe her and there was something about her subtle indifference that really spoke to me, reminding me that we all handle trauma in different ways and sometimes we just need that one person fighting in our corner to bring out the spark within us that has dimmed so many times before.

It’s not always easy to believe in ourselves, but when someone else finally does, it reminds us that we do matter, helping us re-discover our own self-worth.

The show moves really quickly and I found myself addicted to binge-watching it right after the first episode.  It really draws you in and part of that is because of Dever’s portrayal of Marie.  Sometimes it’s more about the characters that don’t have that apparent strength you often see that truly resonate with you.

I actually prefer seeing characters who are broken and defeated, watching them grow and learn from their mistakes, while they try to pave their own path.  Maybe it’s the right path or maybe it isn’t, but that’s what makes these characters so real and interesting to me.

I really connected with Marie’s character and I was constantly rooting for her even when I was not sure if she was making the right call or telling the truth.  The other performances on the show are also really compelling and I really dove into the investigation as well, as you almost feel like you are along for the ride with the detectives because you want some kind of real and deserving justice for the victims.

There’s something to be truly said for a performance that can stay with you for quite some time and I really think that Dever achieved that in this role.  This role had to be incredibly difficult to play and I feel like another approach might not have struck the same chord with me.  Dever’s portrayal was so real and magnetic and she gave me chills.

I absolutely recommend this show, but please pay attention to the viewing warnings displayed because some parts are very difficult to watch.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

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

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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

My Ship of the week ending 8/31/19 on TV goes to…

Justin and Jessica on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why season 3.  So normally when I do these posts, there is something really swoon-worthy, passionate, or epic between a ship and I fall head-over-heels in love with them, but I am honestly really conflicted about this ship, but I still think it is worth a mention and perhaps a deeper discussion.  Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.

In a lot of ways, Justin and Jessica have a toxic relationship and I didn’t really want to root for them after what was uncovered in season 1.  In season 3, Jessica is really finding her voice as a survivor and she is trying to get others to accept change, but she is also exploring her own sexual identity again, which is not easy to do. 

Jessica knows that it is wrong to be with Justin because she initially wants to keep their relationship a secret.  That being said, these two have some beyond sexy moments in season 3 and it’s hard to ignore the passion that has been sparked between them.

As season 3 continues, Justin even starts to recognize that perhaps Jessica is better off without him.  Justin is an addict and they are both broken so this thought process actually makes sense to me, except perhaps throw in a little open honesty.  Jessica continues to stand by Justin’s side and tells him, “Your shit is my shit.”  Perhaps she could have chosen some other words here, but she gets her point across, reminding Justin that she has his back always and Justin would do anything for Jessica.

At the end of season 3, I was left wondering if this ship truly has the potential to make it and I’m honestly not sure.  I personally think that Justin needs to actually deal with his addiction and recover from that before he can even attempt to be in a relationship.  Jessica is strong and powerful, but she is also still broken in a lot of ways and will she every truly be able to get over the past when she looks at Justin?

What’s next for Justin and Jessica?  I’m honestly not sure what season 4 holds for these two, but I am trying to keep an open mind.  I guess what I actually ship here is the potential for something real in the future rather than the present state of their relationship.

Maybe it will never happen and maybe it’s not meant to, but I can’t ignore the chemistry and friendship between these two and they do have some really adorable moments together.  I just think that they both need to find out who they are apart…and if their paths cross again in the future and they are ready to give it a try, perhaps this can be the start of a beautiful relationship.

What are YOUR thoughts on Justin and Jessica?  Toxic and unstable or charming and sweet?

Stay tuned for a recognized Ship on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Have a Ship that you think is absolutely swoon-worthy? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

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

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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

My performance of the week ending 8/24/19 on TV goes to…

Alisha Boe as Jessica Davis on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why season 3.  One of the biggest character transformations on the series belongs to Jessica Davis.  While Jessica was already making such an impact on me in season 2 with her courage, she is not holding anything back in season 3.  Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.

While I am only three episodes into the new season, Alisha Boe is already impressing me with her realistic and heart-wrenching performance as Jessica.  Jessica is absolutely a girl with so much untapped power and strength within her and she is now demanding change at her school.  When she runs for class president, it’s about more than being a leader or doing something that looks good for college applications.  Jessica wants to bring about real change in the students there and she is willing to fight for what is right.

Ani, the new character on the show, notices the power surging within Jessica from her first real encounter with her, informing her that she is a woman with power who finally knows what to do with it.  Jessica is also exploring her sexual identity further, learning how to love herself again after her traumatic experience, which is far from easy to do.

There is a moment of sheer vulnerability when Jessica undresses in front of the mirror.  While she is hesitant about what she sees in front of her, Jessica tries her best to love and appreciate her body.  With each day, she is getting stronger and stronger and she is inspiring others around her.  Jessica has been broken for so long, but the woman I see in season 3 is strong and fearless.  She may not be making all the right calls, but she is no longer staying quiet and I think that is extremely powerful.

What’s next for Jessica?  We’ll have to wait and see, as I still have 10 episodes left of season 3 to binge-watch and I have already seen some interesting theories floating around.  I’m trying not to spoil anything for myself, but I’m hoping that Jessica can continue to channel her inner strength.  Has her search for power gone too far?  I’m not so sure, but I absolutely admire her for being courageous enough to stand up for herself and other victims and I’m truly hoping she hasn’t made an irrevocable mistake.

So far it’s an interesting start to season 3 and I am still adjusting to the narration from new character, Ani, as I have a feeling we have a lot left to uncover about her as well, but I am continuing to root for Jessica and I hope that she learns to truly accept the love around her because she deserves it and is beyond worthy.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

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

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Blog

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

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Terror: Infamy” on AMC: A Faint Flicker of Ghostly Potential

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

“There’s something evil…I can feel it.”  Well perhaps it is the real life terror that these characters are facing in the midst of World War II, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for some supernatural occurrences too.  Or does it?

The Terror is a historical drama horror anthology series on AMC. The second season will feature 10 episodes and it premiered on August 12th 2019.  The Terror: Infamy looks deeper into the real life horror that Japanese-Americans went through during World War II, leading up to Pearl Harbor.  It stars Derek Mio, Kiki Suzekane, Shingo Asami, and George Takei.  After watching the season premiere, I have some mixed thoughts and I’m wondering if this show really needed the ghostly elements.  Let’s find out!   

The Pros:

The terror 5
Images courtesy of AMC

Cringe-worthy horror scenes.

In particular, the opening scene was extremely gruesome and almost difficult to watch and yet you can’t shift your eyes away from it.  There are a lot of images that will truly make your skin crawl, so be warned if that is not your cup of tea.  And speaking of tea…

Interesting exploration of Japanese folklore.

I am actually really invested in this story-line and I like learning about supernatural occurrences from different cultures.  The scene with reading the tea leaves was mysterious enough and I am intrigued to find out more about evil spirits, which are referred to as the Yurei.

The real life historical backdrop is compelling.

So, I really appreciate that this series is trying to take a deeper look at terrifying times in history, while giving us a different supernatural take, but the scenes that focused on the real life moments in history could almost be a stand-alone series.  I know that this show is trying to create a balance, but I thought that these moments were truly captivating, so it will be interesting to see if the balance is tipped toward the historical moments more in the coming episodes.

The Cons:

The terror 6
Images courtesy of AMC

Uninspiring characters.

Other than Yuko, who seems to have the most potential, I had a difficult time connecting to the characters and the fluff and setup overwhelming the season premiere.  The main character, Chester, was just kind of OK and I’m hoping that he can captivate me more in future episodes, but there was a lot to process in the opening episode and I almost felt like I had to take notes to keep up.

Slow moving in parts and unsure of its identity.

The season premiere lasted for a little over an hour, but I felt like I was watching it for two hours.  Part of the issue for me was that the opening scene was so incredible and then the remaining parts just kind of fell off.  Even though we continued to get glimmers of interesting story along the way, there were just so many moments that had me dozing off.  I also sort of feel like this show is trapped between a movie and a mini series, as perhaps it doesn’t translate particularly well to a traditional weekly television series.

So am I in or out? 

The terror 4
Images courtesy of AMC

As of right now, I am in about 75-80 percent, but I wouldn’t say that you need to stop what you are doing to watch this.  The opening scene was fantastic and there are some truly chilling moments sprinkled throughout the premiere, but I’m not sure that the show can keep up with this pace if it continues to rely more on unnecessary dialogue and excessive setup. 

There were also not too many surprises, but I’m hoping that the mystery surrounding the Yurei can measure up.  I will continue to watch for now, but I am hoping that the coming episodes can form their identity a little bit better.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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Do you love horror series?  Of course you do!  Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon.  It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals! 

 

 

 

My performance of the week ending 8/3/19 on TV goes to…

The cast of  Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black season 7.  The cast of OITNB is so incredibly talented and I honestly cannot narrow it down to one standout performance.  I really can’t even narrow it down to a top 3 because they are all so compelling.  One of the reasons why I love this show so much is because it’s truly about the characters.  Everyone has a past and sometimes these characters learn from their previous mistakes and really grow, while others spiral out of control, but that’s what makes these performances so incredibly real and heart-wrenching.  **Please note that spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read on.

I have been a fan of the series for seven seasons and it’s honestly really difficult for me to say goodbye to it, but I think that these episodes will continue to stand the test of time.  Each reflection into a different character’s past makes you see them in a whole new light, as you start to really sympathize with characters that perhaps seemed horrible in earlier seasons and maybe you even start to root for them.

OITNB gif 1.gif

Season 7 certainly jam-packs a lot into the final season of OITNB, as we get to see some favorite characters return and explore some new plot points as well.  Perhaps what I found the most interesting was seeing certain characters truly understanding one another and bonding now, where we used to witness some pretty ruthless feuds between them before.  In the earlier seasons, many of these characters were guarded and divided, but they are now all coming together, recognizing the importance of loyalty and friendship even when all hope seems lost.

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What’s next for the characters of OITNB?  Well not much since this is the final season of the show, but I am planning on re-watching the entire series in the near future because I was so incredibly moved by all of the performances and I really started to think about each individual journey.  It truly was amazing to see how much some of these characters have grown and how scary the world can be outside these four constricting walls.

Even though it seems like freedom is the obvious goal, some of our characters end up facing even more struggles outside of prison, reminding us that the journey of self-discovery is far from over, but it’s important to have the love and support of those around you, even though it may come from an unlikely source.  I fell in love with this show when it first aired and each season continued to inspire me.  We got a mixed bag of hilarious, heartbreaking, romantic, and tense moments, which kept us entertained until the very end.

OITNB dancing.gif

At the end of the day, it’s about each and every one of these characters…these strong women who have to continue fighting even when the world is against them.  Each character has so many layers and even if you think you have them figured out, they may surprise you, reminding us that it’s never too late to change and that it’s about the small moments in between that sometimes have the biggest impact on us in the end.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

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

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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

My performance of the week ending 7/20/19 on TV goes to…

Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars on Hulu’s Veronica Mars season 4.  I have been a huge fan of Kristen Bell since the very start of the Veronica Mars series and the show still has a secure spot in my top 5 series of all time.  I was so disappointed when the show ended after three seasons, but was pleased when fans finally got to see the movie and I have been counting the days until the release of season 4 on Hulu, which surprise….it’s out a week early!!!!! What???!!!!

I’m so glad I finished my re-watch of the series early so that I can binge-watch all weekend and I have to say that Kristen Bell is still as charming as ever.  Veronica Mars may have more of a mature feel now, but that makes sense since we aren’t in high school anymore.  Veronica still sticks to her roots, challenging authority, taking chances, and speaking her mind, which brings quite a few laughs along the way.  She may be a marshmallow now, but she is also quite the bad-ass and I am having so much fun watching the new season.  **Please note spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read on!

One of the reasons why I love Veronica Mars so much as a character is because she is far from perfect.  Sure, she tends to be the one to solve the case and she often notices clues before the local Sheriff’s office, but she is also guarded with major trust issues, which can get in the way of some of her friendships and relationships.  Veronica has a supporting father, some great friendships, and an amazing boyfriend, but she tends to do things on her own. 

Some of my favorite moments with her are when she lets that guard down and is finally vulnerable, revealing her doubts and insecurities.  I connect with her so much and my heart has broken along with hers over the years.  Through it all, Veronica Mars continues to stay true to herself, reminding us that our purpose is sometimes right in front of us.

What’s next for Veronica Mars?  We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m wondering if a season 5 is possible?  The premise of the show allows a new case or mystery to set the scene and I have been loving the fun cameos and nostalgia sprinkled in across season 4. I’ll always be a Veronica Mars fan for life and Kristen Bell’s performance is real, inspiring, and super fun too!  If you haven’t seen the show yet, all of the episodes (seasons 1-4) are now streaming on Hulu and you can watch the movie on HBO GO/Now.  That’s all for now Marshmallows!  Enjoy the binge-watch!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

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

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Blog

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

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

My performance of the week ending 7/13/19 on TV goes to…

“I make my own rules!”  You ladies absolutely do and that’s why I can’t just narrow it down to one standalone performance this week.  Let’s give it up for the amazing ladies of Stranger Things season 3 on Netflix.  In my favorite season yet, the girls pretty much stole the show.  They had me laughing, crying, and rooting for them against all odds.  These powerful and impressive female characters refused to sit on the sidelines, as they kicked ass and had fun doing it.  Let’s meet these wonderful characters and discuss why they are so fantastic!  **Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read on!

Stranger things shopping
Image courtesy of Netflix

Girls just want to have fun and I would absolutely love to go on a shopping spree with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Max (Sadie Sink).  I already liked these two characters and Millie Bobby Brown has impressed me since the beginning of the series, but the adorable friendship between these two made me smile so much!  Maybe the shopping spree montage was a little cheesy and over-the-top, but that’s why it worked for me.  Eleven is growing up and learning what it’s like to be a teenage girl and luckily she has Max to help her out along the way!

Robin 1
Image courtesy of Netflix

There is no question about it, our girl Robin (Maya Hawke) rules!  I absolutely loved the introduction of her character.  Steve could definitely learn a thing or two from her. OK, he probably needs to be completely schooled by her, and he is…on more than one occasion.  Robin is smart, cool, funny, and someone I could really relate to.

Erica 2
Image courtesy of Netflix

We all scream for ice cream and I want more screen time for another new addition, Erica (Priah Ferguson).  She may be Lucas’s little sister, but she is a scene-stealer for sure!  She was a little annoying with wanting to try every flavor of ice cream, but once she became part of the team, she was fantastic and had me laughing out loud constantly!

Joyce stranger things
Image courtesy of Netflix

Joyce (Winona Ryder) continues to remind us why we love her so much.  She’s loyal, intelligent, and she refuses to let anyone stand in her way…even the military!  Better watch out or she will give them a stern talking to, as if it is part of a parent-teacher conference!  But seriously, Joyce is such an amazing character and her quirks just work.  She’s fearless, caring, and hilarious in a subtle way.

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Image courtesy of Netflix

I gotta give it up for my girl Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), who refuses to let being called Nancy Drew turn into an insult.  In season 3, Nancy has to deal with some beyond difficult and frustrating male co-workers, who had me pulling my own hair out in disgust, but she continues to follow her instincts, refusing to take no for an answer.  I have a feeling she will make a fantastic reporter one day, but I love that Nancy is living in a man’s world and shatters it completely.  She even shows off some impressive shooting skills, reminding us that she’s a complete bad-ass too.  Team Nancy Wheeler for life!

What’s next for the Stranger Things ladies?  We’ll have to wait and see, but I would love to see more screen time for all of these characters in season 4.  While I love all of the characters on the show, there has to be something said here for the girl power in season 3.  I hope that trend continues because these women are strong, powerful, intelligent, and beyond capable.  They are the super heroes of the show for me!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

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

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Blog

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

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

Do you love horror series?  Of course you do!  Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon.  It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals! 

5 Spoiler Free Reasons why you should watch “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” Part Two on Netflix: Dancing with the Devil

“My soul is who I am and I signed it away willingly.”  So what happens when we make that Faustian deal?  Are we destined for darkness or can we still choose a path of light?  For Sabrina Spellman, finding a balance between her mortal life and her witch one becomes that much more complicated in Part Two.  Part Two features 9 episodes and they are all currently streaming on Netflix as of April 5th 2019. 

After watching all of the episodes in one weekend, I can tell you that I am even more hooked than I was before.  While Part One subtly dipped us into darkness, we have now submerged ourselves in it completely, as the gates of hell threaten everyone in Greendale.  However, sometimes the most dangerous threat is staring back at us in the mirror.  Do we embrace the darkness or do we continue to fight for good to prevail?  Please note that major spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read away!  My top 5 reasons to check out Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part Two are: 

5

Part Two is darker.

The spells are darker, the threats are darker, and even the romance is.  Sabrina embraces her life as a witch, but quickly realizes that she may no longer be able to balance it with her mortal life.  We learn about dark prophecies and fears, as Part Two does not hold back.  It gives us the perfect amount of horror and has quickly become one of my favorite shows about witches of all time.

4

Buffy the Vampire Slayer nostalgia.

Some fans of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina mentioned that they thought the show was similar to Buffy back in Part One.  While I did see some similarities with certain episode plots, it still seemed far away from Buffy, which is one of my favorite series of all time and it’s difficult for a show to even come close to this for me.  However, Part Two was a different story.  We discover a lot about the gates of hell in Part Two, which will have you thinking about the hellmouth in Sunnydale.  Also, Sabrina’s mortal friends come together and start helping out a lot more this season, reminding me a lot of the Scoobies in Buffy.  Alexis Denisof (Wesley from Buffy and Angel) is a fun guest star and we also see a darker romance for Sabrina, which gave me a lot of Bangel feels.  The end of Part Two will have you making some comparisons to “Becoming Part II” of Buffy, which is my favorite episode of all time.  Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is unique and can stand on its own, but I thoroughly enjoyed some of these parallels, which made me like the show even more.

3

All hail the Villainess, Ms. Wardwell.

One of my favorite characters on the show is Ms. Wardwell, better known as Lilith.  In Part Two, her character is explored a lot more and she becomes even more entertaining, if that is possible.  I always love a worthy villainess and while some of the Weird Sisters continue with their antics in Part Two, Ms. Wardwell takes the cake as a villainess you do not want to mess with.  We get to understand a little bit more about her motives as well and her dynamic with Alexis Denisof’s character, Adam, is very entertaining.

2

Kiernan Shipka.

I devoted a previous blog to Kiernan Shipka’s performance as Sabrina Spellman and even gave her my performance of the week.  Kiernan elevates Sabrina’s character to something greater in Part Two.  She is so convincing and she constantly challenges authority, proving to be a female role model one can look up to.  Sabrina never shies away from a challenge and always speaks her mind and tries to do what she can to make a difference.  She is so believable and strong, but she makes mistakes too, allowing us to relate to her that much more.  I absolutely love seeing Sabrina’s character enter into more layers, as we get to peel back each one to discover more and more about who she is and who she is destined to be.

1

New and dangerous threats.

Part Two gives us so many new threats and a lot of twists and turns as well.  Sabrina continues to be tested and we get a huge reveal later in the season, which will have you glued to your television.  Even with all of the dangerous threats thrown Sabrina’s way, she continues to persevere.  However, we quickly realize that Sabrina’s biggest threat may be herself, but are we ever truly able to separate our darkness from our humanity?  Just when you think you have witnessed the Big Bad of Part Two, a new threat emerges, keeping us entertained and guessing until the very end.  I fell in love with this series in Part One, but my love has now quickly become an obsession, which is a good thing.  I hope you enjoy Part Two as much as I did and I absolutely recommend it.  Ready to watch?

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

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

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Feb 2019

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

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!

Do you love horror series?  Of course you do!  Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon.  It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!