Tag: theories

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 13: “Devil’s Bargain”

Happy Friday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 13 last night, I learned that it is possible to go from a homeless beggar to the king of heaven within 24 hours.  Seems impossible, right?  Well not for our favorite foe, Lucifer, who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Devil’s Bargain,” Sam and Dean are thrilled to have Castiel back, but they are still not any closer to finding their mother, Mary and Jack.  An unlikely frenemy approaches them and is not to be trusted but it looks like they will all need to work together in order to hunt down Lucifer.  Meanwhile, Lucifer finds a new “gal pal” in Sister Jo who is a better business woman than an angel, played by Dean’s wife in real life, Daneel Ackles.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 13 are:

5

Lucifer begs for money.

After his encounter with Castiel, Lucifer is still weakened and is seeking out a never-ending supply of grace wherever he goes.  He even takes out Cupid without a hint of remorse, leaving his lifeless corpse for the Winchester brothers to find later on.  In his weakened state, Lucifer realizes that he is hungry but doesn’t have any money on him.  He takes a cue from a nearby homeless man and tries his turn at begging for money but learns that he doesn’t really have the right vibe for this.  The homeless man explains that he comes across too forceful and aggressive and takes Lucifer for a snack out of a dumpster.  Talk about hitting rock bottom.  Perhaps Lucifer can learn a valuable lesson from the kindness of strangers.

4

The miracles of Sister Jo.

Daneel Ackles, Jensen Ackle’s wife in real life has joined the cast and is making quite the impression on Lucifer.  As an angel, she was considered lower level and had a monotonous responsibility that had her aspiring for more.  On earth, she puts her skills to work and finds out that she is an excellent business woman.  She heals people for money, performing miracles on a daily basis, but perhaps her most impressive skill is her ability to manipulate Lucifer.  Lucifer initially wants to drain Sister Jo of her grace, but she convinces him to keep her grace on tap, taking what he needs a little at a time so he can get to his full strength, which also keeps her alive.  She double crosses Castiel and the Winchester brothers and stands by Lucifer’s side, proving to be a worthy opponent for sure.

3

Ketch is back…again.

It seems like Sam and Dean cannot get rid of Mr. Ketch no matter how hard they try.  They cross paths with him again and learn that they have a common goal of taking out Lucifer.  Ketch eagerly suggests a team effort but this is not to Castiel’s liking, who instantly knocks him out with the tap of his finger as the Winchester brothers throw him in the back of their trunk for safe-keeping.  While they recognize that they need to find out what he knows, they all come to the consensus that he should be discarded afterwards.  Ketch comes in handy later on, however; saving the Winchesters from Lucifer’s wrath, but they still don’t trust him just yet.  While Mr. Ketch is resourceful, we know what he is capable of and the brothers are right to be cautious.

2

Lucifer reads the bible.

When Lucifer is hiding out in a motel with Sister Jo, he takes on some light reading of the bible.  Lucifer comically asks “does anybody fact check this stuff?”  While Lucifer doesn’t seem to think they got it all right in the bible, he is intrigued by it.  He even then comments about how God stole some of his best lines, continuing to read through his life story for some entertainment.

1

“Hail to the king…baby.”

Lucifer gathers a group of angels and tries to make a deal with them, offering to run heaven for them.  He even sweetens the deal by telling them he can get their wings back, which seems to be the right leverage.  Lucifer recognizes that he cannot obtain all this power and be on his own, which hasn’t worked for him in the past.  He needs committed soldiers who will follow his every whim.  But what about an archangel?  At the end of the episode, we learn that Gabriel is alive and being held captive.  Could he be the key to finding Jack and Mary?  Will he be able to stop Lucifer?  What is his connection to the tablets?  We will have to wait until March 1st 2018 for new episodes to return, but it’s clear that the Winchester brothers are not out of the woods just yet with all these new threats coming into power.  Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 13: “Norman Bates made it look so easy.”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 13 last night, I have to admit that even I did not see some of these twists and turns unraveling.  While we will need to wait until early March for a new episode to air, let’s focus on what we know and what we still don’t know for today.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Twenty-Six:  The Tell-Tale Heart,” Betty goes down a dangerous path and makes the decision to help her mother and Chic clean up a mess that won’t make her guilt disappear along with it.  Archie makes the brave decision to stand up to Agent Adams and Veronica chooses to do the right thing, weighing it above her family loyalty.  Meanwhile, Cheryl refuses to let her mother ruin another family and Jughead decides to take on the big boss, Mr. Lodge to strike up a deal.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 13 are:

5

Jughead has a meeting with Mr. Lodge.

Jughead refuses to sit by quietly and enlists the help of his father, FP to sit down for negotiations with Mr. Lodge.  Veronica happily mediates the discussion which seems to be full of all of the niceties one would expect at a legitimate business meeting.  Mr. Lodge and the Jones family agree that they want peace in the land.  After Mr. Lodge offers to meet them half-way, Jughead refuses to keep his name out of the expose he is writing and tells him “no deal.”  FP is proud of his son and supports him completely.  It’s good to see the Jones family making the right decisions.  After all, making a deal with the devil deserves some much needed contemplation.

4

Cheryl does the right thing.

When Cheryl learns that her mother is having an affair with Hal Cooper, she argues that she is “destroying families with her courtesan ways.”  Her mother shocks her by telling her that it’s the real deal with Hal and she doesn’t even blink an eye at the thought of shattering Alice Cooper’s family.  Cheryl refuses to accept this especially after witnessing Betty sick to her stomach at school.  Assuming it must be directly related to her family breaking apart; Cheryl confronts Hal and warns him to stay away from her “harlot mother.”  Even though she offers to keep things quiet from Betty, Cheryl makes the decision to tell her what’s going on anyway because she feels it is the right thing to do.  It looks like Cheryl is finally going down the right path.  There doesn’t seem to be any ulterior motives here, but will her mother cross her once she finds out about her betrayal?

3

Veronica visits Mayor McCoy.

Even though Veronica has accepted her new role in the family business with open arms, it’s clear that she is not about to let her conscience be corrupted in the process.  When she finds out that her parents intend to blackmail Mayor McCoy with information on the affair she is having with Kevin’s dad, Veronica makes the brave the decision to tell the Mayor what is going on.  In an effort to protect her reputation, she admits to her what her parents know and Mayor McCoy asks “how much time do I have?”  She steps down from her position as Mayor and Veronica reminds her parents that she is no longer a threat and exposing her now would only be cruel.  Will her parents find out that she has put the Mayor over her responsibility to her family?  Will Veronica be able to get out of this with a clean conscience?  Time will tell but it’s great to see that she still has her morals intact.

2

Betty comes clean to Jughead.

While still withholding some very pertinent information from her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Jughead, Betty cannot keep her latest secret to herself.  In the beginning of the episode, “the lives of the Cooper women were forever changed,” as Betty decides to help her mother cover up the murder of the shady man who came to see Chic.  When Betty comes down for breakfast the next day, she is appalled that Chic and her mother are sitting there bright eyed and bushy tailed without any hint of remorse.  Her anger leaks out when she says “I don’t like chocolate chip pancakes” in disgust.  The doorbell rings and Betty shatters the plate in her hand, revealing her own guilt and nerves about what took place the night before.  She is unable to let her guilt go as she goes back to the body and takes the man’s phone, going through each number to provide her with some sense of truth or closure.  Betty learns that Chic is lying to the family as his info appears in the shady man’s phone, but Alice refuses to let Betty start a fight and divide the family.  Not knowing where else to turn, Betty confides in Jughead about what has taken place and they sink the shady man’s car that has been parked on Betty’s block for two days.  Not wanting for Betty to make the same mistake his family has, they bring in FP who helps dispose of the body and keeps their secret, understanding full well what a cover up can do to a family.  Even though everything seems to be safely hidden under the surface, we know that things don’t always stay buried for long.  Will someone come looking for the shady man?  What else is Chic keeping from the family?  How will Betty and Jughead cope with such a dark secret?

1

Archie meets “the boss.”

Archie is facing quite the dilemma when he has second thoughts about spying on the Lodge family.  He loves Veronica very much and feels awful about what Agent Adams is asking him to do.  Agent Adams pays his father a visit, reminding Archie what’s at stake here, but Archie holds his ground, risking everything to protect the Lodge family.  He goes to Mr. Lodge and tells him everything, putting all his cards on the table.  Later in the episode, Archie is escorted off to see “the boss.”  Not knowing what to expect, the car pulls up to a secluded spot to reveal Veronica’s mother, Hermione Lodge as the HBIC. She reveals to Archie that Agent Adams isn’t real and this was all a test.  Archie is completely shocked by this revelation.  Luckily for Archie, he made the right decision, but what else is the Lodge family capable of?  Now that he has been accepted into their family, what will they expect from him in return?  We will need to wait until March 7th 2018 for new episodes to air, but there are still a lot of mysteries to be solved.  Stay tuned to find out!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 12: “Various & Sundry Villains”

Happy Friday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 12 last night, you may want to think twice about this upcoming Valentine’s day.  Be careful what or who you wish for or you may wind up under a love spell that leads to a pretty gruesome death.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Various & Sundry Villains,” we meet the magical Plum Sisters who will stop at nothing to return their mother to the living.  Rowena is back and is claiming to have changed from wicked to good, looking to score some help from the Winchester brothers.  Meanwhile, Castiel and Lucifer try out being cell-mates, as Lucifer attempts to tap into his inner rage to unleash his power.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 12 are:

5

Meet Jamie & Jenny Plum.

“Always look your best.  Never get attached to a man.  And always make the death look non-magical so you don’t attract hunters.”  Seems like good advice until the witch sisters, Jamie and Jenny beat their poor victim, Dale to death with a sledge hammer.  New witches are in town which is never a good sign and they have their sights set on Dean Winchester to obtain the Black Grimoire.  While the sisters are dangerous, they bring the fun as well, reminding us of films like “The Craft.”  Sure their powers come from evil, but one can’t help being slightly sympathetic that they just want to reunite their family.

4

Rowena is back.

After Lucifer killed Rowena, fans were hoping that this wouldn’t be the last of our favorite witch.  Rowena reveals that she had cast a sort of get out of death free spell which had its fair share of consequences, but nevertheless she is back among the living once again.  Rowena approaches the Winchester brothers and offers to help them in exchange for a spell in the Black Grimoire.  She claims it is only for protection, but is clearly very invested in obtaining more power.  While Sam and Dean know better than to openly trust Rowena, they don’t really have much of a choice when the Plum Sisters successfully steal the book.

3

“There is no I in team Castiel.”

Castiel and Lucifer are cell-mates and Cas is getting sick and tired of listening to Lucifer whine about how he is drained of power.  Refusing to let him tap into his own soul, Castiel tries pushing Lucifer to the limits by talking about how good Jack is and how he loves movies where the hero saves the day.  Lucifer is horrified by this revelation and he quickly realizes that his rage is a good motivator for power.  After Lucifer and Castiel escape, Castiel confronts Lucifer and tells him “this is me learning from my mistakes.”  Castiel is not messing around and not even Lucifer will be able to walk all over him.  Go Cas!

2

The Plum Sisters cast a love spell on Dean.

Dean comically gets hit with the love spell and is now head over heels for Jamie.  The lovey dovey music combined with his stars in the eyes like glow is hilarious.  Dean practically skips back home and confides to Sam about his love for Jamie.  He even begins making room for her to move in.  Sam immediately sees the problem here and tries to get Dean to see reason.  Dean says “Am I alright?  I’m in love!”  Sam tries to stop Dean but he is knocked out by his brother in the process.  Dean gives Jamie the Black Grimoire and just when he is about to hit him with a hammer, Sam saves the day.  Luckily for Dean, Sam didn’t hold a grudge and was able to get there in the nick of time.

1

Sam and Rowena talk about inner demons.

Rowena admits to Sam that she feels scared and helpless all the time because she saw Lucifer’s true face and what she saw has been burned into her memory, constantly scratching at the surface.  Sam explains that he also saw Lucifer’s true face and knows exactly what she is going through.  He lets Rowena know that the scared feeling never really goes away and that’s important to find other things to focus on.  Sam tries to distract himself by trying to help save his mother and Jack, but now that they are out of reach in another dimension, he is feeling the darkness pulling him down further and further.  After Rowena’s “triple-cross” ends in shooting a “Zombie Mom” in the head and turning the Plum Sisters on each other for a gruesome death, Sam agrees to give her a page from the book to Dean’s disappointment.  Has Sam made the right call?  Will Rowena tap into too much power and become a threat worse than Lucifer?  Perhaps, but I’m certain that Sam and Dean will not be too far behind to put a stop to it.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 12: “Bitter Sweet Symphony”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 12 last night, I’ve realized how dangerous it can be to live in the moment.  Decisions have consequences but it can be tempting to push them aside and worry about them later.  That is until they show up again, threatening everything that matters most to you.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Twenty-Five:  The Wicked and the Divine,” Veronica announces her Catholic confirmation, which seems to be more of a substitute for the spotlight to be on her in front of an adoring crowd.  Penny is back and is looking to seek revenge on Jughead for how he treated her and Archie gets an exclusive invite to Mr. Lodge’s poker game.   Meanwhile, Betty tries out “webcamming,” Jughead comes clean to her about the past, and Alice begins cleaning…literally, to cover up something beyond appalling.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 12 are:

5

Jughead comes clean to Betty about his past with Toni.

Jughead and Betty have pretty much avoided having a serious conversation since their breakup until now.  Whether it was too hard to talk about or they were concerned with hurting each other in the process, their breakup has been somewhat of a smooth ride.  However, when Jughead and Betty are face to face in the beginning of the episode, Jughead feels the need to tell her the truth about what happened with Toni.  He reveals that they did have a fleeting moment but that’s all it was.  Betty is offered the chance to reveal any secrets she may be keeping, but decides not to tell Jughead about her kiss with Archie or her new scandalous life of “webcamming.”  Jughead offers to “shield her from darkness,” but Betty has already gotten a taste for it and is spinning a complicated web of deception without realizing the consequences just yet.

4

Veronica’s Confirmation.

Veronica really knows how to do absolutely everything in style.  She turns her Catholic Confirmation into more of a Debutante ball.  Veronica wants to sing The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” at the event with Josie because it was from the film, “Cruel Intentions.”  I was excited for the reference but also a little saddened that this is the only way Veronica knows this epic song.  Either way, her performance with Josie is beautiful as Veronica walks down the aisle of the church in style, rejecting Satan and making her family proud.

3

Penny is back and seeks revenge on Jughead.

After Jughead turned Penny away from the Serpent’s gang and had her tattoo carved off her arm in a brutal way, it was no surprise that Penny would be back at some point.  She wants “blood for blood” and demands that Jughead be kicked out of the gang and that she be able to remove his own tattoo.  Jughead continues to make excuses but his father ominously reveals to him that he “will be the death of us.”  Jughead is always reacting and needs to take the time and patience he puts into his writing and apply it to everyday life.  Without realizing it, Jughead is taking a turn down a very dark path and it may be too late for him to find his way back unscathed.

2

Archie is invited to Mr. Lodge’s poker game.

Archie is thrilled when Mr. Lodge begins to take notice of him and actually commends him on what he did to Nick Sinclair.  He invites him to his poker game which Archie ambitiously accepts, knowing that some major players will be in town and it will be a great time to provide Agent Adams with the inside scoop.  However, when Archie learns that one of the players was found dead, he has second thoughts about coming clean about what he found out.  He lies to Agent Adams, which begs the question, is Archie in over his head?  Have his feelings for Veronica complicated his mission to bring down Mr. Lodge?

1

Betty and Alice Cooper embrace the darkness.

In the beginning of the episode, Betty is sporting her femme fatale black wig, turning away from the computer with newfound passion and excitement.  While her deception may initially seem harmless, Betty is not ready to abandon it just yet.  She begins keeping secrets from those she loves without even the slightest hesitation to suggest that she has no guilt or second thoughts about her actions.  While Chic opened the door to the darkness, inviting Betty in, she is making her own decisions.  Later in the episode, Betty and Jughead reunite and share a passionate kiss as Jughead tells her that “he wants all of her,” but what will he do when he finds out that he needs to share Betty with the rest of the cyber world?  Whether intentional or not, Chic has also brought out the darkness in his biological mother, Alice as well.  At the end of the episode, a man appears at the door looking for Chic and Betty walks into her mother cleaning up a mess of blood with the lifeless body spread across the floor.  Alice quickly tells her daughter to close the door, implying that she is not about to let her actions reach the surface either.  Who is responsible for the death of this stranger?  Is Alice covering up for Chic or did she do the unthinkable?

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 11: “Breakdown.”

Happy Friday TV fans! The weekend is almost here, but my day would not be complete without discussing our favorite brothers:  The Winchesters.  After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 11 last night, online auctions have a whole new meaning for me, as Sam and Dean dealt with something well beyond the routine bidding on eBay.  You may want to think again about how badly you want to procure that collectible item.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Breakdown,” Sheriff Donna returns when her niece, Wendy has gone missing.  Even though it doesn’t initially seem like anything supernatural is going on, she is still relying on the help of Sam and Dean.  We are also re-introduced to Donna’s love interest, Doug, who is quickly thrown into a world of monsters and mayhem which may be too much for him to handle.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 11 are:

5

Dean explains the importance of pancakes.

Sam is clearly still in a rut after everything that happened with “The Bad Place,” learning that their mother, Mary is still trapped with Jack in another world.  Sam tosses and turns in bed, refusing to wake up until after 10am, worrying Dean, who is typically the one you would imagine to sleep in on a rainy day.  Dean refuses to let his brother stew in his own misery, however; as he tries to distract him and cheer him up, even making a breakfast complete with pancakes.  When Sam tells him he isn’t hungry, Dean feels the need to go into a big brother lecture on the importance of pancakes, keeping the vibe light, but also reminding Sam that he is there for him and won’t give up.  While it seems like a small gesture, Dean knows his brother better than anyone else in the world, proving to be a good friend and an even better brother.

4

Dean has a heart-to-heart chat with Doug.

When Sam and Dean show up to help Donna find her niece, they seamlessly embrace their familiar identities as FBI agents looking to do the right thing and help their…cousin.  Dean senses that the FBI agent he is talking to my check up on him so he backs off and lets him take charge, explaining that he is there for moral support and to get to the bottom of what happened to his family member.  Doug proves not to be the sharpest tool in the shed when he believes that Donna and Dean are actually related, comically inquiring about the recent family reunion.  Doug innocently seeks out some advice from Dean about Donna and Dean even teaches him “that’s how we do things in the FBI,” bringing him along for the ride to track down the killer.

3

“It’s like eBay…kinda.”

Once the Winchesters stumble onto the Butterfly’s website, they are appalled by what they see.  There is an online auction going on while a victim is strapped to a chair, as the bids climb higher and higher, competing over body parts.  Sam realizes that they are chatting about the parts as if they were food…leading to the conclusion that it’s basically “take out for monsters.”  They discover there is something supernatural at play here after all, re-thinking their strategy on how they will rescue Donna’s niece and stop the evil in the nick of time.

2

“Bring it Twilight.”

Once the tables are turned on the Winchesters and they realize they are dealing with vampires, Sam is taken hostage and Doug is turned into a vampire to Donna’s horror.  Dean is not afraid of the vampire cashier boy in the slightest, whipping out his blade and giving fans a catchy pun we can all appreciate, “bring it Twilight.”  While there is hope for Doug to get a cure before he is permanently changed, our attention quickly shifts to Sam’s safety when we learn that the bids are hitting some new records.  Vampire and monster bidders everywhere relish the idea of snacking on the hunter, Sam Winchester and are looking to win the auction no matter what the cost is.  The FBI agent reveals that he was the Butterfly killer all along, spinning a horrifying story about how he actually thinks he is saving lives by keeping the vampires occupied so they are not roaming the streets.  Sam’s heart gets auctioned for an impressive $500K but the show is over and Dean comes in to save the day, shutting down bids everywhere.

1

Doug can’t handle a life with monsters.

While I was relieved to see that Doug was alright, something in my gut told me that we wouldn’t be seeing him again.  While he has a sweet and loving relationship with Donna, he could already feel the void as if she had been keeping something from him.  When he gets tossed head first into the horrifying world of monsters, it’s too much for Doug to handle.  He clearly cares for Donna, but he wants something normal and routine…something that Donna can’t give him because this is more than a job for her, it’s a calling.  While this sets the path for Donna to embrace her new destiny with the “Wayward Sisters,” I can’t help feeling incredibly sad for her.  Donna deserves love and happiness but understands his decision.  Sam and Dean are all too familiar with a life on the road away from attachments, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be there for emotional support, helping each other along the way.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 11: “The Dark Education of Betty Cooper.”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 11 last night, I’ve realized that there is a very thin line between heroism and villainy.  Whether it stems from the need to dive deeper into what lurks beneath the surface or to protect someone we love, our decisions can get us caught up in a web of deception that may not be so easily unraveled.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Twenty-Four:  The Wrestler,” Betty and Archie fall further and further away from grace, clinging to the hope that they can discover the truth no matter what the cost is.  Veronica and Jughead become immersed and blinded by their new worlds, sugarcoating the consequences, and Cheryl learns the wretched truth about her ancestors.   Meanwhile, Pickens Day inherits a new tradition, Josie takes a stand against Veronica, and Hal Cooper’s anger gets the best of him. My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 11 are:

5

Hal Cooper is pushed to the limit.

Even though Hal helped an injured Chic, he is having second thoughts about letting Betty’s brother stay with them, especially since he is sleeping in Polly’s old room, bringing up some unhealed wounds for Hal.  His concerns are dismissed by Alice and Betty who tell Chic that he can stay there as long as he likes.  Alice’s need to connect with Chic is the most important thing to her right now and she refuses to let her husband ruin it for her.  Hal snoops around the house and discovers that Chic is into “webcamming” and has a unique set of clients, infuriating him beyond reason.  He confronts his family at Pickens Day, which Cheryl’s mother takes note of.  Does Cheryl’s mother view this as a possible new business opportunity?  All signs point to “yes” as she strategically offers to take Hal out for a better dessert, hinting at her intentions.  Will Hal throw away his marriage over Chic’s arrival?  It’s no secret that Alice and Hal have had their problems in the past, but this may be what ultimately pushes him over the edge to no return.

4

Cheryl learns the truth about her ancestors.

In the beginning of the episode, Cheryl gives a history presentation about Pickens Day and talks about the important part the Blossom family played, even suggesting that they rename the day in history to include the name, Blossom.  When the truth comes out that General Pickens was responsible for the massacre of innocent people and stole land, Cheryl is unable to maintain the cool front that her mother does.  She sheds a tear, horrified by this revelation.  Is this enough to turn her to action, however?  At the end of the episode, we learn that someone beheaded the statue of General Pickens and everyone is ready to point fingers at the Serpents, but could this actually be the handy work of Cheryl?

3

Jughead uncovers the real story about General Pickens.

When Jughead is researching his own history presentation, he learns a lot from Toni’s grandfather who is the oldest Serpent still living in Riverdale.  Jughead is horrified that the town is honoring General Pickens rather than trying to make amends.  While it is clear that Jughead is angry by this, does he cross a line?  Toni is clearly upset about his article and explains to Jughead that “it’s not his story to tell.”  It certainly gave Jughead the ammunition he was looking for against the town, but he recognizes that Toni is right and the Serpents take on a different approach on Pickens Day to truly make a point.  The Serpents show up with protest signs and some have tape over their mouths, representing the dead and silent from that massacre.  Toni courageously gets up on stage to talk about the importance of them being honored and remembered, but Mr. Lodge deflects the issue and takes over the microphone with his empty promises.  While this may temporarily prevent the town from erupting into chaos, it’s clear that this is not the only secret being covered up.

2

Betty tries to make it right with Chic.

Betty is thrilled that her brother is staying with her family, but he does not warm up to her instantly as she had hoped.  Chic is unsure of her motives and Betty tries to win his trust.  After Chic is upset that his laptop and web-cam equipment were taken by his landlord/pimp, Betty gives him her old laptop as a peace offering.  Chic lets his guard down and begins providing some answers as the two start a real connection.  Betty admits that she has a darkness brewing inside her and she desperately wants to get to the root cause.  She is hoping that they can both connect to this on some level and she is right.  Chic admits that he did spy on her that first night and that “webcamming” provides him with an escape.  It’s a way to get away from the darkness, sparking Betty’s immediate interest.  Chic is clearly winning Betty’s trust but is she ready for what’s to come next?  Sure Betty can put on a wig and pretend to be someone else, but is she really going to be able to compromise her image of goodness and perfection in the process?   Is Chic actually manipulating Betty into getting exactly what he wants?  Could she become the accomplice to the real Black Hood?  Time will tell.

1

Archie vs. Mr. Lodge.

Archie realizes that he needs to get closer to Mr. Lodge if he is going to truly help Agent Adams with his investigation.  Veronica explains that her father loves wrestling and was even on the team when he attended Riverdale high.  Archie tries out for the team, expecting for it to be a cake-walk since he is somewhat of a jock, but is in for a rude awakening.  During the first try-out, Kevin schools him and Archie realizes that this is going to be harder than he thought.  Mr. Lodge makes some unnecessary comments about how it is OK to just be a musician, clearly testing Archie’s limits and mocking his manliness.  Archie reacts by kissing Veronica in front of her father, which is not the best approach.  In the next try out, Mr. Lodge decides to try out his famous wrestling headlock move on a volunteer, however; he ignores all of the volunteers and picks Archie to prove a point that he will always win.  He later reveals to Archie that wrestling is about “knowing your opponent.”  He tells Archie that he will tolerate him and that “boyfriends come and go while Fathers are forever.”  Archie is up to the challenge and does extremely well in his next try-out, but pushes the limits when he asks Mr. Lodge to be his mentor in terms of getting into business.  After ignoring a call from Agent Adams, is Archie in over his head or is he initiating a plan to truly outsmart his opponent?

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 10 mid-season premiere: Dangerous Liaisons

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 10 last night, I am so beyond thrilled that one of my favorite shows on television is back with new episodes.  The episode did a great job of tying up some of the loose ends and unanswered questions from the mid-season finale.  Worlds collided and new characters and agendas were introduced, proving that the drama is nowhere near over for Riverdale.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Twenty-Three:  The Blackboard Jungle,” Veronica happily embraces her new productive role within the Lodge family business.  Archie is approached by an FBI agent and Cheryl learns that her mother is happy being a “woman of the night.”  Meanwhile, South Side High is officially closed; bringing everyone together for a happy reunion at Riverdale High, but Jughead is not ready to conform just yet.  Betty decides to track down her last chance at family after a disappointing visit from Polly, which could be the most dangerous decision of all.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 10 are:

5

South Side & Riverdale High Schools collide.

In the beginning of the episode, it is revealed that the mayor is shutting down South Side High School because of dangerous fumes from a meth lab in the basement along with other issues involving drug trafficking.  Where will Jughead and the Serpents go to school?  You guessed it…Riverdale High School.  While some students don’t seem to care very much about the change, others take a stand on both sides, refusing to share their space with their enemies.  While this decision to bring all the students together created its own sense of drama and chaos, the real question still remains as to what the Lodge family has to gain from this?  Mr. and Mrs. Lodge clearly desire the land underneath South Side High School but why?  Are they making a play to take over the entire town?  Who will get stepped on in the process?

4

Cheryl crashes the Welcoming Committee.

Veronica eagerly steps up to lead the Welcoming Committee, hoping to make a good impression on her parents and the entire student body.  She even convinces Archie to help with it as well to keep the peace.  Everything seems to be going well until Cheryl and some other angry students storm in, refusing to welcome the South Side students with open arms.  Veronica comically refers to Cheryl as “Facist Barbie,” but Cheryl is unaffected by this, labeling the South Side students as “ragamuffins.”  She tells Archie that he is on the wrong side and even attempts to black-mail him, revealing that she witnessed the secret kiss he shared with Betty.  Cheryl proves once again to be the classic mean girl we adore, refusing to sit by on the sidelines.

3

“A Serpent never sheds his skin.”

You would think that Jughead would be excited to return to Riverdale High School.  Even though he and Betty broke up, all of his friends are there and it’s not like he has been gone that long.  When the Serpents cross paths with Cheryl and the jocks, Jughead is beyond frustrated.  After a student paints graffiti on the school emblem, the principal makes the quick and rash decision to ban the Serpent jackets from school.  Toni and some of the others are fine with the decision, happy to have new computer labs and a legitimate chance at a good education, but Jughead becomes more and more angry, refusing to comply.  After he refuses to take off his jacket, he gets in a fight and is suspended.  Jughead eventually comes around and decides to form a club so that they can still get together on campus, without revealing that they are a gang.  He explains that it will be their “safe haven” and that they will be “lying low in the tall grass.”  What exactly is Jughead planning?  Has he gotten in too deep with the Serpents?

2

Betty finds her brother.

Betty is surprised to find Polly in her bedroom, picking up a few things and nonchalantly sharing the news that she had the twins already.  When Polly goes back to the farm without even staying to say hello to their parents, Betty is feeling hurt and abandoned by her sister, causing her to put her Nancy Drew skills to the test once more.  Betty is not good at sitting still, always diving into a new mystery to solve, refusing to take a minute to actually deal with her feelings.  She tracks down the address of her brother, Charles Smith and lets her parents know that she wants to go and meet him.  While Betty’s father wants no part of this, Mrs. Cooper visits Betty later that night and confides to her that she does want to meet her son.  When they walk through the seedy motel to find him, Mrs. Cooper latches onto Betty’s arm, as if the infestation and filth will seep through their bubble of perfection.  After meeting Charles or “Chic” as he likes to be called, Betty and Mrs. Cooper are horrified by his lifestyle and surroundings, feeling somewhat responsible for his current conditions.  After Betty returns to check in on Chic, she finds him being attacked and stabbed.  Betty saves the day with Pepper Spray, proving once again that she is not one to mess with.  After taking Chic home, the Cooper family helps stitch him up and gives him a place to stay, but did they just “let another monster in?”  Clearly there is something not right with Chic, especially after we see him standing over Betty’s bed in a beyond creepy way.  Archie is not so sure they got the right bad guy…so is it possible that Chic is the real Black Hood?  I’m thinking yes, but we will have to wait and see what this new character has in store for Riverdale.

1

Archie begins spying for the FBI.

At the end of the mid-season finale, Archie was clearly being watched, as someone took secret photos of him.  We now learn that this was Agent Adams who works for the FBI and is seeking Archie’s help to be the inside man spying on the Lodge family.  While Archie is hesitant about this at first, he soon realizes the importance of protecting his father and his girlfriend, Veronica.  His first mission is to find out what really happened to Nick St. Clair, as the FBI has reason to believe that Mr. Lodge is responsible for his “accident” and is heavily involved in “organized crime.”  After Archie learns that Nick also tried to attack Veronica, he is beyond angry.  Archie proves to be the white knight coming to the rescue of both Veronica and Cheryl, paying Nick a surprise visit to get the check that Cheryl deserved.  Archie lets his emotions get in the way, however; punching and attacking the already injured Nick several times before leaving.  Archie is warned about this and realizes that he cannot let his emotions get in the way again if he is going to be successful with his mission.  He now feels ready to do what needs to be done:  to take down the Lodge family and assist the FBI.  Archie even comes clean with Veronica and tells her about the kiss he shared with Betty, truly wanting a fresh and honest start with his girlfriend and reminding himself that he will do anything to protect her…even if means bringing down her own family in the process.  Is Archie in over his head?  Most likely, but I’m rooting for him just the same.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 10 winter finale: You just need to believe

After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 10 last night, I am wondering if every curse can really be broken.  True love’s kiss or belief in the impossible is not always enough.  Rather, sacrifices need to be made for the greater good.  But can our favorite characters from OUAT make these difficult choices?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, we learn about the moments leading up to the curse and how it was cast.  The power of the coven of 8 is introduced and an old friend is back to help.  Meanwhile, Rumpel enlists the help of Anastasia, Robin and Alice are revealed to be in love, and poor Lucy is still in a coma.  My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 10 are:

5

Zelena is back.

When Regina took Henry to San Francisco to enlist some help, fans were excited because we knew Zelena would be the one she goes to.  In Zelena’s new life, she is an exercise peddling instructor and even tells her class to fly like monkeys.  Zelena is hesitant about stepping out of her new life.  Regina uses MacCutcheon whiskey to bring back her memories.  Lost fans will be pleased once again with this Easter egg as Charles Widmore’s liquor of choice is getting quite a bit of screen time this season.  When Zelena remembers who she is, she confides to her sister that she is about to get married and enjoys her new life, complicating her choice.  Zelena ultimately decides to help her sister, but it is clear that she will want to return to the simple life she has come to know and love here in San Francisco.

4

Rumpel tries to help Anastasia unleash her magic.

Rumpel is convinced that Anastasia is the guardian and this will ultimately help him achieve his own destiny.  However, he recognizes that Ana is the only one who can save Lucy right now.  He lays out several knives on the table in front of her and explains that “all you have to do is tell me which one of these has magic.”  Lost fans will recall a similar conversation when Richard Alpert goes to visit John Locke as a child and lays out several items on a table and asks “which one of these items belongs to you already?” Whether this was intentional or just familiar, this scene allowed us to see exactly what Ana is capable of.  It is clear that she is overflowing with magic and is unsure how to control it all.  Will her powers be used for good or evil? 

3

Gothel proves to be a worthy foe.

Ana’s childish innocence gets in the way later when Drizella tries to trick her into giving away her magic.  However, Gothel double crosses her and gives Ana all of Drizella’s power, hoping to unleash the full force of the coven of 8.  The symbol of the coven of 8 has been surfacing all over the place, but it is clear that unleashing their dark magic will be a threat to our favorite OUAT characters.  Regina and Zelena are powerful witches, but can they defeat an entire coven?  Who else will be joining?  Once again, Gothel proves to be a worthy opponent and leaves viewers wondering what else she has in store for everyone.

2

Regina is the one who unleashed the curse.

When Regina and the others confront Gothel and Drizella, they prove they are going to fight for what they believe in and keep the curse from happening.  Regina challenges them asking, “You want a witch fight?  Happy to oblige!”  However, Drizella and Gothel anticipate this and capture Henry, poisoning him in the process.  The only cure for him is a land without magic.  To Regina’s horror, she realizes that she is left with the impossible choice of letting her son die or casting the curse herself to save him.  The good in Regina and the unconditional love she has for her son are weaknesses that Drizella and Gothel were counting on.  The other characters completely understand her decision and cling to each other, hoping that they can find each other again once the curse takes place.

1

“Every curse can be broken.  You just need to believe.”

Henry immediately leaves San Francisco when he learns that Lucy is in a coma.  He rushes to Jacinda’s side to comfort her.  When he is left alone with Lucy, he reads to her from his “Once Upon a Time” book and knows exactly which passage to start with.  His love for Lucy is clearly one of a father’s, even though he doesn’t realize it yet.  He will do anything to help her and even tells her that he will believe that he is her father in another world if she will just wake up.  He kisses her on the forehead but true love’s kiss is not enough here.  Lucy’s own beliefs had been shattered previously, preventing this magic from waking her up.  Regina later reveals that if the curse is broken, Henry will die, but if it remains, Lucy will be its victim.  Once again, this leaves Regina with an impossible choice.  How will she be able to choose between her son and her granddaughter?  Is there another way around this?  We will have to wait until new episodes return to find out, but if anyone can unearth a way, it’s Regina.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Once Upon a Time below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 9 mid-season finale: Is the Black Hood truly revealed?

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 9 last night, I am left wondering if the mystery of the Black Hood’s identity has actually been solved?  While it all adds up and makes sense, there was something almost anticlimactic about the reveal.  The end of the episode suggests that Betty’s not entirely sure it’s all over either.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Betty and Archie once again take matters into their own hands to track down Mr. Svenson and deal with the Black Hood’s threats.  Meanwhile, Veronica makes a bold decision and Cheryl refuses to give up on the fancy Christmas tradition she has become accustomed to.  The group participates in secret Santa and more than just gifts are exchanged, as unresolved feelings re-surface.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 9 are:

5

The group participates in Secret Santa.

Even though there is a killer running loose, that doesn’t stop our Riverdale favorites from participating in some Christmas traditions.  However, gift giving becomes slightly complicated when recent exes are involved.  For example, Veronica receives a “couple’s massage” gift certificate and Betty obtains the “Swiss Family Robinson” album that she and Archie used to sing to as children.  Later, Veronica and Betty present their gifts to their exes, revealing how much they still care.  As if this couldn’t get any more confusing, the Black Hood decides to get in on the Secret Santa action and leaves Betty a gift-wrapped finger.  I guess it’s the thought that counts.

4

No Serpent stands alone.

What is the first law?  “No Serpent stands alone!” Jughead refuses to let his father deal with the consequences of his actions and enlists the help of his fellow Serpents to go after Penny and drive her out of Riverdale.  This might backfire, however; as Penny doesn’t seem like the type to give up so easily.  Jughead means business when he takes out a knife to get his pound of flesh…literally.  While it’s nice to see Jughead boost morale and try and help out his father, it seems like he keeps involving himself deeper and deeper, jeopardizing his own future in the process.  Time will tell if Penny attempts to take revenge on him but all signs point to yes.

3

Cheryl saves Christmas.

When Cheryl’s mother explains they will need to cut back around the holidays because they are broke, Cheryl refuses to accept this.  She marches off to purchase the grandest Christmas tree and decorates her house with glitz and glamour galore.  She demands that her mother figure out a way to make ends meet, refusing to apologize for her actions.  Nana Rose comically adds in to Cheryl’s mother that “she should have drowned them at birth like a basket of kittens.”  Later in the episode, Cheryl walks in on her mother kissing a stranger with a Santa hat.  Is this a new boyfriend or has her mother lowered herself to a new profession?

2

Veronica is no longer Daddy’s little girl.

Veronica desperately wants to help Archie and Fred.  When she learns that Fred is facing a medical bill of 86,000 dollars she asks her family for help but is turned down.  Much like Cheryl, Veronica refuses to back down.  She breaks into her father’s office and finds out that he owns Pop’s diner.  As if her actions weren’t bad enough, she then uses her mother’s black amex card to pay off Fred’s bill.  When her parents later confront her about this, she proves that she is ready to grow up quickly and learn all there is to know about the Lodge family business.  Veronica has some ground rules which include keeping the charge to help Fred and staying away from doing anything illegal.  Veronica liked the way it felt to sit in her father’s chair and is ready to play boss.  But can she handle it?

1

The Black Hood is revealed.

Betty and Archie are not giving up until they discover the truth and they do just that in this mid-season finale.  When Mr. Svenson hasn’t shown up to work, Betty and Archie head over to his house, but all they find is a lonely bowl of soup left on the front porch.  They visit the Sisters of Quiet Mercy to find out more about Mr. Svenson’s involvement and learn what his sin is.  After his family was brutally murdered, he took a group of people to punish the culprit, only to kill an innocent man by mistake.  Betty and Archie discover that Nana Rose Blossom was around for this and that Betty’s grandfather was involved as well.  They are horrified to learn that the innocent man was buried alive, bringing them that much closer to discovering the sin that the Black Hood wants them to.  Before they go any further, Archie confesses “I need you with me” to Betty and they share a kiss.  This seems like a fleeting moment in the midst of all of this chaos and danger, but what if it’s not?  Cheryl has witnessed the kiss and later Veronica tells Archie that she does love him as a mysterious photographer captures their embrace on camera, which has fans wondering when this will all unravel.  Will Betty and Veronica’s friendship be able to survive this? Who will Archie ultimately choose?

Archie and Betty’s feelings are forced to be put on hold, however; when they dig up the coffin in Pickens Park.  They find that it’s empty, but the Black Hood shows up and forces Archie inside.  Betty turns the tables on him and Archie makes a bold decision to shoot him, killing him instantly.  Sheriff Keller shows up just in the nick of time which seems suspicious, but Betty and Archie are happy to have some back-up.  Mr. Svenson is revealed as the Black Hood, down one finger and his life.  It seems like the mystery has been solved, but the gang is later sitting in the diner trying to find the words to uncover the why to no avail.  At the end of the episode, Betty is unable to burn her black hood, which shows that her own darkness is still lurking inside her and that this isn’t over just yet.  Is Mr. Svenson the only Black Hood killer or was this a set up?  We will have to wait for new episodes to find out, but I’m not closing the book on the Black Hood mystery just yet.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Once Upon a Time” season 7 episode 9: Step-mother role reversal

As the snow begins to trickle down here in New York, I am anxious for a relaxing day of TV watching.  How about you?  After watching ABC’s Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 9 last night, I am wondering just how many sleeping curses need to occur before someone finds a way of preventing this from happening in the first place.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, we learn quite a lot about Lady Tremaine’s back-story, while Regina and Henry are still off in San Francisco.  Jacinda is thrilled to have Lucy back in her life, but lets her emotions get the best of her when she falls onto Nick’s lips.  Meanwhile, Ivy/Drizella continues to try to thwart her mother’s plan, while Rumpel reveals to Hook the reason behind his recent actions.  My top 5 moments from Once Upon a Time season 7 episode 9 are:

5

Lady Tremaine is revealed to be Rapunzel.  After we learned that Alice is Hook’s daughter, I wasn’t sure there would be any more surprises so soon, but Rapunzel’s story has been re-written quite a bit in the process.  While I was very interested to find out more about Lady Tremaine and how she came to be this way, this revelation seemed slightly forced, however.  In the Rapunzel fairy-tale, we don’t know very much about her other than that she was a baby paying for the mistakes of her parents who stole from the witch’s garden.  Her identity is stifled by her circumstances, being trapped in a tower waiting for someone to rescue her.  I did enjoy the twist of Rapunzel taking matters into her own hands to save herself, rather than waiting for a prince to appear to save the day.  I am just not so sure that this connection between Lady Tremaine and Rapunzel is that convincing but I’m willing to keep an open mind.

4

Lady Tremaine makes a deal with Rumpel.  Lady Tremaine lays all of her cards on the table and seeks out assistance from our favorite schemer, Rumpel.  Rumpel doesn’t bother keeping up with appearances here, calling Lady Tremaine out as “Rapunzel” and agreeing to help her with Anastasia because Lady Tremaine has information on the guardian.  We know that Rumpel is focused completely on finding his way back to Belle and the guardian is the key, but at what cost?

3

Hook does some investigating.  Hook is tired of getting the run around and takes matters into his own hands to find out the truth.  He shows off some Nancy Drew-like skills when he pulls the fire alarm so that the locked door will open.  Hook finds files that Rumpel has on everyone, pulling at his curiosity even further.  When he confronts Rumpel to get to the bottom of this, Rumpel reveals that everything he is doing is to try and find his wife.  Hook empathizes with this and puts differences aside to help him find Lucy but to no avail.

2

Step-mother role reversal.  While I was slightly disappointed that Lady Tremaine was Rapunzel, I thought it was very clever to switch up the roles to have Ella’s mother be the other woman stepping into her family’s lives to replace her.  Traditionally, Lady Tremaine has always been very jealous of Cinderella because she had her father’s love and in this version, this jealousy is still very present but stemming from something else.  Rapunzel gives into revenge and temptation and does send Ella’s mother away with black magic, but her husband still cares very much for his wife’s daughter, Ella.  When Ella and Anastasia are playing on the ice, it tragically breaks and her husband can only save one.  To Rapunzel’s horror, he saves Ella, but she is not to give up just yet.  She tricks Gothel and promises Anastasia that she will find a way to be with her again.  While Rapunzel makes it clear how important family is, this idea becomes distorted when she puts her family above the well-being of others and the greater good, refusing to apologize for it.

1

Lady Tremaine destroys Lucy’s innocence to free Anastasia.  Lucy is thrilled to be reunited with her mother and when Lady Tremaine gives her back her fairy-tale book, it appears that she is trying to make amends.  However, she demonstrates her wickedness by showing Lucy the video of Jacinda and Nick kissing, destroying Lucy’s idea of a perfect family with her, Jacinda, and Henry.  Lucy’s belief is shattered at this point, leaving her questioning everything.  When a tear is released, this is the key to waking up Anastasia.  However, once Anastasia wakes up, Lucy immediately falls asleep taking her place.  Hopefully it’s up to Regina, Henry, and Zelena to return and save the day.  But are they are a match for the ruthlessness of Lady Tremaine? 

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Once Upon a Time below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl