Tag: Top 5 moments

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

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

5

Frank is employee of the month.

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

4

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

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

3

Kev tries to be “part gay.”

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

2

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

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

1

Fiona finds a new friend.

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

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 heart-breaking moments from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”

It’s Throw-Back Sunday TV Fans!  For today, I have once again returned to one of my old favorites, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  There’s something to be said about moments in television that can bring you to tears.  You invest a lot of time into the shows you watch and connect with the characters on a profound level, which is what makes it so impossibly emotional when certain moments happen, shattering the calm and happy existence you have come to know and rely on.

Whether it is one of your favorite characters dying, an epic romance coming to end, or something else entirely, there are certain heart-breaking moments on television that still impact us today.  After many re-watches of Buffy, there are still certain moments that I recognize.  I find my heart starting to skip faster, anticipating the worst, even hoping that somehow the outcome might be different with a re-watch.

However, the tragedy replays as it did the first time watching, still bringing tears to our eyes and tugging at our own feelings in the process.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the full series yet. 

My top 5 heart-breaking moments from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are:

5

Giles’s discovery of Jenny’s death. 

In season 2, Angel loses his soul when he experiences true happiness with Buffy.  When he returns to his former monstrous self, Angelus, he stalks and torments Buffy and her friends.  It is not enough to simply kill them.  He wants them to truly suffer, weakening them further in the process.  Fans loved the blossoming romance between Giles and Jenny Calendar.

When Angelus learns that Jenny is on the verge of finding out how to bring the curse back along with his soul, he views her as a threat in the episode, “Passion.”  He hunts her down in the school and snaps her neck, which was horrific enough for viewers.  However, Angelus doesn’t stop here.  Rather, he stages a romantic evening for Giles to walk into.  Giles approaches his doorway with a rose waiting for him and happily walks into opera music playing along with champagne and a note reading, “Upstairs.” 

To Giles’s horror, he finds Jenny’s lifeless body waiting in his bed, dropping the champagne bottle and shattering it, while the opera music crescendos louder and louder.  What makes this moment truly tragic is Giles’s reaction to it.  Giles and Jenny were finally going to be reunited and make things work, but Angelus viciously ripped this happiness away from him, toying with his emotions.

4

Tara’s death. 

In season 6, Warren is not about to let Buffy and the gang make a fool of him.  A once harmless villain has now become deadly.  He points a gun at Buffy and Xander to the surprise and horror of fans and shoots it.  Xander falls to the ground and it first appears that he is his victim, but the bullet ricochets to the upstairs window and strikes Tara right in front of Willow.

Tara’s blouse has a single blood stain on it, as she falls and collapses in Willow’s arms.  Willow’s eyes turn black in rage, now releasing the dark magic and power that she had kept away for so long.  The love between Willow and Tara was so pure and beautiful and fans were horrified to see Willow’s love taken away from her in a violent act.  The Scoobies have faced evil day after day, but what makes this so awful is that it was a mortal act of violence.

It wasn’t a vampire or a monster, rather it was a human being who felt wronged by the world and took his anger out with a man-made weapon, revealing that mortals can be just as dangerous as monsters in this world.

3

Buffy sacrifices herself to save Dawn. 

In the season 5 finale, “The Gift,” Buffy recognizes that her blood is just like Dawn’s.  Dawn’s blood is the key to closing the portal that will destroy the world, but she is not about to let her innocent sister suffer the consequences.  Buffy makes the decision to jump into the portal to sacrifice herself.

She tells Dawn that “you have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world — is to live in it. Be brave. Live…for me.”

This is one of the most powerful and heart-breaking quotes in the entire series for me.  Buffy’s unconditional love for her sister, her friends, and the world is beyond words.  She has touched the lives of so many people and helped saved innocents with each action, but there is something about this act that transcends all of that.

She recognizes the sacrifice and embraces it, leaving her friends mourning her behind.  Spike is left in tears, making this moment that much more tragic for fans, as he does truly love her and feels like he let her down.

2

Buffy kills Angel when his soul returns. 

In the season 2 finale, “Becoming,” Buffy knows what she must do and is now truly ready to defeat Angelus so that she can save the world.  She recognizes that the good man she came to know and love is gone, leaving only a shell of a monster behind.  Seems easy enough, right?

Before Buffy is about to strike the final blow, Willow’s spell works and Angel’s soul returns.  Angel doesn’t remember what has happened and Buffy tells him to close his eyes and kiss her, right before she strikes him fatally with a sword, sending his body through the portal.  Buffy is still relatively new and young as a slayer in season 2, dealing with high school drama and this is more than any teenage girl could handle.

She leaves Sunnydale behind, unable to deal with her emotions and the loss of her great love by her own hand.

1

Buffy finds her mother’s body. 

In season 5, Buffy is dealing with a new sister and a god named Glory who will stop at nothing to find her key and destroy the world.  What makes this moment truly tragic is that it is a mortal tragedy.  Buffy’s mother, Joyce, has been sick for a while, but when Buffy discovers her body lying on the floor, she becomes an innocent and terrified young girl.  Buffy whispers “Mommy,” as we empathize with her completely.

Her powers will not help her here.  She is left to attempt CPR and call an ambulance, but it is too late.  Her mother is gone and she has to deal with this loss along with realizing that she will now have to pick up the pieces of her family and grow up even faster than she already has.

This episode did not feature any background music so that viewers were able to completely focus on Buffy’s reaction and emotions throughout this heart-breaking scene, which is still incredibly difficult for me to watch.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to share some of your own heart-breaking moments from Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the comments section.  Thank you so much for reading and happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

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Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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

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

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

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

The Search for Alice is available here!

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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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 9: Dream-walking out of this world

Happy Friday TV fans! The weekend is almost here, but I find myself needing to discuss the mid-season finale of Supernatural before diving into any other shows.  After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 9 last night, I am wondering exactly where everyone is and I am most concerned for the Winchester brothers.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Sam and Dean are reunited with Jack, realizing that he is good after all.  Dream-walkers are introduced into the mix and some familiar friends return to warn us that something wicked comes this way.  Meanwhile, the angels are after Jack and will stop at nothing to capture him, but this doesn’t stop him from attending an addiction meeting along the way.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 9 are:

5

Jack attends an addiction anonymous meeting.  He is there to find the dream-walker, but he needs to take a page from Sam and Dean’s book on how to come up with a convincing cover story.  Kaia is a young dream-walker who is suffering from a drug addiction as she desperately attempts to escape “the bad place.”  When she crosses paths with Jack, she asks why he is there and he enthusiastically responds with “cocaine!” Kaia later refers to him as “cocaine boy” which keeps the laughs coming, as she is no fool and realizes that he is absolutely something other-worldly.

4

Patience is back.  I was thrilled at the introduction of psychic, Patience a few episodes back and was wondering if we would see her again.  Luckily for the Winchester brothers, Patience has a vision and realizes that they are all in serious trouble.  She makes a difficult choice when her father tells her she cannot come back if she decides to go down this route.  Patience remains strong and realizes that she must embrace her destiny because it is the right thing to do.  She knocks on Jody’s door to tell her that they are all in great danger, leaving fans trapped in a cliff-hanger that we are all anxiously waiting to see unravel.  Either way, it is great to see Patience back and I am looking forward to the development of her character.

3

Jack is able to see Sam and Dean’s mother.  While viewers have been able to see what is going on with Mary, Sam and Dean have been completely clueless regarding her well-being, fearing the worst.  When Jack taps into the power of the dream-walkers, he is able to get close enough to see her through a door to another world.  It is clear that Mary is in desperate need of rescuing, but now that Jack is there, how are they going to escape?

2

Jack tells Sam and Dean that they are his family.  When Sam and Dean are riding in the car with Jack they express how worried they were that he would be looking for his father, Lucifer.  This word strikes a confused look on Jack’s face as he explains that Sam, Dean, and Castiel are his family and that is why he was trying to do one good thing for them and find their mother.  Although Jack is still very new to this world and his powers are alarmingly strong and dangerous, he possesses a child-like vulnerability and clearly does understand what family means, warming the hearts of us viewers in this touching moment.

1

Kaia and Jack send everyone through the open doors of worlds via dream-walking.  While we know that Jack is in Mary’s world, Sam and Dean are somewhere else entirely, waking up inside an enormous foot-print of something otherworldly.  Is this the danger that Patience predicted in her vision?  Is this the “bad place” that Kaia feared? How will they get out of there and find one another? The mid-season finale leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions, but if there is one thing I’m certain of, it’s that Sam and Dean Winchester can escape the inescapable.  It’s just a matter of how and when.

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 8: “It’s a Mad World”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 8 last night, I am left with the haunting melody of “Mad World,” playing in my head, wondering if the passionate and intense feelings of Archie and Veronica are enough to overcome dodging those three powerful words that have now ripped through their bond.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Betty lets her pony-tail down and embraces her naughty side to try and fit into Jughead’s world, Archie and Veronica take a turn at playing detective, and FP contemplates retirement from the Serpents.  Seeing FP waiting on Cheryl Blossom at Pop’s diner puts things into perspective, however; as this is no place for a king.  Meanwhile, Cheryl continues to cling to Josie’s shadow while Alice Cooper breaks out of her cardigans to bring on the leather, and Archie gazes out his window at an unsuspecting Betty to wonder what could have or might still be.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 8 are:

5

A connection is confirmed between the Riverdale Reaper and the Black Hood.  In the beginning of the episode, Jughead sits down with Betty to discuss his research done at city hall.  They learn about the “house of horrors” and the tragedy that happened to the Conway family, begging the question, how does this fit in with the Black hood now?  Betty makes the connection that this house is the same one that the Black Hood lured her to, realizing that it is an important part of the equation.  Research does pay off, but what’s the next step from here?

4

FP is released from jail.  Jughead is ecstatic to learn that his father is finally free from this nightmare and anxiously awaits his release with supportive Betty and who else but the witty Alice Cooper. Alice is not about to let things slide, however; continuing to pass her judgment on FP.  She asks him what his plans are now and FP jokingly calls her “Warden Cooper,” which doesn’t seem too far off for our tough cookie, Alice.  Now that FP is out of jail, he is left with the important decision of what to do with his freedom.  He decides retirement is the answer and even accepts a humble job waiting tables at Pop’s diner to prove to Jughead that he is serious about turning his life around.  But how long will this last?

3

Archie and Veronica pick off where Betty left off.  “So you want us to be you guys?” Veronica asks with skepticism.  Veronica and Archie are already skating on thin ice as it is, when Archie tells her he loves her and she says nothing in return.  This brings up Veronica’s own insecurities, but the two need this distraction to find out more about the Black Hood and the connection to the Conway murders.  After some investigation of their own, they learn that the Conway family wasn’t of 4, but of 5 and that there is a third child who made it out alive.  They later discover this is none other than school custodian, Mr. Svenson, but quickly rule him out once Archie looks into his eyes and realizes he is not staring back at the Black hood.  More clues are falling right into their laps and they are hard to ignore.  Did Mr. Svenson get his justice in the past, or is there something else he is not telling us?

2

FP is here to stay and he wants Jughead out.  At the end of FP’s retirement party, he quickly announces that he is there to stay to Jughead’s dismay.  He explains to Jughead that he did the one thing he asked him not to, which was to get stuck in the middle of a drug trafficking operation.  When FP reveals that he now has to clean up this mess and that Jughead has broken his heart, it clearly destroys Jughead.  Jughead realizes that his mistake has now cost his father a chance at having a clean slate, forcing him back into a world that he may never get out of now.

1

Betty and Alice Cooper’s entrance into the party.  Both ladies have their hair down and prove they are a force to be reckoned with.  Alice’s ensemble is wild and she even pokes fun at Betty’s outfit, not realizing that she is about to strip off almost every layer to perform the Serpent dance.  Jughead is not pleased with this, begging her to stay away from him, as the mistakes he made with his father are now bleeding into his relationship with Betty.  Although the dance doesn’t have the impact Betty was hoping for, it does allow her to free her inhibitions and step out of her cookie-cutter mold of perfection.  Archie sees a new side of her when he gazes out the window and he’s not alone.  We salute you Betty!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“SMILF” Season 1 episode 5 ranking the top 5 moments: “Panda is Larry’s Constant”

Greetings TV Fans!  Lately, I have been binge-watching Showtime’s SMILF and I have to say that I am absolutely obsessed.  The critics say it is “raw and funny” and they are absolutely right.  The main character, Bridgette, has just the right blend of Weeds’ Nancy Botwin and Orange is the New Black’s Piper Chapman’s personality along with her own set of quirkiness.  She is learning how to be a single mother with each new day and challenge, while still trying to chase her dreams in the process.  If you have not gotten a chance to check this show out, I highly recommend it.  After watching SMILF season 1 episode 5, I have my own desire to play the day out in different parts.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In episode 5, the show opens up with “Part 1” revealing that it is father’s day.  The day plays out differently each time with 4 different parts throughout the episode.  Each part starts off with Larry’s father knocking on the door displaying his #1 Dad apparel, to be interrupted by Larry not being able to find his beloved panda stuffed animal.  The distractions get more and more extreme, involving different characters, leading up to part 4, which is actually heart-warming and truly perfect. My top 5 moments from SMILF season 1 episode 5 are:

5

Bridgette beats up the fire alarm.  In part one, Bridgette has a premonition type flash of where the panda could be, revealing that she left it over at Ally’s house.  She runs over there to enter a sea of chaos and distraction, as the family is trying to prepare everything for father’s day.  When the fire alarm goes off, Bridgette is determined to lend some assistance, as she proceeds to punch it repeatedly to be quiet.  While I’m not sure we should try this method at home, it is clear that she is channeling her own frustration over finding panda.  But she is not about to give up just yet.

4

Bridgette decides to do shrooms which “could make her a better parent.”  In Part two of the episode, Bridgette has a similar premonition flash that panda was left behind in Eliza’s room.  While she searches frantically, the two decide that doing shrooms is the best solution to remedy the situation.  Bridgette is convinced that this will absolutely help her clear her mind to find panda, only it leads to some very confusing hallucinations along the way, including Larry speaking to her in a grown man’s voice and Eliza suffocating in her excess sea of clothing.

3

Bridgette gets propositioned for a “sleep over.”  In part one after she beats up the incessant fire alarm, Bridgette is listening to Ally go on and on about “Mr. Daddy” and what to do for him for father’s day.  While it is initially revealed as background chatter, Bridgette’s attention is woken up suddenly when she is asked if she would like to have a sleep over.  Bridgette’s confusion about what this actually means leading up to a scenario where she would get pregnant again and what the trust fund would look like make this moment even more hilarious.  Unfortunately, this does not lead to the discovery of panda.

2

The panda is Larry’s “constant.”  Bridgette’s desperate need to find panda for Larry demonstrates how much she truly cares for his son.  She mirrors his own frantic cries, throwing everything around in a frenzy to try and locate Larry’s beloved panda.  At one point, she is speaking to her mom on the phone and screams out that she needs to find panda “or Larry is going to die!”  While Bridgette has been hanging on by a thread to make ends meet, her unconditional love for Larry never fails which makes her search for panda empathetic.  Larry deals with a lot of moving around; going from his mother’s house to his father’s and even to his grandma’s and the panda is the only thing that stays the same.  Bridgette is clearly also holding on to this constant for Larry, wanting to be able to provide him with stability and continuous love.

1

Panda is found along with Bridgette embracing father’s day.  Part 4 starts off the same way, with Larry’s father, Rafi at the door.  Rather than slamming the door in his face, Bridgette and Larry leave with Rafi to go celebrate the day at Tutu’s house, Bridgette’s mother.  Panda is discovered at the house and all is right with the world again.  This leaves us with a true family moment.  Even though everyone has their differences, they come together because Larry is the constant, creating an undeniable bond of happiness.  Plus, it helps that panda is there keep the peace.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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

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

5

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

4

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

3

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

2

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

1

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

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” season 13 episode 8: What’s in the vault?

Don’t fret TV fans, it’s almost the weekend and there are plenty of shows to catch up on.  After watching the CW’s Supernatural season 13 episode 8 last night, I am reminded of that well-known question “what’s in the box?,” although in this case it’s more like what’s in the vault protected by Indiana Jones like booby-traps?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, Dean takes a chance and opens up, reminding himself why they became hunters in the first place and that saving lives does matter, all while enjoying some well-deserved cherry pie.  A new cross-roads demon introduces himself, but he’s surely got something up his sleeve, and Jack is still nowhere to be found.  Meanwhile, Sam and Dean decide to embark on a heist filled with unexpected twists and dangers.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 8 are:

5) The new cross-roads demon tries to make an impression.  Dean receives a cryptic phone call from this demon that he has something Sam and him will need to find Jack.  They take the bait and meet him at a diner where there is a freshly baked slice of heavenly cherry pie waiting for Dean.  This demon has done his homework for sure as he convinces the brothers to work for him to retrieve a vault that he desperately needs.  Dean demonstrates a lot of self-control and hilariously waits for the demon to leave before digging in to his favorite food.  Sam and Dean haven’t trusted a demon since Crowley and they are not about to start now but need to figure out a way to still get what they need to find Jack.

4) “Hey Winona, the 90s called and they want their shoes back.”  After much discussion, Sam and Dean decide to go on the heist with the help of a mortal we later find out is named Alice and another demon.  Alice is able to break into safes but it is unsure what her motive is at this point.  Dean decides to break the ice by teasing her about her fashion sense, but the two then bond over his favorite old caffeinated drink, “nerve damage.”  While Alice is weird and awkward, she seems to appreciate the company of Dean and it makes us wonder if Dean does really care about others after all.  He has been extremely negative lately about their purpose and all they have had to deal with along the way.  It’s nice to see him smile and take a moment to connect with someone even if it is on a minor level.

3) Dean is a “vault compass.”  Dean is needed on this heist because he has been to hell and back and his blood is the key to opening up where the vault is held.  The demon begins chanting and Dean rolls his eyes at the thought of something magical happening here, but he begins being dragged off as if by a magnet while gripping his flash-light tightly.  Alice and the demon follow Dean as he treks through the property against his will, but adds for some laughs along the way.  Dean’s reaction to opening up the vault later is very amusing as well, as he cringes and squirms through the one small prick on his finger.  Sure he can fight the most terrifying forces of heaven and hell, but gets queasy at the idea of giving some blood.  It reminds us why we have come to adore Dean over the years, keeping the episode light and fluffy with just the right amount of mystery.

2) Sam has a good idea on how to get through the Indiana Jones like booby-trap.  The immortal guarding the vault is not about to give up any secrets to the brothers and it is clear that the algorithms and design of the vault will lead to an unwanted arrow to the head.  Dean seems confident they can just “wing it” but Sam reminds us why he is the logical one in the family.  They strap the immortal to a chair and push him through so that he takes the hits from all of the arrows.  Good thinking Sam!

1) Sam, Dean, and Alice do the right thing and break the deal.  Alice has revealed that she sold her soul and made a deal with the cross-roads demon, but she is not a lost hope.  Once it is revealed that the cross-road’s demons bones are inside the trunk, they realize that it is not the greatest idea to just turn this over to him.  He holds Alice at knife-point and Dean trusts her enough to grab the lighter and set the bones on fire to rid the world of the cross-roads demon.  Dean later tells Sam that it felt good to save someone again and Alice is freed from her deal to start a new life.  Dean tells her to “stay weird” revealing that he is ready to make friends and embrace his destiny again.  Saving innocents and helping people does truly make a difference.  Welcome back Dean!

 

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“Supernatural” Season 13 episode 7 ranking the top 5 moments: Dead is dead…or is it?

Happy Friday TV Fans!  I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday spent with family and friends.  Thankfully, we were given a new episode of the CW’s Supernatural to enjoy.  After watching Season 13 episode 7, it feels like everyone is coming back from the dead.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  Our old prophet friend, Kevin has returned along with some enemies sprinkled into the mix.  Lucifer walks the mean streets of earth and gets a harsh slap of reality while seeking help from any unlikely source.  Fans are left with an open question as to Rowena’s whereabouts.  Sure we thought she was toast, but Supernatural doesn’t let any character rest for too long.  My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 13 episode 7 are:

5) Lucifer returns to earth and a woman mistakes him as a homeless man.  So Lucifer has once again figured out a clever way to escape the portal he was in and is making friends everywhere he goes.  His powers are severely weakened which makes this moment even funnier.  There is nothing Lucifer can do about it except to come up with a snappy one liner to satisfy his need for revenge.  Who would have thought that a mortal could put Satan himself in his place?

4) Kevin is back!  Or maybe a version of Kevin…I was a little unclear on this but either way it was great to see our old friend Kevin back in the mix.  He is still utilizing his gift as a prophet but is now working for the angel, Michael, and could be a threat to humanity.  Will Sam and Dean be reunited with him?  Is he back for more episodes?  It’s uncertain, but it was nice to see a familiar face amongst all of the villains coming to the surface.

3) Is Rowena alive?  Other characters are creeping to the surface so it would make sense that an all powerful witch like Rowena may be alive somewhere in another world or dimension.  I have to admit I do miss the way her accent pronounces Winchester every time she is trying to thwart an effort of the brothers.  With Crowley gone, we need a villain with a good sense of humor to work with or against Lucifer.  We know that Mr. Ketch is after witches searching for her, which makes one think she is more than likely alive.  I for one hope that she is and would love to see a bewitching come-back.

2) Lucifer turns to an unlikely friend for help.  Lucifer is back on earth and is threatened by Kevin and Michael so who does he go to?  Naturally, he teams up with our favorite angel, Castiel.  Lucifer’s pep talk to Castiel is hilarious as he underplays the severity of the situation saying “we’re sorta all going to die” with a playful shrug.  He is looking to recruit Castiel but is trying to use him at the same time to find out where Jack is in all of this.  I have to admit I also enjoyed the proud father moment from Lucifer even though it is twisted and centered on how much pain his son caused.  Lucifer listened like a giddy school girl, but clearly does have some connection to his son.  It will be interesting to see what happens when they meet for the first time.

1) Ketch is not a twin, but Ketch himself!  Dean knew that something was not adding up with Ketch’s story.  There was even documentation about this claim that he was a twin, but Dean still wasn’t buying it and I don’t blame him.  He noticed the look in Ketch’s eyes when he mentioned his mother, Mary, signaling to Dean that he is the real Ketch and somehow Rowena is the key to him surviving longer in this world.  Ketch was a worthy opponent mostly because he tugs at Dean’s emotions and vulnerability.  Will Dean be able to put his own personal vendetta against Ketch aside to do right by the greater good?  Good thing he has Sam there to keep him grounded.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl