My performance of the week ending 2/22/20 on TV goes to…

Cynthia Erivo as Holly Gibney on HBO’s The Outsider.

If you are a fan of slow burn mysteries, this show may be perfect for you, but I was not sure how I felt about it until Holly Gibney showed up, lighting the way to an intriguing story and some spine-tingling moments that still have me cringing.

Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Holly is so incredible and she is the BEST part of the series.

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

The mystery behind The Outsider is dark and disturbing, as a hooded stranger seeps into the cracks of this small town with threatening and cryptic messages, along with some unspeakable acts. To make matters worse, he seems to be getting away with his unspeakable crimes, infecting people who essentially take the fall for his bad deeds. But, is this town capable of accepting a supernatural presence that defies all rational explanation?

The Outsider HBO 1 — Images courtesy of HBO

Well, one person is ready and willing to look deep into the depths of this mystery. Holly asks, “Can a person be in two places at the same time?” Everyone recognizes that it’s not possible, but when evidence says otherwise, Holly is willing to search every lead to get to the truth.

Even when the others don’t believe her or think that she is wasting their time, she continues to do her job, showcasing her extraordinary attention to detail. Seriously, if I needed a private investigator, I would want Holly on my case.

Every scene with Holly is so incredible, as you almost feel like you are right there along with her, trying to figure out the mystery. Holly is brave and resourceful as well, proving to be a worthy opponent that no one should underestimate.

The Outsider HBO 2 — Images courtesy of HBO

What’s next for Holly? Well, we know that the supernatural threat wants her out of the way, but I’m anxious to see how Holly will ultimately outsmart him. She has proven to be extremely perceptive and smart, but perhaps she needs some help. It’s time for someone else in town to have her back already!

Either way, I am extremely impressed by Cynthia Erivo’s performance and she never disappoints. Everyone on the show is incredible, but Erivo still stands out every single week. I’m not sure if I would have stuck around if not for her, which just goes to show you how much range she has as an actress. She pours her heart and soul out in every single role and she is so talented and believable.

I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Safe” on Netflix: The Perfect Binge-Watch for fans of “The Stranger”

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

If you thoroughly enjoyed your binge-watch of The Stranger, you might have been endlessly skimming through Netflix recommendations for something to measure up. Well fear not, as Netflix gets it completely right with its latest recommendation…Safe.

Safe actually premiered on Netflix on May 10th 2018, but it has been gaining popularity ever since The Stranger premiered. It features 8 episodes (40-45 minutes in length) and it stars Dexter’s Michael C. Hall, Amy James-Kelly, Amanda Abbington, Marc Warren, and Hannah Arterton.

Like The Stranger, Safe is also brought to us from author and creator, Harlan Coben. It is a mystery thriller that follows Tom Delaney’s search for his missing daughter, Jenny. Once again, dark secrets are exposed as several threads begin to unravel together, leaving us on the edge of our seats with constant twists and turns.

The show has a very similar feel, almost making it seem like part of a thriller anthology series, but does Safe measure up to The Stranger? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Safe Netflix 4 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Once again, an amazing cast!

Michael C. Hall was absolutely brilliant as Tom Delaney and as a huge fan of Dexter, I was pleased to see him thrive in another role. The rest of the cast was fantastic as well, making the character dynamics that much more more intriguing.

Safe Netflix 7 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Another surprising mystery.

Even though I preferred the approach of an actual stranger exposing dark secrets, I thought that the mystery behind Safe was just as compelling. Once again, I found myself completely invested to see how things would unfold, coming up with my own theories and suspects along the way. The show is far from predictable and each episode leaves you wanting more and more.

The Cons:

Safe Netflix 5 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Too many sub-plots.

Much like The Stranger, we ended up lost in several side plots and characters along the way. Some of them connected to the main mystery centered around Tom Delaney and his daughter, but others seemed out of place and strange. That being said, I thought that Safe did a better job with this than The Stranger, connecting as many dots as possible for us without completely overwhelming us.

So am I in or out?

Safe Netflix 6 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent again! After watching The Stranger, I was endlessly searching for something similar to watch and I love that we now get the chance to discover the hidden gem of Safe. I didn’t even know about this show when it premiered, but hopefully more fans of The Stranger will discover it and give it a chance because it can stand on its own as a worthy thriller series.

Even though I think that I enjoyed The Stranger a little bit more, Safe did not disappoint at all. Once again, Netflix delivered with the perfect binge-watch and we can never get enough of Michael C. Hall, so that was an added bonus!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Safe in the comments section below. You can check out my review of The Stranger here! Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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My performance of the week ending 2/15/20 on TV goes to…

Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones on The CW’s Riverdale.

If you are fan of Riverdale, then you know that Jughead Jones is the heart of the series. His narrations shed so much light on everything and you really get to know him through his writing and his interactions with the rest of the characters. Cole Sprouse’s performance each week is believable and true.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

That being said, it makes it even more difficult to picture Riverdale without Jughead Jones and yet we are left trying to piece together the mystery behind his supposed murder. To make matters even worse, a lot of evidence is pointing at Jughead’s queen, Betty Cooper, which makes this even more shocking and heartbreaking for us Bughead fans.

Riverdale The CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

After watching season 4, episode 13, we finally catch up to that fateful night, but that doesn’t mean that we have solved the case just yet. Donna may have used a new trigger word on our girl Betty, but I have a feeling that this is all a set-up. I have to remain positive because I cannot even think about Betty being guilty under any circumstances.

In this past episode, Cole Sprouse really pulled out all the stops to make Jughead’s path toward potential demise so heartbreaking. As fans, we want to believe that there is some way for him to still be alive, creating a vortex of theories and questions to make sense of everything, but that’s part of the reason why I adore this show so much.

Sure, it may submerge itself in excess teen drama noir here and there, but the dark mysteries are so intriguing and compelling, luring you in that much more. Combine that with fantastic character dynamics and wonderful performances and you have more than a guilty pleasure on your hands.

What’s next for Jughead? Well, this might be the toughest one to figure out yet. Is Jughead really dead or is there some way to explain what has just happened? I can’t ignore the fact that we have been dancing around the plot of a “perfect murder,” so has Jughead truly cracked the case to somehow bring the real conspirators to light?

Riverdale The CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

I have a lot of theories, but we know that Betty has connections with the morgue and their creepy doctor friend might have been able to make Jughead appear to be dead while Betty tries to bring the real culprits to justice, but how else can we explain what has happened?

For me, there is no show without Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper, so I’m hoping that the truth can salvage this ultimate duo. Lili Reinhart is always fantastic every single week, but I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with Cole Sprouse’s performance this past week.

Let’s hope he gets the chance to continue to shine by bringing down the real villains here. Go team Bughead!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 4 Episode 13: “Beware the Ides of March”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 4 episode 13, I started to wonder what one should really do when the game is fixed? Sometimes it seems like the odds are always against us, but is there still a glimmer of hope to turn our luck around?

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Seventy: The Ides of March,” Jughead is accused of plagiarism, as we finally catch up to that horrific night in the woods. Meanwhile, Betty is determined to get to the truth, Cheryl and Toni tag team with Veronica, and Archie contemplates the future of his father’s business.

This is the episode we have all been waiting for!

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 4 episode 13 are:

“I don’t want to think about the future right now.”

After Veronica’s trip to NYC and finding out about her father’s condition, she just wants to turn everything off and have some fun. We get to witness some passionate and steamy Varchie moments as a result, but it’s clear that Veronica is having some trouble dealing with everything.

Archie continues to be extremely supportive of her even though we don’t really know if their relationship will continue once college begins, but he reminds her that she is the strongest person he knows and that her father needs her.

This inspires Veronica to ignite the competitive spirit in her father, realizing that perhaps she knows him better than anyone else after all.

“I can’t do it…”

Archie begins to question his own future in this episode as well. Mr. Honey explains that he may not be able to graduate with his class and college admission could also be off the table for him right now.

Archie risks everything to protect Veronica after a flask is found in her locker, reminding everyone that he has nothing to lose. Archie also has to contemplate what to do with his father’s construction business. After considering selling it, he decides against it, remembering that the business has been in his family for generations.

Archie has a lot of thinking to do, but we are certain of one thing…Riverdale needs Archie Andrews!

“It’s time to snap a trap.”

Watch out for Choni and Veronica! They make an unstoppable team! Hermosa goes undercover to do some recon on The Maple Club, but our girls are too smart for her, leading her right into a trap. Hermosa may be good, but our girls are that much better…fact!

Riverdale The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

The girls put Hermosa in her place while allowing us to witness a welcomed montage of Choni dancing!

“The perfect victim to the perfect murder…”

Beware the Ides of March, Jughead! Things are about to be turned completely upside down for our main character, as Jughead is accused of plagiarism.

Riverdale The CW 7 — Images courtesy of The CW

We know this is far-fetched, but Bret and the others are quite convincing, leaving behind a lot of evidence pointing in Jughead’s direction while stealing his laptop.

Jughead is determined to set things right and is also tasked with writing a new Baxter Brothers novel in five days, but Jughead is up for the challenge and decides to lean on Betty for help. Betty convinces him to write up his own story at Stonewall Prep, but is he actually now documenting the moments leading to his supposed demise?

“I am the daughter of the Black Hood!”

Betty has some fantastic lines in this episode and proves to be a worthy opponent. She stands up for Jughead and even has him take a lie detector test to prove that he did write his own story. Donna and the others don’t really seem to be intimidated by Betty, but one should never underestimate our girl with her very effective bobby pin!

Later on, Jughead agrees to stand down and leave Stonewall Prep when Bret threatens to release the sex tape that will damage Betty’s reputation for good. They are invited to a party in the woods and we know all too well that this is the night of Jughead’s “murder.”

Bret leads Jughead out in the woods and Betty has a chat with Donna. Donna reveals that she has been doing some digging of her own and admits that she met with Evelyn Evernever. Betty reminds her that “tangerine” has no effect on her, but apparently there is another trigger word that will make Betty turn on her loved ones.

What’s the word? We don’t know, but we are now finally caught up, as Betty is standing over Jughead’s body while Archie and Veronica discover her. So, did Betty actually kill Jughead because of the trigger or is this an elaborate plan to make her think she did?

We can’t trust this group from Stonewall Prep and it’s clear that they are well matched for our group, but let’s hope that Betty can find a way to push aside her guilt to get to the truth.

Riverdale The CW 6 — Images courtesy of The CW

Is Jughead really dead? Did Betty really kill him? We’ll have to wait for some more answers, as episode 14 is set to release on February 26th 2020.

Stay tuned!

What are some of YOUR theories?

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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My Ship of the week ending 2/8/20 on TV goes to…

Cheryl Blossom and Toni Topaz on The CW’s Riverdale, also known as Choni!

Ever since Toni told Cheryl that she thought she was sensational, I fell in love with these two. Over the seasons, they have had their ups and downs, but one thing remains. They are loyal to one another until the end and their love knows no bounds.

Choni The CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

While Choni doesn’t always get enough screen time, their relationship has truly grown and developed over the seasons. While I enjoy seeing some of the passionate and steamy moments between them, the reason why I ship them so much is because of their friendship and understanding.

Cheryl and Toni open up to one another, truly letting their walls down, as they reveal their past, fears, and desires. If anyone tries to mess with the other, they are right there to stand up for their love, bringing us timeless epic moments again and again.

Choni The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

In season 4, episode 12, Cheryl crosses paths with Nick Sinclair once again, bringing up some traumatizing memories. After sharing everything with Toni, Toni tells Cheryl that she has also been there before and wants to help her get through things one step at a time. This gesture is so real and honest, as Toni wears her heart on her sleeve, proving to be Cheryl’s rock.

Even though this is a heartwarming moment, Toni takes things up a notch to remind Nick Sinclair that no one should ever mess with Cheryl, proving to be the world’s best girlfriend. She lures Nick into a trap and teaches him a lesson, which had me standing up and applauding.

Cheryl may never be able to completely recover from what happened, but Toni is there to support her every step of the way, making each day that much brighter.

The transformation and growth of Choni is contagious. They always find a way to make me smile, reminding me what real love is all about.

What’s next for Choni?

Choni The CW 4 — Images courtesy of The CW

We’ll have to see how their new business venture at The Maple Club goes, but I have a feeling that Penelope may try to make some waves, but it’s nothing that our power couple can’t handle.

Choni gives us so many incredible moments week after week on the show. They have both changed and grown as characters, but they have also both learned to finally be themselves.

Both of them shine so much in their relationship and I know that they are end game for certain! I can’t wait to see more incredible moments showcasing these two and they will continue to be one of my favorite ships of all time!

What are YOUR thoughts on Choni?

Stay tuned for a recognized Ship on TV each week!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Locke & Key” on Netflix: Unlocking the Door to your Next Binge-Watch

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

A dark, magical adventure filled with heart, leading us past our imagination with some worthy evil threats thrown into the mix.

Locke & Key premiered on Netflix on February 7th 2020 with 10 new episodes (40-45 minutes in length). It stars Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Darby Stanchfield, and Laysla De Oliveira.

The show is based on the graphic novel series written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodríguez. After the tragic death of their father, three siblings move into his old mansion with their mother, unlocking past secrets and discovering some magical keys that light the way to their new potential destiny. However, there is an evil lingering inside the well of Keyhouse that threatens them all.

This is not the first time we have seen a plot like this and there are a lot of similarities to The Chronicles of Narnia, The Haunting of Hill House, and Stranger Things. That being said, I absolutely love all three of those, so I welcomed this familiar plot with open arms.

However, does Locke & Key unlock its way to its own identity? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Locke and Key Netflix 5 — Images courtesy of Netflix

The Locke siblings are the heart of the show.

I loved the family aspect of The Haunting of Hill House and we get a young adult friendly version of that in Locke & Key. The relationship between the siblings is heartwarming and believable. All three of these characters are absolutely fantastic and you almost feel like you are a part of their family. The performances are well done and the family drama isn’t overly exaggerated.

Locke and Key Netflix 8 — Images courtesy of Netflix

The mystery is intriguing and entertaining.

From the very first episode, we get a sneak peek of what’s to come for the Locke family, as they explore Keyhouse with brand new eyes. The house is breathtaking, but the Locke siblings quickly discover that there are more secrets hidden within the walls of their father’s old home.

Locke and Key Netflix 6 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Evil looks good on our Villainess.

The villain in this series is beyond entertaining. She’s absolutely fantastic and will lure you over to the dark side for sure. She is cunning, powerful, and mysterious, as the Locke siblings are forced to really think outside the box to stop her, but do not underestimate her for one second. I love a good Villainess and Dodge or “Well Lady” certainly exceeded my expectations.

The Cons:

Locke and Key Netflix 7 — Images courtesy of Netflix

The rest of the characters fade into the background.

Unlike Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which has an endless amount of extraordinary characters, the rest of the group in Locke & Key are just kind of okay and very forgettable. Even Mrs. Locke seemed all over the place and I almost felt like they didn’t really know what to do with her character.

I did enjoy Scot the most out of the friend characters, who had the most adorable nickname for our girl Kinsey, Rocky Road, but the supporting characters seemed underdeveloped and uninspiring. That being said, the Locke siblings and Dodge certainly made up for that and stole the show.

Some plot holes and unanswered questions.

I wouldn’t say that this was a major con, but I found myself asking more questions about the keys and where they came from. A lot of things are explained in the end and we are left with a major cliffhanger, so I’m hoping for some more background information if we get a second season.

So am I in or out?

Locke and Key Netflix 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in! This series was so much fun and I watched it all in one day. It has a lot of heart and so many twists and turns that will keep you thoroughly invested throughout the show.

While it may not be the next Stranger Things, it doesn’t have to be. Locke & Key creates its own separate identity and has the potential to become my new favorite show with possible future seasons. Now about my key…

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 4 Episode 12: “True Honor”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 4 episode 12, I learned that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but it’s usually a draw. When it comes to true honor, winning isn’t always the answer.

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Sixty-Nine: Men of Honor,” Jughead and Bret prepare for a duel, but Betty and Alice have a side mission of their own that may be more important. Meanwhile, Archie gets caught in the middle of Uncle Frank’s past, an old nemesis returns, and Veronica heads out to New York to catch up with Katy Keene.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 4 episode 12 are:

“New York is my town.”

Veronica takes a trip out to New York for a college interview and spends some quality time with her old friend, Katy Keene, presenting us with a fun crossover to prepare us for the premiere of the spin-off series.

After witnessing a super fun shopping spree with these two, Katy reveals that her mother is very ill, causing Veronica to have her own moment of self-reflection.

After Hermione reveals that Hiram is also very sick, Veronica decides to change her name back to Lodge. It may seem like a small gesture, but Hiram is clearly pleased with this.

Veronica was missing something, but will she find it in New York next year or will she stick around in Riverdale? We’ll have to wait and see, but it looks like we will get some serious Varchie screen time in next week’s episode.

“Bret is afraid of me?”

I mean, you are pretty intimidating, Betty, especially after smashing that headstone to pieces, but I am loving the rivalry between our girl and annoying Bret. In this episode, we get the team-up we fell in love with before, as Alice decides to tag along for Betty’s mission.

Riverdale The CW 5 — Images courtesy of The CW

Betty and Alice meet with Mrs. Chipping, trying to piece together what happened to her husband and we finally discover that Moose left because Bret threatened him with a sex scandal video tape.

Betty fears that there may be a tape of her and Jughead as well and is determined to find his collection, but Bret is not making things easy with his secret alarms.

“And may the best man win…”

The duel between Jughead and Bret is quite eventful, as we get three rounds to determine who the best man truly is.

Round one is fencing and Bret takes the point, but Jughead literally knocks Bret out in round two, which was quite entertaining to see.

The final round is a chess match, but Jughead ultimately decides to throw the match, explaining that he is done playing this game. Even though Jughead doesn’t win the match, he is a winner in our books as he takes the moral high ground here.

However, it’s only a matter of time before we discover how Jughead meets his untimely demise (or not) and it’s hard to pinpoint the exact motive, but it looks like the Baxter Brothers book series may still be at the center of it.

“I will ruin you…”

Cheryl and Toni (Choni) seem to be quite the hit with their new Maple Club, but things get complicated when Nick Sinclair shows up. Cheryl spots him from behind the curtain and this brings up a lot of horrible memories for her. In case you forgot, Cheryl was drugged by Nick during her sophomore year and Veronica and the Pussycats came to her rescue.

Riverdale The CW 4 — Images courtesy of The CW

Cheryl really opens up to Toni about what happened and we also learn that Toni went through something similar in her past as well. She shows her love and support for her girlfriend, but she also takes things one step further and decides to teach Nick Sinclair a lesson.

Toni teams up with Kevin and Fangs with their side hustle and videos Nick being tickled. Toni tells Nick that she will ruin him and saves the day, proving once again why Choni is such an incredible couple. I love these two so much! Go Toni!

“I think we need to be more worried about Donna.”

Even though Bret stops Betty and Alice from taking his precious collection, Betty does manage to slip Donna’s tape by him. Betty discovers Donna’s confession, which is an identical speech about a teacher she had an affair with.

Betty recognizes that she is lying and has done this speech before, but what is Donna’s end game here?

Betty is right about suspecting Donna as the greater threat, but what does she want with Jughead?

Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Stranger” on Netflix: A Complex Thriller Worthy of your next Binge-Watch

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

“A secret revealed is a secret destroyed.”

The Stranger premiered on Netflix on January 31st 2020 with 8 episodes (40-45 minutes in length). It stars Richard Armitage, Siobhan Finneran, Anthony Head, Dervla Kirwan, and Hannah John-Kamen.

The show is based on the book of the same name by Harlan Coben. It is a mystery thriller that follows the lives of several families, as secrets are exposed by a stranger, creating a vortex of lies, murder, and a quest to uncover the truth.

This is not the first crime thriller that Netflix has released, but it’s difficult to deliver some worthy twists without over-complicating things.

If you enjoy movies like The Call, The Girl on the Train, and Gone Girl, this new show will make you feel right at home, but does it do enough to stand out as a worthy thrill ride? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The Stranger Netflix 4 — Images courtesy of Netflix

The mystery will keep you invested and guessing the entire time.

Adam Price basically has his entire life turned upside down when a stranger approaches him with a shattering secret about his wife. As we begin to uncover the truth with Adam, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat, which makes the watch entertaining and fast-paced. Unnecessary set-up does not get in the way, as we dive right into the mystery from the opening minutes of the series.

An amazing cast.

Richard Armitage does a fantastic job with his role, but I was also really impressed by Siobhan Finneran’s portrayal of Johanna Griffin. Let’s not forget that we also have Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, Anthony Head playing a supporting role to perfection. The list goes on and on and every single performance was spot on.

The Cons:

The Stranger Netflix Show 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Way too many sub-plots.

Yes, this is one of those shows where everything connects. However, we certainly get a lot thrown our way and some of it seems beyond outrageous. If you pay attention, a lot of the connections and reveals make sense later on, but some of them are actually never explained, so I’m wondering why we didn’t just focus on the main mystery, which was compelling enough.

It’s easy to get lost in this show and perhaps it is too complex for its own good, but there are enough reasons why you should still watch the show in its entirety anyway.

So am I in or out?

The Stranger Netflix Show 2 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent! While the show may be unnecessarily complex at times, it is the epitome of the perfect weekend binge-watch. You can watch all eight episodes in one sitting and you will probably want to because each episode leaves you wanting more, as you try to figure out the mystery going on.

I tend to thoroughly enjoy mystery thrillers with a touch of Lifetime drama thrown in and this show exceeded my expectations. While this isn’t the best show or thriller I have ever seen, it delivers as a quick and entertaining show you can watch while throwing in some unexpected twists and moments that will keep you guessing.

Keep these coming, Netflix!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” Season 15 Episode 11: “The Gamblers”

Happy Saturday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Supernatural season 15 episode 11, the Winchesters asked themselves if luck could really fix everything? Well maybe not, but that will never stop them from doing the right thing, even if the odds are not in their favor.

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In Thursday night’s episode, “The Gamblers,” Sam and Dean head to Alaska to see if they can turn their luck around. Meanwhile, Castiel receives a surprising phone call that could change everything.

My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 15 episode 11 are:

“He wants us off our game.”

Sam and Dean’s luck has not turned around just yet, but they start to wonder why Chuck/God has stripped it away from them. Dean recognizes that Chuck wants to make them weak, but what is Chuck’s ultimate plan here?

It may be possible that Chuck wants Sam and Dean to question everything so that he can take advantage of their decisions or is this all one big test for them to prove their worth in the final battle?

We’ll have to wait to find out…

“Magic Pool Hall.”

I don’t know about you, but I thought this was one of the coolest concepts and episodes I have seen on SPN in a while. The idea of a Magic Pool Hall to gamble a chance at doubling your luck really worked for me.

SPN The CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

Sam and Dean learn that if their coin goes blank, they have to leave. There’s always a catch and we realize that once your luck is gone, you are out of time, but does Dean have what it takes to wipe out the competition?

“I learn from my brother.”

Dean proves to be quite the worthy opponent and I was beyond impressed with his pool skills, but Sam and Dean quickly realize that someone is stealing everyone’s luck…Atrox Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fate and luck.

SPN The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

Atrox Fortuna claims that Dean is just a “beach read” and is way more interested in Sam playing. Sam accepts the challenge and shows off his own skills, proving that he has learned quite a bit from big brother Dean over the years.

Go Sam!

“Don’t play his game. Make him play yours.”

Sam and Dean decide to challenge Atrox Fortuna to free everyone in the pool hall, even though it looks like their luck may be running out. Atrox Fortuna seems intrigued by their offer, but shows off her own skills before Sam even gets his turn.

Sam and Dean surprisingly leave with their lives, but are shocked when everyone else follows them out of the pool hall. It seems their honorable acts did not go unnoticed, as Atrox Fortuna says she thought their kind no longer existed…heroes.

The Winchesters have certainly earned this title, but let’s hope they can use Atrox Fortuna’s advice to stop Chuck/God in the end.

Dean starts Baby back up and it looks like the Winchesters are back!

“It’s really him.”

Castiel tracks down a lead and is shocked to learn that Jack Klein has been spotted. After witnessing Jack devour some hearts, Castiel is not sure what he is about to discover, but we learn that it is the real Jack and Billie has been keeping him hidden in The Empty to keep him off Chuck’s radar.

We witness a beautiful and heartwarming reunion between Jack, Castiel, Sam, and Dean, which honestly brought tears to my eyes, as their son returns to the family.

SPN The CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

It seems that our theories have been spot on, as Jack may be the only one who is actually strong enough to stop Chuck/God for good. And so the countdown to the end begins…

Stay tuned SPN family! New episodes return on Monday, March 16th! We’re nearing the end now!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 4 Episode 11: “Quiz Show”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 4 episode 11, if you didn’t already have Quiz Show fever, I’m sure you do by now.

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Sixty-Eight: Quiz Show,” Betty prepares for the Quiz Show match against Bret and Stonewall Prep with Veronica, Cheryl, and Toni by her side. Meanwhile, Cheryl and Veronica team up to win the rum war, Jughead’s book material puts a dent in his relationship with Betty, and Kevin explores a new potential business opportunity.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 4 episode 11 are:

“I just want to make him sweat.”

Charles is back in this episode, as both Betty and Jughead turn to him for help. Jughead is looking for some serial killer information that might help his next book premise and Betty wants to dig up some dirt on the competition, Bret.

After Betty discovers that Bret cheated on his PSATs, Bret turns the tables and reveals some of Jughead’s secrets, but will this put a permanent dent in Bughead’s relationship?

Let’s hope not…

“My dad believed in second chances and so do I.”

Archie is showing some of his naivete; however, as he decides to put Uncle Frank in charge of his father’s business. Morale is low and Archie decides to pass up on a job that would link them to Hiram Lodge, determined to keep integrity as a part of the business.

Mr. Keller clearly has some thoughts about Uncle Frank and tries to get Archie to see reason, especially when Uncle Frank helps himself to some petty cash.

Mr. Keller walks away and Archie explains that this cannot happen again, but Uncle Frank tries to tell him he was only trying to win enough money for the crew’s bonuses.

We know that there is a void in Archie’s life, but I’m not sure that Uncle Frank is the father figure he is searching for…

“Not anymore…”

After Bret tells Betty that Jughead is writing the next book based on The Black Hood, Betty is more than upset. Jughead tries to tell her that he was just throwing ideas around and had no intention of actually writing it without talking to her first, but the lies keep piling up around these two.

Charles finds out that Betty did not get into Yale because they didn’t want to be linked to the daughter of The Black Hood and Betty loses it. She heads out to the cemetery and decides to destroy her father’s headstone, frustrated that he has ruined everything for her.

Poor Betty…

“Our rum war is back on.”

Veronica and Cheryl make a dynamic duo for sure, as they team up to “rum block” Hiram for good. Hiram claims he is the grand master and is ready for any challenge thrown his way, however. After Veronica and Cheryl turn La Bonne Nuit into a dance club with free samples of their new maple rum, Hiram arranges for them to be raided, proving to be quite the opponent.

But, no one should mess with Veronica Luna and Cheryl Blossom!

Veronica and Cheryl come up with a plan to use their new dance club as a distraction while they set up shop at Penelope’s Maple Club, promoting exclusivity to some wealthy clients. Penelope is let out of the bunker on good behavior, as Cheryl forces her to put on a mask and manage the shop while they are at school.

Well played, Cheryl!

“Victory…tainted by a cloud of scandal.”

Rivw’s Quiz Show was quite competitive, but I would expect nothing less from our fabulous four Vixens, who really showed Stonewall Prep what they are made of. Only Alice tries to interfere and manages to sneak Betty a copy of the questions and the answers from the show, trying to make up for what happened to her to even the score.

Our girl Becky is no cheater; however, and wins the game fair and square. We even got a fun Mean Girls reference, “The limit does not exist,” which I thoroughly appreciated!

Even though Betty did not cheat, we assume that Bret found the questions in her trash and turned her in. The victory is gone and Betty is suspended.

Seriously, can we get a win for our girl B?

Jughead is beyond furious and challenges Bret to a duel and we then flash forward ahead again to find Betty sitting with Archie. The two are trying to cope with Jughead’s death and we get an interesting focus on them holding hands that might suggest there is something more here?

We’ll have to see how this plays out…

Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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

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