Spoiler-Free Review of “October Faction” on Netflix: Freakish Potential with Flat Delivery

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

A Mr. and Mrs. Smith type couple that fights supernatural monsters while balancing in some normal family drama. Sounds like it could be oozing with eerie potential.

October Faction premiered on Netflix on January 23rd 2020 with 10 new episodes (40 minutes in length). It stars Tamara Taylor, J.C. MacKenzie, Aurora Burghart, Gabriel Darku, and Maxim Roy.

The show is based on the comic series, The October Faction, introducing us to the Allen family. After a family tragedy, The Allens move back to their hometown, but the supernatural threats continue to track them down. Deloris and Fred’s twin children, Viv and Geoff, also deal with their own share of issues, especially when they start to discover that they may have some supernatural abilities of their own.

This is not the first time we have seen a horror/supernatural series try to balance out monsters and demons with family drama. Think of successful series like Supernatural, Charmed, and Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House. While the show has a lot of promise and potential, it seems like a lot of it was stifled by the uninspiring execution, along with the timing of being released the day prior to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

That being said, October Faction does have some redeeming qualities, but is it worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

October Faction Netflix 6 — Images courtesy of Netflix

A fantastic villain with otherworldly abilities.

Played by Maxim Roy, Alice, really breathes new life into the show. The mystery surrounding her is the most intriguing part of the series and she really performs some cringe-worthy acts with her powers that will make you think twice about going up against her.

Likable characters.

The Allen family may have a lot of dark secrets, but they also deal with everyday problems as well. The balance works well, as we leave the monster hunting in the background and focus on the character dynamics.

The twins, Viv and Geoff, have to deal with a lot of identity searching in high school and their performances are believable and captivating. Plus, they have some pretty awesome abilities too!

The Cons:

October Faction Netflix 5 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Way too much set-up in the opening episodes.

The show starts off really slow and boring with a few sprinkles of potential here and there, but it was honestly a struggle to watch episodes 1-3. Normally, if this was a weekly show, I would have tuned out by now, but I gave it a chance since I could watch all the episodes at once.

Surprisingly, episodes 4-9 are actually quite brilliant and the plot really takes off with interesting twists and reveals. However, I can’t ignore the fact that the first three episodes are just so uninspiring and I have a feeling many of you might tune out. However, if you are willing to take a chance, episode 4 is where things really start to pick up.

So am I in or out?

October Faction Netflix 4 — Images courtesy of Netflix

This is a tough one. I’m in for episodes 4-9, which were binge-watch worthy, but overall, I am out because the opening episodes were so dull and the ending was kind of all over the place. I’m frustrated about this one because this show could have been fantastic and it almost felt rushed and clumsily put together.

I would recommend that you watch shows like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Light as a Feather first if you are looking for an entertaining supernatural watch, but if you are willing to put the work into watching October Faction, there are some entertaining moments sprinkled in.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 10 episode 12: “Gallavich!”

Happy Monday TV fans! After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 10 episode 12 season finale, we knew it was going to be a stressful day, but the Gallaghers refuse to let hate win, reminding us that true love can conquer all…even Mickey’s dad.

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not watched the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “Gallavich!” Ian and Mickey prepare for their wedding day, but things get complicated when Mickey’s dad decides to burn down their venue. Meanwhile, Lip tries to get through to Tami, Liam works his magic with Frank, and Julia gets punched in the face.

My top 5 moments from the Shameless season 10 episode 12 season finale are:

“You got game son.”

Liam tries to come up with the perfect present for Ian and Mickey and decides that he wants to get them a honeymoon car without spending money, which is where Frank comes into play. Liam tricks Frank by telling him that they are selling the house, which gets one of Faye’s cars in the right place at the right time.

Frank is impressed with Liam, but tells him he’s not going to the wedding. Liam reminds him that they don’t expect him to show up to much and actually talks some sense into his father, as Frank arrives to show his support…and to reunite with an old flame.

I thought it was nice that Ian spoke to Debbie about missing Monica, but no mention of Fiona not attending?

“You got another mask?”

Tami is furious at Lip for renting the house in Southside without talking to her first and tells him that she is going to take Fred to Milwaukee without him.

Shameless Showtime 4 — Images courtesy of Showtime

Lip is beyond heartbroken and resorts to drinking at the wedding, but luckily he shows up at Brad’s door and tells him he needs to find a meeting.

Tami has a change of heart and decides to move in with Lip after all. I’m not the biggest fan of Tami, but I don’t want Lip to be separated from his son. We’ll have to see how this all plays out in the final season, but it’s clear that Lip is destined to be a great father and now he’ll get the chance to prove it.

“Welcome to the Southside, Julia.”

Julia’s back and now she claims that she is moving in with Debbie.

Shameless Showtim3 6 — Images courtesy of Showtime

Sandy has other ideas after her own intimate night with Debbie and punches Julia…right in the face. It’s not like she didn’t have this coming. Nice Sandy!

Julia continues to argue with her mom and stirs up some more drama, but it looks like she is moving on to Carl...at least for a casual hookup. At the end of the episode, the police show up looking for Debbie, charging her with statutory rape since Julia is not 18 yet. Our girl Debbie Gallagher makes a run for it, but it looks like her love triangle fiasco is now catching up with her.

Run, Debbie!

“Ask me fool!”

Kevin Ball’s Keg Zone is really making some impressive progress, as Kev begins to save a stash of money. He doesn’t initially tell V about it, which makes her suspicious, but we later find out he was saving to buy V…an engagement ring!

Shameless Showtime 3 — Images courtesy of Showtime

Kev asks V to marry him after Ian and Mickey’s wedding and it’s about time! So happy for these two!!!!!!

“At last!”

After Mickey’s father burns down The Bamboo Lotus, Ian and Mickey are out of a venue. Debbie suggests that they “white trash this shit” up, as they pool together their resources. Eventually, they settle on The Polish Doll, but the owner is not a fan of the LGBTQ community.

Luckily, Lip and Debbie get creative, as Debbie wears a wedding dress, claiming to be the bride. She keeps the owner distracted with her wedding day jitters while the real wedding takes place.

“At Last” is the perfect song choice, Ian! We finally get to witness Gallavich earning their first step toward happily ever after as these two tie the knot!

Shameless Showtime 7 — Images courtesy of Showtime

The wedding is romantic and perfect and I teared up quite a bit, but we also get some true Gallavich adventure at the end when Mickey’s father tries to shoot up their honeymoon.

It’ll never be quiet for these two, but at least they have each other!

Stay tuned for the final season of Shameless!!!!!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Supernatural” Season 15 Episode 10: “Monday Monster Mayhem”

Happy Friday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Supernatural season 15 episode 10, we learned that the hero thing is not always fun and sometimes it’s up to the guest star to save the day, but is being downgraded to normal right for the Winchesters?

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

In last night’s episode, “The Heroes’ Journey,” Sam and Dean run into some bad luck, as they head out to help their old friend, Garth. Meanwhile, an underground monster fight club is making waves, but what will happen when our favorite hunters end up as the main event?

My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 15 episode 10 are:

“We’re cursed.”

Sam and Dean start off their day with a normal routine. Sam decides to cook and Dean wants to stock up on supplies, but the day begins to get a little bit strange when one bad thing happens after another.

Dean’s special credit card from Charlie gets declined, Sam comes down with a cold, and even Baby breaks down.

I wish Charlie could have hooked me up with one of those hacked credit cards too!

“I sort of named him after you….”

Sam and Dean get a call from Garth and decide to head out to help him. Garth is enjoying life as a family man, cherishing the little things in life. He may be a werewolf now, but it looks like things are working out for him after all.

Sam and Dean meet his baby twins named Sam and…Castiel. Poor Dean!

They are really adorable though!

“Let’s misbehave.”

Dean’s bad luck continues as his teeth start to really hurt. Luckily, Garth is now a dentist, but we learn that Dean has never been to the dentist before and now apparently has 17 cavities. Yikes, it’s time to start flossing!

SPN The CW 4 — Images courtesy of The CW

Meanwhile, Garth’s wife offers to help Sam with his cold and gives him a home remedy to try…filled with cayenne pepper.

SPN The CW 5 — Images courtesy of The CW

At least it’s not all bad, as Garth puts Dean to sleep while he works on his teeth, allowing us to see Dean channel his inner Gene Kelly in black and white. I have to say that the tap dancing was fantastic. Dean can sing, dance, and fight monsters. Is there anything he can’t do?

SPN The CW 6 — Images courtesy of The CW

“Then I guess we need a grenade launcher.”

Sam and Dean find out about an underground monster fight club and decide to check it out, but Sam reminds him that they can’t really bust in there with guns blazing since they are normal now.

Sam and Dean stock up on weapons, but wind up in trouble when they end up as the main event for Monday Monster Mayhem.

Watch out, guys!

“I learned from the best.”

The heroes don’t always have to save the day, as Sam and Dean wind up in quite a bit of trouble. Luckily, Garth comes to their rescue and does some serious damage with a hunter’s best friend…C-4.

The monsters get Garthed for sure, but Garth reminds Sam and Dean that he learned from the best. He tells them that there is this place in Alaska where they can potentially get their luck back, but what kind of catch will it involve?

Overall, I thought this was a fun episode filled with the Winchester fluff I have come to know and adore. As we now approach the second half of the final season, I’m hoping that we can balance in some more fun episodes to remind us why we all fell in love with this series in the first place.

Stay tuned SPN family!

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

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 4 Episode 10: “Cherry Bomb”

Happy Thursday TV fans! The wait is finally over and Archie and the gang are back just in time for the big game! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 4 episode 10, I learned that Stonewall Prep “doesn’t play to win, they play to hurt,” but hell hath no fury like a Riverdale woman seeking out revenge. Watch out, guys!

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

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Sixty-Seven: Varsity Blues,” it’s time for the big football game, as our two rival schools prepare for war. Meanwhile, Cheryl meets the new cheerleading coach, Jughead reveals some secrets to Quill & Skull, and a B & V scam is up and running once again.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 4 episode 10 are:

“You respect what a man chooses for himself.”

Were you wondering about Archie’s Uncle Frank? Me too! Well, at least we get some answers, as we discover that Uncle Frank may be the black sheep of the family. Mrs. Andrews does not get along with him and tells Archie that Fred was blamed for a DUI when Uncle Frank was driving.

Things also start to get shady when Uncle Frank offers Munroe some drugs to help his kneel heal quicker, but Archie seems to have a fast change of heart, agreeing to allow Uncle Frank to stay with him temporarily.

Riverdale The CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

Let’s hope he doesn’t bring our favorite vigilante to the dark side…

“It tastes like money.”

Veronica is determined to beat her father and even comes up with her own special blend of rum…Luna Rum. Sounds catchy and apparently it is quite spicy as well, but Hiram finds out and serves Veronica with a cease and desist letter, reminding her that she is still using his patented recipe.

Reggie has some interesting ideas about how to get revenge that are quite juvenile, but Veronica is playing to win and decides to team up with Cheryl to make the perfect blend using her maple syrup.

Go V!

“Maybe you could go turn on your femme fatale charm.”

Betty is determined to get some dirt on Bret and the rest of the team to prove that they are playing dirty, but it looks like we are ready for another classic B & V scam. Veronica, or “Monica,” wears her blonde wig to perfection and tries to get close to Bret.

She can “smell his privilege from across the room” and it looks like she is actually getting somewhere with Betty listening in, but Jughead outs her in front of the party as poor Betty now finds out that Jughead is part of the Quill & Skull secret society.

Riverdale The CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

I always love an excuse for a good B & V team up, but let’s hope that they can take Bret down once and for all!

“I run the show around here.”

Yes you do, Cheryl! Cheryl and the Vixens are preparing for Spirit Week and the big game, but Mr. Honey reminds her that a new coach will be taking over, Miss Appleyard. Miss Appleyard doesn’t seem to be threatened, so has Cheryl finally met her match?

Riverdale The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

Cheryl refuses to take orders from her and reminds her that her “body is perfection, you crone!” After Mr. Honey threatens to take away prom for the squad, they turn their backs on Cheryl and agree to follow Miss Appleyard because you know, we can’t have any singing and dancing in cheerleading…

Cheryl is not through; however, and ends up locking Miss Appleyard in her office so that she can put on a showstopping number to “Cherry Bomb.”

Our HBIC is back, but I’m interested to find out more about Miss Appleyard and her motivation in all of this…

Theories on her arrival?

“We may have lost the game, but haven’t lost the war.”

After losing the game to Stonewall Prep, Bret seems quite confident. He tells Betty he’s sorry about her article getting canned with a lot of smug attitude. Betty doesn’t seem to be intimidated at all; however, especially since she just started digging. After all, who knows what else she will find?

Betty approaches Mr. Honey and tells him that Stonewall Prep also wins a Quiz Team tournament each year and is beyond motivated to kick their ass. Our new captain is out for blood and it looks like she will have an unstoppable team with Veronica, Cheryl, and Toni by her side, but we know that Betty is going to dominate the competition.

Riverdale The CW 4 — Images courtesy of The CW

We then flash forward to one month later and see Betty packing up some of Jughead’s things. Bret says that they will be the only ones going to Yale now, which begs the question, did Betty feel threatened when Jughead got into Yale? We know that Betty was initially rejected, so how did she turn the tables here?

The plot thickens, but I can’t wait to find out more and next week’s Quiz Show looks like it is going to be vicious and fantastic. I can’t wait! 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

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 10 episode 11: “Livin’ on a Prayer”

Happy Monday TV fans! After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 10 episode 11, Kev reminded us that “the longest part of a journey is always the first step,” and if you don’t believe him, check your fortune cookie.

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not watched the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “Location, Location, Location,” Debbie gets caught in the middle of Julia and Claudia’s drama while looking quite dapper in her tux. Meanwhile, Lip has second thoughts about moving, Liam attempts to track down Frank, and Ian and Mickey discuss wedding plans.

My top 5 moments from Shameless season 10 episode 11 are:

“So we’re not the good cops?”

Carl continues to work undercover to prove that the sanitation department is dirty even though his boss reminds him that he’s not undercover and perhaps he should stop telling people that he is.

Carl is definitely loyal to the cause and reminds his boss that he “took a shit in someone’s house” to keep up appearances, but it looks like he certainly is going to make a great cop one day.

Although, he might want to figure out what side he’s actually on…

“I found my calling.”

Kev comes to the realization that he needs a thing, now accepting that he won’t make it into the NBA. V hilariously reminds him that he was never going to play for the NBA, but Kev is still determined to write his letter of retirement. I mean, “Dear Basketball” is a great start!

Kev is anxious to discover the next chapter of his life, but V points out that “retirement is for rich people.” After the husband from the school auction shows up to cash in on his personal training session with Kev, this inspires a new calling, as he decides to train people with…“keg lifts.”

Shameless Showtime 5 — Images courtesy of Showtime

It seems like it’s working so far so perhaps Kev has found his thing after all!

“Remember, you’re desperately in love with me.”

How could Debbie forget?! Debbie continues to web a lie of deception, agreeing to go to the homecoming dance with Julia, but of course, Claudia’s birthday dinner is on the same night!

Debbie is convinced that she can swing both and even learns how to tie a bow tie like a champ from Sandy Milkovich, but it’s only a matter of time before she gets caught…

After starting off with an impressive run back and forth, Claudia notices the boutonniere on Debbie’s jacket and of course she recognizes it…since she bought it for her daughter’s date.

Debbie is caught in the middle of this mother-daughter drama and decides to leave them to their rich people problems while she ends up having a blast with Sandy Milkovich.

Shameless Showtime 6 — Images courtesy of Showtime

It looks like Debbie is moving on to Sandy, but what will happen when Julia shows up on their doorstep next week?

“The other path also led to addiction…”

Well, Frank may be honest here, but at least he’s out of the woods and out of rehab! Frank is ready to find his next scheme, but he runs into Faye, who tells him that she is going back to Puerto Rico for the winter.

Faye still seems to have some lingering feelings here, but Frank is not about to pass up a new scheme, as he decides to break into Faye’s house and enjoy some relaxation by himself.

Liam eventually tracks him down and Frank reluctantly agrees to sign his paper so he doesn’t get kicked out of school, but Frank now starts to think that Faye’s house may really be haunted after all…

Shameless Showtime 1 — Images courtesy of Showtime

After a few close calls, Frank runs into the “yard guy” and they realize that they are both staying there without Faye knowing. They strike a deal to both stay there and it looks like this may be the start of another beautiful friendship for Frank…

“Can’t we just be Ian and Mickey?”

After Mickey’s father threatens him, Mickey is ready to pull out all the stops for the wedding, but Ian just wants things to go smoothly. Mickey has quite a few thoughts about flowers and song choices, but don’t mess with him when it comes to selecting the perfect chairs…

Ian recognizes that Mickey is on edge because of his father, but he tries to be as supportive as he can while reminding Mickey that he does love him. In a truly romantic moment, Ian gets the guitar player to perform “Livin’ on a Prayer” for Mickey, which seems to get these two back on track.

It looks like we’ll be seeing the wedding in next week’s season finale, but I’m sure we will have to deal with a lot of obstacles along the way. Well, at least Lip isn’t moving anymore, although this may put a dent in his relationship with Tami…

Stay tuned Gallagher fans!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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My performance of the week ending 1/18/20 on TV goes to…

Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester on The CW’s Supernatural.

If you thought Jared was done shattering our hearts into a million pieces after winning your favorite male performance on television for two years in a row, think again! Sam Winchester is starting 2020 off with a heart-wrenching performance that will continue to linger with you long after watching Season 15 episode 9, “The Trap.”

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

Jared Padalecki has this brilliant way of bringing the fans in with charm and compassion. He is so effective as Sam Winchester, making you truly think that he is your best friend. He’s someone to root for against all odds and he wears his heart on his sleeve, which is not an easy thing to do when he is constantly facing angels, demons, and God.

Sam Winchester The CW 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

While all of the performances on SPN are always fantastic, there is just something about Jared’s portrayal of Sam that truly resonates with me. His connection with God put him in danger and yet he still tries to hold on to that last sliver of hope, refusing to believe that there could be a world where Dean would ever give up.

Sam’s loyalty and courage make him a true hero. Even though Chuck wants to believe that there is only one end to the Winchester story, there is no breaking Sam Winchester. His dark trip to the future was revealing enough, allowing Chuck’s plan to work, but Sam is a fighter and he’s not going to give up without reaching into the deepest depths of his soul to make a difference.

Sam Winchester The CW 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

Sam has made so many sacrifices along the way and now he has to pass on a chance at romance with Eileen, but I have a feeling that all of Sam’s good work is going to pay off in the end. When it comes to rooting for the good guys, Sam is the epitome of everything in this world that is worth fighting for. Perhaps he should be taking care of the world rather than Chuck, keeping us all safe from monsters while showing love and understanding to others in need.

What’s next for Sam? Well, we are pretty much back at square one now that Chuck is free, but Sam’s actions did matter, as Dean is the one to remind him that they will find a way. Sam is the glue that keeps the Winchester family together and while it will be bitter sweet to say goodbye, I know that Sam is destined for great things.

Supernatural The CW 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

Thank you Jared Padalecki for continuing to inspire us with your moving performances. You’re one of a kind!

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 “Supernatural” Season 15 Episode 9: “I Hate Missing my Favorite Show”

Happy Friday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Supernatural season 15 episode 9, we learned that hope can be extremely powerful, but when you break that last remaining glimmer, is it truly gone forever?

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

In last night’s episode, “The Trap,” Chuck kidnaps Sam and Eileen and is determined to sever his connection with Sam once and for all. Meanwhile, Dean and Castiel head to Purgatory to find the Leviathan Blossom, running into some threats along the way.

My top 5 moments from Supernatural season 15 episode 9 are:

“All good things must come to an end.”

Sam wakes up to discover that Chuck is holding him and Eileen captive in a casino. Chuck reminds Sam that they are still connected, which is keeping him trapped and weak. Sam tries to stay strong, as Chuck begins to reveal his plan, hoping that Dean and Castiel can get to them before it’s too late.

“That’s the way we’ll save Sam and that’s the way we’ll save the world.”

Wise words indeed, Castiel. After Eileen tries to call for help, Dean wants to rush in to save Sam, but Castiel reminds him not to be stupid. He explains that they only have a small window to retrieve the Leviathan Blossom from Purgatory, which will save Sam and the rest of the world.

Dean will do anything to save his brother, but Castiel continues to be the voice of reason here, recognizing that sometimes sacrifice is necessary for the good of the world.

“This is gonna hurt her as much as it hurts you.”

As Chuck begins to reveal his plan, we learn that he used Eileen to spy on the Winchesters. He forces Eileen to start cutting away at Sam’s wound against her will and by the end of the episode, Eileen is ready to part ways with Sam, not sure if anything is real.

However, Sam gives her a swoon-worthy kiss and tells her that it is real, but it looks like Eileen may be safer away from Sam right now until he is off Chuck’s radar.

“You don’t have to say it.”

After Dean and Castiel run into some threats in Purgatory and get separated, Dean takes a moment to himself to admit that he was wrong and to tell Castiel that he forgives him. Later when they are reunited, Castiel tells him that he doesn’t have to say anything and that he heard his prayer, providing us with a heartwarming Destiel moment for sure!

“I will make it better.”

Chuck gives Sam the opportunity to see the future, as we get several glimpses from Sam’s perspective. In this future world, all of their friends are dead or gone except for Jody and other Bobby, but this future is dark and hopeless, as even Dean begins to give up.

The watch Sam holds stops on December 9th 2022, as Chuck explains that this is the end of the line. Sam watches in horror as he and Dean are turned into vampires and killed by their friend, but he tells Chuck that there has to be another way to make it better.

Chuck reminds Sam that without him, the monsters will devour the world and take over, giving Sam something to really think about. When Dean and Castiel show up to save the day, Sam cannot go through with smashing the Leviathan Blossom, recognizing that he has to protect the world.

Chuck is ultimately set free by breaking Sam’s hope, so now we have that to worry about that. Later on, Dean reminds him that they will not give up and they will find another way, as we are left with a huge cliffhanger at the end, flashing to Jack and Billie in The Empty.

Is Jack somehow the loophole to stop Chuck’s plan for good? Can Sam and Dean re-write Chuck’s story or are they destined to repeat the memories of other Sams and Deans from alternate realities?

I’m confident that the Winchester brothers will be able to write their own stories, as we inch closer and closer to the end of our beloved series, but will it end the way we expect?

Stay tuned SPN family!

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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Outsider” on HBO: A Glimmer of Haunting Potential

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

In the midst of this slow burn crime drama, there is this potential for chilling perfection lurking in the shadows. Combine that with an extremely talented cast, an intriguing plot, and some supernatural elements, and this could be the formula for a hypnotizing new show.

The Outsider premiered on HBO on January 12th 2020 with two full length back-to-back episodes. The mini-series will feature 10 episodes (60 minutes in length). It stars Jason Bateman, Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, and Julianne Nicholson.

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Outsider follows the investigation behind the horrific murder of a young boy. After evidence begins to appear quite quickly, things become much more complicated with potential supernatural forces at play, causing the lead investigator to question things further.

This slow burn crime drama has the potential to hook its audience completely, but does it do enough in its first two episodes to keep us coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The Outsider HBO 1 — Images courtesy of HBO

An extremely talented cast.

The performances are so captivating and believable from the opening minutes of the series. Having an all star cast definitely works in the show’s favor. The characters are compelling enough and there are still a lot of secrets left to uncover, hooking us in that much more.

Some really creepy and gruesome elements.

There are some graphic images in this show, but it adds to the shock and horror behind the crime. We also get some really creepy moments that I haven’t quite figured out yet, stirring with disturbing possibility. The use of discord music to set some of these scenes is actually quite brilliant as well, really creating a world of unexplained mystery.

The Cons:

The Outsider HBO 2 — Images courtesy of HBO

The pacing is slow…extremely slow.

I watched the two opening episodes back-to-back and felt like I was sitting there for over three hours. I even almost fell asleep a few times because of that so I’m not sure that a double episode premiere was wise.

Moving forward, I will only watch one episode at a time. There is a lot to process, but I am really hoping that the show can pick up some steam because that may be its biggest downfall.

So am I in or out?

The Outsider HBO 3 — Images courtesy of HBO

I’m in…at least for now. Episode 3 will introduce us to Cynthia Erivo’s character, Holly Gibney, and I am truly hoping that she can liven things up and start to make sense of this case.

The unexplained mystery is genuinely intriguing and I want to see this unfold, but things need to pick up so that I don’t lose interest completely.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Outsider in the comments section below. Thanks 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!

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

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Shameless” season 10 episode 10: “What’s an acronym?”

Happy Monday TV fans! After watching Showtime’s Shameless season 10 episode 10, I realized that sometimes you have to say goodbye in order to truly start over. But is a Gallagher truly ready to leave the Southside behind?

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not watched the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “Now Leaving Illinois,” Debbie gets caught up in a love triangle with Claudia and Julia. Meanwhile, Lip and Tami contemplate moving, Liam is threatened with a permanent vacation from school, and Carl discovers that “garbage is dirty.”

My top 5 moments from Shameless season 10 episode 10 are:

“I’m a user, not a seller!”

Frank gets caught up in quite the jam after Faye sets him up to wind up in prison, but Frank Gallagher can talk his way out of almost anything. After helping out the new processing officer and reasoning with the judge, Frank manages to get out of there with some community service and a trip to rehab.

Faye is less than pleased that her “pharmaceutical entrapment” did not work like she anticipated, but are there still some sparks flying between these two? We know that Frank likes his women on the crazy side, but it looks like he may be preoccupied with his new business venture within the behavioral rehab center.

Frank Gallagher always finds a way to make some fast cash…

“We need to get out of here while we still have a chance!”

After Kev determines the definition of an acronym, he heads out with V to a “Win a Date Couples Auction,” which could seal the deal to get their girls into a prestigious academy for kindergarten.

After Kev and V are auctioned for $5000, things start to get a little weird and they realize that the couple may actually be swingers. I guess that’s more believable than Kev’s initial theory about them being hunted down by rich people for sport…

Kev and V weigh the pros and cons and decide to go through with it for their girls, but they are more than surprised when the couple shows up with their son, claiming they want to show him true suffering among the poor so that he is motivated in life.

Perhaps the girls going to public school is not such a bad thing after all…

“So you’re doing the mom and the daughter? Cause that’s hot.”

Well said, Megan! Megan continues to be a supportive friend to Debbie, but Debbie has certainly gotten herself stuck in a mess of her own. Claudia seems to be very happy with her and even offers her a job at the house, but Debbie’s sexcapade adventures with Julia may put a hold on this.

Shameless Showtime 2 — Images courtesy of Showtime

After Debbie tries to let Julia down gently, Julia threatens to expose her to her mother, so I guess Debbie is going to the homecoming dance after all…

“When you know, you know.”

After Ian hilariously tries to bring a date to make Mickey jealous, he winds up with Cole, who certainly lights up every room with his presence. Ian overhears Byron speaking badly about Mickey and he defends his man’s honor, punching him in the face.

This act of Gallavich love gives Mickey the green light to punch Cole as well, as Ian then proposes to Mickey! In true Mickey fashion, Ian is told to save the speech and it looks like these two are finally ready to have their happily ever after.

Swoon!

“That’s all I got.”

After Lip successfully makes it through his first meeting with Tami’s family, he learns that they want to give them Tami’s grandmother’s house until they can get on their feet. Sounds perfect, but the house is located in Milwaukee, which is two hours away from Lip’s home.

Lip is initially hesitant, but after they see the place for themselves, Lip starts to realize that this could open so many doors for him and his son. Lip holds a family meeting of his own and tells the Gallaghers that he is leaving.

So, what does this mean for Lip’s character? We only have two episodes left this season and with Fiona’s departure last season, is Lip now going to make his exit as well? We’ll have to wait and see how this unfolds, but I do want Lip to finally find the happiness he deserves.

Stay tuned!

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

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

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

My performance of the week ending 1/11/20 on TV goes to…

Marlo Kelly as Beth Cassidy on USA Network’s Dare Me.

There’s a new mean girl in town and she can already give Regina George and Heather Chandler a run for their money. Throw in some over-competitive cheerleading, dark secrets, obsession, and a possible murder, and she may just be crowned the new Queen Bee.

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

Dare Me has aired two episodes so far and I am already completely captivated by Beth Cassidy, played brilliantly by Marlo Kelly. While a lot of the other characters have potential as well, there is something almost magnetic about Beth. Her wide eye stares and dangerous actions make her a potential modern day femme fatale, but there’s also several layers beneath this tough appearance.

Beth clearly has a weakness for her best friend, but we all know that obsession can be a deadly game, especially when someone gets in her way. While the cheesy montages are a little bit much, Marlo nails every scene with unsettling perfection. This may be her break-out role because she is destined for stardom.

In addition, Beth clearly has some family issues going on. Her father moved in with his mistress across the street and their daughter is also on the squad, which causes even more drama during games and practice. Being on top of the pyramid is not just a privilege…it’s a necessity, and Beth is willing to take out the competition while keeping a smile planted on her face.

Beth is already set up to face off against our main protagonist, Coach Colette French (Willa Fitzgerald), but will she be able to put her personal agenda aside for the good of the team? I personally am looking forward to more interactions between these two because the tension is intense.

Coach Colette French does not initially seem to be intimidated by Beth, but she is not an ordinary teenage girl. There is clearly this jealousy and rage brewing inside of Beth, but she is able to appear so calm and in control on the surface. Sometimes, that can be even more dangerous; however, as Beth even keeps certain secrets from her best friend, Addy. Beth is manipulative and calculating and yet we can’t turn away from her.

Marlo Kelly fearlessly embraces this beautiful dark role with perfect poise. She is a scene stealer for sure and the main reason why I keep coming back for more every single week.

What’s next for Beth? Well, there is this mystery unfolding slowly week after week and you have to wonder if Beth is behind a possible crime, but is she the obvious choice? Beth has already demonstrated that she is not afraid to break the rules to get what she wants, but how far will she go?

I can’t wait to find out!

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

[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!

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