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Welcome back friends. Class is in session and Sir is covering good manners. [SPOILERS]   His first pupil this episode is Christian, his estranged brother who inadvertently signed up for a pop quiz when his car failed to start. Lucky for him, Sir is sitting in the back seat advising him not to try the engine again. Who knew Sir was also a mechanic? The man is an Onion with so many layers. But one thing stays constant, his pursuit for Gabrielle.  This episode is filled with revelations about Sir, his mindset and emotions towards Gabi. You can tell the writers were having a good time breaking down this script as we see him bare more of himself while also sharing a glimpse of his childhood. Sir has a heart…kind of… Lesson number one: it is impolite to answer a question with a question, “I raised you better than that,” Sir said to Christian. Lesson number two: “I am loved. I have purpose now. And Gabrielle needs me,” Sir continued. Lesson number three: “Gabrielle is family,” and warns Christian from blocking his efforts to reunite with her. Lets say it together – Christian, you in danger boy. Do you know who else is in danger? Lacey. She has a painful concussion and weaves in and out of consciousness at Sir’s new hideout. In her moments of blackout, we are taken to her childhood, where we see Bella kept a knife under her bed. We also learn how Sir tortured her with messages in puzzle books. It’s amazing she ever got her voice back. The clock is running down on “Where is Lacey?” and with the payphone destroyed, Gabi must find a way to reach Sir. Everything has escalated and no one is immune to the fallout of all her lies. Exhausting all potential leads, Gabi decides to use a new case to draw Sir out of hiding. The Runaway Prison Bride hits Sir’s sweet spot and he re-engages after seeing Gabi faint at a press conference. Using Lacey’s phone, the battle of wits commences but Sir is not amused. “You are disappointing me Gabrielle,” he says. Gabi tries to tell him what he wants but all she is focused on is confirmation that Lacey is ok. Sir, staying in control – lets her know “wrong answer.” Gabi forgot. It’s his ball. His bat. His game. Gabi’s road to forgiveness is filled with potholes. Margaret’s super vision is still weak (only works when Gabi is not around) and Trent is still heartbroken that Gabi didn’t trust him with the truth. “Grief does not give you a pass to break the law,” Trent said. Focusing back on the Runaway Prison Bride, Sir calls Gabi again, and this time, she takes it slow. Listening to him. Processing and digesting his words. He believes they are destined to be together, like Romeo and Juliet. But there is always someone trying to pull them apart. Gabi realizes who Betty’s captor is – her lawyer. Done out of friendship, not malice, the lawyer is arrested.  After finding a clue at Sir’s old hideout, the M&A team goes to a book store Sir was at and buys the same books as he did. Gabi sees the message Sir is sending her. The books he bought were also books Gabi got for Lacey when she was child. Lacey is okay. And Gabi knows where to go find them. Now, things get a little surreal for me. We see Lacey on the ground as Gabi enters the room. We are treated to a face-to-face between Gabi and Sir – their push and pull is captivating. It is here where the audience is pulled into the scene, holding their breath as the episode nears a close.  Will Romeo sway Juliet to his side? Sir professes to Gabi in an unexpected way that confirms for me the delight the writers must have had in their room. Sir says, “I thought I was saving you…. this time – it has to be your choice…. So, will you go with me?” Pregnant pause. What did Sir just say?! Lacey, gathers her strength and stabs Sir from behind with the knife Gabi hid in a book she tossed to the ground. In pain, Sir yells “Gabrielle!” and Gabi instantly stops Lacey. This cry for help reveals their heightened bond. This connection for him is real. Sir feels safe with Gabrielle. Protected. As Gabi calls for help, the camera shot widens – Sir is gone. Disappeared from the room. Where did he go? Was he even there?  As Lacey is rushed to the hospital, the last few words from Sir, linger in the air for me.  “It’s Just the two of us now, for the rest of our lives”.  Will it be like this for them? Forever?  The chase continues next week Thursday on NBC and Streaming on Peacock. What did you think of the episode? Drop a comment and vote in our poll below.

I was first put on LaDarrion Williams "Blood at the Root" via X (formerly Twitter) when I saw a tweet about it. It had to show up on my algorithm as a fan of the supernatural. Anyone that knows me, knows I am a huge Harry Potter fan (I mean I have a tattoo) and love fantasy stories. This story is described as Harry Potter meets an HBCU. I had the pleasure of interviewing the author LaDarrion Williams during my time over at SpoilerTV and I will link that interview below for you to watch. At the time of the interview, I was halfway thru the book and recently finished it. Everything I said during the interview about what I loved about the book was of course true and now that I have finished it, I can give a complete review and lay out my thoughts. I've seen other reviews saying that the book is too much like Harry Potter. As I consider myself somewhat of a Harry Potter expert, I have to address this criticism. JK Rowling did not invent the idea of witches and magical folk attending school to learn about their craft and history; that isn't new she just offered a fresh take, her take and LaDarrion does that here. When you are telling the story of a young person with powers attending school, of course you can expect to have mysterious professors, love interests and bullies. It comes with any young adult story that features a teenager. That concept does not change because of Harry Potter. LaDarrion tells the story of a young black boy with magic attending an all black school in the deep south. It is unique and different than and welcoming. This leads me into my next criticism I would like to address: the story is too black. I am not sure how any content can be too black as this story is a representation of us. Can a person be too black? I do not understand those that felt that way. If you felt the book had language that was too strong or language you do not use then I would be able to understand that, but too black? No, there is no such thing. Malik, the main character is like many black boys from the South. He grew up playing outside, eating soul food and enjoying being a kid until he life was changed with the discovery of his magical abilities and what he believes to be the murder of his mother. Growing up in the system is hard and the book explores what that is like for a black child honestly. I love how Malik looks after his little foster brother, their relationship is one of my favorites. There is also the relationship with his love interest Alexis that brings teenage drama but also adult drama at the same time. Malik's group of friends he makes at the school are so important and so real and they definitely bring the comic relief. Malik's relationship with is grandmother reminds me so much of my aunties growing up. The magic rooted in hoodoo and creole is a brilliant touch. The pacing of the story flowed really well and each character made sense. There is a twist of course that I won't spoil but it had my mouth on the floor and feeling so bad for Malik. This book is a love letter to the black community. Don't take my word for it, pick up a copy and check out my interview with author LaDarrion Williams for SpoilerTV below: What did you think of the book? Drop a comment.

Title:  Strikeout Author: Millie Perez Genre:  Sports Romance Format: ebook Rating:  Enjoyed Spice: Flamin Hot Cheeto Synopsis: Mateo Martinez, starting pitcher of the New York Monarchs needs one thing. A nanny for his daughter. What he doesn’t need? Is the temptation that is Isabella Morales as his LIVE IN nanny.   Thoughts: From the dedication to the very last page, I was in love. This book was a beautiful picture of the love and heartbreak of being so close, yet so far removed from your roots, cultura and people as well as a sweet and spicy love story.  Mateo is not only a hot professional ball player who is Latine, he’s also an older man and  a single dad who loves his baby girl to pieces. Isabella is still trying to get her life back on track after a traumatic and very public end to her last relationship. Getting out of her childhood bedroom in her parents apartment is step number one.  When Mateo’s search for a more permanent nanny for his daughter reaches her ear, via her mother, who is best friends’ with Mateo’s mom, Isabella decides this could be her chance to get out from under her parents and finally launch her business.  What follows is a mix of spicy and tender moments between the two that left me smiling like a lunatic and getting a little hot beneath the collar. Although the romance was beautiful and funny and all the things I look for in a good story. My favorite parts are where we get to see Mateo’s struggles with the disconnect he feels with his heritage, his people and his cultura. When he talked about that disconnect for the first time in public, it hit something deep in my soul. As a born Nuyorican who didn’t grow up speaking Spanish, I felt every one of his words and when Mateo said “Yo soy Boricua aunque naciera en la luna”, I cried big fat tears. ‘Cause same. I’m always looking for characters that look and sound like me and my familia. I’m constantly looking for myself in the pages of books and as usual, Millie Perez let me (and thousands of other Latine kids, raised away from their ancestral lands) feel seen, between the pages of this book.  Quotes:  “Who pissed in your Cafe Bustelo?”  -Anthony “So I guess that means, for the time being, that your needs are  of my concern.”                               -Mateo “Listen, man, if I was ambidextrous, I’d probably be doing double-handed criss-cross applesauce, too.”                                -Ace  “Yo soy Boricua aunque naciera en la luna.”                                -Mateo  **************                                               Rating: LOVED= 5 Stars. A new fav. Will be talking about every chance I get.  ENJOYED= 4-3 Stars.  It wasn’t a life changer but I would recommend.  0-2 Stars/ DNF= I will not post a review about a book I didn’t enjoy or did not finish. Good vibes only. I support anyone who’s brave enough to create their own work and put it out into the world for others.  Spice:  Puffy Cheeto- No Spice.  Crunchy Cheeto- Closed Door/Fade to Black Flamin Hot Cheeto- Spicy. A few detailed scenes.  Takis- Erotica. With more mature themes. What did you think of Strikeout? Leave a comment and vote in our poll below:

Title:  Iced (ARC) Author: Cala Riley Genre:  College Sports Romance Rating: Enjoyed Spice: Flamin Hot Cheeto   Synopsis: Grace has been in love with Kellan since high school but they’ve never been more than best friends. The shy girl and her hockey playing best guy friend. Now they’re in college and things are changing for them both. Grace is no longer okay with being Kellan’s shadow and doormat. When she’s befriended by Clay, captain of the hockey team, it puts further strain on her relationship with her longtime crush. Now Grace must decide between the man she’s always dreamed of being with, or a new adventure with someone who sees the real her.  Thoughts:  This book was so sweet I had to call my dentist.  Clayton James is definitely a top contender for "boyfriend of the year," and considering his lack of hands-on experience in that department, that should tell you a lot.  His dedication to his future and the future of his family is admirable. Though he's a bit of a softee, he's always ready and willing to protect HIS. Clay's biggest green flag is his ability to be protective of Grace while not undermining her independence and individuality.   Grace is every introverted girlie. Rather spend time with a book, has an extroverted bestie who drags her around to do things she doesn't really wanna do, but she's too nice and too content to be around them, to stand up for herself. Super smart at the book stuff, less so with the relationship stuff.  This story is so innocent. Until it’s not so innocent. Clay and Grace are a twosome of cute, innocent love. The way they go from strangers, to friends, to lovers is gradual and adorable and I loved every AWE inducing moment of it. It was really a kick ya feet in the air kinda book. Be prepared to do some swooning.  Their friends provide some great comedy and even some AWE moments of their own. It turns into a  great group of REAL friends who care about each other and their bonds as a whole are really sweet to watch. Hoping to see at least 3 more books on these boys from Walker U in the future. Quote:  “I like it when you come over, so if holding a few of your books hostage makes you spend more time with me, I’ll gladly hold on to them for you.”                   -Clay **************                                                                          Rating: LOVED= 5 Stars. A new fav. Will be talking about every chance I get.  ENJOYED= 4-3 Stars.  It wasn’t a life changer but I would recommend.  0-2 Stars/ DNF= I will not post a review about a book I didn’t enjoy or did not finish. Good vibes only. I support anyone who’s brave enough to create their own work and put it out into the world for others.  Spice:  Puffy Cheeto- No Spice.  Crunchy Cheeto- Closed Door/Fade to Black Flamin Hot Cheeto- Spicy. A few detailed scenes.  Takis- Erotica. With more mature themes. What did you think of Iced? Leave a comment and vote in our poll below:

Title:  Pucking Sweet Author: Emily Rath Genre:  Sports Romance Rating: Love Spice:  Flamin Hot Cheeto Synopsis: A family that doesn’t really see her, a craptastic ex who’s somehow wormed his way into her sister's bed, one year to prove that she can run PR for an international sports team and two men who want to love up on her. What could go wrong? (Or right?) Thoughts:  Emily Rath has been edging us with this story since Pucking Wild and I am so glad it’s finally here! Poppy is a boss babe all day. She runs the Rays PR like a well oiled machine and doesn’t take anything from the larger than life men around her. Lucky her, she’s got two men to take care of her in ALL WAYS. Coltan has been in love with Poppy from afar for two years, now that they are in Jacksonville and he’s at peak performance, it's time to make his move, and the man’s got moves. Colton’s steadfast loyalty to those he loves is so heartwarming to watch. His backstory just makes you love him more and his naughty mouth will have you squirming. Colton gave me ALL the tingles.  Lukas is everyones fav prankster and a sexy slice of fun. His banter with Poppy is funny and the flames of their fire burn high and bright. Lukas’ trauma and loneliness just made me want to hold him and never let him go. This book is such a cute and spicy addition to the Jacksonville Rays world. Once again the open acceptance from the characters' friends and community in this series, gives me hope that one day we can live in this kind of reality.  Quotes:  “In your dreams, Nov. I don’t f*ck desperate men.”  -Colton “I didn’t pick  either of you! You both just keep showing up in my pocket like a couple of bad pennies, offering me stress ulcers and orgasms!” -Poppy “I cry watching sheepherding videos.” -Novy “Don’t worry about what I’ve done, just be jealous of what I’m about to do.”  -Poppy “I think I’m in like with Colton Morrow.”  -Novy “Racism is still alive and well. Not everyone supports interracial dating.”  -Colton **************                                                                                       @booksteantravel Rating: LOVED= 5 Stars. A new fav. Will be talking about every chance I get.  ENJOYED= 4-3 Stars.  It wasn’t a life changer but I would recommend.  0-2 Stars/ DNF= I will not post a review about a book I didn’t enjoy or did not finish. Good vibes only. I support anyone who’s brave enough to create their own work and put it out into the world for others.  Spice:  Puffy Cheeto- No Spice.  Crunchy Cheeto- Closed Door/Fade to Black Flamin Hot Cheeto- Spicy. A few detailed scenes.  Takis- Erotica. With more mature themes. What did you think of Pucking Sweet? Drop a comment and vote in our poll.

Episode 4 of From  continues to deliver on the intense, surreal horror that has captivated audiences from the beginning. This installment masterfully weaves together eerie encounters, emotional breakthroughs, and unsettling twists. As characters teeter between survival and breaking down emotionally, the town of Fromville tightens its grip on them—and on us viewers—by blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. Tabitha's Desperate Plea and a Deadly Encounter In what appears to be the real world, Tabitha urges the EMTs to heed her warnings about the sinister nature of the tree blocking the road. Long-time viewers recognize that this tree signals a descent into the twisted alternate reality of Fromville. Her frantic insistence grows unsettling, especially when she demands they stop at the town before nightfall. There they will receive help and a safe place to camp for the night. This tension culminates in a terrifying encounter when the EMTs stop yards from the bus to investigate a body in the road. Two of them meet a grisly end at the hands of the monsters. Tabitha’s warning—ignored—feels like a grim reminder that fate here operates on its own rules. As gunfire echoes near Colony House, the surviving EMT recklessly shoots at advancing monsters and accidentally shoots a resident, Nicky. Boyd’s Grim Decision Boyd and Randall, stationed on the bus, engage in a tense back-and-forth about the creatures that roam the night. Randall claims that death isn’t the worst thing to fear in Fromville, hinting at darker forces beyond the monsters. His insight—that the monsters aren't following their usual routines—suggests that the rules may be changing. This growing unpredictability casts an ominous shadow, making Boyd’s risky choices even more dangerous. When Boyd and Jim discover Tabitha locked in the ambulance, Boyd faces a harrowing decision. A monster taunts him, offering an impossible choice: save Randall or take the ambulance keys to free Tabitha, Jim, and himself. Boyd, driven by survival and guilt, chooses the keys, leaving Randall to his fate. This agonizing moment showcases the town’s ability to break even the strongest characters, forcing them to live with terrible decisions. Emotional Cracks in Fromville One of the standout moments of the episode is the emotional breakdown between Donna and Boyd. Boyd, wracked with guilt over leaving Randall behind, lashes out at the EMT. Donna—normally the town's unflinching leader—unexpectedly breaks down in front of Boyd, revealing the toll that constant fear and survival have taken on her. Her vulnerability at this moment is heartbreaking and offers a rare glimpse into the emotional burden carried by Fromville’s toughest residents. Meanwhile, Julie opens up to her younger brother, Ethan, in one of the episode’s more tender scenes. She admits that ever since her deep sleep, she hasn’t been the same and is struggling to cope with terrifying things she can’t fully remember. Their conversation is touching, providing a much-needed human moment amid the chaos, and Julie’s honesty makes her less annoying than in past episodes. Victor's Troubled Memories and Creeping Mysteries Victor’s storyline takes a haunting turn as he reflects on his traumatic past. He tells Sara about the day his sister Eloise ignored their mother’s warning to hide, leaving him surrounded by bodies when he emerged. That day, Victor met his only friend, the Boy in White, and began burying objects that belonged to the deceased—a grim coping mechanism that speaks to the depth of his trauma. Victor also recalls Christopher, a ventriloquist with a dummy named Jasper, who descended into madness after seeing strange visions. This eerie revelation hints that Jasper may hold a key to understanding the horrors of Fromville. The scene leaves us wondering if the town’s mysteries are rooted in psychological manipulation or something more supernatural. Fatima’s Unraveling and Tilly’s Tarot Fatima’s storyline takes a dark and disturbing turn as she continues to grapple with her pregnancy and unusual cravings. The suggestion that she may be nourishing a "monster child" becomes more plausible as her behavior grows increasingly erratic. In a chilling moment, she gives in to cannibalism, confirming that the town’s horrors are not just external but are starting to corrupt the residents from within. Tilly’s tarot reading adds to the creeping sense of doom. Her belief that the bird crashing into the window was an omen proves prescient, as events spiral further out of control. Tilly’s growing fear for Fatima adds another layer of unease—could the lady haunting Elgin be connected to Fatima somehow? The Unpredictable Threats Ahead As the episode nears its end, the monsters seem to be growing more cunning. They aren’t following their typical patterns, which adds a new level of dread. With Randall lying on top of the ambulance with wounds on his neck as he coughs up blood, it’s unclear whether he will survive or if the monsters have found a new way to claim victims. The episode hints that there may be forces beyond the monsters lurking in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered. Final Thoughts Episode 4 of From  delivers a captivating mix of emotional vulnerability, psychological tension, and nightmarish horror. The show continues to raise the stakes, leaving viewers questioning the nature of reality and the motives of both the living and the dead. The emotional moments between Boyd, and Donna, along with Julie and Ethan provide much-needed character depth, while Victor’s cryptic memories and Fatima’s descent into darkness keep the mystery alive. While communication between the residents has improved slightly, the lack of group coordination remains a glaring flaw. As the monsters evolve and the town’s secrets become harder to ignore, it’s clear that the residents will need to start working together—or risk falling apart entirely. This episode earns an 8.5/10 for its balance of suspense, character development, and creeping dread. The narrative threads are becoming more tangled, and new questions emerge: Is Fatima somehow connected to the woman haunting Elgin? Will Boyd’s guilt over leaving Randall drive him to more reckless decisions? And what role will Jasper, the ventriloquist’s dummy, play in revealing the truth about Fromville? One thing is certain: From  keeps us hooked, week after week, with no clear end in sight. What did you think of the episode? Drop a comment and remember to vote in our poll below.

In episode 3 of Doctor Odyssey, some new faces come aboard, and Plastic Surgery Week gets underway.  The episode begins with Captain, Max, Avery, and Tristan observing the plastic surgery patients over the boat lobby’s balcony. Tristan and Captain Massey mock them, but Avery expresses her opinion on such surgeries, referring to them as a ‘disease’ and ‘Body Dysmorphia.’  As Avery voices her frustration, one of the new characters, Lenore Laurent, walks in looking like money, which is on brand considering her husband owns the cruise line. According to Tristan, the married couple also owns a chain of plastic surgery clinics. She may also have a not-so-secret crush on Captain Massey. The tension between the owner’s wife and Avery is thick as she condescendingly encourages Avery to put a smile on her face. Avery’s feelings about plastic surgery would intensify as the episode progressed, becoming a central focus. She emphasizes that she cannot tolerate the week because it goes against everything she believes in.  Max enthusiastically announces the arrival of another new guest for Plastic Surgery Week, The Real Ken Doll.  “The man who has made himself look like Ken,” Max said. “He has a reality show with Barbie and Skipper and Allen, the whole gang.” It’s clear the charming doctor is a huge fan.  Tristan was about to leave in shock, but he stopped in his tracks when he heard his mother, Caroline. She ends up asking him to remove the fillers from her facelift. Caroline confides in her son about how much she missed him. It’s apparent Avery won’t back down when she goes to the event’s formal party dressed as a “gondolier” as Lenore put it. In front of a patient suffering from frostbite who had just received a boob job, she also calls out Lenore. Avery ended up getting fired because things didn’t improve.  On the other side of the ship, Max ran into Ken, told him how much of a huge fan he was, and then ran to show him the cryotherapy chambers, which the two of them jumped into.  When Max has to care for a patient whose nose literally fell off her face after sniffing cocaine, more dramata would ensue, and Avery’s accidental mention of Tristan’s abandonment issues would upset him. Tristan struggles to move on from Avery, while she is eager to leave the ocean behind. After years, Tristan finally expresses his emotions to his mother about their fractured relationship, saying that she comes in and out of his life at her leisure and love bombs him to make up for her disappearances. Unfortunately, Caroline has a medical emergency after the conversation with her son.  The morning after Max checks Ken for Sepsis in his surgical sites, the boat’s staff and the big three find Ken passed out in his room. While Max performs CPR on his newfound friend, he has flashbacks from his near-death experience. Unfortunately, Ken was pronounced dead.  Max opens up to Avery, revealing that this death is particularly painful for him because, during his own isolation, he was a fan of the show Ken starred in. His vulnerability leads to the pair hooking up. Tristan soon discovers that they are rushing to put on their clothes to help him with Vanna, the frostbite patient.  Avery gets back into Lenore’s good graces when she performs Vanna’s surgery and helps her get better. Not only does Lenore unfire Avery, but she also offers a letter of recommendation for the ship’s in-house scholarship.  Plastic Surgery Week ends with Max meeting the rest of Ken’s gang, Barbie, Skipper, and Allen. Max apologized for not being able to do more, but Barbie reassured him that he had truly seen and understood Ken, which was enough. Episode 4 will air on ABC on Thursday, October 17 at 9 PM ET and will stream on Hulu the next day.

Five minutes into Netflix’s breakout hit, “Nobody Wants This,” you may start to believe you could write the closing scene of the season finale for all its familiarity of plot, and, yet, you still find yourself diving heart first into this classic tale-as-old-as-time love story, just to see how it ends.  Inspired by creator Erin Foster’s real-life backstory with her husband, this newest iteration of the rom-com has skyrocketed to the top of the streaming platform since its September 26 release, besting, among others, the more macabre Monsters juggernaut. Despite its formulaic structure — clash of culture narrative and series of comedic missteps meant to exacerbate the couple’s familial differences — much of the success of the “Nobody” series lands on the palpable chemistry the two leads, played by Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, bring to their onscreen alter egos. “Nobody Wants This,” follows the romantic life of Joanne (Bell), a L.A.-based sex and relationship podcaster and professed agnostic, who falls for Noah (Brody) an unconventional Jewish rabbi, hoping to someday take over as head of his synagogue. It is a relationship that by all accounts should not work, but, in true cinematic form, does.  The series opens with the popular podcaster who has been questioning her dating choices from behind the mic when she first meets the modern-day rabbi at a dinner party — he, himself, fresh out of a long-term relationship with family favorite, and, perhaps, better suited Jewish former girlfriend.  As the seemingly odd couple come together, they must navigate the challenges of their differing lifestyles through well-timed awkward moments and unlikely circumstances. I mean, it’s not everyday you would find a rabbi in an adult toys shop. If you know, you know.  Nevertheless, the pair’s unlikely romance is most decidedly built on the proverbial opposites attract paradigm that employs every possible incompatibility trope, right down to the meddling families who seemingly know what’s best for the star-crossed lovers. And, of course, not far afoot, are the couple’s ever-present wingmen. Always available to bring the laughs and save-them-from-themselves wisdom, the lovable sidekicks here take the form of their siblings, younger sister Morgan (and podcast co-host) to Joanne and older brother Sasha to Noah, played respectively by Justine Lupe, best known for her role as Willa in HBO’s mega-hit Succession , and actor/comedian Timothy Simons, of Veep fame.  Known for her ability to seamlessly transition between comedy and drama, Bell continues to solidify her depth and authenticity as a romantic lead. While Brody succeeds in bridging gentlemanly charm and unassuming presence with fully-realized sex appeal, even as rabbi. The Gen Z members of his synagogue do refer to him as “Hot Rabbi” for good reason.  While the series works at bringing a modern-day edge to this dynamic, the series succeeds in adding nothing new to the conversation for why polar opposites seeming work as ideal mates.  At times, what does not always work is the rapid pace at which the relationship develops. Outside of physical attraction, there is no nuanced a-ha moment or well-versed monologue to explain why we should care as to why they were truly drawn to each other to start. Maybe, as outside observers, we are just simply left to accept that they do.  At other times, the series pushes too hard on the negative Jewish stereotypes, particularly those surrounding Jewish women, on the one end, and the exaggerated family dynamic on the other end, with the portrayal of Joanne’s rather eccentric and evolved parents.   Though you may find yourself throughout the 10-episode series whispering under your breath, “I have seen this film before, and I think I did like the ending, ” the premise still works for the hundredth time, in part, because of its underlying charm and the characters who remain likable throughout, almost nostalgic, and even beautiful to look at. But, if being completely honest, sometimes as a guilty pleasure, “Nobody” allows you to just get lost in the romantic sentiment of it all, and the hope that love can truly conquer all.  And, despite what the series’ title would suggest, viewers have shown this type of love story IS what they want. And, to give viewers their due, “Nobody Wants This ” has been renewed for a second season on Netflix.  On the KP Scale, would give it a 7 out of 10.  :-)

Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie remains a living, insane world. At first, it drew people in, making them want more, but now it’s clear the priority is creating shock value more than actually pushing the story along.  Episode 5, “Red Haze” started with Sister Megan and Detective Lois trying to save Andrea, the mystery girl covered in blood who rushed into their car hysterically at the end of episode 4. Andrea disappears, and another mystery girl who works at and is abused at the hotel they stop at emerges.  Once again, Megan’s curiosity gets the better of her when she goes outside and sees a dark, creepy silhouette, and a random car crash that happens out of nowhere. Lois and Megan hear cries and screams from Andrea and are determined to save her. However, their plans go awry when they see the hotel owner Nick threatening to shoot Andrea. When you think this scene can’t get more bizarre, it does when a black SUV and weird figure shows up and rescues Andrea from gunfire.  Megan was told to stay inside by Lois, but she doesn’t listen and rushes out to save her resulting in the quirky nun being shot and bleeding out profusely.  The tormented detective is sitting by Megan’s hospital bed when creepy Father Charlie shows up with a bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers in his hand. He reminisces to Lois about the trips Megan would take him on, specifically those along the Palms to Pines highway.  Charlie’s arrogant and ill-tempered side emerges when he blames Lois for getting Megan shot, claiming she used his beloved nun as bait. He lectures Lois sternly and demands that she leave the hospital to find the sadistic murderer who’s after her. One might say Charlie has developed feelings for Megan.  Another graphic and brutal murder happens. The deranged monster brutally murdered three pregnant mothers, one at 30 weeks, one at 32 weeks, and one at 40 weeks, using C-section retractors. The demon continues to taunt Lois, writing a message in blood on the wall that says, ‘Follow me, Detective Tryon, and let the dead bury the dead.’  Episode 5 concludes with a disturbing moment in which Lois finds an elderly woman holding a baby wrapped in blood and a newspaper.  In Episode 6, our determined detective gets a blast from her past when an old criminal with whom she has a history, Glorious McKall, becomes a suspect. However, it was proven that McKall is not guilty.  Finally, Lesley Manville has a breakout performance as the delusional Nurse Redd. The audience gets insight into why the crazed nurse is so obsessed with Marshall, Lois’ husband.  Considering Nurse Redd as a potential suspect might not be entirely far-fetched, but this idea is dismissed when a montage of characters is shown at the end of the episode, just as the supposed serial killer is about to attack Lois.  Lois twists the killer’s arm and shoots him right in the chest. The cliffhanger is Lois pulling the mask of the shot figure, but it cuts away before you can see the face. However, Father Charlie matches the description.  Is Father Charlie actually the insane murderer? Or is this just a fake out with more twists to come? I guess we’ll have to keep watching to find out. Episodes 7 and 8 of Grotesquerie will premiere October 16 at 10 PM on FX and will stream on Hulu the day after.

The battle of minds commence as episode 2 opens where we left off last week –  with Gabi and Sir together (sort of). Never missing a teaching opportunity, Sir tests Gabi, stretching her mind to think. Even though she has been a disappointing pupil, Sir is compelled to teach her a lesson. [SPOILERS] The rules of negotiations unravel as Gabi receives confirmation that Lacey is alive via a photo. Setting the tone of their new playground, Sir reminds Gabi that he is not a killer (Zeke didn’t die) and that he is free now, in her world with access to all that is important to her. With feelings of betrayal coating his words, Sir slips and reveals one of his toys which gives Gabi an extra point on her test: he can SEE her. The fun so far with this season is seeing Lacey empowered even during captivity. What the audience was led to believe about her in season 1 is a complete 180 pivot in season 2. She is smart, cunning and patient. The scenes between Lacey and Sir are heightened when he returns injured and unable to mend his wounds. Creating an element of wonder, Lacey convinces Sir to let her help him. If he agrees, will she attack and make a run for freedom? Or is she playing the long game? Building trust with him? Sir sets Lacey’s hands free, but with a warning that he can and will hurt her if she tries anything. She is disposable. She is not Gabrielle. As we watch her sew up the wound, Lacey grabs a needle and hides it before being tied up again. Like I said, she is patient. Intertwining case of the week back into the season, the team divides and conquer as they connect the dots to find Baby Rain who was stolen from the hospital. Margaret is lead on the case but she is not moving on all cylinders. The signature press conference leads to an unbearable breakdown caught on camera which pulls the team further apart. Margaret is broken due to all the secrets Gabi kept from her and the team. Everyone is different.  As Gabi tries to hold everyone (and herself) together with duct tape, string and gum, a new twist walks into the police station named Christian Evans, Sirs’ estranged brother. With an air of bemusement (like his brother), Christian commands his surroundings, yet he also has slight docile notes. He sees Gabi and says, “it’s nice to meet you”.  Lets say it together friends: Double Trouble.  The ripple effects in this episode cascades from the missing baby, the arrival of Christian and the search for Lacey. Though we do not know Christian’s true intentions, he aides in locating Sir’s location by sharing a memory between him and his brother – a house with blue shutters. As Zeke narrows down the location, Gabi seeks help. She returns to the payphone, hoping Sir sees her. She sits down on the bench, where we get our long-awaited reward. The camera pans and we see Sir also sitting on the bench behind her, back-to-back. Is he really there?  Gabi struggles in this moment, stifling the urge to lose control around Sir. He knows all her trigger points and he dances around them. As he belittles the company she keeps, insinuating how mediocre they are, Sir reprimands Gabi and reminds her that Lacey was a GIFT.  Through this chaos of assaults and questions, one good thing comes out of this meeting. Gabi unlocks who would want to steal the baby – the older daughter Rya – who only wanted her mother’s attention back. The overall story about Black Maternal Health and family was a nice through line highlighting the need to listen to Black mothers. There are too many cases of insufficient care and it was a good nod to bring awareness while staying true to the show format.  As the team works to get the baby back to her mother, Sir becomes aware that Christian is in town, and he does not approve. It’s in this moment Lacey breaks free with the needle she hid and makes a run to the door. True to word, Sir grabs Lacey and pulls her from behind, making her hit her head on the way to the ground. Is she dead? Going back to tradition, the team (in separate locations) welcomes the missing baby back home. Gabi asks Trent for mercy regarding Rya and he says, “You don’t have to tell me how not to be a monster” (ouch). Will they ever get back to how they were before?  Thinking about Lacey, Gabi tells her to fight as we see Sir put her in the trunk of a car. The chase continues as I wonder - where will Sir take Lacey? You can watch FOUND on NBC Thursday nights or streaming on Peacock.

In Episode 5 of American Sports Story, “The Man,” Aaron Hernandez’s early rookie days are unpacked, and his struggles with health and bad influences are explored.  Hernandez then gets his first encounter with fellow record-breaking tight end Rob Gronkowski and 7x Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, Rob being fun and goofy, and Tom being focused and stern. Aaron gets a taste of that strictness when Brady doesn’t let him finish his shower and tells him to pick up the team’s pads. The star tight end also has an intense run in with coach Belichick where he tells his player that it isn’t his job to keep him out of trouble.   “Coach Myer said I need to stay on you. He said the second I let you out of my sight, you’re trouble. But, yeah, I’m not gonna do that,” Belichick said. “This is a man’s team. Be a man.”  As things move forward, Aaron reconnects with his high-school sweetheart Shayanna and even invites her to a team gathering where they meet Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his wife Myra. After leaving the party early, they gazed at the stars, and you could sense the profound connection between them. Shayanna and Aaron get vulnerable with each other and admit that they want to make their own ways in the world.   All Aaron’s hard work had him ready for the moment he had been waiting for, his first NFL game. The Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals met, and the tight end’s first NFL catch was a 45-yard gain to get the Patriots to the 13-yard line.  Things start to take a turn for Aaron when signs point to something being medically wrong with him. During media day the bright flashes from the camera seem to bother him. A violent streak, which he has been carrying, begins to emerge, especially when he feels controlled by his head coach.  After an encounter with Belichick chastising him for giving other teams “bulletin board material,” Aaron slams his helmet into his locker and shakes with anger. He does the unthinkable when he gets involved with a drug dealer from back home named Sherrod. He is proven to be a dangerous influence and a threat to everything that Aaron had worked for.  Belichick puts Aaron in as a running back during a game against the Indianapolis Colts, and he gets buried on a 3rd down play leading to ringing in his head and dizziness he experiences in the locker room.  Aaron’s world starts to get wild when he runs back into his old trainer Chris. Although both Chris and Aaron are in relationships with women, that wouldn’t stop them from giving in to the attraction they had from day one. While Shayanna boasts about Aaron’s loyalty to her in front of the other Patriots wives, Aaron wakes up with Chris in his bed.  The medical and emotional issues Aaron experiences accelerate as the hits on him get more intense. As his vision weakens, his desire for violence grows stronger, especially after he learns that his mother was slashed in the face with a knife by Jeff Cummings.  With Aaron vulnerable, it’s the perfect opportunity for Sherrod to stick his claws even deeper into the Patriots tight end. Sherrod suggests that he ‘takes care’ of Jeff, leading to an altercation in a dark alley. Aaron punches Jeff to the ground and kicks him incessantly. He then whips out a gun and points it at Jeff’s head.  At the end of this dramatic episode, Aaron gets tackled hard in a game against the Denver Broncos leading him to be slow to get up. Even Shayanna notices it, but he insists he’s okay. This chain of events would lead to the most shocking moment of the series yet. On his ride back home, the tight end comes up to a stop sign. However, once the light turned green, Aaron didn’t move. He stood frozen, his mind overwhelmed by duplicated lights.  The series is saved by the acting of its lead actor Josh Andrés Rivera. He gives multiple compelling performances in this episode. Inaccuracies have been present in the portrayal of Hernandez’s life, but as it’s a Ryan Murphy production, dramatization is to be expected. Episode 6 and the rest of the series will continue to tell the rise and fall of the star Patriots tight end. It will premiere October 15 on FX and stream on Hulu the next day. What did you think of the episode? Drop a comment and remember to vote in our poll.

The Menendez Brothers saga returns, this time in a compelling documentary that seeks to illuminate the complex layers of a case that captivated a nation. Directed by Alejandro Hartman, this documentary dives deep into the chilling events of 1989 when Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered their wealthy parents in Beverly Hills. As Netflix's second exploration of the case this year, following the mixed reception of Monsters: The Menendez Brothers , this documentary provides a platform for the brothers to finally share their side of the story. Narrative and Structure The documentary opens with the haunting 911 call that initiated a media frenzy, setting a tense tone. Hartman effectively uses a mix of interviews, archival footage, and flashbacks to explore not only the murders but also the brothers' childhood experiences. Through over 20 hours of interview footage, viewers hear directly from Lyle and Erik, who had been largely silent since their infamous 1996 interview. Their voices, alongside insights from family members, journalists, jurors, and legal experts, create a multifaceted view of the events that transpired. Themes of Abuse and Misunderstanding A significant strength of the documentary is its exploration of the abuse the brothers suffered at the hands of their father, Jose Menendez. The film sheds light on the toxic family dynamics and the neglect from their mother, Kitty. The personal testimonies are deeply moving and highlight the brothers' claims of sexual and physical abuse, providing a stark contrast to the public perception of the Menendez family as simply a wealthy, respected household. However, the documentary does lean heavily in favor of the brothers, often presenting them as sympathetic figures while offering limited viewpoints from those who opposed them. Pamela Bozaniach's perspective, for instance, feels starkly at odds with the overall tone, adding some tension to the narrative. Legal and Social Commentary The documentary also critiques the legal proceedings that followed the murders. It illustrates how the prosecution's tactics during the second trial effectively silenced crucial testimony about the brothers' abuse, stripping away their defense. This omission resonates with broader societal issues regarding the recognition of male sexual assault victims, a topic that remains fraught with stigma. Conclusion Overall, Menendez Brothers: A Documentary  is a thought-provoking exploration of a case that continues to evoke strong opinions. While it does have its biases, the documentary succeeds in humanizing the brothers and challenging viewers to consider the complex realities of their upbringing and the impact of trauma. It leaves us questioning not only the justice system's role in their conviction but also society's ongoing struggle to address issues of abuse and victimhood. For anyone interested in true crime or the intricacies of the legal system, this documentary is worth watching. It offers a fresh perspective on a story that has become a part of our cultural lexicon, inviting us to reflect on the nature of justice, compassion, and redemption. What did you think? Let's keep the conversation going in the comments.