In last night’s episode of The Rookie (Season 7, Episode 15 "A Deadly Secret") , a character we haven’t cared about in a long time makes a return in the most bizarre way. It was one of those documentary style episodes, which I’m not always a fan of because they don’t add to the storytelling in my opinion. What I can say is, this episode did  add to the storytelling, but it made the already distorted storyline a lot more confusing.  Abigail Tierney is John Nolan’s son’s ex-fiancé. That alone should be the reason why we don’t care what happened to her, but let’s be fair, when she didn’t show up with Henry for John’s wedding ( S6E2 ), some people did wonder what happened to her. The episode starts off with the fact that she’s been missing for six months. Great - why are we talking about it now ? Abigail sent a pitch video to a production company and they decided to work with her. That was until she kept changing directions with the project and they were no longer interested. That’s when John took the project and sent it to Angela (yes, Lopez) who thought it would be a great idea to use Wesley’s money to “support the arts” (I laughed hysterically at this).  I get it - Rodge does music, but can he please go away? I know it’s not meant to be taken seriously in this particular episode, but I don’t see what he adds to any of the storylines besides random music. Was it meant to be comic relief? Because if that’s the case, it was funny when he performed “Daddy Cop”, but what’s that thing when you keep doing the same thing as a joke? It stops being funny. Disclaimer: This has nothing to do with the actor portraying Rodge, it has everything  to do with the character of Rodge.  Her horror movie was going nowhere, and after talking with Angela about a psych ward, Abigail decided to shift her story into a documentary about Westview Psychiatric Hospital. It focused mainly on the fact that it produced two serial killers (that we know of): Liam Glasser and Harrison Novak. Abigail goes missing while investigating the hospital. She worked with a security guard, Carl Ditweiler, to gain unauthorized access to the hospital and he becomes the number one suspect.  While still doing a deep dive, things are starting to get a bit creepy; Abigail swore she heard voices in the building. She went to investigate and that’s when she disappeared. Now John, Celina, Lucy and Tim enter Westview to investigate her disappearance and yeah, things got interesting for Tim and Lucy.  Before we even go there, the way they tried to connect the story was, meh . It turns out one of the lying girls from a previous episode ( S7E10 ) had a nanny that was a patient at Westview, which is how they may or may not have gotten the idea to stab their friend. It was a lot and somehow Zuzu came back (an AI that knows everything and everyone).   NATHAN FILLION, MADELEINE COGHLAN, IAN COLLETTI (Disney/Mike Taing) Now back to Tim and Lucy; they saw liquid dripping from the walls and the two of them decided “yes, let’s touch it with our bare hands”. This liquid that they thought might’ve been water turned out to be sodium pentothal also known as “truth serum”. The episode finally got interesting at this point – I couldn’t help but laugh. At first I thought I was laughing because it was hilarious ( because it was ) but, after some time I was laughing because what do you mean this  is how the writers thought it was best to make Tim and Lucy have their serious conversation after the break up. Really? While on drugs? It was one of those laughs you do in order to not lose your mind. What are we doing with them this season and when will it start to make sense? Celina and John find Abigail and it turns out she was sipping on some weird water that made her hallucinate – she made friends with a corpse named Bob who had power bars apparently. I’m glad she was found safe and was still determined to complete her documentary.  I can only be honest, this episode was a disappointment. The documentary episodes typically are, but at least they’re interesting with a compelling case ( I’m lying, I think the last one I cared for was the one involving a cult ). Now, a filler episode is okay here and there, but with a growing cast and characters whose lives we could explore a bit more, this episode felt very unnecessary. I vote we get rid of the documentary style episode for the next season. Let’s focus on character depth maybe? What’d you think of the new episode of The Rookie ? Share your thoughts!

If you’re one of the many fans left wanting more after the emotional rollercoaster that was Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias , you’re not alone. Great news for you, Sweet Magnolias has been renewed for Season 5. The show is known for its down to earth storytelling, that small town feeling and writing that features friendship, family and resilience. Season 4 had all types of cliffhangers with our main friendship circle. Maddie may be moving to New York, Helen and Erik finally came together and let’s not forget that death. Season 5 will hopefully touch on some of the unresolved storylines from last season. While full casting details haven’t been confirmed, Sheryl J. Anderson will most likely return as showrunner, and our fabulous core trio, JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Maddie), Brooke Elliott (Dana Sue), and Heather Headley (Helen) are all likely to reprise their roles. With Helen and Erik's engagement and Maddie's potential move to New York, Season 5 is looking sharp. Some unanswered questions for season five are Maddie’s career decision, Helen and Erik’s future (if her nasty ex shows up, grrr), will Cal and Maddie work long distance, and of course the drama with the town politics and other family members. Based on the the tv schedule, we might see a release in early 2026. We will keep you updated. Given Sweet Magnolias ’ popularity and strong binge numbers, it’s no surprise that Serenity isn’t done with us just yet. Get Ready to Pour It Out Again! Fans of Sweet Magnolias  can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Season 5 is in the works, and it promises all the Southern comfort and heartfelt drama we’ve come to love. Whether you're rooting for romance, drama, or friendship goals, the next chapter in Serenity is shaping up to be one of the most emotional yet. Want to stay updated on release dates, trailers, and spoilers? Keep it locked right here at The TV Cave.

This week on All American… shit hits the fan.  Let's get into this All American No Role Modelz episode. The plot gets deeper with new truths coming to the surface that shifts the story like never before.  Feeling backed into a corner by his father, (returning guest star Steve Harris) Cassius comes clean to KJ  about their relation to the Bakers. Turns out, Grandpa Jeremy is actually Billy Baker’s half brother. As expected, KJ is furious, and rightfully so! His life was completely uprooted from Oakland to press play on his Grandpa’s lifelong revenge plot. As always, KJ ends up seeking comfort from Amina. He moves out of the hotel with his father and goes to where he feels he can be trusted, to stay with Amina and Coop.    Battling her own choices, Amina gets a letter in the mail saying he’s been accepted to a boarding school in Monterey. However, after realizing Preach applied for her to attend, she questions if he wants her out of South Crenshaw.  Surprisingly, (yes, I’m surprised) Coop offered her a different perspective. She suggested Preach’s intentions are to set her up for life beyond high school and college. He’s taking the steps to invest in her future!  KJ shares the newest family revelation with his mother, after Amina called her into town. During the conversation, she held the space her son needed. But after, Cassius definitely heard everything she censored in front of KJ. His choice to come to Beverly High is also what put a strain on their marriage. Was the vendetta from the family he was born into worth jeopardizing the family he created?  Khalil’s surprise 18th birthday party turned out to be quite the shocker after his father showed up unexpectedly. Released from jail, Marqui says his goals are to rebuild the relationship with Khalil. There are predictions of Jordan interfering with his case somehow now that he and Khalil have grown closer. Khalil however, wants to also spend time with his father, despite recent history of being targeted by him.  Bringing the episode to an end, Cassius decided to choose his son over his father’s past hoping that it would also bridge the gap back to his wife.  Amina decided to confirm her interview for the boarding school in Monterey.  Khalil shared his desire to continue living with the Bakers to his dad, sparking anger from Marqui which leaves Jordan badly beaten and stabbed in his office and possibly needing a blood transfusion. Will Cassius speak up and donate?  Tune into the next All American to find out!   All American airs Mondays on the CW and streams on the CW app.

Tonight’s show has three mini-plots. This time some of the main characters are separate from each other with emotional ends and a possible behavior change that can harm one. Let's dive into Will Trent Season 3 Episode 15. The episode opens with Mr. Frost, a diamond dealer, placing diamonds inside a special briefcase and securing it in a resort vault. Lance, the Mirage At Southern Ridge Resort Director, goes to help a customer leaving Foster alone. The customers are Amanda and Evelyn requesting new rooms. Lance leaves for an emergency and can’t help them.  Evelyn is trying to get Amanda a date while they are vacationing on a resort island. Amanda’s not interested until they meet Alonso. He’s the brother of a known celebrity, Mars St. James. Evenlyn reminds Amanda of her old nickname, Randy Mandy, and tries to get her to live up to it again. They discover a murder on their first day at the resort. Evelyn calls Faith for help. Faith brings Ormewood along to investigate the murder. This took his mind off his inability to get information from the VA about medical treatment for his brain tumor. They have to do a costume change to discreetly investigate the two murders at the resort. They use collected evidence, draw conclusions and find the killer. It was an inside job by The Falconess. Amanda also gets together with Alonso and has a wonderful night before they almost arrest him. Faith and Ormewood get home after solving the crimes. He thanks Faith for taking him along. It helped get his mind off his tumor. He named it Tina Tumor. It was a better name than Justin Tumor-Lake. They kick back and binge on an “Ex Wives” Marathon. Nico, Trent and Betty come home from shopping. Betty is barking excitedly. Will sees a broken window, and asks Nico to take Betty out. He finds a young boy in the room. He’s Marco’s younger brother, Diego, who came to kill Will. Will takes him home and meets his Mom, Mrs. Sanchez. Their meeting is filled with anger and despair. Marco’s mom later forgives Will, but doesn’t mean it. She asks Will to tell her about her son’s last moments. He does and all his sadness comes flooding back. She leaves to grieve her dead son, and raise her other son. Nico tells Will he needs to see a therapist, and will text him a contact. Angie and Franklin go to see Angie’s mom at a long-term care facility. Didn’t even know Angie’s mom or dad were alive. Her mom is in a coma, and Angie was notified her eyes were opening. Angie’s very anxious when she goes to see her again. She sends Franklin on an errand for a hair coloring kit, something Franklin notices is a way Angie is using to avoid her true feelings. He tells her she doesn’t owe her mom anything. She was a terrible Mom, who pimped Angie out at 5 years old. Angie has flashbacks of times she’s spent with her mom bringing harrowing memories roaring back. Her mom was a terrible mother and an addict. ERIKA CHRISTENSEN, MOLLY PRICE (Disney/Wilford Harewood) She was also cruel, vindictive, manipulative and violent. Angie is later left alone with her mom who wakes from her coma. She apologizes to Angie for all her mistakes, abuse and mistreatment. She tells Angie she’s proud of her. Angie happily forgives her. Her mom then tells her she is an addict, too, and they are the same. That bit of her will always live inside Angie. Her mom dies moments later, and Angie starts crying. Just like that Angie’s self-esteem is cruelly battered again. She’s been doing well and sober, until now. Will and Angie got some closure with their past. Amanda and Evelyn had a good time on an island vacation. Michael Ormewood tells Faith about his brain tumor, and she is now helping him through this new change in his life. He still needs to find out if it is malignant, and have it removed. This hasn’t been disclosed, yet. Will may see a new therapist soon. It was sad to see Angie reach a point where she may undo all her work to get to a point in her life when she could finally be happy. This episode showed the characters as real people with real hurts. The writing and acting conveyed this very well! It was a very good episode.

In a surprising twist CBS has decided not to move forward with planned spinoffs for two of its popular series: The Equalizer  and The Neighborhood . While both shows have enjoyed success in their own right, their anticipated expansions which were teased through backdoor pilots won’t be moving forward with they Eye Network. So, what happened? The backdoor pilots aired recently, leaving us wondering about what might come next. Unfortunately, the answer is: nothing. CBS had tested the waters for a spinoff of The Equalizer , starring Queen Latifah, with an episode introducing new characters played by Titus Welliver ( Bosch ) and Juani Feliz ( Harlem ). Titus Welliver has a strong following and fans were excited to see what he does next now that Bosch has ended. Check out our quick chat with him . The original Equalizer  reboot has performed well for CBS. Despite the potential, CBS decided not to greenlight the new series with the exact reasons not being released. The Neighborhood , starring Cedric the Entertainer, attempted to stay relevant through a spinoff of its own, focusing on Malcolm and Marty, played by Sheaun McKinney and Marcel Spears. Malcolm and Marty have been fan favorites since the show’s early days. Despite a built-in audience, the network passed. However, CBS did announce that The Neighborhood  will return for an eighth and final season. Here’s some good news: The Equalizer  is still in contention for a sixth season. While nothing has been confirmed, it remains one of the few CBS series still awaiting renewal; an encouraging sign that Queen Latifah’s justice-driven vigilante story may continue. Fingers crossed! The cancellation of The Equalizer and The Neighborhood  spinoffs is certainly a letdown for fans hoping for some diverse storytelling. For now, fans can look forward to the final season of The Neighborhood  and (hopefully) another round of high-stakes drama from The Equalizer . Are you disappointed about these spinoffs being canceled? Which one were you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments or share your thoughts on social media using #EqualizerSpinoff and #NeighborhoodCBS. If you enjoyed this breakdown, subscribe for more tea on your favorite shows!

CBS has just announced that their new spinoff FBI/CIA  team-up series, will star Tom Ellis , best known for his role as the charming Devil in Lucifer . We have all the tea. The show is a collaboration between two of the most powerful investigative agencies in the world: the FBI and the CIA. But instead of just focusing on either one of these agencies individually, the series will combine their forces in a high-stakes operation designed to tackle domestic terrorism in New York City. Why is it always New York City? Debuting for the 2025–2026 TV season, CBS has opted for a straight-to-series order, bypassing the usual pilot episode, which shows just how confident the network is in the success of this new venture. The FBI and the CIA together will form an elite team tasked with navigating the complex world of international and domestic threats. Tom Ellis is known for his charming performance as the Devil in Lucifer , and brings a unique charisma to the screen. We also love him for his guest role on the BBC show Merlin where he played an evil King. Remaining cast has not been announced yet. No successful show is complete without a strong creative team, and FBI/CIA  will be no exception. Executive producers include Dick Wolf, the man behind the entire FBI  franchise, as well as David Hudgins, Nicole Perlman, and former CIA officer David Chasteen. The announcement of Tom Ellis leading a new FBI/CIA  team-up series on CBS is one that has piqued our interest for sure. We bet this will be another big hit for CBS. As we keep an eye on the 2025–2026 TV season, one thing is certain: FBI/CIA  is the one to watch for anyone who loves police procedural TV. Keep it locked at The TV Cave, your ultimate TV hideout.

And its end scene on the Wayans' family comedy. Poppa’s House cancelled by CBS. The high-profile sitcom starring comedy legend Damon Wayans and his son, Damon Wayans Jr. only lasted one season as the network has decided not to renew the show. Poppa’s House  premiered on CBS in October 2024, riding a wave of excitement thanks to its star power and multi-generational comedy appeal. The show followed Poppa, a beloved radio personality played by Damon Wayans, who clashes with his progressive, overachieving adult son, Junior (Damon Wayans Jr.), after they unexpectedly begin working together. What seemed like a great concept with well known funny men, the show just fell flat on the writing unfortunately. The series focused on family dynamics with workplace comedy, attempting to show the perspectives of old school and new school, between father and son; a formula that initially earned the show a full-season pickup of 18 episodes. No official word as to why the show has been axed but despite a strong premiere, viewership numbers declined regularly throughout the season. According to Nielsen data, the show struggled to maintain a consistent audience, especially among key demographics like 18–49-year-olds. The Wayans family are royalty in Hollywood. From the early days on In Living Color  to My Wife and Kids , Damon Wayans and the fam have consistently delivered iconic television. His team-up with his son Damon Jr., a rising star in his own right seemed like the right move. While Poppa’s House  may be over, don’t expect this to be the last we see of the duo. CBS also cancelled The Summit, the reality competition series after one season as well. Only show left that CBS has to decide its fate on is The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah.   What do you think of the cancelation? Was it the right move? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts.

Fans of the beloved Netflix series Heartstopper were hit with bittersweet news: instead of a full Heartstopper Season 4, Nick and Charlie’s love story will come to a heartfelt conclusion as a movie. For a series that’s touched millions with its inclusive storytelling, what does this mean for the show's legacy, and what can fans expect from this big send off? Since its premiere in 2022, Heartstopper has become a hit for Netflix. Reworked from Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, the series tells the tender coming-of-age love story between Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring. With three seasons under its belt, the show has earned critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase for its authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ teens. But instead of dropping a fourth season, Netflix and Oseman have decided to end the story with a feature film. According to the tea spilled by Oseman, the movie will mix the sixth and final volume of the Heartstopper  graphic novel with the novella Nick and Charlie  which should give fans an even mor emotional story. We ready! Oseman said in a statement, “I am completely overjoyed that we will get to tell the end of the  Heartstopper  story. I’m so grateful to everyone who has worked hard to make this possible and to the incredible fans… for your patience and passion. I cannot wait to bring this story to a magical conclusion.” This decision follows the trend in television of wrapping their stories with movie finales, a move that gives the characters a bigger send off. More money means more story. The upcoming Heartstopper movie will focus on Nick and Charlie’s relationship as they prepare for life after high school. With Nick heading off to university and Charlie remaining behind, we are sure to get some drama with long-distance love story. Kit Connor (Nick) and Joe Locke (Charlie) will reprise their roles and also serve as executive producers on the film. Per the official logline for the feature, “Nick and Charlie are inseparable, but with Nick preparing to leave for university and Charlie finding new independence at school, the reality of a long-distance relationship begins to weigh on them. Doubts take hold, and their relationship faces its biggest challenge yet. ” The movie will be directed by Wash Westmoreland, ( Still Alice) . Filming is expected to begin in the summer of 2025, but the official release date has not been announced. While it’s always tough to say goodbye, ending Heartstopper  with a feature film feels like the right move. It honors the characters, Nick and Charlie’s journey while giving fans a final chapter worthy of the love and care they’ve invested in the story. Are you excited for the Heartstopper movie? What are your hopes for Nick and Charlie’s final chapter? Share your thoughts below and let’s celebrate this incredible journey together!

Let the Southport streets know, we back up! I Know What You Did Last Summer is back for a new generation. The official trailer just dropped and we get a glimpse into a new set of teens that did something so horrible over the summer someone has to unalive them for it.   Starring Chase Sui Wonders, Tyriq Withers, Madelyn Cline, Billy Campbell, Jonah Hauer-King, Nicholas Alexander Chavez and returning from the original Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze, Jr., I Know What You Did Last Summer follows five friends who accidentally cause a car accident and attempt to cover it up. They apparently do a horrible job because someone is making them pay for their mistake with their lives.   In the trailer we see one of the teens seek how Jennifer Love Hewitt’s character, Julie James for help and she only has one question, “What did you do last summer?”   Ray (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) returns as well demanding action be taken from Billy Campbell’s character who is either Mayor or in charge of the police.   “This isn’t the first time there’s been violence like this in Southport.” The official logline reads, "When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. A year later, their past comes back to haunt them and they’re forced to confront a horrifying truth: someone knows what they did last summer…and is hell-bent on revenge. As one by one the friends are stalked by a killer, they discover this has happened before, and they turn to two survivors of the legendary Southport Massacre of 1997 for help." While some of us are over the remakes , there are fans that crave these movies for the nostalgia of it all. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!

At this point, it feels like Hollywood has pressed the replay button and smashed it for good measure. Sequels, reboots, remakes, reimaginings, pick your poison. It’s no longer surprising when a beloved film from the ’80s, ’90s, or early 2000s is suddenly being reintroduced as a “modern retelling.” But here’s the real question: has Hollywood genuinely run out of original ideas, or have the people in charge simply stopped listening to the creators who have them? Before we dive into the list of remakes scheduled for 2025, let’s first take a moment to acknowledge that not everything is off-limits. There are some genres that lend themselves to reinterpretation. Some, not all. Superhero and Comic Book Films: The Exception? Comic book adaptations are, by design, cyclical. New actors, fresh takes, alternate universes it’s all part of the lore. Fans even expect change and debate whether the new iteration will outshine or dishonor what came before. Will it stick to canon? Will it deliver on visuals, or fall flat? These are questions that build anticipation. But even these adaptations come with limits. Reboots should have breathing room. The audience needs time to miss a character or storyline before it’s served back lukewarm. Sequels are a better choice in most cases continuations that build on what worked. Otherwise, it starts to feel like reheated leftovers. The kind that no one wants. Live-Action Fatigue: Has Disney Gone Too Far? Disney may be at the forefront of this fatigue. And while some critics cite "live-action fatigue," it's worth asking if the real issue is how drastically the originals are changed. Snow White  was doomed before its debut not because of poor production, but because some viewers couldn’t accept Rachel Zegler in the lead. Her not being “white as snow” was enough to spark outrage. The Little Mermaid  suffered similar backlash. Despite a strong box office showing, boycotts were organized over Ariel’s light brown skin and red locs. “It’s not my Ariel,” they said. But is that fatigue or bias? It’s not all doom and gloom. Disney had major wins with Maleficent , Beauty and the Beast , Aladdin , and more recently Mufasa . If Lilo & Stitch  performs well this year, it may prove audiences aren’t tired of live-action, it just needs to be done well, with care, cultural respect and as for the viewers; maybe keep your biases at home and watch the movie. It could surprise you. Still, many live-action remakes of animated classics have flopped and deservedly so. Dragon Ball Evolution  and The Last Airbender  were not just bad; they were disrespectful to their source material. They were whitewashed and The Last Airbender even framed the darker toned characters as the bad guys. But it’s not all failure. The Flintstones , Scooby-Doo , Transformers , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , and The Jungle Book  each found varying levels of success. The difference?  A lot of these were done in the early 2000s with the exception of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Jungle Book and The Flintstones which all had 90s adaptations. They were not as prevalent then. What’s Coming in 2025: More of the Same This year alone, we’re getting remakes and reimaginings of: I Know What You Did Last Summer  (a "sequel" that seems more like a full retelling—thirty years later, the hook returns?) Frankenstein  and The Bride  (both being modernized for today’s audiences) The Running Man  (directed by Edgar Wright) Anaconda  (a new spin with a horror-comedy slant) Lilo & Stitch  (Disney's latest live-action adaptation) Snow White  (with Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot) Clueless  (now reimagined as a series, with Alicia Silverstone returning) How many more reboots before we stop pretending it’s just coincidence? Why Can’t a Classic Remain a Classic? There’s something about a classic that defies time. It’s lightning in a bottle, the perfect cast, the right moment in culture, and a story that just worked . These films weren’t trying to be classics. They just were. And they deserve to be passed down, not replaced. Take Gremlins . I remember seeing it as a child when it was re-released in theaters. It’s a core memory. E.T.  was another. And for our kids? They had Wall-E . That’s how it should be every generation discovering their own  classics, not recycled versions of ours. But instead of letting the originals breathe, Hollywood insists on dragging them out, dressing them up with CGI and calling it nostalgia. Nostalgia isn’t a plot. And sometimes, the remake tarnishes what made the original so beloved in the first place. Want to revive something? Why not remaster cult classics that never got their due? Give those stories a second shot rather than rewriting legends that already earned their place. Even classics of the 80s and 90s can be remastered and released. This used to happen quite often in the 90s. The Rocky Horror Picture Show used to be released every year at Halloween some time ago. That is something to consider. A short theater release then re-release to streaming.  Risk Aversion Is Killing Creativity To be clear, remakes are nothing new. Hollywood has always recycled stories. But the frequency and scale are different now. Original ideas are buried beneath market research, algorithms, and endless nostalgia mining. Studios treat the familiar as a safety net. But in playing it safe they’re ignoring voices with original stories to tell. Every remake implies that the original isn’t “good enough” for today’s audience. But that’s not true. The Princess Bride , The Bodyguard , Back to the Future , they don’t need updates. They just need to be shared. Who can really touch Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”. Very few, if any. It is  the standard. It’s not that Hollywood lacks imagination. There are plenty of creatives out there with it. Some of them are just waiting to be discovered. So, it isn't a lack of imagination. It’s that the industry has become afraid to bet on it. And in doing so, they forget that the biggest hits in history were risks once too. ( Star Wars , The Matrix , Get Out: all originals.) Final Thought Not even Gen Z or Gen Alpha are asking for most of these remakes. A few, sure, but not this flood of remakes. At the rate we’re going, the concept of a “classic” might vanish not because we forgot them, but because we never had the chance to remember. Not to mention when a remake fails it tarnishes the original allowing it to become buried in time, no longer to be remembered.

Title:  Behind the Forecast Author: Evie Daniels Genre:   Contemporary Romance Rating: Like Spice: Flamin Hot Cheeto Synopsis: Coming home to figure out your next steps in life is hard enough. Add in the town grumpiest eligible bachelor showing up everywhere she is, and Eden Cross is finding it hard to weather the storm of her feelings.  Thoughts: This was a cute quick read about finding love when you least expect it and being able to recognize the signs. Eden’s the kind of woman who makes you happy to know her. She’s fun, intelligent and speaks her mind. Although she loves her family she won’t be dictated by their expectations of her. She will find her own path, regardless of who has something to say about it.  Her insta attraction to Dawson is only made more loveable by the kind of meet cute they had.  His inability to avoid Eden at every turn makes this more of a fated (human) mates story than a rom com. Very excited to see what’s in store for Dawson’s siblings.  Quotes:  “Maybe I’ll start charging for all the drama I’m bringing into your life. You’re welcome by the way.”  -Eden “You’re the one planning to murder me with a coffee pot.”  -Eden **************                                                                                       @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 the Book Review Behind the Forecast?

The episode introduces new tension with the arrival of Poppa’s daughter, Natalie, who has been estranged from him for years due to his past infidelities. She stops by Junior’s first to catch up and to announce her engagement.  Natalie is still hurt by Poppa’s cheating and has refused to speak with him for a long time. With her wedding approaching, she unexpectedly asks Junior to walk her down the aisle, sparking conflict. Junior visits Poppa to discuss this, and Poppa is upset that Junior has been in contact with Natalie. However, Junior argues that it’s time for someone to be the bigger person, especially given that Natalie is about to get married. Poppa, being his usual self, encourages Junior to have the classic “Fulton Family man talk” with Natalie’s fiancé. Later, Poppa opens up to Ivy, sharing how he and Natalie used to be incredibly close. They used to have donut Wednesdays, Milkshake Mondays, Ivy jokes that maybe he wouldn’t be diabetic if they had Salad Saturdays. Poppa misses their bond and has tried everything to mend the relationship, but nothing seems to have worked. Ivy tells him that she is a daddy’s girl and after the divorce her father had to fight to have a relationship with her. She encourages him to keep fighting for his daughter. The episode also introduces Dyrl, (sounds like squirrel)Natalie’s fiancé, who is a tall menacing mant. His intimidating presence causes Junior to react by letting out a high pitched scream when he opens the door with the intention of intimidating him but ends up being intimidated. Daryl comedically terrorizes Junior and Nina, adding some comedic relief to the otherwise tense family situation. Despite Daryl’s past (he served time for credit card theft), he’s turned his life around with Natalie’s help. Poppa sends donuts for their usual “Donut Wednesday,” hoping to low key reconnect with Natalie but this only angers her. After being encouraged by Dyrl and Junior, Natalie agrees to talk to Poppa. Natalie confronts Poppa about his absence during significant moments in her life, like her graduation. Poppa, true to form, admits he was there, but in the back row. He didn’t leave her or Junior, he left their mother and refuses to apologize to their mother, Katherine. She storms out saying that he is the reason that her relationships with men rarely work. She has daddy issues.  Poppa and Katherine meet up to discuss their daughter's return. They have an honest conversation about Natalie and Dyrl. Poppa reveals that Natalie has blamed him for her inability to trust men, but now he feels it’s time to tell the truth. In a shocking reveal, Katherine cheated first. I kind of feel like this is lazy way to absolve Poppa but at the same time can explain his attitude and his being closed off. It definitely adds new layers to the family dynamic going forward. Pictured L to R: Damon Wayans as Poppa and Wendy Raquel Robinson as Catherine. Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. While this episode delivers on the heartwarming moments and emotional depth; my main issue is with the late introduction of Natalie’s character. Her sudden appearance this late in the season feels a bit rushed. Natalie’s story could’ve been more developed throughout the earlier episodes to provide more context for her emotional arc. At the very least they could have talked about her or had Poppa reflect on missing her. It is such a missed opportunity and feels like she was a last minute add in. Overall, Poppa’s House Episode 17 does a great job balancing heartfelt moments with humor. Albeit the humor is still awkward and doesn’t always land. The revelation of the truth about Poppa and Katherine, along with Natalie’s return, gives this episode a strong emotional core. I’d rate this episode a B-.