Is there such a thing as too many stunts?
Paramount unveiled our first look at Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning: Part One on Monday morning, and it's a feast for the eyes.
The latest flick hits theaters July 14, 2023, and the movie should be available on Paramount+ around 45 days later, in line with Scream and Jackass Forever.
You don't have to go to the movies to get showstopping movies these days.
You just have to wait around six weeks to get in on the fun!
Tom Cruise returns for the latest chapter of the iconic franchise.
We pick up with Ethan Hunt as a man on the run, which means he'll be more cutthroat than before.
The movie also stars Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby (The Crown), Hayley Atwell (Marvel's Agent Carter), Shea Whigham, and Pom Klementieff.
The cast is rounded out by Esai Morales (Titans), Henry Czerny (Revenge), Rob Delaney, Cary Elwes, Indira Varma, Mark Gatiss, Charles Parnell, Greg Tarzan Davis, and Frederick Schmidt.
"Your days of fighting for the so-called greater good are over. This is our chance to control the truth, the concepts of right and wrong for everyone for centuries to come," Czerny tells Cruise's Hunt in the trailer.
"You're fighting to save an ideal that doesn't exist — never did. You need to pick a side."
The seventh installment in the series was directed by Christopher McQuarrie.
The release date has been shifted several times in response to the pandemic.
Cruise's Top Gun Maverick, which finally opens Friday, also suffered from some big delays.
In December 2020, audio from the set of Mission Impossible leaked, with Cruise heard shouting at two crew members for reportedly violating the strict COVID precautions.
A production source shed light on the situation to People, alleging that shooting the two movies back-to-back during a global pandemic took its toll on him.
"It's hard to [describe] how incredibly intense and focused he is on making every movie the absolute best possible," the production source told the outlet.
"The Mission: Impossible movies are very special to him. They are 'his' movies. Tom helped set up the COVID protocol. Of course, he takes it personally when the protocol is broken."
"In all the years of filming the Mission: Impossible franchise, no one has ever even heard Tom raise his voice," the source said.
"He is usually just laser-focused on filming. This movie is very different though. He has to film while making sure everyone stays safe."
Check out the trailer below and hit the comments with your thoughts!
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We are just days away from the penultimate season of Stranger Things.
Netflix on Monday dropped a final trailer for Stranger Things Season 4, and it's as climactic as expected.
The series returns Friday, May 27th, for the first seven episodes of the nine-part season.
The new trailer features some of the darkest scenes on the series to date, seemingly confirming that we're in for a scary ride from start to finish.
It looks like the Upside Down is taking over the world, or the kids are being forced to go on a journey into the unknown.
There have been a lot of devastating developments related to the Upside Down, so we imagine the kids will not be too excited about it.
"It's been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins," reads the synopsis for the new season.
"Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn't made things any easier."
"In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down."
The cast includes Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), and Noah Schnapp (Will Byers).
Also starring is Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler) with Matthew Modine (Dr. Brenner), and Paul Reiser (Dr. Owens).
Check out the full trailer below.
Prepare to be freaked out!
Return to TV Fanatic tomorrow for a spoiler-free review of Stranger Things Season 4.
We will also have episodic coverage on Friday when the season drops on Netflix.
Hit the comments with your thoughts on the latest trailer.
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This Is Us concludes for good Tuesday, May 24, but many scenes on This Is Us Season 6 Episode 18 were not filmed this year.
Mandy Moore, who has played Rebecca Pearson on all six seasons, shared in an interview with Deadline that parts of the episode were shot years ago.
“To be honest, a lot of what is in the finale for Milo [Ventimiglia] and I was filmed years ago," Moore teased.
"So, I don’t even remember what it was. We had a couple of things we shot for this that I’m excited to see.”
Rebecca was written out on This Is Us Season 6 Episode 17, with the character reuniting with Jack in the afterlife.
If you watch This Is Us online, you know the episode tugged at the heartstrings.
The good news is that the pair will be present on the last-ever installment.
“I read the [finale] script and I’m excited to see everyone else’s work,” Moore added to Deadline.
“I think it’s really beautiful. In my own selfish way — maybe because my character passed on in the last episode — I felt like last week was the finale, and this one feels more like an epilogue in a way."
"I think it’s a really beautiful way to tie things all together and tie them up in a very satisfactory fashion.”
Moore also said that filming the penultimate episode "packed an emotional punch for me."
"Reading the script every time I read it—and I read it 5 or 6 times—I had such an emotional response that I was really worried about how I was going to feel once I got on set."
"But once I got a little bit of the initial tears out of the way, it was fine. I was like, ‘We know how to do this, we’ve done 105 episodes. It’s fine.'”
Little is known about the series-ender, aside from the fact that the Big Three will be paying their last respects to their mother.
It will surely conclude all of their storylines, but there might be some stuff left open to interpretation.
Unlike many other series, This Is Us Season 6 has been a satisfying final season so far, paying off some of the biggest storylines.
Will that continue into the series finale?
We don't know, but we're excited to find out.
What are your thoughts on some scenes being filmed several years ago?
Hit the comments.
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S.W.A.T. fans were left in shock while watching Sunday's season finale.
On S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 22, Officer Christine “Chris” Alonso (Lina Esco) shocked her BFF Jim by announcing she was leaving the team to take over for Mama Pina.
Esco took to social media with a statement to confirm her exit from the hit CBS drama.
“Bringing to life a strong, smart, bisexual character like Chris Alonso has been both a pleasure and a powerful opportunity to increase visibility for diverse women everywhere," the statement reads.
"Five years later, I am leaving S.W.A.T. to pursue new creative endeavors. Chris never backs down from the unknown and as an actor and director, I’m excited to step out of my comfort zone and embark on a new chapter, too."
“That said, this is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make,” she shared.
“I’m forever grateful to my S.W.A.T. family – my fellow cast, writers, and producers – for an incredible journey. To the amazing S.W.A.T. fans, you are the heart of the show."
"I can’t thank you enough for your support and for walking beside me through all of Chris’ journey!”
S.W.A.T. showrunners Shawn Ryan and Andy Dettmann shared a statement reacting to Esco's decision to depart.
“For five seasons and 106 episodes, we’ve had the pleasure to watch Lina Esco bring Chris Alonso to life on S.W.A.T," the statement shared on the S.W.A.T. writers account reads.
"When Lina came to us a year ago to express her desire to eventually pursue other endeavors, we all worked hard to give Chris a proper, season-long sendoff, knowing what an important, iconic character she’s been to our audience."
"Lina rewarded us this season with thrilling performances as well as a terrific job directing an episode," the statement continues.
“What Lina brought to the show, and what Chris represented to our audience, are hard to replace."
"We’ll miss Chris, but we’ll especially miss Lina, as we wish her the best of luck with everything she chooses to do next.”
S.W.A.T. landed a sixth season renewal last month after a season of solid ratings.
In the fall, it will move back to Fridays, where it resonated very well earlier this season.
The show will understandably be different with the big exit, but the good news is that Chris was written out without being killed off.
Far too often, shows throw in a shock death to really switch things up.
The exit storyline was handled very well, so we'll need to watch the show in the fall to see how the team functions.
What are your thoughts on the departure?
Are you happy with how it was handled?
Hit the comments.
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Who DIDN'T see this one coming?
From the moment Belle warmed to Sami's scheming ex, it seemed obvious that she and EJ would eventually have an affair. It had everything a soapy drama needs: Belle's unhappy marriage, her being the one to stray despite her anger at Shawn for allowing her arch-enemy into their home and lives... and EJ being Sami's ex!
And on Days of Our Lives during the week of 5-23-22, it looks like the two will finally kiss for the first time.
This is not a good idea for many reasons, but you can't deny that the drama will be off the charts.
According to the spoiler video, Belle finds herself in EJ's arms after a confrontation with Jan. Even though Jan was deliberately pushing Belle's buttons, Shawn will likely blame Belle after the fight causes a medical crisis.
Considering that Jan already blamed Belle unfairly for a miscarriage in the past, Shawn should doubt that Belle is responsible this time. But he doesn't seem to be able to think clearly when it comes to Jan, and it appears he's going to walk in on the fight.
It's hard to believe this guy is a police detective! Then again, the Salem PD isn't exactly known for competence.
Anyway, Shawn's inability to see through Jan's manipulations will send an upset Belle right into EJ's arms, and we all know what happens on Days of Our Lives when an upset person turns to someone else who they've been flirting with.
EJ and Belle may label that first kiss a mistake, but eventually, it'll grow into something else. And when it does, Belle had better watch out. The Devil that her half-brother recently helped vanquish has nothing on an enraged Sami Brady!
Sami's supposedly happy with Lucas, but EJ was cleared of engineering her kidnapping, and Lucas's involvement has to come out sooner or later. What a pity!
Sami and Lucas have always been each other's true loves, but all of a sudden, Lucas is acting like EJ at his worst. Sadly, under these circumstances, their relationship can't last.
The EJ/Belle/Shawn/Jan drama is only a tiny part of what's happening! Please scroll down to check out all our spoilers for Days of Our Lives during the week of 5-23-22.
Kristen creates chaos at the DiMera shareholders’ meeting.
When does Kristen NOT cause chaos?
If she had to come back, I'd rather she support Lani. Lani/Kristen have a friendship that could easily cross the line into more, and it's always fun when they cross paths.
Since she showed up at the last minute, I expect her to betray her family and cast her vote for Gabi to remain as CEO, even though Kristen is out of character to support a non-Dimera running her family's company.
Johnny makes a pitch to Chanel to get remarried.
Was the divorce ever finalized? If it was, it seems like the fact that Johnny was possessed when he signed the papers would invalidate it.
Anyway, Chanel has been spending a lot of time with Johnny since he became un-possessed, and he's been her rock with her family crisis. He's more than proven that he's the man she once thought she was in love with.
Still, these two should take it slow this time. Their whirlwind romance and marriage left an opening for the Devil to trick Chanel into thinking Johnny had dumped her, and she still seems torn between Johnny and Allie.
Belle and Jan’s confrontation leads to a medical crisis.
2002 called, and they want their storyline back!
Seriously, this isn't any different from when Jan fell down the stairs and blamed Belle for losing her baby.
The only question here is whether the baby will survive. If it doesn't, there's no reason not to send Jan back to Statesville immediately, so it probably will... for now.
Allie has a heartbreaking talk about her future.
Tripp loves Allie, but he doesn't want to commit to someone who isn't committed fully to him. Smart man!
Allie's inability to decide between Tripp and Chanel broke his heart once, and when Chanel entered the room during the first part of this conversation, Allie seemed to forget Tripp was even there.
Allie owes it to herself to explore her feelings for Chanel or other women now that she's finally accepted that she's bisexual. But if Tripp isn't willing to wait for her to make up her mind, she will have to make a painful choice.
Xander tries to make amends with Sarah.
Please, soap gods, let Xander have learned his lesson!
This is the third time he's lost Sarah in the last year. The last time was because of Kristen's interference, but both times that the real Sarah dumped him were over the SAME lie.
So let's not have any more ridiculous lies and manipulations in an attempt to regain her heart, please. Spoilers say that Xander asks Chanel for a favor; whatever it is, it better not have to do with pretending that she's into him again to spark Sarah's jealousy!
Lani’s guilt threatens to overwhelm her.
Lani's guilt has been overwhelming her since Paulina confessed to shooting TR.
While her inner torment makes for some strong scenes, it's meaningless if Lani doesn't take action. She keeps talking about telling the truth but never gets past crying about how tortured she is over this lie.
It's time for Lani to step up and tell the truth to someone other than Eli, even if it does mean she gets arrested.
Abe declares his feelings for Paulina.
This would be exciting if only Paulina weren't lying again.
Yes, it's for a noble cause, just as her last lie was. Other than the Price Town debacle, Paulina's lies are all based on protecting Lani from TR -- both while he was alive and now that he's dead.
Still, Abe dumped her because he couldn't trust her. When he finds out that she lied AGAIN, he'll break up with her for the third time. Can someone please stop this awful merry-go-round?
Eric gives Sarah surprising advice.
Is he going to tell her to forgive Xander?
Even if Xander has been nothing but nasty to Eric, that wouldn't be entirely out of character for Salem's semi-resident priest.
It feels like we're headed toward an Eric/Sarah/Xander triangle, though, so Sarah may not take it if Eric does give this advice.
Your turn, Days of Our Lives fanatics. Hit the big, blue SHOW COMMENTS button and let us know what you think about these spoilers.
Eager to chat about already-aired episodes of Days of Our Lives? Check out the latest Days of Our Lives reviews and Days of Our Lives Round Table discussions.
Days of Our Lives airs on NBC on weekday afternoons. Check your local listings for airtimes or watch on Peacock TV on weeknights after 8 PM EST / 5 PM PST.
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American Idol crowned another winner Sunday, and it was a country music showdown for the ages.
ABC went live coast-to-coast to allow the final three (Leah Marlene, Huntergirl, and Noah Thompson) the opportunity to make a plea for America's vote.
Thanks to the excessive three-hour runtime, the episode was overstuffed, but hey, at least we got some great musical performances along the way.
Even after all these years, the former FOX reality series still knows how to deliver show-stopping performances, thanks to the wide array of talent the producers reel in to take part.
Leah Marlene kicked off the show in thrilling fashion with a rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA," a performance that garnered the 20-year-old much praise from the judges.
"What big boots you have stepped into," Lionel Richie said, clearly impressed by the immense talent on the show this year.
Katy Perry declared Marlene to be "the whole package," which is a major positive in the music industry.
"You've won, period, end of story, to me," Perry added.
Marlene also got to perform "Flowers," an orignal song she recently released.
It was a raw and emotional performance that culminated in the crowd chanting "Leah."
That's a big seal of approval, right?
"The crowd will not lie to you," Richie shared. "Props to your songwriter side.”
"I’m so blessed to be here, a part of this show that is truly making a difference and changing lives," Perry said of the performance and the song.
"That song is so beautiful and is going to change other people’s lives."
Luke Bryan agreed with his fellow judges that the song was great.
"What a ride you must be on," he said.
"I’m so happy for you, and you have every right to have these emotions right now."
As for Huntergirl, she kicked things off with "Dancing in the Dark," and as expected, it was another powerhouse performance.
"You’re comfortable. This is your stage," Perry said.
"You did that and more. I don’t think you’re a star. I think you’re a supernova."
"You now own the stage," Richie said.
"You now are responsible for your own career, and my dear, you have a career."
"Music is a lot of people’s therapy," Katy added. "And sometimes it’s our own therapy."
Noah, the third of the three finalists, kicked things off with "I'm on Fire."
Noah was solid during his first audition, but he's blossomed into a star throughout his time on the show.
"It’s a long way from that first audition, buddy," Luke said.
"You have what is now your stage persona," he said.
"That is called an artist. You have now graduated to that wonderful stage of your life."
Thompson followed that performance up with "One Day Tonight," his original song.
"I’m just gonna keep my tissue in the palm of my hand," Perry said following the performance.
"Do not stop dreaming. There is a plan for you and your life."
Just before the halfway mark of the show, Ryan Seacrest revealed that Marlene had finished in third place, leaving Huntergirl and Thompson to perform one last time for the America's Vote.
Thompson went with Rihanna's "Stay," while Huntergirl went with Rascal Flatts' "Riot," the song she sang in her first audition.
At the end of the episode, we learned that 16 million votes had been cast and that Thompson won the show.
"My heart is beating out of my chest," said the understated singer. "This is crazy."
The series featured A+ talent this season, and we're sure all of the finalists will go on to have great careers.
What are your thoughts on Thompson's win?
Hit the comments.
ABC recently renewed American idol for Season 21, but it's unclear which judges will return.
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How did Atlantic City treat Peter?
On Family Guy Season 20 Episode 20, Peter embarked on a business trip to New Jersey.
Meanwhile, Stewie helped Chris prepare for his role in Adam West High's rendition of Romeo and Juliet.
Elsewhere, Meg and Lois were at odds over how to proceed following their battle for a plumber.
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Was there a future for Elizabeth and Lucas?
On When Calls the Heart Season 9 Episode 12, the pair pondered the future as their problems continued to mount.
Meanwhile, Bill helped Gowen through the fallout of the mine explosion.
As the rest of the town fretted about what would happen next, a sudden turn of events left everyone in shock.
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How did the big battle play out?
On Fear the Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 14, tensions mounted when Alicia arrived at the tower with her people.
As Strand worried about what to do next, Wes set out on a mission to take down his former allies.
Meanwhile, Daniel tried to come to terms with the loss of Ofelia by taking Charlie under his wing.
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Did Homer manage to get through to Bart?
On The Simpsons Season 33 Episode 22, there was a lot of tension when Bart humiliated his father at church.
Meanwhile, a singing janitor appeared at the school with a different view on how children should be raised.
How did it all play out for the family and the students?
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Did the NCIS manage to find out who stole the military-powered weapons?
On NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Episode 22, a sudden turn of events left everyone trying to find a crew that robbed a casino.
Meanwhile, Kensi and Deeks heard exciting news regarding adoption.
Elsewhere, Callen and Anna took a big step in their relationship.
What did they learn about each other?
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Did Tabitha and Archie manage to save the diner?
On Riverdale Season 6 Episode 15, things took a turn when it emerged that Percival had a plan to demolish the iconic location.
Meanwhile, Betty opened up to Agent Drake about her ability to see people's evil auras.
Elsewhere, Reggie and the shareholders declared war on Veronica, so she went to extreme measures.
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How did the ladies receive Kandi's big show?
On The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 14 Episode 4, everyone made their way to New York for the big show.
However, the drama was afoot when it emerged that someone had messed with a gift bag.
Elsewhere, Drew made a comment that caused a lot of problems with one of her co-stars.
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It's time to say farewell to one of 20-Squad's own.
On S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 22, as the team tried to thwart a terror attack, Chris prepared for her final day on the team. And it's as emotional as ever.
Meanwhile, Hondo received some surprising and life-changing news.
A finale on S.W.A.T. is always a big one in terms of emotions and actions, and this one did not fail.
When Chris first told Hondo about quitting in order to run the safe house on S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 20, it was surely a shock.
Chris has been part of the team since the very beginning and losing an original member is something no one saw coming.
However, it was true Chris to quit the team in order to run the safe house. That's just who she is.
Seeing each member of 20-Squad have their own individual moment with her before she left was special and it was definitely needed for not only her, but for the fans as well.
After five seasons and 106 episodes, Lina Esco has had her final mission.
She brought to life such an amazing, incredible, badass, inspiring female S.W.A.T. officer, and it's going to be weird watching next season without Christina Alonso.
The fact that we were able to get a nice departure and not have her killed off means that her ending is open-ended.
So, wherever you go, whatever you do, we will always have your back because we will always be together. This ain't goodbye. It's forever.
Hondo
It's clear that the show will always mean something to Lina Esco, and the team will always mean something to Chris.
Hopefully this won't be the last time we see her, especially since a long-awaited couple has finally gotten together after all these years.
The episode starting off with Stris might be my favorite opening yet.
While I was expecting it due to one of the sneak peeks CBS posted, it was still better than I was hoping.
They, and the fans, have waited so long for them to be together and now it finally happened. It also seems like they are happier than ever. And they aren't the only ones happy.
This is really happening.
Luca
Luca being so excited to see two of his best friends together really solidified the whole thing.
If there was a title for #1 Stris fan, it would be Dominic Luca.
After heartbreak earlier on S.W.A.T. Season 5, Hondo and Nichelle finally got some good news.
While moving in and out of Hondo's house, Daniel Sr. accidentally looked inside one of Nichelle's boxes and saw a pregnancy test.
Daniel Sr. had to let his son know about it after finding out where the team was heading to and that Nichelle might be in danger.
Daniel Sr.: Here's to family.
Hondo: Here's to our family.
Hondo was as excited as ever, and it was pretty hilarious seeing him trying to hold in a smile after coming home since he does not have a very good poker face.
Hopefully, things will go their way next season, since they have already gone through enough.
When Hondo found out that Nichelle was pregnant, he was with the rest of the team driving to the Queen Mary.
And when it came time for Hondo and Luca to risk their lives, Luca went in due to Hondo becoming a dad.
You just found out you're going to be a dad. Has to be me.
Luca
That, in turn, made Hondo talk to Nichelle, and he made Luca their baby's godfather.
I cannot wait to see how this all turns out and how far Luca will spoil Baby Harrelson, because he most definitely will.
This storyline is one that I am looking forward to continuing and I hope so much that it's one of the lighter ones to come out in the upcoming sixth season.
The best part about a show filming in the city where it is set is the show having the ability to shoot on location at famous landmarks.
Filming in Los Angeles and the LA area allows S.W.A.T. to film in so many great locations, and this finale added a pretty big one to the list.
This episode saw the team going to the Queen Mary, docked in Long Beach, after it was found out a postgrad student was planting deadly nerve agents around the busy ship to get revenge after his family was killed.
This isn't political. It's straight revenge.
Tan
Having gone to the Queen Mary a few years ago pre-COVID, it was pretty cool seeing yet another familiar landmark on S.W.A.T.
It makes me wonder just where 20-Squad will take their missions next season.
The S.W.A.T. finale has come and gone, and with it came an emotional departure.
Are you sad about Lina Esco leaving? How different do you think the series will be come Season 6 without Chris? At least fans finally got the Stris relationship they were hoping for.
Now that Hondo and Nichelle are officially expecting, will things go smoothly for them, or will they have to go through some complications? Nothing is ever predictable for S.W.A.T.
Share your thoughts on the season finale below and be sure to watch S.W.A.T. online anytime via TV Fanatic!
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No surprises were to be found here.
It was a paint-by-numbers season finale on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Episode 22.
That didn't mean it was disappointing. Instead, it was eminently predictable.
Didn't everyone have "Kensi and Deeks become parents" and "Callen and Anna take the next step in their relationship" on their season-ending game card?
There even was a bit of a case of the week that could be dispatched in the middle half-hour of the episode because, you know, it is a procedural at heart.
So let's first quickly dispatch with that just like the team did.
First, let's examine the robbery itself. The guards docilely loaded the bags of cash into the UTV. They decided to do their jobs and start firing at it as it was driving away.
Because, obviously, the big gun on it didn't have any firing range. Nor did the UTV have a reverse gear. Idiots.
Here's another baffling plot point: the gunfire took out the surveillance cameras. But wouldn't the feed from those cameras go to some backup system, if only it's the Cloud?
But no. Instead, Sam and Callen had to find out it was some weaponized drone UTV from an underappreciated server who witnessed the attack.
So the OSP discovered they were seeking some homemade contraption cobbled together from heavy-duty weapons.
Kudos to Rountree for extrapolating that the UTV was being transported, Knight Rider-style, in a tractor-trailer. It's great to see that the classics endure.
That led to the squad taking a two-pronged approach, with Sam and Callen seeking the truck and Kilbride bringing in a secret weapon who owed him a favor: Nina Barnes.
Nina, played by Lesley Boone (Ed), was an enjoyable character who should go into the series' recurring character rotation. It never hurts to have another informant with connections on the dark side.
Having an arms dealer whose day job was operating a cake shop was fun. Also, it was remarkable how she took pleasure knowing how miserable Kilbride would be living in L.A.
It took her no time to work her old contacts and come up with the buyers' names. She also bonded nicely with Kensi and Deeks.
Sam and Callen also tracked down Sang, part of a Korean gang that Switch clashed with on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Episode 14.
As Switch, Sam forced Sang, an arms transporter himself, to help them locate the truck carrying around the UTV. Sang was suspicious of Callen, who claimed to be Switch's life coach.
To get out from under Switch, Sang delivered not just the name of the transporter but also the transponder number of his truck.
All that was needed was for the driver to take out his truck again, and in no time flat, the transporter was dead, and one of the UTVs recovered. Pesky case dismissed.
Maybe the other one will turn up next year. Probably not since it would require an engineer to run it.
It was case solved, which left lots of time to wrap up loose ends from the season/series.
In case you missed any episode on which it was mentioned, Kensi and Deeks wanted to become parents.
After they had jumped through sufficient hoops, that finally happened as they were approved to become foster parents to Rosa.
Whatever happened to Rosa's friend Pilar? Wasn't she in the mix to be fostered by the couple as well? Ah, well, maybe next season.
This arrangement is a pairing that should work out well. Kensi and Deeks get a nearly fully grown girl, so they don't have to deal with those messy growing pains. Rosa wants to stay in this country and having a foster father who's a lawyer, and a cop can't hurt her chances.
Also, any time Kensi and Deeks need to be written out of an episode, Rosa will provide a ready excuse: sick, immigration hearing, well, you get the picture. Or maybe Deeks finally retires outright.
The Rosa celebration at the beach was a lovely montage moment as she got to meet all the people who are part of her foster parents' work life.
There. We can check off that very extended storyline after a couple of seasons.
Talking about very extended storylines, Callen finally made his move after Katya nearly blew up him and Anna on NCIS: Los Angeles Season 13 Episode 21. It's about time.
His earlier tender moment with Anna naturally got interrupted by Arkady, who blew in to check on his baby girl three days after she had texted him. Better late than never, I guess.
Then, with all the joy spreading around at the celebration, Callen was finally inspired to pop the question after Anna convinced him that their "normal lives" would always be different from everyone else's. They stepped on Kensi and Deeks' moment but so what?
This episode was no cliffhanger, but there remain plenty of ongoing storylines. Pembroke is still out there somewhere. How will Sam and Raymond work out? Hetty is MIA, but she still could pop up to officiate Callen and Anna's wedding, which likely won't happen until next season's finale.
To follow Kensi and Deeks' parenting journey, watch NCIS: Los Angeles online.
Are you glad the parent quest is over?
Were you surprised Callen finally proposed?
How did you like the old guys' table?
Comment below.
...
Like many 19-year-old men, Billy McCarty Antrim is still learning the hard way.
Unfortunately, Billy continued to be haunted by his recent criminal mistakes on Billy the Kid Season 1 Episode 5.
Billy believes he's basically good but just misunderstood. Thanks to the wanted posters for Kid Antrim, the general population feels otherwise.
While recuperating after almost dying in the desert on Billy the Kid Season 1 Episode 4, Billy had the opportunity to reflect upon his short life.
Instead, he fell hard for his nurse, Barbara, who just happened to be the woman of Jesse Evans, Billy's former partner in crime.
Maybe Barbara should have mentioned that along the way. Then again, Barbara was a liberated woman long before her time who had broken away from the strict dogma of the Calvinists.
Barbara didn't feel compelled to bind herself to one man, and she told both Jesse and Billy that, to their chagrin.
Billy and Jesse had a strange dynamic, which helped to color the situation.
Jesse left Billy to take the fall for the burglary at a Chinese laundry back on Billy the Kid Season 1 Episode 3. But Billy did owe Jesse for rescuing him from his ill-fated march through the desert.
Like many teens, Billy's problem was that he succumbed to peer pressure.
He rustled cattle and robbed the laundry at Jesse's urging. Alias pushed him to steal horses from the Army. He killed that blacksmith in self-defense. He's just a victim of circumstance.
Billy tries to be a good Christian, following the teachings of his late sainted mother, Kathleen. Thanks to her loser husbands, she worked hard every day to provide for her boys even though she would never get ahead.
Unlike Kathleen, Billy lacked socially approved skills. He could shoot and, to a lesser degree, play cards. Was it any wonder that he was in trouble from a young age without Kathleen's moderating influence?
So when Jesse invited Billy to ride with his gang, he declined for a host of reasons, leading with that he was attempting to lead a good life, all evidence to the contrary.
There were other, more apparent, obstacles. Members of Jesse's gang didn't want the infamous Kid Antrim to draw attention to them.
Then there was the whole Billy-Jesse-Barbara triangle. Barbara didn't want to choose. Billy didn't like to share Barbara with Jesse. Jesse didn't want to share either of them with the other.
So, yes, that was one of Billy's rare good choices when he asked Jesse for a horse so that he could leave.
Jesse's drawing a bead on Billy was his "If I can't have him, no one can" moment. But, as Barbara pointed out, he loved Billy too much to kill him.
Billy followed that good decision with yet another bad one. Since Billy was wanted in New Mexico and Arizona, he chose to head to Mexico instead.
That made some sense, as criminals going to Mexico to hide out is a longstanding tradition that lingers to this day.
And, yes, Billy spoke the language, which had to help. However, there was no disguising that he was a gringo, and the Mexicans hated gringos for stealing their land. Billy, whose best friend growing up was Mexican Carlos, was painfully unaware of that fact.
He was soon made painfully aware of it. First, a young boy suckered tourist Billy by offering to shine his boots, then absconded with them.
When Billy chased after that boy, a trio of local bandits cornered and beat him until local gambler Segura rescued him. Yup, Billy found himself another running mate with whom to get into trouble.
Billy did have the common sense to hide some of his stash, which turned out to be a good move after Segura unveiled his plan to double team crooked card dealer Ortiz.
However, his luck didn't hold after they'd won, as the pair got rolled by a couple of attractive sisters who seduced them to stay overnight and then stole their money after they got drunk and passed out.
Broke yet again, Billy had to use his gun and bullets as his stake at Ortiz's game. But after catching Ortiz dealing off the bottom of the deck, Billy and Ortiz won once again.
The two amigos then parted ways, with Segura heading to New Mexico for family business and Billy opting to go to Texas, where there wasn't a price on his head yet. Likely he'll join the Texas Rangers once there.
However, Ortiz didn't take losing so gracefully the second time around, and he and his men trailed Billy and Segura after they left Chihuahua, determined to get his money back.
He made the mistake of ambushing Billy at night. After Billy got his campfire roaring, he could pick off Ortiz's men one by one by firelight.
That left Ortiz alone with Billy. Even after Ortiz offered to let Segura live, Billy chose to shoot him in the head, becoming a murderer.
What changed to make him kill intentionally? Billy likely saw this as a righteous killing, ridding the world of a horrible individual.
Still, Billy crossed a line from which he'll never return in his short life.
It will be intriguing to see how this changes Billy's thought process about himself.
To revisit Billy's move to the dark side, watch Billy the Kid online.
Was Billy right to leave behind Jesse and Barbara?
How did you like Segura?
Was Billy justified in killing Ortiz?
Comment below.
...
If it takes otherworldly spirits to save Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, they're more than welcome to join the team!
The fight for the diner became a battle of patience on Riverdale Season 6 Episode 15. Only the most patient of people could handle tearing down the diner multiple times.
The construction crew deserves a medal for what they did. But was their work in vain?
"Chapter One Hundred And Ten: Things That Go Bump In The Night" gave us the "why" of Percival Pickens' constant pettiness against the diner. After many weeks of vague foreshadowing, we needed a clear answer to this mystery.
And just like Cheryl's brilliant one-liner to Tabitha and Heather, all I can say is, "Was it clear?!"
So, Percival wants to build a railroad to create a ghost train that will carry away spirits and amass his power? That's the answer I understood from the ghostly chat with Gilda.
If it's true, this theory has jumped the shark a bit.
Percival is the embodiment of evil. He is Legion. All of this mess to create a ghost train and bring on the apocalypse seems like a convoluted way of getting what he wants. Couldn't Percival get the job done much quicker?
Like, the spirits in Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe were doing his work for him. They barely had to lift a spectral finger, and they were already getting more done in a few days than he's had for weeks now.
When things started acting up, Percival seemed like the obvious cause. Misplaced furniture and strange happenings are the kinds of sabotage that feel petty and mystical. It felt so much like Percival.
Riverdale is in its supernatural era, so something spooky had to be in the mix.
Gilda: If it is, we will dissipate into the ether. If that happens, there will be no witnesses, and the final battle cannot take place. And there will be no opportunity to defeat the Eldritch evil.
Tabitha: Which is why Percival is so hellbent on destroying Pop’s. This is all starting to make sense.
Cheryl: Is it?!
Ghosts were a fun choice for the sabotage because they fleshed out the diner's history and gave more chances for mishaps. Ghosts can do anything they put their minds to, like putting the furniture back.
Plus, it's Riverdale. The town is filled with spirits wanting to bite back and speak their peace.
It's great that Tabitha and the team won over the spirits. In the coming war, they'll need all their help; ghosts seem like the best allies to fight since they can't die.
Also, the ghosts knew more about the ghost train than many others, so they'll feel personally involved to make sure Percival doesn't win.
I wish Frank had joined up with Archie again. His scene with Archie at the bar was so tender and sweet; the family moment brought so much heart to the chapter.
Though, good job to the Riverdale writers because they fooled me. His red herring move was subtle, but it cut deep; Frank is terrible as a traitor.
Speaking of traitors, Reggie keeps digging himself a deeper hole of being a scumbag. He's lucky that Veronica and Jughead only took one memory out of his head instead of everything.
Using the knowledge of Veronica making the hit on Hiram as blackmail was a low blow, even for him.
Did he need the funds from the mentalist's show that bad? He could've found other ways to get money instead of antagonizing Veronica.
Still, Veronica working with Jughead was a nice change of pace; we don't get many plans for these two working together.
They're an unlikely duo that balances one another; they put on a great show at the casino, and their scheme worked to get the memory. We need more scenes of them together.
Fangs and Toni's romance seems like it's on the rocks. The stress of the custody case exposed some underlining problems in their relationship, like Fangs' need to give his part.
Can't he be happy for them and work as a team?
So, what do you say? Will you marry me?
Toni
Being Southside Serpents (and having criminal records) will work against them in court, but they need to be on the same page. Agreeing to work for Percival will undoubtedly come back to haunt him; it's a bad move to trust Percival a little bit.
And if Toni is only marrying Fangs to win the case potentially, that knowledge could cause a lot of chaos if it's found out. He must have a scheme in the works against Fangs for letting him work on the project.
Is anyone surprised Heather is a witch too? She is from Greendale, after all.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is slowly merging with Riverdale in every way. (We love to see the crossovers.)
Cheryl: Can you teach me what you know? I’ve been walking along this witchy for quite some time, but mostly alone.
Heather: Cheryl, I’d love that.
Heather and Cheryl had a lot of chemistry; you could feel the tension in every scene. They're clearly into each other. Cheryl should've just made her move and asked her on a date; she didn't need a library project to make it happen.
If these witch lessons and rituals help her along the way, let's bring it on so they can admit their feelings. Unless Heather is secretly betraying Cheryl, the cards seem to be foretelling romance in their future.
Betty's research into the auras was an exciting contrast to Riverdale Season 6 Episode 14. That chapter focused on Veronica's poison, while this chapter went for a more scientific and investigative approach to prove a theory.
Between the two, I liked this more because there were past moments from the overarching mystery that came up as evidence, like Trevor the orderly and The Trash Bag Killer.
This plot seemed more important to the story and had a foundation.
I wish Betty and Gillian found an answer to the theory.
All "Chapter One Hundred And Ten: Things That Go Bump In The Night" did was remove ideas. These helped clear some things up, but they didn't get us closer to the truth.
The auras are a bigger mystery now since we're unsure why they come up and for whom.
Frank's aura proved he planned to ruin Pop's furniture. Alice's aura seemed directed at Betty since the kids were taken away. Dagwood's aura could be his possible plans to hurt the cat. But what about Betty's new aura?
Ugh, writer’s block. A constant foe in my life. And, I’m running out of ways to procrastinate.
Jughead
Betty overcame a lot to put away Dark Betty permanently. I'm not worried for her because her sense of logic and justice pushes her to do the right thing. This aura could be her fear from all the Hal mess.
And Alice did rip her a new one at the station. Anyone hearing those words would feel horrible later on.
The auras could all stem from the intentions to harm, but that's just a theory. We need more answers!
Last Thoughts From Sweetwater River:
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Agent Drake is so into Betty. Her flirt game was at a 7 or 8.
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Alice has no leverage to yell at Betty. Didn't she admit to Betty that she tried to control her for years? And for the MANY years that she treated her horribly?
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The El Royale wouldn't be able to operate as a diner. They don't have a liquor license, and the building probably doesn't have the requirements to be listed as a diner.
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Cheryl's reaction during the ghost train explanation made me laugh out loud. All I could do was say, "Same."
Now, over to you, Riverdale fans.
What did you think of "Chapter One Hundred And Ten: Things That Go Bump In The Night"?
What is causing Betty's aura? Will Percival get involved to stop Jughead and Veronica's magic show? What new spells will Cheryl learn from Heather?
If you missed the latest episode of Riverdale, you can watch Riverdale online via TV Fanatic. Come back here and share your thoughts in the comments below.
...
Every time Fear the Walking Dead finds some semblance of potential, the writers waste it on mind-numbing, eye-rolling developments.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 14 was supposed to be the big war we've been promised all season long, but instead, it was another case of untapped potential.
You can't promise war and not deliver unless there's an excellent reason for it.
Alicia has been through it all, and she was dead set on avenging Will, and everyone else Strand wronged when she declared war on him on Fear the Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 8.
If you watch Fear the Walking Dead online, you know Strand has turned on his closest allies.
That part of him is consistent with the Strand we met all those years ago, but his indecisiveness about which side to choose in the end irked me.
He's killed all these people and embraced a criminal lifestyle, so it was difficult to believe he would miraculously change his ways to try and get Alicia in the tower full-time.
Are we to believe that Strand talked a big game but drew the line at wiping out Alicia?
There will always be a history between these two because they've known each other since the beginning of the outbreak.
It makes sense that they would bicker, but Strand's recent actions have been consistent with a narcissistic villain who doesn't deserve redemption.
There was raw emotion between Alicia and Strand in the elevator as they both tried to get through to each other, and honestly, the acting on the series remains A+.
It's disconcerting to see such a talented cast wasted with wishy-washy writing.
Alicia believing Strand could change initially was big, but it highlighted just how desperate she was to avoid this war.
Everyone has lost someone in this apocalypse and fighting with people you once deemed family is not the best foot forward.
The fundamental issue with a character like Strand is we know he can change on a dime and will murder a close friend just for fun.
Alicia and Strand allying didn't feel true to either character, but it helped move the plot along ... until Strand questioned whether he should be a full-fledged villain again.
He needs to pick a lane and stay in it because I almost got whiplash from the flip-flopping.
Alicia being mad at Strand for killing Wes was another major eye-roll moment. Strand killed far more important people to Alicia than Wes, so why would she care about a friend-turned-enemy?
Wes could have been a decent adversary, but the writers waited too long to show shades of darkness in him.
Wes showed up on Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 and was one of the best characters in one of the worst seasons of TV, but then he got pushed aside for other characters.
Aside from Strand, Morgan, and Alicia, Fear the Walking Dead puts all of the other characters on the back burner, to the point that you almost forget they're still alive.
The heel turn for Wes could have been so much better.
Don't even get me started on the people of the tower blindly following Wes, who used to work with the people the tower was against.
Strand clearly operated a culture of fear inside this place he called home, but it's hard to believe not one of his allies turned against Wes and sided with the others.
Alycia Debnam-Carey's status on the show remains in question, so I keep expecting Alicia to meet her end. It will suck when it happens, but what can this show realistically put her through next?
There's no chance in hell she's dying atop the burning tower. The cliffhanger was a cheap way to get fans talking about her fate.
While Alicia and Strand were parading around the tower as though they were competing on Just Dance, I thoroughly enjoyed Daniel's storyline.
Daniel has had much less screentime than many other characters, but I'm surprised the writers are actually handing his storyline gracefully.
It feels consistent with what you'd expect from him. I appreciated that he knew he didn't get to spend Ofelia's final days with her, so he's taking on a father figure for Charlie.
Charlie's situation is heartbreaking, but we've seen these characters walk around in radiation for a whole season, so I'm sure she'll survive the season.
With two episodes left, and another soft reboot in the cards, the series needs to whittle down the cast to prepare for Fear the Walking Dead Season 8.
In order to get tighter storytelling, the arcs need to be planned to include the key players.
The bottle episodes are no longer working, so that needs to be rectified.
"Divine Providence" was a mind-numbing episode. The series needs new showrunners to get out of the current predicament.
Most of the characters are not benefiting from the writing. They're not evolving, and the show is suffering majorly as a result.
Hopefully, the return of Madison moves things in the right direction, but it's hard to be excited when the quality of the episodes is all over the place.
What are your thoughts on the lack of war?
Did you care that Alicia cared about Wes dying?
Do you think the show needs a creative overhaul?
Hit the comments.
Catch new episodes Sundays on AMC at 9 p.m.
...
After the cliffhanger at the end of The Time Traveler's Wife Season 1 Episode 1, I was disappointed there was no reference to it.
The series chose to have each installment focus on its own storyline or adventures of Henry and Claire. Some were interconnected, and others were new.
On The Time Traveler's Wife Season 1 Episode 2, Henry showed the rules of time travel to both Claire and young Henry while infuriating many people with his inability to open up about his feelings.
While Henry hated the danger of time traveling, he hated Christmas more. Henry traveled back to the Christmas he was eight years old, frequently trying to change the past.
Claire: But the danger isn’t the worst.
Henry: Christmas is the worst.
That was the worst day of Henry's life. He saw his mom die, and he couldn't stop it.
He even time-traveled out of the car and replayed that horrific scene again.
In a pivotal scene, Henrys at every age returned to the car accident, hoping to save their mom. This was the crucial moment that shaped Henry for the rest of his life.
Watching young Henry with his older self lightened up the mood.
Theo James and Jason David almost had the same mannerisms as adult Henry taught the younger Henry how to steal wallets and scam people.
The kid was one of many people to refer to adult Henry as an "asshole" and unfeeling when he confided his mom had just died.
Young Henry: Are all the other time travelers like you, assholes?
Adult Henry: Is there something about my face that attracts that word?
Adult Henry softened towards the kid but reinforced that rule number one of time traveling was that they couldn't alter the past.
Even at a young age, Henry strived to be a hero, and adult Henry had to reassure him that it wasn't his fault his mom died.
Henry probably suffered guilt because of those powers and things his dad said in grief.
Even at eight years old, he was starting to disappear for no reason, and his mom thought he was causing trouble.
That's partly what motivated his desire to save her and show her what a good kid he was.
Losing someone important made it difficult for Henry to confide in people, but his attitude turned other people away.
He walked around with such sadness that even young Claire noticed it. She was so bright that she realized he discussed his mom in the past tense.
When he refused to tell her why he was sad, she also called him an "asshole."
He then promised to tell her one day when a green man brought her a banana latte.
Back in the present, 20-year-old Claire also called out 28-year-old Henry for flirting with another woman on the train. He wanted to try a second date that wasn't distracted by sex.
Henry: This is how relationships work.
Claire: Who said this was a relationship?
Henry: The future said so. You don’t get a choice.
Claire was still struggling because the two Henrys were so different. She seemed determined to change the future, but Henry says the future has been predestined right down to where they have lunch.
Henry: This is too complicated so I think we should go back to Plan A.
Claire: What’s plan A?
Henry: Get drunk and have sex.
Claire became spooked when the green guy older Henry spoke of showed up with a banana latte. Since it was the right time, she asked again what made him sad.
Once his mom's name came up, Claire realized Henry's mom died years ago and became more compassionate. Henry offered to show Claire his past so she'd understand him better.
Henry exhibited a softer side we hadn't seen before as he traveled through time with Claire to see pivotal moments in time.
Some were heartwarming when they met his parents and baby Henry in the park since all he wanted was more time with his mom.
Others broke our hearts when we saw all the Henrys gathered at his mom's funeral.
It touched Claire's heart too that he finally opened up to her.
Henry allowed Claire to see parts of him no one else had when he showed her mementos and photos of his mom.
He even confided that he and his dad had been estranged since his teenage years since his dad didn't understand his power.
Henry traveled back to the night of his mom's death so many times since he felt he was helping her, and he didn't want to be an asshole.
Henry felt like a huge burden was on his shoulders, and he was afraid to love again.
Henry must care about Claire since he wanted to somehow introduce her to his mom. However, Claire was still uncertain how couples get together.
It's fascinating how time travel worked. Annette knew from another Henry that Claire had a question about love, so she answered it during her concert.
It meant so much to Henry to hear his mom's voice on that tape telling them a love for a little while is better than nothing.
That was the push both Claire and Henry needed to give this relationship an honest try.
Henry has shown that he's capable of caring, but he's afraid of letting people in.
That kept him brusque even with young Henry.
It was heartbreaking when the kid realized his trainer was his older self, and he would grow up to be like that.
While parts of "The Rules of Time Travel" dragged with the back story, it was essential for viewers to understand Henry and why he has so many walls up.
Over to you, The Time Traveler's Wife Fanatics. Did you need that history lesson on the rules of time travel?
Do you agree with Annette's advice about love? Has Henry reformed beyond being an "asshole?' Chime in below in the comments.
Remember, if you miss an episode, you could watch The Time Traveler's Wife online via TV Fanatic.
The Time Traveler's Wife airs at 9/8c on Sundays on HBO. It also streams on HBO Max.
...
What a great finale!
When Calls the Heart Season 9 Episode 12 offered the best that Hope Valley has to give.
Thank goodness, since, as of this writing, the show hasn't been renewed yet.
And frankly, it's worrisome that it hasn't been renewed. They normally do it during the live showing, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
But I also often get the news in advance so that we can post it as soon as the news is shared. That hasn't happened.
While I fully expect WCTH to be renewed by the publication of this article, this wouldn't be the worst place for the story to end.
From all angles, it has come full circle.
Coal Valley was rocked to its core when we first rode into town, and now, thanks to Henry Gowen, everyone can rest peacefully a little longer.
Henry has worn the crown for the men lost in the mining disaster. He was one of them, and they trusted him to do what was right for the community.
But it's not easy to blow the whistle on the company you work for, and it's even more difficult to make changes when your pleas go unheeded.
We've watched Henry fight like hell during When Calls the Heart Season 9 to ensure that the mine wouldn't reopen, and if it did, all safety precautions were taken.
But the men who ran it hadn't changed, and Henry's only hope to put an end to the town's misery was to blow it to smithereens.
Now, the people who just blamed him again finally see the man Henry has become instead of the man they thought Henry to be. Was there a dry eye in the house when he was met with applause upon his arrival in town via the back of a Mountie's rig?
Even the officers transporting him thanked him for an enjoyable ride. That's the man Elizabeth had always known, and it's thrilling that others finally see him as well.
Bill: You could've given me some warning.
Henry: I didn't know there was any kind of etiquette to turnin' one's self in.
It seems impossible for Henry to skip a prison sentence for his acts, but his heart is so full now that there's no need to worry about him.
He asked Joseph to help him pray, and that scene reminds us of how important it is to have the ability to practice your faith.
In the wake of the disaster, all hope came from within, and it was a welcome relief to allow Joseph to guide them when the Canfields came to town.
Redemption of any kind has its costs. I knew that when I made the decision to do what I had to do. But I'm no hero. Cleaning up one's own mess is not heroes work.
Henry
Florence even apologized to Henry and thanked him for what he did to save Hope Valley from another disaster. It's scenes like these that make When Calls the Heart must-see TV.
We all love the romance, of course, but the deep connections between the people of Hope Valley are the real draw.
And if we're looking for the finale MVP, that's Martin Cummins, who was spectacular as he conveyed Henry's raw emotions through this entire storyline.
If he's saying goodbye, he'll be missed.
Another touching story is Bill's realization that life isn't everlasting on this earth, and that he should probably take better care of himself.
And, if he can't manage to do that, he's gotten his affairs in order, asking Elizabeth to be in charge of them should anything happen.
His illness has given Molly pause, too. She keeps telling herself that they're just friends, but they both want something more out of life. Why are they holding back?
Faith is holding back her feelings for Nathan because she's ashamed that she has feelings for a patient.
Faith: Molly, I have a confession.
Molly: About Nathan?
Faith: It's been that obvious?
Molly: No, but I've carried a torch so I know all the signs.
Faith: I've become more interested in Nathan than as just a friend. It started right after his accident.
She must mean that in the sense that she fell for him because of the amount of time they spent together after his accident. She can't mean it in general because that would mean she could never fall in love.
The entire town is her patient, and to suggest that she can't fall in love with one of them is a stretch too far.
Of course, just as she begins to see the light, Mei arrives back to town. But the conversation Mei had with Nathan led me to believe they were going to be just friends.
Faith doesn't know that, and it will be one more obstacle in her path to a love that could be long-lasting.
Look at all of the obstacles that were in the path between Lucas and Elizabeth. Putting themselves out there took courage, and now they're reaping the rewards.
Lucas went off to have a think, and Elizabeth was so secure in their love that she didn't need to read the letter he left her.
Elizabeth: You know, I never actually opened your letter.
Lucas: I had to explain where I was going and why.
Elizabeth: I had a feeling I knew what it said. You were blaming yourself for any danger you might have caused Jack and me with Walden, and you were doing the same about the mine potentially reopening, and with the sale of the oil company, you were feeling unsure of what you'd do next in business.
Lucas: You knew all that without reading the letter. Next time, I'll just save the stationery.
Elizabeth: When I asked you if you'd changed your mind about us, about our future together, for some reason, I was doubting what I know about you, and I realized there's no need for me to ever doubt you.
Lucas: Well, I feel the same way about you, but thank you for the reminder.
Elizabeth: To me, you aren't what you do, nor are you the sum of your possessions. Even if you'd come back and all of this had been gone, burnt in the fire, there would still be love.
Lucas: Making me the richest man alive.
That's so beautiful and proves their love will last. They give each other room to breathe, and many relationships never reach that level of comfort.
It was particularly enjoyable that Nathan went to check on Lucas for Gustav at Elizabeth's urging. He teased her that she was the one who wanted him to go, but she remained steadfast. She didn't need to know, but Gustav was very worried.
You know, you could do a lot worse than to marry Bouchard. Try not to lose him like you lost me.
Nathan
Lucas: You know, I am a little low on food.
Nathan: That's a rookie mistake, not packing enough supplies.
Lucas: Well, I was packing for one.
The friendship developing between Lucas and Nathan is on par to be the male version of Elizabeth and Rosemary's friendship.
It wasn't easy for Rosemary to admit that although she was putting on a brave face, she was struggling with the potential news of her pregnancy.
They did what all good friends do in times of trouble, stealing a book on pregnancy to do a little internal investigation of her symptoms.
Doing that is no better than googling your health symptoms, though, so Faith gave Rosemary a brief on what to expect.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to raise a child in Hope Valley?
Rosemary
In the meantime, she and Lee talked about his offer, and that discussion fell right into their lap when she felt the quivering of life inside of her.
It's so early in her pregnancy, but she's going to carry this baby to term. If the WCTH writers don't see to it, I'll start writing my own fan fiction. There has never been a couple as deserving of sharing their life with a child as Lee and Rosemary.
Lee: I don't understand.
Rosemary: You're going to be a father, and I'm going to be a mother.
They'll be wonderful parents!
Lucas: Elizabeth, I've never been more sure that you are all that matters, and I know that you're the one that I'll love forever. I could never desire anything greater than to be the one that you love forever in return. So, if you would, allow me to be a father to your son and agree to be my wife. Elizabeth, will you marry me?
Elizabeth: Yes. Yes to it all.
As Elizabeth and Lucas will be. Lucas worked with Jack to surprise Elizabeth with a very personal, family-oriented engagement.
Jack: Did we do it, buddy?
Lucas: We sure did.
Jack: Yessss!
Lucas: Come here, you.
Elizabeth: Thanks for your help!
That's a whole lot of good news for the finale. But it's not everything. Here's a little more:
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Mike really resigned his role as Mayor. I'm kind of surprised.
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Minnie and Joseph had the cutest picnic battling the wind, which reminded me of when Elizabeth and Lucas got rained out during When Calls the Heart Season 8.
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Rosemary was good to her word with Elizabeth never to run a story that would be hurtful in any way, so she pulled the article about Henry at his request.
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Allie is ready to work on Nathan's love life again. Do you think she'll push for Faith or Mei?
OK, Hearties! What did you think of the finale?
Hit the comments below to talk all about it and remember that you can watch When Calls the Heart online if you missed any of it!
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Bo Brady's spirit returned to Salem, Tripp's sacrifice defeated the Devil, while Paulina tried to protect her daughter.
Our TV Fanatics, Jack and Christine, are joined by LumiForeverAndAlways and Soaps4Ever from MyHourglass, a Days of Our Lives fan forum to debate Bo's return, the Devil's wrap-up, Xander's lie, and more...
Bo's spirit returned to help Ciara rescue her son and save Tripp? Rate this wrap-up (just the wrap-up, not the entire story arc) of the Devil storyline from 1 (it was horrible) to 10 (I loved it!)
Jack: Bo's spirit returning is a 9. I felt like it was way too short-lived, but it was great to finally see Bo again. The wrap-up as a whole is only about a 7, though.
I don't understand how Tripp sacrificing himself makes the Devil disappear, as opposed to jumping into yet another host, and even though I know it was because Kristian Alfonso wasn't available, I disliked that Hope was not also at Ciara's bedside during this traumatic ordeal.
Also, the exorcism attempt looked silly, so it loses points for that.
LumiForeverAndAlways: The wrap of the storyline would get a 6 from me. Mind you, I loved that Bo came and rescued his daughter and kind of got to meet his grandson, who is named after him.
Soaps4Ever: I would rate it a 9. It was kind of cheesy, but it was a treat to see Bo, and I enjoyed seeing a supernatural aspect of the show that wasn't devil possession.
I loved how Bo's appearance was quiet yet powerful, especially after the agonizing scene where Tripp was pronounced dead, and Ava and Steve were grieving. I was hoping a miracle would save him and Bo resurrecting him with his angelic touch was very moving.
Seeing Bo save Ciara's son was very moving as well.
Christine: I'll give it an 8. Like everyone else, I loved seeing Bo. I only wish we'd gotten to see more of him, especially Bo and Steve, because I've always thought their friendship was special.
I also enjoyed Ciara fighting for her son. And I've always had a soft spot for Tripp, so it was nice to see him front and center in this wrap-up.
And Ava and Steve believing Tripp was dead was heartbreaking. It was a powerful soap moment, but I'm happy Tripp was saved in the end.
Tripp was willing to sacrifice his life to save Allie. Would you like to see Allie and Tripp romantically paired together once again?
Jack: I like Allie and Tripp as a couple but only if Allie makes up her mind! I don't want a replay of Tripp giving Allie his heart only for her to secretly have feelings for Chanel. Tripp deserves someone who loves him fully and is willing to be committed to him.
LumiForeverAndAlways: Tallie - Tripp, and Allie is one ship I will love to see together again. I hated they broke up in the first place.
Soaps4Ever: I am not sure I would like to see Tripp and Allie paired together at this point. Allie needs more time to sort her feelings out and figure out who she wants to be with.
I think she cares for both Tripp and Chanel, but eventually, she will have to make a clear decision about who she wants to be committed to. Allie's future also depends on Chanel's choices.
Christine: I love Allie and Tripp, but only if Allie is all in. Tripp deserves better than to feel like her consolation prize. If she doesn't love him with her whole heart, she should let him go.
Were you surprised that Eli wanted Lani to go ahead with Paulina's coverup?
Jack: I really shouldn't have been. These writers tend to make the characters act however will serve the plot best.
But Eli has always been a stand-up guy who doesn't like to bend or break the rules. It felt out of character for him to tell Lani that Paulina was right to take the fall for her.
LumiForeverAndAlways: Yes, I was. This is not like Eli at all.
Soaps4Ever: I was kind of surprised Eli wanted to go along with the coverup, but I had a feeling he might because of the twins.
That being said, it is going to be hard for this lie to keep on going much longer. I have a feeling Lani will confess soon as she won't be able to hold the truth in and wants to do the right thing.
Christine: I think the possibility of the mother of his twins going to prison is a big motivator for him to continue with the coverup.
But that said, it's a stupid lie. There are way too many holes in Paulina's story. It took Eli and Abe minutes to figure out what really happened.
Lani needs to get ahead of this as soon as possible because the longer she waits, the worst the consequences will be.
Xander refused to tell Sarah that her baby had died. Is that understandable or crazy?
Jack: This plot was incredibly annoying. I'm glad it unraveled quickly. Eric was right; Xander was afraid Sarah would be angry at him.
The stupidest thing, besides the fact that there was no way Xander could make this work, was that Xander didn't even have to tell her about the baby switch. He just had to tell her that Mickey had passed away while she was out of it.
LumiForeverAndAlways: I have mixed feelings about this. I get why he doesn't want to tell her as she has gone through a traumatic event, but again she deserves to know where her baby is.
Soaps4Ever: Xander wanting to keep Sarah from knowing her baby had died was crazy. I can understand about the fallout that would come from her finding out again, but he should have told her right away.
It looks like she probably found out the truth from Eric, which was a relief. As sad as it was, I'm glad she knows now.
Christine: I love him, but Xander isn't always the brightest bulb. His first instinct is to protect Sarah from pain, and sometimes that leads him to stupid decisions, like not just telling her Mickey died.
The part I really can't believe is that Maggie went along with it.
Is there anything Belle can do to stop Jan from ruining her marriage?
Jack: She could start thinking like a lawyer instead of being so over-emotional. She keeps playing right into Jan's hands. Instead, Belle should use her legal prowess to fight back.
Get a restraining order against Jan, then go to the judge and say since Jan can't be anywhere near her, this arrangement won't work.
She also should look into whether she can have Jan's parental rights terminated so that Shawn and Belle have complete custody of the baby, Jan has no way to even be allowed to see it once she's released, and Jan can do nothing about it.
Would it be cruel to take Jan's baby from her permanently? Absolutely, but Jan would have brought it on herself. Belle needs to start fighting fire with fire instead of throwing tantrums.
LumiForeverAndAlways: Maybe she could actually talk to Shawn instead of hanging out with the rapist and person that made it look like her niece was kidnapped. I mean EJ.
Soaps4Ever: I think Belle should move back in, pronto. Jan will only continue to manipulate Shawn, who is letting Jan take advantage of him with her pregnancy. Shawn doesn't need to bring her food and cater to her every whim.
And Belle should be right where Jan is so she can keep an eye on her, as I feel that Jan will gain even more leverage with Belle not living there. With Belle there, Jan has less of a chance of influencing Shawn and may find a way to save her marriage.
Christine: Ugh. Jan is crazy, and she's previously tried to kill Belle. Belle shouldn't live in the same space, and Shawn wants to be near Jan to keep an eye on her and the baby.
It's sad, but even if they take custody away from Jan, she will make their lives a living hell as long as Jan is alive. I don't see how their marriage survives that.
Eric is planning to head back to Africa. Would you prefer he stay in Salem, and if so, why?
Jack: Eric's heart is in Africa, and I don't want a replay of Nicole/Eric. They need to stay done. So I don't mind him going back to Africa again. If he does stay in Salem, it should be as a counselor and priest, not as a romantic interest for Nicole or Sarah.
LumiForeverAndAlways: I would prefer him to stay in Salem. I have missed him so much, and he needs to be there for his family.
Soaps4Ever: I have been liking Eric's return, and I think it's nice to have him back right now. He might have some interesting story potential if he does stay. I could see him being involved again with either Sarah or Nicole, but it's hard to say for sure.
Normally Eric isn't one of my favorites, but he's been wonderful this time around, so I'm rooting for a good storyline for him in Salem.
Christine: If Eric can break up Nicole and Rafe, I'm all for him staying! But if I have to deal with Racole and saintly Eric, then he can head back to Africa any time he wants.
What, if anything, disappointed you this week in Salem?
Jack: I hated the way that Allie seemed to forget Tripp was even in the room when Chanel walked in. I felt terrible for him. He was lying in a hospital bed being totally ignored while Allie and Chanel had eyes only for each other.
LumiForeverAndAlways: I was disappointed that John interrupted Allie and Lucas's time together.
Soaps4Ever: I was deeply disappointed in the continuation of the secret about TR's shooting. I was hoping Eli would want Lani to tell the truth about it.
Christine: I hate that Shawn is so easily manipulated by Jan. He does anything she wants when she wants it, and if anyone should know better, it's Shawn.
What was your favorite quote, scene, or storyline from this week's Days of Our Lives?
Jack: Julie kept cracking me up with her comments to Eli and Abe. I also thought Chanel was the MVP this week (except for allowing herself to dominate Allie's attention). Her distress over Paulina's situation was well-done.
LumiForeverAndAlways: This is an easy one. I have watched the scene so many times, and it is when Lucas returns and goes to the apartment, and Allie runs to the door as soon as she hears her Dad's voice. We need more scenes of these two.
Soaps4Ever: My favorite scene was the one where Bo's spirit saved Tripp. It was very uplifting and dramatic and was a happy ending in the battle of good vs. evil.
Christine: Ava believing that Tripp had died was heartbreaking, but it was also one of my favorite scenes of the week. For all of Ava's faults, Tripp is everything to her. It was made all the better knowing she really didn't lose him.
Now it's your turn, TV Fanatics. Hit that big, blue SHOW COMMENTS button down below to tell us what you think about this week's Days of Our Lives. Then check out Jack Ori's Days of Our Lives review here at TV Fanatic.
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