Dungeons and Dragons ("DnD"): First Adventure Review

Players: 3

1. Kenji (Human Fighter)

2. Menos (Dragon Born Paladin)

3. Kai - Tick (Half-ling Rogue)

Dungeon Master (DM): Me (First-Timer!)

My first time playing Dungeons & Dragons was around the beginning of March 2019. It wasn’t me as Dungeon Master or with the players above. It was with another group of adventurers, a friend from a Writer’s Group invited me to play because he knew I was interested.

Long story short, after one exciting session, I was hooked to Dungeons & Dragons. I played a Water Genasi Druid named Vin Kelsier to honor my intense love for the Mistborn series. Brandon Sanderson also plays DnD which makes his novels way more interesting to read. Anyway, I decided to continue onward, but my schedule to keep with the original group was near impossible as they met online.

So, I created an in-person group and became their Dungeon Master. Since I don’t have permission to use their real names, I will refer to them as their adventure names in all my blog reviews. After deciding to give the game a try, Kai-tick picked up the starter set, our first adventure, and we rolled…

Natural 1’s. When Nat 1 happens, the whole table cries or laughs. Or both.

Anyway, we played, and there were a lot of hiccups concerning the rules. Yes, there are a lot of rules. However, by session #3, I figured out a glaring issue. I was limiting myself to the pre-designed story detailed in the Starter Set. The players hated what I was throwing them because they didn’t consider themselves heroes… they’re criminals and misfits.

Legends of Tomorrow Season 1 comes to mind. A TV series centered around a team of B-class and C-class superheroes who screw the rules for the better. I was narrating limited, being careful not to ruin anything, but by doing so, I didn’t let my players be themselves in natural story progression.

This is the part where I started adding elements I knew my players would enjoy or at least it’d distract them until I came up with something better.

I made them wanted criminals for killing NPCs (they did this to themselves), robbing a general store for a potion of healing, burning a farmhouse, and when they pinned it all on a willing player, it was time to jump worlds. A DnD multiverse was created to set up the next adventure where I’ll get to play for a bit as Vin Kelsier, a dimensional traveler: Stranger Things.

I managed to keep the first adventure in the Forgotten Realms rolling in four sessions. A session per week for the entirety of April. I’ve known some DnD campaigns to last couple months, but since this was my first time DMing a Starter Set no less, I figured it was okay to end things early and start fresh somewhere else.

Playing DnD is a wonderful and inclusive experience, and I’m glad it’s beginning to become more accessible to everyone. Literally anyone can play Dungeons & Dragons.

I read an article on the game breaking language barriers, how it improves your business skills, and personally, how it affects my ability to write creatively. The main critique I got is a personal one: math. I do not like the math even though the angry math determines everything.

Overall, I will keep you all updated on our adventures. This post is more about the general experience, so the next review will likely center around the players and what they’re doing (personalities, backgrounds, and character goals), including my own Vin Kelsier once he returns to the game. Thanks for reading, y’all!

Supernatural 14x19 "Jack in the Box" + 14x20 "Moriah" Episode Reviews

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Supernatural is truly ending. Chuck, the Lord himself, is the final villain. He is raised the stakes so high to the point that “death” is not even the problem. What’s waiting for Sam and Dean (feat. Cass and Jack) at the end of the road? The Winchesters dying seems like a blessing if that’s all that happens to them at this point. I will mostly write about the season finale, but I’ll also voice my thoughts on the episode before regarding Sam and Dean trying to trap Jack.

I do feel for Jack because he can’t feel for himself. His soul burned off and being a kid doesn’t help much. The emotional scenes between Jack, Cass, Sam, and Dean were heartbreaking to watch, but the gun execution scene (season two finale callback to killing Yellow Eyes) was choreographed amazing—a bit slow, but I enjoyed it.

The tension, acting, and writing ramped everything so high to the point that it makes sense this is the end. I feel The End coming, and both Sam and Dean are tired of it. They personally attacked Chuck, the writers, and the fandom for enjoying the suffering they endured for the past fourteen seasons. I recently listened to a RPF podcast my cousin shared with me, and this anger is incredibly just plus it’s an amazing callback to when they met “Chuck, the prophet” during season four.

The foreshadowing is on-point especially re watching the scenes. Everything Lucifer (season 5, 11-13) and Michael (alternate) said about their Father is right. He is not the Almighty Lord everyone thinks he is, which was made transparent when Dean refused to execute Jack like Yellow Eyes. When Dean refused to follow His version of the story, Chuck released all their former enemies from Hell. The Woman in White, Bloody Mary, and the killer clowns!

Chuck killed his grandson too, but I didn’t count Jack out. Billie, the new Death, visits The Empty where Jack is immediately awake. God and The Darkness have no influence over this domain, so I’m liking the safeness in that regard. This little team-up might be what helps or gives the Winchesters a chance to finally put an end to all this.

Writers lie. WE DO! OMG I caught that the first time He said it. I am sad and amazed that this show lasted 15 seasons. I will write a “Goodbye, boys” post sometime this summer, and I will attend a convention because I did promise myself I would whenever the show ended. The time has come to meet my heroes.

The Flash 5x18 "Godspeed" + 5x19 "Snow Pack" Episode Reviews

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Let’s talk about “Godspeed” first. Nora West-Allen’s origin flashback (in the future) was heartbreaking. Danielle Panabaker directed the episode, and she did a wonderful job with an episode budget showing the future. In my opinion, the callbacks to the “Pilot” worked, but almost borderline “Barry Allen” carbon copy. The approach on Godspeed worked within the episode’s limitations, but I hope to get more him and the incoming Red Death next season… Crisis On Infinite Earths! Further note… Eobard Thawne/ Wells continues to become more complex with his fatherly feelings, and agrees to teach his Little Runner to harness the Negative Speed Force… which I’ll get into below.

Let’s move on to last week’s episode, “Snow Pack”. I’m playing catch-up.

The episode begins with the worst West-Allen argument of all time (YAS!). Following Barry’s decision to return Nora to the future, Iris is not pleased at all she was excluded from the decision and the right to say goodbye. In my opinion, Barry acted like a child, and he gets called out for all his mistakes: Flashpoint, Savitar cliffhanger, and now this latest hiccup. Iris West-Allen is her best when she’s a mother… It’s honestly so wild how much I hated her since mid-season two.

Then, Iris does the crazy thing and teams up with Ralph. It gets crazier. She enlists his help to time-travel to 2049, so she can convince Nora to come back and make amends. However, we’re back to the Negative Speed Force. We finally learn what makes Thawne the most unique speedster ever… it’s because he has his own Speed Force that harnesses all negative emotions. Let’s not get into how hammy that is, but when Tom Cavanagh is delivering the “negative” punchline… it’s 100% okay.

The B-plot should’ve been the A-plot, but since we all hate this storyline… well, The Flash dug themselves in a corner so no way out of this one. Icicle returns and plans to turn his family into cold-metas like him… in Caitlin’s case, he plans to “kill” her so Killer Frost will be only personality left. I wasn’t too invested in this… so the ice fight scene was amazing, but the conclusion felt incredibly rushed. The whole “my father’s alive” story is honestly an insult to Caitlin Snow’s character, but maybe the “my mom’s a cold meta-human” is the show’s second chance to get it right.

Oh, Cicada Grace shows up and kills Caitlin’s father. Yeah, she’s still a major player and a convenient way to kill off Icicle. Overall, Nora / Thawne need to take the center stage for the final episodes because… I prefer it over Cicada.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow 4x11 "Seance & Sensibility” Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Legends of Tomorrow doesn’t give two flying fucks. They went full-Bollywood, despite two uneven episodes, and it worked. The magic of this show is intact, and Zari got a lot of the attention. First, we are blessed with a radio voice, and now a singing voice. The character development on Zari, tightly close to her growing feelings for Nate, is outstanding. I’m glad the show recognizes what a power play Zari is, and how cynical she can be in contrast to Mona Wu, the newest member of the Legends.

The show has a character soup-type situation, but this episode makes it work by dividing everyone who appeared in the episode perfectly. Ray and Nora have a “thing” going on (they are so cute together omg. Their chemistry is fire), Nate, Mick, and John are at Hank’s funeral trying to help his unrelenting spirit move on, and the ladies (Mona, Sara, Zari, and Charlie) try to correct history by helping Jane Austen write again.

Jane Austen is Mona’s favorite author, and their scenes together are heartbreaking but necessary to have Mona understand her grief concerning the dead werewolf boyfriend. However, like I stated earlier, Zari is the character who developed the most. Charlie earned her reason, being the audience stand-in whenever the crazy goes down like the Bollywood musical number.

The writing is substantially better in this episode, which gives me hope that Legends of Tomorrow is back on track to stopping Neron. Hank Heywood’s purpose for the magical creatures absolves him completely. He wanted to open a theme park because it was his son’s dream. I cannot believe this show managed to pull this off because yasssss… Nate, I’m crying with you, buddy.

Arrow 7x18 "Lost Canary" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Arrow tried to do a women-centric episode centered on the Canary legacy—Birds of Prey wise. For the past few months, I don’t know, but I was excited to watch this. Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) returned, bringing some of that season two magic with her, and Laurel Lance’s redemption finally concluded (begun? The ending is making me question things).

After being framed for a murder, Laurel Lance embraces her evil Black Siren persona, wanting to prove to everyone how wrong they were to trust her. However, there were a lot of obvious story issues going in this premiere. While the opening scene was amazing and bone-cracking, Katie Cassidy Rogers forever kicks ass, this episode never made me wonder, “Has she truly gone bad girl?”

In fact, I was waiting around for it to happen. Arrow’s season seven has been a predictable season when it comes to the “important details” (flash-forwards, “The Demon” being Talia, new Green Arrow being Emiko Queen, Ninth Circle being main villains, Blackstarr is Mia Smoak, Oliver dying in Crisis, etc.), and I assumed Laurel would eventually circle to claiming the Black Canary mantle. Which is what happened obviously… but the flash forward was an interesting tidbit.

I thought the Canaries only referred to Dinah and Zoe, but apparently there’s a whole organization full of young women training to defend each other and themselves. Kind of like Buffy and the Potential Slayers, which also took place during their seventh season. I did like how the flash forwards ultimately connected to the present day, which should be the point of them, but Arrow’s been failing at it this season.

Laurel E-2 is officially the new Black Canary, which makes me feel wonderful because it’s now established she will eventually get her redemption. This is the Laurel Lance who is going to save the world, the original Laurel’s motto. Sara returning actually gave the Canary legacy a full circle vibe, but it also painfully reminds me that she was a large factor in making Arrow such a success.

The Canary cry, Caity Lotz performing salmon ladder, and her flirtation with Felicity were all nostalgic in the worst way possible. Felicity leading the charge shouldn’t be a thing either, especially when she is pregnant with child. I’m down for women empowerment, but I’d think Felicity would just be person in chair to dodge endangering Mia in womb.

Shadow Thief, Laurel’s partner-in-crime for the episode, was underdeveloped. She had the potential to do more, but the episode didn’t go down that route. Hell, the whole Canary 2040 vigilante group has spin-off worthy material, but I doubt the writers are going to do that route. If anything, it’ll get added into the spin-off Mia and William if that gets green-lit.

Overall, Oliver did make an appearance in this episode. He and Diggle hunted down a Longbow Hunter, omg those killers are still in play, and tortured him for information no big deal. We learned Dante, former leader of Ninth Circle and current second to Emiko’s first, may have ordered the hit on Emiko’s mother.

Did I mention Arrow is predictable?

Supernatural 14x18 "Absence" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Mary Winchester is dead. Again. The cliffhanger is one we all feared. Jack killed Mary. He did it without thinking and can’t face the Winchesters, knowing they’d forever see him different. Dean and Sam are desperate to find Jack and Mary, unaware of the situation until Castiel reveals…

Jack’s soul is basically gone. Dean warns Castiel that he’ll be dead to him if something happened to Mary because he chose to not tell them the truth. The scenes leading up to Sam and Dean learning they weren’t in the bunker and then the confirmed death are ominous. The setting is seen more in wider shots, making the characters feel smaller, and considering this is Mary’s second death (the first one kicked off the entire series), I’m not surprised this episode is milking it for all its worth.

The black and white flashback sequences added to Mary’s departure. We saw what she meant to all the boys: Sam, Dean, Cass, and Jack, making Samantha Smith’s absence all the more heartbreaking. We’re going to miss you, Mary Winchester, but it’s honestly comforting that she’s in a special heaven with her one true love: John. In addition, the confirmation that John Winchester is in heaven feels my heart more.

After failing to resurrect Mary and with Jack gone in the wind, the original Team Free Will holds a hunter’s funeral to say goodbye, oddly giving the episode a full-circle vibe, at least when it concerns Mary’s exit in light of the final season approaching us. I’m worried Jack is going inside the archangel box as punishment, and two episodes are left in the season… it’s all moving too fast!!

Supernatural 14x17 "Game Night" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

There is no game, only Nick. The opening scene, Nick kidnapping Donatello, set up an interesting story that raised the stakes considerably. Nick, the unpredictable factor going into this current season, proved himself as a serious threat to the Winchesters. He teamed up with demons to resurrect Lucifer from The Empty, and planned an elaborate scheme to set up the pieces.

Nick’s confrontations against Sam and Jack are both potent in their own ways. Sam and Nick fight outside, two former vessels, and the rock against Sam’s face was brutal even for this show. I cringed seeing Nick win the fight, but then Jack stopped the resurrection and put an end to his dad’s former vessel. He killed the man viciously and in front of Mary Winchester, who openly disapproved.

Castiel and Sister Jo have a side-plot involving God. Yes, Castiel is looking for Chuck because he is the only one directly stated in all lore… He is the only one who can restore a human soul. Sister Jo is vivid that Castiel chose to exclude the Winchesters because angels should have purpose… she simply wanted purpose. They need to keep her until the final season.

Overall, this episode was well-put together, ended the Nick arc, gave us a great special effect of Lucifer exiting The Empty, and then the cliffhanger involving Jack and Mary… oh boy.

Station 19 2x13 "The Dark Night" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Ben Warren needs to get his stuff together. His son, Tuck, points out “some new job thing”, which makes me wonder how self-aware this show is about this character. Ben has been career-jumping for a long time now. He was an anesthesiologist from Mercy West, an intern in LA and later Grey-Sloan, then he leaves residency to become a firefighter, giving birth to Station 19. Now? He’s studying for Medic One, a medical paramedic that would make great use of his surgical skills.

I wonder what the show plans to do about his career hopping, and the effect it has on his messy family life, particularly Tuck who is not too happy with his dad’s missed video chats. Miranda probably feels the same way, but it’s nice to see Tuck having an opinion on the matter. I think he shows up more often on Station 19 than Grey’s Anatomy.

Andy is training a new cadet from the academy, takes her on a ride-along, and tests her bonds with Ryan, his new girlfriend, Maya (Jack!), and (oh yeah!) Robert Sullivan. I love the end scene so much, having Andy and Sullivan share a meal together. I ship them more than Ryan and Andy because… the childhood love is not working anymore. Maybe it’s for the best they don’t get back together.

Maya and Jack need to come out to Andy soon. I think she’ll be okay with them together, but hiding it might cause problems down the road. All the cute things Jack said about Maya was perfect. She was impressed and flattered. I’d be too, girl.

Vic and Chief Ripley are incredibly steamy… They are going public, and that is the best/worst thing ever.

Overall, a great episode with a good fire-of-the-week scenario. An apartment blacked-out and a gas leak caused the whole building to become vulnerable to flames. The DNR storyline was heartbreaking, having been infected with that Grey’s magic. I can’t wait for more next week.

Grey's Anatomy 15x21 "Good Shepherd" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Amelia Shepherd has her moment. This episode is dedicated to her and the family drama laundry flaunted in front of her new love interest, Link. I loved the whole Shepherd reunion dinner, and the actresses being consistent from previous seasons, except Amy Ackers. She is the newest sister to make an appearance, and allegedly the worst one… psychologist and passive-aggression are strong in her wine glass.

When Amelia and Link are flown into New York to perform risky surgery (business as usual), they stumble into Nancy Shepherd, the first sister we have met from way earlier, like season two? There are too many seasons to recall, but anyway… Nancy assumes Link is Owen, and somehow, they are trapped going to dinner at her house.

Mama Shepherd, Nancy, and new sister Kathleen. They are all shocked, amused, and judgmental of all the crap Amelia went through since her wedding to Owen Hunt back in season 12. The divorce, a brain tumor, taking in a kid, and raising said kid’s baby with ex-husband Owen. It was a lot to unpack after Mama called Link out for being an impostor. Earlier seasons have seen Mama Shepherd meet Owen while in Seattle to visit Derek, her dead son.

The park scene was a highlight. Mama Shepherd confesses Amelia reminded her too much of her late father and being around her was too difficult. When Derek offered to take care of her, Mama allowed it, bearing her greatest shame. Amelia forgives her mom because she has the same understanding when taking care of Betty. There is hope for Amelia yet.

Ending the episode with her real sisters, Meredith and Maggie, was the best part. It allowed us to see her chosen family, and how some people simply work better without their biological family around. I believe I’m one of those people, but now I’m getting personal. I hope Amelia continues to find happiness, which means she has to stay away from Owen. Shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Shazam! Movie Review

Major Spoilers are included in this movie review. Please read with caution.

“I thought this was a kid’s move” and “wow this is so dark” have been exclaimed throughout my viewing of this movie. Yes, it is lighthearted, but the villain apparently didn’t get the memo. Shazam! is the newest DC superhero to make the big screen, following Aquaman. Starring Zachary Levi (adult) and Asher Angel (kid) follows Billy Baston, a foster kid who gains the ability to transform into an adult superhero.

The plot is kind of messy to be honest. The main story is about Shazam, commonly known as The Wizard, and his quest to find a true successor to his powers. He basically seeks the main antagonist when he was a kid, Thaddeus Sivana, but finds him unworthy, scarring the boy into finding The Wizard. Honestly, Wizard is an exposition machine and is barely a character.

Flash forward to present day. Billy Baston is trying to find his biological mom, unable to comprehend that she abandoned him, and is placed in his latest foster home with new foster parents (Victor and Rosa) and siblings: Mary, Darla, Freddie, Eugene, and Pedro. This is where the heart of the movie sweeps into view: these are loving people who want to take Billy despite his habit of running, but he can’t love or accept them without giving up on his mom.

The use of big-time superheroes like Superman and Batman feel at home in this movie, feeling organic rather than a reminder this movie is a part of a dead universe. Freddie is the biggest superhero fan and Shazam!’s main source of product placement. Is it even product placement? I don’t even know…

Moving on, the villain is one-dimensional. He isn’t developed much to my liking, but we do get a sense of how dangerous he is after the massive board room scene. The Seven Deadly Sins are pure monsters who kill (there’s no blood), but being thrown out of windows and getting devoured is still incredibly disturbing, raising the stakes whenever Thaddeus encounters Billy.

However, this is the only dark aspect of the movie. Everything else in the movie not involving Thaddeus Sivana or the Seven Deadly Sins is pure humor or emotionally heartfelt. The dynamic between Freddie and Billy (Zachary Levi edition) is a strong addition to the movie, but I wish the other kids had similar character development. Hopefully, the sequel will fix this issue.

Overall, this movie’s message regarding family and what it means to be loved is powerful and hit home for me in addition to several others. I enjoyed the movie, the transition between Angel and Levi doesn’t work most of the time, making the transformation uneven like he changed into a different person rather than a big adult. Check out the movie. I’m going to own it on DVD.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow 4x10 "The Getaway" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Hank Heywood is dead. He was killed off in this episode, and boy, it was completely unexpected. You wouldn’t expect that from an episode centered around chasing the Legends RV-style. After last week’s episode, Mona has joined the Legends, but does not tell them about being a werewolf. She tries to tell Sara numerous times, but Sara’s too heartbroken about Ava to listen. President Nixon also makes an appearance, harboring a magic bug who feeds off lies.

The bug eventually makes its way to the other Legends who are forced to tell the truth. I think this was a lot of fun, and makes the best use of the overcrowded cast. Hank and Nate are bonding, which leads to Hank wanting out of his deal with Neron. Thus, he dies.

Zari has a beautiful radio voice, and I still don’t know how I feel about Nate and Zari. They seem okay, but I think I need more buildup. It feels like it’s coming out of nowhere right now.

Nora Darhk and Gary had a side-mission too. Did I mention too many characters? Yeah, the Arrowverse needs to work on that some more… and as a result, Nora is now wanted for Hank’s murder because Nate finds her with his dad. Overall, the Neron story is picking up, but the season needs a serious recourse to avoid ending up like Arrow.

Doom Patrol 1x09 "Jane Patrol" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Picking up from last episode, Jane is refusing to leave The Underground. We’re treated to the inside of her mind, and Brendon Fraser is shown playing Robotman… minus the robot bit. Jane’s mind is vast and black, there are rules, and Karen is banished by the other personalities. Some look physically like Jane, and some don’t because… reasons that are purposely not explained.

Each personality is a distinct character using this method. Diane Guerrero is amazing at playing the different personalities, but seeing they don’t identify with Jane’s appearance tells a lot. The lack of explanation works because Jane doesn’t fully comprehend her psyche, and it’s implied not all the personalities even know each other.

While Cliff did invade her privacy without her consent, thanks spirit living inside Negative Man, the other personalities seem welcoming to his presence, so it makes me wonder whose consent he would need to help his friend out. Cliff needs to work on his issues, but I do admire his constant need to understand Jane. Brendon Fraser does sell his performance beyond the voice, and his “not a man” moment is earned but at the same time, I felt bad for him. The trauma is real in this episode.

This standalone episode centered around Jane’s mental state and trauma involving “Daddy” is relatable content. More people need to watch Doom Patrol.

Doom Patrol 1x08 "Danny Patrol" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Danny the Street made their appearance in this episode. Danny is gender-queer, and yes, an actual street. They use “they/them” pronouns. The main plot ongoing (finding the Chief) continues to fall flat clearly on purpose, but the character stories are worth sticking around for. Negative Man’s backstory goes past the closeted gay man arc and onto the Bureau of Normalcy.

The Bureau of Normalcy are an organization who purge the world of “abominations” like Danny the Street. These super villains are not developed at all, but at this point, it’s okay in my book because they’re mainly there to get hated on. Maura Lee Karupt is an amazing character, Danny’s representative, and I’m happy the series didn’t go down the “kill LGBT” route.

Her role in the story helped prove Danny the Street’s credibility, being welcoming to all and letting them be themselves. Alan Mingo Jr’s performance between Maura and Morris (former Bureau agent) is great, and flawless. I hope the team gets to return to Danny someday.

The musical number was the highlight of the episode. Larry, embracing himself, and having a good time with everyone was amazing. Even the ending, when we learned he didn’t perform after all, was effective showing how much he wants to join but can’t.

The other members (Cliff, Rita, and Jane) are trying to contain Karen, the most dangerous out of the 64 personalities. Cliff is forced outside because he’s a literal robot, but he bonds with a random kid… they danced it out during “People Like Us” performance.

Overall, this is a powerful and heartfelt episode. I think this is the episode that could sell people to watch this show. I don’t think enough people are aware this show exists.

Marvel's Cloak and Dagger 2x02 "White Lines" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Part one review of the season two premiere is here.

Going off the cliffhanger where Tandy and Tyrone fail to stop all those people from getting killed, they call Detective O’Reilly who is not pleased to see them involved. She decides to take over and lectures the kids again for being superheroes. However, Tandy and Tyrone hide a clue from the detective, clearly not ready to listen.

Tyrone visits his girlfriend’s aunt for answers. Afterwards, his girlfriend Evita arrives to visit her aunt. The argument between them is surreal and does not paint Tyrone in a bright light. Evita did make good points. His powers could’ve gave her reassurance but instead, he chose to keep them a secret, thus making Evita worry for no reason (8 months!).

Tyrone and Evita are a thing, which is an interesting complication. Tandy and Tyrone are clearly going to get together at some point. Right? I hope I’m right.

Tandy finds out the woman from part-one, Mikayla, went missing. She never returned home last night after Tandy’s outburst. This investigation into the disappearance leads Tandy to an administrator who shows her around an African-American neighborhood. Here, she learns about all the girls’ disappearances involving private ambulances. Tandy also sees her father, hallucination, and this tells me her issues aren’t over yet.

Detective O’Reilly is roped into the situation, and the two of them track down the driver who drugged Mikayla into an overdose, who wound up in the hospital. This time though, O’Reilly welcomes Tandy’s assistance, and acts more vigilante than cop. Yes, a twist is coming.

O’Reilly is split into two. The cliffhanger from season one didn’t transform O’Reilly into Mayhem… it literally created her in O’Reilly’s likeliness. This is going to complicate the entire season, but I’m so excited to see how this plays out. Overall, the season two premiere is 100x stronger than first season. The fresh spin on this show is mind-blowing.

Marvel's Cloak and Dagger 2x01 "Restless Energy" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

The season two premiere dropped last week on Freeform. In a way, the two-part episodes acted like a re-do of the reversed status quo. Tandy and Tyrone have accepted their new powers and responsibilities after they defeated Connors and the boring Roxxon storyline. Tyrone is still on the run for a crime he didn’t commit and Tandy is readjusting to normal. However, the two share a common issue: no fulfillment in life.

Tyrone and Tandy can’t sit around and watch New Orleans get destroyed by the crimes being committed. Detective Brigid O’Reilly is also working to undo Connors’ corruption and fruitlessly tries to stop the kids, knowing they can’t help as vigilante superheroes.

Tandy is trying to help women in her support group leave these abusive men, but she ends up making a situation worse. This story arc is the one I’m investing in the most, but Tyrone’s commitment to cleaning New Orleans of drugs is also a good season arc that connects to Detective O’Reilly… the cliffhanger was not addressed in part one, but there were hints.

Of course, the kids don’t listen and after working through the conflict (Tyrone going after criminal drug gangs without her), they decide to finally work as a team. I do like the natural chemistry between Olivia Holt and Aubrey Joseph is amazing and stronger compared to last season. The undercover party scene was the best part of the hour, but it lead to tragedy.

My episode review of part two will be posted shortly. Overall, the first part of the two-part was a great premiere reintroducing the characters, their dynamics, the stakes, and super powers are always cool… unless you have superhero fatigue, and I’m sorry. The pacing issues are entirely gone.

Station 19 2x12 "When It Rains, It Pours" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Pruitt Herrera found love. He is getting it on with Reggie, the real estate agent. Then Andy walks in, and things get awkward from there. She tells this entire story to Sullivan who laughed in her face. This captain has chilled, and I’m here for them. Ryan Tanner is taking himself out of the running for Andy’s love.

Vic and Ripley are fighting about last week… keeping them secret. Then, she leaves the fire station because she has a cold. She’s mad and sick. It’s the worst combination. On the drive home, she comes across a car ready to explode. A pregnant woman is stuck in her seat, and the husband is knocked unconscious. Oh, and she went into labor, too. This situation is handled like a champ (Go Vic!) until Station 19 arrives on the scene.

Ripley and Sullivan have a talk regarding Vic before all this went down. Luckily, said situation I described in the earlier paragraph caught their attention before they went anything deeper. I’m glad Ripley and Sullivan are friends again. I liked them in the flashback story.

Jack and Maya are officially a thing. They are struggling to admit their feelings, and I’m officially shipping them. These two make way more sense than Andy and Jack ever did. I am not looking forward to the part where Andy finds out about them. Ideally, she’ll be supportive of her friend, but Andy hasn’t been the best character lately.

Overall, I still love this show. I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

Grey's Anatomy 15x20 "The Whole Package" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Megan Hunt returned. Thankfully, she didn’t bring Riggs along, but I’m happy to see her. Meredith and Megan hugged, but the biggest surprise of the episode was Owen’s response… He had no idea she was coming and then add Teddy being pregnant and not dating each other… It’s a lot to process. Poor sister. But this episode finally addressed Owen’s issues, character flaws that expanded back to his introduction back in season five.

Owen needs serious help. Having his sister in his life, a sibling and not a love interest (Cristina, Teddy, Amelia), might be what he needed all along. However, getting this help may destroy Teddy and Koracick, who are the best unexpected couples. Everyone else was pretty obvious, but this couple definitely caught me by surprise. Don’t leave.

Jackson and Meredith’s amazing friendship is incredibly underrated, and it needs to stop. Why is nobody talking about the subtle closeness they developed over 9 seasons, and their shared understanding of one another (living up to surgical family legacies). This week? They discussed their “father”, Richard Webber! That’s their “dad”, not random man in the woods or Thatcher… Webber is the guy who comes their heads first.

The DeLuca - Richard scenes were well-written this week, filled with uncertainty, and while I appreciated this story on its own… Richard finding out he was dating Maggie is still my favorite thing between them. I was happy Meredith sought Webber’s approval.

Miranda and the Student STEM club was just priceless. Those young ladies should’ve been scarred and uncomfortable, but they focused on Miranda Bailey’s fierceness and called it a good day. This particular episode is reminding me so much of the older seasons (7 and 8 era), and making it work with these new additions.

Jo’s story arc is breaking my heart. Link and Alex are at a loss on what to do. This is apparently the worst she’s ever been, and I’m honestly scared. What Jo is going through is unimaginable to the two good men in her life, and she’s drinking excessively… I’m about to cry whatever happens next as we close season 15.

Overall, this episode was well-put together. Catherine Fox saying “penis” a million times to her son is always welcomed, but I’m scared. Amelia’s been MIA lately. Where is she?

Good Trouble 1x13 "Vitamin C" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

There was a lot going on in this episode. There are so many characters in this show right now. I didn’t realize every member of The Coterie had their own distinct storyline going on throughout the season, and all of them get addressed, but not resolved, just left hanging. Callie almost taking the police files, but not them was huge character growth. Mariana and Raj! How she took a stand for all the women at the expense of her app idea is selfless as fierce. Malika losing her mother was a roller coaster, DENNIS! He’s alive!

Sumi and Alice surprised me second most. I’m happy Alice chose to stay best friends with Sumi, very mature of her. She also came out to her parents, but plot twist—they already knew! They were just waiting for Alice to tell them. I’m crying at how beautiful and full-circle it was to see her grow as a character.

Looking forward to Callie’s continued growth, but she is honestly hogging the attention. I understand the other characters being pushed back sometimes, but Mariana got shafted occasionally to give Callie more of the spotlight. I hope they fix the balance between them because it’s both their show.

Season two is in June! Mark the calendar!

This Is Us 3x18 "Her" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

I cried. There was a lot of “beauty” occurring throughout the finale, mostly centered around the family asking themselves, “Who are they without Rebecca?” For most of the show, the series centered on the Pearsons and how they navigated life post-Jack. Season three’s ending is setting up for our next hard question involving the Pearson matriarch.

The flashback story centered on Rebecca’s car accident, the present focused on the new status quo, and the flash forward answered “her” with more questions. The amazing resolution between R&B felt earned and appropriate. There was no way the show was going to break them up, and I’m so happy the couple “found the door”. Deja’s “win the lottery” speech is going into my top 5 best moments of season three.

Kate and Rebecca have such a complex mother-daughter relationship, but hearing Kate say how much she appreciated all the things she didn’t like about her was beautiful.

Kevin and Zoe are done. He has decided he wants kids someday. I think I’m content with them being over. They clearly weren’t set-up to last, kind-of like the person you meet BEFORE the person you marry. I don’t know how love works.

Tess and Kevin scene was a tear-jerker. These two are both on self-discovery journeys and checking on each other is too cute. Tess will figure it out, we see in the flash forward, but seeing how it unfolds and the struggles she faces is the most rewarding part. Season four is looking too promising.

Fan theory: Madison and Kevin. Think about it.

The ending scene inter-cutting flash forward Randall and younger Randall was the best thing to come out of the episode. It’s layered on layered with emotional impact. I’m excited for season four.