Nick Nelson is one of the sweetest characters on TV, so it makes complete sense that he’d struggle deeply in not knowing how to help Charlie. But Heartstopper Season 3 doesn’t waste any time in giving us a wholesome moment where his Aunt Diane, played by Hayley Atwell, helps him see how he can be there without shattering himself in the process.

There’s much to appreciate about the scene, starting with the open-air setting and featuring flashes to home with voiceovers that tie the moment together, making it more powerful in the process. Because of the rise in conversations surrounding mental health, it’s easy to believe that we should have all the correct answers. Whether sixteen-year-old teenagers or thirty-year-old adults—it’s easy to feel powerless when we want to help someone but don’t know how to. This is why Heartstopper Season 3, Episode 2, “Love,” is so important as yet another reminder of why professional help matters. 

Continue Reading

Peggy Carter has been, is and will always be integral to the Marvel Cinematic Universe–we’ll even go far enough to say that when the character’s excavated through feminist theory, she’s the heart of the universe. We all have our favorites in the universe, ships we agree and disagree with, but we’ve got to give it up to Peggy Carter for the ultimate fight towards equality. If it weren’t for Peggy, S.H.I.E.L.D. would not look the way it does today and that’s a cold hard fact people need to swallow.

When the audience first meets Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avenger, it is 1943 and along with Colonel Chester Phillips, she is in charge of training agents in order to discover who’d be the ideal candidate for Project Insight, otherwise known as Captain America. As a longtime friend of inventor Howard Stark, Peggy’s position in the Strategic Scientific Reserve (S.S.R.) is a large one. A feminist reading could state that at this point, Peggy Carter appears to be the token female lead—it’s painfully obvious she will end up with Steve Rogers in the end, but what isn’t obvious is the role she’ll play in his life long after she is gone. During her time working on Project Insight until Captain America’s death at the end of film, Peggy is present during each of the battles showcasing to the audience that there is more to her than brains and the ability to throw a punch.

Continue Reading

It’s been a long, long time since the world spoke favorably of a female, let alone a female agent, one they never wanted to believe deserved her rank solely on the basis of her sex. Margaret “Peggy” Carter wasn’t always catching bad guys on the streets of New York rocking 1946 “Red Velvet” lipstick, but it would appear as though she was often placed in situations where she needed to prove her worth. A task she managed to do so by believing in herself, fighting the good fight, and taking her wit where it was appreciated all while falling in love with a man who was seemingly destined to never be hers. Or so that’s how it would appear in one timeline. She became an exemplar for women everywhere in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when she authenticated the fact that the right to choose for ourselves could be the key to living a dignified life. You can be all. You can be as you want just as long as you learn your value.

“The story of Captain America is one of honor, bravery, and sacrifice.” A kid from Brooklyn, a hero — the story of a man who could never give up fighting. A man who’d tirelessly choose the selfless path in life. The path that’d lead others towards victory while often leaving him bruised, broken, and alone. This is the story of a hero who’s so good, it’s almost unbearable to think of his tale without the enveloping sadness that follows. Steve Rogers is a son, a friend, a soldier, an ally, a lost love, a hero — an Avenger. A man who’s always fought for a freedom he himself could never find. A man out of time. But what happens when the fight is over and you can finally choose for yourself? You get to do the one thing people have gotten tired of telling you, too — you get to live. And as cliché as it may be, you get to love.

Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter’s story is perhaps one of the most tragic arcs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the perseverance and the seemingly never-ending quest to stop bullies is what’s made them both so noble. And as it would appear, a story that’s been prophesied from the beginning, making it that much more riveting when reading between the lines — full circle if you will. “I might, even when this is all over, go dancing.” And that they did.

We're fairly certain that we can all agree in the words of Brooklyn Nine Nine's Captain Raymond Holt that "everything is garbage." While 2016 may have been an incredibly sad year, it has without a doubt been the best in television. Honestly, it's difficult to recall the last time we've had such a hard time culminating our choices. And that said, performers are the heart of a series. Without them, the characters we cherish and adore wouldn't be as extraordinary. They wouldn't resonate with us in the seemingly effortless ways they do. Without their meticulously crafted performances we wouldn't feel a single thing. Without further ado, it is these 16 performers that have made 2016 indescribable.

And if you haven't already, check out the first part of our Year-End Reviews as we pay tribute to Sundance's Rectify.

Before we begin discussing our favorites, be sure to check out the incredible work Nerdy Girl Notes and TVExamined have already done and will continue to do within the next few days.

Continue Reading

Continue Reading

International Women's Day '15

Inspiring Female Character II:  Peggy Carter (Agent Carter) | Hayley Atwell

There are countless reasons why Agent Carter should be on the list of show's you are all watching, but the greatest reason is the superlative message the show’s revolutionizing through this statement: “I know my value. Anyone else’s opinion doesn’t really matter.” The quote represents the faultless message that for each and every individual, there’s nothing more significant than our own perceptions of who we are. Peggy Carter's character authenticates that no matter how many people form their own visions of who we are, nothing can taint our own views if we are confident with the truth. For young women everywhere who suffer with the agonizing and belittling fact that the world is continuously judging their actions, Peggy Carter is an icon whose actions should be analyzed and thoroughly understood in order to find self-love. Feminism is necessary because the world still has a difficult time understanding that equality is something we desperately need in order to create a safer, healthier environment for the younger generations. Instead of being taught that there’s a norm which everyone should strive to achieve, younger generations need the encouragement to recognize that the choices they make in order to live a happy life are all that matter. Agent Carter teaches its viewers that regardless of how superior someone’s place in society is, the only opinion that matters is one’s own — there is no right or wrong path everyone must robotically follow, for self respect is the key to success. At the end of the day, each and every human being needs to be taught how to properly love themselves and how vital it is that they follow their dreams.

As a series, Agent Carter does a magnificent job of showcasing women as complex figures. The series allows us to see that while Peggy Carter is fiercely independent and physically strong, she’s someone who often allows her heart to do the talking. She gives in to vulnerability, she cries, she gets angry, she laughs, she fights and she loves. Peggy Carter corroborates that she’s a woman who will do anything in her power to earn the respect she knows she deserves and if that's not inspiring, then we don't know what is. There is nothing more treasurable than self-love. 

Hayley Atwell is a gift — truly, I’m dumbfounded by the lack of words in the English dictionary to describe her masterful performances. Peggy Carter was faced with numerous challenges this season and each time, Atwell delivered her scenes in an incomparably indescribable manner -- evoking profound emotions into the hearts of viewers during all eight episodes. 

Agent Carter 1x08 "Valediction" Recap

Spoilers Ahead

As always and unsurprisingly at this point, I’m left speechless over the beauty and grace of this series.

Episode Summary: After hearing about all the chaos that has erupted because of his doings, Howard Stark returns to come clean about everything. SSR agents accompanied by Howard and Jarvis attempt to put an end to Ivchenko’s and Dottie’s schemes. 

Review | Analysis: I could not have beenmore pleased with the end of the first season.It did a great job of wrapping everything up in an elegantly scrambled bow andthat’s exactly what was necessary. When (hopefully)the series resumes for its second season, I’m looking forward to exploring bothnew and old elements because if there’s one thing we know about the Marvel universe, it’s that things aren’t always what they seem. Topped with wonderful performances by each cast member and exceptional cinematography -- the episode receives a solid A+ from us. 

Additionally, because there won’t be any performance reviews this week due to the amount of excellent television I’ve watched, this will be a bit longer than usual so I ask that you bear with me. 

This Week's Most Noteworthy Performance by an Actress & Most Exquisite TV Moment

Agent Carter 1x07 "Snafu" Recap

Spoilers Ahead

“Snafu” was literally an emotional andphysical roller-coaster and I kindly ask that you bear with me as I attempt toarticulately review the intense hour of TV’s greatest Marvel establishment so far.

Episode Summary: SSR agents attempt to learn the truth behind Peggy’s “betrayal” but Jarvis comes tothe rescue with a forged document signed by Howard Stark. Dr. Ivchenkocontinues to hypnotize Chief Dooley then uses one of Stark’s inventions to murder him while he escapes with Dottie. Peggy Carter later comes forward with the truth allowing everyone to see where her loyalties have always been. And the episode ends with one of Stark’s inventions trigger what looked much like the “the Spell of Shattered Sight” (sort of, but not really).

Review | Analysis: Imagining the bareness in the world of television without this show after next week isn’t pleasant. “Snafu” is without question a narrative genius -- it isn’t easy to tell a story this innately excellent but Agent Carter writers, cast, and crew succeeded in ways I presume will be discussed for years to come. Also, just six minutes in I paused because I couldn’t cooperate with how astounding Hayley Atwell’s performance was, and throughout the rest of the episode I was left with a form of speechlessness I’m still attempting to pull through from.

This Week's Most Noteworthy Performance | Actress

Agent Carter 1x06 "A Sin to Err" Recap

Spoilers Ahead

Tonight’s episode of Agent Carter wasas fierce and as heartfelt as ever with unexpected twists that left uswishing time machines existed.

Episode Summary: After getting further proof, Daniel tells Chief Dooley that Peggy's the female in the photographs. Dr. Ivchenko is creepier than ever and not on the side I imagined. Peggy and Jarvis are on the hunt for the trained assassin from Russia’s “Red Room”. Angie covers Peggy’s tracks in the most epic way possible. And after being poisoned by Dottie, the SSR take Peggy in before Dottie can finish off killing her. 

Review | Analysis: The incidences of this episode were evidently meant to set up last week, and they were so well established that I’m certain we aren’t prepared for what’s to come in “Snafu”. The episode featured some questionable moments I could’ve certainly gone without (Dooley pouring his heart out to Ivchenko). I want to respect the man considering he’s the Chief, but after every word, I find myself more and more irritated. All that aside, it was fantastic to have James D’Arcy back working alongside Hayley Atwell because there’s nothing quite as entertaining as their scenes together.