Marvelous Geeks

Sanditon Season 3 Episode 4 is a pleasant blend of familiar period drama features, some of which are reworked in surprising ways. Sanditon 3×04 is, however, primarily a workhorse episode that pulls all the storylines into position for resolution by the end of this final season (hopefully!).

The episode is never boring as it jumps from one story to the next. The allocation of attention to multiple characters in Sanditon 3×04 does, though, blur lines between supporting and central stories, sacrificing time that could be spent exploring in more depth the ashes from which the main characters will certainly rise. This week, we’ll focus on the main storylines as we stroll through the increasingly crowded streets of Sanditon.

Continue Reading

Where perhaps critics and the academy could argue that The Flight Attendant‘s debut season was somewhat of a comedy, we’re certainly beyond the genre in the show’s sophomore season. The Flight Attendant Season 2 is anything but a drama, bordering much closer to a thriller with its plot-heavy focus that relies entirely on the performances to make the show a success. This isn’t to say that the second season was bad or less appealing, but it was anything but subtle or quiet.

Though the series loses itself at times with the plot going from one twist to another, specifically in the finale, “Backwards & Forwards,” Kaley Cuoco continues to bring her A-game as she strengthens and evolves every version of Cassie. It’s no small feat to play with the chaotic turmoil of inner thoughts coming to life that Cuoco excels at this season. If she weren’t bringing something astounding to our screens week after week, the series would fall into the slumps with storylines that aren’t easy to invest in (and, quite frankly, too much to even grapple with).

This isn’t to say that the rest of the performances aren’t aces either because ultimately, to carry storylines that are this jumbled and not all interconnected doesn’t allow for the kind of character development we care most about. However, despite a pot full of dangerous stakes, every performer, including Shohreh Aghdashloo‘s Brenda (who we wish we had more of), is top-notch.

Continue Reading

Full disclosure, I stopped watching NBC’s This Is Us sometime after Season 3 because I couldn’t handle the show’s darker storylines, but as someone who’s always been a fan of Mandy Moore’s Rebecca Pearson, I knew I wanted to watch “The Train.” And despite all the crying, I’m glad I did so because This is Us’ penultimate episode honors Rebecca beautifully as a woman, a mother, a wife, and a friend, showcasing with some of the most astounding performances what an incomparable gift the character has been for six years.

As a series, there is no denying how special This Is Us is—ask me the same question years from now, and I’ll still stand by the belief that its Pilot is one of the most incredibly written television episodes ever. It’s no small feat to achieve consistently poignant storytelling like this that hits audience members with such visceral reactions that almost make it hard to watch. If these actors weren’t as exceptional and if the writing wasn’t as powerful, it wouldn’t make it to six seasons. And powerful is a tremendous word to use, but there’s no other way to describe the storytelling that we watch unfold in This Is Us’ “The Train.” It’s a perfect episode from start to finish, tastefully encompassing a character’s strengths alongside the ravages of grief.

Continue Reading

The stakes were high on this week’s episode of Abbott Elementary, but the verdict isn’t that surprising. Ava isn’t going anywhere despite being woefully unfit to be the school principal, and though the superintendent won’t be providing them with the extra funding they need, Barbara ultimately convinces someone in the committee for a grant, knowing she’s wrongfully using church money.

Elsewhere, Gregory Eddie continues to come for all our hearts, a brief rift ensues between Barbara and Melissa, and Jacob is as stressed as most of us are. Abbott Elementary’s “Ava vs. Superintendent” is a fantastic half-hour of television.

Continue Reading

Abbott Elementary’s latest episode, “Desking,” introduces more than a viral challenge; it propels its characters towards allowing their feelings to evolve into something more profound. It focuses on the idea that dreams can be both hindrances and a goal while never once losing sight of its humor.

There is nothing more hilarious than when a viral trend makes zero sense to adults, and in this case, that occurs when the teachers are subjected to what can be a dangerous trend with students jumping over multiple desks at a time. Gregory still can’t fathom the idea that his dreams might be over, and we finally get to meet Jacob’s boyfriend, Zach.

Continue Reading

Well, dear readers—we’re back to Grosvenor Square, it’s now 1814, and Anthony Bridgerton is looking for a wife. Quite literally, too, in the same way, most normal people go off looking for employees, conducting interviews, etcetera—he’s taking the word “duty” and running with it, two dramatic steps at a time.

Bridgerton‘s “Capital R Rake” kicks off Season 2 with more interruptions than steady moments, but it’s joyous, no less, as Whistledown returns from her hiatus with sharpened knives. She, a grieving Penelope Featherington, coordinates her latest column to release right as Eloise Bridgerton is about to be presented to Queen Charlotte, giving Claudia Jessie some exquisite facial expressions to don as she realizes what’s happening.

The opening montage sets up some rather fascinating viewpoints on work, specifically through how Whistledown works and later, how much Anthony overworks himself. The sleeplessness is a crucial detail to showcase precisely what we’ll see as the series moves forward to indicate how little he does for himself, even though no one necessarily expects him to do as much as he does either. But this is what the season essentially exhibits, thematically pointing out that there are characters within this series who have brought it upon themselves, either by choice or no other option, to be everyone’s protector.

Continue Reading

Towards the end of Sanditon Season 2, Episode 2, Charlotte Heywood boldly announces that she is “trying” to “forge a new life, a new path.” This audacious idea could be the tagline for Sanditon 2×02. In this latest episode, several characters desire to take charge of their fates, with many hoping to change course.

For some Sanditon residents, changing course means breaking from a path they’ve already been traveling and for others it means creating a path that doesn’t yet exist. We begin to have some clues about which characters will succeed at their trying in Sanditon 2×02.

Let’s, once again, dive into the undercurrents at the Sanditon seaside.

Continue Reading

Starstruck Season 2 is finally back, and the only central flaw is how quickly the season ends. It’s easy to want more, not because the series isn’t satisfying, but because it’s so good, you never want it to end.

Continuing from where they left off at the end of Season 1, Jesse and Tom are trying to make things work. Still, much like any relationship, it’s complicated, it’s messy, and it’s in their organic development where much of the beauty can be found. A modern-day romantic cometic was always going to work best through organic storytelling, and that’s especially the case for the “celebrity and an ordinary person” trope. It seldom works for me personally, but it’s never done in such a way that it feels believable until Starstruck came along. This series not only nails the trope, but it allows viewers to connect with the characters in multiple ways.

Starstruck Season 2 is full of hilarious moments left and right, but at the same time, it’s the casual intimacy I’m always here for. The brief smiles, the longing looks, and even, amidst everything, some of the confusion that unravels. It all works to create something special with this series.

Continue Reading

Abbott Elementary finally returns after a three-week hiatus with the kind of episode that feels intimate and personal, giving us more insight into the private lives of our favorite characters.

The series continues its heartwarming streak through an open house. Janine, in particular, is having trouble with a specific student and waiting patiently to meet her mother to discuss how they could make more progress. The school’s super intendant is also visiting to check in, allowing us to finally understand how on earth Ava has this job. And in an episode that thematically looks into mother/daughter relationships, we have the chance to meet Ava’s daughter, Taylor (Iyana Halley).

Continue Reading

Timing is indeed everything as How I Met Your Father‘s Season 1 finale brings us to the kind of close we expected, are frustrated by, and yet, thoroughly understand the purpose. There’s a reason we got here this way, and it’s a good one, especially considering the cameo from Cobie Smulders’ Robin Scherbatsky.

For a sitcom to succeed, it needs its ups and downs, specifically if there isn’t a concrete picture or an endgame in mind. It’s why the aftermath of “The Perfect Shot” is both frustrating and entirely amusing because most of us likely predicted it’s too good to be true anyway. Even the most incredible couples like Parks and Recreation‘s Ben and Leslie and Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Jake and Amy, take time to get together. Suppose this season’s thematic arc rings around the idea of timing; in that case, next season could benefit from breaking everyone apart individually to put them together in ways that’ll be more beneficial to both the plot and the characters.

The real work isn’t happening tonight, and it organically allows the characters to sit with their emotions for a bit longer, even if we don’t see it on our screens just yet.

Continue Reading

Tracy Spiridakos consistently brings top-notch performances to Chicago P.D., and that’s especially the case for her work in the latest episode, “Still Water.” In an episode that demanded Hailey Upton once again go through a horrific wringer, Spiridakos brought her A-game to show us parts of the character that were marvelous to witness.

From the moment Hailey jumps into the water to the second she learns that she saved the wrong person, Spiridakos showed us just how much she is capable of and what she can do if the writing allows her chops to pour through. We knew she was far from okay because no caring person would be in her situation, but what Spiridakos showed us was more than that.

Continue Reading

One of this show’s strengths is its means of breaking down forgiveness. As Christians, we know what we need to do—seventy times seven, but it’s seldom easy, and Sweet Magnolias 2×06 addresses grace and the weight of holding on to darkness beautifully. Transparency matters and much of this episode focuses on characters coming to terms with what that equates to for themselves and those around them. It’s a captivating showcase of friendships, but more than that, it’s about how a church community should continue to be a welcoming place for all—no exceptions.

The episode is an honest look into the most intricate aspects of forgiveness and grappling with rage. Simultaneously, it centers matters of the heart while also working around the town’s politics through what’s now a concrete answer.

Continue Reading

The Book of Boba Fett is a fascinating series because while it doesn’t spend nearly enough time on its titular character, our personal favorite, Fennec Shand, it’s hard to complain too much about the good things it sets up. One of the highlights is Grogu’s choice and how that’ll look in The Mandalorian Season 3. The show’s season finale, Chapter 7: “In the Name of Honor,” is an exciting time, no less that doesn’t feel like a conclusion, and if there’s ever to be a second season, we’ll welcome it with open arms.

The fight coming back to Tatooine brings the show full circle, leaving much to be desired. However, it’s incredibly satisfying where Din Djarin and Grogu are concerned. Since day one, their father/son dynamic has been the crux of the series, drawing in audiences near and far because what calls to the heart is unavoidable. In short, it’s precious. You can’t tell us Grogu isn’t the cutest thing you’ve ever seen; it’s impossible, plus, we won’t hear any of it.

Continue Reading

ABC’s Abbott Elementary continues to be a beacon of light on Tuesday nights with the kind of reassurance many of us could all use, even as adults. In “Art Teacher,” Janine recruits an old college friend to fill the now-vacant role, but when her teachings don’t match Melissa’s standards, all hell almost breaks loose in the hallway.

Lisa Ann Walter is superlative at playing the kind of conundrum Melissa is. She has a specific way of teaching and understanding her students, but she also has a particular form of treating Janine. They aren’t friends yet per se; however, after Abbott Elementary’s “Art Teacher,” there’s a chance much of their dynamic could shift. At the very least, we know now that Janine belongs in Abbott. She’s safe here.

Continue Reading

Netflix’s charming series was easy to adore in its debut season, but Sweet Magnolias Season 2 elevates the show’s heart in a way that makes it even more lovable. It’s a vast improvement on all fronts, making it a standout series for friendships and romance. The noticeable journey the show allows the characters to go through makes them more fleshed out and intriguing. If there was anything in the first season that you felt was a bit too dense, the second season proves otherwise.

It picks up right where it leaves off by solving the mystery of who was in the passenger’s seat. One revelation leads to another showcasing the benefits of when people choose to confide in other people instead of taking matters into their own hands. It’s times like this where I’m often thankful for a 10-episode series because, in dramas such as Sweet Magnolias, the show tends to tread downhill during the second half of the season, allowing the third to pick up the pieces in a way that tends to be a mess. It’s what happened with Hart of Dixie, and considering this show fills the void the other left, it’s worth noting back to for my own personal sake. That said, because this doesn’t follow a 22-episode lineup, it allows its characters organic storylines.

What makes Sweet Magnolias special first and foremost, will always be the friendship between Brooke Elliott’s Dana Sue Sullivan, Heather Headley’s Helen Decatur, and JoAnna Garcia Swisher‘s Maddie Townsend, which in an unsurprising turn of events, is even stronger now than ever before. The challenges each of the women face individually and together bring to the surface facets of strong women in different forms by making it clear that a singular definition doesn’t define strength. Instead, strength is something we see through tireless perseverance, and more importantly, kindness when it’s hardest to bestow.

Continue Reading

ABC’s Abbott Elementary is undoubtedly the best new comedy of the year, and it’s entirely because of its wholesome, thoughtful approach to teaching. Despite the fact that the majority of us viewing are no longer in elementary school, there’s something special for us to take away every week. If nothing else, then there’s an opportunity to continue appreciating teachers.

This week, however, Abbott Elementary’s “Gifted Program” did something different, prompting me to get a little personal. It touched on my frustration and anger from my own experiences through Tyler James Williams’ Gregory Eddie. When a new student from another school’s gifted program comes to Abbott, the teachers look into incorporating more lessons in their curriculums to involve other gifted kids.

On paper, it sounds like a solid plan—reward the kids who showcase their talents to step ahead. We saw another form of it last week with Janine trying to find ways to get through a misbehaving student like Courtney. It’s a great plan, and a steady approach, but what about the kids who aren’t traditionally gifted? What about the kids who suffer from so much test anxiety they could never show their true potential in a classroom setting? Abbott Elementary’s “Gifted Program” understands exactly what this means by the end of the episode, and there’s something incredibly special about this.

Continue Reading

Well, everyone, looks like Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford finally went on a date…sort of. I know, I know, the double date wasn’t exactly what you were hoping for, dear Chenford shippers. Although the results of the dinner date weren’t desirable, there were some great moments between our favorite LAPD duo. Now that we’ve had some time to reflect on the episode, let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Personally, one of my favorite moments in The Rookie “The Knock” is how quick Bradford is to invite Chen to dinner at Osia after Ashley’s friend pulls out. Tim suggesting Lucy indicates two important things: first, he was listening to her all day when she was “pining” about Osia and realizing it was important to her, and second, Tim is super comfortable with having Lucy around. Tim would prefer to have Lucy around so much so that he also immediately secures her a date by asking Sanford to join just to ensure Lucy would be there.

Continue Reading