Supernatural S11 EP17 – Hit Us Hard With ‘Red Meat’

S11E17 -Red Meat

Written By: Robert Berens & Andrew Dabb

Directed By:  Nina Lopez-Corrado

Well, we got our first female directed episode last night…. and, Chuck help me, it hurt like Hell.  Now, I need therapy.  I was late with this review because I’ve been hiding in my closet in the fetal position since The Show ended last night.

I am so not joking.

If you haven’t seen the episode yet, be sure to have a box of tissue and a therapist on speed dial when you do.

I mean, I knew it was going to be rough from the moment (a few weeks ago) when I read the spoiler that Sammy got shot in the episode.  Because, as addicts… uh, I mean, FANS of The Show will tell you, when Sammy gets hurt … Dean will kill your feels.  And, this Dean girl hurt FOR him.  There’s a moment when Dean is pleading with The Reaper Billie (played by Lisa Berry) to “Bring him back, and take me instead”.  You can see the tears welling up in his eyes and you’re wondering how he’s holding them back because you’ve already flooded your living room.  I wasn’t crying that hard.  Really.  I’m just using metaphors and stuff, cause, you know, I’m a writer.  Then there’s that moment when Billie tells him that the kicker is that Sammy’s not even dead.  You can see every muscle in Dean’s body just relax in relief.  And, you let out the breath that you didn’t even notice you were holding until then.  You did.  Not me.  Because again, I’m just using metaphors and stuff.

Really.

I do have to say that it was a real treat to see BAMF Sammy in this episode.  We see BAMF Dean a LOT.  But, even after being shot and smothered, while bleeding profusely, Sam managed to take out two werewolves and make it back to Dean in time to take out another and save his brother.  Now that’s a BAMF right there…. but it’s just another day of the week for a Winchester.

The best part of the episode wasn’t a line this week.  It was that moment when Sam made it back to Baby.  He fell against her rear quarter panel and sort of patted her trunk, before digging in his pocket for his phone to call Dean.  When he made it to Baby, did you fist pump the air and yell out “Yes!” loud enough to make the neighbors think you were having a romantic encounter in the bedroom?  No?  So, it was just me then?  That’s cool…maybe next time.

Can’t wait ’til next week when they emotionally compromise me again.

Supernatural: The Hellatus is Over! SN11 EP 16 – Safe House’

S11E16  Safe House

Written by:  Robbie Thompson

Directed by:  Stefan Pleszczynski

 

I’m so happy to be able to report that The Hellatus is over!  And, the cast and crew really knocked it out of the park this time with two of my favorite characters returning, Bobby (played by Jim Beaver) and Rufus (played by Steven Williams).  They’re not just my favorite; they’re two of the Famdom’s favorite too.

This was another MotW episode that will make you never want to do home improvement projects again.  The best line of the show happened even before “Then” appeared on my screen.

Knock, knock, knock.  Bobby flings open the door and there stands Rufus.  “Oh, good.  You’re home.  Listen, you gotta help me bury a body.”  Now, that’s #FriendshipGoals right there.  Of course, that scene is actually a flashback from S6E4 Weekend at Bobby’s…. but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still the best line in the episode.

Sam and Dean investigate an attack on a child that left the little girl in a coma in the hospital and soon learn that Bobby and Rufus handled the same case a “handful of years ago” back when The Boys were trying to stave off The Apocalypse.  The entire episode is filled with scenes from both investigations as The Boys’ hunt mirrors that of the “Elder Statesmen”.

There are so many great moments that bring on cases of The Feels.  Once we learn that the MotW makes you see things that will keep you sad and heartbroken to make your soul weak and easy prey, Bobby is shown his boys (Our Boys) dead at the bottom of the stairs.  His response of “Oh, God” is full of pain and hit the whole Famdom hard… right in The Feels.  But, the one that hit me the hardest, was when Dean sees Bobby coming down the stairs.  *Smack* Right upside the feels… no no… I didn’t need those, I’ve got plenty more.  Thanks a lot Robbie Thompson (liberal use of the sarcasm font right there).

Oh Chuck, how I’ve missed Bobby, and even Rufus.  Thanks so much CW for the little visit with them… and showing us once again that just because you die on Supernatural, doesn’t mean you’re dead.

Speaking of Chuck, I made a small error in an earlier article.  In my defense, it was in the middle of Spring Hellatus and I was suffering severely from Winchester Withdrawals.  But, I said that the episode with the return of Chuck (played by Rob Benedict) was due to air on March 30th.  Actually, the episode S11E20 is due to air on MAY 4th.  Sorry about that… just another symptom of Winchester Withdrawals.

Next week, it’s the episode entitled Red Meat.  How could I forget it’s the one where Sam gets SHOT!  We’ll also see the return of Billie the Reaper (played by Lisa Berry).  Can’t wait to get smacked in The Feels again.

An Interview With British Actor Cai O’Leary

How about another interview?  I was happy to get to talk to a multi-talented young man recently.  Cai O’Leary has several appearances in TV series under his belt, including Blodau, Deep Cuts and more, along with several short films like Johnny Oneline and a film he wrote, directed, produced and starred in entitled Man Is Beast, which is a Chinese language film.  Let’s get to know a little more about Cai, shall we?

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1)  How did you get into acting?  Did you always want to be an actor?

I was 19 and had just returned from a gap year in Australia where I was coaching rugby at a school.  I had deferred my place at University in the UK where I was due to start a Law Degree, in order to travel.  When I got back I told my father that I would prefer to pursue my childhood dreams of becoming an actor.  Luckily, my father is an artist so he was over the moon with this decision and I have not looked back since.  I think coming from a small quarrying vilage in North Wales, becoming an actor didn’t even seem like an option that was open to me.  I had never even heard of drama school.  Apart from a run in the local drama club (there was only three of us there) there was zero opportunity.  It was only when I was in Australia and I met some actors out there that I realised I could make a living out of it.

2)  Tell us about your latest project…

My latest project Is another short film, which I wrote.  This time it is a love story between a homeless couple on the streets of London.  It follows the story of ‘Ariel’, a transwoman who is used to the hard knocks given to you as a homeless person.  She finds love and this comes in the shape of ‘Paul’, an Irish man.  It is quite different to Man Is Beast, more poetic and I have tried to dig into how society has a way of placing people.  Actually in saying that, I guess it is quite similar to Man Is Beast.  There is a hierarchy in Society whether you are human or an animal.

Other than this I am currently penning my first feature film.  A Chinese language action Thriller which takes place in China and London.  Much more light hearted and easy to watch!

3)  You wore many hats in Man is Beast:  Actor, Director, Producer and Writer.  Which hat was the hardest to wear, and why?

The producer.  100%.  Mainly because I have no interest whatsoever in becoming a producer.  However, needs must and in the wonderful world of short film you sometimes have to wear more than one hat!  But from now on I am concentrating on my writing and acting only.

4)  If you could be in any existing film playing any character, which would it be?

Jason Bourne.  I love action films and for me the Bourne films are the best.  Obviously Bond is huge as well and has now caught up but for me the earlier Bourne films led the way.

5)  I know that you’re a skilled martial artist.  Could you be the next Chuck Norris?  (On the lighter side – What’s your favorite Chuck Norris joke?  Mine is:  Before he goes to bed every night, the Boogey Man checks under his bed for Chuck Norris.) 

Ha, yes.  No I don’t think I am the next Chuck Norris.  I am more of an actor who happens to have a lot of experience in martial arts.

Quotes… oh there are so many… urm, I think I will have to go with ‘Why are there no Chuck Norris lego’s?  Because no one can take Chuck Norris apart.’

6)  If a film was made about you, what would it be called and who would play you?

Oooh, tough question.  I guess because of my single parent upbringing (my father) and where I grew up, It would be something along the lines of Billy Elliott.  There are a lot of similarities there to my upbringing.  Except I got into acting, definitely can’t dance!

7)  What can we expect from you in the rest of 2016?

Hopefully I can get my Chinese feature film into production.  I also have a couple of projects closer to home on the horizon.  And as a writer look out for my short film ‘Ariel’ which is currently running the festival circuit.

8)  Tell us a fun fact about you, something that our readers might not already know about you…

I am trilingual, I speak the worlds three most influential languages.  English, Mandarin Chinese and… Welsh 🙂

9)  And, last but not least, do you have any advice for young, up and coming actors?

I have a lot of advice actually.  But the main thing for me is don’t wait for things to come to you.  Hopefully they will (it does happen)  but most of the time it doesn’t.  Make films, write, hook up with other filmmakers and be creative.  The film festivals are great but very expensive.  Post your work online, create a buzz – you never know who’s watching!

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For more information about Cai, check out Cai’s IMDB page here. Don’t be shy go say hi, check out Cai on twitter here and tell him ‘Skatronixxx sent me’.

Vampire Diaries Returns on April 1st

The Vampire Diaries ends their Spring Hiatus with a big episode directed by star Ian Somerhalder.  The episode titled Days of Future Past will in Somerhalder’s words “tug at your heart strings”.

The official synopsis of the episode says… “Stefan will find himself with a choice to make and his decision will determine the fates of everyone he cares about, especially Damon.”  I’m definitely going to need therapy after this episode!

And, I’m in luck.  Ian himself will be live tweeting the episode!  Ian will also be choosing a twitter handle at random to give a special prize… his leather script binder that he’s used for each episode of the show up to this point!  What a great prize for some lucky fan!  I don’t know about all of you, but I will certainly make sure he sees my twitter handle while he’s live tweeting!

S7E16 airs on Friday, April 1st on the CW.

T’s Supernatural Spring Hellatus Journal

Entry #4   current countdown 6 days 21 hours 54 minutes

Dear Journal,

I just can’t take it any more.

Wait.  Let me start over….

Hello Journal, how are you?  What?  Oh, the #HellaRewatch party went fine….

now… I JUST CAN’T TAKE IT ANY MORE!

I am so very relieved that next week The Boys Are Back in Town (cue Thin Lizzy).  I’ve missed Sam and Dean so very much.  I’m so excited about a new episode.

But, more than that, I’m excited about episode 20 (due to air on March 30th).  Why?  Because… OH MY CHUCK… IT’S….CHUCK!  That’s right, it’s the return of the Famdom’s favorite deity… Chuck (Rob Benedict).  I know you’ll be there, Journal.

I’d like to thank all the Rewatchers that came along for the party… thanks so much my fellow addicts.

Also, while we’re waiting on next Wednesday to hurry up and get here, I have a little something I’d like to talk to the Famdom about.  One of our own needs our help.  Our Dr. Badass, Chad Lindberg, has a Go Fund Me account set up to help his sister with legal fees to fight for custody of her son Ivan.  I feel like I know Ivan from all of Chad’s periscopes that he’s been on and because of how much Chad talks about his nephew.  If you can help, please go here and donate.  Chad tells it better than me in the video at the site, so please go have a look.

Thanks for joining me for another week in Hellatus… Thank Chuck it’s over next week!

The CW Announces Show Renewals!

I’m in HEAVEN!

Today The CW has released its list of renewals!

They’re renewing almost all of their current line-up including my favorites, Supernatural (Season 12), The Vampire Diaries (Season 8) and The Originals (Season 4).

Some articles had listed TVD and The Originals as shows in danger of being cancelled. With ratings low since Nina Dobrev’s departure, The Vampire Diaries (along with The Originals) had been moved to the ‘cancellation waiting room’ of Friday nights.  But, apparently they’re doing well enough there that the suits at the network are willing to give them another season.

There was never any doubt as to the renewal of Supernatural.  CW boss, Mark Pedowitz has always maintained that as long as The Boys want to continue so will the show.  Apparently, J2 still want to keep hunting monsters, because the Famdom is getting a Season 12.

I can’t wait to see what new and creative ways the writers of these shows will torture me next year!

T’s Supernatural Spring Hellatus Journal

*WARNING:  CONTAINS SPOILERS*

entry #3 – current countdown 13 days, 3 hours, 49 minutes.

Hello again, Journal,

I won’t lie; the Hellatus is getting to me.  I’ve begun counting the minutes.  Sometimes, I feel like a prisoner marking time on a wall…. waiting for the Winchesters to come break me out of … well… my Hellatus.

I’ve begun to chew my nails, and the shakes are so bad now that I can barely type this entry.

I’ve been reading every single article I can find online about the show.  Including some with spoilers, a sin I know, but I just can’t help myself now.  One article I read this morning said that in episode 20 (titled Red Meat) that will air on March 30, Sammy gets shot!  However will I survive THAT?! … uh, sorry….I mean… However, will Dean survive THAT?!

Last night’s #HellaRewatch party on twitter went well.  It’s fun to commiserate with fellow addicts… uh… I mean … fans.   I’d like to give a shout out to a few of the loyal fans that have come along for the ride on Wednesday nights with me on twitter.  Lora @yoopergirl89 … @JBJBounce …. Lisa, @black88rose… and so many more.  You girls, ROCK!  Our next #HellaRewatch party will be Wednesday, March 16th at 8pm Central.  We’ll be re-watching episodes from S10… Fan Fiction (SPN’s love letter to the Famdom) and About A Boy.  Come join us, Journal… it’s a lot of fun.

Don’t be late though, Journal… I will start without you!

The Originals SN 3 EP 15 – ‘An Old Friend Calls’

S3E15  – “An Old Friend Calls”

Written By:  Carina Adly MacKenzie & Michael Russo

Directed By:  Jeffery Hunt

Immediately after the “Previously on The Originals” segment, we see Klaus taking a box out of a safe.  Turns out those are all letters that were written to the families of Mikaelson victims.  We could safely say that The Past has always been the Mikaelson’s biggest problem, but then when you’ve had a thousand years on this Earth, you can make a crap ton of enemies, and the Mikaelson’s weren’t slouches.  In fact, you might even call them overachievers.  It’s in this opening scene that the best line of the show is said…and pretty much sets the tone for the entire episode.  Klaus is going on about how all these past enemies will now be coming for him, and Freya says, “It’s only been a few days since the sire bond was broken, must you descend into crippling paranoia so soon?” and Elijah (bless his sarcastic heart) responds, “It’s a default setting”.  Did I say that Klaus gets all the best lines?  What was I thinking?

Then right after, while Klaus is all pouty and broody, Elijah gets in another dig, “Perhaps you should go see a therapist.”  Which, of course, is a reference to Cami.

While Klaus is out, he sees an old enemy on the street, then promptly runs back home to, in typical Klaus fashion, tell Elijah and Freya, “I told you so.”  Well, okay, those weren’t his exact words but that’s basically how it went down.  There was a great scene showing off the sibling relationship of Klaus and Elijah…and the great chemistry between Daniel Gillies and Joseph Morgan.  It was my favorite scene of the whole episode.  I may or may not have watched it several times.  If you didn’t, what’s wrong with you?  That was hilarious!

Across town, Davina is surprised to learn that she brought back Kol  the vamp… not Kol the witch.  Then Kol says, “Not to be dramatic, but I need you to put a ring on this finger.”  Of course, he means a daylight ring so that he can go have a long awaited reunion with his family.  Davina tells Kol that she’s “pretty sure, Klaus wants me dead”.  Wow, is that the understatement of the year or what?  But, Davina bravely (or stupidly depending on your point of view) doesn’t back up from going with Kol to see the other Mikaelson siblings.

There were a lot of touching family moments in this episode, but I’ve left out what’s going on with Cami.  She’s more than a little pissed that Klaus didn’t “rip off Aurora’s head”.  She’s worried that it means that Klaus couldn’t kill his crazy ex girlfriend because he still loves her.  Which later prompts Cami to tell Klaus that the part of her that loved him was the human part…and she’s gone.  Man, that’s a douchey way to break up with a guy.

Hayley’s been up to her own extra curricular activities too.  She’s got a list, and she’s checking it twice.  Every single one on the list has been very very naughty.  The list is of Strix members … the ones that killed Jackson.  I won’t go into the gory details, but I will say that Marcel and Elijah manage to clean up the mess.  After which, Hayley tells Elijah what we’ve been waiting for since the series premiere…. she says, “I love you, Elijah.”  I gasped so loud that I had to rewind the DVR because I missed what she said next… and I sucked in enough air that there’s probably not a speck of dust in my entire den now.  What she said was basically the worst break up speech EVER…. rivaling even “It’s not you, it’s me.”  She’s got to forget Elijah, to honor Jackson.  Wait.  What?  Quit playing with my emotions here, writers.  This is sooooo not fun for me.

Klaus managed to kill Cortez (the old enemy), but only after Cortez tells him that there’s more on the way that will take him down in the most painful way possible.  Obviously, this guy doesn’t know the name of the show is The Originals, NOT Stupid Vampires They Sired.  I guess Klaus doesn’t know the name of the show either because he took Hayley and Hope and ran for the hills.

And then…. then…. that’s when we find out that Kol isn’t as good as he’s trying to be for Davina.  And, that Kol isn’t the only Mikaelson sibling that has come back from the dead!

The next new episode will air on April 1st.

I.  Can’t.  Wait.

The Vampire Diaries S7 EP 15 – ‘It All Makes Sense Now’

S7E15 –  I Would For You

Directed By:  Mike Karasick

Written By: Brian Young

I was late getting home tonight, so I missed the show and had to rely on the ol’ trusty DVR.  Man, how did I ever get along without that marvelous invention?  It recorded the show because it’s programmed to do so, AND I was able to fast forward through the commercials.  Now, that’s what I call a win-win!

Anyway, on to the job at hand… to somehow break down a fast paced 43 minutes (since I could fast forward through the commercials and all) worth of wow into just a few paragraphs for you, my lovely readers.  And, that’s the only way to describe it…. Just. Wow.

It all started with The Huntress, Rayna Cruz waking up in a circle of charred earth naked (meaning she’d died and been regenerated), stealing clothes from a nearby clothes line, picking up her trusty Phoenix Sword, and presumably continuing on her quest to hunt down Stefan.  Then, we see Matt and his new playmate Penny being all bad-ass and hunting vampires in the street, but they get in a bit of pickle and guess who bails them out of trouble.

Go ahead guess.

That’s right… Rayna Cruz.  Then she tells Matt and Penny, “You owe me one.”  So, now we know why Matt is helping her catch Stefan ‘Three Years From Now’.

Damon starts his quest to save everyone from his just being in their lives, by telling Bonnie that killing Rayna is a “Damon only show”.  Then he goes on to kill Rayna … and then gets to once again utter the best line of the episode (all the great lines go to Damon).  He asks Matt, “Know where I can get a buzz saw?”

The best interaction anyone’s had with Rayna soon follows when we see her in pieces in white trash bags, presumably because Damon used said buzz saw and cut her into little pieces.  Oh, and he also tossed her down a very deep well.  Once Rayna regenerates, she and Damon have a quite funny conversation, complete with a Silence of the Lambs reference… yes, I mean “it puts the lotion in the basket”.  Damon proceeds to try and reason with The Huntress… by psychoanalyzing her.

While Damon is re-enacting Silence of the Lambs in the woods with Rayna, Bonnie goes to see Enzo at The Armory, since he won’t quit calling her.  There’s a tense moment when Bonnie threatens that if Enzo tries to disable her magic again he’ll wish she only cut off his hand.  After only being there a few minutes, Bonnie finds out The Huntress’ weakness.  She can only regenerate a limited number of times… as long as there is at least one ‘Everlasting’ left.  Bonnie quickly texts Damon to inform him of this news and Damon acts accordingly.  After a quick, “Never mind, looks like I don’t have to pretend I care any more”, he quickly kills Rayna again…. leaving just one more remaining shaman, one more life for Rayna.  But, Bonnie soon finds out why this is not as good a thing as you might think.

And, that’s all just the first half of the show!

By the end of the episode, we’ve seen Stefan almost die, Matt turn all bad ass and threaten Stefan making him leave Mystic Falls, and Damon climb into that casket to desiccate.  There’s a very emotional scene when Bonnie shows up right before he gets in that casket.  A scene that made me get a little misty eyed… and feel sorry for Damon.

Once Damon climbs in that casket we see three years in fast forward…. all the way up to that television station “Three Years From Now” with Stefan tied in a chair and Rayna making him an offer he can’t refuse.

The next new episode isn’t until April 1st, but the preview scenes are worse than any April Fool’s joke that anyone’s ever pulled on me.

Thanks a lot, CW. (please notice the liberal use of the sarcasm font there)

T’s Supernatural Spring Hellatus Journal

entry #2

Hello again, Journal.

The #HellaRewatch Party on twitter went well last night, but it’s not the same as when we get a new episode of The Show.  Although, I am happy to report that I still have at least 80% of my hair.

The shaking in my hands has subsided enough that I can manage to type this entry, but the body aches continue.  When The Show is in Hellatus, I suffer from phantom feels, much like amputees who say they can still feel pain in their limbs even though they’re no longer there.  The Hella Rewatch Party is helping with these problems slightly, but the inevitable crash when the party is over is almost worse than before we started.

One thing that has helped, and might help others suffering from Winchester Withdrawals is a little short film directed by  SPN Family member Ryan Curtis, and starring our very own Sheriff Donna, Briana Buckmaster.  There’s also voice appearances by other SPN alums Kim Rhodes and Adam Rose.  It’s a spooky movie that will satisfy your craving for the scary and only takes about 11 minutes to watch.  All you SPN fans can watch it here.

Thanks for listening to my whining, Journal, and you should join us on March 9th on twitter for another #HellaRewatch party… bring your friends.  We’ll be watching Yellow Fever and Weekend at Bobby’s.  It all starts at 8pm CST on twitter.

Oh, and I think it’s your turn to bring the popcorn.