Netflix
Firefly Lane Review – Sweet Child O’ Mine (1×05)
Motherhood, what a complex, scary, and beautiful thing all wrapped up into one.
Firefly Lane Season 1 Episode 5 digs into the idea of motherhood, the stages of motherhood, and the different mother’s in this world in a beautifully crafted and highly-emotional episode.
It also observes the idea of birth, death, and rebirth through several characters, even the four-legged friend ones.
I’ve been waiting to see Johnny and Kate in their “prime” when they welcomed Marah and started this new life together, and this episode delivered all that and more. Though, I’m still hoping we get to see the moment the duo decided they had feelings for each other back at the station as we’ve only seen Kate “crushing” on Johnny.
In the flashbacks, Kate went through the typical range of emotions for a pregnant woman — she was terrified of losing herself, her career, and the life that she’s grown accustomed to. As Tully put it, there’s nothing more terrifying than getting your heart’s desire (Brooke Davis taught me that one). However, all of Kate’s problems just disappeared the moment she went into labor — she drove herself because Tully was tequila-drunk, naturally — and when she held her baby girl in her arms.
Tully was supportive throughout Kate’s entire pregnancy, but it was heartbreaking to see that little girl who got lost at the protest come to the surface once the baby was born.
She’s been so dependent on Kate throughout her life, and now Kate was moving into this new chapter that didn’t necessarily prioritize her.
Kate had the husband, the baby, the family, while Tully was left all alone.
But the episode also showed the ebbs and flows of life, which come at you hard and unexpectedly.
In the present-day, Tully was the one who had it “all” — the career, the guy, and the pregnancy, while Kate was left all alone. The life that she knew and was used to was falling apart, and that was underscored even more profoundly by the death of their dog.
Dog scenes hit me in a different way, and if you’re a dog-lover and/or owner, you were likely in shambles watching the Ryan family say goodbye to their long time friend.
After they put him to sleep, Marah decided she wanted to go to her best friend’s house, while Johnny packed up his things and went back to his bachelor pad. And Kate was left all by herself for the first time ever.
While I fully expected her to grab a glass of wine and cry it out by the fireplace, she did something more liberating instead: she went skinny dipping in her pool. It was a change of pace for the usually conservative Kate.
It was also symbolic of rebirth as she entered this new chapter in her life.
Also entering a new chapter was Tully and she had some big decisions. Between puking sessions, she had to decide if she was going to keep this baby and be a mother, which is something she seems to have avoided all her life out of the fear of repeating her mother’s mistakes.
In the same way that she was there for Kate, Kate was now there for her all these years later.
The only way Tully would arrive at the right decision was by reaching out to the father, Max, and when she did, she was pleasantly surprised.
Tully kept herself pretty closed off from emotions and feelings while with Max previously, but this time, she really gave it a shot and got to know him. They went on a date and held hands and enjoyed each other’s company. I liked Max from the beginning because he brings out a more vulnerable side of Tully, but after seeing them spend the day together, I like him even more. He’s the perfect gentleman and cares about her a lot.
It seemed as though Tully wasn’t going to drop the bomb on him after their perfect day, but then she blurted out “I’m pregnant” as the elevator doors began to close, and well, Max’s reaction was exactly what you’d expect.
It’s good that we know he and his ex broke up because he wanted a family because knowing Tully is pregnant is going to allow him to embrace the part of his life that he’s always wanted. That is if Tully can come to terms with it.
Tully also agreed to do the interview with Kimber Watts, Kate’s boss, and it seems we all underestimated her talents and how determined she is to get ahead. We’ve seen that kind of determination and dedication from Tully back in the day when she wanted her “big break,” so we have to admire it, but there’s no excuse for going behind Kate’s back and putting Tully on blast like that. At least not without giving Tully the opportunity to provide a comment or defend herself and her character.
Though, I have to toot my own horn and tap myself on the shoulder for correctly guessing that Cloud was still alive and simply “dead” to Tully metaphorically.
Do you think Kimber overstepped? Or is this her being a good journalist?
In a flashback scene to Kate’s baby shower, we also see Sean’s wife/ baby momma, who explains that the duo had trouble conceiving and that he always said it felt like work, which I don’t doubt, but that means that Sean’s been repressing his truth since about the late 80s/early 90s as it looks to be the same woman he showed up to the recital with.
He’s clearly tortured by having to pretend to be someone he’s not, and I can’t wait till he finally comes clean and comes out to his family!
From the creative mind of Shonda Rhimes comes Inventing Anna.
It’s the story of Anna Delvey that you’ve likely heard before, but with Shondaland’s exclusive twist on it.
Delvey, real name Anna Sorokin, was a faux socialite who scammed New York’s high society, including hotels, banks, Wall Street, and elite friends.
The Russian immigrant posed as a German heiress in an attempt to steal millions of dollars from the wealthy.
But despite having Sorokin’s name in the title, the first episode of the Netflix limited series hinges heavily on Vivian Kent, the ambitious journalist who landed the tell-all interview with Delvey.
Anna Chlumsky (who you might remember from the ’90s My Girl fame) is a powerhouse in the role as she sets her sights on Delvey/Sorokin (played by Ozark’s Julia Garner) in order to revive her career.
Inventing Anna. Anna Chlumsky as Vivian Kent in episode 103 of Inventing Anna. Cr. David Giesbrecht/Netflix © 2021
Kent has been banished to “Scriberia,” a corner of the office where she’s convinced journalists go to die. After coming upon Delvey’s upcoming trial, she sniffs out a case and tries to convince her bosses — Paul and Landon — to cover the story.
Unfortunately, neither of them seemed particularly moved by her spiel as they insist she covers the women of Wall Street’s #MeToo plight.
Kent, however, doesn’t feel compelled to bully these women into telling their stories for clickbait and pursues the Delvey story instead.
The more she digs, the less she knows.
Delvey is an enigma who seemingly crafted many personas while schmoozing with New York’s upper echelon.
Eventually, Kent is able to convince the editor of The Manhattan (the show’s New York magazine) to let her roll with the story.
It’s unclear why her editor, Paul, has it out for her, but the series seems to purposefully leave Kent’s background vague throughout the episode.
All we know is that something went wrong, a little boy was involved, Google will remember it forever (the internet never forgets), and that’s she’s desperate to revive her career, a feat she hopes to accomplish before she has her baby girl. When she realizes that it might not be possible, she has an entire breakdown at the gynecologist’s office during the ultrasound, which, as a woman trying to juggle a career and motherhood, is all too relatable.
And then — she gets the absolute motivation to convince Delvey to reject the plea deal being offered and fight for her reputation as well.
In an intense meeting where Kent levels with Delvey, she convinces her that she deserves to have her story told.
But that’s not what ultimately persuades Delvey. As a journalist, you want something from your subject, but in order to get it, you also have to know what your subject wants. So, in exchange for her story, Kent promises Delvey the one thing she wants more than anything: fame.
After all, Delvey herself claims that the persona she made up is a “masterpiece, bitches,” while the friends she conned note that she was a “legend” and “icon.”
In that pivotal scene, it seems as though Kent has fully tapped into why Delvey concocted her scheme in the first place. While she claims to be a businesswoman who wanted to secure a loan for an exclusive club she wanted to open up, Delvey was obsessed with the high life; the exclusivity of being an “it” girl.
Kent tapped into the vein fueling Delvey’s motivations this whole time — even from the depths of Rikers.
While the series is based on a true story, it’s definitely not an accurate depiction of what really happened, but that’s neither here nor there because the episode is wildly entertaining and keeps you hanging on to every single delusion Delvey divulges.
Much of Kent’s background — even if vague at times — is presented, while there’s just enough of Garner’s Delvey, with her intense accent, to hook you into coming back for more.
Though neither would admit it, Delvey and Kent have one thing in common — the need to prove themselves, which makes this profile something that’s in both of their best interests.
Inventing Anna. Julia Garner as Anna Delvery in episode 104 of Inventing Anna. Cr. Nicole Rivelli/Netflix © 2021
And it’s even in the interest of Delvey’s lawyer, Todd, who also wants to prove himself as an ADA.
Todd, played by Arian Moayed, is definitely battling some insecurity issues. He even tells his wife, a powerful attorney working at her father’s firm, that he feels inferior to many of their friends. He may be defending the world’s biggest con artist, but somehow, he’s the one feeling like a fraud while Delvey remains adamant she’s not the criminal they are painting her out to be.
At times, you almost feel for Delvey and start to believe her story, only to realize that her act is one big manipulation tactic. It also becomes harder to empathize with her when she calls Kent out for looking “very poor” and “very, very fat.” However, those moments paint a vivid photo of the kind of things Delvey prioritized, even while spending time in one of the most dangerous prisons.
All of this likely proves that Garner has nailed the role of the woman who was able to manipulate some of the smartest people in the city.
Of course, while much of the back-and-forth dance happens between Kent and Delvey, there’s an incredible supporting cast.
Todd faces off assistant DA Catherine McCaw played by Westworld’s Rebecca Henderson.
Rhimes takes care of her own as Scandal’s Katie Lowes and Jeff Perry; Lowes plays ex-Vanity Fair picture researcher and Delvey’s bestie Rachel DeLoache Williams, while Perry is Kent’s fellow journalist.
The Bold Type’s Alexis Floyd as Neff, an employee at the hotel Delvey stayed at who assists Kent with her story, while Orange Is the New Black’s Laverne Cox will appear as celebrity fitness trainer Kacy Duke.
Inventing Anna has all the makings of a Rhimes hit series, so strap in for the ride because from the looks of it, Delvey is just getting started as we take a peak behind the curtain to figure out what exactly led up to this very prison meeting.
And we can’t wait to see where Garner takes this role as the trial ramps up, which leaves all of NYC’s finest quaking in their boots.
After all, did you ever imagine that Ruth would become the moral heartbeat of Ozark?!
Kristen Bell is known for her comedic chops, but she’s dabbling a new genre come 2022.
“The Good Place” actress will star as Anna in a dark comedy thriller on Netflix.
Here’s everything we know about the upcoming series “The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window.”
What’s It About?
The series focuses on the heartbroken lead who lives everyday the same way — staring out her window and watching life pass her by while she sips her wine.
All of that is flipped upside down when her handsome neighbor moves in across the street and she witnesses a murder… or does she? Does someone want her to forget? Did she imagine it? Are they the hallucinations?
We’re already totally invested.
Is there a Trailer?
YES! Glad you asked. The teaser is intoxicating and shows exactly why Bell was the right choice for the role!
Check it out below:
Who Else Is in the Series?
Well, there’s Bell. Other cast members include: Michael Ealy, Tom Riley, Mary Holland, Cameron Britton, Samsara Yett, Christina Anthony, and Benjamin Levy Aguilar.
When Does It Premiere?
The show hits Netflix on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022!
Is There Going to be a Second Season?
While it’s crafted as a limited-series that doesn’t necessarily mean that a second season is out of the question. After all, Big Little Lies was also a limited-series. Never say never!
Oops… she’s doing it again!
The holiday season isn’t complete without Vanessa Hudgens, who is back once again for The Princess Switch 3.
Netflix has released the official trailer and from the looks of it, it’s going to be filled with comedy, romance, and yes, three different accents and voices all performed by the talented actress.
Check out the trailer below.
Hudgens is once again reprising her roles as Queen Margaret and Princess Stacy, with a new addition Fiona, the cousin.
After the special guest, the Vatican’s Star of Peace is stolen, the two royal lookalikes need to team up together to steal it back. In order to do so, they enlist the help of their cousin Fiona who is also identical to them. The three completely different personalities work together to safely bring back the missing treasure.
Alongside Hudgens, the cast includes Sam Palladio, Remy Hii, Nick Sagar, and Will Kemp.
Netflix will release The Princess Switch 3 on November 18th, so set your calendars!
Recap the The Princess Switch: Switched Again right here
Yes, That Is Queen Amber from ‘A Christmas Prince’ in ‘The Princess Switch: Switched Again’
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