Netflix
Firefly Lane Review – Birth Day (1×09)
Firefly Lane Season 1 Episode 9, the penultimate episode of the season, picks up with the aftermath of Tully’s miscarriage.
Tully puts on her bravest face and decides to go do her show since it’s the “gifting” episode, which brings in the biggest ratings ever despite not being physically or emotionally recovered.
But that’s Tully — she just keeps trudging on.
It doesn’t seem as though she truly understood how impacted she was by the loss until she stood in front of a studio audience and was triggered by a digital photo frame with photos of a child.
Thankfully, that led to one of the talk show’s most vulnerable moments as she opened up about her experience, an experience so many women can relate to.
The series has done a great job of normalizing so many situations that are considered taboo and shameful for women: periods, having children older in life, and now miscarriage.
It’s estimated that about 1 in 8 women have miscarriages, but though the possibility is very real, women are taught to deal with it in silence and experience feelings of guilt and shame.
By encouraging this conversation on public television, Tully ensured that every woman who has ever gone through it felt heard and seen.
Yes, giving out the latest flip phone that takes photos is great for ratings, but it’s these moments that show Tully just how much power she has to influence the conversation. She can change the narrative; she can make a difference.
Sadly, Tully wasn’t coping so well personally. She may have seemed like she had it all together on television, but behind-the-scenes, she was a mess and regressing to her anti-commitment, anti-attachment mindset.
In my review of Firefly Lane Season 1 Episode 8, I noted that my fear was that Tully romanticized the idea of marrying Max simply because of the baby.
And sadly, their fight at the end proves that to be true.
Tully is coming from a place of hurt, and she’s damn good at knowing just the right thing to push people away.
But she really needs to be careful who she pushes away at this point because it’s not like her circle is getting larger. Max was a good guy who was always there for Tully through the good times and the bad. And the whole time, she treated him like a rag doll. She never considered his feelings when she toyed with his emotions. She was hot, she was cold, and he went along for the ride, but only she thought she had the power to dictate where their relationship went.
At this point, Tully is toxic and adding more pain and trauma to her life on top of what was already there.
Seeing as how she blames Cloud for most of her issues, it seemed inauthentic and unrealistic for her to turn to her mother in that final scene. Sober Cloud seems to be doing much better and may want to make up for lost times, but considering the amount of hatred Tully had for her, it’s unlikely that she would just let her mom in with open arms.
Firefly Lane has also done Kate a huge disservice. Each episode is the “Tully Show.” Maybe that’s done purposefully to see how Tully just sucks up all the air in everyone’s life, but it’s quite frustrating to see Kate jump circles around her for her birthday in every single timeline.
That’s why it was truly nice to see Kate just have a moment to herself and let loose with Travis. Blowing off some steam is exactly what the doctor ordered, and while I’m still holding out hope for a Johnny and Kate reconciliation, Travis and Kate make a cute couple. He’s good for her.
The scene between the three of them was funny. For the first time, Johnny and Travis seemed to get along, but it felt like Johnny was handing over ownership of Kate. I guess that was his way of accepting that there is a new man in her life and he’s no longer “it.”
It was also nice to see them all band together to defend their daughters. You never want to encourage bad behavior like destroying a biology lab, but there is some part of you that’s proud that they are standing up for what they believe in. Sometimes, children have a point, they just don’t go about making their statement the right way.
In this case, having them clean up and sit through class splattered with paint definitely seemed like more of a teachable punishment than suspension or expulsion. Good on the parents for fighting back!
In flashbacks, we saw Tully’s high-school birthday turn into a complete dumpster fire thanks to Cloud. I was surprised she actually remembered about the fancy dinner she suggested, but of course, it wasn’t without a catch. From the moment they sat down, Cloud embarrassed her daughter by singing and then refusing to pay and causing a scene. I actually found myself cringing throughout the whole scene.
Tully found herself back at the same fancy restaurant for a meeting with Wilson King, a big wig at a local news station in Seattle. While it seemed promising and like he was interested in poaching her for his network and making her a star, it also didn’t come without a catch. And this time, it was much worse than being embarrassed by your mom.
I hate how predictable the predator storyline is. The show was doing so well without inserting the “I’ll make you rich and famous if you sleep with me” plotline. When it was revealed that a new distributor bought the show, it was obvious that this would circle back to King, whose advances Tully denied.
I kept thinking that there’s no way King would still have any power over Tully because of the #MeToo movement, but then I remembered the show is set in 2003/2004 before we were exposing all the monsters in Hollywood and the media.
And based on the way King greeted Tully, it seems like he’s still butthurt over his sexual advances being rejected. How typical of men to feel scorned by a woman who doesn’t want to sleep her way to the top but would rather build her career on say, I don’t know, pure talent?!
Will King try to destroy Tully’s career? She’s already in a vulnerable situation with her ratings down and the expose that painted her like a terrible daughter who neglected her mother, which was surprisingly overlooked and not mentioned since. You’d think there would be more fallout from something like that. She didn’t even address it on air or anything.
With King in the ring, do you think Johnny will reconsider taking the job in Iraq?
The series is really trying to hold off on showing us the moment Kate and Johnny got together during the 80s flashback. They had the perfect opportunity as the duo stayed overnight in the editing bay working on a piece, and yet, nothing happened once again. Johnny simply told Kate he wasn’t good enough for her and they decided to remain friends.
Seriously, Johnny, make your move already!
What did you think of the episode? There’s still so much to be wrapped up in the upcoming season finale episode. Does Johnny leave? Whose funeral are they attending? Why did Kate and Tully have a falling out?
Spring showers bring plenty of new content your way this April.
So, who is ready to do some serious binge-watching? We didn’t practice for this all of 2020 to give up now! Especially because there are some really great TV shows premiering and a handful of highly-anticipated shows returning!
Here’s what’s on tap!
TV
Law & Order: Organized Crime – NBC (April 1)
Has there been a more anticipated TV return? Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) returns to the NYPD and joins a new task force while reuniting with ex-partner Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).
Manifest – NBC (April 1)
What happened to Flight 828? TV’s biggest mystery continues into season 3. Ben pursues a tail fin that may have belonged to the plane he was on while the rest of the passengers continue to follow Callings.
Home Economics – ABC (April 7)
The new comedy series looks at the uncomfortable and frustrating relationship between three adult siblings from the Hayworth family.
Kung Fu – The CW (April 7)
The reboot of the 1970s drama of the same name stars Legacies actress Olivia Liang as Nicky Shen, a young Chinese-American woman who drops out of college and travels to a monastery in China only to return home to San Francisco and find it overrun by crime. As she doles out justice, she finds herself the target of an assassin.
Rebel – ABC (April 8)
Katey Sagal stars as Annie “Rebel” Bello, a blue-collar legal attorney who ruthlessly fights for the cases she believes in. The series is inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich.
Them – Amazon Prime (April 9)
The limited horror anthology hails from Lena Waithe and finds a black family in the 1950s moving into a white neighborhood in L.A. where they not only have to deal with terrible neighbors but also supernatural forces that mean to do them harm.
Fear the Walking Dead – AMC (April 11)
Season 6B picks up with John Dorie reuniting with an old friend who helps him through a dark moment.
The Circle – Netflix (April 14)
The highly-addictive reality series, described as Big Brother meets Catfish, returns for a second season. Contestants move into the same apartment building but never meet face-to-face as they’re only allowed to communicate through a special social media app.
Dad Stop Embarrassing Me – Netflix (April 14)
The sitcom, inspired by Jamie Foxx’s relationship with his daughter, Corinne, finds him playing the role of a single dad and cosmetics brand owner who must navigate raising a teen daughter.
Younger – Paramount+ (April 15)
The seventh and final season of Younger wraps up Liza’s journey at Empirical/Millennial and hopefully reveals if she ends up with #TeamJosh or #TeamCharles once and for all.
Big Shot – Disney+ (April 16)
John Stamos moves on from Uncle Jesse in a new role former men’s basketball coach who gets fired and is forced to become a coach at an elite all-girls school. If you’re looking for a new sports drama with heart, look no further.
Cruel Summer – Freefrom (April 21)
Hailing from executive producer Jessica Biel, Freeform’s newest thriller takes the spot left behind by Pretty Little Liars. Set in the 90s, it follows the disappearance of a popular and charming girl and the nerdy wannabe who is blamed for the crime.
Shadow & Bone – Netflix (April 23)
In the fantasy series, based on a book of the same name, sinister forces plot against a young woman who has the powers to unite her world.
93rd Oscars – ABC (April 25)
As they say in show biz, the award show must go on. The 93rd Oscars, which originally mandated an in-person attendance amid the coronavirus pandemic, have reversed course and are allowing remote participation.
The Handmaid’s Tale – Hulu (April 28)
June and her fellow Handmaids go beyond the walls of Gilead following an uprising as they seek freedom in the dystopian series.
MOVIES
Concrete Cowboy – Netflix (April 2)
Stranger Things‘ Caleb McLaughlin stars as a teen who befriends a community of Black cowboys in Philadelphia when he stays with his estranged dad (played by Idris Elba) for the summer.
Thunder Force – Netflix (April 9)
Dynamic duo Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer are former childhood best friends who invent a formula that gives them superhero powers.
Stowaway – Netflix (April 22)
A stowaway crashes a mission to Mars and risks the lives of the whole crew on-board. The sci-fi thriller stars Anna Kendrick and Daniel Dae Kim.
Without Remorse – Amazon Prime (April 30)
Michael B. Jordan stars as John Clark, an elite NAVY Seal who uncovers a covert plot while investigating the death of his pregnant wife.
Netflix
Netflix Renews Spanish Drama ‘Elite’ for Fifth Season Ahead of Season 4 Premiere, Adds News Cast Members
We’ve got some elite news!
Spanish drama Elite has been renewed for a fifth season at Netflix!
The news isn’t all that shocking considering the drama, set in the ritzy private school of Las Encinas in Spain, is one of the streamer’s best performing Spanish originals.
Not only is the cast incredible, the first few seasons were hinged around an intoxicating murder mystery and plenty of steamy love scenes.
The renewal comes ahead of the fourth season, which currently doesn’t have a premiere date. In 2020, filming was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and an outbreak on set.
It’s possible the series will return in the spring/summer of 2021.
The upcoming season will see a handful of familiar faces including Samu (Itzan Escamilla), Guzman (Miguel Bernardeau), Omar (Omar Ayuso), Rebeca (Claudia Salas), and Ander (Aron Piper) as they were held back due to their shenanigans. The drama will also welcome new students Manu Ríos , Carla Díaz , Martina Cariddi and Pol Granch to shake things up.
Deadline also reports that the fifth season has added Argentinan actress Valentina Zenere (Soy Luna) and Brazilan actor André Lamoglia (Juacas) to its cast.
Netflix TV Shows to Watch Now During Your Quarantine & Chill
Can you believe it’s almost March?
2021 is flying by, and I have to credit the fact that there has been so much good television available!
Despite COVID-19 still holding a grasp on the world, plenty of our favorite TV shows were able to return to production and deliver outstanding seasons that are keeping us entertained every single day of the week.
March sees a return of some favorites on primetime along with some new additions to streaming.
Here’s everything to watch on March 2021:
TV
Debris – NBC (March 1)
Calling all sci-fi fans! Two international agents are tasked with investigating mysterious wreckage that falls from the sky. As British agent Finola Jones and American agent Bryan Beneventi lead the charge to track down all the debris scattered across the Western Hemisphere, they realize it’s a race against time!
The Voice – NBC (March 1)
The singing competition returns for season 20 with Blake Shelton, Nick Jonas, John Legend, and Kelly Clarkson at the helm!
Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell – Netflix (March 1)
The documentary on famed rapper The Notorious B.I.G. celebrates his life and tracks his journey to rap king alongside rare footage and in-depth interviews.
New Amsterdam – NBC (March 2)
With the pandemic still in full-swing, season 3 kicks off with a plane crash in the East River.
Good Girls – NBC (March 7)
Your favorite suburban criminals are back for season 4! Beth, Ruby, and Annie continue their life of crime by pouring themselves into Boland Bubbles to wash money for “homeboy.” With the FBI hot on their trail, will they find a way to stay above water?
Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy – ABC (March 11)
After going on hiatus in December, the Shondaland shows return with a crossover that tackles the issue of human trafficking.
A Million Little Things – ABC (March 11)
After a nearly three-month wait, A Million Little Things is finally getting new episodes and it’s going to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Per the synopsis: “As [the virus] becomes more widespread across the U.S., Boston goes into lockdown putting Rome’s movie in jeopardy and forcing Maggie to return home from Oxford. Because the hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, Eddie’s back surgery is cancelled, leading him to take desperate measures to cope with the severe pain.
Love Alarm – Netflix (March 12)
The popular K-drama about an app that alerts people if someone in the area likes them returns for its second season on Netflix!
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal – Netflix (March 17)
You’re familiar with the college bribery scandal that brought down Aunt Becky and other wealthy parents who stopped at nothing to get their children into top-tier universities. The documentary synopsis reads: “Using an innovative combination of interviews and narrative recreations of the FBI’s wiretapped conversations between Singer and his clients, Operation Varsity Blues offers a rare glimpse into the enigmatic figure behind a scheme that exposed the lengths wealthy families would go to for admission into elite colleges, and angered a nation already grappling with the effects of widespread inequality.”
Everything you’ve heard is true. But you haven’t heard everything. Using real conversations recreated from FBI wiretaps the filmmaker behind Fyre brings you Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal pic.twitter.com/kwsqTCSkqq
— NetflixFilm (@NetflixFilm) February 22, 2021
The highly-anticipated Marvel action series brings together Falcon and the Winter Soldier, who “team up for a global adventure that will test their survival skills — as well as their patience.” Starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, the action picks up after the events of “Avengers: Endgame” with the first two episodes airing on the streamer on March 19 and March 26, respectively.
The Irregulars – Netflix (March 26)
The Sherlock Holmes spin-off series follows a group of “troubled street teens” who are wrapped into solving crimes and saving London from supernatural elements by the “sinister Doctor Watson.”
Pooch Perfect – ABC (March 30)
Pitch Perfect star Rebel Wilson is set to host this dog grooming reality competition that’s based on a UK competition of the same name (also hosted by Wilson). The episodes will spotlight 10 dog groomers around the country competing in challenges.
Bark your calendar!!! Pooch perfect is coming to @abc 3/30/21 at 8:00pm #planetjorge #poochperfectabc pic.twitter.com/UTI3TRre7y
— Jorge Bendersky (@JorgeBendersky) February 19, 2021
Movies
Coming 2 America – Amazon Prime (March 5)
Comedic geniuses Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall reunite as Akeem and Semmi to take audiences back to Zamunda, the royal country made popular in the 80s. It’s worth the watch if only for nostalgia’s sake.
Raya and the Last Dragon – Disney Plus (March 5)
After being delayed the coronavirus pandemic, the film will finally debut months later. It’ll premiere simultaneously on Disney+ Premier Access and in theaters on the same day! Per the synopsis: ” Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. However, when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned, and it’s up to a lone warrior to track down the last dragon and stop the Druun for good.”
Moxie – Netflix (March 3)
Amy Poehler lends her talents to a second Netflix original about a shy 16-year-old who is inspired by her mom’s rebellious past and publishes an anonymous zine to tackle sexism inside the high school hallways.
Yes Day – Netflix (March 12)
Saying “no” to your kids can be difficult, so parents Allison (played by Jennifer Garner) and Carlos give their kids one day where they say “yes” to all their requests.
Paper Lives (Kağıttan Hayatlar) – Netflix (March 15)
The Turkish drama finds warehouse worker Mehmet (starring Çağatay Ulusoy) working in an impoverished neighborhood where he becomes responsible for a small boy.
https://twitter.com/ghenceagabriela/status/1363622638854303744?s=20
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