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?
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’
Chicago Fire2 weeks agoChicago Fire Review: Halfway to the Moon (10×20)
This Is Us1 week agoThis Is Us Review – The Train (6×17)
Chicago Med2 weeks agoChicago Med Review – End of the Day, Anything Can Happen (7×20)
This Is Us2 weeks agoThis Is Us Review – Family Meeting (6×16)
Dynasty3 weeks agoDynasty Review – Mind Your Business (5×10)
Riverdale1 week agoRiverdale Review – Venomous (6×14)
Dynasty4 days agoDynasty Review – There’s No Need to Panic (5×12)
Chicago Fire6 days agoChicago Fire Review: Last Chance (10×21)