Editorials
Grade It: Best, Worst, and Most Emotional Moments of God Friended Me Season 2
It wasn’t until the final few episodes of God Friended Me Season 2 that we learned they were also the final few episodes of the series.
The series was not renewed at CBS, which killed the shows momentum and left fans heartbroken.
Not only was the series picking up steam about the God Account, but it was also delivering some incredibly powerful storylines through the Friend Suggestions and the core trio, Miles, Cara, and Rakesh.
During these difficult and unprecedented times, the series was a beacon of light offering hope and promise. And it continued to be so until the very end with a finale that gave fans closure and brought Miles back to his faith.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look back at season 2:
Best Friend Suggestion – Holocaust Survivor Abe
There were plenty of strong and emotionally driven Friend Suggestions this season. As Miles established a groove and embraced his role fully, he was better able to help those who may not have even been aware that they needed his help.
However, one Friend Suggestion sticks out so vividly because I was a complete mess throughout the whole episode. That Friend Suggestion is Abe (guest star Judd Hirsch) on God Friended Me Season 2 Episode 11.
Abe was a Holocaust survivor who spent his whole life looking for answers about whether or not his sister, Rose, survived.
Some Friend Suggestion storylines are predictable and easy to crack, but it wasn’t clear if Rose was alive until the very end when Miles and Joy reunited the long lost siblings in what was surely one of the most touching and beautiful moments on television.
“A New Hope” — Miles discovers a new clue as to who is behind the God Account when Joy (Jessica Lu) reveals that his friend suggestions have all been clients of the same insurance company. Her theory is reinforced when they realize that Miles’ latest friend suggestion, Abe (Judd Hirsch), a Holocaust survivor looking for information on his sister’s fate, is also a client of the company, on GOD FRIENDED ME, Sunday, Jan. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured L to R: Judd Hirsch as Abe, Jessica Lu as Joy, and Brandon Micheal Hall as Miles Finer. Photo: David Giesbrecht/CBS©2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Worst Friend Suggestion – Trevor
Some episodes were better than others, and the same goes for Friend Suggestions. The worst Friend Suggestion of the season came towards the end of the season on God Season 2 Episode 21. While Trevor helped Miles realize his feelings for Cara, he was also insufferable.
He had a bone to pick with Miles because he claimed the God Account ruined his life when it reunited the woman he loved, Rose, with Lt. Freemont thus leaving him heartbroken and betrayed.
Of course, Miles had nothing to do with the fact that Rose thought of Trevor as a brother, and when he refused to sabotage Rose and Freemont’s relationship on the eve of their wedding, Trevor outed Miles’ feelings for Cara in the comments section of his podcast.
Trevor also made terrible decisions like telling Rose how he felt while giving a speech at her wedding rehearsal. I’m still cringing.
“The Fugitive” — Miles, Cara and Rakesh try to stay a step ahead of a bounty hunter, Bonnie (Erica Tazel), who’s searching for Miles’ new friend suggestion, a petty criminal-turned-fugitive for evading court. Also, when Miles loses interest in who’s behind the God Account, Rakesh intensifies the search by planning to hack a powerful government super computer that can break through the Account’s firewall, on GOD FRIENDED ME, Sunday, April 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured L to R: Violett Beane as Cara Bloom, Brandon Micheal Hall as Miles Finer, and Suraj Sharma as Rakesh Singh. Photo: Peter Kramer/CBS©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Best Team-Up – Rakesh and Zach
Zach was Miles’ Friend Suggestion and after they got him out of trouble, Rakesh realized Zach was an incredibly talented coder and a good addition to the team.
He took him on as an intern at Identity Seal, which proved to be useful as Zach came in handy when they wanted to hack the God Account’s mainframe.
Mostly, this duo was my favorite because they had such a fun bond and provided witty one-liners. Zach always kept it real.
Character That Needed Closure – Joy
Joy was introduced on the backend of God Friended Me Season 1 when she was sent Miles’ name as a Friend Suggestion.
At first, she was cold and unapproachable, but as we got to know her, and the God Account began to make an impact on her, Joy became part of the God Squad.
We learned she was in New York because she gave her daughter up for adoption and while she was able to have some closure by meeting her daughter and seeing that she was doing well, it always felt like Joy’s story was far from over.
It would have been nice to have her return for the finale, and who knows, maybe she would’ve been back somehow if there was a third season.
Couple That Showed True Promise – Ali and Emily
It’s unfortunate that Ali found love and a dedicated partner towards the end of the series because we never got to see thier relationship fully blossom.
Ali was skeptical of starting a relationship not only because she’d been burned before but because she didn’t want to drag anyone into her mess. When she met Emily while freezing her eggs and gearing up for cancer treatment, it was the worst time but also the best time.
Emily proved to be the best thing to happen to Ali; she by her side throughout the cancer battle, she supported her, and she loved her. It would’ve been great to see their relationship blossom outside of the cancer storyline and maybe even see them start a family of their own.
Ali always deserved a happy ending.
Read the full post at TV Fanatic Now!
There are a lot of Christmas movies out there, which is why it’s important to make the right choice this holiday season. After all, no one has the time to waste over two+ hours on a bad movie.
At the top of your list should be Hotel for the Holidays, a rom-com that offers a refreshing take on a festive genre that oftentimes lacks creativity simply because the forces behind the scenes know it will make money regardless as everyone longs for a slice of familiarity and comfort around the holidays.
There’s plenty of Christmas magic (it must’ve slipped through the cracks) in Hotel for the Holidays, and it sneaks up on you—and Madelaine Petsch’s character, Georgia—in the best possible way. It’s Amazon Freevee’s first original holiday flick, and hopefully, not the last.
The plot is rather simple on the surface, but it isn’t predictable as with other holiday rom-coms.
Here’s the gist: Georgia is a young and ambitious hotel manager at the historic Hotel Fontaine (it gives The Plaza Hotel vibes from Home Alone 2), which attracts an eclectic bunch of guests, including some heartbroken singles, an infamous popstar, a European ex-prince looking for a taste of the real world, and more. They all arrive in New York City for the holidays looking for an escape from the norm, and Georgia is determined to give it to them. However, she also has her own plans and goals that get her into a bit of a love triangle with the hotel’s chef, Luke (Mesa Massoud from the live-action Aladdin), and the ex-prince, Raymond (Max Lloyd Jones from Book of Boba Fett). It also stars Kayleigh Shikanai (American Gods) as Pandora, Jami Belushi (According to Jim) as Kiki, Neil Crone (It) as Milton, and Jayne Eastwood (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) as Florence.
Credit: Amazon Freevee
Pretty early into the film, it’s obvious how Georgia’s romantic life will resolve itself, which allows the film to dig into other captivating subplots that are positively unexpected. Unlike other holiday films, Georgia values herself beyond a romantic partner, which, right off the bat, is a breath of fresh air.
The supporting cast plays an integral part in the film, right down to the chef’s best friend/fellow chef and the janitorial staff. They may not be the sole focus of the series, but the team behind the rom-com found a way to involve them in a way that’s natural and easy to keep up with. Pretty soon, you find yourself rooting for the happiness of everyone at Hotel Fontaine—the staff and the guests.
The acting is also great. It’s just the right amount of feel-good so it never feels forced, nor do the character’s choices seem questionable. It’s all believable within the world they’ve created, aside from the scene where they are dining on a rooftop in the dead of a New York City winter without jackets or even sweaters. How are they not cold? As for the few over-the-top performances and characters, well, they also work—the prince’s bodyguard (AJ Zoldy) is a delight.
If I’m being perfectly honest, the magical thing about the film is that it’s a love letter to the community of people you surround yourself with: your found family.
The film doesn’t just settle for telling a story about two people who finally admit that they love each other because that’s tired and expected. Instead, it recognizes that romance comes in all shapes and sizes—in romantic partners, in co-workers, in friends, and even in new acquaintances that pass through your life for a brief moment (or stay awhile).
Credit: Amazon Freevee
The storylines come together seamlessly, and the themes of belonging and acceptance—in addition to staying true to yourself, finding the inspiration to pursue your goals and ambitions, and acknowledging that it’s ok to move and find happiness on your own terms, even if it doesn’t always please everyone—help the film stand out among the other cliche seasonal offerings.
Most importantly, Petsch shines… and it’s so deserved. The film allows her to show off her range of acting chops that, sadly, get stifled on Riverdale. The CW series may have been her mainstream big break, but it stopped working in her favor a long time ago, so it’s exciting to see her take on new projects and characters.
Of all the Christmas films that I’ve seen in 2022 thus far, Hotel for the Holidays is one of the best.
Check it out for yourself when it premieres on Dec. 2 on Amazon’s Freevee.
Read On:
Your Guide to All the Must-Watch Christmas Movies of 2022
Freddie Prinze Jr. Is Back! Everything We Know About the ‘Christmas With You’ Heartthrob
Where Was ‘Falling for Christmas’ Filmed?
Thanksgiving is a time for reconnecting with friends and family and indulging in some delicious meals.
But after all the turkey, sides, and pie is cleared off the plate, the only acceptable activity is binge-watching some feel-good TV shows.
Here are some post-Thanksgiving dinner show suggestions:
Virgin River
You’ll be just as surprised as Mel to fall in love with the picturesque town of Virgin River. Come for the views, stay for Jack.
Hart of Dixie
Dr. Zoe Hart arrives in Alabama looking for a fresh start and learns that the Southern way of living might actually be what’s best for her.
Gilmore Girls
An unbreakable mother and daughter bond, a charming town that would make any Lifetime movie jealous… plus, an unspoken love for coffee? Say no more.
Selena + Chef
You might know her as a Disney Channel actress and pop star, but now, she’s adding chef to her resume. And since Thanksgiving is all about food, this is one show you don’t want to pass up.
The Cleaning Lady
You might think it’s odd that a mafia crime drama made the list, but at its core, the series is about family and how far two dedicated and loving moms would go for their family. It’s a thrill from beginning to end!
Walker
The modern-day update to the Chuck Norris classic hones in on family above everything, with a side of roundhouse kicks.
A Million Little Things
A group from Boston bond under the unlikeliest of circumstances and get a much-needed wake-up call following the death of a close friend.
La Brea
Though it falls into the “sci-fi mystery” category, La Brea hinges on a family determined to find their way back to each other despite all the obstacles standing in their way and all the sacrifices needed to be made.
Dream Home Makeover
If there’s ever a time to get inspired for a home makeover, it’s after the holidays (and during Black Friday when everything is on sale!) And the McGee family is the cherry on top!
This Is Us
This is… a no-brainer. No show captures the essence of what it means to be a complicated, loving, flawed, and fulfilled family more than this NBC drama.
Angel the Series: Why The Series is The King of Found Family Shows
There’s been a lot of buzz about the upcoming third season of Dead to Me, which will, unfortunately, also be the final season of the Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini-led comedy drama.
When Will Dead to Me Season 3 Premiere?
Well, the wait is thankfully almost over because the series is set to hit Netflix on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
And that means, you’ll have the whole entire weekend to binge watch all 10 episodes to see how Jen Harding and Judy Hale’s adventures come to an end.
It’s been a bit since new episodes aired, however, with Dead to Me Season 2 dropping on the streaming giant in May 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic along with Applegate’s MS (multiple sclerosis diagnosis) delayed the upcoming season significantly, so it’s understandable if you don’t actually remember where things left off.
How Did Dead to Me Season 2 End? Let’s Recap!
For starters, a dog digs up Steve Wood’s body with his brother, Ben, getting the dreaded call. Judy and Jen find the money that Steve was laundering for the Greek mafia behind the frames of Judy’s art paintings, which allows them to buy out the house and get a new car for Charlie with a shiny new bow on top. Unfortunately, on their way home, they get into an accident with another vehicle… and it’s revealed that the driver that hit them is Ben, who has an empty bottle of liquor by his side. He’s a little banged up, but he drives away. This is honestly messy, so I’m glad we’re on the cusp of the new season. And on top of all of that, Charlie finds the letter that Jen wrote (and Judy didn’t destroy), which probably includes way too much information about what’s going on.
Dead to Me Season 3 Trailer
Applegate on Filming the Final Season
Applegate, who recently received her much-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, told Variety that while filming the new season of the Emmy-award winning drama amid her MS diagnosis was challenging (she had to use a wheelchair to get to set because walking was difficult and painful), she remained dedicated to finishing out the story for fans, which we truly admire and are grateful for.
When the creative forces behind the show asked if she wanted to pull the plug since they felt like they were “torturing her,” she replied, “But I was like, ‘No, no, no, no, no, no: We have to finish this story. It’s too important to our hearts; too important to our souls. And we have to give this gift, not only to ourselves — there are people that love these characters, and we’ve got to let them have their closure too.’ So, if that meant me having to take a break in the middle of the day so I could go sleep — or me just leaving because I couldn’t do anymore — then that’s what we had to do.”
And knowing how much dedication went into it will make watching this season so more rewarding and gratifying.
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