Supernatural - "Stuck in the Middle (With You)" - Season 12 Episode 12 Review

It was pretty clear from the start of the episode they were on a case. It was just sad to see their hunter friend Wally who was along side them didn’t survive. After 12 seasons, we have seen a lot of hunters die, and a lot of ego-driven demons. And, I must admit, it still always gets me when Cas gets hurt. I was glad to see they were going to do the reverse order type set up for this episode. Showing us the chaos of the case before showing us what lead them there. I quite enjoy this set up as it switches things up a bit.

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Source: The CW

I was taken aback seeing that the traditional methods of stopping a demon in its tracks didn’t work on this night fishing demon. And was sad to see that he went straight after Cas when he saw him, though it really wasn’t surprising. When we see that this isn’t just any demon, but the yellow eyed demon, I was on the edge of my seat. We all know how much these guys can’t stand him. Materializing a spear out of nowhere just to stab Cas, this yellow eyed demon has some serious issues with angels. It definitely wasn’t just any spear either, something tells me it’s quite like an angel sword, or has some kind of spell on it. I can’t stand seeing Cas bleeding out unable to heal himself.

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Source: The CW

And can we talk about sneaky, sneaky Mary? They wouldn’t even had been at the house with the yellow eyed demon if it wasn’t for her. And now we see it was because there was something there she needed. She is working for the British Men of Letter’s, no doubt. I can’t even imagine how the guys will react when they find this out. Especially since this was such a messy situation with already losing Wally, and Cas down. We know they’re really in for it when Crowley shows up. He is the most self-preserving man in the show, so if he wants them to know they’re in for it, it’s really bad news bears!

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Source: The CW

Seeing Cas’s skin scale up the way it does makes me think of Game of Thrones and the curse of the stone men. I hope it’s something Rowena can cure. Crowley’s news is not the greatest: apparently, this yellow eyed demon is actually a Prince of Hell! How is that for a kick in the pants. To top things off, Crowley was the one to gift him with the spear he stabbed Cas with. And it once belonged to Arch Angel Michael; this is really not looking good. Because anyone who knows even the smallest amount about angels know Michael is the ultimate protector, so his weapon would great power. Personally, I have a strong pull to Michael as far as angels go. But in the Supernatural world, he was incapacitated.

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Source: The CW

We learn how Crowley was crowned as the King of Hell, as well as how his gifts to this Prince have once again bitten him in the bum. He has tried to gain more pull, and has again, ended up on the chopping block. I now understand why Crowley came to the guys, he wants their help so he too can live. Ramiel, the Prince of Hell just wanted to be left alone. You almost feel bad for him; he was forced into being one of Lucifer’s original soldiers, now when he is trying to fish and just enjoy being Ramiel, in come an angel and a few humans to spoil his day. Now, he has to fulfill his promise to ruin Crowley for not allowing him his peace. How selfish is Mary for not speaking up and risking everyone’s lives?! I can’t imagine the guys will be all too forgiving when the truth is finally revealed. I would be so pissed if my mom were to do something like that. Whether or not she believes she is doing it for the greater good is no excuse not to let them in on what she was doing.

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Source: The CW

I’m just glad Sam came through and killed Ramiel. I about cheered when Crowley figured out how to cure Castiel. Being raised by a witch sure comes in handy! But, I can’t help but wonder if the lance would have come in handy later down the line, since they are still up against some cosmic threat. And knowing what they are up against, I can’t believe Mary just handed over the colt to the BML. And when the heck will she spill the beans to her boys that she is a traitor? I sense this is going to send them into a really bad state of mind once she does. I am just glad they have Cas to try and help them keep it together.

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Written by Kaylynn Kasandra. Awkward hippie who enjoys helping people, creating things, reading, sci-fi, fantasy, and Thor. Find more from her at kaylynnkasandra.com and
http://www.youtube.com/c/tiedyesmurf

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The Path - "Why We Source" - Season 2 Episode 5 Recap and Review

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So as the episodes begins, I have to admit, as twisted as The Movement is, they have some pretty cool tools. The paper Cal was using with the guy he was doing the unburdening with was interesting. That’d be a cool thing to have in the right circumstance I am sure. If it actually works the way he says, anyway. While Cal seemed to be coming up empty handed in his search for the FBI informant, Eddie was making leaps and bounds in his support group. And as annoying as Sarah is to me, I was glad to see she is still fighting for the water testing to be done for the town that is being poisoned. Hawk’s passionate display about this very issue seemed to backfire. He was arrested as Sarah was coming home from the lab, thanks to the Dekaan’s. I feel this will either be a catalyst for Sarah to fight harder, or it’s going to get very messy.

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Source: Hulu

I find it quite interesting that Hawk’s first real exposure to the outside world away from Meyerism is in a detention center, surrounded by the very types of people he had be taught to fear becoming. Hopefully this will be an opportunity for him to open up and grow a wider perspective. He has a very pure spirit, but such a warped perception of how things should be. When I heard the charges against Hawk, I wasn’t too surprised this influential family was able to pull off getting him on federal charges. Ms. Dekaan’s threats certainly were not empty!

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Source: Hulu

Can we all take a second to laugh at how blind Cal is? He seriously asked Agent Gaines to be the one to search for the informant. I couldn’t help but chuckle. I’m glad Gaines was able to get the heads up they know the FBI is watching. And how about Summer spilling the beans about seeing her dad? I’m just glad it’s out in the open. That poor kid was having a horrible time keeping that under wraps. At least now she can relax a little bit, unless Sarah catches some heat. Is it mean to say I quite enjoy seeing the dysfunction in Sarah’s family? They try so hard to appear perfect, yet at times it seems they can’t stand each other. While we are talking about dysfunction, we still see Eddie struggling not to fall back into practices he followed in Meyerism, and hating himself for it. But seeing him stand up to Sarah and fighting for Hawk is pretty awesome. I love watching him check Cal too. Those are always some of my favorite moments in the show, if I am being honest. Sean is standing up to Cal even more now a days too which is super exciting to watch. Between Eddie, Sean, Richard, and Kodiak, that’s more than enough people to take Cal down. And they would all get enjoyment out of it too.

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Source: Hulu

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Source: Hulu

Seeing Mary stand up to Cal was something I didn’t expect at all. I always expect Eddie to go all out for his family. So that was no surprise to see him check Ms.Dekaan. But Mary has always been under Cal’s spell, so to see her protect her family can be a game changer for sure. Another game changer, Richard calling out Cal to use that magic paper and unburden. It’s scary backing Cal up in a corner though, and Richard isn’t the biggest guy, so that’s a bit concerning. Being the master manipulator he is, seeing Cal deflect wasn’t shocking in the least. His deflecting could have quite possibly saved Richard’s life. He would be on Cal’s hit list for sure had he uncovered his truths. As truths are always uncovered, Eddie’s scar is exposed and Sarah finds out its source. Lightning. I wonder if she will put the pieces together that it has to do with the light? I also can’t wait to see how she is going to handle this situation with Eddie now she has reopened her heart, and her um, legs, to him once again. They never stopped loving each other after all.

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Source: Hulu

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Source: Hulu

It’s nice to see Hawk defend himself coming from such a passive background. He really is his father’s son after all. I only hope this won’t cause him to get more charges. I have a feeling he and Samuel, his other cellmate, will become close. They are more alike than they appear to be at first glance and I think they’d learn a lot from one another. Perhaps that’s why Hawk needed to be locked up? I guess we will have to see. Agent Gaines seems to be doing well working both sides. He faked a heart issue and planted evidence to find; ruthless. He is not dumb, that’s for sure. I just hope Cal doesn’t go contacting Gaines family as he promised. That would be Gaines’ downfall, I think. Seeing Hawk pissed at being released right before seeing Shelby shunned for the found burner phone was done well. Both are not in control of their leaving, one is angry, the other devastated, probably suicidal. It says quite a lot. They are merely puppets on a string for those in power. It should be interesting to see how both of them cope. With the threat of FBI infiltration now null and void I can’t help but wonder if Richard will press Cal again. And I can’t help but hope Sarah grows a pair and keeps pushing with the water testing. How can she not after seeing that poor, poor, cow?!

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Written by Kaylynn Kasandra. Awkward hippie who enjoys helping people, creating things, reading, sci-fi, fantasy, and Thor. Find more from her at kaylynnkasandra.com and
http://www.youtube.com/c/tiedyesmurf

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The Walking Dead - "Rock in the Road" - Season 7 Episode 9 Review

When we last left our heroes, Negan had liquefied Abraham and Glenn’s skulls, disemboweled Spencer, had Olivia shot, abducted Eugene, strutted around like a macho jerk while making over-affected threats, and mocked everyone with a shit-eating grin at every turn.  They decided this was just too much to bear, and as the mid-season finale drew to a close, they hugged it out and prepared to go to war.

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Source: The CW

As the mid-season premiere opens, we find Father Gabriel in perhaps a crisis of faith.  After finding no comfort in his bible, he very loudly gathers some canned goods and melee weapons/gardening tools, gasses up a car and sets out on the open road.  To what end remains to be seen.

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Source: The CW

Rick and the gang are too busy listening to Gregory bullshit them to notice Gabriel is gone.  In their attempt to rally Hilltop they once again must deal with Gregory’s spineless avoidance and blame shifting, but Enid appeals directly to the people and on their way out, a few Hilltoppers offer their allegiance to Rick, as long as they think they can win against Negan.  It’s not much but it’s a start.  This little bump of courage spurs Jesus to lead our heroes to the Kingdom and Ezekiel.

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Source: The CW

While Rick and company make a strong case for war, and perhaps Ezekiel knows that the Saviors need to go, he ultimately refuses to join forces.  In part because of his dedication to his people, but also because of Morgan’s lack of confidence in Rick’s bellicose path.  Even the news of Abraham and Glenn’s brutal deaths cannot sway the zen master ninja turtle’s walk of peace.  I thought for sure the young knight Benjamin’s pure hearted desire to step up and be a hero would have cancelled out Morgan’s wishy washy solution and convinced Ezekiel.  Then again, the existence of such a good-hearted dude may be the exact reason Ezekiel won’t fight.  It’s a catch 22:  protect what’s precious and risk getting steamrolled anyway, or fight and definitely lose people, perhaps those very dear to you.  In the end, all Rick gets is a hiding place for Daryl, who is technically a wanted man.  This may be the ace up his sleeve though, because we all know how convincing a greasy, puffy eyed hillbilly glaring at you can be.

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Source: The CW

Jesus smartly finagled a long-range walkie talkie from Sanctuary so now our heroes can keep track of all of the Saviors’ communications, even Negan’s lamentations over the death of the most innocent of the bunch, Fat Joey.  During his eulogy, the group comes across a roadblock of cars and a steel wire trap laden with explosives.  The tension comes from a radio dispatch requesting a search for Daryl, so the group needs to become demolition experts to safely remove the explosives for use in the impending battles, then become valets to repark the cars they moved, then become NASCAR drivers to reach Alexandria before the Saviors do.  It’s indeed nerve wracking, but we’re at least treated to one of the coolest and most creative zombie kill scenes in the show’s history.  I did find it a bit unbelievable that Rick and Michonne were able to shrug off hordes of walkers to escape though, and it was fairly ironic when Michonne whispers to Rick that they’re the ones who live.

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Source: The CW

They do in fact make it back to Alexandria, just in time to put up with Simon’s worst Negan impression.  Of course they don’t find Daryl, but one thing is apparent:  Gabriel took more than just a handful of their food supply, he took it all.  He left a clue, however, and Rick and company go searching for him near the houseboat they found in the middle of the lake, which leads them to a previously unexplored area.  How he knew that Rick and Aaron had been out there is another mystery, and I thought it was his ominous foot that we saw momentarily as they struggled with the boat a few episodes ago.  As it turns out, it was probably one of the many members of a new group that encircles our heroes at the end of the episode.  Why did Gabriel lead them out there?  Will these new people prove to be friends or foes?  Rick’s smile in the last shot shows his confidence in the former.

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Source: The CW

One scene in particular stood out to me.  As Aaron prepares to leave, he has a moment with his boyfriend that encapsulates all our fears for the next few episodes.  If and when the fight happens, the people we love may not live.  Again, doing nothing may prolong life, but what kind of life if the threat of death is always looming?  And yet fighting means death for some is a certainty, and victory at the end is not.  

And did you catch the group’s exchange at the Hilltop, about how not all the people in Sanctuary are Saviors, and some probably have it pretty bad?  Who might help them incite an insurrection within the Sanctuary?

Once again, TWD has started with great momentum.  Here’s hoping they keep it up as we prepare for all out war.

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Written by A Play On Nerds contributor, Jerry Herrera - Lover of horror, sci fi, and fantasy in that order.  Semi-permanent Disneyland resident.  I'm at least one of the droids you're looking for. Twitter: @FrankenJerry - Instagram: @GeraldoPedro

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