Winter Watchlist Warmers - Superman & Lois - Season Three

Superman & Lois survived the axe! Yes The CW will bring back a total of four original dramas from this season. Walker, All American & the spin-off Homecoming plus Superman & Lois!

Earlier this month, it was renewed for a 10-episode fourth season. Short episode count, plus a whole heaps of cast members are out! Could season four be the final chapter in the final DC series on The CW. Back in Australia though, Superman & Lois streams on Binge.

This third season commenced mid March, concluding the other night, alongside (now cancelled one and done) Gotham Knights.

Returning to star in the final, longer season, Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch as the titular characters, Clark Kent / Superman and cancer surviving Lois Lane.

Alongside Alex Garfin, Erik Valdez, Inde Navarrette, Wolé Parks, Dylan Walsh, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Tayler Buck, Sofia Hasmik, Michael Bishop and Chad L. Coleman.

So in the 13th and final episode for the season, What Kills You Only Makes You Stronger we join the action 32 days later, from the previous episode.

Smallville prepares for a meteor shower celebration. Chrissy learns that she is pregnant, and she and Kyle tell their friends and family. 

The Kent family plans a trip to Italy, Sam offers John a job creating tech for the DOD in Metropolis, John and Lana go on a date, Jonathan tries to regain Coach Gaines' trust, and Clark pushes Jordan to reconcile with Sarah, though they decide not to remain friends. 

Meanwhile, Luthor has Judge Reagen killed. Sam meets with a woman he met online named Gretchen, but she abducts him and delivers him to Luthor. At the celebration, Kyle and Chrissy get engaged. After discovering that the Inverse Superman is revived and strengthened each time he dies, Luthor repeatedly kills him and transforms him into a monster. 

Luthor unleashes the monster on Superman, who publicly defeats him and carries him into space. Remembering his family, Clark continues fighting on the moon. Yes we literally ended mid fight sequence like in the recent Fast & Furious film.

The show (if it was cancelled) literally just ended mid action scene. Bit random, considering the chances of it being scrapped were high with the sale of The CW. While almost all the other dramas were also getting the axe.

So Superman & Lois sees another day. I really think after (at times) an emotional season, a cut in episodes, a cut in cast size, the show really needs to call it a day. Likewise for the two All American series.

The CW once gave us easy to watch escapism series. Those days seem to be numbered.

Winter Watchlist Warmers - The Other Two - Season Three/Series Finale

At the start of this month, I caught up on seasons one and two of The Other Two. They were lot's of fun. I then dived straight into the third (and now final) season on Binge.

I did mention season three was a bit off the rails in my previous post earlier this month. And things kind of got worse as the season continued. I was really assuming this would be the final season the entire run of ten episodes. Then today when I read this article, I have to admit I was hardly surprised.

Max (formerly HBO Max) is really purging a lot of its content. So when The Hollywood Reporter it was confirmed that the series would be ending with the third season, I am just thinking, what's next to get the axe at Max? And Just Like That?

Cary (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Heléne Yorke) along with Molly Shannon as Pat Dubek are now done and dusted.

The Other Two has been a fun ride, I wrote more about the previous seasons. So I will cut this post short. It was an interesting little comedy. The first two seasons were a fun ride, however like all good things they usually have to come to an end.

So two days in a row we get series finales. With Mayans MC also due to ride its last motorcycle into the sunset with Riverdale and Nancy Drew also leaving the CW.

The Other Two is good for a laugh, while its best episodes have been and gone. You can stream all three seasons now on Binge.

Winter Watchlist Warmers - Gotham Knights - Season One/Series Finale

Gotham Knights is another one and done series for The CW. It's 13 episode solo season landed mid-March, only to be be cancelled did June.

Cantering around members of the Batman family, this is one of the last DC Comics series on The CW/in Australia on Binge.

The story goes like, in the wake of Bruce Wayne's death, his adopted son Turner Hayes forges an unlikely alliance with runaways Harper and Cullen Row, and the criminal Duela, when they are all framed for the murder and publicly accused of committing it by the Gotham City Police Department and District Attorney Harvey Dent. 

Dent of course is also known as Two-Face. So in a sub plot, this is also actually a Two-Face origin story. 

OK, back to the main storyline. The four youths attempt to clear their names and find out who really killed Bruce Wayne, with help from Turner's friend Stephanie Brown and Turner's classmate Carrie Kelley, who secretly operates as Robin. The mystery of who framed them soon leads to the Court of Owls. Over time, they evolve into becoming Gotham's new protectors known as the "Gotham Knights".

This series was better than I expected. Way better than the recent final series of The Flash. However it struggled to find an audience in the US. Also with the writers strike (still on going) and The CW's sale, this show was kinda doomed from the get go.

The 13 episodes live on Binge now. So if you're a die hard Batman fan this little, soon to be hidden gem could be for you. Particularly if you like Two-Face as a bad guy.

Winter Watchlist Warmers - Queen of Oz - Season One

Queen of Oz is easily the best thing I have season on the ABC for a good minute. I was concurrently watching Barons at the same time, however this stole my attention.

I love Catherine Tate and in Queen of Oz she does not disappoint. For a republican, this ticked a lot of boxes for me.

Catherine Tate is the scandalous Queen Georgiana, a disgraced member of a fictional British royal family sent to rule Australia.

Consisting of just six episodes which all live on ABC iView right now. You can watch this straight in roughly three hours this winter.

Yes with a mix of current shows (like this) and past hits I'm catching up on Winter Watchlist Warmers series is here now.

Landing this month on iView, it follows previous ABC series In Limbo which was also billed as a comedy. However this is laugh out loud funny. Not as funny as current Australian Amazon hit Dead Loch, however it is funny none the less.

The six-part sitcom follows Princess Georgiana (Tate), the black sheep of a fictional British royal family who has spent her spoilt life partying and being plastered all over the tabloids. 

In the wake of her latest scandal, her mother, the Queen, takes the unprecedented step of abdicating her Australian throne in favour of her daughter, hoping that some real responsibilities will make her come to her senses.

The production began in Australia in September last year. The series was filmed on location at Swifts, a 19th century mansion in Darling Point which doubled as the fictional Macquarie House. 

Additional scenes, including the street interview-style footage, were shot in February 2023, with post-production eventually ending in April.

This was fun, easy viewing which we all need right now. I love a laugh, I love a good comedy, so I welcomed this. Was very happy the ABC got together with the BBC to produce one. Much like Hard Cell this was a good laugh. Easy to digest, super fun with Rob Collins showing off the fact he is a total hunk.

Stream this now on ABC iView.

Winter Watchlist Warmers - DMZ - miniseries

DMZ is one of those series that landed when I was clearly busy AF!

So it is time to catch up on the miniseries created by Roberto Patino, based on the comic book series of the same name by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli.

You can stream this on Binge as it is a HBO Max, or now simply known as Max.

It landed St Patrick's Day, 2022. So what's DMZ or demilitarised zone all about you ask?

Alma Ortega, a NYC medic, becomes a symbol of hope in a demilitarised Manhattan Island while trying to find her son, who wandered off instead of sticking with her during their evacuation from Manhattan during the Second American Civil War. Which really could be any day now with former President Orange Face on the rampage, again and again.

Rosario Dawson plays Alma, alongside Benjamin Bratt as Parco Delgado, Freddy Miyares as Skel, Hoon Lee plus Jordan Preston Carter joined the main cast.

Also in the four episode run are Rutina Wesley, Mamie Gummer, Nora Dunn, Henry G. Sanders, Venus Ariel, Jade Wu, Rey Gallegos, Agam Darshi, and Juani Feliz.

Looking at the critics and sites like Rotten Tomatoes (54%) DMZ has had rather average (at best) scores. That said this is entertaining enough across the four hour (ish) episodes.

Freddy Miyares is totally handsome AF and near shirtless most episodes so this makes up for any plot line issues. For me at least.

DMZ streams now on Binge, while being the first in my new seasonal TV blog series Winter Watchlist Warmers. Yes folks the Oodies are on, the catch up begins. Hibiniating all the way through now till late September, early October. Well excluding my holiday to the United States of America!

Logies 2023 - My Picks

Earlier this week The Logies nominations were announced. Here is my yearly tradition of "My Picks" in Red + BOLD, let's see how I go. 

It's a lot of the ABC and streaming, including Netflix this time around! With the awards returning to Sydney's The Star.

Voting is now open for all popular awards. Voting closes at the end of the red carpet telecast on Sunday 30 July at 7.30pm AEST. All except for the Gold Logie Award, which will stay open throughout the telecast and close at 10.30pm AEST.

Most Popular Awards

TV Week Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television

Hamish Blake, Lego Masters Australia, 9Network

Julia Morris, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! & Taskmaster, Network 10

Leigh Sales, 730 Report, ABC

Mark Coles Smith, Mystery Road: Origin, ABC

Osher Günsberg, The Bachelors Australia & The Masked Singer Australia, Network 10

Shaun Micallef, Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, ABC

Sonia Kruger, The Voice, Dancing with the Stars & Big Brother, Seven Network

Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter

Hamish Blake, Lego Masters Australia, 9Network

Julia Morris, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! & Taskmaster, Network 10

Scott Cam, The Block, 9Network

Shaun Micallef, Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, ABC

Sonia Kruger, The Voice, Dancing with the Stars & Big Brother, Seven Network

Tony Armstrong, A Dog’s World with Tony Armstrong, ABC

TV Week Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor

James Stewart, Home and Away, Seven Network

Lincoln Younes, After The Verdict, Last King of The Cross & Barons, 9Network, Paramount+ & ABC

Mark Coles Smith, Mystery Road: Origin, ABC

Patrick Brammall, Colin from Accounts & Summer Love, Binge & ABC

Ray Meagher, Home and Away, Seven Network

Sam Neill, The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

TV Week Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress

Ada Nicodemou, Home and Away, Seven Network

Celeste Barber, Wellmania, Netflix

Emily Symons, Home and Away, Seven Network

Julia Zemiro, Fisk Season 2, ABC

Kitty Flanagan, Fisk Season 2, ABC

Lynne McGranger, Home and Away, Seven Network

Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent

Amy Shark, Australian Idol, Seven Network

Ayesha Madon, Heartbreak High, Netflix

Chloe Hayden, Heartbreak High, Netflix

Flex Mami, Love Island Australia, 9Network

Kween Kong, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Stan

Lilliana Bowrey, Surviving Summer, Netflix

Most Popular Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie

Heartbreak High, Netflix

Home and Away, Seven Network

Mystery Road: Origin, ABC

Savage River, ABC

The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

Underbelly: Vanishing Act, 9Network

Most Popular Entertainment Program

AGT, Seven Network

Gogglebox Australia, Foxtel & Network 10

Gruen, ABC

Hard Quiz, ABC

Lego Masters Australia, 9Network

The Voice, Seven Network

Most Popular Current Affairs Program

60 Minutes, 9Network

7.30, ABC

A Current Affair, 9Network

Australian Story, ABC

Foreign Correspondent, ABC

Four Corners, ABC

Most Popular Comedy Program

Fisk Series 2, ABC

Have You Been Paying Attention?, Network 10

Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, ABC

The Front Bar, Seven Network

The Hundred with Andy Lee, 9Network

Wellmania, Netflix

Most Popular Reality Program

Farmer Wants A Wife, Seven Network

Hunted Australia, Network 10

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Network 10

Married at First Sight, 9Network

MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites, Network 10

The Block, 9Network

Most Popular Lifestyle Program

A Dog’s World With Tony Armstrong, ABC

Back Roads, ABC

Better Homes and Gardens, Seven Network

Gardening Australia, ABC

Selling Houses Australia, Foxtel

Travel Guides, 9Network

Most Outstanding Awards (the ones the TV Week readers, don't vote for!)

TV Week Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actor

Mark Coles Smith, Mystery Road: Origin, ABC - I'm hedging my bets here, if it's not Patrick Brammall, it's gotta be MCS!

Patrick Brammall, Colin from Accounts, Binge

Richard Roxburgh, Bali 2002, Stan

Sam Neill, The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

Tim Draxl, In Our Blood, ABC

Tim Minchin, Upright (Season 2), Foxtel & Binge

TV Week Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actress

Claudia Jesse, Bali 2002, Stan

Claudia Karvan, Bump Season 3, Stan

Harriet Dyer, Colin from Accounts, Binge

Kate Mulvany, The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

Marta Dusseldorp, The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

Milly Alcock, Upright (Season 2), Foxtel & Binge

TV Week Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Supporting Actor

Alexander England, Black Snow, Stan

Arka Das, Here Out West, ABC

Clarence Ryan, Mystery Road: Origin, ABC

Hamish Michael, The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

Luke Arnold, True Colours, SBS

Thomas Weatherall, Heartbreak High, Netflix

TV Week Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Supporting Actress

Brooke Satchwell, The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

Hayley McElhinney, Mystery Road: Origin, ABC

Miranda Otto, True Colours, SBS

Pallavi Sharda, The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

Virginia Gay, After The Verdict, 9Network

Yerin Ha, Bad Behaviour, Stan

Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie

Black Snow, Stan

Five Bedrooms, Paramount+

In Our Blood, ABC

Mystery Road: Origin, ABC

Significant Others, ABC

The Twelve, Foxtel & Binge

Most Outstanding Entertainment Program

Gruen Nation Season 3, ABC

Hard Quiz, ABC

Lego Masters Australia, 9Network

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Season 2, Stan

The Cheap Seats, Network 10

The Masked Singer Australia, Network 10

Most Outstanding Comedy Program

Colin from Accounts, Binge

Fisk S2, ABC

Have You Been Paying Attention?, Network 10

Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, ABC

Summer Love, ABC

Taskmaster, Network 10

Most Outstanding Reality Program

Australian Survivor: Heroes v Villains, Network 10

Hunted Australia, Network 10

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Network 10

Married at First Sight, 9Network

MasterChef Australia: Fans & Favourites, Network 10

The Block, 9Network

Most Outstanding News Coverage or Public Affairs Report

7NEWS – Turkey Earthquake, Seven Network

A Current Affair – Seaworld Helicopter Disaster, 9Network

Foreign Correspondent – Saving the Children, ABC

Foreign Correspondent – Somalia: A Story of Survival, ABC

Four Corners – Do No Harm, ABC

Four Corners – How Many More, ABC

Most Outstanding Sports Coverage

2022 AFL Grand Final, Seven Network

2022 FIFA World Cup, SBS

2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival, Network 10

2023 Australian Open, 9Network

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Seven Network

State of Origin, 9Network

Most Outstanding Children’s Program

Barrumbi Kids, SBS

Bluey, ABC

Crazy Fun Park, ABC

Surviving Summer, Netflix

Turn Up The Volume, ABC

Ultimate Classroom, Network 10

Most Outstanding Factual or Documentary Program

Alone Australia, SBS

Australia’s Wild Odyssey, ABC

Old People’s Home For Teenagers, ABC

Revealed: Trafficked, Stan

The Australian Wars, SBS

Todd Sampson’s Mirror Mirror: Love & Hate, Network 10

#RATED - Fall Finales

So another season (well not technically via Australian standards, but...) passed with the leaves still romantically falling in my inner city suburb. Honestly the streets look amazing with these changing of the season colours.

Better late than never as some leaves are still falling.

This season saw record numbers of new Australian dramas, interesting new Apple TV+ titles and a fair share of series finales. With network TV (in the States) struggling with content, changes in ownership while also leaning into a larger number of reality titles, will the USA become Australia with our poor network offerings on Seven, Nine and Ten. With Nine leading the way by dropping so much content on their own streaming service Stan.

Notable mention for Ten also dropping a fair share of Australian dramas/content on Paramount+.

So below is a list of shows to lean into, warm up with this LONG winter. But hey, is it just me, has everyone gone to Europe or somewhere warm?

For my top picks for the Summer Slack Streaming series (last seasonal picks) CLICK HERE. If you want to turn back time, Cher style by viewing my Spring titles, click here. Or head back to Winter 2022, here. 

More from the RATED lists, Summer 2022, Autumn 2022 and finally a binged list of Autumn/Winter Binged 2022.

1. Succession - Season Four/Series Finale (May)
2. Somebody Somewhere - Seasons Two (May)
3. Beef - Season One (April)
4. Love Me - Season Two (April)
5. Wellmania - Season One (March)
6. The Last of Us - Season One (March)
7. Based on a True Story - Season One (June)
8. Five Bedrooms - Season Four (June)
9. Yellowjackets - Seasons Two (May)
10. The Mandalorian - Season Three (April)
11. Year Of - Season June (May)
12. Power Book II: Ghost - Seasons Three (May)
13. 9-1-1: Lone Star - Season Four (May)
14. In Limbo - Season One (May)
15. Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens - Season Three (June)
16. Citadel - Seasons One (May)
17. All American - Season Five (May)
18. Last King of the Cross - Season One (April)
19. Fire Country - Seasons One (May)
20. Schmigadoon! - Seasons One (Binged) & Two (May)
21. Jury Duty - Season One (April)
22. The Equalizer - Seasons Three (May)
23. Station 19 - Season Six (May)
24. Perry Mason - Season Two/Series Finale (April)
25. Fantasy Island - Season Two/Series Finale (May)
26. 9-1-1 - Season Six (May)
27. Class of '07 - Season One (March)
28. Barry - Season Four/Series Finale (May)
29. All American: Homecoming - Season Two (March)
30. Dreamland - Season One (April)
31. White House Plumbers - Miniseries (May)
32. Unstable - Season One (March)
33. The Flash - Season Nine/Series Finale (May)

Series Finale = cancelled since I posted the OG blog post of that series.

BINGED 

1. Bad Sisters - Season One
2. Why Women Kill - Season Two
3. The Other Two - Seasons One & Two
4. Schmigadoon! - Seasons One (Binged) & Two (May)
5. Boo Bitch - Miniseries

Stay in da House Cinema 2023 - White Men Can't Jump (2023 version)

White Men Can't Jump is one of those direct to streaming films that showed up mid May on Disney+. Or Hulu if you are a USA today reader.

This remake of the 1992 film which I never saw BTW. Features an all star musician cast including Jack Harlow, in his acting debut. With Teyana Taylor plus Vince Staples.

Also starring Sinqua Walls, Laura Harrier, Myles Bullock, and Lance Reddick in one of his final film performances before his death in March 2023.

White Men Can't Jump has received generally negative reviews from critics, however is it that bad?

Yes and no. I don't think young Jack Harlow should quit the What's Poppin' vibe. Whilst Teyana Taylor already slayed in season four of basketball cheerleading series Hit the Floor.

It was nothing new, predictable as hell, however Harlow is super likeable. As is Vince Staples.

That said this is a fairly average direct to your Disney+ app. Which is currently featuring a new Marvel series, excellent Aussie series The Clearing along with so many new items on my watchlist.

Bring on the writers strike, I gotta catch up on my watchlists!

I'll pass this to be nice. 2.5 Stars.

Fall Finales: Based on a True Story - Season One

Based on a True Story landed on Binge a little earlier this month. Man it was an easy watch! Starring The Flight Attendant's Kaley Cuoco and a man who's surname is a famous ice cream store, Chris Messina.

The eight episodes revolve around a realtor, a former tennis star and a plumber who seize a unique opportunity to capitalize on America’s obsession with true crime.While hunky UK babe, Tom Bateman stars as Matt. 

In the first episode we meet Ava and Nathan Bartlett, who are a Los Angeles couple expecting their first child in the midst of financial struggles and a failing marriage. 

They hire a handsome plumber, Matt, to install their new toilet, and Nathan quickly befriends him. While at a bar with Matt one night, Nathan shares a flirty interaction with a bartender, Chloe, who is later brutally murdered in her apartment. 

The media reports Chloe as the latest victim of the "Westside Ripper", a local serial killer targeting young women. When the police finds the same shoe covers as Matt's at the crime scene, Ava, an avid true-crime follower, convinces Nathan that Matt is the Westside Ripper. 

She also connects Matt to the unsolved murder of a young woman in Pomona two years earlier. Ava proposes that she and Nathan start their own podcast so they can interview Matt. Despite initially declining, Nathan takes Matt to a secluded beach and says he has a proposition for him, while Ava watches them from afar.

So in the series finale of my Fall Finales blog series, I actually thought this was a true story! Whoops! How wrong I was! This was one crazy ass tale!

However I did totally love the first half of the episodes. Before I knew it, I was totally onto the last episode. It was addictive, with all episodes getting shorter as the eight episodes rolled on.

Then there is the cliffhanger at the end of episode eight. I also thought this was a miniseries. However the way the last episode ends, it totally leaves it wide open for a second season. Now Peacock hasn't had too many hits since launching. So I honestly have to say this was one of their best series to date.

Tune in soon for my rankings of all the Fall Finales for 2023.

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - The Flash

The Flash just concluded after nine long (some completely uneventful) seasons on The CW. So was a movie version needed of the speedster? Keep reading to find out if Ezra Miller is a better Barry Allen than Grant Gustin.

The Flash is the 13th instalment in the DC Extended Universe, with Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, and Michael Keaton joining Miller.

In the film, Barry travels back in time to prevent his mother's death, which brings unintended consequences. A theme we saw time and time again in the early seasons of The Flash TV series.

The film is influenced by the comic book storyline Flashpoint, featuring multiple DC Comics characters, including Ben Affleck and Keaton reprising their respective versions of Batman. 

The Flash has received praise for its plot, action sequences, humour, and performances, particularly of Miller and Keaton.

However at almost two and a half hours, this film is way too long for folks familiar with the basic plot of the The Flash. Whilst at the same time way too confusing with anyone who isn't a complete comic book nerd for the Flashpoint storyline.

Which is fucking confusing at the best of times.

With a number of cameos, different Batmans and even Supergirl subbing in for Superman, the film was more of a poor mans Avengers with DC characters.

With box office at 139 million against a 200-220 million budget, I can't see this being a MASSIVE box office success with Transformers opening this Thursday with The Little Mermaid still screening along with some more big titles incoming.

I enjoyed this more than the TV series, Ezra Miller is much hotter than the PG, network TV friendly Gustin.

I will pass this, only as a Batman fan, but the plot, the superhero thing, it's all a bit, been there done that, seen that, got the postcard, NEXT!

2.5 Stars.

Fall Finales: Five Bedrooms - Season Four

There has been an all you can eat buffet of Australian TV over the past few weeks. With this year making the first that Five Bedrooms has gone to weekly episodes since switching to Paramount+. Season one also aired weekly when it was on Network 10.

In the last week I smashed the mental health comedy (yes I know that sounds random) In Limbo from ABC iView, easily smashed through the Bump spin-off Year Of's first season, then we stayed in Sydney for North Shore.

Filming of the fourth season began in Melbourne in September 2022, the big question is though, will the show with five in its total, get a fifth season?

It ended in a way it could have been the end, whilst also leaving it a little wide open to some new stories.

Roy Joseph, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Kate Jenkinson with a pinch of Aussie TV big names, Hugh Sheridan and Rodger Corser all returned. With a big episode with Kumud Merani as Manju K. Sethi.

No spoilers here, however it was a wild ride of emotions this season. Airing week to week, this had my mother shook. She not only did this season but the first three back to back, to back. She is well and truly hooked.

Finally I caught up to her, with each episode this season a totally easy watch. Kate Jenkinson of Wentworth fame, really did slay this season. I felt she really stepped up to the plate.

Paramount+ has really stepped up too. With The Betoota Advocate's specials also now airing week to week. Unfortunately their timing equalled them and SBS both airing a fairly similar Hillsong edition.

My mother's favourite character needs a mention here too, Doris Younane as Heather Doyle, her character had a real season too. Basically it was Heather and Harry's (Roy Joseph) seasons.

Younane also has a small role on the outstanding The Clearing on Disney+.

So if you are looking for an easy watch these cooler nights, Five Bedrooms seasons one to four are totally for you. Very soon the Fall RATED will landed, ranking each of the series I have smashed in the last three or so months. Standby for an offical ranking of the best to the worst (spoiler alert, it will most likely be The Flash - unrelated, film review of that very superhero to come!).

Seeya then xo

Stay in da House Cinema 2023 - Extraction 2

I was not sure whether I had watched, Extraction the Chris Hemsworth action film. On Friday the sequel dropped, so I just jumped in head first to the sequel. I will add the OG film to my watch list, however as far as action films go I think these are all by the numbers, action films.

That said there was one scene on a glass, on a high rise, which had me sweating bullets in the middle of winter. It was HECTIC AF!

Directed by Sam Hargrave and written by Joe Russo, based on the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Fernando León González, and Eric Skillman. 

The sequel comes a few years after the first film in 2020.

Joining Chris Hemsworth (with an Aussie accent and all) is Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Bernhardt, Tinatin Dalakishvili and Idris Elba. Man Elba also does some DOPE dance music. Listen below if keen. Below the trailer and film score that is.

Extraction 2 other than Riverdale (weekly) has been my return to Netflix. Sadly this Fall season, I have moved more to Paramount+ and others.

The film has been meet with positive reviews, with praise for its performances (particularly Hemsworth), cinematography, editing and action sequences.

The action scenes were wild, highly violent, but damn decent for a small scene film.

I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I did however do this in two sittings due to also seeing the (LONG) new The Flash film.

All in all, Hemsworth with his OG Aussie accent helps this across the line to 3 stars in a busy streaming action field!

Fall Finales: North Shore - Season One

North Shore is yet another Australian (well mixed with some UK actors/storylines for Paramount UK) series which has just concluded on Network 10/Paramount+. I streamed it ad free on Paramount+. Personally I would prefer just to watch the 43 minutes of content not some crappy ad's for betting companies.

The six episode, first run follows the clash of cultures when British and Australian detectives team to solve a complex murder mystery, and uncover a conspiracy with international political consequences.

Starring heavyweight, John Bradley (Game of Thrones, Moonfall), Joanne Froggatt (Liar, The Commons), Kirsty Sturgess (Thirteen Lives, Young Rock), Dan Spielman (New Gold Mountain, The Code), Rob Carlton (Paper Giants, Chandon) and Matt Passmore (Frayed, The Glades).

Look this is nowhere near as strong as other Aussie dramas streaming now. Including fellow Paramount+ title, Five Bedrooms. When you weigh this up against Dead Loch, there is almost no comparsion. Also it's called North Shore, however it was mostly filmed around the CBD and surrounds. Something tells me a lot was filmed at the Star.

The basic plot goes, set on and around Sydney Harbour, North Shore follows the clash of cultures when British and Australian detectives team up to solve a complex murder mystery after the 19-year-old daughter of a UK politician is found dead.

But this international investigation will expose more than murder, as the two detectives begin to uncover a conspiracy with political consequences.

Now you do get a bit of a cliffhanger, so something tells me Channel Ten and Paramount UK were hoping for a second run.

With Riptide incoming (also on Channel Ten, also a UK/Aus production) and recent financial issues for Channel Ten reported by former employee. They deny these. I can't see a second season coming anytime soon.

So for me North Shore came at a bad time. Too many other Aussie series to compare it against. Stream it now on Ten Play via Network 10 or for those like me who got buy 6 months, get 6 months free, Paramount+.

Until next time. Enjoy the weekend y'all!

Fall Finales: Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens - Season Three

So I have to admit, I thought Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens actually had one more episode to air this week. It turns out it didn't soooooooooo...

Instead of the advertised (that said I read it on Wikipedia) eight episodes season three (which also felt like a final season) last week's episode Nora is Awkwafina from Queens was the season (or series) finale.

I loved seasons one and two of Awkwafina's Comedy Central series, however season three felt a little forced.

Lori Tan Chinn as Awkwafina's grandmother was in it less, which also made it felt a little less funny. With Chinn honestly being the standout of the series from day dot.

There is no news currently on a fourth season of Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, so with the writers strike ongoing... I'm really not sure a fourth series will go ahead into production. That said Velma got renewed today!

Can I also say the Nora is Awkwafina from Queens episode really did tie next to everything up with a super cheery ending.

So streaming in Australia on Paramount+ this quirky little series that was once a must watch is now a little more of a chore to sit through.

That said the twenty (ish) minute episodes still do pass by really quick.

So if you need a new series to drop into your roster, maybe land on Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. A few more Fall Finales incoming!

Fall Finales: Year Of - Season One

So Stan is currently a powerhouse of releasing new Australian content. Ten Pound Poms is a favourite of my parents (full confession, I'm not ready for that yet) and Totally Completely Fine. Now comes Year Of. In similar vein to Bump, just grittier. 

Year Of follows a circle of friends and their community through their final two years at the harbour front Jubilee High School (introduced to audiences in the Stan Original Series Bump), as they navigate a tragic event that upturns each of their lives forever.

It starts out fast and all over the shop. Then settles into dealing with grief and high stakes teen drama.

Stan and Channel 9 are really pumping out the Aussie content with a Shane Warne series also incoming! ABC are also launching another new drama, Bay of Fires, whilst Channel 10/Paramount+ (hopefully) will launch another Aussie/UK series Riptide.

So it's a good time to like local stories on the small screen.

Year Of is a good little gem in Stan's run of original programming. With a relatively new cast, Wentworth's Danielle Cormack and Matt Nable are two of the notable adults. Whilst Sam Johnson also stars.

Younger cast includes Tully (Samson Alston), Priya (Tharanya Tharan), Mo (Samuel El Rahi), George (Samuel Dawson), Brendan (Nicholas Cradock), Gus (Joshua Hewson), Kate (Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn), and Maya (Isabella Graiche).

So if you have finished a number of other Aussie series and youre keen for a Sydney story, based in a familiar (Bump) setting, Year Of may just be what you need.

Redfern, Glebe and Sydney Trains stations never looked so good.

There are still a few more Fall Finales incoming!

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - Sweet As

Sweet As is possibly the best film I have seen in 2023. However it was released, screened at several film festivals in 2022. Its so nice seeing an Australian coming-of-age drama film, filmed in WA on the big screen.

Directed by Jub Clerc, starring Shantae Barnes-Cowan as Murra, Mark Coles Smith, Ngaire Pigram, Carlos Sanson Jr, Pedrea Jackson, Mikayla Levy, Andrew Wallace and Tasma Walton.

Mark Coles Smith is fresh from the news we will get more Mystery Road in 2024. More younger Jay Swan here we come.

Murra is a young teenager from a troubled family who discovers a passion for photography while participating in a youth retreat. The youth retreat takes the four troubled teens (each for different reasons) around the outback of WA. The scenery on the big screen is like one giant ad for WA tourism.

I was so into this film. I really didn't want it to end. It had great messages, while being based on a true story.

Stan's Bump (which now screens in the USA as well) Carlos Sanson Jr is outstanding. I really loved his energy in this film. He may have over exaggerated is accent, however still he is a talent. While also being extremely good looking.

So if you want to avoid another Disney remake, another tired comic book 3 hour epic film, maybe see if you can locate a session of the amazing Sweet As. We need our local stories on the big screen. We need to see stories of why a YES vote is so important this year.

Sweet As is simply sweet at 4.5 Stars.

Fall Finales: In Limbo - Season One

In Limbo stars two stars of Aussie dramas Ryan Corr plus Bob Morley. This is the story of a bromance in inner city Melbourne. Following Charlie and Nate as they face how hard it is to let go of those they love, especially when they are taken too soon and when they come back to haunt you.

It also stars Emma Harvie, theatre star from the OG Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - the Musical, Ms Lena Cruz and Aaron Fa'aoso.

This ABC drama was so much better than I was expecting. All six less than 30 minute episodes are streaming now on ABC iview. 

I am not game to give The Messenger a go (also on ABC) however there is so much Aussie content on right now. Including at the cinema. Tomorrow I'll do my Sweet As review. Later this winter, The Dry 2 lands at the cinemas.

We have all loved Bob Morley in Love Me, admired how he made it to a CW series in The 100 while starting out back at Home and Away. He is a damn fine good looking human being!

Ryan Corr who plays Charlie has also had his fair share of roles. Including most notably recently HBO's House of Dragon. While appearing on fellow ABC series Wakefield, Stan's mini series The Commons and Bloom, also on Stan.

So the bromance leads have both been on their fair share of Australian TV. It's a great time right now for Australian dramas. Not so much for new reality series. With Seven's Million Dollar Island managing just over 400K viewers on its opening night. Not worth a million bucks maybe?

In Limbo had mini series vibes, however the ending leave me to believe the producers could be aiming at getting a second season with a few questions up in the air after episode six.

I really enjoyed this local drama/comedy. However the subject matter is a little tricky to blend in comedy. No spoilers but it does hit fairly hard. Particularly the first episode.

So if you would like a series not based in Sydney or Melbourne, maybe try the Brisbane based In Limbo.

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - Fast X

Fast X is the 11th Fast & Furious film (including Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw). With some more on the way. Mainly due to this (like the recent Spier-Man film) being part one of a two part film series.

Vin Diesel returns as Dominic Toretto alongside Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, John Cena (where is Peacemaker season two?), Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Statham, Jason Momoa, plus Charlize Theron. 

Dom (Diesel) must protect his family from Dante Reyes (Momoa), who seeks revenge for his father's death and the loss of his family's fortune. This flashback has a very awkward Paul Walker flashback to the death of Mr Reyes.

With an estimated production budget of $340 million, it is the eighth-most expensive film ever made.

Fast X goes global. All around the world, with filming taking place in London, Rome, Turin, other Italian cities, Lisbon, and Los Angeles.

Fast X has grossed $633 million worldwide, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2023. 

The sequel/Part II to Fast X is in development, while being to be released in 2025.

With a huge cast, huge action scenes, huge budget, this film does what Spider-Man also does. Go for way too long, with zero conclusion.

The bomb going all the way to the Vatican scene went for so long, I had time to pee, return and the scene still had not been resolved.

However the film had a banging, vibe driven soundtrack, with some seriously crazy action sequences.

Next was Jason Momoa as a nail polished bad guy. He was a little over the type. A little less Aquaman and a little more costume change for every scene. Even if he was involved in a high speed chase.

Yes the film series is ridiculous at this point, however it does have good moments. The action is tight. The global hopping is wild. Helen Mirren is totally random appearing in this film series.

That said, Fast X is a good (fast) ride. Sometimes its nice just to escape at the cinema, leave all your issues at the door, sit down and eat food you probably shouldn't in the dark.

3 Stars.

Fall Finales: Jury Duty - Season One

Jury Duty makes my return to the Fall Finales series. Yep its been a minute. However there is a few to come. Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens, Five Bedrooms and maybe or two more. Probably another Australian TV drama title. Alongside Five Bedrooms, we are spoilt for local choice right now.

The Clearing, Dead Loch, In Limbo, The Messenger, Year Of, North Shore and Utopia all currently airing. I also believe that Shane Warne series is incoming too. I don't remember a time with that many Australian dramas all on at once.

But now to a series from Amazon Freevee which landed back in early April.

Jury Duty chronicles the inner workings of a jury trial in the US through the eyes of juror Ronald Gladden, a solar contractor from San Diego, who is unaware that his jury duty summons was not official, and that everyone in the courtroom aside from him is an actor. 

Everything that happens, inside and outside the courtroom, is planned. In order to find a non-actor for the show's lead, an ad was put up on Craigslist.

James Marsden stars as an alternate version of himself, alongside other actors including Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, and Rashida Olayiwola.

So was this deserving of all the hype? Well Ronald Gladden made it onto Triple J breakfast for a chat, I have heard this show get recommended around the office. So it had some hype to live up to!

I enjoyed episode one, two and seven (the ending) and eight when all was revealed. It was a different style of a show, however I wasn't completely sold.

That said in a crowded market of streaming series with many being copies of series that have come before, it is interesting to see something, somewhat new.

Jury Duty I believe is a one off, particularly since it has aired on a super big streaming service, so you probably cannot try and recreate this.

Either way, as the writers strike continues, this was a truly interesting, unique little TV experiment. I'm on the lookout for the copycat series that will follow.

Fall (Binged) Finale: The Other Two - Season One & Two

I was going to wait till the end of season three to discuss The Other Two. However as I concluded a massive binge of seasons one and two (long after they first aired) I thought I would include this as part of the Fall (Binged) Finale series.

Season will conclude late June, so expect a new blog series to rank its third season.

Created by Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider, The Other Two follows two floundering millennial siblings who must grapple with their 13-year-old brother's overnight fame. 

It commenced on Comedy Central back in 2019, before heading to HBO Max late August, 2021 for the second season.

A third season premiered last month May on HBO Max, along with Binge in Australia.

Seasons one and two were wild. If I am honest season three so far has been a bit of the rails. When we meet Cary (Drew Tarver), and his sister Brooke (Heléne Yorke), a former professional dancer. The pair try to find their place in the world while wrestling with their feelings about their 13-year-old brother Chase's sudden rise to internet fame.

I honestly whizzed through seasons one and two. As season two commenced the episodes length slightly grew. 

Now to the season two finale.

So if like me it took Binge to get all three seasons, this may be a SPOILER ZONE!

Yes that was the other issue as this series swapped US networks. The show was never all on one streaming service here. BOO!

Episode ten of season two, mainly focuses on Pat and Chase, as they prepare for the upcoming fashion show. Chase has grown increasingly frustrated about how Brooke is managing his career, but he is unable to express his feelings to his family, while Pat's hectic work schedule is taking a toll on her health. 

Brooke ends her relationship with Lance, unaware that Lance had broken up with Leah. At the fashion show, an exhausted Pat passes out on the runway from dehydration. 

The family visits Pat in the hospital, culminating in numerous confrontations. Chase angrily vents his frustrations at Brooke and Cary for ignoring him and being unavailable; Streeter blames Brooke for overloading Pat with work; Pat reveals that she feels exhausted by Streeter's clingy personality. 

Coming to the realization that Pat needs to spend time with her family, Streeter organizes a beach vacation for the Dubeks. This pleases Pat and Chase but worries Brooke and Cary, who are forced to choose between their family and their careers. 

The episode ends with Pat, Brooke, Chase, and Streeter enjoying their beach vacation, while Cary stays in New York City to film his movie; it is implied that Cary's table read takes place on March 13, 2020, the day COVID-19 is declared a national emergency in the United States.

So season three picks up post COVID with some funny takes on the past bat shit (sorry) last few years.

Anyway The Other Two streams now week to week on Binge, with all three ongoing seasons streaming now.

So if you want some comedy this will make you chuckle. My prediction, The Other Two may conclude after this current third season.

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the long awaited sequel to 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) / Spider-Man returns whilst Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman takes more of the front seat this time around.

Voices by Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, Daniel Kaluuya and Oscar Isaac join Shameik Moore. With a real life cameo by Childish Gambino too.

Miles goes on an adventure with Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman across the multiverse where he meets a new team of Spider-People known as the Spider-Society, led by Miguel O' Hara / Spider-Man 2099, but comes into conflict with them over handling a new threat.

With a ridiculously long ass runtime of 140 minutes, it makes it the longest animated film ever produced by an American studio. Like it is LONG AF! It gets marked down for that!

Like the first film, featuring that Post Malone/Swae Lee song, music is back in a big way for film number two.

Metro Boomin created the original soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.Artists featured this time around include Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, Offset, ASAP Rocky, Roisee, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, JID, James Blake, Nav, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Ei8ht, Don Toliver, Wizkid, Beam, Toian, Coi Leray, 21 Savage, 2 Chainz, and Nas.

So some new and old talents coming together for another big soundtrack.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ends with a to be continued tagline. A third film, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, is scheduled to be released on March 29, 2024.

While a female-focused spin-off film is in development. So Sony pictures alongside some Marvel folks are really cashing in on this bold, new, music fused Miles Morales Spider-Man.

However was it any good? To be honest the villain, The Spot, not that great.

The runtime was way long. Particularly when you leave being told the story is to be continued. It was a lot on a Sunday after a big night at Vivid and a wedding the day before.

If you have kids, almost 2.5 hours in the cinema may be hell or a treat.

I really thought the film was action packed, visually amazing, however the run time and some of the erratic scenes were a bit of a sensory overload. 

Maybe film three could be shorter, as action packed, whilst being quicker to the point.

3 Stars. Marked down a lot for the lengthy runtime.

Fall Finales: White House Plumbers - Miniseries

White House Plumbers is the latest HBO series to conclude its run on Binge. As it closed out the latest controversial series, The Idol starts today...

Described as an American satirical political drama television miniseries, the White House Plumbers was a brief 5 part miniseries.

Created and written by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck and directed by David Mandel, White House Plumbers is based on the 2007 book Integrity by Egil Krogh and Matthew Krogh.

With an all star cast Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, Domhnall Gleeson, Kiernan Shipka, and Lena Headey along with a small role by the legend Kathleen Turner. The five episodes kicked off early May, so it was a very brief affair on Tuesday nights for this political drama.

So what's it about you ask? Watergate masterminds and President Richard Nixon's political operatives E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy are part of the "White House Plumbers". Charged with plugging press leaks by any means necessary, they accidentally overturned the Presidency they were trying to protect.

Looks its nowhere near as funny as Veep was, while also not being as show stopping as previous HBO titles in 2023. Think The Last of Us, Succession and Barry. Or even my favourite Somebody Somewhere.

I wasn't that engaged with this five parter. However it looked slick however in this totally politically charged climate, do we need reminders of political missteps from the past?

Now that The Idol has started, HBO is really pulling no punches amidst the ongoing writers strike. They are ahead of their former solo competition Showtime by a few miles. While Your Honour's second series was surprisingly good, I'm worries Yellowjackets is Lost part two. A lot of questions and theories for the viewers, just no answers. Or at least meaningful ones. Its back to the cinema tomorrow folks.

Until then. Night x

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - The Boogeyman

The Boogeyman is my return to the cinema film. Was it any good? Read on to see how my return to the cinema during this busy TV season went.

Well I wasn't super impressed however, the film was originally planned to be released on the streaming service Hulu, Disney eventually opted for a theatrical release first following positive test screenings.

The film received its full cinema release this past Thursday. Based on the 1973 short story of the same name by Stephen King. While it stars Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair, and David Dastmalchian.

Filming began in February 2022 in New Orleans, so we had a wait for this film to land on our screens.

Meaning the writers strike may have to go on for some time for the studios to run low on films/series.

We have all been here before though for those bump in the night, jump scare, creepy kid, haunted house films.

The Conjuring and other franchises have given us enough ways to show a dark house can be scary.

So sadly for me The Boogeyman did not really standout in a highly crowded horror space. Still to come are more horror films, horror TV series and most like the writers on strike are dreaming up some old or new ideas to scare us in the future.

I did manage a second film this weekend, so that review will land mid next week. Until then The Boogeyman gets an average at best, 2 Stars.

Fall Finales: Station 19 - Seasons Six

Lastly for a big week of finales is Station 19's season six finale. Never fear the Whitehouse Plumbers finale will feature early next week. Plus I may finally get back to the movies this weekend.

So episode 18 Glamorous Life sees the Station 19 team attending the Firefighters Ball where Warren will receive his Medal of Valor. 

After some encouragement from Miranda, Warren accepts the award in honor of those who could not be saved. Dixon is there because his wife oversees the ball. Gibson notices a pregnant waitress named Nanette. Ross privately tells Herrera that she will be named captain. 

The news leaks out, and Hughes wants to celebrate, which upsets Ruiz. Theo and Hughes argue about their relationship. 

Later, Gibson catches Ruiz kissing Kate Powell. DRAMA!

When smoke comes out of a wall, Ross has Herrera take command to find the source. She extinguishes the fire in the basement but notices that the floor above is about to collapse. 

She tries to warn the guests, but people, including Ross, Dixon, and Nanette, fall into the hole. Bishop and DeLuca find Nanette and perform an emergency delivery of her baby. 

Sullivan finds and revives Ross, and they make up. Montgomery finds Dixon, but he succumbs to his injuries and dies. The situation gets under control when, suddenly, Gibson collapses.

So the cliffhanger is, what is wrong with Gibson?

After a two week delay to Australia via Disney+ I managed to avoid all spoilers of the Grey's Anatomy spin off. The series has been renewed for (potentially a shorter, later starting) seventh season. Each year Grey's gets renewed the speculation builds, is this the final season?

In all honestly both shows could end next season. Mainly given the US network airing this series has now launched an entire non-scripted slate of shows to kick off the 2023-2024 TV season.

So in one of my final network TV finales for a while is it worth catching up on the Seattle based fire fighters series? Is it better or worse than 9-1-1 or Fire Country? Well it's different, less tired than the OG 9-1-1 however not as full of heart as 9-1-1 Lonestar. Fire Country feels different as it has the prison fire fighters storyline, which is a little more original.

Montgomery's mayor run storyline was interesting this season, which did give the show a little more of an interesting angle.

If I am honest a shortened season seven would be a blessing for less filler episodes, more substantial storylines.

Until Riverdale, Nancy Drew and lastly the Blacklist all take their final bows, that's it for network TV for a bit.

More streaming finals incoming as the Fall Finales series continues!

Fall Finales: Somebody Somewhere - Seasons Two

Somebody Somewhere is the sweet HBO show that is way too underrated. Bridget Everett & co in season one were outstanding. So in February 2022, I was excited when the series was renewed for a second season. It was a short and sharp second seven episode season when which it premiered late April. Concluding this past Monday on Binge.

Concluding with a double wedding episode. The groom-to-be Fred Rococo, two of his closest friends are still at odds. Yes this season when Sam and Joel had a tiff after one of the sweetest friendships on TV right now.

This season they have experienced a lot together. Including a wild food poisoning scene. It was wild. Maybe the highlight of the season. Or when Sam (Everett) peed on the side of the road when the two were on a step mission.

Something close to my heart, chasing steps.

With two final (hopefully not final, final, the show is yet to be renewed) back-to-back episodes, a hurt Sam distances herself from Joel despite Fred’s attempts to bring the two pals back together. 

However Joel crashes Sam and Fred’s ice cream date, they finally have the fight that was a long time coming. She confesses that she doesn’t want him to be her boyfriend, she just doesn’t him to leave her. 

We can see the hurt and fear of abandonment all over Sam’s face, while Joel’s expression is painted with sorrow and regret.

While it may have been a bumpy ride this time around for our loveable Sam, she made huge strides in dealing with her emotions and relationships, which of course all hark back to the biggest loss of her life, that of her late sister Holly.

I did love the entire second season, however only over six weeks, it really went fast this year. One minute I had three HBO Sunday shows, now I am down to just the incoming The Idol.

Somebody Somewhere is truly excellent TV, streaming now on Binge.

BREAKING NEWS: It's been RENEWED!!

Fall Finales: Succession - Season Four/Series Finale

Succession has made all the TV headlines this week. Stealing the limelight from other HBO series like Barry also concluding for good along with the yet to be renewed, Somebody Somewhere.

Airing from early June, 2018, to this Sunday gone. So over four seasons and 39 episodes, there is no more of the Roy's on Binge. Well at least anymore new Succession. You can stream all four seasons right now! So if you have avoided spoilers till now. WARNING! Spoilers ahead!

In the episode titles With Open Eyes, Kendall scrambles to secure board votes to block the GoJo deal. He and Shiv visit Caroline's estate in Barbados, where Roman is recovering from his wounds. 

Matsson interviews Tom and offers him the CEO position; Greg tips off the siblings that Shiv will not be Matsson's CEO. The siblings then agree to let Kendall take over, forming a voting bloc. 

Upon their return to New York, Shiv learns Tom has been chosen as CEO; the siblings race to sway the board. The board comes to a 6–6 tie over selling to GoJo, with only Shiv's vote left; Shiv, however, has second thoughts about Kendall's competence, and votes in favor of the deal despite Kendall's protests.

Tom is appointed CEO with Shiv by his side; Roman accepts that he and his siblings were never worthy successors; a devastated Kendall contemplates his future. Starring into the ocean.

So the Roy family, the owners of Waystar RoyCo, a global media and entertainment conglomerate, are no longer the most fascinating family on TV.

Loads of people were gushing over this finale. The internet was gushing over this finale. Some even calling it the greatest finale of all time. Even outdoing HBO's Six Feet Under. Still an epic series finale to this day!

With the big episode mid season with patriarch, Logan Roy (Brian Cox) passing on a flight. I thought, how could they top this EPIC, insanely busy episode! It was a truly wild ride.

Also in Succession, Jeremy Strong as Kendall, Kieran Culkin as Roman, and Sarah Snook as Siobhan ("Shiv"), with non direct family members Matthew Macfadyen stars as Tom Wambsgans, Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch, Alan Ruck as Connor, & Hiam Abbass as Marcia Roy.

While True Blood's Alexander Skarsgård really stepped up in season four as a main played.

Succession has received (over the four seasons) widespread critical acclaim for its writing, acting, musical score, directing, production values, and examination of its subject matter. 

I have always been a fan of this HBO series. The finale was great, maybe not the best of all time, however this season was truly epic. So many big moments. What on Earth will HBO do without Succession (and to a lesser extent, Barry) on its roster.