Multi Logie Award winner back in 2024, the three time Logie award winning reboot of Mother and Son returns with more misadventures as mischievous Maggie continues to derail the life of her neurotic son Arthur, who’s still stuck at home and struggling to grow up.
Mother and Son on ABC & ABC iView is sitcom reboot of the series of the same name, starring Denise Scott & former Triple J host Matt Okine as Maggie and Arthur, respectively.
Last August, it was confirmed that the series would be renewed for a second series which began airing last month, with all episodes appearing on iView.
New to the party (like Austin recently) I decided to just smash both series back-to-back. I don't think the first time around I hear about the first season in 2023, I was 100% sold. Now I'm a big fan! Even hoping a third season will be announced at ABC's 2026 presentation next month.
As Arthur flounders through freelance journalism, dating apps, and spicy snacks, Maggie sets out to make her 70s unforgettable, whether it’s joining a rogue knitting group or chaining herself to a fig tree.
Meanwhile, their scheming sister Robbie has big plans for Maggie’s nest egg and the family home.
Filming for the series began in Sydney in March 2023. Unlike the original series which filmed on a sound stage with a multi-camera setup with an audience, the series is filmed as a single-camera setup.
The series starts off, following a breakup from his long-suffering girlfriend, Arthur puts his future on hold to move back home with his widowed mother, Maggie. Arthur and his older sister, Robbie, attempt to care for Maggie, who may recently have almost burnt down the kitchen, but still runs circles around her children.
The series is warm, joyful and sweet. I even laughed out loud multiple times. Both seasons had their fine moments, while seeing Sydney on the big screen is always nice.
I would highly recommend this if you want a laugh and something light to have on. It's a joy to watch.
Well done Denise Scott, Matt Okine, all writers and all involved. Fingers crossed the ABC has a solid 2026 line up to announce next month. Cause 2025 has been a cracker. Optics, The Family Next Door, Austin, Mystery Road: Origin and Return to Paradise's second season incoming!
Chad Powers is an American version (well, set in the US) of Ted Lasso from Hulu/Disney+.
Powers was created by Glen Powell and Michael Waldron, starring Powell in the titular role.
The sis episode first season (not yet renewed at the time of this post. Side note, Only Murders in the Building has just been renewed) follows Russ Holiday after he disgraces himself on the field while serving as a star quarterback at a major college program.
After ruining his reputation, Holiday undergoes a physical transformation, with the help of prosthetics and a wig, to disguise his identity in order to join the floundering football team at a small school under the name of Chad Powers.
Alongside Powell, Steve Zahn, Toby Huss, Perry Mattfeld, Clayne Crawford, Wynn Everett, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Colton Ryan, Keese Wilson, Xavier Mills & Quentin Plair all star in this first season comedy.
Disney+/Hulu is really firing on all cylinders right now. With Reasonable Doubt, High Potential (going on break tonight, returning early January) and Only Murders in the Building, currently streaming. With All's Fair by Ryan Murphy and a stellar cast incoming, along with returning seasons of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Tell Me Lies, Paradise and Deli Boys.
Chad Powers though is fun, light hearted and at times laugh out loud funny! Spoilers below the trailer from the cliffhanger episode six!
While Coach Hudson suffers a heart attack, Chad realises he must drive him to the hospital in his Cybertruck.
Ricky, upon seeing the vehicle, realises that Chad is really Russ Holiday. At practice, Ricky removes Chad's armband, revealing an arm tattoo that Russ is known to have. Chad leaves practice and tells Danny that he's been caught and is leaving the team. Danny convinces Chad to drive to Atlanta, where his dad his working on a movie.
After finding his dad in Atlanta, Russ's father is impressed by his hard work to pull off the disguise and encourages him to show up for the game against top-ranked Georgia. Ricky goes to the hospital to visit Hudson, who remains excited that they are contenders for the National Championship because of Chad.
Russ, in his Chad persona, shows up to the game and attempts to talk to Ricky. Ricky does not forgive him and threatens to expose Chad unless he quits the team. Russ calls her bluff, stating that revealing him as Chad would ruin her father's career.
Chad shows up for the game, which encourages the team, except for Gerry, who is furious.
The episode concludes with the game yet to begin.
I feel Hulu will renew this. With a very open ending to its first run, Powell's sex appeal, this is a no brainer.
The world needs more comedy now, meaning the world needs more shows like Ted Lasso. I mean Chad Powers.
The fifth season of Only Murders in the Building, concluded this afternoon.
Steve Martin, Martin Short, & Selena Gomez return as a trio of friends producing true crime podcasts that investigate murder cases in their apartment building, often assisted by their neighbour (Michael Cyril Creighton).
This seasons murder (in the building, or courtyard) is their beloved doorman, Lester, dies under suspicious circumstances, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel refuse to believe it was an accident.
The trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires and old-school mobsters.
The ten episodes flew past this time around. Usually starting a late winter, the later start didn't really matter with a triple episode premiere.
This season Keegan-Michael Key, Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, Logan Lerman, Jermaine Fowler, Beanie Feldstein, Dianne Wiest & Bobby Cannavale also joined the all-star cast.
This season though, it literally ended on a cliffhanger, with no word on a sixth season. With the "building" outta trouble with the sixth season be the final murder? The ending does leave it all wide open!
SPOILERS ALERT dear friends.
Nicky's mother reveals that Sofia recognized that the finger belonged to her lover. Realising that the lover killed Lester, the trio call the billionaires to the casino room on the day of Camila's press conference, before the Arconia gets demolished.
When Mayor Beau Tillman comes down for Camilla, Mabel realizes that it's his finger, as Howard's phone auto-corrects "Beau Tillman" to "beautiful", just as Lester's did.
Beau confesses that the billionaires would invite him to their games to gain permits and favours. On the night of the murder, Nicky knew about the affair and attacked Beau. Lester then attacked Nicky, then took the finger. After learning the security cameras belonged to Bash, Lester grabbed his bird whistle and headed to the fountain, where Beau killed him.
Beau's corrupt cops lock the trio in the secret passage, but while THÉ stalls the conference, the trio break out, and publicly reveals Beau’s confession. Jay confesses to the police that Tillman demanded the finger in exchange for a casino permit, and the billionaires used Bash’s cryogenic chamber to hold Nicky's body for a week before relocating it to the cleaners, making them accessories to the murder, thus saving the Arconia.
Three months later, Howard is dating Vinny, Sofia is vacationing in Italy, and Lorraine is living in the Arconia.
While the trio listens to a new Cinda Canning podcast, Cinda herself arrives just outside the Arconia before dying, grabbing the gate so that she’s a "murder in the building".
So who killed Tina Fey AKA Cinda Canning?
This has been one of Hulu's biggest shows. Airing yearly for the last five years. Super consistent, buzz worthy, with huge guest stars. I feel it's almost outta gas, however. I do reckon one more season would be fitting to see the trio off in style.
Tomorrow, Chad Powers has also finished on Hulu. Then Slow Horses wraps and finally Watching You concludes on Stan.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is the latest biographical musical drama film starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen. Allen White is absolutely killing it right now.
From his past long-term role in Shameless, to the huge success of The Bear. He looks like his usual rat boy. However at times he looks like Springsteen.
The film also stars Succession's Jeremy Strong, Paul Walter Hauser, Stephen Graham, & Odessa Young.
Based on the 2023 book Deliver Me from Nowhere by Warren Zanes, as well as some elements from Springsteen's autobiography Born to Run, it chronicles Springsteen's personal and professional struggles during the conception of his 1982 album Nebraska. It was a lot sadder in parts than I imagined. It went back to his childhood, covered his depression, along with the musical geniuses behind his 1982 album.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere might not reach the heights of previous biographical musical films, however I really enjoyed it. It was only just under two hours, with solid pacing.
Over the weekend I was lucky enough to head off to Northeast Party House's farewell tour, where Adam Hyde (AKA Keli Holiday) was also at. He happened to cover a track from "the Boss" too late last week. Good timing brother!
Either way, if you love music like me, then this will be for you. If you have personal struggles, this will be for you. I enjoyed the film.
The second season of Gen V, commenced last month, concluding mid this week.
This is the third series in The Boys franchise, based on The Boys comic book story arc We Gotta Go Now by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Another series Vought Rising is currently filming for Amazon. However, there is no sign of a third season for Gen V yet. It also appears at the end of this season, a possible MAJOR crossover is coming with the parent series.
Which will return for a fifth and final season in due course.
The season stars Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, and Asa Germann returning from the previous season, along with Hamish Linklater.
Following the fourth season of The Boys, Marie Moreau (Sinclair) and the rest of her friends return to Godolkin after months of suffering where a new dean (Linklater) trains Supes to be soldiers.
On the brink of war between humans and Supes, the team discovers a program that could change everything.
Don't want spoilers, don't read on past the trailer.
The final episode, Trojan kicks off in 1967, as Thomas injects himself with "V-1", the version Soldier Boy and Stormfront had, just before being burned in a laboratory fire.
We quickly move to the present, the group tends to an injured Doug, whom Marie cannot heal, as she is too weak.
When I mean quickly, this season finale moves fast. It's also only 45 minutes or so. Or if you like me have the free-ad version, around 50 odd minutes.
Polarity drives Doug to a hospital, talking about Andre's kindness and bravery, when Black Noir II attacks, killing Doug and capturing Polarity.
Marie reconciles with Cate and heals her.
Thomas prepares seminars with the students to eliminate the weak and enhance his powers, hoping to control Marie and eventually Homelander, who he blames for the Supes' decline and weakness to not be overshadowed by others.
When Sage disapproves of his plan, she secretly frees Polarity. Marie arrives at the seminar, while the rest of the group infiltrates inside Black Hole; they subdue Thomas after Harper controls him, and evacuate the students.
Thomas manages to control Marie and, through her, tries to kill them.
Polarity arrives and manages to remove Thomas's control, allowing Marie to kill him.
Afterwards, Polarity tells the group to flee while he stays as a scapegoat. As fugitives, they are recruited by Annie to her resistance against Homelander and Vought, which includes A-Train.
Does this set up season five of The Boys hard? Absolutely, does it leave Gen V fully open for a complete reboot - absolutely. As it feels like the current class of Gen V, have all matured to the adult version of the show.
I must say, Vought Rising does interest me too. Amazon is on a winner with this franchise.
From Brad Ingelsby, who previously gave us Mare of Easttown back in 2021, also on HBO.
So HBO gave him a three year deal, so Task is his latest offering.
Another crime/drama miniseries, where no doubt people will request a second season.
Mark Ruffalo gives a brilliant performance, alongside Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Raúl Castillo, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Silvia Dionicio, & Martha Plimpton.
Similar to his previous HBO series, Task is only 7 episodes long. But what is this about you ask? It's not your usual Hollywood glossy look at America. It's bleak, slow to start, but packs a punch.
Philadelphia-based FBI agent Tom Brandis is put in charge of a task force investigating a string of violent robberies against stash houses run by outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Spoiler alert for the seventh and final episode ahead. This did stream Monday on HBO Max (the latest and hopefully LAST streaming service to launch down under) which will launch It – Welcome to Derry next week.
Tom and Aleah look for evidence to prove Grasso is the source of the leak in the task force, Grasso struggles to deal with his feelings of guilt, Perry is under pressure to turn on Jayson, and Jayson tries desperately to find the money, unaware that the Dark Hearts are hunting him.
So how does it all go down?
Well it is full on, following a huge, action packed episode six.
I really enjoyed this series after a slow start. Like episode one was real slow. The build was real, but the episode was long and at times super drawn out. I did end up smashing episodes 2-7 back-to-back not week to week.
In, A Still Small Voice, Tom tells Aleah that Grasso was accused of leaking information to the Dark Hearts several years ago.
He says he believes Grasso was the source of the leak to the Dark Hearts about their current investigation as well, but that their options are limited because they have no real evidence. She persuades Tom that the two of them should go to Wissahickon Park to look for such evidence. When they visit the park the next morning, they find the stolen car Cliff was driving when the Dark Hearts attacked him. In the car they find the phone he was using at the time. They ask Kathleen to get them Ray Lyman's phone so that they can prove it was used by Grasso to direct Cliff to that location. Kathleen obliges.
They discover that a different phone has been substituted in evidence for Ray's phone, and that this different phone made calls from Grasso's neighborhood.
Meanwhile, Eryn's body is found in the lake where she was drowned by Perry. A chain with Perry's initials is clutched in her hand.
Grasso visits his sister Frankie. He tells her that "some things are going to come out" about him because he has been involved in wrongdoing that got a young woman killed. To her dismay, he admits that this wrongdoing is the source of the money he has provided to help their family, including her, in recent years. He says he can no longer live with his actions and plans to turn himself in.
Vincent meets with Chief Dorsey. He tells Dorsey that due to the killing of an FBI task force member in the shootout, they must "cut ties" with anyone involved in the task force's investigation. Dorsey agrees and indicates he plans to kill Grasso and make it look like suicide.
Perry, hiding with Jayson at an isolated house owned by Donna's late mother, calls Vincent to find out "where I stand." Vincent tells him that he must kill Jayson by the next morning if he is not to face retribution from the Dark Hearts. Perry arms himself with a knife for the purpose, but cannot bring himself to kill his protege.
Vincent visits Donna. She discloses that she overheard Breaker talking with Jayson about going to see Maeve, who is Billy's daughter and Robbie's niece. Pressed by Vincent, Donna tells him where Perry and Jayson are hiding, and Vincent sends his henchmen to deal with them.
Breaker calls Jayson to reveal that Eryn's body has been found, along with evidence that Perry killed her. Perry, swimming nearby, sees Vincent's people approaching and tries to warn Jayson, but Jayson stabs him to death and then flees.
Chief Dorsey goes to Grasso's house to carry out his plan, but Grasso surprises him and holds him at gunpoint. As they talk, Vincent appears and shoots both Dorsey and Grasso, killing Dorsey and wounding Grasso. Grasso returns fire, killing Vincent. Dorsey told Grasso that the Dark Hearts would seek out Maeve. Grasso drives off to intervene, unaware that Kathleen is monitoring his phone and has alerted Tom.
Grasso arrives at Maeve's house, bleeding badly from his wound but able to warn her to leave immediately with the children. She is intercepted by Jayson and Breaker, who force her to reveal where she has hidden the money. Tom and Aleah arrive and enter the house looking for Maeve. Aleah is attacked by Breaker but after a prolonged struggle manages to shoot him. Jayson tries to escape with the money by using Maeve to shield himself from Tom and Aleah. The wounded Grasso has hidden in Jayson's car; he surprises Jayson and shoots him dead, saving Maeve.
Grasso is taken to the hospital to recover. Kathleen is told by her boss in no uncertain terms to close the case.
Tom visits Grasso, who asks whether Tom, the former priest, will give him "a penance" for what he has done. Tom replies that he has never given anyone a penance because he believes people punish themselves enough for their sins. Tom decides not to tell anyone about the bag of money he found when Jayson was killed. Weeks later, Maeve takes Harper and Wyatt and they leave town to start a new life.
At home, Tom makes peace with Emily, promising he will always keep her safe. Tom, Emily and Sara attend Ethan's sentencing hearing, where Tom has decided to make a "family impact statement." He states that despite the many challenges of dealing with Ethan's mental illness and despite Ethan's actions that caused his wife's death, he forgives and loves him and will welcome him back to their home when his sentence is over. Ethan listens silently, tears running down his face.
Some time later, Tom is informed that a foster family has taken an interest in Sam. Father Daniel urges him to think about whether it would be best for Sam to remain with the Brandis family, given the problems they may have to deal with in the future. Tom decides that it is best for Sam to have a new family. After Sam leaves, Tom repaints Ethan's room, where Sam has been staying, making it ready for the time when Ethan will come home.
What a ride. This could be one of HBO's best series of 2025. I look forward to seeing It – Welcome to Derry's first episode next Monday at a special screening. I may even do a special post for that.
I loved the recent It films, so I am excited for their final one hour series of 2025.
Until next time. At least it's not 40 degrees today. I clearly knew bad weather was coming early with my new series title, Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, is the fifth spin-off and overall sixth television series in The Walking Dead franchise, sharing continuity with the other series and set after the conclusion of the original The Walking Dead television series.
Norman Reedus reprises his role as Daryl Dixon the lead of this spin-off, alongside Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier from the OG The Walking Dead series.
Peletier returned for season two, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, then again in the third season. This season featured one additional episode from the previous two seasons. Taking the episode count up to seven.
Back in July, the series was renewed for a fourth & final season. Which most likely will stream on Stan in 2026. Filming for the fourth season commenced last month.
Spoiler alerts below for the seventh and final episode of season three below the trailer. Here's what went down on Solaz del Mar (Spanish for "Solace of the Sea")
Traveling the Camino de Santiago, Codron finds Laurent's Rubik's Cube.
Carol sneaks into Solaz where Fede is torturing Antonio for information. Carol, Rodo and Daniel rescue Antonio, but the other two men are killed while Carol and Antonio hide with the help of sympathetic residents before being betrayed and turned over to Fede along with a captured Roberto.
Daryl and Paz infiltrate El Alcázar as workers for the Matching ceremony. Daryl unleashes a horde on the people and sets the palace on fire, killing most of the nobles, including the king and queen of Spain.
Daryl rescues Justina and the other girls while Paz and Elena kill Guillermo. With El Alcázar having fallen, Paz decides to move with Elena, her son and the other girls to the refugee community.
Daryl and Justina return to discover their friends in danger. Justina exposes Fede's crimes, causing the townspeople to turn on and imprison their leader. Daryl opens up to Carol about his past and Daryl's constant need to be on the move which he fears will linger when they get home.
The night before Daryl, Carol, Antonio, Roberto and Justina are to set sail, a vengeful Fede escapes and attacks, resulting in the destruction of the boat which is witnessed from a distance by Codron. Daryl's group is once again left without a way home.
So is the final season still set in Spain? Will Daryl and Carol get back to the USA in the series finale? Time will tell. Up next, I need to catch up on Task, with Gen V also wrapping its second run, mid week.
The Rainmaker was one of those shows I had on in the background after playing catch up to this week-to-week legal drama on Stan.
Does the show name sound familiar? Getting Matt Damon vibes? Well that could be because, its based on John Grisham's 1995 novel of the same name. It was of course also a film.
Starring Milo Callaghan, John Slattery, Lana Parrilla. The ten episode first season follows a hotshot young lawyer is fired from his prestigious white-collar firm and signs on with a small-time ambulance chaser and her less-than-honest paralegal who work out of a converted former restaurant.
He soon finds himself facing off against his former employer in court when he takes on a wrongful death suit involving an African American man who died while undergoing hospital care.
In the US, this streams on the USA network which ceased airing dramas for a bit. Like the TNT network, it's starting to build up its drama catalogue again.
That said has this show earned any buzz or interest to warrant a second run? I think not.
The finale was blah after a fairly safe first season.
The characters weren't all that likeable, while legal drama on Disney+ (also currently streaming week-to-week) Reasonable Doubt does a lot better. Also has a banging soundtrack and interesting, flawed characters.
This felt lazy programming, trading on the Matt Damon/Claire Danes films success in the late 90's.
So if you have a lazy Sunday or need something to stream whilst you spring clean, maybe chuck this on in the background. It won't change your life, but the lead is sorta cute.
Black Phone 2 returns four years ago, 13-year-old Finn killed his abductor and escaped, becoming the sole survivor of The Grabber. But true evil transcends death … and the phone is ringing again.
Fresh from his Disney+ role in The Lowdown, four-time Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke returns to the most sinister role of his career as The Grabber seeks vengeance on Finn (Mason Thames) from beyond the grave by menacing Finn’s younger sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw).
As Finn, now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, the headstrong 15-year-old Gwen begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake.
Determined to solve the mystery and end the torment for both her and her brother, Gwen persuades Finn to visit the camp during a winter storm. There, she uncovers a shattering intersection between The Grabber and her own family’s history. Together, she and Finn must confront a killer who has grown more powerful in death and more significant to them than either could imagine.
Alongside Hawke, Oscar® nominee Demián Bichir (The Nun, A Better Life) as the supervisor of the camp, Arianna Rivas (A Working Man) as his niece, Miguel Mora (The Black Phone) as the brother of one of The Grabber’s victims, and Jeremy Davies, returning as Finn and Gwen’s father, Terrence. Other new cast members include Maev Beaty (Beau is Afraid) & Graham Abbey (Under the Banner of Heaven).
The sequel has thus far received positive reviews from critics. It also gave serious Stranger Things 80's vibes!
I forgot the OG film landed back in 2021. That was peak Coivd shit. Now my grandma has Covid, for the first time!
When I left the cinema from the OG film, I never thought I'd be seeing a sequel. That said, this is done fairly well for a horror sequel. Cause let's be honest, sometimes horror sequels just don't work!
I enjoyed this after a long ass week. So sorry for the lack of posts this week. Next week and the following there will be a few finale posts. The Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon spin-off and HBO's gritty Task conclude tomorrow.
Gen V, The Boys spin-off also wraps on Amazon next week.
But for now, Black Phone 2 rates a solid, 3 scary stars. Peak Halloween season is here!
Animal Control was on my Binge watchlist for a fairly long time. The FOX original network, workplace comedy is currently awaiting the release of its fourth season.
Back in May, the series was renewed for a fourth season. Scheduled to stream/air in 2026. Fox kind of has cut a large chunk of its original series. So what's the series all about? A group of animal control workers in Seattle begin to see their lives complicated by humans and not so much by animals.
After 31 episodes back-to-back, I feel like I know these characters now.
So I wait patiently for the fourth season to land on Binge, along with waiting for FOX to announce its return date in 2026.
I swear to god I used to follow, Krystal Smith (who plays Bettany in season 2/3) on YourTube. She was a hoot, while being a good addition to this ensemble cast, which from time to time includes Ken Jeong as Lee Park, a well-respected dog whisperer.
Also starring across the three seasons, Joel McHale as Frank Shaw, a bitter and cynical Senior Animal Control Officer. He was a cop who was fired from the force after discovering evidence of corruption in his precinct. He is sarcastic and quick-witted, prone to making satirical remarks about his co-workers. Later episodes reveal that much of his behaviour is bravado and he is actually very depressed and self-conscious.
Vella Lovell as Emily Price, the good-natured director at the A.C. Northwest precinct. She can be anxious and often awkward in social situations. She's chipper and spunky and surprisingly competitive, butting heads with Templeton when he makes comments about wanting her job. She also displays a creative side, such as when she dresses up the animals for photoshoots to post on social media.
Michael Rowland as Fred "Shred" Taylor, Frank's partner. An idealistic amateur Animal Control officer and a former professional snowboarder. His idealism causes him to deflect the negativity that his precinct often dishes out.
Ravi V. Patel as Amit Patel, one of the Animal Control officers of Frank's precinct and Victoria's partner. He is pessimistic and frequently overwhelmed by his large family. When he is away from his family he tends to become absorbed in reckless or childish activities.
Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands, a street-smart Animal Control officer from New Zealand and Amit's partner. She has a laid-back personality, frequently indulging in various drugs and casual sex. She and Frank have an ongoing prank war that borders on flirtation.
It is a super simple watch. Not as good as Abbott Elementary (despite it also starring Josh Segarra as Parker) but still easy, relaxing and good to have on after a long ass day!
Sadly it also doesn't get the viewers or the award recognition that Abbott Elementary scores.
In my mind, season four next year may be the last. Not that its bad, just it may have run its course. Also FOX appears broke AF!
The second season of Peacemaker is based on the eponymous character from DC Comics.
While the first season is a spin-off from the DC Extended Universe film The Suicide Squad, the second season is set in the DC Universe (DCU) which is a "soft reboot" of the DCEU.
The season continues the story of jingoistic mercenary Chris Smith / Peacemaker, who finds an alternate dimension where his father and brother are still alive and the family together is a highly regarded superhero team.
The second season is set after the events of the DCU 2025 film Superman.
John Cena stars as the titular character alongside Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Frank Grillo, and Robert Patrick.
The season premiered on the streaming service HBO Max in late August. One of the first exclusive HBO Max series in Australia. It is also one of few Max titles remaining. Alongside the soon to conclude Hacks and the Pitt returning in January. Quick turnaround for that multiple award winning show. Also one of the final series streamed on Binge. Which has now been removed in Australia. Poor Binge!
It has received critical acclaim from critics, who generally found it to be better than the first season and praised Cena's performance as well as the wider cast.
One month earlier, than episode seven, Full Nelson, the eighth and final episode of the season. Chris and Harcourt go out for a night that ends in a kiss that results in Harcourt leaving.
Then, in the present day, Chris is in prison, refusing to see the Kids. Meanwhile, A.R.G.U.S. investigates the doors in the QUC, where multiple A.R.G.U.S. agents are killed.
Adebayo and Adrian bail out Chris, who takes Eagly and runs away, with none of the Kids knowing where he went. A.R.G.U.S manages to find a habitable dimension, which they name Salvation. Flag Sr. pitches the new dimension be used as a prison for metahumans to the government, which is approved.
Bordeaux reveals this to Harcourt before using Bordeaux's A.R.G.U.S. credentials to locate Peacemaker. The two then quit their jobs at A.R.G.U.S. together. The Kids head to the motel where Chris is staying and they tell him he is loved and appreciated. Harcourt tells Chris that the night on the boat was meaningful to her as well and the two begin dating.
One week later, they all start a new agency, Checkmate, alongside Bordeaux, Fleury, and Judomaster. However, Chris is kidnapped and trapped in Salvation by Flag.
So will HBO Max greenlit a third run of Peacemaker? Or is this where it ends? Time will tell, however as the year ends, no doubt any news will land soon.
Today Amazon pulled the plug on recent action series, Countdown and Butterfly. Both weren't bad. Butterfly was stronger, but had zero marketing support.
New Australian film, Beast of War opened last night. Following The Reef (the sequel, The Reef: Stalked) and recently Dangerous Animals, Australia has a history of shark, horror films. We from time to time venture off to crocodile films. Like Rogue and Black Water.
But back to Beast of War. Part horror film, part Aussie war film.
When their boat is sunk while crossing the Timor Sea during World War II, a young troop of Australian soldiers must find a way to survive the harsh seas on a quickly shrinking life raft.
Hundreds of miles from anywhere, they must confront interpersonal conflicts, enemy attacks, and the advances of one very large, very hungry great white shark.
Mystery Road: Origins lead Mark Coles Smith stars, alongside Joel Nankervis, Sam Delich, Lee Tiger Halley, Sam Parsonson, Maximillian Johnson, Tristan McKinnon, & Aswan Reid.
Mark Coles Smith is again amazing. His character is also the guiding light throughout the close to 90 minute run time.
He is calm, strong and knows about sharks. We see flashbacks into his past, which give him the edge over the other soldiers.
Apparently a true story too. This was a full on, edge of your seat ride.
I enjoyed this a lot more than Him and some other films of late. As school holidays wrap, hopefully there will be some solid films leading into the summer slack period.
OK, I was excited to see, Him, however this turned out to be one big disappointment.
Damn 2025 is turning out to be a little average for cinema. Packed in October with horror films as we head into Halloween. If you have been to a Coles or Bunnings, you know Halloween is incoming!
Directed by Justin Tipping, & produced by Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions. The film stars Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, & Tim Heidecker.
Him, follows the trials of a young up-and-coming football player (Withers) training at the isolated compound of an aging, nearly retired quarterback (Wayans).
Him has thus far, received generally negative reviews from critics and has grossed $25.2 million worldwide.
Honestly Jordan Peele's Nope wasn't real good either. However this was just random AF. Now don't get me wrong, I'm digging US football in Disney+'s cute comedy, Chad Powers, but this doesn't hit right.
Its overly violent towards the end, it lacks direction and the film at points just feels like one big music video.
I hate when I go into the cinema expecting (while also wanting) something good. Instead you live feeling violated.
I am hoping to get off to a movie tomorrow. So hopefully I can report back with a higher star rating.
1.5 Stars for now for Him. Sorry team, this just wasn't it. It gave American Horror Story, but like the FX series, never really reached a worthwhile conclusion after a promising start.
Stan original series, The Assassin by Harry and Jack Williams, starring Keeley Hawes & Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel and The Good Doctor - USA).
The six episode easy binge revolves around a retired assassin Julie (Hawes) and her estranged son Edward (Highmore) are forced to flee an idyllic Greek island when Julie’s dangerous past catches up with her.
With questions around Edward’s paternity and Julie’s past life as a hit woman, the pair go on the run across Europe, working together in a fight for survival.
The series landed late July on Stan, which is random as worldwide it was an Amazon title. Also there is very little "Australian" about the English series largely based in Greece. That said Neighbours legend, Alan Dale stars (with his OG Aussie accent) while his children are played by sex god, Devon Terrell and Shalom Brune-Franklin.
So it's been streaming for a while but warning, the finale is broken down below the trailer. Welcome to the new Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 series!
Edward awakes in Spain, where Marie explains his real name is Florent, his true parentage and how Julie took him as a baby after killing his father and putting her in a coma.
Julie breaks into Marie’s compound, with Luka doing overwatch. Ezra becomes acting CEO after Aaron dies from prescription overdose, which is implied he may have orchestrated. He offers company resources to locate Edward if Kayla keeps “Chantaines” a secret.
Kayla agrees, and later arrives in Spain with armed mercenaries to assist Luka, and they raid the compound. Luka confronts but spares Afonso, Marie’s henchman who massacred his village. Edward flees and finds Julie in the basement. She explains she never wanted children, and was even glad to have a miscarriage when pregnant, but couldn’t leave him alone as a baby believing both his parents were dead.
Marie tells Edward he was born from a surrogate and isn't biologically hers. She poisons him, telling Julie she has spent 29 years planning revenge against her. Marie demands Edward execute Julie in exchange for the atropine antidote.
Full of guilt, Julie gives Edward her gun and tells him to do it to save himself, but he kills Marie instead. Edward survives after being airlifted to hospital in the Cross family helicopter. Ezra burns his mothers suicide note.
Three months later, Julie is in a relationship with Luka, and joints Kayla and Edward visit Edward’s biological mother.
So this was a so simple watch! The show is addictive, easy to watch (even with some added eye candy from Devon Terrell) and beautifully shot.
This was a great show for Stan to be connected to. Hopefully the upcoming Channel Nine (Stan included) upfront presentation this month, will include some exciting Stan titles for 2026!
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox concluded this Wednesday gone on Disney+. It's been a busy period on Disney.
With Reasonable Doubt back, Only Murders in the Building back for a fifth season and High Potential representing the US network series. All Rise from Ryan Murphy will also land soon.
This true crime biographical drama miniseries created by K.J. Steinberg, is based on the true story of Amanda Knox and her wrongful conviction in the murder of Meredith Kercher.
Starring Grace Van Patten as Knox, as well as Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters), Francesco Acquaroli, Giuseppe De Domenico, John Hoogenakker, & Roberta Mattei.
Across eight-episodes, the series landed on Hulu late August, following the eponymous American college student, who arrives in Italy for her study abroad only to be wrongfully imprisoned for murder weeks later.
The series traces Amanda’s relentless fight to prove her innocence and reclaim her freedom, and examines why authorities and the world stood so firmly in judgment.
I never really followed this case super closely, however I found this a fairly easy watch.
It was a train watch for me to focus on the English subtitles with episodes one - six being very heavily in Italian.
Fun fact: Monica Lewinsky is an executive producer for this series.
This doesn't fit with my other Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 posts that focus largely on comedy thus far. However this coming week Peacemaker concludes next week. I have no idea what HBO Max will stream next. Outside of their parent company HBO's Task. HBO Max is looking a little light on content right now.
Bring on the final season of Hacks though next year!
OK for now, True Crime has taken over my favourite new podcast too. Killer Kotent. Take a listen here. Later team!
So yesterday I was a little underwhelmed by the second run of the English Teacher, today however Platonic's second season. WOW!
Apple TV+ continues to follow the platonic pair of former best friends approaching midlife (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) who reconnect after a long rift. The duo’s friendship becomes all consuming—and destabilises their lives in a hilarious way.
Hunky Luke Macfarlane also stars, along with Tre Hale, Carla Gallo, and Andrew Lopez.
The season kicks off where season one left off back in 2023. So sad we had all 2024 without Rogen and Byrne.
Lucky Rogen also slayed in fellow Apple TV+ series, The Studio. So much so it dominated at the recent Emmys.
Sylvia and her family drive down to San Diego for Will's engagement party. Soon after she arrives, Jenna asks Sylvia to convince Will to participate in a song for their party. Will admits to Sylvia that he has developed a crush on another woman, which Sylvia attempts to convince Will is just him getting nervous before the engagement party.
During the party, Will and Sylvia leave to get more champagne, but Will makes an additional stop at a sandwich shop, and Sylvia learns that he is attracted to the cashier. They return to the party, and Will participates in the family song. Jenna confronts Will and Sylvia, and is suspicious as to why they were gone for most of the party.
Season two really turned it up a notch. I really enjoyed this week-to-week Wednesday comedy. I am so happy Loot will return for its run, to keep the midweek comedy going.
Rogen and Byrne and simple perfect together. Fingers crossed Apple give this a third go. The reviews have been glowing, so hopefully people are watching.
Apple TV+ continue to deliver, with The Morning Show returning strong, Loot incoming, Palm Royale will hopefully improve with that stellar cast and of course Slow Horses is just delightful! Well done all.
FX’s English Teacher starring Brian Jordan Alvarez as Evan Marquez is back!
A high school teacher in Austin, Texas who often finds himself at the intersection of the personal, professional and political aspects of working at a high school.
Evan wants to be a principled person but often runs into trouble because of it.
Look I loved season one so much. This is not to say I didn't love season two, just it didn't feel as fresh as the first run of eight episodes.
It also dropped as a binge of all ten episodes this year. I vaguely remember watching this one, week to week last year/season.
Now maybe it's cause Chad Powers (also on FX and Disney+ here in Australia) felt a little more fresh and a little warmer, like a US version of Ted Lasso. But the second run of English Teacher just didn't feel that original.
The students do really steal some of the scenes. Unfortunately Stephanie Koenig as Gwen Sanders, just didn't have the same impact as season one.
Whilst, Enrico Colantoni as Grant Moretti, Sean Patton as Markie Hillridge, and new regular, Carmen Christopher as Rick Santana all felt a little forced at times to deliver adult humour.
A third season is yet to be announced and in this TV climate, it's very cut throat. Add in the gay themes in a very different USA now. Who knows whether we will get a third run at Morrison-Hensley High School.
That all said, it does have some funny lines, it is definitely a lot better than some other comedies out there. However season one set the bar super high. Like sky high!
Also I was watching the second run of Platonic at the same time. That is coming up tomorrow, and spoiler alert, that was funny as fuck!
Winter was WET, cold and LONG! To be honest it was way cooler than last year. I have to say I am super surprised, a local Amazon titled ended up being the top dog of the last three months. Its also from the Top End!
The number two series was a fun, camp, little Starz drama that ended up being a HUGE hit for Netflix, earning The Hunting Wives, a second season. WTF. This show was held for months. Then with little marketing turned into a hit on Netflix, locally on Stan. Let's pray season two also lands on the last Aussie streamer, Stan.
With Stan/Channel Nine hosting their upfront presentation in a few weeks, we will finally find out if we get more Scrublands, Black Snow or UK co-production, Ten Pound Poms.
What about other Aussie content over winter? Well good news is RFDS started yesterday, Mother & Son is currently airing a second season, Watching You lands on Stan tomorrow & we are still awaiting a release date for the NT based second season of Deadloch.
So after running around all day on October 1, here is my belated RATED - Winter Warmer Watchlist. 45 series rated, from 1 all the way down to 24!
But before that big reveal, go waste your time with my previous quarterly RATED's! Finale posts incoming for my next series, Platonic, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Know & The English Teacher's second season. Wow, so that's a lot of TV posts this long weekend! SHIT!
1. Top End Bub - Season One (AU) 2. The Hunting Wives - Season One/Renewed for Season Two 3. Dexter: Resurrection - Season One 4. The Family Next Door - Miniseries (AU) 5. Butterfly - Season One 6. Such Brave Girls - Season Two 7. You - Season Five/Series Final 8. Adolescence - Season One 9. The Girlfriend - Miniseries 10. The Waterfront - Season One/Series Final 11. Say Nothing - Miniseries 12. Austin - Seasons One - Two (AU/UK) 13. The Chi - Season Seven 14. Mystery Road: Origins - Season Two (AU) 15. Dating Naked UK - Season Two 16. The Paper - Season One 17. 9-1-1: Lone Star - Season Five/Series Finale 18. Smoke - Miniseries 19. Countdown - Season One 20. Twisted Metal - Season Two 21. Too Much - Season One 22. Motorheads - Season One/Series Final 23. The Twelve - Season Three (AU) 24. Untamed - Season One 25. Poker Face - Season Two 26. Nine Perfect Strangers - Season Two 27. Moni - Miniseries (AU) 28. Duster - Season One/Series Final 29. Murderbot - Season One 30. Revival - Season One 31. The Last Anniversary - Miniseries (AU) 32. Alien: Earth - Season One 33. Playing Gracie Darling - Miniseries (AU) 34. Gangs of London - Season Three 35. The Couple Next Door - Season Two 36. Ironheart - Season One 37. Mix Tape - Miniseries (AU/Ireland) 38. Goosebumps - Seasons One - Two/Series Final 39. Warm Props - Miniseries (AU) 40. The Bear - Season Four 41. BMF - Season Four 42. Upload - Season Four/Series Final 43. Mayfair Witches - Season Two 44. And Just Like That... - Season Three/Series Final 45. Hal & Harper - Season One
Too Much is the return of Lena Dunham, this time on Netflix, not HBO.
The romantic comedy series created by Dunham & Luis Felber, starring Hacks queen, Megan Stalter & The White Lotus hunk, Will Sharpe.
This one landed on Netflix back in July. It is also my last catch up/post for the Winter Warmer Watchlist series.
So is Too Much, well too much? After a traumatic break-up, thirty-something New York City commercial producer Jessica accepts a work transfer to London.
Jessica, a fan of British period films and romances, is taken aback by her council flat accommodation and loneliness. After forcing herself to visit a pub alone, Jessica witnesses musician Felix performing.
Felix and she eventually connect and he returns home with her; a romance slowly blooms between the two. Felix and Jessica must bridge cross-cultural relationship divides, their respective relationship histories, and own family dynamics in order to hopefully sustain a healthy relationship.
So it is a lot. However it was an easy watch with Sharpe very easy on the eye in his native UK.
OK it streamed a little while back, but watch out for spoilers. I am still awaiting news on a second run. It kinda didn't give miniseries vibes, so we will see if Netflix want to invest in another run for Dunham.
In the finale, while preparing to move out of Jessica's flat, Felix realises Astrid is having a medical emergency and rushes her to a veterinary hospital, where she dies.
Devastated, Jessica angrily confronts Felix about their breakup, which devolves into Felix slapping himself and calling her a bitch. Jessica calls Jameson, who offers to help her re-establish her career in the United States.
Jameson and Nora rekindle their marriage. Wendy arranges to meet with Jessica, where she reveals her relationship with Zev has deteriorated due to his toxic behaviours, and the two bond.
Inspired, Jessica asks Gaz to drive her to see Felix, and the two confess to each other that they share the toxic habit of sabotaging emotionally intense relationships. Finally accepting even the broken parts of each other, Jessica and Felix get married.
It would be interesting to see a Jessica and Felix married in a second run. However Netflix didn't really promote this all that much. We know what that means historically for Netflix series. Speaking of Netflix. I am house sitting for a bit. Netflix catch up, here I come!
The Strangers – Chapter 2 landed last week at the movies. Right in time for school holidays. Maybe for the senior students that is.
Serving as the fourth film in The Strangers film series, and the second instalment of a new trilogy following last years, The Strangers: Chapter 1.
Starring everyone's favourite ginger Riverdale star Madelaine Petsch, alongside Gabriel Basso & Ema Horvath.
Like Chapter 1, last year, the film received generally negative reviews from certified critics. But what do I think? All will be revealed under the trailer.
The Strangers are back, more brutal and relentless than ever. When they learn that one of their victims, Maya (Petsch), is still alive, they return to finish what they’ve started.
With nowhere to run and no one to trust, Maya must survive another horrific chapter of terror as The Strangers – driven by a senseless, unceasing purpose – pursue her, more than willing to kill anyone who stands in their way.
So much goes down across this survivalist horror film. The OG, chapter 1 film, was more horror and suspense. This was on the run, survival horror. Whilst its not great, and I'm not sure why there are three chapters. This wasn't awful.
During the credits we even got a peek at Chapter 3.
Honestly I feel like the three films could be merged into one two hour horror feature, or a quick American Horror Story.
I feel dragging this out over three chapters will leave viewers mildly irritated. Honestly leave cliffhangers for TV shows, this is not for the big screen.
OK, so I'll pass it, but only just. Some of the shit Maya had to put up with in Chapter 2 was downright insane.
Dating Naked UK is not my regular viewing, however Aussie Connor Rogers and Brit hottie Matthew Edwards made this an easy watch.
Hosted by former UK X Factor novelty act Rylan Clark. This trashy Paramount+ title wrapped yesterday. After a month or so of double episodes week-to-week the second season has wrapped.
With however, some familiar faces. Dominik Herbert & Rico Hammett from season one are back baby! Rico was never my cuppa tea though. Those tats, that uncut you know.... Well actually most are uncut on this show. Including Aussie Connor Rogers.
Speaking of which, unlike the American show, nudity is not blurred as well as in the German version of this show.
So let's hope the show is renewed for a third season. By the people I have talked to, its a bit of fun. Rylan makes for a fun host. It must be cheap to make.
So who would you like to see return for a third run? Kelsey Jenner, Keir Dale-Oakes, Mani, Nina, Amara Zammit,, Connor Rogers, sexy Jarrakeh Cherno Jarra, Matthew Edwards, Jordan Langley, Luke Worley, Ivan Alexiev, Lauren Louise, Dominik Herbert, Rico Hammett, Ryan Kendall or fellow Melbourne based Tilly Skok.
So if you want to look at some hotties with no clothes in Panama, give Dating Naked UK a good hard crack. Well so to speak.
No spoilers here of the winners. Or do they really win after exposing themselves for all to see on TV. LOL
Alien: Earth is the first television series in the Alien franchise and is set two years before the events of the 1979 film Alien.
The series is created by Noah Hawley, starring Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Aussie, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, Adarsh Gourav, & Timothy Olyphant.
Alien: Earth streams on FX and FX on Hulu in the USA & Disney+ internationally, meaning Australia.
The series commenced its eight episode run mid last month. The opening of the first episode introduces the premise of the series as involving three separate destinies for the immortality of mankind. These are:
Synthetic beings with downloaded human consciousness: Hybrids
So how does Miss Fischer, I mean Essie Davis fit into this sci-fi horror? When the space vessel Maginot crash-lands on Earth, a young hybrid woman and a group of tactical soldiers make a discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's biggest threat.
Watch out, spoilers AHEAD!
It all goes down in episode eight, The Real Monsters. The episode was written by series creator Noah Hawley and co-executive producer Migizi Pensoneau, and directed by executive producer Dana Gonzales.
The series is set in 2120, two years before the events of the original 1979 film Alien. It focuses on the space vessel Maginot crash-landing on Earth, where a young woman and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's biggest threat.
In the episode, Wendy and the Lost Boys plan to take control of the facility, while the Xenomorph's presence forces an evacuation.
The hybrids have been imprisoned in one cell, with Joe and Morrow imprisoned in another. Wendy uses her abilities to shut down the facility's cameras and communication abilities.
She struggles with Joe's decision to shoot Nibs, believing he chose to ally himself with humans instead of her, but ultimately unlocks his cell.
Kavalier approaches the hybrids and reveals that at six years old, he built his own synthetic which he used to kill his abusive father. Wendy unlocks their cell, Nibs kills Kavalier's bodyguard, and Kavalier flees.
Morrow pursues Kirsh to the lab and attacks him; Kirsh is badly damaged, but ultimately chokes Morrow unconscious. Smee and Slightly arrive in the lab and they incapacitate both Kirsh and Morrow, while Nibs captures Dame. Meanwhile, Atom lures Joe to Kavalier's room and locks him in with the Ocellus.
Wendy arrives to save him and fights Atom, who reveals himself as a synthetic, allowing Wendy to control his motor functions. The Ocellus escapes to the beach, where it possesses Arthur's corpse. With the help of the older Xenomorph, Wendy and Joe capture Kavalier and lock him in a cell with Kirsh, Atom, Dame, and Morrow.
As Yutani and her team approach the island, Wendy, with both Xenomorphs nearby, declares, "Now, we rule."
So will we get a second season? I reckon yes. The critics did seem to like it, the Alien series does have a cult following. So I say this would be a no brainer. Time will tell though.
Enjoy the spring weekend dear readers. Summer is coming... As is Q4 for 2025, meaning a whole new TV blog series. Along with a RATED for Q3!
The Girlfriend is a super trashy, fun little miniseries on Amazon Prime Video that landed earlier this month.
Travelling to and from the Coast over the weekend on the beautiful new Mariyung trains, I was delighted to smash all six episodes directed by Robin Wright and Andrea Harkin.
Based on Michelle Frances' novel, alongside directing it, Robin Wright also stars as Laura, with Olivia Cooke, & Laurie Davidson.
Across the six episodes, The Girlfriend explores themes of love, greed, and power depicting a mother, Laura's (Robin Wright) reaction to her son, Daniel's (Laurie Davidson) new girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke) and her perceived motivations.
So fun! But how'd it all go down? SPOILER ALERT!
Daniel and Cherry return home after shopping for an engagement ring. Cherry expresses disappointment when Daniel suggests keeping their engagement private, but he later agrees to announce it.
Meanwhile, Laura confronts Daniel outside the hospital, accusing him of believing her to be violent. He reveals their engagement and insists on being left alone. Howard returns home and packs his belongings, expressing his support for Cherry and criticising Laura.
Laura, feeling betrayed, investigates Cherry's past and discovers that her father, John, is alive and residing in a nursing home. She learns that John suffered a spinal injury after falling from a building and becomes suspicious of Cherry's involvement.
Cherry vandalises Lilith's artwork, leading her to be arrested and straining Laura's relationship with Lilith.
Cherry's mother gives her a fake alibi and she is subsequently released. Daniel confronts Laura and announces that he will cut ties with her.
Laura drugs Daniel and tries to give him a recording of Cherry's mother expressing her concerns about Cherry's past. However, Cherry arrives and the two become involved in a struggle, ending in the basement where Laura threatens her with a knife and accusing her of destroying her family.
The confrontation escalates, and both women fall into the pool. Daniel, in a drugged state, intervenes, holding Laura underwater while attempting to protect Cherry. Laura drowns, and Daniel, realising the tragic outcome, is left in shock.
Then we flash forward to a year later, Daniel and Cherry are married and expecting a child. Daniel discovers the recording on Laura's phone, leaving him to question the true nature of his relationship with Cherry.
With the finale being the only episode not to feature Cherry and Laura's respective prespectives.
This was fun and a departure away from Amazon's typical macho dramas or teeny bopper love dramas.
More trashy thrillers like this please Amazon! Alien:Earth tomorrow peoples!
With lead Mark Coles Smith as hunky, moody Jay swan, Daniel Henshall, Tuuli Narkle, Clarence Ryan, Robyn Malcolm, Luke Carroll, Helen Morse, Eloise Hart, Aswan Reid & Tammy Lee Rock also star.
Kicking off on Sunday on ABC TV, or like I did, all episodes streaming on ABC iview. Yes it's only Tuesday and I am done! So where does the long awaited second season of the prequel to the OG film kick off?
It’s Easter 2000, six months from when we last saw young Detective Jay Swan and his partner Mary.
We find them attempting to forge a new life together on her mother’s Country, in the fading timber town of Loch Iris. It doesn’t take long though for the majesty of the tall trees in the brooding surrounding forests and the deep lake that shimmers at the edge of town to take on gothic dimensions.
As Jay begins to investigate an unfolding case, Loch Iris closes ranks around him. The more he pieces together the crime, the more he realises the entire town has been hiding a shadowy past. It's a past that is still rippling through to the present and with it, a secret that threatens to tear Jay and Mary apart.
Its been three long years since the first of the prequel series with Mark Coles Smith replacing Aaron Pedersen (Series 1-2) as lead Jay Swan.
New Zealand's finest Robyn Malcolm also joins this season. What a legend. Take a look at the latest Aussie ABC series below.
We are getting more quality Aussie dramas with RFDS starting on Channel Seven soon, Watching You coming to Stan next month and ABC reboot comedy Mother & Son returns.
Mystery Road is a solid Aussie series. With ABC still to do their upfront presentation for next year, I sure hope we get another Mystery Road series sooner rather than later. Three years was just too long to wait between seasons.
The third series of The Twelve concluded today. SPOILERS maybe ahead if you have not finished the Binge original.
This season is titled the Cape Rock Killer, where Brett Colby is thrust into a murder trial that involves a long-term friend, as a mystery unravels a murder cold-case is re-opened to find answers, as the twelve jurors find themselves struggling with the life changing experience.
Brett Colby (Sam Neill) leads the trial unravels a deeper mystery, a 1968 cold case murder of two teens is re-opened, and the twelve jurors sworn in for the trial find their own lives changed by the experience.
Alongside The Twelve main star Neill (Jurassic Park, Peaky Blinders), the third season sees Danielle Cormack (Wentworth, Year Of), Eryn Jean Norvill (Love Me, Preppers), Sarah Peirse (Stateless, We Went Up The Hill), & William Zappa (The Dry, Population: 11) head to WA.
Then in the jury, its Ewen Leslie (The Cry, Top of the Lake China Girl), Phoenix Raei (The Night Agent, Clickbait), Hanah Tayeb (Miles From Nowhere, Raised by Refugees Season 2), Nathalie Morris (Bump, We Were Dangerous), Catherine Moore (Runt, How to Please a Woman), Bolude Watson (Hearts and Bones, Swift Street), Bessie Holland (Fisk, Wentworth), Stuart Daulman (Five Bedrooms, Utopia), Paul Tassone (Poker Face, The Code), Charles Napoleon An (Narrow Road to the Deep North, Last King of the Cross), Libby Stone (The Claremont Murders, Blue Heelers) and newcomer Claire Leach.
So Binge/Foxtel/Kayo had their big 2026 showcase the other week. Sadly their was no mention of the Twelve or Real Housewives of Sydney returning in 2026.
Could Binge darling, Danielle Cormack as Gabe Nicholls return for a second run, or take Sam Neill's lead role for a fourth season?
I feel the show needs a shake up. Being set in WA is nice for a change, however if somewhere else like Tassie, or Darwin called? That could be fun.
I am not sure this was my favourite of the three seasons. However I did enjoy Cormack V Neil in the courtroom.
OK so I am tired and will drop no spoilers here. So the above spoiler warning was a waste. So for now, all three seasons stream on Binge. Now let's stay in WA for Mystery Road's fourth season, also under the Origin banner, like the third season.
9-1-1: Lone Star has finally dropped its fifth and final season, on Disney+.
After my recent Japan trip, where Disney+ allowed me to access the first 9 episodes, I was left with just three to go.
The 9-1-1 spin-off concluded on February 3, some time ago. So this is a little late, but timely as 9-1-1: Nashville kicks off next month. With LeAnn fucking Rimes!
The OG spin-off aired on Fox, the OG series moved to ABC, and Fox like most of its scripted series concluded earlier this year. The Cleaning Lady, Rescue Hi-Surf, Alert: Missing Person Unit and 9-1-1: Lone Star.
Unfortunately notably missing this season was original cast member, Sierra McClain, would not be returning as Grace Ryder ahead of the series' fifth season, due to a cast renegotiation dispute.
Hunky The Waterfront lead Rafael L. Silva as Carlos Reyes continued to be hot AF!
In the finale, it seems like a similar story which is about to unfold on the season nine, 9-1-1 season opener.
The 126 deals with the aftermath of the asteroid that has the entire city of Austin hanging in the balance.
The 126 race against time to stop a nuclear power plant disaster. They are all faced with difficult decisions that could have lasting impact on the team forever.
All seems to end well for the majority of the 126. SPOILER ALERT - after a brief worry, Rob Lowe's captain Owen Strand does make a full circle turn, returning to New York. Grace's husband, Jim Parrack as Judson "Judd" Ryder ends up being sworn in as the new captain.
Outside of losing Liv Tyler in season one, Sierra McClain at the end of season four, most of the band remain together at the closing credits of the final episode. The 72nd episode spends a lot of the opening ten minutes with the huge devastating asteroid is barreling towards the 126 and Austin, Texas.
It feels like the door is open for these characters to transition into either of the remaining 9-1-1 series. I do still also need to finish 9-1-1's eighth season. Which I already know the huge hole they have to fill in season nine.
Gosh it feels long in the tooth. I really enjoyed Lone Star in comparison to the OG series. The characters always felt more real. But this is the TV climate we live in, US network TV is catching up to Australia, will less drama, more reality and filler. The CW, Fox have almost given up on originals. Whilst NBC is moving more towards sport and ABC seem happy with their long running dramas. CBS also does have a love affair with their franchises. So its spin-off central on CBS. Even another Yellowstone spin-off will land in 2026!
Until next time, we have big finales next week, Alien: Earth and The Twelve. Both not yet renewed.
Dakota Johnson has had some real bombs at the cinema of late. Is Splitsville another bomb?
Well the critics love it! The Rotten Tomatoes score is currently 85%!
But what is the deal with Splitsville? Two couples whose friendship erupts into conflict when the husband of the divorcing couple sleeps with the wife of the open marriage couple.
Alongside Johnson, Adria Arjona, Michael Angelo Covino, Nicholas Braun, David Castañeda, O-T Fagbenle, Charlie Gillespie, & Simon Webster star in this sort of modern day rom-com?
Look I am posting this at the end of week one's screenings and locally where I am, week two the film gets around three screenings a day. That is the same number of people who were in my session last night.
So it is hard seeing a comedy with an empty cinema and no one laughing. However it had it's funny moments. Nothing laugh out loud wild funny, but entertaining funny.
Reviews have been super good for this small indie film. Even the Handmaid's Tale royalty O-T Fagbenle only has the most small, random role.
So whats my opinion? Is it worth the price of admission this weekend? Maybe. It presented an interesting way of looking at modern marriage. Was it bat shit crazy? Absolutely. Is Dakota Johnson out of the woods with box office bombs? Maybe not.
I did enjoy this film, its not too long, it is a little fresh. I will pass this one ahead of new release Thursday, with a new Aussie family film, Kangaroo incoming! Looks cute. or cringe, depending who you ask.
When Douda (Curtiss Cook) falls from the throne at the end of season six, the pivotal women of The Chi rise to reclaim their power in the recently dropped on Disney+ seventh season.
As loyalties are tested and new rivalries are stoked, it becomes clear that there’s only one crown, and it will come at a heavy cost.
With a lot of folks leaving at the end of season six, we got some new characters/returning ones from season six, who were new to the long running Chicago based, Showtime series.
Kennedy Amaya as Kenya, Aaron Guy as Zay, Daniel J. Watts as Pastor Zeke, Brett Gray as Damien (season 6–present), Rotimi as Charles & Wendy Raquel Robinson as Riley Dalton.
The show has already been renewed for an eighth season, which could very well be the last.
This is the one Showtime show that randomly drops on Disney+. It did conclude early last month, week-to-week in the USA, however I did like the entire season drop.
Watch out though, spoilers ahead.
I did smash all 12 episodes (down four episodes from the last season, up two from previous seasons 1-5) very quickly. Mainly cause I'm hooked on Jacob Latimore.
One of season seven’s most surprising deaths got an early reveal back in episode seven when Jada (Yolonda Ross, a fan favourite since the very first episode aired on Showtime back in January 2018) found out that her victory over cancer back in season four was not on repeat for season seven. Now another key, season one vet has gone, for me this means next season could be the swan song.
As unexpected and sad as Jada’s pending death initially was, it wasn’t a surprise in the finale. Telling her husband Darnell (Rolando Boyce), son Emmett (Jacob Latimore), along with others, was incorporated into her season seven storyline.
Darnell, on the suggestion of a grief counselor, gave Jada a living funeral so she could receive her flowers while she was still living. And though her final death was not a surprise, it was still an emotional kicker.
From the soap part of The Chi, to the crime part. Alicia Daniels Lafayette’s (Lynn Whitfield) murder, however, or at least her murderer, was a shock to most.
Her quest to find out who really killed her son Rob (one-time NBA player Iman Shumpert) had not gone well. On the word of silent kingpin Nuck (Cortez Smith), whom she knows killed Douda (Curtiss Cook) — who she also wanted dead for killing her brother Quentin “Q” Dickinson (Steven Williams) — she killed Zay (Aaron Guy), Nuck’s cousin who worked for him without realising it was Nuck who actually killed Rob.
Before Alicia’s murder, she crossed paths with Bakari (Ahmad Nicholas Ferguson) whom she gave a scholarship to college to give him a second chance. Not knowing Bakari’s loyalty to Nuck, she took his bait intimating that Reg (Barton Fitzpatrick) — middle brother of Victor aka Trig (Luke James), the oldest, and Jake (Michael Epps), the youngest — who, despite being presumed dead after an ambush in season two, showed up alive in season seven, really killed her son.
So much drama, so many characters wrapping their runs. From me this is one of Showtime's best series. Like Shameless (also set in Chicago) this drama has had a good, long run. However in the current TV climate, I feel The Chi is very much winding down in the windy city.
Until next time. Hopefully a movie tomorrow, also the the Winter Warmer Watchlist is coming to an end, it is 29 degrees today..... so.... seeya!
Since my Mum's 71st, its been a tick, since I talked music right her.
So for now, let's look at some of the fun happening over here, right now.
So the Friday Flash(back) season two is well and truly in full swing. Last Friday featuring Melbourne favourites, Cut Copy.
Their recent album Moments, is heading to stages around the country right now. The Friday Flash(back) continues next Friday with songwriting royalty, John Butler. His recent solo album, PRISM is topping the charts right now.
Let's take a look at the albums that shaped the Friday Flash(back) since my last music update.
Top End Bub is a sequel to the 2019 film Top End Wedding, with Miranda Tapsell and Gwilym Lee reprising their roles.
The eight-part sequel series is created, executive produced, and written by Joshua Tyler and Tapsell and produced by Goalpost Pictures. Filmed in The beautiful Northern Territory, as well as Adelaide, the series is directed by Christiaan Van Vuuren and Shari Sebbens
Released on Prime Video on Friday, I have already smashed all 8 deliciously short, sharp and funny episodes.
Lauren and Ned are living their best life in the city, which is tragically interrupted when Lauren’s sister Ronelle dies in a car crash in the Top End.
Rushing back to Darwin, Lauren and Ned are thrown into the chaos of Top End life with Lauren’s parents, Daffy and Trevor, and confronted with another curveball when they unexpectedly become the guardians of Ronelle’s lively and cheeky young daughter, Taya.
Alongside Tapsell and Lee, Ursula Yovich, Huw Higginson, Elaine Crombie, Tracy Mann, Rob Collins, Brooke Satchwell, Guy Simon, Clarence Ryan, and, making her acting debut as Taya ("Bub"), is Gladys-May Kelly.
The series ends with a wee bit of a cliffhanger, making me hopeful the series returns as Amazon's second local series based out of the NT. Yes we are still waiting for the return of the brilliant, Deadloch.
I have to say, there have been brilliant series during my Q3 Winter Warmer Watchlist blog series, average and down right awful series.
Top End Bub is easily one of the best. Hands down.
The series has heart, great local music, a superb cast and some truly beautiful scenery. I didn't even mind the Amazon ad's promoting the spectacular NT.
The advertising worked. I feel like I want to go there for the upcoming October long weekend.
Either way, watch this NOW! Like right now. Excellent, local viewing! Good job Amazon and creative team. Now give us more local content!
The Paper is the latest mockumentary sitcom series created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman.
The series is a follow-up and spinoff to the American mockumentary series The Office, which originally ran on NBC from 2005 to 2013.
Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Melvin Gregg, Chelsea Frei, Ramona Young, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Tim Key, Eric Rahill, Allan Havey, Nancy Lenehan, Molly Ephraim and Tracy Letts along with Oscar Nunez would be reprising his role as Oscar Martinez, from The Office.
The series from Peacock, landed in Australia on Binge, last week. Ahead of the series premiere, the series was renewed for a second season.
In Toledo, Ohio, the same documentary crew that followed the workers at Dunder Mifflin's Scranton, Pennsylvania branch twenty years earlier, focuses its efforts on the Toledo Truth-Teller, a historic but declining Midwestern newspaper trying to resurrect itself with volunteer reporters.
In episode one we meet the motley crew.
Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration explains how Dunder Mifflin has gone out of business and its trademark was sold in 2019 to Enervate, who owns the Toledo Truth-Teller, a paper company where Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson) is about to start his first shift, which is run by Esmeralda Grand (Sabrina Impacciatore).
This was an easy, breezy, quick comedy watch. All ten episodes just breeze by. It gives a (slightly) more adult Abbott Elementary vibe.
Today Binge (along with Foxtel) will announce their 2026 schedule. This will likely be on it, along with other new (and some) returning Peacock titles. I am really to see the fate of some local series like the currently airing, The Twelve, Strife, along with if The Real Housewives of Sydney will actually continue.
Time will tell. For now on Binge, this fun, little comedy, The Paper streams all ten episodes now.
Do you like action movies? Yes, well you will probably like, Fight or Flight. If you don't like em, well you will probably hate this bat shit, Snakes on a Plane replaced by chainsaws and mad fight scenes on a plane.
All the way from Bangkok to TBA. It was meant to be San Fran, however it gets more and more vague about where the plot is going with Fight or Flight as it goes on.
Directed by James Madigan in his feature film debut, and written by Brooks McLaren and D. J. Cotrona. Starring former heart throb, Josh Hartnett as a man who is recruited to identify and protect a wanted criminal aboard a commercial airline; Charithra Chandran, Marko Zaror, & Katee Sackhoff also star.
Fight or Flight has received positive reviews from critics, who praised Hartnett's performance. Which is fairly interesting as the film is literally wild! Like bloody wild.
Some scenes are like, WTF did I just see. When I left the cinema I was like WTF was that! WILD!
Did I love Fight or Flight? Not really but it was a wild ass plane ride. From Bangkok to wherever the film kind of leaves you on a cliffhanger. However after 97 minutes the film doesn't really over stay its welcome.
I enjoyed this but didn't love it. It was great seeing Josh Hartnett back on the big screen. He returned last year in the thriller Trap, but in the late 90's he was in, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, The Faculty (both 1998) & The Virgin Suicides (1999).
Okay, so maybe not the action film of the year, however it was damn fun. 3 Stars.
Say Nothing landed last November on Disney+ and this winter I have focused myself on getting through my watchlists across my streaming subscriptions. Hence the title of this series, Winter Warmer Watchlist.
The historical drama limited series created by Joshua Zetumer is an adaptation of the 2018 book by Patrick Radden Keefe.
Detailing four decades in Northern Ireland during The Troubles.
The series follows the lives of people growing up in Belfast in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s during the Troubles, as well as their involvement in the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and inquiries into the Disappeared and particularly the murder of Jean McConville.
Interviews from the Belfast Project are woven into the narrative which also includes depictions of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing and the subsequent hunger strike by the Price sisters, Dolours and Marian.
The cast is lead by, Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Anthony Boyle, Josh Finan, Maxine Peake, Michael Colgan, Kerri Quinn, Stuart Graham, Laura Donnelly, Rory Kinnear, Amy Molloy, Helen Behan, Damien Molony & Judith Roddy.
Say Nothing also follows Gerry Adams as being a senior IRA commander. Adams has always denied any involvement in the IRA. Each episode contains an endnote stating "Gerry Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA or participating in any IRA-related violence."
At the end of episodes 7 to 9 there is an additional disclaimer that "He further denies any involvement in the abduction of Jean McConville."
Episode 9 (the final in the series) depicts Marian shooting Jean McConville. Marian Price has denied any involvement in the death of McConville.
The episode contains an endnote stating "Marian Price also denies any involvement in the murder of Jean McConville." In December 2024, she initiated legal action against the makers of the show for the depiction.
Say Nothing was well made and something I've always wanted to sit down and watch. I was not disappointed. FX make some great series. The currently screening Alien: Earth, Shogun, The Bear and I don't mind me some American Horror Stories.
Next up on Disney+, All Fair, the final four episodes of The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox and Reasonable Doubt returns.
