Entertainment

While her husband was having a colonoscopy, Cass stayed behind and this provided an ideal moment for her to make Teddy ponder the boundaries of their relationship. There’s a noticeable chemistry between them, and it isn’t only due to Cass offering to help with Teddy’s workload. Teddy appears more carefree and unburdened in Cass’ presence — supported. Perhaps it’s because Cass is the one who seems to understand how tired she feels. Meanwhile, Owen seems preoccupied with thoughts of his old friend, Nora.

In the finale of “Severance,” creators Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller deliver an intriguing rebellion by the Innies that surprisingly originates within their own world. This captivating hour-and-a-half episode is packed with unexpected twists, enigmatic Lumon secrets, and visually stunning sequences that easily rank among the best the series has produced. If given the chance to watch it in a cinema format, I’d gladly attend not once but twice!

This week’s episode showcases Canada so strongly that it seems like an unintentional response to those promoting illogical anti-Canada viewpoints. While I leave it to Canadians themselves to evaluate the accuracy of the portrayal, from my perspective, it certainly presents Canada in a positive light.

In this episode, the skillful execution stands out, with Amanda Marsalis at the helm for direction and Joe Sachs and R. Scott Gemmill penning the script. The fluidity with which Marsalis orchestrates the camera work, capturing every intricate detail – from the bustling ambulance bay to various medical stations, the cafeteria filled with anxious family members, and beyond – creates an intense, chaotic, yet smooth atmosphere that truly immerses you. By the time night shift attending Dr. Shen exclaims “When is this going to end?”, you can’t help but feel his exhaustion. From the very start, we are drawn into the doctors’ world, and it’s awe-inspiring to consider the immense effort required to make it all appear so effortless – previous episodes almost seem like rehearsals to demonstrate that something as complex as this could actually be achieved. And they manage to achieve it brilliantly.

The story begins at a large spiritual gathering led by Ann Hutchinson, affectionately called Sister Ann by her followers, portrayed by the talented Lesley Ann Warren. She is known for her healing abilities. After curing Greta’s bursitis and preparing to help Rodney with his gout, Rodney suddenly collapses. Chaos ensues as people around him faint, vomit, and even attempt dangerous stunts like scaling the massive cross on the building. The 118 team arrives swiftly, diagnosing a carbon monoxide leak and managing the situation as best they could. Unfortunately, Greta (now cured of her bursitis) is perched precariously on the weakening cross. Buck tries to persuade her down, but she believes he’s the devil. (“Ma’am, I’m not the devil, my name is Buck” might be the episode’s best line.) Even after Greta regains consciousness, she’s too frightened to take his hand – it’s only Sister Ann with a megaphone who can coax her down. Once everyone is safely away from the poisonous gas, Bobby and Ann share an acknowledging glance. It turns out that she isn’t just a faith healer; she’s also his long-lost mother!

The storyline revolved around a large celebration hosted by Ryan and Madison, with no specific purpose other than wrapping up the season. However, the main conflict leading to the finale stems from something Ryan allegedly told Venita about JT, which JT’s barber supposedly overheard. This controversy is tricky to resolve because none of us have witnessed the original conversation or any subsequent discussions. We don’t know what JT said to his barber, nor do we know if Ryan’s barber and JT’s barber are the same person or work at the same salon. In essence, it’s like trying to solve a game of broken telephone with an old Nokia Sidekick that doesn’t work.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself captivated by the tale of Miguel, a musician who hails from a lineage where music has been taboo for generations. In his quest to uncover family mysteries during the Day of the Dead, he journeyed into the realm of the deceased. The clock was ticking as he navigated through this otherworldly landscape, striving to return to the land of the living before it was too late.

On a lighter note, if you’re yearning for more enchantment from Coco, Disney California Adventure has announced plans for a Coco-themed ride – although we’ll have to wait a few more years to experience it.

Stiller elaborated on the delay for season two: “We encountered a writers’ and actors’ strike, which set us back a bit. We eventually resumed production after that, filming for 186 days in total. Editing takes time, but thankfully our audience was patient and eagerly awaited our return. The wait added to the anticipation.” However, according to Puck on April 27, 2023, the delay was due to conflicts between show creator Dan Erickson and executive producer Mark Friedman, a claim Stiller didn’t explicitly deny. In an interview with The Interview on January 11, he acknowledged challenges but downplayed their significance: “It wasn’t always smooth sailing. We faced periods of difficulty, but these were due to everyone striving for the best possible outcome. There were issues that arose, but they weren’t significant.” So, rest assured, our beloved goats will be returning soon!

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel exhilarated at the thought of someone challenging Alan Cumming’s authoritative reign. “He’s just a immature, power-hungry man,” she later admits, referring to her father. “Why should I be afraid of him? He may have power, but it doesn’t faze me. Money can’t intimidate me. I don’t care if he owns Twitter or any other platform. It’s just a tool, after all.” This dialogue reminds me of Phaedra Parks standing up to Pilot Pete Weber during season two. If someone were to look Paige DeSorbo straight in the eyes and say, “We’re calling a spade a spade, you’re a traitor,” that’s the kind of boldness that makes a Peacock subscription worthwhile.

Various actors and directors, such as Emma Stone and Karyn Kusama, have commended coordinators for enhancing set environments during sensitive scenes. Michaela Coel, winner of the BAFTA for I May Destroy You, expressed gratitude towards her intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien, stating, “Thank you for your role in our industry, for ensuring safety, for establishing physical, emotional, and professional boundaries so that we can tackle themes like exploitation, disrespect, and the misuse of power without becoming victims ourselves.” O’Brien was the first intimacy coordinator to work on a Netflix production for Sex Education, paving the way for this role in television and film. At first, she felt like a pioneer. However, it remains uncertain whether the industry continues to view her position in the same light.