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As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that the plot would have been intriguing if not for the overbearing and instantaneous air of authority that Rivers carries around. It seems assumption is his preferred method of operation, as an investigator. Instead of delving into the circumstances surrounding Nathan Jordan’s (Larry Pine) demise, he jumps to conclusions, assuming that the wealthy real estate mogul was murdered by his wife-in-name, Helen (Victoria Clark), and her boyfriend, Dr. Jason Yamamoto (Phil Nee). In his mind, they must have collaborated to eliminate him for his fortune!

The latest adaptation of Matlock deviates from its original in numerous aspects. Unlike before, it incorporates an ongoing narrative alongside weekly cases, focusing less on traditional crime-solving procedures and more on office politics. However, similarities can be drawn to the original series when it comes to courtroom scenes. In this version, Olympia’s team employs a unique method of representing clients through feelings, intuition, and fortunate accidents. As I noted in my footnotes last week, “good lawyering” for these attorneys often means serendipitously discovering crucial evidence. It’s somewhat similar to the portrayal of skilled poker players in films, who always seem to draw the best cards.

Fortunately, Gabby managed to survive, possibly due to my negotiations with higher powers aimed at securing that specific result. Unfortunately, it was Tom Sandoval who met his end in the night. This turn of events might bring joy to his adversary, Dolores, but I’ll dearly miss Tom’s amusing arrogance. Even as he received word of his demise, he claimed he had seen it coming, given his perceived threat level within the group. “I didn’t know I’d be this good at it,” he quipped about his gameplay, a statement that was both poignant and comical, considering his earlier struggles with the game. However, did Tom truly lose? It’s intriguing to observe how The Traitors can influence a player’s preconceived image, and in this case, I believe the show worked wonders for Tom as it transformed him from an antagonist into a court jester. “For once, you were actually Faithful,” Alan says as he discards Tom’s portrait, a line the show had been waiting to use all season.

At exactly noon, Dana demonstrates her nurturing side fully. She consoles Heather when she reveals her miscarriage (Heather’s comment about the stroller really upset me), and manages Robby’s questions regarding his senior resident without adding to his stress. Dana finds Javadi’s awkward attempt to ask Mateo out on a date amusing yet refrains from humiliating her. She skillfully handles Doug Driscoll, our temperamental patient, as he continues to vent at the staff for their long wait time and belittle others due to his assumption of their financial status, and harasses sweet Mateo with racist remarks. Dana maintains composure by repeatedly explaining that patients are attended based on urgency, and Doug might leave when offered an AMA form, but unfortunately, he returns after learning about the importance of waiting for doctors to review his lab results. As always, Doug remains angry.

At exactly noon, Dana demonstrates her nurturing side fully. She consoles Heather when she reveals her miscarriage (Heather’s comment about the stroller really upset me), and manages Robby’s questions regarding his senior resident without adding to his stress. Dana finds Javadi’s awkward attempt to ask Mateo out on a date amusing yet refrains from humiliating her. She skillfully handles Doug Driscoll, our temperamental patient, as he continues to vent at the staff for their long wait time and belittle others due to his assumption of their financial status, and harasses sweet Mateo with racist remarks. Dana maintains composure by repeatedly explaining that patients are attended based on urgency, and Doug might leave when offered an AMA form, but unfortunately, he returns after learning about the importance of waiting for doctors to review his lab results. As always, Doug remains angry.

Three days after the expected arrival, JT arrives short of money – a classic joke. It seems that none of this group can manage to catch a flight or apply sunscreen properly. Craig’s face is as red as the warning flags Shep should have been receiving about Sienna. Molly has a burn on just one shoulder that’s so severe she can’t wear a pink dress. As for Ryan, well… he certainly showed off his physique when he was on the boat in only his swim trunks, but I couldn’t get close to him because even a gentle wind would aggravate his sunburn, making any romantic escapades in the surf out of the question.

In episode nine, it’s clear that Sara was using TikTok one evening, with Ben by her side, both appearing on-screen before their wedding. Suddenly, she stumbled upon a TikTok about a man connected to the Minneapolis cast. Sara interpreted the TikTok as criticizing reality TV for glorifying poor male behavior and mistreatment of women and others. Ben acknowledged watching the video and admitted it likely referred to him. He explained that he had met the woman in the video on Tinder four years ago, they went on a few dates, and then he stopped responding (ghosted her). However, he couldn’t recall specifics about their relationship. He also mentioned blocking her on social media after seeing the videos. Sara chose to trust Ben, but seemed somewhat doubtful and puzzled.

In the films Hackman stars in, a smile or grin from him often indicates potential imminent violence or cruelty. For instance, in “The Quick and the Dead,” his character, John Herod, uses insinuating smiles to manipulate others, such as when he warns Sharon Stone’s character to leave town. In this scene, his smile signals danger, whether it be a physical attack or a more prolonged act of cruelty. Similarly, in “The French Connection,” Hackman’s character Popeye Doyle uses a persistent, nonsensical question to disorient suspects during interrogations. So, if you see Hackman flashing his teeth in delight, beware, as it may signal an aggressive or malicious act coming up.

Similar to numerous past hits on this network, TLC’s latest series features a large, charismatic family filled with larger-than-life personalities (seven children! two nannies! various pets!). However, unlike previous families who were unknown, this one is led not by ordinary Middle Americans but by Alec Baldwin, a half EGOT recipient, and his often-tabloid-targeted spouse Hilaria. Unlike other shows on TLC that aim to make its leads into stars, The Baldwins leverages star power to create a successful reality show. In this aspect, it certainly breaks away from the traditional TLC formula, although such departures are not uncommon for the network.

In 2022, the initial installment of “The Rehearsal” caught everyone off guard with its unexpected popularity. It ignited a wave of memes (“city of doors”), sparked discussions on social media, and generated numerous essays exploring the ethical implications of Fielder’s innovative experiment. Amy Gravitt, HBO’s executive vice-president, commented on the show’s renewal by saying, “Nathan has ignited such a vibrant dialogue with ‘The Rehearsal.’ We have no clue where season two will lead us, and that’s the charm of this groundbreaking series from an exceptionally unique creator.