For Devon, it was as if she was swimming from Ethan’s boat to Cliff House’s beach without any concern for being noticed by a multitude of security cameras. Unperturbed, she made her way into Simone’s private room to confront her. There, in the heart of the night and within Simone’s oversized closet, all secrets hinted at in the first episode about their sisterly history emerged, although somewhat comically so.
First, we encounter the central figure of our story, Russ “Rocket” Waddell, portrayed by Simon Rex, a former star pitcher whose velocity has waned, leading the Montgomery Cheesemongers into an unfortunate losing streak. It’s hard not to think that someone working on Poker Face is a fan of Red Rocket, as the character seems like a deliberate nod to Rex’s previous role. Fans still attend Velvety Canned Cheese Park to watch these minor league games, but a comeback seems unlikely. In truth, Lucille (Carol Kane), the park owner, hints at Russ’s impending job loss. Manager Skip Dooley (Gil Birmingham) confirms this, revealing that the GM has decided to let Russ go and his final starting game is approaching before his enforced retirement.
Titled “Sirens,” this Netflix series shares a wealthy New England setting with another recent comedy, “The Perfect Couple.” It subtly explores profound themes such as how wealth can impact relationships, the potential suffocating effect of co-dependency, and the influence of family backgrounds. Julianne Moore delivers an exceptional performance as Michaela Kell, a billionaire wife whose character is fraught with anxiety over small details like her husband’s chocolate choice. Glenn Howerton skillfully transfers Dennis Reynolds’ eccentricities from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” into the role of a playboy, who is taken aback to learn that someone he knows had a foster care upbringing.
The portrayal of the one percent and their followers, including a trio of women who communicate in unison and favor coordinated outfits, adds an intriguing edge, preventing the show from veering into unwanted wealth fetishization. However, it truly shines as a domestic soap opera, chronicling the lives of two sisters who grew up in the same working-class home but took very different paths in their quest to escape their past. The most compelling moments occur when Devon (Fahy) and Simone (Alcock) confront each other, resulting in intense and poignant scenes of emotional conflict.
Transition to: A disgruntled woman exits a police station, clad in a mini dress and heavy eyeliner – a clear sign of someone grappling with life’s complexities. This is Devon, a woman battling to maintain her composure, sobriety, and family bonds. Actress Meghann Fahy swiftly draws me into Devon’s corner, as her predicament unfolds within mere seconds. Not only has her sister, Simone (Milly Alcock), vanished without a trace, but learning about their father, Bruce (Bill Camp), suffering from early-onset dementia, she opted for an Edible Arrangement instead of tangible aid. The sheer incongruity and ostentatiousness of such a large, cantaloupe-laden Edible Arrangement cannot be overemphasized.
Discussing benefits, following the sunrise spectacle, there’s a game designed for everyone to secure an edge in the immunity challenge. Each participant receives a peculiar large padlock-like object where the Beware Advantages were hidden. They are then instructed to crack the code using clues scattered around camp. In the end, Eva manages to decipher the word ‘SECURE’, earning her reward – bypassing one simple step in the challenge. Interestingly, this step seemed to have been easily accomplished by most contestants within a couple of tries. Seems like Jeff’s help didn’t exactly come in handy.
I must apologize to West, Jesse (I’m unsure of the correct spelling), and the rest of the crew for my disappointment with their event. While it seems well-intentioned, the theme appears vague and I’m struggling to understand the choice of a “scary” party at this time of year. It almost feels like an early Halloween celebration. As for the costumes, most could use improvement except for Lindsay’s clever interpretation of The Handmaid’s Tale, which wonderfully incorporates her pregnancy. I also admired wacky Auntie Danielle’s creative take on Patricia Bateman, a refreshing twist on a classic character. In comparison, Jesse’s portrayal of Patrick Bateman fell flat, particularly since it seems to be the go-to costume for every handsome man. It’s unfortunate that even in costume, Jesse can’t shake off the allegations. Poor guy…
During the Disney Legends induction ceremony at D23 in 2024, it appears that Ford and Cyrus struck up a conversation about their forthcoming ventures. It seems they have developed a friendship along the way.
The “Final Destination” series is particularly challenging to spoil, given its unique premise: when individuals manage to cheat death by foreseeing impending disasters, they find themselves hunted by Death itself. Notably, very few characters in these films escape unscathed, with the majority meeting their fate in creative and gruesome ways. Death exhibits a dark sense of humor and a fondness for intricate Rube Goldberg-like sequences, making each sequel a showcase of increasingly elaborate deaths. To its merit, “Final Destination: Bloodlines” introduces a twist, even if it adheres to the predictable ending formula.
Layla goes to Park City to share beignet mix and tell Taylor about Demi’s ultimatum. They discuss how surprising it was when Demi mentioned things that might affect Taylor’s contact with her children. Layla, in an uncomfortable manner, informs Taylor that she isn’t invited to Demi’s Christmas party, as Demi seems to have mistakenly shared the invitation in a different group chat. Liann arrives and jokingly suggests crashing the party for Taylor. The whole scenario is similar to if Regina George’s mother from “Mean Girls” was also a foreshadowing device from Chekhov’s gun.
From the very beginning when the show debuted in 1982 with “Give Me a Ring Sometime,” it was clear that the foundations of its main character’s greatness were already laid. In this initial episode, we witnessed the first of the 273 engaging conversations between Norm and the bar patrons after he walked in. Sam Malone, the bar owner and former Red Sox pitcher, played by Ted Danson, would always welcome Norm with a friendly callout: “How ya doin’, Norm? Whaddaya know?” To which Norm would respond humbly, “Not enough,” before settling into his usual spot.