Entertainment

In this final half-season, the John Dutton murder plot has dominated the storyline, leaving the ranch hands and their tales feeling detached and unimportant. However, as the Duttons struggle to maintain their hold on their only home and the elders confront the prospect of departure, a sense of nostalgic sadness pervades. Although I’d rather not see more Four Sixes scenes – last week, eliminating the ranch hands resulted in the best episode of the season – it’s comforting to know that everyone’s storylines are interconnected and contribute to one cohesive narrative.

Wayne Northrop, well-known for playing Detective Roman Brady on the soap opera Days of our Lives, has passed away at the age of 77. Six years ago, he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, as confirmed by a statement obtained by People. His wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, wrote that he took his last breath surrounded by family. “He was an exceptional husband for 43 years, the most wonderful father to our sons Hank and Grady, and a devoted rancher who cherished his cows and was admired by many,” she said. The Motion Picture and Television Home is thanked for the care they provided him during his illness.

Good news, folks! Joe’s still with us. And then some. Just when it seemed our girl was staring down a permanent sunset, she’s alive and literally kicking the shit out of hospital staff in a blind rage. Turns out the shrapnel in her side was a piece of her cell phone, lacerating an artery that could take her out again real quick if she doesn’t take it easy for at least the next week. “All I’ll say is that the devil’s showing’ aces,” the doctor tells her. “Think it through before you play your hand.” Love when Sheridan gets a little cowboy lyric in via some side character you’ll never see again. Anyway, Joe’s response to this omen is about as cautious as you’d expect, and it bodes ill for the rest of the Lioness crew, who find themselves in a sinister game of international speed poker with no option but to play the cards you’ve got against the devil’s aces.

You gotta love Outlander, the show that continues to pump out episodes with at least three events that are so major they all easily could carry the A-plot of their own installment. It makes sense: We’re headed into the final stretch of our time traveler story, so there is no time to waste. I knew what was coming in the back half of season seven (book readers, you with me?), and yet I still did not expect we’d get so much of it all at once as we do in “Brotherly Love.” I mean, by the end of it, I was like, wait, is this the same episode where Ian died? That seems wrong. But it is right!

Spoilers follow for this season of The Great British Baking Show, the finale of which debuted on Netflix on Friday, November 29. 

Is it beneficial to re-create sticky notes (Post-its)? Absolutely. In an interview with People, Mira Sorvino revealed that a sequel to the movie Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is close to being approved, with the creators having already finalized their deals as executive producers. Robin Schiff, the original screenwriter, has written several drafts of an engaging, humorous script that aligns well with fans’ expectations. There are rumors about filming it during the second quarter of the year, and a director has been hired; however, they are still waiting for the green light. Interestingly, Sorvino mentioned that most characters from the original movie who were significant will be returning, including Alan Cumming, whose participation is eagerly anticipated.

This season, it appeared as though numerous contestants struggled with their final performances: Dylan faltered during the finale, the show produced a rather uninspired challenge, and Georgie nearly failed to execute her promised roll-down after winning. Fortunately, Paul Hollywood held her accountable and ended up soiled with grass stains. In the end, Georgie proved worthy of the victory and became not only the first Welsh champion but also the first Welsh finalist. While this might seem insignificant to those outside the UK, the sense of national pride within its borders is quite substantial. As Ted Lasso once said, “How many states are in this country?” The number is significant! However, Georgie represented her nation admirably.

Mikey Madison shines in Sean Baker’s movie “Anora” this year! As the main character Ani, she delivers an outstanding performance that is both funny and moving, with a Brooklyn accent, some revealing scenes, and lots of talent. The film premiered at Cannes, won the Palme d’Or, and ever since then, Madison has been mentioned as a strong contender for the Oscars.

Currently, network dramas are experiencing a revival, boosted by the popularity of shows like Matlock and High Potential, as well as the intriguing yet questionable content of Doctor Odyssey. In contrast, most of the new fall network sitcoms are aimed at capitalizing on established success. Only one, Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, is a direct continuation of an earlier show. However, Poppa’s House and Happy’s Place (or perhaps Poppa’s Place and Happy’s House) are mainly created as platforms for well-known comedy actors. It should be noted that this model has proven effective; stars like Reba McEntire and the Wayans family can easily generate excitement without much effort, which gives both shows a strong start.

What sets Steve Zahn apart is his ability to transform ordinary roles into extraordinary performances. This week, I watched Silo with my youngest, who was home from college for the holidays. Although it was their first time watching Silo, they had previously encountered Zahn in That Thing You Do! and as the voice of “Bad Ape” in War for the Planet of the Apes. Afterward, we discussed how Zahn’s scenes in “Solo” captured our attention. In this role, he portrays a character who is both unpredictable and vulnerable, and his raw, shaky performance left us both yearning to reach out and comfort Solo, even though he seemed capable of harming us.