Cobie Smulders, she of Avengersand How I Met Your Mother fame, has been cast in an ABC drama pilot from writer Jason Richman (Mercy Street).

The series is called Stumptown, and it is an adaptation of a series of modern-day detective fiction graphic novels published by Oni Press. Launched in November 4, 2009, the first Stumptown series ran for four issues, with a second and third series beginning in September 2012 and September 2014, respectively. The third volume is currently ongoing.

The story follows Dex Parios, played by Smulders, who Deadline describes as "a strong, assertive, and unapologetically sharp-witted Army veteran working as a P.I. in Portland, OR. With a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, she solves other people’s messes with a blind eye toward her own."

The first comic series begins in the middle of Dex's attempted murder, then flashing back to Dex's attempt to track down the granddaughter of the casino owner who has promised to forgive Dex's gambling debt in exchange for finding the girl. It's unclear how closely the adaptation will stick to this story.Stumptown sounds like it has the potential to be a pretty cool character-driven serialized drama, with a complex female character who is "unable to hold down a steady job, spinning her wheels, running up gambling debts, waiting for trouble to catch up with her — and so it does."

Smulders will appear once again in the MCU as Maria Hill in Spider-Man: Far From Home. She was last seen in, sob, Avengers: Infinity War.

Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek. Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt.

This I Am the Night review contains spoilers.

I Am the Night Episode 5

I Am the Night episode 5, "Aloha," opens at Dr. George Hodel's (Jefferson Mays) 1949 incest trial. A psychiatric expert is explaining how 14-year-old Tamar suffers from a kind of dementia that causes delusions of grandeur and comes from a mania for sex. This was apparent even when Tama was 11. The daughter has been making up stories about her father for a long time, and the list of accusations includes the Black Dahlia murder, the testimony continues.

The series has a lot of ground to cover in the George Hodel backstory, most of which directly affects how we see the main character, Fauna Hodel (India Eisley), his granddaughter. Jay Singletary (Chris Pine) covered the original trial. It destroyed his career. As he drops off 500 beautiful words clearing murder suspect Brody Styles in a case he was assigned by "Sun-Examiner" night shift managing editor Peter Sullivan (Leland Orser), he comes bearing gifts. Jay says he's found Hodel's granddaughter and his investigation is coalescing into something resembling actual proof. All he needs is two tickets to Hawaii and Jay promises an A-bomb of a story.

Further reading: I Am the Night: A Black Dahlia Primer

As difficult as it is to sell the idea of two tickets to paradise to a newspaper editor, it is downright impossible to put it over on the woman who raised Fauna. This isn't Jimmy Lee's (Golden Brooks) first trip to Los Angeles, and she pegs Jay as a pervert, ripping up the plane tickets that will reunite Fauna and her birth mother Tamar. Jimmy Lee doesn't know Jay saved Fauna's life when she was being readied for an artistic display by Dr. Hodel's late protégé, Sepp (Dylan Smith). Once in Hawaii, Jay also saves Fauna from a dirty dance with a sailor on leave, teaching her a maneuver in the process.

There is only one bed at the motel Jay and Fauna are staying at, and he offers to sleep in the car while The Mamas & The Papas' 1967 hit "Dedicated To The One I Love" plays. While this is an anachronism in I am the Night's 1965 setting, it can be taken as a subtle reference to the friendship between the real-life Tamar Hodel and the singer Michelle Phillips, who sang soft counterpoint to Mama Cass's belting voice.. Their relationship is fraught with conspiracy theories of a child abuse underground which flourished in Hollywood from the time of the Black Dahlia murders through the sexual revolution of the sixties.

Jay offers up his own disturbing revelation after waking Fauna up with his nighttime screams. The former veteran and proficient killer was dreaming about bellying up to a bar filled with patrons who'd died at his hands, including new barfly Sepp. This is similar to the ghosts which haunt Wayne Hays in HBO's True Detective season 3 in that he is not disturbed by them in the real time of his subconscious, even as it drives him to yell loud enough to wake up someone from a parked car.

Jay admits to Fauna he was surprised at how good it felt to take lives. We wonder if Jay could be some kind of a pathological killer, addicted to the pleasure of others' pain, even as he constantly punishes himself by getting into bar fights. Is he embattled because he wants some kind of physical redemption, or because he cherishes the idea he may get the chance to kill again? Either way, Fauna forgives him in spite of himself.

The mother and child reunion doesn't go as planned for either character. Fauna learns the horrible truth behind her existence. She is a product of an incestuous union, while Tamar's experience is ruined by all the questions her daughter has. Fauna leaves Hawaii without her innocence, hating Jay for failing to warn her of her origin story. He's not done making her life hell, though, as his editor wants him to break the only promise that means anything to him and Fauna: leaving her out of the story he's chasing. Sullivan even promises to send Jay to Vietnam as the paper's war correspondent.

Tamar's meeting with Jay is more revelatory. She gives him a series of portraits her father did. Not only do they include Elizabeth Short, but also Janice Brewster, the dead and mutilated woman Jay was originally tasked to solve. The evidence doesn't impress Sullivan, who is only interested in Fauna. It turns out the night editor is Jay's biggest betrayer, delivering him into the hands of LAPD Sergeant Billis (Yul Vazquez).

Hodel's reunion with Jimmy Lee (Golden Brooks) is a pivotal scene. She is ready to take up where they left off and even remembers his favorite meal. He is ready to slice her open. Hodel complains about the knives she keeps in her kitchen, a cook is only as good as their tools, and hers are not nearly sharp enough to get to the freshest meat. This is a man who knows his tools. He is a gynecologist with an eye for detail. But everything on the show is telegraphed ahead of time for convenient scrutiny. It needs more of the mystery of its hazy past.

further reading: I Am the Night Review (Spoiler Free)

I am the Night gets darker and more complex as it moves backward in time. Hodel was acquitted of incest in 1949 and the trial caught the attention of the LAPD unit investigating the Elizabeth Short killing. They bugged his mansion in a bid for the truth, and the subject of the Black Dahlia killing was even raised. Corinna Hodel (Connie Nielsen) applies basic art appreciation to the family history like she's putting on lipstick in a moving car. The series has been splattering the canvass with the promise of lurid textures, but gets bogged down in the blend. The series continues to meander as I am the Night episode 5, bids "Aloha" to the mystery of Fauna's mother.

I Am the Night airs Mondays on TNT.

Culture Editor Tony Sokol cut his teeth on the wire services and also wrote and produced New York City's Vampyr Theatre and the rock opera AssassiNation: We Killed JFK. Read more of his work here or find him on Twitter @tsokol.

This American Dad! review contains spoilers.

American Dad! Season 15 Episode 16

“People depend on my personas, Stan. It might not seem like it, but this town would fall apart without me.”

American Dad! has earned the luxury of being around for a very long time and it’s gotten to reach some landmark episodes throughout its run. In the past, the series has taken a sensationalized event TV approach towards pivotal installments, like the show’s 100^th, 150^th, and 200^th episodes, some of which have literally ended the world. The stakes may be high in these episodes, but they’ve also all turned out to be some of the series’ most passionate, love letters to the fandom.

American Dad! continues this loving tradition with the show’s 250^th installment, “Persona Assistant,” and the results are easily on par with the hijinks present in “100 A.D.” or “The Two Hundred,” yet a much more intimate story gets told this time around.

The introduction to “Persona Assistant” is as close to perfect as it gets and effortlessly illustrates just how difficult Roger’s life is due to the many personas that he juggles on a day-to-day basis in order to help the world go round. It’s actually a little surprising that the show has never done a sequence of this nature before, since American Dad! has explored the intricacies of Roger’s personas in various ways in the past. However, the arduous nature of all of this serves a very important point in “Persona Assistant,” and that’s that Stan will soon have to take on these roles and get a taste of Roger’s life/lives. It’s a fun and clever way to effectively establish the stakes for this episode.

The audience knows that Roger’s character-playing tendencies run rampant, but “Persona Assistant” makes it clear just how out of control and ridiculous they’ve become at this point in the series. His skills now range from everything to newborn babies, to prostitutes, to ostrich-riding serial killers, to entirely different species, which is still just a fraction of what’s on Roger’s docket here. All of this is eloquently capped off with a brilliant gag where Roger’s persona responsibilities are running him so ragged that he can’t even appear in Stan’s car during the show’s theme song to complete the verse. In spite of this, Stan remains unsympathetic to Roger’s busy schedule until he’s forced to experience it for himself.

Roger’s commitments become so cumbersome that a stress tumor takes him out of commission from his duties and Stan haphazardly saddles himself with Roger’s many personas. Naturally, Stan fails to take this job seriously at first, even though Roger stresses the butterfly effect-like consequences that will happen if his personas aren’t properly put to use. Stan gives up pretty quickly (it’s Roger’s incontinent jai alai instructor character that breaks the camel’s back here, FYI) and in almost no time at all Langley Falls plummets into disarray.

The Rube Goldberg-like chain of events that result in an all-out mob war is another concise sequence that rivals the episode’s introduction. Not only does Stan finally appreciate what Roger does, but in a rather poetic moment he comprehends that the beautiful version of his country that he proudly salutes every morning is a byproduct of Roger’s personas.

Read More: 10 American Dad! Episodes that Family Guy Fans Would Love

The final act sees Stan stoop to desperate measures to right these many wrongs before Roger realizes that he’s screwed up. These dire tactics include Stan pulling one of Roger’s retired personas out of commission, but not just any persona, the most objectionable character that’s ever graced the show, Ricky fucking Spanish. “Persona Assistant” keeps things fresh and fluid when the tables turn yet again. Stan as Ricky Spanish handles the mob problem with no difficulty, but then Stan succumbs to the dangers of this character and soon becomes the tyrant that holds Langley Falls hostage.

This all builds to a very impressive conclusion where Roger (as Jeannie Gold, no less) needs to stop his worst creation—and ostensibly take on himself—to make sure that the horrors of Ricky Spanish don’t completely decimate the town. This is already too good to be true before the whole showdown gets scored to Steve’s frenetic scatting. It’s a conclusion that truly underscores how powerful Roger’s personas are and that he’s the only one that can handle such a responsibility. The premise that this task is like some ancient prophecy or that Ricky Spanish is a dark curse that must be contained work pretty well for me. It gives Roger and his roles the proper credit that they deserve.

It would have been totally fine if this ode to Roger via Stan was the episode’s sole storyline, but American Dad! continues to play to its strengths here and delivers a B-story that revolves around Steve singing. If anything is worthy of detracting focus from Roger, it’s Steve’s golden vocal chords and “Persona Assistant” places him within the school’s jazz choir. The episode finds a surprising direction to take Steve’s new passion as it turns out that “Jazzma Attack” is rife with “swing enhancing” drug use.

This kind of storyline has popped up before in American Dad!, but there’s something so purely funny about Steve taking amphetamines or cocaine so he can scat faster during his solos. He turns to this dark place for such an innocent reason and it makes his fall from grace all the more hilarious and tragic. He tries to rat out his team and be the “good guy” here, but Principal Lewis’ insistence that Steve gives in to these influences makes for a twisted obstacle to knock him down.

“Persona Assistant” has some very satisfying stories at its core and some tremendous deep cuts for the longtime fans, but this is an episode that’s also rife with fantastic random non-sequitur gags, like Principal Lewis’ music room office, Klaus catfishing as an Alexa, or basically anything Francine says in this episode. The laughs are fairly constant through this one, which is kind of incredible for a show’s 250^th installment.

On that note, “Persona Assistant” decides to make some lasting changes to American Dad! in honor of this milestone of an episode. Roger’s debilitating tumor gets removed, but it soon begins to grow into an odd baby version of Roger that the alien affectionately names, Rogu. The Smith family officially gains a new peripheral character and I’m already very pro Rogu. Give me more Rogu. Do a Gremlins riff with Rogu. And when Rogu’s not on screen, let other characters be asking, “Where’s Rogu?”

American Dad!’s 250^th installment is a memorable episode in what’s already been a very consistent season for the show. More than anything it’s comforting to see that so far into the series’ run that it’s still capable of feeling fresh and finding new and creative ways to celebrate its characters. “Persona Assistant” is a strong mix of what’s made this show work so well for over a decade as well as an encouraging look towards the future.

Daniel Kurland is a published writer, comedian, and critic whose work can be read on Den of Geek, Vulture, Bloody Disgusting, and ScreenRant. Daniel knows that the owls are not what they seem, that Psycho II is better than the original, and he’s always game to discuss Space Dandy. His perma-neurotic thought process can be followed at @DanielKurlansky.

Typing away with a little joy in our hearts as we write this, because if we can't have a new Gremlins film - and it appears we cannot, as Chris Columbus was still "actively talking about it" last April and we haven't heard a whisper since - then we are more than happy to have some kind of Gremlins-related visual media to enjoy until everyone in charge of the potential Gremlinsmovie reboot/reimagining/sequel/whatever gets their act together.

Variety has confirmed that WarnerMedia is planning a Gremlins animated series for its new streaming service! Filed firmly under "period piece" the prequel series "will follow Mr. Wing, the Chinese grandfather played in the films by Keye Luke, as a young man as he goes on adventures with the friendly Mogwai Gizmo." We presume he will not be actually called Gizmo in this show, though, because that wouldn't make too much sense.

TKO Studios comics co-founder Tze Chun is set to write and produce the new Gremlins series. He's previously worked on Gotham and Once Upon A Time.

It's been 29 years since the release of Gremlins 2: The New Batch and 35 years since the original Gremlins (feeling so old; too old) came out. Joe Dante directed both films, but the much more expensive sequel didn't do very well at the box office, which seems properly weird to think about now.

The film's creatures, who evolve if you feed the deceptively cute and benign Mogwai after midnight, went on to inspire the likes of Critters, Ghoulies, Hobgoblins, and Munchies, but none of those films were really a patch on the original idea.

We'll bring you updates on this new animated Gremlins series when they arrive.

Agents of SHIELD season 6 is a go! ABC announced that it would be renewing its lone Marvel show for a sixth season of 13 episodes, rather than the usual 22-episode order it has gotten for previous seasons. The network has also renewed the show for a seventh season, but has not said if that will be the show's final outing. However, with the smaller episode order and the season 7 renewal being announced prior to the summer start of season 6, a wrap-up might be in store after a solid run.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves! Here's what we know about Agents of SHIELD season 6 so far.

Agents of SHIELD Season 6 Cast

With Coulson confirmed to be dead after the events of Season 5, leaving Mack as SHIELD’s new director (you can read more about that below), one may find the idea that Clark Gregg is set to return for Season 6 more than a little curious. However, in an interview with Marvel, Gregg teases that the character he’ll portray is not Coulson, but a mysterious role. Calling the experience “very strange,” Gregg explains:

“[The Coulson role] became a very familiar skin in a way, so to find myself playing this other, very mysterious person, who is not Phil Coulson – and the mystery of who that person is, and why he looks like that – is something they have done groundbreaking, wild stuff with, that I’m really lucky to play.”

However, that is not to say that Phil Coulson is permanently out of the picture. As Gregg also teases of his SHIELD agent, who evaded an onscreen death in 2012’s The Avengers, followed by his apparent disease-dealt demise on Agents of SHIELD:

"They used to say [Coulson is] the glue of the Marvel Universe. I now think he's the cockroach of the Marvel Universe."

Consequently, we still wonder if he'll be back as Coulson, and if so, how? Perhaps, as a Skrull Coulson doppelganger, dovetailing with the alien shapeshifters'Captain Marvel introduction?

...In non-Coulson casting news, Revenge of the Fans recently revealed that Agents of SHIELD season 6 will have a notable guest star in the form of Anthony Michael Hall. Nothing is known about his role yet, but that's typical of Marvel casting announcements. Also set to recur, interestingly, is Joel Stoffer as Enoch, who in this new timeline is still very much alive and waiting for Fitz to wake up out in space. Fan favorite Briana Venskus will also return as Agent Piper.

Agents of SHIELD Season 6 Trailer

This one gets a bit spoilery, so viewer beware! However, if you want to get a peek at Mack as the new director in Agents of SHIELD season 6 (see Story section below), take a look. The ending may surprise you!

Agents of SHIELD Season 6 Release Date

We'll be getting 13 episodes, but it's going to be a long wait. The Agents of SHIELD Season 6 premiere won't happen until summer 2019. The sharp eyed folks at MCU Exchange noticed a "May 2019" release month at the end of a Valentine's Day highlights reel.

We'll update this when we have a more exact Agents of SHIELD Season 6 premiere date, but for now, we're wondering if it might be after Memorial Day to allow Avengers 4 to take center stage first and clear up that controversial ending to Avengers: Infinity War. No word yet on whether it will stay on Friday nights or move once again.

Agents of SHIELD Season 6 Story

While the amount of time left until the summer 2019 arrival of Agents of SHIELD Season 6 might make fans feel like entering a Fitz-like state of frozen hibernation to skip to the premiere, the series has released a much-needed morsel in the form of a preview pic. Arriving via TVLine, the Season 6 image shows longtime team member Alphonso “Mack” Mackenzie embracing the role that he took on at the end of Season 5, replacing the ailing Coulson as the new director of SHIELD.

read more: Agents of SHIELD Season 6 and the Future of the Marvel TV Universe

As Henry Simmons, who has played Mack on the series since the 2014 launch of Season 2, explains to the outlet of his character’s Season 6 arc:

“Personally, I love the challenge of being the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Mack has worked side-by-side with the people he now leads, and that works to his advantage — he’s one of them.” Adding, “But the one thing that can hinder Mack’s ability to lead is his reluctance to put the people he loves in the line of danger. As a result, this may lead to Mack’s toughest decision as director. What sacrifices will be made?”

It will certainly be interesting to see the state of the agency in Agents of SHIELD Season 6, since, as the picture implies, the organization appears to be on the way back to restoring its fully-staffed high-tech glory after the events of 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier forced the team to operate in a more spartan existence from the underground.

Meanwhile, there are still plans to develop Marvel shows for ABC. “We continue to be very excited with what they’re doing with SHIELD,” Dungey had said at the time. “We’ve tried a few things that haven’t worked out as well as we would’ve liked. We developed a couple things this season that we don’t think are going to end up going forward, so we’re going to look really carefully about what we do next, because the idea for us is to come up with something that works very well for both Marvel and ABC, so we’re going to continue to try there.”

So far, ABC hasn't had much luck with Marvel outside of Agents of SHIELD, though. A proposed spinoff, Marvel's Most Wanted, never got past the pilot stage, and there has long been talk of John Ridley developing a mystery Marvel show for the network, but that appears to have stalled entirely, with no mention of it in quite some time. Hopefully it's still alive. There was talk of a Damage Control TV series, too, but that may also be dead.

It sounds like they'll have to content themselves with Agents of SHIELD season 6 (and the recently confirmed season 7) until they can figure it all out. Of course, the big question is how will the events of Avengers: Infinity War impact Agents of SHIELD season 6, right? Well, we're glad you asked, because we explain it all right here!

Michael Ahr is a writer, reviewer, and podcaster here at Den of Geek; you can check out his work here or follow him on Twitter (@mikescifi). Joseph Baxter is a contributor for Den of Geek and Syfy Wire. You can find his work here. Follow him on Twitter @josbaxter.

Maybe Netflix doesn't need Marvel after all? In the same month that the streaming service finally cancelled its remaining Marvel series, The Punisher and Jessica Jones, it's reportedly had a huge amount of success with its new superhero show The Umbrella Academy, an adaptation of Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's comic book series of the same name.

Data firm Parrot Analytics (via Screen Rant) claims that The Umbrella Academy is currently the top digital original series in the US, with a "demand expression" of 30.77 million. The company uses a specialised audience demand measurement algorithm to weigh up a combination of engagement and viewership, an approach that is growing in popularity, as Netflix rarely provides official figures on its films and shows.

A chart accompanied the new report, showing that The Umbrella Academy was sitting in the top 0.03 percent of all TV shows and indicating "widespread global demand." You can see that chart below...

Season 1 of The Umbrella Academy was released on Feb. 15, and followed a group of gifted children who had grown up and disbanded after having a multitude of issues with their father, an eccentric billionaire who left them in the care of a monkey butler and an robot mother during the times when they really needed him. Assembling for the old man's funeral, one of the old Academy returns from the future to warn them that an apocalypse set to wipe out humanity will happen in 8 days, and it seems as though the planet's only hope is for them to start working together as a team again.

The Umbrella Academy Season 2 has not yet been confirmed by Netflix, but we're expecting a statement soon on the future of the show.

Listen to the Sci Fi Fidelity podcast discussion of The Umbrella Academy:

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The Haunting of Hill House Season 2 isn’t really The Haunting of Hill House Season 2. As you know by now, Netflix has signed Hill House showrunner Mike Flanagan to a new deal and is turning last year’s Halloween horror hit into an anthology series. 

That new “The Haunting of” (or maybe just “The Haunting”) will continue in 2020 with The Haunting of Bly Manor.

What is Bly Manor, you ask? Glad you did, as we have answers. Just like The Haunting of Hill House was based on the classic horror novel of the same name, The Haunting of Bly Manor will be borrowing from another classic ghost story. Bly Manor is the setting of the 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw, written by Henry James (or Hank Jim as he’s come to be known around these parts). 

Granted, The Haunting of Hill House didn’t take much from the novel on which it was based. Some characters, themes, and the setting were all migrated over but Flanagan used them as only a jumping off point to tell his own modern ghost story. It would seem likely that The Haunting of Bly Manor would operate on a similar level - taking only a handful of elements here and there to create a “reimagining” that in reality ends up just being an entirely original story with heavy homage. 

Still, 2020 is a long ways away to wait for and The Turn of the Screw is just sitting there waiting to be read. With that in mind, here is what happens in The Turn of the Screw and how that might eventually influence The Haunting of Bly Manor.

The Turn of the Screw was written by Hank Jim (sorry: Henry James) during the gothic or dark romance period of the late 19th Century, in which authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe penned their famous works. Gothic literature in this case means that the author was clearly paid by the word and someone dies for seemingly no reason at the end (looking at you The Birthmark).

While The Turn of the Screw may be a touch long-winded for a ghost story novella, it is rather compelling once stripped of all its Victorian adornments. It’s a frame story that begins with some rich aristocrats sharing ghostly tales. One aristocrat in particular has a story that he’s sure will knock everyone on their ass. It comes from an older woman he used to know who has since died but she wrote a manuscript before she did.

further reading: The Haunting of Hill House Review

The manuscript, which takes up the meat of the novella, tells the unnamed woman’s story. The woman, who shall heretofore be known by her job title “The Governess,” interviews for the job of governess (a kind of home school teacher for rich kids) with a very handsome and charming rich man. The man says that he has recently become the guardian to his niece, Flora, and nephew, Miles, following their parents’ deaths.

The charming man wants the governess to become their live-in teacher on the country estate that the man owns: Bly Manor. The governess accepts the job for many times what she is usually paid on the condition that she never bother the charming man for any reason whatsoever. She, for all intents and purposes, is completely in charge of these kids alongside the Manor’s housekeeper, Mrs. Grose.

The governess gets set up in Bly Manor, which she finds pretty yet intimidating. Shortly after her arrival she receives a note from Miles’ school that the boy has been expelled for unknown reasons. She worries that Miles will be a little terror but when he and Flora arrive for the summer they are both anything but. In fact, these kids are almost supernaturally charming. The governess loves loves loves loves loves these brats and finds them unbearably beautiful and innocent.

Soon the governess begins to see mysterious specters on the castle grounds. At first she sees a dapper red-haired man routinely looking into the windows of the manor and occasionally looking down from its rampart windows. Then she sees a woman all dressed in black - oftentimes with her head in her hands as though devastated.

Through much needling of Mrs. Grose, the governess comes to believe that these two specters are recently deceased employees of the estate. The man is Peter Quint, a very improper and ungentlemanly man (Victorian speech for sex pervert) who died slipping on the ice on his way into town. The woman is Miss Jessel, the previous governess at Bly Manor who was sent away and died of unknown circumstances. Mrs. Grose kind of confirms that Quint and Jessel had a sexual relationship.

The governess sees Quint and Jessel several times and begins to go a little mad. She comes to believe that Quint and Jessel are after the children for some dark purpose for another. It turns out, however, that she’s probably right. The kids start to behave a little weird - a little more adult. Miles in particular begins to sound like Number Five from The Umbrella Academy. Flora even one day escapes Bly Manor and takes a little trip across the lake to presumably see Miss Jessel. 

The governess realizes that it’s time to write to the children’s uncle and also send Flora and Mrs. Grose away to get away from all the madness. The children will be safer separated and she will stay behind to be with Miles. 

further reading: The Haunting of Hill House Ending Explained

In the novella’s climactic scene, the governess demands to know why Miles was expelled from school. He says we will tell her…but then kind of doesn’t. It’s implied that he may have said coarsely sexual things to the other children? In fact, it’s implied throughout the book that Quint may have had an inappropriate sexual fascination with the children. Thing is though - this being a novella from the Victorian era, the prose can’t really come anywhere close to confirming that. Or perhaps the unclear nature of it all is specifically designed to increase the horror. 

Either way, just as Miles is about to tell the governess more, the visage of Peter Quint appears in the window and Miles’ body begins to break down as the poor little boy sweats and trembles in the governess’s arms. Then his heart stops and he dies. The end.

Yes, it really does end that abruptly as all gothic horror from the 19th century must. Still, there is more than enough going on within the novella’s limits that could make their way into The Haunting of Bly Manor. It’s highly unlikely that The Haunting of Bly Manor will be a direct adaptation of The Turn of the Screw. Just as Hill House moved the setting from the mid-20th century to present day, The Haunting of Bly Manor will likely move the story from the mid-19th century to present day, or close to it.

While the location of Hill House is never specified, it’s clear that Bly Manor is in England. It’s possible that The Haunting of Bly Manor will also take place in England but that seems rather unlikely. Flanagan likes to write what he knows and based on all of his previous output it’s clear that he appreciates setting things in locations that are familiar to him. Plus, it’s not like there aren’t any old manors in the U.S. There will almost undoubtedly be characters named Miles, Flora, and Mrs. Grose, though their roles could change quite a bit. 

One thing that seems certain, however, is that The Haunting of Bly Manor will feature children. There’s something about the presence of children that just makes ghost stories scarier. Perhaps it’s because we are more superstitious as children and therefore the presence of them in horror films and shows helps put us back in that mindset. The Haunting of Hill House made great use of its young cast and as such was able to examine how trauma can affect individuals as they grow and age.

The Turn of the Screw almost feels closer to The Haunting of Hill House the TV show in this regard. Perhaps the chief theme of the entire piece is the concept of innocence and the great lengths that adults will go to preserve it. Flora and Miles are the most important characters and symbols in The Turn of the Screw and it almost seems like a waste of the concept if The Haunting of Bly Manor doesn’t incorporate youthful innocence in one way or another. 

Beyond that, however, there is only one other thing that we can say for sure will end up in The Haunting of Bly Manor: ghosts, lots of them. The ghosts of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel are big parts of The Turn of the Screw. The Haunting of Bly Manor may not adapt their “characters” directly but perhaps their status as known, named ghosts, means that the show will delve into its respective ghosts histories even more than The Haunting of Hill House did with the Hill family. Even if these new ghosts don’t get names though, Flanagan has already made it clear that The Haunting of Bly Manor will feature plenty of the show’s patented “background ghosts.”

Many fans of The Haunting of Hill House were relieved that the show was letting the Crain family live happily ever after but also concerned that Bly Manor wouldn’t be able to live up to the heights of The Haunting of Hill House Season 1. Based on the novella season 2 will be based on, however, they needn’t worry. The Haunting of Bly Manor could very well look quite a bit like The Haunting of Hill House when it’s all said and done.

Listen to the latest Sci Fi Fidelity podcast:

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Alec Bojalad is TV Editor at Den of Geek and TCA member. Read more of his stuff here. Follow him at his creatively-named Twitter handle @alecbojalad

Believe it or not, American Dad had been turning out some of the most cutting edge, consistent animated comedy for over the past decade. 

While the Seth MacFarlane vehicle might have been quickly written off in its earlier years, the series has gone on to establish a strong, surreal voice in television and offers some of the strongest stories and characters on the medium. In honor of a whole slew of new episodes beginning to grace TBS for the show’s 15^th season, it seemed appropriate to highlight the series’ 25 best entries over the course of its twisted lifespan. 

1. Rapture's Delight (Season 5, Episode 9)

American Dad has comfortably fallen into the tradition of their Christmas episodes having some unusual, epic quality. Just like The Simpsons champion their Halloween installments, American Dad has decided to make their annual Christmas episodes appointment television. 

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Each seasonal greeting from the series is special, but “Rapture’s Delight” might be the only episode of the show that actually made my jaw drop and say aloud, “Holy shit.” This episode really has everything, from turning Bible scripture into a post-apocalyptic Mad Max-esque romp, to bewildering action sequences and a twist ending that still gives me chills when I think about. “Rapture’s Delight” is American Dad at its most untethered and has become the benchmark for not only all other Christmas episodes, but also all episodes of the series, period. 

2. Cops and Roger (Season 5, Episode 14)

It’s debatable, but I’d argue that “Cops and Roger” has the funniest visual gag to ever come out of American Dad (and I’d go as far as saying that it’s also one of the most surprising, satisfying gags in the history of animated sitcoms) and so for that honor alone this episode deserves mad accolades. On top of that, the installment also gets to have too much fun with Roger running amok in Bad Lieutenant mode, rising the ranks from trainee, to cop, to crooked cop before you have time to snort a line of coke.

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This is just a good example of how to have fun with Roger letting loose, while also incorporating a strong stable of absurd visual gags that keep the episode perpetually unpredictable. Now seriously, just watch this on loop.

3. Lost in Space (Season 8, Episode 18)

In terms of “big” American Dad episodes, this one is certainly on the Mt. Everest side of things. The series would play around with serialization to some extent by having Jeff get abducted by Roger’s species. Hayley would experience a lengthy separation from her spouse leaving audiences to wonder if we’d ever be seeing the return of him. Well, before (a) Jeff would end up back on Earth, the series would deliver one of their more anomalistic episodes, with the entire endeavor set on an alien spaceship and focused on Jeff. 

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“Lost in Space” is a memorable episode for the simple fact that it’s drowning in aliens and we get a closer look at the rest of Roger’s kind. But beyond all of the space madness, the episode also has a shining emotional core to it: Jeff’s love for Hayley. The memory montage of Jeff and Hayley moments is sweet in itself, but the episode then shifts into the legendary category for the incredibly choreographed sequence set to Wax Fang’s “The Majestic.” None of this pomp and circumstance is at all necessary here, but the fact that American Dad goes that weird extra mile just for a satisfying visual is exactly why they’re so great.  

4. Blood Crieth Unto Heaven (Season 8, Episode 10)

Anyone that has ever accused American Dad of not being smart should look no further than the stylistic experiment, “Blood Crieth Unto Heaven.” In a shining example of the sort of ambition that American Dad would cavalierly operate with, this episode is structured as a missing manuscript from a renowned playwright.

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Accordingly, the entire cast is put into the roles of a fractured family in a production that’s aping on Tracey Letts’ August: Osage County. American Dad marries its dark sense of humor with the melodrama of theater perfectly. This episode might take a few viewings to win you over, but it’s such a unique, surreal experience that truly tries to make you feel like you’re watching Pulitzer Prize-winning drama and not an animated sitcom.

5. Fart-Break Hotel (Season 6, Episode 9)

Francine episodes are few and far between when you take into consideration how often Roger and Stan are filling up airtime. That being said, the occasions where Francine is allowed to take center stage are usually not only delightful, but some of the strongest, most emotionally cathartic episodes that the series has to offer. 

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“Fart-Break Hotel” is a homerun for the large strides that it takes with Francine’s character (while reminding us how capable she is when actually given the opportunity), but also for the deliriously silly detour it gets into regarding time travel and the art of concierging (including Hector Elizondo, as himself, in some A+ guest work). Let us never forget how incredible the concrete CEO, Sarah Fucking Blanch, is.

6. The Great Space Roaster (Season 6, Episode 18)

There are so many excellent Roger episodes to pick from in American Dad, but the more I think about it, the more I end up coming to the conclusion that “The Great Space Roaster” might be his finest outing. The episode sees Roger celebrating his birthday and wishing for nothing more than his family to mercilessly roast him, an event that he doesn’t at all take well.

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The roast itself is an airtight sequence of comedy that highlights all of the reasons why Roger is such a fun character, such as his bizarre penchant for rape or the memo notes that he signs on his checks (“For drugs, yo.”). What follows is a bitter Roger setting out to kill the Smiths, with all of this culminating into one of the better bonding experiences between Roger and his surrogate family.

7. The Two Hundred (Season 12, Episode 10)

200 episodes is a tremendous milestone that only a select number of television shows have had the privilege of achieving. With the sort of spectacle that American Dad put together for their 100^th episode (see: killing 100 characters), understandably a lot of people would be expecting something even more extravagant/blood-thirsty this time around. Very wisely, “The Two Hundred” takes a page out of fan-favorite, “Rapture’s Delight” and transports the show’s setting to a desolate wasteland, draping everything in nuclear holocaust chic. 

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“The Two Hundred” balances equal parts fun and mystery with the situation that it presents, with it all acting as a welcome detour from the usual playground that the series operates in. All of this is a ton of fun, but it’s nothing compared to the entry’s big centerpiece—a sequence that’s a true gift for the fans that have been sticking around for 200 episodes—as Roger’s most memorable personae are run through with laser-like precision.

8. The Unincludeds (Season 12, Episode 11)

“The Unincludeds” has what I consider to be the single most perfect Roger storyline, making this installment mandatory viewing. Roger is convinced that he has made the perfect order at a restaurant, and wants his waitress to acknowledge as much. That’s it. But that simple kernel of narcissism sends Roger on a beautiful tirade that is a seamless distillation of his character and the sort of story that is only possible after doing 12 seasons of table setting. And that’s not even touching on the episode’s main plot, which sees Steve and Snot confronting time traveling (and rapidly mutating) versions of themselves in a mission to lose while simultaneously retain their virginities.

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This episode might not register or be a “clear choice” for many viewers, possibly because it’s such a recent inclusion (in fact, several episodes from last season have made the cut here, speaking to the overall quality of the series) or because it’s not a “big” episode. However, it’s exactly for this reason that “The Unincludeds” works so well and why I’m such a fan of it.

9. Bully For Steve (Season 5, Episode 16)

The topic of bullying is pretty rote for any show of this nature, especially with the predictable angle of Stan not approving of Steve’s methods of dealing with things. That’s why it’s so exciting that American Dad is able to break expectations with this tired trope. Stan ends up becoming Steve’s bully, which is a great idea, but what’s even better is Steve’s means of solving this problem, which is bringing in Stan’s old bully, Stelio Kontos. 

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The whole Stelio Kontos sequence alone makes this episode a classic, but other pieces of insanity like Principal Lewis seeing a werewolf on the security camera and Roger ultimately being hired by Cap’n Crunch for crime scene photography push this outing even higher. It’s also got one of the few appearances of Reginald Koala, the American Dad character that time forgot.

10. Virtual In-Stanity (Season 8, Episode 5)

Okay, there’s some pretty messed up stuff in this episode where Stan creates an avatar for Steve to go to prom with, that’s actually him in a virtual reality machine. We see Stan essentially dating—and nearly having sex with—his son, and yet the Roger sub-plot is what keeps bringing me back to this episode. Roger and Klaus start a limo service and a bunch of drunk frat boys stiff their bill of $20. 

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The rest of this storyline is pure insane bliss as Roger murders the five guys (and plenty more in collateral damage), with the series turning out just some truly graphic deaths in this episode. That final kill on the airplane is just nonsense and I love it! Also, the line, “Are you really going to kill five people over twenty dollars?” “Are you really asking that to the people who just last week killed six people over nine-teen dollars?” is just so, so perfect. And that car horn!

11. Ricky Spanish (Season 7, Episode 17)

It’s no secret that American Dad stumbled onto a veritable goldmine in the form of Roger’s many, many personae throughout the series. We’ve also been privy to witnessing Roger do some truly reprehensible things, so the concept of meeting the worst of Roger’s personae—someone that’s so vile that he’s gone as far as “retiring” the character—holds a ton of potential behind it. At the same time, such an idea also has the potential to inevitably be disappointing, with Spanish’s actions no way being as brutal as what we can imagine. Well, nope. Ricky Spanish is a pretty big motherfucker.

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Much of this episode sees the always reliable pairing of Steve and Roger going around and trying to right Ricky Spanish’s many wrongs, with the results getting increasingly ridiculous. This is an episode that by design is meant to be extreme and it doesn’t disappoint on the matter. Add to that an absolutely bonkers ending narration by Werner Herzog, ostensibly turning the entire episode into a documentary about innocence and labeling theory, and you’ve got a winning ending for an already strong episode.

12. Chimdale (Season 4, Episode 8)

“Chimdale” is one of American Dad’s earliest winners and representative of a formative time for the series where they would begin to find their voice, get crazier, and shed the stringent patriotic backdrop that so often would inform the series. “Chimdale” is just classic, madcap craziness, with Hayley, Francine, and Roger all sharing two passes for the luxurious Chimdale spa, with Chimdale’s relentless Spa Cop, Turlington, determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on. 

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That ridiculous premise and Turlington’s strong characterization alone would be enough to make this a satisfying episode, but it also involves a side story involving the revelation that Stan is in fact bald, with this information helping Steve find some confidence along the way. “Chimdale” is just a great time playing with tense set pieces and as soon as you’re finished you’ll be asking yourself why we haven’t gotten a Turlington spin-off series yet.

13. Hot Water (Season 7, Episode 1)

“Hot Water” is American Dad trying to be weird, from top to bottom, with the results being just so crazy that you have to get behind them. An innocuous story involving the Smiths buying a hot tub transforms into a horror story where the hot tub attempts to murder everyone. Also, it’s done largely through song. Also also, Cee Lo Green is not only providing his vocal stylings for the killer hot tub, but he also frequently pops into the episode in live-action form to talk to the audience. 

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“Hot Water” is a strong kick-off to the season that signals a creative resurgence that would push the show forward. There’s such passion and energy present here that it’s hard not to be a fan. The music is just straight-up addictive gold, too. Plus, that “cut to black” ending involving Stan’s death gets me every time and is this show messing with the audience in the best possible way.

14. 100 A.D. (Season 6, Episode 1)

Hundredth episodes are always given lofty expectations. American Dad appropriately plays into that expectation by dramatically killing off 100 characters, but this episode is really an opportunity to comment on Hayley and Jeff’s relationship, and Stan needing to come to terms with it. 

Jeff, and by proxy his relationship with Hayley, has been a welcome element to slowly grow through the show’s run and “100 A.D.” largely acts as the result of all of that hard work. Hayley and Jeff run off to get married with Stan off on a manic rampage to try and stop this. To be fair, while this is a two-part episode, more of the brilliance happens in this first half with “100^th episode energy” punctuating every line. It really feels like the script has been carefully combed through and perfected so this important episode can be as successful as possible, and “100 A.D.” manages to stands out in all the right ways. There’s so much delightful fan service here (like a Wheels and Legman appearance) that reminds you why you love this show in the first place. 

15. My Morning Straitjacket (Season 5, Episode 7)

On paper this episode shouldn’t necessarily work: Stan becomes obsessed with the band, “My Morning Jacket,” and proceeds to go on a Heavy Metal-like journey that is set to the group’s rocking soundtrack. And yet, I maybe became a “My Morning Jacket” fan because of this episode, so there’s a testament to the power of this bizarre piece of television. There’s really not much to this thing. The episode follows the basic pattern of Stan initially disapproving of something only to eventually completely co-opt the idea. “My Morning Straitjacket” is simply one huge, unnecessary love letter to the band that is fueled purely on co-creator Mike Barker’s passion for their music. Just embrace this weird premise, fall in love with some new music, and let the episode’s crisp, trippy visuals take you away. “We are the innovators and they are the imitators,” indeed.

16. May the Best Stan Win (Season 5, Episode 12)

In what’s surely the best Terminator and Valentine’s Day mash-up you’ll ever see, “May the Best Stan Win” sees Francine again feeling overlooked on Valentine’s Day. Suddenly a cyborg Stan from the future shows up, filling Present Stan with stories about he must train to take down the Robot Rebellion, with it all in fact being a ruse for Cyborg Stan to win Francine’s heart. There’s a lot to love in this story, like how Cyborg Stan speaks with a crazy American-Canadian-Spanish accent due to the state of the world in the future. All of this future business happens to have a really touching story hiding underneath it, and it is one of my favorite Stan and Francine episodes in the end. 

Then there’s also a glorious side-plot that sees Steve and friends discovering Toshi’s parents’ sex doll and setting out to make a shot-for-shot remake of the film Mannequin with it. I’d be more than happy if that were it, but Roger soon takes over and turns this into a production of The Goonies, which is still pretty wonderful. There’s also some fantastic trademark Roger backstabbing at the end that goes on to an absurd length.

17. Criss-Cross Applesauce: The Ballad of Billy Jesusworth (Season 12, Episode 17)

“Criss-Cross Applesauce” offers up some wonderful Stan and Roger rivalry work as Roger first discriminates Stan against playing basketball with him, until Roger is finally forced into a situation where he must come groveling to play along with Stan. This feud hits some pretty high extremes, with both Shaq and Yao Ming both getting wrapped up into this mess, too. 

That all being said, the real reason that this episode is on here is that Steve’s B-plot is very ambitiously told entirely through a “Trapped in the Closet” musical parody. Getting excuses for Steve to sing is always a good thing in my book, but this actually uses the music to tell an ornate story that goes as far as involving Principal Lewis and murder. “Trapped in the Locker” is a very bewildering decision, but it’s a fine example of how American Dad is still mixing things up so late in their lifespan. 

18. A Piñata Named Desire (Season 6, Episode 11)

Some episodes of American Dad go for a bigger message beneath all of the craziness, but this episode is just a strong example of the show being silly. This installment boils down to Roger and Stan dueling over who is the better actor, which finds a ton of material to pull from. 

Roger as an acting coach is a series of delights too, with his “Pudding Man!” non sequitur being the height of this nonsense. Just watching Stan and Roger fight over dominance is super satisfying and seeing this all culminating with the two of them performing in a play together (and then some) is such a bizarre route to take it all down. 

19. Death By Dinner Party (Season 14, Episode 8)

American Dad usually handles stylized genre parodies rather well and “Death by Dinner Party” is no exception. The entry is a nearly flawless mega pastiche of Agatha Christie murder mysteries, and the episode has so much fun indulging in these tropes and breaking these rules when necessary. Francine decides to throw a murder mystery dinner party, but there’s a cautionary warning out that a killer is on the loose who specifically targets such functions. The following whodunit escapades are deeply entertaining, but “Death by Dinner Party” actually puts together a compelling mystery. The clunky insertion of Uncle Colonel Withersby is an inspired move and a lot more successful than if a Roger persona were the deranged killer. Furthermore, Roger is actually the brunt of this scheme and the episode ends on an incredibly foreboding note where he swears revenge on everyone. It’s a dark, unexpected conclusion that helps this genre experiment stand out even more.

20. Shell Game (Season 14, Episode 4)

Roger and Steve are always a reliable pair, but “Shell Game” launches them into a particularly complex predicament that puts their lives in danger and so much more on the line. The two innocently begin this episode as budding birdwatchers, but their eagle eyes wrap them into a sordid conspiracy that feels like something from out of National Treasure. “Shell Game” fits an absurd amount into its 21 minutes and ridiculous characters like Commodore Francis Stoat and his Order of the Hand and Nest don’t allow this episode to slow down. Details like Roger’s eventual “egg madness” keep this one unpredictable and make it much more than some story of betrayal. The other story in “Shell Game” is peak surrealism. Francine buys a new zesty pasta sauce, Bongiovanni, for the family, which inexplicably turns them all into extreme Italian stereotypes. This metamorphosis is pure nonsense, but it’s hilarious nonsense and it’s appreciated to see the show commit to such an unusual gag. It’s a reminder that even a simple change in groceries can spur absolute pandemonium on American Dad.

21. Old Stan in the Mountain (Season 7, Episode 11)

Stan has displayed a number of staunch prejudices throughout American Dad’s run. Stan ends up besmirching the wrong old person’s reputation and gets a curse placed on him that prematurely ages him. Watching Stan cope with his new feeble body is a lot of fun, especially when he must scale Mount Kilimanjaro as the antidote to returning to normal. A lot of this episode coasts off of Stan’s attitude, but it’s a strong display of his firm, entrenched opinions opening up a sliver.

Stan and Francine pairings are also few and far between, but this episode executes one with hilarious precision as the two head to a dance competition together. Their story gets progressively complicated as Roger asks more and more of Francine, with dancing really being the last thing on his mind. This all involves a fantastic running gag as Roger reveals to Francine, “Francine, I haven’t been entirely truthful with you…” that starts off funny and then blossoms into magic by the episode’s end. 

22. Toy Whorey (Season 7, Episode 18)

While another episode about the dissymmetry between Stan and Steve, it’s also a shining example of Steve’s power of imagination and the series’ ability to take risks and go on creative detours. Stan is determined to rid Steve of the toys that he plays with, coming to the solution that if he loses his virginity, toys will naturally lose their luster with him. Stan takes Steve to Mexico to sleep with a prostitute, accordingly, with their trip interrupted by a drug cartel that ends up taking them hostage.

It’s here where the episode takes its strong stylistic jump as Steve transforms their prison into a fantasy world that highlights how toys and imagination can be a necessary element to tone down the harshness of life. This fantastical makeover is beautiful to look at and all of the living toys make for enjoyable, off kilter characters. Oh, and Roger maims people for steaks and wine.

23. (You Gotta) Strike For Your Right (Season 15, Episode 6)

"(You Gotta) Strike For Your Right" tells one of the better, nuanced examinations of Stan and Hayley’s relationship when workplace conditions come under fire. The episode cleverly flips their dynamic multiple times so the characters are constantly learning lessons while the status quo never gets to rest. This character study between Stan and Hayley is the episode’s focus, but the entry’s B-plot is so insane that it’s easily the more remarkable of the two storylines. “The Smith family watches the show Breaking Bad in reverse and discover the show is hiding a scavenger hunt,” is so damn stupid, but it turns into easily one of my favorite storylines that the show has ever done. It’s also something that’s so purely American Dad in its audacity. Roger, Steve, and Francine become “Reverse-os” and learn that Breaking Bad is actually an Illuminati-like code that sends them all over Albuquerque. The fact that Vince Gilligan lends his voice to this insane experiment is the icing on the cake.

24. The Talented Mr. Dingleberry (Season 14, Episode 21)

“The Talented Mr. Dingleberry” is one of the better examples of American Dad tipping its toe in the horror genre. This episode is like if Magic, Annabelle, and Shutter Island were thrown into a blender together and it tells a surprisingly deep story that sacrifices an alarming amount of lives. Steve relies on Roger to pretend to be a ventriloquism dummy, but this clever act quickly gets out of hand. Steve learns that Roger’s dummy persona actually has a long, vengeful history and he’s out for blood. Roger as a killer manually articulated performative kinesio maquette (don’t call him a dummy) is such a strong premise that never lets the audience down.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Smith family also stays busy with an absurd storyline that sees them attempt to get into the honey business with the use of their own bees. This is immediately a disaster and only gets worse for the family, but Francine’s alarming allergic reaction and Stan’s homemade poultice solution are both the things of nightmares. If killer dummies and crippling allergic reactions still aren’t enough for you, “The Talented Mr. Dingleberry” also finds an excuse for Steve to sing, which is always the marker of an instant classic.

25. Kloger (Season 14, Episode 9)

When a show goes on for as long as American Dad does, it’s all too likely that every viable romantic pairing possible is pursued in an attempt to spice things up. The show has indulged in this trope a number of times, but no affair is stranger than Klaus and Roger’s romantic tryst. On paper such an idea should be the nadir of wacky hookups, but “Kloger” finds some real heart by making Roger the jilted lover in this equation. It’s an unexpected twist that leads to some extreme gestures that send Roger and Klaus to prison. “Kloger” allows its premise to evolve and even though there’s a lot of sentimentality in place, there are still plenty of disturbing visuals, like Roger dunking Klaus into his mouth for sexual gratification. The subplot also sees Steve on a twisted mission to acquire Hayley’s pink eye that’s just gross enough to be memorable.

Power Rangers is a legacy, one of the few shows to run almost non-stop since its inception in 1993. Throughout those now 25 years, the series has had its ups, its downs, and its mehs. I’ve been watching since the ripe age of 2 and loved the series even through its more questionable years. 

However, sometimes nostalgia and memory play tricks on us, so I completed a rewatch of the series, thanks to Netflix. In that rewatch I realized some series were better than I remember, some worse, and some still didn’t make much of an impression. After viewing all the seasons I ranked them all from worst to best with a little explanation of why.

Quick note: I’m not including the “MMPR Reversioning” as a season. It’s just a few Photoshop effects over a smattering of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1 episodes, and it's nothing to write home about. I’m also rolling the Alien Rangers episodes into Season 3. 

So keeping in mind this is just my opinion, let’s get started, shall we?

25. Megaforce

Megaforce’s biggest crime is being boring. Nothing happens. The show feels like killing time with endless fights and little to no characterization for our main team. We’re lucky to get more than two minutes with our Rangers out of suit and even less for the supporting cast.

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The only saving grace of the season is the funky fresh, poppin' and lockin' Robo Knight who ultimately steals the entire show at the expense of everyone else. Trying to be just like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers without actually doing all of the things that made MMPR successful seriously hampered the show.

24. Samurai

You know, if you watch Samurai and pretend it’s an awful 4Kids dub of an anime? It’s amazing. But it isn’t, so we have to treat it as it is. Which is… awkward.

Everything in the show is nearly directly translated from its Japanese source material with little MMPR touches sprinkled throughout that make no sense. The acting is wooden all around, although with the dialogue given it’s hard not to be. “Now what about what I throw at you?!?” Ugh. 

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At least we have Antonio’s debut episode, which features quite possibly one of the most (unintentionally?) homoerotic moments in Power Rangers history. After not seeing Jayden for years, Antonio decrees, “Believe it baby, I’m back. And I’m ready for some action.”

23. Super Samurai

Pretty much copy and paste what I said above, with slight improvements all around and the best episode of both seasons in, “The Strange Case of the Munchies.” Wherein the actors are finally allowed to act, Bulk and Spike get real interaction with the team, and we get the immortal Mentor line, “This is crazy!” We also have Lauren, a rare female Red Ranger in the series who acts rings around the rest of the team and is just the best one in every way.

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22. Ninja Steel

I had a really tough time figuring out where to rank this season. Was it worse than Megaforce? I genuinely had to think about it and that's a bad sign.

Ninja Steel has a lot of interesting ideas that never go anywhere (RIP Galaxy Warriors). There's an incredible backstory for the Red Ranger, Brody, where he was raised as a slave on an alien ship that is almost never addressed. There's an actual country music star on the team and within a few episodes it's treated as no big deal. 

The show messes around with nonsense episodes (looking at you, "The Ranger Ribbon") before rushing its climax and pulling new powers for the Rangers out of its ass. At least Victor and Monty provided a little bit of a saving grace to the series. 

Ninja Steel feels tired and pointless. It isn't even really worth hating. It's just... there. 

21. Super Ninja Steel

In the years to come Super Ninja Steel will simply be known as "that one with the 25th anniversary episode". Super Ninja Steelhas little identity. The main plots of Ninja Steelwere resolved so this season feels like it's killing time with no real sense of purpose. The only plotlines it truly manages to pull off are Victor's quest for his 50th trophy and (albiet unintenionally) Calvin being a bad boyfriend. 

The start of the season had a few decent episodes ("Tough Love" was a standout along with "Love Stings") but by the end we had descended into dreck, with the shockingly racist "Sheriff Skyfire."

20. Operation Overdrive

What went wrong? Well… Mostly everything. All of the characters were unlikeable, the very premise of treasure hunting was hugely hampered by the lack of budget, the acting was subpar, the team up was lackluster, and the icing on the crap cake? The theme song was one of the worst we’ve ever had.

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The only thing that keeps this seson from the very botton of the pile is one episode. "Things Not Said" is genuinely one of the best episodes Power Rangers ever produced and it's an oasis of quality in a sea of garbage. Mack genuinely wrestling with who he is and the fact much of his life has been a lie is damn compelling.

19. Super Megaforce

When Super Megaforce is good? It’s amazing. When it’s bad? It just makes you go, “Why?!” It’s the oddest string of choices I’ve ever seen in a Power Rangers season, with arbitrary footage usage, questionable continuity nods, and a finale that should be spectacular but ends up falling flat.

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The bright spot of the season is our sixth ranger, Orion. His debut episode is surprisingly solid and he gets to have some real character, unlike the others. With a tragic back-story along with some wacky misunderstandings of Earth, he always brings a smile to my face. But seriously, that RPM “tribute” was awful.

18. Mystic Force

I hope you like the Red Ranger. No really, I REALLY hope you like the Red Ranger, because Nick takes up almost all of the focus of Mystic Force and leaves next to nothing for the rest. Even episodes about other characters somehow became about Nick and his stupid blanket of angst. Which is sad, because there are things to like about the other Rangers and the supporting cast (all the love for Toby, no love for Daggeron.)

read more: Ranking the Red Rangers

While the season starts off okay, it descends into nonsense by the end with a badly rushed final arc and one of the worst finales in Power Rangers history. At least they didn't resurrect the dinosaurs...

17. Dino Super Charge

While this season started off strong (anytime you have James Gaylyn you get a bump in my book) it quickly took a nose dive after Tyler's dad was introduced. All the forward momentum the season had been building up ground to a halt. Plot arcs stopped dead. The series ran in place for the most part until the most baffling finale in the series history. 

The season wasn't a total loss though. Even with the weak plots the cast really did shine through and Chase unexpectedly emerged as the character with the most development. Plus Tyler and and especially Ivan's lowkey jokes saved some otherwise dreadful episodes. 

Dino Super Chargeon a whole was a lot of wasted potential, which is a shame when Dino Charge had seemingly set everything up so well.

16. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 2

The start of the season features, “Missing Green” which is one of the few early MMPR episodes to really dive deep into a characters psychology and play with continuity.

But the moment the series loses Jason, Zack, and Trini? It spirals into absurdity. Having to write three Rangers out and bring three new ones in is handled as best they could, but it doesn’t make for good television. “The Ninja Encounter” is a mess and while the season is able to recover by the end, that middle is just plain bad.

read more: Interview with Red Ranger Steve Cardenas

15: Wild Force

Wild Force is a season that while mostly terrible, is bolstered by a few amazing elements. Those being, of course, its two team ups, but more importantly? The villains. Master Org, Jindrax, and Toxica. The latter two’s relationship is what really helps keep this season together, having worked together for thousands of years.

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The Rangers? I mean, I have a lot of love for Danny and Max’s first focus episode, but on a whole? The Rangers never left much of an impression and the plots didn’t do anything to help that.

14. SPD

If I was judging the premiere alone? SPD is one of the best but the whole season fails to deliver. After the first ten or so episodes, the series loses all of its forward momentum and instead runs in place with characters learning the same lessons over and just being dicks to each other. 

Some of this can be put aside when you look at the amount of love invested in the series by Greg Aronowitz and its stellar cast. Seriously, the creature make up is something to behold. The things it adds to the Power Rangers universe as a whole are also noteworthy but everything to do with the Omega Ranger? Keep that away. 

13. Jungle Fury

I remember a time when I couldn’t stand this season. But on rewatch? It’s surprisingly okay! Sure it has a few bad elements (some of the acting leaves a little to be desired).

But on the good end? I could talk about the American exclusive Spirit Rangers or the hilarious way the Rangers shout all of their fight dialogue, but let’s be real. The man, the myth, the pizza slinger himself, RJ, dominates the season. Whether it’s his unconventional wisdom, “Tomorrow, today will be… yesterday. I always love to leave my opponents with a confusing thought,” his little hand jives, or the relationship with his father. David de Lautour brings his A game to the role and creates one of the most memorable Rangers ever.

12. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1

You can’t get more classic than Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 1. There’s a certain charm in the simplicity of what was basically Saved By The Bell with superheroes. Sure you had the, “Green With Evil” mini-series that sticks in people’s minds, but you also had comedy masterpieces like, “An Oyster Stew.”

read more: Themes of Power Rangers - Diversity and Tolerance

The season was able to leap from the drama of a giant gold monkey about to kill some bullies on a bus (that counts for drama here) to a giant pig monster eating everything at a food festival. When you think about that? Season 1 is kind of beautiful. Not to say it’s all-perfect, some episodes like, “The Yolk’s On You” are forgettable, but it’s a fun ride regardless. Just don’t let your nostalgia cloud the fact that the season isn’t perfect.

11. Lost Galaxy

This is one of those seasons that fans remember being far better than it actually is. It has strong points to be sure: the premiere, the Lost Galaxy arc, anything and everything to do with the Magna Defender. Karone also got to shine when she came back.

But then you’ve got flat out stupid plots that make no sense. Why would they think mystical powers thousands of years old are stuck in sunflower statues around the space colony that was only made a few years ago? However, the season is bookended with one of the best premieres and the best finale in Power Rangers history.

10. Lightspeed Rescue

Lightspeed Rescue was once the definition of an "average" season but after a recent string of misses? Lightspeed is much better on rewatch. It has solid characters, solid plots, and some damn good villains (we just won’t talk about Vypra.) I know it’s cliché to mention, but the standout element of the season is the first American original Ranger. The Titanium Ranger, played by Rhett Fisher, is featured in a storyline that, while far too brief, culminates in him fighting the manifestation of a snake tattoo that was about to kill him.

Oh Power Rangers, I can never hate you when I get to write sentences like that.

9. Dino Charge

After Samurai and Megaforce, the fandom saw Dino Charge as a god send. Actual characters! Story arcs! Interesting villains! Shirtless dudes! That’s all fine and great but does Dino Charge actually hold up when it isn’t compared to some of the worst seasons in Power Rangers history?

Sort of. While Dino Charge is a lot of fun, it seems to spin its wheels for large chunks of the season. It all felt like it was setting something up which, after seeing Dino Super Charge, you realized wasn't the case.

Dino Charge is a very enjoyable watch in spite of all that, with engaging and unique characters that, unlike Dino Super Charge, were at least given fun episodes to work with. The introduction of Ivan was especially well handled and he’s a contender for being my favorite Ranger of all time. Plus, never forget Tyler and his VR Troopers style daddy issues!

8. Ninja Storm

I admit, I love me some wacky. If I wanted to watch my superheroes be dark and gritty? I wouldn’t be watching superhero stories; I’d be watching Mad Men. So when a season like Ninja Storm comes along? I consider it a gift because it goes whole hog (hilarious because they fight a pig monster!) with the comedy.

We’ve got adrenaline sports junkies as our main cast and while they bring the laughs, they also are able to deal with the heartfelt moments with no problems, the best examples being the introduction of Cam as the Green Samurai Ranger or Dustin being tricked by Marah into believing she’s good. The comedy of the series makes these moments stand out and elevate it far above where fans normally consider the season to rank.

7. Time Force

You know, with a few tweaks this season would have been perfect as one of those other syndicated TV shows that were all over the place in the late '90s. It’s got all the silly elements (pretty much anything to do with them being Rangers) but it also has some damn fine storytelling. Wes dealing with his own destiny and Eric’s anger directed squarely at Wes for not appreciating everything handed to him.

The Sci-Fi elements are strong, with the main villain being a product of genetic engineering, and time travel being the driving force of the season. It’s just a shame three of the Rangers never get enough focus.

6. Turbo

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of fans crying in the distance. Look, I get it. Turbo pretty much abandoned all of the world building Zeo did. It introduced Justin who gets way more flack then he really deserves. It even had a theme of race cars. While I agree it had a VERY rocky start, once Tommy and the gang leave and we are introduced to TJ and company the show takes a quantum leap forward in quality.

read more: Themes of Power Rangers - Empowerment

Turbo embraces the silly in ways even Ninja Storm never could. It features not only the greatest episode in PR history, “Trouble By The Slice” but… No actually, that’s all I need. That episode says it all. The Rangers fight a pizza monster that turns their cars evil with… EVIL PIZZAS. If only the whole season was like the second half, this would be number one. No doubt. Plus, TJ is the greatest ranger of all time. No argument.

5. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3

You’ve got to admire a season that just shatters the status quo left and right while also doing some solid world building. When people remember MMPR being amazing? This is what they should think of.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season three starts off with one of the best multi parters in the series history, “A Friend in Need,” setting up the Masked Rider spin off and opening up the PR universe to well… the universe. After that we have a ton of mini series that write out Kimberly, bring in Kat, give us a whole new fleet of zords, and even turn the Rangers into little kids.

read more: A Close Analysis of The 1995 Power Rangers Movie

The season never lets up with how much it changed the Power Rangers Universe and also introduces a whole new team of Rangers, the Alien Rangers from Aquitar, led by the ever so kickass Delphine. First female team leader in Power Rangers history? That instantly earns it a ton of points.

4. RPM

What do you do when your show is on the brink of cancellation? In RPM’s case, you go all out. Set in a post apocalyptic world but still having a good sense of fun (it’s not dark and gritty, I promise) RPM stands out for some of the best character work in the series history.

No more is this exemplified then in Doctor K, the team’s mentor. From being locked up in a government think tank as a young child to dealing with the guilt of ending the world, as we know it, it’s some tough stuff. This is balanced out by the wacky antics of Green Ranger, Ziggy and the pyrotechnic loving Gold and Silver Rangers, Gem and Gemma. At times the series felt like it was trying to shed its Power Rangers identity, but it ends on one of the most PR style endings you could ever have.

3. In Space

Remember when I said MMPR season 3 opened up the show's universe? Well In Space explored it, literally. Carrying over most of second half Turbo’s cast, the show was able to hit the ground running with some real weight and gravitas. Oh yeah, and our new Red Ranger doesn’t know how to eat a banana. It’s the little touches.

We even get a team up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! The show keeps building on itself with some impressive twists and turns and when the secret of Andros’ sister is revealed? The show kicks it into high gear. The only real blemish on the season is the inane Psycho Ranger arc, which has some cool moments but is just killing time. On the whole though, In Space is a triumph for Power Rangers.

  
2. Zeo

Dubbed Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 4 by some fans, Zeo really is the culmination of the previous three. It still has wacky plots of the day but it really starts to evolve these characters we’ve spent so long with and does a ton of that genius world building. I mean how awesome is it that former villains Zedd and Rita are now driving around the universe in a camper? Only in Power Rangers.

Zeo also introduces the Gold Ranger, originally voiced to perfection by Brad Hawkins, eventually becoming original MMPR Red Ranger, Jason. Let’s be real though, the episode where the Gold Ranger debuts is a work of art.

1. Dino Thunder

It’s like if MMPR was actually as good as you remember it being! Dino Thunder takes the series back to high school after a number of years and gives us not only fantastic characters but real growth for them over the season. For example, Red Ranger Conner starts off as a sexist asshole but slowly learns to not only treat everyone with respect but also that being a dick to girls actually doesn’t work. This isn’t just beaten into us through the dialogue; it’s subtly shown in episodes that don’t even focus on Conner. That’s the beauty of Dino Thunder; it’s always doing something with both the main and side characters.

While the show does stumble in a few places (let us never forget Smitty) it’s still the best Power Rangers has to offer. The villains, especially Mesogog, can be genuinely terrifying. The plots still have a lot of wacky. We even get an episode fully devoted to showing off the original Sentai! Dino Thunder is what all seasons should strive to be. I’m not saying they should be exactly like it, but the time and care put into it? The character work? The fun? This is what PR should be.

So what do you think fans? Do you agree with my list? Disagree? Well let me know in the comments how you would rank all of the seasons of Power Rangers. I know every fan has radically different views of the show so I would LOVE to hear what you think.

This article first ran in 2015. It has been updated with new information since then. We'll update it again after Beast Moprhers completes! Keep up with all our Power Rangers Beast Morphers news here!

Shamus Kelley is a pop culture/television writer and official Power Rangers expert. Follow him on Twitter! Read more articles by him here!

We get relatively little insight into Shadow's (Ricky Whittle) backstory in American Gods Season 1. Sure, we know about his recent history—about his time in jail and his relationship with Laura Moon—but less attention is given to his childhood, to where he came from. In American Gods Season 2, that will change.

Talking to Den of Geek at this month's TCA presentation, Ricky Whittle teased the appearance of a Young Shadow.

"We have Shadow's very own coming to America story," explained Whittle. "We kinda delve into his past and discover why he's so pure and why he's able to kinda constantly be the universal punchbag—physically, emotionally, spiritually—but still get up and keep moving forward with this light in his heart and this belief it will be okay, or that he just has to get to the next day."

read more: American Gods Season 1 Recap

Apparently, Shadow has always had that quality.

"We see that through his youth," said Whittle. "He didn't know his father when he was growing up, so he had no presence there. His mother raised him alone, and that's the story we're going to see. So you're going see that he really truly did lose a lot in his life because she is so pure and gave him so much and he really did feel true love there."

For Whittle, Shadow's search to find that kind of love again is what motivates him.

"That's maybe what Shadow's been searching for all this time throughout the first and second season is that feeling again," said Whittle. "Where can he find that love. That pureness again. But it definitely explains more about how much Shadow has lost in ways. Where he's come from."

American Gods Season 2 will premiere on Sunday, March 10th, 2019 at 8 p.m. ET on Starz and will be available the same day on the Starz App.

Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek. Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt.

Alec Bojalad is TV Editor at Den of Geek and TCA member. Read more of his stuff here. Follow him at his creatively-named Twitter handle @alecbojalad

The 100 Season 6 has yet to premiere (we're getting so close!), but that doesn't mean we're not already thinking ahead. Will there be a The 100 Season 7?

CW president Mark Pedowitz talked to a group of reporters about a potential The 100 renewal at the TCA winter presentation in January, saying (via TV Guide): "[Showrunner Jason Rothenberg] does have a really good idea for his seventh season. We'll see where we're at, that's a May thing."

This isn't the first time Pedowitz has mentioned Rothenberg's larger plan for The 100. Speaking at the Winter Television Critics Association press tour last year, Pedowitz told Nerdist: "[Rothenberg] may have a six or seven-year plan to it. I don't know if I'm allowed to even say that, that he has a plan beyond year five, but he does."

Well, is it six or is it seven, Mark?!

Whenever The 100's end may come, Rothenberg already has a conclusion for this epic journey in mind. Rothenberg told Nerdist last year:

I had this idea for how I wanted the show to end. But it was scalable and that ending could have been at the end of season three, it could be at the end of season five, it could be at the end of season eight. Those decisions are not really mine. I don’t think that this is a show that runs for 10 seasons. But I love these characters and this world so much that it’s fresh for me every year. We tell a different story every year so we don’t get bored with it. I still have an end story in mind, but I don’t know when that end is going to be and I feel very, very confident that I’ll get to tell it eventually.

read more: The 100 Season 5 Season Finale Review

Will Rothenberg break our hearts at the end of Season 6, the end of Season 7, or could The 100 go on past that? How many season would you like to see The 100 run for? And how would you like to see it end?

It sounds like we'll know more about The 100's future in May, or even sooner when The 100 returns in April. For now, we'll have to revel in the fact that we're going to get at least six season of this post-apocalyptic drama.

The 100 Season 6 premieres on Tuesday, April 30 at 9 p.m. ET on The CW. Read more about Season 6 here, and stay tuned for details from our set visit.

Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek. Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt.

Good news, Shadowhunters fans! The Freeform series is back for Season 3... even if it's been cancelled, which means this will be its last. Read more about the Shadowhunters cancellation here.

ShadowhuntersSeason 3B has begun. Next up? Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 12, titled "Original Sin." Check out the promo...

Here's the full synopsis:

Simon is determined to get rid of the Mark of Cain and, with Isabelle’s help, tries to track down New York’s oldest vampire to get more information on the mark. Now in Paris, Clary desperately tries to find an escape from her current situation. Meanwhile, with his new sense of mortality, Magnus tries to live life to the very fullest.

And here's the more general, epic trailer for Shadowhunters Season 3B...

Shadowhunters Season 3 Episode Guide

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 1: On Infernal Ground

Secrets abound as the Shadowhunters and Downworlders attempt to return to normal following Valentine's death; Clary struggles with keeping her secret about Raziel's wish; Lilith sets a plan in motion as Simon spends time in the Seelie Court.

Original air date: 3/20/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 2: The Powers That Be

The Warlocks’ magic is becoming corrupted by a demonic presence while Izzy and Luke try to track down more information on the recent series of possessions.

Original air date: 3/27/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 3: What Lies Beneath

The Shadowhunters try to track down the new imposing threat, while Jace has a suspicion that Jonathan is back and behind the mundane attacks. Simon tries to figure out what The Seelie Queen did to him during his time in the glade. Alec decides to host a Lightwood family dinner at Magnus’ house after a surprising visit from Maryse.

Original air date: 4/3/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 4: Thy Soul Instructed

Jace becomes concerned about his mental state and turns to Luke for information on his family's past; Clary and Izzy go after a rogue vampire; Simon hunts for a new apartment.

Original air date: 4/10/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 5: Stronger Than Heaven

Jace tries to learn who is out to get Simon; Clary turns to Luke to find a way to help Jace; Alec worries about the future of his relationship after learning more about Magnus' romantic past.

Original air date: 4/17/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 6: A Window Into an Empty Room

Clary teams up with Magnus to investigate a recent demon attack; Simon is stunned when he is visited by someone he thought he would never see again; Izzy worries about dinner with her family and a special guest; Luke reaches out to Maryse.

Original air date: 4/24/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 7: Salt in the Wound

With the Owl's identity revealed, Alec, Isabelle, and Clary head to Alicante to try and find a way to stop him. Luke and Simon team up to track Lilith's latest possible victim. Maia reflects on her past.

Original air date: 5/1/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 8: A Walk Into Darkness

Magnus, Alec and Isabelle try to reach Jace inside The Owl, but even as powerful as Magnus is, can he help the Lightwoods retrieve their brother from his demon prison? Maia and Jordan join Simon on the hunt for Lilith, while Luke tries to find a way to get to Clary.

Original air date: 5/8/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 9: Familia Ante Omnia

Clary faces down an old foe in an attempt to find answers about Lilith’s plan. Alec and Magnus turn to Lorenzo Rey for help, while Lilith finds a new ally. Luke must choose between his pack and his family, as Simon is forced to deal with his past.

Original air date: 5/15/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 10: Erchomai

The team scrambles to find a way to put a stop to Lilith's plan; Simon makes a heartbreaking choice with Isabelle's help; Magnus reconnects with a powerful person from his past.

Original air date: 5/22/18

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 11: Lost Souls

In the emotional midseason premiere, everyone is dealing with the loss of Clary and are trying to move on best they can. Unbeknownst to them, the Shadowhunters face a new level of evil that they can’t even imagine with the arrival of Jonathan Morgenstern (Luke Baines), the true form of Clary’s brother.

With the loss of Clary after Lilith’s apartment exploded, Alec, Isabelle and Jace try to come to terms with what has happened. Glad to have their brother back, Alec and Isabelle are still worried about Jace, who is taking the actions of The Owl very hard. Magnus is also mourning the loss of his magic and finds himself in a new position – having to rely on others for help.

Meanwhile, Maia tries to help a devastated Simon who has lost his family and his best friend. But unknown to everyone, Clary is alive and finds herself in a new and dangerous predicament.

Original air date: 2/25/19

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 12: Original Sin

Simon is determined to get rid of the Mark of Cain and, with Isabelle’s help, tries to track down New York’s oldest vampire to get more information on the mark. Now in Paris, Clary desperately tries to find an escape from her current situation. Meanwhile, with his new sense of mortality, Magnus tries to live life to the very fullest.

Original air date: 3/4/19

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 13: Beati Bellicosi

Original air date: 3/11/19

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 14: A Kiss From a Rose

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 15: To the Night Children

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 16: Stay With Me

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 17: Heavenly Fire

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 18: The Beast Within

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 19: Aku Cinta Kamu

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 20: City of Glass

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 21: Alliance

Shadowhunters Season 3, Episode 22: All Good Things

Shadowhunters Season 3 Release Date

Shadowhunters Season 3 hit Freefrom on Tuesday, March 20th at 8 p.m. ET. The season will have 20 episodes.

Shadowhunters Season 3 Trailer

Shadowhunters debuted a trailer for Season 3 at NYCC, complete with some Jace/Clary action, Simon and the Seelie Queen, and Magnus adjusting to his new life. Check it out...

Shadowhunters Season 3 Cast

Arrow's Anna Hopkins joined the Shadowhunters Season 3 cast as Lilth. The role is recurring.

Also joining the Shadowhunters team is Hamilton's Javier Muñoz. Muñoz appears as one of Magnus' warlock rivals.

Season 2 showrunners Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer returned as showrunners for the third season, along with executive producers McG, Michael Reisz, Matt Hastings, Mary Viola, Martin Moszkowicz and Robert Kulzer.

Big Little Lies Season 2 is happening! Initially, the series was conceived and released as a standalone event, but, as it turns out, awards show dominance can change a lot of minds.

Season 2 will see Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman return as producers in addition to their starring roles. Sadly, Jean-Marc Vallée, who directed all of the first season, is moving on from the director's chair, but will stay on to produce. Director Andrea Arnold (Transparent) will be taking over the directorial gig.

HBO released three new photos from Big Little Lies Season 2, giving us a look at how all of the characters are doing...

Big Little Lies Season 2 Trailer

We've yet to get a proper trailer for Big Little Lies Season 2, but we did get some sneak peeks in this broader HBO promo...

Big Little Lies Season 2 Cast

Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoe Kravitz have all been confirmed by Deadline to be returning for Big Little Lies Season 2. 

Meryl Streep will also be in this thing! Because why not monopolize every great actress in Hollywood? Streep will be portraying Mary Louise Wright, the mother of the first season’s troubled Perry Wright (Alexander Skarsgard). For more spoiler-filled thoughts on that, check this out. 

Meanwhile, Variety has confirmed that husbands Jeffrey Nordling and James Tupper will also be returning. Tupper plays Nathan Carlson, aka Madeline's ex-husband, Bonnie's husband, and Abby's father. Variety teases that he "must cope with a complicated turn of events in his marriage and with his eldest daughter Abby."

read more: 9 Character-Driven Whodunnits to Watch After Big Little Lies

Young Sheldon's Iain Armitage will be returning as Ziggy Chapman, Jane's young son who is now beginning second grade. 

Nordling, who plays Renata's husband Gordon Klein, "faces the consequences of a big mistake and risks losing everything along the way."Variety reports that Adam Scott will be returning as Madeline's husband in Season 2 and is "forced to confront major challenges in his marriage to Madeline."

read more: Sharp Objects: Who Killed the Wind Gap Girls?

Also per Variety, a string of familiar faces are reappearing in season 2, including Kathryn Newton as as Abigail Carlson (Reese Witherspoon's daughter by her first marriage), Robin Weigert as Dr. Amanda Reisman (Nicole Kidman's psychiatrist), Sarah Sokolovic as Tori Bachman (another mother in the community), and Merrin Dungey as Detective Adrienne Quinlan (the gumshoe tracking them all down).

This comes on the heels of news that Douglas Smith is joining Big Little Lies. Per an HBO release, Smith will play Corey Brockfield, an off-beat surfer, aspiring marine biologist and Jane’s (Shailene Woodley) co-worker. We imagine he might want to be more than just a co-worker though?

In other casting news, Bonnie has parents! The HBO production has cast Martin Donovan (Weeds) and Crystal Fox (The Haves and the Have Nots) as the parents to Zoe Kravitz' character (via THR). Donovan will play Martin Howard, with Fox playing Elizabeth Howard.

Be sure to check back in; we'll be updating this article with more Big Little Lies Season 2 news as we get it!

Big Little Lies Season 2 Release Date

Big Little Lies Season 2 will officially premiere in June! HBO has not yet released a specific date, so you'd better just pencil it in for every day that month.

Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek. Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt.

Dynasty season 2 is now here! That extra night of CW programming may have been a boon to a show like Dynasty, which has struggled to return to the ratings it saw in its October premiere, in spite of the fact that it's a reboot of an incredibly well-known show, created by a powerhouse team.

Still, The CW's deal with Netflix means that a show like Dynasty could follow in Riverdale's footsteps, picking up traction after its first season closes, thanks to a quick turnaround on the streaming service and steadily improving word of mouth. It's well on its way. Guess what? Dynasty has been renewed for a third season!

Dynasty Season 2 Return Date

Dynasty Season 2 will return on March 15th with Episode 14: "Parisian Legend Has It..." Check out the promo...

Here's the full synopsis:

Blake seeks justice in the wake of a disturbing crime; Fallon and Sam covertly fly to Paris to investigate the truth behind a distressing phone call.

Dynasty Season 2 Episodes

We don't know how many episodes this season will have, but here's what we know so far...

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 1: Twenty-Three Skidoo

"On the eve of Carrington Atlantic’s 100th anniversary, our splintered family struggles to rise from the ashes to redefine themselves as past mistakes emerge, new alliances are forged, and the fate of the Carringtons’ legacy falls squarely on Fallon’s (Elizabeth Gillies) shoulders."

read our review of "Twenty-Three Skidoo" here!

airdate: 10/12/18

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 2: Ship of Vipers

"While Blake (Grant Show) focuses on his own selfish endeavors, Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) goes to desperate measures to sell Carrington Atlantic to the Van Kirks.  Sam (Rafael de la Fuente) and Alexis (Nicollette Sheridan) are determined to validate their suspicions about Melissa (guest start Kelly Rutherford). Meanwhile, Anders’ (Alan Dale) daughter Kirby (Maddison Brown) befriends the Colbys in order to seek revenge on Fallon to make her pay for the past.  James Mackay, Robert Christopher Riley, Sam Adegoke and Ana Brenda Contreras also star."

read our review of "Ship of Vipers" here!

airdate: 10/19/18

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 3: The Butler Did It

"Fallon gets in over her head and needs Liam and Culhane's help. Kirby makes a shocking discovery that changes everything, while Blake wines and dines a new guest."

airdate: 10/26/18

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 4: Snowflakes in Hell

"After an earth-shattering reveal, the Carringtons scramble to keep the family together on an expedition abroad, with Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) playing the unlikely role of peacemaker. Meanwhile, back home, Culhane (Robert Christopher Riley) is coerced into a dangerous endeavor."

read our review of "Snowflakes in Hell" here!

air date: 11/2/2018

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 5: Queen of Cups

"Even as Fallon commits her heart to Culhane, forces she can’t see, and some she can, pull her away. Alexis seemingly makes inroads with Blake but she doesn’t realize she’s pushing him into Cristal’s arms."

read our review of "Queen of Cups" here!

air date: 11/9/2018

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 6: That Witch

"Hoping to put Liam (guest star Adam Huber) in the rear-view, Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) fights to prove to Culhane’s (Robert Christopher Riley) family, and to herself, that Culhane is her one and only.  Blake (Grant Show) and Cristal (Ana Brenda Contreras) struggle to keep their courtship alive as a paranoid Alexis (Nicollette Sheridan) derails their holiday plans."

read our review of "That Witch" here!

air date: 11/16/2018

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 7: A Temporary Infestation

"In the wake of a traumatic yet therapeutic Thanksgiving, the Carringtons are ready to embrace a fresh start. As Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) dives into a new business endeavor, she inadvertently collides with Culhane’s (Robert Christopher Riley) secret life.  Meanwhile, Sam (Rafael de la Fuente) employs Kirby’s (Maddison Brown) help as he embarks on a new personal venture, and as Cristal (Ana Brenda Contreras) celebrates the next step of her relationship with Blake (Grant Show), Alexis (Nicollette Sheridan) does her best to drive a wedge between them."

air date: 11/30/18

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 8: A Real Instinct for the Jugular

"Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) recruits her mother’s help with wedding planning, only to realize that Alexis (Nicollette Sheridan) may have ulterior motives.  Desperately missing Steven (James Mackay), Sam (Rafael de la Fuente) develops a complicated relationship with a member of the Carrington staff. Culhane (Robert Christopher Riley) discovers his dark side as he ventures into a new business partnership."

air date: 12/7/18

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 9: Crazy Lady

"As the Carringtons track down a dangerous enemy on Christmas Eve, Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) and Blake (Grant Show) clash on how to best handle the situation, stirring up unresolved grievances.  Meanwhile, Cristal (Ana Brenda Contreras) suspects Alexis (Nicollette Sheridan) may not be telling the whole truth to the authorities, and Kirby (Maddison Brown) is cast out by Anders (Alan Dale) for having an immature reaction to the grave situation at hand."

read our review of "Crazy Lady" here!

air date: 12/21/18

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 10: A Champagne Mood

"THE THINGS WE DO FOR FAMILY - In the wake of a horrific accident, Culhane (Robert Christopher Riley) desperately needs Fallon's (Elizabeth Gillies) help and protection, while she needs to process the sheer weight of his lies. Meanwhile, as Blake (Grant Show) shows no shame in using family to promote his own self-interest, Cristal (Ana Brenda Contreras) is reluctant to reveal a big development."

air date: 1/18/19

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 11: The Sight of You

"Reeling from a series of emotional developments, Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) decides to round up her gal pals for a restorative “girls’ trip” to Idaho, but when the assembled squad arrives to the ski resort, Fallon’s hidden agenda quickly reveals itself. Meanwhile, Blake (Grant Show) enlists Culhane’s (Robert Christopher Riley) help in recruiting a star player to his new soccer team, and Alexis (Nicollette Sheridan) teams up with Sam (Rafael de la Fuente) to tackle their blues."

air date: 1/25/19

You can also read all our Dynasty season one reviews right here. 

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 12: Filthy Games

"Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies), after a devastating rejection, tries to prove she is still at the top of her game. Sam (Rafael de la Fuente) tries to become a better person in an attempt to salvage his drifting relationship with Steven (James Mackay). Meanwhile, Alexis (Nicollette Sheridan) schemes to drive a wedge between Blake (Grant Show) and Cristal (Ana Brenda Conteras)."

air date: 2/1/19

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 13: Even Worms Can Procreate

"Cristal and Blake have a surprise visitor show up who threatens to unravel their relationship; Fallon goes to war with Culhane when he becomes a power player at Carrington Atlantic."

air date: 2/8/19

Dynasty Season 2 Episode 14: Parisian Legend Has It...

"Blake seeks justice in the wake of a disturbing crime; Fallon and Sam covertly fly to Paris to investigate the truth behind a distressing phone call."

air date: 3/15/19

Dynasty Season 2 Cast

Dynasty was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, the award-winning team behind Gossip Girl, The O.C, and Marvel's Runaways. It stars Elizabeth Gillies as energy tycoon/heiress Fallon Carrington. Nathalie Kelley was the season one co-lead as Cristal Carrington, nee Flores, who married Blake in the pilot to become Fallon's stepmother in spite of being of a similar age.

However, Dynasty has not been without behind the scenes drama of its own. Kelley announced over the summer that she won't return, with CW President Mark Pedowitz expressing shock that Kelley would reveal that secret, since her character's fate was one of several cliffhangers at the end of season 1. Pedowitz revealed during the TCA summer press tour (via THR) that telenovela star Ana Brenda Contreras (Por Amar Sin Ley) will take on the role of the "real" Cristal Flores. Dynasty is Contreras's first English-language role.

According to TVLine, Nicollette Sheridan has been promoted to a series regular for Dynasty Season 2, which means Alexis Carrington will be back to wreak more havoc.

This season Maddison Brown joined the cast as Kirby Anders, Anders' troubled daughter who was once believed to have been involved in some anti-Fallon related arson as a teen.

Just before episode 5 "Queen of Cups" aired, James Mackay announced via his Instagram that he was no longer a regular on the show, apparently not by his own choice.

Dynasty also stars Sam Adegoke as Jeff Colby, Robert Christopher Riley as Michael Culhane, and Rafael de la Fuente as Sammy Jo, with Alan Dale as Anders and Grant Show as Blake Carrington.

Read more of Delia Harrington's work here.

This The Passage review contains spoilers.

The Passage Episode 7

No, you’re crying. That’s the takeaway after an action-lite, character-driven seventh episode of The Passage that packs an emotional punch, and made us all weepy in a great hour of genre television. 

This is a show about viral vampires, but “You Are Like The Sun” reminds the viewer that guilt and grief can also act like a disease that can eat us up on the inside, and has the potential to transform us into monsters. And the choice to take a breath and tell this heavy, emotional story late in the first season is a bold one that pays off.

Let’s talk some of the revelations. Brad and Lila Wolgast’s daughter Eva was shot in a botched liquor store robbery gone wrong. As if that’s not big enough news -- after it was teased she had an illness -- Brad falls into a depression, his marriage crumbles, and he follows through on a revenge plot to kill the shooter. It came as no surprise that Eva’s death would put him on a course straight to Project NOAH, but I was legitimately shocked he pulled that trigger.

And it landed to watch Brad go from a loving soccer dad, having a pretty balanced life, to falling apart. It is easy to see why he’d detach, and take a job recruiting Death Row inmates for NOAH, and it clicks all the more why Amy broke through to him. But the episode also showed how selfish Brad had been, taking on all the guilt, but not allowing Lila to process her own regretful “What Ifs?”

It has taken me a while to warm to Lila, but Emmanuelle Chriqui won me over this week. Lila is more emotionally equipped to deal with adversity, while Brad (who is still a softy) brings the physical strength. The chemistry between Chriqui and Mark-Paul Gosselaar finally clicked, and it’s easier to see why their characters may be a couple. And you have to appreciate her line, “Also, vampires are real, so that’s cool.”

(So long, Lila’s fiancé, wherever you are.) 

Not enough praise can be heaped on Saniyya Sidney for her performance as Amy. She is a powerhouse who consistently delivers with nuance, and emotional complexity. Amy has a wild spectrum this week as she grapples with the transformation she’s facing (“I’m afraid I’m a monster”) while the guilt that has been devouring her finally breaks loose. Any person would hate themselves if their final words to a loved one was “I hate you,” and Amy takes on the blame of her mother’s relapse. This was honest, and hard to watch the girl face it. 

The end scene as Amy encounters her mother in the mindscape, and is allowed a proper goodbye is heartbreaking. I don’t know how one walks away from that without something in their eyes.

It was a good choice for the show, and Amy, to reject Carter’s intense tough love approach in favor of Amy’s mom’s message of love. As much as I enjoy the Amy/Carter scenes, and appreciate what he’s trying to do, he is indeed acting like a bully. And I am quite happy that she could remember her mother as a loving person, and not someone defined by addiction (foreshadowing how Amy herself will not be defined as a viral?).

While it’s not exactly subtle, it was impactful for Amy’s mom to hand her the matches, and tell her she will light the way – and act as a bright sun to burn Fanning’s butt. This is kid is weaponized now, and can literally open the door to take on Fanning. 

I am also beginning to appreciate Clark Richards. Not simply because he has chosen the side of the angels, but he is finally making sense as a guy driven entirely by his mission. He buries his emotions so deep, and has finally cracked open. The part he played in enabling Brad to kill Eva’s shooter, and his subsequent recruitment of his friend into NOAH (everyone needs a mission) gnaws at him. I like that he’s trying to be human, and is awkward at it. The beat of him giving Amy potato chips as an act of kindness is both honest, and incredibly funny because of course that’s what Richards thinks she’d want. 

further reading: The Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix

At least Richards knows his horror movies and finally calls out the obvious Overlook Hotel comparison. Maybe that’s why Babcock likes him. Speaking of Shauna, she gets one scene tonight, where she shares that she’s having actual feelings for Clark. That’s bad news, even if it is a human hangover. It is also bad news for Fanning that Babcock is picking up on his sentimental side. Human emotion makes him weak, and I wonder if we’re seeing the seeds of mutiny already being sewn when she points out that the virals are losing the upper hand. 

Whatever is left of the human Tim Fanning may be officially expunged now that Elizabeth has chosen Jonas, and death, over la vida vampire. I am guessing that came as a surprise to him. So let’s expect even more wrath from Timmy boy.

Even though we haven’t spent much time with Elizabeth, played by Jennifer Ferrin, I found myself rooting for her and Jonas. Ferrin and Henry Ian Cusick are believable as an adult couple facing tragedy. The frequent reminiscing about their past together might otherwise feel forced, but considering Elizabeth has been “gone” for so long -- and is about to die, on her own terms – it worked. Sykes’ teary-eyed exit from Elizabeth’s room was a nice touch, as the realization of what she hath wrought continues to settle in.

This episode did not let up with the gut punches, did it?

Finally, it’s worth mentioning Guilder, and his weird mustache. I am enjoying how James Le Gros plays him as almost meek. Guilder is a mid-level manager, a bureaucrat in drab colors, who is smart, but not as clever as he thinks. The guy is trying to save his job, and he’s not acting blatantly evil (well, aside from ordering hitjobs on Brad and Lila), but he’s dangerous. He is an interesting foil because of course he’s bringing about bad things. After his charm seemed to be working on Amy last week, it was satisfying when she called out his lame game, and said, “Screw you, and your weird mustache.”

Although, what’s his angle related to Jonas Lear? Why allow him to keep Elizabeth in her room, and continue to grant him security access while revoking it from Sykes? Is this a plot hole or does he and new guy Martinez have plans for Dr. Lear?

Overall, this was a great episode of The Passage as we head towards the end of the season. It wasn’t the bloodiest, fastest, or most action-packed installment, but it clicked in all the right ways. And made me care more about the stakes moving forward.

The CW is expanding its scripted lineup from Monday through Friday to Sunday through Friday for the 2018-2019 season. You know what that means, right? Plenty of room for their roster of DC superhero TV shows! 

The Flash Season 5 remains one of the most popular on the network, and it has consistently delivered traditional superhero adventure, terrific characters, and a hefty dose of weirdness when the situation demands it. Of course, The Flash Season 5 will run alongside renewals for Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, and Arrow, not to mention a host of other beloved CW scripted shows.

Read our review of the most recent episode right here.

Up next? "King Shark vs. Gorilla Grodd." Thank you, show. Thank you. It airs on March 5. Here's the official synopsis...

"When Gorilla Grodd (voiced by David Sobolov)attacks Central City, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Team Flash find themselves teaming up with an unexpected ally to defeat – King Shark (voiced by David Hayter). However, when they hit a snag, they bring in Dr. Tanya Lamden (guest star Zibby Allen) to try to reach the man behind the shark, Shay Lamden (guest star Dan Payne)."

Check out the trailer!

We'll have more information about the episode as soon as the CW makes it available for us.

The Flash Season 5 Episodes

Here's our The Flash Season 5 episode guide, where we'll gather all the available info for upcoming episodes as it becomes available to us!

The Flash Season 5 Episode 1: Nora

"After an unexpected guest from the future, Nora West-Allen (Jessica Parker Kennedy), appears at their home, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris (Candice Patton,) must figure out how to get her back to the future without disrupting the timeline…even more than she already has. Team Flash must work together to send Nora back, while simultaneously fighting off another villainous meta."

air date: 10/9/18

read our review of "Nora" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 2: Blocked

"As Barry (Grant Gustin) helps his daughter, Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy), become a better speedster, he and Team Flash also track down a meta stealing high-tech weapons, only to cross paths with a new foe named Cicada (Chris Klein), who is hunting the very same meta with nefarious intent."

air date: 10/16/18

Read our review of "Blocked" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 3: The Death of Vibe

"After Cicada’s (Chris Klein) attack on The Flash (Grant Gustin), the team realizes they need to think outside the box to stop this dangerous new foe.  Desperate to help her parents, Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) comes up with a plan that ultimately puts a member of Team Flash in danger. Meanwhile, Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) delves into her past."

Read our review of "The Death of Vibe" right here.

air date: 10/23/18

The Flash Season 5 Episode 4: News Flash

"Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris (Candice Patton) face the ultimate parenting test when Team Flash battles Spin (guest star Kiana Madeira), a savvy millennial armed with meta tech, and a dangerous agenda for their daughter, Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy).  Ralph (Hartley Sawyer) is feeling defeated until an unlikely source issues a challenge to help boost his confidence."

air date: 10/30/18

read our review of "News Flash" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 5: All Doll'd Up

"Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) lets something slip about the future that devastates Iris (Candice Patton).  In an attempt to distract his wife, Barry (Grant Gustin) asks Iris to team up to stop a new meta, Rag Doll (guest star Troy James). Meanwhile, Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) learns something about her father."

air date: 11/13/18

read our review of "All Doll'd Up" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 6: The Icicle Cometh

"Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker), Barry (Grant Gustin) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) learn something new about Caitlin’s father (guest star Kyle Secor).  Meanwhile, Iris (Candice Patton) and Sherloque (Tom Cavanagh) follow a clue about Cicada (Chris Klein)."

air date: 11/20/18

read our review of "The Icicle Cometh" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 7: O Come, All Ye Faithful

"While Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) grapples with unresolved anger over her father’s disappearance in the future, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Team Flash must stop a powerful new meta, Weather Witch (guest star Reina Hardesty), from killing her own father, Weather Wizard (guest star Liam Mcintyre)."

air date: 11/27/18

The Flash Season 5 Episode 8: What's Past is Prologue

"In the 100th episode, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Team Flash come up with a plan to stop Cicada (Chris Klein). However, the plan calls for Barry and Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) to travel back in time to gather some key necessities. However, Barry hesitates, concerned about his daughter seeing certain parts of his life. Meanwhile, Sherloque (Tom Cavanagh) takes his concerns about Nora to Iris (Candice Patton), and Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) turns up a key asset in the fight against Cicada."

Tom Cavanagh directs this episode!

air date: 12/4/18

read our review of "What's Past is Prologue" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 9: Elseworlds Part 1

"When Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Oliver Queen (guest star Stephen Amell) wake up one morning and realize they have swapped bodies with each other, the two set off to find out what disturbed the timeline to cause such a shift.  However, things quickly go from bad to worse when they present their case to Team Flash and the gang doesn’t believe them. Barry and Oliver realize they need Supergirl’s (guest star Melissa Benoist) help and travel to Smallville on Earth-38 where they end up meeting Kara’s cousin, Clark Kent (guest star Tyler Hoechlin), and intrepid reporter, Lois Lane (guest star Elizabeth Tulloch).  LaMonica Garrett guest stars as The Monitor."

airdate: 12/9/18

read our review of "Elseworlds Part 1" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 10: The Flash and the Furious

"While Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) grapples with the revelation that Thawne (Tom Cavanagh) killed her grandmother, Team Flash must stop the formidable team-up of a newly sprung from jail Weather Witch (guest star Reina Hardesty) and Silver Ghost (guest star Gabrielle Walsh), a new meta-tech villain who can control engines and motorized technology.  Meanwhile, Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) discuss creating a meta-human cure."

air date: 1/15/19

read our review of "The Flash and the Furious" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 11: Seeing Red

"During a battle with Cicada, Nora is severely injured; due to Cicada's dampening powers, Nora's speed healing isn't working; Barry and Iris are scared for their daughter's future; an enraged Flash confronts Cicada in a brutal battle."

air date: 1/22/19

read our full review of "Seeing Red" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 12: Memorabilia

"Sherloque wants to use a memory machine on Barry and Nora to help gain access to Grace's memories; Ralph tricks Cisco into going out for a night out on the town."

air date: 1/29/19

read our full review of "Memorabilia" right here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 13: Goldfaced

"Barry and Ralph must go under cover as criminals in an illegal black market to purchase a device that could help them stop Cicada; Iris investigates a lead on Cicada's whereabouts and ends up in a dangerous situation."

air date: 2/5/19

read our review of "Goldfaced" here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 14: Cause and XS

"After Iris (Candice Patton) lands in serious danger, Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) races to save her mother.  Barry (Grant Gustin) puts the finishing touches on the metahuman cure, leaving Cisco (Carlos Valdes) with a rare night off so he decides to take Kamilla (guest star Victoria Park) on a date."

air date: 2/12/19

read our review of "Cause and XS" here.

The Flash Season 5 Episode 15: King Shark vs. Gorilla Grodd

"When Gorilla Grodd (voiced by David Sobolov)attacks Central City, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Team Flash find themselves teaming up with an unexpected ally to defeat – King Shark (voiced by David Hayter).  However, when they hit a snag, they bring in Dr. Tanya Lamden (guest star Zibby Allen) to try to reach the man behind the shark, Shay Lamden (guest star Dan Payne)."

air date: 3/5/19

The Flash Season 5 Episode 16: Failure is an Orphan

"With the meta-human cure ready to use, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Team Flash must figure out a way to subdue Cicada (Chris Klein) long enough to take it.  Killer Frost (Danielle Panabaker) steps in to help with the plan. Meanwhile, Joe (Jesse L. Martin) eases back into work, and Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) isn’t happy about the way her dad plans to stop Cicada."

air date: 3/12/19

The Flash Season 5 Trailer

Check out the first trailers for The Flash season 5...

The Flash Season 5 Villain

Chris Klein (Election, Oz, American Pie) has signed on as series regular to play next season’s scourge of Central City, Cicada. He's described as a "grizzled, blue-collar everyman whose family has been torn apart by metahumans, Cicada now seeks to exterminate the epidemic — one metahuman at a time."

We wrote in detail about the history of the Cicada and what his arrival might mean for the season right here.

The Flash Season 5 Cast

Jessica Parker Kennedy has been promoted to series regular. As anyone who caught the Season 4 finale already knows, Kennedy will be playing Nora, the speedster daughter of Barry and Iris from the future. 

Check her out in costume!

Hartley Sawyer is back as a series regular as Ralph Dibny. Dibny's arc – Barry’s former police mentor, whose career ended in disgrace for fabricating evidence – was one of the defining parts of The Flash Season 4; an arc that was simultaneously comical and powerfully dramatic, going from sleazy private investigator to reluctantly heroic metahuman The Elongated Man. The character – often confused with DC's powers-similar Plastic Man – debuted in the pages of The Flash comic book back in 1960.

Danielle Nicolet is back as Joe West’s mind-reading metahuman love interest, Cecille Horton, this time upgraded as a series regular.

While everyone survived Season 4, there's a big question mark attached to Tom Cavanagh, who saw his Harry Wells exit the show in the season finale. But don't worry, Cavanagh will return as a new character. "When I was up there shooting for the finale, [Tom Cavanagh] and I sat down and started talking about next season and a new character," showrunner Todd Helbing told TV Guide. "I think we landed on one that's pretty funny and unique, and I think it will give Tom a lot of meat to chew on."

Is that a new Wells...or something else entirely?

Kiana Madeira is Spencer Young, the villainous Spin. We have more details on her character right here.

Kyle Secor will recur on The Flash Season 5 to play Dr. Thomas Snow, Caitlin’s mysteriously resurfaced father, reports EW. Thomas, who’s been missing for decades, is described as an extremely intelligent geneticist. However, there’s (obviously,) a seedy twist regarding his return; a twist that’s likely connected to Caitlin’s innate unlocked Killer Frost powers. 

The Flash Season 5 Story

Here's the official synopsis for The Flash Season 5! 

Matching wits with The Thinker, who by season’s end had harnessed the powers of all twelve bus metas he created, stretched Team Flash to their limits, but with the help of some new allies, Barry Allen (aka The Flash) and company were able to put a stop to the Enlightenment and save Central City once again. However, with the arrival of Barry and Iris’ speedster daughter, Nora, who arrived from the future admitting to having made a “big mistake,” things are anything but status quo. Will parenthood be the challenge that finally slows The Flash down?

Mike Cecchini is the Editor in Chief of Den of Geek. You can read more of his work here. Follow him on Twitter @wayoutstuff.

Joseph Baxter is a contributor for Den of Geek and Syfy Wire. You can find his work here. Follow him on Twitter @josbaxter.

Cobra Kai Season 2 is coming! Indeed, no one will be putting this show in a body bag, since a second season of Cobra Kai quickly became a done deal after the first season, with another 10-episode run of the half-hour dramedy now set to arrive on YouTube Red at some point in 2019.

Upon Cobra Kai‘s May 2, 2018 premiere on YouTube Red, the show appropriately struck first and struck hard, delivering no mercy to low expectations. The TV sequel to the classic 1980s The Karate Kid films – initially coming across as farcical – managed to take fans and critics alike by surprise (notably in our own review,) with its entertaining earnestness; a deadly move that would make the proverbial dojo of any other karate series look like a knitting class (yeah, that's another movie reference).

Cobra Kai Season 2 Photos and Story

The creative coalition of executive producers Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg dropped some interesting details in an interview with EW about what to expect story-wise from the upcoming second season of Cobra Kai. Here’s the low-down on what we’ve learned, along with the very first images from the season.

Dojo Rivalry

As teased in the end of Season 1, Daniel has made Robby (Tanner Buchanan) the inaugural student in his own formal dojo, Miyagi-do, a class complement that will soon grow with daughter Samantha (Mary Mouser), collectively set to go head-to-head with the wayward Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) and the rest of Johnny’s rebooted Cobra Kai class. As Heald reveals:

“Season 2 is definitely going to deliver on Daniel’s promise to reopen Miyagi-do as a full dojo, as a karate school. And what we can tease from dojo vs. dojo is that as we saw in season 1 with Johnny it’s not always easy to fill your dojo with students right away and make an immediate success of a karate dojo in the valley. And with those growing pains, comes more rivalry.”

Moreover, the showrunners tease that Samantha will get a rival of her own this season, specifically a female. While they were mum on which cast member will become said rival, one might deduce that it’s newcomer Peyton List, who debuts as “troubled teenager” Tory (more on her below).

The Return of Kreese

Last season’s closing tease of the return of John Kreese (Martin Kove) to the Karate Kid franchise will apparently pay off in dividends. His role is said to be sizable, set to further explore layers of the formerly-one-dimensional sadistic tutor, as well as his complicated relationship with former student Johnny. As Schlossberg states of the return:

“[H]is presence and everything that he brought to the original Karate Kid, he is bringing to this show — so if you’re a fan of the original it’s like, Darth Vader is back! But because this is a series, like last season, you have more time to go through the layers to understand the character in ways that you maybe will look back on the original movie and think a little differently. It’s going to be fun for fans."

Ali with an “I”

While the original movie character over whom Daniel and Johnny fought, Ali, was mentioned in Season 1, the showrunners remain mum on a possible role reprisal from the actress who played her, the Oscar-nominated Elisabeth Shue. As Heald teases:

“Ali is one of those characters from the movies and in this universe that is very, very important and very integral to the relationship and the rivalry and the dynamic and the history between these characters, and I can say no more than that. [laughs]"

Ralph Macchio was similarly coy on the Ali subject in a November-aired set visit segment from ET Canada.

In an additional tidbit, Hurtitz recently teased on Twitter that the ending of Cobra Kai Season 2 will be a blatant tease for a prospective Season 3, which he and the showrunners are clamoring to make, poised to potentially continue the show for several seasons.

Cobra Kai Season 2 Release Date

Cobra Kai Season 2 has not set a specific release date other than the declaration of it being in 2019. The show went into production in fall 2018, which makes a return window that matches Season 1's May (2018) premiere a realistic prospect. Thus, May 2019 seems like a reasonable guess.

However, fans who attend Fathom Events' 35^th anniversary screening of 1984’s The Karate Kid– held on March 31 and April 2 – will be treated to an exclusive scene from Cobra Kai Season 2. Consequently, the season's premiere can't be too far ahead from that point.

Cobra Kai Season 2 Trailer

The trailer for Cobra Kai Season 2 is apparently arriving soon enough, as executive producer Jon Hurwitz recently teased on Twitter.

The announcement of Cobra Kai's second season renewal arrived with this teaser trailer.

Cobra Kai Season 2 Cast

You can count on this band getting back together here, with the confirmed return of the main duo of Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), who are set to continue their storied rivalry, which stems back to 1984’s original The Karate Kid, which was directed by the late John G. Avildsen. Additionally, newcomers Miguel Diaz (Xolo Mariduena) Robby Keane (Tanner Buchanan), Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mouser) and Amanda LaRusso (Courtney Henggeler) will all be back.

Peyton List recently joined Cobra Kai Season 2, as reported by Deadline. She will field the recurring role of Tory, a troubled teenage newcomer to the Valley. List, a longtime Disney teen actress from shows like Bunk’d and Jessie, co-stars on the new Hulu horror series, Light as a Feather. She’s appeared in films such as Then Came You, Anthem of a Teenage Prophet, The Outcasts and Diary of a Wimpy Kid sequels Rodrick Rules and Dog Days. Interestingly, List previously worked with YouTube Red, having co-starred in its 2016 horror film, The Thinning, opposite prominent YouTube vlogger Logan Paul.

Martin Kove returns to reprise his role as John Kreese from The Karate Kid films, this time as a regular, as we learned from a report by Deadline, which the actor has confirmed. Kove, a veteran actor who's banked myriad television guest roles, was best known as series regular Victor Isbecki on Cagney & Lacey before setting his handprint in the cement of cinematic history as the sadistic Svengali sensei, Kreese, in 1984’s The Karate Kid (and its two subsequent sequels). He was also prominently seen as Ericson in 1985's Rambo: First Blood Part II, along with a sizable CV of made-for-video/DVD efforts that spans to the present.

Of course, those who saw the entirety of Cobra Kai Season 1 know that Kove's character already showed up on the series. He was seen in the Season 1 finale’s closing moments, confronting his long-estranged student, Johnny, in a moment that resembles the tone of a Marvel movie post-credits scene, teasing a turn for Season 2.

Interestingly, Kove might not be the only movie series alumnus to show up for Cobra Kai Season 2, since Sean Kanan is teasing a return as his The Karate Kid Part III villain, Cobra Kai tournament ringer Mike Barnes. Plus, in an interview with JoBlo, the showrunners even tease the possibility that Hilary Swank could show up (at some unspecified point,) as her Miyagi-trained protagonist, Julie Pierce, from 1994’s The Next Karate Kid.

Cobra Kai Season 2 Details

Showrunner/writer/director/executive-producer trio of Josh Heald (Hot Tub Time Machine), Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (Blockers) are all set to return for Cobra Kai Season 2. They will, again, be joined by executive producers Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett, who are onboard on behalf of Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television Studios.

As the Heald/Hurwitz/Schlossberg trio expred in the Season 2 announcement:

“Continuing the Karate Kid saga with YouTube Red has been a dream come true. We are grateful to all our creative partners for giving us the freedom to revisit and expand the LaRusso/Lawrence rivalry. And we are truly exhilarated by the tidal wave of support from fans of this story, both old and new.”

As Susanne Daniels, Global Head of Original Content, YouTube lauds in a statement of the Cobra Kai Season 2 renewal:

“This series had all of the right elements from the very beginning -- compelling characters, a storied rivalry, and the talented original stars.” Adding, “The way viewers have embraced the new twist on this beloved franchise has been nothing short of amazing, and we’re thrilled to partner with Sony TV, Overbrook and the extraordinary creative team led by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg to create a second season.”

Sony Pictures Television president Jeff Frost also chimes in, stating:

“We are so elated with the performance of Cobra Kai and our incredible partnerships with Josh, Jon, Hayden and Overbrook and of course, You Tube Red. This has been a remarkable experience and the audience reaction only further validates what we already knew – that this team and series is exceptional and incredibly special."

Joseph Baxter is a contributor for Den of Geek and Syfy Wire. You can find his work here. Follow him on Twitter @josbaxter.

Penny Dreadful may have been a beloved, star-studded peak television offering that made its mark before proactively closing shop after just three seasons, but the classic-literature-crossover Showtime supernatural series will continue its legacy with a sequel series. The premium cable channel dropped major details back in November about the follow-up series, titled Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.

While the sequel series makes a dramatic shift away from the settings and characters of 2014-2016’s Penny Dreadful, it will have the support of its key personnel, namely creator John Logan, who returns to serve as writer and executive producer, joined in the latter capacity by Michael Aguilar, who's worked on recent Showtime offerings Kidding and I’m Dying Up Here.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels Cast

Nathan Lane is joining the cast of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, reports Variety. He will play Lewis Michener, described as “a veteran officer in the LAPD, wise to the ways of the world and ruthless in pursuit of his goals.” Lewis will be assigned as the partner of series protagonist Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto), to whom he will also serve as a mentor.

Lane, a decorated three-time Tony winning, five-time Emmy nominated actor, has been fielding a TV run on ABC’s Modern Family, along with a notable 2018 guest role on NBC's The Blacklist and a run on FX’s American Crime Story’s 2016 O.J. Simpson-centric first season. Known as the voice of meerkat Timon in Disney’s The Lion King, Lane became a household name off a memorable performance opposite Robin Williams in 1996’s The Birdcage, and cemented his stardom in 2005’s The Producers, in which he and Matthew Broderick put their acclaimed Broadway adaptation of the Mel Brooks classic comedy to film.

Natalie Dormer recently joined the cast, set to play Magda, a character Showtime describes as “a supernatural demon who can take the appearance of anyone she chooses and manifests in a number of guises throughout the story. Charismatic, clever and chameleonic, Magda is a dangerous enemy and an invaluable ally.”

While Dormer has been featured on numerous high-profile platforms, she’s probably best known for her role as Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones, also as Cressida from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts I & II, and as Anne Boleyn on The Tudors. She recently starred on Amazon’s television series remake, Picnic at Hanging Rock, and will next be seen – opposite Mel Gibson and Sean Penn – in this year's historical dictionary drama, The Professor and the Madman.

Jessica Garza will play Josefina, described as “the youngest of the Vega family [of protagonist Tiago Vega, played by Daniel Zovatto]. She plays the part of the quiet and overlooked younger sister but possesses a powerful spirit waiting to be unleashed.” Garza, and up-and-comer, was recently seen fielding TV runs on USA Network’s The Purge and History’s Six. She’s also banked appearances on shows such as A.P. Bio, Modern Family, Sweet/Vicious and NCIS.

Johnathan Nieves will play Mateo Vega, described as “Tiago's volatile younger brother. Though essentially goodhearted, he lacks the clear strength and ambition of Tiago and is vulnerable to both his own capricious emotions and influences around him.” The CV of Nieves, a newcomer, only consists of a handful of TV appearances on shows such as New Amsterdam, Better Call Saul, Shameless and Chicago Fire, with a lone film credit in 2017’s Neighborhood Food Drive. He’ll next be seen in the sci-fi film, See You Yesterday.

Daniel Zovatto is set as the star of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, as first reported by Deadline. His character, Tiago Vega, will be treated as the male protagonist of the series, despite its ensemble status. As the Los Angeles Police Department’s first Mexican-American detective, Tiago’s reality in 1938 will be rife with – as the report describes – “racism, childhood trauma and faith issues.” Additionally, the seemingly inexplicable occurrences of the supernatural should also be present on his plate, per the show’s theme.

Zovatto, a Costa Rica-born actor, was prominently seen in horror movies Don’t Breathe and It Follows, and the Greta Gerwig-directed comedy, Lady Bird. He’ll be coming off a TV run on HBO’s Here and Now, having fielded runs on the Bret Easton Ellis-developed The Deleted, ABC’s Revenge and is also remembered from a Season 2 run on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels Details

Here's the official Penny Dreadful: City of Angels poster:

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels brandishes the initial tag line: “Sometimes what’s dead doesn’t always remain.” The show is described as a “spiritual descendant" of the original series, set to focus on an entirely new set of characters, moving the mythos chronologically ahead and a whole continent away from the previous show’s Victorian London setting to 1938 Los Angeles. There, the backdrop – teeming with social tension – will facilitate events rooted in Mexican-American aspects of supernatural folklore, with denizens who are in conflict over their respective focuses of worship, with some loyal to the deity, Santa Muerte, and others who worship the Devil. Consequently, the series is described as an amalgamation of the social realities of the setting and time period with themes centering on the occult.

As Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks Inc., expresses in a statement:

“We were so thrilled when John Logan came to us with this wildly original take on the Penny Dreadful mythology that explores both the human spirit and the spirit world here in California." He adds, "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels promises to be an extraordinary saga of familial love set against the terrifying monsters that are around us and within us.”

While the original series balanced themes of magic and monsters with the economic desperation and soot-and-smog-strewn realities of Victorian London, City of Angels will apparently exercise a balance of its own between the socio-political and supernatural. As creator John Logan explains:

“Penny Dreadful: City of Angels will have a social consciousness and historical awareness that we chose not to explore in the Penny Dreadful London storylines,” Logan said. “We will now be grappling with specific historical and real world political, religious, social and racial issues. In 1938, Los Angeles was facing some hard questions about its future and its soul. Our characters must do the same. There are no easy answers. There are only powerful questions and arresting moral challenges. As always in the world of Penny Dreadful, there are no heroes or villains in this world, only protagonists and antagonists; complicated and conflicted characters living on the fulcrum of moral choice.”

Along with Logan and Aguilar, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels will also see executive producers onboard in Oscar winner Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and Pippa Harris (Revolutionary Road) on behalf of Neal Street Productions. Logan is onboard via his Desert Wolf Productions. James Bagley is also onboard, serving as co-executive producer.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels is expected to go into production in 2019. We will keep you updated as the details arrive!

Joseph Baxter is a contributor for Den of Geek and Syfy Wire. You can find his work here. Follow him on Twitter @josbaxter.

CBS has announced a new crime procedural pilot that, theoretically, could replace “elementary, dear Watson” with “fire bad.” – Well, maybe not. However, the pertinent point here is that the Eye Network is developing a Frankenstein TV series, which will set the lightning-struck, body-stitched reanimated giant in San Francisco to solve crimes. – We’re not joking!

The CBS Frankenstein TV pilot – greenlit along with dramas Republic of Sarah and Courthouse– brandishes an out-there premise that's clearly speaking for itself. The pilot is under the creative direction of Jason Tracey and Rob Doherty, a duo of writers for the network’s long-running, imminently-ending modernized Sherlock Holmes series, Elementary. The ordered CBS Television Studios production will see Tracey pen the pilot and serve as executive producer with Doherty.

The would-be Frankenstein series is, of course, a (super) loose adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 macabre literary classic, which, despite being adapted and/or parodied countless times in every conceivable medium, is still best known from Universal’s 1931 film, directed by James Whale, starring Boris Karloff.

Frankenstein TV Series Cast and Crew

Saidah Arrika Ekulona is the first cast member named for CBS’s Frankenstein, according to Deadline. She will play Capt. Mills, an assertive and in-charge skipper and the boss of the show’s undead detective, Escher, at the SFPD. Described as “intelligent, decisive, tough but not without compassion or humor,” Mills, just as with other friends and family, will be initially stunned upon Escher's return after he was presumed dead for six months [spoiler alert: he really was dead!] after an attack at his house.

Ekulona, an accomplished stage actor, was recently seen in a guest spot on Netflix’s recently-renewed The Haunting of Hill House, known from TV runs on Bull, Kevin Can Wait, Impastor and, years earlier, a run on Law & Order: SVU, with a guest spot on The Sopranos and a role in Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums.

In additional Frankenstein news, it appears that the TV project will launch in capable hands, with the appointment of Uta Briesewitz to direct the pilot, working off a script by co-showrunner Jason Tracey. This is hardly the first recent high-profile project procured by Briesewitz, who was recently appointed as director for the first two episodes of Amazon’s grandiose fantasy novel TV series adaption, The Wheel of Time. Besides bringing experience from shows like The Deuce, Westworld, Fear the Walking Dead, Black Sails and Netflix-Marvel shows Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and The Defenders, she’s banked directorial time on Netflix’s upcoming season of Stranger Things and its returning sci-fi series, Altered Carbon.

Frankenstein TV Series Details

Putting the traditional tropes through a stateside lens the Frankenstein show’s story will center on a SFPD homicide detective named Escher, who, after being killed in an attack, is brought back to life by mysterious means. However, his attempt to resume his old life with his wife is complicated by his physical and emotional changes. Thus, he must seek out the individual responsible for the resurrection, the now-missing Dr. Victor Frankenstein, to get the answers he needs – all while solving crimes on a weekly basis.

Interestingly, the idea of a Frankenstein TV series, and even a one under a procedural format, is not exactly unprecedented. In fact, Fox just made its own attempt in early-2016 with its single-season sci-fi crime-solver, Second Chance, a series originally titled The Frankenstein Code, which similarly depicted a police officer (Rob Kazinski) brought back from the dead to solve crimes – with enhanced abilities – by an enigmatic duo of tech mogul siblings. Also, Sean Bean recently starred in his own TV version in the two-season-spanning ITV/Netflix series, The Frankenstein Chronicles, a series set in the 19^th century with Bean playing a police inspector who initially investigates the (premise-familiar) theft of corpses until he is killed (because it’s Sean Bean,) and brought back to life as the monster himself, continuing to right wrongs from the shadows.

Of course, we happen to be in a television age in which a TV series, Lucifer, about the Devil himself, who lives in Los Angeles and helps the cops solve crimes, is not only a thing, but a thing that’s popular enough to evade cancellation by Fox for an imminent resurrection on Netflix.

We’ll keep you updated on CBS’s Frankenstein mystery series as the news arrives!

Joseph Baxter is a contributor for Den of Geek and Syfy Wire. You can find his work here. Follow him on Twitter @josbaxter.

Read our review of the Lethal Weapon season 3 finale right here.

Television audiences were originally skeptical when it was announced back in 2016 that Lethal Weapon would be the latest movie property to receive a modern update for TV. Fox’s police procedural found a solid rhythm early in its run and convinced audiences that it was more than some cash grab. Lethal Weapon stood out during its freshman season and extended this goodwill into its sophomore year. The show’s steady performance seemed to indicate that the show had found a faithful audience and that it could remain a staple of the network for years, granted no major changes took place.

But then some major changes went down.

Towards the end of the show’s second season, production rumors began to circulate that there was bad blood between the show’s two leads, Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans. This all came to a head when a behind-the-scenes dispute between Crawford and Wayans broke out. Many personality clashes between Crawford and Wayans were present, but the biggest indiscretion occurred when Wayans was struck in the head by a piece of shrapnel during a stunt in an episode that Crawford was directing. More reports of Crawford’s disruptive behavior on set leaked out to the public, and finally a bold move was taken when it was announced that if the show returned for a third season, it would be without Clayne Crawford’s involvement.

It’s never easy when television shows need to recast their leads. Lethal Weapon didn’t just hire a new actor to fill in as Martin Riggs, but rather they killed off Crawford’s character to ensure that a return would be impossible. Martin Riggs provides a fundamental dynamic to Lethal Weapon’senergy, so the news that Seann William Scott was joining the cast as a new character, ex-CIA agent Wesley Cole, rubbed many viewers the wrong way.

Apparently, if the show hadn’t been able to find a big star to fill Crawford’s shoes then a third season wouldn’t have happened at all. To Lethal Weapon’scredit, the show has handled Riggs’ exit and Cole’s entrance in a surprisingly graceful manner. Sure, many storylines were abruptly dropped with Riggs’ death, but Seann William Scott has proven that he can have a strong future as a dependable action procedural star, if he’s interested. Lethal Weapon’sreadjusted third season finally seemed to be regaining its footing when another major production bombshell was announced: Damon Wayans wanted out.

Wayans abruptly cited the program’s arduous production schedule and his affliction with diabetes as too much to handle and that he’d be exiting the series after the season’s 13th episode. This surely seemed like a death knell for Lethal Weapon. How could a show that banks on Riggs and Murtaugh’s dynamic go on without a Riggs or a Murtaugh? How is that even still Lethal Weapon? This whole ordeal becomes even more ridiculous when considering the fact that if the show had simply eliminated Wayans between seasons instead of Crawford, then they wouldn’t be facing this very serious problem now. After Wayans’ wishes were made clear, many fans even started asking the show to somehow bring Martin Riggs back into the equation. None of these are simple or preferable solutions.

further reading: The Best Action Movies Streaming on Netflix

In response, Lethal Weapon’s third season was granted two additional episodes and they were able to coax Wayans to commit to these final entries. Furthermore, during Fox’s TCA session this year, the show'sco-executive producer and creator, Matt Miller, spoke optimistically about the likelihood of Wayans returning for Lethal Weapon Season 4. "I'm very hopeful that he will return," stated Miller, which means that the show may be able to avoid once again shaking up its cast next year.

Miller’s optimism about Wayans coming back for another season also matches that of Fox Entertainment chairman Charlie Collier, who has been pleased with the show's recent performance, stating, "I think that the show has hit its stride, and it has done quite well." While many fans abandoned this retooled Clayne Crawford-less version of the show, the series’ most recent episode pulled the season’s best ratings in months. Lethal Weapon’sratings this season may be down from where it was at last year, but it’s still bringing in higher and more reliable numbers than other dramas on Fox’s schedule, like The Gifted.

Fox likely won’t make a decision on Lethal Weapon’s future until the ratings for this week’s finale come in, but if they’re as consistent as last week’s numbers, the show has a real shot at returning, as crazy as that sounds. Wayans’ commitment to the show will likely also play a huge factor, but honestly, the show making a pivot to a female co-lead or promoting one of its existing cast members wouldn’t be the worst idea. The show has proven that it can survive without Martin Riggs, so why not also without Roger Murtaugh, even if that seems insane? Then again, Fox may just decide that the revolving door of production issues is finally too much and that three seasons for a TV adaptation of Lethal Weapon is plenty.

Next year will either usher in yet another radically different version of this series and if this ends up being goodbye, then let’s at least get a documentary about all of the chaos behind-the-scenes.

Daniel Kurland is a published writer, comedian, and critic whose work can be read on Den of Geek, Vulture, Bloody Disgusting, and ScreenRant. Daniel knows that the owls are not what they seem, that Psycho II is better than the original, and he’s always game to discuss Space Dandy. His perma-neurotic thought process can be followed at @DanielKurlansky.