A person has to be extremely brave or exceptionally dumb to start a war with the police. But that seems to be what the shot caller did when he ordered the explosion.

Mayor of Kingstown Season 3 Episode 4 opened in the middle of the action as the KPD initiated a chase for the two Aryan-affiliated suspects responsible for the bombing.

We’ve seen smarter — and more successful — bad guys. It didn’t take as long for KPD to identify the two bombers responsible for the explosions as it did to find them.

MOK writers once again showed us an over-excessive use of force and police brutality from old-school police Ian.

It’s still difficult to know how to feel about the nonchalant way that MOK portrays police corruption. The crooked cops give us brief similarities to the real-life cops in We Own This City, starring Josh Charles.

Related: Based on a True Story: The Best TV Created from Real-Life Events

Ian continues to show that he’ll stop at nothing to get answers. Just as Kyle is a trigger-happy meathead who is more content to shoot first and ask questions, never.

As Mike points out after the police chase ends in a hail of gunfire and a dead suspect.

We have to wonder if the bomber Robert and his team shot up in the bathroom could have ended the search — and given them answers — faster if they had negotiated his surrender.

Mike stays determined to find out the second bomber’s identity. He even approaches Kareem at home after their tense standoff in the previous episode.

Kareem: What shit you bringing to my house?

Mike: Look, the Aryans set off bombs at KPD.

Kareem: Whoa, what bombs?

Mike: Yeah.

Kareem: Any casualties?

Mike: No. It’s a fucking shitshow out there and I need a pass. I need to get to Callahan. Like now.

Kareem: I’ll set it up.

Mike: Alright. Thanks. You’re going to want to shower up. It’s going to be a fuck of a day, Kareem.

_{🔗 permalink: I need a pass – MOK S03E04 – Rag Doll}

Kareem hasn’t been doing too well since becoming the warden. He is still dealing with some trauma after the riots in Mayor of Kingstown Season 2, and it’s affecting his entire life.

He’s in his garage, blaring loud music and pounding back alcohol first thing in the morning. And he completely dodged Mike’s query about his wife and kid. It looks like he could be bacheloring it up.

But at least he goes back to letting Mike do his mayoral duties to keep the peace between inside the prison and outside.

Or at least try by arranging a meeting with the Aryan leader recently brought back to the prison after getting transferred out.

From Mike’s meetup with Merle, we deduce they have a shared history. While Merle agrees to help Mike, we know we should not trust the criminal further than his handcuffs can stretch.

Merle: Funny Mike.

Mike: What’s that Cal?

Merle: This used to be exercise run for fuckers on death row, remember? Now it’s a fucking kennel. Must be something in there. Some kind of metaphor.

Mike: I don’t know.

Merle: Nights in the hole. You ever get those vivid dreams? I was having the best fucking dream, man. They say solitary’s cruel and unusual. Doesn’t have to be.

Mike: Why are you back?

Merle: ‘Cause I missed ya. Shit just seemed a little, I don’t know, rudderless. Gave it a minute. Bidded my time. Shit got worse.

Mike: So you come back to town. You don’t reach out? That it?

Merle: I sent up a flare. I hear you took over for Mitch. That’s big shoes brother. Big shoes.

Mike: Somebody had to do it.

Merle: No doubt. I was sorry to hear about him. And your mom now. Jesus, Mike. That’s fucking body blows.

Mike: Merle, look I need your help, alright? Bomb set off at KPD last night. Two soldiers. Your people.

Merle: My people?

Mike: Yeah.

Merle: I just got back Mike. Sounds like old resentments.

Mike: Well they fucked up the job, Cal. The cops got one of them. Guy tried to shoot through a wall of SWAT.

Merle: Shit. They don’t sound like rocket scientists, now do they?

Mike: KPD finds the other one. They’re going to know who ordered. That could be a problem for you. Just saying. If I find him, I can make the problem go away. I need a name.

Merle: Get me back into gen pop. I’ll see if I can get you an ID. It’s the best I can do. Give me the day.

Mike: I can get you six hours.

_{🔗 permalink: I can get you six hours – MOK S03E04 – Rag Doll}

Seeing Mike meet up with his brothers at their regular diner is interesting. It’s almost becoming a family tradition. I could get used to seeing it every episode, an homage to Blue Bloods, who made family dinners significant again.

Related: What Happened to the Family Drama and What Does It Say About our Culture?

Mike needs some normalcy in his life while juggling so many plates. He needs that personal connection to his family to keep him grounded.

We’ve seen what happens when he gets worked up over those close to him. Maybe that’s why he feels such a responsibility to Anna.

She shot her son’s killer in the previous episode, and now that she’s in front of the court, she’s not trying to do anything to help herself.

Leave it to Mike to contact Evelyn on her behalf and try to get her charges lessened so she spends less time in jail.

Related: 13 Deeply Flawed Characters We Can’t Get Out of Our Heads

We still don’t know what happened between them when Mike showed up at her door. Could something be brewing between them, as their flirty chemistry suggests?

Or is Mike using his flirtatious nature and rugged good looks to get Evelyn to bend his way?

In this episode, Mike uses his personal connections a lot to get his way. He is trying to cash in on his relationship with Evelyn for a client and Kareem to get access to the prison.

At least Kareem listened to Mike’s advice about the outside this time instead of shutting him out. Even if he steps on his second-in-command’s toes to do it.

Kareem: Today is not a good day for madness. There’s chaos on the streets. And our job is to keep that outside of our walls. Make sure our population doesn’t add fuel to the fire. So no outgoing calls. No visitation until this is resolved.

Guard: Fuck. That’s going to be a shit show.

Kareem: Sweep cells. Turn out anyone who may have a cell, pager, homing pidgeon. Cut lines between prison and town.

Guard: Well, shouldn’t we just lock it down? Warden?

Kareem: No, Carney. Don’t revoke other privileges. That’s idiotic. Our inmates didn’t light up KPD. Right? We are not punishing the whole population. That’s it.

_{🔗 permalink: We’re not punishing the whole population – MOK S03E04 – Rag Doll}

While Kareem is taking charge of the prison, KPD continues its search for the second bomber.

Related: Mayor of Kingstown Season 3 Episode 1 Review:

As the getaway car crashes, the bomber runs from the scene, leaving behind his friend and driver, who is on parole.

While KPD surrounds the driver with weapons ready to go, Kyle jumps into action mode and negotiates the driver’s surrender.

Guess the driver learned the hard way that who you associate with can bite you in the butt. He tried to help out a friend, which led to him violating his parole.

But just because he was trying to be a good friend doesn’t mean he deserved to die. It’s a good thing Kyle isn’t as eager to shoot as his brothers.

Related: S.W.A.T Rolls Again as CBS Rescinds Cancellation, Orders Eighth Season

His negotiation training skills might be of value once he transitions to SWAT. But we must wonder if he’ll clash heads even more with Robert once he’s on the squad.

The bomber tries to get away while Kyle talks down the driver. However, he runs into more danger than he could plan for as he enters Crypt territory. While the cops might not be willing to go after him, that doesn’t mean he can get away.

Now it’s time to worry about the bigger threat — Bunny and his gang.

Combine one white nationalist bad guy and a city block run by an all-black Crypt gang, and you expect to see trouble.

Dispatch: Suspect continues to head west, now heading up toward Mordela Street.

Kyle: Oh this is going to get interesting real fucking quick.

Stevie: That asshole went right into the lion den.

Ian: Yeah, well only one of us has the fucking lion on speeddial.

_{🔗 permalink: Only one of us has the lion on speeddial – MOK S03E04 – Rag Doll}

It’s interesting how life works out sometimes. Ian told Mike he wouldn’t get access to question the bomber before they took him into custody.

But Bunny’s crew found the bomber first and were happy to hand him over to Mike so he could return to the police.

Related: Mayor of Kingstown Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Guts

It can’t look like a criminal gang is working with the cops. However, that doesn’t stop Bunny from asking the police to acknowledge his goodwill.

First, his dirty guard inside the prison snitches on another guard over a small infraction (although she could be responsible for Bunny’s poisoned drugs). And now Bunny helps the police by catching a bad guy.

I guess even the bad guys can be good sometimes.

Bunny is dealing with enough issues now that he doesn’t need to appear as an informant for 12.

Related: Quit Your Day Job: What 11 Stars Did Before Making It Big

Which is good; otherwise, Mike might be out of a job as a mediator.

We’re unsure what else Mike could qualify to do besides being a criminal or a hitman.

He is pretty good at killing people. We’re tallying up another body for his count following his quick-tempered decision to launch the second bomber off a three-story building.

Not that we blame him. He was a racist asshole with no redeeming qualities to keep him as part of society.

He did talk about Mike’s momma. You ’90s fans remember the dangers of that in the family hit film Little Giants, starring Rick Moranis and Devin Sawa.

Mike: Just give up the shotcaller and we’re done. Or don’t. KPD will fucking kill you and all your pasty-ass fucking soldiers.

Bomber: Oh, yeah? Does that include you, Mike? ‘Cause I know you. I was inside. My first year was your last. Yeah, folks used to talk about you. That fucking Reverend, Mike McLusky, he was the man.

Mike: I’m sorry. I don’t remember you.

Bomber: Yeah, well, you don’t really remember any of it, do you? ‘Cause you caught that jungle fever. Yeah, Gunnar tries to take you out, gets shived by your friends in there. Your house gets shot up. Huh? Your ma’s funeral blown up.

Mike: What the fuck you know about my house, mother fucker? What the fuck do you know about it?

Bomber: I’m just saying.

Mike: Yeah? What are you fucking just saying?

Bomber: I’m just fucking saying man.

Mike: What are you just saying?

Bomber: I’m saying how it is. What it looks like, Mike.

Mike: Yeah, what’s that?

Bomber: Business be business. And that’s fine. But you dirty your hands. You touch black to get green.

Mike: Just say the fucking shotcaller. Say the fucking shotcaller. Merle Calahan.

Bomber: Fuck you, man. Fuck you.

Mike: Just say it.

Bomber: You fucking traitor.

Mike: Just say the fucking name.

Bomber; You give him up. You give him up, all he’s done for our people? Huh? All he’s fucking did for you?

_{🔗 permalink: You’re a traitor – MOK S03E04 – Rag Doll}

He pushed Mike a bit too hard, bringing him to the edge. And Mike responded by pushing him back. Right over the side and down to the pavement below.

The bomber may not have realized it before he died, but he gave Mike the answer to a question we’ve been asking since last season.

Who ordered the shooting of Mike’s house, which led to the death of his mom?

As we’ve seen quite often, when Mike gets mad, things get bad. He does not hold his temper in the heat of the moment.

Although he does better once, he’s had time to calm down and work things out strategically.

But while Mike is in his green stage — think Hawkeye turns Hulk — people get hurt. Or, in the case of Bomber number 2, dead.

Related: Daredevil: Born Again: Everything We Know So Far About the Superhero Revival

As we’re left to unpack all the information laced into the racially delivered rant, we get thrown back into family drama. 

Robert isn’t happy with Kyle’s decision to talk the driver into surrendering. By the way, we think he did the right thing. Not every situation has to end with the bad guy dead.

Robert: What the fuck was that today?

Kyle: What the fuck was what?

Robert: Did you know that dude was unarmed?

Kyle: No.

Robert: Right. So you’re inviting a bullet.

Kyle: Farthest thing from my mind, brother.

Robert: So I’ll say it again. What the fuck was that?

Kyle: Well, if you hadn’t blasted that Aryan in the fucking toilet, maybe this be over a little sooner.

Robert: Ah that’s detective talk, Kyle. That’s fucking bullshit. And that mother fucker was armed. If you don’t know if he’s armed, then he’s fucking armed. You get me? When you’re in the field, and you got a sister in front of you and a brother behind you, and you make contact, what do you do?

Kyle: Two in the chest and one in the dome.

Robert: Yeah, that’s a good answer.

_{🔗 permalink: Two in the chest and one in the dome – MOK S03E04 – Rag Doll}

We will be fair and say we can understand Robert’s point of view. Things could have turned out completely different if the offender had decided to shoot his way out instead of surrendering.

When Mike went back to prison to talk to Merle, we expected him to confront the leader for his part in the attack that killed Mike’s mom.

Related: Mayor of Kingstow Shocker: Dianne Wiest Not Returning for Season 3

But instead, Mike plays it smart and pretends not to know that Merle is the bad guy he’s been after. It will be glorious once Mike can finally exert his revenge.

Until then, Mike has decided to keep his enemies close, pretending to need his nemesis’s help keeping things running smoothly with those under white power control.

We have to wonder about Mike’s plans, given that he is willing to put a very bad, very powerful man back into Gen Pop to call the shots and have an army at his disposal.

Related: Mayor of Kingstown Exclusive Clip: Mike Warns Konstantin Not to Mess with Him

If we had any doubts that Merle’s return was safe for Mike, Iris, and the entire town of Kingstown, the episode’s final scene squashed them.

Despite the guards sweeping the prison cells, Merle still has access to a phone so he can stay connected with the outside world.

It’s who he reached out to connect with that has us all concerned. Having a bad guy in power like Merle be friends with a monster like Konstantin spells trouble for Kingstown and Mike.

Over to you, Fanatics.

How do you like the progression of the Mayor of Kingstown for its third season return? Do you have a favorite episode, character, or scene yet? What are your predictions for what’s to come in the remainder of the season?

Leave us your thoughts in the comments. We love engaging with our readers.

The post Mayor of Kingstown Season 3 Episode 4: Rag Doll appeared first on TV Fanatic.

While The Mandalorian Season 1 Episode 5 is still cooler than much of what is on TV right now and made excellent use of its guests — as well as some favorite Star Wars Universe planets, creatures, and droids — it felt kind of filler-ish. 

And considering the Jedi baby is currently more popular in social media than any of the 2020 Democratic primary candidates, the episode sure did not spend much airtime on him.

But that's OK, as many of us would rather The Mandalorian not be a cutesy kids' show over a glorious hormone-pumping Star Wars adventure.

So what's wrong with it, then? Well, the plot of "The Gunslinger" is just meh, and shows the series might need more than just random exploits on rad planets to stay as cool as it ought to be.

Yes, we hold The Mandalorian to a higher standard, purely for bringing quality Star Wars episodics into our homes.

If this were a show under any other franchise's canon, our score of Episode 5 would be relatively higher. 

We simply cannot accept that Star Wars could become an average vehicle for just another typical multimedia universe.

Star Wars elevated fantastical film storytelling to previously unimaginable standards (we're not counting Solo). Don't we expect it to do the same for television?

(Yeah, yeah, just consider CBS' The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978 an experiment of delusion and blasphemy that only now is improving its reputation with the help of kitsch and nostalgia.

And those of you who missed the unique Hollywood theatrical production of Andrew Osborne's SPECIAL — about the making of said infamous television special — shouldn't hate yourselves too badly.

I mean, give yourselves a break. You can't see every Star Wars related thing ever created! Though one can try).

But I digress. Why? Because the best thing "The Gunslinger" does is remind us of the Star Wars of yore.

OK, I'm being harsh.

But, man, after some really kick-ass episodes — including last week's "Sanctuary" — this one is a let-down.

Riot Mar: I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold.

[Mando breaks suddenly, causing Riot Mar’s ship to jolt past it]

Mando: That’s my line.

[Mando fires and Riot Mar’s ship explodes]

_{🔗 permalink: That’s my line. [Mando fires and x-wing explodes]}

It starts excellent enough, with a killer mini space battle between Mando and another bounty hunter named Riot Mar (Rio Hackford) who is pursuing Mando and the stolen Jedi baby. 

Then when we hear that the odd couple are going to land at Mos Eisley spaceport on Tatooine, we feel a chill.

Any visit to Tatooine is bound to be a Star Wars fan's wet dream, yeah? 

But while we get to reminisce on Tusken Raiders, dewbacks, pit droids, the Mos Eisley Cantina, and more dwellers of Tatooine, one can't help but think without those elements, nobody would care much more than a vegan Trekkie cares about milking a thala-siren.

We also miss any encounters with Jawas or Hutts (though Hutts are referenced).

And then there are the guest stars.

We have Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy) as ship mechanic Peli Motto, Jake Cannavale (Nurse Jackie) as bounty hunter in training Toro Calican, and Ming-Na Wen (Stargate Universe, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as elite assassin Fennec Shand.

All three guests perform decently enough and shine a bit.

Athough Sedaris appears to think she's in the Holiday Special — rather than a critically-acclaimed new Star Wars show — with her presentational, broad, sketch-like comedic strokes. 

Peli: That’s alright. I know. That was really loud for your big old ears, wadn’t it? It’s OK. Shhh shhh shhh shhhh.

_{🔗 permalink: That was really loud for your big old ears, wadn’t it?}

But by the end, nothing substantial adds to the overall series arc, except for a closing sequence suggesting Fennec could return. 

Everything in "The Gunslinger" is too damned easy! It's frustrating as hell, man.

After a whole exchange between Mando and Toro about how deadly Fennec Shand is and that pursuing her is a suicide mission, the duo sure captures her easily. 

Mando's beskar armor is an easy justification for why Fennec's shots hardly phase him, but would she really be caught off-guard merely by a piddly plan to wait till dusk to attack?

Toro: You alright?

Mando: Yeah. It hit me in the beskar. And at that range, the beskar held up.

Toro: Wait, I don’t wear any beskar.

Mando: Nope.

_{🔗 permalink: Wait, I don’t wear any beskar.}

Peli fixes the ship too quickly and without difficulty.

Toro's plan to turn Mando into the Bounty Guild by himself to create a legendary reputation got dismantled too painlessly.

I mean, he already knew the beskar armor was basically impenetrable.

And Jedi baby's agile escape from Toro's dying arms was totally cartoonish.

Toro: I really should thank you; you’re my ticket into the Guild.

Fennec: You’re welcome.

_{🔗 permalink: I really should thank you; you’re my ticket into the Guild.}

And we know Fennec's demise was too easily obtained — though the possibility of her return was left open.

Episode 5 comes across half-baked compared to prior episodes.

Toro: Looks like I’m calling the shots now, huh, partner? Drop your blaster and raise ’em. [To Pelo] Cuff him. [To Mando] You’re a Guild traitor, Mando. I’m willing to bet that this here is the target you helped escape {referring to the Jedi baby].

Peli: [Whispering to Mando] You’re smarter than you look.

Toro: Fennec’s right. Bringing you in won’t just make me a member of the guild, it will make me legendary.

_{🔗 permalink: Bringing you in won’t just make me a member of the guild, it will make me legendary.}

It's possible this episode sets up some future awesomeness, but we will have to wait and see.

It has got to be a challenge to sustain churning out brilliance. But this is Star Wars, and Star Wars changes lives.

Yes, it's cheesy to say so, but it's also hard to deny.

Our desire for Star Wars to continue shaping and influencing the entire science-fiction genre is a big ask.

But what's done is done.

And the last thing we want is for The Mandalorian to float off into obscurity without maintaining its distinctiveness. 

Doctor Who: 27 Times the Humans Saved the Day (and Sometimes Lost Their Lives)

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Here's hoping The Mandalorian picks up more nuanced story arcs again and that some of the planets and folks we have visited will play greater roles in the bigger picture.

But hey, what do you think? Am I being too pessimistic here? Do you disagree with me and love "The Gunslinger?" 

Sound off in the comments below and give me what-for. Defend it or agree; we want to read your opinions.

And while reaching your own conclusions, watch The Mandalorian online here.

The post The Mandalorian Season 1 Episode 5 Review: The Gunslinger appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The Matt LeBlanc starring vehicle will end after the series fifth season, which begins production next week in London.

Series creators David Crame and Jeffrey Klarik write every episode, and the series is ending on their terms. They had always chosen the fifth season to be the ending point.

“We have had the best time making this show,” said Crane and Klarik.

“Showtime has been the opposite of every network we write about. If it were up to them we could go on making Episodes forever. But we’ve told the story we set out to tell and we’d never want to outstay our welcome.”

LeBlanc and another series regular, Kathleen Rose Perkins, had been anticipating this and booked pilots for the upcoming season. Perkins was also seen in Colony on USA.

“Episodes’ scathing portrait of network executives has kept me on my best behavior these last several years, for which I am grudgingly grateful to Jeffrey and David,” said Gary Levine, President of Programming, Showtime Networks.

“I love this show and can’t wait to see what comic heights Matt and company will scale during the fifth and final season of our inspired series.”

The final season will be comprised of seven episodes and air sometime in 2017.

2016 Renewals and Cancelations

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The post Episodes to Conclude with Season 5 appeared first on TV Fanatic.

But the majority of the half-hour served as an extended moment of reckoning for Carol. 

Episodes Season 4 Episode 9 was harsh to our favorite head of programming, and I'm not entirely sure she deserved the fall she experienced. 

Although I risk sounding like a broken record, I feel like it's necessary to point out that, if anyone, Matt LeBlanc is the one who truly deserves his comeuppance.

Although his position as the host of America's next hit reality TV show, "The Box," is a bit "ironic," as Sean put it, he got to end the season standing victorious over a groveling Merc Lapidus. Who was trapped in a box. That was about to be filled with bugs. 

Matt: You know what else is ironic?

Sean: Um — that’s not exactly what irony is.

_{🔗 permalink: Um — that’s not exactly what irony is.}

In the meantime, Carol was literally humiliated by Helen (even if only in front of her supposed lover, Beverly), and left her job only for the calls of a deranged man. 

Castor Soto is definitely a unique piece of work, and now Carol is lost in translation – and wanting to see how she deals with this stark turning point in her life makes waiting for next season pretty difficult. 

Carol: That’s insane!

_{🔗 permalink: That’s insane!}

So I guess what I don't understand is why Matt continues to dodge the bullet that I, personally, believe is inevitable, while Carol faces retribution for crimes that weren't even that severe. 

Helen fell for her at an incredibly fast rate, and Carol was still treading new ground. Rather than being understanding, Helen became jealous and nosey. She also became assuming, and ultimately ended the relationship due to a misunderstanding. 

Carol: It might be good for me and Helen not to be together all the time.

Beverly: Oh no, it’s a brilliant plan!

Carol: Yeah!

Beverly: You going to work for your male ex-lover — that won’t feed her already spectacular paranoia!

Carol: I’m just saying, I think —

Helen: Hey girls!

Carol and Beverly: AHH!!!

Helen: What a warm welcome!

_{🔗 permalink: What a warm welcome!}

The group scream in that scene was hilarious and even caught me off guard. Man, Helen is kind of creepy – to think I liked her at first!

Her stripping Carol down was even creepier, not to mention just spiteful, but Carol tried to make the best out of the situation. 

Sean and Beverly were thrown to the side for a majority of the episode, but they too got their comeuppance from a vengeful Helen the next morning – in the form of the good ol' Tim. 

Tim: Oh no!!

_{🔗 permalink: Oh no!!}

Although I wish this season would've moved at a faster rate, a majority of the episodes were truly entertaining, and at least one major character's life is now facing some true turmoil. I hope you join me in wishing Carol good luck facing whatever mess she just got herself into.

Not to be forgotten, Myra is indeed pregnant! Groaning and squirming all the way to the end, she gave birth on her own, the independent woman she is in full effect, and was blessed with a baby to hold before the installment finished. Congratulations to her – a silver lining in all the recent office drama. 

Watch Episodes online, and head over to Episodes quotes, in order to revisit any highlights from tonight's finale, and leave your own thoughts about the season down below. Not only what you thought about the finale, but let me know what your favorite episode was as well!

Quotables from Week Ending March 12, 2015

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The post Episodes Season 4 Episode 9 Review: Parting Ways appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Sean hopes Beverly isn't getting on Helen's bad side.

Merc and Matt go check out the set of "The Box" and they got on each other's bad side as Merc questions Matt's weight. The director tries to explain the show to them. 

Castor interrupts Carol's lunch with Helen to compliment her, and seemingly apologize. He said he's back on his meds, and even started new ones. 

He says he just found out he's going to be running the "CW." 

Helen and Carol are thrown off by that announcement. 

Helen seems to be testing the waters with Carol, and seeing whom else she's attracted to.

Castor tries to offer Carol a job. He wants her to be his number two, for twice what she's getting now. 

Sean and Matt drink and talk about why anyone would want to be on his game show. 

Sean compares Matt's situation and having to be a game show host to the contestants that are trapped in their own boxes. Matt gets angry and shoves him off his barstool.

Carol and Beverly go for their secret hike, and get surprised by Helen. She kicks her out of the house, and asks for all her things back — including her ankle bracket, and the top Carol is currently wearing. Helen even asks for her bra back, and leaves Carol topless. 

Merc and Matt argue about the vest Matt is wearing on the show. Sean, Beverly, and Helen all show up to the game show.

Once Sean and Beverly hear about Carol and Helen, they don't want to get on Helen's bad side. 

Myra is currently, finally, giving birth, and making all the weirdest noises possibly. 

As "The Box" starts, Helen forces Carol to stand off the stage as more punishment. Carol calls Castor for his job offer. She accepts.

"The Box" premiers.

One of the contestants chooses to release the bugs in another one of the contestant's box. Matt is doing well as the host.

The crowd is even shaming the contestant that wants to quit.

Matt and Merc, arguing about the game show, walking into one of the boxes. They trade insults repeatedly, as the crowd is deaf to the conversation. However, they can tell from their actions. Matt says he doesn't want to see Merc at all if he's doing this show. Merc says that he's the reason Matt couldn't get his other show.

They start fighting, grabbing each other's privates, and Matt emerges victorious. Matt locks Merc in the box and says release the bugs. The crowd chants, and Merc begs no. The bugs are released.

Sean and Beverly are nervous to see Helen for a meeting the next morning. Carol's office is empty — she's moved on to her new job. 

Carol can't seem to get into her new office, because Castor was lying about his new job the entire time. 

Helen has called in Tim to run the show instead of Sean and Beverly.

Myra has given birth. 

The post Episodes Season 4 Episode 9 Recap: Episode Nine appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The signs of his deterioration, the legacy of his youthful charm and good-looks crumbling around him, have been shoved in his face pretty hard recently, and that, mixed with his recent financial struggles, have really placed the star in a hopeless situation.

Episodes Season 4 Episode 8 drives home is struggle, and reunites the actor with his writer friends in the process. 

Oh, and Beverly finally finds about the signals that her "lesbian haircut" has been sending to confused women all throughout Hollywood. 

I sort of feel like Matt's storyline should have taken precedence over the growlingly absurd Helen/Carol relationship arc, but the episode still managed to find a decent balance between both halves of the story. 

Any emotional development on the part of Mr. LeBlanc always feels like it's one step forward, and a thousand leaps backwards, but at least he realizes that he needs his friends (even if he is just drunk, and a bit too touchy-feely).

Matt: Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!

Sean: Don’t you think you’ve fucked us enough — I wasn’t even going there.

_{🔗 permalink: Don’t you think you’ve fucked us enough — I wasn’t even going there.}

Sean has a right to be frustrated with Matt's consistent inconsideration, but he seemed pretty level-headed in that last scene. A less wise Sean would have blew a gasket. 

However, rather than Sean and Beverly becoming complacent and sinking down to Matt's level, I'd rather see Matt finally have to grow up. He needs, and probably deserves, all that he has coming — show with Merc included.

Merc: I’m excited about this!

Matt: I know you are.

_{🔗 permalink: I know you are.}

Helen's jealousy is pretty uncharacteristic for a person who is usually thoughtful, but she does have some odd tendencies as far as relationships are concerned, so I guess it fits. 

She's also sure is vindicative — but I'm not complaining, seeing as how the anger it's rightfully direct at Merc (and not Beverly this time).

Helen: I swear on my little swastika tattoo, that this is nothing personal.

_{🔗 permalink: I swear on my little swastika tattoo, that this is nothing personal.}

Kathleen Rose Perkins continues to do a great job as the conflicted, yet always entertaining, Carol, and her attempts at keep her friendship discreet this episode only seemed to make it more scandalous and candid. 

For more hilarious moments, head over to Episodes quotes, and make sure to watch Episodes online to relive the highlights. Tonight's episode managed to keep the story moving, and it remains to be seen where Matt will truly end up post-Pucks.

Leave any comments you have down below: are you okay with this entire season seemingly being a transition between Pucks and whatever's next? Or, like me, would you prefer it if they moved things a bit quicker?

The post Episodes Season 4 Episode 8 Review: The Decay of Matt LeBlanc appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Sean doesn't see the hatred, and thinks Beverly is overreacting.

Matt shows up to work and gives both of them the cold shoulder. 

Helen and Carol talk about a man named "Baylon" who died by falling off the back of his boat. While riding around in the golf cart they reminisce about the guy and then start complaining immediately about having to recast. 

Carol comes up with the idea to have Matt host Merc's reality show.

Both Matt and Merc are super upset at the idea of having to work together.

A group of young Asian groupie gather around to take a picture with Matt while he's eating lunch, and comment on how he's gotten old and fat. 

Matt's agent tries to get him to accept the position because he needs the money.

Carol tells her secretary to hide all calls from Beverly. Beverly calls and wonders if Helen doesn't like her. Carol lies to her and says Helen loves her. 

Matt says he'd rather sell the beach house than work with Merc. 

Matt discusses selling his beach house with this realtor. She finds an anonymous buyer.

Matt also has people tow Beverly and Sean's cars away, seeing as how he bought them. 

Even though he should've left, Matt sticks around to see who the anonymous buyer is. 

It turns out to be one of the stars from his Pucks! show. Matt ends up showing him around. He calls it a "90s museum."

He also comments on Matt's age and deterioration. 

He clearly loves the place and Matt is clearly upset about parting with this house.

In the process of hiding her friendship with Beverly, Carol makes it seem more candid and inappropriate. She asks to meet with Beverly behind their stage and by the dumpsters, rather than in her office.

Matt gets upset by the fact that people think he needs to sell the house, and kicks everybody out. 

Carol tells Beverly not to laugh if she tells her the truth. Beverly says she doesn't laugh.

Carol says that Helen believes that Beverly and her "lesbian haircut" are in love with her. Beverly laughs — a lot. 

Carol tells her to stop laughing, and Beverly wonders why Helen doesn't believe that Carol is in love with Beverly.

Matt and Merc sit down to have lunch, and they discuss the recent financial troubles. 

They talk about how many balls they'd rather have, and each other's problems.

They make snide remarks at each other, and contemplate making a show together. 

Beverly says that she's going to confront Helen about the suspicions and Sean vehemently advises her not to. 

Matt shows up drunk to Beverly and Sean's house, and says fuck you to them.

Matt cries about how he now has to be a game show host with Merc, because he's out of choices.

Matt apologies for taking their cars, and Sean makes him promise to bring them back. Matt grabs Carol's chest, and Sean doesn't know what to say. 

The post Episodes Season 4 Episode 8 Recap: Episode Eight appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Episodes Season 4 Episode 7 showcases interesting developments in both of the show's central relationships — Carol's with Helen and Sean & Beverly's with Matt. Although one relationship definitely saw more resolution than the other. 

The climax of tonight's clinic in how to over-do things a bit too much, was classic "Episodes" for all intents and purposes. The stage was set for an excruciatingly cringe-worthy dinner, as Matt slowly pieced together the truth in front of a tepid Sean & Beverly. He should've known what was coming — any normal human being would've seen the signs — but, as Beverly put it, he's an "actor."

What I guess that means is that he can't be bothered to show insight in any aspect of his life not directly affecting him. And even when it does effect him, he has tunnel vision. He couldn't understand that Sean wanted him to be a friend, and want to read their script just to be supportive, but that should've been expected. 

And Matt should've likewise realized that Sean & Beverly wouldn't have been interested in working with him after the disaster that was "Pucks." 

Matt; Do you want me in your show?

Sean: We know she’ll never go for it.

Matt: That’s not what I asked — do you want me in your show? Then why’d you make me read the f*cking thing?

_{🔗 permalink: That’s not what I asked — do you want me in your show? Then why’d you make me read the…}

But instead, we get that intensely hilarious stare-down at the end of the episode, as Sean & Beverly try their best to scarf down some mamma LeBlanc tiramisu and get the hell out of dodge. 

The scene was fantastic for the most part, but I felt like it went on a bit too long. This only became a problem when I started to question the reason why Sean & Beverly were so apologetic to begin with. 

With how much wrong Matt's done to them, in that house especially, why were they so submissive? The simple answer would be that they're considerate human beings, unlike Matt, but I feel like they've earned some leeway to be blunt with him,

If they were honest from the start, and not getting tongue-tied during every encounter with the former "Friends" star, all of this could've been avoided. 

Sean: If it’s not about him, he couldn’t care less.

_{🔗 permalink: If it’s not about him, he couldn’t care less.}

The other half of the episode was dominated by Helen's jealousy and Carol's insecurities. The latter of which manifested itself in some strange hives on Carol's back. 

Carol: I think I’m just scared — by how much I care about you.

_{🔗 permalink: I think I’m just scared — by how much I care about you.}

All Carol needed to do was take Beverly's advice, and she did just that. It worked brilliantly, as the couple pedaled back from a dog and a beach house, to just being a couple, but Carol probably could've done without mentioning Beverly's name.

If I didn't know how much Beverly loved Sean, I'd actually Helen had a point in her assessment of Beverly's forbidden "love" for Carol.

Well, then again, maybe Beverly plays for both teams…who knows? Either way, the fact that she's in love with Sean, and not Carol, is obvious to the viewer, but should make for some great moments in the next few episodes. 

I can see Carol and Helen really working out in the future, so hopefully they avoid a crash. 

Carol: We’re gonna crash!

_{🔗 permalink: We’re gonna crash!}

Head over to Episodes quotes for more highlights from tonight's episode, and watch Episodes online to relive any of your favorite moments. 

Make sure to leave any comments you have down below! I, for one, am definitely looking forward to the awkwardness being carried over to next week's episode! 

The post Episodes Season 4 Episode 7 Review: The Most Awkward Dinner Ever appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Sean is a little disgruntled by the fact that Matt doesn’t seem to care about their new show anymore, or at all. Sean wonders why he hasn’t even read the script, while everyone else loves their new show.

Sean and Matt get a drink together, and he tries to push the issue even further. Sean just straight up asks Matt if he’s read the script, to make sure it’s not because he doesn’t like it, and Matt says that he hasn’t even read it yet. 

Matt doesn’t seem intent on reading it either. He’d rather talk about the possibility of him buying a drone. 

Sean tries to get Matt to understand that he wants him to want to read the script, not just have it be a hobby. That he wants his friend to be interested in something he’s done for once.

Matt “admits” that he’s a selfish asshole, and says that he’ll read the script. He calls Sean the “prettiest girl in the room.”

Carol and her team sit down to discuss the “Angry Men” re-write. 

Myra almost pukes — maybe she is pregnant after all? 

The next morning Sean tries to find out what Matt thinks about their script, but instead Matt is talking about some Hitler documentary he saw. 

They have a stare down until Matt realizes that Sean is asking about the script. He says he’ll read it when he has a free minute.

Helen gets Carol an extravagant gift, and she’s speechless. She starts to wonder if she should slow things down.

The gift is a key to her house. 

Carol complains to Beverly that things are moving way too fast. 

Sean talks to a fellow writer, who seems disgruntled at the fact that no one notices her. Her own script is about a “nobody” who poisons her co-worker because they don’t notice her. 

Matt rushes over and tells Beverly and Sean that their script is brilliant. 

Matt claims that he wants to play Anderson — he feels like the part is written for him. 

Beverly is frightened that their chance at a good show is ruined. Sean realizes that he shouldn’t have pushed Matt to read the script. 

As Carol smokes a joint and has lunch with Helen, Helen brings up the idea of them getting a dog together. 

Sean and Beverly go to Matt's house for their lunch, and find out his mother's there as well. They don't know how to approach the situation.

Helen offers Carol a chance to redo her entire house together — or buy a whole new place. The truth finally comes about Carol's insecurities, and they work things out.

The truth also comes out between Matt, Sean and Beverly — and tensions rise at dinner. There is an intense stare down and as the couple try to leave, they get roped into staying by the tiramisu Matt's mom had made. 

The post Episodes Season 4 Episode 7 Recap: Episode Seven appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Regardless, it's an entertaining and somewhat insightful half-hour centered around the man who was, at least partly, responsible for the Matt LeBlanc we have the pleasure of witnessing today. 

With an anti-hero like Matt (and, let's face it, he kind of is an anti-hero for this comedy), an origin story is always important and interesting. We've gotten glimpses at Matt's childhood and upbringing in the past, but tonight's episode drove home the notion of a broken home even more. From the consistent berating to the premature exposure to so many of the more dirty moments of life, Matt has definitely had a lot to deal with throughout his life.

Maybe he's dealt with it the best as he could have but, when he's reminiscing so off-handedly about having sex with his father's 17-year-old Korean girlfriend when he was 14 himself – only to be stabbed via chopstick in the end by his father – you don't really know how to feel about the situation. You want to emphasize with Matt – especially when he gives up his prized possessions for the sake of his father, only for his sacrifices to be ignored – but, as I mentioned, neither party is really worth siding with. 

Matt: But she’s so tight, it’s like getting one of the Garfield things off your car window —

Sean: Vivid.

_{🔗 permalink: Vivid.}

Perhaps, for no other reason than being the protagonists of this show, Sean and Beverly are left waiting around the hospital with their friend for the entire episode, serving as third-party mediators half of the time. It's obvious that Sean and Beverly will never understand how Matt's family functions.

Carol was also present throughout the half-hour, but was lost in her own drama. As it's been consistently shown, her relationship with Helen is moving at a breakneck "lesbian speed." Carol is barley hanging on, but she clearly prefers this to being used by men such as Merc. After spending an entire episode trying to come up with a pet name for Helen, I can't believe she stumbled upon one as disturbing as "pubey."

Carol: I kind of have an emergency.

Beverly: Okay —

Carol: I need a pet name for Helen.

Beverly: Right, I think I heard about this on CNN.

_{🔗 permalink: Right, I think I head about this on CNN.}

Carol needs to make a decision regarding what she currently has taking up her plate – whether or not she wants to be all in with Helen. I think she should go for it but, either way, she's going to have to come to a decision soon.

Nothing here really progressed the overarching story in anyway and, at this point, I'm found wishing Matt would find a way to deal with his financial problems or learn to live down here with the rest of us. 

Outside of all this, Sean and Beverly now have a new show of which they need to take full control. They need to be able to leave the disaster that is "Pucks" far behind in their rearview mirror and hopefully find a way out of Hollywood as a whole. Lets see what they can do on BBC, eh? 

Watch Episodes online to catch any of your favorite moments for second time, and head over to Episodes quotes to catch more highlights from Matt's showdown with his family. His dad and mom sure knew how to get him riled up but, in the end, Matt never really wants any harm to befall his own blood (which is why Mrs. LeBlanc's future's up in air!).

Quotables from Week Ending Feb. 12, 2015

Open List

The post Episodes Season 4 Episode 6 Review: Quadruple Bypass appeared first on TV Fanatic.