The Mandalorian is a Star Wars series created by Jon Favreau for Disney+, set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi. It follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), a solitary bounty hunter of the Mandalorian creed, and Grogu, the Force-sensitive foundling in his care.
Season 3 premiered on March 1, 2023. Having been declared apostate for removing his helmet, Din sets out for the ruined surface of Mandalore seeking redemption in the Living Waters of the Great Forge. His journey draws in Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) and turns toward the larger project of reuniting the scattered Mandalorian clans and reclaiming their homeworld from Imperial remnant forces under Moff Gideon.
The season expanded the show's scope considerably, weaving in threads from The Book of Boba Fett and setting up the broader Mando-verse. Reception was more mixed than for the first two seasons, with praise for its production design, Pascal and Sackhoff's performances, and Ludwig Göransson's score, alongside criticism of its more diffuse structure.
The fact that some time travel is involved in the show, Being Erica, makes it necessary to employ at least one other actress to play the part of Erica Strange. She is sometimes seen as a twelve year old girl and that would be difficult for actress Erin Karpluk to accomplish. Erica is thirty two, Jewish, and still single. Although well educated she appears to be an underachiever who is in therapy and has been for years. Erica's therapist, Dr. Tom Wexlar (portrayed by Michael Riley) works with her though often irritating her with mixed quotations that don't really help her. Erica's friends include Julianne (played by Reagan Pasternak) editor at the publishing company where Erica is most currently employed. The two eventually form a publishing company as co-owners and partners. Forth grade teacher and best friend, Ethan Wakefield, (played by Tyron Leitso) have been close since college. When he moves next door to Erica they become more than just best friends, resulting in his divorce, and complicating the friendship. Gary Strange (John Boylan) is Erica's father, now a rabbi, but formerly a marijuana using hippie. Mom Barbara (Kathleen Laskey) who adds depth and a serious note to the program when she develops breast cancer.
Albuquerque, New Mexico is the evidently a popular place for those who have had need to join the witness protection program (WITSEC) provided for those who have helped the U.S. Government convict criminals. Those who are brought to justice vow revenge and will often go to great lengths to "get even" . Although this is just an entertaining dramatic television show, it is based on actual occurrences. Mary Shannon (played by Mary McCormack from Law & Order: Criminal Intent and West Wing) is a member of the U.S. Marshals and along with her partner Marshal Marshall Mann (Fredrick Weller also from Law & Order: Criminal Intent) work with newly installed witnesses. Many of the newly secreted participants don't want to leave their former lifestyle but the alternative may be fatal. Each episode we find the Marshals must deal with a wide assortment of problems both on the job and in their private lives. Mary has an interesting family that includes a wacky mother Jinx Shannon (Lesley Ann Warren of Desperate Housewives, Will & Grace) and outlandish younger sister Brandi, played by Nichole Hiltz (Bones, Smallville) both of whom live with Mary as they sort out their own complicated lives.
The lives of Camelot, Guinevere, and King Arthur has been a popular subject for story telling for a long time now and it may be time for a reality check. The true story of Camelot and the lives and times affected by swords, magic, sex, betrayal, and the absolute monarchy of the times is played out on Starz television's Camelot. This time the story is told from a youthful perspective as Jamie Campbell Bower is a young and intrepid Arthur who is on his way to the throne. King Arthur himself is a complicated and complex character who came from humble beginnings to reach the seat of power. His lady Guinevere is the one bright and shining light in his life and the challenges faced by the man who would be King of England include moral issues, deception, and wars that never seem to end. The concept has long been put to film or play with many varying opinions on what kind of man Arthur actually was. The cast of characters, including Lancelot, Lady Guinevere, and Morgan, his overly ambitious half-sister make for intriguing viewing and this time around it seems more true to the facts than previous ventures.
The premise of Battlestar Galactica has become an entire franchise due to the popularity of the concept. Beginning back in 1978, Glen A. Larson created an ongoing joy for sci fi lovers with his original Battlestar Galactica series that aired on TV screens everywhere. Spawning many sequels over the years, including Caprica and the latest series which began its run in 2004, humans now live on a group of distant planets called the Twelve Colonies. Wars have gone on for decades on these planets against the Cylons, a group of cybernatics who plan to wipe out the human race altogether. Cylons offer a haven of peace and security but their intentions turn out to be false and deadly. Colonial starships carry the humans away but when attacked by the Cylons, find they are not able to compete. Commander Adama (played by Edward James Olmos of Miami Vice, Stand and Deliver fame) is the leader who takes the fugitive fleet of human survivors on a hunt for the mysterious 13th colony better known as planet Earth. Fun and often exciting drama with some great special effects and a gigantic and great looking spaceship called the Battlestar Galactica.
Even though the television series Haven does not exactly read like a Stephen King novel, it is loosely based on one of his recent works called the Colorado Kid. Filmed in Nova Scotia Canada, Haven is well written with a science fiction based plot. An FBI agent, Audrey Parker portrayed by Emily Rose (Brothers & Sisters, Jericho) arrives in the sea side town of Haven, Maine working what begins as a routine case but soon develops into something more supernatural. Seems people disappear for unknown reasons. Additionally she finds her long dead mother, whom she never met, may be involved. Also starring Lucas Bryant (Dollhouse, Queer as Folk) as local cop, Nathan Wuornos, who teams up with Parker to solve some of the strange goings on in Haven. He's got problems of his own with what he calls his "idiopathic Neuropathy" which is a condition that keeps him from literally feeling anything. Eric Balfour (Hawaii, The O.C.) plays Duke Crocker, a local who seems a jack of all trades and has plenty to hide. Chief of Police in Haven is Garland Wuornos (played by Nicholas Campbell (from Diamond's, The Hitchhiker) is Nathan's father and tries to convince Audrey Parker to stay on in Haven and solve the supernatural "troubles" the residents encounter.
When Nick Monohan moved his family away from Chicago and settled in a quiet and pleasantly upscale community where he became Chief of Police, he had no clue what they'd gotten themselves into. The neighbors in The Gates are not what they seem to be and soon the Monohans find themselves immersed in weird goings on and dangerous events seem to occur each night. The neighbors include werewolves, vampires, witches, and even a succubus which is often found in the form of an enchantress or seductress. Frank Grillo (Prison Break, Blind Justice) plays Nick Monohan and his wife Sarah is played by Marisol Nichols (24, Vegas Vacation). Son Charlie Monohan is played by Travis Caldwell and McKaley Miller plays daughter Dana. Of the assorted weird neighbors there is a vampire Dylan Radcliff (actor Luke Mably), his wife who is also a vampire, Claire Radcliff (played by Rhona Mitra), a very nasty witch named Devon (Chandra West) and the seductress Succubus Andie Bates (played by Skyler Samuels). Just your typical subdivision residents. It's all fun, well acted, and well written.
With their sites set on the Olympic Games we follow along with the lives of three teen gymnasts who strive to be the best and reach the ultimate goal of Olympic medals. Popular with viewers and critics as well, Make It or Break It has captivated audiences with the high quality writing and acting on each weekly episode. Kaylie Cruz is played by Josie Loren ( ), Payson Keeler played by Ayla Kell ( ), and Lauren Tanner portrayed by Cassie Scerbo ( ) are three determined teens who have been on the road to the Olympics most of their lives and are determined to be the best they can be physically as well as mentally. They work out at the "Rocky Mountain Gym" which is a fictional place in Boulder, Colorado. The Rock as their gym is known by offers great equipment and a place for the youngsters to meet and compete as they train for their future in gymnastics. There are "no dating" rules which, being teens, is bound to be broken and each new member must pass inspection before they are allowed to join the ranks. Lauren is the devious one who intends to come out on top.
Another reality television show that actually has merit is School Pride. The show is based on an actual restoration on Carver Elementary, a school in Compton, California seven years ago. The schools chosen on this program will receive around two million dollars worth of upgrades and repairs that were sorely needed plus plenty of exposure via the television program. Additionally the student participation helped with School Pride as they were a part of renovations and it is their family, volunteers, and neighbors that help organize the production. The premise is that schools in need of costly repairs can receive help when they showcase how much need there is for improvements and students participate by showing how much pride they have for their school. Somewhat based on the television program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" the cameras follow students, teachers, and community members performing the renovations badly needed by a particular school. In seven days it's amazing how much can be done and camera crews will return a few months later to see just how much improvement has been made and how it affects the surrounding community.
Starring stand up comedian Denis Leary, Rescue Me deals with real life trauma and the life of a fire fighter in the great city of New York. In a fictional fire house we follow along with the daily activities of the FDNY finest and bravest. Often their private lives call for more bravery than the job. Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) has a dysfunctional family and after losing a close cousin on September 11, 2001 he has problems dealing with the fact that cousin keeps showing up in his dreams or visions. Tommy deals with his alcoholism, unsettling visions, and the stress that goes with being a fire fighter each week. We ride along on the fire trucks as he and his group of firemen go about the business of putting out fires, help injured civilians, and deal with some domestic issues. The recurring guest list is impressive including Gina Gershon, Susan Sarandon, Artie Lange, Maura Tierney, Jennifer Esposito, and Michael J. Fox. As you would expect, the firemen in New York City are kept quite busy and danger is a constant possibility. Denis Leary and Peter Tolan are co-creators of Rescue Me.
What started out as a web based series in Canada has turned in to a successful television program airing on the Sci-Fi network. We find that Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping from The Outer Limits, The X-Files) and a team of experts run a place called Sanctuary where they examine and work with creatures and those people who have extraordinary powers, learning from them and hiding them away from harm. However some prove to be dangerous and must be handled especially carefully. Dr. Magnus is an English scientist who just happens to be 158 years old. She and her team of scientific experts run the organization seeking out assorted people or animals with special abilities and extraordinary powers. Dr. Magnus was trained by her father at a young age to protect the unusual and study the world. Her team includes her daughter Ashley, protege Will Zimmerman, Henry Foss a lycanthrope geek, and as a security and computer expert is one they refer to as Bigfoot (a Neanderthal like assistant played by Christopher Heyerdahl. Studying the abnormal each week includes run-ins with vampires, energy bound creatures, and competition from rival organizations.
