Genera+ion/Elite/HSMTMTS Review and LGBT Reflection

 It's been a while since I have posted on Spanengrish Ramblings, that is an understatement. I have been binge-watching a couple of Teen shows and decided to compare them. Some have been reviewed to death and one has not been. The three shows I am comparing are Genera+ion, Elite, and High School Musical the Musical the Series. One series is much more serious than the others. Two are more of comedies. I am also concerning on how LGBT characters and issues are handled in all three series. Also, Genera+ion and Elite both deal with sexuality more openly, and many of the characters are fluid and switch partners, not depending on gender. 

Premises
Genera+ion streams on HBO Max. It has not been praised enough. It follows teenagers at a school and many are LGBT and or experimenting with their sexuality. The show unapologetically explores the characters and relationships. It has a cavalcade of characters. 

Elite streams on Netflix. It is from Spain, it gets dubbed in English and created by Elite. Elite premiered 4 years prior. It follows rich kids at a prestigious high school with murder, drugs, lies, and the usual teen drama. The series started with 2 gay characters and 1 bisexual character. Soon it blossomed into 3 more bisexual characters and one more gay character.

High School Musical the Musical the Series streams on Disney Plus. It takes place in the school where High School Musical was shot and about the drama club and they performed High School The Musical. It is a comedy. The first season introduced two gay characters and then their relationship is being explored more in season two.

LGBT 
Genera+ion is LGBT all over, that it even has a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance)---which the characters explain is old school. There are about 12 main characters they balance around. Instead of saying how many LGBT characters there are, it is better to just saw which ones have mainly been in heterosexual relationships and there are 4 characters (Naomi, Deliah, J, and Arianna). On top of it that Deliah (Lukita Maxwell) is non-binary and J probably is too but they have mostly been in heterosexual relationships. Genera+ion has been compared to Euphoria but it is much more positive and leans towards comedy than Euphoria does. 

The breakout main character Chester (Justice Smith) is openly gay and flamboyant. Smith does a great job as him, he completely understands this character and embodies it. His storyline is he falls for his school counselor who is also out Sam (Nathan Stewart-Jarret) and later meet-cute D&D geek Bo (Marwan Salama). My favorite characters have to be Riley (Chase Sui Wonders) and Greta (Haley Sanchez), their characters are so sweet and real. Greta is Mexican-American, she is a sweet, quiet, and polite girl whose mother is overwhelming and strict. She has a crush on Riley, a cool girl whose mother has a very uncommon strange story. You have to just watch it to understand it. What is strange is that I didn't even know Greta's aunt was actually a transgender actress Nava Mau (Ana), it is not even referenced until episode 14. Another standout is Martha Plimpton playing Megan, another mother she plays having issues with her son's sexual orientation. But Plimpton is a pro and even if her dialogue can make someone angry, she delivers such passion and legitimacy to her role. 

Elite starts out with the sweet story of Omar (Omar Ayuso) and Ander (Aron Piper). Omar, the child of Muslim immigrants, he has a conflict with his dad but not because of his sexuality but of his strict upbringing. Polo (Alvaro Rico) is later revealed to be bisexual and has a threesome with his girlfriend and a guy. Actually, there are a lot of threesomes in Elite and there is a lot of guys. Polo is in actually in two of the three threesomes. Then we have seemingly bisexual Valerio (Jorge Lopez) who mixes in with Polo and his new girlfriend. I don't say many names because of spoilers. Then in Season 4, a character was straight, then gets in a relationship with another girl, both never been with a girl before. Also in season 4, Patrick (Manu Rios) mixes in with Omar and Ander. 

High School Musical the Musical the Series only has so far two gay characters. Carlos (Frankie A. Rodriguez) and Seb (Joe Serafini) go out on a date in season 1. This is a big deal because there not many LGBT characters on Disney +. Love, Victor was supposed to be on Disney + and then moved over to Hulu, so it is clear they were hesitant to have any LGBT characters in Disney +. Frankie and Joe are even in a relationship in real life. In Season 2, Seb throws a birthday party for Carlos in his farmhouse and they call it a Quinceanero instead of the quinceanera. They only kiss once and in that same episode.

Reviews
I definitely recommend watching Genera+ion, it is a great show. Elite on the other hand is a cup of tea, it depends if you can stomach teenagers being irresponsible and death. If you want to see hot boys and don't care for plot, then watch Elite. HSMTMTS is sweet and everything is okay--kind of series. So if you can put up with cute saccharine stuff, then watch HSMTMTS.

Stranger Things Season 3 Review/Analysis

If you love Stranger Things, you probably already saw season 3. this is do an analysis of it.  If you are not a fan, this is to draw you in. I only recently got  into it. I binged season 1 and 2 and then saw 3 when it debuted July 4th. Stranger Things is basically about pre-teens that love playing Dungeons and Dragons and one of their friends (Will) is kidnapped by a monster. This monster is from the Upsidedown, either another dimension, a mirror dimension of the real world or the future of the hometown of Hawkins. So basically there is a sheriff (Hopper) involved and when he thinks he is looking for Will, he finds Eleven, a test subject. Not to spoil much, it's a fun ride.

 First, for the ones not familiar:

SUMMARY

If you have not seen Stranger Things, you may have seen pieces or heard of it. It has been accused of pointless nostalgia and focusing on Steven Speilberg-ish idealness. The Duffer Brothers grew up in the 80s like me and they studied film but they use stuff from the big blockbusters and mainstream media (Jaws, ET, Aliens, John Hughes movies, etc.) but also Super 8. What draws you into the show is the great story telling and character development. 

Without Spoiling: It's summer and the kids are coupled up. A person gets invaded by the Mindflayer and wants revenge on Eleven, recruits unwillingly participants. A new mall opens. Steve works at Scoops Ahoy, an ice cream parlor with Robin, a former classmate. Dustin hangs out with Steve and stumble into a secret thingy. While Nancy and Jonathan both have a job at a local newspaper, Jonathan is a photographer but Nancy is a go-for. She wants to be a journalist. Hopper and Joyce also team up when her magnets fall off the refrigerator. And that's all I can say.

Spoilers: So it's summer, Hopper is bugged with Mike and Eleven making out and goes to Joyce for help and she notices magnets are falling off the refrigerator. Joyce and Hopper try to see if the old lab is working--it's not. They stumble unto the mayor and a quid pro quo situation. Everyone is in on the mystery. Steve, Robin, and Dustin stumble unto a Russian conspiracy in the mall. Eleven and Max stumble upon Billy being possessed by the Mind Flayer. Nancy and Jonathan investigate about weird acting rodents (which I will touch about in the Review.)  Then all the groups eventually converge, the adults being the last. The big showdown occurs in the mall.

REVIEW

Without Spoilers: Fun, entertaining, funny, perspective on old fashions, gross and I don't know, for some people scary. CGI is not so scary for me. They did do some practical effects. But everything just starts looking the same. Duffers did their homework, took notes about season 2 and took it to heart. In season 2, they skewered away a bit, this time they didn't. Season 3 stays in one spot, the kids are growing up and the show embraces it. They know which actors work best together and others don't. 

With Spoilers: The majority hated season 2 because they went off-ramp and Eleven left Hawkins and went to visit her sister. It was like a hidden pilot spin-off. I actually liked the episode. This season stays in Hawkins. It feels very insular. If you wanted answers about what Mind Flayer is, what the Upsidedown is, forget it. It's just about fun. I liked the parts with Steve, Robin, Dustin and Erica the best. The Party, the teens was okay, pretty run-the-mill stuff and the others have to get powers soon because they all rely on Eleven and Lucas' slingshot is not always going to work. The references to New Coke was hilarious. People call it advertising or rosy glasses view of the past. I think have a critical eye to the past is interesting. Maybe they aren't negative. 

I do not like Nancy and Jonathan were strapped with just the Rat problem. Also, she and her mom had that heart-to-heart and was told that Nancy will make a newspaper article. It would have made more sense for Nancy to stumble upon the Russian conspiracy and try to reveal it in an article. But because that was Steve's storyline, I guess they couldn't have them together. If they flip-flopped and Steve was an exterminator and found the rats, it wouldn't be the same. Robin could've been his co-worker and Dustin could've stuck around. But it would've been similar to Season 2 with them hunting the Demidogs so probably why they didn't do that. I still wish Nancy got something published for the end of season 3. I guess they are leaving that for later. 

Critical Analysis: 

What were the Russians up to? They clearly wanted to use the Demodogs and creatures against the United States. As in Season 1, Eleven was created to spy the Russians. It is not clear. Also, it is not clear about Alexi. what he knew of the Upsidedown or what he was told. What was the goal. As for Hopper, I think he's alive but he's not in Russia. At the end of the last episode, the Russians mention an "American." If he is alive with the Russians, then he should be full of scars and stuff. I think he probably ended up in the Upsidedown. For Season 4 (which will be filming soon), Will, Jonathan, Joyce and Eleven have moved. So if the action starts in Hawkins, it would be that the Party will have to go look for Eleven. Or maybe the action goes to Eleven. Finally, I love the show. I will keep watching. I'm looking forward to Season 4. 

Tyrus: Disney Channel's first official gay couple

 It has been a while since I write on this blog and it mostly go to the fact that I speak my mind more on Twitter. Recently my Surface shut down and had to switch the battery and screen. The second, my laptop lost its wifi combability. I'm trying to fix that while I have teaching workshops for work during the summer. Anyway, enough about me...

Andi Mack is/was a Disney Channel program about pre-teens and their trials and tribulations. A coming of age story that was controversial with the bible belt and conservative parents because Andi finds out her sister is really her mother. The show deals with gun violence, bullying, unplanned pregnancy and other topics. Anyway, after three seasons Disney decided to cancel it. No real reason was given. Some suspect it has to do with Stoney Westmoreland (Andi's grandfather), being arrested for attempted sexual liaison with a minor. He was fired and all scenes of him were removed from new episode. I don't think it has to do with the LGBT storyline.

In the last episode "We were here," one of the main characters Cyrus (Joshua Rush) developed a friendship with his friend Buffy''s former bully/rival T.J. (Luke Mullen). Throughout season 3, their storyline is about their blossoming friendship and underline romantic love. The creator of the show Terri Minsky (who also did Lizzie Maguire) says the majority of their storyline was subtext. TJ hung out with Kira, who seemingly seemed romantic but he assured Cyrus it wasn't romantic. Cyrus seemed left out. In the last episode, they are at a party and Buffy tells Cyrus that there is a reason why TJ is with Kira. The reason is not revealed. Kira makes fun of Cyrus' dancing and TJ calls him out and she gives him an ultimatum. He says Cyrus wouldn't give him an ultimatum. This answers her question and she leaves. TJ, Cyrus and gang sing Lady Gaga's "Born this way." Then TJ and Cyrus sit on a bench and Cyrus bugs him to learn his real name. he tells him, Cyrus tells him he loves the name. TJ asks Cyrus if he wants to know any more and it becomes a loop of them asking themselves those questions. And they hold hands.

I only seen a couple episode of Andi Mack, mostly of when Cyrus came out and his interactions with TJ. It is a good episode. I am sad the show ended. I wish we could see the rest of Cyrus and TJ's journey. I did initially wanted Cyrus and TJ to kiss like Buffy and her love interest in the episode. But Terri Minsky spoke about it saying it was appropriate for their story/journey that they touched hands and not kiss. And their relationship was subtext. My perspective of it is that if the show was ending, it was their last chance to go all out and they could have just kissed. The show was already cancelled. 

The future I see is different spinoffs or a reunion movie. When I say movie, it could a TV movie.

• Andi Mack reunion TV Movie on Disney Channel
• Andi Mack reunion TV Movie on Disney+
• Andi Mack mini-series on Disney+
• Cyrus + TJ Spin-off on Disney+

The following are my ideas only, they are not real---yet:

Andi Mack TV Movie

Andi has entered the Art high school and still hangs out with Buffy and Cyrus. Buffy and Cyrus cope with being Andi-less. Cyrus and TJ cope with the relationship becoming public. 

Andi Mack Mini-Series
Same as the TV Movie but more drawn out. A couple episodes like 6 or 8. Andi has entered the Art high school and still hangs out with Buffy and Cyrus. Buffy and Cyrus cope with being Andi-less. Andi struggles making friends in school and makes a new friend who is a girl and Buffy becomes jealous. Cyrus and TJ cope with the relationship becoming public. 

Cyrus + TJ Spinoff (Tyrus)

I think this would be better for Disney + because it wouldn't have the scrutiny of Disney Channel. They could have the Andi Mack TV movie or mini-series to continue her story so this would be the whole focus of Cyrus and TJ. The reason I say Cyrus and TJ, not only Cyrus because TJ wasn't a main character in Andi Mack. We can learn more about TJ and his family. I foresee them having a strong relationship but having some outside influence. Not that all the kids would bully them but there would be people like Kira that might sneer. Also there might be things that take their time like basketball  movie making or what not.

I think the reason "Tyrus" is fascinating is it is the jock/arty kid relationship you rarely see on TV or gay movies. It usually is the bad boy and arty kid or the macho guy and the feminine guy. It is rare to have relationships like that. TJ and Cyrus is just a completely cute relationship. 

Humans Original Swedish series compared to British/American AMC/Channel 4 version

Humans (2015) is a joint British and American production from AMC and Channel 4, adapted from the original Swedish series Real Humans (2012) which lasted two seasons. I have seen the first season and part of the second of the Swedish series but without subtitles so I might miss some parts.

Both series deal with Synths/Hubots, robots that co-exist with humans and are helpers (nannies, cleaners, etc.) but there are more active A.I.'s along with Leo, who is a hybrid thanks to his father, the creator of the Synths. Leo is on the run with his 'siblings,' Synths that are aware with one killer Synth. Anyway, some things are rearranged. This contains spoilers, where Leo doesn't reunite with his 'siblings' in the original version. The main family, the Engman family didn't help out the active Synths while the Hawkins did. Dr. George Millican's (William Hurt) counterpart Lennart Solberg in the Swedish version was related to the Engman family but he did have his Hubot Odi, same name in both versions. Also D.S. Pete Drummond is a mixture of two characters, of Leif Andree, who had a wife who was into her Synth/Hubot but he wasn't a detective. 

There was much more characters in Real Humans and a lot of storylines were shorten and dumped in Humans. For example, the conscious Hubots have more storyline of hiding from people. Also Roger's wife Camila, which is Peter's wife's counterpart has a longer storyline about being with her robot and she has a friend that is married to her robot. Also there is a whole subplot of Odi being with traffickers and criminals. 

 Leo Eischer/Leo Elster

In Real Humans, played by semi-famous Sweish actor Andreas Wilson and in Humans, semi-famous Colin Morgan (Merlin). Both handsome fellows who their fathers David were robot creators. Leo drowned and was saved by their father and was made into a hybrid. He sought his siblings. In Real Humans, Leo died in the end of season one and didn't reunite with Mimi/Anita. Mimi/Mia was his mother figure.

Mimi/Mia/Anita

Both were named Anita by their families. Both were mother figures to Leo. Both were made to have other programs to replace them. I am not sure about season 2 of Real Humans but Anita did not turn back into Mimi in season 1. 

Inger Engman/Laura Hawkins

Both heads of households, both lawyers, both uneasy about Anita. I am not too sure about Inger because I don't know Swedish and didn't see the show subbed. Laura eventually gets on the side of Mia once she sees it for herself who she is. 

 Hans Engman/Joe Hawkins

Both brought Anita home. Joe had sex with Anita while I don't think Hans did. The Engman family was all blonde while the Hawkins family is mixed when Joe is ginger, Laura has reddish-brown hair and all their kids are brunettes but Sophie is dirty blonde. 

Tobias Engman/Toby Hawkins

Both teenage boys, both had a thing for Anita. But Toby was more innocent as Tobias actually felt up Anita in Real Humans and saw her naked. 

 Matilda Engman/Matilda Hawkins

Both are eldest child of the family. Both hackers but Mattie is much more so in Humans. Both hacked into Anita. In Real Humans, Matilda worked at the supermarket where Odi broke down.

Sofia Engman/Sophie Hawkins

Both the youngest, both bonded with Anita.

Lennart Solberg/Dr. George Millican

Both elder men who have a robot named Odi. Lennart was related to the mom Inger in Real Humans while unrelated to the Hawkins in Humans. Both are given rougher female model robots to replace the broken down Odi. George worked for Leo's dad David and has more connection to the Synths. In Humans, he is played by William Hurt and is killed. As of season 1, Lennart was alive. 

Odi

Lennart's beloved but broken down Hubot. He is stolen and reprogrammed for criminals which continues into season 2 of Real Humans. In Humans, he is just abandoned and returned to George, he had memories that helped George.

Roger/Ove/D.S. Peter Drumond

Engman's neighbor Roger works at a Hubot warehouse and lives with his wife Therese and step-son Kevin (who has his own plots) in the beginning of the series. Camila then begins a relationship with her hubot Rick. She moves out. In Real Humans, he is a detective and only alludes to his wife Jill with being with her Synth. Peter almost has a relationship with Karen. Peter is a combo of Roger and Ove, a detective in Real Humans.

Niska

In Real Humans she is the leader of the conscious Hubots and killer. In Humans, she worked as a prostitute, was a killer but then resentful for it. Even sort of bonds with Sophie. Humans' Niska is a mix of two Hubots from Real Humans, as another was a prostitute. 

Max

Both followed Leo around but in Real Humans, Max did not have free will yet and was destroyed. In Humans, Max does have free will and sacrifices himself for the others. 

 Bea Novak/Karen Voss

Both are detectives that turn out to be robots that were designed to look like Leo's dead mom. In Humans, she betrays the other conscious robots. In Real Humans she does speak to Niska from time to time. In Real Humans, she bonds with Roger and in Humans, she sort of has a connection with Peter, Roger's counterpart.

Every Witch Way - Season 2 - Finale Review

"Emma vs. Emma"

Last episode Evil Emma wanted to join Desdemona and give her the 'real Emma.' She says she'll destroy Desdemona, Desdemona laughs and calls her 'goody-two shoes.' Jax says they are stronger as a group. Desdemona says she doesn't do groups, she throws snakes a them. Jax tries escaping but Desdemona puts a lock on it. Jax moans as snakes get on him. Desdi said she would fill the room with snakes.. but it is just a clump of snakes. Outside of the clinic, Gigi makes sense of the whole thing, she wants revenge on Desdemona and sees snakes and runs off. Jax keep complaining. Desdemona talks about Emma's mom and says she will turn her into a cookie. Evil Emma says she wants to join her. Jax pleads for help. Evil Emma says, "Quit your complaining, they are just snakes." And just like that, Evil Emma makes the snakes disappear.

 

Desdemona is about to do a spell but Evil Emma smacks a magic thing on Desdi's hand on the wall. Desdemona says she is not the Emma she knows. Evil Emma clarifies it and Desdemona FINALLY figures out she is a clone. (Sigh, how stupid is Desdemona?) Evil Emma wants to know how to merge the two lights. Desdemona asks what if she says no. Evil Emma asks "Can ONE council member defeat TWO chosen ones?" At the dock, Andi tells Hex that she messed up. Hex drags her to get help from Maddie against her will. Her plan was to get her guardian belt and bust out Danny and Emma. Back at the Abyss, Emma asks if the surf board will hold and the walls start moving again. The board breaks. Back at the Limbo, food is dropped to the Council Members Ramona, Lily and Agamemnon. They get a note from Diego that he will hold the portal open. If the portal closes halfway through, they will end up in the Limbo of Limbos which you can not escape from.

 

Meanwhile at Maddie, Andi begrudgingly asks Maddie for help. Maddie says why help Emma and Hex almost bites her. Katie says they need more witches and that Maddie will be the leader. Andi is coaxed to flatter her. Andi owes Maddie though. Hex glows and they need copper, wax, silver and a key and they run off to the T3 who have to have it. Then at Emma's house, Francisco (how Evil Emma refers to him) offers E and Jax dinner and E freezes him. Jax is a little scared of her. She says in 24 hours SHE will rule the world. Jax corrects her with "WE." He thinks Desdemona will double cross them. Evil Emma says they will double cross for. Later at T3's room, they make a key with a machine and they say will make it in 12 hours. They leave for dinner. Maddie hurries the process and it blows up on Sophie, Andi, Maddie and Katie. They find the key on Sophie. Maddie sends Sophie to the Abyss. The walls start moving. Emma unlocks the door. Daniel holds the walls and forces Emma to go without him. Emma and Sophie end up in the school.

 

Emma screams for Daniel. Emma leaves Sophie. Desdemona finds a spell in a book, that all other wizards will get sucked into nothing. She hears Emma and goes out. Emma hugs Desdemona. Sophie tells her not to do it. Emma explains and tells her to safe Daniel. Sophie tries helping. Emma tells her of the AByss and that her evil clone sent her. Desdemona figures out that Emma is the regular one and is about to make a spell. Desdemona reveals they formed an alliance to destroy the Realm. Sophie jumps on top of Desdemona. Emma turns her into a stone statue. Sophie and Emma run away. Daniel appears at the dock. Back at Maddie's, Andi, Maddie and Katie talk. Sophie texted to Maddie and Maddie didn't tell her. Andi is about to get her. Sophie and Emma arrive, Andi and Emma hug and they apologize. Andi tells her that Philip was dangerous. Katie asks for Danny. Maddie is worried that Daniel is in trouble, eh texted her a half an hour ago he appeared on the dock. Andi is mad. Later at Emma's, Evil Emma nd Jax talk about what they will do after taking over the world.

 

Jax wants to magic surf, E doesn't, Jax mixes up regular Emma with Evil Emma. E makes it clear that she doesn't like glitter or helping people. She sits on an ATV. Danny watches form the window. E says there is things she doesn't like about Jax. The next day, Andi and Emma wake up at Maddie's as they slept over with the Panthers. Andi plays a prank on Maddie and Emma chastises her. Ursula rushes in, not having slept in two days, she knows how to get the Council out of limbo. She says someone can pull the Council out. Katie says the Council already told them this. Maddie sees what Andi did and screams at her. Back at Emma's, Emma and Andi spy the window with Evil Emma. Evil Emma leaves. Andi and Emma and Hex enter the house. Andi loves the ATV. Emma puts a spell on Francisco, to got to a big brain convention, gets rid of the stuff Evil Emma did and unfreeze him.

 

Desdemona breaks free from the statue form and teleports away. Meanwhile, Danny puts on paint ball armor. Danny's mom comes in with cleaning supplies. Danny tells his mom that she is a great mom. She tells him not to take things too seriously. Meanwhile, Jax and his dad talks. Jax's dad says Desdemona knows a lot of spells and not to mess it up. Jax mentions twins (his sisters?). Jax looks at a photo of him and Emma at the beach. "What I must." At 7, Diego and Gigi talk, that they have to get to Maddie. Desdemona comes in. Gigi hides behind Diego. Back at Emma's house, Emma wants to know what to know. She says they need a Guardian. Danny comes in and she hugs Danny. Jax comes with flowers and sees Emma and Danny in the window. Danny and Andi hug. Andi asks about the armor, Danny says T3 made it, hoping spells reflect off. Emma, Andi and Danny leave, Jax hides and is mad. "You're all going to regret this." Jax steps on the flowers.

 

Diego and Gigi tells Desdemona to go away. Desdemona says Gigi knows too much. Gigi swears she won't tell. Diego tells Gigi not to move, Gigi runs, Desdemona attacks her and Diego throws pizza boxes. Diego then uses sand on her, covering her mostly. He runs out. Back at the school, a boy is getting his books and Jax turns him into a mouse. Evil Emma is looking over clothes, guarding the Realm entrance. Jax says they have a problem. Emma changes white dress into black. Jax reports that Emma and Danny escaped. Evil Emma is mad. Jax tells her she is planning to stop them. Evil Emma plans to destroy her. Diego and Gigi are going to Maddie's and Desdemona hears this, they are at the back of 7. Desdemona puts Diego and Gigi in a prison cage and take a picture. Maddie wonders where Diego is when Emma, Danny and Andi enters Maddie. Andi says they are the starting lineup and they are the reinforcements. Maddie tells Emma he is de-hunked. Maddie tries turning Danny into a lime and the vest works. Katie says they need Diego to get the Council out. Maddie gets a text from Desdemona.

 

 At the school, Jax asks how they will stop Emma. Jax says she has no flaws. Evil Emma thinks he prefer Emma.  Jax says they are destined for greatness. Evil Emma says Emma is their dad. All fights out of Miami has been canceled, Emma's dad's flight has been canceled. Danny says to split up. Emma and Danny will get Emma's dad, the Panthers get Diego and the Council while Andi will guard the entrance with Hex. Emma isn't sure about it, she is worried, Andi tells her she has earn her stripes to be a Guardian. At 7, Desdemona says she has no time and plans. She tries making scorpions appear and the Panthers appear. Maddie and Desdemona have a magic fight. Diego is freed and he sends a wind towards her. Desdemona teleports away. Diego and Maddie hug. Sophie awws and the others "ewws."

 

Francisco arrives at his house to Evil Emma and Jax, E turns the dad into a Beta fish. Back at the school, Andi and Hex stop Desdemona at the entrance of the realm. Desdemona tries attacking but Hex gets her and Andi wraps her with a lasso. Desdemona frees herself and de-powers Hex. Andi goes to Hex's aid and cries. Desdi laughs. The realm door opens. At Emma's house, Emma and Daniel meet E and Jax. Danny goes near them, E has the dad as a fish and threatens him. Emma says Jax won't hurt anyone. Jax says she doesn't know him. E wants Emma's powers in a bottle or she drains her father. Emma puts her powers away and Jax takes the bottle. E puts the fish in the sink anyway. Andi cries for Hex as Desdemona about to enter and Andi tackles the witch. They wrestle on the floor. Daniel got the dad fish. Back at 7, Gigi si sleeping--a spell Maddie made. Sophie ties a cord on Maddie. Diego opens a portal and Maddie goes in, after hugging. Katie holds the rope.

 

Desdemona tries pushing the lockers. Andi is all tied up. Jax and E arrive. Andi says Jax is banned from the sharks. Desdi was double crossing them. The last light begins, Jax and E attack Desdemona, double crossing her double cross (Having Andi narrate this spells sloppy writing for me). They fight with magic. Meanwhile at the limbo, Ramona, Agamemnon and Lily say the Last Light start. Maddie entered with a rope. Lily hugs Maddie. Maddie offers the rope, Lily goes up. Back at school, Emma and Danny see the last light has started. They hold hands. Evil Emma and Desdemona have a show off. Jax goes to the lockers, trying to push them open. Danny unties Andi. The last light hits Desdemona, making her weak. She asks for help from E. Desdemona turns good again. Evil Emma claps her hands. Agamemnon enters the 7, Maddie is the last one. Diego can't hold the portal anymore, he faints and the portal closes. Hax can't open the lockers. Evil Emma blasts the locker opening realm portal (It isn't clear why only a portal opening is needed). Emma asks where Hex is. Emma says Evil Emma is her responsibility. Jax tells Evil Emma to remind their agreement about his family, E says to not get sentimental. Emma faces her. Evil Emma says she will go bye bye. Emma tells Jax to think about their friends and family.

 

Jax fells that Emma didn't think about him, he is hurt. Emma asks Jax again, the light blinds Jax. Evil Emma stands by herself and turns around. Meanwhile at 7, the others wonder where Maddie is. Agie says that is it, that she is trapped. Diego tries opening the portal but he is too weak. He opens it again and Maddie is pulled out. (Why is Sophie and Katie the only ones pulling? Why not Agie and Ramona too?) Anyway, Maddie and Diego kiss. The two Emmas wrestle, Jax gives Emma her powers. Evil Emma blasts Jax down on the floor. Emma regains her powers. Evil Emma says it is too late. Evil Emma is about to attack Emma, Daniel jumps in front and the spell reflects off him and hits Evil Emma. Evil Emma falls. The vortex starts pulling all magical beings. Andi saves Hex. Emma fights being pulled. At 7, the limbo has weakened the council. Ramona, Lily and the others are started to be pulled away. The Panthers hold Maddie. Danny pulls Emma away. Evil Emma wakes up and stands in front of the door again (why isn't she being pulled in?). Emma flies in the air and tells Danny that she loves her. Emma flies away, Evil Emma is knocked in. Danny grabs Emma and the door closes. The wind stops. Jax apologizes. Andi and Danny are mad. Desdemona asks where she is. Danny and Emma hug. A week or so later, Gigi is reporting and says she forgot what something important. Jax zaps Emma's lunch to (something better? hard to tell). Emma and Jax share smiles. Emma then looks at Daniel longingly. Jax looks at them.

 

We see video cams of the cast talking about season 3.

 

Review:

Like I said before, Desdemona is an idiot. It took her forever to figure out that Evil Emma was talking to her in the beginning and she was also dumb when talking to original Emma when she came out of the Abyss. Desdemona could had tricked Emma even more but at least Sophie was there. I liked Sophie's involvement and bravery, helping Emma and Daniel out of the Abyss plus her jumping on top of Desdemona. Andi was also brave with Desdemona, so Andi and Sophie get points. I liked the scenes with Maddie and Diego, it had more momentum than the scenes between Evil Emma, Desdemona and Emma. I like how Maddie saved the Council, she shows her bravery and near-unselfishness. I wish Emma was stronger in character, she was ready to let herself go telling Daniel "I love you" and it took him to get her out. I guess you can say it is true love but Evil Emma had more bravery. Evil Emma was smart and Paolo did a good job with her.

 

 I did like the characterization and plot work of Jax. But it did seem that Jax was supposed to be two characters. Sometimes comical (like when people call him a witch and he says, "Wizard!") and then a real dark character (like when trying a student into a mouse and his betrayals). But I did like what Rahart Adams did with the material. What was confusing was his dad's plot because supposedly he was to war up to Emma and then combine the two lights? But it didn't looks like he was going to do that. Anyway, moving on.. the whole combining two lights plot was confusing. Clearly they are hindered by the small budget and that Council portal at the lockers. It is ridiculous that it is the only portal, because when Ramona got out of the Limbo, she was in L.A. and then scrambled in Miami school for the portal... why didn't she look at another portal in LA?

 

Anyways back to the whole thing, how was Evil Emma destroyed? The portal just closed, doesn't it mean she ended up in the Magic Realm? Or was she just absorbed? It wasn't clear. Because if Evil Emma was standing in front of the portal and the others were being sucked in, weren't they just going to knock Evil Emma in like real Emma did? Ah.. whatever.

 

 

Every Witch Way - Season 2 Final Week Review

UPDATED 8/9/14 9AM EST
This is a review of Season 2 episodes that aired Tuesday to Thursday August 5th to 7th. The one hour finale will have its own post on Friday after it airs Eastern Standard Time. Remember Danny = Daniel, Agie = Agamemnon, Bad Emma = B.E. and Desdi = Desdemona

"Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree"

At 7, Jax, Emma, Andi and Philip eat pizza and discuss Danny getting foamed. Phillip asks Andi to dance and everyone joins in zombie dancing. Jax says when he gets his powers back he wants to use it to make his friends happy and Emma says she will help him get them back. Danny and Sophie enter and everyone claps (due to their performance in Romeo and Juliet). Emma excuses herself to talk to Danny, Jax says outloud to himself that "Danny will be 'no problem' once I get my powers back.. ever again." (paraphrase) After the opening and commercials, Diego moves behind plants at Maddie's house and Ursula comes in curlers and Maddie hides Diego from her. Ursula thinks it is a skunk and runs out. Maddie goes after her. At school, Philip is popular with the kids and Andi scares off girls from him. Jax and Emma arrive and Jax tries a handshake with him. Philip goes to his locker. Emma says people might notice he is a zombie and he tries biting Emma's hair.

Andi defends Philip and leaves. Jax suggests to use a memory erasing spell, Emma is not for it. He wants to push magic boundaries when he gets them back and suggests she will be boring. She gets mad and leaves. He goes after her. Gigi calls Desdi and has big news for her. Agie teleports behind Gigi without her knowing and listens in to Gigi saying that Emma wants to get Jax's powers back. Gigi hangs up and leaves. Agie talks to himself and runs away. Elsewhere, Maddie moons over Diego--who get pelted with hot curlers by Ursula. Katie and Sophie bump into them. Katie wants to skip. Boys text Sophie, crazy about her and she gets flowers. Meanwhile, Agie follows Gigi (hilarious in the small brightly lit set) and he sees she is under a spell. He teleports out. Later, Philip and Andi play around in the hallway (same hallway) and bump into the Panthers. Danny intervenes when they are dissing. Maddie mocks Philip and he tries to bite her, Danny takes him away.

Danny, Andi and Philip enter Gigi's janitor closet and the camera is rolling. Andi is angry at Danny. Gigi wants an interview with Philip and Andi. Andi is for the interview. Gigi puts a bright light and Philip gets hostile. Danny takes him away. Andi takes Gigi's phone. Meanwhile, Emma and Jax are by their lockers putting on safety goggles. Jax hasn't done his homework and she chastises him and he tries being a cutie. He makes her use magic to finish it and they high five. She wants to take it back. Back at the cafeteria, Andi and Danny discuss the Philip issue. Danny thinks it is best to send him back. Philip sits next to them. The Panthers arrive, teasing, making Andi angry. Philip goes after Maddie's brains, Danny, Philip and Andi leave. Danny chastises Andi, she says he was doing them a favor. Philip goes into the janitor closet. Danny and Andi go after him. Ursula calls Maddie, she wants to know who is next to her, they hide Diego. Katie blackmails Maddie to make her a boyfriend. In the janitor closet, Gigi and Francisco arrive, asking for her phone back. 

Philip is about to attack, Andi returns the phone. Gigi puts the light on and Philip attacks Francisco. Francisco says Philip is suspended and makes Danny take him outside and calls Danny a slacker. At the clinic, Agie enters and looks through Desdi's things, finding Ramona's shoe. He casts a spell and see Desdi sending Ramona away the second time. He realizes Desdi is the Big Bad. He says he has to stop her. Later at Danny's, Danny and Philip play video games. Andi arrives.  Danny tries convincing her to go back into the game. Andi defends him. Andi takes him to 7. Danny goes to Emma's and discusses returning Philip. Jax is on the couch. (funny enough he doesn't mention Philip getting expelled by his dad) Emma and Danny head to the 7, Jax follows. At Maddie's, Katie and Sophie enter with three dogs to Maddie and Diego. Katie is not sure which dog. Maddie makes the dog into a boy and he follows Katie. Katie changes her mind. Maddie says she will stay with the dog boyfriend (Howard) for the rest of the day as a punishment for blackmailing her. 

 

Meanwhile at 7, Philip and Andi are happy when Jax, Emma and Danny arrive. Emma is mad that Philip tried eating her dad. Andi is short on money and wants it from her 'partner' Jax. Jax says he thought Andi was not for it. Andi says she has reconsidered it ("Money, now.") Philip goes after Gigi and Danny stops him. People run, Sophie comes in with Howard. Katie, Maddie and Diego arrive. Andi pushes Howard away. Just the main cast is left in the 7. The group conflicts. Andi asks Diego which side he is on, he says he doesn't know. Howard bumps Sophie who bumps into Andi. Philip attacks Sophie. Danny pulls him away, Philip gets free and goes after Emma and Emma sends Philip back into the game. Emma checks on Danny, he's fine. Andi is fighting with Katie when she notices Philip is gone. Andi looks for him and asks Emma what she did and is mad at her. Emma says she had to. Andi says she is hurt and exits. 

Later at the dock Emma is alone and Danny arrives. Danny felt bad about Andi and went there as it is their spot. Back at the clinic, 247 spells and Agie has failed in bringing Lily back from Limbo. Desdi teleports in and says it is no use. Agie says she is an ex-council member and is about to send her away when they have a magic battle. She gets half of her hair fried and she sends him away to the Abyss.

Guests: Agamemnon, Desdemona, Francisco, Philip, Ursula

Not Present: Ramona, Lily, Danny's mom, T3

 

"Best Friends Never"

Emma and Danny are at the dock. He quotes his mom, that the right thing doesn't always feel good. Emma can't get a hold of Jax. Danny says maybe he is busy. Emma says he is never too busy for her. At the school, Jax tries opening the lockers leading to the Council. He tries prying them open when Desdi arrives, asking what he thinks he is doing. Agie is dumped in the Abyss by Desdi and bumps into "Emma" but it is actually Evil Emma but he doesn't know this. She pretends to be the Real Emma. B.E. asks what is going on. Agie explains Desdi's plan. The Abyss is where all lost things land. B.E. has been trying for days (since she was banished) to get out. Agie lost his key to the door so the key must be in the Abyss. They must search for the key. Back with Desdi and Jax, Jax says he was working out. Desdi knows he was entering to the council. Jax denies it.

Desdi figures out he wants her powers back. She blasts at him and he dodges it. She says the last light is hers. He denies it. Gigi arrives. Jax runs off. Desdi is mad at Gigi. Meanwhile at Maddie's house, Maddie is alone. Diego doesn't like sneaking around. Maddie thinks it is romantic. Before they go to school, Diego has been training and shows his new tricks. Diego finds he can create portals (holding his morphing ability) and Maddie uses it as a trash can. She wants to dump Andi, Emma and Jax inside. Diego says it drains him if he keeps it open too long. In Limbo, Lily is trapped along with Ramona. Ramona tries escaping but it is no use. She escaped last time because of the storm. They receive a balled up paper that Lily tries decrypting. Then at school, Andi is moving lockers. Emma says Philip was dangerous. Andi says Jax is dangerous too. Andi leaves in a  huff. Jax arrives and says she should've kept Philip and makes jokes, which Emma isn't thrilled about. Jax figured out how to get his powers back by proving himself worthy to the Council or break into the council to get them back. Jax makes her feel bad that he lost his powers for her. She says he doesn't let her forget that. She leaves in a huff.

Danny and Diego talk in the locker room talk about getting Emma back. Danny has to figure out his next move. Diego thinks he is moving too slowly. In the Cafeteria, Emma sits where Andi is and Andi leaves. Panthers believe they were fighting. Maddie says Andi is stubborn and that their friendship is over. Emma finds Andi in the clinic, looking for the magic mobile phone. Emma asks Andi if Desdi was acting weird, she was tough at them at gym and growled at Emma in the hallway. Emma wants to spy on Andi, Andi is not laughing and somber. Andi says she is not her sidekick anymore and leaves the room. Emma gets the phone and calls Lily but there is just a beeping noise. Meanwhile at Jax's bedroom, he gets a laptop message from his dad (just voice)--which seems he is in Australia. He was suppose 'to get his hooks on the Chosen One.' He has be ready for the last light to take over the world. Jax's dad says he and Jax's sisters will enter the Bunker soon. Jax looks at his phone but his dad makes it disappear. They talk about a bunker, he has to be inside and be safe. His dad tells him push Emma into the realm.

Back at the Abyss, once a month it crushes everything. Evil Emma and Agie have to hurry. Back at Maddie's house, Sophie and Katie talk about how strange it is Maddie is doing homework. Ursula comes in and Diego hides. Ursula is happy Maddie is reading and eats a banana. She says she'll be back with a camera. She says something smells rotten, Maddie says it is Katie. Sophie hides the door Diego is in. Ursula thinks Sophie puts eggs in her hair and leaves. Jax knocks Emma's house and apologizes with flowers (he ripped out of her yard) that he claims he got them from a vending machine. He wrote an essay to plead his way to the council, he wants to know where the entrance is. Emma says yes. They go. Meanwhile, Katie laughs that Kanays smell like rotten eggs to witches, Maddie says no.

Maddie wants Diego to show his new power and he pushes the Panthers away and  creates a portal. Katie says it is a black hole. They use it as a trash can. In the Limbo, more junk fall in. So the portal leads to the Limbo. Lily sees that there is a portal between the two worlds. Lily thinks Diego is their way out, she writes up an S.O.S. note. Meanwhile at the school, Emma, Jax and Hex open the locker room portal to the Council. Hex fights with Jax. Emma enters and the lockers close. Emma returns and says there is nobody there. Jax wants to grab the powers. He asks if doors open when she gets close. Emma says the Hex told Andi how to open. Jax thinks Andi might tell other people. Emma leaves. Jax tries entering but the door closes. Jax says for her zombie boyfriend she would.

Evil Emma (B.E.) drops some new keys with old keys but Agie manages to open the door to get out the Abyss. B.E. and Agie end up in the hallway. Agie wants to get Lily out of limbo. Emma asks how you send someone to limbo. He says you picture a dark gray blob of nothing. Evil Emma says she can't wait to send Emma back. Agie figures out she is a clone. B.E. even calls him "Agie" like he does.

Guests: Desdemona, Agamnemon, Lily, Ramona, Ursula, Jax's dad (voice)

Not Present: Daniel's mom, T3 (and Desdemona, Danny and Gigi only have one or two scene each)

"The Abyss"

Agie is afraid of B.E., he says she is evil. She laughs. B.E. wants to destroy the realm of magic herself, she sends Agie to Limbo. Meanwhile, Ramona throws a note that Lily made and they get it back along with Agie. Agie apologizes to Lily for sending her there. He wonders who is guarding the realm. All three say "Oh no." At school, Evil Emma sees Jax but Jax spotted the real Emma. Evil Emma hides behind lockers. Jax says he is learning to do things with magic and it seems Emma doesn't care. Emma says she has other things on her mind, like loosing Andi. Jax leaves. Daniel and Emma bump into each other. Daniel tells Emma he told Andi it was his fault that he told Emma to get rid of Philip. They agree to meet each other at 4. Emma leaves. B.E. changes to look like good Emma and changes the time to 3:30 with Danny. At Maddie's, Diego and the Panthers play with the portal. A message is thrown to them and Sophie breaks it. Diego puts it back together, it is S.O.S. from Lily. Sophie thinks it is aliens.

 At the 7, Emma is sitting by herself and Jax comes to her and asks to go to the Council and get his powers. Emma says she's been thinking, that their relationship is not working out. She realizes that he likes her being impulsive, that it is not really her. Gigi makes her spying too apparent. Jax says he likes she is responsible and says he knows he has been selfish lately. She made up her mind and wants to be friends and she leaves. At the dock, B.E. meets Daniel who gives her flowers. She doesn't like them and fakes liking them (sort of). Danny apologizes for breaking up with her. B.E. imitates his face when he saw the clones. B.E. laughed and says she thought she could be good for at least a day but she couldn't. Real Emma arrives. B.E. sends Danny and Emma to the Abyss. Meanwhile, Andi bumps into Jax at 7. Andi says it better not about Emma. Jax says she will be in danger, he wants to help her and wants to steal his powers back. Jax says they are both mad at Emma, he wants her to help get his powers back and he will help her get Philip back. She says she'll blackmail him if he double-crosses her.

Back at Maddie's, Ursula wants Diego to leave but they tell him about the message. She reads that Desdi sent the Council to the Limbo. She says it is her chance to prove herself and save the magic realm and leaves to shop for a savior outfit. Later at 7, Desdi wants to find Emma and talks to Gigi. Desdi has a plan B. Gigi says if they have a deal, that she wants to be the most famous journalist. Gigi asks the internet where Emma is. Andi opens the portal to the Council for Jax but he must be fast. Danny and Emma struggle through the Abyss for a way out. Emma tries using magic but it doesn't work. The walls start contracting. Danny looks for something to break the door lock. They try a surf board and it stops the walls for a bit. They hug. Back with Andi, the doors are closing and Jax is helped out and the doors close. Andi accidently drops his powers and manages to catch it. He struggles to open it. Andi teases and she pops it open.

He pours it out and it makes a blue mist. He makes her quiet with her powers. Back at Maddie's, Ursula returns with a strange green and gold outfit. Maddie says the Magic Realm is a stake and who cares about fashion. Ursula cries and exits. Diego says he likes it. Maddie reads a book and reads all wizards will disappear. Diego calls Emma. Maddie says her powers are flawless, Katie brings up her faults. Back at the school, Jax turns Andi's tools to cupcakes and tries making jokes, she is not amused. B.E. arrives and asks why she wasn't asked. Jax says they broke up. B.E. says she wouldn't do that. B.E. tells them she sent Agie to Limbo. Jax figures it is "E" and B.E. explains what happened. Jax and B.E. hugs. Andi is about to leave. B.E. tells them that she sent Emma and Danny to the Abyss. B.E. tries sending Andi too and the Hex flies in and defends Andi. Andi and Hex hide from Desdi and Gigi in the cafeteria. Desdi says they need another council member to take away Emma's powers. Andi hears this plan (I don't think she knew Desdi was evil yet).

At the clinic, Jax says he's happy that B.E. is back and she has his jacket. He says his dad's plan was to destroy the realm, that was why he was with Emma. B.E. gets jealous that he was with the original Emma. He tells her now. B.E. asks if his dad will be okay with them together. He says he has to do as they say. B.E. and Jax team up. Danny and Emma are bored in the Abyss. Emma apologizes he got dragged into this. He is stuck there because of magic. He says he is afraid of the magical threats, not the magic, that he can't protect her. She says it doesn't matter. They stand up, they care for each other and they kiss. Back at the clinic, Desdi and Gigi enter to Jax and B.E. Gigi says to get rid of Jax and B.E. Jax Junior stops Desdi from doing so. Gigi climbs up on Jax Jr. Desdi sends Junior away. Jax says he will get rid of Gigi. Desdi says he doesn't have powers. Jax frees Gigi from the spell and B.E. closes the door on her. B.E. tells Desdi they will talk about the last light, Jax and B.E. wants to join Desdi. She will give her the real Emma.

Guests: Ramona, Lily, Agamemnon, Desdemona, Ursula

Not Present: Daniel's mom, Francisco, T3

Review:

In the episode "BF-Never," I like how a lot of the characters are trapped in different places. Agamemnon and Evil Emma trapped in the Abyss and Ramona and Lily in Limbo. I wish there was more of the Ramona and Lily scenes. Lily mentioned knowing Maddie and Diego are boyfriend and girlfriend but since they have been hiding it and Lily has been M.I.A. for most of the season, I am surprised she even knows. We finally see Jax's bedroom and hear Jax's dad in this episode. It is confusing that Jax lives in Miami but his dad doesn't. It seems that Jax has sisters, I guess Jax's dad picked Jax to sway Emma instead of his sisters. Also as for Philip, the actor playing him did a decent job as a zombie with a heart for Andi, the two of them had chemistry. It was a strange detour to the main story but I guess it was needed to put Andi and Emma at odds. Will Philip return in Season 3?

In "The Abyss," funny how Jax promised Andi to bring back Philip and she didn't ask for it once he got his powers up. Of course, Evil Emma came but there was like two minutes in between. Evil Emma's motives are made clear rather fast but she didn't really give her reasons to wanting to be the only witch left. I do like how the Panthers were researching on how to stop Desdemona and free the Council. What confused me was Jax's dad's motives, that Jax was supposedly sent to charm Emma but it didn't really seem so the first two weeks of Season two. And Emma and Jax's conflicts didn't seem organic when watching it once a day but seeing it back to back, you can see how they don't really click. Danny and Emma have a natural easiness to their relationship. After Jax joins forces with B.E., it is hard to tell his alliance and feelings for the real Emma and Andi. By the way, S.O.S. means "Save our Ship," used by ships in the olden days. And I like Andi and Hex's relationship.

 

 

Related: http://spanengrish.blogspot.com/2014/08/every-witch-way-season-2-week-4-review.html

Finding Carter Episodes One to Six Review

UPDATED 8/7/14 8:30 PM EST

Six episodes have run of "Finding Carter" on MTV and I haven't brought myself to write about it. Critics have raved about the show and fans too but it doesn't seem to be as popular as "Teen Wolf." Let me tell you, I was intrigued by the premise but then watching it, I felt that the protagonist was insufferable and rude and other characters were stupid and one dimensional. But I can't stop watching it. Some moments feel real and complicated like life and others are heightened and unreal.

 

Plot:

Carter (British Kathryn Prescott) finds out the woman she thought to be her mother Lori (Milena Govich) is actually her kidnapper and she jolted into this family of strangers who are actually her real family. She instantly finds an opponent with her real mother who she calls Elizabeth (Cynthia Watros), a seemingly cold cop who is after Lori. Her father David (Buffy and Angel's Alexis Denisof --wasted in this role), who became famous writing a book about losing Carter and now is in talks of writing a book about getting her back, which angers her and he promises to not make it. But of course, he lies as the promising book will make a lot of money and they are near poor. Elizabeth who is the most complicated character and I feel more for than Carter, which comes in part with actress Cynthia Watros who brings warmth and hurt to her character. She gets along with her new dad.

 

Rounding out the family is Carter's twin sister Taylor (Anna Jacoby-Heron) who breaks out of her shell once Carter joins the family. Her brother is a sweet and funny pre-teen Grant (Zac Pullam) who is considered ignored. So Elizabeth was about to leave David and cancels an affair with fellow cop Kyle (Eddie Matos), but gets back with him after not trusting David over money issues. Carter doesn't like Kyle as he was sent to spy on her. Kyle's son Gabe (Jesse Henderson) is a close friend of Taylor's who she has a crush on but then he falls for Carter. Then in Episode 5, after Taylor kisses Gabe in a game of spin of the bottle---he then chases her. In Episode 6 they go on a date. To be honest, I thought Gabe was just a nerd longing for Carter but supposedly he was a popular boy. The whole thing of Carter making friends with Gabe's loadie friends with horrible nicknames like Ofe, Bird and Crash seemed to happen rapid fast and had no substance (pun intended).

 

In fact, Gabe looks like a teen heartthrob from the 90's and Ofe looks like a nerd from the 80's. Bird is the only modern looking one but she has much dimension as a Kleenex. Even the ep about her painting a portrait of Carter that Carter hates, then alluding to being raped and in the next ep she is having sex with Crash in the middle of 'hosting a party' shows her being a badly written character. In Episode 6, we find out more about drug dealer (Oh, did I mention Carter OD's in the second episode?) Crash (Caleb Rumnier)--who Carter falls for and falls out and then falls for again. Crash may live with a drunk aunt in a trashy trailer and deals drugs and butt heads with police, he has a tragic story about losing his little brother due to his own negligence. One fan said it was hard to keep track of who is into who, but teenagers are like that. That is one of the authentic things about the show. Also authentic and genuine is Max (Alex Saxon), an old on-off relationship of Carter who becomes a surrogate family member of the Wilsons. I have not seen The Fosters but I heard that Alex Saxon's character Max is much like the one he plays on The Fosters. Max is a seemingly dumb but genuinely sweet individual who becomes Grant's best friend and falls for Taylor.

 

Review:
 Taylor and Max seem to be a budding romance, even being her 'third kiss' in Ep 5 but she goes out on a date with Gabe in ep 6 after asking him if it was okay. Max moves to Carter's new town and gets a job to look after her after Lori uses him as a carrier pigeon between her and Carter. Lori, we know VERY LITTLE about and why she even kidnapped Carter in the first place. It seems to be the least of the show's concern but a big issue for MTV to promote although Lori barely appears. Lori does increasingly seem like a stalker and gets scarier, but Carter still has fond memories of. Carter slowly gets charmed and used to her 'new' real family. The show is a interesting Guilty Pleasure. The only major characters I have problem with is David, I wish he'd grow a pair and stop blaming other people for his own mistakes. Oh, did I mention he knows about the affair and hasn't said a thing? I do love Carter (she's growing on me), Taylor, Grant, Elizabeth and Max. Should you check it out? Yes.  



Every Witch Way Season 2 Once Upon A Spell

UPDATED 8/9/14 9:30 AM EST

Tonight instead of a new episode, we got a catchup episode playing clips of the past episodes of Season 2. Also a preview of upcoming episodes of this week. Here are the clips and some things the narrator said.

Jax and Magic Hiding 

"We are going to get you ready," the narrator says. A montage of spells and teleporting. Then the opening sequence plays. "The biggest story at Iridium High is the new bad boy on campus named Jax." We see Jax come in on his motorbike. Francisco talks to Jax in the principal's office and Jax meets Emma. Then we skip to when Jax says he is a wizard to Emma and explodes 'goo' on her. Cut to Francisco liking him at Emma' house and Danny sees this in the window---and he tells Emma the next day at school prompting Andi to call him a stalker.  "Stuck between two heartthrobs, Emma's life is more complicated then ever." Cut to Jax and Danny fighting with bread backstage. Cut to Emma hiding her powers from Daniel and her lying to him in her room about the goo.

 

Maddie's powers and the Council

MEANWHILE Maddie lost her powers and Diego 'was happy to help.' Cut to Diego making a conduit scrap ball of metal and Maddie gaining her powers again. Then the Panthers dance and she turns her shoes to cheese. "IN OTHER NEWS..." The Witches' Council come out of lockers and go to her house to tell her she can't date a human boy. She refuses in the clinic. They threaten to take the powers. Andi is for keeping the power. CUT to the Fool Moon. Desdemona explains it and then we see it change her. "An evil plot is revealed," the narrator says. First she has to make Emma lose her powers. Desdemona plots to get Danny and Emma back together so she will lose her powers. "Almost everyone is up to something," the narrator says.

 

 

Everyone's Agendas and Gigi's a Minion

Ursula makes a love pie for Francisco and Jax causes mischief with Daniel in detention (making him draw bad pics of Francisco, etc.). Later, Daniel suspects magic and Emma denies it. Daniel thinks there is another witch around. "Daniel is more danger than he knows," the narrator says. Gigi is about to reveal about magic and Desdemona stops her and makes her a minion. After the commercial break, we see Jax causing trouble. "Maddie is mad," the narrator says. Jax makes Maddie bounce like a bunny.

 

Siberia, Jealous Panthers, German Danny and Zombies

"The council keeps pressuring Emma." The Council sends Andi and Emma to Siberia. "And of course, there is the terrible three." We see T3 pull a fish prank on Jax. Then cut to Diego cheering up Maddie with chocolate and unicorns. "It has the Panthers acting catty." We see Diego attacked by the Panthers (Katie and Sophie). "Daniel on the other hand, isn't acting himself either." Jax makes Daniel forget who he is and convince him he is German. "Dat is gut," Danny said. "In the meantime, Andi gets sucked into her favorite video game," Narrator says cutting to the last ep "Zombie Boyfriend" where Philip the zombie is brought out of the game. Cut to the Panthers meeting Philip.

 

Clones and Stormageddon

Jax shows Emma the cloning spell and she makes Evil Emma. "Why are you being so mean?" "Don't ask me. I'm you so ask yourself," Evil Emma says. Cut to Jax and Evil Emma kissing at 7. "For the first time in my life, I feel alive," she tells Jax. Andi catches them. "Then Daniel finally discovers the truth." Cut to Danny seeing five Emmas at Emma's house. Emma reveals she has magic and Daniel freaks out. He gets mad at Andi for not telling him either. "You have been lying to me for months. I'm breaking up with you," Daniel says. Later, Evil Emma tells Emma "You're welcome." Cut to Desdemona. "Desdemona still needs for Emma to lose her powers." the narrator says. Cut to Gigi sending a fake text to Danny and Emma. Desdemona makes the storm to trap Emma and Danny in the school but traps her and Jax.

 

Jax loses his powers

Cut to Maddie and Danny hanging at his house. Then we see Emma and Jax kiss in the principal office and Desdemona freaking out about it. Maddie and Danny talk, Maddie defends Emma. Jax reveals about the clones and Desdemona hears this. Desdi then reveals this to the council. Jax takes the wrap for it and his powers are taken, Emma teleported away. Cut to Jax and Emma meeting in the hallway. She hugs him and Daniel sees this. Jax and Emma kiss after her thanking him for sacrificing his powers. "Emma and I are meant to be," Danny says in a scene between him and Jax. They mention things they did for Emma at the backstage. Cut to Desdemona and she makes all girls fall for Danny to make Emma jealous. Cut to T3's pranks. "Now you are caught up on every thing. Stay tuned for clips for the final week," narrator says (paraphrase).

 

The following is descriptions of the clips.

The narrator says: "There's so much more action, enhancement, and funny still to come on Every Witch Way."

- Sophie in goo jumps on Desdemona. ("Emma vs. Emma")

- Desdemona makes snakes appear in the clinic. ("Emma vs. Emma")

- Half of Desdemona's hair is black and curly. "My hair!" ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")

- Andi, Philip, Emma and Jax dance at the 7.  ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")

- A statue like Desdemona makes a spell and teleports away ("Emma vs. Emma")

- "Save the Magic Realm from Destruction," Ursula says with her arms in the air. ("The Abyss")

- "Jax still doesn't have his powers but he has plenty of plans." Jax tells Emma he wants to get his powers back and 'push the magical boundaries' which Emma doesn't want. "Just want to be a regular old witch?" "Is that what you think of me?"  ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")

- Philip cleans Andi's face at 7. "Andi Pretty" ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")

- In the Janitor's closet, Andi, Philip, Danny, Gigi and Francisco are gathered. Philip attacks Francisco. Danny stops Philip.  ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")

- Maddie mocks Philip in the hallway and is almost attacked as well.  ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")

- Cut to Danny chastising Andi. "Philip almost ate Maddie's brain." Andi quips. ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")

 

 

 More clips:

 - Narrator says: "Agamemnon is on to Desdemona." They fight in the clinic. ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")
- "Desdemona is getting anyone who can stop her out of the way," Agamemnon says inside the Abyss. ("BF-Never")
- Desdemona blasts at Jax and he dodges it in the hallway.  ("BF-Never")
- Desdemona writes something in a book in the clinic about getting rid of all witches.
- Cut to Agamemnon in the clinic saying he has to stop her.  ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")
- Narrator says: "Will Maddie and Diego go public?" Maddie talks about keeping it a secret. ("BF-Never")
- Cut to Andi taking her stuff out of her locker. "Could Andi and Emma's friendship be over?" "I'm not your sidekick anymore," Andi says to Emma in the clinic. (Doesn't anybody ever get sick?) ("BF-Never")
- Back at Maddie's house, Diego opens a portal. "Diego discovers a new power." Katie thinks it is a black hole or holding the space-time continuum. ("BF-Never")
- CUt to Evil Emma and Danny at a dock. Real Emma comes and Evil Emma sends them to the Abyss, where she was sent to.  ("The Abyss")
- Andi asks Evil Emma what she did with her. Jax is by Evil Emma's side. She tells her she sent her to the Abyss. "She can't get in my way when I destroy the Magic Realm." ("The Abyss")
- Cut to: Desdemona, Evil Emma and Jax in the clinic. Evil Emma joins Desdemona. ("The Abyss")

Rapid clips:
- We see Danny teleport back to the dock at night. ("Emma vs. Emma")
- Andi and Jax teleport in from a portal at the lockers. ("The Abyss")
- Maddie changes a dog into a boy for Katie. Sophie also has a dog. ("Andi & Philip, Sittin' in a Tree")
- Emma and  Danny in the Abyss (looks like where all old spells go). "We get squashed by a giant trash compacter?"  ("The Abyss")
- Danny and Emma almost kiss.  ("The Abyss")
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