Tag: television

A Movie Blogger’s Ten “Hot Takes” on Television

On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

I published a list article last December about my ten “hot takes” on film. That was the first time I had ever written a list exclusively about movie “hot takes”. Since publishing that article, it has been well received by 18 Cinema Lane’s readers, obtaining over one thousand views. This success inspired me to write another “hot takes” list. But this time, I’ll be discussing my ten “hot takes” on television, as I have talked about TV shows and television related topics from time to time on my blog. Like my movie “hot takes” list, all my TV “hot takes” have never been brought up on 18 Cinema Lane before, in order to keep the list interesting and fresh. Also, like my movie “hot takes” list, I organized each television “hot take” based on how “hot” each take could be perceived. Before I begin this list, I’d like to state how my list is not intended to be mean-spirited or negative. It’s just simply a way to express my opinion.

Campfire with marshmellows and shooting stars image created by macrovector at freepik.com.

10. Harris Trinsky Should Have Appeared in the Freaks and Geeks episode, ‘Chokin’ and Tokin’’

Last year, I published an editorial explaining the similarities between Harris Trinsky (from Freaks and Geeks) and Eddie Munson (from Stranger Things). One of my main talking points was how Harris (as well as Eddie) showed his leadership through putting others before himself, using the example of Harris’ attempts to protect the younger “geeks” (Bill, Sam, and Neil) from Alan (the “freshman tormentor”/bully of the “geeks”) in the Freaks and Geeks’ Halloween episode, “Tricks and Treats”. But another episode I think Harris should have appeared in is “Chokin’ and Tokin’”. In this episode, Alan believes Bill is lying about having a peanut allergy. To prove Bill is telling the truth, Alan contaminates Bill’s sandwich with peanuts, causing Bill to have a severe allergic reaction. Had Harris appeared in “Chokin’ and Tokin’”, the audience could have seen how Bill’s emergency affected him, especially since a) Harris knows what Alan is capable of when it comes to his bullying behavior, b) Harris was bullied when he was a freshman (to the point his tailbone became broken), and c) Harris knows about Bill’s peanut allergy (Bill admitted this while Harris and the “geeks” went trick-or-treating in the episode, “Tricks and Treats”). The dynamic of the friendship between Harris and the “geeks” not only could have been further explored, the audience also could have learned more about Harris, better understanding why he is an older brother figure to the “geeks”. I think this aspect of the story would have been more compelling than the redemption arc Freaks and Geeks’ creative team tried giving Alan in “Chokin’ and Tokin’”, which I, personally, don’t believe was affective. This “hot take” is placed at the bottom of my list due to Freaks and Geeks lasting only one season.

9. Moses Valentine, from Miss Scarlet, Should Have Received His Own Spin-off Show

While I have talked about Miss Scarlet before on my blog, I’ve never talked about my favorite character from the show, Moses Valentine. For three seasons, he possessed a captivatingly commanding presence, using his charm and street smarts to help Eliza Scarlet (the show’s titular character) solve mysteries. In the third episode of Miss Scarlet’s sixth season, ‘The Delivery’, the story primarily revolves around Moses as he searches for a missing diamond. Not only was this the best episode from the sixth season (in my opinion), it made me wish Moses had received his own spin-off show. From seasons four to six, Moses has been living in Paris. This backdrop could have given the spin-off show a colorful landscape and an eccentric group of characters, allowing the show to be distinct from Miss Scarlet’s London environment. It was revealed in ‘The Delivery’ and the fifth episode of Miss Scarlet’s sixth season, ‘The Night Shift’, that Moses is not only married, he also has a son. His family would have offered a unique dynamic from Miss Scarlet, as Eliza is not married and isn’t a mother. There could have even been a crossover episode between Moses’ spin-off show and Miss Scarlet, where Eliza visits Moses in Paris and helps him solve a mystery. But, sadly, a Moses centered spin-off show will likely not happen because the seventh season of Miss Scarlet will be the show’s last.

8. I Don’t Think Lauren Should Have Won the Reach for the Stars Competition in the Matlock episode, ‘The Starlet’

Toward the beginning of the Matlock episode, ‘The Starlet’, a talent contest called the Reach for the Stars Competition takes place. Whoever wins the competition will receive a two-year studio contract, a brand-new car, and $25,000. The final four contestants, Morgan, Dana, Abby, and Lauren, have their talent performances featured in ‘The Starlet’. While Morgan captivated by singing an energetic pop song, Abby sang a country song that sounded like it came straight from the heart. Dana’s performance of a song on saxophone was solid, adding her strong contribution to the soundtrack of the 1980s. But Lauren’s performance, which helped her win the Reach for the Stars Competition, was, in my opinion, unimpressive compared to the aforementioned three performances. Lauren performed a dance routine that was, to put it simply, basic. Its contents were a few arm movements, stepping in place several times, and some simple turns. I know Lauren’s victory was intended to create a domino effect for the events that took place in ‘The Starlet’. I also recognize what the creative team behind this Matlock episode was trying to say about connections being prioritized over talent when it comes to success, as Lauren’s mother, Janet, won the very first Reach for the Stars Competition. But I still don’t think Lauren should have won the contest based on talent performance alone.

7. I wish Tommy Vaughn Hadn’t Been the Murder Victim in the Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘Murder in Tempo’

In the Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘Murder in Tempo’, Dr. Seth Hazlitt organizes a benefit concert in an effort to save a local forest called Cabot Woods, with a band named In Tempo being the stars of the concert. One of In Tempo’s band members, Tommy Vaughn, has a dinner plate full of personal issues; from alcohol dependency that led him to rehab to dealing with a stalker prior to coming to Cabot Cove and even almost getting shot during the band’s concert rehearsal. But during his interactions with a Cabot Cove resident named Rachel, there are glimmers of hope that Tommy could, potentially, turn his life around. In a conversation he shared with Rachel, Tommy confesses his father passed away in an alcoholic ward, admitting his father’s issues made him look at the world pessimistically. He also acknowledges how he’s developed a poor reputation and how he needs to seek medical attention when he experiences problems with his vocal cords. Tommy even agreed to perform at the benefit concert because he truly believed in the cause of saving Cabot Woods, refusing to quit the concert despite pressure from the band’s manager, Wylie Trey. I’m aware Murder, She Wrote possesses a limited number of recurring characters and ‘Murder in Tempo’ premiered within the show’s last season. But I’d like to think if Tommy’s life had been spared, he would have received a second chance to obtain a happier next chapter to his story. Tommy could have even appeared in one of Murder, She Wrote’s made-for-TV movies or one of the books from the Murder, She Wrote book series. While advocating for the preservation of Cabot Woods, Jessica Fletcher says, “But even small battles are important”. Sadly, Tommy never got the chance to win at least one of his “small battles”.

Since one of my television “hot takes” relates to Murder, She Wrote, I thought featuring the book cover for Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire in this list article made sense. Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire book cover found on Goodreads

6. One of the HGTV Dream Homes Should Have Been Built in Hawaii

For almost thirty years, HGTV (Home and Garden Television) has hosted their annual Dream Home sweepstakes, with a completely furnished house as the grand prize. Eighteen of the fifty United States have hosted a prize home in varying styles and diverse landscapes. But, in my opinion, one of those states should have been Hawaii. The “gimmick” of HGTV’s Dream Home sweepstakes is for someone to win a “dream” home in a “dream” location. For years, Hawaii has been known as a “dream” travel destination for many people, yet owning a home in Hawaii is a “dream” few people can achieve for a variety of reasons. Realistically, I’m not sure what the logistics would be in order to make an HGTV Dream Home in Hawaii a reality. On paper, however, a Hawaiian Dream Home would fit the intent of HGTV’s contest.

5. I wish Sophia’s Son, Phil, Had Made, At Least, One On-Screen Appearance on The Golden Girls

Looking back on all the times I’ve watched The Golden Girls, one consistent story element always comes to mind; how Sophia singles out her son, Phil, whenever she brought up her children. Because it seemed like he was mentioned often on the show, I always wondered if what was said about him by the other characters was true. This curiosity made me want to see, at least, one on-screen appearance of him, in order to learn more about Phil from his perspective. Unfortunately, this never happened as Phil died off screen, with his death acknowledged in the season six episode, ‘Ebbtide’s Revenge’. It would have been fascinating to see Phil’s interactions not only with Sophia, but with the other “golden girls” as well. Plus, this role would have given an up-and-coming or underrated actor a chance to start or progress his career, especially considering The Golden Girls is one of the most successful and beloved television shows of all time. It also would have been interesting to see how The Golden Girls’ audience responded to Phil’s appearance on the show, if perhaps he had become a fan favorite. Though to quote the iconic Tootsie Pop commercial, “the world may never know”.

4. I Don’t Find the Gilligan’s Island episode, ‘The Hunter’, Funny or Entertaining

Gilligan’s Island is a show that is known for being light-hearted and hilarious, typically presenting the characters in low-stakes situations despite being stranded on the titular island. But the episode, ‘The Hunter’ is quite different from what the show is known for. Jonathan Kincaid is introduced in this episode as a big-game hunter. When he is unable to find any animals on the island to hunt, Jonathan then decides to hunt the other characters. The story of ‘The Hunter’ is tonally inappropriate for the type of program Gilligan’s Island is. With the show’s laugh track still featured in this episode, it makes the characters’ fear seem like it is played for laughs instead of being taken seriously. I was so horrified by ‘The Hunter’, I couldn’t find anything entertaining or funny about it. I, honestly, questioned what the creative team behind Gilligan’s Island was thinking creating and airing the episode. Because ‘The Hunter’ has been received better than other episodes of Gilligan’s Island, obtaining a 7.3 out of 10 on IMDB, this “hot take” is ranked higher on my list.

3. I Don’t Understand the Hype Surrounding ‘Shark Week’

According to Wikipedia, Shark Week debuted almost forty years ago on Discovery Channel with educational intentions, emphasizing conservation and debunking misconceptions. But as time went on, the annual event grew a life of its own. The term “shark week” has been added to the pop cultural lexicon, with people knowing what that is even if they’ve never watched any program associated with the event. Merchandise has been created to capitalize Shark Week, from shirts to scouting patches and even stuffed animal sharks from Build-A-Bear Workshop. But despite the promotion and fanfare it’s received, I don’t understand the hype surrounding Shark Week. With the amount of information available about sharks now than there was thirty-eight years ago, it almost seems unnecessary to reserve only one week to shark related education. In fact, shark related education can be accessed any time of year. Because sharks are such a specific subject, the event could run the risk of running out of content or programming. Plus, there are other animals who would also benefit from receiving education about them and conversation efforts for them. Yet they don’t receive their own special week.

2. If Eddie Munson Had Been Introduced on Stranger Things Sooner, The Show’s Creative Team Would Have Prioritized His Popularity, Similar to Steve Urkel (from Family Matters)

Once upon a time, on December 15th, 1989, Steve Urkel made his debut on the sitcom, Family Matters. What started as Steve asking one of the show’s key family members, Laura Winslow, to a dance turned into Steve becoming one of the most popular characters in television history. As Steve’s popularity grew, he received more screen-time and significance in the story. He not only became very marketable, having products based off Steve like Urkel-O’s Cereal and a talking doll, Family Matters also became defined by Steve’s iconic catchphrase, “Did I do that?”. But Steve’s popularity came at the expense of the titular Winslow family and their matters, which defied the original intent of the sitcom. If Eddie Munson had been introduced on Stranger Things sooner, I believe the show’s creative team would have allowed a similar scenario to happen. Like Steve Urkel, Eddie Munson became very popular after appearing in one season of his respective show. Also, like Steve, Eddie became very marketable, with products ranging from a replica of his Hellfire Club shirt to books about Eddie’s side of the story. But Eddie made his debut in Stranger Things’ fourth out of five seasons, with Eddie also passing away at the end of the fourth season. Though if Eddie had debuted in either season one or two, Eddie’s popularity would have given the show’s creative team an excuse to not only keep him on the show, but to also upgrade his status from ‘recurring’ to ‘main’ character. But, similar to Steve on Family Matters, the emphasis on Eddie’s popularity could have run the risk of other characters and stories getting overshadowed, potentially leaving mysteries and story-threads unresolved. There’s also a chance Stranger Things‘ creative team could have turned Eddie into “too much of a good thing”, giving Eddie elements to his story that may not make sense, such as receiving a catchphrase that seems unnecessary.

1. Writing Jack Thornton Off When Calls the Heart is the Show’s Biggest Mistake

    When the creative team behind When Calls the Heart decided to write Jack Thornton (one of the show’s main characters) off the show by having him die off screen, that was one of the most controversial creative decisions in Hallmark Channel history, as characters are typically not written off the network’s programs in this fashion. But looking back on this creative choice eight years later, writing Jack off When Calls the Heart has proven, in my opinion, to be pointless. If Jack had stayed on the show, other creative decisions I’m, personally, not a fan of wouldn’t have been made. Some of these decisions are the love triangle between Elizabeth, Lucas, and Nathan (that lasted three seasons), as well as backtracking Elizabeth’s decision to fall in love with and become engaged to Lucas. When it comes to the argument for why Elizabeth should be in a romantic relationship with Nathan, the McGarries (fans of Elizabeth and Nathan) have claimed that because Elizabeth falls in love with a Mountie in the book series the show is based on, she has to fall in love with a Mountie on the television show. With that logic in mind, if it was so important for Elizabeth to be in a romantic relationship with a Mountie, why write Jack off the show at all? I’m aware of Daniel Lissing’s (the actor who portrayed Jack) desire to leave the show to pursue other projects. However, I think recasting Jack would have attracted less backlash than writing him off the show. When Jack was still on When Calls the Heart, it seemed like his relationship with Elizabeth organically complimented the show’s overarching story. It also helped that Daniel and Erin Krakow (the actress who portrays Elizabeth) had stronger on-screen chemistry together. But now that Elizabeth and Nathan’s relationship has been prioritized since season eleven, its promotion, in my opinion, not only feels forcefully manufactured, it has come at the expense of other characters and stories, such as Rosemary, once again, not receiving her theater and new characters like Fernando becoming underutilized.

    Since another television “hot take” in this list article relates to Eddie Munson and Stranger Things, I believed including this iconic picture of Eddie in this post was appropriate. Original image created by 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix, and Upside Down Pictures

    What are your thoughts on my TV “hot takes”? Do you have a TV related “hot take” you’d like to share? Please tell me in the comment section below!

    Have fun on television!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Why ‘Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries’ is One of the Worst TV Shows I’ve Ever Seen

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    In March of 2023, I wrote an editorial explaining why the mystery movie, Francesca Quinn, PI, is, in my opinion, the worst Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen. Three years later, that editorial has become my most popular one at over ten thousand views! But I honestly didn’t think I would publish another editorial like my Francesca Quinn, PI editorial. That changed, however, when I saw UP Network’s television series, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries. Before this particular program debuted as a TV show, a preceding movie titled Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise premiered on UP Network. When I reviewed the film last year, I found it to be just ok. However, I saw potential for Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise to lead a series, as UP Network had an opportunity to bring something new to the table of made-for-TV mystery films. When I discovered Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries would become a television series, I believed I would get what I wanted; a continuation of the story that learned from the movie’s flaws while maintaining the strengths the movie put in place. But the longer I watched the show, I saw how I wasn’t getting what I wanted the way I wanted it. Before I explain why Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is, in my opinion, one of the worst TV shows I’ve ever seen, I must make it very clear that everything said in this editorial is not meant to be disrespectful or mean-spirited. The purpose of this editorial is to, simply, express my honest opinion about a television show delivering wasted potential.

    Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries (2026) poster created by American Cinema Inspires

    A Broken Illusion of Immersion

    The visual elements of filmmaking, such as costume design, set design, and even establishing shots are woven together to create a specific illusion. This illusion makes a film’s or television show’s audience feel immersed in the story’s world, as if they are alongside the characters as the movie or show progresses. But a mishandled detail can break that illusion, preventing the audience from becoming truly invested in the story’s world. It’s established in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show, and even in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, that the story takes place in Sugarcreek, Ohio, a state known for possessing the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter). Yet, in the first three episodes of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, taking place between Thanksgiving and Christmas, every establishing shot of Sugarcreek shows a very green landscape; green leaves on trees, green grass, and even green fields. If there was, for example, a lack of funds to purchase/rent a machine to create fake snow, why didn’t the screenwriters attempt to craft their story around the Spring and Summer time? Then, featuring green landscapes as establishing shots would have built the illusion of a warm climate environment. A consistent part of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is the Swiss Miss, the store the show’s protagonist, Cheryl, works at. The view outside the windows is a large sheet with a picture of buildings surrounding the Swiss Miss printed on it. But this illusion is broken because, in a scene where a character leaves the store, a medium shot reveals edges of a gray wall, the borders of the sheet shown through one of the windows. The broken illusion of immersion found in some moments of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries sometimes took me out of the show.

    This establishing shot is from the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries trailer. I included it in my editorial as an example of the type of establishing shot featured within the show’s first three episodes (taking place between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries establishing shot found on IMDB.

    Stripping Away the Movie’s Creative Identity

    When I reviewed Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I praised the movie for pairing Cheryl, an English woman, and Naomi, an Amish woman, together as amateur sleuths. As I said in my review, this pairing was a creative way to avoid some of the tropes and clichés of made-for TV mystery films, such as a story’s female and male protagonist working together to solve the mystery, with these characters eventually forming a romantic relationship. When Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries became a television show, Naomi returned to the story but wasn’t really involved in solving mysteries alongside Cheryl. Instead, her role on the show consisted of sharing tidbits about Amish culture and quoting Scripture. Similar to Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I liked the incorporation of Amish culture. I also liked the inclusion of Scripture quotes, as it felt reminiscent of Hallmark’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. But not allowing Naomi and Cheryl to work together to solve mysteries strips away the movie’s creative identity which lay the blueprint for the television series. Not only does this creative decision do the character of Naomi a disservice, it also does the actress who portrays her, Denise Gossett, a disservice.

    Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise poster created by American Cinema Inspires

    Inconsistent storytelling

    The biggest flaw of the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show is the writing. One specific weak spot within the script is the inconsistent storytelling. I remember toward the beginning of the show’s first episode, ‘The buggy before the horse’, Naomi finds a silver necklace on the floor of her family’s barn. This necklace plays no role in the episode, let alone the rest of the series. An important detail about Cheryl that was established on the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries television show and in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise (from what I remember) is how interested she is in the mystery genre. She even listens to a true crime podcast on her way to work. While amateur detectives are likely to make mistakes, the mistakes Cheryl makes don’t add up for someone who seems to consume a lot of mystery genre stories. A glaring example is when Cheryl touches evidence after her office at the Swiss Miss was vandalized, despite Sugarcreek’s police chief’s, Chief Twitchell’s, warning not to do so. When parts of the story don’t match up, it can become a distracting detail. Because the inconsistent storytelling happened on several occasions throughout Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, I couldn’t stay fully invested in the story.

    Detective work image created by Photoroyalty at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/investigation-background-design_1041877.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Photoroyalty – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Lack of urgency

    As I shared my overall impression of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, I said if UP Network is serious about creating a series out of this movie, they need to fix the lack of urgency. But when Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries became a TV show, the creative team behind the program doubled down on that lack of urgency, choosing to prioritize the story’s wholesome moments over the mysteries themselves. This imbalance between the mysteries and wholesome moments negatively impacted the story to the point I couldn’t take it seriously. In the show’s fourth episode, ‘Off the Beaten Path’, an FBI agent is desperately trying to find his grandmother, believing she boarded a bus full of tourists that went missing. The FBI agent fears his grandmother may be in danger, acting as if finding her is his top priority. Yet, he can somehow find the time to feed the goats on Naomi’s family’s farm, causing the momentum of the FBI agent’s frantic search to come to an abrupt halt. I recognize the brand of UP Network emphasizes family-friendly content. Even though there is a time and place for family-friendly content, this emphasis overshadowed the mysteries, causing the episodes to receive a slower pace and even feel boring.

    Living room interior image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/house-s-living-room-with-flat-design_1195527.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/design”>Design vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Like I said in the introduction of this editorial, I honestly didn’t think I would publish another editorial like the one about Francesca Quinn, PI. This is because I never thought I’d come across another program that was so bad (in my opinion), it warranted its own editorial explanation. As someone who not only wrote about Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, but was also looking forward to the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries TV show, saying the television program was a disappointment is an understatement. To quote Alan from the Youtube channel, Film Threat, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is “profoundly awful”. Besides the flaws I pointed out throughout my editorial, this TV show was plagued by other errors. Some of these errors are repetitive storytelling (Cheryl’s office at the Swiss Miss gets robbed three times over eight episodes), a consistently weak performance from Galadriel Stineman (the actress who portrayed Cheryl), and parts of the story that don’t make sense (a character named Lacey perfectly fits into an outfit designed for Naomi’s daughter, Esther, who is several inches shorter than Lacey). According to Net, from the blog, It’s a Wonderful Movie, the creative team behind Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries has been filming a second season. However, I haven’t heard any official word if the show has indeed been renewed. If Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries does receive a second season, I’d like to see the show’s creative team learn from their mistakes. A few ways to do this are maintaining the illusion of immersion, telling a more consistent story, and incorporating more urgency into the script. At the same time, I would like to see Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries embrace what made Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise unique, like having Naomi become more involved in solving mysteries alongside Cheryl.

    Have fun on television!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sunset Over Hope Valley: A Community That Doesn’t Dissolve

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    The residents of Benson Hills will move back home after the Harvest Festival. But in this season’s finale of When Calls the Heart, some of Elizabeth’s students from Benson Hills are hesitant to return home. This is because they’ll miss the friends they’ve made in Hope Valley. Elizabeth reassures these students they are always welcome to return to Hope Valley, saying, “A community doesn’t dissolve just because we don’t see each other every day”. Her quote is the perfect way to describe When Calls the Heart. Hope Valley and its residents haven’t dissolved because the show airs for a certain period of time. The creative team thinks of new ways to continue to story. Filming and editing are completed in between seasons. In the context of the story itself, Hope Valley’s residents are living their lives to their fullest. With a fourteenth season on the way, the world of When Calls the Heart will continue to stay.

    Just a reminder: If you did not see the season finale of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

    When Calls the Heart season thirteen poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

    Season: 13

    Episode: 12

    Name: Harvest Moon

    LJ is still disappointed he isn’t allowed to travel to Parson’s Peak. Nathan creates an alternative by giving LJ an opportunity to climb to the top of Hope Valley’s water tower. Not only does Nathan’s plan work, other children want to climb the water tower too. Meanwhile, Nathan tries to find the perfect time to propose to Elizabeth. But Bill advises Nathan to propose when the moment feels right. Nathan lets Allie know this is how his proposal will go. While the Harvest Festival is going on, Nathan takes Elizabeth to the top of Hope Valley’s water tower and finally proposes to her. Elizabeth accepts this proposal, meaning a wedding is in her future.

    On her last day of school before going home to Benson Hills, Gwen wears the dress Rosemary made for her toward the beginning of the season. But the dress becomes dirty and ripped during a baseball game. Gwen is upset by the destruction of the dress, believing she ruins everything. But Rosemary insists Gwen has brought so much joy to the lives of the Coulter family. Before going back to Benson Hills, Gwen gives each member of the Coulter family a gift. Lee receives a fishing hook, Rosemary gets a hand-carved picture frame, and Goldie is given a pair of dolls.

    Fancy jewelry image created by Freepic.diller at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding photo created by freepic.diller – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Edie returns to Hope Valley to help collect insurance claims for the rest of Benson Hills’ residents. Lucas sees this as a second chance to share his feelings for Edie. At the Harvest Festival, Lucas announces he’ll be stepping down as Governor. However, he will give his support to Maisie’s campaign. Maisie is unsure whether she should run for Governor in the upcoming election. But Mike gives her encouragement, which helps Maisie accept Lucas’ nomination. Meanwhile, at the Queen of Hearts, Lucas and Edie have a heart-to-heart conversation about their relationship. Not only do Edie and Lucas share a kiss, Lucas also agrees to go to New York with Edie, where she’ll be going to help the Franklin And Sons Foundation.

    Angela surprises her family by coming back home to Hope Valley. The Canfield family surprises Angela not only with the café’s new name, Minnie’s Café, but also an official café sign in Braille. During her visit to Hope Valley, Angela reconnects with Allie. At the Harvest Festival, Angela senses Allie and Oliver like each other. Allie claims she and Oliver are just friends. But Angela respectfully disagrees, believing there’s something more to Oliver and Allie’s relationship.

    Image by hannazasimova on Freepik

    Some thoughts to consider:

    • Last December, Hallmark confirmed Lori Loughlin would return to When Calls the Heart in six of season fourteen’s episodes. These creative decisions were divisive due to Hallmark’s response to Lori’s involvement in 2019’s college admissions scandal. What’s even more divisive is making Lori’s return to the show the “cliffhanger”/major selling point for season fourteen. While some Hearties are supportive of Lori’s return, other Hearties will not agree with this decision. Therefore, I think the aforementioned creative choices could divide When Calls the Heart’s fanbase more than the love triangle between Elizabeth, Lucas, and Nathan did. I also believe Lori’s return could cause When Calls the Heart to lose instead of gain viewership.
    • When I’ve talked about When Calls the Heart, I sometimes brought up the creative team’s habit of making promises to their audience they knew they couldn’t keep. Rosemary’s Playhouse is the most recent example. As I said in the introduction of season thirteen’s premiere re-cap post, I have been waiting for Rosemary’s dream of opening a theater to come true for over ten years. It was bad enough taking the Playhouse away from Rosemary before it was shown on screen. But what’s even worse was the script spending more time reminding the audience of the Playhouse’s destruction than trying to restore Rosemary’s dream. As a long-time fan of When Calls the Heart, I find these creative decisions cruel and unnecessary.
    • The best aspect of season thirteen, in my opinion, was the introduction of Fernando. In my re-cap post for this season’s sixth episode, I said I really hope Fernando becomes a series regular on When Calls the Heart. But throughout season thirteen, he only appeared in three episodes. Plus, within the context of the show’s story, Fernando wasn’t given much to do. With all this said, I wonder what the intended purpose was for his incorporation in season thirteen? Plus, if When Calls the Heart’s creative team always planned on having Edie and Lucas develop a romantic relationship, why would Fernando be included in that dynamic between himself, Edie, and Lucas?
    • Now that season thirteen has concluded, I can express my honest opinion on the season as a whole. Personally, I think it’s a mixed bag. Episodes one through six were strong because they prioritized the mystery surrounding the fire. When I watched those episodes, I honestly thought season thirteen would be one of the best seasons of When Calls the Heart. But from episode seven to the season finale, the priority shifted toward stories with lower stakes. The suspenseful and intriguing momentum built up within the first six episodes stalled in favor of stories like Rosemary’s silent movie and LJ’s memory scavenger hunt. Because of this, season thirteen felt like it ended on a whimper.
    Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What are thoughts on When Calls the Heart’s season thirteen finale? Do you think Lori Loughlin should return to the show? Let me know in the comment section.

    Have fun in Hope Valley.

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sally Watches…Murder, She Wrote (Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder)!

    On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

    For this year’s Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon, I decided to talk about a show I haven’t discussed in a while. Reflecting on the programs covered on 18 Cinema Lane, I made a surprising discovery. The last time I reviewed any episodes of Murder, She Wrote was all the way back in 2020, when I wrote about Van Johnson’s episodes of the show. To make up for lost time, I selected three episodes of Murder, She Wrote for the 12th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon! But, for this year’s event, the episodes I chose correlate with the dates of the blogathon. In fact, each Murder, She Wrote episode is reviewed in order of the blogathon’s dates. Also, each episode review will cover what I liked about the episode, what I didn’t like about the episode, the mystery itself, the other factors from the episode, and my overall thoughts. So, now let’s begin this review of these episodes of Murder, She Wrote!

    Name: The Dream Team

    Season 11, Episode 18

    Premiere Date: March 19th, 1995

    Screenshot of ‘The Dream Team’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    What I liked about this episode:

    Any time I’ve reviewed television show episodes, I have rarely addressed the dialogue as a strength of the episode. But in the case of this Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘The Dream Team’, the dialogue was cleverly written! Before attending a presentation about a development project from a company called Marina Americana, Jessica gives Seth some books about lighthouses. These books are intended to help Seth craft a strong argument for saving Cabot Cove’s lighthouse, which is an important landmark in the town. When Jessica brings up how the books could provide information for the hook of Seth’s argument, Seth says, “The hook I showed you last night will do just fine, thank you”. Sheriff Mort Metzger replies to Seth, “Maybe for the worm hanging from it”. At the presentation, Jessica’s nephew, Grady, reveals his colleague, J. Peter Carmody, plans to restore the lighthouse. Caught off-guard by this revelation, Metzger says, “Yeah, I think he [J. Peter Carmody] was rendered speechless by the Doc’s party trick; putting both feet in his mouth at the same time”. Along with being cleverly written, these quotes I brought up were hilarious!

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    The beginning of a typical Murder, She Wrote episode will take the time to establish the characters and their potential motives. This creative decision gives the audience options in figuring out whodunit, as well as provide the story with red herrings. The establishment of characters and their motives in ‘The Dream Team’ took about half the episode. With the titular murder taking place at the episode’s halfway point, the audience is only given half the episode to help Jessica solve the case. Personally, I prefer stories that give viewers more time to figure the mystery out.

    The mystery itself:

    There are two interconnected stories in ‘The Dream Team’; the murder of a developer’s wife and the Marina Americana development project. But in this almost hour-long episode, more emphasis was placed on whether the development project would come to fruition. It also doesn’t help how, as I mentioned earlier, the audience was only given half the episode to figure the mystery out. In some Murder, She Wrote episodes, the guilty party will be revealed based on at least one small detail most viewers may miss. Though this was the case for ‘The Dream Team’, several smaller clues led up to the culprit’s reveal. Overall, I wish there was a balance between both stories and the audience was given more time to help Jessica solve the case.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • As Seth explains his thoughts on the Marina Americana development project, Jessica expresses her impatience over how long Seth takes to get to his point. Seth then tells Jessica, “Now that you’re living in New York, you’re becoming as impatient as the rest of those people down there”. In several episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Jessica lived in New York, though this new living arrangement was only meant to be temporary. By having Seth address this part of Murder, She Wrote’s story, it was a good way to incorporate the show’s continuity.
    • While we’re on the subject of Seth, I want to address his desire to save Cabot Cove’s lighthouse. At the beginning of ‘The Dream Team’, Seth is against the Marina Americana development project because he fears the lighthouse will be destroyed. He goes so far as to create flyers in an attempt to make the developers feel guilty about risking the lighthouse’s future. However, the amount of time, money, and resources Seth puts toward those flyers could have gone toward actually restoring the lighthouse he claims to care about. If anything, Seth prioritizes talking about the problem instead of trying to solve it.
    • Grady is one of the developers of the Marina Americana development project. But when the fruition of the project is in jeopardy, so is Grady’s job. When he shares this information with Jessica, he says, “It’s so damn frustrating. I really believed in this project and, well obviously, so did a lot of other people”. What Grady said brings up an excellent point about how a neighborhood’s residents are not the only people impacted by any change within a neighborhood. In fact, I hadn’t come to this realization until I heard Grady’s quote.

    My overall thoughts:

    The way I feel about ‘The Dream Team’ is similar to how I feel about ‘The Legacy of Borbey House’; disappointment that Cabot Cove’s maintenance received precedence over the mystery itself. Also, like ‘The Legacy of Borbey House’, the entire first half of ‘The Dream Team’ was devoted to establishing characters and their potential motives. This left only half the episode for the audience to help Jessica solve the mystery. However, I did find the dialogue cleverly written. The examples I provided in this review were hilarious as well. I not only liked the inclusion of Murder, She Wrote’s continuity, I also found Grady’s quote thought-provoking. What I also found thought-provoking was the idea of Cabot Cove changing. As I watched ‘The Dream Team’, I thought about what would happen if Cabot Cove were a real town. Would it adapt with the times or would it stay frozen in time?

    Rating: A 3 out of 5

    The 12th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon banner created by Terence from A Shroud of Thoughts

    Name: Dead to Rights

    Season 9, Episode 18

    Premiere Date: March 21st, 1993

    Screenshot of ‘Dead to Rights’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    What I liked about this episode:

    In this episode of Murder, She Wrote, ‘Dead to Rights’, Jessica’s former researcher, Dana Ballard, is accused of murdering her new boss. A major reason for this accusation is how she constantly lies. Dana goes so far as to impersonate Jessica, as well as change Jessica’s answering machine message, in order to be selected for a new job. But one person who sees past Dana’s lying is Missy, the wife of Dana’s new boss, Ethan. During a conversation between the two women, Dana shows off a sweet, even a bit naïve, personality, acting as if she’s oblivious of Missy’s suspicions. When Missy confronts Dana about her suspicions, Dana effortlessly transforms into an irritated, manipulative woman. Because of the screenwriting and Molly Hagan’s (the actress who portrayed Dana) performance, the creative team behind ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job at establishing Dana as a potential suspect. However, I would like to point out the script provides a reason for Dana’s lying; “borderline psychosis” (as Jessica put it).

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    As I just mentioned in this review, Dana is accused of murdering her new boss, Ethan. While this gave Jessica a personal reason for solving the case, the majority of the story focused on proving Dana’s innocence. ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job at establishing characters and their potential motives. However, this build-up became an afterthought as the episode progressed due to the aforementioned focus on the truth about Dana. Similar to ‘The Dream Team’, the guilty party in ‘Dead to Rights’ was revealed based on a small detail. Had the script provided a balance between proving Dana’s innocence and figuring out who was guilty, the story might have been stronger.

    The mystery itself:

    Like I’ve already stated in my review, most of the story focused on proving Dana’s innocence. I also stated how the mystery’s guilty party was revealed based on a small detail. Another aspect of the mystery I’d like to bring up is how Jessica works with a lawyer named Vincent to solve the case. Typically, Murder, She Wrote shows Jessica collaborating with police officers, detectives, or investigators when it comes to catching whodunit. So, seeing Jessica engage with the more legal side of the mystery genre was a good change of pace for her!

    The other factors from this episode:

    • Some scenes in ‘Dead to Rights’ show a large train display the length of the entire wall in Ethan’s office. This train display not only surrounds a miniature town, a large painted backdrop of a desert landscape covered the wall behind the train display. Even though the train display and everything surrounding it was impressive, its inclusion in ‘Dead to Rights’ was random. None of the characters acknowledged the display itself. Plus, Ethan’s reason for the display being in his office was never provided.
    • Toward the beginning of the episode, on-screen text reveals how most of the story takes place in Portland, Maine. But in an establishing shot of a hotel’s exterior (implying that’s the hotel Jessica is staying at), Maine’s state flag is not displayed on the hotel. Instead, the state flags for Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. are prominently featured on the hotel’s exterior. In past reviews of Murder, She Wrote, I have complimented the show’s creative team for its location scouting because of how visually appealing the locations themselves have been. So, I’m surprised this film-making mistake went overlooked.
    • During Jessica’s and Vincent’s investigation, Vincent turns to a woman named Wanda for assistance. A few scenes show Vincent and Jessica visiting Wanda at her home. Her office/living room is filled with a collection of décor; from a cylindrical fish tank to a colorful pinball game. Because Wanda had such a quirky personality, the creative team behind ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job utilizing these pieces of décor to paint a picture of who Wanda is. The décor itself also made Wanda’s home look like a cool space!

    My overall thoughts:

    At best, ‘Dead to Rights’ is an ok episode. But, at worst, the story was weaker than I had hoped. So much emphasis was placed on proving Dana’s innocence, the build-up of the characters and their potential motives became an afterthought as the episode went on. What I also found frustrating was how the guilty party was revealed based on a small detail I think most viewers might overlook. However, there are aspects of ‘Dead to Rights’ I liked. The combination of Molly Hagan’s performance and the screenwriting effectively established Dana Ballard as a potential suspect. The episode’s creative team did a good job showcasing Wanda’s personality through the set design. However, there were some questionable creative choices, like Ethan’s train display and the lack of Maine state flags on the hotel. Now I wonder what other production errors from Murder, She Wrote actually appeared on the show?

    Rating: A 3 out of 5

    As I point out in this screenshot, the on-screen text clearly states most of the story takes place in Portland, Maine. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
    In this establishing shot, these flags would indicate the hotel is not located near Maine. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    Name: No Accounting for Murder

    Season 3, Episode 19

    Premiere Date: March 22nd, 1987

    Screenshot of ‘No Accounting for Murder’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    What I liked about this episode:

    One of the strengths of Murder, She Wrote has been the set design. This episode, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ is a perfect example of this statement! The accounting firm Grady works for is one of the most opulent looking businesses I’ve ever seen in entertainment media. The office of a colleague named Paul Carlisle boasts stunning design choices, including gold wallpaper that sparkled in the light, a white upholstered office chair, and gold décor. Even the accounting firm’s lobby fit the opulent style found in Paul’s office! Deep wood pillars and window frames provide a nice contrast to the light-colored carpet and wallpaper. Similar to Paul’s office, the sofa in the lobby was also upholstered. A gold table lamp adds a touch of elegance to the space. Once again, the creative team behind Murder, She Wrote knew what they were doing when it came to designing this particular set!

    What I didn’t like about this episode:

    When I reviewed ‘The Dream Team’ and ‘Dead to Rights’, I talked about how the characters and their potential motives were established within the story. But in ‘No Accounting for Murder’, some of the characters aren’t given a potential motive. The characters that do have a potential motive receive it as the story went along instead of toward the beginning of the episode. What also didn’t help was how the culprit was revealed because of a small detail mentioned by one of the characters. The fact only some characters were given a potential motive caused the script to lack red herrings.

    The mystery itself:

    There are two mysteries within ‘No Accounting for Murder’; the murder of one of Grady’s colleagues, Ralph Whitman, and the “ghost” inhabiting the accounting firm. Unlike the stories in ‘The Dream Team’, the stories in ‘No Accounting for Murder’ didn’t feel connected. In fact, each story felt like it belonged in their own separate episode. Personally, I thought the “ghost” story was more intriguing, as there were more mysterious elements to it. By the episode’s conclusion, however, I was disappointed by the unsatisfactory resolution of that story.

    The other factors from this episode:

    • In ‘No Accounting for Murder’, Jessica works alongside Lieutenant Timothy Hanratty while trying to solve the case. In a car ride through New York City, Timothy brings up some of Jessica’s past cases and even wonders why she hasn’t received a gold badge from her own police department yet. Jessica replies by saying, “It’s just a quirk of mine, really. The way I see things, you know?” When Jessica said this, I thought about other detectives, both amateur and professional, from entertainment media. They seem to possess a gift for observation, picking up on little details buried among facts, clues, and speculation. What these characters bring to their respective tables is just extraordinary. Any time I’ve watched Murder, She Wrote, I believed Jessica just happened to be that good at being a detective. But after watching ‘No Accounting for Murder’, I now see Jessica possessing a brilliance, similar to other detectives from television and film.
    • Last year, when I reviewed the Touched by An Angel episode, ‘Sympathy for the Devil’, I brought up one of the most unintentionally funny moments of the show; when Ty Duncan called his son “Chicken Boy” as an insult. In the Murder, She Wrote, episode, ‘No Accounting for Murder’, an unintentionally funny moment took place during a confrontation between Paul and the murder victim’s wife, Lana Whitman. As an insult, Lana calls Paul an “arrogant horse’s batootie”. Because of how goofy this insult sounded, I ended up bursting out laughing.
    • While watching ‘No Accounting for Murder’, I spotted a familiar face among the cast of characters. Ron Masak portrayed a salesman named Marty Giles, who happened to be a potential suspect. Fans of Murder, She Wrote would recognize Ron as Sheriff Mort Metzger, one of the most beloved residents of Cabot Cove. This discovery was such a surprise for me, as I didn’t know Ron had portrayed other characters on Murder, She Wrote besides Metzger. This makes me wonder how often actors and actresses portrayed more than one character on Murder, She Wrote?

    My overall thoughts:

    Like ‘The Dream Team’ and ‘Dead to Rights’, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ was just ok. Even though I liked the accounting firm’s set design, I didn’t like how some of the characters didn’t receive a potential motive. I also didn’t like how the mystery stories felt disconnected. However, the “ghost” story was intriguing enough to keep me invested in the episode, despite its resolution being unsatisfactory. ‘No Accounting for Murder’ has made me see Jessica in a slightly different way, leaving me appreciative of what she has to offer to the mystery genre’s table. It was nice to see Ron Masak appear in this episode as well. But as I look back on the episodes of Murder, She Wrote I’ve written about, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ will not be reflected on as fondly as other episodes.

    Rating: A 3 out of 5

    Design details like the sparkling gold wallpaper and the velvety green curtains add opulence to the set. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
    The opulence I mentioned while discussing Paul’s office is also reflected in the lobby of the accounting firm. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    What are your thoughts on these episodes of Murder, She Wrote? Are there any episodes you’d like to see me review? Tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun in Cabot Cove!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sunset Over Hope Valley: Heroes in Disguise

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    The trial over the fire investigation has finally taken place. But as the trial goes on, hope seems to be slipping away from Hearties’ favorite characters. Until a hero in disguise swoops in to save the day. Throughout the lifespan of When Calls the Heart, heroes have come and went in Hope Valley. Sometimes, their actions have been grand, attracting the attention of everyone affected. But other times, these heroic actions have been quieter, causing a ripple effect that is felt by the other characters. What the heroes of Hope Valley have in common is how they are disguised as neighbors, friends, and family. They are ordinary residents who go the extra mile for the people around them. When the heroism of Hope Valley’s heroes is recognized, they don’t allow the attention to get to their head. Instead, they remain humble and continue to be their genuine selves.

    Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

    When Calls the Heart season thirteen poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

    Season: 13

    Episode: 11

    Name: Trials and Trails and Tribulations

    Major story:

    Because Benson Hills’ courthouse is still under construction, the fire investigation’s trial is taking place in Hope Valley. The judge overseeing the trial is Judge Wakefield. When both sides are questioned, they recall information that was discovered in this season’s previous episodes. However, Judge Wakefield won’t allow the information discovered from the “drip test” to be used in court, as he feels it is entrapment. As a final effort to find Christopher, Elizabeth suggests having Henry contact his son through Rosemary’s radio show. This plan ends up working, as Christopher shows up to court with the buried transformer. His confession helps Judge Wakefield declare National Insurance and Pioneer Electric guilty of starting the fire.

    Courtroom image created by Macrovector at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/isometric”>Isometric vector created by macrovector – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Minor stories:

    Nathan prepares to propose to Elizabeth. But, as he tells Allie, he wants the proposal to take place after the trial. When the trial eventually concludes, Nathan decides to propose to Elizabeth during dinner. As he’s about to ask Elizabeth the long-awaited question, the dinner is interrupted by Allie. According to Allie, LJ climbed up a tree but had difficulty climbing down. When Elizabeth and Nathan rescue LJ, LJ expresses his frustrations over not being allowed to travel to Parson’s Peak. Elizabeth worries about LJ missing out on adventures. However, Nathan reassures Elizabeth how she’ll know when it’s the right time to let LJ spread his wings and fly.

    Lucas works on preparations for his re-election campaign. One of those preparations is practicing for an upcoming debate. As Lucas makes his case for why he deserves to be re-elected, Maisie acts as his debate opponent. When Lucas expresses his frustrations over how little he believes he accomplished, Maisie encourages him to love the game or find a new one. Meanwhile, Joseph is hesitant to forgive Christopher for not coming forward with the truth about the fire sooner. Cooper, on the other hand, is willing to forgive Christopher, even pointing out how Joseph’s recent sermon was about forgiveness. Joseph explains to his son how he isn’t ready to forgive yet.

    Small, western town image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Some thoughts to consider:

    • While I’m glad the fire investigation and its trial was resolved, the resolution was, in my opinion, a bit predictable. In season thirteen, episodes one through six prioritized the mystery surrounding the fire. But since episode seven, the priority shifted toward stories with lower stakes, such as Rosemary’s silent movie. Even in this episode, it almost feels like When Calls the Heart’s creative team wanted to complete this story just so they could move on to something else. I wish the resolution to the fire investigation and its trial had included a plot twist to add some excitement to that story.
    • According to the commercial for the season finale (as well as fan responses on social media), a lot of people expect Elizabeth and Nathan to become engaged at the end of season thirteen. But I think Nathan’s proposal will become interrupted (again), with the cause of the interruption dealt with toward the beginning of season fourteen. One possible interruption could be Toby, Cooper, and Rupert experiencing an emergency on Parson’s Peak. I did notice how these three students were not featured in the season finale commercial.
    • After Christopher shows up at the trial and comes forward with his confession, Henry lets his son know how he’ll support him any way he can. Reflecting on how Henry’s and Christopher’s story turned out, I noticed how they have paralleled one another. Both Christopher’s and Henry’s redemption arc started with a trial, with their actions and choices impacting multiple lives. Though Christopher’s redemption arc just begun, he is seeking forgiveness, similar to how Henry has sought forgiveness in seasons’ past. Henry’s redemption arc led him to become Hope Valley’s “Voice of Reason”. So, it’ll be interesting to see who Christopher becomes as his redemption arc continues.
    Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? Do you think Nathan’s proposal will become interrupted again? Please tell me in the comment section below!

    Have fun in Hope Valley!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sunset Over Hope Valley: The Ring Makes It Real

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Nathan plans on proposing to Elizabeth. In this episode of When Calls the Heart, he tries to figure out Elizabeth’s ring size so he can purchase an engagement ring. As Ned shows Nathan and Allie the engagement rings available to purchase, Ned tells them, “the ring makes it real”. When Ned said this, it made me think about how rings are more than just a statement piece or an item from a jewelry collection. It can be an extension of a person’s life story. Class rings or engagement rings symbolize the achievement of a major milestone. Mood rings make a wearer’s mood more visual. Even decorative rings or costume jewelry can hold a personal meaning to the person who owns that ring. It fascinates me how such a small piece of jewelry can represent so much. Now, when I see a character wearing a ring, I will wonder what the story behind it is.

    Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.

    When Calls the Heart season thirteen poster created by Hallmark Media, Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel

    Season: 13

    Episode: 10

    Name: Blessings

    Major stories:

    Nathan shares with Ned how he’s planning on proposing to Elizabeth. But in order to propose to Elizabeth, Nathan needs to get an engagement ring that fits her. For most of the episode, Nathan, as well as Allie, try to find a way to measure Elizabeth’s ring. When Allie and Oliver visit the pharmacy/ice cream parlor and walk in on Mei and Mike making clay bowls together, Allie develops an idea. She invites Elizabeth to a pottery class Mei is hosting at the ice cream parlor/pharmacy. During the pottery class, Allie suggests everyone close their eyes as they knead the clay. While Elizabeth has her eyes closed, Allie uses a small piece of clay to create an impression of Elizabeth’s ring (which she removed at the beginning of the pottery class). Allie and Nathan are able to use the clay to choose the perfect engagement ring. Later in the episode, Nathan asks for Charlotte’s blessing, as Charlotte has extended her stay in Hope Valley. He also asks Jack Thornton for his blessing, even taking Charlotte to the graveyard with him to visit Jack.

    While figuring out where to take the fire investigation next, Nathan comes up with an idea to prove the alliance between Pioneer Electric and National Insurance. He believes if one company receives information about the fire, that information will be passed to the other company. For this idea to work, someone needs to give the information to one of these companies. Nathan, Georgie, and Bill select Rosemary to go undercover for them. They create a script for Rosemary about how she’s trying to obtain an insurance claim for her playhouse. Using her script during her meeting with Mr. Throckmorton, from National Insurance, Rosemary tells him how she heard a local farm called LeVeaux Farms was conducting a controlled burn around the time the forest fire at Goldie National Park started. Later in the episode, Mr. Whitaker, from Pioneer Electric, comes to Nathan with the information Rosemary gave to Mr. Throckmorton. This proves Nathan’s plan worked, giving him, Bill, and Georgie evidence of National Trust’s and Pioneer Electric’s alliance.

    Fancy jewelry image created by Freepic.diller at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/wedding”>Wedding photo created by freepic.diller – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Minor stories:

    The minor stories in this episode of When Calls the Heart are focused on relationships. First, Mike becomes interested in pottery after Mei shows him a bowl she and her grandmother made. This interest not only leads to Mei and Mike making clay bowls together, it also leads to Mei hosting a pottery class. Later in the episode, Mei expresses her gratitude to Mike for caring about her past. Meanwhile, at the Queen of Hearts, Lucas has a heart-to-heart conversation with Lee about his feelings for Edie. Lee tells Lucas how he shouldn’t let his past experiences get in the way of what makes him happy now. He even shares with Lucas how he didn’t let his past mistakes prevent him from falling in love with Rosemary. Toward the end of the episode, Bill expresses his interest in pursuing a romantic relationship with Georgie. At first, Georgie is hesitant because she thinks the relationship won’t work out. But she becomes more open-minded to the idea of being in a romantic relationship with Bill when they agree to be honest with each other.

    Heart image created by Dashu83 at freepik.com <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Dashu83 – Freepik.com</a> <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/happy-valentines-day-and-heart-card-with-happy-valentines-day-and-heart_1747001.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a> Image found at freepik.com

    Some thoughts to consider:

    • As I said in this re-cap of When Calls the Heart, Charlotte has extended her stay in Hope Valley. During this stay, Charlotte admits to Elizabeth how she hasn’t been to Jack’s gravesite, let alone gone to the funeral. This piece of dialogue was a good way to address the continuity of Brooke Shields reprising her role as Charlotte for the first time since season three.
    • If a character is getting married in a Hallmark program, their wedding dress will sometimes not be revealed until the wedding takes place. This creative decision delivers a sense of surprise for the groom as well as the audience. One of the main stories in this When Calls the Heart episode revolves around Nathan’s plan to propose to Elizabeth. When he and Allie select an engagement ring for Elizabeth, their choice isn’t shown on screen. That creative decision is similar to the aforementioned wedding dress; giving a moment of shared surprise for Elizabeth and the audience.
    • In the commercial for the next episode of When Calls the Heart, Henry, through Rosemary’s radio show, encourages Christopher to come home. Within the context of the thirteenth season, Christopher has been missing for several weeks. With that said, why didn’t anyone think of using Rosemary’s radio show to contact Christopher sooner? I hope this potential plot hole is addressed in this season’s eleventh episode.
    Sunset image created by Photoangel at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background image created by Photoangel – Freepik.com</a>.<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/red-sunset-clouds-over-trees_1254327.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? How do you think Nathan will propose to Elizabeth? Let me know in the comment section below!

    Have fun in Hope Valley!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Top Ten Actors and Actresses Who Should Have Starred in a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    I haven’t talked about anything Hallmark Hall of Fame related since last August, when I reviewed the 1990 presentation, Face to Face. To make up for lost time, I decided to write a list article about a topic associated with this collection of Hallmark’s movies. With Hallmark Hall of Fame lasting from 1951 to 2019, numerous actors and actresses have graced television screens in one or several projects from this branch of Hallmark programming. But there are some actors and actresses who never received that opportunity. So, in this list, I will be selecting five actors and five actresses who, in my opinion, should have starred in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. While the chosen actresses and actors are categorized in no particular order, they were selected based on two criteria: 1) the trajectory of their career in correlation with the existence of Hallmark Hall of Fame and 2) if their acting talents would have been well utilized within the types of stories Hallmark Hall of Fame told.

    Hallmark Hall of Fame logo created by Hallmark Entertainment and Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

    1. Stephen Lang

      I will admit I’ve seen only three projects from Stephen Lang’s filmography; Don’t Breathe, Death of a Salesman, and 2009’s Avatar. But from what I remember, Stephen put a great amount of effort and care into his roles. Even based on some of his interviews I have seen and heard, it seems like Stephen takes the roles given to him very seriously. With all this said, I truly believe he would have brought that same amount of care and effort into a Hallmark Hall of Fame title. Plus, according to IMDB, Death of a Salesman is labeled a “tv movie”. Therefore, Stephen has some experience working in the realm of made-for-tv cinema. Had the opportunity to star in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie presented itself, I wonder what type of role Stephen would have received, let alone what type of movie he would have been cast in?

      2. Jane Seymour

      Throughout her career, Jane Seymour has starred in several Hallmark films; Lake Effects, Dear Prudence, Perfectly Prudence, and A Royal Christmas. You’d think with Jane’s connection to Hallmark, as well as her star power, she would have starred in, at least, one Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. But surprisingly, this opportunity never came to be. Besides her appearance in Hallmark’s movies, Jane has starred in projects that were related to the historical fiction genre, such as Somewhere in Time and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. In fact, I’m surprised Hallmark Hall of Fame and the creative team behind Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman didn’t work together to create a television event related to the show. This idea actually would have made sense, especially since Hallmark Hall of Fame was broadcast on the same network as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman during the show’s lifespan.

      Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Marble Arch Productions, Norman Rosemont Productions, and Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

      3. Michael Wincott

      I recently talked about Michael Wincott in my review of an episode from Miami Vice. Based on his performances I’ve seen, Michael has consistently displayed an understanding, as well as control, over his character’s emotions. His adaptability has also been very chameleon-like. If given the opportunity to star in a Hallmark Hall of Fame film, I believe Michael could have helped create a character with a captivating presence. Even though the movies in the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection were primarily dramatic in tone, various genres were covered within this series. Therefore, I think Michael’s acting talents could have been best utilized in a film from either the historical fiction, western, or mystery genre.

      4. Bai Ling

      I’ve seen several projects from Bai Ling’s filmography, including the 2001 Hallmark movie, The Lost Empire/The Monkey King. The one consistent strength I have noticed within these projects is Bai’s strong sense of emotionality. Whether in a made-for-tv movie or a theatrically released title, Bai’s understanding and utilization of her character’s emotions have added depth to her performances. I could have seen this acting strength incorporated into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, especially since, like I mentioned earlier, movies in the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection were primarily dramatic in tone. Since I have seen Bai star in at least one film from the mystery and fantasy genre, it would have been interesting to see what a fantasy or mystery Hallmark Hall of Fame movie starring Bai would have looked like. Or perhaps the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection could have given her a chance to tackle a genre I haven’t seen her appear in before.

      5. Vincent Perez

      If you have followed 18 Cinema Lane long enough, you would know one of the best movies ever reviewed on the blog was Swept from the Sea. Vincent Perez’s portrayal of Yanko is one of the reasons why. There were times in Swept from the Sea where, by utilizing emotion, he was able to say so much without saying anything at all. Vincent’s acting versatility not only made his performance captivating, it was also both heart-warming and heart-breaking. I’ve liked his performance from his other movies I have seen, from his emotional intensity in The Crow: City of Angels to his sincerity in Cyrano de Bergerac. Even in 2004’s Frankenstein (a movie I didn’t like), Vincent’s performance is one of the few good aspects of that film. I guess the 1998 HBO movie, Shot Through the Heart, is the closest thing to seeing Vincent in a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation I’ll ever get.

      Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline? poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, CBS, and Republic Pictures Home Video

      6. Jasmine Guy

      Whenever I think of Jasmine Guy, I think of her portrayal of Kathleen on Touched by An Angel. I also think about how strong Jasmine’s performance was on that show. Kathleen became a character I looked forward to seeing appear on screen. This was the result of the expressiveness, sassiness, and charisma Jasmine brought to her role. She even had good on-screen chemistry will Bill Nunn in the Touched by An Angel episode, “Lost and Found”, as it sold the concept of Kathleen and Bill’s character, Frank, being compatible, under different circumstances. Since Touched by An Angel was more dramatic in tone, like the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection, Jasmine’s portrayal of Kathleen gave me an idea how Jasmine’s acting talents could have been utilized within a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation.

      7. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

      Fans of the television show, Lost, will recognize Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as the actor who portrayed Mr. Eko. Adewale’s performance on that show is one of the reasons why I liked Mr. Eko as a character. His captivating presence commanded attention from the audience, which sometimes made Mr. Eko intimidating. Yet, the kind-hearted and thoughtful persona Adewale gave to Mr. Eko also allowed his character to be approachable, making the audience want to get to know Mr. Eko and see where the story took him next. Adewale’s acting versatility would have been such a valuable asset in a Hallmark Hall of Fame project. What also worked in Adewale’s favor is his chemistry with the other cast members on Lost. This acting element would have been beneficial to any Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, especially since some films from Hallmark Hall of Fame featured ensemble casts.

      Redwood Curtain poster created by Chris/Rose Productions, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, American Broadcasting Company (ABC), and Republic Pictures (II)

      8. Hayley Mills

      Hayley Mills was at the height of her popularity in the 1960s. Plus, based on her performances I have seen, Hayley has been able to utilize her expressions and emotions to make her characters seem as believable as possible. With these facts in mind, I’m surprised Hallmark Hall of Fame didn’t try to capitalize on Hayley’s popularity and talent by offering her a role in one of their films. When it comes to Hallmark Hall of Fame’s movies from the 1960s, I haven’t seen any of them. But based on my research, it appears these projects were either adaptations of plays, literature, or historical events. Because Hayley has starred in dramatic films like The Chalk Garden, I believe Hayley’s acting talents could have been incorporated well into one of these genres.

      9. Dulé Hill

      Dulé Hill is best known for his role as Burton “Gus” Guster from the television show, Psych. However, I’m more familiar with his performance on Suits as Alex Williams. Though it’s been a while since I’ve seen Suits, I remember Alex was introduced later in the show’s lifespan. Despite this, Dulé’s adaptability allowed his character to share chemistry with the other characters, making me as a viewer feel like Alex was always meant to be on the show. Dulé’s television experience, as well as his experience alongside an ensemble cast, worked in his favor. These acting qualities and Dulé’s name recognition from Psych could have given a Hallmark Hall of Fame film a built-in audience. Plus, I have heard Dulé is a tap dancer, so maybe Hallmark Hall of Fame could have incorporated his dancing talents into a musical.

      10. Joanne Whalley

      Back in 1994, Joanne Whalley starred in the movie/mini-series, Scarlett. When I reviewed it back in 2021, I said the mini-series/movie was a competently made project where the creative team behind it clearly knew what they were doing. This statement holds true for Joanne’s performance, as she did a fine job with the acting material provided. Since Hallmark was one of Scarlett’s distributors and since the movie/mini-series premiered on the same network Hallmark Hall of Fame’s movies aired on, it would have made sense if Joanne had been chosen to star in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. I’ve also seen Joanne star in at least one historical fiction and one fantasy film, which are two genres that have been explored within the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. But, for whatever reason, the opportunity to work on a Hallmark Hall of Fame project never came to fruition for Joanne.

      Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Christmas Everlasting poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel. Image found at https://www.crownmediapress.com/Shows/PRShowDetail?SiteID=142&FeedBoxID=845&NodeID=302&ShowType=&ShowTitle=Christmas+Everlasting

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

      An Eddie Munson Fan’s Thoughts on How ‘Stranger Things’ Ended

      On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

      Last November, I wrote an editorial speculating how Stranger Things could (and should) have ended. In this editorial, I proposed an ending where Eddie Munson created the entire show in his imagination, similar to the series finale of St. Elsewhere. I also confessed wanting to see this proposed ending because I was tired of seeing characters not reaching their full potential. No, I did not get the ending I wanted. But I always knew there was a one in a million chance I’d receive that ending. What I’m more disappointed about is how Eddie Munson’s second chance to reach his full potential was taken away from him.

      This picture of Eddie is one of the most iconic photos not just in Stranger Things history, but in television history as well. Original image created by 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix, and Upside Down Pictures

      As I’ve mentioned in the past, Eddie Munson has not only become a very beloved character, but also a very marketable character since his debut on Stranger Things back in 2022. In fact, Eddie subverted the expectations of the show’s creative team, as (from what I’ve heard) he was never intended to survive past one season. But instead of showing appreciation to the fans for helping Eddie become so popular, and even showing appreciation to Eddie himself, the creative team behind Stranger Things took them for granted. From my perspective, it seems like the show’s creative team grew to resent the fact Eddie became more liked than some of the main characters on the show. Based on what I saw and heard from Stranger Things’ fifth and final season, this perceived resentment was woven into the story. When Robin quoted Eddie by saying “Bad news first. Always.”, she didn’t even say Eddie’s name. Later in the season, Steve argues with Dustin how, back in Stranger Things’ fourth season, Eddie “saved no one” and “made a dumb call” by sacrificing his life in the Upside Down. But Steve so easily forgot how a) Eddie put the well-being and safety of others, including Steve, before himself, b) Eddie let Steve borrow his denim vest when Steve didn’t have a shirt to wear and c) Eddie encouraged Steve to work out his issues with Nancy so they could happy together. Even though Steve ended up apologizing to Dustin and admitted how Eddie saved his life, his apology had less to do with being grateful to Eddie and more to do with not losing Dustin.

      Though Eddie’s  ‘Master of Puppets’ solo was a very exciting scene, Eddie’s intention was to distract the Demobats in order to protect his friends. Original images created by 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix, and Upside Down Pictures

      When Eddie shares his aspirations to graduate high school in Stranger Things’ fourth season, he told the Hellfire Club how “I’m gonna walk that stage next month. I’m gonna look Principal Higgins dead in the eye, I’m gonna flip him the bird, I’m gonna snatch that diploma, and I’m gonna run like hell outta here”. Had the creative team brought Eddie back in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, he could have received a second chance to achieve the one thing his heart desired. But instead of letting Eddie reach his full potential and even get his “standing ovation”, Eddie’s graduation moment was given to Dustin (a main character) when he graduated high school. I’ve heard this was intended to be a tribute to Eddie. But to me, it felt like Eddie’s potential was stolen from him in favor of preventing main characters from becoming overshadowed.

      While Eddie shares his plans to graduate high school, he shows self-awareness for why he hasn’t graduated sooner. Original image created by 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix, and Upside Down Pictures

      Throughout January and late 2025, I’ve heard and seen a lot of discourse over how Stranger Things ended. But I haven’t specifically heard from an Eddie Munson fan’s perspective on how the show turned out. This is why I wrote this opinion piece in the first place. While I don’t watch Stranger Things, I did pay attention to the show’s last season, as I was curious to see if Eddie would come back and if so, how. But looking back at everything that happened (or didn’t happen, in Eddie’s case), the term, “this could have been an email” comes to mind. Since email wasn’t a thing in the 1980s, the last season of Stranger Things could have been a school assembly. Though I’d like to think a school assembly about Eddie would have more thought and care put into it, especially if it was hosted by his fans. The creative team behind Stranger Things failed Eddie Munson. But as one of his fans, I refuse to make that mistake. I will give Eddie the love, support, dignity, and respect those that created him should have been giving him all along. I will continue to advocate for characters to receive their full potential, no matter their status. And I will always try to give those who are under-rated their “standing ovations”.

      This opinion piece was brought to you by

      Sally Silverscreen

      Sally Watches…Miami Vice

      On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

      I was first introduced to Michael Wincott as an actor when I saw The Crow for the first time. Because his portrayal of Top Dollar left such a memorable impression, I wanted to seek out other projects from his filmography. I also wanted to review one of his projects on his birthday. But, until this year, I hadn’t gotten around to doing that. When I discovered Michael had guest-starred on an episode of Miami Vice, I became interested in checking out his performance. Seeking out this episode also gave me an introduction to Miami Vice, as I have never watched the show before. So, in honor of Michael’s birthday, I am publishing this special tv show episode review! Like my other television related reviews, I will discuss what I liked about the episode, what I didn’t like about the episode, the story itself, the other factors from this episode, and my overall thoughts. So, before we can start singing the “Happy Birthday” song, let’s begin this review!

      Miami Vice logo created by Michael Mann Productions, Universal Television, and National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

      Episode Name: Blood & Roses

      Season 4, Episode 19

      Premiere Date: April 1st, 1988

      The title card for “Blood & Roses“. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

      What I liked about this episode:

      In this episode of Miami Vice, a detective named Gina goes undercover as the love interest of a criminal named Frank Mosca. But the longer she stays undercover, the more the mission takes its toll on her. It gets to the point where Frank makes unwanted romantic advances on Gina. One day at the station, Gina tearfully confesses to another detective named Trudy how what she’s doing makes her feel guilty. She is still shaken up by what Frank did to her. If a character goes undercover or is given a top-secret mission on a police/detective procedural show like Miami Vice, the allure and thrill of the mission itself is given so much emphasis, its effect on the characters is rarely addressed, especially if the character is a woman. Gina’s confession to Trudy honestly highlights how, at the end of the day, the characters on police/detective procedural shows are human, complete with emotional limits and breaking points. It also helps how that scene was well-acted and well-written.

      What I didn’t like about this episode:

      As I said in the introduction of this review, Michael Wincott is the reason why I sought out this episode of Miami Vice. His performance was one of the best parts of this episode because he displayed chameleon-like control over his character’s emotions, which was reminiscent of his portrayal of Top Dollar. But within this forty-seven-minute episode, Michael only appeared in a total of four scenes. Plus, his portrayal of Wilson Cook became overshadowed by Stanley Tucci’s portrayal of Frank Mosca. It was disappointing to watch another project from Michael’s filmography where his talents were underutilized.

      Birthday cake image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/chocolate-birthday-cakes-collection_765437.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/birthday”>Birthday vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

      The story itself:

      Frank Mosca is laundering money through the various banks he owns. Based on the dialogue in this episode of Miami Vice, Frank has crossed paths with the protagonists of the show before. So, the story in “Blood & Roses” is similar to a storyline from the show, Columbo; waiting for the other shoe to drop by determining how the guilty party will get caught. For the majority of Miami Vice’s forty-seven-minute episode, however, the story contained a lack of urgency. A stronger sense of urgency didn’t arrive until the last six minutes of the episode. But this creative decision caused the conflict’s resolution to feel rushed. Plus, the way Frank’s defeat was achieved by the protagonists was a little too easily reached. That creative choice seemed like it was chosen just to satisfy the episode’s run-time.

      The other factors from this episode:

      • Like I said earlier in this review, Gina goes undercover as Frank’s love interest. One of her reasons for spending so much time with Frank is how she is posing as an interior designer. During one of their conversations, Gina brings up potential design themes like “Santa Fe” and “Nashville” Frank could adopt for his house. With Miami Vice taking place in Miami, Florida in the 1980s, I’m surprised Gina didn’t suggest Frank select an aesthetic the city, let alone the state, is known for. Miami is famous for its bright color schemes and vibrant energy. Based on the rooms from Frank’s house that were shown on screen, I’m pretty sure at least one of the aesthetics of Miami could have been effortlessly woven into Frank’s house.
      • Speaking of Frank’s house, some of the design choices featured in this episode were, in my opinion, strange. Frank’s office prominently features a wall length mirror behind where Frank is sitting. If he’s not even utilizing the mirror as a reflective tool, like in a dance studio, why does his office need a mirror in the first place? Right next to the house’s main staircase is a koi pond. To me, having a koi pond so close to the staircase seems like a tripping hazard, especially considering there isn’t a buffer between the floor and the edge of the pond. Had Frank’s house contained a connected greenhouse where the koi pond was located, it would have made more sense.
      • I said in the introduction of this review how I have never watched Miami Vice before. Despite this, I thought Don Johnson and Saundra Santiago’s on-screen chemistry was one of the best parts of this episode! Even though their characters, James and Gina, shared very little screen-time together, I could sense a radiant spark between them. Because Don’s and Saundra’s acting talents were so strong together, I wish Gina and James’ relationship had been featured more in “Blood & Roses”. However, I recognize there’s only so much story you can tell in forty-seven-minutes.
      Since I’m reviewing this episode of Miami Vice on Michael Wincott’s birthday, I thought including a picture of his character, Wilson Cook, in this review made sense. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

      My overall thoughts:

      Even though this is my first time watching Miami Vice, I was familiar with the general concept of the show. Therefore, I had an idea of what to expect. Based on these expectations, I thought “Blood & Roses” was going to contain a strong sense of suspense, intrigue, and action. What I ended up getting was a forty-seven-minute episode that mostly lacked a sense of urgency. Because a stronger sense of urgency didn’t appear until the last six minutes of the episode, the conflict’s resolution felt rushed and the defeat of Frank (the episode’s villain) was too easily achievable for the protagonists. But out of the television episodes I’ve reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane, “Blood & Roses” isn’t one of the worst episodes I’ve covered. There were elements of the episode I liked, such as how the show honestly addressed how undercover missions can affect the characters. I even liked some of the acting performances, especially between Don Johnson and Saundra Santiago. However, I wish I had more to say about Michael Wincott’s involvement in this episode, since I’m reviewing it on his birthday.

      Ratings: A 3 out of 5

      Have fun in Miami!

      Sally Silverscreen

      Word on the Street: Television show, ‘Community’ Will Soon Get Their “Six Seasons and a Movie”

      On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

      Anyone familiar with the television show, Community, will know the phrase “six seasons and a movie”. Ever since Abed (one of the show’s main characters) uttered the phrase in the show’s second season, the idea of any show receiving a movie and six seasons has become “the American dream” in the world of entertainment. While Community has indeed earned six seasons, the movie has been in development since 2022. But according to the film’s official IMDB page, it appears the movie may be on its way! ‘Community: The Movie’ (the movie’s current working title) is classified as “pre-production”. However, the release date is listed as “Expected 2026”. The page lists the majority of the show’s main cast, implying they will return for the film. Production companies working on the project are Sony Pictures Television, Universal Studio Group, and Universal Television. Peacock will, as of this article’s publication, distribute ‘Community: The Movie’.

      Community poster created by Krasnoff Foster Productions, Harmonious Claptrap, AGBO, Universal Media Studios (UMS), and Sony Pictures Television

      This is the first time I’m talking about Community on 18 Cinema Lane. However, I wanted to cover this movie news story because the creative team behind the movie, as well as the show, is doing something that I appreciate; keeping a promise to the fans. Whether intentional or unintentional, “six seasons and a movie” became a promise, giving the fans something to hope for. So, when Community did get six seasons, it felt the show’s creative team stood by their word. Now, with the movie currently in development, the show’s creative team is, once again, staying by their word by giving the fans what they want. This makes me hope other television shows follow in Community’s footsteps.

      What are your thoughts on this piece of movie news? Are you looking forward to ‘Community: The Movie’? Let me know in the comment section!

      Have fun at the movies!

      Sally Silverscreen

      References:

      Official IMDB page for ‘Community: The Movie’: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21958386/?ref_=ttco_ov_bk

      Article explaining the origin of “six seasons and a movie”: https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/the-origin-of-six-seasons-and-a-movie-viral-community-phrase