'Suits' Season 4, Pilot - Can Malone Be Trusted?

In 'Suits' season 4, episode 1 “One-Two-Three Go...”, Harvey and Jessica get an unexpected visit from S.E.C.'s Jeff Malone. Instead of telling them that he will be going after Pearson Specter, Malone arrogantly expresses interest in working for the law firm and says that he can help them fend off the S.E.C. Harvey likes him and wouldn't mind if he was hired.

Meanwhile, Louis and Katrina knew beforehand that Malone would be coming, but as an enemy. Louis saw this as a big opportunity towards getting his name on the wall, so he hopes that Jessica will go to Louis. Harvey and Jessica have no idea that Louis and Katrina know about the situation, but Jessica does tell Harvey that she wants Louis to fight for them against the S.E.C.

Later, Jessica visits Malone in his office and we find out that they are in a relationship. Jessica did not like how he didn't discuss with her first before pulling his stunt earlier to try to get a job at Pearson Specter. The relationship is the reason why she is reluctant to hire Malone. She does not want to mix work and personal life as that could potentially lead to problems.

Jessica ultimately decides to hire Malone after a discussion with Harvey, who suggested that she needs to pick which is more important to her: the relationship or work. When Louis finds out, he will more than likely be disappointed and shocked about Malone's hiring, but I think he will be the one to save Harvey and Jessica in a huge way...as Malone may not be that trustworthy. Malone's real plan might be to join the firm to destroy it from the inside. If this is the case, then Louis still has an opportunity and that would be to take down Jeff Malone and save Pearson Specter from crumbling to pieces.

Read More

Covert Affairs Season 5 'Embassy Row' - Is McQuaid Good or Bad?

In Covert Affairs season 5, episode 6 "Embassy Row" of Covert Affairs, Annie is invited by Kravec to a party at the Russian Embassy in Paris and accepts. While at the party, she bumps into Ryan McQuaid who explains that he is there to buy Russian helicopters for the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency). How ironic is it that McQuaid happens to show up at the same places as Annie while she is on a mission?

Later, Kravec takes Annie into a quiet area in the Embassy. They both have a drink and then Kravec subdues Annie by choking her and trying to make her drink poison. Annie is able to counterattack and get away. As she makes her way through the hallway, she sees McQuaid and faints before him. This is where I start to wonder whether McQuaid is really good or bad for the millionth time.

After the commercial break, we see Kravec pulling Annie out of the trunk of his car at night. McQuaid drives down the street, gets out of his van, and shoots at Kravec. Hmm...what happened after Annie fainted? Why didn't McQuaid just carry her off somewhere safe instead of letting Kravec abduct her?

A chase scene starts once Annie pries herself away from Kravec. McQuaid runs after them. At the end of the chase, Kravec puts Annie's head in water and tries to drown her, but McQuaid shoots him (without killing him). Annie questions McQuaid about why he didn't save her sooner since she remembered seeing him at the Embassy before passing out. He stated that his reason for that is because Kravec was getting back up and he couldn't just carry Annie away in time without arousing suspicion from the partygoers. Seriously?

If I were McQuaid I would have knocked out Kravec and tied him up in that room. I would then take Annie in there and close the doors and wait until she wakes up so she can interrogate Kravec. Then again, I guess one of Kravec's goons would probably come looking for him, so being in that room wouldn't be good. Due to this possibility, I can see why McQuaid would let Kravec take Annie and then follow them so that he can take care of the situation outside. Still, he should have arrived much sooner when Kravec was taking Annie out of the car trunk so that they wouldn't need to deal with a chase scene and Annie almost drowning.

Read More

'Graceland' Season 2 'Faith 7' Finale: Will Sid Markham Get Arrested?

Sid Markham has outsmarted Mike Warren by provoking him into a physical fight at the FBI building in order to get close enough to place a tracker in Mike's suit pocket. This allowed Sid to find the location of Graceland and once he sneaked inside the household, he took back his tracker so that no one would know he was even there. Before leaving, he stole a handgun and looked at some group photos, one of which showed Mike and Briggs together with the rest of the Graceland gang.

In the previous episode "Echoes," Briggs got into a car with Sid and his team to drive to Mexico to meet with Carlos Solano. With a car full of enemies and no backup in sight, it seems impossible for Briggs to escape once Sid reveals Briggs' allegiance to Mike Warren. I would imagine that Briggs can come up with a story to explain that he is no longer loyal to Mike and that he now disrespects him. That may or may not be enough for Sid to not harm or kill Briggs.

This finale features a lot more villains than the season 1 finale. Because of that, I don't predict that all the bad guys will be taken down in season 2. There just doesn't seem like there is enough time to pull it off while sustaining the quality of the show. The Gracelanders need to deal with the Solano cartel, Sid and his friends, and Amber and her friends. Unless this episode features many FBI tactical teams helping out team Graceland, then maybe it can be done.

I wonder if Sid or his second in command will make it to a potential season 3. They may get arrested, but it wouldn't surprise me if the writers have him escape in the future. The Solano cartel may be done as villains as they've been part of the talk since season 1. With them gone, maybe Graceland can move on to just corrupt law enforcement. Who knows? Sid could be linked to more criminals and corrupt officers. It could be revealed that the case is much bigger than just the LAPD Gang Task Force and the Solanos.

Read More

‘Graceland’ Season 2 'Faith 7' Finale: How Will it End? (Spoilers)

In Graceland season 2, episode 12 “Echoes” (last episode before the finale), the good guys seemed to have gotten really close to the end of the season-long case and are just a few steps away from taking down the Solano cartel and the corrupt LAPD Gang Task Force. Unfortunately, their efforts might not lead to a happy ending now that Briggs’ cover is blown, Charlie is kidnapped, and Lucia stole Sid Markham’s briefcase. Mike, Jakes, and Paige are in the clear, so I imagine they will come to the rescue. Below are the three major problems and my predictions on what will happen in the finale.


Problem 1
When Mike Warren stubbornly fought Sid on Federal property, not only did he ruin his reputation, he also unknowingly allowed Sid to slip a tracker into his pocket. Later in the episode, Sid infiltrates Graceland and scopes the place out with no one at home. He steals a handgun and sees a picture of the whole team before leaving. This clue implies to him that Briggs and Mike are on the same side.

Prediction:
- Perhaps the Graceland team has special security in the household and are notified when suspicious individuals sneak in. Briggs probably knows Sid invaded Graceland and has a story in mind just in case Sid questions him about his allegiance to Mike. His story could be that he is old friends with Mike, but is no longer loyal to him. - Maybe one of the Gracelanders went into a secret hiding spot when they realized an intruder was in the house. They can then notify the rest of the team about Sid.


Problem 2
Charlie should have been more careful of her surroundings when she was on her way to meet Amber to avoid getting kidnapped. Mike, Jakes, or Paige should have followed her. In fact, Jakes was on the lookout for Mike earlier in the season and followed him to Sulla’s sex trafficking warehouse just in case Mike needed backup.

Prediction:
- I would think that Mike, Jakes, or Paige would be saving Charlie since the others are tied up with their own issues to help. However, the small preview of the season 2 finale showed Briggs rescuing Charlie. I have no clue how he is able to do this if he is busy dealing with Sid on the way to Mexico, but it looks like Briggs and Charlie will be fine.


Problem 3
The briefcase of money that Carlos Solano will be giving to Sid Markham, his business partner, is stolen by Lucia. Johnny is shocked by this and obviously needs to find a way to get it back to Carlos or else the Graceland team cannot connect Sid to Solano and justify arresting them. The briefcase contains the marked bills that Jakes put in. The finale preview showed Johnny and Lucia with their heads against each other as if the end was near. There was a person behind them and it looked like the couple would be punished. Another clip showed a gun pointed at Johnny.

Prediction:
- Again, I would say that Mike, Jakes, or Paige will be saving Johnny. Since Briggs is on his way to Mexico, he might be able to help out as well, but he’d have to deal with Sid and his gang first.


Graceland Season 2 Finale 'Faith 7' Preview


How will the season end?
I would like for all of the villains to be put behind bars by the end of the finale, but something tells me that won’t happen. Maybe Sid Markham or Carlos Solano are able to escape and seek revenge in season 3 (if renewed). If not, maybe they all get put in jail, but one villain is shown to have a trick up their sleeves to get out in the future. That would also be revisited in the next season.

As for the good guys, I believe team Graceland makes it out okay except for Charlie and Mike who will be severely injured as shown in the finale preview. I also wonder if they will relocate Graceland since Sid knows its current location. He is definitely not going to keep quiet and will more than likely use it as leverage. Then again, he might not make it out of this season. Let’s hope the Gracelanders bring justice and end this case once and for all.

Read More

'Nikita' Season 4 - Finale Shows Potential for Nikita Movie or Season 5

SPOILER WARNING!
This article contains spoilers from 'Nikita' season 4. If you do not wish to proceed reading, please leave this page now before we spoil the show.

At the end of the finale of 'Nikita' season 4, the good guys prevailed as heroes and go on to live happy lives as the villains are finally defeated. Here's the catch: Amanda and her criminal colleagues are still alive. They are locked up in a highly secure prison facility by the U.S. government, but they are indeed alive. It is unclear whether they will receive the death penalty and executed some time later or be locked away for life.

I believe the producers purposely did this in case anyone in the Hollywood world decides to bring back 'Nikita' in the future. They could continue the story one last time in the form of a feature-length movie or a revived season/series.

It would be interesting to see all of the main characters return as well as the introduction of new important characters such as the offspring of Michael and Nikita. I would have the story set years after the events of season 4 in which new villains break Amanda and her buddies out of prison to help them pull off a sickening evil scheme. In an era of more advanced technology and weaponry, a reunited team Nikita will need all the help they can get. The game has changed. However, this time, the villains will be finished off for good.

That is my take on a possible return of 'Nikita.' What do you think? Do you want to see 'Nikita' again? Please leave your comments below.

Posted by: Trent Landers
Photo credit: The CW

Read More

'The Blacklist' - Tom Keen Can't Hide Anymore

In season 1, episode 16 "Mako Tanida" of NBC's "The Blacklist," Tom Keen made some huge mistakes which will cost him dearly.

At his secret hideout, he killed the mysterious Jolene Parker, who seemed to be working for the same "Berlin," and then he killed Reddington's Cowboy investigator right after. How is he going to explain to "Berlin" or whoever his organization or boss is about him killing their messenger Jolene? Just because the Cowboy was following her doesn't mean that it's time to get rid of her. She was an ally who could have helped Tom figure out who sent the Cowboy so they could prepare to fight off any others that may be coming after them.

Now, Tom only has himself and no back up. He can't seriously expect to not have anymore visitors. Killing those two definitely made someone angry or at least raise some suspicion. In fact, Reddington starts looking into the disappearance of his hired Cowboy after not hearing from him.

In the following episode "Ivan," Red finds out about the two victims through Mr. Kaplan (she showed him the bodies). Red then calls the police to file a missing person report for Jolene. Tom probably didn't think anyone would go looking for Jolene. That wasn't very smart of him at all. I get that spies shouldn't have emotional connections with people, but what if Jolene did? What if she did have friends or boyfriends? What about her colleagues at the schools she substituted at?

Due to Red's call, the local police began to investigate and interviewed Tom as well as other colleagues that worked with Jolene at the nearby school. This of course, concerns Liz and she dives in to the investigation. Later, FBI's tech guy Aram finds the location where Jolene's last phone call was made and Liz goes there. Tom quickly cleans up the place, burns a bunch of pictures, punches his wife, and gets away without being recognized. That was a close call right? The police arrived some time after and scoured the place for evidence.

At the end of the episode, Liz checks her email and views the photos the police sent her. One of the photos shocks her as it shows a familiar children's toy in a garbage can. That was the same toy that she gave Tom earlier to bring to school for the children students there. She finally admits to Reddington that he was right about her husband.

In the past, Tom has somehow managed to keep his true nature and double life a secret from almost everyone including his wife Elizabeth Keen. Even when Liz turned him in to the FBI to investigate him for a murder he may have committed, the feds found nothing and Tom was released. This time, Liz will be more confident in her distrust of Tom Keen and the police will more than likely find Tom's fingerprints all over his secret hideout as well as on the bodies of Jolene and the Cowboy.

Posted by: Trent Landers
Photo credit: NBC

Read More

'Chicago P.D.' Season 1 Episode 1: 'Stepping Stone' - Cheap Character Death?

The first season of NBC's new TV show "Chicago P.D." premiered on January 8th, 2014 and they already gave the audience shocking surprises to reel them in. Detective Julia Willhite, or Jules, (played by Melissa Sagemiller) was introduced in the "Chicago Fire" crossover episode "Let Her Go" and seemed like she would be a main cast member throughout Chicago P.D. since the character's prominence was not too far behind Sergeant Voight and Antonio Dawson. 

Unfortunately, that was not the case as she would eventually get killed at the end of the first episode of Chicago P.D. Even though I have seen news articles beforehand regarding the announcement that Sagemiller would no longer be part of the show, I did not think that her character would die so soon. I hoped that she would move on to work in some other city in another police department. If not that, then maybe she would die in the middle of the season.

I was utterly shocked and irritated at the way Jules was killed. Sure, it was a sad moment, but it could have been handled much better. In the scene where the Intelligence Unit arrives at the apartment complex, Voight tells his team to pull back. Jules stands right in front of the door, looks back at Antonio, and gets shot by the enemy through the door.

It would have been better if the two detectives got into a gunfight with the bad guys and there was no way for the other team members to help them in time. Jules would then take out one of the enemies, but gets shot from behind by the notorious Pulpul. Immediately after, Pulpul and his men leave the apartment and this would lead to the chase scene. I feel that this is much more dramatic and adds more fuel to the Intelligence Unit's drive to avenge Jules' death whereas in the original scene Jules did not get any action at all. She was a significant character despite being in only two episodes and should therefore have an epic send-off...especially when it is used to propel the story forward with the team grieving over her.

Hopefully, other important characters' final scenes in the future are not so simple. As for Melissa Sagemiller, maybe she could return to portray Jules in flashback scenes. That wouldn't be such a bad idea and is great for developing Sophia Bush's character, Erin Lindsay, since they were shown to be good friends. Erin was also the one to break the news of Jules' death to Jules' husband. We will miss you dearly detective.

Posted by: Trent Landers
Photo credit: NBC

Read More