This week’s episode of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live set an emotional landmark as one of the best episodes of the season and one of the greatest in the franchise, as I stated on my preview of the show last month.
I am not going to downplay it: I am a massive fan of the original Netflix series Squid Game, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The series is absolutely brilliant in its portrayal of modern capitalist struggles, and the lengths that struggling people will go to, sacrificing everything that they have, just for some money. When I heard that Netflix was making a spin-off gameshow called Squid Game: The Challenge, I was immediately excited; this is exactly what I had been waiting for. Taking the existing show and turning into something real and tangible, with the largest cast and the largest cash prize in reality TV history. I eagerly watched the episodes when they released, in
The claw machine from the show
anticipation of the next while each episode became more and more tense. This is when I received an invite to attend a premiere for the final episode, and I knew I had to attend.
The venue itself was situated along the west side of Manhattan, and was absolutely beautiful. As I entered, I saw many contestants from the show arrive as well, with their player number imprinted on the vehicle.
Squid Game Workers
Seeing favorites from the show was surreal, and I even saw contestants from the final three, such as Sam and Mai. Inside, the whole venue had been decorated with stunning Squid Game imagery, with quotes from the show on the walls and the red-clad workers with the iconic shapes on their helmets standing guard as exciting picture opportunities. Also available were several activities and treats: I saw a claw machine and a giant game of battleship, both pulled straight from the show. There was a food stand offering pretzels, and a bar offering themed cocktails, such as one called Red Light, Green Light after the show’s first game.
I played a quick game of battlefield, and attempted to sink my opponents ships using oversized pegs and ship pieces. I came close, but unfortunately he got the better of me in the end. It was crazy to think that I was playing this game so casually, and losing with no consequences, while losing the same game in the show meant an immediate reduction of your chances of winning millions of dollars to zero.
Jumbo Battleship
I went around to take some pictures with the Squid Game workers (they were thankfully peaceful here), and before I knew it, the premiere was about to begin. I took my seat, and the final three contestants, Sam, Mai, and Phil came up to the stage to give a short introduction. I watched them introduce themselves and the premise of the show, and I knew that they knew which one of them had won: they were already aware of this cherished secret. After final remarks, the episode began.
THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILERS ABOUT THE FINAL EPISODE OF SQUID GAME: THE CHALLENGE
The final episode was enthralling. I was on the edge of my seat trying to decide who would come out on top. Sam, Phil, and Mai were all at a feast, which concluded with them being given the next task: randomly choosing one button out of three to pick. If the button went green, they and one other of their choice could proceed; if the button went gray, nothing would happen; if the button went red, they would be eliminated. It was an interesting concept that kept the outcomes random, but also allowed for a hint of decision making in who would be selected to come to the next stage. Surprisingly enough, the person I thought would win immediately lost: Sam. I was gutted, but excited to see what would happen next.
The final contestants on stage
We also received some backstories to the characters, where I learned what Mai, Phil, and Sam had to go through. Each had had a tough life, and I still could not decide who I was rooting for.
The final game was again a random one that could have a little bit of strategy to it: rock, paper, scissors. The two remaining contestants would throw their selection again and again, and each winner would be able to select a key to unlock a safe. The first to find the correct key would win the game. After what seemed like hours, and with Mai clearly overpowering Phil in her critical thinking and strategy, she found the correct key and won. The whole room burst into applause, and confetti was shot into the air over the crowd. I was astonished at the winner, but simultaneously extremely happy for Mai. She seemed like she really needed the money, and she had had nothing but hardships throughout her life, including a teenage pregnancy and being kicked out of her family. She absolutely deserved it.
Confetti for the winner
THIS MARKS THE END OF THE SPOILERS SECTION
I had an amazing time at the premiere of the final episode, and although I had already been watching the show, it was something different to be able to watch it in the same room as hundreds of other fans. If you have not already watched the show on Netflix, I wholeheartedly recommended it. The show tackles the human spirit, and the importances of friendships and enemies likewise in achieving one’s goals. It is one of the best shows that I have watched in 2023, and is a must-see.
Thank you to Netflix and the Squid Game team for the amazing opportunity.
If you’ve ever talked to or been around a child then you’ve probably heard of PAW Patrol.
The Nickelodeon children’s show first premiered in 2013 and has since spiraled into one of the network’s most successful shows. From toys and merchandise to live shows, PAW Patrol has accomplished what most children’s programs could only dream of doing: world domination.
It’s in your homes, in your phones, on your TV, and now in your theatres. PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie will be making its way to the big screen at the end of this month and expect to hear some familiar voices, as well.
The film includes a celeb-packed cast and voiceovers from Taraji P. Henson, Kim Kardashian and her kids North and Saint West, Kristen Bell, Marsai Martin, and more.
Based on the beloved characters from the show, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie follows the whole gang of pups as they venture through their town of Adventure City to defeat supervillains and protect their community.
When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ arch-rival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a meteor-obsessed mad scientist, to steal the superpowers and turn themselves into supervillains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it’s too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie features all-new, original songs from Bryson Tiller, Christina Aguilera, Mckenna Grace, and Blackbear.
Turns out the puppy cops are pretty popular amongst the adults, as well.
Bryson has been MIA musically for a while now but his initial reaction to being asked to be a part of the film’s soundtrack was nothing short of excitement.
“As soon as I saw it, I was like ‘hell yeah, I’m doing this right away.’”
We chatted with Bryson about his deep love for the puppies in uniform and, of course, when he plans on gracing us with new music.
So, let’s talk about this new song that you have for the new PAW Patrol film, “Down Like That.” Could you tell me more about how this came about, when you were approached with this were you all for it or did you need convincing from your kids?
Bryson Tiller: Oh no, I was all for it right away. They didn’t even have to- They didn’t even know about it. As soon as I saw it, excuse my language, I was just like “Hell yes” I’m doing this right away.
Really? Are you a PAW Patrol fan?
Bryson Tiller: It was just more so the fact that I just always wanted to be a part of something, you know, like a kid’s TV show or movie, you know, soundtrack or whatever. I watched the first movie with my daughter a while ago when it came out, the first PAW Patrol movie. So just yeah, it was a no-brainer for me.
Could we see you doing maybe some acting or voice-overs in the future?
Bryson Tiller: Acting, voiceovers, I don’t know. Maybe, yeah maybe voiceovers. I don’t know about acting.
Well, speaking of music, we all know you’ve kind of been in and out of the music scene over the years. So, when you do drop something does it feel like an unofficial return or like a warm-up for when you do officially drop?
Bryson Tiller: Sometimes I guess, I don’t know. I like to create music. People know this about me. I like to just, kind of the way I came up in the music industry was just creating something and releasing creations to the public right away on my own time. With albums and stuff, it’s a sample clearances and all this different stuff. So, it’s not like I can just make the music and then just upload it to Apple Music myself tomorrow. I wish that I could do it that way, I think that would be better. Just trying to get used to this new thing. So anyways, when I do release music it’s not really like, “Oh, I’m gearing up for my return! It’s coming!” or anything like that. I just like to create things and share them with the world.
That’s good to know. Cause I was definitely going to ask if you were pulling a Rihanna on us. I didn’t know if we would ever going to see you again, so you know, I just had to make sure. You’re very active on Twitch, you’re a full-time father. Sometimes you’re streaming, sometimes you’re making music for films like this or you’re doing features. Like, the song you did with Diddy recently. Or you might even drop a mini EP on SoundCloud. What can we expect from you in the future, musically? If you can talk about it, or if you’d like to talk about it!
Bryson Tiller: Yeah, absolutely I can talk about it. I’m releasing an album soon, I’ve been working on it for some time now. I finished it, well at least I thought I finished it earlier this year. I would say I finished the first phase of the album, like just something to listen to, dissect, and see what’s missing.
So, the first phase of the album, I finished it. Now I’m preparing to go back to LA to really finish this thing so I can release it on time for next year. Yeah, I’m super excited about it. You mentioned the Rihanna thing, I actually do plan on taking a bit of a hiatus after this album just to get closer to my kids and do a lot of other passions that are important to me.
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is in theaters September 29th. “Down Like That” is out now. Watch the lyric video below.
Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping ride as the highly anticipated fourth season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan is set to hit screens on June 30th. Fans have been eagerly waiting for the return of this gripping series, co-produced by Amazon Studios, Paramount Television Studios, and Skydance Television. Led by the talented John Krasinski, Jack Ryan’s character faces his most perilous mission yet, delving into a web of both foreign and domestic enemies while uncovering shocking internal corruption that threatens the very heart of the nation.
This week’s Fear The Walking Dead went beyond stupidity that it made an episode of the previous season look like a masterpiece by comparison.
The kingmakers have turned the cameras on themselves.
Fear The Walking Dead took us a trip down memory lane as Morgan went back to his old neighborhood for the first time in nearly a decade.
This week marks the final episode of the third season of Power Book II: Ghost.
This week’s Fear The Walking Dead is all about June!
I have to admit, Tommy Egan showing up at Tasha’s house to cause chaos is the peak of “did that just happen?” on this season of Power Book II: Ghost.