Rising through the ranks of the WWE isn’t easy and typically isn’t fast. However, Dennis Hopeless takes us from the indie circuit to NXT to the main event of Hell in a Cell 2017 within just a few short pages. Lots of flashbacks from Zayn’s memory, though, let us into his docile head and guide us through the journey to greatness.
Owens and Zayn are best friends and have been for many years. When one succeeds before the other, jealousy and pride take over. Zayn’s achievements lit a fire under Owen’s ass where he then exploded with his own triumphs. Zayn’s timid personality, sadly, is holding him back. When will he break out of his shell?
BOOM! Studios – WWE #18
ART
As usual, Serg Acuna’s art is impeccable. His detail of the muscles and body movements of the men is precise. He captures Owens’ sneer and Zayn’s smirk just as if they were standing right in front of me.
I loved the resounding “thok” of Owens’ head colliding with Vince McMahon‘s. I was a little disappointed, though, that Vince himself doesn’t make an appearance. Shane McMahon takes on Owens on his father’s behalf, culminating at the Hell in a Cell match between the two. The match action is fun and getting to see Shane fall elbow-first from atop the cell is absolutely thrilling.
Incorporating the checked pattern when the story focused on Zayn’s love of ska music was a nice touch by colorist Doug Garbark. The dark tones mixed with the flashback tones being a little warmer is a nice contrast, helping to keep the stories distinct.
SIDE STORY
How great is it that we get a story about Rusev Day on Rusev Day! Kevin Panetta’s story, narrated by the golden voice of Aiden English, is a charming story-time anecdote about an event of live SmackDown entertainment. The olde English-style lettering from Jim Campbell is fitting and fun, and Domo Stanton’s artwork is a little scruffy, but so are Rusev and English.
CONCLUSION
This duo is clawing their way to the top of the WWE ranks, each with shiny championship belts dancing in their eyes. What’s next for this pair? We’ll have to wait until next month to see.
It’s time for Rifftrax, the comedy team of Michael Nelson, Bill Corbett, and Kevin Murphy once again come together to deliver a night of humor all fueled by watching a really bad movie. This time the team has decided to revisit one of the most popular films which was featured on the series, Mystery Science Theater 3000. A low budget sci-fi knockoff with gaping plot holes and an obviously low budget to work with. How does it stack up? Let’s find out.
The Magic Shop
There has been times previously when the short was the best part of the entire feature. This is not one of those times. This forgotten adaptation of the H.G. Wells story features a bland character watching his son get way too excited about the magic the shopkeeper keeps showcasing. On first glance it seems like this should short should have a lot potential some comedy with a guy just pulling magical tricks out of nowhere and a and actor who seems deadpan to the entire reaction. Unfortunately by the end of it you realize this is no Shake Hands With Danger or Soapy The Germfighter.
Space Mutiny
Welcome to the Future. A future where women wear mostly leotards and the interior of the ship looks like an oil refinery. Where intense battles take place on vehicles which come from crossing golf carts and floor sweepers. This is the future of Space Mutiny. The very low budget and poorly acted feature was the main subject of the evening’s entertainment and it did not disappoint.
The team tapped into the jokes which made the original Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode so memorable. This is the running gag of renaming the extremely buff main character with different names such as Max Roid Rage and Gunner McBattlepants. It never gets old and is incredible funny.
The entire feature had a lot of good energy behind it and with the jokes spread out so there wasn’t a loss of excitement in the last quarter like with the team’s take on the Sony Pictures Godzilla film. This is definitely one of the better scripts the comedy team has worked with and it shows. If you missed out on it in theaters, make sure to check it out when it becomes available on the official website.
Rifftrax: Space Mutiny was presented by Fathom Events.
Batman #49 by Tom King, Mikel Janin, and June Chung features an epic fight between Catwoman and Joker. Only one will win, but who truly got the last laugh?
Batman #49 Written by: Tom King Art by: Mikel Janin Colors by: June Chung Letters by: Clayton Cowles
“THE BEST MAN” part two! Now it’s up to Catwoman to rescue her one true love. It’s the Cat vs. the Clown in one exciting showdown that sets the stage for our giant anniversary issue—and the biggest union in comics!
“Someday we’ll look back and laugh” –Minor Threat–
Writing
If you thought the last issue was one hell of a fucking Joker story, then Batman #49 is the actual narrative punchline. What Tom King has done in this issue is tell, without a doubt, one of the best Catwoman/Joker confrontations you will ever read. And confrontation is right because what happens here is much more than a fight (although there is a fight, and it’s tense, violent and urgent). In between the kicks, punches, gunshots, and clawings, there is a deep philosophical discussion going on between Catwoman and Joker. These are two people who have shared an obsession with the same person all their lives, only to have vastly different relationships and perspectives with and on that person. They both claim to know and love him, and they both do. But Catwoman can see beyond Batman’s mask to something deeper. And maybe the Joker could too, but he chooses not to. He wants Batman to be nothing but his opposite, pure chaos and pure order. No room for anything else. It makes Joker, as terrifying as King has built him up to be, a tragic figure as well. It’s deep, nuanced writing that elevates all the characters.
King also makes these two iconic characters his own, yet still manages to homage and allude their vast histories. Fans of Allan Moore’s and Brian Bolland’s seminal work, The Killing Joke, will find much to love here as there are visual, thematic and dialog nods to it throughout the entire thing.
And SPOILER ALERT… with the Joker’s emotional revelations and final act of allowing himself to bleed out, it can almost function as a perfect end to the Clown Prince of Crime. Then we get Catwoman’s final reaction. Laughter. But she also sits holding him, scratching his hair. Honestly, it’s just perfect.
Art
The art in this issue had to do two things, showcase a quick yet tense action scene, and then continue to carry that momentum with just a conversation between to people laying on the floor. Mikel Janin, along with June Chung, creates some dynamic, fluid and gorgeous panels and layouts. Every punch, every bullet is felt. It’s a highlight for this re-occurring art team in a run that has already produced classic images. Janin’s Joker is immediately iconic and worthy of being slapped on everything from art prints to t-shirts.
Attention must be given to the lettering as well. Clayton Cowles captures sound perfectly, and his talent for world ballon placement is obvious. He can place a lot of text around these beautiful images and it does not distract, it only enhances the story. And his font for the Joker’s words makes you feel like you can hear and feel the mixed emotions in his voice.
Conclusion
In many ways, it feels like whole King’s run as led up to this moment, this emotional explosion between two people all obsessed with the same thing and their place in each other’s lives. Batman #49 is an instant classic and is not to be missed.
After playing the slow burn for so long, Black Hammer: Age of Doom #3 makes some huge moves for the series and sets up an epic confrontation.
Lucy and Jack Sabbath try to make their way back home, and meet some strangely familiar faces along the way. Meanwhile, weird things are happening back on the farm. What else is new?
When Age of Doom #1 came out, I said this series was going to let the art team off their leashes, and this issue proves me right. Jeff Lemire is sending us out into this weird multiverse, but Dean Ormston, Dave Stewart, and Todd Klein are our tour guides. Their respective art, colors, and letters give each world Lucy and Jack visit its own distinct vibe while maintaining a creepy tone. That’s been this series’ shining achievement: its ability to keep a consistently creepy tone whether the scene is at a kitchen table or Hell itself.
We always knew that Black Hammer was Lemire’s ode to superhero comics, but Age of Doom shows that it’s truly an ode to comics in general. The worlds that we see in this issue are not-so-subtle homages to classic comics series, ones that changed the way the world thought about comics. And maybe it’s just a coincidence, but Vertigo Comics seems to be a common thread through these worlds. Either way, this trip through the comicsverse opens our eyes to what Black Hammer as a series can be.
This series has been a slow burn from the start, and a great one at that. Which is probably why the things that happen in this issue feel so monumental, even though they’re not truly that big at all. But just the fact that we’re learning anything about this mystery is exciting! Lemire continues to prove himself a master storyteller, pacing his tale in a way that makes important moments big or small slap you in the face and then punch you in the gut for good measure.
Black Hammer: Age of Doom #3 is definitely more action-driven than character-driven, a flip on the series’ usual M.O. Next issue is sure to be a monumental one, so if you’re not caught up on the series, make sure to be before next month!
The heroes in a half shell are one step closer to coming back to the silver screen with The Hollywood Reporter breaking the news that a new writer has been hired to write a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie – Andrew Dodge.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of the most successful franchises from the 1980s. Starting as a comic book series by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird which took aim at ‘dark and gritty’ comic books of the era the Turtles evolved into kid-friendly series who all know and love. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been adapted into numerous animated shows, five live-action movies, an animated movie and a live-action TV series – there was even a crossover with the Power Rangers.
Paramount Pictures chairman Jim Gianopulos is prioritizing the studio focus on its franchises. Michael Bay’s production company Platinum Dunes is set to produce, having already made the previous two films in the franchise: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. It is unclear if the new film would be a continuation or a reboot.
Platinum Dunes has a negative reputation of Michael Bay’s involvement and the companies early slate of horror remakes. However, to be fair to the company they have had a better output of horror films like The Purge series and A Quiet Place and have a fine catalog of TV shows.
Andrew Dodge only has one film credit to his name, Bad Words, a fouled mouthed comedy that was met with solid if unspectacular reviews. He is also attached to write Space Jam 2. It is far from a reassuring sign that an unknown writer is hired for a franchise film, but we do not know what he has in his portfolio. Considering Dodge’s credits the news TMNT film could either be a family-friendly movie or be a slightly darker entry.
The Expanse gave viewers a glimpse at the purpose of the Ring in last week’s episode, but “Dandelion Sky” still left me with a lot of questions. With the UNN Thomas Prince now inside the Ring, all of the solar system’s various factions are accounted for. And, representing his own sense of Quixotic curiosity, James Holden is in deeper than anyone.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – Bad Pastor
As the UNN ThomasPrince enters the Ring we see Pastor Anna Volovodov watching the main view-screen intently. Lieutenant Nemeroff, part of the Thomas Prince’s crew, sidles up to Anna. He has fears and existential questions about entering the Ring. He asks the pastor whether God wants them to be there. Unfortunately for Nemeroff, Anna is still being selfish right now. She shrugs, says “scripture is quiet on this one,” and walks three paces away from him. Oh!! Pastor-burn!
Later we see Nemeroff in his quarters. He puts his gun in his mouth and pulls the trigger. A zero-G effect shows his floating blood. This scene was needlessly graphic, especially for an intelligent show like The Expanse, which generally tempers gore with purpose.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – “Uh, guys?”
Naomi, trying to get back to the Rocinante, hails and hails her old ship but gets no response. The officious MCRN respond to her hails, though, and tell her that she should stop sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. As usual, Naomi doesn’t respond well to orders or threats, so she keeps on heading toward the Rocinante.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – “It’s the end of the world as we know it, so I killed caaaaats!”
Aboard Naomi’s old ship, we see Amos and Alex watching a transmission from Holden that orders them not to follow him. He tells his crew where he’s gone, saying he has to go to the nucleus on his own, having blasted off in “Intransigence.”
Alex describes a serious existential dread, saying he fears that whatever the ring is will kill everyone. Being of as little help as he usually is in emotional situations, Amos tells the starship pilot that he hasn’t felt fear since he was five years old.
Lack of empathy aside, he at least makes an attempt at calming his shipmate down, though. Amos recalls a friend of his in Baltimore who said that if the end of the world came that she would jump off the roof of her building with her cats. I doubt that Alex was much comforted by this anecdote, but at least Amos is trying…right?
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – “I think it must be a great big exposition thingamajigger…”
Just before Nemeroff decided to kill himself, Volovodov and the Thomas Prince’s science officer, Kolvoord, spends some time theorizing with Anna about just what the heck is going on in the Ring. Offering little insight of his own, he quickly asks Anna what she thinks is going on.
Anna zooms in on the interactive holo-display system — Kolvoord didn’t even try that? She suggests that the nucleus of the Ring is acting as a sort of immune system. Kolvoord, however, disagrees with the hypothesis that the Ring is acting like an organism, so I guess we’ll see.
“Melba,” whom we find out in this episode is actually Clarissa Mao, uses her limited technical clearance to override Thomas Prince’s systems to get all the information she can on Holden.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – The Expanse: The Motion Picture
In a series of scenes that reminded me a lot of Spock entering V’Ger from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Holden floats on toward the Ring’s centre. A projection of Miller accompanies him for the ride, and he and the deceased detective’s projection wax philosophical.
It has been great to have Thomas Jane back on the show, if only for a little while. Not only does Miller’s presence tie this season in with the first two, but Jane’s a good actor to watch, and when he’s onscreen his performance brings up Steven Strait’s.
Miller and Holden’s conversations reveal that the nucleus of the Ring contains information about an advanced society that existed there long ago.
Miller describes humanity as a “fancy hand terminal with a trillion buttons.” He says that the protomolecule is manipulating his brain, showing him Miller and whatever else he needs to get to the nucleus and access the system. Holden argues that he believes in free will, and Miller calls him the patron saint of lost causes.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – “Ugh, Martians…”
The MCRN has sent an intercept team, including the reinstated Sergeant Bobbie Draper, to intercept Holden before he enters the nucleus. The team has no luck communicating with him until Bobbie gives it a shot. Holden finally responds, but what he says doesn’t make a lot of sense. Shouting at Miller’s projection while talking to Bobbie, Holden doesn’t present as particularly sane. Draper agrees that Holden has lost it, and they launch themselves after him.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – “I didn’t say ‘mutiny,’ I said…uh…”
Things aren’t going well for Captain Drummer aboard the Behemoth. Her XO, Klaes Ashford, publicly questions her orders, causing Diogo to say Ashford should be captain. Ashford tells Diogo to forget the whole thing but, as Captain Drummer points out when she and Ashford discuss it later, he may have told Diogo to stand down so that when things change he could deny being mutinous, making him the obvious choice for captain.
Oh, beltalowda beratna, what felota have you got yourself into?
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – “Don’t chomp your teeth at me, Clarissa!”
Trying to provide some actual spiritual guidance during her trip through the Ring, Anna delivers Lieutenant Nemeroff’s eulogy. She says that she doesn’t know if God wants them to be there but says she knows that God wants them to be there for each other.
After the service, Anna talks with Tilly Fagan who says she recognizes “Melba.” She tells Anna that “Melba” is actually Clarissa Mao, and Anna still on her “help each other out” kick suggests that Tilly reach out to her old acquaintance.
Tilly does just that. Confusing Clarissa’s undercover mission as a method of avoiding the fallout after her father’s arrest and imprisonment, Tilly demands to know what is going on. Unfortunately for Tilly, Clarissa is intent upon locating and killing James Holden, and doesn’t have time to chit-chat. Clarissa makes a familiar chomping motion, and whatever upper she keeps using kicks in, turning her ultra-violent and super-strong.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – “Angels, kids, uh…handholding, come on I’m Miller over here!”
Having entered the nucleus, the “Investigator” shows Holden an access terminal and instructs him to put his hand inside. Holden demands some indication that the Investigator personality is, in some sense at least, Miller.
It tells him a story about Julie who said that angels help children who are dying by holding their hands and leading them halfway to Heaven, and that he told Julie he’d need her to hold his hand a lot further than halfway.
This is enough to convince Holden, who makes for the access terminal. Just before he has time to put his hand in, though, Bobbie and the Martians show up. They instruct him to get away but he doesn’t. They fire, but the bullets freeze in space. A weird amalgamation of shapes starts an attack on the Martians, but Bobbie’s commanding officer throws a grenade at it.
This slows everyone inside the Ring down, but Holden manages to get his hand in the terminal.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – The Expanse: A Space Odyssey
This section reminded me of 2001: A Space Odyssey. I give serious kudos to the visual effects department for the artful and tripped-out sequence of images. Having never read the books, I’m not entirely sure what the sequence represented, but it seemed to show the ancient civilization at its end. Holden screams and falls to the floor of the nucleus.
The Expanse Season 3, Episode 10: “Dandelion Sky” – Final Thoughts
Their similarity to well-known science-fiction movies of the ‘70s notwithstanding, I really liked the visual effects in this episode. Miller and Holden’s discussions about the nature of existence were great, and it was good to finally get a general indication as to what this story has been leading up to for the past three seasons.
Like I said before, Thomas Jane is doing a great job as the reincarnated Detective Miller. His scenes with Steven Strait have been some of the best we’ve yet seen on The Expanse. I know he’s unlikely to crop up again as a regular character, but it’s good to have him here while he can be.
DC Comics has revealed the covers for two highly anticipated comics, Batman #50 and Catwoman #1, both of which will hit comic shops on July 4th, 2018. Check them out below!
Cover to ‘Batman’ #50
It’s the wedding you never thought you’d see! The ‘Batrimony’ is real as Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle are set to tie the knot in a can’t-miss, extra-length milestone issue that will reshape Gotham City. All their friends (and a few enemies?) will be party to a comic book coupling for the ages. Superstar scribe Tom King officiates the sure-to-be-offbeat nuptials, joined by an all-star lineup of guest classic Bat-artists doffing their hats to the lucky couple in a series of pre-wedding flashback scenes sure to set the romantic mood.
Cover to ‘Catwoman’ #1
The wedding night’s barely over, but Catwoman’s back on the streets, this time to expose a copycat who’s pulling heists around Gotham City. As Selina cracks the whip on her former criminal cohorts, she’s attracting unwanted attention from one of Gotham’s most dangerous groups. The mob? Nope. Try the GCPD. And as if the Bat-Bride didn’t have enough problems, don’t miss the debut of an all-new villain determined to make trouble for all nine of Selina’s lives. Don’t miss the start of an all-new monthly series written and illustrated by Eisner Award-nominee Joëlle Jones!
The Batman cover is gorgeous! And the whole ‘meta’ vibe going on with the Catwoman cover is a great touch that hopefully is a preview of what kind of tone we can expect from the series. What do you all think? Comment and discuss below!
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is not a fresh or original installment in the series, but it does leave the door open to take the franchise in a more interesting direction.
*Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom*
When the volcano on Isla Nublar goes active, Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) are sent in to help rescue whatever dinosaurs they can for preservation. Obviously, all is not as it seems, and the dinosaurs are actually going to be auctioned off for various reasons (the leading one being military).
Now, there isn’t anything in Fallen Kingdom that we haven’t seen in a Jurassic Park movie before. There’s a double-cross by a shady organization, lots of talk about playing God, and weaponizing dinosaurs. Oh, and the Indominus rex is back from Jurassic World, except now they turned it into a raptor (the “Indoraptor”).
Not helping matters are a bunch of boring, cookie-cutter characters spouting clichéd dialogue. Outside of the two stars and one little girl (who’s actually the best part of the movie), there aren’t any characters that you’ll bother remembering. Seriously, there are two stock characters that disappear for a huge chunk of the movie, and I didn’t realize they were missing until they showed back up. It’s not the actors fault; it’s just boring writing.
With all that said, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom isn’t a terrible film. It’s certainly not even the worst Jurassic film. You can turn your brain off and enjoy it just fine for what it is. But seeing this same formula play out over and over again is tiring, and general audiences probably won’t have the patience to go through it another time.
However, Fallen Kingdom ends in a way that gives hope for the future of this franchise.
After stopping the auction halfway through, the heroes are faced with a choice: let the dinosaurs die, or set them free in the modern world. Long story short, they set the dinosaurs free.
We’re now in unprecedented territory in these films. This isn’t a T-rex loose in San Diego. Many dinosaurs – both peaceful and vicious – are now out in the wild. Plus, the auction was halfway over when it was stopped, which means that people successfully bought dinosaurs. There are global superpowers out there now with these creatures.
Can you imagine what this means for the future of these films? We should never have to see another “the dinosaurs are loose in the park” or “we have to go back to the island” movie again. Filmmakers have the freedom to take this franchise in whatever direction they want, and they should explore that to new heights, in various genres.
Like a war film, obviously titled Jurassic World War, now that other countries have possession of dinosaurs. Or better yet, a true horror film. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is at its best when it shifts to a darker, scarier tone, but it never seems to commit to that. A full-on horror movie in this world would be amazing.
The point is, the future of this franchise is bright for the first time in a long time. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom may be another predictable, clichéd chapter, but at least by blowing up the island and setting the dinosaurs free it forces its successors to be original.
Warner Brothers and MGM followed up the release of the teaser poster for Creed II by dropping the first trailer for this highly anticipated sequel on Wednesday. Creed was critically acclaimed and praised by fans around the globe. We don’t get a great look at Adonis’s opponent (who is the son of Ivan Drago), but the tone of Creed II is evident. Here is the trailer!
For everyone who didn’t get a chance to see the summary (which was released yesterday), here is that as well.
Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.
Image via MGM
What are your thoughts about the trailer? Could Creed II have the same tragic tone that Rocky IV has? Fans will learn all once Creed II opens up nationwide on November 21st.
Canadians got another look at our fair country this week in “Smart Power” and all viewers were reminded of how important it is for June to get her, her daughter Hannah, and her unborn child out of Gilead. Although June had always planned on getting out, her escape plans will have to get underway sooner than she once thought. Serena has made it clear that once the baby is born “Offred” will no longer be welcome in her and Fred’s home.
It was good to see Luke and Moira have a rare win for their side, but the canceled trade negotiations between Gilead and Canada didn’t get either of them any closer to bringing June and Hannah home.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 9: “Smart Power” – “Yes, Mrs. Waterford.”
After the brutal whipping she sustained at Fred’s hands in “Women’s Work,” Serena has withdrawn noticeably from her husband. She works in her potting shed tending to the mould that threatens her plants. Fred orders her to accompany him on his trade mission to Canada, saying that his delegation will benefit from being able to show the canucks what a strong Gilead wife looks like. It takes some convincing, but she agrees to go — after all, it’s not like she actually has a choice.
Of course, crap flows downhill, so it’s an officious Serena that visits June and tells her that once the baby is born June will be leaving the house. This troubles June who reminds Serena that the handmaid usually stays to nurse the baby until it’s weaned. Serena knows this but tells June that she figures they’ve all had enough of each other. June agrees with a weak “Yes, Mrs. Waterford,” and that’s that.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 9: “Smart Power” – “We just adore the AGO.”
Being driven through the mean streets of Toronto, Serena takes in the sights, including the architecturally unique Roy Thomson Hall, some homeless folks, and a couple — probably unmarried :-O — necking on the street. When the Waterfords arrive at the site of the trade negotiations, they get a somewhat frosty welcome from the Canadian trade delegation, which includes a gay man who recalls how much he used to love going to the States … with his husband.
Fred tries to sweep this bit of unpleasantness under the rug, and the trade delegation walks off leaving Serena with her handler, a woman named Genevieve. Genevieve gives Serena her itinerary for the day, a series of illustrations one might hand out to students on an elementary school field trip.
Genevieve questions Serena about her hobbies, and Serena describes herself as an avid gardener and then lies and says she also loves to knit.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 9: “Smart Power” – Canadian Riesling, worth committing treason for
Having lost Genevieve, Serena goes to a bar and orders herself a glass of Riesling. A man walks up and orders a Scotch neat and proceeds to light a cigarette — a serious no-no in any Toronto bar since 2005. The bartender tells him that he will have to go outside, but the man extinguishes his smoke instead.
Serena retires to her own table and the man follows. She tells him that she doesn’t speak to strange men, especially when they’re spies. The man, Mark, eventually admits to working for the American government, apparently operating out of Hawaii. He offers her a chance to board a plane that night for Honolulu if she’ll agree to defect. When Serena refuses, Mark suggests that her infertility could be cured by the right doctors and even suggests that the problem is Fred’s, not hers.
But Serena is a tough cookie so, apparently getting nowhere, he eventually leaves Serena to her drink. As he does, though, he leaves behind his Hawaii-themed matchbook, which Serena pockets.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 9: “Smart Power” – “You must be mistaken; my handmaid’s name is ‘Offred.’”
A day of negotiations finished, Fred and Serena, with Nick along for the ride, are driven to their hotel. As they arrive, a group of protestors waits outside the front doors. A police barricade prevents people from breaking through, but Luke, holding a placard featuring an enlarged photo of him, June, and Hannah pushes his way past. He runs at Fred but police restrain him as Luke screams that Fred is raping his wife. Confronted with the cold reality of their actions, Serena and Nick are both taken aback, but Fred continues on as detached as ever.
Later in their hotel room, Fred tells Serena that, though the interaction with “the husband” was unpleasant, they must soldier on.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 9: “Smart Power” – “Uhh, I also had sex with your wife…”
Tracking Luke down at a bar, Nick tells the lonely husband that June is safe but pregnant again. Nick lies and says that Waterford fathered the unborn baby June is carrying. Getting angry, Luke yells at Nick and pushes him away — I bet Nick was happy he didn’t tell Luke that he actually fathered June’s unborn baby — but Luke thinks better of it and asks Nick how June is doing and if he has any news of their daughter Hannah. Nick tells Luke that he doesn’t know about Hannah, and then hands off the package of Marthas’ and handmaids’ letters.
Back at the apartment Luke shares with Moira and Erin, Moira is upset that the package from Nick isn’t something obviously helpful like instructions on how to rescue her or a package of C4. The three realize, though, that what they hold is potentially far more powerful than a bomb. They publish the letters online and hope that the Canadian trade delegation is watching.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 9: “Smart Power” – Ongoing trade problems with Canada
Mirroring current events quite startlingly, Gilead’s trade negotiations with Canada fall apart. But rather than unfair tariffs being the cause, these negotiations end because of the published handmaids’ letters. Fred, Serena, and Nick are met with a throng of protestors when they arrive at the airport, including Moira waving a sign that reads “My name is Moira.” A closeup of Moira, who previously worked at Jezebel’s, reveals how she felt about Fred calling her “Ruby.”
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 9: “Smart Power” – “But what about June?!”
While all of this has been going on, June has been securing friends who will protect her baby once it’s born. The Waterfords’ “Martha,” Rita, agrees, albeit somewhat reluctantly, and in addition to Rita June also gets a very powerful ally on her baby’s side, Aunt Lydia. She tells Rita flat-out that she is worried Fred will abuse the child, and boldly hints at the potential for abuse when talking to Aunt Lydia.
With the trade negotiations cut short, Fred, Serena, and Nick return home. A late-night visit from Nick is a welcome change of routine for June, but the news he brings is better still.
Nick tells June that he saw Luke and gave him the handmaids’ letters, and he tells her that it was Luke’s publishing the handmaids’ letters that ended the negotiations. Nick reports that Luke loves her, says he’ll never stop, and also tells June that Moira is safe and living with Luke. Showing that he’s a pretty good dude stuck in a weird situation, Nick also tells June that he loves her before leaving her room.
These pieces of great news bolster June’s spirits, and as the episode ends we see a reinvigorated June say “f*ck that” to resigning herself to accepting that her baby will be born in Gilead.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, Episode 9: “Smart Power” – Final Thoughts
I thought that Yvonne Strahovski as Serena did some of her best work in this episode. Her inner conflicts were obvious to the viewer, but the degree of complexity she put into her performance made these inner conflicts believable. Although we see Serena burn the book of matches at the end of this episode, one wonders if she’s as into the whole forced breeding thing as she used to be. How does a strong and intelligent woman accept a life of infertility and enforced domesticity with the offer of fertility and freedom hanging in the balance?
With just four episodes left in the second season, it’s difficult to say where this season will end. I figure the final episode of the second season will feature the birth of June and Nick’s child, and with a third season already green-lighted, fans won’t have to worry that their favourite dystopian speculative fiction show will be canceled with loose threads hanging off of it.
