The main story this week is that Sarah came back as a mercenary on the latest Challenge, Cutthroat episode, and can you “say it to me, Santos” — because George Santos is on Special Forces with my man Rudy Reyes as the host. The Lioness season ends with a so-called twist that leads us into Season 4, whenever that happens. Mae, the pub owner, dies on Ted Lasso, and The Amazing Race started up this week. We do not watch Survivor anymore, since they allow the killing of chickens for human entertainment. I honestly forget what went down on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and we do the year-end Big Brother culmination, which I have also not watched yet, so until then, enjoy this today!

The big story of the week is that Sarah (Rice) came back onto the Challenge Cutthroat as a mercenary and to take on a tough Tori.

I literally just looked up a week or two about whether her and Bananas ever talked after ‘he took the money and run’ and they had not. Until this week and so its been over a decade since she left the show. I also wondered if Johnny ever kicked down any money to her and I was told no, but now she’s back. On Wednesday’s, ‘Trial by Combat’ episode, Sarah Rice made her long-awaited return as a mercenary.

Captain Tori Deal and other Captain Adrienne Naylor had to go into ring against what are mercenaries in a double-elimination round. Mercenary’s by the way are the dominating players they bring back to stop the player from advancing and from some cash money. This is when CT came back as one and carried Johnny Bananas out of the circled area to send him home.

Tori got the choice to go second, which had Adrienne against the other mercenary, Rachel Robinson. They had to ‘Pole Wrestle,’ and Adrienne won it which was impressive to beat the three-time champion. Then, in “Balls In,” T.J. Lavin brings out Sarah to my gasp and honestly, she looks great today. It also shocked the players. If you are a Challenge watcher, this was as shocking as it gets for the show.

“It feels kind of surreal to be back in the arena,” Sarah said in her confessional. “But I’m ready.” T.J. made sure to note that right away, telling her, “I haven’t seen you since Bananas robbed you.” “Too soon, T.J. Too soon,” Bananas said in response, before Sarah’s eyes almost rolled out of her head while she gasped from the comment. Then, again, the only way for Bananas to deal is going to be uncomfortable because again, he never contacted her in over ten years. My point is that Johnny has franchised his brand better than most people in reality TV. You would think by now he would have reached out and yeah, kicked her some money is what I thought he could do since that level of success. I told you that I looked it up a few weeks ago when they were discussing what the captains and teams would do in this season.

What was very noticeable this week in her confessional, is how Tori started to rationalize taking 100% of the prize money. “This is the first time I’ve seen Sarah since I stole a quarter of a million dollars from her, high atop a mountain in Argentina,” Bananas then said in his confessional. “She’s had 10 years to prepare for this moment. She’s probably locked, loaded, and ready to absolutely reign hellfire upon me.”

After T.J. told everyone how the winners of the eliminations would get another $25k, Tori offered the money to everyone but Johnny, “I could win, steal the money from Johnny, and then give it back to you,” but Sarah then said to everyone how, “I’ve had people promise me they were going to pay me out for things, and that doesn’t always work out in my favor.”

Cara Maria actually also said that if she wins, she’s essentially taking the money from Johnny, and Tori said, “What the hell, Cara? Shut up!”

On another interview, Sarah said about Johnny that, “It’s funny seeing Bananas here. Last time I saw him, he said he was going to take the money and run, and it looks like all he did was run in a damn circle because he’s still here.”

I forgot to mention the outcome and that not only did Tori win the particular ‘Balls In’ challenge, she also won rather handedly. Sarah had signs of brilliance and I believe she can easily return for an entire season. In the meantime, Bananas said to Sarah that there is “Nothing but love, Sarah. As soon as I get my phone back, I’m accepting that friend request, I promise, and I will send you a winky face.”

She replied with a smile saying “OK. “Your mouth to God’s ears.”

The Gentlemen Season 2 (TV Series 2024– )

‘Lioness’ Season 3 Finale Recap

Special Ops: Lioness ended season 3 this week. We now know who abducted Joe from her house. At the end of the finale, Taylor Sheridan reverts back Season 1 which was foreshadowed a few times this season. It turns out that Aaliyah Amrohi is the person and group behind the kidnapping and torture. I am not sure how much I buy how she went through all of that because of revenge for her father being killed. In the broad scheme of global power, that to me seems a bit counterproductive while it also seems very basic. This is not some RJ Decker episode where it will be that easy and I maintain some other layers will be added quickly.

The plan as said in the finale was to lure in the entire team in a rescue attempt, to be able to get at them all in one swoop. Again, to me, that sounds very basic. It was also foreshadowed a few episodes ago that this would divert back to Season 1 because of the death of Asmar Ali Amrohi, which was her father. I was not sure how and why and i also did not think it would be because of mere revenge. Like I alluded to above here, that seems very counterproductive for a powerful world leader, let alone for Sheridan.

Season 4 is said to be the final season. I thought Season 3 was excellent from minute one. The first episode was riveting and then it settled in to what are two story lines happening at different times but shown in every episode this season. What I mean is that we had what was going on so called real time and then what was going on with Joe while she was being tortured. I know that I wanted resolve and so I have to presume that type of production brought that feeling on to most viewers. When that culminated in the field two weeks ago, everyone breathed sighs of relief that it was over and she was back safely.

The season not only told the story of the kidnapping while showing it in parallel to what was going on in real time, it also kept the mystery of who did it going the entire way. As a matter of fact, there were three scenarios surrounding Joe’s kidnapping and torture. Initially, they snag a Russian HVT in Russian territory, mind you, and because of that happening, the first reaction is that it was the Russians who grabbed Joe at her house. Sheridan, at first, was so blatant that it was a Russian operation, but like we spoke about here weeks ago, it was almost too blatant. It was way too easy, I said, and also, a true government-sanctioned hit is not going to happen at the agent or person’s house. That is not how they deal. I would go so far as to say that a government-sanctioned hit or kidnapping would not even happen on our soil. The other glaring thing Sheridan did was make the incident sloppy. You can see how reckless it was, and therefore, again, it told me this could have maybe been rogue Russians, but it was not sanctioned by the government.

Also, during the torture process, when that leader guy came into the room, I could not figure out his language. Therefore, it was referred to as a false flag operation with the Ukrainians, to lure the US into attacking Russia. Morgan Freeman’s character went off about it, while it also leads to them thinking it was the Ukrainian double agent, Oleksandra, played by Elizaveta Neretin.

I wonder why they killed her, now that I think about it. Unless it was maybe to show us that, what is called during “wartime,” these people can sanction legal murders. The problem I have with that is, by that standard, any day of the week can be considered “wartime” in that war on terror, or whatever we call it. Or maybe it is like planting evidence to send a criminal away, even though it won’t be for the actual crimes they did. Does that make sense? If you know that some criminal did some bad crimes like rape or murder, and he gets away with them, can a cop rationalize setting the guy up for a crime he did not commit, as a way to get him in prison and away from the general public? This could be the same rationale, because let’s say you bring her in as an agent — the mentality in that world is that she will do something unsafe for our country as a double or triple agent and as a Lioness. She turns up dead after being escorted out of her place and after she was mangled and tossed into some scrap area or on top of rocks. It was a pretty blatant murder and they tossed her aside with zero regard. Our government in this series did not even try to cover it up.

And lastly, whether we had a mole or not would not have worked as the season panned out. You would have had to have written out a major character, and let’s set Joe aside, because she is not capable of being a mole or double agent. We then have Michael Kelly’s character, Nicole Kidman’s character, and Morgan Freeman’s character. And none of them are leaving the show, because that’s basically writing someone off the show. Plus, Joe’s military people and staff are too low on the totem pole to be an effective mole or double agent. I wrote off that scenario, even though they implied it and tried to float it out there, simply because, unless you make a drastic change in the entire storyline and cast, there was no mole.

I just do not think revenge is why they attacked us by kidnapping and torturing Joe.

Why do they torture people before they actually abduct them for real and into their own country? They kept her captive with torture tactics before they even left the USA. That’s pretty ballsy. That is actually pretty reckless. That is why it was not by the top brass in Russia.

At the same time, the ending was almost too easy and again, revenge is too easy.

Last, the couples. Real quick — who is this Edwin dude, or who is Nicole Kidman’s character’s husband? Did I miss something, because all of a sudden he is talking to Michael Kelly’s character about this major issue of someone being a double agent and not only that, he is also asked to have that conversation in private without her in the room. And Nicole Kidman’s character tries to eavesdrop on that conversation. They have a weird dynamic, and I hate his vocal pattern. Which I get the point is for him to sound pompous and then we have Neil and the kids. Neil had no business marrying Joe, but most of all, what a dick. He just ups and leaves, selling the house, without a conversation with the person he is leaving? He took the kids. I get that it’s symbolism, but that is as harsh as it gets in real life. What am I saying? No one would ever just pack everything up and leave while putting the house up for sale. I also love the note left on the table in the bear-looking house. Overall, they had no business getting married, and they should never have had kids. Neil knew what he was signing up for by marrying Joe. Joe knew the way she was with regard to her work and should have been way upfront that it comes first, second, and third, and I get that sucks. But I don’t want my defense people worrying about getting her daughter to soccer practice, so to speak.

There is obviously a Season 4. I am not sure whether it’s written, being filmed, or if it’s done or in production. I do know there will be a Season 4. We just have to wonder if we’re entering some revenge storyline, or whether the bigger picture will be the plot line.

Brothers (TV Series 2026)

Mae Rides the Bus
Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 9 Recap: Mae Rides the Bus

In episode 9 of Ted Lasso season 4, “Mae Rides the Bus,” the team has to play in Bristol City to play in one their most important game of the season and it was even inferred to in team history. Also, Keeley and Roy are pregnant. She passes out because what was called high blood pressure however after at least 8 pregnancy tests, she gets up the urge to tell Roy. Further, the Gemma Jay injury is an issue in the sense that she wants to play very badly. She needs medical to approve her come back while Coach Alice wants to take her time to deal with her come back very slowly. While Gemma was out due to injury, Shannon steps up after Coach Alice saw her practicing in private.

Ted also invites Mae to Bristol. She does the pre game locker-room speech about women in sports. However, she collapses in the bleachers as Richmond wins the game after being down. The scene ends without them even telling is that she is dead however you know it. Now the question is who will run the pub? That casting can go any which where and any way.

In real life, Ryan Reynolds bought the pub in Wrexham affiliated with and adjacent to the stadium and team.

It has been left open, as of now, and we shall see which direction and how far they take that character, which again, can be any way and any type of person. Rationalizing who buys it or inherits it also can go any which way and that part is easy to write. I think it’s going to introduce a pretty major character, and why not? It is not going to hurt the show, and conversely, if done right, it can enhance the show.

Now, the important part is the foreshadowing of who owns what shares of the company, which was spoken about throughout the episode. This is what I alluded to last week, because Zelda, played by Tracey Ullman, is trying to take over the team. It is also leaving the front office flat-footed, because it is not even on their radar that they could lose the team’s majority ownership. Zelda is indeed making an effort to buy as many shares of the team as possible. She is also scheming to get it done, not being forthcoming whatsoever to her so-called friends. But again, we knew she was up to something, and notably, we knew it was going to be to try to take over the team.

Most of all, there was zero movement on the Ted finding anyone to date front and oh, also, Coach Beard gets hair transplants. He has a full head of hair with blonde streaks in there too. That is coupled of course, with his blue eyed contact lenses. Maybe a new pub owner could be a woman Ted could fancy.

Super Troopers 3

The Amazing Race this season begins in British Columbia, Canada.
The Amazing Race’ Season 39 Cast: Photos of the 2026 Contestants

There are definitely some annoying people at the outset, or as a first or quick opinion, which I always know to get to know whomever before making judgement, but my first reaction is that not only are they annoying fast, Erin and Javi should just end now. They are already talking about how they argue, which will not end well — and I mean in life, not the Race. I then ask, have they ever seen this show? They are using the Express Pass in the first 20 minutes? What is wrong with them? They are annoying, but at the same time, I want to see them implode on TV, and therefore I want them to stay, but they will get knocked out fast. I am, of course, again at a quick glance, rooting for the footballers — so far they are my favorite. “The Man that I Married” is what that guy wants to be, and he looks like he’s scared out of his mind.

Then we have Michelle and Matt, who right away she is referred to as controlling, but at the same time, they intrigue me. She seems cool though and takes it with a laugh on her face, and she runs an auto-type place which is hot, and he was an R&B singer for however many years. That’s just a cool dynamic. But him referring to her as controlling on national TV makes me hesitate. They actually handled capsizing the boat a few times, or it kept flipping over when they would try to get back on.

As far as the initial challenge — once I jump off of the beam near the roof of the venue, I’d be good at it, but walking up to it would scare the shit outta me. I could grab a salmon though easily once off the beam. Jumping itself would also be hard. If I hang glided, I would not jump off anything. I would go up gradually on a downward slope on a hill.

Anyway, even though it’s antagonistic at first, the sister-brother tandem Cody and Jaime seem cool so far. Then we have the sister and sister tandem, that has never been in an argument. We have the youngest and oldest pair. The dad looks to be in great shape. But he has to do it again because evidently you cannot use the rope to get the fish. Honestly, that was in part what made me think it was easy. I did not know that was off limits. Even though the fish are aligned down the line on top of each other, with a gap of rope in between, you have to be a bit more precise when grabbing the salmon. The mom, Ann-Marie, grabbed the fish on her first time. You do have some reaction time on the rope. I am sure at first it’s alarming, but again, there are a few seconds to regain your composure to get the fish without using the rope.

Man, the couple that annoys me get to their second challenge. The woman reads it and then looks around as if it’s impossible. I am dead serious, did they ever watch this show? Do they know how it works? The chick is hot though. The guy is not so hot. They may as well end now. This relationship is toast, but set that aside, they do the challenge.

Honestly, it is very hard trying to keep track and figure out all of the contestants day one, or in Episode 1.

Well, Erin and Javi get through that challenge and I am starting to his beauty. Anyway, the two sisters with 12 people in their family flipped the canoe or kayak. I feel like it is taking a long time to get through Challenge 1 in the Arena.

Why are the other people thinking about using their Express Pass? That makes no sense. The people that won the week used the Express Pass which I maintain day one is not smart. They used it to get what? 5th place when they could have gotten 8th or whatever because you can see where you are at when doing the challenge. The problem with the challenge is only one person could go at a time.

Two people capsized by the way in that kayak, canoe catamaran thing.

Zach and Nate were last and eliminated. They were one of my picks to have never been able to win and that would get knocked early. At first, you get rid of the dead weight and unless some catastrophe hits, the bad players that cannot win do get knocked out. It comes down generally to about 4 to 6 teams that can truly win it. The first week winners to me, copped out and took the easy route to win. But they did win. They also did get through one challenge unscathed and it was done rather well. We can see now what they are made of next week. I see the guy in that tandem hits his head and is bleeding but he is seemingly fine with it. I do hope that I grow to like those two. We will know in one week whether they are real or not.

I stumbled onto this Brothers show, with the first two episodes being great, for my money at least, and I called it the new best thing on TV. The first two episodes are a mockumentary of the families and family life of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. The storyline is about how longtime buddies could possibly be biological brothers, since they have so much in common. The stereotypes were great. The self-deprecation is great. The fact that these two families seem great is great. Following these guys and their families is such a great idea. Plus, they do not hold back, and even the parenting is just great. I forget how I know McConaughey’s wife, but I have seen her in so many things. I also love her in anything she did. I think I knew they were married, but I get that mixed up sometimes.

In reality, there are a few storylines so far, and FYI, I have seen three episodes, but I saw the first two at the same time. The mom, by the way, is the same mom from Charlie in Two and a Half Men with Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer. I also saw her in a movie or TV series lately, but watching her do bong hits is great to see. Woody therefore gets wind from her, basically, that McConaughey and Harrelson had the same father, after what I think was a fleeting sexual whatever she had back in the day. On top of that, McConaughey is thinking about running for governor of Texas. Because of that, they bring in this campaign chief, Gwen Hillcrest Barnes-Davies, who is played hilariously by Lisa Gilroy.

The thing that I love so much is the dynamic between the adults and the kids. Bot families are very much into family.

I do not, however, get why they think rodeos are okay, especially because I believe animal and wildlife activism were mentioned in these episodes. Regardless, because one of Woody’s kids was about to go through a breakup, they pack up the bus to show up at McConaughey and his wife’s house. They seem unfazed by it and even welcome it, but at the same time, Matt has to get through a speech he has to give at his old school about his dad, who just died. But when Harrelson learns that his mom had a sexual relationship with McConaughey’s father while she was separated from Harrelson’s father, he realizes he and McConaughey could be actual brothers.

Religion, faith, and spirituality are brought up a lot. McConaughey is of “faith [and] family,” which is because of his dad. He also says people who believe in Jesus go to Heaven, citing Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as he prays over a dead deer. Harrelson adds that God considers it a sin to kill an innocent animal. But then they go to a rodeo in Episode 3, which, granted, no one is killing animals there, but they are certainly hurting them as part of that competition. It’s not fun for them to be tackled or ridden on, or to have their legs tied up in fours. That’s not fun for them. That’s why they want them off their backs, and that’s why they run from humans with rope.

By the way, I do not truly believe the storyline that they have the same father will stick. Watching everyone’s dynamic is, so far, the beauty of how funny and great this is so far.

Ted Lasso: Season 4 (2026)