This Is Us Season 4 Finale: Three Predictions For Season 5

This Is Us

The story of the Pearson family came one step closer to the ending after the Season 4 finale. Overall, this was probably my second favorite season in the entire series (behind Season 1). Kevin, the MVP of Season 4, went from the dumb, good-looking brother to a smart, charismatic character that’s layered with emotion and depth. That’s character growth at its finest. Randall still did his thing, Kate grew as a mother, and Jack and Rebecca remain perfect.

Going into last night’s episode, I made four predictions.

1) Kevin will wish Randall was never adopted.
2) Rebecca knew about her future memory issues early on. (Dr. K told her)
3) Jack D will name his daughter, Rebecca.
4) Kevin’s fiancée is a complete stranger that will be introduced tonight.

One out of four isn’t bad, but it’s not good. I would’ve bet my life savings that the baby’s name would be Rebecca. Since more babies are on the way (more on that later), there’s still time to name one of them Rebecca. To recap, these were the major components revealed in last night’s episode.

  • Kevin said the worst day of his life was when Randall came home for the first time, causing the schism in the family.
  • Madison is pregnant with twins and Kevin is the father.
  • Kate and Toby decide to adopt a daughter, Hailey.
  • Jack’s daughter is named Hope.
  • Both Nicky and Kevin wear a wedding ring in the flash-forward.
  • Rebecca is going to St. Louis for the clinical trial with Miguel.

It’s time to look ahead to Season 5. If you haven’t done so already, read Dan Fogelman’s interview where he discusses the Season 4 finale and gives some hints for future seasons. There are two seasons left, but a lot of unanswered questions. Here are three predictions for Season 5 of This Is Us.

*This post will contain major spoilers from the Season 4 finale of This Is Us. You’ve been warned.

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This Is US / NBC

Kevin Will Name His Daughter After His Mother

Someone is going to name their child, Rebecca, in honor of the matriarch of the Pearson family. It has to happen. Kate honored her father by naming her son, Jack. Randall has no more kids so Kevin is one of the last lines of defense. We know that Kevin will have a son and a daughter. This is his chance to name his daughter, Rebecca. It’s only fitting that Jack and Rebecca’s legacies live on through their grandchildren. Also, don’t be surprised if Kevin names his son, Nicky, after his uncle.

Miguel Will Die

This may not happen in Season 5, but this is coming. Miguel is going to die before Rebecca eventually passes. With Rebecca going to St. Louis for the trial, Fogelman mentioned that the writers have planned a big storyline for Rebecca which includes a deeper look into her relationship with Miguel over the decades.

Bonus Note: Is Kate going to die? The Internet seems to believe she’s dead due to her lack of involvement in the flash-forwards. There are only three options: Kate dies, she divorces Toby, or she’s still married to Toby. I came out swinging from the beginning of Season 3, saying that Kateis doomed. My tune has changed a bit because if Rebecca dies at the end of the show, I don’t see that moment happening without all members of the Big Three. For reference, this is what I wrote in September 2018.

The Birth Of Twins Will End The Fight Between Kevin And Randall

Fogelman also stated that the theme of Season 5 was “rebirth” and a lot of new beginnings are on the horizon. In the flash-forward from the Season 4 finale, Kevin and Randall embrace, which means their feud most likely ended years ago. If that’s the case, when did the Pearson brothers bury the hatchet? My money is at the birth of Kevin’s children. Major events seem to happen at the hospital. Randall was adopted when Kevin and Kate were born and Kevin stopped drinking when Jack Damon arrived. I can’t think of a better place for Kevin and Randall to forgive each other than at the hospital after the birth of Kevin’s children.

What are your predictions for Season 5 of This Is Us? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @unafraidshow.

The Unafraid Show’s Quarantine Binge Guide: Television

Television UF

Are you stuck inside? Do you practice social distancing? Are you slowly losing your mind? I’ll cut right to the point. This global pandemic sucks. It’s scary and nervewracking. Be smart, stay safe and most importantly, stay inside! I’ve been working from home for well over a year so I was born from the seclusion just like Bane was born from the darkness. Since you’re inside, it’s time to binge that television show you’ve always wanted to watch, but never had the time to put in the effort? Guess what? Now is the perfect time for a quarantine binge watch.

My recommendations will be for shows that are either currently on television or premiered a season within the past year or two. I don’t need to beat a dead horse and say to watch classic shows like The Wire, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and The Sopranos. There’s no better time than now to watch those iconic programs. For me, The Sopranos has always been my white whale. I never finished it all (shame on me), but I’m making an effort to go back and rewatch it. See, I’m flawed human, too.

Here it is. The Unafraid Show Quarantine Binge Guide: Television

The Best Show Of The Past Year – Fleabag

Fleabag
Fleabag / Amazon Prime

Fleabag: Two seasons, 6 episodes per season, 20-28 minutes per episode. Watch on Amazon Prime.

I’m running out of words to describe Fleabag. But, I did have a lot to say when the second season premiered this past April. Fleabag is one of the most creative shows ever made. It will make you piss your pants and cry your eyes out. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a god.

Let’s Get Weird – Devs

https://youtu.be/aoNloYTsH0Y

Devs: Currently in 1st season, 3 episodes released, 50 minutes-1 hour per episode. Watch on Hulu.

The plot description for Devs is pretty straightforward. Lily Chan (Sonoya Mizuno), a software engineer, believes her boyfriend was murdered by her employer, the Amaya Company, which is run by the CEO, Forest (Nick Offerman). However, after a few minutes of the first episode, the show quickly becomes a haunting and mesmerizing thriller based around technology. Devs‘ creator is Alex Garland, the mind behind Ex Machina and Annihilation. Similar to those two movies, Devs has many twists and turns that will fuck with your mind, but it a good way.

Smoke Weed With Your Friends And Laugh Your Ass Off – The Real Bros Of Simi Valley

The Real Bros of Simi Valley: Currently in 3rd season, 4 episodes in S1/10 eps in S2/5 eps released so far in S3, 6-25 minutes per episode. Watch Season 1 on YouTube and Seasons 2-3 on Facebook Watch.

Do you even burn, bro? The weed is optional, but watching Real Bros is mandatory. Real Bros is a parody of The Jersey Shore and The Real Housewives set in Simi Valley. From truck nut obsessions to kickbacks, Jimmy Tatro created a series that is just as funny as it is ridiculous in nature. Squash your beef, get exterior, and binge the show in one sitting.

Quarantine And Chill – You

You: 2 seasons, 10 episodes per season, 41-50 minutes per episode. Watch Netflix.

Hello, you. To be honest, lifetime shows are usually not my cup of tea. They’re usually too melodramatic for my liking. However, You is different. The show highlights a creep who stalks girls and commits evil acts of violence. I wouldn’t say You is a fun show, but it was built to binge with your significant other. It’s uncomfortable at times, but it will spurn a conversation after every episode. Again, I usually wouldn’t watch this show, but it’s so damn addicting.

Watch With Me – Jack Ryan

Jack Ryan: 2 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 40-64 minutes per episode. Watch on Amazon Prime.

This is my current show of choice. I’m late to the game, but Jack Ryan is an enjoyable binge. I’ll watch a CIA political thriller about an analyst attempting to stop a terrorist attack any day of the week. The charismatic John Krasinski is the star, but Wendell Pierce’s presence creates a buddy-cop dynamic that leaves you wanting a spinoff with the two characters.

Girls Kick Ass – Killing Eve

Killing Eve: 2 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 41-55 minutes per episode. Watch on Hulu.

Fleabag might have been my favorite show of 2019, but Killing Eve owned that title in 2018. Killing Eve portrays a cat-and-mouse game between Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), a British intelligence officer, and Villanelle (Jodie Comer), a psychopathic assassin. Oh and Comer give spectacular performances and the duo have undeniable chemistry. The “will they, won’t they” romantic narrative adds to the show’s addictive nature and suspense. Plus, Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote the first season. Enough said.

Rapid Fire

Best Star Wars Show That Star Wars Fans And Non-Star Wars Fans Will Love – The Mandalorian. 1 season, 8 episodes, 31-46 minutes per episode. Watch on Disney+. MANDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It’s a bounty hunting adventure that happens to be set in the Star Wars universe. Even if you hate Star Wars, The Mandalorian rules.

Think You Have It Bad? – Chernobyl. 1 season, 5 episodes, 60-72 minutes each. Watch on HBO. A reminder that acting quickly helps and every decision matters. The show may be full of existential dread, but the subject matter is important, compelling, and captivating.

Comics Are Cool – Watchmen. 1 season, 9 episodes, 52-67 minutes per episode. Watch on HBO. Give comic book adaptations a chance! Watchmen is too smart for its own good. It’s brilliantly paced and expertly thought out. Regina King is a badass. Tick tock.

Don’t You Forget About Me, I’m Still The Best Written Show On TV – Better Call Saul. Currently in its 5th season, 10 episodes per season, 42-61 minutes per episode. Watch Seasons 1-4 on Netflix and Season 5 on AMC. Like LeBron James, it’s important to appreciate greatness during its run because when it’s gone, it’s gone forever. That’s Better Call Saul in a nutshell.

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby – Sex Education. 2 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 47-59 minutes per episode. Watch on Netflix. A raunchy sex comedy is somehow one of the sweetest and most endearing coming-of-age stories on television.

If You Know, You Know – The End of the F***ing World. 2 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 19-24 minutes per episode. Watch on Netflix. If you know, you know. Just watch this quirky and funny little show.

NoHo Fucking Hank – Barry. 2 seasons, 8 episodes per season, 26-35 minutes per episode. Watch on HBO. Once you meet NoHo Hank, you’ll be hooked. It also helps that Barry is one of the best dark comedies I’ve ever seen with Bill Hader’s best performance as an actor.

Did I miss anything? Do you have more suggestions? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2020 Golden Globes Predictions: Who Should Win And Who Will Win

Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood

Welcome to one of the best days of the year. Two wildcard football games during the day and the Golden Globes at night is my idea of a perfect day. Like most years, the Golden Globes are very difficult to predict and the 2020 ceremony is no different. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) loves star power and I don’t blame them whatsoever. You’d be hard-pressed to find something cooler than Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Quentin Tarantino being “stars” at their table. That being said, trying to decipher where the HFPA stands on each performance is a challenge because I have no idea who is in the HFPA. Plus, it’s the first major awards show of the year so it sets the tone for the shows in the coming weeks.

Here are my biggest questions/storylines going into the ceremony:

  1. The Irishman, Marriage Story, or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are the top dogs. Will they each take home a few wins and split up the vote?
  2. USUALLY, the winner of Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy wins at least one other award. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s something to keep in mind when determining predictions.
  3. Hardest categories to predict: Best Actor – Drama, Best Director, Best Orginal Score, and Best Screenplay.
  4. Television is a lot harder to predict.
  5. Will Fleabag dominate as it did at the Emmys?
  6. Upsets of the night: The Morning Show wins Best Television Series – Drama and Sacha Baron Cohen wins Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film.

Here are my predictions for the 2020 Golden Globes.

Joker Movie Joaquin Phoenix

2020 GOLDEN GLOBES – FILM

BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA

  • 1917
  • The Irishman
  • Joker
  • Marriage Story
  • The Two Popes

Who Should Win: 1917
Who Will Win:
The Irishman

BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL or COMEDY

  • Dolemite Is My Name
  • Jojo Rabbit
  • Knives Out
  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
  • Rocketman

Who Should Win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Who Will Win:
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA

  • Christian Bale – Ford v Ferrari as Ken Miles
  • Antonio Banderas – Pain and Glory as Salvador Mallo
  • Adam Driver – Marriage Story as Charlie Barber
  • Joaquin Phoenix – Joker as Arthur Fleck / Joker
  • Jonathan Pryce – The Two Popes as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio

Who Should Win: Adam Driver – Marriage Story as Charlie Barber
Who Will Win:
Joaquin Phoenix – Joker as Arthur Fleck / Joker

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA

  • Cynthia Erivo – Harriet as Harriet Tubman
  • Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story as Nicole Barber
  • Saoirse Ronan – Little Women as Josephine “Jo” March
  • Charlize Theron – Bombshell as Megyn Kelly
  • Renée Zellweger – Judy as Judy Garland

Who Should Win: Saoirse Ronan – Little Women as Josephine “Jo” March
Who Will Win:
Renée Zellweger – Judy as Judy Garland

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY/MUSICAL

  • Daniel Craig – Knives Out as Benoit Blanc
  • Roman Griffin Davis – Jojo Rabbit as Jojo Betzler
  • Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Rick Dalton
  • Taron Egerton – Rocketman as Elton John
  • Eddie Murphy – Dolemite Is My Name as Rudy Ray Moore

Who Should Win: Leonardo DiCaprio – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Rick Dalton
Who Will Win:
Eddie Murphy – Dolemite Is My Name as Rudy Ray Moore

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY/MUSICAL

  • Ana de Armas – Knives Out as Marta Cabrera
  • Awkwafina – The Farewell as Billi Wang
  • Cate Blanchett – Where’d You Go, Bernadette as Bernadette Fox
  • Beanie Feldstein – Booksmart as Molly Davidson
  • Emma Thompson – Late Night as Katherine Newbury

Who Should Win: Ana de Armas – Knives Out as Marta Cabrera
Who Will Win:
Awkwafina – The Farewell as Billi Wang

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

  • Tom Hanks – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood as Fred Rogers
  • Anthony Hopkins – The Two Popes as Pope Benedict XVI
  • Al Pacino – The Irishman as Jimmy Hoffa
  • Joe Pesci – The Irishman as Russell Bufalino
  • Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth

Who Should Win: Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth
Who Will Win:
Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Cliff Booth

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

  • Kathy Bates – Richard Jewell as Barbara “Bobi” Jewell
  • Annette Bening – The Report as Dianne Feinstein
  • Laura Dern – Marriage Story as Nora Fanshaw
  • Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers as Ramona Vega
  • Margot Robbie – Bombshell as Kayla Pospisil

Who Should Win: Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers as Ramona Vega
Who Will Win:
Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers as Ramona Vega

BEST DIRECTOR

  • Bong Joon-ho – Parasite
  • Sam Mendes – 1917
  • Todd Phillips – Joker
  • Martin Scorsese – The Irishman
  • Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Who Should Win: Bong Joon-ho – Parasite / Sam Mendes – 1917
Who Will Win:
Bong Joon-ho – Parasite

BEST SCREENPLAY

  • Noah Baumbach – Marriage Story
  • Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won – Parasite
  • Anthony McCarten – The Two Popes
  • Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
  • Steven Zaillian – The Irishman

Who Should Win: Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won – Parasite
Who Will Win:
Noah Baumbach – Marriage Story

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

  • “Beautiful Ghosts” (Taylor Swift, Andrew Lloyd Webber) – Cats
  • “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – Rocketman
  • “Into the Unknown” (Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez) – Frozen II
  • “Spirit” (Beyoncé, Timothy McKenzie, Ilya Salmanzadeh) – The Lion King
  • “Stand Up” (Joshuah Brian Campbell, Cynthia Erivo) – Harriet

Who Should Win: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – Rocketman
Who Will Win:
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) – Rocketman

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

  • Alexandre Desplat – Little Women
  • Hildur Guðnadóttir – Joker
  • Randy Newman – Marriage Story
  • Thomas Newman – 1917
  • Daniel Pemberton – Motherless Brooklyn

Who Should Win: Thomas Newman – 1917
Who Will Win:
Randy Newman – Marriage Story

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

  • The Farewell (USA)
  • Les Misérables (France)
  • Pain and Glory (Spain)
  • Parasite (South Korea)
  • Portrait of a Lady on Fire (France)

Who Should Win: Parasite (South Korea)
Who Will Win:
Parasite (South Korea)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

  • Frozen II
  • How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
  • The Lion King
  • Missing Link
  • Toy Story 4

Who Should Win: Toy Story 4
Who Will Win:
Toy Story 4

Merritt Wever and Toni Collette in Unbelievable
Merritt Wever and Toni Collette in Unbelievable / Netflix

2020 GOLDEN GLOBES – TELEVISION

BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA

  • Big Little Lies
  • The Crown
  • Killing Eve
  • The Morning Show
  • Succession

Who Should Win: Succession
Who Will Win:
The Morning Show

BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL or COMEDY

  • Barry
  • Fleabag
  • The Kominsky Method
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • The Politician

Who Should Win: Fleabag
Who Will Win:
Fleabag

BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES or MOVIE

  • Catch-22
  • Chernobyl
  • Fosse/Verdon
  • The Loudest Voice
  • Unbelievable

Who Should Win: Chernobyl / Unbelievable
Who Will Win:
Chernobyl

LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

  • Brian Cox – Succession as Logan Roy
  • Kit Harington – Game of Thrones as Jon Snow
  • Rami Malek – Mr. Robot as Elliot Alderson
  • Tobias Menzies – The Crown as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
  • Billy Porter – Pose as Pray Tell

Who Should Win: Rami Malek – Mr. Robot as Elliot Alderson
Who Will Win:
Brian Cox – Succession as Logan Roy

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

  • Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show as Alex Levy
  • Olivia Colman – The Crown as Queen Elizabeth II
  • Jodie Comer – Killing Eve as Oksana Astankova / Villanelle
  • Nicole Kidman – Big Little Lies as Celeste Wright
  • Reese Witherspoon – The Morning Show as Bradley Jackson

Who Should Win: Jodie Comer – Killing Eve as Oksana Astankova / Villanelle
Who Will Win:
Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show as Alex Levy

LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION COMEDY

  • Michael Douglas – The Kominsky Method as Sandy Kominsky
  • Bill Hader – Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block
  • Ben Platt – The Politician as Payton Hobart
  • Paul Rudd – Living with Yourself as Miles Elliot / Miles Elliot’s Clone
  • Ramy Youssef – Ramy as Ramy Hassan

Who Should Win: Bill Hader – Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block
Who Will Win:
Bill Hader – Barry as Barry Berkman / Barry Block

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION COMEDY

  • Christina Applegate – Dead to Me as Jen Harding
  • Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Miriam “Midge” Maisel
  • Kirsten Dunst – On Becoming a God in Central Florida as Krystal Stubbs
  • Natasha Lyonne – Russian Doll as Nadia Vulvokov
  • Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag as Fleabag

Who Should Win: Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag as Fleabag
Who Will Win:
Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag as Fleabag

LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM

  • Christopher Abbott – Catch-22 as Capt. John Yossarian
  • Sacha Baron Cohen – The Spy as Eli Cohen / Kamel Amin Thaabet
  • Russell Crowe – The Loudest Voice as Roger Ailes
  • Jared Harris – Chernobyl as Valery Legasov
  • Sam Rockwell – Fosse/Verdon as Bob Fosse

Who Should Win: Jared Harris – Chernobyl as Valery Legasov
Who Will Win:
Sacha Baron Cohen – The Spy as Eli Cohen / Kamel Amin Thaabet

LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM

  • Kaitlyn Dever – Unbelievable as Marie Adler
  • Joey King – The Act as Gypsy Rose Blanchard
  • Helen Mirren – Catherine the Great as Catherine the Great
  • Merritt Wever – Unbelievable as Det. Karen Duvall
  • Michelle Williams – Fosse/Verdon as Gwen Verdon

Who Should Win: Kaitlyn Dever – Unbelievable as Marie Adler / Merritt Wever – Unbelievable as Det. Karen Duvall
Who Will Win:
Michelle Williams – Fosse/Verdon as Gwen Verdon

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM

  • Alan Arkin – The Kominsky Method as Norman Newlander
  • Kieran Culkin – Succession as Roman Roy
  • Andrew Scott – Fleabag as The Priest
  • Stellan Skarsgård – Chernobyl as Boris Shcherbina
  • Henry Winkler – Barry as Gene Cousineau

Who Should Win: Andrew Scott – Fleabag as The Priest
Who Will Win:
Andrew Scott – Fleabag as The Priest

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM

  • Patricia Arquette – The Act as Dee Dee Blanchard
  • Helena Bonham Carter – The Crown as Princess Margaret
  • Toni Collette – Unbelievable as Det. Grace Rasmussen
  • Meryl Streep – Big Little Lies as Mary Louise Wright
  • Emily Watson – Chernobyl as Ulana Khomyuk

Who Should Win: Toni Collette – Unbelievable as Det. Grace Rasmussen
Who Will Win:
Helena Bonham Carter – The Crown as Princess Margaret

What are your predictions for the 2020 Golden Globes? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet me, @danny_giro.

2020 Golden Globes Predictions: What Films And Shows Will Receive Nominations?

Awards season is about to kick into high gear this Monday morning when the nominations for the 77th Golden Globes are announced. The Globes are the most enjoyable and entertaining awards show because the biggest film and television stars are under one roof and drink like there’s no tomorrow. It’s my dream to attend a Globes afterparty (hit me up if you have an in).

That being said, it’s been a strong year in television thanks to hits like Fleabag, Succession, Barry, When They See Us, and Chernobyl. The year in film started off slowly but after the release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, it’s really taken off with critically acclaimed films like Parasite, The Irishman, and Joker. With the Oscars in February, the Globes are a critical event for many actors and films that have Academy Award aspirations.

When predicting nominations, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  1. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) loves to spotlight new shows and talent.
  2. The HFPA LOVE stars. If there’s an A-list star in a movie or television show, whether it’s good or bad, there’s a solid chance they’re getting a nomination in order to guarantee their attendance.
  3. The Golden Globes don’t predict Oscar winners, but it’s a good barometer. For example, Rami Malek, Olivia Colman, Mahershala Ali, Regina King, Alfonso Cuaron, and Green Book all won Golden Globes before going on to win the Oscars in the same categories.

Here are my Golden Globes nomination predictions.

Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson, Azhy Robertson, and Adam Driver in Marriage Story / Netflix

FILM

BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA

The Irishman
Marriage Story
Little Women
Joker
1917

BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL or COMEDY

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Jojo Rabbit
Rocketman
Knives Out
Cats

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA

Adam Driver, Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
Robert De Niro, The Irishman
Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems
Paul Walter Hauser, Richard Jewell

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA

Renee Zellweger, Judy
Saoirse Ronan, Little Women
Charlize Theron, Bombshell
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
Lupita Nyong’o, Us

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY/MUSICAL

Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name
Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taron Egerton, Rocketman
Daniel Craig, Knives Out
Himesh Patel, Yesterday

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY/MUSICAL

Awkwafina, The Farewell
Beanie Feldstein, Booksmart
Kaitlyn Dever, Booksmart
Constance Wu, Hustlers
Ana de Armas, Knives Out

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Al Pacino, The Irishman
Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Shia LaBeouf, Honey Boy

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Laura Dern, Marriage Story
Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers
Margot Robbie, Bombshell
Florence Pugh, Little Women
Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell

BEST DIRECTOR

Martin Scorsese, The Irishman
Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Bong Joon Ho, Parasite
Sam Mendes, 1917
Greta Gerwig, Little Women

BEST SCREENPLAY

Marriage Story
The Irishman
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Little Women
Parasite

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

“Spirit,” Beyoncé, The Lion King
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” Elton John, Rocketman
“Beautiful Ghosts,” Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats
“Glasgow,” Mary Steenburgen, Wild Rose
“Into the Unknown,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Frozen II

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Alexandre Desplat, Little Women
Hildur Guðnadóttir, Joker
Randy Newman, “Marriage Story”
Thomas Newman, 1917
John Williams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Parasite
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Atlantics
Les Misérables
Pain and Glory

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Toy Story 4
Frozen II
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Abominable
Weathering with You

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag / Amazon

TELEVISION

BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA

Succession
The Crown
The Morning Show
Game of Thrones
Big Little Lies

BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL or COMEDY

Fleabag
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Barry
Russian Doll
Schitt’s Creek

BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES or MOVIE

When They See Us
Chernobyl
Unbelievable
El Camino
Fosse/Verdon

LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

Billy Porter, Pose
Jeremy Strong, Succession
Brian Cox, Succession
Tobias Menzies, The Crown
Kit Harington, Game of Thrones

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION COMEDY

Bill Hader, Barry
Ben Platt, The Politician
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Paul Rudd, Living with Yourself
Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION COMEDY

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Hailee Steinfeld, Dickinson
Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll
Kirsten Dunst, On Becoming a God in Central Florida

LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM

Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us
Jared Harris, Chernobyl
Aaron Paul, El Camino
Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon
Mahershala Ali, True Detective

LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM

Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon
Merritt Wever, Unbelievable
Helen Mirren, Catherine the Great
Joey King, The Act
Kathryn Hahn, Mrs. Fletcher

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM

Andrew Scott, Fleabag
Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Stellan Skarsgard, Chernobyl
Kieran Culkin, Succession
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM

Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies
Toni Collette, Unbelievable
Patricia Arquette, The Act
Laura Dern, Big Little Lies
Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

Check back for predictions in January and follow me on Twitter for more analysis

This Is Us Season 4 Fall Finale: What Just Happened?

This Is Us

If you’re not watching This Is Us or you left the bandwagon after Season 2, it’s time to turn the channel to NBC at 9 PM EST on Tuesday nights. This Is Us is a television rollercoaster for both good and bad reasons. Season 1 was phenomenal. Season 2 was solid. Season 3 was a step in the wrong direction. Season 4 is back to creating the magic formed in Season 1.

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you watched the midseason finale last night. First of all, it was another solid episode, but the ending was great thanks to a flash forward that revealed some major storylines. What do they mean? What does the future hold for the Big Three? Let’s break down all of the clues revealed in the final scene.

*This post will contain major spoilers from the midseason finale of This Is Us. You’ve been warned.

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Kevin’s 40 With An Engaged Fiancée

Without a doubt, the MVP of Season 4 has been Kevin. The first member of the Big 3 is having his best season of the series. Between his chemistry with Uncle Nicky and the storyline with Cassidy, Kevin’s character arc is the one I’m invested in the most. Sterling K. Brown gets most of the love from critics (and rightfully so), but Justin Hartley is closing in fast. Hartley’s not just the comedic presence anymore. His performance is emotionally gripping, carefully nuanced, and when the smoke clears, he should be rewarded with an Emmy nomination.

In the episode, after becoming a better person thanks to his time Nicky, Kevin wants to marry a woman and start a family by age 40, which is nine months away. In typical This Is Us fashion, the flash forward revealed that Kevin has a pregnant fiancee on his 40th birthday. Who is the lucky lady? Many fans are saying that it’s Cassidy because the timeline of when they spent the night together matches up with Kevin’s 40th birthday. Could it be a past love such as Sophie or Zoe?

Prediction: Kevin’s fiancee is a new character that we’ll meet sometime in the second half of the season. However, I’m Team Sophie for life.

Are Kate And Toby Separated?

Kate and Toby are on the rocks and I, for one, am SHOCKED! Ok, I’m really not shocked because they fight every episode. Some type of separation has been brewing for a while now. Only time will tell if it leads to a divorce. Back in Season 3, fans (myself included) went wild when Toby was seen without a wedding ring in a flash forward. In last night’s midseason finale, This Is Us revealed a few more breadcrumbs. When Kate picked up Toby’s phone, he received a text from “LadyKryptonite” in the Crossfit Crew that implies Toby revealed his marital problems to his group. Is this woman Toby’s actual “kryptonite?”

Then, in the flash forward, Kate signed the police report as “Kate Pearson,” not “Kate Damon” or “Kate Pearson-Damon.” However, Kate is still wearing her wedding ring.

Prediction: Toby is not having an affair with Lady Kryptonite. However, Kate will accuse Toby of cheating on her, which Toby will deny because it never happened. However, the damage will be done. This accusation will lead to another fight and temporary separation. However, they won’t get divorced.

Rebecca’s Memory

For a show about memory, this storyline hurts the most. For the past few episodes, Rebecca has been in a battle with memory loss. Losing her phone, forgetting the movie during the trailer, and constantly taking pictures on her phone hint that Rebecca’s memory is deteriorating. But how much is it deteriorating? It’s important to note that only Randall and Miguel know about Rebecca’s memory struggles. In the flash forward, Rebecca’s memory has gotten significantly worse, so much so that the police had to drive her to the cabin to meet up with the rest of the family. These aren’t what Miguel called “senior moments.” We know that Rebecca’s health will eventually lead to a hospital bed in Kevin’s house with Nicky at her side, but how will the show get there?

Prediction: Rebecca has Alzheimer’s and by the end of Season 4, that will be the official diagnosis.

Randall And Kevin’s Falling Out

Just when you think all is well with the Pearson brothers, think again. While the flash forward revealed Kevin’s future as a father, it also showed that Kevin is no longer speaking to Randall. Considering the two were on great terms during Thanksgiving means a huge fight is on the horizon.

Prediction: Kevin and Randall have a falling out over Rebecca’s mental health. Randall finds out about the diagnosis, but Rebecca swears him to secrecy so he doesn’t tell Kevin and Kate. Kevin eventually finds out months later and chastizes Randall for keeping this huge secret that leads to their split.

What are your predictions after the midseason finale of Season 4? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow, or email us at immad@unafraidshow.com.

What Worked And What Didn’t Work In El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

Aaron Paul El Camino

The wait is over. Jesse Pinkman, welcome back to our lives. After six long years, Jesse Pinkman has returned to our television screens in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. After taking the weekend to process my thoughts, I’m ready to talk. Here’s what worked and what didn’t work in El Camino.

This post will contain major spoilers for El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. If you have not watched the film yet, stop reading now.

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Seriously, spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.

What Worked: Jesse’s Ending

Out of all the major characters in Breaking Bad, Jesse was the biggest name to have an open-ended future. In the series finale, Jesse escaped in Todd’s El Camino and his future was up to the audience to decide. Part of me believes that Gilligan created El Camino because of his unsatisfaction and guilt with how Jesse’s story ended and felt like he needed to properly close his saga. In 2013, Gilligan stated that he hoped Jesse moved to “Alaska to live a peaceful life.” Then, in the first scene, Mike mentioned that he would go to Alaska if he were Jesse. Right then and there, I knew Jesse was making it to Alaska. Did that ruin the film for me knowing that Jesse would stay alive the entire time? No, it did not. After being tortured for the last season and a half of Breaking Bad, Jesse deserved a peaceful resolution.

What Didn’t Work: The Entire Film Being Set In Albuquerque

I have no problem with Jesse getting to Alaska successfully. However, I wish the film spent more time in Alaska and less time in Albuquerque. Between Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, we spend so much time in Albuquerque. It would’ve been awesome to see a Breaking Bad movie in Alaska. Imagine if we saw Jesse adjusting to life in his Alaskan cabin and had to interact with the townspeople. If El Camino spent the first half of the film in Albuquerque and the second half in Alaska, then I’d sign up for that film in a heartbeat. Setting the film in Alaska would have been a risk, but these Gilligan could have pulled it off.

What Worked: Todd

TODD! My biggest takeaway from the film revolves around Todd and how amazing he was as a villain. Breaking Bad highlighted on a few of Todd’s evil tendencies (most notably, shooting Drew in “Dead Freight” and Andrea in “Granite State“), but the show never fully displayed how Todd broke Jesse, both physically and mentally. The scene where Todd convinced Jesse to give him the gun in the desert while persuading him with a pepperoni pizza and some beer is equally horrifying as it is impressive. This scene is why Jesse exacting his revenge on Todd in “Felina” is so satisfying. Jesse Plemons is a fantastic villain as evidenced in Breaking Bad, Fargo, and Black Mirror. If Breaking Bad ever wanted to do a spinoff on Todd’s life and how he got mixed up with Uncle Jack and the drug universe, I’m all in for “Breaking Todd.”

What Didn’t Work: Walt

It truly pains me to type this, but Walt’s flashback scene did nothing for me. In El Camino, the flashback takes place during a season two episode titled, “4 Days Out,” where Walt and Jesse go on a meth-cooking bender in order to try and secure enough money for Walt’s family. The scene takes place sometime between leaving the desert and dropping off Walt at the airport. The significance is that it takes place a few episodes before meeting Gus Fring and Jane’s death. In other words, it’s a few episodes before Walt breaks bad. The scene at the cafe is purely fan service, which is both good and bad. If Walt was not featured in some capacity, fans would have rioted. It was a light, semi-fun scene that highlighted the initial friendship between Walt and Jesse. But that friendship was so long ago that it’s hard to remember Walt as a “good guy.” I preferred Heisenberg Walt in a flashback over “I’m selling drugs for my family” Walt.

What Worked: Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad / Sony Pictures Television

Jesse might have been Walt’s sidekick, but Aaron Paul was equally as good as Bryan Cranston. Just like his character, it took some time for Paul to find his own as Jesse, but when he got it right, it was magic. Walt might have been the brains behind the show, but Jesse was the heart. Walt may have broken bad, but Jesse tried to hold onto his morality throughout the entire show. El Camino gave Paul a chance to shine as the true lead, and he made the most of this opportunity. Paul’s Jesse is the perfect mix of a criminal trying to make up for previous mistakes. Paul’s performance is full of heartbreak, compassion, and finally, satisfaction as the book of Jesse Pinkman came to an end.

What Didn’t Work: It Felt Like A Long Episode of Breaking Bad, Not A Film

To some, this is a positive. A long episode of Breaking Bad is better than no Breaking Bad at all. El Camino was a fan service at its finest. The montage in Todd’s apartment, the return of memorable characters, and the aerial camera shots were all familiar elements from the series. However, I wouldn’t consider El Camino a film. El Camino felt like an episode during the middle of a season. Spending time at Skinny Pete’s house and searching for money at Todd’s dragged out and could have been shorter. I expected the film to be more action-packed and to the point. The film didn’t really “get going” until Jesse interacted with the Kandy Welding Company at Todd’s apartment. As I said earlier, a long episode of Breaking Bad is better than no Breaking Bad at all, but that doesn’t necessarily work for something billed as a film.

Final Takeaway

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie was a satisfying film that provided a lot of fan service thanks to cameos from memorable characters. Will it be ranked towards the top of the Breaking Bad universe? No. Will it be ranked towards the bottom? No. It will stand on its own as a tribute to a phenomenal show, which is where it should be.

Did you enjoy El Camino? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Emmys 2019: Who Should Win And Who Will Win?

Veep Emmys predictions

The 71st Emmy Awards air tonight at 8 PM EST on Fox. Who should win and who will win? Here are the top storylines as well as my predictions for the Emmys.

Top Storylines

Will Game Of Thrones dominate the night?

One of the most decorated shows on television says goodbye at tonight’s Emmys. HBO’s Game of Thrones set a record when it was nominated for 32 Emmys. At the Creative Arts Emmys, the show already won 10 Emmys, which means if it wins three tonight (which it should), it would break the record for most Emmys won by a single season. Despite a roller-coaster season that was met with mixed reviews, you don’t get nominated for 32 Emmys out of luck. Expect a big night for Thrones.

Can Julia Louis-Dreyfus make it seven for seven?

If there was a Mt. Rushmore for sitcom actors, Julia Louis-Dreyfus would be on it. Louis-Dreyfus is a dominant force at the Emmys. Before Veep, Louis-Dreyfus was nominated for 12 Emmys for her time on Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine, winning twice. What’s even more impressive is for her role as Selina Meyer in Veep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has never lost Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Six seasons, six nominations, and six wins. Louis-Dreyfus will look to make it seven for seven.

Will Fleabag be rewarded for its brilliance?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag / Amazon Prime Video

Without a doubt, the best thing I saw on television this year was the second season of Fleabag. What Phoebe Waller-Bridge did with the Fleabag character is something that will never be replicated. It’s a true shame if Fleabag walks away empty-handed. If Veep or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel didn’t have previous Emmy experience, Fleabag would sweep all of the major awards. However, Veep just had its final season and Maisel is trying to repeat. That being said, Waller-Bridge is a lock to win comedy writing and both Olivia Colman and Sian Clifford are in the running for supporting actress. I’ll take what I can get.

Other Thoughts

  • If Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, or Rhea Seehorn never win an acting Emmy for Better Call Saul, we failed as a society.
  • They say tying is like kissing your sister, but Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh should split Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. It’s so difficult to pick one over the other.
  • I didn’t watch a lot of the Limited Series nominations so therefore, I don’t have any predictions. However, I did see Chernobyl so if I had to choose, that’s my pick.
  • Bill Hader and Henry Winkler should repeat in their respective acting categories for Barry.

Now, let’s get into the predictions.

Outstanding Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Better Call Saul 
  • Who Will Win: Game of Thrones 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
  • Who Will Win: Billy Porter, Pose

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

BBC tv show Killing Eve Best shows of 2019
Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh in Killing Eve / BBC America
  • Who Should Win: Jodie Comer or Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
  • Who Will Win: Jodie Comer or Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul
  • Who Will Win: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  • Who Should Win: Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
  • Who Will Win: Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones

Outstanding Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Fleabag 
  • Who Will Win: Veep

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Bill Hader, Barry
  • Who Will Win: Bill Hader, Barry

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag
  • Who Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Anthony Carrigan, Barry 
  • Who Will Win: Henry Winkler, Barry

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Who Should Win: Sian Clifford, Fleabag
  • Who Will Win: Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

What are you Emmy predictions? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Unbelievable Review: Difficult Story Creates Powerful And Painful Drama

Merritt Wever and Toni Collette in Unbelievable

During one of the episodes in Netflix’s Unbelievable, Detective Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever), lashes out at a team member due to her frustration over a recent rape case. When describing how rape triggers more than a physical emotion, Duvall said, “This is not something people get over. This is something they carry with them forever like a bullet in the spine.”

Sexual assault is a tough subject matter to discuss, but what about witnessing a sexual assault and watching how the justice system failed an innocent victim? That notion is on full display in Unbelievable, which premiered on September 13. The pilot introduces Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), an 18-year old Washington resident who in 2008, reports that she has been raped and assaulted by a man at her apartment. While reporting the crime to Detective Parker (Eric Lange) and Detective Pruitt (Bill Fagerbakke), the audience gets to see quick, spine-tingling flashbacks of the rape.

However, Marie’s calm demeanor and small inconsistencies in her stories lead both the police and her former foster mothers to question the validity of the assault. As Marie relives the horrific trauma through constant questioning and badgering from the police, her crippling anxiety wins out as she’s coerced to admitting the rape was a lie she had made up. This causes the police to charge Marie with filing a false report and they drop the case entirely.

Netflix’s Unbelievable Trailer

Tragically, Unbelievable is inspired by the ProPublica and The Marshall Project’s report, “An Unbelievable Story of Rape,” which chronicles the 2008-2011 Washington and Colorado serial rape cases. The Unbelievable pilot focuses on Marie’s story entirely as she tackles this awful situation practically alone. Marie has been in the foster-care system since she was 3 and struggles to trust those in power. Can you blame her? Dever’s performance is raw, emotional, and gut-wrenching. Dever is a star in the making after a tremendous year of performances in this series, which will lead to an Emmy nomination in 2020, as well as the film, Booksmart.

The pilot episode left me with tears in my eyes and I worried that seven more episodes of this would take a toll on my psyche. However, the series shifted to a parallel timeline in Colorado 2011, where we meet Detective Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and the aforementioned Detective Duvall. Rasmussen and Duvall are from neighboring towns but are brought together after both detectives find similarities in their respective rape cases. When Duvall interviews one of her rape victims, Amber (Danielle Macdonald), it’s clear from the details of the attack that Amber’s assaulter is most likely the same criminal who attacked Marie.

The brash veteran persona of Rasmussen and the meek, religious persona of Duvall mesh perfectly to create a much-needed break from the horrors of Marie’s tragedy. The chemistry between Collette and Wever is magnetic. Collette and Wever are both Emmy winners that have been admired for years so having two stars at the top of their games only adds to the greatness of Unbelievable.

Essentially, Unbelievable becomes two shows-in-one. One portion of the episode is an upsetting and horror-filled view into Marie’s conflict. The other portion is a buddy cop drama that follows the entertaining duo of Rasmussen and Duvall as they attempt to catch their serial rapist. I found myself dreading Marie’s timeline as the pit in my stomach increased every time Marie struggled to get the help she so desperately needed. On the other hand, I internally cheered whenever Rasmussen and Duvall gained a step closer to catching the criminal. Thanks to Collette and Wever, the buddy cop scenes are so fun that for a few minutes, your spirits increase and feel hopeful that justice will finally prevail, which makes Marie’s saga that much more uncomfortable and heart-breaking.

When the two stories finally intersect towards the end, it’s impossible to not immediately think about how the police botched their initial assessment in Marie’s case. If Marie received the same care and dedication towards her case that Rasmussen and Duvall showed towards their victims, then maybe they would have caught Marie’s attacker and given her the justice she deserved.

Sexual assault is a difficult topic to portray onscreen. Instead of just focusing on the assault itself, Netflix’s Unbelievable successfully crafted a harrowing look into how sexual assault not only affects the victim but everyone around it. Collette, Wever, and most notably, Dever, all give superb performances that treat this subject matter with respect and professionalism. It may be tough to watch, but Unbelievable is an eye-opening experience and a masterclass in storytelling.

What are your thoughts on Unbelievable? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Five Burning Questions For El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

Yeah, bitch! Those two words made famous by Jesse Pinkman perfectly describes the feelings of countless Breaking Bad fans knowing that on October 11, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie premieres on Netflix.

When we last saw Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), he was working like a slave for Todd (Jesse Plemons) and Todd’s Uncle, Jack (Michael Bowen), as the duo attempted to build a drug empire. However, in the season finale of Breaking Bad, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) infiltrated the hideout, killed all of Jack’s gang, and allowed Jesse to escape in Todd’s El Camino.

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is set to take place after Jesse’s escape. The official synopsis states, “After escaping Jack and his gang, Jesse Pinkman goes on the run from the police and tries to escape his own inner turmoil.” As of now, the only characters officially scheduled to appear in the film are Jesse and Skinny Pete (Charles Baker).

Our heads, including mine, are about to explode. I have so many thoughts on El Camino, but I was able to narrow those down to five burning questions.

Is Walter White dead or alive?

Without a doubt, this is the number one question on the minds of every fan. Is Walter White dead or alive? This thought has been driving me crazy for over six years. At first, I believed Walt was dead because his death would be a fitting end to the series. However, as Bryan Cranston said in an interview in 2014, “I never saw bags zip up.” Screw you and your ambiguous ways, Cranston! Maybe Cranston knew in 2014 that creator Vince Gilligan wanted to make a film in a few years and asked Cranston to give mysterious answers to agonize fans. Well, it worked. Even if he’s dead, it’s hard to imagine a movie without Walt in some capacity. Whether it be through flashbacks or present-day scenes, Walt should make an appearance in some capacity.

Will Saul make an appearance?

One of the most memorable characters in Breaking Bad was the entertaining and corrupt lawyer, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). Saul was so entertaining that he got his own show, Better Call Saul, which happens to be one of the best television shows on right now. When we last saw Saul in Breaking Bad, he was moving to Nebraska to start a new life. Will Saul somehow cross paths with Jesse in the film? I’m leaning towards no because Better Call Saul is still on the air. That show has not wrapped so Saul’s story is still being told. If Saul ever crosses paths with Jesse again, it should be in Better Call Saul, not El Camino.

What is Skinny Pete’s role?

Besides Jesse, the only other character confirmed for El Camino is Skinny Pete. When we last saw him, Skinny Pete helped Walt force Gretchen (Jessica Hecht) and Elliot (Adam Godley) to accept Walt’s money and give it to Walt Jr. and Holly. In the teaser for El Camino, Skinny Pete is questioned by the authorities about the whereabouts of Jesse. Skinny Pete does not comply, which leads me to believe that he met up with Jesse before speaking with the cops. Will Skinny play an integral supporting role? Regardless, Skinny Pete needs to have Badger (Matt L. Jones) by his side.

Will Jesse go back to cooking meth?

When it came to building a meth empire, Jesse was just as important as Walt. Jesse knew the exact specifications needed to make the perfect meth. Before his relationship with Walt went sour, Jesse made a lot of money. I’m assuming that after speeding away in the El Camino, Jesse has no money and will need some in order to survive. Perhaps he goes to Skinny Pete for money. However, there’s always the possibility he cooks up a batch of meth to make some quick cash. It’s the Breaking Bad universe. Anything is possible.

Will Walt Jr. get to eat breakfast?

If Walt Jr. (RJ Mitte) makes an appearance and he’s not eating breakfast, we riot.

Breaking Bad is a rare series that concludes perfectly. Why risk ruining that with a movie? The same mindset was applied to Better Call Saul. Why create a spinoff to a perfect show? As we’ve seen, Better Call Saul is fantastic. If there’s anyone who deserves our trust, it’s Vince Gilligan. The man hasn’t missed once when it comes to the developing the Breaking Bad universe. There’s no doubt in my mind that El Camino will be amazing.

Until then, yeah bitch!

Are you excited for El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us @unafraidshow.

Stranger Things Season 3 Finale: Breaking Down Hopper’s Future

Hopper Stranger Things

In Jim Hopper’s letter to Eleven in the Season 3 finale of Netflix’s Stranger Things, Hopper wrote, “I know you’re getting older, growing, changing.” Just like Eleven, all of the kids are all getting older and growing (most noticeably, Mike). Just like the kids, Stranger Things is changing.

*Warning: This article will include major spoilers. You’ve been warned.*

https://youtu.be/uBtGQJ7KKRE

As I’ve said in previous reviews, Stranger Things is an extremely fun and enjoyable show that successfully balancers nostalgia with science-fiction and horror. The Season 3 finale was a great ending to a delightful third season. The final scene depicts the Byers’ family packing up and moving out of Hawkins (FINALLY!) to start a new life. Joining them is Eleven, who lost her father, Hopper, when Joyce shut down the gate room, which disintegrated everyone in the room including Hopper.

Let’s just skip to the elephant in the room for Season 4. (Season 4 has not been officially confirmed, but it’s a stone-cold lock to happen.)

Is Hopper alive?

That’s the million-dollar question. There are a few ways to tackle this. You either believe a) Hopper is alive, b) He’s is dead, but will be brought back to life or c) Hopper is dead.

How is Hopper still alive? There are a few clues that support the idea that our beloved Police Chief of Hawkins is still breathing. Look at his adopted daughter, Eleven, as someone who we thought was dead by was instead trapped in the Upside Down. When Dr. Owens enters the gate room, the gate to the Upside Down is still open. Just like Eleven, there’s a chance Hopper made his way into the Upside Down and is trapped there, which is the most likely option of the “Hopper is alive” theories.

Stranger Things / Netflix

Then, there’s Hopper’s letter. The letter was beautifully written and so heartfelt that it brought a tear to my eye. I urge you to reread it again and when you do, you’ll see that a few sentences are clues to his whereabouts.

  • “I’ve been stuck in one place. In a cave, you might say.” – The Upside Down?
  • “But, please, if you don’t mind, for the sake of your poor old dad, keep the door open three inches.” – See the photo above.

Does this mean Eleven has to rescue Hopper in the Upside Down? Maybe. Plus, we never see Hopper’s body when he “dies.” He doesn’t vaporize onscreen. It goes back to the old saying, “Never found the body” TV trope. If the viewer doesn’t see the death, it tends to mean that the person might still be alive.

Then, there’s the post-credits scene in Russia. Two soldiers are walking through cells when they come across a first door. One says, “No, not the American.” And they go to a second door and take a Russian prisoner down to feed to the Demogorgon. Is this American, Hopper? It might be, but I believe it’s Dr. Brenner, who we learned is still alive in Season 2.

Now, there’s Option B. Hopper is dead, but he’s going to be brought back to life. Huh? Does Eleven now have the ability to raise the dead? Last time I checked, she doesn’t have that power. However, there’s an ’80s pop culture reference that was seen in the third season of Stranger Things that could be the key to Hopper’s resurrection. That reference is Back to the Future.

Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future / Universal Studios

Great Scott! We can go back in time to save Hopper! I don’t believe the kids of Hawkins have a DeLorean, but that doesn’t mean time travel can’t play a part in the show. Notice how the final two scenes are edited. When Eleven reads the letter during the montage, the kids are seen saying goodbye to each other and drive out of Hawkins. However, when she finishes the letter, Eleven brings out her stuff to the truck and the kids say goodbye to each other. Perhaps this editing is a clue about time travel and Season 4 will explain that time travel is possible and necessary in order to save Hopper.

Finally, the last possibility is that Hopper is dead and not returning. Fans would most certainly be upset if Hopper was dead, but his death would be of the utmost significance and shape the remaining 1-2 seasons of the show. Once again, look at Hopper’s letter to Eleven when he says, “I don’t want things to change. So I think maybe that’s why I came in here, to try and make stop that change. To turn back the clock. To make things go back to how they were. But I know that’s naive. It’s just not how life works.” The themes of change and growing up were hammered down in Season 3. Things changes whether we like it or not. Hopper could be dead and whether we like it or not, there may be nothing we can do about it. That’s life.

Even if Hopper is dead, I don’t see David Harbour leaving the show entirely. Harbour is too important and valuable to remove from the show completely. Maybe Hopper will be used in flashbacks all next season or perhaps he’s some ghost dad from heaven. Dead or alive, Hopper’s future remains unknown but his impact on the show will never be forgotten.