To find the silver lining in Tommy’s death, I am looking forward to see Malcolm’s reaction to losing his son. There was some split opinions over whether or not the Dark Archer had survived the fight with Arrow, but I am on the side of those who think he’s alive and (weakly) kicking, and will continue to be a strong nemesis in season 2. He already feels such guilt over the death of his wife that when he registers his actions directly led to the death of his son this could push him over the edge. Or he could realize the error of his ways and become an ally for Oliver. Yeah, I don’t see that happening either. Whichever way it turns out, we will be treated to much more of John Barrowman’s amazing, layered character.

In Oliver’s mind, defeating Malcolm Merlyn would spell the end of the need for his vigilante ways as he felt it would mean his father’s debt was repaid. His failure to stop the destruction of the Glades will devastate him and this sets up some deep character development for next season. Diggle is now firmly standing by his side, as is Felicity, and hopefully his sorrow over the loss of his best friend will help him realize that he cannot stand alone in his mission. He is still clinging on to the hope that he can be who he once was, or maybe just a better version of him. As he told Laurel his true feelings for her, he told her it was because she was the only person who knows the “real” him. In my opinion this is the furthest thing from the truth. He’s never fully admitted how the island affected him emotionally, leaving aside the fact he is now a killer. His need to commit to rekindling their romance is a desperate attempt to regain the Oliver of old and I think it’s going to be a rude awakening for both of them when he finally sees that Oliver perished on the island and his new persona is who he actually now is.

Emily Bett Rickards had another stand-out performance in this episode. As Felicity sat at her computer in Oliver’s lair while the earthquake rocked the building around her, Rickards played the terror of the situation coupled with her conviction to stay and help the cause with great subtlety. Felicity’s steadfast commitment never fails to surprise Oliver and with the news that Rickards will be a regular next season, I see Felicity as someone who Oliver will rely on more and more as time goes on. (I hate myself for ‘shipping anything, but yes, I am still ‘shipping the Olicity possibility.)

Roy Harper finally started showing his props as he evolves into what we can only assume will be a sidekick of Arrow’s. His insistence to stay in the Glades and help those trapped in the aftermath of the earthquake, sending Thea to safety, was a real break-out moment for him. He suddenly seemed to register that regardless of his obsession with finding the vigilante, this was a lifestyle that he needed to pursue. Again, Colton Haynes will be a regular in season 2 and I feel he’s going to be a great addition to the cast.

One of my favourite lines in the episode was after Moira’s press conference. After admitting to her complicity in The Undertaking she insisted that she kept silent to protect her family – as you know, I’ve never seen her involvement as anything but elitist hubris and will never be fully convinced of her commitment to her children. As she was led away by the Starling City police she told Thea “I love you.” Thea’s reaction, “I love Roy”, was perfect, at once telling her mother she really didn’t know if she could reciprocate and that people they knew and cared for were going to be directly affected by her actions.

The visual effects department outdid themselves this week. As the earthquake hit the Glades and buildings started to fall, the attention to detail was outstanding and made the scene even more gripping. That, coupled with the unbelievable stunt work – the rooftop fight between Arrow and the Dark Archer was the pinnacle of the outstanding work this stunt team has delivered this year – reminded me that this is a show that really highlights the exceptional talent involved in the making of Arrow. Season 2 promises to be an even wilder ride.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

I’m not on board with the Laurel/Oliver reconciliation. I understand it as a plot device to take Tommy down a dark path as he watches his former friend betray him, but there is nothing about the Oliver of now that is recognisable as the Oliver with whom Laurel was once in love. Even her father admitted Oliver is different since his return and that would set off alarm bells with me. Oliver ran straight to her when he thought his father’s mission could finally be coming to an end and his insistence that she knows him better than anyone seemed a desperate attempt to regain a slice of the pre-island Oliver that really doesn’t exist any more.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

Oliver’s plan to stage a kidnapping of himself and his mother by the Arrow was a great way to find out the truth, but I felt that in some ways he still didn’t expect her confession to be so easy to obtain. The mothering instinct that has surfaced at times and made her a slightly more sympathetic character was used to great effect and his devastation at the depth of her involvement seemed total. I have to admit to cheering for Walter when he handed Moira the divorce papers. Her shock at his reaction to the kidnapping was just one more piece of proof that she is completely oblivious to the evil of her complicity in The Undertaking. It’s hard to tell if she’s really been under duress this whole time or if she’s just convinced herself she’s justified in her actions because she believes in the cause.

One big take-away from this episode for me – it’s taken almost a season but they’ve finally gotten Island Oliver’s wig right! I missed having scenes on the island last week and this week made up for lost time. I was so shocked at Yao Fei’s demise, although his constant betrayals to protect Shado would have put a strain on any alliance with Oliver and Slade. I was convinced he was someone who would mold Oliver into the Arrow but maybe it’s his murder that motivated Oliver to become the dark hero he now is. More questions were asked as we saw a mysterious female figure apparently calling the shots and giving remote orders to Fyers. If this is Moira, it just compounds my suspicion of her involvement; if it is a new character, this could change the entire dynamic of the plot to be rid of Robert Queen.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

Roy and Thea had some sweet scenes this week. It was great seeing Oliver and Roy meet for the first time and getting a glimpse into the protective big brother side of Oliver. Roy’s obsession with the vigilante may spell the end of his relationship with Thea but I see it as one step closer to his becoming Arrow’s sidekick and I’m excited to see that. Colton Haynes has been a very enjoyable addition to the cast.

The final showdown between the Arrow and Merlyn was fast-paced, tense and yet another showcase of the incredible stunt work we’re treated to every week. When Malcolm finally saw who the vigilante really was, his reaction was one of horror and confusion. While I understand Oliver is his son’s best friend, or has been in the past, the concern on his face seemed to say something much deeper. Is there a much stronger bond between them than we understand?

Each episode throughout the season has seemed to step it up a level and this week was no exception. I feel that we’re being taken on an emotional journey as we head toward the season finale which is worryingly titled “Sacrifice”. I, for one, am nervously excited for what this week will bring.

Arrow airs on Wednesday on CWTV in the US at 8/7c and on CTV in Canada at 7/6c

Photo courtesy of CWTV

While I’ve enjoyed his portrayal of Oliver since the beginning of the show, Stephen Amell had a breakout performance this week, in my opinion. The layers of emotion he showed as he discovered the truth about his mother were heartbreaking. When telling Laurel that he refused to lie to Tommy about his feelings for her, Amell drew us a picture of a man broken down and tired of the lack of control he has over his life. While he is committed to his mission, the personal cost is getting ever higher and appears to be taking its toll. The Oliver of the flashbacks was such a departure from the one in the present. His betrayal of Laurel, prompted by his panic when she insisted they take their relationship to a new level, was the action of someone who was immature and spoiled and I’m more than happy that was an aspect that Oliver left behind on the island.

I found it amusing that nobody knew who Felicity was. She’s such a huge part of Oliver’s life (and the show) but because it’s his secret identity that forms their bond, the rest of his family and friends are oblivious to her existence. When she formed the plan to infiltrate the casino, his concern over involving her was so sweet to see, but her ability to gently manipulate him is her strength and solidifies her position as someone without whom Oliver would be lost. It was only at her suggestion that he considered visiting Diggle and apologising to him, mending a friendship that is essential to the show.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

As the Arrow battled a small army to rescue Walter, we were treated to some of the most outstanding stunt performances of the season. The team that works on this show is so talented that I sometimes have to remind myself to breathe during the fight sequences! Overall, Arrow stepped it up a notch this week. The episode threw a lot at us and seems to be promising that we’re heading for a wild ride as the inaugural season comes to a close.

Arrow airs Wednesday on CWTV in the US at 8/7c and on CTV in Canada at 7/6c

Last week we saw a falling out between Oliver and Diggle when the latter chose to ignore Oliver’s call for assistance in order to follow his vendetta against Deadshot. Oliver later assured Diggle that the importance of finding the man who killed his brother made Floyd Lawton a priority, but this week, as he had to choose between helping Laurel and backing up Diggle, he chose Laurel. The hypocrisy of Diggle’s anger was not lost on me but I see both of them as being in the wrong. They make such a great team that I hope they can work out their differences. Once again Felicity is the only person remaining by Oliver’s side but even she was unafraid to voice her displeasure at his choices.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

Stephen Amell and Colin Donnell captured the tension between Oliver and Tommy so perfectly. Oliver was trying so hard to make light of the situation and be understanding about Tommy’s anger but Tommy seemed to want nothing to do with that. Laurel saw such a mature side of Tommy in his interactions with the orphaned boy that her surprise at his leaving was warranted. She saw through his reasoning and I want her to fight for their relationship. I found it so sad that Tommy believes Laurel would choose Oliver if she found out his identity. I’m not convinced of that but as long as Tommy is he will never be able to find happiness with her.

In the island flashbacks this week we saw some fantastic moments between Shado and Oliver. She showed so much confidence in his abilities to learn even as Slade voiced his concerns and we have to think that she played a large part in his survival. His reluctance to be romantic with her because of his feelings for Laurel had slightly more than a touch of irony to it, considering he was with her sister when the boat sank, but it also gave us an insight into his motivation to survive and how devastating it must have been to return and find out there was no chance of rekindling their relationship.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

We have started to see glimpses of Roy’s possible future at the Arrow’s side. Detective Lance’s attempts at scaring Thea and Roy by showing them the vigilante’s victim had the opposite effect, merely fuelling Roy’s desire to find the man who saved his life. This could have some interesting repercussions, especially given Thea’s insistence on being involved.

Once again we were treated to some fantastic stunt work. As the assassin (brilliantly portrayed by J August Richards) worked his way through a darkened Queen house the fight scenes were tense and quite spectacular. The final showdown on the staircase was heart stopping and I was reminded, yet again, of one of the many reasons why I enjoy this show.

Arrow airs on Wednesday on CWTV in the US at 8/7c and on CTV in Canada at 7/6c

Photo courtesy of CWTV

We saw the beginnings of tension between Tommy and Laurel in this episode. As her father started investigating the club’s missing money Tommy saw that the connection he has to Oliver and his alter-ego will only cause a cascade of secrets between them and the doubts about their relationship started to creep in. I’m rooting for them to work things out, hopefully Tommy’s distancing himself from Oliver will lessen the tension and allow them to move on.

Seth Gabel was absolutely outstanding as The Count. I was convinced it was him distributing the drug and I certainly didn’t see the twist coming, but with the Arrow sparing his life I really do hope we get to see more of the character.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

I think I say it every week but the chemistry between Stephen Amell and Manu Bennett makes the interactions between Slade and Oliver one of my favourite parts of the show. The dripping sarcasm that flows between them amuses me greatly. Amell plays “Island Oliver” so differently than the one in the present, with a great little-boy-lost attitude that we’re watching evolve week to week. With Shado now in the mix taking over Oliver’s training Slade is exhibiting a softening to Oliver and I think he’s starting to see the potential in him. The stunt coordinators must have thought they had died and gone to heaven when they got to choreograph Celina Jade and Manu Bennett in their sparring sessions. The high paced workouts were so skilled and fast paced that even though we knew it was practice there was an inherent tension that made me hold my breath throughout the short but impactful scene.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

Felicity has an amazing ability to be the conscience for both men in her undercover life. She tried to convince Diggle that Oliver could help with Deadshot and as Oliver suffered the guilt of the way Vertigo was once again on the streets, she attempted to convince him it wasn’t his fault. As much as they stick to their own agendas and make it seem that they don’t heed her warnings, she makes them think enough about their actions that, without her influence, I think they could both be on a very different track. Her interference helped bring Oliver and Diggle back together after their disagreement and with the Arrow now convinced that Deadshot is a personal target I hope Diggle gets the closure he needs.

One final thought – when the Arrow was breaking up the drug deal, as he slid down the plank, bow raised in the air, anyone else reminded of Legolas in The Two Towers?!

Arrow airs on Wednesdays on CWTV in the US at 8/7c and on CTV in Canada at 7/6c

The biggest heart-wrencher for me was the end of ‘Fringe’ after 5 seasons. I was late to the party on this one, watching the first 2 seasons on DVD before catching up when subsequent seasons aired. The way the characters were written is what stands out most for me. Walter Bishop is possibly one of the most tragic and lovable characters ever created and John Noble’s portrayal of him was nothing short of genius. The romance between Peter and Olivia that evolved frustratingly slowly with heart-breaking bumps along the way, was a love story for the ages. The entire premise of the show was complicated and involved, often leaving me to scratch my head, decide to let the confusion wash over me and just enjoy the way I felt I was among family when I was watching. I wonder if season 4 was the downfall of the show – Peter’s disappearance and the loss of every relationship he enjoyed in his timeline was tough to see for even the diehard fans – but many of us stuck with it and season 5 was one of the best. I’m glad Fox gave the cancellation notice ahead of time so that the producers could write what I feel was a perfect ending – how many Fringe fans get a lump in their throat when they see a tulip?

‘Leverage’ ended this year, again after 5 seasons. This one was a tough one to find in Canada – it aired on one premium station, several months behind the US airing on TNT – but I made the effort to find it, not least because I am a Christian Kane fan. Very quickly after starting to watch, though, I became a fan of the entire cast. The relationships, romantic and otherwise, were so unique and over the 5 seasons the development of the characters was so drastic that it was unprecedented on any show I’ve watched. With each show being reminiscent of a mini Oceans Eleven movie, we found ourselves rooting for these self-professed “bad guys” as they helped the down-trodden against big business in a modern take on the Robin Hood myth. Luckily the show-runners decided to wrap up a large part of the story at the end of what would be the final season before the last minute cancellation by the network, so we did get closure in a really nice manner, even leaving the door open for spin-offs and movies (I hope…anyone?!).

I’ve written already about the cancellation of my favourite new show of this year, ‘Primeval: New World’, so I won’t talk much more about that. This was an unfortunate situation where we were left with a cliff-hanger ending, although as it airs in many European countries now and will start in the US on June 8th, there is that slight glimmer of hope that another network will pick it up.

This past summer I started watching ‘Sanctuary’ on DVD, after it had been cancelled by SyFy the previous spring. I was instantly hooked and watched all 4 seasons in a very short space of time. Starting as a web-series and being expanded to an episodic show it sucked viewers in with its unusual characters and amazing visual effects – the sets were created almost entirely of CGI, a fact I forget completely when watching. Sanctuary did manage to wrap up its story lines for the viewers and there have been some vague hints by some of the stars that a continuation (in the form of a movie, maybe?) might not be out of the question.

Another show that I missed when it aired but recently watched on DVD is ‘Eureka’. If you haven’t already seen the show, I urge you to check it out. Its combination of science fiction, humour and drama is so incredibly endearing I’m not ashamed to use the word “addiction” when I refer to my love of it! Eureka was cancelled at the end of season 5 (hm, I’m seeing a pattern here!) and they definitely rushed to wrap things up, but they did so in a way that satisfied me.

These last two shows I’ve mentioned and the manner in which I discovered them lead to me pose a question. Is the way we watch television changing? Yes, of course it is. With online providers such as Netflix giving us entire seasons of shows at once for a low cost, DVRs being much more prevalent than in previous years and the availability of box sets of DVDs, I know I for one am guilty of ignoring a show in the schedule that I might otherwise watch because I know I can catch them at a later time, maybe when there’s not so much of a conflict with other shows I watch. I don’t profess to understand how ratings are calculated, I only really see information about US ratings and I have no idea how that relates to what we do here in Canada, but this must have an impact. Some of these shows have loyal followers who have been surprised by the cancellations and maybe networks need to consider new methods to test the popularity of their programming.

That being said, I think the majority of its fans can agree that this episode was vastly different from the norm. The most glaring difference, for me, was that Dean was not his usual pig-headed, stubborn self – he seemed quite humbled by the fact that Sam had to complete the trials on his own, and was finally accepting it.

Throughout the seasons, we’ve seen Dean and Sam go from foppish boys to angry yet gallant young men to responsible and even compassionate men. People have long decried the way the writers are taking the characters, but as I have said time and again that is the only way for a show to remain on the air; natural progression is not a crime, it’s a fact of television ‘life’. I appreciate the wrinkles around their eyes, and the way they actually think things out instead of slice now ask questions later.

Seeing Dean appreciate the bitter irony of asking Benny for a favour – to risk himself to save Sam – after denying Benny’s last request for help was a welcome change from his usual demand that people help at any cost. It shows the writers recognize the need for growth and the knowledge that time does actually move forward, even in television land. It’s the earmark of a great show to be able to follow and grow along with its characters, and to be able to see their maturing mirror our own.

And who doesn’t love a good Winchester hug???You all know I started my ‘SPN life’ later than most fans – after I binged on Seasons 1-6 in 2010, I was hooked. Two conventions later, including the holy grail of cons in Vancouver, I am still hooked. Admittedly, I don’t share the ‘passion’ that a lot of you share regarding the ups and downs Dean and Sam have gone through, and care very little about the ‘Sam-centric’ or ‘Dean-centric’ episode arguments. However, I do adore both characters very much. While I am very happy to see the natural character movement through their ages,I can’t help but see the end in sight – they really can’t go on hunting forever. Can they??

No, I didn’t forget…..anyone else miss this face???

Below is a chronological list of highlights for April on Space. All programming is subject to change (all times ET; visit Space.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

Monday, April 1

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “One Man’s Treasure”

A man’s body is discovered in an apartment building’s garbage chute and two women surface to identify the deceased – his wife and his fiancée. Castle (Nathan Fillion, Firefly) and Beckett’s (Stana Katic, Quantum of Solace) investigation uncovers the man’s complex double life.

9 p.m. – BEING HUMAN – “Always a Bridesmaid, Never Alive”

Sally (Meaghan Rath, Flashpoint) prepares to battle Donna (Amy Aquino, The Mentalist), Josh (Sam Huntington, Fanboys) and Nora (Kristen Hager, A Little Bit Zombie) get ready for their wedding, and Aidan (Sam Witwer, The Walking Dead) juggles his relationship with Kat (Deanna Russo, The Human Condition) while preparing for Kenny’s (Connor Price, Alphas) “re-birth.”

10 p.m. – THE ALMIGHTY JOHNSONS – “You Call This the Real World?”

Axl (Emmett Skilton, Home By Christmas) and Gaia’s (Keisha Castle-Hughes, Legend of The Seeker) escape from the real world takes a turn for the surreal, while Mike (Timothy Balme, Nothing Trivial) discovers that his world is not his alone, and Dawn’s (Fern Sutherland, Go Girls) world comes to an unexpected end of the line.

Tuesday, April 2

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “The Fifth Bullet”

An amnesiac is the key witness to an art dealer’s murder, but can’t recall what happened. Castle and Beckett’s probe hits another snag when they discover a bullet is missing from the crime scene.

Wednesday, April 3

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “A Rose For Everafter”

While investigating the murder of a bridesmaid, Castle learns the bride is a former girlfriend (Alyssa Milano, Mistresses). Their reunion prompts his ex to have second thoughts about her impending marriage, and causes Beckett to question Castle’s objectivity with the case.

Thursday, April 4

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Sucker Punch”

Beckett and Castle’s investigation into an Irish mobster’s death reveals a complicated turf war and a possible link between the killer and the murder of Beckett’s mother.

Friday, April 5

6:30 p.m. – INNERSPACE: SPRING BLOCKBUSTERS *Special Premiere*

It’s all about spring’s action-packed blockbuster movies as INNERSPACE takes a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most anticipated films of the season.

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “The Third Man”

A vacationing family return home to find a supposed squatter dead in their daughter’s bed, and the ensuing murder probe unearths a million-dollar heist. Meanwhile, Castle tries to hide an article from Beckett that suggests they are an item.

Saturday, April 6

8 p.m. – DOCTOR WHO – “The Rings of Akhaten”

Clara (Jenna-Louise Colman, Dancing on The Edge) wants to see something awesome, so the Doctor (Matt Smith, Womb) whisks her off to the inhabited rings of the planet Akhaten, where the Festival of Offerings is in full swing. Clara meets the young Queen of Years as the pilgrims and natives ready for the ceremony. But something is stirring in the pyramid, and a sacrifice will be demanded.

9 p.m. – ORPHAN BLACK – “Instinct”

With a body in her car and nowhere to turn, Sarah (Tatiana Maslany, Picture Day) is forced to continue her con and earn “Beth” (Maslany) a second chance on the force. But with a killer on her tail, her only hope of finding answers lies with another twin, Alison (Maslany).

10 p.m. – THE INVASION (2007) *Movie Premiere*

As a Washington psychiatrist (Nicole Kidman) unearths the origin of an alien epidemic, she also discovers her son (Jackson Bond, Memorial Day) might be the only way to stop it. Also starring Daniel Craig (Skyfall), and Jeremy Northam (White Heat).

Sunday, April 7

7 p.m. – THE NERDIST

THE WALKING DEAD creator Robert Kirkman (Invincible) and actor Michael Rooker (Archer) join host Chris Hardwick in studio along with celebrity correspondent and DOCTOR WHO alum Karen Gillan, and comedian Kyle Kinane (Bob’s Burgers).

Monday, April 8

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Suicide Squeeze”

A popular former pro baseball player is murdered after travelling to Cuba on a goodwill mission. Meanwhile, Alexis’ (Molly C. Quinn, Winx Club: Enchantix) genealogy project has Castle thinking about the father he never knew.

9 p.m. – BEING HUMAN – “Ruh-Roh!” *Season Finale*

Josh and Nora face Liam (Xander Berkeley, Nikita) for the final time. Sally deals with the consequences of her showdown with Donna, and Aidan must deal with Kenny now that he’s turned into an abomination.

10 p.m. – THE ALMIGHTY JOHNSONS – “Does This Look Like Asgard?” *Season Finale*

On the day of Gaia’s actual 21^st birthday, it sucks to be mortal and being a God isn’t exactly plain-sailing either.

Tuesday, April 9

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “The Mistress Always Spanks Twice”

A woman’s body is found hanging from bondage cuffs and covered in caramel sauce. The investigation leads Beckett and Castle into New York’s sexual-domination scene.

Wednesday, April 10

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Tick, Tick, Tick…”

Beckett and Castle work with a skilled federal agent (Dana Delany, Body of Proof) to track down a clever serial killer.

Thursday, April 11

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Boom!”

Castle and Beckett work with the FBI to find a serial killer.

Friday, April 12

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Wrapped Up in Death”

A museum curators’ death leads Castle and Beckett to a mummy’s curse. Castle worries that he may also fall victim to the curse after he peeks at forbidden artefacts.

Saturday, April 13

8 p.m. – DOCTOR WHO – “Cold War”

The Doctor and Clara land on a damaged Russian Submarine in 1983 as it spirals out of control into the ocean depths. An alien creature is loose on board, having escaped from a block of Arctic ice. With tempers flaring and a cargo of nuclear weapons on board, it’s not just the crew but the whole of humanity at stake!

9 p.m. – ORPHAN BLACK – “Variation Under Nature”

Rocked by the revelation that she and her fellow “Orphans” are clones, Sarah just wants to get back her money and skip town. But Sarah’s ruse stretches to breaking when the cops find the body she buried and put her on the case.

Monday, April 15

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “The Late Shaft”

A talk-show host (Tom Bergeron, Dancing With The Stars) dies hours after warning Castle of his impending fate, and Castle must convince Beckett that the death wasn’t from natural causes. Meanwhile, Castle is charmed by a sexy actress (Kelly Carlson, Ghostfacers).

Tuesday, April 16

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Den of Thieves”

Beckett falls for handsome robbery detective Tom Demming (Michael Trucco,  Revenge) who’s assigned to work with her and Castle as they probe the murder of a thief. Meanwhile, it’s learned Esposito (Jon Huertas, Miss Dial) has a close tie to the chief suspect.

Wednesday, April 17

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Food to Die For”

Beckett and Castle investigate the death of a big-name chef found frozen in a restaurant’s kitchen. Meanwhile, Castle finds himself attracted to the restaurant’s owner, who just happens to be an old friend of Beckett’s.

Thursday, April 18

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Overkill”

Castle and Det. Demming vie for Beckett’s attention as the two men scramble to solve a robbery-homicide case, each using their own unique methods.

Friday, April 19

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “A Deadly Game” *Season 2 Finale*

Castle and Beckett investigate the apparent assassination of a covert agent and deal with their feelings for each other.

Saturday, April 20

8 p.m. – DOCTOR WHO – “Hide”

Clara and the Doctor arrive at Caliburn House, a haunted mansion on a desolate moor. Within its walls, a ghost hunting Professor and a gifted psychic are searching for the Witch of the Well. Her apparition appears throughout the history of the building, but is she really a ghost? And what is chasing her?

9 p.m. – ORPHAN BLACK – “Effects of External Conditions”

Sarah realizes that the Orphans’ survival is going to take more than police work, but tracking the killer threatens Sarah’s long-awaited reunion with her daughter Kira (Skyler Wexler, Alphas). With time running out, Sarah and the killer are heading for a showdown that threatens to expose her to Art (Kevin Hanchard, Republic of Doyle), and undermine her ruse as a cop.

10 p.m. – BLADE (1998) *Movie Premiere*

Wesley Snipes (Gallowwalkers) stars as a half-vampire, half-mortal man who protects humans by slaying evil vampires. Also starring Stephen Dorff (Officer Down).

12:30 a.m. – BLADE II (2002) *Movie Premiere*

Blade (Wesley Snipes) forms an uneasy alliance with the vampire council in order to combat the Reaper vampires who feed on other vampires. Also starring Kris Kristofferson (Midnight Stallion).

Sunday, April 21

10 p.m. – UNDER SIEGE (1992) *Movie Premiere*

Casey Ryback (Steven Segal, True Justice), a former Navy SEAL and now the personal cook to a Navy Captain (Patrick O’Neal,For the Boys), is the only person who can stop a gang of terrorists when they seize control of a US Navy battleship. Also starring Gary Busey (Mr. Box Office), and Tommy Lee Jones.

12:30 a.m. – UNDER SIEGE 2: DARK TERRITORY (1995) *Movie Premiere*

Now retired, Casey Ryback (Seagal) hops on a train from Colorado to LA with his niece Sarah (Katherine Heigl, One for the Money) for a vacation. Early into the trip, terrorists board the train and use it as a mobile headquarters to hijack a top secret destructive US satellite.

Monday, April 22

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “A Deadly Affair” *Season 3 Premiere*

In the third season premiere, Beckett finds Castle at a murder scene holding a gun and is forced to arrest him despite his claims of innocence.

Tuesday, April 23

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “He’s Dead, She’s Dead”

Beckett and Castle investigate the murder of a psychic medium, leading the duo into an intense battle about the profession. On the home front, Martha (Susan Sullivan, The Nine) weighs a marriage proposal from Chet, which forces Martha and Castle to evaluate love.

10 p.m. – ROBOT COMBAT LEAGUE *Season Finale*

The final teams duke it out to become the first team to hold the title of Robot Combat League champions in this rock’em sock’em epic season finale.

Wednesday, April 24

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Under the Gun”

Beckett and Castle investigate the murder of a bail bondsman. Meanwhile, Castle comes to grips with Alexis entering the “wild child phase,” which Castle fears greatly after learning about a few of Beckett’s choice behaviours when she was a teen.

Thursday, April 25

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Punked”

Castle suggests time travel as a possible element in the murder of a mathematician shot by a 200-year-old bullet. A tricked-out DeLorean and a suspect in Victorian-era garb help support his theory, but a link to a secret society may explain everything.

Friday, April 26

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Anatomy of a Murder”

An extra body found in a casket during a funeral leads Beckett and Castle to investigate the love affairs of doctors at a local hospital.

Saturday, April 27

9 p.m. – ORPHAN BLACK – “Conditions of Existence”

When terrifying evidence suggests the Orphans are part of an ongoing experiment, Sarah’s suspicions turn to Paul (Dylan Bruce, NCIS), Beth’s boyfriend. Her probing inadvertently triggers Paul’s own investigation, bringing him dangerously close to the truth. Meanwhile, paranoid Alison piles on a whole new level of complication.

10 p.m. – SEASON OF THE WITCH (2011) *Movie Premiere*

A 14th-century Crusader (Nicholas Cage) returns to find his home devastated by the Black Plague, which a beleaguered church deems is the cause of a witch (Claire Foy, White Heat). The church commands the witch be transported to a remote abbey where the monks can perform a ritual in hopes of ending the pestilence.

12 a.m. – THE WICKER MAN (2006) *Movie Premiere*

Sheriff Edward Malus (Nicolas Cage) investigates the disappearance of a young girl from a small island. He soon discovers there is a larger mystery to solve among the island’s secretive, neo-pagan community. Also starring Leelee Sobieski (Branded).

Monday, April 29

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “3XK”

A serial murderer called the Triple Killer strikes again after disappearing four years earlier, and Beckett and Castle scramble to catch him before he takes more victims.

Tuesday, April 30

7 p.m. – CASTLE – “Almost Famous”

A male stripper dressed as a cop is found murdered after Castle and Beckett respond to an officer-down call, and the probe focuses on the victim’s life as a struggling actor.

Colton Haynes put in another great performance this week as Roy was taken by The Saviour. He usually displays such bravado but this week he showed his fear and vulnerability which added a very appealing layer to the character. He seems to be in a position where he feels trapped in the Glades and is just living the life expected of him. Hopefully Thea is his way out of that; conversely, he seems to keep her grounded. I liked seeing Tommy take care of Thea when she was scared for Roy’s safety; even though he’s doubting his friendship with Oliver, he still considers the Queens family and will do anything to protect them.

Yet again my feelings for Moira are confused. Part of me wants to appreciate her efforts to protect her children but as before, her methods are inexcusable. I understand self-preservation, but arranging the assassination of the one person who had been helping her was cold-blooded, a trait that, despite it’s recurrence, keeps surprising me. I have a feeling Malcolm Merlyn is onto her betrayal and I’m sure her actions will not go unpunished. When she witnessed Dark Archer kill her cohort, Frank, her panic at being unable to remove the blood from her hands was so reminiscent of Lady MacBeth, I feel confident we’ll start to see other parallels as the series moves on.

This episode was a stunt fan’s delight. Seeing the spectacular Parkour display as Oliver raced across the city to try to stop the killer was breathtaking, quite literally, and Stephen Amell performed a lot of that scene himself. More incredible stunt work was showcased during the island flashbacks, when Slade and Oliver freed Yao Fei and his daughter. That was one of the most high-octane fight scenes yet – a taste of what’s to come, I’m sure, as Oliver begins his more intense training.

The scene towards the end between Oliver and Laurel was a really sweet moment. It was a turning point for Oliver when he admitted that he doesn’t “want to be on an island any more” and he immediately started to loosen up with this confession. I hope Laurel and Tommy work things out, I like that relationship and I really hope any potential love triangle with Oliver doesn’t ruin what they’ve worked towards. I’m not sure, either, if the Felicity and Oliver dynamic is something I would like to see turn romantic. His offer to be a shoulder for her whenever she needed to talk was so heartfelt it would be hard to resist, and their interactions are fast becoming a large part of why I watch every week.

Arrow airs on Wednesdays on CTV in Canada at 7/6c and on CWTV in the US at 8/7c

If asked to pick a favourite, I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one. Each song has its own merits but the one that touches me deepest is the 3^rd track, Castaway. As someone who travels and has moved far away from home, I could relate to the lyrics “Clouds may cover the sun, that’s when the journey’s begun.” Carlson sings about living the life he wants to lead, moving on when he feels a need to do so and how the important people in his life are going to be the ones who come along with him, either physically or in spirit.

Cover Me In Gold is another that I could single out. It has a very different sound to anything I’ve heard from Carlson before, and I find it compelling to listen to. It tells the story of a failed race-car driver and, while the music is what makes it stand out to me, there is one line that, to me, epitomizes Carlson’s ability to tell stories in a beautifully poetic manner: “There’s a shiny little box, underneath the bed. A harvester of sorrow filled with tiny little drops of lead.”

The often introspective lyrics and the intriguing phrasing of his music make me feel like I’m on a very personal journey with Carlson every time I listen, and with Different Town, that could actually be the case. When he planned to record the album on the road, he and his friends decided to also make a movie of his unique experiences. As the project grew, so did the expenses and it started to look as if putting the footage together would be out of reach. Carlson recently announced a Kickstarter campaign to help finish the process and see his efforts come to fruition. Once produced, he and film-maker Brent Florence plan to screen the movie in various cities, and funds raised over the target (a target that, in fact, was reached within a week of the campaign’s launch) will be used to tour with the album and have even more screenings.

I’m lucky enough to have seen Steve Carlson perform live a couple of times, and his passion for and pride in his craft are palpable; almost seeming to flow from the stage. A short video on his Kickstarter page teases what the full length movie will offer – an intimate look into Carlson’s journey and a behind the scenes peek at the hard work he puts into every album. If you haven’t already, check out the music he offers on Different Town and see if it’s a journey on which you’d also like to come along.

Information on the Different Town Kickstarter campaign can be found here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stevecarlson/different-town-the-film-0?ref=live

Anton is fighting to salvage his relationship with Valentina, played by the ever amazing Amanda Tapping (Stargate: SG1, Sanctuary). Valentina is tired of being trapped on the station and is looking for a way out of both the job she’s stuck in and the relationship she regrets. Tapping is usually cast in roles as a strong character, confident and in control of her surroundings. I loved seeing her floundering. She was cranky and miserable, and the comedy during the interactions between her and Boyd was stellar.

Photo courtesy of Space Milkshake

Robin Dunne (Sanctuary) plays Jimmy, a rookie engineer who falsifies his qualifications in order to get on board the station and fulfil a dream. Dunne does a fantastic job of making Jimmy inept, klutzy and with no ability to stand up for himself against Anton’s attempts at dictatorship. The rest of the crew has no patience for his awkwardness, but behind their backs he’s slowly becoming a confident hero.

As soon as he’s on board, Jimmy develops a crush on the beautiful but irritable Tilda, played by Kristin Kreuk (Smallville, Beauty and the Beast). However, after ignoring orders from Earth, the Regina brings on board a mysterious artifact which emits a strange light and Tilda is suddenly replaced by a robot. This goes unnoticed by the crew (even though she stops talking and acts really rather oddly!) and until they realize they have no contact with Earth any more, they are unaware anything has changed.

Photo courtesy of Space Milkshake

While the crew rush to figure out why there appears to be no space traffic around Earth at all, a rubber duck possessed by an ex boyfriend of Valentina’s is running rampant and mutating into a monster that could spell the end of them all. Yes. A rubber duck! Gary, the duck, is voiced by George Takei which just makes his appearance even more spectacular! His mutation and obsession with Valentina bring the movie to its exciting climax as the forlorn crew are forced to work together to save, well basically, the universe.

The cast alone makes this movie a sci-fi fan’s absolute dream. Intentionally bad special effects are reminiscent of the B movies of the 70s and 80s (although it should be noted that when they’re not trying to be bad, the effects are actually very impressive). Self-deprecating humour is rampant, and slapstick comedy is delivered with impeccable timing. Valentina’s criticism of Anton’s “abnormally hairy feet” was a fantastic meta moment and I can only imagine Robin Dunne’s delight when he got to deliver a line originally made famous by Han Solo – “We’re all fine here – how are you?”

If you are watching this movie expecting to see the next big sci-fi blockbuster you will be sorely disappointed. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, this is a 90 minute plunge into the ridiculous. If you’re looking to be highly entertained and enjoy so many belly laughs you’ll feel like you’ve been doing ab crunches, then this is definitely the movie for you.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

It’s a testament to Oliver and Tommy’s friendship that they were both willing to be brutally honest with each other about Tommy’s new knowledge, even if that caused a fight. I was glad Tommy came to Oliver at the end and told him he understood how it was to keep things from the people he loves. The fact that Tommy can’t come clean with Laurel about his dark mood is causing a rift in what I think is a good relationship and I hope there’s a way around that, without Laurel finding out.

I feel sorry for Detective Lance. His grief over Sarah is hard enough to take without Laurel and her mom trying to convince him she’s still alive. The photographic “evidence” is shaky at best, and my main issue is that if a tourist took that picture, Sarah seems to have plenty of opportunity to return home. Maybe she wants to stay lost! Of course, her family wouldn’t see it this way but I see this storyline as a straight path to disaster and maybe even driving a further wedge between Laurel and her father.

Photo courtesy of CWTC

I thought it was a nice little teaser to see Diggle researching Deadshot without Oliver’s knowledge. He still needs to avenge his brother’s death and I can see that becoming a storyline in the future. I hope he brings Oliver and Felicity into the fray; it’s obviously something he is going to continue pursuing, and I’m sure Oliver would be more than willing to assist in his vendetta. I can see Diggle as viewing this as a weakness, though, and maybe for him, exacting that revenge himself is going to be the only satisfying conclusion.

The chase scene when Oliver and Helena were pursuing the vans supposed to be containing her father was fantastic. There was some great stunt work, and Guy Bee’s direction really made it feel like we were right in the middle of the action. The final showdown between Oliver and Helena at the safe house was also tense and fast paced and once again, the work of the stunt team was showcased with breathtaking effect.

Photo courtesy of CWTV

I’m sad to see the end of McKenna. She was someone who Oliver could be quite honest with; admittedly, not about his alter-ego but he really opened up to her about how he was feeling and was willing to show his vulnerability. Apart from that, she was a strong female character who could have been a strong ally and maybe even softened Detective Lance towards Oliver, if not the Arrow.

One final shout-out – I surprised myself this week by really enjoying the interaction between Thea and Roy! I don’t think I’ve made it a huge secret that Thea’s not been my favourite character, but I saw maturity in her this week that impressed me. I really like the chemistry between them and I thought Colton Haynes played Roy’s needle aversion with enough comedy to make it appealing. I actually found myself looking forward to their scenes together and with the news this week that Haynes has been added as a series regular for season 2 I’m sure we’ll have much more to come.

Arrow airs on Wednesday at 8/7c on CWTV in the US and at 7/6c on CTV in Canada

Sarah finds herself in the middle of an unravelling mess as she witnesses the suicide of a woman who could be her twin, and subsequently takes her purse with the intention of solving all her own problems by draining the woman’s bank accounts. Deciding quickly to plunge herself into this Beth Childs’ life headfirst, things very quickly go south but the sure-footed and streetwise Sarah is quick to adapt to her ‘new’ life. Her old life, however, is not so keen on letting her go – she has a past that she is determined to shake.

Starring Tatiana Maslany (Cas & Dylan, Picture Day) as Sarah, Kevin Hanchard (Republic of Doyle, Four Brothers) as Art, Beth’s coworker, Jordan Gavaris (Degrassi: TNG, Unnatural History) as Felix, Sarah’s foster-brother/accomplice, and (one of my favourites) Maria Doyle Kennedy (Downton Abbey, The Tudors) as Sarah and Felix`s foster mother, this show does not disappoint. Packed with intrigue, action, and even a little sex, it is intelligent enough to let you put some things together yourself, while still showing you enough to do it  - I take issue with shows who dumb it down because they don’t trust their viewers to put it together themselves; conversely, it also is exceedingly irritating to watch a show that is so highbrow that no one gets it. The writers on Orphan Black have struck a perfect balance and have hit that sweet spot in which we are given enough information to be able to put it together ourselves. And believe me, there is pieces to put together. There are no loose ends left in setting up the background of the story, and the only thing that I was left with at the end was an intense need to see the rest.

Co-creators Graeme Manson (Flashpoint) and John Fawcett

(Spartacus) wear more than a few hats on getting this show to air, with both serving as Executive Producer, and Manson as writer and Fawcett as director.

Premiering on March 30th at 9:00 0n Space, Orphan Black could very well be the new must-see TV.

Orphan Black will air Saturdays at 9:00 ET on Space. Check your local listings.

I picked up Beautiful Creatures, the first book in the series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, after seeing the movie trailer. I’ve done this before – movies, trailers, and TV shows often inspire me to read the books they are based on (or to learn more about their respective subject matter). I didn’t know, however, that I would be so quickly captivated by the characters and their stories.

Set in Gatlin, a fictional and traditional small Southern town in South Carolina, Beautiful Creatures is the story of It is the story of the journey of Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes through life, love, death, and redemption.

Ethan has lived in Gatlin his entire life, and dreams of the day he can leave. His one escape is reading, and he keeps a map on his bedroom wall of the places he has been through the pages of his books. Ethan seems like a normal teenager – he’s a member of the basketball team, and hangs out with the most popular kids in town. But it’s all a show; Ethan’s life has been turned upside down by the tragic death of his mother, and his father has all but disappeared into his writing. The two constants in his life are his best friend, Link, and Amma, the woman who helped raise him and his father before him.

Then the dreams start. Every night, Ethan dreams that he is trying desperately to save someone, a girl. Each night she slips through his fingers, pulled away by the swirling wind, and he awakens from each dream shaken and confused. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s the song – a haunting melody that disappears from his iPod as suddenly as it appeared. Ethan tries to ignore the dreams and the song, and focus on the start of school. Another year closer to his escape from Gatlin and everything he doesn’t want to face.

Along comes Lena.

A strange girl, Lena lives with an eccentric Gatlin recluse, Macon Ravenwood. Driving an old hearse, Lena is nothing like the normal Gatlin girls. She dresses in long skirts and beat up shoes, and is never without her necklace of odd, random charms, or the notebook she is constantly writing in. But that’s not all – strange things seem to happen when Lena’s around; things that no one can explain.

For reasons he doesn’t understand, Ethan is drawn to Lean. He feels a connection to her that is made stronger when he hears his mysterious song floating through the hallways during class one day, and discovers that it was Lean playing it. The dreams, the ones that have been plaguing him become more clear and he realizes that Lena is the girl he tries, and fails, to save. As Ethan slowly gets Lena to open up to him, the connection deepens until soon they are inseparable. Even when physically apart, Ethan and Lean are able to communicate through their thoughts.

This connection, their love, leads them on a path that neither could have imagined. Ethan is pulled into a world he didn’t know existed, a world of Casters and magic. They are not alone on the journey – they are joined by Link, Amma, Ethan’s mother’s best friend Marian, the town librarian, Lena’s uncle Macon, her cousin Ridley, along with much of her extended family. Through it all, their love is tested and everyone is pushed beyond all imaginable limits.

For me, the mark of a truly good book or series is when I am sad to finish it. I don’t want the story to end or the characters to leave. My favorite books/series’ (Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Jane Eyre to name a few) all share this quality. Now, I can add Beautiful Creatures to that list. After starting the first book, I soon bought the rest of the series so I could continue the story without interruption. As I finished the last page of the last book, Beautiful Redemption, my eyes filled with tears. Not only because of the perfect ending, but because I didn’t want it to end. I didn’t want to leave Ethan and Lena’s world or any of the people in it. And that is truly a beautiful thing.