Stars Josh Bowman and Nick Wechsler React to the Big Death on REVENGE

We knew that there was no way on Earth that “the powers that be” at REVENGE would dare to kill off Daniel Grayson, but until that last second when the body was turned over, we were all definitely biting our nails.  In a very cleverly filmed and orchestrated switch, it was impossible to know for certain.  For the past four months, fans have been wondering how the show could possibly think of killing Daniel Grayson. But we were hooked and dying to see the “how” and “why” explaining what we saw in the pilot episode.

Fortunately, our fears were for naught as the writers opted to kill the diabolical Tyler instead.  But getting Tyler to the right-place at the right-time was a tricky feat.  So much so even the actors themselves were not certain until the last second either.  At a recent special press screening, stars Nick Wechsler and Josh Bowman shared their reactions to the big reveal and where they see Jack and Daniel headed now that there may be blood on their hands.

Josh Bowman

JOSH BOWMAN
So this was obviously a huge, huge episode and the fans are going to be going crazy, particularly since Daniel doesn’t die.  What was your reaction when you found out that it wasn’t going to be your body on the beach?
JOSH:  I had an inkling, but I didn’t know for sure until I read the script.  I was very happy — very, very happy that I would be able to continue working with the cast and crew on the show.

Now that Emily has shot down Daniel’s plan to runaway with him, does he want to take a step back and re-evaluate their relationship?
JOSH:  I think he’s reevaluating big time.  You’ll see him asking a lot of questions now.

Are we going to see Daniel as a possible murder suspect?
JOSH:  He’s definitely one of them.

So Daniel and Jack are going head-to-head as possible murder suspects?
JOSH:  It’s possible.  You’ll have to wait and see about that.

Does Daniel remember what happened on the beach?
JOSH:  We won’t know that yet.  You’ll see what happened that night in the next episode, episode 16.  But I can tell you, “You have to expect the unexpected.”  Everything changes on a pin.  There’s so many twists and turns, it keeps you on your toes. Everyone has such an exciting time with it.  But he’s going to have questions.  He’s not an idiot.

Emily and Daniel

Are you excited about seeing the fans’ reaction to the show?
JOSH: Oh yeah.  It’s lovely.  An absolute pleasure working on the show.  I had no idea that it would be received as it has.  I really appreciate that.  I do read fan reactions.  I hope that they don’t want me dead!

Did you expect Tyler to be the story-driver that he ended up being?
JOSH:  Tyler, everyone loves to hate that character! But I’m sure he’ll come back in the next episode.

What was it like watching everyone’s reactions during the screening?
JOSH:  I loved it.  I really, really loved it.  I loved seeing it on the big screen.  It was really well directed and the music score was fantastic, and you really feel for the characters.  All the twists and turns.  It was the first time I asked myself, “How do I feel about Jack?” as I was looking at from Daniel’s eyes and I kind of felt badly for him too because he hasn’t done anything to deserve all this.

How will Daniel’s role change in light of recent events?
JOSH:  Well, he’s the connector between Emily and Victoria and each has this dark secret that they are protecting.  They are both so ferocious in what they want and Daniel is the point between them.  He loves his mother and has allegiance to her.  It’s a love-hate relationship.  Yet it’s Emily who he adores and who he wants to marry.  He has this image in his head that he wants to runaway with her, but she turns him down.  So he can’t have that.  And as the apple doesn’t fall far from the trees, Daniel is a Grayson, so expect him to act like one — at some point.

What is Daniel’s motivation going forward?  What does he really want?
JOSH:  I don’t know yet.  I’ll figure it out.  What does he want?  He wanted the best for Emily.  He’s very unselfish and has a loving and moral sense of view.  I guess now, it’s going to be challenged as he is sort of realizing “nice guys finish last.”

What can you share about what’s upcoming for the rest of the season?
<JOSH:  I think the next seven episodes of the season are going to be more the same twists and turns.  Don’t expect any nice moments because it’s going to be really dark.

Nick Wechsler

NICK WECHSLER

What was it like for you filming such a pivotal episode?
NICK:  It felt like just another episode, but emotionally it held such significance.  It’s funny, watching with an audience and seeing the reactions and hearing the reactions, that electric energy is incredible.  Everyone is so invested in it.  It got me.  I think this may be my favorite episode, but I can’t tell how much of that is because of the episode and how much of that is because its so exciting watching with everyone.  That energy just showed how good it is.

Do you all get together to watch any of the episodes?
NICK:  Yeah, we used to go to cast members’ homes and do that, but not so much anymore.  It’s kind of rare know, so we don’t always get that feedback.

Plus, it’s hard to get that outside reaction.
NICK:  Yeah.  These days Connor and I will text each and just say, “You did great in that scene.”  But that’s all the feedback we get.

What was your reaction when you read who was the body on the beach?
NICK:  I thought it was awesome, but then I just wanted to see how they were going to pull it off.

How was it to watch this episode compared to the pilot episode, which echoed so much of it?
NICK:  It was great to see the story behind it.  To see what was going on with the characters and what they were thinking in each of the scenes.  It is a hugely significant episode and it answers a lot of questions, while raising questions too.

For Jack, he was on the verge of taking off for Haiti and starting a new, and now he’s possibly being framed for murder.  What is he thinking?
NICK:  While true, basically he made the choice to let [Amanda] go.  But I don’t think he thought she was framing him.

While Amanda may not be framing him, someone may be.
NICK:  Exactly.  So he still has a big decision to make — to stick around and help her or take off.

Amanda and Jack

Will Jack try to track Amanda down or will he let her go?
NICK:  I don’t know if I can say at this point!

Since Jack is a fan of messages from the universe, will he take this as a sign that he is meant to stay?
NICK:  Maybe.  But maybe for not for that reason.  I think he has to stick around.  But I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that.  [Laughs]  We have seven more episodes after all.

What episode are you filming now?
NICK:  We’re about to start Episode 18.

So what’s it been like filming this season so far?
NICK:  Amazing!  I mean, it’s like I’m dreading filming the end of it.

You’re not nervous about getting a second season are you?
NICK:  Right now, it looks likely, but I don’t know.  It’s hard to say.

The fans are behind the show, the critics love it and the show seems to be building momentum, what’s there to worry about?
NICK:  You don’t need to know everything that’s going on in my head, but I’m sh*ting myself because things are going so well!

Now that the fans and the actors and breathe a bit more easily knowing that Daniel Grayson is not a murder victim, things are still going to get more muddled and murky for both Daniel and Jack as the search for the killer continues.  Being the obvious suspects due to the fact that they both had motive, means and opportunity – the search may lead to a nasty murder trial and Emily’s love for both men will be tested as her revenge plans go spectacularly awry.

To see what really went down on the beach that night, tune in next Wednesday at 10:00 p.m. on ABC.  Does Daniel know Emily’s secret and what lengths will he go to protect her?

Related:

“Fun Candid Photos of the Cast of REVENGE at the Paley Center”

LINK to more candid photos HERE.

“The Stars of REVENGE Share a Few Teasers on What to Expect In the Dark Mystery Series”

Where to find this article:

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/16/revenge-redux-stars-josh-bowman-and-nick-wechsler-discuss-their-pivotal-roles-during-last-nights-engagement-party-and-tease-whats-ahead/

REVENGE’s Killer Episode Where Someone Dies and Dreams Are Shattered

Revenge is always a dish served cold. But defying that expectation, the television series REVENGE has invited viewers to a Fire & Ice Ball celebrating the engagement of Emily Thorne and Daniel Grayson. Upon receiving his invitation, Nolan Ross had taunted Emily, “Oh, was fire and brimstone not available?” Emily may have ice in her veins, taking the time needed to plot out and destroy Victoria Grayson, but her fury rages like a burning fire in her heart.

Emily and Nolan

Thus, the Fire & Ice Ball is to be a night of crowning achievement as Emily’s long-orchestrated plans come together. She has secured a marriage proposal from the son of her arch-nemesis and she can finally implement the next phase of her dastardly plan to destroy Victoria Grayson – the woman who seduced and betrayed Emily’s father. In Emily’s defense, Victoria’s crimes are heinous and she deserves every bit of retribution that Emily has in store for her. It is just unfortunate that Daniel is caught in the cross-hairs.

Victoria

However, as seen last week, someone may be onto Emily’s plan for revenge as she returned home to find her box of secrets had been stolen from its carefully concealed hiding place. Just who knew that she had such a box and who would want it? Better yet, for what nefarious purpose? The search for the person responsible will be spine-tingling; for after years of carefully planning, it could all be exposed.

Also dropping like a ticking time-bomb last week, Jack interrupted the Grayson’s family reunion with Grandpa Grayson to accuse Victoria of having an affair with Amanda’s father, which led to Conrad revealing that Charlotte is David Clark’s daughter. An affair with a known terrorist is bad enough, but to have a daughter from that liaison is worse. Unable to process her birthright, Charlotte promptly took off with Declan rushing after her. Emily could not have planned it more perfectly for maximum damage to Victoria. Interestingly, Emily had a change of heart when she saw how happy Charlotte was and had decided not to destroy that happiness for her sister. Alas, fate had crueler plans.

Emily, Nolan, Ashley

Another person caught as collateral damage, Jack is spinning his wheels trying to figure out why Amanda has not been more forth-coming about her past and why she has run away from him. While Emily is bound and determined to keep Jack out of the Grayson quick-sand and away from the curse that destroyed Emily’s family, Jack is already unknowingly caught up in the Grayson web. So does Emily have a contingency plan to keep Jack out of harm’s way or must she resign herself to the fact that Jack will do whatever he pleases – even if it has put him on Victoria’s radar?

When REVENGE first debuted, we were thrown smack into the chaos of that fateful night of the Fire & Ice Ball. We saw Declan and Charlotte frolicking in the ocean. We watched Victoria’s wicked engagement speech congratulating Emily. We saw Emily desperately trying to call Daniel; and we saw Jack hovering over the body on the beach. In one instant it was a collision of lives. Emily’s “house of cards” was set to crumble around her as a shot rang out in the dark.

Daniel and Emily

With just one bullet, will this be a victory for the calculating Victoria who was desperate to do anything to prevent a wedding between her son and Emily? Or will Victoria and Emily be brought closer because of this tragedy? Was Conrad so desperate to hold onto Grayson Industries that he killed his own son? Or was Jack so full of anger that he lashed out at the one thing that could really hurt Victoria? Just who would want to kill Daniel Grayson? What purpose would that serve?

You are invited to the Fire & Ice Ball to see what led up to that fateful moment on the beach, where the mystery is only beginning. It is not all about Emily’s plan for revenge anymore. Murder has a way of changing the game and this game just got a whole lot more deadly.

Be sure to tune in for the episode that changes everything on REVENGE as it airs Wednesday, February 15th at 10:00 p.m. on ABC. Something wicked this way comes. . .

Related:

“Stars Josh Bowman and Nick Wechsler React To The Big Death on REVENGE”

Where to find this article:

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/15/revenge-chaos-spoilers-2/

Is It Wrong to Applaud The Growing Acceptance of Cheating on Television?

From THE GOOD WIFE to ONCE UPON A TIME we are seeing a renaissance of cheating.  Dare we speculate that “cheating” is being seen as an accepted form of relationships in modern day television?  And the real question becomes: but should it be?

Unexplained phone calls, illicit meetings and furtive glances can only mean one thing: somebody’s cheating.  When it debuted, THE GOOD WIFE was a scathing admonishment of cheating husbands everywhere.   We felt the betrayal and anger in every fiber of Alicia Florrick’s being as she steeled herself against her inner broken-heart and tried to recover from the one thing a woman can never forgive:  a cheating husband.  In her case, her husband did not just have one affair or even a fling, he was a flagrant cheater, who met with prostitutes and slept with co-workers.  He had not just ignored his wedding vow of fidelity; he acted like sex as currency in his profession was accepted.  The show was a rallying cry for scorned women everywhere.

Will and Alicia

Then a curious thing happened, the show began to tiptoe into the treacherous waters of testing the marital bonds.  Yet at the end of the second season, Alicia decided to throw caution to the wind and embarked on a secret affair of her own with her boss Will Gardner.  In her defense, Alicia had the decency to throw her husband out first – creating a fine-line that she was technically separated at the time of her affair.  But she never fully committed to the idea of actually leaving her husband as she put the brakes on her initial plan to divorce him quickly and quietly.  Instead, she chose to use her affair as a weapon – as a way of striking back at the man who had done the exact same thing to her.  It may be even more egregious, as this time he knew perfectly well what was going on and why she was doing it.  When Peter had his affairs, he did everything he could to hide those trysts.  Alicia was discrete, but she knew that her husband was aware that she had decided to punish him.  This was not the punishment of just separation, but humiliation.  She wanted to inflict pain.  What is perhaps just as wrong was how much the viewing audience applauded what she did.  In those final moments of the 2^nd season when Alicia agreed to accompany Will to a hotel room, the fans roared with approval.  Alicia was not only declaring herself a free woman, she was exacting a deserved revenge on her despicable husband.

But should we have cheered?  Shouldn’t we have shook our heads with dismay that Alicia did not take the high road and succumbed to the temptation for payback?  A stronger woman would have tossed Peter out, filed immediately for divorce and never looked back.  However, that is not what Alicia did.  She strategically thought about it and found a more satisfying way to make Peter pay for the years of lying, deceit, humiliation and pain that she suffered.  She would make him suffer too – and she knew perfectly well that her affair could not be kept a secret.  Affairs are always revealed.  In fact, in the episode entitled “Another Ham Sandwich,” Alicia was forced to admit under oath before a grand jury of her dalliance with her boss.  After which her first thought was to rush home and tell her children before they heard about it through the news, but due to unrelated legal maneuvering the grand jury testimony remained sealed and Alicia was able to postpone the inevitable revelation to her kids.  In that moment, Alicia unconsciously acknowledged the wrongness of her actions – she was keeping it from her children and she was horrified that they may find out.  This was not a relationship that she was proud of, nor one that she intended to pursue.  It had merely served as a way to strike back at her philandering husband for his past affairs.  It worked.  But given the thorny legal situation that it has now placed Alicia, she must be rethinking her hasty and ill-advised actions.  One day soon she will be asking herself: was it worth it?  And she will be forced to admit that it wasn’t.  It could cost her the perception of the “good wife” and the “good mother” in her children’s eyes, as well as her peers, co-workers and the public at-large.   Her high moral ground will be stripped away. If she had really wanted to pursue a relationship with Will Gardner, she should have done so openly and informed the world of her separation and intent to divorce.  Otherwise, she is just engaging in the same despicable conduct that she had “flayed” her husband for.  Cheating is cheating.  Are we supposed to cheer for it?

Snow White and Prince Charming

Another prime example that recently was splashed across television screens was in the fairytale series ONCE UPON A TIME.  As viewers, we know that the Evil Queen put a curse on the inhabitants of Storybrooke, Maine and that they are actually characters from the classic fairytales.  Thus, we know that Snow White married Prince Charming and that they had a baby girl named Emma – and that 28 years later Emma, as a grown woman, has returned to break the curse and restore the “happy endings.”  The one real wrinkle is that Emma is not really a believer in this alternate verse — and the inhabitants themselves have no memory of their former lives.

So in Mary Margaret’s mind, she is just a single schoolteacher who helps out at the hospital; and David Nolan is only a man who lost his memory of his life prior to an accident and wakes up to find out that he is married.  In the episode entitled “7:15 a.m.”, Mary Margaret and David struggled against temptation and their mutual attraction, but it was to no avail.  The episode ended with them passionately kissing as Regina glared in the background.  Then in the episode entitled “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree,” David and Mary Margaret snuck away for a romantic picnic.  The picnic should have been completely heart-warming and romantic since Mary Margaret (aka Snow White) and David (aka Prince Charming) had circumvented the Evil Queen’s curse and found each other once again.

Mary Margaret and David

Instead, as viewers, we were forced to feel like we were party to an illicit rendezvous.  David has known from the moment he found out that he had a wife, that he no longer had feelings for her and that she was not the right woman to have in his life.  It was initially honorable that he returned home with Kathryn and tried to work things out and participated in marriage counseling.  But once David realized that his heart wasn’t in it and that he wanted to pursue a relationship with Mary Margaret, he should have been open about it and left his wife.  Continuing to live with Kathryn and deceive her about his feelings and their relationship is wrong.  It was equally wrong for Mary Margaret to agree to see David, sneaking around like it is so romantic to have an affair.  Worse yet, it was wrong for a show that touts itself as a family-show to make its audience (which is comprised of younger viewers) a party to such conduct.  Do we want our children thinking it is okay to cheat?

How hard is it for people to simply declare their feelings openly to another person for the whole world to see and be honest about their relationships?  Secret relationships are permitted, so long as no one else is being hurt, such as a spouse, girlfriend or “significant other.”  Being dishonest with another person who thinks that they have an exclusive relationship is wrong.

In ONCE UPON A TIME, the writers have taken two cheer-worthy heroes (Snow White and Prince Charming) and turned them into caricatures of their former selves.  In the fairytale world, Snow White did the honorable thing and forsook Prince Charming to protect him and then took the memory-erase potion so that she would not be a threat to him in the future.  Snow White was strong enough to do that.  Yet we are asked to believe that the same exact woman, known as Mary Margaret in Storybrooke, then agrees sneak around and have an affair? It not only doesn’t fit the woman we knew, it also sends the wrong message about her relationship with her true love. For true love waits — he does not ask one to participate in an affair that will only hurt others.   So if Mary Margaret and David feel like there are destined to be together, then why not declare it openly?  Why doesn’t David just leave Kathryn?

Cheating is wrong for so many reasons, but mostly because it’s intent is to cause another person pain.  It is not to prevent pain.  That’s just the excuse that cheaters use.  They always claim that they lie, deceive and sneak around to protect others.  But really it is because they know their actions will cause pain – and they are secretly pleased by it.  It makes them feel powerful.  But power is not derived from inflicting pain on others. Power is earned.  Thus power gained through pain and deceit is an abuse – and that is exactly what cheating is at its core:  it is abusive.  It forces the knowing and the unknowingly deceived party into an abusive relationship.

We should not have felt pity and empathy for Kathryn, but after seeing how little David respects her and the pain he is willing to inflict upon her, she deserves our support.  David has just forced his wife into an abusive relationship – and that is not something I can cheer for.

It is time for our heroes and the characters we cheer for to start acting like heroes – and heroes never have to cheat.  If you love someone, be honest about it; and if you don’t love someone, but just as honest about that.  Move on, move-out and stop abusing the other person just because you don’t love them anymore.

Would we have cheered any less if Alicia had been honest about her sexual relationship with Will?  Or would we have cheered less if David had left his wife and then took Mary Margaret on a picnic?  Absolutely not.  In fact, we would have cheered louder.  We applaud and root for strong characters taking a definitive stand on what they want and tenaciously pursuing it.  Let’s honor our characters and let them act more honorably.  Let’s stop celebrating cheaters and start celebrating honesty and integrity.

Yes, it’s only television.  But shouldn’t we still expect more from our fictional heroes?

Fun candid photos of the COUGAR TOWN cast at the Paley Center (2012)

It was a fantatistically fun night as the cast of COUGAR TOWN premiered the show’s 3rd season at the Paley Center.

Josh Hopkins and Courteney Cox

Christa Miller and Brian Van Holt

 

Kevin Biegel and Ian Gomez

 

Courteney Cox

 

Josh Hopkins and Courteney Cox

 

Josh Hopkins, Courteney Cox and Bill Lawrence

 

Josh Hopkins and Courteney Cox

 

Brian Van Holt and Dan Byrd

 

Brian Van Holt and Dan Byrd

 

Dan Byrd and Josh Hopkins

 

Christa Miller and Brian Van Holt

 

Dan Byrd, Josh Hopkins and Courteney Cox

 

Courteney Cox and Bill Lawrence

 

Christa Miller and Brian Van Holt

 

Ian Gomez, Christa Miller and Brian Van Holt

 

Josh Hopkins and Courteney Cox

 

Ian Gomez, Christa Miller and Brian Van Holt

COUGAR TOWN Returns with More Romance, Comedy and Neighborly Shenanigans

As a special treat for fans and new viewers, COUGAR TOWN returns on Valentine’s Day with an especially fun episode that will make romantics at-heart swoon. The entire episode (aptly entitled “Ain’t Love Strange”) is a love letter. It is a warm-hearted ode to the fans that have watched for the prior two seasons, and an enticing invitation to new viewers to check out a show that has been saddled with a misleading moniker.

Penny Can antics

The running joke for the past two years has been to poke fun at the title of the show. Contrary to its name, the show offers a lively look at a charming group of friends who have become a family over the course of their lifetime adventures and who have welcomed a few more lonely neighbors and co-workers into their lives. While divorces tend to drive people away, the divorce of Jules and Bobby Cobb did the impossible and managed to draw people to them because of their love of live and joy in exuberantly celebrating each and every small moment of life.

More fun and games

During the past two seasons, Jules and Bobby (Brian Van Holt) have not only continued to raise their son Travis (Dan Byrd) together and successfully propelled him out into the world, they have maintained their friendships with neighbors Ellie (Christa Miller) and Andy (Ian Gomez), and somehow maintained an unconventional friendship between themselves as well. As Jules caught the eye of a fellow lonely-heart neighbor, Grayson (Josh Hopkins), and with the delightful shenanigans of her co-worker Laurie (Busy Philipps) and best friend Ellie, the show has come together as being about friendship, family and celebrating life.

Tom, Laurie and Jules skulking

Continuing their journey to discover all the wonderful treasures of life, this next season starts with a Valentine’s special. Challenged by Jules (Courtney Cox) to do something spontaneous and surprising, the game is on to deliver a Valentine’s surprise so fun and spectacular that Jules will never see it coming. Suffice it to say that you will never look at toilet-papering the same again — and the term “sharked” will make you laugh every time you hear it afterwards.

A night to remember

You are invited to spend Valentine’s Day (and every Tuesday night thereafter) with Jules, Grayson, Bobby, Travis, Ellie, Andy and Laurie – and the newest addition to the cul-de-sac crew: Tom (Bob Clendenin). These unlikely and unexpected friends are hilarious, outrageous and yet have a love and fondness for each other that will make you glad you decided to join their TV-family for a while. It will make you feel the exuberance of staying young-at-heart and cherishing the friends you have in your life.

Travis and Julesx

Taking a few minutes to chat about what the third season will offer, be sure to check out these video interviews with the cast.

“Cougar Town” interview with Dan Byrd and Busy Philipps from Tiffany Vogt on Vimeo.

“Cougar Town” interview with Ian Gomez and Brian Van Holt from Tiffany Vogt on Vimeo.

“Cougar Town” interview with Christa Miller from Tiffany Vogt on Vimeo.

“Cougar Town” interview with Courteney Cox and Josh Hopkins from Tiffany Vogt on Vimeo.

And if you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, be sure to watch this extended video preview which will give you an idea of what to expect this next season:

Julies, Laurie and Ellie

With so many spoilers being revealed in advance, it is hard to escape from hearing about the possible pending nuptials of Jules and Grayson, which will conclude this fantastic season. But another fun event to look forward to is the SCRUBS mini-reunion episode, which involves a very funny look at Bobby’s attempt to woo a new ladylove in what they end up calling “Operation Kiss the Girl.” Trust me when I say, for SCRUBS fans, this is an episode not to be missed! Both Sarah Chalke and Sam Lloyd are featured, as well as other fun surprise appearances of former SCRUBS cast members.

Grayson singing

COUGAR TOWN’s third season is guaranteed to make you chuckle, snicker, laugh out-loud and maybe even make you want to roll in the aisle. It is comedy at its finest and you are going to love it!

COUGAR TOWN returns Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. on February 14th on ABC. Mark your calendars, this is where you will want to be spending your Tuesday nights!

Where to find this article and videos:

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/14/cougar-town-season-3-preview/

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/14/cougar-town-ian-gomez-brian-van-holt-interview/

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/13/casual-encounters-with-cougar-town-stars-dan-byrd-and-busy-philipps/

Emilie de Ravin Loved Playing The Female-Empowered Belle on ONCE UPON A TIME

In another modern twist of the classic story of “The Beauty and the Beast,” ONCE UPON A TIME introduces us to a whole new version of the young ingenue Belle and her sacrifice to save her family. It also spins a tale of how Belle befriends Rumplestiltskin and invites him to see his new existence as more than an imprisonment behind the mask he is forced to wear. In an exclusive interview, Emilie de Ravin provided a quick preview into who Belle is and the complexities of the Belle/Rumplestiltskin relationship.

Belle and the Beast

What was the one thing you were really struck by or enjoyed about portraying Belle?
EMILIE: It was a few things. It was a big departure than anything I’ve done, which I always love and try to do; and really just being able to create this old world character, but also a very renown character that people know. It was also nice to sort have the freedom from portraying an actual person — there was the freedom to give her differences of her own personality, being an animated character. Really just being about to put on the clothes, the wig and the makeup and being transformed into this princess, that was pretty fun. Also getting to work with Robert Carlyle. He’s a lovely guy and really, really talented. That was fun.

As we’ve seen from the previews, it looks like the Beast in this case is Rumplestiltskin. Is it merely going to be an arranged situation where she offers herself to save her village, or does she come to care for him in some way?
EMILIE: Her family has summoned him because of the war that is going on; and, of course, the bastard he is, the only way he will help is if Belle goes with him. So that’s basically it. But she’s getting to be this hero that she’s always wanted to be. She always wanted to do something different, and not just stay home in the castle. To go see the world. Be brave. To do something that women don’t usually do.

Do you think of Belle as being an example of female-empowered for that world?
EMILIE: For sure! We wanted to give her a very empowering side and even with the relationship with Rumple, it was always that she was strong. It was important that she was never put down — that she stands up for herself. There’s a point — more so than in the original story — where she stands up for herself a bit more in the modern take. I love that she is portrayed as a strong woman.

Belle

Does Belle have a dark-side or is she simply a virtuous person who is simply trying to draw Rumplestiltskin out of his darkness?
EMILIE: I think everyone’s got a bit of a dark-side. But predominately she’s a strong person. She is not a push-over, but she’s learning to cope with what she believed was a lifetime of confinement. But she basically traded one for another. It’s just a different situation. So it’s a bit of a struggle for her accepting that and coming to terms with making the best of things. There’s always a bit of a Pollyanna-attitude there in a sense that she’s determined to make the most of it. She like, “I’m going to not let myself sit in a corner and be miserable. I’m going to try to make this guy see that he’s actually pretty cool, and I’m going to be myself and let him know that it’s okay to be himself.” I really believe that they are in a masquerade of sorts and they have to deal with that.

What would is the one word you would describe the experience for you?
EMILIE: Being “magical.”

So are we only seeing Belle in the fantasy-world or will we be seeing her in Storybrooke as well?
EMILIE: That’s the one that I have to say: “Tune in and watch!”

To see how the Belle and Rumplestitskin story plays out and whether Belle does make an appearance in Storybrooke, be sure to watch Sunday night’s new episode on February 12th at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.

Where to find this article:

 

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/12/once-upon-a-time-emilie-de-ravin/

Take A Walk on the Wild Side With ABC’s New Creepy, Thriller series THE RIVER

When a famous television explorer goes missing in the Amazon, his wife and son vow to find out what really happened to him.  Funded by the same reality TV company that provided the financial backing for Dr. Cole prior to his disappearance, the expedition becomes a tug-of-war for exclusive, full-access to the family’s grief and the increasing uncertainty every step of the way.  But the farther they venture into the deep, treacherous jungle, the more everyone begins to realize that this journey is not just about a missing man — but what he found out there.

“The River”

Tensions continue to rise as a few jumpy cameramen, fragile family members strained by not knowing what happened, and some genuinely spooky events take them to the breaking point.  When traveling that far into the untamed wilds of the Amazon, no one knows exactly what they will find.  That was Dr. Cole’s quest.  He wanted to find out what was at the ends of the earth – what secrets does the lush overgrowth cover from the prying eyes of outsiders?  Is it a lost tribe, haunted spirits, or something else entirely?  One thing is for certain:  nothing is exactly what it seems and it is much, much more dangerous.

"The River"

The series features Leslie Hope as Tess, the estranged wife of Dr. Emmet Cole (played by Bruce Greenwood) and Joe Anderson as Lincoln, their adult son with troubles of his own.  Aiding in their quest is Paul Blackthorne as Clark, the television producer who is more determined to protect the unaired, exclusive footage of those final days leading up to Dr. Cole’s disappearance and anything else they can get on film while on this perilous journey.  Unwilling to rely only on Clark’s empty promises, they also recruit the help of a bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson (Thomas Krestchmann) and Dr. Cole’s former crew Emilio (Daniel Zacapa) and Lena (Eloise Mumford).  The journey is about trust, alliances, and never being sure who is working against them.

"The River"

But as more people turn up missing, the series takes on a darker, more sinister tone.  Someone or something is out there in the darkness, lurking and waiting to strike.  With such a lush and realistic setting, the show is stunning to watch.  But that realism is a double-edge sword, it will make your skin crawl and look around to make sure you are still alone as you watch from the comfort of your living room.

To see what terrors are lurking in the Amazon, tune in for the 2-hour premiere of THE RIVER on Tuesday, February 7^th at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.  Prepare to hide under the covers and jump out of your skin!

Where to find this article and video:

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/07/preview-the-river-abc/

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/14/joe-anderson-the-river-interview/

 

Tamala Jones Teases “The Blue Butterfly” and the Arrival of Another Serial Killer Who Rears His Ugly Head in CASTLE

In the world of mystery-writer Richard Castle and Detective Kate Beckett, murder is an everyday occurrence that they take in stride.  But things take a decidedly different turn in the upcoming episode “The Blue Butterfly” as the team investigates a double-homicide, one of which is decades old.  Stepping into the shoes of the players of another era, the cast of CASTLE gets to dance through a time when blues, torch-singers, and gangsters were all the rage.  It is a chance to playfully explore homicide on the lighter-side before tackling the darker-side once again as another serial killer places them in the crosshairs in the upcoming two-parter episodes “Pandora” and “Linchpin,” which air February 13th and 20th.  Taking a few minutes to chat in an exclusive phone interview, co-star Tamala Jones, who plays medical examiner Dr. Lanie Parish, shared her insights on the fun they had bringing “The Blue Butterfly” episode to life, where the Lanie/Esposito relationship may be headed, and what to expect as yet another serial killer comes to town.

"The Blue Butterfly"

It looks like in the noir episode that the entire cast is having the time of their lives working in that kind of environment. Do you want to talk about what it was like working on “The Blue Butterfly”?
TAMALA: That is my favorite episode that I’ve worked on in CASTLE. I have so many favorite episodes, but this season, I would say “The Blue Butterfly” is it. It’s so cool how they are studying the case– it happened in 1947 — and they end up uncovering another homicide on top of the one they are looking at, which is about a treasure hunter. What I love about it is that all of us get to play these characters in flashback scenes — to uncover what is going on, as one homicide is related to another one — which then uncovers something more. I don’t want to say too much about that, but it’s really good. The clothes and the acting — everyone really came together. Not that we don’t always, but you can see the passion from the cast, the crew, the writers — I mean, everyone’s really excited and hoping you guys love this episode.

Tamala Jones in "The Blue Butterfly"

From the previews, it looks like you’re playing a “torch singer.” Can you talk about what it was like to sing in front of everybody?
TAMALA: Oh my gosh, well, I can tell you this. I was nervous at first, but as the night went on it was second-nature to me. I just really enjoyed myself and I tried to embody as much of Billie Holiday as I could. So I hope that rings when you guys see it.

Is that going to trickle into future episodes where we might see Lanie singing around the morgue?
TAMALA: No, I think it was just for that character, and her name was Betsy.

Are we going to find out Betsy’s story?
TAMALA: Yes, she’s part of the actual investigation. I think she comes in on the 2nd homicide ’cause as we’re studying the treasure hunter, another murder that was never solved comes up. So it’s like a double homicide that we’re investigating in “The Blue Butterfly.” In fact, in this episode Seamus does a wonderful job. He plays an Irish hitman and he is amazing. Jon is amazing as well, he plays a Puerto Rican guy. He’s like a mirror, but only in 1947, which is where you’re seeing all this. We’re definitely playing different characters. It’s really fun. I really hope you guys like it!

"The Blue Butterfly"

So everybody is dying to hear about not just the upcoming noir episode “The Blue Butterfly,” but the upcoming two-parter where things look like they take a very dark turn. Can you talk or tease about those two episodes?
TAMALA: Well, I don’t want to give away too much. But I can tell you that it is possible that we could have another serial killer. I don’t want to tell you everything because you need to be there. If I tell you, it’s going to ruin it. But it’s action-packed and it’s mysterious, more mysterious than any CASTLE episode so far. One thing I really love when they do these is — that while this show already digs up so much mystery — but in this they take it even deeper. Everyone watches CASTLE and they think they know what’s going to happen, but this two-parter is really going to have your brain going. I don’t want to say too much, but it’s something. You’re gonna love it!

When there are these types of serial killer type episodes, because those haunt you a little bit, do those have more of an emotional impact on Lanie in her job or does she just take it in stride?
TAMALA: First of all, I think it has an emotional impact on her, but I think she covers it up by taking it in stride. Her thing is — and I believe this is the way she is written — “Just go get him. Whoever it is, let’s get these guys off the street and what can I do to help?” I think she’s balanced in her emotions that way.

"The Blue Butterfly"

So those types of crimes aren’t going to haunt her and make her creeped out and want to go buy a gun to take home with her?
TAMALA: I think think Lanie has a gun already. I think we just don’t know that yet. I even tried to pitch that storyline to Andrew. It’s a little too late, but I wanted to do it around when Beckett was shot. Like maybe she was upset about what happened, and then one night she’s out with Beckett and Beckett freezes up and Lanie pulls out her gun, and everyone’s like, “What’s she doing with that?” Then next thing we know, she’s at the shooting range. [Laughs]

As a last teaser, it appeared at the wedding that everyone attended for Jenny and for Kevin that perhaps there might be something residual still going on with Lanie and Esposito. Do you want to comment on whether Lanie feels ready to move on or whether she might want to give him a second chance?
TAMALA: I would love to see Lanie and Esposito get together! It’s really romantic, but the truth is, I don’t know what those writers are thinking right now. Andrew is very ninja-like when it comes to the writing. So we never know until we get the script what’s going on. But I personally would love to see it. I couldn’t tell you which way I thought they were going, ’cause I would be lying ’cause I don’t know! [Laughs] But they’re cute. I think that might be a nice segue into a Lanie-centric episode which a lot of fans have been asking for a while. To see why Lanie feels that way about relationships or why she’s so closed off. I don’t know. But they’re brilliant and amazing and I’m sure they’ll come up with something that you guys and I will really enjoy.

To see Tamala as the lovely torch singer Betsy and all our other favorite CASTLE characters living it up in the 1940′s, be sure to tune in for “The Blue Butterfly” on Monday, February 6th at 10 p.m. on ABC.

Where to find this article:

 

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/02/06/tamala-jones-castle-spoilers/

 

 

Shining the Spotlight On Seamus Dever of CASTLE

In the ABC drama series CASTLE, Seamus Dever portrays Detective Kevin Ryan, a role which has become more complex as the show explores the inner psyche of who Detective Ryan is beneath his lovable, funny-guy exterior. CASTLE is a cop show that embraces comedy and levity in the most absurd investigations, but which will also delve into the darker side of murder, cop killers, and sociopaths. Sliding seemingly effortless between the agile comedy and finely-tuned drama, Seamus is a chameleon on screen. In an exclusive interview, Seamus shared what drives Ryan and the relationships he prizes above everything else.

In your mind, who is Detective Kevin Ryan and what do you think epitomizes who he is in his soul?
SEAMUS: Whoa, deep. Wow. I think Kevin Ryan is a nice guy who is always under-estimated about what he really knows. I think he is quiet and I think he is a smart-ass. He grew up with two older sisters, so there’s always been an interesting relationship with older siblings that he has. I think what epitomizes who he is, is his loyalty to his partners and his loved ones around him and how he would protect them regardless of the cost. I think that’s my answer. [Laughter]

Seamus Dever and Jon Huertas

Over the past two seasons particularly, we have seen Det. Ryan take increasing risks and make harder decisions when his fellow officers’ lives are on the line. What lengths do you think he’ll go to, to protect those he cares about?
SEAMUS: Well, it’s been one of those things — we had an episode last season where Ryan and Esposito are being tortured to find out some information that would compromise and harm Beckett and Castle — Beckett in particular — and it was one of those things that we were willing to bite the bullet and be tortured and take all this punishment rather than tell them what they wanted to hear. So I think it gets to the point where you get to the point — and Ryan comes from the neighborhood still — where you don’t squeal on the people you’re protecting. He’s not a rat. He’s going to protect the people around him. We saw that in his response to torture. But on the other side, it’s one of those things where he has an idealistic sense of what the job is — because there was the whole predicament last year that we were playing with Captain Montgomery and it was like, “Do we tell anyone about this? Or do we sort of do the right thing and let him die in peace and not reveal that he was a dirty cop?” And it was always one of those things that Ryan was in favor of letting everyone know and Esposito was in favor of letting him die in peace. So it was one of those things that we sort of carved out how everybody feels about those particular moral situations.

With those kind of moral issues and ethical issues facing them on a regular basis now, do you see it causing ripple-effects in Ryan’s relationships with his co-workers or will those always be steadfast for him?
SEAMUS: Well, it is interesting. The nature of drama is conflict, so there is no way there will not be conflict. Here and there, there have been arguments that he has with his partner, Esposito, who feels differently about things than Ryan, like Castle. But with Beckett, he seems to see eye-to-eye with her on a lot of things. It is one of those things that we sort of like to play with once in awhile: “What if they were having an argument? What if they were disagreeing? What if they were mad at each other about something, with him and his partner?” I don’t know. It’s sort of one of those things I love to play with. The nature of our show is that everything has to reflect the mystery that we’re trying to solve. So a lot of times we can’t delve into those real psychological aspects without getting back to the case in the very next scene. So a lot of that stuff has to sort of counterpoint what’s going on. So we don’t ever really get to get that deep into that aspect, but it would be nice someday to have some episodes where we do that.

This is kind of a deeper question, but of all the people Ryan works with, who is the one who sort of mirrors who Ryan is in their work situation? It is not always their partner, it could be somebody else at their office.
SEAMUS: I actually think it’s Beckett. I think Ryan’s always wanted to be a better cop and he’s always looked towards her leadership and the way she is and the way she thinks and the way she is creative about problem solving. We had an episode earlier this year, “Kick the Ballistics” where we got to partner Ryan and Beckett together and it was neat because I think we got to see a little bit how they are similar — how they are driven when they want to be. So I think he is closest to Beckett and I think he looks up to her in the way she sees things. I also think he looks at Castle in a different way too because we get to see the side of him that’s curious about things and Castle is so different than anyone that Ryan has ever known, that he looks to him for different things too. But I think he wants to be most like Beckett.

Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever

How do you think Ryan sees Castle and how he is always involved in the precinct and all their cases, particularly over such a long time span now?
SEAMUS: One thing we are sort of playing with are these “Castle Jr.” scenes. We all talked with the writers this year. Jon and I went and talked with the writers as a group and talked about ideas about where it is headed this season. And one of the things that was fun that we sort of discovered that Ryan — at the very beginning he decided to embrace Castle’s viewpoint on things, particularly as it can be beneficial in being more creative in thinking as a detective — and so he sort of welcomed Castle and was happy that he was around, and also becoming a fan of his books. So something we are always playing with is he looks up to Castle as sort of this very creative person that people respect and wants to be like that too. And we had some scenes last season where he’s all of a sudden quoting Shakespeare in the middle of looking for a perp and Esposito tries to take him down a notch by calling him “Castle Jr.” I think that’s something that happened once again this year. It’s something fun that they are playing with the dynamic. There was a scene I shot with Nathan yesterday where we’re reading the journal of a private detective and it sort of comes to an end and we’re both compelled by “what happens next?” and he doesn’t know and it’s exciting. So Ryan and Castle get to sort of geek out over this mystery. It’s fun. So he’s similar to him in that respect.

Finally, what can you share about Ryan and Jenny and their relationship which is going to be explored in this next upcoming episode?
SEAMUS: Ryan is getting married and it’s heading down the isle, if you will. So this episode that is coming up is dealing with the preparation for the wedding and where it is going to go. Ryan is on a cleanse with Jenny and their cleansing themselves presumably to make themselves pure before their big day and look their best, and so everyone gets to taunt Ryan about the fact that he is excited to go on this voluntary cleanse. But I’m drinking this nasty green liquid the entire time which is actually filled with some lime juice and cayanne pepper, in real life and I drank a lot of it. So everyone gets to throw stones at Ryan that he is doing this and Esposito is also eating a lot of donuts around Ryan, who is not eating at all. He’s just drinking this liquid. So, at a certain point, there is information that turns up that Jenny is involved in the case, that they discover, and Castle and Beckett hold this information back from Ryan in fear that it is going to affect his decision about going through with the wedding. So there is some drama there that happens, as well, which gets resolved at a certain point. But you’ll have to tune in and find out!

And on that last teasing note, to find out whether wedding bells are still in Ryan and Jenny’s future, be sure to tune in for an all new, fun-filled episode of CASTLE on Monday, January 9th at 10:00 p.m. on ABC.

Where to find this article:

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/01/09/castle-seamus-dever-interview/

Shining the Spotlight on Lana Parrilla of ONCE UPON A TIME

In the fantasy world of ONCE UPON A TIME, Lana Parrilla is queen — truly as she portrays both the Evil Queen and her real-world counter part Regina in Storybrooke, Maine — the fictional world the Evil Queen created in order to imprison all the inhabitants of the fairytale world in order to make her dreams come true. Storybrooke and Regina’s life as Mayor there is supposed to represent the Evil Queen’s dream of “happily ever after.” Yet that “happily ever after” is now threatened by the arrival of Emma Swan, whose very presence is causing tiny fractures in the blissful utopia that the Evil Queen wished for. In a recent exclusive interview, Lana Parrilla shared her view on Regina’s crumbling world and what Regina is really seeking out of her carefully-constructed life.

Do you think the Evil Queen/Regina is starting to suspect the spell that Rumplestiltskin gave her is either flawed or that he intended for it to fail all along and that’s kind of his revenge on her?
LANA: Well, we know he gave her the curse — but do we know that he created it? We don’t know that yet. We don’t know where he got it from.

Evil Queen

So it is to be revealed. Maybe he was deceived as well.
LANA: I think the curse — it has been a question I have asked as well, and I think we have yet to learn — as the audience has yet to learn, the curse is very powerful. Clearly, it created this world where it placed everyone in the positions that they are in, professionally and their stature is in Storybrooke. But was created by the Evil Queen or Rumplestiltskin? These are all the questions I have continuously, myself, and which I ask myself when I approach every script. It’s like, “Wait a minute. Did I? Did she? Okay, Snow White is a teacher? Was that created by the curse or was that created by the Evil Queen or Rumplestiltskin?” Those questions are hard for me to answer because I still ask them. I think that’s why this show is going to be so great. It is great and it’s going to continue to get better because we are all asking the right questions.

That’s part of the fun!
LANA: And all the answers are floating out there in the minds of the creators and the writers. So it is a tough one to answer.

Do you think because of the type of “happily ever after” that was given to Regina that she is now bored to tears by the monotony of it, or is she is content in the world that she created for herself?
LANA: I don’t thinks she’s bored. I don’t think anyone is bored watching any of these episodes! There is clearly a lot going on in Storybrooke.

But that is because Emma’s arrival disrupted everything. Before her arrival, there was a certain rhythm to life that was kind of predictable in Storybrooke under the curse — everyone was just kind of going through the motions.
LANA: Maybe, we have not gone back into Storybrooke, like we haven’t done any flashbacks in Storybrooke. So we really don’t know what those last 28 years have been like. We don’t know what’s taken place. I would assume that everything was under the control of Regina — that everything ran smoothly. That everyone’s memories had been erased and time has stopped. And I think Emma coming into Storybrooke has threatened and definitely riled Regina up a bit. I think that’s why in the beginning she reacts the way she does. Regina is very reactive when it comes to Emma and I think as we move forward that she starts kind of pull back on the reigns a bit and starts thinking, “I need to strategize. I need a different approach.” And that ends up happening. It’s interesting because those stories have not been told yet. We don’t know what it’s been like for the last 28 years. I don’t even know if we’re going to do any flashbacks in Storybrooke, at least not at this stage.

More recently we saw the death of Sheriff Graham at the hands of Regina because she was so angry with him. Do you think she’ll mourn the loss of him or will she quickly move on and forget about him?
LANA: No, she definitely mourns the loss of him. She definitely does. I mean, there’s only so much I could do as the actor as I’m not in the writing room. But there’s a scene where we do see Regina’s pain and compassion in losing Graham. We see how difficult it was for her to make that decision. And we do end up seeing the love and care that she had for him. There’s a scene with Emma in this next episode and she lays in on her as she usually does, specifically because she’s talking about Graham, and there’s pain in her voice. It was not an easy choice to kill him. Just like it wasn’t an easy choice to kill her father either.

Regina

What do you think Regina’s going to be clinging to as far as a core emotion now that she’s had to give up two of the closest men in her life. She doesn’t have other close people in her life, so what is the one strength she is going to lean on?
LANA: I think the one strength she constantly leans on, and it’s been throughout, is this relationship with Henry. Ultimately, that’s the fight. When I think of Regina, yes, she is the Evil Queen, but when I think about her relationship with Henry — even as Evil Queen, she has this void that she’s been trying to fill and I think in adopting Henry as Regina, that she hoped that she would fill that void. So I always try to keep that present when I’m playing her — her love for Henry. That relationship is strong. And you’re right to talk about these two men in her life. She doesn’t have any friends and she ends up killing the few people that were close to her.

Do you think we’re seeing a change in her perspective — that she is leaning more towards love in her life, clinging to those that she care about opposed to seeking just pure power?
LANA: I think Regina has a really hard time allowing love in her life. I think it is interesting that she made two choices to kill people that actually do love her. Graham maybe didn’t want to be with her, but it doesn’t mean that he didn’t love her. I think she is a quite confused woman. I don’t think she really knows how to be happy. She wants happiness and love, but when she has it, I don’t if she can recognize it. I feel very sorry for her. It’s heartbreaking. [Laughter]

To see how exactly Regina copes with the loss of such a significant love and how she reacts to the threat Emma now poses on her way of life and what Regina’s next plan will be, be sure to tune in for another unforgettable episode of ONCE UPON A TIME on Sunday, January 8th at 8:00 p.m. on ABC. It’s going to be an interesting, if not amazing, journey!

Where to find this article:

http://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/01/08/lana-parrilla-once-upon-a-time-interview/