Recently I was browsing my Netflix for something to watch when I saw "Training Day" listed as a recently added title. I started to wonder what Denzel Washington has been up to lately since his film "The Equalizer" hit theaters 2014. As I normally do in these instances when wondering what's new with entertainers in the industry I jumped online and GOOGLED IT! To my surprise one of the articles I pulled up was referencing Denzel being the director of the up and coming mid-season premiere of Grey's Anatomy which then brought me back full circle that TGIT is about to be in full swing once again. 

Here's the article I read on EONLINE: "How Denzel Washington's Wife Helped Him Direct Meredith's Terrifying Grey's Anatomy Attack"

I follow all of Shonda's shows and have reviewed them all on my TV and Popcorn YouTube channel at one point and time. Although I haven't been a fan of the direction of the shows at all times, I do respect the creativity and work that goes into creating and sustaining a show. My interest has definitely been peeked since finding out that Denzel did indeed direct Meredith's heartbreaking attack in Grey's up and coming episode "The Sound of Silence". I'm a huge fan of Denzel's work and especially impressed with Season 12 of Grey's because I was wondering how Shonda and Grey's would fair out after killing off Derek Shepherd in Season 11; I must say Shonda, the writers and actors have done a great job moving it along since Season 11 in my opinion. 

I remember when I stopped watching Grey's Anatomy some years ago because I thought it was boring and only about a bunch of doctors sleeping together all the time. This was back when Derek was still married or his ex-wife was coming around  however that was playing out and Derek and Meredith was beginning to have a thing. I then began to watch Grey's again around 2012/2013 or so and liked the fact that the show began to seem more about the work and patients of the doctors and not just their relationships.

Coming up in Season 12 Episode 9  we can expect to see another side of a patient like we've never seen before and Meredith is the doctor that gets caught up in the cross fire of the patient's medical condition. I'm so surprised that so many spoilers have been leaked out about this episode. I think we can take it as there is going to be a major twist before the episode ends. Check out the promo for the mid-season premiere of Grey's Anatomy below and also hear what the cast had to say about this week's episode airing today 02/11/2016. -Monica/TVandPopcorn

LAST MAN ON EARTH Season 2 Episode 3 'Dead Man Walking': Phil pulls a gun on the group because he thought it would be the only way they would listen to his apology. How did it come down to this? Let's rewind; Phil and Carol are back together and traveling the world JUST THE TWO OF US-WILL SMITH style since Phil (also known as Tandy) was shunned from the group. The group shunned Phil due to his lying and manipulation of people and events surrounding the group, their decision making and relationships. In the beginning Phil thought he was truly the last man on earth and the only survivor of a deadly, global virus outbreak but then Phil met Carol of whom he married and divorced season one only to remarry her here in season two after she was willing to follow him once he was outcast. Now Phil and Carol have found the group again and they are both trying to figure out how they will reintroduce Phil back to the group after it ended so badly. Earlier in this episode Carol lies to the group and tells them that Phil is dead and died saving her. She lied because she thought it would make them feel sorry for him and regret they ever shunned him from the group. After the attempt to reintroduce Phil doesn't go according to plan she decides to come clean about her lie and Phil; she was convincing the group to give Phil another chance by convincing them that he had truly changed but as they were just feeling all warm and fuzzy inside about Phil coming back to the group he ran in on them with a gun only in an attempt to try to make them listen to him and his apology because he doesn't believe they will listen to him otherwise.

PHIL & CAROL: I actually do really like Phil and Carol together. Now that they are back with the group I don't know if Phil will really be able to control himself when it comes to breaking up relationships and sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Do I believe that Phil is really sorry for what he's done in the past? Yes! Do I feel like the group is taking it too far as far as their actions towards Phil? Yes! Maybe this season the writers will bring another trouble-maker into the group giving Phil and Carol a break.

THE OTHERS: I was shocked by the lack of warm welcoming for Carol as she was one who made everyone else feel welcome upon their arrival to Tucson. Carol hadn't done anything to cause anyone to dislike her but since she's been gone and ended her brief relationship with Phil Miler #2 (Boris Kodjoe), Erica (Cleopatra Coleman) is now in a relationship with him. From the moment Carol arrived Erica was one really giving Carol the cold shoulder along with Gail (Mary Steenburgen) because Carol literally scared Gail's boyfriend and fellow survivor (played briefly by Will Ferrell) to death. Carol took the lack of warm welcoming with stride because she really wanted another chance for Phil with the group. As this episode came to an end we see them once again restraining Phil and secluding him from the group because he pulled the gun out on them. I don't know if Phil will survive in a group where there is another Phil who wants to be with his Carol. I'm team Phil Miller #1! I love a good underdog story and maybe, just maybe Phil will step it up this season and show them all how cool and mature he can be but that wouldn't be as funny now would it? -Monica/TVandPopcorn

 TVandPopcorn: Rob Lowe is FOX'S 'THE GRINDER': I personally haven't watched much with Rob Lowe in it since 'THE WEST WING' and I recently binge watched some of my favorite West Wing episodes on Netflix. I love that show and loved Rob Lowe's character.  Back to The Grinder, I thought it was funny and that all the characters fit into their roles very well.

THE STORY PLOT:
Dean Sanderson (Rob Lowe) is an accomplished and popular actor who just wrapped up his final season of his popular show 'THE GRINDER' of which he plays a hot shot lawyer. Dean goes to visit his family as his show comes to an end and lets them know that he's looking to find his place in life and not soon after he feels maybe his show wasn't just a show after all, maybe he has a real future in law. Dean's brother Stewart Sanderson (Fred Savage) who is an actual lawyer, at first, isn't too happy about Dean's new lease on life and he plots a way to keep him moving on, just staying for a visit instead of possibly staying in town to start practicing law. Steward feels like Dean is delusional to think he can cross over from simply acting like a lawyer to actually being one.  By the end of the Pilot the two brothers make up after getting on each other’s case about the way they live and what they do. Dean knocks Stewart for being too uptight about his job. He tries to do everything by the book which makes it hard for him to get creative and go above and beyond with his cases. Dean brings Stewart a much needed balance as Dean is all about creativity and flare. -Monica/TVandPopcorn

TV and Popcorn: GOTHAM Season 2 Episode 2 "Knock Knock" brought out all of the crazies but with so much going on I felt like some of the acting in this episode was not natural to the characters and was a bit over kill. My feelings about the over acting are more towards the new Villains coming into the series than the series vets/regulars.

CHARACTER DISCUSSION:

NEW VILLAIN: Cameron Monaghan who plays Jarome Valeska was one of the newbies that I felt hadn't quite made the character his own. It seems as if in some scenes Cameron didn't know exactly how he wanted to deliver. With Jarome being as crazy as he is, I can understand that the delivery is probably way easier said than done and trust me I wouldn't want the job. There is speculation that Jarome is the Joker and with the way he's acting, laughing and dancing around it's highly possible. If he is, maybe Cameron is feeling the pressure of bringing one of GOTHAM'S must talked about villains to life in the TV Show world. More to come on that...

Barbara Kean (Erin Richards) I didn't feel like she was over acting and actually liked her the first season before she snapped. I'm just disappointed that she was the one to throw James Gordon off his game this episode and although she'd like to go for bad she's really kind of bland to me. I felt like so much could have, should have happened from the time she walked into the police station to lure out Gordon other than him ending up in an alley getting the snot or should I say blood beat out of him. I know a part of Gordon still cares about Barbara and he wants to save her but with the knowledge that the villains are on the loose and just coming from a bus full of teens and gasoline set by the self proclaimed Maniax, he should have known not to follower her without some back up.

Harvey Bullock is back! Yes! I think that Harvey and Gordon make a good team although I don't really feel like Gordon needs Harvey's bad guy twists as much as he did last season because Gordon is willing, now, to get dirty when he has to. In the first season Gordon was more reserved and would do anything to avoid having to get dirty until he was forced to. Now Gordon just makes the choice before he is forced-In my opinion anyways.

Did Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) really fire Alfred? That was a shocker for me. I'm so glad Bruce came to his senses and hired Alfred back shortly after he fired him for breaking his father's computer. I know that Alfred is only trying to protect Bruce and I absolutely agree that Bruce is about to dig up dirt in a grown folks world. HE'S NOT READY but now Alfred has agreed to teach him.

Over all this episode was decent and had quite a few twist and turns. I wonder how Penguin is feeling about the new villains taking over Gotham. Will he join them? I think Penguin has control issues so I highly doubt he's going to join anyone without attempting to run the whole show. We're just two episodes in and the poop has already hit the fan. Who's coming out on top of this mess? Gordon is surely going to go after the killer of Commissioner Essen. That is going to be a terrible loss for Gordon because she seemed to be one in authority that wasn't crooked and being paid under the table by thugs and mob bosses. -Monica/TVandPopcorn

TV and Popcorn: The Mindy Project Season 4 Episode 2 "C is for Coward": Streaming only on Hulu, THE MINDY PROJECT is back for its 4th season. I've personally been a fan of Mindy Kaling since THE OFFICE. I think she's funny, a great actress and writer-just to name a few of her titles. The Mindy Project for me has always been that type of show to watch when you need good laugh and to see something over the top but yet still relatable all at the same time. When I heard that FOX wasn't renewing THE MINDY PROJECT for season four I thought to myself, "What's wrong with these people? Are they smoking weed?" lol, those were my true thoughts because I feel like you have to be high to cancel MINDY! Not too long after finding out FOX would't be renewing I caught whelm that HULU was thinking about taking MINDY in as their own. I thought, "GREAT IDEA! I'm only watching it on HULU anyways!" I was so happy they decided to do so and to my liking they haven't changed anything about THE MINDY PROJECT. Mindy is the same ole MINDY having the same ole MINDY issues and some new ones since this season she's becoming a first time mom. As a matter of fact, as of episode two of season four MINDY gave birth to LEO and shared in the fears of child birth with the father and her now fiance DANNY CASTELLANO.

So far here in SEASON 4 Mindy has managed to get engaged to a man who hated the thought of ever marrying again after a terrible break with his first wife; she conquered her fears of giving birth naturally and now-in the up and coming episodes-we will see MINDY and DANNY now try to manage  parenthood and their professional lives which should definitely be interesting; MINDY all by herself is interesting lol. 

What type of parents will MINDY and DANNY be? Will this make or break them as a couple? Will they truly make it down the aisle? Tune into THE MINDY PROJECT every TUESDAY now streaming  ONLY ON HULU! -Monica/TVandPopcorn

TVandPopcorn-Gotham Season 2 Episode 1 RISE OF THE VILLAINS: DAMNED IF YOU DO was a pretty good episode to kick off the season. This episode moved quickly catching you up on all the characters and bringing you up to speed to where they are now and where they are headed. 

THE CHARACTERS: 

Gordon was demoted to a traffic cop by Commissioner Loeb after the blow back of the Falcone and Maroni gang war. Commissioner Loeb has had it out for Gordon and thought that Maroni and his gang would easily take care of Gordon and Falcone eliminating any need of clean up for him. Coming into the first episode of season two we see that Commissioner Loeb is still giving Gordon a hard time and even moved forward with firing him after Gordon addressed a fellow traffic cop by shoving him because he refused to do his job. After being fired,  Gordon had to decide how far he was willing to go to get back his position on the force in hopes that by doing so he'd be able to clean up the streets and also help Bruce Wayne find his parent's killer. In this episode we see Gordon choose to compromise his morals and play his hand in order to stay in the game and stand against Commissioner Loeb who was visited by Oswald Cobblepot aka Penguin on Gordon's behalf but not before Gordon returned the favor for Penguin of course; Penguin's request of Gordon was met with guns blazing and bloodshed leaving Gordon to wonder if compromising his position will be worth it. Commissioner Loeb decided to meet Penguin's demand instead of being killed, which was his second and last option other than doing what Penguin requested. Loeb stepped down as commissioner while  Capt Sarah Essen took his place. Along with this move Gordon was able to get his detective job back with the hopes that with Sarah being commissioner there is someone on his side that will allow him to continue to fight against the crime of Gotham.

Harvey is working at a bar and seems to be content with no longer being a detective. He even told Gordon that he has a girlfriend and for once he's happy. Aww... something tells me this will not last long but it did at least last through this episode.

Penguin-after seemingly killing Fish Mooney and successfully playing Falcon and Maroni against each other leaving Maroni dead and Falcon off the grid-has taken a seat at the head of the table as Gotham's new mob boss. 

Bruce Wayne has finally found the secret his father has been hiding all of this time. It is as simple as Bruce's dad digging to find out what was really going on behind the scenes of Wayne enterprises. His father suspected that someone would figure out what he was doing and try to kill him. He spoke of this in his letter to Bruce that he had locked away in his secret room. He ended his letter to Bruce with "You can't have both happiness and the truth." he asked Bruce to choose happiness unless he feels a calling to do otherwise.

Edward Nygma has fully embraced his crazy and is now speaking to his alternate personality in the mirror. I suspect that Edward will be making trouble for someone real soon. He's already killed the boyfriend of Kristen Kringle over whom his fascination and obsession began.

Selina Kyle a child in an adult's world. She is now the pet of Penguin after Penguin won the show down against Fish Mooney in the season one finale. I'm really not a fan of her character right now. As I watch her I really just want to call her parents and tell them to come pick her up. She has no loyalty and no clue what she's getting herself into.

Barbara Kean is about to cross over to the world of VILLAIN thanks to the villains who broke her and a few others out of prison. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of her crazy unfolding throughout this season especially after she snapped and confessed to killing her parents in the season one finale. 

There is a lot of work to be done as far as character development for the characters of Gotham and it's a lot to keep up with but I'd say thus far Gotham, since season one, has kept my attention. I can't decided if I like how fast it moved in this first episode or not but I can say I'm looking forward to seeing what changes are underway and whose going to meet the end of Gordon's bullet or handcuffs next. As of right now I'm still hooked on Gotham and will be hanging with all of you Gotham fans throughout season two. -Monica/TVandPopcorn

The Perfect Guy-Movie Review-TV and Popcorn: The Perfect guy was an OKAY movie. If you want to get out the house and go see something entertaining this movie can do the job. If you want to see something suspenseful that will have you on the edge of your seat, this is not it. I found the movie at times slow and boring. I'm a huge thriller/suspense fan and I didn't find myself really holding my breath and guessing what was coming next. I do disagree with the critics who have said that this movie was predictable. What I've found is that it wasn't predictable but instead short and missing key elements that could have made it great. It needed a little more back story and dept. Although the movie moved slowly, the storyline itself took fast twists and turns that had no true build up as to why it would have gone in that direction in the first place.

THE ACTING:
Sanaa Lathan as (Leah) did a great job playing the girl that just found out that guy she was digging is a psycho.

Michael Ealy as (Carter) was okay in his role as the psycho and obsessed boyfriend but I felt that they didn't give Michael enough to work with to really bring his character to life. He had no back story and no build up to his psychotic break which made his character more annoying than scary and gripping.

Morris Chestnut as (Dave), Leah's love interest and current situation before Dave comes into the picture. Morris did great in the little part he had to play in the film. There was one scene that he delivered that really helped shrink Dave down to size and I loved the whole dark chocolate VS caramel going on in that scene; it was great! If you've seen the movie you might know what I'm speaking of. If not I will not spoil it for you.

There were others in the film that did a great job as far as the roles they played like Holt McCallany as (Detective Hansen).  Over all the actors were believable with what they had to work with.

I give The Perfect Guy a C+ rating. It had so much potential but to me the writers and directors of the film didn't take this as far as they could have. I do agree with other critics that reference to the many movies in existence-that comes close to this one by comparison- that someone should have taken a deeper look and more time to go beyond the cliche of-the boyfriend slash killer psycho thriller (try saying that twice) lol. -Monica/TVandPopcorn

I'm a huge fan of THE WEST WING which first aired back in 1999, over 15 years ago.  All actors and actresses were at their very best in their roles from Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Rob Low, the late John Spencer and many others. I have watched all nine seasons twice and have enjoyed it the second time around as much as I did the first time. If you love political shows and movies THE WEST WING could become your next favorite show! Stream it now on NETFLIX while, as of today, it's still available!

CAROL: Carol has been an amazing character and surprise for me this season. Although I've always liked Carol I feel like she's reached the peak of understanding who she is, what she wants and what she's capable of and she has been applying that this season. Although she's agreed with Rick's logic and views of Alexandria all of this time, she decided to embrace the town in her own way. Carol has been bold, witty and Bond girl dangerous! Carol originally introduced herself to the town as a broken house wife just looking to survive with no real skills in combat. She presented herself as a cook and one who's willing to look after the elderly and others in need. Her skills and what she's truly capable of has been kept under lock and key even during the Finale. TWD Finale held one final WOW moment for Carol as she threatened Pete during his refusal to check on Tara who had been injured in a previous episode. Pete was a surgeon and the one looking after her but failed to do so after his tussle with Rick. Carol walked into Pete's home pulled her knife and held it to his throat and said "I could kill you right now and who would believe I did it because I don't like you; no one. They'll believe you tried to hurt me. They'll definitely believe that." Carol has had many awesome moments like this including a run in with Pete's son Sam who also wanted to kill his Father (Pete) for hitting his Mother (Jessie). Here is a cheer for Carol and her ability to be a chameleon, not losing herself in the process!

GLEN & NICHOLAS: Glen hasn't seemed to struggle with the idea of Alexandria this season as the others have. I love Glen because since he first appeared on screen in the first season of TWD he was always level headed. He's never overly emotional or out of control.  He has been that character for me that I wouldn't want to see come to an end or meet his death in an episode. Glen like Rick has the strong qualities of a leader being able to dictate what needs to be done because of his experience. Glen has struggled in the last couple of episodes as he's dealt with the death of Noah. Noah's death took place in TWD Season 5 Episode 14 "Spend". His death was sudden and cased by Nicholas who was selfish and a coward who only wanted to save himself and because of his actions Noah was ripped to pieces by zombies. Even in the mist of what happened Glen tried to show Nicholas mercy and warned him never to be outside the walls with anyone else again. Nicholas took that as a threat and decided he'd deal with Glen his own way. Nicholas shot Glen in the shoulders after Glen tailed him through the woods. Glen and Nicholas fought long and hard and even after Nicholas left Glen to be killed by zombies--Don't worry that didn't happen but it could have--Glen still forgave him and spared his life. As of the Finale episode we see Glen holding Nicholas up as they walk through the woods on their way home together.

DARYL & AARON: At first I didn't like Aaron at all. He was the one who originally tracked down  the group and convinced them to join Alexandria. It's taken me until TWD Finale to feel anything about Aaron other than suspicion. Aaron and Daryl really bonded in this episode "Conquer". I believe they have formed a strong partnership as they went out looking for others who will benefit the community of Alexandria. Aaron has helped Daryl feel at home by giving him something to do outside of the community. Daryl hasn't kept it a secret that he'd rather be on the outside because that's where he feels more at home and normal. Daryl, like the rest of the group, has been dealing with his new living situation the best he knows how and he's really put forth an attempt to try. Aaron and Daryl came across and brought back one of the most surprising but anticipated characters of TWD, Morgan. Yes that's right Morgan is now in Alexandria. The interaction between Rick and Morgan is one that I we'll be strongly anticipating for Season 6.

DEANNA , ALEXANDRIA & THE GROUP: We are leaving Season 5 with new threats, 'THE WOLVES' and a new hope that Rick, his group and the people of Alexandria will not be as defenseless as they have been.

At the beginning of the Finale we were all holding onto our seats as we watched Dianna hint around that she might cast Rick out of the community for his actions against Pete and the community. By the end of this Finale Rick demonstrated why the community needed him as he took on zombies that entered into the gates of Alexandria do to the negligence of Father Gabriel. Rick once again saved others because of his quick thinking and actions. As the town meeting was happening and as Rick was speaking with the community on the importance of being prepared, Pete entered waving a sword and in the process slit Dianna's husband's throat which prompted Dianna to ask Rick to handle Pete, in which Rick responded by shooting and killing him. This was one of the very last scenes of the Finale which leaves us to wonder how the community reacted to Rick's response of the situation and will we see a different Deanna in Season 6?

As for the rest of the group, Father Gabriel finally came to terms with his inner demons after trying to reflect his guilt of getting others killed on the group. Father Gabriel, Sasha and Maggie were in the church praying together, holding hands by the end of the Finale. Maggie also had to forgive Father Gabriel for his attempt to pin Deanna against the group. It felt like much needed healing as many of the characters rendered mercy to those who have wronged them. Eugene apologized to Abraham for lying to the group about a cure as they sat at Tara's bed side as she recovers from her earlier injuries. Rosita has been patching up everyone's wombs and staying at Tara's bedside. She's kept her head low for the second half of the season and has also adapted to her new home in Alexandria a little better than others but with the Wolves now officially being introduced in the season Finale I believe it's safe to say that peace and harmony for Alexandria may only be but for a brief and I mean a really brief moment in time. -Monica/TVandPopcorn

The Walking Dead has me on the edge of my seat again! I've held my breath as I watched the Rick vs. Pete fight on THE WALKING DEAD'S S5E15 'TRY'. I've been reading across social media about the episode and see many people stating how they thought Rick was wrong and that he is losing his mind again but I stand with those who feel Rick along with Carol and Sasha may be the very ones who are thinking straight. With all that the groups has been through I can't really blame Rick for feeling the way he feels. I feel like Deanne has picked the wrong time to consider or regret the fact that she invited Rick and the group to Alexandria which is something Rick has been trying to warn her about the whole time. Initially when Rick stepped foot into Alexandria the biggest dummy on the face of the earth could tell he'd been fighting for his life. Rick was completely opposed to going to Alexandria but was convinced by others in the group, most of all Michonne.  Deanna didn't invite the group in based on their good posture and lack of issues but it was very clear to her from the beginning that she was letting in a damaged group who was use to not trusting in anyone. I completely agree that it's Deanna and the people of Alexandria who will eventually perish due to their own ignorance and willingness to close their eyes to the issues they should be addressing and I feel that's what Rick was trying to address with them all before Michonne knocked him out.

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 5 FINALE: Rick may be punished in some way due to his actions against Pete. Dianne has stated that she knew the whole time that Pete has been beating on Jessie (Pete's wife). Pete has proven to be out of control and he did attack Rick first. Rick could have killed Pete but he didn't. I do believe Rick was trying to do things Deanna's way. It appears that a new threat is on the rise. Who will survive the finale? Will they be begging for Rick's help in the end? I believe that once you've been through and survived as much as Rick and the group have, above all else you have to listen to your gut instinct and the instincts of both Rick, Carol and Sasha are warning them of something and hopefully it's enough and just in time to keep as many people alive as possible. -Monica/TVandPopcorn

We can all take a lesson from THE LAST MAN ON EARTH'S  Carol on how to keep life moving forward as normal as possible when you're presumed to be the last man and woman on earth. Carol prepared Phil a special dinner in honor of their wedding. What's for dinner; spaghetti and raisin balls! Even as I type this, the thought of it makes me cringe but it was quite humorous. Carol said to Phil "I'm the kind of gal who tries to make the best of things and since meat balls will never ever exist again, I said Carol get your hands up, grab some raisin and you smash them into a ball girl." So, if you ever find yourself stranded or you just so happen to be the last man or woman on earth without any meat, take a page from Carol's cook book and make the best of things, and with that said hopefully you'll have some raisins! (LOL)

MY THOUGHTS ON THE SHOW: From the moment I heard about or saw the previews for FOX'S 'THE LAST MAN ON EARTH' I wanted to see it because I wondered how the show would be with just one man. Also it appeared to be something that would give me a good laugh and that it does but I didn't imagine that it would be just one man and then there would be one woman, or two. After episode two of season one "Spaghetti Balls and Wedding Bells" all though funny, with the reveal that there is another woman coming into the picture other than Carol I fear the show will turn into a one man with many women circus. Already Carol is talking about procreation but not before she talked Phil into having a wedding ceremony in a church, with no people, no preacher, just her voice on a recorder as the wedding officiant rendering pauses so they could both say their vows. Phil had much hesitation about going through the whole ordeal with Carol; mainly because he thought she was crazy to want to go through such things when no one else exists--to their knowledge. Shortly after the wedding and as a few days go by Phil realizes that Carol isn't so bad and right in the moment of that acknowledgment they run into another woman, literally, they ran into her with their car. Seemingly the only three people in the whole world and still they manage to get into a car accident; WOW! With that said, in my opinion, I feel the show is moving too fast. I really wasn't expecting another woman or person to come into the picture so soon but hey, it's only the second episode. As the season goes on we'll surly know where the writes plan to take THE LAST MAN ON EARTH and I'm hoping it's not along the lines of starting a family with multiple women. GEEZE! -Monica/TVandPopcorn

Hey leave me a comment if you decide to try SPAGHETTI and RAISIN BALLS ;-)!

Scandal fans have always had their own opinion about how the show should go as if they were the writers themselves, but nothing set the fans off more than Scandal's Season 4 Episode 14 "The Lawn Chair". THE LAWN CHAIR literally pinned fan against fan as some commended Shonda Rimes and her team of writers and actors for the heartfelt episode while others stated that for the first time they were turning the channel.

SCANDAL S4E14 THE LAWN CHAIR: This episode hit home for many Americans and even those who are in other countries who have kept up with the news over the last year as we've dealt with police and civilian misconduct especially in the real life case of Michael Brown (a black teenager) who was gunned down by white Officer, Darren Wilson. In a similar fashion Scandal's 'The Lawn Chair' depicted a black teenager, Brandon Parker, shot and killed by a white police officer. The father, Clarence Parker, (in the show) sat over his son's body in a lawn chair holding a shot gun demanding to know which officer killed his son and why. Clarence was convinced that his son was wrongfully shot and killed and by the end of the episode his theory was proven right by Olivia Pope and her Gladiators. The police officer (in the show), Officer Newton, was depicted as first being hurt by what he'd done and his defense was that he feared for his life as Brandon Parker pulled a knife. Later on Officer Newton showed his true motive and emotions behind it by stating that the black people of that neighborhood and surrounding areas don't show the offers any respect. He felt disrespected and stated that Brandon, the teen he shot down, should have done as he was told. It was later discovered that Newton planted the knife on Brandon after fatally shooting him. The episode ended with Officer Newton getting arrested and being charged for the murder of Brandon after planting false evidence and Brandon's father, Clarence Parker, putting down his shot gun, leaving his son's body, the riot of on lookers and activist to visit the white house, meeting and being sadly consoled by President Fitz. 

FANS ARE SPLIT: I've read many comments and opinions on this episode. I've seen where fans were really upset that they had to think about the reality that this episode depicts while other fans were happy the topic was put on display on the show.

MY PERSONAL OPINION: I agree with many fans who felt like Scandal did what every other show does, and that is depicting real life situations. I didn't mind the episode at all. After all, I was one of the show's viewers who would have stopped watching Scandal had it continued on its story line before the Season 4 Mid-Season Finale which was 'THE LOVE TRIANGLE'. After this latest episode it made me wonder if Shonda wanted more for her show other than a women constantly going back and forth between the bed of two men and one of those men being married and the President. Now all of a sudden Scandal is going down--why; let some fans tell it, because the SEX isn't good anymore LMBO! Do I fault Shonda and her team of writers for leading the fans on by giving them good sex and chemistry and then withdrawing? Yes! The fans were given something completely different in the first half of Season 4 and then Shonda Land went and got real on them, taking away their fantasy of Olitz and Olake. Now those fans who have been affected by this withdrawal are feeling some kind of way about the show actually becoming interesting and tackling a deeper storyline. It seems like Shonda Land had a change of heart in their direction or maybe this is just a fork in the road; we'll see soon enough I'm sure. As for 'THE LAWN CHAIR' if only justice was as swift and sweet as depicted on the show then it wouldn't have been so painful to watch. The reality I feel is that we all need to start dealing with OURSELVES; be TRUTHFUL with OURSELVES and deal with our INNER DEMONS. When we look at ourselves in the mirror and address our issues and hatreds and negativity, this to me is the beginning of change. What I'm saying is nothing fancy and of course it has been said countless times before but change truly starts at home before we even walk out our door! -Monica/TVandPopcorn