Page 11 – Movie TV Tech Geeks News

Facebook 2021: All you need to know from basics to advanced

Curt Johnson

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June 16, 2021

Facebook 2021: All you need to know from basics to advanced

For our sixth talk about social media for Wellness In the Woods, we focused on the basics of Facebook, especially since it’s made some major changes since 2020. This covers all the basics for the beginner to more advanced so there’s something for everyone to learn. Social media changes constantly, so we have started from the ground up so as not to miss any of the exciting new changes Facebook has added.

You can read all of our articles on this here along with downloading our books in PDF format so you can read those offline. This section will continue growing so keep checking back.

About Facebook

Facebook is the internet’s most widely used social network, with nearly 3 billion people using it to connect with friends and family, as well as meet new people. Its stated mission is to make the world “more open and connected” by connecting people and facilitating communication between them.

People use Facebook to create personal profiles, add other users as “Facebook friends” and share information with them in myriad ways. How Facebook works can be a bit mysterious to new users, but it’s all about communication, so learning the network’s core communication tools is essential.

After signing up and adding friends, people communicate with some or all of their Facebook friends by sending private, semi-private, or public messages. Messages can take the form of a “status update” (also called a “post”), a private Facebook message, a comment about or reply to a friend’s post or status, or a quick click of the Like button to show support for a friend’s update or a company’s Facebook page.

Once they learn Facebook, most users share all kinds of content—photos, videos, music, news articles, and more. They also join Facebook Groups to communicate with like-minded people whom they otherwise might not know. After growing familiar with how Facebook works, most people also use special Facebook applications that are available to plan events, play games, and engage in other activities.

New Facebook Account Set Up

The first step in using Facebook is to sign up and get a new Facebook account. Go to www.facebook.com on any web browser, select Create New Account, and fill out the form. You should give your real first and last name along with your email address. Select Sign Up at the bottom when you’re done.

Facebook will send a message to the email address you provided with a link asking you to confirm your email address. You’ll need to do this if you want full access to Facebook’s features.

You will also be told to choose a unique password for your account.

HUGE TIP: DO NOT use the same password for Facebook that you use for your e-mail, bank account or credit card accounts as Facebook is famous for users getting hacked. Hackers know that most people will use the same password for everything so they will use your Facebook password to hack into your e-mail (assuming you used the same one) and then filter through your e-mails to find bank account and credit card info.

Back in 2008, this happened to me where hackers actually were able to temporarily lock me out of my e-mail account along with taking my domains through GoDaddy. That took a week to get fixed, and I learned a huge lesson about passwords.

Your Facebook Timeline and Profile

After signing up for Facebook, skip the next part where it asks to import your email contacts to help build your friend list. You can do that later. First, you should fill out your Facebook profile before you start connecting with friends, so they’ll have something to see when you send them a “friend request.”

Facebook calls its profile area your Timeline because it arranges your life in chronological order and displays a running list of your activities on Facebook. At the top of the Timeline is a large horizontal banner image that Facebook calls your “cover” photo. Inset below it is an area reserved for a smaller, round “profile” picture of you. You can upload the image of your choice; until you do, a shadowy avatar will appear.

Your Timeline page is also where you can upload basic biographical information about yourself like education, work, hobbies, interests. Relationship status is a big deal on Facebook, too, though you don’t have to publicize your relationship status if you don’t feel like it. This Timeline/profile area is where other people will go to check you out on Facebook, it’s also where you can go to check out your friends because each of them has a Timeline/profile page.

Personalize Your Profile

Odds are pretty high that you share a name with someone already on Facebook which is why personalizing your profile is important. Friends and family members can find you much easier this way.

You can add a profile picture, cover photo (which Facebook will help you crop as you want), personal information like where you live and your hobbies. If you’re interested in using your account for social media influencing, listing your passions and hobbies (or what you would like to do as a social media influencer) for others to find you easier, including brands and companies.

Profile & Cover Photo

Picking the right photo can be of utmost importance, especially for social media influencers. You want to make sure to choose one that perfectly represents your brand.

QUICK TIP: It’s better to have a large photo to shrink down than to have a small picture as it will only pixelate and look blurry if it’s made larger.

Find and Connect With Friends on Facebook

After filling out your profile, you can start adding friends by sending them a “friend request” via an internal Facebook message or to their email address if you know it. If they accept your friend request, their name and a link to their profile/Timeline page will automatically appear on your list of Facebook friends. Facebook offers various ways to find friends, including a scan of your existing email contact list if you grant access to your email account.

Searching for individuals by name is another option. Our Facebook search tutorial explains how Facebook search works, so you can look for people you know on Facebook. As soon as you have a few friends and have “liked” some companies, organizations, comments, or products, then Facebook’s automated friend recommendation tool will kick in and start showing you links to “people you may know.” If you recognize their face when their profile image appears on your Facebook page, you can just click the link to send them a friend request.

Organize Your Facebook Friends

Once you have a lot of friend connections, it’s a good idea to organize your Facebook friends into lists, so you can send different types of messages to different groups. The Facebook friends list feature is a great way to manage your friends to accomplish that.

You can also choose to hide Facebook friends whose messages you don’t really want to see; the hide feature allows you to maintain your Facebook friendship with someone while keeping their messages from cluttering up your daily stream of Facebook updates. It’s really useful for dealing with friends who publish minutia of their lives.

Facebook News Feed

When each user signs in, they are shown a homepage containing a personalized stream of information that Facebook calls the “news feed” or “stream;” it’s full of information posted by their friends and the groups or organizations they follow. The news feed appears in the middle column of the homepage. You can always return to your personal homepage by the Profile icon indicated by your name in the upper left and righter corners.

In the news feed are posts or status updates that a user’s friends have posted to the network, typically shown only to their Facebook friends. Each user sees a different news feed based on who their friends are and what those friends are posting. The feed can include more than just text messages; it can also contain photos, videos, and links to all sorts of content and articles. But the main point is that this stream of updates on your homepage is all about your friends and what they’re posting.

Public Pages

Facebook users can follow public pages to get updates about their activity. For social media influencers or if you’re looking for groups to join, this is a great resource as you’ll be able to get updates about their activity.

You can just use Facebook’s search function (at the upper left hand top of the page) to find your favorite celebs, shows, movies or LGBTQ+ groups and follow them.

WORD OF WARNING: Make sure that the group or page is verified as many fans or spammers create fake accounts of public figures.

Facebook Stories

Stories is Facebook’s name for a different stream of information about your friends. Instead of status updates or posts, Stories shows your friends’ published Stories, just like on Instagram and Snapchat. They’re usually a few seconds of video or still photos. You can create your own Facebook story by selecting the Plus icon in the upper-right corner, and then selecting Story.

Posts and Messenger

Communication is the heartbeat of Facebook (there’s even a Facebook Portal device that allows you to share video communications with your friends) and takes place in various forms, including three major ones:

A “post” is what Facebook calls a message or bit of content that you share via the publishing box that says “What’s on your mind?” The publishing box appears at the top of both your homepage and Timeline page. People use posts to communicate their activities, post links to news stories, share photos and videos, and comment on life in general.

Messenger is Facebook’s name for its instant messaging system. You can engage in real-time, private conversation with any of your Facebook friends who happen to be online and signed in at the same time as you are. The Facebook Messages box is on the lower right side of the interface and contains a small green dot next to “Chat.” Selecting it will open the chat box and show a green dot next to the name of friends who happen to be signed into Facebook at that time. Facebook Chat has a gear icon with settings you can change to determine who can see that you’re online and when.

How Facebook Privacy Works

Facebook lets each user control who can see their personal information and each bit of content they post to the network. There are global settings that every user should tweak for their personal privacy comfort level when they first start using Facebook.

There are also individual controls through the audience selector button below the publishing box. For example, you can apply to change the viewing permission for posts on a case-by-case basis. You might want to let only your closest friends see some of your more wild or ridiculous activities, for example, while keeping those hidden from your work colleagues or dear old Mom. You can even control whose updates you see on your timeline by removing friends or snoozing their updates.

To set is up for your own security while also controlling who you see your profile and information, just click on the ‘Settings & Privacy’ option.

You will then click on the ‘Privacy option to make the changes you want. Facebook has finally gotten much better at spelling out what each thing does so you will find it easy to set to your satisfaction. What’s great is that you can control how other people can find you (if at all) along with how they can contact you.

‘A Quiet Place II’ bounces back holding ‘In the Heights’ back

George Cando

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June 13, 2021

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‘A Quiet Place II’ bounces back holding ‘In the Heights’ back

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s critically acclaimed adaptation of “In the Heights” didn’t muster the same enthusiasm in the theaters as it did on stage for Warner Bros. It still made it to the second spot on the box office charts though. “A Quiet Place II” pushed its way back to the top spot.

Hollywood was expecting a bigger splash in movie theaters this weekend, but the below-expectation debut of “In the Heights” dampened studio’s hopes of a swift or smooth recovery at the summer box office.

Jon M. Chu’s exuberant adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical opened with a modest $11.4 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. Forecasts had ranged from $15-$20 million. The release of “In the Heights” — a lavish song-and-dance musical accompanied by glowing reviews from critic s and considered a milestone movie for Latinos — was widely seen as a cultural event.

Based on the 2008 Broadway show, “In the Heights” is set during a sweltering summer in Manhattan’s lively neighborhood of Washington Heights and centers on a bodega owner named Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who discovers that his mom-and-pop stop-and-shop has sold a winning lottery ticket. The ensemble cast also includes Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkins and Olga Merediz. Quiara Alegría Hudes, who wrote the book of the musical, penned the screenplay. “In the Heights” carries a $55 million production budget.

On opening weekend, though, the Warner Bros. release narrowly missed the top spot. Instead, “A Quiet Place Part II” edged it with $11.7 million in its third weekend of release. (It’s close enough that the order could flip when final figures are released Monday.) On Friday, John Krasinski’s thriller — playing only in theaters — became the first film of the pandemic to reach $100 million domestically. Its cumulative total is $109 million.

Sony’s “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway,” a film originally planned to open around Easter 2020, also opened softly, debuting with an estimated $10.4 million

After a string of good box office weekends, the opening of “In the Heights” was a reminder of the challenges of the marketplace. Most theaters are operating at reduced capacities to allow social distancing. Canada’s theaters are largely closed. And getting crowds to come out for a movie that was simultaneously streaming on HBO Max, as “In the Heights” was, adds another complication.

The lower than expected commercial reception for “In the Heights” is puzzling some because critics embraced the joyous film, showering it with some of the best reviews of the pandemic era. Moreover, Warner Bros. put substantial marketing heft behind the picture, and director Jon M. Chu and Miranda devoted a great deal of energy into promoting the movie, which compensated for the fact that its cast was comprised of mostly unknown stars and emerging actors.

Though it’s impossible to know the full impact, the film’s hybrid release on HBO Max likely affected its box office business. However, that’s not the sole reason that inaugural ticket sales for “In the Heights” were underwhelming. Recent Warner Bros. releases like “Godzilla vs. Kong,” “Mortal Kombat” and “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” still pulled in solid receipts despite being offered simultaneously on streaming. But, as audiences slowly make their way back to theaters, box office charts have indicated that people are more inclined to show up for properties with higher brand recognition. Though the Tony Award-winning “In the Heights” isn’t an original property like “La La Land” or “The Greatest Showman,” it’s not as well-known as Miranda’s other musical sensation “Hamilton,” or even “Rent,” “Les Miserables” or “Cats.”

Starring a mostly fresh-face cast including Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Corey Hawkins and Leslie Grace, “In the Heights” didn’t have the star power of musicals such as “Mamma Mia!” to give it a boost. Miranda, who performed the lead on Broadway, ceded the part to Ramos. Miranda plays a minor role.

Instead, the film will depend on strong word of mouth (it received an “A” CinemaScore from audiences) to propel a long run in theaters. Its hopeful comparison would be a movie like 2017′s “The Greatest Showman,” which opened to $18.8 million but held firmly for months, ultimately grossing $174.3 million in the U.S. and Canada.

“We always thought that the movie has to do the heavy lifting,” said Jeff Goldstein, distribution chief for Warner Bros. “Even though it came in at a lighter level than we had expected, we’re proud of the movie that’s there and over time the hope is that we can get an audience to sample the movie and tell their friends to.”

Warner Bros., as is standard throughout the industry, didn’t release viewing data for “In the Heights” on HBO Max. The studio’s day-and-date approach, planned to last through the end of the year, has been much-debated. But previous Warner releases — particularly “Godzilla vs. Kong” (which managed a $32.2 million three-day opening in early April ) and last week’s No. 1 film, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” ( a $24 million debut ) — performed solidly while also being available in the home. The “Conjuring” sequel added $10 million in its second weekend.

HBO Max, Goldstein said, couldn’t be blamed for any disappointing results for “In the Heights.”

“Our experience, which is backed up on ‘In the Heights,’ is that if the movie hits a high level in theaters, it hits a high level on the service,” said Goldstein. “If it hits a low level in theaters, it hits a low level on HBO Max. They’re really very comparable.”

Box office prognosticators believe “In the Heights” can find an audience over the summer, similar to the box office sleeper hit that was the 2017 musical “The Greatest Showman.” The Fox movie debuted to a muted $8.8 million, but audiences fell in love with the soundtrack and Hugh Jackman’s charisma and returned to theaters over and over again. It tapped out with $174 million domestically and $438 million globally, a huge result. While “In the Heights” isn’t expected to reach those box office heights, it doesn’t have much competition on the horizon and could continue to play on the big screen.

“Musicals are crowd-pleasers,” says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “When they connect, they’re capable of playing for weeks, generating strong multiples.” He adds that reviews and audience ratings are “outstanding.”

Last weekend, Disney’s “Cruella” may have also made a somewhat muted arrival in theaters because it opened at the same time on Disney+, for $30. In its second weekend, “Cruella” earned $6.7 million, bringing its total to $56 million.

“In the Heights” had originally been set to open in June of last year. The studio and filmmakers, believing its impact would be felt most powerfully in theaters, opted to wait for cinemas to reopen. Ahead of release, Warner put its marketing weight behind the film. Oprah Winfrey hosted a virtual block party for the film. On Wednesday, the film opened the Tribeca Festival with a yellow carpet premiere and screenings scattered throughout New York.

Regardless of box office, “In the Heights” is the rare bigger-budget spectacle film to feature a predominantly Latino cast. Though Latinos make up one of the largest groups of regular moviegoers (accounting for as much as 29% of tickets sold) their representation in Hollywood is still a fraction of that. According to audience surveys, about 40% of the opening-weekend audience for “In the Heights” was Hispanic.

The director Chu has previously helmed a breakthrough release for Asian Americans in 2018′s “Crazy Rich Asians,” which opened to $26.5 million over three days and then kept a multi-week lock on the box office. Recalling that — or perhaps sensing that “In the Heights” wasn’t going to debut like a blockbuster — Chu urged people to “vote with their wallets” by supporting the film.

“Even ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ you couldn’t really tell. It was only the second weekend when people started coming back and the third weekend when people who didn’t go to the movies started to come,” said Chu a week ahead of release. “Buying tickets to this thing — putting your money where your mouth is — was the democratic statement that no studio could make up.”

“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do it,” currently in its second weekend in theaters, fell to No. 4 with $10 million from 3,237 venues. That brings its domestic tally to $43.7 million. Like Warner Bros.’ entire 2021 slate, the film is also playing on HBO Max for a month. Overseas, where HBO Max has yet to launch, the latest “Conjuring” entry has made $68 million for a worldwide haul of $11.8 million.

Rounding out the top five is Disney’s “Cruella.” The “101 Dalmatians” prequel, starring Emma Stone as the eventual puppy-snatching villain, nabbed another $6.7 million from 3,307 locations. After three weeks on the big screen, “Cruella” has pulled in $56 million in the U.S. and $73.3 million internationally. It’s currently available to Disney Plus subscribers for a $30 rental fee.

The domestic box office still faces many obstacles as it attempts to bounce back from COVID-19. Those speed bumps include hesitation among some consumers, the ongoing theater closures in Canada, capacity restrictions in U.S. venues that have reopened, and increased competition from Disney Plus, HBO Max and other streaming services. Still, there are several of would-be summer blockbusters on the horizon — “F9,” “Black Widow” and “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” to name a few — that should help to revitalize the movie theater industry.

“The recovery is going to come in waves,” says Gross. “It’s not going to be a straight line.”

North America Box Office

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Box office number courtesy of Box Office Mojo.

1. “A Quiet Place II,” $11.7 million.

2. “In the Heights,” $11.4 million.

3. “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runawy,” $10.4 million.

4. “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” $10 million.

5. “Cruella,” $6.7 million.

6. “Spirit Untamed,” $2.5 million.

7. “The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 3,” $1.1 million.

8. “Wrath of Man,” $615,000.

9. “Queen Bees,” (Re-release) $328,300.

10. “Spiral,” $305,000.

11. “12 Mighty Orphans,” $254,314.

12. “Raya and the Last Dragon,” $185,000.

13. “Dream Horse,” $97,194.

14. “The Croods: A New Age,” $65,000.

15. “Nobody,” $20,000.

‘Walker’ Brings the Heartbreak with A Tale of Two Families 1.12

Lynn Zubernis

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May 24, 2021

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‘Walker’ Brings the Heartbreak with A Tale of Two Families 1.12

Last week’s “Walker” episode (‘A Tale of Two Families’) was hard to watch at times. That’s not a criticism though – the show has explored grief since its start, and the reason I appreciate that exploration is because it’s done well enough to feel real. This episode, thanks to some stellar acting by Jared Padalecki especially, felt very real. And that was hard to watch.

There were a few scenes that were hard to watch for a different reason that wasn’t quite as welcome, but mostly, I came to the end of the episode feeling gobsmacked, but that’s exactly how I was supposed to feel.

The episode was a little more innovative than the show has been so far, starting out with a beginning sequence that picks up where the last episode left off, Walker and Stella returning to the ranch. We see in little flashes a sequence play out of Clint and Trevor driving up, Clint holding a gun on Cordell as Stella screams ‘Dad! Liam runs out of the house to help, Cordell yells ‘Liam!’ – and Clint shoots him!

Walker Cordell and STella drive up in red Mustang to find Clint with gun.

Walker 1.12 Trevor driving up in truck to find daddy clint with gun.

Walker Clint pulling gun on Cordell and family 1.12.

That was quite a beginning!

We then get a flashback to 13 months ago, to the day that kicked off the trauma and loss we’ve seen the characters struggle with ever since. Emily loads up her car with bottles of water to take to the border. Augie asks if he can use her camera and she says she was hoping he’d pick it up – and we immediately realize why he’s followed up on that hope. It was one of the last things she said to her son, and the last wish she expressed for him.

Augie: What should I take a picture of?

Emily: (striking a pose): Something to remember me by!

Walker Augie taking very last picture of Emily before she dies.

Walker Emily striking last pose before dying 1.12.

Of course, she has no idea how poignant and prophetic her words are going to be.

Emily also kicks a ball around with Stella (Gen Padalecki putting her real-life sports skills to good use), asking her if she’s sure about playing basketball since she’s so good at soccer. Stella, too, has tried to follow her mother’s last expressed wishes by doing just that.

Emily and Cordell talk on the phone and she reminds him of game night and they trade ‘I love yous’ and ‘I love you more,”

Walker Cordell on very last phone call with dead wife Emily.

Walker Gen Padalecki on phone with Jared before getting killed off 1.12.

We see her last exchange with Bonham too, where he’s clearly concerned about her but doesn’t try to tell her not to go, just to drive safe. Abeline expresses her worry too, saying it’s a late start and should she be at the border alone. Emily tries to get her to come along, saying they can brainstorm ways to get Liam to move back there and have his wedding there. (How much guilt does Abeline feel about turning down that invitation now?)

Emily: Keep an eye on my kids for me?

Abeline: Always.

And she too has done that, kept her promise and Emily’s last expressed wish.

Emily drives off, leaving them behind, and we know she’ll never see them again. And that was hard. If you’ve ever lost someone unexpectedly, replaying that final goodbye that you didn’t know was the final goodbye is something that sticks with you for a long time.

Walker emily geting into truck that will kill her 1.12.

WAlker Abilene Bonham and kids waving as Emily drives off about to die.

The next scene is after Emily’s funeral, the family all dressed in black, Liam there with Bret. They sit awkwardly in the living room, no one knowing quite what to say, each experiencing their own grief. Cordell tries to be supportive of his kids in his own way, saying “your mom would probably tell a joke right now to make everyone more comfortable. What did the ghost say to the bee?”

Everyone: what?

Cordell: Boo bee.

They all laugh, and Stella tells a ‘dad’ joke too, and so does Liam. Cordell is quiet again, playing with his wedding ring, thinking about kissing Emily goodbye, trying to keep it together. Padalecki is so good at showing these shifts of emotion that are so realistic, just a nuanced change of expression on his face showing where his thoughts are going and how hard he’s working to try to not lose it.

Walker 1.12 Cordell sitting between Stella Augie at Emily funeral.

Walker Cordell going from laughing to hard cry.

Walker Cordell remembers kissing dead wife Emily in field.

He goes outside saying he’ll be right back, assuring everyone that he’s fine (he is not), and Jared Padalecki looks strikingly handsome wandering around outside in his fitted black suit. He also looks entirely lost, both the way the scene is filmed and the way Padalecki holds his body evoking loneliness and loss.

Cordell imagines Emily for the first time since he’s lost her, admonishing him.

Emily: You can’t walk out on them like that.

Walker Cordell breaking down with dead wife Emily.

Walker dead Emily tells Cordell not to walk out on Stella and Augie 1.12.

He protests that he doesn’t want them to see him like this, but she says they’re in pain too and that the only way through it is with them.

Cordell: But this wasn’t part of the plan, you weren’t supposed to die – it should’ve been me!

It was an emotional moment, and for fans of Jared’s character in “Supernatural,” it also felt like it could be Sam Winchester’s anguished protest too over Dean (Jensen Ackles).

Walker Jared Padalecki crying over Gen Emily dead.

Walker Gen Padalecki as Emily ghost at funeral.

Emily says that it happened anyway, and the only thing that matters is helping their kids. She asks him to promise her that he’s going to be there for them.

Cordell: I don’t know how. Emily, I don’t know what to do!

Emily: Do your best.

When you remember this is really Cordell talking to himself, his expression of all that self-doubt and anger, and his attempt to give himself a pep talk so he can do right by his kids, is really touching. And again, very realistic. When you lose a partner, your whole identity takes a hit, and it can leave you feeling like you don’t even know who you are let alone how to be there for children depending on you. I feel for him in this episode maybe more than in any of the previous ones. Gen Padalecki was also spot on bringing Emily to life (for real) in the flashbacks but also in portraying this part of Cordell’s psyche that’s trying to keep him afloat.

Walker Cordell in black suit from Emily funeral 1.12.

We skip to 11 months ago, Liam telling Bret that they want to make him partner but not seeming very happy about it.

Bret: No one takes good news worse than you do.

Liam is worried about his family in Austin, saying his brother hasn’t answered his phone, but he feels pressured to be in New York if he takes this job.

Bret: I appreciate what you’re doing for your family.

Liam: I could be doing better in the newly engaged fiancé department.

Bret reassures him that he’s not going anywhere. I miss Bret and Liam’s relationship, another casualty of the trauma this family has been through and how tangled up in lies and deception they all got because of it.

Walker Liam letting Bret know he loves him.

Walker LIam and Bret boyfriends enjoy holiday season.

Meanwhile, Stella and Augie wait for their dad to pick them up at school – he’s late again and apparently forgot about them twice already and ouch. That’s not okay, obviously, but it’s also an indication that Cordell is not coping with his wife’s death well at all.

Kids don’t miss anything – they have also noticed that he’s not sleeping and is working too much and shows up for breakfast in ‘last night’s clothes.’ They’re worried, and no doubt feeling neglected too, even more when they notice their grampa’s truck in the parking lot – and find their dad asleep in the truck. I’m tempted to say that at least he got there, he didn’t forget – he just collapsed in exhaustion. It’s still not okay, you have to find a way to be there for your children, but again I feel bad for Cordell. He looks absolutely worn thin.

Walker Cordell fast asleep in drivers seat while Augie and Stella watch sadly.

Stella, who does not have a license, drives them home, afraid he might pass out behind the wheel. Then she makes an impulsive adolescent decision, with more deception.

Stella: He needs a wake-up call, before we lose him too.

With Augie already out of the car, Stella slams the truck right into a hitching post on the lawn. Bonham and Abilene run out, asking what happened.

Bonham: Cordell, did you fall asleep at the wheel?! Are you out of your mind? Damn, son!

Cordell is flustered and upset, not knowing what happened and clearly terrified and guilt stricken that he might have put his kids in danger, and I honestly felt so bad for him.

Walker Bonham reacts to Cordell falling asleep in truck.

Walker Cordell shocked he fell asleep and ran over post.

Later Bonham finds him asleep on his couch and wakes him not very kindly, saying they need to talk.

Bonham: That hitching post has been standing for generations. My dad hitched his horse to it. Shame one of our own knocked it down.

Cordell hangs his head, ashamed.

And honestly, my heart broke for him. Is it okay to not pick up your kids at school? No. Does he need help? Clearly. But guilt trips and shaming are not the way to help someone who’s broken by their own grief and floundering badly.

WAlker Cordell ashamed of having family intervention 1.12 Jared Padalecki

It’s clear he’s walking into an intervention – which is the kids, his parents, Liam, Captain James and for some reason, Stan.

They say they’re all worried about him, that they know how hard it’s been but that he’s been burning it at both ends and that can’t happen again. The understanding turns to confrontation fairly quickly, though. Stella lies and says that he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed the truck, and Cordell looks stricken.

Cordell: I’m so sorry.

Captain James also criticizes him for looking into what happened to Emily that night, calling in favors on a case that’s closed. And again, okay, it’s his captain’s role to supervise that sort of thing, but come on, it’s his wife! (And we now know he was right to keep digging)

Everyone tells him this cannot go on, and Walker can’t take it on top of how messed up he already is by Emily’s death. It felt like a lot for me just watching it on my tv screen.

Walker Bonham reacts to Cordell not doing well after Emilys death.

Walker Abilene reacts to Cordell going undercover.

Walker James family sitting on couch arms crossed watching tv not talking.

Walker family sitting down having family meeting.

Cordell: Maybe it’s best if I get out of here for a while. I can’t be putting you in danger. The look on all of your faces right now… You mentioned a job out of town?

Stella and Augie protest that they need him there, but Cordell (perhaps understandably even if it isn’t the right decision for his kids) just wants to escape.

Cordell: Right now, they’re better off with you, mama. I’ll be back – a couple of weeks, promise.

He runs away, takes some pills, takes off his wedding ring. He looks at himself in the mirror and Emily confronts him.

Emily: Makes sense getting to be somebody else, run away from your problems. You can take your wedding ring off now, can’t have anyone knowing about me. What’s your new persona. Bachelor? Widower? Coward?

Walker Cordell looking at medicine trying to get into Duke character.

Walker Crystal walks in on Cordell as Duke.

Despite his doubts and self-recriminations, we see Walker putting on the clothes he wore as Duke, and we know he stayed away a lot longer than a couple of weeks. Now we know part of why.

Next, it’s 5 months ago, Liam in his old bedroom, Stella pleading with him to let her go to New York with him, saying her dad would never let her go but he’s away for who knows how long.

Stella: I can stay with you and Bret. You need my help with the wedding playlist. I really need to not be here.

Liam: I love you, but your place is here with your family.

Stella: But you’re family too.

Walker Stella telling gay uncle Liam hes part of family too.

It’s a sad conversation, and a reminder of how lost Stella was after her mother died and her father, in her mind I’m sure, abandoned her too. Like father like daughter, Stella wants an escape of her own – and she later finds it for a while with Trevor.

She’s not the only one who’s suffering, more than we knew.

Next, we see Bonham at his doctor’s office getting news he didn’t expect – prostate cancer. It hasn’t spread to any other organs and the type of cancer has a high survival rate the doctor says – if you’re proactive with treatment. Bonham doesn’t seem to be on that page, however, saying this is not news he wants to share right now.

More deception. The guy’s family must feel like it’s falling apart, and I get he doesn’t want to put any more on them but ignoring this is not going to make things any better! Instead, he goes to the hardware store, full of Christmas stuff and merry Christmas music playing, and punches the guy who Abeline had the affair with, leaving with a sarcastic “Merry Christmas.”

Ouch.

WAlker Bonham punches guy Abilene slept with at Christmas store.

Meanwhile, Stella is hanging out with her friends, pouring from a flask of alcohol into their drinks, some playing video games. Stella is spiraling, upset that her uncle Liam, who she’s been leaning on so much, is heading back to New York. She freaks out when another teenager is about to beat the high score on one game, telling him to go play another game and finally physically trying to prevent him from winning. In the scuffle, Stella falls and hits her head – but we see that “High Score – Emily” is still there, and that’s all she cares about, preserving any little thing of her mother that she can.

Liam cancels his return to New York and picks up Stella at the hospital, since he’s her emergency contact. He shows her something he did impulsively as a teenager, someone’s initials tattooed on his chest.

Liam: I had to wear a turtleneck during a heat wave. And if I’m staying, keep this between us.

He says he and Bret will figure it out, that corporate mergers seem trivial compared to family, at least until her father gets back. Her uncle holds her, and Stella sinks into it, very much in need of parenting – and hugs.

Walker Liam shows Stella a bad tattoo choice on his neck.

Abeline comes home late to find the fireplace roaring, the Christmas tree, more Christmas music – and Bonham.

Abeline: You didn’t have to wait up.

Bonham: I saw Gary. I figured you’d see him later, so wanted to give him my thoughts on the matter.

Abeline: I ended it. With everything that’s going on, best if we were together for now.

Bonham has a moment of looking hopeful.

Bonham: For a second, I thought you fell back in love with me.

Walker Mitch Pileggi as Bonham with Abilene at Christmas time tree.

Wow show, how much heartache can you put into 42 minutes? Like I said, this was hard to watch at times.

Liam tells his parents he decided to stay through the holidays, and it’s just lies lies lies all through this family that on the outside seems so perfect. That’s a pretty realistic thing to depict, and it gives the show more depth and a genuineness that I really like, but it’s a lot to take in.

They finish decorating the tree, asking whether a star or an angel should go on top, and the kids say a star, that reminds them of their dad.

Ouch.

We jump again to 2 months ago, Micki when she was still a police officer and not a Ranger, siren on to pursue a jeep speeding. The woman driving says she always did have a lead foot, and comments that it was smart of her boss to send a woman, that she can tell her boss is a man by her nonverbals. The two women banter, both trying to get the upper hand, and Crystal shares that she was on her way to see her son and got a bit lost in it – that she’s been out of town, probably working too much.

As always, something that’s pretty much the truth has an impact, and Micki doesn’t give her a ticket.

Micki: Your son probably wants you back in one piece.

Crystal: Thanks for being human about it.

Walker Micki giving Crystal a warning for speeding.

Micki is paying attention though, noting the license plate, the bank pamphlets in her car, and that they’re at the Odessa Rodeo Grounds. There has been a string of robberies near rodeos state wide, and Micki is suspicious. Her boss, however, is not happy that she’s taking initiative and contacted DPS when he had her on traffic duty.

Boss: You’re an A student, but no one likes it when you try to teach the class. Stay in your lane.

Walker Micki called out for trying to hard in class.

Micki does not. She goes to Crystal’s house and finds a different license plate on the jeep. She confronts Crystal, who doesn’t get rattled and has excuses for the plate change and why she stopped driving for the night before going to see her son.

Meanwhile, inside the house Duke is pacing restlessly, having beers and conversation with Clint and trying to convince Clint that he’s loyal enough to be part of their crime family. (And looking pretty adorable).

Clint: I’ve been thinking about letting you in, but I have questions. I never can remember where you came from.

‘Duke’ uses what seems to be a bit of Hoyt’s actual backstory about working the oil fields outside of Lubbock and Hilltop before that, but Clint says he’s got a friend doing time there who doesn’t seem to remember him. There’s a gun on the table between them and Clint spins it to point toward Duke. Duke holds it together though.

Duke: Too bad. Sorry I didn’t make an impression.

He then uses the same strategy that keeps working for everyone – he tells a little bit of truth.

Duke: I lost my wife down at the border. I was on the phone with her when I heard the shots. Not sure if you’ve ever gone through anything like that, but I had to get away from that place, and just become someone else. I don’t know if that makes sense to you.

Clint: It might.

Walker Clint trusting Cordell undercover as Duke.

Walker undercover Duke gets in to Clints trust.

He’s getting through to Clint, who for the first time is portrayed as human in this episode. I even felt for him a little, especially once he believes Duke and seems to very much want to create a sort of found family around him and Crystal and Trevor. It’s also a little heartbreaking that Duke shares about the loss of his wife and asks if Clint has ever gone through anything like that – since we know he will lose Crystal very soon and a little of it will be on Duke’s shoulders.

They’re interrupted by noticing Micki talking to Crystal outside and Duke sees his opportunity to prove his loyalty, grabbing the gun from the table and raising it, seemingly prepared to shoot Ramirez.

Duke: Do I pull the trigger, or is that gonna bring too much heat down on us? Depends on how close we are to that robbery…

Clint reluctantly admits that “you got balls”.

WAlker Cordell pulling gun in front of Clint 1.12.

Outside, Micki tells Crystal she doesn’t have to do whatever she’s planning.

Micki: Your son must be dying to see you.

Crystal: Not sure I should be taking advice from someone who didn’t bring a warrant. Maybe you should think about a change in profession.

Micki leaves – and Crystal is kind of right, Ramirez wasn’t exactly following procedure when she went to Crystal’s house to confront her without any warrant and against orders. That kind of thing can be a slippery slope in law enforcement, allowing for bad things to happen to people who don’t deserve it.

Anyway, she leaves, and Crystal comes inside. Duke hands the gun back to Clint.

Duke: So, you gonna tell me about this bank we’re gonna rob?

Clint laughs and says yes, but Crystal is not so sure, saying she has a bad feeling and that Ramirez was following her.

Crystal: What about our boy? I want him to have a father when this is done.

Clint: All I wanna do is lasso the moon for you. Let me try, one last time? Whaddya say, Duke? You’re in the inner circle now, so weigh in.

Walker Crystall worried about their son if Clint robs again.

Walker Clint trying to prove to Crystal its just one last robbery.

Duke does. He says Clint always treated his crew like family, so why push it – but that they’re this close, so “I say we stay the course.”

Clint: One last score and we get to see our boy. Go anywhere we want.

It’s actually a pretty sad scene, and I’m not sure how Cordell could not feel guilty about his part in convincing them to pull that last robbery that got Crystal killed. I understand why he would have wanted them to commit the crime that will get them caught and keep innocent bystanders out of danger, but there was indecision there and he had the influencing vote.

Walker reacts to Crystal getting killed in robbery.

Walker Cordell as Duke THe Rodeo Kings robbery bandits.

The Rodeo Kings are one of the least believable elements of this show for me – too over the top sometimes and almost romanticized with their Bonnie and Clyde vibe of robbing banks “for love and family”.

Back at the police station, Captain James comes to ask Ramirez a few questions about her special request for surveillance. Her boss says he told her to stay in her lane, and Captain James seems to agree, telling Micki he’s been bored at his job too – next time try Sudoku.

Micki has a hunch though and goes after him, asking if she was close to discovering anything.

James: No, I chase down meaningless traffic stops during my lunch hour…

Walker James talking to Micki A Tale of Two Families.

Micki smiles and then there’s a call – bank robbery in progress. It’s the robbery we’ve seen before, Crystal shot but insisting she’s fine, that they’re almost home free. Cordell helps her to the car and hits the ground, seemingly getting arrested.

Captain James fills him in after, saying that Crystal Strand died, and Jaxon and Clint were arrested. Cordell looks traumatized himself.

Cordell: I lost too much of myself at the end there.

James: That’s on me.

Cordell: No, this is on me. I don’t have any idea what I’m walking into (going home). I don’t have any idea WHO I’m walking in as. How do I not take this with me?

James: Do what you did here at first. Just pretend for a little while. Start with letting go.

Walker back after failed bank robbery leaves him handcuffed.

He hands Cordell the key, and he unlocks his handcuffs.

Flash to Trevor at the cabin with his Aunt Harriett, practicing his roping, hoping to join his father on the rodeo circuit. He’s waiting for his parents, saying he’s been packed for two days, and you can feel his excitement and anticipation, which is pretty damn heartbreaking too – I feel like I’m overusing that word, but I keep coming back to it anyway.

A trooper shows up instead, giving Harriet the bad news that there was a bank robbery, and then turns to Trevor.

Walker Trevor finding out mother is dead and Clint is in prison for robbery.

Trooper: Son, your father has been arrested and your mother…

Trevor: Where is she?

He drops the rope in shock.

Later we see Trevor visiting Clint in prison, distraught now that he knows that there were “ten bank robberies and seven people dead, and now Mom…”

Clint insists they’ll make it right, and Trevor asks how, how is anything about this right?

Walker Trevor on phone with Clint at prison.

He starts to walk away but Clint calls him back.

Clint: Son, we’re all we have now. I have to live with what happened, but if you turn on me now, I think you’ll regret it.

I don’t know if it’s genuine or manipulative or a little of both, but Trevor comes back to the phone. On the next visit, he tells Clint that he got a job at the prison stables so he could be close, and they could talk more.

Clint: I made mistakes, son. Seeing you, makes me think awful hard about it all. I think I need you to help me see what I did wrong.

Trevor: I want to understand too.

It’s understandable how desperately Trevor wants to hang onto his father – he really does feel like all the family he has left. Losing a parent is incredibly difficult for children – including adolescents – and both Trevor and Stella lost their moms, who they were closest too. That makes the remaining parent – their dads – someone the child is desperate to hang onto, and that sometimes leads people to make decisions that hurt them and others in the process.

We skip time again to “1 Day Ago”, Trevor and his dad visiting Crystal’s grave. Trevor is asleep in the car and wakes up, his father reassuring him.

Clint: You’re okay now, son.

That reassurance – similar to what we saw Stella get from Liam and crave from her own father – goes a very long way when there’s been a significant loss, and would be hard for Trevor to give up.

Clint: They wouldn’t let me go to her funeral. I never got to say goodbye.

He takes his hat off, touches her grave, running his fingers over her name.

Trevor puts his hand on his dad’s shoulder. Gavin Casalegno and Austin Nichols shine in their scenes together in this episode too, another child desperately wanting his mother back and to hang onto what he has left of his father.

Walker Gavin Casealegno Austin Nichols at mothers grave site 1.12.

Clint: I’m sorry she’s not here for you. All that mattered was us, our family. We were gonna get out. We just wanted to be a family again. You believe that, don’t you? You still think that girl loves you, but she’s been poisoned by her daddy. He told me to finish that last job! Your mother would still be alive if it wasn’t for him. He still has his family, while we suffer. We can’t let that stand, son. It’s just you and me but there’s still time to set things right.

Again, I don’t know how much of that is genuine – some of it clearly is – and how much is manipulation. But it’s a compelling case to be made for Trevor, because someone who had any part in taking your beloved mother away from you is going to be very hard to forgive. (The Winchesters learned this same lesson when Jack accidentally killed their mother, and there was no way they were getting over that easily either).

The end of the episode wraps back around to the beginning, and ‘Present Day.’ The Mustang pulls up to the ranch house and the truck pulls up behind them, Trevor getting out and Clint pointing a gun and Liam running out of the house and getting shot, collapsing to the ground.

Walker Clint holding gun Cordell Jared Padalecki.

Walker Cordell reacts to Liam being shot and Clint holding gun on him.

Walker Stell reacts to Clint pulling gun on Daddy Cordell.

Waker Trevor watching Daddy Clint pull gun on Cordell 1.12.

WAlker Clint pulls gun on Cordell. — Caps courtesy of spndeangirl

It also ends with the words Emily said to Cordell (that is, that he reminded himself) at the beginning, as Clint tells Walker to “do your best.”

They’re at a standoff as everyone else watches, horrified.

‘To Be Continued’

And now we have to wait until June 10 for the second part of that emotional “Walker “two-parter entitled Defend the Ranch (1.13)! Next episode was originally planned as the first season finale before the show was picked up for another five episodes, so it’s sure to be just as full of dramatic moments. And probably some heartbreak.

Mastering Instagram 2021: Social media influencers 101

Curt Johnson

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May 20, 2021

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Mastering Instagram 2021: Social media influencers 101

Mastering Instagram for social media influencers and businesses was Part 5 of our speaking engagements that Movie TV Tech Geeks has been doing with Wellness in the Woods about social media. You can read all of our articles on this here along with downloading our books in PDF format so you can read those offline. This section will continue growing so keep checking back.

You can download the PDF book versions of this article right here.

Whatever questions you might have (no matter how big or small), bring them, and if we don’t know the answer, we’ll find it! If you have any questions from these articles, let me know.

Instagram 101 For Personal and Businesses

If you’ve heard that Instagram is dead, don’t buy into that bunk. It’s simply not true. There are over one billion users on Instagram and over half of them login each day. Not only that, but daily users spend 30+ minutes browsing their feed and discovering new influencers and brands to follow.

Even better, four out of every five users follow brand accounts. That means there’s a potential audience of 80 million people just waiting to hear from your business on Instagram.

The good news doesn’t stop there—three out of five users report first discovering a product on this social network. This means that Instagram is great not just for your brand exposure but for selling your products, too!

Another plus is that this is the only social media app where you can still reach a large audience without paying for ads. Not only can you communicate with your followers, you can still do it free, with all of these exciting stats. Let’s dive into how you can get the most of Instagram for your business.

Instagram on Desktop VS on Smart Phone

Instagram exists in two ways. The first is as an app on your smart phone or other mobile device. The second is as a website that can be visited on your desktop. Both versions allow users to follow, unfollow, like, and comment on posts. There are a few key differences you should be aware of when toggling between the two.

First, images display differently. Currently, images on desktop can be viewed at 600px x 600px. However, the feed is much larger, so you can view several images at once, if your monitor is big.

Second, you can’t vote in polls. That may not seem like a big deal but if most of your users are visiting your Instagram Stories on desktop, that means you’re getting skewed results.

Another frustration with Instagram on desktop is that you can’t send or receive private messages. If you want to contact other users, your best bet is to post a photo and tag them or tag someone in the comments.

Perhaps the biggest problem is that you can’t post photos from your computer using Instagram desktop. You need to send the photo to your mobile phone. Open the Instagram app on your smart device and upload the picture that way.

Of course, there are a few workarounds to some of these problems. There’s a Chrome plugin called Desktop for Instagram. Using this, you can browse Instagram as if you were on mobile and use many of the mobile features including image uploading.

Another way to get around this issue is to use a third-party publisher such as Buffer or HootSuite. You connect your Instagram account to these social tools.

Then you can upload your images and send them immediately or schedule them in the future. The only downside is that you must have a business Instagram account enabled. That means if you’ve been putting off this vital task, you’ll need to tackle it right away.

social media not to impress people but impact them

How to Use Instagram to Build a List & Get More Followers

When it comes to Instagram, it helps to have a strategy. Sure, you can post whenever you like and add photos or videos randomly. However, the lack of structure and organization won’t help you grow your business.

You need to develop a plan and you’ll want to work that plan if you hope to see results from your Instagram account. Here’s what to do…

Determine your target.

The first task on your to do list is deciding why you’re on Instagram. Are you looking to connect with influencers? Hoping to grow your email list? Trying to get more followers?

Aim to choose just one or two goals for the next four months. After that, you can stop and re-evaluate. If your goals aren’t working for you or you’re not seeing the results you’d hoped for, you can switch up your efforts then.

Define your audience.

Once you have your goal in mind, think about who you’re trying to reach. Is your product or brand geared toward new mothers between the ages of 20-35? Are your customers young male games in the 18-25 demographic?

The more you know about your ideal customer, the easier it is to stand out in their feed. If you don’t already have a customer avatar filled out for your business, now is the time to do so. If you already have one, dust it off. Is it still current? Does it need to be updated or tweaked based on new information you’ve learned about your community?

Create a goodie for your followers.

Once you know who your audience is, you’ll want to design an offer that’s sure to appeal to them. This item should be related to your services or products in some way.

If you’re a web design agency, then you’ll want to offer a checklist of questions to ask your web designer or ten ways to make sure your website is mobile responsive. Remember, if your opt-in gift isn’t related to your industry, it’s going to confuse your followers. This opens the door for mistakes and frustration, which means that they are more likely to skip the opportunity to become subscribers.

Some brands find that sharing a coupon code or discount works best for getting new subscribers on their list. You may want to experiment with this technique, especially if you’re in the business of selling tangible items such as clothing or makeup.

Create a landing page.

Once you’ve set up your mailing list to deliver your new free goodie, it’s time to make a landing page. If you’re not familiar with them, a landing page is a single page on your website that’s designed to feature your offer (such as an opt-in gift).

There are no sidebars, menus, headers, or links on the landing page. The idea behind this design is that visitors are faced with only two choices: sign up for your free gift or click away to another website. This makes landing pages a great way to convert casual visitors into mailing list subscribers.

Typically, you want your landing page to feature 1-2 paragraphs describing your offer, a few bullet points, which highlight the benefits of the item or offer, and a sign-up box. Don’t make your landing page too long. A section with 100-word paragraph or less will do nicely.

Add your landing page to your bio.

Now that you have a dedicated page for your offer, put that link in your bio. This is the only place on Instagram that you’ll be allowed to place your link. So, make sure it’s the page where you really want to direct traffic.

Some brands use a service called LinkTree that creates a page with multiple links for you. This appears useful at first—you can link to your shopping cart, your free offer, and your website all at once.

However, the myriad of choices may overwhelm your followers and they won’t act. It’s smarter to link to a single opt-in page if you’re serious about growing your email list.

Design visual content.

Now that you have all of the pieces set up in place, you can begin promoting your new offer on Instagram. A simple way to do that is to design 3-5 images that tease subscribers about it.

Post these images on Instagram and invite them to click on the link in your bio. When they click, they’ll be taken to your landing page, where they may join your mailing list.

The Differences Between Personal and Business Accounts

You’re ready to get serious about your Instagram strategy. Thanks to the tips above, you know just what to do to start building your mailing list. However, one final issue may be confusing you – you’re not sure whether you need a personal or business account on Instagram. If you’re not sure, here’s what you should know.

An Instagram personal account is perfect if you’re just hanging out sharing funny photos of your cat or posting pictures of your travel adventures. Your only reason for publishing your images is to connect with friends and family or share a glimpse of your world.

If you happen to be a brand, you’re selling a product or service, then you need a business account. Business accounts on Instagram get special perks including in-depth statistics. You’ll be able to see a breakdown of your followers by age, country, and even interests.

Another advantage of a business account is that you can schedule your posts using third-party software. If you plan to post to Instagram throughout the day, then you don’t want to be chained to your phone, constantly updating.

You’ll get access to advertising features, too. That means if you want to sponsor a post or create an ad for an upcoming sale, you’ll be able to do that easily through Facebook’s ad manager.

Another advantage is that Instagram allows business accounts to add a brief “call-to-action” (CTA) button to their profiles. That means that you could include a “call us” button along with your phone number or a “visit our website” button along with your site address. These buttons make it easy for users to connect with your brand when they’re ready to make a purchase.

Some people have complained that they see less engagement when they switched to a business profile. While this was an issue in the past, Instagram recently changed their algorithms. Instead of seeing posts in chronological order with the most recent ones at the top of the feed, users will see their favorite accounts and brands at the top.

The new Instagram algorithm ranks how popular your account is with a follower based on how frequently they like, comment, or DM your brand. That means as long as you keep your engagement rate high, you have every chance of appearing at the top of your followers’ news feed. This drives even more growth, creating a wonderful cycle of continued interaction.

Let’s Set Up a Business Profile from Scratch

If you don’t have an Instagram account yet but you want one, here’s how to set up one up from scratch. Keep in mind that these instructions were created using the desktop version although the steps will be similar if you use a smart device to do it.

Step #1: Go to Instagram

On a desktop device, you’ll simply navigation to the Instagram website. If you’re using a smart phone, you’ll want to open the app store and search for the Instagram application.

Step #2: Enter Your Info

You can use your Facebook account to sign up for Instagram. However, you’ll have more customization options if you choose to do it yourself.

You’ll want to fill in four boxes in this section. They are your mobile address or email. You can use whichever one you prefer. Since this will be a business account, use an address or phone number associated with your business.

Next, enter your full name. If you’ll be posting as your brand name, then enter that here. However, if you’re a real person that also happens to be a brand (e.g. Sarah Wilcox) then you’ll want to enter Sarah Wilcox in the name area.

Now, it’s time to choose your username. It’s important to understand that your username can be changed later and that it can be different from your name. If you’re Sarah Wilcox but your brand is Travel Adventures for 20 Somethings. Then your username might be @traveladventuresin20s.

The final step is to enter your password. You should choose a strong password that you aren’t using anywhere else online and have never used before. This helps to decrease the chances of your account be hacked later due to password issues. When you’re done, click the bright “Sign Up” button.

Step #3: Follow Some Accounts

Next, Instagram will present you with a list of accounts to follow. These are usually celebrities or recognizable brands. Click a few to follow for now (you can unfollow later).

The reason you want to do this is that spammers sometimes sign up and don’t follow any accounts. You don’t want your new account to be mistaken for a spam one so just follow four or five accounts.

Once you’ve chosen a few accounts, scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Get Started.”

Instagram list of accounts to follow images

Step #4: Navigate to Your Profile

Now you’ll be taken to your news feed where you can see posts from the accounts you followed as well as several suggestions about what to do next on Instagram. The smartest idea is to go immediately to your profile. You can do that by clicking on your username in the right column.

Step #5: Edit Your Profile

The page you’ll arrive at looks plain. It’s your profile and we’ll fill out right away. To get started, you’ll need to click on the “Edit Profile” button.

Step #6: Upload Your Profile Photo

The first thing people will see about you on Instagram is your profile photo so let’s begin there. You’ll want to upload a photo that’s PNG or JPG. Remember, this photo will represent you and your brand.

If your brand name is personal (e.g. Sarah Wilcox) then you should opt for a photo of your smiling face. However, if you went with a brand name, then you’ll want to use a copy of your logo.

When you have a photo in mind, click “Change Profile Photo,” and then select a photo from your device.

Step #7: Add the Rest of Your Information

Once your photo is uploaded, you’ll see a preview of it in a little circle on the side and you can begin completing your profile. If you need to change your name or username on the site, you can do that now.

You’ll also want to add your website and bio too. You can include your gender and phone number as well. Just be sure to use your business phone if you include a number here. That way if you use the “call us” CTA button later, your official phone will ring (not your private cell).

Your Instagram profile is officially set up! You can kick back and take it easy now.

Transfer Your Personal Instagram Account to a Business One

You’ve been using Instagram for ages and you didn’t realize there was a business option. The good news is that you’re not stuck with your personal account. Instagram offers a method for converting your personal account to a business one so you don’t lose any of your followers, likes, or posts. Here’s what to do…

Note: You will need a Facebook Page for your brand in order to transfer your personal Instagram account to a business one. If you don’t have one, set up a Facebook page before you complete this tutorial.

It’s important to understand that you can only convert a personal IG account to a business one on your smart phone or other device. That’s because you need to access the app to do it.

If you don’t have the Instagram app, open the app store and search for Instagram. Download the official app and you’re ready to go! Now that you have the app, login to your Instagram account like normal:

Step 2: Go to Your Profile

After logging in, you’ll see a bunch of photos. This is your news feed (like what you see on other social media websites and apps). In the bottom right corner, you’ll spot an avatar. Click on that to be taken to your profile.

Instagram official page for Dwayne Rock Johnson

Step 3 & 4: Tap the Lines then Settings

The lines in the top right corner are a “hamburger” menu, named for the stacked shape.

When you click it, you’ll see a few options pop out. You want “settings” at the bottom.

Instagram settings button to switch to business account

Step 5 & 6: Tap Account then Switch to Business Account

This will take you to your account settings.

The “Switch to Business Account” option is usually at the bottom of the screen so you’ll have to swipe down to see it.

Instagram setting to switch to business account 2021

Step 7: Click Continue

Now, Instagram is welcoming you to your new business account and helping you get it set up properly. Take your time through this section and make sure you understand your options before you proceed.

When you’re ready to continue, click on the blue button labeled ‘Continue.’ You may need to hit the continue button several times.

Step 8 & 9: Choose a Page then Continue

In order to serve their customers better, Instagram likes to link your profile to a Facebook business page. This ensures that you get the best of both worlds—advertising and insights from Facebook as well as Instagram.

Tap ‘Choose a Page’.

Then tap ‘Continue’ when Facebook asks to connect to your account.

Use the same account where you have registered your Facebook page for your brand.

Step 11: Tap ‘Continue As…’

Now Instagram would like to verify access to your account. Simply tap ‘Continue As (Your Name)’.

Instagram wants to access Facebook account page

Step 12: Select Your Facebook Page

If you already have multiple Facebook pages, you may be asked which page you want to link. Choose the one that matches your brand.

Step 13: Review Your Contact Information

If your contact information is correct, tap the blue ‘Done’ button.

Step 14: Go to Profile

You’ll see a notification from Instagram welcoming you to your business profile, tap ‘Go to Profile’ to see your new business account.

Instagram business tools welcome page when completed

If everything is set up correctly, you’ll spot a ‘Promotions’ button on your account now. This is how you can manage advertisements.

Instagram stay up to date notification page

Your Instagram profile is officially a business account. You can take a deep breath and relax now that it’s set up!

online marketing like opening a business and not telling anyone

How to Optimize Your Instagram Business Profile

Once your Instagram profile is set up correctly, as a business, there are still things you need to do. You want everything to be optimized for maximum exposure. Here’s what you should consider doing.

Use Tracking

Instagram allows brands to share one link in their profile. If your goal is to build your mailing list, then you’ll want this link to be your landing page. However, don’t just post your naked link on Instagram.

Instead, use a shortening service like Bit.ly to cloak your link. By doing this, you’ll be able to see stats on how many people are visiting your site based on your Instagram posts. That means you’ll have a better idea of your ROI for this social network.

Make Your Site Mobile Friendly

If you haven’t already, make sure your website (including that landing page!) is optimized for mobile users. Since the majority of Instagram followers will be browsing from a smart phone, they’ll go to your site on a mobile device. You don’t want to lose them because your site was slow or too difficult to navigate.

Experiment with browsing your site on various devices to see what how it functions and what it looks like. If you don’t have access to dozens of mobile platforms, then try using a website like Responsive Design Checker to view your site as if you were seeing it on different devices.

Match Your Other Posts

Instead of flinging images onto Instagram and hoping your followers like them, think about your other content on the web. How can you use this social network to promote what you’re already creating?

Smart brands consider what theme they’re promoting that week or month and make sure all of their social media content (including Instagram images) match. This creates a uniform experience for followers and fans of the company.

Delegate Notifications

If you don’t have time to manage your Instagram notifications, delegate this task to someone else. You can hire a social media manager to respond for you or you could use an intern who’s been trained on how to handle the most common customer issues.

The reason you want to do this is that many customers use social media now when they need support from your brand. Most consumers expect you to respond within the hour or they’ll check out your competitors. That means you always want someone keeping an eye on your notifications.

Apply for the Blue Checkmark

When you’ve been browsing on Instagram, you’ve probably noticed that some users have a blue checkmark beside their username. This indicates the user has been officially verified as the celebrity or brand by Instagram. It’s a way of gaining instant authority in the eyes of your followers.

However, blue checkmarks aren’t given out to just anyone. You have to apply to be approved and it helps if your brand is global or if you have newspaper clippings—e.g. you’ve been featured or interviewed in a major publication.

Include Emojis

It might sound silly but emojis are popular on Instagram. In fact, users expect to see them in your bio and in your posts. You don’t have to go crazy and include 1,500+ emojis every time you post.

Aim to include 1-3 within each post and a couple in your bio. If you’re using a desktop computer on Instagram, you can navigate to a website like EmojiPedia.org to copy and paste emojis as you work.

The Best Practices for Posting on Instagram

Like all social media networks, there are certain best practices you’ll want to follow. When you implement these ideas, you’re more likely to grow your following, develop your brand awareness, and sell more products. Here’s what you should be doing…

Use Hashtags

If you’re not familiar with them, hashtags look like this: #sunset or #bikini. On some networks such as Twitter and Instagram, hashtags are a vital component of each new post that you make. However, on some networks like Facebook and Pinterest, your hashtags matter a lot less.

The reason that hashtags are important on Instagram and Twitter is because hashtags are how followers discover new content. That means someone might be interested in learning about journaling, so they look up #bulletjournal for ideas and inspiration.

The good news is you don’t have to figure out the hashtags you should be using on your own. There are plenty of apps and websites to help you with this task. One of the most popular ones is All Hashtag.

Just type in the subject that your post is about, and you’ll have a few dozen ideas generated for you. Of course, you’ll want to keep in mind that Instagram doesn’t like more than 20 hashtags. The average number of hashtags that most brands find effective is around ten, so try to focus in on a few key ones that are likely to get you the most traction.

Post at the Right Times

You can post on Instagram at any time and you’ll probably see some engagement. However, if you want the most engagement then you need to be posting at optimum times. One of the best times to post is early in the morning around 5-6 am during the week. This allows your post to engage with people who are just waking up and reaching for their smart device.

You might also want to post in the middle of the day or early afternoon (think 11am-1pm). This is when many people go on lunch break so they’re likely to kick back and pull out their phone for a few minutes of Instagram scrolling.

Some brands find it helpful to post on weekends. If you do that, post later in the morning to reach a wider audience.

You may not see as much engagement on Saturday and Sunday so if you have an exciting sale or big news to share about your brand, you’re better of saving it until the middle of the week when followers are more likely to be using the app.

sell the problem you solve not the product you make

Be Smart with Your Posts

Instagram posts with longer captions do the best. A simple way to lengthen your description is to start by describing the image. This also makes the image accessible for those with visual issues. So for example, you might say: Young redheaded woman poses for a photo by the pool in a teal two-piece bikini.

Then launch into your post. Try to make your actual post 2-3 paragraphs in length and fill it with valuable content such as tips and advice. If you run a brand that caters to digital photographers, then you might share tips on how to get the perfect sunset shot or how to capture an image of a happy child who’s in motion.

Once you’ve written your description, now use your hashtags. Don’t use the same hashtags in the same order every time. That causes you to look spammy and makes it more likely that Instagram will mistakenly remove your account.

In your image caption, be sure to use emojis. Emojis boost the engagement rate of your photo. Be sure to use relevant emojis. Some emojis now have double meanings.

For example, the peach symbol is sometimes used to indicate a butt. This is helpful to know if you have an audience base that is conservative and may consider this emoji offensive. However, if your brand is a lingerie company then the emoji might be perfect to use when showing off your latest collection of clothing.

Considering Boosting Your Post

When you upload a photo to Instagram and notice it’s getting a lot of engagement, you may want to boost that post. If you’re not familiar with it, boosting a post is a form of advertising.

You pay the social networking company to promote that post to even more users. The cool thing about boosting a post is that you can choose the audience you want to view it. This means if your demographic is single women aged 25-29 living in the US, you can target them specifically.

The minimum amount of time that you can boost a post is for seven days. That’s because it can take a couple of days to get more engagement. As your interaction grows, your post will become more popular resulting in more people seeing it.

storytelling most powerful way to put ideqas into world today 2021

Understanding Instagram’s Video Formats

Instagram isn’t just great for sharing your brand’s photos. It’s also a wonderful way to share video and grow your brand awareness. However, if you’re new to Instagram or haven’t been paying attention to the platform, you might be confused by all the different video options. Here are the four key types of videos and a rundown of what you should know.

Video Posts

If you capture something cool and want to share it on Instagram, you can do that but your video will be limited to 60 seconds. You’ll want to upload to the social network the same way you do your other posts. That means taking time to create a compelling caption, adding hashtags, and using one or two relevant emojis.

Instagram Stories

Stories are quick videos that are limited to 15 seconds. However, you don’t have to record video to create a story. Some brands use several photos that they upload at once, creating a simple slideshow. The final product feels like a video but it’s actually just a collection of images.

Instagram Live

Live is a feature of stories. It’s a wonderful way to connect with your followers in the moment. Let’s say your brand is focused on makeup and beauty. If you’re at a body positive conference, then you might want to go live and talk about what you’re seeing and experiencing there.

The fun of live is that it allows you to bring your viewers into your experience. For even better exposure, use Live videos, which can be up to an hour in length. This means you have plenty of time to chat with your viewers and answer their questions.

Instagram TV

Instagram TV is similar to Live in that you can record for up to 60 minutes. Instead of airing your content as it happens, you have the space to record it and publish it at your convenience.

This type of video is cool if you want to publish an in-depth tutorial, share your thoughts on a weighty topic, or inspire your audience with an interview of an industry expert. It’s more polished and professional than Live. When followers watch an Instagram TV video, they expect better quality and they typically want to watch longer content. This means that you’ll want to record videos that are 20+ minutes.

Don’t Forget Dimensions

When it comes to Instagram video, you’ll want to keep the platforms expected dimensions in mind. Currently, there are two sizes and you’ll want to pick which one will work best for your needs.

The first size is 1080 pixels wide by 608 pixels tall. The aspect ratio is roughly 1.91:1. At this size, your video will be in landscape orientation, meaning your shot is wide. Landscape is great when you have a lot of movement you want to capture in your video. If you were doing a cooking tutorial or recording a baseball game, this is the size you’d want.

The second size is 1080 pixels wide by 1350 pixels tall. The aspect ration is about 4:5. At this size, your video will be in portrait orientation, meaning your shot is narrow. Portrait is perfect when you’re just talking with the camera and not planning to move around too much. It also creates a more intimate feel than landscape does. It draws followers in and gives them the feeling they’re casually chatting with a friend over coffee.

best marketing doesnt feel like marketing 2021

Coming Up with Content Ideas

No matter how prolific a content creator you are, you can still wake up one day to discover you have no new ideas. Don’t panic or freak out yet. Your creativity is just lull and you can pull it out again. In the meantime, try publishing one of these posts to your Instagram account…

A Quote That Inspires You.

This doesn’t have to be anything life changing here. Just choose a quote that motivates or energizes you. You can find collections of quotes on just about every topic on Quote Garden and Brainy Quote.

A Behind-the-Scenes Photo or Video.

Show your followers what life is really like behind-the-scenes of your brand. This might be a selfie of you at your desk, typing away if you’re a content creator or if you’re a fitness blogger, it might look like pictures from your last food prep day. Sharing your ordinary moments on Instagram makes you look approachable and accessible.

A Book You’re Reading.

Choose a book you’re reading and post about it. This book might be relevant to your niche already but if it’s not, try to find a way to tie it in. For example, if you are in the health industry and you’re reading a book about sailing, you might talk about the importance of taking a vacation.

An Old Conference You Attended.

Remember that amazing seminar you participated in last spring? Dig up that old photo and post it on Instagram. Be sure to tag anyone you’re posing with so you can re-connect with them.

A Shout Out to Someone Else.

Choose a colleague or friend you’d like to promote. Post a picture of them along with an encouraging caption about why they’re a wonderful person. If your account is business-related, you can post about another brand instead. Be sure to tag the other person so they see your comment!

When you’re feeling bored and uncreative, it can be helpful to go and look through the Instagram accounts of people that inspire you. Pay attention to their aesthetics, captions, and emojis. You never know what might catch your eye!

Tips for Batching Your Instagram Posts

You don’t want to spend your life tied to your Instagram account. Instead of enjoying that delicious cup of coffee or hanging out with a colleague, you’re worried about how to stage the photo so it looks good on Instagram. To avoid this, it’s smart to think ahead and batch your social media photos. Here are three quick tips to help…

Know your topics.

Try to list 4-5 things you like to post pictures of. One entrepreneur likes to publish photos of her favorite coffee mugs (she has dozens), her podcast guests, her three-legged cat, and her latest art creation. By creating a mix, she gets to choose which elements of her life and her business to share with her followers.

Embrace the ordinary.

Document your life and business as you go. If you’re drinking from a beloved mug this morning, snap a photo. Is your dog is doing something silly? Record it. If you’re having an amazing brainstorming session with your coach, grab a selfie. Then when it’s time to post later, you have a big supply of photos to pull from.

Use a planner.

When it comes time to schedule your Instagram content, use a scheduling tool that will show you a feed preview. Then you can adjust your grid if you notice you’re using too much of one color or you have three photos that look similar right next to each other. Two apps that let you preview your Instagram grid are Later and Plan.

content marketing no longer numbers game but game of relevance

Understanding Your Instagram Insights

Like Facebook allows you to view analytics (called Insights) for your business page, Instagram does the same thing for your business profile. To access these analytics, you’ll need to open the app and sign into your business account.

Tap the menu, then tap ‘Insights’. The social media platform will bring up your most recent posts. You can click on a specific one to learn more such as how many likes it received as well as how many comments, direct messages, and bookmarks it inspired.

Along with your content, you can also view the activity on your account. This is the number of people that visited your profile or that clicked on your profile. Perhaps they tapped on your bio or used your CTA button to contact you.

You can also view your reach number as well as the impressions. Your reach is the number of unique visitors who saw your posts. The impressions are the number of times users saw your post or story. This number is typically higher than your reach. That’s because the same user could flick past your post 5-6 times. Each of their views would be counted as an “impression.”

When you’re done viewing your activity, you’ll want to check out your audience. Instagram will show you the exact number of followers you have and break it down into useful statistics.

Country Breakdown

It starts by identifying the countries where your content is most popular, but you can go deeper than that and view the cities, too. The location may not seem that important but think about this: if you notice most of your users are in the UK and Canada, you may want to opt to use the word “color” instead of “color” in future posts.

Along with the location of your most active followers, you’ll also discover the median age of your fans. You can further divide it by gender. So, for example, you might find out that your channel is very popular with men who are 25-34 when you expected to have a predominantly female audience.

At the bottom of your Insights, you’ll see an area marked “Followers.” This is Instagram showing you what days of the week and times your people are most active on the app. This can be useful information as you’ll know when to schedule your posts for the maximum engagement.

Be sure to view your Followers area, looking at the most active times during different days. Your followers might be most active at 6pm on Sundays while on Mondays, they’re likely to be browsing around 3pm.

Embracing Instagram

Keep in mind that Instagram is constantly evolving as a platform, so you’ll need to experiment to see what works. The more you use the social network, the easier it will be to spot trends, grow your following, and create more exposure for your brand.

Happy Gramming!

‘Walker’ 11 delivers The Price of Freedom

Lynn Zubernis

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May 18, 2021

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‘Walker’ 11 delivers The Price of Freedom

The CW’s “Walker” aired a dramatic new episode last week and ushered in some big changes that will continue to play out for the second part of the season. The episode is titled “Freedom” and in a sense, that’s what many of the characters got – sometimes in a way they absolutely did not want.

An Awkward Welcome Home

The episode begins with Hoyt’s welcome home party at the Side Step, Cordell and Augie getting the place ready while Micki and Trey keep watch in the parking lot so they can surprise him.

Augie is making welcome home videos for Hoyt, attempting to tape his father’s message while Cordell is busy trying to figure out what to text Geri. He keeps typing and then deleting, increasingly anxious. The other video messages to Hoyt are heartfelt, including a clearly joyous Abeline and Geri saying that Hoyt deserves good things, which just makes Cordell feel more guilty and conflicted. When he finally tries to record his message it’s incredibly awkward, starting out calling Hoyt “my best friend, a brother to me” and continuing to something about him sparking joy in Walker’s life. He gives up in exasperation.

Walker Cordell texting Geri about the kiss 1.11.

Micki and Trey wait for Hoyt and Geri to get there, Trey putting on her hat and teasing about how good it looks on him (it does). Micki reassures him that his TBI struggles haven’t made him unreliable or changed how she feels about him, reminding him that he can rely on her for a change.

Micki: You are the most reliable person in my life

Trey (grinning): Relationship achievement unlocked!

Walker Trey deals with traumatic brain injury still with Micki.

I like that they’re continuing to follow Trey’s TBI (traumatic brain injury) story line instead of magically wrapping it up too quickly.

Geri and Hoyt pull up, him assuring her that he’s “going legit” because she deserves more, and her clearly avoiding him, putting on lipstick before she goes inside. He senses something is wrong.

Hoyt: You got someone you’re trying to impress here?

As they walk in, he asks her again, did he do something? (Other than being incarcerated?)

Walker Hoyt smiling deeply at Geri 1.11.

She says no and he believes it (because he clearly wants to, and that’s what we all do when we just desperately want to believe something is true).

Cordell sneaks up behind them and knocks Hoyt’s hat off, then tackles him to the ground, saying it’s payback. They laugh, because wrestling is clearly a thing for them ala the Winchesters, and then they hug.

Hoyt, grinning, hugs both Cordell and Geri, looking incredibly happy and saying they make quite a team.

Fandom responded with a mix of “threesome anyone?” quotes and “oh no poor Hoyt” because fandom is both empathic and … creative.

Walker Cordell hugging Hoyt and Geri awkwardly 1.11.

Walker Cordell and Hoyt sweaty after wrestling hard 1.11.

Cordell and Geri exchange an awkward look.

Meanwhile, Clint’s on a prison bus clearly planning an escape with a wordless communication with Jaxon, as a motorcycle gang pursues the bus, amping up the tension even as we’re supposedly at a fun party.

Micki congratulates Geri, saying she must be happy Hoyt is home – but also notices that a) Geri seems more conflicted than happy and b) she’s drinking, like a lot.

Micki: Things all right with you and Hoyt?

Walker Micki and Geri talking about Cordell and Hoyt 1.11.

Geri sort of scoffs.

Geri: Oh, the occasional conjugal visit, never a dull moment, but not the stuff of fairy tales.

She has another drink as Micki takes that in.

Hoyt is still worried (as he should be), and asks Walker what’s up with Geri? Cordell is evasive, saying that she’s been through a lot finding Emily’s killer, and that it’s weighing on her that she took a life.

Hoyt: Glad you were there for her. Glad you finally got the closure you wanted. Rest easy, Em.

He pats Walker’s shoulder affectionately.

I’m not even necessarily a big Hoyt fan, but these scenes, when Hoyt doesn’t know about his girlfriend and his best friend, and he’s being so open and affectionate with both of them, were just heartbreaking. All the cast did a wonderful job, so it really pulled on my heartstrings.

Cordell: Okay, less tears, more beers!

Walker Hoyt with Cordell less tears and more beers.

Romeo and Juliet On The Run

Walker looks as not-joyous as Geri while the party goes on, texting Stella and telling her to come by Uncle Hoyt’s party. She texts back that she’s with Bel, lying to him. She feels bad about missing the soccer championship game and letting everyone down but tells Trevor she doesn’t want to turn back.

Walker Stella outside red convertible waiting for Trevor 1.11.

Trevor: Then turn off your phone so no one pings your location.

They really are on the lam now and need cash. Trevor says he knows a place where they can lay low, and Stella puts the Mustang in drive and spins it out, tires kicking up dust as they roar away in pursuit of that heady freedom referenced in the episode’s title.

Trevor takes Stella to a conveniently abandoned house, where he used to come as a kid and his mother taught him to swim in the lake.

He seems to have some good memories, but he also says he nearly drowned when his dad’s swimming lesson consisted of just throwing him in.

Stella: Your dad is messed up.

Trevor pulls a bag of cash and a gun out of the hiding spot his dad had in the chimney, which makes me think that this was a terrible place to come hide since his dad and presumably some other bad guys know that there’s cash there.

Stella realizes things are getting a little more serious than she was pretending they were, asking why would they need guns?

Stella: I thought we were just taking a break Trevor, I can’t leave my family forever. August is finally maybe okay. I can’t be the reason we fall apart again.

Walker Stella realizing she can't leave with Trevor 1.11.

Walker Trevor asking Stella to leave with him for danger 1.11.

Trevor: The only way my life gets better is if I keep moving forward. I understand if you don’t want to come, but I’d really like you to.

Stella takes a nap, no doubt worn out by all the intrigue and fast driving and has a nightmare that she’s in an idyllic scene at the cabin, feet dangling in the lake, Trevor skipping stones – and it then dissolves into violence with Trevor firing a gun. She wakes up frightened and tells Trevor that it’s beautiful there, but it doesn’t feel safe.

Walker Trevor pointing gun in boat 1.11.

Walker Stella on boat with Trevor having bad dream 1.11.

(Me: Um, yes Stella, because it is NOT safe)

She wants to return to her family with him, saying he’ll be safe with them, but Trevor gets angry.

Trevor: If your dad didn’t go undercover, my mom might still be alive! That was their last job – we were going to be a family again. At least my dad knows who he is – your dad is still pretending!

There’s a lot of teenage angst, and Trevor goes off to clear his head, asking Stella to think about what she wants.

Stella: I want you. I love you.

Trevor: I love you too, Stel. That’s what makes this so hard.

The other theme of this episode is how much we can ignore when we want to believe something – Hoyt believing that Geri loves him like he loves her, and Trevor believing that his father was going to stop being a criminal and put their family back together. Both are heartbreaking.

Trevor walks away and it’s a dramatic moment but honestly, I can’t stop thinking that neither of them are quite worrying about the right things. Young love and all that, I guess. (Yes, I do say this every episode – I keep needing to remind myself just how irrational and serious young love can be!)

They eventually reconcile, sharing a hug and apologizing to each other. Trevor proves he’s taking her concerns seriously by tossing the bag of money back in the chimney and lighting it up. They hold hands and share smiles as the money and spare passports burn. The door to the bedroom closes as we see them about to share a kiss. And….scene.

Walker Stella gives Trevor its time to deflower smile 1.11.

Walker Trevor gives Stella suggestive smile 1.11

Walker Trevor and Stella about to get nasty in room 1.11.

Trevor and Stella’s relationship has been almost unbelievably innocent so far, which keeps straining believability, but it’s a family show and the closing door is a classic family show trope.

An Even More Awkward Proposal

At the party that Stella’s missing, Cordell and Geri dance awkwardly, Geri saying that they have to tell Hoyt the truth, both of them a little hurt that the other didn’t reach out more after. Walker deflects, saying he had a lot going on with his hearing coming up, and Geri says she did too.

Geri: I had a lot more to process than just a kiss – I’m still sorting out my feelings. But maybe you’ve sorted yours out.

Walker Cordell frustrated with Geri over kiss not talked about.

Walker Geri frustrated with Cordell over kiss 1.11.

She’s angry, thinking that he’s not as emotional about the kiss as she clearly has been; he’s thinking the same thing, since neither of them called the other. Geri impulsively lashes out, saying “let’s rip the band-aid off!”

At that moment, Hoyt (who’s been dancing with Abeline and dipping her), jumps on the bar, and oh no, we all know what’s coming. He tells Geri that she’s his rock and he can now die an honest man. He holds out a plastic ring like the ones he’s given her before.

Walker Hoyt gives Geri a plastic ring to her dismay 1.11.

Walker Geri complaining about Hoyts giving her trash jewelry with Cordell.

Geri: An honest man has got more to give than trash jewelry. I’ll add it to my collection.

Ouch. Hoyt doesn’t get discouraged (yet) but that has to be because he just does not want to give up on Geri – because that is not the response of someone who is hoping for a more sincere proposal, just saying.

Micki gets a text just then that a prison bus has crashed, and they realize that Clint is on it. I have no idea why the Rodeo Kings gang ended up so close to where the Walkers live but so be it. Walker has a hunch that the escaped Rodeo Kings might go to a local bank where they had pawned a necklace in the past, so he and Micki head there, though she’s concerned about him.

Micki: Just don’t let me catch you slipping into full Duke again, okay?

Walker Micki reminds Cordell to be careful of Duke 1.11

Walker Cordell going undercover as Duke. 1.11

Her concern seems well placed. There seems to be a part of Walker that is drawn to the simplicity of the time when he was Duke, when he didn’t have to deal with real life and the death of his wife and the growing pains of his kids – or having feelings for his best friend’s girlfriend.

Micki and Cordell think they’ve caught one of the Rodeo Kings when a motorcycle pulls up to the bank and the person doesn’t take off their helmet when they go into the bank. They take up positions inside, guns drawn, but it turns out it’s just some dude.

Micki: What now, Duke?

Cordell shows off his smarts by accessing a safe deposit box that he memorized the combination to.

Micki: You memorized it?

Walker: It’s a mnemonic device. It’s a…

Micki (interrupting the mansplaining): I know what it is!

I laughed out loud – Lindsey and Jared are so good at the quick subtle humor.

The bank employee comments that the owner came in earlier that day to gather his belongings and they just missed him, but he left a message “for a scavenger hunt” in the box.

Bank lady (who’s about five feet tall, looking up at 6’5” and pretty damn handsome Walker): I didn’t know a Ranger was gonna be playing!

Bank lady is very relatable.

Walker pulls out a bandana and a note: Keep the circles small and the lies honest, Duke.

Walker Keep circle small and lies honest as Duke.

Walker Cordell reminding himself about going undercover as Duke.

They seem to be one step ahead of him, so Walker and Micki head to the prison to pay a visit to Duke’s ex, Twyla. She’s brought in wearing prison garb and is snarky with him, saying “don’t you clean up nice.”

Micki (ever perceptive): I think I’ll be more productive outside.

Twyla is angry at being deceived (and being in jail, I’m sure).

Twyla: You did a real number on me. Didn’t even know who the hell you were. We’re strangers. Was anything real?

It seems like the relationship that Duke and Twyla had was more complicated than just an undercover ruse – to both of them.

Walker Twyla talking with undercover Duke Cordell.

Walker Cordell talking about dead wife with Twyla 1.11.

Cordell: I lost my wife, Emily, not long before I met you. For what it’s worth, you were the right person then.

Twyla: That’s like saying you’re beautiful – to me.

Cordell: I still think of you every time I hear our song.

Twyla is angry, saying that his undercover operation blew up her Rodeo Kings “family”. She points out that she didn’t kill anyone, but that when she gets out, that won’t make a lick of a difference. I’m not sure I feel bad for her, though. She may not have directly killed anyone, but she was selfish and greedy and doesn’t seem to have a lot of remorse for any of that at this point.

Abeline To The Rescue(s)

The day after the party, Liam talks with a reporter about his run for DA when Hoyt comes in with a “Liam, you dawg!” Liam is clearly concerned about making a good impression, while Hoyt is saying “Who cares about the guy trying to reintegrate into society?”

Liam: He’s trying to embarrass me.

Abilene with LIam and Hoyt talking about political career Walker 1.11.

Abeline pulls Hoyt into the kitchen to make sandwiches, where he confides in her his doubts about Geri, saying that she deserves more than he can give.

She reminds him of how far he’s come, that when they first met him he didn’t trust anyone, but eventually saw that they weren’t going to leave him high and dry.

Abeline: Honey, you are worthy of love. It’s never too late to get on the straight and narrow. Show Geri that you’re putting down roots.

She helps him out by pulling out a diamond engagement ring and hands him the ring and the box.

Hoyt: (wide eyed) I can’t take this.

Abeline says it’s not Bonham’s ring, that she was wearing it when they met and she broke off the engagement with the other guy the next day, and that Hoyt would be doing her and Bonham a favor by taking it.

Hoyt reacts to Abilene giving him wedding ring for Geri 1.11 Walker.

Walker Abilene gives Hoyt wedding ring to propose to Geri.

Liam reads the article that was published the next day, that includes some negative things about his family, and ends with “despite his commitment, it begs the question of how Liam will wield his power as a DA.”

Liam: Sonofabitch.

Me: “Supernatural” Dean Winchester shout out?

Maybe maybe not.

Abeline refuses to get rattled, pretty social media savvy herself apparently.

Abeline: You want control of your story? You tell it yourself. Every choice you made in the past year, you put your family first. We can own our own mistakes.

Liam decides to post answers to satisfy any doubts, adding “Mama, you’re a genius.”

Abeline: Finally, someone notices…

I laughed out loud again. It’s no secret I adore Abeline, and Molly Hagan can nail the humor with the best of them.

Putting the Pieces Together

Walker points out to Twyla that Clint and Jaxon didn’t have any qualms about leaving her behind.

Twyla: Yeah well, it’s the only family I’ve got. They didn’t have a use for me this time. Men only need me when they need something.

It could apply to Cordell too, obviously, and he knows it. He promises to come check on her from time to time, and as she’s leaving she reminds him that Crystal mentioned that they used to take their kid to the cabin, and he thanks her. Micki comes in and provides the last piece of the puzzle, telling Walker who’s been visiting Clint.

Walker: Trevor is Clint West’s son??!

Me: He didn’t know this? I guess he didn’t hear when Trevor called him “Duke” a few episodes back, did he?

Walker is now both scared and guilty. He calls Augie and says to let him know if he hears from Trevor. He now realizes that Stella lied to him about being with Bel, and now she’s not returning her texts.

Walker Cordell angry Stella isnt returning his texts or calls 1.11.

Walker: First time she’s MIA, with a boy whose father I put away. If he’s anything like Clint, he could flip without warning…

He starts freaking out a little, realizing that Stella is in danger, Micki supporting him to help him pull it together so they can go after Stella and Trevor.

Walker Micki telling Walker Stella is gone with Trevor.

Walker realizes Stella is in danger with Trevors dad 1.11.

Back at the cabin, the place is filling with smoke and Trevor and Stella realize that Clint is there. Trevor breaks a window and Stella jumps out first, Trevor yelling “Run Stella, run!” as she does. He stays behind — and get caught.

There’s a tense scene with Stella being pursued through the woods by Jaxon with a gun, hiding behind a tree and clutching the pistol that Trevor gave her (which we know she knows how to use).

Walker Jaxon chasing Stella through woods.

Walker STella pointing gun realizing she shot Jared Padalecki Cordell by accident.

Cordell and Micki arrive, Cordell calling for Stella and using the scarf from the safe deposit box to cover his face as they search the smoke-filled house. He finds Stella’s bag and realizes to his shock that she was running away with him.

Stella hears someone approaching in the woods and pulls her gun and fires – and shoots her dad.

Stella: Oh my god dad, are you okay?

Cordell: You shot me!

Jaxon tackles him then and a fight ensues, Jaxon saying “I’ve waited a long time for this, Duke” as they brawl and Stella screaming “somebody please help us!”

That somebody is Micki, who joins the brawl but can’t get a clear shot. She jumps on Jaxon’s back instead and chokes him, but he backs up and slams her against a tree. She prevails though, kicking him to the ground and holding a gun on him.

As Walker (in his tee shirt, to fans’ delight) is treated by an ambulance that has arrived, Stella demands to know if Clint is going to hurt Trevor. Jaxon says Clint loves Trevor and warns her to never underestimate the love between a father and his child.

Clint looking back at Stella as he takes Trevor with him Walker 1.11.

That goes for Walker and his kids too, as he confronts his daughter, angry and hurt about her deception.

Walker: I thought we finally understood each other. If only you’d told me…

Stella: So only you can keep secrets?

Walker Stella calling out Cordell on keeping secrets from family 1.11.

Walker Cordell reacts to Stella telling him about keeping family secrets 1.11.

It’s a low blow and not really parallel, since he was undercover for his job, but it’s also relevant to what he’s hiding about Geri, and so the guilt hits him. He says he couldn’t live with himself if she left and Stella explains she wasn’t trying to leave for good, that she just wanted to stop all of this, because…

She trails off, but her father understands what she means. They get in the car and head home.

Cordell: Stella, I do understand why you did it. You loved him…or you love him. First love is hard to forget, it digs into you deeper than you thought you could feel. Your heart can make you do things your brain didn’t agree to.

Walker Cordell explaining young love to Stella 1.11.

He’s talking about himself as well as his daughter.

Stella asks if he wants to go somewhere this summer – that her mom had said before her senior year they would take a road trip.

Cordell points out that was supposed to be a girls’ trip, asking ‘you don’t mind if it’s me?’

Stella shakes her head, smiling, and her father smiles too.

Walker Cordell mentions taking girls trip with Stella 11.

Walker Stella smiling at her dad Cordell talking about family trip.

It was a sweet moment, but I was left scratching my head wondering how we got to such a quick resolution and now everyone is happy. If this was a more cynical show, I’d think that Stella was deflecting to get out of being in trouble and losing her Mustang privileges once again – but this show is not that cynical, I don’t think. Still, there have got to be consequences for lying and taking off with a guy you knew was a criminal’s son and didn’t tell anyone about, right?

Micki returns to find Trey in bed, shirtless. She lets her hair down and climbs in beside him, kissing him on the cheek and snuggling up to him. He says he was feeling a little dizzy as he was about to drive home, so August and Bel drove him home. Then belatedly adds, oh and we won States!

Walker Micki and Terry cozied up in bed 1.11.

Micki and Trey are pretty adorable.

Not So Happily Ever After

Things do not end as happily for Hoyt and Geri. He painstakingly constructs a heart on the floor of all the plastic rings he’s given her over the years (which omg is really an unbelievable amount to make that big a heart!) He gets down on one knee in the middle of it with the diamond ring in a box and my heart really broke for him at that moment. He looks so earnest and so hopeful and so joyful, wanting to believe that now that he has a real ring, their problems are over.

Walker Hoyt making a giant red white heart to ask Geri to marry him.

Walker Hoyt on bended knee with ring to marry Geri 11.

Hoyt: One thing I’m sure of is that with you by my side, I’ve got a reason to live. Marry me?

That is not the expression of a woman who’s about to say yes.

Walker Geri looks horrified as Hoyt askes her to marry him.

She says she can’t marry him and confesses that she kissed Cordi.

Hoyt: Just one kiss? That doesn’t have to change anything, we can move past it…

That might have been the most heartbreaking moment of all. Hoyt wants this so bad, that he’s willing to ignore a kiss between her and his best friend, wants to just sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn’t happen, as though that’s ever a good idea. She says it should matter more to him, that HE should matter more.

Geri: I know you’re looking to change, but I am too. I don’t know if that’s something we can do right together.

Walker Geri letting Hoyt know she can't marry him with Cordell.

Once the truth sinks in, Hoyt is angry, especially when he finds out that the kiss happened a month ago and they both said nothing.

Hoyt leaves to “go have a chat with my best friend.”

Hoyt: I meant it every damn time I asked. Maybe I should’ve looked closer at the fact you never took me seriously.

That was a great line – and so true.

Walker Hoyt walking through plastic heart he made for Geri to marry him.

Hoyt comes over to the Walker house, where Liam is on his phone. He tells Abeline he read the comments.

Abeline: Never read the comments.

She’s so wise. She also knows something’s wrong as soon as she sees Hoyt, asking him if he’s okay.

Hoyt: Been better, Abby Bear. Cordell here?

She gives him a hug as Cordell and Stella pull up outside, clueless as to what has happened.

Walker Geri gives Hoyt a hug goodbye after telling him she kissed Cordell 11.

Jared Padalecki Walker staring from a car at Stella Freedom. — Caps courtesy of spndeangirl

The episode ends with Clint driving off in a truck – we don’t know to where, but my assumption is that Trevor is with his dad.

So, ‘freedom.’ Clint is free, but a fugitive. Hoyt has his freedom from prison, but also a freedom he didn’t want – to find a new relationship. Geri is free to pursue a relationship with Cordell if she wants to, and he’ll soon find out that maybe he is too – but he may have lost a friendship in the process. Liam is discovering the freedom that comes from deciding to be yourself and not be stifled with fear about what will come out about your private life or your past. Abeline gave away the ring that in some way tethered her to someone else, looking for freedom from other relationships past and present so she can make her marriage work.

And Stella and Trevor, who went on the run to escape from their family being on different sides and the freedom to love each other, are now separated. Freedom can be compelling but elusive – and complicated. I guess that’s the moral of this particular part of the story.

I hope next week begins with the Hoyt and Walker confrontation that we all know is coming, because it’s sure to be fireworks.

A new “Walker” episode airs this Thursday on the CW with Tale of Two Families 12.

Jared Padalecki’s ‘Walker’ Encore 110 gets a Side Step reno

Lynn Zubernis

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May 11, 2021

0

Jared Padalecki’s ‘Walker’ Encore 110 gets a Side Step reno

The tenth episode of the CW’s “Walker” starts with Jared Padalecki (Cordell Walker, that is) looking right into the camera, which was unexpected – and I almost always like unexpected. I thought for a second he was about to break the fourth wall, but instead, he asks, “Ready to get to work?” He puts on his safety glasses and he and the kids and Liam and Bonham start breaking down walls and hammering and sawing things.

Walker Jared Padalecki ready to get to work look at Side Step.

Walker Jared Padalecki putting on protective glasses at Side Step ready to do reno.

Walker Jared Padalecki Stella and Augie ready to do reno on Side Step bar.

The renovation of the Side Step has begun.

Bonham opens a can of strategically featured Benjamin Moore paint while music plays and Cordell looks at him skeptically.

Bonham: Are you questioning my palate?

It was a cute moment and felt like a real father-son interaction.

Augie hangs up a family photo with their mom, and Micki and Trey take a break and hug.

The whole group finally sits back and admires their handiwork.

Picture of Cordell Walker family with dead wife Emily 110.

Walker gang looking at family picture hanging on wall 110.

Once the work is done, Cordell plays bartender with what I assume is root beer for the kids. He calls them kiddos, which sounds like a very Jared thing to do, and reminds them of how much this place meant to their mom. Stella laughs and reminds him that he literally nailed himself to it.

She’s got her license back and the keys to the red mustang, and Augie gets an increase in his allowance, and the family seems pretty happy. The kids wonder where Geri is, though, and Cordell is evasive (and awkward, with the family photo staring at him from the wall). He changes the subject to ask where Trevor is and Stella is just as awkward, changing the subject once again after saying she hasn’t seen him.

Walker Stella and Augie having lunch with Cordell 110.

Later, at the office, Liam gets the news that the DA is stepping down before the end of his term and there will be a special election. There’s an awkward moment when he thinks he’ll be endorsed, but instead, the DA endorses Stan, another attorney, and they want Liam to endorse him too.

Liam: But didn’t you do oil and gas law?

Walker LIam learns Stan is promoting him to DA.

Walker sleazy Stan talking with Liam in office 110.

Stan seems kinda sleazy, saying he wants to help Liam move up, gain influence, rub the right shoulders with the old guard. So, Liam can make a new name for himself instead of Yankee Doodle Dandy DA.

Liam: Wait, people call me that?

The anti-Stan vibes are a little heavy handed, but that line made me laugh. Keegan Allen and pretty much everyone on this show can bring the comedy when called for.

Trey and Micki get to the Side Step to help more, and he tells her that his concussion is getting better and he might be cleared to drive again soon. Micki is skeptical and says not to rush it, and Trey reminds her that every TBI is different. I like that they’re exploring Traumatic Brain Injury – it’s more common than you might think, and it’s true that every TBI is different and some symptoms last a very long time.

Walker Micki and Trey helping out at Side Step renovation.

They walk into the Side Step and Cordell yells “Tricki!” and it makes me grin.

Micki gets a phone call and she and Cordell are called back to “HQ” which made me giggle because I’m not sure who calls it that, but Micki is all excited. Apparently, her buddy from the APD who called knows that she’s seen “this kind of thing” before – this thing being that a thief steals musical instruments, leaving a calling card in the form of a guitar pick.

Walker: What’s their heist theme song?

The comedy was on point in this episode.

This time they stole a 300-year-old Stradivarius violin. Micki says that her sergeant kept her out of the action when she worked this case before she was a Ranger, writing her off as the girl who cried wolf, so she never got to arrest the thief – whose name is Minnie Jayne, a well-known musician (played by the awesome Crystal Monee Hall).

Walker goes wide eyed and full on fanboy, saying Minnie Jayne never got the chance for the fame and fortune she deserved.

Micki (wryly): You gonna help me or not, fanboy? I’m gonna get her on this.

Walker Cordell excited to meet singer Minnie Jayne 110.

Stella, meanwhile, is getting into trouble once again. Young love and all that, but Stella really does let her heart lead and not her head. She goes to the stables trying to figure out what happened to Trevor, and goes through his bureau drawers, finding photos of Trevor’s mom and dad with her dad — as Duke. She also runs into Clint there, currying a horse with his hands chained, and he ominously tells her to “be careful there, little lady.”

Walker Stella looking at pictures of her dad Cordell with Clint.

Walker Stella finds pictures of Jared Padalecki with Trevors dad Clint.

As they prepare to work the new case, Micki knows Cordell is bothered by something, and when he finally starts to spill, she says she’s gearing up for an overshare, facilitating his sharing with the kind of humor the partners have come to have between them. Cordell confesses that he kissed Geri and can’t stop thinking about it. Micki is empathic, saying it must be complicated, and he says he’ll figure it out, “no big deal.” (Which it obviously is to him).

He also reassures her that he’s with her on this case that means so much to her to solve, fanboy or no.

Walker: I’m with you on this. What’s the next move, Lady Ahab?

He soon realizes, though, that Micki actually knows Minnie, and fanboy mode returns.

Walker: Hold on, do you know her??

Micki: Okay, you can’t come…

Walker Micki tells Cordell he can't fanboy on witness Minnie.

What’s really funny is that Walker doesn’t even protest, just nods in understanding like yeah, I know, too much fanboying…

It’s endearing and adorable, especially because Jared is so accustomed to being on the other side of the fence and hearing/seeing the rest of us feel that way. (Though he also is a bona fide fanboy himself – in the chapter he wrote in the book “Family Don’t End With Blood,” he writes about being a huge Star Wars and James Bond fan, and how that helped him appreciate his own fans when “Supernatural” came along.)

The next scene was one of the touching ones, Liam and his dad watching a ranch hand with a young horse.

Bonham: I miss working the ranch with you.

Liam admits he’s disappointed about the DA position and feels like the could get people to start living like we’re in the 2020s not the 1920s, but that he doesn’t know what he wants anymore, still reeling from his breakup.

Bonham: That’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said. No other sixth grader had his dad change the channel to CSpan. You’re like your grandfather, big brain and even bigger heart. Listen to your gut.

Walker Mitch Pileggi supporting gay son LIam in life 110.

Walker Bonham smiling at gay son LIam 110.

Walker LIam reacts to father supporting his life and career choices 110.

Jared Padalecki live tweeted the episode and said that the way Bonham supports Liam really warms his heart. Mine too, Jared.

Back at the Side Step: Trey teaches August to flip bottles, then fumbles one and it shatters, and we realize he’s still having issues with his hand coordination. He helps Augie finish the memory wall with a memento from his first date with Micki, sharing a sort of heroic story and then wondering if “that guy’s still here anymore,” having a bit of an identity crisis after his injury.

Augie: Have you told Micki what you’re worried about? My dad hid a lot of stuff from us. You get good at spotting it everywhere.

Walker Trey teaching Augie how to flip beer bottles at Side Step.

Walker Augie telling Trey about hiding things 110.

Ain’t that the truth. Every now and then, this show just puts out a little gem like that, that tells you so much about the scars all these characters are carrying.

Stella cannot leave it alone with Clint and goes back to talk to him. She’s worried about Trevor and wants to know where he is; he’s angry and claims that her daddy (dear old Duke) tore apart his family and she stole his boy’s heart. He also ominously asks, “your brother still taking pictures with that old camera?” Hmmm.

Of course, she goes back AGAIN, and this time Clint asks her about the book “Gone Girl” and says it’s about selfish people who run away and the way a lie can destroy a family bit by bit. That seems like a bit of foreshadowing, and also ominous once again. He’s angry that Stella turned Trevor against him, choosing her family over his.

He gives away some information, though, about Crystal’s sister who took care of Trevor when he was a kid and his parents had a job to do. “Til your daddy came along,” he says, sneering. He tells her not to mention their talks to her dad – or he’ll know if she does.

Walker Stella with Trevors father angry daddy Clint.

Micki and Walker go to see Minnie and her band at a place that looks a whole lot like Jensen Ackles’ Family Business Beer Company, with the trees and string lights and picnic tables, but I guess that’s just what a lot of that area of Texas looks like – and I love the look.

Cordell grins like a total fanboy and it’s adorable. Seriously, that face he’s making is what many of us look like when Jared Padalecki walks out onstage at a convention. Pure happiness!

Minnie comes right over after, which I watched with my own fangirl goggles on, imagining the thrill that would be.

Minnie: You enjoy the show?

Micki: Eh.

Cordell (grinning): I did!

Seriously adorable.

Minnie Jayne performing live on Walker 110.

Walker Cordell embarrassing Micki being such a fanboy with Minnie.

They question Minnie back at her place and she says she had doorbell cameras installed, so she found out someone was casing the place.

Walker: Like a stalker?

Me: lol

Minnie hands a guitar to Cordell in the midst of the conversation, and he’s all flustered and fanboying. Meanwhile, all Jared’s fans are holding our breath hoping he’s actually going to play it! But alas, nope.

Minnie insists they framed her, and Cordell pretty much just keeps nodding and grinning at her in true fanboy style.

Walker Cordell acting more like fanboy with Minnie rather than policeman.

Jared Padalecki playing guitar on Walker 110 Encore.

Micki and Walker do a sweep of the house and find evidence that corroborates Minnie’s alibi. They check out her surveillance cameras and the motion detector picks them up as they move around – and also picks up something moving around in the attic.

Walker: What the hell’s in the attic?

A chase ensues as a thief climbs down from the attic with a guitar and runs away. Walker gets whacked with the guitar and the guy vaults over the fence and gets away. They figure out it’s a guy who Minnie helped, named Rex.

Minnie: Kinda figured it might be him when you mentioned backyard Parkour…

She offers to work with them but wants her record cleared. When Micki questions why that’s important to a musician, she challenges Micki.

Minnie: I thought you’d understand what kind of double standards people like us have to deal with.

Walker Cordell hears Minnie explain why she wants her record clearned.

Micki says she doesn’t have the power to clear her record.

Cordell: Liam does – especially since Rex assaulted a very important Ranger…

He’s in fanboy mode again and it’s still adorable.

Minnie says she taught Rex how to run a job and choose a mark, but she’s not in with him. She also says that what she did before, she did it because poor kids with lots of raw talent can’t afford instruments and she couldn’t take it.

Micki: Well, you literally took it…

That made me laugh, but what Minnie says makes sense too. She says the rest went to the kids or paid for studio time for those artists who couldn’t afford it, but then Rex got lazy, or stupid, or both.

They figure out that Rex might go after Robert Johnson’s guitar, which is there for the anniversary – which was a nice “Supernatural” shout out to the episode ‘Crossroads Blues,’ which was all about Robert Johnson and making deals with the devil.

Stella, having figured out from her talk with Clint where Trevor might be, knocks on Harriet’s door and Trevor answers, alarmed that she’s there. Stella says she understands running away since she’s done it a lot, but she wanted to stand still with him.

Walker 110 Stella shows up at Trevors house in surprise.

Walker Trevor reacts to Stella showing up at his house 110.

Some cars pull up and Trevor is scared, telling Stella that she has to get out of there right now. Men jump out and start beating him up and Stella runs to her car, kicking a guy out of the way to get in. Instead of driving off, she drives onto the lawn after the men and Trevor jumps in the convertible and they drive away, which was really ill-advised but also pretty badass.

Trevor tells Stella that he cut his dad off too the night he left her, and that this was his dad using him to get some revenge. He had hoped, when he got to know her “normal” family, that it would work, but then he met her dad, the reason his mom is dead…

Stella: That’s not fair to say.

Trevor: We don’t know what happened, do we?

Walker Trevor and Stella in red convertible talking about heading out.

These kids are really caught in the middle, aren’t they? Trevor says that he doesn’t want to put her at risk, and Stella bristles.

Stella: So you just lied? I’m not some princess in a tower – we could’ve figured this out together.

Trevor: Everything with our dads, the history there, is it too much for this to work?

Minnie Jayne is called up onstage to play at the Robert Johnson anniversary event, and she tells the story, straight out of a “Supernatural” episode, about how the Devil appeared to him at a crossroads and he made a deal, six strings for his soul.

Minnie: I’ve made my fair share of deals with the devil too… worth it.

Cordell is fanboying out watching, after telling her excitedly that he and Emily saw her play back in ’08, which sounds like a million times I’ve heard fans tell Jared similar stories, so it’s priceless.

Walker Minnie Jayne singing about Robert Johnson Crossroads Encore 110.

Walker Cordell fanboying out over Minnie Encore 110.

Onstage, Minnie suddenly collapses, and the lights go out. They realize that she was drugged, and so were all the guards around the real Robert Johnson guitar. Rex is sneaking out with the real guitar, pretending to be a security guard, but Micki and Walker stop him before he gets away. Success!

The next day, Stan the aspiring DA is at a Cattleman’s fundraiser that once again looks like Family Business Beer Company. Liam tells Stan that he can’t endorse him, saying that people are scared of change, but he’s not. He asks his dad, where did his grandfather’s campaign go wrong?

Bonham says that he was crazy, that he cared about people but (I think) that he lost his guts at some point. He adds that he doesn’t see that happening to his son. Bonham takes the stage.

Bonham: I’d like to introduce you to my son. He’s a man who left town to learn, and when the time came, he came back to teach, to lead. I may be biased but I think he’d make one hell of a DA.

Walker Bonham Mitch Pileggi introducing his gay son for DA.

At the Side Step reopening, Minnie performs – and tells Micki she wrote a song for her. The two women share a laugh, and it seems, an understanding.

Micki has a little heart to heart with Cordell and tells him that he’s got to trust his instincts when it comes to Geri. She says she didn’t do that with Minnie, was too focused on ‘getting it right’ even when the facts said otherwise.

Cordell: You’re good at holding a grudge. Almost as good as my old man.

Micki laughing at Side Step Walker Encore.

Walker Cordell talking to Micki about holding grudges 110.

After Micki goes inside, he calls Geri, but it goes straight to voicemail.

Minnie performs, and Trey and Micki dance. He tells her that he wasn’t being real with her before, and that he has no idea when he’ll be cleared to drive. He also opens up about why he’s struggling, because he’s always the fun guy, Mr. Positive. That he and Micki were finally good and then all this happened and it was overwhelming.

Micki: You don’t have to pretend with me.

Trey: I don’t know how to be me when who I am is changing.

Walker Micki dancing with Trevor at Side Step.

That’s another of those lines that brings so much character insight and really hits home.

Trey: I know. I don’t wanna do it without you, though.

Cordell dances with his daughter, asking her if something’s on her mind, but she deflects. It’s a sweet scene though, Cordell sensing that something’s wrong and trying to comfort her, holding her protectively.

Walker Jared Padalecki gripping daughter in dance trying to protect her Encore.

If you’ve ever had a chance to be hugged by Jared Padalecki, you know he gives the very best hugs ever.

lynn zubernis jared padalecki for attitudes in reverse — Photo: Lynn Zubernis

His phone gets a text and Stella says that’s okay, she’s gonna head out early tonight anyway. It’s Geri – texting that Hoyt is coming home tomorrow. Cordell texts Geri back, looking anxious. Talk about a complicated situation – complex feelings between the two long-time friends, Cordell’s guilt about loving anyone else after Emily, Geri’s long-time relationship with Hoyt as he returns… this is sure to be messy. But that’s pretty realistic about life, I guess.

Stella gets back in the car where Trevor is waiting.

Stella: I get why you hid things from me but it still hurts. Our dads really screwed it up for us. But they don’t get a say in how we fix what they broke.

Trevor: How do we fix it?

Stella: Let’s not worry about it tonight. Let’s just stay out until the sun comes out, drive til we run out of gas…

Trevor (smiling): Light’s green.

Trevor giving Walker Stella doe eyes look with lights green.

Walker Stella holding Trevors hand as in Thelma in Louise driving off a cliff.

Thelma and Louise hand grip end scene going over cliff. — Ala Thelma and Louise famous ending scene foreshadowing…

Walker Stella thinking about what she is about to do with Trevor at green light in car.

Walker Stella driving away to danger with Trevor. — Caps courtesy of @spndeangirl

He holds her hand, kisses her fingers.

Minnie sings as they drive away, “this hell feels better with you…”

It’s a nice ending, and I see what they’re going for with a modern Romeo and Juliet parallel with Stella and Trevor, but the mom in me keeps wanting to tell her she’s putting herself (and probably everyone else) in danger. Which, in all fairness, is not the priority when you’re a teenager in love.

Also, Jared Padalecki keeps ending up in shows with awesome cars, just saying.

It looks like in this week’s upcoming episode a couple of story lines come to a head, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens when Hoyt returns, Liam starts his run in earnest, and Stella and Trevor have to stop driving eventually. None of the relationships on this show are going smoothly right now, and I’m kind of enjoying the intrigue of that.

New episode airs this Thursday on the CW with “Walker” 111 Freedom!

6 Healthy Skin Tips for the Whole Family

MTTG Staff

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May 10, 2021

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6 Healthy Skin Tips for the Whole Family

Beyond any doubt, the beauty industry stands out as one of the most thriving ventures in the past few years. According to a recent study, the world predicts a 4.4% growth rate to $184 billion by 2025.

However, behind the craze, do you know that you can still look stunning without makeup? Bearing in mind that most beauty products contain artificial components, it is prudent to let your skin breathe every so often. Listed below are safe regimes you should encourage your family members to put into practice.

Exfoliate Often

On its own, the human skin naturally eliminates dead cells after 30 days. You can quicken the process by using an exfoliator to remove dead skin to pave the way for fresh, healthy cells.

Lack of an exfoliator should not be an excuse for unhealthy skin. Instead, scrub your face gently with granulated sugar. If possible, repeat this regime once or twice a week for clear and smoother skin.

Increase Water Intake

Dehydration or inadequate water intake causes the skin to lose its elasticity and radiance. Shortly, this escalates to sagging, dryness, fine lines and deep wrinkles. Fortunately, you can reverse the situation by augmenting your water intake. Not only does it keep your skin healthy, but it also flushes out toxins from the body.

Despite all, a considerable percentage of individuals dread drinking water. If you have such people in your family, find exciting ways to motivate them. For instance, add plenty of smoothies, soups and juices to the meals.

In addition, flavor your drinking water with lemon or other natural additives to make it more palatable. Remember that a maximum of eight glasses of water daily will restore and rejuvenate your skin.

Embrace a Healthy Sleeping Pattern

Most epidermal skin repairs happen when one falls asleep. Research indicates a single night of inadequate sleep causes paler skin, swollen eyes, black eye circles and drooping mouth corners.

The main reason behind this is the human skin makes more collagen when resting. These are protein molecules that offer structural support to body connective tissues. For a healthy formation of collagen, ensure that you sleep for a maximum of eight hours daily.

Natural Herbs for Your Skin

Thanks to Mother Nature, you can use a whole load of effective products on your skin without robbing a bank. For instance, with its rich anti-inflammatory ability, Chamomile helps reduce swelling, redness, and itchiness on the skin.

Equally, use Cinnamon and aloe vera for a glowing experience while protecting your skin from sunburns with green tea catechins. Do not forget to fight Eczema with red clovers and wrinkles with a dash of turmeric or some coconut oil.

If you live in states where the most weed is smoked, take advantage and incorporate safe and effective cannabis products. With their dominant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components, your skin will immensely benefit from this regime. Speak to a licensed medical marijuana doctor in your state to find out how you can implement medical marijuana in your daily life, or visit Veiriheal and book a consultation with a medical marijuana expert.

To get the best of natural products, blend and apply them as a mask. Still, there are verified vendors who specialise in organic beauty products with minimal chemicals.

Adopt a Healthy Diet

It is common for the world most acclaimed beauty brands to swear by their ability to slow down ageing and skin damage. Yet, even the most expensive moisturizers and cleansers penetrate just below the skin.

On that basis, what you put on your plate greatly determines your skin condition. For example, mangoes, with their rich antioxidant properties, help to repair the skin. Likewise, the green tree has a known history of improving dandruff, dry skin and wounds. Kales and other leafy green vegetables contain zeaxanthin and Lutein, which protects the skin from UV radiation.

Furthermore, Omega 3 in pumpkin seeds, corn oil, walnuts, and fish lubricate and keep the skin healthy. For menopausal women, indulge more in soya products famous for keeping wrinkles at bay. Other skin-friendly foods include lentils, berries, tomatoes, apricots, carrots, fruits and peas.

Quit Alcohol and Cigarettes

Regular alcohol intake expands skin pores leading to bumps and blackheads. Although not verified, some experts associate alcohol intake with skin and cell Carcinoma. To avoid these life-threatening conditions, cut down your input in a day. According to 2020 US dietary guidelines, a single drink for women and double for men is ideal.

On the other hand, smoking contracts blood vessels and limits the proper oxygen flow to the skin. A quick remedy to healthy skin is cutting down on the number of cigarettes in a day. If you struggle to quit smoking, visit support centers in your locale.

The Nitty-gritty of a Healthy Skin

Achieving flawless, radiant skin requires a diligent and consistent approach. Start by cleansing your face regularly with rose water for a fresh look. From a plethora of natural ingredients, make a face mask your best friend. Above all, concentrate on maintaining a healthy PH balance by exfoliating and ingesting antioxidants and vitamin C foods.

4 Highly-Anticipated Theatrical Releases

MTTG Staff

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April 19, 2021

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4 Highly-Anticipated Theatrical Releases

For the past year, our beloved theaters have been subject to extended closures in the face of the global pandemic, and a sizeable number of blockbuster movies have been pushed back numerous times. The good news is, there is light at the end of the tunnel as movie theaters begin to reopen, making way for some long-awaited movies. A lot of movies are hitting streaming services simultaneously, but if you’d rather experience the big screen and sink into a large sweet and salted, you’ve come to the right place. Throughout this article, we will look at some of the most highly anticipated movies.

A Word on Safety

You’ve likely got some concerns around hitting the theaters again and staying safe when the global pandemic is still prevalent. Rest assured, your visit to your local socially distanced movie theater will be as safe as can be – look out for the following:

Reduced capacity and spaced-out seating
Staggered screen times
No self-serve concessions stand
More cleaning of surfaces

Let your theater handle those things, and you can make sure you wear a mask and wash your hands regularly.

That’s enough safety talk, now let’s open the curtain on some exciting upcoming blockbusters.

Mortal Kombat – 04.23.21

This upcoming film will be the first entry since 1997, based on the fan-favorite Mortal Kombat game franchise. At the helm will be directorial newcomer Simon McQuoid, and it will be produced by veteran James Wann. There hasn’t been any information surrounding the plot, but this movie is sure not to hold any punches. The most about the plot released is below.

Plost Summary

In “Mortal Kombat,” MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage—or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao and rogue mercenary Kano, as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana—the immense power from within his soul—in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?

spiral book of saw movie 2021 hot images

SPIRAL: From the Book of Saw – 05.14.21

Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, “SPIRAL” is a chilling new installment in the jaw-biting “Saw” film series. The story will follow detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks (Chris Rock) and his partner (Max Minghella) as they take charge in a gruesome murder investigation that mirrors the city’s dark past. As you might have guessed, Zeke finds himself unknowingly caught up in a sadistic game.

Cruella – 05.28.21

You’ll know her as the psychotic villain of the 101 Dalmatian stories, but this film follows the origin story of Cruella Deville. Directed by Craig Gillespie, this brings Emma Stone (“The Amazing Spiderman” and “La La Land”) into the deranged world of the Dalmatian stealing fiend. Exact plot details haven’t been revealed but expect to see the unhinging of Cruella.

a quiet place 2 emily blunt hot summer movies of 2021

A Quiet Place: Part II – 05.28.04

Written and directed by John Krasinski, this is the sequel to “A Quiet Place” (2018) and will follow the Abbot family as they face the terrors of the outside and must delve into the unknown – the sound-hunting creatures aren’t the only threats out to get them.

These are the most highly-anticipated movies coming out between now and the end of May. There are a lot more films being released to get your fill of theater. When you venture out to your local movie theater, remember to stay safe, wear a mask, and keep your distance from other people.

‘Walker’ 1.09 Rule Number 17 hits hard for SPN fans

Lynn Zubernis

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April 19, 2021

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‘Walker’ 1.09 Rule Number 17 hits hard for SPN fans

The midseason finale episode of “Walker” begins with a scene that’s really hard to watch – Walker at the medical examiner’s office to identify his wife’s body. Geri frantically tries to wipe Emily’s blood off her jacket and finally takes it off before she goes to stand with him, distraught. She asks if he’s told the kids yet and he answers that he will, “in time.” It’s an understandable reaction – when a loss is so gigantic, you almost don’t want to make it real by talking about it – and you don’t want to cause your children the same kind of incredible pain that you’re feeling.

James comes out to tell them to come in, and Geri clutches his hand, overlays it with hers, tearfully reminding him “I love you, buddy.”

Walker Jared Padalecki and Geri holding hands after seeing dead Emily 109.

Jared Padalecki (confronted with his real-life wife playing dead on a slab) makes Cordell’s extreme grief and rage intensely believable. I couldn’t help but feel for Jared, having heard him talk about how hard it was to portray his previous character, Sam Winchester, in scenes where his brother had died. That was his real-life best friend; this was his real-life wife. Acting has got to be hard on the heart sometimes!

I had a difficult time watching Walker’s grief from my own perspective. Not only is Padalecki brilliant in portraying it, but I am still so raw from witnessing him portray Sam Winchester’s grief at the end of “Supernatural” that seeing him in a similar state again was almost unbearable. His half-hysterical “we’ve gotta get her out of here, it’s too cold” just broke my heart, the denial so understandable, so painful. James tries to say that revenge won’t bring him peace, but he’s not ready to hear it, breaking down as he touches Emily’s face for the last time. It’s such a similar moment of abject grief as Sam sobbing as he says goodbye to Dean (Jensen Ackles), and when I was watching this episode live, I had to pause to collect myself. That says something really good about Jared’s acting, but ouch.

Walker Jared Padalecki crying hard seeing dead Gen Emily Padalecki at coroner office 109.

Walker dead wife Emily on coroners slab 109.

Walker touching dead wife Emilys head Jared Padalecki and Gen Padalecki.

Walker is still reeling from James and Liam’s news that Carlos Mendoza did not kill Emily (and that Cordell was right about that), and he’s once again single minded in needing to go after her real killer. His kids, who have been through way too much already and have just started to settle back into some kind of “normalcy” and to start to rely on their dad again, are also rocked by the news. (Which, to his credit, Cordell tells them himself).

Augie responds with rage to rival his father’s, while Stella doesn’t want to lose that precious normalcy she’s just getting back. That egocentrism is to be expected for adolescents, because social relationships especially are of primary importance. Just as Stella was starting to heal and form new relationships (like the one with Trevor), her life is once again turned upside down and her father is once again seeming reckless and revenge driven.

Stella: It feels like you’re going hunting. And we’re just gonna let you?

Walker STella and Augie react to dad Jared Padalecki going hunting again 109.

(A call back to Padalecki’s former character, hunter Sam Winchester. Cordell looks just as badass and just as determined as Sam often did at that moment, Stella is right. That’s not the Impala’s trunk, but he’s loading up his weapons just the same.)

And before somebody says don’t make this about “Supernatural,” Jared also tweeted “Going hunting”… I so appreciate that he’s right there with us in the grieving process fans of SPN are going through, wanting to incorporate a lasting love of that other show and character into this new one. It’s a healthy way of adapting to loss, which is never easy.

Once again, Jared live tweeted the show with us, which is always so much fun.

Walker: I can’t stand idle. I’m trying to bring peace to our family, your mother. It’s okay if you can’t support that, but can you understand that?

Stella and Augie leave the room, Abilene telling Cordell that they just need their space.

He was honest with them, which I think is part of the character’s evolution.

Captain James, who’s still feeling very bad about not believing Walker and giving him such a hard time about refusing to give up his suspicions about Emily’s killer, convinces Cordell to team up with him again. To go old school. Like old times.

Walker Jared Pdalecki with work gear putting into back of truck 109.

Walker James smiling outside truck at Jared Padalecki.

James: Maybe we should ride out today, as partners. Get our reunion tour on.

Walker: Not sure I need a partner at my side who didn’t believe me in the first place.

Walker Jared Padalecki still angry at James for not believing him 109.

Walker James reacts to Jared Padalecki telling him not to reunite as partners 109.

James says he’s trying to turn that around. Walker’s convinced when he realizes that the Captain has already bugged the poker game, where Northside Nation is talking about burying a Ranger’s wife. In the van, the two at first verbally spar, James trying to reconnect with humor and Walker saying it’s a violation of the rules they wrote for their partnership back in the day on a napkin (Violation of rule 14 seems to be something about taking off your boots in the car). James says that maybe Rule 17 should be applicable too, but Cordell isn’t ready to just go back to that easy camaraderie.

Walker: I know you always have my back. But a lot has happened since we wrote down rules on a bar napkin.

Their attempts at reconnection are interrupted by Geri, who is both in the file on Northside Nation, and unexpectedly also at the poker game. Does anyone think that can be a coincidence?

Walker police report about undercover cop Geri.

Walker Jared Padalecki reading police file on Geri at Northside Nation.

James tells Walker what they know – that the hush money that Northside Nation paid to Carlos was laundered through Geri, who has been missing until this moment. Despite Walker’s shock, and James’ hypothesis that Emily figured out what Geri was mixed up in and became a loose end, his protective instincts kick in when it comes to Geri and he jumps out of the van and confronts her. She’s defensive, demanding to know what he’s really asking.

Geri: Did I kill Emily, is that what you wanna know? No I didn’t kill my best friend! If I knew who did I’d kill them myself!

Geri screaming at Walker did I kill Emily?

Walker angry Jared Padalecki responds to Geri about killing emily.

Geri insists she’s here to pay money back to Oswald for a bad loan, the Northside Nation thug who was skeevy with Stella and taunted Cordell at the station. Geri and Walker are having a full on fight right outside where NSN is playing poker, which seems like a very bad idea. Luckily James interrupts them and takes Geri to the van, while he and Cordell try to figure out whether to believe her. She starts pounding on the van window to get their attention and Cordell shushes her, until she tells them their wire is dead (adding, “geniuses”).

When she realizes that NN might be who killed Emily, she insists she’s going in there to infiltrate the gang and try to get Oswald to incriminate himself on tape.

Geri: She was my best friend. I found her…I closed her eyes…I want the truth as bad as you two do.

It’s still a helluva coincidence, though.

Cordell and James listen through the wire as Geri tries to pay Oswald, overhearing her make disparaging comments about Walker when he insists she’s not selling the bar to “the Ranger”. Who’s a jackass.

Walker: I choose to take that as good undercover work.

Walker Cordell and James listen in on Geri bust 109.

Geri confronts Oswald at poker game Walker Rule Number 17.

Walker Geri trying to pay Oswald in bust.

Cordell tries to tell her what to do; she does the opposite.

Oswald says he’s going to become a problem for her if she doesn’t back out of the sale. That it’s “probably best to let sleeping dogs lie, especially if you gotta put ‘em down yourself. Once in the desert is enough, you get what I’m saying?”

Do we??? That was a provocative – and ambiguous – statement.

Geri seems too unhinged from the jump, barely holding it together, and Walker keeps wanting to go in too soon so nothing bad goes down, especially after that reference. James reminds him they don’t have anything that would hold up in court, saying let’s not take our shot and miss again, and Walker snarks back at him.

Walker: You mean you can’t take your shot and miss again. Partner.

I don’t know what to make of the whole Geri situation, to be honest, but her defensiveness seemed almost over the top here. She really didn’t know who Oswald was, and just happened to show up to the poker game at the same time? I tend to think coincidences are…. rare. (Though not always on TV).

Walker tries to get Geri to retreat when it’s clear she can’t remain calm, once again talking someone through an almost panic attack, this time through a wire, and painting a picture of what must be their teenage meeting.

Walker: Geri, hey, hey….7^th grade… Middle school gym… you had on a Houston Oilers backpack… you called me a jackass for making fun of Hoyt’s hair but he had that JTT haircut….

Walker Jared Padalecki trying to get Geri to calm down with Oswald.

He tells her that he believes her, and asks her to bail if she needs to, saying he wants her safe.

To James, Walker admits: “I can’t lose her too.”

Unfortunately, Geri doesn’t back down. She walks right up to Oswald and confronts him, saying she heard Emily got killed because of NSN, and he figures out that she’s wired and grabs her, holding a gun on her.

Walker Geri pushing hard on Oswald 1.09.

Walker Oswald getting angry with Geri 109.

Oswald: Who’s on the other end?

Walker and James burst in, guns drawn, demanding that Oswald let Geri go. There’s a tense standoff where Walker gets sassy with Oswald and bonds with James over their rules, which seems to be what they did when they were partners. They find out that Oswald actually has an alibi for the night Emily was killed, so the hypothesis that it was him disappears.

Close up of Walker Jared Padalecki with single barrel rifle 1.09.

Walker Jared Padalecki pointing rifle at Oswald.

Walker Oswald holding gun to Geri Cali head.

All this stalls everything long enough that their backup gets there, so Oswald admits defeat and lets Geri go. She turns around and punches him in the mouth.

Geri: Consider my debt paid.

Unfortunately for all of them, however, he insists he didn’t kill Emily. So who did?

Cali, the blonde woman who seemed sympathetic to Geri earlier, confides in her that she knows what happened the night Emily died, and that she’s willing to talk – for some immunity and protection.

James apologizes again to Walker, saying he wishes they’d solved the murder, that he hates letting his partner down and that he wants to make things right – “make us right.” He also confides that he’s been struggling with the reality that for some people, having a black Captain is a bit much, despite how much he’s been trying to prove himself, and Cordell says he’s sorry he wasn’t there for the transition.

They bring a cuffed Cali out. “Take off these cuffs,” she says to Walker and James, “and I’ll give you proof of who murdered your wife.”

Pointedly, she doesn’t say who that is.

Walker and James with a handcuffed Cali 109.

As the rest of the NSN gang get led away, Cali convinces Walker and James to uncuff her, saying she has the proof of who killed Emily on her phone. Which she left inside the building.

Me: Hold up, what? You, experienced Rangers, are gonna let her stroll back into the building by herself to ostensibly retrieve her phone???

The answer, unaccountably, is yes. Television and movies are about suspending belief…

Of course, Cali turns out to be playing them – they find out Oswald’s alibi checked out and know Cali was lying to them, and then Walker realizes that he’s seen her before — that night at the border, he recognizes her flicking her lighter (for some reason I don’t entirely understand).

Walker Jared Padalecki 1.09 realizes Calif played them.

Walker Cali flicking her lighter at Jared Padalecki 109.

Shooting at them from inside the building, and they go in after her and Walker confronts her when James gets a gun on her. Cali admits that Emily was in the wrong place at the wrong time when NSN was doing an illegal prescription drug transport across the border. Stopping short of saying she killed her, she’s goading Walker, and he nearly loses it and shoots her just like that. James talks him out of it, saying think of his kids, that it won’t make everything better, and finally, he puts down his gun.

Walker teary and nearly losing it over Geri goading him about Emily 109.

Geri goading Walker about wife Emily death 109.

Suddenly Geri appears, and as Cali pulls a another gun, Geri shoots her, killing her.

Walker rushes to comfort Geri, a refrain of the “I love you, buddy” that we saw at the start, but all I could think of was wait, she shot her before she could say who actually killed Emily?

Walker Jared Padalecki comforting Geri after her meltdown 109.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (literally), the rest of the family is also reeling from the news. Bonham is as focused on revenge as his son and his grandson, saying that he hopes they find the “sumbitch” and doesn’t care what happens next. Abeline reminds Cordell that the kids need to hear it from him (and adds to Bonham that she also hopes they find the sumbitch.) Mitch Pileggi and Hagan really inhabit their roles; I don’t know how much riding they’ve done before this, but they look entirely comfortable and at home on their horses and I enjoy seeing the slice-of-life on the ranch scenes on this show because they give us important context for the whole Walker family.

Walker Bonham and Abeline on horseback at the ranch.

Walker Mitch Pileggi on horse talking to Abeline about Walker kids.

Abeline giving Walker advice on the kids 109.

Liam is having a very hard time keeping busy enough to not mourn the breakup with Bret. I do appreciate the way the show gives us all the various permutations of what people do when they’re grieving. Liam is in full-on avoidance mode, which is pretty common after a big loss. He’s also, clearly, angry – at himself, at Bret, at life in general maybe. He first destroys the trellis that Bonham built for the planned wedding (which was really sweet btw), taking out all his rage on the poor structure. Liam seems 100% set on making the split with Bret permanent, though I can’t help but wonder if what’s happening with his brother and NSN will change that. It should, right? Or does Liam not really want it to? He insists he’s okay and that they “ended it like gentlemen,” but I don’t think his parents are convinced.

Walker Liam showing off his belly while chopping wood in lumberjack shirt. 109.

Walker gay brother Liam looking butch in lumberjack shirt and ax.

Micki, since James is partnered with Walker, goes to the ranch to keep an eye on everyone and keep them safe, just in case. She asks about the “Walker For Governor” sign and Liam dismisses it, saying it didn’t age well – and he also lost. She asks if he ever thought about tossing his hat in the ring, but Liam says that it was hard to have political ambitions when “your fiancé keeps threatening to leave the state”, reminding us that while I think most of us were really rooting for Liam and Bret and while Liam also shares some fond memories with a smile, they were having problems that had nothing to do with Northside Nation.

Beto O’Rourke gets a shout out somewhere in here, which I hope he caught and enjoyed.

Liam also avoids his grief by coming up with all kinds of chores for himself, including installing a Google Nest that nobody seems to really want (product placement, anyone?) He’s also worried about Cordell, wondering “what kind of man my brother will come home as.” Walker really traumatized his whole family with his abandonment and disappearance into Duke.

Walker Micki talking to gay brother Liam 109.

Walker Liam installing a Google Nest to keep from drinking booze 109.

Abeline tries to get Liam to talk about it (and to shave his scruff, for some reason), but he turns around and accuses her of busying herself worrying about him so she doesn’t have to worry about when Cordell will come home.

Abilene: You know it’s not like that.

Liam: Mom, it’s always been like that.

Interesting conversation. I hope we get more backstory about the brothers’ and the family’s history that’s clearly complicating lots of things now.

August and Stella are taking their fears and frustrations out on each other, as siblings are wont to do, wrestling over Augie’s cell phone – apparently because Trevor texted him and not Stella. Stella prevails, but Augie grabs his phone back, saying that Trevor only texted him to cancel some plans. Micki asks what happened and Stella explains that Trevor ghosted her at the dance but doesn’t say why unfortunately. Micki decides that the kids need some other way to work out their frustrations, and that it should be with some target practice.

Walker Micki decides to take frustrated STella and Augie out to shoot stuff.

Not my favorite scene. I realize this show has guns, that these people are Rangers. That Bonham and Abeline are ranchers who also have rifles. That the show keeps trying to show women as the ones who are strong and capable, as Micki and Stella knock down their bottle targets. But that feels different than suggesting to two kids that this is the best way to work out their anger.

Walker Micki shooting range scene with Stella and Augie 109.

Augie says he’s been going to therapy, which seems like a much better idea for dealing with all their losses. Micki confides that having a psychologist for a mom was a lot of everyday teenage problems having deep underlying meaning, which clearly didn’t sit well with her, and I’m not sure whether to get defensive on behalf of my profession (and my being a mom) or to realize she’s still dealing with a lot of Adriana resentment. Augie also admits he hopes his dad “kills this bastard” while Stella says she doesn’t feel that way at all, that she’s sad that things were just starting to seem normal. Micki, despite her bitterness about her mom’s profession, says that Adriana used to say there were no wrong feelings… not right, not wrong, just honest.

Micki: Might be something you two wanna think about.

Walker Micki talking to Stella and Augie about Emilys murderer 109.

Walker Augie hoping Jared Padalecki kills man who killed Emily 109.

Walker Stella talking to Micki about Trevor and Emily 109.

That I agree with. It’s also nicely in line with the range of feelings people have in response to loss. We all cope differently, and that’s sometimes hard within families.

Walker returns home to find out that Ramirez was there all day.

James: Good day though, huh?

Walker agrees. (Though it’s not my definition of a good day!) He gives James the original napkin where they wrote down the partner rules, which strained believability for me that he’s been carrying a napkin in his pocket for years (but hey, I’m someone who believes Sam Winchester carried around the amulet in his pocket for a decade, so…)

James: You’re a softie, man.

Walker Jared Padalecki with James Your a softie 109.

Cordell: I will burn this!

He admits that James was right, that he’s been distant, because ever since that night in the medical examiner’s office, when he sees James, he sees that.

Walker: And that has to change. I want to make us right too.

I’m glad because I like the two of them together, but I also don’t feel like the show has given me enough time with Captain James to make me feel very invested in his relationship with Walker. We can infer that they were close when they were partners, but we haven’t really seen it, so none of this pulled at my heartstrings as much as I think it was intended to. The napkin and the “make us right” conversation seemed kind of over the top as a result.

As Cordell’s heading home, Bonham consults the Google Nest for a dinner menu. Geri drinks alone at the bar. Liam shaves his grief beard. Abeline smiles to see that, and Liam revisits her advice to him to concentrate on what’s next – looking at the Walker For Governor sign.

Walker brother LIam with Abeline looking at Walker for Governor sign 109.

Walker returns in one piece, his kids launching themselves into his arms for a big hug, and the family sits down to dinner.

Cordell makes a toast, his eyes on Emily standing off to the side watching.

Walker Jared Padalecki hugging son August tight 109.

Walker Jared Padalecki toasting dead wife Emily at family dinner 109.

Walker Emily Gen Padalecki watching family toast her memory 109.

Cordell: I’m glad we’re together here today. This isn’t the path we chose, but maybe there’s some comfort in knowing your mother left this world doing what she chose. Helping people.

They drink to getting some closure, and finally some peace.

Cordell: To mom. To Emily. (looking across the lawn) To you.

Across the yard, Emily whispers “I love you.”

Walker Mitch Pileggi toasting Emily with family 109.

Walker staring at dead wife Jared Padalecki outside window 109.

Walker Emily whispers I love you to Jared Padalecki 109.

It’s entirely understandable that the Walkers all want that peace, but I can’t help but wonder if they’ve once again ‘solved’ this case too quickly because they want to put it behind them. Nevertheless, it’s a nice way of reflecting the slow process of adapting to loss, eventually finding the good things that have come from the loss too, and incorporating the love into what will come.

Back at the house, Stella and Augie fall asleep on the couch, their heads on their father’s shoulders.

Walker August and Stella fall asleep on Jared Padaleckis shoulders 109.

He banks the fire and then goes out (which is weird because a) fire and b) hopefully he left a note? I know the kids aren’t kids but still).

Walker goes to the bar, where Geri’s sitting on the floor, drinking and saying her goodbyes. She asks if it gets easier.

Walker: Losing someone?

Geri: Taking someone.

Walker: In time.

Walker Jared Padalecki bonding with Geri at bar 109.

Walker Geri responds to Jared Padalecki soft eyes touch 109.

It’s a full circle moment to what he said at the start, that he’d tell the kids what happened to their mother “in time” and that time seems to have come. It also works on a broader level, in a show that’s so much about grief and loss – a reminder that everyone grieves in their own time, in their own way.

A song with lyrics about “peace of mind” plays and Walker and Geri sit on the floor together, Walker saying that “it’s just you and me that really understand.”

He says he’s sorry.

Geri: I’m glad it’s you and me.

They lean in, touching foreheads, and anyone who watched the “Supernatural” finale immediately got thrown back to the tragic scene in the barn.

Walker Cordell and Geri touching foreheads before big kiss scene 109.

And then…. they kiss.

I can’t say I didn’t see that coming, because people have been speculating about it all along, but I also can’t say I was rooting for it. If you were, I’m happy for you though!

Multiple fans had been tweeting about how nice it was that a man and woman could be ‘just friends’ on the show like Cordell and Geri, so there were a bunch of ‘That tweet did not age well” tweets – and I was sort of enjoying that too. It also felt jarring to have him leave the dinner where he felt so connected to Emily and then kiss her best friend.

At the same time, it is compelling to have that one other person who really understands the depth of your grief and can share it, who has shared your history with that person, and who knows the real you more than most people. It’s part of what bound Sam and Dean Winchester together so tightly, and I think Cordell and Geri share something similar. Not to say that I trust her – I’m not sure I do. At the very least, there’s more to the story of that night and what happened to Emily, I think.

The close-up once again of their hands, clasped in mutual support like at the start of the episode when we flashback to that night in the medical examiner’s office, reminds us that is at least some of what this connection is about. It’s also reminiscent of the finale of “Supernatural” once again, Sam and Dean’s lifelong bond symbolized by a similar close shot of their hands, support until the very end.

Emily holding Jared Padaleckis hands in Walker 109 similar to Supernatural finale. — Caps courtesy of @spndeangirl

We won’t find out right away if there’s more to Emily’s story or if this really is the wrap-up of that part of the show, because “Walker” doesn’t return with a new episode (Encore 1.10) until May 6. Fans can do a lot of speculation in the meantime!

Storms Hit On ‘Walker’s’ Fine Is A Four Letter Word 108 – In Multiple Ways

Lynn Zubernis

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April 10, 2021

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Storms Hit On ‘Walker’s’ Fine Is A Four Letter Word 108 – In Multiple Ways

Last week’s episode of “Walker” was the most eventful one ever, with many of the emotional storylines laid out in the first seven episodes getting put to the test as that time-honored raise-the-stakes moment of television and film takes over – a tornado! As much as a sudden storm and people being caught in it, allowing us to find heroism in the show’s characters, is a common way to bring suspense and danger, somehow being in the middle of a real-life pandemic and the very real effects of climate change make it all seem a bit more serious.

That worked in the show’s favor, because the sense of danger was palpable. Kudos also to the show’s writer Katherine Alyse and director Stacey K. Black for keeping the pace slow enough to let that sense of danger build, at first from newscasters warning of the coming storm (a warning mostly missed by the characters caught up in their own emotional challenges) and later from the flurry of phone calls back and forth, which seemed a realistic way of depicting what we all would do in that kind of situation.

This was a complex episode, with serious emotional arcs playing out within the context of a natural disaster – the lingering effects of Abeline’s infidelity, Trevor caught between his feelings for Stella and his loyalty to his father, Micki still trying to avoid the reality of Adriana’s revelation by keeping it from Trey, Cordell making his first awkward and tentative steps toward envisioning a new relationship, and a guilt-stricken Liam wanting to come clean to his brother but trying to protect his fiancé and hurting him in the process. Somehow the writer managed to weave those stories in and out of the storm context deftly enough that they all spooled out realistically.

Watching this week was extra fun because Jared Padalecki and some other cast members live tweeted along with the fandom, adding some behind the scenes insights and some priceless dad jokes. For those of us who watched Supernatural for many years, “Walker” sometimes feels like a fandom reunion, since many “Supernatural” fans are now watching and interacting around a new shared TV show.

The episode opens, as it often does, with the core family – Walker and his kids. It’s a brief scene but it shows the progress Cordell has made in keeping to his resolve to be a dad to his children, as he makes pancakes and even flips them deftly.

Walker 108 Jared Padalecki with August and STella deinner time.

His newfound comfort in that role is contrasted with what Liam is explaining to Micki about how his brother was after Emily’s death.

Liam: You didn’t know him then…constant driving obsession that sucked the life out of every second of his day and consumed him. He was convinced that Carlos didn’t kill Emily. We said that there was no conspiracy. We were wrong.

Liam, as Micki points out, looks like shit. Consumed with guilt and the burden of the secrets he’s been keeping from both his fiancé and his brother – that Carlos isn’t the killer and that the bad guys who probably did kill Emily are now after him and Capt. James. And willing to blow up their car to get to them. He’s avoiding Bret so he can keep up the lie, sleeping in his office, unshaven and hollow-eyed. Keegan Allen really made me feel for Liam, his guilt and indecision showing in the way he holds himself, his expression, his physicality as well as his words.

Walker Micki talking to LIam about Carlos 108.

Walker LIam breaking down from keeping secrets from Bret and Cordell.

Liam insists he won’t risk putting anyone’s life in danger and is terrified that they could have been followed back to Austin. He does have a confidante in Micki now, though. Her research shows that forensics on the bomb matches Northside Nation’s MO.

(I’ll admit that name for the gang makes me want to either roll my eyes or giggle each time someone says it, especially after that weird truck round up of kids playing soccer scene, but it is what it is).

Micki: It was them, Liam. I understand how hard it is, but this isn’t your secret to keep. Walker needs to know. That person is now targeting his brother and his captain.

Liam promises that he’s going to tell Walker the truth, and we can all imagine just how difficult that conversation is going to be – for both of them. And Liam is much too preoccupied with his own stormy relationships to listen to the news warning about the actual storm coming.

The rest of the family misses the warnings too, wrapped up in something much more pleasant – the school dance that Stella and Augie are both going to. Abeline helps Stella get ready, a little scene that touched me with its melancholy (Emily not there) but also its resilience (her grandmother stepping in).

Walker Abeline helping Stella get ready for school dance 108.

Trevor combs his hair in the car and gets ready too, stopping at the prison first to see his dad and bring him some letter writing supplies. His dad, Clint (Austin Nichols), is an interesting character. He can get to his son with just a few well-chosen words.

Clint: Got a hot date? Taking out Cordell Walker’s daughter…your mom might even forgive him for killing her.

Trevor, clearly conflicted, says that Stella’s mother also passed away. Clint considers.

Clint: Something in common. That’s my boy.

Walker Trevor visiting father Clint in prison.

Walker Clint Austin Nichols in prison with son Trevor 108.

He barters for some flowers that a visitor just brought another prisoner, and fashions them together into a little wristlet.

Clint: Give her this nice little gift for me.

That whole interaction was chilling, and I’m intrigued by Clint as a result. He’s driven by the same emotions as Walker (and as John Winchester, if you’ll forgive a “Supernatural” reference): revenge. And in his own way, he’s loyal to family the same way the Walkers and the Winchesters are. Austin Nichols captures his complexity and manages to make him scary even when he’s making a floral wristlet!

I actually wish we could have seen more of obsessed, driven, rage-filled Cordell after Emily’s death. We hear about it from the people who witnessed it, but I would love a flashback from before he ran away from all those feelings by becoming Duke. It makes the parallels between him and Clint even more interesting, if they’re headed in that direction.

This show loves its pointed transitions (sometimes a little too much), so the flowers on the wristlet transition to the flowers that Cordell is picking to make a corsage for his daughter to give to her date. Emily appears (in his subconscious) to chide him about not including dandelions, because “those are weeds, babe.”

He also, amusingly, puts words in her mouth when she says, “I hate to see you go,” and he replies “But you love to watch me walk away.”

He’s cute, seriously.

Walker Gen Padalecki playing dead wife Emily for Cordell.

Walker Jared Padalecki flashback with dead wife Emily 108.

Walker gives Stella the corsage sans weeds and also a necklace.

Walker: I think your mom would like this for you.

Not gonna lie, I had a moment of amulet feelings because I will probably never get over “Supernatural.”

Abeline takes pictures, and it’s bittersweet, because the family all knows that should have been Emily. Those small moments are well done on this show, always poignant but not overplayed. The show lets the viewers fill in the blanks, because we’ve all experienced grief and we know what those small moments feel like, when the loss hits you unexpectedly and you long for that person to be there to see what you’re seeing.

Walker Jared Padalecki giving Stella a corsage of flowers for dance 108.

Walker Abeline taking pictures of August and Stella for dance 108.

Stella and Trevor leave for the dance, and Abeline asks Bonham when they’re going dancing, which seems like her attempting a truce and a little rekindling. Bonham blows her off, saying they need to go to the feed store.

Abeline: You sure know how to plan a date night.

When everyone else is gone, Cordell pauses for a moment, looking up wistfully and missing Emily.

Cordell: Wish you could’ve been here for this…

Padalecki is so good at those quiet moments, letting us see the depth of the grief Walker is still dealing with. The grief comes and goes, like it does for all of us, but when it hits, it can still hit hard and knock us off our feet temporarily.

Walker Jared Padalecki having a grieving moment.

The news in the background continues to warn about the storm, and something about Bordertown residents and temporary shelters never being installed…

Liam calls and asks if the brothers can grab a beer tomorrow. Cordell, feeling lonely with everyone gone, says why not tonight, but Liam says he’s still working so they agree on the next day. Luckily for Walker, Micki texts with an invitation to game night, and he orders pizza and heads out, relieved. (Also it’s adorable that his texts refer to her as “Flor”, their little in joke).

Walker Jared Padalecki ordering pizza on phone 108.

Meanwhile, Bret takes matters into his own hands and goes to see Liam at his office, as we hear more about the storm, now ‘severe.’ We see Liam’s increasing anxiety as he checks to see if Bret was followed, looking down the hallway after unlocking the door. Bret is clearly alarmed by both the state of his fiancé and his cluttered and not-so-sweet-smelling office, entreating Liam to let him take him to dinner and air the office out. Liam is reluctant, but Bret sweeps him into an embrace, saying “come on, let me take care of you.” Who can resist that? This episode let Alex Landi have some more substantive scenes, and his affection for Liam really came through.

Liam finally agrees and says he’ll meet Bret out there.

The newscaster on the ignored television advises that everyone stay away from doors and inside walls, and the tension ramps up.

Walker Bret visits Liam at office during storm 108.

Walker Liam upset telling Bret he will meet him outside 108.

Distracted Liam misses weather warning on TV Walker 108.

Bret and Liam get on the elevator to head out, and the tension between them is thick. Bret tries to grab Liam’s hand and he pulls away, refusing to talk about his work trip and so distracted that he’s not even listening to what Bret is saying. Bret finally gets exasperated.

Bret: You’re being weird! Can we talk about it?

Walker Bret asking Liam why he is being weird in elevator.

The elevator stops suddenly, and Liam freaks out (probably thinking it may be another sabotage attempt).

Trey and Micki are also ignoring the news, the television off so they can have what seems to be a nice tradition for them – game night. Trey already senses that Micki is keeping things from him, asking if Walker is getting any juicy details that he’s not. Micki at one point goes to say “I have a psychologist mom” but she stops herself before she says ‘mom’. Trey finishes the sentence for her, but clearly knows there’s more to it. Micki insists she doesn’t want to talk about it, just as Walker arrives with pizza.

Trey trying to discuss Mickis mom Walker108.

Walker Micki trying to avoid topic withTrey 108.

Their phone alerts announce a tornado watch, which saves Walker from having to play Yu-Gi-Oh, which amused me. (All the kudos to writer Alyse who I’m guessing is pop culture and fandom savvy). The trio head to the school where the kids are for the dance – because they need supplies, I think? So, I’m guessing the school is a storm shelter?

They find the kids and their friends are just about the only ones at the dance – I think the story is that they needed to be there early to set up, but it’s Covid convenient for sure. Ah well. Cordell chows down on the appetizers, looking much more like Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) than Sam, and attempts some awkward flirtation with Julie Branlett (Jessica Irvine Drake), the science teacher. When he realizes she’s flirting with him, he stumbles over his words rather adorably, introducing himself as Ranger…father…husband…uhh former husband…

Walker Jared Padalecki stuffing face with food as woman flirts 108.

Walker Julie Branlett flirts with Jared Padalecki 108.

Walker Jared Padalecki tries flirting with Jessica Irvine Drake 108.

Jared doesn’t make it over the top, so it seems believable even though you might expect that a man who looks like Jared Padalecki would never have to work hard at flirting anyway. The flirtation is interrupted by Ruby concerned about her missing grandfather, who had heart surgery recently and has some kind of pacemaker implant, and is caught in the storm.

Cordell: I think we have a rescue mission that needs a medic.

Which means – the fandom’s favorite trio! Cordell, Micki and Trey head out into the storm, Trey going back to ask the science teacher if she has a magnet he can borrow. Micki teases her partner while they wait for Trey.

Micki: Why were you so weird with that woman, has no one ever flirted with you?

He protests that he hasn’t flirted in a long time but allows that back there he almost did. Micki and Walker are refreshingly blunt with each other, in contrast to most of the other relationships on the show right now. Micki reminds him to keep quiet about “the whole Adriana thing” and he reminds her that haven’t they learned that secret secrets are not good?

Walker Jared Padalecki talks to Micki about flirting with women 108.

Micki: When you say it out loud you have to accept it. You’re my partner, Trey’s my person.

(More points to the savvy writer who knows the phrases that will ring true to a lot of viewers).

Abeline and Bonham are at the feed store, which Abeline questions because it’s not their usual place, but Bonham dismisses her and goes inside. Abeline’s phone rings and it’s Liam, stuck in the elevator and freaking out. Meanwhile, Cordell calls Bonham and asks him to pick up some supplies. At first, we don’t realize why Bonham looks like he’s about to murder the clerk at the store, but it soon becomes clear that it’s Gary – the man who Abeline had an affair with.

Walker Gary lets Bonham know about Abeline affair 108.

Walker Bonham realizes Abeline had affair with Gary 108.

Abeline comes in to tell Bonham they have to go, Liam’s stuck in an elevator, and the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Awkward.

She goes back to say something to Gary when Bonham heads outside.

Abeline: This was not my plan, believe me.

Gary yells her name after her, but she follows Bonham out. Back in the truck, she confronts him. Both of them are angry.

Abeline: What the hell’s the matter with you? You know I ended it!

Walker Molly Hagan and Mitch Pileggi in car talking 108.

At least now they’re talking about it, I guess? Molly Hagan and Mitch Pileggi shine when they interact onscreen, both of them capable of portraying a lot of emotion with only a few words – and of showing us a relationship that is anything but simplistic.

In the stuck elevator, Bret tries to comfort Liam, reassuring.

Bret: Babe, we’re safe, calm down. We’re good, we’re okay.

Walker Liam freaking out about elevator being stuck in storm 108.

Walker Bret holding Liam tight in hug 108.

Walker LIam breaks down as Bret holds him comfort 108.

Liam confesses that something happened on his work trip to Mexico, and we think he’s finally going to tell Bret the truth. Instead, clearly distraught, he lies and says that he hooked up with a bartender.

Bret: You? Mr. Family Values? You cheated?

Liam immediately assumes that their relationship is over – which is, of course, what he’s trying to do. End it so that Bret won’t be in danger.

Liam: I was drunk and I’ve ruined things…it’s unforgiveable…I can’t believe I’ve done this, you’re better off…

Walker Bret confronts Liam about cheating on him 108.

Walker LIam being self destructive in relationship with Bret.

Bret angrily protests that Liam does not get to decide what he forgives, and then they are freed from the elevator by Liam’s still-awkwardly-tense parents. Now there are multiple awkwardly tense couples. They head to the dance, where Stella and Trevor are bonding, Stella telling Trevor about the time she and August built a fort out of the gymnasium mats.

Stella: It was the last time we felt like kids, the year before mom was killed.

Walker Stella opens up to Trevor about mother being killed 108.

Walker Trevor telling Stella about before his mother was killed.

That small line was pretty powerful and spot on – kids do feel like they have to grow up suddenly when they lose a parent, or even worse, both parents. Stella and August lost their mom, lost the family in which they could be carefree kids with two parents who loved them, temporarily lost their dad too when he ran away to be someone else. That’s a lot of loss, and it makes so much sense psychologically that Stella would remember that last time she felt like a child with such longing.

She tries to get Trevor to talk about his own childhood and his parents, but he deflects, saying his mom is dead and his dad is in prison. They share an almost kiss, then get interrupted to go dance. There’s a little interlude when the kids are actually having fun, girls and boys and girls and girls and boys and boys dancing together – a subtle thing, but important to see and to normalize. The kids are not hung up about any of it, Stella dancing with Bel, Trevor dancing with August, Stella with Trevor, all of them just having a good time and being kids.

Walker 108 school dance with August going at it.

Walker Stella dancing with Bel and taking selfies 108.

Trevor disappears for a short time and then surprises them with a house of gymnasium mats like from Stella’s fond memory, strung with lights. Trevor gallantly puts his coat on a chilly Stella and they all go through the mat house, delighted. The spell breaks when Stella finds the prison pass in Trevor’s pocket – and realizes that Clint West is Trevor’s dad.

Walker Stella finds prison pass in Trevors pocket 108.

Walker Stella realizes Clint West is Trevors father 108.

The storm is getting worse by then, as Trey and Micki and Walker drive right into it, trying to figure out what their “trio name” should be. (It’s okay, writer, you can say “ship name” if you want.) Micki comes up with “Trickier” because she and Trey are already “Tricki” which, again, this is a fandom savvy writer because that really is their ship name, and I’m enjoying it.

Walker Micki comes up with Trickier name for her and Trey relationship 108.

They find a storm ravaged area where Ruby’s grandfather has been in a car accident, lying in the road, the tornado roaring down on them. Micki has a panic attack partly kicked off by the lights which evoke that traumatic memory of her aunt paying off her mother at the tracks. She drops the magnet in the road as the wind whips branches and debris around.

Micki has panic attack in storm on Walker 108.

Walker Micki reverts to little girl terrified of storms 108.

Walker realizes what’s happening instantly and knows how to use some basic grounding techniques to help her anchor herself – come back to the here and now by taking inventory of what you see, feel, hear around you.

Walker: Tree, branch, telephone pole…

Micki: Tree, branch, asphalt, you’re an ass…

Walker: Yes. Good, you good?

Jared Padalecki using grounding technigques for anxiety on Walker 108 set.

Okay, it was a little quicker than that might have happened in real life for sure, but the basics were there. Padalecki is no stranger to anxiety and panic attacks, as he wrote about in his chapter in the book Family Don’t End With Blood, so I have no doubt he wanted to ensure that scene was realistic.

They take shelter with the injured man in a storm drain, Walker going back out to get the magnet that she dropped. The wind whips up and he gets hit by a big tree branch, and now it’s Micki’s turn to rescue him, pulling the tree off him and helping him back to the temporary shelter.

Walker Jared Padalecki hit by tree on tornado set 108.

Jared Padalecki live tweeting the episode: OUCH! Why do I have to get “TREE-ted” like that?!?! (See what I did there?)

Trey uses the magnet to treat the man’s heart issue as they all shelter in place.

Once they’re back in the truck, Micki apologizes for freezing and getting Walker hurt, though he shrugs it off and says he’s fine. Trey, however, notes that whatever is going on is a bigger deal than Micki is letting on, and it’s getting in her way. He’s right. Micki finally admits that she found out last week that Adriana was her aunt, not her mother.

Trey: Last week? Walker knows already?

Trey hurt Micki told Walker about problems before him 108.

Micki tells Trey about problems with Walker Jared Padalecki 108.

He’s clearly hurt, but there’s no time to process it as they drive into a scene of destruction from the tornado, cars thrown around, some on top of each other and piles of debris. Trey climbs up to rescue a driver trapped in her car, then falls himself as he tries to get down. Micki hovers as they wait for him to be taken away by EMS.

Trey: I’m pretty sure I have a concussion. So, you gonna tell me about Adriana?

Micki admits she was trying to protect herself, that she didn’t want it to be true and just wanted to pretend like it wasn’t part of her story.

Micki: And you are such a big part of my story, I just… if I told you, it would mean that it’s a part of me too.

Micki opening up to Walker Trey about relationship 108.

Lindsay Morgan and Jeff Pierre acted the hell out of that scene. Again, the show manages to depict something realistic about grief and loss. When it’s a traumatic loss of some kind – in Micki’s case, loss of her identity as Adriana’s daughter, loss of her mother in a sense, loss of the meaning she’s made of her life up until now – when that loss feels too big, we just don’t want to integrate it into our life story. We want to keep it separate, as though that will somehow make it not true – not real.

But of course, as Trey points out, that avoidance has consequences.

Micki asks Cordell if he understands why she didn’t want to tell Trey, and he says yes – because she didn’t want it to be real.

Micki: Remember that. Now go be with your family.

We know, though Cordell doesn’t, that she’s thinking of Liam – and another painful secret that’s about to come out.

Back at the school, they’ve let Ruby know that her grandfather is safe, and she spontaneously throws her arms around August in gratitude.

Ruby hugs Walker August at school dance giving him reaction.

He looks shocked, perhaps having given up on her being interested in him – but isn’t that always the time that interest begins? On TV anyway.

Also, at the school, Abeline expresses disbelief that Liam would stray, and Bonham goes to talk to his clearly distraught son. Liam is sitting alone, head down, the picture of dejection. Bonham reminds Liam that Bret made sacrifices to be with him.

Bonham: That man traveled across the country for you. If you’re not ready to get up every day and show him that you love him, maybe you don’t deserve him. Love is a verb, Liam. It’s something you do actively.

Liam: You have no idea what I’m sacrificing, Dad.

Mitch Pileggi Bonham giving son Liam advice on relationship Walker 108.

Walker LIam talking to dad Bonham about boyfriend problems 108.

It’s a small scene but an important one. Partly because this show does a great job of normalizing all kinds of relationships that we don’t always get to see in a matter-of-fact way on mainstream television. You might be tempted to stereotype a man like Bonham as someone who might not be totally okay with his son being gay, but that’s not the case – he gives Liam the same advice about respecting your partner and prioritizing your relationship that he’d give anyone he loved.

Their relationship is depicted and taken as seriously as it should be. His words are not just for Liam, though; they are also for himself, and his relationship with Abeline. We don’t see romantic relationships between people who are grandparent age on mainstream television taken seriously either – on “Walker,” those relationships are also respected, complex and multifaceted. And you might also add in the flirtation with the science teacher, who is not the stereotypical drop-dead-gorgeous woman you expect from a show on the CW. She’s attractive in a believable way and actually looks like she could be a science teacher instead of an actress, and that’s also refreshing. It’s subtle but it’s there, and the nuanced way that all these relationships are treated is quietly important.

Walker returns to the school, where the science teacher writes down her phone number and gives it to him if he’s ever “in the mood for some over sharing.” He says he doesn’t know if he’s quite ready, but will hold onto it, and she says “good, I’m around,” with a smile.

Science teacher hands Cordell Walker a piece of paper at dance 108.

Walker Jared Padalecki smiles wide when science teacher gives him her phone number 108.

Bonham, trying to take his own advice, hands Abeline a flower, confessing that he’s been angry for so long, more than he thought.

Abeline: I have too. At myself, for screwing up. And at you, for how you handled it. And then at me again… We never really talked about it.

Bonham doesn’t want to talk though, saying that “tonight is about the dancing, just about being close.” He holds out his hand and she takes it, and they dance, Abeline clutching the flower. He kisses her hand as the music plays.

Walker Bonham gives Anabelle flowers at dance 108.

Bonham Mitch Pileggi dancing with Anibell on school dance floor Walker 108.

While Walker contemplates a new relationship and his parents try to renew theirs, other relationships may be ending. Liam tries to convince Bret that it had nothing to do with him, that it’s “me, my stuff.”

Bret, however, is hurt and has had enough, saying he realizes that he was ignoring all the moments when Liam was already picking other people over him – a reference, I’m guessing, to Liam prioritizing his family.

Liam: Bret, I love you…

Bret: You don’t get to say that. You just want to be in control. You even want to control how I view this breakup. You can’t control how people feel.

Walker Brett angry at Liam for manipulating him.

Liam out in hallway after telling Brett he loved him. 108

He tells Liam to stay with his folks for a while, and says goodbye, leaving Liam devastated and looking like he’s about to break down and sob.

A tearful Stella confronts Trevor, accusing him of planning their meeting with his dad, but Trevor insists he wouldn’t have ruined their relationship, that he didn’t even know if he could love someone as good as her. Like Bonham, he asks if they can just dance, pretend that she’s not a Capulet and he’s not a Montague. They dance, both of them upset, and then he says he’s sorry and leaves.

Walker Trevor explains to Stella why he talked to Cordell 108.

Stella crying dancing with Trevor Walker 108.

Outside, Trey and Micki get real about their relationship too.

Trey: We’re in a relationship now. You’re not responsible for what hurt you in the past, but you are for what you do in the present. Keeping me in the dark about important life stuff is not okay.

She agrees and says she hears him and is sorry, that she’ll let him in before trying to make it all neat and easy to explain – he’ll get the messy too.

Trey telling Micki to get real with their present relationship Walker 108

(More writer kudos – that’s a perfect way to put it and a great way to wrap up some of the relationship evolution that’s going on in this episode for so many of the characters).

Trey jokes, as they wheel him away, that Micki owes some penance when they get home – in the form of playing some Yu-Gi-Oh!

The episode ends with a devastating scene between the Walker brothers. Cordell joins Liam on a bench outside, at first sharing that he got a woman’s number. Liam holds it together enough to express his happiness for his brother, saying that “I want that for you, so much.”

Walker (realizing his little brother is not okay): What’s going on?

Walker LIam Keegan Allen struggling to talk to Jared Padalecki 108.

Liam: I lied to Bret so he would leave me, because I think something really bad is about to happen, and I keep trying to control it and keep the people I love safe, but all it’s doing is taking away their choice, and I…I’m not gonna do that to you anymore.

Micki and Liam have learned the same thing from their partners, and he tells Cordell the truth now.

Liam: James and I did some digging into Emily’s case, and you were right. There is evidence that Carlos is not her killer.

You can see every emotion that Walker is feeling as he takes this in – the confusion, the shock.

Walker Jared Padalecki listening to brother LIam open up.

Liam: Whoever took her from us is still out there… with ties to Northside Nation, and they’re dangerous…

Walker goes from shock to horror, and then rage, struggling to keep himself under control as his brother breaks down beside him.

Jared Padalecki goes from shock horror and rage as brother LIam opens up for him Walker 108.

Walker Liam Keegan Allen tells Walker he is sorry with Jared Padalecki.

Liam: I’m sorry.

The Cordell we met in the beginning of the series would probably explode, swear revenge, maybe say something hurtful to his brother. But he’s learned something from his experience since he’s been back, and from his partner. Tears in his eyes, and clearly struggling, he reaches out with empathy to his brother anyway, remembering what Micki said to him. He can see that Liam is hurting, but he’s also in incredible pain himself.

Cordell sees brother Liam is hurting on Walker 108

Walker: It must have been hard for you to say out loud.

Cordell gets up and Liam goes to stand too, but Walker puts a hand on his shoulder, a reassurance but also an ‘I need space.’ He walks away, seeing Emily standing close by, also crying. They walk away side by side, leaving a broken Liam sitting on the bench, alone.

Walker Jared Padalecki reassuring brother Keegan Allen he'll take care of Emily 108.

Keegan Allen crying on Walker with Jared Padalecki.

Jared Padalecki with Emily after Keegan Allen needs space on Walker 108.

Walker Emily watching Cordell and brother having a moment 108.

Walker Jared Padalecki leaves brother Keegan Allen along 108 — Caps by @spndeangirl

All the kudos to Keegan Allen and Jared Padalecki for really bringing that scene. It makes me extra emotional that Jared is now playing the big brother instead of the little brother (as he did for 15 seasons on “Supernatural”), something he actually is in real life and that he probably learned a lot about from Dean Winchester too. Kudos to Gen Padalecki too, who made that small wordless moment meaningful with just her devastated look.

I wonder where all these relationships will go from here…

It seems I can’t write a short review of this show – my apologies for the long recap and review, but in all fairness, a lot happened in this episode! And “Walker” is a treat for my psychologist’s brain to dig into, what can I say? Looking forward to a new episode next week too.

Editor’s Note:

While Lynn might need to apologize for her indepth reviews, we don’t as she always makes you feel like she’s watching the “Walker” episode alongside with you, as she did with all of her “Supernatural” reviews. “Walker,” episode 109 returns on April 15 with Rule Number 17.

Safe Video Ads on CBD Products

MTTG Staff

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April 7, 2021

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When producing videos and ads marketing CBD products, it’s crucial to be careful and follow safe practices. Those who aren’t careful with their ads can end up with their ads flagged and banned from being shown. By following the suggestions below, an advertiser can take precautions with making sure their CBD ads are safe from adverse consequences. Worse, not following the rules below can also have the advertiser facing steep fines from states.

Don’t Make False Claims

While some people swear CBD products cure certain diseases and help with a slew of medical conditions, ads should refrain from making these claims. Until there are scientific studies and stacks of medical proof that the product works in a certain manner, advertisers can’t advertise that the products do anything medical. The person viewing the ad will need to find that cannabis information from i49 and make those health correlations themselves.

Don’t Show Product Ingestion or Use

While it’s usually okay to show the products containing CBD in advertisements, don’t take it any further. Don’t show a person consuming products with CBD, don’t show blunts, and don’t show a person smoking. Remember that the focus of the ad should be the product itself. Showing people using the items can mean that the advertisement gets taken down and the account may even be banned from advertising in the future.

Know Where These Ads Can and Can’t Be Shown

Some sites do not allow CBD or cannabis advertisements. They don’t allow pop-ups or videos, and anything related to these products is completely against the rules. Before you spend time uploading to these sites, make sure the ads aren’t against the rules. No one wants their advertiser account to be banned.

Why Some Sites Don’t Allow These Ads

Why don’t all sites allow these types of ads? It comes down to state guidelines. People viewing the ads live all over the U.S. and all over the world. Some states require state approval for this type of ad, while others require certain verbiage and warnings to be included.

Sites that don’t allow this type of ad at all have probably decided it’s just not worth facing fines from states if the ads don’t meet proper guidelines. Also, look into the state where the ad is being made. There may be laws, rules, and even verbiage that must be followed to avoid facing fines and penalties.

Keep The Target Audience in Mind

While the goal is to sell the product, advertisers still need to focus on who can legally purchase the product. While teens may be more than happy to spend their allowance on CBD pills and lotions, the target audience is still those ages twenty-one and up. Make sure it’s clear the ad is geared for grownups and grownups only. Also, only run the ads on sites that are targeted at adults.

The above are just a few safe practices advertisers need to follow regarding ads for CBD products. Don’t make false claims—let the products speak for themselves. Never show a person ingesting, smoking, consuming, or using the products. Before uploading the ad, make sure it doesn’t go against the site’s guidelines. Lastly, always keep the target audience in mind when producing the ads and when deciding which sites to upload the ads to.

Facebook gets Supreme Court on its side for robocall ruling

Jeffrey Lang

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April 2, 2021

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Facebook gets Supreme Court on its side for robocall ruling

Many advocates are saying that Facebook’s win with the Supreme Court could wind up with millions of people being flooded with robocalls now. Most people’s phones get overloaded with spam texts, and this ruling could turn that up to unbearable levels.

The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with Facebook in a lawsuit over unwanted text notifications it sent, rejecting a claim that the messages violated the federal ban on robocalls.

The high court’s ruling for the Menlo Park, California-based social media giant was unanimous.

Gaping Hole

Democratic lawmakers and consumer groups said the court opened a gaping hole in the law, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, that would subject anyone with a cellphone to endless automated calls and messages.

The case was brought by a man who received text messages from Facebook notifying him that an attempt had been made to log in to his account from a new device or browser. The man, Noah Duguid, said he never had a Facebook account and never gave Facebook his phone number. When he was unable to stop the notifications, he filed a class action lawsuit.

The 1991 consumer law bars abusive telemarketing practices. The law restricts calls made using an “automatic telephone dialing system,” a device that can “store or produce telephone numbers to be called, using a random or sequential number generator” and then call that number.

The question for the court was whether the law covers equipment that can store and dial telephone numbers even if the equipment does not use a random or sequential number generator.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the court that it does not.

Happy Facebook

Facebook spokesman Andy Stone said in an emailed statement, “As the Court recognized, the law’s provisions were never intended to prohibit companies from sending targeted security notifications and the court’s decision will allow companies to continue working to keep the accounts of their users safe.”

But Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., said in a joint statement that the court ignored Congress’ intent when it passed the law and now will allow “companies the ability to assault the public with a non-stop wave of unwanted calls and texts, around the clock.”

The lawmakers said they would introduce legislation to expressly prohibit Facebook’s practice.

“If the Justices find their private mobile phones ringing non-stop from now until our legislation becomes law, they’ll only have themselves to blame,” Markey and Eshoo said.

Facebook had argued the lawsuit should be dismissed because Duguid had not claimed Facebook was sending messages that were randomly generated. Facebook said it sends targeted, individualized texts to numbers linked to specific accounts. A trial court agreed, but an appeals court reversed that decision.

Facebook said it was possible Duguid’s cellphone number previously belonged to a Facebook user who opted to receive login notifications.

The case is Facebook v. Duguid, 19-511.

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‘To Be Continued’

Instagram 101 For Personal and Businesses

Instagram on Desktop VS on Smart Phone

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