<p>'House of the Dragon' is the first spinoff series of HBO's massively popular fantasy drama 'Game of Thrones' to see the light of day. The series&nbsp;is a prequel and is set about 200 years before the events of the original show. Like the story of Jon Snow, Arya Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, and so on, 'HotD' also centres around a struggle for the Iron Throne, the seat of the&nbsp;monarch&nbsp;on the fictional continent of Westeros. But while the tussle for power in 'GoT' was between houses, in the new series it is among the Targaryens themselves. The ensuing conflict is called Dance of the Dragons, and was a civil war between different factions among the Targaryens that saw much of the realm reduced to ruin.</p>

<p>Until now two episodes of the show have been aired and this scribe has seen six thanks to screeners. I do not know about you, but for me personally, 'House of the Dragon', at the time of writing this, is not only a worthy successor but a better show. Yes, it is too early to judge, but that is my impression. I explain.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DotnJ7tTA34" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p><strong>'House of the Dragon' is easier to get into than 'Game of Thrones'</strong></p>

<p>Even 'Game of Thrones', a TV show with a budget for small movies, had a few missteps in the beginning. Building a highly detailed world with hundreds of characters is never easy, so the writing suffered in the first season. In comparison, 'House of the Dragon' is a lot slicker. The writing, due to fewer characters, is more streamlined. Also, since we already know a lot about this world, 'HotD' does not have a lot of world-building to do either. The show is much easier to get into than its parent series. You can watch it even if you have not seen 'GoT'.</p>

<p><strong>Less nudity and sex; more political intrigue</strong></p>

<p>While 'Game of Thrones' was drowning in nudity and sex, 'House of the Dragon' does have its fair share, but nowhere near its parent series. One of the biggest criticisms levelled against 'GoT' was it had too much of it. It put off many of those who would have loved the show for its intrigue and characters.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>The source material is already finished</strong></p>

<p>'House of the Dragon' is based on 'Fire &amp; Blood', a fictional history of the Targaryens penned by the originator of this world, George RR Martin. And there is only one giant book, not 5 tomes on which 'Game of Thrones' was based. Many believe the quality of &nbsp;'Game of Thrones' significantly deteriorated in the final few seasons as it did not have the books to fall back on. It had outpaced the source material.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Direct involvement of George RR Martin</strong></p>

<p>Author George RR Martin is one of the co-creators of 'House of the Dragon', the other being Ryan Condal. In comparison, he was not directly involved with 'GoT' except as a guest scriptwriter for a few episodes and occasional consultant for the showrunners. Thus, his word will carry more weight here and as the creator of this entire fictional world, he knows how best to translate these stories and characters for the screen.</p>

<p><strong>No Whitewalkers</strong></p>

<p>Yet. 'Game of Thrones' featured a parallel storyline set in Beyond the Wall in which the Whitewalkers were coming south from frigid wastes of extreme north to Westeros to invade and conquer. Whitewalkers were powerful beings who had once been human. They led the armies of wights or zombies -- reanimated bodies of those that the Whitewalkers killed. While many loved the show for this storyline, I was not among them. And indeed, all that buildup was for nothing when the Whitewalkers fairly easily without too many major casualties at Winterfell. And Arya Stark delivered the death blow to the Night King, not Jon Snow as many had expected. There was hardly any payoff.</p>


'House of the Dragon' is the first spinoff series of HBO's massively popular fantasy drama 'Game of Thrones' to see the light of day. The series is a prequel and is set about 200 years before the events of the original show.

'House of the Dragon' is the first spinoff series of HBO's massively popular fantasy drama 'Game of Thrones' to see the light of day. The series is a prequel and is set about 200 years before the events of the original show. Like the story of Jon Snow, Arya Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, and so on, 'HotD' also centres around a struggle for the Iron Throne, the seat of the monarch on the fictional continent of Westeros. But while the tussle for power in 'GoT' was between houses, in the new series it is among the Targaryens themselves. The ensuing conflict is called Dance of the Dragons, and was a civil war between different factions among the Targaryens that saw much of the realm reduced to ruin. Until now two episodes of the show have been aired and this scribe has seen six thanks to screeners. I do not know about you, but for me personally, 'House of the Dragon', at the time of writing this, is not only a worthy successor but a better show. Yes, it is too early to judge, but that is my impression. I explain. 'House of the Dragon' is easier to get into than 'Game of Thrones' Even 'Game of Thrones', a TV show with a budget for small movies, had a few missteps in the beginning. Building a highly detailed world with hundreds of characters is never easy, so the writing suffered in the first season. In comparison, 'House of the Dragon' is a lot slicker. The writing, due to fewer characters, is more streamlined. Also, since we already know a lot about this world, 'HotD' does not have a lot of world-building to do either. The show is much easier to get into than its parent series. You can watch it even if you have not seen 'GoT'. Less nudity and sex; more political intrigue While 'Game of Thrones' was drowning in nudity and sex, 'House of the Dragon' does have its fair share, but nowhere near its parent series. One of the biggest criticisms levelled against 'GoT' was it had too much of it. It put off many of those who would have loved the show for its intrigue and characters. The source material is already finished 'House of the Dragon' is based on 'Fire & Blood', a fictional history of the Targaryens penned by the originator of this world, George RR Martin. And there is only one giant book, not 5 tomes on which 'Game of Thrones' was based. Many believe the quality of 'Game of Thrones' significantly deteriorated in the final few seasons as it did not have the books to fall back on. It had outpaced the source material. Direct involvement of George RR Martin Author George RR Martin is one of the co-creators of 'House of the Dragon', the other being Ryan Condal. In comparison, he was not directly involved with 'GoT' except as a guest scriptwriter for a few episodes and occasional consultant for the showrunners. Thus, his word will carry more weight here and as the creator of this entire fictional world, he knows how best to translate these stories and characters for the screen. No Whitewalkers Yet. 'Game of Thrones' featured a parallel storyline set in Beyond the Wall in which the Whitewalkers were coming south from frigid wastes of extreme north to Westeros to invade and conquer. Whitewalkers were powerful beings who had once been human. They led the armies of wights or zombies -- reanimated bodies of those that the Whitewalkers killed. While many loved the show for this storyline, I was not among them. And indeed, all that buildup was for nothing when the Whitewalkers fairly easily without too many major casualties at Winterfell. And Arya Stark delivered the death blow to the Night King, not Jon Snow as many had expected. There was hardly any payoff.

How 'House of the Dragon' improves upon 'Game of Thrones'

<p>If you, like countless others, were burned by the last couple of seasons of 'Game of Thrones', when the show unravelled like a cheap cardigan, a little bit of apprehension regarding 'House of the Dragon' is probable, even inevitable. The prequel series, set around two centuries before the events of its parent show, introduces a whole new tussle for the Iron Throne, whose contenders, unlike the War of the Five Kings, are all within the same house: the Targaryens. The premiere, titled "The Heirs of the Dragon" clocks 66 minutes and serves as, lines up the major characters.</p>

<p>In the new 'Game of Thrones' prequel, titled 'House of the Dragon', in which Ryan Condal and George RR Martin, the originator of this entire universe, share creator credits, there is a new tussle for the Iron Throne. But this time the contenders are all within the same house: the Targaryens. The story is based on a book called 'Fire &amp; Blood' by Martin, which illuminates the history of the Targaryens and how they come to rule Westeros.</p>

<p>Unlike the original series, which was dizzyingly complex with hundreds of characters, ranging from high lords and ladies to lowborn, 'House of the Dragon' is a much smaller, focussed tale. And yet, this is the same world of Westeros and Essos, the neighhbouring continent with all the Free Cities and the Dothraki</p>

<p>The reigning king Viserys I (Paddy Considine) rules in a time when the dynasty is well-established and the small folk of Westeros treat the Targaryen as something akin to gods with their dragons, their lilac eyes (it is a whole thing in the books), and their silver hair. Viserys has only one child Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock as young Rhaenyra), who is a woman, and the lords of Westeros tend not to prefer bowing before a female monarch if they can help it. So the king is on the lookout of a suitable wife after his previous one died in childbirth (the king chose to save the potential son when given the tragic choice by the Grand Maester, but he died too).</p>

<p>And until then, Rhaenyra is his heir. This irks not only certain lords of the Small Council, but also others with designs on the Iron Throne, either for themselves or their offspring. Among them is Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), the king's younger brother, who is written as a Jaime Lannister stand-in, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the cousin of the king who wished to rule the Seven Kingdoms but was spurned in favour of a male (Viserys).</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DotnJ7tTA34" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The stage is set for a conflagration, and not a metaphorical one either. For this time, dragons have not gone extinct. They are very much there and are the reason the Targaryen are so feared. And when dragons fight among themselves, they can lay waste to the entire world. But before the actual battles begin, there is going to be a lot of intrigue, betrayals and backstabbing. While until now, 'House of the Dragon' does not have any character that is on the same level of wiliness and as fascinating as Littlefinger or Varys, it will satiate those fans of 'Game of Thrones' who watched it for all the political machinations and conspiracies. The dialogue is good and the characters are sketched extremely well.</p>

<p>'House of the Dragon' also benefits greatly from the painstaking world-building done by 'Game of Thrones'. There is a brief mention of an impending war between the living and the dead and an existential threat from the extreme north. Characters frequently speak in Old Valyrian, the language of Valyrian Freehold, a kingdom ruled by dragon lords among whom the Targaryens were only one family among dozens. These are not only fun callbacks, but also make the world of 'HotD' feel more lived in.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzCrFWjKPy8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>If you could not stand all the sex in the parent series, particularly the non-consensual kind, 'HotD', at least in the premiere, has a lot less of it. There is, however, the violence here, clearly more than in the pilot episode of 'GoT'. In one scene crabs eagerly devour the innards of a dead man as the skin ripples. It can be too much even for 'GoT' veterans.</p>

<p>As it stands, 'House of the Dragon' is no match for the best of 'Game of Thrones' as the characters and the plot are not nearly that interesting enough yet, but it also feels fresh despite it all being the same world. The stakes here are also higher than, say, the first couple of seasons of 'GoT'. The subsequent episodes should deliver in the spectacle aspect after the fantasy version of dogfights (dragon-on-dragon combat) ensue.</p>

<p>'House of the Dragon' &nbsp;is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in India.</p>


If you, like countless others, were burned by the last couple of seasons of 'Game of Thrones', when the show unravelled like a cheap cardigan, a little bit of apprehension regarding 'House of the Dragon' is probable, even inevitable.

If you, like countless others, were burned by the last couple of seasons of 'Game of Thrones', when the show unravelled like a cheap cardigan, a little bit of apprehension regarding 'House of the Dragon' is probable, even inevitable. The prequel series, set around two centuries before the events of its parent show, introduces a whole new tussle for the Iron Throne, whose contenders, unlike the War of the Five Kings, are all within the same house: the Targaryens. The premiere, titled "The Heirs of the Dragon" clocks 66 minutes and serves as, lines up the major characters. In the new 'Game of Thrones' prequel, titled 'House of the Dragon', in which Ryan Condal and George RR Martin, the originator of this entire universe, share creator credits, there is a new tussle for the Iron Throne. But this time the contenders are all within the same house: the Targaryens. The story is based on a book called 'Fire & Blood' by Martin, which illuminates the history of the Targaryens and how they come to rule Westeros. Unlike the original series, which was dizzyingly complex with hundreds of characters, ranging from high lords and ladies to lowborn, 'House of the Dragon' is a much smaller, focussed tale. And yet, this is the same world of Westeros and Essos, the neighhbouring continent with all the Free Cities and the Dothraki The reigning king Viserys I (Paddy Considine) rules in a time when the dynasty is well-established and the small folk of Westeros treat the Targaryen as something akin to gods with their dragons, their lilac eyes (it is a whole thing in the books), and their silver hair. Viserys has only one child Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock as young Rhaenyra), who is a woman, and the lords of Westeros tend not to prefer bowing before a female monarch if they can help it. So the king is on the lookout of a suitable wife after his previous one died in childbirth (the king chose to save the potential son when given the tragic choice by the Grand Maester, but he died too). And until then, Rhaenyra is his heir. This irks not only certain lords of the Small Council, but also others with designs on the Iron Throne, either for themselves or their offspring. Among them is Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), the king's younger brother, who is written as a Jaime Lannister stand-in, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the cousin of the king who wished to rule the Seven Kingdoms but was spurned in favour of a male (Viserys). The stage is set for a conflagration, and not a metaphorical one either. For this time, dragons have not gone extinct. They are very much there and are the reason the Targaryen are so feared. And when dragons fight among themselves, they can lay waste to the entire world. But before the actual battles begin, there is going to be a lot of intrigue, betrayals and backstabbing. While until now, 'House of the Dragon' does not have any character that is on the same level of wiliness and as fascinating as Littlefinger or Varys, it will satiate those fans of 'Game of Thrones' who watched it for all the political machinations and conspiracies. The dialogue is good and the characters are sketched extremely well. 'House of the Dragon' also benefits greatly from the painstaking world-building done by 'Game of Thrones'. There is a brief mention of an impending war between the living and the dead and an existential threat from the extreme north. Characters frequently speak in Old Valyrian, the language of Valyrian Freehold, a kingdom ruled by dragon lords among whom the Targaryens were only one family among dozens. These are not only fun callbacks, but also make the world of 'HotD' feel more lived in. If you could not stand all the sex in the parent series, particularly the non-consensual kind, 'HotD', at least in the premiere, has a lot less of it. There is, however, the violence here, clearly more than in the pilot episode of 'GoT'. In one scene crabs eagerly devour the innards of a dead man as the skin ripples. It can be too much even for 'GoT' veterans. As it stands, 'House of the Dragon' is no match for the best of 'Game of Thrones' as the characters and the plot are not nearly that interesting enough yet, but it also feels fresh despite it all being the same world. The stakes here are also higher than, say, the first couple of seasons of 'GoT'. The subsequent episodes should deliver in the spectacle aspect after the fantasy version of dogfights (dragon-on-dragon combat) ensue. 'House of the Dragon' is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in India.

'House of the Dragon' premiere review: A thrilling return to Westeros

A tale of two Pinocchios: How Guillermo del Toro and Robert Zemeckis' takes differ

<p>The viewership of the Academy Awards, colloquially known as Oscars, jumped by more than 50 per cent this year when compared to the previous year -- 15.36 million as opposed to 2021's 10.4 million. That was still a fraction of the peak that the event enjoyed in 1998, which attracted 57 million viewers, but still one would think the report should have brought joy to the Academy. But it likely didn't. Because the reason that many viewers tuned in to the event did not have anything to do with the event itself or the fresh or innovative presentation. It was due to an incident in which Will Smith, who won his maiden Oscar later in the ceremony, whacked comedian and presenter Chris Rock across the face after the latter cracked a joke at the expense of the former's wife.</p>

<p>It has been months since the incident, which occurred on morning of&nbsp;March 28 as per India time, but the controversy has refused to die down. Here is everything that has happened since that fateful evening:</p>

<p><strong>Will Smith makes an oblique mention of the incident in the awards acceptance speech</strong></p>

<p>While accepting the Best Actor Oscar, Smith appeared to mention the slapping incident. But he did not appear very apologetic. "I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse, and you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you gotta be able to have people disrespecting you and you gotta smile and you gotta pretend like that‘s OK," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FzM8iVZksdA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Smith added that Denzel Washington said to him after the slap, “At your highest moment, be careful. That’s when the devil comes for you.” He then did use the word 'apologise' but it was not addressed to Rock.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I want to apologise to the Academy, I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees," Smith said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Will Smith's Instagram post the day after the incident</strong></p>

<p>After his non-apology at the Oscars, Smith regretted the incident in an Instagram post. He said his behaviour was "unacceptable and inexcusable". But then said he could not bear a joke about his wife's medical condition (alopecia). While referring to Jada, Rock had said he can’t wait to see ‘G.I. Jane’ 2. ‘G.I. Jane’ was a 1997 war movie that had Demi Moore’s protagonist, a female Navy Seal, shaving her head. The joke seemingly targetted Jada’s lack of hair, which is due to her condition. At first, Smith appeared to laugh, but after looking at his wife’s eyes roll, he walked up to the stage and attacked Rock.</p>

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<p>In the Instagram post, Smith said, "I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness."</p>

<p><strong>Chris Rock's first comment on the slapping incident</strong></p>

<p>Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chris-rock-still-processing-slap-by-will-smith-at-oscars-467027">&nbsp;Chris Rock says he is 'still processing' the slap by Will Smith at Oscars 2022</a></p>

<p>Now, it was Rock's turn to comment on the Oscar slap. At a standup show in Boston just a couple of days after the Oscars on Marcy 31, Rock began the routine while addressing the incident. He said he was still "kind of processing what happened" but assured his fans that he would talk about it at some point.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Will Smith gets banned from the Oscars for 10 years</strong></p>

<p>As a punitive measure for his act of violence, in April the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences barred Smith from Oscars and any other events organised by the Academy for a decade following a meeting of the board of governors.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-not-a-victim-comedian-chris-rock-takes-a-jibe-at-will-smiths-oscar-slap-scandal-500792"><strong>Chris Rock addresses the slap for the second time</strong></a></p>

<p>In July, Rock talked about the incident for the second time, again during a stand-up show. As is his wont, he joked about the slap and stated that he is not a victim. "yeah, that s**t hurt," he said referring to the slap before adding, "But I shook [it] off and went to work the next day. I don't go to the hospital for a papercut."</p>

<p><strong>Will Smith issues video apology to Chris Rock</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jXrxDKwlA_s" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Finally, on July 30, Smith shared a video in which he addressed the slap in more detail and also answered a few questions about it and the aftermath. &nbsp;In a video titled ‘It’s been a minute...’ that Smith shared on his social media accounts, he said he has been doing a lot of thinking and has decided to answer a few fair questions that have been posed to him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Chris, I apologise to you. My behaviour was unacceptable. I am here whenever you are ready to talk,” Smith said. He added, “That was one of the things about that moment. I just didn’t realize. I wasn’t thinking but how many people got hurt in that moment. So I want to apologise to Chris’ mother. I want to apologise to Chris’ family.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-will-smiths-public-reputation-plummets-after-the-oscar-slap-508282"><strong>Will Smith's reputation steeply declines after the slap</strong></a></p>

<p>In August, it was reported that Will Smith's reputation saw a steep decline due to the slap. &nbsp;As per Variety, Smith's popularity and approval ratings declined significantly following the Oscar ceremony. In the data provided by Q Scores to the publication, he was one of the top 5 or 10 rated actors in the US. But after the incident, his Q Score went down to 24 from 39. Henry Schafer, executive VP of Q Scores, said this is a significant drop. At the same time, his negative rating went up from 10 to 26.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Chris Rock claims he was invited to host the 2023 Oscars</strong></p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-chris-rock-says-he-was-asked-to-be-host-of-oscars-2023-but-declined-heres-why-511339">Chris Rock says he was asked to be host of Oscars 2023, but declined. Here's why</a></strong></p>

<p>In a Chris Rock show in Phoenix, Arizona, the comedian claimed that he was invited by the Academy to host the 2023 Oscars ceremony. But he declined. He explained his decision by joking that returning to the Oscars would have been like returning to the scene of a crime. He also said he was offered a Super Bowl commercial as well, but turned it down as well.&nbsp;</p>


The viewership of the Academy Awards, colloquially known as Oscars, jumped by more than 50 per cent this year when compared to the previous year -- 15.36 million as opposed to 2021's 10.

The viewership of the Academy Awards, colloquially known as Oscars, jumped by more than 50 per cent this year when compared to the previous year -- 15.36 million as opposed to 2021's 10.4 million. That was still a fraction of the peak that the event enjoyed in 1998, which attracted 57 million viewers, but still one would think the report should have brought joy to the Academy. But it likely didn't. Because the reason that many viewers tuned in to the event did not have anything to do with the event itself or the fresh or innovative presentation. It was due to an incident in which Will Smith, who won his maiden Oscar later in the ceremony, whacked comedian and presenter Chris Rock across the face after the latter cracked a joke at the expense of the former's wife. It has been months since the incident, which occurred on morning of March 28 as per India time, but the controversy has refused to die down. Here is everything that has happened since that fateful evening: Will Smith makes an oblique mention of the incident in the awards acceptance speech While accepting the Best Actor Oscar, Smith appeared to mention the slapping incident. But he did not appear very apologetic. "I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse, and you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you gotta be able to have people disrespecting you and you gotta smile and you gotta pretend like that‘s OK," he said. Smith added that Denzel Washington said to him after the slap, “At your highest moment, be careful. That’s when the devil comes for you.” He then did use the word 'apologise' but it was not addressed to Rock. "I want to apologise to the Academy, I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees," Smith said. Will Smith's Instagram post the day after the incident After his non-apology at the Oscars, Smith regretted the incident in an Instagram post. He said his behaviour was "unacceptable and inexcusable". But then said he could not bear a joke about his wife's medical condition (alopecia). While referring to Jada, Rock had said he can’t wait to see ‘G.I. Jane’ 2. ‘G.I. Jane’ was a 1997 war movie that had Demi Moore’s protagonist, a female Navy Seal, shaving her head. The joke seemingly targetted Jada’s lack of hair, which is due to her condition. At first, Smith appeared to laugh, but after looking at his wife’s eyes roll, he walked up to the stage and attacked Rock. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) × In the Instagram post, Smith said, "I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness." Chris Rock's first comment on the slapping incident Also Read: Chris Rock says he is 'still processing' the slap by Will Smith at Oscars 2022 Now, it was Rock's turn to comment on the Oscar slap. At a standup show in Boston just a couple of days after the Oscars on Marcy 31, Rock began the routine while addressing the incident. He said he was still "kind of processing what happened" but assured his fans that he would talk about it at some point. Will Smith gets banned from the Oscars for 10 years As a punitive measure for his act of violence, in April the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences barred Smith from Oscars and any other events organised by the Academy for a decade following a meeting of the board of governors. Chris Rock addresses the slap for the second time In July, Rock talked about the incident for the second time, again during a stand-up show. As is his wont, he joked about the slap and stated that he is not a victim. "yeah, that s**t hurt," he said referring to the slap before adding, "But I shook [it] off and went to work the next day. I don't go to the hospital for a papercut." Will Smith issues video apology to Chris Rock Finally, on July 30, Smith shared a video in which he addressed the slap in more detail and also answered a few questions about it and the aftermath. In a video titled ‘It’s been a minute...’ that Smith shared on his social media accounts, he said he has been doing a lot of thinking and has decided to answer a few fair questions that have been posed to him. “Chris, I apologise to you. My behaviour was unacceptable. I am here whenever you are ready to talk,” Smith said. He added, “That was one of the things about that moment. I just didn’t realize. I wasn’t thinking but how many people got hurt in that moment. So I want to apologise to Chris’ mother. I want to apologise to Chris’ family.” Will Smith's reputation steeply declines after the slap In August, it was reported that Will Smith's reputation saw a steep decline due to the slap. As per Variety, Smith's popularity and approval ratings declined significantly following the Oscar ceremony. In the data provided by Q Scores to the publication, he was one of the top 5 or 10 rated actors in the US. But after the incident, his Q Score went down to 24 from 39. Henry Schafer, executive VP of Q Scores, said this is a significant drop. At the same time, his negative rating went up from 10 to 26. Chris Rock claims he was invited to host the 2023 Oscars Also Read: Chris Rock says he was asked to be host of Oscars 2023, but declined. Here's why In a Chris Rock show in Phoenix, Arizona, the comedian claimed that he was invited by the Academy to host the 2023 Oscars ceremony. But he declined. He explained his decision by joking that returning to the Oscars would have been like returning to the scene of a crime. He also said he was offered a Super Bowl commercial as well, but turned it down as well.

Will Smith-Chris Rock Oscar slapgate: Everything that's happened so far

Why Aaron Paul's Jesse Pinkman in 'Breaking Bad' is one of TV's best-ever characters

<p>It still boggles one's mind that Jordan Peele, he of the Key &amp; Peele sketches, would go on to direct one of the most meaningful genre films of the last decade ('Get Out'), but here we are. At the same time, he popularised the social thriller genre, in which traditional thriller elements are used to deliver a message like, say, casual racism in 'Get Out'. Unlike many pretenders that have arrived on the scene, the social message in Peele's films does not overwhelm the stakes of the story. After following up with 'Us', a slightly weaker but still philosophically dense and interesting film, he is back with 'Nope'.</p>

<p>If the promos and the trailers led one to believe this was going to be another mind-numbing experience... well, one would not be far off. But the film is also much simpler and straightforward than what one would expect from promotional material.</p>

<p>Otis Haywood Jr (Daniel Kaluuya) inherited a ranch from his father Otis Haywood Sr, who died in a strange incident in which a coin dropped from the sky and entered his brain through his&nbsp;right eye. The police said it probably dropped from a plane, Otis Jr had his doubts. Now he works&nbsp;as a horse trainer in Hollywood, an industry where nearly everything save for human characters (and even them in a few cases)&nbsp;is being replaced by their CGI equivalents. When his younger sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) leaves for bigger things in Hollywood, he is left alone. There is not much money at the ranch and for a place that is known for horses, not many of them either.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HUgmq_8PlRY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Once when Emerald comes back to the ranch, the siblings become aware of a presence in the sky, a saucer-shaped thing they think of as a UFO. It frightens the horses and the humans, but the Haywoods see money in it -- if they manage to capture a video whose authenticity can be verified, they will be much better off financially. There are numerous sites and blogs that will pay good money for something like that.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But before their attempts can come to fruition when they discover a horrifying truth about the extraterrestrial presence hovering over the sky. Now, their attention is less on the hypothetical money and more on the very real danger to their lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'Nope' can often be ponderous and there are sections that feel clumsily paced. But with this film, Peele has once again crafted an original film brimming with fascinating ideas. There are plenty of nods to the classic science-fiction horror fare, HP Lovecraft, and even biblical myths, but 'Nope' is not at all a homage. It is very much its own thing. The film and the entity at its centre spoke something to this scribe's psyche. Those with sufficiently heightened imagination know that the sky is terrifying. Even hundreds of years after the beginning of the scientific revolution, we have barely ventured out of our solar system, and we only guess as to what happens in the vast emptiness of the universe. And Peele, when he was writing 'Nope', certainly had that on his mind.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The performances, particularly by Kaluuya and Palmer, are pretty excellent and help sell the weirdest elements in the film. Kaluuya is reliably grim and solid in the role, but Palmer is the big surprise of the film, channeling a vivacious, entrepreneurial young girl that is her character with ease. Michael Abels' music and sound effects go a long way in creating an aura of otherworldliness around the sky object.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are interesting juxtapositions between stunning vistas and truly repelling imagery. This is not new to Peele, and this is sort of his style as we have seen in the last two films But here, the gap between the two extremes is considerably heightened. This is the most visually sound Peele has been, and for that, we can thank Dutch cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, otherwise known for his collaborations with Christopher Nolan on films like 'Interstellar', 'Dunkirk', and 'Tenet'. With 'Nope' he has created a visual language that is quite distinct and unique. This movie must be watched on the biggest screen you can find.</p>

<p>'Nope' is an exhilarating experience that should not be missed by sci-fi or horror fans.</p>


It still boggles one's mind that Jordan Peele, he of the Key & Peele sketches, would go on to direct one of the most meaningful genre films of the last decade ('Get Out'), but here we are.

It still boggles one's mind that Jordan Peele, he of the Key & Peele sketches, would go on to direct one of the most meaningful genre films of the last decade ('Get Out'), but here we are. At the same time, he popularised the social thriller genre, in which traditional thriller elements are used to deliver a message like, say, casual racism in 'Get Out'. Unlike many pretenders that have arrived on the scene, the social message in Peele's films does not overwhelm the stakes of the story. After following up with 'Us', a slightly weaker but still philosophically dense and interesting film, he is back with 'Nope'. If the promos and the trailers led one to believe this was going to be another mind-numbing experience... well, one would not be far off. But the film is also much simpler and straightforward than what one would expect from promotional material. Otis Haywood Jr (Daniel Kaluuya) inherited a ranch from his father Otis Haywood Sr, who died in a strange incident in which a coin dropped from the sky and entered his brain through his right eye. The police said it probably dropped from a plane, Otis Jr had his doubts. Now he works as a horse trainer in Hollywood, an industry where nearly everything save for human characters (and even them in a few cases) is being replaced by their CGI equivalents. When his younger sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) leaves for bigger things in Hollywood, he is left alone. There is not much money at the ranch and for a place that is known for horses, not many of them either. Once when Emerald comes back to the ranch, the siblings become aware of a presence in the sky, a saucer-shaped thing they think of as a UFO. It frightens the horses and the humans, but the Haywoods see money in it -- if they manage to capture a video whose authenticity can be verified, they will be much better off financially. There are numerous sites and blogs that will pay good money for something like that. But before their attempts can come to fruition when they discover a horrifying truth about the extraterrestrial presence hovering over the sky. Now, their attention is less on the hypothetical money and more on the very real danger to their lives. 'Nope' can often be ponderous and there are sections that feel clumsily paced. But with this film, Peele has once again crafted an original film brimming with fascinating ideas. There are plenty of nods to the classic science-fiction horror fare, HP Lovecraft, and even biblical myths, but 'Nope' is not at all a homage. It is very much its own thing. The film and the entity at its centre spoke something to this scribe's psyche. Those with sufficiently heightened imagination know that the sky is terrifying. Even hundreds of years after the beginning of the scientific revolution, we have barely ventured out of our solar system, and we only guess as to what happens in the vast emptiness of the universe. And Peele, when he was writing 'Nope', certainly had that on his mind. The performances, particularly by Kaluuya and Palmer, are pretty excellent and help sell the weirdest elements in the film. Kaluuya is reliably grim and solid in the role, but Palmer is the big surprise of the film, channeling a vivacious, entrepreneurial young girl that is her character with ease. Michael Abels' music and sound effects go a long way in creating an aura of otherworldliness around the sky object. There are interesting juxtapositions between stunning vistas and truly repelling imagery. This is not new to Peele, and this is sort of his style as we have seen in the last two films But here, the gap between the two extremes is considerably heightened. This is the most visually sound Peele has been, and for that, we can thank Dutch cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, otherwise known for his collaborations with Christopher Nolan on films like 'Interstellar', 'Dunkirk', and 'Tenet'. With 'Nope' he has created a visual language that is quite distinct and unique. This movie must be watched on the biggest screen you can find. 'Nope' is an exhilarating experience that should not be missed by sci-fi or horror fans.

'Nope' movie review: Jordan Peele's latest is a terrifying, spectacular masterpiece

<p>Fourteen years after AMC premiered 'Breaking Bad', this television universe of crooks and drug lords has finally ended with the finale of Better Call Saul'. Sure, the minds of Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould might change and they may announce a Kim Wexler sequel or whatever, but thus far they have said that this is the end of the road.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A spinoff prequel and occasionally, and ultimately, a sequel, Better Call Saul' did to Bob Odenkirk's slimy, fast-talking lawyer what 'Breaking Bad' had done to Bryan Cranston's high school Chemistry teacher-turned-drug-kingpin: tell a painstakingly plotted, dramatic and compelling origin story of a character. The two shows had common writers, much of the crew, and many cast members, and there were a few thematic similarities, but the two shows were fairly distinct.</p>

<p>Also Read:<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-better-call-saul-season-6-episode-12-review-jimmy-mcgills-tale-ends-with-a-quietly-devastating-finale-507305">&nbsp;'Better Call Saul' Season 6 Episode 13 review: Jimmy McGill's tale ends with a quietly devastating finale</a></strong></p>

<p>We can finally have a discussion over which series was better. Opinions will differ, and I welcome you to venture yours. But if you ask me? 'Better Call Saul' was slightly better. A re-watch of both shows may tilt my view the other way, but as it stands, this is my sentiment. Before you come at me with virtual pitchforks, let me explain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When the prequel spinoff was announced, it felt kind of superfluous. Yep, Saul Goodman was incredibly entertaining to watch but only when seen from the perspective of Walter White. Why would anybody care about that supporting character who is an unscrupulous, cowardly lawyer and cracks corny jokes? He appeared more suited to be in a sitcom, instead of a drama like 'Breaking Bad'.</p>

<p>Also Read:<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-how-better-call-saul-became-kim-wexlers-story-501183">&nbsp;How 'Better Call Saul' became Kim Wexler's story</a></strong></p>

<p>The answers to those pertinent questions came on February 8, 2015, with 'Better Call Saul' season 1 episode 1. While Vince Gilligan had the sole credit on the parent series, he enlisted his fellow writer Peter Gould for the new show.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'Breaking Bad' was marked by big dramatic moments that accompanied the descent of Bryan Cranston's mild-mannered chemistry teacher into devilry. The slow burn pace only intensified the effect of the final season, which was brimming with shocks and deaths as consequences of Walt's many, many actions ranging from questionable to downright evil. As Walter continued to break bad, he did things that even the most psychopathic villains he and his partner in crime Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) had to face on their way to the top would balk at.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/31Voz1H40zI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The running theme of the story, as per Gilligan, was every action has a consequence. This was proven again and again as everything exacerbated in Walt's life. Ultimately, he succumbed to cancer. But not before making the life of everybody who survived him -- including his wife and children -- a living hell.</p>

<p>But even while committing the worst atrocities, even after becoming a monster in human skin, he and his actions remained inevitably human, justifiable in his twisted worldview. This was the biggest triumph of 'Breaking Bad'.</p>

<p>At the centre 'Better Call Saul' was not a big drug kingpin, but a lesser-known collaborator and slimy lawyer who was known to good citizens of Albuquerque as just a clown who appears in TV advertisements. He did not have that aura of majesty and dread that Walt had had. But, we learned, he had been a well-meaning public defender Jimmy McGill who was good at elaborate cons but also had a heart. His conscience was not completely eroded when we met him.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K80Eq5rJjYY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>But he is increasingly embracing his former conman persona 'Slippin' Jimmy'. The actions of his older brother, the reputed lawyer Charles McGill (Michael McKean) do not help either. He thinks of Jimmy as a good-for-nothing and knows of his small-time criminal ways. How can he ever be lawyerly if he is really a fraud? The law is sacred, after all. For Jimmy, however, his law education can be used for even bigger cons. It is a means to an end, not an end itself.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the course of the show, Jimmy McGill lures in even fellow law practitioner, Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), who had more noble intentions to choose this profession.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jimmy's moral downfall into Saul Goodman is more gradual and subtle. And as said above, not as dotted with huge explosions and shootouts as Walter's arc was. One could say, I presume, that Jimmy's story has less 'entertainment' value. For instance, the first few seasons of 'Better Call Saul' put off even veteran 'Breaking Bad' fans who found it too slow. But the show ultimately proved to be deeper and more poignant than its predecessor, almost like a Shakespearean tragedy, with all the associated pathos. Instead of a fall from the cliff that was 'Breaking Bad', Saul's pre-Walter White story is a string of small declines -- much more heartbreaking.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is frankly incredible how the callous criminal lawyer (with emphasis on the 'criminal) of 'Breaking Bad' became a three-dimensional, layered character in 'Better Call Saul'. That is the genius behind this universe.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Fourteen years after AMC premiered 'Breaking Bad', this television universe of crooks and drug lords has finally ended with the finale of Better Call Saul'. Sure, the minds of Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould might change and they may announce a Kim Wexler sequel or whatever, but thus far they have said that this is the end of the road.

Fourteen years after AMC premiered 'Breaking Bad', this television universe of crooks and drug lords has finally ended with the finale of Better Call Saul'. Sure, the minds of Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould might change and they may announce a Kim Wexler sequel or whatever, but thus far they have said that this is the end of the road. A spinoff prequel and occasionally, and ultimately, a sequel, Better Call Saul' did to Bob Odenkirk's slimy, fast-talking lawyer what 'Breaking Bad' had done to Bryan Cranston's high school Chemistry teacher-turned-drug-kingpin: tell a painstakingly plotted, dramatic and compelling origin story of a character. The two shows had common writers, much of the crew, and many cast members, and there were a few thematic similarities, but the two shows were fairly distinct. Also Read: 'Better Call Saul' Season 6 Episode 13 review: Jimmy McGill's tale ends with a quietly devastating finale We can finally have a discussion over which series was better. Opinions will differ, and I welcome you to venture yours. But if you ask me? 'Better Call Saul' was slightly better. A re-watch of both shows may tilt my view the other way, but as it stands, this is my sentiment. Before you come at me with virtual pitchforks, let me explain. When the prequel spinoff was announced, it felt kind of superfluous. Yep, Saul Goodman was incredibly entertaining to watch but only when seen from the perspective of Walter White. Why would anybody care about that supporting character who is an unscrupulous, cowardly lawyer and cracks corny jokes? He appeared more suited to be in a sitcom, instead of a drama like 'Breaking Bad'. Also Read: How 'Better Call Saul' became Kim Wexler's story The answers to those pertinent questions came on February 8, 2015, with 'Better Call Saul' season 1 episode 1. While Vince Gilligan had the sole credit on the parent series, he enlisted his fellow writer Peter Gould for the new show. 'Breaking Bad' was marked by big dramatic moments that accompanied the descent of Bryan Cranston's mild-mannered chemistry teacher into devilry. The slow burn pace only intensified the effect of the final season, which was brimming with shocks and deaths as consequences of Walt's many, many actions ranging from questionable to downright evil. As Walter continued to break bad, he did things that even the most psychopathic villains he and his partner in crime Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) had to face on their way to the top would balk at. The running theme of the story, as per Gilligan, was every action has a consequence. This was proven again and again as everything exacerbated in Walt's life. Ultimately, he succumbed to cancer. But not before making the life of everybody who survived him -- including his wife and children -- a living hell. But even while committing the worst atrocities, even after becoming a monster in human skin, he and his actions remained inevitably human, justifiable in his twisted worldview. This was the biggest triumph of 'Breaking Bad'. At the centre 'Better Call Saul' was not a big drug kingpin, but a lesser-known collaborator and slimy lawyer who was known to good citizens of Albuquerque as just a clown who appears in TV advertisements. He did not have that aura of majesty and dread that Walt had had. But, we learned, he had been a well-meaning public defender Jimmy McGill who was good at elaborate cons but also had a heart. His conscience was not completely eroded when we met him. But he is increasingly embracing his former conman persona 'Slippin' Jimmy'. The actions of his older brother, the reputed lawyer Charles McGill (Michael McKean) do not help either. He thinks of Jimmy as a good-for-nothing and knows of his small-time criminal ways. How can he ever be lawyerly if he is really a fraud? The law is sacred, after all. For Jimmy, however, his law education can be used for even bigger cons. It is a means to an end, not an end itself. During the course of the show, Jimmy McGill lures in even fellow law practitioner, Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), who had more noble intentions to choose this profession. Jimmy's moral downfall into Saul Goodman is more gradual and subtle. And as said above, not as dotted with huge explosions and shootouts as Walter's arc was. One could say, I presume, that Jimmy's story has less 'entertainment' value. For instance, the first few seasons of 'Better Call Saul' put off even veteran 'Breaking Bad' fans who found it too slow. But the show ultimately proved to be deeper and more poignant than its predecessor, almost like a Shakespearean tragedy, with all the associated pathos. Instead of a fall from the cliff that was 'Breaking Bad', Saul's pre-Walter White story is a string of small declines -- much more heartbreaking. It is frankly incredible how the callous criminal lawyer (with emphasis on the 'criminal) of 'Breaking Bad' became a three-dimensional, layered character in 'Better Call Saul'. That is the genius behind this universe.

How 'Better Call Saul' outdid 'Breaking Bad'

<p>'WandaVision' may have tried to pay homage to classic sitcoms, but it is 'She-Hulk: Attorney at Law' that has turned out to the first legitimate sitcom set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starring Tatiana Maslany, the series follows a wise-cracking, fourth-wall-breaking heroine, the titular She-Hulk. Real name Jennifer Walters, the cousin of Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo returns), she has worked hard for her career, but her life is thrown into disarray when her blood gets in contact with Bruce Banner's (Mark Ruffalo reprising the role) in the immediate aftermath of an accident. And, lo and behold, she is a superhero.</p>

<p>But her trouble is, Jennifer is perfectly happy with being an attorney and does not really approve of her newfound powers. The 30-minute length might appear short, but the writers, led by Jessica Gao, stuff enough plot to satisfy every Marvel fan. Not only the episode serves as a zippy yet well-told origin story of a superhero (sorry, Jennifer), but also a few major reveals about what is happening in the rest of the MCU and how Bruce Banner managed to merge his personality with the Hulk to become Smart Hulk.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gim2kprjL50" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Titled &nbsp;'A Normal Amount of Rage', the episode begins as Jen is deep in her preparation for an upcoming case. When her preparation is over, she turns to the camera and describes to the audience how she became a Hulk. There is a nice sequence wherein she gets trained by her cousin, who is dismayed to learn that her transformation into a rage monster is much more subtle and not as violent. She is better than Smart Hulk in pretty much everything, except perhaps raw strength.</p>

<p>Tatiana brings a lot of warmth and twinkling humour to the role. The casting&nbsp;has turned out to be nearly perfect. Both as Jennifer and as She-Hulk, Tatiana has significant charisma and dramatic presence, reinforced by her incredibly expressive eyes, that the character needed.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-she-hulk-first-critical-reactions-mcus-newest-tv-series-is-hilarious-chaotic-and-very-funny-507615">'She-Hulk' first critical reactions: MCU's newest TV series is 'hilarious, chaotic' and 'very funny'</a></strong></p>

<p>The CGI, although certainly much improved, still puts She-Hulk, the character, firmly in the uncanny valley. It is truly disconcerting at times. Its quality does vary from scene to scene. But even at its best, it is barely passable compared to what we have seen in MCU in the last few years. The look is particularly bad when juxtaposed before Smart Hulk, whose rougher, stubbled face, brings a lot more character and detail.</p>

<p>That minor annoyance aside, 'A Normal Amount of Rage' is extremely gratifying to watch. It may be short, but it uses those 30 minutes very well and packs in laughs, winking humour, action, and drama to make it more than worth your time.</p>

<p>'She-Hulk' is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in India.</p>


'WandaVision' may have tried to pay homage to classic sitcoms, but it is 'She-Hulk: Attorney at Law' that has turned out to the first legitimate sitcom set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

'WandaVision' may have tried to pay homage to classic sitcoms, but it is 'She-Hulk: Attorney at Law' that has turned out to the first legitimate sitcom set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starring Tatiana Maslany, the series follows a wise-cracking, fourth-wall-breaking heroine, the titular She-Hulk. Real name Jennifer Walters, the cousin of Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo returns), she has worked hard for her career, but her life is thrown into disarray when her blood gets in contact with Bruce Banner's (Mark Ruffalo reprising the role) in the immediate aftermath of an accident. And, lo and behold, she is a superhero. But her trouble is, Jennifer is perfectly happy with being an attorney and does not really approve of her newfound powers. The 30-minute length might appear short, but the writers, led by Jessica Gao, stuff enough plot to satisfy every Marvel fan. Not only the episode serves as a zippy yet well-told origin story of a superhero (sorry, Jennifer), but also a few major reveals about what is happening in the rest of the MCU and how Bruce Banner managed to merge his personality with the Hulk to become Smart Hulk. Titled 'A Normal Amount of Rage', the episode begins as Jen is deep in her preparation for an upcoming case. When her preparation is over, she turns to the camera and describes to the audience how she became a Hulk. There is a nice sequence wherein she gets trained by her cousin, who is dismayed to learn that her transformation into a rage monster is much more subtle and not as violent. She is better than Smart Hulk in pretty much everything, except perhaps raw strength. Tatiana brings a lot of warmth and twinkling humour to the role. The casting has turned out to be nearly perfect. Both as Jennifer and as She-Hulk, Tatiana has significant charisma and dramatic presence, reinforced by her incredibly expressive eyes, that the character needed. Also Read: 'She-Hulk' first critical reactions: MCU's newest TV series is 'hilarious, chaotic' and 'very funny' The CGI, although certainly much improved, still puts She-Hulk, the character, firmly in the uncanny valley. It is truly disconcerting at times. Its quality does vary from scene to scene. But even at its best, it is barely passable compared to what we have seen in MCU in the last few years. The look is particularly bad when juxtaposed before Smart Hulk, whose rougher, stubbled face, brings a lot more character and detail. That minor annoyance aside, 'A Normal Amount of Rage' is extremely gratifying to watch. It may be short, but it uses those 30 minutes very well and packs in laughs, winking humour, action, and drama to make it more than worth your time. 'She-Hulk' is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in India.

'She-Hulk' Season 1 Episode 1 review: Funny and action-packed, MCU's first sitcom is here

<p>It's over. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-how-better-call-saul-became-kim-wexlers-story-501183">'Better Call Saul'</a></strong> is over. Finally, I can say with utter conviction that 'Breaking Bad' prequel (and sequel) spinoff had ended as a series that is slightly better than its parent. The show only had to stick the landing, and it did that gloriously. The finale episode, smartly titled "Saul Gone" but not for the reason you believe, is a masterclass in how to deliver an explosive, crushing end to a story with quiet scenes in which hardly anything appears to be happening. But for those who have been on this journey since the beginning? It's like bidding adieu to a loved one.</p>

<p>'Better Call Saul' was supposed to be the story of a decent man becoming a poorer, sleazier version of himself largely through his own action. But the show became so much more, so much more than even its predecessor. Walter White's tale was tragic and often horrifying. Like repetitive blows to a head with a blunt weapon. But Jimmy McGill's descent into Saul Goodman was like a slow-moving tragedy. Like stabs to your limbs with a pen knife. Far more gradual and ultimately more hurtful.</p>

<p>Your warning here that moving forward will spoil the finale for you. So better watch the episode (if you haven't) and then come back.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-better-call-saul-season-6-episode-12-review-emotional-rollercoaster-of-an-episode-sets-up-exciting-finale-505492">'Better Call Saul' Season 6 Episode 12 review: Emotional rollercoaster of an episode sets up exciting finale</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>SPOILER ALERT</strong></p>

<p>The Season 6 Episode 13 episode, "Saul Gone", was directed by the series veteran Peter Gould. As seen in the last episode, Saul Goodman was Gene Takavic aka Jimmy McGill aka Saul Goodman once again on the run from the law enforcement after Marion called the police on him.</p>

<p>And he is soon captured while hiding in a trash bin. A wry police officer knocks and asks, "Anybody home?" As he is taken into custody, he spots Marie Schrader (Betsy Brandt) conversing in hushed tones with her lawyer. Saul cooks up an emotional story of how he was also one of the victims of Walter White and was afraid of him, so did his bidding. And then he reveals he was faking and he will convince the jury of his story, who might let him off. He negotiates a seven-year deal, to Marie's dismay.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5tGDl2Kcfu0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>On the flight to Albuquerque, he learns that Kim has revealed all her crimes, and this changes his outlook on the whole thing. We have seen in the past that Jimmy cares what Kim thinks of him despite the Saul Goodman person he became.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jimmy lures Kim to the court proceedings by telling the authorities he has something juicy about Kim. And during the proceedings, he confesses his every single crime, including against Chuck McGill. Kim has a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. In her eyes, at least Jimmy has redeemed himself. It is a gut-wrenching scene, but nothing prepared this fan for the reenactment of the first scene in which we see Jimmy and Kim together. Kim steals a visit with him in his prison where they enjoy a smoke, probably their last together. As they&nbsp;take a final look at each other, Jimmy mimes Kim's trademark finger gun gesture. And this scribe became a gibbering wreck.</p>

<p>'Better Call Saul' is a masterpiece.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


It's over. 'Better Call Saul' is over. Finally, I can say with utter conviction that 'Breaking Bad' prequel (and sequel) spinoff had ended as a series that is slightly better than its parent.

It's over. 'Better Call Saul' is over. Finally, I can say with utter conviction that 'Breaking Bad' prequel (and sequel) spinoff had ended as a series that is slightly better than its parent. The show only had to stick the landing, and it did that gloriously. The finale episode, smartly titled "Saul Gone" but not for the reason you believe, is a masterclass in how to deliver an explosive, crushing end to a story with quiet scenes in which hardly anything appears to be happening. But for those who have been on this journey since the beginning? It's like bidding adieu to a loved one. 'Better Call Saul' was supposed to be the story of a decent man becoming a poorer, sleazier version of himself largely through his own action. But the show became so much more, so much more than even its predecessor. Walter White's tale was tragic and often horrifying. Like repetitive blows to a head with a blunt weapon. But Jimmy McGill's descent into Saul Goodman was like a slow-moving tragedy. Like stabs to your limbs with a pen knife. Far more gradual and ultimately more hurtful. Your warning here that moving forward will spoil the finale for you. So better watch the episode (if you haven't) and then come back. Also Read: 'Better Call Saul' Season 6 Episode 12 review: Emotional rollercoaster of an episode sets up exciting finale SPOILER ALERT The Season 6 Episode 13 episode, "Saul Gone", was directed by the series veteran Peter Gould. As seen in the last episode, Saul Goodman was Gene Takavic aka Jimmy McGill aka Saul Goodman once again on the run from the law enforcement after Marion called the police on him. And he is soon captured while hiding in a trash bin. A wry police officer knocks and asks, "Anybody home?" As he is taken into custody, he spots Marie Schrader (Betsy Brandt) conversing in hushed tones with her lawyer. Saul cooks up an emotional story of how he was also one of the victims of Walter White and was afraid of him, so did his bidding. And then he reveals he was faking and he will convince the jury of his story, who might let him off. He negotiates a seven-year deal, to Marie's dismay. On the flight to Albuquerque, he learns that Kim has revealed all her crimes, and this changes his outlook on the whole thing. We have seen in the past that Jimmy cares what Kim thinks of him despite the Saul Goodman person he became. Jimmy lures Kim to the court proceedings by telling the authorities he has something juicy about Kim. And during the proceedings, he confesses his every single crime, including against Chuck McGill. Kim has a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. In her eyes, at least Jimmy has redeemed himself. It is a gut-wrenching scene, but nothing prepared this fan for the reenactment of the first scene in which we see Jimmy and Kim together. Kim steals a visit with him in his prison where they enjoy a smoke, probably their last together. As they take a final look at each other, Jimmy mimes Kim's trademark finger gun gesture. And this scribe became a gibbering wreck. 'Better Call Saul' is a masterpiece.

'Better Call Saul' Season 6 Episode 13 review: Jimmy McGill's tale ends with a quietly devastating finale

<p>When you go see 'Laal Singh Chaddha', you'd know exactly what to expect. Aamir Khan-starrer reimagining of the 1994 Hollywood classic 'Forrest Gump' is set in an Indian context and is indeed a Bollywood redo of the Tom Hanks film. There are songs (though, thank goodness, no dance sequences) playing in the background at requisite moments. The script, written by actor Atul Kulkarni in his screenwriting debut, turns an already mawkish story even hokier. Hanks' dim-witted Gump becomes Khan's Chaddha with not just less than average IQ but also what seems to be a minor case of Tourette syndrome.</p>

<p>Directed by Advait Chandan, the film, which also stars Kareena Kapoor, is slavishly faithful to 'Forrest Gump' -- for the most part. Thus, it shares with the original Robert Zemeckis directorial its hits and misses. 'Forrest Gump', a beloved film when it was released that won six Oscars and netted $678 million in box office returns, has not aged well. Over the almost three decades since its release, it has acquired a questionable reputation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-laal-singh-chaddha-movie-review-kareena-kapoor-and-the-story-outshine-aamir-khan-505855">&nbsp;'Laal Singh Chaddha' movie review: Kareena Kapoor and the story outshine Aamir Khan</a></strong></p>

<p>Critics of the film, who perhaps watched the film from a 21st-century lens, wonder whether the film was a thinly-veiled metaphor for 'conservatism rules, you know!'&nbsp;Do what one is told by the authorities and you will go far in life. And if you go against the grain, against society's conventions -- like Robin Wright's Jenny Curran, who was rebellious and sexually promiscuous -- you will get AIDS as punishment.</p>

<p>If you have seen 'Forrest Gump' you have a rough idea of how the story of 'Laal Singh Chaddha' goes. Laal is a boy born with less than average intelligence. But don't mention that in front of his mother (a brilliant Mona Singh who leaves a significant impact in the brief role, and I would gladly watch a prequel on her character), who believes there is nothing wrong with her son and wants him to study and interact with the other 'normal' children. Laal meets and befriends a girl called Rupa at the school, who becomes the love of his life. As she grows up and moves to Mumbai, with an ambition to become a film star, in the mind of Laal she is one constant. Well, one constant apart from his aging mother.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-box-office-laal-singh-chaddha-earns-more-than-raksha-bandhan-on-opening-day-506297"><strong>Box office: 'Laal Singh Chaddha' earns more than 'Raksha Bandhan' on opening day</strong></a></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Laal shrugs off his physical and psychological constraints on his legs and becomes a virtuoso runner. And like Forrest Gump, inadvertently takes part in and sometimes affects important historical events. He and his mother hid as the anti-Sikh pogrom rages on in Delhi in 1984. She shears off his hair using broken glass to save him. Laal is there during Lal Krishna Advani's Rath Yatra as an observer, which ultimately led to&nbsp;Babri Masjid's demolition. He finds his college empty during the Mandal Commission protests of 1990.</p>

<p>But similar to 'Forrest Gump', Aamir Khan's hero cannot make sense of these events and is instead a bystander. That is expected since Laal is supposed to have subpar intelligence. But a story's hero is always the audience's gateway into the story. And that is the film's biggest failure. Even more than the original, it just wishes to explore the recent history of India, but only cursorily as though they are snippets from somebody's school yearbook and not events that have made a country like India what it is now. There is no nuanced understanding here, just dumbing down history for laughs.</p>

<p>Watch:<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/critically-speaking-is-laal-singh-chaddha-worth-the-hype-506125">&nbsp;Critically Speaking: Is 'Laal Singh Chaddha' worth the hype?</a></strong></p>

<p>Also, Khan already played an Indian version of Forrest Gump before, in Rajkumar Hirani's 'PK'. Much like the film's titular character who was an extraterrestrial, Forrest looks at the world and its people with the gaze of an alien, unable to comprehend humanity's contradictions. He wonders why people would rather be ambitious and unhappy than be satisfied with what they have. Even the wide-eyed look that Laal has evokes PK's otherworldly gaze. His performance as Laal appears to be just PK turned up to 11. This is not a full-bodied portrayal that Hanks' performance.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R6savS7m0Fg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Now, for the good bits. Mona Singh is my MVP in the film. But I also loved Manav Vij's performance as Mohammad Paaji, a reformed extremist who is bemused and ultimately defeated by Laal's innocence in not realising he was there to kill him and his comrades in the Indian Army squad dispatched to take out a terrorists-occupied bunker during the Kargil War -- or die trying. Make no mistake, Gary Sinise was superb as Lieutenant Dan, but this is one aspect where I feel 'Laal Singh Chaddha' has outdone the original. Kareena is also good, but not a shade on Wright's portrayal of Jenny.</p>

<p>But 'Laal Singh Chaddha' is ultimately disappointing because it does not do enough to ground the story in an Indian context. There are not many 'woah' moments in the film except one I will not spoil that is about another Bollywood star. I did not want to say it, 'Laal Singh Chaddha' is a pale imitation of 'Forrest Gump'. Despite individual brilliance at times, it is more 'Dull Singh Chaddha'.</p>

<p>Aamir is often referred to as Indian Tom Hanks, particularly by American critics and once by Robert Downey Jr, who believe they embody values prized by their respective countries. And perhaps Khan would be flattered by the comparison. But in my opinion? Nah.&nbsp;</p>


When you go see 'Laal Singh Chaddha', you'd know exactly what to expect. Aamir Khan-starrer reimagining of the 1994 Hollywood classic 'Forrest Gump' is set in an Indian context and is indeed a Bollywood redo of the Tom Hanks film.

When you go see 'Laal Singh Chaddha', you'd know exactly what to expect. Aamir Khan-starrer reimagining of the 1994 Hollywood classic 'Forrest Gump' is set in an Indian context and is indeed a Bollywood redo of the Tom Hanks film. There are songs (though, thank goodness, no dance sequences) playing in the background at requisite moments. The script, written by actor Atul Kulkarni in his screenwriting debut, turns an already mawkish story even hokier. Hanks' dim-witted Gump becomes Khan's Chaddha with not just less than average IQ but also what seems to be a minor case of Tourette syndrome. Directed by Advait Chandan, the film, which also stars Kareena Kapoor, is slavishly faithful to 'Forrest Gump' -- for the most part. Thus, it shares with the original Robert Zemeckis directorial its hits and misses. 'Forrest Gump', a beloved film when it was released that won six Oscars and netted $678 million in box office returns, has not aged well. Over the almost three decades since its release, it has acquired a questionable reputation. Also Read: 'Laal Singh Chaddha' movie review: Kareena Kapoor and the story outshine Aamir Khan Critics of the film, who perhaps watched the film from a 21st-century lens, wonder whether the film was a thinly-veiled metaphor for 'conservatism rules, you know!' Do what one is told by the authorities and you will go far in life. And if you go against the grain, against society's conventions -- like Robin Wright's Jenny Curran, who was rebellious and sexually promiscuous -- you will get AIDS as punishment. If you have seen 'Forrest Gump' you have a rough idea of how the story of 'Laal Singh Chaddha' goes. Laal is a boy born with less than average intelligence. But don't mention that in front of his mother (a brilliant Mona Singh who leaves a significant impact in the brief role, and I would gladly watch a prequel on her character), who believes there is nothing wrong with her son and wants him to study and interact with the other 'normal' children. Laal meets and befriends a girl called Rupa at the school, who becomes the love of his life. As she grows up and moves to Mumbai, with an ambition to become a film star, in the mind of Laal she is one constant. Well, one constant apart from his aging mother. Also Read: Box office: 'Laal Singh Chaddha' earns more than 'Raksha Bandhan' on opening day Meanwhile, Laal shrugs off his physical and psychological constraints on his legs and becomes a virtuoso runner. And like Forrest Gump, inadvertently takes part in and sometimes affects important historical events. He and his mother hid as the anti-Sikh pogrom rages on in Delhi in 1984. She shears off his hair using broken glass to save him. Laal is there during Lal Krishna Advani's Rath Yatra as an observer, which ultimately led to Babri Masjid's demolition. He finds his college empty during the Mandal Commission protests of 1990. But similar to 'Forrest Gump', Aamir Khan's hero cannot make sense of these events and is instead a bystander. That is expected since Laal is supposed to have subpar intelligence. But a story's hero is always the audience's gateway into the story. And that is the film's biggest failure. Even more than the original, it just wishes to explore the recent history of India, but only cursorily as though they are snippets from somebody's school yearbook and not events that have made a country like India what it is now. There is no nuanced understanding here, just dumbing down history for laughs. Watch: Critically Speaking: Is 'Laal Singh Chaddha' worth the hype? Also, Khan already played an Indian version of Forrest Gump before, in Rajkumar Hirani's 'PK'. Much like the film's titular character who was an extraterrestrial, Forrest looks at the world and its people with the gaze of an alien, unable to comprehend humanity's contradictions. He wonders why people would rather be ambitious and unhappy than be satisfied with what they have. Even the wide-eyed look that Laal has evokes PK's otherworldly gaze. His performance as Laal appears to be just PK turned up to 11. This is not a full-bodied portrayal that Hanks' performance. Now, for the good bits. Mona Singh is my MVP in the film. But I also loved Manav Vij's performance as Mohammad Paaji, a reformed extremist who is bemused and ultimately defeated by Laal's innocence in not realising he was there to kill him and his comrades in the Indian Army squad dispatched to take out a terrorists-occupied bunker during the Kargil War -- or die trying. Make no mistake, Gary Sinise was superb as Lieutenant Dan, but this is one aspect where I feel 'Laal Singh Chaddha' has outdone the original. Kareena is also good, but not a shade on Wright's portrayal of Jenny. But 'Laal Singh Chaddha' is ultimately disappointing because it does not do enough to ground the story in an Indian context. There are not many 'woah' moments in the film except one I will not spoil that is about another Bollywood star. I did not want to say it, 'Laal Singh Chaddha' is a pale imitation of 'Forrest Gump'. Despite individual brilliance at times, it is more 'Dull Singh Chaddha'. Aamir is often referred to as Indian Tom Hanks, particularly by American critics and once by Robert Downey Jr, who believe they embody values prized by their respective countries. And perhaps Khan would be flattered by the comparison. But in my opinion? Nah.

'Laal Singh Chaddha' is not 'Forrest Gump' and Aamir Khan is not Tom Hanks: A disappointing remake

<p>Last year, Martin Scorsese decried the demeaning of cinema by the word 'content', an umbrella term that once used to be exclusive to businesses has come to mean anything from a movie, TV show, a song, or a piece of art. While writing for Harper’s, Scorsese said that films are reduced to the "lowest common denominator" -- which, Scorsese said, is content.</p>

<p>I usually tend to agree with Scorsese, but never more than here. In the age of streaming, when there is a flood of movies and TV shows, studios treat them exclusively as products to sell to the masses and not as legitimate works of art that challenge and are outlets of expression.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Netflix, the world leader in streaming, is not the cause here, but its intensely algorithmic-driven approach has proven to be incredibly successful and nearly every major studio has joined in the fray to benefit from their legacy content.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GN_IwBptKi4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Netflix's new vampire actioner is another project by the streaming giant that feels like the execs put some values into a formula and, lo and behold, the movie came out. As per Wikipedia, 'Day Shift' has the same budget as Christopher Nolan's upcoming 'Oppenheimer', which is mind-boggling since Nolan's biopic appears to have ensnared half the Hollywood in its cast. I know JJ Perry is credited as the director of 'Day Shift' and Tyler Tice and Shay Hatten are listed as screenwriters and they did seem to have an online presence when I googled them, but I will believe in their existence when I see them.</p>

<p>Where did the money go, JJ Perry? Where?</p>

<p>Also Read:<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-laal-singh-chaddha-is-not-forrest-gump-and-aamir-khan-is-not-tom-hanks-a-disappointing-reimagining-506429">&nbsp;'Laal Singh Chaddha' is not 'Forrest Gump' and Aamir Khan is not Tom Hanks: A disappointing reimagining</a></strong></p>

<p>'Day Shift' stars Jamie Foxx as a professional vampire hunter in a world where the vamps exist and live secretly among humans. Of late, they have been attempting to come out of the shadows and take over the world. Called Bud Jablonski, our hero poses as a pool cleaner, and his 'company' is a front for an entire union of them. He has to earn some quick money and if one can extract the two fangs of the vampires (which, I presume, also serves as proof that they are dead), they sell for a good price. But Bud ran afoul of the union for not following the rules, and now the union appoints Dave Franco's Seth as his minder to make sure he follows the rules.</p>

<p>Right from the first scene, in which Bud breaks into an old woman's house and she turns out to be a vampire, the film relies on cliches and tropes of the action genre and that continues right until the final shot. Foxx is reliably charming in the role, but I am pretty sure he did this movie only for a paycheck. Can't fault that motivation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The action is cool, to be honest, but the plot and characterisation are so trite that all the fight scenes feel like one if watching somebody else play a video game. Pretty fun, but you wish you were in charge of the controller.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is not as if a film has to have twists and shocks. Just, please, put in a little surprise every now and then for a change of pace. Or have more developed characters. Or maybe a substantial story. Anything but whatever we got. And even after all that, the movie did not have the decency to be short. No. it had to be nearly hours long.&nbsp;</p>


Last year, Martin Scorsese decried the demeaning of cinema by the word 'content', an umbrella term that once used to be exclusive to businesses has come to mean anything from a movie, TV show, a song, or a piece of art.

Last year, Martin Scorsese decried the demeaning of cinema by the word 'content', an umbrella term that once used to be exclusive to businesses has come to mean anything from a movie, TV show, a song, or a piece of art. While writing for Harper’s, Scorsese said that films are reduced to the "lowest common denominator" -- which, Scorsese said, is content. I usually tend to agree with Scorsese, but never more than here. In the age of streaming, when there is a flood of movies and TV shows, studios treat them exclusively as products to sell to the masses and not as legitimate works of art that challenge and are outlets of expression. Netflix, the world leader in streaming, is not the cause here, but its intensely algorithmic-driven approach has proven to be incredibly successful and nearly every major studio has joined in the fray to benefit from their legacy content. Netflix's new vampire actioner is another project by the streaming giant that feels like the execs put some values into a formula and, lo and behold, the movie came out. As per Wikipedia, 'Day Shift' has the same budget as Christopher Nolan's upcoming 'Oppenheimer', which is mind-boggling since Nolan's biopic appears to have ensnared half the Hollywood in its cast. I know JJ Perry is credited as the director of 'Day Shift' and Tyler Tice and Shay Hatten are listed as screenwriters and they did seem to have an online presence when I googled them, but I will believe in their existence when I see them. Where did the money go, JJ Perry? Where? Also Read: 'Laal Singh Chaddha' is not 'Forrest Gump' and Aamir Khan is not Tom Hanks: A disappointing reimagining 'Day Shift' stars Jamie Foxx as a professional vampire hunter in a world where the vamps exist and live secretly among humans. Of late, they have been attempting to come out of the shadows and take over the world. Called Bud Jablonski, our hero poses as a pool cleaner, and his 'company' is a front for an entire union of them. He has to earn some quick money and if one can extract the two fangs of the vampires (which, I presume, also serves as proof that they are dead), they sell for a good price. But Bud ran afoul of the union for not following the rules, and now the union appoints Dave Franco's Seth as his minder to make sure he follows the rules. Right from the first scene, in which Bud breaks into an old woman's house and she turns out to be a vampire, the film relies on cliches and tropes of the action genre and that continues right until the final shot. Foxx is reliably charming in the role, but I am pretty sure he did this movie only for a paycheck. Can't fault that motivation. The action is cool, to be honest, but the plot and characterisation are so trite that all the fight scenes feel like one if watching somebody else play a video game. Pretty fun, but you wish you were in charge of the controller. It is not as if a film has to have twists and shocks. Just, please, put in a little surprise every now and then for a change of pace. Or have more developed characters. Or maybe a substantial story. Anything but whatever we got. And even after all that, the movie did not have the decency to be short. No. it had to be nearly hours long.

'Day Shift' movie review: Jamie Foxx is a vampire hunter in this yawn-inducing actioner

<p>"Waterworks" is the title of the twelfth&nbsp;episode of Season 6 and penultimate episode overall of 'Better Call Saul'. I expected the episode, which is the final one of the show to be directed by Vince Gilligan, who originated the 'Breaking Bad' universe, to be emotional since "waterworks" informally means the shedding of tears, but it is instead a splendidly heart-pounding hour of television that sets up what should be an exhilarating finale to the entire saga by ending on a cliffhanger. And that is not a bad thing at all.</p>

<p>Here is your spoiler alert. If you have not seen "Waterworks" and plan to, perhaps this is the time to stop reading. This piece discusses the episode in some detail. So better watch it and then come back.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-better-call-saul-season-6-episode-11-review-kim-wexlers-fate-revealed--walter-white-jesse-pinkman-return-502883">'Better Call Saul' Season 6 Episode 11 review: Kim Wexler's fate revealed &amp; Walter White, Jesse Pinkman return</a></strong></p>

<p>The last episode of 'Better Call Saul' gave us the much-awaited return of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). While the cameos may not have been crucial to the story of Bob Odenkirk's Saul, it was still nice to revisit them, it was a bit like meeting old friends.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In "Waterworks", we learn where Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) has been all this while. She was in a quiet desk job at a company called Palm Coast Sprinklers in Florida. And, we learn she encountered Jesse outside Saul's office when they both signed their divorce papers. We see her unsettled at the nonchalance with which the Jimmy McGill she knew treats the whole thing. She then gets out for a smoke and meets none other than Pinkman, who is there for his friend Emilio Koyama, who met in the first season of 'Breaking Bad'.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PVeTDxCwGLE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Then we see her receiving a call from Jimmy in the present, who is calling himself Gene now. She told him to turn himself in after his multiple crimes during the events of 'Breaking Bad', which sent him in a fit of rage. Now newly burdened by guilt, she goes back to Albuquerque and confesses her crimes to Cheryl Hamlin, Howard Hamlin's wife. She also reveals she has submitted her affidavit to the district attorney but believes she might not face prosecution due to the absence of any tangible evidence or witnesses. Later, on a bus, she cries with ragged sobs, her conscience finally making her face as to what she and Jimmy did.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Omaha, Jimmy breaks into a man who is suffering from cancer. He tarries too long and Jeff, who is waiting outside in his car panics after spotting two cops, rams his vehicle into another, and gets captured for not just the damage but also on charges of breaking and entering. He calls Gene, who says he will send Marion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-how-better-call-saul-became-kim-wexlers-story-501183">How 'Better Call Saul' became Kim Wexler's story</a></strong></p>

<p>On a phone call from Gene, Marion realises who Gene really is, and confronts him when he arrives. After threatening her, Jimmy realises he does not have it in him to kill someone (that was Walt) and finally runs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The episode epitomises the pacing of 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' as a whole. It has both quiet drama and thrill elements and they are both nicely balanced. In an hour, the episode serves as a brilliant tease for the finale and is also a gripping hour of TV in itself. There are reveals, emotional moments, and once again the writing team behind his saga proves that even the most quotidian aspects of life can be made entertaining through great writing, cinematography, and acting. &nbsp;</p>

<p>'Better Call Saul' is streaming in India.</p>


"Waterworks" is the title of the twelfth episode of Season 6 and penultimate episode overall of 'Better Call Saul'. I expected the episode, which is the final one of the show to be directed by Vince Gilligan, who originated the 'Breaking Bad' universe, to be emotional since "waterworks" informally means the shedding of tears, but it is instead a splendidly heart-pounding hour of television that sets up what should be an exhilarating finale to the entire saga by ending on a cliffhanger.

"Waterworks" is the title of the twelfth episode of Season 6 and penultimate episode overall of 'Better Call Saul'. I expected the episode, which is the final one of the show to be directed by Vince Gilligan, who originated the 'Breaking Bad' universe, to be emotional since "waterworks" informally means the shedding of tears, but it is instead a splendidly heart-pounding hour of television that sets up what should be an exhilarating finale to the entire saga by ending on a cliffhanger. And that is not a bad thing at all. Here is your spoiler alert. If you have not seen "Waterworks" and plan to, perhaps this is the time to stop reading. This piece discusses the episode in some detail. So better watch it and then come back. Also Read: 'Better Call Saul' Season 6 Episode 11 review: Kim Wexler's fate revealed & Walter White, Jesse Pinkman return The last episode of 'Better Call Saul' gave us the much-awaited return of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). While the cameos may not have been crucial to the story of Bob Odenkirk's Saul, it was still nice to revisit them, it was a bit like meeting old friends. In "Waterworks", we learn where Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) has been all this while. She was in a quiet desk job at a company called Palm Coast Sprinklers in Florida. And, we learn she encountered Jesse outside Saul's office when they both signed their divorce papers. We see her unsettled at the nonchalance with which the Jimmy McGill she knew treats the whole thing. She then gets out for a smoke and meets none other than Pinkman, who is there for his friend Emilio Koyama, who met in the first season of 'Breaking Bad'. Then we see her receiving a call from Jimmy in the present, who is calling himself Gene now. She told him to turn himself in after his multiple crimes during the events of 'Breaking Bad', which sent him in a fit of rage. Now newly burdened by guilt, she goes back to Albuquerque and confesses her crimes to Cheryl Hamlin, Howard Hamlin's wife. She also reveals she has submitted her affidavit to the district attorney but believes she might not face prosecution due to the absence of any tangible evidence or witnesses. Later, on a bus, she cries with ragged sobs, her conscience finally making her face as to what she and Jimmy did. In Omaha, Jimmy breaks into a man who is suffering from cancer. He tarries too long and Jeff, who is waiting outside in his car panics after spotting two cops, rams his vehicle into another, and gets captured for not just the damage but also on charges of breaking and entering. He calls Gene, who says he will send Marion. Also Read: How 'Better Call Saul' became Kim Wexler's story On a phone call from Gene, Marion realises who Gene really is, and confronts him when he arrives. After threatening her, Jimmy realises he does not have it in him to kill someone (that was Walt) and finally runs. The episode epitomises the pacing of 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' as a whole. It has both quiet drama and thrill elements and they are both nicely balanced. In an hour, the episode serves as a brilliant tease for the finale and is also a gripping hour of TV in itself. There are reveals, emotional moments, and once again the writing team behind his saga proves that even the most quotidian aspects of life can be made entertaining through great writing, cinematography, and acting. 'Better Call Saul' is streaming in India.

'Better Call Saul' Season 6 Episode 12 review: Emotional rollercoaster of an episode sets up exciting finale

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