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Blackstone, Featured

Blackstone closes down for good

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“Flat Line” was an apt title for Blackstone‘s final episode. It, of course, referred to Andy Fraser, the one-time chief of the band, but the series itself. After years of being the big man around town, pushing others around and enjoying the spoils of his plots and plans, Andy was laid low by AIDS, succumbing to the pneumonia that weakened his immune system to the point he couldn’t fight anymore.

“Nobody needs you,” Tom, long dead, told his son. And with that Tom—the one who had haunted Andy for so long—jumped ship and left him to die alone.

Andy died alone because everyone else were focussed on moving forward. Alan, shedding his past life and planning for a future in business, left Blackstone for the city and an education. Daryl—after having accepted Jack’s $260,000 for both bars—left the city for a small farm and home on the Fraser’s family land. That scene reminded me of Tim Riggins in Friday Night Lights, and I was warmed by those feelings. I’ve always liked Daryl and was sincerely hoping he’d make it out of the club business unscathed.

Gail was headed for the city too, moving in with Luke—a genuinely good guy—and a bright future as an artist. Even Wilma had a happy ending (I was surprised by that turn), discovering a mix of traditional and modern medicine shoved her cancer into remission. Only Leona was on the downslide in this final instalment, suffering panic attacks at the losses in her life before Dr. Crowshoe sat her down for a chat.

For a series that has spent a lot of time dealing with the dark reality of life on a First Nations reserve—addiction, physical and sexual abuse, murder and rape—”Flat Line” was positively upbeat. Characters were smiling, laughing and joking and the soundtrack during that happy montage was light and airy. At least, until viewers were brought back to the stark reality of Andy’s last breaths. Blackstone‘s biggest character has had quite a ride over the past five seasons. And despite the fact it was fitting he die alone after stepping on everyone to get where he wanted to go, I’m still going to miss him. Just like I’ll miss everyone else on Blackstone.

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Blackstone, Featured

Blackstone prepares for the end

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With just one more episode left—the series finale is set for Dec. 22—Blackstone is hurtling along. The show is dense, with lots of moving parts and some storylines that have been around for several seasons. That’s a lot to try and wrap up with just two hours left, and I’m pretty sure not everything will be nicely wrapped by then either; this is Blackstone after all and nothing seems to conclude happily.

“Retribution” does advance several storylines, however, as a number of characters see light at the end of the tunnel or prepare for the worst. Last week’s instalment, “The River’s Edge,” was a horrifying and realistic peek into sexual assault as Trisha was attacked by a trio of thugs. The tale took an equally awful turn when it was revealed Jack’s nephew was the ringleader, leaving Daryl caught in the middle between family and his business partnership. Daryl decides what side he wants to come down on and the repercussions of his actions will resonate in the finale.

Andy, always quick to make things happen (especially when it’s in his favour) is positively sprinting around Edmonton, threatening Jack and Travis and begging for money to get Blackstone’s girls off the streets and given some support. It’s almost as if he’s trying to get as much done before something bad happens. Andy’s cough is getting worse, and with nothing else to lose, I can’t help but wonder how far he’s willing to go to help Daryl get out of his jam.

Gail continues on her artistic path, growing in confidence so much—was it really just a couple of weeks ago she was hiding her work?—that she’s painting in the middle of the band office. The fact she’s continued to paint is inspiring in itself, but what happens between she and Trisha put a lump in my throat. Gail has grown so much during the past two seasons, it’s inspiring to not only see her take control of her life, but inspire others to do the same.

But with just one week left after tonight, there are still questions that need to be answered.

  • Will the remaining kids stay with Smokey?
  • What’s causing Andy to cough up blood? Will he survive the series finale?
  • Will Daryl lose the club?
  • Will Wilma pass away?

The series finale of Blackstone airs Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 10 p.m. ET on APTN.

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Blackstone, Featured

Blackstone’s new/old chief

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I’ll never skip reviewing episodes of Blackstone again. Of course this is the final season, but by skipping reviewing the last two weeks, I missed out on opining at length about two major characters.

Two weeks ago, Julian Black Antelope turned in an incredible performance as Darrien Tailfeathers. The man everyone has loved to hate over the past two seasons—especially when he kidnapped Wendy—showed a side of him we’ve never seen: a man abused when he was a child and fighting to keep off that same path. When Darrien took hostages, I feared the worst: he’d go down in a hail of bullets, a victim of violence. Instead, we saw a tearful, tender side to Darrien and he turned himself in. I’m hoping the producers supply the Academy with his scenes and he’s nominated for a Canadian Screen Award. Yeah, he’s that good.

As for last week’s instalment, Blackstone said goodbye to Victor. The victim of an apparent broken ankle, Victor almost made it back from the brush before collapsing on the reserve’s border, expiring from exposure. After flirting with a bit of romance last season, Victor came under fire as the new chief and never really lived up to expectations. Of course, Sarah doesn’t believe Victor died simply of a broken ankle (I don’t either), and it remains to be seen if anyone will be brought to justice for his death.

There was a lot going on this week too. As “Back in the Saddle” began, Andy continued, and was successful, in his plans to resume being chief of Blackstone with Leona as his only challenger for office. Right off the bat, the episode featured a simple, yet dramatic scene as Francine spoke of long-past better days on Blackstone, before leaders stole from the people. But can Andy change his ways now that he’s had the murder charges dropped? (The fact that Francine could see and was talking to Andy’s dad clearly freaked him out.) On the surface, Andy’s plan for Blackstone to build timber homes is a step in the right direction, but after so many scams and false promises, can anyone trust him?

Unfortunately, by episode’s end it looked like Andy had been bluffing the whole time. But I’m not buying it. I think his declining health (coughing up blood is never good) is a message to Andy that now is the time to turn things around and make a lasting, positive legacy behind.

Gail’s life, meanwhile, has taken an interesting turn. Her visit to Wilma’s new home has clearly opened a new, artistic door for her to express her feelings. Sure, she’s still quick to bark at people—the artist was just trying to help—but seeing Gail spread paint out on the page is a wonderful outlet. She obviously loves it.

Blackstone airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on APTN.

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Featured, Mohawk Girls

Mohawk Girls review: To Flee or Not to Flee

And here we are, already to the final episode of this, the third season of Mohawk Girls. As the title’s playful take on the famous Prince Hamlet quote portends;  troubles indeed lie in wait for our ladies.

Caitlin (Heather White) has quite evidently fallen off of the the self improvement wagon. She’s quit her business course, is back eating junk food, and has even quit fitness classes with “Luscious Leon” (Alain Chanoine). Concerned, Leon drops by to check on Caitlin and finally we see the sparks truly fly. Leon confesses that he misses “Sexy Caitlin” and these two finally kiss!!!

Sadly, Caitlin also feels the pressures to date only Mohawk men and this causes great concern for her. Undaunted, Leon promises persistence until Caitlin decides if his being Blackhawk rather than Mohawk is a deal breaker or not.

To make matters even more complicated,  Caitlin is later wrongfully attacked by Trumpet (Kevin Loring) and  Butterhead (Meegwun Fairbrother) comes to her defense. Now poor Caitlin is left to second guess a potential relationship with Leon.

As if these troubles were not enough for our girls, #TeamThana  (Anna, played by Maika Harper and Thunder played by Kyle Nobess) also does not survive this episode unscathed. Thunder, and Anna’s Mother (Nadia Verrucci), both learn to their dismay that Anna has quit school. Thunder argues that the best way to change a flawed system is to work from within, ensuring that dialogue remains open.

Anna’s mother arrives, hoping to talk her daughter into returning to school. Ironically, it is Anna’s stand against the  “Colonial Oligarchy” that “Mean Girl Vicki” (Rachelle White Wind) finally declares that Anna is “one of us”.  Anna, who has fought so hard to finally be seen as a Mohawk by the community, rejects her white mother. This is a deal breaker for Thunder: “I could never love anyone who can turn against their Mom like that – we’re done Anna”.

Meanwhile, Bailey (Jennifer Pudavick) is still stressing over her relationship with Watio (Jimmy Blais). She recognizes what a “quality lump of clay” he is, but she also sees that Watio channels his passions in anger. She is struggling with the challenge of perpetual compromise that leaves her wanting more out of life. She finally comes to the realization that they are too different and she breaks up with Watio.

And finally, troubles are definitely in store for Zoe (Brittany LeBorgne) who has been planning a fundraiser for a family that tragically lost their home to fire. However, social pressures continue to mount for Zoe, and shirking her responsibilities, she escapes deeper into the BDSM lifestyle. I simply loved how Tracey Deer and Cynthia Knight set these sequences up throughout this episode.  Zoe’s detachment from her life was very cleverly played, no longer engaging  with her friends, her responsibilities, or the  viewing audience; we are simply left to experience just as she does in the world of fetish clubs.

With Zoe AWOL, the group of friends pull together to make a success of the fundraiser. Even Butterhead rises to the occasion for the greater good. Leon also puts in an appearance because Caitlin is “worth it”.

The show stopper though comes from Watio, who gets down on bended knee, declares his love for Bailey — with poetry even–and proposes in front of the entire community.

So, we are left to wonder, will #TeamThana get back together? Will Anna return to school? What is going to happen to Zoe when all her friends, who are worried sick about her, realise she was playing in the dungeon of a fetish club? Who will Caitlin choose, Luscious Leon or Butterhead? And finally, how will Bailey answer Watio’s proposal? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks  go to Tracey Deer, Cynthia Knight, and Rezolution Pictures for another great season. Looking forward to what’s in store in Season 4.

 

 

 

 

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Featured, Mohawk Girls

Mohawk Girls review: Going Native

We begin  the penultimate episode of  season three with Caitlin (Heather White) and Danny (Jesse Nobess) working on Caitlin’s business plan, tossing a sprinkle of encouragement  and a dash of motivation in an attempt to get Caitlin back into  Kick Ass mode. But as we will see, encouragement and motivation are only a part of what it takes to Go Native for our Mohawk foursome.

One of the newest hurdles complicating Caitlin’s healthy lifestyle choices comes via “Mean Girl Vicki” (Rachelle White Wind). Seems Vicki has a new man in her life and she cannot wait to spill the beans to her rival. As it turns out Caitlin’s father (Lawrence Bayne) is her new Beast boyfriend (and oh my goodness, nice touch with the hickies–Priceless!). Hat tip to  T. Deer and C. Knight! I did NOT see that one coming.

Once again we turn to a scene with Anna (Maika Harper)to deliver our outsider’s cultural lesson of the week. Anna is visiting with Lollipop (Devery Jacobs) before her lecture, and learns that western  education was the tool of assimilation for her people. The schools’ curriculum, the administration, and the text books are all the instruments of the white man. The Residential School System is revisited, reminding us that the government used education as a guise to strip Indigenous people of their culture, and that many  people today are still suffering the loss of the culture that was beaten out of them in residential school. This leaves Anna with some questions about her own educational experiences.

Turning to Zoe (Brittany LeBorgne), we learn that she is suffering from a lack of her extra curricular activities and this is causing  significant distraction on her part. Zoe is clearly neglecting the fundraiser’s organization.

Meanwhile, Bailey’s (Jennifer Pudavick) 30th birthday is fast approaching and Auntie Velma (Ashley Michaels) declares “whatever she wants she may have as this is a birthday that needs ushering in”.  Bailey, always full of wanderlust, decides she wants a trip with Watio (Jimmy Blais), but under no circumstances will he travel. Watio believes that signing any piece of paper declaring he is a Canadian means he gives up his sovereign rights as a Haudenosawnee citizen. This is yet another strike in a mounting list of strikes against Watio.

To compensate, the girls decide to take Bailey away for a girls’ weekend and Anna thinks a survivalist weekend will get them all in touch with their Native heritage. The girls dive in to their weekend, each with their own level of commitment, but it is Bailey that rises to the challenges and proves she is the warrior. Along the way, Zoe’s kink tendencies prove a problem again. Additionally, Caitlin falls into the hookup trap; fine by campfire light, but by harsh morning’s light the fish prove more interesting.

For their final day, the girls decide to get naked and try some mud wraps. But this being Mohawk Girls, you know this is not about to go smoothly, and indeed some young pranksters abscond with our ladies’ clothing.  Bailey concocts a plan to create cover ups and they succeed in making their way back to camp.  Bailey proves herself to be the  survivalist and Jennifer P. totally owned her character tonight.

Once home from their weekend  reality comes crashing back.

Bailey is immediately reminded that the differences between  herself and Watio are mounting. Meanwhile, Caitlin heads to the bar where she is once again humiliated by Butterhead (Meegwun Fairbrother), and Zoe delves deeper into the BDSM lifestyle. Zoe arranges to meet another potential  master, “Hell’s Angel Biker Dom” (Marc-Andre Boulanger), but he proves to be less than dominating. And finally, Anna stands up to her  Philosophy professor (Larry Day). Anna is upset with  the lack of Aboriginal philosophers  included on his syllabus which leads her to impulsively quit, not just his class, but school altogether.

So we are left to wonder how Thunder will react to Anna quitting school. Is Caitlin going to get back on track with her healthy lifestyle choices? Can Bailey make things work with Watio? What is next for Zoe?

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