YELLOWSTONE – Yellowstone is finally back for season 3. I describe it as Montana ranchers meet Succession – a family empire, major family dysfunction and beautiful scenery. Starring Kevin Costner in the lead role, the work is outstanding on all fronts with several recognizable actors. The little boy playing Kevin’s grandson is quite believable in intense scenes. I also have a boyfriend in this one which is always a plus. Dana says she enjoys it as much as me. So two toasts from the peeps, and 1 on the boyfriend meter.

PEAKY BLINDERS – I kept seeing this show listed in the NetFlix menu. It features many criteria I enjoy – historical fiction, British, period piece, some name people – so I began watching. I soon found I could not look away. The first thing that struck me was I kept seeing Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the lead role. A younger Jonathan would have been excellent portraying Tommy. As it happens, Cillian Murphy – who is cast in the role, is also excellent. The entire cast is excellent. The story is intriguing and moves rapidly. It begins in 1919 England with a family gang known as the Peaky Blinders. That much is true. The rest of the story is fictional. There are some twists I don’t like, but that’s show biz. It’s not for the faint of heart however. Quite violent, graphic and gory. Helen McCrory, my favorite witch in Penny Dreadful, is part of the lead cast. Sam Neil is a main character in the first two seasons. Adrien Brody and Little Finger from Game of Thrones are also prominent later on. This show earns two toasts from the peeps. No boyfriends or girlfriends in this one, but gripping entertainment none the less.

LITTLE WOMEN – I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Mike liked it too, but it stars two of his girlfriends and he tends to like everything they do. The performances were wonderful, though. The story is just as engaging as it was when it was written in the 1800s. Family relationships and dynamics remain the same through the centuries and this is portrayed beautifully and honestly by the entire cast. Based on the life of the author, Louisa May Alcott, it is worthy of the Oscar nominations it received. The women weren’t the only ones turning in good performances. The men were as well, with my particular favorite Chris Cooper. I always enjoy his work. The one qualm I had was the casting of Bob Odenkirk as the father. His performance was fine, but he is so closely and recently associated with his role as Saul Goodman that all I could see was Saul Goodman. Mike said this did not bother him, but it got in my way a lot. Two toasts for this one. Boyfriend meter 1, Girlfriend meter 2.

PENNY DREADFUL – CITY OF ANGELS – I was eager to see season two of this series because I was a fan of season 1. Every season tells a different story. After four episodes, it hasn’t grabbed my interest. The biggest problem is so much of it centers around racial hatred and violence toward the Hispanic population in 1930s Los Angeles. Maybe because of the current climate in our politics, or maybe just because I can’t stomach people being brutalized this way (probably both), but some scenes are impossible to watch. This is unfortunate because the supernatural aspect of it interests me. I also am a big fan of Natalie Dormer (yes – girlfriend) who portrays evil in multiple guises, each requiring different accents. She does an excellent job, as does all the cast which includes many recognizable faces. Nathan Lane is one. It’s an interesting departure from his usual roles and he is quite good. No toasts (yet) and 0 boyfriends (although lead Hispanic actor is quite cute) but 1 girlfriend on the meter.

DOWNTON ABBEY – THE MOVIE – Well the peeps are split on this one. Half of us liked it a lot. Frannie and I thought it was dull and boring. In fact, Francine almost went home. Two-thirds of the film was spent with the Abbey readying itself for a Royal visit. The last third was predictable and undramatic. I’m glad I waited for cable and didn’t spend money to view this in the theatre. The only positives for me were Mary looked beautiful, her wardrobe was gorgeous and Lord Grantham got a new dog. 0 toasts, 0 boyfriends and 0 girlfriends. Cheers to the dog!

HOLLYWOOD – I can’t decide if I like this show. I want to like it, but some things about it are extremely off-putting. First, I can’t figure out if it is supposed to be historical fiction or not. Many real players from Hollywood’s 50s era are depicted in the story, but the premise is ridiculous. Black folks writing screenplays, being cast in lead roles and inter-racial relationships onscreen was (sadly) impossible in those days. Then throw in all the gay relationships behind the scenes and sometimes out in the open. Though I know this went on (at least privately), I find the portrayal in this series impossible. Maybe I am missing something. Perhaps this show is supposed to be a commentary on “what if” this occurred in that era? I have no idea. If so, it is failing miserably because I don’t understand what exactly the writers are presenting. Secondly, there is so much decadence in each episode that it becomes exhausting. Still, I keep watching. Maybe it’s because I enjoy the period in Hollywood. Maybe I find some of the actors interesting. Maybe I just want to see it through to the end to finally discover what it is. At any rate – 0 boyfriends, 0 girlfriends and 0 toasts (although one of the peeps seems to enjoy it).

OUTLANDER 5 – Three toasts to the season finale. The rape scene was depicted in a tasteful way while still preserving the horror and violence of the act. Plus Starz posted a disclaimer at the beginning of the episode to fully warn viewers of what they were about to see. Personally, I thought the rape scenes in Jamie and Brianna’s respective storylines were more brutal in their depiction. We all thoroughly enjoyed the 60s dream sequences where an ideal world was playing in Claire’s mind to protect herself from the horror of the reality she was enduring. My boyfriend Murtagh was alive, Marsali was rocking the mod look so much she became my girlfriend and there were many Easter eggs and references to prior scenes. The episode ends on a triumphant note despite the tragedy that has occurred and leaves us all feeling grateful for home and the protection of those who love us. As usual, faithful to the book both in story and dialogue. Storyline changes in the show are rare. Sometimes I like it better (Murtagh stays alive), sometimes I don’t. I preferred the change in this episode where Bree & Roger still end up staying on the Ridge, but it was portrayed as their hearts’ true desire when they tried to travel through the stones back to their own time. Boyfriend meter 1, Girlfriend meter 1. Toasts from all the peeps. Slainte mhah!

DISPATCHES FROM ELSEWHERE – This quirky new show is delightful….quite a departure from the norm. Four folks, each stuck in their lives, are lured into a mysterious game and forced to work together to solve the clues. This unlikely team would ordinarily never cross paths, but discover true friendship as they press on in their quest. The cast includes Sally Field and an intriguing actress, Eve Lindley, as Simone. I find her character (a transgender woman) and her relationship with one of her fellow teammates (a straight man) fascinating. She’s also beautiful and engaging. She definitely makes my girlfriend meter! Boyfriend meter 0. Cheers!

OUTLANDER 5 – Episode 9 was stellar and the kind of story that endears this series to its many fans. Frannie and I loved it. Great bonding scenes between Jamie & Roger, Jamie & Young Ian and Jamie & Claire. It was beautiful and romantic, everything Outlander fans have come to expect. It also kept closely to the book, both in storyline and dialogue. Two toasts. No boyfriends, but Roger and Ian are capturing more of my attention every season. Slainte.

OUTLANDER 5 – Episode 8 was quite a departure from the norm. Francine didn’t like it at all. It was too far outside the box for her. I admit I had to watch it twice and pay closer attention to the opening scene (especially dialogue) to understand the symbolism. Once I did, I found it quite clever and creative. Roger’s hanging ordeal is framed within a silent black & white moving picture. Roger was quite fond of watching them in his own time. He is now starring in one inside his head as he dwells in complete silence for months struggling to overcome the trauma of hanging. Another interesting bit is black & white silence turning to color and sound as Roger chooses life over death. This storyline consumes 80% of the episode, which I think is what lost Francine. In addition, Ian returns after a long absence with the Mohawk. In the books he returns later in the story, and my memory is while he is not himself, he does engage with the family more than in the show. We don’t learn the reason for his distress until later, but I wanted to see glimpses of the old Ian who is still very much a part of who he is now. Rollo was perfect, of course. One toast from me. Francine not so much.