HELL’S ANGELS (POWER COUPLE SEASON 2)
First off, I have accepted that the words “Kay Parker” now represent a strong warning akin to that of the words MA or 18+ on any movie or video game. There’s no other way to state just how insane this writer’s stories get, and this one was no different. Also, if you’d ever read Power Couple, you probably already knew what lay in store.
The shock that showed up at the end of Power Couple started to make more sense at the revelation of how deep Karla and Stella’s relationship was. Kane really set himself up for failure in the future by doing what he did to Karla. Man actually put his own sister on drugs just for the sake of properties and assets. The wild thing is that the agent he sent on the mission is the same one who turned on him in the end. Karma really has a sense of humor. Also, leave it to Caris and Carol to overload on the spice even after months in captivity. Their spark really has no clue how to die.
I left this one with more questions than answers. First one being who on earth got the Bentons free? How did they pull it off? What does Katherine have to do with any of this? What’s going to happen to Karla and Stella now? And, most importantly, is Kane actually alive? I! Need!! Answers!!!
MISS ACOLATSE
Sometimes, life is unnecessarily unfair. How is it that Akushika’s friends were chopping all kinds of chopping for free, but then the one time she does it, she gets pregnant? After a life of being sheltered and watched over like a hawk? Life never ceases to be mean.
It truly was hard to see a girl who’d been her parents’ jewel for so long suddenly become their object of pure disdain. As to why they never bothered to force Drill to do right by their daughter, I will neither know nor understand. As angry as they were, wouldn’t it have been sensible, at the very least, to force the man’s hand rather than putting their daughter through absolute hell? As for those friends of Aku’s who suddenly turned on her, I have no words for them.
I wonder whether we’ll get to see the older gentleman who saved her turn into a godfather of some kind. I’m also keen on seeing what happens with her. I hope her parents regret their choice, especially her mother for basically throwing compassion away in her anger. Season 2 should be a rollercoaster of a ride.
CORAM
This story really should come with a warning label: “The annoying portions will turn your blood into molten lava.” Truth be told, even that wouldn’t be preparation enough for what Nii Sodjah turned into. It would be even less preparation for Felix’s dumb self and, of course, Natalie’s complete blow-up.
Wayne and Alayaa were a real bright spot, as was Elias’ new budding friendship (the guy had so much going against him that it was a true relief to see one thing go right for him. Let’s hope the girl’s mum doesn’t become another thorn in his side.) Naph and Nat would’ve been so sweet to follow as well right until Nat showed her hand. Even the fair-minded Daniel Dolphyne (who was a real treat to see again after so long) could not get through to her. This is the man who’s probably had the longest lasting healthy relationship in the entire State of Dabar too! That was hard to see without getting fully mad.
Between Amegbo’s interaction with Nat (which looks like it could lead to more,) Elias’ dark life suddenly looking hopeful, Naphtali’s healing process post-breakup, and Nii Sodjah’s madness, the next season looks pretty juicy. This is one that no one who frequents the State should fail to follow.
SAVING MY LIFE
For the record, I actively went after Dabar for giving us the heart-wrenching, mind-wrecking story. This State is full of stories that turn one inside out, but this one was damn-near criminal in that regard.
First off, putting the life of people dear to one’s heart in that person’s hands? Under those circumstances? There was no way this was going to end well. I would be holding Esdras in such low regard if I hadn’t considered the context. Which one among you reading right now would be able to maintain your integrity in the midst of such utter discomfort? Could you even sleep, let alone experience peace? I had to catch myself and remember that even the smell of regular human waste drives most people nuts, and that is not even permanent.
And then Dabar went and did the thing we all knew he’s do: make Esdras regret his choice immediately. Of course, the soldiers were never going to let him live. Of course they were going to mock him. And, of course, we would all be wondering if he made it to heaven after all that. Truth be told, he may never have been able to live with himself if he’d been spared, so maybe it wasn’t the worst thing that he was killed.
FAR FROM HOME
So, we can all agree that being a brat doesn’t serve anyone well, right? We can agree that Leo was an absolute stupid brat? We can also acknowledge that Lennart really should have whooped his brother’s behind when all the foolishness began, correct?
Anyone who’s ever spent more than two seconds with any parent can attest to the truth that their nightmare scenario is to raise a child who then wastes everything they’d spent their life building for said child. Anyone who’s spent more than ten minutes with a last born also knows that the stubbornness is real with them. And boy was Leo a mule!
The one thing I found silliest about Leo’s partying and having his multiple girls and vampire friends was the truth that he already had the life he’d ran away to chase. He was rich, he was stable, and he had no restrictions. Granted, he was still under his father’s authority, but he wasn’t restricted, at least not from what the story said. Yet, he somehow still wanted to be free of it all. The one good thing I found in that entire stretch of folly was the knowledge that Leo was going to learn that even freedom wasn’t free. Too bad it took half of his father’s fortune to learn that lesson.
As far as modern takes on bible stories go, this was excellent. As far as stories go in general, this was excellent. As far as stories on the State of Dabar go, this, was, excellent.
GUILT. GRIEF. GOD.
Ten thousand cedis and a bar of soap was the price of admission for a life that would change the world. And what a life that was. From being in a house where he was constantly reminded that he was not wanted, to getting into a life of crime, Mawuli’s innocence may never have existed in the first place. The concept of parents reluctantly caring for a child who came at the wrong time isn’t new, but throwing it in the mother’s face every chance they get? That’s a different kind of wrong.
The game really changed for me at the point where Mawuli learned of his mother’s death. To beat oneself up for breaking the heart of one’s mother is tough enough, but then learning that she died trying to help you after all that? Especially under those circumstances? I was genuinely impressed that Mawuli didn’t become a degenerate, or even worse, kill himself. That guilt would be so hard to bear, even with a prison sentence.
In the end, we were all reminded of what happens when one repents and comes to God. Life is never the same, and it definitely does not get worse in the long run. This was a great read.
WHAT’S YOUR PRICE?
If anyone, I mean anyone, decides to side with Roger Wakefield in this story, there is an agent from Bussilisk Garrison who has your names in his target files, and I hope he finds you.
In general, the pulpit is usually a safe space from all the political madness of the day. It is meant to be sacred, and only used to further the cause of Christ. With that being said, sometimes the cause of Christ includes speaking out at His instruction. David’s confidence in doing so was indeed a sight to see.
My personal favorite episode was The Labyrinth for one simple reason: Only God can scare you so senseless that your only move is to pray to the same God. David’s desire to give Sika the life he believed that she deserved was noble…right until he tried to do it the wrong way. His words in the aftermath of that episode, where he spoke of being the right role model for his children, could not be any less true if it tried.
In the end, I had silent hopes that the gate would shock Wakefield or something, but I guess I’ll have to settle for his repugnant self in the next season. If you haven’t already read this, I would absolutely suggest that you fix that error immediately.
CUES CORNER
Let’s all acknowledge the following: Nana Asor is top 3 on the list of out-of-pocket people this state has ever produced. The woman is unapologetically raw, plus she really is about that life. Who made her this way!
With that being said, Season 1 of this series was such a tease. We got to learn about the crew and the shenanigans they get up to, and there isn’t a single one whose story cannot be related to. (Well, maybe except Becky’s story of wanting a Margot Robbie shape while she already had the right one.) We learned just enough to keep us wanting to know more. Even Bishop Gordon’s story was juicy enough to raise questions, and don’t even get me started with the Spanish idiot part of Bruce’s story. I need to know how that goes!
Also, El Taruta FC? (*insert facepalm emoji here*)
As far as endings go, this was the equivalent of watching someone try to look defiant in the face of a firing squad that’s training their aim on them. All Becky’s dad needed to do was say the wrong thing, and those bullets came flying towards him without remorse. For what it’s worth, you wouldn’t find many people who would do things differently. Compassion doesn’t always override absolute disregard; that was not meant to change here.
Definitely looking forward to season two of this. It could very well make its way towards the legendary status of ‘Meet The Dolphynes.’
THE COCOON NEVER FORGETS
The opening scene with Markham Greene and Connie Bledsoe should’ve been enough of a notice for what was to come. Sadly, I was still shocked at what followed.
Faking one’s death is not a new thing. Faking one’s death only to become the leaders of the very organization which almost killed one? That’s a whole new level of wild. Kennard and Lilian played the part so beautifully that Mina legit operated under a lie her whole life, and became two different people in the process. Trauma for no reason? Those two deserved to die.
Also, the whole secret organization thing was insane to watch happen. Two heads key security personnel being chopped and changed by an invisible hand with no one the wiser is some high-level cult craziness. It was truly fun to watch Mina and Sukis break the whole thing open. But the part about the key makes me wonder if they really ruined the whole organization. A fun read for sure.
THE SHOWROOM
This one looked more like the starter before the main meal when I read it, but damn if that main meal isn’t looking promising! It made perfect sense that each episode was called a backstory because we learned so little yet so much about the internal dynamics at Honest City Church, and now I need to know what the heck is going on. First off, what did Wilson do to earn the ignominy of being replaced? What does Bishop Rhamses really have up his sleeve? What is Erica’s role in any of this? What led to any of this? What is this church all about?
The main meal smells great from afar. I can’t wait for Season 1!
YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO
The House of Mekadesh. Somehow, that name seemed suspect on sight.
Bishop Ario Wells. Somehow, that name sounded like a stage name on sight.
And then I read the full story.
Sly really should have left as soon as Reverend Randy chose to use the pulpit to publicly humiliate someone. That has never been a sign of a good church; it was not about to change reputations. Pastor Kojo’s madness should also have been a sign. But, his choice to stay in the hopes that things would change is so relatable. That story brings up many real-world tales of people who stayed in a toxic organization much longer than they should have, and how much it cost them in the long run. There is always a hope among Christians that God sees the wrong and will fix it. The human part of the solution is always where the problems arise, and this was no different. Then there are people like Jubilee who reinforce this kind of craziness in the name of ‘oil’. It was perfectly reasonable for Benjamin’s two proteges to find their own space, because this one would’ve killed their dreams.
If you find yourself chuckling at some of the events in this story, there’s a great chance that you’ve spent a lot of your life in church. Not a bad thing in general, but definitely one in this context.
LORD DRECK
Happy Village, check. Ruthless army, check. Vengeful brother. Check.
This was one for the ages.
Let’s start with Soayi’s boy. Oren really came across as a guy who was about that life only because he admired his cousin so much. If it were not for Soayi, Oren may never have been in a position to be eaten by a big cat. Also, what kind of sadist does one have to be to want anyone to suppress a soft spot for children? Soayi may have blamed Dreck, and rightfully so, but he had just as much to do with Oren’s outcome.
Now, let’s consider the stupid bandits. Power drunkenness (heavy emphasis on ‘drunkenness’) is a real thing, and it was on full display. Who goes to a market, trashes it, and yet fails to take any food with them? How obsessed with power does one have to be to completely bypass tactical soundness? Ruthless as they were, they really did turn out to be stupid puppets. Good thing their own guy took them out in a befitting manner…
…Which brings us to Soayi. Elder. Hard guy. Heartless killer. Man of zero sentiment. Yet somehow, he managed to care so much for Oren that he trained him, practically raised him, and eventually avenged him. Who does all that without even a follicle of sentiment? Soayi really believed that with an actually heartless man, there would still be some untouchables? Somehow his arrogance took the sense out of him. It was only right that he didn’t survive; one does not simply live by the sword and then not die at its mercy. Soayi needed to go.
As a general rule, one should really not do anything to piss off the one that helps them remain powerful. As a specific rule, one should always pick a fight that’s based in truth. Lord Dreck clearly missed the memo on both. Even worse, he did not care. Having established that, credit to him for running a tight ship. Every bandit feared him and loved him at the same time, and no one dared to cross him.
The problem was that he had no strategy; he was driven purely by the very same sentiment that he despised. Even worse than that was the truth that Zeder was actually guilty, but Dreck never remembered that part. The psycho really spent 20 years becoming a sadist, and then unleashed a fury that historically great conquerors would be proud of. All for a lie from his brother. I felt sad that Billa and Diyaka had to go through trauma that they may never recover from, but it brought me joy to see Billa delete Dreck’s soul from his disfigured body. Now, to decide who the chief of Mandeland will be…