Connect with us
Real Madrid visits Cacereño in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey. Cacereño is a team from the Second RFEF, which is the fourth division of Spanish football, and coach Carlo Ancelotti will take advantage of this game to rest some of his regulars such as Benzema, Kroos, Courtois, Carvajal or Modric.
Real Madrid planned XI: Lunin, Vázquez, Militao, Nacho, Odriozola, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Camavinga, Asensio, Hazard, Rodrigo.
Cacereño predicted the XI: Pardo, Pedro, Cabo, Traore, Gomis, Garci, Bermu, Ruyman, Karim, Grande, Manchón.
This should be a manageable game for Real Madrid as long as they live up to Cacereño's intensity. The Madrid opposition will take this game as the chance of a lifetime and Los Blancos will need to make sure they play with composure to show the true difference between the teams. If everything goes according to plan, some Castilla players will be present in the second half.
HOW TO SEE, STREAM COPA DEL REY
Date: 03/01/2022
Time: 21:00 CET, 15:00 EST.
Event: Príncipe Felipe Stadium, Cáceres, Spain.
television available:DAZN, ESPN+
transmission available: ESPN+
Managing Madrid has affiliated companies. These do not influence editorial content, although Vox Media may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links.
Credit: https://www.managingmadrid.com/2023/1/3/23536781/cacereno-vs-real-madrid-2023-copa-del-rey-lineupsThe Spanish and European champions begin their Copa del Rey campaign away from home in one of the lowest ranked teams in the tournament
Real Madrid begin their Copa del Rey campaign on Tuesday night with Carlo Ancelotti's men ahead of a trip to fourth division Cacereño.
While Los Blancos have won numerous league and European titles in recent years, Spain's domestic cup competition has proven difficult for them with their wins in 2011 and 2014, the only time they have lifted the trophy in the last 30 years.
Cacereño vs Real Madrid latest oddsThe hosts claimed a La Liga scalp in the previous round by beating Girona 2-1, but Cacereño remain outsiders in range. 18/1 (19.00) with bet365 to beat the most successful team in the history of Spanish football.
Madrid for its part have a price of 1/9 (1.11) win in 90 minutes while the game is priced at 7/1 (8.00) to go to extra time.
Odds of the first goalscorer of Cacereño vs Real MadridFirst goal scorer odds are not available for this match.
Previous Cacereño-Real MadridNaturally, Madrid will make changes to the starting eleven given the hectic schedule that awaits them over the next two months and the team they line up on Tuesday night is likely to bear little resemblance to the one they won in Valladolid in La Liga on Friday.
Players like Eden Hazard, Nacho Fernández, Dani Ceballos and Lucas Vázquez may not be regulars in the Madrid team, but they are all international players capable of helping Madrid to victory.
However, opposing a high-scoring game should be of interest and it looks like it will be a match where Los Blancos will get the job done rather than crush the opposition.
Cacereno vs Real Madrid Tips & PredictionsLess than 3.5 goals has paid in six of Madrid's last eight away games in all competitions and is priced at 11/8 (1.73).
Combining this selection with a victory for Real Madrid increases the odds to 10/11 (2.10) That seems like a tempting option.
Odds are correct at time of writing. Please play responsibly.
bet365
Featured Credit: https://www.goal.com/en/news/cacereno-vs-real-madrid-predictions-tips-and-betting-odds/bltd8eecd622c4771b1
George Wade, the estranged fiancé of Nollywood actress Empress Njamah, has come under fire on social media for allegedly sharing the nude video of the actress.
Wade reportedly created a WhatsApp group where he added multiple people and began posting nude videos he took of the actress at her home, including innocent videos of her taking a bath.
Recall that the duo had broken up in 2022 with Njamah accusing her 'ex-fiancé' of physically assaulting her, in a Livestream via her commercial Instagram.
Since then, the video has not gone down well with Nigerians on social media and many have criticized Wade for what they described as a crazy and evil move.
@Fswglory wrote: This man created a WhatsApp group, added more than 100 people plus bloggers and started sharing Empress Njamah's nudes and plans to continue every day.
this is not normal
This is crazy
this is evil
Whatever happens between them, this is crazy.
@Nck_Obi: Empress needs to get the police involved. She closes that mf. Did they stand you up and the first thing that occurred to you is to create a WhatsApp group and filter nudes? What kind of pea-brained men are these bikonu?
@Toniatuslim: Where did Empress Njamah see this crazy man in the first place? Mad men roaming the streets, be safe out there.
@Bullsies: About the so-called leaked nudes of Empress Njamah all I have to tell you is Ntoor! The guy should be jailed for a maximum term.
The old things that should be almost grandparents are busy taking nudes and storing them, for what reason exactly?
After all, Tiwa is proud of hers. Silly things.
@Ebyfyn: God please save us from evil partners, the former Empress Njamah is so evil...
Credit: https://www.36ng.ng/2023/01/03/empress-njamahs-ex-fiance-leaks-her-nude-videos-on-whatsapp-fans-blast-him/
Silly Dikeh, the Nollywood actress, has offered words of advice and encouragement to Empress Njamah, her colleague, after the nude image scandal.
Njamah has been in the news ever since alleged that George Wade was trying to blackmail her with her nude videos in his possession.
Shortly after his reveal, Wade released a video in which he threatened movie star
“You don't really know what's coming. Trust me, I swear to God you don't know what's coming. Everything I told you, I think you consider it a joke. But trust me, it's not a joke. I know your daily activities. I know everything you do on a daily basis,” he had said.
There were also rumors that Wade created a WhatsApp group in which he allegedly posted nudes of the actress.
But in an instagram post On Tuesday, Dikeh advised Njamah to be careful who he trusts during "his most vulnerable time."
The movie star, while wishing Njamah strength and comfort, also warned her not to accept help from people she described as "enemies in disguise".
“Dear Empress, I wish you strength, I wish you comfort, I wish you justice,” she wrote.
“This is your most vulnerable moment, do not accept help from an enemy in disguise. Praying for you."
Wade had, in a video now viralHe said he is "seriously missing" the actress.
However, he asked Njamah to stop telling people that they cannot travel outside the country.
Copyright 2023 The Wire. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without TheCable's prior written permission.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle
Credit: https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/dont-accept-help-from-enemies-in-disguise-tonto-dikeh-tells-empress-njamah/
From the former lover of actor Alexx Ekubo, elegant acholonu wrote a public apology to the movie star, the duo's relationship saga reignited when everyone thought a reunion was going to happen.
However, a few days later, Fancy took the apology note while ranting bitterly on social media claiming that Alexx cajoled her into making the post.
He also addressed certain questions he was asked by netizens.
In a recent development, blogger Stella Dimoko Korkus reached out to the US-based woman and told a vivid side of her story about her bitter relationship with Alexx.
Fancy narrated how Alexx Ekubo refused to be intimate with her during the 5 years they dated, but they kept cheating on her and sleeping with other women.
Read the lengthy article below:
This is an exclusive interview with actor Alexx Ekubo's American ex-fiancée, Fancy Acholonu...She tells Stella Dimoko Korkus that she won't break up with Alexx because of his sexuality and explains a lot to her, including the leaked conversations.
.
STELLA -Hello Fancy.. can we talk? I am a journalist
.
FANCY – Hello Stella, happy new year. Sure, what would you like to talk about? please lmk
.
STELLA – About all these things that are happening: do you want to give me an interview?
I was very excited and looking forward to you and Alexx reconciling, but it looks like that won't be happening anytime soon. What went wrong?
I'll understand if you don't want to talk, but I advise you to.
.
FANCY -I've seen your blog before, it's positive, especially when you talk about Alexx and me.
So all of this is very devastating. I feel like talking makes me look bad, but so does my silence...
I've never done an interview about this, I chose silence, but Alexx still wants me to apologize publicly and it hurts in so many ways. I haven't even shared the reasons why I left. I know he has an image to protect so that he looks great. But this last apology statement we wrote together broke me down and it was just revenge from him to clean up his image and ruin mine.
.
STELLA – Why did you break off your engagement, Fancy?
FANCY – There are so many reasons why I ended it. It's very personal. I don't want to embarrass him or myself anymore. If I say why, people will say how obvious that was and that you ignored the red flags. We tried to reconcile, I asked to do it in private, seek counseling, he did not agree. Even his family and friends said that private would be better, but he needed the big apology gesture so he could have the big wedding he wants again. Regardless, the problems were still there.
It's all about social media for him, and somehow now I seem to want the attention when this is the WORST attention I've ever had in my life. I have a full time job, clients, family business, etc., this was what I wanted to avoid. It ruined all the chances of us ever getting back together.
thinking of humiliating me will make me still love him.
PART 2
Now I hear my breakup message was leaked. I sent it to my relatives at the time of the breakup. They are so upset with Alexx and how he treats me that I know they leaked it. We would have quietly married and moved on. Now everyone is in our business so here comes the sabotage because they feel like he is bad for me based on everything they know.
.
STELLA – So there is no possibility of reconciliation?
.
LUXURY -No
.
STELLA -Now let me ask you directly... There has been a lot of talk since you broke up with Alexx... They say you found out that it swings both ways? If it's not true, at least correct that impression that caused your breakup, it would be fair to him...
.
FANCY -We can't, it's too messy, I did my best. He wanted to come back to me as much as I did. We've been at this for a year. But she felt that since I broke up with him I should do more of the work. He was fine with it, but his methods are cruel and constantly public.
His sexuality is not the reason I broke up with him. I am very open minded so whatever you prefer, love is love to me. I loved him for his personality and heart nothing more. He didn't want to be with me intimately which was confusing and hard for me to understand especially for 5 years so it affected my self esteem as I held myself for him and when he cheated on me with curvy women he wouldn't act. Neither did they, so I don't know, I can't confirm or deny his sexuality, but to me, he loved him despite everything and he still found ways to hurt me.
STELLA – Dating for five years and no intimacy? Did you confirm that he was cheating? Did you catch him or did they tell you?
–
FANCY Yes, that's embarrassingly true. When I met him, I didn't have much experience, so it was easy to convince me that his decision was based on religion. But since he was constantly cheating and I did catch him, it would hurt me because that is not part of the religious belief that made it our celibacy. Honestly, this whole thing has gotten complicated beyond words, so it's not healthy for me to continue this relationship. I guess I needed this post, he begged me to dp so he could see that his intention was just to clean up the image of him.
PART 3
I'm really sorry I posted a breakup message, it's a guilt that has haunted me and he plays on it. I can't fix the past, but the constant punishment from him despite the fact that my life in his declaration of truth has truth, this shame is not something he deserves.
STELLA -And from the breakup message, it seems that you were the one who paid for the wedding that both of you were going to have...?
FANCY Have you seen him?
STELLA-Yes, I have.
FANCY – I'm so embarrassed, but everything in that message is true. At that time I was angry and I sent it to people close to me and when they saw it they were surprised. It's bad because with all that I still wanted to go back to him because I loved him. But being so public has made it impossible to repair this.
STELLA – Do you think there are too many strangers involved in this? Have both families intervened?
FANCY – Too many. My family doesn't want him in our family anymore. They know too much. They were in favor of a reconciliation if it was private. But his tit-for-tat was worrisome. That August declaration of not being enough was troubling. She only focused on my reactions; never in their actions.
STELLA – One last thing. Say something to Alexx through this interview. talk to him through me
FANCY – I really don't know what to say. This has to be the most devastating thing I've ever been through, and for it to be so public; I pray that we both find healing and peace for it will not be an easy journey. A breakup statement shouldn't have led to all of this. I wish I never said anything but I'm human; I was sick of good reasons. I urge you to not only focus on people's reactions, but also to evaluate their actions. I also pray that he learns to be real and more f
Order with your next person and not be so obsessed with having the perfect image because it's exhausting to keep it up. My mental health can no longer tolerate our relationship.
STELLA Wow. Catch a hug from me, Sissy!
Thank you for opening up to me, I pray that you both find closure on this.
FANCY- No problem. There have been reports that he blocked me on social media; that's not true, that would be very bad for him. I don't want people to think that. He just revealed
Credit: https://www.withinnigeria.com/entertainment/2023/01/03/alexx-refused-to-sleep-with-me-for-5-years-but-kept-cheating-fancy-acholonu-tells-all-in-recent-interview/Leicester City vs Fulham Live Updates: Score, Stream Info, Lineups & How To Watch The Premier League Match | 01/03/2023 - VAVEL USA Follow the game Leicester City vs Fulham live with updates, coverage, broadcast information, score and result online, prediction, TV channel, lineups and time of 2023 Leicester City vs Fulham . The match will start on January 3, 2023 at 14:45 p.m. Credit: https://www.vavel.com/en/soccer/2023/01/03/1133314-leicester-city-vs-fulham-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-premier-league-match.html
Everton host Brighton & Hove Albion at 2:45 pm ET on Tuesday at Goodison Park. Everton are 2-4-2 at home while Brighton & Hove Albion are 4-3-1 away from home. Latest Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Caesars Sportsbook's Everton list Brighton & Hove Albion as the +113 favorites (risk $100 to win $113) at the 90-minute money line, with Everton the +245 underdog. A draw is priced at +230, and the plus/minus of total goals scored is 2.5. Before entering any Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion, you'll want to check out SportsLine's football expert James Holliman's EPL predictions.
Holliman has been a writer and editor for nearly 25 years and grew up with soccer in his blood. He played competitively during high school and has been following the game closely since the North American Soccer League's heyday in the 1970s. His interest has spread throughout the world and his betting focus is on in calculating the numbers, but he sees the whole field and trusts his instincts.
The expert is 5-1 (+409) in his Champions League teams and 8-4 (+490) in his last 12 World Cup plays (5-0 in higher/lower teams). He also went 14-9-1 in selections in his world soccer betting article during the six weeks leading up to the World Cup break.
Now, Holliman has scored Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion and have just revealed their English Premier League picks and predictions. He can head over to SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the EPL odds and trends for Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion:
Everton money line vs. Brighton & Hove Albion: Everton +245, Brighton +113, Draw +230Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion over/under: 2.5 goalsEverton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion picks: View picks hereFeatured Game | Everton vs. Brighton and Hove Albion
What you need to know about EvertonEverton faced Manchester City on Saturday for the first time this season, but the teams will have to wait until next time for a more definitive result. The Toffees and 5he Citizens ended their game in a 1-1 draw. The result was more of the same for Everton, who have not won a league game since October 22, 2022. The draw left the Toffees with a 3-8-6 record in the Premier League this season.
Everton have scored just 13 goals this season and have conceded 20 goals. The Toffees enter Tuesday's clash 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone.
What you need to know about Brighton & Hove AlbionMeanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion won 2-1 over Arsenal when they last met in April 2022, but their luck changed this time. Brighton & Hove Albion fell to the Gunners 4-2 on Saturday. The defeat dropped their record for the Premier League season to 7-6-3.
Despite the loss to Arsenal, Brighton will go into Tuesday's clash full of confidence. That's because Brighton have won three of their last five league games and have scored two or more goals in four of their last five Premier League games.
How to make predictions between Everton and Brighton & Hove AlbionHolliman took an in-depth look at the Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion and secured the best safest bets on him. He can only get his English Premier League picks on SportsLine.
So who wins Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion? And where does all the value of the bets reside? Visit SportsLine now to see which side to root for, all from the expert who has crushed your soccer picks, and find out.
Credit: https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/everton-vs-brighton-odds-picks-how-to-watch-live-stream-jan-3-2023-english-premier-league-predictions/
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, pictured after a game in January 2022, is in critical condition after going into cardiac arrest Monday night. Adrian Kraus/AP hide caption
toggle title Adrian Kraus/APBuffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, pictured after a game in January 2022, is in critical condition after going into cardiac arrest Monday night.
Adrian Kraus/APPlayers, coaches and football fans are eagerly awaiting updates on Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills player who went into cardiac arrest during Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin's heartbeat was restored on the field and he was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he had been sedated and in critical condition since early Tuesday morning.
In a statement released Tuesday at noon, Hamlin's family thanked first responders, medical professionals, soccer teams and fans across the country for their support, prayers and donations.
"Please keep Damar in your prayers," they said. "We will release updates as soon as we have them."
The 24-year-old's collapse, which occurred in the first quarter after colliding with a Bengals player, caused a rare early game interruption and left spectators distraught both on and off the field.
Soccer and other sports players, teams and athletes have flooded social media with tributes and prayers. Among them is his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, where he spent five years playing for his hometown before joining the NFL in 2021.
"Damar Hamlin is the best of us," Pitt's football account tweeted.
Tracing his way from PittsburghHamlin grew up playing soccer and basketball in McKees Rocks, a borough of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area in western Pennsylvania.
Damar Hamlin of the NFL Buffalo Bills football team, pictured in June 2022. AP hide caption
AP subtitle toggleDamar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills NFL football team, photographed in June 2022.
access pointHe made a name for himself in high school, leading his team to a 15-1 record, a WPIAL Class AAAA championship, and a PIAA state title as a senior. Recruiting sites Rivals and 247Sports named Hamlin Pennsylvania's best defensive player and several Division 1 football schools went after him.
But staying close to home was an easy decision, as Hamlin told the Point Park Globe in 2021.
"It was so Pittsburgh. It was all Pittsburgh to me," he said. "I wanted to give my city bragging rights, give my city something and just give the city another reason to smile."
Hamlin's junior season was his first full season of college football due to injuries, but he would go on to start 36 of his final 38 games, the Athletic reports. In his final season, his teammates named him captain and he earned a spot on both the All-ACC second team and the Reese's Senior Bowl all-star game.
He declared for the 2021 NFL draft and was selected by the Bills in the sixth round.
Emerging as a team leaderHamlin played sparingly as a rookie in his first professional season, but took over as starting safety in September after teammate Micah Hyde suffered a neck injury.
He has played in all 15 games thus far, tallying 91 tackles (tied for second with the Bills), six tackles for loss, two pass breakups and 1.5 sacks this season.
Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazer recently praised Hamlin's development over the course of this season, ESPN reports, "including noting in recent weeks that he's gotten better as a vocal leader and better as a tackler, with a lot on his plate." quickly after he had to intervene for Hyde".
Hyde wasn't the only Bills player injured in that particular game. Dane Jackson, Hamlin's childhood friend and college teammate at Pitt, was taken off the field in an ambulance after suffering a neck injury. He returned to the field after missing a game.
Hamlin opened up about Jackson's injury — and the chance to play soccer, especially alongside a close friend — in an appearance on One Bills Live earlier this season, in a video clip that has since resurfaced on social media.
"I can't even describe it, but I appreciate it every second I can," Hamlin said. "Every second of every day. We had our prayer, our DB prayer that we do every Wednesday. He was by my side and I just held his hand a little tighter just because you know you never know when your last day might be." you can experience something like this. I'm cherishing every moment I can."
Keeping your community closeHamlin is close to his family, by his own account and by journalists who have covered him in the past.
In an interview clip shared by FOX Sports reporter Henry McKenna, Hamlin says he's "big in my family unit."
"My mom, my dad, my little brother, that's pretty much my whole world, apart from anything else that's going on, my life revolves around them," she said. "I really don't do much without my mom and dad's input. Whether I take it or not…sometimes I just want to hear it."
Years earlier, Hamlin told the Globe that he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh for college in part to be a role model for his brother, who was 2 at the time, citing his parents as his personal role models.
In an interview with The Buffalo News just before the Bills played the Pittsburgh Steelers in October, Hamlin said he expected a good turnout from family and friends, with the exception of his father, who coaches his little brother's team and it was in the playoffs.
Buffalo News reporter Katherine Fitzgerald tweeted excerpts from the story on Tuesday.
I wanted to share a few things about Damar Hamlin since covering him to tell you more about him.
We talked for a bit before the Bills played the Steelers in October, since he's from Pittsburgh. He's so close to his family, so I asked who would come to Buffalo for that. I did not expect this: pic.twitter.com/1rE2cuyqdl
Pittsburgh sportswriter Amanda Godsey tweeted Monday night that her mind went directly to Hamlin's family after watching him collapse, recalling that he seemed close to his parents and had his brother on his lap during a training session. press several years ago.
When I saw Damar Hamlin collapse, my first thought was of her family. He seemed to be very close to his parents, and I found this photo from 2019 when his little brother sat on his lap during a postgame press session.
Praying for Damar and his family. pic.twitter.com/vZznGC6UKT
— Amanda Godsey (@AmandaFGodsey) January 3, 2023Several sports-related social media accounts shared a clip of the athlete hugging family members on the sidelines before Monday's game.
Let's take a break and watch a clip of
Damar Hamlin giving her family some before tonight's game.
This is what to see now.
pic.twitter.com/hsFYTQljB4
— Coaches Tribune (@coachestribune) January 3, 2023Following his injury, fans showed their support for Hamlin by contributing millions of dollars to an online fundraiser Hamlin started in 2020, before he turned pro, with the goal of buying toys for children affected by the pandemic. of COVID-19 in his hometown. As of noon on Tuesday, he had raised more than $3.8 million, far exceeding his original goal of $2,500.
Hamlin wrote on the page that this fundraiser would be the first program for the Chasing M's Foundation, which he created to give back to his community (Hamlin is also the founder and CEO of Chasing M's, a clothing brand he developed while at the college).
"As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I came from and am committed to using my platform to positively impact the community that raised me," he said.
Credit: https://www.npr.org/2023/01/03/1146647297/damar-hamlin-bio-buffalo-bills
and mpique de Marseille a 2-1 win over Montpellier ensuring they remained third in Ligue 1 on Monday.”>A well-placed strike from Nuno Tavares and an own goal from Maxime Esteve handed Olympique de Marseille a 2-1 win over Montpellier, ensuring they remained third in Ligue 1 on Monday.
The result allowed Igor Tudor's team to reduce the difference with the leader, Paris Saint-Germain, to eight points. They have 36 points in 17 games, four behind second-place Lens.
ESPN LaLiga Bundesliga plus USA “>- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (USA)
lens hit psg 3-1 on Sunday to hand the champions their first league defeat of the season.
Jordan Veretout a goal two minutes after half time, but Tavares was quick to pounce and fire the rebound into the top right corner to break the tie."Montpellier goalkeeper Jonas Omlin denied Jordan Veretout a goal two minutes after the break, but Tavares was quick to jump up and fire the rebound into the top right corner to break the tie.
Esteve then sealed the victory away from home at 61' by heading the ball into his own goal after a set piece.
Tavares was shown a straight red card three minutes from time after a severe late challenge on Arnaud Souquet.
Teji Savanier converted a penalty in injury time for Montpellier, but was unable to prevent Marseille from taking all three points.
Credit:
Credit:
Credit: https://nnn.ng/montpellier-vs-marseille-football-match-report-january-2-2023-3/There are many promises in Eric Garcia's Kaleidoscope, a heist miniseries that is the latest Netflix release to try and allow some form of viewer interaction with their experience. No, it's not like 2018. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, which was created as a choose-your-own-adventure story with stories that branch off, whereas this has outcomes that remain fixed. Still, there are plenty of variations on the experience in how you choose to view it. That's because the series bills itself as being watchable in any order, a promise that's largely true, even if there are any number of ways it would be weird to do so.
It's entirely up to you, but putting some of the climactic episodes at the beginning is bound to make much of what precedes tedious. Its best differences come from how the various pieces speak to each other beyond the scattered twists. A flashback episode that comes later can serve to fill in the gaps of what the characters didn't say but still weighed on them. Put that episode earlier in the chronology, and while removing the mysterious edge, you also place yourself more fully in the mindset of the characters. If you want to take the route that perhaps makes the most sense, there's the set order you'll get from "Yellow", "Green", "Blue", "Orange", "Violet", "Red" "Pink" and then "White" if just let the transmitter play automatically. Even so, removing the novelty of the narrative approach, the story leaves much to be desired.
No matter which way you end up cutting it, the show itself is pretty derivative in its writing and unimaginative in its characterizations. It all ends up being an interesting idea that works much better in theory than in execution. This is not to say that the possibility of approaching a program in random order is a total failure. There could be intriguing future versions of such a narrative format, but they'll have to be much more inventive than this one. What we have here is a sort of decades-spanning saga about the troubled Leo (Giancarlo Esposito) who, in the main timeline, assembles a motley crew to pull off a daring heist. There's Bob (jai courtney), Eve (peace vega), Are (Peter Mark Kendall), and Judy (rosalina elbay), all of whom bring their own particular skills to the table. The target is Roger (rufus sewell) and a highly technical vault he has built that contains immense wealth from a powerful group of people known as The Triplets. It's the kind of work that feels straight out of an early Mission Impossible movie where even a single mistake can spell doom for everyone involved. Why are they taking this? Well, for most of them, it's about the money. However, as we learn, the job has a more personal meaning for Leo and a tragic past that it carries with it. Unfortunately, regardless of whether that past comes sooner or later in the watch, the way it all comes together is never quite as neat as it strives to be.
Image via NetflixRELATED: Giancarlo Esposito and Tati Gabrielle on How You Can Watch 'Kaleidoscope' in Any Order
If there is an element for which the series is worth watching, it is for Esposito's performance. Getting to see him recently in the incredible season finale of Better call Saul it just reaffirmed that any show is better with him in it. While Kaleidoscope isn't quite as convincing or well built as that program, it never misses an opportunity to give you something more. Whether it's Leo planning the heist or dealing with his own fears about the job, Esposito brings the character to life with just the right amount of grizzled grace. The moments where he gets to sink his teeth into the character and just lets us watch him without all the extra noise shine. In particular, the interactions he has with his daughter Hannah (taty gabrielle) are show business at its best. Although we only get glimpses of their relationship, it's clearly a strained relationship that makes for a more compelling core and gives the story more stakes beyond just getting the money. Even though there is a cast of supporting characters that have their own respective relationships to each other, this is the strongest of all, the one with the most potential that he could have gone into. One wishes it had put more focus on its characters who, despite being central in both a thematic and narrative sense, can increasingly feel like they're getting lost in the lengthy setup and planning phase.
Of course, one could arrange their viewing experience to sparse some of these meandering episodes a bit, though that would probably only draw more attention to all its flaws. There isn't much joy in seeing the pieces come together, as the process of figuring out how to pull it all off is never that smart. Instead, it's pretty blunt and lacks anything approaching heightened thrills. There will be a back door to a seemingly insurmountable problem, followed by a closing of said back door, only for another solution to fall into your lap. Some obvious music choices that try to give the whole thing a fancy, energetic beat only work in small increments, like an early diamond heist being used to finance the main operation. There's even the introduction of a bizarre storyline surrounding an FBI agent investigating the crew that the series gets so caught up in that much of the purpose of his presence is lost. Instead of making the most of the sheer amount of emotion to be found in watching the heist unfold before us, this strangely ends up being one of the shortest episodes and largely devoid of tension regardless of the order in which you watch it.
Even if you're going to watch Kaleidoscope chronologically, that still wouldn't work, as it would give away too much information that the other episodes are based on for any remaining investment we have in the fate of it all. Without giving too much away on any one point (since any part of the show could, in theory, be the beginning, middle, or end to those watching), it seems to want to be more of a character-driven tragedy than anything else. plus. There's a potentially interesting narrative line about how, even with this group trying to take from those in power, the balance of the world will always be against them. In a more mature story that actually dealt with this, this would have been a potentially memorable genre entry. Unfortunately, when the characters aren't given as much attention as they should be and the story they're in isn't as compelling either, any ending you arrive at falls flat. Any disturbing revelation just doesn't cook up enough to pay off in the way it could and should have. For all the glimmers of intrigue felt in its narrative form, Kaleidoscope is an experiment that proves that you'll always need a good story to rise above mere gimmickry.
Classification: C-
You can watch all eight episodes of Kaleidoscope on Netflix.
Credit: https://collider.com/kaleidoscope-netflix-review/