POLAHA IS BACK! Our very first guest, Kristoffer Polaha, is back! This time, we discuss his upcoming Hallmark movie, Missing the Boat. Plus, we dive into his upcoming directorial debut, Mimics.

Kristoffer Polaha is an American actor known for his charismatic performances across television and film. He first gained widespread recognition starring as Jason Matthews on North Shore, followed by memorable roles as Nathaniel “Baze” Bazile in Life Unexpected and Henry Butler in Ringer. His film work includes appearances in Devil’s Knot (2013), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), and Jurassic World Dominion (2022).

Since 2016, Polaha has become a familiar and beloved face on Hallmark, starring in numerous movies and the seven-film Mystery 101 series for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

Polaha has now entered the directing space with his 2026 feature-length film, Mimics.

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We're back with some more Gilmore Girls! Join us in this journey on social media - @gilmorethemerrierpod.

Episode 4 - Still struggling to catch up at Chilton, Rory receives the first `D' of her life on an English assignment and is so humiliated that she plunges into obsessive studying.

Episode 5 - Mother and daughter both wrestle with romance when Rory finds herself painfully flustered every time she is around Dean, while Lorelai agrees to have dinner with Rory's teacher Max Medina.

Episode 4 - October 26, 2000 | The WB

Episode 5 - November 2, 2000 | The WB

• Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore
• Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore

Rory is excited to get her first paper back from English class and is shocked to find out she got a D. Paris and her groupies give her a hard time. Meanwhile, at the Independence Inn, a review of Sookie’s dinner comes out! It’s a great review, but Sookie isn’t thrilled with the “less than perfect” parts.

Lorelai is bummed by how hard Rory has suddenly been studying, but it all makes sense when Lorelai goes to a meeting for Rory’s AP Lit class and is told by hot teacher Max Medina that Rory got a D. Lorelai goes home fully committed to helping Rory with her studies, and the two stay up all night studying.

But when they wake up… THEY OVERSLEPT.

Rory rushes off to school but ends up getting hit by a deer. By the time she arrives, she’s extremely late. She freaks out when she’s told she’s not allowed to take the test because of it. Lorelai goes to talk to the headmaster and absolutely loses it, while Max is there watching the whole thing and loving every second.

Max later calls and leaves Rory a voicemail explaining ways she can bring her grade up, and also tells Lorelai it was nice seeing her again. That’s why, when they bump into each other later, he shoots his shot and asks Lorelai out. Lorelai says it’s a bad idea… but mentions that she’ll be at a coffee shop at 4:12 if he happens to be there.

Rory bumps into Dean and is extremely nervous around him.

At the coffee shop, Max makes his pitch for why they should go on a date, and Lorelai gives in.

Bad news, guys — Cinnamon, Babette’s cat (and the Gilmores’ neighbor), has passed away. Obviously, they have to throw a wake for the cat, which causes Lorelai to lose track of time and forget about her date. Max shows up anyway, and that’s how Rory finds out her mom was planning to go out with her teacher.

Rory goes off for some pouty-pouty time, and Dean shows up and says, “I notice you run away every time I’m around, so clearly you’re not interested.” Rory finally admits, “I am interested!”

She goes back to talk to her mom, and the two make up.

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There's a new Hallmark movie to review. Mystery, jewels, and romance are all on the itinerary.

While on a journey of self-discovery, a resort guest gets swept into an undercover investigation for stolen jewels that turns into an unexpected and adventurous romance.

January 24, 2026 | Hallmark

• Rachael Leigh Cook as Annie
• Luke Macfarlane as Jake

The movie starts with a MEET CUTE!!!! Annie bumps into Jake. Jake bumps into Annie. It’s nothing… except it’s everything.

Annie has just arrived in Malta on a little journey of self-discovery. She’s staying at a hotel that’s basically a full-body detox: no coffee, no caffeine, no alcohol, no fun. Annie and Jake keep catching each other’s eye, and sparks are definitely flying.

She notices Jake taking photos and helps him figure out the right lens. But what is he taking pictures of? Well—plot twist—he’s undercover! A very expensive necklace was stolen from a museum, and Jake got a tip that a buyer would be at this hotel sometime this week. That’s why he’s there. The big question: who has the necklace?

Jake becomes suspicious of Annie because she’s too kind… and because she’s staying in a room booked under another name. Still, they start hanging out, and Annie eventually discovers that he’s undercover. Naturally, she insists on helping with the investigation and throws herself fully into it.

They almost kiss—but the moment is ruined when someone nearby causes a scene.

They start suspecting one particular guy is the jewel thief. While Annie is out exploring, she sees him making what looks like a shady deal. She hops onto a boat to follow him, and Jake chases after her, jumping straight into the water. He catches up—only to discover it was just a boat sale. Jake tells Annie she has to stop trying to help before she gets herself in real trouble.

Annie’s friend shows up, and they hang out, with Annie admitting how much she likes Jake. Later, everyone ends up at a party, where Annie and Jake reconnect—and finally identify the real bad guy.

They catch him… and celebrate with a kiss.

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Marvel Mondays continue as we move through the early MCU with the franchise’s second entry.

Bruce Banner, a scientist on the run from the U.S. Government, must find a cure for the monster he turns into whenever he loses his temper.

June 13, 2008 | Theaters

• Edward Norton as Bruce Banner
• Liv Tyler as Betty Ross
• Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky
• William Hurt as General “Thunderbolt” Ross
• Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns

The movie kicks off with a quick montage explaining how Bruce Banner became the Hulk. You know the deal. The military, however, is very interested in finding him because… he’s extremely dangerous.

Five years later, Bruce is living in Brazil, lying low. He’s doing breathing exercises to keep his heart rate down and working at a bottling factory. He’s also desperately searching for a cure for his Hulk-ness, secretly chatting online with someone named Mr. Blue.

One day at work, Bruce cuts his finger, and a drop of his blood falls into one of the bottles. That bottle eventually makes its way to the U.S., where it causes serious problems for the guy who drinks it. Using this contaminated bottle, the military tracks Banner’s location. A strike team led by Emil Blonsky is sent in to capture him.

Bruce transforms into the Hulk and completely wrecks Blonsky’s team. Blonsky, instead of being terrified, is impressed and immediately wants that power for himself. He agrees to be injected with a small dose of a super-soldier serum connected to the original Hulk experiment. Surely nothing bad will happen.

Bruce returns to the States to grab some of his old research and reunites with his former girlfriend, Betty Ross. Blonsky attacks again, and when Betty is put in danger, Bruce transforms into the Hulk. Hulk fights off the military—including Blonsky—and escapes with Betty.

Now officially on the run together, Bruce contacts Mr. Blue, who urges them to meet in New York City.

Mr. Blue turns out to be Dr. Samuel Sterns, a cellular biologist who claims he’s developed a possible antidote. They test it—and it actually works. But Sterns reveals he’s also been stockpiling Bruce’s blood samples, believing its “limitless potential” could revolutionize medicine now that a cure exists.

Bruce immediately points out that this is a terrible idea because the military is absolutely going to weaponize it. (Did we learn nothing from Iron Man?)

Right on cue, Blonsky and the military arrive, capture Banner, and take him away. Blonsky stays behind and forces Sterns to inject him with Banner’s blood. Sterns warns him that combining the serum with the radiation already in his body could turn him into something far worse—an Abomination.

Blonsky hears the name and says, “Cool. Do it.”

Blonsky mutates into a massive, rage-filled monster even bigger and stronger than the Hulk and immediately starts destroying Harlem.

Bruce realizes he has to stop him. He jumps from a helicopter, transforms mid-fall, and the Hulk takes on Abomination in an extended, brutal battle across the city. Hulk ultimately defeats him by choking him with a massive chain, stopping only when Betty begs him not to kill Blonsky.

After a quiet moment with Betty, Hulk flees the scene and disappears.

One month later, Bruce is in Bella Coola, British Columbia. Instead of trying to suppress the Hulk, he’s learning to transform on purpose. As his eyes turn green, Bruce smiles.

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It's time for a new episode for Festive Fridays as we catch up on another 2025 Christmas movie — this time from Prime Video.

Claire plans a special Christmas, but is forgotten by her family. When they realize that she's missing, their holiday is at risk until she returns to give them the celebration they deserve.

December 3 2025 | Prime Video

• Michelle Pfeiffer as Claire
• Denis Leary as Nick
• Felicity Jones as Channing
• Chloë Grace Moretz as Taylor
• Dominic Sessa as Sammy
• Jason Schwartzman as Doug

Meet Claire Clauster. She believes it’s time someone finally makes a movie about the real heroes of the holiday season: housewives. All she wants for Christmas is for her kids to submit her to the Zazzy Tims Holiday Moms Contest, so she can meet her favorite TV personality.

Claire and her husband, Nick, are excited because all three of their kids—Channing, Taylor, and Sammy—are coming home for Christmas. Channing arrives first with her family. Sammy shows up next, heartbroken after his girlfriend dumped him right before the trip. Taylor arrives last… with her new girlfriend, DJ Sweatpants.

We also meet Claire’s neighbor, Jeanne, who appears to have the perfect family and is extremely prim and proper.

Claire grows increasingly sad when she realizes none of her kids seem to have picked up on her very obvious hints (and direct requests) to submit her for the Zazzy contest. When the whole family leaves without her to attend a Christmas show, she snaps. Claire packs up and decides to drive to California to find Zazzy herself.

This sparks an all-out family meltdown. Arguments explode, feelings get hurt, and everyone storms off in different directions.

Claire ends up at a hotel where only one room is available. Another woman arrives at the same time, so they agree to share—but the noise is unbearable. Claire opts to sleep in her car… which promptly gets towed. Undeterred, she buys a random car for $300 and continues her journey to California.

Against all odds, Claire sneaks onto the show with the winning moms, dances with Zazzy on stage, and vents about her kids on national television. Zazzy loves her and invites Claire backstage. They drink, they smoke, and they have the time of their lives.

Seeing this, the family hops on a plane to California, and Zazzy invites the entire family onto the show. At first, Claire refuses to forgive them—but eventually, she gives in.

One year later, the family is spending Christmas together in a cabin. The neighbors across the street are there too, because Sammy is now in love with one of their daughters.

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We're back with some more Gilmore Girls! Join us in this journey on social media - @gilmorethemerrierpod.

Episode 2 - Rory's first day at Chilton Prep begins badly when Lorelai accompanies her daughter into the intimidating school wearing a T-shirt, cut-off jeans and cowboy boots, an outfit that draws disapproving stares from the other mothers.

Episode 3 - Rory and her grandfather enjoy a glorious day of golf, making Lorelai feel left out and the inn hosts a double wedding with two sets of identical twins.

Episode 2 - October 12, 2000 | The WB

Episode 3 - October 20, 2000 | The WB

• Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore
• Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore

Lorelai is doing Rory’s nails. Why? Because tomorrow is Rory’s first day at Chilton! Nothing can ruin this.
Except… sleeping in.

Rory wakes Lorelai up at 7:10, and they are up against it. The only clean thing Lorelai has to wear is her Dukes of Hazzard look—and she has to go inside and meet the headmaster. Naturally, it takes about two minutes for a dad to hit on her. When they finally make it to Headmaster Charleston’s office, Emily is already there waiting. She insists Lorelai take off her jacket, and Lorelai immediately regrets it.

Lorelai heads back to Stars Hollow, where everyone is shocked by what she wore to Rory’s first day of school.

Meanwhile, Rory’s first day is off to a rocky start. The classes are hard, she’s greeted very coldly by a girl named Paris, and she’s aggressively hit on by a dude named Tristan.

Back at the Inn, Lorelai is stunned to see the Chilton dad again—he’s shown up to ask her out. She shuts it down immediately; dating a Chilton dad would be way too complicated.

While trying to open her locker, Rory accidentally bumps into Paris, who’s carrying a project for their next class. The teacher tells Rory she has to help Paris, but Paris flat-out refuses. Starting to think maybe Paris doesn’t like Rory.

Lorelai gets a call from her neighbor Babette saying someone is at her house installing internet. Lorelai did not order internet. Turns out Emily did. Lorelai tracks her down and tells her that paying for Rory’s school does not give her the right to meddle.

After school, Lorelai and Rory walk through Stars Hollow, and Lorelai asks Rory if she thinks Luke is cute. Rory says Lorelai can’t date Luke because his food is too good—and a breakup would ruin everything.

It’s time for another Friday night dinner. Emily and Richard tell Rory she should join Richard at the club to golf. Lorelai is not thrilled that they blindsided Rory, because of course Rory wouldn’t say no to her grandfather. Things start off awkward, but they end up having a really great time. Rory learns more about Richard, and Richard learns more about his granddaughter.

Later, Lorelai is shocked to find out Rory actually had fun. To make matters worse, Richard calls Rory the next day. When Lorelai floats the idea of skipping Friday night dinner, Rory says she doesn’t want to. Lorelai is clearly bothered by Rory growing closer to her grandparents and picks a fight over Rory borrowing her sweater without asking.

They make up, and Lorelai explains that just because she doesn’t have a good relationship with Richard and Emily doesn’t mean Rory can’t.

When they arrive at Friday night dinner, Richard and Emily are thrilled to see Rory—once again making Lorelai feel left out.

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Jacks joins us this week to continue our Season 13 viewing of the hit Hallmark Channel show, When Calls the Heart.

Elizabeth welcomes new students as Nathan and Bill investigate wildfire.

January 18 2026 | Hallmark Channel

• Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thornton
• Kevin McGarry as Nathan Grant
• Chris McNally as Lucas Bouchard

It’s the first day of school, but the classroom just isn’t ready. Nathan shows up with flowers for Elizabeth and encourages her, though she wonders if it might be too soon for these new kids to be back in school at all.

Speaking of new kids, Gwen is not thrilled about school—and even less thrilled that Rosemary is trying to dress her in ugly, scratchy outfits.

Edie talks with Lucas about needing a place to stay and casually starts doing jumping jacks. Lucas is enjoying every second of it.

At school, there’s a new kid named Rupert who is a total nerd and absolutely not interested in putting up with Allie’s nonsense. Unfortunately for both of them, they’re clearly the two smartest kids in the class. Competition incoming.

The day starts off slowly, so Elizabeth encourages the Hope Valley kids to get to know the Benson Hills kids. Instead, the Benson Hills kids immediately start talking about how much they hate it in Hope Valley.

Molly thinks she saw someone carrying something into the woods before the fire. Lee is convinced it was McGinty. Bill and Nathan want to handle things by the book, but Lee is frustrated that they aren’t arresting McGinty without proof. Honestly, he should move to America.

Allie tries to talk to Ollie about Julius Caesar, but the guy could not care less.

Later, Lee spots McGinty having a drink at the saloon and confronts him with the accusations. McGinty refuses to engage and storms out. Lee follows, bumps into him, and McGinty falls—leading to Lee getting arrested.

Elizabeth catches Oliver reading Julius Caesar. He explains that he wants to talk to Allie about it, so Elizabeth hands him The Grapes of Wrath instead. You know, something a little more contemporary.

Elizabeth decides to make the next school day a fun one, complete with an obstacle course. She notices Toby and Cooper are moping, and they explain they’re dealing with something like survivor’s guilt.

Lee gets home from jail and ends up bonding with Gwen. She’s really starting to warm up to him.

Edie gets angry with Lucas when he skips a meeting with wildfire victims after getting talked into attending a fancy dinner with a hotshot dealmaker instead.

The episode ends with Toby and Cooper finally opening up to Elizabeth. They confess that they started a fire to make stew and thought they put it out properly—but what if they didn’t? They’re terrified. Elizabeth promises them they’re not alone.

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New Hallmark movie to review, and this one’s taking love deep into the rainforest.

Claire travels to Brazil and hires Danny, a riverboat captain, to help her deliver an important message for her sister Amelia, a marine biologist studying pink dolphins on the Amazon River.

January 17, 2026 | Hallmark Channel

• Jaicy Elliot as Claire
• Rafael de la Fuente as Danny

Claire is house-sitting for her sister while she’s in the Amazon for work when a letter arrives saying her sister has been accepted for a fellowship, but she needs to sign it by the end of next week. With no way to contact her, Claire decides the only option is to deliver it herself.

She hops on a plane and hires a riverboat captain named Danny to take her to her sister, but Danny says the location is too remote. Undeterred, Claire joins the next excursion headed in the right direction, planning to figure it out as she goes. Unfortunately, it’s going to take way too long. She tries hiring other guides, but no one wants to go that far into the jungle.

Eventually, she runs into Danny again, and he gives in once he realizes who her sister is. They actually know each other. So off they go.

Along the way, they stop in different villages. At first, the crew isn’t thrilled with Claire, but eventually they warm up to her and basically let her join the team. They get as far as they can by boat and then have to continue on foot through the jungle. During the trek, Claire panics, thinking she hears her sister calling out to her, but it turns out to just be the “tree of Chucky.” Classic jungle moment.

After a long journey, she finally finds her sister. She delivers the paperwork, and the sisters start talking about Danny. Claire insists she could never be with him—unfortunately, Danny overhears this and is clearly hurt.

That night, there’s dancing. Instead of asking Claire to stay, Danny says he’s leaving and peaces out. Claire’s sister talks some sense into her and convinces her not to let him go. Claire hops into a small boat, chases down the bigger one, and tells Danny she’s staying in the Amazon.

They kiss.

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