Taylor Frankie Paul is making a bold statement about the criticism regarding her social media usage in the aftermath of avoiding charges in a domestic violence incident with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

Paul, whose viral popularity is the reason why she was tapped to star in Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” has left fans shocked by deactivating both her Instagram and TikTok accounts.

After being in the middle of a legal and media firestorm throughout the last few weeks, Taylor Frankie Paul’s luck has turned around for the better. However, despite being active on social media throughout all the drama (and after), it appears that now she is officially taking a step back.

Fans realized on Thursday, April 23, that Paul deactivated her Instagram and TikTok accounts.

A source close to the MomTok founder told PEOPLE that Paul’s decision to deactivate her accounts is not permanent.

“Taylor is taking a breather,” the insider told the outlet. “It’s been a lot the last couple months to consume and [she] will be back shortly to continue sharing her story. She’ll decide when the time is right to return to filming on ‘Secret Lives.’”

When an online user commented that she should focus on healing “off social media,” Paul defended her decision to continue to interact with and create content.

“That sounds like the reasonable answer, however I will be doing the opposite,” she wrote in reply.  “I’ll continue sharing on social media showing how ugly healing truly can be.”

“Making and editing videos is my way of processing just like people like to write into a journal.. this is my way and I choose to share it,” Paul continued. “Saying this with love, most people would need to get off and so understandable, I’m not most.”

Disney Addressed Future Of Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ Season Airing

In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Disney’s reality television chief, Rob Mills, spoke about the possibility of Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” airing at some point.

“The day all of that stuff happened, really our first sort of concern was really for Taylor and the family and everyone involved in that, it was really more on a human level,” he said.

“Now, we’re sort of taking it a day at a time,” Mills said, after “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star avoided domestic violence charges. “I think her season is a wonderful season, by ‘Bachelor’ standards. If it gets seen, I’m sure people will absolutely enjoy it.”

There have been rumors that if Paul’s “Bachelorette” season doesn’t air on ABC, as it has since its inception, it could possibly stream on Hulu instead. However, neither option has been confirmed.

After The Reality Star Escaped Domestic Violence Charges, Prosecutors Explained Why

The office of Salt Lake City district attorney Sim Gill released a statement confirming that no charges against Paul would be filed, citing a lack of evidence and the statute of limitations as the reasons.

“After reviewing reports and evidence submitted to the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul,” the statement read, per Deadline.

“The complainant in these cases reported several incidents – some of which occurred more than three years ago,” the statement said. “Any incidents of misdemeanor offenses which are alleged to have occurred more than two years ago are barred by the statute of limitations. Incidents which are alleged to have occurred within the statute of limitations have also been reviewed.”

The DA’s statement continued, “Several incidents that were submitted do not rise to the level of criminal offenses. The remaining incidents lack sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges where the State must be able to prove such allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Such incidents lack specificity as to when and what actually occurred or corroboration.”

The Door Is Open For Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Mormon Wives’ Return

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the “Mormon Wives” production team is letting Paul take the lead on when (and in what capacity) she wants to return to the show.

An inside source close to the reality star also revealed to the outlet that production continues to remain supportive of Paul, and is ready to film with her at her own pace “if and when she is ready.” 

Paul previously shut down claims from PEOPLE that the show would resume production without her, writing in the Instagram comments of the post, “Interesting, that’s not the call I got.”

It’s always a fashion win when your closet matches a celebrity’s. In my case, that win came when Jennifer Lawrence was spotted doing something gloriously normal: grabbing coffee in New York City, wearing a retro T-shirt from a brand I absolutely love.

The Academy Award-winning actress stepped out in a quintessential spring outfit that had photographers snapping and style watchers taking notes. The centerpiece? A retro Beatles tee tucked under a red cardigan, mixing bold primary colors in a way that felt both effortless and completely intentional.

Get the Women’s The Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever Original Tee for $58 at Junk Food Clothing! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The Die, My Love star’s Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever Original Tee is the kind of piece that makes you do a double-take. Lawrence has always had this knack for looking stylish without trying too hard. She’s not decked out in head-to-toe designer on a coffee run. Instead, she’s wearing a band tee and a cardigan, and somehow it’s the most approachable, put-together thing you’ll see all week.

Related: Jennifer Lawrence Wore Adidas Shoes Shoppers Call ‘Unbelievably Comfortable’

Jennifer Lawrence is the poster child for easy dressing — effortlessly making tees, jeans and even sneakers look polished and cool. Naturally, her latest look didn’t disappoint, especially since she completed the easy-going fit with head-turning Adidas Tokyo tennis shoes. Stepping out in New York City, Lawrence opted for a yellow Beatles T-shirt, Hermès Lindy […]

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Lawrence isn’t the only famous face who’s gravitated toward this exact tee (or brand, for that matter). Sabrina Carpenter wore the same one last winter in an Instagram post, proving the shirt works across seasons and generations. The Junk Food Clothing brand itself has a serious celebrity following, with Taylor Swift, Chrissy Teigen, Emma Roberts, Mindy Kaling, Miles Teller and Keleigh Teller all spotted in the label’s designs. When a brand pulls that kind of range, you know something’s working.

So what makes this particular tee worth the $58 price tag? The details, of course! Junk Food uses a loose-knit, mid-weight tri-blend fabric that feels comfortable right out of the box, no break-in period required. The pigment dye gives it that perfectly washed-out, faded look, like you’ve owned it for years and it just keeps getting better. Little touches like the rib neck binding, ladder stitching at the sleeves and body hem and grinding at the neck, sleeves and hem all contribute to that authentic vintage feel that makes this shirt look like it came from a cool record store in 1972.

One thing to keep in mind before you order: this tee runs small. If you want that fitted, tucked-in look Lawrence was rocking with her cardigan, go with your normal size. If you prefer a more relaxed, regular fit (and honestly, a slightly oversized band tee is never a bad call), size up one from your usual.

The trendy part about this whole retro tee moment is how versatile it actually is. Lawrence paired hers with a red cardigan for a pop of color, but you could just as easily throw a blazer over it for lunch or wear it solo with jeans on a warm Saturday. Band tees have this wonderful ability to make any outfit feel a little more relaxed, a little more personal. They say something about you without saying too much.

And a Beatles shirt? That’s about as classic and universally cool as it gets.

Get the Women’s The Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever Original Tee for $58 at Junk Food Clothing! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Related: Jennifer Lawrence’s Cargo Pants Are a Chic Spring Denim Swap

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Jennifer Lawrence just made a strong case for replacing from your usual denim this spring. While out in New York City on April 11, the Oscar winner styled crisp white cargo pants with a navy sweater, suede loafers and a Hermès bag — creating an outfit that felt equal parts polished and effortless. The real […]

Danny Go! star Daniel Coleman is sharing a heartbreaking update on his 14-year-old son Isaac’s ongoing cancer battle.

“Haven’t updated on Isaac’s cancer in a bit and it’s still difficult for me to process and talk about. But the high-level update is that his cancer has continued to spread aggressively and his energy levels have dropped very low,” Daniel, 40, shared via Instagram on Thursday, April 23. “We’re in the midst of a short palliative radiation round right now to slow down the growth of a large mass under his right eye, but we’ve shifted into a comfort-focused approach with him overall.”

Daniel also revealed his son “has a hospice team onboard now to help manage the pain” four months after being diagnosed with stage III mouth cancer.

“We are just doing our best to make each day as enjoyable and restful as possible for him,” he continued. “[My wife] Mindy and I are heartbroken watching him decline, knowing how frustrating and scary this must be for him. But we’re trying to hold it all together & keep soaking up the time we still have with our boy.”

In December 2025, Daniel first announced to his followers that his oldest son had “cancer in his mouth.” (The YouTube star and his wife are also parents to Levi, 10.)

Daniel explained that he knew “this day was coming, as it’s a near certainty with Fanconi anemia.” Isaac was born with the rare genetic disorder in 2011.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Fanconi anemia is a rare inherited condition that keeps your bone marrow from making blood cells and platelets. Those diagnosed may develop cancerous tumors earlier than people who don’t have the condition.

“It’s definitely hitting a little earlier than we hoped and is still just such a shocking thing to hear about your child, even if you’ve braced for it for years,” Daniel shared before the holidays. “The location of the cancer will require some pretty extensive surgery and potential bone work, so we’re not sure yet what recovery will look like. But we’re anxious to get it done fast, so surgery will likely be in the next couple of weeks. … For now, we’re taking it a step at a time and addressing the cancer aggressively.”

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While Daniel has tried his best to keep his followers updated on Isaac’s health via social media, he’s also made it a priority to celebrate the big wins.

Earlier this month, friends showed up to surprise Issac with an out-of-this-world experience. It’s a positive memory that Daniel and his family are holding onto tightly.

“You know you’ve made it in life when your closest friends show up in your backyard on a random Wednesday & surprise your Sith-loving son with a full Star Wars show (that they choreographed & secretly rehearsed multiple times 😭),” he shared via Instagram. “Needless to say, it was a core memory for Isaac and our whole family!! Love you all deeply 🩵.”

UPDATE — 4/23/26, 6:30 p.m. ET: Ancient Aliens star David Wilcock’s family is speaking out about his mental health issues and financial strain following his death at age 53 in an apparent suicide.

“David Wilcock took his own life on April 20, 2026, after a long struggle with depression and overwhelming financial debt,” his family said in a statement released to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, April 23. “His family, and chosen family, hope this loss encourages more focused attention to mental health care access.”

The Wilcock family’s message was publicly released following some skepticism among the UFO YouTuber’s fanbase about suicide as his cause of death.

The family clarified that Wilcock’s status as a New York Times bestselling author and prominent figure in the disclosure community — who argue that world governments are concealing evidence about the existence of aliens — was “only part of the story of a life that, like any other, unfolded through internal struggles, evolving beliefs, and a quest for meaning.”

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“David lived in a time shaped by the internet, and he himself shaped a segment of it. This powerful medium of communication magnifies both connection and confusion. Ideas travel quickly, expand logarithmically, and reshape thought structures,” his family continued. “In remembering David, it is important to hold more than one truth at once: that some of his work raised concerns about misinformation, and that he was also a person who was on an eternal quest for clarity.”

Their statement went on, “Beyond his public persona, he was a human navigating the same complexities and vulnerabilities that shape all our lives. His passing is a reminder of how important it is to meet one another with open minds and compassion in our hearts. The loss of a life can turn our focus to our shared humanity, whether we agree on life’s unanswered questions or not.”

The Wilcock family mentioned that, although David “considered his audience a community,” there were aspects of his personal life that fans weren’t aware of.

“While he was known as a charismatic and engaging teacher to fans, those who were closest to him knew the depth of his untreated mental health struggles intimately,” they noted. “Many who knew him from afar have speculated that there is a cover-up involving his death, but we can assure you there was no foul play.”

In addition to the family, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office offered a minute-by-minute breakdown of how its officers responded to the incident.

Per the sheriff’s office, the Boulder County Communications Center received an alarming phone call from Wilcock at 10:44 a.m. local time. Wilcock mentioned “health issues and financial concerns” during the emergency call.

Two Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deputies approached a residence at 11:01 a.m., at which time Wilcock told the emergency operator, “I’m sorry to put you through this.”

Wilcock reportedly died at 11:05 a.m.

“No other individuals were found on site,” the law enforcement agency reported at the time, adding that Wilcock was “pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Original story:

Ancient Aliens star David Wilcock died in an apparent suicide following an altercation with Boulder County, Colorado, police. He was 53.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Department confirmed in a press release on Wednesday, April 22, that Wilcock died two days earlier following an altercation with law enforcement near the town of Nederland, Colorado.

Police were dispatched to the scene on Monday, April 20, at around 11:02 a.m. local time after a 911 dispatcher received an emergency call from someone who may have been “experiencing a mental health crisis,” per the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

Wilcock died “within minutes of deputies’ arrival,” the sheriff’s department said in a Wednesday press release.

Officers on site later “searched the residence and surrounding property and did not locate any other individuals,” according to the sheriff’s office. No wider threat to the community was identified.

Us Weekly has reached out to Wilcock’s production company for comment.

Wilcock — a popular paranormal YouTuber and author — alarmed some fans by tweeting on Friday, April 18, that he might cancel a planned live stream due to some “intense stuff” happening in his life.

“I am not yet sure if I am doing a show tomorrow. I’ve had some very intense stuff going on this weekend. Either way, I want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you,” he wrote via X. “Always remember that the Creator is within — and we live in a loving universe. I am very grateful to you for all of your love, care and support.”

Hours later, Wilcock assured his followers that he’d “slept miraculously well last night” and planned to push forward with a livestream examining whether President Donald Trump might be “the antichrist” after posting an AI image that seemingly depicted him as Jesus Christ. (Trump later deleted the photo but refused to apologize, insisting that he thought the photo depicted him as a doctor.)

“Are we all in a big psy-op here? Are we going to make it? Is there a schism between POTUS and the Alliance? Why have they posted things implying there is?” Wilcock asked while promoting the show. “Why is he turning on top influencers like Tucker [Carlson], Alex [Jones] and Candace [Owens] and acting so strangely? I want to have an honest discussion about this and not just sugar-coat it. I want to hear your thoughts.”

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Wilcock was a consulting producer and on-air expert on the History Channel’s docuseries Ancient Aliens, which explored controversial theories that extraterrestrials were involved in lost civilizations and other related Ufology topics. Smithsonian criticized Ancient Aliens as “shiny, documentary-format rubbish” while other mainstream publications accused the series of promoting pseudoscience and conspiracy theories.

Aside from his many appearances in UFO documentaries, Wilcock was a key figure in the disclosure movement, which argues that world governments are withholding crucial intelligence proving that earth has been visited by aliens. His books Awakening in the Dream and The Ascension Mysteries were New York Times bestsellers.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

If you’ve ever felt the stress of navigating a busy airport terminal, imagine turning a corner and finding a six-foot-tall llama dressed as a pirate waiting to greet you.

That scene is a regular reality at Portland International Airport, where therapy llamas and alpacas visit about once a month as part of an animal-assisted therapy program that launched in 2023. The animals come from Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, a nonprofit based in Ridgefield, Washington, and their mission is simple: help travelers relax.

A One-of-a-Kind Welcome From Llamas at Portland International Airport

During each visit, which lasts about 1.5 hours, handlers accompany the animals through the terminal and entrance areas, giving passengers a chance to pet, hug and interact with the gentle creatures. Some visitors opt for a “carrot kiss,” feeding a carrot to one of the animals by hand or mouth. Each animal even comes with a collectible trading card.

The llamas and alpacas — collectively known as camelids — can stand up to about six feet tall and weigh up to roughly 450 pounds. They often arrive dressed in themed costumes, from pirates to cowboys, adding to the whimsy.

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Molly Prescott, an airport spokesperson, told USA TODAY that the program fits the airport’s personality.

“PDX is known for doing things differently, and the llamas and alpacas – with their gentle nature and quirky personalities – have reached icon status in the airport, beloved by all,” Prescott said.

“There’s nothing quite like the delight and surprise you’ll see on people’s faces when they encounter the llamas and alpacas for the first time.”

The Llama Therapy Program Is More Than Just Fun for Travelers

While the visits bring plenty of smiles, the program serves a deeper purpose. Lori Gregory, owner of Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, told USA TODAY that reducing stress and anxiety for travelers is at the heart of every visit.

“The whole purpose of the therapy is to help with anxiety and de-stress, so I’m always watchful,” Gregory said.

She noted that not everyone at the airport is traveling for happy reasons.

“We get quite a few people traveling for not-fun reasons, they’re going to visit their loved one for the last time, or they’re going to a funeral or you know, things that are hard. We always try to watch for those people to give them extra time with the animal and just express our love and care.”

How the Llama Therapy Program at All Started

Gregory’s family was first introduced to llamas through a school program, an experience that changed the course of their lives.

“We decided to join that to learn about these animals and just fell in love,” Gregory told USA TODAY.

Their first llama, Shania — named after Shania Twain — had a sweet personality that inspired the family to pursue therapy work with the animals.

Related: These 2 Giant Pandas Are Starting to Flirt Like Teenagers

Something exciting is unfolding at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. — and it involves two giant pandas who appear to be falling for each other. Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 4 years old, have been showing unmistakable signs of a budding romance. While they’re not yet old enough to breed, their zookeepers […]

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The Llama Program Is Home to a Star Named Rojo

Among the nonprofit’s animals, one stands out in particular. Rojo, a llama purchased in 2002, weighs roughly 350 to 400 pounds and has a temperament Gregory describes as gentle, “doglike” and people-friendly.

“And never grew out of that doglike personality and people-friendly personality,” Gregory said.

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Rojo has participated in parades, fairs and public events, drawing strong engagement from crowds and clearly enjoying the attention.

Llamas are one of the oldest domesticated animals, and llama shows are held across the United States, from California to Georgia. But for travelers passing through Portland, the appeal is more personal — a moment of unexpected comfort in the middle of a hectic journey.

The next time you find yourself at PDX, keep an eye out. A llama in a cowboy hat might be just the travel companion you didn’t know you needed.

When Mikayla Matthews took to social media to share a health update, it didn’t take long for fans to drop into the comments to say what’s on their minds. No one is sugar coating it and many are literally begging her to consider moving out of Utah for her own wellbeing.

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star has been vocal about her ongoing health struggles in the hopes of helping others and answering questions fans have.

Matthews hasn’t shied away from sharing her health struggles with fans on social media. She recently shared a new update that has viewers in the comment section sharing their thoughts about her moving out of Utah.

After returning to Utah after three weeks in California and five days in Costa Rica, Matthews shared a health update.

“I was just terrified of coming back to Utah. I had lived a month away and like, oh, this is what it feels like to feel a little more normal and not have these flares be on the forefront of my mind 24/7,” she said while sitting in her car. “And within two days of coming home, as you can tell, my hands flared up really bad, my neck flared up really bad. I’m truly sitting here feeling like I’m here in Utah in this environment. I am just surviving with chronic illness.”

Outside of Utah, Mikayla Matthews Said She’s ‘Living With Chronic Illness’

Matthews continued her video by explaining that when she wasn’t in Utah, her “life was still going on” and her illness wasn’t “at the forefront” of her mind.

“I’ve had to say no to doing fun events coming up,” she continued. “Hate going, doing interviews on the carpet, taking pictures, and that’s out there for everyone to see.”

She brought up the comments she sees online about her appearance, and how she does have a lot of support backing her, but “unfortunately I’m the only one who can heal myself and there’s not much people can do.”

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She also talked about the pain she deals with and how it stops her in her tracks.

‘Your House Is Making You Sick’

Matthews said that a lot of people have told her that it’s her house making her ill, and that “it’s so much easier said than done” when people say “get out of your house.”

“I wanna go to Switzerland and do a detox retreat,” she said. “I wanna go to Costa Rica and just get my skin in a better place. But so many things that are going through my head like it’s not easy to just up and sell my house and buy a new house. And what if I’m still having these issues in another home?”

The reality star said the struggle of “chronic illness and a skin condition” has “stripped” her of time with her kids that she “will never get back.”

“I’m trying to listen to my intuition the best that I can,” she continued. “And I know I’m not healing in this environment right now.”

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Viewers Share Their Thoughts On Mikayla Matthews Leaving Utah

Matthews video quickly captured tons of attention with more than 1.2 million views on TikTok in less than a day. Many fans dropped into the comment section to share their thoughts and well wishes, with a common theme of getting out of Utah.

“Your body is literally SCREAMING for you to make the move,” one person wrote. Another said, “Time to get outta Utah babe! You will do phenomenal once you leave.” Another viewer shared, “If your trauma happened in Utah, your body is letting you know that it’s not safe in that environment. I know moving isn’t easy but I recommend nervous system regulation work and somatic healing.”

A few viewers could relate to some of the issues Matthews is dealing with in Utah.

“Utah has toxic algae that is becoming airborne due to the great salt lake drying up. It has caused more issues for me to be in Utah than I have EVER had. I’ve lived in multiple places,” one person said. Another added, “Utah is a different kind of dry. We visited and the entire time I was swollen, dry and puffy. I’m from CA.” Another person shared, “My daughter had the same issues at her apartment in Utah. It’s mold.”

More Fans Shared Thoughts On Instagram

While there were many comments on TikTok telling Matthews maybe it’s time to leave Utah for good, there were also similar comments on Instagram.

“It’s your nervous system. You have to heal your nervous system and you can’t when you are surrounded by chaos,” one person wrote in the comments of Matthews’ Instagram post. Another said, “Baby get outta there! Give yourself a chance. From one autoimmune girlie to another. We can’t fully heal where we became sick.”

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One commenter shared a reminder for Matthews as she navigates this rough time, “You are doing the best you can right now mama, give yourself grace, I can’t imagine having the chronic illness to actually show up like this as a reminder, and you feeling like is your fault, please remind yourself you are doing everything in your power right now! And that is Enough!”

After nearly two years on the run, authorities in Georgia have arrested a fugitive who was found inside of an air conditioner vent.

The Grady County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a statement that Kayla McKenzie was arrested in Moultrie, Georgia, on Monday, April 20.

McKenzie was on the run for nearly two years after she received an outstanding felony bench warrant, according to the sheriff’s office.

A bench warrant is “an order from a judge that allows law enforcement to arrest someone who hasn’t followed a court order. This could happen if someone missed a court date, skipped paying a fine, or failed to follow probation terms,” according to Bogle Law.

Unlike an arrest warrant, a bench warrant focuses on compliance. The purpose of a bench warrant is to make sure the person adheres to the court’s rules. An example of when a bench warrant is issued when someone doesn’t show up for their court date, a judge may issue a bench warrant to ensure they come back.

Authorities were finally able to track McKenzie down after investigators received a tip that she was allegedly hiding inside a residence in Moultrie. The home where she was found is located about 35 miles away from Grady County.

Officers then reported to the location, where they found McKenzie allegedly hiding inside the vent of an air conditioner on the ground.

Police did not reveal who shared the tip or how they had the information regarding McKenzie’s whereabouts. It’s also not known what she has been up to over the past few years or why she was at the home she was located at.

McKenzie was then taken into custody without further incident and she was transported to a detention facility. The sheriff’s office confirmed that she will now face the charges associated with her outstanding felony bench warrant.

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However, it is not currently clear if she will face charges in connection with the allegations that she has been on the run from the law.

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It is also not currently clear if McKenzie has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest. The Grady County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case or any additional charges that McKenzie may be facing.

In addition to confirming that McKenzie was found, the sheriff’s office shared photos of her in the back of a police car. The department’s Facebook page also uploaded a photo of the air conditioner vent she was hiding inside of.

Steven Soderbergh is one of the most prolific filmmakers of the modern era, known for directing a wide variety of movies, including Ocean’s Twelve, Contagion, Magic Mike, and Black Bag. Soderbergh has also brought his impressive skills to the small screen, directing Clive Owen‘s medical thriller, The Knick, and Sharon Stone‘s immersive, twisty murder-mystery HBO series, Mosaic.

One of the most unusual projects of Soderbergh’s career is the HBO miniseries Full Circle, which stars Timothy Olyphant, Claire Danes, Dennis Quaid, Zazie Beetz, and even comedian Jim Gaffigan. On its surface, it looked like just another straightforward kidnapping thriller. However, Soderbergh has always had an interest in examining processes and systems, and Full Circle is a tightly wound thriller that examines how an entire infrastructure could fail.

What Is Timothy Olyphant and Claire Danes’ HBO Miniseries About?

Co-created with Soderbergh’s frequent collaborator Ed Solomon, Full Circle is a New York-set drama about the wealthy power couple Derek (Olyphant) and Sam (Danes), whose son Jared (Ethan Stoddard) feels uncomfortable about the privilege that he’s been gifted with. Jared’s parents have worked to maintain the empire of Sam’s father, the celebrity “Chef Jeff” (Dennis Quaid), which has also made them vulnerable to threats from rivals. Jared is targeted by a kidnapping scheme organized by the enigmatic orchestrator Mrs. Mahabir (CCH Pounder), but a botched abduction leads to a complex series of revelations. The kidnapping itself is just the tip of the iceberg in Full Circle; as the characters rush to solve the problem, secrets from their past are unveiled and threaten to change the fabric of their reality.

Steven Soderbergh’s HBO Miniseries ‘Full Circle’ Is a Twisty Mystery Thriller

Image via HBO Max

The brilliance of Full Circle is that Soderbergh refuses to treat any character as a clear-cut hero or villain, as there is a degree of vulnerability within them all. Full Circle asks an ethical question that is reminiscent of the classic Akira Kurosawa film High and Low, as the tension kicks off when the kidnappers accidentally capture Jared’s friend, Nicky (Lucian Zanes), whom he had met through an online chatroom. While it would seem like the most honorable thing for Derek and Sam to do would be to still pay the ransom to save another innocent life, they are more frugal about the decisions they make once they realize that their actual son isn’t in danger. This doesn’t just speak to the class divisions that protect someone like Jared, but reveals the exploitative nature of the kidnappers. Even though they realize that they have the wrong target, they are still going to threaten him because they have initiated a conversation with people who have more power than they do.

Related

This Clive Owen Drama Is Also One of the Most Accurate Medical Shows

The research makes this series’ world feel all the more immersive.

Full Circle features some highly realistic, uncomfortable moments of dysfunctional family drama, but it’s also an excellent procedural that examines the perspectives of the investigators assigned to solve the case. Perhaps the best performance in the show is from Zazie Beetz as Harmony Melody, an investigator who is on the rocks with her boss Manny Broward (Jim Gaffigan) because of her exacting and obsessive nature. Soderbergh goes to great lengths to point out the flaws in the criminal justice system, which is a main reason why Melody is such a compelling hero.

While most of the investigators see it as their job to appease the rich benefactors that support the police department, Melody wants to get to the truth as to why Jared was targeted and what secrets his family might be holding. Beetz is obviously a force of charisma, but she gets to take on a much more serious role than she was granted in Atlanta. Even though Gaffigan is one of the best stand-up comedians in the world right now, he perfectly slips into the role of a disheveled, indifferent employer who seems ignorant of the frustration he causes for Melody. Given Soderbergh’s unique eye for casting, it is also fun to see appearances by venerable characters like Happy Anderson and William Sadler, who make the most of their small roles.

‘Full Circle’ Questions Its Ambiguous Ethics Effectively

Full Circle feels like a spiritual successor to classic New York-set crime dramas like Mean Streets, Dog Day Afternoon, and King of New York, as the city itself feels like a character. Soderbergh can visually examine how diverse the experiences are in the city, with characters like Jared, Melody, and Mahabir living close to one another, yet having completely different experiences based on their privilege and background. The show is also willing to address a more complex depiction of criminality, as the kidnappers Aked (Jharrel Jerome), Louis (Gerald Jones), and Xavier (Sheyi Cole) often have no idea what they are doing. Revealing that each character is fallible introduces a new layer of irony to Full Circle, infusing it with the sort of dark comedy that Soderbergh is often best known for. The use of slight humor in intense moments allows the viewers to connect more deeply with the story. The tense show is so realistic that audiences can’t help but question what they would do in a similar situation.

As the title may suggest, Full Circle examines the futile conception of progress, as the regimented nature of today’s infrastructure means that there is little room for mobility. Even if the idea at its core is a rather cynical one, Full Circle asks compelling questions about the responsibilities that someone has to their community, their family, and their personal dignity. Olyphant and Danes are two stars best known for playing defiant heroes in Justified and Homeland, respectively, so it is interesting to see them as a flawed married couple who are forced to question the fundamentals of their relationship. Full Circle may feel like a cathartic experience for those who have faced issues similar to any of the characters, but it also offers insights into the type of eyeball-catching, inflammatory news stories that readers often don’t delve deeper into. While the series was technically released directly to “Max” as an original production, the excellent performances, clever writing, and thematic undercurrent ensure that it rises to the quality threshold necessary for an HBO show.

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Release Date

2023 – 2023-00-00

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Network

HBO, Max

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Showrunner

Ed Soloman

Directors

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Steven Soderbergh

Writers

Ed Soloman

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