Starfleet Academy’s sixth episode (“Come, Let’s Away”) was a standout tale that ditched the series’ infamous tryhard humor to deliver a tight action/adventure thriller. As someone who had been hard on the show before, I was morbidly curious if that grimdark outing represented the new normal. Would this Star Trek spinoff finally start taking itself seriously in every episode, or would the series be returning to sloppy comedy form?
The seventh episode (“Ko’zeine”) managed to surprise me, and not always in a good way: this story brought goofy comedy back to the forefront, but the humor is less forced and all the more fun for it. Plus, the episode channels the vibe of both indie coming-of-age films (like Garden State) and wedding rom-coms (like My Best Friend’s Wedding) into an uneven episode that packs plenty of character development. As a result, “Ko’ziene” is a deep improvement over earlier Starfleet Academy episodes, but it fails to pack the high-octane thrills and equally high stakes of “Come, Let’s Away.”
Spring Break Is Finally Here
The general premise of “Ko’ziene” is that the various cadets are headed home for Spring Break, but things quickly go awry for three of our heroes. Caleb has no family to return to, so he decides to stay aboard the Athena, trying to take his mind off the injuries sustained by his telepathic girlfriend when she successfully saved him from the Furies. She is recovering on Betazed, and Caleb is having trouble composing the right message to express his feelings; however, he gets a welcome distraction from Genesis, whose decision to steal back aboard the Athena hides a shocking ulterior motive.
Meanwhile, the B plot is that Jay-Den sees Darem getting abducted, and he follows the kidnappers to discover a rather insane surprise. You see, Darem has been nabbed by his own people as part of an ancient ritual, and he is about to marry the woman he was betrothed to many years ago. Jay-Den now has to serve as his best man, but that means he has to avoid a romantic getaway in Ibiza with Kyle, his himbo War College boyfriend.
Taking Aim At The Series’ Awful Humor
Before you say it, I want to let you know I get it. If you’ve hated most of Starfleet Academy up until this point, then “Ko’zeine” sounds like a double serving of the show’s two most annoying aspects: awkward romance and teen angst. However, this outing is better than earlier episodes this season for the simple fact that the writers are finally showing a bit of restraint with the show’s attempts at comedy.
Sure, there are still some overly goody bits here, like Caleb’s ears swelling up in a bit straight out of Star Trek (2009). Oh, and he and Genesis chase down a “warp snail” in a low-speed chase sequence so silly that it belongs in Lower Decks. As for the wedding plot, we get a few equally cartoony, overly trope-y bits, like Darem’s elaborate wedding suit tearing and him having a Bridezilla-esque freakout.
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Mostly, though, this Starfleet Academy episode puts the forced humor into a dampening field, allowing the more serious elements of the story to have more impact. We get to see Caleb processing his feelings for Tarima in a surprisingly earnest way; he cares for her but doesn’t know how to express his feelings, which is relatively realistic for a teenage boy dealing with his own traumatic baggage. Jay-Den has to confront the depth of his romantic feelings and a potential love triangle, all while learning that his swaggering bully/classmate crush is a secret simp back home.
Star Trek Goes Indie
What holds everything together, though, is that returning Trek director Andi Armaganian shoots the A plot and the B plot through the lens of two very different genre films. Jay-Den and Darem get a wedding-based rom-com story, one that mines humor out of cultural misunderstandings and the two characters’ grudging mutual affection. Caleb and Genesis, however, get a twee coming-of-age adventure that shamelessly channels beloved indie hits like Garden State and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.
Needless to say, your enjoyment of these plots will hinge largely on your enjoyment of the genre stuff. Personally, I like my wedding comedies to be driven more by winking charisma (like in The Wedding Singer) or raunchy punchlines (like in Wedding Crashers), so I was left just a tad cold by the Jay-Den/Darem B plot. The actors get some fun lines and have a decent chemistry with one another, but their plot line veers a bit too much into the space lanes of a good, old-fashioned soap opera for my taste.
A Weirdly Moving, Weirdly Thoughtful Episode
By contrast, I found the A plot with Caleb and Genesis weirdly moving in large part because the script knows when to pull back and just let these characters vibe out. As if in answer to all those fan complaints about the show’s overly vulgar modern slang, this episode mostly has these characters speaking to one another like actual adults. This contrasts nicely with the shenanigans they get up to (Genesis is hellbent on breaking into the Athena’s bridge), and it sets up the essential dichotomy of Starfleet Academy: that these cadets have the potential to be Picard-style movers and shakers, but like Jean-Luc at this tender age, they still have a lot of growing up to do.
In terms of visuals, this episode has some of the most creative camera angles we have seen so far; instead of action shots designed to make you dizzy, “Ko’zeine” provides dynamic shots of Caleb and Genesis bonding, all while a mellow alt soundtrack punctuates their light interaction with hints of profundity. Granted, I’m a Millennial who absolutely lovedGarden State, and that might make you want to take your phaser off stun before shooting me. But I thought this episode perfectly channeled that film’s sense of epic ennui; the idea that everything is meaningless and meaningful all at once for characters who have their whole lives ahead of them and a lifetime of baggage behind them.
Feelings Frequencies Open, Captain
There are no chilling monologues like we got in “Come, Let’s Away,” and unlike that earlier adventure, nobody’s in danger of suddenly declaring “Zo’Keine” one of their favorite Star Trek episodes. But this is a surprisingly earnest, surprisingly honest slice-of-life tale that adds surprising depth to some of the show’s most one-dimensional characters. It’s a thoroughly entertaining (good, not great) tale, one that signifies that Starfleet Academy has overcome most of its growing pains and is ready to finally provide episodes that capture the ephemeral highs and haunting lows of life as a young person.
A fun, unpredictable story that dynamically transforms several of the show’s best characters without disrupting franchise lore? As a Star Trek fan, you could do a lot worse!
Scott Wolf reunited with his estranged wife Kelley amid a nasty divorce … and she says they’re “healing.”
Check out this photo of the “Party of Five” alum on a Friday visit to Universal Studios Hollywood … he’s smiling alongside Kelley and their three kids.
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Scott and Kelley have been going through a nasty split ever since he filed for divorce in June after two decades of marriage … and this appears to be the first time they’ve been together as a family since the filing.
Kelley posted the theme park visit and in her caption she said, “Healing. 💙💙💙💙💙.”
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Instagram/@kelleywolf
Days after Scott’s divorce filing, Kelley made headlines by livestreaming her own detainment by police following concerning social media posts. Scott was later granted temporary sole custody of the kids.
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In August, Kelley was arrested for doxxing Scott … and court documents showed she was ordered to stay away from alcohol and narcotics and undergo treatment.
Kelley had been undergoing treatment in Utah … and now she’s back with the kids and Scott in Los Angeles.
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It will be interesting to see how the divorce shakes out from here. Stay tuned …
Eric Dane’s friends are rallying around his family following his heartbreaking death, after a “hard-fought” battle with ALS … launching a GoFundMe page in the wake of the actor’s passing.
The fundraiser, created on Friday, includes the same message the family shared on the day of his passing. Noting he leaves behind his devoted wife Rebecca and two teenage daughters Billie and Georgia … adding his illness progressed “far more quickly than anyone could have imagined.”
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The tribute ends by saying “any contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time” and that the proceeds would go towards supporting Eric’s wonderful daughters and their future needs.
Among those stepping up in a major way is Sam Levinson — creator of one of Eric’s last roles in the hit HBO show “Euphoria” — who donated $27,000 to the fundraiser.
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Even as his own health declined, organizers — labeled as “Friends of the Dane Family” — say he remained committed to helping others facing the same fight and became a passionate spokesperson for the ALS community.
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Eric’s legacy now extends beyond Hollywood — remembered not only for his work on screen, but for the strength and advocacy he showed during one of the toughest battles of his life.
Netflix
As we previously reported … the “Grey’s Anatomy” star sat down for a “Famous Last Words” Netflix interview before his death — the understanding was it would be released once he died — and he looked into the camera and spoke directly to his kids.
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Eric announced he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS, back in April 2025 … he passed away on February 19, 2026 at the age of 53.
Barry Manilow is rushing back to the stage after undergoing surgery for lung cancer but he says his doctor is advising him to reschedule his first batch of scheduled arena shows.
The singer posted the health update on Friday and said he’s just not able to make it through a 90-minute concert at this time … and is rescheduling all his shows scheduled between Feb. 27 and March 17.
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Barry went under the knife a little over a month ago, and he says he’s been running on the treadmill three times a day. He says he can sing only three songs before needing to stop.
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He says he’s hoping he’s able to take the stage at the end of March for some shows in Las Vegas before more arena shows in April on the East Coast.
Barry says his surgeon told him his body has been through hell and needs time to heal.
Britney Spears seems to have had a carefree time at the beach recently … because in a snap she just posted, she’s totally naked!
Brit posted the picture Friday night, showing she is clearly a supporter of sun’s out, bun’s out … but she made sure to cover her crack with a rose emoji. Tasteful!
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Of course … this is not that shocking from Britney … who has been posting some wild and sexy pics and videos of herself for a while now.
Brit didn’t caption the post … and frankly, she didn’t need to because her bare bod was doing all the talkin’.
Jennifer Connelly looks off camera in Once Upon a Time in AmericaImage via Warner Bros.
Robert De Niro and gangster epics go hand-in-hand. Do we love when he branches out and flexes his comedic and sci-fi chops? Sure. But at the heart of his career are multiple mafioso-centered movies that have solidified a place in history. His tough guy persona shined through in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II, which many cinema buffs would consider to be a rare case of a sequel that’s better than the original. Along with exploring the criminal underbelly through future productions, including Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables, the actor also has a penchant for digging into all things New York City.
A native to the city that never sleeps, De Niro’s early years undoubtedly informed the thespian he would eventually blossom into. Not only does the heart and soul of the Big Apple run through his veins, but his family’s Italian background has given him plenty of insight into how he would go on to portray Italian Americans in the many gritty and heavy drama roles he has taken on over the decades. From Taxi Driver to Mean Streets, A Bronx Tale and The Irishman, De Niro amplifies the bustling vibes and the cultural melting pot of the place that he calls home whenever he’s been given the opportunity.
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Soon, audiences will be able to see one of the performer’s more under-the-radar New York-centered titles when Once Upon a Time in America lands on free streamer Tubi on March 1. Not only is the gangster epic a classic in De Niro’s strong docket of projects, but it also marks a crossover between the award-winning actor and celebrated Sergio Leone, who is best known for the foundational building blocks he laid for the classic spaghetti Western genre. Set in 1918 when different groups of Americans were fighting for their slice of the pie in New York City, the movie follows the lives of a group of friends who assemble a Jewish gang in hopes of boosting themselves to the top of the organized crime business. The heartbreaking film focuses on the ups and downs of friendship, love, grief, and heartbreak when those you care for the most stab you in the back.
Who Else Stars in ‘Once Upon a Time in America’?
Starring opposite De Niro in what would become Leone’s final feature before his death is a lineup that includes James Woods (Casino), Joe Pesci (Home Alone), Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey), Burt Young (Rocky) and Jennifer Connelly (Requiem for a Dream).
Once Upon a Time in America gets a second chance at success on Tubi on March 1.
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Release Date
June 1, 1984
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Runtime
229 Minutes
Writers
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Harry Grey, Leonardo Benvenuti, Piero De Bernardi, Enrico Medioli, Franco Arcalli, Franco Ferrini, Stuart Kaminsky, Sergio Leone
Eric Dane and Alyssa Milano had a brief romance that turned into a decades-long friendship.
Dane and Milano dated in the early 2000s before he landed a role on Charmed, which starred Milano, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan. After splitting up, Dane went on to marry wife Rebecca Gayheart in October 2004. Milano, for her part, wed husband David Bugliari in August 2009.
Following their split, Dane and Milano remained cordial over the years. In April 2025, Dane revealed he was diagnosed with ALS. The Grey’s Anatomy alum died the following year at age 53.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” a statement from the Dane family read. “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always.”
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After news broke of Dane’s death in February 2026, Milano paid tribute to her late friend.
“I can’t stop seeing that spark in Eric’s eye right before he’d say something that would either make you spit out your drink or rethink your entire perspective,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “He had a razor-sharp sense of humor. He loved the absurdity of things. He loved catching people off guard.”
Keep scrolling for a look inside Dane and Milano’s friendship over the years:
2000s
Alyssa Milano and Eric Dane dated in the early 2000s. The pair enjoyed a night out at the 2003 premiere for the movie Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.
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2003-2004
Eric Dane joined the cast of Charmed in season 5. Dane played Jason Dean, who was a love interest for Milano’s character Phoebe Halliwell. Dane was on the WB series for two seasons.
2024
During a July 2024 episode of Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, Eric Dane opened up about his past romance with Alyssa Milano.
“I had a massive crush on Alyssa when I was 14. By the time I was 28, and we were dating, I wasn’t a child anymore and she was a person. A lovely wonderful person,” he recalled. “We dated for a little bit and she was obviously doing the show Charmed. She asked me if I wanted to be on it. I think I ended up doing like 10 episodes.”
Dane joked that his role was limited because they “broke up” in real life.
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2026
After news broke of Eric Dane’s death, Alyssa Milano sent her condolences to his family in a touching tribute.
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“When it came to his daughters and Rebecca, everything in him softened. He carried them with him even in rooms where they weren’t present,” she wrote via Instagram. “You could see it in the way his voice changed when he said their names. A breathtakingly beautiful family.”
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Milano also looked back fondly on her memories with Dane.
“The spark. The mischief. The tenderness he kept guarded but never totally hidden,” she continued. “He convinced me to get my pixie cut and my nose piercing. He also was with me on the walk when we found Lucy, my beloved rescue chihuahua. He called me “Milano,” as if it was the only part of my name that mattered. My heart is with the people who were lucky enough to be his home.”
Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 and includes discussion of sexual assault.
The Pitt has baked certain principles into its modus operandi from the start: depicting realistic operations, highlighting rare conditions and overlooked organizations, and confronting for-profit healthcare’s systemic failures. If the series didn’t keenly understand that characters must carry a story’s themes, not the other way around, then its efforts would likely fall short of its daunting agenda.
This week, Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) and a new patient, Ilana Miller (Tina Ivlev), are the vehicles through which Season 2’s seventh episode broaches sexual assault. The series has delicately touched upon human trafficking and suspected child abuse before, but Ilana’s case exemplifies The Pitt‘s “form follows function” style at its most profoundly, searingly humane — detailing a medical procedure, assisting an overlooked patient, and confronting pervasive cultural harm with the sensitivity, integrity, and urgency it requires.
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‘The Pitt’ Season 2 Avoids Stereotypes With the Series’ First Sexual Assault Patient
Before filming The Pitt Season 2, LaNasa studied at both the Rape Treatment Center and the Stuart House. She told US Weekly, “It’s the place that I would want to go or bring my loved one if something like that were to happen to them. […] I’m asking every way to do something so that it looks accurate. But the response makes me realize how much thought and care go into every single aspect of the exam, of the interview, of all of it. They even gave me feedback on the dialogue.”
LaNasa’s preparation suggests she grasped the ferocious moral responsibility at hand, as does episode director Uta Briesewitz and co-writers Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman and R. Scott Gemmill‘s painstakingly precise construction. Dana’s tenderness, while professional, isn’t condescending or performative. She takes her time explaining every step of the extensive program for Ilana’s sake; she considers her patient’s well-being and strives to alleviate as much fear and intimidation as humanly possible, not protract Ilana’s dehumanizing torment.
Where many less adept series have diminished the aftermath of a rape into a plot device with a swift resolution, Episode 7’s exacting care legitimizes Ilana’s visceral trauma. And in a disarmingly effective choice, Pierre-Geyfman and Gemmill switch to another scene before Ilana describes the circumstances in any detail beyond the location. Most of the intimate forensic gathering also occurs offscreen, while the narrative context and camera blocking ensure Ilana’s brief nudity reads as non-sexualized as the series’ standard approach to graphic anatomy. The Pitt regards a fictional survivor’s humanity with the highest esteem. Choosing respectful restraint over graphic exploitation means both the societal indictment and the interpersonal empathy the series strives to convey leave a far more eviscerating impact.
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Dana Guides ‘The Pitt’s Realistic and Compassionate Approach to Sexual Violence
The one chilling detail that does emerge wordlessly confronts the patriarchal structures that continually enable and perpetuate rape culture. Ilana once considered her drunken attacker a friend; both of them attended the Fourth of July barbecue alongside their wider social circle. Male acquaintances and family members constitute the majority of documented real-world perpetrators. Almost as many individuals and institutions choose to protect violent abusers, citing alcohol impairment as some blameless excuse for actively chosen cruelty. Viewed from a macro lens, the survivors don’t matter.
The two also explain Whitaker’s newfound confidence and what Santos’ polarizing personality is really rooted in.
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But they matter to Dana. Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi) and Emma Nolan (Laëtitia Hollard) help form a crucial support network, but it’s the tough-as-nails charge nurse with astounding compassion who operates as Ilana’s focal point. There’s never a moment where her experience as a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner becomes a disaffected routine. She reassures Ilana of her safety and her power over the situation, requests her consent at every turn, and provides every possible resource. One woman reaches across an invisible emotional gulf to comfort another, palpably anguished woman.
Unsurprisingly, Dana’s tireless advocacy and protective instincts keep guiding Emma by example. Last week, Emma asked Dana why she remains in this profession despite the cost to her spirit. Patients like Ilana answer the younger nurse’s question. To that end, the moment Dana grants her white-knuckled composure a private reprieve is a staggering example of LaNasa’s understated brilliance. Make no mistake, though, because Episode 7 couldn’t prevail without Ivlev’s remarkable work. Her tremulous, defensive physicality actualizes Ilana as an achingly vulnerable human who happens to represent a diverse community. The Pitt Season 2 has eight episodes left, yet this week immediately cements itself as something haunting and unspeakably necessary.
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