The season 8 cast of Love Island USA is reuniting to address all the drama that took place this summer.

Peacock confirmed that the special will premiere on Monday, August 31, after Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff won in the finale. The reunion will be hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen while reuniting “this season’s winners, fan-favorite couples, and this year’s bombshells for an up close and personal look back at their experience in the Villa,” according to a press release.

The Love Island USA spinoff Love Island: Beyond the Villa has also been renewed for a third season, which is set to premiere in 2027. The cast will be confirmed later this year as the Islanders leave Fiji and return to the U.S.

Love Island USA originally premiered in the U.K. in 2002 before it expanded worldwide with various spinoffs, including Love Island USA on Peacock. The series follows a different group of singles every season who have to pair off in order to stay in the show’s luxury villa.

Related: ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 Couples: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?

Love Island USA is all about coupling up — so which Islanders are currently together and which have already called it quits in the villa? Peacock’s popular dating show returned in June 2026 with contestants Aniya Harvey, Beatriz Hatz, Bryce Alakai Dettloff, KC Chandler, Mackenzie “Kenzie” Annis, Melanie Moreno, Sincere Rhea, Sean Reifel, Trinity Tatum […]

The contestants — referred to as Islanders — live in isolation in a villa and are under constant video surveillance. They must be coupled up to remain on the show and stand a chance at receiving the $100,000 prize.

Season 8 has had its fair share of drama — both while filming in Fiji and off screen. Earlier this season, Vasana Montgomery was cut from the show after resurfaced social media posts showed her using a slur.

Casa Amor bombshell Alannah Keyser also got pulled from the season after facing backlash for a resurfaced video that allegedly showed her using a racial slur.

Similar issues arose during season 7, with Yulissa Escobar leaving days into the experience last year after clips of her using racial slurs on a podcast circulated online.

Season 7’s Cierra Ortega also faced backlash for using a slur in her own resurfaced social media post. She was pulled from the villa and later issued an apology for her past behavior.

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There was also drama between the couples with Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea still considering their future days before the finale.

Aniya Harvey and Carl Lee Schmidt remained together while Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou wanted to keep exploring their chemistry.

Love Island USA is currently streaming on Peacock. The reunion will premiere August 31 at 9 p.m. ET.

Bonnie Blue isn’t letting pregnancy get in the way of her professional life.

During a ten-hour stunt staged on July 4 inside London’s Portland Place, the adult content creator, 27, said in a post-event press release shared with Us Weekly that her male participants were respectful while engaging in sex acts with her.

“Some boys were lucky and only queued for an hour while others had a six-plus-hour wait for my holes, I didn’t receive any complaints and the boys were all super gentle with my bump,” Blue detailed. “I took 154 loads and no, my waters didn’t break, but my back nearly did.”

The press release also confirmed that Blue, who revealed her pregnancy in February after having unprotected sex with about 400 men at the same London venue earlier that month, will “continue creating content while expecting her first child.”

While the identity of the baby-to-be’s father remains unknown, three men who took part in events with Blue around the time period exclusively told Us that they’re each wondering if they’re the ones facing parenthood. (Blue, real name Tia Billinger, told Us in May that her baby is due in November.)

Jak White, one of the three participants, told Us in February, “Like, ‘God, she’s actually got pregnant from it. Is it mine? Could it be mine? I don’t know.’ It’s kind of the question in my head now, like, ‘Oh gosh, I don’t know.’”

Fellow content creator Tommy Lee shared White’s thoughts while speaking to Us last month. “I don’t think anything really sinks in until proven. But it’s still a big worry in the back of your mind, thinking about what do you do if it is,’” he said.

Another creator, Owain Laing, also questioned the scenario, telling Us that he’s waiting until the child is born to determine if there is a physical resemblance.

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During Blue’s interview with Us in May, she revealed that she is planning on auctioning off the baby’s name in the lead-up to its arrival. “I think that would be quite fun,” Blue said at the time. “I think I want to get my fans involved in a gender reveal. They’re going to be involved along the way.”

She also addressed speculation over the validity of her pregnancy after she was accused by social media users of wearing a silicone bump in April. “I would just say women’s bodies come in all different shapes and sizes, and it’s as simple as that,” Blue saod. “It’s not my job to convince them I am actually pregnant. The more doubts, the more comments, the more views, and it will stay that way. So enjoy watching me carrying a doll around this year, because I am pregnant.”

To learn more about the serious potential risks and harms of “competitive sex” and other explicit OnlyFans content — read what doctors, mental health professionals and other experts told Us Weekly here.

Nicolas Cage is never far away from a streaming hit. Recently, the Oscar-winner reprised his role of Ben Reilly — alongside the likes of Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Abraham Popoola, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson — in Prime Video’s perfect superhero replacement following the end of The Boys. Spider-Noir, a live-action series serving as a spin-off to the animated Spider-Verse films (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), is a huge streaming hit, and Cage’s central performance is key to its success.

A pulse-racing adventure that blends visual style and mystery, Spider-Noir is the latest in a long line of movies to show off Cage’s enigmatic leading ability. Another example of this is Cage’s answer to the Indiana Jones franchise, the 2004 action-adventure National Treasure. As historian and code-breaker Benjamin Gates, Cage attempts to hunt down a prize hidden in America by the Founding Fathers. However, crime boss Ian Howe (Sean Bean) is on his tail after double-crossing Gates, leading to a furiously fast race for triumph.

Although National Treasure was a flop with critics, the movie earned much more praise from audiences, which helped it find box office success during a six-month run. Against a reported budget of $100 million, the film returned an impressive $331 million worldwide, split between a domestic haul of $173 million and a further $158 million from overseas markets. Over two decades later, National Treasure has returned to the streaming charts, ranking as one of the most-watched movies on Hulu in the U.S., at the time of writing.

Could Another ‘National Treasure’ Movie Be on the Way?

A 2007 sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, followed the successful original, and rumors of a third installment have followed ever since. Cage himself might have cast doubts over the franchise’s future when he said “there is no National Treasure 3″ in 2024, but hope has arisen once more, with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealing that the threequel is “coming along quite well,” with the screenplay already underway, while attending the Producers’ Guild Awards earlier this year. An attempt to revive the franchise was made by Disney+ with the series National Treasure: Edge of History, but it was sadly canceled after its first season due to a negative response.

National Treasure is streaming on Hulu. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

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Release Date

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November 19, 2004

Runtime

131 minutes

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Director

Jon Turteltaub

Writers

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Cormac Wibberley, Jim Kouf, Marianne Wibberley, Charles Segars, Oren Aviv

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  Diane Kruger

  Abigail Chase

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HBO is a network that is synonymous with high-quality television that transcends the barriers of the medium to become truly cinematic. That being said, not every HBO series ends up being a phenomenon in the vein of Game of Thrones or a cultural touchstone like The Sopranos. Just like every network or streaming service, HBO has shows that weren’t well-appreciated when they were first released or didn’t get the audience that they deserved.

It’s a better time than ever to check out older HBO shows given how readily accessible they are, and many have aged well because of how much stronger they look when compared to what is currently airing. It’s much harder to recommend an older show because of the significant time commitment that is required to watch one from start to finish, but these are undersung achievements that are deserving of that attention.

10

‘Perry Mason’ (2020–2023)

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Perry Mason is a show that was ahead of its time in anticipating the rise of Matthew Rhys, who has become one of the most popular stars on television. Although there have been various iterations of the titular character in various forms of media for several decades, HBO’s Perry Mason returns the franchise to its pulpy roots and fully immerses itself in the period setting to be an old-fashioned, swanky neo-noir.

Perry Mason is a richly stylized, exciting legal drama that managed to improve within its second season by taking a closer look at the social and cultural biases of early 20th-century American history. While at times the series is dark to the point of cruelty, it’s an exciting new spin on what an investigative thriller can look like because it doesn’t rely on the format of a procedural.

9

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

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Westworld might be the single most ambitious show in HBO’s history because it operated on a massive scale, involved a huge ensemble cast, was told in a non-linear way, and merged several genres at once. While both the original novel by Michael Crichton and the 1973 film had offered dire warnings about putting too much faith into technology, HBO’s Westworld feels more relevant than ever in showing the dangers of putting power into artificial intelligence, particularly when there are major corporations involved.

Westworld was never not interesting, which makes it all the more disappointing that showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy were not allowed to complete the five-season story arc that they had pitched when HBO initially picked up their adaptation. Nonetheless, it’s hard to imagine another show with such lofty goals ever being greenlit in today’s entertainment ecosystem.

8

‘Bored to Death’ (2009–2011)

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Bored to Death is another show that was guilty of coming out at the wrong time, as it might have succeeded in ratings had it debuted after its three stars became even more prominent. In the years following the premiere of Bored to Death, Ted Danson has only solidified himself further as one of television’s most dynamic stars, Zach Galifianakis has spiked in popularity as one of the most unusual living comics, and Jason Schwartzman has gained even more respect for his talents as both a dramatic and humorous actor.

Bored to Death offered a nostalgic look at classical detective stories while also highlighting narcissistic, selfish characters, and is well worth a watch for anyone that wanted an “HBO version” of Only Murders in the Building that is slightly raunchier and far more cynical. Its three existing seasons are all completely hilarious.

7

‘Silicon Valley’ (2014–2019)

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Silicon Valley is a far more authentic series about the growth of the tech industry than many of the more “serious” shows about the same subject because it understands how ridiculous those making decisions in this space are. Although there isn’t another showrunner out there who better understands the minutiae of workplace culture than Mike Judge, Silicon Valley combined his skepticism about big tech with a surprisingly optimistic storyline about independent entrepreneurs establishing a space for themselves.

Silicon Valley has aged quite well because it retained a consistent level of quality throughout its seasons and delivered a satisfying conclusion that did not overstay its welcome. It marks one of the last instances in which HBO dared to make a comedy series about a relatively niche subject, as the service has aimed itself at broader audiences in the decade since.

6

‘Flight of the Conchords’ (2007–2009)

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Flight of the Conchords is a comedy perfectly suited for those with a very specific sense of humor, as it’s completely meta and proudly idiosyncratic. While not technically a mockumentary, Flight of the Conchords is based on the real band of the same name and stars its two members, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, as fictionalized versions of themselves during their first trip to New York City.

Flight of the Conchords is an authentic depiction of the challenges faced by emerging artists who never run the risk of “making it big” and offers a heartwarming story of friendship that doesn’t become too cloyingly sentimental. Although it is often the case that these types of highly specific cult comedy shows are cancelled too soon, Clement and McKenzie chose to end Flight of the Conchords on their own terms, making it a fully satisfying show.

5

‘The Newsroom’ (2012–2014)

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The Newsroom is a show that has caught a lot of backlash in recent years due to the changing perspectives on Aaron Sorkin, a showrunner whose optimistic idealism about American government has felt far less aspirational in the Trump era. While The Newsroom does make some mistakes in how it chooses to assert itself into real events, it’s also a well-acted show that boasts a lot of insights about contemporary journalism and is clearly well-researched.

The flaws in The Newsroom are partially why it is so interesting, as the show is nothing if not a good way of inviting important conversations. Even though Sorkin has become a bit of a punching bag who has been made fun of for being out of touch, it’s a shame that he doesn’t have another show that incites as much discussion and introspection as The Newsroom did.

4

‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)

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Boardwalk Empire was a successful show that won Emmys, performed well in ratings, and included a stacked cast of guest stars, yet it still feels somewhat underrated as an entry in HBO’s canon of classic crime dramas. The fact that it is a period piece set in the Prohibition era and contains many real historical figures should not suggest that it is in any way a stuffy history lesson; it’s five seasons of propulsive, violent, and darkly funny mafia drama, which makes sense considering that it was produced by Martin Scorsese.

Boardwalk Empire features one of the all-time great television anti-heroes in Steve Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson, an Atlantic City treasurer who is connected to the mob. Although there have been various films and shows that have depicted some version of the notorious gangster Al Capone, Boardwalk Empire offers the best version thanks to the terrific performance by Stephen Graham.

3

‘Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’ (2022–2023)

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Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is among the most disappointing cancellations in HBO’s history because the historical basketball series was cut off right at the moment when it was about to launch into a fascinating period in the development of the NBA. While its hasty resolution was a desperate means by the showrunners, given that they were not expecting to be canceled after receiving strong reviews, Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is still worth watching because it offered a more immersive and emotional depiction of sports media than nearly any other show.

Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty has fascinating insights on power, race, and media that make it a thoughtful work of historical adaptation, ensuring that it has value for members of the audience who don’t already have an outstanding interest in the trajectory of the NBA.

2

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

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Sharp Objects is based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, the bestselling author who would go on to write Gone Girl (as well as the screenplay adaptation for David Fincher’s film). Sharp Objects was never going to be as successful as Gone Girl because it is darker, more cynical, and less entertaining in its commentary on media, and the adaptation is just as ruthless as the source material required.

Sharp Objects features a performance by Amy Adams that ranks among the best that she has ever given, proving that she can add even more to a character when given the chance to develop over the course of eight episodes. The series ends on such a shocking, emotional twist that it is worth rewatching just to track how the jaw-dropping revelation is subtly hinted at along the way.

1

‘Scenes From a Marriage’ (2021)

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Scenes From a Marriage is a show that shouldn’t have worked because it is based on an Ingmar Bergman classic that is already well-regarded as a masterpiece. English-language reboots of international films often end up failing, but Scenes From a Marriage was an effective modern interpretation because it looked at the changing perspective on divorce and dedicated equal time and sympathy to the two lead characters.

Scenes From a Marriage would not have worked nearly as well if the two leads hadn’t already had an established repertoire with one another, but Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain were already familiar with each other after working together on the underrated A24 crime drama A Most Violent Year. While it is by no means an easy show to watch, Scenes From a Marriage is refreshingly honest in its depiction of the different ways people choose to express love.

NCIS put the spotlight on Agents Parker (Gary Cole) and McGee (Sean Murray) back in Season 22 as they tackled their own individual storylines that led to major outcomes for the series. Even though these two took up the bulk of the runtime and, subsequently, our attention, they weren’t necessarily responsible for the most memorable moments on the show. In this case, that distinction actually belongs to Agents Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Knight (Katrina Law). At this point, these two have bounced off each other’s energy for a couple of seasons, creating a heartwarming friendship that is always a pleasure to watch. But it was in Season 22 that the duo proved that they’re the best pairing on the flagship show, not only because of their endless capacity for wry comedic relief, but also due to how solid their bond has become. Although that relationship might evolve into something more romantic, at its core, this duo has always been the best even when they were purely platonic.

Torres and Knight Have Always Had the Strongest Chemistry in ‘NCIS’

Torres and Knight have always effortlessly had banter, and that is what sets them apart. The characters’ dynamic is aided by the on-screen chemistry between Valderrama and Law, which translates perfectly to the relationship Torres and Knight share. But what’s most compelling about their humor in regular episodes of NCIS is how casually they are littered into the script because these two never miss a chance to verbally elbow one another in the ribs, often accompanied by a withering stare as a response. This makes their jokes unexpected and that much more enjoyable.

Of course, the writing plays into their interactions, as their dry quips are always clever enough to be interesting but never facetious and always relatable. This makes them more than just comic relief, especially during Season 22, where their personal arcs weren’t as consequential as those of Parker and McGee. That’s not to say they didn’t successfully fulfill the role of comedic relief, as they became that levity that we need as a reprieve from Parker’s visions and McGee’s obsession. However, watching their relationship slowly grow showcases a different side to the show.

Torres Dates Knight’s Sister in ‘NCIS’ Season 22

In NCIS Season 22, one of the standout storylines for Torres and Knight is when Torres starts dating Knight’s sister, Robin (Lilan Bowden). The mystery of who Torres is dating unravels over NCIS‘s month-long break, as it is revealed that Torres is dating someone new during the Christmas episode “Humbug,” and then we see him texting an unknown person. But we don’t find out until the next episode, “Baker’s Man,” that it is Robin. This plot point becomes a source of awkwardness between Torres and Knight, which lends itself to its own kind of comedy, especially as the secret is passed through a chain of intermediaries, including Jimmy (Brian Dietzen) and Kasie (Diona Reasonover), as the two avoid each other.

The two already had their relationships under a microscope even before Torres began a relationship with Robin. We saw Knight navigating her break-up with Jimmy, while Torres decided he wanted to make good use of his new gym regimen by hopping on dating apps. The fact that Torres starts dating Knight’s sister a couple of episodes after she helped him build a dating profile has its own flavor of ironic humor, but it also makes the conversation they finally have at the end of “Baker’s Man” feel more significant.

Despite claiming it was “no big deal,” Torres was actually uneasy about impacting the team’s dynamics with his new relationship. Meanwhile, Knight was more worried about her sister’s erratic behavior and the impact that it would have on Torres. Granted, she was also concerned that Torres would just be another face in the string of “bad boys” Robin dated, but the fact that she reacts to this news by giving equal thought to both her sister and her friend demonstrates how close she is to Torres. What could have been a moment that caused unnecessary drama in a different show ends up being one of the sweetest moments of the season, bringing forth the underlying mutual respect they have for each other. The growth we see between these two in Season 22 laid the groundwork for their relationship to grow organically in Season 3, even as it teased that the relationship could venture beyond just friendship.

‘NCIS’ Season 22 Sees Torres and Knight Get Married

Image via CBS

The second scene that proves Torres and Knight are the best duo in NCIS also involves their love lives, but in an unexpected way. Funnily enough, the episode right after the one where Knight learns of Torres’ relationship involves the pair having a fake wedding during an undercover operation. Even though they had a wedding ceremony with a painful-looking kiss to seal the deal — and in Parker’s beautiful house no less — the actual marriage license was fake… right? In the penultimate episode of that season, we find out that they were actually issued a license, making it a legally binding wedding — Torres and Knight were officially married.

Naturally, their immediate instinct was to recoil in disgust and quickly sort out an annulment, but they changed their tune once they discovered the bounty of perks NCIS offers to married couples. It takes a certain kind of friendship to be able to happily stay married out of convenience, even for a day, while dating your “wife’s” sister. It emphasizes how comfortable they are with each other in their personal lives, as well as out on the field. Their subsequent no-brainer to annul the marriage when they eventually find out a married couple cannot remain on the same team is also heartwarming, especially since Knight just came back from REACT at the start of the season.

Considering that Season 23 teased the potential of a romantic relationship between these two, with showrunner Steven D. Binder suggesting in an interview with TVLine that that potential might become a reality, it’s important to look back on the key moments that prove just how strong Torres and Knight are, even when romance wasn’t a key factor. And after that surprising twist for Torres in the Season 23 finale, it is guaranteed that there will be more moments to come from NCIS‘ best partnership.

All episodes of NCIS are available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.

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Release Date

September 23, 2003

Showrunner

Donald P. Bellisario

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Directors

Dennis Smith, Terrence O’Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. Wright, Michael Zinberg, Arvin Brown, Rocky Carroll, Diana Valentine, Leslie Libman, Tawnia McKiernan, Colin Bucksey, William Webb, Bethany Rooney, Alrick Riley, Jeff Woolnough, Alan J. Levi, Lionel Coleman, Martha Mitchell, Peter Ellis, Michael Weatherly, Edward Ornelas, Stephen Cragg, Tom Wright

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Writers

George Schenck, Frank Cardea, Jesse Stern, John C. Kelley, Jennifer Corbett, Christopher Silber, Reed Steiner, Nicole Mirante-Matthews, Jack Bernstein, Scott J. Jarrett, Matthew R. Jarrett, Kimberly-Rose Wolter, Don McGill, Gil Grant, Frank Military, Nell Scovell, Steven Kriozere, Brian Dietzen, Kate Torgovnick May, Jeff Vlaming, Sydney Mitchel, Katie White, Richard C. Arthur, Laurence Walsh

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  Sean Murray

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  Timothy McGee

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  david mccallum

  Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard

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Influencer Katelynn Ordone and her husband, Jaelan Ordone, have officially separated after the death of their son.

Katelynn confirmed to People on Sunday, July 12, that she and Jaelan are divorced. One day earlier, Katelynn shared photos featuring an unidentified man via her Instagram while reflecting on her return to social media after her son’s untimely death.

“As many of you already know … I’ve had a hard time coming back to social media since losing Preston. I’ve struggled to even pick up my phone to capture new memories, knowing he won’t be in any more of them,” Ordone wrote via Instagram on Saturday, July 11. “It has been 443 days since my baby boy has been in heaven. There have been so many ups and downs, and while I’m still not ready to share everything with the world again just yet, I’ve finally started picking up my phone again and capturing new memories more often.”

She continued, “Even though it’s still hard, I’m grateful I’ve reached this point because I know that’s what Preston would want. I truly believe he wants his mama to continue finding joy until we meet again someday.”

Related: Influencer Katelynn Ordone Is Ready to Tell Her ‘Truth’ After Son’s Death

Influencer Katelynn Ordone has returned to social media following her self-imposed online hiatus to grieve the death of her 2-year-old son, Preston. “I decided to take a break from social media about a month ago because I was really struggling mentally,” Ordone, 26, said in a Tuesday, January 13, Instagram video. “I needed to check […]

Katelynn shared that she has a “new memory” she’d like to share with her followers, while posting photos of her smiling on a beach with a man.

“I hope to keep sharing more as I’m ready,” she wrote. “Thank y’all so much for all the love, support, and grace you’ve shown me through all of this.”

News broke in April 2025 that Preston died in a single-vehicle car crash. He was 2. Both Katelynn and Jaelan were in the car at the time of the accident and sustained injuries, while daughter Paisley was at school during the incident.

“Katelynn has multiple broken bones. She had a very bad concussion. She walked for the first time today,” family friends of the pair said in a video at the time. “Jaelan had to have emergency surgery on one of his legs, he has rods in them, pins in them. They’re both at different hospitals.”

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Related: Why Influencer Katelynn Ordone Is Taking Online Break After Son’s Death

Katelynn Ordone is pressing pause on social media months after the death of her 2-year-old son, Preston. “Most of y’all know, I’ve obviously been really struggling mentally since losing my son Preston [in] April of this year,” Ordone shared via Instagram on Friday, December 26. “I wanted to come on here just to let everybody […]

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The St. Tammany Parish coroner’s office shared one month later that Preston died from “blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle crash,” with his death categorized as accidental. Katelynn, for her part, has shared that she has no memory of the accident.

“I don’t have any memory of the accident. I don’t have any memory of 2-3 days after the accident,” she said via TikTok in July 2025. I don’t have much memory of being in the hospital until towards the end. I suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost a lot of my memory.”

One month earlier, Katelynn paid tribute to Jaelan on Father’s Day. “Happy Father’s Day to the best daddy out there,” she wrote via Instagram in June 2025. “No holiday will ever feel the same without our Preston, but all he ever knew was love from his daddy. We may not understand now but we will see him again one day🤍.”

Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 4.

House of the Dragon has been absolutely on fire with Season 3, and not just because it’s dominating HBO Max’s streaming charts. The Game of Thrones prequel has thus far proven the skeptics wrong after a long wait between seasons. The reason can be traced back to the three truly sensational episodes that the hit fantasy series opened with in its return.

“Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood” kicked things off with the epic Battle of the Gullet, which resulted in heavy casualties among both the heroes and villains of Westeros. Things took an even more consequential turn in “Queen’s Landing” as Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) finally claimed the Iron Throne after two seasons of vying for it. The series embraced a more experimental approach with “Rhaenyra Triumphant,” which offered a bold and complex perspective on inheriting a kingdom already in shambles. Now, Episode 4 has the unenviable task of succeeding three dynamite installments, so is it able to keep the momentum going?

Ormund Hightower Is the Game of Thrones Universe’s Next Big Villain

After a brief introduction in the initial episodes, the next chapter of House of the Dragon spends a good deal of time familiarizing audiences with Ormund Hightower (James Norton), who just recently tricked Rhaenyra and Daemon (Matt Smith) by giving them a lowborn boy disguised as Alicent’s (Olivia Cooke) youngest son, Daeron. Anticipating that Rhaenyra will eventually learn the truth, Ormund’s forces have completely taken over a town southwest of King’s Landing, called Tumbleton, and the locals are none too happy. Ormund, being a conniving manipulator and braggart, couldn’t care less about any unrest, as he has other things to worry about, such as keeping watch over the real Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth).

Following his siege on Harrenhal, where he killed Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) before sustaining wounds himself, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his dragon Vhagar are missing in action — and Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) only passes on the information that Rhaenyra has taken King’s Landing, much to Ser Criston Cole’s (Fabien Frankel) chagrin. Ormund, who reacts to a raven delivering the news from Gwayne (Freddie Fox) about as well as you’d expect, knows that their forces would be completely overrun without the might of Vhagar at their side; Daeron’s much smaller dragon, Tessarion, won’t be able to do much against much larger and older dragons like Syrax and Caraxes.

Back in King’s Landing, Rhaenyra is still struggling in her new position as queen, especially knowing that there are not two, but three claimants to the Iron Throne unaccounted for. After suggesting that Ser Manderly (Dan Fogler) be named the new Master of Coin (setting him up to take the fall for the treasury being effectively empty), Rhaenyra seeks Alicent’s counsel to find out everything she can about Ormund. With little knowledge of who her cousin is today, Alicent isn’t much help, though she does mention that Ormund has a strange aversion to strong odors, which could prove useful when the time is right. What she hasn’t yet divulged to Rhaenyra, though, is the fact that Helaena (Phia Saban) is concealing a pregnancy.

Daemon Discovers the Truth About Sheepstealer in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Episode 4

After evading their captors, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) are taking something of a trip down memory lane, returning to the battle site at Rook’s Rest. It’s there that Aegon finds the corpse of his beloved dragon Sunfyre, now being used as a tourist attraction by a band of local rogues. While mourning Sunfyre, Aegon insists that his dragon is still alive before pocketing one of his scales. Rook’s Rest, meanwhile, has been overrun by all manner of scavengers, the leader of whom is particularly cruel and stubborn. It’s not an ideal setting for the would-be king, but with options running thin, this is where they decide to make their base for now.

Elsewhere, Daemon makes his way to the Vale to collect on the promise of 10,000 men that Lady Jeyne Arryn (Amanda Collin) made to Rhaenyra in exchange for the protection of a dragon. Unfortunately, not only does Daemon fail to achieve that goal, but his dragon, Caraxes, also senses something far more surprising: his daughter, Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), and her rogue dragon, Sheepstealer, hiding in a nearby cave. Daemon is shocked to learn that Rhaena is the rider responsible for Jace’s (Harry Collett) death and knows this will incense Rhaenyra, so he devises a plan to keep Rhaena’s identity a secret.

Daemon returns to King’s Landing with the charred head of a shepherd he killed, whom he claims was the rider of the rogue dragon at the Battle of the Gullet. Rhaenyra is understandably confused about who this person is and how they managed to tame a wild dragon in the first place, but right now, the queen has bigger fish to fry. Not only has Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) departed after Rhaenyra refused his request to legitimize his heirs, but Ulf (Tom Bennett) informs the queen that dissenters have reignited rumors that her first three children are illegitimate. In response, Rhaenyra orders the Goldcloaks to round up anyone suspected of spreading these “lies.”

Ormund’s Plan Is Revealed in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Episode 4

Image via HBO

Ormund has still been very much a mystery since his debut in House of the Dragon, but his ultimate plan is revealed in the episode’s closing moments. While Aemond and Aegon squabble for control, Ormund wants Daeron to become king, since the boy is fully under his influence. Ormund gives Daeron a final test by forcing him to execute the civilian he had previously appeared to pardon, signifying a major shift in Westeros’s ongoing power struggle.

Overall, Episode 4 is much, much slower compared to the first three, and doesn’t move the needle greatly. Ormund is a somewhat interesting new antagonist to follow, but he hasn’t fully come into his own yet, unlike Aemond or Criston. Still, even the best seasons have a few filler episodes, and it seems the battle for the best fantasy world on TV is only just beginning.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 4 is streaming now on HBO Max.

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Release Date

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August 21, 2022

Network

HBO

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Showrunner

George R.R. Martin

Directors

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Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel

Writers

Gabe Fonseca

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  Fabien Frankel

  Ser Criston Cole

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Pros & Cons

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• Rhaenyra takes another step into Mad Queen territory.
• Daemon gets to be crafty again.
• Aegon’s return to Rook’s Rest is an emotional highlight.

• Ormund hasn’t come into his own yet as a villain.
• Episode 4 lacks the momentum of the first three.
• Aemond is still missing.

Sam Reid‘s global tour as a rock god is nearing its end. Tonight, AMC and AMC+ released the penultimate episode of The Vampire Lestat, and it was a heavy one. The third, renamed season of Interview with the Vampire has thus far followed Lestat as his band rose to superstardom, and thus gave him unparalleled influence over humans and vampires alike in the wake of the Great Conversion. Last week, however, saw him reunite with his love, Louis (Jacob Anderson), and stir up some emotions, thanks to an imposter pretending to be Claudia (Delainey Hayles). With Episode 6, titled “Montreal,” the duo was forced to confront some painful truths, and for the occasion, everyone’s favorite undead rocker had a new soul-bearing ballad prepared.

Collider can exclusively share a new behind-the-scenes video that breaks down the complexities of Lestat’s latest single, “Brutal Love.” Compared to his more swaggering, David Bowie-inspired tracks like “Long Face” or his upbeat cover of Billy Idol‘s “Dancing With Myself,” the new song slows things down to let Reid’s voice shine with some hauntingly beautiful vocals. It’s one of many original pieces with music and lyrics by the show’s acclaimed composer, Daniel Hart, but the most important aspect that gives it metaphorical fangs is where it’s placed in Episode 6. Lestat performs it with the lights down low, violins in the background, and with both Louis and Gabriella (Jennifer Ehle) in the audience watching on.

In the breakdown, Reid remembered being blown away by “Brutal Love” from the moment he first heard it, but also recalled how much meaning it gained with two important people from Lestat’s life listening along. The beauty of it, he believes, comes from lyrics that leave it initially unclear whether the immortal rock deity is singing it to his mother or the man with whom he’s forged such a stormy, yet inherently unbreakable bond. Ehle found it especially delicious playing things out firsthand, depicting the initial contentment of Gabriella until she slowly realizes she isn’t the most important person in the room. Lestat made this an anthem to his and Louis’ turbulent love, one that not only encapsulates everything they’ve been through in the series but also where they are now.

‘The Vampire Lestat’s Music Remains Key to Its Future

After two acclaimed seasons centered on Louis, The Vampire Lestat, under showrunner Rolin Jones, has once again wowed critics by adapting Anne Rice‘s sequel novel and telling Lestat’s side of the story, in all its glitz and glam. Tracks like “Brutal Love” have been an integral part of that success, helping to forge a new persona that still echoes the immortal vampire’s past and passion for music. In addition to helping him express his feelings for Louis, it’s also been the key to connecting Lestat with the vampiric queen herself, Akasha. In an interview with Collider’s Carly Lane after Episode 5, Sheila Atim teased how that rock star phase could shape the future of Interview with the Vampire and expressed her hopes that music will continue to be an integral part of the series as it looks to the Season 3 finale and beyond.

“I can’t say much because there’s still a lot to be worked out and discovered there between us as a team. I probably think a bit of all of those things. They connect over music. Yes, she senses him and wants him to come and be the keeper, but the thing that really wakes her up is his music, his love of music, his passion for wanting to learn instruments. Then, here we are, all these hundreds of years later, and now he’s a rock star, and not only is he a rock star, but he’s singing about her.

That already is like the perfect tinderbox for something very, very exciting in terms of how she feels about that, [and] why she comes back into his life. It’s also painful, but I think it’s going to be fun. I hope the music continues in some way — not in the same way necessarily, but in some way, because it’s so at the heart of their connection, and it’s just a very potent, emotive… Everyone can connect to that. Through song, you can tell similar stories. So, I’m excited about that.”

The Vampire Lestat Episode 6 is now streaming on AMC+. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above and visit The Vampire Lestat’s official page on Spotify or other music platforms to listen to “Brutal Love” and other new tracks as they drop in the show.

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Release Date

2022 – 2024-00-00

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Network

AMC

Directors

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Levan Akin, Alan Taylor, Craig Zisk, Emma Freeman, Keith Powell

Writers

Jonathan Ceniceroz, Coline Abert, Eleanor Burgess, Ben Philippe

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  Jacob Anderson

  Louis de Pointe du Lac

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By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 27 seconds ago

For some unexplained reason, the success of Batman in 1989 kicked off a wave of retro superhero movies with The Rocketeer, The Shadow, Dick Tracy, and finally, The Phantom. Starring Billy Zane as The Ghost Who Walks, it was a complete flop that has since become a cult classic. In 2009, Syfy decided that the tiniest amount of critical reevaluation was enough to greenlight a backdoor pilot for an ongoing The Phantom series. Instead of embracing the classic 1930s design as the Zane film did, this new series updated The Phantom for the modern era by embracing, what else in 2009, parkour. 

A New EXTREME Phantom

General Hospital star Ryan Carnes put on the new EXTREME crimefighting suit as Kit Walker, the 22nd Phantom, recruited by Bpaa Thap in the island nation of Bangalla to slam evil. You might have noticed already why The Phantom didn’t catch on. Since it was a backdoor pilot disguised as a miniseries, it spends most of the runtime on world-building, including the Singh Brotherhood, which is The Phantom’s traditional villain, and their evil plan to brainwash people using cable TV set boxes. 

The villain’s master plan has aged worse than Dominic Toretto stealing TVs in the original The Fast and the Furious. And yet, even that has aged better than the EXTREME parkour and motorcycling stunts of Kit Walker’s Phantom. It was a good attempt to update the old skintight purple suit, but switching to a design with a short shelf life means that by the time the miniseries aired, it already looked ridiculous. 

No One Liked The Redesign

The Phantom revival series crashed and burned when it aired and was never picked up to be a full series. Despite the parkour and EXTREME style, the miniseries attempts to update the classic hero and at least tries to do something different. Sure, they left behind everything that fans loved about the 1996 film, and fans of the classic hero were incredibly disappointed by the “Marvel 2099” redesign, but they tried. And that counts, right? 

The backdoor pilot tells a complete story from start to finish and sets up future conflicts between The Phantom and The Singh Brotherhood that almost 20 years later, we’ll never get to see. To say that the reaction to The Phantom’s 2009 TV movie was disastrous would imply anyone watched it in the first place. By then, superhero fans had experienced Iron Man, and the era of cheap superhero television was over. 

Syfy Has Buried The Phantom 2009

Even today, fans of The Phantom will gush over the Billy Zane box office flop while warning newcomers to the Ghost Who Walks fandom that the Syfy series pilot can easily be missed. Marvel and DC are struggling to get their B-list stars noticed in theaters, never mind a pulp comic hero from the 1930s who never broke into mainstream pop culture. The purple bodysuit is a tough sell. 

The 2009 Syfy television movie/backdoor series pilot has been lost to the digital ether. It’s not streaming on any platform, but it did receive a DVD/Blu-Ray release that can be found dirt cheap from second-hand retailers. 

The far superior 1996 Billy Zane movie The Phantom is streaming free on Tubi.