Days of Our Lives suggests Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) may be arrested for what appears like her bullying Sophia Choi (Madelyn Kientz) into an apparent suicide. Now, of course, we know that Sophia laid out all the groundwork intentionally so that Holly would be blamed, but in a way, I think this is a karmic slap that Holly actually has coming.

And even though Sophia is clearly a villain in all this and didn’t commit suicide and Holly certainly didn’t drive her to her death, I also think Sophia is playing the role of karma in Holly’s storyline.

Holly Is Not as Perfect as She Pretends to Be

And let’s be clear, yes, yes, yes, Sophia set her up, but at the same time, Holly is not as perfect as she is pretending to be. And with Amy Choi furious at Holly, I do think she is going to push to press charges, which is understandable. As a mom, you would. But let’s talk about why Holly may actually deserve this.

Of course, Tate Black (Leo Howard) and Arianna Horton (Vico Escorcia) and Holly were all shocked to find out Sophia Choi supposedly killed herself. And that’s fresh off Holly and Ari both raging at Sophia in person and online. And yes, she has been a little obsessive since Tate fake dated her and broke her heart back in high school. But I think the unplanned pregnancy and her mom Amy being such a control freak is actually what really pushed Sophia off the deep end. Because before that, she was a good kid. You know, had a little bit of a wild streak, but not a bad kid.

Days of our Lives: Lies and Fakery

And I also don’t think Amy is really ever going to recognize her own role that she created in this mess. So, it felt to Sophia like everybody abandoned her, but really she drove them away. You know, Sophia lied about Trey’s birth, the fake Chicago adoption. She never told Tate she slept with Aaron Green. And no one is going to forget or forgive that Sophia drugged Holly with the psych meds and supplement swap.

But even so, that doesn’t necessarily mitigate the accusations that Amy is making that Holly drove Sophia to kill herself. And of course, Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) is the one who ended Sophia’s life, but not the one who drove her to the point where she was willing to blow up Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and set up her former bestie to go down for her suicide.

So, I got to give Sophia credit. She baited the Salem University girls to get those horrible comments going and Holly fell for it and Ariana did too and they joined in. And then Sophia claimed in her suicide note that her former best friend bullying her in person and online was part of why she was ending her life. And as awful as all this is, do you remember Holly’s own icky past? Her being arrested for a crime she didn’t do, I think would be karma. And I’m going to tell you exactly why.

Remember When Holly Let Tate Sit In Jail?

Remember when Tate Black first came to Salem? That was not long after Holly had also returned. And if you recall, Tate and Holly’s meet cute was at the park and she had some weed on her. She offered some to Tate and the relationship sparked basically when they sparked that doobie together.

But weed was not all that Holly was into. Far from it. Tate really wasn’t into drugs. The weed was kind of a one-off. And then they were out on that New Year’s Eve date and Holly decided to do some hardcore partying and pulled out a baggie of drugs that she’d gotten from a kid at school.

She tried getting Tate to take some pills with her, saying everybody does it. But he refused because both his parents, Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Theresa, are recovering addicts. So he wanted no part in Holly’s druggy stuff.

Days of our Lives: Tate Tries to Stop Holly

And Tate even tried to stop Holly from taking the pills, but she snuck off and she did it anyway. If you guys remember this, Tate later found Holly in the alley behind the Bistro and she was having a seizure and was overdosing. Tate tried to help her. He hid her drugs and then he called 911, but the cops found the pills on her, on Tate rather, and the overdose left Holly in a coma.

And then her mom Nicole and her stepdad EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) who was DA at the time pushed for charges against Tate and were saying all these nasty things about him being the child of drug addicts. So he was arrested and Tate wound up beaten in jail on Days of our Lives.

And two months later, Holly finally woke up from the coma. She had some gaps in her memory at first about the night she OD and she sort of defended Tate but didn’t confess. And then Holly remembered everything. You know, not too long after she woke up, she knew that they were her pills and she took them by choice. But she still lied and claimed that somebody must have slipped them to her.

Days of our Lives: More Lies from Holly

And this kept Tate in jail facing criminal charges because Nicole assumed that Tate slipped them to her. And Holly just kept lying. Tate wound up in a halfway house in a treatment center. And he was frustrated and angry because he wasn’t a druggie. And his expectation was once Holly woke up, she’d tell the truth. But she was too scared to tell Nicole that the drugs were hers and that Tate hadn’t taken any. He had no role in this. So Holly left Tate hanging in legal trouble and suspected of a crime basically so that she wouldn’t be grounded by her mom.

Now eventually Holly did tell the truth. And for some insane reason, I’m guessing because she’s hot, Tate forgave her. And it was Holly’s drugging and lying that had Brady, Theresa, Nicole, and EJ all banning Holly and Tate from dating. From there, that’s what led Holly and Tate to sneak around and use Sophia and Aaron as fake dates. You know, Holly knew that Sophia liked Tate, but Holly went ahead and lied to her best friend and let Sophia think that she had a chance with Tate.

Holly Created All of This

So, this whole thing that has happened had its whole genesis in Holly being a druggie, right? And Sophia thought Tate really wanted her as his date to prom. But that’s when Sophia found out Tate and Holly were using her and Aaron.

So Sophia tattled to Nicole who busted Holly with Tate at the Salem Inn and it was messy and that led to all kinds of things that then led to the pregnancy, led to the breakdown, led to all that we’re seeing now. So yeah, I think Holly did Sophia really dirty over the Tate fake dating thing. And in the end, I think all of this in its totality is why Holly deserves a slap from karma.

You know, she let Tate sit in jail when he did nothing wrong. And to be very clear, Holly knew Tate was in danger in there. He was assaulted because Holly was a dirty little drug user who wanted to pretend to be her mom’s good girl. So, if Amy Choi pushes forward and Holly’s arrested over Sophia’s suicide, I think that’s karma to some extent.

I think it’s probably okay for Holly to spend some time in jail just like what happened to Tate for a crime he didn’t commit. And again, we can see that Holly created all of this. If you take this whole storyline back to its beginning, it’s down to Holly and her pills and her lies. So, I don’t think she should wind up in Statesville prison for this. And I hope the truth comes out. But at least for a little while, I kind of think Holly deserves a taste of what she put Tate through. Let me know what you guys think in the comments.

Bethenny Frankel is once again stirring up strong reactions with her brutally honest opinions about dating, relationships, and modern women.

During a candid interview in Paris, the former “Real Housewives of New York City” star shared her unfiltered thoughts on romance, accused women of being too competitive over men, and even joked that she enjoys “torturing” both men and audiences with her antics.

Bethenny Frankel did not mince words while discussing the dating world during an interview with the Daily Mail.

The reality television star argued that too many women focus on superficial qualities instead of looking for genuine compatibility. According to Frankel, dating should be more about lifestyle alignment than physical appearance.

“It’s about alignment and being very specific about how you live [and] how you flow, and women should not be as competitive about men as they are because the same person would not be for any of us,” she explained.

Frankel also described people as highly individual when it comes to relationships and compatibility.

She said, “For nuances, how many kids do they have? What age are they? What religion are they? Are they very this? People are like snowflakes, so you really do have to find the right alignment, not just how tall they are. And you got to wait. You have to fish.”

She then suggested women should stop “gate keeping” potential partners if a relationship clearly is not working.

“If someone’s not right for you, but they’re a good person, you should immediately connect them with someone else. Women gate keep. Move on dot com,” she noted.

Frankel Turned Her Dating Experience Into Business

Bethenny Frankel’s confidence in giving romantic advice partly comes from her own turbulent history with relationships.

The Skinnygirl founder married Jason Hoppy in 2010, and the pair welcomed a daughter, Bryn, before separating two years later. Their split turned into a long and bitter legal fight involving custody battles, financial disputes, and harassment allegations before the divorce was finally settled in 2021.

Her love life remained rocky afterward. In 2016, she began dating banker Dennis Shields. Their relationship moved on and off for years before they became engaged in April 2018. Shields later died only months after ending the engagement.

Frankel eventually found romance again with real estate developer Paul Bernon after meeting him through a dating app in late 2018. Although the pair briefly split in 2020 and later became engaged, they officially ended the relationship in May 2024.

She is currently dating Miami-based investment banker Shane L. Campbell, though she carefully avoided revealing too much about the romance during the interview.

Instead, Frankel focused on discussing her latest business venture, a matchmaking platform called The Core, which launched in 2025.

Memberships reportedly range from $50 to $1,200, with users going through an invite-only screening process before joining.

“I haven’t been personally dating in there,” Frankel said while sidestepping questions about Campbell. “It is a business. I’m finding that it’s been an amazing space to get into.”

Bethenny Frankel Says Miami Changed Her Life

Since relocating from the Hamptons to Miami with her daughter in 2025, Frankel said her life has become calmer and happier.

The television personality described herself as someone deeply connected to the beach lifestyle and explained that the move gave her a sense of freedom.

“I’m a very serious beach person,” she said. “I take a beach walk almost every day. I like to be near the ocean.”

Frankel admitted she is less interested in the social scene than some of her longtime Bravo friends.

She added, “In the Hamptons, I have a place on the beach. I just feel at home. It’s not about the social and I’m not doing all the things Ramona is doing. I’m not doing all the tennis and the golf, and I just like to feel free and be by the beach.”

She also revealed she now splits time between two homes in Florida while enjoying the city’s dating scene.

“I have a place in Miami and then another place north. Dating is fun there. I don’t know. I’m really happy and my daughter’s happy,” she shared.

The reality star’s more relaxed outlook comes after years of public drama both on and off television.

Frankel Reunites With Former Bravo Friends

Although Bethenny Frankel chose not to appear in “The Golden Life,” the new E! reality series starring former Bravo personalities Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan, she still reunited with her old friends recently in Paris.

The trio came together for RoC Skincare’s Reverse the Clock by 10 Years campaign and helped unveil the brand’s Retinol Correxion Rich Cream.

Frankel acknowledged that the reunion generated huge excitement among longtime Bravo viewers.

“It’s different for all of us,” she said while discussing the campaign. “For them, they’re on a show. This is amazing that everyone’s so rabid for them. It reinforces why they should bring it and why they’re gonna be successful on their show.”

The appearance quickly sparked speculation among fans who wondered whether Frankel might eventually return to reality television herself.

Bethenny Frankel Jokes About ‘Torturing’ Men And Fans

Frankel appeared fully aware that her public image continues to generate curiosity and controversy.

In fact, she admitted she enjoys keeping audiences guessing and feeding into the online buzz surrounding her appearances.

“For me, it’s amazing clickbait. It tortures people,” she said.

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She then pushed the joke even further while explaining how fans react whenever they see her reconnecting with former castmates.

She also shared, “It’s just the tip, just to see how it feels. Like, you see us together and everyone’s like, wait, is it? It’s like, yeah. It’s blue balls for the audience, you know?”

Frankel finished the interview with one final remark that instantly grabbed attention online.

“I love to torture men and the audience. It’s good for all of us to have goals,” she said.

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The comment may have been delivered with a laugh, but it perfectly summed up why Bethenny Frankel continues to dominate headlines years after leaving reality television behind.

A Colorado man will be spending the rest of his life in prison after he broke into a University of Colorado at Colorado Springs professor’s home when she was getting ready for bed and fatally stabbed her five times.

Ceasar Wilson was sentenced to serve 224 years in prison on Wednesday, May 6, for killing University of Colorado Colorado Springs Professor Haleh Abghari at her Colorado Springs home.

Prosecutors said during closing arguments of his February trial that Wilson, 54, snuck into Abghari’s home through her open garage on the night of August 7, 2024, with the intention to steal from her, according to The Gazette.

However, his plan changed when he found Abghari in her bathroom. Wilson stabbed the professor five times as she fought back, per the outlet.

It is not currently clear why he targeted Abghari.

After the killing, Wilson stole Abghari’s credit card and her car. He then went on a “shopping spree,” El Paso County Senior Deputy District Attorney Brien Cecil told the jury.

When police reported to the home, they found a bloody palm print on the bathroom counter and were able to link Wilson to the crime through DNA evidence found underneath Abghari’s fingernails.

Wilson was eventually arrested on August 23, 2024, after he stole another vehicle while trying to flee law enforcement. Prosecutors said that he injured a person while attempting to evade arrest, adding that authorities did not know at the time that he was suspected of killing Abghari.

Related: Man Told Son That He Stabbed ‘Cheating’ Wife, ‘Sat with Her’ as She Died

A man in Missouri has been arrested after police alleged he called his son to confess to stabbing his wife to death for “cheating,” and told him he “sat with her” as she bled out before fleeing their home. Malang Akbari has been charged with first-degree murder for killing his wife, Manhaz Akbari, according to […]

Seven months after his arrest, Wilson was charged in connection to Abghari’s murder. Following his trial, he was found guilty in February of second-degree murder, crime of violence sentence enhancers, aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft and identity theft.

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“The violence perpetrated by the defendant against Haleh Abghari, an innocent woman alone in her own home, deserved the harsh sentence issued today in court,” El Paso County DA Michael J. Allen said in a statement following Wilson’s sentencing hearing, per The Gazette.

Allen added that “Abghari’s death was a devastating loss for her family, the UCCS Community she helped shape for over a decade and the entire 4th Judicial District.”

“We are grateful to see a just outcome in this case, and to our partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for seeing this process through, from start to end,” he concluded.

It’s much of the same at the top of the U.S. Prime Video charts. Karl Urban‘s Billy Butcher, Jack Quaid‘s Hughie Campbell, Antony Starr‘s Homelander, and more continue to take the #1 spot, as Eric Kripke‘s The Boys Season 5 proves one of the best options on all streaming platforms. Superheroes remain the order of the day on Prime, as the animated series Invincible holds strong in the charts, despite the fourth season finale having debuted over three weeks ago. However, a new rival has finally fought its way into the battle for supremacy, and it makes up one of three Prime Video shows you need to binge this weekend.

For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Prime Video.

1

‘Citadel’ (2023–Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 51% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Of course, the first and biggest recommendation for this weekend is Citadel, the pulse-pounding Prime Video favorite that has finally returned for a second mainline season, three years since the first. With that in mind, there is no better time to catch up on the entire series than now. Game of Thrones favorite Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas star as two spies who must fight in the midst of the downfall of a global spy agency.

Citadel hasn’t exactly been quiet these past few years. Although the main series has taken years to return, international spin-offs, such as Diana and Honey Bunny, have emerged instead. However, neither has quite reached the heights of the original. Chopra Jonas and Madden return for Season 2 alongside Stanley Tucci‘s Bernard for seven new episodes, all dropped at once on Wednesday, May 6.

2

‘Criminal Minds’ (2005–Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 8.1/10

Image via CBS

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Although it’s one of the most popular police procedurals on television, for those who have yet to watch Criminal Minds, its 18 seasons and counting could pose a daunting prospect to would-be viewers. Take this as your call to action, as you have the time to catch up on at least some of this iconic crime show before its return later this month.

Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) and his team of agents have faced an array of exciting, tense, and strange cases in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in Quantico across the years, with no episode of Criminal Minds proving dull. You can expect easy-to-watch procedural television that doesn’t sacrifice quality while achieving a huge quantity of episodes. Proof of the show’s popularity can be seen via the outcry of frustration when it was initially cancelled in 2019, leading to a fan demand-inspired revival in 2022.

3

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ (2022—2025)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 7.2/10

Late last month, it was confirmed that The Summer I Turned Pretty‘s feature-length next chapter had officially entered production. However, if it wasn’t for the popularity of the show’s third season last summer, perhaps the next installment wouldn’t exist at all. If you’re yet to experience this YA romance in all its twisting, endearing glory, why not dive headfirst into the best love triangle in modern television this weekend?

Belly Conklin’s (Lola Tung) love is caught between two brothers, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalengo), as the ups, downs, and in-betweens of teenage romance are explored against the gorgeous backdrop of the fictional Cousins Beach. Based on the books by Jenny Han, this indulgent drama perfectly transitions like young love from sweet in its first season to tense in its third, as a trio of teens on the cusp of adulthood discovers who they are.

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Release Date

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2022 – 2025-00-00

Network

Prime Video

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Directors

Erica Dunton, Jesse Peretz, Jeff Chan

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• 

  Lola Tung

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  Isabel ‘Belly’ Conklin

• 

  Christopher Briney

  Conrad Fisher

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Taylor Friankie Paul is clapping back at Grant Ellis after he poked fun at her “felonies” in a recent social media post.

“Yes I’m FAR from a perfect princess bachelorette,” Paul, 31, wrote in an Instagram comment on Thursday, May 7. “Feel free to tell him I was also told I was one of the kindest leads they’ve had to both cast and crew ❤️that’s how.”

Paul’s response came one day after Ellis, 32, posted an Instagram video taking shots at her Bachelorette controversy.

“Let me get some felonies and become a Mormon so I can get cool with Bachelor Nation,” he wrote on Wednesday, May 6, while shaking his head and laughing. While he didn’t use Paul’s name, fans were quick to point out she was who he appeared to be referencing.

Ellis has since followed up with multiple Instagram videos also discussing Paul. On Friday, May 8, he alluded that his runner-up, Litia Garr, should have been the Bachelorette over Paul.

“2 back to back POC [people of color] woulda been the move,” Ellis captioned the clip.

Paul’s Bachelorette season has been rooted in controversy since the week leading up to its scheduled premiere. So much so that the season has yet to air.

News broke in March that Paul and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen had allegedly been involved in a domestic dispute the month prior. Utah’s Draper City Police Department confirmed there was an open domestic violence investigation into the couple. By April, authorities confirmed that no charges would be filed.

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Related: Grant Ellis Says ABC Canceling ‘The Bachelorette’ Was ‘Morally’ Right

Former Bachelor Grant Ellis is weighing in on ABC’s shocking decision to cancel the new season of The Bachelorette three days before it was set to premiere. On Thursday, March 19, ABC announced that the upcoming 22nd season of the dating show, starring The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Taylor Frankie Paul, would not go […]

Amid the investigation, a video from 2023 resurfaced, showing Paul throwing a chair at Mortensen while her daughter Indy, now 8, stood nearby. (At the time, Taylor pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault over the incident in exchange for other criminal charges against her being dropped.)

After the video’s release, ABC announced it was pulling Paul’s season from the air.

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“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television told Us Weekly in March.

While the future of Paul’s season is currently unclear, a source told Us earlier this week that she’s “hopeful” it will see the light of day.

“She has been doing the work behind the scenes, taken accountability and is focused on moving forward in a more positive way,” the insider told Us. “The hope is that viewers would connect with that growth and see a different side of her, making this season feel like a true redemption moment rather than just a return to TV, but right now her priority is her family and her mental health.”

Whew, Roomies! Falynn Pina isn’t letting up on Simon Guobadia. She recently called him and Porsha Williams out for allegedly having an “inappropriate relationship” while she and Simon were still married, but now Simon has jumped in with claims of his own. And that’s not all — Falynn’s husband Jaylan Banks has also entered the chat. He seemingly popped off after Simon mentioned his and Falynn’s daughter in a message.

RELATED: Falynn Pina Blasts Porsha Williams & Simon Guobadia For Allegedly Having An Inappropriate Relationship While They Were Still Married (VIDEOS) 

Simon Guobadia Calls Out Falynn Pina For Allegedly Cheating With Jaylan Banks In 2021

Okay, so BOOM! If you’ve been out of the loop, let us put you on game. Simon Guobadia has seemingly fired back at Falynn Pina after she said she “always knew” something was going on between him and Porsha Williams during a recent interview. Now, Simon is pushing back on Falynn’s claims and saying she was actually the one cheating on him. Recently, Simon dropped what he called a “receipt of a cheating Ex-Wife,” which allegedly shows footage of Falynn arriving back at their house with Jaylan Banks in 2021. From there, Simon also accused Falynn and Jaylan of planning to start a family inside the home he says he was paying for.

“Meanwhile, you were both busy planning where to place a crib in a house I wasn’t even obligated to pay for under the divorce settlement—but did anyway, out of kindness for your unborn child #disrespectclowns,” Simon wrote.

Falynn Denies Cheating & Accuses Simon Of Being In Miami With Porsha In 2021

Falynn didn’t let Simon’s claims slide at all. She hopped on her Instagram Story to set the record straight and reminded him that he was actually with Porsha on Valentine’s Day. “Let me remind you — You left me on February 14th at 7am to drive to Miami to meet with Porsha and Shamea.” She also made it clear that her pop out with Jaylan in the video Simon shared happened after they had already separated. “YOU AND I WERE SEPARATED OF THE TIME OF THAT VIDEO OF JAYLAN.” 

Additionally, Falynn seemingly shared old text messages between her and Simon where he directly asks her about Jaylan. Then in another text thread, Falynn suggests that they should go their separate ways. A message allegedly from Simon showed him agreeing and saying he “doesn’t see a way to reconcile.”

Jaylan Banks Pops Off After Simon Mentions His & Falynn’s Daughter

Following Simon and Falynn’s online exchange, Jaylan didn’t hesitate to jump in and speak his mind. He went off on Simon in posts on his IG Story, calling him bitter and dragging his and Falynn’s daughter into the internet drama.

“The fact that you would even bring a child into your bitterness and internet drama says more about you than it will ever about anybody else.” Jaylan continued, “Real men handle issues with adults. Speaking on a little girl to make to a point is weak behavior, plain and simple.”

From there, Jaylan took shots at Simon for having several failed marriages. He told him to take accountability for his actions and recognize that he might be the reason his relationships keep falling apart.

“You’ve been married four times and still somehow convinced yourself everybody else is the problem. At some point, you gotta stop blaming every woman, every relationship, and every situation around you and realize the common denominator has been you the entire time.”

RELATED: Falynn Pina Threatens To Expose Receipts After Porsha Williams Addresses Betraying Their Friendship With Marriage To Simon Guobadia (VIDEO) 

If there’s any genre that lends itself perfectly to making some truly addictive television, it’s science fiction. These tales of space exploration, hyper-advanced technology, and dystopian societies have a certain something to them that, when done right, makes them impossible to look away from. The ten most addictive sci-fi shows of all time are so engrossing that they can easily hook any fan of the genre from start to finish.

Whether it’s a classic like Cowboy Bebop or a modern cult favorite like The Expanse, these shows are the epitome of “just one more episode!” television-watching. Whether it’s thanks to their hugely imaginative premises, their fascinating characters, their entertaining stories, or a mixture of all of those elements, these masterpieces lure you in and don’t let you go until the credits roll on the series finale.

10

‘The 100’ (2014–2020)

Image via The CW

Based on Kass Morgan‘s young adult novel series of the same title, The 100 is proof that, when they set their minds to it, The CW can make some genuinely masterful shows. Post-apocalyptic YA stories were all the rage back during the 2010s, and in riding that wave, The 100 has aged as one of the best among such kinds of shows. Even today, it’s still a must-see.

It’s the kind of sci-fi show that gets darker (and better) every season, and that’s a big part of how it’s able to so easily hook its viewers. The show keeps reinventing and recontextualizing itself with every passing episode, introducing new layers and higher stakes to its already-engrossing story while never losing a single bit of its commendable narrative momentum.

9

‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)

Image via Fox

After his tenure in a certain other hugely addictive sci-fi gem, J. J. Abrams co-created Fringe with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. What starts out as a more episodic spiritual successor of The X-Files and The Twilight Zone in its first season soon transforms into a more heavily serialized cult classic about fringe science and parallel universes.

Thanks to its fast-paced procedural format and its refreshing focus on its deeply compelling characters, Fringe is able to constantly deepen its mythology in ways that never fail to be surprising and engaging. This is what makes it one of the most rewatchable sci-fi shows ever, a masterpiece that keeps its character-driven narrative as its emotional heart while still spending more than enough time building up some delightful lore.

8

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

Image via ABC

Mystery box shows are a branch of the mystery genre composed of shows with vast, intricately complex narratives reliant on secrets and surprise reveals. Every time it provides an answer, a good mystery show knows how to bring up another two equally gripping questions. That’s the kind of show that Lost was. Divisive final season notwithstanding, there’s no denying the colossal pop culture phenomenon that this J. J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber creation was.

It’s one of those classic thriller shows that have aged remarkably well, a character-driven sci-fi mystery extravaganza with one of the most compelling ensembles in the modern history of television. Its answers are structured in such a way that they feel like they expand the unknown, not narrow it down, which feeds a level of curiosity in viewers that’s borderline impossible to resist.

7

‘The Expanse’ (2015–2022)

Image via SyFy

The Expanse is based on Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck‘s beloved series of novels of the same name, and it’s one of the best television adaptations of a series of sci-fi books that the world has ever seen. Hailed as one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi shows ever, it was canceled by SyFy after only three short-lived seasons, but picked back up by Amazon for another incredible three. Now, what we’re left with is one of the best six-season TV shows in history.

The Expanse has a rather slow-burning first season that’s mostly dedicated to world-building, but people patient enough to get through it will find themselves irreparably hooked by the time they get to season two. This is one of the most nearly-perfect sci-fi shows ever, leveraging a constantly evolving blend of genres to keep the audience craving the next episode.

6

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Severance can be argued to be this generation’s Lost, a gripping mystery box sci-fi show that everyone and their grandmother seems to be watching and talking about. After all, how could a show with such fascinating mysteries not be a massive topic of pop culture conversations? Indeed, Severance may well be one of the most perfect TV dramas of the last 15 years.

Even when the show isn’t deliberately building up an irresistible sense of suspense and character-driven tension—and most of the time, it is doing precisely that—, there’s at least a simmering feeling of dread underlying the whole thing. Through some highly visual storytelling and a fascinating ensemble of characters, Severance becomes one of the most gripping shows currently streaming. It may not have a conclusion yet, but it is nevertheless effortless in how it keeps you hooked throughout.

5

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

Image via SyFy

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There are classic sci-fi shows from the 20th century that are borderline untouchable, and then there was 1978’s Battlestar Galactica. Though solid, it was in desperate need of an upgrade, and that’s where 2004’s version of the show comes in. One of the darkest, most mature, and most politically nuanced post-9/11 American shows, it’s one of those sci-fi shows that hold up surprisingly well.

Sure, Battlestar is very much a product of its time (at least thematically), reflecting the fears and anxieties of life in a post-9/11 world, but it’s still every bit as addictive today as it was back in its early days. The stakes are sky-high throughout the entirety of the series, and mixed with the highly complex narrative and the many mysteries that it builds up over the course of its run, the show cements itself as one of the most essential sci-fi series in history.

4

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Image via Netflix

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There aren’t very many sci-fi shows whose every episode is a masterpiece. Netflix’s Dark is one of those precious few gems. It’s one of the most complex, layered, and mind-bending sci-fi TV shows in history, so it’s definitely not for those looking for a “turn your brain off for an hour” kind of fiction show. Furthermore, watching Dark never comes down to just an hour, because it’s the kind of series that forces you to keep clicking “next episode” until it’s too late and you have to go to bed.

It’s just that well-written and absolutely engrossing of a show. It’s philosophically complex, admirably taut, and surprisingly plot hole-free for a show that’s primarily about time travel and parallel universes. Watching it rewards intense attention, and it constantly forces you to rethink everything that has come before. It’s textbook addictive televisual storytelling.

3

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)

Image via Sunrise

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Cowboy Bebop is one of the most important, influential, and groundbreaking anime series in history; one that’s widely credited with having helped popularize the medium in the Western world in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Part neo-noir, part space Western, it’s one of the best TV masterpieces of the last 30 years, a true must-see for anyone who enjoys science fiction—anime or otherwise.

Running for only 26 episodes, Cowboy Bebop is relatively easy to binge-watch over a single weekend. And boy, how tempting that prospect is. We’re talking about one of the most addictive anime series in history, one whose every element works in perfect conjunction with the others to hook the viewer: the delightful aesthetic, the fun music, the fast-paced structure, the cohesive emotional atmosphere… It all contributes to making this a show that’s impossible to stop watching.

2

‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)

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Throughout history, many sci-fi shows have been canceled way too soon, perhaps chief among them being the cult classic Firefly. Created by Joss Whedon, this is the quintessential space Western, one whose avid cult following has remained steadfastly loyal over the course of the whopping 23 years since its untimely cancelation after only one season.

And through it all, Firefly has remained one of the most fun, original, and addictive genre TV shows in history. By establishing its clear and exquisitely entertaining character dynamics immediately, the show makes it a real treat to watch this ragtag spaceship crew interact with each other. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder, as proved by the fact that the scarcity of Firefly episodes in existence actually adds to how addictive it is.

1

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

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Anyone even slightly familiar with the history of small-screen science fiction will agree that there was a “before The X-Files” and an “after The X-Files.” This “case-of-the-week”-type mystery show completely revolutionized both science fiction and American genre television as a whole. To date, it still remains one of the most groundbreaking and influential TV shows since the ’90s.

It’s one of those classic sci-fi shows that have aged remarkably well, one that owes a ton of its entertainment (and addictiveness) value to the off-the-charts chemistry between both David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson and Mulder and Scully themselves. Their endlessly fun dynamic makes the episodic nature of The X-Files an irresistible delight from start to finish, and it makes the show’s slowly-growing mythology and lore all the more engaging.

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The X-Files

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Release Date

1993 – 2018-00-00

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Network

FOX

Directors

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Rob Bowman, David Nutter, R. W. Goodwin, Michael W. Watkins, Tony Wharmby, Daniel Sackheim, Michael Lange, Cliff Bole, David Duchovny, Jim Charleston, James Wong, Peter Markle, Rod Hardy, Thomas J. Wright, William A. Graham, Jerrold Freedman, Joe Napolitano, Kevin Hooks, Larry Shaw, Richard Compton, Tucker Gates, Allen Coulter, Barry K. Thomas, Brett Dowler

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By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 26 seconds ago

The latest trailer for Christopher Nolan’s controversial The Odyssey was released on May 5, 2026, and revealed more of the director’s take on Homer’s epic. Like the other trailers and casting announcements, it drew equal parts controversy, criticism, and avid defenders.

This time, most of the action is focused on Ithaca, where Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and Telemachus (Tom Holland) deal with the numerous suitors trying to assume the throne by marrying the queen. Robert Pattinson lurks and smarms as Antinous, trying to woo Penelope, while cutaway footage shows the tribulations of Odysseus (Matt Damon) against Calypso (Charlize Theron), the whirlpool Charybdis, armored giants, and the Trojan War.

Ancient Accuracy Versus Anachronistic Angst

There are a lot of new problems with this trailer that echo issues people already have with Nolan’s vision. Previous complaints include ahistorical armor from a later Grecian period, boats that look more Viking longboat than bireme, and a plethora of miscast characters, such as Jon Bernthal as Menelaus and Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy.

One of the two main problems with the new trailer is Tom Holland. The actor who has been bringing Peter Parker to spectacular life in some of the rare good content from the Marvel Cinematic Universe looks like a lost child as Telemachus, and has been apparently directed to play the Greek hero that way. The parts of the trailer that aren’t Anne Hathaway angsting as Penelope feature Holland having plenty of angst of his own. Sure, Telemachus had some daddy issues, but Holland looks more like a kid looking for his mommy than a prince defending his father’s kingdom against overwhelming odds.

A large part of Holland’s failure in the new trailer is that the dialogue is extremely cringeworthy. At one point, Antonius actually says, “You’re pining for your daddy,” as though this is a CW teen drama and not a serious Homeric epic. “That world is gone!” Penelope cries with the appropriate amount of suffering and phony British accent.

The translation allegedly being used for the movie is based on the work of Emily Wilson, a feminist translator who felt that Homer’s epic didn’t have enough modern sensibilities. She simplified the poet’s gorgeous turns of phrase and literalized his abstract concepts, trying to take the focus away from the male point of view and focus on the women. Her translation has caused controversy among scholars. It is not confirmed that Nolan used this version to base his script on, but the quality of the dialogue is a poor rendition of modern Gen Z slang.

Follies In Formation

Another thing that stands out from this trailer is the battle scenes we are shown.

For one, Odysseus leads the Greeks in a very un-Grecian formation as he charges down a beach. The Greeks were known for their discipline and their deadly phalanx formation, not for charging into battle like a horde of barbarians. The scene looks more like a sword-and-board version of the opening of Saving Private Ryan than anything the Greeks would have actually done. That may sound like a nitpick, but the discipline of the Greek troops and their loyalty to their kings and to Greece is a huge theme of Homer’s duology.

The other is a ridiculous charge by a troupe of giants who are dressed in armor that looks like they salvaged it from the leftovers of a King Arthur movie than a Homerian epic. These silver-clad warriors look out of place and anachronistic in The Odyssey, another example of Nolan using spectacle and visual shorthand rather than something that actually reflects the source material.

Sure, the special effects look cool, with Charybdis a wide, gaping hole in the sea and the battle in Troy looking explosive. But so far, that’s the only thing The Odyssey has shown it has going for it. Between its snarky, modernized dialogue and its attempt to be a visual spectacle, the trailer looks more like Not Another Marvel Movie than it does a tribute to an important ancient epic.

While, I admit that I may be more sensitive to this vandalism of Homer because my family emigrated to America from Sparta, I can’t help but feeling affronted that my heritage as a Greek is being used by Nolan as a cynical Hollywood cash grab. This telling of Homer’s Trojan War sequel is looking more like a pageant of modernized filmmaking meant more to show that it, to paraphrase Ian Malcolm, could be done, regardless of if it should. Plus, the removal of the values Homer wrote about means that it is more like a presentist fanfiction than anything the Greeks may have written.

We will all find out when The Odyssey premiers in theaters on July 17, 2026.