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Buffy The Vampire Slayer’s Scariest Monster Was Secretly There From The Beginning

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Buffy The Vampire Slayer's Scariest Monster Was Secretly There From The Beginning

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was filled with plenty of scary monsters, but one was infinitely more frightening than any vampire: the Judge, an ancient demon who is reassembled by Spike to wreak absolute havoc in Sunnydale. Thanks to the show’s killer makeup team, the Judge looked even scarier than his centuries-old reputation, and he remains one of the most iconic monsters the series has ever known. That makeup was so good, in fact, that most Buffy fans never realized that the Judge was played by Brian Thompson, the actor who played the show’s forgotten main villain from its very first episode!

In the Buffy series premiere, “Welcome To the Hellmouth,” Thompson played a vampire character named Luke. He is a member of the Order of Aurelius and is over 150 years old by the time he first tangles with the Slayer and her Scooby Gang. He also served as the de facto main villain of this first episode because he served the Master, an ancient vampire who has been trapped beneath Sunnydale thanks to an ancient spell.

The Original Big Bad

Luke featured heavily in the Master’s plans to escape his magical prison: specifically, this younger vampire is designated as the Master’s vessel, and when he feeds on humans, it transfers power back to his demonic boss. Once he and his undead posse take over the Bronze, it originally seems like he will have no trouble feeding on enough of Sunnydale’s young residents to finally free the Master. But Buffy outwits Luke, distracting him by mentioning a non-existent sunrise before she stakes him through the heart, dusting the vamp and temporarily foiling the Master’s escape.

While Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff have brought multiple vampires back from the dead (including Angel and Darla), Luke was never resurrected, but he left a lasting impact on fans. After all, since the Master was trapped, Luke served as the de facto main villain in the first episode of what would become a major television phenomenon. Eventually, however, Luke returned in a different way, when actor Brian Thompson played the Judge in the episodes “Surprise” and “Innocence.”

Here Comes The Judge

Under all that makeup, it can be hard to tell that the Judge is played by the same actor who first menaced Buffy in “Welcome to the Hellmouth.” At the very least, this new character is a major upgrade over the old one. While Luke might have been a superpowered vampire, the Judge was an ancient demon whose body was hacked to pieces ages ago by a vengeful army; however, his body parts remained alive, and in the Season 2 episode “Surprise,” Spike reassembles this ancient monster to impress Drusilla, the vampire girlfriend who first transformed him into a creature of the night.

Additionally, the Judge has a much more memorable death than Brian Thompson’s earlier villain. As a vampire, Luke was killed by a simple stake, but the Judge boasts that he cannot be killed by any weapon forged by man. Reasoning that this was only true of old-timey weapons, Buffy utilizes an exceedingly modern solution and blows the Judge up with a rocket launcher!

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Two Icons, One Actor

It’s a crowd-pleasing moment, one that would remain a highlight of the entire series. But both the life and the death of the Judge are that much cooler once you realize that he is played by the first major villain the Slayer ever had to tangle with. In this way, Brian Thompson left his mark on this iconic TV series by playing two of the coolest villains in Buffy the Vampire Slayer history! 


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Shia LaBeouf Celebrates Lundi Gras in New Orleans

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Goes Full Big Easy for Fat Monday!!!

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“Tell Me Lies” to end with season 3 finale

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Series creator Meaghan Oppenheimer announced the news just hours before the finale drop.

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Nicki Minaj Posts Pics Of Herself With A.I.-Generated Donald Trump

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Gives Trump A.I. Makeover for Presidents’ Day

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Guy Fieri reveals what fans shout out at him that 'catches everyone's attention'

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Fieri tells EW he’s “got a million” catchphrases — none of which he expected to stick. But there’s one he hears everywhere he goes.

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Is The New Star Trek Spinoff About To Redeem Its Worst Character?

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Star Trek Has Updated The Worst Writing Trope In The Stupidest Possible Way

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

While many Star Trek fans dislike various characters in Starfleet Academy, the one they hate the most isn’t one of the main characters. Like members of the early Discovery bridge crew, she has a name, but almost nobody watching actually knows it. To them, she’s mostly “the girl who ate her comm badge.”

This character (who is actually named Pickford) has only appeared in three episodes so far, and she’s always in the background, being generally useless. So useless, in fact, that you might find yourself wondering why the writers put such a stupid character in their prestige sci-fi show. Now, some Star Trek fans have a compelling theory about Pickford: that her stupidity is just an act, and she’s secretly a spy for Nus Braka!

The Woman Who Knew Too Little

In the very first episode of Starfleet Academy (“Kids These Days”), Pickford stood out in the worst possible way, nervously admitting to the Doctor that she had swallowed her comm badge. Critics pointed to this as an example of the new show having the kind of broad comedy more suitable to a Saturday morning cartoon than a new Star Trek show. After all, this was a character training to be the best of the best, but she appeared to have the wits and intelligence of a toddler in her first appearance.

She doesn’t acquit herself very well later, either: in that premiere episode, she has a full-on meltdown after Nus Braka’s pirate attack. Later, she’s rude to the holographic SAM, and in the most recent episode (“Come, Let’s Away”), she had another panic attack in a tense situation and had to be escorted off the bridge. So far, Pickford has revealed herself to be rude, stupid, and completely useless in almost any situation, prompting a growing number of Star Trek fans to ask why she was put in the show in the first place.

A Secret Spy?

Apart from just being annoying, the biggest issue with Pickford is that she doesn’t seem to be Starfleet material. Sure, she’s in the academy and wears the uniform, but she seems to have none of the emotional and mental discipline you’d expect from a future Starfleet officer. This is in direct contrast to Starfleet Academy‘s Big Bad Nus Braka, who presents himself as a goofy joke (complete with cackling monologues about time being an origami chicken) but is secretly hypercompetent.

That competence was on full display in “Come, Let’s Away,” an episode where Starfleet asks for his help in defeating nefarious villains known as the Furies. Braka pretends to cooperate, but he manipulates the situation to his advantage and has his flunkies destroy a Starfleet vessel. Later, he disables and ransacks an entire Starbase, which is quite the accomplishment; sure, the Klingons in Discovery took out a base, but now, a simple space pirate was able to obtain the same accomplishment as one of the fiercest space empires the galaxy has ever known.  

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In “Come, Let’s Away,” this is presented as evidence that Nus Braka is a criminal genius, but some fans aren’t buying it. A growing number of viewers believe that the only way this skeezy pirate is able to so consistently outwit the smartest people in the quadrant is because he has someone on the inside, feeding him information. The primary suspect, surprisingly enough, is the girl who fed herself a comm badge!

Hiding In Plain Sight

Why do people think Nus Braka has a spy within Starfleet? For one thing, he has shown up whenever Chancellor Ake takes her students into space; this was explained in the first episode (he tracked Caleb’s transmission), but in the second episode, he seems to know enough about the Furies and their plan to coordinate an attack that destroyed a Starfleet ship and crippled a Starbase. He was likely coordinating with the Furies and possibly with his spy, which might be why he attacked a Starbase that focuses on researching (as Nelrec says) “classified things.”

Obviously, there are many characters that could be potential spies for Nus Braka: Genesis is still very mysterious and seems to share the space pirate’s Daddy issues. Nelrec is continually disillusioned by working with Starfleet, so he might very well team up with Chancellor Ake’s biggest enemy. Heck, even the Doctor may have become disillusioned enough (or just reprogrammed) to change sides, and since multiple versions of this character exist in the galaxy, Braka might have even replaced the Voyager Doctor with a copy loyal to him.

However, I agree with the fans who think Pickford is a secret spy: antics like swallowing her comm badge are a great way to ensure that nobody thinks she is smart enough to be a double agent. Plus, her frequent meltdowns could just be a convenient way to take her out of the action. For example, she could have easily communicated with Nus Braka in “Come, Let’s Away” after being escorted from the bridge, transmitting to the pirate once she is in her quarters and away from prying eyes and ears.

Is Starfleet Academy About To Redeem Its Worst Character?

There is no definitive proof that Nus Braka has a spy, and he may very well just be the criminal mastermind he presents himself as. But now that the Federation has placed him at the top of their Most Wanted list, it stands to reason we’ll see more of this villain going forward. Honestly, it would be downright shocking if we don’t get some big reveals in the season finale, and a secret spy update would be the biggest reveal of them all.

Right now, all my latinum is on Pickford, if only because it would be such a delightful heel turn: how cool would it be if the dumbest, most incompetent cadet turns out to be the biggest traitor since Seska? This would redeem Starfleet Academy’s throwaway character in the most unexpected way and give us a new villain to hate. If nothing else, she and Nus Braka could have an earnest, onscreen debate about the most pressing question in the galaxy: what tastes better, a comm badge or an origami chicken?

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Miss J Alexander On Who Showed Up For Him After His Stroke

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Miss J on the red carpet

Miss J Alexander claims that Tyra Banks has yet to visit him following the stroke that left him wheelchair-bound in 2022.

The former “America’s Next Top Model” judge opened up about where he stands with his former boss in the newly-released Netflix docuseries, “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model.”

In the emotional reveal, Miss J confirmed that former co-stars Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker did show up at his hospital bedside to support him during his recovery.

And as the runway icon continues to reflect on his healing journey, speculation is also mounting about the possible return to television of “ANTM.”

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Miss J Alexander Says He Spent Five Weeks In A Coma After Stroke

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Miss J’s misfortune began on December 27, 2022, when he suffered a stroke that rendered him unable to walk.

Speaking in the new Netflix docuseries, he recalled the traumatic events. “I had a stroke,” he said. “I woke up, I didn’t know where I was, other than the hospital.”

Revealing the full gravity of the ordeal, Miss J explained that he spent more than a month in a coma.

“I spent five weeks in a coma. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t talk,” he recounted.

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The model also addressed his relationship with Banks, noting that although she expressed interest in visiting, she has yet to do so.

“She just sent me a text that she wants to come and visit me,” said Miss J. “But no, not yet.”

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‘Reality Check’ Reveals Which ‘ANTM’ Stars Came To See Miss J Alexander After Stroke

Jay Manuel on the red carpet
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While Miss J says Banks has yet to come check in on him, the beloved runway coach has not been without support from old “ANTM” colleagues.

Among those said to have visited him during the early days of his recovery are Manuel and Barker.

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Both “America’s Next Top Model” alumni reflected on the emotional toll of seeing their longtime friend hospitalized.

“It was just such a terrible shock, and really upsetting and horrifying and scary,” Barker said. “I don’t know whether he even wanted me to see him in that way.”

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Directors Of The Netflix Docuseries Say Miss J ‘Didn’t Want Sympathy’

Despite the severity of his condition, creators of the Netflix series say Miss J made one thing clear during production: he didn’t want to be portrayed as a figure of pity.

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Directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan recalled meeting the former “America’s Next Top Model” judge for the first time after his stroke.

In an interview with Netflix Tudum, Sivan explained that their early conversations shaped the way his story was ultimately told in the series.

“What was important is not framing Miss J as a survivor,” the director said. “He is not his health. First and foremost, he’s a diva who just shattered every single glass ceiling.”

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‘ANTM’ Rumored To Be Returning For Cycle 25

Another bombshell to emerge from “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” was Banks’s suggestion that the show may be headed back to television.

“I feel like my work is not done. You have no idea what we have planned for cycle 25,” Banks said, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The long-running modeling competition wrapped its 24th cycle in April 2018. A few years later, Banks was already expressing interest in bringing the show back to air.

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Adrianne Curry-Rhode Comes to Tyra Banks’ Defense Amid New ‘ANTM’ Backlash

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Adrianne Curry on Tyra Banks
She Doesn’t Give a F*** … And I Respect It!!!

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Lexi Marvel Finally Explains The Sophie Rain Confusion Everyone’s Talking About

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Lexi Marvel Finally Explains The Sophie Rain Confusion Everyone’s Talking About

Lexi Marvel and Sophie Rain have become two of the most recognizable faces linked to the viral Bop House, but according to the duo, fans still can’t tell them apart. From social media comments to real-life encounters, the influencers say they’re constantly mistaken for one another, with some followers even convinced they’re related. The confusion has only intensified since Marvel stepped into the Florida-based content house shortly after Rain’s departure, fueling comparisons that continue to dominate online conversations. Here’s what both creators are saying about the mix-ups, the Bop House transition, and why neither Lexi Marvel nor Sophie Rain is bothered by the resemblance.

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Fans Constantly Confuse Lexi Marvel And Sophie Rain

Lexi Marvel says mistaken identity has become a regular part of her daily life, especially when she’s out in public. “It happens in public more than people think. Someone will walk up and say, ‘Sophie, I love you,’ and start telling a whole story about a video they watched. When I say, ‘It’s Lexi,’ they look shocked, then they laugh and ask for the photo anyway,” Marvel told The Blast.

She added that the confusion doesn’t stop online either. “People will even tag me in edits and write captions like I’m Sophie, then argue with each other in the replies. I try to keep it simple and say, ‘Lexi here,’ because it’s not worth making anyone feel dumb,” she admitted.

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Social Media Has Been Calling Them ‘Twins’ For Months

Followers have been comparing the two creators across platforms for nearly a year, often questioning whether they are related because of their similar features.

Under an August Instagram post from Lexi Marvel, one user wrote, “Wow, you two are twins, wow,” while another added, “Looks like they are sisters,” alongside comments like “Wait, there’s two of them” and “Hi twins.” One even asked, “She has a sister?” The ongoing comparisons have become part of both influencers’ online identities, with fans frequently referring to them as “twin sisters.”

Others expressed how much they loved the duo, with one fan writing, “You two are the best duet.”

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Sophie Rain Says The Comparisons Don’t Bother Her

Sophie Rain says she experiences the same mix-ups in real life and online, but she takes it all in stride. “People mix us up in real life and in comments, and it doesn’t stop. Someone will run up and say, ‘Lexi, you killed it,’ and they are being so genuine.”

She added that she doesn’t see the resemblance as a negative. “It doesn’t bother me, because it’s not mean ever haha,” she said. “Lexi is beautiful and talented, so being compared isn’t an insult.”

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The Confusion Intensified After The Bop House Transition

The resemblance became an even bigger topic of conversation after Sophie Rain exited the Florida-based Bop House in late July and Lexi Marvel joined shortly afterward.

Rain addressed her departure publicly in August, saying the decision was entirely her own. “Leaving Bop House was my choice, and I have zero regrets,” she said.

She also made clear there was no tension between the two creators. “I think Lexi’s talented, and she’s going to bring her own energy to the house. It’s not about replacing me, it’s about keeping the brand fresh.”

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Bop House Fame And Viral Content Fuel The Comparisons

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James Van Der Beek's friend slams critics of family's GoFundMe: 'You have no idea what they endured'

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“It’s ok for you to stay quiet in the face of blind stupidity, meanness and lack of empathy. But maybe you’re not okay,” Mehcad Brooks wrote on social media.

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The Fate of Prime Video’s 6-Part Dark Spy Thriller Decided After Divisive Season 1

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Last year, Prime Video added another action crime thriller hit to its catalog thanks to the British series, The Assassin. Featuring Keeley Hawes opposite Freddie Highmore in his first television role since the end of his shift on The Good Doctor, it was hailed by critics as a captivating-if-flawed mother-son spy story, earning a 74% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Though audiences were far less impressed overall with a 43% rating, an immediate rise to #1 on the Prime Video charts in the U.K. made a second season feel quite likely, especially with Highmore’s Edward en route to finally meet his birth mother.

Season 1 followed Edward to Greece as he hunted for answers about his parentage, bringing him face-to-face with his supposed mother, Julie, a former assassin. Before he could learn more about her and his father, however, her violent past caught up with her, sending them both on the run. With Julie’s quiet life upended, they had to navigate a shadowy conspiracy that placed the family in grave danger and roped in Edward’s fiancée, Kayla (Shalom Brune-Franklin). With the first episode outperforming the highest-viewed episodes of other buzzy Prime Video U.K. original series, like The Girlfriend and Harlan Coben’s Lazarus, development on Season 2 got underway back in November in hopes of a pick-up for more.

Sure enough, the streaming service has now confirmed in a new report that The Assassin would be coming back, with the dynamic duo of Hawes and Highmore in tow alongside a returning Brune-Franklin as Kayla and Devon Terrell as her brother, Ezra. Series writers and creators Harry and Jack Williams are also back at the helm, and they have a story laid out for Season 2. It’ll begin with a small jump, picking up after a calamitous trip to a currently unknown part of Northern Europe that opens a new rift between Edward and Julie. Exactly where their massive falling-out came from is unknown, but it’s enough to send them on their separate ways. Alone again, Julie slips back into her old ways as an assassin and begins dating again, while Edward goes on a honeymoon with Kayla that also goes horribly wrong. It all forces the two back together to take on the Spanish criminal underworld, assuming they can repair their relationship.

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‘The Assassin’

Fleabag banner Two Brothers Pictures is producing The Assassin in association with All3Media International. In an official statement, Hawes hailed the series’ return as a chance to dig deeper and build on Julie’s history with Season 2, saying, “I can’t wait to step back into Julie’s world. To reunite with Freddie and our extraordinary cast, and to dive deeper into Julie’s life and her complicated relationship with Edward, is a privilege. There is so much more to uncover.” Highmore, too, heaped praise on the cast and crew in a separate statement, expressing plenty of excitement to get to match up with the BAFTA-nominated Hawes once more. “What fun it’ll be to get the gang back together – I can’t wait to be reunited with so many of the cast and crew. Harry and Jack have cooked up another spectacular adventure, and I feel so lucky to have the brilliant Keeley as a sparring partner once again.”

Series executive producers and Two Brothers partners Daisy Mount and Alex Merce also shared a few words on the official renewal, teasing many more twists to come in Season 2 that will keep viewers guessing.

“Reuniting with Keeley, Freddie, Shalom, and Devon is a real privilege as we dive back into the world of The Assassin – of course we couldn’t leave them sailing off into the sunset in blissful harmony. The second season is full of twists, turns and thrilling unpredictability – just like the characters at the center of it.”

The Assassin will begin filming Season 2 later this year. In the meantime, all episodes of Season 1 are available to stream on Prime Video in the U.K., AMC+ in the U.S., and Crave and CTV in Canada, with NBCUniversal having the rights in Latin America, HBO Max in France, Mediaset in Spain, and Stan in Australia. Stay tuned here at Collider for further updates on the series as it gets back to work.

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Release Date

July 25, 2025

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