Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko is on the mend after a terrifying injury last month left him without feeling in his legs.

“I’m currently feeling much better,” Lasko wrote via his Instagram story on Monday, July 27. “I have sensation from my feet up to my knees, along with a lot of involuntary leg movements. I also have been getting some sensation in the side of my thighs, hamstrings and back. I currently have about 75 percent usage of my left hand and about 50 percent in my right.”

Lasko fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae when he collided with a teammate while going for a catch during a game for his Double-A Midland Rockhounds. The outfielder laid motionless on the field for several minutes before he was stretchered off and transported to a local hospital.

He later underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery with the hope that as the swelling decreased, he would begin to regain feeling in his legs. It is still unclear if and when the athlete will be able to return to baseball.

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“I’m very happy with my progress and once again, so very thankful for all the love and support,” he added. “It has continued to help me get up everyday and work my hardest.”

Lasko is ranked as the A’s’ No. 18 prospect, per MLB.com, after the franchise took him in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Rutgers University.

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“I’ve been in touch with Ryan’s mom, Patti, to pass along the organization’s support and to let her know that all of us, throughout our system, have them in our thoughts and prayers,” A’s general manager David Forst said in a statement after the injury. “We are incredibly grateful to Noah Huff and Audy Merrick, our athletic trainers in Midland, for their on-field actions last night, as well as to the Frisco RoughRiders and the paramedics on the scene. We are encouraged by the reports and updates from Dr. Jonathan Poggi, and we will continue to put all of the resources of our medical staff towards supporting Ryan and his recovery.”

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A’s manager Mark Kotsay got to know Lasko in Spring Training, where the young outfielder made a positive impression.

“He’s a competitor,” Kotsay, 50, said at the time of Lasko’s injury. “He’s emotional. Both of those things, I can vividly recall just being around him. And then just his passion for baseball. … The biggest thing we can all do is hope and pray that he recovers the feeling in his lower half and always be there to support him.”

Young and the Restless revealed that Dr. Laurence Markham (Jere Burns) said he let Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) out of the psych hospital because she did the work. She was rehabilitated and was as sane as he is at the time. That made me doubt Markham’s sanity when he said that.

And I was sure that he was lying about Patty because it never made sense for a reputable doctor like Markham to let her go when Patty is clearly still crazy. However, it makes perfect sense if Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) was behind it and was paying the guy off. So, we’re going to talk about why Markham really released Patty.

Young and the Restless: Patty Still Looney

So, from the minute Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) woke up on the yacht to find Patty Williams was his captor, it was quite clear that she was nowhere near sane. Everybody expected Paul Williams’ (Doug Davidson) sister to spend the rest of her days in a mental ward because she was not only unhinged, but she was dangerous. But Patty kept saying she was reformed and she was a changed woman. Of course, Jack didn’t believe it for a moment. Why would he?

Patty is clearly still deeply obsessed with Jack and has an unhealthy fixation on him. And don’t forget, Patty tried to kill Jack before. There is no shred of sanity in that woman. But when Markham met with Jack and Patty at the mansion to discuss Diane Jenkins’ (Susan Walters) alleged breakdown, Jack asked Markham why he released Patty since they know that he was treating her at the mental hospital.

Young and Restless: Markham’s Suspicious Release and Victor’s Manipulation

And Markham blathered about Patty showing genuine remorse for her actions. And Markham said Patty was ready to be a member of society again. Of course we know that’s a whole load of bull because she kidnapped Jack and then Patty molested him and then she had Diane kidnapped.

So, there’s a few options here. One is that Markham is not who he says. Maybe he’s not the real deal. Or Markham is who he says, but the guy is crazy as heck. Or Patty paid off Markham to release her and become her partner in crime. The thing is Patty doesn’t have the money to do that. But there’s somebody in Genoa City who wanted to ruin Jack’s life and marriage and who didn’t care if Patty tried to kill Jack. And as we saw, Patty did try to kill both Jack and Diane. So, there’s no way that Patty could fool a noted psychiatrist into thinking that she’s sane.

And even if she did fool Markham, that doesn’t explain why he was helping her after she was out. And we know that Patty was paying him. That’s something else she couldn’t afford. The money trail is the big clue here. Victor gave Patty a bag of cash for kidnapping and sexually assaulting Jack and ruining his marriage. But I don’t think that’s the only time that Victor put his gazillions of dollars to work to do bad things to wreck Jack.

Victor Behind it From the Start on Y&R

I suspect Victor might have approached Markham personally. It would be very easy for Victor to find out who was Patty’s doctor at the psych ward and then Victor might have offered Markham a huge bribe to let her loose because I don’t think Markham let Patty out for legit mental health reasons because she is not remorseful. She is not reformed and she’s always been dangerously obsessed with Jack. She’s done insane things to be with him.

If you recall, Patty had plastic surgery to look like her psychiatrist and then later she came back to Genoa City under the name Mary Jane Benson and she seduced Jack. We all know Patty’s been crazy for decades. Back then, if you remember, it was actually Victor also working with Patty at the time. So, this is a repeat offender thing. He helped her infiltrate the business so that she could get close to Jack back in the day.

Young and the Restless: Victor’s Pattern of Manipulation

And it’s already been confirmed that Victor’s working with her again this time, but we’ve only seen that in the context of the yacht kidnapping. We did see Victor pay Patty for that. The subsequent stuff with Diane, Jack, and Markham. We haven’t seen Patty and Victor having a conversation about. We haven’t seen where Patty explicitly confirmed that Victor asked Patty to do these things, but Victor asked her to do the kidnapping specifically, you know.

And he might have also encouraged Patty to continue to create chaos in Jack’s life. Since we know Markham is lying about Patty being reformed, there has to be some reason the psychiatrist would let a homicidal lunatic out of the psych ward. And what motive would get Markham to do a bad thing like that? Greed. Money greases the wheels of the world.

Victor’s the Only One Who Wants Patty Free on Y&R

And literally nobody else on the face of the planet would pay to have Patty released aside from Victor. This is Occam’s razor. You know what that means? The simplest explanation that fits the facts is the best one. And yeah, I know on soaps motives are usually convoluted and unexpected, but in this case, I don’t think so.

I think it’s a straight line from Victor to Markham to Patty to Jack on Young and the Restless. And Eric Braeden said in an interview not that long ago why Victor is still furious about the night of debauchery. He really thinks Jack and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) had sex that night.

Young and the Restless: Victor Wants Revenge

So, of course, Victor’s furious. They didn’t do that, but you can’t change his mind. And since he thinks Jack took his wife to bed, Victor thinks all bets are off and he can destroy Jack any way he wants. Letting Patty out of the mental hospital is like loading a gun with Jack’s name on all the bullets. And I’m betting that Victor lied and said he was on a business trip.

Then he went to the mental hospital to visit Patty and to talk to Dr. Markham. I suspect Victor offered Patty the chance to get her heart’s desire, which is Jack. And all Patty has to do was to kidnap him and ruin his marriage to Diane. Then Patty could have her way with him.

And of course, all Markham had to do was accept a big old bribe to look the other way. But if he did this, then Patty would have leverage on Markham, knowing he took a big payoff. So that could be a way that Patty could have forced Markham to become her partner in crime. Or Victor might have just kept directly bribing the guy to get him to do whatever Patty told him to. And we know that Markham’s affection for Diane was unplanned. Then Markham was telling Patty that he wanted to change the plan.

Young and Restless: Exposure and Consequences

So, I suspect that Markham was supposed to kill Diane or shove her in some dark corner of a mental ward as a Jane Doe and keep her there. But then Markham decided he wanted Diane for himself. And I also suspect that Victor’s role in all this is going to come out. Markham is clearly dodgy and he’s hiding out. He’s off the grid. But Diane and Jack are hunting for him, and I think they’re going to find Markham before too long.

I expect that Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) is going to get the info from Martin Laurent (Christopher Cousins) to help them find Markham. And once they hand the guy over to the cops, I bet he’s going to sing like a bird. Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) is already talking to Patty about getting her a plea deal with the DA if she rolls over and blames Victor. But Patty might be a harder nut to crack because she is a nut.

Young and the Restless: Markham Throws Victor Under the Bus

Markham, though, I suspect he’d tell everybody if Victor was paying him so that he could avoid prison. And since Markham’s crazy about Diane, she might even be able to get a confession out of him that Patty and Victor are both involved in this plot against her and Jack. Patty planning it and Victor financing it makes a whole lot of sense.

And if it plays out this way, and Victor did bribe Markham to bring Patty back to Genoa City, I think it’ll ruin Victor and Nikki’s reunion, which is really amping up this week. But if Nikki finds out Victor paid Markham to discharge Patty to target Jack, I think that could be a marriage-ending deal breaker.

One really can’t deny that HBO has always been the standard that every other television network and streaming service has tried to live up to. Most platforms chase trends and rely on predictable formulas for viewership numbers, but HBO has practically built its reputation on taking creative risks and telling ambitious stories.

The network is home to shows that have completely redefined what television is capable of achieving, and it is still producing some of the most acclaimed series on the air today. To prove that, here is a list of HBO shows that are genuinely 10/10, no notes.

10

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

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The Leftovers embraces ambiguity in a way that no other show ever has. The HBO drama takes place three years after the Sudden Departure, a mysterious event that caused 2% of the world’s population to vanish without explanation. However, instead of treating this premise like a mystery to be solved, the show is more interested in exploring what happens to the people left behind. The story centers on police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), who is desperate to maintain some sense of normalcy as his family and everyone in his town struggle to understand the reality they are faced with. The Leftovers is ambitious with its premise, and it refuses to take the easy route.

The narrative treats this big mystery as the starting point, while actually focusing on the different ways people respond to grief. Kevin finds himself surrounded by cults, religious movements, and conspiracy theories simply because people need something to hold on to. Aside from all that, though, Nora Durst (Carrie Coon) truly emerges as the show’s emotional anchor. Her relationship with Kevin gradually becomes one of the most important parts of the narrative and gives the story its sense of humanity alongside its larger philosophical questions. The Leftovers is heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and funny at the same time. Every season expands the scope of the story while remaining grounded in its compelling characters. The way this series balances substance and spectacle is unlike anything else on TV.

9

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

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HBO’s Chernobyl proves that a story can be gripping even when the audience already knows exactly how it ends. The miniseries dramatizes the events surrounding the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and begins in the immediate aftermath of the reactor explosion. The show then follows scientists, government officials, engineers, and ordinary citizens as they confront a catastrophe like no other. The story centers on Soviet nuclear physicist Valery Legasov (Jared Harris), who is tasked with uncovering what caused the disaster and preventing an even greater catastrophe from unfolding. However, that isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Legasoc gradually pieces together the chain of failures that led to the explosion, but it also shines a spotlight on the firefighters who unknowingly walked into lethal conditions, the miners who were under pressure to prevent a second disaster, and the countless workers who risked their lives during the cleanup effort. The show constantly shifts between these perspectives and makes this historical event feel incredibly personal. Every decision carries consequences, and the audience sees them coming way before many of the characters do. Chernobyl is as educational as it is emotionally devastating, and it remains one of the most brilliant miniseries HBO has ever produced.

8

‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)

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I May Destroy You is best defined as a fearless show. The series follows Arabella Essiedu (Michaela Coel), a successful young writer whose life is turned upside down after she is sexually assaulted during a night out in London. When Arabella begins piecing together fragmented memories of what happened, she sets out to understand the incident and reclaim control over her life. This journey that she embarks on doesn’t play out like a conventional mystery, but an extremely personal journey that explores trauma, consent, and the complicated ways people process life-altering experiences. The series is unpredictable, and that becomes its greatest strength.

Arabella’s healing isn’t linear. In fact, the aftermath of her assault is messy and uncomfortable, but that’s the entire point. Along the way, the narrative expands to explore the lives of her closest friends, Terry (Weruche Opia) and Kwame (Paapa Essiedu), each of whom faces their own struggles involving identity, intimacy, and personal boundaries. These interconnected storylines give the series heart and turn it into a multidimensional, complex story about grief. I May Destroy You tackles difficult subject matter without ever reducing its characters to their trauma. It can be devastating, funny, insightful, and surprisingly hopeful at the same time, just like real life.

7

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

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Succession is essentially Shakespeare‘s King Lear reimagined as a corporate drama that one just can’t look away from. The series follows the Roy family, owners of the global media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, as they battle for control of the company when aging patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) begins contemplating the future of his empire. The corporate power struggle quickly evolves into an all-out war between Logan and his children, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Connor (Alan Ruck), all of whom believe they are the rightful heirs to the throne. Succession makes board meetings, business acquisitions, shareholder votes, and media scandals feel genuinely thrilling.

The drama lands largely because it’s shaped by the deeply dysfunctional relationships that the central characters share. Every major decision has years of resentment and insecurity driving it, and the line between personal and professional conflict is always blurred. The writing in Succession is its greatest strength, though. The dialogue is razor sharp and the humor is relentless, even in the bleakest of situations. Despite following some of the wealthiest people on the planet, the series remains grounded in universal themes of family, where the audience can’t help but empathize with all these emotionally broken characters. The show that genuinely earns its reputation as one of HBO’s all-time greats, especially with its banger of a final season that brings everything to a fitting close.

6

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

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The Wire is widely considered one of the best TV shows ever made, but what makes it truly stand out is how different it is from almost every other crime drama. The series begins with a police investigation into Baltimore’s drug trade and follows detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) along with a special unit tasked with targeting the powerful Barksdale organization. The series begins as a traditional cops-versus-criminals story but quickly abandons that premise to explore something much larger. Each season of The Wire expands its focus to different institutions within Baltimore, including the docks, city politics, the education system, and the media.

Instead of treating these as standalone storylines, the series gradually reveals how all of them are connected. The show uncovers how drug dealers, police officers, politicians, journalists, teachers, and ordinary citizens are all part of the same bureaucratic ecosystem where change is nearly impossible. The show features an impressive ensemble that includes Stringer Bell (Idris Elba), Omar Little (Michael K. Williams), Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris), and Lester Freamon (Clarke Peters), all of whom are presented as grey characters navigating an imperfect world. The Wire has to be one of the most ambitious shows of all time, yet despite its massive scope, it never loses sight of the human stories at the center of the narrative. No other show has managed to match this depth even over two decades later.

5

‘The Pitt’ (2025–Present)

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The Pitt is singlehandedly reinventing the medical drama and expanding it beyond shock value and complex love triangles. The HBO series begins with senior attending physician Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle), who oversees a chaotic shift in a Pittsburgh emergency room. Each episode in the show covers roughly one hour of a single fifteen-hour shift and follows Robby and his team as they are forced to make life-or-death decisions while dealing with overcrowding, staff shortages, personal struggles, and the emotional toll that comes with all of this. The story unfolds in real time, which means that every decision is immediate, and every mistake has irreversible consequences.

The audience practically experiences the exhaustion, pressure, and unpredictability of an underfunded emergency room alongside the characters. The show does a great job of portraying the challenges of the job and the personal sacrifices that come with it. Wyle is the heart of the series and delivers a nuanced performance that captures both his character’s competence and vulnerability. This kind of layered and engaging storytelling is the reason why The Pitt already feels like an HBO classic in the making.

4

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

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There’s no denying that The Sopranos completely changed the way TV shows were made. The series follows New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), who begins experiencing panic attacks and reluctantly starts seeing psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). From there, the show balances two very different sides of Tony’s life. On one hand, he is a powerful crime boss managing rival families, internal power struggles, and constant threats to his authority. On the other hand, he is a husband, father, and son trying to navigate the everyday pressures of family life.

The brilliance of the premise is that neither world ever truly stays separate from the other, and that is Tony’s greatest weakness. The Sopranos is committed to exploring Tony as a morally complex character. He is charismatic, funny, terrifying, and flawed all at once, and the same goes for the rest of the people around him. The Sopranos is way more than just a mob drama. The show practically functions as a family saga, a dark comedy, and a psychological character study that examines the American. That’s why even more than two decades after its debut, countless series still draw inspiration from it.

3

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

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Generation Kill is one of the most realistic war dramas ever made. The HBO miniseries is based on the experiences of journalist Evan Wright during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and follows the U.S. Marines of First Recon Battalion as they push deep into enemy territory during the opening weeks of the war. However, instead of focusing on a single heroic mission or larger-than-life battlefield moments, the series places viewers directly alongside the soldiers as they navigate the confusion and constant unpredictability of combat. Now, Generation Kill doesn’t romanticize war or portray it from the lens of pure action.

The show actually attempts to capture the strange reality of modern warfare, where boredom, frustration, and miscommunication often coexist with genuine danger. The show explores how different soldiers respond to the pressures of combat through characters including Sergeant Brad “Iceman” Colbert (Alexander Skarsgård), Corporal Josh Ray Person (James Ransone), and Lieutenant Nate Fick (Stark Sands). The show’s commitment to authenticity is what makes it a war drama that feels immersive and intelligent yet deeply personal at the same time.

2

‘Angels in America’ (2003)

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Angels in America is one of the most ambitious TV projects of all time. The miniseries is based on Tony Kushner‘s acclaimed play and takes place during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. The story follows several interconnected characters whose lives become entangled as they struggle with illness, identity, politics, religion, and mortality. The narrative centers on Prior Walter (Justin Kirk), a young man diagnosed with AIDS who begins experiencing increasingly strange visions that include encounters with an angel who claims he has been chosen for a greater purpose.

At the same time, the audience also follows influential lawyer Roy Cohn (Al Pacino), closeted Mormon Joe Pitt (Patrick Wilson), his wife Harper (Mary-Louise Parker), and Louis Ironson (Ben Shenkman), all of whom are struggling with personal crises of their own. Angels in America is truly extraordinary in how effortlessly it balances these deeply personal experiences with philosophical themes. Despite dealing with heavy subject matter, the show refuses to define its characters by their struggles alone. The writing is sharp, the performances are exceptional, and the series constantly finds new ways to blend realism with fantasy without losing its emotional grounding. Angels in America feels intimate and epic at the same time in a way that no other show has managed to accomplish to this day.

1

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

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Band of Brothers is the gold standard, not just for war dramas, but for TV in general. The brilliant miniseries is based on the true story of Easy Company, part of the 101st Airborne Division. The show follows a group of American paratroopers from their training at Camp Toccoa all the way through some of the most significant events of World War II, including D-Day, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, and the eventual capture of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. Band of Brothers wants viewers to witness the horrors of combat, but more importantly, it focuses on the bonds that develop between the soldiers fighting alongside one another.

The series introduces a large ensemble cast that includes Major Richard Winters (Damian Lewis), Lewis Nixon (Ron Livingston), Carwood Lipton (Donnie Wahlberg), and many others, but somehow gives each of them a distinct identity and purpose within the narrative. As the war progresses, the audience experiences every little emotion that these men go through because the show does such a great job of reminding one of the human cost of war. The brilliance of Band of Brothers lies in its balance between scale and intimacy. The battle sequences are immersive and technically impressive, but the show’s most powerful moments are often quieter and follow the emotional burden these soldiers carry every day. The fact that the show features interviews of real people only makes the experience even more powerful.

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Band of Brothers

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Release Date

2001 – 2001

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Network

HBO

Directors

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David Frankel, David Nutter, Mikael Salomon, Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Tom Hanks

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Jumanji might be one of the unlikely mega-hit film franchises out there. The quirky book by Chris Van Allsburg about a board game that brings in all manner of creatures from a magical jungle was first adapted for the big screen with the original Robin Williams-led film, which is widely considered to be a definitive ’90s cult classic. Then, after over 20 years (not counting the spiritual sci-fi spin-off Zathura: A Space Adventure), the franchise made a bold and ambitious comeback thanks to Dwayne Johnson.

2017 brought forth the next chapter in the Jumanji saga, titled Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which, along with Johnson, also stars Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black. The quartet quickly found a fanbase as a group of high schoolers who are transported into the world of Jumanji and transformed into heroes straight out of Uncharted after the archaic board game magically transforms itself into a video game console. The story then continued again in Jumanji: The Next Level, which ups the ante by having the main heroes switch up their already switched-up bodies to save one of their closest friends. Now, Johnson, Hart, Gillan, and Black are reuniting one last time for a final adventure.

After a whopping seven-year wait, the first trailer for Jumanji: Open World (the fourth and reportedly final chapter of the franchise as we know it) is finally here. For the first time since the 1995 original, instead of going to Jumanji, the four lead heroes of Spencer (Alex Wolff), Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain), Martha (Morgan Turner), and Bethany (Madison Iseman) will have to contend with the horrors of the magical jungle in the real world.

Who Stars in ‘Jumanji: Open World’?

Once again, leading the cast is Dwayne Johnson, who is in desperate need of a box-office win after his Oscar vehicle The Smashing Machine and his live-action Disney remake of Moana underperformed. Also returning as Bravestone’s cohorts are 72 Hours star Kevin Hart, The Super Mario Movie franchise favorite Jack Black, and the upcoming star of Henry Cavill‘s Highlander remake, Karen Gillan. Also returning for the final chapter are the core quartet of Alex Wolff (A Quiet Place: Day One), Morgan Turner (Remember Me), Ser’Darius Blain (The Rookie), and Madison Iseman (Annabelle Comes Home), as well as other familiar franchise faces like Danny DeVito (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Awkwafina (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death), and Nick Jonas (Camp Rock). Also joining the franchise for the very first time are Pacific Rim star Burn Gorman and New Girl icon Lamorne Morris.

Jumanji: Open World arrives in theaters on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.

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Release Date

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December 25, 2026

Director

Jake Kasdan

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Writers

Jake Kasdan, Jeff Pinkner, Scott Rosenberg, Chris Van Allsburg

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Jumanji

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Days of Our Lives has Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) freaked out that Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) is missing. But did Leo make a huge mistake by spilling to Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) about the dead man’s switch info being held by Melinda Trask‘s (Tina Huang) law partner? This could actually ruin Gwen’s life. All thanks to Leo.

Days of our Lives: Leo’s Big Blunder

We’re going to get into the nitty-gritty of what’s going to happen to Gwen now that Leo blabbed about her secret dead man switch against EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel). He blabbed to ISA agent Cat. And of course, Leo’s motives are pure. He is trying to save Gwen. But Leo might have destroyed her future. Completely destroyed it.

As you know, Gwen’s not been heard of since she and EJ were chitchatting about life the other day, and she hasn’t returned any of Leo’s calls. She never got back to Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) either about looking into the counterfeit handbag ring. It just happened to be that Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) happily rubbed it in EJ’s face that the state board was kicking him out of the hospital as owner and that Gwen would be replacing him.

Then, moments later, we saw some masked guy snatch Gwen up. And Leo hasn’t seen or heard from her since. And then he went to Gwen’s room at the Salem Inn and saw it was untouched. So then Leo got alarmed. Because it’s not like Gwen to not spend the night in her room. And she told Leo if she went missing that it was EJ who did it given all of their dirty dealings together.

So, Leo’s known for a while about Gwen’s dead man switch. She told Leo it would be enough to let him write a scathing exposé on EJ’s scandalous crimes. But Leo would only get it if something bad happened to Gwen and she was MIA for 10 days or more.

DOOL: Leo’s Critical Mistake and Gwen’s Confession

But Leo didn’t even wait the 10 days. He jumped the gun. Because lots of people in Salem think that something bad has happened to Gwen. We know Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) does PR for the hospital and of course Gwen plans on buying it from EJ.

So, Stephanie is in the loop on all of this and she just gave Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) an update and Stephanie told him that her dad and the Salem PD are looking for Gwen and we know the FBI is involved. Not only that but Leo told Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) about Gwen and then he went to see Melinda since Gwen’s lawyer’s on vacation and Leo told Marlena that the digital file that was left as the dead man switch was empty.

Days of our Lives: Marlena in a Tough Spot

And then she heard from Leo all about the dead man switch and that it was Gwen confessing all of her and EJ’s bad deeds. So Leo has blamed EJ for the missing file. He thinks he hacked in and stole it. However, Leo hasn’t considered the fact that he told ISA agent Cat about the file.

But Marlena figured out pretty fast what happened that Cat stole the file and then deleted it. And Marlena can’t even warn Leo about it because Marlena has special clearance from the ISA. But Leo does not. So, Marlena is stuck in a very uncomfortable position.

And on top of that, Leo’s worried that he’s next on EJ’s hit list because he assumes the villain already got Gwen. We saw that Cat took Gwen’s stolen confession to FBI agent Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering). And Cat also told him she had already handed over the letter to her ISA boss, Andrew Donovan (Colton Little).

So, after chatting with Rafe, he and Cat realize that Gwen’s disappearance buys EJ the time he needs to hang on to the hospital, and Cat knows that EJ needs time to clear this all up. There’s a 90-day period where Gwen can buy it before the hospital goes into receivership.

The Missing Puzzle Piece and Gwen’s Jeopardy on Days

If you don’t know what that word means, it’s when a court orders a third party to take control of a company or organization because its original owners can’t legally keep running it. So, if Gwen’s not back in this 90 days, then the court would take the hospital from EJ and put a neutral third party in charge of it.

And that would give the court time to keep looking for a buyer. But it wouldn’t be allowed to be EJ. However, that 90-day window is a long enough time for him to maybe bribe somebody on the board or find some way to stop the sale. But that only works if Gwen’s not around to trigger the purchase. If she was in Salem, EJ would be out of luck immediately.

She would buy it next week and the 90 days wouldn’t even matter. So, it’s no wonder that Cat and Rafe and Leo and others think that EJ did something to Gwen to get her out of the way. And what we know is her cell phone’s off and Andrew tried to ping it. They couldn’t find it and the ISA can’t do a remote start on the cell phone. So, somebody’s been very careful to keep Gwen’s location a secret.

DOOL: Cat in Big Trouble

And Rafe scolded Cat for committing a crime by stealing Gwen’s file. However, Rafe gets that Cat had to act fast because she was worried Leo would get the letter, publish everything that was in Gwen’s confession, and it would tip off EJ, and then he’d have time to cover his tracks. So Rafe had a hard time seeing anything that they could use to arrest EJ in Gwen’s confession. But Cat pointed to one item where Gwen confessed that she and EJ kidnapped Dimitri von Leuschner (Peter Porte) after he was out of prison because that happened on US soil even though he wound up in Alamania.

And the letter says Gwen and EJ bankrolled Dimitri’s kidnapping and then she used the money to help EJ fund Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) experiments and to help get the patent and to buy the hospital. So Gwen and EJ thought they’d make billions. And this is the puzzle piece that Rafe and Cat have been searching for this whole time. The identity of EJ’s silent partner.

Days of our Lives: Everyone Searching for Gwen

They’ve got it. But Gwen’s missing. So the ISA, FBI, Salem PD, and Black Patch are all looking for her. And so is Leo, who packed a bag, and he’s ready to run off. Later this week, Leo texts Dimitri and tells Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) he knows that Gwen is in Alamania. And Chad and Belle Black (Martha Madison) are heading to Italy this week to follow the chess set clues. And according to Days of our Lives spoilers, seems like Chad and Belle may help search for Gwen while they’re there.

If you recall, when Gwen first told Leo about the dead man’s switch, she specifically told Leo the instructions were for the lawyer to make sure her death was legit and wait 10 days before flipping the switch. That’s because Gwen’s confession was only intended to be released in the event of her death when no law enforcement agencies could come after her for these crimes.

She knew Leo would publicize all the dirt on EJ in case the bad guy killed her. Instead, Leo told a law enforcement agent about the confession letter, which is about as dumb as you can get. He runs his big mouth all the time to everybody. And now once Gwen is released from her kidnapper, she could be looking at life behind bars. All thanks to Leo.

Days of Our Lives: A Deal in the Making

But then Rafe, Dimitri, Gwen and Leo do play let’s make a deal this summer. So it looks like Rafe may be offering a deal to Dimitri who doesn’t want to take it and Leo tries to convince Dimitri to make a deal with him instead. So, I think they might be offering Gwen immunity for Dimitri’s kidnapping if he will agree to it and if Gwen testifies against EJ because EJ is the big fish in this equation. Not Dimitri, not Gwen.

But even then, there’s no guarantee that she’s going to come out of this alive because bad men like to disappear witnesses all the time. So, I wonder if Leo is going to be in hot water with his ex-bestie if she finds out his big mouth put the FBI and the ISA on her trail.

It’s not unheard of for a celebrity to treat a vacation or family function like their own personal runway. Even when they try to tone things down, their outfits still feel bold and cost hundreds — which is why we’re extra appreciative of the simple black button-down dress style Julia Roberts wore during Emma Roberts‘ wedding weekend.

The actress was spotted celebrating her famous niece and her new husband, Cody John, in Idaho. While we love some good wedding guest outfit inspiration, it was Julia’s casual, day-off look that had Us ready to break out the credit card. The 58-year-old’s easy, throw-on dress style is the perfect travel companion, aka something you make sure to slip in your suitcase since it works as a swim coverup, coffee run look or casual sightseeing ensemble.

Get the Kuraki Button-Front Maxi Shirtdress for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

While the brand behind the Pretty Woman star’s dress remains unknown, we found a similar style on Amazon for $30. With its simple shirt-like design, breezy material and solid black color, the Kuraki Button-Front Maxi Shirtdress is nearly identical, but the price tag won’t leave you feeling buyer’s remorse.

Related: Julia Roberts’ Loose ‘Vacation Pants’ Are Still a Summer Must-Have

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About a year after cleaning out my closet and donating a bunch of clothes, I realized something: everything leftover felt kind of boring, and I needed to add more whimsical items, STAT. Perhaps the bright yellow pants I once owned were no longer a fit, but I often think about Julia Roberts‘ breezy striped bottoms, wishing the […]

Two main things make this pick stand out from the pack: it’s made of 100% cotton and has a non-constricting fit. While many shirtdresses feature a cinched waist or feel too structured to relax in, the Amazon find is loose and billowy, which is ideal on hot, sweaty days or when you’d rather not highlight your midsection. The sleeves can also be rolled up and held in place with a button tab, adding to the piece’s versatility.

“I absolutely love this dress,” one reviewer wrote. “I throw on a pair of sneakers and I’m good to go. The dress is soft and breathable. Perfect for warmer climates. The sleeve length is adjustable and cute however you wear it. From brunch, to the mall, to running errands, this dress fits the bill.”

“Lightweight and super comfy,” another shopper said. “Fits perfectly — if you want a little extra room, consider sizing up. Best dress I’ve ever ordered from Amazon. Quality, style, price on point.”

When it came to styling, Roberts went the casual route, adding matching black flip-flops, sunglasses and a tote. However, the same piece can be paired with strappy sandals or even boots come fall. Bonus: It can also worn as a robe or jacket by leaving the buttons unfastened. The dress is definitely versatile, making it the ideal option to take on trips and wear multiple times, saving room in your suitcase.

The black option will help you nail the celebrity look, but the Kuraki dress also comes in denim, white, olive green and more, letting you choose a color that best suits your style. Grab your favorite now and channel a Hollywood legend on your next day off.

Get the Kuraki Button-Front Maxi Shirtdress for $30 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more button-down dresses here, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Related: Rich-Mom Style Starts With These Affordable Amazon Dresses

It’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars on a single dress in pursuit of feeling polished and put together. But, as tempting as it might be, you don’t have to pay luxury prices to get the designer look you’re craving. With the right silhouette, thoughtful tailoring and elevated details, even affordable styles can pass for […]

Kendra Wilkinson is choosing to celebrate progress instead of setbacks.

The reality star proudly shared the latest results of her GLP-1 journey, shifting the focus to a personal victory after recently facing disappointment in her professional life.

The milestone comes after Kendra Wilkinson was dealt a major career blow when her real estate series failed to secure another season. Even so, she appears determined to keep moving forward, embracing the wins she can control while leaving recent setbacks behind.

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Three months into her GLP-1 journey, Kendra Wilkinson proudly celebrated the results with a new Instagram video, confidently posing in a maroon bikini. The reality star told fans she “couldn’t feel more amazing” or “more confident,” adding that she was thrilled the results were finally showing.  

Wilkinson also encouraged others who had been curious about GLP-1 treatments to give Effecty a try, saying in her caption that she now feels “actual summer ready, not the fake kind.” She explained that reaching this point had left her feeling better than ever in her own body.

Fans quickly filled the comments with support, with one writing, “[Fire emoji] love this!!” Another commented, “Crushing it girl…,” while a third added, “So happy for you queen! [clapping emojis and heart emoji].” The encouraging reactions matched Wilkinson’s excitement as she celebrated another milestone in her health journey.

Honesty Became Part Of The Journey

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Earlier, Wilkinson admitted she was going to be honest about her weight-loss journey, stating that she didn’t want fans to be blinded to the process and see only the natural results. She was also very clear that she believed that the best reason for her to join Effecty was her drive for improving her health, not weight loss.

The television personality also made it clear that the decision was carefully considered. The Blast noted that Wilkinson said she wanted a program that felt supportive, realistic, and suited to her lifestyle, adding that she planned to keep followers updated as her journey continued instead of hiding the process.

Her openness caused a stir on the Internet. Many spoke well of her candor, urging her to continue, but some wondered about her need for the medicine at all. The conversation then turned into a wide-ranging conversation around body image, health, and personal choice.

Kendra Wilkinson Previously Defended Her Changing Appearance

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Wilkinson had preemptively responded to criticism about her appearance prior to starting her GLP-1 journey. She had been the target of comments regarding her weight and aging, but she has said that she felt good about herself and didn’t let the negativity on the Internet get the better of her.

The former reality star also stood up for her personal style, saying that it showed her life as it is now, not how she presented herself on TV. Instead of going for a dreamy look, she said she was more concerned with living a happy life around positive energy than anything else.

While she went on to say that she wanted to start GLP-1 treatment, Wilkinson said it was never about being skinny. She said her objective was to get healthier, to get balance back into her life, to be able to put on her clothes without discomfort, and that her decision was not a reaction to public opinion, but one of her own.

Critics Did Not Change The Reality Star’s Mind

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Wilkinson has faced criticism about her appearance before, particularly after fans began commenting on her weight gain and changing looks. Rather than retreat from the spotlight, she made it clear that she was comfortable in her own skin and no longer interested in meeting other people’s expectations.

The Blast reported that the former reality star previously addressed claims that she had “aged poorly,” explaining that she had learned to embrace her natural appearance after years of trying to impress others.

Wilkinson stressed that she was happier than she had been in a long time and no longer measured her worth through public approval or male attention.

That mindset appears to have carried over into her latest health journey. While she remains open about wanting to improve her fitness and energy levels, Wilkinson has repeatedly emphasized that the goal is not perfection but feeling comfortable, confident, and healthy in her own body.

Kendra Wilkinson Broke Down After Career Setback

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Wilkinson recently shared one of her most vulnerable moments after revealing she lost a client despite weeks of work. Posting a tearful selfie on Instagram Stories, the former reality star admitted she was struggling, writing, “When a client fires you… after all the work you put in,” before adding, “Ya, I’m struggling today guys.”

Wilkinson later explained how deeply the setback had affected her. She admitted that balancing motherhood with a demanding real estate career has left her emotionally drained at times, saying rejection can be difficult even when she knows she’s given her best.

Despite breaking down, she later thanked fans for their support and vowed to keep moving forward. After rebuilding her life following divorce, mental health struggles, and a career change, Wilkinson continues to face setbacks with honesty.

As Kendra Wilkinson pushes forward through every challenge, will this difficult chapter become another step in her comeback?

Marvel Studios has managed to pull off something that feels almost impossible in today’s internet age: keeping one of the biggest casting secrets completely under wraps.

As Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters this week, fans are still asking the same question they’ve been debating for more than a year:

Who is Sadie Sink actually playing?

The speculation reached another level after Sony released a new promotional clip featuring Sink, where her answer about her character is intentionally bleeped out, instantly sending social media into detective mode once again. While the clip offers no definitive answers, it is the latest example of Marvel leaning into one of the film’s biggest mysteries.

Marvel Isn’t Hiding It by Accident

Director Destin Daniel Cretton recently explained that the secrecy is completely intentional and for good reason.

“There is a very real reason” the role hasn’t been revealed, Cretton said, adding that audiences will understand why once they have seen the movie. He also noted that while some fans enjoy knowing every detail ahead of release, preserving surprises is part of the experience.

That comment alone has convinced many fans that Sink’s character is not simply another supporting role, but someone whose identity could reshape the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Biggest Fan Theories

Gwen Stacy

Perhaps the safest prediction is Gwen Stacy.

Peter Parker is beginning a brand new chapter following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, making this an ideal opportunity to introduce one of Spider Man’s most iconic comic book characters.

With MJ and Ned moving on with their lives and no longer remembering Peter, a new relationship could naturally fit into this next phase of the franchise.

Jean Grey

For months, the internet was convinced Sink would make her MCU debut as Jean Grey, finally bringing one of Marvel’s most powerful mutants into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The theory made sense on paper. Sink has the look, the acting range, and Marvel is steadily building toward introducing the X Men.

However, Tom Holland recently appeared to pour cold water on that idea, saying, “Well, she’s not in this movie, but it would be pretty cool.” Whether fans believe Holland, or think he is simply protecting another Marvel secret, is another story entirely.

Jean Grey [Marvel Comics]

Mayday Parker

Another increasingly popular theory suggests Sink could be playing Mayday Parker, Peter Parker’s daughter from an alternate universe.

Given Marvel’s continued use of multiverse storytelling, introducing Mayday now could open the door for future Spider Man stories while expanding the Parker family legacy beyond Peter himself.

Rachel Summers

Some fans have gone even deeper into Marvel lore by predicting Rachel Summers, the daughter of Jean Grey and Cyclops from an alternate timeline.

If Marvel plans to merge Spider Man’s street level adventures with the arrival of mutants, Rachel could serve as an unexpected bridge between those worlds.

Rachel Summers [Marvel Comics]

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Why the Secret Matters

Marvel has spent years trying to preserve genuine surprises in an era dominated by leaks and spoilers.

The studio has kept Sadie Sink largely absent from trailers, TV spots, and promotional materials, making her one of the few major MCU characters whose identity has remained completely unknown leading up to release.

With Brand New Day positioned as a fresh beginning for Peter Parker after the world forgot his identity, introducing a significant new character makes perfect narrative sense.

Whether that character is Gwen Stacy, an X Men icon, or someone fans have not even considered yet, Marvel clearly believes the reveal is worth protecting.

The Wait Is Almost Over

Fortunately, fans will not have to speculate much longer.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in theaters July 31, meaning the internet’s biggest MCU mystery is only days away from being solved. Until then, every new promotional clip, including the latest bleeped out interview with Sadie Sink, is only fueling the excitement.

One thing is certain: if Marvel has gone to these lengths to keep her character secret, the reveal is likely to be one of the film’s biggest moments.