Entertainment
How Dueling Space Station Shows Created Sci-Fi’s Best Decade
By Jennifer Asencio
| Published

The mid-1990s were a golden age of space opera. Two of the best shows of this genre were Star Trek’s Deep Space Nine and the independent series, Babylon 5. Both shows centered on a space station with all the drama, diplomacy, and war of such a setting. The conflicts of both shows are compounded by the existential horror of knowing there are forces at play that are larger and incomprehensible than the “human” mind can process.
We are introduced to both settings following major conflicts, and the recovery that comes after is often dark and filled with its own dread. Both series confront the harsh realities of war and occupation. The depth of the stories expressed is what makes these two shows stand out above the rest. Both ask us questions on guilt, innocence, and the price of survival.
The Name Of The Place Is Babylon 5

Babylon 5 begins in the aftermath of the Earth-Minbari War with an unsteady peace on the titular neutral-zone station. The Narn Homeworld was recently liberated from the Centauri Republic. Other minor powers are shown wanting a voice in station politics and to stop any wars. As the series progresses, the stakes are continually raised, with much of it framed by the Narn-Centauri conflict reigniting.
Overarching the politics of these various alien races are the machinations of the galaxy’s eldest races and the games they play. The Vorlon Empire has existed for millions of years and wanted to bring order to a chaotic galaxy. Resisting them is an even older species: the boogeymen of the series, the Shadows, with ships as black as the void of space. It is considered an ill omen to see even a shadow of their vessels. This ancient species believed that evolution began through chaos and conflict. Believing in the power of flesh and bioengineering, their ships were alive.
From the start of the series, audiences can feel the depth of lore. The ideologies of the Vorlon and the Shadow feel like universal truths. In Babylon 5’s clever cyclical storytelling, the young replace the old. Conflict will always happen. Order will always stand against disorder as the interests of the various alien species collide.
Come To Quark’s, Quark’s Is Fun

Meanwhile, at the start of Deep Space Nine, the Federation has taken over the former Cardassian station, Terok Nor, now known by the titular Starfleet designation. The station becomes the hub of new exploration when a wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant is discovered nearby.
Early seasons build on the recovery of Bajor and continued issues with the Cardassian Union. Meanwhile, the plot slowly introduces the Dominion threat, first through the Vorta and later through their Jem’Hadar shock troops. Eventually, it becomes a fully blown war, taking up the later seasons of “DS9.”
The story of Deep Space Nine is not typical of many shows set in the Star Trek setting. It has a long, continuously evolving plot despite having individual episodes like any other Star Trek show. Characters experience true devastating loss, with episodes showing lists of lost vessels with crew either confirmed killed or missing. It cast the long, dark shadow of war across the remaining seasons of the show, raising questions about morality and ethics in the face of an unrelenting enemy and the lines they are willing to cross to ensure victory.
Parallel’s Beween DS9 And B5

There are many similarities between these two series: themes, settings, and conflicts, starting with the Earth-Minbari War and the Cardassian withdrawal of Bajor. Simmering tensions brewing between groups leads to active war in both series. Even the elder alien races are comparable: the Vorlons and the Shadows in the universe of Babylon 5 mirror DS9’s Dominion, led by the shapeshifting Changelings who view solids as bringing chaos and disorder.
Another parallel between the two shows is that we, as fans, are treated to some of the best dramatic acting in all of science fiction. Scenes between the Narn ambassador G’Kar and the Centauri ambassador Londo Mollari on Babylon 5 reveal a history that predates what we are initially shown, as seen in their emotion and pain over the love for their people and their home worlds. It mirrors the ongoing verbal duel between Captain Sisko and Gul Dukat as they debate their roles in history, how they will be remembered, and the motivations of their actions.
Babylon 5 Journeys Into Darkness Deep Space Nine Avoids

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two shows was the tone. Babylon 5 showed us a darker, more dystopian future. Despite the darkness, sorrow, and loss during Deep Space Nine, the characters remained Starfleet. They still acted nobly even when an easier path existed but crossed moral or ethical lines. Babylon 5 showed us more clearly the flaws, the inhumanities, and failures in its main characters.
The similarities between the shows eventually led to a lawsuit, but the creator of Babylon 5 ultimately decided not to pursue it so that both shows could succeed. We should be thankful that, as fans, we got to experience a quality of programming that is lacking in current productions.
All that we have been lectured on, with modern norms pushed into places where they really don’t fit, like questions on race, colonization, and violence: these were all handled on two 1990s space stations with nuance lacking in modern science fiction. Fans of one will vastly enjoy the other, and both series are the real inclusive utopias today’s programming only wishes it could aspire to.
Check them out where you can: Deep Space Nine is part of Paramount Plus’s Star Trek collection, and Babylon 5 just got absorbed by YouTube.
Entertainment
Kim Delaney Says Her ‘Celebrity Status’ Made Her Flee Crash Scene
Kim Delaney has revealed why she chose to flee a crash scene after she rammed into a man named Dzhamal Badalov with her vehicle.
Badalov had accused the “NYPD Blue” star of being drunk while driving on that fateful day and sued her for unspecified damages.
Kim Delaney’s estranged husband, James Morgan, was also recently arrested after law enforcement received several calls reporting a family disturbance at their Los Angeles-area apartment complex.
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Kim Delaney Was Sued For An Alleged Drunk Driving Crash Incident

Delaney has filed new documents relating to a bizarre hit-and-run incident involving a man named Dzhamal Badalov back in 2022.
Badalov sued her for the accident in January 2024, claiming she reeked of alcohol as witnesses saw her driving erratically before the alleged crash.
In his lawsuit, he claimed that he stopped at a red light in November 2022 when Delaney crashed into his bike, flinging him from his motorcycle to the intersection. When Delaney got out of her car, she was allegedly acting disoriented but managed to call an unknown person on her phone.
The actress then gave him the phone to speak with the person, whom he said tried to offer him an unspecified amount of money not to call the cops, but he didn’t take it.
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However, she fled the scene before the cops arrived, leading him to file the lawsuit at the time. He’s suing her for unspecified damages.
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The Actress Denies All Accusations Of Wrongdoing, Claims She Left The Crash Scene Because Of Her ‘Celebrity Status’

According to TMZ, new court records show that Delaney admitted to ramming Badalov with her vehicle, but denied being drunk when the accident happened, telling a judge she left the scene because she feared for her safety.
The Emmy-winning actress said that she was surrounded by several people in the aftermath of the incident, and had a “previous history of personal assault in this neighborhood.”
She also noted that she’s an actress who has “appeared in television series and movies, and is additionally fearful of any retribution or attack based on her perceived celebrity status.”
Delaney denies Badalov’s claims that she was drunk, saying the crash was caused by third parties beyond her control.
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Meanwhile, she was ordered in April 2024 to do 50 hours of community service and complete the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Program (MADD) over the alleged 2022 incident, per the Daily Mail.
At the time, reports suggested she “was told she must not operate a vehicle without a valid driver’s license in her possession and liability insurance.”
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Kim Delaney’s Husband Was Arrested Earlier This Month
This isn’t the first time the veteran actress has made headlines for controversial reasons, as her estranged husband James Morgan was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of domestic violence.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department revealed that they had to swing into action after receiving at least three 911 calls complaining of the noise and verbal disturbance that was coming from a Marina del Rey apartment complex.
Morgan was picked up as a result of the phone calls and “his refusal to cooperate with the investigation,” and was booked for a misdemeanor charge.
According to People Magazine, a spokesperson revealed at the time that he was “cited and released.”
The Actress’s Marriage Has Allegedly Hit The Rocks

The incident comes amid Delaney and Morgan’s rocky relationship over the past couple of years, with reports suggesting they are currently in the middle of a divorce.
The pair ran into trouble last year with the “Army Wives” actress arrested on suspicion of felony assault following an alleged domestic disturbance, which also saw Morgan arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence for alleged assault with a deadly weapon.
According to the reports, both arrests came after a “heated argument that turned physical.”
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Delaney later appeared before an L.A. court in April that year, but a spokesperson revealed that the L.A. District Attorney’s Office “declined to file charges against Kim Delaney and James Morgan due to insufficient evidence.” She was released from custody without a formal criminal complaint.
Kim Delanye Shared A Sweet Tribute To Her Husband Despite Their Marriage Troubles
Despite the sourness in their relationship, the 69-year-old actress hasn’t refrained from showering her husband with love from time to time on social media.
Days before their arrest in March 2025, she took to Instagram to share a photo with him and captioned it “Pure love #lucky #grateful.”
After their release, she shared a photo of a bouquet of flowers to celebrate her husband’s birthday, writing, “Birthday Boy, 55!!!!! Your wife loves you, my guy!”
Entertainment
You Can Perfectly Track the History of the Horror Genre by Watching These 10 Movies
Horror has a special place in cinema history. The most prolific and recognizable filmmaking style ever created has had a helping hand in shaping the entertainment world into the smashing juggernaut that it is today, and its popularity grows each year. Since the medium’s conception, with the first horror technically being 1896’s Le Manoir du Diable (The House of the Devil), the genre has been at the forefront, creating some of the most iconic, terrifying, and wildly successful films ever made.
The timeline of the horror genre from its inception to the current era is nothing short of spectacular. Each era, from the silent age to the start of the 2020s, has seen horror change considerably and introduced something inventive that helped elevate the genre into the exciting powerhouse we know and love now. From the most revered classics to modern achievements, let’s track the frightening history of the horror genre using ten landmark films that best represent each significant point since its invention.
10
‘Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror’ (1922)
Starting with the silent age, horror in the time before talking pictures was when the genre was still in its infancy. This period was filled with pioneering classics, many of them still highly revered today for creativity and compelling visual storytelling. From The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and The Golem to The Phantom of the Opera, these were some of the first films to truly show the terrifying potential of horror. But, in this age of excellence, it is F. W. Murnau‘s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror that’s widely hailed as the most definitive thanks to its historical influence.
Released in 1922 as an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker‘s Dracula, Nosferatu provided endless terror, becoming the pinnacle of early horror cinema. Featuring eerie visuals, a dark, haunting atmosphere, and one of the most unsettling depictions of a vampire in Count Orlok (Max Schreck), Nosferatu has become a timeless masterpiece that continues to have a lasting impact on modern horror. Arguably, it best represents the silent age of filmmaking with how iconic and revered it’s remained all these decades later.
9
‘Frankenstein’ (1931)
Moving away from the silent era to the dawn of talking motion pictures, next, let’s talk about Hollywood’s Golden Age of horror, when iconic tales of monsters, ghouls, and ghostly nightmares ruled cinema for most of the 1930s and ’40s. It was when Universal Studios entered its most legendary stage: the classic Monsters Universe, a time that saw Dracula, The Wolf Man, and The Mummy triumph on the big screen. But, taking the next spot on this list is a pioneering classic and arguably the most representative of this time, Frankenstein.
Released in 1931 by the remarkable James Whale, this legendary retelling of Mary Shelley‘s iconic novel has had a helping hand in shaping pop culture. Its story, characters, and classic sets have all been ingrained in the minds of cinemagoers for generations. Everything, from the lines to Boris Karloff‘s riveting portrayal of the creature, is still remembered, showing the power and excitement of watching a classic Universal Monster film. Though other adaptations of Shelley’s work are arguably more compelling, Frankenstein certainly represents the peak of this memorable age of horror history.
8
‘Gojira’ (1954)
In a post-WWII entertainment world, the late 1940s and ’50s saw the rise of the sci-fi horror craze. It was a time when the biggest thing to fear in theaters wasn’t some vampire in a dark castle or a supernatural beast, but something much more scientific. From alien invader flicks like War of the Worlds and The Thing from Another World, science-gone-wrong movies like The Fly and The Tingler, to cheesy B-movie classics like Tarantula and The Blob, it truly was a unique change for the genre. The atomic age defined this period, and what better film to define this time than the 1954 classic Gojira?
The world was still recovering after the war, and a new era of atomic energy brought the fear of nuclear devastation to an all-time high. It was greatly expressed through the films that came out during this time. Gojira is the pinnacle of this age, a powerful and creative film that uses its titular monster, the towering and iconic Godzilla, as a metaphor for the A-bomb’s devastating result. It’s also become a massive pop-cultural phenomenon that’s still widely watched, and Godzilla himself has remained a recognizable icon who is still featured in films today. Still, this first film will always be the best representative of this iconic point in history.
7
‘Psycho’ (1960)
The 1960s were some of the most transformative years of the 20th century, a time marked by significant cultural change and advancing ideas. Nowhere was this shift better expressed than through cinema, as films were evolving and shaping into the modern moviegoing experience that we know today. When it comes to horror, no film better exemplifies this change more than Sir Alfred Hitchcock‘s groundbreaking proto-slasher masterpiece Psycho.
Hailed as one of the most influential horror movies ever made, Psycho embodies the genre’s remarkable shift towards edgier, bolder horror during the ’60s. This bold approach was outright revolutionary, as many films during this time were lighter and followed much of the still-enforced Hays Code. Psycho dared to break all that, telling a darker, terrifying tale that was more risqué and violent than anything up to that point. It was way ahead of its time and ushered in a new age of terror that’s still prevalent even now.
6
‘The Exorcist’ (1973)
Where the ’60s got the ball rolling and helped shape modern horror, the ’70s were really where things kicked it up a notch. This is arguably the most revered decade for horror, an age marked by wild acclaim and featuring intense classics. Steven Spielberg‘s monster hit Jaws birthed the summer blockbuster, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Halloween kick-started the slasher craze. However, there’s no mentioning this decade without talking about the scariest movie of all time: William Friedkin‘s The Exorcist.
The Exorcist is the ultimate ’70s horror movie, and it’s the most praised and recognizable film to come out of this time. It’s timelessly terrifying, featuring some of the scariest moments in horror history. From Linda Blair‘s bone-chilling performance as the possessed Regan to Krzysztof Penderecki‘s eerily brilliant film score, there’s so much that’s made this seminal picture endlessly horrifying over the years, and its terror can still trump any of the films that come out today.
5
‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)
The 1980s were a truly exhilarating time to be a movie fan, an age of mega blockbusters and iconic Best Picture winners. The movies let the audience get swept up in the fun, abandoning most pretenses beyond entertainment. It was also where the horror genre reached the height of the slasher craze after it took off in the late ’70s. From Friday the 13th to Child’s Play, most of the thrilling slasher flicks we know and love started here. But, here to represent the peak of slashers and the peak of ’80s horror, is Wes Craven‘s A Nightmare on Elm Street.
A Nightmare on Elm Street rolled into theaters in 1984 and instantly became a pop-cultural phenomenon, a major hit with critics and audiences that turned its sinister killer, Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), into one of the greatest characters in cinema. Craven’s masterpiece marked a time when slashers absolutely dominated the box office, and today it’s still hailed for its intense scares, legendary characters, and for just overall capturing the spirit of this exciting decade.
4
‘Scream’ (1996)
Horror went through quite a remarkable change in the 1990s. Like any decade, it also saw extreme highs and major lows. It was when The Silence of the Lambs came out and became the first horror movie to win Best Picture, but it also experienced the most significant dark age, a time when slashers were becoming tired, outdated, and too clichéd. Then everything changed when Wes Craven returned with another game-changer, 1996’s Scream.
Scream came at the perfect time to save the subgenre from irrelevancy, delivering a fresh, bold new story that powerfully poked fun at the horror genre while giving new inspiration. Scream ushered in a new age of meta-horror, where the stories reference other movies and the characters are self-aware and know the tropes that made up the genre. It’s still a huge influence on the slasher and horror comedies that come out in modern cinema, and its impact on cinematic history will likely never be forgotten.
3
‘Saw’ (2004)
A new century brought all kinds of shifts to horror. The 2000s were the peak of experimental horror, where every year they tested the waters to see what would float and become the next biggest thing. Through this ever-advancing time for the genre, up-and-coming filmmaker James Wan dared to push something far edgier and unique, and so his 2004 splatter masterpiece Saw became seen as one of the ultimate horror films of the early century.
Packing some intense scares, a chilling mystery, and a now-legendary and iconic villain, Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), Saw is a recognizable staple of 2000s horror cinema. It was darker, more shocking, and more gruesome than anything really up to that point, and it really elevated the splatter and torture subgenres to the next level of recognition. It’s still a pop-cultural phenomenon more than twenty years later, and its influence really helped shape the genre going further into this century.
2
‘Hereditary’ (2018)
The early 2000s kick-started a new age of horror, and then the next decade brought a new meaning to the genre. Next, we enter the 2010s, and truly, the movement that represented this time was the elevated horror subgenre. Trading jump-scares, loud noises, over-the-top gore, and expensive Hollywood-style productions for quieter, more thematic storytelling, this decade was marked by a return to subtler, more thought-provoking horror. And, truly, what better masterpiece to describe this point than Ari Aster‘s 2018 film Hereditary?
A wickedly intense, highly suspenseful, and unimaginably terrifying thrill ride, Hereditary is now considered to be one of the all-time most twisted horror films in the industry. Its story is perfectly written, the direction is on point, and it features talented stars at the top of their game, giving award-worthy performances. Hereditary greatly represents this terrifying new wave of elevated horror with its tense story that easily creeps under the viewer’s skin. It’s a modern masterpiece whose influence has carried over to the next decade.
1
‘Sinners’ (2025)
Finally, we’ve entered the current era of the 2020s, and boy, have things been interesting. Though we’re only slightly past the mid-point of this decade, it’s safe to say that we’ve certainly entered a new horror renaissance. It’s a time marked by high-quality new stories and a resurgence at the box office, where reboot franchises like Scream and Final Destination have returned to reclaim their dominance, and where freshly creative tales are here to make a name for themselves in the genre. No original horror film demonstrated this approach more than Ryan Coogler‘s Oscar-caliber vampire film Sinners.
This modern masterpiece is the current face of the horror genre, an absolute cinematic achievement that was a mega hit both critically and financially. With a record sixteen nominations, it’s now the most nominated movie in Academy Award history, a testament to how wildly acclaimed and truly brilliant it’s become. Sinners is a symbol of the horror genre’s dominance and influence in this current decade, and if it’s anything to go by, it’s that horror is only going up from here.
Entertainment
North West Signs Major Deal With Mariah Carey Label
North West is stepping into the spotlight in a major way. The 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West has officially signed a deal with Gamma, the independent entertainment company that counts Mariah Carey among its talent.
The move marks North’s boldest step yet into the music industry, signaling that her early performances and features were just the beginning of something much bigger.
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North West Signs With Mariah Carey’s Label Gamma

According to a Daily Mail report, North West has formally partnered with Gamma, the independent entertainment company founded by former Apple executive Larry Jackson.
The label, launched in 2023, has quickly made a name for itself by building a roster that includes major artists such as Carey, Usher, Sexyy Red, and Snoop Dogg.
According to sources, North has already started recording sessions under the new deal, indicating that music is no longer just a side project but a focused pursuit.
The company also has a professional connection to her father, as Gamma is in charge of releasing his upcoming album, “Bully.”
North’s latest single, “Piercing on My Hand,” reportedly arrived earlier this month through the company, with production credits tied to her dad and Will Frenchman.
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The track followed a series of high-profile appearances that have steadily built her résumé.
While still just 12, North is being homeschooled, a choice both parents believe suits her schedule and creative ambitions.
With studio time already underway, the Gamma partnership signals a structured and serious entry into the industry.
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North Expands Her Musical Footprint

North West has already proven she’s comfortable on big stages. Earlier this year, she debuted “Piercing on My Hand” live in Mexico City during one of Kanye’s performances, in front of nearly 40,000 fans.
During that same show, she joined her father for renditions of “Only One” and several ¥$ tracks.
Her chart presence is also growing. North previously appeared on “Talking/Once Again,” a collaboration between her dad and Ty Dolla $ign that reached Number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The placement introduced her to mainstream audiences beyond her family’s global fame.
Not long after, she featured on FKA Twigs’s “Childlike Things,” where she sang verses in both Japanese and English, a move that showcased versatility at a young age.
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North West Trends After Getting Face Tattoos

Besides career milestones, North has also been trending for the wrong reasons in recent months.
As The Blast reported in October 2025, the 12-year-old sparked a social media frenzy after posting a TikTok video showcasing a bold new look featuring fake face tattoos, faux piercings, and dramatic styling.
In the series of clips shared on the joint @kimandnorth account she shares with her mom, North wore temporary facial designs and accessories while filming with friends aboard what appeared to be a private jet, embracing an edgy streetwear vibe that drew attention.
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The TikToks quickly circulated on platforms like X and sparked a range of responses, with some viewers calling the look creative and fashion-forward, while others questioned whether a 12-year-old should be posting such striking imagery.
One user wrote, “How about go be a kid,” while another shared, “What in the Kanye West is happening?”
Kim Kardashian Defends North’s Fashion Choices

Not long after North West shared the videos, Kardashian publicly defended her daughter’s fashion and style choices, telling critics that the controversy is overblown and asking for “a little bit of grace” from the public.
The mom of four responded in her joint account’s comment section, noting per The Blast, “This is such a non-issue,” and later explained on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast that her daughter was experimenting with costumes and self-expression, not permanent body modifications.
Kardashian said her daughter is learning about fashion from her and reinforced that she is a good girl even as she explores her personal style.
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The socialite also revealed that part of North’s homeschool curriculum includes realistic fashion and brand-building lessons that tie into what she’s genuinely interested in.
North West Sets The Internet Ablaze With Finger Piercings

A few months after the face tattoos drama, North made the headlines again after she showed off her finger piercings, which many fans considered too risky and inappropriate.
One photo showed North with two silver studs on one finger, while another showed a blue gemstone on her middle finger.
Other social media posts showed the tiny studs set into the skin of her fingers, with some fans noting that such surface piercings require careful aftercare and are easily rejected by the body, especially in a high-movement area like the hands.
Others pointed out that North’s piercings appeared fresh, with slight swelling visible in some photos.
Still, Kardashian did not publicly address the finger piercings, leaving the images to fuel discussion of her parenting choices.
Entertainment
Team USA’s Isabeau Levito Admitted ‘Crush’ on Fellow Olympic Figure Skater
Before gushing about her experience inside the Olympic Village, Team USA figure skater Isabeau Levito admitted she had eyes for another one of her sport’s stars.
“Oh my God, someone said my celebrity crush is Cha Jun-hwan, that is so real,” Levito, 18, said in a resurfaced clip from a recent Instagram Live with fellow Team USA figure skater Alysa Liu.
Liu, 20, responded, “Is this a bit?”
Levito and Cha, 24, were both members of the 2024 Stars on Ice tour, which is where Levito’s affinity for the skater first blossomed.
“Everyone’s bit with him was just that he was perfect,” Levito explained. “In the group rehearsals, when everybody was looking bad, everyone would just look at Cha Jun-hwan and say, ‘But he is perfect.’”
Cha, who represents the Republic of Korea, finished in 4th place in the men’s figure skating event at the 2026 Olympics, falling just 0.98 points behind Japan’s Shun Sato, who took home the bronze medal.
The clip of Levito began circulating online after her comments about loving life in the Olympic Village went viral earlier this week.

South Korea’s Cha Jun-hwan competes in the figure skating men’s singles free skating final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 13, 2026. WANG Zhao / AFP
“I’ve spent every night in the [Olympic] Village. It’s been everything and more,” Levito told NBC in a video posted on Monday, February 16. “You can’t evict me.”
She added, “I don’t think there’s anything not to enjoy. I haven’t even gotten to compete yet and I feel like my experience is already complete. Not complete, but I’m having a blast. The best time.”
The American star had plenty of time to explore the Village grounds, arriving in Italy weeks before she finally hit the ice to compete in the women’s figure skating short program event on Tuesday, February 17.
“I feel like I’m exactly where I want to be and I’m so glad that things have aligned and worked out for me to be here,” Levito said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to compete.”
Levito finished in 5th place in the short program, with American Liu in 3rd. Amber Glenn, the third member of Team USA’s Blade Angels, had a disappointing skate and finished in 13th place.
“I feel very good,” Levito told NBC after her performance. “I feel like I skated with the elegance that I wanted to skate with. And I’m very glad that my Olympic debut looked like that … I just felt special.”
She continued, “I really love this program. I love the costume, and I love the character that I get to play in this program. So I just feel very confident and very satisfied and happy with myself right now.”
Liu was in a similarly positive mood after her short program on Tuesday.
“It felt great,” Liu told reporters. “I don’t know if I felt this good because it was Olympic ice, or because my best friend, my siblings, my [dad] and my friends were watching. I don’t know which it is — I’m just really happy, and this moment is really exciting.”
Levito, Liu and Glenn, 26, all return to the ice for the women’s free skate on Thursday, February 19.
Entertainment
“Percy Jackson” casts a Disney Princess as Hera, queen of Olympus, for season 3
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The Disney+ series has also found its Demeter and Apollo.
Entertainment
The Iconic Star Trek Villains Inspired By Real-Life Criminals
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published

Star Trek is a franchise that has always been known for its colorful villains: from the Klingons to the Borg, episodes have always given us over-the-top bad guys like nothing the audience had ever seen before. However, the most iconic villains of a beloved spinoff were actually modeled after a type of real-life criminal that the audience is all too familiar with. In Star Trek: Voyager, the alien Kazons were originally modeled after the street gangs of Los Angeles, but it took over an entire season before one writer helped shape them into this very specific mold.
During the development of Voyager, producers Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor wanted to create a new kind of villain that nonetheless represented very contemporary concerns. As quoted in Captains’ Logs Supplemental – The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages, Taylor said that “We felt with the Kazon we needed to address the tenor of our times and what…was happening in our cities and recognizing a source of danger and social unrest. We wanted to do that metaphorically.”
The Bloods, The Crips, And The Kazon

Piller (who almost singlehandedly transformed Star Trek: The Next Generation into must-see TV) liked the idea of villains who embraced anarchy and might fight among themselves as much as they fight with Captain Janeway. He and the other producers retained the LA gang metaphor, internally comparing the differing Kazon factions to the Bloods and the Crips. They were all in on these new bad guys, which is why the Voyager premiere episode and its first season presented various Kazon factions as an ongoing concern in our crew’s quest to navigate the Delta Quadrant and eventually make their way home.
Unfortunately, audiences kind of hated the Kazon in Season 1, and Michael Piller came to believe that the writers had failed to turn these aliens into something truly unique. After Ken Biller wrote an initial draft of the Season 2 episode “Initiations,” Piller called him and (as reported originally by Cinefantastique) expressed his concern that the audience saw the Kazon as “warmed over Klingons.” In order to get these villains back to their roots, Piller gave Biller a pretty wild homework assignment: to go talk to actual gang members and report on “what you find out from the street.”
Biller did not take this frankly dangerous advice, but he did go buy a copy of Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member, written (inside a jail cell, no less) by Sanyika “Monster” Shakur. Insights from the book helped the writer create a better Star Trek: Voyager episode, and Piller was quite pleased with the final draft of “Initiations.” But what pleased him even more was that Biller went on to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to breathe new life into the Kazons.
The Secret To Building A Better Villain

You see, Biller wrote a kind of mini-Kazon Bible that outlined their customs, history, and other major sociological factoids. This proved to be invaluable because Star Trek: Voyager had already planned to devote its second season to the Kazon, essentially giving itself a second chance to make a good impression on the audience. Whenever the writers had to craft a Kazon-heavy episode (like “Alliances”), they relied on Biller’s bible, one which finally made the Kazon feel like something other than Temu Klingons.
To this day, the Kazon aren’t necessarily fans’ favorite villains, but they are arguably the most iconic Star Trek: Voyager bad guys. In a show that would come to be dominated (or should that be assimilated?) by Borg episodes, the Kazon remain an original creation who helped shape Voyager into one of Trek’s most beloved spinoffs. But that never would have happened if Michael Piller and Ken Biller hadn’t teamed up to do the impossible: get these angsty aliens back to their inexplicable gangbanger roots.
Entertainment
Bold and the Beautiful: 5 Major Storylines B&B Is Currently Destroying
Bold and the Beautiful finds there is a lot of fan outrage right now over many of the storylines on the CBS soap. From Sheila Carter‘s (Kimberlin Brown) marriage being blown up to Eric Forrester‘s (John McCook) design disaster—not the designs themselves, but the way it’s playing out—and several other storylines that are just unsatisfactory to a lot of viewers.
We’re going to talk about five things that B&B is royally messing up right now. Let’s get into what has fans so riled up right now.
Fan Backlash Over Deacon Sharpe and Sheila Carter’s Crumbling Marriage on Bold and the Beautiful
The first thing I want to discuss that has fans steamed is the attack on Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) and Sheila’s marriage. What’s crazy to me is that Brad Bell has twisted this around and managed to make Sheila sympathetic when we all know she’s a killer. But they’ve done it.
Bold and the Beautiful viewers do not like that Deacon is trying to cheat on Sheila after they turned their lives around and built this happy marriage. Deacon’s put his life back together after his terribly criminal past. He’s made a smashing success of things, and I do think that Sheila deserves credit for some part of that.
Fans enjoyed the chemistry between Deacon and Sheila. We’ve watched their love story and their journey, and somewhere along the way, you started rooting for them. Now, Bold is ripping that all apart and doing it in a really skeevy way.
Bold and the Beautiful Has Taylor Not Acting Like Herself
We’ve got Sheila about to lose her husband to Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig), a noted psychiatrist who’s violating her professional ethics to kiss and get hot and heavy with a married patient. The whole thing where Deacon said, “Oh, I’m not her patient anymore,” is not how that works.
For a psychiatrist like her who’s an MD, they are never allowed to date or have any sexual involvement with a patient. It just can’t happen professionally. It’s one thing for her to catfight Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) to try and get Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye), but for Taylor to risk her medical license is bad writing and very out of character.
I saw a fan comment recently that I felt was thought-provoking. The question they asked was: Does Deacon really want Taylor, or does Deacon just want out of his marriage to Sheila? He may see Taylor as a springboard or a catalyst to end things with his wife.
At long last, Deacon might have realized being with Sheila isn’t sustainable for his long-term happiness. Deacon’s kids hate Sheila, as do his employees and his customers. Taylor is somebody his family would welcome and wouldn’t hurt this redeemed reputation he has built.
Deacon’s kids and Taylor are all pressing him on the Sheila issue, so Deacon might have latched onto Taylor for the wrong reasons. Plus, to me, they said “I love you” way too fast. It feels sloppy, forced, and off.
Ridge Forrester’s High-Handed Attitude and Disrespect Toward Eric on B&B
The second thing fans are really sick of cuts across a lot of messy storylines, and that’s Ridge’s ongoing crappy attitude. He has been so unlikable for so long and it’s not getting better. He kicked Eric out of Forrester then half-heartedly apologized, but he can’t un-ring the bell.
On the day Ridge sprung the surprise party and told Eric to retire from the company he founded, Eric was planning to show Ridge his designs. Ridge wouldn’t even look at his dad’s work. Fast forward to this week, Eric’s designs are sitting out, and Ridge finally looks at them and says, “Wow, Dad, your designs are great. Let’s put them into the couture line.”
Eric would have given those designs to Forrester already if Ridge had given him the chance. Instead, Ridge acts like he’s in charge of everybody from his dad to his ex-wife Taylor and her dating life. Ridge acts like he runs Forrester all by himself, even though he’s got a co-CEO. He’s very self-important and high-handed.
B&B Fans Appalled at Ridges Behavior
Fan comments have been on fire about this. One said, “All of a sudden he misses Eric, but it’s Ridge who booted him out.” Another fan called out Ridge, saying his fondest memories are working with Eric, yet Ridge was the one who put Eric out the door.
There’s a lot of hypocrisy and shiftiness. The way Ridge has been trash-talking Katie Logan (Heather Tom) non-stop, saying she’ll fail, is just ugly. If she wants to start a business, why does Ridge care?
When she and Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) showed up to check on Eric, Ridge was at it again. Brooke said they were looking at Eric’s fabulous new designs, and Ridge said he would show them to Katie, but “she tends to take things that don’t belong to her.”
That was Ridge hitting at her over the Logan trademark. Forrester Creations never once used that trademark, and you cannot have a trademark you don’t use. Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) and Ridge screwed up and didn’t renew it anyway. She didn’t steal it; they dropped the ball. Bottom line: Ridge is irritating fans in every storyline.
Is Katie Logan’s New Fashion House Already Doomed to Fail on Bold?
The third big fail we’re seeing with fans is that it looks like Bold and the Beautiful is about to kill Katie’s new fashion house. Brad Bell promised this big rivalry, but it hasn’t manifested. It’s basically just been Ridge insulting Katie behind her back and Bill planning a PR blitz.
Eric promised to teach Ridge and Brooke a lesson about disrespecting their elders, but now Eric seems to want to back out of Logan. Unless something changes, Katie’s fashion house seems doomed.
If we’re lucky, Katie will hire Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) and he and Eric will finish the line. Then once Katie launches Logan, Eric can retire on his own terms. But if Brad Bell does his usual nonsense, Logan is going to fizzle or wind up under the Forrester umbrella. Fans see this as a waste of time and attention if nothing comes of it.


B&B’s Generational Gap: Where is the Middle Generation?
The next gripe fans have is the characters that Bold is choosing to focus on daily. We get lots of episodes for the youngest generation. We’ve got “dumpster diving” Dylan (Sydney Bullock), “waffling” Will Spencer (Crew Morrow), and “inconsistent” Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace).
We’re also getting time with the oldest generation—Eric, Bill, Ridge, Donna Logan (Jennifer Gareis), Katie, and Brooke. But where’s the middle generation? Where are the characters in their 30s? They are supposed to be the next generation after Eric and Ridge.
Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) and Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) are rarely seen. When they are, there’s no action, no sizzle, and no romance. We have Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Finn (Tanner Novlan) having occasional sofa sex, but Finn is not around much.
The characters who should have inherited the front-burner storylines—Hope, Steffy, Liam, Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson), Zende Forrester Dominguez (Delon de Metz), and Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer)—are rarely on screen.
Lack of Chemistry and Boring Pairings Killing the Drama
The last complaint I’m seeing a lot on soap social media is about the weird pairings and lack of chemistry. Fans are saying that Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) and Carter don’t have the sizzle. They’re newlyweds; they should be on fire. Plus, people are annoyed that Daphne’s lie got buried and Carter never found out her true agenda.
Hope and Liam, as I said, have about zero chemistry right now. They don’t even hug or kiss. It’s like they’re friends, not newlyweds. A lot of fans think Deacon and Taylor have no real chemistry and that Deacon had more sizzle with Sheila, even if the “daddy” thing was pretty cringe.
Electra and Will are lackluster for a lot of fans. Many people think Dylan has better chemistry with Will, and RJ Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) was giving off “creeper” vibes with Electra. Thomas seems to be gone for good, but love him or hate him, Hope and Thomas had sizzle.
Katie and Bill have barely kissed since they reunited. Ridge and Brooke’s chemistry is sweet, but it’s not sizzling. Plots are falling flat because we’ve been promised big drama and big chemistry, and then everything just fizzles. Drop your comments on what plots are bothering you.
Entertainment
From Being Ignored To Becoming The One Everyone Calls
Before the brand deals, the packed inbox, and the millions in revenue, Rebecca McLeod was grinding with no co-sign and no shortcuts.
When she first stepped into the influencer world, it was cold. Established creators would not collaborate. Messages went unanswered. Networking attempts led nowhere. No reposts. No tags. No “let’s work together.” She was reaching out and getting silence back.
For a lot of people, that is where the story ends. For Rebecca, it was the beginning.
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Left On Read And Locked Out

Instead of chasing approval, she focused on what she could control. She studied the platforms. She figured out what worked and what flopped. She committed to consistency when growth felt slow and engagement felt unpredictable.
While others leaned on inner circles and group alliances, Rebecca leaned on discipline and self-belief. Week after week, she showed up. She refined her content. She sharpened her brand. She invested in herself when no one else would.
Eventually, the numbers started moving. Then they started climbing.
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From Solo Hustle To Serious Money

Fast forward to today and Rebecca McLeod is one of Australia’s most recognizable digital creators. She runs multiple successful businesses. She generates millions in annual revenue. Her following continues to expand across platforms, and her influence now stretches well beyond social media posts.
The industry that once overlooked her is now paying attention.
Collaboration requests land daily. Brands want meetings. Creators want advice. Influencers who once would not respond are now reaching out to connect. The power dynamic has shifted, and Rebecca is firmly in control of her lane.
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Opening Doors Instead Of Closing Them

What makes Rebecca stand out is not just the success. It is how she handles it.
Rather than mirroring the exclusivity she once experienced, she chose a different route. Every single week, Rebecca and her team collaborate with three up-and-coming girls. They offer real guidance, real exposure, and practical support. Not as a publicity move, but as a consistent part of her business model.
She remembers what it felt like to build from zero. She remembers sending messages that went nowhere. So now, if she can help someone gain traction faster or avoid the early missteps, she does.
People close to her say the early rejection shaped her leadership style. It made her independent, but it also made her empathetic. Success did not harden her. It clarified her values.
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The Tables Have Turned

There is undeniable irony in the fact that some of the same names who once ignored her are now asking for guidance. Rebecca does not dwell on it. She keeps building.
Her rise is not just a glow-up story. It is a case study in resilience. No shortcuts. No handouts. Just consistency, strategy, and a refusal to let silence define her.
Rebecca McLeod did not wait to be invited in. She created her own lane, scaled it, and made sure there is room for others to run beside her.
Entertainment
Former Prince Andrew Spotted Leaving UK Police Station After Arrest
Former Prince Andrew
Leaves Police Station In Range Rover
Published
Here’s the first look at former Prince Andrew leaving a police station in England … and he’s in the back seat of a Range Rover.
Andrew was arrested earlier today on suspicion of sending confidential British trade reports to Jeffrey Epstein back in 2010 … allegedly revealed in Epstein Files documents amid his longtime friendship with the convicted pedophile.
It looks like Andrew is trying to lie down in the back seat of the Range Rover to avoid being seen by a horde of press that was camped out at the police station … but a photog got the money shot.
As we reported … the disgraced ex-royal — who now goes by his name Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — was arrested by Thames Valley Police officers on suspicion of misconduct in public office at his home today, on his 66th birthday. The arrest comes a couple weeks after an anti-royal organization asked authorities to investigate whether Andrew shared confidential British financial info in 2010 with Epstein.
TMZ.com
Andrew was Britain’s special envoy for international trade at the time, a position he held for 10 years.
As you know, Andrew had close ties with Epstein for years while the notorious pedophile was allegedly sexually abusing underage girls. Andrew’s name is all over the Epstein Files, which were released by the U.S. Department of Justice after President Trump signed a bill requiring them to be released to the public.
In the Epstein Files, Andrew is pictured kneeling over an unidentified woman sprawled out on a floor.
Neither King Charles III nor Buckingham Palace , before cops swooped in and arrested Andrew … and in a statement, King Charles said, “The law must take its course.”
Entertainment
Where is “The Goonies” cast now? See the cult classic’s child stars over 40 years later
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See Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and Ke Huy Quan more than 40 years since the film’s release.
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