Christina Snow is reportedly recovering after her alleged boyfriend, Shamar Elkins, shot her and their three children on Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana. Snow’s cousin recently revealed she’s suffering from a lodged bullet in her face, memory loss and deep grief.

Snow is one of the two women Shamar Elkins shot who survived, while eight children died of gunshot wounds. What exactly happened is still under investigation, despite Elkins reportedly dying following a police pursuit. The mass shooting is reportedly the deadliest in the U.S. since January 2024.

RELATED: Police Reveal Details About Louisiana Man Who Shot Wife, His 7 Children, Another Woman & Child (UPDATE)

Shamar Elkins’ Alleged Girlfriend & Wife Had Kids The Same Age And Lived Close To Each Other 

According to the New York Post, Christina Snow and Shamar Elkins had three kids together: 11-year-old Sariahh Snow, 6-year-old Khedarrion Snow and 5-year-old Braylon Snow. NBC News reports that Elkins’ rampage started at Snow’s house, which is located on Harrison Street, in Shreveport, Louisiana. At around 6 a.m. Snow reportedly called 911 and said her boyfriend had shot her and taken their children out of the home, per Police Chief Wayne Smith’s statement on Monday.

Christina Snow’s home appears to be about two streets away from that of Shamar Elkins’ wife, Shaneiqua Pugh. He and Pugh were legally married at the time of the shootings. However, they were reportedly due in court on Monday, one day after the shooting, pending a separation Pugh allegedly requested.

It’s unclear whether the wife and alleged girlfriend were aware of one another. Several of their children overlap in ages. Pugh and Shamar shared four daughters, 7-year-old Layla Pugh, 6-year-old Kayla Pugh, 5-year-old Shayla Elkins and 3-year-old Jayla Elkins. Shamar fatally shot all four daughters, and his wife’s 10-year-old nephew, Mar’Kaydon Pugh, who had been staying at their marital home on West 79th Street. In total, 8 children died at that location, with police finding one body on the home’s roof.

Also, Shamar reportedly shot most of the kids in the head, including while several of them were asleep. Meanwhile, Shaneiqua Pugh suffered a gunshot wound to the face and remains hospitalized, per NBC. Additionally, a teenager whose relation is unclear survived. However, the teen suffered injuries after falling off the home’s roof during the shooting.

Christina Snow’s Cousin Talks About Her Condition And Shamar’s Relationship With His Kids

Jamarckus Snow spoke to NBC News on Tuesday, calling the Louisiana mass shooting “devastating.” The cousin revealed that, per Christina’s mother, Shamar Elkins shot Christina in the face and the bullet went through her nose. The bullet remains lodged in her face, per Jamarckus, who said doctors didn’t want to risk surgery.

While Christina can speak, she is allegedly experiencing memory issues and sometimes forgets that her three children recently died. He claimed that she woke up on Monday and said, “I got to get my kids ready for school,” seemingly forgetting what had happened. “One day, she’ll know and the next day, she’s thinking her kids is still there,” Jamarckus shared, per convos with Christina’s mom.

“All she worked for was her kids and all she talked about was her kids,” Jamarckus Snow said.

Snow’s cousin clarified to NBC News that he didn’t know much about her relationship with Elkins. However, he recalled that Shamar had previously attended family gatherings, though that hadn’t been the case in years. Still, the cousin claimed he’d see Shamar in the neighborhood from time to time.

“He would distance himself from people, like he wasn’t the person that would just come out and talk to you. He would sit to himself or he would go sit in the car,” Jamarckus shared with NBC. Also adding, “The times I did see him or I did go by her house or something, he had the kids…He spent time with them, he was there for them. I can’t say that he didn’t love his kids because he did. It was unexpected.” 

RELATED: Caught On Camera! FBI Drops Surveillance Photos In Offset Shooting As Investigation Continues (VIDEO)

Social media users aren’t holding back, and are goin’ IN on Sexyy Red‘s new braids.

RELATED: Thirst Trapped? Sexyy Red Drops Spicy Reaction To Pooh Shiesty’s Shirtless Photo

More On Sexyy Red’s New Braids

Earlier this week, Sexyy Red took to Instagram to share a clip with her more than 5.3 million followers. Furthermore, the clip showed the rapper at the tail-end of getting her hair braided. Nonetheless, she begged someone to “help” her, as her hairstylist noted how tender-headed she was.

“I ain’t never want to give somebody back their money so fast,” her stylist said. “….most tender headed [inaudible] ever!”

Then, on Tuesday, April 21, Sexyy Red took to her Instagram Story to show off her results.

Social Media Users Are Goin’ IN On Her New Braids

Social media users entered TSR’s comment section, goin’ IN on Sexyy Red’s new braids.

Before Social Media Users Started Goin’ IN On Sexyy Red’s New Braids, She Turned Heads With Jhené Aiko

Before social media users were goin’ IN on Sexyy Red’s new braids, they were focused on her unexpected link-up with Jhené Aiko at Coachella. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, the pair raised eyebrows when they hit the stage together, and had social media users in TSR’s comment section, with one writing, “On the clock vs off the clock.”

RELATED: Baddies Outside! Jhené Aiko & Sexyy Red Turn Heads With Unexpected Coachella Link-Up (VIDEO)

General Hospital early weekly spoilers for April 27th through May 1st expect Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) spiraling and Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst)
smelling a rat.

As we always do on early edition day. We start with what’s coming this week and then we jump into what is coming for next week.

General Hospital Wednesday, April 22nd: Josslyn Searches For Answers

With that in mind, on Wednesday, April 22nd, we’ve got Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) searching for answers and Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins Bruening) admits that she is worried. So, it looks like these spoilers are part of the same conversation because the two of them are chatting at Bobbie’s Diner. And Lulu tells Josslyn that Britt Westbourne is nothing but trouble.

Now, we know Joss has a co-schemer relationship with Britt because together they’re trying to figure out who Jason Morgan‘s (Steve Burton) protecting when he said he shot Cullum (Michael Easton). And of course, Britt found out this shocking truth on Tuesday’s episode that it is Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr). And I have to wonder if Britt’s going to tell Joss the truth just to stop her from digging.

Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) has a heart-to-heart with Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner). I’m trying to figure out the whole point of this car crash storyline. Jordan drove like a distracted teenager and Curtis enabled it. They almost killed somebody else, whoever was the other driver, by veering into their lane. And so, Jordan is responsible for what happened to her. And whoever else was on the road that night wasn’t their fault.

GH Spoilers: Lots of Drama for Portia

So, also on Wednesday at General Hospital, Jordan tells somebody that there is something they can do for her and it looks like she might be talking to Portia Robinson (Brook Kerr). Also at General Hospital, Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) tells Portia he doesn’t know how long the peace will last. Curtis is slightly bothered about Isaiah sharing the whole pregnancy experience with Portia, but I mean that’s adulting when you choose to be in other relationships, right?

And in Dante Falconeri‘s (Dominic Zamprogna) police commissioner office over at the PCPD, we’ve got not Nathan telling his boss Dante that he has an update on Jordan’s crash. So, I wonder if they got some footage from some highway cameras or toll booth or something that showed that there were multiple other drivers on the road.

General Hospital Spoilers: Gio Surprises Emma

There is a surprise in store for Emma Scorpio-Drake (Brayden Bruner) and she is squealing about Gio Palmieri (Giovanni Mazza) holding out on her. So, this might be about his connection to Broadway star Michael James Scott because we’re going to find out Gio used to play in an orchestra pit on Broadway a while back.

Britt is afraid when somebody she cares about is in danger. That somebody is Rocco and the danger is from Cullum. So, in the chapel up at General Hospital, Britt is yelling at Rocco that if Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) finds out he shot him, they are both dead. So I’m guessing Britt’s going to tell Rocco that Jason wanted him protected and that’s what we’re going to do.

Don’t you dare tell anybody else what’s going on. At that point, I have to wonder if Rocco is going to tell Britt that Lulu and also Nathan both know because Britt may turn around and go confront her wicked brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) about what he’s playing at with Rocco, who is somebody that Britt adores.

GH Spoilers Thursday, April 23rd: May Sweeps Kicks Off

On Thursday, April 23rd, May sweeps kicks off, and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) needs Alexis Davis‘ (Nancy Lee Grahn) opinion on something. Now, this could be Ric asking her about Ethan Lovett (Nathan Dean Parsons) because Ric is not loving the fact that Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) hired him, even though he said he’s doing it to keep an eye on him.

But it may also be Ric poking around and asking Alexis about Willow Corinthos‘ (Katelyn MacMullen) criminal case since Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) hired him. You know, maybe Ric wants some scoop about what exactly went down and if there’s, you know, something that could help him with this issue.

Elizabeth checks in with Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison). Nina already told Drew he can blink all he wants. Nobody’s going to help him. That’s wishful thinking on Nina’s part because Drew is back to blinking when Elizabeth visits and she takes notice and Liz asks if Drew is asking for help.

So, if she offers to get Willow for him, I think Drew may blink no. I expect Willow to be exposed during May sweeps, which of course starts this same day and it’s going to run four weeks. But I think her time is just about up with this con.

General Hospital Spoilers: Tracy & Ethan Reunite

Ethan reunites with Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot). I’m sure they’re going to talk about how much like Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) that Ethan is and how losing Luke still weighs on both of them. Willow abuses her influence on Thursday. We’ll see if she’s using her political clout to target Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) because of Jacinda Bracken (Paige Herschell).

Or if she’s dealing with the whole Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) and Kai Taylor (Jens Austin Astrup) threat or it may be some kind of favor that Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) is demanding that Willow do. Emma and Gio are out and about exploring New York City. He’s got plans to take her to a Broadway show and show her his old stomping grounds.

Friday, April 24th on General Hospital: Valentin Delivers A Warning

Then on Friday, April 24th, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) delivers a warning. I’m curious if Britt tells Joss about Rocco and she circles back around and takes that info to Valentin and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) as part of this larger plan to take down Cullum and mess with the WSB.

Emma and Gio go see Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway. They’ve got backstage access, it looks like. So, they’re going to get to hang out with guest star Michael James Scott because Gio knows the Broadway actor from when he played violin at musicals. So, Felicia also gets disturbing news on Friday, and I wonder if it’s about Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) at the clinic in France.

Britt is looking for reassurance, maybe from Cassius. And I think Britt’s going to be in a panic and wants to know exactly what Cassius is up to and if he’s really protecting Rocco or if he’s doing something and planning to leverage the kid to hurt her like Cullum threatened.

So, Cassius takes offense at something on Friday and I wonder if it is Britt asking if he’s planning to hurt Rocco. That might offend him because he’s genuinely attached to the kid, attached to his nephew James pretending to be his dad. And I’m guessing Britt assumes that Cassius isn’t really interested in Lulu and is running some kind of con for his bosses.

Week of April 27th-May 1st: First Full Week of GH May Sweeps

The week of April 27th through May 1st, we’re going to head into our first full week of May sweeps with big action happening. Jack Brennan‘s (Chris McKenna) being set up by Nina and Valentin. And very soon, Nina’s going to give Jack his first tidbit of misleading info provided by Valentin. Looks like Joss and Carly are part of it, too. Drew makes inroads with Elizabeth, but if she mentions Drew communicating to either Nina or Willow, they would probably try and cut that off.

Michael is committed to shutting down Willow and getting her out of the kids’ lives for good. And Carly continues fighting her feelings for Valentin while he’s annoyed that Carly’s still sleeping with Jack. And irritated Valentin may be petty and provoke Carly where Nina is concerned. Plus, Ethan is now working for Sonny. But has his own agenda. I actually don’t think Ethan means any harm to Sonny. I think he’s just trying to figure out maybe if Sidwell and Sonny are working together since he sold him the piers. He’s trying to get the lay of the land.

Willow is infuriated by Jacinda being around the kids. She wants rid of her, but Nina keeps pressing Willow to be careful and tries to remind her that she’s got too many balls in the air to be messing around with the ex-hooker. Alexis works overtime to keep Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn) out of trouble and away from the mob.

General Hospital Casting News

Also, we have some quick casting news. In May, we’re going to have Michael James Scott back to General Hospital again. This time, he is going to come to Port Charles. He’s going to be performing Friend Like Me from Aladdin at the Savoy. Also in May, Jonathan Bennett debuts as Joe Fitzpatrick. We’re still waiting on more info about his character.

And Finn Carr, the young actor who plays Rocco, has a family member coming to General Hospital. His brother Elliot Carr, just joined General Hospital. Looks like he might have a little extra role, maybe a recurring role. His first air date is June 1st and it looks like the brothers are not going to have scenes together.

By Jonathan Klotz
| Updated 9 seconds ago

Ask someone to name the most popular action shows of the 80s, and chances are you’ll hear Miami Vice, A-Team, Knight Rider, Magnum P.I., and maybe even The Fall Guy before they remember one of the most popular shows of the decade: Airwolf. Even if you’ve never seen a single episode of the helicopter action series, you know exactly what it’s all about.

Now, thanks to The Roku Channel, you can watch the entire series and realize both how dark and groundbreaking Season 1 was and how fast the entire production fell apart. 

Airwolf Is Pure 80s Awesomeness

Airwolf stars Jan-Michael Vincent as the equally amazingly named Stringfellow Hawke, a military test pilot. Through a series of double-crosses, Stringfellow finds himself in possession of the experimental stealth helicopter with every government and shadowy organization out for his head.

Season 1 features Hawke working for and against The Firm, an obviously evil organization that happens to be the lesser of many evils, in a series of missions that happen to reflect the real-world flashpoints of the Cold War. It’s dark, Hawke is forced to make decisions with no good answer, and the episodes’ focus on geopolitical drama gives it greater stakes than you’d expect from a show about a super helicopter. 

Season 1 was, in retrospect, the high point of Airwolf, with the following two seasons devolving into hokey action more in line with Knight Rider than a Tom Clancy novel. That and Ernest Borgnine, who played Hawke’s friend and backer, Dominic Santini, was written off the show in one of the most dramatic ways possible. They killed off his character to the point where there was no doubt he wasn’t coming back.

Worst of all, after season one, the amazing aerial dogfights were noticeably shorter and less cinematic. But in the show’s defense, when that theme song kicks in, and Hawke lands the fatal missile, it’s as awesome the 20th time as it is the first time. 

Airwolf Was An Overnight Hit And An Overnight Failure

As the series exploded in popularity, Jan-Michael Vincent, who was already a multiple-time Golden Globe winner, found himself, almost overnight, the highest-paid star on television. CBS knew that without him, there was no show.

Haunted by personal demons encouraged by the sudden windfall, Vincent’s alcoholism made him impossible to work with. In a rare move, the entire show was canceled and then sold off to the USA network for a complete, top-to-bottom retooling with an all-new cast. 

That’s why most Airwolf fans pretend the series ended when Jan-Michael Vincent left. USA didn’t even get the real helicopter in the sale, forcing the last round of episodes to rely on old footage, or, in some hilarious cases, the toy replica filling in. And yet, though the show fell apart behind the scenes, there’s no greater example of 80s action. 

Airwolf combined Cold War paranoia, hokey action, a bombastic synth score, and a charismatic leading man into the perfect 80s package that could never be replicated. Other shows tried, including Street Hawk (Airwolf with a motorcycle), but they all crashed and burned. Miami Vice and The A-Team were remade for the big screen, but no one has dared bring back Stringfellow Hawke and his experimental aircraft.

Airwolf is now streaming on The Roku Channel, but be sure to eject before Season 4.

The wilderness is calling, and this time, it comes with a celebrity twist and a signature drink to match. As “Running Wild with Bear Grylls” kicks off its latest season, Matthew McConaughey joins Bear Grylls for what promises to be one of the show’s most talked-about episodes yet. With high-stakes survival moments set against stunning landscapes, the premiere is already generating buzz, and now, it’s even inspiring fans to bring the experience home. Adding to the excitement, the show has introduced a custom cocktail tied to the episode, giving viewers the perfect way to sip along while the adventure unfolds.

Matthew McConaughey Joins ‘Running Wild’ After Years In The Making

Adventure is reaching new heights as Bear Grylls returns for a new season of “Running Wild with Bear Grylls,” and this time, he’s bringing Matthew McConaughey along for the ride.

The Season 9 premiere has been years in the making, with Grylls revealing the two have been trying to team up for nearly two decades. “There was always a nice connection, and he always said, ‘I’m definitely going to do the show. I really want to do it,’” Grylls told Decider, adding that sometimes it takes time “for the stars to align.”

Matthew McConaughey Takes On Extreme Survival

When the moment finally came, Matthew McConaughey didn’t hold back. The pair headed to a glacier in Norway, where they tackled freezing waters, steep rappels, and intense survival challenges that pushed both mind and body. And the food? Let’s just say it wasn’t your average dinner.

After a long day outdoors, Grylls stuck to his word of supplying the meal, which included boiled reindeer testicles cooked over a fire, where things got real (and a little hard to stomach). Grylls even admitted the dish didn’t quite live up to the meals the actor had shared with him in the past. “I mean, it’s not great,” Grylls said. “What do they call them? Rocky Mountain oysters? That’s kind of like the sanitized version of it. We had a slightly more raw version of it.”

Still, he gave Matthew McConaughey credit for fully embracing the experience. “But again, [McConaughey’s] got such a great way about him. And he was all in. He’d go, ‘Bring it on.’”

Meanwhile, McConaughey came prepared in his own signature way. “He said, ‘I’m bringing a hip flask,’” Grylls recalled, filled with his own Pantalones Organic Tequila.

‘Running Wild’ Cocktail Brings Matthew McConaughey’s Tequila To Your Screen

That same tequila is now part of a custom drink inspired by the episode, the Wild Blackberry Margarita, recently spotlighted on the show’s social media. The cocktail perfectly matches the episode’s tone: bold, refreshing, and just a little wild.

If you want to sip along while watching the adventure unfold, here’s how to recreate it:

• Handful of wild blackberries (muddled)
• 2 oz Pantalones Organic Tequila
• 0.5 oz organic agave nectar
• 1 oz organic lime juice

Shake all ingredients together, pour over ice, and enjoy.

McConaughey Embraces The Unknown

Matthew McConaughey isn’t new to pushing himself outside his comfort zone, and his latest adventure proves it. In his memoir “Greenlights,” the actor opened up about taking on bold, unpredictable experiences, including wrestling a local boxing champion while traveling through West Africa in the late ’90s and living abroad with an Australian family as a young exchange student.

When And Where To Watch ‘Running Wild’

“Running Wild with Bear Grylls” airs Tuesday nights at 9/8c on FOX, bringing viewers face-to-face with some of the most extreme environments on the planet.

In each episode, survival expert Bear Grylls takes a celebrity guest deep into the wilderness, from remote mountains and deserts to icy glaciers, where they must rely on survival skills, mental toughness, and teamwork to navigate the elements. Over the years, Grylls has taken stars like Zac Efron, Florence Pugh, Channing Tatum, and Kate Hudson out into the wild for unforgettable adventures. The series brings high-stakes adventure and candid conversations, giving fans a rare look at celebrities completely out of their comfort zones.

New episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu, so you can catch every daring moment on your own schedule.

President Donald Trump appears to be satisfied with certain events related to the Iran war — at least according to his daughter-in-law Lara Trump.

During the Tuesday, April 21, episode of “The Katie Miller Podcast,” Lara, 43, was asked to share the most recent text she received from the president.

“I think it was a video that the White House put out, and it just said, ‘Love, DJT.’ It was like a video of some, like, bombing,” Lara said, through laughter. “He’s proud of it. It was good.”

While it’s unclear which video Lara was referring to, the White House shared several videos last month that show the United States’ airstrike on Iran. (The war with Iran started in February, and conversations about a possible ceasefire are continuing.)

Related: Trump Family’s Next Generation: Cutest Kid Photos Over the Years

The next generation! Donald Trump and ex-wife Ivana Trump’s three children — Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump — maintain busy business and political careers while raising kids at home. “If I’m working on a big deal and need to be in the office, I’m in the office. If [my daughter] Arabella needs me, I better […]

Lara has been married to the president’s son Eric Trump since 2014. They share two kids: son Luke, 8, and daughter Carolina, 6. Lara previously acted as the cochair of the Republican National Committee, a role she held from March 2024 to January 2025. She has been hosting My View With Lara Trump on Fox News since February 2025.

During Tuesday’s podcast episode, Lara offered more information about being married into the Trump family. When asked which member gives the “most unsolicited advice,” Lara threw out Ivanka Trump’s name.

“I feel like she wants to help. Like, she always means so well,” Lara explained. “But you know, it’s OK. We take it all in stride. It’s all good.”

On a more positive note, Lara said that Ivanka is the family’s best gift giver.

“God, and we’re the worst. Eric and I are the absolute worst,” Lara continued. “I mean, she remembers everything. My kids’ birthdays, every single time. Don’t ask me when the last time was [that] I sent my nieces and nephews an actual birthday gift on time, because I always fail. I’m the worst.”

Lara later spoke more about the relationship she has with her father-in-law, referring to him as the “most likely to call just to check in.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

“He loves a good late-night random call, early morning chit-chat,” Lara said about the president.

On Monday, April 20, Lara appeared on Meghan McCain’s “Citizen McCain” and also praised the people who work for her father-in-law, including those who help him write speeches for events like the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

“It’s a combo … he’s got some great people who he’s, I think, tapping to help him with this,” she said. “But he comes up with a lot of good material, as you see on Truth Social, as you see, like, live in the flesh, himself.”

Sarah Ferguson has reportedly been seen in Austria after around seven months out of the public eye, amid renewed scrutiny over her personal life and past associations.

The former Duchess of York, who lost her royal title last year, is said to be facing financial and reputational pressure, with speculation about her support network and movements.

Sarah Ferguson’s recent appearance comes alongside ongoing controversy and attention linked to Jeffrey Epstein-related inquiries and UK media coverage.

Sarah Ferguson Resurfaces In Austria After Months Away

Ferguson has been seen in public for the first time in about seven months, reportedly staying at an upscale ski resort in Austria, where she is said to be keeping a deliberately low profile amid ongoing scrutiny and speculation about her personal and financial circumstances.

The former Duchess of York, who lost her royal title last year along with her Freedom of the City of York honor, was photographed on April 15 dressed casually in a jacket and blue cap while trying to keep a low profile.

According to reports from The Times, she is believed to be staying at a luxury chalet that can cost around $2,700 per night.

Royal commentator Helena Chard suggested that Ferguson may be receiving financial help from close friends during this period.

“Incognito, anxious Fergie is keeping a low profile. She cannot believe how low she has sunk, although, contrary to people’s thoughts, she is not destitute. Friends have stepped in to whisk her away from her stress,” Chard told Fox News Digital.

Sarah Ferguson’s Austria Stay Sparks Speculation Over Privacy

There has also been speculation that Ferguson’s current location may be linked to personal connections in the region, as she previously spent time working in Alpine resorts in earlier stages of her life as a chalet maid and nanny.

Analysts note that Austria may simply offer a more discreet environment away from heavy media attention, especially given the ongoing public interest in past royal-related controversies involving her and her former husband, Prince Andrew.

Others suggest the location may offer her a greater degree of privacy, distancing her from intense media scrutiny in the UK, particularly given the continued public interest in controversies involving Andrew, and past associations linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Different commentators have offered varying interpretations of Ferguson’s situation, with some claiming she may be relying on private support networks, while others stress that there is no confirmed information about who is financing her current stay or lifestyle.

Reports also suggest she has maintained a low public profile in recent months, with limited verified sightings since late last year, aside from occasional appearances at family or ceremonial events.

Before her recent appearance in Austria, Ferguson had reportedly not made an official public appearance since the funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, followed by a brief sighting leaving the Royal Lodge in Windsor a week after that.

She was also reportedly seen in December arriving discreetly at her granddaughter’s christening at St James’s Palace, where she appeared to keep a low profile, and partly concealed in a vehicle.

Following reports earlier this year that she and Andrew had left Royal Lodge, speculation about her whereabouts increased. been intentionally avoiding public attention, although these claims remain unverified.

Her memoir “Finding Sarah” has also been referenced in media coverage as part of her long-standing efforts to manage public scrutiny.

There have additionally been reports suggesting that US lawmakers have expressed interest in questioning her over past associations linked to Epstein, who died in 2019.

However, there has been no official confirmation of any testimony arrangement, nor any public response from Ferguson or her representatives regarding such claims.

Meanwhile, Ferguson is reportedly fearful of returning to the United States amid growing scrutiny linked to the Epstein case and renewed attention from his victims and political figures.

According to an insider quoted by the Daily Mirror, the former Duchess of York, who previously spent considerable time in the US promoting her business ventures, has privately made it clear to those close to her that she does not intend to travel to America again.

The source claims this decision is driven by anxiety over potential public backlash, as well as the possibility of being drawn into formal questioning connected to Epstein’s network.

The Ex-Duchess Was Called On By A US Lawmaker To Address The Jeffrey Epstein Scandal

Tensions are said to have intensified following a recent move by US lawmaker Suhas Subramanyam, who wrote to Ferguson urging her to give evidence as part of a Congressional inquiry into Epstein’s sex trafficking operations.

While the request has sparked renewed media attention, Ferguson is not legally obliged to comply, as she is not a US citizen and therefore cannot be compelled to appear before Congress.

The insider added that Ferguson is particularly worried about the emotional and reputational strain of such scrutiny, especially if questioned under oath about Epstein and her former husband, Andrew.

According to the source, she believes the experience would be “unbearable” and has no desire to place herself in that position, regardless of her earlier ties to American business and public life.

Back in 2004, English journalist and author Christopher Booker took inspiration from Carl Jung‘s work to write The Seven Basic Plots, an analysis of the psychological meaning of stories. In it, he identified seven basic kinds of plots, and he argued that every story ever told fell into at least one of those categories. One of the most common plots to see in cinema is the Voyage and Return plot, where the protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses and learning important lessons, returns home with newfound skills, experiences, or treasures.

Not at all dissimilar from Joseph Campbell‘s Hero’s Journey archetype, the Voyage and Return plot has offered audiences several of the greatest films of all time. In order to qualify for this list, a movie must contain both the voyage and the return, leaving films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy as a topic for another day. That still leaves us with ten movies that people would gladly count among the best of their time.

10

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

Back in 2018, Sony Animation took the world by storm with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. What looked like a fun enough Spidey project instead turned out to be the greatest adventure the Wall-Crawler had had on the big screen up to that point, and even up to this day, it wouldn’t take you too long to find a few people who would call this their favorite superhero movie ever.

Into the Spider-Verse, one of the best superhero movie masterpieces of the last 100 years, puts a delightfully modern twist on the traditional Voyage and Return structure. Here, it isn’t Miles Morales who travels to the strange land, it’s the strange land itself that invades Miles’ world. This provides the groundwork for an interesting coming-of-age transformation, making Miles’ eventual return to normalcy carry particularly strong emotional resonance.

9

‘Orpheus’ (1950)

Image via DisCina

Advertisement

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice was one of the specific examples that Christopher Booker referenced in The Seven Basic Plots when talking about the Voyage and Return archetype, and there has never been a better film based on the classic Greek myth than Jean Cocteau‘s French classic Orpheus. Partly based on Cocteau’s own 1926 stage play of the same name, it sets this legendary tale in contemporary Paris.

Slow-burning, beautifully poetic, and masterfully surreal, Cocteau’s Orpheus is one of the best movie classics of the 1950s. Labyrinthine in its mind-bending approach to the story, yet never confusing, Orpheus is one of the most profound and thought-provoking studies of the life of the artist that the Seventh Art has ever had to offer. Its leveraging of the Voyage and Return plot as a template to pull audiences in right off the beat is nothing short of brilliant.

8

‘The Lion King’ (1994)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Advertisement

Praised by many as the greatest animated film that Disney has ever produced, The Lion King is the peak of the period now known as the Disney Renaissance. With its colorful and vibrant visuals, its engrossing story based on both Shakespeare‘s Hamlet and Western African folklore, and one of Hans Zimmer‘s best movie scores, it’s no wonder why it’s one of the most highly acclaimed animated movies of all time.

The story of Simba’s exile from his kingdom after his father’s death, his coming-of-age by the side of his friends, and his return to take his rightful position as king away from the scheming Scar falls as neatly into the Voyage and Return archetype as any film possibly could. This shows that sticking by a tried-and-true story template can be the perfect way to tell a story that’s universally compelling and remains timeless pretty much forever.

7

‘The Third Man’ (1949)

Image via Selznick Releasing Organization

Advertisement

Film historians and scholars have never been able to agree on whether film noir was a genre, a film movement, or simply a style of filmmaking; but regardless of what’s true, The Third Man will always be one of the best noir movies ever made. Made shortly after the end of WWII and responding directly to the mood that reigned across Europe at the time, it’s one of the best British movies of the era.

The strange world that American writer Holly Martins enters in The Third Man is actually just regular ol’ post-war Vienna, but director Carol Reed truly makes the space feel “other” while delivering one of the best-looking noir movies ever. This is another story that was directly referenced by Booker as a Voyage and Return plot, and it’s a perfect example of how the return can result not in growth and catharsis, but rather in disillusionment and emotional failure.

6

‘Interstellar’ (2014)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Advertisement

Christopher Nolan is a master of making movies that stick close to basic story archetypes, which makes his adaptation of The Odyssey, perhaps the most quintessential Voyage and Return story ever, all the more thrilling. Nolan has already made a Voyage and Return movie, however: 2014’s Interstellar, which still remains many fans’ favorite Nolan outing ever.

It is, at the very least, one of the best space movies of the last 20 years. The “Voyage” part here results in one of the most engrossing space adventures in the history of modern science fiction, and the “Return” part twists the boundaries of Booker’s theories on their head. By the time Cooper’s adventure is over, he doesn’t have an Earth to return to; instead, his return is to what turns out to have been “home” for him the whole time: his daughter, Murph. It’s a deeply moving rendition of the Voyage and Return plot whose emotional power simply can’t be resisted.

5

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Image via Toho

Advertisement

There are few fantasy films that stick more neatly to the Voyage and Return archetype than Spirited Away, so it’s probably no coincidence that it’s widely considered not only Hayao Miyazaki‘s best movie of all time, but perhaps even the greatest animated film ever made. Part slow-burning fantasy adventure, part coming-of-age drama, it’s one of the most beautiful animated movies of the 21st century thus far.

The audience’s experience of the bathhouse and the spirit world is much akin to Chihiro’s: One of wonder, excitement, and constant awe. The world-building here is flawless, which is a big part of why this is one of the most perfect fantasy movies of the 21st century. And once Chihiro finally returns home to her parents, it’s not only her that feels like an entirely different character—It’s the audience that has been profoundly changed, too.

4

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Image via Universal Pictures

Back to the Future is another example cited by Booker as a classic Voyage and Return film, and it’s not at all difficult to see where he’s coming from. The Back to the Future series as a whole is one of the most perfect movie trilogies for a weekend binge, but thankfully for those looking for a single Voyage and Return movie that contains both elements within its runtime, Back to the Future works as a standalone project every bit as well as it does as a trilogy opener.

The strange world that Marty McFly travels to here is 1955 Hill Valley, and what ensues there is one of the most entertaining stories of any ’80s movie. There are no grand, artsy themes here, nor do there need to be. Instead, Back to the Future is perfect, classic old-school storytelling that works exceptionally in virtually every sense, including as a flawless example of the Voyage and Return template.

3

‘Stalker’ (1979)

Image via Goskino

The great Soviet auteur Andrei Tarkovsky was one of the greatest and most influential arthouse filmmakers in history, a poet with a camera who left behind some of the best movies of the 20th century. This includes Stalker, one of the best sci-fi movies of the last 75 years, where man guides a Writer and a Professor through The Zone to a place called The Room, said to grant visitors’ innermost wish.

The voyage here is one of the most visually stunning, beautifully slow-paced, and profoundly meditative sci-fi adventures in the history of cinema. As for the Stalker’s return home after the Writer and Professor refused to enter The Room, it’s the most thought-provoking ending in all of Tarkovsky’s filmography. This is no traditional Voyage and Return story, and those who prefer faster-paced science fiction will probably struggle with Stalker as a whole, but those who love arthouse sci-fi ought to check it out at least once in their lives.

2

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

Image via Liberty Films

Frank Capra was a filmmaker who was constantly ahead of his time throughout the entirety of Hollywood’s Golden Age, making timeless classics of the stature of It’s a Wonderful Life. Though best-remembered as one of the best Christmas movies of all time, Christmas actually plays only a small role in the story of George Bailey. Instead, this is a surprisingly mature and complex study of men’s mental health and one of the most powerful anti-suicide movies in Hollywood history.

The interesting part about this particular Voyage and Return film is that while the first two acts of the story are all set-up, both the Voyage and the Return are contained within the third act of the narrative. It’s during this latter part of It’s a Wonderful Life that an angel takes George on a tour of an alternate reality where he never existed. Upon his return, George has a newfound appreciation for life, his family, and everything that they’ve been through together. The ending alone would be enough to make this one of the best crowd-pleasing fantasy movies of all time.

1

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Image via MGM

Cinema has never given us a Voyage and Return story as iconic and influential as The Wizard of Oz. It’s one of the most revolutionary and genre-defining movies of Hollywood’s Golden Age, a masterpiece that counts as both a huge cult classic and an even bigger mainstream classic. It works on virtually every level: as a musical, as a family adventure, as a colorful fantasy movie, and—of course—as a Voyage and Return tale.

It’s through the simplicity of the Voyage and Return archetype that Wizard of Oz finds room to become one of the fantasy movies that define the genre the most. Dorothy’s voyage to one of the most fun, endearing, and visually striking fictional worlds in movie history is packed with vibrant colors, catchy tunes, and memorable characters; and her return home is one of the few “it was all a dream” endings in movie history that actually work wonderfully well.

Advertisement

The Wizard of Oz

Advertisement

Release Date

August 25, 1939

Advertisement

Runtime

102 minutes

Director

Advertisement

Victor Fleming

Writers

Edgar Allan Woolf, Florence Ryerson, Noel Langley, L. Frank Baum

Advertisement

Advertisement

• 

  Judy Garland

  Dorothy Gale

• 

  Ray Bolger

  Advertisement

  “Hunk” / Scarecrow

Advertisement

Advertisement