By the time the fifth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation blasts across television screens, the spin-off with a shaky beginning has gotten its feet firmly underneath it. The creative team is firing on all cylinders as they shrewdly expand on all that Star Trek can be. The Next Generation is still as earnestly optimistic as the blazing sun, but its increased emphasis on character depth underpins the franchise’s themes with greater resonance.

The 19th installment, “The First Duty,” continues Season 5’s streak of legendary episodes. Years before Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s ruthless eloquence interrogates the bleak cost of maintaining a utopia, Ronald D. Moore and Naren Shankar‘s script injects fault and fragility into Starfleet cadet Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton). In so doing, “The First Duty” adds another riveting, wisdom-dispensing speech to Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) collection — one positing a vision of Starfleet that’s rooted in a higher, more valuable ideal than spacefaring heroism.

‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Humanizes Wesley in “The First Duty”

Right before Wesley’s graduation from Starfleet Academy, a cadet dies during a training exercise. After enlisting the Enterprise crew to investigate, Picard deduces the facts: the flight team’s leader, Nicholas Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill), wanted to feed his ego by performing a dangerous and illegal maneuver during their commencement ceremony. Between fearing punishment and Locarno misusing his charismatic influence over the peers who revere him, the quartet is concealing the maneuver and shifting the accident’s blame onto the deceased student.

Picard confronts Wesley about his culpability, only for his erstwhile protégé to plead the fifth. Full of righteous fury, Picard proclaims: “The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it’s scientific truth, or historical truth, or personal truth. It is the guiding principle on which Starfleet is based. If you can’t find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened, you don’t deserve to wear that uniform.”

Wesley has always been disliked to a disproportionately absurd degree for no crime except being a precocious, underwritten child who behaves like a precocious, underwritten child. Speaking only from a character standpoint, “The First Duty” finally does right by Wesley by deftly humanizing him with the same emotional texture and weight as his adult colleagues. This incident marks his first encounter with an ethical dilemma, let alone the ugly reality of consequences.

Instead of the perfect boy genius who likely grew accustomed to feeling like an invincible miracle worker, this is a flawed, fallible young man capable of mistakes. He’s terrified, torn between his loyalty to his friends and the guilty conscience that’s eating him alive. This is a young man learning the effort required to actually embody his aspirations. Wesley’s final choice — not his first decision, to go along with lies— will determine his future. Either he accepts responsibility and demonstrates humility and repentance while living with his error, or this one compromise will echo throughout his life.

“The First Duty” Upholds Truth as Starfleet’s Most Important Ideology

Picard intimately understands Wesley’s inevitable and pivotal moral crossroads. “The First Duty” reveals how Jean-Luc, one of Starfleet’s most compassionate, hopeful, and justice-driven officers, made at least one unspecified indiscretion during his Academy years. Add on his gradual evolution from being unfairly hostile toward his close friends’ son to his best approximation of a surrogate father, and there’s no character better suited to hold Wesley’s feet to the fire. Picard’s unrelenting reprimand isn’t his past frustrations reemerging, nor is it pompous grandstanding. Thanks to the ever-remarkable Stewart, the seismic disappointment in Picard’s words is resoundingly personal enough to stop hearts.

Those words propose a continuing mission that rings keenly true to Star Trek‘s virtuous ethos, but wields a more substantial edge. Even something as beautiful as chasing the stars collapses without truthful convictions. And the characters who stumble before ultimately choosing the harder, lonelier path of upholding that integrity understand truth’s intrinsic worth.

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Star Trek: The Next Generation

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Release Date

1987 – 1994-00-00

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Network

Syndication

Showrunner

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Gene Roddenberry

Directors

Cliff Bole, Les Landau, Winrich Kolbe, Rob Bowman, Robert Scheerer, Jonathan Frakes, Robert Wiemer, Gabrielle Beaumont, Alexander Singer, David Carson, Paul Lynch, Corey Allen, Patrick Stewart, Chip Chalmers, Joseph L. Scanlan, James L. Conway, Robert Lederman, Tom Benko, Timothy Bond, Robert Legato, Adam Nimoy, Robert Becker, David Livingston, LeVar Burton

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Martha Stewart may have just solved one of those awkward end-of-summer dressing dilemmas: what to wear when you’re ready for fall clothes but it’s still way too warm for boots. Her answer is surprisingly simple — keep the sandals, add a lightweight sweater and let the outfit do the transitioning for you.

Stewart was spotted on her Instagram wearing an olive pullover, crisp white skinny jeans, layered gold jewelry and nude Dior Dioract Sandals. Her designer shoes retail for a cool $1,200, but we found a surprisingly similar pair on Amazon for just $30.

Get the Rihero Double Strap Flat Sandals for $31 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Rihero Double Strap Flat Sandals capture the same clean, expensive-looking feel with wide double straps, a neutral finish and subtle gold hardware. They come in a nude shade similar to Stewart’s, along with white, black, gold and several other colors, in sizes 5.5 to 11.

Related: Jennifer Garner Keeps a ‘Mom Grip’ on Her Designer Tote Bag — Copy the Look

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Jennifer Garner may have just coined the most relatable accessory trend yet: the “mom grip.” The actress shared an Instagram snap with both hands completely full, proving that even A-listers know the struggle of carrying everything at once. But among the everyday essentials, one particularly luxe accessory immediately caught my eye. Garner shared the items […]

They’re also built with comfort in mind. The PU faux leather straps have adjustable Velcro closures at the toe and ankle for a more customized fit, while a 0.8-inch platform sole and curved footbed help support the arch. In other words, they’re polished enough to dress up an outfit without sacrificing all-day wearability.

More than 1,000 Amazon shoppers have given the sandals a five-star rating. One reviewer who “walked for hours every day” in them across Europe called them “comfortable, lightweight and super cute,” while another buyer wears them “almost every day” and gets “tons of compliments” because they “look cute with almost everything.”

And Stewart’s outfit shows exactly how to keep nude sandals working as the seasons shift. Wear them now with breezy dresses and linen pants, then copy her formula with white denim and a lightweight sweater once temperatures dip — an easy way to stretch sandal season a little longer.

Get the Rihero Double Strap Flat Sandals for $31 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from Rihero 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.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

Related: Katie Holmes Is a Repeat-Wearer of This Surprising Shoe

Of all the shoes Katie Holmes could convince me to wear, I didn’t expect kitten heels to be the ones. But at 47, she’s proving the tiny heel can be just as sophisticated as a stiletto. It’s the kind of ageless shoe formula that looks polished without skimping on comfort. In the past three years, Holmes […]

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Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird is considering taking legal action against a private elementary school after it allegedly revoked her daughter Ella’s acceptance because of the reality star’s adult content. Pumpkin claims the Georgia school initially moved forward with Ella’s application before administrators abruptly changed course after learning about her social media presence. The mother of four believes the school should have disclosed any concerns before accepting her daughter and taking money from the family.

Pumpkin told TMZ that she contacted the private school approximately a week and a half before administrators allegedly withdrew Ella’s acceptance. According to the reality star, staff members were initially welcoming and communicative throughout the process.

Pumpkin also visited the campus and claimed nobody raised concerns about her online work during that meeting. However, she said she was called into another meeting on Friday morning, where administrators allegedly informed her that they knew about her social media content and no longer believed her family aligned with the school’s values.

The school then withdrew Ella’s acceptance, according to Pumpkin. The private institution reportedly agreed to refund the money Pumpkin had already paid. The name of the school was not included in the available report.

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Reality Star Says Her Daughter Is Better Off Elsewhere

Pumpkin claimed she did not argue with administrators after being informed of the decision. Instead, she reportedly told the school that its response convinced her Ella did not belong there. “Now that I know you guys are this judgy, my child doesn’t need to be here anyway,” she said.

Although she does not appear interested in sending Ella back to the school, Pumpkin is now considering whether to pursue legal action over how the application was handled. She reportedly believes administrators should have raised any objections to her adult content before continuing with Ella’s enrollment process.

No lawsuit was reported to have been filed, and Pumpkin did not identify an attorney representing her in the potential dispute. The school has also not been quoted responding publicly to her version of events.

Pumpkin’s Adult Content Has Sparked Family Concerns

The school controversy comes as Pumpkin continues expanding her career beyond reality television. Following her 2024 divorce from Josh Efird, the “Mama June: Family Crisis” personality began producing explicit subscription content and accepting paid dancing appearances at strip clubs.

Mama June Shannon has publicly supported her daughter’s right to make those career decisions. However, she has also warned Pumpkin about the possible long-term consequences. Speaking with TMZ earlier this month, June cautioned that “all money ain’t good money.”

Her concerns were not limited to public criticism. June specifically worried about the permanent nature of online content and the possibility that Pumpkin’s four children could encounter the material when they are older.

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While the children may not currently understand their mother’s work, June noted that content uploaded to the internet can remain accessible in the future. Despite those reservations, June insisted that the subject had not created a rift between her and Pumpkin. She acknowledged that her daughter is an adult and ultimately has the right to decide how she earns money.

Mama June’s Daughter Claims Career Has Been Lucrative

Pumpkin has claimed that the financial returns from her new venture have been substantial. The reality star reportedly earned close to six figures during her first two weeks on the subscription platform. Some individual videos offered through her page have reportedly been priced at approximately $100.

Pumpkin currently creates content with her boyfriend, Darrin Kitchens. Kitchens is connected to her former husband through his stepfather. She has also discussed expanding the type of material she produces with Kitchens.

Pumpkin Claims She Earns Thousands From Strip Club Appearances

In addition to creating online content, Pumpkin has begun appearing as a paid dancer at strip clubs around the country. She recently performed at Diamonds & Lace in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Pumpkin has claimed she earns thousands of dollars from those appearances before tips are added.

Marisa Tomei has publicly thrown her weight behind activist and fellow Avengers actor Mark Ruffalo amid his antisemitism controversy.

It comes after he shared comments pushing back on Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, due to the company’s links to Larry Ellison, whose company was reportedly in bed with the Israeli military.

Earlier this week, a group of Hollywood producers issued a statement accusing the actor of “simple antisemitism” over his comments.

Marisa Tomei is the latest Hollywood figure to speak in defense of Mark Ruffalo amid his ongoing controversy sparked by his take on the Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

She took to her Instagram Stories to share a statement by the 1A Committee, which said that the group rejects the “cynical attempt to falsely label” Ruffalo as antisemitic.

Calling the proposed merger “dangerous,” the committee spoke on Ruffalo’s personality, saying he’s someone who has chosen to use his influence “to fight for democracy, human rights, free speech, and the future of the media industry.”

“The original Committee for the First Amendment was founded to stand against blacklisting and intimidation of people for their political beliefs,” the statement said. “We will not stand by while the government or its allies revive those tactics to bully activists into silence today.”

They then called on other stakeholders to “reject” the claims and also lend their voices and platforms against the “dangerous merger.”

Alongside the statement, Tomei wrote, “We stand with Mark.”

Inside Ruffalo’s Antisemitism Controversy

The standoff began last week when Ruffalo shared an old clip of former Oracle CEO Safra Catz seemingly discussing the “profoundly scary technologies” the company built for the Israeli military following the October 7, 2023, terror attack by Hamas.

The post was from the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a Palestinian-led campaign pushing back against Israel’s occupation.

BDS captioned the clip by accusing Oracle of being “complicit in war crimes and crimes against humanity — including apartheid and genocide against Palestinians.”

Alongside the clip, the “13 Going on 30” actor noted that the war in Gaza was “a genocide, which was built on an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle.”

Oracle is led by billionaire co-founder Larry Ellison, who’s reportedly earmarked $40.4 billion in financing for his son David Ellison’s Paramount to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery and complete the merger.

Ruffalo slammed Larry as a “classic Oligarch,” warning that the “most destructive and inhuman forces in the world” would be at the helm of affairs in one of the most important media companies if the merger happens.

Paramount Accuses Ruffalo Of Antisemitism

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In response, studio representatives publicly reprimanded the actor, claiming his statements invoked sensitive tropes in service of a business dispute.

“We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute,” a Paramount spokesperson said in a statement, per The Wrap.

“Words like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid,’ applied to a corporate transaction, aren’t just wrong — they’re a bridge too far, and they cheapen the very real suffering those words are meant to describe. This doesn’t deserve a response in kind — and to be clear, we don’t tolerate prejudice of any kind, against anyone,” the insider added.

They also noted that the situation “exposes the true motivation of some who have advocated opposition to this transaction.”

Ruffalo Rejects Paramount’s Antisemitism Accusation

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The “Poor Things” actor rejected the accusations in a follow-up statement, calling Paramount’s stance “appalling and fundamentally dishonest.”

“Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people,” Ruffalo wrote on X. “This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel.”

He went further to mention that his position on the matter comes from his personal political views and shouldn’t be translated as “hostility toward Jewish people,” for whom he claims to have “deep love and respect.”

The actor doubled down on his take, explaining that the merger has “real consequences,” among which are the threat to press freedom and the loss of livelihood for many families.

Nearly 1,000 Hollywood Insiders Blast Ruffalo

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Meanwhile, a group of Hollywood producers, including Haim Saban, Lawrence Bender and Teddy Schwarzman, accused Ruffalo of “simple antisemitism” due to his remarks over the deal.

In an online statement issued by a group of nearly 1,000 industry insiders, which calls itself ‘The Brigade’, they claimed the actor invoked tropes and that his comments weren’t only geared toward the merger.

“This is not commentary on a merger. It is not a criticism of a government. It is simple antisemitism, where Jewish executives are portrayed as a secretive and powerful wealth-hoarding elite delighting in mass death,” the group told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Singling out Jewish executives and describing them in terms lifted from centuries-old antisemitic conspiracy theories, while invoking Israel as the frame for that attack, is antisemitic,” The Brigade said.

The passing of Dolly Parton has shook, well, everyone. You know you’re universally loved when you’re mourned equally by drag queens and good ‘ol boys. She was a one-of-a-kind country music icon, but that was far from all. She was also a savvy businesswoman, devoted philanthropist, and a pretty damn fine actress, too.

In the ’80s and early ’90s, Dolly carved out a memorable place in the movies. Though she never quite hit leading-lady status, she was a reliable on-screen presence, charismatic, warm, and brimming with homespun charm. Who needs range? She was always Dolly, and we loved her for it. These five performances are perfect for fans who aren’t ready to say goodbye, and want just a little more Dolly in their lives.

5

‘Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

Image via Warner Bros.

Let’s be clear: Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous is not a good movie. It scores an underwhelming 15 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and even Sandra Bullock has admitted it “shouldn’t have been done.” But doggone it if a cameo from Parton doesn’t steal the show. In Las Vegas to hold a press conference as the “new face of the FBI,” Bullock’s Gracie Hart begins investigating the kidnapping of a beauty pageant winner and host. A tip that a Dolly Parton impersonator abetted the kidnappers sets Hart off when she spies the platinum-haired “impersonator” moving through a casino.

An on-foot chase ensues, with the petite pursued booking it through a crowded casino like O.J. Simpson at the airport in one of those 1970s Hertz ads. Ultimately, Hart catches up, tackling her quarry only to find she’s — the real Dolly Parton. You can see the punchline from a mile away, but it works because Dolly sells it — out of breath, exasperated, and just plain funny.

4

‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’

Image via Metro Cinema

Sharing top billing with Burt Reynolds in a screwball musical comedy, Parton is the draw. She plays Miss Mona, the madame of a Texas brothel called the Chicken Ranch. By look-the-other-way arrangement, the institution is protected by the local authorities, notably Reynolds’ Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, who is in a secret relationship with Miss Mona. Everything is imperiled when a reporter threatens an exposé.

It’s a musical, so of course Parton was going to kill it. She sings throughout, owning showstoppers like the opener, “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Place,” and duets like “Sneakin’ Around” with Reynolds. But her performance of “I Will Always Love You,” a re-recording of her 1974 hit for the film, is the true highlight.

3

‘Straight Talk’

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

After a string of successful performances in the 80s, Parton got a crack at being a leading lady in 1992’s Straight Talk. Leaving the tiny town of Flat River, Arkansas, her character, Shirlee Kenyon, moves to Chicago and gets a job as a receptionist at a radio station. Mistaken for the station’s new call-in therapist, she’s rushed into the booth and starts dispensing no-nonsense advice to distressed callers. The show is a success among listeners, who believe she’s an actual doctor. At the same time, she begins a romantic relationship with a reporter, played by James Woods, who is secretly investigating her credentials.

Straight Talk wasn’t a big hit, and it didn’t launch her into the rom-com game, but Dolly was Dolly, and it worked. Listening to her dispense homespun counsel as “Dr. Shirlee” is as comforting as a warm blanket.

2

‘Steel Magnolias’

Image via Sony Pictures

Robert Harling’s 1987 stage play about a cadre of Southern women whose bond strengthens in a time of crisis turned out to be a natural fit for Parton. Among a formidable group of seasoned actresses — Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Darryl Hannah, and Olympia Dukakis — Dolly more than held her own. Director Herbert Ross reportedly openly questioned Parton’s acting ability on set, but her performance was loved by audiences and critics.

Playing Truvy Jones, a hair stylist with a heart of gold and a mind for gossip, didn’t seem like much of a stretch for Parton. Still, she turned the role into something special, proving her ability to fully inhabit a role and make it look easy. “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion,” quips Truvy at one point. Enough said.

1

‘9 to 5’

Image via Brooklyn Academy of Music

Her breakout role was her best. Parton is a hoot alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in this classic workplace comedy. As the buxom Doralee Rhodes, she’s an absolutely winsome member of the secretary pool, elevated to true heroine when Dabney Coleman’s chauvinistic company vice president finally gets around to a blackmail attempt to get her to sleep with him.

The role was one thing, but the song was something else entirely. Parton’s title song for the movie soundtrack struck a chord, a workplace anthem to outdo Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It.” It was Dolly’s only number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and launched her from country queen into the pop culture mainstream. She never left.

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Release Date

December 19, 1980

Runtime

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109 Minutes

Director

Colin Higgins

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Writers

Patricia Resnick, Colin Higgins

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When September hits, you may think it’s time to pull out your Chelsea boots. Well, not this year. Rich girls in New York, London and beyond are wearing elevated, luxe-looking shoes instead, and we found 13 chic pairs that capture the aesthetic.

These polished sneakerinas, Mary Janes, mules and more are the ticket to high-class status, and you don’t have to spend like it. Our favorite styles scream ‘expensive’ yet start at only $6! Whether you’re scouting wear-everywhere shoes for errands, in-office days, trips to the pumpkin patch and beyond, these trendy finds have you covered.

13 Luxe-Looking Fall Shoes — From $6

1. Our Favorite: Slingbacks meet pointed-toe flats with these sleek hybrid shoes. They’re 40% off right now, so run!

2. One-of-a-Kind: These bestselling Mary Jane sneakers deliver memory foam comfort and polish at once. Suede fabric gives them an old money edge.

3. Easy On: Slip on these leather-like mules and prepare for compliments. The gold hardware screams ‘rich mom.’

4. Flats, But Better: Toms leans into versatility with these charming cutout flats that dress up with skirts and down with denim.

5. Boutique Find: Sneakers aren’t usually classy but these delicate wonders feature silky fabric, ribbon laces and suede accents.

6. Stretchy Knit: Everything about these knit mules is sophisticated, including the pointed toe, solid color and minimal shape.

7. Shiny-Chic: Metallics are totally ‘in’ this year, and these silver slingbacks are the easiest way to nail it. You can even choose gold.

8. Center of Attention: When you don’t want to think about your outfit, opt for these toe-bow flats. They steal all of the attention.

9. Luxe Leopard: Vionic Mary Janes are a worthwhile splurge. Aside from a luxe silhouette, they feature arch support, cushioning and an easy hook-and-loop strap.

10. Pretty Pointed: Slip-ons never looked so good! Large buckles and shiny accents give these pointy flats a bold, head-turning flair.

11. Total Classic: You can’t go wrong with these Sam Edelman loafers that come in 18 colors and two width options.

12. Elevated Staple: Adidas sneakers are mega popular right now, and this Mary Jane version gives sporty an elegant twist. And yes, they’re just as comfortable as trainers.

13. A No Brainer: The price of these crochet-embellished Mary Jane flats feels like a glitch but we’re not complaining!

Related: I Went to the Gold Coast — Rich Moms Wear These Luxe-Looking Fall Shoes

You don’t need a Chicago zip code to know about the Gold Coast style. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a haven for the city’s most affluent, located right on the coast of Lake Michigan. This luxurious neighborhood is filled with designer boutiques, multimillion-dollar mansions and of course, rich moms with old money style. Walking […]

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While video game adaptations have mostly turned their reputation around after a disastrous few decades, one recent movie set them back significantly with its poor critical and commercial reception. In recent times, films such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, A Minecraft Movie, and shows such as The Last of Us have achieved major success, pushing video game adaptations into a new era. For most of the 2000s and 2010s, video game movies were either critically reviled or commercially unsuccessful. Studios invested heavily in projects such as Warcraft and Assassin’s Creed, but weren’t able to turn them into long-running franchises. A movie released theatrically in 2024 was received just as poorly as the earlier titles, not only failing to launch a franchise, but also emerging as a historic flop.

The movie in question recently saw a resurgence on streaming, perhaps attracting curious audiences wondering just how bad it could be. The film featured a stacked cast that included proven box-office draws such as Jack Black and Kevin Hart, alongside one of the most admired actors of her generation, Cate Blanchett. It was directed by Eli Roth, who broke out as a horror filmmaker before diversifying into children’s movies and action thrillers. Roth’s video game adaptation ran into production troubles and was overhauled in post-production by the studio. Tim Miller was hired to conduct reshoots, while the original writer, Craig Mazin, preferred taking his name off the project entirely. Mazin won accolades for his work on HBO’s The Last of Us.

Here’s the Critically Reviled Video Game Movie Making a Comeback on Streaming

We’re talking, of course, about Borderlands. The movie grossed just $33 million worldwide against a reported budget of $120 million. Reviews weren’t encouraging either; the movie now holds a 10% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Glitching out in every department, Borderlands is balderdash.” According to FlixPatrol, Borderlands emerged as one of the most popular movies on the domestic Peacock chart this week, when the leaderboard was topped, ironically, by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. You can check out Borderlands at home, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

August 9, 2024

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Runtime

101 minutes

Writers

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Eli Roth, Joe Crombie

Producers

Avi Arad, Erik Feig, Ari Arad

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Scott Wolf and Kelley Wolf‘s 21-year marriage came to an end after their separation was announced in 2025, with the former filing for divorce shortly afterward. The split was followed by a turbulent period that included legal disputes and a mental health crisis for Kelley. Now, more than a year later, she is opening up about her diagnosis and apologizing to her ex for the chaotic period in their lives.

In June 2025, “Party of Five” actor Scott Wolf filed for divorce from Kelley, his wife of 21 years. Later, he spoke out about the separation publicly, sharing his ex’s erratic behavior and false allegations against him. Months later, Kelley was arrested on misdemeanor charges.

Now, the exes, who share three children, appear to be on better terms and are focused on co-parenting amid their divorce proceedings. On August 28, Kelley took to Instagram to apologize and shed light on the situation.

“I was not well, and I needed help,” Kelley wrote, adding that during that turbulent period, she was “completely delusional” and had no self-awareness. “I felt like my brain had been hijacked, and the world was moving at the speed of a freight train,” she added.

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Kelley is sharing her experience in hopes of helping others. After seeking help from professionals, she was diagnosed with “drug-induced mania with psychosis,” which she noted was caused by hormonal shifts, past trauma, stress, and mixing prescription medication with hallucinogens.

The TV Personality Is Taking Accountability For Her ‘Cruel’ Actions

Kelley, who worked as a certified life coach, expressed her sincere apologies to Scott, sharing that what the actor went through “wouldn’t even fly in a movie script; it was so brutal.”

Following their separation, Kelley accused Scott of child endangerment and psychological abuse, among other things, which she now admits were “not based in truth or reality.” Looking back, she said the “cruel,” “vicious,” and “mean” things she did made her “shudder.”

Kelley addressed Scott and their children, thanking them for saving her life. “You never gave up on me, and you fought like hell until you landed me in safe harbor. I owe you my life,” she wrote.

Kelley Wolf Believed She Was In The CIA

Substance-induced psychosis is a disorder that results in hallucinations, delusions, or both. It alters a patient’s state of mind and may cause paranoia, anxiety, mania, increased hostility, and even memory problems.

In her post, Kelley shared the extent of what she experienced, saying that one of her delusions was that she was part of the CIA and was running for president.

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Despite now having an explanation for her behavior, Kelley acknowledges that her behavior caused her loved ones and the people around her “enormous pain.” Now that she is in a better place, she vows to do better. “I will work hard to use this life to leave it better, to pay it forward, and to never give up on the power of love,” she wrote.

The Exes Reunited For Quality Time With Their Kids

In February, Scott, Kelley, and their three children enjoyed quality time with each other and went to Universal Studios, as The Blast previously reported. Everyone was all smiles in the photo the exes shared on their respective social media accounts. “Healing,” the caption read.

In a statement, Scott addressed the outing and said his family deserved “to have nice things” and not dwell in the “dark place.” He didn’t go into detail about the family’s ordeal, but said they were all working toward healing. “I love all of those four people and all of those four people love each other. And so that’s what really matters most,” he said.

Scott Wolf Reflects On The ‘Hardest Year’ Of His Life

In January, Scott reflected on his family’s difficult year, but despite the challenges, he was grateful for the lessons and the growth he experienced. In a photo carousel, he shared special moments with his children and behind-the-scenes snapshots from some of his projects.

“So the hardest year brought the most love. Life indeed,” he said in the caption.

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When a work of art is described as “ahead of its time,” it’s usually a compliment. That’s not always the case when people talk about “Cow Tools,” a 1982 installment of The Far Side by Gary Larson. The single-panel comic is abstract at best, with no discernible punchline in the traditional sense. However, decades later, the comic is credited with predicting the rise of internet meme humor — or perhaps even influencing it. Tracking the public response to this work over 34 years provides a unique view of our evolving sense of humor, and it may re-orient discussions about how our monolithic online culture has developed.

For those unfamiliar, “Cow Tools” (seen below) is a simple black-and-white drawing of a cow standing on its hind legs in the foreground. There’s a barn visible a short distance away, and a workbench in front of the cow. On it are four objects, including one that looks like a hand saw, one forked stick with an odd shape, and two things that are even harder to define. If you feel like you’re missing the joke, you’re not alone. The vehement reaction to this strip and its later re-popularization online both illustrate our appetite for absurd humor and our inevitable desire to define it and compartmentalize it.

Image via Chronicle Features

The Far Side was published in syndication from 1980 to 1995, meaning “Cow Tools” appeared in thousands of newspapers around the U.S. when it was first released on October 28, 1982. The response has now been carefully documented by meme historians — Larson, the newspapers, and the syndication publisher Chronicle Features were all reportedly inundated with phone calls and letters in the days and weeks after “Cow Tools” dropped. The phone at Chronicle Features rang practically all day for two days straight, and the letters that came in had genuine frustration behind them, even if many were self-aware about the absurdity of it all.

The response was so great that Larson eventually responded publicly with a press release, writing: “The cartoon was intended to be an exercise in silliness. While I have never met a cow who could make tools, I felt sure that if I did, they (the tools) would lack something in sophistication and resemble the sorry specimens shown in this cartoon.”

After that, “Cow Tools” remained somewhat infamous among comic strip aficionados for years, with many remembering the frustration of feeling like they were missing out on a joke and the dissatisfaction they felt at Larson’s explanation. It wasn’t until the rise of social media that a wider audience began looking at “Cow Tools” with fresh eyes. In the context of all the self-referential meme humor that circulates online, “Cow Tools” didn’t seem so hard to understand anymore. Perhaps its original viewers were just expecting too much from it.

In recent years, “Cow Tools” has actually become a helpful bridge for building cross-generational understanding. Gen X and Baby Boomer parents may be a little put off or suspicious of the sense of humor their children are developing online — and with good reason in some cases. However, “Cow Tools” is a reminder that sometimes things are “not that deep,” they’re just absurd for absurdity’s sake. Nowadays, “Cow Tools” is regarded by some as an accidental meta-commentary on inside jokes and memetic humor. It has also been described as “the original s—post.”

‘The Far Side’ Readers Haven’t Changed As Much As They Think

Image via FarWorks

While “Cow Tools” was arguably ahead of its time, it may prove that the internet hasn’t changed us as much as we think. The outsized response to the cartoon is often recounted as a joke — letters complained of debates among friends and family trying to understand the humor, even citing the education levels of various people trying to interpret it. We look back on the desperation of those complaints and laugh, imagining that those people wouldn’t last a minute in the onslaught of a modern social media feed.

The truth that younger modern readers don’t want to address is that they probably had nearly the same reaction when they first saw “Cow Tools.” The mere fact that so many explanations and analyses of the work exist online proves that fact — creators answer the questions that are already being asked on Google, and the resurgence of “Cow Tools” online sparked a massive demand for explanations that would have fried the Chronicle Features phone line in 1982. Modern readers don’t inherently understand “Cow Tools” better or faster than their counterparts from three decades ago, they simply have the means of getting answers. They are able to find context for the comic immediately, which is all the original readers really wanted.

Larson himself seemed to regard “Cow Tools” as a partial failure due to the response. In his 1982 press release, he wrote: “I regret that my fondness for cows, combined with an overactive imagination, may have carried me beyond what is comprehensible to the average Far Side reader.” The fact that the comic was so frustrating for people, and the fact that they didn’t simply fall back on the simplest explanation they could think of, meant it had failed to convey the simple amusement Larson wanted.

That said, “Cow Tools” is now an invaluable object lesson in understanding how internet humor has evolved and what its limitations are. Many believe that memetic humor is getting more absurd and esoteric, but that’s only true from the outside of any given niche. The people laughing hardest at an online joke understand every nuance of it, and one source of the humor is imagining how much it would confuse an uninitiated viewer. The acceleration comes from the mechanism of the internet itself, where people can research for the proper context as soon as they want.

Larson revived The Far Side as a web comic in 2020, publishing new strips on his official website. Older panels like “Cow Tools” are available now in various collected editions.

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Release Date

October 26, 1994

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Directors

Marv Newland

Writers

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gary larson

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